[Free Download] Maverick "The First Step"

When it comes to digging for samples I must admit, I'm not the best at. When you have friends like mine you don't have to be. I'd like to introduce you all to Maverick, a producer from Washington, DC by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Maverick & I have been friends for some time now, His knowledge on Hip Hop & records never ceases to amaze me.

The last time we hooked up, he played me some new beats he was working on. He's a busy guy who has his hands in tons of things. The one thing he has yet to dabble in was a release. I convinced him to let me share his beats with you all. Consider these tracks "The First Step" in my homie making a name for himself.

Maverick is a producer from Washington, DC by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Using the MPC 2000 & his vast collection of vinyl records, Maverick's production is reminiscent of classic early 90's Hip Hop. If you're digging Maverick's beats, feel free to let him know.

Email: maverickbeats@gmail.com

Twitter: Maverickbeatsdc

Apply For Red Bull Music Academy Tokyo 2011

I participated in the academy when it was in Melbourne, Australia back in 2006. It was a life changing experience, apply HERE

About the academy (Taken from redmusicacademy.com)

The Red Bull Music Academy is a series of music workshops, a platform for those who shape our musical future. Every year, two groups of 30 selected participants - producers, vocalists, DJs, instrumentalists, and allround musical mavericks from all around the globe - come together for two fortnight-long 'terms'.

At the Academy you will hear lectures both from pioneering mavericks of old and trailblazing sound rebels of the present, followed by late-night recording sessions putting that breadth of knowledge and inspiration into practice in ten custom-made studios. Then there’s the chance to perform in some of the host city’s most iconic clubs and concert halls. And there's still plenty of time to check gear, chat on tunes, jump on live radio broadcasts, get a glimpse into local musical hybrids, and ask the questions you were always keen on asking, as well... If you ever chat with any past alumni, they often describe the experience as a game changer.

WPFW 89.3 CTI Records Show

Dave Muse & DJ 2 Tone Jones of WPFW 89.3 Washington, DC combined their two shows to do a 2 hour CTI records dedicated show. The studio was filled with DMV artists & DJ's vibing out to the sounds of CTI vinyl. As a sampler & vinyl collector myself, the conversations we had about the Hip Hop records that sampled CTI was a highlight of the evening. Tune in at http://www.wpfw.org

Cortez "The Journey"

I don't know how I missed posting this album by DMV MC, Cortez. His album "The Journey" is available for free dowmlolad on his bandcamp page. If you're feeling the music coming from the DMV, definitely add this one to your collection.

Soulful! "Mumbo Sauce & Drumbreaks"

One of my favorite up & coming producers from the DMV Soulful! just dropped an album titled, "Mumbo Sauce & Drumbeaks". Check the album out & if you're digging it, buy it & tell a friend. DMV!





BONUS: [Video] Oddisee, Toine of DTMD & Kenn Starr Rhyming over a beat by Soulful! + Additional photos.

Interview With NPR

I recently appeared on NPR to discuss independent artists & the tools they use.
click on the the NPR Music logo above to listen or the top logo to read.

Roddy Rod "Blunt Park Sessions 1.2

Maspyke's legendary producer, and Low Budget Crew's own RoddyRod, steps out on his own once again with a re-release of Rawkus's failed RAWKUS 50 LP Banger. A true slept on gem re-emerges and reminds the listener what hip-hop really is, With non-stop head-nodding throughout the album. Guests include Oddisee, Kev Brown, Finale, yU, Uptown X.O, Asheru, Muhsinah, Raheem Devaughn, Cy Young, Grap Luva and more. - Id (Originally released in 2008)

DTMD At Southpaw Brooklyn [CMJ 2010]

Video & brief interview on my little brothers DTMD. Taken at Southpaw in Brooklyn during CMJ 2010.

X.O. EPK

No days off for any member of the Diamond District! My brother X.O. just dropped an EPK. His new album monumental 2 will be released in March. It's our efforts as solo artists & are individuality that makes Diamond District so special. Check it out.

Kev Brown Commentary Vol.1 & 2

My big brother Kev brown just released two amazing volumes of beats, some as old as 11 years. He also gives a commentary on each production &, in depth stories based around the time of each track. Definitely as must have for all Kev Brown fans. Low Budget Crew For Life!

what Kev had to say about the project (Taken from his bandcamp page)
The creative process of Kev Brown. Kev Brown plays some of your favorites straight out of the akai MPC2000xl(nerd rap) and gives a little "behind the scenes" story of how the classic songs that you've loved over the years came to be!

Olivier Daysoul - Live At The Loft

When Olivier Daysoul was visiting back in November, we approached photographer/videographer TONE, to shoot a live version of the Mr. Saint Louis EP at his loft. I recruited none other than Ralph Real (The guy from York, Pa. that plays on all my sh*t, act like you know!) to assemble the band. Within a week, Ralph had assembled a band & practiced 3 times! Tone teamed up with fellow photographer/videographer's Zack Schamberg & Joesph Marconi to bring you this beautiful video, enjoy.

Olivier Daysoul from TONE on Vimeo.

Special Edition Artist Profile on UK artist, Olivier Daysoul. Produced by Oddisee and recorded live at my Loft. http://oddisee.bandcamp.com

The live version of the "Mr. Saint Louis" EP will be available soon on oddisee.bandcamp.com.

[Bonus]
Here are some behind the scenes photographs I took of the shoot.

"A Year In" On Okayplayer

Always good to get some Okay Player Love.

"Odd Spring" On The Washington Post DC Best Of List 2010

Always good to get home town recognition!

Taken from the Washington Post

"The final installment in the local producer's year-long seasonal series is appropriately bright and breezy; check out the airy flute on "I'm From P.G." and the bubbly keyboards on "Anticipation." The prolific beatmaker largely sticks to '70s-inspired fare, making for a fun and funky outing. " -Washington Post



Also check out my newest release:

LA Times On "A Year In"

Wow... Really appreciate what the LA Times had to say about me & "A Year In".

Taken from the LA Times Music Blog

Oddisee -- "A Year In..."

Oddisee spent 2010 trying to live up to his name, collaborating with a range of characters, including Brighton, England's trip-hop soulstress Andreya Triana, jazzy New York favorite Homeboy Sandman and the top tier -- X.O., Kingpin Slim, yU -- of his Washington, D.C., hometown. His soulful wanderings lamped in Los Angleles long enough to produce ideal complements to the laid-back palm-tree flows of TiRon, Blu and Trek Life. Available for free at his Bandcamp site, the compilation traces the arc of one of the most gifted and unsung producers in rap.

A Year In

Happy new year to everyone. Here's a compilation of some of my favorite works in 2010. Thank you all for listening to my music, I hope you continue to do so. I'm excited for my 2011 releases, most of all for my solo album. My first official solo album "People Hear What They See" coming in May of 2011. Now back to work I go!