New AWKWORD Single on Dope Music Blog’s The Cho$en Few

This Christmas evening, December 25, Dope Music Blog dropped its long-awaited The Cho$en Few mixtape, featuring 19 tracks from the top up-and-comers in Hip Hop, including Raven Sorvino, Chuuwee, Uno Hype, Trade Voorhees, J57 (Brown Bag AllStars), Martin $ky, Chill Moody, C Plus, Louie Valles, AWKWORD and more. The tape has been picked up by a number of blogs (including Ruby Hornet, Kevin Nottingham, Donuts and Milk, 2DopeBoyz and Barrelhouse BKLYN), all with rave reviews.

CLICK HERE to stream and download the full tape. (See soundcloud widget below to stream and download AWKWORD’s contribution to the tape.)

AWKWORD‘s exclusive for Dope Music Blog, “Doh“, was one of the singles released to promote the mixtape. Produced by Clementino of France and mixed by Trilian of Serbia, it world premiered exactly two weeks earlier (December 11) on Rap Genius.

As AWKWORD put it in his October 10, 2012, Spotlight Interview with Dope Music Blog:

I just felt like going free association with it. I wanted it to be notably different from the type of music I am known for making… It starts out inspired by all the times spent in Harry Fraud’s smoked-out studios and then just unravels from there.

AWKWORD – “Doh” (Single) – Stream x Download:

Cover Art for “Doh” and The Cho$en Few by GOODIDEAstyle (Italy).

AWKWORD Interview, Freestyle on Halftime Radio w/ DJ Eclipse

As we pre-announced before the show, AWKWORD appeared live on the world-famous Halftime Radio Show with DJ Eclipse and Petey Cologne this past Wednesday, October 3.

NOW, below, you can watch ON VIDEO the full night’s events, also featuring PaceWon, Mr. Green, Serge Severe and DJ Grouch, as well as a REAL (off-the-top) freestyle from AWKWORD to close out the show.

You can also stream/download the AWKWORD interview (via Audio Mack), in which DJ Eclipse asks AWK questions regarding the contradictions in his music, the difference between the man and the emcee, and the activist/artist’s:

• 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project World View
• Songs “Back to BK” and “I” (the AWKWORD un-ANTHEM) — which DJ Eclipse played during his 10/3 set
• Interview with The Village Voice
• Surprise side-project — dropping tomorrow via Rock The Dub! — with Cletus, Remnants & Rejects
• Plans for after World View

VIDEO

Fast-forward to the 02:07:00 mark for AWKWORD

INTERVIEW

Look out for the full 10/03/12 Halftime tracklist, coming soon to the AWKWORD tumblr.

Shout out to Centri, Fokis and Dharmic X for coming through the station for the show.

And stay tuned for the audio from AWKWORD’s interview with Dharmic X on his WNYU show, This Culture Never Dies, coming soon.

Stream/Download: AWKWORD – Back to BK (ft. Poison Pen, more)

Shout out to HipHopDX for world premiering the song, and to The Source, You Heard That New, Go Where Hip Hop, Kevin Nottingham and all the other Hip Hop sites who showed love.

Stream/Download (Soundcloud)

Name YOUR Price — and DONATE 100% to CHARITY (for At-Risk Youth) (Highest-Quality Download)

Youtube Stream

Song Info

Appearing on AWKWORD’s DJBooth-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project, World View, the activist emcee’s newest release “Back to BK” is a celebration of the Borough of Kings, featuring Brooklyn’s own D. Julien (Flatbush), Dom O Briggs (Bushwick) and Poison Pen (‘Bed Stuy’s Best Buy’), with gritty production and classic cuts from Tone Spliff and studio engineering from Brooklyn nomad Harry Fraud and Park Slope’s Steel Tipped Dove.

The record begins with AWKWORD’s verse — written a few years ago while he was moving out of Brooklyn (also when he wrote the hook) — in which he longs to return to a past life represented by his time living in the borough where his great grandfathers immigrated from Europe, where his grandfather ran the streets as part of a Jewish gang, and where his own father was born.

AWKWORD is followed up by three fellow buzz-making emcees and current Brooklynites, who all deliver hard-hitting verses, and then an extended outro displaying Tone Spliff’s now-famed turntablism skills.

Song Credits

• Song: “Back to BK”
• Artist: AWKWORD
• Featuring: D. Julien, Dom O Briggs, Poison Pen & DJ Tone Spliff
• Producer: Tone Spliff
• Album: World View
• Label: Sub-City Productions x The DJ Booth (DJBooth.net)
• Vocals (Verses): AWKWORD, D. Julien, Dom O Briggs, Poison Pen
• Vocals (Hook): AWKWORD
• Production: Tone Spliff
• Cuts: Tone Spliff
• Mix/Master: Tone Spliff
• Executive Production: AWKWORD, Tone Spliff
• Engineering: Harry Fraud, Roger ‘True’ Guzman, Steel Tipped Dove
• Cover Art: HypeForever

HipHopDX Exclusive Premiere: AWKWORD – Back to BK ft. VA

Last night, July 11, leading Hip Hop site HipHopDX world premiered “Back to BK“, the newest single off AWKWORD’s DJBooth-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project World View.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE SONG — AND RATE, COMMENT & SHARE!

About the Song

Appearing on AWKWORD‘s DJBooth-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project, World View, the activist emcee’s newest release “Back to BK” is a celebration of the Borough of Kings, featuring Brooklyn’s own D. Julien (Flatbush), Dom O Briggs (Bushwick) and Poison Pen (‘Bed Stuy’s Best Buy’), with gritty production and classic cuts from Tone Spliff and studio engineering from Brooklyn nomad Harry Fraud and Park Slope’s Steel Tipped Dove.

The record begins with AWKWORD’s verse — written a few years ago while he was moving out of Brooklyn (also when he wrote the hook) — in which he longs to return to a past life represented by his time living in the borough where his great grandfathers immigrated from Europe, where his grandfather ran the streets as part of a Jewish gang, and where his own father was born.

AWKWORD is followed up by three fellow buzz-making emcees and current Brooklynites, who all deliver hard-hitting verses, and then an extended outro displaying Tone Spliff’s now-famed turntablism skills.

[Cover Art: HypeForever.]

NEW VIDEO! “Bars & Hooks” w/ Harry Fraud, Sean Price, The Kid Daytona

NEW VIDEO – WORLD PREMIERE via The Source Magazine…

AWKWORD ft. Sean Price, The Kid Daytona & The Incomparable Shakespeare – “Bars & Hooks (Keep It Moving [K.I.M.])” (prod. Harry Fraud)

[Watch -- and Read the COMPLEX MAGAZINE Write-Up -- Here!]

“Bars & Hooks” appears on AWKWORD’s World View LP, the first-ever 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project. This new New York City grime anthem is produced by Mr. Shot Caller himself, Harry Fraud, and features verses from Brownsville’s Sean Price and The Kid Daytona, from uptown, with a hook from The Incomparable Shakespeare.

NahRight.com World Premiere Post.

DOWNLOAD.

NAME YOUR PRICE — and donate 100% to Guns 4 Cameras [Aim to Live], the 501c3-registered nonprofit recipient of all AWKWORD World View proceeds.

FOR the DJs [Clean/Radio].

LIKE it on HarryFraud’s page.

Behind The Scenes With Full Cast at Bars & Hooks Video Shoot

Before the OFFICIAL “Bars & Hooks” mini-film drops, get a sneak peak with this Behind-The-Scenes (BTS) slideshow/video + audio.

Credits:

• Artist: AWKWORD
• Featuring: Sean Price, The Kid Daytona & The Incomparable Shakespeare (hook)
• Production: Harry Fraud
• Album: World View
• Video Director: Andre Ward for Across the Bridge Productions
• Executive Producer: R.F. Howland

A NahRight.com Exclusive World Premiere! Also played on Rap Is Outta Control, Hip Hop Nation Sirius XM and Buzz Asia, as well as featured by Hip Hop DX, 2 Dope Boyz, DJ Booth, Earmilk, Above Ground Magazine, HipHopMusicDotCom, Ashley Outrageous, Refined Hype & many more of your favorite Hip Hop sites!

DOWNLOAD THIS HIT RECORD NOW: http://bit.ly/Bars-Hooks

Photo Gallery:

AWKWORD Performing Live at Shemspeed CMJ Showcase

This Tuesday, October 18, 2011, as part of the annual CMJ festival, I will be performing as a special guest with Israel’s own SHI 360 at the Shemspeed showcase. Flyer & Details below. Hope to see you there! Doors open at 7…

Shemspeed CMJ Showcase

Tuesday Oct 18th Live at Littlefield

MAIN STAGE: LIVE performances by:

Y-Love, Kyle Rapps & Diwon (Debut of Hood Samaritan)

Shi 360 (Israeli MC / Single Release Party)

Khaled M (Libyan MC)

Moshe Hecht (CD Release Party)

Max Jared (Folk Fantastic)

Special Guest Performances by Kosha Dillz, AWKWORD, Sneakas, Yellow Red Sky & Tj Di Hitmaker.

FRONT ROOM (DJS): DJs all night:

Tes-Uno (Boundless/BK)

Geng Grizzly (PTP/NYC)

DJ Mondee (NJ)

DJ Teddy King (Boundless/BK)

DJ Lifeone (FYC/BK)

Tron (InVaderZ)

ADDRESS: Littlefield – 622 Degraw St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

DOORS: 7pm

PRICE: $10 with RSVP | $15 at the door | Free with CMJ Badge
* To RSVP, email: cmj@shemspeed.com

RSVP ON FACEBOOK HERE

ADDITIONAL INFO: Shemspeed will be throwing one of the most exciting CMJ events of 2011.The event bridges the worlds of electronic music, dancehall and hip hop from artists around the world.

This line up includes a CD Release party for Shi 360 from ISRAEL, a one night engagement only, Libyan MC Khaled M, Kyle Rapps premiering his new video with Talib Kweli, and Y-Love premiering his new video with Andy Milonakis. The show will also be the debut live performance of Hood Samaritan, the CD release party for indie folk artist Moshe Hecht, and special guest performances by dancehall champ Tj Di Hitmaker, freestyle champ Kosha Dillz and The People’s Champ AWKWORD.

Keep It Kosher…

#MusicMonday Leak: AWKWORD ft. Punchline, Shabaam Sahdeeq & Beretta 9 (Killarmy) – “The People’s Champions” (prod. Harry Fraud) #MM #HipHop #Rap #Music

As premiered by XclusivesZone and featured on leading Hip Hop sites worldwide, including The Sermon’s Domain, RockTheDub, The Hip Hop Chronicle, DotGotIt, OffTheTrax, Fresh-Grind, RapUniverse, HipHopSite.com, RealHipHop4ever, 1134MixShow, Tapemasters Inc., and many more…

The People’s Champions ft. Punchline, Shabaam Sahdeeq & Beretta 9 by AWKWORD

AWKWORD, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Punchline & Beretta 9 (Killarmy) join forces for “The People’s Champions”, a revolution-inspired cut produced by Harry Fraud. This song will appear on AWKWORD’s forthcoming 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project ‘World View’.

All proceeds from World View will be donated to Guns 4 Cameras (A.K.A. Aim to Live), a 501c3 registered nonprofit dedicated to eradicating gun violence through the Hip Hop-inspired education and empowerment of our innercity youth. For more information, visit: http://AWKWORDrap.com

**Follow these artists on Twitter**

- @AWKWORDrap
- @HFraud
- @Punchline_NYC
- @ShabaamSaheeq
- @Kinetic_9

And help us make #ThePeoplesChampions and #WorldView Trending Topics!

AWKWORD Live at Southpaw

On January 22, 2010, AWKWORD appeared live at Southpaw in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York, alongside Jabba (a.k.a. Hip Hop Pantsula) of South Africa, Asheru (of Boondocks fame) and Umi (dead prez affiliate), for a hip hop show benefiting the fight against AIDS in Africa, as well as promoting hip hop in education.

To read the original article, please click here.

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

AWKWORD - Live at Southpaw

BY THE WAY, IF YOU SEE THEM CATS RESPONSIBLE FOR (VIDEO) FILMING THE SHOW, TELL ‘EM TO HOLLER AT US. WE WANT THE FOOTAGE!

Jabba, Asheru, AWKWORD, Umi Live Jan. 22: Combating AIDS in Africa + Promoting Hip Hop in Education

A Live Early Weekend Show Benefiting the Fight Against AIDS in Africa, as well as Promoting Hip Hop in Education…

SHOW INFO

Performing Live – Jabba, Asheru, AWKWORD, Umi, the BloomBars Artists in Residence (Terrence Cunningham and Carolyn Malachi), and Special Guests!

Date: Friday, January 22, 2010
Time: 8 PM
Venue: Southpaw
Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn, NYC, NY 11217
Address: 125 Fifth Avenue (at Sterling Place)
Info: 718.230.0236

Performers:
Jabba
Asheru
AWKWORD
Umi
Terrence Cunningham
Carolyn Malachi

Established MCs: E-mail Lewis[dot]Hegeman[at]gmail[dot]com to be added to the Special Guest Performer List.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Umi

www.umirbg.com
www.myspace.com/umisworld

Umi (P.O.W. / People’s Army / RBG Fam) was born in Tuskegee, Ala. His rebellious nature helps remind people everyday that their true independence is still waiting to be claimed. He continues to show listeners that music can be used not only to get money, but also to mobilize and motivate the people.

Umi is perhaps best known for touring the globe, performing and recording with now-legendary revolutionary rap group dead prez. But Umi has also opened for — or shared the stage with — The Roots, Dave Chapelle, Mos Def, Styles P, Method and Redman, Busta Rhymes, David Banner, Erykah Badu and others, as well as released several street-classic mixtapes, solo and with his group P.O.W. In 2008, Umi teamed up with Sony Red and DJ Child of Project Groundation to take his solo career to another level. His 2009 release, Project Groundation & Umi present “I’m Just A Prisoner” the mixtape/album, features dead prez, Ayatollah, Mistah F.A.B. and 9th Wonder, among others.

AWKWORD

www.AWKWORDrap.com
AWKWORD on facebook

AWKWORD was born the same day as MTV. Some say he was made to make music. But AWKWORD is a paradox, an anomaly, a contradiction… Descendent of the 12 Tribes of Israel, I am the fallen angel of hip hop — my wings are clipped, torn and tattered, bloodied. I am a tragic personality, the Charlie Brown-slash-George Costanza of rap — that is, someone who has gotten so used to bad luck that he has learned to turn around and laugh at it. I am the Hunter S. Thompson of hip hop — brilliant but dangerous. I am the modern-day Abba Kovner — I risk my life fighting for the underdog, the impoverished, the powerless. I am the people’s champ. In high school, I had a 4.3 grade point average but was suspended half the time for beating up racist hicks and misogynist jocks. This didn’t stop, until I found hip hop. For me, this music, this culture, is, and always has been, my outlet. I love hip hop, because it saved me, and I would therefore do anything to keep the culture creative, instead of destructive.

AWKWORD is the mastermind behind World View, the earth’s first 100%nonprofit global hip hop project, brought to you by The Morgan Stanley Foundation and the world-famous EOW (End of the Weak; EODub).

All proceeds from World View, the album, will be donated to Guns 4 Cameras (a.k.a. Aim to Live), a registered 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to eradicating gun violence through the hip hop-inspired education and empowerment of our inner-city youth. The organization’s founder, Hezues R’ was shot at 22 times at age 22 — and survived to re-dedicate his life to saving the streets. The organization’s Spokesperson is hip hop icon Pharoahe Monch; he and Hezues travel the country speaking to the youth about hip hop and making the right choices.

With World View, AWKWORD is continuing that tradition of using hip hop music to connect people for positive change.

AWKWORD stands behind a decade-plus in the music business. His first release, “the Sub-Way mixtape,” featured such hip hop icons such as Raekwon, Killah Priest and Remedy of Wu-Tang, ILL BILL and Necro, Tragedy Khadafi, GURU of Gang Starr, Scram Jones and others, and received rave reviews industry-wide. According to Elemental Magazine, AWKWORD showed the most heart on the album, while Juicy Magazine said standing out from Eminem would be easy…

The AWKWORD solo debut, “See the Light” (an Exit 97.7 Top Album of 2008), was the inspiration for World View, which is growing as a phenomenon on a daily basis.

Throughout 2009, AWKWORD recorded tracks for World View (as well as for other projects, such as the World View promotional mixtape, dropping a month before), with artists such as Jadakiss, KRS-One, Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, ILL BILL, Pace Won, Main Flow, AWOL One and Josh Martinez, amongst many others. He appeared on the hit single “New York Minute,” produced by Harry Fraud and featuring Jadakiss, Vast Aire, Mazzi (S.O.U.L. Purpose) and Punchline. And in January-February 2010, the official World View / Guns 4 Cameras / BloomBars collaboration single (prod. by Harry Fraud) is coming to fruition, featuring AWKWORD, Asheru, Jabba (South Africa), Sha Stimuli, Lil Cease, G Fella, and surprise guests.

When World View drops in First Quarter 2010, it will feature production from 15+ nations and every continent on earth — along with a number of befitting MC cameos (as referenced aboved). “New York Minute” and the World View / Guns 4 Cameras / BloomBars collabo will appear on the album, which is being digitally distributed worldwide.

THIS is the FIRST time anything like this has ever been done in hip hop. AWKWORD is a revolutionary. And WORLD VIEW is just the beginning of his (our) revolution.

Asheru

www.edlyrics.com
www.myspace.com/asheru1

Asheru is widely known for performing the opening and closing themes for the popular TV series “The Boondocks,” as well as his pioneering and innovative efforts to forward the hip hop education movement. Asheru also collaborated with Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder to write and perform several songs for the hit TV series. In 2006, Asheru became the first rapper ever to win the prestigious Peabody Award for Journalism, for his writing of Boondocks’s controversial “Return of the King” episode. Asheru (of the famed duo Unspoken Heard) has traveled extensively throughout Japan, Europe, Canada and the United States, alongside Common, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Bilal, Ludacris, Edo G, J‐Live, Wordsworth and The Roots. He has collaborated and been featured on projects with Pete Rock, Talib Kweli and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Asheru’s recent collaboration with international funk and breaks band, Fort Knox Five, played in NBA arenas the last two seasons.

Born Gabriel Benn, Asheru is the founder of Guerilla Arts, Inc., a community-based organization specializing in innovative education, cultural arts programming, and professional development. Since 2005, his Hip-Hop Education Literacy Program (HELP) has partnered with dozens of recording artists, including Common, Jay-Z, Kanye West, KRS-One, Nas and Rakim. In 2008, HELP received a letter of endorsement from President (then, Senator) Barack Obama. Today, HELP can be found in classrooms across the country.

On January 15, 2010, Asheru’s new supplemental reading workbook series for HELP was released. The workbooks use hip hop lyrics to help students of all ages improve their reading and critical analysis — and help teachers improve literacy instruction. One of the books features the lyrics of a collaboration between international hip hop icon Nas and African hip hop icon Jabba.

Jabba

www.bloombars.com/category/artists-in-bloom-residents/jabba/
www.myspace.com/hiphoppantsula

Recently nominated for an African Grammy and winner of the Best Video Award at the MTV Africa Awards, Jabba’s celebrity is evidenced by his chart-topping songs, regular network and television appearances and acclaim by music critics across the globe. Jabba has shared the stage with Will Downing, Angelique Kidjo, Wyclef Jean, Jamie Cullum, Saul Williams, Snoop Dogg and others. Before the MAMA ceremony, Wyclef, a Haitian-American multi-platinum instrumentalist, rapper and record producer, said he planned to record with Jabba, who, he said, is among the select few “representing the new generation of African music.”

Jabba, whose real name is Jabulani Tsambo, practices Motswako-style (or, “mixture” in Setswana) rap — a combinatin of Setswana, Zulu and English. His music ranges from smooth jazzy vocal harmonies to indigenous rhythms to classic ‘American’ hip hop.

Jabba has received numerous awards and significant recognition for his community work and charity, such as his effort to combat AIDS or promote education and literacy through hip hop. He was invited by Oprah to lecture to students at her Leadership Academy for Girls.

Outside of the United States, Jabba’s a regular in the media. In 2007, he won the third season of the reality dance show “Strictly Come Dancing,” with his professional dance partner Hayley Bennett. In 2008, he starred as himself in 11 episodes of the e.tv musical soap “Rhythm City.” In 2009, he was one of the featured celebrities on the first season of the South African version of the genealogy documentary series “Who Do You Think You Are?” He also appeared on the National Parenting Test episode of the popular quiz show “Test The Nation,” serving as Team Captain for the Fathers.

On January 15, 2010, Jabba, also known as Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), one of South Africa’s leading hip hop artists for the last decade, arrived in Washington, D.C., for a two-week residency at BloomBars, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that works to inspire and unite communities through the arts, while nurturing artists committed to serving the community. The goal of the residency, which lasts through the end of the month, is to build a bridge between the hip hop communities in South Africa and the United States, promoting cross-cultural awareness about critical issues affecting those communities.