New Music: Memory Lane ft. AWKWORD by The Militia x Curtessy

“Check this dope boom-bap track from The Militia & Curtessy off their EP Look What the Streets Made.” — KevinNottingham

FREE Stream x Download

The Look What the Streets Made EP

EmceeEnthusiast:

Awkword, Rome Clientel & Chaundon assist Johannesburg-based beatsmith The Militia & South Central’s Curtessy on their latest seriously dope six-track EP venture,“Look What The Streets Made”. Stream & download this below along with the official tracklist. Don’t sleep on this project.

TRACKLIST:

DOWNLOAD:

Coming SOON from AWKWORD

1. Grassroots Suicide Prevention presents: AWKWORD – “#AaronSwartz” [the Rap Suicide 'PSA' song] – produced by Steel Tipped Dove X featuring guitar + vocals by L*A*W
2. New York Civil Liberties Union x Occupy The Hood present: AWKWORD – “Throw Away The Key (No More Prisons)” [the VIDEO] – song produced by L.Ment (of Canada) / video co-starring Centri
3. AWKWORD ft. Joell Ortiz, Slug (of Atmosphere) & Maya Azucena – “Go!” (prod. by Domingo)
4. The DJ Booth (DJBooth.net), The Morgan Stanley Foundation, The Red Tag Society, End of the Weak, et al. present: AWKWORD – ‘World View’ – the first-ever 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project

AWKWORD’s Notorious: Free Download x Cover Art x Features

“Notorious“, the latest single off AWKWORD‘s DJBooth-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project World View, premiered online as a stream only via ALlHipHop.com on December 29, 2012. Featuring Wordsmith, Jasiri X, Jus Daze and Capital X, the song had already received radio love from the likes of Chuck D of Public Enemy. Click HERE for AWKWORD’s breakdown of the song.

On January 11, 2013, AWKWORD and artist Andreis Costa dropped the ‘Flashing Marquee’ (gif) cover art.

On January 14, AWKWORD released the free download of “Notorious” through his soundcloud. He also made it available for purchase — on iTunes and other major online retailers; and with a ‘Name Your Own Price’ option through his bandcamp – with all proceeds going to charity.

Since its release, “Notorious” has appeared on many of the leading sites worldwide. 

KevinNottingham.com said:

The homie AWKWORD is on a straight mission to serve up dope Hip Hop with a message, and that mission is so far very successful as he always catches my attention with his thought provoking tracks… This shit is just all the way dope and should not be slept on. AWKWORD does it again.

Other sites to feature the song include:

1. Vibe
2. 2 Dope Boyz
3. DJ Booth
4. Ashley Outrageous
5. Barrelhouse BKLYN
6. Nodfactor
7. The Mad Bloggers
8. Dope Music Blog
9. Versos Perfectos (Spain)
10. Sunete Sub.Sol (Romania)
11. GoodTunes (Germany)
12. Artistic Manifesto
13. Crayon Beats
14. Emcee Enthusiast
15. We Goin In
16. Definition of Fresh

New: AWKWORD ft. Wordsmith, Jasiri X, Jus Daze – Notorious

“This song was originally inspired by the shootings and stabbings at the premieres across the United States for the Biggie biopic, Notorious — when we should have been celebrating one of our best and remembering the needless violence that caused his tragic death, we were busy perpetuating negative stereotypes. For me, and for Wordsmith, Jasiri X, Jus Daze and Capital X, these events became symbolic of a greater societal, cultural problem: one that impacts the Hip Hop community, specifically, and needs to be solved now. Chicago in 2012 says it all: a record number of murders; regular reports of police abuse; and a now-famous gang-affiliated 17-year-old rapper Chief Keef laughing on twitter at the shooting death of a local rival. And the massacre at Sandy Hook shows the problem extends beyond ‘the hood’. For BIG, for Hip Hop, for our communities, all our communities, let’s change what it means to be Notorious.” — AWKWORD

Leading Hip Hop music and culture site AllHipHop.com picked up “Notorious” for an Exclusive World Premiere.

CLICK HERE to stream the brand-new World View single, produced by Amin PaYnE of Australia and featuring Wordsmith, Jasiri X, Jus Daze and Capital X.

COMING SOON: Official FREE Download + Cover Art.

Click here to download the Clean/Radio/TV version now.

Special shout out to the one-and-only Mr. Chuck D of Public Enemy and ANDYOUDON’TSTOP!; The Company Man Show on PNC; Dharmic X and This Culture Never Dies on WNYU; and every other DJ already spinning the record for their listeners.

CLICK HERE to hear Chuck D introduce the song and speak about the Sandy Hook school shooting and gun violence in America.

FRE(EP): AWKWORD & Cletus are Remnants & Rejects

In anticipation of his forthcoming DJBooth-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project World View, New York City-based rap artist AWKWORD links up with Italian producer Cletus for an eight-minute nonstop mix of raw street music, with a Euro-electro spin.

Presented by Rock The Dub… AWKWORD & Cletus are: Remnants & Rejects

Aside from a brief singing cameo from Block McCloud, Remnants & Rejects showcases only the emcee-producer duo of AWKWORD and Cletus. And it may not be what you’ve come to expect from the self-proclaimed People’s Champ, AWKWORD.

[art by GOODIDEAstyle (Italy)]

NEW! RockTheDub pres. AWKWORD & Cletus: Remnants & Rejects

Available NOW, EXCLUSIVELY through Hip Hop/Dubstep tastemaker Khal and his heralded site Rock The Dub, we present to you… AWKWORD & Cletus are: Remnants & Rejects — an eight-minute non-stop mix of raw street music, with a Euro-electro spin.

For those wondering: Yes, this is an AWKWORD side-project, completed, under the radar, during AWK’s time creating what The Source is calling his “highly anticipated” (DJBooth-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop) project World View. Italian producer Cletus is a participant in World View, and the duo’s chemistry organically led to the production of this mini EP.

Click here to read the rest of the write-up — and Stream and Download the song, FREE.

Shout out to Italy’s GOODIDEAstyle on providing another piece of incredible cover art; and Army of the Pharoahs member Block McCloud for providing some background vocals.

the AWKWORD un-ANTHEM, I: Lyrics, Download, Critical Acclaim

I’m the opposite of every guy you’ve ever met…

A week ago, Saturday, September 22, You Heard That New world premiered “I”, the newest single off AWKWORD‘s forthcoming DJBooth-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project World View. Also known as the AWKWORD un-ANTHEM, “I” serves as the ideal introduction to the New York City-based rap artist known for his sarcasm and wit.

Since its release, “I” — which features DJ Dyllemma on the 1s and 2s and production from ATG — has been featured by numerous leading Hip Hop sites worldwide, including Hip Hop DX (Play, Rate & Comment!), Kevin Nottingham, Rock The Dub, The Mad Bloggers and Spain’s Versos Perfectos. The lyrics to “I” also made Rap Genius‘s BIG MEMES Weekly Roundup.

For select reviews, lyrics and free stream/download options, see below.

And for those of you who spin AWKWORD’s records on radio or use it in your classrooms and programs with youth, please note that this song is completely clean and TV/Radio/Classroom approved.

Stream via Youtube

Lyrics

“I got a problem with pigs, if they cool, anomaly /
I got a problem with authority, tryna calm me /
I got tossed in jail, for smoking the peace plant /
I got a high five, choking kid under street lamp…”

CLICK HERE to read the FULL song lyrics and JOIN THE CONVERSATION on RapGenius.com — What do you think AWKWORD’s trying to say???

Select Reviews

Kevin Nottingham:

AWKWORD comes through KN with another Certified fresH single done just right. “I (the AWKWORD un-ANTHEM” is yet another reason I ride with the NY emcee as he opens up and lays himself on the table for fans to dissect. It takes a lot of fucking balls for an artist to just put it all out like this and for that I salute AWKWORD. The emcee releases his inner self on the ill backdrop provided by ATG and featuring the scratching of none other than the always dope DJ Dyllemma. ”I (the AWKWORD un-ANTHEM” is just dope. Period.

Crayon Beats:

Brand new track from Awkword, titled “I”. This Awkword un-anthem song is reflective and insightful, as he raps about his loves and hates–fake friends, women, drugs, politics, music industry, authority, alone time, cigarettes and caffeine, and more–all things that make him who he is or isn’t. Laid-back beat was produced by ATG, with cuts from DJ Dyllemma.

REUP Spot:

The emcee releases his inner self on the ill backdrop provided by ATG and featuring the scratching of none other than the always dope DJ Dyllemma.

FREE Stream x Download

BUY NOW, and DONATE 100% to CHARITY (for at-risk youth)

Song Credits

• Vocals: AWKWORD
• Cuts: DJ Dyllemma
• Production: ATG
• Mix/Master: ATG
• Executive Production: AWKWORD, ATG
• Engineering: ATG
• Cover Art: GOODIDEAstyle (Italy)

New Music: the AWKWORD un-ANTHEM ‘I’ – via YouHeardThatNew

Earlier today, Saturday, September 22, tastemaking Hip Hop site YouHeardThatNew world premiered the AWKWORD un-ANTHEM “I“, produced by frequent collaborator ATG and featuring rising turntablist DJ Dyllemma.

“I” is the newest single off AWKWORD’s 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project World View (dropping SOON via The DJ Booth) — and one of AWK’s most personal songs to date.

(LYRICS coming SOON via RapGenius.com!)

Click HERE to view, listen and download FREE.

Cover art by Italy‘s GOODIDEAstyle.

5 Tips For Fostering Change: AWKWORD Interview x Freestyle

“An artist that actually presents value in his music… AWKWORD, a New York based emcee, is an activist! AWKWORD music is based on the presentation of a message. You, the audience, will get acquainted with his artistry and his activism.” — Praverb.net

On Labor Day 2012, P the Wyse & Praverb.net released a brand-new Interview — and exclusive Freestyle, “Faking The Funk” — with AWKWORD: “5 Tips Towards Fostering Change In The Community“.

In the interview, AWK speaks on a range of topics, from his activism and 100% for-charity project World View to his rapping style, from his relationship with religion to the experience of recording the song and video “Bars & Hooks” with Harry Fraud, Sean Price and The Kid Daytona.

See below for interview snippets and the link for:

• The Full Interview — with AWKWORD’s “5 Tips Towards Fostering Social Change In The Community”
• A Free Stream & Download of AWKWORD’s Exclusive Freestyle for Praverb.net

“This Rhyme Perspective interview is exceptional because it sheds light on an artist that actually presents value in his music… By the end of this interview you will also gain some important tips on how you can foster change in your commmunity. The homie AWKWORD even blessed Praverb.net with an exclusive Freestyle.” — Praverb.net

SNIPPETS

Praverb:

Hip-hop and religion are two terms that are not really synonymous with each other. How do you balance your beliefs with your quest to succeed as a hip-hop artist.

AWKWORD:

I’m Jewish by blood and by culture, but not by daily routine or strict adherence. I am proud to be a Jew, proud of our ability to survive thousands of years of persecution. And unlike many of our society’s more highly educated people, I am certainly not against religion. I understand the hope religion offers people who need it; but I do fear for the people who pray first, ask questions and consider other options later…

In terms of how all this impacts my music, I don’t really get into the specifics of my beliefs in my songs. In some, I drop quick one-liner references. I do also have a couple ‘Jewish songs’: one that appeared on my solo album See the Light, the other which has not been completed and is slated for my upcoming 100% for-charity LP World

But here’s the interesting (and disappointing) thing about this second song…

Praverb:

You are an artist that has benefited from building and maintaining relationships with the new taste makers (blogs and websites).

AWKWORD:

Include the college and indie radio DJs and, in today’s world, there simply is no other way to reach the masses. Performing is big business, but not if nobody has heard of you. And there are way too many rappers in every high school and on every street corner for the fans to know what to do, so the blogs (ideally, at least) filter the music, cut the untalented and unoriginal, and give the fans (hopefully) what they deserve.

Praverb:

“Bars & Hooks” is an exceptional rap song that features yourself, Sean Price, Harry Fraud, and The Kid Daytona. The video has close to 40,000 view and it has allowed your brand to pick up steam. Describe the joy of working with Sean Price, Harry Fraud, and The Kid Daytona.

AWKWORD:

To use your wording, there is joy in making good music, period. Of course, I am pleased with how the “Bars & Hooks” song and video came out, as well as the incredible response they’ve each received. (Apologies for the delayed response to your interview questions.)

The video is now at well past 75,000 views on youtube alone and is probably closer to around 100,000. There is joy in knowing my music has been heard by all those people, but…

FULL INTERVIEW / 5 TIPS FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE / FREESTYLE (AUDIO)

Click here.

AWKWORD x Tone Spliff LIVE in 2 HOURS on Planet X Radio

Today, Sunday, July 22, at 4:30 PM ET, Rapper/Activist AWKWORD and DJ/Producer Tone Spliff will be live on the air worldwide with DJ Resistance, Vega X and Macabean the Rebel on the Planet Resistance show on Planet X Radio. They will be discussing their recent collaboration, AWKWORD’s World View single “Back to BK”, with Tone Spliff on cuts and production and guest verses from Brooklyn emcees Poison Pen, Dom O Briggs and D. Julien, as well as underground/mainstream Hip Hop, politics and society, activism and charity, and their plans for the rest of the 2012 and beyond.

CLICK HERE TO GET IN ON THE CONVERSATION — AND HEAR THE INTERVIEW LIVE (show starts at 4:00). CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE EVENT ON FACEBOOK.

Tone SPliff

AWKWORD

About “Back to BK”

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.

“Back to BK” Free Stream x Download

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE [AT YOUR OWN PRICE], DONATE 100% TO CHARITY, AND CONTRIBUTE TO WORLD VIEW.

AWKWORD, Rickie Jacobs, more on RTD #onlybuilt4hulksharelinx

Rock The Dub:

This project has been a thing of comedy. It should’ve been out before 2012 even hit, but I was looking for either proper versions of tracks or promised jawns. Had to let this one go – the idea was too good. I broke the (skewed) science behind the title in the liner notes, and won’t go into it all here. Featured artists include Rhymageddon, Mr. Fickle, Rickie Jacobs, AWKWORD, BURNTmd, Touchphonics, Daniel Joseph, Dutch New York and more. A hair under 45 minutes or so. Fucked up part is, hulkshare wasn’t letting me upload a .zip (or a .rar!) to their site, so the punchline got merked. Sharebeast, thank you.

TRACK LIST:

1. Rhymageddon – Suck-A-Clip (prod. Edobeci)
2. Rickie Jacobs ft. Arctic – Gift x Curse (prod. Brainiac Beats)
3. Mr. Fickle ft. Fel Sweetenberg – No Apologies (prod. !llmind)
4. AWKWORD ft. GuessWho? – Doctor Doctor (prod. Major R.E. [Malaysia])
5. Dutch New York – I Don’t Know Y’all (prod. Broadway)
6. BURNTmd ft. Main Flow & DJ Grazzhoppa – Brain Tumors Part 2 (prod. Simmer)
7. Superlinks – Baraka O’Baman
8. Grey Granite & 90lbs – Critical Mass
9. Nato Caliph ft. Prince Ea & Sadat X – Identity Crisis (prod. STLLegend)
10. Chels – HIIIPOWER (Chels’ Account)
11. Touchponics ft. The Ragga Twins – Ragga Style
12. KRK! & Daniel Joseph – Right To Be Ill (prod. KRK!)

Click here to download the full compilation.

Click here for Rock The Dub’s review/post of AWKWORD’s World View record “Doctor Doctor”.