Earlier last week Red Bull announced that the 2011 Red Bull Music Academy will be taking place in Tokyo, Japan. The applications are now available online.

The RBMA is a world traveling workshop, and a platform for artists, musicians, producers, etc. of various genres around the world who shape our musical future. It’s a place to meet other artists from around the globe, learn, work on music, network, and hopefully become better at what you do. In a nutshell, it’s every motivated musicians wet dream!

If you are an musician, singer, emcee, DJ, producer, etc. I STRONGLY encourage you to apply for RBMA. It does not matter if your an artist who makes music from your bedroom for fun, or if you’re a Grammy nominated musician, anybody is eligible to apply.

So… how do you apply? Feel free to check out this video below to give so some more information on the application process. If your ready to go, head over to RedBullMusicAcademy.com where you can download and print the application.

I just received in the mail some copies of the new Frank 151 Magazine, Chapter 43 “The Bug Out Issue” aka The Ricky Powell Issue. I’ve been getting phone calls and text messages about this issue for the past month now. Well… It’s out, and I have only a few copies, so if you need one make sure you get at me.

Check out this video of Ricky Powell interviewing photographer Joe Conzo.

To get more information of Frank Magazine chapter 43 the Bug Out issue. CLICK HERE

This past friday evening Sole Plus in conjunction with Converse joined forces to present ART+SOLE+LIFE. The ART+SOLE+LIFE exhibit is sneaker art with a conscience, created to highlight the non-profit work of Sole Plus. In an exhibit that features artists telling the stories of their everyday lives using shoes as their canvas, A+S+L is the fusion of shoe design, art, activism, and philanthropy, rolled into a one-of-a-kind interactive exhibit that visually and emotionally takes each guest through the footsteps of sole expression.

The Sole Plus initiative began in October of 2009, and has allowed hundreds of young people to use their artistic views to connect with those in need. Sole Plus is a 501 – c3, non-profit organization that was founded on the quote by Pablo Picasso, “Art washes away from the [sole] the dust of everyday life.” The SOLES of our shoes collect dust and dirt from places traveled in the same way that our SOULS collect dust through life’s trials. The Sole Plus design competition metaphorically washes the dust and dirt from the SOULS of our young artists by providing them with an avenue of expression. The brainchild of Brian Keith Miller, Sole Plus literally washes away the dust and dirt from the SOLES of our shoe recipients by providing a needed pair of shoes to replace old ones.”
“The purpose of ART+SOLE+LIFE is to bring awareness to the Sole Plus initiatives. The exhibit also serve as a platform which showcases artists from the established art community who are willing to leverage their talents to support the Sole Plus mission”, states Brian Keith Miller (founder of Sole Plus). By combining the organization’s efforts and artist’s talents, A+S+L will show the community that the fusion of SOLE(shoes), Social activism, and ART is a unique and creative way to have an impact on the world. The artists (ART) use shoes (SOLE) to tell stories of everyday experiences (LIFE). A+S+L launch event has also partnered with the Nike Shoe Recycling Program: Nike Reuse-A-Shoe.

I was in the place repping with my Nike Familia (Clientele Cal and Warren). We held a Nike I.D. raffle, as well promoted the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program.

DJ G-Mack aka Hollywood G, was the evenings DJ who kept the sounds lively while people checked out the art that was on the shoes, as well as dove into the free drinks that were on hand courtesy of Saraphin.

Here’s some more pics from the evening.
(more…)

The 20th anniversary L.L. Cool J Remix album is finally out. Check out how many of today’s up and coming hip hop artists re imagine the classic LP from the 90’s.

On August 27, 1990 LL Cool J teamed up with legendary producer Marley Marl to create one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time, Mama Said Knock You Out. “Don’t call it a comeback!” 20 years later, we here at KevinNottingham.com have gathered producers and emcees from all over the globe to remix a classic.

It all started 8 months ago with a weekly remix contest challenging producers to flip the original samples Marley Marl used to create the production for the album. 15 weeks later, the winning beats were chosen and the quest to find the right emcees to hop on these joints began.

After 8 months of hard work, I believe we have an album that greatly pays tribute to the original. Special thanks goes out to DJ Blacquestarr, DJ Grain, and Thomas (of KN.com) for helping with the contest. Thank you also to all the producers and emcees involved in this project… job well done. Last but not least, thanks to LL Cool J and Marley Marl for laying the blueprint and providing the inspiration for making this remix album possible.

Listen Or Download: Mama Said Knock You Out 20th Anniversary Remix Album

Shout out to Buck Oner and Punchline who join me on the “Boomin System” joint.

If your in the ATL this weekend, this is going to be the spot to be on Sat night.

(spotted @ Rap Radar)

I know Senor is gonna love this!

Cope, Sen 2 & the infamous Mister Cartoon bomb 3 Metro PCS stores in the Bronx & Harlem

The other week I was just having a conversation with someone about the packaging of Hip Hop albums, and how you don’t see too much clever album packaging anymore. At least not in mainstream Hip Hop releases. On the underground side of things in 2009 I was very impressed with Tanya Morgan’s “Brooklynati” packaging, as well as Fresh Daily’s “Gorgeous Killer In The Crimes Of Passion” album packaging. Both stood out and made me want to own a physical cd, not just the iTunes download.

Speaking of which, I just heard about this new Jake One x Freeway project the other day. I was already excited at that combination of emcee and producer. Then I caught this video floating around the net that displays the albums packaging. SICK

Brent Rollins (Ego Trip) was in charge of the album design / packaging. No stranger to clever concepts / design he worked on Mos Def & Talib Kweli’s “Black Star” album 11 years ago, he created the “Boyz In The Hood” logo, etc, etc, etc.

Check out this video. I can’t wait to pick up my copy of the album.