Well it’s almost April and it’s freezing cold in most of the U.S. No worries, here’s some new heat just in time to kick off your weekend.

I recently teamed up with long-time friend and fellow ATL Emcee/DJ/Producer Yamin Semali (Clan Destined) for a special remix. The track “Never Leave” along with it’s amazing video have been taking the internet and streets by storm. Infectious melodies, hard hitting drums, and clever lyrics are hard to deny.

I’ve known Yamin since we were both teenagers making a name for ourselves in the ATL underground Hip Hop scene. He’s an amazing artist, and it’s always a honor and a pleasure to work on music with someone who truly care’s about their craft.

Don’t believe me, check it out for yourself…

Make sure you purchase Yamin’s new album as well, it’s worth every cent!

Atlanta-based emcee/producer Yamin Semali of rap duo Clan Destined presents Yen Dollar Music Vol. 1, an album of self-produced instrumentals presented in conjunction with ProducersIKnow.com and Yen Dollar Music (¥$M), Yamin’s new production company and brand. He has compiled 20 instrumentals for volume one, with other volumes to include compilations from various artists in Hip Hop’s global community. As half of Clan Destined, Yamin aka DJ AmDex has been tied to releases going back to Shaman Work Recordings (Ta’Raach, Wale Oyejide, CL Smooth) and has more recently been working alongside Illastrate, Boog Brown, and J-Live to name a few. The sound of ¥$M is indicative of loop digging, crate sampling, and synth manipulation. From Atlanta, Semali has a sound unlike much of what many consider to be Southern, but the tradition of the regional sound is well preserved for fans of Organized Noize, Supastition, Willie Evans Jr. and Count Bass-D. His last single was “Never Leave” (watch the video here). Clan Destined’s third LP Self Titled, received 5 out of 5 stars on CreativeLoafing.com (read the review here). February 2013 will see the CD/LP release of his solo album Yamin.

If you’re looking for some grooves to ride too, play while working on a project, cleaning the place, whatever look no further. You can stream as well as purchase this new project right HERE.

So far my two favorites are You’re Shot and Yancey Spirit. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments.

Clan Destined – “The Language Pt. 2″ Music Video from Will F on Vimeo.

Official music video for Clan Destined’s “The Language Pt.2″ off the “Self Titled” album.

Listen to and download “Self Titled” HERE

Listen to and download the “Scream/Screamixes” EP HERE

Check out the solo project from DJ Amdex (aka Yamin Semali) Here

Follow on Twitter:
(@clan_destined)
(@amdex)
(@dtvjc)

For those that don’t know South By Southwest is a HUGE music festival that happens in Austin, Texas around this same time of year. It caters to just about every genre of music and everyone flocks there to perform, or see some of the new upcoming artists do their thing. Austin is also the coolest city Texas has to offer (no disrespect). There’s what seems like a hundred or so venues that cater to live music, and there’s a bridge you can hit around sunset every evening that thousands of bats live under to see them make their way into the night sky.

I’ve been blessed to attend the festival since 2007 as a spectator as well as a performer. I’ve had some great times, and met some amazing people there as well.

However this year I won’t be making that trek and I wanted to post this since EVERYBODY is blowing up my cell phone today with texts and calls as well as facebook and twitter. Artists and promoters are inviting me to their events, people are asking me where I’m performing etc. I appreciate all the love though, I really do. Wish I was out there rocking with y’all time go round.

I’ve seen some great event lineups including Red Bull Music Academy events and even a Nike event with Nas WOW!

I have SEVERAL friends and fam out there, and if you’re there for the week, make sure you check em out: Boog Brown, Homeboy Sandman, Clan Destined, Lyric Jones, Stanza, 4th Pyramid, etc.

I hope everyone has a GREAT time. Just remember not to get caught up in the hype, take in what new information you can, and do your best to form some real bonds with amazing, interesting people.

Also, remember to apply all the motivation you’ll walk away with to your life, not just the few days you’re away at the festivities. All too often people are only enthused and ‘making moves’ when surrounded by others who are doing the same; the real test is if you can continue to be just as motivated when you”re back in ‘real life,’ surrounded by people who just don’t get it.

Say hello to everyone for me!