Bishop Lamont, Battlecat n'dem officially said that its summertime

*puts on rollerskates*

The cold part about is, I can't even skate lol. This joint will make you want to though. BRING ON THE HOT WEATHER!!

Nothing Could Be Better (feat. Suga Free, Chevy Jones, Bokey & Butch Cassidy) prod by Battlecat & 1500 Or Nothin’

Link

3 things that yo' mama told you that have been lost on the ina'net

Since the dawn of the new age called the internet, we have all become increasingly more attached and outgoing. All of us once internal people, are now spilling out guts about what we like, who we are, who we don't like and so on for the world to see. With a WiFi signal and a click, you can share your opinion on just about anything, sometimes anonymously, most times with a nice pretty picture of yo face and a list of things that you do on the weekends right next to it.

Where I think that people that frown upon this all are really the silly ones (I mean you could easily just ignore it right? What's the point of having an opinion on something that you can simply never apply to?), there are some general principles that have been lost in all the fun. The result is often a mean look or a tough talking to, but sometimes a beatdown!

Let's explore the 3 things yo' mama told you that have been lost on the ina'net:

3. Tell the truth and shame the Devil...

This relates to the personality that some of us have created for ourselves on the world wide web. NO, you aren't 5'5 with a track runner body just because it says it on facebook. NO, you don't own 3 cars and a house with a dog just because it says it on your MySpace page. You can't twitter nor IM yourself into falsehoods. This is simple, you'd do better telling the truth in these cases, exaggerating is only going to lead to embarrassment in the long run. I'm just sayin...

2. Mind your business...

Aaahh yes, blogging has made everyone's business, everyone else's business. It's one thing to talk about things that have been put out there. It's all in good fun, share your opinion, but when private matters hit the net, sometimes, shit hits the fan. I can dig it though. I mean, who wants their beez-wax a mouse click away at all times? lol I look on the news and see that a high school girl got jumped for talking reckless on MySpace, and I think "well, that's what happens I guess (shrug)." No sadness, no, "oh my God what's this world coming to?" Actually, that leads to the next point, let's move on...

1. Don't let your mouth write checks, that you ass can't cash...(The Perez Hilton complex)

There's a very good reason why some people go through life without dealing with much mess. That reason is often that they don't generate mess to begin with. At the secure frame of 5"9 and somewhere around 145 you just wont see me out and about talking crazy to someone the size of Shaq. I mean, i'ma fight for mines, but why even put yourself in that position to begin with. That man knew he couldn't fight! He knew that he could knocked out at any time, but decided to write all sorts of ridiculous things about people. Got punched NOW YOU WANNA SUE? There should be a check systems for mouth checks with no ass collateral. I've seen it far too many times. Someone says something about someone on the net, and gets beat up that same Friday or Sat for their words. Even worse, gets their ip address figured and ends up getting a visit <--no bullshit. Use common sense folks. I'm just sayin'.

All and all I leave you with this, "Its better to be more smart than proud" You can lose a WHOLE lot of shit being proud. It aint always about getting socked, sometimes you can lose close friends, fam, or worse, get you or someone you love shot.

This has been a Trek Life PSA. I love all ya'll. Surf Safely

peace

New Money has finally hit stores Release party this Sat @ Bridges!!!

Without further ado the US release of New Money, Oddisee remixes of my debut album Price I've Paid have hit stores. The CD includes to exclusive NEW bonus tracks that you cannot get on iTunes (yet).



If you're in the LA area, please make it out to Bridges @ El Cid, tomorrow night for the release party. You can get on the free guestlist @ dpsound1@mail.com.

Click on either of the images for information to the release party and to purchase New Money.

Bridges @ El Cid!! Sat, May 9th!!
NEW MONEY RELEASE PARTY!!!

DIAMOND DISTRICT ALBUM "IN THE RUFF" - LIMITED FREE DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD “IN THE RUFF” HERE!

http://www.zshare.net/download/58639724e3cf086e/
http://www.divshare.com/download/7100534-bf0

00 Intro
01 Streets Wont Let Me Chill
02 Who I Be
03 Back To Basics
04 I Mean Business
05 Get In Line
06 In The Ruff
07 The Shining (Produced by Dunc)
08 The District
09 Make It Clear
10 Off The Late Night (Produced by Slim kat 78)
11 Let Me Explain
12 First Time

DOWNLOAD “IN THE RUFF” HERE!

http://www.zshare.net/download/58639724e3cf086e/
http://www.divshare.com/download/7100534-bf0

In The Ruff is the highly anticipated debut album from new DC hip hop group “The Diamond District”, created by state veterans Oddisee, X.O. & YU. In The Ruff is the answer for any lover of hip hop who asks the question - “Where did that grimy East coast sound go?”

The group was founded by rapper/ producer Oddisee, who has a long list of production & collaboration credits with the likes of Freeway, Talib Kweli, Siagon, Little Brother, Trek Life, Charles Hamilton, Jazzy Jeff, Buck Shot, Royce the 5'9”, Nikki jean, Muhsinah, J-live, Lil Fame of MOP, Skyzoo and many more. Oddisee’s soulful, haunting samples over bass-heavy beat breaks create the perfect instrumentals for him, XO & YU to match with their street savvy, politically conscious lyrics.

“The ware wolves wear wool suits, be ware of them…”-YU

In The Ruff is a raw mid-90’s Boom-Bap themed album for the DC state of mind, destined to appeal to all lovers of hip hop’s golden era, managing to travel back in time and push the boundaries of DC Hip-Hop simultaneously.

DOWNLOAD “IN THE RUFF” HERE!
http://www.zshare.net/download/58639724e3cf086e/
http://www.divshare.com/download/7100534-bf0

Trek Life Acrylick's Featured Artist + Root Down this Thursday

What up ya'll,

Hope all is well with everyone and 09' is being good to you. The Euro Tour with Oddisee went brilliant as it always does. Shout out to all the promoters, DJs, Friends, and party people that took care of us out there. We're already mapping out next year's run to places we were invited but didn't get a chance to get to.

New Money's CD release date is May 5th. That being said there are a few shows coming up. Root Down this Thursday 04/16 and Bridges Saturday May 9th. Make sure to come out and rock with us.

Freebies from Trek Life as well as Diamond District (Oddisee, XO & YU) are below. Their debut album "In The Ruff" will be released for free download today April 14th. For more information check their site diamonddistrictdmv.com

Also, I am proud to be Acyrlick's Featured artist this month on acrylick.net make sure to check out the interview below.

Til' next time ya'll.

Peace

____________________________________

Press

Interview @ Acrylick.net

____________________________________

Links/Contacts/Booking

mctreklife@gmail.com
myspace.com/treklife

oddiseetrek.com

myspace.com/mellomusicgroup

____________________________________

Freebies

Trek Life- Self Portrait prod by Lars vom Dorf (ThinkLoud)

Diamond District - Who I Be (Oddisee Music)
Diamond District - I Mean Business (Oddisee Music)
Click here to download all songs

____________________________________

Purchase

Click here to purchase Trek Life's music on iTunes

____________________________________

Upcoming Shows

Trek Life & DJ Tommy Blak live @ Root Down Thurs 04/16

Click Here for map to Show

____________________________________

Featured Quote

"Let the whole world know my name before I die." - Trek Life

--

Trek Life

Timeless Music

J.Bizness - Red Bull Big Tune L.A. Winner Releases Debut Album

What it is good people. I would like to introduce (or re-intro) ya'll to my man J.Bizness. Hailing from the 909, he's the producer of the songs "Black Music" & "One Idea" on my debut album Price I've Paid. I have long said that this cat is a very dope actual "producer" with vision for songs that go along with the beats he creates. The press release is below. Listen to the beats and enjoy.

peace
www.myspace.com/jbizthaill
www.illregularinstrumentals.com/

The Re-emergence of the West Coast Sound

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - April 8, 2009 - J. Bizness, Los Angeles winner and national finalist of Red Bull Big Tune 2008, readies the release of his debut hip hop instrumental album. The album titled Reason: Beats & Pieces is set to release under the artist's own imprint Illregular Instrumentals,
LLC. online for digital distribution only, on Itunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, and Napster on June 9, 2009.

Amidst several budding artists hailing from the West Coast, with music blurring the sounds between genres, eras, and regions, a familiar yet modern sound emerges from newcomer J. Bizness. Solely using Propellerhead's Reason program, J. Bizness produces Reason: Beats & Pieces; a masterful work that displays the wide spectrum that is hip hop. With dark tracks like "PBS" to soulful samples like "Choppy", this debut album exhibits the versatility of his talent. Heavily influenced by producers like DJ Battlecat, DJ Premier, and J. Dilla, J. Bizness takes a fresh approach to creating music using unconventional sounds while marrying them to the classic West Coast flavor.

J. Bizness has worked with the lauded underground Los Angeles emcee, Trek Life and was featured on his 2006 release "The Price I've Paid" amongst notable producers as DJ Babu, Evidence and DJ Rhetmattic, in which he produced and co-wrote 2 tracks. He was also featured on the 2003 release "Heaven Cent" by Prophit P.A.N.I.C., earning a nod for the Independent Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the Los Angeles Music Awards.

Catch J. Bizness and the [http://www.redbullbigtune.com/2/] Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle National Finals that will be televised this Saturday, April 11, 7:30 PT/ET on BET.

Download free listening copy here:


For additional information please contact:

Business Inquiries & Publicity: Leah Wilson
willeah@gmail.com
310.654.1800

Booking Agent: Tara Alphonso
taraalphonso@sbcglobal.net
925.813.1584

Proh Mic comes through with the BANGERS!!!

Ain't even no need for talkin'

This is Vol 3. head over to www.myspace.com/prohmic to keep up with that Proh Mic heat



DOWNLOAD HERE: http://www.zshare.net/download/57934766584a5f6f/

Acrylick 09 Spring Release + Soul Fragment Art Exhibition Sat 04/04

DJ'ing @ the Acrylick Store Sat, 04/04

"I Mean Business" by The Diamond District (Oddisee, X.O. & YU)

I Mean Business is the second single from DC Hip-Hop group The Diamond District.

Their full length debut album In The Ruff will be available for download from their website www.diamonddistrictdmv.com on April 14, 2009. Check the site for the mini documentary.



I Mean Business
Listen/Download
http://www.zshare.net/audio/58047816db639aed/
http://www.divshare.com/download/6987488-bda

Also check out the first single from theDiamond District



Who I Be
Listen/Download
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57151316a4857db0
http://www.divshare.com/download/6987500-e01

The first Diamond District show is April 18th at the University of Maryland

2009 Euro Tour Wrap up!

What up folks,

I've officially been back from tour for a few days. It always takes some time to for me to relax and reflect on tours and what i've learned from them. I guess what always comes to mind first is how lucky a lot of us are that we are able to travel to places we'd otherwise never have been able to see because of this music. People place a lot of negative mess on hip-hop these days, but to me it's been nothing but a blessing (well, some folks have pissed me off, so not all blessings, but close enough lol). It's been a passport, an introduction, and tool for the opportunity to learn. Whenever I catch a flight to somewhere I never even knew was on the map, I have to be thankful that Kool Herc played breaks to a crowd of young people to spark this shit. I'm amazed at what it has become when "me" of all people is rockin infront of 1000+ people in Mayrhofen, Austria with snow outside and a skate ramp in the back. "No one believed I would ever be here." Runs through my head in amazement. Hell, there were times that I didn't.

There's more to rap for me than just finding albums on the internet to go to message boards and talk bad about. I get to see the people react when the beat comes on and that somehow means more than what anyone could ever type. I have places to tell my little girl to go, new friends in total different countries to introduce to old friends I used to rap with on the steps of the quad. I look forward to us all talking shit over a few brews and a game of FIFA (or Madden lol). After all, I was NEVER supposed to be there. Definitely not 3 years in a row and making money. But by the grace of God, hard work, talent and the positive character and upbringing of my fam, I made it to see a whole lot of shit. I have no choice but to appreciate the music that got me there and the people that were kind enough to open their homes, cars, cities and venues up to me.

Anyone who has ever seen me onstage knows that I put my all into giving that love right back. The people deserve it. Shout out to every place we've touched down. On behalf of myself and Oddisee, we thank you kindly and look forward to the opportunity to rock with ya'll again. But personally, you all served a very special notice to a whole lot of people that looked down on me and what I do and I thank you all putting your hands in the air, rockin side to side, responding during call and reponse, and all and all enjoying yourselves to let them know. "Trek Life deserves to be here."

Peace and see ya'll next year.

Trek Life
www.myspace.com/treklife
www.twitter.com/TrekLife
trek-life.net coming soon

New Money" on iTunes now

Last Few days in Cologne, DE + Tubingen tomorrow! + DIAMOND DISTRICT!!!!

What it is ya'll,

I know I haven't blogged as much as I normally do, but this year we've been extra busy during the days off.  So i'll do a tour summary once I hit the crib and an introspective wrap up on potholesinmyblog.com lol

That being said I will be live on koelncampus.com 100.0 tonight spinning, rhymin, interviewing and all of the above with my man PH7 of  JR&PH7 @ 21:00 Germany, 5:00pm East Coast, 2pm West Coast.  You can check out a live stream  HERE or go to the site HERE and get the info.

Check out JR&PH7 on their myspace as they prepare for the release of their new album The Standard feat Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, Ed OG, Kev Brown, Skyzoo and plenty more.



Tomorrow night we'll be in the beautiful city of Tubingen at Jazzkeller.



---------------------------------------------

Get prepared for some very ill shit.  Oddisee, YU and XO represent Diamond District.  Instead of me going on and on explaining it.  I'll just direct you to their site diamonddistrictdmv.com or check the info below via rosenburgradio.com

(Swiped from rosenburgradio.com

DC Hip Hop artists Oddisee, XO & YU are “The Diamond District”. The Groups new single “Who I Be” is the first track off of the mid-90’s Boom Bap themed album. The trio’s album “In The Ruff” will be available for free download on their site April 14, 2009. Check out the first single “Who I Be” along with a mini Documentary about the new group on their site

http://www.diamonddistrictdmv.com 

“Who I Be”
Listen/Download
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57151316a4857db0

VIMBY and UPONTHINGZ Present: The New Classics Mixtape

VIMBY and UPONTHINGZ Present: The New Classics Mixtape

VIMBY and UPONTHINGZ Present :

The New Classics Mixtape

FYI the actual download will be on the 25th. Expect to see bonus tracks by
Diz Gibran, Fashawn, Trek Life & Oddisee, Cunninglynguist

Trek Life hosting Evidence & 2 Mex Show Thurs, Jan 29th

Make sure you are in the house.

Click flyer for map

Lies, Statistics and the President

I watched a great man take the reigns of this country on the 20th. I thought about my grand parents. My father, who's blood is mixed with the American struggle of slavery (Black), and gentrification (Native American). *disclaimer: yes I know that Blacks and Native Americans respectively went through both slavery and gentrification OK!* My mother who told me stories of middle class life growing up and the shock of having to use a colored toilet at a train station in CA. Racial shit that myself and friends of mine black, white and all have been through and what a slap in the face this president's election was to a country that has divided itself by race with the statistics to back their reasoning for as long as anyone can remember.

"50% of white people believe this." "30% of black people do this."

You can't open the paper without reading about 5 or five people sat in a room and figured out the thoughts actions and ways of about a billion others. People take these stats, apply them to people that they CHOSE to apply them to, they spew this garbage into the world as if they know exactly what they are talking about.

Your opinions are not validated statistics. Sorry, they just aren't. You can sit all day, and write, and talk, and believe that people are a certain way, but ultimately, you would end up wrong in the end regardless. Along with wasting a bunch of time trying to describe the inner workings of people that you don't even know and most of them you don't even care about. Most of you who do this later turn around and disregard half of those people by silly things like the closed they way, the way that they talk, the music they listen to, or the fact they they don't know some obscure "artist" that you know. My point is, you don't even care enough about the people that you categorize to be running your mouth in the first place.

Before we all jump around over the "minor" details of this historic changing of the guard. Stop and think of the MAJOR things that are happening. The ideas that he has and the hope that he will be able to implement enough of those ideas to change the financial scope of this country along with the forward thinking mindset of the people in it.

All I'm saying is, before you talk THINK!

Let's GO!!! Links to Press for New Money

What it is ya'll,
Rappersiknow.com, redbullmusicacademy.com, and 2dopeboyz.com.

Have posted news about New Money. Hit those spots up for free downloads and further info on the project. Be on the lookout for the Vapors interview, Vimby video and much more reviews and blog post.

09 IS OUR YEAR YA'LL, LET THE PAST PASS

Buy New Money on iTunes

Get some ankle insurance!

I stopped playing basketball YEARS ago. I told myself as soon as I had to stretch for 15 minutes and do drills to play a pick up game, I was out lol. Luckily i'm from the city of the purple and gold! SO I can still enjoy the game.

Holla at em Kobe. Forreal though, why did dude say his "ankles would be able to sleep at night?" HAHAHA!

The album release party was DOPE!!!

Thank you to all those that came through to the New Money iTunes release this past Sat 01-10-09. For those that didn't get a chance to make it out, here are a few videos for you and a little more information on what

"New Money" is.There will be much more music to come from me this year. Matter of fact, check out oddiseetrek.com for links to download joints off New Money, Video's of shows and more. "Go ahead, take it" (c) Eddie Murphy in that skit on SNL a long time ago. lol













As many of you know Oddisee remixed my first album Price I've Paid. It was released exclusively in Japan (titled All Times)with a few bonus cuts in August with a clause that we had to wait a few months before releasing it in the US

Mello Music group has picked up the album for the states (now titled-New Money there's a long story behind this) and it is now going to be available on iTunes come tomorrow (Jan 6th) and on cd March 3rd. The CD will have some exclusive tracks only on the US version just as there were exclusives on the Japan import.

So...ummm...Trek...ummm are you going to write some new raps and put out an actual NEW record? I mean, this album is 3 years old lol

The answer is yes. Late summer will mark the release of my 2nd album "Everything Changed Nothing" on Mello Music. The album will be about 70% produced and 100% overseen (music wise atleast) by Oddisee. There are already cuts from Kev Brown, Babu and Hudson Mohawke on the album.

March will also mark the 3rd year that Oddisee and I will be hitting Europe on tour, anyone with any info to help add a few dates please hit me up @ mctreklfe@gmail.com, if not, i'll be posting the dates closer to the time of the tour.

For those that would like an EP vinyl copy of the Japanese import you can go to my myspace page and cop one from paypal (I only have 6 of them left) you can cop through paypal via my myspace. btw...this part of the message will self destruct lol.

New Money can be purchased on iTunes

Release Party for New Money this Sat, Jan 10th @ The Terrace in Pasadena

I know it's late nitice but we just put it together with Acrylick.  Get on the guestlist and get in free before 12am.

Click on the flyer for a map to the spot, click on the link to buy the album.

NEW MONEY ALBUM RELASE PARTY!!
@Freshly Squeezed @ The Terrace

 

New Money Oddisee Remixes on iTunes NOW!!

Talk Strange? What the hell is that?

In 2009 we can be sure of one thing.  The producer is king! lol  For the most part atleast.  For all the names that you know concerning Hip-hop, it should be "duly noted"  (whatup Crush one!! LMAO) that the beats and direction behind the scenes is what has kept this music thing going for years.  Now we all know that this is common knowledge.  You know when you are watching some music awards show, and there's some random dude just sitting there looking rich for no reason, all the artist know the dude and blahzay blah, well, he's likely one of 3 things;  The record label owner, The producer, or a drug dealer that you have no idea moves soooo much weight lol.

Ok, i'll get to the point.  I have a few people that I think remain consistently dope on the beats, but have the ability to control the sound, effort and overall mood of any song they touch.  I mean, there's nothing wrong with being just dope on the beats.  But a producer does much more than that.  I've said for years that J.Bizness is one the few people on beats that I see clearly as having a lane to be more, but, this isn't about him lol.

This is about Dert.  A producer from the star studded zone of 626!!! lol

I can go through his list of credentials (KRS One etc..) but you can go to his page for all that.  I suggest you check out his latest Beat Tape titled Talk Strange_A Beat Tape inspired by Bjork (link below) and get acquainted.  If you need further listening material i've also posted a link to "The West Side of the Moon" which is a beat tape that he did flipping samples from Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album.

Enjoy,

Talk Strange

Link

West Side of the Moon

Link

Ok Common, I see you

I'm always conflicted on questioning another artist about anything that they do. I mean my career isn't exactly at a point where I can question another's success or effort without always feeling like "Well, he's a lot further than you." (shrugs)

In this case though, I had a few questions for Common when Pharell produced Universal Mind Control single dropped. I just didn't completely get it. Couldn't really tell you whether the lyrics were wack to me cuz for the first time in his career, I couldn't get into the song enough to even try to understand. Now this isn't hate. Just because I happen not to care for something doesn't mean that it's hopeless, after all, this is just MY! opinion. lol

That being said, I knew all I had to do was wait for the song that would show me that Common was still, well...Common. Patience has apparently paid off. Courtesy of http://www.nalden.net//newsitem/825/ via OKP I came across this song "Gladiator." I think this song is bangin! (for a change lol) Let's hope that UMC can bring forth more bangers like this. We'll have to wait til Dec 9th