THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE BAKE UP SHOW!!

June 1st, Bake Up Show, On A Bitch!!!
So Mikey Mo and myself have been working on this for a minute.
Here we present our 1st Episode of The Bake Up Show.
Hope y'all enjoy!

WU OOH OB4CL2

Here's the audio for "Wu Ooh" (tryna find the video, guess it's not done yet...)slated be the first single off of Raekwon's Only Built for Cuban Linx 2. It features Johnny Blaze and Tony Starks.... Enjoy!

ONLY BUILT FOR CUBAN LINX 2... ON THE WAY?

I've been eagerly awaiting for this to drop....

Raekwon Gushes That 'The Wait Is Finally Over' For Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2

Ready to give his worldwide following what they've been waiting for, the Wu-Tang Clan's rhyme slinger extraordinaire Raekwon is set to return this summer with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2.

Raekwon, whose 1995 platinum classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was universally hailed as a rap classic and has sold more than 1.1 million units in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan, has signed a distribution deal with EMI Label Services for his ICEH20 Records label to release Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 in the US and Canada later this summer. EMI Label Services will also provide Raekwon with additional radio promotion support and licensing and synchronization services.

"The wait is finally over," Raekwon says. "Words cannot describe how extremely happy I am to work with EMI Music to put out my album."

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 buzz single and video "The New Wu" features fellow Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man and Ghostface Killah and is getting mixshow airplay at radio stations across the country, including Hot 97 in New York. The album features a spectacular line-up of guest appearances and producers: The RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, The Wu-Tang Clan, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Bun B and The Game, among others.

"We are thrilled to have a chance to work with the legendary Raekwon," said Dominic Pandiscia, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EMI Label Services. "He has had a massive impact on the history of Hip Hop and Urban music overall. Everyone at EMI is excited to be working on this record and continuing his legacy."

Rap fans were mesmerized by Raekwon's distinctive brand of street slanguistics when he emerged as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The Staten Island, New York rap group's debut album, 1993's Enter The Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers), was a landmark collection that introduced the group's signature blend of kung-fu inspired reality rap. Raekwon established himself as a solo star in 1995 with the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. The mafia minded album, which peaked at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart, unfolded like a cinematic crime caper, with such imaginative songs as "Criminology," "Incarcerated Scarfaces" and "Ice Cream" propelling the album to platinum status.

Raekwon's second album, 1999's Immobilarity, was certified gold. To date, Raekwon has career sales of more than 1.6 million units in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Now, with the impending release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, Raekwon is ready to release his second masterpiece. "It's been a long time coming," he says, "and I've put my blood, sweat and tears into making this classic album for my fans."

Via Stashonline.com

PAID DUES

I made the trek back down south for the Paid Dues Festival in late March.
I stoppped in Fresno at my Godmother's house for a couple days and she helped me do my taxes.
After Fresno, I made my way down to the Valley to stay at Ginger's (thanks again!) for a couple days before Paid Dues. I headed down to Pomona the friday before Paid Dues to stay with the homie Turtle. I left Turtle's crib around noon on that saturday, made it to San Bernardino after sittin in some I-10 traffic and got to park away from the masses and in the Artist's parking lot.
It was around 80 degrees that day, perfect weather for late March.

That day was such a blast! I hadnt seen some folks for almost 2 years and it was good to chop it with those peeps. Me and Spank had been harassing each other thru text messages tellin each other to roll up and meet backstage. We smoked good that day for sheez!

The lineup was dope and kids seemed to enjoy themselves. There were many rollers at the event and I did see at least a couple cats hemmed up from burnin treez in the crowd. Good thing we had the backstage joog so we could burn w/o gettin sweated.

It was a long day filled with good performances, chillin with good folks and all around just a fun day! Thanks to Turtle for gettin me in and lettin me stay at his pad! Chuuuuuuch!

BAR EXAM/GTWC L.A. TRYOUTS

I know, I know.... This shit happened back in March, I'm a little behind, but hey, better late then never right?

So we rented a whip and smashed down to L.A. for The Bar Exam/Sahtyre's Release Party and the GTWC Los Angeles Tryouts and The Soundclash that DelMon were the special guests.
Maren, Lush, Plex and myself got in the rental, blew it down on the road, listened to a wide variety of tunes, and made it to L.A. safe and sound. We ended up staying at Ginger's crib (thanks a million Ginni!). By the time we arrived The Saurus had been there for 10-15 minutes.. He got stuck in the bad 1am traffic by Magic Mountain too. We ended up kickin it til 7am bullshittin, smokin', & laughin.

We got to the Bar Exam which was held at Rehab Records (whattup Rehab!?) made the rounds and said peace to all the SoCal folks and chilled until the event was over. Shout out to Spank and his 305 boys for comin thru and checkin us out! After the battle we went to the SoundClash and fools were half-alive from standing all afternoon at Rehab. The Soundclash had a good turnout and DelMon killed it.... We got back to Ginger's around 2 or so and tried to lounge for a minute.... Ginger asked if we wanted to watch Gran Torino, so she threw it in and went to sleep along with everyone else. It was just me, The Saurus and Ajaxx laughing our faces off!!! Please Peep that movie for all that havent! We left L.A. the next morning after hittin up Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Hollywood... that shit was on hit! We made it back safely to the Bay after droppin' off Jaxx in San Jose at the airport. What a ride!

MIGHTY CLEANLY UPDATE

Sup y'all??? It's been a minute since I been on the blog.... I do have some news and updates so stay with me... I'll be posting for a while today before hittin the i5 for the gazillionith time. L.A. here we come!

Yodelllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

CHEROKEE LOFTS

Cherokee Lofts

Cherokee Lofts will be the most advanced and distinctive building of its kind in Los Angeles. It will be the first “green” LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certified building in Hollywood per the U.S. Green Building Council certification system and it will be the first LEED Gold Certified mixed-use or market rate multifamily building in Southern California. The development will pay homage to the significant musical and Hollywood history of Cherokee Recording Studios, MGM Studios before it, and all the artists who recorded music on the site from Frank Sinatra to David Bowie to Dave Mathews. Its unique architectural form and integrated function create a high performing building that is an expression of the environmental and cultural context in which it is built. Simply put, Cherokee Lofts will represent the premiere in green design, form, and function in the epicenter of the entertainment capital of the world. 2007 Westside Urban Forum Westside Prize Winner.

Building Basics

Cherokee Lofts will consist of 12 condominium lofts and 2800 square feet of retail space. The building will be 5 stories including 1 underground level of parking, first floor retail and parking, 3 floors of lofts on floors 2 through 4 and a rooftop deck and green roof.

The lofts will range in size from 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet with unique and distinctive floor plans. 7 of the lofts will be two story town homes perched 30 to 50 feet above street level. The living space consisting of a state of the art kitchen, great room, bathroom, and home recording studio or office will be on the 4th floor 38 feet above street level to maximize city skyline views, daylight, and energy efficiency. 3 of the lofts will have 17 foot high ceilings with mezzanines and open to a lushly landscaped courtyard. Finally two loft flats will have 10 foot high ceilings also opening to the landscaped courtyard. All lofts will have 2 to 3 bathrooms and 1 to 4 bedrooms. Interiors including kitchens, baths, and finishes will all be ‘eco-luxury’ with high end appointments that have simple and modern lines while being environmentally friendly.

The building is located at 751 N. Fairfax just north of Melrose right around the corner from the increasingly popular and hip Melrose Heights Fashion District which includes Fred Segal, Adidas, and Mark Jacobs among others. It also borders West Hollywood, is ¾ mile from the center of the Sunset Strip, ¾ mile from The Grove shopping mall, a mile away from the Beverly Center, and 3 blocks away from Whole Foods and Starbucks.

Where Form Meets Function In a Green and Historic Way This building was conceptualized, designed, and will be built with the paramount goal of blending a highly designed, sustainable building while preserving the rich history of the site. Through every step of the integrated design process the Team debated how the building’s look and materials would affect its function, livability, and position in the community. The result will be a visually captivating building with a special story to tell in how it performs, what it was, and what it will be to the point that no other building can claim. A few of the key green and historical features of this unique building are described below.

Green Feature Highlights

• 40% more energy efficient than California’s very strict energy code for newly constructed buildings and more than 100% efficient than buildings built just 10 years ago saving owners real money while reducing greenhouse gases.
• Architectural Dynamic Double Façade which is owner controlled creates a eye-catching and fluid external view while providing shading to cool the building, reducing noise, enhancing privacy, and still allowing for spectacular views, great natural light and ventilation from ocean breezes which pass through its millions of perforations even when all panels are closed.
• Advanced Cooling and Heating Comfort System which is being used in Canada’s new 2010 Olympic Village cools and warms floors, ceilings, and walls to create a perfectly temperate environment better for respiratory systems, skin, and overall health and comfort.
• Green Building Orientation with the central courtyard between the two residential structures allows for daylighting on both sides of every unit while allowing prevailing breezes to fully pass through the units for natural ventilation.
• Green Roof provides greenery for occupants to enjoy while keeping the building better insulated, cleaning the air, and reducing storm water run off.
• Water Conservation will be accomplished with dual flush toilets, efficient fixtures, hot water circulators, and drought tolerate landscaping.
• Solar Power will power all common area electrical loads and a percentage of the heating and hot water needs for the building reducing energy needs and HOA fees.
• Green Location is achieved by proximity to a Metro Rapid Bus and walkability to coffee, organic grocery, restaurants, great shopping, and major entertainment centers.
• Green Materials and Products used extensively throughout such as cellulose insulation, FSC Certified wood, and aluminum to name a few are recycled, renewable, and contain no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

All of these green features help to reduce the impact on the environment while providing a less expensive building to operate and maintain and ultimately a healthier and better place to live.

Historic Feature Highlights

Cherokee Studios, the site’s former owner and occupant operated one of the most significant musical Hollywood recording studios with over 300 Platinum and Gold albums recorded by artists such as David Bowie, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis. The new development respects and will pay homage to this past by subtly weaving historic elements into the building.

• Dynamic Façade. The first most dramatic feature emulates the past creativity that took place at the site by always changing and moving much like the music created in the studio.
• Studio One’s Black Forest Wood. Many materials from the existing recording studio will be reused throughout the new building including the dark wood paneling from Germany’s Black Forest that completed Frank Sinatra’s Studio One.
• Home Recording Studios. A few of the units will include home recording studios designed masterfully by Cherokee Studio’s founders.
• History. Studio memorabilia, history, and stories will creatively and tastefully be featured and documented throughout building and in the building owners and operation manual.
• Cherokee Studio’s Green Future. Lastly, Cherokee Studios is going green just like Cherokee Lofts with a green record label, a new larger green recording studio to be built with REthink, and a eco-rock tour called Rock Your Planet.

The close attention to how form and function, green building, and history all affect each other creates a one-of-a-kind building superior in design, construction quality, and energy efficiency. It will be less expensive to operate, healthier for its residents, and less impactful to the environment. For these reasons Cherokee Lofts is at the forefront of what intelligent buildings should be.

Design and Build Team

All members of the design and build team are leaders and pioneers in green building and architecturally significant projects. The architect, Pugh + Scarpa, is an unprecedented two time winner of AIA Top 10 Green Building Award plus 100 other awards and accolades. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers are outstanding leaders in green energy designed residential and commercial projects. The contractor is also a pioneer in the green building space delivering well built and high quality buildings. And lastly, the developer, REthink Development, is a leader and trail blazer not only on their own green building projects but also serving as green consultants on other cutting edge, significant, and noteworthy green development projects. REthink’s team members are also LEED Accredited Professionals, on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Green Building Council LA Chapter and have set policy on green building in the city of Santa Monica, Los Angeles, West Hollywood and County of LA, as well as managed large civic projects.

WOLFMOTHER BREAK-UP

Grammy Award-Winning Australian Trio, WOLFMOTHER has broken up.

Old news to you probably, but New news to me...

Back in 2005, I was an intern at the World Famous Cherokee Studios (now future home of Cherokee Lofts) in Hollywood, CA.
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with the Aussies while they were in pre- production (rehearsal stage) prior to them actually recording the album. Andrew, Miles, and Chris were all cool dudes. We joked often about how we couldn't understand each other. Along with Matt and Todd, I helped the band set-up their little ProTools rig to record their rehearsals. It was such a memorable experience for me. I was 22, living in Hollywood (at the studio) and having the time of my life. Then they win a Grammy. That's tight. Now Wolfmother is defunct. Thanks for giving me those memories, mates.

The Australian award-winning rock band Wolfmother has broken up, citing long-standing personal and musical differences. How dramatic.

Bass/keyboard player Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett have resigned from the band, effective immediately, leaving just singer/guitarist Andrew Stockdale to ride it out solo. According to the band's website, Andrew plans to find other musicians before making a new Wolfmother album.

The following statement was posted to Wolfmother's website and MySpace today…

Wolfmother toured the world virtually non-stop through 2006 and early 2007 on the back of their acclaimed self titled debut album. Longstanding frictions within the group then lead them to take an extended break during the second half of 2007 to consider their future.

In early 2008 they regrouped and worked on new material. Initially encouraged by those sessions, they committed to a handful of live shows to 'road test' the new songs and to try to find a way forward.

Those dates concluded with a headlining slot last Sunday at the Splendour In The Grass Festival in Australia's Byron Bay where rumours circulated about possible lineup changes.

Following that show Chris Ross decided to announce that he was leaving the band due to irreconcilable personal and musical differences. Myles Heskett has also decided to leave the band rather than continuing as part of a changed lineup. The pair has been working together on songs for some time and they plan to focus their energies on that new project in the future.

Andrew Stockdale, Myles Heskett, and Chris Ross will make no public statements at this time except to say that they are each really looking forward to making their new music over the years ahead.

In the meantime they simply ask all Wolfmother fans to please understand that in spite of their best efforts over a long period of time, they just could not find a harmonious way to work together and that has [led] to the decisions announced today.

CASUAL, HIEROGLYPHICS O.G.

Damn! CAS is killin' these cats who pretend they can rap. Get ya barz up!
When is Return of the Backpack droppin'? I know I'm not the only one asking that question! HIERO '09!

SUPER BOWL XLIII

Tomorrow's the Big Game, SUPERBOWL XLIII @ Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida!!! I hope all of y'all are gettin' ready to fire up the grill (amongst other things), eat chips and dip, drink brew and watch the game with friends and fam on the big screen.

I'm rootin' for the under-dogs! Go Cardinals!!! 1st time to the Big Game in Franchise history!

RAEKWON, GHOSTFACE, & CROOKED I!!

Here’s a collabo gem that will appear on a project called “The Live & Direct Show” which is being put out by Stenge-O-Matic from the groups Anotha Level. Yes, THAT Anotha Level. The Live and Direct Show will also features T.I., Glasses Malone, Akon and many more. Check for that to drop Feb 19th.

DOWNLOAD: Raekwon ft. Ghostface & Crooked I - “Yes Sir”

Thanks to my folks @ Hip Hop Official for the update.

CRIMONOLOGY 2009 REMIX!!!

The Chef and Tony Starks revisit a classic track for Rae’s upcoming album Only Built For Cuban Linx 2 (Supposedly it’s on he album, but who the fuck knows with this thing. This album is like the Lock Ness monster of hip-hop…nobody knows if it really exists or if it’s every going to show itself). Regardless, there’s a pretty dope beat flip going on right here. You’ll probably like it if you’ve taken the time to read this. If this album ever drops, it’s gonna be epic.

DOWNLOAD: Raekwon ft. Ghostface - “Criminology 2009″

Thanks to my folks @ HIP HOP OFFICIAL for this update...

TRIZONAL SPACE WARPER

I got 3 little words for you: Trizonal Space Warper

RESIDENT EVIL 5

So I'm chillin here with JohnnyFin, playing the demo for RESIDENT EVIL 5, eatin our milk and cookies and fresh off a blunt. I must say I haven't been this exicted about a RESIDENT EVIL game since the first one that came out back in the day on the OG Playstation.

The graphics are super ill and life-like, but the game-play takes just a second to take hold of (I rarely play games, so it took me just a second to figure everything out) but after that its action packed, zombie killin' madness. The only drawback, for me, is that when you draw your weapon, you really cant move around too fast to keep up with the hoard of zombies. All in all I will spend some time playing this game...

ILL TOUR BUSSES

Ever since being on tour in 2007 with Rock the Bells, I've had an affinity for Tour busses.Especially those made by Prevost. So here are some ILL busses I've found on the net. I will own a Tour bus one day... Until then, I will enjoy these flicks. I hope you do to.

The MIGHTY CLEANLY Tour Bus Fleet:

FRESH COAST BATTLE DVD

Check out this extraordinary documentary on the the livest Battle Rappers in the country. Kyle Gray (Avocado) and PhillipDrummond combine to make the illest documentary about the West Coast battle scene: The Fresh Coast.

Avocado(the producer/visual effects artist)has worked in post production for over 6 years and has worked on music video’s and Feature Films.

PhillipDrummond has provided many hours of classic battle footage and history, and he helped spear-head this whole Fresh Coast movement.

Featured MC's:
Bo-Rat
The Saurus
NoCanDo
Franco
Lush One
Passwurdz
Okwerdz
Tantrum
Ex-I
IllMaculate
F.L.O.
D-Lor

Also check out the Fresh Coast soundtrack Mastered by yours truly...

MY THOUGHTS ON "NOTORIOUS"

So a couple of friends and I went and checked out the Notorious B.I.G.'s bio-pic "NOTORIOUS".
I was a little skeptical about seeing it, but since I vividly remember that time-frame in the mid-nineties, I had to see for myself. The movies was not as cheesy as I originally expected.
We go from Big's days as a Bed-Stuy Street Pharmacist, to Hip Hop Royalty in around 2 hours.
I believe they portrayed Biggie in a decent and human light. The actress who played Lil Kim was off the chain as the Queen-Bee.

The movie did several people dirty though:

Lil Cease: Looked 14 the whole time
Tupac: Portrayed as a MARK
Puffy: The Biggest MARK ever for capitalizing on your man's death. Peep the youtube footage of Diddy saying BIG wasn't supposed to be in L.A. when he was Murdered.

TOP GROSSING RAP CREWS

I was recently reading the latest issue of XXL Magazine March '09 (Issue # 111)
and came across a rather interesting article called: CLANS, POSSES, CREWS & CLIQUES.
This article breaks down record sales, core group members, affiliates,etc. of the most popular Hip Hop crews ever. Starting in the '80's with the Juice Crew, N.W.A., the '90's with Native Tongues, Dungeon Family, Cash Money, Bad Boy, Death Row, No Limit, Wu-Tang, Roc-A-Fella, Dip-Set, etc... The fucked up thing about this Article is the title: CLANS, POSSES, CREWS & CLIQUES , a song made famous by Heltah Skeltah on their debut disc, Nocturnal. There was not one word mentioned about NYC's famed Boot Camp Clik (comprised of Heltah Skeltah, Buckshot, OGC, Cocoa Brovas, Black Moon, Dru-Ha) but their song was used as the title for this article... Ironic?
The winner though, with 55 million in Record sales was: Death Row Records.
It's definitely worth the read... Get ya history right!!!!!!!!!!!

J!M (The Cleaner)/MIGHTY CLEANLY on iamhiphop.com

Hip Hop Heads!


Please take a moment and create a profile @ www.iamhiphop.com

THE BAYLIENS ON PAID DUES!!!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

I was informed today by Spaceman Cell and DJ True Justice that The Bayliens have been booked for the 4th Annual PAID DUES Festival in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 28th 2009. Congrats to my homies for puttin' in copious amounts of work. It's paying off now. Just don't get big-headed ya

M O R K S!!!!

MURS HATERZ

Aiight now... i've been hearing a lot of crying from haters about MURS as of late...First off, the hate only gets him more love from the true heads/fans.Second, all of you indie artists that try to shit on MURS, you should really be thanking him.

He has created a platform for independent hip hop artists, what have you done lately??And third, to date, his latest Album, MURS for President has sold over 35,082 copies. How many of you MURS haters have ever come even close to that??Yes, I did work on the Special Edition DVD, got a Warner Bros. Records Credit (Thanx MURS!!)Now their gonna cry cuz they wont ever get on Paid Dues.

EXTENDO, NOT PRETENDO

This is for all my folkz out there, all over the world doin' it real

GOJIRA!!!

You know, being from the land of the B-LA, I am a connoisseur of the finest of the sticky.
So for MIGHTY CLEANLY, I've compiled a list of A-List Hip Hop artists/headz that I've had the fortunate opportunity of being in a smoking cypher with over the years...

In no particular order:

Planet Asia
Shux Wun
DJ Question (Jedi Mind Tricks)
Mikey Mo "The MC"
Spanky
Flii Stylz
Delinquent Monastery Crew
Method Man
The Bayliens
DJ Oohchild
Sabac Red
OOWEE
Pep Love
Sunspot Jonz
DJ True Justice
Opio
DJ Daeta
Luckyiam.PSC
Z-Man/O.B.R.
A Plus
Animal Planet
DJ Fresh
Okwerdz
Supernatural
Bo-Rat
Phat Cat
Stark
Members of Slum Village
Franco
ETC
Turtle
J-Hon
The Saurus
Equipto
RZA
Killa StormZ
Plaga
F.L.O.
Spoon
Mike Swift
Verbz
DirtBag Dan
Flossafee
Bicasso
Sahtyre
Kruse
MOD
Dap Daniel
DumbFoundead

Note: This is a partial list... I will add more when I remember who else.

AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION

Hellz Yeah Son!

I don't know about you, but I thought the first Afro Samurai was the shit!Great animation, awesome soundtrack (thanx RZA), and dope, intricate story-telling.
I missed the premiere last night on Spike, but best believe when Afro Samurai: Resurrection comes out on DVD it's gettin copped!

CLEANER'S TOP INPECTAH DECK VERSES

The most under-appreciated MC in the WU!!!

So here we go, my favorite Deck Verses... in no particular order:

Triumph
Assassination Day
Above the Clouds
Guillotine Swordz
Iron Flag
Cold World
Protect Ya Neck
For Heavens Sake
Visionz
C.R.E.A.M.

Note: Please hit me with more that you feel are worthy enough to be on this list...

MIGHTY CLEANLY

At the request of my friends & colleagues I have set-up a blog that will give you all things Cleaner.

This blog will give y'all an in-depth look at my personal/professional life as a twenty-something troubadour trying to find his way through life with music...

So I introduce to you, proudly, MIGHTY CLEANLY.