As I’ve shown in my coverage on MichiganHipHop, NPR and more, 2011 has been a banner year for hip-hop from the Wolverine Spartan State. More than any other time I can remember, all sides of the Mitten’s rap scene have found success: the soulful sound, the hardnosed boom bap, the mainstream gloss, and everything in between. Below, I’ve written my list of the top 10 Michigan hip-hop albums* of 2011. Read below for more. I’m sure many of you all are going to disagree with my choices (or at least the order), so go ‘head and leave your gripes in the comment section or forever hold your piece.

1.) OneBeLo, LABOR [Stream/Buy Here]

OneBeLo has always been one of the best emcees that the state has to offer, but it upsets me when he isn’t mentioned alongside Eminem, Royce Da 5’9″ and Elzhi in the upper echelon of Michigan rappers. His new disc, LABOR, only further proves my point. In an incredible display of showmanship, Lo uses an assortment of songs titled after animals and occupations to metaphorically convey the issues and narratives that make the world go round. “Pigs” speaks on corrupt law enforcement, “Rabbit Food” whimsically plays on the names of various fruits and vegetables, and he uses “The G.O.A.T.” to have a conversation with God. The concept is tightly woven but not restrictively so, the punchlines and rhyme schemes are top of the line, and the intensity of the production ably backs his rhymes.

2.) Danny Brown, XXX [Stream/Download Here]

Danny Brown’s last album The Hybrid sounded considerably ahead of its time in 2010, but his risky, trailblazing debut with Fool’s Gold Records makes last year’s underground classic sound like a relic. The Detroit native uses his unique, teetering delivery to rhyme about a life of addiction, pressure to succeed, and inner-city poverty, with electronic minimalism as the soundtrack and his 30th year of age as the motif. I give a more thorough explanation in my HipHopDX review, but there’s plenty of reason behind SPIN magazine ranking it as the top rap record of 2011.

3.) Big Sean, Finally Famous [Stream Here, available at major retailers]

I know many people are going to be upset with me ranking Finally Famous this high,  but fact is fact: Big Sean’s debut is exactly what a pop rap album should be. It had three of the best singles of the year (“My Last (feat. Chris Brown),” “Marvin and Chardonnay (feat. Kanye West),” and “Dance (A$$)”); No I.D. made sure the production palette was cohesive and engaging; and major guest appearances from Pharrell and The-Dream don’t disappoint. Despite a small collection of topics, the disc also does a good job of telling Sean’s inspiring success story, and Sean’s stylistic, carefree rhyme style shines throughout. Read more in my HipHopDX review.

4.) Elzhi, Elmatic [Buy Physical or Digital]

It’s December, so we all know the story by now: former Slum Village member Elzhi reinterpreted the songs from Nas’ classic debut Illmatic, and enlisted the Will Sessions band to create live renditions of the timeless beats by DJ Premier, Q-Tip and others. But as I said in my review, what’s particularly memorable is how evoked emotion and made all of these songs his own by putting his own spin on them. Virtually each of Nas’ NYC references are substituted for their Detroit equivalent, and Elzhi’s usage of vocal inflections and imagery makes the songs sound even more authentic.

5.) Black Opera, Overture [Buy on iTunes]

No real backstory to these rappers’ previous catalogs, but that’s exactly how they like it. An anonymous group of musicians that describe themselves as “a collective of Artistic Freedom Fighters, who openly & fluently express Creation through Music, Visual Art and Parables of Truth. WE are The Black Opera, a cast of characters narrating OUR perception of Timeless issues and Universal subjects that connect The Past, Present and Future.” Their debut album, Overture, does exactly that with its lucid rhymes and hard beats, but it’s really the album’s mysterious vibe that keeps ears glued to the speakers. The music videos breathe even more life into these songs though, so watch them HERE. Their new album, EnterMission, just dropped, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

6.) Danny Brown and Black Milk, Black and Brown [Stream/Buy Here]

Danny Brown has two albums in this list. The reason is simple: he appeals to completely different fan bases with two projects within the same year. Even though the EP only runs about 22 minutes, it manages to squeeze in a great collection of percussive, sample-contorting Black Milk beats and witty Danny Brown vulgarities. A great snack for the boom bap fans that hopped on the Danny Brown bandwagon during his 2010 album The Hybrid.

7.) Royce Da 5’9″, Success Is Certain [available at major retailers]

Royce Da 5’9″ has been consistently proven himself as one of the most talented emcees in the industry, and 2011 was the year when the mainstream hip-hop world would finally begin to see the gem that the underground had crowned years prior. His Slaughterhouse group signed to Shady Records and he recorded an entire EP with Eminem, but he still had some heaters on his solo offering as well. This is less angry than its definitive 2004 predecessor Death Is Certain, but Royce’s cohesion, lyrical depth and scowling delivery are just as potent. Armed with beats by the likes of Alchemist, DJ Premier and Mr. Porter, Nickel rounds the bases about his relationships with Eminem and the late Proof, reflects on past mistakes, and flexes his signature shit-talking. The only flaw to me was that the album’s best songs – “Writer’s Block,” “Second Place” and “Legendary” – were leaked so early, the other eight tracks didn’t carry as much weight. Success Is Certain is still a stellar effort though, and I’m loving it even more after revisiting it months later.

8.) Random Axe, Random Axe [available on major digital retailers]

The album from the supergroup of Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price took years to see a release. But as I said in my HipHopDX review, the result was exactly what fans of all three of them wanted: tough, no frills hip-hop with no gimmicks. This isn’t as complete as their previous solo material (i.e. Black Milk’s Album of the Year, Guilty Simpson’s Ode to the Ghetto, and Sean Price’s Jesus Price Superstar), there’s still plenty to enjoy here. It’s enjoyable to hear Black use a rougher production alternative to his recent big band feel, and witnessing Sean P. and Guilty tag each other into the ring to trade their brawny, darkly humorous bars is a sight to see.

9.) Bad Meets Evil, Hell: The Sequel [available at major retailers]

In a way, the Bad Meets Evil EP suffers more for what it isn’t than what it is. Michigan hip-hop fans witnessing timeless songs from Royce Da 5’9″ and Eminem as solo artists while waiting for a collaborative project between the two longtime friends, but Royce said in interviews that the songs here weren’t recorded with the intention of releasing an album. As a result, these don’t have the intricacies and attention to detail of their best records. But there’s also a bright side: Royce and Eminem having fun and recapturing their chemistry is still better than 90% of rap artists at their very best, and songs like “Fast Lane” and “Take From Me” showcase that talent. It was gratifying to many hip-hop heads that such a raw collection of songs that weren’t radio-friendly (aside from the Bruno Mars-assisted “Lighters”) could still succeed on the charts, while earning Royce his first gold plaque and thrusting him into the mainstream spotlight that a veteran with his skill set deserves.

10.) Tie: Ro Spit, The Glass Ceiling Project [Download/Stream Here, Buy on iTunes]

Many emcees from Michigan can identify with hitting a wall in their career, seeing the other side but unable to break through. Apparently, this album is Ro Spit’s attempt to get to where he wants to go. The disc combines the self-assurance expected of a top sneaker boutique’s co-owner with the pure rhyme skills of a Subterraneous Records alum, resulting in a display of strong songwriting, even stronger soulful production, and guest appearances from a nearly complete who’s who of the mitten’s most notable emcees.

Doss The Artist, #9Lives [Stream/Download Here]

MTV Hive covered Detroit emcee Doss The Artist earlier this year, and his #9Lives album/series of leaks does more than justify the article. Doss’ nasally, acrobatic bars sound right at home over his collection of extraterrestrial soundbeds by Hir-O, jAYd and ACB. His stylistic offerings are like sushi: an acquired taste, but amazingly addictive once you realize that raw isn’t always bad. His last album, the Hir-O-produced Computer Blue, took a month for me to get into and nearly than a year to put down once I “got” it.

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*When I say “albums,” I don’t only mean retail LPs, but any projects with original music. I also must admit, there are several albums that are missing from this list that I wasn’t able to give a proper listen to: Quelle Chris’ Shot Gun & Sleek Rifle, 14KT’s A Friendly Game of KT, Young Scolla’s Seconds Away, Passalacqua’s Zehbehzay Summer, and other albums would have likely made the cut if I heard them. Also, I try to maintain some journalism objectivity, so the BLAT! Pack projects that hit the ‘Net this year – JYoung The General’s Black History Year: Installment Two, YungClassix’s Life On The Grid, KuroiOto’s MAXWellness, and Hir-O’s The Freakstrumental Joint – aren’t on this list either. But those are all incredible too; listen to those HERE.

While putting together our year-end lists, the staff at HipHopDX voted on what we thought were the top 10 mixtapes of 2011. After deciding what made the cut, editors asked me to write captions to sum up each nominee. The graphic above highlights Big K.R.I.T.’s Return of 4Eva, Elzhi’s Elmatic and Danny Brown’s XXX, but there were other great projects as well. Read below for an excerpt:

After netting solid stats during a rookie season that saw the likes of Drake and B.o.B dominate the charts, Big K.R.I.T. used ReturnOf4Eva—his second free release since last year’s phenomenal K.R.I.T. Wuz Here—to stake his claim as the real future of the south. Avoiding the fly-by-night nature of many new southern emcees’ focus on formulaic club bangers, this emee/producer he opts for the balance displayed by legends like Outkast and UGK. Using a digestible approach to ably cover the topics of heading a household (“King’s Blues”), strippers (“Shake It”), discrimination (“Another Naïve Individual Glorifying Greed and Encouraging Racism”) and rattling sound systems (“My Sub”) with equal skill and conviction, K.R.I.T. is exactly what Hip Hop needs. His official Def Jam debut, Live From The Underground, can’t come soon enough.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the list. What do you guys think is missing? Several readers thought Lloyd Banks’ Cold Corner 2, Jon Connor’s Season 2, Meek Mil’s Dreamchasers, and Wiz Khalifa’s Cabin Fever should have either been in the Top 10 or honorable mentions.

I haven’t made a formal announcement, or even shared many of my links yet, only because I wanted to get into my groove with them first. Still, I wanted to share it with you guys since it seems to be official now. On Friday, December 9, 2011, I became a member of the team at MTV RapFix.

Visit the site and follow @MTVRapFix on Twitter to see my daily news reports about the latest in rap music and hip-hop culture. So far, I’ve written stories about upcoming mixtapes from Saigon and Rick Ross, a tattoo artist who inked “Drake” on a Los Angeles woman’s forehead, Mystikal’s comeback with Cash Money Records, and many more. Today, you’ll see me summing up the RapFix team’s hip-hop albums of the year. To see all of my MTV RapFix articles, CLICK HERE or just search my name – William E. Ketchum III – on the site.

Shout-out to Sway Calloway, Nadeska Alexis, Rob Markman, and D.L. Chandler for all the support and looks.

I’m admittedly late in this post (which is why I’m making it on a Sunday), but I figured I would let all of you know just in case you still have the issues laying around. I’m in a couple magazines right now though, check them out if you’d like. In order from the most recent:

In the October/November of VIBE magazine (the cover on the left), I have an interview with Jennifer Graziano, the creator of reality show Mob Wives. Check page 72 if you have the magazine handy, or CLICK HERE to read it on SpeechIsMyHammer.com.

Also, in the October 2011 issue of XXL magazine (with Rick Ross and the Maybach Music Crew on the cover), I have an interview with Common about New York Times bests eller memoir, One Day It’ll All Make Sense. The word count hurt me a bit since so much of the conversation had to be left out, but I’m still happy with how it came out. If you’ve moved on to the more recent issues already, CLICK HERE to read the story.

The photo above was taken in Detroit in 2006, at a listening session for Young Jeezy’s second studio album, The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102. I remember being really surprised, because while everyone else at the event seemed dressed to impress the potential clients or love interests around them, Jeezy was incognito: black tee, black skullcap, and black jeans, with no flashy jewelry on (the ring and earrings in this photo were relatively modest compared to other artists’ chains and watches I’d seen at other events).  While traipsing around the club sipping my rum and Coke, I caught a glance of him tucked into a corner of a room by himself – no handlers, security, or entourage – fooling with his cell phone. He was an amiable host once the listening session began, but he seemed more at home while alone; I could virtually see him in that same uniform while on the corner years prior, earning his “Snowman” moniker by serving one fiend at a time. When I interviewed him over the phone with JYoung The General for Cultural Vibe on IMPACT 88.9FM for The Recession in 2008, I described his outfit and demeanor years earlier. “Yeah, that sounds like me all right,” he chuckled.

In a phone call this month for HipHopDX, it didn’t seem like much had changed. His buzz seesaws every other week between pushbacks and mixed reception on leaks, but the demeanor stayed the same. So rather than focus on the delays for his upcoming album Thug Motivation 103 (which is now eyeing a December 20 release), I asked him as much about what I envisioned from that demeanor as possible. As a result, I got a candid interview from the CTE head that’s highlighted by details about his brotherly relationship to respected southern producer Shawty Redd, and how his dedicated friendship may have altered the trajectory of TM103. An excerpt:

[Shawty Redd] called me the first time he got out on bond, and he called me the second day. I drove out to his house and shit, I saw him and we talked. He’s like, “Bruh, I don’t know what to do.” I just saw the frustration in his eyes. A lot of people don’t know that when a lot of people were saying, “Where’s Jeezy at with Thug Motivation 103, he’s bullshitting”…I went to his house one day when he got out, and I never left his house for six months. I stayed with Shawty and talked to him, every day and every night, because his mindstate wasn’t right. I thought, “What’s more important? My little brother, or the music?” I kind of got off my rocker, but for six months, I lived with Shawty Redd in his spare room. I bought a TV, some shit I like to do at the house, DVDs and playing cards, and I lived with Shawty Redd for six months to make sure he was straight.

This was one of my favorite interviews, so I hope you all enjoy it.

CLICK HERE to read the whole article.

Rick Ross and Lil Wayne used 2010-2011 to boost the profile of their respective Maybach Music Group and Young Money rosters with crew albums, but Kanye West has been building his G.O.O.D. Music roster for several years now. It’s only right that Yeezy does the same and make a championship run of his all-star team that includes the likes of Pusha T, Big Sean, Common, John Legend, Yasiin Bey (a.k.a. Mos Def) and more. If the producer/emcee’s tweet rings true, music fans have a lot to be excited about in spring 2012. Below, read eight reasons why.

1.) Kanye West Understands The Spirit of Collaborations
Kanye West is known to have a big ego due to his blow-ups on award shows and interviews, but when it comes to collaborations, he calls on whoever is necessary to take his records to the next level. What makes the songs and albums special is that the collaborations almost always come across as organic, not as one artist struggling for attention. Judging from Ye’s list of studio rules that COMPLEX photographed, everyone stays in line. Jon Brion upgraded Late Registration, Kid Cudi’s fingerprints are all over 808s & Heartbreaks, and RZA and Bink! were enlisted to craft sounds for My Beautiful, Dark Twisted Fantasy. “All of the Lights” has 14 guest vocalists, for goodness sake! If Ye is willing to pull out all the stops for his own albums, it’d only make sense that he’d do the same when the rep of his crew is on the line.

2.) G.O.O.D. Music’s Previous Posse Cuts
Truth be told, Internet DJs could make their own “G.O.O.D. Music: The Album” mixtapes based on the posse cuts that the crew has already released. If the self-made compilation included any song that had more than three G.O.O.D. Music artists involved, the tracklist would include the following: “Whatever U Want (G.O.O.D. Music Remix),” “Grammy Family,” “Make Her Say,” “Looking For Trouble,” “Christmas In Harlem,” “Christian Dior Denim Flow,” “Don’t Look Down,” “Good Friday,” and others. Dig through your file folders, and you’ll see that their record speaks for itself.

3.) G.O.O.D. Music’s Roster of Producers
Kanye West is already one of the greatest producers of all time, but everybody on his team is a shooter. No I.D. has been composing classic soundbeds for Common for years, and his production on Big Sean’s Finally Famous showed that he hasn’t lost a step. New signee Hit-Boy has the song of the year with The Throne’s “Niggas In Paris,” but his pedigree was already proven with songs like Pusha T’s “My God,” Kelly Rowland’s “Lay It On Me (feat. Big Sean),” and Eminem and Lil Wayne’s “Drop The World.” Producers like Jeff Bhasker and Devo Springsteen aren’t as heralded, but their work with the likes of Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Estelle is nothing to sneeze at either.

4.) New Music From G.O.O.D. Music Yasiin Bey (a.k.a. Mos Def)
 Albums like Black On Both Sides and Black Star have cemented Mos Def as one of the most talented, charismatic voices of hip-hop, so his integration into the G.O.O.D. Music fold last year was great news. His last album The Ecstatic was one of the best of 2010, and he’s always shown great chemistry with Kanye West. Past heaters like College Dropout’s “Two Words” and The New Danger’s “Sunshine” were already dope, but G.O.O.D. Fridays songs “Don’t Look Down” and “Lord Lord Lord” show that he fits perfectly into the mold. With Ye’s direction and Mos’ free spirit, the results on G.O.O.D. Music: The Album should be interesting.

5.) New Appearances By John Legend
 It’s easy to forget that John Legend is a member of the G.O.O.D. Music family, but don’t let his self-sustainable solo career or his covers album with The Roots distract you from his allegiances. The nine-time Grammy winner has always given his labelmates’ releases an extra boost of soul: Common’s “Faithful,” Big Sean’s “Memories,” and Kanye’s “Blame Game” wouldn’t have been the same without his hearty hooks and bridges. With this compilation, expect more of the same.

6.) A Finally, Finally Famous Big Sean
It’s been a long time since Big Sean rhymed for Kanye at a radio station in Detroit. Sean always sounded hungry on the leaks with Kanye and company, but unlike many of his labelmates, he still hasn’t had an official appearance on a G.O.O.D. Music release aside from his own—Cudi made his stamp on 808s & Heartbreaks, Cyhi strut his stuff on “So Appalled,” and the most Sean had gotten was a slot on an iTunes bonus track for My Beautiful, Dark Twisted Fantasy. These days, the 23-year-old has a headlining tour, his own Billboard hits (“My Last” and “Marvin and Chardonnay”), and a reputation as one of hip-hop’s brightest young voices. It should be interesting to see how his boosted confidence shows alongside the G.O.O.D. artists he’s had to catch up with.

7.) Guest Appearances
G.O.O.D. Music already has a great roster of talent on its own, but the possibilities of guest appearances seem endless. G.O.O.D. Fridays songs already had Raekwon, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Lloyd Banks and Talib Kweli—and these are for Internet leaks! Imagine who might get a plane ticket to Hawaii when a retail release is on the line.

8.) A Group Tour
The crew has already rocked for audiences at exclusive shows, but the idea of an entire tour would be even better. Kanye’s “Watch The Throne” tour with Jay-Z is arguably the best in a roster that includes his previous “Glow In The Dark” tour with Rihanna annd N.E.R.D., Common’s live show is always amazing with his freestyling and breaking, and John Legend has incredible stage presence. If Ye’s collaborative skills can translate to a tour – along with everyone’s schedules – it would have the potential to be something special. Even the group’s cypher at the BET Hip-Hop Awards was the highlight of the show.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I first learned of Good Wood NYC jewelry company when I received a custom version of their now ubiquitous Jesus pieces from Marcus Troy as a gift, and I was further impressed when I got to give away one of their limited edition Erykah Badu ankhs on SpeechIsMyHammer. The company has a great trilogy of excellence: affordability, uniqueness, and customization. Dozens of celebrities and even more under-the-radar acts have enlisted their services to up their fly, and there are options for everyone.

That said, GWNYC’s collaboration with All Things Fresh and Team Drizzy may be my favorite yet. As you’ll see in the video above, the three teams banded together to create a custom kit dedicated to Drake’s October’s Very Own crew for the Canadian rapper/singer/songwriter’s 25th birthday. The case is fly enough, but inside are owl stands (OVO’s mascot), drinking glasses, shot glasses, wood beaded bracelets, wood beaded chains and iPhone cases. Not only is it a great display of what Good Wood NYC is capable of; it’s also just a hell of a gift. Any of my friends/colleagues/business partners, feel free to use this as inspiration for your boy when July 18 comes around next year!

For closer images of each item, CLICK HERE.

The advent of social networking has given artists a fantastic tool for promoting themselves and their work. It’s also given them the ability to shoot themselves in the foot, both in small, and grand, ways. The following is a blow-by-blow account of one run in I had on Facebook with someone who broke almost every rule in the book when it comes to approaching a writer. He misrepresented himself (i.e. he lied), he didn’t listen when he was told specifically what to do in order to be considered for coverage, he made it clear he wasn’t familiar with my work, he made unsolicited posts on my Facebook wall, and to top it all off he was insulting about the entire thing. I am redacting the name of the artist involved because this isn’t about blowing up someone’s spot, it’s about showing exactly what not to do.

Everything start off innocently enough. I received an email from an artist asking if I could post about him on my blog and if I’d heard his new CD. I replied that I hadn’t heard it, adding “Would you like to mail it to me? (No downloads, please).” The artist then emailed me the message “TRY THIS ON” (yes, all in caps) with a link to where I could stream his album, or download it for a fee.

This aggravated me a bit. It’s not that I’m some stone aged person who hates technology and throws rocks at anything shiny, it’s that I very specifically told this person what I required and he chose to totally ignore that request. When this happens I know I’m not being listened to, which in turn makes me feel like the person on the other end of the conversation lacks any kind of respect for me.

I replied, “Dude, I appreciate the effort, but I JUST said ‘no downloads, please.’ If I can’t pop it in my car I’m going to have a tough time finding the time to listen to it.” My reply was, in my opinion, overly kind, but I work with so many artists that have no media training, and are just trying to get heard, that, despite being aggravated, I figured I’d give him a pass. That pass ended with the artist’s reply:

ok (sic), but your (sic) online now, and can listen to it, ‘Dude’. You didnt (sic) send any mailing address or send any arrangements fo (sic) me to get any music to you. At least, when your (sic) sitting down @ your computer, maybe you’d want to hear this, is all.

He then added: “If you want a physical copy they are for sale @ $5. Thank you for your interest.”

First of all – MY interest? I don’t recall inquiring about anything. That aside, I found it amazing how in one fell swoop this artist went from trying to get featured on my site to insulting me with his “Dude” comment and assuming I do nothing with my day but wait for albums to listen to from people I’ve never had any contact with before (cuz, you know, as a writer there would be no other reason for me to be at my computer {rolls eyes}), and then, the cherry on top – he demanded money for the thing he wanted me to cover.

There are a billion better ways he could have gone about this. He could have asked for my address to mail an album to. He could have said he didn’t have any physical copies and asked if I could break my no downloads rule. Being that we’re in the same area he could have said let’s meet up at a show. My reply to what he said was simple: “Are you serious?” This sparked a string of emails from the artist.

lol. I was gonna ask you the same thing actually. You’re asking me to mail you a CD. The DJ’s that play my records dont (sic) even ask for physical copies. It took me back to a Hustle & Flow demo tape.

So, if I have to, in this day & time, unconventionally send you a copy, to which we have to pay for+ postage, then perhaps you can support the culture and this artist, the same way you would any other artist you want to hear.

So you tell me how your process works. We usually send out all our promo material online.

Terrific. A woe is me, my life is so hard I can’t get to a mailbox story followed by an open admission that they’re too stupid, or lazy, to scroll up and see that I’d already told them how my process works. As an added bonus I was told to support the artist “the same way you would any other artist you want to hear” despite the fact that I had no idea who the artist was & never said I wanted to hear them, so why would I give them that kind of treatment? I sent a reply explaining to the artist that they’d provided a play by play of how not to approach a writer. Because I was in a really good mood, however, I added:

“Now, because we have quite a few friends in common, and because I’ve been supporting indie artists for over a decade, many of whom have zero media relations training, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt that maybe you’re having a bad day, or perhaps you’re not super experience (sic) at approaching writers, so I’m just going to ask you straight up: was this the way you intended to come across?”

I  figured I’d give him a chance to dig himself out of the hole he created. His reply shocked me.

Look. This is [NAME REDACTED], the Gen. Manager for [ARTIST]. Whether we agree on this situation or not, I am not upset at all.

I simply want you to have every advantage & opportunity to hear this dynamic artist. With that being said, I’d just like to inquire about all of your press outlets. Is it just your blog or do you write for print and other web publications as well?”

I’d like to veiw (sic) more of your work. Get a feel as to the type of writer you are. You sound very passionate about your profession. It is often said that opposites attract. In the end of all differences, I can only hope this rings true.

Wonderful! This person has now revealed he’d been misrepresenting himself the entire time, claiming to be the artist when he wasn’t (artists, no one should be using your social media accounts but YOU!). He also revealed something that no artist, manager, or publicist should ever reveal – that he wasn’t familiar with the work of the writer he was trying to work with. As soon as I read that I decided not to reply.

Fast-forward two weeks. This person decided to post up his artist’s video on my Facebook wall. Rather than giving a speech about how much I dislike when people do that I just deleted the posting. Within minutes I received an email. It was half disappointed, half an attempt to be conciliatory. It was also was far too little too late.

The only positive from the entire back and forth is that it provided a perfect example for others of how not to approach a writer.

When preparing to leave for A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta this month, I was desperate for a new travel bag since my tattered Nike duffel was on its last legs. After scouring the Internet and getting suggestions from Marcus Troy and John Gotty, I decided to go with Herschel Supply Co.’s “Journey” bag. Read below to see why I’m happy with the purchase.

Pros

• Size: One thing the photos don’t really translate is how expandable this duffel really is. I have nearly two weeks’ worth of clothes inside of this, along with a toiletry bag and two pair of shoes, and everything fits fine, without the need for a double zipper to close it completely.
• Shoe compartment: I’m not nearly the sneakerhead that some of my friends are, but I definitely found use with the shoe compartment (shown above) on the Journey. I had initially just saw it as a gimmick and cool factor, but it makes the shoes easy to take out quickly without having to dig through everything else in the bag, or dirtying your clothes by piling your shoes on top of them.
• Minimalist look: I’m a fan of the clean, minimalist look in most of my accessories, and the Journey fits that preference to a tee. The bag’s black body, contrasting gold zipper, white “Herschel” side patch, and the clean red and white striped lining inside are a fly, low-key way for me to carry all that I need through the airport, to the gym, or any other place I’m going. If only I could get the camo and blue colorway that Marcus got his hands on, though…
• Durability: I haven’t put the Journey through a harsh wear and weight test, but when I have the bag packed, it feels durable while holding it by the handles or on your back.

Cons

• No shoulder strap: Though the dual hand and back usage of the the Journey’s handles give great options, I still would have loved to see a shoulder strap on this. I sometimes prefer that method to carry large amounts of weight, and I’d love to drape this over my shoulder while walking to and fro.
• No extra pockets: A tech junkie like me would’ve enjoyed some extra pockets on the bag to store the likes of a cell phone, pen, keys, etc. But this design also forces everything to be hidden inside, which may throw off would-be thieves from obvious target spots.

For more information on Herschel Supply Co.’s Journey, visit the Online Store.

This past weekend, I visited Atlanta for my first time attending the annual A3C Hip Hop Festival. In between all the work as a journalist and manager, I accumulated a lot of things – physically, mentally and spiritually – to take back to Michigan with me. I still have an extra week in the A before returning to the mitten, but I’ve already got a bag full of gems. Read below to see the list.

1. Alcohol. A lot. Beer, vodka, even tequila (thanks Kenny, smh). Being at a venue that has four stages and at least two full bars at each of them, with friends from all over the country, there’s no reason at all not to get right. Be sure to have a wristband when you walk in though, and take close care of it. When my 21+ wristband started to fall off of my arm because of moisture, the bartender took my drink and held it behind the counter for me until I came back with a fresh one.
2. Great performances. While I admit that I missed some of the most notable performances at A3C (Freeway, Homeboy Sandman, XV, and apparently an impromptu performance from Killer Mike), I was still able to see some of my favorite artists rock. Random Axe, Freddie Gibbs, Skyzoo, The Kid Daytona, OneBeLo, the legendary Big Daddy Kane, and others easily satisfied my hip-hop appetite. Oh, and can’t forget a career performance by my artist JYoung The General on HipHopDX’s DXNext stage (CLICK HERE for photo).
3. Two losses on NBA 2K12. The fellas at HoodHype had a gaming station with Konsole Kingz to showcase a variety of selections for XBox 360 and Playstation 3, and this was my first time holding the sticks on the latest edition of the only video game I play. Unfortunately, my Derrick Rose-lead Chicago Bulls didn’t have what it took.
4. Nearly two dozen business cards from a variety of writers, artists, producers, and all around hustlers in Atlanta looking to put in work. Annoying at times, especially if the people don’t really introduce themselves first, but it’s great to see that much ambition in one place.
5. A Microsoft Moleskine notebook (CLICK HERE for photo), at that same gaming station.
   S/O to JYoung The General for scooping one up for me to serve my addiction before there weren’t any left.
6. Lust. Whatever number you’ve been told about the amount of beautiful women in Atlanta, it’s wrong: there’s twice as many gorgeous ladies as however many you think. They’re everywhere; I have no idea how guys down here can stay focused.
7. Knowledge. I admittedly had only known bits and pieces about Big Daddy Kane’s legacy before last weekend, but at A3C, I watched an onstage interview and audience Q&A session with the Brooklyn rap legend. Afterward, I saw him rock one of the greatest live performances I’ve ever seen.
8. Aches. The organizers behind A3C found a way to pack more than 30 hours of live performances, DJ sessions, panels, interviews and video footage over three days. With so many people at the festival over the weekend, sitting room was hard to find. As a result, feet aches were a necessary evil to milk the festival for its full worth. Next year, I plan to carry around a lawn chair on my back instead of a laptop.
9. Hometown pride. I’ve always been proud of the hip-hop from Michigan, but it was an honor to see how well the mitten represented in Atlanta. As soon as I walked off the plane into the Atlanta airport, I got shout-outs and greetings related to my Detroit Tigers fitted cap. Plus, there were nearly a dozen performers from Michigan on the A3C lineup: JYoung The General, One Be Lo, Jon Connor, Elzhi, The Regiment, Boog Brown, JFin, Young Scolla, Ro Spit, Jon Connor, Bronze and Nazereth. Plus, while I was in Atlanta, my NPR story about Detroit hip-hop went live online. It’s beautiful to see us begin to get the love and respect we deserve.
10. Redemption. When I met rapper Jean Grae in Austin, Texas at the South By Southwest festival, I was starstruck by her talent and beauty, so I mumbled like an idiot. When I saw her at the hotel Saturday morning, I smiled and uttered a simple “You killed it on stage last night” and kept it moving. Whether she recognized me or not, I felt better about myself afterward.
11. Two signed copies of Ski Beatz’ 24 Hour Karate School, purchased right after Ski Beatz tore down the stage with Murs and Tabi Bonney. One copy for me, and the other copy for P.H.I.L.T.H.Y.
12. Camera time. Arasia Magnetic interviewed me for DEMOS documentary to help independent artists.
13. Chick Fil-A. After years of hearing about how serious the chicken sandwiches there were, I finally tried one out for myself for my first meal in Atlanta. They’re definitely worth the hype. Still hope to visit Gladys Knight Chicken & Waffles, and some other Atlanta-specific restaurants before I leave. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
14. Dirty sneakers. In an attempt to stunt while being out of town, I wore my red Jordan 1′s at A3C. Bad move: with the foot traffic and dirt roads at the venue, your best bet is to dress for comfort and durability. My J’s are terribly stained; make sure your shoes help you enjoy the show, instead of trying to earn enjoyment from those around you.
15. Opportunity. With the connections I made and the people I met, I’ve got tons of opportunities to capitalize on over the next year until the next A3C. Business relationships to build, personal friendships to feed, and numerous musical and professional outlets to explore. I’m definitely not returning home empty-handed, and no one else who attended A3C should, either.

Congratulations to the organizers of this year’s A3C festival, it was definitely a weekend to remember. See you in 2012!