Soope - "Reggie Martin Style" Music Video

Where in the world is Soope is a legitimate question. You never know where he may pop up. For his latest music video from the 'Where in the World is Soope' album, the place is Macau, China. The Indiana based rapper takes it to the Venetian Macau for a show and video shoot for "Reggie Martin Style."

Who's Reggie Martin? He's the Senior Manager of Special Events and Sports at the Venetian Macau. He's also the Vice Chair of the American Chambers of Commerce. That's just the short list. Reggie came from very humble beginnings in East Chicago to rubbing elbows with the biggest names in entertainment around the world. Soope pays homage to Reggie's history and influence with an aptly named song.

'Where in the World is Soope' is available now on iTunes. It's a dope album hosted by DJ Skee featuring some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop including Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Ice-T, Rev Run, DJ Envy and more. Check the video below:

Late Pass: Cocoa Sarai - "Raining in my Room" Audio

I hereby declare Cocoa Sarai the Queen of Indie R&B.  That is, until she gets a record deal. Then she'll be the heir to the throne. You can decide for yourself who's sitting on it now? Mary J. Blige? Alicia Keys? Chrisette Michele? It doesn't really matter because Cocoa is different from them, or anyone else for that matter. She's got her own thing.

With her latest release, "Raining in my Room", she again impresses with her incredible ear, range and lyricism. She's a total package. I've seen her perform on more than one occasion and she is a really dynamic performer. Her tiny frame can barely contain her huge stage presence and self awareness.

When I tell you this song is a HIT, I mean that if this song was sold to a major label artist, it would debut at #1. Cocoa is not a major label artist yet, but this song still debuted at #1. Number 1 in the hearts of her fans and supporters. She's such a gifted talent and it's just a matter of time before she gets her just due. Check the audio below. Enjoy! Your playlist just got a whole lot fresher...

Cocoa Sarai on Twitter

01 Cocoa Sarai- Raining In My Room (Prod. Jayd) by legendfactceo

Che Pills - "Large in the Streets" Music Video

Rap is getting dangerous again! Che Pills takes Vado's "Large in the Streets" instrumental and completely bodies it. This dark and muddy, Timberland and skully feel is my kind of music. Che is an agressive lyricist but knowing his story and his goals helps one better understand the lyrics. I would get into some of those details but they are best saved for another time.

This is the first leak from the forthcoming album, 'Survivings IV Suckers.' Trust me when I tell you it will be a heavy album with some classic material on it. I actually had the opportunity to sit with Che in-studio and hear a couple of tracks. I was blown away. You will be too.

Che on Twitter

Star Slinger - "Dumbin'" Diplo Remix Audio

The idea that Mountain Dew has a record label is a little unsettling at first thought. It actually makes perfect sense though and if major labels aren't careful, these product companies might be another dagger for them alongside the internet. It also helps when they are cosigning legitimately dope musicians. After all, it's only about the music. It doesn't matter where it comes from.

British producer Star Slinger dropped this Diplo produced remix to "Dumbin'" yesterday and it's on point. I'm new to this artists work but I'll definitely be tuned in going forward. Check out the audio below.

Star Slinger - Dumbin' feat. Reggie B (DIPLO Remix) by Star Slinger

via StereoGum

Bueller Da Don feat. Royce Castro - "Parachute" Audio

Cruise 2 Fame Friday is back for round two. This time Bueller brings along Royce Castro for "Parachute". The Klint Beast produced track takes me back to when Kanye's 'The College Dropout' released. Sped up soul samples were the mode and it was a relatively fun time for Hip-Hop. Then came auto-tune....

This track is almost a complete 180 from last weeks "I Get It." Not a bad thing considering Buell has shown regularly that he can do anything. He's obviously a fan of Hip-Hop and enjoys stretching himself as far as possible. This new leak is yet another score for Bueller and I'm convinced that 'Cruise 2 Fame' will be the business. Definitely check here for the full project on the 29th.

Click below for streaming audio. "Ahaaaaaaa!"

  Bueller Da Don feat. Royce Castro - "Parachute" by RoxFontaine

Indie Artist Showcase 101

Last night I went to an indie artist showcase. 2 things happened while I was there. I was reminded why I stopped going to indie showcases was the first. The second was, I was reminded why I go to them. I'm not going to name the showcase or where it was. What I will do is speak on some of the things that irked me. Showcases are nothing new and there are some very simple rules to follow to protect the integrity of your name/event and keep people coming back.

1. RSVP aka Let me see if anybody is even coming.

If you send out an e-mail saying that people can RSVP for free entrance, be sure to actually compile and monitor the list. If you have a limit to the RSVP list, say so. Also notify guests who RSVP after your cutoff via e-mail 2-4 hours before your scheduled start time. It's more professional. It's the courteous thing to do. It's thoroughly annoying when a guest reads that entrance is free with RSVP and then he/she arrives at the venue and is charged. It makes you look like a lying douche bag. (Which you probably are if you didn't do what I'm talking about.)

2. Raffles aka The dangling carrot trick.

If you SELL raffle tickets and you claim there are prizes to be won. Everything that you listed should be drawn for whether your crowd is 10, 100 or 1000. You should also set a finite time for the raffle to happen. People don't stay for long showcases so thinking that holding the raffle until the end will keep people around is just stupid. What you will do is limit your raffle ticket sales to next to nothing. Not raffling off what you said you would is false advertising and, more importantly, bad business. Saying you have X number of Y to raffle off and none of it actually was makes you look like a lying douche bag. Trying to lie and say that some of it was is proof that you are. Especially when the person you're lying to was there from the time the show started to the time the last person performed.(Ahem.)

3. Performance Order aka Why is this dope performer playing to a crowd of 5?

Indie artists need help. Showcases serve the purpose of helping small acts gain exposure. However, there are still some rules to who performs when. If you have no fan base and could only convince your Mom and three cousins to come support you; Sorry, you're opening for whoever showed up on time or closing for whoever is left. Show order should move from a hum to a roar. It's completely stupid for an artist that has toured nationally and brought two backup dancers to be waiting around for hours to perform for a tired and listless crowd of 15. He/She should be in the middle of the show helping to ramp the energy up. If you can't figure this out as a promoter, you're doomed. (Get your $#!7 together!)

4. Hosting aka Wait.....what?

You can't do it all. Even if you can, you shouldn't. You can't be 1 of 3 hosts and performing. Have one host that is knowledgeable, engaging and good at keeping the show moving. Having 3 and 4 hosts swapping in and out at random completely wrecks the flow of the show. Definitely don't get up on stage to co-host and then break out into 16 bars. Come on, Son! How am I supposed to take you seriously as an artist when you can't just be an artist? (Neeeeext.)

These are just 4 simple rules to follow. This is NYC. There are a million other showcases out there. Truly separate your event by being above and beyond the competition in guest experience. Especially when you are attempting to start a periodic event. Abuse your guests and artists and your event won't last beyond 3 iterations.

Tell 'em Rox said that!