Hip-Hop Digital

Indie Quickies: Hip-Hop Digital Catches Up With Big Lyfe

Lola Sims — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:30:06 +0000

Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Big Lyfe is focused more on music than his surroundings. Using every experience he has as fuel to create vivid lyrics that tell stories and paint pictures, he’s an artist true to his craft. After deciding to take his career in music more seriously, he has gone on to join Steel City Records, which is an indie label in his hometown. Already know for giving Pittsburgh artist a credible and dedicated platform for growth, Steel City is allowing Big Lyfe to hone his lyrical skills and begin to put out mixtapes under label head Ron McCrae’s wing. “I look at every opportunity as just that, an opportunity.” starts Big Lyfe. “It’s something that wasn’t there before and even if it gets me an inch closer to my dreams then it has done just that, because in hindsight I’m a lot further than I was the day before.” Check out the recent interview we did with the buddy lyricist below.

Hip-Hop Digital: How did you get the name Big Lyfe?

Big Lyfe: I first got the name “Life” from my best friend we were going to be a rap group Burnah Life. We lost contact so I was then picked up by this group call The Pyre so we decided on a name change and that was the birth of Lyfe Less. We lost contact with them and I got drafted by Steel City Records and changed it to Big Lyfe.

Hip-Hop Digital: How would you describe your sound?

Big Lyfe: To be honest I think I got that Pittsburgh sound. Just because we didn’t get on as a city until, recently everybody throws a bunch of names around Rick Ross, Big Pun, B.I.G, Joel Ortiz (all fat Niggas Lol) but overall I feel like I am the voice that best describes what Pittsburgh is and sounds like.

Hip-Hop Digital: Being from Pittsburgh what kind of music do you all listen to?

Big Lyfe: We listen to a little bit of everything, we are naturally east coast but we enjoy club records like Trap and Techno music. We like it all. What makes us unique is were on the far side of the coast so we aren’t as biased about what we listen to, we are very open-minded.

Hip-Hop Digital: With the recent influx of music from Pittsburgh with Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, and a couple others. How would you say the Pittsburgh music scene is doing right now?

Big Lyfe: It looks promising, we have expanded as far as more artists thanks to Wiz and Mac. We have a newfound sense of confidence that the dream is real now and not just imaginary. There are more hit records being created, more artist supporting each other, it’s just beautiful how the burgh is coming together.

Hip-Hop Digital: How do you set yourself apart from other rappers in Pittsburgh looking to make a name for themselves?

Big Lyfe: The first and most important thing is strategically building an internet presence and traveling. Doing a numerous amount of out of town shows, passing out mixtapes, reciting verses for the new and old fans. Also, supporting and mentoring the upcoming artist and grinding hard every single day. That’s what kinda gives me leverage over everyone else.

Hip-Hop Digital: What do you have coming in the future? Mixtapes? Singles?

Big Lyfe: I have a number of mixtapes and singles coming out I have the sequel to my mixtape C.O.C (Cash Over Caskets). I have what I like to think as by far the realist mixtape to ever be released in the history of music Poetry N Poison and many many more singles including Sky High featuring Cho and Call Em Out featuring my label mate Shyyn Staar. I also have this single called I Ain’t Know which is a Techno track, I have a lot of music and it only gets better.

- By Lola Sims

Mixtape: Ludacris – #IDGAF

Steele — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:38:36 +0000

Ludacris dropped his latest project #IDGAF just in time for Memorial Day weekend. The 10 track project features Chris Brown, French Montana, Meek Mill, Pusha T, and Young Jeezy. I’ve always been a Ludacris fan but I’m very hesitant when it comes to this mixtape, I was highly disappointed with the last few release from Luda. Let’s hope this one isn’t for the top 40 crowd.

Audio: Jhene Aiko – Comfort Inn Ending

Steele — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:12:39 +0000

Jhene Aiko drops Comfort Inn Ending with production by No I.D. to keep us patient until her debut album Souled Out drops.

Download: Jhene Aiko – Comfort Inn Ending (Prod. By No I.D.)

Audio: Black Hippy – U.O.E.N.O. (Remix)

Steele — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:18:44 +0000

Black Hippy took their turn demolishing Rock’s U.O.E.N.O., I can’t wait to see what the joint project looks like.

Download: Black Hippy – U.O.E.N.O. (Remix)

Video: Vixen VS Nina Nicole (Bar 4 Bar)

Steele — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:00:17 +0000

One of the dopest female underground battles I’ve scene in a while goes to Vixen Vs Nina Nicole. Bar 4 Bar does not disappoint.

Audio: Kev P Ft. Jus Mic & Twizted Mind – Love This Life

Steele — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:46:25 +0000

Our homies Kev P, Jus Mic, Twizted Mind teamed up for one of the best collaborations of 2013. Be sure to check out Love This Life Remix off the upcoming Chasing A Dream mixtape from Kev P.

Download: Kev P Ft. Jus Mic & Twizted Mind – Love This Life

Audio: Machine Gun Kelly Ft. Pusha T & Meek Mill – Peso

Steele — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:19:32 +0000

Machine Gun Kelly drops his latest single Peso featuring Pusha T and Meek off the upcoming Blag Flag project, which is already due out but pushed back.

Download: Machine Gun Kelly Ft. Pusha T & Meek Mill – Peso

Video: Ace Hood – Root of Evil

Steele — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:38:54 +0000

Ace Hood let go of the very dark and minimalistic visual for Root of Evil off of Starvation 2.

Event: March Against Monsanto Cleveland

Steele — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:59:24 +0000

We would like to help raise awareness for the upcoming March Against Monsanto that will take place in Cleveland, Ohio on May 25th a crossed from the West Side Market. Hip-Hop Digital will be in attendance to support a this very imporant cause. If you are not familiar with Monsanto the corporation that engineers GMO’s, please watch the short video below.

CLEVELAND, OH (05 15, 2013) – March Against Monsanto Cleveland announced today that on Saturday, May 25, citizens from around the area will gather to “March Against Monsanto.” The march will start at 2:00 pm at Market Square Park across from West Side Market, and last until 4:00 pm. A Meet & Greet Potluck will be held Friday, May 24, at 7:00 pm at Rocky River Park pavilion on Lake Rd. Andrew Lance, a local professor of environmental science, will speak.

Kalina Jones, an organizer of the event, says she was inspired to lead the march in order to ensure that the Cleveland branch of this worldwide event was a success. “The conversation about wanting to know what’s in the food we’re eating is an important one, and I think any difference that’s going to be made will be made because normal, everyday people like us decided to educate ourselves and get involved,” she said. The full March Against Monsanto mission statement can be read at the official website, march-against-monsanto.com.

“The reason I will be marching on May 25th,” explained Jennifer Wherley, a Cleveland local, “is to spread knowledge and insight to others who are unaware of the possible dangers and risks of bio-engineered and GMO foods and products. I will also be marching in attempt to open the eyes of our state, our country, and our world that we, the people, have a right to know how our foods are made and what exactly we are putting into our bodies.” Andrew Lance, who will be speaking at the Friday night potluck, has his own reasons for getting involved. “I believe that it is in society’s best interest to preserve and protect crop diversity. Relying on genetically manipulated crops is no way to achieve food security in today’s ever changing environment,” he said.

Szarka Financial of Westlake has helped to facilitate the event. Official website for the global March Against Monsanto: www.march-against-monsanto.com.

March Against Monsanto Cleveland
Kalina Jones
kalina.m.jones@gmail.com

Video: Dub-O – Moves To Make

Steele — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:51:02 +0000

Dub-O of EST 19XX drops his latest visual Moves To Make off the 2012 mixtape Do I Know You?