NEW MUSIC: Gods'illa and Enoch 7th Prophet

We are thrilled about our members. Several of our members joined after or before becoming performers at the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest, an annual event we produce. Here is some new music from some of our favorite performers who just so happened to be performers in last year's Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest.

Enoch 7th Prophet

Enoch can easily be called one of the hardest working MCs in the DMV. This lyricist hosts several showcases across the city, namely the Cakes and Kisses shows produced by DC Rap, and he also hosts his own weekly radio show Mental Salvation Radio.

Enoch performed in our 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest and is one of more active members on www.LiberatedMuse.com. He recently dropped this recent free download, "Distant Luva" that is a MUST COP for the 2010. Click HERE to download it.

Enoch will be performing on Friday, Feb. 12 with his wife, the Queen DJ Earth 1ne (featured on the track) in our "To Haiti, With Love" show benefitting the organization YeleHAITI to aid in reconstructing Haiti. Make sure you plan to attend. You can visit our RSVP page on Facebook HERE.

(In photo: Powerful Aguilar, one of the members of the group Gods'illa, a DC-based trio of brothers who take hip-hop to the next level with lyrics that don't conform to the same ole same ole. Photo by Shan'ta Monroe)

So, when you have names like Powerful, Ace and Truth, there is almost a guarantee that you will be drawn to creating a message that is bold, fearless and uncensored. Such is the case with the three brothers of Gods'illa-- Powerful Aguilar, Aceem Hall and Truth Hall. Their new single release "Protect It" currently on the new web magazine DMV Spectrum is a refreshing track that talks to the fakes, uninspired and mediocre with a head-nodding beat that is neither contrived nor monotonous.

Gods'illa came into our line of vision in 2005 when they performed at a community event in southeast DC and we were thrilled to have them join the network and later perform at both the 2008 and 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest. They have since gained exposure from participation in a recent MTV talent search and collaborating with other emerging superstars, including their best friend, Substantial.

Owners of the brand Up and Up, the also host a weekly open mic that has grown to such popularity that it has been featured in the Washington Post and other local media.

Listen to their new single "Protect It" HERE.

This Past Weekend in Review-- The Great and Not So Great

Common Sits Down w/ Substantial for UAUTV (Up And Up Television) from Up And Up Television -Truth Hall on Vimeo.

This past weekend, I was caught in a dilemma-- two favorite performers of mine, Common and Eric Roberson-- were both coming to the DC metro area and were performing at the same time. Which one to see? I chose Eric Roberson's concert. For one, his was closer, and also, I have more of his music and have never had the pleasure to see him in concert.

Roberson is the independent performer that has become the model of many aspiring performers trying to get more gigs and sell CDs. Roberson's story is legend-- gets a deal, disses the deal and sets out on his own, taking the promotion of his music in his own hands. Not only is he highly successful as a recording and perfomance artist today, he is also very down-to-earth and as likely to perform in a large concert hall and a small local club within the same week.

Roberson's performance this weekend in DC was in a fairly new venue called The Scene. Located in the northeast area of Washington DC, it is a lounge and restaurant trying to build an audience as it competes for the attention of club-goers more familiar Love nightclub which is fairly close.

As a fan, I purchased my tickets to Roberson's concert almost a month in advance and made sure to get the VIP tickets which were twenty bucks more than the regular admission price but guaranteed seating and included dinner.

When I arrived, the seats had been taken and there was no more available seating in the venue. However, they were still selling tickets to folks. There was a line of furious folks (myself included) who were clueless as to what was going on. Within minutes, I identified the issue-- no one was at the door monitoring who had paid for what and was allowing anyone to seat anywhere. We demanded a refund and many of us got it. However, no one from management came out to apologize or offer some alternative to simply walking away angry.

This disappointing night led me to wish that we had chosen Common's concert from the get-go. At least Up and Up Productions shared with us the video above so we could at least quell our Common fix. Enjoy!