Big Pooh manages to detail the everyday struggle of the working man better than almost any other emcee out there. His fight to succeed resonates with every person on the grind, working as hard as they can to get on the come up. Pooh states “As each day passes, the next gets brighter.” Wise and useful words for anyone, who like me, are dealing with a long, cold day. Read the rest of this entry »

In the night, Torae hears ‘em talk the coldest story ever told and the Coney Island champ wants to send all jilted lover’s into cardiac arrest with his new freebie, Heart Failure. More than just another Valentine’s Day playlist, Torae examines all cardiology matters from the hot to cold and lukewarm emotions. Presented by Honey Mag & Flud Watches and mixed by the lovely DJ Blazita, Read the rest of this entry »

The HOJ-affiliated emcee grabs Carlitta Durand to drop a quick two-for-one video for “Y’all Don’t Want It” & “No Excuses” from his No Excuses album, which is available on iTunes right now. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s always good to see new HOJ material floating through the inbox. For “Y’all Don’t Want It,” the NYC branch of the tree, Chaundon, joins forces with producer M-Phazes and Carlitta to let emcees know there’s a line drawn in the sand that separates him from the pack. Read the rest of this entry »

Through no fault of his own, Joe Scudda’s Not Your Average Joe EP probably won’t rank as #1 on his 2010 “Best Memories” list when it’s all said and done. However, coming out virtually unscathed from a frightening car crash will be. With that in mind, it was almost a no brainer to approach Joe and revisit the project where he would go on to reveal the step-by-step process behind each entry in his debut confessional. Read the rest of this entry »

If everyone can raise your cans of PBR, I’d like to make a toast. Today is a momentous occasion as we at The Smoking Section and the good folks of the Hall of Justus present to you Joe Scudda’s Not Your Average Joe EP. Hold your applause until the end, please. Read the rest of this entry »

Frequent LB collaborator and member of the FE label, Carlitta, links with M-1 producer Vaughn Garcia to create The Doug & Patty EP, which is cute enough off title alone. But since it’s Carlitta over polished production, it should prove worthy of hard drive space as soon as you listen. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s nothing better than when the future of the funk all comes together for an album. But when the announcement of the formation of FE Music came several months ago, I held out hope that more music would be forthcoming, allowing the loose consortium of friends and artists to collaborate more. The time is now as Zo! manages to bring together some of music’s most talented, if yet unrecognized voices — Sy Smith, Darien Brockington, Phonte, Yahzarah & Carlitta Durand — to assist in …Just Visiting Too, the follow-up to 2006′s vinyl-only EP …Just Visiting.

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Nicolay tossed up an audio teaser for his upcoming City Lights Vol. 2. The album drops on 10.20 but you can get a dose of what it’ll be about with these seven snippets. Read the rest of this entry »

While driving, I’ve found myself listening to more of Phonte’s singing adventures (because I tell myself they’re easy to singalong to), by default listening to more & more of Carlitta. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m signed up The Foreign Exchange’s newsletter but for some reason either I didn’t get this or they passed it around using other means. Either way, Suave knows my listening tendencies & forwarded this over so it’s still…Found in the inbox… Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a track to lead into “4evermore,” give this one a spin & then add it. The new single from the forthcoming Roddy Rod LP Cuba After Market 1.5, featuring Tiggalo & young Carlitta. More hot buttered sounds for your soulful side.

Download — Roddy Rod Feat. Phonte & Carlitta Durand – “This Time Around”

Previously Posted — Anthony David Feat. Algebra & Phonte – “4evermore” | “Carlitta’s Way…”

Carlito’s way was by the gun, by the grace of God, and by the love of a good woman who wanted him to retire.

Carlitta’s way is by the mic, with the grace of God, and she’s a good woman who should never retire.

Frequent Phonte collaborator Carlitta Durand has a voice that defies logic in an industry packing its cupboards full of over-processed voices placed precariously on shelves of trans-fatty production. Where is the lean meat? Where is the organic spice? Where are the ingredients necessary for that raw musicality? They have found themselves holding strong in this voice so rich with flavor you can damn near taste her sentiments.

Now you can enjoy Ms. Durand and her vocals as she flies outside of Little Brother, Foreign Exchange and Zo! and Tigallo with Carlitta’s Way. The mood is set rightly with hints and whiffs of Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk and R&B, melding and mixing throughout to begin a firm stamping of a career path for Carlitta. Standout tracks “Galaxy 19″ and “Her” hint at the potential of a sound and system in the industry distinct from all others, and branded beyond as “Carlitta’s Way.”

Download — Carlitta Durand – Carlitta’s Way: The Prelude

For more info, visit www.myspace.com/missdurand and keep up with her on Twitter @ twitter.com/CarlittaDurand.

New Zo! and Tigallo just hit their Myspace. This time it’s a buttery rendition of “I’m Only Human” by Human League. Read the rest of this entry »