State of the State with L-NO! 2011 edition

What's good Dub V? It's officially 2011, so I figured it was time for a little "State of the State" action. I wrapped up 2010 with a week long trip back to Chuck City for Turkey Day and got a few things accomplished while I was there. First thing on the agenda was to finally hook up my Funk Monster tat (see above), which I did courtesy of fellow Blunt Bro Ozker at Bent Shraeder Tattoos in South Charleston. If you're in the Chuck and looking for ink, look no further than OZ. He's hands down one of the best in the area...look for a possible article/interview with him about Graffiti and Tattooing sometime soon. Also while I was in town I had a chance to make the trek to Fayettenam with Mr. B. Rude to pay a visit to The Yetti and check out some of the new album. All I will tell you is that its BONKERS...no bullshit. Those guys are really onto something special, and I'm positive the album will exceed the hype surrounding it. We also rocked a show at The Empty Glass with The Concept amongst other guests, and from what I'm hearing, Dinosaur Burps killed the X-Mas eve bash there as well. Judging from the photos I've seen, the Glass has never looked more full (no pun intended!)

In other news, Paycheck Game finally released his street album entitled "Steet Value" to such rave reviews that "Street Value 2" is already in the works! We're still waiting on "Autobiography of the Guillotine," and from what I'm hearing it will be well worth the wait. I talked to Check on the phone the other day and he also confirmed that he will be returning to Dub V in the next few months to do a final round of shows in the city where it all started (Morgantown, if you're a noob or otherwise out of the loop)...keep your eyes peeled to Live From The Dub for more updates once everything is confirmed!

Also happening in The Dub..DJ Coutz just dropped his latest "Secret Stash" mixtape, you can find a download link for here both here and on our friends at wvrapscene.com as well. You can also find new tracks every week on wvrapscene.com from the likes of Beckley's own Hand of God aka Daniel Aliff, White Mic, TRG and others, as well as other entertaining message board shenanigans.

Finally....if you haven't checked out Huntington's R.O.B's debut effort "Headphone Music", do so immediately! It's definitely one of the strongest WV debut's in quite some time and features production from Lip Beats, 95 and more! Speaking of Lip Beats, check back VERY soon for an interview with one of the hottest new producers in WV. Also, go cop Redshift/Blueshift from Profit Money if you haven't already, or he may yell at me, haha!

Stay tuned to Live From The Dub for all the latest breaking news, music, videos and more from the best in WV...we're going to be doing big things in 2011!

Yoller at your boy,

L-NO!

State of the State Verson 2.0 w/ L-No

Was supposed to be posted a couple of days ago.... sorry L-No

State of the State with L-NO!
Version 2.0


What’s good Dub-V? It’s your boy L-NO…back from a brief hiatus to weigh in with my latest “State of the State.” I’ve gotta kick off version deux with the biggest news in recent memory… WV legend DOCeasar will be releasing his next album in a joint venture with SoundVizion Recordings. In my opinion this should be a great move, and expands the markets of both parties. I’ve been checking some new music over the last month or so and I’m definitely looking forward to some of the releases that are about to hit the streets. Daniel Aliff recently hit me with his “Light Work” project, as well as Null & Void’s “Superiority Complex” and I was digging both projects. He’s got a strong lyrical style and a great ear for what kind of beats he rips. I was really digging the local production by DJ Coutz and Profit Money on the Null & Void album. It’s definitely a lot different than a lot of stuff I’ve previously heard from Beckley. He’s definitely keeping Beckley on the map….you can check for these and other downloads at wvrapscene.com.

In “Charleston’s Gotta Problem” news….Charleston’s White Mic and Mack Menace have teamed up in a new supergroup called Click Clack Boyz…they’ve released some preview material, but the new album “Franchize Hustlers” is dropping with an album release party set for August 6 at the Blue Parrot. Check em out!

As you’ve seen by now Profit Money’s double album “Redshift/Blueshift” is out now, and he’s been getting a crazy amount of press for it. Rightly so in my opinion, it’s a great effort. You can see his exclusive interview with me right here!

In other news…Paycheck Game recently announced his two upcoming projects on wvrapscene.com….”Street Value” is coming soon and features production by Marcus D’Tray, 95, Greedy Beatz and yours truly….the first singles “Bring the Pain” and “On My Way Home” are already certified classics. “Autobiography of the Guillotine” is on deck after that…it’s been said that this will be Check’s opus to this point. Check is handling all facets of this one, producing every track, no features that I’m aware of….looks to be an epic adventure. Keep your eyes open for an exclusive in-depth interview with the man himself as we near the relase dates In other expatriate news Charleston via Morgantown via Brooklyn, NY’s own D-Why dropped his latest single License to Chill, produced by Johnny Juliano…check right here on livefromthedub.com for a link….D-Why has definitely carved out his lane, and consistently makes me salty with his fresh gear.

Dinosaur Burps aka Dr. Brudoculous and DJ Squeezle have been steadily making pilgrimages to Fayetteville WV aka Fayetnam to record with the members of The Yetti, who are producing a big chunk if not all of the new record. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear demo cuts of about 7 songs and I’ve gotta say it’s next level. You can take that as bias since B is fam, but I speak the truth! They’ve sneakily dropped a preview of their newest project on Facebook…the track is called “Your Smart Phone is Stupid” and you can peep it out here…

"State of the State" with L-No!

Our first installment of our new writer L-No's series called "State of the State"!!!!!!

State of the State with L-NO! 1st edition

What’s up West Virginia? It’s your boy L-NO! here with the first edition of “State of the State”. I’m pleased to report that right now things are going crazy in WV! The video game has really been stepped up lately. Videos for “Fresh like Dougie” from MONSTALUNG and “Gucci Yet” from Bluefield’s own Tiger the Ace have been getting heavy traffic on YouTube and are both getting great reviews from the locals so far. Dayone Media’s B. Rude’s clip for the classic “Backpack Fulla Papers” showcases some classic Bruder madness and has been getting a good amount of views as well…

We’ve had some crazy album releases over the last month as well. SoundVizion and South Charleston resident Kayoh’s debut “Fruity Loops and Pro Tools” has been getting great reviews. I bought it myself (that’s right, bought it…support local artists!!!), and I’m really impressed with it. Kayoh’s production is sick, and lyrically he does a great job for his first effort. The guest appearances are on point and its well worth the $7 purchase price…it’s available at kayoh.bandcamp.com.

SoundVizion as a whole is doing it real big right now…just released today is the “Legends in the Making” mixtape, mixed by your favorite WV DJ Charlie Blac, featuring 6’6 240 and CookieHead Jenkins. I just gave it a first listen and I’m digging it a lot. It’s one of Charlie’s best mixes I’ve heard in recent memory, his scratches are tight and the blends are razor sharp as always. 6’6 does his thing as you might expect, but for me CHJ was really impressive on this release. His style has gotten really tight, and I would expect big things from him in the near future. Also just posted is the video of Ray-P’s trip to the Core DJ’s Retreat in Orlando…check it out!

SoundVizion’s “Feed the Streets, Vol.1” featuring the entire SV roster…a bangin free download, was released last week. After you check it, make sure you look for SV artists 6’6 240, MONSTALUNG and A. Breezy on Itunes and cop a single at the least! Breezy’s “The Spaceship Project” as well as the MONSTALUNG album are available now. Also be on the lookout for the long-awaited debut album by Johnny Harmonic (keep your eyes peeled to livefromthedub.com for an interview with JH coming soon!)

Lastly for this edition, I’d like to take a minute to shout out the late, great, legendary (and one of my best friends) Meuwloooooo! In addition to the recent release of The Haggard Twinz “Better Late Than Never”, Meuwl’s spirit is alive and well with several video tributes as well as his now-infamous stencil T-shirt. Last month, B. Rude, with the assistance of many friends, set up the first of an annual series of three memorial shows for the style king. The first one was in Morgantown at 123 Pleasant St, complete with a two hour art show to kick things off. The lineup was crazy, with Profit Money doing his thing and setting off the show with great energy. Next was Charleston’s Extra Everything, (Mic Rude and Santana Blue)…well if you don’t know about these guys you better fuckin ask somebody! They killed their set and I for one am HEAVILY anticipating their debut album, coming soon. Paycheck Game, who flew in from Reno just to be in the building, did a great set and was followed up by 6’6 240 and the rest of the SV crew. For me, Big Ass Manatee stole the show. I don’t think anyone who hadn’t seen them before will hear songs like “Return of the Mack” or “This is How We Do It” the same again. The highlight for me was their mix of “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun”, followed by their closer, “Pinecone”, with B. Rude and yours truly. Be on the lookout for some video clips of the show coming soon….While I wasn’t able to attend the Huntington or Charleston shows, I’ve heard they both were well attended and went great. The Man From Somewhere Else came down from NJ to show his love, and I heard Extra Everything killed their set in Charleston as well. The Yetti, who always put on a great show where there as well as Teddy Faley, who came down from Baltimore. You can see pics at wvrapscene.com.

That’s it for now…stay tuned to livefromthedub.com and our friends at wvrapscene.com for all the latest and greatest in WV hip-hop news. While you’re there, visit the wvrapscene store and purchase music from your favorite local artists!!!!

One Love,

L-NO!
D1 FOREVER!!!

If you would like to reach L-No email him at JustinLeonardWVU@aol.com