My boy Santo Angelo just launched WeDoItRightMag.com which in one sentence I describe as ” OkayPlayer on Steroids!”. This site goes against the grain and actually works with selective artists like myself, U-N-I , Theo! and electronic guru DJ MAF just to name a few. Be sure to check out future collaborations between me and WDIR because this isn’t just another blog, its site based on the principle of getting good music out to the people and working with the artist. I also have a blog section on the site as well, so def check it out for all of your hip hop, electro, rock …. good music needs.

So I was going on illRoots.com like i normally do to check my latest hip hop news… *plug* and I came across this mixtape which actually has The Itis featured on it. LOL Hey Hallway thanks for giving a brother a heads up! Regardless it was a good look, much love to Hallway Jay and the illRoots crew! The mixtape is by my homey Dub Floyd and is sponsored by UndergroundHipHop.com , Chaunce Clothing, The League Crew and of course iR. This tape is filled with this summers dopest bangers boasting a real solid lineup so roll your windows down, fire up the grills and throw this joint on:

Download Here x Complete Tracklisting & Info

Interview w/ Dezz from LifeOnWax.com

Peep Here

Black EL and my college homies.

I realize a lot of the things which my parents taught me are true. However I’ve learned a good deal myself, as I go along. The thing which I recently came to realize is that I cannot have negative people in my life, especially right now when I’m trying to make vertical movement in my career as a MC. I realize that as we get older we deal with more responsibility and we have less time in our lives for bullshit. My father is one of the most chill and laid back people on this planet, and now I see why. He’s 63 years old and he doesn’t have time to get mad he’s trying to focus all his energy on taking care of my mom and making sure his offspring is straight. Pops also said the people who I went to college with would be my friends forever and he was right so far.

As Will Smith said “Look at your 5 closets friends and realize that is who you are.” and out of my five closest friends’ ones about to go to med school, ones interning with the Knicks, ones on the verge of playing Semi-Pro ball, ones working for a 13-billion dollar company, ones signed to Universal as a recording artist and another is going to the Olympics for swimming. Success breeds more success, simple as that so why waste my time with negative vibes? There is no point. I will deal with problems if one of my boys is having a hard time and I will be more than willing to walk them thru. But if its pointless negativity, which I am sensing then get the FUCK OUT!

Jelani and Black ELement circa September ‘07 (Notice the execution on the crotch grab)

In Hip Hop right now there is a lot of hate, and do I ignore negative comments yea you got to brush them off. Right now I have a bunch of people who WANT to help me out from producers, journalists, DJs, film directors and even other MCs. It’s hard to think I’m not doing something right when all these people are willing to take time out their day in order to help you out. And when someone writes:

“In the midst of the avalanche of mediocre that has recently been plummeting down hip hop mountain comes an artist that contains all the elements of a new rising star. Black ELement continues to dish out a barrage of quality crossover gems that will ignite the ears of radio rap lovers and backpack snobs alike.” - R.M London

I really can’t help but blush when I hear words like that and someone else besides myself believing in my music, no matter who it is. As corny as that sounds thats what make artists like myself keep going, its more fuel to the fire. So before you hit me a email, phonecall or IM keep those negative vibes out of my face! Please.

For anyone who doesn’t know I’m a HUGE Boondocks fan, I’ve been so since the damn comics came into existence… HUGE SHOUT OUT TO AARON MCGRUDER!!! If your not familiar with the show, go on YouTube and watch some episodes its a socially aware show but is fucking hilarious. A few weeks ago, I was watching The Boondocks first Season episode called yea you guessed it The Itis (peep below and watch it) where their grandfather opens a soul food restaurant which eventually leads to the economic demise of the neighborhood. I’m not going to give the rest away, but it gave me a great idea for a track. No, I’m not rapping about a soul food restaurant, but listen and you’ll get the reference ;).

Heres the track though:

Black ELement - The Itis (Produced By 6th Sense)

The Boondocks - “The Itis”

Part 1.

Part 2.

On the grind after doing a favor for NAV, and Durk sent me over a crazy ass beat this kid has been eating his Wheaties and Drinking his Gatorade lately. I’ve just been writing/recording just finished a track over a 6th Sense beat the other entitled “The Itis”, which will get mixed ASAP and released soon.

Right now I’m noddin my head like Hov and going thru the last few set of beats, just writing/recording. I’m just creating and building with cats until I feel its done. As tired as I am the city of New York is definitely giving me a kick in the ass, theres a certain aura about the city that gives drive.

Left Coast Love

DJ Hyphen, Common & J.Moore

Not to mention DJ Hyphen played “Human” on last nights radio show (Kube 93 FM) Sound Session for those of you who don’t know Hyphen is a DJ from Seattle and has done interveiws with Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Common… just to name a few and has a large left coast following. He’s a chill dood and is always about introducing new dope music to his fanbase.

To Download the show it was played on go here.

Also check out Hyphen’s blog: The Audacity of Dope

“Human” has been getting a lot of love, Khal (from RockTheDub ) put me on his LightHouse Project and had this to say about it:

“Black EL is on a roll right now, and if you’ve been hip to the internets, you should have seen this one around. I heard this a bit ago, and had to have it for this project. I love the switch-up in the beat when the chorus comes in, and he throws some witty lines and sows some deeper seeds (check that 2nd verse). A Major Minority”

We’re making moves folks! We’re closer then you think.

A Major Minority Soon Come!

Exhibit C

On a Side note I don’t really rep other people’s music unless a) I’m really feeling it or b) they are my people or c) all of the above. Exhibit C: I just finished listening to Jelani’s album Wait You Can Rap ?!?! and I was beyond impressed with it. I’ve known dood since ‘05 and is a talented MC from Harlem and he finally put it all together on his debut effort. I’ve watched him grow over the last 3 years into this which is a CERTIFIED BEAST and go download this LP tuesday!

So peep Wait You Can Rap ?!?! dropping tomorrow @ waityoucanrap.com

Oh and for you broke bitches it’s FREE!!!

Startos did a in-depth interveiw with me yesterday, I talk about everything from what superpowers I would have to when you can expect A Major Minority.

Read here

Sorry for the delay.

It’s been awhile since I posted, and its def true what they say about New York it truly is the city that never sleeps. I barely got any sleep this weekend, I went out with my cousin who i haven’t seen in like 7 years and got back to his apartment at 5:30 in the morning. I felt a little old not being able to hang with these young bucks, but I guess thats what happens after I’ve been out of college mode for the last month.

A Major Minority Update

I’ve been writing and writing some more, and I have some great follow up singles but I;m continuing to look for that one bangorang. NAV hit me off with the first mix a few days ago of a track called, “Roadtrip” and it sounds amazing. Right now I’m getting a little frustrated in the process due to the fact that I’m so close to being done, but I constantly feel like something is missing. Creative intuition is bitch. I feel like a father, and A Major Minority is my baby, I can’t let it go into the world unprepared or else… yup you guessed it will fail. It’s not the content or the tracks I’m worried about, there is a lot more that goes into making an album besides the recording process. I’m managing and overseeing every single aspect of how A Major Minority gets out, while investing my own money. I’ve gotten emails asking why I don’t release it immediately when its done and the truth is I can’t, I’m a brother with a marketing plan and I plan on coming thru like Paul Peirce in game 1 (Remember Shake? ). As with the updates, I will have new audio up soon.

But until then…

2dopeboyz featured me in their bi-weekly “Whats In The TapeDeck?” section, with two older tracks “Ama Tell It Like This” and “Folks Don’t Cost A Thing”.  These tracks aren’t going on A Major Minority, but I couldn’t just let them sit on my already cluttered hard drive. Shouts to Shake for the look!

I’ve been in NYC for 3 days now and its official THIS PLACE IS THE SHIT! I might go broke in the next few weeks from all of the dope stores on 125th alone, but surprisingly enough I didn’t buy anything after walking thru almost ever store on that street. Harlem is the definition of black prosperity, I’ve never seen so many black owned businesses all in one large location like in Harlem. It is extremely empowering and you can literally feel the culture when you walk outside my building. New York is the balls, from the crazy hipsters in SoHo, to the go-go attitude down on 42nd its a great place for someone whose gets as bored as I usually do when I’m at home in The Burbs. Besides the fact that I don’t even have a fan and its hot as a slave ship up in my apartment, I’m having a dope time.

As for A Major Minority, I hit a little snag with recording due to the fact that I need a peice for my microphone which won’t be in until Friday, when I can get it from Guitar Center. However, the good news is the album tracklisting is solidified and I will be releasing tracks a lot quicker thanks to NAV whose came through in the clutch. All in all, life is good and new music should be coming soon… real soon.

Mike Waxx put “Human” on Fresh Dunks 2, the second installment of the illRoots.com mixtape series.

Shout out to them boys @ illRoots.com

Check it Here.