The new voice of L.A- Take note!

HipHopInformant: How long have you been involved in Hip-Hop?

Fal August: I've been involved in Hip Hop for about ten years.

HipHopInformant: How did you get involved in the industry?

Fal August: Well most of my family is involved in music so it was easy to fall in.

HipHopInformant: Tell me about the movie that you’re working on called “Riot Song”. What’s that about?

Fal August: Well Riot Song is a movie about two young kids falling in love something like Romeo and Juliet, only thing is instead of two different family hating each other its two different race , a black male and asian girl and its based in Los Angeles 1994.

HipHopInformant: Where are you from and does that influence your music?

Fal August: I'm from New York but I've lived in Los Angeles for about 7 years and I think being from both places helps to be different from other artist.

HipHopInformant: Many artists have said that Hip-Hop is dead or is lacking what do you think of the industry at the moment?

Fal August:I don't think Hip Hop is dead, I think it has slown down and Rap has taking over but Hip Hop is due for a comeback .


HipHopInformant: Are there any artists that you’d like to work with in the future?

Fal August:Well there's alot of artists I'd like to work with, LL Cool J, Eminem, redman, I guess that would be good for starters.

HipHopInformant: How would you explain your sound or swag?

Fal August:I would call it underground Hip Hop meets Dancehall meets Rock meets R&B.

HipHopInformant: Does your music have a message? If so, what is the message?

Fal August:I would think so because what I try to get across in my music is that its OK to be broke and still be happy so be yourself all the time, that means that should always speak your mind and don't let anyone take advantage of you.

HipHopInformant: Which artists influence you and your music?


Fal August: Eminem, Bob Marley, Sting.

HipHopInformant: What are your views on “beefs” such as the 50/Rick Ross beef ?

Fal August: Well music beef has been strange now a days some are real beef and some like 50 cent beefing with Rick Ross is just another way for 50 to get some attention because his records sales has been pretty weak and Rick Ross his sales have been great, this isn't beef this is called hating.

HipHopInformant: How did the name Fal August come about?


Fal August: Well Fal is Falken and Falken is a name that I got back in highschool and August is my last name.

HipHopInformant: Finally, what does the future hold for you?


Fal August: I don't know but what I do know is what ever I do its gonna be big.


Check out: www.myspace.com/falkenaugust

Labba-So Good Track review for britishhiphop.co.uk!

This is getting serious, the HipHopInformant has been working with britishhiphop.co.uk to get the very best reviews out to my Hip-Hop heads and we've got new projects lined up and new interviews coming soon cant wait? Check out the Promise Interview below!

Click on the pic to read the review in full!

HipHopInformant-J.Dilla we miss you!

Nipsey Hussle-Hussle In The House Track Review for britishhiphop.co.uk!

Check out the review The HipHopInformant did for britishhiphop.co.uk on an emerging star of The West Coast Hip-Hop scene-Nipsey Hussle!

Click on the pic to read the review in full!

HipHopInformant-J.Dilla We miss you...

Paying tribute to J.Dilla We miss you...

Three years ago yesterday (February 10), Hip-Hop culture lost one of its most innovative and influential producers in Detroit's James Dewitt Yancey, AKA J Dilla. Blessed with strong musical genes from an opera singer mother and jazz bassist father, Dilla started collecting vinyl at the tender age of 2. The aspiring producer made a strong name for himself in Detroit early 90s Hip-Hop scene. He formed fledgling groups with Phat Kat (1st Down) and the late Proof (5 Elementz) before settling with classmates T3 and Baatin in Slum Village. Dilla also created numerous classic singles for other artists, such as De La Soul ("Stakes Is High"), The Pharcyde ("Drop," "Runnin'"), Q-Tip ("Vivrant Thing," "Breathe and Stop"), Janet Jackson ("Got 'Til It's Gone"), Common ("The Light"), and Erykah Badu ("Didn't Cha Know"). In 2004, Dilla was diagnosed with lupus and TTP, a rare and incurable blood disorder. The disease greatly restricted Dilla's ability to tour and also resulted in a marked weight loss. Dilla immersed himself in his work, and successfully completed his celebrated final project, Donuts in 2006. The album was released on February 7, just 3 days before Dilla's death at the age of 32 from cardiac arrest.

Taken from allhiphop.com

Natureboy Rowe ft. Pimp C- Candy Thang Track review for britishhiphop.co.uk!

Check out the review for britishhiphop.co.uk and click on the link to read the review in full!

HipHopInformant-Let's do it BIG in '09!

Big Shorty Route 40 - BMore Careful Track review for britishhiphop.co.uk!

Track review The HipHopInformant did for britishhiphop.co.uk check out the site to read it in full or click on the pic!

HipHopInformant-Let's do it BIG in '09!

It's for a good CAUSE!

Click on the picture to go to Cause's iTunes store! Support REAL Hip-Hop!

Check Out the EXCLUSIVE with Cause only on :

http://hiphopinformant.blogspot.com/search/label/Cause

HipHopInformant- Let's do it BIG in '09!

This dude is G.O.O.D...I Promise!

Determined to break down musical barriers and live outside of Society's box, he rises up with skill and confidence that is incomparable. Simply doing what he was destined to do , he makes music that makes a difference....and that's a Promise.

HipHopInformant: How did you get involved with Hip-Hop?

Promise: I started out as just a writer/poet in school then picked up rap having fun wit my longtime schoolmate Prestege. In the caf one day an older dude heard us rhyming and told me what I had to say was inspiring and that I should take it more seriously. So I did.

HipHopInformant: How long have you been involved with Hip-Hop?

Promise: I've been involved in hip-hop for approx 9yrs now.

HipHopInformant: Talib Kweli called your work “fly…mad heartfelt and inspirational how did that feel coming from a prominent name in the game?

Promise: It felt amazing to know that he even took the time to check my stuff out. Although we didn't work together I got mad respect for anyone who gives someone their time.

HipHopInformant: Where are you from and does that influence your music?

Promise: I'm from Canada. Doesn't neccessarily influence my music. My parents hail from Barbados (dad) and Jamaica (mom). My dad's mom (grandma) was born in Brazil, my mom's dad (grandpa) in Jamaica but has cuban in him lol someone else is part trini. As you get further down the line you see my roots intertwined with west indian flavor. So I appreciate the music of each culture but being born and living 20+ years in Canada I am not heavily influenced by it. Although, I do appreciate conscious reggae a great deal I actually have a few songs that I may release in the years to come look out for that.

HipHopInformant: Are there any artists that influence you and your music?


Promise: Any artist who is positive and/or has skill such as Lupe, Common, Kanye, Lauryn Hill, eLZhi, even my boy Shad.

HipHopInformant: The HipHopInformant has got the “Kanye West presents Promise” Volumes. Did you work with Kanyeezy and how was it?

Promise: The only G.O.O.D. Music artist I've worked directly with thus far is Really Doe. Ye's been maaad busy doin' his stuff :( but I'm patiently waiting on his call. That series startes from a bunch of dubs I had layin around that ppl were buggin me for. As soon as djs got the 1st they demanded a 2nd volume. And so on and so forth.

HipHopInformant: What are your views on the Hip-Hop world at this moment?

Promise: It still sucks content wise but with all the things in the world changing it can only follow the motions. I think its reached that point again where new, fresh music has its opening to get aboard the hiphop subway again.

HipHopInformant: On your album “More Than Music” you worked with Rhymefest and Elzhi of the acclaimed Slum Village how did it feel to work with those guys?

Promise: I spent the whole day wit Rhymefest & Mikkey Halsted they good peoples man. To have 'Fest ask my opinion on parts of his verse showed a level of respect for my craft I was like WoW. They gave me mad advice, showed me around the city, etc. I love the Chi! I couldn't wait to go back so I hooked up wit Malik Yusef later on to complete that track "Brotherhood". Working wit eLZhi was a dream come true! One of my all time favorite lyricist if not thee one. It was weird cuz he's soo humble I expected him to be cocky or sumthin but having him ask me how to say this or how to end that I was dumbfounded like "uhhh me!?". These guys are rap icons in my eyes yet they realized my talent and I guess real recognize real. Dang, wow. Lol.

HipHopInformant: How would you describe your style and would you compare it to any other artist?

Promise: Hmmm. if Common had a baby with Lauryn Hill, Kanye was his crazy uncle (who wasn't really his uncle just a close family friend), Lupe & Phonte were his older brothers (making him Phonte's little brother, how ironic lol), and Crooked I & Wordsworth were his grandfathers from each side. That's me in a nutshell lol.

HipHopInformant: Is there a big difference in rappers from Canada or any where else in the world to rappers in the U.S?

Promise: Sometimes when its pure but the american culture is soo dense across the globe it heavily influences the world in every area from music to politics. You got people in Canada who don't even know who runs things where they live but they going to the US to watch Obama take over lol. We thrive off of US media so every kid grows up thinking they're born in NY or ATL lol. Every young canadian rapper thinks they gunslingin' gangsta rappers or tatted up crack pushers. Everyone gotta say "easy" or "ya dig?" Before/after they rap. You'll find that the few that "make it" from up North are DIFFERENT. And I hope I'm one of them.

HipHopInformant: How did the name Promise come about?

Promise: It's my name lol. Promise Jason Jamal Shepherd. Its biblical. God gave His people many promises. Example, the promise of His Holy Spirit and His son, Jesus, that whosoever believe in Him would have everlasting life.

HipHopInformant: Finally, what does the future hold for Promise?

Promise: A lot of GOOD music! Get@me. Myspace. com/promisemusic if ya wana hear the hottest music!