Vintage Footage: Black Moon Introduces Smif N Wessun on Big Max New Jackz of Rap - Jan. 10th, 1994!

shane — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:08:17 +0000

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Straight from the Duck Down Vaultz is an episode of an underground Hip Hop TV show during the release of Black Moon's Enta Da Stage. Watch Tek & Steele step up from the background of Black Moon and represent themselves in their truest form. We knew something serious was emerging from the Boot Camp Clik that would change the perception of the streets forever!

Check out Smif N Wessun's latest project: Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun album "Monumental" on Duck Down Music in stores now! Purchase via Amazon Digital | iTunes

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02/21/2012 - 5:14pm

Live Chat with General Steele at 3PM EST Feb. 22nd

shane — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:42:11 +0000

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Live Chat with General Steele at 3PM EST Feb. 22nd

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Tune into duckdown.com/website/chat to chat live with General Steele of Smif N Wessun as he'll be answering your questions.

The chat will begin Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, at 3:00PM EST but you can enter the chat room now and have a reminder sent to you.

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02/20/2012 - 2:42pm

Video: Skyzoo x Karmaloop - Friends With Words

shane — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:17:20 +0000

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Video: Skyzoo x Karmaloop - Friends With Words

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Karmaloop's enlists Skyzoo for their first entry in their new series #FriendsWithWords. Check the video as Skyzoo is given 12 words to use for an on-the-spot freestyle.

Word #8: "Youngest member and newest member of Duck Down. Pay rent off of selling records like what now. From the evil like the first card showing, shout to Duck Down for supporting, already knowing."

Posted By: Shane Gill

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02/17/2012 - 12:16pm

Watch Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun's "Top of the World" Music Video Featuring Memphis Bleek

franz — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:57:36 +0000

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Watch Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun's "Top of the World" Music Video Featuring Memphis Bleek

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Music from Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun's album Monumental out now. Purchase via Amazon Digital or iTunes. Directed by Donald Robison Cole & Olise Forel for SMP & Moving Silence.

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02/16/2012 - 2:47pm

Boot Camp Clik added to 2012 Paid Dues Festival

shane — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:54:36 +0000

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Boot Camp Clik added to 2012 Paid Dues Festival

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Boot Camp Clik will be performing at the 7th annual Paid Dues Independent Hip-Hop Festival in San Bernardino, CA on April 7th, 2012. BCC will also be touring the west coast, stay tuned for more detials.

For more information or to buy tickets head to the Tour Section or go to PaidDuesFestival.com.

Posted By: Shane Gill

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02/16/2012 - 12:53pm

New Music: Skyzoo - #Anxious (Feat. Kay Cola)

shane — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:09:14 +0000

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New Music: Skyzoo - #Anxious (Feat. Kay Cola)

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The first 100 people to cop Skyzoo's new song will recieve an "I Heart Skyzoo" Tee (shown in the cover art) for free.

&lt;a data-cke-saved-href=&quot;http://skyzoo.bandcamp.com/track/anxious&quot; href=&quot;http://skyzoo.bandcamp.com/track/anxious&quot;&gt;#ANXIOUS by Skyzoo ft. KayCola (prod. by Christian Rich)&lt;/a&gt;

Posted By: Shane Gill

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02/15/2012 - 10:55pm

Duck Down x Acropolis Collabo T-Shirt

franz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:07:23 +0000

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Duck Down x Acropolis Collabo T-Shirt

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In collaboration with Acropolis Apparel, we present our latest "Anchored In Excellence" T-Shirt available now in NAVY-BLUE & WHITE. This is a limited edition item so purchase yours today at the Duck Down Shop.

Purchase the "Anchored In Excellence" T-Shirt in Navy-Blue

Purchase the "Anchored In Excellence" T-Shirt in White

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02/14/2012 - 1:55pm

Talib Kweli's "Gutter Rainbows" Track Used In Adidas' Dwight Howard "What's In The Bag?" Commercial

franz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:34:37 +0000

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Talib Kweli's "Gutter Rainbows" Track Used In Dwight Howard's "What's In The Bag?" Adidas Commercial

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Ever wonder what Dwight Howard carries in his bag? In this edition of Off the Court, adidas gives you an inside look at "What's in the Bag" of the only NBA player to be crowned Defensive Player of the Year 3 years in a row. Talib Kweli's "Gutter Rainbows" track was contributed as background music on this commercial. Purchase 'Gutter Rainbows' album today on iTunes.

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02/14/2012 - 12:24pm

Photo Recap: RBMA Event feautring Smif N Wessun, Skyzoo, Dru-Ha & Buckshot

shane — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:54:02 +0000

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Photo Recap: RBMA Event feautring Smif N Wessun, Skyzoo, Dru-Ha & Buckshot

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Photo Recap of the Red Bull Music Academy event featuring a lecture session with Buckshot & Dru-Ha + performances including Smif N Wessun & Skyzoo.

Line outside the Public Assembly in Brooklyn where the event took place

Noah (GM of DD) with Dru-Ha & Buckshot during their lecture session

Skyzoo joined in on the lecture session as the DD mascot played bodyguard

Skyzoo than took to the stage

DJ Evil Dee on the 1's and 2's provided the music throughout the night

Headliners Smif N Wessun performing

General Steele of Smif N Wessun

Buckshot than ended the night with a great performance

Check footage below, courtesy of Allhiphop.com, of Dru-Ha & Buckshot speaking on their relationship with Tupac and how it came about. Red Bull will be releasing footage of Dru & Buck's entire lecture soon.

Posted by: Shane Gill

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02/13/2012 - 5:51pm

Tonight: Red Bull Music Academy Session with Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Skyzoo, Dru Ha & Dj Evil Dee

franz — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:47:15 +0000

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Tonight: Red Bull Music Academy Session with Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Skyzoo, Dru Ha & Dj Evil Dee

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Tonight, February 8th

7PM at Public Assembly (70 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY)

Conversation + Q&A at 7PM with Buckshot, Dru Ha & Skyzoo. 21+. You must RSVP to yamez@redbullmusicacademy.com.

Note: If you are 20 years old & you will turn 21 prior to September 30th, you are allowed access to the conversation + Q&A at 7PM.

Followed by performances from Smif N Wessun, Buckshot & Skyzoo at 10PM. The performance is 21+ / NO COVER. First come, first serve for entry to the performance.

Music by DJ Evil Dee

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02/08/2012 - 1:41pm

Select Duck Down Album Titles On Sale This Week At iTunes For $7.99

franz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:19:24 +0000

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<p> Select Duck Down Album Titles On Sale This Week At iTunes For $7.99</p>

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For a limited time, select new & classic Duck Down album titles will be on sale for $7.99 on iTunes. Sale ends Monday, February 13th at 11:59PM EST. Click here to purchase.

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02/07/2012 - 4:15pm

Watch De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 "Must B The Music" Music Video

franz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:40:37 +0000

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Watch De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 "Must B The Music" Music Video

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De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present First Serve - the album out April 2nd on Duck Down Music in North America & Pias in all other territories.

Watch the music video for "Must B The Music," the lead single from the animated world of De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present First Serve.

Song produced by Chokalate & Khalid.

The video was directed by Matt Stawski.

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02/07/2012 - 11:31am

Skyzoo Announces the Release of a New Mixtape Before "A Dream Deferred"

shane — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:38:44 +0000

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Skyzoo Announces the Release of a New Mixtape Before "A Dream Deferred"

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Last week, in an interview with TheWellVersed.com, Skyzoo announced he would be releasing a mixtape:

"I'm actually dropping a mixtape before A Dream Deferred. It picks up where The Great Debater left off, and it sets up the album. It pretty much serves as the middle ground between The Great Debater and A Dream Deferred. No one knows this yet so you guys get the exclusive, the mixtape is called Theo vs JJ: “Dreams vs. Reality.” Theo from the Cosbys pretty much represents the dream, and JJ from Good Times is the reality of it."

You can check the full interview by clicking here.

Posted By: Shane Gill

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02/06/2012 - 11:12pm

Watch Pharoahe Monch's "Still Standing" Music Video feat. Jill Scott

franz — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:53:09 +0000

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Watch Pharoahe Monch's "Still Standing" Music Video feat. Jill Scott

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Pharoahe Monch presents his latest music video for "Still Standing" featuring Jill Scott. Directed by Terrance Nance. Song produced by M-Phazes.

Purchase Pharoahe Monch's W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) Album On iTunes

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02/05/2012 - 3:48pm

Video: Duck Down Man Crashes Super Bowl Sunday Promo Shoot

franz — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:09:23 +0000

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Video: Duck Down Man Crashes Super Bowl Sunday Promo Shoot

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The Duck Down Man made a surprise visit at MTV 2 Sucker Free's Super Bowl Sunday promo shoot featuring Pete Rock, Smif N Wessun, & Pharoahe Monch. Watch as he journeys over to the shoot at the 40/40 Club & as holds down the bar serving drinks. Tune in to the re-broadcast of MTV 2 Sucker Free's Super Bowl Sunday special tonight at 11PM EST to catch their interview.

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02/05/2012 - 1:06pm

Round Table Discussion w/ Dru-Ha and other CEO's of Indie Hip-Hop Labels

shane — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:45:11 +0000

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Round Table Discussion w/ Dru-Ha and other CEO's of Indie Hip-Hop Labels

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In this two part discussion Chris Moss, of Allindstrom.com, speaks to Dru Ha (Duck Down Music), Travis O’Guin (Strange Music), Brent “Siddiq” Sayers (Rhymesayers Ent.), and Mike Tolle (Mello Music Group) about everything from running a label, Marketing & Budgeting, to the Digital Era and more. Listed below are a few Dru's answers from the discussion. For the full interview head to Allinstrom.com: Part 1 and Part 2.

How do you market to and determine your audiences? How do you adjust your marketing or tailor it specifically for each artist?

Dru Ha: Black Rob or Talib Kweli, for example, have a built–in fanbase and it’s going to those outlets to get their fans excited again. It’s going to those places where they have relationships already. For David Dallas, we’re trying to find a niche for him and see who he reminds you of. This is not to copy artists out there; it’s just to use it as a reference, a starting point and ask, “Who’s the market?” We go to the sites and see where the “kids” are going for this newer music. A big portion of it revolves around the Internet these days.

Do you market towards radio? If so, what’s your campaign for terrestrial and satellite radio?

Dru Ha: The radio stations are only playing 10 records! With the mixshow DJs, the program directors are letting them know that those records have to make there way into the mix programs. When a DJ has a slot to work in about 13 or 14 records, they’re being told that 10 of those records have to come from the current playlist. That leaves three or four records for them to have some discretion over. Every now and then you get a Jay Electronica that aren’t in the major systems and break through. Tyler, the Creator is another example. These artists were happening without radio and radio is left having to catch up to them! We had a Kidz in the Hall record “Driving Down The Block” and it was on TRL getting video plays. Radio still wanted to know what our spins were and they don’t take the risks they used to take. Spins are everything to them. Thank God for Sirius radio because they’ve been an outlet for us be it Tony Touch, Statik Selektah, and others. MTV has loosened up with the multiple channels they have and it allows us to have the conversation with them now. The Internet has forced them to adapt to the short attention spans of their audiences.

Do you embrace giving away music for free?

Dru Ha: I hate it! (laughs) I don’t like it. I’m “old school” and I come from the era of bootlegging and flipping over those tables when they were illegally selling our music. Conversely, it’s a catch-22 because if you’re not being bootlegged, you’re probably not hot and not selling records. The music that was being bootlegged was the hottest stuff out at the time. This is what we do. We’re spending our money on marketing and production and then it’s being given away for free. Then we, as the label, have to find new ways –licensing opportunities, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise sales, etc.- to make up for that loss in revenue.

How are you getting physical copies into “box” stores if you’re selling fewer than 10K the first week?

Dru Ha: You make money on the road and outlets like Best Buy and Trans World Entertainment (f.y.e retail stores, for example) want to know what you’re doing to determine if they’ll carry your material in the markets you’re touring in. You’ve got to have the right one-sheets, the right marketing, and the sales history to get them to consider you when being an independent. It’s changing. A couple of years ago, we were 80/20 (physical/digital) and it’s not like global warming where you hear someone say, “Is it hotter here than last year?” The change in the industry is definitely taking place and in the next five years it will swing even more towards the digital side. Four major physical retailers in the U.S. have already closed their doors: Musicland, Virgin, Tower, and Circuit City. You know where the trends are going.

Dru Ha will be holding a lecture with Buckshot & Skyzoo at Public Assembly next week Feb. 8th at 7PM. The event is free just simply RSVP: (email: Yamez@redbullmusicacademy). Smif N Wessun & more will be performing at 10PM after the lecture. Click the image for more info:

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02/02/2012 - 1:13pm

Video: Preview of Dru Ha & Buckshot's Red Bull Music Academy Lecture

franz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:01:50 +0000

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Video: Preview of Dru Ha & Buckshot's Red Bull Music Academy Lecture

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Buckshot & Dru Ha goes over some of their behind-the-scenes stories they will be discussing during Red Bull Music Academy's Brooklyn Lecture next Wednesday, February 8th at 7PM in Public Assembly. The event is FREE with RSVP (email: Yamez@redbullmusicacademy). The event is first come, first serve.

Following the Lecture, catch a performance from Smif N Wessun with featured guests Buckshot, Skyzoo & DJ Evil Dee.

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02/01/2012 - 3:44pm

Video: Sean Price Previews Mic Tyson

franz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:29:59 +0000

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Video: Sean Price Previews Mic Tyson

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The homie Dallas Penn "riding round and gettin' it" with Sean Price as he previews some music off his forthcoming Mic Tyson album, punching you in the face.... soon!

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02/01/2012 - 2:41pm

Sean Price Tells Complex which Ghostface Killah Album is Better: Ironman or Supreme Clientele

shane — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:52:00 +0000

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Sean Price Tells Complex which Ghostface Killah Album is Better: Ironman or Supreme Clientele

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Sean Price breaks down the two albums and explains to Complex not only why Supreme Clientele was the better album but how it influenced his career. Click here to read the full interview.

Posted By: Shane Gill

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02/01/2012 - 2:36pm

Statik Selektah on NBA TV with Chris Webber

shane — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:47:22 +0000

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Statik Selektah on NBA TV with Chris Webber

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While touring in Paris, France Statik Selektah was interviewed by NBA legend Chris Webber who is now an analyst on NBA TV.

You can check the full video which also features Posdnuos of De La Soul at NBA.com by clicking here.

Grab our Duck Down Knicks Tee here and we won't hold it against you if you're a Boston Celtics fan like Statik.

Posted By: Shane Gill

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01/31/2012 - 10:15pm