#flowersflow

#DJFreedomLives with daily updates! First and foremost thanks to everyone who REMEMBERED yesterday was my birthday. I don't broadcast it like that for people to know...and other than Facebook saying so most people in my cipher don't know. But I appreciate the love on my posts yesterday. Secondly I would like to thank Queen Martina for being a solid partner even when I at times wasn't solid as she knows I can be. May we always be so fortunate to stay as close and be as tight as we are. Third and this is big...I have been on the fence about sobriety for over a year. If you go back to early IG posts I spoke about how many days and months I had in...only to "fall off" and then actually think I could control my drinking. If you are an alcoholic...you can't. The only solution is to cut it out completely. That is what I am doing. Say a prayer for your dude! If you are a new "follower," "fan" or "friend" to my posts, thanks for taking a few moments to read. Sharing is caring...but thanks for the support. I have surpassed the 10K mark on IG, 12K on Twitter and my group on Facebook is closing in on 10K members. Not bad for a DJ who did this the old fashioned way: slow and steady! Speaking of slow, what is the science behind people thinking I am DJing for the inauguration ball this Friday?? I have gotten angry tweets, emails and a few minutes before I started this post-an interesting phone call for an interview. To be clear I am NOT the DJ Freedom who is playing for the ball on Friday or at any events associated with the President Elect's program. One of the artists I have been posting about, #DyverseKO is going to be part of a new roster of artists I am going to feature on my mix compilations. Her first 12" is due next month (at least in the form of promotional DJ and radio copies). She will complete an EP in May and release her full length LP in August. If all goes well, a Visual LP in November. #BlackBroadway is in talks for a new deal with a major music company. Yours truly will be a partner along with #FlowersFlow of Homicide Entertainment, Shotta Bwoy of Tranzformaz Music Group. A fourth partner is on deck but I won't say who until after this weekend. (at Canarsie, Brooklyn)

#HipHopIsLife with DJ Freedom! Peace and blessings everyone. Every Friday I bring you a little on what's good in hip-hop. Not the politics or the controversy; there are plenty of places for you to get that. No names. #FlowersFlow is an artist I post about every week. Highlights from his new album: "11/4," "Lyrical Worker," "So Beautiful" and "Rat Race" with Mr. Cheeks, Grand MEZ and Rell Gates are among the best you'll hear in new hip hop. Tamara Bubble (also pictured) is an artist I have known a few years. She is the truth-both as an emcee and as an rnb singer (think Lauryn Hill, also pictured). "A3C," "Break Yo Neck" and "Just Say No" need your attention! Funk Flex has been featuring the hottest emcees in hip-hop for over a year. Standouts are Papoose and Remy Ma, Uncle Murda, Murda Mook and Charlie Clips (all pictured). Jidenna and Meek Mill also had tight freestyles. Go to YouTube to hear them all. Mos Def is on his way out, Lauryn Hill seems to be back in (on the road at least), Kanye is out with the prez-elect, Drake is still on more stations and charts with more songs than any artist...and it is nice to see A Tribe Called Quest back, along with De La Soul. Speaking of De La, they were nominated for their new album (BUY it, don't just stream it) with a Grammy nod. I hope the Kickstarter campaigners who paid to get it made are as happy as I am with the end results. If you like good interviews, check out "The Breakfast Club" and "Sway In The Morning." I think Ed Lover still has his shows online (what happened to "C'mon Son!" Ed?!) and DJ Vlad continues to hold court with interesting conversations; Lord Jamar (peace to the god!) is a constant. Take a few minutes to visit the artists I mentioned. support them because hip-hop is, at its core, fan driven. Fans dictate the results even though the business of music is about creating trends. As a lifelong DJ I am and always will be a hip-hop junkie. Event to watch: 2017 World Music Awards...I heard from a friend, investigated and a few conversations later I can tell you it is out there. They have a website and it is scheduled for sometime this year...the goal is the Barclays Center. When I know more I w (at Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn)