http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html Southern Stisles Records: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:43:53 -0700 http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/music_review_mr_envi__rydaz_redemption_the_ep Album: Rydaz Redemption
Review by: Chris Barth

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=143584

Alabama native Holland Dai’mon Witherspoon went through the ringer a few times. The rapper, who records under the name Mr. Envi’, began recording on his own in 2003 but suffered a few false starts. Now older and wiser, Mr. Envi’ is back at it — this time with momentum on his side. Rydaz Redemption the EP is one of eight projects released in the past three years. With five smooth tracks clocking in at under 20 minutes, it’s a solid introduction from a true rap grinder.

Rydaz Redemption the EP, released on the Southern Stisles label (of which Witherspoon is the CEO), kicks off with “I’mma Boss,” a deep bass and synth-heavy track that announces the persona of Mr. Envi’: He’s a boss. The track is a standard hype track in many ways — a confident signifier song to serve as both a statement and a challenge to listeners and competitors. Rather than seeming confrontational, though, Mr. Envi’ seems comfortable and relaxed. Obvious Rick Ross references abound, and Envi’ evokes that Florida rapper both in delivery and in vocabulary. The topic isn’t exactly profound or earth shattering, but it’s a well-delivered status track that sets the mood for the Rydaz Redemption the EP off the bat.

“Spotlight,” the EP’s second track, has a beat that resembles a chopped and reorganized version of Warren G’s “Regulators.” Though the beat seems strangely familiar, however, the track doesn’t seem derivative. It pulses forward, telling the story of a woman dealing with the pitfalls of celebrity. It’s an interesting contrast of light beat and heavy subject material, but Mr. Envi’ balances those factors well and spins them into an enjoyable track. Some of the rhymes on “Spotlight” seem forced, but in general, it’s a solid tune to follow “I’mma Boss,” giving a different perspective from that initial track.

The EP’s third track again taps into the Miami hip hop feel, with synthesized strings creating the background for a track that exalts the grind and the bills that come with it. It’s closer to the EP’s opening track — a boasting blast that invites all comers. “I make music for hustlers/I make music for thugs/I make music for the older crowd that likes to cut a rug,” raps Envi’, and he’s dead on — these songs have broad appeal.

On the fourth and fifth tracks of Rydaz Redemption the EP, Mr. Envi’ recruits some help in the form of guest spots from Truehillz, S.G., and Bigg Redd. The EP’s first real misstep comes in the form of heavy-handed application of autotune on the intro of “I Just Wanna.” Rather than making minor tweaks via vocoder, the track employs a clunkier retuning, eliminating the smoothness that this track calls for and leaving it only a shade of what it could potentially be. The verses from Mr. Envi’ are solid and the song has the potential to be a late night slow burner, but it’s not easy to get through the first forty-five seconds. “Do It Big” closes the album on a weaker note as well, featuring a fast beat and a couple guest verses that sound a bit hectic.

Rydaz Redemption the EP is a solid collection that starts out on a strong foot and unfortunately falters as it runs its course. That said, it is an enjoyable listen, and well worth the time it takes to spin its five brief tracks. Mr. Envi’ is at his best when he raps on his own; his voice and vocals are good enough to carry tracks on their own without guest spots. The EP seems to be meant as a teaser for an upcoming album, in which case it absolutely does its purpose. There are questions left unanswered and gaps to be addressed, but Rydas Redemption the EP will whet the appetite of hip hop fans and leave them hoping for more.]]> http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/music_review_mr_envi__rydaz_redemption_the_ep Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:43:53 -0700 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/summer_of_sum_tour_2011 http://www.summerofsumtour.com../


]]> http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/summer_of_sum_tour_2011 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 22:02:39 -0700 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/fan_recognition_feb_2011 http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/fan_recognition_feb_2011 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:06:21 -0800 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/monthly_shout_out http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/monthly_shout_out Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:30:31 -0800 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/no_city_or_town_is_too_small http://southernstislesrecords.com/contact.html. Thank you for your support. I.B.O (Independently Black Owned)]]> http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/no_city_or_town_is_too_small Sat, 29 Jan 2011 11:24:05 -0800 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/local_college_radio http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/local_college_radio Sat, 29 Jan 2011 11:13:05 -0800 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/booking_info http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/booking_info Sat, 29 Jan 2011 11:06:05 -0800 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/performing_and_touring http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/performing_and_touring Sat, 29 Jan 2011 11:02:34 -0800 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/luckys_video_commercial_pricing COMMERCIAL (VOICE DROP): $25
COMMERCIAL (PICTURES/SLIDE SHOW) 30 SEC: $45
COMMERCIAL (PICTURES/SLIDE SHOW/RAW FOOTAGE) 30 SEC: $60
COMMERCIAL (VOICE DROP) COMMERCIAL (PICTURES/SLIDE SHOW) 30 SEC: $60
COMMERCIAL (VOICE DROP) COMMERCIAL (PICTURES/SLIDE SHOW/RAW FOOTAGE) 30 SEC: $75
ANY DISC BURNS OR YOUTUBE UPLOADS: $10
MR. CALHOUN SHOOTS MUSIC VIDEO FOOTAGE: $150 (2HR MAX ON VIDEO SHOOT)
ADDITIONAL 30 MIN ON VIDEO SHOOT: $20

NOTE: ALL MUSIC VIDEOS WILL HAVE “LUCKY CALHOUN” STAMP ON IT
Commercial slots $25 per slot (6 MIN =3 days)
RAW FOOTAGE CAN BE PROVIDED BY CUSTOMER]]> http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/luckys_video_commercial_pricing Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:52:19 -0800 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/the_naughty_or_nice_halloween_bash
SUNDAY OCT 31ST HALLOWEEN NIGHT! MONEYBAG ENT PRESENTS: "THE NAUGHTY OR NICE HALLOWEEN BASH" @ CLUB CHICAGO IN DOWNTOWN SHREVEPORT! ADMISSION WILL BE 1/2 PRICE FOR COLLEGE & CASINO ID'S TIL 12. 1/2 PRICE DRINKS TIL 12 SO GET WASTED. 1ST 50 LADIES IN COSTUME GET IN FREE. $200 TO THE BEST COSTUME & A BOTTLE OF NUVO 4 THE SEXIEST LADY IN THE CLUB. LIVE PERFORMANCES BY BIGG REDD, DJ YOUNG WOODY, B-MAC, POOCHIE LOC, YOUNG SHOW & RAP-A-LOTS OWN "BULLET PROOF". DJ YOUNG WOODY & YOUNG NISA ON THE 1'S & 2'S! SPECIAL INVITED GUEST: DJ QBALL (CEO OF QUALITY BRAND DJ'S).. ADMISSION MAY VARY AFTER MIDNITE SO GET THERE EARLY.. THE BUILDING WONT BE BIG ENOUGH FOR THIS EVENT.. DRESS ATTIRE: COSTUMES ARE PERFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED! THIS IS A 21 EVENT.]]> http://southernstislesrecords.com/blog.html/the_naughty_or_nice_halloween_bash Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:03:14 -0700 Southern Stisles Records - Southern Stisles Records - Blog