Mike Posner

For most college graduates, especially in today’s economic climate, finding work and making the transition into “real life” is an uncertain prospect. Not so for singer/songwriter/producer Mike Posner, who spent his senior year at Duke University juggling the academic grind and the hectic life of an up-and-coming musician. Needless to say, he had no doubt about his post-graduation plans – after receiving that diploma, Posner was finally able to devote himself full-time to making his dreams of music stardom a reality.

It’s been less than a year since Posner introduced his unmistakable, scratchy vocal style and equally unique production sensibility to Booth readers with mixtape cut “Smoke ‘n’ Drive,” but a lot has happened in that time. He’s released an acclaimed sophomore street album (One Foot Out the Door), collaborated with the likes of Kid CuDi and Wale (“Drug Dealer Girl (Remix)”) and, most notably, scored the all-important major deal. Now signed to J Records, Posner is getting ready to take his career to the next level with the summer release of his yet-untitled debut studio album.

In an exclusive interview with our own DJ “Z,” Mike Posner steps into the Booth to discuss the superhuman feat of balancing college finals with a demanding touring schedule, his increasingly raucous (and sometimes destructive) live performances, and why his forthcoming full-length is like his mixtapes “on steroids.”

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 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Mike Posner (by DJ Z): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

B.o.B. (Bobby Ray)

In a day and age when delays are the rule rather than the exception, it takes a brave artist to immortalize his debut set’s release date in the title of a pre-album mixtape – especially when said date is still months away. Demonstrating that his boldness and willingness to take risks extend well beyond the studio walls, Best of the Booth award-winning Southern buzzmaker B.o.B has done just that; in addition to being a collection of dope tunes, his May 25th street album serves as a promise to his fans and a friendly reminder to the label brass.

With the tremendous success of lead single “Nothing on You,” as well as previously-released buzz tracks “Haterz Everywhere” and “I’ll Be in the Sky,” it’s a good bet
Bobby Ray

will be able to keep his vow and drop his long-awaited The Adventures of B.o.B LP on the appointed date. Either way, though, May 25 offers listeners plenty to enjoy in the meantime; featuring Kanye West-produced, Asher Roth-assisted leak “F*ck the Money,” Mobb Deep freestyle “The Biz” and much more, the critically-acclaimed set is available for free download at the artist’s official site.

In an exclusive interview with our own DJ “Z,” B.o.B steps into the Booth to discuss his patient yet very excited mindstate leading up to the arrival of his freshman set, his upcoming performance at this year’s Coachella festival, and why President Obama may already be a fan.

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 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: B.o.B. (Bobby Ray) (by DJ Z): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

YelaWolf

Looks can be deceiving, but blown-out speakers don’t lie. Though much has been made of

YelaWolf ’s unconventional appearance – he’s white, covered in ink and looks more like a punk rocker than your average emcee… – it’s the Alabama up-and-comer’s fresh, attention-grabbing sound that’s got the ‘net buzzing and subwoofers rattling across the nation. Drawing from classic rock, old-school rap, and the quintessentially Southern style of acts like OutKast and Three Six, Yela comes with a hard-edged brand of Trunk Muzik as innovative as it is bass-heavy.

Having racked up reader accolades for tracks like “Pop the Trunk,” Raekwon collabo “I Wish” and exclusive freestyle “Dirt Road,” as well as making guest appearances on records by the widely-renowned likes of Juelz Santana (“Mixing Up the Medicine”) and Slim Thug (“I Run”) YelaWolf recently took his hustle to the next level with the January 1, release of his Booth-sponsored Trunk Muzik mixtape. Available here for streaming and free download, the street album has gotten Yela recognized in the Booth and beyond as one of the South’s fastest-rising stars.

In an exclusive interview with our own DJ “Z,” YelaWolf steps into the Booth to discuss his feelings on the inevitable Eminem comparisons, the unfortunate state of his Chevy and just how excited he is to perform alongside OutKast DJ Cutmaster Swift at this year’s SXSW festival.

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 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: YelaWolf (by DJ Z): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Cassidy Is ‘Saturating The Game’ With

New Mixtape, C.A.S.H. Album

‘I wanted to get the mixtape market in a frenzy, to let them know I’m coming back,’ he tells Mixtape Daily.

Game

In part one of our interview with Game, the Compton heavyweight sat down with DJ Z to talk about his newly “The” free stage name, the status of the D.O.C. (Diary of Compton) project he described in his June ‘08 Booth interview and why, contrary to popular belief, he’s not a big fan of hip-hop beef.

Now, we are proud to present the thrilling conclusion to our interview, in which Game discusses his feelings on going into the studio with such top-tier producers as Dre, Primo and Pharrell, where he places in his own “Top Five Rappers Alive” list, and why he actually doesn’t want to see weed legalized.

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 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Game (Part 2) (by DJ Z): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Game

Like most high-profile ‘retirement’ announcements, The Game‘s claim that last year’s L.A.X. LP would be his final studio album proved to be… well, greatly exaggerated. After six years of grinding, touring and – yes – engaging in high-profile beef with everyone from Jay-Z to

G-Unit , the rapper born Jayceon Taylor simply needed a breath of fresh air and a change of scenery. Now, the Left Coast icon’s many devoted fans will be happy to hear that Game’s back, rejuvenated, and thoroughly R.E.D.edicated to what really matters: the music.

The R.E.D. Album, Game’s fourth full-length, is shaping up to be a landmark project in several regards, not least of which is its high-profile pair of executive producers: Game’s early mentor, West Coast legend Dr. Dre (returning to work with the emcee for the first time since ‘05’s The Documentary) and superstar artist/beatsmith Pharrell Williams. Featuring buzz singles “Krazy” and “Big Money” (feat. Gucci Mane & Timbaland), the album is scheduled to land on store shelves sometime this February.

In part one of Game’s exclusive interview with our own DJ Z, the heavyweight rapper discusses the reasons behind his decision to drop the “The” from his stage name, why his reputation as a beef-lover is a misnomer, and the status of the D.O.C. (Diary of Compton) project he described to us back in June of ‘08.

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 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Game (Part 1) (by DJ Z): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Money causes problems. But now Jeezy and Drama are going to make more money so there won’t be any more problems in their camps.  Have a listen to the truce that the 2 ATL natives put over the airwaves at Hot 107.9.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Shouts to LK and Miss Info.

Listen to Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane squash their beef

Wyclef Jean

Having helped to create the highest-selling album in hip-hop history, won multiple Grammys, collaborated with everyone from U2’s Bono to Carlos Santana and established a foundation to provide humanitarian aid to residents of his birth country, Wyclef Jean has accomplished more in his musical career to date than most do in an entire lifetime. Those who simply know Clef as a pop superstar, however, aren’t getting the whole story; long before the Fugees alum was an internationally-known recording artist and humanitarian, he was a hungry battle-rapper with his feet planted firmly on the streets. On his new, DJ Drama-hosted mixtape/EP, the emcee/singer/producer harks back to those days, stepping into the role of gritty yet noble revolutionary Toussaint St. Jean to tell us how he really feels about the ‘hood and the music industry.

Released November 10, via Carnival House/MegaForce/RED/Sony Music, From the Hut to the Projects to the Mansion is a hard-hitting effort with a sweeping, cinematic style, as evidenced by reader-approved features “We Made It,” “More Bottles,” “Warriorz” and “Suicide Love.” An epic experience in its own right, the EP also provides a tantalizing glimpse of one of the many personae Wyclef will inhabit on his forthcoming, self-titled full-length, set to drop in March of next year.

In an exclusive interview with our own DJ “Z,” Wyclef Jean steps into the Booth to discuss the possibility of a new Fugees album, why he and “Slumdog Millionaire” collaborator Cyndi Lauper were a match made in heaven, and how you can help revolutionize the industry as part of his new “Warriors” movement.

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 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Wyclef Jean (by DJ Z): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download