Tuesday, March 29, 2011

URP Radio -- March 29, 2010 -- J-Bru in your area

With March winding down, we decided to kick off the show with a Big-M/2Face Al double shot of our favourite tracks from albums released this month. It was a good month for Hip-Hop, with Raekwon, Reks, Lupe Fiasco, Pharoahe Monch, Zion I & The Grouch, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa dropping albums, among others. It was tough to narrow it down, but we went with Pharoahe Monch's "Clap (One Day)" featuring Showtyme & DJ Boogie Blind and "Race Against Time" by 1982 (Termanology & Statik Selektah) featuring Bun B & Josh Xanthus. Both solid, conscious tracks that are guaranteed to get your head nodding. In case you haven't heard them, check out the URP Facebook Pagee to hear both. Think they suck? Tell us what you were liking in March!

We were then joined by Halifax mainstay, J-Bru. J is currently on a massive Canada-wide tour with veteran Classified, so we appreciate him doing an interview with us right after rocking a set! We discussed the tour, coming up in Halifax and threw some March Madness and Jordan chatter in there as well. We've been giving J-Bru lots of spins lately so if you're not familiar yet, hit him up on Twitter.com/BruPrintMusic, Halfliferecords.ca and shortly on LiveVision.ca. Don't sleep on one of Canada's top MCs!



Make sure you head over to the URP Facebook Page once again to get down on some free DJ Quik and 9th Wonder downloads! Definitely worth a click or two so get on it!

J-Bru, The Roots, Atmosphere, Styles P, Saukrates and JD Era were among the artists that got some burn on the URP tonight. Make sure to keep it locked right here and on www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com for all the latest the Urban Renewal Project has to offer!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

URP Tuesdays -- Mad As Hell, And We're Not Gonna Take Anymore!

We got into quite a show tonight, and really threw a curveball and decided to place the beat battle at the end of the show. Swing, strike three, yerrrrrouttathere. This week's edition was not so much a battle as it was a mini-tribute to tack onto the end of Sage's impromptu Nate Dogg set from last week, when we learned of the DPG crooner's passing about midway through the program. We picked particular tracks involving Nate not based on popularity, but our personal tastes. The two selections were 213's "Run On Up" and "O.G." by Daz featuring Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg. Your thoughts? Check both tracks out on the URP Facebook page.

We also weighed in on the measures you can take to prevent internet data charging. Check this out:



Visit www.OpenMedia.ca and sign the petition! This affects you!

We're getting on point with the podcasts, so keep it locked on www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD LAST WEEK'S PODCAST, Nate Dogg tribute edition (In the second half, anyway).

Take Action to Prevent Internet Data Charging - The Beginning


We are available on the airwaves and online. Most fans I converse with listen in online at www.coopradio.org. But one of my close friends does not have an internet connection on his computer, and tunes in through his iphone. I doubt he will ever do that again after a young couple in Merritt B.C was recently charged around 5,000 dollars for data they did not even use on their phones. CBC news reports that the couple received bills in the vicinity of a thousand dollars a month for data use they cannot explain. They are fed up with their treatment by Bell customer service and that is understandable. According to CBC news, Bell is one of Canada’s worst offenders when in comes to data based billing errors. If you have ever been a Bell or Solo Mobile customer, however, you don’t need CBC news to tell you that. If you have ever had a cellphone contract in this country, period, you don’t need CBC news to tell you that either. In fact, not only are Canadians paying some of the highest rates in the world for cellular service, they are also constantly get gouged by billing errors. One customer even had a bill for 15,000 dollars for what experts say cost the company only 4 dollars to provide! www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsffmLcEqPo

The time has come to make these companies accountable for their terrible and dishonest business practices. The chairman of the CRTC, Conrad Von Finckenstein, wanted to implement a system wherein telecomm companies could charge you for your internet based on usage, similar to the way cellphone data is billed. He rationalized this fascist, money grubbing initiative by asking why Canadians who only use the internet a little bit, should pay the same as Canadians who use it a lot. If this is how he rationalizes things, then why should Canadians who signed up for a contract three days later than another Canadian pay more because they missed a promotion? What is next? Is ICBC going to install cameras and tolls every 3 blocks on every street because “British Columbians who drive just a little bit should have to pay the same as British Columbians who drive more”?

There is a war going on outside, and no man or woman is safe from it. This war spans from the broccoli you twist up, to the broccoli you steam and eat. It spans from what you see, hear and read to what you breathe into your lungs. A new battle in this war has emerged in recent months and it takes place on the Internet. This Wikileaks fiasco can be looked at in two ways. First, they are a group of people who are committed to freedom of speech and human rights. Private Bradley Manning is facing multiple counts and is being held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day because of his belief that people had the right to know what governments are doing. Wikileaks makes it all the more apparent how Internet usage is an inherent human right. Nobody should have the right to censor the Internet except for the most gruesome and ugly cases such as child exploitation. Nevertheless, our free and unmolested access to internet in the future is crucial to our society. The second way to look at Wikileaks, is that despite the honorable efforts of Julian Assange and company, they are being used as internet terrorists to justify a 9/11 style war on the internet and communications. “Ordo Ab Chaos” is the latin of: “Order through Chaos”. You create an event and use it to maintain order by changing the ways you were operating and by implementing a prepared series of changes to law. This is where we truly find ourselves on the brink. You create a scenario in which in its aftermath you have tightened your control. Big Telecom plays its part in this war.

If you can’t look at the bigger picture, at least look at what is clear as day in front of you. There is a federal election looming and our time has come to make all of these betrayers of the people accountable. It is possible to make this issue an election issue by making it your personal responsibility as a citizen of a free country. The will to act has become sluggish in recent memory. This is not in the spirit of Canada, and definitely not in the spirit of Hip Hop. Do we stand up for our rights?

What can we do? Make ourselves heard! Like the movie Network, we want you to get mad. We want you to get mad and say: “I ain't HAVING THAT!” SIGN THE PETITION AT: www.openmedia.ca Share the links they provide on Facebook. Other links will be posted on the Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Renewal-Project-1027-FM/175987025751212 We need half a million signatures until we can put this issue before those in governance. But it does not end there. We need to keep the pressure on them to fully ensure they actually do their jobs… but that is another issue. Will we change the world? Probably not. But even the smallest pebble hurled from the mountain top can accumulate mass and velocity until it is a giant snow ball of immovable righteousness.

George Orwell once said that “in a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Chuck D said: “Fight the Power”. And finally, 2 Face Al once said: "Listen to Orwell and Chuck D".

THE OFFICIAL WAY TO GET THIS MATTER LOOKED AT BY GOVERNMENT IS IF THIS VIDEO HERE GETS ENOUGH VIEWS AND YOU FOLLOW ITS INSTRUCTIONS TO SIGN THE "OPENMEDIA.CA" PETITION. DO YOUR DUTY. WATCH THIS: action.cwa-union.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8GxdPi2zmLaVfNwpD9AltfMWe8JzdbgC

Friday, March 18, 2011

Podcasting a Stone

Here we go with the March 1st edition of the URP! Special guest Masia One! Don't sleep!

Yeaaaah!



DOWNLOAD HERE

For the ladies...

Here's our podcast from March 8th, 2011. International Women's Day! Naturally, the ladies were getting some burn tonight! Nothing but the best.



DOWNLOAD HERE

www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

URP Tuesdays -- March 15, 2010 -- Japan Love, RIP Nate Dogg

Before anything else, the Urban Renewal Project must encourage you to visit www.JapanLove.ca and help in any way you can. There are certain events that put things in perspective and make us realize the fortune we receive in comparison to other nations. Our donations go a long way.

As if the earthquakes weren't enough, we have just learned that Nate Dogg has passed away. Exact causes aren't known at this point but it's logical to assume the strokes he suffered within the last 4 years were a factor in the deterioration of his health. RIP Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale (August 19, 1969 - March 15, 2011). He was only 41 years old.



We learned of Nate's passing partway through the show, so the only tunes that really mattered were the Nate Dogg jams... If for some reason you listen to us but don't know who he is, please google him. We shifted our focus towards an extensive Nate set as a tribute to an artist who was the definition of 'making your own lane'. His passing is a great tragedy that will be felt throughout the Hip-Hop community and beyond.

Stay tuned for the podcast to hear the set for yourself, until then, pop in your favourite DPG album and let it rock for Nate.

www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

URP Tuesdays - March 8, 2011 - Hey Laaadies....

Broadcasting live from Columbia and Hastings in the heart of the vibrant Vancouver East Side!

Since today is International Women's Day, it was only right that the theme for tonight's Big M/TwoFace Al beat battle involved female MCs. There are way too many choices available for us to narrow it down to one track each, we know. Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Missy Elliot, Jean Grae, Rah Digga, Lauryn Hill, Lady Of Rage, Heather B, and the list continues. We each picked a track anyway though, for the sake of the sacred bit. The Big M selection was "Da B Side" by Da Brat (f/ Notorious BIG & Jermaine Dupri), while TwoFace Al chose Jean Grae's "Don't Rush Me". Both solid picks in our opinions, but don't fret because we got into an all-female MC set later in the show.



We also posted some of our other favourites on the URP Facebook Fanpage. Let us know what you think!

Medinah Starr, Tara Chase, Lil Kim, Apani B Fly, Foxy Brown and many other talented women found their way into the mix tonight, with some Nas, Stalley, Wiz Khalifa, Joell Ortiz and more sprinkled in for good measure. Don't hesitate to download this one, you won't be disappointed! Also check out www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com to catch up on past shows, which we've been quite diligent in uploading.

February 22nd, 2011 PODCAST -- Wispers Interview + More!

Keeping the podcasts coming... Make sure your hard drive has sufficient space! Interview with Wispers in this episode, plus a ton of good tunes and debating.



DOWNLOAD HERE!



www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com

February 15th, 2011 -- PODCAST -- Heatwave in the Building

Here we go, catching up! Here's the February 15th edition of the URP, with special guests, Heatwave and Teekay from Dragon Fli Empire! Cyphers, album talk, and more!

DOWNLOAD HERE



www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

February 8th, 2011 PODCAST - RIP Dilla

We're finally catching up here with some podcasts from the last month! Here's February 8th's program, which includes a nice J. Dilla tribute set! We also got it warmed up with a Posse Cut beat battle, let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter!



Keep it strong! DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE.

www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

URP Tuesdays -- Masia One in the Spot!

Jah!

We've seen a lot of Charlie Sheen in the news lately, which inspired the theme for this week's beat battle: Drugs. More specifically, the adverse effects of drugs in multiple settings and situations. Don't expect us to pick Purple Pills or Drug Ballad. URP Radio is for the kiiiids.

TwoFace Al's pick was Like A Window by Dead Prez & The Outlawz, which deals with the strain drugs can put on the family environment. A solid choice, which relates to the Big M pick of the night, D-Rugs by Cam'ron featuring Brotha. Cam took a metaphorical approach to the pitfalls of drug abuse and trafficking in arguably the strongest track in his catalog. If you haven't heard the tracks, hit the URP Facebook Fanpage to hear them!

We also unleashed on a bit of a tirade against Dr. Dre & Eminem's new video for I Need A Doctor. We appreciate that Eminem and Dre have grown over the years and that as such, we shouldn't expect the Slim Shady LP Eminem, nor should we be prepared to hear Dr. Dre from The Chronic days. But aside from the fact that the video is full of more product placement than you can shake a bottle of Gatorade at. That being said, we got love for legends still putting music out for the new generation.



We were then joined by a true trailblazer in Canadian music, Masia One. In addition to being the first female artist to be nominated for a Much Music Video Award in the Rap category, she has worked with dope artists from Vancouver to Jamaica. Her work with Grammy-winning producer Che Vicious connected her with the likes of The RZA, Talib Kweli, The Game, Eminem and many more legendary artists. Masia One truly is a multi-faceted artist with a smooth sound and you would be wise to stay on the lookout for her to break out even moreso than she already has! Keep up with Masia One on www.MasiaOne.com! Big up!

We obviously gave Masia One some burn tonight, including a great dub of Rihanna's overplayed What's My Name jam which is up for download on www.MasiaOne.com, as well as some new Snoop, Lupe Fiasco, Heatwave, Saigon, Lauryn Hill and many more!

Head back over to www.URPRadio.Podomatic.com for some actual updated podcasts! We're back at it and hitting you right in the eardrum with some bass for ya face. Don't forget to Facebook and Twitter us!