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Watch the Throne is the debut collaborative studio album by rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West. The album is much anticipated by their fans after the single release of H.A.M and most recently Otis creating a stir in the hip hop public to see what Watch The Throne has to offer.

Ski Beatz is a record producer, musician and MC originally from NC and was discovered in NYC by DJ Clark Kent. Ski was originally known as “MC Will-Ski” and in the 1980s, he was a member of the group Original Flavor, the first group managed by future recording industry executive DAMON DASH . In the mid-90′s, Ski was working on duo CAMP LO’S debut album UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT when Dame called him in to work on the debut album of his own artist, JAY-Z. Jay’s album, REASONABLE DOUBT, was released in 1996, marking Ski’s first major production placement. Ski produced four tracks off the album, including the singles “DEAD PRESIDENTS” and “FEELIN’ IT”.

After the critical success of Reasonable Doubt, Ski formed Roc-A-Blok Productions in affiliation with Jay and Dame’s label, ROC-A-FELLA RECORDS, working with CAMP LO and Sporty Thievz. Skibeatz crafted most of Camp Lo’s debut, which dropped in 1997, and produced the FAT JOE single “JOHN BLAZE”; Ski continued to work with Jay-Z, on his sophomore album IN MY LIFETIME, VOL. 1 as well as non-solo albums and compilation projects, until 1998. He continued producing for artists such as Nature, members of the New Jersey crew, The Outsidaz, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Ras Kass and Proof. He has continued to produce for Camp Lo, providing most of the production for their second album Let’s Do it Again, as well as their third album, Black Hollywood.

Read more about Ski Beatz : http://24hrkarateschool.com/blog/music/

Jay Z and Kanye drop the video for No Church In The Wild, a song that has been a hot topic of conversation. What are you thoughts on the video and song in general? Comments will be read and discussed on next weeks Live In The Cipher Show Wed June 6th 9 pm est.

Artist Review: Beanie Sigel

BEANIE SIGEL understands pressure. Hailing from South Philadelphia's rough and tumble 21st and Sigel streets, "Beans" emerged as one of the game's most revered rappers and even while facing the type of hardships that would break most artists, the Broad Street Bully has always excelled in the studio.

On August 28, 2012, just weeks before he is scheduled to turn himself in for a two-year prison bid, Beanie Sigel will release THIS TIME, his Ruffhouse Records debut and fifth official solo LP overall.

"Pressure busts pipes, but it could also make a diamond," says Sigel about his process of creating this new album under duress."It could either make you or break you."

With his mounting legal troubles, the former Roc-A-Fella star only had a few weeks to record his latest work, but THIS TIME is filled with the same street-inspired jewels that have made Beans so beloved throughout his career. On the title track, "Sig" stands triumphant as he reflects on the ups and downs in his life.

Read more about Beanie Sigel: www.beaniesigel.com

Special Guest: Adonis

Eric aka Adonis was born to Elaine Lee & Eric LaSure Sr. He was raised in Newark New Jersey in the South Ward Weequahic section. He began writing and rapping at the age of 12. He was inspired to rap by Tupac Shakur and his cousin Damon aka Rav. While watching videos and witnessing the glamour and fast money that the streets of Newark portrayed.  Adonis realized that he wanted to make money as well. Adonis had a very close relationship with his uncle Khalif who nicknamed him Naeem.

After Khalif was murdered in the streets of Newark Adonis was determined to make something out of his self. He kept himself focused while in high school by playing football and working. Adonis was raised in a single parent home with a mother who was very involved in Adonis and his siblings Greg & Aniya academics and social welfare. Adonis mom is a poet and had several Drama presentations with Newark public school children. His mom is known for her A Cry for Help productions. As Adonis watched his mother and brother put on shows he realized the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Adonis and his mother and siblings preformed on Madam Butterfly a cable station on channel 19. Adonis then realized that he found his calling "Rapping".  Adonis formed a rap group called Iced Out/Newark Natives. He later joined the Wolf Pac with his cousin Damon aka Rav. The year 2006 was his first mix tape released called "Get Your Paper". In April 2012 he released his first video on You tube called estacey. Be on the lookout for Adonis because there is more to come.


Video Premier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF_xTpB8P48&feature=plcp

Lastly you can see front and back for his new mixtape dropping on datpiff 09-10-2012

Artist Review: Kanye West Presents G.O.O.D. Music - Cruel Summer

On the next Live In The Cipher show,  Wed. 9/19/12 at 9 pm est, the cipher team brings you G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summer. Take part in our interactive rating and review process, where your opinion counts.

G.O.O.D. Music is an American record label founded by rapper and producer Kanye West in 2004. "GOOD" is an acronym for "Getting Out Our Dreams". G.O.O.D. Music artist roster includes the likes of John Legend, Common, Malik Yusef, Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Mr. Hudson, Cyhi the Prynce, Mos Def, Pusha T, D’banj, and Teyana Taylor. (Read more G.O.O.D. Music bio: www.wikipedia.org/GOOD_Music)

Cruel Summer is the first compilation album release by G.O.O.D. Music, after individual projects by many of the artists. Cruel Summer has songs that feature the entire camp, as well as featured appearances by Jay Z, R. Kelly, 2 Chainz, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Marsha Ambrosius, Jadakiss, Chief Keef, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott, Cocaine 80’s and Mase.

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Tonight the Live In The Cipher Show reviews former member of State Property and Roc-A-Fella recording artist Freeway latest release Diamond In The Ruff. Join us as we see if Freeway can continue to put out the quality music he is known to deliver, with that aggressive attack the track style of rapping.

Artist Review: Freeway

Freeway, is an American rapper, best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. He is a believing Muslim. Like Rick Ross, his moniker is derived from the name of the infamous drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross. He was a member of the rap group Ice City, is a member of the rap group State Property and was briefly signed to Cash Money Records a year and a half. Freeway is currently with Rhymesayers Entertainment.

On February 25, 2003, Freeway released his debut album, Philadelphia Freeway. The album was produced primarily by Roc-A-Fella-affiliated beatsmiths Just Blaze, Bink! , and Kanye West and featured a large number of Roc-A-Fella rappers. Many of them also hailed from Philadelphia, and were soon compiled into the group State Property led by Freeway and Beanie Sigel. The album had two singles, the biggest hits of Freeway's career thus far: "What We Do," Featuring Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, for which a video was released showcasing most of the Roc's roster at the time, and "Flipside", featuring State Property member Peedi Crakk ; both records were produced by Just Blaze. The album also reached gold sales of over 500,000 units

Read more Freeway bio: www.wikipedia.org/freeway

Artist Review: Kanye West

Kanye West was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He left college to pursue a musical career, producing tracks for Jay-Z while polishing his demo. He released The College Dropout in 2002. It sold 2.6 million copies and won Best Rap Album. His follow-up releases have been equally successful and West has become a celebrity famous for his outrageous and entertaining statements.

His parents divorced when he was three. He was raised on Chicago's South Side by his mother, an English professor, and spent summers with his father, an award-winning photographer who became a church counselor.

West graduated from Polaris High School and completed one year of art school at Chicago State University. After spending time rapping and working with local artists, West moved to New York in 2001 to pursue his music career full time. Respected rapper Jay-Z hired him to produce songs for his album The Blueprint, which sold more than 420,000 copies in the first week alone. West went on to produce for a handful of stars including rapper Ludacris and singer Beyonce.

While serving as producer to the stars, West cut his own demo and began shopping it around. He signed a deal with Roc-A-Fella Records, Jay-Z's label, in 2002 and began recording in the studio.

Read more Kanye bio here: http://www.biography.com/people/kanye-west-362922