1. 5 Reasons Why Slaughterhouse "Failed"

    Posted by Justin Boland on Aug 21, 2009 | 0 Comments

    image

    The excellent blog The Smoking Section put up a rant blaming internet hip hop fans for the “failure” of the Slaughterhouse album, which “only” moved 18,000 units.  The conversation they sparked has been a fascinating look at all the factors that make the music biz such a complex and confusing place in 2009.  Rather than just co-signing or debunking, though, this article is an exploration of internet promotion, the importance of live shows, the changing face of hip hop, and the behind the scenes moves that can make or break an album.

    Read More

  2. Man Mantis: Playing the MPC from Studio to Stage

    Posted by Justin Boland on Aug 20, 2009 | 0 Comments

    Man Mantis dumate Stink Tank

    Sorry for the one week pause, party people.  We’ve migrated servers (I told you August was Nerd Shit month) and it took awhile for the hiccups and SNAFUs to disappear.  I’ve been itching to drop this interview for awhile now, because it is awesome.  I’ve already interviewed the Madison hip hop scientist Man Mantis once before, and this is a richly detailed follow-up interview.  We’re talking about the recording and mixing process for the latest dumate album, We Have the Technology, and going in on the technical, practical side of using the Akai MPC as a tool for both composition and performance. 

    Also: thank you and welcome to all the new readers.  I have so much new material lined up it’s absurd.  Although I always think it’s cheeseball as fuck when people say it, but for me it’s become the simple truth: Hip Hop is my life.

    Read More

  3. A Goldmine for Crate Diggers, Volume 1

    Posted by Justin Boland on Aug 14, 2009 | 0 Comments

    Goldmine for Crate Diggers

    By reader request, Audible Hype is going to start including a lot more articles for producers.  The format here is exactly like the DIY Hip Hop Business Master Class: a collection of the best gems of advice, sourced from dozens of different interviews.  The next two installments will be topical (addressing Sample Laws and Making Dope Beats, respectively) but this first batch is decidedly random.

    Please leave a comment if you dig it…and leave a comment if you don’t. Reader feedback is how I’m running Audible Hype, folks…your voice counts for a lot.

    Read More

  4. Philthy Drummond on Beat Battles, Organizing Emcees and Paying Dues

    Posted by Justin Boland on Aug 11, 2009 | 0 Comments

    image

    My apologies to Philthy Drummond-he did this interview quite awhile ago, and it’s taken me way too long to publish it. The topic is huge.  We’re discussing the roots of the Fresh Coast battle scene, and Philthy Drummond has been involved as an organizer, manager, promoter, producer, cameraman, archivist and web guy over the years. 

    This is a cat who’s used to juggling 10,000 details as a way of life.  He’s going into making albums, herding emcees, putting on quality events, and building a global network.

    Read More

  5. DIY Hip Hop Business Master Class, Volume 2

    Posted by Justin Boland on Aug 03, 2009 | 0 Comments

    DIY hip hop business

    This is the second round of the Audible Hype “Greatest Hits” collection-the best advice, the most useful insights, the meaty details, gathered from veterans and experts and living legends. This installement is focused on the people working behind the scenes, and the mundane shitwork that make the music business actually work.

    Read More

  6. August is Nerd Shit Month at Audible Hype

    Posted by Justin Boland on Aug 01, 2009 | 0 Comments

    Bill Gates is a Sexy Motherfucker

    To finish off the summer season, we’re going to geek the fuck out here at Audible Hype.  This site is going to take a long, detailed look at the largest and longest group project I’ve ever done: World Around Records. Welcome to 30 days of “more content per square inch.”

    By the way, this post is more than an announcement, it’s also a disorganized goldmine of dope links and good articles and it goes a little something like…

    Read More

  7. DJ Trackstar: Honest Hustle and Quality Control

    Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 29, 2009 | 0 Comments

    image

    I’m very grateful to be presenting this interview.  DJ Trackstar is an upstanding Good Guy in the hip hop world…a dedicated DJ who’s been making noise on a national level, but remains humble and still reps St. Louis artists whenever he gets a chance.  Here, he’s talking organization, presentation and building better scenes.  He’s also got a great mantra for 2009: “I have faith that as long as I do MY thing, MY way, and stay consistent and make good decisions when faced with a challenge, I’ll get to where I need to go.”

    Amen to that, right? Check him out.

    Read More

  8. Protoman on Unity, Business, Motivation and Time Travel

    Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

    image

    Protoman is dope. He’s also an independent hip hop, DIY hustle role model, and this interview pretty much kicks ass.  Working hard, unifying his local scene, and learning how to make Teh Internets work right and make money-that’s pretty much the checklist in 2009, right?  Check out his latest project and get ready to take notes-this is the Florida version of What Works.

    Read More

  9. Audible Hype Loves Invincible (And So Should You)

    Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 22, 2009 | 0 Comments

    image

    There is nothing about Detroit emcee Invincible that’s not awesome. The Invincible operation is a textbook case of what Audible Hype is all about: artist-owned label, fan-financed albums, flawless product (if you haven’t heard Shapeshifters, fix that) and it’s all backed up by a powerful live show.  Better yet, Invincible is also an outspoken, wickedly intelligent community activist, working with Detroit Summer and agitating for social justice worldwide. 

    This is a tribute, collecting gems from lots of interviews.  Invincible has a lot of science to share about the DIY hip hop mentality.

    Read More

  10. Falside on the Science of Beat Tapes

    Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 21, 2009 | 0 Comments

    image

    I’ve interviewed Falside once before, for DJMSP.com-he’s probably one of the most focused and driven 20 year old guys I’ve ever come across.  So when he contacted me about his new beat tape, Bugs In Ya Teef, I figured I’d do another short interview.  Here, we’re digging to self-promotion as a beatsmith and how to pace your marketing when you run the whole operation.

    Also, stay tuned for a few open questions to regular Audible Hype readers.

    Read More

Music by Justin Boland