Vibe had a brief sit down with Naledge and Double 0 to chop it up about the Kidz new LP Occasion which is in stores and on iTunes today! This album should definitely not be slept on so go cop that now! And if you need more of a reason to check it out, read WIMH’s review posted this morning.

This is What’s In My Headphones…

Rarely these days do we run across new rap artists who hold lyricism in as high of regard as Chicago emcee FeSo. By hearing his latest project just one time it becomes easy to hear that he thoroughly and creatively crafts the content of his music to convey a specific message. This is especially refreshing in today’s climate of club bangers, dance anthems, and other forms of hip-hop that stray from pure lyrical content. After hearing his latest EP Working Title WIMH chopped it up with FeSo in order to give you more of a formal introduction…

For all of our readers who may be unfamiliar give them a little background info. Who is Feso?

A: Born in Jackson, Mississippi and moved to the Chicago land area when I was 2. I started rhyming in middle and have been going at it ever since. I’ve put out 4 projects independently, the latest being Working Title. All my music is available for free on fesomusic.com

When did you start rapping, and what/who inspired you to do music?

A: I started rapping in 8^th grade. At that time I was inspired by early Jay-Z, BIG, Pac, Do or Die and Eminem. I’m still inspired by those artist today but I   also get inspiration from artist like J Dilla, Elzhi, Jay Electronica, ATCQ, Curren$y, DOOM, Phonte, and a ton of other artists.

You recently released your new project “Working Title.” What were your personal goals for this project and do you feel you have met them yet?

A: That’s an interesting question. I ‘m not sure exactly what my goals are/were for Working Title. I obviously want the project to be as widespread as possible and I think that goal has been reach but it can always get better. Interviews like this one and posts on XXL.com, 2dopeboyz, OkayPlayer and other sites are dope that helped me with that goal. I’m not sure about any other goals for the project. I just wanted to put something out that was dope for people who have been following my music and just started following to enjoy.

If you could work with any 3 producers and any 3 artists who would they be and why?

A: 3 Producers would be: 9^th Wonder, Madlib, and DJ Khalil. All three of these producers are some of the greatest in my opinion. I really like how obscure Madlib tracks are. 9^th is legendary and DJ Khalil is one of the most slept on producers in the game but has some of the best beats.

3 artist: Elzhi, Phonte, and DOOM. All three of these artist are crazy with their lyrics and flow and have inspired my career in a big way. Would be dope to   work with those cats.

These days it seems like every other person you meet wants to be a rapper. What do you feel sets you apart from that crowd?

A: I feel like there are a lot of emcees now that have a gimmick that they rely on that won’t stand the test of time. That’s what I think sets me apart. I aim to make music that every person can relate to. No gimmicks, no fabricated stories. Just real music.

My favorite track from the project is “Outta My Head” featuring Naledge & Add-2. A joint that I was fortunate enough to be in the studio for the making of. What made you want to reach out to those two artists specifically?

A: There’s a lot of talented artists in Chicago and I feel like sometimes the scene can be clique driven. I always hear about how there’s not a lot of unity amongst emcees in the city and I just wanted to reach out to two really dope Chicago emcees to show that if we work together we can achieve anything we want. I also have another Chicago emcee Young Tez on the track “Young & Reckless” on Working Title.

Since the name of this site is What’s In My Headphones what’s in YOUR headphones right now?

A: Right now it’s been that new LEP project. That joint is crazy. There’s been an insane amount of music that’s dropped in the past week. I’ve been listening to a lot ATCQ too. Midnight Marauders is one of my favorite albums of all time and I copped the documentary that came out awhile back which made me want to go back and visit those albums.

For more info on Feso you can check him at online at the sites listed below and you can also download his latest project at fesomusic.com!

Site: http://www.fesomusic.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/feso

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fesomusic

This is What’s In My Headphones…

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Jeezy drops in on Bootleg Kev to discuss TM 103, why he signed Freddie Gibbs and much more…

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TDK sits down with Trae to discuss his upbringing as well as his new album Street King which drops 7/12!

This is What’s In My Headphones…

The Fader catches up with Drake in NY where he specifically speaks about the album, Take Care and making music that only he can make. Sidenote: I need to check out Zoe Kravitz’ band. Did y’all see her in X-Men: First Class? Goodness.

On Tuesday night, we were pleasantly surprised to bump into Drake. He was at Southpaw in Brooklyn, watching Zoe Kravitz’s band Elevator Fight. Evidently, he’s a fan. We talked about The Weeknd, singing and rapping. Then Drake told us that Take Care may be a concept record about kids driving the streets of Toronto. Not mad! – The Fader

This is WHAT’S IN MY HEADPHONES…

Last week, Malice of the Clipse was in town to promote and sign autographs of his new book, Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked at PHLI Chicago. The WIMH team was there to speak with him on the book including some of his favorite authors, as well as working on future projects with Pusha T and the dynamic of the Clipse…

This is WHAT’S IN MY HEADPHONES…

In April, LA’s own Dom Kennedy called into DealWithNoDeal Radio and spoke with Van Gogh & Curry about The Original Dom Kennedy, From The Westside, With Love II, whether or not he plans on going major, how he met Casey Veggies, 2 artist he’d work with (interesting answers) and more.

This is What’s In My Headphones…

The What’s In My Headphones team was on hand at Leaders 1354 in downtown Chicago to speak with Kendrick Lamar before his show later that night at The Shrine Chicago. Kendrick has slowly but surely built himself as a certified rapper and his style has not allowed him to be boxed in with other rappers – I think this is why so many people can relate and appreciate his music. In our interview with him, we spoke to him  about the song that people can get to know more about from, how his creative process has evolved since the first mixtape that he dropped at 16, his next project, #Section80, his major influences, how music saved his life and his prediction for the NBA playoffs…

Also, below catch some footage from Kendrick’s dope set at The Shrine last night featuring him performing Ignorance is Bliss x Michael Jordan with Schoolboy Q…

This is WHAT’S IN MY HEADPHONES…

Since our last interview of Big K.R.I.T. (which was before he signed with Def Jam) he has been able to perfect a sound that has been somewhat missing in hip hop and was also recognized by one of hip hop most prominent magazines by being named a XXL Freshmen for 2011. In taking the reigns of Southern Hip Hop from groups like Eightball & MJG as well as UGK, K.R.I.T. has been the torchbearer for underground hip hop from the South. Now on tour in which he is the headliner, K.R.I.T. has easily transitioned into the star that we thought he could be last year.

In this interview we catch with him at AKIN Chicago South, where we speak to him about working on his new album, Return of 4Eva, the comparisons to Pimp C, getting an encore call in Houston with Bun B, the HBCU bands he would love to work with and more…

This is WHAT’S IN MY HEADPHONES…

Blu was in Chicago at Jugernaut last week and spoke with the homie GY312 of GWHH on future projects, including his upcoming EP, NoYork, the art of being an emcee and a producer, the importance of a good artist/label relationship, and more…

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Mick Boogie shares the ways in which he uses technology and Internet to propel his brand as part of his participation in RubyHornet.com’s monthly Digital Freshness live event series, in which the digital world’s most buzzing artists are brought offline and into Chicago’s Beauty Bar for intimate live performances.

The next Digital Freshness is 2.19.11 featuring a special performance by Blu. Also performing is Scheme, DJ RTC, VIPJ, Rude 1, and Hollywood Holt.

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