Maff Test, musically yours...

Maff Test

Maff Test...i wasn't so sure about him at first, that's the truth. There are so many rappers or would be's out here that it's a task for me to get excited about a new claimant. I met Maff last weekend at a Greg Street (V103 radio Atlanta) and Dennis Byron (Hip Hop Weekly contributor) hosted pool party/Maff Test album listening event at the Block Lofts in Atlanta. Things were swinging and the day was winding down with the sun in a race close behind. And in he walks. The young Illinois (raised close to my hometown = brownie points) bred rapper sauntered into the room followed by a few of what i would guess to be his entourage. He was clean from head to toe. All eyes and cameras were immediately on him. Talk about making an entrance. Yet with all the hooha that followed him walking into the room and making such the fuss...he had a certain controlled poise about him that can be respected by the young and desperates trying to still cling to youth in an unfriendly industry. I hate the word swag (ugh too overused!) but as i dig into my "sometimes" bag full of rejected vocabulary words i pull out "swag" for Maff Test, Young Harvey born Jason D. Frazier.

So a strong presence is nice but not good enough for me. So what challenged me? I heard the music. And it's not that i like every song that Maff is delivering, not everything is always a winner with even the best of artists. It's his sound. It's his story. Meaning that he is telling a story with a great sound. Weaving a tale while sounding off is something that i miss in hip hop so when such is encountered my attention is captured. Plus he's a bit of an enigma. Somebody wise must have told a young Maff not to "throw his pearls to swine". Maff abided not one to over share or give all of his inner secrets away he remains a bit of a mystery fueling the curious to find out more on this new up and coming rap superstar. So meet Maff Test, a young man with a remarkable inner strength who is steady working his craft to become musically yours.

Will Maff Test survive the ugly biz and make pretty? You decide. Check him out on Myspace and Twitter. Really listen.
http://www.myspace.com/mafftestmusic (Check out Maff Test music. Look out for the song "BE" on his page.)
http://twitter.com/mafftest

Thanks to Dennis Byron for the party invite, a journalist, a photographer and truly one of the most eloquent men in hip hop. His wisdom is appreciated.

Miesha
Social Addict
www.SocialAddiction.net

Gorilla Zoe, "Don't Feed The Animals" movie event

The man of the hour,Gorilla Zoe

Shawty Lo, Drumma Boy (hot producer, interview coming), a cute kid, Greg Street V-103 Radio, and Squeak, my boy! (Drumma's Manager)

Block, Rocco, Raw Report, Zoe, Raw Report

I liked Zoe's sound from, "Hood Ni**er". Unique voice. I dig him. But i never took him serious as an artist/rapper until last night during his, "Don't Feed the Animals" movie premiere at Atlanta's Movie ATL in association with his newly released album from Block Ent. Films, Bad Boy South & The Raw Report. (BTW why is it that Bad Boy suuuuuuuuucks but Bad Boy South continues to thrive...Maybe the Puffster doesn't run that entity so much. Hmmm??! I digress.)

Speaking of "Hood Ni**er", Gorilla Zoe showed his hood side on this project. No i mean REALLY showed his hood side. The movie featuring Zoe, Block, and a full cast may have been GHETTO but it was real. I appreciate Zoe's no holds barred approach to displaying the truth about the struggle of a shadowed past as he tries to change his life for his music. Add a little bit of drama, a not so kid friendly T&A scene (ummm WOW) and lots of HOTT music from his new album (which i will NOW be copping thank u very much!). Zoe did a great job with his character, himself.

View movie trailer here.

Before most the crew ran off to the after party at Tongue & Groove (the rest partied at The Ultimate- thanks Laura!), I got a chance to talk to Zoe last night, who had just gotten off a plane to hit his premiere, and he told me that even though this is his first film (Block's baby with Block Ent. Films) that he plans on doing much more acting. The main motivation for the movie came in from the album of course. Hey yall...wasn't he supposed to be the original "Biggie" in 2008's "Notorious"? Hmmm. Anyway keep an eye out for ya boy, he's definitely an artist worthy of respect for his originality. He pushes the envelope but not in an annoying way or as if in a desperate ploy for attention.

Buy the album out TODAY, you will not be disappointed! Here are two songs off of the record, one also featured on the movie ("Doe Boy") that i REALLY liked & thought you'd like to. I got the clean version but STILL not for kids please.

Gorilla Zoe, "Doe Boy" HOTT!! (have listened to at least 15 times today...i know i am an addict...)
Gorilla Zoe & Rick Ross, "what it is"

Thanks to Tahira Wright from Branded PR for the invite & sending the songs for me. I appreciate you and your hard work. Check out Zoe tonight on BET's 106 & Park!

Be easy...

Miesha
Social Addict