GHOST DOG performing June 17th for RAP ROULETTE

Southeast Hip Hop Magazine featured artist GHOST DOG will perform live in Greensboro, NC for RAP ROULETTE on June 17th!  Check out the flyer for more information!

Interview with GHOST DOG

Southeast Hip Hop Magazine sits down and chats with rising indie hip hop recording artist GHOST DOG about his past, present and future!  Ghost Dog has been getting lots of publicity lately for his recent project Dreams Of a Wandering Samurai, and has been featured in everything from ThisIs50, to Boom Bap Universe and everything in between.  Recently GHOST DOG was listed in our Southeast Hip Hop Magazine TOP ARTISTS FROM NORTH NORTH CAROLINA TO BECOME AS SUCCESSFUL AS J. COLE!  Read all about him in the interview below and certainly find out why he was one of the few selected for that list!  

Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  What's up Ghost Dog, are you ready for this interview?Ghost Dog:  Yessir!!!  Most definitely!!!


Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  How did you come up with the name Ghost Dog?Ghost Dog:  Well; the name comes from a movie starring Forrest Whitaker; & the
main character was heavy into the code of Bushido and had certain
mannerisms about him that I would say kinda fit my character without
even trying.  The movie also prominently featured passages from a book
of samurai wisdom called the Hagakure.  Ghost Dog was somewhat of an
assassin & swordsman with a bit of a rough past....I was a bit of a
knucklehead coming up, but I was always into Eastern philosophy &
martial arts and was able to make a complete transition out of a
troublesome lifestyle when I was able to start training in '01.  The
Hagakure was a pivotal book in said transition as well and now I see
myself as a bit of a lyrical swordsman & assassin, so I guess it all
comes full-circle.




Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  How would you describe yourself as an emcee?Ghost Dog:  Like I said, I consider myself a bit of a lyrical swordsman.
Definitely an emcee as opposed to a rapper, and lyricist & hip-hop
HEAD.  In that regard I try to model my work ethic after the samurai
in that I make sure I am coming from the deepest part of myself in all
that I do and tend to be multi-faceted as opposed to one-dimensional.
My concepts & tracks range from life-jewels to concept tracks to
homages to hip-hop to current events to politics to spiritual matters
& everything in between (as long as it's genuine; you will never find
me making 'x' type of track for the sake of making said type of track;
or a 'club banga' or 'one for the ladies' just because it's
expected/popular/does numbers...)



Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  Who were some of your musical influences coming up?

Ghost Dog:  Wu-Tang, Boot Camp, KRS-One, Public Enemy, NWA, Ice Cube, Geto Boys, and Jeru

the Damaja were all heavy to me coming up, and while PE & KRS planted the

seed early that I had yet to wake up to, Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek
'Reflection Eternal' was part of that aforementioned catalyst along
with the Hagakure and my immersion in martial arts that really helped me
to turn my life around.







Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  Who are some of the artists you listen to now?Ghost Dog:  Still Wu-Tang (as a group & solo efforts), Killah Priest (favorite
emcee), Run the Jewels, Blueprint, Supastition, a lot of local/Indie
emcees (Lazurus is a good example), & lately I've been enjoying this
resurgence of Native Tongues that's hit (De La Soul & that new
Tribe....RIP Phife....), & the archives (Gravediggaz is one of my
all-time favorite crews as well; RIP Grym Reap...), & Sunz of Man (& a
ton of others...)

I also respect Kendrick, Lupe (Tetsuo & Youth was tha jam), Joey
Bada$$, and Hopsin....although I dunno how his actual album(s) panned
out & need to check for him



Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  Do you ever feel the traditional, golden era boom bap sound for hip hop will return?Ghost Dog:  While I don't feel like the golden era will make a comeback in the
traditional sense, I DO see a shift & return to actual lyricism and
professional emceeing; & the peops who pay homage may have that
boom-bap influence even as we see the production & vibe continue to
evolve.


Southeast Hip Hop Magazine: How do you feel about the current state of hip hop?Ghost Dog:  I feel like just when it seemed like the scene was a garden about to
get choked out by so many weeds & vines of mumble-mouth, trap/panda
rap, a few emcees in this latest generation made it commercially
acceptable to spit bars & bring it back to lyricism....plus some of
the older heads (ex: Native Tongues) started droppin bangaz again that
are actually getting critical acclaim.  Now....if we could ever get an
actual Jay Electronica album....


Southeast Hip Hop Magazine: How has your 2017 been so far?Ghost Dog:  Man it's off to a phenomenal start.  Dropped my full-length LP
Dreams of a Wandering Samurai.  It's been getting some very good
support, reviews, & write-ups.  Have my next project Beware the
Phantom Blade on-track for a late-summer release (I'm also part
of a 2-man crew called Phantom Blade w/ emcee/producer Sharp Cuts),
made cameos in some really cool videos, and have a solid block of paying
shows lined up a few pretty high-profile collabs in the works, & my next solo project
conceptualized & halfway-recorded (not to mention another Phantom
Blade project in the works...)






Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  You currently have an album out titled Dreams of a Wandering
Samurai, could you tell the readers and viewers a little about the
concept for the project?Ghost Dog:  Dreams of a Wandering Samurai is a bit of a double-entendre....let me
start by saying; sometimes I'm referred to as Ghost tha Ronin (which
translates as wandering samurai/swordsman) so in a sense these are my
dreams....there actually is a recurring theme (via a couple of skits &
a track or two & how they tie together) having to do with sleeping,
dreaming, & even the transition between being asleep & awake, but in
a whole different sense, all the songs represent the hopes, dreams, &
aspirations that make up who I am....as well as things I have a deep
appreciation for.  As such, you'll hear about everything from my love
for video games and anime, to real-life situations (that ironically came
about from me falling asleep behind the wheel....long story & it was
from exhaustion & not foolishness...), & everything in between.  This
is also a celebration of everything I love; from hip-hop to my
brethren in 1100 Hunters (my crew), Phantom Blade (my side-crew), &
Cypher UniverCity (an organization of freestyle emcees that I helped
to start at NC State with my 1100 brethren that now spans 6-7 college
campuses in NC...)


Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  Who all did you work with for this project?Ghost Dog: Emcees: EA Poetry, Royal Entry, Lo' Ki, Lizh, Mike L!ve, Ill Tactics,
Cas Won, Dinco D (L.O.N.S.), Inqwesson, Eternal, Jrusalam, Sharp,
Shadowstar Boxer, Crafsmen, Silhouette, Cyrano Sinatra, Citero, &
Tuscon

Producers: D F L N (RIP Derrick Curtis), Manifest Beats, L. Jones,
Sampai (Nouveau Souffle; France), Cy Matic, Abstract Beats, HD
Productions, Dr. G (Ghetto Government; UK), DJ Spcl Gst, Finian St. Omer II aka
Chaundon (under his Gemstones banner; Golden Era Music), G.I.C., Sharp
Cuts, & Hattory Productions


Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  What's next for Ghost Dog?Ghost Dog:  Got a show in Raleigh @ Imurj's Grand Opening in about 30 min, a show
in Greensboro June 17th @ NYP (Rap Roulette hosted by Ed E. Ruger), ad
I'm opening for Meyhem Lauren in Portland, ME July 1st.  Then my
next official leg of the Building Bridges Tour with Cesar Comanche
(Justus League) kicks off in Houston, TX on July 20th.  We have about
15 dates booked & a hip-hop workshop in New Orleans; plus a festival
in Orlando, FL and we're still booking.

Like I said before, I have appeared in 3 videos for fellow emcees
(shouts to Dan Lewin), but none for any of my own works.  This year I
plan on changing that; starting with a track off the last Phantom
Blade project ('The Barber's Chair EP'...)

Recording/music-wise, I plan to keep pushing 'Dreams of a Wandering
Samurai', 'Beware the Phantom Blade' is scheduled for an August
release, and I plan to finish recording my next solo LP 'Warrior's
Pride' (featuring production from D.R.U.G.S. Beats; who won a Grammy
for his production on Dr. Dre's 'Compton' & a collab from Prince Po of
Organized Konfusion)....me & Sharp have also started recording the
next Phantom Blade project as well....

Southeast Hip Hop Magazine:  Is there anything else you would like to plug?  Any shout outs?Yea shouts to my 1100 fam, my Cypher U brethren, my brother from
another mother Sharp Cuts, my VA brethren Crafsmen, & tha big homie
Cesar Comanche; as well as all the peops who have been holding me down
from day one (Kenny Cash what up!!!!)

Booking inquiries:  ghostdaronin@gmail.com
Twitter: @ghostdogmc
Facebook:  Ghost Dog MC

FOLLOW GHOST DOG ON PATREON 

https://www.patreon.com/ghostdogmc

The top CAROLINA rappers NEXT to become as successful as J. COLE

Southeast Hip Hop Magazine is proud to present a list of the next big hip hop recording acts to come straight out of The Carolinas.  The state of North Carolina has been a hot breeding ground for countless stand out and legendary artists such as Little Brother, Petey Pablo, producer 9th Wonder, Supastition, and most recently J. Cole just to name a few.... but in 2017 there is a new set of rising lyricists that are destined to grow as successful and influential in hip hop as J. Cole and Southeast Hip Hop has listed the most valuable players below.

GHOST DOG
Ghost Dog has been making lots of noise in the underground hip hop circuit especially in the Carolinas for years now, but after the release of his recent LP DREAMS OF A WANDERING SAMURAI which has been critically acclaimed by podcasters and bloggers all across the web the awareness and fanbase for this high skilled emcee has soared to new heights.  Ghost Dog has been a guest on the hit blogtalk radio shows Blacktopia Presents Round Table Talk Radio, as well as The Rush Radio and has many more guest appearances on high ranking talk and radio shows coming up very soon! 
Purchase Dreams of a Wandering Samurai by Ghost Dog any and everywhere music is being sold digitally.    

D-HUD
Poet / rapper D-Hud has been putting in major work!
Releasing tons of high quality singles and music over the past few months and after hooking up with "Some Guy Named Jay" his buzz has been growing non stop!  Get more updates on his music, upcoming shows and more at http://www.D-Hud.blogspot.com

ROYAL ENTRY
Royal Entry is a serious force in the East Carolina music scene!  He's been receiving a lot of major attention after the release of his music video and single "Time Slippin'" which was also featured on 50 Cent's This Is 50, Waka Flocka's Supastars Online Magazine, the prestigious Blacktopia website and more!  His latest mixtape #Gorilla2017 shows the rapper's true skills as he bodies each track with force and confidence with every single line he spits.  Listen to the mixtape at  https://spinrilla.com/mixtapes/royal-entry-gorilla2017

LAZURUS 
Lazurus is the truth because he stays "true".  True to the art of hip hop, true to himself, true to his fan base, true to his music and lyrics, and it's a true thing that Lazurus is destined to achieve more greatness especially if he continues dropping truth bombs over true school boom bap golden era beats!  
Connect with Lazurus on social media at these direct links 

Links to Music

www.Kinglaz.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/kinglaz/do-it-yourself

Social Media Links

https://www.instagram.com/kinglazurus/
https://twitter.com/Kinglaz
https://www.facebook.com/Lazurus-31579391419/

MALK NAZ
Malk Naz kept it on during the winter with his blazing hot single "Tarzan" and kept it cool in the Spring with "Killer Ice".  Get more updates on his music at his official promo blog at http://www.MalkNaz.blogspot.com

FLYY DREXLER
Flyy Drexler may have "Came From Nothing" (like his hit radio single) but he certainly is something!  His single "Came From Nothing" has gotten spins on terrestrial / commercial radio stations, college stations and XM Satellite radio all across the nation and in 2017 you know he has more great things coming up very soon! 

A-Kween / Ratchet
A-Kween (AKA "Ratchet") has been making lots of changes, not only from her name change from Ratchet to A-Kween, but the style of her music showing more of her versatility as a vocalist, and it's even rumored that the rising songwriter / lyricist will be moving to Atlanta soon, however no matter where she ends up rather it be remaining in North Carolina or changing her base of operations to Georgia, it's safe to say that you can put this gorgeous, business savvy, intellectual woman anywhere on God's green earth, she will triple her worth!  Also no matter how this WPEG Power 98's "Next Big Thing" recipient will evolve throughout her career it's also very clear that she will remain "A-Kween" and will stay royalty in the Carolinas no matter what.

FA'NESS
Fa'Ness is a singer / rapper that made a huge name for himself last year with the side dude anthem "I Already Know" and Fa'Ness continues to show "finesse" as his popularity grows.

YUNG ABUNDANCE of the 9TEN MOBB
Yung Abundance has been driving the ladies wild since dropping his Panty Dropping Anthem of 2017 titled "So Wett" featuring Big Mike of Day 26, and it certainly has been leaving the ladies soaked.  With a slew of singles to keep the listeners satisfied for many years to come, he will certainly receive more and more fame, recognition, power and of course money in abundance!  

K.W. THE ARTISAN
K.W. The Artisan has pure talent running in his blood, especially since his mother is the prestigious physiologist / life coach and renowned poet and author Adrienne Charleston and new co-host on the well received Blacktopia Presents Round Table Talk Radio.  K.W. the Artisan is not only a very skilled emcee but he's also an equally talented graphic designer and illustrator.  Who says that you can only be a jack of all trades and a master at none when K.W. the Artisan masters every trade he's involved in!   

There you have it!  A list of very talented NORTH CAROLINA stationed emcees / rappers / songwriters that Southeast Hip Hop Magazine would bet $1,000,000 and our lives that every single artist on this list will be as successful, powerful and influential as J. COLE in the music industry one day!!

Keep checking back with Southeast Hip Hop Magazine to read up on their progression.  

DO YOU DISAGREE WITH THIS LIST?  Is there an artist we should have listed?  Would you like to advertise your music on a network of HIGH TRAFFICKING websites / blogs such as this one??  E-mail us at TheGiantBlast@gmail.com and tell us about it.

FLASHBACK INTERVIEW: Wu-Tang affiliate KILLAH PRIEST

Check out our classic, exclusive interview with Wu-Tang affiliate KILLAH PRIEST here on Southeast Hip Hop Magazine!  


In a recent interview on The Rush Radio Show on the BRPP Network, hip hop recording artist and Southeast hip hop featured artist GHOST DOG cited Killah Priest as one of his favorite emcees!

Get familiar with GHOST DOG by following him on social media at these direct links

Twitter: @ghostdogmc
Facebook:  Ghost Dog MC

Check out GHOST DOG's DREAMS OF A WANDERING SAMURAI at this direct link

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/dreams-of-a-wandering-samurai/id1181917942

GHOST DOG

Celebrity Publicist Michelle Magee cosigns hip hop artist GHOST DOG

Celebrity Publicist Michelle Magee (best known for working with acts such as Waka Flocka, Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz, Ice Cube's Da Lynch Mob, Ludacris and more!) has great things to say about rising indie hip hop recording artist GHOST DOG!  This is what she had to say....


"Wow, Ghost Dog's track "Rely On Me" is like a breath of fresh air! It has real old school hip hop appeal! His lyrical content is off the meter!  If only all artists created music like this today!  Mad respect Ghost Dog!" - Michelle Magee


INDEED INDEED

Purchase the new album from GHOST DOG titled  DREAMS OF A WANDERING SAMURAI on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/dreams-of-a-wandering-samurai/id1181917942
and everywhere music is being sold digitally.


Booking inquiries:  ghostdaronin@gmail.com
Twitter: @ghostdogmc
Facebook:  Ghost Dog MC

Artist Spotlight: Ghost Dog

   

This Southeast Hip Hop artist spotlight is on rising hip hop recording artist GHOST DOG.

        Ghost Dog Bio


Ghost Dog:  the vengeful spirit of hip-hop.  Not content to let the
art form die out in a commercial fizzle; this NC-based lyricist
seamlessly combines razor-sharp wordplay, wickedly-clever concepts,
and a limitless spectrum of moods and subject matter into an
intelligent and truly unique package.

"I chose Ghost Dog because the essence of the character from the movie
fits me nicely, and the Hagakure (which the movie was based on) helped
to bring about a major transition in my life.  I live and die by a
certain code, and betray it for nothing.  I have always been drawn to
martial arts, Eastern philosophy, and Bushido; and this is often
reflected in my music.  In fact, when I am not working on music, I'm
usually either teaching or training in Kantan Wushu (a system
comprised of Ch'uan Fa, Tae Kyon, and Jujutsu); of which I've been a
student for the last 15 years.  My influences include (but are not
limited to):  life experiences, personal reflections, martial arts,
current events, anime, video games, movies, chess, dreams, 9 to 5
life, battles fought (physically and mentally), and my various
encounters with people from all over the world."

"I've played live in Raleigh, NC at Berkeley Café (with Doodlebug of
Digable Planets as well as Tanya Morgan), The Lincoln Theater (with
Median), The Brewery, The Metro Cafe, Raleigh Music Hall (with
Supastition), Katmandu, King's Barcade, The Hi-5, The Red Room, Ruckus
Pizza, and NC State Campus.  I've performed in Greensboro, NC at 103.1
WUAG and wrecked numerous freestyle cyphas; & am a co-founder of the
NC State Cypher (Cypher UniverCity) that has been a staple of NC
hip-hop for the last 7 years.

“In Chapel Hill, NC, I've rocked Mansion 462 with Kenn Starr and Kev
Brown; and also performed at The Blend.  In Wilmington, NC, I’ve
performed numerous times at The Whiskey & The Soapbox.  I’ve rocked
parties, shows, and weddings in Taipei, Taiwan and Negril, Jamaica.
I’ve had the honor of performing in the presence of Talib Kweli, who
sought me out after my set to tell me my music was an inspiration; &
also of opening for Cappadonna from the world-renowned Wu-Tang Clan,
who actually stopped mid-set to show appreciation & respect for what I
do.  I’ve been successfully touring with Cesar Comanche, founding
member of Justus League & member of the Black Jedi Zulu Chapter, for
the last 4 years under the Building Bridges Tour banner; performing in
front of packed crowds across NC, VA, FL, TN, NO, TX, RI, CT, ME, MA,
& NH.  I have sat in as a guest speaker in classes on Sociology in
Hip-Hop at FSU. I have performed for and been a guest speaker
presiding over several classes on hip-hop for aspiring musicians &
at-risk teens.  I have also opened for Killah Priest of Wu-Tang,
Casual of Hieroglyphics, Prince Po of Organized Konfusion, and
Blueprint; sometimes solo & sometimes alongside my crew the 1100
Hunters.  I really enjoy performing at shows, and I also love
organizing quality hip-hop events & promoting unity through hip-hop.
Any time you can step back & really feel yourself in your element is a
special moment…”

"I'm not going to try to gas ya head up; I just try to make the type
of hip-hop I like to listen to. It's different; sometimes it's got a
message, sometimes I just like to flip tha wordplay. I work with an
assortment of producers that spend a lot of time at what they do. I
myself have been honing my craft over the last 23 years, and continue
to evolve as an MC. I think if you check it out and you even remotely
like hip-hop, you'll hear somethin' you like."

Ghost Dog currently has five full-length albums out:  “Hidden in the
Leaves” (’03), “Out of the Woodworks” (’06), “Relics of tha Lost Art”
(’09), “Ghost in the Darkness” (’11); and “Ghost in the Shell” (‘13).
He has a free bonus EP entitled “Ghost Recon” out currently and a
collaborative EP with Sharp Cuts (collectively known as Phantom Blade)
by the name of “The Barber’s Chair EP” that was released on February
29th, 2016; as well as a full-length in the works entitled “Beware the
Phantom Blade”.  His sixth full-length solo LP, “Dreams of a Wandering
Samurai”, releases February 23rd, 2017.  His group 1100 Hunters has an
album out by the name of “Long-Winded” that was released in 2011; &
they were nominated for the best hip-hop group in NC for the 2012
Carolina Music Awards.

Booking inquiries:  ghostdaronin@gmail.com
Twitter: @ghostdogmc
Facebook:  Ghost Dog MC



Purchase the latest album from Ghost Dog on iTunes DREAMS OF A WANDERING SAMURAI
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/dreams-of-a-wandering-samurai/id1181917942