Hubbs- Cross My Heart

I have been out of the loop for a little bit but I"m back with a great update. I've been offline for a while with a new job, schedule and still training and competing with weightlifting. Back on track here with a new video by Hubbs (directed by Antuks) titled Cross My Heart. This is a really good jam and shot very well throughout the Pittsburgh area. And it doesn't hurt having the company of a beautiful woman in the process. Here it is...



Enjoy,

M.G.

HUBBS Present Future Mixtape Release/Birthday Party

Come celebrate HUBBS's birthday, as he will also be releasing and performing tracks from his new mixtape, PRESENT FUTURE, which features Shad Black, APEX, Pablo Neruda, Varsity Squad, Shad Ali, Lil' Tone, and B. Pro.. Production from HUBBS and Nysceworkk. Mixed by Hitt of MCM. Performers for the night include Reazon, Pablo Neruda, Shad Ali, and HUBBS, who will also be performing tracks from his acclaimed, debut mixtape, MODERN VINTAGE.

PRESENT FUTURE will be released via web download on July 22nd.

$5 cover, 21 to drink.

Soul II Sole's DJ Drastik, and Nysceworkk on the 1's and 2's.

Enjoy,
M.G.

Pittsburgh Artist HUBBS Takes Us Back to the Future

I revist with HUBBS after his debut mixtape, Modern Vintage , has become a large success.


So HUBBS, what’s up, what have you been up to since the February release of Modern Vintage?

DJ MG what’s good man, thanks for having me again. It’s been quite an adventure since I dropped Modern Vintage back in February. I’ve had extreme highs and extreme lows, which include seeing an overwhelming amount of love and support from everyone who came across the mixtape, to the passing of my father in March. This all of course, began with the Steelers Superbowl loss [sarcastic laugh]. But through the joy and pain, it all has brought me to a good place and state of mind, which I am currently in. Which allows me to continue to be creative, as I work on my next project, Present Future, which will be released in July. Other than that, just making my footprint in the local hip-hop scene, and establishing rapport with those who share the same artistic passion as me. And of course, I’ve been in the lab, not only working on Present Future, but also current tracks that I’ve been releasing, such as “Come Home,” “Mini Ripp,” along with the N.E.R.D. freestyle and the Kanye freestyle I just put out. I did a show last month too, at Envy in Garfield, which was ill. Just tryna stay active and consistent.

So how do you feel about the feedback from Modern Vintage?

The feedback was incredible man. People were blown away not only by the track selection, as a tribute to the 90’s, but also the authenticity and detail of the rhymes. I put everything into that project, it was very personal. I think that went over well with the listeners. I’m amazed by how far it reached. I had people hittin me from Cali, NYC, Atlanta, London, Philly, and several other places, all showing love for Modern Vintage. There are still MANY people out here who have yet to hear it, which is unfortunate, but I feel gratified by the positive feedback I’ve gotten from some of the respectable hands that it has come across, which include those who carry the cd. You can currently get copies at Time Bomb in East Liberty, Soul II Sole on the Southside, Stedaford’s on the Northside, and Upbeat Records in Wilkinsburg. The internet download is still available of course, at DatPiff.com.

So tell us about Present Future, and what we can expect from this project.

Present Future describes the position that I believe myself to currently be in. With the passion, creativity, and ability that I bring to the game, I feel that I can have a solid impact, along with all the others who are contributing and succeeding in the local scene, in carrying on the future of this music. I also have always been told that I am ahead of my time, or beyond my years. I’ve always had a strong influence from elders, like my brother Alim and his peers. Like I said on Summer Snow.. “I’m so 20/20, that means my vision’s clear/and I’m ahead of my time, so that’s my present year.” That line best describes this project. In short, I am presently in the future [laughs]. Musically, it will still feature a sound that reflects the raw essence of hip-hop, but it will be coupled with a modern and even futuristic and eclectic sound, from a production standpoint. I will be playing a key role in the production too, by the way. I’ve been giving a lot of energy to that side of it so far, with the help of Nysceworkk, Hitt of MCM, and a few others. The rhymes will continue to reflect the everyday instances, topics, and experiences of life, as well as typical HUBBS bravado and wit. No freestyles on this mixtape, ALL original tracks, with features from Pablo Neruda, Abso Blair (winner of Pittsburgh ANTUKS Cypher Best Bars Contest), and a few others. It’ll be released on July 23rd, at my birthday party/show, which will feature a live HUBBS performance that will feature some other artists that I’ve been working with. The location is to be later disclosed.


What are some key things you have learned along this process?

Man, I’ve learned a lot. First, I’ve learned that you HAVE to be humble, which is something that comes natural to me. You have to realize that there are A LOT of other talented artists out here, and a lot of cats putting in serious work. You have to realize that it is a process, which will not come easy, even with talent. Attitude is everything. Everyone is not gonna kiss your ass, and praise you. Expecting that, leads to disappointment and bitterness, which you see a lot in the game. Expectations can kill you. You can’t even expect all your friends or close people to support you, even though most will. Gotta just focus on the music. I’ve also learned how important promotion is. Gotta use every possible outlet to get your music out. It costs, but it makes a serious impact on establishing and also maintaining buzz. Present Future itself, will display my growth as an artist, and represent much of what I continue to learn.

Well HUBBS, I thank you for checking in with us again, and we look forward to the release of Present Future. Any shoutouts?

No doubt man, and yes, I wanna give a shoutout to everyone who genuinely has my best interest at heart, and has a sincere desire to see me succeed. The love is much appreciated, and critical to my success. Shoutout to all the naysayers, keep doing your job as well. Without you all, many of the great people of this world would’ve never come to be. Keep it up [chuckles]. Shout to my family, my mom, brother Alim, my two sons Deshawn and Deston, and R.I.P. to my pops, Lawrence Hubbard. Love you pops! My cousin Vince out in Cali, Kenya in ATL, and all my other cousins, aunts, uncles, and family members. Peace to my man CP, and my dude Epps. Ya’ll been right at the core. Mike Hutty, K. Hammond, P. Neru , my “snerdy lady”, Dennis up in Harlem, Kyle, J. Coleman, Myles, my man Keith, J. Brock, Matt Russ, MyyaG, Shaking, Paul Dang, Ray Jeez, Nick, Dom, Protho, Twon, C. Crawf, Arch, Andy Black, the Schifino family, Akida, Marques Ham,“D” and “B” Johnson, Nate, Eddie B., Varro, Shawn, Krystal, Motor of Taylor Gang, Bruce Green, Craig G, Anth, Ricketts, J. Nunley, Nico, Joe Ceph, Hitt, Nickbe and everyone over at MCM, my man Nysceworkk, the whole PH, Fife up on the Hill, and everyone else holdin me down up there. Shout to my dude DJ Drastik over at Soul II Sole, Brick and KT over at Timebomb, T. Bangs, Image, Lil’ Tone, Abso, Envy, RepPghHipHop.com, Thepittsburghscene.com, Chux Beta, and all the other outlets and artists that have helped me get the music out. Peace to everyone I forgot.. much love from HUBBS! And as always, shoutout to my dude DJ MG and the Hip Hop Haven.

New and Unreleased Music from HUBBS:

“Come Home”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Ahdx5pqTk

“Mini Ripp”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM3M0zReYTo&feature=related

“Kanye West Freestyle”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWj6eYn88h4

“N.E.R.D. Freestyle”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1J3qzWqXZk&feature=related

“NWA ‘Appetite for Destruction’ Freestyle”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zysl0oM5y0M&feature=related

MODERN VINTAGE Download: http://www.datpiff.com/Hubbs-Modern-Vintage mixtape.201892.html%20




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

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

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/itshubbs

Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/hubbs

Enjoy,
M.G.

Hubbs- Modern Vintage Mixtape

http://www.mediafire.com/?crx2xzwqtjxj48x


Hubbs, a talented emcee from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has his debut mixtape "Modern Vintage" drops today as a Super Bowl treat. Features freestyles over various Hip-Hop tracks of the 90’s, of legendary producers such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Havoc, The Rza, Dr. Dre, among others. A few of the original songs included on here, Temptation, Summer Snow, and Sunshower, were produced by Hitt of MCM. A special shoutout also goes out to DJ Nysceworkk. I talked to Hubbs about this exciting new release.

Hubbs, this is your debut release, please tell us what we can expect to get from this mixtape.

I would say this mixtape is a nostalgic salute to the 90’s era of Hip-Hop, and also much of an autobiographical reflection. You can expect to hear detailed rhymes, personal recollections, and witty wordplay, coupled with some of your most favorite instrumentals of the Golden Era of this genre. Every freestyle has three or four beats within one track. In many ways, it is a musical collage.

How long have you been working on this release?

I started recording most of the material on the mixtape early last year, like spring of 2010. A few of the original tracks that I also included, were recorded back in 2008, but I decided to re-record them. On the original songs that were not produced by Hitt of MCM, I used beats that have come across me over the years by various people. I have a ton of random beats that people have just handed me on beat cd's or mp3's, as far back as 5 years ago. So I decided to put a few of them to use. As far as the rhymes, there are verses that I wrote as far back as 2005, as well as verses that were written as soon as late 2010. But as a whole, we’ll just say, it’s been a long time coming.

Do you have any other featured artists on this with you?

No. This was a solo effort in every aspect of the word. I wanted to establish myself as an individual with this cd. My next mixtape, Present Future, which I’m already beginning to record, will feature my man Pablo Neruda, a long time affiliate and close friend, and I’d say maybe another artist or two, which I won’t mention at the moment.

How long have you been an emcee?

Man, I’ve been doing this a long time, believe it or not. I’d say I officially started rhyming around 1996, when I was 14. It was right in the heart of the era that this mixtape represents. I remember my man Sha-King, a local Pittsburgh emcee, who has been a friend since childhood, approached me in 9th grade, and asked me if I’d be interested in being in the school talent show with him. He asked my other man Mike “Pooter” as well. Sha-King had been rhyming for years by that point, but Mike and I had only written rhymes on occasion, just out of hobby. We never recorded or performed anything. But I remember being like “why not” when Sha asked me. We came up with this song, over some ill instrumental with this Biggie voice sample in the hook, and killed the talent show. We were on some young don sh*t (laughs), rockin trench coats and suits and all that. It was wild. I had the last verse on the track, and I remember cats in the crowd goin’ nuts when I came out and spit my verse. That’s when I knew I had some talent, and also that I enjoyed rhyming and performing. We formed a group called Soul Fabric, and gave our crew the unofficial name of The Forgotten Crew, which also included my man Kenny, who was a DJ, and my man Clyde, who was just a Hip-Hop lover in general. He used to break dance. But I was also into other stuff, I used to hoop, and that was my main focus over the next several years. We laid down a little tape, with some songs and freestyles we recorded, but never did much after that. I didn’t start taking rhyming serious again until like 2002, which I discuss on my Outkast freestyle on here. So like I said, it’s been a long time coming.

Who are your musical influences?

I would say this cd is a display of most of my musical influences, from a Hip-Hop standpoint. With verses over songs from everyone from Nas to Jay-Z, to Biggie, and group like Gang Starr, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang, etc., this mixtape is collection and much of a tribute to all of the artists and groups whose tracks I chose to rhyme over. I also included some of my west coast influences, like Dr. Dre, Snoop, and MC Eiht, who I grew up listening to throughout the early 90’s. From a non-Hip-Hop standpoint, my mom exposed me to a lot of the R&B from the 60’s and 70’s, like Smokey Robinson, Parliament, all the Motown cats, Stevie, Teddy P, Donny Hathaway, and so many others, and of course as an 80’s baby, artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, among others, all played a big part in my musical influence. My grandfather, Robert Head, was a jazz musician, as a pianist, in the Hill District, throught the 40's, 50's, and 60's. My mother, who grew up in the Hill District in Elmore Square, also was a musician. She played the flute. I also played the trumbone and violin as a child. So I come from a very musical family and background. Now days, I’m into cats like Kanye, Styles P, Jadakiss, Lupe, Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, Drake, and a lot of today’s heavyweights who have taken and even carried the torch since the Golden Era. I’m a big N.E.R.D. fan too. I think Pharrell Williams is a musical genius. I’m also inspired by a lot of Pittsburgh’s local artists, like Wiz Khalifa, Formula 412, Boaz and S. Money, Pablo Neruda, Mac Miller, Lennox Champ, The Governor, Living Proofe, Sha-King, my man Hitt and the whole MCM, Commonwealth Family, and the whole ANTUKS Movement has been ill thus far. I’ve always been a music fanatic; it’s like a necessity of life for me.

Where can we download the mixtape?
It’s available now for free at http://www.mediafire.com/?crx2xzwqtjxj48x and I may be putting it on datpiff.com as well. I will also be distributing free copies throughout the city, at local Hip-Hop music and clothing stores.

Where can we see you perform next?

I don’t have any upcoming shows on the itinerary at this point, but will likely be doing some shows once spring hits. I’m also planning on doing a show/birthday party in late July, which is in the works.

Shoutouts...

I wanna give a shoutout to MCM Studios, where I recorded this whole project, with my man Hitt and Nickbe. That’s a solid studio and movement. Much love to them. I also wanna shout out all my close affiliates, my man Nysceworkk, Pablo Neruda, Lennox Champ, and The Governor. Shout to my family, mom, pops, my brother Alim, my 2 sons Deshawn and Deston, all my dudes, Kenny, CP, Dennis up in Harlem, Kyle, J. Coleman, Myles, my man Keith, J. Brock, Drew, Jake, Epps, Joe Ceph, Mike Hutty, B. Johnson, Matt Russ, and everyone else in my circle. I wanna shoutout the whole city of Pittsburgh, and the Eastside of town in particular, from Penn Hills to the Hill and back. I love ya’ll. And I especially wanna give a big ups to DJ M.G. and the Hip Hop Haven. Thanks for the feature, much love.

Mixtape is also available for download at:
http://www.thepittsburghscene.com


Show love on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/itshubbs

Hubbs, I wish you all the luck in the world. This is not only a very multi-talented young man but a great dude overall. Much love and respect.

Enjoy,
M.G.