At the ripe age of 19 I’ve made a realization. A person’s lifetime is far too short. Your extremely short stay at the 5 star hotel we call earth, is as fulfilling as you make it. The impact you have on those around you is limitless if you make the most of your numbered days and nights.

Nearly 4 years ago I chose to create an overwhelmingly simple version of a website that would shape the next few years of my life. My three goofy friends and I came up with Fab4Music, a blog updated daily with new hip hop we liked. The site soon evolved as we added interviews with up and coming artists, album reviews, playlists and concert recaps. We had become a part of the early development of the hip hop blog community.

Through it all, it was about the music. The love of the music. That feeling when you hear a smooth beat, a catchy hook or genius lyrics. The thrill of the car rides bumping the newest single. The heated hip hop discussions. It was all part of a shared experience with friends, supporters, artists and writers.

As the site grew momentum people joined the team and offered insight as well as diverse tastes for the gift we call music. Then came the glory days. Running out of tees and tanks. People anticipating new playlists every week. Connecting with artists on personal levels and helping them reach new heights. Attending concerts and meeting people who praised the site.

It’s not that the glory days ended, they just changed. The blog game was evolving quicker than we could have imagined only a couple years back. Artists were flowing like theMississippiand far too many of them were receiving as much love as a 2nd grade tee ball team. I felt pressured by the blog community, the hype and the artists themselves to post music I didn’t find worthy. I dreaded reading the handfuls of submissions from artists who added Fab4 to their massive list of blogs that would blow them up. I began to feel like other writers and the artists we had come up with had lost the appreciation for what we were about.  Nonetheless, the people I always cared about most, friends and supporters, remained loyal.

 Somewhere along the way, my own passion began to fade. I felt like Fab4 had become just another note on my to do list. That made me absolutely sick to my stomach. As Asher Roth puts it, “It ain’t supposed to be so hard, I always said I’d quit if it felt like a job.” I could no longer pretend to be happy with my craft. It was unfair to the people who supported our vision from day one, the artists and the game itself.

Our time on Earth should be filled with things we love, not things we feel required to love and remember to live by Michael Jordan’s words, “Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”.

Some of my life’s greatest memories come from the incredible four years at Fab4 and I thank every single one of you for that. I’ve gained an incredible amount from the experience, learning an enormous amount about the music world as well as myself. If I walk away with one souvenir from the journey it’s the relationships that came out of the endeavor. This was truly unforgettable. Thank you and farewell.

Grammy nominated R&B artist, Miguel, released a meaningful new music video today from his excellent debut album, Kaleidoscope Dreams. Read below what Miguel had to say about the important record.

“It’s so easy to ignore what’s right in front of us sometimes. I wanted to create a song and visual that addressed my everyday concerns of life as I know it in the world that we live in,” says Miguel of “Candle in the Sun.” Veering from the sensual, bedroom grooves of his Billboard-topping hit singles, the artist trades bedsheets and candlelight for the church and the streets in his newest track, showing versatility and willingness to ponder both spiritual and social issues.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjm_HNynwis

Hoodie Allen’s popularity has grown exponentially with each mixtape release. His fourth project, Crew Cuts, is the first to include a crew of big time features, from G-Eazy to Skizzy Mars, Shwayze, Chiddy Bang and Chance the Rapper. Stream and download the 11 track tape below. Enjoy and have a great week.

Typically, members of hip hop crews or duos create a dose of solo material.  AK of The Underachievers follows the trend with a brand new single a day after Joey Bada$$ announced the ‘Beast Coast’ tour alongside fellow Brooklyn emcees, The Underachievers and Flatbush Zombies. As you’ll hear on “Times Change” AK is one of the strongest lyricists in the crew, which was heard on The Underachievers’ Indigoism mixtape.

50 Cent recruits Kendrick Lamar and G-Unit signee, Kidd Kidd, for an infectious new record along with a classy music video. As expected these days, Kendrick delivers an impressive verse as 50 handles the hook and the young gun, Kidd Kidd, keeps us on the third verse. Look out for 50′s next album, Street King Immortal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjWWYhHB88Q

Before Joey Bada$$ can be considered a hip hop heavyweight he has to kill it on a nationwide tour and eventually release a studio album. This weekend he announced he’ll be embarking on the first step of that journey in less than a month. The Underachievers and Flatbush Zombies, two other rising Brooklyn stars, will be joining him for the ride, stretching from the West Coast to Canada to Australia.

Tour dates after the jump…

WEST COAST (LEG 1)
03/22/13 Portland, OR Peter’s Room United States
03/23/13 Whistler, BC Garfinkel’s Canada
03/24/13 Vancouver Vogue Theatre Canada
03/25/13 Seattle, WA Neumos United States
03/27/13 Reno, NV The Alley United States
03/28/13 San Francisco, CA Slim’s United States
03/29/13 San Diego, CA Porter’s Pub United States
03/30/13 Santa Barbara, CA Velvet Jones United States
03/31/13 San Bernardino, CA Nos Center United States

NORTHEAST/MIDWEST (LEG 2)
04/03/13 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place United States
04/04/13 Boston, MA Middle East United States
04/05/13 Providence, RI PVD Social Club United States
04/06/13 Montreal Underworld Canada
04/07/13 Ottawa Ritual Nightclub Canada
04/08/13 Hamilton Spasso Event Center Canada
04/10/13 Pontiac, MI Crofoot United States
04/11/13 Oxford, OH Brick Street United States
04/12/13 Chicago, IL Reggie’s United States
04/13/13 Madison, WI University of Madison United States
04/14/13 Bloomington, IL The Castle Theater United States
04/15/13 Columbia, MO The Blue Note United States
04/17/13 Pittsburgh, PA Altar Bar United States
04/18/13 Baltimore, MD Soundstage United States
04/21/13 New York, NY Gramercy United States

AUSTRALIA
04/25/13 Auckland Vector Arena New Zealand
04/27/13 Sydney Hordern Pavilion Australia
04/28/13 Brisbane Riverstage Australia
04/29/13 Melbourne Myer Bowl Australia
05/02/13 Perth Red Hill Australia

After announcing that he would be releasing his second studio album, WOLF, April 2nd Tyler, The Creator released his first single in form of a ridiculous music video. After getting beat up in the ring, the Odd Future crew leader also previews  some of his second single, “Bimmer” featuring Frank Ocean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4OD3IHs5jU

J. Cole remains one of the premier storytellers hip hop has to offer. His lead single from his sophomore album, Born Sinner, is a beautiful example of just that. With Miguel’s silky smooth vocals on the hook, “Power Trip” is one of Cole’s deepest records to date. He continues to evolve and perfect his craft. Born Sinner is going to be something special. Make sure to check out his Free EP, Truly Yours, he released earlier this week.

Asher Roth needs to write a book or something. The chillest rapper alive could educate the rap world. Just take it easy, enjoy yourself and don’t let the money, the women or the cars get to your head. Asher released an Ash Wednesday gift for his fans yesterday alongside Curren$y yesterday before flying to Europe for a quick tour. Stream the dope joint below and try to take to Roth’s ways.

Brooklyn’s hip hop collective, Phony Ppl, are infused with jazz, rock, blues and r&b sounds. Their uniqueness shines through on every release, especially on their newest video for “I Wish I Was A Chair”. The relaxing, r&b-esque tune from their Phonyland project was directed by the guys over at ItsTheBino. Check out their newest visual as well as their past two projects (here) if you’re unfamiliar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQKXClp-u9U