Video: Mike Baker- "Food For Thought"

Mike Baker the Bike Maker - Food For Thought from HNRL on Vimeo.

Off of the Bike Maker's mixtape out now, Body of Work.

Download full mix as separated tracks: hnrl.bandcamp.com

Get That.

BackTRACKin': Head Over Heels.

Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels
Uploaded by manon42. - Explore more music videos.

Both of these songs are equally appealing to me in different ways. True, they're sharing the same post because they share the same name. But you can't deny them. Both songs have strong piano based chord progressions... the thing my dreams are often made up of. There's nothing better than deeeeeeep chords. That emotional shit. So its even better when they infiltrate popular music with force. Its almost a guarantee I'll bring these up again...

Not to mention, "Head Over Heels". A feeling I've been struck with a few times... Including now.

Video: Duck Sauce- "Barbara Streisand"

This video is crazy. Full of a ridiculous amount cameos. Shout out to A-Trak!

Exclusive: F.A.M.E. x Mike Baker "Nightcap"

Peep the newness from Mike Baker.

One of the choice cuts from Mike Baker’s Body of Work mixtape can now be enjoyed as a loosie (instrumental included)! Produced by F.A.M.E. (Teeko, Max Kane, Malaguti), with additional guitar from Mugpush (On The Hill Productions).

Download here .

EXCLUSIVE: 1-O.A.K.- "Me & You"

Me & You (prod. by 1-O.A.K.) by The Honor Roll

Fellow HNRL member 1-O.A.K. blesses us today with his debut!

In a musical landscape that can sometimes feel convoluted, 1-O.A.K. is a "definite" in a land of "maybes". One of the most astute musicians I have the pleasure of knowing, he is one of the ones that "gets it". If its not for the vocals, its for the production. If its not for the production, its for the writing. If its not for the writing, its for the drumming.

I had a chance to work on "Me & You" as a co-writer. This song is a message to all those apprehensive in love.

Our advice? Take a leap of faith.

Get on Bandcamp
Purchase on iTunes

EXCLUSIVE: Trackademicks- "Fool On The Hill" featuring Phonte

Trackademicks - Fool On The Hill feat. Phonte by The Honor Roll
Released by: HNRL Music
Release/catalogue number: HNRL1226

Its the end of summer next week.
Just about time to break out that fall wardrobe.
Optimum time for some new HNRL music in your life.

Class is in Session!!!

It is my pleasure to present the first single off of my debut full length offering "State Of The Arts", dropping this Fall. This is also the debut release (HNRL 1226) for HNRL Music's single series.



I feel like this song is a good one to start with.

Perseverance.
Consistency.
Confidence.
Fulfillment.
Dedication.
Originality.
Courage.
Humility.
Purpose.
Heart.

Anything that's worth doing, worth obtaining, uses some combination of these. And along the way, sometimes people stand in the way, deliberately or otherwise. For them, all I have to give is a blank stare. Like a Fool On The Hill.

DOWNLOAD via Bandcamp: Trackademicks- "Fool On The Hill" featuring Phonte.

DeLorean's First Shipment

Its funny, Marty McFly's Car
with Brantley Foster's theme music.

I just happened upon this looking for David Foster music. He composed the theme to St Elmo's Fire and the whole score to my faaaaaaaaaaavorite movie, Secret of My Success, of which this song is from.

Michael J. fox was UNTOUCHABLE.

STATE OF THE ARTS.

Photo taken by and from Vash with LUV

Labor day was yesterday.

Does that mean I can't wear white anymore? Even on the Fresh Coast???

F*%# that. I make my own rules.

One thing about rules. I believe rules are made to be broken by those who know how to effectively break them. Its like something you have to earn.

Not sure too much is earned these days. I'm mean today, you can pretty much skip steps and instantly thrust yourself to internet stardom in with the quickness. And folks who've gotten that 15 minutes of fame have been hanging on to it for 20, 25 minutes. Like, whoever talks the loudest and fastest can stay. Not saying that I'm even mad at all of it. I mean, where else are you gonna find a hollywood daughter turned pornstar who makes beats for other rappin' pornstars???

Pure entertainment. Porno Producers. Actor Rappers. Part Time Artists. Full Time Hustlers.

What are folks standing for? $$$ and fame can't be enough.

Don't mistake this random rant as me being an idealist. I know the twist.

I just understand balance is conducive to health. And right now many of us are forced to eat at the Corner Store that only sells Flaming Hot Cheetos, Old English, and Sour Powers, not knowing there's a Whole Foods in town. Takes a little more effort to get to, but the health benefits are unmatched.

All this isn't new.

Art Vs. Commerce.
Talent Vs. Hustle.
Betting on Complacency.

for many...

This is the State of Hip-Hop.
This is the State of R&B.

A State of Emergency.

And even with my concern, I'm not worried. There are many who make that trip to Whole Foods and bring groceries back to those who aren't in the know.

Those who haven't lost sight that this time, this life, NOW affects the future.

This $h!t right here??? This $h!t right here??? This $h!t right here???

This IS the STATE OF THE ARTS.

Album Coming SOOOOOOOOOON.

oh and...

N!66@ DON'T ACT LIKE A B!TCH!!!!!

This has been a BASED FREE WRITE.


Track.

Mixtape: Mike Baker the Bike Maker- 'Body of Work'

Mike Baker the Bike Maker: BODY OF WORK Mixed by Capski by The Honor Roll

School is back in session. And the HNRL has all your required listening materials.

First up on the list is Mike Baker's 'Body Of Work' Mixtape.

Let's Go!

From the HNRL blog:

"“Body Of Work” is the new mixtape by HNRL member, Mike Baker the Bike Maker. Mixed by up and coming DJ/Producer Capski, this is a work that chronicles where the bespectacled MC’s head is at in this moment in time. Inspired by 90′s Hip-Hop, the female form, James Bond, the 60′s, and other cool shit. The mix features original production from the likes of F.A.M.E., Vinroc, DJ Ayres, A.D.D. *Productions, Doctor J, 1-O.A.K. and Sophomore."

Download full mix as separated tracks: hnrl.bandcamp.com

God Made Me Funky.

Aint that right.

If you missed it the first time, it's back One Mo Gin.

Little Dragon Feat. 1-O.A.K., Blinking Pigs (1-O.A.K. ‘God Made Me Funky Remix’)

Summer Topsidin': NY, SF, LA, LDN, LV

Summertime Topsidin'.
International Affairs.
Jetsetters Paradise.
Golden State of Mine.

Here's are some flicks of this summer's travels...


NYC: Subway FG Bushmills Ad


BK: Bike City, Williamsburg


SF: GG Bridge


SF: GG Bridge


SF: GG Bridge


SF Bay


Bay Area: BFD with Amp Live


DTLA Skyline


LA: Paramount


LA: Kid Sister, Paramount


LA: Paramaount


Interstate 5, Bay Bound at Dusk


Interstate 5, Bay Bound, Floating on Diamond Dust...


LA: Cowboys and Turbans, Mexi-Desi jumpoff


LDN: Ummmm...


LDN: Buckingham Palace


LDN: Fabric


LDN: Show @ The Coronet


LDN: British Lays


LV: HNRL x Kid Sister & family, "International Affairs" Video Shoot, Tao Beach.


LV: HNRL, "International Affairs" Video Shoot

Trackadeezy Down Under

Okay, Okay, super l
ate pass in order.

I got a chance to go to Australia for the first time this past Spring on tour with Kid Sister and Melo-X for Creamfields Australia.

Two Weeks. Canberra, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne.

I had a blast.


The Indian Ocean, Perth.
I've always wanted to go to Perth since I was a kid. I think it has to do with the name as well. Perth. It just seems so far from everything. I actually learned while out there that it actually is the most isolated major city in the world.

West is a 10 hour plane ride to Africa.
South is Antarctica.
East is a 1675 mile drive to Adelaide.
North is about a 2500 mile drive to Darwin.


Yes, the Aussie BK.
Sounds a bit more Mannish than Burger King.
And I'm sure Hungry Jack could beat Jack in the Box's arse.


Attention Americans. Pack underwear if you plan on going down under. At least while the Australian dollar is around 90 cents American.

Lesson. Don't Arrive to the airport late. We were the last to board. My bags didn't make it on the flight. Quantas gave me a $300 stipend. I thought "Cooool". I get to the mall to buy underwear and some show clothes.

NOT!!!

$169 Polo shirt. $159 Levi's. $35 socks. I can go on for days with this list. If you're from Australia, you'll come here and have a retail field day.

Needless to say, I figured it out.


First car I see off the plane in Canberra. Class Act, Down Under anyone? Where's Kid & Play?


Apparently, you're not supposed to walk across the street... You have to Tap Dance. Love the fashion forward street signage.


Sydney. My Porkpie Hat chillin' on the table at Spice Monkey. It was a very dark spot. Food was good. The walls showcased Asian women's faces. Nothing more, nothing less. Hmmmm


Perth. Daytime show at Creamfields Australia. Those kids realllllly love to party.


Brisbane. 6:50AM. Loved it here. We were really only there for one day but it was FUN. Nice tropical weather. The show here was AMAZING. In front of at least 20,000 folks. Met a some great people... Shout out to Mz. Boss!


Breezy Brizzy had a dope looking downtown too.


Melbourne. Okay, so I'm a BONA FIDE Californian. This means I know Mexican food. GREAT Mexican Food. And while I was out in Melbourne it was Cinco De Mayo. I highly considered going into Taco Bill for a shot of Don Julio... But for some reason I didn't think Taco BILL would ring my Taco ...

LOL.


Melbourne. Vegie Bar on Brusnwick St in Fitzroy to be exact. Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm not a vegetarian. Kinda hard for a Filipino/Black kid raised on beef, chicken, and pork. BUT that didn't stop me from demolishing this Lentil Burger. Craving it.

A week earlier in LA I was at Simply Wholesome with TeroneRoyal and Whiz. Vegetarian/Vegan paradise. Who says peer pressure has to always be negative?

Not my Stomach.


Melbourne. On the way to the show. The obligatory "In the Zone" Shot.

We spent five days in Melbourne. I had time to run all over the place. Very dope city. Reminds me of San Francisco. The street art and graffiti is SUUUUPER Fresh. Hip-Hop is definitely alive and well out there. I even got into a cab with some random folks who ended up knowing who I was, yelling "we got Fool's Gold in here!" Whoa...

On top of that, I did some dope clothes shopping... I'm an Addict, What can I say?

I must go back.


Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, en route to LA, just at dawn. The new Quantas A380 super jet has this Dope Skycam on the tail of the the aircraft. You really feel like you're doing it big. Its CRAZY during takeoff and landing.

I'll be back. Soon. Mark my words with a Sharpie.