Armenian Rap Blog

Armenian Rap has Entered a New Age!

2009-10-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

Two of the most famous Armenian rappers in Armenia Misho and H.T. Hayko stumbled upon their differences. They were the Hay Tgheq and developed the rap industry in Armenia since 2001, but they split up couple of years back and just recently started dissing each other in tracks. H.T. Hayko's new album consists of 3 tracks named "Quansh" and in one of them he disses Misho for a comment he made in a concert publically saying that without Hay Team (which Misho is in) and Apeh Jan (Armenian-American R&B/Hip Hop artist) there is no other rap in Armenia. That shocked everyone and just a week latter of H.T. Hayko's new album Misho realeased a single track dissing H.T. Hayko and telling him that he lost his way in rap industry. This is just the beggining and a new age in Armenian rap. What will the results be... can this be the next Armenian Tupac and Biggie?

Best Armenian Rappers!

2009-01-07T15:47:00.000-08:00

The contest started on december 1st, 2008 and ended on January 7th, 2009.

The first 10 original nominee's were Apeh Jan, 2-Hye, Capital Z, R-Mean, Profit, H.T. Hayko, Misho, Erevanski, Kro, and One-2. On the early days of voting One-2, Profit, and H.T. Hayko were eliminated from the contest because they did not have enough votes to continue being on the list. Two weeks were in and 7 rappers. Myspace and I.M.’s spread the link around and that attracted enough people to leave behind R-Mean, Misho, and Erevanski from the rest. Over 2000 people have voted in this contest, which is pretty significant for our online Armenian community. Originally, we were hopping to have one winner in this contest, but it didn’t turn out that way because 2-Hye(797) and Kro(806) were almost practically tied by their votes along the whole contest. So, based on your votes we chose Kro (The biggest comeback) and 2-Hye (The most underrated) to be our Best Armenian Rappers of 2008!

Thanks everyone for participating in our contest and helping us determine our winners.

Much more coming soon from ArmenianRap.Net... Stay Tunned!

- Vardan *ArmenianRap.Net*

Classic Erevanski

2008-08-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

Erevanski makes a comeback with their new track, “ChupaChups”, Erevanski seems to have taken on Lil Wayne’s identity with a fresh take on the hit “Lollipop. It’s just that “ChupaChups” has left us scratching our heads, causing editorial feuds, a couple of raised eyebrows, and a fit of laughter.

Is “ChupaChups” intended to be a cover for “Lollipop”? A parody? An innovative way to use existing material to add a humor-laden piece of social commentary, poking fun at two staples of Armenian comedy.

We love the fact that Erevanski brought a new wave of humor to this game, and engaged a self-effacing humor. We also love the creative remix of Lil Wayne’s track. We especially love the melodic chorus that shows off the guys’ voices. But most of all, we love how funny “ChupaChups” really is, in the best Erevanski tradition. And, after all, we love Erevanski! And we hope you enjoy their tracks here on ArmenianRap.Net.

From the ArmenianRap.Net,
Gayane (aka LadyLazarus)

ArmenianRap.Net in Music Video Making

2008-07-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

Just recently we published Capital Z's song called "Bullshit" on YouTube! It is not the first video by ArmenianRap.Net featuring Armenian rappers and it is certainly not the last, so leave your thoughts about this video and let us know which Armenian rapper's song would you like to see video of made by ArmenianRap.Net.

Capital Z: The Anti-Rapper

2008-06-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

He’s a poet. He’s a rebel. He’s a social critic. He’s a bit of a pop psychologist.

But above all, he’s an artist in the truest sense of the word. His verse is edgy and sharp, his emotions are raw, his sarcasm-deep and insightful. He’s Capital Z, easily one of the contenders for the top spot in the underground hip hop movement--Armenian or otherwise.

His track “Butterbrain” is classic Cap Z: anti-establishment, anti-pop culture, anti-stupidity, anti-conformity. It’s also an empowering tribute to that rarity in the rap world: the confident, intelligent woman…and a size “medium” at that (imagine that!).

We love Z for his opinionated, passionate lyrics and his aggressive edge. So, I ask: where was the aggressive edge in “Butterbrain”? The track is almost regretful in tone: regret over a lost generation of butterbrains. “It makes me sad to see girls like this”, says Cap Z. We feel ya, Z.

Capital Z: the anti-rapper –a man with true character, not afraid to show it, and more admired because of it. Keep ‘em comin’, Z!

Check out his songs on http://www.myspace.com/capitalz

and

http://armenianrap.net/capitalz.html

From the ArmenianRap.Net,

Gayane (aka LadyLazarus)

“I Wanna Touch You” Has Girls Breathless

2008-05-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

So Hot. Hot. Hot. The new track from TrueHomies, that is. Their single “I Wanna Touch You” turns up the heat with a sizzling beat and fiery lyrics. Judging by the overwhelming response from the ladies on our site, TrueHomies are true favorites, and not just for their music.
Take one addicting dance beat with an ever-so subtle Arabic influence, throw in some testosterone charged lyrics, a generous dose of raw male sexual aggression, mix in some arrogant tease, and you got yourself one hot new track:
"Get All Over Me Be Actin' Breathless Holdin' The Tip of My Necklace" Need I say more? This boy says it all….

That’s Spex, by the way (aka Gevz). The other members of the band include Sako (the main vocals on this track), Goks and CrazyEye Arthur. Together, this foursome of friends for the past 6 years combines their artistic efforts as they grow and morph with each year in the music biz.

Expect more hot tracks from da TrueHomies as they refine their sound and find their own niche. In the meantime, check out “I Wanna Touch You”! It’ll have you dancin’ in no time, if not doin’ more.

Visit Ture Homies on http://Myspace.com/truehomiesstudio

For the ArmenianRap.Net,
Gayane (aka LadyLazarus)

GOHAR: The Jewel Of ArmenianRap.Net

2008-04-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

The literal translation of the name Gohar into Armenian is “precious stone” or “jewel”. Gohar, the sultry Armenian R&B singer from Germany newly added to ArmenianRap.Net , shines like the most precious of jewels, with hair the color of black onyx, emerald green eyes and lustrous lips the shade of pink pearls.

Gohar’s music is a perfect metaphor for her being. A cross between a sensual bedroom fantasy and the most innocent of angels, this petite, curvy singer carries her feminine, melodic sensuality into the recording studio. Gohar’s songs are best described as both angelic and sexy, innocent and sultry. In all of her songs, Gohar brings the soul of R&B to life.

In Deine Liebe, Gohar’s voice is soulful and feminine without being overly clingy. The rhythm that carries the song gives it a sexy “bedroom” vibe, and the highs and lows of Gohar’s singing take you on into a journey into the depths of love. Die Wahrheit really shows off the power of Gohar’s voice, its range and flexibility. From strong and slightly aggressive to gentle and accepting, Gohar puts all her feelings in full view of her listeners. RIP Seda is, by far, the best of Gohar’s songs. The addicting rhythm, the almost mythical melody and the prayer-like echoes of Gohar’s angelic voice all come together in a perfect blend of artistry that is Gohar’s music.

This sexy vixen of R&B, Germany’s Armenian “Marylin Monroe”, is now featured on ArmenianRap.Net. She is the first female artist to be added to the site. We hope you enjoy her music!

For the RapCity RapSheet,
Gayane (aka LadyLazarus)

Armenian Rap BLOG/NEWS !!!

2008-04-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

HELLO ARMENIAN RAP FANS!

... ArmenianRap.Net's Blog section will be updated very soon by a new EDITOR !!!

- New fresh topics about not only Armenian rappers, but Rap in general.

- You can REQUEST your own article topics.

- This will be an OPEN and TRANSPARENT blog in which people can leave their comments on each article.

COMING VERY SOON !!! ...

- Vardan (ArmenianRap.Net TEAM)

Best Video Clip Contest !

2007-10-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

ArmenianRap.Net is preparing a new contest for its visitors to enjoy. Last contest was between the rappers, but this one is going to be on the already published Armenian Rap videos. More details about the voting and contest itself will be posted soon on the website.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER BEEN DONE IN OUR ONLINE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY BEFORE! So let’s make the best out of it…
Much love,
ArmenianRap.Net TEAM

Armenian Rap On The Rise!

2007-07-28T13:48:00.001-07:00

"Armenian Rapper tells it like it is..."

2007-06-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

by Paul Chaderjian

Long after disco was dead and Rock & Roll was slowly fading off the mTV pop charts, 10yearold Nazaret “Nazo” Aslanian used to amaze his sister by his uncanny ability to sing the lyrics of TV show theme songs like “Diff’rent Strokes,” even after just hearing them a few times. “I’d hear it a couple of times, and I could just do it,” he says. “I don’t know how.” Then came the Rodney King beating. The L.A. Riots. Fear that Western civilization was coming to an end. MC this and MC that were speaking up. White boys were singing hip hop heard on underground radio stations. Soon KISSFm and Power 106 were spinning songs that expressed the angst of urban America, songs professing to “fight the power.” “I grew up on rap,” says 24yearold Nazo. “I grew up on Tupac. The first CD I ever bought was Warren G, the GFunk Era in 1993, 14 years ago. Dr. Dre and Snoop were around also, and I’ve been listening to a lot of rap ever since.” The King of Pop and the Material Girl had been unseated by a coup, underground music of the Black ghetto taking over as the predominant voice of a new generation. The Stones had grown old, John Lennon was dead, the Boss was divorcing his wife and his band, and the children and grandchildren of Baby Boomers were buying more CDs than their folks. “I knew how to rap, even before I knew I could do it consciously,” says Nazo. “I would listen to music, and I would pick up the words. I would be able to rap entire Tupac songs, perfectly.” Out were Metallica, REm, and Guns and Roses and in were Tupac Shakur, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Janet Jackson, Dr. Dre, Paula Abdul, Ludacris, and even MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice. Topping the pop charts and changing the culture of what was cool in America were the rap lyrics on the lips of school kids from the east to the west. “Sometimes, I’d be in the car and a song would start,” says Nazo, the Armenian rapper. “I would start rapping with it, and I’d turn the volume off and keep rapping for a bit. I’d turn the volume on, and I’d be right on the track.” Hip hop was cool. Rap was hot. And young Nazo was using his keen memory to sing along the masters on the radio without missing a beat or forgetting a word. Writing rap was also something that came naturally to Nazo; he’d been driven by the muses of writing as a teenager. “I’ve been writing poetry since I was a kid,” he says. “When I was 13 or 14, I’d write poems for the girls, nice stuff. It’s pretty funny, but I started developing the skills to rhyme and make sense and all that stuff.” Then came college, the University of California at Irvine, where Nazo studied computer science and met two friends with whom he’s been collaborating ever since – Kris Palyan and Taron Elizarian (AKA Taron and Kris P). UC Irvine “When I was a kid, I liked playing video games,” say Nazo. We’re in his North Hollywood studio, where he records and produces his music. “I wanted to make video games, and that’s what I wanted to study.” After graduating from the University of California, Nazo found a job in Orange County in the information technologies sector and still continues that profession today. “Learning computers has helped me,” he says. “I learned how to edit my own music, so I don’t have to pay an engineer an hourly fee of hundreds of dollars. It’s been very beneficial for me in terms of music.” While studying computer science, it was Taron who told Nazo, “Bro, when you sing the songs, other people’s song, it’s as if you wrote them.” Taron told Nazo that he wanted to produce some beats and asked Nazo to write the lyrics. “So I tried,” says Nazo, “and eventually, I started to write music. That was maybe in my sophomore year in college, and I wrote two or three songs that year.” Taron, Kris and Nazo decided to call themselves “Entity,” and they even recorded one of Nazo’s early songs called “Nouns and Verbs” in their college apartment. “It was me playing with vocabulary, flipping rhymes, like complicated, composition comes to me kinetically,” he raps. “So I forward all my findings with finesse phonetically.” Nazo performed a few of his songs in clubs, developing his lyrics while Kris and Taron developed the beats, developing friendships with rappers in the black culture. “After a certain point,” he says, “you start comparing your music to what’s out, and you compare your music to what other people are putting out and what you hear on the radio.” That comparison gave the three friends the confidence they needed to put their material out for public consumption. “We put together a demo to see how people react,” says Nazo. “We are trying to get management, trying to get to people in high places, see if I can get on the radio. That’s the current push, and it’s hard. It’s like a startup company, and you’re the product. It’s neverending.” The creative process Nazo says creating rap music is an interactive process with Kris and Taron “They create a lot of beats,” he says. “I’ll go through and say, ‘yo, I like this one, I can make a song on this one. And I write my song. Then I show it to them and see what they think. With choruses, I’ll work with Kris a lot. He’s very good with melodies and Taron is amazing with the drums and sequencing.” Nazo’s demo reel is called “Demo of the Year.” Why? Because the 12song presentation shows several different styles of music. “It shows serious, lyrical, commercial,” he says. “It’s all these different styles I’m putting together basically, and I feel like it’s put together thoroughly. It’s real. It’s not a joke. To me, it’s tight, so that’s why I gave it that title. That’s what I feel.” “Demo of the Year” is rap. On the album are political rap songs, a reggae rap song, and even a comedy rap song called “Zankou Chicken.” “There’s a funny song, where I talk about Zankou Chicken, which is like a food chain around here in L.A.,” says Nazo. “I’m actually trying to do something with that song. I’m trying to get the owner to sell that song as a single in his stores. It’s like a different approach to marketing music too. I feel like if he agrees to it, and I’m in the middle of negotiation, it’s a good way to get exposure, and it also represents our culture.” Nazo says he wrote Zankou Chicken about 18 months ago. He says he was listening to a hip hop song about Vans, the sneaker maker. That inspired him into writing about his favorite chicken joint. “I was driving in my car and thinking, damn man, what are these guys doing,” he says. “I was like, ‘Ever since I was a baby I’ve been eatin’ my chicken with a little bit of rice, put it on the side, man I even like mixin’ / At first I couldn’t get enough of my mama’s cookin / But got tired of it everyday, ha, just like with my exgirlfriend / Now I’m out the house free, I started with KFC / Moved C6 Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture 6/9/2007 onto El Pollo Loco but homie, it wasn’t me.” Nazo says he wrote the song so that he can stand out as an artist. “Every rapper that comes out around here is like, you know, tough, really lyrical, powerful with their words, which is really cool,” he says, “but I felt like I need a way for me to stand out. Not every artist can make a song that you’ll like immediately, that’ll get stuck in your head immediately.” Even though he is rapping, says Nazo, his raps aren’t just about repeating lyrics. “I feel like I’m bringing something new and innovative,” he says. “I don’t want to remake the same song. I feel like, to be relevant, you gotta carve your own niche, your own lane, your own space. So Zankou Chicken is definitely, probably my most unique song. And that is part of the package in the ‘Demo of the Year.’” Nazo, the Armenian One of the main things that Nazo says he wants to do as an artist, aside from trying to be commercially successful, is to get nonArmenians to like Armenians. “We kinda have a bad rap, out here,” he says, “especially because of the young guys who are rowdy.” Nazo says at the end of the day, hip hop is music from the Black culture and the ghetto and the poor. “I like the music, and I like the rawness of it,” he says. “It’s real, and when it comes out in my music I’m talking about living in America, that every American can relate to. In one song I talk about my own culture. I say, “I’m from a people dispersed, deserted and cursed / what’s worse / we work but we’re moving in reverse / It hurts / We’re thinking that we’re going to be reimbursed / Berzerk / Dreamin’ while we’re screamin’ fuck the Turks.” After hearing Nazo’s song about the Armenia Genocide on the web, one fan told him, “I didn’t know that about you guys, that you guys had a genocide. It made me like Armenians more.” That statement, says Nazo, made him feel that he had accomplished something. “Because that’s a great thing to hear,” he says, “that something you created made someone like your culture more.” What has surprised Nazo more after performing “Armenia,” was reaction from an Armenian teenager in the suburb of Montebello. “He told me, ‘Bro, after I heard that song, I wanted to learn more about my culture and my history.’ And that’s like the greatest thing anyone has told me in terms of getting reaction from my music.” His alias Rapper Nas, says Nazo, debuted in 1994 and is known as one of the most talented underground rap lyricists. That’s why Nazaret couldn’t use his nickname as his stage name. “We were thinking of different names,” he says. “And Kris said, ‘profit.’ He brought it up. He said, ‘why don’t you use profit.” Nazo says he immediately thought Kris was suggesting the word ‘prophet,’ and he told his friend that ‘prophet’ would come off too serious. “There was no way I could be in the commercial business of hip hop with that type of name.” That’s when Kris said he was suggesting the word ‘profit,’ beAfter hearing Nazo’s song “Armenia,” a fan told him, “Bro, after I heard that song, I wanted to learn more about my culture and my history.” Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture 6/9/2007 C7 cause of the duality of its sound and meaning. “That kind of interested me,” says Nazo. “It’s a name that can mean a lot of different things. Anyone who lives out here has that mentality of financial success, profit. So, “I’m a product of my own environment. But profit also says something about my people. They are a hard working people. Armenians have been able to go into any society and rise, and that’s because we value education. We stick together and work hard. So if you look at the word ‘profit’ that way, it kind of represents my culture also.” Nazo says one of the definitions of ‘profit’ is progress and that as an artist, he is always trying to make progress. “I try to push the envelope, do something that I haven’t done,” he says. “People who hear ‘profit’ might think prophet, phet, and I’m not saying, ‘I’m a prophet,’ but I do speak the truth. I try to speak what’s real to me and what I feel. So in that sense, it works out. I really like the name.” I am Armenian, says Nazo, “but I was born in America. I love my culture, and I love this country, because it’s given me the opportunity to possibly make music and make a living doing it. It’s all here. I just have to put my hustle on and get to that. And that’s Profit.” connect: www.thatsprofit.com OR myspace.com/thatsprofit

(c) ArmenianRap.Net

"Brothers Unite"

2007-06-04T18:57:00.001-07:00

This song is about Armenians coming together, performed by Illem, Mic & Sarkistic. Most of the people in the rap industry don't even mention this issue which is very easy to see, but hard to understand. We see it every day, but never get the consequences of it in the future. Premiere for the first time in the ArmenianRap.Net! They made a video on it, which was also pretty well done. It's already on the ArmenianRap.Net for download. This very patriotic song is teaching us not to do things that can not only hurt you, but your race too. The video was shot and edited by Illem. Well, see it yourself and tell us all what you think about it …

(c)ArmenianRap.Net

What Glendale News Press has to say about Pentagon

2007-05-28T18:29:00.001-07:00

By Robert S. Hong

With a new mix-tape just released and more attention thanks to performances during genocide remembrance week in April, Glendale-based hip-hop group Pentagon is poised to do big things.

The Armenian trio stands out from other contemporary hip-hop music acts with socially conscious issues, unique subject matter and merging music styles, said rapper Armin Hariri, who performs as R-Mean.

"We have a wide range of music — from club songs to street songs," he said. "Unlike a lot of rappers, we were influenced by the old styles and merged it with the new."

Along with Hariri, back-up singer Teo "Ras Teo" Hartoonian and producer Karlous "Blind" Soltanzadeh, who works on a synthesizer board during performances, the trio plan to elevate their music to new heights as they get acknowledged by local radio stations and collaborate with big-name rap stars. They are also in talks with several record labels, said Tade Hartoonian, one of the group's managers and Teo Hartoonian's brother.

Hariri opened for Grammy-winning rappers Bone Thugs-N-Harmony during a Glendale performance.

The group has performed at Hoover High School and Glendale High School and have given many performances around the area.

When Hariri's first album, "Broken Water," released two years ago, the response was surprising, he said.

"In 2005, we released our first album and it really blew up, it really opened doors," he said. "After 'Broken Water,' everyone was like 'Hold on, maybe Armenians can rap.'"

He and other members of the group are helping to pave the way for other Armenian hip-hop artists, group members said.

"What I see — as far as our music — is that you come across a lot of people who just don't like hip-hop, and we kind of try to touch home so people can feel what were talking about," Soltanzadeh said. "We try to have a variety of [content] while other artists only talk about the usual cliché stuff."

Soltanzadeh — who was nicknamed Blind because he lost his sight after being hit in a drive-by shooting in 1992 — said music has become a way for him to stay focused and positive.

"I've been making beats for a while and I always liked music, but what really got me making music was frustration after I got shot," he said.

With three artists from very different backgrounds, Pentagon's style contains a unique world view, said Teo Hartoonian.

Each member of the group has spent time living outside the country and have brought those perspectives with them, he said.

"We've been together and going strong for eight years, but we are very different," Teo Hartoonian said

"We cover a lot of subjects and topics going on in the world right now — at the end of the day it's part of the music."

And they have already built a solid fan base in and around Glendale, group members say, with numbers growing as they continue to tour the area.

"I've deejay-ed for them a couple of times and when they're live it's just crazy," said Parshen Avanesian, 17.

"When you hear R-Mean on the mic, he's just a lyrical monster."

At the root of some of the group's experiences is the city of Glendale, where the trio really started to take off.

"We got very big exposure in Glendale and, as far as that, it's been really great," Teo Hartoonian said.

"Everything started from Glendale."

Teo Hartoonian plans to release his own solo album within the next year.

Tade Hartoonian said that Pentagon is ready to take off and is aiming to get its voice heard by a wider audience.

"Music is their way of getting their message across," he said.

"It's what they're about. What makes them unique is that they relay the day-to-day difficulties and conflicts they have had in all of their lives."

Erevanski, now World Wide!

2007-05-28T10:24:00.001-07:00

Erevanski guys are currently living in United States, but always remind us about Armenia in their songs. Miko, Rafo and Hayko started making their music more serious just less than a year ago and already achieved public's love world wide. ArmenianRap.Net's statistics show that Erevanski's page viewers are half and half, 50% of visitors are from United States and the other half from Europe, Russia and Armenia. It seems that in every corner of the world they have Armenians that are getting their message ... Love Armenia. Erevanski was on ArmenianRap.Net from the very beginning, even before they were a group. Their "Nuyn Loksh Or@" was their first song that was let out to the public. After that followed "Arants Dzez" song which put them on the map on other Armenian websites. "Yerevan Im Srtum" song was their hit which sparked on TV channels and shows. That song is also included in the "Mer Show's" collection CD.

More and more people are starting to like their music. Erevanski also recorded songs with other Armenian rappers like, Shakro and Duce-One. "Ere-Duce-anski" was one of their latest songs which features Erevanski and Due-One. They also made a new song called "Hayots Tsav" which talks about the Armenian Genocide and the denial of the Turkish government. They're in progress of making their new video clip. It will also be presented on ArmenianRap.Net when it comes out. People world wide will experience a new heat of what the Armenian rap is all about.

Profit, a new Armenian rapper with a promising future!

2007-05-27T18:57:00.001-07:00

Don't forget where you come from. People think I'm white - "yo check out that white boy tearin up the stage!" - I'm not white, I'm Armenian. I grew up around white people, so I got mad love for them. At the same time, I been around gutter ass dudes from the heart of LA (Compton & Watts) to Sin City, NV. I've kicked it with the Hispanics when I had a girl in Long Beach, and been around a grip of Asians when I had a Chinese girl from Orange County. I've mixed with the Persians and seen how hot blooded they can get, just like Armenians. I've gone from being around religious people to drugees and dealers, and from broke cats without a dollar for a burger to rich ass kids driving flossed out rides. Because of all this, I know my music is universal - it's hip hop FROM THE HEART - but it's still universal. From straight up lyrical to the club to political to something for the ladies to cultural to deeply personal, I touch upon a lot of different subjects in my music - now That's Profit! For more on me, check out thatsprofit.com.

Welcome to Armenian Rap BLOG!

2007-05-27T10:56:00.001-07:00

Hi,

This is the Armenian Rap Blog, where you can get the lattest information about Armenian Rappers.

Please express your thoughts about this ... ArmenianRap.Net (TEAM)