It has been a long while since I introduced some new musicians to all of ya'll, so I figured that I should probably get back on that and start throwing out some more musicians names to keep an eye on this upcoming year.  We have been over the most popular so far, KiD CuDi, Asher Roth, Big Sean, Charles Hamilton... but now it is time to give you all a taste of some of the other people who will be making some noise in '09 and will for sure be putting out some stellar stuff.  We have already covered some reviews for some of the musicians above, but who cares, there is way more to a musician than just his or her music, it is all about their personality and dedication to music itself.

Today we are going to cover one of my favorite musicians who has recently started making some noise with his most recent mixtape, A Matter of Time.  The musician I am talking about (in case you have not figured it out yet...), is Mike Posner.  He is a young musician who has already accomplished so many feats in his musical career.  The truly amazing thing is that this young musician is able to juggle his studies as a college student at the University of Duke all the while making great music and doing very well in school.  In an article I found on the Duke web-site, it states that not only is he a serious musician, but he is also a serious student as well.  It seems a though everything that Mr. Posner does, he does with a sense of seriousness and devotion.  Something that truly is not seen in many musicians in the music industry today.  He is living proof that Hip-Hop may not be "dead" and maybe it was merely just in a coma from when Soulja Boy released his first album.  Looks like Asher Roth won't be the only white-jewish musician trying to make it big in the music industry, seeing as Mike Posner (who fits the same profile as Asher Roth) is making some progress in trying to get a record deal and is also working on releasing his first album with The Brain Trust.  In case you all don't know, The Brain Trust consists of two other Duke musicians, a Senior by the name of Eric Holljes, and Duke sophomore Jeff Oh.

A Matter of Time is for sure one of my Top 10 Mixtapes, and the tape itself has really been his segway into the music industry.  Now that is not to say his first mixtape, Reflections of a Teen was not good, I have only heard one track off that tape entitled, "Summertime" and I truly love it.  If anyone out there has his first mixtape, can you upload it to a site online and post it in the comments, I have been trying to get my hands on it for such a long time!  Another great part about Mike Posner is that he gives back to his roots.  He has a lot of love for both his hometown in California, and where he grew up, here in Michigan.  His music has an influence of Cali/Detroit sound to it, and I think that that's one of the reasons why I like it so much.  His music is so great because it isn't something you hear on a regular basis.  The lyrical flow and music he produces is just so unique and hard to imitate, it makes his music that much better, and that much more interesting.  He has had many associated acts as he has risen to the current stage he is at in his musical career.  Some musicians who you could pair him up with is Big Sean, Pat Piff, Pharrell/N.E.R.D., and from what I understand off this article on the Duke web-site, Asher Roth...

I can tell that Mr. Posner is going to have a very long and very successful career in the music industry not just because of his unique sound and great feel for music, but for his relationship with his fans and other musicians in the music industry.  When I saw him live, he put on a heck of a show.  Him and Big Sean (and N.E.R.D. too, but they aren't from Michigan) got the hometown fans moving, I have never really seen anything like that at a Hip-Hop concert before.  Another example of Posner being very in-touch with his fans is when he was handing out free, signed mixtapes at a shoe/clothing shop in Birmingham, Michigan.  He was at a shop called, "Revive" and I had never been there before (but it would appear that I will be making my way back there at some point seeing as it was a pretty sick shop).  I decided that as a fan, a music blogger, and as a music geek, it was my job... NO, MY DUTY to go down to this unknown shop, and pick up my free signed mixtape.  I ended up getting a whole lot more than that!  I got to the store, and ended up waiting in a line for an hour and half.  So many people showed up to meet Mike Posner and to get his autograph, it was something crazy!  I mean he is loved by Michiganders and all who listen to his music.  The true thing that will make him successful is his relationship with his fans.  I walked into that shop, after waiting so long in a line, and when it is my turn to meet him, I am greeted by a chill guy, who is by far the most friendly celebrity I have ever met!  It is something that is rarely seen by many musicians out there, it is something that up and coming musicians should really take notes on, and something that musicians who have already made it big should try to do more of.  Be more giving to your fans, and you will succeed much more!  

For only being a Junior at the University of Duke, Mike Posner has a very mature and very confident personality.  His love for music, school, and his fans is something that will lead him to succeed in his future endeavors, whether they be in music or some other profession.  He has this deep love for music which seems to be rooted in his personality, which is why he is so close with his fans and with his music making team.  There really isn't much more to tell you about Mr. Posner, I think I have covered it all... He is a great guy, a great musician, and a great student... What more can I say?  Anyway, be sure to check back here later for out exclusive interview with Mike Posner, and be sure to check back here for more Mixtape/Album News coming your way when we hear more about it.  The title of his first album will be called The New Deal, and you can expect a mixtape from him around September this year (just in time for all those college students to get back to work!).

Check Out Our Review of A Matter of Time Here!!!

Check Out Mike Posner& The Brain Trust On MySpace

Check Out Mike Posner & The Brain Trust On Twitter

Check Out Mike Posner & The Brain Trust On Facebook

Check Out Mike Posner & The Brain Trust On YouTube

Download A Matter of Time Here:

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Stay Tuned For More Mike Posner Updates Coming To You In The Near Future!!!

Check out some exclusive video clips below.  Pharrell seems to be very active in the up and coming rapper pool and seems like he will end up getting his foot in the door for many producing jobs on many of these young rappers up and coming albums.  I don't have a problem with that, Pharrell is the man!  Anyway, check the videos below, some cool stuff and should be nice to see a Big Sean and Pharrell collaboration on some tracks.

Best of Both Offices: Pharrell In The Studio With Big Sean:


The Best of Both Offices: Pharrell Works With Big Sean & Charles Hamilton:

Well, I am sure you have all heard of this group called, "CRS" and more than likely know who is part of what could one day be a big name group!  "CRS" is comprised of (from left to right): Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Lupe Fiasco.  The name "CRS" stands for Child Rebel Soldier.  So why call a Rap group by this name!?  Well, if you look closely into each of these Rappers lives, you'll see that the "CRS" titles fit perfectly with the musicians in the band. Lupe Fiasco would  be considered the "Child,"  Kanye West would be seen as the, "Rebel," and Pharrell Williams is the, "Soldier." 

I don't know how many of you have heard the song entitled, "Us Placers" which was released through the web, and was featured on Kanye West's hit mixtape, Can't Tell Me Nothing (mixtape).  I gave the song a listen, and I am not going to lie, it is extremely solid!  The three of these artists hooking up on an album together would be really amazing, just give their song a listen below and let me know what you think of it.  Lupe Fiasco has already made statements that he is going to stop doing music after his (supposed) final studio release which is to be entitled, LUPEnd.  Lupe has been saying for awhile now that he will be walking away from the industry and looking to do other things in his life.  He has stated that the mixtapes he has made to support his past albums will not continue onward for his third album, and that he would find other ways to promote his third and final release.

Then you have Kanye.  Good old Kanye West, who always has something to say, and someone to sort out beef with.  He is the one who first spotted Lupe Fiasco (and in a way) made Fiasco a "Superstar." Kanye saw the talent in Lupe and I think the two of them work really well together.  Each of them have this unique sound in which the listener can just get lost or addicted to what they are listening to.  If Pharrell was not even in this group, it would still be amazing to have Kanye and Lupe working together on songs.

And finally, there is Pharrell.  I have never been a huge Pharrell fan, but after listening to, "Us Placers," I think I should go back and give more of his material a listen.  He worked well with both Kanye and Lupe in the hit online song, and is a pretty solid edition to the two rappers already talked about.

So there you have it, the making of what could be one of the best Rap groups.  Talks of the three artists producing an album together have been neither here nor there, mainly because all three have been busy working on their solo careers since the release of "Us Placers."  Lupe has said that they may come out with an album, but as of right now, things are just to busy in all of their careers.  Hopefully they do come out with an album, but if not, then I think the three of them should at least put out more singles.  Lets be honest here.  Lupe says he is going to retire from the industry after his third album (which I think will not happen, or happens but then he returns to the music industry eventually).  Maybe when Lupe said he was going to stop with the producing of albums and mixtapes, he was hopefully hinting that the only thing he will be working on was CRS (which I doubt).

That is pretty much all I know about CRS, check out their single in the YouTube video player below and let us know what you think of it and how they work together!

Rumor has it that CRS will be coming out with an album in late 2008, early 2009.  So be sure to check back here to hear more info and news on them when it comes out!