Heart of Project Cypher 3: Desanne Ledbetter


Heart of Project Cypher 3: Desanne Ledbetter
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans).

This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over.

Desanne Ledbetter, Project Cypher’s Street Team Leader, would agree.

All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3, as are the people working behind the scenes helping bring this event to life. Desanne has been right there with HighTyde since the beginning.

I asked her what she gets from being part of Project Cypher. This is what she had to say.

“I get enjoyment in being able to help someone in need, a family who needs help. I enjoy helping [others], it puts a smile on my face. Not only do I [still] do it for that reason, but I get to see what hip-hop is truly about.

I get to be part of a great show even though I'm not on stage or an artist. I still enjoy the music and can relate to it. All the artists come to one stage for one night and just be themselves. Seeing people do what they love to do puts a smile on my face, and I get enjoyment out of that [too]. This year I do it for Jaxon.”

#DoIt4Jaxon

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Heart of Project Cypher 3: Prezidential Poe


Heart of Project Cypher 3: Prezidential Poe
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans).

This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over.

Generous mixtape king and multi-faceted producer PrezidentialPoe would agree.
   
All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3. Each of them adds strength to its pulse, and Poe definitely understands the lifeblood of hip-hop culture is a great deal more than its music.

I asked him what he gets from being part of Project Cypher. This is what he had to say.


“Being a part of Project Cypher gives one a sense of pride, it makes you hold on to that last bit of hope. Seeing hip-hop give back to the community makes one proud of the genre of music they grew up listening to. For one night you get to witness people come together from different backgrounds, who normally might not, for one cause!  And this year it is for a young man named Jaxon. Salute to all the artist performing May 14th at Project Cypher 3.”

#DoIt4Jaxon

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Heart of Project Cypher 3: J-Phrey


Heart of Project Cypher 3: J-Phrey
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans).

This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over.

Rapper, singer and songwriter J-Phrey would agree.
   
All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3. Each of them, which includes J-Phrey, adds strength to its pulse.

I asked him what he gets from being part of Project Cypher. This is what he had to say.


“Being a part of Project Cypher gives me a great opportunity to showcase my music and help another person while doing that. People don't understand the things we take for granted every day, and to help someone that wasn't given the same opportunity as us brings me more happiness then any amount of money or fame could ever bring me. I am very glad I get to be a part of this charity event. This night isn't about us, it's about Jaxon. And we are gonna salute you ‘till the end, lil dude.”

#DoIt4Jaxon

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Heart of Project Cypher 3: Ckyttlez


Heart of Project Cypher 3: Ckyttlez 
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans).

This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over.

Hip-hop artist Ckyttlez would agree. 

All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3. Each of them, which includes Ckyttlez, adds strength to its pulse.

I asked him what he gets from being part of Project Cypher. This is what he had to say.


“This is my second year being a part of this amazing event and it won’t be the last. We continue to grow and show hip-hop can and will help people, plus Ryan [aka] HighTyde does a great job with the event.  I'm just happy to help, and preform for my family and friends and local supporters and fans!”

#DoIt4Jaxon

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Heart of Project Cypher 3: Konspiracy Kamp


Heart of Project Cypher 3: Konspiracy Kamp
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans). This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over.

Hip-hop group Konspiracy Kamp would agree.

All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3. Each of them, which includes Drama aka Treason, Shneal, and JCutless, adds strength to its pulse.

I asked the Kamp what they get from being part of Project Cypher. They issued this statement in response.

“Every member of Konspiracy Kamp - Drama aka Treason, Shneal, JCutlass - feels honored to be a part of the Project Cypher event, and hope to help make it as successful as possible. Our record label, Konspiracy Rekords, and group Konspiracy Kamp are revolutionary in nature, and giving back or helping our communities is always one of the primary goals and focuses of our music.
Considering a lot of our songs are aggressive, militant, revolutionary hip-hop tracks exposing and rebelling against tyranny, oppression, and corruption, we love to be able to show our softer sides in support of a good cause.

We believe it’s important to care for and unite with your local communities and feel that’s where a positive change in society has to come from. We want to thank Ryan Evans for his caring heart and all of the hard work and effort put in to organizing these Project Cypher events.”

#DoIt4Jaxon

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3-Year-Old Jaxon House Needs Our Help


By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans). Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency.

“Jaxon is the only known living male who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency, which means that he suffers multiple comas, he's gone through liver failure, and he's seen upwards of 1 seizure every 20 minutes,” HighTyde says. 

“When you think you have it bad I want you to think of what this kid and his mother go through on a daily basis, in and out of hospitals weekly.”

A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over. 

This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14.
If you’re unable to attend the live event, we ask if you could find it in your heart and budget to make a donation. You can do so by CLICKING HERE

Any amount would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you!


#DoIt4Jaxon
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Heart of Project Cypher 3: Gerald G-Ride King


Heart of Project Cypher 3: Gerald G-Ride King
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans). This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over.

Artist, rapper, photographer, and video director and producer Gerald “G-Ride” King would agree.

All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3. Each of them, which includes G-Ride, adds strength to its pulse.

I asked him what he gets from being part of Project Cypher. This is what he had to say.

"Project Cypher is my artistic escape from the world. It's an opportunity to focus on my music, photography, and TV production. Having one single event where we can all showcase our different skills while servicing the community gives me a great deal of satisfaction.

Project Cypher is one of the most peaceful hip-hop events I've been to in recent years, also. Often the good can be overshadowed by negativity. There first two Project Cypher shows reached a much wider audience than expected, and I'm proud of what the event has developed into.

Until Project Cypher came around I had no idea of the level of talent in this community and/or people willing to come together for a worthy cause. Every day I receive emails from artists who want to get on the bill for the next show, or just want to support us for staying positive. Project Cypher’s influence has also spread to surrounding areas with the help of social media and good old word of mouth.

Whether I'm onstage or behind the camera, I love being a part of Project Cypher. And I look forward to it every year.”

#DoIt4Jaxon

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Heart of Project Cypher 3: Sick Daze


Heart of Project Cypher 3: Sick Daze
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans). This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over. 

Hip-hop duo Sick Daze would agree.

All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3. Each of them, which includes Ko-D and F-man, adds strength to its pulse.

I asked the “Chasing Stars” pair what they get from being part of Project Cypher. This is what they had to say.

“I chose to be part of Project Cypher because it helps show the positive side of hip-hop. I don't even think of it as a charity night. Yeah the last couple have been for a child that's had an unfortunate diagnosis, and we're there to raise awareness and money for a good cause, but at the roots of it, it’s a raw ass hip-hop show. 

Extreme local talent and huge crowds equals a great atmosphere that can really get the event going. It's always a great time. We do it for hip-hop and we do it for Jaxon.” – Ko-D

“I want to and have been a part of Project Cypher since the beginning, and I am blessed to say that because music is everything to me - literally. Music has done a lot for me over the years. I never really had much so I definitely know the struggles of life, and that they can change people. I just want to be able to give back and make a difference in someone else's life like music’s done for me. It has got me through years of struggles and kept me going. So if I can help make someone else's life different, I’m all about it.

Everybody deserves to have a chance to be happy in life. Project Cypher is a great outlet to do that with giving to others in need and spreading awareness. Me and Kayo Dash Dee make nothing from these shows. We donate all that we get from tickets to help support. And I have mad love for Ryan Evans for bringing us, Sick Daze, back every year to be able to give back and put on a show.” – F-Man

#DoIt4Jaxon

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Heart of Project Cypher 3: Nemoniq


Heart of Project Cypher 3: Nemoniq
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans). This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. 

Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over. 

Charismatic rhymer Nemoniq would agree.

All the artists scheduled to perform are the heart of Project Cypher 3. Each of them, which includes Nemoniq, adds strength to its pulse.

I asked Nemoniq what he gets from being part of Project Cypher. This is what he had to say.

“The reason I partake in Project Cypher 3, and the previous ones, is simply for the fact that I believe music is a very powerful tool. Rap or not, if used correctly it can bring people together to support a common cause. I do it because I myself am a father, and I know how I would feel knowing artists were doing things like this for me. I do it because I believe we are making a positive influence in these kids’ families, and in the community. Last but not least, this year, I do it for Jaxon.”

#DoIt4Jaxon

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HighTyde Showcases Heart with Project Cypher 3


HighTyde Showcases Heart with Project Cypher 3
By Mr. Joe Walker

Project Cypher is an annual charity concert founded and produced by hip-hop star HighTyde (Ryan Evans). This year’s event, Project Cypher 3, emanates from The Warehouse in Battle Creek, MI on May 14. Sponsored by The EDGE 104.9FM, its purpose is to raise donations for 3-year-old Jaxon House who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency. 

A successful producer, designer, video director and recording artist, Hightyde will be the first to say Project Cypher is bigger than he and hip-hop combined several times over.

I asked HighTyde what he gets from being part of Project Cypher. This is what he had to say.

“Jaxon is the only known living male who suffers from Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency, which means that he suffers multiple comas, he's gone through liver failure, and he's seen upwards of 1 seizure every 20 minutes. When you think you have it bad I want you to think of what this kid and his mother go through on a daily basis, in and out of hospitals weekly.

What I get from being a part of Project Cypher is a sense of pride. Pride in the artists I can bring aboard. Pride in the artists for dedicating their time to support our community. Pride in knowing what we're doing is taking hip-hop, as well as other genres of music, and doing something beneficial and not for personal gain. As artists, leaders, and role models, we define how we're perceived. 

Project Cypher to me is just a smaller piece of the bigger puzzle, but it's a good jumping off point to raise awareness and get both artists and fans involved in giving back to our local and surrounding communities.”

#DoIt4Jaxon

To make a donation CLICK HERE

Also read the blog series HighTyde: Piece of a Larger Picture Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, The Finale
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My Soul Train Ride Has Ended


My Soul Train Ride Has Ended
By Mr. Joe Walker

Black Entertainment Television purchased Soul Train. The deal officially brought my time with SoulTrain.com to an end. It was truly an amazing, exciting, historic ride.

I watched Soul Train every Saturday for much of my early life. I’d often imagine myself performing on its stage, completing Scramble Board puzzles, and dancing down the Soul Train Line with the lady who wore those shiny colorful stretch pants.

Actually being a part of the brand and its history through the official website was better than I could have ever imagined.

For more than 6-and-a-half years I wrote celebrity interviews, album and concert reviews, and columns exclusively for one of the most respected, appreciated, and celebrated urban entertainment brands of the last half-century. It was an honorable challenge, with each of the nearly 500 pieces I wrote, to uphold and add to Soul Train’s existing reputation of excellence. And my role there concluded because the brand was sold to BET. That’s a pretty awesome circumstance to be a casualty of. Soul Train will live on in their very capable hands.

My writing career spans an astounding 18 years. Looking back over everything I’ve done, reflecting on all the ways I’ve been blessed to impact lives using words, my contributions to Soul Train lore via SoulTrain.com ranks pretty close to the top of my list of most-cherished accomplishments. And for that I’m eternally grateful and thankful.

Thank you to Soul Train Holdings, LLC for having me.

Thank you to SoulTrain.com’s management for letting my unconventional style run wild, for allowing me to spearhead all-star tributes to Tina Turner, Gerald Levert, Ice Cube, Patti LaBelle, GURU and, of course, late Soul Train creator, Don Cornelius.

Thank you for bestowing upon me the honor of writing “SoulTrain.com’s Top 40 Most Soulful Hip-Hop Artists” and “SoulTrain.com’s Top 25 Most Soulful Rock Singers”.

Thank you to everyone I interviewed, whether it was their first Soul Train experience or a rekindling.

Last and most importantly, thank you to every reader who spent time with an article written by me or anyone else who helped make SoulTrain.com a must-visit web location before the BET purchase. I sincerely wish you all love, peace, and soul!

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Best Interviews Volume 9


Best Interviews Volume 9: Big Mel, J. Cole, Najee, Robin Thicke
By Mr. Joe Walker

Here you'll find links to some of my best interviews since 2010. Check these four out!





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Most Viewed Blog - March 2016

By Mr. Joe Walker

What was my most viewed blog during March 2016? CLICK HERE!

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Urban Legend Columns - March 2016


Urban Legend Columns - March 2016
By Mr. Joe Walker

"Urban Legend" is a weekly column profiling memorable fictional characters and/or real life hip-hop artists; it's written by me exclusively for SoulTrain.com. Here you'll find links to each column from March 2016. Enjoy!





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