Hip-hop’s already got a violinist (see: Miri Ben-Ari), and now it’s got a trumpeter. Bill Ortiz plays with Carlos Santana and is a prolific musician in his own right, perhaps most famously blowing his horn on Souls of Mischief’s “’93 Til Infinity.” He released a hip-hop album last year, Highest Wish, featuring a selection of rappers, including this Casual of Hieroglyphics, who appears on “We Are What We Are.” Now, the song’s been given the visual treatment, which you can stream above.

The post Premiere: Watch Bill Ortiz’s New Video for “We Are What We Are” feat. Casual from Hieroglyphics appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ex-UGK member, reformed-Purple Sprite sipper, Bun B, is scheduled to host the annual National Red Bull EmSee Battle in Seattle on July 28. The event will also draw names like Too $hort, Casual, and Crooked I, who will serve as judges. The event is an invitation-only battle series that culminates in Atlanta this fall with the National Championships, featuring rappers who qualified from each regional EmSee competition.

Allegedly if you win this thing you get to record a record with a headlining producer of your choice, anyone at all. Anyone at all…? Sounds like one of those four by four inch placards you get in mail, claiming all you have to do to make it on Regis & Kelly is call this number and speak to Abdul, sweepstakes coordinator. But with a sponsor like Red Bull, I’m sure it’s legit.

For information on all the Red Bull EmSee tour stops, click HERE

Peter Marrack (@petermarrack) is a contributing writer for respect-mag.com

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