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  Lupe Fiasco’s “Food & Liquor 2” Fights to Save Hip-Hop & Black Youth

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 09/26/12 |
  Filed under Opinion, Lupe Fiasco, Album Reviews

  Since Mike Dreams penned the "Lasers" review that sparked one of the best discussions we've ever had on RefinedHype, I thought it was only right to invite him back to share his thoughts on "Food & Liquor II".See more...

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  Why Lupe Fiasco’s “Lasers” Does NOT Suck Pt. 2, a Track-By-Track Breakdown

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 03/03/11 |
  Filed under Features, Lupe Fiasco, Lasers

  What are the main oppositions I’ve been hearing about the album from people who have heard it? Of course, it’s the expected “this is not our classic Lupe”, and “the beats are too pop” and even the highly ludicrous “he sold out” comments. It pains me to read this, because overall, the album is not bad at all. Here's a track-by-track breakdown. See more...See more...

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  Why Lupe Fiasco’s “Lasers” Does NOT Suck Pt. 1, an Overview

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 03/03/11 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, Lupe Fiasco, Lasers

  What are the main oppositions I’ve been hearing about the album from people who have heard it? Of course, it’s the expected “this is not our classic Lupe”, and “the beats are too pop” and even the highly ludicrous “he sold out” comments. It pains me to read this, because overall, the album is not bad at all. See more...See more...

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  Dear Kat Stacks, When Did Being a Ho Become Cool?

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 04/02/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, A Dreamer's Perspective

  When did being a 'ho" become cool? Why is this topic on my mind? Well, this week, some random chick popped up on the internet named Kat Stacks. In a less classier (for LACK of a better word) way, she got her "Superhead" on and told the world via YouTube video that she had slept with multiple rap artists, including a $1200 rendezvous with Young Tunechi himself. WHY has this become more accepted that it ever has been in the past? See more...See more...

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  Is Drake a Sellout for Pushing Sprite?

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 03/25/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, A Dreamer's Perspective

  “Cash Rules Everything Around Me, CREAM, get the money, dollar, dollar bills y’all.” We all know the song. It’s a classic. Cash money has been a topic in hip hop for the longest. With that in mind, I've been hearing a lot of (ignorant) people throw the word "sell-out" around lately when rap artists are endorsing certain products. I thought the object of the game was to be successful, which would include people getting money from sponsoring and things of that nature. So why you all aggy? The topic came up recently when Drake's Sprite commercial came out. See more...See more...

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  Lil Wayne Joins the Dead at 27 Club

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 03/18/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, Lil Wayne

  Last night I was watching Lil Wayne's "Behind The Music" for about the 3rd time. I'm also a sucker (PAUSE?) for hip hop documentaries, so I can watch them over and over. After I finished, I started to think about how Lil Wayne has a lot of similarities to some of the music stars who had their fates sealed into what many refer to as "The 27 Club". What is the 27 Club you ask? Well, let's have a little rundown. See more...See more...

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  I Can’t Help It, I’m an Optimist

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 03/04/10 |
  Filed under Features, A Dreamer's Perspective

  A long conversation last night with a friend spawned me to talk about this today topic today . Everyone knows I refer to myself as a "dreamer". Shoot, I named my debut album "Dreamer's Poetry" and changed my name to a alias that literally tells you what I do. (Mike Dreams). I begin thinking about why I did this and what it all really means. Why am I so optimistic about life and why do I feel you should be too? See more...See more...

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  Don’t Call My Album a Mixtape!

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 02/25/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, A Dreamer's Perspective

  What is the difference between an album and a mixtape? Perception is everything. Some people hear the word "mixtape" and they immediately classify it in a project that may have not been that serious. A lot of people are putting out mixtapes. That's nothing new. But when you hear ALBUM, that seems to hold a little more prestige with people. It's a bigger deal and might even compel you to go check it out more than if it was just a mixtape.See more...

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  Where to Now? Life After “Dreamer’s Poetry”

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 02/17/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, A Dreamer's Perspective

  To me, creating "Dreamer's Poetry", and album I worked on for years, was a very interesting, diverse experience. It was wonderful. It was horrible. It was uplifting. It was nerve-wracking. It was up and it was down, which ultimately makes the process a perfect metaphor for life. So where do I go now? I'm glad you asked. See more...See more...

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  The Dangerous Road From Child Star to Rap Icon: Drake vs. Orlando Brown

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 02/03/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, A Dreamer's Perspective

  Okay, so I know firsthand that's it's difficult enough to infiltrate the music industry as an unknown artist with the ability to mold their reputation as they enter the industry. But what about those child stars who we learned to love as their characters on kiddie shows or youthful teen dramas. How do they make that transition...and do it correctly? Let's examine two major cases, Drake and Orlando Brown. See more...See more...

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  Mike Dreams Premiers “Dreamer’s Poetry” Official Artwork & Tracklist

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 01/22/10 |
  Filed under A Dreamer's Perspective

  Having thoroughly broken down his new single "Hip-Hop Anthem", Mike Dreams has now agreed to premier the artwork and official tracklist from his upcoming album "Dreamer's Poetry", set to drop February 8 on DJBooth.net and 2DopeBoyz.com. See more...See more...

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  Mike Dreams Breaks Down His New “Hip-Hope Anthem” (Bonus Download)

  Posted by Mike Dreams (Michael A. Hannah) on 01/22/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Downloads, Features, A Dreamer's Perspective

  Last night Mike Dreams premiered his new, dopely inspired record "Hip-Hop Hope (Hello World)" on DJBooth.net and today's he's here to take us deep, deep inside the record, giving us the behind-the-scenes story surrounding the song's creation and his life at the time. See more to read, listen and download...See more...