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If you’re a long time reader of this site, which I hope you are, you’ll know that “What The Hell Is Going On With Allen Halas” was the original title. That phrase applies more than ever right now. I created this site to keep all of the things I was into in order, more for me than anybody else, but now even that fell by the wayside. Let me tell you where I’ve been the last month or so.

For starters, May is already a hard month for any college student. I had several finals and final projects due within a short amount of time. Two of those final projects, a short film called “Greg The Keg” and a video for Journey House that I worked on with Daniel Schergen and Lisa Mihelich (AKA Dream Team), will make their way to the internet shortly. Another project from that class, a music video with Taiyamo Denku, is also on the way. You have no idea what to expect on that. I also had some final exams, which were no fun, too.

On top of exams, I’ve also been involved with helping at Phantom Fireworks of Racine’s Second Annual Community Cookout To Fight Cancer. This year, the event is on June 9th, and features a concert from Chasin’ Mason. There will also be good food, family activities, and a fireworks show, all to benefit the American Cancer Society. Get all of the info about the event at PhantomPhamily.com. Sometimes I don’t do things for just myself, you know.

On top of exams and the cookout, I was hired to shoot a wedding video. I was hired through a reference from Molly Michel of Mthree Studio Photography, so a big thanks is in order for her. Check out her awesome engagement photos of John and Elizabeth, the couple whose wedding I shot.

On top of exams, the cookout and a wedding, I was hired very last minute to shoot a time lapse for Walsh Construction. This was a really cool project, because they were repaving a runway at Mitchell International Airport. That meant I had to get FAA clearance, got to go out on a live runway with planes taking off very close to us, and less importantly, I had to wear a ridiculous reflective suit. It was an incredible experience, and if my video ever makes it to the web somehow, I’ll be very quick to get the link up for you to enjoy.

On top of exams, the cookout a wedding, and a construction video, I’ve been developing some things for my joint venture with Steve Frymark, Breaking and Entering. We’re in the midst of redesigning our company, and I can’t let too much out of the bag, but we will be unveiling new stuff this summer. In the meantime, stay up with our music and shenanigans by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

On top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, and Breaking and Entering, I’ve been putting together my first production mixtape. Again, there are still things to be worked out, so I can’t give away too much, but it will feature songs that I have previously produced. It will be a free download on this site.

On top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, Breaking and Entering, and a mixtape, I have plans for another company in the works. This one will actually have a staff that will comprise of more than two people. You’ll hear news about that in the near future by following me on Twitter (@AllenHalas).

On top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, Breaking and Entering, a mixtape, and another company, I also did this dubstep remix of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”. It’s a free download. Enjoy it, world.

Oh, on top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, Breaking and Entering, a mixtape, another company, and a Carly Rae Jepsen Remix, I now work three jobs. I’ll be getting back to the blogging soon. It’s been a fun ride so far. I still find it amazing that people are coming to me for work instead of the other way around. That’s a pretty cool feeling. It’s been busy, but if you ask me “What’s up?”, I’ll still answer with “Nothing much.”

Wow. The last two weeks have been the busiest two weeks of my life. I haven’t put up a new post in a while. My bad. Anyway, Proph released his latest project “Wool Over My Eyes” yesterday. Giving the thing a full listen, I have to say that Proph isn’t playing around on this project. Also, check out track 3, “So Cold”… I produced that. Just sayin

A lot of times, when I hear a new hip hop song, it’s subject to the “test drive”. The test drive is when I play it in my ’96 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, with the bass up. If it sounds good in an Oldsmobile, it sounds good in anything. This track passed the test drive without even getting played in the car. Put on a pair of headphones with a nice bass sound, and see for yourself.

More new music sent to me from New York. I always like it when stuff gets sent to me from outside of the midwest. Jae Brinks shows a new side on “Goodbye”, a more personal, heartfelt track. If you’ve ever been stressed out, this is that feeling in a song. Can’t fault Jae for putting that feeling down on a record. Definitely something people can relate to.

Denku gave us another leak from his upcoming “Quadrofiendia” album, due out in June. I’m eager for it, and not just because it means I get to release the “Unhandled Crossings” music video that I shot. It’s also because I get to hear more songs like this. If you don’t at least know the names Craig G or Sadat X, you need to look them up. Legends team up with Denku for this track. Listen:

Mad Static sent me this video on Twitter the other night. I watched it last night after a ridiculously long study session, and was blown away. I always appreciate it when anything local is done with a high level of professionalism or creativity. Everything about this video is well done. The bombed out locations, the TV mixed with the vintage black and white footage. This is just a flat out cool hip hop video. I’m eager to see more from Christ B & Moses. Watch this video, everyone.

Here’s a cool idea that I just had: everyone should send me two new songs at once, and I’ll blog them as digital 45s. That would be kind of different. Actually, Chicago artist R.i.C. sent me these tracks a few days ago, and I’ve had them on repeat. Both are really bass heavy songs with a vintage sounding sample. R.i.C. adds a new school flavor on top of these beats, and it came out pretty awesome if you ask me. Check out “Lovely Day” and “Baby What’s Up”, which I’ve decided is now a digital 45 for you to play. Some of my readers might be too young to know what a 45 is.

Warning: This video contains some risque images. Don’t watch it if you’re too young, or too old.

Chester French teamed up with Karmaloop to release their newest video today. The first single is “Black Girls”, a hard hitting, catchy song that you’ll inevitably end up singing along to. The song is also attracting a little bit of controversy, because of the title and the video. Frontman/Milwaukee native/Harvard graduate D.A. Wallach tweeted that “as someone who is and has been in interracial relationships I knew that it was important. This isn’t just about black girls.” Their new album should be released soon, and I really hope it sounds like this song. It’s a big step forward from singing about Jimmy Choo shoes for Chester French, and I like it. Oh, and Travis Barker plays drums on it. One more reason to like it.

A long time in the making, Gerald Walker’s new mixtape, “Believers Never Die” is out. No surprise, but it’s 17 tracks of smooth music, just in time for summer. More production from Taylor Gang producers Cardo & Sledgren, and definitely some awesome additions from Chicago’s own Slot-A, amongst others. Oh, did I mention XV, Phil Ade, and Skeme are all featured on a track? This is definitely going to be one of those tapes that I put on, and might never get out of my music rotation for a long time. Go get “Believers Never Die”. It’s free!

It has been entirely way too long since I presented another edition of #Snapped, where I bring you the best tweets about a particular topic or event.

In “how-the-hell-did-they-do-that?” news, Tupac joined Snoop Dogg onstage last night at Coachella. If you haven’t seen it, I’m sorry that you forgot your Facebook/Twitter password. Here it is, anyway:

Well, naturally, Twitter was ablaze with comments. There’s even a hilarious “Tupac Hologram” Twitter account. Here’s some of the best tweets from other people, though:


Judith Buttlord ‏ (@assthete)

Honestly, why limit yourself to just one holographic Tupac on stage when you could have hundreds?


Mz. Meeka™ ‏ (@ihate2minaj)

So Tupac did a hologram performance & Nicki Minaj deleted her twitter. We are moving in the right direction for the rebirth of Hip Hop.


Prostate Gravy Bath ‏ @HalfCocked_Jack

BREAKING: Tupac hologram shot 7 times outside a cantina on Tatooine. Help us Obi Wan. You’re our only hope.


Mr. Incredible ‏ @4(MeSheWILL)

Dr. Dre can make a hologram Tupac but cant finish detox?


Rebecca Mandel ‏ (@RebeccaMandy)

There was a hologram of tupac at coachella? Why is nobody talking about this?


Chris Keall ‏ (@ChrisKeall)

Crossing fingers for interview with Tupac hologram before east siders try to unplug him

Andrew Barber [FSD] ‏ (@fakeshoredrive)
Wait till they start selling ads on Hologram Tupac’s boxers…

billy eichner ‏ (@billyeichner)
I wonder if the Tupac Hologram’s family will release 12 albums after it disappears.

Frankie Mustari ‏ (@FrankWWEClown)
“Yo Hologram Tupac, I’m real happy for you and I’ma let you finish but Obi-Wan Kenobi was one of the best holograms of all time.” @KanyeWest


Fuse TV ‏ (@fusetv)

Praying for a combination Tupac/Biggie hologram tour…

I could keep going and going. In the meantime, check out the latest tweets about the Tupac hologram here.

Also check out past editions of #Snapped here.

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