It’s been a while since we’ve heard from local MC, mover and/or shaker BURNTmd. But it’s not because he’s been resting on his growing laurels. Dude’s actually been quite the busy “B” lately. (Rimshot!)

In the months since we last checked in with the GTD Entertainment founder, he’s spent time working on a slew of new projects. Most recently a single with Reef the Lost Cauze, Phil the Agony and noted producer Illmind. Not to name-drop or anything, but Illmind’s credits also include Erykah Badu, 50 Cent and LL Cool J. So he’s got that going for him, which is nice.

That single, “Let’s Get Ill,” dropped earlier this month on Coalmine Records. It is part of a full EP of the same name scheduled for release on April 20 — yes, 4/20 — which, not to name-drop again, features contributions from Planet Asia, DJ Green Lantern and Akrobatik, among others.

Burnt also reportedly has some irons in the fire with a certain rapper named Snoop Dogg as well as a run of tour dates lined up in April with Keith Murray of Def Jam’s Def Squad, which includes Erick Sermon from EPMD and Redman of Method Man and Redman renown.

Where was I?

Oh, right, not name-dropping. Because that would be crass.

Anyhoo, it seems BURNTmd has really been reaping the rewards of his legendary work ethic of late. But this Saturday, the microphone doctor takes a step back and makes room for the next generation of local MCs with the Cash Prize Rap Battle at The Monkey House in Winooski, presented by GTD.

(Total aside: Given how clever hip-hop artists often are, wouldn’t you think GTD could come up with something catchier than “Cash Prize Rap Battle?” Here’s a free one: “War of the Words.” You’re welcome, B.)

In addition to the battle-rapping hopefuls, the evening will be hosted by DJ Fat Pat and feature performances from Boston’s Blak Madeen and Amadeus the Stampede. Also, Learic from local hip-hop heavyweights The Aztext is scheduled to appear, which would make for a great opportunity to ask about that follow-up album we’ve been waiting on for, like, two years. Seriously, Aztext. What’s the freakin’ holdup?

Anyway, congrats to BURNTmd on his recent successes. You deserve it, man. Because — not to name drop — according to a recent press release from Coalmine, Dan Bolles of Seven Days says, “BURNTmd is one of the hardest-working men in local music, period.” (Yes, I just name-dropped myself. Don’t try that at home, kids.)

A Civil Union?

Sticking with local hip-hop, I’m sorry to report that longtime champions of the 802 the VT Union are disbanding. According to a recent email from head honcho Nastee, everything is copacetic within the collective, which included DJ and MC Dakota and DJ A-Dog, among others. But, as Nastee puts it, “The Union served its purpose.”

Hard to argue with that. In addition to putting individual members of the group on the local map, VTU helped launch local hip-hop entities such as Lotus Entertainment, The Lab and Ice Coast Records, among others. Nastee writes that the Union have one last hurrah in store, a forthcoming mixtape called VT Union Is Dead. Word is, it also involves videos. Nice.

So, what’s next? Nastee and A-Dog have launched a new venture, 4Word Productions, which I expect we’ll hear plenty more from in the near future. In the meantime, Nastee has been busy as a producer, most notably working with up-and-coming NYC rapper Donny Goines on the recently released EP 20X. Goines reportedly will be in Burlington later this month, appearing at one of Nectar’s weekly True School hip-hop sessions.

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