Fashawn, "Memory Lane"

Fashawn tackles Nasty Nas' classic with uncanny technique.

Fashawn, "Memory Lane"

His debut solo album, Boy Meets World, is out now.

Black Milk's won 2010 before it's even begun

Black Milk, "Keep Going" off of the forthcoming Album of the Year

Happy Holidays

Sick of the holiday music yet? I was lucky and managed to only be in two retail establishments between Thanksgiving and Xmas that played cliche xmas tracks. Here's something that's festive but will hopefully be more refreshing than what we've all had to put up with for the last month. Merry Mary!

10cc, "Dreadlock Holiday"

(no, 10cc isn't a Jamaican band... you could probably figure that they're from England after the first verse ..."I don't like cricket--I LOVE it!" Regardless, you get the vibe. Peace, mon.)

Scratch: The Documentary

Whether you're into hip-hop, are a DJ, admire DJ's, have seen a DJ Hero commercial, have heard scratching on a Comedy Central station id, listen to the radio, listened to a "DJ" yell over an emcee's verse, or have a pulse you need to watch Scratch. It's the most complete documentary of the DJ culture made to this point and is respected by the truest of heads. It doesn't go in-depth into any one element, whether it be beat digging, competitions, the history, the future, the founders, or the techniques. But that's not the point. You'll get a holistic view and it's up to you to dig deeper. Watch it in full on youtube by following the link while I try and get a handle on a flare.

80's vs Hip-Hop dance night @ Shamrocks TONIGHT!

10-2. No cover, big sound, cool lights, good music. Shamrocks is located here. See you there!

Mux Mool, SKULLTASTE teaser

Mux Mool will be dropping a digital-only single January 26th called "Lucky Linda." His debut album, SKULLTASTE, should be out early next year. The below is an excerpt taken directly from the Ghostly International site in a valiant attempt at describing the indescribable.

"At first blush, Mux Mool’s “Lady Linda” seems an unconventionally low-key choice as the first single from the hyperactive producer. “Lady Linda (from Mux Mool’s debut full-lengthSKULLTASTE) doesn’t come roaring out of the gates—rather, it takes its time, shifting from foot to foot like a trench-coated figure in an alley, clutching a bone-dry breakbeat with a pocket full of vintage keyboard tones. But as the track progresses, the underlying sophistication of Mux Mool’s homespun hip-hop begins to take hold and “Lady Linda” reveals herself, blossoming with lush Detroit strings and a melancholy melody. By contrast, B-side “Hog Knuckles” picks up the pace with a deft cut `n paste guitar riff and a blithely stuttering beat. Taken as a whole, then—a warm, sweet A-side and a tart B-side—Mux Mool’s first single may in fact be the perfect introduction to the multifaceted artist. As with all Mux’s best work, the music’s pleasures lurk just below the surface."

2009 Top Ten Lists

The year isn't quite over yet but to avoid any influences from other lists and get ahead of the crowd I'm compiling my list now. Enjoy! Debate!

Top 10 Albums (in particular order)

1) The xx, xx (Young Turks)

2) Metric, Fantasies (Metric Music Int'l)

3) Florence & The Machine, Lungs (Island)

4) Mayer Hawthorne, A Strange Arrangement (Stones Throw)

5) P.O.S, Never Better (Rhymesayers)

6) Black Blondie, Do You Remember Who You Wanted To Be? (self released)

7) Lookbook, Wild At Heart (self released)

8) Exile, Radio (Plug Research Records)

9) Prof & St. Paul Slim, Recession Music (Stophouse)

10) Empire of the Sun, Walking On A Dream (EMI)

Honorable mentions...

...) Raveonettes, In And Out Of Control (Vice) *added 12/26 after finally getting a copy

...) Dam-Funk, Toeachizown (Stones Throw)

...) Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx pt. II (EMI)

...) Lee Fields, My World (Daptone Records)

...) Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, (s/t) (Honest Jon's Records)

...) Eminem, Relapse (Aftermath)

...) Gossip, Music For Men (Columbia)

...) Kid Sister, Ultraviolet (Fool's Gold)

...) Luke Vibert, Rhythm (Soundofspeed)

...) Cage, Depart From Me (Def Jux)

...) Fashawn, Boy Meets World (One Records)

Top 5 Shows (in particular order)

1) Bettye LaVette (headline), The Budos Band ("SummerStage 09", Central Park, NYC, July 24)

2) More Than Lights (headline), Prof ("Dinkytowner final show", Dinkytowner (R.I.P), Minneapolis, May 30)

3) Prof and Rahzswell (headline), Big Zach, DJ Fundamentalist ("Drunk 3", Nomad World Pub, Minneapolis, Aug 29)

4) The Roots (headline) and guests ("The Roots present JAM", Highline Ballroom, NYC, July 28)

5) Lookbook (headline), Zoo Animal ("Lookbook, Wild At Heart CD Release", Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis, Oct 3)

Top 10 Music Videos (in particular order)

1) Lookbook, "Over and Over"

2) Kerli, "Walking On Air"

Kerli - Walking On Air from Blessthefall on Vimeo.

3) Brother Ali, "Us"

4) Miles Fisher, "This Must Be The Place"

5) Jay-Z, "D.O.A"

6) Empire of the Sun, "Without You"

7) Mayer Hawthorne, "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out"

8) Rhymefest, "Chicago"

9) Prof, "Rocketman"



10) Sha Stimuli, "Move Back" feat Freeway



10) Mr. J Medeiros, "Holding On"

Mr. J Medeiros : Holding On from Arthur King on Vimeo.

10) Alchemist, "Smile" feat Twista, Maxwell




Favorite video only I probably appreciate) Brown Bag Allstars, "Undeniable (Audible Doctor remix)" --- these guys run Fat Beats, the oldest hip-hop record store in NYC. I've hung out with most of the members and all of these shots were taken in the store.

Music Video of the Decade) Marco Polo/Masta Ace, "Nostalgia"

...now that is how you make a hip-hop video kids.

Adult Swim x Beaterator present ATL RMX

Adult Swim x Beaterator present ATL RMX (click at the top right of the page for a full zip)

Stand out tracks are the Prefuse 73 remix of "Dey Know", the HEALTH remix of "Goodnight" and the El-P remix of "I Got This".

Smashing Pumpkins' upcoming album

Billy Corgan and friends are back at it again with a new album coming not soon enough. They're leaking one track a month until it's done sometime late 2010. They'll also be touring behind the working album in the spring. "A Song For A Son" is the first release. Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is a massive project and will encapsulate 44 tracks! Smashing Pumpkins fans rejoice!

MTV Shows

Traktor + DMC Champion Rafik

And here I thought only techno/house DJ's used Traktor Scratch. This doesn't make me want to swap out my Serato, but I do have newfound respect for the capabilities of the "other" DJ software.

FELA!

The first Broadway show that I'd be excited to see. The cast performed on the Colbert Report yesterday.

BONUS: Fela Kuti, "Gentleman"

Drunken Post: Mux Mool's VJ

Mux Mool is the ma*fuckin* man! And now you can get a healthy dose of chopped-up retro movies, 8-bit goodness, and 80's visuals with your helping of electro beat bumps...

Keep a lookout on the Ghostly International label for upcoming releases. Props for the Big Quarters stickers!

***Drunken Post idea stolen from the seminal Minneapolis taste-making blog Switchblade Comb

Doomtree Blowout V

If you hurry to Fifth Element you still may get some of the last tickets. Don't forget to pick up False Hopes XV.

Sims & P.O.S, "Coup For The Kings" <-----free download via their website

Mike 2600 new EP and interview

THE Mike 2600 dropped a digital-only EP this week entitled "Ready To Rock" through Emynd & Bo Bliz's Crossfaded Bacon label. Cop it here. Peep the interview-worth-reading here. There's stuff in the interview for fans, upstart designers, graphic-design nerds, record fiends, food aficionados, and DJ's. It's also fun to check out this tastemaker's Top 16 on turntablelab.com.

Minneapolis Art Fri & Sat

Craftorama

Midtown Exchange

2901 Chicago Ave. S.

Mpls, 55104

Fri 3-8

Sat 9-5

Dam-Funk drops free tracks on Twitter

If you've been following Dam-Funk on twitter, you'd already be up on this. But I won't hold it against you if you're not. That's why you follow this blog, right? Below are four links to some electro-boogie groovers that the funk-o-tron himself released to his followers today. As he recommends, "U may wanna blaze up sumthin' real nice 4 this 1...seriously."

Dam-Funk, "Beyond 2012"

Dam-Funk, "R U Gon Let Me Slip Away?"

Dam-Funk, "I Appreciate My Life"

Dam-Funk, "Catch The Beat"

Home

Sunday is home time. That doesn't necessarily mean that you're in your house or apartment. Home is wherever you feel comfortable and welcome to be yourself. I've got my coffee, my headphones and my notebook: "This must be the place."

I've posted this amazing music video of Miles Fisher's equally impressive song. It wasn't until today that I finally heard the original version on The Current (gawd! I love Mpls!). The original is a David Byrne song written and performed by The Talking Heads in 1984. There have been many covers of this song from the likes of Arcade Fire and MGMT, but Miles Fisher's version with the chopped-up vocals looped and the sick synth work takes the cake!

The encore presentation (with the mp3, Talking Heads version, and a live version below):

Miles Fisher - This Must Be The Place (Cover) from Miles Fisher on Vimeo.

Talking Heads, "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)"

Talking Heads, "This Must Be The Place (live)"

Miles Fisher, "This Must Be The Place"

Thanks St. Paul Party Peeps!

Trey, Willy and myself had a blast playing some 80's and hip-hop jams last night at Shamrocks. Thanks for all those that came out and helped to make it such an enjoyable event. Special thanks to all of those that appreciated the Ghostbusters theme song that I dropped halfway through the night! And extra special thanks to the lovely lady whom I gave my business card to instead of asking her for her phone number. Dayum, I am smoooooooth.

Here's my most recent foray into colored markers from my sketchbook. This "pinch" goes out to everyone at Shamrocks. (Heads up, we'll be back December 18th)

Hip-Hop Cornucopia

Celebrate the short work week, get away from family drama, and spend time with your friends at The Spring Street with that good hip-hop you and yours have come to love. Not only do you get me and Trey on our usual night, Thursday, but you get a special kick-off to the holidays on Wednesday night! DO NOT miss Wednesday night. Year after year, the night before Thanksgiving goes off at the Spring! I'll see you there with my bags of wax!

...and HEADS UP! Trey and I are dropping 80's party jams and hip-hop bangers on Friday night at Shamrocks!

*all shows are 21+ and NO COVER

Daptone Records & free download

Daptone Records is dropping a compilation double LP called "Daptone Gold" next week. The first 50 pre-orders of the LP will get theirs signed. I already ordered mine (fingers crossed) so get clicking! Follow this link for the pre-order. In case you haven't heard any of the amazing soul artists currently on the label, you can get a free taste of Lee Fields in a download via Fader.

This week's shows

@ First Ave. Been sold out.
Hit me up on twitter (http://twitter.com/deejaybrock) for the secret location and be sure to sign up for Burlesque's newsletter.

More Than Lights: Zach and Unicus from Kanser accompanied by an awesome assembly of Minneapolis musicians as well as my girlfriend, Natalie Fine.

Sunday Optimism from Speech Debelle

I told you about this lovely UK emcee back in January. I finally picked up her debut album, Speech Therapy. With a beautiful voice, that infectious English accent, and a flow that'll melt the impending snow, she's worth the try (hey, she won the Mercury Music Prize for best UK album of the year beating out Florence & The Machine's Lungs amongst others). Much of her album revolves around overcoming negativity and has a downtrodden demeanor. This song brings out the sunrays, though.

Speech Debelle, "Spinnin'" from Speech Therapy out now.

Kerli - Walking On Air

There's so many wonderful opposing elements in the song that are highlighted in the video that ultimately make this piece of art one of my favorite videos of the year. The 'creepiness' v. the welcoming, the beautifully airy v. the heavy roughness, the joking v. the bitter truth, the promiscuous v. innocence... Wonderful! It ranks right up there with Lookbook's "Over and Over".

Kerli - Walking On Air from Pliks on Vimeo.

Fly Gypsy introduction

I heard this track on Mike 2600 King's mix at RSE Radio this past Saturday and had to learn more. This hip-hop duo out of Washington D.C. is the collaboration of Jamaican emcee, Komplex, and Russian producer/songwriter Alexei. Their debut album, Change For A Dollar, drops December 1st. To tide you over you can catch up on other videos and even download their free mixtape Vodka & Rum from their official website here.

P.O.S. Interview via MTV

There's something for the newbie, casual and die-hard fan in this interview.

P.O.S. - MTV Shows

Bekay, "Hunger Pains" OUT TUESDAY

I already posted this track, now peep the video. Cop this Tuesday. Preview the album here.

More Exile

At this point it probably seems like I'm riding d*. Don't care. Exile gives good interviews, has a transparent love for the art and genre, is revolutionizing and inventing new ways to utilize old instruments, and ignantwitted included some dope footage I haven't seen before.

Happy Halloween

I told you Exile was a beast already. Witness the genius on video. Don't sleep on DJ Day, either.

*BONUS*

DJ Day/Beyonce/PUTS, "Crazy Right Now (B.cause T.A.T.D blend)"

Epic

That piano, New York, the aerial shots, Hype Williams, shutting down Times Square, Alicia Keys... oh, Alicia Keys. She's so beautiful. Her new album The Element of Freedom drops December 15th, the same week as Mary J. Blige's Stronger.

Kanye says, "Please Listen To This" --> new P.O.S.

The new P.O.S. video for "Never Better" was posted by tastemaker/hater extraordinaire, Kanye West on his blog here. P.O.S. continues to motherf*ing REPRESENT! Happy Halloween.

I met God

The God MC.

I am fortunate enough to have a job that provides me many musical opportunities. None has or probably will ever come as close as my brief meeting with Rakim. He came through Minneapolis on his way to the west coast to tour and promote his upcoming album, The 7th Seal due out November 17th.

He came through and played some new tracks and gave some background on each record and the holistic vision of the album. Afterwards he had some time for questions from the small group and then went through the routine of signing and taking pictures with some of my fellow co-workers.

When asked what emcees he believes are currently carrying the torch of conscious and positive rap he only named two: Lupe Fiasco (named first) and Nas (though he was quick to point out that while Nas isn't always the most positive, in most of his records there's an underlying drive for good).

I asked what it's like when new emcees meet him, a legend and source of inspiration for many, for the first time. In particular, I asked how it went when Brother Ali met him and rocked a show at First Ave with Ali. I know that Ali is a huge fan and shares the same Muslim faith. Rakim said that having emcees display their appreciation and love for his work face-to-face is the greatest compliment - even more so in hip-hop since the root of all of the elements, especially rap, is braggadocio and being better than the next person. He called Brother Ali a "throwback" and appreciates his music and approach to it. Rakim never travels or performs with artists that don't share his same values. He said that it wasn't a difficult decision to work with Ali.

The last group question asked was if there was one moment in his career that stood out or he couldn't believe happened. He talks of a day at home with his kids running around the house and getting a call from his manager. His manager always gassed him up, so he was preparing for some more hot air. The manager said, "Have you seen the new issue of The Source? They ranked the top emcees of all time. Guess where you ranked?" Rakim figuring that his manager had an inflated view of his artist guessed: "I dunno. 13? 10? Haha, 8?" "You were ranked number one!" Tears welled up in his eyes in disbelief and joy. His kids instantly recognized that something was wrong. They stopped what they were doing perplexed at their fathers' tears having never seen him cry. "Dad, are you crying?" Rakim says that at that moment all of his years staying true to himself and not going after the money by putting out "gangster" albums were realized. What's more, the hip-hop community respected that and recognized it formally. He was never recognized through album sales, but amongst the hip-hop community he will always be known as the greatest. And Rakim wouldn't ask for anything more.

The highlight of it all, though, was getting my own little moment with Rakim Allah. A few months ago at a record show I came across a Ruth Brown record and picked it up on the recommendation of the vendor. I instantly fell in love with this phenomenal blues and R&B singer. The morning that I was to meet Rakim I did a quick internet search to see if there was anything that I didn't already know about him. It turns out that Rakim is the late Ruth Brown's nephew. I thought my Ruth Brown LP would be a good, albeit small, token of my appreciation for Rakim's visit and body of work. As my turn with Rakim one-on-one came, I handed him the record. I asked if he already had the album and he said that he didn't. As he inspected it I tried to assure him that though the sleeve wasn't in mint condition, the vinyl was. He was quick to deny my comment about the 1972 sleeve's condition. "Nah, I know what records go through and this is in GREAT shape." After turning the LP over a few times he slowly set it down and withdrew into thought for a second. He went into a little story about his aunt.

"I remember her babysitting us many nights. We were a bunch of rugrats causing trouble. She was always so calm. She would often sit in the kitchen and sew some ruffles and glitter on her dress and shoes. It wasn't until I was older that I fully appreciated what was going on. Here she was sprucing up an old dress and shoes and babysitting hours before she went out to perform at The Cotton Club! That humbleness and refusal to change her style greatly influenced my approach to music and the industry."

It was an honor to share in Rakim's reflection on his aunt who he obviously loved and who was a major influence on him. It was also very special to see how much he appreciated my gift. I later heard from his manager that he told him he was genuinely "touched."

After getting a promo 12" of "It's Been A Long Time" signed, a few pics taken, a handshake and an urging to "not let vinyl die" I spent the rest of the day on a natural high unlike any.

Ruth Brown, "Teardrops From My Eyes"

Rakim, "It's Been A Long Time"

Radio do Canibal review from Brazil

Review by Arthur for 365 Albums A Year blog

Co-sign.

East Coast wins... sorry

Just after I published my previous post about the come-up of West Coast hip-hop I came across this joint by Sha Stimuli featuring Freeway and produced by Just Blaze... YIKES! With a lineup like that, you can't mess with the East!

West Coast on the come up!

I'm an East Coast/NYC hip-hop fan for life. I never got into the West Coast gangsta-rap scene or any of the superstar Cali emcees. It seems like each coast has had their time and things have been going in cycles. Well, it looks like it's the West Coast's time right now. Not only do they have a bunch of mad-talented young emcees, but they've converted me to their ways: sunshine, barbecues and parties. Those aren't the only subjects of course, but if I'm going to over generalize, there you go.

People Under The Stairs are vets in West Coast scene and represent their city and lifestyle to the fullest. You can't listen to any of their tracks without seeing palm trees and sunrises over the ocean.

Evidence has been tearing it up lately with a masterful solo album, The Weatherman LP, and an EP so good it could stand up as a full album instead of just a teaser to his sophomore effort on Rhymesayers.

Of course there's Dre who's been through all of the West Coast movements and stood the test of time without changing the roots of his style. And when that album f-i-n-a-l-l-y drops it'll be a problem to the rest of the hip-hop game.

There's many other West Coast staples who are responsible for bringing the warmer coasts' sound and style back to the forefront of hip-hop. But the one that I've been sleeping on as of late is Fashawn. Let this video/track be a case in point and go cop the album Boy Meets World, out today.

Fashawn "Sunny CA"

FASHAWN | MySpace Music Videos

The entire album is produced by production beast, Exile.

VIMBY - Teaser: Exile

VIMBY | MySpace Video

Miles Fisher

My buddy shot me this music video and I instantly became a fan and absolutely addicted to this song! According to my iTunes I've played it more than a dozen times in the last week. The kicker is that you can download a quality EP from his website.

Miles Fisher - This Must Be The Place (Cover) from Miles Fisher on Vimeo.

Miles Fisher EP download

Homage to Eric Inkala

Eric Inkala has been a staple of the Minneapolis art community for a minute. He has a very distinct style. He incorporates bright colors, graffiti imagery, and lines that flow effortlessly into and out of each other. First Amendment art gallery held a goodbye show for him a month ago as he is moving onto bigger things out in NYC. It's bittersweet because Mpls lost another great artist to NYC, but it's always good to see a homegrown artist progress and represent Mpls to the fullest out of state. I went to said show with the intention of finally purchasing a piece of Inkala's art. Of course my favorite piece was already taken by the time I got to the show.

Inspired by the show and disappointed that I didn't have an Inkala piece for one of my drab walls, I decided to create my own Inkala-inspired piece with some twists that are part of my style. You could call this lil piece 'biting' but I prefer to call it an homage to Inkala. I think it's fair especially since I make a blatant call-out in the bottom right of the piece ("Ink").

Inkala definitely left his mark on me as well as the city. Some of his pieces can be found on the sides of buildings and parking ramps. In Uptown, you can check out his work on the side of the Caribou on Lake Street across from Bryant Lake Bowl.

JGoods Clothing Release @ Phenom tonight!

My boy DJ Twellis and myself will be spinning Funk & Breaks from 7:30 - 10 as a warmup for the official afterparty across the street at O'Gara's. Come through Phenom and check out the fresh threads and get into O'Gara's for free. Holler!

80's Meets Hip-Hop: a dance night

If you live in St. Paul, next Friday is your lucky day because we're bringing the party to you. No need to travel across the river to get your dance on. And if you live in Minneapolis, you finally have an excuse to visit your beautiful capital.

DJ Trey and I will be throwing down 80's jams and the choicest hip-hop bangers all night at Shamrocks on October 23rd. Come on down and bring all of your friends and friends' friends. If we pack them in on the 23rd, we could make this a monthly occurrence. So help a brother out and get your grown-ass dance on next Friday!

995 West 7th Street, St. Paul

"Ring My Bell (b.cause Calle Ocho version)," Ann Lee vs. Pit Bull

The late DJ AM series, "Gone Too Far" premiers Monday on MTV

Gone Too Far - MTV Shows

I don't have a TV for many reasons, but one of the reasons is there aren't any shows of substance or that are doing a service for the viewer. I will be going to a friend's house to watch this series, however. I can't think of a more important show right now.

RIP DJ AM.

BK-One, "Radio do Canibal" out NOW

Lookbook CD Release Show @ Kitty Cat Klub

Tonight in Dinkytown with Zoo Animal and Shahs.

The XX, "Islands"

From my favorite album of the year so far, The XX. The album's out now.

Lookbook, "Over and Over" music video

It's no secret that I have a huge crush on Maggie Morrison. In all honesty, I'd probably post a video of her even if the music was terrible and the video was shoddy. This video, though, is simply amazing. One of the best music videos I've seen all year. It ranks up there with Jay-Z's east-coast Mad Max blockbuster, "We Run This." Plus, I'd rather stare at Maggie than Rihanna any day.

Short film about the largest record collection in the world

This has floated throughout the internet for a while. I probably posted it before. It's so good it's worth another post regardless. But you can now see this excellent short film along with many others at The International Shorts Program held on October 2nd at the Trylon Microcinema (3258 Minnehaha Ave.).

I dare you to watch this sitting down

Skyzoo hip-hop confessions

Skyzoo's debut album, Salvation, comes out next Tuesday. If it's half as dope as his mixtapes, it'll be the best hip-hop album of the year. And I am aware that a small cat named Jay-Z just dropped an album. Trust me.

Skyzoo, Corner Store Classic mixtape

By the way, you can follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-thought updates!

Fresh Air Tour

Oh...my...GAWD! This tour is going to be bonkers! I love this promo video. Getting it in an old school cypher!

Buy pre-sale tix on Ali's website.

Brother Ali, Evidence, Toki Wright, "The Freshest Kids"

Twin City production giants bless the scene again

Bear with me during my internet outage

So the last person on earth who had an unlocked wireless network moved out of my living complex. While I'm trying to figure out the best way to actually pay for internet the posts will be a little light I'm afraid. I'm going to try and get to the coffee shop as often as I can to give you guys and ladies the download. Before I head back to an unconnected zone, let me drop as much knowledge as I can.

DIGITATA tonight at the 7th Street Entry!

Just when I thought they were officially broken up after their historic 4-hour set at the Uptown Bar they are blessing the 7th Street for an intimate show. I'm predicting melodic, downtempo eargasms spilling onto the person at your left shoulder.

KILL THE VULTURES tonight at the Uptown Bar!

Get your final kicks at the Uptown Bar as it's set to close in November to make way for retail because that's exactly what Uptown needs during the recession, right? Instead of drowning your layoff in PBRs and moody hip-hop you'll need to scrounge up $40 for some tee shirt all of the west suburb kids are wearing this week to school. Ugh.

BIG ZACH and I SELF DEVINE at the Uptown Bar Friday, October 2nd (advance notice!)

I shouldn't have to tell you about Big Zach if you're reading this blog... hell, I shouldn't have to tell you about Big Zach if you live in the tri-state area and are a fan of hip-hop! I will tell you that he's been absolutely killing it recently with a bonkers freestyle at Drunk at the Nomad, his live shows with More Than Lights and his appearance on multiple hot projects including one of the best hip-hop albums of the year, "Recession Music".

PHOENIX at First Ave on Tuesday, the 22nd

If you missed Phoenix at one of my favorite venues, the Varsity Theatre, a few months ago like I did you won't want to miss this one! The next time they come through it will likely mean a bigger venue with worse acoustics and more tweens. Yikes!

Old School Hip-Hop picked up on wax:

NWA, "Dopeman (Remix)" 12-inch single

LL Cool J, bonus acapella from his debut LP, "Radio"

Crown Royale - We Gotcha (live)

Two under-rated artists of their respective crafts killing it live: Buff 1 and Rhettmatic.

Crown Royale (Buff 1 & Rhettmatic) - "We Gotcha"

Party In A Download

Baltimore Club + Kid Sister (btw, where's her album) + Lil Mama + Tittsworth's synths =

Get Em Mamis, "TerAwesome Mixtape" <----- good enough to be their debut album (individual tracks without any mixing)

Graffiti Archaeology

My boy Tommy found out about this site in a 2007 issue of Archaeology magazine while we were up at the cabin. The magazine of course described the site and what it had to contribute from a cultural studies perspective. It is a well-written article that somehow manages to ride the line between pretending to know too much about graf and treating the documentation of the art form as purely scientific.

Link to the article in the July/August 2007 issue of Archeaology

Link to Graffiti Archaeology interactive website

Mayer Hawthorne - Maybe So, Maybe No

From one of the best albums of 2009, A Strange Arrangement:

This is what embarassment looks like

Props to the Top Billin' boys for posting!

Brother Ali talks illegal downloading and the relationship with your music

Brother Ali does an excellent job discussing both sides of illegal downloading. The only thing that he leaves out is how poor the sound quality is when you have your music compressed on your phone or computer. I thought that he was going to mention it once he started to talk about how downloads aren't how an artist intends the listener to hear his/her music. Nonetheless, bravo to Ali for articulating the conflict so well.

RIP DJ AM

Mister Cartoon: Tattooist, Wise Man

This interview had me riveted. Young'ns, listen up! You will learn something. Mr. Mark speaks the truth.

Hip-Hop Thursday @ Spring Street Tavern

If you haven't noticed, Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 is slowly being leaked track-by-track to the big-dog blogs [rhymed without even trying]. So far, the tracks have been disappointments. Instead of provide you with links to these so-far mediocre tracks, I'm going to share a track that also has been posted up on the definitive hip-hop blogs... and is fire on that late-90's NYC tip. In other words, it's my joint.

Let me (re)-introduce you to Bekay (pronounced "BK"). Hailing, obviously, from Brooklyn this Jewish emcee has been making moves for a minute but hasn't ever blown up. Some may remember him from his battles on 106 & Park back in '02, others from MTV's short-lived MC battles around '03. I haven't heard much of him, but if this viral track if him holding his own with Masta Ace is any indication of what is to come, I'll be on the lookout.

Bekay, "Brooklyn Bridge feat. Masta Ace" produced by Babu

If I had some Bekay wax, I'd rock it tomorrow (Thursday). But I don't. I've got crates of other quality hip-hop, though that I'll be throwing down tomorrow night at the Spring Street Tavern with DJ Trey. Come holler at your DJ!

David Ellis

My boy Tommy who's actually been in Spain for the last month (come home, soon! I need help with the MP!) posted this up on my facebook and blew my mind. Below is the comment I left on the post:

Wow... just WOW! I love all of his ideas. The sheer concepts are brilliant. The fact that he has the ingenuity and wherewithall to execute them is pure artistry! Favorite quote: "A painting is a drum. It's a membrane stretched over a frame." YES

Hip-hop Thursday at the Spring Street Tavern and more

To get you in the right frame of mind for Hip-Hop Thursday at the Spring Street Tavern, I find it very appropriate to share a Big L 12" with you that was put out by Fat Beats back in 2000 after posting about Fat Beats' new stuff yesterday.

"Flamboyant" was titled after the recently-established independent imprint of Big L's. It was also the first single to drop to warm up the listeners for Big L's sophomore release, The Big Picture. The hip-hop culture lost one of the greats who was only starting to realize his potential in life and in rhyme. Big L's life was taken on the very block he repped so hard, 139th and Lennox, in February of 1999. His sophomore album was released posthumously. It's hard to say just how far Big L could have gone, especially considering that he helped get Jay-Z heard with a verse on "Da Graveyard" off of his Lifestyles Ov Da Poor And Dangerous. Rest in peace.

It wouldn't be right to rip this 12" and not include the acapella's for my fellow DJ's out there. I also included the instrumental for "Flamboyant" but not "On The Mic" because there is some annoying clicks despite the record visually looking flawless.

Big L, Flamboyant 12" (Rawkus, 2000)

Brown Bag Allstars

Whenever I visit NY, I always need to stop by the Fat Beats record store. On previous journeys, I was fortunate enough to converse with the Audible Doctor and be introduced to his production in the form of his Brownies CD. If you don't know about this James Brown tribute, or if you're an aspiring producer, you must cop this. This is hands-down, the best re-interpretation of JB samples I've ever heard. And if you think you've heard JB chopped every which-way imaginable, think again.

Whoa, I got off on a tangent... so this time around at Fat Beats I met J57. He's another Fat Beats employee who produces and emcees. He put me on to a group that was recently formed called Brown Bag Allstars (BBAS). They have a blog with a bunch of hotness for download and if you follow any of them on Twitter, you can catch them on the come-up with videos like this:

Felt 3 teaser

Rhymesayers just dropped this track off of the forthcoming Felt 3. In case you couldn't guess from the chopped-up guitar riffs and off-kilter drums the album is produced by Def Jux underground star, Aesop Rock. I personally miss ANT's backdrop, but I'll wait to judge how well Aesop Rock's production lends itself to Slug and Murs' hijinx and storytelling.

Felt, "Protagonists " from Felt 3

Belated Disco

There were two sweet disco parties this weekend. Neither of which I was able to attend. You gotta love summer weddings, right? The jump-off Friday night was at the First Ave VIP room where I'm sure hella classy and rare joints were spun by Mike 2600 and Attitude City. Be sure to catch this every 2nd Friday of the month! Saturday night's disco party was at... awww, hell, I don't know where it was. The point is that I was meaning to share some tasty disco records that I had picked up in NY in lieu of this weekends' festivities. Without further ado...

I love how Carole King extends the "disco school" theme throughout this track. It even has a little tasty disco break down near the end.

Carole King, "Disco Tech"

So this one's a bit cheesy. I only picked it up because it was a West End disco single which almost never miss. If you can get through the initial vocals, you will be rewarded with some bossa guitar riffs. It totally redeems the track.

DAWN Robertson, "With All My Heart (Disco Version)"

When I saw this record at Academy Records in NY it was a complete no-brainer. I love Rufus and ever since I came across the Billy Cobham and George Duke Live in Europe record, I've become convinced that George Duke can do no wrong. This boogie track needs no further description other than what's in the title:

Rufus, "Take It To The Top (prod. by George Duke)"