OTB 3-Year In Pictures

Full album here...
All photos by Tommy Ellis

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"

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

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

What I'm Listening To

Besides tackling the stack of records I picked up from New York, here is what else I've been listening to lately.

Slap a "neo-soul" sticker on Mayer Hawthorne and you'd be missing out on genuinely heartfelt music that's is unlike everything else that falls under that current label and trend. You'd also be missing out on the rest of the story. Dude doesn't just have an uncanny ability to croon you back to the days of chivalry. He also plays every single instrument on the album with a funky demeanor that fits other Stones Throw label mates. Oh, and he's white. Go ahead and knock cats for riding everything that Stones Throw puts out. But you can't deny that Peanut Butter Wolf has crafted one of the most diverse and relevant labels of our time. Mayer Hawthorne is no exception. Want further proof? Check out Red's promo video below. Now tell me that you've heard something like this before that's HALF as dope! Cop this here.

Mayer Hawthorne, "I Wish It Would Rain" <----- my personal fave from his A Strange Arrangement LP

Did I mention that I picked up some vinyl recently? Well Ralph MacDonald's The Path blew my mind last night. I actually threw it in my satchel at the record store after listening to the first few smooth-ass bars of "Smoke Rings and Wine". Then I heard "The Path" last night and chalked it up to the beat gods shining down on me. I'm using this for sure. Don't bite!

Ralph MacDonald, "Smoke Rings and Wine"

Ralph MacDonald, "The Path"

Jessica

...per chance...

This 45 has been on repeat at my humble abode and my iPod since last week. You may recognize the lead singer as Nomi Ruiz from Hercules and Love Affair.

Jessica 6, "Not Anymore"

Jay-Z wins before it even starts

Here's a freestyle from Jay's performance at the Palms. Rumor has it that it's the intro to Blueprint 3. Names are dropped, speculations are crushed, and he's not "bringing it back" because he's "better than before, why'd [he] do that?" Game, set, match.

Jay-Z freestyle at the Palms, Las Vegas (warning: recorded at high volume)

Time to pull out the Herman Miller chair and black-framed glasses

I have no idea what that title means. That's what my boy DJ Twellis (name could change, though I personally like this moniker) wrote in the subject line of his message to me concerning his recent lounge mix. I say grab your favorite lowball glass, dim the lights and get lost in this smooth mix (or hop in your red wagon and go for a late-night stroll).

DJ Twellis, "Lounge Mix"

Hip-Hop Father's Day!

Here are the songs that first came to mind when trying to find songs about fathers. They're all hip-hop tracks, but they cover a wide spectrum. They range from dedications ("Faheem"), to open letters ("Little Man"), to tragedy ("Meet the Parents"). Enjoy!

Atmosphere, "Good Daddy"

Jay-Z, "Meet the Parents"

El-P, "Stepfather Factory"

Cecil Otter, "A Hundred Fathers"

Atmosphere, "Little Man"

Brother Ali, "Faheem" (if you haven't been fortunate enough to witness Ali perform this track acapella in concert, it's truly chilling - much better than the album version)

Florence & The Machine

Meet Florence Welch, the most sincere vocalist this side of 30.  Backed by a rocking band, her voice is equally at home over handclaps and a tambourine as it is screaming out over hard drums and guitars.  Her catchy "Kiss With A Fist" got me hooked, but the soul that pours out of "Hospital Beds" made me a fan for life.  Her voice completely fills out the melody making the song infinitely interesting despite the constant tom drum and acoustic strumming.  The lyrics are amazingly intricate and visual despite the slow tempo and short length.

The album, Lungs, drops July 6th.  Pre-order the album and get a signed copy here.

Florence & The Machine, A Lot of Blood, A Lot of Love EP

Awesome picture on so many levels

I couldn't resist... how friggin' awesome is this pic?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

R.I.P Dinkytowner

By now you know the quality of dark pics my phone camera takes :(  If you weren't there last night, you missed the underground party of the YEAR for sure!  I hope these pics can give you an idea of the absolute energy and love for hip-hop in the place last night.  It was absolutely beautiful!

The party really started once Prof got on the mic and ripped a set that was way too short!  His flow is so unique and he was on point last night.  I don't know how dude keeps his delivery crystal clear even on Dinky's muddy soundsystem.  Straight merked it!  Be sure to catch him teamed up with partner in crime St. Paul Slim at the Fine Line on June 13th!  It's free.  Act like you know!

With the crowd at near capacity, Big Zach of Kanser/More Than Lights kicked a few verses reminiscing over nights of Dinkytowner's past.  The band came in and nobody looked back as "the Dinkytowner went out with a BANG" just as Zach promised.  If you've never seen More Than Lights, they are a treat.  In short, they are a group of equally talented musicians that play funky instrumentals with hints of jazz as Zach and Unicus spit rhymes and the lovely Natalie Fine (how appropriate is that last name!) layers soulful vocals infinitely larger than her stature would suggest.  Keeping the breaks moving is Corey Hess.  Vibrating the spine is Chris Hunnicutt on bass.  The soulful keys and brass is delivered by Josh "Jellyfish" Holmgren.  Guitar riffs are freaked by Matiu Unga.  But you can find all of this out and more on their myspace.

Sneak peek into my sketchbook

Big Quarters CD Release show TONIGHT!

It's finally here.  It goes down tonight at the Triple Rock.  Doors are at 9 but I highly recommend buying tickets before hand online to guarantee you get in.  I predict that this show will sell out with the quickness especially with dope opening acts: Mankwe Ndosi, Kill the Vultures, Alissa Paris and hosted by the bigger version of Zach, New MC (aka White Jesus, Zachariah, Big Zach...).  Be there!

Zachariah (you're host for the evening), "Sub Shop" from White Jesus

Haha!  I bet you'll never go to Erbert and Gerbert's again!  More jokes, chilling and good ole fashion hip-hop can be expected throughout the night.

Safe Travels this Memorial Day

I just stumbled across used copies of Atmosphere's two promo EP's for Lucy Ford.  There was an instrumental track on the second one that I've never heard before.  Not only is this a smooth, feel-good track perfect for the summer time, but it also happens to be called "Travelling Music".  So download this and groove out to it wherever and however you may be traveling this weekend.  Have fun.  Be safe.

ANT, "Travelling Music" from Ford Two

And how can I not post up Mos Def's "Travelling Man"?  I'll go one better and post a special remix:

Mos Def, "Travelling Man (DJ Mick remix)" from DJ Mick & Davy Dave Revisit Zwei: The 12" Edition