20 mins of inspiration and 2 mins of tears. nothing but love.
been on repeat...
Talib Kweli. is my favorite MCs. Yes, my fave. While everyone was falling in love with Mos Def during the drop of Black Star, I was falling in love with Talib. His lyrical flow is deep in content and high in skill. Although his lastest album, "Eardrum" wasn't that much of a hot thing, being a true fan I could not NOT get a hold of his newest album, "Gutter Rainbows." Because "Gutter Rainbows" is under a more underground label, you would not be able to find this album at your local Best Buy. Not even Vegas' Zia Recrods had a copy on its release date. Luckily I was in San Francisco for the weekend and Amoeba did not let me down. Best $15 I've spent in a while. Talib is baaaack!! Don't let your eardrums miss out on this one cuz it's been bangin on mines since I got it.
"...I truly believe what a fan wants is for an artist to express themselves honestly...even if that artist is in a brand new place. The challenge for the artist is to be so good at their craft that they lead their fans on the journey with them..." -Talib
Here's one of my favorite tracks on the album "Mr. International." aaand It's produced by S1!!
"Music" - Talib Kweli feat. Leela James (Remix)
"Music" - Joss Stone feat. Lauryn Hill
i fkn love music.
Hawaii's music culture has grown remarkably over past few years. On this past Hawaii vacation, I explored my first visit to Jazzminds Art & Cafe and it was amazing! Being a lover of Jazz music and its culture, I automatically fell in love with this underground grimy-like environment. Jazz Minds provides live Jazz entertainment 6 nights a week ranging from artist and groups performing local vocal jazz to R&B jazz to Hip Hop jazz. The exterior part of Jazzminds is pretty intimidating as it sits next to dirty strip bars along Kapi'olani Blvd. But as you walk in, it's a whole different world. The brick walls are covered with a variety of local urban paintings and pictures. There are more red love seats and wooden coffee tables than there are chairs and stools. The stage is only about a foot high with a small dance floor in front of it. Alcohol and pupus are served all night. The setting's quite intimate and you seem more attentive to the band as compared to Mai Tais. Most people are sitting or standing against the walls as the set up of the place is more like a concert than a lounge. I love it there.
I went to Jazzminds was on a Wednesday night. Deadbeats is their weekly featured group. Deadbeats, a Hip Hop Jazz and Funk band that started in 2007, was voted for Hawaii's Best Underground Hip Hop Group in 2009. They write their own music and they do covers while adding their style to it. They are siiiick! They're become one of my new favorite bands added to my list. I'm so proud of Hawaii's music.
"The Deadbeats have opened for The Elevaters, Eric Hutchinson , Mos Def, and soon to open for Blue Scholars. They've rocked faces in various venues such as Jazzminds, Element Lounge, Indigo, Bar 35, Mercury Bar, 39 Hotel, Ong King, Nextdoor, The Loft, Pipeline Cafe, Honolulu Academy of Arts, and an occasional house party rager here and there. When it's all said and boiled down, The Deadbeats are here to entertain..."
[Thanks to rymiya for this awesome video, which was shot with a Canon 5d. Isn't it sick?!]
For more videos, check out Deadbeats' myspace music and youtube channel, DBTV. Don't sleep on this.
For more videos, check out Deadbeats' myspace music and youtube channel, DBTV. Don't sleep on this.
I was born in '81. I grew up listening to synthesized 80's pop music and dancing with my hair in the srcunchie tied to the side. I have to admit, I love the 80's and the music plays a big part on why. This era was fun, upbeat, and alive to say the least. And I believe only those who really experienced this era would understand. To this day, you can catch me at the gym working out to 80's music for a good sweat session. Every so often the famous artist of the 80's get together to do a national tour. Since I haven't seen them live when I was kid, I felt lucky I had my chance. I couldn't turn this concert down.
Event: Freestyle Jam Concert
Date: May 15, 2009
Location: Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas
Status: General Admission
Price: $40
Location in Crowd: moved from 20th row to 10th row from the stage
Companion: Jae, EJ, Marjorie, Sheryl, Sherry, & Emilio
I went with good company who were of course fellow fans. Considering these artists had their initial music breakthrough over 20 years ago, the concert was a GREAT turn out. The demographics consisted mostly of females who were in their late 20s or older. Once the music started and the lights went on, the teen bopper in me came out.!! I was off my seat, dancing and singing to all the lyrics. It was nostalgic. The crowd moved their bodies and voices to Stevie B, Debbie Deb, Expose, and other artists. I have to say they sounded exactly like how they did 20 years ago!! I was ecstatic to know that I added another "check" to my music bucket list.
"... Party your body I can make you feel like.
Party your body dancing to the morning light..."
"...When I dream about you, that’s when everything’s all right,
You're in my arms here next to me, forever...." - Stevie B
Party your body dancing to the morning light..."
"...When I dream about you, that’s when everything’s all right,
You're in my arms here next to me, forever...." - Stevie B
"...I, I'd like to feel the passion to the point of no returnnnn..." - Expose
"...Jumping music, slick deejays, fog machines and laser rays..." - Debbie Deb 
"...Let the music play. he won't get away..." - Shannon
We were able to meet and greet with the artists, get our albums signed, and even got to kick it with Stevie and his band post show. Totally awesome to the max!!
J5, the classic LA group born in the early 90's stemming from two groups called, Unity Committee and the Rebels of Rhythm. They rocked hip hop throughout the past decade and a half delivering to us 4 albums of raw beat and rhyme from recognizable and excellent DJs and rappers - Chali 2na, Soup, Cut Chemist, DJ Nu-Mark, Akil , and Mark 7even. Unfortunately, today the group is no longer together, but their music still remains in the the heads and hearts of hip hop. They just dropped their last album, "The Feedback", in July of that and I was lucky to catch their show only a few months before they broke up. Over the years, their style has minutely changed but their quality was always under control.
Event: Jurassic 5 Concert
Date: November 25, 2006
Location: Pipeline Cafe, Honolulu, HI
Status: General Admission
Price: $35
Location in Crowd: 3rd-5th row from the stage
Companion: Tricia, Laur, & Matt
Before the doors were open, the line of music hungry fans was wrapped around the building. Over hundreds of fans showed up. They played most of their hits and added some fresh freestylin' sets in both the emceeing and djing elements. The crowd was far from silent as everyone, myself included, rapped their rhymes and bobbed their heads.
"...my quality control, captivates your party patrol
Your mind, body, and soul..."
You have to take a listen to this clip. DJ Nu-Mark did a set with these toys and it was fkn amazing!! Since I didn't have room for video on my camera, I copped this from p1naypr1ncess. (thanks girl).
Event: John Legend Concert
Date: September 18, 2009
Location: Red Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Status: General Admission
Price: $84 (and worth every cent!)
Location in Crowd: 3rd row from the stage; Poolside
Companion: Laur & Jae
John Legend. Vocally talented and a Hottie... what more can I say?! This Grammy winner sweetheart sang my heart away at his intimate poolside concert. Only a few feet away with my mouth open and drooling, I was in love. He performed all of my (and probably every one's) favorites! He also did a few covers of Michael Jackson's hits and it was genuinely touching!
Performing "Stay With You" melted my soul...
"...Oh I'll stay with you through the ups and the downs
Oh I'll stay with you when no one else is around
And when the dark clouds arrive
I will stay by your side
I know we'll be alright
I will stay with you..."
This morning my SF Mary, Rach, had a request for me to compile a playlist. The theme: JAZZ. It was my pleasure! By the end of the day I had assembled my "Jazzy.Fizzle" playlist from my imeem that consists of 79 songs ranging from the classic jazz, to roots/reggae, to hip hop jazz, to soul, and to vocal jazz. The first song is one of my favorite all time tracks, "Respect the Architect" by Guru, the mister Jazzmatazz. The track also features my favorite female MC, Bahamadia. Yes, she's my fave... even over Lauryn Hill and Jean Grae. And because of this track, I fall in love with her and the fusion and influence of jazz music all over again. Other artists featured on my playlist include Frank Sinatra, Jill Scott, Miles Davis, Gangstarr, A Tribe Called Quest, and Goapele. Click on the link below and check it out!
JAZZY.FIZZLE PLAYLIST
JAZZY.FIZZLE PLAYLIST
"I'm always high, even though I don't smoke anymore. I've reached nirvana."- Chong
This is exactly how I feel every time I listen to island reggae music. Although I never smoked anything in my entire lifetime, listening to this distinct genre of music gives me that kind of high. There is something about reggae music that relaxes me or helps me find some sort of tranquility. Maybe its the unique way of how the various instruments sound in that off beat nature. Maybe its the vocals of a high pitch raspy tone that eases my soul, or makes me wanna get up and skank. I was always surrounded by island roots and reggae music. This art of musical expression has influenced so many existing and new musical genres and artists.
Event: Ooklah The Moc & Groundation Concert
Date: November 2006
Location: Pipeline Cafe, Hawaii
Status: VIP
Price: Free (bday gift from a friend)
Location in Crowd: VIP Balcony
Companion: Nevitte & Alika
Hawaii's very own Ooklah Da Moc was the opening act. I love them.
Groundation performed right after. The crowd "went all nuts." This awesome roots reggae band from NorCal has been bringing it since 1998. They played their latest "Upon The Bridge." And because it was open bar in the VIP section, I got drunk in the middle of Groundation's set. Never again did I drink at a concert. Lesson learned. Haha.
On various blogs I follow, I saw postings and raves about a new and upcoming Mayer Hawthorne - a producer, singer, writer, rapper, instrumentalist, etc. Of course the curious music sponge that I am, I peeked at one song and its video. I feel in love with it in a heartbeat. The bf had a copy of Hawthorne's "A Strange Arrangement" album a month prior to its future release and I was able to listen to the whole album. On repeat for days on end. The album release date is on September 12. Not a question that it'll be a part of my collection.
Hawthorne's R&B tracks are definitely outta the ordinary. Album gives off a very vintage soulful Smokey Robinson like sound to it. Beats are music to my ears and there is an evident influence by J.Dilla. What makes this album so unique is that there was never too much publicity or advertisement on his album or even on him but he gained mad respect from a lot of music lovers. It just goes to show that this really IS good music and that artists still care about what they love.Because music is my passion. Because today is Monday. I'm listening to this. Click the link below and check it out... maybe you'll be stimulated too!
AUDITORY STIMULATION PLAYLIST
MURS, one the members of groups: 3 Melancholy Gypsys, Living Legends, and Felt. He released his long awaited album in 2008 called, "MURS for President." Pretty good album. Many producers were on it, including 9th Wonder of course! My favorite track, "The Science." Beats are jazzy. Rap is smooth. Lyrics are political. It's a story that addresses issues like drugs, the government, and the people and how it was turned around to form hip hop. The video was released April of this year and like a president, he's dressed nothing less than a black suit and advocating for the people.
Advertisement for this show were only through word of mouth or on Zia Record's Myspace. I couldn't turn down this free Murs show.... even if I would be by myself! So I didn't. Got there quite early. Stood in the front. And watched a fkn great show. MURS' name stands for "Making Underground Raw Shit" and through all the years he truly tries to live by that name! He is raw! And although he signed with Warner Bros., he still gives out that underground feel in his music.
Event: MURS In-Store Performance
Date: Friday, October 3, 2008
Location: Zia Records, Las Vegas
Status: General admission
Price: Free
Location in Crowd: 2nd row from stage
Companion: None
Date: Friday, October 3, 2008
Location: Zia Records, Las Vegas
Status: General admission
Price: Free
Location in Crowd: 2nd row from stage
Companion: None
[My camera didn't have enough memory to catch a really good video so I copped this video from mixtapebros. Thanks.]
Meet & greet, album signing, and chatting with Murs! Told him I was from Hawaii and he couldn't resist throwing up a shaka!! Yeaaahhh!
Being a fan of music, there's no such thing in restricting to only one kind of genre. World Music is the most interesting and one of my faves. Japanese, Korean, Canadian, European, Thai, Brazilian, you name it. The hardest thing about loving world music is its cost. Paying over $30 for an import album may be unreasonable to most, but if I'm a fan, it's worth it. And just because I can't understand it, does not mean I don't love it!
Today, I've been listening to Cleotpatra Stratan. This almost 7-year-old Romanian folk pop singer from Modolva. She is the cutest thing ever!
At 3 years old, she held a concert, accompanied by her father, famous Romanian singer Pavel Stratan, who played the guitar. Her concert was 2 hours long singing 28 songs to a limited of 400 people. This concert was a launch for her first album. She set the record for the "youngest singer who recorded an album" and "the highest paid young artist" by the World Genesis Records. She is also the youngest artist to receive an MTV award and the youngest artist to score a #1 hit in the Romanian country. I know, WOW!
Below is Cleo's music video for one of her first hit songs, "Ghita" (the english version).
HAHA! True talent! Natural performer! She sings in Romanian for the last verse. I love that even more than the English part. I know it's hard to understand this adorable toddler's voice but isn't she just the cutest?! (for exact lyrics, click here). ps. Ghita is a male's name.
Rock The Bells. I call this annual concert the "Woodstock of Hip Hop." Tens and Thousands of Hip Hip fans gather to witness multiple artists, groups, and djs in one big ass 12 hour concert. The lineup is always crazy! The fans are even crazier!
I've been to 2 Rock The Bells Concerts consecutively for the past 2 years. '09 was supposed to be my 3rd. At first, I wasn't really interested in going because I've already seen the main headliners (Nas, Damien Marley, The Roots, Common); some more than once. But when I read that Reflection Eternal, Slum Village, Sage Francis, and Mystic Journeymen would be a part of the lineup... I wanted to go soooo bad! Also, when I realized that Nas AND Damien Marley would be doing a collab... I had to go! I just had to! BUT, for some odd reason this year, RTB in LA and SF landed on the same fkn weekend. Usually, they would a week apart. I couldn't go on that particular weekend due to having people in town to visit, whom I don't get to see too often. So there went my chances of watching RTB this year! I was bummed. Seriously, I hated all my other fam and friends for being there. Makes me sick to know that I am hip hop's number one fan and I couldn't even go. I had dreams about it before and after that weekend about RTB. No joke.
Luckily, after RTB SF was done and over with, I heard that there would be a mini RTB right here in Vegas! I never decided to go only 'cause after the weekend, I was hella tired and been on a tight ass budget. Also, the lineup wasn't as much as the real RTB. BUT because Reflection Eternal, Slum Village, Pete Rock, Slaughterhouse, and Supernatural were gonna be performing, I didn't want to regret it. So 30 mintues before doors opened at House of Blues, I decided to go, (even if I were to go by myself). Yes, that's hardcore, right?! But it was sign, I couldn't miss it!
Event: Mini Rock The Bells 2009
Date: August 11, 2009
Location: House Of Blues, Las Vegas
Status: general admission
Location in Crowd: 2nd row from the stage
Companion: Jenah
Price: $31
The concert started off with Supernatural doing his usual thang... Freestylin'. To me, he's the King of MC Freestyle. His impersonations of artist are on point and his creativeness blows you away with his wide mind boggling dictionary. I also got to meet, shake his hand, and thank him afterwards. Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, and Royce the 5'9") performance followed. The first time I saw them at the Paid Dues Concert, I wasn't really feeling it, but this time, I actually really enjoyed it! They're tracks and performance were a little hard and strong for my taste but easy to like!! Not to mention I got to meet and kick it with them at the bar later and they are really nice folks!
Watching Tech Nine's show was also my second time. In fact, most of the crowd there were Tech Nine fans and you wouldn't believe how many people were trying to push to the front. The choreographed dancing, matching clothes, and catchy hooks made their stage show hyped!! I am not a fan of their music but I do appreciate what they have to offer.And the reason was why I needed to be at this concert...drum roll please...Reflection Eternal!! My fave mc, Talib, and his partner, Hi-Tek, killed it!! There was a announcement a month back that they are to be reunited and a track was release, "Back Again." I am fkn happy period. For all you newbies who don't know who they are, please take a moment and know your history.
I remember seeing and talking to Blue Scholars at a show here in Vegas and telling me about how they did a show in Hawaii and how they were surprised they got hella love there. With Geo's motivational, political, and cultural lyrics behind Sabzi's tight head-nodding beats and not mention these chill cats are down to earth, it never surpirsed me that they had a huge fan base in Hawaii. So I'm fkn glad they showed 808 what they got. But, at the same time, 808 also showed Blue Scholars what we're all about. Which then inspired Blue Scholars' upcoming EP,"OoF!" which will be released on August 25, 2009. Being that they are one of my favorite two-man groups connecting with the culture of the state I was born and raised in ...I'm damn proud and excited!!
"Oof! is the story about the Hawaii that you don’t see on TV: fish-fry BBQs in Waianae, native Hawaiians struggling for sovereignty, house parties on the Leeward side, uncles playing mah-jong on a lanai in Waipahu, a thriving independent hip-hop and fashion scene, on-air ciphers at KTUH, a room full of folks vibin’ to a mean reggae song, young poets spitting fire into mics, grubbing on poke in the Foodland parking lot, whole neighborhoods leveled by the ice epidemic."
Check out their track/video,"HI-808", off the "OoF!" EP. I fkn love it! The first few seconds plays a high-pitched drum beat which initially reminds me of drum beats used for hula dancers to sway their hips to. Very clever. Sabzi never lets me down with his producing. And just listen to the lyrics! I think you'd have to know about Hawaii or at least been there to understand what he's spitting. Geo's brillant, smooth skills on the mic seriously makes me stand up and yell "hana hou" (aka "encore" or "do it again" in hawaiian)!
" ...Breathing the breeze when I ease way back/
in a jeep with the top and the seats lay flat/
Yeah I got heat cuz every time I speak/
I keep burning like a hoale on the beach, why/
It's the 808 love/
Like 88 playing tapes base in the trunk/
It's the 808 kick/
That shit's so sick it makes your heart beat skip like this..."
PS. Oh my, Sabzi really IS eating poke (mmMMmm) outside Foodland ... that's sooo local!! Oh how I miss my home.
This is the second year I saw Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, and Blue Scholars on a tour together. And like last year, it was here in Vegas... in the hot August summer. If ya'll don't know who Hieroglyphics and Souls of Mischief are please take a moment to google them because I swear they are must know classic groups in the hip hop culture. These Oakland cats started back in the early 1990s and still influence heads today. Blue Scholars, a fairly new one emcee and one DJ duo from the Northwest, started a little over 10 years later. As you can see, these two groups, new school and old school, can come together to bridge the gap.
Event: Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, & Blue Scholars Tour
Date: August 2007, August 2008
Location: Beauty Bar, Downtown Las Vegas
Status: general admission
Location in Crowd: 1st/2nd row from the stage; then backstage/VIP area
Companion: 2007- the BF and Homies Art, & Joe. 2008-Jenah
Price: $10
Blue Scholars opened up for Hiero and ripped it. Performed songs from all three albums. Power to the people!
Then, Heiro and Souls of Mischief took the stage. Of course they performed 93 'til Infinity, Never More, Classic, You Never Know, Fantasy Island, etc.. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Only wished Goapele was on tour with them so they could perform "Make Your Move" or "Soweto."
The 2007 show, my vegas homies who are from Seattle, introduced the BF and I to Blue Scholars. We learned that they're cool, down to earth cats. The 2008 show, some of the Hiero folks and Blue Scholars invited us to kick it backstage/the VIP area, where it wasn't hot or sweaty, and with way more room than the pit. They're all cool cats. After chillin' and talking to Sabzi and Geo, Sabzi offered to sign my cds. Yes, I brought all of them to the concert. Groupie? Hell no! Fan? Hell fkn YEA!
Today, Titus "Baatin" Glover will be reunited with Jay Dee also known as "J Dilla."
The 35 year old tuban-headed co-founder of the Detroit group, "Slum Village", passed away due to unknown reasons. And just when Baatin reunites with Slum Village and were planning to put out another album and while touring Rock the Bells... Baatin's life was cut short. This long time schizo-depressed sufferer finally can have a clear piece of mind. His contributions to the world of hip hop music deserves more than just a thank you. "Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1)", "Fantastic Vol.2", and "Trinity" are great albums and will remain classics in my musical library!!! SV's music inspires a lot of people both male and female, including artists from the golden era and now.
Here's one of my faves of Slum Village, "Tainted" feat. Dwele off their 3rd album, "Trinity (Past, Present, and Future)" back in 2002. RIP to another artist that made an influence to hip hop music.
Hip Hop. One of my loves.... because of this:
Ode To The Golden Age Of Hip Hop Music
"Not one artist in particular stands out as the sole proprietor for that era of hip-hop music. Each artist’s contribution was paramount in bringing hip-hop music to the forefront of American culture and most importantly, its globalization brought cultures together through MCing, DJing, b-boying, and graffiti art. This is an ode to the Golden Era of hip-hop music (between 1988 to 1993 til infinity):
Remember back in the day when we were Naughty By Nature and acting like Souls of Mischief? All we did was Kid N’ Play or be scolded by our mom or Big Daddy Kane for things like throwing a Pete Rock at a window. We used to lie on our backs, stare at the sky and pretend to see Digable Planets or dream big by wishing upon a GangStarr. Nowadays, hip-hop thinks it’s Slick Rick, making money and only concerned with being able to rock her or Rakim on the dance floor. Personally, I’d rather be taken away by true school hip-hop natives like A Tribe Called Quest, some Jungle Brothers or an X-Clan where I can listen to music that’s simply Nice & Smooth. Music that comes strictly from the mind and De La Soul. Hip-hop today needs an examination from an EPMD who can prescribe a treatment to keep it from being a Public Enemy or Black Sheep. We need Leaders of the New School to focus on various Boogie Down Productions that aren’t commercially controlled. Where have those days gone? It flew by faster than a Stetsasonic plane or a baseball player trying to steal 3rd Bass. Commercial radio makes me want to Run DMC up a Cypress Hill and scream. It’s always a good idea to give props and Monie Love to the music of yesteryear. Remember when “Yo! MTV Raps” had videos without too many special Das EFX? If things come full circle, hip hop will make a UMCs turn and go back to days when music wasn’t too Heavy D or too MC Lyte in nature. It poses the question: how do we get back to that mental state of hip-hop’s Golden Age? It doesn’t take a boy genius like Kwame to figure it out. As a matter of fact, it’s so Eazy-E that someone from Special Ed can do it: put down the guns, relax and sip some Ice-T. Don’t degrade women, but treat them as though they were a Queen Latifah. Be Kool Moe Dee and battle with mics instead of fists. Don’t show off material wealth because deep inside, we’re all just Poor Righteous Teachers. MCs, Djs, and producers, let’s develop and promote fresh music so that we can all feel Brand Nubian all over again."
I came upon this great article off of Assemble Online Magazine. This online fun magazine consists of writers from different area codes informing and inspiring us of art, music, fashion, lifestyle, and film catered to the hip hop community. They also have an online radio station for your listening enjoyment. Check them out.
Saw him live at the Paid Dues Concert this year ... unbelievable. He's been associated with Rhymesayers (an indepenedent hip hop label) since 2000 with his tape, "Rites of Passage." And I know exactly why he's with Rhymesayers. This converted Islam albino can rip a mic open strickly just with his rhymes. The lyrics of his life and politics are spoken so strongly, it makes you feel and think on a more deeper level than most MCs can. Most of his rhymes are backed up by dope producing by Ant of Atmosphere so you know his shit is sick.
September 22, 2009. Save the Date!!
Brother Ali is dropping another album, called "US." Below is a preview of what the track has to offer. The first 20 seconds starts off with a smooth acoustic rhyme and you're already captured to listen to the rest.
"...to me all yall look exactly the same
fear, faith, compassion, and pain
and try as we may to mask our remains
such as your religion or your class or your race
the same kind of blood just pass through our veins
and tears taste the same when they splash on your face..."
Brother Ali, his DJ BK-One, and fellow Rhymesayers crew members Toki Wright and Evidence will be touring this fall across the nation on the Fresh Air Tour. If he's in your town, check it out!
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