Thursday, July 01, 2010

Where you'll find @OCSupreme @ThroatChopU and @LadyBlogga ... Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival 2010



You've probably heard me, OC or LB mention The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival at some point over the last year, and even more so in the last month. It's a pretty cool summer event down in Brooklyn. We hit it up last year. It was actually the first time we met LB face-to-face. It was cool. This year it's a week long containing various events. All pretty dope. We'll collectively be attending the performance day festivities featuring De La Soul among others on Saturday, July 10. We look forward to linking up with and networking with various folks over the weekend. Check out some of the upcoming events that kick off Monday, July 5. We hope to see you on the 10th.

Monday 7/5 | Show & Prove Superbowl


One of the finalist, Kalae All Day

Brooklyn Bodega, the producers and creators of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival and YUME Music teamed up to create "Show and Prove", a competition/showcase where up and coming artists who think they have what it takes to rock the biggest crowds in Brooklyn and New York City, are asked to simply show and prove their skills. Winners will open up at larger events throughout the city including Southpaw and ultimately The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, NYC's largest Hip-Hop event. 'Show and Prove' is a great way to get on the radar of promoters, event producers, managers, and A&R's.

July 5th will be the final event of our three month Show & Prove competition. Six artists competing for 2 slots on Performance Day, July 10th.

After Party with The Large Professor and more DJ’ing a special set.

Check Out These Show & Prove Finalists: Kalae All Day, St. Joe Louis, Poetic Republic, The Crowd, Mikeflo

Also Featuring DJ: Large Professor & More!

Price: $5.00


Tuesday 7/6 | Bodega Education Initiative:The Legacy Of J Dilla


The Bodega Education Initiative is a series of talks and discussions designed to create a space of dialogue between the diverse members of the Hip-Hop community. Attendees of BEI will receive a basis of knowledge on the history and content of Hip-Hop as seen through the pioneers and most intimate members of the culture. BEI will ultimately serve as a meeting point for all the different voices and perspectives within the Hip-Hop community: fans, artists, scholars, and practitioners in order to honor the history as well as add momentum to the culture.

This year’s BEI is dedicated to celebrating and understanding the life and music of the late J Dilla, one of the most influential Hip-Hop producers and composers of all time. In collaboration with The J Dilla Foundation, an organization founded by J Dilla’s mother and lifelong friend, Maureen Yancey. A day of panel discussions and seminars designed to explore intellectual and academic issues facing the myriad of content producers in the Hip-Hop space.

PANEL SUMMARY

4- 4:30pm: Stussy J Dilla Documentary

4:30-5:45pm: Session 1
Roundtable Discussion discussing Dilla's production techniques, diverse discography, and influence.

There will also be a special discussion about Dilla's path as artist as entrepreneur.

Featured Artists: Frank Nitty from Frank N Dank, Wajeed from the Platinum Pied Pipers, DJ Spinna and Big Tone

5:45-6:15 pm: 30 minute Intermission:
J Dilla Ensemble

6:15-7:30pm: Session 2
One-on-One conversation with Dilla’s mother, Maureen ‘Ma Dukes’ Yancey and Q-Tip.

Two of the most important people in Dilla’s life will give an intimate glimpse into the life of one of the most prolific and talented producers Hip-Hop has ever produced.

Featured Artist: Q Tip

7:30-7:45pm: 15 minute Break:
J Dilla Ensemble

7:45-8:00pm
Closing Remarks

Price: $10 (includes the After Party and a free drink on us)


Wednesday 7/8 Classic Hip-Hop Film Night


We will screen the classic Hip-Hop film "Juice" (1992), as well as feature a Q&A with established and burgeoning filmmakers.

Starring: Tupac Shakur (Bishop), Omar Epps (Q), Khalil Kain (Raheem), & Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins (Steel)

Plot Summary: 4 Harlem teens, Q, Bishop, Raheem and Steel, are o Jut skipping school one day when they find out an old friend was killed in a shootout at a bar. After this, Bishop tells his friends that they have no respect, or juice. To get some, they rob a corner grocery store, but the lunatic Bishop intentionally shoots the clerk for no apparent reason. They run into an alley where Raheem tells Bishop to give him the gun, they fight, and Raheem gets shot. Only the other 3 know what happened, and Bishop wants to get rid of them too.

Price: $5.00


Thursday 7/8 Salute The DJ


DJ Bobbito will be one of the featured DJs

In Hip-Hop’s early days the DJ was an integral part of the Hip-Hop act. While the evolution of the art form has pushed the DJ literally and figuratively to the back of the stage, his/her importance is still relevant. “Salute The DJ” will remind those who may have forgotten or those who are unfamiliar with one of the disciplines.

We dedicate a night to the backbone of Hip-Hop, the DJ. Performances from the best DJ's from NYC to LA divided into 2 categories:

The first will see Bobbito, Spinna and Waajeed rock solo sets and then go record for record as they spin the best Soul, Hip-Hop, Jazz, House and whatever flavor they have in their crates.

The second will feature a four turntable extravaganza with Rob Swift of The X-ecutioners and DJ Rhettmatic of The Beat Junkies. These world renowned and champion Turntablists will whip the crowd into a frenzy with a display of turntable wizardry.

Check Out These Featured DJ's: DJ Spinna, DJ Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob Love, DJ Rhettmatic of The Beat Junkies, DJ Rob Swift of the X-ecutioners, Waajeed (PPP)

Check out the Artists page to learn more about the night's DJs

NEW PRICE: $10.00

Saturday 7/10 Family Day

We end the festivities with a block party centered around the youth in the Hip-Hop community. Games, Entertainment, Community Groups, politicians, Moms, Dads, and kids come together to celebrate the core message of Hip-Hop – social change and individual empowerment.

Price: $15.00 (Includes Admission to Performance Day)

Saturday 7/10 Performance Day


The culmination of the 2010 programming. Old School, New School, Funk, Soul, Local, and International artists will converge upon downtown Brooklyn and the waterfront for a full day of the best Hip-Hop music our culture has to offer.

Check Out These Featured Artists: De La Soul, Smif N Wessun, Black Moon, Black Milk, Masta Ace, Skyzoo, Money Making Jam Boys, Curren$y, Fashawn, Rakka Iriscience, DJ Babu, J Dilla Ensemble, Dj Parler, Those Chosen, Aquil.

Hosted by Uncle Ralph McDaniel.

Price: $15.00 (Includes Admission to Family Day)


For more info about each of the events, maps and other useful info, check www.bkhiphopfestival.com


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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Where The @LadyBlogga Will Be ... "Brey King Presents SoundCheck Live Concert Series"


The one year anniversary of the best Underground Music show in NYC is going down this week. If you are not in the building to witness this epic celebration, then you are going to miss out. July 1st and 2nd are going to be a great way to start off the best month of the summer. The Soundcheck Anniversary shows boasts a dope line-up of Underground artists on heavy rotation. From hip-hop to spoken word, music and its various genres will be well represented. This is basically a re-cap of all the talent that has blessed the Santos Party House stage. Aside from being a producer, the SoundCheck King BreyKing has his hands in selecting these artists, so no wack acts allowed. A lot of these artists have evolved over the year since they first appeared on the Soundcheck stage. A few of these artists have been featured here on the site. Some of them went on to appear on BET, MTV2, “Best of the Best” in Miami, McDonald’s Dollar Van Demo commercials, and more. On deck to perform are RSNY, Push Montana, Dai Burger, ESSO, WordSpit, Eric Sosa, Cocoa Sarai, J. Sharelle, Lydia Caesar, Von Sway and many more. Please check the flyer for show times and dates. This Thursday and Friday, Soundcheck at Santos PartyHouse is where you need to be.

Admission is $12 at the door but if you RSVP to Soundcheck@SantosPartyHouse.com , you can get a reduced admission price of $5. You already know I’ll be in the building. See you there!!



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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

What I'm Watching ... Rhymefest "City Is Falling"

Check the new Rhymefest video for "City Is Falling" directed by Konee Rok.



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Listen To This: @MissStephG



So I got a little treat in my inbox the other day! I didn't even get through the first 30 seconds and I loved it. It's the newest song "Sugar-Coated Lip Gloss" by artist Stephanie Guzman. She has some great melodic vocals and a dope track to match. The song as a whole is smooth and very reminiscent of R&B around the early 2000s. I dig it. Take a listen for yourself. Enjoy.



Check out more from Stephanie Guzman at Myspace Music and Reverb Nation.



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Image Courtesy of Stephanie Guzman

Get It ... @TheRealEternia x MoSS "At Last"


I got it. Do you? This Eternia x MoSS "At Last" is dope. Seriously. Check the personal message from Eternia and a sneak peek at the upcoming video. Support real music.




PURCHASE Digital CD thru iTunes
PURCHASE Physical CD thru Fat Beats

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ETERNIA 
twitter.com/therealeternia


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Get It ... "Lobotomy Music"

The narrative is delivered by hard hitting beats from Nasa and high end lyrical content from Short Fuze. The beats and rhymes echo throughout each track. It's definitely a quality product. "Lobotomy Music" is that raw alternative progressive unique Hip-Hop. It's music made because you need it and filled with great passion and a serious story line. "Lobotomy Music" is available here [bandcamp] and here [iTunes].

Check the video with kind of a "director's cut" from Short Fuze, as he previews and explains many of the featured tracks. Also check out "Bully Rappers."



Bully Rappers (feat. Eleven, Passive65ive & Karniege)



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Monday, June 28, 2010

“Your Favorite Rapper Wears A Skirt”



Eternia is easily the most featured artists on our site. I think Shad (another Canadian emcee) might come in a close second. Maybe I'm wrong. Either way, Eternia is dope and I'm really excited about her upcoming project (a journey we've followed via youtube and featured here on the blog). Eternia & MoSS, "At Last" available June 29, 2010 on Fat Beat Records! Get ready, the project is dope!
In 2008, Eternia began recording her sophomore album with MoSS (a fellow Canadian), two years later the LP is complete and the title of the album says it all: At Last! Going where instinct took them, Eternia and MoSS’ collaborative union manifested into a sonically consistent album inspired by classic, boom-bap rap records (I.E. Ghostface Killah, Gangstarr, EPMD, Wu-Tang, & Nas). MoSS is one of Hip-Hop’s fastest rising producers (see his work with Raekwon, Obie Trice, Ghostface, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, AZ, Slum Village, Havoc, Kool G Rap, KRS-One, Buckshot etc) and the first producer signed to DJ Premier’s “Works Of Mart” production company—needless to say, the classic boom-bap aesthetic is a lane MoSS is more then comfortable in.
At Last is entirely produced by MoSS and features appearances by some of Hip-hop’s elite, including Joell Ortiz, Termanology, Tona, Ras Kass, Reef The Lost Cauze and luminary female emcees such as Rage, Rah Digga, Jean Grae & Tiye Phoenix. Eternia is at her finest over MoSS’ production, offering raw, confidant & vulnerable first-person perspectives over gritty and moving soundscapes. At Last promises to resonate in a musical arena where most rap albums fail to deliver beyond a ring-tone single.
While Eternia has spent the better part of two-years working on At Last, she has also been a whirlwind of promotion and productivity. In the summer of 2008, shortly after the release of “Where I’m At – The Setup”, Eternia launched her extremely popular T-shirt design, “My Favorite Rapper Wears A Skirt” to thrilled fashion-conscientious fans worldwide. In December of 2009, Eternia released “Get Caught Up”, presented by 2Dopeboyz & Kevin Nottingham.
Eternia has toured across Canada, the U.S., Australia, Mexico & Europe numerous times. Perhaps most noteworthy, she was invited to tour with Roxanne Shante, Bahamadia, Invincible and DJ Shortee across Europe on the historic “WE B-GIRLZ” tour in 2008, the first ever of its kind. Recently, Eternia has transformed herself from ‘that Canadian rapper’ to a household name on North American Hip Hop News & Blog sites, with her weekly video episodes “’AT Last’ - Road to Release Day” garnering well over 90,000 hits collectively and featuring Hip Hop legends DJ Premier, KRS-One, Pharoahe Monch, MC Lyte, Jeru the Damaja, 88-Keys, Jean Grae, Marco Polo, Smif N Wessun all co-signing the album.

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ETERNIA 
twitter.com/therealeternia

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Download ... @magestiklegend "To Be Continued...Chapter 1 w/T3"



Enjoy. And you're welcome.

Tracklist:
Intro prod by Audible Doctor
Bout Freedom prod by Astronote
Blood, Sweat, Tears prod by Bean One
Postal Service prod by Pete Cannon (outro skit w/ Miz Korona)
All Eye Know prod by Astronote
Larry Brown (Paystyle)
Get Doe prod by Magestik Legend (Flashback 05')
the ShowBiz prod by Astronote
Pop Metal w/ Marv Won & Ro-Spit prod by Astronote
Crack Rules (interlude) prod by Marink D.
Where Can I Start w/ Fes Roc prod by Hill Inc.
Day Break w/ Othello prod by 14kt
Shoot the Breeze prod by Oznoh



<a href="http://magestiklegend.bandcamp.com/album/to-be-continued-chapter-1-hosted-by-t3-separated-tracks-version">Intro (Hosted By T3) (Prod. Audible Doctor) by Magestik Legend</a>

Clean and untagged version

<a href="http://magestiklegend.bandcamp.com/album/to-be-continued-chapter-1-dj-tracks-clean-dirty-untagged">All Eye Know (Prod. Astronote) (Dirty) (No Tags) by Magestik Legend</a>


Sunday, June 27, 2010

Check It ... @Emperess presents A VERSE A DAY​.​.​. Day 7


And we've reached the final day of Emperess' A Verse A Day series. DOPE! Check out the final cut,"Arrogant Bliss." Emperess "Fairytale World" ep drops July 21st.

<a href="http://emperess.bandcamp.com/track/arrogant-bliss">Arrogant Bliss by Emperess</a>


Day 6 - "Radio Song"
Day 5 - "Passin Me By"
Day 4 - "Out of..."
Day 3 - "Tight"
Day 2 - "Fast Life" 
Day 1 - "So Cold"

www.Dont4getTheE.tumblr.com
www.myspace.com/emperessmusic 

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Check It ... Clearing Out the Inbox


Every now and again, we get waaaaaaaaaaay behind on checking the emails in The Mad Bloggers' gmail account. The results is a ridiculous amount of email to go through. Honestly, some of what finds its way into our inbox is garbage (in our opinion). But among the trash is some pretty good music. We pride ourselves on giving indie cats a listen. Instead of posting 50 individual posts (exaggeration), I'm gonna throw a gang of them into here. Enjoy.


Check out the Milwaukee emcee iLL B's "Soldier Of Love (featuring Sade)" off his webtape "Cupid's Glasses"



www.whoisillb.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/WhoIsiLLB



This J Dante x Man Mantis project dropped back in April. We even included one of the tracks on an episode of our podcast. Pretty dope project. Popped up in our email recently and I realized that I never posted up the full project. Download it. It's worth it.

<a href="http://jdantexmanmantis.bandcamp.com/album/whole-new-world-ep">Intro by J Dante x Man Mantis</a>




"Off the specially released "The Opus of the Opus " mixtape coming soon, mixed by Chicago DJ veteran Risky Bizness, The Ocean featuring Slug from Atmosphere leak is part of a special culmination of beats and rare collaborations that the OPUS brought to the country of Japan while touring the cities of Tokyo, Osaka, and Gumma."

<a href="http://theopus.bandcamp.com/track/the-ocean-remix-feat-slug">The Ocean (Remix) Feat. Slug by the OPUS</a>

www.theopusonline.com



"Hip Hop, Drama and Love. Three isolated things but yet three things one sees daily in the city of Chicago. Welcome to the world of K.Vincent, a young emcee hailing from the forgotten but not  gone area of Uptown Chicago. It's the experience of living in the North side neighborhood of Uptown that molds the music and background of K.Vincent's raps; the topics range from the pressures of grinding to get a bigger slice of the pie to contemplating what to do when a man is staring at his lowest point. With a refreshing style that can be related to by anyone of any circumstance or calling."

<a href="http://kvincent.bandcamp.com/track/we-made-it-ft-dal">We Made It Ft Dalé by K.Vincent</a>

twitter.com/KV_RaP
myspace.com/kvincentmusik
kvincent.bandcamp.com




"In mid 2010,Chicago rapper Trinity is releasing her 4th mixtape Collectors Edition Vol. 2. In an effort to prove that lyricism is still alive among females MC's, Trinity rips through verses with creative intellectually savvy flows. Her first single entitled #1 (Number One) is produced by Chicago's Phantem, who samples Bahamadia for the hook."



www.trinityhiphop.net


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Saturday, June 26, 2010

Michael Jackson, we always knew you...

I was one of the many that represented the MTV Generation. Let me straighten it out for you, when MTV had Adam Curry, and Kurt Loder had the same integrity as Tom Brokaw, was around the same time we had just heard about this weird and life-changing invention called cable. I was fortunate to have it around, since my parents always left me in front of MTV. I got to see it all, the hair-metal pop bands, the synth-pop new wavers, you name it, it was exposed to me since I was an infant. Hip-Hop was born around the same time as I was, though I would later learn that Hip-Hop was born way before me and had a good 6 years of age.


That's neither here nor there. Because there was one video, one that still stands out amongst them all for each decade, whether I had MTV or not. They were all made by one man, this man transcended time and space, with his syrupy good vocals, and his bigger than Jeebus dance moves that we all tried to imitate the next day. He's no longer with us now, as it would be one year since his passing today. That man, people, is Michael Jackson.


Ever since this man came into my life, its been pretty much one where I was fascinated more than when my parents would sit me down and explain the meaning of N.W.A's lyrics from "Straight Outta Compton," or Public Enemy's "By the Time I get to Arizona," it was still all about Mike. So allow me to give you three experiences I had with videos of Mike's.

"Rock With You"



I still remember this when I saw this video. Green lasers abound and Mike standing with a Mic, talking about dancing all night long with that special lady. Why did it trip me out? Well, he was standing alone, glitter sequined suit and signature shoe, letting all the worries get out and letting all the groove seep in. Really, Q-Tip & J-Lo could bite the steez on the green lasers, but Mike made it cool.

"Human Nature"




Without this song, we would lose essential foundations of Nas "It Ain't Hard To Tell," and SWV's "Right Here (Remix)" (you all know the remix was better, don't front.) Those synths and guitars come on in, and then after that you hear it hit, Michael just going off base and becoming one with the beat. At that moment, many things hit; bliss, comfort, contemplation. It made Mike the ethereal genius. He didn't need to let it belt out and risk going off tune, but he didn't have to with such a wise backing track as this.

"Remember The Time"




I still remember where I was when I saw this tune. Magic Johnson, Eddie Murphy and Iman do too. They were on the set shooting this Egyptian themed tale of Mike being the entertaining and cunning court jester trying to make off with Eddie's Nefertiti (Iman). Many videos were considered world premier, but few were as hyped as Mike's. You knew that once MTV mentioned it was gonna be appearing for the first time on MTV, you waited as eagerly as you did the next episode of "Lost," or the newest episode of "Family Guy;" eyes glued to the tube, and once we saw its elaborate set design, the way the song wrapped into the video, we all wanted to disappear into sand like Mike did.


Those my friends are the three moments that made me love Mike that much. He was around, which is what counted, before MTV became soulless, before Large Professor got the idea to flip the same song that Mike sung for one of rap's unsung heroes, and even before we wanted to be cool in the club. Mike was an everyman. If you choose to look past that, and just see the man during his trying time, near death and being preyed upon like a vulture, do as you wish. But there is simply nothing that stands true for us than the Mike we knew and still love to this day.

Rest in peace, Michael Jackson.

Check It ... @Emperess presents A VERSE A DAY​.​.​. Day 6


It's day 6 already? Emperess has been going strong with her A Verse A Day series this week. Check out the latest cut, "Radio Song."


<a href="http://emperess.bandcamp.com/track/radio-song-saturday">Radio Song - Saturday by Emperess</a>



Day 5 - "Passin Me By"
Day 4 - "Out of..."
Day 3 - "Tight"
Day 2 - "Fast Life" 
Day 1 - "So Cold"

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www.myspace.com/emperessmusic 

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