Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Erin Edwards (@EFIE0130) Presents: The Black Milk Live Experience
Words, pic & video all by Ms. Edwards
While it’s quite obvious that live bands dramatically enhance the experience of any performance, their usage is relatively sparse in Hip-Hop. Black Milk’s Album of The Year ranks as a personal favorite from 2010. Its rich, soulful instrumentals were ideal compliments to Black’s very personal and introspective lyrics. Already known for his production work, Black opted to don a musical director cap by implementing and leading a live band in playing his MPC-crafted beats. He not only utilized these musicians – phenomenal drummer Daru Jones, skilled keyboardist AB and Malik Hunter on bass – in the recording process, but also incorporated the band as a mainstay of his live show during the Album Of The Year tour.
While it’s quite obvious that live bands dramatically enhance the experience of any performance, their usage is relatively sparse in Hip-Hop. Black Milk’s Album of The Year ranks as a personal favorite from 2010. Its rich, soulful instrumentals were ideal compliments to Black’s very personal and introspective lyrics. Already known for his production work, Black opted to don a musical director cap by implementing and leading a live band in playing his MPC-crafted beats. He not only utilized these musicians – phenomenal drummer Daru Jones, skilled keyboardist AB and Malik Hunter on bass – in the recording process, but also incorporated the band as a mainstay of his live show during the Album Of The Year tour.Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Celebrate 5 Years Of The Internets Celebrities (@DP2ftv & @RafiKam)
The video speaks for itself. They are smart & hilarious. (Side note: I have the biggest crush on "I fux wit naps!" girl. Anyone know who she is? Does she have a twitter?) (Side note II: You are correct I am thirsty and have no shame.)
If you like this please check out:
Ski Mask Way & Stadium Status
Thanks for stopping by,
8
If you like this please check out:
Ski Mask Way & Stadium Status
Thanks for stopping by,
8
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Blu (@HerFavColor) Performs The Cell & Everything's OK w/ @WEareJDaVeY
Melinda James of About Her Films has been kind enough to bless us, yet again, with some great show footage. This time it's from Blu & J*Davey's San Jose stop on their recently concluded tour.
My Life As One Of The Most Hated Men In America
A friend of mine recently sent me this blog entry titled, The Short End Of The Stick: Women, Height Preferences, and Hypocrisy. When I originally saw the title, I was definitely suspicious for two reasons. One, the friend who sent it has playfully chided me about my height along with her love of Vince Vaughn's height. She's also thrown around the term, Napoleon complex, once or twice. Secondly, considering the subject I assumed that me along with my vertically challenged brethren would be the butt of yet another joke at the expense of women and taller men. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did the blog not ridicule, but it actually read like a blog entry that I have kicked around in my head many times.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Oddisee - Mental Liberation (Deluxe Edition)
Press Release:
After organizing session files on the harddrive, some Oddisee bonus materials from the "Mental Liberation" vaults have been rediscovered. It was such a pleasure finding them, that we decided to post them up and give the entire album and unearthered bonus materials away free all week!
The bonus material includes two instrumentals: one which was previously exclusive to Japanese vinyl is called "Is That Why You're Here?" and is a particularly jazzy track, heavy on the horns; the second is also horn heavy with an irregular drum pattern and is entitled "Revival". The third bonus cut is a track Oddisee produced that Motion Man laid 3 verses over called "Holding It Back".
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Just Listen: NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour
Last week I started my feeble attempt at spreading the word about various podcasts that I love with, the Judge John Hodgman podcast. This week I'd like to tell you about NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour. It's a weekly podcast that is typically recorded and made available on Fridays.
One thing I love about the podcast is that the group has tremendous chemistry and the fact that they are always good for a laugh and turning you onto something that you haven't heard of. They have a great and unique take on damn near everything pop culture related. The only negative is that it's uber white bread. Sometimes they go a little overboard with show-tunes references, but things like Hip-Hop and the passing of Dwayne McDuffie (Yes, I know he was mentioned on their blog, but why not the podcast?) get little or no attention.
One thing I love about the podcast is that the group has tremendous chemistry and the fact that they are always good for a laugh and turning you onto something that you haven't heard of. They have a great and unique take on damn near everything pop culture related. The only negative is that it's uber white bread. Sometimes they go a little overboard with show-tunes references, but things like Hip-Hop and the passing of Dwayne McDuffie (Yes, I know he was mentioned on their blog, but why not the podcast?) get little or no attention.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Just Listen: The Judge John Hodgman Podcast
If you are a fan of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, you have seen Mr. Hodgman's, You're Welcome segments from time to time. Well, if you're a fan of his television appearances you should really enjoy this podcast. I will admit that I am a bit of a sucker for judge shows. (Side note: I wish I had Tivo. This work stuff is cutting into my People's Court, Divorce Court & Judge Judy viewing.) The best way for me to describe this show is NPR meets The Daily Show meets The People's Court as John arbitrates minor squabbles between friends and family. What better way to waste time, than with intelligent debate on frivolous topics? Here's a sample:
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
She's No Longer My "Girlfriend"?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Music You May Have Missed (Mini Rant + Music)
It always irks me when so-called hip-hop fans say that there's nothing to listen to. The percentages of good to bad music may be down, but the overall amount of good music might be up. The curse of the internet age is that everyone and their mother can put out music whether they have an ounce of talent or not. The gift is that it's easier for artists to get music into the hands of their fans. Here are some of my favorite free releases since the start of 2010. There's definitely something for everyone:
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Random Geekery: Preview Of Black Dynamite Comic Book
Press Release
Ape Entertainment, in partnership with Ars Nova, is proud to announce the release of the original 48 page one-shot Black Dynamite: Slave Island, inspired by the major motion picture BLACK DYNAMITE.
Dream Hampton (@DreamHampton313) On Chris Brown
The Trouble with Chris Brown (2011)
by dream hampton
This morning Robin Roberts from Good Morning America interviewed Chris Brown, who is on a promotional tour in support of his new album, F.A.M.E. During the interview, she asked Brown questions about his attack of pop star Rihanna, which enraged the singer. He apparently threw a tantrum, smashing soundproof windows at the ABC studio and soliciting building security's attention. He then stripped to his shirt, stormed from the building and logged on for a two-tweet Twitter tirade.
At the 2007 MTV Awards I became a fan of 18-year-old Chris Brown. He gave an epic performance that began with a nod to master mime Charlie Chaplin and ended with an homage to the King of Pop. Brown lip-synched most of his seven-minute spectacle, but what he proved that night was that he is a prodigious entertainer. When they turned his mic on he sang well-crafted R&B songs in a serviceable, throaty falsetto, but, my God, the boy could dance. He was as athletic as the Nicholas Brothers (his favorite crowd pleaser is a series of back flips), but as tall and as seemingly weightless as Michael Jackson. He leaped along the guest tables that night, ending up on Diddy's, who openly bowed to him when he finished. That night he invited his then 19-year-old girlfriend Rihanna onstage to sing a few bars of her huge pop hit “Umbrella.” They were absolutely adorable, their eyes aglow with young love. They appeared publicly and affectionately for the next year and half, supporting one another as they navigated the wilds of new fame at impossibly young ages.
And then, on February 7, 2009, Chris Brown violently attacked Rihanna, beating her and threatening he'd kill her. He left her on a sidewalk in the middle of the night in L.A.'s upscale Hancock Park, where a resident called the police. They photographed the beautiful Cover Girl spokewoman's fresh wounds and then leaked them to the hungry press. Within hours the world witnessed the brutality of his domestic violence.
I am not objective when it comes to domestic violence. I am against it. I ceased being a Chris Brown fan. I read my Twitter timeline and listened to urban radio in horror as they typically assigned blame, partial or otherwise, to the victim, Rihanna. Rihanna, of course, did an Oprah-style recount with Diane Sawyer. Brown wore a regrettable blue bowtie to Larry King, where he hedged a public apology without taking complete responsibility for his actions. Then, disastrously, he released an album six months later and publicly whined (on Twitter) when, to his surprise, the public hadn't "moved on" from his attack of Rihanna. Major box-store chains refused to even stock the album.
What he didn't seem to understand was that it was way too early for an album. Not only had we not moved on, but Rihanna had barely healed from the emotional trauma (when she attempted an even march forward on her ABC special it only further belied her fragility). Just as important, and I don't always consider attackers just as important in domestic abuse cases, Chris Brown had clearly not even begun to heal. Early in his career, teenage Chris Brown gave a heart-wrenching interview where he said watching his stepfather beat his mother had made him both so enraged he wanted to fight the man and so afraid of him that he'd wet his pants. When 16-year-old Chris Brown said in a magazine interview that he'd wet his pants at 13 he was a mere three years away from his abuse. Children who witness abuse are abused. When Brown abused Rihanna he was five years away from his own abuse.
He clearly doesn't have the kind of support system that is encouraging—even insisting—him to seek mental health treatment. His mother is an enabler, and his handlers huddled him into a truck the night he boxed in Rihanna's face, leaving her to fend for herself—an incredible misstep. Even if they hated Rihanna, they had to know leaving her there would lead to a publicity Chernobyl. These handlers were twice his age.
In lieu of therapy, Chris Brown has Twitter. His small army of fans uses the hashtag #teambreezy to avoid forcing the still young, imploding star to seek the therapy he so desperately needs to not become his stepfather. It is tragic. He's young enough to be saved. Imagine what a true public healing would do for young Black teenagers entangled in the deadly dance that is domestic violence.
by dream hampton
At the 2007 MTV Awards I became a fan of 18-year-old Chris Brown. He gave an epic performance that began with a nod to master mime Charlie Chaplin and ended with an homage to the King of Pop. Brown lip-synched most of his seven-minute spectacle, but what he proved that night was that he is a prodigious entertainer. When they turned his mic on he sang well-crafted R&B songs in a serviceable, throaty falsetto, but, my God, the boy could dance. He was as athletic as the Nicholas Brothers (his favorite crowd pleaser is a series of back flips), but as tall and as seemingly weightless as Michael Jackson. He leaped along the guest tables that night, ending up on Diddy's, who openly bowed to him when he finished. That night he invited his then 19-year-old girlfriend Rihanna onstage to sing a few bars of her huge pop hit “Umbrella.” They were absolutely adorable, their eyes aglow with young love. They appeared publicly and affectionately for the next year and half, supporting one another as they navigated the wilds of new fame at impossibly young ages.
And then, on February 7, 2009, Chris Brown violently attacked Rihanna, beating her and threatening he'd kill her. He left her on a sidewalk in the middle of the night in L.A.'s upscale Hancock Park, where a resident called the police. They photographed the beautiful Cover Girl spokewoman's fresh wounds and then leaked them to the hungry press. Within hours the world witnessed the brutality of his domestic violence.
I am not objective when it comes to domestic violence. I am against it. I ceased being a Chris Brown fan. I read my Twitter timeline and listened to urban radio in horror as they typically assigned blame, partial or otherwise, to the victim, Rihanna. Rihanna, of course, did an Oprah-style recount with Diane Sawyer. Brown wore a regrettable blue bowtie to Larry King, where he hedged a public apology without taking complete responsibility for his actions. Then, disastrously, he released an album six months later and publicly whined (on Twitter) when, to his surprise, the public hadn't "moved on" from his attack of Rihanna. Major box-store chains refused to even stock the album.
What he didn't seem to understand was that it was way too early for an album. Not only had we not moved on, but Rihanna had barely healed from the emotional trauma (when she attempted an even march forward on her ABC special it only further belied her fragility). Just as important, and I don't always consider attackers just as important in domestic abuse cases, Chris Brown had clearly not even begun to heal. Early in his career, teenage Chris Brown gave a heart-wrenching interview where he said watching his stepfather beat his mother had made him both so enraged he wanted to fight the man and so afraid of him that he'd wet his pants. When 16-year-old Chris Brown said in a magazine interview that he'd wet his pants at 13 he was a mere three years away from his abuse. Children who witness abuse are abused. When Brown abused Rihanna he was five years away from his own abuse.
He clearly doesn't have the kind of support system that is encouraging—even insisting—him to seek mental health treatment. His mother is an enabler, and his handlers huddled him into a truck the night he boxed in Rihanna's face, leaving her to fend for herself—an incredible misstep. Even if they hated Rihanna, they had to know leaving her there would lead to a publicity Chernobyl. These handlers were twice his age.
In lieu of therapy, Chris Brown has Twitter. His small army of fans uses the hashtag #teambreezy to avoid forcing the still young, imploding star to seek the therapy he so desperately needs to not become his stepfather. It is tragic. He's young enough to be saved. Imagine what a true public healing would do for young Black teenagers entangled in the deadly dance that is domestic violence.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
9th Wonder Discusses Meeting Phonte & More w/ Subsoniq Radio
Subsoniq co-host, K-Murdock, sits down with one of the most well respected producers of the past decade, 9th Wonder. Hear 9th reminisce over some of his all time favorite hip hop songs, his advice to upcoming producers/artists, why he chose to work with California based emcee Lil B, and much more!
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Whitewashing Of Mixed (Black) Women In Hollywood
The inspiration for this entry came from an article on Rashida Jones "passing" through Hollywood. In the piece the writer cites a quote from Ms. Jones in Racialicious:
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