DJ Z-Trip - The Parish - August 18, 2007

From the dropping you a hint of a big show coming in the pic department... DJ Z-Trip, Aceyalone, and Gift of Gab @ The Parish on Aug. 18th as part of the All Pro Tour. Presale tix are $20. Get them here...

Remember the last time Z-Trip was in town?!? Now that was a tight show... you had Tats, Nick Nack, and Z-Trip spinnin' at the same time... wasn't that some shit...



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DJ Z-Trip (born Zach Sciacca) is the Godfather of what is now called the mashup school of hip hop, The man who brought the style to the forefront of what it is today. A Phoenix, Arizona native, he was known early in his career for performing with the Bombshelter DJs (DJ Emile, DJ Radar, and DJ Z-Trip).

He became widely known when his collaboration with DJ P, Uneasy Listening, Vol. 1, was released in 2001. Only 2000 copies were made, but the album was soon distributed over the Internet in MP3 format.

His most recent release, Shifting Gears, marked his major label debut, and was his first full length album of production work. Released on Hollywood Records in 2005, the album features guest artists Supernatural, MURS, Lyrics Born, Luke Sick, Aceyalone, Mystic, Prince Whipper Whip, Busdriver, Chester Bennington (from Linkin Park), Chuck D (from Public Enemy) and Soup (from Jurassic 5).

DJ Notion - Whisky Bar - July 30, 2007

From the remedy for those Monday hangovers department... The Remedy a monthly event by DJ Notion is tomorrow July 30th with Global, Broke Bread, and The Gyft @ Whisky Bar.

I don't think I can drink anymore after this weekend... saw the Grupo Fantasma show with Bavu and Nick Nack last night... now wasn't that dope... Bavu tore it up!

why do drunk people drop bottles of beer and just stare at it like a dead animal?



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Global was born a Bboy in the state of Maryland. After lounging in VA, Md, and DC, the Emejulus settled into their beautiful homeland of Nigeria. This is where his hunger for knowledge and collective unity was born. While in Nigeria, Global learned about soccer, Igbo metaphysics, and the Chukwu mystery school system. From there, he then transitioned to his home away from home, Dallas Texas.

It was in Dallas Texas that Global first witnessed the dichotomy of abject poverty and enormous wealth. From the slums of the states streets to the mansions of Highland Park, he learned at an early age that this system is built upon inequity and exploitation.

Son of the old world, Global turned to Hip Hop as a beacon of truth and hope. Groups like Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, Schooly D, Eric B and Rakim, Brand Nubian, Big Daddy Kane, Ghetto Boys, NWA, Kool G Rap, KRS1, ICE-T, Poor Righteous Teachers, and Africa Bambaataa left an indellible mark on his very being..

Talib Kweli - Emo's - August 8, 2007

From the stay tuned for some great show coming up department... Talib Kweli @ Emo's on August 8th! And at the show, DJ Chaps... it'll be a night to remember... tix are $10... get them here.

So Friday at work we had "bring your kids to work" day... it was fun seeing everyone's procreations... life is so wierd... so i started having this discussion with a few people... if you think about it... if we, as in humans, do nothing else in life our main purpose is to procreate... to pass on our genes... don'tcha think?



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Talib Kweli (born Talib Kweli Greene in Brooklyn, New York City on October 3, 1975) is an American MC from Brooklyn, New York. He is one of the best-known rappers in alternative hip hop, and is frequently critically acclaimed, despite not having seen significant commercial success. His name in Arabic means "student", his last name in Swahili means "true". Talib and fellow rapper artist Mos Def purchased Nkiru, which is Brooklyn's oldest black-owned bookstore, and converted it into the Nkiru Center for Education and Culture.[1][2] He also studied experimental theater at New York University (NYU).

Kweli's mother was an English professor and his father a sociology professor. As a youth, he was drawn to Afrocentric rappers, such as De La Soul and other members of the Native Tongues Posse, and soon began recording with rapper Mos Def, whom he had met in high school, and producer Hi-Tek.

Nick Nack - Antone's - July 28, 2007

From the I've been soooo waiting to use this picture department... DJ Nick Nack, Bavu Blakes, and Grupo Fantasma @ Antone's on July 28th. Tix are $15. Get them here.

What up with NASA these day?!? Jealous astronauts... drunk astronauts... sabotage?!? Crazy people everywhere.



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From vinyl manipulation on the turntables, to current production of jazz infused hiphop tracks, Crowd Control Records CEO, NickNack is a true soundcraftsman. His musical journey began in the late 80's after making the transition from hiphop spectator to participant. Cutting his teeth from the very beginning as a young appreciative turntablist knocking off rivals at Dallas' Sound Wars battles in the mid-nineties, Nick has worked hard to encompass a broad vision of ability, and a verbose sense of instrumentality, to match his already fruitful passion for music.

S.T.A.T.I.K. - Pad - July 27, 2007

From the why is this thing spinnin' department... DJ S.T.A.T.I.K. wrote in to tell us that he's welcoming all DJs, MCs, and singers to invade his pad every Friday night and just chill out and collaborate. You can get at him through his Myspace site.

Every Friday night @ my pad Just something to keep Unity among turntablist in Austin. A low key event BYOB and MIC. Please only active guest (mc,Dj,mpc,singers). No Egos Allowed

Call ahead so i can get a head count and Equipment list.

Respect

STATIK



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S.T.A.T.I.K. became a turntablist at a young age and Hip Hop had naturally become his life. In high school, he organized and hosted the first DJ battle on campus ever to take place during school hours. He was responsible for throwing phat concerts and giant parties, also new for the school. While taking a few community college courses, he hosted a Hip Hop radio show on a local station. Being booked gig after gig throughout the Bay Area with or without his former SwingSet crew, S.T.A.T.I.K. was ready for a change of scenery and headed south in 1997. It seemed like Riverside was just waiting for S.T.A.T.I.K. to come along.

Interview: Shannfab

Hot off their debut album, Shannfab took some time out of their busy schedule to introduce themselves and tell us what's been on their mind... Thanks for your time Shannfab...

Can you give your fans a quick bio of yourself?

Live Band. Heavy Drums. Rock Guitar. Funky Bass. Hip Hop Emcee. Four members who each love hip hop and rock in our own way formed a band in the attempt to conquer the world. Same as everyone else's story.

Which is your latest CD? and how do you think it differs from your previous works?

Our first Debut CD is a self titled EP, Shannfab.

What gives you inspiration and how does that transpire into your music?

Music. Art. Zombies. Sneakers. Food. Beer. Gangster Flicks. Video Games. Skateboards. Krink. Banksy. Money. Life. A good story. We take our own inspiration and ideas to make Shannfab music.

Which artists inspire you the most? and why?

Lil Wayne, Rage Against the Machine, Eminem, 311, Devin the Dude, Linkn Park, Gym Class Heroes, Damien Marley, Deftones, Atmosphere, and many more. Their living the dream!

What has kept you from moving to cities with larger markets? especially since it's only been recently that Houston has blown up.

I love Austin and think that this city deserves to blow up. I want to be here when it does. Houston had it's time, it's our time next.

How do you see the scene locally? and where do you see it going?

There is a great deal of talent here, but sometimes egos and personal agendas get in the way of the movement. I don't think there is a place in the world where you can escape the crabs in a bucket problem. I believe there is continuous movement and a great deal of potential in Austin. I have to be hopeful cause I'm in the same boat with everyone else here.

What is your favorite venue to perform at? and why?

Although it's hot in the Summer, I like Red Eyed Fly. It's got that grungy, personal kinda feel. I also like Flamingo Cantina. Both have a good 'Austin' feel, and have good quality sound systems with knowledgeable engineers.

Can you give us 3 of your most favorite local artists?

There are so many greats here. I'd probably say, Shannfab, Shannfab, and ummmmm Shannfab. Others would be your usual suspects Nick Nack, Bavu, Tee Double, Global, Mirage, and Dj La.D.Da. Considering our band's other dark side, I would mention Spoon, The Lions, The Mercers, Vehicular, and Closed Hand Promise. To be honest this city is filled with local greats in both hip hop and rock.

What is the best piece of advice that someone in the industry has given you?

Don't listen to people in the industry. Just do you. Pimp yourself, don't wait for someone to do it for you. And most important, Make good, interesting, original music that someone else can relate to.

And a more light-hearted question: Have you seen a correlation between your level of success and quality of hoes?

We are all either married or in a serious relationship, so can't say that we have seen a correlation. Sorry.

Any parting words?

Don't be afraid to be different than the crowd, listen to Shannfab! Thanks Minto for giving us the opportunity to be heard. Holla.

Bavu Blakes - Canvas Bar - July 26, 2007

From the amazing quartet department... Bavu Blakes, Brannen Temple, Yoggie, and Tha Carter @ Canvas Bar on July 26th. Gonna be great and planning to be a weekly show! Get there early... starts at 8pm.



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Dubbed "One of Texas' brightest new stars" by legendary rapper The D.O.C., Bavu Blakes is the ultimate wordsmith by both definitions. He is the 2006 Austin Music Award winner for best hip-hop act, a freelance journalist who has published stories in the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and the Urban Music Director (and on-air personality) of Time Warner's Music and Entertainment Television.

Equally adept at writing, performing and freestyling, Mr. Blakes offers both clarity and hype. While words and rhymes are clearly where his talents shine, he places equal importance on beats. By defining tracks in terms of mood, rhythm and melody, he makes the music sound better. Creating a sense of cohesion between the lyrics and beats, Mr. Blakes's music reveals this approach through clever, thought-provoking lyrics over diverse beats guaranteed to entice any listener's ear.

mc chris - Emo's - July 26, 2007

From the gansta nerdcore department... mc chris @ Emo's on July 26th. Austin bands reppin it... Yuppie Pricks and Terp 2 it.

Just finished a wild movie... Genghis Blues... it's about this blind blues singer who meticulously learns Tuvan and their unique throat-singing style... travels half way around the world to Tuva in Russia... and enters and wins the throat-singing competition... amazing.



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Chris Ward (born September 2, 1975), otherwise known as mc chris, is a nerdcore rapper, voice actor, and improvisational comedian born in Illinois, USA. He currently self releases on his own label Jet Pack Industries, LLC. His trademarks include the synthesis of his "geek" heritage with the "gangster" image associated with hip hop artists, and the high pitch of his voice, celebrated in his 2003 song "10 year old" (likening his voice to that of a child of ten years of age).

He has appeared on many of Williams Street Studios' shows on Adult Swim, most notably Aqua Teen Hunger Force (as MC Pee Pants/Sir Loin/Little Brittle) and Sealab 2021 (in some bit parts, consistently recurring as the also crude and often misguided Hesh), and a bit part in The Brak Show. He also wrote for Sealab 2021 and The Brak Show (including the episode "Brakstreet: Men in the Band"). He also made a cameo in an unaired Space Ghost: Coast to Coast episode, "Baffler Meal".

Guru - Emo's - August 1, 2007

From the lifesaving teacher department... Guru @ Emo's on August 1st. The gang starring Brownout!, Crew54, Notion, Ike, Poise and Diamond Tip. Good show...

Man I hate mosquitoes... Went biking today and got bit up like mad... I remember when I was a kid I used to have this friend who's dad would walk around outside without a shirt and his huge ol' belly hanging out... and I would remember seeing mosquitoes just hanging around his belly and he wouldn't even notice.



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Born Keith Edward Elam on July 17, 1966 in Boston, Massachusetts, Guru (and occasionally Baldhead Slick), is an American rapper, and the lyrical half of Gang Starr, together with DJ Premier. With his Jazzmatazz album series, he is also considered to be one of the pioneers of hiphop/jazz crossover. The name Guru is an acronym that stands for "Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal" and the less often used "God is Universal, he is the Ruler Universal".

Nook - Dove Springs Rec Center - July 19, 2007

From the let's help out the James E. Smith family department... Nook, Blacklisted Individuals, Dok Holiday @ Dove Springs Rec Center on July 19. Free show (caveat: donation required) and free MP3 with music give away... now that's a good deal!

Do people watch Antique Roadshow on PBS? Isn't is disturbingly addictive and interesting?!? And how do the "experts" seem to know anything and everything there is to know about any given piece?!? Are we turning into a culture of garage sale junkies?



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I'm a rap artist whose passion for greatness for myself and my community fires everything I do. I speak truthfully and wittily about my view of life in a way that all who hear it feel it. Even my chosen name, NOOK, represents my core of beliefs. NOOK which stands for Never Outcasting Our Kind" speaks about people like me who have the odds against them, and their destiny to be great is blocked. If you can plant the seed of your vision, that visualization makes anything possible! Thats what I want my people to see. I have earned a reputation for excellence as a writer, rapper, leader and innovator of creative options for youth. I'm the creator of the popular Jump On It Summer Concert Series and currently working on bringing it back to the ATX!!! Y'all lookout for my next mixtape titled "The South" as well as my first major release coming June 19, 2007. My last underground CD "Grind or Die" sold over 10,000 copies on the streets in the Texas area alone! My song "Do Da Crooked" featuring Ying Yang Twins debuted ..3 in the country on listenerstaion.com. The first single on my next album is titled "Take A Ride". This album is being produced by Andre Smith, Mark Twang, Carnival Beats and the Ghost Writers!!! So holla at me and stay on the lookout for NOOK and Off The Block Records. -NOOK- Revolution In Progress

Rah Digga - Emo's - July 27, 2007

From the electrical engineers turn rapper department... Rah Digga, Craig Mack, Rampage @ Emo's on July 27 as part of the Ambush Tour.

Daum... the thumb that I slammed in the door now has half the nail coming off... I feel like pulling it off... but the other half seems to be on there pretty tightly.



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Rah Digga (born December 18, 1972) is an American rapper. Well known as a long time member of the Flipmode Squad, a hip hop group led by Busta Rhymes, she parted ways amicably with the group in 2007.

Digga was born Rashia Fisher in Newark, New Jersey to Brenda, a transit worker, and Al Fisher, a biomedical engineer. She attended a private school in Maryland where she graduated as salutatorian, then studied electrical engineering at the New Jersey Institute Of Technology.

Z-Ro - Spiro's - July 13, 2007

From the least non-negative number department... Z-Ro @ Spiro's... tonight... July... Friday the 13th. Get your $20 tix here.

Watching Washington Week and they're talking about Bush's legacy... I agree historians will be writing for years about his presidency... and historians will always write about both sides for years to come... so how does one go about gauging success or failure in Iraq?



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Z-Ro (born Joseph Wayne McVey on June 6, 1976) is an American rapper from Houston, Texas, known for his "up-from-nothing" rise to fame, flexibility in rhyme and extensive collaboration with other rap artists and musicians. Z-Ro's popularity has increased rapidly, as has been featured on Bun B's single "Get Throwed" with Pimp C Jay-Z, and Young Jeezy.

Z-Ro was released from prison July 9th, 2007.

Chamillionaire - Travis County Expo Center - July 21, 2007

From the guys who like to mix chameleon with all the words of the dictionary... Chamillionaire @ Travis County Expo Center on July 21st. Last time I washed my car was years ago... so I be ridin' drrrty... I should be a comedian!



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At a young age, Chamillionaire, along with fellow rap music artist and childhood friend Paul Wall, had decided to make music their careers. He began his musical career in a gospel rap group by the name of the "The Sleepwalkers” with former partners Paul Wall and TeRay "PKT" Green. They performed at many youth festivals and church gatherings before venturing into more secular music. One day while promoting themselves at a Texas event, he and Paul Wall ran into Michael 5000 Watts, a popular mixtape DJ from the Northside. After proposing to do promotions for Watts' company, the Swishahouse, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall came to Watts' studio and convinced Watts to allow them freestyle on an intro to Watts' radio show on Houston’s 97.9 The Box. Watts, who himself was convinced to rap on the record, enjoyed the freestyle so much that he put the verses on one of his mixtapes. The freestyle became so popular in the streets that Chamillionaire and Paul Wall became regular staples on Houston's mixtape circuit, appeared on several of Watts' mixtapes, and became permanent members of Swishahouse.

D-Madness - Maggie Mae's - July 14, 2007

From the prostitute who robbed a sailor department... D-Madness, Bavu Blakes, Mike and Ike, and DJ Diamond Tip @ Maggie Mae's on July 14th. Seems like this is starting to become a great regular...

So I told you about my friend who had his engagement party this past weekend... we'll he has the dilemma of choosing his groomsmen... he's Punjabi Sikh... so his ingenious plan is to tell his friends that whoever wants to be a groomsman must not shave or cut their hair 4 weeks before the wedding... I'm gonna look like a dirty Asian fisherman by then!



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D-Madness aka Dwayne Jackson is the baddest musician in this world. In the studio, he basically plays everything but horns (which he intends to also master). He was playing in orchestras, overseas, by his teens. He's played in studios, bars and clubs since his teenage years. If you need ANYTHING between cello parts and vocal percussion, D-Madness can help you. He is the ultimate session musician. On stage, the normal D-Madness setup is bass guitar or electric guitar, drums, his ASR-10 production keyboard and a vocal mic. He might also play a cheek solo, a nearby beer bottle, or double-time his bass drum with the sticks (even ex-Living Colour drummer, Will Calhoun, was baffled). When Japan's DJ Krush first saw him perform, he asked D to play bass guitar and violin on his next record. When Erykah Badu saw him soundcheckin' at her Black Forest Theater (near his native Oak Cliff, Texas), she pushed him later in the schedule so Prince could see him.

DJ Spooky - The Parish - July 19, 2007

From the I know what you did last summer department... DJ Spooky @ The Parish on July 19th. Tix are $15... get them here.

Talking about shady cops... I went to my friends engagement party this past weekend... punjabi sikh party... so you know those fools get rowdy... well... they had rented and off duty state patrol... towards the end of the party the statey tells the bartender to leave the caps off the bottles of liquor... my friend's dad was going to take the extra liquor home since they bought it... can you imagine if he was pulled over with them open like that?!?



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DJ Z-Trip (born Zach Sciacca) is the Godfather of what is now called the mashup school of hip hop, The man who brought the style to the forefront of what it is today. A Phoenix, Arizona native, He ran with an "Infamous" group of DJs, the Bombshelter DJs; DJ Emile, DJ Radar, and DJ Z-Trip.

DJ Z-Trip became widely known over the internet when his collaboration with DJ P, Uneasy Listening, Vol. 1, was released in 2001. Only 2000 copies were made, but the album was soon distributed over the Internet in MP3 format.

Z-Trip's most recent release, Shifting Gears, marked his major label debut. Released on Hollywood Records in 2005, the album features guest artists Supernatural, MURS, Lyrics Born, Luke Sick, Aceyalone, Mystic, Prince Whipper Whip, Busdriver, Chester Bennington (from Linkin Park), Chuck D (from Public Enemy) and Soup (from Jurassic 5).

Tee Double - Mohawk - July 7, 2007

From the Mr. T department... Tee Double @ Mohawk on July 7th. Also in this hip hop celebration are Blitz, Quickwidit, and Zeale 32. Hot Times... or rather Rainy Times In the City...





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Tee Double has blurred the distinctions commonly associated with entrepreneurs, songwriters, producers, and poets. Armed with a freestyle grace that can only be witnessed in person, he has let his lyrics flow, defined with bass lines that have given them power to shape a community.

An Austin-born emcee, producer and promoter, Tee Double has released numerous highly aclaimed independent albums, spanning more than a decade of Texas hip-hop's history. After years of recording and performing, created Kinetic Marketing in hopes of promoting major label acts in the Southern region of the U.S.

The newly created company opened up opportunities for other hip-hop artists in the city of Austin and the surrounding area.

Tee Double also has worked as the National Urban Hip-Hop Coordinator for SXSW, a yearly conference and exhibition in Austin highlighting the entertainment industry. The culmination of artistic talent and business knowledge has allowed Tee Double the ability to succeed in an otherwise volatile industry.

Santos' Bday - Whisky Bar - July 6, 2007

From the it's my birthday and I can cry if I want to department... come on out to Whiskey Bar, Friday July 6th and celebrate our favorite back flipping B-Boy Santos' Birthday @ Planet Rock with B-Boy City, DJ Element, DJ Tats, and Silent Rob. And of course the crew Ernesto and Mike... Sorry I can't be there... but Ernie and Mike will be representin' and causing trouble.

Bavu Blakes - Club 115 - July 13, 2007

From the best hip-hop you will see in Austin this year department... Bavu Blakes and Mojoe @ Club 115 on Friday the 13th. Also bringing you the nightmares will be DJ Viz. The show is $10 and it's suggested you show up before 10pm as it is expected to sell out! Fo' Sho'!

Back to my bum thumb... well... you know about the band-aids I put around it to spare the innocent souls from the fright... so now I've got another problem... I keep leaving the band-aids randomly around the house only to find them unexpectedly... like I see one on my Freakonomics book... there's one in my shower...



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Dubbed "One of Texas' brightest new stars" by legendary rapper The D.O.C., Bavu Blakes is the ultimate wordsmith by both definitions. He is the 2006 Austin Music Award winner for best hip-hop act, a freelance journalist who has published stories in the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and the Urban Music Director (and on-air personality) of Time Warner's Music and Entertainment Television.

Equally adept at writing, performing and freestyling, Mr. Blakes offers both clarity and hype. While words and rhymes are clearly where his talents shine, he places equal importance on beats. By defining tracks in terms of mood, rhythm and melody, he makes the music sound better. Creating a sense of cohesion between the lyrics and beats, Mr. Blakes's music reveals this approach through clever, thought-provoking lyrics over diverse beats guaranteed to entice any listener's ear.