Atmosphere - Emo's - October 30, 2007

From the clowns are scary department... For the Everybody Loves A Clown Tour... Atmosphere hits Emo's this Tuesday, Oct 30th... with fellow Rhymesayers... Mac Lethal, Grayskul, and Luckyiam of Living Legends.



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Imagine how many cigarettes, beers, tour dates, international flights, all-night drives, backstage shenanigans, countless hours in a van, low-budget hotel rooms, notebooks filled with lyrics and endless hours of recording sessions have been consumed, experienced and sustained by Atmosphere over the course eight years?

Let’s count to eight.

Remember 1997, the year beginning the next phase of independent rap artists and a new era of imprint-based record labels with the major label exploitation; the dividing period of: Mos Def, Jay Z, Company Flow and 2 Pac. Our story begins at this time in Minneapolis, MN. Eight years ago, when Atmosphere released their debut album Overcast!, on the artist’s collectively owned Rhymesayers label. Slug, Ant, with then member Spawn, delivered the premier staple album defining Minnesota Hip Hop. It would introduce a small audience to Midwest rap, not music from New York or California, but Minneapolis, MN. Atmosphere, a group built on Hip Hop principles influenced from the pioneering years of rap music, but with their own personal, honest and original mid-western contribution.

A year had passed and Atmosphere’s song, Scapegoat, received national play on college radio and mix tape support in: Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Atmosphere was becoming discovered outside of the Twin Cities; the secret was out. During this time, both Slug and Ant were also involved in one of independent rap’s first underground super groups, The Dynospectrum (Slug, I Self Devine, Ant, Musab, Gene Poole), and had featured tracks on Industrial Warfare (volume six of the legendary Headshots four-track cassette series). For Atmosphere, 1998 was a year of collaborations (including recording Deep Puddle Dynamics) and a year well spent crafting their live performance at venues like First Avenue’s 7th Street Entry.

Nick Nack - Whisky Bar - October 27, 2007

From the recovering from Afrika Bambaataa department... Nick Nack and Xman @ Whisky Bar tonight, Oct 27th for some 90s Hip Hop (Oh the good ol' days), Dance, and 80's.



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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.

These days you can find Nick performing/touring with the jazz band BLAZE, or hear him rocking dance floors at various downtown clubs. Most recently, Nick has been enjoying the success of his latest full length release, "Improving Silence". The record has garnered him international attention and sales have been phenomenal. His progression as an artist and deejay is quite obvious, but his job is never done. Always in exploration of advancing his full turntablist potentials, and with countless projects on the horizon, Nick has grown into a unique artist, in a constant search of endeavors new and improved. Stay tuned, because this is only the beginning.

Trae - MusicMania - October 24, 2007

From the ... department... Trae will be in store @ MusicMania tomorrow, Oct 24th @ 6pm, promoting his new CD. Girls bring your chests to be autographed... I'll have my ballpoint ready. ;)



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Trae (born Frasier Thompson III on March 5, 1981) is a Southern rapper from Houston, Texas, United States. With his cousin Z-Ro, he is a part of the underground rap group Screwed Up Click. Trae and Z-Ro, along with Trae's other cousin Dougie D, are the founding members of the group Guerilla Maab. He also has a little brother "Jay-Ton" who is also a rapper and part of ABN.

Trae first gained exposure on the Houston rap scene when he made his rapping debut on Z-Ro's album Look What You Did to Me. In 2003, he began his solo career with the album Losing Composure. Same Thing Different Day (2004) and the acclaimed Restless (2006) soon followed. Trae is currently signed to Rap-A-Lot Records.

He was featured in a video called Smash Exclusive: Houston Mic Pass with Lil' Flip, Chamillionaire, Chingo Bling, Bun B, Short Dawg, Big Hawk, Magno and Mike D [1]. He also appeared on the official remix of Yung Joc's song "It's Goin' Down", which earned Joc national attention and became one of the biggest mainstream pop hits of 2006. Trae also has made cameos in many of todays mainstream videos, although not having one himself. Most notability and recently he can be seen in Lil Boosie's "Zoom", Hurricane Chris' "A Bay Bay", Yung Joc's "Coffee Shop Gorilla Zoe |Hood Figga (song)".

Trae's trademark is a low, deep, guttural voice. His flow is very fast. In these two areas his style is somewhat reminiscent of Z-Ro's, as well as that of Flesh-N-Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Trae sometimes, though not always, mixes multiple vocal layers into his songs.

"Real Talk" was featured on the soundtrack to the video game Madden NFL 07. Trae won an Ozone Award for Patiently Waiting Artist for Texas.

Afrika Bambaataa - Club Deville - October 26, 2007

From the come this Friday I'll be ready to party department... Afrika Bambaataa @ Club Deville on Oct 26th... for the 7th RockIt: World Destruction... oh what a party... DJ Manny, Bigface, Brownout, Tiger Liu, Sangre del Sol, Proyector, B-Boy City, and Super Sonic Soul Squad.

Another night... another call with Japan... another long week... makes looking forward to the weekend all that much better... can't wait!

Latest idea in costumes... either Frank Abagnale (Catch Me If You Can) or Howard Hughes (Aviator)... what do ya'll think?!? I could have a flaccid penis also to slap at all the female stewardesses.



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Afrika Bambaataa is a DJ and community leader from the South Bronx, who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1970s. Like the majority of the early pioneers in Hip-Hop, he is of African American descent. On September 27, 2007, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

During a time in New York City where gang life was 5 times as populated as the city's police department, Hip Hop culture was emerging in an attempt to stop the violence. Bambaataa was a founding member of the Bronx River Projects-area street gang, The Savage Seven. Due to the explosive growth of the gang, it later became known as the Black Spades, and he rose to the position of Division Leader. After a life-changing visit to Africa, he changed his name to Afrika Bambaataa Aasim. Bambaataa was influenced by the courage and strategic brilliance of Shaka Zulu seen in the movie and TV series "Shaka Zulu".

Bambaataa decided to use his leadership to turn those involved in the gang life into something more positive to the community. This began the development of which soon later became known as the Universal Zulu Nation, a group of socially & politically aware rappers, B-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip hop culture. By 1977, inspired by DJ Kool Herc and after getting his first equipment loaned to him from Disco King Mario, Bambaataa had begun organizing block parties all around the South Bronx. He even faced his mentor, Disco King Mario in a DJ battle.

Done Deal - Troubadour Saloon - October 20, 2007

From the making up for the lack of posts this week department... Done Deal wrote in to tell us about their show tonight, Oct 20th @ Troubadour Saloon... Let's see if we can get an interview with this up and coming act.

Ok. I'm done for the day. Gonna go chill... read a book... listen to some music... and get ready for the long week ahead that starts tomorrow night with Japan... Peace.
































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Done Deal is three members that consist of Luckie, Tab and G.B. A solid unit that has just signed their first major record deal with Sonicwave Inernational Under the Sony/BMG Group. Major Debut Is scheduled for late 07 or early 08 still working out all the detail. This group has its own uniqueness to them selfs growing up in almost 2 separate backgrounds with Tab and GB growing up in Houston TX and Luckie growing up half of his life in New Orleans LA and Corpus Christi. With all three members moving to Austin for there own different reason cam together in fate. Luckie was apart of The DME click and G.B. was the manager soon later DME broke up because of creative differences. G.B. and luckie started rappin together and formed Done Deal after making a little name for there self Tab (G.B.'s brother) joined the group and there started a movement.

Mestizo - Emo's - October 21, 2007

From the mix of all things good department... Mestizo, Nocando, Rheteric, Dumbfoundead, Old English, Quangou, Lotus Tribe, Notion @ Emo's on Oct 21st. Get up and check out some hip hop on a Sunday night... Free too... can't beat that.



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MESTIZO - The Bona fide one of a kind multifaceted emcee who embodies the true sound of his California roots, but has acquired dexterity from all the city's Like Chicago, he has known to call home. Born to a Filipino father from California and a Sicilian mother from New York, this Bay Area native is the living definition of his name... MESTIZO. The Tagalog and Spanish literal translation for of "mixed races" and he is the spokesman for the new breed of human and the new generation man. Mestizo has acquired the respect and admiration of his peers and elders alike, from Battling and Freestyling to writing and recording a song in 10 minutes, Mestizo known for his savage ability for emceeing and Humanitarian qualities. A seasoned road warrior, who has tour the US, Europe and Japan, many times over, Pumping fire into the blood of his audience and creating a whole new fan base. Now on his Senior album Mestizo's movement is picking up the momentum it needs to make the impact he is aiming for. Mestizo exemplifies the power of word and applies old methods of guiding the people to truth through speech. Mestizo carries the torch for tradition as the many great emcees before him, with his adroit word patterns, a library of styles and apocalyptic vision. he is the blueprint for any human trying to be more than Arbitrary and be ineradicable in the history books. Mestizo will make his mark on man in our lifetime, as each album puts him higher in position to obtain his true goal of a creating a Mestizo Nation.

Lil' Keke - Spiro's - October 19, 2007

From the Bavu's list of shows department... Lil' Keke, from the Southside, when was the last time you had this classic on... performing @ Spiro's this Friday, Oct. 19th. Tix are $20 presale here.

Damn... I need some sleep... my eyes are no longer slanted because I'm Asian.



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Lil' Keke (born Marcus Lakee Edwards on March 31, 1976) is a rapper from Houston, Texas who is an emcee and member of the Screwed Up Click. He also became one of Houston's most visible rappers, releasing solo albums for Jam Down Entertainment. Lil' Keke has become a well known rapper in Houston and continues to record albums annually. His song Southside was a success in 1998. In 2006, he came out with his single "Chunk Up Tha Deuce" which features Paul Wall and UGK. He currently is signed to Swishahouse Records.

Galactic - Stubb's - October 31, 2007

From the Blog Action Day department... Galactic @ Stubb's on Oct. 31st... Halloween... ooo... also on stage... you got Chali 2na of Jurassic 5 and Mr. Lif and Lifesavas... and on top of all that... $500 costume contest! I've got my iPhone costume ready fulz. ;)

Anyways... haven't written in a while... things have been hectic as hell... I'll definitely explain in the coming days... to those who have written in... much love... I haven't forgotten, I'll be writing back soon...

So for Blog Action Day today, which is a day all bloggers will write about a single issue, the environment, in their own special way... and so Austin Hip-Hop Scene would like to acknowledge today... the environmental contributions of the green sticky-icky. May one day all realize it's benefits.



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Galactic is a funk and jazz group from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.

Originally formed in 1994 as an octet (under the name Galactic Prophylactic) and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to an instrumental sextet comprised of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio, drummer Stanton Moore, saxophonist Ben Ellman and Hammond organist Rich Vogel, later adding Theryl DeClouet on vocals.

The group was started when Raines and Mercurio, childhood friends from the Washington D.C. area, moved to New Orleans together to attend college at Tulane University, and became enamored of the local funk scene, populated by such legendary acts as The Meters and inspired by local legends such as Professor Longhair. There they teamed with noted New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore, who eventually became the driving force behind Galactic. In 2004, the band parted ways with vocalist DeClouet, and now continue as an instrumental group.

The band has developed a unique sound as a result of their influences, including: hip hop, Go-Go, electronic, world music, Latin music, rock, blues and jazz.

Tre Hardson and Fatlip - Emo's - October 25, 2007

From the Gary Larson department... Tre Hardson and Fatlip of The Pharcyde @ Emo's on Oct. 25th... along with The Tre Hardsons, Omni, DJ Cee Brown, and DJ Twist One...

As I sit here writing this and watching Kinsey, some damn fool upstairs is bouncing some golf ball or some sh*t... so annoying... I feel like going upstairs and complaining but I'm sitting here in my underwear and too lazy to move. Damn laziness will one day be the end of me...



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The Pharcyde is a rap group from the West coast of the United States. The group was formed in South Central Los Angeles (now South Los Angeles), where the group's members grew up. The original members of the group are "Slimkid3" (Tre Hardson), "Fatlip" (Derrick Stewart), "Imani" (Emandu wilcox) and "Bootie Brown" (Romye Robinson). The group is best known for its hit singles "Passing Me By" and "Runnin'," as well as its first album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde.

The group was largely missing from the Hip Hop scene between 1997 and 1999. The three remaining members returned in 2000 with an EP titled Chapter One: Testing The Waters. They released a full studio album later in the year titled Plain Rap. The album had a luke-warm reception, critically and commercially. Soon after the release, member Slimkid3, now going by his birth name of Tre Hardson, left the group to pursue a solo career. In 2002, he released his first solo album "Liberation".

The two remaining members, Bootie Brown and Imani, continued with the group name and released an album in 2004, Humboldt Beginnings. The album received even less attention critically and commercially than their last effort. Former member Fatlip released his solo debut in 2005, titled The Loneliest Punk. A Pharcyde compilation was released in 2005, titled Sold My Soul-The Remix & Rarity Collection, featuring a number of remixes and rare songs.

In 1998, Tre contributed vocals to Korn's song "Cameltosis" from their album Follow The Leader.

In 2003, Bootie Brown and Imani were featured on the DJ Danger Mouse and Jemini the Gifted One Ghetto Pop Life album track "Medieval".

In 2005, Bootie Brown featured on the Gorillaz track Dirty Harry.

In 2007, Fatlip featured on The Chemical Brothers track The Salmon Dance.

The next Pharcyde album, tentatively titled, Eclectic Compassion is scheduled for an early 2007 release date.

Blacklisted Individuals - The Off Center - October 10, 2007

From the Texas will kill OU department... Da'Shade wrote in to peep their upcoming show... Rallying the Wolves...

Blacklisted Individuals @ The Off Center on Oct 10th... special guests include... NOOK, Xenogia, and Cry Havoc...

Got another idea for my Halloween costume... how about being the guy from 300? Yeah I can pull it off... I'm buff...



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Blacklisted Individuals is more than a rap group. In a world where rap usually paints a false picture of normal life, we are that fresh breath of air that people are dieing ,literally, to get. Blacklisted is not interested in what is popular. We are interested in the real situation politically, socially, economically, and spiritually. Music is just a platform for the message we give. We consider ourselves to be the voice of the people who are not represented in the mainstream of music. After failing numerous times trying to fit in that box we never could get fulfillment from it. There was a time when we were both solo artists about to quit. Then we got together and decided to make our own box. We can do what everybody else does and be successful at it, but dumbing down to sell CDs is degrading to us as artists and we would rather have a handful of die hard fans than have a million fans that want us to get on the mic and act dumber than what we are. It ain't about the money. It's about the music and just as long as we had the opportunity to say what was on our mind and a few people listen, then all those years were worth it. “We make music that empowers all, we promote awareness, But we are outcasts ourselves. So we will never forget the struggles and victories that have got us where we are" - BLI 2003

Akil - Karma - October 4, 2007

From the I'm so sleepy department... Thanks to musicNmind for another dope show! Akil of Jurassic 5 fame will be @ Karma on Oct 4th for another installment of The Gathering. Pre-Sale tix are only $8 here.

Halloween's comin' up... anyone got some good costume ideas? I'm thinking about being an iPhone, but I bet there will be several of those.



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Jurassic 5 was a six- and then later five-piece hip hop group formed in 1994. Rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir aka Soup, Mark 7even, Benny C, Tommy M and turntable maestros DJ Nu-Mark and DJ Cut Chemist came together from two separate crews, the Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee. They currently plan to split up.

The group formed at the Los Angeles, California health store The Good Life at open mic sessions. They released their first record, Jurassic 5 EP, in 1997. The record cemented their position in the 1990s alternative hip hop movement, alongside artists such as Company Flow, Black Star and Kool Keith.

The EP was later repackaged with additional tracks and released in December 1998 as the band's full-length debut album, entitled Jurassic 5 LP.

The tracks harkened back to the old school attitude of New York's Native Tongues Posse, which included De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest. This was evident on the song "Concrete Schoolyard" ("Let's take it back to the concrete streets/Original beats from real live MCs"), and the album even provided the troupe with a surprise Top 40 single when it reached number 35 in November 1998. The other stand-out track, "Jayou", was built around a flute loop from Pleasure Web's "Music Man Part 2".

Soulfest - The East End Back Lot - October 6, 2007

From the too many things going on, losing my mind department... SoulFest 07 @ The East End Back Lot on Oct 6th... tix are $20 pre sale.

More info below and on flyer
SoulFest 2007 - R&B and Jazz festival

(SOULFEST TICKETS SOLD EXCLUSIVELY at Mitchie's Gallery, 512-323-6901)
Gates open at 6pm