You may not have heard of him, but he sounds kind of familiar. You may not recognize him, but you feel like you’ve seen him somewhere before. If you’ve been involved in California’s hip hop scene all your life, chances are you’ve either seen him at a show, been to his club, DJ’d alongside him, or bought music from him.
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. With a few partners, he founded Red Light District at Incahoots on Thursday nights. He brought in such acts as Cotton Mouth Kings, Incubus, and the Luniz. From Riverside, he made his way toward the city, still spinning at various gigs, and worked alongside Chuck of Hollywood Hip Hop, stocking the record store with independent must-haves like Planet Asia, Living Legends, and the Visionaries.
From the join Facebook department... Thanks to Daysha for telling us about Saturday's show... Afrofreque and Nick Nack @ Lamberts on Dec 1st for the Afrofreque CD release... “Fresh Soul Frequencies” album.
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Reggae soulsters, electronica lovers, and conscious hip-hop connoisseurs rejoice! The long-awaited debut release from Austin’s favorite groove junkies, Afrofreque, will be celebrated on Friday, December 1st, 2007 at Lambert’s in Austin, TX. Visit the band’s site to sneak a listen to the track Illumination before its official release on the “Fresh Soul Frequencies” album.
“Fresh Soul Frequencies” features ten original tracks written collectively by band members Tigre Liu, Michael Hale, DJ Resinthol, Claude 9, Fumi-Hito Sugarawa, and John Siebenthaler.
The official celebration will kick off at 10:00pm with support from DJ Nick Nack (Crowd Control Records, GigaCrate.com). Cover is $5 on the day of the event. Lambert's is located at 410 W. 2nd St. in Austin, TX.
Afrofreque’s music is live soulful hip hop, with elements of reggae, electronica, and afrobeat. the lyrics are positive and conscious, reflecting hip hop culture, social issues and just plain having fun.We are an experienced and talented group of musicians. Band members are/have been integral parts of other bands such as: The Killer Bees, Big Game Hunter, Dirty Wormz, Patrice Pike, David Garza, Laura Scarborough, Raggamassive, Futurelight Sound System, Pressure, and Shantytown Underground.
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.
Richard Walters (born January 14, 1965), better known by stage names Slick Rick, MC Ricky D and Rick the Ruler, is a rapper. Originally from South Wimbledon, London, England, he moved with his family to The Bronx in 1975 where he met B-Weezy who taught him how to rap. [1]Rick's characteristic eyepatch was acquired after being blinded in the right eye by broken glass as an infant. In a VH1 special, it was revealed the broken glass was caused during a holiday dinner gunfight. He is best known for a series of rap recordings during the 1980s, including "Children's Story" and "La Di Da Di". Once he gained a degree of wealth, he earned a reputation for wearing an enormous amount of gold and diamond jewelry, including many large necklaces with giant pendants, bracelets, huge rings on each finger, and gold tooth.[1]
Charlie Rock of Harlem World crew was instrumental in bringing Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh together when Doug requested an introduction after he had seen him win local MC battle contests. It was at an MC contest at the 369 Armory on 142nd street in Harlem, given by promotion partners Ray Chandler & Charlie Rock, that Rick & Doug were formally introduced by Rock.
Slick Rick released the song "La Di Da Di" in 1985 which features Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew. His first album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick was released in 1988 while he was living in Brooklyn. "Children's Story", which appears on The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, is one of the most famous songs in rap and has been covered by Black Star, Black Rob, Everlast, Messy Marv, Tricky's side project Nearly God, and, Snoop Doggy Dogg. "Children's Story" was also featured on the videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on Playback FM, a classic hip-hop station. The album attained platinum status, but Rick was unable to exploit this due to an arrest for attempted murder.
He shot a bystander and his cousin whom he’d hired as a body guard and who later admitted to having Walters shot outside a club in 1991. Russell Simmons, head of Def Jam records, bailed him out and Rick quickly recorded The Ruler's Back before spending five years in prison, two for the second degree attempted murder charges he received for that shooting, and three while hassling with Immigrations Services over his residency in the US.
"La Di Da Di", "Mona Lisa" and "Children's Story" are among his best known songs, with "La Di Da Di" being covered nearly word-for-word by Snoop Dogg on his 1993 album Doggystyle, and lines from "La Di Da Di" being borrowed by multiple high profile artists. "Children's Story" was sampled by Montell Jordan for his 1995 hit, "This Is How We Do It", and Black Star did a cover of it on their debut album. Eminem also borrowed from the song extensively in his diss song "Can-I-Bitch".
From the not much work needed department... It's Gynae, your friendly neighborhood hip hop journalist, with exciting news! Zell Miller III'sHip Hop Theater Explosion has returned! There are 3 nights left - this Fri.,Sat., and Sun. - at The Vortex Theater, 2307 Manor Road, bus route #20 at 8p.m.
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Of course they are monitoring your posts! They're ALWAYS monitoring!
This show is hip hop culture at its core. Expressions through rhymes, beats, and body movements are taken out of the club scene and brought into the theater. You will experience hip hop - not just watch it! The first time around, this show sold out, so I'd play it safe and RSVP 478-5282. Hope to see you there! I'll be the one slangin' CDs!
The Gift of Gab (born Tim Parker, in Pacoima, California) is the MC for the San Francisco/Bay Area hip-hop duo Blackalicious, and a member of Quannum Projects (along with Chief Xcel, DJ Shadow, Lyrics Born and Lateef). In 2004, he also released a solo album entitled 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up.
One of his songs appears on the "Roll forever" skateboarding movie and is used by a skater named Darrell Stanton. Another of his songs, a song named "Evolution" appears on "TxPress Volume 1: Ready To Die" - An aggressive rollerblading movie.
The song 'Rat Race' from 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up is frequently used on the highly popular Sky Sports show, Soccer AM.
His song "Way of the Light" is featured on a Diet Coke commercial.
GoG is also featured on the new album by Galactic titled From the Corner To the Block.
Gab is releasing an EP on October 29,2007 with Lateef The Truth Speaker and Headnodic called "The Prelude" through http://www.giftstribution.com
Big thing today is that Android is out... it's basically a software development kit for mobile phones... so Google's offering up $10 million to encourage developers to create applications for their new platform. I can finally get my Dubs!
Little Brother is an American hip-hop group from North Carolina that consists of Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh. Producer 9th Wonder was a part of the group since its inception, but left before recording the album Getback. Their debut album The Listening (2003) was highly acclaimed, and was followed by The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 mixtape in 2005 and the group's second album, The Minstrel Show, also released in 2005 and received a "XL" from XXL magazine and 4.5 Mics from The Source. The group tours frequently with their official DJ, Flash. In an interview with MVRemix.com, Phonte explained the origins of his group's name: "Tribe, De La, P.E....were like our big brothers in the game so now we are the little brothers of that movement...carrying on the tradition of good music."[1]
Little Brother formed in Durham, NC at North Carolina Central University in 1998. The group began as a trio, featuring members Phonte (Phonte Coleman), Big Pooh (Thomas Jones), and producer 9th Wonder (Pat Douthit). They are founding members of the North Carolina hip-hop collective called The Justus League, under the umbrella music group The Hall of Justus.
Their official debut came in August 2001 with their first recording, “Speed;” the song talks about making it big in the music business while still dealing with the troubles and hardships of life and holding down a full-time job. They continued to work the local scene and were picked up by ABB Records. In 2002, they released the cult hit 7" single Atari 2600, with lyrics centering around video games. In 2003, the group released their first full length album, The Listening. This record boosted the group to higher acclaim, but national recognition came when Jay-Z tapped 9th Wonder for the song "Threat," off of his eighth offering The Black Album.
Man some dope shows roll in during Thanksgiving every year, I wonder how wise that is considering Austin's a college town and I bet the population drop like girls' pants when I walk in the room.
Dennis Coles (born May 9, 1970 in Staten Island, New York), better known by the stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper. Ghostface first rose to fame as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan hip hop collective. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the early-mid 1990s, each member was free to pursue solo careers; Ghostface's would turn out to be one of the most critically and commercially successful of the group, regardless of, and perhaps due to, his loyalty to his obscure yet highly vivid lyrics and 1970's soul sound. Early in his career, he would wear a mask during performances and photo shoots; it was rumored that this was because Ghostface was wanted by the police and did not publicly remove it until his name was cleared. He is a former follower of The Nation of Gods and Earths and currently a Sunni Muslim. After converting, he changed his name to Abdul Raheem.[1][2]
Ghostface Killah debuted with the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan on "Protect Ya Neck" and "Tearz" from the Clan's critically acclaimed debut, 1993's Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). A roommate of Wu-Tang founder The RZA, Ghostface helped bring together the other seven members, and would function as executive producer on all the Wu-Tang Clan releases.
In 1995, Ghostface would guest star extensively on fellow Clan member Raekwon's debut album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.... He also contributed songs to the Sunset Park and Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood soundtracks, which would be included on his first solo LP, Ironman, in 1996. The album, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, had a more pronounced soul influence (particularly 1970s soul) than previous Wu-Tang releases, and Ghostface's future albums would continue this stylistic trait.
From the novel posing as a party flyer... Rapid Ric, Nick Nack, Boss Ross, Glorium @ Beauty Bar on Nov 17th... Beauty Bash... nothing but dope... Looks like 7th and Red River is the place to be come the 17th.
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It's dope the NBA season's started. I have much hope for the Rockets this season... Tracy, Yao and team better step it up a notch... it'll be a good season. I only wished we got games in Austin. :(
“Rapid Ric is one of the fastest rising DJ’s in the South right now, and it’s mostly because of the skill he brings to his art form.” – Chamillionaire
While Texas’ slow and soulful underground movement went mainstream in 2005, millions of CD’s by Texas artists flew off the shelves as MTV and even the New York Times co-signed the Lone Star State. Meanwhile, every mixtape Rapid Ric dropped (Z-Ro’s Greatest Verses, Whut It Dew 2, Afta Da Relays, Getcha Weight Up, King of the Trill, Whut it Dew 3) boosted his star higher as Texas stayed hot on Atlanta's heels as the next big thing in Southern hip-hop music.
In 2006, the 25-year-old set himself even farther apart from his peers with “Before Da Relays”, “Afta Da Relays”, Chalie Boy’s “Versatyle Child”, Magno’s “City Boyz” and the 4th quarter monster “Whut It Dew 4”. He mans the pipeline of the Lone Star State's top talent, furthering the self-made legacy of Screw, Swishahouse’s Michael Watts, Chamillitary and Slim Thug’s Boss Hogg Outlaws. Rapid Ric’s Whut it Dew series – the first of which was hosted by Chamillionaire prior to his platinum debut album – has solidified his niche as a trendsetter and tastemaker by progressing Texas’ regional underground sound.
From it's a girl department... Gettin' ready to unleash the wrath on us with their new album, Aggressive Soul... Crew54 throwin' a party @ Plush on Nov 17th with Bavu Blakes' last performance of the year... and DJ Kunal M and the Table Manners Crew.
Congrats to my friends Prajay and Anita on the birth of their first child, Kaviya! I went to high school with Prajay... man... I'm getting old. Is the train passing me by and I just forgot to jump on it? Nah...
Quickly becoming regarded as one of Texas’ brightest new acts, Crew54 is determined to make their way into the game. Combining raw reality lyrics with soul driven banging beats, G-christ and M.O.S. deliver a high energy product that bumps in your system and will blow you away live in person.
After serving in the Army, G-Christ ended up in Killeen, TX. Using his southern breeding, mixed with world traveling experience, he crafted a lyrical style that is versatile, with the ability to sound natural on almost any type of beat. From east coast grimy to southern bounce, G-Christ is ready to destroy any beat and song concept. MOS is constantly crafting his writing style to connect with the listener on all bases. Having worked with bevy of crews, artist, and producers, the unofficial official MOS catalogue is profuse. It was a natural connection when they met, and that moment a legacy for born.
BORN IN TEXAS AT THE YOUNG TENDER AGE OF FIVE STORMSHADOW WAS EXPOSED TO HIP-HOP KULTURE BY HIS BROTHER "DENNIS THA MENACE" THREW THE ELEMENTS OF BRAKE DANCE,EMCING AND DJING. DUE TO HIS FATHER BEING IN THE MILITARY STORMSHADOW TRAVELED AND MET MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE BUT CONNECTED MORE TO THOSE WHO LOVED TO RAP AND BRAKE DANCE. A FEW OF THESE PEOPLE WERE FROM NEW YORK AND TOOK STORMSHADOW UNDER THERE WING AND BEGAN TO TEACH AND HONE HIS SKILLS ON THE MIC AS A EMCEE STORMSHADOW IS ALSO A FORMER MEMBER AND FOUNDER OF THE "UNDAGROUND ASSASSINS CLICK" WITH PRODUCTION BY"DJ RREAL".FAST FORWARD TO THE PRESENT STORMSHADOW IS A ICONOCLAST HIP-HOP PURIST BENT THE DESTUCTION OF FASLE PHROPETS,SUCKA EMCEE'S AND PIMP RECORD COMPANIES THAT POLUTE HIP-HOP KULTURE.
From the I'm too lazy to take a dump before bed, so I'll just hold it department... Lyrics Born @ Emo's this Friday, Nov 9th... Reppin' the ATX... Vehicular, Just Born, and DJ Notion.
Am I the only one that thinks it's odd that your boss has to go to the restroom?!? Is it not the funniest thing when your manager rips a smelly one in the stall next to you... don't see them quite the same ever again. I'm so childish. ;)
Lyrics Born (formerly known as Asia Born, born Tom Shimura in Tokyo, Japan in 1972), is a half-Japanese-American, half-Italian-American hip hop rapper. He is one half of the group Latyrx with Lateef the Truthspeaker.
Through his childhood, he lived in Tokyo and Salt Lake City, Utah, and has lived most of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although he moved to Tampa Florida for four years to attend Henry B. Plant High School. He began his hip hop career while at college at UC Davis, where he was a DJ at the college station KDVS. He is a founding member of the seminal independent record label Quannum Projects. Born came up with fellow Bay Area and UC Davis companions Lateef, Gift of Gab, and Chief Xcel of Blackalicious, DJ Shadow, and Jeff Chang (formerly known as DJ Zen).
Lyrics Born released his first solo LP, Later That Day, in October 2003, which spawned the hit single, "Callin' Out." The album featured guests such as DJ Shadow, Gift of Gab, and his wife Joyo Velarde. In April 2005, he released his second album, Same !@#$ Different Day which was released on his own Quannum Projects label. The album features remixes of five songs from Later That Day along with a number of new tracks which feature guests such as Bay Area legend E-40, KRS-ONE, Stereo MCs, Casual of Hieroglyphics, Evidence of Dilated Peoples, and Joyo Velarde. Also in 2005, Born released The Lyrics Born Variety Show: Season One CD, which was essentially an old-school mix tape with remixes and blends of his studio albums and appearances on other songs in addition to new songs.
In 2006 he released The Lyrics Born Variety Show: Season Two CD mixed by DJ Enki.
He has toured relentlessly for years in North America, South America, Australia, Europe and Japan and averages 150 shows per year.
Early in 2005, Lyrics Born replaced his usual DJ, D-Sharp with a live band. The original band consisted of versed Bay Area musicians Kevin Choice (keys, vox), B'nai Rebelfront (guitar, vox), Darius Minaee (drums) and Uriah Duffy (bass, vox). The current band still retains Rebelfront and Duffy, and has had various replacements on keys and drums.
The live album Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born LIVE was released on October 31, 2006. It was recorded in Australia and features half of the album from Sydney and the other half from Melbourne. The album is a live set featuring his backing band, as well as three new studio tracks including the hit song "Knock Knock". The album received a 3.5 out of 5 star review in Rolling Stone magazine and featured artists such as Mistah F.A.B., Del The Funky Homosapien, Pigeon John and Tim "Herb" Alexander of Primus.
Lyrics Born is set to release his 3rd studio album, "Everywhere at Once" in early 2008 on Epitaph Records. The album is the first studio release to feature members of the live band.
From the getting calls from the manager on the weekend department... The 2nd Annual B-Girl City @ Ruta Maya on Nov 17th. It'll be hot to see some girls just break it down...
A B-boy/beat-boy (male) or B-girl/beat-girl (female) is a person devoted to hip-hop culture, specifically the breakdance element. The term "b-boy" has come to refer more specifically to a male who practices what the media refers to as breakdancing, i.e., an individual who has the ability to perform rhythmic dance combining a variety of dance forms with gymnastics and original body movements. These stylized movements are commonly known as "breaking" or "breakdancing," and B-boys are often called breakdancers.
There are four basic elements which form the foundation of B-boying. The first is Toprock, a term referring to the upright dancing and shuffles that B-boys do when they enter a circle. The second element is the Downrock or Footwork, refers to dancing performed on the floor. The third element, is known as the Freeze, refers to the poses that B-boys throw into their dance sets to add punctuation to certain beats and end their routines. The fourth and final element of bboying is the Power moves. These are acrobatic moves normally made up of circular motions where the dancer will spin either on the floor, or in the air.
A related dance form which influenced B-boyings Uprocking / Rocking / The Rock Dance, also performed while standing, and a style of dance in which both dancers fabricate ways of beating the opponent using fictional weaponry and embarrassing situations in rhythm with the music (Burning). This style involves moves called Yerks [pronounced Jerks] which are a set of motions executed to the break of a track and are where most of the battling occurs, outside of the break of a track is where the freestyle element of the dance is executed with great musicality throughout.
Got word from by boi Ebun... there's a new album out by Saul Williams, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, you can get the album free at the site and also to support Saul with $5 for the album. Check it out...
Aesop Rock (born Ian Matthias Bavitz on 1976-05-11) is an American hip hop artist. He was in the forefront of the new wave of underground acts that emerged during the late 1990s/early 2000s. He is signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label.
A Long Island, New York-born MC, Aesop initially recorded and released two self-financed records, Music for Earthworms (1997), featuring underground legend Percee P on two tracks, and the Appleseed EP (1999), while also working as a waiter. These two independent releases are widely sought after in the underground scene.[citation needed]
After moving to the Mush label, Aesop released his first major album, Float (2000), with guest appearances from Vast Aire, Slug, and Dose One. Production was split between Blockhead and Aesop himself, with one track by Omega One.
Shortly after releasing Float, Aesop Rock signed to Manhattan-based label Definitive Jux (commonly shortened to Def Jux), where he released Labor Days, an album dedicated to the discussion of labor in American society and the concept of "wage slaves". This album was most well known for its single "Daylight." Because of its popularity, Daylight was re-released in 2002 as a 7-track EP, including an "alternative" new version of the song, "Night Light," whose paraphrased lyrics simultaneously refer back to, and stand in stark opposition to, the original's.
Labor Days was followed by Bazooka Tooth in 2003. For the first time, production was mostly handled by Aesop himself, with three tracks from longtime collaborator Blockhead and one from close friend and Definitive Jux label CEO El-P. Guest appearances include Party Fun Action Committee, El-P, and Mr. Lif (all Definitive Jux labelmates) and Camp Lo. With this release Aesop hit a higher level of recognition, releasing "No Jumper Cables" as a single and music video, then another single, "Freeze," shortly after.
In the summer of 2004, Aesop Rock appeared on the Evil Nine Single "Crooked" from the Album You Can Be Special Too, on Marine Parade records.
In February 2005, Aesop Rock released a new EP, Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives. The first pressing of the EP included an 88 page booklet with lyrics from every release from Float until this EP (the lyric booklet is titled The Living Human Curiosity Sideshow); later pressings of the album come without the booklet, but with an additional bonus track. In addition, a limited number of albums were available direct from Def Jux with Aesop Rock's graffiti tag on them. In response to demands from his fans, Aesop did less production on the EP: three songs are produced by Blockhead, three produced by Aesop, and one by Rob Sonic.
Aesop Rock was commissioned to create a 45-minute instrumental track for the Nike+iPod running system, entitled All Day. It was released in February 2007. Distributed via the iTunes Music Store and featuring Allyson Baker on guitar and scratches from DJ Big Wiz, Aesop has described the release as "something that evolved enough that the sound was constantly fresh and attractive, as though the runner were moving through a set of differing cities or landscapes." [1]
All Day was followed in August of the same year by Bavitz's fifth full-length album, None Shall Pass (2007).
From the relationships are hard department... After the M.I.A. show this Saturday... get treated to M.I.A.'s DJ... Low B (aka DJ Low Budget) @ Whisky Bar on Nov 3rd and our own DJ Digg... how low can you go... b. Where do I come up with these?!? :)
Relationships are a melding of 2 people, personalities, cultures... how tough could it be... are we destined to follow in the steps of our parents... are there changes you can make to avoid those same mistakes... what is one to do?!?
As co creator of now one of the most influential dj styles around,half of the DJ duo Hollertronix, Low B aka Low Budget has been a part of Philly’s nightlife and thriving DJ scene for the last seven years. Since then he has taken his eclectic party rockin style around the world and back. Born in Philadelphia and growing up mainly in Parkside/Chester, Low B began DJing in the mid 90’s while still in high school. A product of hip hop’s “golden age”, Low B is all about maintaining the integrity of a true all-around DJ--by keeping dance floors packed with a flavorful mix that rep all genres. With hip hop and dance classics as his foundation, Low B’s musical ammo spans from rock to reggae, Baltimore club to indie dance, disco to the dirty south, and everything in between.
Low B has also found himself rocking parties from coast to coast and internationally, From the days of spinning alongside hollertronix partner, diplo, Low B has played alongside many other nationally recognized DJs and recording artists. From Bun B (of UGK) to Spankrock, the Clipse,A-trak,Tommy Sunshine, DJ AM and currently holding it down as M.I.A.'s tour DJ .... Low B has rubbed elbows with them all. No matter the party--from a high profile celebrity based extravaganza to a casual hole-in-the-wall dive bar, Low B does like the O’Jays and “gives the people what they want.” He is infamous for inciting riots on the dance floor. His fans travel from far and wide to hear “what he is putting on next.”
"Fuck what you heard, White boys can get it crunk too...expect this kid [Low B] to make you get down on the flo' some time soon." - XXL Magazine
From the let's get this game started, go Dallas! department... Thanks Adrian for the shout... S.T.A.T.I.K., Blacklisted Individuals, Mars Wars, Betaplayer, Yadira Brown and The Underwater Orchestra @ Emo's Lounge tonight, Nov. 29th... after the game!
