AHHS Google Toolbar Button

We've just created an Austin Hip-Hop Scene Google Toolbar Button for those of you who love their AHHS and their Google Toolbar. The AHHS Button allows you to view the latest posts and search AHHS, all a button away!

Installation Instructions:

1. First install Google Toolbar
2. Click the following link: Add AHHS Google Toolbar Button
3. When prompted, Click "Add"
4. That's it!

Tell us know what you think!

MC Frontalot - Alamo Drafthouse Downtown - November 28, 2008

From the Turkey Terrorist department... NERDCORE RISING with MC Frontalot @ Alamo Drafthouse Downtown on Nov 28th! I wish I could be there, I could take my laptop and get my programming on! To all the nerds, geeks and freaks out there going to this, I'm jealous!

Get your tix here for $10!

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To all those pal'ing around with Sarah Palin and her Turkey Terrorist Group, Happy Thanksgiving!



More info:

Damian Hess (born December 3, 1973), known by stage name MC Frontalot, is a San Francisco hip hop musician and self-proclaimed "world's 579th greatest rapper." He is best known in nerdcore hip hop and video game culture, for naming the nerdcore subgenre, and performing at Penny Arcade's annual Penny Arcade Expo.

Hess began releasing music as MC Frontalot in 1999. His first successes came through Song Fight!, an online songwriting and recording competition, where he became known for consistently beating opponents. Throughout his history at Song Fight!, he has never lost a competition as MC Frontalot, although he has entered only seven entries in that name.[1] In one such song fight, entitled "Romantic Cheapskate", he likens Song Fight! to a neglected lover who favours him regardless of how he treats her.[2] Indicative of his success, the song went on to garner a total of 614 votes, while the next closest song ended the round with 28.[3]

Free Tix: Ice Cube - The Mohawk - December 14, 2008

From the it was a good day department... We've got a pair of free tickets to giveaway to Ice Cube @ The Mohawk!

For the free tix, email me about your worst Thanksgiving experience to emptyonline @ gmail.com

Also, get your tix here for $25!





More info:

O'Shea Jackson (born June 15, 1969), better known by his stage name Ice Cube is an actor, screenwriter, producer, and rapper. Regarded as one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time, he began his career as a founding member of the rap group N.W.A, and later launched a successful solo career in music and cinema. In 1992, he married Kimberly Woodruff, with whom he has four children. From the mid-1990s onwards, Cube focused on acting, and his musical output has slowed down considerably. He remains one of the most visible West Coast rappers, having helped originate gangsta rap. He is particularly well-known for his incendiary raps on political topics, social relations and ethnic discrimination, particularly the mistreatment of African Americans.

Ice Cube was born O'Shea Jackson in South Central, California, where he was raised, the son of Doris (née Benjamin), a hospital clerk and custodian, and Andrew Jackson, who worked as a groundskeeper at California State University.[1] His cousin is Teren Delvon Jones, also known as Del tha Funkee Homosapien, of Deltron 3030, Gorillaz and Hieroglyphics.[2] At age sixteen, Ice Cube developed an interest in hip hop music, and began writing raps in Taft High School's keyboarding class.[2] He attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in the fall of 1987, and studied Architectural Drafting.[3] With friend Sir Jinx, Cube formed the C.I.A., and they performed at parties hosted by Dr. Dre. In an interview with well known British broadsheet newspaper, The Guardian, Ice Cube professed he is still a Muslim, having converted sometime in the 1990s.[4]

Music: DJ Protege - Remix Vol. 1

DJ Protege of Blue Room Music Group treats us to a Thanksgiving special with Remix Vol. 1.

Soul High: Method Man & Redman / Souls of Mischief


Put it on the L: Big L / Tribe Called Quest


Naughty Body: Mad Skills / Naughty By Nature


Lights & Love: Common / LL Cool J


Axle’s ATLine: OutKast / Axle F


Download the complete Remix Vol. 1 here!

The 54 Reality Show by Crew54

54 Reality Show 11-17 from The 54 Reality Show on Vimeo.

Check out this week's Crew54's The 54 Reality Show featuring the Soulful Texas Live show presented by Bavu Blakes and AustinSurreal! Even catch me act like a goof ball about 5 minutes in!

Q-Tip - Stubb's - November 20, 2008

From the Secretary of State department... Q-Tip & The Cool Kids with The Knux @ Stubb's on Nov 20th!

Cop your tix here!

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So with all this talk about Hillary Clinton being offered the Secretary of State, you gotta wonder if she'll bend Barack Obama over the President's desk in the Oval Office. I mean this would be a great opportunity to get back at Bill Clinton for his escapades. We all know Bush gives it to Condi Rice where the sun don't shine!



More info:

Q-Tip (born Jonathan Davis, April 10, 1970, in Harlem, New York), is an American hip hop artist, singer, and occasional actor from Queens, New York City. He went to Murry Bergtraum High School in Manhattan, New York and was the leader of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest. He converted to Islam in the mid-1990s, and changed his name to Kamaal Ibn John Fareed.[1] The Q in Q-Tip's stage name stands for Queens, the borough of New York City from which he hails. It is also said to be a name that represents his ability to get into one’s ears (as the Q-Tip cotton swab). He also refers to himself as the Abstract' (originally the Abstract Poetic) and Kamaal the Abstract.

Q-Tip has been a resident of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.[2]

Besides performing with his popular and successful jazz-influenced hip hop group, Tip also did production work (under his production alias the Abstract or often—along with fellow Tribe member Ali Shaheed Muhammad and the late Slum Village member Jay Dee—as part of the Ummah) for artists such as Nas ("One Love," from Illmatic, 1994), Mobb Deep (co-producer on "Give up the Goods (Just Step)," "Temperature's Rising," and "Drink Away the Pain," from The Infamous, 1995) and even R&B divas Mariah Carey ("Honey," from Butterfly, 1997) and Whitney Houston ("Fine," from Greatest Hits).

Black Sheep - The Parish - November 19, 2008

From the recession proof Scion department... Black Sheep with Nice & Smooth and Orgone and DJ J.Period @ The Parish on Nov 19th!

Same drill, RSVP here!

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Just got some new books in today, pretty exciting, since I have a strategy of reading only half of each book. So I'll be figuring out why hoping is audacious and why my dad haunts me in my nightmares!



More info:

Black Sheep is an alternative hip hop duo from Queens, New York, comprised of Andres "Dres" Titus and William "Mista Lawnge" McLean. The duo are native New Yorkers but met as teenagers in North Carolina where both of their families relocated.[1] The group was an affiliate of the Native Tongues Posse, which included The Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. It debuted in 1991 with the hit song "Flavor of the Month" and later released their first album, A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, which gained them praise and recognition in the hip-hop community for the album’s unique rhythms and intelligent lyrics.

Black Sheep was the first hip-hop act to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno after the departure of Johnny Carson. Black Sheep was also one of the first groups to parody gangsta rap (still in its infancy when A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing was released) in the hilariously over the top "U Mean I'm Not." In the song, Dres describes in detail killing his sister, his parents, and his letter carrier. At the end, he is roused from his sleep and tells his friends bewilderedly, "I dreamt that I was...hard."

Free Tix: Digable Planets - Emo's - November 19, 2008

From the is Paulson dicking us over department... We've got 3 pairs of free tickets to giveaway by 11pm Tuesday, Nov 18th, to Digable Planets with Phranchyze 1 and Zeale 32 @ Emo's!

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Gotta make you wonder if this Paulson character is using the $700 Billion in our best interest. Bush's last hurrah before he leaves! Thanks Bush.



More info:

Digable Planets is a Grammy Award-winning American alternative hip hop group based in New York City, composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler (from Seattle), Craig "Doodlebug" Irving (from Philadelphia), and Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira (from Washington, D.C.). They were backed by Silkworm, who later embarked on a solo career under the name King Britt.

Digable Planets' fusion of jazz and hip hop received excellent reviews and solid sales with the release of its debut album, Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), in 1993, which was certified gold by the RIAA. The album's lead single, "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)," in 1994 became a crossover hit, peaking at #15 on Billboard magazine's singles chart, earning gold certification by the RIAA, and winning the Grammy award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Its second album, Blowout Comb, was released in 1994 (see 1994 in music). The novelty of the group's jazz/hip-hop fusion had passed, leading to disappointing sales. The trio soon broke up due to creative differences, as well as the deaths of both of Ladybug's parents due to unrelated illnesses. However, a retrospective album Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles was released in 2005, which included unreleased recordings.

The Planets played at BB King's in Times Square, NYC on 10/8/2008 and announced that a new album would be released in 2008.

Free Tix: MURS - Emo's - November 18, 2008

From the Asians can't have hair like that :( department... We've got 3 pairs of free tickets to giveaway by 11pm Monday, Nov 17th, to MURS with Kidz in the Hall, Rapper Big Pooh and Isaiah @ Emo's! Email me at emptyonline @ gmail.com for the free tix!

You can also get tix for $10 here!



More info:

Nick Carter, professionally known as MURS is an American rapper. He is signed to the independent label Record Collection and is a member of the hip hop groups Living Legends, Felt, the 3 Melancholy Gypsys, and previously the "elusive" Log Cabin crew. The name 'MURS' is an acronym for Making Underground Raw Shit.

MURS has released several solo records: F'Real (1997), Good Music (1999), MURS Rules the World (2000), MURS is My Best Friend, Varsity Blues, The End of the Beginning (2003), MURS 3:16-The 9th Edition (2004), Murray's Revenge (2006), and Murs For President (2008). He has collaborated with many artists including will.i.am, James Blunt, Shock G, Humpty Hump of Digital Underground, Slug, Whole Wheat Bread, Snoop Dogg, El-P, Aesop Rock, Cip-One, RJD2, Hieroglyphics, Little Brother & 9th Wonder, E-40, John Cena, Mr. Lif, Jean Grae, Freestyle Fellowship, DJ Z-Trip, Chingo Bling, Shing02, The Game, The Stiletto Formal. He also appeared on L.A. metal band Terror's album Always The Hard Way (2006).

MURS is now signed to Warner Bros. Records, and managed by Stampede Management.

Aside from music, MURS is a host of Current TV.

Method Man & Redman - Stubb's - November 18, 2008

From the Mary Jane I love you so! department... Still High Tour starring Method Man & Redman @ Stubb's on Nov 18th!

Get your tix here!

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President-elect Obama is throwing his weight around to have an 8 team college football playoff. I'm saying maybe he should use that time and energy to make marijuana legal!



More info:

Method Man & Redman, also known as Method & Red, are a hiphop duo, consisting of rap superstars Method Man (of Wu-Tang Clan) and Redman (of Def Squad). They are both signed with the record label Def Jam. In September 1999, they released their first album, Blackout!, which they recorded in early 1999 while on the road as part of the hugely successful Hard Knock Life Tour, and promoted it during the Family Values Tour. In 2001, they starred together in the film How High. They were also on a sitcom together named Method & Red. They have worked together on numerous occasions as contributing artists.

Method Man often gives a shout out to Redman on tracks that do not feature Redman; this usually comes in the form of "What up, Doc!" referring to Redman's alias "Funk Doctor Spot".

Soulful Texas - Mohawk - November 13, 2008

From the Yo Momma's a Presidential Candidate department... AustinSurreal presents Soulful Texas @ Mohawk on Thursday, Nov 13th! Performing live will be Bavu Blakes & the Extra Plairs, Mojoe Family Band, Black Mike & Kemistry and DJ Knowledge!

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For those not on Twitter, there's an epic Political "Yo momma so..." battle raging! It's... wait for it... "Legendary"! You can find more info here on BoingBoing. I'm starting a Twitter porn so I'll see you there!

What’s Wrong With the Scene?! Pt 1 by Bavu Blakes

On a Saturday night not long ago, I stopped by the Open Labs beat battle event at the Mohawk here in Austin, Texas, to perform a 20-minute promo set. I also went there because I assumed it would be a solid opportunity to market our November 13 Soulful Texas Hip Hop Live show at the same venue.

So I did the set, and it went fine. But during – and especially before and after – my performance, I noticed a funny energy in the crowd. There were many local artists, crews and cliques in attendance and, of course, dozens of beat makers and producers from all over the country. I sensed a lot of confusion in the air, and a lack of purpose you could almost taste. There were hundreds of people at the venue, yet it felt mostly empty. Maybe I'm crazy, but whatever it was, this energy was disheartening.

Later that night, I went by Ruta Maya to give some posters and flyers to Matt Sonzala of Austin Surreal, who is promoting this Soulful Texas Hip Hop Live show. And again, there was that weird energy in the crowd which included many local artists as well as some fans. It felt like night of the living dead in there!

Overall, it ended up being a depressing evening despite the fact that I went on a date with my wife in between the two events. I think I shed a couple of tears when I was praying and falling asleep that night. I've had plenty of less-than-inspiring nights on the town, but this was ridiculous. I was questioning my role and involvement in my local scene, and realized it's not just a local issue. It's everywhere, and I want to help change it.

When you face a problem, you can complain, ignore it or do something. And what I've described in these first five paragraphs led to me starting this column, where I'll speak from my own experiences and travels in an effort to help you help me help us... in every town. I've titled this series with a perennially tired question: What's Wrong With the Scene?!

In Every Town, USA, there's at least a thousand people trying to make it in the hip hop game. Some of them aspire to become independent rap gods like the Dude Devin or the Kweli Talib, while others dream of signing a big major record deal with somebody like Jay-Z or the late Shakir Stewart. Others just want to run their city, so they can allegedly put on for their city.

I, for one, would like to see Texas become a stronger producer and exporter of hip hop and soul talent compared to our more typical role of consumer and importer/buyer. Most rappers, promoters, dj's and folks who seriously love the music, culture, etc., have a common goal to put their city, state or region on the map. So what's stopping them, umm I mean, us? Answer: a lack of casual fans.

Well, if you want to build a following and/or scene for yourself or your whole city/state, the most important ingredient in your recipe is the casual music fan. Casual fans are not the hardcore heads and die-hard rap consumers willing to step out often just for the experience, or to see what the dj's play. Casual fans are not the guys who show up and act like rappers on the weekends. They aren't the hardcore critics who take everything way too seriously, either.

Casual fans are people who spend $20 to $100 or more to have a good live music experience on any given night, especially when an artist they love and respect passes through their city on tour. Casual fans are people who regularly buy CD's at the store, or from digital retailers like iTunes. Meanwhile, back on the local concert scene in Every Town, USA, the locals are constantly and unknowingly running these casual fans off! And out the door goes the chance to expand this typical local show environment aka the same 20 artists and their people standing around in a room.

I theorize that a casual fan has a great time at endless touring shows in venues like Stubb's, Austin Music Hall and Emo's in Austin. Then they stay home until the next Lil' Wayne, 3-6 Mafia, Z-Ro or Anthony Hamilton comes through town. But when these fans casually venture out to a local show, what do they experience?

We'll cover that in the next installment of What's Wrong With the Scene?!


Back to the lab,
Mr. Bavu Blakes
www.08isSoGreat.com

[Email your comments, questions, feedback, criticism, etc., to Mr.Blakes@gmail.com with "What's Wrong With the Scene?!" in the subject line.]

Free Tix: Jedi Mind Tricks - Emo's - November 14, 2008

From the Obama meets Bush department... We've got 3 pairs of free tickets to giveaway by 11pm Thursday, Nov 13th, to Jedi Mind Tricks with Outerspace and Reef The Lost Cauze @ Emo's! Email me at emptyonline @ gmail.com for the free tix!

You can also get tix for $15 here!

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Conversation at the White House, Bush to Obama, "You're a bastard". Obama to Bush, "You're my bitch!"



More info:

Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) is a hip hop trio with two members from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and one from Camden, New Jersey. The group was founded by two high school friends rapper Vinnie Paz (Vincenzo Luvineri) and producer / DJ Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind (Kevin Baldwin). In 1999 the New Jersey rapper Jus Allah (James Bostick) joined the group to record the 2nd studio album by JMT, Violent by Design but left shortly after for reasons that remain unexplained. The track "The Rebuilding" (2006) marked his unofficial return to JMT since the split, however he is set to make a full fledged return aside Vinnie Paz for the 6th studio album, A History of Violence (2008).

DJ Kwestion is also a part of the group, mainly scratching choruses on the turntable. Kwestion (or Kwes) is also a part of the group Skratch Makaniks. Kwestion was a replacement for JMT's previous tour DJ, Drew Dollars, who is no longer affiliated with the group.[citation needed]

JMT has collaborations with both regional MCs and rap veterans, including GZA, Kool G Rap, 7L & Esoteric, Sean Price, Ras Kass, Canibus, Percee P, Killah Priest, Louis Logic, R.A. the Rugged Man, Tragedy Khadafi, and Ill Bill. The group has sold 250,000 albums in the United States and 300,000 albums worldwide, all of which were released independently.[citation needed]

Free Tix: Mac Lethal - Emo's Inside - November 13, 2008

From the is that yummy or barf look department... We've got 2 pairs of free tickets to giveaway by 11pm Wednesday, Nov 12th, to Mac Lethal & Grieves @ Emo's Inside! Email me at emptyonline @ gmail.com by 11pm, Nov 12th for the free tix!

You can also get tix for $10 here!



More info:

Mac Lethal (born David McCleary Sheldon) is an American rapper and hip hop producer from the metropolitan area of Kansas City, Missouri. Once called a “contemporary cross between a folk singer and a stand-up comic” by Rolling Stone[1]; he won Scribble Jam in 2002, and after the release of his first album, Men Are From Mars, Pornstars Are From Earth, he was featured as one of Urb Magazine's Next 100 in 2003.[2] Mac built his reputation by touring with underground legends Atmosphere, P.O.S. and Sage Francis.[3] Sheldon is widely regarded through the underground as one of the best free-stylers in the industry; though often he claims to dislike the act of battle rapping.[4] Mac Lethal is also widely regarded as one of the best live hip-hop performers in the world, and consistently plays over 150 shows a year in North America. Mac hosts Black Clover Radio Hour on the Kansas City alternative station 96.5 The Buzz, it is one of the only hip-hop/punk rock radio shows in Kansas City and has aired every Sunday night since the end of 2005. He is also co-founder of Black Clover Records, a Kansas City based label that has been home to Mac's releases for the past 4 years. [5].

Abstract Rude & Blueprint - Ruta Maya - November 8, 2008

From the bananas in public restrooms department... Abstract Rude & Blueprint @ Ruta Maya tonight, Nov 8th!

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Very bothering, is there any research on how much fecal matter is floating around in public restrooms?!? Ever thought about what you might be chewing on after going to the restroom smacking that gum? I usually spit my gum out when I get to the urinal which causes it to be an eye sore since no one wants to pick that shit up!



More info:

Abstract Rude (reborn Aaron Pointer) is an American rapper, from Los Angeles, CA. He is the MC for the hip hop group Abstract Tribe Unique (ATU), alongside dancers Zulu Butterfly Prince and Irie Lion Locks, Turntablist DJ Drez, and Underground Hip Hop producer, Fat Jack. Ab Rude is also a member of the hip hop trio Haiku D'Etat (with Mikah 9 and Aceyalone) and The A-Team (with Aceyalone). [1] [2] Abstract (sometimes shortened "Ab" or "Abbey") Rude is currently signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Abstract's talent was first recognized by Fat Jack and was soon a regular of The Good Life hip-hop workshop but it wasn't until he handed a tape to Mike D at Grand Royal that Abstract started turning heads worldwide. This got him two spots on the 1994 Grand Royal Mixtape, Mix Drink, with the songs Torn (Produced by Fat Jack) and Strength of A.T.U. (Produced by Digiak). He was then on 1995's Mixed Drink #2 with the songs Ab Dawlin (Fat Jack) and again with Strength of A.T.U..

Free Tix: Diplo - Emo's - November 7, 2008

From the synchronized world ejaculation for Obama department... We've got 3 pairs of free tickets to giveaway by 11pm Thursday night, Nov 6th, to Diplo with Abe Vigoda, Telepathe, and Boy 8-Bit @ Emo's! Email me at emptyonline @ gmail.com by 11pm, Nov 6th for the free tix!

You can also get tix for $15 here!



More info:

Diplo (born Wesley Pentz, also variably known as Diplodocus, Wes Gully, and Wes Diplo) is a Philadelphia-based DJ, songwriter and producer. Together with DJ Low Budget, he runs Hollertronix, a club and music collective. Among other jobs, Pentz worked as a school teacher in his native Philadelphia. In addition to his solo career, he dated and worked with M.I.A..[1] Pentz's alias, short for Diplodocus, derives from his childhood fascination with dinosaurs.[citation needed]

After hearing one of his songs, M.I.A. approached Pentz when he was DJing one night at the Fabric Club in London. "Besides me being a white dude from Florida and her being a Sri Lankan girl in England, everything else was the same: [We were both] film graduates, [listened to] all the same music when we were kids, were going in the same direction right now in music, it was amazing."[2] he said of their meeting. Coincidentally, Diplo was playing her single "Galang" as she entered the club, which he got from a worker at i-D magazine.[2] Diplo also toured as M.I.A.'s DJ during her 2005 Arular Tour. He has also worked with fellow Philadelphians Spank Rock, Amanda Blank and Santogold.

Free Show: The Gathering - Karma - November 6, 2008

From the Obama Nation department... The Gathering @ Karma on Thurs, Nov 6th! Email thegathering @ musicNmind.net

Check out C.O.D., Above All Ent., O.G. Fatal, Biology, The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. and DJ's Notion & Aspekt!

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It's all over tonight and we can start healing this country! I feel like it's been 8 years of bloody diarrhea! Go Obama!

Free Tix: Mickey Avalon - Emo's - November 6, 2008

From the it's 2 inches... from the ground! department... We've got a pair of free tickets to Mickey Avalon with Dirt Nasty and Beardo @ Emo's! Email me at emptyonline @ gmail.com by 11pm, Nov 5th for the free tix!

You can also get tix for $15 here!



More info:

Mickey Avalon (born Yeshe Perl on December 3, 1975) is a rap artist from Hollywood, California. His debut self-titled solo album was released Nov. 7, 2006 on Interscope/Shoot to Kill Records in association with MySpace Records. Avalon blends dark, lewd, and humorous hooks with heavy beats. Frequent topics of Avalon's songs are his experiences with substance abuse and prostitution. Before a rapper, he was drug dealer, then a heroin addicted male prostitute, then an Orthodox Jew.

Free Tix: The Mighty Underdogs - Emo's - November 5, 2008

From the how can you be undecided!?! department... We've got 3 pairs of free tickets to giveaway by 11pm tomorrow, Tues. Nov. 4th, to The Mighty Underdogs with Zion I @ Emo's ! Shoot me an email for the free tickets: emptyonline @ gmail.com

To get tickets on your own, get them for $12 here!



More info:

The Mighty Underdogs is a hip hop "supergroup" formed by rappers Gift of Gab from Blackalicious and Lateef the Truth Speaker of Latyrx, and producer Headnodic of the Crown City Rockers.[1]

The trio formed when Lateef, selecting tracks for his planned solo album, found he liked enough Headnodic-produced tracks to make a whole album. Gift of Gab became involved after he and Lateef saw the opportunity for their own long-planned collaboration.[2]

They released a debut EP, The Prelude, in October 2007 independently through their own Giftstribution website. A video was made for the track "Gunfight". The Definitive Jux label has also made The Prelude available for purchase from their web store[3] after signing the group for their full-length debut, Dropping Science Fiction. Currently scheduled for release in October 2008, the album features confirmed guests including DJ Shadow, Mr. Lif and Akrobatik of The Perceptionists, Tha Alkaholiks' Tash, Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, and Julian and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley.[2]

The Mighty Underdogs - Emo's - November 5, 2008

From the what's up with Asians and bubble tea department... Thanks to Colby for the heads up! The Might Underdogs with Zion I @ Emo's on Nov 5th!

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Just went to Coco's, you gotta wonder why the Taiwaneses' gift to the world is bubble tea. You know those drinks with the tapioca balls? I'm pretty sure it was some Taiwanese's cruel joke on the world to see millions of drinkers gulp down these round balls that look like they came from millions of Taiwaneses' nutt sacks!



More info:

The Mighty Underdogs is a hip hop "supergroup" formed by rappers Gift of Gab from Blackalicious and Lateef the Truth Speaker of Latyrx, and producer Headnodic of the Crown City Rockers.[1]

The trio formed when Lateef, selecting tracks for his planned solo album, found he liked enough Headnodic-produced tracks to make a whole album. Gift of Gab became involved after he and Lateef saw the opportunity for their own long-planned collaboration.[2]

They released a debut EP, The Prelude, in October 2007 independently through their own Giftstribution website. A video was made for the track "Gunfight". The Definitive Jux label has also made The Prelude available for purchase from their web store[3] after signing the group for their full-length debut, Dropping Science Fiction. Currently scheduled for release in October 2008, the album features confirmed guests including DJ Shadow, Mr. Lif and Akrobatik of The Perceptionists, Tha Alkaholiks' Tash, Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, and Julian and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley.[2]

Austin Hip-Hop History Project

From the where are we going department... They say that you don't know where you're going unless you know where you've been. We here at AHHS have taken this to heart and have started a new project called the Austin Hip-Hop History. Please visit to see where we've come from and spur your imagination of where we can go...

Please send us events that you feel are legendary enough to be included!