Monday, November 29, 2010

ATX Tuesday Cypher - Texas State Capitol - December 1, 2010

From the damn batteries department... Been meaning to head out to the ATX Tuesday Cypher @ Texas State Capitol steps one of these Tuesdays! Go support these guys!

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http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143810775669352

Freestyle cypher at the Capitol-witness those ascending to hip hop greatness thru flowin'.This is an open cypher for MCs to freestyle at demonstrating word play, cadence, alliteration, assonance or lyricism, You rap? Be here.

There are some incredible moments of skill that happen, and before others who are experienced to give props where props are due, because we come together for the soul purpose of Hip Hop.



Sunday, November 28, 2010

Music: DJ Protege - Remix Pack 14

From the oldie but goodie department... Check out DJ Protege's Remix Pack 14!

Download it here: http://www.mediafire.com/?cyzfq68a9tam7

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Knuckle Rumbler Presents... Biz Markie - Scoot Inn - Decmber 11, 2010

From the tryptophan department... Knuckle Rumbler Presents... Biz Markie @ Scoot Inn on Dec 11th!

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The legendary Biz Markie brings more than 15 years of solid hip-hop acumen and an overwhelming fan-base that stretches from New York City to Japan to Europe. Saturday, December 11 we are proud to say he’s bringin it to Austin.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 11, 2010

KNUCKLE RUMBLER PRESENTS: BIZ MARKIE (DJ SET)

WITH DRASTIK, KAIZEN AND KID SLYCE

AT THE SCOOT INN, DOORS AT 9PM, 21 AND UP WELCOME
ADV. DISCOUNT TICKETS
AVAILABLE AT KNUCKLERUMBLER.EVENTBRITE.COM





More info:

Marcel Theo Hall (born April 8, 1964,[1] Savage, Maryland) better known by his stage name Biz Markie, is an American rapper, DJ, comedian, actor, reality television personality and commercial spokesperson, best known for the single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989.

Biz Markie's career began in Long Island, New York in the early 1980s, where he established his reputation for beat-boxing and rapping. MC Shan and Roxanne Shante were part of Marley Marl's Cold Chillin' Records, and Biz beatboxed on Shante's underground hit "Def Fresh Crew" (1986). This lent credibility to his recording career and put Cold Chillin' on the map. In the same year, Biz Markie's debut single, "Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz", was released on Prism Records. He released his debut album, Goin' Off, which attracted a fair amount of attention, largely due to the lead single, "Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz". The album also featured the underground hit singles "Nobody Beats The Biz", "The Vapors" and "Pickin' Boogers".[2]

I Need a Haircut sales were already low when Markie was served a lawsuit by Gilbert O'Sullivan, who claimed that the album's Alone Again featured an unauthorized sample from his hit "Alone Again (Naturally)". O'Sullivan's claim was upheld in a landmark ruling, Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records, Inc.,[3] that altered the landscape of hip-hop, finding that all samples must be cleared with the original artist before being used. In accordance with the ruling, Warner Bros., the parent company of Cold Chillin', had to pull I Need a Haircut from circulation, and all companies had to clear samples with the samples' creators before releasing the records. This development reflected the increasing popularity of hip-hop and the financial stakes over which releases were set. Biz responded in 1993 with the mischievously titled All Samples Cleared!, but his career had been hurt by the publicity emanating from the lawsuit, and the record suffered accordingly. For the remainder of the decade, he occasionally made television appearances, including a guest role on the recurring In Living Color sketch "The Dirty Dozens" and a 1996 freestyle rap commercial on MTV2. He also made numerous guest appearances with the Beastie Boys, "Check Your Head" (1992), "Ill Communication" (1994), "Hello Nasty" (1998), and their anthology The Sounds of Science (1999). He also rapped on the song "Schizo Jam", on Don Byron's 1998 release, "Nu Blaxploitation" (Blue Note/Capitol) and worked with Canibus on the first track on the Office Space soundtrack (1999). He also rapped on the track "So Fresh" alongside Slick Rick on Will Smith's 1999 album "Willenium"

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Austin Hip Hop 101 - Klub Krucial - November 23, 2010

From the 'tis the season department... Check out Austin Hip Hop 101 @ Klub Krucial tonight, Nov 23rd!

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Tonight and every Tuesday experience Austin Hip Hop culture to the fullest at Klub Krucial. All elements are welcome to represent as music and videos from our local scene are played and projected on the wall above the dance floor. Lounge in comfort upstairs, get some fresh air out back, network with artists and entrepreneurs, and enjoy what Hip Hop is all about. For more details about the happenings, read the note at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=167763683248975



Monday, November 22, 2010

Texas Battle League - Phranchyze vs Gutta




From the highland mall whut whut department... The boys over at Texas Battle League really got something special going on... that or my dead cable box is really getting to me. Check out the most recent battle between a couple of Austin's best, Phranchyze and Gutta! Who do you think won the battle?

Friday, November 19, 2010

Mickey Avalon - Emo's - November 19, 2010

From the "servicing" department... Mickey Avalon @ Emo's tonight, Nov 19th.





More info:

Mickey Avalon (born Yeshe Perl on December 3, 1975) is an American rapper 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. Frequent topics of Avalon's songs are his experiences with substance abuse and prostitution.

Avalon's family upbringing was tumultuous; his mother sold marijuana for a living, which Avalon began doing as well, and his father was a heroin addict.[1] In his late teens, he converted to Orthodox Judaism.[2] By his early 20s, Avalon had married, had a daughter, and moved to Portland, Oregon.[3]

Upon moving to Los Angeles, he was befriended by ex-MTV VJ Simon Rex who encouraged Avalon to rap and collaborated with him. The two began passing out demos to Hollywood clubs and soon developed a following among fans of the Santa Cruz nightclub scene. Mickey also attended college at Webster University in St. Louis, MO for a brief time before he signed with Interscope Records. Avalon is a member of the legendary Los Angeles-based graffiti crew CBS (Can't Be Stopped / City Bomb Squad)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Video: 20/20 AND Poise - Capital City




From the dead iphone department... Check out the latest from 20/20 and Poise called Capital City! Rep your city! 2010 Cap City Anthem!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Fun Fun Fun Fest Recap by Martin Kawa

From the Fun x 3 department... Martin Kawa of the blog The Only Hip Hop Blog That Matters sent us a Hip Hop recap of Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010! Check it out....


Fun Fun Fun fest invaded Waterloo park here in the great city of Austin this past weekend. I have to say that beyond a shadow of a doubt, this festival lived up to its' name. I'm pretty sure I remember telling someone, at some point over the weekend that it may have warranted 5 or 6 "funs" instead of 3. I was fortunate enough to claim a media pass for the fest so I was able to report from the front lines, as well as backstage. I got insanely close to Slick Rick and got to see some other fantastic MC's deliver and move the great crowd that graced the grass all weekend.

Sitting in the middle of the park/festival grounds, I could hear an amalgamation of everything and anything punk, metal, hip hop, rock and roll and more.....It was truly a sight to see (or hear) for an avid lover all of types/forms of music such as myself. The line-up (Hip-Hop notwithstanding) wrote like a who's who in all things independent music. This is the perfect environment for someone such as myself.

With a 3-stage set up, the Blue stage was reserved for MC's and DJ's as they say...and unlike the Beastie Boys, there were way more than 3. The first set I caught on Saturday was that of Houston MC Devin the Dude....this cat totally had a screwball, laid back feel, but I dug it. Definitely a southern MC, It's no wonder he cut his teeth on the Rap-A-Lot label alongside Scarface. The crowd was super in to Devin's flows, and oddly enough I think I caught a punk rock cat with a mohawk rocking to Devin's set!! That's one of the many aspects I loved about FFF Fest-A diverse crowd that didn't discriminate.

The next MC to grace the Blue Stage needed no introduction....the one and only SLICK RICK the ruler came on and performed The Adventures of.. in it's entirety. Yes, that's right; I got to see the man perform "Hey Young World", "Children's Story", "Teacher Teacher", and more prime Rick cuts all from the side of the stage. Amazing. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I'd get to see Slick Rick play, let alone see him play as up-close and personal as I did.

As the weekend progressed, I caught sets from Jean Grae, Pharoae Monch, and P.O.S. , who all delivered . Jean Grae was especially good, and made me want to get into female MC's a lot more..it also made me realize that there's a slew of females who are making noise in the underground that I had no idea about. I knew of Jean on an uber-casual level, from Mr Lif's "Post Mordem" track, after checking her set, I'm definitely going to familiarize myself with her catalog in the near future, Jean is a cunning lyricist with an impeccable, straight-forward, no-nonsense rhyme style. I also got to catch Pharoae Monch's set, snuck over to the blue stage just in time to catch "Simon Says", this cat can still bring it too!! Makes me wish Rawkus Records kept on trucking and continued to make those great Soundbombing comps, that put MC's such as PM on the map.

As the sun set on Saturday night, P.O.S came through and brought his huuuuge sound to the stage and rocked the crowd hard-He played much of his set over the barricade and in the crowd-I knew he'd be great but I was super impressed with his showmanship. I talked to him for a minute after he got off stage, he said the show was a blast and loved to play festivals, but expressed how unique he thought FFF was in comparison to others. Very hard not to agree with him.

All things considered, FFF was an absolute blast-filled with beats, rhymes, old friends, new friends, and fantastic performances by some great independent musicians, sweeping many, many different genres. Given all the good things that came out of Fun Fun Fun, I'm looking forward to covering more festivals/shows: SXSW would be the next egg I'm teeming to crack, and with the hip hop acts featured for SX growing exponentially every year, the possibilities for content seem extremely fruitful.


Pics top to bottom: FFF Fest media lounge, Slick Rick, Jean Grae, P.O.S.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Knuckle Rumbler Presents... Big Boi - East Side Drive Inn - December 4, 2010

From the Pacman Pacquiao department... Knuckle Rumbler Presents... Big Boi @ East Side Drive Inn on Dec 4th! Could this show be anymore dope?!?

Check out the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153239094700740

Get your tickets here! http://transmission.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=47208&eid=54511

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There really isn’t much to say except that Daddy Fat Sax, General Patton, Sir Lucious L. Leftfoot, The Son of Chico Dusty, Sgt. Slaughter, Chief, Billy Ocean, Hot Tub Tony, Francis the Savannah Chitlin’ Pimp aka BIG BOI will be hitting Austin on Dec 4th at the East Side Drive Inn (1001 E Sixth Street) . Knuckle Rumbler is teaming up with the lovely folks at Transmission Entertainment to bring you one of the biggest hip hop shows Austin has seen so far this year.

Tickets are $20 ADV / $25 DOS. Catch them online here: http://transmission.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=47208&eid=54511






More info:

Antwan André Patton (born February 1, 1975), better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André 3000 each announced plans to release a solo album. Big Boi's solo debut Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty was released in July 2010 to respectable sales and critical acclaim.

Patton was born and spent the first half of his childhood in Savannah, Georgia, attending school before moving to Atlanta with his Aunt Janice. Eventually he decided to pursue his interest in music at Tri-Cities High School, a Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School. He had a strong interest in hip-hop music, and met André "3000" Benjamin while attending Tri Cities High School in the early-1990s. The two eventually joined forces as OutKast and signed with LaFace Records.[1]

Patton has often used his lyrics to criticize the problems that plague both the African American community and the world. An example is 2003's "War", a scathing attack on the Bush administration and the War on Terror. Another example is 2008's "Sumthin's Gotta Give" with Mary J. Blige talking about the state of America and Barack Obama.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Free Show: Unspoken Levels - "Welcome to Where You Are" Online Release Party - November 15, 2010

From the not to be repeated department... Props to Unspoken Levels for releasing their new album "Welcome to Where You Are"! Join them online tomorrow night, Nov 15th @ 8-8:30pm for a free show on their website! http://unspokenlevels.com/welcome

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On Monday, November 15th 2010, Austin hip hop crew Unspoken Levels is releasing a brand new album called Welcome to Where You Are. It's definitely the group's best sounding record to date and features all sorts of guest appearances like; Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Zumbi (Zion I), Raashan Ahmad (Crown City Rockers), Braille (Lightheaded), Manchild (Mars Ill), Grace Park (The Blue Hit), and Alesia Lani. The new album will be available only at: unspokenlevels.com.

To celebrate the release of the new album on 11.15.2010, Unspoken Levels is going to throw a free live show online. Unspoken Levels will be performing via live stream all new songs from the upcoming album, throw in a freestyle session, and also have a chat service up where you can say what's up. Help spread the word and invite some peeps!

Online Live Show Details:

TUNE IN TO: http://unspokenlevels.com/welcome

DATE: Monday, November 15th, 2010

TIME: 8:00pm-8:30pm (CST)





Thursday, November 11, 2010

Bun B - Nice Kicks - November 12, 2010

From the hot cross bun department... Bun B @ Nice Kicks tomorrow, Nov 12th!

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This Friday, November 12th, come out to Nice Kicks for the official launch of NBA JAM for Playstation 3 and XBOX 360, presented by Complex, EA Sports and Bun B. From 7 to 9 PM, all attendees will have an opportunity to check out the revamped classic game, enjoy free food and drinks and hang out with the Trill OG himself. There will also be plenty of giveaways and DJ Protege will be working the turntables. RSVP at NBAJAMRSVP@KnuckleRumbler.com and make sure to wear your favorite retro kicks.





More info:

Bernard Freeman (born March 19, 1973 [1][2]) better known by his stage name Bun B is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK. He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas. He recently released his third official solo album Trill OG on August 3, 2010, which received a 5 Mic "Classic" rating in The Source Magazine - the first album in over five years to receive the honor.[3] Bun B is married with two step-children.[4]

When Bun B's UGK partner, the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler entered a jail sentence on an aggravated gun assault charge in 2003, Bun B made guest appearances on numerous albums by other Southern rappers and released a 2005 mixtape titled Legends.[5] Singles featuring a Bun B guest appearance included "They Don't Know" by Paul Wall, "Gimme That" by Webbie and "I'm A G" by Yung Joc. Bun B also appeared in a documentary titled Screwed In Houston produced by VBS/Vice Magazine that details the history of the Houston rap scene.

Free Tix: Score More Presents... Chiddy Bang - Republic Live - December 3, 2010

From the Like department... Score More and Austin Hip-Hop Scene is giving away a pair of free tickets to the Chiddy Bang show @ Republic Live on Dec 3rd! Go to the Austin Hip-Hop Scene Facebook page and "Like" this post and next Wednesday we'll choose the winner!

You can also buy your tickets here! http://chiddybangatx-scott.eventbrite.com/





More info:

Chiddy Bang is an American alternative hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group consists of Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin.[2] Both are 20 and met at Drexel University, in Philadelphia, PA. Their sound is based on the fusion of hip hop and unique sample choices from alternative leaning artists such as Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, Passion Pit, and MGMT .

In late February 2009, the popular music blog Pretty Much Amazing showcased five songs by Chiddy Bang that were on their MySpace account. Because of this, the group gained some following in the underground among music blogs and local colleges, playing a notably packed show at Swarthmore College in April 2009. Pretty Much Amazing continued to occasionally release new Chiddy Bang songs, and in November 2009 debuted the group's first free mixtape, entitled "The Swelly Express." It presented the story of the group's experiences trying to break into the music industry. The mixtape quickly gained popularity online[3] and in January 2010 the group signed a record deal with EMI.[1]

Their first commercial single, "Opposite of Adults", which samples the Brooklyn group MGMT's 'Kids' was released on February 21, 2010 in the UK. (It had previously been released online under the name "Kids" in April 2009).[4] It reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. "Opposite of Adults" was released on April 20, 2010 in the US.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Free Music: Feddi Man - On My Way to Success

From the Google appengine hell department... Check out Feddi Man's On My Way to Success Mixtape here! http://www.mediafire.com/?huv6ar2op7f66r9

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Video: Score More presents... Wiz Khalifa-Waken Baken Tour




From the why now department... Score More presents... Wiz Khalifa came to Austin and SOLD OUT Emo's on October 30th 2010. Yelawolf and Killa Kyleon opened up for The Wiz. Relive the memories and see what the night was like!

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More info:

Cameron Jibril Thomaz (born September 8, 1987), better known by the stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007. His techno-influenced single, "Say Yeah", received urban radio airplay, charting on the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot Rap Tracks charts in 2008.[1] Khalifa parted with Warner Bros. and released his second album, Deal or No Deal, in November 2009. He released the mixtape Kush and Orange Juice as a free download in April 2010, which became a top trending item on Twitter and Google; he then signed with Atlantic Records.[2]

Khalifa was born on September 8, 1987 in Minot, North Dakota to a mother and a father serving in the military.[1][3] His parents divorced when Khalifa was about three years old. His parents' military service caused him to move on a regular basis.[3] Khalifa lived in Germany, England, and Japan before settling in Pittsburgh where he attended Taylor Allderdice High School.[1]

His stage name is derived from khalifa, an Arabic word meaning "successor", and wisdom, which was shortened to Wiz when Khalifa was fifteen.[4] Khalifa stated to spinner.com that the name also came from being called "young Wiz 'cause I was good at everything I did".[5] He includes Camp Lo, The Notorious B.I.G. and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony among his influences.[6]

Friday, November 05, 2010

Devin the Dude - The ND at 501 Studios - November 6, 2010

From the Fun Fun Fun department... Devin the Dude @ The ND at 501 Studios on Nov 6th!





More info:

Devin Copeland (born June 4, 1970), better known by his stage name, Devin the Dude, is a Houston hip hop artist. He is best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, and his 2002 song, "Lacville '79". His relationship with the fans has made him a huge underground hit.

Devin Copeland started out as a member of the Odd Squad, later known as the Coughee Brothaz, a group of rappers signed to Rap-A-Lot Records. The label is notable for being the home of hip-hop artists such as Geto Boys, Scarface, and Too Much Trouble. Devin Copeland moved on to become part of Scarface'sFacemob, who is also a member of the Coughee Brothaz, before going solo in 1998.[1] Copeland has released six solo albums: The Dude (1998), Just Tryin' ta Live (2002), To tha X-Treme (2004), Waitin' to Inhale (2007), Landing Gear (2008), and Suite 420 (2010). He also made a number of guest appearances, including on Dr. Dre's "Fuck You" in 1999, and De La Soul's "Baby Phat" in 2001, and on Tech N9ne's "After Party" 2010 off of The Gates Mixed Plate..[1]

In 2008, he ended his 15 year relationship with Houston based Rap-A-Lot Records after he decided not to renew his contract.[2] Later that year, he signed with indie label Razor & Tie.[3] Devin is currently being distributed by E1 Entertainment, formerly Koch.



Thursday, November 04, 2010

Table Dance - Scoot Inn - November 4, 2010

From the perfect 10 department... Table Dance with Michael "500" Watts @ Scoot Inn tonight, Nov 4th!





More info:

Swishahouse is a Houston, Texas-based independent southern rap record label.

Swishahouse was founded in North Houston in the late 1990s by Michael '5000' Watts and OG Ron C as a response to the popularity of chopped and screwed music from Houston's south side. The label began by distributing mixtape series such as Before da Kappa, After da Kappa, Choppin Em Up and Fuck Action (which featured chopped and screwed versions of R&B songs). Acres Homes/Northside/Homestead are where many of the current/former artists hail.

A song that originally appeared on the compilation album The Day Hell Broke Loose 2, Mike Jones' "Still Tippin'", achieved mainstream success in 2004, leading to Swishahouse signing a national distribution deal with Asylum Records. Jones released his major label debut, Who Is Mike Jones?, on Swishahouse/Warner Bros. in April 2005; the album was certified platinum that June.[1]

Aftermath A&R Angelo Sanders said that the great advantage to independents like Swishahouse is that, "They're able to get their product out on the streets to specific regions at a greater speed than a major ... They're able to flood that whole Texas market with a product before the majors are able to notice what is going on out there."[2]

Paul Wall's major label debut, The People's Champ, on Swishahouse/Atlantic, was released in September 2005, eventually topping the Billboard 200.[3] Before embarking on his rap career and while still at school, Wall had worked in the Swishahouse office.[4]

In 2006 Dope House Records and Swishahouse teamed up to release South Park Mexican's ninth album, When Devils Strike.[5] A chopped and screwed version was also released.

Lil' Keke's new album, Loved by Few, Hated by Many was released under TF/Universal Motown label in November 2008.

Mike Jones has started his own record label Ice Age Entertainment, which is now distributed by Swishahouse.




Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Mac Lethal - Aces Lounge - November 3, 2010

From the seeing red department... Mac Lethal @ Aces Lounge on Nov 3rd!





More info:

Mac Lethal (born David McCleary Sheldon) is an American rapper and hip hop producer from the metropolitan area of Kansas City, Missouri. He is a co-founder of Black Clover Records.[1].

Mac Lethal was born David McCleary Taylor on July 25th 1981. In 1998 he would go on to win several rap battles against local emcees from rival Kansas City high schools,[citation needed] and began to generate a buzz amongst the very small, tightly knit Kansas City underground hip-hop community.[citation needed] Mac entered the emcee battle at Scribble Jam hip-hop festival in August of 2001 and took second place in the finals.[citation needed] Sage would later take Mac on the F*ck Clear Channel Tour in 2004.[citation needed]

In 2006, Mac Lethal founded Black Clover Records with longtime friend Jeremy Willis.[citation needed] Mac Lethal hosts Black Clover Radio Hour on the Kansas City alternative station 96.5 The Buzz. It has aired every Sunday night since the end of 2005.[citation needed]

Monday, November 01, 2010

Free Music: Crew 54 - Slap Rapz

From the smack department... Crew 54 and CientifiQ bring it hard with their latest project, Slap Rapz. Support these cats... Go get it!