The Free Experience

BEST OF CAMP LO

2011-07-31T00:58:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD :: THE BEST OF CAMP LO

I always wanted to put together an ode to one of my favorite groups, Camp Lo. People ask me why I'm so fascinated with Camp Lo and I think the reason is apparent but for those who do not see what I see, I'll break it down for you.

1. Cultural Constructivism. Camp Lo utilizes a sort of Black referential realism to form their own epistemology. They weave historical figures and Black popular culture to form a hyperreal Black identity; collapsing numerous Black eras into one. They reference Lena Horne, Nat Turner, dashikis, What's Happening the tv show, and West African names (often in the same verse). This allows Camp Lo to piece together figures, historical events, and popular culture in hodge-podge fashion and make it seem like a set of interconnected ideas. Their lyrics are a Black cultural politics class on acid. In the selection below Sonny Cheeba "Billy Holidays" the "Foxy Browns," i.e. provides class for young dames. Holiday, an actual figure, and Foxy Brown, a movie character, become interconnected representations of Black female identity. By replacing concepts and situations (that would normally take the average rapper a few bars to explain) with pop cultural and historical references, Camp Lo packs verses with jotted imagery in hyperbolic detail. Entire identities and eras are funneled into one adjective or used as elaborate concepts.

Case Study: Coolie High

Got the bubbly pourin through me at Cleopatra's casino
Sweetbackin' Coolie High Jackin, Jitterbugs and little (?)
Dolemite's outta site Anti-hatahs cats in the city
On the money takin the tri-state under sore savant
Billy Holidayin' the Foxy Browns with my Harlequinns
Penny he repellin reflected crystals is Hollywood

2. Cultural Malleability. The Lo primarily reference Black culture but also incorporate outside influences into their flow. The French Connection becomes "The Black Connection." They embody Blaxploitation Post Modernism. Furthermore, their cultural trajectory isn't monolithic. Whereas Ice Cube once rebelled against the Native Tongue movement for being too Black middle class all while Ice Cube himself was doing a disservice to the Black community for relying on poverty as a marker of Black identity, Camp Lo simply doesn't care. They are from the Bronx and give praise to the barrio and the boutique; something far more representative in 21st century identity politics than the socio-cultural allegiances of rappers Camp Lo came in the game with. Ahead of their time anyone?

3. Presentation. In a recent interview, rapper/singer Cee-Lo explained that contemporary music is boring because showmanship is long gone. He believes its the performers responsibility to take the listening experience of music one step further through costume and movement. Camp Lo embodies those sentiments. In the midst of gangster rap (1996), Camp Lo set themselves a part from the pack by wearing red leather Reebok high-tops, cowboy hats, fur coats, and round sunglasses. Their presentation personified their slang. Though their live shows do need improvement, Sonny Cheeba raps with a tooth pick in his mouth and obscenely large belt buckle.

4. Reverence for the Meretricious* From Cadillac Allante's, Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante Champagne, "slime ball jheri curls," and getting ice rock gritty with a woman named Krystal Karrington, The Lo makes the mundane and tacky seem priceless. They reference items easier to relate too (unless you own a G5) as well as praise the passé; valuing yesterday's forgotten trends, transporting the listener back to the Ali/Frazier fight where fur coats reigned.

*Meretricious: a. attracting attention in a vulgar manner, b. superficially or garishly attractive

5. Dedication to an Idea. For 15 years Camp Lo has remained loyal to a motiff, an idea. When artists commit to an idea their personal identities aren't necessary. I have never thought of Geechi Suede or Sonny Cheeba's personal lives because their characters come off more appealing and grandiose. Kanye West probably can't decipher when Kanye the artist ends and Kanye the person begins, thus we get temper tantrums. On the contrary, when people hear Luchini, it evokes a feeling not a self serving accomplishment on behalf of the artist. Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. I think Camp Lo's music encapsulates a a wealth of ideas presented in beautifully gaudy packaging.

With your newly acquired analysis, enjoy the music. Diamond Delegates signing off.

DOWNTIME 4

2011-07-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD :: DOWNTIME 4

If Downtime 2 had an acoustic theme and 3 was more electric, I'd have to say Downtime 4 is obscure. With music from Nigeria to Brazil, genere's spanning from afro-beat, hip-hop, jazz, house, and more, Downtime 4 is an amalgamation of sounds one wouldn't normally hear paired together. Peace.

TRACKLIST

BEYONCE / ANDRE 3000

2011-06-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD :: BEYONCE feat. ANDRE 3000 - PARTY

He's back. For now. Produced by Kanye! And Consequence?

THE WEEKND - ROLLING STONE

2011-06-01T23:42:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD :: THE WEEKND - ROLLING STONE

The Weeknd can't sing but the echo/reverb effect they use creates an interesting experience. Very movie like. I figure this effect will take the place of auto tune.

LIYA KEBEDE

2011-06-01T23:15:00.000-07:00

SHABAZZ PALACES IS THE FUTURE

2011-05-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD :: ARE YOU...CAN YOU...WERE YOU? (FELT)

Shabazz Palaces is the future of music in my regard. They are like if Camp Lo, J Dilla, Radiohead, A Morrish Temple, and Eugene McDaniels (please research) ever made it to outer space together. Oh yeah, and Leon Thomas. Their ability to create scattered dystopian and ambient soundscapes coupled with jotted yet poignant lyrics is one aspect of their appeal (think Samuel L Jackson's character in Do The Right Thing rapping over Flying Lotus meets london garage beats). The other component, is their pastiche of afro/arab imagery. It creates a postmodern multimedia experience where the listener/viewer is given a canvas where they wrestle with their interpretation of what they are experiencing. Its kind of a subdued Public Enemy. Preachy but not to preachy. Weird but not Odd Future weird.

Shabazz Palaces - Lost Foundling by subpop

ERIC ROBERSON - HOW COULD SHE DO IT

2011-05-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD :: ERIC ROBERSON - HOW COULD SHE DO IT

Old but been on repeat.

DOWNTIME 3: ELECTRIC

2011-05-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD :: DOWNTIME 3: ELECTRIC

1st, I want to thank folks for the response I have been getting from the Downtime mixes. I've always accumulated a ton of music but only shared them minimally with folks. Expect more concept mixtapes in the future where I pair sound with design.

As for Downtime 3, I wanted to go in the opposite direction of Downtime 2. Whereas 1 was a mix of electric, low-fi, soul, and sample based Hip-Hop, and Downtime 2 being a mix of acoustic and stripped music, I wanted 3 to be more electric and harder than 2 yet not diverge from the subtleness that Downtime is known for. That's it. Peace.

Tracklist

1. Running - Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX // 2. Wildfire feat. Little Dragon - SBTRKT // 3. Free Press and Curl - Shabazz Palaces // 4. And We Gonna (Samiyam Chopsticks Remix) - Shigeto // 5. Embody - SebastiAn // 6. Ascension (Remix) - Maxwell // 7. Peace - Carlitta Durand // 8. Løb Stop Stå (feat. Coco O.) - Boom Clap Bachelors // 9. Don't Look Back - Telepopmusik feat Angela McCluskey // 10. Hoping Will Only Take You So Far - B.Lewis // 11. No Idea's Original (14KT Remix) - Nas // 12. Zambony (Remix) - K-OS // 13. Hear You Say (featuring Khari Mateen) - Money Making Jam Boys // 14. Magikbullet - Mndsgn/ 15. The Verge - Kenton Dunson / 16. I Mind - James Blake / 17. What You Need - The Weekend // 18. LucidAgain - B.Lewis // 19. Purple Pills (Sleeping Pills Remix) - Peter Hadar // 20. Manifestations - Mono/Poly // 21. Tiger Eyes (Laid Back) - Peaking Lights

YOUTH SPEAKS: MY WORDS CONSUME ME

2011-05-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Download :: My Words Consume Me – An Anthology Of Youth Speak Poets

Youth Speaks just sent me an anthology of poems and given their 15th Annual Teen Poetry is happening this Friday, I had to post. Youth Speaks is a pioneering youth poetry organization based in San Francisco but has chapters nationally as well as an international base of poets and fans. Check what they have to say about the mix and if you are in the Bay, check out the slam this Friday at Davies Symphony Hall.

Youth Speaks’ 15th Annual Teen Poetry Slam takes place Friday, May 20, 2011 at the historic Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. As a way to show our appreciation, we are offering a free download letting fans experience the first poems to come out of Youth Speaks. Download and come hear the next generation of Youth Poetry Friday at Davies Symphony Hall. This anthology features amazing pieces by Okechuku, Sailor Jay, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Eddie Monroe, April Hale, Saul Williams, Taz Shirota, Molly Rainor, Rafi, Kinich Coda, Aya De Leon, Tim Arevalo, Biko Eisen-Martin, Beau Sia, and more.

Tickets are still available. Get them while you can. Purchase HERE. Also, with the ticket stub you get into the after party for free where Will.I.Am is DJ'ing. Personally, I am a Will.I.AM fan especially pre "Where is the Love" Will.I.AM, but even after Fergie-Gate he still made dope beats. My friend once saw him spin at his house and when someone bumped the table, he made a beat out of the skip. That has to account for something.

ZO! & PHONTE - RETURN OF THE MACK

2011-04-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Zo! & Phonte ft. Tigallo the Tay God – Return Of The Mack

I release Downtime 2: Acoustic today and later in the day this comes out. Hilarious and amazing cover. He pays homage to Lil B and the Geto Boys at the end. I want to perform this at some recreation center event for some reason.

DOWNTIME 2: ACOUSTIC

2011-04-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD: DOWNTIME 2: ACOUSTIC

Back by popular demand, Downtime is a series of mixtapes designed to personify moments of relaxation, meditaion, retrospection, introversion, and the like. Given the first Downtime had a more contemporary and electric vibe, I decided to piece together some acoustic sounds and rare live recordings to complement the first offering.

TRACKLIST

1. Autumn In New York - Singers Unlimited // 2. Ci'iy Life - Tranqill // 3. Sunday Morning (Live) - K-OS // 4. Good Man (Acoustic) - Raphael Saadiq // 5 Gotcha feat. Tyler Woods (Nick James Remix) - Camp Lo // 6. Encore (Acoustic) - Jay-Z // 7. All Falls Down (Acoustic) - Kanye West & John Legend // 8. what kinda cool will we think of nexT - Cody ChesnuTT // 9. Portrait of Tracy - Jaco Pastorius // 10. Something In The Silence - Andreya Triana // 11. Black Maybe - Syreeta // 12. Step into the Realm (Live) - The Roots // 13. Billie Jean (Michael Jackson Cover Live) - Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme // 14. You Are My Everything - Janelle Monáe // 15. Transformer (Live at Abbey Road Studio) - Gnarls Barkely // 16. Angel (Acoustic) - Jimi Hendrix // 17. I'll Come Running Back to You - Sam Cooke // 18. Visions - Stevie Wonder // 19. To The Establishment - Lou Bond // 20. Piano Cover - H.O.P.E. Wright

SELAM

2011-04-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

SEU JORGE + WMM

2011-04-16T23:26:00.000-07:00

XV - WICHITA (PROD. JUST BLAZE)

2011-04-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

XV - Wichita (Produced By Just Blaze)

Perfect.

H.O.P.E. WRIGHT

2011-04-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

H.O.P.E. - Piano Cover

Since I mentioned H.O.P.E. in the last post I figured I should post the two songs of his I've playing a lot lately. Also, I miss designing these headers for each post.

KENDRICK LAMAR - HIIIPOWER

2011-04-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Kendrick Lamar - HiiiPower (Prod. J. Cole)

Between Kendrick and H.O.P.E., Compton has been putting out the best hip-hop music. Kendrick continues to impress and this homage to black power further showcases his ability to depict Black life and struggle without sounding preachy or antiquated like other artists.

Stagnation or Damnation? The State of Public Education

2011-01-24T00:37:00.000-08:00

With the recent news that the California UC system has to cut $500 million from its general budget, they came up with the solution to turn away qualified students. This strategy is disheartening in a country where intellectual labor is not just the norm, but also our economic reality. The United States is nearing its 40th birthday of deindustrialization, making a college education and comprehensive skills a must. With the presence of Prop 209 in California, annual increases in tuition fees over the past decade, and now cuts in admissions due to the budget deficit, a Black or Brown student with a 3.5 GPA possibly won't be able to attend schools like UC Berkeley.

The 50 year master plan for the UC system was created to make college accessible by minimizing tuition for in-state residents and guaranteeing admission for eligible applicants, but when the UC President is instituting cutting admission and accepting out of state applicants to capitalize higher tuition rates, California's public university system is on the path towrds privatization. Funding will now be equivalent to 1998 levels when it educated 73,600 fewer students, thus 350,000 students may be turned away this following year.

Increases in tuition alone have forced students of color who have been admitted to forgo the college of their choice but now they won’t even experience the joy of being accepted. Yet, UC's football and basketball teams will remain Black and Brown with low GPAs, rarely graduating, but generating millions of dollars a year for their schools. Educational merit is nothing when capital is everything. How UC's are content with this exploitation of the body over the mind is beyond comprehension. With the debates regarding the financial state of education in this country, Geoffrey Canada type achievement models, public schools versus charter, and the achievement gap between ethnicities, one thing remains certain; any given society cannot promote the importance of education without the initial investment.

Beyond the cuts, the U.S. has continually negated public education for all its citizens. Whether it be during slavery, the Industrial Revolution, Jim Crow segregation, Chinese segregation in 1885, or the myriad of tax loops and budget cuts that undermine the maintenance of adequate schools we experience today, the U.S. continues to move at a pace antithetical to the needs of its citizens. The propensity to cut education due to deficit or lack of property taxes has replaced the overt racial discrimination of the past even though it still has racial consequences. From the state to the federal level, the inability to effectively plan ahead and deter the economy from dictating the quality of education most come to an end. The reluctance to create policy cemented in the belief that all citizens can be guaranteed a substantive education and enforcing it with unwavering aplomb must be viewed as a continuation of historical oppression. Systems of oppression rarely dissolve, rather they are masked through various subterfuges reluctant to produce and promote equality and equity; blaming the injustice on "de facto" circumstances rather than the historical neglect of people's rights and needs.

I chose the title “Stagnation or Damnation?” after the racist Senator, Harry F. Byrd, who instituted “Massive Resistance” (1956) as a reaction to Brown v. Board of Education. Massive Resistance allowed public institutions in Virginia to willingly segregate against federal law. Harry Byrd's hatred was proactive, it was overt and easy to delineate as the impediment to progress but times have changed and education's adversaries are now masked. Two realities now remain: stagnation or damnation? Is ineptitude to blame or an acquiescence towards inequality and inequity? What students experience now from those in power is Massive Damnation. Excuse the draconian overtone and its implications but access to education is country club in nature; homogenous and elitist. Educational segregation has rarely been remedied and with the current economic downturn, demanding resources seems bleak. Thus, the students caught in the margins inch closer and closer to the edge of social oblivion.

Frantz Fanon's, "Wretched of the Earth," was initially titled, "The Damned of the Earth." Originally written in French, the publisher of English translation opted to change the adjective in the title. I always wondered why and only could only come up with one answer; one can be blamed for being wretched. One can be blamed if they are wretched or deficient but never damned. For someone to be damned, a force willingly controls their reality and mobility. It is hard to come to grips with damnation because someone has to take responsibility for it. America thrives on blaming anyone, any group, any race, any religion, or any class. There is a political party or a candidate or a union to blame education's plight on, thus providing time to stagnate. Fanon wanted the reader to know that imperialism and colonialism is a damned state. He wanted the world to know that Africa was damned by Europe. Language that speaks to the true nature of an injustice must be used in order to eradicate it, not diluted language, i.e. wretched.

With that said, what is the cause of the current state of education: stagnation or damnation?

ST. ELMO'S FIRE

2011-01-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

Michael Franks - St. Elmo's Fire

I'm surprised more rappers haven't sampled this given he says "we get high" in it. Needless to say, this song provides that sappy 70s white jazz coupled with a bottle of Bordeaux and and thick mustache that comforts the soul.

DOWNTIME

2010-11-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

DOWNLOAD: DOWNTIME

This mixtape is inspired by Duke Hugh, a producer from the Netherlands, who is prominently featured on the mixtape. His recent beattape and remixes of Oliver Daysoul's new project with Oddisee are so serene yet lively that I imagined it being a backdrop for a nice day, a good conversation with a friend, or music for a road trip. Not wanting to simply mash his two recent projects together, I paired his music with current songs, and some old ones, that I felt complemented his sound. What ensued was Downtime.

The covers were inspired by the recent video project, Hi-Fi, by director Bante and artist Moussa Kaba. Nothing too fancy but images that reverberate simplicity, welcomed melancholy, elegance and tranquility like the Blue Note covers of yesteryear.

TRACKLIST
01 Steve Mason - Boys Outside (Keep Shelly In Athens Remix) // 02 Duke Hugh - Sweet and Lowdown // 03 Olivier Daysoul - In The Now (Duke Hugh Bossatronic Remix) // 04 Duke Hugh - Derby-Dana // 05 Electric Wire Hustle - Chaser // 06 Robin Hannibal - Transit (Instrumental) // 07 Casa del Mirto - Brother // 08 Von Pea - New Pair // 09 Electric Wire Hustle - Perception // 10 Musiq - I Luv Her // 11 Duke Hugh - Lovesong // 12 Bilal - Levels // 13 Olivier Daysoul - Labor (Duke Hugh Futuresoul Remix) // 14 Jazzanova feat Vikter Duplaix - Wasted Time // 15 Duke Hugh - Polaroids // 16 Foreign Exchange - Everything Must Go // 17 Duke Hugh - It's All Good // 18 N.E.R.D. - Inside of Clouds // 19 Yesterdays' New Quintet - Rocket Love Pt. 1 // 20 Gretchen Parlato - Weak // 21 Kenton Dunson - Stranger // 22 RJD2 - Work // 23 Dudley Perkins - Falling (Instrumental) // 24 Duke Hugh - The Blue Marble

TWTRCON MIXTWEET VOL.2 BAY ABRIDGED EDITION

2010-11-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

Download the MixTweet: Volume 2

Six months ago Anne Weiskopf, VP of Business Development for Modern Media, asked MVMT and Nick James Music to curate a mixtape for TWTRCON NY 2010, a one-day conference featuring case studies, workshops and mini tutorials about real-time tools from the world's leading brands and social media practitioners. We dubbed the project "The MixTweet: Volume 1" and filled it with music inspired by the Twitter experience. The release was a success, serving as the background soundtrack to the day's events. We heard Martha Stewart was tapping her foot to Blitz the Ambassador's "Something to Believe."

Six months later, Weiskopf made a request for "The MixTweet: Volume 2," so we partnered with the local tastemakers at 38th Notes to create the score for TWTRCON SF 2010. 38th Notes is founded by Coolhand Luke (aka Lukas Brekke-Miesner) and co-conspired with his brother Sean and best friend Niema Jordan. Together they've hammered their stake in the ground as the premier blog for music and entertainment in the Bay Area. A blog highlight is their “Bay Abridged” mixtape series where they showcase new music from local artists. Thus, making “The MixTweet: Volume 2” a special Bay Abridged Edition was fitting. Nick James, an Oakland native, pairs his music production and design artistry with activism and youth education. MVMT is chiefly cultivated by Rolando Brown, who leads a collective of MVMT MKRS that make valuable contributions to a variety of artists, community developers and social entrepreneurs. Together, we've combined to create a unique platform to showcase local Bay Area music talent.

The mixtape mimics the pace of our virtual movement, with a sonic funk and electronic pulse that's reminiscent of the fast, collective flutter of our Twitter message exchanges. "MixTweet Volume 2" highlights a diversity of talented Bay Area artists, with all new, exclusive music in a uniquely designed package. 100 CD's will be given away by @hp_pc at the Envy Computer Station at the conference.

Tracklist:

01 The Twitter Score [0:39] by Indy Mogul | @indymogul
02 It's A Shame [3:51] by Raphael Saadiq | @rayraysaadiq
03 Right Now [3:52] by Do D.A.T. | @dodatamen
04 Abrazame [3:42] by Los Rakas | @LOSRAKAS
05 Top Of The World [3:41] by The Cataracs | @thecataracs
06 TWEET IT [3:42] by Seedwell | @Seedwell
07 I Got Soul, I'm So Wasted [4:36] by Wallpaper. | @Wallpaper
08 Nightcap [4:36] by F.A.M.E. feat. Mike Baker | @MKBKRTHEBKMKR
09 Hands Up [3:07] by Erk Tha Jerk | @erkthajerk
10 Liquid Love [4:08] by Chris Turner | @lovechildct
11 Day Dreamer [2:47] by Moe Green | @MoeTheDreamer
12 Dreams [2:31] by Droop-E | @DroopE707
13 Foxy Girls [3:04] by The Getback | @rafaelcasal @chinakahodge @daveeddiggs
14 Smarts [2:53] by Fear & Fancy | @fearandfancy
15 Our Time [3:17] by Alexander Spit | @AlexanderSpit
16 Many Stylez [4:32] by ZION-I | @ZIONI
17 Seat Filler [2:39] by Siaira Shawn | @SiairaShawn
18 What Twitter is For (Skit) [1:10] by Some Grey Bloke | @somegreybloke
19 Nothing Compares 2 U [3:26] by Goapele | @Goapele
20 Grapevine [3:27] by DLRN | @dlrnmusic
21 Circus Lights (Nick James Remix) [7:45] by Ill-Literacy | @ill_literacy @iamnickjames

Download the MixTweet: Volume 2

ABOUT TWTRCON

TWTRCON is entirely focused on the business use of the real-time web. We produce the TWTRCON Business in Real-Time conference, a one-day event that features case studies from leading brands, workshops led by social media practitioners and mini tutorials about real-time tools. We also collect and publish social media business case studies, statistics and videos on our web site at TWTRCON.com. Our goal is to create a resource and a place — both online and at our events — where business people managing real-time strategies can exchange ideas and best practices.

TWTRCON is produced by Modern Media, a team of people dedicated to driving innovation in the media industry. We started out as an agency, and still work with many clients to produce events and marketing programs.

ROSA PARKS REMIX

2010-11-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

Andre 3000 - Rosa Parks (Nick James Remix) Download Snippet

I've been wanting to do a 3000 project for a while and am finally getting into it. It's going to be a joint collaboration with singer, Siaira Shawn, where she adds choruses and verses as well. Given that most of 3000 acapella are just one verse, I wanted to fill the tracks with new music. Not to mention, Siaira is dope. Thus, it should knock hard. Oh, and that isn't the cover.

Stay tuned.

CALYPSO BLUES

2010-10-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download Audio

Download Nat King Cole - Calypso Blues (Live)

Over a month ago, Theophilus London with the help of a live band covered Nat King Cole's classic, Calypso Blues. Even though Theophilus brings amazing new energy to the song, Nat's version as well as the accompanying video can't be replaced. Not to mention Calypso Blues was one of the first songs Cole reordered and he got to perform it on his show which was the first television show hosted by an African-American. He originally recorded it in the early fifties but the version must people hear is from 1961. In 1965, Motown paid tribute to Nat and Marvin Gaye covered it at the age of 26. Stream and download Marvin's rendition here.

SEARCH FOR THE NEW LAND

2010-10-01T03:28:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download the Album

Lee Morgan - Search for the New Land

My friend for over a decade, Danny Wheeler, once came to my apartment in Berkeley years ago with this Lee Morgan album. He comes in and sits down and tells me to put this on immediately. We played the 16 minute song without talking to each other. The song finishes and he asks me what I thought about it. I talked about the musicality of it and referenced other songs of that era and he did me a favor and appeased my lack of imagination and proceeded to provide an amazing interpretation. He talked about the song title first, "Search for a New Land," as it related to the intro and outro of the song; explaining that it sounds like the end of movie or an epic. If you listen closely, the beginning of the song sounds like a song just ended not a new one beginning. Hence, Morgan's intro emphasizes the end of an era, moment, or experience and the importance endings have when beginning a new journey. To embark on something new, something old (whether liberating or confining) usually is the catalyst for change. This is why the introduction arrangement is strategically placed throughout the entire song. It signifies a change in the narrative.

I've always referenced this song and that conversation to different experiences I've been through. Without words this song reveals an inevitable truth that fleeting moments, unfortunate experiences, fallouts, overstayed welcomes, or life transitions can be melancholy but there is nothing we can do about change. It will come and when we must search for the new land metaphorically (or even figuratively given the state of our planet), welcome it or you will remain in the purgatory of antiquity.

GROWING APART (TO GET CLOSER)

2010-10-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

Kendrick Lamar - Growing Apart feat. Jnene Aiko

I've been knocking Kendrick Lamar's new mixtape hard. Get it here.

NORMA ELIZABETH JAMES

2010-10-01T02:04:00.000-07:00

Norma Elizabeth James (October 16, 1928 - August 16, 2010)

She called me double trouble

She called me gorgeous

She called me a rascal

She called me Too Cool

She called me everything because she thought everything of me

As I thought everything of her

Until the next time we meet

I will say what we always say before signing off

I love you and hope to see you soon

RBG + LIFE IS LIVING

2010-10-01T00:48:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, Red, Bike & Green is putting together a phenomenal ride spanning the city of Oakland for the Life is Living Festival. Spread the word, bring your bike and ride out from East Oakland to West Oakland and enjoy my hometown and then enjoy one of the best events of the year.

Life is Living Ride
Sunday, October 3, 2010
12noon
Starting Location: Coliseum BART
Ending Location: Bobby Hutton Park/DeFremery Park in West Oakland

JAPANESE PRANK

2010-08-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'd run too.

NOTE TO LUPE

2010-08-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

Diggy feat. Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell

Lupe,

It's good to hear you on a Pharrell produced song as always but I'm dismayed to see it as a feature for Diggy Simmons. As people await your album, you have had public battles with your label and a spirited debate with a seemingly irate ex-producer. Yet, amidst all this, this song surfaces. Please, just drop an album with Pharrell or an album period and everything will be okay. This song is great until Diggy laughably says he feels like Big Meech. I teach 3.5 GPA having 16 year-olds who think they're Big Meech, thus I don't want to hear it from another 16 year-old when I leave the classroom and enter my car. Stop doing features and just drop your album.

Peace and Blessings,

Free

FONZWORTH IS ON TO SOMETHING

2010-08-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Fonzworth Bentley - Fireside Chat

This song is a bit old but it crept pass me. When I recently heard it on the new G.O.O.D Mixtape, I immediately thought to myself how refreshing his presence in Hip-Hop is. Yes, I know this is the former "man servant" of Diddy who many verbally lambasted constantly, but I respect how he has maintained his vision. In an era where Rick Ross can get away with stealing drug dealer's names as well as being an ex police officer, it's good to see a Black college graduate promote himself as well....a Black college graduate. His cashmere references get a bit corny but at least his propensity to talk about ascots makes a laughable moment with people in your car rather than some misogynistic overtone you may hear in another artist's song. Plus, Greener, C.O.L.O.U.R.S, and Everybody are all good! Surprisingly good. C.O.L.O.U.R.S had Pimp C on it!? I think his album will knock.

He's come along way from this:

SONNYMOON - BLAST OFF

2010-08-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sonnymoon - Blast Off

The coolest white people alive right now.

CALYPSO BLUES

2010-08-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Theophilus London - Calypso Blues

Like I've said in the past, Theophilus' music always makes me desire to wear flooded jeans and dance in front of a mirror much like I did when I was six (this is true but give me a break I have rhythmically inclined older sisters). He's only getting better with every song. I might have to create the fan site soon.

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK

2010-08-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

I was at "Do Over" in L.A. on August 15th and was wearing this t-shirt. When I wear shirts like this I expect for some jazz cat to say, "Hey what do you really know about Kirk?" Thus, I'm always prepared to verbal battle for aficiando status. A lot of folks told me my shirt was dope but no one knew who he was and what he represented for jazz music. This man is a master of circular breathing. My dad always talked about him when I was a kid. My father saw him when he was 20 and says watching him play changed his life. He was blowing four horns at a time and held a note for twenty minutes (yes, 20 minutes). Below is a beautifully produced piece he was featured in called, "Sound," as well as my favorite song, "Theme for the Eulipions." Be sure to check out Quincy Jones big him up.

As for "Do Over," Rich Medina and DJ Scratch killed it. Enough said.

STALLEY - BABBLIN

2010-08-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

Amazing visuals.

BILAL/MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON AUDIO

2010-08-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Click to Download Audio from this video

I extracted the audio from the video. Download the Ask.com toolbar to record streaming audio. The sound quality is great.

GOING TO L.A.

2010-08-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hopefully the parties are better than this. If I was a character in Inception, this would be the dream I'd desperately try to wake up from.

HARLAN COUNTY

2010-08-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

BILAL + THE MIGUEL ATWOOD-FERGUSON

2010-08-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

DAVID ALLEN GRIER

2010-08-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

K-OS: ANCHORMAN MIXTAPE

2010-08-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

One of my favorite artists. New mixtape slaps plus it utilizes sound clips from one of my favorite movies.

THE CRISES OF CAPITALISM

2010-08-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

MORE ABOUT NOTHING

2010-08-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Download More About Nothing

RBG FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH

2010-08-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

This Friday is going to be packed. We are doing our regular 1st Friday ride but are also partnering with our folks The People and Richmond Spokes to enhance the Best of the East Bay Party as well as send off our beloved friend Chinaka Hodge, as she journey's to USC for graduate school. In partnership with The People and Richmond Spokes, Red Bike and Green will be riding to Jack London for the dance battle at the best of the east bay party around 8-8:30 and then to the People Party at the New Parish. This is sure to be one of Red Bike and Green’s best rides yet. Come prepared to bike and have fun. RSVP on Facebook.

FREDDIE GIBBS - BORN 2 ROLL

2010-08-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

His analysis of Gary, Indiana is dope. The intro of the piece is the best part

tabi BONNEY - NOTHIN BUT A HERO

2010-07-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

Frequent Free Experiencer, tabi Bonney keeps improving. Nice song, video and I'm feeling the screwed music at the end. Chris Mueller soon may become a believer.

PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT: ALGORYTHM

2010-07-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

Click to Download Show Em Up

Von Pea - Show Em Up (Prod. Algorythm)

After posting The Stuyvesants a month back (an instrumental album with partner Darien Victor Birks), producer Algorythm produced this track off Von Pea's, So Motivational: The Most Skullduggery of Mixtapes. He's been coming with solid production, plus he is folks. Enjoy.

HOW AWKWARD IS TERRANCE HOWARD?

2010-07-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Is he really trying to be Nelson Mandela? (Sigh and then a cry). May we not forget how Jamie Foxx clowned him (also check this out).

REAL T@LK - MOVE ON

2010-07-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Click to Download

Real T@lk and George Jackson III – Move On

Spotted this on Blind I and had to repost. Unadulterated smoothness. This is the sonic substance of my blog. Learn more about Real T@lk here. I have no idea who the singer is but he steals the show.

DA ART OF STORYTELLING IV REMIX

2010-07-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

Click to Download

Andre 3000 feat. Black Spade - Da Art of Storytelling Part IV Stoney Rock Remix

Even though this isn't a new 3000 verse, hearing his voice to a funk beat coupled with the flow he perfected after The Love Below (reference this, this and this) is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you Black Spade for this beat as well. Black Spade's producer name is Stoney Rock so don't get confused.

For clarification on the artwork above see the adinkra symbol definitions below to understand why I feel 3000's flow equates to those symbols.

NKYIMU - symbol of skillfulness, precision

HWE MU DUA ("measuring stick") - symbol of examination and quality control. This symbol stresses the need to strive for the best quality, whether in production of goods or in human endeavors.

THE ARCHIVES: MIC G - TOP THAT

2010-07-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

I was searching an old computer of mine and came across a folder of Michelangelo Gabran music from about four years ago. He had some hitters in that folder but I remember knocking this the most. I'm pretty sure Chance produced this.

Mic G - Top That

SOULIVE - JOYFUL GIRL

2010-07-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

My boy Shug used to knock this years ago (which is a trip because Shug is a The Click and Dru Down type Bay cat). Anyway, this song is quite the Sunday evening summer lemonade hammock jumpoff. Enjoy.

Soulive - Joyful Girl

DRIZZY GETS ROASTED...THANKSGIVING

2010-07-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

You must appreciate the Drake meta-simile* for the blog title. This is the best spoof. Make sure you watch towards the end for his impression of "Light Up." Below is your reference footage.

*Copywrite Isa Nakazawa of Buggin Out Inc. (AKA The Walking Entity, Entity Status, BP3, Nakwanza)

EDDIE KENDRICKS

2010-07-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

IN LIGHT OF OSCAR GRANT

2010-07-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

LES IS MORE PART III

2010-07-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

Ryan Leslie has the best viral videos. For real. Also, this is his best song.

38th NOTES: THE BAY ABRIDGED

2010-07-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

The folks over at 38th Notes have dropped a Bay Area compilation of the best songs coming out of the Bay. I gotta get on there. I've been slacking this year. Check out the tracklist below. Download here.

1. "Foxy Girls"-Rafael Casal & Daveed Diggs Ft. Chinaka Hodge
2. "Slick Talk"- ST Spitta & GQ
3. "Sweet Shop"- Miss Haze, Denise Wallace, & DJ Shred One
4. "Oakland Clap"- The Swapmeet Ensemble Ft. Mr. Town & I.V.A.N.
5. "Who You Shootin At"- BRWN BFLO Ft. Rebel Diaz & JR Minister of Information
6. "Streets is Hot"- Clif Soulo
7. "Tu Gial Esta Ready"- Los Rakas Ft. Chapp
8. "Night Life"- League 510 Ft. J-Billion & 1-O.A.K.
9. "Dreamin California"- The Freshman
10. "Abrazame (UpRoot Andy Mix"- Los Rakas
11. "Glamorous Life R&Bmix"- Netta Brielle
12. "Classy"- Jay Ant
13. "Here and Now"- Sandman
14. "Right Now"- Do D.A.T.
15. "Regular Shit- Vell4Short Ft. Moe Green
16. "Cashin In"- Nio Tha Gift
17. "Can't Stop Now"- Erk Tha Jerk Ft. P-Child
18. "Spend the Night"- E-40 Ft. Laroo, The DB'Z, Droop-E, & B-Slimm
19. "Rider"- Samm Ft. Erk Tha Jerk
20. "DoYouDoNotSee?"- iLL-Literacy
21. "I Got Soul, I'm So Wasted"- Wallpaper
22. "Vibrator"- Gucci Mane Ft. The Cataracs
23. "I'm On"- League 510
24. "It's A Shame"- Raphael Saadiq
25. "Legs"- Darondo
26. "Lovin What I Got"- 1st Place & DJ Mike Czech
27. "Summer Time"- League 510 Ft. Way-D
28. "I'm Gone"- Nio Tha Gift

DILLA

2010-07-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

I just got my Timeless Box Set!

DONNIS - LIGHTNING

2010-07-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Donnis - Lightning feat Colin Munroe

One of the best songs out right now. The beat plus the content is right on time. Donnis' new mixtape is okay but this song is perfect.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

2010-07-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Jay-Z - 99 Problems (Nick James Remix)

You may be wondering why I posted my "99 Problems" remix for my birthday? Well, I don't have 99 problems but this song is one (Yes! that pun just happened). This is my first good remix. I made the "Encore" remix right before this but that song sounded like my old style of producing. This remix solidified my trajectory as a producer. Six years ago I created The Color Line and "99 Problems" was the first thing I played for my friend Wes. I was in my 83 Celica with 15' inch speaker and when he got in the car outside Grass Valley Court, he immediately was juiced when I played it. Ever since that moment I never looked back on music.

"MY JAZZ WORLD" IS GONE!

2010-07-13T08:21:00.001-07:00

Bobbi Humphrey - Is This All

My favorite blog has been attacked for posting rare first pressings of albums that will never see the light of day. I want to thank Smooth for what he did. His blog was such a resource. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have been able to create this. Below is his response and farewell.

I call it quits!

June 29th, 2010 By Smooth

I have been running this blog for the love of music and the preservation of the art form for quite a while now. My visitors included musicians, students, producers, and music aficionados from all over the world. Many people have expressed their gratitude for my work and have discovered lots of great music here that otherwise would have been forgotten and neglected. By strictly concentrating on out-of-print material and offering to remove any post at the request of the copyright holder, I considered myself on the safe side.

Currently I am under a legal attack from the attorneys of Chuck Mangione’s management. Despite the fact that a long-standing petition has been asking for the re-release of his back catalog, the label never felt the need to fulfill those wishes nor announce plans of a re-release, reasons why this blog has stepped in to fill the void by making those albums available digitally. Today, I was asked to immediately remove all the Mangione posts and now face a threat to compensate alleged losses. It saddens me that we cannot communicate in a civilized manner – a friendly mail from Chuck would have done the trick – and instead have to employ the service of lawyers.

Without awaiting any further development of this case, I decided to close down “My Jazz World”. I live a happy and active life where music plays a big part, but I have many other interests to pursue and don’t need any legal hassles to deal with. I don’t have to run this blog at all, I don’t make any money from it, my only reward are the enthusiastic responses from my visitors. So I decided to call it quits and assume a low profile from now on.

Thanks to everyone who sent me records for publication on the blog. Those people can still reach me at my e-mail address and I will make sure that they will receive their digitized music back. For all the others, thanks for visiting, we had a good time as long as it lasted. I’m out!

RARE WONDER

2010-07-12T01:43:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download Album

Mobb Deep - Quiet Storm (9th Wonder Remix)

I finally got around to turning on my desktop computer that I have neglected in the age of laptops at coffee shops. I scrolled through my Hip-Hop folder and found an old 9th Wonder folder with remixes I haven't heard in a while. I used to love his bare bones soul remixes like the Mobb Deep one above. 9th definitely was an inspiration when I started out remixing. This collection isn't anything from The Listening or the Minstrel Show; it's plenty of rare songs you may have overlooked or didn't have because you weren't an avid downloader back in 04 (torrents and zshare wasn't even poppin back then).

I AM OSCAR GRANT

2010-07-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

KENDRICK LAMAR: PRISON SONG

2010-07-08T01:23:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Kendrick Lamar feat. Javonte - Uncle Bobby and Jason Keaton

I've been waiting for a song that connects the personal experiences of Black men entrapped in the prison system with the larger social practices that perpetuates that entrapment. The beauty of the this song lies in his approach; pure honesty. The way he depicts the decisions his family members made yet realizes and comes to an understanding of the structures that disproportionately place Black men in jail personifies the complex duality of analyzing crime. The national dialogue regarding crime is consistently the predator frame that alleviates collective responsibility but Lamar obviously understands that the structural impediments are dire and a consciousness of these impediments must steer our actions and decisions with greater importance so no one ever enters those prison walls.

Below is an American Gangster episode on J. Edgar Hoover. Educate yourself in order to act against generations of injustices and guide those susceptible of sacrificing their purpose.

A JAY ELECT LOVE SONG

2010-07-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

Click to Download

Jay Electronia - Ruff Song For @FatBellyBella

Man I have played this about 21 times in row (actually I've been knocking Maybach Music III too). This song's honesty is what makes it dope. More male rappers should just be real when it comes to women. Even thugs need hugs.

SIGN DONTREVIUS WENTERS

2010-07-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

MY MONEY IS ON TURFIN'

2010-07-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

PILOT TALK LIVE

2010-06-30T00:49:00.000-07:00

After I posted the video below I saw that he also performed two other songs off of Pilot Talk for MTV. So, some how someway, I got the audio. Plus, it gives me another excuse to design. Lastly, rappers should make live albums.

Download: The Free Experience Presents...Curren$y - Pilot Talk Live

I CAN KNOCK THIS ALL DAY

2010-06-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

1 YEAR LATER | THE FOUNDATION

2010-06-26T21:03:00.000-07:00

This time last year, we were dismayed by the untimely passing of Michael Jackson. Some folks and I celebrated by throwing a party in his honor last year. Those who came to the party got a copy of this mix cd I produced. Thus, to celebrate the King of Pop and the anniversary of this mix, here it is for those who never got a chance to get it.

Download: Nick James Presents...Michael Jackson | The Foundation (1970-1980)

Below, check out Aloe Blacc do a blues rendition of Billie Jean

MOS DEF @ GOLF AID

2010-06-08T13:11:00.001-07:00

Just peeped this. Pretty tight. I'm loving the direction Mos Def is going in. He is becoming a mini Harry Belafonte of this generation.

SIAIRA SHAWN - IN BETWEEN LIVE

2010-06-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, Oakland singer Siaira Shawn performed at the Air Lounge. She has performed there before but this time she performed with a band and performed the title track off her EP, In Between. This is the first time I've ever heard my music played by a live band. Thank You Siaira.

BIG BOI + 3000 = YES

2010-06-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Big Boi feat. Andre 3000 & Sleepy Brown - Lookin For Ya (Mastered)

A snippet of this song leaked over a year ago and suprisingly it isn't on Big Boi's new album because Jive Records doesn't allow Big Boi and 3000 to be on the same songs unless the album is on Jive. Big Boi left Jive because they weren't handling his album right and now they are trying to make him pay for it. Fortunately, Big Boi knows the power of the internet and won't let it get in his way. Andre 3000 also once threatened Jive Records to leak The Love Below because they didn't like the album. Luckily for them they released it. Why would anyone obstruct Outkast? To get the full scoop, read this.

CHRISTIAN RICH - THE DECADENCE EP

2010-06-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Download: Christian Rich - The Decadence EP

This is good, plus a Pharrell co-sign always helps.

NEW ROOTS MUSIC

2010-06-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

The Roots - Dear God

I like how The Roots are starting to sample more. Yes, they have sampled in the past but every now and then you need a blatant sample like Dear Good and Doin It Again. With the security of The Jimmy Fallon Show, I think they are going to make spontaneous/organic music. These two records are perfect examples of my prediction.

Download: The Roots - Dear God
Download: The Roots - Doin It Again

CONSCIOUS DAUGHTERS

2010-06-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

Oakland classic. Oakland needs women riders in rap right now.
Nick James

CEE-LO IS GODLY

2010-06-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Cee-Lo - Georgia

This came out of nowhere. Cee-Lo is gradually becoming one of the best songwriters of our generation. This song is amazing and his new mixtape is phenomenal. Download this mixtape now! Cee-Lo Green - Stray Bullets

MY FAVORITE REGGAE SONG

2010-06-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Of all time.

KENDRICK LAMAR

2010-06-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

I was on Blind I and just saw this. I have seen Kendrick Lamar on 2Dopeboyz but never downloaded his music. It's been out for six months. This is good! Get it.

<a href="http://kendricklamar.bandcamp.com/album/topdawg-ent-presents-kendrick-lamar-ep">Is It Love ft. Angela McCluskey by Kendrick Lamar</a>

THE STUYVESANTS

2010-06-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

The Stuyvesants

I had the pleasure of finally meeting producer/wordpress beast Allan Cole (Algorythm, fthrwght) and blog guru Darien Victor Birks (Flwrpt) a few months back in NY. Aside from being tech and design geniuses, these two can sure put together a quality project. Inspired by 60s and 70s music, The Stuyvesants is a beat tape equip with 25 solid tracks. This is one of the best beat tapes around. You can tell that these aren't just tracks sitting in an old computer folder, but a collection of well mixed and well layered beats. Also, the fidelity is dope. The geek in me can't stop thinking about what effects Allan used to make the samples thick and heavy?

Download: The Stuyvesants (Album)
Check out their site: The Stuyvesants

BLACK MILK - DON CORNELIUS

2010-05-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Funky. Black Milk's new album will live up to it's title.

Nick James

DRAKE - LIGHT UP feat. JAY-Z

2010-05-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Beautifully eerie.

WHAT IS REVOLUTION?

2010-05-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

AMAZING COMMERCIAL

2010-05-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

POET

2010-05-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

BLITZ - KOSHKA SESSION

2010-05-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

MADVILLAIN - PAPERMILL

2010-05-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Madvillain - Papermill

I'm more than excited. Madvillain never disappoints. I'm buying two vinyls when this album comes out. Remember this?

LAURYN HILL - KHULAMI PHASE

2010-05-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

Spotted this at Certified Fresh and had to repost. This is Lauryn Hill's 2004 unreleased album. There are a couple of tracks I knock but it is all over the place (unfortunately as expected). I think Endless Fight is produced by Kanye. I remeber the rumors of him having some studio sessions with her. Nevertheless, she is too hard for the radio. Her propensity towards writing songs addressing oppression, deception and freedom has essentially blacklisted from airwaves and television. I think she still could resurface and shock the world if it wasn't for all the on stage mishaps. I still have love for her though.

Tracklisting:

Intro: Lauryn Hill Speaks
Lose Myself
I Find It Hard To Say (Rebel)
World Is A Hustle
Social Drug (Studio Version)
Take To Much (Rich Man)
The Passion
Freedom Time/Mystery Of Iniquity (Lyrical Mix)
INTERLUDE: Lauryn Hill
Music
As (Live @ Nippon-Budo-Kan, Tokyo 1999)
Killing Me Softly (Live @ Dave Chappelle’s Block Party)
To Zion (Rehearsal)
Do You Like The Way
Blame It On The Sun
INTERLUDE: Lauryn Hill
If U Wanna
Endless Fight
Motives & Thoughts (Poem)
The Makings Of You (Curtis Mayfield Cover Live)

REVIEW: TRAILBLAZA - BLUE LIGHTS

2010-05-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

Trailblaza submitted this mixtape to me weeks ago. I sat on it gave it a few listens and feel it's worthy of a post. Trailblaza is out of Atlanta and his style is unique for his region. Recently, a lot of ATL acts have branched out and are experimenting with new sounds. Sonically, this mixtape works. It has upbeat tracks like Dreams, Bright Lights, and Shining as well as a cool, epic track in Air Force Won. His rhymes work too. Trailblaza has a composed flow that complements his content. From the lyrics to beat selection he shows promise, not to mention a B.O.B. feature doesn't hurt. The song Bright Lights reminds me a lot of Kid Cudi though. It knocks though.

Highlights: Dreams, Bright Lights, Air Force Won, Runnin, Hard Times and Shining

Download: Trailblaza - Blue Lights

MY REMIX FEATURED IN TRUST YOUR STRUGGLE

2010-05-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

My Bambu remix was used for a Trust Your Struggle video showcasing their new show, TYS Sa Pilipinas. Check out low down plus Mikey's Blog (The Conscious Hustler):

Back with another video for ya’ll. Me and Borish from the Trust Your Struggle crew recently went by the Loyal Kaspar studio to shoot some opening sequences, motion graphics, and bumpers for the TYS Sa Pilipinas Tour that we are trying do this summer. I shot some behind the scenes footage while i was there. These guys are really dope, they had pizza, beer and fuseball waiting for us while we shot. Check out their site at Loyal Kaspar. They got some pretty big clients like showtime, HBO, Vh1 and Disney just to name a few. Loyal Kaspar provides non profits with some Pro-bono work as part of their comunity engagement which is DOPE! Our folks at World Up hooked up the oppurtunity for us. So I put this lil clip together from that night, enjoy!

NAS - HEY YOUNG WORLD

2010-05-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

Download: Nas - Hey Young World

TONIGHT BLITZ AT NEW PARISH

2010-05-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

This cat's live show is serious. If you want to see someone take Hip-Hop to where it needs to be, come to the New Parish tonight.

TOO BLACK FOR HOLLYWOOD

2010-05-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

"Comedy is still here, I'm still here. God has blessed me because I've had no surgery and look like I'm twelve...I've been Black for a long time. I've been Negro, Colored, Afro American, Black, stolen African. I've been a lot of things."

I need to create a blog dedicated to Paul Mooney.

DISTANT RELATIVES

2010-05-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

I wasn't really juiced about this album but it's okay. I've knocking this though. It's such a happy song. It's the new There for You for Damian.

Nas & Damian Marley - Count Your Blessing

BTW, I imagine this will be the majority of customer reviews on itunes

AGAIN CREATIVE CONTROL WINS

2010-05-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

Oh, and Ski Beatz. Song slaps.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REMIX?

2010-05-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

Just Blaze always has the best perspectives about the industry, but to answer the question, look at the side scroll of my blog. I took it over.*

* Shameless self promotion. Now download.

QUEENS GET THE MONEY VIDEO

2010-05-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

SAGAT - FUNK DAT

2010-05-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Me and my good friend Will Bonner used to knock this as kids. Back when Oakland had The Box, this video came on non-stop. Will hit me up last week and reminded me of how brilliant we were at 11 by reorienting me with the man that is Sagat. I got the audio for you so you can play this in traffic and ask questions to yourself. Thank me later. My Sagat stanza is: "Question. Why is it every time I go to Art Murmur, Oakland looks like Williamsburg Brooklyn? Man...Funk Dat!

Download Sagat - Funk Dat

Sagat even got on Beavis and Butthead back in the day. I vividly remember this.

BALLAD OF BLACK & GOLD

2010-05-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

Click Link to Download

I have previously commented on Talib not sounding as smart in interviews as he does in his songs but who cares at this point. He probably holds the title for making rap songs with an important and coherent message (i.e. Mos' last album was dope but the direction of his songs are starting to meander all over the place). This song is about the oil industry controlling Nigeria. It's dope. Furthermore, Hi-Tek is phenomenal.

Reflection Eternal - Ballad of Black and Gold

BILAL UPDATE

2010-05-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

I need some new Bilal! The people watching part drags a bit but it's good to see him do an interview. He seems to just pop up randomly at somebody else's show and scream for about five minutes. Below is a performance from this February. Siaira Shawn I want the scream he does at 3:15 please. It is now mandatory, now execute. The image below is now your inspiration.

"JACKSON HEIGHTS' OWN!"...

2010-05-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

WHAT MY OFFICE KNOCKS ALL DAY LONG

2010-05-12T14:16:00.000-07:00