Officially on the radar.

Samplé, Sam'ple, Sámple

This almost falls in line with the whole "Chicken vs. Egg" argument and the "If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound" conversation killer. It's all bullshit. Who cares what came first—cook it up and eat the fucker. Does a falling tree make a sound? What the fuck do I care—I wasn't there. So now when it comes to the "who sampled who" thing...what does it matter?Hip hop was built on sampling. Just do it well and everyone stays calm. Those of you "not over it" should just learn to accept it—it's old news. I'm not playing the who's dick is bigger game with the rest of you cause its really who's dick is better.

Refugee All-Stars Screening; free drinks

Global Inheritance Presents "The Bigger Picture" Screening Series—A Special Segment of the Sunset Cinema Series at the QuikSilverEdition Mission

Come chill with Global Inheritance and QuikSilverEdition as we present our summer film screening series. Each Global Inheritance film screening will target a different issue and hosted the individuals who made the film possible.

On August 30th, 2007 "The Bigger Picture" will be screening "Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars," hosted by the film’s co-director Banker White and musical director, Chris Velan. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars chronicles the story of six Sierra Leonean musicians who came together to form a band while living in a refugee camp in Guinea. Despite the unimaginable horrors of civil war, they were saved and brought hope and happiness to their fellow refugees through their music. As violent conflicts multiply around the globe and the worldwide refugee crisis deepens, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is a humanizing ode to all the innocent survivors of war whose brutal realities are often dismissed by surface mass media sound bytes.

Learn more about the film visit :: www.refugeeallstars.org

“As harrowing as these personal tales may be, the music buoying them is uplifting. The cliché bears repeating: music heals and creates community.” The New York Times

Get there early to enjoy free drinks and see singer/songwriter Chris Velan perform live.

The QuiksilverEdition Mission is located at 1621 Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA

Please RSVP to :: BiggerPicture@globalinheritance.org
Doors open at 7:30pm. Music/Free drinks until 9pm followed by the screening.

More information at www.quiksilvereditionmission.org

You Can't Tell Me Nothin'

This is for all of you out there that know what exactly what that pink envelope in your mailbox contains. We've all had to do something that requires a little creative thinking especially when you're on a budget—ya gotta do what ya gotta. Reminisce with me! Oh the days of Top Ramen, 3-for-1 instant mac-n-cheese, hoarding condiment packets, $1 Steel Reserve, piggy-backing on someone else's wireless, bail jumping. Ok, I never did that last one.

Afrotechmods.com goes a step further to help put some perspective on your suffering. I can finally say "At least I'm not THAT guy".


Download: Can't Tell Me Nothin' Remix f/ Young Jeezy - Kanye West

safari crash reload thing-a-ma-jiggy

Thanks Safari but I gotta tell ya...I almost gave you up for Firefox. It's not you. It's just that you keep fucking up on me. I don't know why you just lose interest and play with that damn beachball. I know I'm bouncing around from app to app but what can I say? I like to multi-task. I'm a busy man and a man needs his widgets. You see, the main reason I even looked at Firefox was because the bitch offers to start off where we last left off. Now? Fuck that hoe. You are keeping me around with the way you open up stuff from our last session too. I don't love you but I like you a lot...plus we got history.

Refugee All-Stars DVD

When I was offered an invite to see a screening of 'The Refugee All-Stars' I thought that Lauren, Pras, and Wyclef had put aside their differences and came back for the hip hop community. I also wondered how Sierra Leone tied into it.

I could go on and on repeating everything that everyone has/will say. The movie was simply dope. Now it's on DVD. If you go to Netflix you can actually watch it online. If you end up loving the movie and you end up buying it Netflix/Red Envelope will donate a $1 to ninemillion.org (they help refugees—watch the movie a buck is a LOT of money!) The offer has no expiration. Dammit it feels good to give.

Ecko got that Bluetooth for your Graffiti

Could it be a Sony Ericcson offering by ecko unltd? Looks like what you do is turn on the phone's bluetooth. Step up to the blank canvas (a large lcd screen) and start psudo-spray painting. Either way Marc Ecko done did it again.

Heartfood presents Dinner with the Bride

Who the hell is Heartfood and why are there 34 back-to-back lovey-dovey cuts shoved into an hour? If you pay attention to the music the songs all kinda play together like a mini romance movie—a chick flick for her ears. Hmmmm...

Personally, I would never say to use it in the following manner...because that would be evil and deceptive BUUUuuttt... play it for your girl and kick back for about 25 minutes. Small talk. Nothing serious or controversial. Use the next 15 for "The Warm Up". Whatever the warmup is be sure The next 5 (max) are for your selfish ass. The last 15 are up to you. Be forewarned you're tired and it's sleepy-type music. One quick snore could kill the entire thing.

Download Heartfood presents Dinner with the Bride.
1:02'32 of flashpointgrafixmuthafukka

Tracklist:
1. Avila Brothers - "I want you"
2. Janet Jacskon - "Enjoy"
3. Laurnea - "Sun Don't Rain"
4. Sade - "By Your Side [Neptunes Remix]"
5. Norah Jones - "Tell Me f/ Norah Jones [Temple Soul Mix]"
6. Debarge - "I Like It"
7. The Commodores - "Zoom"
8. Toni! Tony! Tone! - "Ask of You"
9. Soul 4 Real - "Candy Rain"
10. John Legend - "Refuge"
11. SWV - "Right Here (Human Nature Extended Remix)"
12. Musiq Soulchild - "Soulstar"
13. Emanon - "The Waiting Room"
14. Robin Thicke - "Lost Without You"
15. Avant - Stickwitu [Urban Remix]
16. Music Soulchild - "Millionaire"
17. Angie Stone f/ Musiq Soulchild - "Make Love"
18. Jill Scott - "A Long Walk"
19. Jennifer Lopez - "Loving You"
20. Zhane - "Sending My Love"
22. Sade - "Color of Love"
23. Nicolay f/ Bilal - "I Can't Wait [Nicolay Remix]"
24. R. Kelly - "Step in the Name of Love"
25. Toni! Tony! Tone! - "Anniversary"
26. The Isley Brothers - "Groove With You"
27. Earth, Wind & Fire - "That's The Way Of The World"
28. The Jets - "You Got It All"
29. The Jets - "Make it real"
30. Sade - "Lovers Rock"
31. Noly - "I'll Make the Time"
32. UNV - " So in Love with you"
33. Color Me Badd - "Forever Love"
34. Dru Hill - "Share My World"

FINISHING THE GAME

Justin Lin’s indie follow-up to his menacing BETTER LUCK TOMORROW is a comedy spoof about the search for “the new Bruce Lee” just after Lee's death in 1973. The film imagines an out-of-touch movie producer hiring his son, a would-be director, to complete the Bruce Lee movie GAME OF DEATH, only twelve minutes of which had been shot before the star’s sudden death. FINISHING THE GAME purports to be a behind-the-scenes documentary that follows a number of hopeful actors through the process as the filmmakers attempt to re-cast the role. Along the way, Lin proves he is a master of both period detail and social commentary. Indeed, Lin’s take-no-prisoners attitude lampoons both Hollywood’s uncomfortable relationship with race and the self-importance of filmmaking itself.

FINISHING THE GAME features Roger Fan, Sung Kang, Dustin Nguyen, James Franco, M.C. Hammer, Ron Jeremy, Meredith Scott Lynn, Monique Curnen and Sam Bottoms.

FINISHING THE GAME theatrical roll out schedule is as follows:

October 5 - New York - IFC Center
October 19 - San Francisco - Landmark Lumiere Theatre
October 19 - Berkeley - Landmark Shattuck Cinema
October 26 - Los Angeles - Landmark NuArt Theatre
October 26 - San Diego - Landmark Ken Theatre
and in other select cities nationwide in November

For more info online go to:
www.youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com

True Love & False Idols Interview

TLFI is no average joe streetwear brand—they are either super comedy or simply crazy. Who else can have the industry buzzing about a shirt with a flying squirrel on it with a tagline that says "Cocaine Breakfast"? Who else can create $400 reversible silk all over print hoodies AND get them on people like Chingy, Jim Jones, and Juelz Santana? (Dipset actually asked them do do a custom shirt) Who else has a screened T of a koala with an uzi tucked in forestry with the words "Welcome to the Jungle"? Who else can pose in leopard print undies and not simply post it as a blog entry (that would be too obvious) but incorporate it as one of the main images you are forced to look at.

Read the interview with True Love & False Idols in LTD. If you want to see it in print see your local streetwear industry head or boutique.

True Love & False Idols Blog

Ghostface lives at my crib.

People have been talking about this limited edition collectors item for about a year and by the looks of the theghostfacedoll.com site it looks like it won't be too long before good 'ol Tony Starks 'll be up in your crib too, hoe.

No real updated info. Standard eye-openers include: GFK Robe, 14 karat gold chain, 14 karat gold medallion, 14 karat gold avenging eagle, talking doll...I mean ACTION FIGURE...(original recordings of Ghostface Killah catch-phrases), limited edition & hand-numbered (of 1,000).

Agreed.

In reference to the video below... Damn you Talib's video director. Damn you.

Talib, lyrics stick to your rib!

I got this IM today from a a model girl I interviewed a while back. She told me the link was "hot" on so many levels. She's right...you got Talib...will.i.am...and Sunisa Kim. It's almost like i didn't know where to look. I'm lying. I knew where to look.

Hot Thing - featuring will.i.am
Sunisa Kim interview from Import Tuner Magazine

Details vs GQ vs Style.com

There's not that many Tuesday's left until the summer is officially kaput. I say go get some tacos. I say build up your margarita tolerance. I say dance happily to the mixes of Bachelor Party and Monster of the Brobots. Oh the memories. Imagine, you'll talk about the fun you had "That one Tuesday at rewind".

Uness - Stay Wit Me

What's better than "High School Musical"?

SciFi fans have Star Wars and Star Trek. Action fans have Die Hard and Lethal Weapon. The fantasy fans have Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Comedy fans have the movie libraries of Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell. Urban music has R. Kelly.

Death of a Dynasty

Back in 2004 I got this dvd mockumentary about the break up of a hip hop record label. The movie released in 2005 but I never saw it in any local theaters—that's because they limited the release and focussed it in and around the New York and Philly areas. It's supposed to be about the break up of Rocafella. I liked it at the time—mostly because it was around the time of the actual breakup of Jay-Z and Dame Dash. Plus Devon Aoki was in there.

Lucky Magazine Vs. Miss Sixty

What am I doing up. These "I need it yesterday" flyers are killing my zzz's but dammit these Taco Tuesday's are fun! Here's the details.

Lucky Magazine vs. Miss Sixty
Special guest bartenders: Jenny, Susie & Blake vs. Courtney, Joel & Mattie

$2 Carrrrnnneeee Asada & Veggie Tacos - $4 Margaritas
Drink Specials from 7 – 9:30

Djing for the night:
Bachelor Party & Monster of The Brobots

Located @ Rewind
137 Essex (Stanton & Rivington)

Next Up and The Symphony

That late 80s/early 90s era of rap/hip hop music was maybe the best with the "wow" factor with the introduction of the posse cut and the first ever rival crew wax battles. I guess it was because it was a "Marley Marl and the Juice Crew" thing...c'mon Marley Marl, Mr. Magic, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Craig G, Intelligent Hoodlum (Tragedy Khadafi), Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Masta Ace, Roxanne Shanté, TJ Swan, "Cutmaster" Cool V...who could top that at the time? How Marley got with UGK (Pimp C & Bun B) for their 2007 album I'll never know. Either way the UNK album is a 2 disc set—that's like 80 bazillion songs on two discs—so I'm glad that this is one of the cuts making its rounds.

Next Up UNK f/ Big Daddy Kane & Kool G Rap
The Symphony f/ Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane

I want my Colonel Blimp

I'm so used to the MTV force-fed videos that when I come across something like Colonel Blimp I'm overrun by sheer ecstasy. Ok, so just a little overboard with the excitement but you get what I'm trying to say. So far there are 17 directors with a buttload of links to quality quicktime files. Personally I like Diane Martels stuff because she has Snoop getting down in a solo soul train line followed up with bikini clad women on rollerskates—one of which is sitting on a giant ice cream cone. Visual acid for the junkies.

"The Trap" on crackspace.

CrackSpace presents a biweekly show, "THE TRAP". Past episodes had Nas, Kelis, Jim Jones, Funk Master Flex, Chrisette Michelle, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Elephant Man, Swizz Beatz, Shop Boyz and others. The latest episode features Kanye West, Common, Mos Def, "So Krispy", Kia Shine and New York Knicks star point guard Stephon Marbury.

Update: Barragan's 'Garita Wednesday

A $31 dinner total minus $7 worth of flautas and quesadilla = a mess load of $2.50 'Garitas. Mike ill and Nosaj Thing teamed up and remixed remixes all night long. I will forever ONLY accept Lionel Richie's "Easy" in a bmore remix form.

Erika Medina Model Interview

The image ain't clickable but this girl is going to be in an upcoming issue of Import Tuner Magazine. I'll post a link to the interview later. For now...just drool...or go to her myspace

Did you see this current issue of LTD mag?

If you don't know about Sa-Ra Creative Partners you better get on the bus. They are connected to Kanye. I hear that Kanye is pretty good this music stuff. Speaking of that have you heard the new Common joint f/ Lilly Allen?

BTW here's the Taz Arnold Interview.

It was a good day.

530medialab is the shit.

After Work Hump Day Fun!!!

Who's dj-ing? Mike ill, nosaj thing...and supposedly me. But there's $2.25 'garitas to be had. I may not even know where the table's be at. Barragan's in Echo Park, L.A.

Kurious Jorge’s A Constipated MonkeyTo Be Re-Released on September 18th, 2007

July 31st, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Amalgam Entertainment To Re-Release Kurious Jorge's Slept-On Classic Debut, A Constipated Monkey, As Prelude To Kurious' Sophomore LP

Boston, MA---Known for bringing favored acts like The Juggaknots and Smiley Da Ghetto Child out of obscurity and back into the public eye, Amalgam Digital strikes once again, this time signing Kurious Jorge to the label. On Sept 18^th 2007 Amalgam will be re-releasing "A Constipated Monkey" as a prelude to his sophomore album which features Mf Doom on production due early 2008.  In anticipation of the re-release and his upcoming sophomore LP Kurious asserts "I'm real glad to be doing these projects with Amalgam Digital. This shits' gonna be another fun record. That's my word."

 

Banking on the underground success of his singles "Walk Like a Duck" and "Uptown Shit," Kurious Jorge (the rapper not the monkey from children's books) released his debut album in early 1994. The album's subtle mix of underground vigor and flavorful party anthems pleased many of hip-hop's discerning aficionados. A guest list that included The Hieroglyphics' Casual and DJ Lord Sear on the mic and a back-from-the-dead Bosco Money from Downtown Science, The Beatnuts and Pete Nice and Daddy Rich on production gave the album a session feel. The album's wide range of samples, from The Black Byrds to Fifth Dimension, made for a quirky overall musical effect. Kurious does well to play up the strength of his honest style, a concise and careful delivery without sacrificing wit. In the end, the catchy single "I'm Kurious" positions itself as the album's true watermark, while cuts like "Top Notch" and the B-side "Mansion and a Yacht" featuring Sadat X from Brand Nubian are also bona fide mid-'90s hip-hop jams. Of all the golden era rap records that are known to inspire feelings of nostalgia in today's jaded listener, it is possible that Kurious' "A Constipated Monkey" tugs at a b-boy's heartstrings the hardest as it embodies the naturally positive and joyous attitude that is romantically linked to hip-hop of the past.

 

In addition, "A Constipated Monkey" Re-Release will feature several hidden bonus tracks (the B-Side classic "Mansion And A Yacht" and "I'm Kurious" Remix) not available on the original pressing.

 

Kurious Jorge with a J not a G!

 

Tracklisting for Kurious Jorge's A Constipated Monkey:

1.) Spell It Wit A J (Yes, Yes Jorge)

2.) Top Notch

3.) I'm Kurious

4.) Uptown Shit feat. The Omen & Kadi

5.) Leave Ya' With This

6.) Fresh Out The Box

7.) Walk Like A Duck

8.) Tear Shit Up

9.) Baby Bust It feat. MF Grimm

10.) Nikole

11.) What's The Real feat. Casual

12.) Jorge Of The Projects

13.) A Mansion And A Yacht f/Sadat X (bonus track)

14.) I'm Kurious Remix (bonus track)

www.myspace.com/AmalgamDigital

www.AmalgamDigital.com

Taco Tuesday: Team paul Wilmot vs. aMAYzing & Matt K (Archetype Showroom)

Taco Tuesday at Rewind in NY. Wish I was there. Maybe one
day...before the last Tuesday of the summer.

9th Wonder To Release Highly-Anticipated Solo-Debut

August 2nd, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Dream Merchant Vol. 2 To Be Released On 10-9-07
9th Wonder Releases Solo-Debut- Dream Merchant Vol. 2

In a whirlwind six-years, 9th Wonder has already been a vital-cog in the success of Little Brother, been hailed as one of Hip-hop’s most ingenious producers, started a “Hip-hop in context 1973-1997” course at his alma-mater North Carolina Central University (alongside Chris Martin from Kid N Play) from the ground up and participated on a Grammy Award winning LP (Mary J Blige’s 2005 The Breakthrough) and worked with two other Grammy Award winners (Jay-Z and Destiny’s Child).

In addition to crafting the beats for Little Brother (2003’s The Listening & 2005’s The Minstrel Show), 9th Wonder has gone on to become one of Hip-hop’s most sought after producers, working with a wide-array of artists such as; Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Lloyd Banks, Mos Def, De La Soul, Memphis Bleek, Jean Grae, Masta Ace, Murs, Buckshot, Masta Ace, Royce 5’9, Ras Kass, Consequence, Saigon, Sean Price and his Justus League cohorts among others. The vast diversity of the artists and genre’s 9th Wonder has worked with and in further demonstrates his ability as one of the most talented artists in music today; as his sound is infused with soul loops and jazz sentiment. 9th’s background in classical music and music theory gives his music a sonic breath and maturity that surpasses his years. Like the jazz greats Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, 9th “feels” his music and because of that intimate connection, he creates a sound that transcends Hip-hop, and becomes one with soul, jazz and R&B.

While 9th Wonder may have previously spent the majority of his time collaborating for other artists or in a group-setting, on 10-09-07 he finally strikes out on his own with his debut LP Dream Merchant Vol. 2. Littered with some of the finest established lyricists (Saigon, Royce 5’9, Mos Def, Memphis Bleek, Jean Grae, Camp Lo, Buckshot, Sean Price) Hip-hop has to offer, alongside some of the most-promising newcomers (Skyzoo, Torae, Joe Scudda and Kidz In The Hall’s Naledge) and former group-members (Little Brother) as well, making Dream Merchant Vol. 2 is a sonic and lyrical tour-de-force. When it came time to decide who he would collaborate with on Dream Merchant Vol. 2, as 9th relays the formula was pretty simple “basically it came down to who wanted to work with me. I wanted to work with a group of artists where some you had heard of and some you haven’t, but all in all wanted to work with me, without having to go thru 50 different people to get to the artist. The artists that are on the album are cats who genuinely wanted to do music with me. That was more important to me then anything else.

Though Dream Merchant Vol. 2 is 9th’s debut, the concept for the LP was masterminded many years ago and like many things in 9th’s life, devised by fate “this record means allot to me! The crazy thing is, the actualization of Dream Merchant is an idea that is six-years old. My Uncle Fred has crazy records; he was an avid collector from his days in NYC back in the 70’s. Back in 1987, I went to visit him and my Aunt, they lived in the South Bronx (East 169th and Grand Concourse) and it was my first trip to NYC. I was only there for a week when the newspapers flashed “Scott La Rock killed” (crazy right). In 1991, my Uncle and Aunt moved to Winston Salem (North Carolina) and I was working in a UPS call-center in High Point (North Carolina) and made a crazy decision to quit my job and pursue music full-time. I went to visit my Uncle Fred afterwards, because I remembered all of those records he had when I was a kid. I went downstairs and the first record I pulled out of the crate was Jerry Butler’s “Dream Merchant.” I though the title was so fly, that I decided to do a compilation album with me doing all the beats and cats I knew that rhymed. I think more then anything; fate sparked my decision to do this all the way---just from that cover and that moment.”

While 9th is shouldering allot of expectations from critics and fans alike for his debut, he has a more subtle goal for the project, as he laments “I put expectations to the side and just focused on giving the people something to listen too that they can enjoy.”

9th Wonder’s Dream Merchant Vol. 2 will be released on October 9th, 2007 on Six Hole/Hall of Justus Records, so save the date for 9th on the 9th!

Tracklisting and credits for 9th Wonders Dream Merchant 2:

1.) Mr. Dream Merchant Intro
2.) Shots f/Big Dho & Sean Price
3.) Merchant Of Dreams f/The EMBASSY, Skyzoo & Torae
4.) Brooklyn In My Mind f/ Mos Def, Jean Grae & Memphis Bleek
5.) Sunday f/Keisha Shontelle & Chaundon
6.) Baking Soda f/Big Treal
7.) Reminisce (Take Time) f/Big Remo & The Great Novej of the A.L.L.I.E.S.
8.) No Time To Chill f/Little Brother
9.) It Aint Over ft. Jozee Mo & Tyler Woods
10.) The Last Time f/ Royce the 5'9, Naledge & Vandalyzm of the MIDWEST WRECKIN'CREW- The D, The Chi & The Lou
11.) Saved f/Saigon & Joe Scudda
12.) Milky Lowa ft. Camp Lo
13.) Backlash f/Sean Boog & Buckshot
14.) Thank You f/ D.O.X & O-Dash
15.) Let It Bang f/Ness & Skyzoo

16.) What Makes A Man f/Rapper Big Pooh & Buddy Klein
(All Tracks Produced By 9th Wonder)

http://www.myspace.com/9thwondermusic
http://www.myspace.com/6Hole
www.6hole.com
www.hallofjustus.com