Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Baknaffek - Das Efx Interview

Read this interview from Paul Arnold over at HHDX this morning and had to repost for anyone that may have missed it.

Das Efx and the whole Hit Squad/Def Squad were a pretty major part of the grimy Hip Hop from the East coast in the early 90's, which I loved then and still do to this day. The interview is detailed, and done from the persepctive of someone that actually knows the group's work. Interviews don't always come together like that, so it's appreciated here.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1584/title.das-efx-baknaffek

Monday, August 23, 2010

Feel Like Supporting The Cleanup Effort In The Gulf?

Nice little video here featuring Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, Tim Robbins(???), & The Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing a song they put together for the relief effort. The video will tell you where to go if you wanna help.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

True Hip Hop Stories: BDK

Here is another video from D-Nice's 'True Hip Hop Stories' series. This time Big Daddy Kane sits backstage and discusses the making of his classic "Ain't No Half Steppin'". It's an interesting story about the way the beat was layered and everything.

If pressed to give an answer, I think I would have to say this song is my favorite Hip Hop song of all time. When I was a kid (I'm talking a little, little kid) Long Live The Kane was one of the first tapes I ever bought. I listened to that whole album start to finish probably 500 times or more, literally. And "Ain't No Half Steppin'" was the first song on the B-Side, so it was easy to rewind and start over again and again. And, I did...again and again.

Nike SB Presents:

A recent post of mine commented on Nike's credible use of Hip Hop in some of their ad campaigns. You can read it here. Well, here they are again. This time promoting skater Paul Rodriguez's (son of the comedian of the same name) shoe with along with a voiceover by Nas while his song "Hero" serves as the soundtrack.

Here is Nike's announcement:

"Nike SB is proud to announce the global launch of the Zoom Paul Rodriguez 4 on 8/21/2010. This year we brought Paul to New York to hit the streets and spend time in the studio with one of his idols, hip-hop legend NAS. The result is a 60-second commercial, directed by Nike SB’s own Jon Humphries, following Paul’s journey through iconic New York City skate spots, accompanied by music and a voiceover from Nas."

25 Favorite Hip Hop Songs

I was putting together a list of 25 of something else Hip Hop related for a friend the other day, and just decided to think for a little while about what 25 of my favorite Hip Hop songs were.

This isn't an exhaustive list - obviously there are countless great songs that strike a special chord inside me. This isn't my TOP 25 either, just 25 of my favorites in no particular order. Songs that come to mind without too much thought. Songs I grew up listening to. Songs that have countless replay value for me. Songs I would sit in the car in the driveway and listen to if they came on. If I kept thinking I could come up with 25 more in no time.

Take a look at the list. Comment. List some of your own favorites.

1. Big Daddy Kane – "Ain’t No Half Steppin’" (probably my favorite Hip Hop song of all time)
2. A Tribe Called Quest –
"Check The Rhime"
3. Jay-Z –
"Feelin’ It"
4. Heavy D. w/ many others– "Don’t Curse" (My favorite posse cut)
5. Pete Rock & CL Smooth –
"T.R.O.Y."
6. Run DMC –
"Rock Box"
7. De La Soul – "Eye Know"
8. DJ Quik – "Tonite"
9. Nas – "Halftime"
10. Gangstarr –
"You Know My Steez"
11. Scarface –
"I Seen a Man Die"
12. 2Pac –
"Pain"
13. Naughty By Nature –
"Uptown Anthem"
14. Biggie –
"I Got a Story To Tell"
15. BDP –
"Love’s Gonna Getcha"
16. Souls of Mischief –
"93’ Til’ Infinity"
17. EPMD –
"Get the Bozack"
18. Organized Konfusion – "Fudge Pudge"
19. The Roots –
"What They Do"
20. Kool Moe Dee –
"I Go To Work"
21. Raekwon –
"Incarcerated Scarfaces"
22. Atmosphere –
"Sunshine"
23. Talib Kweli – "Get By"
24. Black Star w/ Common – "Respiration"

25. Goodie Mob – "Cell Therapy"

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)

Late last night, I spotted the tracklist for Pharoahe Monch's upcoming Duck Down Records Release, W.A.R. Here it is:

1. Intro – Skit (feat. Idris Elba)
2. Evolve
3. W.A.R. (feat. Vernon Reid)
4. Clap
5. The Hitman
6. Black Hand Side (feat. Styles P & Phonte (of Little Brother))
7. Let My People Go
8. Shine (feat. Mela Machinko)
9. Haile Selassie Karate (feat. Denaun Porter)
10. Assassins (feat. Jean Grae & Royce Da 5’9”)
11. Illusions
12. Mama’s Boy
13. Still Standing (feat. Jill Scott)

Unfortunately, no word on production credits for each track just yet. For those that don't know though, Monch produced his biggest hit, "Simon Says", himself.

Now, it's not as if Monch needs any help from guest MCs to hold down his album. He's unquestionably one of the greatest lyricists ever. But, I gotta say I'm pretty excited about some of these features. Phonte & SP; Jean Grae & Royce. Not sure why Stringer Bell is on there, but we'll see what happens. I'm guessing it'll be similar to the American Gangster intro. But, Elba was in that movie, so it made more sense. I know he's trying to break into Hip Hop now, but having your rhymes compared to Pharoahe Monch isn't the best way to garner attention.

Take a look at the video below where Monch talks Hip Hop with D-Nice, including the making of "Oh No", and rhyming about his problems with Asthma on this new album.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Outasight - Never Say Never



It appears to be free music day. So click the link to Outasight's Bandcamp page and download his new album, Never Say Never, for free.

If you're unfamiliar, Outasight is a rapper/singer/songwriter/musician from Yonkers, NYC. The music is eclectic, and doesn't follow the stringent guidelines most Hip Hop artists adhere to. With Outasight and a few others these days though, the rules for what is and is not Hip Hop appear to be changing - in a good way...and I like it.

http://outasight.bandcamp.com/album/never-say-never

Exclusive: ParanormL & J. Rawls – P&J Project Mixtape (2010)

This album prequel is available for free download. I listened this morning and it's worth the space on your computer. So, if you like jazzy Hip Hop check it out.


Exclusive: ParanormL & J. Rawls – P&J Project Mixtape (2010)

Monday, August 16, 2010

You Love To Hear The Story...

I love to talk Hip Hop with people. Both with those that are as into it as me, and people that just have a more general curiosity. The people that love it like me, and follow it somewhat closely can carry on a conversation for a while about who we're into at the moment and why, different shows we've been to, slept-on classics, etc.

For people that are less informed, the conversation usually consists of giving recommendations and recounting the history for them. Still, others just want to put the genre down and I have to defend it. One criticism I used to hear a lot was how "it's not music because they don't play any instruments". While that's not as true anymore (the lack of instruments, that is), knowing the history of Hip Hop explains why this is the case, and why it's that much more amazing and uniquely creative.

Anyway, while browsing Davey D's website yesterday I came across this interview he did with the godfather of Hip Hop, DJ Kool Herc back in 1989. Herc is responsible for laying the foundation that Hip Hop would be built on, though he often doesn't get the acknowledgement he deserves. This interview actually gives some insight as to why this might be, and let's Herc tell the story of what he started himself. It's a great read.

I couldn't get a direct link, so I just pasted the entire article below. Once again, this is a Davey D interview taken from his website. So, if you like it make sure you check out his page (link is on the blogroll to the right) for more great material.


Interview w/ DJ Kool Herc
1989 New Music Seminar
by Davey D



If there was ever a case of being at the right place at the right time. The day I ran into DJ Kool Herc at the 1989 New Music Seminar was that time. It was a controversial yet electrifying seminar. I was attending a panel on Hip-Hop and hanging out with fellow journalist Harry Allen the Media Assassin. Toward the end of the panel Kool Herc walked into the room yet no one seemed to know, understand and to a certain degree care who he was. His name was mentioned and his contributions to Hip-Hop were uttered, but he was clearly not given the proper respects. Whoever was moderating the panel didn't really know or understand who Kool Herc was. I hadn't seen him in a long time and was a bit taken back, but I immediately grabbed my tape recorder and seized the moment. This was history. This was the Godfather of Hip-Hop. This was the man who started it all and here I was in a room with a bunch of folks who were so caught up in themselves that they neglected to let this brother drop science. Here's the transcript of our interview that took place in June 1989...

Davey D: Herc. Legend has it that you're the one that started hip-hop. How did this come about?

Kool Herc: Hip-Hop started when my father brought a PA system and didn't know how to hook it up. I was messing around with the music and I started out by buying a few records to play at my house. When I was doing that I saw a lot of kids playing outside in the backyard. My sister asked me to give a party one day. Actually, she wanted me to play at a party [1520 Segdwick Ave] and I went out and got around twenty records that I felt was good enough and we gave a party and charged about twenty five cents to come in and made 300 dollars.

At the time I was into graffiti so there was a lot of curiosity was about who I was. And so when they came there they saw who I was and what I did, I fulfilled their expectations on me. Herc could talk and play good music and people didn't mess around in his party. The ‘babes’ [fine women] were there and he [Herc] might call your name on the mic. In those days ain't no body know about calling your name on the mic or hearing records back to back...

Davey D: Ok when you say call your name on the mic and go back to back, what exactly did you mean by that?

Kool Herc: I was like hailing my friends that I knew out there in the party. That would keep my head going. The homeboys that I played basketball with, not the curiosity seekers, not the party goer that come into see or hear me play, but friends that when the party's over is gonna be there. That's who I was calling out..people like that. I'd say things like, 'There goes my mellow Coke La Rock in the house' 'There goes my mellow Clark Kent in the house', 'There goes my mellow Timmy Tim in the house', 'There goes my mellow Ricky D', 'There goes my mellow Bambaataa'. People like that acknowledgment that they hear from their friend.

Davey D: So how did that style lead to the actual rhyming style that encompasses rap music today?

Kool Herc: Well the rhyming well you know, I like playing lyrics that was saying something. I figured the people would pick it up me playing these records, but at the same time, I would say something myself with a meaningful message to it. I would say things like:

Ya rock and ya don't stop
And this is the sounds of DJ Kool Herc
and the Sound System and you're listening to
is what we call the Herculoids.
He was born in an orphanage;
he fought like a slave fuckin' up faggots all the Herculoids played
When it come to push come to shove
the Herculoids won't budge
The bass is so low you can't get under it
The high is so high you can't get over it
So in other words be with it


Davey D: Did you get the rhyming style from Jamaica?

Kool Herc: Hip-Hop, the whole chemistry of that came from Jamaica, cause I'm West Indian. I was born in Jamaica. I was listening to American music in Jamaica and my favorite artist was James Brown. That's who inspired me. A lot of the records I played were by James Brown. When I came over here I just had to put it in the American style and a drum and bass. So what I did here was go right to the "yoke". I cut off all anticipation and played the beats. I'd find out where the break in the record was at and prolong it and people would love it. So I was giving them their own taste and beat percussion wise. Cause my music is all about heavy bass.

Davey D: What year did this happen?

Kool Herc: 1970

Davey D: Who were the original Herculoids?

Kool Herc: My man Coke La Rock, He was the first A-1 Coke. Then he was Nasty Coke and finally he just liked the name Coke La Rock. There was Timmy Tim and there was Clark Kent. We called him the rock machine.

Davey D: Is this the same Clark Kent who DJs for Dana Dane?

Kool Herc: No! No! Impostor! I repeat he's an impostor. The real Clark Kent was called Bo King and he knows what that means. There was only one original Clark Kent in the music business. This other guy is carrying his name. I guess he respects Clark Kent.

Davey D: How did the whole party scene start with hip-hop?

Kool Herc: It started coming together as far as the gangs terrorizing a lot of known discotheques back in the days. I had respect from a lot of the gang members because they used to go to school with me. There was the Savage Skulls, Glory Stompers, Blue Diamond, Black Cats, Black Spades. Guys knew me because I carried myself with respect and I respected them. I respected everybody. I gave the women their respect. I never tried to use my charisma to be conceited or anything like that. I played what they liked and acknowledged their neighborhood when they came to my party. I never gave a party without the public asking me when is the next party. If I went to the East side it would be 'Hey Herc when's the next party?' On the west side it'd be 'When's the next party?'. So when I felt the symptoms or felt the right urges, that's when I'd give the next party. I never gave a party just to be giving a party unless the people asked me when is the next one cause they telling me they like it and that's what kept me going. I was the people's choice. I was their investment. They made me who I am and I never fronted on them. No matter how big my name got, I was always in the neighborhood. They could see and touch me. The people have a way of showing they want or don't want you. Right now they want me to get out.

Davey D: Over the years did you think that rap music or Hip-Hop was gonna become the big million-dollar industry that it is today?

Kool Herc: No. Little did anybody know we were making history by creating our own culture for our unborn family or unborn child to be coming up into. Nobody knew. A lot of people knocked it, but I stuck with it. I even got stabbed trying to bring peace to a discrepancy at a party. They didn't know. Right now they know it's out and the people are saying 'Hey you should get something for being out there Herc. You started this for Run and Kurtis Blow. It started here. They came to my parties. They heard what I played. They went out there and put other things to it. Hey it's only right when anything gets created there's gonna be somebody else creating something to enhance it. I like it. But when they ask the question of where it comes from. It started here.

Davey D: Pioneers like Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and others all went on to stay visible beyond the music just being stuck in the Bronx. How come Kool Herc never put out a record? How come Kool Herc wasn't out there in the limelight?

Kool Herc: The thing is.. I carried hip-hop. I dominated this in the '70’s. Then the whole volcano erupted around this with 'Rapper's Delight' with Big Bank Hank. Hank knew me personally. He knew where it came from because he was the doorman at our parties at the Executive Playhouse that later changed its name to Sparkle. When he had the impact of bringing it to the public, knowing it was the real deal. They didn't know who he was. Right around there I got hurt. I got stabbed...

Davey D: Because Big Bad Hank never gave you any credit?

Kool Herc: No! I got stabbed up physically and that backed me up. It killed the juice in me. When your life gets damn near snuffed out and your up there lying in the hospital bed for weeks, you got time to think. I kept visible. I was about my own thing. I rented the space, I spun the music and I promoted the place. I didn't have too many people around me with more motivation to help. It was my business and I sat back and watched to see where it was going. And where ever rap is going I'm gonna be there. There's always gonna be a part there for me. Don't let me forget. I didn't want to be in it like that.. A lot of them pioneers no matter how their names were out there wasn't getting paid. I didn't want to get on that bandwagon because I was about my own thing and nobody ever approached me about that perspective of letting me be my own man. Let me run whatever part I'm supposed to run and have authority. Don't let me be like some sort of puppet. I wasn't with that...

Davey D: You've followed rap over the years. What do you think about the changes?

Kool Herc: I wanted rap to always be a positive, beautiful music. I wanted it to be political. I want it to stay that way. We got kings, queens and jokers. There was some women complaining about the lyrics of a Slick Rick, but she gotta understand that he's like a Eddie Murphy in our business and there are selective people out there that want that. It's not like he’s gonna go to play in front of the youngsters. The radio is not supposed to give a lot of air time to records like that. That's the people's choice. That'll spread like wild fire through word of mouth. It don't need no airtime...

Davey D: Back in the days, you heard stories about Bambaataa not getting along with Flash and other rivalries. Did you get along with everybody and what about all these stories?

Kool Herc: I got along with everybody 'cause I gave respect. A lot of things happened at certain guy's parties that I didn't tolerate. People always like to put things into it. For example, they were always trying to put Bam against me. What they didn't know was that me and Bam had already met. I told him the public had this idea and that there were all types of scrutiny but this is me. I respected Bam from the day I went to a party and rode into Bronx River. I met Bam and was talking to him on the bench and he told me he had a lot of music. When I first came to the neighborhood and I was waiting for the person I was supposed to meet, I didn't go to his house. But I rode back to Bronx River one summer and Bam had his equipment set up and was playing music and I knew in a way who inspired him. And he gave the respect of playing records that I played for me or for my fans. He had his own style and I loved that. He had records I never heard before. Some in fact that could help my mixing gap then and I loved that. I didn't want to hear the ‘same ole same ole’.

Back then, crews were gangs. Get that straight. Crew was another name for gang. So therefore when you heard about Flash and Bam It was really about the Black Spades (Zulu Nation) and the Casanovas. So therefore you were going to have friction besides the DJs. That tension was already there.

Davey D: Are you gonna be making a comeback?

Kool Herc: I was never away. I would like to be a part of a production that my musical ear could give a hand to. As far as what I know and seen move the crowd or break it. And that's all I've been hearing, what moved the crowd already. A lot of music I've already heard or I've played already. I've come down here (New Music Seminar) to make some connections. This is really a move out. I never left New York and I want to see how Hip-Hop effects other states and the world by my own eyes. You see I'm a freestyle DJ. I like to play something that the radio should be playing that they're not playing. That's where my music always comes from. I'd like to get my sound system back in shape and go on the road and play during the intermission of these groups shows.

Davey D: Any last words?

Kool Herc: Well, no matter what rumors you've heard, I'm still built like a twenty five/forty five frame. I still weigh 230 pounds and I'm in love with a beautiful young lady from Corpus Christi Texas named Wanda. I pledge to marry that lady pretty soon.

c 1989

"No Room For Dessert" Promo

This is creepy as hell, but damn funny. Producers 2 Hungry Bros. linked up with MC 8thW1 for this album, No Room For Dessert. Guest Appearances from Von Pea of Tanya Morgan, Homeboy Sandman, Fresh Daily, etc.

Anyway this is a little freestyle/promo for said album done by 8thW1's chin.

Tanya Morgan - "So Damn Down" Video

Yeah, I know this video has been up on YouTube for over a year now, but I just saw it!! Until recently, I haven't really taken the time to watch music videos. But, a lot of artists are starting to get creative with them again - as evidenced by some of the ones I've posted over the last few months. And since they are usually just posted online, artists don't have to worry about appealing to BET/MTV audiences with the same old bullshit.

In this video from last year's best hip hop album, Tanya Morgan use the Mouthoff! app for the iPhone, and strap the phones over their mouth while they rap. I liked it, so why not share?

Speaking of Tanya Morgan, they've been busy this year. Donwill and Von Pea each have new solo material out, and they all seem to be showing up on other projects left and right.

Try to keep up!!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Atmosphere - "To All My Friends"

Here is a brand new song from Atmosphere released as a set up to their upcoming tour, All My Friends. I don't have a d/l link because they requested they not be posted. So, if you like it go to iTunes and purchase here. Not a big deal if you are a fan of Atmosphere because you know just how much free music they have put out over the years.

I, myself, am gonna try to dig up an iTunes gift card I think I have lying around here somewhere and get it tomorrow morning. Plus, the tour is stopping pretty close by Cincinnati, so if at all possible (time and finances being the major obstacles), I'm gonna try to check them out live for the second time.

Don't forget to support the artists that deserve it.

SXSW Cypher

After having a chance to listen to Homeboy Sandman's album The Good Sun for the second time yesterday and being thoroughly impressed at his variable rhyme style and lyrics, I took a few minutes to peruse the Internets for some interesting footage of any kind.

One piece of footage found is the following clip from SXSW, a huge Hip Hop show in Austin, TX. It features Sandman followed by P.Casso, and Brooklynati's own Von Pea from Tanya Morgan.


Thoughts on Homeboy Sandman or his album from those that have heard it?

DJ Funktual Interviews Ski Beatz

I mentioned in yesterday's post on DJ Funktual that I would be throwing up an interview he did. Well, here it is. It's a three-parter with legendary producer Ski Beatz.

This interview is about a half hour long, but it's great because it's pretty in-depth, and doesn't just stick to the standard questions and topics. The two really just sit and talk music for a while. Plus, you get to hear about Ski's start in Hip Hop. This really surprised me because I wasn't aware of him before Reasonable Doubt, when his history actually pre-dates that album by quite a bit.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Top 10 Samples...According To DJ Funktual

Okay, I'm a fan of this DJ now - and I haven't even heard him DJ yet! Spotted this vid over at Kevin Nottingham, and had to re post. This guy has me cracking up. I love his enthusiasm for the music. And, it's pretty close to what I do when I'm playing great music at home.

DJ Funktual is counting down his top 10 samples in Hip Hop history. I can't say I agree with all of them if we're talking a top 10, but who cares. This is entertaining. And if you wanna see a more detailed write up from him on these records click here.

Like I said, I'm a fan now and I'm starting to look at some of his other videos, including a GREAT interview that I'll try to post tomorrow.

Jay-Z - Feelin' It

Here is the video for "Feelin' It" off of Jay-Z's debut album, Reasonable Doubt - probably my favorite hip hop album of all time. Also, this is arguably Ski Beatz best producing effort, and he's got a lot of great tracks under his belt.

I actually don't think I've ever seen this video before today. The reason I'm posting it is not just because it's a great song. The video has a story to it, where Jay is some kind of kingpin coming to the island to straighten out someone who doesn't wanna pay up. Kind of a pre-'Streets Is Watching' video.

I was annoyed at first that the lyrics were cleaned up, but then I remembered how in the early to mid-90's, MCs would have some creative ways of taking the curse words out of their lyrics - Dre and Snoop's early songs are another good example. So, I kept watching, and I liked how he flipped his lyrics to remove the curses. It was sort of a new version of the song. But, then here comes the third verse. One of my favorite Jay-Z verses...only it isn't. Almost the entire verse is different. And, it's brand new to me! If you haven't seen this before, or even if you have, I suggest you check it out. Maybe the last time you saw it was before you listened to the song a hundred times and you didn't notice the changes then. Enjoy!

Kweli On Kanye Video

This morning after leaving what I think was, for my part, a pretty great job interview, I loosened up my tie, got in my car, plugged up the iPod, and cranked up Kanye's "Power" loud as fuck as I peeled out of the parking garage and past the police station across the street. I'm feeling unstoppable right now. Ha!!

Anyway, speaking of Kanye West, below is some footage of Talib Kweli talking about dude's genius, and how he took him on the road to open for him when everyone wanted Kanye beats, but were unwilling to listen to him rap. One thing you gotta say for Kanye is that his belief in himself has allowed him to accomplish great things.



The new album (whatever it's gonna be called now) should be out fairly soon, and below is a link to his brand new track "See Me Now" (recorded two days ago) produced by him, No I.D. and Lex Luger, and featuring Beyonce and first name Charlie, last name Wilson.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/singles/id.11730/title.kanye-west-f-beyonce-uncle-charlie-wilson-see-me-now

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

PackFM - How To Make A "Rage Edition" Video



You really gotta admire the hustle of some of these independent artists. Not only are they themselves (PackFM, QN5) putting in a lot of hard work for each order, but it's good marketing to bring in new listeners.

All of the extra swag (meaning, stuff, not style) put into the "Rage Edition" of I F*cking Hate Rappers provides an added value to the buyer, but it also turns each of these fans into a marketing machine - Pack's own, personal, traveling street team that doesn't require a paycheck. They put up the poster in their dorm room, rock the buttons on their clothes/backpacks, and put the stickers on their cars, or wherever else. Trust that a lot more people are going to see these items than the fan that purchased the "Rage Edition".

To order the album, click here. You'll like it.

Jay-Z's Decoded



This Jay-Z book, which is kind of a memoir/biography was finished a couple of years ago. When I first heard it described as Jay-Z breaking down some of his best verses, it sounded a little pretentious to me (though I was still interested). But, having the book be a mix of his own thoughts along with interiews from family and friends, and him breaking down his creative process...well, yeah it still sounds pretentious. But, I can't think of another MC that could pull it off.

I am interested to read this book. But, at the same time the content is already there for everyone to hear in the songs. Jay put his thoughts, experiences, etc. into this art form, and now taking it out and just explaining it all over again long-hand style in book form seems like it may cheapen the art a little. I guess I'll just have to wait for the release date in November to find out.

For the full article, go to Rolling Stone.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

1Love: Brooklyn - Featuring Theophilus London

I'm really digging Nike's inventive approach to marketing in different consumer segments. As far as I can see, they've really embraced Hip Hop and utilized it in interesting ways to promote their brand.

Unlike several other companies that just exploit the culture without really understanding it, and use a very disingenuous approach to their advertising campaigns in an attempt to appeal to the "urban youth", Nike goes much deeper and offers social media nuggets like these (not to mention the incredibly dope De La mixtape not too long ago) to represent what they are about.

They don't force feed their brand to consumers. Instead, they seem to favor being one part of an entire lifestyle. And I appreciate it. Read below what I'm guessing is some kind of a press release about the event and documentary series, and then check out the video with the eclectic Hip Hop MC Theophilus London.


As part of the lead up to the World Basketball Festival, Nike Sportswear created a mini documentary of Brooklyn-raised rapper, songwriter and producer Theophilus London giving a tour of the neighborhood he grew up in. This video is part of “1 Love,” a Nike Sportswear experience created to celebrate the AF1 and hoops culture throughout NYC’s 5 borough’s. The “1 Love” program consists of a series of borough-specific mini documentaries, the release of five exclusive Borough Edition AF1′s and a Borough vs. Borough basketball tournament which took place on 7/31 and culminated in a block party at Nike Sportswear’s NYC boutique, Nike Sportswear @ 21 Mercer.

For the short film series Nike Sportswear choose five representative personalities that embody the heart and soul of each of the boroughs to provide an insider’s guide on what makes their home unique. Theophilus kicks it off.


Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Mood Muzik 4 Feature



Now, I'm always anticipating some new Mood Muzik from Joe Budden. The series never disappoints, and Budden is one of the most interesting lyricists in Hip Hop. After hearing the first leaked track, "Short Summer", it sounds like MM4 is gonna be another incredible collection.

Joe Budden doesn't really need to have any features on his album to make me wanna listen (I guess if you do, you're not much of an MC), but the collab he just let fans know about has me almost drooling with anticipation, and I'm not afraid to say it. The song is supposedly called "Hour Glass" and will feature Jay Electronica and Elzhi.

Are you in that mood yet?!?!?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Fresh Daily - Mothership/LAND



I’m not really up on Fresh Daily yet. But, after seeing the Ski Beatz' video where he talks him up for a while, I think I gotta check this out and see what I’ve been missing. Free Bandcamp d/l link below - don't blame me if it sucks cuz I haven't listened to it yet (haha). But, go ahead and list the shitty projects Ski has worked on...I'll wait.

http://freshdaily.bandcamp.com/album/mothership-land

Monday, August 2, 2010

Bun B & DJ Premier Studio Video

I'm kinda looking forward to this new Bun B album. I've been a UGK fan for a long, long time. I haven't been appreciating a lot of Bun's collaborations in the last few years. Not because of him, but because of the caliber of rapper he lets record with him sometimes - but, hey he's spreading his talent around and turning on more people to his skill, so overall it's a good strategy. Anyway, this isn't one of the aforementioned collabs. This is Bun and Premier. Trill O.G. should be in stores tomorrow (Aug. 3rd).