Saturday, February 28, 2009

ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo


Saw this little tidbit on Crate Kings for all you creators out there - that's not limited to producers only but also includes songwriters and composers. Looking at the line-up I think I want to go and I quit making beats months ago.

"ASCAP presents the I Create Music Expo taking place from Thursday April 23rd to Saturday April 25th in Los Angels, California.

In addition to workshops, panels, and exhibitor demos, there will also be the chance to have your music heard during feedback sessions and the iStandard Producer Showcase.

Panelists include: Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, Drumma Boy, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Don Passman, Esq, Pete Rock, Skillz, and many more.

Registration Fee (ASCAP Member: $275, Partner Members: $300, Non-Members: $325)

See ASCAP for more info."

Friday, February 27, 2009

Metro Expands Wireless Service (Take that Mafia, I mean Verizon)

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- The Metro Board has approved for four major cell phone companies to build a new wireless infrastructure in the underground rail system over the next four years. Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, AT&T and T-Mobile are all part of the deal. Read the rest HERE

Alright B-Boys and B-Girls or anyone who wishes they could be




This is my first time hearing of this event (via DC Mumbo Sauce and Yelp and it sounds like a charitable cause that you don't have to pull teeth in order to get donors. This is the 10th event and it's all ages, free for DCPS students w/ ID and $5 otherwise.

The event is sponsored by FLY!! (Facilitating Youth in Leadership) and Odwalla (their juices get me through the day!). DJ Skeme of the Rocksteady Crew will be on the tables.

100% of the proceeds will benefit FLY!! (Facilitating Leadership in Youth) is a youth leadership and development organization that works with young people from the Barry Farm neighborhood of Southeast DC.

I'm On A Boat Muthaf&*%$!



My roommate showed me this joint yesterday - T-Pain, Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer's video I'm On A Boat from Saturday Night Live a couple of weeks ago. Those of you who follow SNL are probably familiar with Lonely Island and their debut album, Incredibad. This joint is friggin' hilarious!

Tomorrow: 12 LB Sound @ Red Lounge



12 LB Sound
Saturday, February 28th
Featuring Spiggy, Andrew Jaye & B.Gully of 1.21 Jigawatt Soundsystem
Party starts at 10
$5
Free with RSVP at info@12poundsound.com

Red Lounge
2013 14th St. NW
Washington, DC

DC Parking Meter Fare Increase



Got this info from the Eckington neighborhood list serve - Vital info for everyone who refuses to take the train downtown during the weekday...

"The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is reminding residents and visitors that parking meter rates in the District are increasing. Under legislation passed by the City Council, parking meters that previously charged a rate of $1.00 per hour will now charge $2.00 per hour. The rate at all other parking meters in the District will increase by 25 cents per hour. For example, if it previously cost 25 cents to park at a meter for one hour, the rate at that meter will now be 50 cents per hour. DDOT is in the process of updated the 15,453 meters in the District to reflect the rate increases. All of the meters are expected to be updated by April 30, 2009."

Nouveau Riche @ The Rock & Roll Hotel



Nouveau Riche
Saturday, February 28th
9pm-3am
No Cover and Free Red Stripe! 9pm-10pm

Featuring resident DJs Gavin Holland, Nacey and Steve Starks
Guest DJs
AC SLATER
(Palms Out / Trouble & Bass / Ministry of Sound - NYC)

TAX LO DJs - Cullen Simon + Simon D. Phoenix
(Tax Lo - Baltimore)

CA$$IDY + FABIANA (Fabiana's DJ debut!)
(Garutachi, DC)

The Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H St. NE
Washington, DC

This Saturday - The Hot Conversation Cyber Launch Party @ Indulj Lounge



The Hot Conversation Cyber Launch Party
Saturday, February 28th
6PM-3AM
Live Performances by Krayola and featured artist on the album Resilience - The Internal Movement
21+
$10 Cover
Ladies Free before 10
Doors Open at 6Pm
Show Starts at 8PM

Indulj Restaraunt & Lounge
1208 U Street NW, Washington D.C.

"The Resilience album will be a featured part of the official cyber launch party for www.thehotconversation.com. This site is a new social scene amongst the greats that generate multiple hot conversations based on simple topics that most people often think but never say. To extend the boundaries beyond individuals creating a user account and starting or joining conversations within the confines of the web site, the hosts often hit the streets armed with video recording equipment to capture the live on the spot action that is often talked about for days. As thehotconversation.com has interviewed musicians of all sorts, they have tapped into the mind of Krayola with the Resilience album, thus bringing to light those who are involved."

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Reflections on the concept of recorded sound by Marcus Dowling


My man Marcus Dowling (The Couch Sessions via True Genius Requires Insanity) always writes these insightful pieces on his blog. I told the dude I strive to be as good of a writer as him but he's so humble he kinda doesn't accept the compliment. Can't hate on him though because I'm the same way. This time he's eeked out another post which explains the commingling of music as we young folks know it. Does this signal the return to a time when there was just good or bad music? Possibly, maybe...

"As of late (understand that to mean the last 72 hours), I’ve taken a great deal of time to study the concept of sound. Not even so much music, but the creation of what we know as the realm of the musical from the realm of the tone, and how the tone or pitch creates an effect, and creates an emotion, and how that emotion from that tone or pitch creates the musical genre, and how we’ve evolved from tone and sound creating genre to going to subcategories where the sound of a voice on a track delineates it’s genre, to the point where we are now where the lines between rap, rock, country, western, house, club and folk have melded to the point where I strongly feel there is now just pop, or underground, and that everything has the potential to become pop, but mostly everything remains underground, as there are so many variations on sound now that the natural selection and progression of music has been completely destroyed, and anarchy has been loosed upon music, creating delirium that has ruled the roost in our most current musical era." Check the rest HERE

A new reason to go to Georgetown



I've been wanting to do a fashion related post for a minute. However, at this point in my life all I can do is window shop which is something I never do anyway. Nonetheless, I figured this was newsworthy. My man Marco and his mom have a hidden treasure over in G'town that from what I can see from the website is pretty dope. It's a vintage consignment shop at Wisconsin and M and I think it would be an asset to all the fashion-forward folks who work hard to maintain their exclusivity or pass something on to others.

"Vintage No. 5 offers a myriad of styles and garments from designer silk neck-wear to comic books to antique costume jewelry. Visit one of Georgetown's best kept secrets soon."

Vintage No. 5
1083 Wisconsin Ave. NW 3rd Floor
Washington, DC

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

UGK 4 Life



I'll put money on this being UGK's best album ever. Bun is in the producer's seat for the final go-round of the Port Arthur duo but don't think Pimp C's spirit won't be shining through on every track. I read that Akon produced and is featured on one of the tracks ("the club banger") and unsurprisingly is said to be the weakest track on the joint. Here's an excerpt from the review (via Baller Status)

""This is the first time I had to do so much on an album," the rapper admits. "I usually would just come to the studio, drop my verse and C would take care of everything else that had to be done with the record." This statement set the tone of the album before he even pushed play. The emotion that came with it was even that much more noticeable. Although this was Bun B's first time in the driver's seat of a UGK album, Pimp C's creative direction roared through the bass heavy sound system."

Track list (via Prefix Mag)
Disc 1
1 Intro
2 Still On The Grind featuring Raheem DeVaughn
3 Everybody Wanna Ball
4 Feelin'You
5 The Pimp & The Bun Featuring Ron Isley
6 She Luv
7 It
8 7th Street
9 Interlude
10 Swishas & Erb featuring Sleepy Brown
11 Purse Come First featuring Big Gipp
12 Harry Asshole featuring Lil Boosie and Webbie
13 Used To Be featuring B. Legit, E40 and 8Ball &MJG
14 Steel Your Mind featuring Too Short
15 Texas Ave Interlude
16 Hard As Hell featuring Akon
17 Da Game Been Good To Me
18 Outro

The Hip-Hop Stimulus Plan



I read this after my homie Uncle Q tweeted this link today. Considering that I just wrote about the end of the record store, this Hip-Hop Stimulus Plan piece was a good indirect follow up. This proposed plan is the necessary good that must take place in order for things to continue to progress as if there were still a plethora of records stores around.

"Last week I mentioned that I was hesitant to write a complete eulogy for the packaged collection of recordings we’ve come to know as an album. Well, I’ve reconsidered. Here it is.

The album is dead. At least in hip-hop this is the case and, from what I hear, the same is true for other genres. So that Detox album you’ve been holding your breath for - forget about Dre. Blueprint 3? Move it from TBD to RIP. And for all the new signees that keep talking about their debut albums, they need to adjust their marketing and acknowledge the mixtapes are as close to an album as they are going to get." Continue reading here...

Tonight: The DMV All Stars Concert @ Club 12




Dre All Day in the Paint! Presents
DMV All-Stars Concert Series Pt. 2
Tonight (The lateness I know)
9PM-2AM
Ladies FREE All Night!

Club 12 aka Twelve Lounge
1123 H St. NE
Washington, DC

Swagg University Thursdays @ The Republic



I'm hearing there's a model call this week for Nuvo reps so all interested ladies please come correct with your headshots in hand. Thanks =)

The Board Administration Presents
Swagg University - "Where Academia Meets Nightlife"
Thurday, February 26th and every Thursday to follow
18 to chill
21 to spill
Ladies free until 11PM
Party starts at 10PM

Table Reservations:
Greg 202.360.3644
mitch@theboardent.com
mo@theboardent.com

The Republic
1355 U St. NW
Washington, DC

This Friday: Sweat Shop @ Red Lounge



Sneakers in the Club Presents
Sweat Shop
Featuring Jackie O and Trevor Martin
Friday, February 27th and every last Friday of the month
No Cover!

Red Lounge
2013 14th St. NW
Washington, DC

This Wednesday: Rockas International @ ESL



Rockas International
Each and every Wednesday @ ESL (Eighteenth Street Lounge for those that don't know)
Featuring See I
Rotating selectors Kid Gusto, Disco Rob, Sean Haney and D-Selecta
No Cover!

Eighteenth Street Lounge (No sign on the door, next to Five Lounge)
1212 18th St. NW
Washington, DC

Free Bass-ing via Rio



Non Social Productions Presents
Favela Free Bass Brazilian Dance Party
Wednesday, February 25th
Free All Night!
21+
DJ Set by Smudge of ESA/Rockcandy
Spinning Funk Carioca, Brazilian Beat and Electro remixes
Caipirinha and other drink specials

Red Lounge
2013 14th St. NW
Washington, DC

Make beats on your iPhone



Found this little tidbit on Crate Kings a little bit ago. This is definitely a must have for y'all iPhone users out there. If you've been wanting an iPhone feel free to come buy one from me (Shameless plug). AT&T's credit check ain't no joke so if your credit is jacked don't even waste your time.

Producer, MC, and software developer Insight (Y Society) treats us to BeatSequencer BoomBap for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. Designed for speed and simplicity, the drum sequencer features auto-quantizing, simple pattern creation, and kits modeled after 90’s styled Hip-Hop.

Features:
* A total of 85 super punchy kick drums
* Crunchy snares, crispy hats & percussion sounds
* 16 step switches for editing sounds on a sequence
* Auto-quantizing so recorded hits always fall on time
* Save and load your sequences
* Record button to add sounds to a drum loop
* Eight drum kits, and ten pads
* Close the app and start where you left off
* Creating a pattern only takes a few seconds

Go to BeatSequencer Boombap for complete info.

Christylez Bacon - Advanced Artistry through beatboxing and strings



Also check this related post about my man Christylez

"To say things are looking bright for Christon "Christylez" Bacon is a major understatement. Last year, he was the first hip-hop artist to be named an Artist-in-Residence at the Music Center at Strathmore. Just in the past month, he performed to a packed house on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, delivered an impressive performance at this year's Wammies, and picked up two awards, Rapper of the Year and Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year for his debut studio release, Advanced Artistry." Continue reading HERE...

Electronica Meets Motown...in DC?

Bet y'all didn't think it could happen but it did. Local producer DJ Doc Rock gives you an Electric Motown mix that is pretty darn good. Doc Rock has this to say about his remixes, "My goal is to destroy your favorite song. Then I will rebuild it. I have the technology. I will make it faster. I will make it stronger. I will make it better. Then I will add some post-modern neo-classical avante-garde pop-folk punk-rock death-metal before I run out of hyphenated words." (via DC Mumbo Sauce)



1. Shotgun (Dj Doc Rok vs Jr Walker & The Allstars)

2. Uptight! (Dj Doc Rok vs. Marvin Gaye)

3. Shadows of Love (Dj Doc Rok vs. The Four Tops)

4. Smiling Faces (Dj Doc Rok vs. The Temptations)

5. Do You Love Me (Dj Doc Rok vs. The Contours)

6. Tracks of my Tears (Dj Doc Rok vs. The Miracles)

Download: DJ Doc Rok-Motown Electronica

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Remembering two record store giants




In the age of iTunes, legal Napster, Limewire and every file uploading website known to man, I find it hard to think of where to buy a CD other than Best Buy and FYE (six months ago Circuit City would've been included in this). As I'm sitting at Marvin last night, I'm conversing with a friend about music and I mentioned how I found The Clash's London Calling album in the discount bin at the Virgin Megastore at Union Square in NYC. He then tells me that store is closing its doors in March and the Forever 21 two doors down is taking over that space (Tomfoolery!)! I then remembered during my trip to Philly last summer, I'm riding down Broad St. in Center City and see that Walgreen's now occupies the former Tower Records at Broad and Chestnut Sts.

I have to say that I'm hurting right now because I lived in both of those stores while I lived in both those cities. There's a lot of music beyond Hip Hop that I wouldn't know about if it weren't for Tower and Virgin. These were one stop shops for not only music but also movies, books and magazines. You could spend all day reading about any level of the music industry and really "trying before buying" an album. The best element of these stores is that the employees worked for $8/hr because they were "music students" (figuratively speaking) and these "students" knew their shit, too. I bought indie albums at Tower, esepcially, because I conversed with the staff and they gave me detailed, impartial reviews of these not so famous artists (ever heard of !!! aka Chk Chk Chk). So now if one wants to actually purchase a physical CD and there's not a mom and pop within sight, they have to go to Best Buy or FYE (if there's one near you) and we all know they're not built for the indie artist. I guess you can't really fight the system if the system is infinitely larger than you =(



On a side note...if you're from the DC area and were born no later than 1990 and you're a fan of Hip Hop/R&B/Go-Go you should know about Kemp Mill Music. As of 2009, there's only one Kemp Mill location left in the area and that's at Iverson Mall next to Downtown Locker Room. Kemp Mill Music got me through my Southern Rap O.D. years (1996-2000). The iconic record store provided me with every No Limit Records album and mostly all the Rap-A-Lot Records albums I have ever purchased. Damn, I just remembered the first time I saw RE was in '97 at an outdoor show in front of this same Kemp Mill. I gotta give it to them, this store is still holding on strong and I hope to see them stick around for years to come.

RaTheMC - Are You Not Entertained?



The first time I heard RaTheMC was at Black Church Maraca (Get familiar!) in January - I became a fan before she was even finished performing. The next day I listened to her last mixtape, A Mixtape About Something, I Think. I thought to myself, 'Real rap, slim is the Lyte of our time!' I have to rank her with my personal list of favorite female MCs, which up until January only consisted of Philly's own Nina Ross. These are the only two ladies I know of (signed or unsigned) who could very well eat a dude up in a battle son. I downloaded Are You Not Entertained? one minute after she posted it on her blog and I've listened to it twice while my boss is screaming "Turn that hippety hop down!" I want to mention that I was siced to hear her flowing over "Gobstopper" and "Dilla Says Go" from J Dilla's posthumous release, Donuts. This is a solid mixtape from top to bottom - she came hard on A Mixtape About Something, I Think but she went for blood on this one.



Download Are You Not Entertained?

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Words of Encouragement for the week

"You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act." - Barbara Hall

Someone many Black women don't but should know



"Her story was forgotten for centuries, buried under mounds of dusty racist documents by the Afrikaner government of South Africa, sloshing in a jar of formaldehyde in a museum in Paris. But slowly she has been rediscovered, by women in South Africa, in England, in the United States...they have written plays and poems, made films and speeches telling her story in the hopes of reclaiming her torturous past. Her name was Saartje Bartmaan, or at least that's what her captors called her."
- unknown

I know I normally don't get all deep and shit on y'all but I felt compelled (first time I've ever used that word) to reveal a character flaw about myself. This is a woman whose story I came to know last summer at a film screening at the S.A.L.S.A. offices in downtown DC. With me being a Black woman who's a huge hip hop head (Y'all like that alliteration right there lol), I'm often listening to artists with different styles and lyrical content. A lot of these rappers don't display an awareness of social and cultural issues other than poverty affecting the Black community. Many of the artists, ultimately, are rather misogynist in their words and actions. I find myself guilty of many of the same actions. As a lesbian, I think displaying a misogynist attitude, even on occasion, is 100% worse than a heterosexual male who is a chauvinist 24/7/365. Why? Because I should know better. Nonetheless, thanks to me being called by some of my women friends, I'm improving and watching what comes out of my mouth more. Am I going to become a feminist, probably not. However, learning of Saartjie (pronounced Sahr-key) Baartman's story was a step in the direction of at least becoming more sensitive to the often damaging perspective society has of Black women.

Also, check out The Saartjie Project. Two women I know personally are apart of this collective (What up Binah and Margaux!) and there was actually a performance over the weekend that I found out about kind of late (My bad y'all). Please don't be upset with me if this is something you would have loved to attend. Thanks!

Welcome to Washington, District of Colossus


District of Colossus from Deuce Day World on Vimeo.

Here's The Five One setting the tone of a day in their life with the track "District of Colossus". This is the first time I've ever heard their music, but if all their stuff is like this joint then I'm the bands latest biggest fan. Shouts to everyone in the DMV making it happen!

Thursday 2/26 - Better Days @ Napoleon



It's been a long time coming and AV Lifestyle Group is back with a new installment starting this Thursday entitled Better Days. Having worked closely with these guys and being no stranger to their Sunday afternoon series of last summer, The Coolout, I already know Better Days will match last summer's ultimately successful event (might even surpass it)!

AV Lifestyle Group Presents Better Days
Featuring Dave Nada and Harry Dixon
Thursday, February 26
Party pops off at 9PM

Napoleon
1847 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC

The Crookers



I was twittering the other night and Marcus Dowling sent a tweet mentioning he was rocking to a Crookers mix. A couple hours later and as coincidence would have it, I find four of their mixes (via Hipster Overkill). If you're not really into the electro/hip hop scene, you may at least know the Italian duo for their remix to Kid Cudi's "Day 'n' Nite". So what I've done for Crookers novices and experts alike is post the four mixes for y'all listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Pacific Division Interview and Sealed for Freshness Blend Mixtape




Pacific Division (aka Pac Div for those of you who already knew about them), the trio from out West who you may know for tracks such as "Women Problems" and "Paper", were in town recently for an interview at Commonwealth with my man MC Shawn Lucas of Hipster Overkill.



If you're a Pac Div fan or need to know what these dudes are about, download their latest mixtape, Sealed for Freshness Blend

Shine On Me Presents Real Life @ Liv w/ DJ Dredd & Questlove



If you've never had the pleasure of hearing either of these cats spin then you need to be here. One of the best parties I've ever been to was Questlove's now-defunct weekly shin-dig, Tasty Treats @ Fluid off of South Street in Philly. I'm not going to say I'll be at LIV next Saturday because my life has become extremely random as of late BUT I already know this party is worth at least a portion of your Saturday night.

Shine On Me Presents Real Life
Featuring DJ Dredd and Questlove
Saturday, February 28
Doors open at 9PM
Free before 10PM w/ RSVP
$15 after 10
$20 after midnight

LIV Nightclub
2001 11th St. NW
Washington, DC

Friday, February 20, 2009

Kid Cudi Friday


No this is not going to be a weekly occurrence because although I like the dude's music, it ain't that serious. I wanted to post this joint, nonetheless, because I find it amazing how until last weekend's RBK fiasco, a lot of people had no idea who Kid Cudi was (see how we thrive off negativity...SMH). Oh the education I provide through my undying love/hate affair with Hip Hop. This song has been out for months now and we've been waiting a minute for the OFFICIAL video to be released (another fiasco that happened a couple months back where he cursed out all the bloggers and leakers of the bootleg video). It's been remixed several times but the one I like most of all is in the video below (via Herfection).


Google Alerts (Nite n Day MeLo-eclipse) from herfection on Vimeo.

And lastly, Kid Cudi and Kanye on 106th and Park



Lyriciss - The Day Job Mixtape



Riggs Park native (That's Northeast DC to those unfamiliar), Lyriciss, dropped a new mixtape today entitled The Day Job. Another DMV rapper I was recently introduced to (like three days ago) but after hearing a few of his tracks on his MySpace his hype-factor was validated. Produced by some of the best in DC such as David E. Beats, J. Scrilla, AB The Producer, Equinox Professionals to name a few. And of course some track collabs with folks like RaTheMC, Pro'Verb, Theo, XO, Cayan, Nando McFlyy, and Mouse aka The Waldorf Poster Boy. Currently listed as one URB's Next 1000 and seeking two DMV Entertainment Awards nominations (Best Male Artist and Most Likely to Succeed). I'm at work doing this post so I can't check the joint out until this evening so I need somebody to hit me with some feedback. I'm sure the joint is a winner.


Download The Day Job HERE

Thursday, February 19, 2009

This is what happens when men greatly outnumber women in clubs

A couple guys decide to air their grievances through song...



So I was just introduced to this duo from New Zealand named Flight of the Conchords today. Apparently, they have an HBO series that is now in its second season. I saw this video at work today and I thought it was hilarious because there really are too many d--cks on too many dance floors these days (gay men's parties excused and of course not at lesbian parties). The intentional irony of this video is that they are actually at a gay club.

"Oh, how fickle love can be. One minute you're head over heels for the cute-yet-obscene Australian girl, and the next she's duct-taped your roommate to the door and robbed your apartment. Last night's Flight of the Conchords taught us that love stinks (just one day after Valentine's Day, too), and it all started with "Too Many D---s on the Dance Floor."
Bret and Jemaine channeled their inner T-Pain for this catchy rap about...well, the title’s pretty self-explanatory." Read the rest HERE

Thanks Kanye



After doing my skinny jeans post a few weeks back, I had to post this joint because I like Kanye's defense on the overall backlash on Black dudes in Hip-Hop rocking gear that fits (via Herfection).

Tittsworth B-Day @ Ibiza this Saturday!



Tittsworth B-Day Jam @ Ibiza Nightclub
Saturday, February 21
Featuring Tittsworth and Gavin Holland of Nouveau Riche
Free b4 12 for 21+
Free b4 11 for 18+ (Get grown!)
on Guestlist or w/ Pass
Reduced all night thereafter
Drink specials $4 Domestics and Rails 'til Midnight
NO DRESS CODE!

Guestlist addy HERE
Table Reservations - ramiroslist@gmail.com

Ibiza Nightclub
1222 1st St. NE
Washington, DC

I {heart} MPCs!



Another MPC video clip this time with Dipset producer, "Arab Muzik" (via Clockwise Clothing)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Why?



I can't even provide any meaningful or substantial commentary on this disheartening news....

Can "You" Remix? Challenge



Alright so check it...Steed Lord, one of my new favorite electronic crews, has issued a remix challenge entitled Can "You" Remix? for all those up for it. Basically, you're remixing their first track, "You". I don't know what you win if your remix is selected but I mean remixing is fun with or without all the prizes and money.

"Hey fellow bedroom producers!

We are reminding YOU to show us your inner remix skills by remixing the first song we ever made called "YOU"

Here is the acapella, instrumental and the original all newly mixed.
In 122bpm.
No stems. No seeds...just the sticky icky icky!

http://internet.is/steedlord/mp3/you.zip

we are looking forward to see if anyone is up to the challenge!
and yeah! when you send it to us please upload it to a host like zshare.net or yousendit
and send us the download link to steedlord@gmail.com

house music all night long yall!
STEED LORD"

The Swede - John Dahlback



I've really been getting into House music and all the different types that exist over the last few years. My first introduction to house music was about 10, 11 years ago at The Delta Elite (I know most of the people who read this blog have no clue about that spot) hanging with the oldheads in the basement. I moved on from there and never thought about House music again. It wasn't until I moved to NYC that my interest was peaked again. I'm not going to rap y'all up too much so I present to you John Dahlback. He hails from Sweden and must be pretty good if he made it onto BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix (via Hipster Overkill). Y'all really need to start listening to BBC 1 if you don't already. No disrespect to any U.S. radio DJs but the BBC has some of the best DJ shows in the biz. I was working out to this mix today and I was a blown that I couldn't get through the whole joint (the mix, not the workout).

Download: John Dahlback - BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix 10/4/08

This Saturday @ Haydee's Lounge



This venue has been hosting some hot events lately and this Saturday they show and prove again with Uptown Hip Hop United featuring a few of the DMV's own on the mic:

PHZ-Sicks
Konshens and His State of Mind
Jade Fox
Wordsmith

Uptown Hip Hop United
Saturday, February 21
Doors open @ 7PM
Show starts @ 8PM
21+
$10 Cover -LADIES FREE ALL NIGHT! (Let's keep this event from being a sausage-fest ladies, thanks)
WPGC's DJ Heat on the tables (This young lady has been making some major moves over the last year)
Haydee's Lounge
6303 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

R&B Live Tonight @ POSH Restaurant and Lounge



Perfect timing after my DC Most Known Unknown post. (Thanks for the info Candice!)


Special Edition of R&B Live DC
Washington, DC’s Unsigned Talent to Perform

Washington, DC (Feb. 12, 2009) - R&B Live DC is continuing to start the new year off with a bang. On Tuesday, February 17th R&B Live DC proudly welcomes special guest Kyonte to Posh Restaurant & Supper Lounge. Kyonte is a talented singer, songwriter and producer. In 2007 he co-produced the Grammy nominated song “Woman” by Raheem DeVaughn. Other artists he has worked with are hip-hop’s own Foxy Brown and Gospel music artist own Brent Jones. He is currently working on his debut album.

R&B Live DC is pleased to announce that R&B Live DC producer and event coordinator Carla Truitt will host this month’s event as DJ Huck Fin spins. The opening act will be Washington, DC’s own Black Alley and as an ode to Black History month, we will have some poetry read by John A. Johnson and Nicole Lyricc. Black Alley hails from Washington DC and has created their own sound as they call it to be “Soul Garage”. The band consists of four members and they have opened up for Raheem DeVaughn & Ledisi.

Posh Restaurant & Supper Club is located at 730 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. The doors open at 8pm. For table reservations, please call 202.393.0975 or visit www.poshdc.com.

###


To RSVP to this event, please go to www.randblivedc.com

Quote of the Week

This week's quote hit home for me because it's relative to The Glass House and its mission:

"Insist on yourself. Never imitate." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cappadonna - Slang Prostitution



Alright so I was never a real Cappadonna fan and I'm still not, but I felt the need to post some info about his latest album, Slang Prostitution. I know everyone is holding their breath for Rae's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 (or maybe not, depending on who you talk to but I know I am). However, the self-proclaimed Wu-Tang reject has dropped another album as of January 27th, but for all it's worth the album is actually not that bad. Word on the street is this album only sold 50,000 copies (Damn...SMH) and I think I know why:

1. People like me
2. Wu-Tang and their affiliates' relevance to the remaining Wu-Tang fans
3. Wu-Tang and their affiliates' relevance in contemporary hip-hop
4. It's Cappadonna (See #1)

The album has the Wu-Tang sound of yore that many of us remember from the early 90s-2000 which added a little variety to my current hip-hop rotation. If it weren't for my man (Thanks for the info Rob), I really wouldn't have checked for the joint but I'll listen to anyone's album once. Here's a couple tracks that I like:

Monday, February 16, 2009

Another opinion post - DC's Most Known Unknown



Disclaimer: This isn't a post about who's truly representing the DMV and who's not. I'm checking for anybody from the area who can rap.

Everyday at work, me and the guys always end up on a conversation about a rapper(s). We'll go back and forth for 30 minutes about mixtapes, punchlines and beefs - then I'll bring up a local artist and unless it's Wale or Tabi they give me the stuck look. DC has a population of 572,059 (U.S. Census Bureau Data April 2000) and I know we have surpassed that number tremendously since then. With a city this small, why does it seem like you have to be well-connected, shop at Stussy or go to Busboys and Poets to know about who's making noise in DC Hip Hop?

Here's a list of some of our most known unknown:

Asheru
Benji
Bomani Armah
Damu the Fudgemunk
Educated Consumers
Fatz Da Bigfella
Flex Mathews
G-Five Clive
Kokayi
Jade Fox
K-Beta
Labtekwon
Lyriciss
Kenn Starr
Kev Brown
M1 Platoon
Muggsy Malone
Native Deen
Oddisee
Panacea
Princess of Controversy
RA The MC
Roddyrod
Rosetta Stoned
Sharkey
Southeast Slim
SPP Waxworks
Substantial
The Five One
The Package
XO
I know there's even more that I didn't list...

I'm not even going to front like I've heard music from all the names I've listed and I had to do a little research to come up with a list this extensive. Just goes to show that I'm on the blogs and on MySpace and I'm still ignorant to a lot of what's happening in DC. The fact that the DC area as a whole has never truly embraced Hip-Hop plays a role in this. An even sadder reality is that unless you're validated by an entity much larger than DC (i.e.- other major metropolitan areas and mass media outlets), we're not checking for you - well I am but DC isn't. I know DC is good for producing some rappers that deserve a "WTF?" which I'm sure is another reason no one is taking local rappers seriously as well.

A friend made a good point - there's no indie artist support by local radio and the last local station that provided that type of support was the now defunct WHFS 99.1 (IMO was a hell of a lot better than DC101). They also posed a rhetorical question "Who has the money to start a station which DC rappers can look to for real support?" I know that part of being an indie artist is about self-promotion to the next level and if you're grinding and gigging hard enough (along with possessing talent) you'll have a breakthrough. In all honesty, however, there should be more rappers from the area that are household names. It's too much talent here for Washingtonians to get hip to once someone is signed. There's mad talent in the underground (I hate having to use that term but it seems fitting in this instance) so drop the crabs-in-a-barrel mentality and support your own (the good ones).

A "Versus" Party of Epic Proportions



In my experience with "versus" parties, it's usually Prince vs. MJ vs. Madonna, which is fine by me but how often do you get a "versus" party featuring two of Hip-Hop's best producers of all time (with Premo being one of my personal favorites). 2 Tone and RoddyRod are doing it again at Red Lounge tomorrow so if you shamefully missed the Dilla party last week (lowering my head) then redeem yourself (slightly) and come out for this joint. Plus it's ONLY $5!

King RJ Presents:
Pete Rock vs. DJ Premier
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Red Lounge
2013 14th St. NW
Washington, DC
Doors open @ 9
$5 Cover

Sunday, February 15, 2009

For all the 80s babies...


Here's some 90s mixes by DJ Mike Rizzy. I found them doing one of my random google searches. Enjoy!


Rizzy’s House Party Part 2 (90’s New Jack Style) (Sorry no playlist but y'all should know most of these joints)


Hip Hopped R&B Mix (90’s R&B Mix)



1. Just Wanna Please U Remix – Mona Lisa feat. The LOX
2. All Night Long – Mary J. Blige feat. LL Cool J
3. Tell Me – Groove Theory
4. Doin My Thing – 50 Cent
5. I Love You So Much – Trina Broussard
6. Sittin Home – Total
7. I Wish – Carl Thomas
8. Only You – 112 feat. Notorious Big
9. Steelo – 702
10. I Don’t Wanna Be Alone Remix – Shai feat. Jay-Z
11. The Things You Do – Gina Thompson
12. I Just Can’t – Faith Evans
13. Everyday It Rains – Mary J. Blige
14. Touch Me Tease Me – Case feat. Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige
15. I Miss You – Monifah feat. Heavy D
16. Ain’t Nobody – Monica feat. Treach
17. Come And Talk To Me Remix – Jodeci
18. You Used To Love Me Remix – Faith Evans
19. Sunday – 9th Wonder feat. Keisha Shontelle, Chaundon
20. Is She The Reason – Destiny’s Child

Suspended From The Old School (90’s Hip Hop & R&B)



1. Give It To You – Da Brat
2. Funkdafied – Da Brat
3. Bonita Applebum Remix – A Tribe Called Quest
4. Nikka – Lil Vicious
5. Big Poppa – Notorious BIG
6. Between The Sheets – The Isley Brothers
7. Hey Lover – LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men
8. Queen Bitch – Lil Kim
9. Ice Cream – Raekwon
10. No One Else Remix – Total feat. Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, Da Brat
11. MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know – KRS One
12. Can’t Be Wasting My Time – Mona Lisa
13. The Roof – Mariah Carey feat. Mobb Deep
14. Shook Ones Pt. 2 – Mobb Deep
15. Shimmy Shimmy Ya – Ol Dirty Bastard
16. You Used To Love Me – Faith Evans
17. Be Happy – R. Kelly feat. Notorious BIG
18. I’m Loving You Tonight – Notorious BIG
19. Unbelievable – Notorious BIG
20. Can’t You See – Total feat. Notorious BIG
21. Get Money – Junior Mafia
22. The What – Notorious BIG feat. Method Man
23. Rene – Lost Boyz
24. Black Nostaljack – Camp Lo
25. Crush On You – Lil Kim feat. Lil Cease
26. Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down – Puff Daddy feat. Ma$e
27. Tell Me What U Want – Ma$e feat. Total
28. Woo Ha – Busta Rhymes
29. Who U Wit – Jay-Z
30. Sunshine – Jay-Z feat. Foxy Brown, Babyface
31. A Million And One Questions – Jay-Z
32. Streets Is Watching – Jay-Z
33. If I Ruled The World – Nas feat. Lauryn Hill
34. Sleepin In My Bed Remix – Dru Hill feat. JD, Da Brat
35. Real Love – Mary J. Blige
36. Right Here Remix – SWV, Michael Jackson
37. Think Of You – Usher
38. Candy Rain – Soul For Real
39. Hold On – En Vogue
40. Creep – TLC
41. Like This And Like That – Monica
42. What’s My Name – Snoop Dogg
43. Keep Their Heads Ringin – Dr. Dre
44. Dre Day – Dr. Dre
45. Let’s Play House – Tha Dogg Pound
46. Big Pimpin – Tha Dogg Pound
47. I Get Around – 2Pac

Beyond Chris Brown and Rihanna



With all the jokes that have been made regarding Chris Brown and Rihanna and this abuse situation, domestic violence is real and serious out here. I've had too many friends fall victim to it, as well as friends who decided to justify their positions by raising a hand. It's an issue that needs to be addressed - IN THE OPEN. I'm blessed to have never been in an abusive relationship and I hope I will never date someone who feels the need to put their hands on me. Nonetheless, I've been saying this for years and I'll say it again, if you feel the need to put your hands on your man/woman to get your point across, you need not be in that relationship. You actually need to check yourself and see what YOUR problem is. This has been a public service announcement from The Glass House.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Unnecessary Roughness



Thanks Stone at The Couch Sessions via Twitter - Kid Cudi get's arrested in Phoenix at the RBK party (who paid him to perform) because the bamma decides he wants to spazz on them. He was wearing Jordans prior to the performance, RBK asked him to take them off and put on some RBKs. He declines and here's how the rest of the story goes... I don't know but considering that I'm manifesting hundreds of thousands of dollars to begin flowing into my life, a RBK deal would get me a little closer to that. I can't even rap but I'd figure out something to do.

Potheads Unite!



As I was waiting for the bus this morning, I peeped this on a utility box at the corner of North Capitol and Randolph Sts. NW. Got to Gallery Place and saw another one posted on a utility box in front of Starbucks at 7th and H Sts. Apparently, GOTDRO.COM is , that's right you guessed it, a website for the smokers of DC and beyond. I checked the site when I got to work (on an iPhone because AT&T is pressed like shit) and it's pretty typical ode-to-marijuana material. This month's "Dro of the Month" is the White Widow strand. I quit smoking forever a few months ago but I could never call myself a "head" so maybe that's why I'm like "Oh boy...". They feature some tracks and albums from some local rappers as well. I can't say how good or bad they are because I wasn't able to listen to them because I'm at work so I'll leave that to y'all. I don't know, maybe this will morph into something substantial.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Video: Losing Out - Black Milk feat. Royce Da 5'9"



Favorite joint on the album and the beat is hard! Although they're speaking on Detroit, the first time I heard the track it hit home with me being from another metropolitan area that has been losing out nationally - until now

Be There! (DC Armory Sale announcer voice)




If you don't listen to the radio (like me) or if you're not on one of those social networking thing-a-majigs, you probably didn't hear about this. New Era, the people who bring you your fitteds, along with The Party Pushers is hosting a launch party for the debut of three collections on New Era's clothing line. The party is going to be at the Sports Zone in Georgetown so if you're normally out of there by 6pm (like me as well) this should give you a reason to be over there after dark.

Sports Zone Presents New Era Launch Party
FRIDAY THE 13TH! (Hypefactor for y'all superstitious folks)
9pm-12am
Food & Liquor
All Free, All Night!
Performing Live -
Haziq Ali, Luegar and Tabi Bonney
First 25 People receive some free New Era Gear
3140 M St. NW (Near Wisconsin and M)
Washington, DC 20007

It's going to be thick in there so you may want to get there early - like before 9

The Perfect Analogy to A Musical Phenomenon

Marcus Dowling (The Couch Sessions by way of True Genius Requires Insanity) posted a really cool analogy describing Hip-Hop's travels over the last 30 years. For all y'all people who can't bare to read more than a short, concise paragraph once a month, I think you should definitely exercise your literary skills by reading this.

"So I really like food and drink analogies. I love food and drink, and know a fair amount about them, so, when I need a handy resource with which to make something analagous, I often opt toward them. I’ve done a fair amount of thinking as of late about hip hop..." Continue reading HERE

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Thursday - Sunday Happenings

I feel like I'm going to be tied up through Sunday so I'm going to give you the massive "These are the events you can go to" breakdown. Here we go folks:

Thursday-



Adrian Loving and Chris Burns Presents:
Belated Capricorn Birthday Bash
Thursday, February 12
Lounge 201
201 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Washington, DC
9pm-Until
No Cover!
Drink Specials


Friday-



BLISSPOP is February 13th
9:30 Club
815 V St. NW
Washington, DC
All ages
$15
Featuring Holy Ghost! (DJ Set), Mike Simonetti (Italians Do It Better), and Will Eastman
Sponsored by BrightestYoungThings.com
Live visuals by Kylos




Sneakers in the Club Presents Friday The 13th
Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St. NW
Washington, DC
Friday, February 13th
10pm-3am
No Cover!
Drink Specials

DJ Stereo Faith, DJ Jerome Baker and DJ Trevor Martin handling the musical stylings for the evening





Luck of the Draw: An Art & Music Experience In the Capitol Riverfront Neighborhood

Friday, February 13: 6 to 10 pm

Saturday, February 14: 6 to 10 pm

Sunday, February 15: 2 to 6 pm

The fun begins at the tent on Half Street, between L and K Streets SouthEAST.
@ Navy Yard metro (on the green line).
Take the Half Street exit and follow instructions from the friendly Clean & Safe folks.

Check back here soon for a schedule of music and dance performances!

More music and dance being added, but here's a sampling:
Scrap Heap, Sejayno, Blue Sausage Infant, Shadow Farm, Doug Stailey and Dan Barbiero, Pilesar, Janel & Anthony.

Some of the visual artists you will be seeing in no particular order:
Sherill Ann Gross, Rebecca Katz, Andrew Wodzianski, David Barr, Chris Bishop, Carolina Mayorga, Alexandra Zealand, Albus Cavus, Tariq Rafiq, Andrea Collins, danny phantOM.

"RED: St. Valentine bled for us"
Curated by Sondra Arkin and Ellyn Weiss:
Sondra Arkin, Ellyn Weiss, Pat Goslee, Joan Belmar, Susan Finsen, Brian Williams, Tracy Lee, Anne Marchand, Tom Drymon, Chuck Baxter, Betsy Damos, Lynn Putney, Tory Cowles, Scott Brooks, Kristina Bilonick, Judy Jashinsky, Veronica Szalus.

Photography exhibit curated by Ten Miles Square:
Erin Antognoli, Amber Baum, James Calder, Chris Chen, Jason Colston, Max Cook, Brett Davis, Angela Kleis, Brian Knight, Marie Kwak, Amber Wiley, Pat Padua, Barry Schmetter, Alexandra Silverthorne, Matt Smith, Paivi Salonen, Steve Strawn, Sanjay Suchak, John Ulaszek, Brandon Wu, Josh Yospyn.

Lots of great restaurants to enjoy nearby at Barracks Row before or after you get your art on.

A collaboration between The Pink Line Project, Artomatic, and Capitol Riverfront BID.

Venues:
Velocity Condos, Axiom at Capital Yards, Onyx on First

Saturday-

See Bilal post for now. I know I'll get some info on more Saturday happenings in the next couple of days.

Sunday-



BLISSPOP
Night of Mayhem
Sunday, February 15
8pm-1am
Metropolitan
1847 Columbia Road (in Adam’s Morgan)
Washington, DC
Lower level of Napoleon Lounge

Will Eastman on the 1s and 2s doing it for Jade Floyd's B-day (What up Jade!). It's another year to do it better than the last time!