I need to stop fakin' and buy a friggin' MPC. If I can't do anything else right when making a beat I know I can lay down some drums. I hope some, if not all, of you are familiar with this sample.
Exile - Funky Worm Chop from FWMJ on Vimeo.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Jadakiss - Letter to B.I.G.
I have yet to see the movie (I can hear booing in the distance) but it's really hard to get me out to the movies these days. Although, I'm a Biggie fan I'm not hard-pressed to see a movie about someone whose life I'm pretty educated on (more booing and maybe some inanimate objects heading my way). Nonetheless, I saw the joint on Trackhustle this morning and had to post because it's the best B.I.G. tribute song I've heard since '97. The song is on the NOTORIOUS soundtrack and will be on Kiss's new album The Last Kiss scheduled to be out on 3/10. He should've stuck with Kiss My Ass but I guess even the hardest dudes have to be a little P.C.
Some Authentic Sh*t for you tomorow
Authentic- conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features; made or done the same way as an original; not false or imitation; true to one's own personality, spirit, or character
Authentic Sh*t- A new monthly party that kicks off tomorrow (and every first Thursday to follow) at Wonderland Ballroom
Authentic Sh*t Hosted by Sneakers In The Club (Cuz ain't nothing wrong with wearing sneakers in a club IMO)
Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St. NW
Washington, DC
Every First Thursday of the month
10PM-2AM
You don't have to be a sneaker head to attend but if you're a DJ snob like me and want to dance then the three spinning at this event (Stereo Faith, Jerome Baker and Trevor Martin) will be worth you making an appearance.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Skinny Jeans Kids and other current trends people are upset over
Skinny Jeans Kids - a term we use at AT&T for the kids who keep coming into the DC stores and stealing our iPhone displays - Get a life you fucking fuck fucks! And I digress...
The real point of this story is the backlash at the individuals in the Hip Hop community who have started wearing clothes that fit and rocking not so conservative colors and hairstyles. I've read two blog posts since yesterday - one saying "let them wear what they want in peace" and another saying "any rapper (Black rappers that is) embracing mainstream fashion trends influenced by hipsters, punks and high-end fashion designers (just say White people please) is a fag".
I wanted to avoid being extremely opinionated on this blog but I couldn't hold it in anymore. Prior to 9/7/07, I was extremely opposed to wearing jeans slimmer than relaxed fit because I knew they would show off some curves that I wasn't really trying to show. It wasn't until a female friend coerced me that day (I remember because it was my birthday) into trying on a pair of skinny slouch Levi's. Them joints fit great! And since they were men's jeans, I didn't have the coochie cutter effect going on. So I was sold. You'll probably never catch me in an actual pair of skinny jeans because I think they only look good on skinny people. I've also had an abstract patterned haircut and I'd do it again if I didn't work at AT&T.
Now that I cater to the fitted style, I find myself defending this blast from the 80s look for myself and others very often. I get a pass from women, however because "I'm a girl" and apparently I should be wearing fitted clothes to show off my figure. Why do straight women always want to femme me up? Anyway, men who wear clothes that fit aren't gay - not all of them anyway. The dudes who started Hip Hop (I'm talking late 70s/early 80s) wore fitted clothes but since then have accepted a baggier look. Fine but clothes don't necessarily make the person. I have several gay male friends who look like they fit the police description of a Black male criminal and they wouldn't jump in bed with a woman to save their lives. As for the unconservative hairstyles and colors - it's refreshing to see people (especially in conservative DC) doing more than roller wraps, locs and caesars and wearing colors outside of black, white, and gray.
Fashion trends in the Black community have always been influenced by the mainstream fashion community at-large, which is pretty much made up of White people. Rappers and the fans who could afford it were rocking designer labels and skinny jeans 25 years ago, then there was a mass influx of rappers who entered the game with an awareness and concern for issues more pressing than fasshion. Then Puffy ushered in "bling" and all the consciousness and Africa medallions went out the window. Now, instead of wearing gold chains and Gucci sneakers, bammas were rocking platinum chains and Versace glasses. Yes we had come about five sizes away from skinny jeans, but still influenced by White fashion designers nonetheless.
Now as the first decade of the 21st Century draws to a close, we see 80s fashion and music not only taking hold in mainstream culture but also causing a transcendence of musical genres and socio-economic groups. The problem is that people who are upset about the direction that music and fashion are taking are just getting older and are set in their ways (kind of like our parents). How soon they forget how their parents would talk about when music was good whenever they heard us listening to Rap or Contemporary R&B of the 80s and 90s. How soon they forget about their parents not agreeing with them about why they need a pair of Jordans or telling them to pull their pants up. I haven't forgotten and that's why I can't even be mad. News Flash: Mainstream music never reverted back to being what our parents consider as being good when they were younger - it's not going to happen now.
Many of your favorite artists (and mine, too) from back in the day are still making music, you just won't hear or see them in heavy rotation if they're getting airplay at all. You can still wear YOUR clothes baggy and keep the colors and hairstyles conservative and the people whose style is the complete opposite won't think twice about commenting on it. So why do you?
The real point of this story is the backlash at the individuals in the Hip Hop community who have started wearing clothes that fit and rocking not so conservative colors and hairstyles. I've read two blog posts since yesterday - one saying "let them wear what they want in peace" and another saying "any rapper (Black rappers that is) embracing mainstream fashion trends influenced by hipsters, punks and high-end fashion designers (just say White people please) is a fag".
I wanted to avoid being extremely opinionated on this blog but I couldn't hold it in anymore. Prior to 9/7/07, I was extremely opposed to wearing jeans slimmer than relaxed fit because I knew they would show off some curves that I wasn't really trying to show. It wasn't until a female friend coerced me that day (I remember because it was my birthday) into trying on a pair of skinny slouch Levi's. Them joints fit great! And since they were men's jeans, I didn't have the coochie cutter effect going on. So I was sold. You'll probably never catch me in an actual pair of skinny jeans because I think they only look good on skinny people. I've also had an abstract patterned haircut and I'd do it again if I didn't work at AT&T.
Now that I cater to the fitted style, I find myself defending this blast from the 80s look for myself and others very often. I get a pass from women, however because "I'm a girl" and apparently I should be wearing fitted clothes to show off my figure. Why do straight women always want to femme me up? Anyway, men who wear clothes that fit aren't gay - not all of them anyway. The dudes who started Hip Hop (I'm talking late 70s/early 80s) wore fitted clothes but since then have accepted a baggier look. Fine but clothes don't necessarily make the person. I have several gay male friends who look like they fit the police description of a Black male criminal and they wouldn't jump in bed with a woman to save their lives. As for the unconservative hairstyles and colors - it's refreshing to see people (especially in conservative DC) doing more than roller wraps, locs and caesars and wearing colors outside of black, white, and gray.
Fashion trends in the Black community have always been influenced by the mainstream fashion community at-large, which is pretty much made up of White people. Rappers and the fans who could afford it were rocking designer labels and skinny jeans 25 years ago, then there was a mass influx of rappers who entered the game with an awareness and concern for issues more pressing than fasshion. Then Puffy ushered in "bling" and all the consciousness and Africa medallions went out the window. Now, instead of wearing gold chains and Gucci sneakers, bammas were rocking platinum chains and Versace glasses. Yes we had come about five sizes away from skinny jeans, but still influenced by White fashion designers nonetheless.
Now as the first decade of the 21st Century draws to a close, we see 80s fashion and music not only taking hold in mainstream culture but also causing a transcendence of musical genres and socio-economic groups. The problem is that people who are upset about the direction that music and fashion are taking are just getting older and are set in their ways (kind of like our parents). How soon they forget how their parents would talk about when music was good whenever they heard us listening to Rap or Contemporary R&B of the 80s and 90s. How soon they forget about their parents not agreeing with them about why they need a pair of Jordans or telling them to pull their pants up. I haven't forgotten and that's why I can't even be mad. News Flash: Mainstream music never reverted back to being what our parents consider as being good when they were younger - it's not going to happen now.
Many of your favorite artists (and mine, too) from back in the day are still making music, you just won't hear or see them in heavy rotation if they're getting airplay at all. You can still wear YOUR clothes baggy and keep the colors and hairstyles conservative and the people whose style is the complete opposite won't think twice about commenting on it. So why do you?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tabi Bonney performing "Rich Kids" at Pure (U St. NW DC)
Why is it that I always miss this type of stuff? And this song has really grown on me since I first heard it, too.
Tabi Bonney - Rich Kids (Live @ Pure DC) from jben.ok on Vimeo.
Tabi Bonney - Rich Kids (Live @ Pure DC) from jben.ok on Vimeo.
Grimey!
I was listening to a show on BBC Radio 1 online today. I got to hear a rapper from East London named Durrty Goodz whose forte is Grime Music. I was introduced to Grime Music late last year when I heard the Kano track "Hustler" on The Couch Sessions. That track alone, IMO, lives up to the genre's name.
Grime Music, according to everyone's favorite unofficial source of info Wikipedia, is described as being "typified by complex 2-step breakbeats, generally around 140 beats per minute and constructed from unorthodox sounds.[1] Stylistically, grime takes from many genres including UK Garage, dancehall and hip hop.[2] The lyrics and music combine futuristic electronic elements and dark, guttural bass lines". The music comes from London's East End (for those that don't know, that's the hood in London) and has a story very similar to Rap Music. The DJ of well-known Grime artist Dizzee Rascal says, "the biggest conflict I have is with major labels because they still don’t get it". He says that they just don't understand the value of grime, and more so UK music as a whole, as other countries do. Didn't U.S. recording labels say the same thing about Rap music back in the day? Now look at what they've done to the music. Many fans and critics in the UK also believe Grime Music will become watered-down and redundant as the genre gains more notoriety and international labels figure out how to market it.
All I have to say is I hope these U.K. artists have learned from our mistakes and won't get super-pimped by Rinky Dink Records.
Grime Music, according to everyone's favorite unofficial source of info Wikipedia, is described as being "typified by complex 2-step breakbeats, generally around 140 beats per minute and constructed from unorthodox sounds.[1] Stylistically, grime takes from many genres including UK Garage, dancehall and hip hop.[2] The lyrics and music combine futuristic electronic elements and dark, guttural bass lines". The music comes from London's East End (for those that don't know, that's the hood in London) and has a story very similar to Rap Music. The DJ of well-known Grime artist Dizzee Rascal says, "the biggest conflict I have is with major labels because they still don’t get it". He says that they just don't understand the value of grime, and more so UK music as a whole, as other countries do. Didn't U.S. recording labels say the same thing about Rap music back in the day? Now look at what they've done to the music. Many fans and critics in the UK also believe Grime Music will become watered-down and redundant as the genre gains more notoriety and international labels figure out how to market it.
All I have to say is I hope these U.K. artists have learned from our mistakes and won't get super-pimped by Rinky Dink Records.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Nice places to be, beautiful people to meet
With this being the first post of the month, what better way to start the month than to put y'all on to a few events happening at the top of February...
I was introduced to this monthly open mic event in January by a couple friends. I was leary as hell because I'm kinda not into open mics due to their redundancy and the fact that everyone thinks being able to create a rhyme makes you a poet...STOP. But dag nabbit if this joint didn't change my mind on sight. I walk in the door hearing a vicious female lyricist (RA The MC) and a beautiful notes from a songstress (Mz. Mimz). I also heard new poetry coming from mouths on faces I've never seen - and their shit was pretty good. The whole concept of the event is like that but I'm not going to rap y'all up trying to describe it. You gotta see for yourself...
Black Church Maraca feat. Carolyn Malachi
Saturday February 7th
7PM-11PM
2601 Douglas Place #203 (Yes this is someone's home and y'all ain't too good to go to SE either)
Washington, DC
$5 to chill
Food and Liquor (Open Bar)
1/2 of the Hyll Factor duo but holds her own very well, Mz. Mimz. Typically, the little people (I mean that in the most non-offensive way possible) I meet have something very big about their personalities. Mz. Mimz has a voice, a big one that should be heard....for real...all jokes aside....I'm dead ass...no bullshit. Sike naw but for real go check her show at Haydee's Lounge also on Saturday, February 7th.
Mz. Mimz LIVE!
Haydee's Lounge (Like one minute before Walter Reed)
6303 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC
Show starts @ 8
Performance $150 value and you can get in for ONLY $10
Valentine's Day is coming up and people are making reservations for prix-fixe Valentine's Day dinners, buying roses, candy and silk draws and lingerie among other Valentine's Day traditions. The second installment of The Glass House, "Love Notes", says to heck with that crap and is embracing the simplicity of that crazy emotion called LOVE (Singing "Four Page Letter" in my head right now). Not only can writing a love note be more meaningful but it's also very recession-friendly! Doing it at Jin again this month (Shouts to Chris, Jonathan, Milton, Lauren and Kat) so I know most of y'all are familiar with locale.
Bring your man, bring your girl, yourself or your homies. I'm going stag myself so don't trip if you're without a boo this year.
Love Notes
Jin Lounge
2017 14th St. NW (Next door to Busboys and Poets)
Washington, DC
6PM-10PM
No Cover All Night
$5 Happy Hour Drinks and Appetizers 'til 8
Supa Qool DJ Uncle Q @ 8
Spinnin' Old School Classics, Hip-Hop, Soul and House
Dress Code - Cool, Calm and Collective
I was introduced to this monthly open mic event in January by a couple friends. I was leary as hell because I'm kinda not into open mics due to their redundancy and the fact that everyone thinks being able to create a rhyme makes you a poet...STOP. But dag nabbit if this joint didn't change my mind on sight. I walk in the door hearing a vicious female lyricist (RA The MC) and a beautiful notes from a songstress (Mz. Mimz). I also heard new poetry coming from mouths on faces I've never seen - and their shit was pretty good. The whole concept of the event is like that but I'm not going to rap y'all up trying to describe it. You gotta see for yourself...
Black Church Maraca feat. Carolyn Malachi
Saturday February 7th
7PM-11PM
2601 Douglas Place #203 (Yes this is someone's home and y'all ain't too good to go to SE either)
Washington, DC
$5 to chill
Food and Liquor (Open Bar)
1/2 of the Hyll Factor duo but holds her own very well, Mz. Mimz. Typically, the little people (I mean that in the most non-offensive way possible) I meet have something very big about their personalities. Mz. Mimz has a voice, a big one that should be heard....for real...all jokes aside....I'm dead ass...no bullshit. Sike naw but for real go check her show at Haydee's Lounge also on Saturday, February 7th.
Mz. Mimz LIVE!
Haydee's Lounge (Like one minute before Walter Reed)
6303 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC
Show starts @ 8
Performance $150 value and you can get in for ONLY $10
Valentine's Day is coming up and people are making reservations for prix-fixe Valentine's Day dinners, buying roses, candy and silk draws and lingerie among other Valentine's Day traditions. The second installment of The Glass House, "Love Notes", says to heck with that crap and is embracing the simplicity of that crazy emotion called LOVE (Singing "Four Page Letter" in my head right now). Not only can writing a love note be more meaningful but it's also very recession-friendly! Doing it at Jin again this month (Shouts to Chris, Jonathan, Milton, Lauren and Kat) so I know most of y'all are familiar with locale.
Bring your man, bring your girl, yourself or your homies. I'm going stag myself so don't trip if you're without a boo this year.
Love Notes
Jin Lounge
2017 14th St. NW (Next door to Busboys and Poets)
Washington, DC
6PM-10PM
No Cover All Night
$5 Happy Hour Drinks and Appetizers 'til 8
Supa Qool DJ Uncle Q @ 8
Spinnin' Old School Classics, Hip-Hop, Soul and House
Dress Code - Cool, Calm and Collective
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