Kanye West At Today's Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival With Q-Tip And His Tribe

Performing A Tribe Called Quest classic 'Award Tour' during Q-Tip's set with some assistance from Kanye West.



(video courtesy of ulloa84)

Tanya Morgan L.A. Times Interview

L.A. Times: So what's the current status of the new record?

Von Pea: We’re like 10 songs in. Right now, they’re in the demo phase. We have 10 to 15 more to do before we're a go yet. It doesn't have a running theme or a concept yet. However, based on our experiences performing, we know that we're going to have to get in front of people and play these songs without apologizing for not having a guest, or trying to explain what the songs are about.

Donwill: We wanted to make an album based on emotion and feeling, as opposed to one overarching concept.

L.A. Times: You guys were part of the first wave of groups forming over shared interests and musical tastes over the Internet. There's been a variety of stories I've read about how you guys originally decided to become Tanya Morgan. How exactly did it come about?

Von Pea: It was us, Foreign Exchange, Little Brother, and a couple other guys, and we were all on Okayplayer -- this was before the blogs and before MySpace. So we decided to put music on Okayplayer to share with the other artists, in an effort to get a footprint in the game. It was through necessity if we wanted to work together. None of us had the money to go to North Carolina or Cincinnati, and certainly not the Netherlands.

Don: It was a bunch of people interested in the same kind of music. A person’s kind of interest and musical taste is important, and it was a place where we could discuss snare drums and studio gear. We were all just trying to find cost-effective ways to record our own material, and that’s what led to me and Von talking in the first place. We’d sit around and discover production tools and discover that camaraderie.

Read the full interview HERE

Talib Kweli -'I'm On One' (video)

From Talib's upcoming release Gutter Rainbows - I'm the One. Produced by KHRYSIS!. Gutter Rainbows on Javotti Media/3D is only available on digital formats at this time. To pre-order the full album on iTunes go here.

Director: Niim The Dream. Editing: Sully Reed (Sergio Ramirez)

Producers L & X Music On Crafting The J. Cole 'In The Morning' Beat

via crate kings

Brooklyn production duo L & X Music share their thoughts and experiences on crafting the beat for J. Cole 'In The Morning' featuring Drake on the Friday Night Lights mixtape. What are their thoughts on music programs, FL Studios, Logic and gear like the AKAI MPC, Yamaha Motif, Open Labs Neko, using live instrumentation and more.

Talib Kweli 'Gutter Rainbows' Track List And Press Release With Features & Production Credits

Gutter Rainbows Album Out January 25th, 2011 on Javotti Media/3D

Digital-Only in North America / All Formats in the rest of the world.

On Reflection Eternal’s 2000 album “Train of Thought,” Talib Kweli challenged fans, and himself, to “do what comes naturally.” After years of recording on mainstream labels, he now has the chance to produce exactly what he wants—and feels he needs—to produce: an album straight from his mouth to the ears of his fans. Invoking the true meaning of MC, Master of Ceremonies, Kweli brings incredible power to his live shows and feeds off the spontaneous energy of his audiences. Being able to interact directly with his audience and the musicians he most respects, he has created an album and a sound that best reproduces that ceremony for his fans. Finally, after serious urgency in the studio, Kweli presents ‘Gutter Rainbows,’ an album that takes a trip back to childhood while marking the newest stage in his long and dynamic career. This newest release, recorded on his time and with his talent as the driving force, proves Kweli is a complete and formidable musician—it presents the depth and breadth of his experience and ability, and sets a new bar for the cutting edge of hip-hop music.

Through Kweli’s various collaborations, he has been able to grow as an artist and expand his fan base. For over 15 years, Kweli has been a king of New York hip-hop who has an expansive international audience. Kweli’s work with Mos Def on “Black Star” (1998) still stands as one of hip-hop’s premiere expressions of truth. On “Train of Thought,” Kweli teamed up with Hi Tek to form Reflection Eternal, a virtuoso hip-hop duo that continues to wow audiences and critics alike. In 2007, Kweli and DJ/Producer/MC Madlib gave their fans “Liberation”—originally released free on the internet—an album that was filled with their joint love of the music they make and the respect their fans give them. Performing all over the world with unique style and an unequaled dedication to his music, Kweli has worked with artists as diverse as Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, MF Doom, Mary J. Blige, Fabolous, Common, Nelly, The Roots, Quincy Jones, Gucci Mane, Norah Jones, KRS-One and many more. With a career filled with success and innovation, it comes as no surprise that both Jay-Z and 50 Cent, at the height of their stardom, both counted Kweli among their favorite rappers. On his “solo” albums, there is no question that his lyrical talent and unique musical drive rank up there with the best in the business. Recording with other world famous musicians or alone on the mic, Kweli gives both the long-time fan and the uninitiated an unforgettable experience.

“Gutter Rainbows” was recorded with the help of incredibly talented musicians from across the country. Eric Krasno, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady, Iron Solomon, Outasight, Kendra Ross, Sean Price, 88-Keys, Marco Polo, Ski Beatz, M-Phazes, S-1, E. Jones, Oh No and others make appearances. With this record, Kweli is able to make the music he knows and loves, play with the best musicians around, and bring it straight to his fans.

As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Kweli saw gutters that ran with dirt, oil and water, revealing a shimmering rainbow to his child’s eyes. Drawing its title from this memory, this album puts at the raw center what his music has been doing for years: finding and preserving the beautiful in the hideous; the rainbows in the gutter. Weaving the lyrical and the gritty, the autobiographical with an honest, no-holds- barred hip-hop spirit; Kweli sticks fiercely to what feels true to him in creating the sound of this album. Without being tied to any particular label’s conception of what his sound should be or when his work should hit his fans, Kweli is free to build his most personal album yet in both content and motivation. Kweli’s true solo career has only just begun, and although the future holds more collaboration, “Gutter Rainbows” marks a new stage in the long and ever-evolving career of Talib Kweli.

Album Track Listing:

01. After The Rain (prod. by 88-Keys)
02. Gutter Rainbows (prod. by M-Phazes)
03. So Low (prod. by Shuko)
04. Palookas feat. Sean Price (prod. by Marco Polo)
05. Mr. International feat. Nigel Hall (prod. by S1)
06. I’m On One (prod. by KHRYSIS!)
07. Wait For You feat. Kendra Ross (prod. by S1)
08. Ain’t Waiting feat. Outasight (prod. by 6th sense)
09. Cold Rain (prod. by Ski Beatz)
10. Friends & Family (prod. by E. Jones)
11. Tater Tot (prod. by Nick Speed)
12. How You Love Me feat. Blaq Toven (prod. by Blaq Toven)
13. Uh Oh feat. Jean Grae (prod. by Oh No)
14. Self Savior feat. Chace Infinite (prod. by Maurice Brown)



To purchase 'Cold Rain' at iTunes HERE

Boot Camp Click In Paris

Boot Camp Click in Paris last Thursday for a show at La Bellevilloise.

More footage at the French hip hop site Rap-Engage-Conscient HERE



(video courtesy of Tony Steele & Inflamable92G)

Sean Price Okayplayer Feature Interview

It’s the mid 80s, and Mike Tyson is back in Brooklyn. Yet to fight Trevor Berbick and win the WBC Title, the fighter is taking some time out, kicking it with his boys outside a building in the spot where he grew up, Brownsville. He’s perched on a parked car when he’s approached by a scruffy kid.

“Yo, you gotta get off my mom’s car!” says the kid to the one of the scariest fighters on earth.

Tyson looks at him: “Come here, shorty,” he says.

“In my hood, it’s a demotion for somebody to send you to the store,” laughs Sean Price as he remembers his run-in with Tyson. “He took my Bon Ton potato chips [and] told me to go to the store for him – and I went! But he gave me $20 though. That was a lot back then…”

Price might be one of the grimiest, rawest MCs you’ll ever hear, but he loves stories. Not only about the time Tyson robbed him, but about everything from working with soulful, distinctly un-gutter producers like 9th Wonder (“You know what 9th do? He leave me the beat and get out the room!”) to the birth of his daughter, also named Sean. (His best babycare tip? “Do what your wife tell you and shut up! I’m dead serious. She the boss. You wanna get along, just do what she saying! That’s it. Makes for better sleep!”)

One wonders what Tyson would say if he found that his name graces Sean’s upcoming LP, Mic Tyson. “I don’t know [what he’d say]. I don’t care what he’d say, but if I see him before the album drops, I’ll tell him. We’ll see what he says!”

Sean Price occupies an odd position in the game. He’s one of the most respected MCs in rap, with several critically acclaimed solo records under his belt, an astounding group rep and one of the best records as a guest rapper in the game. It would be very difficult to find a hip-hop head who doesn’t respect him and his body of work. On the other hand, while he might not rock the Brokest Rapper tag anymore, he’s not exactly rolling in it. His dedication to ultra-hardcore street rap and his refusal to deviate from his aggressive, thundering flow has meant that while he’s kept a core audience, he’s not always drawn in new listeners. You can see this in the way he describes his new record: to put it bluntly, he won’t be altering his style one iota.

“I have no idea [what I’m doing different]. That’s for the people to decide!” he laughs. “Mic Tyson is really Mike Tyson – I’m here to fuck shit up. The game, people, everybody. Lyrically and physically if I have to! That’s what Mic Tyson is about: just fucking shit up. You don’t know what you’re gonna get with a Mic Tyson fight. You don’t know if you’re gonna get a good fight, if you’re gonna get knocked out. You don’t know if he gonna beat the shit outta somebody who got nothin’ to do with the fight…"

Read the full interview feature here:
Okayplayer - Sean Price

Mark Ronson 'Record Collection' Album Overview With Rolling Stone

Doing pre-production with the Dap-Kings while working in Brooklyn, album appearances with Ghostface and Q-Tip, learning about 70's and 80's synth sounds from Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran, sounds like Mark Ronson's upcoming album Record Collection will offer something new to serve everyones musical taste.

via Rolling Stone

Producer Mark Ronson stepped out of his comfort zone for his upcoming album Record Collection: In addition to relocating the recording from his native London to Brooklyn, Record Collection finds Ronson penning original tracks and not updating covers like he did on his previous solo album Version. He also swapped out the soul and brass sounds he's become known for with vintage synthesizer hooks, and even steps in front of the microphone for a pair of songs. "I kind of didn't mind the way my voice sounded," Ronson tells Rolling Stone in the Fall Fashion showcase in our latest issue.

Go behind the scenes of Ronson's fashion shoot in exclusive footage above, which also features his Business Intl. collaborators Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet, Rose Dougall and up-and-comer Amanda "MNDR" Warner, who features on Ronson's summer hit "Bang Bang Bang." In the video, Ronson talks about his Duran Duran-inspired shift to a synth-heavy sound, his fast-paced jet-set lifestyle and working with Q-Tip, Ghostface Killah and Spank Rock along with Brit icons like Duran Duran's Simon LeBon and Boy George on Record Collection, due out this fall.

Trek Life Announces 'Everything Changed Nothing' New Album Out July 27

via the press release

(July 13, 2010 – Brooklyn, NY) California bred emcee Trek Life is excited to announce the release of his latest album, Everything Changed Nothing. Produced entirely by Oddisee, the album will be released July 27th via Mello Music Group.

The album is the culmination of years of collaboration between Trek and producer Oddisee that began with the remixes of Price I've Paid, Trek's debut LP. Undaunted by the thousands of miles separating them, the pair have crafted yet another example of how a producer and an artist with the right chemistry can maintain a winning streak. "We both knew exactly what we were trying to do from the beginning," explains Trek. "Oddisee is a producer in every sense of the world. He had a direction and it was my job to manifest it lyrically." Oddisee's sonic backdrop invoked a verbal assault from Trek that remains raw, and unapologetic throughout the album as Trek sheds light on the "ugly nature of the world" with his gritty but poignant lyricism.

"So Supreme", the album's lead single has generated a powerful buzz. The track was featured on ESPN recently for the network's coverage of the Stanley Cup and NBA Playoffs. The track was a perfect fit for video clips that thrive on ideas of competition and perseverance; with a hard-hitting beat and aggressive rhymes complimenting the action on screen. In regards to Trek's original intent of the track, he says, "This song is really just re-establishing my footing as an emcee. Strictly raw rhymes." Certainly having the lead single of your new album catch the attention of the world's premier sports broadcasting network is a good early indication of the album's merit.

The album's title stems from the emcee's role as a father. Speaking affectionately of his daughter, Trek says, "I was thinking how much she means to me and how she's literally everything I ever wanted, but the reality is life, in general, goes on." The album speaks to the real life of nearly everyone. The personal struggles, trials and tribulations quite simply don't act as roadblocks to the freight train that is life. It’s a sobering fact that Trek seems to have a good handle on. On tracks like "So LA" and the soul-scorching "Jump Out There" Trek makes clear his reality-to-fantasy ratio is stacked well in favor of the former. Gritty tracks of urban reality cross-pollinate with songs that deal with romantic desire such as the Bootsy Collins inspired "I'd Rather Be".

Much as rock groups had classic line-ups lending to their defining sound, many of hip-hop's classic recordings were a result of the pairing of producers and emcees that simply shared an undeniable chemistry. From the legendary DJ Premier and GURU of Gangstarr to Pete Rock and CL Smooth, duos with a history of building towards developing a distinct sound have often won out in the long run. Oddisee and Trek Life carry on the tradition of keeping a close-knit group dynamic together resulting in the production of a coherent and consistent effort.

Trek Life Everything Changed Nothing, produced entirely by Oddisee, drops July 27th via Mello Music Group.

Hear "So Supreme" lead single from 'Everything Changed Nothing'

Purchase the single "So Supreme" from iTunes.

Skyzoo & Illmind 'Frisbees'

After last year's The Salvation, Crown Heights native son Skyzoo teams up with producer and beat crafter Illmind. 'Frisbees' is our first taste from their upcoming project Live From The Tape Deck.

Skyzoo & ILLMIND "Frisbees" by duckdown

Skyzoo & Illmind Live From The Tape Deck on Duck Down/Jamla expected to drop October 26.

If you're in the New York Tri-State today see Skyzoo & Illmind performing this record for the first time live on stage at BB KINGS for Duck Down's 15 Year Anniversary show. Other artists performing include Pharoahe Monch, Boot Camp Clik featuring Sean Price, Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Black Moon & Heltah Skeltah, Kidz In The Hall, Skyzoo, Marco Polo, Torae, & Ruste Juxx.

Special guest artists performing include: Talib Kweli, Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes), Immortal Technique, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Pete Rock, Styles P, Masta Ace, Jean Grae, Large Professor, Statik Selektah, Team Facelift, Afu Ra, Jahdan, Hurricane G, Tony Touch, ILLMIND, Cuban Linx, Donnis & more.

Doors open at 6PM to ALL AGES! From 6PM to 8PM, a HOT 97 x Duck Down MC Battle will take place featuring 8 finalists in 4 rounds of single elimination competition.

Sean Price - Let Me Tell You (video)

as seen on 2 Dope Boyz

BluRoc Festival At The Brooklyn Bowl Recap

Photos:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of Visual high life & Creative Control)

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek: Reflection Eternal Interview With L.A. DJ Reflex

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal Revolutions Per Minute on Blacksmith/Warner Bros. in-stores now!

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek: Reflection Eternal 'Revolutions Per Minute' Full Album Stream

Click below for the stream via Entertainment Weekly:
Reflection Eternal - Revolutions Per Minute

'Revolutions Per Minute' tracklisting:

01. RPM's
02. Back Again ft. Res
03. City Playgrounds
04. Strangers ft. Bun B
05. In This World
06. Got Work (Fame)
07. Midnight Hour ft. Estelle
08. In the Red
09. Lift'in Off
10. Black Gold Intro (The Black Gold Countdown)
11. Ballad of the Black Gold
12. Just Begun ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole and Mos Def
13. Long Hot Summer
14. Get Loose ft. Chester French
15. So Good
16. Ends ft. Bilal
17. Outro

Reflection Eternal: Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek Revolutions Per Minute on Blacksmith/Warner Bros. arrives May 18.

Red Cafe Signs With Bad Boy Interscope Officially Announced Preps 'Red October' New Album

via the press release

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 5 -- BAD BOY/INTERSCOPE RECORDS announced today the signing of rapper Red Cafe to their new label partnership which was cemented late last year. Red Cafe is preparing for the release of his debut album, Red October. His current single, "I'm Ill" features Fabolous and is produced by hot newcomer Boi-1da (Drake's "Best I Ever Had," "Forever" and "Over," and Eminem's new single "Not Afraid"). The video, directed by Edwin Decena, has jumped to the #9 spot today on BET's 106th & Park.

Red October will be co-executive produced by Diddy and Akon. "I'm so excited. I've got the best of both worlds," stated Red Cafe. "Diddy representing the streets and Akon bringing a worldly perspective to the project."

"Today, I can officially announce the signing of Red Cafe to the Bad Boy/Interscope family. Red's lyrical skill and passion is unique," says Sean "Diddy" Combs. "Red's raw talent brings a new sound and fresh perspective from the streets. I look forward to him sharing his talent with the world."

De La Soul Headlines The 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

via the press release

Brooklyn, NY, April 29th, 2010 - Brooklyn Bodega, producers of the 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (BHF), is excited to announce this year's headliner - De La Soul.

Since 1989, De La Soul (Pos, Dave and Mase) have been a cornerstone of Hip-Hop music and culture. From the groundbreaking album "3 Feet High and Rising" to "Grind Date" De La is simply one of the best to ever do it.

"To be honest, we have been trying to get De La Soul to headline the Festival since we first came up with the idea in 2005. On many levels they are the perfect flag bearers for our mission to use Hip-Hop as an agent of change. For over 20 years they have traveled the world inspiring MC's, producers, DJ's and fans alike. I can think of no better artist to usher the Festival into its new home in Brooklyn Bridge Park." - Wes Jackson, Executive Director, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

In past years, the Festival has featured headliners such as Brand Nubian (2005), Big Daddy Kane (2006), Ghostface Killah (2007), KRS-ONE (2008) and Pharoahe Monch (2009). This year, De La Soul will be the anchor of the six-day-long Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, performing on Saturday, July 10th alongside a variety of Old School, New School, Funk, Soul, local and International artists on the DUMBO waterfront.

Mos Def Live At Shepherd's Bush Empire In London, UK Concert Review

As reviewed by Jasmine Phull at Skiddle.com from Thursday night's April 15 show At Shepherd's Bush Empire London, UK.

Amidst a decadent display of red and white roses and under a flood of moody red lighting, the lyrical genius introduced himself. "My name is Yasin Dante Terrell Smith-Bey, known to many across the world as Mos Def".

It was a formal introduction that began an hour-long blaze of songs from the rapper’s newest work The Ecstatic, all the while punctuated with tunes from his earlier albums.

Donning thin braces, a cap and a fully grown beard the ‘Boogyman’ gripped an old school microphone before kicking it off with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-like ‘Supermagic’, laced with a winding guitar and rock ‘n roll inflexions.



With swagger and presence the hip-hop flavoured stylings continued with the Madlib-produced ‘Auditorium’, ‘Priority’ and ‘Life in Marvelous Times’. It was a show fuelled by heavy funk, hooks and samples. ‘Quiet Dog’ saw Mos Def manning a massive drum-kit; bashing out a rapturous rhythm while simultaneously rapping. It was an example of his unorthodox approach to hip hop yet left some a little bored and less than bemused.

A unanimous sea of head-nods was in full swing when classics including beat-laden ‘Mathematics’ and song ‘Hip Hop’ - with its lyrical prowess: "Speech is my hammer, bang the world into shape" - took centre stage.

Those that came to hear Mos Def circa ‘99's ‘Black on Both Sides’ were finally in their element. The veteran mused about opening a ‘24-hour karate school’ before dropping a new tune of the same name. The audience instantly took to the ravenous rhythm, excited at the prospect of an impending fifth album.

Through charm, humour and a sage-like approach, the sometime thespian, well known for his recent role in Michel Gondry’s film Be Kind Rewind, proved to be a garrulous and gracious host. "You could have been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with us".

Not one to shy away from gratitude he constantly thanked the crowd for their presence: "Thank you for spending your money and most importantly time". Yet on occasions it became gratuitous, lessening his resonance as the Mighty Mos Def; hip hop extraordinaire.

Joined only by a trusty duo of DJs, the Brooklyn MC would have better benefited from an accompanying live band; at times the stage seemed bare and his charismatic performance and surprisingly great vocal range struggled to rescue the stage from a slight lacklustre.

For someone who in the past revelled as a witty wordsmith, it seems the beat maverick has become more about the percussion - his vocals taking a back-seat. The Ecstatic showcases his trademark experimental vision in which the MC acts as an accompaniment rather than a hedonistic front-man. Mos Def has managed to champion and revitalise the rap game while maintaining artistic respect for the culture that made him who he is today; a hip-hop ambassador.

more fan shot video below.







(video courtesy of Ela1994SI & Moodkid)

Sean Price Paid Dues 2010

Sean Price at the 5th annual Paid Dues Festival in San Bernardino, CA this past weekend (Saturday, April 3) with Duck Down co-founder/owner Dru Ha behind the decks.

Kon & Amir On Amoeba's What's In My Bag

Also, Kon & Amir have a new collection coming April 27 called Kon & Amir Present: Off Track Vol. III: Brooklyn on Studio !K7. A 2 disc collection chock full of deep cuts and obscure funk & disco classics. The boys do not disappoint.

Red Bull Thre3Style Showcase With Mos Def SXSW 2010 Austin, TX

At last night's (Saturday, March 20) Red Bull Thre3Style Event Showcase with Mos Def, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spider, DJ Klever, J.Rocc, Cut Chemist and DJ Juan McLean took place downtown Austin, TX.

Photo links:
Austin 360 - Austin Statesman
Michael E. Baldon's blog

(video courtesy of BonnarooHenry)