Kendrick Lamar: Compton's Own Performs In New York City At S.O.B.'s

Last night, Compton's own Kendrick Lamar played New York City for the first time specifically at Sounds of Brazil aka S.O.B.'s to a packed house. Did Kendrick live up to his already well known hype? Read the reviews below to find out.

Read the Village Voice concert review HERE

Read XXL concert review HERE

See photos from the show HERE

(video courtesy of Daddy Mac Of New York City)

Beat Society NYC 2011 Showcase

Recap from the event repesented in press release below:

(February 21, 2011 – Brooklyn, NY) Following a five-year hiatus, Beat Society, the premier producer showcase, presented by Soulspazm Records and Native Instruments' MASCHINE, made its grand return Saturday, February 12th at Tammany Hall in New York City. The event brought out a who's-who of hip-hop, with fans and spectators packing the 400-person venue for a sold out show.

Beat Society veteran SlopFunkDust kicked off the evening with a DJ set, followed by producer Taurus Scott, who treated fans to a set of his own, combining both Native Instruments' MASCHINE midi-controller and TRAKTOR DJ software in a live performance setup. Original Beat Society hosts Stef Tatz & Sao led the evening's proceedings, while DJ Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz maintained a presence throughout the showcase as the resident DJ. Amid performances from the Low Budget Crew, Fortilive, Malcolm & Martin, and Danny Brown, featured producers Don Cannon, Nottz, Buckwild, DJ Revolution, !llmind, and Khrysis took the stage, each taking turns playing a variety of beats from the personal collections.

Joining the jam-packed roster of scheduled producers and performers, surprise guests Rah Digga and Muhsinah came out, treating the crowd to special round of performances. "I think it's great that Beat Society showcases are back in full swing because it's good visual exposure for producers," says Digga. "Producing a track is as fundamental as rapping, and it's nice to see these creative geniuses showcase their talent, as well as putting a face to the name."

In addition to the producers, special guests, and surprise performers that graced the stage at Tammany Hall, a number of respected members of the hip-hop community and talent scouts came out to celebrate the return of Beat Society and take note of the rising talent. Sprinkled throughout the capacity crowd were the likes of Sha Money XL, DJ Enuff, Rsonist, Peter Rosenberg, Sean C (of Sean C & LV), Young Guru, Oddisee, Chace Infinte, Torae, Marco Polo, Emilio Rojas, Hezekiah, Emeka Obi of Hypebeast, Set Free of HighSnobiety, Datwon Thomas of VIBE magazine, and more. "Beat Society had a great hip-hop vibe I hadn't seen in a while," remarked Sha Money XL. "We need more events like this for the art and love of production and new artists."

Photos from the event:
Photo By Tone
High Snobiety

Raekwon 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang' NYC Listening Session Report

Raekwon Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang on Ice H20/EMI arrives March 8, 2011

via The Boombox

On Wednesday night, Raekwon mingled with media while previewing his latest project 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang,' due everywhere on March 8. Originally positioned as Wu-Tang Clan's RZA-less followup to '8 Diagrams,' Raekwon, who takes credit for the name of the project, grabbed his title and ran with it. Good thing, too.

Listening to the 17 cuts (not including the bonus tracks) on the album, Rae does justice to the kung fu theme with soundbites from vintage martial art films and theatrical beats that segue songs titled 'Chop Chop Ninja,' 'Butter Knives' and 'The Scroll.' While Rae is the clear star, he isn't scared to share the stage with a laundry list of guests, including Nas, Rick Ross, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Jim Jones, Lloyd Banks, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle, Black Thought and, as expected, Wu's Ghostface and Method Man. Ghost teams up with Rae on four tracks begging the question: When will we see a Chef and Ghost collaborative album?

As the room of bloggers and journalists chatted among themselves, took notes and tweeted, Rae stayed close to the speaker, eyes closed at times, and rapped his verses while bobbing his head to each track.

"We were tryna show y'all a little movie," Rae says of 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang.' The emcee succeeded. The conceptual project seems to work best through Rae's eyes making it easy to forgive the Clan for not releasing this as a group effort.

Tracklisting:
01. Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (prod. Scram Jones)
02. Every Soldier In the World ft. Method Man (prod. Erick Sermon)
03. Silver Rings ft. Ghostface Killah (prod. Cilvaringz)
04. Chop Chop Ninja ft. Ghostface Killah & Estelle (prod. Bluerocks)
05. Butter Knives (prod. Bronze Nazareth)
06. Snake Pond (prod. Selasi)
07. Crane Style ft. Busta Rhymes
08. Rock N Roll ft. Ghostface Killah & Jim Jones (prod. DJ Khalil)
09. Rich & Black ft. Nas (prod. Sean C & LV)
10. From the Hills ft. Method Man & Raheem DeVaughn (prod. Kenny Dope)
11. Last Trip to Scotland ft. Lloyd Banks (prod. Scram Jones)
12. Ferry Boat Killaz (prod. Alchemist)
13. Dart School (prod. Allah Mathematics)
14. Molasses ft. Rick Ross & Ghostface Killah (prod. Xtreme)
15. The Scroll (prod. Evidence)
16. Masters of Our Fate ft. Black Thought (prod. Tommy Nova)
17. Wu Chant (Outro)

(video courtesy of The Urban Daily)

Slaughterhouse NYC Performance

Photo links:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of Dallas Penn)

Black Rob - 'Ventilation' (video)

Music video from Black Rob's upcoming album, Game Tested, Street Approved. Ventilation is directed by Mazi O., produced by Puerto Roc and managed by Jemal from Off The Block Entertainment.

Decoded: Conversation With Jay-Z / Dr. Cornel West New York Public Library (Video)

via Fora.tv

Jay-Z 'Decoded' in-stores today!

Photo links:
Getty Images
Wire Image

Quincy Jones 'Q: Soul Bossa Nostra' NYC Album Release Party

As reported by Ann Lawlor for Showbiz 411

Oh Friday night (November 12th) at SL Nightclub, a mirrored bunker under Abe & Arthur’s shiny, glamorous restaurant. This used to be Lotus nightclub. It’s very hip on West 14th St.

Where else would you find Quincy Jones on a Friday night, getting a little salute for his new album, “Soul Bossa Nostra”? He’s 77, man, and he’s younger, cooler and more with it than just about anyone.

John Legend was already seated beside Q when we arrived, and there were about twenty young females jockeying for position–to be near Q. I asked him last winter what his age cut off for dating was, and the legendary musician and man about town replied: “I’m 77, and the two numbers cannot add up to more than 100.”

Amen.

Suddenly, Grace Hightower and her husband, Robert DeNiro, come in through a side door. Hightower, who is lovely and has a killer voice, hightails it over to Q. DeNiro changs back, orders a martini with extra vermouth and lemon rind from a waiter. “Lemon rind,” DeNiro reminds him. The guy looks like he’s going to have a brain hemorrhage trying to remember all the particulars of this drink. When he returns with it, he asks DeNiro if it’s right. The actor takes a sip, doesn’t look so happy. “It’s all right,” he says. He winds up leaving half of it behind.

More fun: Clive Davis arrives, also through the side door, with Nikki Haskell and friends. Clive is Q’s age, it’s 10pm, and he’s just come from dinner at Cipriani. The two take pictures together. They are the last of the real music men. Right now Clive has Rod Stewart, Santana, and Jamie Foxx on the charts. Quincy has Mary J Blige, Jennifer Hudson, and Akon on his album. These men are dangerous.

Now come the second wave: Anthony Mackie, who’s in the “24 Hour Plays” tonight, was the award winning co-star of “Half Nelson” and “The Hurt Locker” arrives with indefatigable manager Jason Spire. Mackie’s classically trained, Denzel 2.0. Quincy hugs him. Mackie tells us about the bar he’s opening in Crown Heights, Brooklyn this winter called No Bar. He’s building it himself. No kidding. Even the tables. He shows us pictures. Gorgeous.

Gayle King comes by, looking hot, discussing today’s (Monday’s) “Color Purple” reunion on Oprah with Quincy, who did the music way back in 1985. Says Gayle of her recent camping trip with Oprah: “I will never do that again.” I tell her: tents is a homonym for tense. Don’t forget that.

More from Q later this week. In the meantime, he’s got the album and a beautiful coffee table book out all about his music called “Q on Producing.” You can get it on amazon,’natch.

Photo links from the event:
Zimbio
Getty Images
Wire Image
WENN Photo

DJ Premier True Stories Radio Interview

DJ Premier recently sat down with the good folks at True Stories Radio to discuss his forthcoming compilation LP "Year Round Records: Get Used To Us" (which will be released on 12-7-2010) and everything else he has in store for 2010 and beyond (and more).

TRUTHLiVE& Moe Green CMJ Performance

TRUTHLiVE & Moe Green's freestyle recorded at Southpaw in Brooklyn, NYC at one of many CMJ's festivities that happened this October.

(video courtesy of SF's Distortion 2 Static)

Mark Ronson NYC Concert Recap Round-Up

As reviewed by Puja Patel / Village Voice

Mark Ronson & the Business Intl. played their second homecoming show last night (Tuesday - October 12, 2010) at Webster Hall. The cast of characters for both Ronson's new album and last night's show includes vocalists Alex Greenwald (of Phantom Planet) and Rose Elinor Dougall (of the Pipettes), Amanda Warner (a/k/a MNDR), rappers Q-Tip and Pill, and the surprising, warmly welcomed return of MC Spank Rock. It's an even weirder mix than his first full-length attempt, but if the new one's title, Record Collection, says anything, it's that his mash-up-DJ know-how has continued to translate into a smooth pop sensibility. Basically, if you can do a little bit of everything, and as long as it sounds cool, why not try?

Read the full concert review

Set-list:

Circuit Breaker
Just
Lose It
Ooh Wee
Oh My God
California
The Night Last Night
--- DJ Set---
Bump
Race Riot
Introducing the Business
Sparrow
Bang Bang Bang
Hey Boy
God Put A Smile
You Gave Me Nothing
Stop Me
Record Collection
------------------------
Bike Song
Valerie

Photos:
Flickr
Facebook pt.1
Facebook pt.2

(video courtesy of oxywally, FrostoEnt, TLCblogtube and terrence20)

Diesel's 'Only The Brave' NYC Concert with Common, Big Sean, Vado And Others

From last night's Diesel's 'Only The Brave' NYC Concert with Common, Big Sean, Vado And Donnis.

Despite the room (Gotham Hall NYC) sounding cavernous, the footage looks like a great event.

Photo Links:
Wire Image
Getty Images
PR Photos

(video footage courtesy of DJ Delz, DonjaiTV, Real Talk NY)

J. Cole Performs At 'NBA Elite' NYC Launch Party

via XXL

Basketball season is right around the corner, and that means a new set of NBA video games are gearing up to hit stores. Last night (September 23), in honor of the release of NBA Elite 11, the newest title from EA Sports, the gaming company, with the help of Project 2050, threw a launch party in New York City.

Guests in the house for the event, which was held near Herald Square, included J. Cole, Trae Tha Truth and 9th Wonder, all of whom performed. 9th held it down on the 1s and 2s for much of the night, while Trae and Cole both took to the stage to perform. Trae, who yesterday premiered on XXLMag.com a brand new track, “The Radio Won’t Play This,” from his upcoming album, treated the crowd to a performance of “Swang.” Shortly after, XXL Freshman Class of 2010 member J. Cole rocked a short set which included performances of “All I Want Is You,” “Who Dat,” “Star Is Born” and “Higher”

9th Wonder and J. Cole each contributed to the original soundtrack for the game, with the 9th handling the bulk of the tracks while his fellow North Carolina native crafted the game’s theme, “The Plan,” which hit the Internet earlier this week.

Photo link:
Wire Image

DJ Suss-One - 'Let 'Em Lay' Ft. Maino (video)

New York City's DJ Suss One aka The Feature Presentation releases the official video for his smash single "Let 'Em Lay," featuring Maino, and starring Jim Jones. Video directed by Broadway.

Photos from the set courtesy of DJ Suss.One below:

John Legend Live Performance At Grand Central Terminal NYC

In front of throngs of surprised New Yorkers passing through Grand Central Terminal today (Tuesday the 7th), Grammy award-winning artist John Legend gave an exclusive performance inside a replica of the new Courtyard by Marriott lobby. The singer/songwriter’s performance kicked off a two month long initiative designed to bring the new lobby concept to more travelers across the U.S. The ubiquitous brand is unveiling “lobby zones” just like the one in Grand Central in three major U.S. airports in Atlanta, Chicago and Denver on September 15.

Legend played one set, including “Wake Up Everybody” and “Ordinary People” inside the famed train station’s Vanderbilt Hall. As the crowd swelled, excited fans snapped photos on their cell phones, sharing the experience with their friends on social networks. To learn more about today’s kick off event, or to get more information about the airport lobby zones, guests can connect with Courtyard on the brand’s newly launched Facebook page, Twitter feed or blog, Courtyard Connections. (source)

See photo links of John Legend at this special performance in NYC:
Getty Images
Wire Image
Film Magic
PR Photos

Albe Back Performs Live At 'End Of The Weak' 10th Anniversary Concert NYC

End Of The Weak held their 10th Anniversary party at Highline Ballroom in NYC Friday September 3rd, where Homeboy Sandman, DMC of Run DMC and (above) Albe Back performed.

Check out the photos via Rule 4080 HERE

Read Birthplace's concert report HERE

(video footage courtesy of Birthplace Magazine)

J. Cole Live At J&R Music Fest. 2010 + Fan Meet & Greet

From this afternoon's J&R Music Fest show in NYC, J. Cole performing live and meeting his beloved fans.

Check out the photos HERE

(video courtesy of Fare Wello, baz 8701 & Eddie Napoleoni)

Marsha Ambrosius Performs New Track 'Late Nights & Early Mornings' Live At J&R Music Fest. NYC

Marsha Ambrosius was one of the featured performers today at media retailer J&R Music Fest.. premiering the title track from her upcoming album.

Check out the photos HERE

More footage below.



Marsha Ambrosius Late Nights & Early Mornings on J-Records slated to hit stores October 26.

(video courtesy of Beat Makers Edition & baz 8701)

Kanye West Angie Martinez HOT97 Interview

From Yesterday interview...

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.

Rick Ross Surprise Appearance At Heineken Inspire NYC Stop

via MTV

With a moniker like Teflon Don, you'd expect Rick Ross to be smooth. On Saturday (July 31), the Miami MC proved how slick he could be by surprising a room full of unsuspecting fans at an NYC show after rising rappers J. Cole and Wale hit the stage. Ross pulled the sneak attack at the NYC stop of the Heineken Inspire tour - a show which only advertised Cole, Wale and DJ D-Nice on the bill.

The crowd of hip-hop heads erupted when the Bawse rolled onstage at Manhattan's St. John's Center and spit his street record "Blowin' Money Fast (B.M.F.)." Casually cool in a simple black T-shirt, ropes of gold chains and his ever-present dark shades, Ross also ripped Teflon Don tracks "MC Hammer" and "Aston Martin Music." The Bawse didn't let the solo set stop him from dropping his electric verses from remixes such as Diddy-Dirty Money's "Hello Good Morning" and Waka Flocka Flame's "O Let's Do It." The hip-hop heavyweight also took it back with his debut hit, "Hustlin,'" and the crowd rhymed the lyrics along with the MC as he closed with a reprise of "B.M.F."

J. Cole fans rolled deep and throngs of the Fayetteville rapper's acolytes knew the words to many of the up-and-coming MC's songs, including "Who Dat," his guest verse on Jay-Z's "A Star Is Born" and "All I Want Is You," his soulful collaboration with R&B singer Miguel. Cole also performed "Premeditated Murder," a track that has been floating around the Web and is rumored to make the rapper's upcoming album.

Sporting green and white Nike kicks, DC MC Wale performed a medley of his tracks such as the Lady Gaga-assisted "Chillin'" and the Jazmine Sullivan collabo "World Tour." The star also got the crowd involved, briefly passing his mic to an audience member to spit some of the MC's lines. Ultimately, Folarin did most of the heavy lifting in the rhyming department and showed off his mic skills with a few a capella bars.

Photo link:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of MsLBTV)