Beeda Weeda - 'Hella Sh*t / Top Boyz' (video)

Order the Beeda Weeda track Hella Sh*t from iTunes here

Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley & Nas Live In Oakland, CA Concert Recap

As reported by By Jim Harrington / Oakland Tribune

It worked.

Many believed the pairing of controversial rapper Nas and reggae star Damian "Junior Gong" Marley had potential. Yet, only a true Pollyanna, one with little experience in these types of cross-genre collaborations, could've predicted that the results would turn out as satisfying as what was witnessed on Tuesday night at the Fox Theater.

It was especially impressive given that this co-headlining tour, which features both men onstage at the same time, is only the fourth date on the trek, yet the duo has already managed to strike a near seamless blend of hip-hop and reggae. It's probably safe to say that the 36-year-old rapper and the 31-year-old son of Bob Marley put in plenty of rehearsal time.

The Fox (on Tuesday, May 25) show sold out only one day before the event, yet there were dozens of people trying to buy tickets outside the venue. Scalpers were having a field day, demanding (and getting) nearly four times the original ticket price of $39.50.

Late but urgent demand for tickets is standard operating procedure for these two genres. Also credit the recent release of the duo's album, "Distant Relatives," which hit stores last week.

The 2,800 people who managed to score seats — a colorful mix of hip-hop fans in heavy sports gear, wannabe Rastafarians wearing Marley shirts and other music lovers — were sure glad they did.

After a few opening acts — including a DJ that went on so long I nearly got carpal tunnel simply from watching the guy work — Marley and Nas took the stage 45 minutes late and delivered a nearly two-hour set of mostly killer tunes.



Junior Gong, sporting a bundle of dreadlocks that hung below his knees, and Nas, looking sharp in dark sunglasses and a black Oakland A's cap, nicely blended their distinctive voices as they rocked out, accompanied by a nine-piece band, plus (at times) two dancers and (always) a tenacious dude waving a huge Jamaican flag.

Marley, a three-time Grammy winner best known musically for his 2005 smash single "Welcome to Jamrock," provided plenty of sun-splashed moments on the microphone. His sweet delivery found an unlikely complement in Nas' harder-edged, often quite dark raps. Together, they drove home a sense of urgency to "Africa Must Wake Up," "Leaders" and "Dispear."

Nas — who proclaimed that "Hip Hop is Dead" with the title of his 2006 album, then went on to do everything in his power to prove himself wrong — had some deliriously good solo moments. The tongue twisters he delivered in such tracks as "Hate Me Now" and "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)," showed why he's considered such a force in hip-hop.

The duo closed out the main set with a tremendous take on "Welcome to Jamrock," then put an exclamation point on the evening with an uplifting encore of Bob Marley's great "Could You Be Loved."

Nas and Junior Gong might be "Distant Relatives," but this is one family get-together that hip-hop and reggae fans won't want to miss.

Photos:
Oakland Tribune

(video courtesy of Always Hustle)

Alicia Keys Live In Oakland, CA Concert Review

As reported by Jim Harrington / Oakland Tribune

Alicia Keys first wanted us to know that she's a survivor.

The 29-year-old singer-songwriter-pianist opened her concert Saturday night (April 10) at the Oracle Arena with a recorded message. She spoke with passion to the packed house in Oakland about all the naysayers who once said she'd never make it in show business. The unspoken moral to the story, we were left to assume, is that good things happen to people who don't give up on themselves.

The underdog role was an odd choice for Keys. This lovely, multitalented musician had a record contract before she was 20. Were we really supposed to believe she faced the same odds on her road to success as this article does for a Pulitzer Prize? If anything, the opposite seems to be true — when she made her debut in 2001, with the eventual Grammy-winning "Songs in A Minor," Keys seemed destined for stardom.

Still, she continued to beat the drum of the downtrodden when she finally made her entrance in Oakland. The R&B/soul singer appeared in a cage, one she finally freed herself from by bending back a bar and slithering out the opening. The star then hustled through some "Thriller"-style moves, accompanied by three other dancers, while her nine-piece band pumped up "Love is Blind."

Sure, that opening segment tied directly into the trek's title, "The Freedom Tour," which takes its name from Keys' fourth platinum studio affair, last year's "The Element of Freedom." Yet it was also a garish, over-the-top start, one that concertgoers might expect to see from such drama queens as Britney Spears, Madonna and Sarah Brightman.

Now on her fourth concert tour, Keys still hasn't found a way to make big production numbers work for her.

Fortunately, just about everything else does.

Keys is at her best when she's not operating in a Beyonce-like swirl of dancers, video segments and flashing lights. Thanks to her substantial musical chops, she doesn't need any of that stuff. All she has to do is sit at the piano and sing from the heart.

She did that on several occasions during the show, but not enough.

Four songs into the set, Keys, who now sports a tightly curled hairdo, hit her first home run of the night as she moved to the keyboard and belted out the tear-jerker ballad "Fallin'." She didn't fare so well with the next number, "Another Way to Die," which found her matching modest jazz vocal scats with cliche-rich riffs by the lead guitarist.

That was followed by a stiff dance routine and some military-themed costumes, both of which appeared to have been borrowed from Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" world tour. Keys seemed horribly out of place in this commotion, but she found her spot when she sat down at the grand piano and coaxed out a precious solo version of "Pray for Forgiveness."

That's basically how it went all night. She faltered in her attempts to goose the up-tempo numbers with plenty of eye candy, only to succeed as few others can by conjuring up more intimate moments.

The one exception came during the encore, as Keys managed to mix the best of both worlds in a high-concept take on "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" that was rich with emotion and feeling.

Not to be a naysayer, but here's hoping Keys won't let that one bit of success guide her thinking when she's putting together her next tour.

Photo links:
Oakland Tribune
Wire Image

Alicia Keys 2010 Element of Freedom Tour Dates:

4/29 - Lisbon, Portugal - Pavilhao Atlantico
5/1 - Ischgl, Austria - Ski Resort
5/2 - Verona, Italy - Arena
5/4 - Marseille, France - Le Dome
5/7 - Berlin, Germany - O2 Arena
5/8 - Arnhem, Netherlands - Gelredome
5/9 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle - Messe Frankfurt
5/12 - Hamburg, Germany - Color Line Arena
5/13 - Oberhausen, Germany - Konig - Pilsener Arena
5/15 - Merksem, Belgium - Sportpaleis Antwerpen
5/17 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion Zurich
5/19 - Birmingham, UK - The NIA
5/21 - Dublin, Ireland - The O2 Dublin
5/23 - Glasgow, UK - S.E.C.C.
5/25 - London, UK - The O2 - London
5/26 - London, UK - The O2 - London
5/29 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Evening News Arena
5/31 - Paris, France - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
6/2 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
6/4 - Lyon, France - Halle Tony Garnier

(video courtesy of DeanOSupremo32)

Souls Of Mischief - SB.TV Freestyle Session (video)

Currently promoting their latest effort Montezuma's Revenge, Souls Of Mischief deliver a one of a kind freestyle on UK hip hop affiliate SB.TV.

Souls of Mischief Montezuma's Revenge in stores and online now.

Street Sweeper Social Club Perform M.I.A. 'Paper Planes' Cover Song At SXSW 2010

Tom Morello (fr. Rage Against The Machine) & The Coup's Boots Riley aka Street Sweeper Social Club performed the Billboard Magazine showcase at SXSW Austin TX Saturday, March 20.

more fan shot video below.



(video courtesy of truth about music & hard rock chick)

E-40 Ft. Too $hort - 'B*tch' & 'Over The Stove' (video)

E-40 'Revenue Retrievin’: Day Shift & Night Shift' on Heavy On The Grind/EMI both arrive March 30 each version sold separately.

E-40 'Revenue Retrievin’: Day Shift & Night Shift' Tracklisting With Guest Features Included

E-40 'Revenue Retrievin’: Day Shift'

01. Back In Business
02. Whip It Up ft. Gucci Mane & YV
03. B*tch ft. Too $hort
04. Undastandz Me
05. Duck
06. I Get Down ft. B-Legit
07. The Art Of Story Tellin'
08. F*ck You Right ft. J. Valentine
09. This A Boy ft. Droop-E
10. I'ma Teach Ya How To Sell Dope
11. The Weedman ft. Stresmatic
12. Lightweight Jammin' ft. Clyde Carson & Husalah of The Mob Figaz
13. Everyday Is A Weekend ft. The Jacka of The Mob Figaz
14. Got It
15. Rick Rock Horns ft. Marty James of One Block Radius
16. Dem Boyz
17. Outta Control ft. Dem Hoodstarz & Mistah F.A.B.
18. All I Need
19. Gotta Get Betta ft. Mike Marshall & Suga T

E-40 'Revenue Retrievin’: Night Shift'

01. Over The Stove
02. Nice Guys
03. Can't Stop The Boss ft. Too $hort, Snoop Dogg & Jazze Pha
04. Show Me What U Workin'‘ Wit' ft. Too $hort
05. How I'm Feeling Right Now
06. Knock 'Em Down Music ft. Ya Boy, Turf Talk & Cousin Fik
07. Stilettos & Jeans ft. Bobby V
08. He'’s A Gangsta ft. The Boy Boy Young Mess,The Jacka & Kaveo
09. Spend The Night ft. Laroo, The DB'z, Droop-e & B-Slimm
10. Wet ft. Ya Boy & Cousin Fik
11. Trained To Go ft. Laroo, The DB'z & Mac Shawn 100
12. More Bass, More Treble ft. Cousin Fik & Turf Talk
13. Ahhhh Sh*t!
14. Turn Up The Music
15. Power Up ft. Keak Da Sneak & San Quinn
16. Prepared
17. Attention ft. Dru Down, Suga Free & Stompdown
18. The Server
19. Let Go & Let God ft. Lenny Williams

E-40 'Revenue Retrievin’: Day Shift & Night Shift' on Heavy On The Grind/EMI both arrive March 30 each version sold separately.

Erykah Badu Crowds Surfs While Her Band Plays A Classic Dr. Dre Song

spotted on Hip Hop Is Cool Again

While performing the classic record from Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Ms. Badu greeted the crowd at Fox Theather in Oakland, CA (Friday, February 19) and let the crowd sing and fill in the words. She also dove off the stage into the crowd and surfed the crowd momen tar ily to the enjoy ment of the fans.
Hometown girl Goapele opened up the show & comedian Dave Chapelle introduced Erykah to the sold out crowd (with fan shot video below).





Photo link from the concert:
Getty Images

(additional video courtesy of CindyKieuVo)

Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime Schedule Fat Beats NYC In-Store Today

Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime - 'SomeOthaShip' on Groove Attack in-stores today!

To purchase Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime - 'SomeOthaShip' at iTunes here:
'SomeOthaShip' - iTunes

If you like the physical version visit Amazon here
'SomeOthaShip' - Amazon

Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime's track "fOnk w/ an O" ft. LMNO, Prod. By Dudley Perkins from 'SomeOthaShip' streamed here:
"fOnk w/ an O"

Dates supporting Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime - 'SomeOthaShip' here:

February 23rd at Fat Beats, New York – In-Store
6:00pm – 7:00pm

February 23rd at SOBs in New York City
Doors @ 7:30pm
Show @ 9:00pm

February 24th at Liv in Washington D.C.
Doors @ 7:00pm
Show @ 8:00pm

February 25th at The Arts Garage in Philadelphia
Doors @ 8:30pm

Chosen Few - 'Elevation' Ft. Opio of Souls Of Mischief (video)

West Coast/Midwest trio Chosen Few (comprised of MC's Cold Showda, Charles “Chop” Cooper, and producer Unjust) are preparing to drop their highly anticipated Hiero Imperium Records debut New World Symphony on April 6th. The first official single, "Elevation," hits the streets (and iTunes) today, and the crew have been hard at work finishing their chilled-out, yet heavy-hitting new video to go along with it. Shot up close and personal with the emcees spitting to the camera, the video takes place in a small and shadowy room - representing feelings of isolation, confusion, and loneliness that so many can relate to feeling at some point or another. But on the flipside, despite the track's dark and almost bleak feel, listen closely, because the message is one of motivation rather than misery.

"Elevation" features a guest appearance from lyrical maestro Opio of the Bay Area's Souls Of Mischief, who true to form, delivers a tight package of carefully crafted lyrics that get straight into your head. "The idea of always elevating, getting better, wiser and stronger is something I always try to do in all aspects of life, music, art, business, spirituality" says Opio. The song is about taking a stance, being aware of your surroundings, and elevating past limitations. Clocking in at just under three minutes, expect to be watching and re-watching this rousing video for some time to come.

For more info go here:
Chosen Few website

Chosen Few – 'New World Symphony' on Hiero Imperium Records coming April 6.

Too Short: What's My Favorite Word? Translated In Japanese

From Julia Beverly's Twitvid page, taken on E-40 & Too Short's Japanese tour back in December.

Related:
E-40 & Too Short Live In Tokyo, Japan

Souls of Mischief - 'Proper Aim' (video)

Souls Of Mischief - Montezuma's Revenge in-stores now!

Too Short & Mistah F.A.B. Interview At Oakland, CA Listening Party

Vcious Entertainment attends a listenting party for Too Short in Oakland Ca. At the function, Vcious Ent interviews and catches up with Too Short himself as well as Mistah FAB.

Mistah F.A.B. reveals bits and pieces about his long-awaited Atlantic Records release 'Da Yellow Bus Rydah' with features by Rick Ross, T-Pain, etc. coming around March/April 2010.

Mistah Fab Interviews E-40 For Fab's 'Art Of Grindin' Episode 1

Souls Of Mischief Interview (Video)

Souls Of Mischief - 'Montezuma's Revenge' on Clear Label Records in stores December 1.

E-40 'Revenue Retrievin'' New Release Out November 24

According to Bay Area blogger Coolhand Luke at 38th Notes, E-40 will release 'Revenue Retrievin', his 13th release independently through EMI/Caroline.

A track with Young Jeezy And B-Legit entitled 'Get Money' will be included on the release, which I speculate was recorded around August when the America's Most Wanted Tour made the rounds in the Bay Area.

Beyonce: Oakland, CA show review, photos and videos posted

Silicon Valley Mercury News blogger Jim Harrington had this to say about the Friday, July 10, Beyonce Oakland California Oracle Arena show:

The 13-piece all-female band was roaring at full throttle. The nine dancers were moving through some crazy bump-and-grind routines. And the capacity crowd was up on its feet and singing along at full volume.

The colorful light show was on overdrive and the sound system was cranked so high that it was hard to hear one’s own thoughts. The swirl of activity onstage, as well as seemingly in every nook of the arena, was almost too much for the senses to fully absorb.

It was a moment of pure triumph, and one that would’ve served as a fitting encore. Yet, it was only the first song _ and Beyonce was just getting started.

In all, the 27-year-old R&B/pop star’s show at the Oracle Arena in Oakland _ part of her North American “I Am . . . Tour” _ was the finest pop music spectacle that local fans are likely to witness in 2009. Indeed, it was the best one to grace a Bay Area stage since the singer’s previous trek, “The Beyonce Experience,” touched down at the same venue back in 2007.

Read more of the show review here

Fan shot video below.








Check out the photos here:
Film Magic
Getty Images

Beyonce I Am...North America Tour Dates:
July 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center
July 16 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
July 17 - Chicago, IL - United Center
July 18 - Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills
July 23 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
July 30 - Las Vegas, NV- Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas
July 31 - Las Vegas, NV- Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas
August 1 - Las Vegas, NV - Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas
August 2 - Las Vegas, NV - Encore Theatre, Wynn Las Vegas