Wu-Tang Clan Dallas, TX Concert Recap

As reviewed by Jesse Hughey at the Dallas Observer. photo courtesy of Kevin Todora

(Friday, December 10th) The night started with Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) interspersed with Raekwon and GZA solo material, but frequently returned to the obvious crowd favorite 36 Chambers material. They even did "Method Man" in Method's absence, and the crowd didn't seem fazed.

Another highlight was a cameo by Erykah Badu, who stepped on stage long enough to soak in the roar of approval from the crowd but sadly didn't touch the mic. Still, the moment was enough to add to the love-fest, family reunion vibe. As did the appearance from Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Ol' Dirty Bastard, who led the group through verses of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and "Baby I Got Your Money" in tribute to his father. Which might be why the group's sorta-sincere cover of the O'Jays "Family Reunion" went over so well.

Closing the set with 36 Chambers classics "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck," the Wu departed in a swarm, leaving some random MCs on the stage to lead the crowd through chants of "Wu! Tang!" until the shouts gradually and awkwardly died down as the realization set in that yup, that was it.

read the full review HERE

Photos from the show HERE

Also read Dallas News review HERE



More video footage HERE

(above video courtesy of Ryan Richardson)

Erykah Badu Album Release Party Secret Show In Los Angeles, CA Recap

Reported by Gerrick D. Kennedy / Los Angeles Times

“Had three babies by three different dudes, ran in the nude in Dallas,” Erykah Badu sang amid loud cheers from fans that packed into her not-so-secret show at the El Rey Theatre on Tuesday (March 30) evening.

It would be the only time that Badu would make reference to the controversy she is facing surrounding her latest video, “Window Seat.” In the clip, which has gone viral, she is seen walking the streets of Dallas near the site where JFK was assassinated, slowly stripping; the moment after she takes off her last piece of clothing, the singer is shot by an unseen assassin.

On Monday, Badu took to her Twitter page to advertise the release party/concert celebrating the unveiling of her fifth album, “New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh),” tweeting, “secret show in los angeles at 9 pm 3/30/2010 shhh...” It might not have been much notice, but judging by the line stretching down Wilshire Boulevard, word had got out.

Fans waited patiently while she spent time greeting the crowd and posing for pics. She hit the stage at close to midnight.

Taking the stage in a tan trench coat and beaded braids that flowed down her back (a throwback to the late funk singer Rick James?), Badu offered no apologies or explanation for the delay before launching into “20 Feet Tall,” the lead track from her new album.

“Then you, you built a wall, a 20-foot wall so I couldn’t see… If I get off my knees, I might recall I’m 20 feet tall,” she sang behind a hushed groove.

Flanked by a band that included a harp and flute, which blended seamlessly with the funk-filled sounds of the keyboard and drums, Badu transformed the packed house into a religious service -- albeit one where the pastor allows marijuana -- as fans testified and sang along to songs that included tackling the government, personal liberation and, of course, love, her pitch-perfect vocals encouraging plenty of chants.

“New Amerykah Part Two” is filled with the nostalgic soul that Badu is known for, and her live offering was no different. While fans might have had their endurance tested with the wait at the standing-room-only show, her lush harmonies made up for the delay, and she commanded the audience for her hour-plus show. She didn’t offer many songs from her new album, instead treating fans to classic tracks from her catalog, turning hits such as “On & On,” “Love of My Life” and “The Healer” into jam sessions.

Badu might have tested our patience before the show began, but once her voice filled the theater, no one seemed to mind; fans just wanted to get their own “Window Seat” into the world of Badu.

Rap-Up's review of the show here:
Erykah Badu LA Album Release Party

more fan shot video footage below.







(video courtesy of msway30ish & DJ Booth)

Jay-Z: Dallas, TX American Airlines Center BP-3 2010 Tour Concert Recap

As reported by Mario Tarradell at the Dallas Morning News

Jay-Z commands a stage. The influential rapper performed for 12,000 fans Tuesday (February 23) night at American Airlines Center, bringing with him a full band including a horn section, percussionist and DJ.

A skyscraper-like light display at the back of the stage immediately looked like the New York skyline, a nod to his hometown, of course. A variety of images were projected throughout the two-hour show, making it all the more striking.

Jay-Z had the lower platform to himself and he filled it up robustly. He's tall, imposing, an intense presence. His rapping flow is fast but clear. He doesn't chew his words. There's an engulfing quality to his music, from the thunderous beats to the rhymes, which have messiah-like potency.

Disciples are more than understandable. The crowd was with him from the onset, even with bill-sharer Young Jeezy's 25-minute set sandwiched between Jay-Z's stage time. Assisting Jay-Z was perennial sideman Memphis Bleek. Singer Bridget Kelly offered the Alicia Keys chorus on "Empire State of Mind," a definite highlight that arrived early in the gig. R&B vocalist Trey Songz was the opening act.

Jay-Z pulled out many cuts from The Blueprint 3 such as "Run This Town," "On To the Next One" and "Already Home." Otherwise he focused on fan favorites – "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," "Big Pimpin' " and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," to name a few.

Before he left the stage, Jay-Z seemed genuine when he thanked the crowd. He acknowledged specific sections of the arena, even having the house lights turned on so he could see his fans better.

"I am so overwhelmed," he said. "I appreciate all of you. I appreciate your love."

Photos:
Dallas Morning News

more fan shot footage below.







(video courtesy of mundoecko817)

Jay-Z's BP3 2010 Tour dates:

Feb 25 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena
Feb 27 Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
Feb 28 Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Mar 02 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Mar 03 Washington, DC - Verizon Center
Mar 05 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
Mar 06 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
Mar 07 Norfolk, VA - Scope Arena
Mar 11 Boston, MA - TD Garden
Mar 12 Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
Mar 14 Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
Mar 16 Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena
Mar 18 Chicago, IL - United Center
Mar 19 St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
Mar 20 Indianapolis, IN - Conseco Fieldhouse
Mar 22 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
Mar 24 San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion
Mar 26 Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center

'Diddy Does Dallas' Party NBA All-Star Weekend At The Palladium

Friday's (February 12) A-list party was "Diddy Does Dallas," at the Palladium on South Lamar Street. Diddy's co-hosts were Josh Howard of the Mavericks and former Mav Greg Buckner.

DJ Premier Interview At NBA All-Star Weekend Dallas

As reported by Sherron Shabazz at the Examiner

Examiner: What has All-Star Weekend been like for you so far?

DJ Premier: It’s been really great. We just got here today. The funny thing is I’m from New York and we just got a little rough snow but I’m used to it. I shovel my own drive-way, I shovel the side walk, take care of all my neighbors, and make sure all the old ladies get their drive-ways shoveled and get taken care of with salt and all of that. I’m from Texas originally but I’ve been living in New York for 22 years. My sister lives out here and to come out to 9 inches of snow is funny. I’m used to 36 degrees but everybody out here is panicking, flights were cancelled and all of that. We made it here safely.

Big shout out to 944 [magazine] for having us out here, we appreciate it. Shout out to The Boardroom for having us, Russell Simmons, Melanie Fiona, Paul Pierce, Snoop Dogg, DJ Reflex, and Doug E. Fresh. It’s a beautiful thing to be out here. Shout out to Nick Javas who ripped it with me. He’s on my label Year Round Records. Also shout out to all the people that came through, Amare Stoudemire, LeBron James, Chris Tucker, Magic Johnson and also Allen Iverson who couldn’t be here who I’m a big fan of.

Examiner: I read that you were working with MC Eiht on his new album, how did that come about?

DJ Premier: We’ve been friends for a long time. I’ve known him since the 90’s; we came up in the same era. When the West Coast was strong with Death Row MC Eiht had his own lane—he also became an actor in the film Menace II Society. I did my first gig in L.A. in 1989 with Gangstarr, Compton’s Most Wanted, WC and the Maad Circle, and Ice Cube. This was when Ice Cube first left N.W.A. He got into a big beef backstage. All the action wasn’t out in the crowd it was backstage. It was crazy to witness that and see how many people were mad at Cube for moving and taking that step. It turned out to be one of the best moves that he made.

The first person I met in Long Beach at the show was MC Eiht. He had two beepers on his hip, a big fresh jheri curl, and black khaki’s. He said, “What’s up DJ Premier my name is MC Eiht,” and we’ve been friends ever since. I just love his style. He has a unique voice and a unique flow—he has his own lane. That’s what it’s all about, having your own lane. Everybody always wants to sound like everybody else but when you’re different you always prevail even if it takes a minute to get there. He never switched that up.

When I put out an artist named Blaq Poet on my label Year Round Record in June of 2009 we wanted to do a remix. Eiht and I were on the phone talking about new music he was working on and I let him hear the song and he loved it. He was like, “Yo let me get on it.” I let him get on it and then my man Young Maylay who’s down with Dub C [WC] and Crazy Toones who is also from the west coast let me hear his stuff and he’s a great MC. He’s going to be on my label too. I asked him to get on it too and he sent it to me in a day—done! I said let’s shoot a video because I was working with Christina Aguilera on her new album out in L.A. Gordon Franklin who runs my label said, “Yo I got some cheap tickets we can get. Let’s bring Poet, fly out to L.A., shoot the video, and go back to New York the next day.” I stayed out there and worked with Christina. I snuck away…she don’t even know I broke away. I’m going to get in trouble now. I broke away from a session that she’s paying me to be out there for to go and shoot the video with Poet, MC Eiht, and Maylay. It came out really good, it’s called “Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed.” Then they came to New York and did the show for our release party. We flew them up, put them in nice hotels, and took care of them—we’re old friends. I said you know what, we should do an album. Eiht gave me like 40 songs and he doesn’t know how to mix. He gave me like 40 songs all sparse and crazy but the beats and lyrics were dope. I said, “Yo man we could do two albums together! I’m gonna put you on my label and do a couple of one-offs.”

That’s what my label represents, pure Hip-Hop from the bottom up! You gotta start from the bottom and work your way up. Everybody now is so caught up on first week sales and soundscan. [Forget] soundscan and [forget] first week sales, it’s all about integrity and quality music. We care about our fans and we care about giving them their money’s worth. That pays more than a payola record. Paying for a record means you’re buying your friends. I don’t have to buy my friends to like me. I want you to like me because I’m real and I’m me. So all those other [expletives] let them pay for their records, we know that they don’t hold water next to what we do. I don’t care if they get 20 million spins they can’t stand next to us when we drop our [stuff]. Play yours then play mine—ours is better (laughs).

Examiner: Pete Rock is in town, I think 9th Wonder just left town…

DJ Premier: Family man…all family.

Examiner: I recently saw clips from the show that 9th did to honor you and Pete in North Carolina….

DJ Premier: Yeah man. That’s one of the dopest things I’ve ever experienced. To be honored…. Man I feel like I got so many more miles to go. I’ll be 44 years-old this year. The love that 9th Wonder gave me and Pete was so incredible. The band that played for us mimicking our records and sounding just like the beats we produced from out heart and soul, it was one of the biggest, dopest events ever in my lifetime. I love 9th Wonder, I love Pete. Big shout out to both of them.

Read the full DJ Premier interview here:
Examiner - Q & A With DJ Premier

Other sources:
DJ Premier blog
Live from Headqcourterz

Melanie Fiona Performs At NBA All-Star Weekend Russell Simmons & 944 Magazine Sponsored Event

Melanie Fiona performs at 944 MAGAZINE and Russell Simmons (benefiting DEF) brunch during Dallas All-Star 2010 Saturday, February 13.
Of note, music producer 9th Wonder shows up (in the video) for Melanie's special performance

Photos:
Getty Images

Common Performs NBA All-Star Weekend Dallas, TX

Common performs 'The People' & a Freestyle live at the Ghostbar in Dallas, TX Sunday, February 14

Photos:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of sherronshabazz & RELIVEIT.tv)

Jay-Z & LeBron James 4th Annual 'Two Kings Dinner & Afterparty' NBA All-Star Weekend

MTV Shows

via MTV

DALLAS -- One event that's becoming an annual NBA All-Star weekend tradition is the "Two Kings Dinner & Afterparty," hosted by Jay-Z and Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James and sponsored this year by Bing and Sprite. As much as it is a celebration, the event is also a way for executives and stars from all worlds to meet and share ideas. At Saturday night's fourth incarnation of the event, Cortez Bryant (who manages Lil Wayne and Drake) was seen sitting down with people like New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul and even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

"You do have a time in your life when you can hang out or recognize someone who has risen above the norm -- significantly above it," Jones said. "Jay-Z has done that in entertainment. LeBron is about that in sports and basketball. You transcend your game, so to speak. They represent that. It's a privilege to be on the team with them tonight and be a part of the celebration."

Along with Jones, the event was attended by Chris Tucker, Magic Johnson, New Jersey Nets President Rod Thorn, NBA All-Stars such as Paul and Jason Kidd, and various executives from Fortune-500 companies.

"You're talking about two of the best in what they do: The best rapper/entrepreneur in Jay-Z, and the best player in the game with LeBron James " said Kidd, of the hometown Dallas Mavericks, on the event's red carpet. "You put those two together, you're gonna have a great party. To be able to support those guys and is a great honor."

Diddy, a friend of both "Kings," echoed the sentiment that Jay and LeBron represent the best of both worlds.

"It's the perfect combination of sports and entertainment," Diddy declared. "Showing ways we can work together. Use our power in a positive way. They're both kings in what they do and they're combining forces. As entrepreneurs and young kings and queens, we've got to do more for the better of other people. I'm here as a king to support it."

Before the event, Jay and LeBron spent the early part of the day in the community.

"We went to the Boys & Girls Club, gave them some scholarships," Jay-Z explained. "I think it's important for us, where we come from, to inspire people from the same neighborhood, same struggle as us, just so they know it's possible. We're living our dreams. So dreams are possible, but it's hard work. We can be president of the United States, but everyone can't do it. It's a very difficult thing. [But we're aiming] just to show these things are attainable."

"It's all about commitment if you want to become something," James concurred on the event's red carpet. "It's not easy -- in no way, shape or form. You've got to commit to it."

Jay-Z said that it's very necessary for young people to get an opportunity not to just see him on TV, but actually hear some of the story in person.

"I never had these sort of role models growing up," Jay said. "I never had anyone come around and talk to me. I had to figure it out on my own. One of my promises to myself is that I'll never forget my journey. I'll always give back and speak to people that are going through the same thing I was going through."

Photo links from the event & press conference here:
Wire Image 1
Wire Image 2
Film Magic 1
Film Magic 2

Snoop Performs At The Boardroom NBA All-Star Weekend Dallas, TX

On Saturday night February 13, Snoop Dogg was in the house at the Russell Simmons-hosted 944 NBA All-Star party at The Boardroom in Dallas, TX.

Photos from the event here:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of sherronshabazz)

Bun B & Wale Perform At Jordan Brand 23/25 Event During NBA All-Star Weekend

press clipping via SLAM

(Saturday, February 13 - Dallas, TX) On a makeshift little stage, Bun B was rockin’ the mic, delivering his trademark crisp rhymes to the Jordan sneaker faithful. I’ve been to a million concerts so I can say this with confidence: small venues are the best way to enjoy live shows.

After Bun dropped “Big Pimpin’,” on us, DC-bred rapper Wale hit the stage and ran through his catalog to the delight of all the back-packed hip-hop heads. Funny development of the night: Wale threatening to do a cover of Kings of Leon if the crowd didn’t take its hype up another decibel and him doing it anyway and the crowd not missing a beat while singing along.

Photo links from the event:
Getty Images

Erykah Badu Ft. Lil Wayne - 'Jump In The Air'

Erykah Badu - 'New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh' on Motown/Universal arrives March 30.

Dallas Hip Hop Artists Prep For NBA All-Star Game Weekend

The NBA and Hip Hop has always had a close connection. We will just see how close that connection is on February 14 in Dallas, Tx as the Mavericks play host to this year's 2010 NBA All-Star Game. As with any hosting city, the parties and events converge and literally take over the city. Dallas hip hop celebrities/hosts (Play N Skillz, Inertia, Bone, Treal Lee & Prince Rick) will not miss out on all the festivities and the in-coming celebs hitting town this weekend.

Mr. Collipark Finds Talent In Dallas, Tx With New Signees Treal Lee & Prince Rick (Interview)

via Dallas Observer

Can you tell us a little bit about the deal you've offered Treal Lee & Prince Rick?
They're signed to Collipark Music and my label deal is with Interscope Records.

What's the plan?
We're trying to play it in the middle of the road right now. You don't want to put it out there and have it burn out naturally. We're gonna blast it all over the country.

Is it a singles deal?
All deals now are singles deals.

Fair enough. But what turned you on to these guys?
I think they're entertainers. And that's what I saw from them that I didn't see from the other stuff that I saw in Dallas.

How'd you find out about them?
My brother, who's A&R for the company, was in Dallas last year, and we go back with DJ Bay Bay because of Hurricane (Chris). So Bay Bay was taking him around and showing him stuff. And he called me and he was like, 'Yo, there's this record..." And just the name of it--Mr. Hit Dat (Hoe)--it just sounded like it it had Collipark all over it. And then I went down the next weekend and I met them. To me, a record is a record. But I look for personality, showmanship, all that stuff. And we went around the city and people had love for them and all the intangible stuff that you wanna see in something that you sign.



Is it true that they drove all the way out to Atlanta to see you and you snubbed them at first?
(Laughs.) I was contacted from a guy I knew back in the day. And he told me he had a group from Dallas or whatever and they were coming to Atlanta. However, at that time, I didn't know that they were coming primarily to meet me. Second of all, I didn't know that they were driving from Dallas! And I was busy doing family stuff, so when they called me, I was like, 'Yo, man, I can't make it.' I had no idea that this was the same group. But they made it a point to let me know later that they were the guys who drove out there and stood in front of my office. When I found out, I was like, 'Oh, man! That was you!'"

What're your thoughts on the Dallas hip-hop scene as a whole?
I like it. To me, I like it because they remind of back when everybody was hungry. When you look at a market that hasn't been developed or exposed, you find a certain kind of hunger that comes with, y'know, when hip-hop was fresh. See, I'm in Atlanta so everybody is doing it here. Everybody knows that they can put a record on the radio and they're gonna get a record deal. So the creativity, the work ethic, it's not like it used to be. So when I went out to Dallas and I saw the level of support that I saw everybody giving each other and the amount of records I'd never heard before--it kind of reminded me of when I used to go to New Orleans back in the day and the bounce was the bomb. You would go into New Orleans and they'll play five local records and one national record. I like it. What I don't like [is that] it's very one-dimensional right now. (drops Big Chief's name) What I mean by one-dimensional is, you're gonna find different variations of it, but it's all basically going in one direction.

Read the full Mr. Collipark interview here:
Dallas Observer - Extended Q&A: Mr. Collipark On Dallas Hip-Hop

Erykah Badu NYC Listening Session Album Preview

Album preview/review courtesy of Vibe

The ambiance at Manhattan's legendary Chung King Studios Wednesday night (Dec. 9) was vintage Erykah Badu: black floor pillows, scented candles, dark lighting that induced a trippy, laidback mood. It was an intriguing setting for the 38-year-old Dallas, Texas native who was in a light-hearted and at times candid mood during a listening session for her upcoming release New Amerykah, Part II (Return of the Ankh), due out Feb. 23, 2010.

As the album title suggests, Badu has taken inspiration from her classic 1997 debut Baduizm, a time when the head-wrapped, incense-waving vocalist was first critically hailed as the queen of neo soul, the burgeoning jazz-influenced, stripped-to-the-bone R&B genre that included D'Angelo, Maxwell and Jill Scott among its star headliners. But while subsequent projects found the singer distancing herself from what she saw as the musical constraints of neo soul (From the funked-out jam session vibe of 2000's Mama's Gun to 2008's politically-charged avant garde New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War), the occasionally organic live feel of New Amerykah Part II finds Badu giving an introspective nod to her past.

"I feel how I felt when I released Baduizm," said the always-eccentric performer, wearing a Flashdance-era gray sweatshirt, yellow jogging pants, blue leggings and silver slippers. Over a mix of live piano, jazz guitars, dusty soul samples, driving acoustic bass, live drums, and J-Dilla-esque hip-hop sound-clashes, Badu delivers an album that offers the emotional highs, lows and maddening complexities of being involved in a romantic relationship. The project, which features contributions from The Roots drummer ?uestlove, producers Madlib and Sa-Ra, keyboardist James Poyser, 9th Wonder and late influential hip hop producer J Dilla, may be as musically accessible as Erykah Badu can get.

"This is my therapy,' she continues of the album's more personal tone. "New Amerykah Pt. 1 [had a more] digital feel. This time I wanted to have more live instruments. I like how my voice sounds when I'm singing with a piano. I'm glad I don't have to use Auto-Tune. My voice is my gift." Badu then muses, "But if I had to use [Auto-Tune], I would."

Highlights on New Amerykah, Part II (Return of the Ankh) include:

"20 Feet Tall" (prod. by 9th Wonder)
Features Badu's stark vocals over a floating keyboard riff that can be described as a jazzier nod to Radiohead's "Everything in it's Right Place" (2000).

"Window Seat" (prod. by Erykah Badu & James Poyser)
"I need your attention...I need you to miss me," she pleads to a lover on the throwback soul groove that's driven by a live jazz bassline (a theme throughout New Amerykah Pt. II) that could have been plucked straight off Baduizm.

"Get Money" (prod. by Erykah Badu, James Poyser, Karriem Riggins & Thundercat)
Samples the Notorious B.I.G.-led Junior Mafia classic "Get Money." A playful Badu takes on the role of a female player who is all about the green, delivering real talk lines like, "I look like a model...I want your money."

"Fall In Love" (prod. by Karriem Riggins)
A heartfelt, mid tempo slow jam that uses a chilling J Dilla-blessed Eddie Kendricks sample. Has single potential.

"Incense" (prod. by Madlib)
Breathtaking instrumental that sounds like it was produced under water. Yes, that's a harp you are hearing. "It felt like a hug," Badu says of the stunning track.

"Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 1) (Undercover Over-Lover)
(prod. by James Poyser)
Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 2)"
(prod. by Georgia Anne Muldrow)
Badu calls this her second three-song suite ("You'll have to wait to hear [Part 3] when the album comes out," she says), much in the same conceptual vein featured on Mama's Gun. "Part 1" finds Badu accompanied by a stirring torch song piano pleading, "I'll lie for you, cry for you...yes I'm a fool for you..." "Part 2" is the sound of madness following heartbreak. Over a disjointed jazz-tinged groove Badu gives a haunting, schizophrenic performance.

"Jump In The Air And Stay There" ft. Lil Wayne
One of 10 versions of a leaked track that will feature 10 MC's (the cut will not be featured on New Amerykah Pt. II). While the hard-charging beat is somewhat aggressive, the message of keeping an optimistic attitude in life is bolstered by the much-rumored (and lively) performance of Lil' Wayne. "There are a few surprise MC's that you will hear," Badu says. "I don't want to give it away just yet."

other tracks include:
Agitation (prod. by Shafiq Husayn)
Don’t Be Long (prod. by Ta’Raach)
Love (prod. by Dilla)
Umm Hmm (prod. by Madlib)

Related:
Erykah Badu 'New Amerykah Part 2: Return of Ankh' Set For Feb. 23, 2010

Inertia: Putting Texas Rap Back On The Map (Interview)

(photo courtesy of Ozone Magazine)

via Quick Dallas Fort Worth

Quick Dallas Fort Worth: How did you connect with Play-N-Skillz and their G4 Muzik record label?

Inertia: Most people think it was a lucky overnight hookup or favoritism, but I spent a lot of years grinding on the streets. I do everything I can to build up my name by performing and networking at all of the conferences, showcases and hot spots. I always try to keep my name relevant, and I guess that helped me eventually connect with [Play-N-Skillz]. There are always out-of-towners that can see you perform and be impressed, but once they leave the city they forget about you, so I am blessed to be able to connect with real people from D-FW who made it.

Quick Dallas Fort Worth: How would you describe your rap style for those people who haven't heard you yet?

Inertia: I would say my style is a mixture of the animated energy of Ludacris with the twisting ability of Twista. I try to apply my own flow to songs whether it's straight-up rap, pop or even a funny track. Sometimes I make records for the streets, but I also work on making different songs for all fans.

Read the full interview here:
Quick Dallas Fort Worth - Rapper Inertia sees his efforts pay off

Erykah Badu 'New Amerykah Part 2: Return of Ankh' Set For Feb. 23, 2010

Erykah Badu - 'New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh' on Motown/Universal is tentatively set for a February 23, 2010 release date.

Potential tracks on the album include:

Speech
Love Me
Emotions
Don't Be Long
YPOM
Hot Slow Jam
Jump Up in the Air And Stay There
Loretta Brown
Dirty Dirty

Erykah Badu Interviewed About Upcoming Red Bull Sound Clash Event In Dallas, TX

The Red Bull Sound Clash event takes place at the AT&T Victory Plaza in Dallas, TX Friday, October 16 and it's FREE.

via Quick Dallas Fort Worth

Quickdfw: Tell me about the Sound Clash event coming up. How'd you get involved with it and what will it entail

Erykah Badu: It's a Red Bull function, and how it works is, one band battles another band with a little friendly rivalry. There's a big stage, and we go back and forth doing a combination of one another's songs and an interpretation of another song, then we kinda end with a finale. We get together and meet each other and rehearse beforehand.

Quickdfw: Kinda like the tap-dancing "challahnge" on that old 'Cosby Show' episode?

Erykah Badu: [Laughs.] Yeah, challahhhhhnge. We're gonna go against Shiny Toy Guns.

Read more of the Erykah Badu interview here:
Quickdfw

Read the details about the Red Bull event here:
Redbull

Dorrough performance at Texas Urban Music Summit

From the Bay to Dallas, one of the most popular song heard right now "Ice Cream Paint Job". As seen here, Dorrough performed at the Texas Urban Music Summit held at the Dallas Sheraton Hotel during June 5 thru 7.



Dorrough drops his full length July 28 on E1/Ngenius.