[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBwIRq_hmjg&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Former KKK leader Johnny Lee Clary discussing his run ins with a brave and funny black reverend named Reverend Wade Watts with the benefit of hindsight. Strong stuff, an incredible example of how courage and humor can defeat ignorance and hate.
Blog (2008-2018)
AIR IN MOTION
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR_-Y-eIlQo[/youtube]
My friend DJ Kiva who teaches at Dubspot with me showed me this yesterday. It’s a compilation of a couple of clips of artist/engineer Theo Jansen’s work in motion. He calls it kinetic sculpture and it’s insanely beautiful.
DEAD MAN GOT A VOICE
French Montana dropped a new mixtape with DJ Drama last week appropriately titled Cocaine Konvicts/Gangsta Grillz. If you have been sleeping on French Montana and his partner Max B, wake up now. They’re responsible for some of the most interesting mixtapes to come out of New York in 2009. Beyond the horrific, nightmarish images, violence, drugs and guns— we all like some gun shot sound effects in our rap music, right? The sound here is remarkable, cinematic, moody, and funny. French Montana was born in Morocco, and grew up in the Bronx. I came across a footage/trailer for one of his Cocaine City DVDs sometime in early 2008. Montana was pretty much under the radar as an emcee (known more for his DVD business than for his mixtapes, Live From Africa, etc.) until sometime last year when he linked up with Max B (poor Max B is currently holed up in a jail cell somewhere in Hackensack, NJ pending a 75 years or life sentence.) The two began collaborating on songs, both of them rapping and singing over beats by Dame Grease and other less known producers. Montana and Max released the mixtapes Coke Wave, Mac Wit Da Cheese (Montana), and Quarantine (Max B) this year. “In The Morning” is from French Montana’s Mac Wit Da Cheese mixtape and “All My Life” is from Max B’s Quarantine tape — easily two of my favorite rap songs of the year. The tracks here should serve introduction to Max & French. Both are at their best on these tracks, in my opinion. The first leak from Cocaine Konvicts/Gangsta Grillz “Playin’ In The Wind” continues the Coke Wave tradition (Coke Wave 2) brilliant sing-along chorus with great/good enough rap verses. French Montana recently signed a deal with Akon’s label Konvict Music. If only for a moment Akon would stop popping bottles with models and watching them drink, they’ll do a mixtape title Live From Africa part 2 or something. Look for French Montana’s album next year, and pray for Max B.
[audio:http://nyc.duttyartz.com/mp3s/French_Montana_Feat_Max_B-This_Morning_Produced_By_Megaman_.mp3]
French Montana feat. Max B – In The Morning
[audio:http://nyc.duttyartz.com/mp3s/Max_B-All_My_Life_%28feat._Mack_Mustard%29-RGF.mp3]
Max B feat. Mack Mustard – All My Life
[audio:http://nyc.duttyartz.com/mp3s/french_montana__playin_in_the_wind.mp3]
French Montana – Playin’ In The Wind
RADIO RADIO
Today is Eid, Ramadan just ended. Monday’s radio show – WFMU, 91.1 fm 7-8pm – will feature some celebratory music from Muslim areas of Africa and beyond, as well as the usual helpings of new heat & decentertainment. Kayne probably would interrupt Jesus, but that’s another story.
In addition to the Ramadan-y special, we’ll unleash some previews from Anti-Pop Consortium‘s upcoming album, Flourescent Black, (their best yet, for real), and I’m pleased to announce that NYC’s legendary rap innovators will be joining Lamin & I live on-air next Monday, September 28! We’re gonna rap about rap, music, afrofuturizm, and much more, alongside an all A.P.C. selection of exclusives and influences. Should be big!
MANUELITA REMIX
Here’s a new remix from Uproot Andy and Geko Jones. I’ve heard “Manuelita†a few times already, usually during the early hours of the night, warming and shaking up party people. Here’s what Geko said about “Manuelita” to The FADER’s Ghetto Palms …track is a remix we’ve just made of a traditional style Colombian bullerengue song. Doing these kinds of remixes blending folkloric music with club music is one of the sounds that has come define our party and this kind of remix has itself really become traditional for us over the last year or so.
Gex and Andy are currently on tour, coming thru your city or a city near you. Que Bajo?! sound system pushing forward with Boima tomorrow in San Fran!
SANTOS TONITE!!!
Nate and the folks at !K7/Gold Dust office did this to remind folks about Que Bajo?! Buzzrock Warrior album release party tonight @ Santos Party House 96 Lafayette Street. NQRW, JMZ, 4 or 6 train to Canal Street, then a block and a half south on Lafayette between Walker and White. Lil’ Mama will be in the building, and she just might T-Pain Jahdan’s performance. So much hype for tonight!
GHETTO PALMS: BOOM BLAST PALMCAST
Head over to Eddie Stats/The FADER’s Ghetto Palms to check out an extra speical blend of Jahdan Blakkamoore unreleased, exclusives, classics, rarely heard remixes, teasers, champion sound system Funksworthy FM dubplates, etc. mixed by Geko Jones w/ special assistance from Noble Society producer Fuego Campo. Peep the straightforward, honest note from Gex and the track by track description/rundown of the mix. This is all in anticipation of the album release party tomorrow. You already know BUZZROCK WARRIOR is available, and we’ll have copies at the party too!
ATHI PATRA RUGA – BLACK BOY SWAG
Spoek Mathambo makes us wish that teleporter technology existed, so we could beam him over to Brooklyn to make more music (and/or jokes about the warden’s daughter… or the warden herself?), then beam him back to whatever levels of reality he happens to be living on which give him access to images like this and time to make smart, funny commentary about them on his blog.
Also, this November/December Spoek with be touring Europe & South Africa with Schlachthofbronx!! We can’t spell their name (and probably can’t pronouce it either) but we love them all. As Mr Mathambo the Hungry Ghost sez:
We are living through a maaaaaad time!!The global village has over the years given birth to many strange and curious fruit…this fruit is sweet and tastey for your feet and butt!
BUZZROCK WARRIOR OUT NOW!
Hit up iTunes (exclusive bonus track “Decadance”) Amazon, Boomkat, HMV (free delivery in the UK!) Record Store UK… any of these fine music retailers, show some class and cop the disc, MP3, FLAC, whatever!
And don’t forget about Que Bajo?! album release dance party this Thursday w/ Jahdan, Shadetek, Eddie Stats, DJ Rekha, Uproot Andy, and Sir Geko Jones!
bobbie konders culture + lovers mix
I found this culture mix posted up on the massive b site, where I was half-heartedly looking for some events popping off last night. It seemed like saturday was the off-night between some mega arena jams at bb kings on friday and later tonight, so I was a little thrown to see bounty + beenie together on the marquee at Roseland – whoops! It was not to be though, I had a date with the russian vodka room which was kind of cool in its own way, and the line looked a little out of hand anyhow.
ps baltika = pretty damn tasty actually.
[audio:http://www.moderaw.com/audio/%21_MIXES/Bobby_Konders_Culture_Lovers_Mix_2K9.mp3]
Bobby Konders – Culture Lovers Mix 2K9
Cross-posted to biggerjudgement.blogspot.comMIDWESTGANGSTABOXFRAMECADILLACMUZIK
Freedie Gibbs is from Gary, Indiana — home of Michael Jackson, yes — but also the city with the highest black American population in the United States. Gary has been in a recession for decades, a period of decline that began in the late 1960s when many other US urban centers experienced riots/uprising. With the instability of the late ’60s, white flight, eroded tax-bases, etc. comes joblessness, crime, drugs, and even more recently the flight of middle class and affluent blacks. Needless to say, with the current/recent economic downturn, the city’s problems only got a little worse; the recession hit amid plans for rebound/redevelopment. Gary has an interesting history as a company town. It was founded just over a hundred years ago by United States Steel Corporation, and the city’s fortune was tied to the company and the steel industry. Alright, this is where Freedie Gibbs is coming from, and he paints a powerful and intense picture, demonstrating the emotional and social effects that a city/community suffers due to such prolonged decline. His mixtape is not all poverty and hopelessness, though poverty is the best motivation in the world. According to Gibbs, “Poverty causes violence. Point blank. This is an illustration of that,” remarking on one of the tracks on the mixtape. This is aggressive, brash, fresh, raw, vital music.
“County Bounce” is grappling with some heavy issues, nevertheless the mellowness of the song presents a weightless vibe. Get the mixtape now! The Smoking Section has a track by track breakdown of the mixtape album from Gibbs himself. Also check Cocaine Blunts LOCAL PRODUCT series. The first installation features Gibbs highlighting some bright moments in Gary, Indiana’s mid to late 1990s rap scene.
DJ RUPTURE ROAMS THE STATES
I’ve got 4 interesting gigs this week. All-out parties on Wednesday and Saturday, a free artist’s talk / Q&A /demystifying-what-i-do-mini-set on Friday, and my duo for guitar & turntables with Andy Moor on Thursday. I’m psyched to meet Chattanooga!
details:
Wed. Sept 9: Madison WI @ the Annex. event info + interview ‘on cumbia and Stephen King‘
Thurs. Sept 10: Chicago IL. Duo with Andy Moor at The Wire’s Adventures in Modern Music festival, Empty Bottle. Lucky Dragons will also be performing!
Fri. Sept 11 + Sat. Sept 12: Chattanooga TN. On Friday, a free artist talk/Q&A/turntablism demo early. Club gig on Saturday. The talk with be live streaming and maybe twittering here. Friday talk facebook page, Saturday party facebookery.
ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX II
[audio:http://nyc.duttyartz.com/mp3s/Raekwon-10Bricks.mp3]
Raekwon – 10 Bricks feat. Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna
[audio:http://nyc.duttyartz.com/mp3s/Raekwon-ColdOutside.mp3]
Raekwon – Cold Outside feat. Ghostface Killah
Raekwon‘s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II is a great album! In fact, it is an infinitely better rap sequel than Jay Z’s Blueprint 2 or 3.
…Swastikas on the church, they Satan
Holiday Season is here, I’m vexed
Who the fuck made Christmas up?
I’m fucking broke, it ain’t making no sense
Newport is 7.50, a box of Huggies is of the meat-rack
She’s back, 30 days she relapse
Our troops need to leave Iraq, and rap n****s need to go on strike so we can get more cash… – Ghostface
QUE BAJO?! PRESENTS…
Jahdan Blakkamoore BUZZROCK WARRIOR album release party!
The album drops September 15th, and on the 17th Que Bajo?! is throwing a party with special live performance by Jahdan, accompanied by super producer extraordinaire and deejay Matt Shadetek. Jahdan & Matt are also getting ready for some touring and special performances later this Fall and into the Winter. Dates and details will be here soon. For now, come enjoy the party! On the same night, we are also blessed with the appearance of the great Eddie Stats of The FADER and GHETTO PALMS series. Eddie Stats is sharp, efficient, and just ridiculously good behind the decks. DJ Rekha of Basement Bhangra will also be live with tunes for the all around dance floor massacre. Dutty Artz family/Que Bajo?! resident deejays/two of the wickedest sound men I know Geko Jones and Uproot Andy will be in the building serving their usual, tremendous heat, along with some blazing refixes. facebook RSVP here.
Maga Bo On The Go
So Mi GoOd FriEnD Maga Bo’s stay inna New York has come to an end but the dance no done till the Water Taxi babylon give us a run.
Friday, September 4th 2009
TOTH @ Water Taxi Beach Queens
DJ Mariano & Cato (Beleza) + Nappy G on percussion. Special guest from Brazil, DJ Maga Bo!! Mago Bo brought the Cumbia, Reggae, Big beat FIRE last year & we’re happy to have him back once again!! Another DJ on the cutting edge of Music from Brazil, Colombia, Latin America & more!! http://www.myspace.com/magabo
Address: #2 Borden Ave in LIC QUEENS. $10 / 8PM – 2AM. Free Water Taxi’s from East 35th Street to the party & back all night!