by BBG

Big Freedia at Brooklyn Bowl (more by Erik Erikson)

Austin, Texas fest Chaos in Tejas (5/31-6/3) have announced another round of bands including Absu, Big Freedia (who recently played Brooklyn Bowl), Ceremony (who recently played LPR), the Creamers, Dangerous Boys Club, GG King, Kindest Lines, King Dude, Main Attrakionz, Pop. 1280, Shoppers, Teenage Cool Kids, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments (reunion), and Thousand Foot Whale Claw. Multi-day passes are on sale now and single-day passes are on the way, and the schedule (which is updated as more bands sign on) is now available.

Speaking of Ceremony and Austin, Ceremony are one of many bands playing our SXSW day show at Scoot Inn in Austin even sooner.

Hip Hop duo Main Attrakionz have a bunch of shows coming up even sooner including two in NYC and 35 Denton and SXSW. They're all listed below.

Current lineup of Chaos in Tejas and some videos below too...

Continue reading "Chaos in Tejas expands again - adds Big Freedia, Main Attrakionz, Ceremony & more"

Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire at Southpaw 2/9 (via)

Action Bronson at Southpaw 2/9 (via)

Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire and Action Bronson shared a bill at Southpaw last night (2/9) with support from Soul Kahn and Kyle Rapps, and included special guest Illustrate. They were joined on stage by El-P, Despot, and Kool AD & Heems of Das Racist, who are all featured on eXquire's "Huzzah" remix (where was Danny Brown?!). Action Bronson has a show tonight in Austin, where he will return in March for SXSW.

Last night's show was one of the last at Southpaw, which is closing this month. Their website lists shows happening through February 19, including M.A.K.U. Soundsystem and I Jah Bones TONIGHT (2/10). Tickets for tonight' show are available. There's also a huge show presented by iHeart Dilla taking place on February 15, billed as "One Song: A Forever Fresh Farewell to Southpaw," with Nitty Scott, Illustrate (who was a guest at last night's show), Warren Britt, Jesse Abraham, Top $ Raz, MC Eleven, Tanya Morgan, and many others. The flier for this show with all the performers listed is below.

Continue reading "El-P & others joined Exquire & Action Bronson @ Southpaw (which is closing in 10 days)"

When we first announced that rapper/DJ Spoek Mathambo will release his sophomore LP, Father Crepper, on March 13 via Sub Pop, we mentioned that he had dates including SXSW and NYC. A few of those dates, including a NYC show happening on March 22 at S.O.B.'s have since been announced. Tickets for the S.O.B.'s show are on sale now.

You can pre-order his album at the Sub Pop webstore and grab the single, "Let Them Talk," HERE. The album trailer along with all dates is below...

Continue reading "Spoek Mathambo playing SOB's after SXSW (and other dates)"

by BBG

The Jungle Brothers at SOB's last night via MuphoricSounds

As expected, The Jungle Brothers DID bring out members of the Native Tongues (and others) last night at SOB's (2/7), but that did not include many of the "invited guests". The reunion and associated guest appearances were limited to Leaders of The New School (Charlie Brown & Dinco D, but sans the crucial Busta Rhymes), Jarobi (of a Tribe Called Quest), members of the UMC's and Black Sheep, Sadat X, Force MDs and possibly some others. Bum out, but it was sort of expected.

No word on whether members of A Tribe Called Quest will be in attendance at Harlem Stage in March either, but they will be the subject of a three day event:

On the heels of a major Producers Guild Award for the documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest -Harlem Stage, in conjunction with Revive Music, will celebrate the impact, importance and influence of the pioneering crew with A Tribe Called Quest: Innovation and Legacies - A Movement in Four Parts March 1-3 at Harlem Stage. This four part series features live performances, dance events and a free humanities event headlined by a panel of hip-hop scholars, journalists and artists.

"A Tribe Called Quest is one of the most important groups in the history of hip-hop, with a legacy that continues to impact generations of artists, musicians and audiences." says Simone Eccleston, Harlem Stage's Assistant Director of Programming, who curated the tribute. "With their signature sound, they created timeless gems, and this series seeks to celebrate their cultural significance, their musicianship and their roles as composers and producers. It is our goal to provide audiences with a multidimensional experience that highlights ATCQ's music, the historical context, and their influence on artists that have come after them."

In the span of three years, starting in 1990, A Tribe Called Quest - made up of rappers Q-Tip, Phife Dawg and Jarobi White, and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad - released three albums - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders - widely acknowledged by hip-hop fans to be some of the best recordings ever. The crew became part of a larger community of artists making redemptive, transcendent music: groups like the Black Sheep, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, and Leaders of the New School; solo performers Monie Love and Queen Latifah; and others who formed the collective Native Tongues. They made songs together and often referred to each other in recordings.

Tickets for A Tribe Called Quest: Innovation and Legacies - A Movement in Four Parts, range from free to $25 and are available by phone at (212) 281-9240, ext 19 or 20, and online at www.harlemstage.org. Free programs require RSVP at boxoffice@harlemstage.org.

In other hip hop news, head on over to Public Assembly TONIGHT (2/8) for a FREE show as part of the Red Bull Academy. Kicking off with a conversation with Buckshot (of Black Moon), Dru Ha (of Duck Down), and Skyzoo, the evening will also feature live performances from Smif-N-Wessun, Buckshot and Skyzoo as well. The show kicks off at 7PM and you can RSVP at Yamez@redbullmusicacademy.com (might not be necessary).

Check out a preview of tonight's discussion, as well as a new video for "Still Standing" by Pharaohe Monch and a preview of Sean Price's Mic Tyson (both are on Duck Down), with more Harlem Stage info, below...

Continue reading "Native Tongues sort-of reunited (not really); A Tribe Called Quest are subject of Harlem Stage series; Smif-N-Wessun, Buckshot & Skyzoo play FREE show tonight"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Kyle Rapps - "Hard Knock Children" with Joell Ortiz (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Kyle Rapps - "Love Love 2" with KRS-One and Homeboy Sandman (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Kyle Rapps - "Universe Traveler" with Talib Kweli (MP3)

Kyle Rapps with Talib Kweli

Make sure and get to Southpaw early tomorrow (2/9, tickets), because in addition to great performances from favorites like Action Bronson and Mr. MFN eXquire, you'll be able to catch a set from Kyle Rapps. The New Jersey MC made waves last year with his Re-Edutainment EP (clearly a tip of the cap to the Blast Master) but more recently dropped On Air:

The eight-track mixtape showcases a new sound for Kyle, with the NYC-based emcee choosing to flip samples from French electro duo Air throughout.

Kyle also threw KRS-One, Homeboy Sandman, and Talib Kweli into the mix, the latter of whom was featured on the EP's first single, "Universe Traveler.

In related news, Kyle Rapps may be revving up the sampler again, as Air just released their latest LP Le Voyage Dans La Lune, a score to the 1902 film of the same name. Check out a clip from the film, with Air's music as the soundtrack, below.

All videos and some streams are below, and check out Kyle Rapps tomorrow at one of the last shows at Southpaw.

Continue reading "Kyle Rapps releases new video, opening for Action Bronson; Air scored a film from 1902"

Is this (and more) what SOB's is in for tonight?

HipHopDX: The Native Tongues reunion show tonight is initiated by the Jungle Brothers. How did the whole show come about?

Mike G (of the Jungle Brothers): I'm good friends with one of the promoters, Big Jeff. They wanted to pay homage to us in a certain extent and represent one time for New York because we haven't performed in New York for such a long time. We just had wanted to hook up an official Jungle Brothers show and hopefully get some of the other guys to come and that's really what it is. Letting people know Jungle Brothers are back and then also saying, "We want this Native Tongue family to live." And now we putting out a call. We told the brothers to come through, represent.

In related news, 2/3 of De La Soul have formed First Serve, a new crew that will welcome their debut LP on Duck Down on April 2nd.

'First Serve' is many things, but at its heart it is the story of two young boys from Queens, New York with big dreams and larger rhymes. Two friends, Deen Whitter (aka Plug 2 / Dave) and Jacob 'Pop Life' Barrow (aka Plug 1/ Pos), friends from seventh grade, are by their own admission, "different, but the differences seem to complement everything we do." Their name 'First Serve' comes from their motto, "First come, First Serve, get what you deserve."

After years of laying down demos and mixtapes on the hustle in the hip-hop game, we get the next instalment from their world in the form of the 'We Made It' skit. All the hard work has finally paid off - Jacob and Deen have hit the big time signing to Goon Time Records to become the next new thing to hit the airwaves.

Continue reading "Jungle Brothers initiated "Native Tongues reunion" in NYC tonight? +++++ De La Soul members form First Serve (video)"

THEESatisfaction

As mentioned, Shabazz Palaces collaborators THEESatisfaction (aka Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White) are releasing their debut LP, awE naturalE, on March 27 via Sub Pop. We recently posted a non-album track, "Do You Have Time," which you can grab HERE, and the group have just revealed their first track from the album, "QueenS," which you can download below via a widget.

THEESatisfaction have also announced some dates in support of the album including one in NYC on March 9 at Cameo Gallery. Tickets are on sale.

They'll be arriving in NYC a bit before their tour kickoff to film the video for "QueenS" and they're looking to cast 20 black women aged 21-30 in the NYC area for the shoot. If interested, email your full name, age, high, and headshot to theesatisfaction@gmail.com or submit it via tumblr. Poster below. Head over to their website for more info. Casting ends February 17.

Shabazz Palaces also have an upcoming tour which hits NYC on April 13 at S.O.B.'s (tickets) and April 14 at Brooklyn Bowl (tickets).

All dates including SXSW and song widget below...

Continue reading "THEESatisfaction release MP3, playing a show & filming a video in NYC (casting call underway)"

Jay-Z w/ orchesta, Alicia Keys & Nas @ Carnegie Hall - 2/6

Fans of disposable income -- earning it, spending it, rapping about it, listening to someone rap about it -- had much to cheer about during this concert, the highest-profile hip-hop show ever at Carnegie Hall.

And there was also the matter of the income disposal, or in this case, donation: this concert was the first of a pair (the second is Tuesday night) benefitting the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, the charity founded by Jay-Z and whose president and chief executive is his mother, Gloria Carter. Most tickets cost several hundred dollars; on the resale market, some were listed for more than $1,000. [NY Times]

Last night's show was the first of two. It happens again tonight (2/7). Yesterday the shows weren't sold out, but now it says "Limited Availability" for tonight's show at Carnegie Hall's site.

Some video clips and a pictures of the set list from last night (2/6), below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z played Carnegie Hall (does again tonight) -- setlist/video"

photos by Ryan Muir, words by Andrew Sacher

"ASAP Rocky show @ Irving Plaza was CRAZY!!!" - Atiba Newsome

"ASAP ROCKY KILLED IRVING PLAZA!!!!" - Vic Damone

"Shout out to Jim e stack bun b waka flocka and da homie school boy" - AsapTwelvyy

A$AP Rocky brought the A$AP Mob tour to Irving Plaza last night (2/1). He brought out a number of guests like Bun B, Waka Flocka, and ScHoolboy Q, and Danny Brown opened the show, along with Flatbush Zombies and G-Eazy. More pictures and a video from this show are below.

One day earlier, A$AP Rocky appeared on The Angie Martinez Show on Hot 97. He was shocked when during his interview, Rakim, who Rocky's mother named him after, joined Rocky and Martinez on the show. A video of this interview is below too.

The Irving Plaza afterparty went down at The Studio at Webster Hall where a very tall Jim E Stack DJ'd in celebration of his new release. Did any of the advertised special guests show up?

ScHoolboy Q also showed up at the recent Danny Brown show in LA.

More pictures and videos from the NYC show below...

Continue reading "ASAP Rocky played Irving Plaza w/ special guests Danny Brown, Bun B, Waka Flocka & ScHoolboy Q (pics, video)"

May 2003 flyer...

Less than a month before Park Slope club Southpaw is gone forever, and Southpaw mainstay DJ team The Rub has announced that after their final party at Southpaw this Saturday (2/4), they're moving to the bigger Bell House down the street (relatively speaking). Read the trio's entire long goodbye to Southpaw, and check out their final Southpaw flyer, below...

Continue reading "The Rub moving to the Bell House, eulogize Southpaw (where they'll play one more time)"