Recent Posts in hiphop

June 30, 2009

VIBE Magazine, RIP

"Vibe Magazine--one of the biggest music magazines in America--is folding. The entire music magazine landscape is full of the dead and dying." [Gawker]

Posted by brooklynvegan at 2:04 PM | Comments (29)

June 25, 2009

Chester French & Kid Cudi, who is touring (dates) w/ Asher Roth (pics), play a free show @ South Street Seaport Friday

photos by Tim Griffin

DOWNLOAD: Kid Cudi - Dat New New (Viking remix) (MP3)

Kid Cudi @ Highline Ballroom in Dec (more by Leia Jospe)

New York's iconic Paper magazine celebrates the release of its summer music issue by hosting the biggest music event in its history -- a free concert featuring hipster-hip-hopper Kid Cudi, with prep-pop duo Chester French, and DJ sets by Brooklyn noise-rock legends Les Savy Fav.

The concert, Sounds Like Paper 2009 -- presented by Ray-Ban -- is slated to kick off at 5:30 p.m. this Friday, June 26, on the Pier 17 stage at The Seaport.

The flyer for that show is below, and Kid Cudi will be back his NYC on July 15th as part of his summer tour with Asher Roth. Tickets to that show at the Nokia Theater appear to be sold out. The tour runs up to Lollapalooza on August 7th, where both acts will perform. All dates below.

Viking's remix of Cudi's "Dat New New" is posted above. Cudi's debut, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, is scheduled to come out August 25th on Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music/Universal Motown.

Asher Roth, like Public Enemy, was among the artists who played the Roots Picnic in Philly earlier this month. A not-yet-published set of pictures from that show below.

Friday's free show is the second unofficial start to this year's free concert series at the South Street Seaport. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion played a Bike Fest show there last week. Here We Go Magic and Bachelorette (who is also now playing a show on July 4th) kick off the River to River shows (the regular season) there on July 3rd.

Friday's flyer, "Five things you didn't know about Kid Cudi," the above-mentioned pics, and all tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Chester French & Kid Cudi, who is touring (dates) w/ Asher Roth (pics), play a free show @ South Street Seaport Friday"

Posted by brooklynvegan at 11:29 AM | Comments (10)

the 2009 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival - in pics & review

by Black Bubblegum

Marty Markowitz and Ralph McDaniels

The theme of this summer has been rain, and though the skies opened up halfway into the 5th anniversary show of The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival on June 20th in Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park, that didn't stop the crowd from swaying to the classic beats and rhymes by a stable of 90s artists. Thankfully the organizers of the DUMBO show thought ahead, and though it was a little packed in there, everyone stayed perfectly dry inside the emergency tent.

With all the veterans of hip hop on Saturday's lineup, you'd think that the most kinetic performance of the day would come from a Grand Puba or Pharoahe Monch. You'd be wrong. Oddly enough, the least "conscious" MC and the one that I always felt was slightly overrated, Styles P of D-Block (fka The Lox), delivered an energetic performance of hits that was matched only by the energy that the crowd bounced back. I was shocked, though pleasantly so.

I was glad to be wrong about Styles P, and I definitely learned a few other things that rainy Saturday:

Continue reading "the 2009 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival - in pics & review "

Posted by brooklynvegan at 10:45 AM | Comments (18)

June 20, 2009

Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is happening today (in a tent)

Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest - June 20, 2009 - 1pm (photo by Eric Sosa)

"First off - if it rains the Festival will go on. Haters Whoever is saying otherwise should be ignored.

In the event of rain the stage will move under the tent in the Tobacco Warehouse. Vendors will move to the triangle and we will rock until the sun goes down."

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival runs until 8PM today (6/20). Full linuep below..

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is happening today (in a tent) "

Posted by brooklynvegan at 2:19 PM | Comments (3)

June 19, 2009

Shunda K (ex-Yo! Majesty) no longer on Domino, two free LPs (download), and tour dates (MHOW w/ Peaches)

DOWNLOAD: Shunda K - Presents: The Best Eva Written...Outkast mixtape (ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: Shunda K (feat. Jerzy) - "The Message" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shunda K - "Thee Woman's Perspective" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shunda K - Kollaborations (ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: Shunda K (w/ Raspberry Cocaine) - "Who's Gona Stop Us Now" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shunda K (w/ Rosetta Stoned) - "STAND" (MP3)

"I've been da outcast all my damn life. Being gay & being raised in a religious household is not a great match. It's God HISSELF dats blessing me with everything I have from da knowledge to da wisdom, to da woman in my life & my career. Da devil is a liar!!!" -Shunda K

Shunda K with Yo! Majesty @ Highline Ballroom in 2008 (more by Faith-Ann Young)

First there were three MCs in Yo! Majesty: Jwl B, Shon B and Shunda K. By the time debut album 'Futuristically Speaking... Never Be Afraid' dropped late last year, Shon B had left the fold. Jwl B and Shunda K then fell out very publicly, suggesting Yo! Majesty was over. Now, this is where it gets complicated. In January, Jwl B did some time in a Florida prison, leaving Shunda K flying solo and claiming her partner-in-rhyme was sacked from the group. Then when Jwl B got out, ignored her and rejoined the tour, Shunda K quit immediately. Shon B returned to take her place. Confused yet? You're not the only one. [NME]

To update that, Shunda K has announced that Domino Records (who released Yo Majesty's album in October 2008) dropped her. And that she's released two collections of songs, Shunda K Presents: The Best Eva Written...Outkast mixtape and Kollaborations, a collection of...collaborations, both for free online. Those two collections, with MP3 singles from each, are linked above. More info is pasted below.

Shunda K has tour dates scheduled around the East Coast and in her homestate of Florida. Those shows include some dates with Peaches, including tonight - Friday, June 19th at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with Peaches and Drums of Death (which is sold out).

Her ties to Peaches go beyond touring as well. Peaches appears on Shunda's new Kollaborations disc, and Shunda guests on the Peaches' song "Billionaire" off her new album I Feel Cream. A video of the pair performing that song in LA on June 6th, Yo! Majesty (without Shunda) tour dates (all in Europe), more album info, and all Peaches and Shunda K shows, below...

Continue reading "Shunda K (ex-Yo! Majesty) no longer on Domino, two free LPs (download), and tour dates (MHOW w/ Peaches)"

Posted by brooklynvegan at 10:20 AM | Comments (1)

June 18, 2009

Cam'ron playing BB Kings, Jadakiss playing Sneaker Pimps

by Black Bubblegum

Yellow diamonds in Cam'ron's ears, call them lemonheads

Cam'ron may be off of the June 26th Sneaker Pimps show, but he is still on for the show at BB Kings happening four days later (Tickets are still available).

Jadakiss (of D-Block) has replaced Killa Cam on the Sneaker Pimps bill, and has one other show scheduled for July 12th in Minneapolis at Epic WITH Cam'ron. Jadakiss recently released the long-delayed LP The Last Kiss as well as JUST released the new D-Block LP No Security. In addition, his cohort in D-Block, Sheek Louch, recently confirmed a new LOX album by the end of this year.

Jadakiss and Sheek Louch's partner in D-Block, Styles P, is scheduled to perform at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival this weekend at Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO. Tickets are still available.

Cam'ron's Crime Pays is out now. Check out a video from "I Hate My Job" by Cam'ron and D-Block's "Get My Paper" below.

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Posted by brooklynvegan at 12:52 PM | Comments (7)

June 16, 2009

De La Soul going on tour w/ 10-piece band to celebrate 20 years of 3 Feet High & Rising (dates include Nokia Theater)

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: De La Soul - "Big Mouf" (MP3, Clean Version)

One of the great innovators of hip hop, De La Soul, are hitting the road in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their landmark 1989 LP (and one of my personal favorites), 3 Feet High and Rising!

The most inventive, assured, and playful debut in hip-hop history, 3 Feet High and Rising not only proved that rappers didn't have to talk about the streets to succeed, but also expanded the palette of sampling material with a kaleidoscope of sounds and references culled from pop, soul, disco, and even country music. Weaving clever wordplay and deft rhymes across two dozen tracks loosely organized around a game-show theme, ...Prince Paul (from Stetsasonic) and DJ Pasemaster Mase led the way on the production end, with dozens of samples from all sorts of left-field artists -- including Johnny Cash, the Mad Lads, Steely Dan, Public Enemy, Hall & Oates, and The Turtles.... If it was easy to believe the revolution was here from listening to the rapping and production on Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, with De La Soul the Daisy Age seemed to promise a new era of positivity in hip-hop. -[allmusic]

The anniversary tour, dubbed "20 Years High and Rising" will feature the supa emcees backed by the the 10-piece Rhythm Roots All-Stars, and includes a NYC show at Nokia Theater on August 13th! Tickets go on sale to gen pop on 6/19 at noon, while the AMEX presalers get a crack at 'em at noon on Wednesday (6/17).

Pos and Trugoy of De La Soul's bandmate in Gorillaz, Damon Albarn, recently played a few reunion shows with his old band Blur.

De La Soul's latest release, Are You In?, is part of the Nike+ Original Run series that has included such notables as A-Trak, LCD Soundsystem, and Aesop Rock. Check out "Big Mouf" from that record above, and download all of Are You In? via iTunes. The trio discusses the LP and the making of it in the video, which is posted with all known tour dates, below....

Continue reading "De La Soul going on tour w/ 10-piece band to celebrate 20 years of 3 Feet High & Rising (dates include Nokia Theater)"

Posted by brooklynvegan at 3:40 PM | Comments (6)

Atmosphere - 2009 Tour Dates (Webster Hall)

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Atmosphere - "Shoulda Known" (MP3, Clean Version)

Slug of Atmosphere (Jordon Daley)

Slug and Ant (AKA Atmosphere) are on their way back to NYC, having scheduled July 27th at Webster Hall as part of their ongoing "When God Gives You Ugly Tour". Tickets are on sale. The show is one of a handful of US dates lined up for this summer including an appearance at Lollapalooza, another at the 10,000 Lakes Festival (with Wilco, Akron/Family, many others), and a show at Red Rocks with MURS, Aesop Rock, Eyedea & Abilities, and Attracted To Gods. (Um, why can't we get that lineup too?)

The "When God Gives You Ugly Tour" is doing double duty, both promoting their latest LP When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (now available in a Deluxe Edition with a bonus DVD), as well as celebrating the re-release of their breakthrough LP God Loves Ugly with a bonus DVD.

Originally released as the limited Sad Clown Bad Dub 4 (The Godlovesugly Release Parties) DVD, it features 2 hours of live performance footage, backstage shenanigans, several special guest appearances and music videos for "Godlovesugly", "Summersong" and "Say Shh". Out of print for years, this DVD has been repackaged in a custom sleeve that comes inserted in with the re-issue of God Loves Ugly.

All tour dates and a video are below....

Continue reading "Atmosphere - 2009 Tour Dates (Webster Hall) "

Posted by brooklynvegan at 11:47 AM | Comments (5)

June 10, 2009

Big Boi, Clipse, Wale & the Cool Kids playing Sneaker Pimps in NYC & other shows

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: The Cool Kids - Gone Fishing Mixtape (ZIPPED MP3s, Megaupload link)

Cam'ron cancelled!

For those heads in search of those elusive Japan-only Dunks in the green-and-purple checked colorway, prick up your ears, this is a show for you.

Sneaker Pimps is the worlds largest touring sneaker hip-hop lifestyle exhibition featuring over 1500 pairs of rare, limited edition, vintage, celebrity signed, artists collaborated sneakers and a collection of sneaker inspired artwork, fashion and photography. The tour also features live street art installations, live skateboarding demonstrations, street basketball competitions and live hip-hop and rock performances by some of the world's foremost recording artists.

The Sneaker Pimps exhibition will hit eight cities over the next few weeks, the first of which is NYC at Terminal 5 on June 26th. Tickets are on sale .

This has has nothing to do with the trip hop band from the 90s, so why are we reporting on a shoe exhibition? The show will also include a band of hip hop noteables including Big Boi of Outkast (with Sleepy Brown?), Clipse, The Cool Kids, Wale, and the only man cool enough to get away with a pink Range Rover, (Killa!) Cam'ron!

UPDATE: Cam'ron is no longer on the NYC bill, but Ninjasonik, Team Facelift, and "CO HEADLINER TBA" are.

Cam'ron's new album, Crime Pays, is out now. Check out a fascinating interview with Killa Cam where he reveals his status with the Dipset, his thoughts on hip hop beef, and much more. Check that out here.

Big Boi's looooong awaited solo project Sir Luscious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty, will be released "soon" now that a label dispute with Jive Records has been resolved.

Clipse will be in greater NY this weekend, as the duo has also scheduled an appearance at the EastWest store in Westbury, as well as a show at Club Loaded in Farmingdale. Tickets are still available.

The Cool Kids released their new mixtape, Gone Fishing, a few weeks ago. Get that above. The pair will ALSO be semi-in-the-neighborhood this weekend, as they are slated to appear at the B.O.M.B. Fest in Waterford, CT on June 13th. They are also scheduled to be part of NXNE.

DC's own Wale is about to hit the road, but recently dropped the video for "Chillin" featuring Lady Gaga... who will be touring with Kanye West soon. Check that out below...

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Posted by brooklynvegan at 2:11 PM | Comments (12)

June 9, 2009

Cage & Yak Ballz - 2009 Tour Dates, videos & stuff

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Tone Tank - The King of Surf Guitar Rap EP
DOWNLOAD: Junk Science - "Fire Drill" EP

Where's la bouef? Ah! There's Labouef and Palko!

Chris Palko aka Cage, who's new album Depart From Me hits stores on July 7th via Definitive Jux, is prepping to take his show on the road after tagging Yak Ballz for support. Joining Palko on stage as part of the "Cage band" will be producer of a large portion of Depart From Me and ex-Hatebreed guitarist F.Sean (aka Sean Martin), as well as DJ Chauncey of XO Skeletons. The tour includes an album release party of sorts during a two night stay at Southpaw (July 2nd tix here and 3rd tix here) where Palko will sign posters and copies of his new album. Additional support for July 2nd is TBA, but Junk Science & "The King of Surf Guitar Rap" Tone Tank are on board for night two.

Cage recently dropped the I Never Knew You EP, which is currently available for "pay what you want" download at the Def Jux site. The EP accompanies the video (viewable below) that was directed by partner-in-crime and star of the upcoming Michael Bay explosion-fest Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen, Shia LaBouef. No word on where Shia is with the reported Cage biopic.

Yak Ballz and House of Blow (aka F.Sean and Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw, Head Automatica fame) are currently collaborating on some tracks, with one to appear on an upcoming Def Jux compilation. Yak Skywalker also recently posted his thoughts on one of his favorite hip hop songs ever, Camp Lo's "Luchini" (I have to agree) as well as dropped details on an exclusive series of shirts with fellow Weathermen El-P, Cage & Aesop Rock. More in a recent blog post here.

Video and dates below...

Continue reading "Cage & Yak Ballz - 2009 Tour Dates, videos & stuff "

Posted by brooklynvegan at 12:10 PM | Comments (10)