DOWNLOAD: Kool A.D. - "Exotische Kunst" (ZIP)

Das Racist in Brooklyn in June (more by Eric M. Townsend)

As just mentioned on BrooklynVegan, Das Racist's Kool A.D. has expanded his tour with Fat Tony and it now includes a Chicago show at Reggie's on August 12 with local crew BBU. Tray & Puzzle and Stacks are also on the bill for the all ages day show, which begins at 3 PM, and is a Tamms Year Ten benefit show. Tickets for the show are on sale now, and 100% of proceeds will be donated to Tamms.

In celebration of the tour, Kool A.D. released a free style over Kanye's "New God Flow" called "Exotische Kunst" which you can download above. All tour dates are listed below.

Continue reading "Kool AD touring w/ Fat Tony, playing Reggie's w/ BBU (dates)"

DOWNLOAD: The Hood Internet - "Won't Fuck Us Over" (feat. BBU & Annie Hart) (MP3)

As mentioned, Chicago beatsmiths The Hoot Internet are gearing up for the release of their debut LP, FEAT, due out on October 2 via Decon. Much like its title suggests, the album features a slew of special guests including Class Actress, Cadence Weapon, AC Newman, Annie Hart, ShowYouSuck, Zambri, Hooray for Earth, BBU, the Rosebuds, Astronautalis, and many more. Rolling Stone have premiered FEAT's lead single "Won't Fuck Us Over," which SLV STV explained began as a cover of The National's "Mr. November." The track features vocals from Annie Hart of Au Revoir Simone and verses from local hip hop group BBU. You can download it at the top of this post.

The Hood Internet head out on a West Coast tour later this month, with support from Tanya Morgan and Psalm One. Check out their tour schedule below, along with a video of their recent A.V. Club Undercover episode, where they covered The Pretenders' "Back On The Chain Gang" with Dan Didier (The Promise Ring/Maritime), Angela Mullenhour, and Ellen Bunch (both of Coins).

Continue reading "check out a new track from The Hood Internet featuring BBU & Annie Hart (MP3)"

With the addition of The Soft Pack, Gypsyblood, the Mutts, Young Jesus, and Magic Milk, the 2012 Do Division Street Festival has sealed its schedule. The free street fest (suggested donation of $5), taking place from June 1-3 in Wicker Park, also features a sidewalk sale from participating local shops and tons of food vendors.

Full lineup below...

Continue reading "Do Division finishes off lineup w/ The Soft Pack, Gypsyblood, the Mutts, Young Jesus & Magic Milk"

The Antlers @ Metro in June (more by Grant MacAllister)

At the beginning of this week the Do Division Street Festival, taking place from June 1-3 in Wicker Park, announced their initial lineup of Le Butcherettes, O'Death, and Murder By Death. They've now added Brooklyn's The Antlers, plus Chicago's own BBU and Mannequin Men to the overall lineup.

Stay tuned for more info.

BBU

As announced, Big Freedia and crew are headed back to the Empty Bottle on April 13. Tickets are still available. The Chicago show is part of a larger spring tour, which kicks off in just a few days. All dates can be found below.

Chicago's own BBU, who recently dropped a new mixtape, will act as main support for the queen diva. Stream their new tape, titled bell hooks, in its entirety at the bottom of this post.

All Big Freedia dates and BBU mixtape stream, below..

Continue reading "BBU are opening for Big Freedia @ the Empty Bottle"

Nguzunguzu

today in Chicago
* BBU & friends @ Schubas
* Roster McCabe @ Martyrs
* Shawn Mullins, Callaghan @ SPACE
* Masses, Fetch, Steven Leaf @ Township
* Young The Giant, Walk The Moon @ the Riv
* Pine Leaf Boys @ Old Town School of Folk Music
* Fight Nice, Pork n Beans, Zigmortius @ Stage Bar
* Anvil, Admiral of Black, Beak, Ironfinger @ Reggie's
* Doomtree, Toki Wright @ Bottom Lounge (Early Show)
* Rollo Tomasi, Rough Island, Arbogast @ Ultra Lounge
* Space Was Cool, Viceroy, John L Sullivan @ Beat Kitchen
* Wugazi, The Hood Internet @ Bottom Lounge (Late Show)
* Innkeepers, The Hildegard Knef, Magic Gloves @ The Burlington
* Barry Adamson @ Reckless Records (Wicker Park)(Free; In-store)
* Nguzunguzu, Supreme Cuts, Bizzies, Sparkletone, Jake Guidry @ Smart Bar
* Castavet, Stay Ahead Of The Weather, Coping, Amulet, Daylight @ Empty Bottle

Nguzunguzu are here as part of the Red Bull Music Academy's Chicago Sessions.

BBU are celebrating the release of their new mixtape, bell hooks, at Schubas tonight.

Shawn Mullins plays SPACE tonight. As mentioned, he'll perform with Levon Helm as part of the Old Town School of Folk Music's Blue Jean Gala.

Still Corners have a new video for Endless Summer. Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

DOWLOAD: BBU - "Jumpers" (MP3)
DOWLOAD: BBU - "Kurt De La Rocha" (MP3)

Chicago rappers BBU - standing for both Bin Laden Blowing Up and Brown, Black & Ugly - are set to release their sophomore mixtape titled bell hooks on February 21st via Mishka/Mad Decent/Audible Treats. On the tape, the four-man crew of Epic, Illekt, Jasson Perez, and DJ Esquire have tightened up their sound and showcase a wide variety of influences, from Bad Brains to Dead Prez.

Above, we have two bell hooks tracks, "Jumpers" and "Kurt De La Rocha" available for download. "Kurt De La Rocha" is a tribute to both Kurt Cobain (sampling Nirvana's "Polly") and Rage Against The Machine's Zack de la Rocha (borrowing lyrics from "Killing in the Name"). Both tracks are also streaming below, along with "Please, No Pictures" featuring Das Racist and another titled "Outlaw Culture."

On February 23rd, the group will celebrate the release of bell hooks with a show at Schubas. Billed as "BBU & friends," the night will also feature a performance by ShowYouSuck, DJ sets by Stefan Ponce and MattBoyWhite, and spoken word from Kevin Coval and Malcom London. Tickets are on sale now for just $5. You can also purchase $20 VIP tickets which include a t-shirt and physical copy of bell hooks.

Some song streams, below..

Continue reading "BBU to release 'bell hooks,' announce show @ Schubas"

A-Trak @ a SPIN party (NYC) (more by Bryan Bruchman)

Though tickets haven't been posted yet, jet-setting DJ A-Trak will be performing at The Mid on February 10th. His Chicago performance is part of a short (and sporadic) string of winter dates, which you can view all of below.

Flosstradamus will play a hometown show at the venue, though much sooner. He'll headline a FREE (with RSVP) event on December 28th, along side AraabMuzik, Zebo, Prob Cause, and BBU.

French techno producer/DJ Laurent Garnier is also coming to The Mid, on January 13th. He'll perform with Benjamin Rippert and Scan X. Tickets are still available.

Head below for all 2011/12 A-Track dates..

Continue reading "A-Trak is coming to The Mid, so is Laurent Garnier & more DJs"

Backyard Film & Music Fest was started in 2008 by a few friends who set up a film projector for about 40 people in lawn chairs. Since then the fest has expanded to include music and has featured the likes of Dosh, Light Pollution, Panda Riot, and more.

This year's event happens on October 1st, starting at 2PM with the film section at the Wicker Park Art Center. The party then moves to the music at the Viaduct Theater; full festival attendees will be able to cram everything in without missing a thing.

The music portion will feature hyped up Pittsburgh/Houson artist Wise Blood along with Judson Claiborne, BBU, and Bhi Bhiman. Though no titles have been released, the late afternoon film portion will have both local and international short films.

Full event tickets are going for $20 each, just music for $15, and just film for $10.

Check out the event's flyer below, and a hilarious promo video.

Continue reading "Backyard Film & Music Fest returns to Chicago for a 4th Year"