GZAblacklips1

Raekwon on tour (dates), GZA likes to collaborate (Dan Deacon, Har Mar, Peter, Bjorn, John, King Khan & more)

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Salvador Santana – “Keyboard City” f GZA (Dan Deacon Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Mando Diao – “Dance With Somebody” (The Hood Internet Remix f GZA & Cadence Weapon) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black Lips – “Drop I Hold” featuring GZA (MP3)

GZA & Black Lips at SXSW 2009 (photo by Bill Pearis)
GZA + Black Lips

Still no word on a Gucci Mane/Beirut collabo album, but Wu-Tanger GZA has been hard at work rocking remixes and dropping collabos a-plenty. After appearing on a remix of Mando Diao‘s “Dance With Somebody” w/ Cadence Weapon by The Hood Internet (get that above), GZA has also popped up on another Hood Internet remix, this time of Salvador Santana‘s “Keyboard City”. That remix inspired a second (a re-remix?) this time with Mr Green Skull himself, Dan Deacon.

Originally, GZA was featured over a remix of the song “Keyboard City” done by The Hood Internet. Now, Dan Deacon took that remix and dissected it into this an awesome blend of Vocoder / electro madness.
This collaboration was inspired by the idea of GZA and Dan Deacon working together and Salvador Santana a platform was set for more original material between the two in the future. GZA first caught wind of Dan Deacon earlier this fall and after a connection via their publicist, Dan ended up taking GZA and Salvador’s remix and putting his own twist on it.

It’s not the first time that the Genius has collabo’d with indie artists (he teamed up with Black Lips at SXSW, dropped mathematics on a Peter Bjorn & John‘s forthcoming Living Thing remix LP, and played with King Khan at FFF and elsewhere), and it won’t be the last. So far we already know that Fucked Up and Devendra Banhart have contributed some original material for GZA, but now comes word that Health have remixed a track, Har Mar Superstar is on board and Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal) has also hooked up some science for GZA which will appear on his new album out in late spring of 2010. Look for it.

GZA also recently popped up on Fucked Up‘s charity single which is on iTunes now.

GZA appeared on the stupid dope Raekwon album Only Built For Cuban Linx Pt II, and now that the onslaught of praise has died down somewhat, that Staten Island representative is on a short tour to remind the haters why he rules faces. Count on support from Queensbridge representatives Capone n Noreaga (who aim to “blow holes in your Versace”) as well as Queen Yonasda. The trio hits Irving Plaza on 12/16, tickets are still on sale.

Ruff Ryder, D-Block member and OB4CL2 contributor Jadakiss has also scheduled a show at Highline Ballroom on 12/22 with Melanie Fiona & special guests. Tickets are on sale. J-A-to-the-mwah dropped The Last Kiss earlier this year.

Make sure not to forget the previously discussed, Method Man / Ghostface appearance as part of the Hip Hop Legends series at BB Kings on Dec 23. The jawdopping lineup contains a veritable who’s who of 80s-90s greats including Doug E Fresh, EPMD, Main Source/Large Professor, Onyx, Showbiz & AG, Masta Ace, Ed OG, “+ more TBA”. Tickets are still available.

Dig on some videos below, including one of GZA with King Khan, as well as Raekwon tour dates…

GZA& King Khan – “4th Chamber” LIVE @ YONGE DUNDAS SQ.

Black Lips f GZA– “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” at SXSW 2009

Ghostface f. Kid Cudi, Redman, Jadakiss, U-God MySpace Release

RAEKWON – 2009 TOUR DATES
Dec 9 2009 HOUSE OF BLUES CHICAGO, Illinois
Dec 10 2009 PEABODY’S CLEVELAND, Ohio
Dec 11 2009 ALROSA VILLA COLUMBUS, Ohio
Dec 12 2009 BLIND PIG ANN ARBOR, Michigan
Dec 13 2009 MR. SMALLS MILLVALE, Pennsylvania
Dec 15 2009 930 CLUB WASHINGTON, DC, Washington DC
Dec 16 2009 Irving Plaza Manhatten, New York
Dec 17 2009 PARADISE BOSTON, Massachusetts
Dec 18 2009 ASYLUM PORTLAND, New Hampshire