by BBG

Ghostface Killah at Rock The Bells (more by Andrew St. Clair)

CMJ is almost here, and as usual hip hop is well represented with appearances from the greats as well as those on the upswing. Ghostdini (aka Ghostface Killah) obviously is one of the former, and he'll headline BB Kings on 10/22 with Sheek Louch (of D-Block), and Frank Dukes. Tickets are on sale, or you can get in with your CMJ badge.

Audible Treats have announced their 2010 showcase at Sullivan Hall in NYC, and once again it's chock full of interesting indie hip hop. Veterans Black Sheep will join Nottz, Diamond District, Big Pooh (ex-Little Brother), Chip Fu (of Fu-Schnickens), Rah Digga, Von Pea, Moe Green, DaVinci, and The Left (Apollo Brown, DJSoko, Journalist103). The show goes down on 10/21 and tickets are on sale.

Von Pea of Tanya Morgan will play two shows at SOBs in the coming months, with the first happening on 9/29 when he supports Pac Div along with STS and Beyond Belief (tickets). Then less than two weeks later, Von Pea will play the venue again with J-Live in tow to celebrate the release of his new record Pea's Gotta Have It. Tickets are on sale.

And while we're on the subject of former members of Little Brother, Foreign Exchange (aka ex-Little Brother member Phonte and producer Nicolay) will play a CMJ how at BB King's on 10/23 with Darien Brockington, Zo! and a live band in tow. Tickets are on sale. Darien Brockington, who also contributes to Foriegn Exchange, will also be at SOBs in the coming weeks as part of a collaborative show with R&B singer Yahzarah on 10/14. Tickets are on sale.

Duck Down will team up with Blacksmith Music (Kweli's label) for the Duck Down vs Blacksmith CMJ Showcase with appearances from Jean Grae, Pete Rock, Strong Arm Steady, Pharoahe Monch, Skyzoo & !llmind, Marco Polo with Torae & Ruste Juxx, Team Facelift and Boot Camp Clik (Sean Price, Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Heltah Skeltah & 9th Wonder). Sounds amazing. Tickets are on sale for the 10/19 show at LPR.

The Duck Down CMJ show is part of a "15 Year Anniversary" tour for the label. All dates below.

And for those of you planning next week, keep in mind that Talib Kweli will play Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday (9/28) with Res and K-Salaam. Tickets are on sale.

And speaking of Pete Rock, BB King's will host a night curated by the year 1992, as Pete Rock & CL Smooth will team with Brand Nubian and Das EFX for a show at BB King's on 10/20. Tickets are on sale. Pete Rock & CL Smooth reunited at Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest earlier this year.

Eric and Parrish are making more dollars at Knitting Factory on November 19th, as the duo known as EPMD will team up to tear down the joint with D-Money. Tickets are on sale.

Joell Ortiz of recent Slaughterhouse fame will play SOBs on 11/9. Tickets are on sale.

Pittsburgh weed kingpin Wiz Khalifa will play the Best Buy Theater on November 13th as part of a huge US tour dubbed the Waken Baken Tour. Tickets are on sale. All dates below.

Statik Selektah & Termanology's new collaborative LP, 1982, gets an album release party on October 25th at SOBs. Tickets are on sale for the show, which will feature support from REKS & more special guests TBA. Dig on the recent video by 1982 featuring Bun B & Masspike Miles, "You Should Go Home", below.

Some videos and tour dates below...

Continue reading "upcoming hip hop shows & tours -- CMJ, Duck Down & more "

photos by Tim Griffin, Words By Black Bubblegum

Buckshot and The General Steele

After a small hiccup (we're glad you're better Buckshot), BCC affiliates Black Moon and Smif N Wessun took the stage at The Knitting Factory on November 9th to perform their classic mid-school records and backpacker staples, Enta Da Stage and Da Shinin (respectively). The two groups shared the stage at points as their alter-ego Black Smif N Wessun, splitting time at the outset with Smif N Wessun taking the stage first. Backed by Da Beatminerz on the mix (c'mon kick it!) as well as a live band, Dru Ha, Havoc (of Mobb Deep), and even Travis from Gym Class Heroes (huh, wha?) came and dropped a verse. Miss Info thinks that Travis may have signed a solo deal with Duck Down Records... I guess that remains to be seen.

Smif N Wessun flubbed their lines once on a track but did some push-ups to make up for it. More pictures, including one of the full setlist, below...

Continue reading "Black Moon & Smif N Wessun @ Knitting Factory -pics, setlist"

by Black Bubblegum

Duck Down Records, Home of BCC (thosalumpagus)

If there was a group that personified the underground NYC back-packer movement of the mid-90s, it was the Boot Camp Clik. Made up of Black Moon (with 5ft, Buckshot & Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz), Smif-N-Wessun (fka Cocoa Brovaz), Heltah Skeltah (featuring Sean Price), and Originoo Gunn Clappaz (let's not count the Representivz), the crew released classic mid-90s records like Operation: Lockdown, Enta Da Stage, and my favorite of 'em all, Dah Shinin'. Following the lead of the GZA (who is also playing Liquid Swords one more time, September 12th - tickets here) Black Moon will perform all of their classic Enta Da Stage and Smif-N-Wessun will perform all of their classic Dah Shinin' with a live band! Tickets are on sale for the September 26th show. It's happening at Knitting Factory in NYC.

No word on an apperance by Shuckie Duckie or Eddie Machete.

Also at the Knitting Factory, AZ celebrates the release of his newest mixtape, N.4.L. with the help of Brand Nubian Sadat X. Tickets are on sale. AZ's new mixtape sounds suspiciously similar to his consigliere in The Firm's (Nas) new album. Nas is hitting the road with Talib Kweli.

Continue reading "Black Moon playing Enta Da Stage, Smif-N-Wessun: Dah Shinin"