photos by Tim Griffin

Hum @ Fun Fun Fun Fest

I can say without any reservations that this was a moment I had thought about for nearly 15 years. HUM was a band that I worshiped from my mid teenage years until well into my twenties. Their two major label records, You'd Prefer An Astronaut and Downward is Heavenward, I clutched tightly against my chest and listened to on repeat in the closed world of my angst-fueled bedroom. Next to ninja turtles bed sheets, posters of Nirvana and Issac Asimov novels, were cassette and CD copies of both albums. I can still remember hearing when I was 13 or 14 that HUM would be playing a small festival show at Worlds of Fun with my other favorite band of the time, Kill Creek. I've been beating myself up for missing that show for over a decade. -[Demencha]

The above review comes from the Kansas City reunion appearance of Hum, which went down a month after they played the AV Fest in Chicago and right before their Fun Fun Fun fest showing. We only posted one picture from their Austin show. This post attempts to remedy that situation.

If you missed them (possibly because you live in the East Coast), we also have a consolation prize in the form of a live recording via Cavis Tapes who recorded the whole Fun Fun Fun Fest set and posted it as a free download, Grab that before the link expires.

You can also get your Hum fix via a tribute LP which was recently released via Pop Up Records. The record features contributions from names like The Esoteric, Constants, Junius, City of Ships, and many others.

So far Hum has not announced any more shows. More of those belated Hum pictures from Fun Fun Fun Fest are below...

Continue reading "Hum pics & audio from FFF Fest +++ a tribute CD out now"

Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire

"Shortcuts" is a new party being thrown by Heems of Das Racist, Dean Bein of True Panther Sounds, and Despot at Santos Party House. The first edition goes down on September 8 with Spaceghostpurrp, ASAP Rocky, Das Racist (DJ), and Venus X & $hayne (Ghe20 G0th1k). Tickets are on sale now and the flier is below.

LA Weekly recently spoke to 19 year old Miami rapper/producer Spaceghostpurrp, who plays the Shortcuts party. He talked about how he's friends with Kreayshawn, Syd tha Kyd playing his song "Suck a Dick" at a show, and how people need to stop comparing him to Tyler, the Creator and Lil B (even though he fucks with the Based movement). You can listen to the track "Suck a Dick" below.

In related news, Mishka, the store/label who put out material by Das Racist, Stalley, and more recently Main Attrakionz, will release Brooklyn rapper Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire's debut album Lost In Translation on September 11 as a free download. The album will feature production by El-P (who also contributed production to the new Das Racist album), Necro, Esoteric, BoweryBeats, Constrobuz and Charli Brown Beatz. Check out Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire's excellent (and slightly NSFW) video for "Huzzah" with the full new album tracklist below.

Continue reading "Spaceghostpurrp & ASAP Rocky playing new Santos party, Mishka releasing free Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire album"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Guilty Simpson & Madlib - "Coroner's Music" (MP3)

'Coroner's Music' off O.J. Simpson

Before we go any further, no, Mr. Bloody Glove has not released a solo record. Yet. (More on that below). BUT, Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz is prepping his. Vinnie Paz recently dropped the early-Wu-tastic single "Drag You To Hell" which is currently streamable here and available via iTunes here. The track comes from his upcoming solo LP The Assassin's Creed, which features appearances from Beanie Sigel, Clipse, and Freeway as well as production by Madlib, Lil Fame (M.O.P.), Da Beatminerz, and 4th Disciple (Wu-Tang) among others.

Jedi Mind Tricks will hit the road in mid August for a west-midwest-east tour with Esoteric (of 7L & Esoteric) and Reef the Lost Cauze that includes an NYC show at Highline Ballroom on 9/13 and a show on L.I. at Crazy Donkey the night before. Tickets for Highline are on sale.

Speaking of Madlib, the Beat Konducta has announced his collaboration with Guilty Simpson for an album named, er, OJ Simpson (Madlib's real name is Otis Jackson). The new track "Coroner's Music" (available above) comes from an LP due on the mighty Stones Throw this fall (and a 12" that is out now), and features Strong Arm Steady, Elzhi (of the recently reunited Slum Village who played Rock the Bells at Jones Beach on July 19th), as well as cuts from the great J.Rocc.

Speaking of Rock the Bells (and Wu-Tang),

Between the end of Wu's set and the beginning of Slaughterhouse's, Method Man and Joe Budden were seen walking together in the parking lot. The two took their time quashing the beef.

When Slaughterhouse, which also includes Royce da 5'9", Joell Ortiz and Crooked I, took the stage, they publicly announced the end of the short-term feud.

"It will never be a beef with Wu-Tang clan," Royce said. He then revealed the convo between Meth and Budden, saying the situation was "squashed." [MTV]

Ghostface, Redman & Method Man play Nokia Theatre in NYC on July 30th.

Annnnnd while we're on the subject, Evidence (who performed At Jones Beach with The Alchemist as Step Brothers) will hit the road this coming fall with Brother Ali, BK One and Toki Wright for a US tour in celebration of Brother Ali's new LP on Rhymesayers, US. Evidence recently signed with Rhymesayers, and will release Cats & Dogs via the label in 2010. The Alchemist's new album, Chemical Warfare, is out NOW and features appearances from Kool G Rap, Eminem, Prodigy (of Mobb Deep - recorded before he hit the lock-up I'm assuming) and many others.

The NYC Brother Ali date is November 7th at Irving Plaza. Tickets for the whole tour are now on presale. All dates below.

Founders of the Rhymesayers crew, Atmosphere are on tour, and hit Webster Hall in NYC TONIGHT (7/27).

Stones Throw badass Peanut Butter Wolf is scheduled to perform at All Points West this weekend (July 31 - Aug 2). Jay-Z, KOOL Keith, Q-Tip, Pharcyde, Organized Konfusion, The Cool Kids and others will also be part of the Jersey City festivities.

Esoteric of 7L & Esoteric will release his solo debut Saving Seamus Ryan on 9/22 featuring appearances by Masta Ace and DJ Premier.

Video of Step Brothers @ Rock The Bells, as well as all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "OJ Simpson (Madlib+Guilty), Jedi Mind Tricks, Brother Ali, Atmosphere & other hip hop news (with tour dates) "