by BBG

Brand Nubian with Grand Puba at BHHF 2009 (more here)


A Grand Puba-less Brand Nubian will play Knitting Factory on September 1st (tickets) in honor of their classic, yet controversial In God We Trust LP:

[The lead single] "Punks Jump up to Get Beat Down"... was met with controversy over blatant homophobic content, referencing the Sadat X line "I can freak, fly, flow, fuck up a faggot/I don't understand their ways, I ain't down with gays." Despite the controversy, the single charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 77. Later versions omitted the line, including the version on the greatest hits compilation The Very Best of Brand Nubian. -[Wikipedia]

Continue reading "Brand Nubian will perform 'In God We Trust' in full "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Wiz Kalifa - Flight School Mixtape (Yousendit, Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Souls of Mischief - "LaLaLa" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Souls of Mischief - "Tour Stories" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Tanya Morgan - "So Damn Down" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Tanya Morgan - "Bang N Boogie" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: KRS-One & Buckshot - "Survival Skills" (MP3)

Saul Williams at Afropunk 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

NYC invented HIP HOP, so CMJ would be nowhere if it didn't rep the art form to the fullest. Over five packed days, our fair city will be set ablaze by the likes of Raekwon, Saul Williams, Souls of Mischief, and a host of others, as well as smaller, buzzier names that you can look forward to name checking in the future. So with all these great events going down, we figured we'd make it easy for you with the BV Guide to Hip Hop at CMJ 2009!

Speaking of Souls of Mischief, we have A PAIR OF TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR GIVEAWAY for that Audible Treats showcase that will feature them along side Tanya Morgan, Trinity, Finale and many more. Details on how to win those at the bottom of this post.

Continue reading "the BV Guide to Hip Hop at CMJ 2009"

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 "

by Black Bubblegum

Pharaohe Monch sez GTFU!

Its that time of year again... when NYC flexes its considerable Hip Hop muscle with a summer of killer hip hop shows. One of the most high profile of those is The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, taking place this year on June 20th at Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO. Tickets are available online or at Fat Beats NYC at $10 for a single, $35 for four, and other configurations.

Headlining the affair is the incomparable Queens tongue-twister Pharoahe Monch, who will join the legendary DJ Premier, The Ghost (aka Styles P), dead prez, Smif N Wessun (who are also playing Brower Park & Southpaw), Grand Puba (no Stud Doogie, love?), Marco Polo & Torae (who are also playing Fat Beats & Southpaw), and many many others. The full two stage lineup is below.

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is a few days shy of a month away from Pharoahe's appearance at All Points West as half of the mighty Organized Konfusion, and a few weeks after Marco Polo & Torae's new album Double Barrel hits stores.

Another major NYC Hip Hop Festival, Rock Steady 32nd Anniversary, has yet to announce any details. Brooklyn fest details below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival - 2009 lineup, date & ticket info "