Lauryn Hill at MHOW last night (via @gogo6969)

Lauryn Hill is about to do time for tax evasion, and though her high-priced show at Music Hall of Williamsburg last night with guest DJ Q-Tip (May 14) might have smelled like a last ditch effort to wrangle up some cash, she reportedly didn't perform it like that:

Classic tracks such as "Lost Ones" and "How Many Mics" were delivered with such venom and quick-fire vocal prowess that it almost transformed them into entirely new compositions, nearly unrecognizable from the album versions unless you were paying close attention. The latter was especially ferocious, with Hill bringing the song down to near-silence (she would exercise considerable control over her band as the evening went on, shushing and cajoling them in equal measure depending on her mood) and turning things over to her trio of backup singers, before rousing the band and the crowd into a final, multisyllabic climax... She wasn't performing like someone who was about to go to jail. She wasn't performing like someone who just needed the money. Rather, she was performing like someone who cared so much about her craft and presentation that it bled seamlessly out of her, with near-flawless transitions and an intensity that belied her famous reclusive nature. It wasn't Lauryn Hill, neo-soul rapstress. It was Lauryn Hill laying it all on the line regardless of what would, or will, come next. -[Billboard]

Check a video from last night  where Lauryn Hill invited her children on stage to perform at the end of the evening, below...

Continue reading "Lauryn Hill played one of her last (and reportedly one of her best) shows before jail at Music Hall of Williamsburg"

Q-Tip with A Tribe Called Quest during SXSW 2013 (more by John Sculli)

Q-Tip has been added on as special guest DJ for tonight's Lauryn Hill show at Music Hall of Williamsburg, possibly her last in NYC for some time. Tickets are still available. If you feel like doubling up on your dosage of The Abstract, head to his residency at Cielo, "Boogie Back Tuesdays," later on. Tickets are still available for that as well.

In addition, Q-Tip has signed on to DJ The American Museum of Natural History's One Step Beyond party on June 7 along with Nickodemus and DJ Eleven. Tickets are still available.

The xx @ Coachella 2013 (more by Wei Shi)

As you may be aware, Baz Lurhmann's glitzy, big-budget adaptatation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, The Great Gatzby, is out May 10 and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Toby Maguire, and Carey Mulligan. That same week will see the release of its soundtrack which was curated by Jay-Z and features Jack White, The Bryan Ferry Orchestra, Gotye, Lana Del Rey, Beyonce with Andre 3000, and Jay-Z himself.

It's also got a new track by The xx, titled "Together," which was specifically written for the film. You can stream it, and check out the soundtrack art, full tracklist and a trailer for the film, below....

Continue reading "stream The xx's contribution to 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack"

by Bill Pearis

Penn Badgley in 'Greetings from Tim Buckley'

As mentioned, the Tribeca Film Festival is about to kick off and runs from April 17 - 28. Tickets to all screenings are currently on sale to AmEx users and downtown residents, and go on sale to the general public Monday (4/15) at 11 AM. Additionally, Tribeca Film Fest screenings are never fully sold out, as limited rush tickets are available before screenings. More details on that can be found here.

Like usual, there are a few music-related films playing at this year's fest. We already told you about Mistaken for Strangers, in which The National's Matt Berringer invites his brother, Tom, to come along on tour with the band and film them. But it's not your typical tour doc. The film opens the festival on Wednesday (4/17) where The National will also perform and then there are two additional screenings: 4/26 at the Village 7 (8:30 PM, only rush tickets left); and 4/27 at School of Visual Arts (9:30 PM, tickets).

Matt Beringer will also participate at one of the Tribeca Talks panel discussions titled "Music + Film" that happens at the SVA on 4/28 (3:30 PM)  also features Q-Tip and director Todd Haynes, who made the unconventional Dylan biopic, I'm Not There, and the pseudo-Bowie biopic, Velvet Goldmine. Free tickets are available.

Then there's Greetings from Tim Buckley where Gossip Girl's Penn Badgely plays Jeff Buckley. Showings are 4/23 at BMCC Tribeca PAC (6 PM, tickets) and 4/25 at the Village 7 (8:30 PM, tickets).

For fans of concert photography, there's Who Shot Rock n' Roll: The Film, featuring interviews with Edward Colver, Henry Diltz, Jill Furmanovsky, Lynn Goldsmith, Bob Gruen, Norman Seeff, Mark Seliger, Guy Webster and more. Tickets are still available for the 4/23 screening at Clearview Chelsea (9:30 PM) and rush tickets are available for 4/20 at the Village 7 (noon), 4/26 at Clearview Chelsea (7 PM), and 4/28 at Tribeca Cinemas (5 PM)

Not music-related but one we're more than a little curious about is Lil Bub & Friendz which looks at the internet's obsession with all things cats. There's a free screening of the film on 4/20 (8 PM) at Tribeca Drive-In (Brookfield Place, World Financial Plaza). Additional ticketed screenings happen on 4/18 at the SVA (9:30), as well as 4/23 (6 PM) and 4/25 (3 PM) at the Village 7 (tickets).

There's lots of other films playing too, obviously, and you can peruse Tribeca Film Festival's 2013 line-up here. Trailers for films mentioned in this post are below.

Continue reading "Tribeca Film Fest starts this week (The National, 'Greetings from Tim Buckley,' Q-Tip, Lil Bub ++ more) "

Art from the classic LP

If bands played nice, it would be a lot less confusing for the rest of us. '90s-era hip hop crew The Pharcyde have split into two factions and both are currently touring around the U.S.  Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde is original Pharcyde members Fatlip and Slimkid3, as well as producers J-Swift and LA Jay. The crew is performing the band's 1992 classic LP of that name, and are even going so far as to publish the setlist ahead of time. Look for BRIITP to perform on Jan 31 at SOB's. Tickets are still available.

Meanwhile,  Bootie Brown and Imani have retained the original The Pharcyde name and while they have no upcoming NYC dates, their current tour schedule is below.

Speaking of crews that can't keep it together, Q-Tip's (of A Tribe Called Quest) next DJ night at Irving Plaza, scheduled for 1/18, has been cancelled, but he has announced one   at the same venue on July 26 with DJ Spinna in honor of Michael Jackson's birthday (now an annual tradition). Ticketing info is on the way. UPDATE: Despite what Live Nation's website says, Q-Tip & Spinna are not currently scheduled to play Irving Plaza on 7/26 (the website relisted the cancelled event from last year as happening this year).

All Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde and, um, Pharcyde tour dates -- plus song streams -- are below.

Continue reading "The Pharcyde is touring and so is Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde (playing their classic LP) (dates)"

Roc Marciano's Marcberg was an ode DIY hip hop of yesteryear; dusty, hand-triggered drum samples and the hard-as-nails rhymes tipped their hat to Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang and the godfather of NYC gangsterism himself, Kool G Rap. Now the NYC producer/MC is readying his follow-up, the new LP Reloaded due this week (11/13) via Decon. Stream all of the new LP, which features production by Alchemist, Q-Tip and Marcberg himself, below (via SPIN).

Continue reading "Stream Roc Marciano's 'Reloaded' in full"

Obama hugs Bruce Springsteen (pre-election night)

A selection of tweets reacting to Obama's big win last night....

":)" - Grizzly Bear

"YES" - Amanda Palmer

"yeah!!!!" - Laurel Halo

"FUCK YES" - HEALTH

"fuck yeah." - Colin Meloy

"FUCK YEAH AMERICA!!! #OBAMA" - King Tuff

continued below...

Continue reading "Artists react to Obama's win"

As rumored, rivals Fat Joe and 50 Cent came together to honor Chris Lighty at the BET Hip Hop Awards last night. Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Diggy Simmons, Phife Dawg, LL Cool J and Funkmaster Flex took part of the 10 minute segment too. Watch it below...

Continue reading "VIDEO: watch Chris Lighty tribute @ BET Hip Hop Awards (A Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Fat Joe & more)"

"Its good to see NYC come out every time i perform. That shit is dope." - Action Bronson

Action Bronson and a bag of weed at MHOW in August (more by Ryan Muir)

Remember how we just said that Action Bronson continues to give NYC many chances to see him? Well he's keeping that up. After just playing a show with RL Grime last Friday (9/28), Bronson announced that he'll play a free Scion A/V-presented show in the front room of Public Assembly on October 10 with Jonwayne, Party Supplies, and DJ Getlive. The show is free but RSVP is strictly required. The flier for this show is below. Not very surprisingly, it's also been announced that his Highline Ballroom show (10/30) with Cypress Hill is part of a larger tour the two acts will go on together this fall. All dates are listed below.

Action Bronson associate Meyhem Lauren (who he shared a bill with at MHOW in August) has an upcoming Public Assembly show (10/25) too. His is with Lakutis, Big Baby Ghandi, Spit Gemz, Timeless Truth, Gee Dubs, Eff Yoo, and DJ Uneek. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Tanya Morgan, who was also on that MHOW show, have a show at Public Assembly (10/23) too, two days before the Meyhem Lauren show. That one's a co-headlining show with rapper/producer Oddisee, who Tanya Morgan has played with before, and who released the album, People Hear What They See over the summer (stream it at SPIN). Support on that show comes from The Doppelgangaz, Mr. Mag, and Gotham Green, along with a DJ set by DJ Tara and it's being hosted by Dee Phunk. Tickets are on sale now. It takes place just after CMJ, which Oddisee is scheduled to play, though no shows have been announced yet as of this post. All Oddisee dates are listed below.

That famed MHOW show was rounded out by Flatbush Zombies, who were joined by A$AP Rocky and in turn joined him at his Roseland Ballroom show last week (9/27). Flatbush Zombies don't have a Public Assembly show coming up, but they do have a Noisey: Acid Alumni CMJ show happening at Santos Party House on October 17 with Children of the Night, Haleek Maul, Bodega Bamz (who also joined Rocky at that Roseland show), and The Underachievers (who will be taking part in Flying Lotus' NYC takeover). That show is free with RSVP. The flier is below.

Roc Marciano - Reloaded

In more related news, Action Bronson/Meyhem Lauren associate Roc Marciano will release his new album, Reloaded, on November 13 via Decon. The album was mostly self-produced, but also includes a few tracks produced by The Alchemist (whose album featured Roc, plus Action Bronson, Meyhem Lauren, and many others), plus tracks produced by Q-Tip, Ray West, The Arch Druids, and guest spots from Ka and Knowledge Pirate. That's the cover art above (via HipHopDX), and you can check out tracklist and stream the tracks "76" and "I Shot The King" (from the deluxe edition) below. He's also in the process of shooting a video for "76."

All lists of dates, song streams and more are below.

Continue reading "Action Bronson, Meyhem Lauren, Tanya Morgan, Oddisee & more upcoming hip hop shows (dates)"

Dirty Projectors @ Capitol Theatre - 9/25/12 (via Citybug)

There were a couple guys in the crowd that were yelling in-between songs "Let's Go! Wooooo!" If this was a reference to a song, frontman Dave Longstreth didn't seem to get it. "Where you want to go?" he asked politely. After more incoherent woooooing, Dave reassured the crowd, "We're going there, man."

And go there, they did. Dave and the band performed most of Swing Lo Magellan just as meticulously arranged and produced as the album is--it happens to be their most accessible to date and translates very well live. [Noisey]

Capitol Theatre shows continue with David Gray and Foy Vance tonight (9/27). On Friday (9/28), The Roots were scheduled to continue their residency with a show with Talib Kweli, but as they did with their Septembr 14 show, they've cancelled this Friday's show too. In place of that gig, Roots drummer Questlove, Talib Kweli, and Q-Tip will DJ the first-ever "Soul Planetarium" night at the Cap instead. "Having Questlove, Talib, and Q-Tip spin on the same bill would be awesome in a small dark closet," says [Capitol Theatre booker] Peter Shapiro, who helmed the theatre's relaunch this year and produced 'U2 3D,' the first-ever live action film in the digital 3D format. "Having them each spin Friday night in a legendary rock palace-meets-next generation Planetarium should blow minds." Tickets for that show are available.

Q-Tip does his next Offline Party at Irving Plaza on October 19. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Dirty Projectors video and setlist are below.

Continue reading "Dirty Projectors played Capitol Theatre (video, setlist); Roots cancel another show; Questlove, Talib & Q-Tip DJing instead"

by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Homeboy Sandman - "Watchu Want From Me?" (prod. Oddisee) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Nina Sky - Nicole & Natalie (ZIP)

Aesop Rock at McCarren Pool in 2008 (more by Jason Bergman)

Homeboy Sandman is set to release his first full length album on Stones Throw, First Of A Living Breed, which is due out on the label on September 18. The first single, "Watchu Want From Me," was produced by Oddisee and you can download it above or stream it below. The cover art and tracklist are below too.

Homeboy Sandman will be supporting the album on a tour with Brother Ali that hits NYC on September 27 at Bowery Ballroom (tickets), but before that both he and Oddisee will play a FREE day show in NYC TODAY (8/2) at Public Assembly with Immortal Technique and Tru Fam for a Last.fm filming. Doors are at 2 PM, the show is completely free and open to the public, no guest list.

If you stick around the Brooklyn venue, there will also be a hip hop DJ dance party at Public Assembly tonight (8/2) with Da Beatminerz and X-Ecutioners. Tickets for tonight's show are available.

In addition to those two Public Assembly shows, there's tons of other good hip hop shows going down in NYC tonight and this weekend. JSpace.com is throwing 'The Ultimate College Bar Mitzvah" at Highline Ballroom tonight (8/2) with sets from Talib Kweli, The Higher Concept, and The Rooks. It's a bit of an unusual show though. Highline's site reads, "This is THE event for all interns and college students in the New York area. Rock your college swag, bust some moves, and come ready to have a great time. From 8-9PM, professionals from large corporations will work the room, looking to meet college students." Tickets for the show are available.

Tonight's Bowl Train at Brooklyn Bowl (8/2), which is usually DJed by Questlove, will instead by DJed by Biz Markie. Tickets are available.

Nina Sky have a new album/mixtape out this week (7/31) called Nicole and Natalie (the actual first names of the twins that make up the duo), which you can download in full above or stream below. The track "Comatose" was produced by Brenmar, who Nina Sky will share a bill with in NYC tonight (8/2) at the Studio at Webster Hall. Chippy Nonstop, Roxy Cottontail, and Ferrari Snowday are on the bill too. TIckets for that show are available.

Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q's tour supporting Wiz Khalifa hits Jones Beach tonight (8/2). Tickets for that are still available. As mentioned, Kendrick will return to NYC on his tour which hits Terminal 5 on September 15 and Schoolboy Q will when his tour with A$AP Rocky and Danny Brown hits NYC on September 27 at Roseland Ballroom. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (8/3) at 10 AM.

Aesop Rock, whose new album Skelethon is at least his best since Bazooka Tooth and one of the contenders for rap album of the year, is currently supporting that album on a previously discussed tour with Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz, Edison, and Dark Time Sunshine which hits NYC this Friday (8/3) at Irving Plaza. Tickets for that show are still available. Dark Time Sunshine also just released a new album, ANX, which features Aesop Rock, P.O.S., Busdriver, and others. You can stream that album in full below.

Also on Friday (8/3), Aesop's Def Jux labelmate RJD2 will be in NYC for a Girls & Boys party at Webster Hall.

Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch are currently touring as Wu-Block and will hit NYC on Wednesday (8/8) at Highline Ballroom with Saigon. Tickets for that show are still available.

Ghostface will play his own show in Clifton Park, NY on September 14 at Upstate Concert Hall. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

In other Wu-Tang news, Inspectah Deck will play NYC on August 24 at BB King's with Colt Seavers. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

We also just mentioned that GZA will be touring later this year with Killer Mike, Sweet Valley (aka Nathan from Wavves' new beat project), and Bear Hands. That tour hits NYC on October 18 at Irving Plaza.

Q-Tip's next Offline Party at Irving Plaza happens on August 17. Tickets for that are available.

Beanie Sigel plays S.O.B.'s on August 16 with KA. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Any other good upcoming hip hop shows that we missed?

Streams are below.

Continue reading "this week in hip hop (Aesop Rock, Talib Kweli, RJD2, Nina Sky, Homeboy Sandman, Oddisee, Biz Markie, Wu-Block & more)"

Busta Ryhmes @ Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest

Busta Rhymes headlined the closing night of the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival on Saturday (7/14) with a set which saw him reunited with Leaders of the New School -- the group which launched his career -- marking the first time Busta's performed with them since the mid-'90s (despite the group reuniting without him back in 2010). Though it had been hinted at, Raekwon and Rakim did not appear as guests at the show, but A Tribe Called Quest members Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, among others, did show up.

HipHopDX was at the show, and here's what they had to say about it:

With Spliff Star by his side, Bussa Bus rattled through a gaggle of hits from his illustrious, 20-plus year career - including anthems "Woo Ha!," "Pass The Courvoisier," "Party Goin' On Over Here," "Look At Me Now," "Everybody Rise," and others. The Brooklyn-native also brought Lil Fame and Slick Rick to the stage for performances of "Ante Up Remix" and "Children's Story," respectively, as well as Reek Da Villain, and BHF regulars, Buckshot and Smif-N-Wessun of Boot Camp Clik. In a classy display of skill, Busta Rhymes continued leading the audience in his rendition of "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See" even after the sound was cut because the show went past the park's 8PM curfew. Those in attendance loved it, waving their hands to Rhymes impromptu, pantomime performance, leaving on an upbeat note despite a day of noticeable challenges.

Speaking of turning off mics, and as a lot of the internet is reporting, the same thing happened to Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Tom Morello in London this weekend.

"Bruce Springsteen had been waiting for this moment for a long time. "I gotta tell you," he said to the 76,000-strong crowd, "I've been trying to do this for 50 years." For the finale of his headline slot in London's Hyde Park on Saturday, he'd arranged a very special treat: An onstage collaboration with Beatles legend Paul McCartney. But the rock megastar hadn't banked on the local London council deciding to show him who was boss." [CNN]

You can catch Q-Tip again this Friday (7/20) at Irving Plaza where he'll be djing the second edition of his "Offline" party, but note: "There will be a strict door policy. No single guys will be admitted unless there are ladies in your group. Dress To Impress. We love style and we know you do too, so please dress smart. Management reserves the right to refuse admission." Sounds fun.

Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest and Springsteen/McCartney videos below...

Continue reading "Busta Rhymes reunited Leaders of the New School @ Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest, got his mic cut off (like Paul McCartney & Bruce Springsteen) -- videos"

Ultramagnetic MCs at ATP NJ 2011 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

As mentioned in What's going on? last night, Prodigy's upcoming "Queens Day" show at Irving Plaza, which was supposed to happen next week (6/19) has been cancelled. Though he did play a private Rock the Bells kickoff show at Santos Party House last night (6/13) with (according to the flyer) Ghostface Killah, DMX, Jadakiss, and Hit Squad

Q-Tip's "Offline" party (a DJ gig), also scheduled at Irving Plaza, is still set to happen this Friday (6/15) at the Manhattan venue.

Ghostface Killah's other upcoming shows include the free Prospect Park show on 6/23, a Wu-Block party at Highline Ballroom (8/8) (tickets on sale 6/15), and Rock the Bells with Wu-Block. The Highline show is only with Ghostface and Sheek Louch, but for Rock the Bells, the whole crew will be there (Ghostface, Raekwon, Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, and Styles P).

Meanwhile, Raekwon will be in NYC for the previously discussed Best Buy Theater show (7/26) with Tyler, the Creator, and Earl Sweatshirt. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (6/15) at noon.

Ghostface and Raekwon play a free show together, and much sooner, in Toronto as part of NXNE on Sunday (6/17). Action Bronson, who plays a free show in Red Hook Park (6/19), will be at the Toronto fest too. The entire music portion of NXNE kicked off yesterday (6/13) and runs through the weekend.

Killer Mike will be at NXNE too, and his tour with El-P, Despot, and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire kicks off on Tuesday (6/19) in Atlanta. It hits NYC on July 13 at Irving Plaza. Ticketsplayed SOB's with Spaceghostpurrp in celebration of Purrp's new album, Mysterious Phonk. Purrp's also got a couple Shortcuts parties under his belt. Speaking of, one of those (sans Purrp) goes down at Santos TONIGHT (6/14) with Fat Tony and Fat Trel (tickets).

While NXNE is going on in Toronto, Brooklyn will be getting its own multi-venue music festival with Northside Festival, which also happens this weekend.

As mentioned, Kool Keith plays a Northside show at Brooklyn Bowl TONIGHT (6/14) with Lushlife. Lushlife recently dropped a remix of "She's a Buddhist, I'm a Cubist" with Angel Deradoorian, Cities Aviv, G-Side, Big Baby Gandhi, Deniro Farrar, and KDz Kenny Dennis. You can stream that below Tickets are still available for the Brooklyn Bowl show and we're also giving away a pair. Contest details are below.

As usual, Questlove will DJ the Brooklyn venue after that show (tickets).

Kool Keith also plays as part of Ultramagnetic MCs at a Northside show at MHOW on Sunday (6/17) with Phony PPL. Tickets for that show are still available. Phony PPL also play SOB's on July 24 with Blackbear. Tickets for that show are on sale.

GZA & Grupo Fantasma @ Bonnaroo 2012 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

And speaking of hip hop Northside shows at MHOW, GZA (backed by Grupo Fantasmo like he was a Bonnaroo) plays two (early and late) shows at the venue TONIGHT (6/14). Both are sold out, but you can try and get in with your Northside badge.

Aside from Kid Sister at Sugarland on Saturday (6/16), not much more hip hop is happening at Northside, but there are other good hip hop shows tonight and this weekend.

Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) plays the previously discussed show at the Apollo Theater TONIGHT (6/14) as part of Blue Note Jazz Festival. Tickets for that show are still available FOR THE SHOW THAT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 28th.

Blue Note Jazz Fest also gives us a free Central Park Summerstage show on Sunday (6/17) with Groove Theory, Soulive, Riq and Rah with Strings (Black Thought + Rahzel), and DJ Questlove.

EPMD and DJ Scratch play a free show at Herbert Von King Park TONIGHT (6/14). They also team up for a NYC show at BB King's on July 18 with Marley Mari and Big Daddy Kane. (tickets)

Hip hop producer RJD2 DJs a party for the ongoing 'One Step Beyond' series at the American Museum of Natural History on Friday (6/15) with Cosmo Baker, Import/Export, and visuals by Glowing Pictures with special guest Shantell Martin. Tickets for that are available.

You can also catch Tech N9ne and Machine Gun Kelly on the Hostile Takeover Tour which takes over the NYC area on Saturday (6/16) at Starland Ballroom in NJ (tickets) and Sunday (6/17) at HIghline Ballroom (tickets). Be careful during Machine Gun Kelly's set though; TMZ reports that he was just sued $15,000 for slicing open a bouncer's finger. Ouch.

Apple Stores are hosting hip hop in-stores all month.

Once all the Northside craziness ends, you can catch Ab-Soul at his previously discussed NYC show on Thursday, June 21 at SOB's. Tickets for that show are still available.

In other hip hop news, you can stream Black Milk's Live at Third Man Records in its entirety and J-Dilla's posthumous Rebirth of Detroit in its entirety below, along with other song streams and contest details for tonight's Kool Keith show.

Continue reading "this week in Hip Hop (Northside, NXNE, Kool Keith, EPMD, Yasiin Bey, RJD2, Tech N9ne, Black Thought + Rahzel, GZA & more)"

Q-Tip at Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (more by Brook Bobbins)

Q-Tip will be taking over Irving Plaza in NYC on June 15 for the first of a monthly party dubbed "Offline." What does "offline" mean? According to the promoters, Q-Tip -- who'll be DJing -- asks that once you're inside, you put away your phones and other devices and be in the moment with him (aka "offline"). Tickets are on sale.

If you wanna get the party started sooner, You could hit Questlove's weekly "Bowl Train" party at Brooklyn Bowl where the popular Twitterer spins classic '70s and '80s (and '90s?) R&B, soul, disco and pop while vintage Soul Train videos play on the big screens. It's the 100th Bowl Train tonight (5/24) with many more to come. Doors are at 10:30 (right after that earlier free Killer Mike show) and tickets for Bowl Train are still available.

In other hip-hop ticket news: Rock the Bells tickets are on sale. So are tickets for Jay-Z's Made in America Festival.

Tickets are also on sale for Slick Rick and Biz Markie's July 28 show at Gramercy Theater.

You can also still get tickets to Talib Kweli's May 28 show at Le Poisson Rouge, as well as tickets to Yaslin Bey's (formerly Mos Def) June 14 show at The Apollo.

Any luck with Azealia Banks' Mermaid Show tickets?

Flyer for Q-Tip's Offline party is below.

Continue reading "Q-Tip's new monthly 'Offline' party at Irving Plaza, the 100th 'Bowl Train', Rock the Bells, Made in America & other tickets"

today in NYC
* ASSSSCAT 3000 @ UCB
* Omar Lords @ Zebulon
* Laura Veirs @ Joe's Pub
* Ed Vallance @ The Ace Hotel
* Fred Armisen, Azita @ Union Pool
* Bjork @ New York Hall of Science
* Cherish The Ladies @ City Winery
* Pretty Good Friends @ Union Hall
* Theologian, Alberich @ The STone
* School of Rock @ Highline Ballroom
* Screaming Females @ Generation Records
* Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Il Abanico, Dear Lions, The Split @ Spike Hill
* Guns N' Roses, The Chelsea Smiles @ Terminal 5
* The Queens of FELA on Broadway celebrate the Grammy's @ Knitting Factory
* Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys @ B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
* Soft Spot, Parmaga, Buffalo Stance @ Death By Audio
* Beast Make Bomb, Shake the Baron, Sea Monsters, Flagland @ Glasslands
* James Blake (DJ set), The Chain, Airhead @ Le Poisson Rouge
* English Dogs, The Casualties, Toxic Holocaust, Havok @ Europa
* Psychobuildings, Amil Byleckie Band, Trip Dicks @ Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
* Daniel Neumann, Maria Chavez, Alfredo Marin, Zeljko McMullen, Doron Sadja, Tristan Shepherd, Mario Diaz de Leon, Ben Vida, Sabisha Friedberg @ Roulette
* Communion featuring David Wax Museum, Aoife O'Donovan, Jones Street Station, Julia Easterlin @ Public Assembly

Check out some photos from Arcade Fire's 2004 show at Mercury Lounge on the BrooklynVegan Facebook.

Hopefully Bjork is feeling better.

Follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter.

In case you were wondering, no Slash (pictured above) is not in the current lineup of Guns N Roses that plays Terminal 5 tonight.

The Grammys, now overshadowed/advertised by the tragedy that is Whitney Houston's death, air tonight on CBS at 8 p.m. EST. A last minute Whitney tribute was put together for the TV show and will include Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan.

In related and also sad (no disrespect to Whitney!) news, Foster the People and Maroon 5/Adam Levine are performing with the reunited Beach Boys at the Grammys. Adele will also be peforming on the show, but Justin Vernon will not be (because he refused to agree to whatever horrible collaboration they wanted him to do).

As previously mentioned...

Bon Iver was nominated for four high profile Grammys (though not "Album of the Year" which is what Arcade Fire won). Adele & Katy Perry nominated for a zillion, and other nominees include The Black Keys, Foster the Peepee, Cee Lo, Duck Sauce, Robyn, Cut Copy, Skrillex, Deadmau5, Coldplay, Radiohead, Mumford & Son, Mastodon, Wilco, Death Cab For Cutie, My Morning Jacket, Jay-Z, Kanye West, The Civil Wars, Emmylou Harris, Levon Helm, Fleet Foxes, Gillian Welch, Steve Earle, Patton Oswalt, Louis CK, Weird Al, Danger Mouse, Memory Tapes, TV On the Radio, and A Tribe Called Quest.

The Kills played a 10th Anniversary show at Terminal 5 last night. More about that later, but you can check out the video from their performance on Letterman two nights earlier, below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Sunday? (Grammys)"

Just when it looked like Q-Tip (who recently cancelled a Brooklyn Bowl gig, a European tour and a Quicksilver free show appearance) was going to DJ a show this weekend, well, "The MJ party at irving plaza will be rescheduled due to irene. NYC." There will still be a 3-hour party in Prospect Park Saturday morning though.

Q-Tip at Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (more by Brook Bobbins)

Q-Tip, who recently cancelled a European tour and a Brooklyn Bowl show, has also dropped off the free Quiksilver-hosted show in Long Beach, NY (which set times were just announced for) that he was scheduled to play on September 9 with The Flaming Lips, Neon Indian, and Wavves.

Q-Tip does however now have a show (DJ gig?) scheduled to take place on August 27 at Irving Plaza in NYC (update: it has been confirmed that Q-Tip will be DJing). The show, billed as a Michael Jackson Birthday Tribute also includes special guest DJ Spinna (like it did in 2009). Tickets are on sale now. Let's hope Q-Tip is doing ok and makes it out to this one.

Continue reading "Q-Tip playing Irving Plaza w/ DJ Spinna (for Michael Jackson), not playing Quiksilver thing"

by Andrew Sacher

Jay-Z & Kanye West aka The Throne's collaborative album Watch The Throne became available via iTunes this week (8/8) and will be out physically on Friday (8/12) via Def Jam.

Although Kanye produced most of the album, they also brought an impressive cast of outside producers incuding Q-Tip, 88-Keys, The Neptunes, The RZA, and Swizz Beatz. Kanye and his collaborators create a wide range of sounds touching on everything from classic soul to dubstep-infused electronica. The guest vocal spots are especially grabbing too. Jay-Z and Kanye, who have been two of the biggest names in hip hop for at least the last decade, bring in newcomer Frank Ocean of Odd Future on two of the tracks. Jay's wife, Beyonce, who also has Frank Ocean and Kanye on her new album, sings the chorus to "Lift Off." The album samples the vocals of legendary singers Otis Redding and Curtis Mayfield, and also features guest vocals by Mr. Hudson of Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music. You can stream "Otis" at Jay-Z's Life + Times website and listen to "H.A.M" below.

Justin Vernon also wrote a hook for "That's My Bitch" and according to the album's liner notes, he also sings the part. Elly Jackson of La Roux sings the song's chorus and Q-Tip handled some production duties. Check the song out on grooveshark. Justin comes in at 1:45.

Speaking of Justin Vernon, he and his 9-piece version of Bon Iver played their first of two NYC shows with The Rosebuds at United Palace Theatre last night (8/9). They also play Prospect Park tonight (8/10). Both shows are/were sold out. More on last night in a bit.

Speaking of Beyonce, she just announced 4 NYC shows. Tickets go on sale today (8/10).

Jay-Z & Kanye have two upcoming sold out shows at Izod Center and other dates too.

'Watch the Throne' tracklist and video below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z & Kanye West released 'Watch the Throne' (Justin Vernon, Frank Ocean, La Roux, Beyonce & more included)"

Q-Tip @ Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (more by Brook Bobbins)

"Unfortunately we have recently been told that Q-tip will have to cancel his planned tour of Europe this summer. This means he will not be appearing at The Øya festival in August. This is sad news, first of all for the fans. We know that many of you have been looking forward to seeing Q-tip in the Medieval park. We have not yet recieved much information concerning the cancellation, but we have been told that this is a health related matter as the artist has to go through an operation around the same time that The Øya Festival takes place. As you can understand, this is entirely beyond our control. We hope Q-tip will soon recover, and that he will be able to guest Øya at a later date." [Oya]

Meanwhile catch Q-Tip on the 1s and 2s at Brooklyn Bowl Sunday night (8/7), and live (I think) with the Flaming Lips, Neon Indian, and Wavves in Long Island in Sept.

UPDATE: Q-Tip cancelled his Brooklyn Bowl DJ gig too, but will be replaced by Reptar and a DJ set by Talib Kweli

Watch out House of Vans, it looks like yeat another corporate-sponsored show-series is vying for contender of "best free shows" in NY this year. Taking place over fifteen days in Long Beach, NY (and finally explaining that mysterious Flaming Lips date), The Quiksilver Pro New York series ("the first-ever ASP World Championship Tour stop on the East Coast of the United States") will feature surfing, skating, and BMX demos from some of the biggest names out there (Kelly Slater, Tony Hawk, etc).... not to mention some major music acts like The Flaming Lips, Girl Talk, Interpol, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Q-Tip, Neon Indian, Wavves, Taking Back Sunday, Saves The Day, and many more. Best of all, admission to everything is FREE.

All dates with the full lineups are below, but the music portion kicks off on Saturday, 9/3 with Girl Talk, Saves The Day, "a special surprise performance" & more. Sunday has Interpol, Portugal. The Man, The Ettes (who play NYC tonight), and more. Monday (Labor Day) will see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Civil Twilight, and more. 9/9 is probably the most impressive show with The Flaming Lips, Q-Tip, Neon Indian, Wavves and Charlotte O'Connor. Saturday 9/10 will play host to a "Benefit Concert Hosted By Kelly Slater & Friends + The Max Weinberg Experience" with Taking Back Sunday, The Sounds and SLUNT. More details on the benefit show are TBA.

If you can't make it to Long Island, "The Quiksilver Pro New York will be broadcast from September 3-15 by MSG and Fuse, with programming that will feature some of the biggest artists, athletes and live performances from the event."

More details and lineups below...

Continue reading "Quiksilver hosting free shows in Long Island (Girl Talk, Flaming Lips, Interpol, Q-Tip, Neon Indian, Wavves, more)"

photos by Brook Bobbins

Ali-Shaheed Mohammed will return to the tables this weekend at Dekalb Market after spinning at Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest last weekend, along with (former?) bandmate Q-Tip and tons of suprise guests (like Busta Rhymes & Kanye West). You saw the videos. Here are the pics. More of them below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest pics"

Kanye rhymes from the crowd

When New York rhymer Q-Tip and his A Tribe Called Quest dropped their classic hip-hop set Midnight Marauders in 1993, Kanye West-an avid fan of the trio-was 19.

So you can imagine the joy he felt last Saturday when his teen idol brought him, now a full-on star himself, up on stage as a surprise guest at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival to perform Marauders' standout single "Award Tour."

A Chicago native, West looked right at home on the outdoor NY stage. In his retro chic tank top and snapback cap, Kanye didn't just rock with Tip, but also hopped off the stage and into the crowd to perform the title track from his last album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. -[EW]

Continue reading "Kanye West & others played w/ Q-Tip @ Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest (videos)"

by BBG

Q-Tip at Rock The Bells (more by Eric Townsend)

This week is devoted to hip hop and specifically Brooklyn hip hop, with the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival ongoing and a "Salute To The DJ" event slated for TONIGHT at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Juice Crew mastermind Marley Marl will be on hand the headline the event, bringing along Grand Wizzard Theodore, Mista Sinista, Chairman Mao, Roli Rho (5th Platoon), Twilite Tone, and Getlive, all hosted by Duck Down representative Torae. Tickets are still available. We also have a pair you can win. Details and set times below.

Friday (7/15) will mean the Bodega Recognition Awards at Sheraton Brooklyn, which will "recognize and celebrate positive contributions to Hip Hop Music and Culture", but Saturday is the big celebration. Over two stages and during two events, BHHF will see performances from Lords of The Underground, Q-Tip, K-Salaam, MOP, Shad, Diamond District, Random Axe, and many more from noon until 9PM. That's split into the Family Day celebration (12 - 3) and the subsequent show at Brooklyn Bridge Park (6- 9). Full festival details are below, and tickets to the Main Stage performances are still available.

Shad's appearance is one of a few scheduled for the coming weeks, as he'll skip around the US and Canada in the coming months. Full tour schedule is below.

Though it isnt part of the BHHF, Company Flow is decidedly hip hop AND from Brooklyn. The crew plays with The Juggaknots at a sold-out Santos on Saturday.

All Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival details, Shad tour dates, and some videos below.

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest is underway, Shad is on tour (dates)"

DOWNLOAD: Shabazz Palaces - "An echo from the hosts that profess infinitum" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shabazz Palaces - "Swerve... The reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)" (MP3)

Black Sheep at Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2010 (more by Brook Bobbins)

When we first announced Summerstage's free hip hop show lineup, tonight's (6/28) free show at Soundview Park in the Bronx was listed as Funkmaster Flex and Special Guests. The lineup has since changed and will feature performances by three old school NYC hip hop artists; the duo Black Sheep (Dres and Mista Lawnge), Peter Gunz, who most notably recorded as a duo with Lord Tariq, and frequent Big L-collaborator and Studio 54 DJ Kid Capri. Peter says Flex will also be there.

Q-Tip, who, like Black Sheep, is part of NYC hip hop collective Native Tongues, is DJing at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday (6/30). Questlove, who usually holds down the DJing at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursdays, returns on July 7.

Q-Tip also plays the Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest is July, part of which is taking place at Music Hall of Williamsburg this year. The July 14th MHOW event, titled "Salute the DJ", will feature Marley Marl, Grand Wizzard Theodore, Roli Rho, Twilite Tone, and Torae. Q-Tip's headlining performance goes down on the Main Stage on Saturday, July 16th. Tickets are still on sale for that (and for the Music Hall party).

Butterfly of Digable Planets, who weren't actually part of Native Tongues but take cues from similar NYC-jazz based sources, released the debut full length Black Up for his Shabazz Palaces project today (6/28) via Sub Pop. You can still stream it at NPR. Download two tracks from the album above, and check out Shabazz Palaces tour dates (though no more in NYC at the moment) below.

Continue reading "Black Sheep playing Soundview Park, Q-Tip DJing Brooklyn Bowl, Shabazz Palaces released 'Black Up' (MP3 & dates)"

Clipse photos by Brook Bobbins

Nas & Damian Marley at Williamsburg Waterfront (more by Samantha Marble)

Distant Relatives Nas & Damian Marley will team up for a summer show in NYC this year just like last. They'll hit Central Park Summerstage on August 11th. Tickets go on web presale at 10AM on Thursday (5/19) with regular sale hitting Friday. One difference from from last year though, they're calling this one their "grand finale," so don't sleep if you've been wanting to catch the pair together. THAT SAID, they were also just announced on the lineup of ACL which is happening a month later.

Wiz Khalifa also has a Summerstage show coming up.

In other hip hop news, Q-Tip will DJ The Fort Greene Festival kick off party on May 28th at Sanders Studio (525 Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn), a benefit to raise money for the forthcoming annual event. Tickets are $10 or $15 at the door.

As previously mentioned, Q-Tip will perform at the annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival on July 16th where he'll be joined by new additions Homeboy Sandman, Eternia, Shad, Nitty Scott and Kid Glyde. Get your tickets.

Rock the Bells is going to announce some news from a "launch party" at House of Blues in LA on May 24th.

Talib Kweli will link back up with his side project Idle Warship to play BB Kings on June 10th. Tickets are on sale. And don't forget Kweli will also play a free show in Red Hook Park on 6/21.

Edan plays Southpaw on May 25th.

Clipse @ Terminal 5 in April

Clipse made a NYC appearance at Terminal 5 on April 30th. They opened for A-Trak, and pictures from their set are in this post. More of them below.

Ghostface & Raekwon supported Mobb Deep at recent show at Best Buy Theater. Pictures from that show are HERE. Some upcoming UK Wu-Tang dates are below.

The previously announced "Salute to Hip Hop" show that was supposed to take place at Best Buy Theater in Times Square in April has been rescheduled. You can now catch The Lox, EPMD, and Brand Nubian at the NYC venue on June 30th. Tickets are on sale.

The previously announced Curren$y show happening at Irving Plaza in June is still happening, but now so are many more tour dates around it including the Pitchfork Festival. They are listed below.

And finally, Beastie Boys have no tour dates in support of their Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 yet, but you can catch Ad-Rock hosting/DJing as part of a day long Children's Museum of Art benefit. Tickets for both events at Webster Hall on 5/22 are on sale. Meanwhle check out "The Greatest Beastie Boys Lyrical References To New York, In Order."

A recent video by Nas & Damian Marley for "Nah Mean," those Clipse pics, and tour dates, below.

Continue reading "Nas & Damien Marley shows, BK Hip Hop Fest, Curren$y, Rock the Bells, Q-Tip, Clipse pics, Ad-Rock & other hip hop news"