"And Frank Ocean Is Here........" - Tyler, the Creator

"Man. Hip hop aint been this edgy in a minute.
Enjoyed the Odd Future show tonight" - Questlove

?uestlove in a Tyler mask @ Highline Ballroom Friday night

The above audio clip of Frank Ocean was posted to Funkmaster Flex's website from the Friday night Highline Ballroom show. The below message was posted to Tegan & Sara's website earlier in the day:

When will misogynistic and homophobic ranting and raving result in meaningful repercussions in the entertainment industry? When will they be treated with the same seriousness as racist and anti-Semitic offenses? While an artist who can barely get a sentence fragment out without using homophobic slurs is celebrated on the cover of every magazine, blog and newspaper, I'm disheartened that any self-respecting human being could stand in support with a message so vile.

As journalists and colleagues defend, excuse and congratulate 'Tyler, the Creator,' I find it impossible not to comment. In any other industry would I be expected to tolerate, overlook and find deeper meaning in this kid's sickening rhetoric? Why should I care about this music or its "brilliance" when the message is so repulsive and irresponsible? There is much that upsets me in this world, and this certainly isn't the first time I've drafted an open letter or complaint, but in the past I've found an opinion - some like-minded commentary - that let me rest assured that my outrage, my voice, had been accounted for. Not this time.

If any of the bands whose records are held in similar esteem as Goblin had lyrics littered with rape fantasies and slurs, would they be labeled hate mongers? I realize I could ask that question of DOZENS of other artists, but is Tyler exempt because people are afraid of the backlash? The inevitable claim that detractors are being racist, or the brush-off that not "getting it" would indicate that you're "old" (or a faggot)? Because, the more I think about it, the more I think people don't actually want to go up against this particular bully because he's popular. Who sticks up for women and gay people now? It seems entirely uncool to do so in the indie rock world, and I'll argue that point with ANYONE.

No genre is without its controversial and offensive characters- I'm not naive. I've asked myself a thousand times why this is pushing me over the edge. Maybe it's the access to him (his grotesque twitter, etc). Maybe it's because I'm a human being, both a girl and a lesbian. Maybe it's because my mom has spent her whole adult life working with teenage girls who were victims of sexual assault. Maybe it's because in this case I don't think race or class actually has anything to do with his hateful message but has EVERYTHING to do with why everyone refuses to admonish him for that message.

It is not without great hesitation and hand wringing that I enter into the discourse about Tyler, the media who glorifies and excuses misogyny and homophobia, and the community of artists that doesn't seem remotely bothered by it. I can only hope that someone reading this might be inspired to speak out. At the very least, I will know that my voice is on record. - skq

Nick Zinner at MoMA last year (more by Chris La Putt)

Not to be confused with events co-organized by the Boredoms, last year 40 drummers got together at the Hudson Hotel's Good Units, and this year the same group is organizing a string party...

We're doing it again and we're doing it big! Last year, 40 Drummers was more epic than we had ever imagined. With original music composed by Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Hisham Akira Bharoocha & Ben Vida (Soft Circle) from 40 Drummers, performed by 41+ uber-talented musicians, this year's is no doubt going to be just as awesome as the last. We're talking 41 STRINGS - that's violins, violas, cellos, electric & acoustic guitars, upright bass, electric bass, on top of synth and drums.

Super rad lighting works by Yoshi Sodeoka, mixed by E*Rock and produced by Dawn of Man, and also by Ernesto Klar will be candy for your eyes. Kanon Organic Vodka and wine from The Naked Grape will take care of the rest.

In related news, Nick Zinner laid down fretwork for the new Santigold track "Go" which features guest vocals from Karen O and which was produced by Q-Tip AND Switch and which debuted on Jay-Z's blog recently. Listen to the song below.

Speaking of Q-Tip, don't forget that he is scheduled to headline Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest on July 18th. Tickets are on sale.

And in other Nick Zinner news, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist is currently showcasing his photographic work at Anastasia Photo through June 4th.

That song stream and the flyer is below.

Continue reading "Nick Zinner co-leading '41 Strings' (RSVP), played guitar on the new Santigold/Karen O song, has his photos in a gallery"

Q-Tip at Rock The Bells w/ A Tribe Called Quest (more by Eric Townsend)

Q-Tip will headline the 7th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival on July 18th in DUMBO, the last day of a week-long celebration of hip hop culture at various venues in Brooklyn. The daytime show (12-8PM) will undoubtedly also feature a gang of other hip hop notables, but the full lineup is still TBA. Tickets are on sale though.

Q-Tip is featured in the new documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (which recently played as part of the Tribeca Film Festival), and after previously denouncing the film, has come around:

Despite their initial concerns, it appears that A Tribe Called Quest is finally on board with Michael Rapaport's controversial documentary, 'Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest.'

Though Tribe frontman Q-Tip publicly denounced Rapaport's film, which he claimed was not a fair representation of his group, he has since turned an about-face, voicing his approval, though he was notably absent at its Sundance and Tribeca film festival screenings.

Appearing to "support and represent" at Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday (April 29), alongside Tribe rapper Phife Dawg, DJ-producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad said that the group is happy with the film's final cut, despite Tip's absence.

"Just because Q-Tip is not here does not mean he's not in support of the film," Muhammad told Rolling Stone. "I'm here, and I'm representing Q-Tip. We're happy with the finished version. If none of us were fine with this, no one would be seeing the film."

Continue reading "Q-Tip headlining Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, is okay w/ A Tribe Called Quest documentary (which is out in July)"

by BBG

A Tribe Called Quest takes it to the stage.

The Sundance Film Festival is the pre-eminent independent film festival in the US, and 2011 features some interesting competitors in the way of music (and music related) film. First up is a new documentary on a legendary hip hop crew, A Tribe Called Quest. directed by Michael Rapaport (yes, that one). Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest chronicles the internal battles between Q-Tip & Phife Dawg and features appearances from Nas, De La Soul, The Roots, Mos Def, Kanye West, Large Professor, Prince Paul, all four members of ATCQ, and many many others. Trailer for the film is below.

Elgin James has distanced himself from his FSU past, and now he's stepping behind the camera for a new film etitled Little Girls. James serves as Director and Screenwriter for this feature...

"Amidst the stark landscape of the Salton Sea, two 15-year-old girls test the limits of their friendship when one follows the other to Los Angeles. Cast: Juno Temple, Kay Panabaker, Leslie Mann, Kate Bosworth, Kyle Gallner."

James Taylor & Carole King will be the subject of Troubadours "A musical journey tracing the lives and careers of ...[these] pillars of the California singer/songwriter scene, which converged in and around LA's Troubadour Club in the late 1960s and early 1970s." This documentary is directed by Morgan Neville, who helmed docs on Stax Records, Iggy Pop, Johnny Cash, and many others.

Last but not least, Sing Your Song examines the man that I best knew for soundtracking my favorite Beetlejuice scene, Harry Belafonte. Besides sunny songs, the film "unearths his significant contribution to and his leadership in the civil rights movement in America and to social justice globally."

Full list of Sundance films is here, and you can check out the (must see) ATCQ trailer below.

Continue reading "A Tribe Called Quest documentary & other Sundance films"

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

Q-TIp with MNDR at Webster Hall last night

The stage set up was immaculate along with the male coordinated wardrobes and rotating performances by each guest, like a extravaganza variety in the best way. My personal highlights from the show include Rose Elinor Dougals' rendition of Stop Me, Alex Greenwald's California, Q-Tip and MNDR's performance of Bang Bang Bang and Marsha Ambrosius's closing rendition of Valerie (although nobody can match Winehouse.) I was a little disappointed that Somebody to Love Me was left off of the setlist and to the be honest the first song performed by the Atlanta rapper Pill Introducing the Business was a complete mess. Regardless, last night's epic gig will definitely make it on my list of best shows of the year. -[TLCBlog]

More pictures and some video from the show below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. were joined by Q-Tip & other friends @ Webster Hall (pics & video) "

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

a super blonde Mark Ronson at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Mark Ronson and The Business Intl played Music Hall of Williamsburg last night (10/11), the first of two NYC shows for producer/instrumentalist and his band of special guests. Toby says...

"Ronson went on stage at 10:15 PM just as the crowd started to get a little antsy following the almighty storm outside. His band, which included Amanda Werner aka MNDR, Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet, Spank Rock (Naeem), Pill and Rose Elinor Dougall, all took turns to share duets, lead vocals and center stage under the watchful gaze of the bleach blonde uber-prooducer himself. Featuring a mix of tracks from earlier albums and recent release Record Collection, the Brooklyn crowd shared the band's enjoyment of performing at a venue 'six blocks from where the band recorded the album last year'. A sort of homecoming, and a great show indeed."

As discussed, Mark also made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman last night with Q-Tip and MNDR. The video of that with more pictures and the setlist from Music Hall, below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson & friends played Music Hall of Williamsburg & Letterman (pics, video, setlist)"

photos by Benjamin Lozovsky

MNDR & Mark Ronson

As previously mentioned, Mark Ronson will kick off two days of NYC shows starting tonight, Monday at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The second night happens on Tuesday, 10/12, at the larger Webster Hall. Both shows, and the two California ones that were since added (dates below) are in support of Ronson's new album Record Collection which is out now.

And: "While in New York, Mark Ronson, along with Q-tip and MNDR, will perform the hit track 'Bang Bang Bang' on The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday, October 11th." MNDR is also confirmed as being a member of Ronson's band (The Business Intl) at all shows. Whether Q-Tip will show up at MHOW or Webster Hall is still a mystery.

Tickets to the Music Hall show are gone, but tickets are still available to the one at Webster Hall. Both shows will be opened by Francis & The Lights. Tickets are also still available for a third NYC appearance, also taking place Tuesday but in the afternoon, at WNYC's Greene Space. It will probably be a short show, but as a bonus, Nellie McKay is playing it too.

For a longer Nellie McKay show, catch her when she returns to Highline Ballroom on December 11th. Tickets are on sale now.

Mark Ronson and MNDR appeared at the Creators Project event that took place at Milk Studios in June. An unposted set of pictures from that event (where Ronson was only DJing), along with all dates, continue below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson playing Letterman w/ Q-Tip, LA & Greene Space w/ Nellie McKay (who added a show too) -- dates & new pics "

photos by Andrew St. Clair

Raekwon shows potential groupies his current relationship status

What kind of oldies concert draws a huge audience in its 20s? Rock the Bells, the daylong hip-hop festival that came to Governors Island on Saturday. This year's Rock the Bells borrowed an idea from the indie-rock festival All Tomorrow's Parties, booking groups to perform watershed albums in their entirety.

Two headliners, Snoop Dogg and Wu-Tang Clan, largely complied with the assignment. Snoop Dogg brought along most of the guests from his 1993 album, "Doggystyle," made back when he was Snoop Doggy Dogg. The others - A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One, Rakim and Slick Rick - went "veering off," as Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest put it, to play additional hits (which no one minded) or to plug more recent projects.

And then there was the wild card: Lauryn Hill, the singer and rapper formerly of the Fugees, appearing half an hour late. She hasn't released a studio album since "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" in 1998, and she has recorded and toured only sporadically since then while raising five children. "I miss you," she told the crowd repeatedly. Partway through the set she pulled guests out of the V.I.P. section and onstage: Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, John Legend. They missed her too.
-[New York Times]

Continue reading "Rock the Bells @ Governors Island - pics (part 2) (Wu-Tang, Street Sweeper Social Club, Yelawolf, Slick Rick & more) "

by BBG

Chiddy Bang at Highline Ballroom (more by Nathaniel Shannon)

Chiddy Bang will hit the road in a big way in support of their upcoming LP The Swelly Life, due on Sept 14th. Look for them to hit Highline Ballroom on August 24th with Donnis, XV, and 2AM Club (tickets). The Swelly Life, which features appearances from Pharrell Williams and Q-Tip, is the Philadelphia duo's debut and follow up to their Opposite of Adults EP which featured the MGMT-sampling track of the same name (get it? Opposite of Adults?). The "Opposite of Adults" video is below.

Following a string of US dates, Chiddy Bang will put territories down under on smash alongside an incredible line up of Memory Tapes, Missy Elliot, Holy Ghost, Delorean, Soulwax, Midnight Juggernauts, and many others as part of Parklife, a multi-city dance music festival in Australia. Festival flyer is below.

All Chiddy Bang dates and some videos, including the new one for "Dream Chasin", below...

Continue reading "Chiddy Bang releasing an LP, touring (videos, dates, MGMT) "

by Andrew Frisicano

MNDR w/ Mark Ronson @ Creators Project (more by Ryan Barkan)

The debut LP from MNDR/Amanda Warner is still a ways off, due sometime in early 2011. Meanwhile, she features prominently (with Q-Tip) on Mark Ronson's single for "Bang Bang Bang." That song is currently No. 1 on the NME Charts, and they've been promoting it with TV appearances (like the one from the UK program Jonathan Ross, below) and live performances (like at the Creators Project in June). According to her blog, MNDR has also been busy producing the new record from Silk Flowers, to come out on Post Present Medium.

And MNDR has an NYC show coming up, set for Monday, August 30th show at Mercury Lounge. Tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon. General sale starts Friday at noon.

All tour dates and videos (including Jonathan Ross, though MNDR's voice doesn't seem to be its usually sturdy self) are below...

Continue reading "MNDR keeping busy, adds NYC show "

DOWNLOAD: Salem - King Night (MP3)

Vice Creators Project Announcement party (more by Erez Avissar)

Between the whole Northside Festival, the BrooklynVegan showcase @ MHOW, two BV-BBG heavy showcases, the Afro-Punk Fest, the final Voxtrot shows, Apples in Stereo at the Seaport and the ton of others shows, there's a lot of quality music this weekend, not the least of which is the Creators Project show at Milk Studios on Saturday, June 26th. That show will be the NY debut of Interpol's new lineup (and their first show in the city in quite some time). It'll also bring Mark Ronson, Die Antwoord, The Rapture, Sleigh Bells, Gang Gang Dance, SALEM, N.A.S.A., Neon Indian, Lemonade and a special guest to perform sets (in addition to visual art and whatever else they'll have).

Most if not all of those musicians who are performing have new albums on the way. SALEM's debut, King Night, is due September 28th on IAMSOUND. The fierce, ghostly (wordless) title track is posted above. Another of those artists with a new record on the way is Mark Ronson, whose newest, Record Collection, due in September. As usual there's a long list of guests, including Q-Tip and MNDR, who sing/rap on the super catchy track "Bang Bang Bang," the retro-styled video for which is below.

All the bands that are playing the event are considered "creators", as are all the artists they have listed on their site. Not all the "creators" are performing, and not all the people playing are listed as "creators" on their site. Those that are listed have videos being made about them. A new one debuts each day. For instance, today is Fool's Gold (the label). Past featured creators include Diplo, CSS, Peaches and Mark Ronson.

The Saturday event was previously open for RSVPs, but the list is now closed. The only way to get in now is to win tickets which we have two pairs of to give away. Details and the videos below...

Continue reading "win tickets to the Creators Project party, get the new Salem MP3, check out Mark Ronson's new video w/ Q-Tip & MNDR"

Bad Brains @ Vice Halloween 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Bad Brains will be one of the bands headlining Afro-Punk 2010 happening in Fort Greene's Commodore Barry Park (a new location) from June 25-27 (Flushing Ave & N Elliot, Brooklyn). There's music for two days of the skate-heavy fest - Saturday's music includes Bad Brains, Game Rebellion, P.O.S., Ninjasonik, Belikos, Activator, The 54 and Cipher. Sunday's lineup is 24-7 Spyz, The Cool Kids, J*DaVeY, Martin Luther, The Memorials and Bad Rabbits, as well as a their "Culture Klash" DJ series with Q TIP Vs Afrika Bambaataa. Music is 1-9pm both days. Tickets are on sale.

An animated flyer and more details are below...

Continue reading "Afro-Punk 2010 - lineup includes Bad Brains, Ninjasonik, Q-Tip DJing, Game Rebellion, P.O.S. & more (tix on sale)"

by BBG

De La Soul at Coachella (more by Rachel Carr)

Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2009 was a blast (with one notable exception) and so far 2010 is turning out to be similarly interesting with the addition of the great De La Soul to headline the shindig on July 10th alongside Buckshot, Evil Dee and Smif-N-Wessun. Tickets are on sale.

The show is part of a week long celebration:

The calendar for the 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival kicks off with Show & Prove on Monday, July 5th. This Hip-Hop showcase of independent and local talent is the final event of Brooklyn Bodega's three month Show & Prove competition,
Tuesday, July 6th will feature the Bodega Education Initiative, a day of panel discussions and seminars about the legendary producer, J Dilla. Speakers include Q-Tip, Ma Dukes Yancey, DJ Spinna and more.
Wednesday, July 7th is a mini Film Festival that features a variety of Hip-Hop films and a Q&A with established and burgeoning filmmakers.
Thursday, July 8th is a night dedicated to the backbone of Hip-Hop: the DJ. It will feature performances by the best DJs, from NYC to LA.
Friday, July 9th is the kick-off party to formally welcome Festival goers, past and current artists and community leaders to the 6th Annual BHF.
Saturday, July 10th is the culmination of the 2010 Festival. De La Soul, just ahead of a new album to be released this year, will headline on the DUMBO waterfront. Earlier in the day, we set it off with Family Day - a block party for families and children that celebrates the core message of Hip-Hop - social change and individual empowerment.

YO LA TENGO have worked with a huge variety of artists from different genres over the years.... In 2010, the band presents an EP of remixes of "Here To Fall," the lead track from last year's "Popular Songs," by De La Soul, RJD2 and Pete Rock.
"Here To Fall" is the most popular track from "Popular Songs," a couple having a tense conversation about the future over the background of menacing, descending chords and distorted wa-wa guitar. Each of these legendary hip hop performers has taken the track and the story and made it their own.

Buckshot, Evil Dee, and Smif N-Wessun will be celebrating 15 years of Duck Down Records at the BHHF show, a milestone they'll also celebrate at BB King's on July 13th with the addition of Sean Price and Pharoahe Monch (who headlined the Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest last year). Tickets for that NYC show are on sale.

Pharoahe Monch also plays a free show in Queensbridge Park on July 21st.

Duck Down also partied for their 15th down at SXSW, during which time Buckshot and Smif-N-Wessun both made appearances at our Attitude Adjustment party at Red 7.

While we're on the subject of classic hip hop artists playing NYC, Slick Rick has scheduled a show at Knitting Factory on June 13th. Tickets are on sale.

Tons of classic video below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2010 lineup w/ De La Soul, Duck Down Records celebrates there & @ BB King's w/ Pharoahe Monch"

Bon Iver in a graveyard in Sept. (more by Darren Kim)

tonight in NYC
* Kid Cudi @ Irving Plaza
* Spoon & Mahogany @ Mercury Lounge
* Spacecamp, Your Nature @ Coco66
* Akoya Afrobeat @ Knitting Factory
* Questlove (DJ), Q-Tip (DJ) @ Brooklyn Bowl
* MNDR, Zambri, Tayisha Busay @ Glasslands
* Vetiver, Avi Buffalo, Inlets @ The Bell House
* Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) & Steve Kimock @ Merkin Concert Hall
* Darlings, Lonnie Walker, Motel Motel, Gunfight @ Union Pool
* Free Energy, Eastern Midwestern, pow wow!, Neighbors @ Pianos
* Signal Break, Sunshower Orphans, Mr. Dream, NT Trio @ Cake Shop
* Langhorne Slim, April Smith & the Great Picture Show @ Maxwell's
* Dub Is a Weapon, Bigga Mention, Rob Symeonn @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
* Vampire Weekend, Kwame Dawes (author) @ Barnes & Noble Union Square
* Lady GaGa, Jason Derulo, Semi Precious Weapons @ Radio City Music Hall
* Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, Supercute, Julia Weldon @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* Support Haiti Benefit w/ Lewis Black, Vernon Reid & Corey Glover of Living Colour, Rich Pagano & The Sugarcane Cups, Marshall Crenshaw, David Johansen @ City Winery

Vampire Weekend appear at Barnes & Noble tonight with Kwame Dawes. Expect a line.

Spoon announced that some tickets will be available at the door for tonight's Mercury Lounge show. Expect a line.

Lightspeed Champion is not playing Bowery Ballroom tonight.

Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver appears as part of the NY Guitar Festival tonight. You can catch him in Ohio in April.

Tonight's Cake shop show, put on by Music vs. Hunger, benefits Haiti relief. Questlove and Q-Tip DJ at Brooklyn Bowl for Haiti, too.

Various new videos below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

photos by Chris Graham

Happy Holidays! I take on more than I can handle. That results in a lot of unposted content. In the name of catching up, while also taking it easy during this final week of the year, here's some of that lost material.

The 2nd Annual Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco this past August benefited from a combination of improved planning and the luck of some of the nicest weather the city had seen all summer. The result was a far more pleasant and exciting experience for festivalgoers at this food, wine and music extravaganza.

The venue for the festival is extraordinary, taking up about a third of the massive Golden Gate Park. Once inside, it's hard to believe you're in the middle of a large city. Giant trees and grassy meadows block out any view of outside buildings, and the festival is arranged around the topography so that each group of stages has its own unique look and feel. There were many secluded areas and empty meadows nearby for those in need of respite from the music. Thanks to the efforts of innovative organizers, Outside Lands truly becomes a world unto itself. [Beachside Resident]

Continue reading "Outside Lands 2009 - Day 1 pics (Pearl Jam, The National, Q-Tip, Tom Jones, Akron/Family, Built to Spill, more)"

Q-Tip spinning at Nokia Theatre in August (more by Jaecyne Howell)

Brooklyn Bowl's New Year's Eve festivities will includeQ-Tip the Abstract (his DJ name), retro-synth wiz Dam-Funk, reggae/soul/funk band Pimps of Joytime and DJ Concerned. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 16th at noon (with the price going up on December 19th).

The Brooklyn Bowl's lineup was previously "secret" - another NYC club with a secret (though not one we would count on making the price worth it - relatively speaking) is (Le) Poisson Rouge, who promises "a celebrity DJ...spinning pulsating sets of hip hop, rock, dance and 80's on a state of the art sound system all night long," as well as a "live Performance - Artist TBA." Tickets range from $75 general admission to the $175 Platinum VIP tix where you can "Enjoy reserved nightclub seating while GA ticket holders stand."

Add those to the list of this year's NYE events that also include Passion Pit DJing at Pianos and MSTRKRFT at Webster Hall.

More info on the LPR event is below...

Continue reading "Q-Tip & Dam-Funk playing Brooklyn Bowl on New Years Eve --- Le Poisson Rouge hosting an event as well "

by BBG

Dan Auerbach, Jim Jones, Mos Def, Patrick Carney, and Damon Dash

Just in time for the holidays and to remind the hip hop listmakers that The Ecstatic was/is the truth, the two-time Grammy nominated Mos Def has scheduled a show on 12/20 at Highline Ballroom. Tickets, though not cheap, are on sale.

Mos Def was also recently announced as a contributor to the new Gorillaz record, along with a host of notables

The third Gorillaz album will feature one newly announced GPS voice, two iconic frontmen of the '60s and '70s, and more, lending to a contributing line-up as eclectic as the one heard on 2005's Demon Days.
The GPS voice, Snoop Dogg, plus Lou Reed of The Velvet Underground and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, will be heard alongside Mos Def, Bobby Womack, The Horrors and the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra in Plastic Beach, out 2010.

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have wanted to make a hip-hop album since they were teenagers....
"All the blues music I liked was super simple and stripped down. All the hip-hop I liked was super simple and stripped down," says Auerbach. "We always heard that connection."
The Black Keys' first demo reflected their hip-hop tastes. It featured drum loops and samples, which their first record label later told them to scrap. Years later, following recent praise for their minimalist, bluesy jams, The Black Keys have finally recorded a hip-hop album. Their collaborative ensemble is called BlakRoc.
"What makes this special is the guys' sensibility of hip-hop," [Pharoahe Monch] says. "The drum loop-like timing and patterns make a groove that is easy to rhyme to and to write over."-[NPR]

The Capo Jim Jones and Mos Def, along with the Black Keys, (BlakRoc) played Letterman last night (12/8) - the same night that Jawbox was burnin' Fallon to the ground. It was also rumored that the group might play a secret show at new venue Under 100 (in the basement of Damon Dash's building) later that night, but though Mos Def was there hanging out (again), he and the group didn't actually play (pictures from that event coming later).

Dig on the live Blakroc video from Letterman, the official video for the same song, as well as more videos from Mos, below...

Continue reading "Mos Def on new Gorillaz album, playing Highline, in Blakroc w/ Black Keys & Jim Jones (video from Letterman last night) "

photos by Eric Townsend

Q-Tip and Common

"The Hennessy Artistry concert series ended with it's grand finale in Hip-Hop's birthplace last night in a true celebration of Hip Hop Music. As The Roots band backed Common, New York City erupted with energy unmatched even at a certain "fest" that took place last weekend. With only Common and The Roots on the bill, special guests Bilal,Don Omar, Consequence, Karen Wheeler of Soul II Soul, Q-Tip, and Queen Latifah made it night to remember. Seriously, watching Queen Latifah perform "Unity" live gave me chills." [MissInfo.TV]

Continue reading "Common, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, The Roots, Consequence & friends @ Terminal 5 (Hennessy Artistry) - pics & video"

photos by Jaecyne Howell

DJ Spinna and Q-Tip @ Nokia Theatre

"On Saturday, August 29th, what would have been Michael Jackson's 51st birthday, fans of the King of Pop gathered at New York City's NOKIA Theatre Times Square for Q-Tip Presents: "Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson." The sold-out crowd danced the night away to never-before-heard remixes of Michael Jackson's hits, as well as rare video footage from the Motown and Sony vaults. Joining Q-Tip onstage to DJ were special guests DJ Spinna and Mark Ronson. At one point, Quincy Jones called in to say a few words to the audience. Other celebrities in attendance included Solange Knowles, Marsha Ambrosius, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Premier and Anthony Anderson."

Continue reading "Q-Tip, DJ Spinna, Mark Ronson & guests celebrated Michael Jackson's birthday @ Nokia Theatre in NYC - pics "

Happy Birthday Michael, Michael it's your birthday

The office of the Los Angeles County coroner confirmed Friday that it had ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. It said the cause was a mixture of the powerful anesthetic propofol and the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam, both of which, previously disclosed court documents say, Mr. Jackson's doctor has acknowledged administering to him the day he died.

"The manner of death has been ruled: homicide," the coroner's office said in a brief statement.

It said the full coroner's report and a complete toxicology report were being withheld at the request of the police and the district attorney's office, whose investigation continues.. [NYT]

Continue reading "Michael Jackson's Death Ruled a Homicide (Happy Birthday) --- Prospect Park event underway + other stuff to do"

photos by Tim Griffin and Chris La Putt

"It was announced during Vampire Weekend's rain-soaked but well-attended 6 p.m. set on the main "Blue Comet" stage that due to the weather, single-day Friday tickets would be accepted for festival entry on Saturday and Sunday. This elicited quite a few cheers, presumably from those who had not already purchased weekend tickets. While the early afternoon had been hot and sunny, allowing for clear views of nearby Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the storm clouds rolled in rapidly just as Fleet Foxes took the stage at 3:30 p.m. The wind, rain and thunder actually worked as fitting accompaniments to the band's dramatic harmonies, a fact not lost on the Foxes themselves. "We kind of look like a guild of wizards here to deliver an ominous warning," said drummer J. Tillman, one of several bearded members of the band. ""I'm going to leave the stage on a horse." [Billboard]

Continue reading "All Points West 2009 - Day One in Pictures"

Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa (more by Toby Tenenbaum)

"On Saturday, August 29, 2009 - what would have been Michael Jackson's 51st birthday - Grammy award-winning, hip-hop icon Q-Tip presents "Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson" at the NOKIA Theatre Times Square. Q-Tip will be joined in the DJ booth by special invited guests Grammy award-winning producer/artist Mark Ronson and the legendary DJ Spinna."

Like he recently did in Central Park, Q-Tip is rapping (not DJing) this Friday at All Points West. More info on the Nokia show below...

Continue reading "Q-Tip DJing @ Nokia Theatre on Michael Jackson's birthday w/ Mark Ronson & DJ Spinna (and playing APW Friday) "

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

"Central Park SummerStage is a tradition in New York, one in which music lovers flock to in order to catch a free show from an array of artists. This past weekend Q-Tip took to the stage, after performances by openers Benji B, Little Dragon and Max and D.A. of pop band Chester French and rocked the park at the Giant Step sponsored event.

The 'Renaissance Man' ran through his set with the energy and exuberance he's known for but it was his impromptu dance partner who stole the show.

While fans surely won't forget the SummerStage performances of Tribe classics, including 'Bonita Applebum,' 'Award Tour' and 'Sucka N---a,' it was Diddy's participation on Tip's solo hit 'Vivrant Thing' that made the crowd go wild. Sean "Diddy" Combs took it back to the '90s with the Puff Daddy two-step/shuffle as he danced alongside Tip. Anything and everything can happen in New York!" [The Boombox]

Continue reading "(Diddy joined) Q-Tip, Little Dragon & Chester French @ Central Park Summerstage - pics & video"

Q-Tip @ Highline Ballroom in December (more by Leia Jospe)

Ballantine Books will publish Industry Rules by Q-Tip, world-renowned artist, producer, DJ, and lead MC of hip-hop's legendary A Tribe Called Quest...Q-Tip was inspired to write Industry Rules as he acknowledged upcoming milestones in his personal life and professional career--most notably, 2010 marks the twentieth anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest's first album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (Jive Records, 1990). The main idea for the book grew from a verse Q-Tip penned a year later, in the group's critically acclaimed 1991 release The Low End Theory. In the song "Check the Rhime," he raps, "Industry rule number 4080: record company people are shady." The book will expand on the 4080th rule and include more of Q-Tip's thoughts on the entertainment business, fashion, love, and morality.

Little Dragon will also be at the The Freedom Party NYC at (Le) Poisson Rouge on Friday (tonight). Tickets are on sale.

Q-Tip album art, tracklist, book info, and Little Dragon tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Q-Tip - an album, a book (Industry Rules) & a Summerstage show Saturday (w/ Little Dragon who is @ LPR tonight)"

Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate, Savannah Music Fest '09 (Savannah Grandfather)

Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, City Parks Foundation is pleased to announce the 2009 season schedule of its flagship free performing arts festival, Central Park SummerStage. Internationally acclaimed for presenting world-renowned and emerging talent from around the globe and New York City's own backyard, the Central Park SummerStage season promises to be as electrifying as ever with a calendar chock-full of culturally diverse programs in multiple disciplines including music, dance, word, film, and comedy.

The 2009 Central Park SummerStage season is marked by innovative collaborations and will open on Friday, June 12 at 8:00 PM with a performance by the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Josh Ritter and his band for the evening, The New York Pops.

City Parks Foundation also welcomes The Metropolitan Opera for the first time ever to Central Park SummerStage as The Met launches its free Summer Recital Series of outdoor concerts in neighborhood parks on Monday, July 13 at 8:00 PM with a special performance of opera arias and popular songs headlined by the Tony Award-winning baritone Paulo Szot and featuring Lisette Oropesa (soprano), Alek Shrader (tenor), and Vlad Iftinca (piano).

Continue reading "Central Park Summerstage - full 2009 concert schedule "