Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest 2011 (more by Brook Bobbins)

The 2012 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival runs from Monday, 7/9 (tonight) through Saturday (7/14). As mentioned, Busta Rhymes is headlining, but since we last spoke, more artists have been announced. The fest kicks off tonight at Brooklyn Bowl with a stacked lineup of Freeway, Young Guru, Evitan, 1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology), REKS, and more. Tickets for that show are still available. Festival passes will only be accepted between 8 PM - 10 PM.

On Thursday (7/12), Public Assembly will host "Salute the DJ," with sets from DJ Chuck Chillout, DJ Sucio Smash, Ralph McDaniels, M. Will, KJ, and DP One. Tickets for that are available.

The final day, July 14, includes 'Family Day' at Pier 3 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Busta-headlined show at the Brooklyn waterfront with Ka, Clear Soul Forces, Chuuwee, Fat Tony and more TBA. There's also an after party at the Knitting Factory with an early show by Ana Tijoux, Rebel Diaz, and Javiera Mena (tickets) and a late show by Jasmine Solano, Melo-X, CSC Funk Band, DJ Evil Dee, and "special invited guests." (tickets).

There will also be film screenings, symposiums, and more. Check out the full schedule.

A video of Busta talking about his plans for this year's BHF is below...

Continue reading "2012 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival begins tonight (schedule)"

The old '80s new wavey NMS logo / Reks

It's beginning to feel like this summer is just one never ending music festival. In addition to the Northside Festival, which begins in Brooklyn tonight, NYC will get another multi-venue festival next week with the recently revived New Music Seminar which runs from June 17-20 this year. Some of you out there may have lived (and gone to see shows) long enough in New York City to remember the fest's original incarnation which existed for a week every summer from 1980 to 1995. It was a little like CMJ, but more focused on live music, though there were industry panel discussions and the like too.

For the new version (which actually existed last year too in a very small form), badgeholders will have access to a number of industry talks and also a selection of live shows. Those shows include a free show at Tammany Hall on Tuesday (6/19), presented by eMusic, with Anamanaguchi, Hooray for Earth and Yellow Dogs. They also include the previously discussed Deer Tracks show at Pianos on Wednesday (6/20) with Mon Khmer, Nouela, and Crux.

Another notable one is REKS, Soul Khan, Maffew Ragazino, and The Doppelgangaz at Public Assembly on Tuesday (6/19). REKS released an album this year called Straight No Chaser, which was produced by Statik Selektah and features guest appearances from Action Bronson, Termanology, Slaine, and others. You can stream the whole thing below via spotify along with a video for album track, "Chasin'."

Continue reading "New Music Seminar is back (Anamanaguchi, REKS & many other shows & panels included)"