Smif-N-Wessun at MHOW in 2012 (more)

Slick Rick is playing Brooklyn Bowl on January 11 with F. Stokes. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Big Daddy Kane is playing with a live band at BB King's on January 24. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

M.O.P., Smif-N-Wessun, and Ka are playing Highline Ballroom on February 17. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

A stacked Lo-End Theory show with Sean Price, Roc Marciano, Buckshot, Meyhem Lauren, and more is going down at Highline Ballroom on January 20. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Rockie Fresh, who hails from the fertile Chicago scene is making his way to NYC for a show at SOB's on January 23 with production great Lunice. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Freddie Gibbs is playing Santos Party House on January 30. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Trinidad James and Vinny Cha$e are playing SOB's on January 30. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Shabazz Palaces collaborators THEESatisfaction are playing SOB's on January 31 with Njena Redd Foxx (who we heard on the track "Ima Read" with Zebra Katz). Tickets for that show are on sale.

Tickets for the Talib Kweli show at SOB's are on sale now.

Tickets for the Aesop Rock show at Irving Plaza are on sale now.

As mentioned, Wale is playing Bowery Ballroom on Monday (1/7). Tickets for that show are still available and we're also giving away a pair. Details on how to enter to win are below.

Continue reading "Slick Rick, Roc Marciano, Rockie Fresh, Freddie Gibbs, THEESatisfaction, Smif-N-Wessun & more upcoming rap shows"

Twin Sister at Bowery Ballroom in 2011 (more by Jessica Amaya)

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Wyatt Cenac @ Littlefield
* John Hodgman @ The Creek & Cave
* Blood Orange @ Sony Style
* Tony Scherr @ Living Room
* Jim Campilongo @ Living Room
* Ask Me Another @ The Bell House
* Ali Shaheed Muhammad @ Le Bain
* Linfinity, Free Blood, Waking Lights @ Mercury Lounge (cancelled)
* Rita Ora, Iggy Azalea, Havana Brown @ Highland Ballroom
* Lydia Lunch, Thurston Moore, John Moloney @ The Bowery Electric
* Belle Mare, Elephant Wrecking Ball, Four Visions, Wilsen @ Cameo
* Juggernut, Ken South Rock, Filthy Savage, Jah Jah of Ninasonik (DJ set) @ Pyramid Club
* Chairlift, Twin Sister, Empress Of, Slowdance, Jason McMahon, Ice Choir DJ set @ Glasslands
* Ben Taylor, Menahan Street Band, Ki:Theory, Sinkane DJ set, In Transit DJ set @ The Bowery Hotel
* Caribbean Music Festival w/ Machel Montano, Alison Hinds, Mr. Vegas, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh @ Barclays Center

ZZZs were supposed to play Pyramid Club tonight but had to drop off the show. However, you can catch them tomorrow at Death by Audio (12/18) with Dead Til Tuesday, Negfi, and Human Crush.

The Caribbean Fever Music Festival, which was supposed to take place on November 2 but was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy, goes down at the Barclays Center tonight with Machel Montano, Alison Hinds, Mr. Vegas, Slick Rick, and Doug E. Fresh. Tickets are still available.

For more old school hip hop in NYC tonight, you can also head to The Standard at Le Bain to catch Ali Shaheed Muhammad (of A Tribe Called Quest) DJing.

T.I., who plays a sold out show at Best Buy Theater with A$AP Rocky on Tuesday, has landed in NYC ahead of that show. He'll be taping a performance in midtown this afternoon and will head to Fuse Studios after that for a performance at 9 PM, which will stream live at the Fuse YouTube channel. His new album, Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head, drops tomorrow and since we last spoke, he revealed two more songs: "Hello" feat. Cee Lo Green and "Wildside" feat. A$AP Rocky. You can stream them both below.

And for even more hip hop, don't forget that the Duck Down Music and Javotti Media holiday party, which BrooklynVegan is co-sponsoring, is tomorrow (12/18) at Music Hall of Williamsburg with Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Buckshot, Sean Price, Smif-N-Wessun, Flatbush Zombies, Skyzoo, and Dyme-A-Duzin. Tickets for that show are still available.

Follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter.
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It's about that time of the year when the Christmas songs start piling. We just heard Ex Cops take on Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime", and now The xx have revealed a cover of Wham's "Last Christmas" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge this morning. Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

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"

Inspektah Deck with Method Man at Best Buy (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

Summertime and old-school/golden age hip hop go hand in hand. As such there are a plaethora of upcoming shows that will showcase all of your favorite MCs.

Tonight (6/6), SOB's will host Wu-Tang member Inspektah Deck with Queens' king of nonsensical rhymes N.O.R.E.. Tickets are still available. Deck recently shared "American Way" from his upcoming "mix album" Cynthia's Son which is streamable below. Deck is also onboard as part of Czarface with Boston duo 7L & Esoteric. The trio's collaboration will reportedly feature appearances from Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Roc Marciano, Action Bronson, Large Professor and DJ Premier.

SOB's will also host upcoming shows with Elzhi (ex-Slum Village) on July 19th (tickets), as well as Beanie Siegel on July 25th (tickets), the latter of which will appear at the Apple Store in the near future.

Slick Rick seemingly has a new NYC show on the calendar at all times, and his latest will team him with the great Biz Markie. Look for the duo to hit Gramercy Theater on July 28. Tickets are on sale. Meanwhile, a few of Biz's Juice Crew affiliates (namely Marley Marl and Big Daddy Kane) will link up with EPMD, Chubb Rock, and DJ Scratch for a show at BB King's on July 18th. Tickets are still available.

More shows: Prodigy of Mobb Deep and The Beatnuts will celebrate Queens Day at Irving Plaza on June 19; the shows in Betsy Head Park this weekend (Boot Camp Clik takes over 6/7); Lyricist Lounge with Ghostface on June 23; and GZA's performance of Liquid Swords during the Northside Festival (6/14).

Continue reading "Inspektah Deck, Noreaga, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and more hip hop shows on the horizon"

Nas @ Rock the Bells (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

That didn't take long. We just announced the intitial lineup. Check out the almost-full thing below...

Continue reading "Rock the Bells 2012 full lineup (Nas, Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, Dipset, Schoolboy Q, Missy Elliot, Wiz Khalifa, much more)"

Rakim @ Rock the Bells 2010 (more by Brook Bobbins)

Talib Kweli is not the only hip hop great scheduled to play a free NYC show as part of Summerstage this summer. The series will host hip hop notables like Special Ed (6/8 in Betsey Head Park), Nice & Smooth with The Awesome Two (6/15 in Von King Park), Slick Rick (7/12 in Crotona Park), Kool Moe Dee (7/19 in Queensbridge Park), The Sugarhill Gang (8/2 in Tappen Park, Staten Island), and The Cold Crush Brothers (8/24 in East River Park), and others.

Funkmaster Flex will host his own set of "Salute to Hip Hop" Summerstage shows, and though most of the performers have yet to be announced, EPMD will perform at the first on 6/7 at Betsy Head Park in Brooklyn. EPMD will return with Rakim to take on Summerstage in Central Park on 9/21, and before that Funkmaster Flex has other shows going on in Soundview Park on 6/28 (performers TBA), in Queensbridge Park on 7/21, a show with Rob Base on 8/9 at Marcus Garvey Park.

More details to the previously mentioned shows, are below.

Continue reading "Summerstage presents free hip hop shows in 2011 (lineups)"

Passion Pit @ Wellmont Theater - 12/30/10 (el_jong)

Man Man have replaced Slick Rick as the Passion Pit opener at Wellmont Theater tonight (New Years Eve). Titus Andronicus opened the show for Passion Pit at the same venue last night, and will headline their own New Years Eve show tonight, but not at Ridgewood Masonic Temple:

====| NEW YEARS EVE @ 285 KENT AVE |====

:: TITUS ANDRONICUS
:::: REAL ESTATE
:::::: Andrew Cedermark
:::::::: Julian Lynch

| 285 KENT AVE | -------- note: NEW VENUE!
285 Kent Ave @ S 1st St | Williamsburg, Brooklyn L-Bedford, JM-Marcy | 8pm | all ages | $15 adv, $16 @ door | no phone

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW - just a few left!
@ DESERT ISLAND BOOKS UPDATE: Sold out
540 Metropolitan Ave @ Union Ave | 718.388.5087 Mon-Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-7pm | $1 service charge

A shaky video from last night's Passion Pit show, below...

Continue reading "Titus Andronicus at a new venue for New Years Eve, opened for Passion Pit at Wellmont (like Man Man now does tonight)"

Devin Therriault plays his own show with no openers at 7pm at Mercury Lounge today (12/21)

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper continues her NYC run at the Rock Shop tonight.

Chairlift & Acrylics are playing a free show at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on Wednesday (12/22) (RSVP required).

Also coming up at Knitting Factory: A New Year's Eve Felabration! with the FELA! Band (featuring members of Antibalas), Sahr Ngaujah (FELA) and the FELA! Dancers. Tickets are on sale.

Speaking of FELA!, you don't have many more chances to see the Broadway play (it closes January 2nd).

Noah & the Whale aren't nearly as big as their Grammy-nominated friends in Mumford & Sons, but they did just add a 2nd Bowery Ballroom show after the first one became close to sold out. Tickets for the 3/21 show go on sale Wednesday at noon.

Slick Rick is opening for Passion Pit on New Years Eve at Wellmont Theater (tickets), and he's headlining Brooklyn Bowl on 1/14. Tickets are on sale for the latter.

Tickets are also still on sale for the 12/30 Passion Pit show with Titus Andronicus, and for Titus's New Years Eve show with Real Estate.

Tickets are now on sale for the Lauryn Hill show at Wellmont Theater.

Tickets are still on sale for Mr. Brownstone at The Rock Shop on New Years Eve.

Tickets are still on sale for the benefit show with The Drums at the Studio at Webster Hall.

Tickets are on sale for the Broken Records show at the Rock Shop.

Titus Andronicus @ Webster Hall (more by kolored)

NEW YEARS EVE @ RIDGEWOOD MASONIC TEMPLE

:: TITUS ANDRONICUS
:::: REAL ESTATE
:::::: Andrew Cedermark
:::::::: Julian Lynch

| RIDGEWOOD MASONIC TEMPLE |
1054 Bushwick Ave @ Gates | Bushwick, Brooklyn J-Gates | 8pm | all ages | $15 | no phone

For Titus Andronicus that makes four upcoming NYC-area shows and even more elsewhere now that they've been added as the opener on the upcoming Pogues tour. Passion Pit play Wellmont Theatre on New Years Eve with Slick Rick, and one night earlier with Titus. All dates below...

Continue reading "Titus Andronicus touring w/ the Pogues, playing New Years Eve show w/ Real Estate (dates)"

photos by Tim Griffin

Big Freedia

The 2010 edition of Fun Fun Fun Fest is now complete. You saw pictures from the first night. We have lots of possitive things to say coming up, but for now here is a part two of our photos - all from day two aka Saturday (11/6). They continue below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 - Day Two in pics (part 1) - Big Freedia, Antlers, Wavves, Devin the Dude, Os Mutantes & more) "

photos by Brook Bobbins

Okay, so everyone advertised did perform. But it sure was a nail-biter. Lauryn Hill, the eccentric erstwhile Fugee who has mostly stayed out of sight since her lone solo album, 1998's still-scintillating R&B masterpiece "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," was clearly the lineup's chief curiosity. When it comes to her behavior over the past decade there's been no rumor too bizarre to believe. Sunday's rumor was a doozy, and it was true -- she really was three hours late to the stage because she was getting a manicure-pedicure. Suddenly, the attempt by her former band mate Wyclef Jean to become president of Haiti doesn't seem quite so self-centered.

As her 4:30 start time approached, the elaborate stage plot was ready to go. And then . . . nothing. A 10-minute wait became a half-hour, which became a full hour. Scattered heckles became heavy boos as the stage was broken down at 5:30... Her toenails apparently dry, Lauryn Hill [finally performed later], but she probably shouldn't have bothered. The performance was a messy rush through highlights from "Miseducation," but they were hardly recognizable due to her hoarse voice, speedy delivery and clunky, overstuffed arrangements. Hill wasn't lacking for energy, just focus. The feedback on her microphone was ear-splitting; special guest Nas came out for a 45-second cameo, and his microphone wasn't working for half of it. After 20 minutes she departed to an equal mix of cheers and boos, seemingly oblivious as to why anyone might be upset.

...As headliner Snoop Dogg's stage props were assembled -- that would be a large video screen and a park bench covered in 40s in brown paper bags -- and the clock began ticking toward the venue's 11 p.m. curfew, the chatter started again. As a general rule of thumb, chatter at hip-hop shows is not a good thing. Where's Snoop? He was in New York performing at a Michael Jackson tribute show earlier in the day and at 10:45 p.m. was nowhere to be seen. Boos, again.

He did finally emerge, wearing what seemed to be your grandmother's old kitchen tablecloth and performed a truncated version of his iconic gangsta rap album "Doggystyle."... He mostly stayed true to character, never smiling -- maybe he was too focused reading his lyrics off teleprompters -- but his listless performance gave off the vibe that he'd rather be somewhere else. Like, New York. Snoop drawled over the atomic G-funk of "What's My Name?" as the house lights went on -- the venue's not-so-subtle way of saying, "It's time for you to go now." It's hard to think Snoop minded too much. -[Washington Post]

Pictures from Rock the Bells NYC HERE, HERE, and a third set continued (we don't have pictures from DC), below...

Continue reading "Rock the Bells DC didn't go so smooth ++ more pics from NYC"

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

Off! (photo by Lindsey Byrnes)

Whether or not the band name Off! is a not-so-subtle reference to another band that featured the great Keith Morris and dealt destruction to the insect populi, one thing is certain, they rule. Besides the incredible vocalist for Circle Jerks/Black Flag, punk supergroup Off! also features a killer lineup including Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides), Mario Rubalcaba (Earthless/Hot Snakes/Rocket From the Crypt) and Steven McDonald (Redd Kross) and the foursome have announced their debut material to be released with Vice Records!

Off!, who you may have caught at SXSW this year, will release the accurately titled First EP via limited edition 7" inch on October 12th. Featuring art and an exclusive poster courtesy of Raymond Pettibon, aka the evil genius behind Black Flag's iconic album covers, the release is the first of four 7"s to be compiled on the First Four EPs (another Black Flag nod) due on November 23rd - a collection of 16 songs which will each feature its own Pettibon sleeve art.

As the tour dates indicate below, Off!, in addition to playing FYFFest and Riot Fest this year, has announced their involvement in Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest (happening November 6th and 7th). For those of you counting at home, that brings the list of confirmed FFFFest bands to Woven Bones, Suicidal Tendencies, Slick Rick, Best Coast, Dirty Projectors, Cap'n Jazz, The Gories, Yelle, Snapcase, The Dwarves, High On Fire, and The Hold Steady! Stay tuned for more lineup announcements for the great Texas festival.

Meanwhile, Mario Rubalcaba was NOT part of the recent (and impromptu) Hot Snakes reunion that took place on July 29th at an Obits/Night Marchers show in San Diego, CA (the bands were on tour together).

You can view video of the three Hot Snakes songs from that set, as well as all Off! tour dates & a video from their first show in LA, below...

Continue reading "Off! signs to Vice, Fun Fun Fun Fest announces part of the lineup, Hot Snakes reunited (sort of) "

The full schedules for this year's Asser Levy/Seaside concerts and MLK Wingate Field shows are posted below. The Seaside series in Coney Island will go on despite the debate over the bandshell's renovations. There's still one TBA on the Seaside schedule (which we have some hints about).

Full schedules for both are below...

Continue reading "2010 Coney Island & Wingate Field concert schedules"

by BBG

Rock The Bells 2010? Um, awesome.

For the first time in the history of hip-hop entertainment, ROCK THE BELLS is slated to have headliners perform their most influential albums in their entirety. East-coast legends Wu-Tang Clan will perform Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers from beginning to end. Released in 1993, the group's debut album revived the New York rap scene and is widely-regarded as one of the greatest albums in hip-hop history. Considered one of the greatest MC's of all time, Rakim is set to perform 1987's, Paid In Full, his first full-length album with Eric B. Fellow Golden age, east coast rapper, Slick Rick will conquer The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. Released in 1989, this debut album became a certified-platinum classic topping the Billboard's Top R&B/ Hip Hop Albums charts. Highly regarded as the "THE TEACHER", KRS-One is a hip hop culture advocate, music producer, MC and published author. Hailed as one of the best live performers, KRS-One will perform [the Boogie Down Productions classic LP] Criminal Minded. The 1987 trend-setting album sampled music from various genres including rock, reggae and funk.

So far only four festival dates have been released, LA (8/21), San Fran (8/22), NYC at Governors Island (8/28), and DC (8/29). Ticket info is forthcoming.

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"

You know how Goodie Mob announced a reunion show at the massive Hammerstein Ballroom, well, not only was it moved to BB King's, it was combined with a Slick Rick show that was already happening there on that date. Tickets are on sale.

On September 9, Raekwon The Chef of the Wu-Tang Clan is dropping the much-awaited sequel to his 1995 classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... a triumph of storytelling, technically proficient rhymes and gritty Shaolin-style production. Granted, he has kept to this formula since his debut with the Clan, but Part II will be his greatest triumph of the decade, with production by RZA as well as Dr. Dre, J. Dilla, Pete Rock, Marly Marl, Necro, The Alchemist and Allah Mathematics, with rhymes contributed by Slick Rick, Busta Rhymes, The Lox. Ghostface Killah will reprise his role as the secondary rapper on the album, and there will be also be multiple appearances by Wu-Tang stalwarts Method Man, GZA and Inspectah Deck.

At 8pm on the release date, Santos Party House will be holding the concert and celebration, which promises to be flat out the best real hip-hop event the city has seen in a long time.

Two nights later, S.O.B.'s hosts its own Raekwon release show with Raekwon & Ghostface Killah. If there will be more special guests at that show too, they aren't announced. Tickets for the September 10th show are on sale.

Ghostface's own new record, The Wizard of Poetry, is due on September 29th on Def Jam. He's got his own show coming up at BB King's in November. "Baby," the first video from that new disc, is posted below.

Raekwon appeared on the bill of this year's Rock the Bells tour. Videos from his Boston and Jones Beach appearances are below...

Continue reading "Raekwon celebrating new album w/ 2 NYC shows - guests include Ghostface, Talib, Beanie Sigel, Slick Rick, more..."

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Rakim - Holy Are You (MP3)

Buckshot @ Knitting Factory with Black Moon (more by Tim Griffin)

After looking at the number of great old school artists on the way to the NYC stages, I was reminded of this kick-ass Greg Nice (of Nice & Smooth) song:

"Let's take it it back to the old school
Let's take it to Union Square
Let's take it back to the LQ
Wave your hands like you just don't care" -[Greg Nice - "Set It Off"]

KRS-ONE has an interesting project on the way, as the man who claims that he "is hip hop" will team up with Buckshot of Black Moon to release Survival Skills on 9/15. The LP is stuffed with killer guests like Mary J. Blige, Slug of Atmosphere, K'NAAN, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Sean Price, Smif N Wessun, and features production from Havoc of Mobb Deep, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, ILL MIND, Marco Polo, and many others. Dig on the video for the anti-auto-tune jam "Robot" available below, as well as video of the duo doing a surprise performance on 6/18 at BB King's. Stay tuned for more information on a "Myspace Album Release Show" in NYC on Friday, 9/11.

In the meantime, Black Moon are scheduled to team up with Smif N Wessun to perform ALL of their classic Enta da Stage and Dah Shinin' LPs (respectively) at Brower Park on August 12th for FREE. The show is one of a bevy of FREE shows in the parks of our fair city (featuring DJ Premier, Raekwon, Naughty By Nature and others).

Meanwhile, another notable old schooler, the one and only Rakim Allah, is doubling up on shows in the coming weeks, having scheduled a performance on 8/13 at Highline Ballroom (tix) as well as another as part of the "Hip Hop Legends Concert Series" featuring UTFO, Biz Markie, Lost Boyz, Jeru Da Damaja, Dr Jeckyl & Mr Hyde, and Lovebug Starski just eight days later at BB King's on 8/21 (tix). He should be playing new material at these shows...

. On July 28, 2009 the man many call The God MC [dropped] "Holy Are You" - the hypnotic lead single off of his long awaited new album The Seventh Seal, to be released early fall, 2009 on the artists Ra Records imprint in a joint venture with TVM and SMC Recordings and distributed through Fontana / Universal Music Group.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention The Ruler himself (Slick Rick), who was scheduled a show of his own at BB King's on 11/13 (tix). Dookie ropes are required for entry to all events. OK, not really... but they should be!

The above-mentioned videos, and the KRS-One/Buckshot cover art, below...

Continue reading "Rakim, Buckshot & KRS-One - new music & upcoming shows "

view from St. Mary's Park in the Bronx (Big Map)

Man Man and the BCC crews are in great company this summer. The New York City Parks Foundation will again present its annual CityParks Concerts series of free concerts throughout the five boroughs. Those free events include shows by KRS-One, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Slick Rick, Naughty by Nature, MC Lyte, and even BCC collaborator Raekwon. (By the way... Cuban Links 2 on August 11? I still don't believe it - BB.)

Not every park is covered in this series (like Prospect, Central, and Asser Levy for instance), but I wouldn't be surprised if covers almost every one that doesn't already host its own larger series . Full schedule below...

Continue reading "free shows in NYC parks (2009 schedule includes a lot of hip hop - Raekwon, KRS-One, & Pete Rock included) "

Man Man @ ACL 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

free shows @ East River Park in 2009
At the Band Shell along the East River in NYC
Between Grand & Jackson Sts.

Thursday, July 16th: Man Man
Thursday, July 23rd: Slick Rick
Thursday, July 30th: Ismael Miranda

Continue reading "free shows in East River Park & other MAN MAN tour dates"

Q-Tip @ the Woodies (more by Tim Griffin)

Q-Tip's December 2nd show at Nokia Theater with the Cool Kids has been moved to the smaller Highline Ballroom. Tickets are still on sale.

Other hip hop shows coming up at the Highline include Ludacris's album release party this Tuesday, Slick Rick on November 28th, Jean Grae on November 30th, Wale & Kid Cudi (and DJ Mark Ronson) on December 9th, AND last but not least: Hip Hop Harry on December 27th.

Some other upcoming hip hip shows are listed HERE.

Kanye West's new album is out today.

Video of Q-Tip performing with Lykke Li at the Woodies below...

Continue reading "Q-Tip/Cool Kids moved to Highline & other hip hop shows"

by Black Bubblegum

You might have seen that Boot Camp Clik members Black Moon & Smif N Wessun (aka Black Smif N Wessun) are playing the Knitting Factory and performing the classics. Fellow BCC compadres Heltah Skeltah are also playing a show of their own as part of Hot 97's Who's Next Live series (Whaaa? Heltah Skeltah is Who's NEXT? when did Nocturnal come out again?) at SOB's on Sept 3rd, hosted by the mighty Pete Rosenberg. Tickets are on sale. Check it out, and if you've never heard Pete Rosenberg's show on Hot 97 (chances are, you haven't... it's on sundays from 4-9AM), I urge you to do so or subscribe to the podcast (iTunes).

Project X featuring Rhythm X (aka Dr Dooom, aka Big Willie Smith aka Dr Octagon aka Poppa Large aka Kool Keith), Tim "Fuck Compton" Dog, and Marc Live are playing BB Kings on Oct 10th. Tickets are on sale. While I can't say that I am feeling Tim Dog's rhymes (ick) or the fake-me-out Pharrell wannabe on falsetto, Kool Keith live is an interesting prospect. Hopefully we'll get some Cenobites stuff as an encore.
Speaking of Pharrell, NERD will open for Common at Roseland Ballroom on Oct 4th. NERD dropped Seeing Sounds in June. Common's Invicible Summer is due.... this fall?

Probably the most interesting (note: interesting, NOT exciting) of all the upcoming shows, multi-platinum MC The Game scheduled a show with fellow G-Unit ex-patroit Young Buck at Irving Plaza on Aug 26th. Tickets are still available. The Game drops his new album LAX that same day. The Game recently announced that he would replace Mack 10 as a member of Westside Connection. Fellow Westside Connection-ers Ice Cube and W.C. are also playing Irving Plaza on 9/8. Tickets are still available.

We warned you about the Atmosphere shows, now we have two of em scheduled for NYC that went on sale 8/22 at noon: Music Hall of Williamsburg on Oct 13th (here) and at Irving Plaza on Oct 14th (here)

Jedi Mind Tricks are on tour in November. MURS will be around in October.

Lots and lots of old schoolers are also coming through the five boroughs.... the Ruler Slick Rick is back at Europa on Sept 18th (tickets here), Method Man & Redman at Nokia on Oct 17th (on sale here), ganja kings Cypress Hill are at Nokia on Oct 30th (tickets here), and Rob Base (no DJ EZ Rock?) is playing Sept 26th at Southpaw (tickets here).

Continue reading "Heltah Skeltah, Project X & other upcoming Hip Hop shows"

by Black Bubblegum

Q-Tip with A Tribe Called Quest at Rock The Bells, 8/3/08 (villageslum.com)

King Khan pretty much ruled, but maybe, the award for show of the day could go to Rock The Bells at Jones Beach...

"Mos Def was joined by Talib Kweli for a series of Black Star songs including "Definition," "Respiration" and "Brown Skin Lady."......with Pharoahe Monch joining former label-mates on stage for a boisterous performance of "Simon Says."

....Slick Rick joined his Def Jam proteges [ED: Method Man & Redman] briefly for a partial performance of "La Di Da Di,"....... After Raekwon, who performed earlier with Ghostface returned to the stage, EPMD followed, performing "Strictly Business" and "So What Cha Saying." Washington DC's DJ Kool entered the set, performing "Let Me Clear My Throat,"...... Upon the set closing, Keith Murray completed the Def Squad triad with a performance, without Sermon at the time, of "Rapper's Delight."

.....the largest crowd reaction came from Nas speaking to the crowd about how he needs to "breathe." Repeating the word, DJ Green Lantern played the instrumental to "Success," prompting a Yankee-cap tucked low Jay-Z to rush on the stage.... and perform his first verse..... the two then performed "Black Republicans."

.... A Tribe Called Quest headlined the night joined by luminaries such as Busta Rhymes on "Scenario" as well as Consequence.

Other guests.... included DJ Premier, M.O.P., Jeru Da Damaja, Biz Markie, Skyzoo, Mickey Factz and others. "
[HipHopDX.com]

Zaaaaam. Luckily, we have some photos (courtesy of Village Slum) and a video of that "Black Republicans" performance down below.....

Continue reading "Rock The Bells @ Jones Beach, pics & video, TONS of guests"

upcoming @ Europa in Brooklyn
Jul 24 - Slick Rick with Patty Crash (Philidelphia)
Aug 14 - Body Count featuring Ice T / No Redeaming Social Value / Maximum Penalty