VIDEO: Pharoahe Monch & Supernatural At Galapagos Art Space 05.17.07

I went to check out the Pharoahe Monch tribute last week at the Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn (shout out to UNDERGROUND EXP). The house was packed as everyone came out to give props to one of the most creative and poetical emcees. I have a clip here with Monch onstage with O.C. giving the audience a sample of his lyricism-



Supernatural, one of the world's greatest freestylers, hosted the event and did one of his patented routines where he incorporated items from the audience into his freestyle-



Since we are on the topic of Supernat, I thought you would like to check out this performance from 2006 Rock The Bells tour-

Doug E. Fresh & Blake Lewis Rock American Idol

Oh, Oh, Oh my God! Is it real? Hip Hop on American Idol? During this week's finale, finalist Blake Lewis (known for incorporating beatbox skills into his singing) performed a duet with none other than Doug E. Fresh with Barry B on the turntables. Get, Get, Get Fresh Crew! This was a great moment in the show as the two performed Doug's and Slick Rick's "The Show". Blake Lewis did his thing and showed respect for the original human beat box-DOUG...E... FRESH!

Will Gentrification Spoil the Birthplace of Hip-Hop?

Photo courtesy Tyler Hicks/New York Times

Yesterday the New York Times featured an article on the attempts at proclaiming 1520 Sedgewick Avenue, in the Bronx, New York, a landmark. Why 1520 Sedgewick Avenue you ask? Well it just happens to be the birthplace of Hip Hop culture as delivered through the parties thrown in the buildings recreation hall by DJ Kool Herc beginning in 1973. Throughout NYC the changes within the minority communities have left many without affordable housing and has seen many local institutions shut down or bought out. The fear that it will trickle down towards areas that signify the birthplace of Hip Hop is becoming very viable. Here is a brief rundown direct from the NY TIMES:

"The Sedgwick building is part of the state’s Mitchell-Lama program, in which private landlords who receive tax breaks and subsidized mortgages agree to limit their return on equity and rent to people who meet modest income limits. The contracts allow owners to leave the program and prepay their mortgage loan after 20 years. Rent regulations can protect tenants from increases, but not always...

“It is complicated when you try to preserve some other feature of a building besides its architecture,” said Lisa Kersavage, a preservationist at the Municipal Art Society of New York. “But this is a very important cultural touchstone for New York, and awareness should be raised.”

Cindy Campbell, who promoted the first party where her brother spun the tunes, is intent on doing at least that. She hopes that by highlighting the history of the building, where her family lived for nine years, she might be able to enlist big-name rappers to Mayor Bloomberg in her campaign to help the tenants.

She still recalls the first party — on Aug. 11, 1973, she says — which she dreamed up as a way for her to get some extra money for back-to-school clothes.

“I didn’t want to go to Fordham Road to buy clothes because you’d go to school and see everybody with the same thing on,” she said. “I wanted to go to Delancey Street and get something unusual.”

Her brother wound up giving the neighborhood something unusual, too, inside the packed and sweaty community room. Drawing on his wide-ranging musical tastes, he combined sounds and in time those sounds were combined in new ways as he extended the beats to the delight of the dancers.

“It wasn’t a black thing, it was a we thing,” said Mr. Campbell, now 52. “We played everything. Gary Glitter? We rocked that. We schooled people about music.”

READ more HERE

Up Close With Easy Mo Bee

JUMPOFF.TV features this great 30 minute plus interview with one of Hip Hop's classic producers, Easy Mo Bee. Here he tells of his humble beginnings, big breaks and ruminations on the industry's past, present and future. Mo Bee's story is sure to strike a familiar chord within all of us who eat, sleep and shit this music..

HIP HOP LIVES! - KRS ONE & MARLEY MARL

Now this is a highly anticipated release from 2 of the greatest, most influential masters of Hip Hop. KRS One (with Boogie Down Productions) and Marley Marl (with the Juice Crew) had one of the most famous battles in the history of the music. There were no deaths and it was all about the music and braggin' rights. Forward 20 years later, these two giants are set to release a CD together. HIP HOP LIVES is due to be released on 5/22/07 on Koch Records. Check the site for a short video on the making of the album. The video for the first single, "Hip Hop Lives" is here:

HIP HOP APPRECIATION WEEK 2007 5/14-5/21

Words from the Blastmaster himself:

Hip Hop Appreciation Week begins on May 14th 2007 and concludes on May 21st 2007. Hip Hop Appreciation Week began in 1998 as a time set aside every third week in May to acknowledge and appreciate the existence of Hip Hop itself. During this time (May 14th-21st 2007) the Hip Hop community refocuses itself through a collective reviewand update of its own history and core principles and elements. Principles- peace,love, unity and having fun. Elements- Breakin, Emceein, Graffiti Art, Deejayin, Beat Boxin, Street Fashion, Street Language, Street Knowledge and Street Entrepreneurialism. The idea is to celebrate Hip Hop itself.

During Hip Hop Appreciation Week artists can be asked to give sound advice on what they’ve learned about life and living Hip Hop this year. Schools of all sorts are encouraged to discuss Hip Hop academically and critically amongst its students and teachers. Radio DJs can upgrade their play of “conscious” Rap music over the airwaves and parents can discuss the true meaning and history of Hip Hop with their children.

During Hip Hop Appreciation Week the Hip Hop community is encouraged to:

Give the next person the right of way. Allow people to pass you. Do not block a person’s forward movement.

Donate your skill or profession to someone who cannot afford it.

At the supermarket give your change to the person behind you in line.

Be quick to compliment and slow to criticize. Be ready to forgive and move on.

Tithe 10% of your salary this week to your child’s teacher.

Ease a neighbor’s pressure by donating your time toward the assistance of some duty they must undertake. Give of yourself this week.

Let us show our respect for Hip Hop with a sincere respect for one another. Men—support the women in your life. Women, comfort the men in your life. And let us all remain committed to the well-being of our children; they are the reason we do what we do. Love your children. Reserve a special love for them. Give them your time and your attention. Be patient with them. Touch them, hug them, play with them and be sure to teach them, advise them, protect them, discipline them, and most of all LISTEN to them. One of the best ways to teach our children that they are valuable is to value them. Often we must compliment them, point out their special qualities to them, fulfill their prayers, support their legitimate dreams and aspirations and let them know that we are interested in them. They are the future of Hip Hop! The preservation of our children IS the preservation of Hip Hop. HAPPY HIP HOP APPRECIATION WEEK! There it is.

-KRS ONE

THE ZRO HOUR 05.12.07

We are back with a new show full of some of the strongest music ever! We got joints from the new Bone Thugs In Harmony, "The Magnificent" Jazzy Jeff w/Jean Grae, DIVISION X( a group who had me open at their live show as one of the opening acts during the Large Professor tribute last month), and rare gems from Grand Puba, Akinyele, Organized Konfusion and the Fushinickens. I open the show with a hot breakbeat mix by SOULBROTHA, a DJ/production team from Germany. Their sound is strictly dusty grooves and classic samplers-NO synths. One emcee in particular had my ears on fire this week and that was BEKAY. Bekay is one of the Rawkus 50 for 2007. I was checking his Rawkus page and I came across his incredible flip of Xzibit's "Paparrazzi" beat. He calls it Acts Of Shame and we got it on the show. Bekay has documented his crazy journey in this great short film, "Bekay Blowing Up?!?"



Mother's day is this Sunday so I dug up YoYo's "Mama Don't Take No Mess" in tribute. I also dedicated another hot track by TRAEDONYA-"Beloved". Traedonya has a full, rich voice and the song is reminiscent of an 80's Grace Jones vibe. Check the video:



The next few shows are going to be crazy and look for our unsigned and independent showcase due Memorial Day weekend.

Enjoy:

THE ZRO HOUR 05.12.07

PLAYLIST

SOULFLAVA IN THE MIX- Soulbrotha
FLOWMOTION- Bone Thugs
TOP SHOTTA-Killer Mike
I AM- Division X
SUPA JEAN- Jazzy Jeff feat. Jean Grae
ACTS OF SHAME- Bekay
A LITTLE OF THIS A LITTLE OF THAT- Grand Puba
BEET DROP- Redman
NOBODYDOITBETTER- Keith Murray & Tyrese
P-BODY- Sean Price
CHECKMATE- Akinyele
INVETRO- Organized Konfusion
MR. LARGE- Chubb Rock & Biz Markie
B-BOYS THEME- Black Sheep
La SCHMOOVE- Fushnickens
THE OVERLY DRAMATIC TRUTH- El-P
C-TOWN- Bone Thugs & Twista
MAMA DON'T TAKE NO MESS- YoYo
BELOVED- Traedonya


**album cover comparisons originally found here

VIDEO: Marco Polo w/Masta Ace "Nostalgia"

We had this joint in the exclusives section for 2 months and now the video is here. Masta Ace and Marco Polo showing Brooklyn love. Thanks to onehansonplace.com for the heads up.

RAWKUS 50 2007 and New Rawkus Social Network

RAWKUS RECORDS presents the Rawkus 50 for 2007. Its a new initiative that places the focus on 50 of the hottest, most consistent rising talents in the world of Hip Hop. Not that commercial shit either. One of the groups I featured on the last show and met through myspace.com, THE SMILE RAYS, is one of the official 50. This is the description straight from Rawkus:

THE RAWKUS 50 IS AN ARTIST DRIVEN REVOLUTION! THE FUTURE OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS IS HERE NOW...

The RAWKUS 50 is the 50 Next important hip hop artists. Those artists selected will recieve the consistent marketing efforts of the founders of RAWKUS RECORDS.

Non-prolific artists need not apply. IF YOU CANNOT REGULARLY CHURN OUT DOPE MUSIC THE RAWKUS 50 IS NOT FOR YOU! Artists chosen for one of the 50 coveted spots must have developed myspace communities and sufficient youtube links.

RAWKUS RECORDS will consolidate the cumulative fanbases in the interests the co-operative. As one of hip hop’s most trusted brands, RAWKUS, will select 50 members ideally suited represent our logo and to work together.

In addition to the RAWKUS 50's comprehensive myspace marketing strategy, RAWKUS RECORDS will provide the following opportunities:

--National Full Page Print Campaigns Trusted Hip Hop Magazines
--National INTERNET marketing and promotion
--Sponsored NY and LA SHOW for the RAWKUS 50 to perform
--Blog and Podcast hosting, marketing and promotion

ARTIST Creative REQUIREMENT:

Artists must submit and deliver a minimum 10 master Album and RAWKUS will market you into HIP HOP HISTORY. Artists will remain fully independent and be free to sign with any label of their choosing (or RAWKUS if we approach you and you accept)


Rawkus along with NING has also created a social network in the vein of myspace.com but focusing squarely on Hip Hop. Check out MY.RAWKUS.COM to join and connect with the artists and mutual fans alike. THE ZRO HOUR has a page there which you can visit @ MY.RAWKUS.COM/PROFILE/THEZROHOUR

FLASHBACK CLIPS

Its way too short but a treasure nonetheless..

BIZMARKIE AND BIG DADDY KANE


One of the best Juice Crew collabos..

ERASE RACISM- KOOL G. RAP & DJ POLO feat. BIG DADDY KANE AND BIZMARKIE

6TH ANNUAL DYNAMIC PRODUCER CONFERENCE AUGUST 1-3 2007

DYNAMIC PRODUCER, an organization devoted towards educating, nuturing and creating a community of Hip Hop music producers, is hosting its 6th annual conference in NYC at the Park Central Hotel this year. Attendees will be able to network with industry professionals, learn about proper business practices, attend beat battles and possibly have their music directly heard by A&R's of various record labels. The fees range from $250 -$375 for tickets. The higher prices are slated for late registrants so get your tix early as possible...

REMIX HOTEL NYC MAY 18-20th 2007

REMIX magazine presents REMIX HOTEL NYC 2007 May 18th-20th. This three day event is being held at my alma mater SAE Institute of Technology and is sponsored by Microsoft. I have been to these events for the last 3 years and it is well worth the time for the networking opportunity, the technology demonstrations, and panels. Best of all it is FREE! Guests are still being announced so log on to the above links and register.

GOLDEN PRESENTS: A TRIBUTE TO PHAROAHE MONCH 05.17.07

UNDERGROUND EXP presents a tribute to the one and only PHAROAHE MONCH at the GALAPAGOS ART SPACE in Brooklyn, NY. Featured performances include Beatboxer Entertainment, Silent Knight, Rugged N Raw, Division X and Eternia. This is THE show for me. Pharoahe Monch is one of my personal greatest emcees and has been doin' it since the very early 90's. He and Prince Poetry, formerly of Organized Konfusion, were way ahead of their time for their production, rhyme skills and content. Pharoahe is due to release his second solo album titled DESIRE. The show will be bananas indeed! I came through the last "Golden" jump off where Large Professor was saluted. Extra P gave the crowd mad energy and when his set suffered from the pitfalls of "2007 technology", he commanded the DJ to spin some vinyl and freestyled for the rest of his performance. Beatboxer Entertainment were also incredible and both Silent Knight and Division X represented that true Hip Hop that I live for. All were extremely talented and creative with their flows and content. I will be in the house for this one....

FREE DOWNLOADS OF RARE TRACKS FROM THE WU-TANG ARCHIVES

Props to BROOKLYN VEGAN for this post. WUTANG CORP has an online collection of 215 rare singles and projects (all in mp3 format) from the archives of WU-TANG and their stable of artists. ITS CHRISTMAS IN MAYYY!!! Grab 'em HERE and expand your collection..

FIRST ANNUAL 24-HOUR RAPATHON

I don't know how I missed this...Yes I do. Its because Hot 97 in NYC is one of the main sponsors and I don't listen to terrestrial radio much (especially Hot 97). This Saturday, May 12th 2007, Hot 97 and the Global Artists Coalition is hosting the world's first ever 24 hour "Rapathon". This benefit and fundraiser is for the Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem located on the second floor of the Magic Johnson Theater, 2309 Fredrick Douglass Boulevard. Here they will attempt a new Guinness World Record for the longest ongoing rhyme session. Today was the last day for tryouts which is unfortunate. Only 500 tickets are made available and I am not sure if they are all sold. Check HERE for more info.