THE ZRO HOUR: INDIE SHOWCASE

THE ZRO HOUR returns with a showcase of some of the hottest, most creative and slept on talent that I have found while diggin' through myspace.com, my.rawkus.com and a few that I have seen perform live @ Underground EXP's events. Exposing such talent has been one of the main goals of THE ZRO HOUR. Much of what we are exposed to on the radio focuses on repetitive concepts, cookie cutter talent and what amounts to an imbalance of what Hip Hop truly represents. To find the gems, you have to dig. To keep the culture moving forward you have to embrace originality and creativity. For this show, I am proud to present some of the best from the US, UK, & the Netherlands(!) INDIE SHOWCASE features BEKAY, DASHAH, THE SMILE RAYS, SILENT KNIGHT, K BANGER, THE WRIST, PROBLEM ADDICTS, BAM SAVAGE, 3 FACE, POISON PEN, QENETIC STORM, and SHAREEF.

Check the Exclusives section on the site for the new CHUBB ROCK! single, OL' SKOOL FLAVA. R.I.P. STACK BUNDLES....

THE ZRO HOUR: INDIE SHOWCASE

PLAYLIST

MYSPACE SAGA- Bekay
WITHOUT SOUL- K Banger feat. John Robinson (Scienz of Life)
WHAT IT SEEMS- Problem Addicts
HONKEY ASS- The Wrist
INKAHOLIK PT.3- Dashah
WAR- 3Face
LIFE'S APPRECIATION- Bam Savage
BASIC TRAINING (live)- Silent Knight
RAP BATTLE- The Smile Rays
BABY COUGH FREESTYLE- The Wrist
SHOWSTOPPERS- Problem Addicts
BACK INTO SHAPE- Shareef
NAME BRAND- K Banger
TITAN- Crew54 (prod. by Qenetic Storm)
UNDISTURBED- Dashah
SPEAKIN' MY MIND- Silent Knight & Pumkinhead
STRONGHOLD MOVEMENT- Poison Pen feat Breeze Evaflowin' & Immortal Technique
TRIBUTE TO STACK BUNDLES- JR Writer

New Drop from PHANTOMSHINO..

Shout out to PHANTOMSHINO for sending us this hot drop for THE ZRO HOUR. PS is from Memphis, Tennessee and got crazy flow. Check out PS over an exclusive EDAYE & AMBUSH produced track- ROGUE

VIDEO & PICS: JERU THE DAMAJA @ Golden Tribute 06.14.07

Last week-I know I am way late posting this- UNDERGROUND EXP presented a tribute to the original Dirty Rotten Scoundrel, Jeru the Damaja. Jeru is one of Hip Hop's treasured emcees due to his direct, Brooklyn flow and conscious topics. His debut, "The Sun Rises In The East" along with his second CD "The Wrath Of The Math", are considered classics due to the production and chemistry with DJ Premier. It was good seeing Jeru perform and I was shocked to see him with a baldy and trim beard. I think those of us that remember Jeru from the 90's have this iconic image of the conscious, dredlock wearing emcee. It was great seeing him onstage and during the night we caught performances by Group Home, THE WRIST, K BANGER, Pumkinhead and Beatboxer Entertainment. Skyzoo was on the bill but we missed his performance. The Wrist and K Banger surprised me with their lyrical dexterity and command of the mic. I have some tracks from them on the next show. Check out some pictures and video:

JERU THE DAMAJA



PUMKINHEAD


K BANGER



K BANGER & JOHN ROBINSON (SCIENZ OF LIFE)


THE WRIST



Jeru Performing "Da Bitches"


Jeru Performing "Ya Played Yaself"


Group Home Performing "Living Proof"

BEKAY's Sopranos Theory-SERIES FINALE

Brooklyn emcee BEKAY weighs in on the controversy surrounding the series finale of the beloved HBO series, THE SOPRANOS. Check the track here, SERIES FINALE or in the Exclusives section..

THE ZRO HOUR: ROOTS OF HIP HOP-BORICUA PRIDE

In honor of this year's National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York city, THE ZRO HOUR: ROOTS OF HIP HOP-BORICUA PRIDE celebrates some of the finest emcees of Puerto rican descent. Formerly known as the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the parade began in 1958 and later added "National" to its title in 1995. It is a celebration of the contributions of Puerto Ricans through the history of NYC. One things for sure, Puerto Ricans are the co-creators of Hip Hop culture. African-Americans and Puerto Ricans lived together in the same hoods. Puerto Ricans' contributions to hip hop run deep. From the Devastating Tito & OC (Fearless Four) to Kurious George ("Walk Like ADuck") to Fat Joe & Big Pun to Kid Capri, Tony Touch...too many. The b-boy, dance and graf scene? Boricuas got it locked. Big up Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers. The creation of Reggaeton was a natural synthesis of Hip Hop, Reggae, Bomba, and Salsa influences. Reggaeton and rap pioneer, Tego Calderon was a student of New York hip hop legends such as LL Cool J, Chuck D, EPMD and RUN DMC. Daddy Yankee and Wisin Y Yandel are killing the game. Alexie F. was feelin himself and his people! Check out the show, hot mix indeed. In the EXCLUSIVES, FLASHBACKS & EARLY HEAT section check for a rare one from PRINCE MARKIE DEE (FAT BOYS)-Trippin' Out

THE ZRO HOUR 06.09.07
ROOTS OF HIP HOP-BORICUA PRIDE


PLAYLIST

PUERTO RICO-Frankie Cutlass
100%-Big Pun
LEATHERFACE-Big Pun (remixed by PopularB & AC)
MUSIKA-KRS One & Marley Marl feat. Magic Juan
PUERTO RICO ALLSTARS-Tony Touch feat. Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Mexicano, Rey Pirin & Don Chezina
WE FLY HIGH (REGGAETON REMIX)-Jim Jones feat. Tego Calderon & Don Omar
PLANE TO PR-Daddy Yankee feat. will.i.am
BROOKLYN-Joell Ortiz
WE RUN NY-Tony Touch feat. Tru Life, Lumidee & Joell Ortiz
ROCKIN' IT-Fearless Four
WOPBOBALUBOP (REMIX)-Funkdoobiest feat. B-Real
HIP HOP-Joell Ortiz
AL NATURAL-Tego Calderon
WHAT'S THAT (QUE ESO?)-TonyTouch feat Mos Def & De La Soul
TRIBUTE TO BIG PUN & HECTOR LAVOE-Cuban Link & Willie Colon (produced by PopularB & AC)
COME BABY COME-K7
REP MY PEOPLE-Tony Touch feat. N.O.R.E. & AC (produced by PopularB & AC)

Underground EXP Presents: GOLDEN A Tribute to Jeru The Damaja

It's..It's..The Return Of the Prophet Jeru The Damaja @ UNDERGROUND EXP monthly GOLDEN Tribute series. If ya missed the first 3- CL SMOOTH, LARGE PROFESSOR and PHAROAHE MONCH..You can't miss this-

Underground EXP presents
Golden
A Monthly Tribute to Hip Hop's Greatest

Thursday, June 14th
Doors @ 9:30pm

Jeru The Damaja (40 minute set!)
Group Home
Skyzoo
Torae
Beatboxer Entertainment
Fresh Daily
K-Banger
KD Flow

DJed by DP1 and DJ Absurd

Galapagos
70 N. 6th St.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
L train to Bedford

$12 advanced $15 at the door
ladies free before 10:30pm
No guest list
Advanced tickets in Manhattan exclusively at Fat Beats

http://www.myspace.com/undergroundexp
http://www.galapagosartspace.com

Shout out to Nabil..

Omo Misha Appears on HGTV?

Ok..Ok so who the hell is OMO MISHA? Well, she is a multi talented artist in several mediums including jewelry design (seen modeling her own hand made creations here), painting and packs a smoky singing voice. She is also a very dear friend of mine and I was happy to see that she will be profiled on HGTV-Go Misha! Check the announcement:

Catch me Today on HGTV's "That's Clever!"

Where: HGTV in your living room!
When: 9:30am ET/PT
Friday, June 8, 2007

I'll be making jewelry...and probably looking pretty silly while I do it :-) If you're not going to be home, maybe you can tape it (or keep an eye out for re-runs). For more info, visit the HGTV web site - http://www.hgtv.com - look for Episode HCLVR 345 or use this link to take you to the direct page:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hclvr/episode/0,2756,HGTV_23557_48280,00.html

Click (or copy and paste) this link to see details of the show:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_accessories_jewelry/article/0,1789,HGTV_3225_5571521,00.html

I did not have a chance to clean the kitchen that day. They promised me they would not get the dishes on film..... :-(

Hip-Hop Producer Marley Marl Suffers Heart Attack

From ALLHIPHOP news of pioneering hip hop producer Marley Marl suffering a heart attack on June 5th. Reported by Nolan Strong:

While details are sketchy, sources said Marley Marl, born Marlon Williams, is in a New York area hospital and is in stable condition.

Marley Marl is one of the most influential producers in the history of Hip-Hop.

In the early 80's and 90's, Marley crafted seminal records for rappers like Eric B. & Rakim, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, TLC, Masta Ace and Kool G. Rap.

Marley Marl's Juice Crew was also involved in rap's most famous feud with KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions, a beef which produced a number of classic Hip-Hop singles like "The Bridge" by MC Shan and KRS One's answer record, "The Bridge is Over."

Marley Marl and KRS One have since ended their feud and released an album together titled Hip-Hop Lives, which was released last month via Koch Records.

Representatives for the producer would not release any details as of press time, but asked fans to pray for Marley Marl's speedy recovery.

Associate Of Tony Yayo Charged With Assaulting Jimmy Henchmen's Son

ALLHIPHOP has posted new info on the alleged assault by rapper Tony Yayo on the son of Czar Entertainment's CEO, Jimmy Henchman:

By Nolan Strong

An associate of G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo has been hit with criminal charges, stemming from an altercation with the 14-year-old son of music executive Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond.

Lawell Fletcher, 29, was charged with various misdemeanor offenses, for allegedly flashing a gun a Rosemond's son, during an altercation in which Yayo allegedly backhanded the teen for wearing a Czar Entertainment shirt.

Rosemond manages a number of top-selling rappers including former G-Unit member-turned-rival The Game.

According to the police report, on Mar. 20, Yayo and Lawell Fletcher were riding as passengers when they approached the boy as he walked to his internship at his father's label, Czar Entertainment.

Yayo and several associates surrounded the teen and Yayo allegedly smacked him, causing his head to strike the door of a building.

During the altercation Fletcher allegedly flashed "what appeared to be a "silver semi-automatic handgun in his waistband, with his hand on the handle."

The teen, who feared he would be "shot and killed" if he fled, said the action has since caused headaches, earaches and "substantial" pain to his face.

On May 21, Fletcher was charged with menacing in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child and assault in the third degree.

Yayo was charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a minor on Mar. 25.

Yayo has denied assaulting the teen and pleaded not guilty to the charges in April.

The rapper's next court appearance is July 24, but decisions on a series of motions made by Yayo's attorney Scott Leemon are expected later this month.

THE ZRO HOUR 05.26.07 ROOTS OF HIP HOP-ROCK N' ROLL

Yes you read that right, Rock N' Roll is a part of the roots of Hip Hop music. Where do you think some of the hardest drum sounds come from? We have a new show this week focusing on some of the most influential rock songs in the history of the music who just happen to feature crazy breaks that DJs and producers have revered for decades. We also play a few that could be the future of sampling and feature rare and classic songs from Mountain, Onyx & Biohazard, Ice T's Body Count, Led Zepplin and the Geto Boys. Check out the exclusives section for new joints by THIRD KIND ft. PRODIGAL SUNN and ANKH ft.SHAREEF. Shareef brings that heat straight outta the Netherlands and to your chest. I got another hot joint from Reef but i'm gonna save it for the next show- Unsigned, Independent, Slept On talent from some of the realest hip hop found on Myspace and my.Rawkus.com. Until then, Enjoy the show..

THE ZRO HOUR 05.26.05
ROOTS OF HIP HOP-ROCK N' ROLL

PLAYLIST

THE BIG BEAT- Billy Squier
LONG RED- Mountain (LIVE)
BACK IN BLACK- AC/DC
YA' SLIPPIN'- Boogie Down Productions
BONZO'S MANTRA- Led Zepplin
MYSTERIOUS WAYS- U2
THE JOKER- Steve Miller Band
GANGSTER OF LOVE (Dirty)- Geto Boys
CREAM- Led Zepplin
SMOKE ON THE WATER- Deep Purple
DOPE BEAT- Boogie Down Productions
THE EYES OF THE WORLD- U2
POOR TOM- Led Zepplin
SLAM (RMX)- Onyx & Biohazard
THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD- Body Count
KASHMIR- Led Zepplin

VIDEO: Buckshot @ Remix Hotel NYC 05.19.07

In this clip, Buckshot speaks on how to approach the art of producing and staying original with your music-

VIDEO: Just Blaze @ Remix Hotel NYC 05.19.07

This year's Remix Hotel NYC was great with a huge turnout and a good panel discussions about the art and business of production. The opportunity to play with all the high end toys and ask detailed questions on their use was invaluable. Gotta get me a Roland MV8800...In this clip, Just Blaze talks about how he put together Jay-Z's "Show Me What You Got"-

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