NY beatboxer, CHESNEY SNOW (who will be featured as one of our guests on the upcoming promo CD/anniversary recording of THE ZRO HOUR), hit me up with details on his collab with BEAT KANGZ ELECTRONICS- THE BEAT THANG! Ok, so the name is a bit generic but this beat machine/sampler promises to turn the industry out. Created by The Beat Kangz (Aja, Boom Bap & Rev), The Beat Thang looks like a cross between Emu's ASR X drum sampler and a pimped out Dodge Charger. Make no mistake though, the specs promise a serious device for the creation of your next hip hop classic. In 2005 the team conceptualized and created the sounds for the Zoom SB-246 Streetboxx™, the company’s biggest selling rhythm machine to date. Taking that experience light years further, The Beat Kangz deliver an instrument of the new millennium. The Beat Thang contains over 3000 sounds and over 500 production ready hit beats, patterns and loops. Each sound can be edited, fine tuned and manipulated with onboard waveform editing and fully functioning Digital EFX (EQ, Compression, Reverb, Delay, Filter and “FREAK”). The Beat Thang is preloaded with sounds and has onboard sampling and resampling. With USB in and out and Mic/Line input, you can add your own Samples. Create your own custom Kits with up to 8 layers per pad (each layer can have its own pitch, pan, volume, cutoff and resonance). Our Key Span Feature allows you to take one or more samples and instantly make an instrument that spans an entire 88 note keyboard. Compose songs with the 16 Track MIDI Sequencer that can sequence internal sounds or External sound modules. THE BEAT THANG is portable containing a rechargeable lithium ion battery gives you up to six hours of portable playing time. Its also fitted with two SD card slots.
From the specs alone, it sounds like a killer device. Chesney Snow provided all beatboxing samples, loops, vocal scratches, and special effects and his beatboxing is used for the traditional drum sounds of snares, kicks, etc. The Beat Kangz are premiering THE BEAT THANG at the Winter NAMM in Anaheim, California. I will bring more info and video soon. I am definitely interested to see and hear what this baby can do.
Thanks to SPITKICKER.COM for the heads up on this one. Michigan does it again! BUFF1 from Ann Arbor, Michigan drops that midwest flow in this video showcasing the plight of the homeless. Look out for more from this member of the Athletic Mic League and peep another video below for his song "Beat The Speakers Up".
Thursday January 22, 2009 BROOKLYN BODEGA and The Brooklyn Historical Society hosts a panel discussion tied into the impact of Hip Hop and Ralph McDaniel's Video Music Box on the election of Barack Obama. Moderated by Brooklyn Bodega's President and Executive Director of the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival Wes Jackson, the panel will feature Ralph McDaniels, Christina Norman (former President of MTV), Jason King (Artistic Director, Clive Davis Dept. Of Recorded Music, NYU), Alvin Blanco (Features Editor, Allhiphop.com) and Selam Mulugeta (Field Organizer, Campaign For Change). The tix are $6 and can be purchased at brooklynbodega.com or the Brooklyn Historical Society 128 Pierrpont Street Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201. 6PM-8:30PM
Above is the trailer for an upcoming film channeling the era of blaxploitation and getting it completely right! Actor and martial artist Michael Jai White, known for his roles as Mike Tyson from HBO's Mike Tyson film, direct to video sequel "Undisputed 2", Tyler Perry's "Why Diid I Get Married", Steven Seagal's "Exit Wounds" and most recently seen in "The Dark Knight" in a pivotal scene with Heath Ledger, created and stars as Black Dynamite. In "Black Dynamite", Michael Jai White channels Richard Roundtree, Jim Kelly, Fred Williamson and Dolemite among others in his homage to black film heroes of the 70's. Done as a parody and spot on recreation, the film features many guest appearances from a who's who of Black Hollywood and showcases his superb fighting skills. Check out a great interview at TWITCHFILM where he reveals plans for a sequel and shopping the film at this year's Sundance festival.
Davey D drops 3 videos from a peaceful rally held last Wednesday at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland. From hosts Christina Gomez and Dereca Blackman of the Bay Area Local Organizing Committee to Oakland rapper Jahi and Mister FAB, Jasiri X and Oakland rap artists Ner City. Hip Hop came out deep to stand for peace and social justice-
B.I.G. and Lil Kim..er Jamal "Gravy" Woolard and Naturi Naughton at the premiere of NOTORIOUS (due out this week 1/16). Thanks to THEYBF.COM for the pics! Check the link for many more. I can't wait to check the movie for myself. You know I'm dropping a review..
Stay up with Joe Budden and take a peek at his life and movements on JOEBUDDENTV.COM. Check the latest episode above where Joe comments on the escalation of the beef between himself and Ransom, a former associate and rapper.