COLLECTIBLES: Misaki Minato Action Figure from Santa Inoue's Tokyo Tribe3

Cheers to Andy @ TOYSREVIL for the original news on this-

On an earlier post I spoke briefly about a hip hop/street gang based animated series from Japan entitled TOKYO TRIBE2. TOKYO TRIBE2 is an incredibly authentic (in respect to hip hop) series created by Santa Inoue and animated by MADHouse Studios. It is based on the TOKYO TRIBES manga (first published in 1998) and follows the lives and conflicts of several street gangs or "tribes" in modern day Japan. The manga and the anime illustrates urban culture with nods to DJs emcees, graf and fashion. Some of the supporting characters have names influenced by real hip hop personalities. The above figure by Medicom Toy is due to be released in the last quarter of 2009. Misaki Minato is a character from the current manga series TOKYO TRIBE3. The detail is spot on with the clothing draping the figure just right. Check out the "gumby" fade and the Timbs! TOKYO TRIBE3 is not available yet in the U.S. but you can get the original TOKYO TRIBES english translated manga at Amazon.com.



Check out the original post HERE for more figure pics. I found this great overview of the manga and anime at the POISONOUS PARAGRAPHS blog HERE. The anime is still not available officially in the U.S. but if you are savvy, you can find episodes on youtube.com and other sites online. I said it before and I will say it again...we are sleeping!

CLASSIC VIDEO: Double Feature BAHAMADIA- "3 The Hard Way" & "Uknowhowwedu"

VIDEO: U-N-I- "Hollywood Hiatus"

U-N-I, keep that heat coming. I would love to see a show featuring U-N-I, DA KREEK, and PACIFIC DIVISION. I'm diggin' this sound right about know..

VIDEO: NICKELUS F- "Everything That I Should"

VIDEO: Possibly The Best Human Beatbox I Have Ever Heard

What the F@**!! My mouth dropped after watching this. This may be the best human beat box I have ever heard. Daichi, 18 year old Japanese human beat boxer, emulates keyboard sounds, turntable scratching and drum sounds with incredible clarity and tonal chracter. Daichi rocks original beats that are ready for production. The video was his submission to the Beatbox Battle Online World Championship on YouTube to determine a wildcard competitor for the official Beatbox Battle World Championship in May 2009 in Berlin, Germany.



CONTEST INFO:

All you need is to record an new beatboxing clip and response to this clip here. Be creative and produce a Beatbox-clip with a funky idea and a simple concept. Represent your own music style and show your entertainer skills here on YouTube.

We exspect all Beatboxer world wide to enter this competition to win the wildcard or just for fun anyway.
Remember, only one of you can win the golden microphone and earn the titel: World Champion.

### COMPETITION GUIDELINES ###
- Record your video in a good sound quality.
- The maximum clip lengh is 150 seconds.
- A clip must show you (only 1 person) doing beatbox.
- Start with the sentence: My Name is „XXX" and I want to win the Beatbox Battle wildcard.
- You must be 16 years or older to enter the contest.
- Do NOT upload fake stuff or bitting other Beatboxers routines.
- This contest isn't country restricted so you can take part from all parts of the world.
- The deadline of sending videos for the competition is: 29. April 2009.

Deadline is soon so if there are any challengers to Daichi and the other contestants' skill, film a clip and you may earn a spot in the battle.


Thanks to ILLSEED @ ALLHIPHOP for the original posting.

Video: NEAKO feat. VERTICAL JONES- "I'm On It"

MUSIC TECH: OpenLabs DBeat Blends Computer, Audio Control Surface Into One Monster Machine

OPENLABS, manufacturers of the MiKo and NeKo computer/keyboard, are stepping into the sampling/drum machine arena with a new device that folds in the power and flexibility of a desktop computer.

From Engadget:

OpenLab's DBeat, a monster of a rig, blends a full-bore 3GHz Core 2 Duo and 12-inch capacitive multitouch LCD screen with tracking controls, a DJ-oriented MIDI controller, iPod dock and a high-quality 4-in/6-out audio interface all into one integrated unit. Spec-wise you're looking at 4GB of RAM and a 320GB drive, as well as a dual-layer burner..

Sounds crazy but at a price tag of $3,999 I would have put this on Santa's wish list. Check the OpenLabs link above for more details.

VIDEO: IT'S HIM "The Black Hispanic" feat. CAPONE-N-NOREAGA- "Who You"

Big up NY! DR! PR!

I like this track but can't help but notice that It's Him is using B.I.G.'s cadences. I would like to hear more though. It's Him may have some sleepers.

BOOKS: IT'S JUST BEGUN: THE EPIC JOURNEY OF DJ DISCO WIZ - Hip Hop's First Latino DJ

Thanks to TOOLS OF WAR for forwarding this:

Press Release:
IT'S JUST BEGUN: THE EPIC JOURNEY OF DJ DISCO WIZ - Hip Hop's First Latino DJ by Ivan Sanchez and Luis "DJ Disco Wiz" Cedeno

Half-Cuban, half-Puerto Rican, Luis "DJ Disco Wiz" Cedeño is 100 percent Boogie Down Bronx. Born in the 60s, Wiz struggled in a turbulent and violent relationship with his alcoholic father while trying to protect his mother who was suffering from breast cancer. Raised in the 70s, Wiz learned the code of the streets while hustling with his crew, the East Side Boys. In 1975, Wiz discovered salvation when he hooked up with the legendary Grandmaster Caz to form the Mighty Force Crew, waging some of the biggest DJ battles in the Bronx during Hip Hop's earliest years.

When Hip Hop first hit, the DJ was king. Rockin' the party on two turntables for the b-boys and fly girls on the dance floor, DJs like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash pioneered an art form that has come to define our times. The first Latino DJ in the game, Wiz, along with Caz, went on to make a "mixed plate" in 1977 which combined sound bites, special effects, and paused beats. An innovator, originator, and a battle-style DJ with no fear, Wiz swept through the Bronx like a tornado.

Luis "DJ Disco Wiz" Cedeño, the first Latino Hip Hop DJ, is credited, along with Grandmaster Caz, for being the first DJs to make a "mixed plate" in 1977. In the years since, Wiz has been an influential force in educating the world about the early years of Hip Hop. Wiz was a major contributor in the opening of the Experience Music Project in Seattle in 2000, and was instrumental in the making of Jim Fricke and Charlie Ahearn's Yes Yes Y'all (Da Capo Press, 2002). He was also featured in the Emmy-nominated VH1 Rock Doc NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell, and is the creator and founder of the Hip-Hop Meets Spoken Wordz series.

Release date: May 19, 2009
Available at fine book stores as well as online at www.amazon.com



www.myspace.com/itsjustbegunbook
www.myspace.com/djdiscowiz

Every Friday, DJ Disco Wiz hosts Hip Hop Chronicles: from 10pm-12am EST on www.urbanlatinoradio.com

VIDEO: INVINCIBLE feat. TIOMBE LOCKHART- "Ropes"

Detroit's own INVINCIBLE from the Anomolies Crew drops a video confronting the issue of suicide and mental health in our communities. Check the beginning of the video where she explains the song and video's concept and the result of submitting the video to MTVU.

VIDEO: Fusion Unltd. feat. Little Brother, Nickelus F, H.O.F & Skillz- "The Sun"

Nice vibe with hot verses all around.

VIDEO: The Grouch & Eligh feat. Gift of Gab & Pigeon John- "All In"

VIDEO: JOE BUDDEN- "Exxxes"

VIDEO: NICKELUS F- "16 OZ = 1 LB"

VIDEO: THE ZRO HOUR: RETURN TO ZERO-Interview w/PRI THE HONEY DARK & BIG TARA (ANOMOLIES CREW)

THE ZRO HOUR: RETURN TO ZERO-Interview w/PRI THE HONEY DARK & BIG TARA (ANOMOLIES CREW) from EDAYE on Vimeo.

PRI THE HONEY DARK & BIG TARA of the all female ANOMOLIES Crew drops in at THE ZRO HOUR to speak on her life in hip hop and being a female artist/producer in a male dominated arena. Pri laces us with a freestyle later in the interview. Go to WWW.RETURNTOZRO.COM to see all the videos from our 5th anniversary release. Stay tuned for the ETERNIA & CHESNEY SNOW clip later this week!