VIDEO: ROB SWIFT- “Rabia – 2nd Movement”

Look out for Rob Swift’s The Architect coming February 23, 2010.

MOVIES: The "8 Mile" of Beatmaking? Trailer for "BATTLE"

"Battle" is a coming of age drama about an unknown producer who pursues his passion for composing music. He wants to produce music for the top rappers in the industry. He must find his way and his own soul for his music before he faces off at a national Beat Battle.

battle-movie.com

Thanks to CRATEKINGS for the heads up.

H&M and Wal-Mart Destroy and Trash Unsold Goods

Photo: Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

In this article from YAHOO, written by Joanna Douglass, it was revealed that two of the United States' biggest retailers, H&M and WAL-MART, were destroying unsold garments instead of donating or reselling the goods. Originally reported by Jim Dwyer in the NYTIMES, a NYC woman found many trash bags at the back entrance of H&M on 35th street containing unused, unworn and mostly cut up clothing that were being discarded almost daily. A few doors down on 35th Street, hundreds of garments tagged for sale in Wal-Mart — hoodies and T-shirts and pants — were discovered in trash bags the week before Christmas, apparently dumped by a contractor for Wal-Mart that has space on the block. To add insult, New York Cares, an organization that collects donations of coats and used clothing, is located just blocks from theses stores. It is this type of systemic waste and concern for the bottom line across many industries in the U.S. that has continued to tarnish the image of the U.S. In this time of massive unemployment, foreclosure and a flailing economy, it is shameful that these places of business are not working harder to donate or recycle goods otherwise deemed unusable.

After initial statements by both retailers claiming to be unaware of the disposal of clothing, representatives from H&M and Wal-Mart have ensured that the incident would not happen again and that common practice is to donate these type of items.

VIDEO: NIKE MVP Commercials Featuring Santa, Blitzen, Kobe & LeBron

I know the holidays have passed but its not too late to post these dope-ass commercials produced by NIKE. Blitzen challenges Santa to a b-ball game and Santa rolls through with Kobe and Lebron. The voices will surprise you. Kris Kringle is voiced by the Blastmaster himself, KRS One and Blitzen is voiced by Lupe Fiasco. These are hilarious and the rhymes are on point. I am not much of a sports person so I missed these when they ran on ESPN. These are now Christmas classics!

Thurs. Jan. 7th, 2010 B-GIRL Screening & Free Afterparty!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7th, 2010
Screening 8:00 pm; doors 7:30pm

Anthology Film Archive
32 2nd Ave (at 2nd St), Lower East Side, NYC 10003
[Trains: B/D/F/V to Broadway-Lafayette, F/V to 2nd Ave, or 6 to Bleeker]

FREE Official B-GIRL Afterparty
21+
10pm - 4am
Classic Breaks + 90's Classics (Hip Hop, Reggae & House) with DJ Lo*Lyfe (IBP) and DJ GetLive (www.ibpdjs.com)
Leopard Lounge (2nd floor)
248 E. 5th St (between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave) NYC 10003
3 blocks from screening!

CLICK HERE for tix.



B-GIRL tells the story of a brilliant young female dancer from New York City forced to find her inner strength through Breaking. The film features B-Girl Lady Jules as the lead plus B-Boys Legacy, Flea Rock, Remedy, Steelo, Rainen, Flipz and Wesley Jonathan, Drew Sidora and more. "Our first priority was to make this film truly authentic (though fictional)," said director: Emily Dell. "The film stars a b-girl and incredible b-boys in all the dancer roles; we never used a single dance double."

Thanks to TOOLS OF WAR for the heads up!

VIDEO: NATGEOMUSIC presents Nas & Damian Marley "Distant Relatives"

Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley explore the origins of the deeply-rooted reggae and hip hop genre, tracing both sounds back to African music. They debate and celebrate the implications of this culture’s impact on the global community with a panel of pioneers—from DJ Kool Herc and DJ Red Alert to Jamaican dancehall legend, Daddy U-Roy, King Jammy, and moderator Sway Calloway of MTV. The event was held on December 12, 2009.

VIDEO: SUITE FOR MA DUKES ORCHESTRA Performs J Dilla's "Take Notice"

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Suite For Ma Dukes: Take Notice

Now this is a trend that I would like to see repeated. Live orchestral interpretations of the late J Dilla's music? More please!

BONUS DOWNLOAD: "Take Notice"- Suite for Ma Dukes Orchestra (MP3-Mixed By Bob Power)

VIDEO: CROOKED I- "Mr. Pigface"

VIDEO: EXILE & DJ DAY Performing Live On the MPC

The video above was apparently shot more than a year ago. It features one of the sickest live performances on dual MPCs that I have ever seen.

VIDEO: MOS DEF feat. TALIB KWELI- "History"

The official music video for "History" by Mos Def featuring Talib Kweli, off the album "The Ecstatic". I am looking forward to that Reflection Eturnal and a new Black Star project possibly due this year!

2010...Time To Get It In!

Yup. A LOT of 2009 sucked. From the economy to being bamboozled by our U.S. Senate and Representatives, to many of our friends and families losing homes and jobs, to President Obama's questionable first year in office..I can go on. There is still hope that the next decade will bring about positive changes in humanity as well as the U.S.A. regaining its economic standing in the world. In spite of my positive outlook, reality makes me aware of the globalization of the markets, a corrupt banking/credit system and the disparity between the rich and the working poor. Sounds like an excellent recipe for the return of music and entertainment with substance. Art usually depicts the times and some of the most substantial work derives from suffering and despair. Hip hop was created within a climate of adversity and these tough times may give way to the next movement of expression.

In 2009, THE ZRO HOUR has maintained its growth by participating in last year's Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival and finally getting the podcast placed on iTunes. With 6000 downloads and 1300 subscribers in 5 months, THE ZRO HOUR podcast is reaching the ears of an expanded audience. Longtime listeners and supporters of the site/show were also made aware of co-host Alexie F.'s departure. Although I am keeping the details close to the vest, there was a bit of conflict behind the scenes. Alexie and I spent 5 years (off and on) behind the mic interviewing great talent and inviting listeners to our audio party. We had some great times and shared an incredible journey but I felt it was time to go our separate ways. Our friendship was fractured in the process and only time will tell if it will be repaired. With that said, I am positively looking forward to this coming year and beginning of a new decade. I have a few projects that will finally see the light this year and the beatmaking/production bug has hit me hard! Look out for a mixtape by my artist SAFARI to debut within the first quarter, special guests on upcoming episodes of THE ZRO HOUR and a site redesign. The first podcast of the new year is due this week so stay tuned..2010-Time To Get It In!!

VIDEO: Beweave It! Indian Hair Company Mail Order Hair

The hair biz is outta control! Sisters, I know you like to have the option to add some "extra" to your natural, but all this glorifying of "Indian Hair" in this commercial reeks of a little self-hate. Just sayin'...