THE ZRO HOUR Roadtrip: Alexie's Adventure in MIA

During the week of July 4th, THE ZRO HOUR's own Alexie F. slid down to Miami to shake off some NYC stress and to connect with two great artists- La Originale Chica Del Reggae, SANDY, LA LOBA and Latin rapper MEXICANO 777. Sandy, La Loba is a pioneer of Latin Reggae/Reggaeton hailing from Columbia. La Loba got her start with Panamanian reggae legend El General. Alexie gets the goods on her journey thru reggae music as she braces for a major comeback. Mexicano 777 is a pioneer in Latin Hip Hop who spits pure venom with his spanish laced flow. He reveals his love for the music and his approach to his artistry. Alexie is granted this rare opportunity to interview both in the privacy of their homes. As a side note, Alexie conducted these interviews with the aid of his cell phone(!). La Loba will be co-hosting our upcoming show due 8/25 so stay tuned to the site for that. In the meantime, check out the interviews here:



ALEXIE F. w/SANDY, LA LOBA PT.1
ALEXIE F. w/SANDY, LA LOBA PT.2



ALEXIE F. w/MEXICANO 777 PT.1
ALEXIE F. w/MEXICANO 777 PT.2

RAWKUS 50 2007 Showcase this Saturday

This Saturday 08.18.07, SOUTHPAW hosts the first Rawkus 50 Showcase with a lineup of 8 artists featured. Hosted by Greg Nice of Nice & Smooth, the showcase features Doujah Raze, Mr. Metaphor, CyMarshall Law, Red Clay, Scavone, Wildabeast, Silent Knight and with a special birthday performance from Bekay. As finale, a power cypher is planned. This is one not to be missed. Come out and see the next movement live and direct!

Senseless Violence Takes the Lives of 3 in Newark, N.J.

Though unrelated to the music scene, this has grabbed my attention and fury these past few days. This past Saturday, August 4th, 4 young African-American adults were shot execution style with 3 of them succumbing to their wounds. Two men, two women. They were all due to attend Delaware State University this fall. One of the young ladies tried to enroll for two years before finally being accepted. Dashon Harvey (20 yrs. old-pictured at top), Iofemi Hightower (20 yrs. old), Terrance Aeriel (18 yrs. old-pictured below with Iofemi) and Terrance's sister Natasha Aeriel (19 yrs. old) were told to kneel and shot in a school playground during an apparent robbery attempt. Natasha is the only surviving victim and has been able to give details to the authorities about the incident. We hear about this senseless violence repeatedly and it most often occurs within communities of people of color. Newark, N.J. is a predominately African-American community (with a history of blacks in postions of Mayor and Police chief) that has seen a continued rise in homicides over several years. Between the gang clashes, heroin trade and car thefts, Newark's residents have had to deal with a war on their quality of life. I am disgusted by the frequent murders, shootings and overall victimization of people within these communities. I was raised in public housing and I still live in the hood. I see some of these same knuckleheads on the street everyday that could potentially take my life/my neighbor's life/my relative's life. Things pop off when in the wrong place at the wrong time, Things can pop off when simply walking to the bodega for some milk. I don't live in fear but I always wonder when are we going to truly get tired of all of this? Due to the economic conditions of the residents and the lack of available employment in some cases, many become trapped in the way of the hustle or frustrated from the lack of economic growth. It is definitely not an excuse, but it is understood. Although these challenges remain present after many generations, I still question why do we allow this element to fester within our communities? We can't blame the government for everything. Urban residents have to demand better law enforcement from the authorities and simultaneously make the hood aware that "We ain't having this shit over here".
I understand the fear of "snitching" and keeping silent about any knowledge of such heinous crimes. The residents are not protected from retaliation and often you have family members and/or friends who maybe involved in some type of criminal activity. Collectively we cannot condone any of this nonsense and there has to be a greater effort on the part of parents and the community at large to enact change. Within lower income and poor white communities, there is not this level of gun violence and victimization of each other. Newark is similar to Mount Vernon, New York in the way that there is a historically black populace filled with homeowners and suburban details. Meanwhile both are at odds with the criminal element within.

To all the youth, please take a moment to recognize your strength and potential for positive growth. Curb the addiction for instant gratification and fast money. Educate yourself through schools, churches, and libraries. Avoid prison. Control your anger. See the worth of another's life. We are a reflection of each other and what happens to one random victim can happen to one of your relatives. Generations that came before you have suffered through worse. Blood has been spilled to ensure that you can have certain rights, opportunities and economic access to the system. Yes, the system is f--ked up at times but the opportunity to make it work in your favor exists.

To all the adults, please take some time to become involved in young people's lives. Educate them from home to supplement the schools. Turn off the TV and talk to your family. Stop being selfish with your time. Stay aware of your childrens interests and friendships. Stop thinking its cute to dress your child as a thug. You can help build a child's character and confidence by teaching them how to walk amongst the world of the street and the boardroom. Go to PTA meetings. I know it can be difficult juggling work and feeding the kids, but you have to put an effort in place to enact change in the coming generation.

Hey Spike, I am still shouting WAKE. UP!!!!!!

FREE CONCERT! KRS ONE @ Prospect Park 08.03.07

Bought to you by Lyricist Lounge and Brooklyn Bodega:

The Lyricist Lounge fam presents KRS ONE free at Prospect Park!!!

Featuring special performances from Lady Bug Mecca, Turntable Anihilists,
Beat Boxer Ent. and Blitz The Ambassador

FREE!!
Prospect Park Bandshell - 9th Street and Prospect Park West - BKNY
7:30pm sharp.

www.celebratebrooklyn.com

THEN....JOIN US FOR THE OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY!

AFTER THE SHOW:
Friday, August 3, 2007

Music By: The Legendary Marly Marl

Also music by: DJ Stimulus

@ Southpaw (Park Slope, BK)
125 5 Ave (bet. Sterlin & St.Johns)

doors @ 11pm (right after the show) - $5

NEW RELEASE: Keith Murray RAP-MURR-PHOBIA (Fear of Real Hip Hop)

Yesterday, KEITH MURRAY, one of Hip Hop's sickest lyricists dropped his newest CD in 4 years- RAP-MURR-PHOBIA (Fear Of Real Hip Hop). Keith is a beast on the mic with intense, vocabulary laden rhymes. He sounds as strong as his first album, "THE MOST BEAUTIFULLEST". This is his 6th release as he once again teams up with Eric Sermon (of EPMD) to create potent music laced with multi-syllabic mayhem. Check this freestyle from BET's Rap City, short featurette and new video "Nobody Does it Better" featuring Tyrese on the hook...

TRAILER: DJ Scratch "So What Cha Sayin'" Scratchumentary

One of Hip Hop's greatest DJs and producers has produced a "scratchumentary" on his life called SO WHAT CHA SAYIN'. Check the trailer:

Wise Intelligent's "The Talented Timothy Taylor" Album Release Party

This Thursday 7/26, come thru BKNY to celebrate and support the release of Wise Intelligent's latest CD. This promises to be a great night with performances by Scienz of Life and K Banger! If you haven't seen these groups in the flesh, whatchu waitin' for???!!

VIDEO: K Banger feat. Triplebeam- "NATURAL HIGH"

New Release: Wise Intelligent Iz..The Talented Timothy Taylor

This week WISE INTELLIGENT has released another blast for the true heads, Wise Intelligent iz..The Talented Timothy Taylor. I am ordering a copy (yes, I still buy SOME CDs) so that I can throw some support behind one of the best lyricists in Hip Hop. I also want to play some joints on the show so look for that soon. Check out Wise's myspace for a few samples from this project. "I'm Him" and "Genocide" showcases Wise Intelligent's ability to balance wisdom and entertainment. COP THIS!

1520 Sedgwick Avenue to be Recognized as Official Birthplace of Hip-Hop

This article found on ALLHIPHOP is a follow up to an earlier post on the gentrification of the Bronx neighborhoods where Hip Hop was born:

1520 Sedgwick Avenue to be Recognized as Official Birthplace of Hip-Hop
By Chris Richburg

1520 Sedgwick Avenue, long considered an important site in the creation
of Hip-Hop, is officially eligible to be recognized as landmark by the
State of New York.

Organizers will hold a a press conference on Monday (July 23) announcing
that the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic
Preservation approved an application on July 2 to make the location
eligible to be considered a historic landmark.

The office stated that 1520 Sedgwick Avenue "meets the eligibility
criteria being that it is associated with events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history."

As a result, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue will be eligible to be designated as a
national historic landmark by the State and National Register of
Historic Places.

"1520 Sedgwick is the Bethlehem of Hip-Hop culture," Hip-Hop's founding
father Kool Herc told AllHipHop.com.

The press conference is scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m. in front of
1520 Sedgwick in the South Bronx.

In addition to celebrating 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, the event will
recognize rap pioneer, DJ Kool Herc, who was recently labeled "the
innovator of Hip-Hop" by Time Magazine.

Despite the triumph of the honoring, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue is in danger
of being bought out of its affordability program by its owners, BSR
Management.

According to organizers of the press conference, BSR plans on selling
the famous building to a private-equity investor.

1520 Sedgwick, a Mitchell-Lama development is home to hundreds of
low-income residents.

Tenants of the building were notified that BSR
plans to buy-out in February 2008.

Off Hiatus..

What's good? Back in Brooklyn and still unpacking is what's good with me. Alexie F. had a phenomenal trip to Miami and made some great connections in the world of Reggaeton/Latin Reggae/Hip Hop. Alexie was able to secure interviews with "La Originale Chica del Reggae"- SANDY, LA LOBA and MEXICANO 777. More from that trip soon. We are lining up some great interviews for early August and should have some info on the T-shirt requests that have flooded in shortly. R.I.P. to KRS One's son who recently passed. Shout out to Underground EXP and their Prince Paul tribute tonight @ GALAPAGOS ART SPACE. I am going to have to miss this one unfortunately. What up Remy Ma??!! Hope all goes well with that shooting incident. Innocent until proven guilty, right?

I received this video from DJ JS-1. DJ JS-1 was featured on Regis and Kelly's morning show showcasing an underappreciated element of hip hop-SCRATCHING. This type of performance does not receive mainstream exposure often so it was good to just see a DJ featured solely doin' his craft. It was broadcast on July 6th 2007. Check for Kelly spittin' over MIMS' "This is Why I'm Hot" while Regis is doing the zigga zigga..

DJ JS-1 On Live With Regis & Kelly:

Just a note..

Thank you to all who enjoy and support THE ZRO HOUR. We will be on a short break (2 weeks) and return soon with more heat and some surprises. Artists that would like to submit material for review or placement on THE ZRO HOUR, please send it to info@thezrohour.com. Stay tuned...

VIDEO & PICS: 3RD Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival 06.23.07

Last weekend I attended the 3rd annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival presented by BROOKLYN BODEGA. It was an incredible day as the weather was great, the music was powerful and the joy of seeing so many legendary lyricists sharing the same stage was priceless. Hosted by Ralph McDaniels, the event lasted a little over 8 hours. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz presented a plaque to the organizers proclaiming June 23rd as Brooklyn Hip Hop Day. Some of Brooklyn's greatest emcees put in work that day. Chubb Rock, Smif- N-Wessun, Sean Price, and Jeru The Damaja showed some Brooklyn love. There were additional appearances and performances by Consequence, Skillz, Ghostface (headlining), Cappadonna, Trife, Fat Joe, PMD, Large Professor, Dres from Black Sheep, and Djs J. Period and Sucio Smash kept the crowd moving with the breakbeats. Here are some pics and video from the event:

RALPH McDANIELS


PMD



LARGE PROFESSOR


SKILLZ


STEELE


TEK


SMIF-N-WESSUN


JERU THE DAMAJA


DRES (BLACK SHEEP)


HAKIM (CHANNEL LIVE)


CHUBB ROCK


SEAN PRICE


CONSEQUENCE


GHOSTFACE


SEAN PRICE PERFORMING "P BODY"


HELTAH SKELTAH REUNITED


CHUBB ROCK SHOWING BK LOVE


PMD PERFORMING "SO WHATCHU SAYIN'"

Sound The Trumpets! New Single from Empire ISIS- GET UP ON IT

Empire ISIS aka Empress Gangstress brings the fire with her high energy and conscious dancehall lyrics. Empire ISIS' new album is coming out August 7th will be distributed in the US by Alliance. Recorded between New York and Bob Marley's legendary Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica alongside co-producer Prayon from G-unit, Overstand, and Flava, "Sound the Trumpets" features roots reggae stars Sizzla and Turbulence. From beginning to end, the entire album is an explosion of hard core Hip Hop and reggae riddims/beats over blazing lyrics that challenges people‚s perceptions, stereotypes, and common thinking. The first single, "Get Up On It," fuses a Dancehall sound with an infectious horn that calls you out to the dance floor. Download here-

GET UP ON IT

New Single from BABY SHAM of Flipmode Squad

Flipmode Squad may not be Busta Rhymes focus right now but that ain't stopping the return of one of the strongest emcees in the crew, BABY SHAM. Baby Sham is a product of the 41st side of Queensbridge Projects and carries on the legacy of talent that has emerged from within those legendary buildings. Big ups to Dre from Suckafree/Interscope for sending this in. Check out the first single, "Baby Sham" from his upcoming project and his feature on the remix of R.Kelly's "Hook It up"-

BABY SHAM
HOOK IT UP remix

1-ON-1 WIT BABY SHAM