DAMN, DAMN, DAMN! R.I.P. Bernie Mac- We Love You And Will Never Forget

It breaks our hearts that we have to announce the passing of one of our greatest comedians/entertainers black or white, Bernie Mac. By now many of you have heard the news of his complications with pneumonia but the feeling continues to wash over me. I truly will miss Bernie Mac and his straight to the gut comedy. Similar to the sudden passing of Robin Harris, but with a longer string of work, it has hit our hearts with the weight of a family member. Spend the next few days watching and reminiscing on some of the greatest comedy performances we have ever witnessed. Get his autobiography and I promise you will laugh as if he is delivering the lines directly to you. Below I present some excerpts from one of his most memorable performances in Spike Lee's Kings of Comedy:

Bernie Mac-Sex and Kids


Bernie Mac-My Sister's Kids


Bernie Mac-MotherFucker

CLASSIC VIDEO: Souls Of Mischief- '93 Til Infinity & Never No More

Just digging through the video archive known as youtube and cheesed when I came across these gems-

'93 Til Infinity


Never No More


PROPS!!!!

Fat Beats to Unearth Freddie Foxxx’s Mysteriously Shelved ’94 Album

Press Release courtesy of audibletreats.com:

Fourteen years overdue, Freddie Foxxx, aka Bumpy Knuckles, is finally ready to step back into the spotlight with the official release of his 1994 demo tape, Crazy Like A Foxxx, as a two CD set on July 29th via Brooklyn-based record label Fat Beats. The album is a veritable time capsule from the early 1990's, with guest spots from legends such as 2Pac, Chuck D, and Kool G Rap.

The original Crazy Like A Foxxx album was recorded in New York and intended for an official release by MCA. However, for reasons unknown, the album was shelved after promotional cassettes were serviced to radio and press. This newly remastered release includes both the 1993 demo version on Disc 2 and the 1994 completed version of the album on Disc 1. Largely written for the emcee's friends in prison, the album has ominous overtones and provides insight into Bumpy’s dark state of mind at that time period. The previously unheard demo album (Disc 2) features production exclusively from D.I.T.C.'s Showbiz, Lord Finesse, and Buckwild. The first single from Crazy Like A Foxxx is "KILLA" featuring 2Pac. Bumpy Knuckles and 2Pac’s rawness evoke a New York City where gang violence was at an all time high and many of Bumpy's friends were in prison. There’s no mincing words in the track; Bumpy states, "If they wanna rumble with the Foxxx / Then they get shot." The real treat of the track is 2Pac’s singular voice, still fresh after all these years.

Check out the first single "KILLA"- Freddie Foxxx w/2PAC

Check out an album preview HERE

VIDEO: Jay-Z & Kanye West Preview BLUEPRINT 3??

BLUEPRINT 3 from kwest on Vimeo.

My Favorite Rapper Wears A Skirt

Canadian female emcee, Eternia, tours Mexico, Canada and Europe, and challenges the “where have all the female rappers gone?!” media hype with her new T-shirt Design: “My Favorite Rapper Wears a Skirt”..

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2008 – Female rap sensation, Eternia, is preparing to tour nine countries this August and September in conjunction with the launch of her “My Favorite Rapper Wears a Skirt” T-shirt, designed by Giancarlo “GianGFX” Vargas. Recently nominated for ‘Best Rap Artist’ at the Toronto Independent Music Awards, Eternia is scheduled to perform in Mexico , Canada , and Europe over the next six weeks. Canada ’s leading lady will be traveling to Mexico City with The 411 Initiative for Change to perform at the 2008 International AIDS Conference, and after two scheduled appearances in Toronto Canada , will continue on to Europe for 11+ dates alongside Roxanne Shante, Bahamadia, Yarah Bravo, Invincible, Stacy Epps and more. The European tour begins August 22nd in Prague, at the internationally-recognized three-day festival Hip Hop Kemp (with The Roots, Pharoahe Monch, Zion I, Mr. Lif & many more), and it culminates on September 14th in Duisburg.




Available as of August 1st, Eternia’s new T-Shirt “My Favorite Rapper Wears a Skirt” is guaranteed to be a hot commodity as soon as it drops. Already spotted on stage at Rock the Bells this summer, on the likes of Jarobi (A Tribe Called Quest) and Scratch (The Roots), the t-shirt was inspired by the spontaneous reaction of a friend when Eternia walked into Spotlight Live in NYC back in April 2008. He saw her and proclaimed, “My favorite rapper wears a skirt!”, and the rest is – as they say – history. Eternia’s T-shirt concept was brought to fruition by designer Giancarlo “GianGFX” Vargas. “This is really a slogan people can relate to, whether they know my music or not,” Eternia explains, “Everywhere I go I hear ‘where have all the female emcees gone?!’. As if we’re dead, or not working anymore. I made this T-shirt to turn the tables on that train of thought, and to inspire dialogue and questions”.

Juno-nominated and widely considered one of Canada 's foremost lyricists, Eternia continues to carry the torch for those Hip Hop aficionados who crave more. With six music video singles on international rotation and two critically acclaimed full-lengths released in 2005 – "Where I Been – The Collection" & "It's Called Life" (Urbnet Records/Fontana) – Canada 's "best kept secret" has paid good dues and is ready to prove it. In 2007, Eternia’s newest addition to her growing discography, “Where I’m At – The Setup”, boast an impressive roster of producers and featured artists, including 9th Wonder, M-Phazes, Frequency, Torae, Ms. Davis, The Polyrhythmaddicts (Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mr. Complex, Tiye Phoenix), Wordsworth & many more. Eternia has toured extensively in Canada , the U.S. , Australia , and Europe ; those that are lucky enough to catch he r l ive credit her as one of the best performers they have ever witnessed. It is Eternia's ability to convey her personality and life experiences fluidly through her rhymes (in addition to the ease with which she can annihilate people lyrically) that has kept those in the know checking for her for over a decade.

Beginning August 1st, "My Favorite Rapper Wears A Skirt" T-shirts will be available on all Eternia’s scheduled tour dates and also online via PayPal at http://www.myspace.com/eternia.

VIDEO: Jemini The Gifted One & EDAYE Speaking On The Industry

Big thanks to Beth The Superfan for spotting these on youtube-

I have a huge video post coming soon featuring some of the performers from the Video Music Box 25th Anniversary concert that was held in NYC's Central Park on July 18th. You can get a preview at our channel THEZROHOUR. After the concert, as we were walking through the park giving out flyers, I recognized the emcee Jemini The Gifted One. For those who don't know, Jemini was lacing tracks thoroughly in the mid-late nineties and was produced exclusively by DangerMouse on a couple of album projects. We traded info and I will be bringing him in the studio for an interview soon. While we kicked it about the state of hip hop, we were being filmed by a cool sista who upped the video recently and I thought that I would share. She captured a great moment between two heads with their lives thoroughly invested in the world of hip hop. Thanks to teerockjelli for upping these!

True Hip Hop Talk


Raw Materials-The Zro Hour


Here is a classic (that right I said "Classic", Jemini!) video from Jemini The Gifted One- FUNK SOUL SENSATION

ZEPS presents ROUND 1 FIGHT! Street Fighter 2 Tournament Feat. Live Hip Hop

ZEPS (Point Dot Period and the co-writer/performer of THE ZRO HOUR THEME 08) presents an incredible showcase and Street Fighter 2 tournament tomorrow August 2nd @ Galapagos Art Space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. If you have the skills of a sensei when it comes to fighting games then this is the perfect arena for you. Through the night, the stage in the main room will feature our peeps from Point Dot Period (J-Hon, Mike Swift, MGeez, Damanilz) and Wee Bee Foolish, FCM, ElaNEF & Translucent. Music by DJ Rage Johnson and hosted by PooFace and Rutherford. Ladies are free all night and there will be 2 all female fashion shows by Blueprint Clothing and Fashion Hurtz. Hit up ZEPS for more info or galapagosartspace.com.

VIDEO: Eternia & Chesney Snow Rip It @ CUSHAPALOOZA

I am on a roll with the videos today..
Our peeps ETERNIA along with beatboxer CHESNEY SNOW give us a peek into a brief rehearsal that became a fly routine at the Cushapalooza festival in Bensalem, PA. on July 12th 2008. Get 'em girl!

VIDEO: Chubb Rock Schools 'Em @ VIDEO MUSIC BOX 25th ANNIVERSARY Concert

Last Friday July 18th, Central Park played host to a free concert celebrating 25 years of Ralph McDaniels and his legendary NYC video show, VIDEO MUSIC BOX. THE ZRO HOUR was in the house and I will drop a large video post showcasing some great highlights in a couple of days. For now enjoy Chubb Rock as he demonstrates how to be a true crowd motivator. Chubbs runs through some classics with DJ Wiz and drops his classic "Treat 'Em Right"..

VIDEO: Nas- SLY FOX

Cop that new Nas CD, "UNTITLED" (formerly N.I.G.G.E.R.) and enjoy this on point video of his most scathing dissection of the media- SLY FOX..

COLLABORATION Exhibit

Our peeps DIZ-E-IMAGE, aka Trina Slade-Burks, hosts another great showcase of artists in the home studio of herself and husband Anthony Burks. This is the fifth event presented by Anthony & Trina Burks and is being held at Eg2 Gallery: Educational Gallery Group on 403 Northwood Road, in West Palm Beach, FL. The exhibit will be up from July 1 through Aug 12. The receptions will be July 25th and 26th Located in the Northwood business district.) Soft opening took place June 27, 2008

The concept of visual artists of diverse spirits working together to spread art appreciation in the community was the brain child of husband and wife artist team Anthony Burks Sr. and Trina Slade-Burks along with jewelry artist and educator Lea Jefferson and fiber artist and consultant Barbara Cheives. It is an opportunity for art collectors and professionals to experience great art in an inhabitable space and feel at home doing so. 10% of sales goes to Eg2.

Reception dates:
Friday July 25, 2008 6-9pm (Percussionist & Spoken Word artist Joshua Sa’ra)
Saturday, July 26, 2008 6-9pm (B106.3FM will be available)

If you are in the area, come out and support this collective of emerging and established talent. For more info call 561-842-5724 or email dize@bellsouth.net.

VIDEO: Talib Kweli & Pete Rock at ONE STEP BEYOND

VIMBY - One Step Beyond: Talib Kweli

The American Museum of Natural History in conjunction with Flavorpill presents a monthly (Fridays) music event with live bands, DJs and VJs presenting the hottest music and projecting dynamic visuals at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The next event is not until September but check HERE for more info.

DMX Arrested At Phoenix Mall

DMX is continuing his spiral downwards and it is very distressing to see one of our greatest hip hop icons in this condition. I have a fear that his excessive arrest record will cause the authorities to spring a boatload of jail time on D. Many of the arrests were for both minor and felonious charges. I know his lawyers love him. We only know his public life and whatever personal turmoil he is going through, we pray that he can overcome...

From the AP:

Rapper DMX was arrested at a Phoenix mall Saturday on suspicion that he gave a gave a false name and Social Security number to a hospital to get out of paying for medical expenses. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said that when DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, went to Scottsdale's Mayo Clinic in April, he used the name "Troy Jones" and failed to pay a $7,500 bill.
DMX's Scottsdale attorney, Cameron Morgan, declined to comment. Arpaio said his office began investigating the charge following an animal neglect investigation last year at the 37-year-old rapper's north Phoenix home. DMX was arrested in that case on felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges after authorities seized 12 pit bull dogs and dug up the remains of three others. The musician/actor has had other recent run-ins with the law, including an arrest at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport earlier this month on outstanding warrants after he failed to appear in court. The week before, he was arrested in Miami on charges of attempting to purchase cocaine and marijuana. "He's back in jail again," Arpaio said. "I don't know why judges keep letting this guy out. Every time he goes in there, he gets out on bond. "I'm hoping this is the one time he's going to pay the penalty for his offense," he added. Arpaio said the bond had not been set in the recent arrest.

Release Party for RUGGED N RAW's New Album TRUTH SERUM

NYC's hardest working man in Hip Hop-RUGGED N RAW, is prepping the release of his new album TRUTH SERUM with a release party at the KNITTING FACTORY on Friday August 8, 2008. RUGGED N RAW is one of the best emcees/producers in this new era of independent Hip Hop. In addition to winning song competitions and emcee battles, he is also a 7-Time Beat Battle Champion and the current IPA Beat Battle Grand Champion and Newark's MTP Grand Champion, proving he is the most versatile unsigned phenomenon out there. I have personally witnessed several battles and showcases at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and the hype is well earned. Rugged N Raw has shared the stage with the likes of Pharoahe Monch, Serius Jones, Immortal Technique, Grandmaster Caz, C Rayz Walz, Eyedea & Abilities, Akir, 5 Ft. of Black Moon, Amanda Diva from MTV2, Poison Pen, Kevin Michael, Eternia, Mr. Lif, Polyrhythm Addicts, Dame Grease, RAMP and Rob Sonic. RNR's album release party will feature artists HASAN SALAAM (one of our featured guests on our upcoming anniversary show release), HOMEBOY SANDMAN, HICOUP and PHASE ONE. There will be a beat showcase by DJ STATIc, I.MPAQ and CAPTIN PLANIT. On the 1's and 2's all night will be DJ Phoenix Rizin.

Obama's Chocolate...Nuts?

Comedian David Feingold (aka Fat Jewish Guy), has launched a website selling chocolate covered and "salty" nuts with Barack Obama's face and name on the label. To be fair, Jesse Jackson opened up the floodgates for comedy after that quip about wanting "to cut Obama's nuts out" earlier this week. David Feingold jumped, and is selling merchandise and has video promos for it. Its kinda funny but I wouldn't be surprised to hear of a cease and desist soon..