THE ZRO HOUR- New Podcast Up

Yes you read that right. THE ZRO HOUR returns after a long hiatus to bring you that food for your ears. We are winding down to our last few shows before we officially sign off. Due to outside projects, we will be stepping away from doing the podcasts. This may not be permanent and if the demand is there we will return. The site will continue to be updated and the shows will always be available for repeat listening. Its a crazy archive of some of the best in independent and classic hip hop delivered to you and hosted by yours truly and Alexie F. The 4th anniversary show is still dropping and the next slew of shows will not disappoint. Since we were on hiatus, Barack Obama became the President-Elect of The United States. So you know we had to share our thoughts about that. The music industry is gearing up for their final releases of the year and we present a round of heaters old and new. The show features new joints from ICE CUBE, Q-TIP, COMMON, C RAYZ WALZ & KOSHA DILLZ, B.o.B, VAST AIRE, JAY ELECTRONICA and GODHEAD THE GENERAL over an exclusive EDAYE and DJ AMBUSH track from his street LP "Introducing...The Mixtape!".




In honor of The Universal Zulu Nation's 35th anniversary, I bring you a classic BUSY BEE track, "SUICIDE". I also drop songs from MC THERAPY (The Smile Rays), THE GAME and a new freestyle from our fam KID NOVICE. Upcoming shows will showcase a NICE & SMOOTH tribute and the long awaited ROOTS OF HIP HOP: REGGAE. Stay tuned..

THE ZRO HOUR 11.18.08

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PLAYLIST

THAT ONE (IS GONNA BE MY PRESIDENT)-Mocean Worker
ONES THAT SMOKE BLUNTS WITCHA-Dangerzone
PEEP GAME-Therapy feat, Akrobatik & Willie Evans Jr.
YA HEARD-The Game feat. Ludacris
COOL-Snoop Dogg
WHY ME-Ice Cube feat. Musique Soulchild
I'LL BE IN THE SKY-B.o.B.
ESSENCE-Kid Novice
SUICIDE-Busy Bee
Q-TIP FOR PRESIDENT-Q-Tip & J.Period
MOVE-Q-Tip
ANNOUNCEMENT-Common feat. Pharrel Williams
THUN & KICKO-Cormega feat. Prodigy
EXHIBIT A-Jay Electronica
THE DYNAMIC DUO-Vast Aire feat. Geechi Suede
FREESTYLE VS. WRITTEN-C Rayz Walz & Kosha Dillz
ITS CALLED SUCCESS-Godhead the General
1, 2 PASS IT-D&D Allstars (Mad Lion, Doug E Fresh, Fat Joe, KRS One, Smif-n-Wessun and Jeru The Damaja)

VIDEO: RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY Lecture Session With Mario Caldato Jr.

RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY presents a great interview session with engineering and production wunderkind Mario Caldato Jr. Mario began his career engineering for Mark Nishita aka Keyboard Money Mark. This led to gigs with the production team, The Dust Brothers, on classic releases by Tone Loc, Young MC and the Beastie Boys. His work with the Beasties Boys secured his status as one of the most creative and daring technicians behind the scenes. In the video above he discusses his journey as well as new projects on tap.

NEW MUSIC from FEMI, PRAVERB & DEMOLITION

This Bay Area native of Puerto-Rican ancestry has established her musical presence with powerfully sweet vocals, passionately poetic song writing and sultry production. Her music has been defined as neo-funk & soul but its roots go much deeper with an infusion of afro-latin/carribean rhythms, jazz, hip-hop, salsa and rock, blending perfectly to create a unique sound all her own. As one of the pioneers of the Oakland underground music scene, FEMI has laid the groundwork as an emerging artist, captivating the heart, soul and ears of those in the Oakland art community and beyond. Some of her most recent accomplishments have been working with and/or opening for national & international artists like the Black Eye Peas, A-plus (Hieroglyphics Records), Ledisi (Verve Records), Goapele (Skyblaze Records), Mystic, Ron Trent (Prescription Records), Martin Luther & Les Nubians.

Although I am waiting to review her album, I previewed a few songs on her myspace page and was taken by her mood transporting vocals. The production is tops and compliments her alluring voice. From her recently released album, "Sweet Water Soul", we have a single for free download. The song is titled "IF I KNEW" and features a earthy reggae vibe. DOWNLOAD and visit Femi on myspace to drop some feedback. You can purchase her album HERE or on itunes.



PRAVERB, an emcee hailing from Virginia combines spirituality, battle rhymes and thought provoking lyrics to set his mark in this arena of hip hop. Praverb was influenced by the innovators of hip hop and continues to deliver hip hop with substance. His music speaks volumes on our society and culture as human beings. He is humble and has confidence in his skills as an artist. He's not trying to be the flashy emcee on TV with superstar status, but rather the well respected emcee. Praverb dropped his album "Center Of Attention" earlier this year (he did submit for a review but I got caught up-sorry Praverb). Praverb submitted a freshly recorded track produced by Teddy Roxspin (MA) called "BLESSED WITH THE GIFT". The song combines battle rhymes, sports references and spirituality. Praverb is one to watch..



The Irish know their Hip Hop. DEMOLITION, a group described as House of Pain pride mixed with Beastie Boys enthusiasm and the lyrical viciousness of Eminem, proves that Hip Hop is about where you from not where you at. Demolition (emcee Euyo and DJ Jimmy Drama) reps lovely over varied production ranging from boom bap to heavy guitars. Euyo spits some classic emcee venom with a confident, commanding flow. After recently releasing their debut album in Japan titled "Us Against the World", DEMOLITION is out to demolish the stereotypes and everything else that has infected hip-hop music, and to bring their own flavor the game. To an ignorant ear, one would say that Demolition's sound is nothing more then a second crack at nu metal. After listening to their Japanese hit singles "Get Down" and "Throw Your Hands Up", you realize that Demolition's Punk-Rap style is not only unique, but also a reaction to the current state of Hip-Hop. This backlash resonance is real, clever, raunchy, and filled with angst! All the while Demolition keeps its roots of true New York Hip-Hop. From their American debut album, "Us Against The World", I bring you a banger titled "HERE'S TO YOU". Set off by a swirl of bagpipes, the rolling drums of the beat gets the neck moving and Euyo injects reality into a hot drinking song. Stay tuned for more from this group..

The Obama Love Continues

Image credit: Callie Shell

DREA continues the Obama love and appreciation. I think we will all continue to celebrate through the inauguration..

We did it! As I said many times before if you whisper no one will hear you but if you shout, everyone will hear you and man did we holler! To be a part of a historic event is overwhelming. I became so consumed with the whole campaign and for the results to be as they are made it all worth it. To have Senator Barack Obama become President Barack Obama in January is a beautiful thing. He IS the American Dream. All stereotypes has been broken along with the shackles that we have become so accustomed to wearing. The revolution has begun! Here we have a man where the odds were stacked against him. A name that wasn't typical. Growing up in a poor neighborhood, being raised by his grandmother, his father wasn't around for the majority of his life. Living here, there, & everywhere, and possibly being told that he will never make anything out of his life, Barack took that negative and instead of allowing it to bring him down, he used it as fuel to get him to where he is today. He has proven that there is no excuse not to live your life in a positive manner and to strive for what you want. That there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As I've said on many occasions, just because I was raised in the projects doesn't mean I have to live the project lifestyle.

Now I don't know if it was because the lack of sleep started setting in but for a few minutes I heard the chains of oppression begin to break. The song "We Shall Overcome" turned into "We Have Overcome". After many many years, November 4, 2008 turned into the day that African/Black Americans can truly feel a sense of pride. We all will walk with our heads held a little higher, our stride more apparent, and our confidence much stronger. The air is a lot more crisp, the vision more clear, and the victory is oh so sweet. No longer do we have the stigma of being an unwanted visitor in a country our ancestors built. For the first time we have to be respected as a true American. Don't think the struggle is over yet. The real fight begins on January 20, 2009. Now that we helped to get him there, let us help him bring get America back on her feet. It won't be an easy task but it can be done.

VIDEO: COMMON- "Universal Mind Control"

Check out the new video from Common "Universal Mind Control" from the album of the same name due December 9th. Produced by the Neptunes, it channels an eighties Soulsonic Force vibe..

VIDEO: RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY Lecture Session With DJ Toomp

RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY presents a great interview session with Grammy winning super producer DJ TOOMP. Atlanta native DJ Toomp is the mastermind behind some of the biggest hits from T.I., Kanye West, Ludacris, Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Nas and others.

MIXTAPE: Dub MD & Fresh Daily Presents "Winter Fresh"

Winter Fresh, is the exclusive new mixtape project from the incomparable Brooklynite Fresh Daily and Dub MD, this AOK Collective presentation is available right here, for free download. This new project features rarities, exclusives, remixes, unreleased joints, collabos and freestyles from 2005-2008, it features tracks with Supastition, Jesse Boykins III, Substantial, Mickey Factz, SiLent Knight and more, with production from the likes of Illmind, Analogic, M-Phazes, 9th Wonder, Madlib the list goes on, all unlocked from the vault for your listening pleasure.

TRACKLIST

01. Winter Fresh (Intro)
02. Raw Hip Hop (Produced By DJ Evil Dee)
03. How Good Is Ya Game (feat. Emilio Rojas) (Produced By Muneshine)
04. Next In Line (feat. Supastition & Outburst) (Produced By Analogic)
05. Assassination Tango (Produced By 2 Hungry Bros)
06. Fresh (feat. 8thW1) (Produced By Nas550)
07. That Damn Good (feat. Substantial) (Produced By Algorythm)
08. Kill A Brand (Produced By M-Phazes)
09. False Teeth (feat. Svengali Bros)
10. Keep Moving (feat. Mickey Factz)
11. Fast Lane (feat. East & SiLent Knight) (Produced By 9th Wonder)
12. Winter Fresh (Interlude)
13. Gimmie My Props (Produced By The Applejuice Kid)
14. HBO (Heart Barely Open) (feat. Jesse Boykins III) (Produced By The Architect)
15. Ricky Vaughn (The Major Leagues) (feat. XV) (Produced By Nottz)
16. Supaspectacular! (Produced By 2 Hungry Bros)
17. Rising (feat. Supastition & Deacon the Villian) (Produced By Tonedeff)
18. Get Over (Produced By Illmind)
19. Boom! (feat. P. Casso) (Produced By 2 Hungry Bros)
20. To My Homie (feat. 8thW1) (as Charlie Browns Field Goal) (Produced By Nas550)
21. Figaro (Fresh Daily Remix) (Produced By Madlib)
22. What It Is (feat. SiLent Knight & Shabaam Sahdeeq) (Produced By Erv Ford)
23. New Blood v2 (feat. Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas & Torae) (Produced By Illmind)
24. Winter Fresh (Outro)

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Big Daddy Kane 20th Anniversary Tomorrow Night In NYC

Big Daddy Kane celebrates 20 years in the game hosted by comedian Talent with DJs Mister Cee, Biz Markie, J.Period and Skaz Digga. Come celebrate with him tomorrow night, Friday Nov 14th at BB King's in NYC. Tix are $30 in advance and more at the door.

VIDEO: JANELLE MONAE- "Many Moons"

OK..due to Beth The Superfan's praiseworthy approval of new wave soul artist JANELLE MONAE, I could not continue to front on this super creative talent. The above video to her single "Many Moons" is a great peek into the creative energy and artistic direction of one of the most exciting new singers to emerge. Equal parts Grace Jones, Funkadelic, Outkast and B-52s, Janelle Monae is tearing down expectations. I'm excited to hear more from this ingenue. Check youtube and the above myspace link for more on Janelle Monae.

VIDEO: FAMOUS- "President Too"

Toronto emcee FAMOUS, drops a short video from the heart celebrating President-Elect Obama.

COLLECTIBLES: Ltd. Edition Fine Art Screen Print Posters of AFRIKA BAMBAATAA

A fine art screen print in honor of Afrika Bambaataa, the godfather of Hip Hop, is is now available to coincide with the official birthday of Hip Hop and the anniversary of the Zulu Nation. The image is a portrait of Hip Hop DJ pioneer and 1st Hip Hop activist: Afrika Bambaataa by photographer Theo Jemison and remixed by graf artist Kofie One. This 18" x 24" limited edition screen print was printed with 8 colors (including metallic gold ink) at Hard Pressed Studios in Los Angeles CA and signed by Afrika Bambaataa, Kofie and Theo Jemison. Each of the 100 prints is priced at $135. Available at YODEPOT.COM

VIDEO: EDREYS- "Get Free"

One of our SPOTLIGHT artists, EDREYS, drops a video for his song "Get Free" that features his illustration and directorial skills. Check an earlier post on Edreys HERE

CYMAR​SHALL​ LAW & MR. JOEKE​R ALBUM​ NYC ALBUM​ RELEA​SE PARTY​

Come out to the Knitting Factory this Friday to witness the skills of CYMARSHALL LAW and to celebrate the long awaited release of his new album with producer MR. JOEKER- HIP HOP IN THE SOUL. Featured performers include Silent Knight, John Robinson, Pryme Prolifik and Tiye Phoenix. Sucio Smash hosts while DJ Ings is featured on the 1s and 2s. $10 at the door. Check KNITTING FACTORY for more info.

VIDEO: RUGGED N RAW feat. HASAN SALAAM- "I'm Broke and Proud"

South African Music Legend Miriam Makeba Collapses Onstage, Dies

From The Huffington Post:

She died just how she wanted to _ singing on stage for a good cause. And her recorded songs wafted out of taxis and radios, as fellow Africans struggled with their grief at her passing.

Miriam Makeba, the "Mama Africa" whose sultry voice gave South Africans hope when the country was gripped by apartheid, died Monday of a heart attack after collapsing on stage in Italy. She was 76.

In her dazzling career, Makeba performed with musical legends from around the world _ jazz maestros Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon _ and sang for world leaders such as John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela.

Makeba collapsed after singing one of her most famous hits "Pata Pata," her family said. Her grandson, Nelson Lumumba Lee, was with her as well as her longtime friend, Italian promoter Roberto Meglioli.

"Whilst this great lady was alive she would say: 'I will sing until the last day of my life'," the family statement said.

Read more at the link above.