MOS DEF To Appear In Upcoming Season of DEXTER

As reported on THE DAILY BLAM!, rapper/actor Mos Def has joined the upcoming sixth season of Showtime's hit cable series "Dexter". Mos will play an ex-con with a dark secret. Read more at the link above.

Outrage Over COMMON's Invitation To The White House

HUFFINGTON POST reports that First Lady Michelle Obama had some poets over to the White House to read some poetry, and one of those poets is Chicago rapper Common. Some have expressed outrage that Common was invited due to a few lyrics from some of his past work. Websites such as the DAILY CALLER and FOX NATION have condemned his invitation due to older lyrics/poetry that includes threats to shoot police and at least one passage calling for the "burn[ing]" of then-President George W. Bush. Smells like out of touch GOP sympathizers. Fox Nation even labels Common as "vile". HUH???!! The below video of Common's poem "Letter To The Law" included the content in question. Read the above links for the story.

VIDEO: dead prez- "The Beauty Within" + "Revolutionary But Gangsta Grillz" Mixtape with DJ DRAMA

dead prez once again reps with a beautiful tribute to Black women, "The Beauty Within". The song is taken from their new mixtape "Revolutionary But Gangsta Grillz" with the world famous DJ Drama.

The mixtape can be downloaded in MP3, AIFF and clean (MP3) versions! Get it HERE

Open Letter From DJ Rob Swift- "Trust Your Ears"

It's Easter morning, 10:24am to be exact, and all I can think about is how 4 hours and 35 minutes ago I laid my head down on the pillow with thoughts on how the first thing I planned to do when I awoke would be to write YOU this letter. Before I go any further, I'd like to clarify the "YOU" I'm referring to isn't everybody reading this. See, this is an open letter to a specific person I had an encounter with during my DJ set at my monthly party in Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Club Legion. I don't quite remember if I got your name dude but what will remain with me forever is what YOU said during our brief encounter in the DJ booth. Let me refresh your memory in case YOU don't recollect what I'm talking about.

Remember asking me about Traktor? - In layman's terms, Traktor is a software that bypasses vinyl and allows one to DJ straight off a laptop. It's similar to Rane's Serato Scratch Live. - As I proceeded to crush the dance floor with the help of my Serato Scratch Live, my weapon of choice, YOU made it a point to visit me in the DJ booth and proceeded to ask "Hey, ever used Traktor?" I said "no". YOU then encouraged me to try it out. I asked "why?" Your response was (and I'm paraphrasing) "because Traktor is so ill. It lets you mix by seeing wave forms. So you can basically line everything up perfectly with no fuck ups. It's amazing." Perplexed by your reasoning as to what makes Traktor so ill I asked "YOU don't mix by ear?" and your response was "With Traktor you don't need to. It's just much easier."

The word Easy is defined as requiring or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection. When YOU use the word easy to validate why reading wave forms is a better alternative to trusting my God giving gift to hear, it brings me back to my background in Hip Hop. By now, we're all aware of the 5 elements which compose this form of art: DJing, B-Boying, Graffitti, MCing and Beat Boxing. As a kid in Junior Highschool, many a time I've tried cupping my mouth and producing a beat that a buddy of mine would be able to rhyme to. But it was hard! My lungs aren't strong enough to produce a beat that didn't sound like it was being played on a mixer that had no bass EQ, LOL. As much as I love writing, the truth is, I've always found it difficult to project my voice in a rhythmic way so my career as an MC was short lived. Now I wasn't too bad of a Graff artist. To this day I'm sure I can find one of my "RobSki" tags somewhere in Intermediate School 145 in Jackson Heights, Queens. But I could never master the art painting a piece. Writing with a spray can was always a challenge for me. Just yesterday, I walked pass Queens Blvd's LOST BATALLION youth center. While dudes where running up and down them shiny hard wood floors playing basketball, I was off to the side with my friends using that shiny hard wood floor to spin on my back. Yeah, I was a B-Boy too. But once I tried my first !990 (this is not a reference to the year, it's an actual move) and discovered how grueling it was to do a hand stand on one had and spin, I decided to to invest all of my creative energy into the element I was raised on from birth, DJing. Interestingly enough, although DJing is the element that has defined me as a person decades removed from when I learned how to execute my first mix, DJing can still be tough for me at times. Only because I keep trying to discover new and inventive ways of expressing myself through turntables. I still am and always will be a student of this art, training my ear a little bit each day to pick out sounds and rhythms YOU aren't cause of your fixation on those wave forms.

Here's what YOU must understand as a DJ. The forefathers of this thing we call DJing laid out a specific blueprint for us to study and apply in our own way. What's genius about this blueprint is it can be adapted to any form of DJ technology. Yes! Any form. Once YOU learn how to mix with nothing more than 2 turntables, a mixer, vinyl and a pair of headphones, the possibilities of what you can accomplish on a CDJ, Laptop, etc., are endless. Think of it this way, if I asked YOU what the product of 5 X 3 is, within a second, you're brain computes the problem and spits out 15 right? Without any effort, correct? Give a 1st grader that same mathematical problem and he/she will give you a puzzled look. Now ask that same 1st grader to pick out shapes, a circle or square and that would be easy for him/her. To me, YOU relying on those wave forms on your computer screen is the equivalent to a 1st grader not understanding the product of 5 X 3 but being able to pick out shapes.

Basically, what I'm saying is if YOU find yourself DJing at a night club and you find it hard to carry a mix between 2 records of varying speeds without looking at your laptop screen then you're a novice and YOU do not belong in a DJ booth in front of party goers. What happens if YOU experience a technical glitch with your laptop that prevents YOU from relying on those wave forms? What do YOU do? What happens if YOU can't rely on what YOU see? Do YOU trust your ears? I do!

In this day and age of technology, I cringe when I see DJs rely on wave forms from their laptops to execute a backspin or a mix. Aspiring DJs out there, I leave YOU with this. The most important sense YOU possess as a Disc Jocky is the ability to hear. Music is listened to and if YOU master the ability of separating sounds like a kick from a snare or a bass from a guitar, your third eye will see the music. This inner vision which we're all born with will propel YOU to levels of DJing you never knew existed. Don't take the Easy way out cause you're only limiting your own potential.

-DJ ROB SWIFT

originally posted HERE

VIDEO: Dub Caesar Apparel presents Studio Sessions with...FREEWAY & MR. GREEN

ARCHITECT LORDZ New EP "Talkdown"

The Architect Lordz were formed by two entrepreneurs with a very clear and distinct vision of making a positive mark on Hip Hop music. The group consists of two members, Brooklyn's Uncharted Waterz (who writes, produces, and engineers for the group) and North Miami producer/rapper Jack Spice. Their diverse background shapes the Architect Lordz into a very unique sound. With a steady string of beats and songs being released via the internet, The Architect Lordz found themselves in perfect position for their first official release entitled Talkdown. Talkdown the Ep is currently available to listen to and download at the Architect Lordz Official site Lordz.tv

DOWNLOAD EP HERE

"EPIC" - E-SOBER feat. SKYZOO Produced By MR. GREEN

EPIC is what this track is! Caught me off guard with the perfect smash of lyrics and head knockin' production. Free download below:

"EPIC"- E-Sober feat. Skyzoo produced by Mr. Green

VIDEO: Trailer for Jorge "PopMaster Fabel" Pabon's "Apache Line: From Gangs to Hip Hop"

JORGE "POP MASTER FABEL" PABON was born and raised in Spanish Harlem, NYC where, at an early age, he developed his dance and choreography career at Hip Hop jams and clubs throughout the city. His pioneering individuality has been showcased internationally since 1982.

Fabel is Senior Vice President of the Rock Steady Crew and also co-founder of GhettOriginal Productions, Inc. With GhettOriginal, Fabel co-authored, co-directed, and co-choreographed the first two Hip Hop musicals ever, "So! What Happens Now?" and "Jam on the Groove" (first official Off-Broadway Hip Hop musical). Along with fellow members of the Rhythm Technicians and The Rock Steady Crew, he won the 1991 Bessie Award for choreography.

Fabel also gained world renown as a featured dancer in the Hip Hop cult classic movie, "Beat Street." Along with senior members of Rock Steady Crew, Fabel was an honoree at VH1's 1st Hip Hop Honors.

As an adjunct professor, he teaches movement in the Experimental Theater Wing at NYU's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts.

Coon Bidness/WITCHES BREW Cocktail Launch This Saturday 4/23

The first ever in-studio guest of THEZROHOUR podcast, Nucomme, has created her own cocktail- WITCHES BREW. To celebrate, Nucomme will be officially introducing her new special cocktail line Witches Brew at a launch party tomorrow night.

Witches Brew was created from being in establishments that offered very few to zero choices. Nucomme has a strong background coming from the hospitality industry, she could not help but fulfill guests demand, and would run out to grab ingredients to whip up a delightful beverage designed especially for the guests pallet on the spot. Not only was it a great experience for them but to Nucomme's surprise the next week they would come back for more and call the drink by name. From that moment forward each season a new concoction was born using fresh local ingredients. This concept stuck has became an essential part of the Witches Brew brand.

This launch is geared towards raising capital for Witches Brew Cocktail line to have product to place in retail stores, festivals, and eventually build a space so you can enjoy Witches Brew Cocktails everyday..If your not able to attend the launch you can donate at:
http://funds.gofundme.com/index.php?route=fundmanager&url=Nucommes-Witches-Brew

Your donations will get you..

$10 = Nucomme CD and tote bag

$15 = 34oz bottle of your choice of Witches Brew Signature Cocktail

$25 = 2 drink tickets into any event hosted by Nucomme.

$50-$100 = have your jeans Remarque in design by Nucomme’s Crotch Work

$125-$200 = 1 bottle of Witches Brew infused liquor from the Spring collection.

$225-$450 = Hand made custom made patchwork skirt or quilt.

$475-700 = *1 Song written in the genre that represents your personality.

$725-1400 = A cocktail named after you that represents your personal flavors.

$1500-$3000= Nucomme will host a private cocktail party in your home for 5 of your closest friends.

Coon Bidness/Witches Brew Launch Event

Day: Saturday
Date: April 23, 2011
Time: 7pm-4am
Cost: No Cover
Location: Synergy Cultural Collective
1101-07 Fulton Between Classon Ave & Claver Pl. Brooklyn, NY

Coon Bidness is an African American oriented visual arts and literature journal containing essays, fiction, poetry and art by some of the most visionary talent around today. Founded... and edited by writers and musicians Greg Tate and LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, Design+ Layout by Laronda Davis. Research+Copy Czar- Sun Singleton.

Coon Bidness was named after an album by the conceptual jazz composer Julius Hemphill. The magazine hangs out dirty laundry and celebrates a renegade African cosmopolite spirit in a well - woven series of surreal short stories, Facebook threads, poems and scintillating visuals.

For more info contact Nucomme at nucomme@gmail.com

Announcing the Akai Professional Job Fair

Akai Professional is one of the most influential manufacturers of music production gear in the world with products that have defined and shaped entire genres of music. Now you can have a hand in shaping the future of music production. Akai Pro is hosting Job Fairs in Boston, MA and Newark, NJ this May. This is an unprecedented open call for those with a passion for music and an obsession with serving the needs of DJs, producers and music lovers everywhere. The Akai Pro Job Fair will give you a chance to speak directly with some of the people at the heart of our fast-paced and growing company. This is a tremendous opportunity to join our team and influence Akai Pro's next wave of professional, definitive and groundbreaking music production gear.

May 3rd
Boston, MA
Hilton Boston Logan Airport Hotel
One Hotel Drive
Boston, MA 02128
1pm-6pm

May 5th
Newark, NJ
Hilton Newark Airport Hotel
1170 Spring Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
1pm-6pm

Positions Include:

• Sales Administration
• Engineering Management
• Field Sales
• Inside Sales
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design
• Hardware Design
• Information Technology
• Supply Chain
• Marketing
• Video Production
• Project Management
• Product Management
• Quality Assurance
• Technical Support
• Data Entry

All of the available positions are based out of Akai headquarters located in Cumberland, RI. For more info contact Daniela Lundin, Akai Pro Human Resources Director, at dlundin@akaipro.com

KALAE ALL DAY On MTV & Teams With SCIRYL COOPER On EP "The Sun, The Moon & The Stars"

Fresh off winning the "Rising Star" award at the 2010 New York Music Awards, Harlem native Kalae All Day teams with SciryL Cooper on an EP called "The Sun, The Moon & The Stars". The five track EP combines swift flows with unexpected musical influences. The EP is now available on iTUNES. The video teaser for the single, "Space Travel", is below:



Kalae All Day is also the featured artist in MTV's 'Inspire U' Campaign presented by U by Kotex. Check out the clip below:

MTV Shows

Human Beatbox Returns To The Stage! Beatrockers & Hardknockers: Volume One

American Beatbox Championships in association with Ubiquita Worldwide Presents:

BEATROCKERS & HARDKNOCKERS : volume one

A showcase of some of NYC's premiere beatbox artists
...
FEATURING:

CHESNEY SNOW

TAYLOR MCFERRIN

MASAI ELECTRO

& THE LEGENDARY
HUMAN ORCHESTRA
KENNY MUHAMMAD

along with some of this regions best beatboxers including Seme Rock from Connecticut, the Hornitz from Boston, and Steven Foxx from New Jersey.

Joining this impressive line up of top beatboxing talent are Grammy Winning singer/songwriter Maya Azucena, Alyson Greenfield, violinist Sis on Strings, bassist and composer Colin Dean, saxophonist and composer Sean Nowell.

w/ special guests 4XSample Beatbox Crew
( 2010 German Beatbox Team Champions)

Hosted by
2X Juno Nominee
Eternia

w/ sounds provided by
DJ Reborn

$12 ADVANCE
$15 Door

This will be one of the premiere beatboxing events in NYC. Proceeds of Beatrockers & Hardknockers go to support Brooklyn based non-profit community program Project Safe.
www.safeinbk.com


www.americanbeatboxchampionships.com
www.dromnyc.com

Producer !llmind Releases "Behind The Curtain"

Veteran producer !llmind releaes his first official album, "Behind The Curtain". "Behind The Curtain" features 22 instrumentals, including an appearance from his group, Fortilive. To give fans a true look "behind the curtain", Both CD and vinyl include a download card of the album’s audio stems (drums parts, bass parts, horns parts, etc.), giving upcoming producers a chance to remix, rework, and re-create using Illmind's signature sounds.

Purchase at nature-sounds.net

ART: Justin BUA & MASScanvas $5000 T-Shirt Design Contest/Signed Print Giveaway

Justin BUA has joined MASScanvas to issue his T-shirt design challenge: "Unity."
As a ground-breaking urban artist, break-dancer, producer, author, art professor, and all-around Renaissance Man, BUA knows a thing or two about Unity. His own art is strongly influenced by the people in his community, originally New York and now Los Angeles. He paints people from all walks of life and areas of town, featuring different backdrops and showcasing diverse, creative passions. His chosen charity, Farm Sanctuary, also promotes Unity--toward animals, toward our own health, at a local level as well as at a broader, national level with their legislative endeavors.

What does Unity or 'being united' bring up for you? What message of Unity would you like to share with the world. Show BUA and the world a design that you think best answers this challenge, and makes a fantastic T-shirt to boot.

Five winning designers will win $1,000 in cash each, after a public vote and final selection by our Artist Roundtable (including BUA himself!). At the end of the challenge (April 21st 2011 at midnight), tees with the winning designs go up for sale (by April 30th 2011), and 10% of all the sales will go to support Farm Sanctuary.

**As a BONUS, Justin BUA & MASScanvas has provided THEZROHOUR with a signed print of BUA's painting "1981"! To win this print, all you have to do is send an email to edaye@thezrohour.com with an answer to this question- WHICH FAMOUS NYC HIGH SCHOOL DID JUSTIN BUA ATTEND? The first person with the correct answer will win this free print. Winner will be announced Friday April 22, 2011**

For more info:

MASScanvas.com
MASScanvas on FACEBOOK

VIDEO: Cymarshall Law & The Beatnikz - "Zion Land"