SNEAK PEAK AT TALIB KWELI'S "EARDRUM" COVER

New cover art for the upcoming Talib Kweli album, Eardrum. I'm expecting more of the same Kweli that we know and love, but I'm so stuck on the Talib "2000 Seasons" Kweli more than anything else. Listening to his recent project that I previously mentioned in this blog, Liberation was all thumbs up in my book. I don’t know - my assessment of the material he has released in the past 4 or 5 years, I'm not the biggest fan like I used to. Nevertheless, I still pick it up or download it but I'm not as ecstatic as I was during the Black Star days. Prove me wrong Kweli, prove me wrong…

REED SPACE SALE THIS WEEKEND ONLY! THURSDAY MAY 31ST TO SUNDAY JUNE 3RD

Reed Space Sale
151 Orchard Street b/w Rivington and Stanton
(next door to Reed Space)
Up to 80% off everything!

***CASH ONLY***

Thursday, May 31 - Sunday, June 3rd
1pm-7pm (Thurs and Fri)
12pm-7pm (Sat and Sun)

thanks to the homeslice Nico for the heads up.

ALL THINGS MUST CHANGE....

-Lost 13 of last 18.
- 8 games under .500 (thanks for the clarification poynt)
-14.5 games back from AL leader Boston


-15 come from behind wins
- 9 wins from final at bat
-33 -17 best record in NL, NL East leaders


NOT BEING A HATER. JUST STATING THE FACTS.

THURSDAY MAY31ST@ R.E.H.A.B. PROJECTS(L.A.) -"THE BEAT TAPE VOL.1" SESSION WITH DJ BABU &RHETTMATIC

Showing love to Babu on the release of this new beat tape-for anyone living in or gonna be in the Los Angeles area this Thursday-Check that joint out.

LYRCIST LOUNGE PRESENTS:CARTE BLANCE TOUR WITH: PHAT KAT,SLUM VILLAGE, ILLA J@SOUTHPAW-BROOKLYN TONITE MAY 29TH

NEW SKYZOO/TORAE SINGLE "GET IT DONE" PRODUCED BY PRIMO 12" OUT NOW!!!

If you haven't already heard this track Dj Premier laces the two Brooklyn emcees, Skyzoo & Torae luckily releasing this cut on vinyl. Pick it up at Fatbeats now!

CHAMPION SOUND DELUXE EDITION LISTENING PARTY@SOUTHPAW-PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN,HOSTED BY STIMULUS AND PETE ROCK

TAKEN FROM MISS NELCH MAILER:
Friday, May 25th
Lyricist Lounge, Miss Nelch & Remarcable Ent.
in association with
Stones Throw, Mass Appeal, Fusicology, Brooklyn Bodega, Wax Poetics & Okayplayer present
GROOVE GALLERY
An album listening party for the brilliant Dilla & Madlib collabo:
JAYLIB Champion Sound
The 2/CD Deluxe Edition of the album with be available June 19th.
Come early so you can hear the album + remixes on a nice big soundsystem and get your picture with JAYLIB, James Blagden Coney Island stylee.
For all of you that missed the Ruff Draft party back in March – it’s is for you!
music by
PETE ROCK
&
Stimulus (Real Live Show)
Live Art by: James Blagden & Yushi (Pesu)
Art exhibit by: Voodo Fe' (Phoenix & the Shadow)
@ Southpaw (Park Slope, BK)
125 5 Ave (bet. Sterling & St.Johns)
11pm, $10 IF YOU RSVP BY 5/24/07 RSVP @ nicolenelch@yahoo.com
There’s also an early show at 8:30pm where the rising star BLU is performing along with Lifesavas & The Strange Fruit Project. Check out Blu’s album Below the Heavens.

COMMON - "THE GAME" TRAILER

This edgier Common was seen in remnants of the lead single "The Corner" off of his last album Be. The difference in this sneak preview of his new track, "The Game" is its not necessarily a political swagger yet a mix between his roots as lyricist, shedding away the stigma that he is solely the neo-soul prototype.

DEVIN THE DUDE INTERVIEW ON PREFIX MAGAZINE BY RAFAEL MARTINEZ

Rather than a typicaly ole' interview, our homie Raf runs down the discography of Devin the Dude and his take on his progression and collaborations. The Texas bred rapper/crooner has worked with everyone under the sun, as Raf breaks this down from his humble beginnings. To take a read, check it out at Prefix.

MARCO POLO-PORT AUTHORITY RELEASE PARTY@ GALLERY-120 ORCHARD ST, LES MAY 24TH,10PM

Check this jumpoff out, you never know who will end up showing up...

"CLASSIC" VIDEO

I've been meaning to post this video for quite some time. if you haven't seen it then your welcome.

FREE DOWNLOAD-MADLIB REMIXES, COMPILED BY DJ J ROCC

Its free on itunes. why not.

DJ JAZZY JEFF/UNION COLLADO FITTED

LOOKS KINDA SICK BUT THATS FOR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO DROP UP TO A BILL ON THIS FITTED. COMES IN A WOODGRAIN CASE AS PICTURED ABOVE. THIS WAS RELEASED IN LEIU OF JEFF'S NEWLY RELEASED SEQUEL TO THE MAGNIFICENT.

YEAH WE WON THE SERIES BITCHES...

You think we weren't gonna start off the week without mentioning the Subway Series? C'mon y'all should know better, especially when popular opinion from this blog rides with this weekends overall winners. Yes, the Yanks took Game 3 convincingly with some kid named Tyler Clippard, but I believe weekend monsters on the plate like David Wright (pictured) knocked 3 bombs over the wall to prove that the Mets are the better team. I will not post again in regards to this, cause I believe this weekend's Shea excursion was enough to show you haters what the deal is. For the record of how I get down, I was there for the Friday and Sunday night games. FYI- Having Sabarro pizza now at the stadium makes it so much worth the ridiculous prices for food.

5TH PLATOON/ADIDAS SNEAKER PREVIEW

TAKEN FROM 5TH PLATOON PRESS RELEASE:
Adidas, the people who sponsored the Jam Master (JAY THAT IS), is doing a special limited edition collaboration with the looney platooners. BIG Shouts to Bryon Sheng, and Dustin from Undr-crwn for making it come to fruition.

This is just the 1st sample.

There will be some changes to the production version, and we haven't finalized quantity yet or where they will be sold.

Release date will definitely be before the big holiday season, so probably around September / October ish...

REMIX HOTEL CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND MAY 16-20

This weekend in NYC, The Remix Hotel is back….. ALL DJs & Producers
MUST be there!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 days of panels, discussions, demos and more………………

REMIX HOTEL NYC 2007
May 18-20 | 1-8 p.m. | FREE
SAE Institute of Technology- Herald Square in Manhattan
Ninth Floor - top of Daffy's/Staples building

Presented by Microsoft, RHNYC returns to SAE May 18-20 for an amazing
weekend of product demos; industry panels; production workshops; and
special appearances by Just Blaze, Rob Swift, Hank Shocklee, Roc Raida,
Kode9, Buckshot, Big Wiz, DJ Enferno, Johnny Juice, Eclectic Method, and
many more.

Register today! It's FREE.
www.remixhotel.com

For VIP RSVP: Copy & Paste link below into your browser and ENTER
SPECIAL CODE: CSSVIP.

https://www.pubservice.com/pr/remix/orderform.aspx

KRS ONE & MARLEY MARL @IRVING PLAZA, SUNDAY MAY 20TH

Over 20 years ago, these cats were on opposite sides of one of the greatest rivalries Hip-Hop has ever seen. Now they combine forces to thow a definitely insane event at the famed Irving Plaza. Regardless of your "top five/dead of alive" emcee lists, 'The Blastmaster' can wipe the floor with the majority of any emcee since day one as the livest to ever grace the stage. Only Busta would be even in the same stratosphere when it comes to live shows. $20 well spent children.

BANANA SPLIT WITH ATRACK/STEVE AOKI/STRETCH ARMSTRONG/DJ AM & DJ ELI - TONITE@ 205 -NYC::INVITE ONLY!!!

DJ AM/STEVE AOKI/STRETCH ARMSTRONG/A-TRACK/DJ ELI

FOR YALL PARTY PEOPLE...THIS IS AN INVITE ONLY JUMP OFF.

RSVP to bananasplit@meanredproductions.com
& say 'cherry on top' at the door.

11PM CHILDREN, SO GET THERE PROMPTLY.

CHECK OUT SKYZOO'S LATEST JOURNAL ENTRY ON HIP HOP GAME

Hip Hop game has incorporated a lot of artists into their blogring, giving us fans a glimspe into the minds of our favorite emcees and producers. Other artists such as Killah Priest, 9th Wonder, Black Milk & Poison Pen jot down tidbits into their latest happenings but check out our extended fam Skyzoo talking bout not trying to pigeonhole himself into the game, the new track "The Paper" produced by our very own Illmind as well as his thoughts on the Dirty South.

JAMIE MARX CO x THE ELITE CAMP.

Jamie Marx in the building...
Unkle Chip and DJ NAZ on the deck..

DJ BABU: IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD PART II PODCAST

Good look to Dj Reason for the heads up on this:

TAKEN FROM NATURE SOUNDS PRESS RELEASE:
The Dilated Junkie hits the turntables to give his fans a treat to go along with his new release The Beat Tape Vol.1. The first ever instrumental offering from Babu is in stores now, so go support this LA Veteran and cop it on CD or double LP. Stay tuned for more great podcasts from Babu as he’s in the lab right now working on Duck Season Vol.3 COMING THIS FALL.

To listen to the podcast go to Nature Sounds.

www.myspace.com/djreasonirt
www.myspace.com/naturesoundsmusic
www.myspace.com/djbabu

FOR ALL YOU ASPIRING EMCEES OUT THERE...

Scion is no stranger to pimping Hip-Hop to the bone. Nevertheless, for all you up and coming rappers, submit your tracks by May 21st and you can win up to $75K in a Marketing deal, not to mention countless Scion promotional shows, a music video and most importantly a track produced by Dj Hi-Tek! Just be sure to get your legal counsel to look over the contract before you sell your soul away...

To enter log on to: scionprospect.com

WONDER-FULL IX WITH DJ SPINNA & BOBBITO@ THE SUGAR FACTORY,BROOKLYN MAY 12TH

Saturday, May 12th, 2007

WONDER-Full IX

DJ SPINNA & BOBBITO

The Sugar Factory 269 Kent Ave btwn S 2nd & S 3rd Williamsburg, Bklyn

10pm, $20 advance, www.keistar.com for more info

SPANKROCK & GHOST MAY 15TH-HIGHLINE BALLROOM,NYC

SKYZOO,AMANDA DIVA,STIMULI,NINA B&TORAE AT GALAPAGOS MAY 10TH

MARCO POLO & MASTA ACE -NOSTALGIA VIDEO

*NOTE-LOOK FOR NATUREL AT THE END OF THE VIDEO.

JAYLIB "CHAMPION SOUND" RE-RELEASE DELAYED TENTATIVELY UNTIL JUNE 2007

SO WHAT ITS DELAYED FOR THOSE WHO ACTUALLY HEARD IT WHEN IT DROPPED, THIS IS A 4 YEAR WAIT. YOU KIDDIES CAN WAIT A MONTH....


In addition I have to drop my two cents on this release:

The true Dilla fan was bumping this shit back in 2003.

I remember miraculously being able to find a copy of the CD in a Best Buy in Woodbridge, NJ. Ideally this was by normal standards the year I was supposed to graduate college but I obviously didn't. It was Christmas time and I bought Champion Sound as a gift to myself while terribly attempting to buy for others. When I first popped this into the cd player, I remember both of my brothers (one more inclined to thug-hop, the other younger and finding his niche in musical tastes) rode in the car and were unimpressed to my obvious notions. I began to play the cd subsequently over and over for the next six months. My preference for the second half of the CD was purely on "Starz," "Strip Club," and the immortal "The Official." Over any other track, "The Official" took my heart away - the beat the lyrics, the bravado. I still believe that song encapsulates Mr. James Yancey's sound. I was somewhat bothered that the 12" actually put the track on the B-Side even though the record jacket had the two-tone red on one side, black on the other jumpoff. Soon after the quest for the Gap Mangione followed as well as trying to get any hookup possible for any unreleased Dilla beats. Professions that Dilla outshined Madlib weren't only evident but fact. The mere statement was obviously an opinion but stating otherwise was like convincing Europeans in the 1490's that the earth was round. Later on I caught on to the Jay Rocc/Jaylib mix which both my comrades Jung and the Unkle had. I annoying bothered to get a copy and persisted but only the mp3 version I was able to grasp out their clutches and download onto my off the truck 80 gig 2nd gen ipod(computer nerd version of a run-on).

So when I say, "The true Dilla fan was bumping this shit back in 2003," I have a lot of memories that stick to my brain, as hard as industrial adhesive to marble tile. So you can tell it means something to me like other albums such as Fantastic Vol. 2 - but that my friend is a whole other story….

CHOIMATIC & EMPANADAM AT SAVALAS, BROOKLYN ON CINCO DE MAYO

Choimatic aka Moe Choi and his confidant a dj with that hardest to spell/pronounce name rock the joint on cinco de mayo. This is a one night only Brooklyn banger.

ILLMIND,NATUREL,FAR EAST MOVEMENT & BEAU SIA @ DARMOUTH COLLEGE APRIL 18TH

I highly doubt you'll be in the New Hampshire area, but just in case come thru.

Nobody Like Me

What up all,

I know this is a shameless promotional plug but my new interview with drum roll please... Illmind, has just been posted. Although I'm in the middle of finals, first year of law school is almost over, more interviews are coming with Three 6 Mafia and Devin the Dude. And best to believe its going to be a long hot summer, interning at Vh-1 and I'm about to put the interview game in a cobra. Big up to Illmind and huge props to J Encite for making this happen.

http://www.prefixmag.com/features/I/illmind/546

Money Motivates My Movements, Victorious, My Squad Ain't For Losing ~ Guilty Simpson

Peace,

RAF

GRAF WRITER NICO BERRY VINYL FIGURE SIGNING THURSDAY MAY 3RD AT KID ROBOT NYC

TAKEN FROM KIDROBOT:
Brooklyn-based street stylist Nico Berry bombs the newest 6 inch Fatcap. The True 54 Spraycanouflage edition FatCap is limited to just 750 pieces. Nico Berry will be doing a special toy signing on May 3 at Kidrobot's New York store, from 6-8 pm!

FRESH DAILY VIDEO "GET OVER" PRODUCED BY ILLMIND

Fresh Dot Daily on the grind as usual, this time getting his Spielberg on self directing this video. Obviously Illmind laces Fresh on the production so check this joint out!

Contribute to the hits by viewing again on YouTube.

"ONCE YOU GO BLACK...." HOMEROOM(CLOTHING) NEW HOODIE AVAILABLE AT DIAMOND SUPPLY CO.

As always you know we had to show some love for Yosh & the rest of the Homeroom familia...Cop that shit. BONG.



AS TAKEN FROM HIGHSNOBIETY:
The hoodies comes in a true to size cut with a face rise zipper. The Face material is Raw black selvedge denim straight produced by cone mills (www.cone.com). Levis have been getting their selvedge denim form cone since 1891.

The lining is HomeRoom’s signature black rose. The jacket can be worn reversibly. The zipper is a heavy duty 10mm high polished gold zipper.

This jacket is meant to be worn in and abused. A true must have for a denim head or Homeroom fan. Available only at the Diamond Store in LA.

HEROES IS BACK BITCHES...

There are only a few things that occupy my attention span these days: NY Mets baseball, Big Buck Hunter Arcade Game (as mentioned- see previous post for more info), Hawaiian BBQ and most of all - "Heroes" on NBC. Usually when I see blogs on someone's favorite television program I think they stress comic book to movie transitions over women. Moreover, they stress trying to make the registration deadline for the Yugioh (fuck the spelling) tourney's 35 and over bracket. Ranting aside, Heroes is the shit. Plotlines twist like Chubby Check(er), and they keep you waiting for the next episode like your favorite cocktease from your highschool days.

If you haven't caught the bug. Check NBC for all past 18 installments.