Hella Live: MadLib Live DJ Set @ Raleigh Hotel, WMC 2008

This was bound to happen.



Stones Throw decides that they will release the live recordings of the DJ sets @ Hella International last month. They start off with the Witch Doctor himself: MadLib.

Anyhow, all you need to do is click and get the MadLib one. Dope.



They better get that Karriem Riggims set out soon... Just make sure to read the disclaimer about keeping a neck brace close, and to not be operating a motor vehicle. It was soooo sick.

Here's a taste...



BTW, my Hella International pics are up for perusal. Enjoy.


Created with my man's application.

H!

Young Dirty Bastid: RBMA Sessions, Calgary

Here we go! So, I'm starting what will be 3 thrilling weeks of RBMA sessions across the country.
We just had a quick one in Calgary with your boy Skratch Bastid who was nominated for a producer of the year Juno (dayum! Good Look dude).



Anyhow, all was love and it was a blast hearing my man's ascension in the ranks and his love for Old School raps! I've said it in the past and I'll say it again:
SB is one of the hardest working cats in the DJ game. You need to go peep one of his sets @ the Drake. He'll be back soon. But it was nice to hear let ppl know that even from a smaller market like Halifax, you can certainly make it happen - you just need that drive. He 1nce battled punks on the two turn tables, and now, he runs Logic and Serato w/ a Trigger Finger - which freaked a few cats out. SHOW EM! Midi all day. ;).






He mentioned this famous battle set that really put him on the map. Here it is....



Nonetheless, shouts to Small Town DJ Pete who ran the couch session. Shouts to Joanna and Miche for holding it down as well. Good look.
Bastid then proceeded to rip the RedBull Juno party to shreds with likely the best set of the night. Say wrd.



And that was before Russell Peters (that's right) came to do double team the Technics during "Ante UP!". You had to be there.

Now, in honor of my man Bastid, I gotta drop this joint. I loved it when it 1st dropped, and I love the fact that you put cats on to it as well. Say wrd. So if you ain't ugly, make some cot damn noise!



Promixa Vez: Off to Halifax for 2 acclaimed guests that I will reveal later. PS - I gotta get my hotel blogging game up a few notches. The bed can be such a back breaker though. OUCH! Fa sho a massive shout to Jk & DL. Let's do it!

Holla!

Bull Riding: RBMA Sessions

Now's the time.



Just days removed from the sun and sand, I've gone west for steer and sessions. ?!?! I've just left for Calgary (Big Up Corey Dawkins) for the start of the RBMA Tour Of Duty. The RedBull Music Academy has opened the doors to the competition for the 60 most prestigious spots. This year, the RBMA is in Barcelona so all your cats from Toronto/Canada who did not want to apply for fear of getting stiffed for the lack of travel, the time is now.
I was @ the Miami info session during WMC, and hearing Leroy Burgess recounting his career past, present and future was simply awesome.



So now, you're boy's running some sessions all across the country: Halifax, Montréal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto of course. I'm here in Calgary for the Skratch Bastid session and the RedBull Juno party. Should be a blast. More on that tomorrow.
Anyhow, look for some application info for all you cats who have asked in the past. Make it happen!



Seen.

H!

From Miami With Love

Jesus. I'm wiped.
The sun in Miami is .... uncommon, exceptional and just plain old overwhelming @ times. As usual, I can attest to that via a good old burn (ladies, hands off: my shoulders and neck feel like vintage leather). 30 spf is now apparently useless. Ha.




Anyhow, I shall mark this one as another classic. As usual, had a blast w/ the mandem. Now even sure where to start... My man Ty G must have that photographic mem. I don't! ;)
So shouts too all the good ppl I got to re:up w/: Ty G, Delfi, Niques, Bry, Spence, Wulf, Benji, Waajeed, King, Vik, RUCYL!! (how funny was that?!! I need that pic! jump n wave!), 4th P! (all day. Let's build), my Stones Throw Fam, Jamie, Egon - see you cats in like 9 days, and PBW (see you in like 8 days), BlackSpade! Sean, Garwin (dude, what happened?!?! argh), Geo-logy, Kissey (ARGH! I hope this summer), Jay Dev, Daniella, cannot forget Hit + Run who hold me down, and the new muchachos and muchachas I met... Looking fwd to linking. Man, this is too much...
Ok. Shouts to all.
I'll tell you about the parties when you ask me. Too much to cover in 1 post. I still have videos to upload. ARGH. I have like almost 2 gigs in pics. Here are a few and I have a link to more @ the bottom. Anyhow, I just know this:
1. what a small f*cking world, wouldn't you say Yani? Whoa.
2. I'm getting a Canon camera.
3. Next year is now.
4. Look out for Zaki. She's got some ppl rooting for her, and it's not even funny.

Well, this might be some time well wasted, but no jokes. Here are some pix, with another link to more @ the end. ;)

What a pretty room. lol.




shouts to my man 'Jeed.



Jamel said we needed more... sin duda.



G-O-D... father part 3



Bananas! You know the name...


Real Bananas.




What you know about Mr. Appel?


Nasty.


Shouts to Aloe...


Buggin out WMC 2007


Buggin out WMC 2008


Small ass world I'm in.


Ok. Here are the rest of the pics pt1. Enjoy.

Now, back to the reg scheduled program. Chat soon.

H!

Bienvenido A MIA

Yes, it is that time of the year. Black Music, Big Riddims, b-r-o-k-e-n-b-e-a-t... Guys that either do not get booked for Toronto dates and/or they slide under the radar and/or the CAD$ cannot match the strength of the £. Period. But this is a special week though, where good things happen. I still recall last year's events... But this year might be my most anticipated one yet.
For justifications such as the music, but as well the contacts as I'm looking to re:up, touch base with certain cats and making plans for my EU tour of duty this summer (more on that soon). But this is looking to be a pretty solid week. Gonna keep it very quick and to the point.

Good music.

Here are the flyers in no particular order.



Word is that this is the last night of the legendary Brit Broken Beat Bashment: CO-OP. Well, being the case or not, I'll be there.



Benji B told me about this one. How can I not be there?? Benji B?? As if... It was nice to have him in town this past Oct for 2 of the best weeks of my life, but to get to rap with him again is always love. This should be a nice night.





Shouts to my man Garwin @ OM. And another shout to my man Black Spade who got this dope record out: To Serve With Love. Been loving what OM Hip Hop is doing. A little under the radar if you're not checked them out, but this will be a good set of bashments. Indeed.



Scion, for an automotive company does it up w/ the arts like RedBull does with the Music Academy: no holds barred. Anyhow, they have a few nice nights in the lineup - musts peep.



Speaking of the RedBull Music Academy, my extended fam is here in MIA. Dope. You know I'll be there just on the strength. Benga?? Man, did not get to rap w/ him long enough when he was in Toronto. Dope.




Ron Trent, Karizma, Djini Brown.... Are you kidding me?? Oh yea... you might recall my post about Kissey and Telley. Well, Kissey will be here as well, so it's so on.



Raw Fusion Records had one of my fave parties last year. Got trashed and got to hear such sweet music. Ran in to that cat Red Estair which was dope. Hope he's down this year... But this will be a nice one as well. A must reach.



I don't like to play when it comes to anything a Giant Step. As long as they keep running it here, I'll keep reaching. Jazzanova?!?! Roland Appel?!?! Well, as much as stood agape when they were both in Toronto for RBMA, I'm never tired of seeing and hearing this guys play. Amazing. Germans know how to do it.



Possible icing on the whole weekend as this will be my last day in MIA. I've done talked about this long and hard last year, and this will be no exception. Man. Can't even wait...



And last but not least - a yearly event that brings em out. This will be my 3rd year @ this night and man... if I could just dig up the shots of the last few years - shouts to my man Alex Coley who will be missed, but there in spirit man!

Oh GOSH.

I almost forgot to mention this. Looks like we're waiting for something big to happen....



Not even sure what to say. I don't even have time anyhow. I'm racing thru this because I'm off to a night down the street: Daz-I-Kue, Djinji Brown and co... FREE. That's right. ok.

Chat Soon.

Enrique.

MIMA all day...

Shouts to my man Ty G who's got a dope podcast running. Been there from jump and it's only getting tighter.
A few months back, I wrote about a landmark edition of his podcast (vol 17 I believe) where newest citizen de la ciudad, The Deacon of Detroit (he recently expressed his love for that moniker) was guest for what would be a scintillating set - one that had the in-ter-net going nuts (what ever happened to Paul Wall anyway??). Cats were stepping to me about "Dude, did you hear the new House Shoes mixtape??". ;)
So today I got a text from my man Shoes saying that the new podcast was up. So I left the cotton fields and raced home since I moved all my music to an external now. 1nce home, I logged on, clicked and just watched the data move....



DJ House Shoes is back @ it again, with a new set for the 4th volume of the newly re-baptized HVW8 podcast, MiMA - Music is My Art.



As usual, Shoes slipped in some bangers - the type that will make you wanna punch your girl in her stomach (verbatim): some unreleased Guilty, some Paul White (WOWSERS), and some of his own joints as he had last time. Say wrd.
Well, you cats make sure to get up on this one. Ty G's been working hard to make this a quality podcast featuring some great ppl as guests... I'm just waiting in line for my shot! Ty, put ya man on!
In any case, I suggest that you make it happen - subscribe to it via iTunes, or just hit the site where you can download it in it's entirety.

Just a few more days until the big show.... HOUSE SHOES!

Hizzla.

H!

It All Adds Up

I still recall the day I was in Toronto years ago sometime in the late 90s, hit the Beat Factory offices and walked in looking for I don't know who, but I just happened to be there when a set of promos arrived. A 6 or 8 song EP from Down To Erf feat Mathematik. It all added up. The beats, the rhymes... I was officially down for the cause.
My man Math has been one of the most over looked MCs out. I used to bang his joints out all day long. That Ecology record was a Cinderella sleeper if you ask me.
Anyhow, shouts to my man Mike who brought this out the coffers. Good Look.



I had to throw one in. This is the joint that sold me on Math and Down To Erf as well. Such a dope track. Click. Enjoy.



H!

Serious!

"Serious as your life is, and you can find these bizalls where eva your wife is...."

I have said it many times over and over again: Toronto get's spoiled. We've had a monstrous start of 08 with all the shows and all the nights. It's getting better all the time, and I know this summer will be even more bananas. In any case, next in line:



The Long awaited Guilty Simpson Release Party.
Even better, special guest will be none other than World Famous DJ HOUSE SHOES - one of the Detroit Disco Dynamite key holders. Prolly the most official.
This event will be like none other in Toronto. It'll be House Shoes' 1st time in the famed Megacity and he's been wanting to come up for quite a whilst now. Almost did it a whilst back, but the starts weren't aligned.
I chatted about HS a whilst back after his famed HVW8 podcast. That one reverberated around the globe a few times, Ty G will tell you all about that one.

Anyhow, Guilty's record drops March 25th 2008 off Stones Throw. Make certain you cop that one. It's been too long in the making, and the time has arrived.

We'll be celebrating Sunday night March 23rd w/ House Shoes in Toronto. Long weekend Sunday. Could it get any better?? I think not. Here are the very Official Deets:

Stones Throw Records Presents....

Guilty Simpson - Ode To The Ghetto
The Official Toronto Release Party
Sunday March 23rd (Easter Long Weekend)
@ The Drake Hotel - 1150 Queen St. W)
Official FaceBook deets are here.


View Larger Map

Make it happen. Serious!

Now, just click for a Guilty Simpson x J Dilla classic.

Brap x 3!

Kissey & Telley

WOW.

Man, been a week since I last dropped in and 2 weeks of sparse soliloquies. Been busy in the fields as always around this time of year, it gets too crazy! Even crazier is the fact that I've yet to hit the sack. Between watching a bad film, and getting online to tell a friend about it, getting a call @ 1.27am, then getting online w/ a muchacha in HK, then CB who was on her way to Pearson, for a flight to Cuba... It all adds up to Hizzy @ 7.34am.

Anyhow, around this time I do my best thinking and surfing. And, as usual - I always pull out a treat. I just grabbed Kissey Asplund's Fuss n Fight EP.



I can't immediately recall how and where I came across this Swede's music - maybe Jay and ASG, but that was an immediate bookmark. And as I peruse her myspace some more, I see that she's has an EP out - so I bought it online. So then, as I go thru her page... BAM! She mentions MIAMI. Man o man I hope she reaches. I'm so down. Her music's dope too... ;)

Wrd is that all her beats are courtesy of a crew from FRA. How sick is that?? I'll get into that next time. But in the meantime, here's a dbl dbl. 1st the video for title track off the EP.



And now, a track off that EP. Another banger - w/ a touch clearer audio. Kissey's such a cutie - no lie, just facts. Hold this riddim called Entrapped. Hollerate & enjoy. Seen.



Hizzla!

92 BPMs March 6th - POSTPONED

92 BPMs, Tonight March 6th @ Stone Lounge

Postponed and not cancelled. Sorry cats. Had to unplug the MP for tonight. Will get a new date sooner than later. We need this.

Hizzla.

Spirit of 92

"I used to rock around 92 bpms" - Jay Dee

In my endless pursuit of grooves (shouts for Pursuit Grooves), I decided to throw something real quick and painless. If you're around Thursday March 6th Two Thousand And Eight, check for me:



92 BPMs. That's a nice tempo. Although, I have been enamored with riddims from the 85+ range (with a special exceptional shout to my man Samiyam for that 70 some bpm Crank Dat rmx). But seriously, there's so much good music out there that I can hold it back only so long. My man Jay has offered some priceless tutelage and it's again time to show my wares. On site will be the MP, much as I did that night @ Rockit.
Anyhow, the goal is to play good music, and have a good time. If you're down, you'll come check me, no??

Anyhow, here are the event deets:
92 (ninety-two) BPMs
Thursday March 6th 2008 - 22h-02h
Stone Lounge (below Revival) - 783 College
FREE all night.
FaceBook event is here

Tell a friend. I'm just waiting for the sponsors to come in. That should be on Monday.
So there you have it. And, for who are tired and need that reprieve, come thru 92 and you'll sure Believe. Damn you KUTMAH!! You were holding that heat! Enjoy.
See you Thursday. say wrd.



H!