NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO (RETURN OF THE ANKH)

Just got the album. It's dope. Not to mention this video y'all.

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SIAIRA SHAWN - THE IN BETWEEN EP

I couldn't be more happy for my folks Siaira Shawn.  She has been putting in major work.  In a few days she is releasing her EP entitled, The In Between, which is a prelude to her debut album, The Outsider Inside.  I did the intro and outro as well as the album artwork.  Our track came out good but "Where You Are" produced by Will Bracy is my song right now.  When it drops I will have the link up.   

Support the new in the Bay.

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JAPAN'S BLACK FETISH

I have a friend that has a bunch of "Engrish" t-shirts from Japan.  Engrish is a pop culture fashion style in Japan and other Asian countries where t-shirts in English grammatically make no sense.  I always laugh when I see them.  You may have remembered Mos Def buying a blue lathering jacket in Japan with "Loud, Fast, Rules" on the back.  What is more interesting is the amount of Black themed t-shirts.  The irony of these shirts on Japanese folks is hilarious.  Furthermore, historical white American stereotypes have been appropriated by the Japanese (thanks guys).  Especially in the case of the dish "Black fungus with rape".  Even Black fungus is over-sexualized Japan?  So enjoy and shout out to the educated Black woman in the first row.     

BTW 2nd row to the left ("I'm So Fuck**g Future") is just funny.  No Black association just comedy.  I can see Adriel of Ill-Lit wearing that one.

Around 5:00 is when you see the jacket.

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AFRICA'S "ON THE RISE...

and you don't want a problem with us guys."

My first Ma$e quote ever, but on the real, I just found (from my boy Wes) about a great site called Africa Is A Country.  This video was featured on it and it's amazing.  The band is called Just A Band and not only is the song good but the visuals are top notch.Share

SCARFACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAY

This is nuts but I can't stop laughing.  How do adults organize this?  What a waste of time and resources.

Personal fact, I was in a Black History play in high school where we jumped and killed a slave master to Herbie Hancock music.  Now that's revolutionary for a Catholic school as well as money well spent.  Get on that hype kids.

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WHO KNEW SCARFACE PLAYED GUITAR?

Scarface is releasing the first mixtape of his 20 year career. Listen to the song at the end it knocks.Share

DUBAI, I KNEW BUT NOT LIKE THIS

What!?Share

DU BOIS QUOTE OF THE DAY #16

"The function of the university is not simply to teach breadwinning, or to furnish teachers for the public schools or to be a centre of polite society; it is, above all, to be the organ of that fine adjustment between real life and the growing knowledge of life, an adjustment which forms the secret of civilization."Share

ME AT THE PEOPLE PARTY

After a few Jameson's.  At 2:55 he itsy bitsy spider's it something vicious.Share

THE POWER OF BANANA PUDDING

Chris Rock is a genius. Watch his first HBO special (1994) below.



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DU BOIS QUOTE OF THE DAY #15

"The plight of the white working class throughout the world today is directly traceable to Negro slavery in America, on which modern commerce and industry was founded, and which persisted to threaten free labor…. The resulting color caste founded and retained by capitalism was adopted…and approved by white labor."Share

CAMP LO - GOTCHA (NICK JAMES REMIX)

"Lady I don't question love.  As long as you answer, I'm begging you please, hear my plead"

Camp Lo feat. Tyler Woods - Gotcha (Nick James "Their Eyes Were Watching God" Remix)


First, the reason the post image features singer and my good friend, Siaira Shawn, is because she was going to record to this song but passed on it.  I made this remix a few months ago but offered Siaira the beat because I knew she was recording her new album, The Outsider Inside.  She was going to use it for an EP she is dropping soon but took a different beat I had instead.  Thus, this remix can now see the light of day.  I was going to use this image weeks ago to discuss the process of making music, Siaira's song and the album cover I almost made for nothing, but now this image represents the complexity of organizing a music project.
        

Click Link or Album Cover to Download

Now, I do not feel that this remix is the best remix I've ever done or that I did anything spectacular with it but I love what the music evokes; quintessential courtship or relationship drama.  I called this remix, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" for two reasons: 1. The music is romantic and melancholy and 2. the lyrics have reciprocal and patriarchal moments much like Janie's relationships.  Zora Neale Hurston's classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God, was ahead of it's time (1937) in terms of subject matter and idiomatic discourse.  The main character Janie, experiences three different relationships with men in the book.  Hurston has no problem dealing with the reality of relationships, whether the interpersonal aspects of relationships or even how social dynamics (community, class, race, culture, religion, and patriarchy) influence and/or determine our experiences in those relationships.  The language is unique in that it encapsulates Southern African American linguistics.  She utilized southern idioms and dictation in her writing to authenticate the experience while still exhibiting a high literary canon.  Like Hurston, Camp Lo cherishes cultural milieu's whether they know it or not.  Their propensity to stick to the blaxploitation motif and never stray from it is remarkable given the ever changing identities exhibited in Hip-Hop.  Furthermore, their ability to describe a relationship full of ups and downs, tongue and cheek moments, disdain for those prying into their business, and pleas of love and trust remind me of Hurston's realness.     

If Camp Lo represents one of Janie's relationships, I would say they represent Joe Starks.  Joe Starks bought her gifts and she had fun with Joe and that's all Camp Lo really talk about in the song.  Tyler Woods (sings the chorus) would be Tea Cake though because he ain't to proud to beg.  Camp Lo is definitely not Tea Cake because they are kind of on some "Ah girl why don't you just trust me though, you know I'll take care of you" old school man type of hype.  Hence, blaxploitation male tropes.

In addition, when I make music, I envision a time, place, landscape, aesthetic, type of motion, attitude, behavior, etc.  This song sonically reminds me of something vintage, southern, romantic, endearing, honest, and vulnerable.  The chorus is beautifully desperate like a Temptation or Barbara Mason song.  When I envision a setting or counterpart to music like this, I think of the video the history pictured below.

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OTAYO DUBB MIXTAPE

Fatgums has been hitting me up about Otayo's new mixtape.  Finally got a chance to listen to it and it is good.

So Opinionated by Otayo Dubb (Co-Deez/The CounterParts) gives listeners a taste of what is yet to come - Otayo Dubb’s debut solo album. Much more than your typical mixtape, this 14 track gem is rich with hard hitting original production that creates O’s unique melodic sound. With writing that captures the voice of the Bay Area streets and storytelling that will make you fall back in love with Hip Hop, So Opinionated gets listeners in tune with 'Tayo's unique perspective. He is witty, talented in his gift of gab, and oh so opinionated. So please check out Otayo Dubb's So Opinionated mixtape, brought to you by Beatrock Music and TD Camp of Hella Records.

Download it here!Share

DD172 VS. DOWNTOWN 81

I'm convinced Dame Dash is trying to get his Basquiat, Downtown 81, Manhattan hipster on.



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METH, GHOST & RAE - OUR DREAMS

"Go dolo ridin' through Soho"

Rae's verse is a beast.  He rhymes are impeccable.  The artwork campaign is thorough as well.  Again, I'm becoming more fascinated by how artists packaged their product than the actual music.  It enhances the experience by provided a vision. 

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SLOW DOWN REMIX (FIXED TIMING)

Click to Download Fixed Version

The incomparable DJ Phatrick informed me that the timing for Slow Down is off so I fixed the acapella being ahead by an eighth note.Share

DU BOIS QUOTE OF THE DAY #14

"Herein lies the tragedy of the age: not that men are poor - all men know something of poverty; not that men are wicked - who is good? Not that men are ignorant - what is truth? Nay, but that men know so little of men."Share

DRAKE - SHUT IT DOWN (feat. THE DREAM)

Click to Download

I know this song doesn't necessarily fit the sonic aesthetic of this blog but I'm exposing two of my guilty pleasures.  One, Drake is is so consistent right now, whether he is rapping or singing (well he can't sing but his songwriting is good) and two, The Dream is a great producer.  Yes hip-hop lovers that frequent my blog, I said it.  That just happened.  "Fancy" was my song of 09.  Unfortunately, I share the same favorite song as a million 16 year-old high school girls but it's the production that counts so don't get it twisted.  This song is going to catch on so quick.  It is going to kill the radio (pun intended Mr. Dream).    

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THEOPHILUS LONDON

I secretly desire his career.  His movement seems like such a fun ride.Share

BAMBU - SMOG CITY'S OWN (NICK JAMES REMIX)

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Bambu feat. Diz Gibran - Smog City's Own (Nick James Liberation Remix)


Threw this together.  I think I'm going to remix all of Paper Cuts.  Get Paper Cuts now if you don't have it! Share

NEW THEME SONG

"Parkin' is not a problem when you use that public option"

Brandon Carter - Subway, Bus or Walking

Alright so I have a car and have always had one since I was 16, but when I'm in New York I never take a taxi.  Only subway, bus or walking for me.Share

BAMBU - SLOW DOWN (NICK JAMES REMIX)

Click to Download

Bambu feat. Prometheus Brown - Slow Down (Nick James Soul Remix)


Made this in 10 minutes on my work computer!  Artwork took 15 minutes.  I was inspired by the Digital Martyrs "Slow Down Remix".  Sample is Curtis Mayfield's  "We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue (Live)".

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YOU CAN'T BET AGAINST MONEY*

*Nick James patented double entendre

Pacquiao v. Clottey was extremely boring!  I fell asleep watching on my boy Ben Wang's couch.  Mayweather is entertaining.  Showmanship is desperately needed in boxing and he provides it.  If he doesn't win, I'm going to be hurt because Mosley v. Pacquiao sounds so boring to me.  Peep the hype.  



THE CLASSIC INTERVIEW!!!! "You are a many of many talents but a master of nothing"

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MEGA SAMPLING

I was Google image surfing and came across the reference album cover to my album cover for American Producer and figured I would share it.  I remember downloading 400 soul, funk and jazz records in preparation for the remix album of Jay-Z's American Gangster.  That's when vintage music blogs just really popped off.  The majority of the samples came from two sites; 4 Brothers Beats (which had to switch formats because of copyright issues) and My Jazz World (which just recently had to switch formats because of copyright issues).  While I sat and listened to every album before the acapellas to American Gangster dropped, I fell in love with all of these album covers that came with the zip files.  This jazz album cover by Seawind personified the mansion in the movie so I photoshoped it and the rest is history.  It's interesting how our generation is one of not only referencing music to make new music, but also referencing anything in particular to produce commodities and cultural products.  It also is a great strength for our generation to consume and reference so much visual and audio information.  All the work I do is essentially an archive of past historical moments and cultural milieus, but then again, past generations did the same thing, it just wasn't as apparent.     

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JUST COPPED SOME LO COOKIE BOOTS KID

My boy B Tom not only rocked these in high school, but he also had the teddy bear lo sweater to boot.  I used to clown him and now 10 years later I see he was one of the fortunate ones to have an older brother who schooled him.  I bow down Mr. Thomas.

Below is a documentary on being a Lo Head.  I love how at the 2:50 mark, bruh breaks down his silk scarf turned into a polo shirt and its godliness.  "This is a king's shirt.  It ain't belong to one Lo-Life!".  Furthermore, at 3:40 another dude is ecstatic about stealing $5 million dollars worth of Polo.   



Check out Lo Head Marlon M. Willis and his definition of Beamin' and his "beaming staff"



Also, don't forget Raekwon's Snow Beach Windbreaker in the Can It All Be So Simple video

Oh yeah, this is hilarious.  Buyers of Lo boots like clippers and the movie Love Jones.

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DU BOIS QUOTE OF THE DAY #13

"The return from your work must be the satisfaction which that work brings you and the world's need of that work. With this, life is heaven, or as near heaven as you can get. Without this - with work which you despise, which bores you, and which the world does not need - this life is hell."Share

AFRICAN DRUMS

Click Cover to Download 

Freeway - African Drums


Yo I gotta make beats like this all day!  This personifies what I'm trying to do with production.  Jake One is so consistent lately.Share

SAVE THE RAS KASS

I remember being in the 6th grade knocking Ras Kass back when he was on the Street Fighter Soundtrack.  Even though I saw him perform at Festival at the Lake (oh how I miss you so) back in the day, it wasn't until high school that I got whole album of Soul on Ice thanks to my boy Thor.  I loved this album and Rassanation.

True story, my boy Brian Thomas always calls Ras Kass, Rash Kass, so when my folks Wes Mapes met Ras in LA, the first thing Wes said to him was, "Hey my friend calls you rash". Ras replied, "Why would you tell me that?".  Wes Mapes is a genius.   I might need to cop one of those tees.

BTW, Save the Ras Kass

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AOKI FILM UPDATES

The film, Aoki, a documentary about one of the founders of the Black Panther party has been placed in a few festivals lately and has been reviving praise.  I did the score and am so happy to have been a part of this project.  Aoki has been accepted into the 15th annual Chicago Asian American Showcase at The Gene Siskel Film Center where it will be screened on April 8th, as well as the 26th annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival presented by Visual Communications.  If you are in Chicago or LA, support!

Below is an interview with the film makers Mike Cheng and Ben Wang.

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WHY IS DIGGY KILLIN' IT?

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DAVID BANNER

Click Picture to Download

David Banner - Strange (Prod. 9th Wonder)


I've been wanting to do a post about David Banner and the perception versus the reality of conscious rap for a while and this song provides me the perfect opportunity to do so.  People often ask me, "Who do you think is the most conscious rapper or who realest to the struggle?"  I usually respond with David Banner.  People always wonder why I don't say Mos or Talib and I explain to them the following analysis.  David Banner always has songs that provide a good analysis and message, especially before he got an album deal.  Even though he has made songs that were stereotypically mainstream and mundane (i.e. Play), I applaud him for who he is outside of limelight more so than his music.  To me, the most important aspect of someone is their actions.  I've always been amazed how Nas, Common, and Talib sound like geniuses on the mic but their interviews are lackluster when someone asks them a question regarding the very issues (crime, poverty, racism, etc.) they rap so eloquently about.

On the contrary, when David Banner speaks, I listen.  Banner is more compelling off the mic than on.  Maybe it stems from him being student president at Southern University or going to graduate school to get a masters in education, but he seems to have more sense and conviction in an interview than on a track.  Fortunately, this project sounds like it's going to bridge his talent as a concerned Black man from the south with his strong mic presence as an emcee.  I'm happy to see David Banner partnering with 9th to create a project that represents his passion.  From his work with youth in Mississippi, Hurricane Katrina recovery, and setting up consistent services to his community, I always use him as an example over men who claim to be "conscious" yet reek havoc with their actions behind closed doors.

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BECAUSE I POST ANYTHING SKI BEATZ

Click Cover to Download

Mos Def and Ski Beatz present Taxi.  Off Ski Beatz' 24 Hour Karate School.  Dropping soon.

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COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF

Click Cover to Download

Classic.  Smooth.  100% Chef Quality.  Unreleased Rae for a chill Tuesday.

Raekwon - Flawless Crowns
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DRAKE - OVER

Click Cover to Download

Man!  Drake is a beast.  There is no way of denying his music.  Out of this world (picture pun!).

Drake - Over
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THROWBACK: BE MY BABY TONIGHT

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I WILL POST ANYTHING SKI BEATZ

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QUESTLOVE + MODUULATOR = ?

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JAY SMOOTH!

A few days ago I said that I didn't care for lyrics, I lied.  Nothing is more satisfying when a rapper does a beat justice.  There is a reason people view Jay Electronica as the second coming of Christ because we have been void of lyrics for so long.  Rappers have become producers in the sense that they worry about the feeling/vibe of the song rather than the content.

BTW, Jay Smooth should do panels or something.Share

HOTNESS MEETS GRACE

51 years old? What!Share

ILL-LITERACY | "DOYOUDONOTSEE?"

My folks at Ill-Lit and Blind I For the Kids have created a new method for collaboration.  They present us, "Doyoudonotsee?".  Now, instead of bored people like me remixing songs after they are done, proactive people can put their spin on music before it's ever finished.       


For you producers, musicians, remixers, mashers, etc, download the stems & acapella and have fun:
Click HERE to download all of the tracks below as a .ZIP

From the Drizzeltron himself:

"IT’S FINALLY HERE!!  I am please to present to you Doyoudonotsee?, a collaborative music project.  What does that mean?  It means that our song is still in its development stage, but we’ve opened it up to the public so that YOU can add on!  So if you’re a bassist, guitarist, vocalist, or listener, we’d love for you to spend the next week with us figuring out how to make this track phenomenal.  Are you ready?  Check it out:

see.ill-literacy.com

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DU BOIS QUOTE OF THE DAY #12

"The power of the ballot we need in sheer self-defence,--else what shall save us from a second slavery?" Share

I'M LATE BUT THIS IS DOPE

Click Cover to Download

Sonnymoon - Golden Age.  Saw this on ill-lit's blog months ago and my boy Wes just sent it to me and I finally listened to this greatness.  Download and chill out to this.

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...PAPER CUTS... + SLOW DOWN VIDEO

Bambu has another project out and I got a track on it!  Paper Cuts is an 8 song EP where he tackles issues of people of color being short changed by the system, i.e. budget cuts, gentrification, unemployment, etc.  Below is the preimere of his new video, Slow Down featuring Prometheus Brown.  Be sure to support Bam and me buy getting a copy.  Bam only gets better and eventually he and I will put out a project together so stay tuned.           

HARD COPIES AVAILABLE AT:

IMIX Bookstore, Los Angeles

Amoeba Music, Hollywood

BeatrockMusic.com

Amazon.com

DIGITAL COPIES AVAILABLE AT:

BeatrockMusic.com

Amazon.com
iTunes 

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