Hip-Hip Is Cool Again

The close proximity of G-Eazy's show at Throwback, Kid Cudi's talk of retirement, Kanye's daily life, and Hollywood Holts upcoming performance at Streetwear Sundays on April 5th, has made me think about the best MCs of our time.

Who's your favorite MC?

Someone 'BIG'
Jay-Z, Lil Wayne ect.

Someone 'different'
Kanye, Pharrell, Lupe, Andre 3000 ect.

Someone from Cali
Mac Dre, Dr. Dre, Murs ect.

Someone who is 'oldschool'
Tupac, Biggie, KRS-One ect.

Someone local
Hollywood Holt, Chill Ill Ali, G-Eazy, Jay Greedy, Dave Coresh, Benny Nice, Cypher or Lu Smith of Team Robot. ect.

Someone who is up-and-coming
Kid Cudi, Wale, Drake, Mickey Factz, Theophilus London, Bobby Ray ect.

Someone non-traditional
Mickey Avalon, Rye Rye, MF Doom ect.

Someone conscious
Mos Def, Common, Nas, Lauryn Hill, Saul Williams, Jay Electronica ect.

Someone from a hip-hop group
Travis McCoy, Mickey Rocks, Method Man, Q-Tip, Naledge, Rev Mcfly ect.

All of the above are talented, but what makes them speak to you?

Throwback at the Republic was like something I have never seen before. I got there around 10pm aka recession buster hour and I heard what I consider, some of the best music that was ever played in a club. Which basically means my itunes library was played by DJ Damion Yancy.

Here is a list of some artists played to prove my point:
Rye Rye
Hollywood Holt
N.A.S.A.
Kings of Leon
Kid Sister
MGMT
Lu Smith
Black Kids
The Ting Tings
AND MORE HEAD BANGING MUSIC

And that was just the warm up for the main event of the night. G-Eazy and Trombone Shorty performed and they tore the roof of the building. I was amazed to see such professionalism from G-Eazy, who is a sophomore at Loyola. But I guess age doesn't matter if your dedicated and have been in the business as long as he has. He started writing music at the age fourteen, he made 10 ALBUMS before coming to New Orleans and he has completed 3 (ALMOST 4) videos with Tyler Yee since he has been in New Orleans. Itunes even has Genius Recommendations for the dude. For his show, G-Eazy flew in from the Bay, his friend PL from Tha Slap Doctorz. I could tell that G believed a song featuring people must be preformed with the people featured in the song. This is something that is simply said, but is rarely done (i.e. the excitement over 'Swagger Like Us' at this years Grammys). G-Eazy preformed his single 'Nobody' with Riva, his single 'FRESH' with Riva, his single 'Apple of My Eye' with Erika Flowers, his single 'Candy Girl' with Greg Banks, and his very new single 'Freshaholic' with Cypher. I personally believe 'Freshaholic' was the best performance of the night, because it reminded me of N.E.R.D. when they preformed 'Spazz' in Chicago during the Glow In The Dark Tour. G-Eazy was jumping, Cypher was jumping, Blair was jumping, Lu from Team Robot was jumping and Trombone Shorty added an element by backing him with a full band. Artists like Trombone Shorty, Michael Franco, Adam Gertner, Sean Gary-Julian, Keenan McRae, Leland Baker and what I affectionately call, the rest of the band, took G-Eazy's hip-hop to another level. It was as if Ludacris and Sum 41's remix of 'Get Back', Lupe Fiasco's live shows and a classic New Orleans second line were placed together in a magic music blender and put on turbo.

Then when the retro music came in, DJ Yancy didn't forget to incorporate new hits of different genres. I was especially excited when he played Kid Cudi's 'Day n Night', which set a whole crew on the stage ablaze and when he played a great remix of Hollywood Holt's 'Hollywood'. I also could tell he was testing Bmore club music on his audience because I heard more of the 8/4 beats than in the past few weeks. Lastly, there was a strong presence of dressing up with the theme this week. It seemed like everyone wanted to be Will Smith, because hat bills were flipped high and neon colors definitely shined bright at the Republic. Throwback was definitely a success this and it was apparent from the large crowd.

Greg Banks and G-Eazy

Greg Banks and G-Eazy

G-Eazy

G-Eazy and Riva

Blair Taylor

Cypher and Lu catching air

Cypher and Michael Franco

G-Eazy upclose

Trombone Shorty

G-Eazy and Lu

Cypher

Tyler Yee

G-Eazy

G-Eazy and Erika Flowers

Blair Taylor

G-Eazy

G-Eazy

G-Eazy

PL of Slap Doctors

G-Eazy

I randomly befriended a crew of guys, who hapened to be in some of my favorite hardcore/metal bands, Emmure & Winds of Plague. They came to Throwback at The Republic after their show at The High Ground. Hopefully, next time Nick and Frankie will be able to stay on the stage. lol
Yes I like hardcore too. When I say I like EVERYTHING and I like rock, I REALLY mean it.

Nick from Winds of Plague had a boss Biggie tat

My bud Chinyelu on stage as usual

The stage was WILD

The floor was too

crowd participation

My fresh prince gear

fresh prince lookin girl

Yuri

myspace.com/songsforlove

G-Eazy mixtape

you suckas got served

G-Eazy's Death Wish Supras

Seeing G-Eazy's Supras, reminded me of the cool Death Wish decks

Thanks Chinyelu for the many pics

A few hours after G-Eazy's performance at Throwback, he began recording his album at Dockside Studios

He recorded live all day

When i say all day

I mean ALL DAY

From about 6am - 12am

yep EARLY Saturday to the end of the day

After listening to him lay down a few tracks, I would say everyone should get excited for:

maybe something trombone shorty-ish stuff

maybe something rock-ish stuff (but better than lil wayne)

maybe something acoustic-ish stuff

maybe something so cool that I can't express it in words

check for updates HERE ON HIS USTREAM PAGE

IF I WASN'T IN NEW ORLEANS, I WOULD BE IN MIAMI FOR:

THE FOOL'S GOLD MEGASHOWCASE AT WMC

Performances by: A-Trak, DJ Mehdi, Annie Mac, Treasure Fingers, Jokers of The Scene, nacho Lovers, Sammy Bananas, Nick Catchdubs and Lil Jon

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

THE IHEARTCOMIX/MAD DECENT/TURNTABLELAB/TROUBLE & BASS PARTY AT WMC

Performances by: Diplo, Switch, Spark Rock, Drop The Lime, Designer Drugs, Franki Chan, Oceot, Acid Girls, The Captain, Star Eyes, Mobroder, Da Hardy Boysm Roctakon, DJ Eli Escobar, Blu Jemz, Unemployed Lloyd, sTERRYo, Sega, Rusko, South Rakkas Crew, Party Squad, Toy Selectah

Melanie

I Drop Bombs

The 6th Annual New Orleans Patois International Human Rights Film Festival started Thursday. It runs from March 26th to April 5th with movie screenings and art exhibits all around the New Orleans area. I love the idea of the festival, because it was created to promote local organizations that encourage human rights. A lot of the films are local and they have themes that cover issues that span across the world. I am very excited to expand my mind to understand issues that affect people oceans away and to her the stories of the people who are usually ignored in America. Events will be held at either Canal Place Landmark cinema, Craige Cultural Center in Algiers, New Orleans Museum of Art, Cafe Lazziza, Southern University or Zeitgeist.
A list of all the films that will be shown at this years festival is HERE.

Here is a few of my favorite trailers from movies that will be shown at this years festival:

Medicine for Melancholy--Directed by Barry Jenkins (filmmaker will be present)
** Saturday March 28 @ 7pm Zeitgeist**
Fictional story of young African-Americans who are a small minority in San Francisco.



I am Sean Bell: Black Boys Speak---Directed by Stacey Muhammad (filmmaker will be present)
** Sunday March 29 @ 1 pm Zeitgeist**
Young African American men give their accounts on how they view life while they know incidents like Sean Bell, the 23 year black man who was unarmed and was shot fifty times by the NYPD.

I AM SEAN BELL, black boys speak from Stacey Muhammad on Vimeo.


Made In LA-- Directed by Almudena Carracedo
** Sunday March 29 @ 4pm Zeitgeist**
Three Latina immigrants tell their story of how they fight for rights while working in LA sweatshops.

Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath --Directed by Sharat Raju & Valarie Kaur

**Saturday April 4 @ 1pm Zeitgeist**
A college student travels across the country to document hate crimes against Muslims and people suspected of being Muslim in post-911 America.

Some Place Like Home: The Fight Against Gentrification In Downtown Brooklyn--Directed by Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE) (filmmakers will be present)

**Sunday April 4 @ 5pm Zeitgeist**
Homeowners, small businessowners and historians in downtown Brooklyn are directly affected by "development"

White Lies Black Sheep--Directed by James Spooner (filmmaker will be present)
**Saturday April 4 @ 7pm Zeitgeist**
An African American rocker finds his identity in the middle of a predominately white New York music scene where he isn't considered black.

DJ Zegon and Squeak E. Clean's project, N.A.S.A. combines some of the biggest names in music to make great songs. These are not girltalk-esque mashups, these are actually songs featuring artists like Kanye West, M.I.A, The Cool Kids, Santogold, KRS-One and Ghostface Killah.

Here is the new video for the song 'Gifted feat. Kanye West, Santogold, and Lykke Li'(mp3).

N.A.S.A.'s other collabo tracks:

N.A.S.A.-Hip Hop feat. KRS-One, Fat lip, Slim Kid Tre

N.A.S.A. - The Mayor feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, Scarface & DJ AM (mp3)

N.A.S.A.-Whachadoin feat Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold and Nick Zinner (mp3)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (N.A.S.A. Bloody Lobo Remix) (mp3)

IF I WASN'T IN NOLA, I WOULD BE IN:

Miami for the Winter Music Conference, which is affectionately called WMC.

This amazing music conference has seminars, panels, record collector shows, demo listenings, DJ spin-offs, and of course great parties. I think this a great conference for people who want to learn more about creating their own music and about making it in the music industry.

Melknee

It's from the NO to the Go. I'm so chi, but i'm so bold, millions of records like K or lil Weezy will be sold.

Recent news has made me attempt to write rhymes.....

Hollywood Holt and Million $ Mano will be at Steetwear Sundays 

NEXT SUNDAY IN NEW ORLEANS!!!!

Million $ Mano is a dj who grew up in a area thats down the street from my house. Instead of getting involved in the negative activities that Chicago's southside call pull young people into, he turned to music. But he didn't follow the mainstream trends of music, instead he made music that he liked, which included hip-hop, indie rock, dance music, electro, R&B, and WAAAAAY more stuff. Mano was the dj for M.I.A. when she went on tour and has performed at many music festivals.

Hollywood Holt is Mano's first cousin, but they are more than that. The two Chicagoians breakdanced together at The Point in Hyde Park (this is where I went to school and where Obama lived), created of the Murder Club moped crew, and are music partners. I can't wait to the see the guy's classic cool shades, tats, sixpack abs, four finger rings, buttoned up flannel and maybe some breakdancing. Also Hollywood Holt is the only rapper that I know of who has a septum piercing besides Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes. He is a big name in Chicago's music scene and I can hear his influence in New Orleans artists like Cypher and Wally. Even Kanye likes the dude, so great things are soon to come.

As we say in Chicaaaago.....TREATED

gakcity

Here is Hollywood Holt's video 'Hollywood'

Here is Hollywood Holt's video 'Throw a Kit'

You might remember Hollywood Holt's face from when he showed off his breakdancing and freestyling skills on 'So You Think You Can Dance'.

If someone asked me, what do I like more individual songs or mixed, I'll have to say mixes. As a major fan of artists like Justice, Klever, Steve Aoki, Busy P, Willy Joy, Sinden, Girl Talk, Digitalism, Flosstradamus, Kid Color, and so on, I got really excited when I heard about the new mix from New Orleans dj duo Force Feed Radio. The new mix is called "Blood On The Dance Floor". It featuring music from MGMT, Diplo, Partners n Crime, Pitbull, and more dance bangers.

Download it HERE.

Do you think musicians sound better when you can't see their face. Here is the masked DJ duo, Blood Beetroots' new video 'WARP' featuring DJ master Steve Aoki. When I first saw it, I was reminded of the first time I went to theCobrasnake. The song is undeniably a 'banger' and the constant product placement of DIM MAK items makes me even more pleased. Lastly I love the blipster on the far right, the blue blood, and Steve Aoki's floral Chad Muska Skytop Supras. I was surprised Aoki wasn't wearing his signature Strapped NS Supras, but hey you need to change it up sometimes so you can keep people on their toes.

WxAxRxP from Francesco Calabrese on Vimeo.

Melknee

She Wants Everybody

Its officially midweek which means its acceptable to start thinking about weekend plans. Last week I went to my favorite Friday hangout, Throwback at The Republic. This night no one opened up, it was just 80s and 90s throwbacks. And when I say only, I mean ONLY. My friends requested songs from Rye Rye and The Black Kids and they were not played, but whats the point of complaining, it was THROWBACK. lol The Force Feed Radio duo and Dj Yancy battled it out with great hits that allowed no time for a breather. I noticed a smaller turnout than other weeks, which might have resulted from a pilgrimage to Austin for SXSW or other places for colleges' spring break. But despite the smaller turnout I still had fun. I met a cool guy named Craig who showed me that it's true, its better to be in VIP than the crowd. However nothing beats the stage. Like always me and my crew hit the stage and acted like we were in the SXSW or any other major music festival. I saw leader of the SIKKIS crew Mena and the owner of Traffic, New Orleans' premier streetfashion boutique posted on the stage as well.

Last week's Throwback was fun, but the upcoming week will be amazing. Throwback will have bookoo performers take the stage so look out for G-Eazy, Trombone Shorty, Greg Banks, PL of the Slap Doctorz, Blair Taylor, Erika Flowers and Riva. A song isn't a song without the featuring artists performing with the main artist. FYI urbandictionary taught me that New Orleans slang word, bookoo, comes from the French word beaucoup, which means a lot. French, New Orleans slang, typical. Anyway, everyone come out to Throwback this Friday because anyone who misses it will be greatly disappointed. Throwback is just like a moshpit, you can never have too many people there.

We are not the same, I am a.....ROBOT?
Check out Kanye West on the never cover of Complex. They call him the 'the most influential brand' in the universe. This reminds me of Hipster Runoff's deliciously overused term 'personal band'.
People accepted shutter shades, kanye glasses or whatever you call it so what do you think about these beauties. They're called Slanties. Each pair is made out of natural wood grain and has a layer of fiberglass. Choose from walnut, padauk, mahogany, and maple wood Slanties in three sizes at Slanties.com


Have you been keeping up with The Cool Kids. Chicago's hip-hop heroes have been staying active in the blog world with their pictures. So far this is the only group that I know of that posts a PICTURE OF THE DAY, hella cool. So if you've seen them, submit yours and you might be displayed on their blog. But I didn't need to submit a picture to be displayed on the blog. lol

Talk about cool kids...Children's clothing is mimicking adult clothing more and more, but when it looks like this, I have no complaints.
from The Cool Hunter


I don't know anything about kyte, but Rye Rye has a channel and she posted a video from SXSW.


The shows at SXSW are officially over, but the SXSW fun isn't over yet. Why you ask? Craigslist thank you very much. On Austin's missed connections, I found several interesting, hilarious, and heartbreaking. messages. Here are some of my favorites:
SXSW 2009 - m4w (ATX)

I know this is early but I want to get my MC in before the massive flood of them. I (probably) saw you somewhere on South Congress, you were (probably) from Boston, or maybe Pittsburgh, but not from anywhere in Florida that's for sure. You were wearing super skinny jeans or maybe one of those super-tight, super-short miniskirt things and a t.shirt for some band that nobody has heard of, that may not even exist. You had either Betty bangs or the 'elf'. You were on a bicycle made out of a combination of $400 titanium parts and an old frame you found in a shed, it was painted hot turquoise and magenta, and yellow, and a few parts were gold. And black. You were waiting on a free show and drinking an $8 coffee, the irony wasn't lost on me. We didn't actually speak, I don't think you even noticed me but my psychologist recommends I make new friends and although she is wrong about most things I have decided that I can afford to spend some of my time on someone other than myself and it is to be you. Did we have a moment?

brooklyn girl - m4w - 25 (sxsw east side)

we totally made out then you ignored me at the bridge show. what up with that?

Very important!! SXSW searching! - w4m (SXSW)

YOU! asymmetrical haircut, plaid shirt with pearl snaps, and cut-off jeans ME! black frame glasses, high-waisted skirt, and cowboy boots VERY IMPORTANT THAT I FIND YOU! I THINK WE MAY BE MEANT TO BE.

Red Bull Moon Tower Sunday morning - 24 (east ATX)

I know I'm likely never going to see you again, oh out-of-town band member, but I wanted to put this out there. It was about 4:30am. You and your band were piling into a ubiquitous white van, talking about going back to the hotel. I was walking by and got distracted by y'all, and you (the driver) gave this ineptly charming spiel about how you hadn't been kissed during sxsw. A strange combination of your bandmates egging us on with a well harmonized chorus of 'oooh's, the remnants of too many tequila shots in my system, and that strange hour of the morning led to you getting a sxsw kiss (um, or two). You were very sweet about it, and wow that was a great kiss. Just wanted to say thanks for ending my sxsw on a high note, and that I hope it did the same for you. And hey, if you're planning on coming back to town any time soon, maybe we can try for a repeat?

The Hold Steady - 27 (SXSW)

How is it possible that you played a gazillion shows this past week and I missed every one of them?

Saw you at SXSW - m4w - 30 (downtown)

You were walking by... in a sexy summer dress... I was ogling at you while eating a hot dog... I spilt chilli on my shirt. You laughed at me. I lost my temper and dumped my Extra Large Diet Dr. Pepper all over you... You were caught by surprise... Some ice cubes fell down your blouse... your nipples became erect. Realizing what I have done... I grabbed a handful of napkins and proceeded to try to pat down your breasts trying to you dry you off -- apologizing profusely. Caught by surprised you smacked me with your purse. Bunch of tampons fell out as a result. Without missing a beat -- I picked them up trying to protect your honor. You gave me a nasty look and started to walk off. I tried to apologize some more... but you kept walking. I grabbed your arm... You spun around and kicked me in the nuts... I dropped like a sack of potatoes. A crowd had formed by now... despite my aching nuts -- I popped a boner. Please tell me your single!! Write me back...!

Pharrell apparently is a big fan of McDonalds. Watch him dance and sing the menu at a McDonalds in a Paris airport. The dude is in his late thirties, but you would never know from his behavior.


This is Rob Roy he is a new face the rap world. He has a very unique sound that's a mix of Outkast, bmore club and The Lonely Island. Also check out his clothing game, the boy is Alife-ed out. This video reminds me of a sketch of a late night talk show that is backed by great music for bouncing and snapping.

Rob Roy "Fur In My Cap" Director: Ethan Lader from ethandirector on Vimeo.

Here is another video directed by Ethan Lader. Its called "Love Hangover" by Kidz In The Hall featuring Estelle.

Kidz In The Hall feat. Estelle "Love Hangover" Director: Ethan Lader from ethandirector on Vimeo.

After seeing these videos, I'm positive that Ethan Lader is my new favorite music video director, but no one can beat So Me, who directed Justice's 'D.A.N.C.E.', Kid Cudi's 'Day n Nite' and Kanye West's 'Good Life'. This video features North Hollywood's Laze & Royal. The video has bright colors, a nice lyrical flow and cute twins which makes for a nice bonus.

Laze & Royal "Like A Pistol" Director: Ethan Lader from ethandirector on Vimeo.


WHERE DO I WISH I WAS RIGHT NOW: MIAMI for CREME de la CREME on March 24th. This megashow will have all of my favorite local and national artists performing, including: Hollywood Holt, Diplo, Amanda Blank, Kid Sister, U-N-I, Million $ Mano, Chromeo, Hey Champ, Wale, Kidz In the Hall, Pac Div, Mickey Factz and more. Best of all its ALL AGES, which is really rare for a show like this.

Melknee