The Official Unofficial Video Exclusive: 1 O.a.K. "The Lovecats"

Super-Duper Exclusive Sneak Preview!

Yes, yes yall!!!

After months and months (and more months) of conceptualizing, strategizing, fundraising, casting, and scheduling... From the upcoming 1 O.a.K./Trackademicks Remake project, classic cover of the Cure... "THE LOVECATS"!!!

Live and direct from the Canal St. subway Station in NYC!!!

Shout out to all the extras... whoever you are...

BayCatsDoDat in Baltimore!!!

Tonight the Fool's Gold crew and I are hitting Baltimore upside the head with some fresh dope... no pun intended! If you are in the area, make sure to come out... this will also be dj Nick Catchdubs Bmore debute!!!

Just in case yall forgot... in true diplomatic fashion, I'm a bring it back to the days of the Spring Progress Report slide yall some "Bay-More" Slap featuring Oakland rap giant L-Deez... This is the ORIGINAL VERSION of the song on Cosmo Baker & DJ Ayres' Scion CD Sampler V. 15

Trackademicks- "BayCatsDoDatHyphy" feat. L-Deez.mp3

Peace!

Trackademicks in Philly!!!

Philly!

Its goin' DOWN!

Tonight!

Ok, so this is going to be my first time in the City of Brotherly love and unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to have enough time to run up the steps of the museum and play Rocky... So sad, I know.

However, if anyone has any suggestions on where I can get the best Philly Cheese Steak, your assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Peep the article in the Philadelphia Weekly...

Also... Check out more pics from the Webster Hall Show last thursday in NY...

Fool's Gold CMJ Showcase @ Webster Hall

I got down with the fools gold family this past Thursday @ Webster Hall in NYC...

Check it out!

Sweet Angel: Joyo Velarde

For those of you that are up on Lyrics Born, odds are that you already know about Joyo Velarde. Ever since she dropped her first single "Sweet Angels", a few years back, I have been patiently waiting to hear a full-length project. Well now, that time is almost here! Quannum Projects will be dropping her debut album February of next year.

Luckily, yall don't have to wait that long because you can get Joyo's "Hey Luv" Mixtape HERE.

And just to wet your appetite, here's the link to my contribution on the mixtape... Had take it back on 'em!

Certain Special Way feat. Trackademicks (Trackademicks Remix).mp3

Town Thizzness presents J. Stalin "Gas Nation"

This week J. Stalin dropped his album "Gas Nation" courtesy of Town Thizzness. On the project is the first song I ever did with Stalin, "Millionaire Status" feat. R.O.B. This song is still one of my favorites. Stalin, with his melodic flow, is one of the most unique artist out here in Oakland. When deciding what type of beat to give him, the main guidelines were BREEZE, MOBB, and SLAP... in that order. Stalin is a huge early mid 80s soul fan... right up my alley.

Also on the album, fellow Honor Roll student 1 O.A.K... Singing the hook on "My Mind" produced by Traxamillion.

We recorded "Millionaire Status" in early '06... on my ibook... In my apartment's closet...

J. Stalin- "Millionaire Status" feat. R.O.B. mp3

The 69th Post.

"How would you like it if I hit you with a Sixty-Niiiiiine???" LOL.

If someone hit me with one of these, I wouldn't be mad...

-Trackadeezy

This Saturday In Berkeley... Future Shock!!!

Exclusive: Janelle Monae "Many Moons" (Trackademicks "Y'all Better Shut Up" Remix)

Janelle Monae- "Many Moons" (Trackademicks "Y'all Better Shut Up" Remix).mp3


Every since I got up on Janelle Monae, I have been in her corner, hoping that her vision would someday unfold in front of a sizable audience. So many times, those with of amazing artistic statements get overlooked because their marketing budgets aren't there to bring them to those that need to see it the most. This is why I champion artists like Janelle Monae, J* Davey, and Muhsinah.

As a teen, being exposed to high concept, yet popular, "mainstream" music was essential in my development as an artist. The visibility of groups like the Roots, Outkast, and Radiohead in the 90's made it easier to see that there was a whole world of artists who valued high artistic ideals. They were fortunate enough to have opportunity bring it to the "regular" person, people who weren't "hip", "cool", or "down with the underground".

My aim has alway been to bridge gaps between the Known and Unknown. For many people, an artist like Janelle Monae represents that Unknown. So when I was asked to remix "Many Moons", I jumped at the chance.

My aim with this remix was to thoroughly address the roller coaster of Ms. Monae's musical theatrics, bringing the listener on a journey through changing soundscapes.

That's pretty much it... Peace!

Its Raining Game In Northern California

My summer is officially over. The first storm is here. Symbolic? Maybe. Either way it goes, summer has officially decided to bounce with the first rain of the season. I guess it had to happen sooner or later. At least it didn't affect first Friday's Art Murmur in Oakland. And as always, I have a song to articulate this moment...

To commemorate the coming of the first rain (If yall haven't noticed by now, I'm connected to seasons, for real, no joke...), I'm posting up some Drizzle... Mac Drizzle that is!

Mac Dre- "It's Raining Game in Northern California"

"It's Raining Game in Northern California" by Mac Dre off of Khayree's Blackalation is one of those shining beacons. It completely represents everything I love about this region. Peep:

1. Reinterpolation. If you weren't aware, Bay Area Mobb Muzik IS the cutting edge when it comes to the art of reinterpolation. Specifically, the reinterpolation of 80's and 90's r&b songs. There are countless songs... one day I'll do a mix to educate the less fortunate on this Fresh Coast cultural phenomenon.

(Oh Yeah, Try and snatch that idea, you'll be very embarrassed getting schooled by this Born-n-Bred -Bay-Boy, Playboy! I got tracks for days... way deeper than "I Got 5 On It" or "Pillow", hehehe )

2. Tony Toni Tone. This is a marriage of some of the Bay's best Black Music aesthetics. Oakland soul and Bay Area Mobb... like musical cousins... and just like people, you can't choose your family... It just happens that way! Cut from the same cloth. Its not a coincidence that Mobb music tempos are in the 80s and low 90s bpm range. Perfect tempos to house my next point...

3. The Double Time Flow. That Bay Sh*t right there. The very reason folks thought Outkast were from OAKLAND in 1994! With so many slick talkers out here, you gotta get creative on how you throw it all up in there. Which brings me to my next point...

4. Slang... so much SAUCE out here, just rainin' game This came out in '97. Nuff said.

5. Musicality. Khayree is the man. Hands down. Mac Mall. Ray Luv. Mac Dre. Young Lay. Dubee. Young Black Brotha Records. He actually played the instruments on Blackalation. That was big . Mobb Muzik with more than just a sampler or a workstation. In high school, I always wanted to make beats like him. West Coast Funk. Dope ass Lead Synths. Breezy Bridges. No samples... Definitely helped brand the Bay's sound. And yes, he produced the B-Side to "Ice, Ice, Baby"... I'm not jokin, I just do my homework!

And for good measure...


Tony Toni Tone- "It Never Rains in Southern California"