This is looooong Overdue. Apparently the zshare link for "The [Re]Mixtape Vol. 2 had been broken for some time due to some zshare issue. So now, power has been given to the people- Choose ya own damn download service! just make sure you download, ESPECIALLY if you haven't heard it before.
I am currently in the midst of working on another FREE offering in promotion of my upcoming Fool's Gold 12" for "Enjoy What You Do" b/w "Topsidin'" feat Moxmore, so be on the lookout... And one day, if I'm feeling generous, I MAY throw up The [Re]Mixtape Vol. 1... If you are lucky enough to have it... feel free to spread love across the land.
I guess you can say that 2009 has gotten of to a promising start. Productivity is at an all time high. I've been in the studio with 1 O.A.K. knocking out a lot of material for his project and its sounding ridiculous. Lately. for some reason, whenever we finish a song, we seem to be getting IMs from folks telling us that there is "civil unrest" and "rioting" just outside of the studio. Its a tense time in Oakland. I attended the Rally today for BART police murder victim Oscar Grant. The rally was held right downtown and was very peaceful. I guess after the March something got out of hand, resulting in Wells Fargo's windows to be all busted. But like last time, I saw none of it, as I was Doin' My Job.
When it comes to this music, stayin' on task is so important. Just like anything worth doing, it takes hard work. I've been on this grind for a few years now and its safe to say that things are way different than before. Better. I was in a session with Mistah F.A.B. just the other day... we were catching up on music and life. Its funny, because you realize how much time flies when you don't see someone on a regular basis. For both of us, things have changed. From studio hopping all day and peddling CDs to anyone that would listen, to making music all day and trying to feed those listening.
I guess it hasn't changed THAT much.
Having my eye on the "prize" (whatever that may be) has given me a reason to keep getting up everyday and keep battling up hill to make a real social impact with this music. Its MORE that just dope beats and dope rap/vocals. Music is what gets people through the tough times. Times that Oakland and dozens of cities having at this very moment. Times when your heart hurts.
So I'm gonna continue to do what I gotta do to get where I wanna get... That means making what I wanna make, so folks can hear what they need to hear. Oh and Loving what I Do, Doing What I Love.
Bam.
Currently Slappin': PPP (Platinum Pied Pipers)- Abundance Foreign Exchange- Leave It All Behind
I had the chance to check out an advanced screening of Notorious last Thursday. I thought it was cool. It it Pretty much dramatized everything we saw in the 90's about his rise and fall. I thought the casting was funny at points... Anthony Mackie as Pac didn't really sit well with me. He was all charisma and no depth, no Thug Passion. They should have gotten Saadiq from PPP or that dude that used to always be on Jenny Jones instead...
Other than that, Naturi Naughton (of 3LW fame) was pretty entertaining.
Oh yeah, and the fake Puffy's dancing. I miss the the Puffy that used to dance like a muppet. Now he's too busy trying to save the world...
This isn't really intended to be a review at all...I'm not really trippin' if you do or don't see it, do or don't like it.
I really just wanted to post the "Sky is the Limit" video. I would have posted "Everyday Struggle", my favorite BIG song, but there was no official video. So Sad.
I just saw Slumdog Millionaire yesterday... Aside from EVERYONE telling me I needed to go see it, the main reason I was anticipating this movie was her...
Complex Magazine Photoshoot
The Most Beautiful at this very moment. uFck Yeah!!!
Smooth sailling doesn't seem to be the theme for the year yet...
As we speak, I'm in the studio with Mistah F.A.B., Balance, L-Deez, and Honor members 1 O.A.K. and Mike Baker. Aside from that I am also doing tracks with a rapper turnt sanga from NC and a simply complex songstress from the N.O. Throw in a gang of remixes, a couple projects, and promotion of my upcoming 12" on Fool's Gold with a mixtape and a gang of freebies...
R&R will have to wait...
Hopefully I can hitch a ride on this when it comes around!
Today was an eventful day in the Oakland for real. I was able to make it out to the protest at the Fruitvale Bart Station for Police violence victim Oscar Grant. It was great to see so much of the community out in force. One of the best things about the Bay is the community mindedness that is bred here. Don't forget- Oakland is the home of huey P. Newton and the Black Panther Party. Activism is nothing new in the 'Town.
Much of the Bay's music and performing arts community showed up, Including Mistah F.A.B., Zion of Zion I, Kev Choice, Casual, The Attic, Ill-Literacy, DJ Sake One, League 510, Davey D, and many, many more. Mistah F.A.B. and Zion had some insightful things to say to the crowd. It was good to see so many folks. Too bad it wasn't under better circumstances.
The rally at the BART Station was a peaceful one. However, this was not completely the case in Downtown Oakland...
After the rally, I went to meet 1 O.A.K. for a studio session in Downtown. the story was different out there.
Full Riot Gear.
Police Helicopters.
Angry Protesters.
Apparently, we went into the studio right before the jump off. I kept getting hella texts from concerned folks, so I decided to check on my car... apparently, every car windshield was smashed in EXCEPT mine. It feels good to be blessed. As we left the spot, the streets looked like a scene straight out of 28 Days Later or some other post-apocalyptic movie.
Its too bad that a few suckas decided to ruin this for everyone, once again diverting attention from the real issue of Oscar Grant, and refocusing them on how "it goes down in tha 'Town". Its crazy because there is far less footage of the peaceful rally than there is of the street violence. WTF?
Oh well.
As Downtown Oakland blew up, 1 O.A.K. and I recorded a Fresh new banger called "An Inconvenient Love Affair" for his upcoming project.
I'm sure everyone has heard about the murder of 22 year old Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale Bart Station in Oakland. If you haven't, you've probably been on twitter too long trying to send replies to Q-Tip, Jay Electronica, Qoolquest, wondering why they just aren't hitting you back. Get a grip. It will be okay. SOMEONE will send you a reply.
Now I am usually not the type to protest in the streets- I'm most effective one on one and through the MUSIC... But some shit is just too much.
Maybe its because the Fruitvale BART Station is my home station. Maybe its because initially thought the victim was a former student of mine at first glance. Maybe its because this isn't the first time.
After seeing this version of the video, shot by an onlooker inside a stopped BART train, my emotions got much stronger. I couldn't believe it. It was like a train wreck waiting waiting to happen. There was an energy on that platform that almost foreshadowed the whole event.
This shit is like Radio Raheem 2009: BART Police Edition.
The video speaks for itself.
I don't have too much to say that hasn't already been said. My heart goes out to his family and everyone involved. For everyone going to protest today, be safe. If I can swing it, yall might see me out there.
Going down this Saturday night, DJ Tap.10 and I will be in full effect at Upgrade, a dope ass monthly @ 330 Ritch in San Francisco. Some of my favorite people are bound to be present. This is my first official appearance of the year so come look at me. Or at least look at all the beautiful people. And listen to me. Or just listen to Tap.10. I'll fit myself in somewhere.
Trackademicks- "Happy Birfday To Me!!!" LIVE @ PST Capricorn B-Day Celebration 12/28/08
Okay, now I know I kicking a dead horse here... but when the horse is a stallion, you gotta say you did it right? If that doesn't make any sense don't trip- I'm extra delirious from pulling an all nighter. It would have been more eventful, but one of our Yay Area rap superstars flaked on the session, so I ended up making some menacing soundscapes instead.
However, I digress. The above clip is footage of the most epic Birfday I have had to date. And halfway through the clip it gets better... Just because you read that Hyphy was "dead" in some publication, doesn't mean the Bay forgot how to go DUMB.
Also, below are a few photos from NYE at Club 6. Thanks for everyone that came out. It was a blast.
GaRushBusters
Lambo and Capski of Laundromat United
Hosting with DJ Tap.10
The New World Twitter.
2000Grind is upon us. What to Expect:
More Videos.
More Commentary.
More Antics.
More Parties.
More Shows.
More Cities.
More Shenanigans.
More Fun.
