A-Butta Interviewed By Unkut.com

A-Butta is interviewed for Unkut.com. Nice to hear he's still doing his thing. Props to Keir! Link

Underground hip-hop circuit gaining recognition

Timely reuters article about indie hip-hop's club circuit and it's growing recognition. Goes into some figures also. Link

By Mosi Reeves 49 minutes ago NEW YORK (Billboard) - Ten years ago, it would take a series of hot 12-inch records for an underground hip-hop act to establish its reputation. These days, the proving ground is just as likely to be a concert stage. Thanks to successful jaunts by Atmosphere, Hieroglyphics, the Definitive Jux crew and other pioneering acts, a national touring circuit for independent hip-hop has begun to form, giving rappers often ignored by BET, MTV and commercial radio a way to sell records and build a fan base. These artists are dispelling the myth that hip-hop cannot work on the live stage, and making a surprising amount of money doing it. Christian Bernhardt, who owns the Emeryville, Calif.-based Kork Agency, says he expects Atmosphere‘s 56-date Pour Me Another One tour to gross $500,000 before it ends November 15 in the duo‘s hometown, Minneapolis. The tour supports Atmosphere‘s fifth album, released October 4 on its own Rhymesayers Entertainment label. "There‘s a lot more indie hip-hop touring than there was a few years ago," says Bernhardt, who also represents indie rap artists MF Doom, Sage Francis, Aesop Rock, Jean Grae, Murs and Mr. Lif. "Most of the acts we represent ... bring home quite a bit of money, and they can live from that very well." Before Kork handled Atmosphere‘s first national trek in 2000, Atmosphere rapper Sean "Slug" Daley and producer Ant often booked their own tours of the Midwest. Brent "Siddiq" Sayers, who owns Rhymesayers with Daley, attributes the duo‘s success to "grinding" work. "Atmosphere can play to 3,000 people in certain markets, and we‘ll still go to those markets where he may play for 300 people," Sayers says. For the past two decades, rap stars have usually promoted records through music videos, in-store appearances, one-off "spot dates" at nightclubs and the occasional package tour. "Promoters didn‘t know there was underground hip-hop that would tour like punk rock bands," Bernhardt says. One of the first indie rap groups to mount its own tour was Hieroglyphics, an Oakland, Calif.-based collective that includes Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual and Pep Love. They went on the road in 1997, having just formed an independent label, Hiero Imperium. Damian "Domino" Siguenza, CEO and in-house producer of Hiero Imperium, booked all 25 dates with no outside label support or sponsorships. He says the crowds varied from 200-300 on an off night to 1,000 for a triumphant homecoming at San Francisco‘s Maritime Hall. "We were in it to plant seeds," he says. Hieroglyphics usually tour as a unit once a year, Siguenza says, with grosses exceeding $300,000. "A lot of the venues and promoters were incredibly nervous and wary about bringing our stuff in," says Amaechi Uzoigwe, who owns Definitive Jux with producer/rapper El-P and is also El-P‘s manager. He adds that indie hip-hop "is in its first actual decade of network, where it‘s become an actual cottage industry." Of course, any cottage industry takes its lumps. Audience appetite is not keeping up with all the newly touring indie acts. Some rap promoters suggest that hip-hop heads, unlike hardcore rock fans, do not attend several concerts per week. In addition, Bernhardt says, rap ticket prices tend to be more expensive than those for rock shows. Still, tenured MCs are seeing rap‘s shift toward the touring industry. New York-based Grae, recently signed to Talib Kweli‘s Warner-distributed Blacksmith label, first drew attention in 1996 with Natural Resource‘s indie hit "Negro League" (Makin‘ Records). Grae will perform 100-150 shows this year and says she appreciates how the new touring landscape is making artists work harder onstage. "It‘s not just going out and doing the songs," she says. "It‘s going out and hustling CDs and merch at the end of the show, and trying to talk to as many people as I can. It gets people to step up their show, because that‘s how you‘re going to sell records." Reuters/Billboard

Kool Keith Bonus Video Footage @ Download.com

El Keter's post about Kool Keith today reminded me about this video I stumbled upon last week, over at download.com's new video section (which is great by the way). Take a look as Keith discusses the benefits of stocking Seltzer water over sugary drinks in order to thwart the thiefs that are after his style soda. Originally available on the bonus disc from the Kool Keith Global Enlightenment DVD. Link

New Times Media to buy the Village Voice

The Village Voice, long time supporter of independent artists and heavyweight contributor to counter culture here in New York City, is in final talks with New Times Media (a big-time publisher) to be bought out and merged into it's operations. It seems like it's identity will be preserved but needless to say, people will still be very critical of the new arrangement. Link (requires free registration)

Vinyl Killers

Various artists put together a showcase featuring stencil art on old records. I really hope there's nothing rare hanging up in that collection of dead vinyl. Link (via igraff)

Vinyl Addicts is consistently and constantly killin' it. Definitely my favorite mp3 blog. Check out some of the recent posts (just past three days!). Link

- East Flatbush Project feat. Esteem – “Can’t hold it back” this is the b-side of the first East Flatbush Project 12” “A madman’s dream” (10/30 Uproar Records 1994) - Dana Barros & Cedric Ceballos feat. Sadat X, Grand Puba & A.G. – “Ya don’t stop” the strongest track from the otherwise weak “B-Ball’s best kept secret” LP (Immortal Records 1994) - Master Ace – “Movin’ on (remix)” taken from Master Ace’s “Movin’ on” b/w “Go where I send thee” 12” (Cold Chillin’ / Reprise Records 1990) - Deuces Wild – “Deuces is def” this is the b-side of Deuces Wild’s “Five times the rhymer” 12” (City Beats Records 1988) - KRS-One – “Hip-hop vs. rap” this non-album track can be found on KRS-One’s “Sound of da police” 12” (Jive / Zomba 1993) - The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Sadat X – “Come on” - Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – “C.L. strikes again” - Redman – “Smoke a blunt too” - Nas – “Memory lane (sittin’ in da park)” - The Notorious B.I.G. – “Machine gun funk” - Foundation & Rezidue – “Don’t get it twisted” this track can be found on the b-side of the very nice “Boogie Down’s got the flavor” 12” (Database Productions 1996) - Automatik feat. Down N Dirty Tribe – “No man’s land” taken from the nice “These mean streets” b/w “No man’s land” 12” (Delux Entertainment Inc. 1997) - Real Live feat. Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, Lord Tariq & Killa Sin – “Real live shit (remix)” this track can be found on the dope “Real live shit (remix)” b/w “Pop the trunk” 12” and on Real Live’s debut (and only) LP titled “The turnaround: a long awaited drama” (both Big Beat Records 1996) - Ten Thieves – “It don’t matter” this track can be found on the “It don’t matter” b/w “B.A.D. mix” 12” (Break A Dawn Records 1995) - Cash a.k.a. Vigilante – “Chillin” taken from the “Chillin” b/w “Drunken style” 12” (Tree Top Productions 1995)

Fallen Rapper Pez Dispenser Prototypes

Failed attempt at a series of "fallen rapper" Pez dispensers. Seems like the artist took it a bit personally. Link (via boingboing)

The Procussions: Miss January

The Procussions are preparing for their next release due sometime next spring. Peep a snippet of the single which should be available on iTunes pretty soon. And if you get a chance make sure to catch them live. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform for the Don't Sleep Tour when it hit NYC and it was a great set, full of energy and well rehearsed (Time Machine and Edan + Insight rocked it that night also, great show overall). Link, theprocussions.com

Exministries: HipHop is the devil?

This is offensive on so many levels, I can't even muster the words. The worst thing is that he is selling these cds and dvds with full margins trying to make a profit. And he probably has convinced plenty of church's to pay for his appearances. Link

Waxpoetics Issue 14 + New Site Coming Soon

Waxpoetics lowered the subscription rate to $38 for 6 issues. New issue drops November 1st. They also have a revamped website ready to launch real soon so look out. Link

Nate Harrison's Audio Installation: Can I Get An Amen?

Impressively on point video of Nate Harrison discussing the Amen break and using it as an example of the benefits of adaptable copyright laws. Link (found via hiphopblogs newsgroup, posted by Nicholas Tolson)

Can I Get An Amen? is an audio installation that unfolds a critical perspective of perhaps the most sampled drums beat in the history of recorded music, the Amen Break. It begins with the pop track Amen Brother by 60's soul band The Winstons, and traces the transformation of their drum solo from its original context as part of a 'B' side vinyl single into its use as a key aural ingredient in contemporary cultural expression. The work attempts to bring into scrutiny the techno-utopian notion that 'information wants to be free'- it questions its effectiveness as a democratizing agent. This as well as other issues are foregrounded through a history of the Amen Break and its peculiar relationship to current copyright law. total run time 17 minutes, 46 seconds

Interview With Dreddy Kruger (Talent Reigns Supreme)

Very interesting interview with Dreddy Kruger, courtesy of HipHopDX. Kruger goes into depth about his latest project, WuTang Meets The Indie Culture. It turns out Kruger is putting work into some things we here at GRANDGOOD appreciate greatly. The idea of recognizing talent regardless of industry stature or reputation is something we wholeheartedly support and it is one of the main reasons why we do what we do. He is also forcing cats from slightly different sub-cultures to work together. Besides helping you nod your head, the podcast we publish monthly is meant to expose artists or records that we feel represent true talent but will likely be overlooked by the masses. And the songs we choose come from a variety of regions representing many different lifestyles and styles, from West Coast double-time to midwest heavy drum instrumentals. The one constant identifying factor is a heavy hip-hop influence. A driving force behind getting Grandmaster Caz and Dj Signify to come together to produce and record our first record was to provide proof to the world that artists from seemingly different landscapes can work together to create something provocative, fun and just straight up dope. We congratulate Dreddy Kruger on the success of his project and hope his future works get as much recognition (especially that La The Darkman solo album which we've been waiting for for a few years now). Go cop the 12inch. Link

Hip-Hop Tapes

I had to help spread this post. Make sure you peep Noz's comments. Damn, this brings back some great memories. Peace to Lauren and Noz! Link to tape site

Download Fatlip Documentary By Spike Jonze!

Asita blog hooks us up with a link to this delicious documentary video of Fatlip, directed by Spike Jonze. As always, Fatlip comes off as incredibly sincere and entertaining. He goes into how his relationship deteriorated with Pharcyde, his influences (he big ups PEACE) and lots of other sh*t. Don't sleep. spikedocu.mov, delicious vinyl.com, asita blog

Video Interview with Rza

Video interview with Rza. He talks about the tribute song the clan recorded for ODB. Link

Blue Note New Releases

Blue Note records does it again, dropping two comprehensive albums. Follow the end link to get to a flash player with samples. Here's a direct link to one of my favorite Axelrod masterpieces. Link David Axelrod- The Edge: David Axelrod at Capitol Records 1966-1970 Mizell: The Mizell Brothers at Blue Note Records 1972-1976 and Beyond

The Known Rulers - Paper Chase

I love it when Juno updates it's new releases (hint: check our sidebar). Do not front on this album, originally dropped circa 1989. Follow the link to audio samples. Link

Black Pearl Books

Romance novels are not exclusively for middle-aged suburban mothers with 9-5 husbands. Plus, doesn't everyone need some light reading every now and again? For the daily, long and lonely train rides into the city, why not read about the lives of people like Destiny Smith, a young sexy diva intent on living the wildlife. Link

Sexin' a ball-player, fightin' hoochies, back stabbin', lyin' and cheatin' are all fair game in the ordinary day of Destiny. When Destiny's wild behavior catches up with her and lands her in serious trouble with the law, it's up to her brother (Chicago) to again rescue her.

KRSONE - Throwdown Feat. The Cold Crush Brothers

Throwdown is a song KRSONE did with the mighty Cold Crush Brothers for his I GOT NEXT album, but it never made it to the final pressing. It was however released as a white label. I've been looking for this 12inch on and off for about 2 years now. An Ebay search provided no hits today and a general internet search turned up about 50 pages with lyrics (as always). But for the first time I also came across a link to a feature O-DUB did for soulstrut's ISH series. Within this feature he writes about 10 or so songs he holds dear and one of them is Throwdown. He even put up an mp3 snippet. download snippet, O-Dub ish feature, labelscans description

[Cold Crush Chorus] When I say how then you say ho and if somebody say thug then you say so cuz theres hell below and you aint tryin to go so get ready for the throw down Headz catch wreck and bums get done B.D.P. Cold Crush KRSone

ELP Laser Turntable

Got all excited when I read "laser turntables." Turns out it's a deck, how are we supposed to pull back the records with that? Link

The all-analog ELP Laser Turntable plays records by using nothing more than a laser beam of light. The result is lightning fast transients, life-like harmonics, and a musical honesty that cannot be achieved with a diamond stylus. Play your favorite vinyl or old 78 RPM records as many times as you like, because you will never again worry about record wear. Perfect for record collectors, archivists, or vinyl enthusiasts.

Joe Conzo Jr. aka Joey Kane: NYTimes Article + Interactive Feature

Article goes in depth about Joey Kane's experiences as a youngster following the almighty Cold Crush Brothers, Tito Puente and other figures of his time. Also discusses his battle with drugs. Nice interactive feature presents some of his most recognizable photos. Link

An Oral History of Twin Cities Hip Hop

Peter S. Scholtes has put together a great site with images and audio representing the old school Hip Hop scene in the Twin Cities (circa '81-'96). If you have material to contribute you can email him at pscholtes@citypages.com. Link