Revolver USA And Other Distributors Sign Digi Distribution Deal with IODA

Three popular indie distributors, Revolver USA, Shellshock UK and Bayside Entertainment, have all just announced a deal with IODA that will greatly facilitate digital distribution for many independent labels. Link

IODA -- the Independent Online Distribution Alliance -- today announced it has signed deals with three large independent CD and vinyl distributors to use its D3 (Digital Distribution Dashboard) platform. Revolver USA, UK-based Shellshock, and Bayside Entertainment Distribution will use D3 to manage their labels' digital music distribution to IODA's network of over 150 retail outlets worldwide. The announcement was made today from the 40th Annual MIDEM 2006 conference in Cannes, France by IODA founder and CEO Kevin Arnold.

Last Music Video From Alkaholic's ?

Supposedly this is their last album as a group. I was a fan. Peep the video for the single Flute Song (big up to cornerstone). After that peep some classic material from 21 & Over and Likwidation. [audio taken down 03.22.06]

Deckard "Noir Desire EP"

Snippets from second 10inch in series being released by Equinox. Respect due to Attila Makai. Visit Equinox for details.

Henry Chalfant's and City Lore's Mambo To Hip-Hop

After a few months of waiting, this past Friday the 13th at the Lincoln Film Center's dignified Walter Reade Theatre, we were finally given the opportunity to see this wonderful documentary. Mambo To Hip-Hop is an excellent hour long film exploring the major sub-cultures of twentieth century South Bronx that eventually gave rise to some of the most passionate music and dance in the entire world. It not only gives a glimpse of the striking scenery in the early days of that historic barrio but it also provides an informative lesson on the social issues that were prevelant at the time and that gave rise to a form of self-healing through self-expression. The rare archival footage and commentary from renowned artists are reason enough to seek out a showing. Do yourself a favor and go see this essential film when it becomes available. According to the director, a distribtuion deal has already been inked. Like Crazy Legs said at the premiere, it expresses what so many trailblazers have been trying to say for so many years. citylore, trailer previously Film Screening: Henry Chalfant's Mambo To Hip Hop, Mambo To Hip Hop Film Screening

Rafi Kam Points Out The Manipulation Of Our Instincts: Sex Sells

Stumbled across an excellent short piece written by Rafi Kam. In it he discusses an interview with Dj Chela that made the blog rounds a few weeks ago. The interview was linked by many sites, possibly as a starting point for a discussion but probably just because it appeared to be thoughtful (or was at least thought provoking). Anyway, Rafi does an excellent job at pointing out something that a lot of marketing professors will gladly throw in your face, sex sells. And it doesn't just sell music, it sells almost everything. What was more interesting to me however was another point Rafi comments on, the idea that there is a strong demand for discussion of complex issues in the hip-hop community. Link

On The Way To Work by System D128 And Dextah

Sample video from upcoming DVD titled Relentless Disillusion. Video by System D128, music by Dextah. Click here for some more music videos, including work for MF Doom and Bigg Jus. (via dextah forum)

Basquiats On My Feet

Reebok's I Am What I Am campaign is still going strong. Basquiat's work finds its way from city streets to, literally, city streets. Link, image (via differentkitchen) previously 50cent, HipPop & Marketing: Trying to make sense of it all

Noz should review rap records for a living. Or is that what he does? Link

Danger Doom - The Mouse & The Mask (Epitaph) Backpacksploitation at it's all time worst. What happens when a very talented yet lazy and gimmicky rapper and a marginally talented gimmicky producer get together for a gimmick album sponsored by and littered with product placement from a Ted Turner company? Isn't this the type of thing that holier than thou underground heads are supposed to be mad about? You guys are falling off. It's got fucking cartoon characters rapping on it. You might as well cop Simpson's Sing The Blues or MC Skat Kat.

Urban Murals

article via visual resistance

Daddy Kev In Latest Issue Of LaRecord Mag

First non work-safe post comes courtesy of LaRecord mag and Daddy Kev. Find Issue No. 21 and peep the interview. larecord.org, myspace.com/larecord

Harbor City madman Daddy Kev came into music as an intern for Urb during high school and began producing beats with an Akai sampler and some ideas for 8-bar loops. Now he runs Alpha Pup records (between Myspace requests to DJ house parties) and has produced tracks for everyone from Sage Francis and Shapeshifters to his own Alpha Pup alums like Awol One and Busdriver. He speaks while watching a mugging in downtown Los Angeles

Ralph McDaniel's The Bridge on NYCTV

Caught Episode 3 of Ralph McDaniel's new music video show, The Bridge, last night. Wish I would have found out about this sooner. The segment was titled "Classic Storytellers" and it featured a lot of rare videos, all in great quality and with informative pop ups like that vh1 show. My personal favorite was Fearless Four's Problems Of The World Today, I never knew there was a video for that song. The show premiered on December 24th and plays every Saturday at 11pm. I'm looking forward to the next nine episodes. And although I make it sound like it's Ralph McDaniel's show, I don't really know the depth of his involvement. But it's good to see him on tv introducing videos again, especially with the formal support of New York City. Link to NYCTV site [Show your support and maybe they'll film another season! email: thebridge@doitt.nyc.gov] update 1/10/06: Paul Barman (MC Paul Barman?) interviews Ralph McDaniels for the Village Voice and points us to the nyctv stream for non-new yorkers

D-Nice's True Hip-Hop Stories

Alright, so we all know Chris Lighty started blogging. But when did D-Nice decide to supplement his main blog with a video series called True Hip-Hop Stories? The first episode is up here. And if you're really interested he made the decision some time around December 13th. If you don't visit his site regularly you are missing something great. His writings are sincere and his photographs capture moments with style. Link, previously d-nice polaroids