Sadat X - Who's Rollin? (Remix)

Sadat X - Who's Rollin? (Remix) featuring Jael of Brother Reade (produced by Pawl) via

Bigg Jus Hard At Work

Great interview with Bigg Jus where he discusses the end of Subverse Music, his filming of Rock The Bells, the downfall of the Big Three Labels and his appearance in a Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky documentary. We also learn "...he is working on a collaboration with Shape Shifter Existereo, working on a new solo record to follow-up his airtight Poor People’s Day, working on shooting videos for the new De La Soul and (listed last just to tease the fans) working on material for the first new Company Flow record since 1997." Link

Automator Album Shelved For Years

Dan the Automator's solo album, finished years ago, will probably not be released for another few years, if ever. He's scared to release it independently and he thinks it's outdated. Link

It seems "Omakase" wound up a casualty of MCA's 2003 merger with Geffen, which cost a number of artists their record deals and ultimately led the Roots to bolt for Def Jam. "It ended up being this two-year stalemate," Nakamura says. "I delivered the record, but nothing happened, and I couldn't get off the label. Before you know it, years have passed by, and the lawyers are getting involved." Nakamura is now free of Geffen, "but the record is old to me, so I have to revamp it." He's also unsure where to take the project. "There's been a couple offers, and they're good, but I'm a little afraid of it. When I do other records independently, the financial end is much better. On the other hand, you can't get a really big record off independently."

It's A 12inch, No It's A Bowl - No It's A Vinyl Bowl?

I don't know about you but I hate it when I drop crumbs on my vinyl. Link

This bowl is molded from an original 12" vinyl record, keeping the look-and-feel (and the grooves) of the record in tact. The original record label is laminated and the center hole is sealed with a clear film.

How hip-hop destroys the potential of Black youth

Found this article at chicagodefender.com. The writer raises a lot of real issues and good points. My only major critique is he doesn't offer any positive solution and the way it is written makes it seems as though the reader should infer the only solution is the destruction of HipHop, not education or renaissance, which I think many would argue is well under way. Link

How hip-hop destroys the potential of Black youth Hip-hop has grown from its inner-city roots to appeal to a diverse and worldwide audience. It is no longer the fad some once considered it. Unfortunately, it is also having a profound negative impact on young Blacks. This aspect of hip-hop can no longer be tolerated. Hip-hop is not just a style of music. It is a culture borne of poor, inner-city life in America that has evolved into the rallying cry of those unable to negotiate the nuances of the mainstream. It now serves to glorify formerly stigmatized characteristics of the lower class, preventing the impetus for upward mobility. To start with, hip-hop lyrics involve recurring themes of braggadocio to the extent that one can only wonder if it is overcompensation for inadequacy. Beyond the music, hip-hop culture encompasses street codes of behavior and an overall defiance of social convention. It is this defiance of mainstream life that is at the root of much of the underachievement now plaguing Black youth. Hip-hop orthodoxy infers that young Blacks who emulate mainstream attitudes are exhibiting weakness. This, of course, is a cardinal sin within that culture. Black youth thus feel encouraged to eschew the important concept of deferred gratification at a life juncture most critical to future achievement. Hip-hop also promotes the accumulation of gaudy symbols of success and to get them fast. When young men prance around with their ostentatious "bling," they illustrate their worthiness to the opposite sex. Materialism becomes a means for winning sexual conquests. Yet another is cultivating one's thug factor through braided hair, baggy clothing, ghetto diction and street reputation. Not to be outdone, young Black women play a role in perpetrating hip-hop culture as well. By rewarding young men who accumulate the bling or those who live the thug life, they maintain the appeal of this destructive lifestyle. Considering this, is there is any wonder why crime has such a foothold in young inner-city life? Talented inner-city youth who should be bright enough to realize the importance of preparing themselves for the future too often can be demoralized and browbeaten into hip-hop conformity. The culture of hip hop can cause some of our best Black students to be branded with accusations that they are "acting white" or not "keeping it real." Moreover, many teens who aspire to normal jobs are subjected to ridicule since the hip-hop imperative respects only fast money, regardless of legality. Sadly, even when hip-hop devotees do take positive steps and attempt to enter the mainstream job market, they often find themselves devoid of the skills necessary for the best career paths. Because hip-hop is frequently the cultural norm for inner-city young Blacks, it is only natural for these young people to see no harm in applying for a job with unsightly cornrows, baggy clothing and using less-than-acceptable English. But what about the differences between Black and white youth consumers of hip-hop culture? Why do they seem not to be as adversely affected as Black youth? For white youth, hip-hop tends to serve as little more than a medium for rebellion, much like rock and roll was during the 1950s. Only rarely do the children of the white middle class try to take on hip-hop as a way of life. Thanks to the global reach of the American entertainment industry, it is no surprise that angry and underprivileged youth in Europe, Africa and Asia are now enthusiastically embracing hip-hop. It's important not to forget that hip-hop culture was intertwined in last year's violent rioting of Black and Arab youth in France. Recall how the rioters dressed and conducted themselves in a thug-like manner, as well as the hip hop music they blasted while torching vehicles and property. Let's face it. Hip-hop culture deadens the drive toward civility and legitimizes backwardness. It is high time the general public comes to terms with the social damage it perpetuates. If not, we can all count on yet another inner-city generation suffering from wasted potential. Jeffrey Hicks is a member of national advisory council of the Black leadership network Project 21. Comments may be sent to Project21@nationalcenter.org.

Is Hyphy For Real?

Is Hyphy a real movement or is it a gimmick?

El-P Bows To Samplin' Laws

HipHop fans can only wonder what their music would sound like in a world with more practical copyright laws. In this post, El-P talks about having to re-record some music to try to match the original samples he had selected for a song from his upcoming album, I'll Sleep When You're Dead. If you ever wondered why producers don't sample drums anymore, it's not because fruity loop drum kits are dope. Link

this is the last song on the record. being that i only pretend to be a musician, it was a pain in my ass to switch meters from 6/4 to 4/4 then back again repeatedly. the end of the song had 2 james brown samples that were the fucking shit, but i bowed to pressure and im gonna have them resung and changed up. fuckin sample laws. i swear to god when the first nuke is dropped in the middle east im immediately dropping an album that is produced with no regard for any sampling laws what so ever. every beat will have impeach the president drums, james brown screams, 16 bar philip glass loops and a verse from biggie grafted on the end of that bitch. you cant telll from the flick but this song has over 80 seperate tracks of music. for those who arent familiar, thats a pro tools file. pro tools isnt some magical cheating machine, it a digital recording and editing program.

Diamond D, M1, ESwift

I would go to this if I was in Texas. Link

RapHistory.net

Some of the good people behind Equinox Records recently launched RapHistory.net, an online database for rap records from 1979-1989. Currently in beta version, I think the idea is to make this all encompassing. They are taking submissions but wouldn't it be great if it was programmed wiki style? Link They also just released the next two 10inches in their instrumental series. Check the snippets.

Arcsin “Uprock Citizen EP” A | (01) ARCSiN „The Tomorrow People“ mp3 (02) ARCSiN „Uprock Citizen Brigade“ mp3 B | (03) ARCSiN „Epileptic Velvet ” mp3 (04) ARCSiN „Jar of mice” mp3 DJ Scientist “Journey Goodbye EP” A | (01) DjSCiENTiST „Atarius“ mp3 (02) DjSCiENTiST „Autum Leaves“ mp3 B | (03) DjSCiENTiST „Journey Goodbye” mp3 (04) DjSCiENTiST „Atarius Remix” mp3

Record Fair

A record fair/party at APT in NYC tomorrow, concentrating on 7inches. Link

Record fairs on Friday and Saturday evenings and weekend mornings are held at the worst possible times for Djs. Shakey's Record Fair is held on weekdays at night to accommodate DJ hours. The fair takes place 4 – 6 times per year at venues of various sizes. All kinds of music is represented: punk, techno, experimental, latin, club, rap, rock, house, jungle, reggae, etc.. Vendors selling music related merchandise, such as videos, handbags created out of record covers, t-shirts, etc. are also welcome. To add to the fun, the fair program includes drink specials, contests, and Dj sets from notable record collectors. "it's a record fair...no, it's a party, it's a record fair AND a party!" TO SELL AT THE FAIR: email me: shakey(at)djshakey.com or call 201-679-9736

Dan The Automator Presents NBA 2k7

Two tracks from the upcoming NBA 2k7 game soundtrack. Not sure if he produced all the tracks but he definitely compiled. (Thanks Decon!) Dan The Automator featuring Hieroglyphics - Don't Hate The Player Dan The Automator featuring Ghostface + A.G. - 2K007

Cuban HipHop: Desde El Principio (trailer)

"How did Cubans learn of Hip Hop, when all American ties were severed by the U.S. blockade? This documentary explains it all." myspace.com/CubanHipHop via

Skillz of the Trade Producer Seminar

If you have 500 beans to blow and you're an aspiring producer you might want to consider attending this seminar. I tend to be skeptical of these things but Easy Mo Bee is going to be there so who knows? ....actually, it's probably better for you to just put $500 towards a sp12 or mpc and just learn trial and error style. But just in case, it takes place in NYC Oct. 6, 7, 8. Link

Vinyl Record Day

August 12th is officially vinyl record day in San Luis Obispo County California. I guess it's the "recognized" day when Thomas Edison invented the Phonograph over 100 years ago. It is also a not-for-profit organization founded in Jan. 2003 dedicated to the "Preservation of the cultural influences, the recordings and the cover art of vinyl." They're trying to get the day recognized nationally. This weekend they're hosting the Ojai Festival which has a lineup of tribute bands. No hiphop though. www.vinylrecordday.org

Smirn*ff Jumps On Bandwagon

Smirnoff jumps on HippityHop bandwagon to promote their latest Raw Tea product. With the assistance of marketing firm PowellNY, they have put together an almost funny, SNL Lazy Sunday wannabe, viral spoof video - Tea Partay.

HipHop Museum To Exclude Gangsta Rap

Remember the HipHop museum coming to the Bronx and being funded by NYC? Well, instead of trying to present things objectively, seems like the City Council is considering proactively censoring one of the major subdivisions of the art form. This is not only a bad idea, it is just plain old poor documentation. Historians rise up please. Link previously: City Council Puts Money Where Mouth Is: $1.5M For ‘Hip-Hop Museum' in Bronx Update: Vibe reports they will include gangsta rap, they just won't glorify it.

Church Burns HipHop

I'm very torn between posting about this and ignoring it completely. Similar to the way we treat gossipy type content, there is a side of me that says we should not add to the legitimacy of such things. But god-damn it, this Church is literally burning destroying HipHop. I can't help but bring this to the attention of people so, hopefully, someone can write a little more at length as to why this is so ridiculous (hint hint Krisna, jsmooth) or at least promote discussion. Link update: here's a pic of the bulldozer

ARLINGTON - Participants at a church-sponsored conference Wednesday destroyed hundreds of CDs, rapper-designed clothing, magazines, tongue rings, posters, video games and DVDs said to be ruining the minds of children and young adults, according to a news release. Cornerstone Baptist Church officials said the influence that hip-hop music has over youth is negative. They pointed to the AggTownz fights videos and recent Dallas-area shootings connected to hip-hop music as evidence. The conference took place Wednesday at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 5415 Matlock Road.

Toca In The Studio

TOCA is rapping up the final mix down of their much anticipated full length. Check out some studio pictures including rare instruments and recording with a barber shop quartet. Link (via), previously: joyful misery, overcomin'