Friday, December 4, 2009

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Thursday, November 5, 2009

SEANNIE CAMERAS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT! "NO LOVE" MUSIC VIDEO!!!



FEATURING ALL THE HEAVY-HITTER'S IN THE DISTRICT, MARYLAND, AND VIRGINIA!!! J SCRILLA, XO, ODDISEE, RA THE MC, T.E.F.L.O.N., JUDAH, AND WORDSMITH!!!

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

THE WASHINGTON POST "GOING OUT GURU'S" SECTION, PRESS ABOUT DURKL X ONE VIISIION PRODUCTIONS PHOTO SHOW!

"FotoweekDC officially starts Saturday with a flurry of events, from an all-night photo safari to an exhibit of E.U. photographers at the House of Sweden, but if you want to get a jump on the fun, check out "Lens Caps and Shoulder Straps," a locals-only show at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Included among the work from a half-dozen artists are rad skate shots by Steve Espejo, concert/DJ party photos from Boney Starks and graffiti and street images by Dafna Steinberg. The opening runs from 6 to 11 and features a photo booth where attendees can make their own art, drink specials like $5 vodka Red Bulls, and a lineup of DJs rocking drum 'n' bass and electro tunes. There's no cover charge, and the music goes all night."

NINJA ASSASSIN LEGO MAN TRAILER!!!



ORIGINAL IS BELOW...

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DIAMOND DISTRICT - GULLY!!!

GUNS N' BUTTER & REEF THE LOST CAUZE NEW PROJECT!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

DJ PREMIER, MOS DEF, BLACK THOUGHT, & EMINEM ON BET'S CYPHER!!!



Wow, each freestyle got better, and better, Em took that shit, though...*NO RACISM*

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

RIP TO A TRUE, DC RESIDENT, ENTREPRENEUR, MILESTONE! BEN ALI: DEAD @ 82


Courtesy of DCist.com

Very sad news for D.C. residents and lovers of half-smokes the world over: Ben Ali, co-founder of Washington institution Ben's Chili Bowl, passed away Wednesday night, (as City Desk also reports). He was 82.

Ali, along with his wife, Virginia, had long since handed over control of the landmark eatery to their two sons, Kamal and Nizam, but his presence there continues to loom large. The chili, half-smokes, cheese fries and shakes that have made Ben's Chili Bowl famous since it opened in 1958 are still prepared the same way today as they were when Ben and Virginia first started. Apart from its food, Ben's Chili Bowl is most famous for being the only U Street business to have survived the looting associated with the 1968 riots.

On the Ben's Chili Bowl web site today, a photo and tribute to Ben have replaced the usual restaurant announcements. It reads:

June 13, 1927-October 7,2009

The Ali Family and all of th Ben's Chili Bowl and Ben's Next Door Family

want to thank Ben Ali for leading this legacy

and allowing us to follow in his dream

We miss you and love you.

JJ BROWN DEBUT VIDEO OF "GENDER BENDER" W/ ETERNIA & MIZ METRO!!!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

CAN'T STOP, WON'T F-STOP VIDEO - OVP ON VIMBY.COM!!!!

I was blessed to be a part of a DC-based, hip hop photography exhibit recently, and was fortunate enough to get it picked up by VIMBY.COM, so the world could see our photo's, and why it is important to the DC music scene, and the rest of the world...

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

WILL EASTMAN & DJ TITTSWORTH TO OPEN U ST. MUSIC HALL!!!



D.C.'s Top DJs to Headline Their Own Club

D.C.-based DJs Jesse Tittsworth and Will Eastman have spun records and gotten audiences dancing across the globe, from divey bars to the biggest nightclubs, so you can figure they know a lot about what makes a great party spot. By early next year, they'll be starting up one of their own.

The U Street Music Hall is slated to open in early 2010 in the old Cue Bar location at 1115 U Street -- a basement-level space that can hold 250 to 300 people. Eastman says the place will have "a rock-club atmosphere with a high-end sound system. No bottle service or any of that."

"The whole place is going to be a dance floor. There will be a few booths and bar stools, but it's a dance club. It's for dancing, not sitting."

Eastman claims he never set out to open his own place -- when a friend suggested the idea few years ago, Eastman says his response was, "You're crazy. I'm a DJ. I don't know how to run a club."

But the thought stuck in his mind, especially because "there wasn't an affordable, no-frills dance club in D.C. There hasn't been a club to fill that niche since Red closed." So when he heard about an affordable space in the middle of U Street, he had to jump on it.

Eastman and Tittsworth's expertise is in rocking parties, not micromanaging them, so they're leaving most of the other details to the rest of the ownership team, which includes Eric Hilton and Farid Ali of Eighteenth Street Lounge, Marvin chef James Hilton (Eric's stepson) and Eastman's frequent partner Brian Miller.

For Eastman, it's a natural fit. "The ESL group brings experience in running nightclubs. Jesse and I bring experience DJing. Brian brings experience in design," [having designed the Gibson, Josephine and other D.C. hotspots]."

Just because Eastman has his own club, however, doesn't mean you'll find him there exclusively -- he plans to keep the electro-indie Bliss night at the Black Cat and he'd like to host more events at the 9:30 club, where the last '90s-hits-only No Scrubs party drew 1,000 people. "For what we do, we feel like there's room for this," he explains. "There's a lot that I do that doesn't fit at the Cat, [but] that's too small for the 9:30. We're going to be residents [at the new club] and DJ regularly, but we're not the only DJs. We're going to have national, international and local guests."

Other plans include spoken-word readings and DJ classes for area youth. We'll keep you posted on more details as the U Street Music Hall's opening draws near.

Via - Going Out Guru's...

Monday, September 21, 2009

12 ANGRY WOMEN @ THE SOUNDRY


The Soundry will host our first juried art show entitled “12 Angry Women”, on display from September 26th to October 24th, 2009. The Opening Reception will be held on September 26th from 8:00pm to 11:00pm!!

Here’s the gist: Artwork in the show will ...be submitted by ONLY MALE ARTISTS and the jury will be comprised of ONLY FEMALE art professionals. 12, in fact. There is no theme or restriction based on subject or medium, and entry is open to non-Soundry-members as well as artists who are not local to Northern Virginia.

EDUCATED CONSUMER'S INTERVIEW!!!


From the good people @ Pen's Eye View...

It’s good to hear from guys that are as smart as they are talented – the duo of producer T.E.C.k! and MC SeezMics have been making waves in our backyard of Washington, DC for some time now – part if the Hip-Hop gathering around here called The Food Chain Collective. Educated Consumers is an example of chemistry in its purest form, as they’ll explain, “We are both exceptional at our individual craft and adept at blending our separate skills into a cohesive body of work. Most rappers focus solely on the rap, but we incorporate other aspects of performing and recording to ensure that our art is well-rounded.”

It isn’t just talent and smarts that power T.E.C.k! and SeezMics – they’re witty as hell. Just listen to their answer about music being a career for them: “I’ve always known we have the talent and maturity to walk the tightrope of making good art and getting paid for it, but there’s so much luck involved… it’s like meeting a girl you really dig but aren’t sure if she feels the same. It’s a big leap to put yourself out there and be 100% committed without knowing if things will go your way. But we’re at the point now where we told her how we feel and have a lovely weekend in Vermont planned if she’s interested.” Awesome. And we all totally get it.

They’ve released a new LP titled “Hello Big Mama”, their latest in an impressive line of work that includes their self-titled debut, a second record called “Aisle 2”, a third one titled “Write Hear”, as well as a free EP they released last year called “The Waiting Room”. Big Mama is basically Educated Consumers at their best – sure, you should probably check out all of their work, but if you only have one choice – this is it. It mixes the old school with modern intelligence into something significant. And they’re ahead of the curve when it comes to getting “Hello Big Mama” out there by selling it exclusively via dropcards. I’ll let them explain – “They are plastic cards with a code on the back. You enter the code at educatedconsumers.com and can then download the album. Vinyl will always live, but CD’s are being Darwined out so we want to get off the island.”

Get your hands on a dropcard if you can, because the music is available. And check out the schedule – Educated Consumers don’t plan on taking many breaks in the near future. There’s a lot more to learn below, so get into the XXQ’s.

XXQs: Educated Consumers



PensEyeView.com (PEV): What goes through your heads the minute you walk onto stage?

Cole: I’m focused on executing the planned material and finding a handful of things to mention that the crowd can immediately relate to. I always get a rush of healthy nervousness before going on stage, mainly because my jokes are pretty corny and I think I saw some kid holding a tomato.

PEV: Hailing from Washington, DC, what kind of music where you both listening to growing up? When did you find the love for music?

Cole: Jason was, and still is, a 100% HipHop junkie. He began collecting records at 15 and eventually managed a record store for several years. His record collection is all encompassing in regards to genre, so his influences are very eclectic. He has an innate love for music that is enhanced by the fact that he makes it.

I grew up in the ‘burbs and swallowed whatever pill was given to me by the radio and television. It wasn’t until I got to college that I was exposed to the independent world of art. I’m a narcissistic person and my love for music is driven primarily by the fact that I make it, but I’m a super fan of artists who inspire and humble me.

PEV: A Hip-Hop duo, what do you bring to the table that others do not?

Cole: We are both exceptional at our individual craft and adept at blending our separate skills into a cohesive body of work. Most rappers focus solely on the rap, but we incorporate other aspects of performing and recording to ensure that our art is well-rounded. I used the “thesaurus” and “pretentious” functions to write this answer.

PEV: What can fans expect from a live Educated Consumers show?

Cole: We understand that there are a handful of people who don’t know all of our songs by heart, so we spruce up the live performance with subtle jokes and props. However, we reward fans who take the time to know our songs by segueing seamlessly using tangible tangents. We are very precise live and don’t lean on ridiculous vocal effects or a squadron of useless hype men. One more thing: We take requests, but only if they’re written on your breasts, no shouting “Freebird!”

PEV: Tell us about your first live performance. How have you changed since that first show to where you are now?

Cole: Wow. We weren’t bad, but we were very raw and unsophisticated. I don’t remember the specifics of where and when, but I do remember it being pretty amateurish. Eh, to be honest, it was pretty god damn terrible. I remember thinking “This rap thing isn’t going to work out, I need to focus more in school and prepare for a life of economical servitude.” Nothing has changed.

PEV: What can fans expect from your new LP "Hello Big Mama"?

Cole: If you liked our previous albums, “Hello Big Mama” will be an instant classic. If you didn’t like our previous albums, I will passive-aggressively acknowledge that everyone has the right to their opinion and I respect yours. But I don’t.

Our first record, the self-titled “Educated Consumers”, is a very traditional rap record. “Aisle 2”, our sophomore effort, is much more abstract and does not rely on the conventional structure of most HipHop albums. “Write Hear”, our third album, is an homage to the golden age of boom bap records. “The Waiting Room”, an EP we released for free (you cheap shmucks!) in October 2008, is a blend of all three of our prior approaches.

“Hello Big Mama” is almost like a “best of” album. The older songs (see “creative time” question) are absolute bangers that are still relevant and cutting edge. The newer songs are completely different in terms of structure and content, but everything fits cohesively and flows the way an album should. The songs are also very conducive to a live show, which is important since we’re touring like nobody’s business. Based on our intense listener-feedback polls, “Hello Big Mama” is also the best showcase of t.E.C.K!’s beats on one album.




PEV: How is this album different from other albums out today?

Cole: It’s good. Yeah, I said it: Everything else is sonic puke when compared to this album! We are also selling the album exclusively via dropcards. “But Cole, what are dropcards?” They are plastic cards with a code on the back. You enter the code at educatedconsumers.com and can then download the album. Vinyl will always live, but CD’s are being Darwined out so we want to get off the island. “But Cole, technology frightens me!” Meh, we may some CD’s too. But you should know that CD’s cost the artists more to manufacture and therefore provide less profit, as well as create more junk for the Earth to digest.

PEV: What is it you like so much about the Hip-Hop genre? What first drove you to it more than any other?

Cole: For the most part, HipHop heads accept different styles as long as the artist has solid fundamentals. I like that the culture demands that individuals pay respect to the collective ground rules, but also allows for originality once those ground rules have been acknowledged.


PEV: Tell us about the creative time behind the making of the album? What was it like creating this?

Cole: There was a time when we were recording several times a week, so we had a surplus of songs that didn’t fit on “Write Hear” or “The Waiting Room” for one reason or another. As a result, most of the songs on “Hello Big Mama” were recorded years ago. Initially, I worried this album would have a “thrown together at the last minute feel,” but we tightened the loose screws on a few of the songs and came up with some really dope segues to tie everything together thematically. We were also fortunate to get some great guest appearances which really tied the room together. I mean album. Sorry, I’ve watched The Big Lebowski a million times.


PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about both of you?

Cole: Well, it’s pretty well known that I am very hairy. Fun fact about Jason, he is actually hairier than me but his hair is so light you can’t really tell. Pet him some time, you’ll see.

As for me… I have a really bad temper and very little common sense. People who only know me through music say I’m always so calm and thoughtful, but I’m pretty quick to yell and I get lost while driving to places I’ve been a million times. So it goes.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you and you were determined to make it happen?

Cole: I’ve only recently started to think of music in terms of a “career,” and mainly because I’m in debt from printing up CD’s, shirts, etc. I’ve always known we have the talent and maturity to walk the tightrope of making good art and getting paid for it, but there’s so much luck involved… it’s like meeting a girl you really dig but aren’t sure if she feels the same. It’s a big leap to put yourself out there and be 100% committed without knowing if things will go your way. But we’re at the point now where we told her how we feel and have a lovely weekend in Vermont planned if she’s interested.

PEV: What one word best describes Educated Consumers?

Cole: Normalcy.

PEV: Traveling is now a large part of your life. How is life on the road for you? Best and worst parts? Any fun stories?

Cole: Pros: getting to sleep in, long drives lead to funny/insightful conversations, meeting women, seeing new cities

Cons: not getting to regularly play basketball, sleeping on dirty floors, having to masturbate quietly, getting lost

There are a ton of “you had to be there” stories on the road. You develop a pack mentality and tons of inside jokes that don’t always translate to outsiders. Like this one time, I had been in the car for hours with my homey Dez and I said, “It’s so funny it’ll make you piss out of your armpit.” We laughed for about 20 minutes, but I guess you had to be there.

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your musical careers? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

Cole: My parents are still iffy about it, and rightfully so. They spent a lot of money on my education and worry I’ll quit the cushy job I have now. However, the only show they’ve ever been to was when we opened for Atmosphere at a sold out 9:30 club which holds 1,200 people. As far as they know, every show is like that.

My dude friends do the normal dude thing and rib me about not making any money, but when it comes down to it they are very supportive. My lady friends are always supportive for which I am thankful. Hometown shows have been increasingly awesome for us because we are building a bigger and bigger audience of people we don’t personally know. There’s a great conglomerate of DC HipHop heads called The Food Chain Collective. It’s comprised of several acts from the DMV area and everyone supports each other, so we’ve benefited from being a part of it.

PEV: What can we find each of you doing in your spare time, aside from performing?

Cole: We’re both huge sports geeks, so we watch and read and eat and sleep sports. We’re both news geeks too. Jason has two cats, one of which isn’t batshit insane. I don’t have any pets so I watch a lot of movies, read a lot of books, and ask my friend Virak if he has any leftovers since he’s such a good cook.

PEV: Is there one artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?

Cole: We were fortunate enough to tour with Eyedea & Abilities in May 2008. That was an awesome experience because they’re incredible musicians and cool people. Brother Ali is a good friend and I think he’d sound great on a song with us. We’ve been fortunate enough to work with several artists we really dig to this point and I’m sure that will continue in the future.

PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
Cole: Dezmatic, Dood Computer, Cubbiebear, Head ResiNators, DJ cam-one, Food Chain Collective, Icon The Mic King, Poorly Drawn People, Lush Farm, and The Caverns to name more than a few.

PEV: If playing/writing music was not your career, what would you most likely be doing?

Cole: Hosting a sports talk show.

PEV: If we were to walk into your practice studio/space right now, what would we find?

Cole: Jason has an incredible record collection and his recording studio has all kind of cool trinkets. I’m an ardent minimalist and keep my place pretty bare. In other words, you’ll never find my porn.

PEV: So, what is next for Educated Consumers?

Cole: “Hello Big Mama” will be available September 3rd at educatedconsumers.com. “Hello Big Mama” tee-shirts and album release party tickets are available at 1vsM.com/hellobigmama. We will be touring the east coast September 3rd through the 19th to support the album, check the site for dates and locations. The album release party will be September 19th at Expo, 1928 9th Street NW DC 20001. Thanks to Sammy Popat of the UMCP Alumni Association for arranging this interview, and thank you Richie!

Friday, September 18, 2009

CANDICE NICOLE'S REVIEW OF "CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP!!!



So, I totally had to miss this great event that I sponosred :o(, because I had to accompany a client to Fashion Week that weekend. I reached out to Twitter (my BFF) lol and asked who would be interested in covering the event and @TheDMVHistorian reach out. She is a dope writer and has shown me love ever since she has started to follow me! :o) Check out her recap of the event! Enjoy!



“Salt-N-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine/hangin pictures on my wall/every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl, “(Notorious B.I.G., Juicy). Only, this past Saturday—September 12th, 2009, the images on the walls of Dahlak Restaurant & Bar, located at 1771 U Street NW Washington DC, were DMV music artists in action.

Inner Loop Records on-staff photographer and ”Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” event curator, Chapi D, called on area photographers: Overok, Seannie Cameras, Q. Ledbetter, Lady Glock, David Fahrali, LaVan Anderson and Gabi Brutus, to exhibit their shots of DMV music artists. He explained that, “With so much going on in the music scene, it would only be right to showcase the talent through a different medium.” The displayed images of DMV music artists K-Beta, XO, DJ Alizay, Ra The MC, Judah, DJ ID, Phil Ade, Lyriciss, Laelo Hood, The Paxton’s and others, express just as much about the artist’s as your favorite clip on YouTube.

Owner, Daniel Nesiseni, explained that Dahlak is named after his birthplace on the Eritrean Island, Dahlak Archipelago. So, it’s easy to expect an island-bred restaurateur to host artists that would likely rent a booth at DC Caribbean Carnival rather than artists that would likely buy a bottle at area nightclubs. Nesiseni, who has spent three satisfying yet grilling years as owner and operator of Dahlak, welcomes a variety of DMV artists to showcase their work in his establishment, simply because he enjoys their artistry.

On the Technics that evening, directing the “Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” event score, was host, Inner Loop Records’ executive and photographer, Overok. The event score consisted of soulful R&B and old school Hop-Hop. Songs that were quite reminiscent of the sounds you’d hear at a family reunion, and what a family Inner Loop Records www.innerlooprecords.com has. The kinship possessed by the entire Inner Loops Records family, matched with the love of their actual family members, serve as a model of the support system needed to develop a successful business. As Inner Loop Record’s Event Coordinator, Chris ‘ML’ Bates, explained “….there is no competition within Inner Loop Records…..only positive energy.”

All age groups and nationalities entered the comfortably lit, brown hued Dahlak, for the unveiling of the “Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” exhibit, which will be on display thru September 30th, 2009. Supporter, Jabari Magid, selected G5 Clive Stop Sign, shot by Gabrielle Brutus www.gabriellebrutus.com, as his favorite image. He explained that it was the stop war message in the picture that he connected with the most. Brutus, who has shot images of well-known DMV brands such as, Wale and Commonwealth apparel, explained she really didn’t want to take a picture of a stop sign because it is so cliché. But, when she developed the stop sign image, taken under the encouragement of emcee G5 Clive, Brutus saw it as one of the best pictures she’s ever produced with her eye, hands, soul and camera lens.

Recently signed, Inner Loop Records emcee, Lyriciss selected DJ Alizay & K-Beta, 89-09 Shoot, shot by Inner Loop Records visionary, Overok, as his favorite. In the black and white picture, both DJ Alizay and K-Beta give each other hand gestures of approval. It looks as though their saying, “This guy….no this guy. He’s the one….no he’s the one.” Which once again falls back on Chris ‘ML’ Bates statement about one of Inner Loop Record’s ethics, “….there is no completion within Inner Loop Records….only positive energy.”

It’ll take a keen eye to recognize the psychedelic gift in, Seannie Cameras’ Flex Matthews, which is a shot of emcee Flex Matthews. It’ll take an experienced photographer to understand the science behind producing such an image. Seannie Cameras’ explained how he took a 1-second exposure then he, “…flipped (inverted) the camera as the lens was open, and captured the second image of the subject.” Seannie Cameras’ creativity and knowledge of photography, is what likely enabled him to become a contributing visual designer at vimby. Log onto, www.vimby.com, to see Seannie Cameras’ quality video work of DMV brands, including XO, Marky, Stussy, Soulstice and Oddisee.

Lady Glock, who received her first camera at the age of seven and spent her youth taking photos in historic Washington DC neighborhoods, took it to the streets with Mean Mug.

The pic, which is currently being used as 93.9 WKYS @djalizay twitter default picture, is dominated by Dj Alizay’s buddy with an under bite, Phife Dawg. Lady Glock’s Mean Mug was taken on a day of a music video shoot, as was Chapi D’s Hip Hop Kids, GNB No Love Video Shoot. This may be the most historical shot on display as it features K-Beta, Lyriciss, Benji, Ra the MC, Laelohood, and XO.

“Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” was an event so well produced event that it undoubtedly left its sponsors: Clockwise Clothing, Candice Nicole PR, Fusicology, Studio 43 and I Got it For Free, feeling like that was a sponsorship well invested. I Got It For Free visionary, Byrd, expressed that, “this is something no one has done before.” So if you too, have an appreciation for DMV music artists, then it will likely be time well invested for you to stop past Dahlak and experience the artists in another realm.

…..and please don’t stop there. Be sure to Google these photographers, sponsors and music artists to see what else they have going on and how you can support this historical DMV movement. It is up to you to decide which of them will go down in the books.

-The Historian

VIA - http://candicenicoleinthecity.com/

JOHN MAYER & JAY-Z = STRAIGHT G'ZZZZZ!!!!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

PANACEA ON CURRENT.TV!!!



Damu(Y-Society), and K-Murdock of Panacea, both explain how the MPC is the backbone tool, used in their musical production repertoire..

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

OVP PRESS, IS GOOD PRESS!!!

"Sean O'Grady, of One Viision Productions, gave an informative talk about the local music scene and how he documents it though photography and videography. Also new technologies that have been created by photography and videography.


The New World That Technology Has Created
Date: Jul 16, 2009
Sean talked about how market trends are changing towards web based technologies and how they will eventually blend into all markets (i.e. phone, TV, etc.).
One way the new web based technologies could work is for example "someone is watching a video on the web. If they like the performer's shoes, they will be able to click on the performer's shoes and purchase them."

He also touched on the "New Journalism" that has been created by everyone with a camera. Now anyone can be an on the scene reporter by snapping some photos or a quick video to capture the moment."

VIA THE ROTARY CLUB WEBSITE

Thursday, September 3, 2009

CAVERNS ON 97.5 DISSONANCE RADIO PODCAST (DOWNLOAD)



Tracklist & Download...

Playlist:
...
Oxes - Boss Kitty |
Frodus - Red Bull of Juarez |
Lungfish - Cleaner Than Your Surroundings |
City of Caterpillar - Maybe They'll Gnaw Right Through |
Autechre - 6ie.cr |
Tyondai Braxton - Stand There |
Converge - Concubine |
Mogwai - Killing All the Flies |
Ink & Dagger - Lolita |
Burning Airlines - Pacific 231 |
Tortoise - Glass Museum |
Botch - Japam |
Need New Body - Hot Shot |
Dillinger Escape Plan - Clip the Apex...Accept Instruction |
McLusky - KK Kitchens, What Were You Thinking? |
The Out_Circuit - Glasgow |

Direct Download link, on this page...

http://dissonance.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=522044

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Clean ILL STREET GROOVES - J Scrilla vs Kev Brown 8.31.09!!!



On this momentious occasion the ISG crew pits famed, local producers/artists, Kev Brown [Low Budget Crew] and J Scrilla [Inner Loop Records], against one another in a friendly sound clash and interview focused around their careers and release of their respective new albums, Random Joints (Kev Brown) and Culture of Honor (J Scrilla).

Follow the link to listen to the show, and/or download it...

http://illstreetgrooves.podomatic.com/entry/2009-08-31T23_59_30-07_00

Monday, August 31, 2009

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NEW JJ BROWN/REEF THE LOST CAUZE VIDEO!!!

LIVE NATION'S FILLMORE MOVING INTO SILVER SPRING, MD

Silver Spring's Fillmore negotiations drag on, developer hoping for deal in 30 to 60 days
By: Alan Suderman
Examiner Staff Writer
August 20, 2009

A Montgomery County developer said he expects to reach a deal with the county within the next 30 to 60 days to build a long-awaited music hall in Silver Spring.

County Executive Ike Leggett announced a deal two years ago with California-based Live Nation that would bring a Fillmore Music Hall to a former J.C. Penney store site on Silver Spring's Colesville Road. The deal would preserve the historic facade of the store, which has sat empty for nearly 20 years. Leggett pushed the County Council last year to approve $4 million in funds and special land-use rule changes that were supposed to pave the way for a deal with the developer, Lee Development Group.

But the path to the deal has been long, and Lee and Leggett are still trying to hammer out a deal, with the sticking points in their debate being kept private.

"We're almost there," said Bruce Lee, head of Lee Development Group.

Lee said his company is being asked to donate a "very valuable" piece of land before it has created a plan to build up the rest of the adjacent property it owns. In return, Lee said he wants assurances that the current county's rules for development won't change when his company decides to develop the rest of its property.

"We're not asking for additional density, we're not asking for money," Lee said. "We're not asking for anything outside the box."

The county official who is Leggett's point person on the project could not be reached for comment.

The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, which supports building the Fillmore, has complained about the negotiations' lack of openness. Chairman Darian Unger said he is pleased to hear that a deal may be close, adding that his group has spent a long time waiting on "pins and needles."

Efforts to get a live music hall in Silver Spring date several years, first with the county unsuccessfully trying to get Alexandria's Birchmere Music Hall to open a second venue in Silver Spring.

County Councilman Marc Elrich, D-At Large, who voted against the zoning changes, said he and other council members were told last year that approval for the project was "critical" and "couldn't afford delay." He said it's "frustrating" not to have heard any updates on the project since.

Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg, D-At Large, said it was "troubling" that the project hadn't moved forward faster and that the County Council would have a "robust conversation" about the project if a deal isn't reached soon.

DJ TWO-TONE JONES IN THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER!!!



Credo: Lester B. Wallace III
By: Leah Fabel
Examiner Staff Writer
August 30, 2009

Lester B. Wallace III knows the power of a good education. He graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, one of the best historically black colleges in the country, before earning a master’s degree from George Washington University. But the 30-year-old also respects the pull of his passion for creating music and influencing young lives. He works with Words, Beats and Life Inc., teaching radio production skills to young people in the D.C. area. And under the pseudonym 2-Tone Jones, Wallace spins records at clubs in D.C. and New York City, hosts “Ill Street Grooves” Monday nights on 89.3 WBFW and plays every Tuesday night with Sound of the City at the U-Street Corridor’s historic Bohemian Caverns jazz club. He spoke with The Examiner about what inspires his works and his creativity.

Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?
I consider myself to be a Christian. I was raised in the Baptist church in Charlotte, N.C., and still attend there when I visit home. I wouldn’t confine myself to the Baptists now, but I believe in the core Christian values: Doing good to others, trying to be Godlike when you can. We all have our faults and vices, but there’s a higher power who forgives, especially when you make efforts to improve. I’ve maintained my faith and I pray, and have kept up my relationship with God.

Young artists often have the reputation as misguided, or as slackers. What does it take to refute that reputation and to prosper in an artistic career?

It starts with a good work ethic as a foundation. One thing I tell young folks — those who aspire to make music — is that this is something you work at. It’s not like the Matrix where you sit in a chair and someone plugs you in and then you’re there. For young people, everything looks like it comes so quickly, but it comes with work.

And then I have to make sure the business aspect of what I’m doing is taken care of — having a paper trail for everything. Before I resigned from my first job out of graduate school, I looked at how much I was making from deejaying on the side. Then I considered how much more I could make if I devoted myself to it full time. And with my degree to fall back on, I knew I’d be able to sustain myself during slow times — that was important.

When it comes around to the workweek’s end and people are ready to relax, what is the deejay’s ethic?

As a deejay, you want the energy level to go up and up and up throughout the night. And to do that, you have to make sure that everything makes sense musically and rhythmically. You can’t move from fast to slow, one after the other. You can change tempos gradually, but you have to group the music together, and master the tempo from one song to the next so that the transition seems seamless. That’s how deejays keep the energy constant. The worst thing you can ever see is people walking off of the dance floor.

There is a culture of drugs and violence often associated with urban music scenes. What is a truer characterization?

It’s a scene that thrives off of creativity. And in the past, I think there was more of that. Now, because much of hip-hop music is considered mainstream, there are recurring images that aren’t original — people put out hit records that sound a lot like other hit records, and that too often don’t relate to real problems affecting kids’ communities. When I talk to young people about hip-hop, I try to help them understand that they’re entering a culture that has been around since before they were born — a culture based on creating something out of virtually nothing, taking events from life and from the past and making them your own. Make it your own — produce something unique that no one else could produce on this Earth, because they’re not you.

At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?

I believe that people can learn to be humble and should always look for the good in other people and in all situations. If things don’t go my way, dwelling on it doesn’t help. I believe that if I keep doing what’s right, and treating people with respect, in the end I’ll get that all back.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Monday, August 24, 2009

NEW LOMOGRAPHY PHOTOSET BY OVP!






Taken around the train tracks at the Rhode Island Metro Station, in North East Washington D.C.

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

BLISSPOP! 9-YEAR ANNIVERSARY @ THE BLACK CAT!!!

J-$CRILLA FEATURED IN THE EXAMINER!!!

J-$crilla is the epitome of the obsessive, over-driven producer. To say he’s “prolific” doesn’t even begin to do justice to the work ethic this VA/DC-based DJ/producer has. Kid’s always got something going on; whether it is the myriad of mixtapes he’s produced or the beats he concocts. Since the late 90s $crilla has been out there putting in work without the benefit of any kind of major label support. His impetus is the relentless drive and passion he has for the music and the culture. He started by promoting parties and hitting up the college circuits; just putting himself out there and getting things done.

“I’m from the area known as the DMV; started off DJ-ing 14 or 15 years ago and kinda developed into a producer. The first record that I produced that went world-wide was a single I did with Elemental called “A Night in the Life of…” and it featured kids like Apathy and Celph Titled in 2001. I was known as DJ Hi-C back then; I changed my name to J-$crilla in 2003. I don’t even know why,” he says, laughing.


“In 2001 I had this party called ‘Battle of the Box’ and I had producers come and everybody flipped the same sample and battled it out live on stage. I think it was the first live beat battle ever; I know I went off the cuff, like it was brand new. I know a lot of stuff started happening at the same time, but I think I was the first one to do it. I grew into the idea of making beats and I been producing heavy since 2002 or so.”

You can’t really pin down his style or sound with just few deft descriptions; J-$crilla is the kind of producer that flows off the energy of the artist he’s working with. Some of his joints are crazy heavy (peep Guns-n-Butter uncut featuring XO and K-Beta). His nature is an easy one and is most likely the key to his ability to coax the best sounds from whomever he has in the booth.

“I think what my music encompasses is my spirit and energy. I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve really so if you listen to my music I think you’ll get a lot of the emotional type of stuff I try to put out there through my beats. It’s gotta’ be edgy, hard, soulful… anything along those lines.”

It’s why he is connected with so many different artists and styles; $crilla is one of those cats that is ingrained into all kinds of extended fam through crazy amounts of different collabos and side-projects, though his main affiliation is with his foundation team Guns-N-Butter and his label Inner Loop Records.

“Me and Chop-La-Rock started Guns-N-Butter. We put out some mixtapes hosted by Nature and Tragedy, Agallah and a bunch of other independent cats from New York. We just been getting work from a lot of underground heads from all over; people like JR Writer, Reef the Lost Cauze and most of the Jedi Mind Tricks/Army of the Pharaohs camp. We’ve also worked with a lot of kids from DC." The list of collaborations is long; names like Bloodsport, Lord Digga, NORE, Demoz, Smif N Wesson and N.A.I.L.S, just to name a few.

“In 2004 I started Inner Loop Records with my folks K-Beta and Overok. K-Beta had just gotten out of jail and we started putting out a couple of records. We let it go for a little bit but then around 2007 we resurrected it and went at it again. Now we’re one of the top labels out of the DMV. We market and brand artists, we have a roster. Pretty much what we’re going for right now is taking this ish world-wide, you know.”


The first major release coming from Innerloop is $crilla’s album Culture of Honor.

“My joint drops August 25th and it features mad underground, independent heads. All production is by me and I just got a ton of people on it; Reef, Cassidy, Oddisee, General Steele (Smif N Wessun), Slaine (La Coka Naostra), Block McCloud, JR Writer, Wordsmith, King Magnetic, Muggsy Malone, T.E.F.L.O.N., Ankh Amen Ra… just crazy amounts of really talented heads killin’ it over my beats. I got a DC posse cut on it with a bunch of DC cats doin’ it like Wordsmith, XO, Ra the MC, K-Beta, Oddisee… There’s about 35 artists on there. It’s 14 songs and I’m actually gonna be releasing it digitally, mainly, and it’s going to include 12 bonus instrumentals; so you buy the album you get 26 tracks on it. I’m also working on an album with an artist Sketch; he was featured in ‘Unsigned Hype’ and he’s got a real big buzz out here. Me and him are doing a whole album. That joint should be out by the end of the year. I got a lot of projects I’m working on and I’m always shopping beats; stuff like that.”

One of Guns-N-Butter’s most recent endeavor was done for Enemy Soil Records; the new upstart label run by Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz.

“Yeah, Reef the Lost Cauze vs. Guns-N-Butter: Fight Music. Basically me and StU Bangas got up with Reef and we nailed this album out; it was like 2 years in the making and it should be coming out soon. We dropped the single at the end of June and it was Indie Spotlight’s Track of the week on iTunes and it got a lot of good looks. We’re looking at October or November for a release date.”


Until then, keep your eyes open for "Culture of Honor" dropping August 25th.

For more informationcheck out www.myspace.com/gunsnbutter or twitter.com/J_SCRILLA_DMV

Monday, August 17, 2009

WASHINGTON DC HAS HIGHEST % RATE OF COCAINE ON CURRENCY

And Balmor is number 2, Mid-Atlantic dirty, dirty...Courtesy of http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8204857.stm

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The US capital has the highest level of banknotes that have traces of cocaine

The largest study of banknotes has found that 95% of dollar bills in Washington DC bear traces of the illegal drug cocaine.

The figure for the US capital is up 20% over two years.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth tested notes from more than 30 cities worldwide.

They say the rise observed in the US may be due to increased drug use caused by higher stress levels linked to the global economic downturn.

Bank notes can pick up traces of cocaine directly from users snorting it through rolled up bills or when cash is stacked together.

Stress factor?

Besides Washington, other big US cities such as Baltimore, Boston and Detroit had the highest average cocaine levels on their dollar bills.

Dr Yuegang Zuo, who led the research, said: "To my surprise, we're finding more and more cocaine in banknotes.

"I'm not sure why we've seen this apparent increase, but it could be related to the economic downturn, with stressed people turning to cocaine."

Other countries where notes were tested were Canada, Brazil, China and Japan.

China had the lowest rates, with only 12% of its bills contaminated.

In the US the cleanest bills were collected from Salt Lake City, home of the religious group, the Mormons.

Friday, August 14, 2009

DC SHOES COMMERCIAL, BASKETBALL?

Dope commercial, done by LA/Amsterdam based marketing team, 72 and Sunny...

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Thursday, August 13, 2009

STEVIE WONDER DRUM SOLO?!



You better fucking believe it!

THE OFF SEASON VOL. I




Tracklist

1. Soulful! “Intro”
2. Danny Brown “That’s Just The Way It Goes”
3. jben.ok x Dela “Introductions”
4. Senor Kaos x DJ Spinna “Summer Madness (ATL Remix)”
5. Che Grand “Life’s Grand” featuring Nicky
6. Spank Pops “Beautiful Noise”
7. K-Beta “Summershine” featuring Shydi
8. Akrobatik & Mr. Lif ”Beast Mode”
9. Nicole Hurst “When You’re Gone”
10. the OTHERSIDE “Ms. Cloud 9?
11. Finale “Agony” produced by nick tha 1da
12. Truthlive “80’s Baby”
13. 1.O.A.K. “The Lovecats”
14. Oddisee “We On To Something”
15. jben.ok x Knowledge “The Newest Addition”
16. Trackademicks “Nothin’ On Me”
17. Lyriciss & Pro’Verb ”What You Mad For” produced by Soulful!
18. Houston Rock Its “The Beast”
19. X.O. “All Around The World” produced by Team Demolition
20. Kay “Sloboogie” featuring Franchelle
21. Scanz “We Cool”
22. Kokayi “Prayer”
23. jben.ok x Chris “Daddy” Dave “Outro”

http://www.sendspace.com/file/e13m6z

GANG OF FOURSTAR GIRL SKATEBOARDS VIDEO TRAILER

Some of the best, most innovative, and well-shot skate films to be made, ever...Girl Skateboards...

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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

MISKA AND NINJASONIK MIXTAPE - DARTH BANO!!!


VIA MISHKA'S BLOG:

Ninjasonik has always been known – and liked – for their left of center music that falls somewhere between Digital Underground and GG Alin. First it was art school girls now it’s Mexican Star Wars. The rap-slash-indie-slash-punk-slash-electronic outfit from Brooklyn is back at it again but this time with Telli the rapper’s alter-ego Darth Baño.

This time Darth Baño is in the form of a mix in conjunction with native BK neighbors Mishka. The mix features an all-star cast of musical guests such as Spank Rock, Theophilus London, The Death Set, Blaqstarr, Hollywood Holt, Johnny Nelson, Zakee Kuduro, and many more. highlights not only the musical genius of Telli, but also the vast and highly eclectic influence of Mishka Darth Baño silences anybody who thinks Ninajsonik only knows how to write songs about tight jeans and the internet. It’s a mixtape, better yet an album, better yet a movement. Get involved.



1. Darth Baño Intro (Produced By Nine Lives The Cat)
2. It’s Ok (Produced By Kicks Like A Mule)
3. Negative Thinking (Featuring The Death Set, Hollywood Holt, Theophilus London & Cadence Weapon, Produced By Schoolboy)
4. Bars (Produced By Teenwolf)
5. Mind Tricks of The Jedi (Produced By The Blanco Brothers)
6. My Eyes (Featuring Spank Rock, Theophilus London, Melo-X & Zakee, Produced By Roofeeo & Teenwolf)
7. My Kids Can’t Eat No Fame (Produced By Zakee)
8. Tight Pants Poppin’ (Produced By Teenwolf)
9. Sip Some of This (Featuring Hollwood Holt & Johnny Nelson, Produced By Roofeeo & Teenwolf)
10. Hold the Line (Produced By Major Lazer)
11. Nofunforuglygirls Intro (Featuring Just That Dude)
12. Nofunforuglygirls (Featuring Ease Da Man)
13. Pregnant (Morsy Mix)
14. Danger (Produced By Teenwolf)
15. I Love Your Style (Featuring Maggie Horn, Produced By Teenwolf)
The Way She Gave Me Head (Featuring Blaqstarr, Produced By The Blanco Brothers)
16. The Deep End (Produced By Curses)

http://www.mediafire.com/?dmw0dzq4vez

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Monday, July 27, 2009