Indy Hip Hop World

"A setback is just a setup for a comeback." --from Bebe Moore Campbell's "72 Hour Hold"

Monday, January 09, 2012

Recap :: The Roots LIVE at The Fillmore


I originally published this blog post for my Music Monday on The Radiogirl Blog.



Recap :: The Roots LIVE at The Fillmore

My return home from Cairo has been pleasant. But so far the highlight has been seeing The Roots perform at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD.

 The Roots perform at The Fillmore on Fri., Dec. 30, 2011. Taken by Kim Fox.

The Roots are my favorite band. They're a true reflection of what music is and should be. They're true musicians and know music.

They did "Proceed (1995)" and at the bridge then threw in some go-go music. It was crazy cool. The Roots guitarist Capn Kirk continues to be a beast and rocked out the scene on Friday. Of course Questlove and Black Thought, probably the most well known members of The Roots, did their thing; they strong represent their artforms - percussion and lyrics respectively. Bilal was in the house and so was Dice Raw.

Capn Kirk (standing on the drums) goes toe-to-toe w/drummer Questlove. Taken by Kim Fox. 2011.

They did some of their old joints like "You Got Me (1999)," "The Seed (2002)" (for the encore); they threw in some Kool and the Gang, some blues and some rock; they just put it down.

The Roots drummer Questlove gets the spotlight to show off a little bit. Taken by Kim Fox. 2011.

We went up for the drum stick toss from Questlove at the end of the show. I wasn't hopeful because we weren't quite close enough. You see, I've been to numerous Roots shows and I've never been fortunate enough to catch the coveted Questlove signed drum stick. However, my friend has a virtual collection of signed drum sticks from Questlove. Point is, the drum toss went quick and we both came out empty handed. But it's all good because The Roots show did not disappoint.

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Friday, December 30, 2011

Best of Hip Hop 2011



Audible Treats' Best Hip Hop Singles Of 2011
A.Dd+ - "Insomniac Dreaming" Ft. Black Milk

Of course I could write up my own 'best of hip hop of 2011' but there are so many good lists out there.  I'm such a fan of Audible Treats ... why not just share the fruits of their labor, right? Let's check out the singles list; that should keep you busy for a few days.

Audible Treats' Best Hip Hop Singles of 2011

Happy New Year hip hoppers. And thanks for a crazy, cool 2011. kfox. 

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Flosstradamus "Overnight Star"

Flosstradamus "Overnight Star"

Flosstradamus (taken from the Flosstradamus Facebook page)

Flosstradamus is a dj tag team out of Chicago.

This track highlights Twista, so you know it's movin fast. For the dancers and the gym rats, this track has exactly what you need: mega tempo!


Everyone likes a good party song, right hip hoppers. kfox.

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Monday, December 05, 2011

VIDEO: Common "Blue Sky"

VIDEO: Common "Blue Sky"

Here's another track that I discovered using the shuffler.fm app for the iPad.

Of course I gravitated to the track because it's Common: I've always like his flow ... and though I put him in the category of the conscious rapper, I'm not happy about how he sometimes disrespects woman (see "Make Her Say" by Kid Cudi).

Enough of my mini-rant ... As per usual for Common, "Blue Sky" has cool music: laidback and upbeat and you can get your dance on to this one. The hook has a female vocalist and though it's not my fav part of the song, it does add another dimension to the track.

The lyrics have a feel-good, inspirational feeling; the video has an artsy kind of vibe, you know the way that Common flows.

So go ahead hip hoppers and get some of the inspirational artsy ish, it's yours for the takin ... kfox.

VIDEO: Common "Blue Sky"

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Friday, December 02, 2011

The Roots "undun"

The Roots "undun" (2011)

It's time for another Roots project. This time amid the album hype, there's a bit of controversy: The Roots walk on song on "Jimmy Fallon" for Congresswoman and Republican Presidential Candidate Michelle Bachmann. Questlove is feeling a bit remorseful behind that guttural decision.

But they're trying to get the dust up to settle and to get us back to thinking about the new project "undun," their concept album. Thanks to The Roots and NPR, you can stream the entire album. It's only 39 minutes, but I'll take that. I think it'll only be available to stream until the project is officially released and that's on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. 

Another item in The Roots' holiday gift basket to us is an app for "undun." I haven't purchased it yet, but it seems there are some vids, interviews and other exclusive material.
Time to get "undun" hip hoppers, but don't over do it ... kfox.

The first single from "undun" is "Make My".

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Joey The Jerk's "Shut Up and Dance"

Joey The Jerk's "Shut Up and Dance"

Heard this track via the iPad app, Shuffler. 

I like a laid back track and this one is cool like that.


Is the track danceable hip hoppers? You tell me. kfox.

Friday, November 18, 2011

DOWNLOAD: Speech Debelle

Speech Debelle - "Studio Backpack Rap" (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Shuffler.fm is doing it for me. I like this iPad app; curating music from music blogs. Lots of genre's to chose from too.

It was through Shuffler.fm that I found this Speech Debelle that I'm diggin. Check out the brief article on Spech Debelle along w/the free download of "Studio Backpack Rap". And you know w/the male dominated world of hip hop, I likes to give some props to the women who put it down too.

It's all about you hip hoppers. I'm here for you. kfox.

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