It's Edutainment!

Kris Parker ... The Blastmaster ... The Teacha ... half of Boogie Down Productions ... KRS-One

KRS-One is bringing his lesson plans to Cleveland. How awesome is that? Yeah, get ready to learn a little, groove a little and have a good time and only in a way that KRS can maneuver.

So, he is set to rock the Beachland Ballroom on Sunday, September 23, 2007. Is that the day before The Roots do it up at the HOB? Yes, indeed ... yes, indeed. This dynamic dosage of hip hop is fatal. Not everyone will be able to digest it ... but if you have to miss it for any official, emergency family-type business, you will not forgive yourself (or your relatives).

Doors open: 6 p.m.

Showtime: 7 p.m.

Tix are $22 in advance and $25 the day of the show (DOS)

KRS-One has often referenced hip hop as a form of edutainment: it is meant to educate as well as entertain. I'm signing up for that ...

stay true ... kfox

My Boy Mick Boogie

I think I'd like to say that I am Mick Boogie's biggest fan; actually, I am not his most vocal fan, but he knows that I look out for him ...

Mick is an incredibly talented dj. He knows how to work a crowd. His old school sets are evil; women arrive at parties all cute and sparkly and they leave nearly broke down and heaving from dancing for hours at a time ... it really is a sight to see and a good time. I usually close down a party when Mick is spinnng.

So how about Mick getting some love from someone other than me - oh, other than me and his girl. But how about LRG! That is big! In the hip hop world, endorsing product is a huge move; a power move. It means that you are a mover and a shaker. Yeah, Mick is a mover and a shaker. This is a good look for him.

Common's "Finding Forever"

I'm a little behind the eight ball on this one. Yeah, it's been on the shelves for nearly two weeks and I am just now getting around to giving it to ya. Don't be mad. And if you couldn't wait for my blessing (or curses), I ain't mad ... shoot, you should have given me a heads up, right ... ?


If you are a Common diehard, you are only reading this to see if I feel the same way that you feel. The good news, is this release came out the box @ #1 on the charts! That's good stuff for an artist who's not as mainstream as say, Kanye West (though this project was produced by West). "Finding Forever" is a nice joint. I don't know that I like it as much as I like "Be", but it's good stuff. The beats are nice; they fit his personality - kinda mellow; something you can chill out with.


And this is mainly a Common project; not like a lot of other artists who have so many guests artists that they get buried in their own projects. No, Common does his thing, but when he enlists assistance, he goes for the jungular - Will.I.Am. and DeAngelo! There's also, Bilal, Lily Allen and of course, Kanye.


The first single "The People" was a good starter to get some attention. Heck, I think he is already on the third single. I believe "The Game" was next followed by "Drivin' Me Wild". But the track that gets me is "Forever Begins" and it is similar to a track on "Be". I have not researched this yet, but the track has what seems to be the Last Poets; the same guys that were on the tracks "It's Your World, Pt." and "The Corner" on "Be". Oh, and then there is "I Want You" - I just like this one because it has a smooth vibe, not mellow because mellow to me means slow and this one is not slow, just smooth.

I could go on ... but you know the deal hip hoppper, pick up the disc and be about it! kfox

The Roots Return to the Northcoast - AGAIN!

... and I am not mad about it. Well, maybe I am a bit mad about it, since the show falls on a Monday! What is that all about ... ? I'll try to stop pouting long enough to give you the scoop:

Monday, September 24, 2007
The Roots w/MC Lyte & Big Daddy Kane

@ the House of Blues

308 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland

@ 7 p.m.

Tix begin @ $32.50 ... (Ticketmaster)

Okay, so I'm mad about the ticket prices too ... I've never paid more than, say $20 bucks for a Roots concert and frankly, I don't recall paying $20. Yeah, I know, I've had some Roots concert freebies in my past and it wouldn't hurt to cough up the extra cheese, heck, BDK-Big Daddy Kane is on the bill ... oh, and since it does not look as if I will catch the Rock the Bells Fest, this will be the best way to get my hip hop fix.

Get to coughin hip hoppers, get to coughin ... kfox

Rhymefest and DJ Jazzy Jeff

I've been trolling around the OkayPlayer webbie trying to get my hip hop news fix. They are on it, in so many ways.

The August 9th post was chalk full o' goodies. Including this gem w/Rhymefest. I thought it might be Questo-like (and it is), but if you all remember DJ Jazzy Jeff from his early rap days w/the Fresh Prince, ne Will Smith, then you'd be intrigued like me.

And Rhymefest ... he does his thing. I like his style: upbeat, fun and thoughtful. So check out the vid and let me know what you think.

And do one thing for me today ... get yo hip hop on! kfox

We Funk Radio

Several years ago I discovered We Funk Radio. It's a ultra cool and slick hip hop and rare soul radio show out of Montreal. The Canadians have this show on lock and it is quite refreshing. I often forget that We Funk Radio is a radio show because north of the border they can air profanity on the airwaves.

What's so cool about this gig? The guys know their stuff. When they pull out the rare soul it is not your mother's records. Heck no. It is your mama's, mama's records. They dust off tracks like the Honeydrippers, Fatback, Lyn Collins and then they manage to mix in the old school hip hop and not just the mainstream classics, but the b-sides as well. Finally, they add the flava of the Canadian tundra!

Oh, the show is on CKUT, a community radio station and is hosted by Professor Groove and and DJ Static.

You've got to check out the webbie. The archive is extensive with lots of options for listening. But seriously, for each and every archive (at least all the ones I've checked out) they provide track listings! Talk about paying attention to details.

Good stuff. Get funky yall ... kfox