Indy Hip Hop World

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

Thursday, May 29, 2008

More on the Tour Front

So if gas and a struggling economy are not clamping your wallet shut, then you are the perfect candidate to spend your loot on, not just a concert, but a concert that is well worth the cash.

I've recently blogged about some festivals, but here's a bit more:

Erykah Badu is just about done w/the U.S. leg of her tour; wrapping in Albuquerque on June 15

Kanye will be out there and the good news is that if you are not a Kanye fan, then maybe you are down w/Lupe Fiasco, N.E.R.D. or Rhianna. Not bad, and that tour includes some festival dates where you are certain to get a musical hodge podge.

Oh, and then there is RZA - it's the RZA as Bobby Digital Tour, yeah check that out if it's in your hood.

This crazy ass economy is gonna force us to make our own music and produce our own gigs - please do not let it come to that - however, if that is what you do hip hoppers, then do the damn thing! kfox

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Attention Getter ...

So the headline reads: " 'Conscious' Rap that Isn't". That's an interesting title, then there is a subtitle "Why The Roots Make Cool Art, but Lousy Politics". So now I have to read the entire article. Of course it is as long as all get out - seven pages printed (because I just could not stand to read it in its entirety on the web).

So check it out hip hoppers ... read along w/me on this one.

Oh, and I hope that the weekend is splendid for you all; get your grub on ... kfox

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Friday, May 23, 2008

It's Another Ten Friends Affair - this weekend!

So the Memorial Day Weekend really snuck up on me. Crazy. I've been road trippin like I have it like that. But this Sunday night I get to hang out w/my friends and chill.

We've got another set. This time @ Sunset Lounge. It's a nice sized venue, but parking will be a monster. And no Mick Boogie as the event dj - that could keep the real party-goer's away. But, lucky for us Mick is not spinning in Clev this weekend (I think he's in Columbus or some other happenin spot).

But the Ten Friends sets are always cool. Lots of good people and delicious cocktails and a couple of old school sets and no riff raff and no line dancin - just a straight up good time.

If you get a chance to catch one up close and personal, you'll know how to party the proper way - for real. kfox.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Miss Rap Supreme

Has anyone else watched this show on VH-1? Ego Trips Miss Rap Supreme? I don't watch it regularly and I can't say that I've watched an entire show, but I have definitely seen the end of the show when someone is eliminated and they have to leave the house. That is hilarious - the unique ways they tell the women to "step off". Classic.

Now, don't ask me about the level of talent on the show. But I love it when a female emcee can spit rhymes like the best in the bunch. Unfortunately, we have not really been blessed w/a dearth of quality female emcees. Usually they last for one single, maybe two then ... gone.

Oh, but I do like M.C. Serch and Yo-Yo as hosts of the show.

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Friday, May 16, 2008

What's New on the Musical Horizon?

I know what you're thinking ... if you want to know what's new on the musical horizon, you come to me especially if it's in the indie world of hip hop. Which is cool, but there are other genre's of music out there and good music too.

So I want to put you down with one resource that gives it to you consistently and covers all types of music. That place is Okayplayer Reviews. They will expose you to some music, for real. Besides that, you can add your two cents - and I now you have two cents to put in.

So get down w/it hip hoppers ... there's a musical world waiting to be explored. kfox

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

I'm not the only one "Strugglin" ...

A few weeks ago, I received an email promising to connect me to some indie hip hop artists w/some quality product. So I jumped on board because I'm not one to turn down too many freebies.

Well, the emails have been coming, but I have been buried under other obligations. Finally, though, I took a minute to open up an email because I needed to post on this here blog. Yeah, the pressure was on to post about something other than The Roots.

I've heard of K'naan, but I'm not so sure I've heard his music. "Strugglin" is right up my alley - laid back, great hook, smooth delivery, mellow beats. All that and more.

You can peep the mp3 and check it for yourself ... be cool hip hoppers, kfox.

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Google Software Test - Estelle Vid

So Google has this PowerPoint-like software program where you can create a presentation. You can add video and images, but I did not see where you can add audio.

Anyway, here is the test:

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Sunday, May 04, 2008

My Old School Favs

I've been playing around more on Imeem. I did not know that I could build a playlist - duh ... I've only built one and I keep listening to it over and over again (just like back in the day, when my brother and I would wear out a vinyl record on the turntable).

Check it out. If you don't want to sign up for Imeem, just scroll through and check out the list.

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Friday, May 02, 2008

The Rage that is "Rising Down"

I have spent a good portion of my day surfin the web looking for Roots related vids and other assorted audio treats.

My fav band are pimping themselves out all in the name of good music.
?uestlove sent out an blog posting w/a link to a freebie download of the group's Sirius performance - and what kind of fan would I be if I did not share the love ... ? Cool.

But all the rage is really over at Okayplayer - where they have made some creative changes to the design that I had gotten so used to, but it is all good. The blogs are hot, the discussion is feverish and the energy is apparent. You all need to go and get somma that!

Oh, and I found this interview link there too. As I recall, the interview w/?uesto is about 12-15 minutes, but time well spent - if you like The Roots.

And here is a vid of Black Thought on BET's Rap City. Yeah, his abilities are obvious.

I have not forgotten about my comments on "Rising Down". Briefly, it is stellar. The beats are jumping out at me; love that. I mean, they are indeed a band. But as a result, of the hyper-sensitive beats, I find it hard to concentrate on the lyrics. The guests on the disk bring a lot of flavor and style and a different dimension.

There's a lot to go around hip hoppers, so what are you sharing w/me ... ? ;-) kfox

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Thursday, May 01, 2008

The Roots on David Letterman


Well, how about I missed this one - where the heck was my Roots radar? I've thought way too hard about what I was doing to miss this show ... The Roots were on The David Letterman Show on Monday. Thank goodness for video sharing sites because the performance is crazily awesome!

They performed "Rising Up" f/Chrisette Michele and Wale. How many folks are workin that gig? I think they said there were four percussionists, a tuba player, a singer, two rappers/lyricists and a bevy of others making magic happen - and in 3 and a half minutes no less ... love that.

I've got my hand on "Rising Down" - super delicious to consume; and more on that later.

This hip hopper is off to sleep for a half dozen hours.

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