VIDEO: IsWhat? "Trouble"

I've been in touch w/IsWhat? via Twitter for over a year now; NapoleonSolo specifically. We send occasional messages back and forth.

Got hit up on the chat box while on Gmail the other day and he says, hey, when you get a chance, check out this vid and leaves the link. I was a bit pressed for time, but pulled up the link anyway. Good decision on my part.

I love a good song. IsWhat? provides that hands down. The track is unique in the lyrics, the style and the music. I mean, I almost can't tell that it's hip hop. Just a good slow track. I wasn't crazy about the female vocalist that eventually came in, beutshe adds another layer of what is atypical about this joint. And that's just the song.

Enter the IsWhat? "Trouble" video ... so cool. It's in black and white w/some splotches of red. There's some animation - that's what caught my attention in the beginning. Throw in a couple of cool cats for musicians to accompany the front man. NapoleonSolo is more than dapper in a nice suit and tie and locs all coiffed.

That's right, drink this in hip hoppers, but remember the saying about 'trouble' - don't start none, won't be none. kfox.

Bottom Brick's "The Groundbreaking"

I get lots of emails with asking me to review music. Actually, it's a bit flattering as well as overwhelming. There's no rhyme or reason as to why I open one email and not another. That was the case when I received an email last week about Bottom Brick.

Visit Bottom Brick's MySpace page for more info.

This is a bit of a mellowed out project and I should add that it's not a new project. The fact that it's not new is not a big deal because it's new to me and it sounds good. Add to that that they are home boys - from the buckeye state! Love that.

It's a 16 track package and it did grab my attention from the beginning with "The Stick Up". "The Stick Up's" got a bit of a throwback feel to it. Definitely not like the empty music of today's radio hits. But that's the intentional flow of indy hip hop, right?

I like that I can listen to most of this project w/o skipping tracks. "Science" and "Sixth Sense" are two songs that stood out for me. "Science" had some beats that were ear catching and a tight flow among the three members. "Sixth Sense" has that middle of the road pace w/a little edginess and a sense of urgency in the delivery.

Hip hoppers, show some support for the indy's out here. Give a little, get a little. kfox.

Where's the Hip Hop in Cleveland? v.2

I know that there some bigger cities and hotter hip hop communities, but Cleveland is doin their thing on the hip hop scene as well.

There's a bit to pick through ... cause I know you're watchin how you're spendin that cheese!

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Black Sheep~
On Friday, April 3, 2009
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~I am Hip Hop~
On Friday, April 3, 2009
@ Anatomy Lounge
1299 W. 9th Street in the Warehouse District
Doors open @ 10 p.m.
For more info, call 216.363.1113

~Rock Hall Induction Ceremony 2009~
On Saturday, April 4, 2009
@ Music Hall Cleveland
@ E. 6th & St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland
@ 7 p.m.
F/Bobby Womack, Run DMC and Little Anthony & the Imperials
For more info, call 216.781.ROCK
**as a part of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Induction Week 2009

~A Tribute to Run DMC and Old School Hip Hop~
On Saturday, April 4, 2009
@ Touch
2710 Lorain Avenue
Beginning @ 10 p.m.
F/djs Steph Floss, K-Nyce and Majette ... call 216.631.5200

~RAP PERFORMANCE w/Chip tha Ripper~
On Saturday, April 11, 2009
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~Sam Sylk Middleschool Jam~
On Sunday, April 12, 2009
@ the House of Blues
308 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland
@ 7 p.m
Tix begin @ $12.50 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE w/Diplo~
On Saturday, April 18, 2009
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE w/Dr. Dooom vs. Dr. Octagon; plus DJ Kutmasta Kurt and Muamin Collective~
On Sunday, April 19, 2009
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $13 in adv; $15 the day of the show ... call 216.241.5555

~Jazz Meets Hip Hop Part 7~
On Saturday, May 2, 2009
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Avenue
@ 10 p.m.
Tix begin @ $25 ... call 216.241.6000 or 216.383.1124
**as a part of the Tri-C JazzFest

That last event is the one to be at though I can't make it. I need yall to rep for me ... kfox

Where's the Hip Hop in Cleveland?

I know that not everyone is into hip hop. I dig that. But sometimes, I just want folks to give it a chance. Other times, I really want it to be my nicely kept little secret so that when I want tix to that show, the tix are easier to get. Also, so that when I get to the venue, I don't have to push and shove through droves of young people (i.e. my students) just to enjoy a show.

But that's just me. It's also just me to put you on to what you have been missing, actually in this case here are some events that you don't want to miss. I am personally recommending the Murs show, Atmosphere too. Oh, and Little Brother will be right up your alley. And don't you dare miss the Ohio Hip Hop Awards. I'm writing this post because all of these shows will be awesome and the price is, well, priceless. You could see 12 of these shows at the cost of one Tina Turner show ... I just thought I'd point that out.

~The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards Official Pre-Party~
On Friday, September 19, 2008
@ Metropolis Nightclub
2325 Elm Street (on the west bank of the Flats)
Doors open @ 9 p.m.
For more info, call 216.659.4780

~The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards Show - A Black Tie, Red Carpet Affair~
On Saturday, September 20, 2008
@ the Cleveland Convention Center Music Hall
1301 E. 6th Street in downtown Cleveland
Red Carpet entrance starts @ 4 p.m.; show begins exactly @ 6 p.m.
Hosted by Z107.9'S Sam Sylk ... For more info, call 216.659.4780

~The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards Official After Party~
On Saturday, September 20, 2008
@ Club Cyrus
2000 Sycamore Street (on the west bank of the Flats)
Doors open @ 9 p.m.
For more info, call 216.659.4780

~PERFORMANCE w/Everlast~
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 7 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE f/Santogold and others~
On Thursday, September 25, 2008
@ the House of Blues
308 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland
Beginning @ 7 p.m.
Tix are $19.50 ... call 216.241.5555

~PERFORMANCE w/Cappadonna~
On Friday, October 3, 2008
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 7 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

~ALBUM RELEASE PARTY f/Kev Blaze, Aubrey Cardilino, and All These Kings~
On Saturday, October 4, 2008
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 8 p.m.
Admission is $8 ... call 216.321.5588

~PERFORMANCE w/Lupe Fiasco~
On Tuesday, October 7, 2008
@ Kent State Auditorium
108 Macc in Kent
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $20 ... call 216.241.5555

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Cunninlynguists~
On Saturday, October 11, 2008
@ the Dionysus Club
135 W. Lorain Street in Oberlin
For more info, call 440.775.8471

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Little Brother~
On Friday, October 17, 2008
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 10 p.m.
Tix are $14 ... call 216.321.5588

~PERFORMANCE w/Wiz Khalifa~
On Saturday, October 18, 2008
@ Peabody's DownUnder
2083 E. 21st Street
@ 7 p.m.
Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Atmosphere: "Paint The Nation Tour"~
On Tuesday, October 21, 2008
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Road
Doors open @ 8 p.m.; showtime @ 9 p.m.
Tix are $20 ... call 216.241.5555

~HIP HOP PERFORMANCE w/Murs~
On Friday, October 24, 2008
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Road
Doors open @ 8:30 p.m.; showtime @ 9 p.m.
Tix are $12 ... call 216.241.5555

I also publish a CleveEvents, weekly events list of things going on in Clev ... check it out hip hoppers!

Ohio Hip Hop Awards :: 9.20.08

In just a few weeks, Cleveland will be a buzz w/the all that is hip hop. The annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2008. Actually, it's a weekend full of activities w/the awards ceremony as the focal point.

~The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop Awards Show - A Black Tie, Red Carpet Affair~
On Saturday, September 20, 2008
@ the Cleveland Convention Center Music Hall
1301 E. 6th Street in downtown Cleveland
Red Carpet entrance starts @ 4 p.m.; show begins exactly @ 6 p.m.
Hosted by Z107.9'S Sam Sylk ... For more info, call 216.659.4780

But here's how the weekend jumps off ... Friday, there is a MC Battle and Pre-Party @ Metropolis @ 9 p.m.

Of course there is an After Party on Saturday night. That will be @ Club Cyrus.

Here are just some of this year's categories:

• best lyricist
• best mixtape dj
• best club dj
• best battle rapper
• promoter of the year
  
• and many, many more

Actually, voting is still open in most categories. For real. And I need to cast my vote for Arnold Hines/Word of Mouth Promotions for the constant hustle he's got goin on (yeah, I know School House is all over the place, but ...).

Oh and of course there are multiple categories where you can throw your support behind dj G-Spot, Mick Boogie or even dj EV (former student of mine). They are all good peeps.

So go get ya vote on hip hoppers and mark your calendars too ... kfox.

Get Fly ...

My boy Mick Boogie put me on to these buckeye boys - Fly Union. The first track on the MySpace music player is contagious. I love their slow beats (and most folks will tell you that I don't like slow beats). "Dumb Down" is a head-nodder; it's catchy. Their lyrics are cool too; they match the rhythm of the song (i know you are saying "don't lyrics always match the rhythm of the song? And the answer is 'no') w/a nice hook. They have a slow drone in their delivery.; very cool.

And now, you gotta check them out ... right? You gotta do that hip hoppers.