Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 continues the real Hip-Hop takeover takeback of NYC.
Last nite the Wu show came to the legendary Sounds of Brazil in SoHo.
Just wait until Raekwon goes the Roots Jam Session @ the Highline Ballroom.
My stannery will finds it zenith.
Believe it. I seen it.
I used BILL’s pics in my YUSUF HAWKIN’s drop. After I learned about BILL’s story I realized that he was a true American hero. He perished in the World Trade Center collapse. Only his gear and ID cards were found at the site. Please go to BILL’s website and see some of the images that this courageous man produced.
BILL was truly dedicated to justice for humankind. The American ideal was killed on September 11th, 2001. That ideal was embodied by BILL BIGGART. May God rest his soul.
Raekwon featuring Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa – ‘Kiss The Ring’
If Hip-Hop had a victory lap then I took that joint yesterday. I finished my day job in Manhattan and then met up with Chocolate Snowflake at the Whole Foods in Chelsea. Tuesday night used to be our ‘date night’ where we would go to a movie for free thanks to her Optimum Rewards card while we smuggled food into the theatre. I had to break our date though in order to put myself in position to be part of rap music history. Raekwon’s album release party at Santos Party House was the most talked about event I can remember in a while. The vibe at the EMI rooftop listening session was so dope that you knew everybody that didn’t make the cut wanted a taste of this concert.
The scene was something that reminded me of the Tunnel in its heyday. The energy I meant to say. Back when rappers used to hang out to show love and just chill hard. And when the groupies and rap fans came out in Full Force. Speaking of Full Force, Kangol Kid was in the building too. It’s impossible to put into words what I felt being at this show and I write down my feelings as if my life depended on it. The show wasn’t just Raekwon. It wasn’t just Raekwon and Ghost either. It was Raekwon, Ghost and Cappadonna. It was the rawest elements of the Purple Tape, on stage, on the microphone. In a phrase, it was Hip-Hop.
more pix @ VillageSlum
From the Only Built For Cuban Linx show(I call the new album ‘The Deuce’ in homage to the karate movies I used to watch on 42nd Street when I was a teenager) I still had a tank full of Hip-Hop energy I needed to burn off. I checked my watch and it was just the right time that the Roots would be putting their spaceship into the upper atmosphere so I motivated over to the Highline Ballroom to take flight with the most legendary hard working. Shouts to ShamzOKP for making sure I get on the spaceship before takeoff.
The Roots change genres in the Jam Session like a street hustler switches white tees. The music went from rock to rap to jazz to reggae to almost house and then to gospel before coming back into the roots of the Roots. There is no band that can navigate any genre of music like the Roots. It isn’t simply Quest on the drums or Black Thought on the microphone. The entire band is a collection of vertiable virtuosos who band and flex but never break. Actually they do breakbeats. O-Ski Love on the bass is becoming my favorite player of recently. He is one funky white. Study the bassline on this joint. Sonn is nice with his.
The Roots featuring Chrissette Michelle and Wale – ‘Rising Up’
The thing I love about the Roots shows at the Highline Ballroom is that they have featured up and coming musical talent to complement their outstanding musicianship. Keep an eye and an ear out for DANA J. HAWKINS. Dude is affectionately called the son of ?uestlove but during this Jam Session he picked up the bassline and spelled O-Ski Love for a few. From Raekwon to the Roots crew the beat doesn’t stop. Hip-Hop is growing older and wiser and still teaching the truth to the young Black youth. The white youth too. But y’all already knew that.
If you fux any kind of way with DallasPenn.com then you already know I love to give away free stuff. Spreading love is the Brooklyn way. Today I have a pair of tickets for the NYC leg of the Mos Def ‘The Ecstatic’ tour (featuring Jay Electronica) to give to the person who can tell me the names of these Mos Def tracks and which albums they were recorded for.
Put your answer on the thread. First correct commenter in gets it how they live.
*This is a standing room show; there will be room along the beach to spread a blanket and a few picnic benches. Expect to be on your feet for the show. The performance starts promptly; I recommend arriving no less than thirty minutes prior to scheduled start time. Please bear in mind that if there is an opener on the bill, the opener will begin at the scheduled start time, not the lead act.*
The Yankees are one of America’s richest sports franchises because they can constantly market the nostalgia of baseball to their fans and followers. DEREK JETER’s pursuit of the all-time Yankees hit record has bolstered ticket sales into the billion dollar boondoggle in the Bronx. Last year they Yankees were selling off the old furniture. This year they are selling you a ticket to watch his story. I’m not buying it. Neither should you.
Not to be outdone, the Mets are selling commemorative bricks to their new monumental tombstone. Ironically, these guys hit the wall sometime in May.