Fat Beats Announces Closing Of New York And Los Angeles Retail Stores
After 16 years, Fat Beats has announced the closing of the legendary label’s two remaining retail locations in New York and Los Angeles. Fat Beats will celebrate the legacies of the stores, which are scheduled to close in early September (New York: September 4th, Los Angeles: September 18th) by throwing a series of blow-out sales and tribute parties open to the public during their last weeks. Fans can check www.FatBeats.com for updates.
Fat Beats’ longest running and most famed location is at 406 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. Since the 1994 opening of Fat Beats’ flagship retail location, hip-hop fans have traveled far and wide to visit the iconic store. With locations soon following in Los Angeles (7600 Melrose Ave.), Atlanta, Amsterdam, and Tokyo, the record stores were a place to experience hip-hop culture and its legacy, which became a global phenomenon. “The closing of Fat Beats is just like one of my friends passing away. They promoted vinyl at its highest degree for the culture of good music and that makes it more difficult to say goodbye,” says DJ Premier.
The announcement of the closings is a reflection of the woes that have been plaguing the industry for years. Global chain HMV closed their last US location in 2004. Tower Records shuttered in 2006. Last year saw the close of the last Virgin Megastore, and the story is no different in 2010. For Fat Beats, maintaining two stores well into 2010 is a testament to the stores’ importance to the music and to fans and consumers continuing to support independent hip-hop.
While news of the stores’ closing marks the end of an era, the future is not doom and gloom. Digital sales continue to increase industry-wide; for Fat Beats, currently operating a profitable and growing online retail store, this has provided a boon to business as fans continue to order mp3s, vinyl, and CDs from FatBeats.com. Although digital sales continue to grow, executives at Fat Beats understand the importance of independent retail stores and are planning to re-open a brick and mortar hip-hop lifestyle location sometime in the near future.
The future looks just as bright for Fat Beats Distribution and the label. Fat Beats Distribution, which has been renamed FB Distribution, continues to strike noteworthy distribution deals with independent and major labels worldwide and is now working with different genres of alternative music. Fat Beats Records will continue to release notable albums from their own impressive roster of artists including ILL BILL, TruMaster/KRS-One, Black Milk, Trinity, Sha Stimuli, Q-Unique, and more. Fat Beats owner and President Joe Abajian says, “This is the start of a new era for Fat Beats. We’re adapting to meet the needs of our demographic by revamping and improving our existing systems. While our website, which stocks everything available in our retail stores, continues to do very well, we’re still exploring our options for alternate retail locations in the future. We’re proud of our legacy and will continue to re-invent ourselves. For now, we’ll see you online at FatBeats.com”
Links:
FatBeats.com
Engine-EarZ Experiment – Kaliyuga (live – BBC )
This has gotta be one of the dopest live dubstep act we’ve seen. Someone put me up on this tonight.
The “Golden Age of Jazz” – William P Gottlieb
Here is a small taste of a series of over 200 images by photographer William P. Gottlieb documenting the jazz scene in New York City and Washington, D.C., from 1938 to 1948, a time recognized by many as the “Golden Age of Jazz”.
Gottlieb was both a notable jazz journalist and a self-taught photographer who captured the personalities of jazz musicians and told their stories with his camera and typewriter. His portraits depict such prominent musicians and personalities as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more.
Portrait of Dizzy Gillespie, John Lewis, Cecil Payne, Miles Davis, and Ray Brown, Downbeat, New York, N.Y., between 1946 and 1948
Portrait of Billie Holiday, Downbeat, New York, N.Y., ca. Feb. 1947
Portrait of Thelonious Monk, Minton's Playhouse, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947
Portrait of Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Lou Williams, Tadd Dameron, Hank Jones, Milt Orent, Dixie Bailey, and Jack Teagarden, Mary Lou Williams' apartment, New York, N.Y., ca. Aug. 1947
Portrait of Howard McGhee and Miles Davis, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947
Link:
Gottlieb Jazz Photos
Heavy Rotation Vol. 3 “Re-Cycled”
This is one for the real hip-hop heads, you’re going to want have this. DJ JS-1 (Rock Steady Crew) & DJ Skizz (The Halftime Radio Show) just dropped “Re-Cycled”: Heavy Rotation Vol. 3. This free mixtape is a full mix of remixes. Most of these remixes are rare, uncommon, or unplayed out. Lots of good music, classic tracks, some rare hip-hop.
Most of these tracks are from the 90′s era. This mix features remixes of over fifty tracks including artists such as Organized Konfusion, Gangstarr, Tribe Called Quest, Alkaholiks, Method Man, EPMD, Rakim, MC Breed, Das EFX, Mobb Deep, and lots more.
This is the third volume of Heavy Rotation. Make sure to download it. Check out www.djjs1.blogspot.com for more free downloads and updates.
Download Heavy Rotation Vol. 3 “Re-Cycled” Here For FREE!
Danny the Wildchild – Special 1995 Old-school Set
Legendary Chicago-based junglist Danny the Wildchild just posted this classic mix for the heads out there. This special 1995 old-school set was Recorded live at Smart Bar in Chicago on April 8th 2010 for Murda In America’s Big Bass Thursdays. If you’re not familiar, Danny the Wildchild is globally recognized for his hip-hop and DMC influenced technique and approach to Drum n Bass. Share it, bump it.
Danny the wildchild 1995 set recorded live in Chicago on 4-8-10 by Danny The Wildchild
Bob Marley feat. Guru ~ Johnny Was (Remix)
Bob Marley ft. Guru - Johnny Was (Remix)
7 Grand Records once again pays homage to one of the greatest emcees who ever graced the game, GURU. This time around, you have the chance to listen to an outstanding and very rare remix from GURU and Bob Marley .
In 1999, GURU was asked to record a remix to Marley’s hit song “Johnny Was”, which was originally released in 1976 on Marley’s album “Rastaman Vibration”. GURU’s version was featured on “Chant Down Babylon” (1999), a full remix album by various Hip-Hop and Rock artists covering songs by Bob Marley & The Wailers.
“GURU was asked by the younger Marleys to record the remix song for ‘Johnny Was’ from their legendary father, Bob Marley, in 1999. GURU had never done anything of that sort in his career but he had tremendous respect for Bob Marley as a historic Black man,” 7 Grand Records reminds.
“GURU felt honored to be involved in the project so GURU flew to Kingston, Jamaica and met the Marley family at their compound in the city. After greeting and engaging in traditional rituals, everyone was well inspired. GURU recorded his part for ‘Johnny Was’ and felt it was a high point of his career and one of his most favorite works.”
Almost 10 years later, in 2007, GURU linked up with Damien Marley, Bob Marley’s son, also an aspiring and extremely talented musician. Both collaborated on the song “Stand Up”, which was featured on GURU’s “Jazzmatazz Vol. 4″ (2007) project
“GURU came back to Jamaica in 2006 to record a collabo with Damien Marley titled ‘Stand Up’ for the ‘Jazzmatazz Vol. 4′ album. When we gave Damien the
track, we were not sure what his response would be but he killed it. GURU was blown away at the skills of Damien on the vocals he delivered and the rest is history. GURU has often said that it was a blessing to work with the Marley family.”
Links:
Prince Paul ~ Unreleased and Limited Release Material
Starting today legendary producer and DJ Prince Paul is launching a small campaign of free downloads of unreleased and limited release material.
“Why let it go to waste .The first release will be a Demo of Horror City 1995 . Its one of the few projects that I thought was really great but didnt get signed. So this Tues the 22nd I will post the link on here and twitter so please share. Peace to the guys in Horror city for all of their help and talents. P”
Here’s a link to download the first drop, Demo of Horror City 1995:
http://www.mediafire.com/?5dxiwwmznin
Tracklisting:
1. War Party Intro
2. Play It Close
3. Pain
4. You Got Flow?
5 Take It How You Want It
6. Big Sha
7. Tattles Tale
8 Horror City Terrorists (Freestyle)
9. MC Hustler (Original)
10. Headbounty
11. War Party Intro
A Letter from WUTANG
We received some more good news from the Wu camp: this letter from the guys which describes their upcoming album, Pollen: The Swarm Part Three, that’s due June 22nd from Wu Music Group. Here it is, in their words, unedited and raw, just the way they like it:
Read the Letter Below:
In the uncertainty of the new age industry and wake of new media one thing is for sure and that being there’s never a shortage of WUTANG WANNA BEEZ, imposters, opportunists, posers and fakes rushing in to imitate, cash in and lay claim to the “WUTANG” name. WARNING: don’t be fooled or duped! There is only one WUTANG CLAN AND BRAND. With the surge of official authentically branded Wutang products, projects and a wave of critically acclaimed album releases in the last year such as Raekwon’s Only Built for Cuban Links franchise and the follow up of “Wu Massacre ” featuring the Wutang Clan’s Method Man , Raekwon and Ghostface, The Wu Music Group in following and furthering WUTANG tradition in its truest and purest form will release the 3rd installment of the official swarm franchise dubbed POLLEN: THE SWARM PART 3 due this SUMMER JUNE 22, 2010. Why Pollen? Because it’s WUTANG authentic! Word to Shaolin!! This installment is complete with new songs from the RZA as Bobby Digital, MEF MAN himself Johnny Blazing a track with the GZA, GHOSTFACE “Smooth Sailing” on the remix featuring Trife and Solomon Childs, and unlocked from the Wutang vault, the late great ODB with a fresh splash from his son and new comer BOY JONES on “Dirt’s the Boogie”. The SWARM represents the Wutang Killer Beez on the move. The first album in the trilogy introduced fans to other emcees in the Wu empire from east to west coast and across the seas. In true killer bee fashion, this album wouldn’t be complete with out new music from the Killer Beez themselves 12 o’clock, Prodigal Sun, Killer Priest, Street Life, Remedy, JoJo Pelligrino, the Rev Burke, and others. This is history once again in the making with the Wutang massive disciples and its affiliates aligning to swarm, bringing the ruckus and creating a frenzy to massacre the masses across the globe. This album will effectively pollinate and enter your senses and is guaranteed to inspire and buzz the ears of any true Wu fan looking for that real WUTANG indulgence and experience without
leaving out the this generation’s expressions of hip hop and those still to come. At press time the RZA of the Clan says “Wutang is forever and we will continue to shine light and spread music to the world.” The Swarm executive producer Power adds”As for anyone and anything else you may need to refer back to the WUTANG’S first suggestion which is to certainly ‘PROTECT YA NECK “. Wutang Killers Bees and Yellow Jackets are on the Swarm part 3 and in full effect!!
-Authored by OG.
Listen to teaser of never before released track by the late O.D.B. & Y.D.B. Boy
Jones, “Dirts The Boogie”:
Tracklist:
01 ROLL WITH KILLER BEES – YELLOW JACKETS
02 HEADLINE – ARMEL, 12 OCLOCK, P SUNN, REV BURKS
03 ASSED OUT – WUTANG CLAN
04 DIRTS THE BOOGIE – O.D.B & Y.D.B. BOY JONES
05 YOU MUST BE DREAMING – BOBBY DIGITAL, KINETIC
06 M.E.F. – JOHNNY BLAZE
07 SMOOTH SAILING – GHOSTFACE, TRIFE, SOLOMON CHILDS
08 GET IT STARTED – KING JUST, NATE, Y.C.
09 FACED DOWN – STREETLIFE
10 THE TESTIMONY – REMEDY & KILLER PRIEST
11 ACTION – SOLOMON CHILDS
12 NO GAME AROUND HERE – KILLER BEES
13 INTO YOU – REV BURKE & RUGGED MONK
14 TRANSPORTING – REMEDY & JO JO PELLIGRINO
15 FLIGHT OF THE KILLER BEES – PRODIGAL SON & REV BURKS
For More Information:
http://wumusicgroup.com
DJ Spooky & Chuck D’s “By the Time I Get to Arizona”
“By The Time I Get To Arizona” DJ Spooky & Chuck D Remix”
Update from DJ Spooky:
In the wake of Republican Governor Jan Brewer’s appalling anti-immigrant law, me and Chuck D were rappin’ and we decided to put together an update of his classic track By The Time I get To Arizona. Anyone who knows about hip hop from the early 90′s remembers John McCain’s unwillingness to endorse creating a local version of Martin Luther King’s birthday. The update here is a 21st century look in the rear view mirror. The cliché that “those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it” still holds sway in our hyper amnesiac culture. I remixed D.W. Griffith’s infamous film Birth of a Nation with a bit of Public Enemy in mind, and later on, they named an e.p. with the same name as my project. Me and Chuck D have done several projects in the past around progressive, non knucklehead hip hop.
Please feel free to download this track and pass it around. We are the media. Feel free to pass it around!
By the way, this is a mashup, and it’s basically not really for sale. I just took a riff from Philly Sound (www.funkadelphiarecords.com), and flipped it. The result, is what you hear here. It’s free, and open. No $!!
in peace,
Paul aka DJ Spooky
DOWNLOAD:
Click Here To Download ~ DJ Spooky & Chuck D’s Remix “By The Time I Get To Arizona”
Links:
http://www.djspooky.com
?uestlove’s Record Collection
This was a classic personal moment with ?uestlove and his sister talking about his record collection. This may not be new but it’s still interesting to almost any music fan.
Just Blaze & Alchemist announce “Soundclash” Europe
New York based Clockwork Music and Paris based CO2 Activity have teamed up to bring an extraordinary event to Europe. Just Blaze and Alchemist, two multi-platinum producers, have announced the “Soundclash Tour.” these two legendary producers are putting it down on the decks as they play off each other in a display of skills and selection in true sound clash style. If you’re not familiar with the term, Sound Clash’s are musical competitions where members from reggae sound systems or crews compete for the crowd’s reaction in a battle of sound and skill.
Just Blaze is one of the most creative forces in the game. Having cut his teeth in the late 90’s creating underground bangers for the likes of Buckshot, his distinctive sound soon caught the ear of the major players in the game and he soon had beats featured on albums from the likes of Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Big Pun & Jadakiss. However, it was as an in-house producer for Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records imprint where he initially became a household name, producing instant classics for Kanye West, Cam’ron, Freeway, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel; and of course the main man himself, Jay-Z, who has featured Just Blaze’s epic production on six of his last seven albums–all of which have gone platinum!
The Alchemist, as the name would suggest, has a knack of turning things into gold, in his case samples and loops. Having got his start in the production game under the tutelage of two of the biggest names in the game (DJ Premier and DJ Muggs), this California native has made a name for himself for his trademark rough Boom Bap style hits. Through his work on albums for underground favorites Dilated Peoples & Defari he came to the attention of Mobb Deep who chose to feature his beats on their classic Murda Muzik LP; and he has has not looked back since.
With a resume that now reads like a who’s who of Hip-Hop’s elite; including work with Nas, Ghostface, Lil-Wayne, Emimem (The Alchemist serves as his tour DJ), Big Pun, Fat Joe & Raekwon to just name a few. Just Blaze and Alchemist’s “Soundclash Tour” promises to be a legendary performance from two of the most respected names in Hip-Hop history; its also one that needs to be both seen and heard to be believed.
TOUR DATES
May 6 London, United Kingdom / East Village
May 7 Bordeaux, France / BT59
May 8 Nantes, France / Jongl’Hop
May 9 Amsterdam, Netherlands / Bitterzoet
May 11 London, United Kingdom / East Village
May 12 Zurich, Switzerland / Rote Fabrik
May 13 Milan, Italy / Tunnel
May 14 Paris, France w/ DJ Premier / Elysee Montmartre
May 15 Marseille, France / Cabaret Aleatoire
May 16 Helsinki, Finland / Virgin Oil Co.
Links:
R.I.P. GURU ~ You WIll be Missed
If you haven’t read the headlines we’ve lost Guru, co-founder of Gangstarr, another part of hip-hop’s rich cultural history to cancer. We recommend you to Google it and read the letter he supposedly wrote on his death bed. Below is a quoted announcement Solar made to the public and a few videos. R.I.P
“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius. For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can’t tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter [read above] while he was in the hospital for the fans. I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place! Guru is a great Black American Hero and should always be remembered as such and he is much more that just a Hip-Hop icon — he has changed the world for the better. I salute my fallen brother Guru! He will be missed tremendously!” Solar stated.
GURU PRESENTS “THE TIMEBOMB: BACK TO THE FUTURE” MIXTAPE
Legendary MC and GangStarr founder, Guru, presents his critically acclaimed Jazzmatazz project “The Timebomb: Back To The Future” to his worldwide fans for free download — limited time only.
The “The Timebomb: Back To The Future” mixtape exemplifies Guru’s ability to bring together Jazz legends such as Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd, Ramsey Lewis, and Roy Ayers, with female vocalists like Dionne Farris, N’Dea Davenport, Carleen Anderson and Chaka Khan, to contribute outstanding work to his extraordinaire mash-up of Jazz and Hip-Hop. Producer Solar added his own twist to the unique sound and produced the entire project.
TRACKLISTING:
1. Don Gurizzy 1:46
2. Knowledge ft. Lord Tariq 1:37
3. 7 Grand Y’all ft. Solar 2:31
4. For Ya Mind ft. Zion I 2:16
5. Peace ft. K-Born, Highpower & Solar 3:26
6. State Of Clarity ft. Common 1:52
7. Who Got It On Lock 2:04
8. B-Boy Kamikaze ft. Tony Touch 2:03
9. Too Slick ft. Yungun 2:07
10. So What It Do Now ft. Aceyalone 3:40
11. We Got That 2:41
12. Jazzy Wayz 3:00
13. Stand Up ft. Damien Marley 3:03
14. Hot Like That ft. Medinah 1:57
15. No Need For Stress ft. Mr. Lif 2:39
16. Back To The Future ft. Caron Wheeler & C. Knowledge 2:55
17. Assasino ft. Young Pablo 1:31
18. The Game Needs Me ft. Blue Scholars & Common Market 4:03
19. Feed The Hungry 1:19
20. Can’t Stop Th Movement ft. Ms. Camille 2:31
WEBSITES
www.twitter.com/gurugangstarr
www.myspace.com/gangstarr
Brother Ali & Fashawn Interview ~ Part 1
We recently caught up with Fashawn and Brother Ali as they were kicking off their current tour with BK-ONE. Fashawn was getting ready to meet up with everybody for rehearsals and by the time we caught Brother Ali they had just hit the road. All three of which are touring in support of new albums. Minneapolis-based mc Brother Ali’s latest album is called, US. Fashawn’s is Boy Meets world. And BK-ONE’s is Radio do Canibal. We didn’t get a chance to talk to BK-ONE even though we would of loved to. Make sure to check out both interviews related to this piece. If you see them coming through your city, come out and enjoy the show.
La Famiglia – What’s different from this current tour from past tours that you’ve done in support of this album or other projects?
Brother Ali – We’ve already done something in the area of 70 shows supporting this new album. So, we’re rolling out again. These are all markets that we just haven’t played. Most of them are smaller towns. Most of them we haven’t played in a long time. Some of them we’ve never played before. This tour is about checking in with places we don’t come to enough and trying to find some new regular tour stops that we can add to our normal fall and spring tour.
La Famiglia – What from these dates in support of this album that has maybe surprised you or touched you in new ways?
Brother Ali – There’s not much that really don’t expect. But I really enjoy the connection I have with the people that listen to our music. The music I write is really personal. It’s my life. To perform the songs and have the people that have been living with this music too, it’s really good. It’s a powerful thing.
La Famiglia – What do you want people to walk away from your live show?
Brother Ali – I think most people say that I really embrace and celebrate who I am. I think that people come awayfrom the show feeling the same thing. Feeling good about who they are.
La Famiglia – What were some of your early influences in live performances that have helped mold your stage presence?
Brother Ali – In terms of live performance, it was KRS-1. I really patterned myself off of him. Over the years I have developed my own style of performing. But initially I would just bite what he was doing up in till I started touring. Up to then I was just trying to be KRS-1 on stage. I think he’s the greatest live MC that there’s ever been.
La Famiglia – Are there any issues lately socially or with society you feel are really important for people to take to heart?
Brother Ali – The new album, is really about being a human being and just registering the human element of the different experiences we all have coming from different parts of society. To talk about different experiences and different people, and walks of life. People that because society is so fragmented don’t know each other, and don’t have a whole lot of personal interaction with each other. To talk about these different scenarios and really focus on what it feels like for a human being to feel like to be in that situation. Because those feelings of pain and fear, joy and sorry, hate and love and everything else. Those are really universal.
BROTHER ALI INTERVIEW ~ CLICK HERE
Links:
Fashawn’s official Wesbsite
Brother Ali’s Official Website
BK-ONE’s Official Myspace
Fashawn & Brother Ali Interview – Part 2
We recently caught up with Fashawn and Brother Ali as they were kicking off their current tour with BK-ONE. Fashawn was getting ready to meet up with everybody for rehearsals and by the time we caught Brother Ali they had just hit the road. All three of which are touring in support of new albums. Minneapolis-based mc Brother Ali’s latest album is called, US. Fashawn’s is Boy Meets world. And BK-ONE’s is Radio do Canibal. We didn’t get a chance to talk to BK-ONE even though we would of loved to. Make sure to check out both interviews related to this piece. If you see them coming through your city, come out and enjoy the show.
La Famiglia – What has been one of the most influential memories or inspiring moments over the past six months in your life?
Fashawn – My daughter just turned six months, so that’s crazy. First of all my daughter. Second of all the release of my album. It actually being on shelves, being number five on itunes, and selling out stores and shit. Especially coming from the mixtape game where I gave out things for free. Things never hit shelves. Getting an XXL rating. Making the cover of XXL. I’ve never been on the cover of anything.
La Famiglia – You’re currently on tour?
Fashawn – I’m about to be. I’m about to leave for Minneapolis. I’ve never actually met Ali personally so this should be interesting since I’m going to his hometown. I actually get a day or two of rehearsal in.
La Famiglia – This could be a stupid question, but are you a fan?
Fashawn – Yeah, my man Grouch from Living Legends put me on to him. I was on tour with him and he played Brother Ali’s music on the tour bus. I was like, ‘What the fuck, this is incredible.’ He was like, “Yeah, you should go on tour with him one day.” What do ya know?
La Famiglia – How has he touched you through his music?
Fashawn – The selection of beats are incredible. The concepts that he’s had is the kind of shit I would write. I love it. The “Us” album, that was dope.
La Famiglia – What do you want people to walk away with from your live show?
Fashawn – That they got their money’s worth first of all. If they don’t know me when they walk in the door, I want them to feel like they know me by the time my 30 minutes or 60 minutes are up. I want you to laugh. I want you to cry. I want you to dance.
La Famiglia – From an artist’s and a fan’s perspective, is there anything that you’ve noticed over the years that you feel is changed or missing in the music industry?
Fashawn – The death of vinyl. I always loved vinyl records. Seeing the art going from cassettes, to cd, to mp3’s. It just disappeared, ya know? Other than that, as far as creative, its dope. I think everybody’s perspective is being heard.
La Famiglia – Any advice for up and coming artists?
Fashawn – Don’t let anybody rush you. Success is going to come naturally. It’s going to come when it comes. Always keep smart people around you, well-educated people. You’re the artist. You shouldn’t try to play every ball. Link with people that wanna make money with you, instead of money off you. The sky’s the limit. Work hard.
BROTHER ALI INTERVIEW ~ CLICK HERE
Links:
Fashawn’s official Wesbsite
Brother Ali’s Official Website
BK-ONE’s Official Myspace
Amp Live “Gary is a Robot”
DJ/Producer Amp Live, of the Bay Area hip-hop crew Zion I, is getting ready to release his solo album, Murder At The Discotech. Murder At The Discotech has a blend of dubstep and electronic music with a little bit less of the hip-hop styles that you are used to. This is Amp with out a question. The new album will be released on May 11th, 2010 via Om Records.
Amp Live collaborated with a number of hip-hop heroes and for many, inclusion on this album marks their maiden voyage into electronic music mayhem. “Hot Right Now” featuring The Grouch and Eligh of Living Legends, Chris Young and Amp’s Zion-I partner, Zumbi feels like it was hand delivered from the future. “Turn It Up” featuring Mickey Factz does just that, pushing the wow factor of the album up a few notches. Other hip-hop notables including the legendary Myka Nyne (“Get Served”) and Yak Ballz join the party each making great use of Amp’s lush production.
Here’s the first video from the album, “Gary is a Robot.”
Interview: Afrika Bambaataa
Throughout the 1970’s, hip-hop culture was just beginning to change the world. Afrika Bambaataa, who out of respect has been acknowledged as the “grandfather”, “godfather” and “father” of the electro-funk sound, has played his part in what became a world-wide movement. Coming out of the streets, searching for something positive in his life to share with the world, Bambaataa reached out to the people through music and by founding a community organization known as the Universal Zulu Nation. His music has influenced everyone from Kraftwerk to Rage Against the Machine.
La Famiglia-You have influenced countless numbers of musicians from all walks of life from around the world. What were some things or people that influenced your work and life?
Bambaataa-There’s many people that have played a great influence. I gotta give it up to James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic, John Lennon, Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party, all the great stories of the profit of the bible. And many other people in the streets from around the world that I have met and the knowledge and wisdom they have given me…from town to town, city to city, state to state, country to country.
La Famiglia-What made you decide to go into music?
Bambaataa-Basically, I was always in to music. I was raised up into music. Seeing all the Motown and Stacks sound. The scene of James, Sly, Bootsy, and everybody..seeing all that at a young age and then when the Jackson 5 and all those types of groups came out I said, one day I want to be somewhere like that. When the time came around to do, I went straight for it. I always wanted to give up the funk.
La Famiglia-Was there anyone that had been a mentor to you over the years?
Bambaataa-A mentor of music or in general?
La Famiglia-In life.
Bambaataa-I think that I would have to give it up to the honorable Minister Farrakhan, because of his strong stands of speaking to all the people of the world. For getting into so called black people’s cases as much as white people’s cases and making them see each other and not backing down because someone didn’t like what he said or how he said it. So, that took a strong influence on me, seeing someone just stand up and speak the truth of what they know and don’t fall back on what they say.
La Famiglia-What trials and tribulations have you had to endure over the years?
Bambaataa-It’s hard to say, basically your trying to break down a lot of people’s thoughts and patterns on racism. Showing respect to just being humans, of the human race. And respecting our universe and our planet. That’s a big job in it’s self.
La Famiglia- What has been the greatest pay off emotionally from your work?
Bambaataa-Being able to help so many different people whether it be for United Artists Against Apartheid or Hip Hop Artists Against Apartheid, helping what happened in South Africa. Or helping people that had aids and doing benefits for when 9-11 happened, trying to bring New Yorkers back together by getting them to come back out to the shows with myself, the Beastie Boys, Bono from U2, N.E.R.D. Doing a lot of these benefits around the world for different causes, just helping people get over certain things to better their life on this planet.
La Famiglia-What are your fondest and most vivid memories of the early days of hip-hop in South Bronx?
Bambaataa-The excitement…the beginnings…the happenings…the vibrations of the people
La Famiglia-Things have changed since then, hip-hop has expanded and changed. What are you thoughts of the evolution of hip-hop culture?
Bambaataa-Well, many people still do not have a true understanding of what hip-hop the word is. When they say hip-hop, they automatically go to rap or rap songs. Instead of when you talk about hip-hop, talking about the b-boys and b-girls, graffiti writers, the DJ’s, the emcees, and that fifth element that holds it all together, the knowledge and all the lessons that comes after it. Basically most people that claim or talk hip-hop still don’t understand the meaning of the word. The meaning of movement and culture.
And there are many that are playing around with the word hip-hop. Like these so-called radio stations that claim hip-hop, R&B, and then some. When they know that they are not playing all the muses of hip-hop.
La Famiglia-What was the focus of the Zulu Nation back in the day and what is the focus of it today?
Bambaataa-Well the same thing they were doing back then and even more. Bringing people together, organizing the community, and having events. Back then it was more about having peace, unity, and having fun. And now it’s about having peace, unity, having fun, plus doing things social, awareness, and political sometimes through out the world
La Famiglia-How did the Universal Zulu Nation come about?
Bambaataa-Well, it formed from myself. From getting the idea from a movie back in the day, called Zulu which featured Michael Caine, going against these great people telling them what to do on their land when they have been there since the beginning of time. Seeing that, and seeing them fight for what was theirs, I started this organization in the Bronx. It started first in so called black community and are Latino brothers and sisters. Then seeing it stretch to become an international community including all our human being brothers and sisters from country to country, town to town, city to city, state to state,’
La Famiglia-Obviously times have changed since the 70’s. Not just the music but society as well, it seems that the people have become scared to stand up for what they believe in…
Bambaataa-Yeah.
La Famiglia-How important is it for change, for people to stand up for what they believe in, and what are your thoughts?
Bambaataa-Well you have people that are scared at first, because you have evil people that look to control the masses and try to take to many freedoms away from the people. Take for instance the war. People were scared to death to say anything about the war. Then after a while, when people getting tired of seeing things, then you start to see people taking it back to the streets. It depends on the time and situation before people decide to say that they have had enough of this crap. So, when they said the wall has to come down in Germany, I’ve had enough of this crap. That’s when they started making the movement to take that wall down and make Germany one. When they’ve seen to much brutality in the streets, when people decide to get tired, the law of nature pulls in. When they won’t be scare and it’s either freedom or death.
La Famiglia-What are your current feelings about the music industry and the effect that music has on society?
Bambaataa-The current state of the industry is that the industry has really fucked up hip-hop music. A program director, saying that “they don’t want to hear knowledge in hip-hop, this is not what they want.” No, this is what you want and this is no what you are playing for the people. So if you are playing the same old ten records over and over again you’re brainwashing the people. So, if you are not playing some songs that are talking about peace-love-and having fun along with the so called, you want to be gangster-pimp-player-hoe, or using the “N” word, or teaching people to just hate or bend down and get freaky..then that is what you are programming and bringing to the mentality to the people in the streets. So, who are these program directors programming the minds of the masses of the people? So we say, universal nation of the many that stand with the cause, we want to bring the balance back to our airwaves. Not just hip-hop. We’re talking about soul, funk, jazz, rock, metal, house, techno, electro, country, and all music. Play the old with the new and the new with the old. This way many generations can know where their music came from. Just keeping the old with the new playing 24 hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year. All these people would be able to recognize music for what it is.
La Famiglia-What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
Bambaataa-Study the industry. Study what you are getting into. Ask questions and seek your answers. And try not to get robbed.
La Famiglia-Any last words?
Bambaataa-My last words are what I tell everybody. They better respect mother earth and respect our universe. If you don’t respect planet earth, she will show you what it is to be the supreme force, and will send more earthquakes, tornadoes, typhoons, and anything else headed your way. We have disrespected the planet and now the planet is washing her self clean.
Links:
Video Feature: Elzhi – “DEEP”
The debut of Detroit hip-hop artist Elzhi’s (Slum Village) new official music video “Deep.” Directed by Gerard Victor Atillo. DJ Dez on the cuts.
R.I.P. Ron Banks (The Dramatics)
The Dramatics originally formed in 1962 as the Dynamics. They changed their name by 1967, when they garnered their first minor hit single, “All Because of You.” However, the group did not break through until their 1971 single, “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” which broke into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #9.[1] Their first million selling disc “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” was awarded gold disc status by the R.I.A.A. in December 1971.
Their members at this time were Ron Banks , William “Wee Gee” Howard (deceased), Elbert Wilkins (deceased), Willie Ford, Larry Demps and keyboardist James Mack Brown (deceased).
Shortly after the success of their first album, Howard and Wilkins left the group. They were replaced by L.J. Reynolds and Leonard “Lenny” Mayes. Through the 1970s, the group appeared on Soul Train and continued to have hits, including the #1 R&B hit, “In the Rain”, “Toast to the Fool”, “Me and Mrs. Jones” (originally by Billy Paul), “I’m Going By The Stars In Your Eyes” and “Be My Girl.” In the meantime, Howard and Wilkins formed a Dramatics splinter group, and came up with a minor R&B hit, “No Rebate on Love.” To distinguish themselves from this group, the core group temporarily dubbed themselves ‘Ron Banks and The Dramatics’. Howard eventually returned to the group for two albums, Somewhere in Time: A Dramatic Reunion and Positive State Of Mind, before departing again.
The Dramatics also were guests on the Snoop Doggy Dogg song, “Doggy Dogg World”. The song appeared on Snoop’s 1993 debut album, Doggystyle.
The Dramatics singer Ron Banks died early Thursday morning, March 4, 2010. Banks was born on May 10, 1951, in Redford, Michigan. It is believed that Banks died of an apparent heart attack.
Podcast Summary
Wefunk Records longtime provocatuer, Mike Clip Payne brings his retro brand of Raw Funk/Brown and Blue Eyed Soul to your world….
Payne, a 29 year veteran of the Hall of Famed Parliament Funkadelic Entourage who has decided to DJ and share his Whirl of Soul with the Planet. Most of the Music he plays is the MOD of “The ” era for LIFE and ocassionally he’ll play an original song from his cast of Freinds, Signed and unsigned Artists as well as George Clinton’s new signings.
Both CLINTON and PAYNE take you on a musical trip with their rare grooves from a World Wide Funk Scene notorious for Blowin Minds!!!
Video Feature: J Dilla “Won’t Do”
From the critically acclaimed, “The Shining” by J Dilla. RIP
MIX: Daft Punk Live @ Vegoose
Daft Punk Live @ Vegoose
Vegoose was an annual Halloween Music and Arts Festival that took place in 2005-2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2007 some of the artists that shared the stage were Daft Punk, Iggy & The Stooges, Cypress Hill, Queens of the Stone Age, Thievery Corporation, STS9, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ghoastface Killah, Muse, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Pharoah Monch, Rage Against the Machine and the list goes on. The feastival featured a score of activities, including celebrity impersonators, a wedding chapel, costume contests, a massive pumpkin display, and more. Here’s a free download of Daft Punk’s hour and half long set from Vegoose including the encore.
Bob Marley Tuff Gong studio Kingston Rehearsal
Rehearsal footage of Bob Marley performing “Zion Train” in Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica back in 1980. This is some classic bits of history! We had to share!
Funk Night Records – 45′s
Will Sessions “Getcho Mind Right”
If you are from the Detroit area unless, you’ve been sleeping, you’ve most likely heard about the legendary Funk Night. This monthly gathering has brought people of all kinds of people together time after time for no other reason other than to celebrate, dance, to classic funk tracks. Funk Night was started by Scott Craig back in the late 90’s. Scott and Brad Hales ran it for some time then took a brief hiatus. Scott left town and Funk Night started back up again and is still every last Friday of the month.
The real story is the music, the house DJ Frank Raines & the house band, Will Sessions. Will Sessions came together in a basement back in 2007. Most of the members are were involved in in Wayne State University’s Jazz Program. The bands tight enough to jump from funk, hip hop, jazz-fusion to soul music that could make The Funky Meters stop and stare. In the past the band has done live collaborations with artists such as Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, Mayer Hawthorne, Monica Blaire, Phat Kat, & Rickey Calloway. This band is got to be the funkiest thing from Detroit besides Enemy Squad. Of course they are two different worlds of Funk, but you’ll get the idea.
Now Frank Raines, whom many of know and love who has been deeply involved with funk night over the years as a DJ and promoter has stepped it up and started Funk Night Records. Since I have never seen him spin anything but vinyl records its no surprise to me that he was to only release the debut release of Will Sessions via Funk Night Records on 45’s. We just wanted to give you a taste. There are two 45’s (limited edition of 500) and they are only available at Funk Night or directly from Frank.
Will Sessions members: Bryan Arnold (trumpet/keys), Tim Shellabarger (drums), Eric Kacir (guitar), Ryan Gimpert (bass), Matt Martinez trombone), Tom Parks (trumpet), Sam Beubien (trumpet/keys), Billy Love (Vocals)
Links:
Funk Night – www.myspace.com/funknightdetroit
Will Sessions – www.myspace.com/willsessionsdetroit
Funk Night Records – www.funknightrecords.com
Video Feature: Phat Kat – “Cold Steel” feat. Elzhi
“Cold Steel” by Detroit’s own Phat Kat. featuring Elzhi Produced by J Dilla. This is a classic!
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