Black Milk-Deadly Medley feat. Elzhi and Royce da 5′9″

“I’m Free” by Daru & Rena

“Philly Cousin” by Dumhi and Reef The Lost Cauze

Philly Cousins w/ Reef the Lost Cauze from dumhi on Vimeo.

Fat Beats…The end of an era

Well for those who care to know, one of the best record stores in New York City is about to close their doors forever.  I am talking about Fat Beats Records on 6th Ave. in Greenwich Village, one of the only stores in the city that sold vinyl for the vinyl purest, as well as one of the few stores that had actual “in store” performances.

Now, Fat Beats has been around for some time with several stores across the nation and even overseas.  The Amsterdam, Netherlands store (I believe) was the first store to close leaving only the L.A. and NYC locations.  This was, I’m sure, an indicator to what was to happen to the rest that stood around providing 12″ for various Dj’s and other lovers of music, especially rap music.  Once we see this, we know what the deal is.  Is it the ever popular debate of the illegal downloading? Is it that the  music world is over-saturated with artist giving away their own work for free?  How about the simple drop of record sales since the mid 90’s; or how about people just don’t care?  Anyway, one of the pillars of the hip hop world has just been broken, thus leaving a huge hole in the foundation of the culture.  Is this that serious?  In actuality it isn’t, but it does hurt to see such a place go.

Fat Beats provided something that most people can’t get anymore when searching for music.  It gave you an actual place with walls to walk in and dig in crates of vinyl beyond vinyl.  A big round black disc encased in a sleeve with photos or art work of some sort on it on one side and on the other, linear notes and credits.  This is what you would pull out when you went browsing with in the “record store”.  You might even have a discussion with a total stranger about the likes or dislikes of an artist, who knows.  The experience can only be understood to those who has had one just like it.  The sound of some underground track you never heard before playing as you look for another record.  What if you were looking to get your own project distributed as a artist.  Few shops had the power or ability to do that…Fat Beats was one of them.

There are several other spots in the city that sell vinyl, but little catered to hip hop.   So this makes it hard for a young, up and coming dj who’s uncle or big brother left him his old collection of records.  He plays around on the set and get’s used to the idea of the realness of the acetate on his fingers and wishes to continue in the way of some of the greatest, such as, Dj Premiere or Grand Master Supreme.  However, when he can’t find a place to give him 12″ of his favorite rapper or rap group, he is left to use technology, using Serato or Traktor.  Not like that’s bad, but what happens to these kids when you are trying to be like the people they have seen or heard about? They’ll lose something raw and pure in a sense.  Since hip hop is one of the most controversial art forms, others would miss out on the how it all began. You know the story, some yet to be known dj  goes through their parents LP’s, runs down to the street jams and later becomes known as a legendary Dj having went down to the local mom and pops record store.  Without LP’s and  12″’s this wouldn’t be.

If those who called themselves true music enthusiasts would support  places like Fat Beats, it would still be around.  The support of local record shops would keep any genre, at it’s best, authentic.   You’ll be missed Fat Beats.

Edited by: Gail Simmonds

The 2010 DMC USA Finals

Okay so it’s New York City and I arrive a few minutes late to one of the music industry’s best events.   What am I talking about you ask? That’s the DMC World DJ Championship at Santos Playhouse. Typical long line outside (which I hate), music blaring from the inside, making me extra anxious to get in, luckily it was a cool day outside so I didn’t mind the wait so much. So I get inside and realize that I was actually on time and the competition had not even begun…so typically hip hop and I love it.  Place was packed, loud and the crowd was waiting for the ruckus to begin.  Got my over priced yet sizable Long Island Ice Tea and chilled, listening to beat breaks spun by DJ Rockin Rob from the Bronx.  This was the guy who kept everyone’s head nodding as he spun all the break beats that we love to hear.   I mean this dude was actually spinning 45’s…whoa! Haven’t seen those in a minute.

So now it’s on, the one and only Kool DJ  Red Alert is the host and he gives credit to the sponsors and all that; and introduces the judges; Dj Scratch, Mista B and others…half way thru my drink and I’m ready to see who’s gonna represent for the U.S at the competition in London. The first pack of contestants came from Denver, Colorado.  Dj’s  B*Money, Dj Skip Ripkin, Dj Jeff C, Dj Notch and Dj Cysko Rokwell all came out and rep’d for their state lovely.  Never thought the mid west could rock the way they did.  They all had the technical skills that I am sure judges and the crowd alike look for; fast hands, clean cuts, precession and a little creativity. Then there was Dj  Juyadek from Huntington Beach, California, DJ Concept, from Florida, and Dj Swift from New Haven, Connecticut. Again, they showed the technical skills that we all wish we can do (us wanna-be DJ’s that is) but they lacked in performance and creativity where technical ability was given. Now the crowd was given its best performance by Supreme Grand Master, hailing from the Center of the Universe, and rightly so, considering such a title. However big name or not, this brother defined what a Dj is supposed to do.  He showed amazing skills, the fastest hands on a set I have ever seen. Switching back and forth between tables and keeping the beat flowing as if he was a sampler looping a track with accurate timing.  Great song choices to keep the crowd rocking, something in my opinion a lot of the other Dj’s did not do.  As for tricks, well this brother had a bag of them:  Cutting from behind his back, spinning and catching the beat, swinging nun chucks and cutting a record at the same time.  Without a doubt, he had the people roaring, not near one person was unhappy with his set.  His stiffest competition came from Dj Steel from Lakewood New Jersey and Dj Etronik from Pico Rivera California.   Steel had his crew behind cheering him on and he did have good song choices, impeccable transforming and cuts, good cues and sound bites; and Etronik also dope on the technical sense, but in my opinion they didn’t really grab my attention during their set. They were clean and precise as far as sets go, but they still didn’t match up to The Grand Master Supreme.  In fact no one did.

So the night is winding down as we get treated to sets performed by Dj Slyce, Dj Mysterio, and reigning champ, DJ Shiftee.   Slyce was incredible with his play list.  He was doing all kinds of unspeakable things to Michael Jackson’s Beat it and Billie Jean, and to my surprise he flipped System of the Down’s “Toxicity”.  Mysterio Dj, to me, had a very avant-garde grade play list on his set, but he did some crazy stuff, like handcuffing himself to a turntable while cutting to the other or pulling the slip mat from under the record and having the needle stay right on cue.  Shiftee’s set was the longest of the three, but entertaining, as he was one of the few whose set was laptop and midi controlled based. Okay, so the announcements are being made; Red Alert comes and starts with who is the 3rd runner up and to my surprise it’s Grand Master Supreme.  No way, can’t be, how is that even possible?  Are you thinking that this is the opinion of me; not even close, the whole audience booed, with utter disappointment.  How could this happen? Steel walks away with 2nd place and even more disappointment Etronik takes it as the winner.  That’s like Soulja Boy winning best pop album of the year.  Man at this rate, it’s possible, considering how the night went. I asked Grand Master, how did he feel about the decision and he said ”the decision was personal”.  He added that he had some sort of altercation earlier in the evening with one of the organizers of the event.  Can’t say if that is true or not, but I think the end result sure did prove that. “Give me 10 people that wouldn’t agree with me that I should have won”, as he stated angrily outside of Santos.  Frankly, I more than agree: People inside were chanting his name at the end; one audience member said “they made a mistake…the U.S is gonna lose now”, as he walked outside the club in disappointment.

Politics in the DMC?! Never thought it would happen.  Talent and ability should be the primary reason why anyone in any competition of any genre should be picked, never politics.  I guess Soulja Boy may actually be the way of the future.


The 13th Annual Black August Benefit Concert

The Black August was held at the Highline Ballroom on West 16th in New York City.  This is an annual event going on its 13th year; its
point is to raise awareness of political prisoners who have been incarcerated for crimes placed upon them.  Some of these people have been in prison for as long as 39 years as was stated by one of the speakers of the night. The night was filled with many artists and other activists coming out to support the cause.  Among the speakers of the night were elders of The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and members of The Jericho Movement speaking on the need of awareness and support for these freedom
fighters. Let’s not forget the artists who came out to perform, I mean after all it is a benefit concert. Female emcee, Kalae All Day pumped the
crowd up with her rock infused hip hop music. Her band was definitely tight.  We were also blessed to see Hakim from Channel Live as he
ripped some new joints as well as the classic Mad Izm.  Sadat X of the
legendary group Brand Nubians came out and did his thing performing ,Punks
Jump Up, 1.9.9.9, and Slow Down. Bajah, a group from Sierra Leone, rocked the house with their brand of ‘vibezy’ style, traditional reggae with a twist of dancehall. Producer/ DJ, K Salaam and other house dj’s ripped the set on the ones  and twos before bringing out other acts such as Hasan Salaam, ADM, and soul rocker Cody Chesnutt.  Cody really put on a stellar performance with
his 9 piece band as he had the audience chanting “No Jail” a titled track of his: so appropriate for such an event.     As the night was winding down, and it seemed like the folks were losing the energy, Homeboy Sandman kept the crowd awake with his
performance. The closing acts of the night were Pharoahe Monch with X-ecutioner and Dj Boogie Blind.  He came out with an explosive performance and did new songs from his up and coming album “W.A.R” as well as he performed
Agent Orange, Oh No, My Life, and of course always a crowd pleaser, Simon   Says. Shortly after, The Dead Prez came out and did what they do
best and kept the people amped with songs Turn off the Radio, and F…k the Police… classic Hip Hop.     This is what entertainment should be, art that informs, supports a cause as well as enlightens and entertains.

Power

This dude is doing it…what ya’ll think!!!!!!!!!?????

Eternia Freestlye

Freestyle by Eternia…check this out

Eternia Freestyle from Zeb D Essence on Vimeo.

Big Daddy Kane’s 20 Anniversary

This is at least a couple of years old. However I decided to re-post it for archival purposes. For those who haven’t seen it…here you go…for those who have…re-watch it damn it!

Oh by the way…”The Middle Row” shot out was the old site I did this for just in case you’re wondering. Hey Lina remember that night…such memories!

Big Daddy Kane’s 20th Anniversary from Zeb D Essence on Vimeo.

Wale’s The Eyes of The Tiger

Wale-The Eyes of The Tiger by Wale

Check out the new Wale song, The Eyes of The Tiger.  Part of his new and up and coming mixtape “More about Nothing“, due for release on August 3rd.

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