"Back In The Days On The Blvd of Linden..." -ATCQ Movie Review

Question, do you consider yourself a TRUE Hip-Hop aficionado? Do you STILL get "musical goose bumps" when you hear the opening chords of "Awards Tour" or that other Tribe classic "Scenario?" If you answered "YES!" to just one of these questions, then you BETTER tell me "Yep, seen it!" when I ask have you checked that Tribe doc that's out. What did I think about it? I'd say without question "GO SEE IT!" And here's why. As a ATCQ fan you HAVE had to have been scratching your head wondering just how did the groups demise come about? What and (even better) WHO Jarobi was in the group. And WHAT was the driving force behind all those unforgettable funky jazz samples that were the Tribe's signature sound? All that is answered in this film. However this is NOT a Tribe (the group's) film. This is a movie about Tribe the friendship! And how being a good leader requires GREAT listening at times. It's a "Bromance" if you may say, about one of the best rap units in the game. I'm not sure if it was all marketing, but the "con"-troversy before it's release about Tip not feeling the end result of his on screen portrayal, may have been helpful pushing folks to go see it! I gotta add this one to my DVD collection (YES I still but those) one it's released, it's a "must watch." I'm giving it 4 out of 5 M's

"Choose Your Poisson!" -Navegante Meets Ski Beats TONIGHT On Stage.

Hey, remember the group I was raving about about a month ago I covered performing live at Santos Party House?!? And how I told you how you NEED to see them live to become a believer? Well TONIGHT will be yet another chance to catch these cats before they BLOW UP and go prime time! Side note, tonight they'll be celebrating the lead vocalist Jean's birthday in pure Navegante fashion, with a BIG show at one of NYC's coolest spots, (Le) Poisson Rouge. It's been a big year for J and the band, and we can't wait to let loose with all of you!! They'll be sharing the stage with legendary
producer Ski Beatz and his band, The Senseis. Ski makes some of the illest beatz in Hip-Hop, and we can't wait to check out what he's been up to in the Dojo..

DJ Jaclyn of Bangers will get the party hype and DJ Concerned will keep it hot all night. These two never fail to bring the heat!

Can't wait to celebrate with you!! See you soon..

Get tickets here: http://tinyurl.com/4cm9brv

"Get Into The Party Life!" -Roll, Skate, Roc, Bounce!

You CANNOT, I repeat you CANNOT be a fan of Rap / Hip-Hop (or music period), and not respect this man for what he's done did to the game! From his personal style, catch phases, word play, business savvy, etc. Jay-Z has reinvented what it means to be successful as a rapper. With his career the bar was set! So with all that being said, This Sat. (Dec. 4th) is (not so) Young (anymore) Hova's B'day, so at Room Service we thought what better way to celebrate than honor the man through a musical tribute THIS FRIDAY! Collabos, rare cuts, the hits...you'll hear it all in a special set spun by experienced DJs DJ Goldfinger & DJ Trauma!

Friday Dec.3rd
the Block Association invades

Room Service Fridays
Room Service -35 E.21st St. bewtn Park & B'way
10pm-4am
**JAY-Z TRIBUTE EVENT**
Music by DJ Trauma & DJ Goldfinger
Ladies FREE till 12am on RSVP list ONLY!
$10 till 12:30
Guys $10 before 12am
***UPDATE JUST ANNOUNCED***
Open Belvedere Bar 10-11pm
RSVP names to theblockrsvp@gmail.com
subject: "Let's Roc w/ The Block!"

If I could leave Room Service for one night THIS is the ONLY party I would do it for! Cause it's finally returning to NY!

Friday Dec 3rd
Down & Derby Roller Disco
Good Units -356 W. 58th St. Hudson Hotel basement
10pm-4am
21+

I'm hoping to get a little couple skate action on Friday, with a special R.Kelly request from resident skate guard, Rok One, of The Bangers, with Eamon Harkin & Justin Carter of the Mr. Saturday Night fame. Havn't had any success with the R.Kelly request......but I'm a keep trying!

Skate rental is limited so get there EARLY, or bring your own.

$5 admission, with RSVP. To RSVP visit: downandderby.org

Dress code:
Guys: Knee High Tube Socks, Neon Tank tops, Headbands, Wristbands, ‘Fros and Flattops…
Ladies: Thighs of Steel on Two Inch Wheels, with Striped Short Shorts to seal the deal

"Welcome To (My Beautiful Dark Twisted) Fantasy Island!" -Kanye "Beautiful" Review

Yeah even though it was floating around on the internet for some weeks now. I thought I would at least play fair to others by waiting till it was being "officially" released (Tues. Nov. 22nd to be exact). "It" being Kanye's fifth studio album aptly titled "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" Which all of those things at once. Dark, twisted, but all and all beautiful! Why? Well for one lyrically 'YE stepped his rap game up to the tenth "POWER" (yes, pun intended) which finally matches his production quality. Thumbs up & funny face Kanye style. However you'll still hear some of the bitterness towards women left over from the "808 & Heartbreak" album, but at least here he's being a bit more artistic about it. and rapping again, abandoning the short lived auto-tune fad (Thank you Jay-Z). Ok we all know that he DOES have help in the writing dept. (sans Pusha T, Consequence, etc.) yet he rhythms with such conviction that you'll almost believe he pull out and iPad and wrote it all himself. Man whateva! He's fighting for his spot to be placed among the greats and THIS one may just put him right there. I'm feeling this one top to bottom, like how I felt about "Late Registration" release. NO fast forwarding allowed. Let me break down the album track for track on what I feel will be his what...third classic album I think? Ready?

"POWER"-Straight workout! It's the Hip Hop version of the Rocky theme if there ever was on. The choir background, the handclaps, the guitar riffs, and the character self-referencing sample of "21st century schizoid man"...POWER-ful!

"Monster" (Feat. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, & Nicki Minaj)- Heard this one a while ago, and still feel it when DJs throw it on. Let's be honest, it's REALLY Nicki Minaj's record and Kanye, Ross & Jay are the guest star but this one's a BEAST!

"So Appalled" (Feat. Jay-Z, Swizz Beats, Pusha T, Rza, & Prynce Cy Hi) - Another one I heard way back in it's really raw form and loved it! The Rza part...eh? I could have done without, but one bad apple does not spoil the bunch. And Pusha T's verse was a bit "cut & pasty" with the drug talk but hey, that's YA MAN!

"Devil In A New Dress" (Feat. Rick Ross) -By far one of my favorite track off the album & Kanye records for me personally! The haunting Smokey Robinson sample, the piano break, the edgy guitar over dubs give me an "eargasm" EVERY time I play this one. This track reminds me of vintage 'Ye stuff, when he was re-popularizing old soul samples. I think that's...wait...I KNOW that's why I'm loving this one so much! I'd download...ummm, I meant I'd purchase the whole CD just for this one song. Even if I thought the whole album was wack! The song is GREAT as a stand alone song by itself, even though Ricky's verse is HOT, it still sounds to me like the record was completed already, and that was JUST added on last min to "remix" it for consumers to entice them to still cope the "newer" version.

"All of the Lights" (interlude) & "All Of The Lights" (Feat. Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Fergie, The-Dream, Ryan Leslie, Elton John, Charlie Wilson, Kid Cudi, Tony Williams, & Elly Jackson)
Yet another fist pumper following "POWER" this too has that same empowering sound to it, I like to call it "stadium music". I first heard this one being featured in the long form video he released for "Runaway" and instantly know this record would be HUGE! Then when I finally gt the chance to really sit down and closely examine the track I was like "Hold up, the lyrics have NOTHING to do with the hook!?!" Peep how he talking about domestic abuse on this and then listen to the chorus. the two don't even coincide with one another. Even the line about MJ has nothing to do with the rest of the SAME verse either! I'm not hating on it I'm just bringing it to your attention, cause I know your a smart consumer like me. That's all.

"Runaway" (Feat. Pusha T) -To be honest, this one I didn't dig at first. I mean it was cool and all but it's sounds like a 808 track he never completed till he revisited the track for this new album. It's not your usual club banger, but TRY NOT singing along when this comes on in the club. You're probaby the one without the drink in your hand to toast too. LOL! BTW, I like the extended version way better!

"Hell Of A Life" -I call this one "Rockstar Rap". Very dark, but upbeat at the same time. On this track he's reflection of love coming via a pornstar and what all that would entail. Ya know the ol' "hoe into a housewife" story. Interesting but DEFINITELY an album cut NEVER a single. Just due to the subject matter. It's room temperature but not that Project apartment HEAT!

"Blame Game" (Feat. John Legend & Chris Rock) -Probably the saddest and in another turn funnest rap record I've ever heard. Strange right? This one is about verbal abuse this time, which is ANOTHER leftover 808 theme. The lyrics hit home for althose that's been in a Rocky (as in the fighter & shaky) relationship, that's the sad half. Then the over heard phone convo featuring Rock is where the humor comes in at. Dope dope dope song! Grammy worthy even.

"Gorgeous" (Feat. Kid Cudi) - the hook goes;

"Ain’t no question if I want it, I need it
I can feel it slowly drifting away from me
I’m on the edge, so why you playing? I’m saying
I will never ever let you live this down, down, down

Not for nothing I’ve foreseen it, I dream it
I can feel it slowly dripping away from me
No more chances if you blow this, you bogus
I will never ever let you live this down, down, down"

Which is like something Kanye would say to himself in the mirror every morning (after "Wake up Mr. West" of course). I think he spits his hottest lyric yet on this on by far to me. I can see this being release as a late single after alll the hype of the stronger tracks have died down.

"Dark Fantasy" (Feat. Nicki Minaj intro) -Now THIS the track Rza did NOT the "So Appalled" track he's featured on, like everyone thought he produced. And you can sorta tell for that Wu-Tang style bounce sound that it has. But truth be told the highlight of the song is the catchy hook (that I can't seem to get outta my head) which asks the eternally burning question "Can we get much higher?" S#*t I hope so! This s*@t here is CRACK!

"Lost In The World /Who Will Suvive In America?" (Feat. Bon Iver & Gil Scott-Heron) GREAT way to finis off the album. It seems like a song that you play when the credits of a movie are rolling. LOVE the intro into the cut. Niice ending to a CLASSIC (Yes I'm claiming it is) album.

Here's all FIVE album covers to collect if you're into that sorta thing.

Here a link to listen to a soon to be released mixtape I added for good measure too. LISTEN

"From BK To Belfast, And Back Again!" -Buckwick to Bushmills AKA My Uber Trip To Ireland

Okay, so back to our regularly scheduled program...So you DO know that I've been away in Ireland right? I just sayin' just in case you were wondering WHY I haven't posted anything new since "Rock & Bowl" (which btw was "a HUGE success!" Brooklyn Bowl's words, not mine) here's proof of my reason below. Yeah sure, I COULD have blogged while I was over there, but what fun would THAT have been? Gotta just "live the dream" sometimes dude! Anyways the purpose for the trip was that some months ago I (along with BK Circus owner Ouigi) was picked to take part in the biggest print ad campaign Irish whiskey makers Bushmills has ever pushed! Besides being paid to shoot that day, and getting a NICE hunk of change once our pic got picked, the trip to Ireland was the biggest bonus perk. Sweet deal right? So now you wanna hear about the trip correct? Well being that you're probably reading this at work, I'll be as detailed and brief as possible. I'll break it down in days. Ready? Okay so here I go...

Tues. May 11th 9:32
Packed at the VERY last minute, figuring it's ONLY a few days I'm not lugging a trunk fulla stuff over there to make a million "Beyonce' concert-like" wardrobe changes! LOL! That's NOT what's up. One bag (a carry all) and I'm done! Arrive at the gate and can't help to notice I'm the ONLY non-Caucasian there(!) So to make folks as uneasy as I was, I wrap my neck scarf around my head, threw on my shades, and started rocking back & forth like I was anxious or nervous. Mind you I was the LAST one to board on the plane, wonder if that was why. 6 1/2 hrs flight restlessly I watched "the Book of Eli" & that third "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie back to back and tired to get SOME shut eye. However someone felt that the airplane aisle was a good way for their baby to get leg stretching in, and let'em roam free UP and DOWN, BACK & FORTH down the aisle. And guess WHO had an aisle seat...Yep! The baby had a BIG ASS head btw! Thought it was the tray cart at first glance! What!?1 I'm just sayin'

Wed. May 12th 11:00 am
Finally arrive, only to be greeted by a million and one questions to "the nature of my visit" and "How long will your black ass be staying?" Once that was said and done, our handlers from the Bushmills camp loading the group of us up (17 guys in total minus Ouigi. He had visa troubles and didn't make the flight leaving NYC...bummer!) into the chartered bus to head to the hotel. Folks clicked almost right away once the jokes started flying! Most was on this dude "Ron" (professional NHL player) who wore shorts and a tee! Mind you it was like 50-55 degrees (if even that) over there. The rest of the jokes were on "Rico" who brought a suitcase about his height(!) for a four day trip! Rico was the only OTHER black cat on the trip btw. Got checked in to this swanky (newly opened) hotel called the Fitzwilliam (DOPE!) and then off to lunch to eat! Lunch was followed by a music tour of Belfast, then back to the hotel to get spiffy for dinner. Dinner was were thanked us for participating in the ad and gave us our own personal print for keep sake...Awwwww. Once that was over, and we got back to the telly, the one common thought on everyone's mind was..."Where the club at?!?" But only four of us made that happen successfully, me being apart of the four! LOL! Hit up two spots, the 1st being "Pod" or "Bot" or something like that (uber wack) and the 2nd was PAY DIRT! Some joint called "Rain"...NICE! Rock & roll on the 1st flr., Hip-Hop up top, and a huge outdoor lounge. Got straight MOBBED in there like we were a freakin' boy band and s**t! Wonder if it was cause I was black...or just American...or both! Could've been my colonge perhaps, who knows man. I was a GOOD night for some, but for others, ummm NOT so good. So NO MORE clubbing for the rest of the trip huh? All agreed say I.

Thursday May 13th 10:30 am
Grabbed a quick bite for breakfast and checked out the Fitzwilliam to start our day early so we can enjoy the sights over at this scenic rope bridge famously known over there as Carrick-A-Rede. It was straight out of a scene from that first Lord of the Rings movie! Or any of them for that matter! Still cold, still windy, but when in Rome, you best be Roman brother! Once that was a wrap, we continued on to the actual town of Bushmills to peep the facility that makes the whiskey; IE the reason why we were even there in the first place. When you 1st walkin to the distillery Ouigi and I ad is the first thing posted up you'll see (and about all I saw of our picture plastered up the WHOLE trip!) So it felt looked to pull a "Mooky" ("Do the Right Thing"-Spike Lee) and see "Some brothers up on the wall!" LOL! the Bushmills tour itself was DOPE! But on the other hand their hotel...inn...whatever was EH! But hey, all we're doing is sleeping there right? AND it's FREE? Complaint box closed. Instead of the club our final night (for reasons understood), Bushmills sprung for some singing cat named Foy Vance to lick some tunes off for us which was a highlight of the trip! Pure AWEsomeness! Oh almost forgot, I walked around in my bathrobe the whole time at the hotel, just to "brain-f**k" with people! And they LOVED it! Go figure that the Irish are Ghostface Killa fans!

Thinking of going? Here's a few pointers to keep in mind on your travels...

"Bangers & Mash" -Is NOT a sex act, nor is it a gang crew! It's actually the name of a meal over there. Bangers being sausage and "mash" being mash potatoes

"A Solid" -Don't even go thinking it means a favor! It's what we call a #2! I made the mistake of asking some Irish cat to "Do me a solid." and he looked puzzled and asked "Why the hell ye need me to s**t for ye?"

"A Pound" -a pound is their version of the dollar in that part of the country. So asking someone to "Give me a pound." will make you sound like a homeless begger. LOL.

"Wee" -means "a little" so if you wanted to play a little Wii over there you would say "I'm about to wee Wii!"

And lastly fellas be warned, there's NO Magnum condoms over there it's O'Magnus! And the pizza delivery guys ALL drive Benz, so don't think you're "ballin' " by driving one!

"Freaky Tales" -I'm I Wrong For Liking This?

Oh don't think for a minute the cause Jay-Z put Auto-Tune on blast that T-Pain (in the ass) was just going to quietly disappear huh? NOPE! Ain't happening no time soon! Well it least even he has a sense of humor about, and here's why. His fifteen minutes are ALMOST up so may as well end it on a good (auto-tuned) note right? Peep these three episodes from "Freaknic the Musical" I KNOW you'll get a chuckle out of. Thank me later...

"Gotta Get Over The Hump (Day)!" -Wednesday Night Events & Goings On

Tonight you have TWO excellent choices of events to occupy yourself with case you had the urge to hit the streets in search of a "good time" (no prostitution involved lol). The first is the Dirty Debs current weekly venture

"The Hangover"
@ China 1 -50 Ave. B & 4th St.
10pm-2am
FREE admission
Music by DB

Then the other selection tonight would be something the good people of Smirnoff are throwing over at the Museum of Transit in good ol' Brooklyn! "30 yrs of Hip-Hop" with music sets by Hip-Hop's noteworthy DJ's Biz Markie & Jermaine Dupri along w/ Peanut Butter Wolf. This event is also FREE with you and a guest's name to their RSVP address...NOW! Betherenyc2010@gmail.com
See you on the blog!

"Old School, New School Need To Learn" - 'Grass Life Gets Cuts Short

I'm pretty sure you've heard the news by now. Soulful singer Teddy Pender
grass died today at the young age of 59 years old. God decided to "Turn Out the Lights" on Teddy after a year of the singer battling colon cancer (warning to you fellas out there!) I felt all Harold Melvin blue inside, when I first heard the news. I know Philly as well as the world will miss him dearly. However his music lives with us still, so today I dedicate this "Old School..." post to "Big Teddy" and the still DOPE rap record by Ahmed ("Back In the Day") that sampled one of his biggest hits ("Love TKO") that became a hit itself! Life may have TKO'd Teddy, but he's still a champ to us.


Teddy Pendergrass- "Love TKO"


Ahmed- "Back in the Day"

"Kings RULE!" -County Of Kings Review

Did I ever tell you about the time I went to go see this play Spike Lee's producing call "County of Kings?" Well let me start from the top. About two weeks ago I get a e-mail from someone stating how they would like and appreciate it if I was able to post info informing folks about the play. And being that my blog is SO pro-Brooklyn that it would be in my best interest being that the plays' story line is based FROM (Sunset Park) Brooklyn. And they were right. After some back and forth correspondence, I naturally asked "Well is it possible to SEE the play? There's a guest list/will call right?" Just like that he was able to set up a time & day that I would be able to attend a show. Okay, so the day comes, it's an 8 o'clock show on a Saturday, and I'm there at the box office 7:45 sharp and...NO NAME! "WHAT?!? You gotta be kidding me?" I said, in my mind of course. What made things worst was I couldn't remember the name of the person whom originally contacted me and placed me on the list (or apparently didn't). Sucks. Finally after throwing some names around "Cultural Projects" rung a bell and the "lost" tix were uncovered and in we go. The theater (located in the city on Lafayette next to Joe's Pub) was a comfortable size for what I didn't realize was a one man play. The set up inside reminded me of a live TV set. Not a lot of rows, but wide. My luck, I wound up seated next to some dude that may have been a benched Knicks player or Chewbacca's stunt double! Yes, he was just THAT tall! Who keep crossing his legs the whole time, which crossed MINE! And his shoes reached all the way in the next TWO rows in front of us. Good thing he wasn't in the first row, he would've been tripping the actor on stage. LOL. But enough about him, on to the show. Not to spoil it for you but, after a brief warm up set of old school Hip-Hop over the PA, Lemon (the only actor) bust onto the scene through a side door as his intro. Had I not noticed everyone else remain calm and in their seats, I would've swore it was a fire alarm going on! Lemon wastes no time "going in" with what turns out to be a long form sing songy poem about his childhood to manhood struggles of growing up among troubled parents. What was fasinating for me to watch was his dedication to memory of both his lines AND his detailed account of his upbringing. Each character is portrayed with humorous accuracy and affection. True New Yorkers will appreciate his story to glory as well as casual theater goers that have even a keen sense of humor. When your mother names you Lemon make lemonade!

"My Bad, More Def News About The Jam!" - "Bad2Def" Update (Fri. July 24th)

As well as a quick reminder, I just wanted to put you up on the fact that FOOD (ie. the kitchen) will be open till midnight for you eating enjoyment next Friday (July 24th) the WHOLE spot will be the party not just the smaller room, so BOTH bars will be open (as in operating, NOT open bar lol)! Tickets for "Rock the Block BK" will be sold on the event for a discount on this night ONLY! Plus DJ Goldfinger & the Ahficionados return to do Bad Boy & Def Jam hits the honor it deserves. Any other questions? Hit a brother up, not Rodney King style but via e-mail ya dig?
theMreport@gmail.com

Fri. July 24th
ROCK THE BLOCK BK presents
"Bad 2 Def" -the Bad Boy v.s. Def Jam
(25th anniversary)
ReBar -147 Front St. betwn Jay St. and Pearl
9pm-3am
Music by DJ Goldfinger along w/the Ahficionados
LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, EPMD, Onyx, Foxy Brown, DMX, Dru Hill, & Jay-Z
Go toe to toe against
Black Rob, Craig Mack, Loon, 112, Faith, Carl Thomas,the L.O.X. Shyne, Total & B.I.G for bragging rights!
FREE admission!
21+ w/I.D.
Dress casually sharp!