Just Another Day In NYC

July of 2016 I'm on my annual visit to New York City and I spend most of my time in the streets soaking up the ''Big Apple's" hip hop flavor. On this particular day I find myself heading to Bed-Stuy Brooklyn to hang out with my homegirl Giz. She's a super creative person splitting most of her time between slinging vintage clothing, dj'ing, acting, throwing fashion shows, and collecting all things funky.

 After taking me on a bike tour of  all of the coolest areas, she suggested we go hang out at this tiny juice bar where different Dj's are known to bring down some of their best vinyl pieces to spin. I'm like, "cool", I mean, who's gonna turn that down? We walk into this spot (sorry,I don't remember what it was called), on a beautiful sunny afternoon (yes,afternoon), to find none other then super producer Keith Shocklee (yes, of Public Enemy fame!), spinnin funk 45's. How crazy is that!

 

So after Keith is done with his set, Giz and I go out to the back padio and chill with a few drinks. Keith comes out and is chillin with a homeboy of his that Giz soon identifies as actor/comedian Steve White. Steve, for those not familiar with him, has been featured in such movies as Do The Right Thing, Coming To America, Clockers, and Malcolm X. Giz goes over to meet him while I stay and chill. Giz is super out-going and very well liked and it looks as if they hit it off pretty good. She soon comes back over to tell me that Steve is co-headlining a comedy show in Manhattan later and would like us to accompany him as his guests. Again I'm like "cool". As he drove us to the club he explained how Eddie Murphy helped him break into movies by giving him a small role in "Coming To America". Steve is a super-nice, down-to-earth guy and made us feel right at home. After we get to the club, he rocks his set and soon has to bounce out to Long Island for another show. We all say our good-byes and I head back to Harlem. Just another day in New York.



Keith, myself, Giz, & Steve

 

Thank You Pam the Funkstress!

I was never a super huge fan of The Coup but  I've always been a huge fan of Pam The Funkstress. I was first exposed to her on some of the early DMC battle videos. She had that ill flavor on the turntables. I've always wanted to see her live in action but every time The Coup came to Phoenix she was always absent. I was on the same bill for most of those shows, but no Pam.  Boots Riley, the frontman for The Coup, recently explained that Pam had a catering business that took up most of her time and rarely allowed her to tour. It was also impressive that Pam had later become the tour Dj for Prince just before his murder, even renaming her "Purple Pam". How cool is that?! I will miss you and hope to see you during much better times. Thank You Pam!

 

 

Vintage Milwaukee Rap Article-Soul Underground

This was an article that was featured in a magazine out of the United Kingdom called Soul Underground which specialized in black music. This was from the May 1989 issue and details how Milwaukee rap was recognized as far away as Europe. 

Vinyl Shop Spotlight-Moods Music

 

Welcome to the world of Moods Music. I go way back with this spot, as far back as the mid-90's when they were across the street from their current location in a tiny little space with a few crates of vinyl crack. I've been a loyal customer ever since. Nestled in the "Little Five Point" section of Atlanta, this is one of my favorite spots to visit. These days they have exploded into a mecca of Black culture. They no doubt have the largest selection of Black Music on cd and dvd, books, greeting cards, art, and videos that I have ever seen under one roof. Their t-shirt selection is like no other, trust me, and nobody can touch the soul/neo rap/jazz mix cd selection. If you are ever in the Atlanta area, Moods Music is a must visit. You can thank me later.

 

Sunday Service Radio Show w/ Darrell D 12-17-17

I'm honored to be asked to spin on the Sunday Service Radio Show hosted by Dj Durok. Gonna rep that vinyl service to the fullest. This show has a really nice southside following and I'm glad to be a part of this movement.

Coming up this Sunday (12.17.17) . . . DJ Darrell D will be coming through to bless us for a special takeover edition of Sunday Service! Hands down Darrell is one of the most humble and true school DJ's I've met, can't wait to hear what tasty treats he brings through. He'll be rocking the all live, all vinyl set from 1-3 PM on 102.9 LPFM, live streaming on KDIF.ORG and on @kdif1029 . . . Don't sleep! 😴😴😴 . . . #darrelld #godmademefunky #durok #durokism #radio #radioshow #live #liveradio #communityradio #nonprofit #nonprofitradio #dj #djing #allvinyl #allvinylset #33rpm #45rpm #45s #dustyfingers

Post No Bills Sticker Art Show

I'll be droppin a ton of Breaks and some rap joints this Friday for the "Post No Bills" sticker art show at LuLu Bell toy bodega in Mesa. They'll be a ton of  artists and art lovers in the house. I love dj'ing art shows because there's always a lot of creative people to vibe with. This is going to be fun!

 

 

 

(The Concert From) The Show

 

Just like everybody else, when The Show, a rap documentary starring Craig Mack, Run-Dmc, Slick Rick, Wu-Tang Clan, Dogg Pound, among many others, was released in theatres, I was first in line and loved every minute of it. It was crazy seeing "super-group" the Wu-Tang Clan arguing among each other like regular people. Rap docs are plenty these days but this one was the one! Again, like many others, I always wanted to see more of the live performances. Well here's about 25 minutes of mayhem. This is my kinda show!