512 future: Kydd & KaiZen

Nonchalant emcee-producer Kydd Jones has a posse that’s bubbling.  The internets have been paying attention too, as a handful of his videos have 25,000+ plays. And why not?  With a penchant for building mildly smooth head nods that sound dusty yet contemporary, and surrounding himself with other bleeding edge artists and like-minded producers, the young mouthpiece is set to release his second full length – The Sounds in My Head Pt. 2. The sophomore follow up to Pt.1 will include guest appearances by proven grinders Pac Div, Yelawolf and GLC.  Dude can flat out spit and holds down his hometown proper on tracks like the jazzy “Jungle’’ where he claims…city where the hippy be/ more bars than 66 Sixth Streets/ fuck that devil shit, by the Frost Tower fixin' to level it/ Austin rebel shit/ Austin bass and treble mix/ though some ni**as peddle it/ skaters and my peddlers develop it.  I’ve had my eye on Mr. Jones for a brief period and caught up with him earlier this month.

How long have you been reppin’ Texas and what is your favorite thing about the state/ Austin?   I was born in Austin so I’ve been here pretty much my whole life. I love the feeling of Austin.  We have this warm vibe here that makes people want to come here and stay for good.  It must be the food and the music.

Are you influenced by any ATX artists (music or other)?
Tee-Double and Gary Clark Jr. both understand music on a level that I can appreciate.

Did you rap or produce first? Which do you like more? What did you first hear or see that made you want to make your own shit?
Well I started rapping around 9 years old and I didn’t know what a producer was at the time.  I needed beats so I would loop the end of songs on tapes and that process alone was almost impossible! We made it work somehow, but that got old quick.  I was 15 when I produced my first record and since then I’ve gone through phases where I produce a shit load, but can’t write or don’t want to write.   Or I would be writing more without the motivation to produce.  At this point though, I’m doing both pretty well I think.

Tell me about LNS.
Well the LNS crew is a group of creative people, producers, writers, emcees and the list goes on.  We are the Leaders of the New Skool—it’s almost like a group with elite powers that evolve through time.  I’ve watched too many episodes of Heroes!  My album The Sounds in My Head Pt.2 will be out later this month.   It will be crazy good like ya momma’s cookin’ unless she sucks! #Lz But yeah, Pt.2 is some of my best work, but I’ll let the music speak for itself.

What does the future look like for you?   Everything G.O.O.D. (Getting Out Our Dreams)

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The homie KaiZen, aka Zen Dutchmaster, is another 512-er standing tall for Texas hip hop. Draping his bars with genuine couth, Zen’s refined flow and scholarship are the reflection of an artist who’s ventured through life with an innate sense of absorption.  KaiZen is on a mission to pass his words to your well being.  He answered some questions from likedeaddogs headquarters--inhale the flavor of a cultured gentleman. 

I think an emcee’s life experiences and the way they digest other artist’s music has a considerable impact on their own body of work.  What has had the biggest impact on yourself as an emcee?   The Power of Music has had the biggest impact on me and continues to impact me every day.  You can go all around the world and find songs or written pages from before Christ that still influence the way people think and see the world today.  Music, like all literature, allows the writer to live forever and has the potential to influence the world forever.  When I realized how powerful music and words can be and how eternal they are, I was hooked.   I had to leave my mark—bomb the wall of life with my own personal graph design.  Feel me?  I’m just blessed to live in a time where “Hip-Hop” has provided an avenue that allows for the explicit expression of my story, no holds barred.   I don’t like to be censored—at any fucking time. lol

People love to place an artist’s sound in a box or domain...sounds like this or influenced by that.  If you would, box yourself up in your own words before anybody else does  :) *you can be as vague or explanatory as you’d like… Hmmm.  I hate boxes. Lol  You’re talking to somebody who grew up on Pearl Jam and Dr. Dre, but I also love listening to Stravinsky symphonies, too.  I love the calculated aggression the Bad Boy/Death Row era, but I also learned from it.  Just as I learned from Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Tupac and even Jimi Hendrix.  They all danced with the same demons. . . I almost feel like they were all afraid of their own greatness.  I’m not always so serious though.  I bump all kinds of music because I’m in all types of moods any given moment.  Honestly, I can’t even say a box man because I am influenced by everything I see.   The universe is so big, but it’s the right size box for me.

How long have you been spitting and what are your immediate and long-term plans?   I’ve been spitting since I was 20.  I came home one winter break when I was working/interning at the radio station.  I heard Nas’ “H- to the OMO”.  That Jay-Z diss.  And I just loved how he just came out so fluid, but so gangsta and so meticulously brilliant.  I was like, I wanna do that.  I immediately just wrote some words on a legal pad.  No bars or rhythm to it—that stuff was all in my head.  I just needed to put the words down.  My brother over heard me and said it was tight.  That gave me the confidence to go spit it to the people at the radio and they liked it.  I been writing and spitting ever since.  KaiZen (continually improving) every time! LONG TERM: Music is my life, so I want to keep it that way for the foreseeable future.  I want to have the relevancy and the freedom to drop an album when I’m inspired to.  Jay-Z and Nas inspire me to be at their age and still spitting with such tenacity and sharpness.  I want to change peoples’ perception of what a rapper can say or where he can come from.  As well as where he can go.  I’m not headed for no casket or no jail cell anytime soon, so people should expect to see me everywhere for a long time.  I want to get into sports ownership, free agency and such.  Plus, I want to be the first rapper with a successful cannabis dispensary chain (once it’s all legal of course).  The main thing is that I want to enjoy my life and my music to be a reflection of that.  All of it.

Tell me about Word, Power, Life.   Words Power your Life bruh.  If you think/speak BIG, you are BIG.  It’s no bullshit.  It’s not enough to have though in your head.  Manifest it vocally and you’ll see it manifest in the physical.  Trill talk.  You seen it with ‘Pac and Biggie and even others.   No disrespect to their music or their message, but I’m trying to give people something that will inspire them to make themselves great and this world a better place.

“Everybody wants to be a deejay, everybody wants to be an emcee…” so said Posdnus twenty-two years ago.  How do you stay fresh in an oversaturated sea?    Maaaan, believe it or not… I don’t know how I stay fresh bruh, cuz I’ve been this way my whole life.  Thank God.  I don’t know how to do anything else.  God’s surrounded with an ill group of individuals that don’t let wack shit ride in the circle . . . period.  It’s nothing cocky or personal.  That’s just how confident we are in our fresh and our swag.  Like, I said, I’ve always been this way.  I don’t think I’m gonna change.  I got too many people that would call me out on it.  Lol (including you!)    My best answer for the question is I just stay true to myself and God.  The best move you can make in an oversaturated market is an original one.  I don’t know how to be anybody but myself.  I’m TRILL-HUNDRED PERCENT authentic bruh.  The artists I respect the most and admire have always been true to themselves their entire career (i.e. Jay-Z, Nas, Dr. Dre, Snoop, etc.)  The artists that fell off or are washed up have never really been one person to the public (i.e. Ja Rule, Milli Vanilli, Ma$e, Loon, etc.).  They’ve always been jumping from one costume to the next.  I spit about my real life man.  Music isn’t just my hobby, it’s my craft.

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Momma and Dahm maxin' outside of Mr. CoCo

Being super new to our neighborhood, the lady and I constantly keep our eyes and ears peeled for eateries, bars, bodegas, etc. that we should make a part of our new life in Brooklyn.  Mr. CoCo’s seems very unassuming from the outside (other than having an above average quality of produce), but inside the nearly new bodega lies a fantastic grocery store that somehow fits into the tiny, no more than 500 square foot space.  With a healthy selection of foods and hard to find brands comparable to those offered by Texas’s finest Whole Foods (without the dreaded ‘whole paycheck’ cost), Mr. CoCo’s is our new spot for everything from hummus to the latest flavors of Ben & Jerry’s. The essentials, 

duh.  There’s also a sushi chef on site – dicing up 

sashimi and rolling out California, Dragon and Crazy rolls 

of tasty fish.  I’ll quote Belinda J, as she said it best, 

“Mr. CoCo’s is down with the PEOPLE.’’  I love that woman.  

Thanks to our good friend Regina, we have also become weekend fixtures at Project Parlor, our new favorite watering hole located down the street in Bed-Stuy.  Sporting a graveled courtyard out back complete with large picnic-style tables, (perfect for conversations and carcinogens) the cash-only bar and artist safe haven is dog friendly, host to barbeque cookoffs and the occasional band.  The outdoor area reminds me a lot of Sidebar in Austin, while the interior décor is dim-lit and is decorated with a rotation of local art pieces, complete with comfy couches and tables for lounging.  Patrons may also enjoy viewing anything from classic black and white movies, to cartoons, to gay musicals which are projected each night on the main wall.  The makeshift deejay booth is at the front of the bar and if you’re lucky, Mickey Perez will be blessing the evening with an array of hip hop, funk and ‘80s classics.  Cheers to Project Parlor for having $3 PBR tallboys and exceptional service as well.  I’ll see you soon.

Christopher Wallace and Easy

We walked by the Emerson last Saturday night and were astonished to hear a live deejay blaring from the inside, which was also surprisingly packed.  The bar is one of the closest to our pad and we’d been inside before to find a relatively empty space without tunes and a friendly bartender informing us that they’d been open for less than eight months.  As we crept in (free) to peep what all the commotion was about; we were shocked to find legendary deejay and producer Easy Mo Bee diggin’ through six crates of wax, while a crowd of hands-in-air swayed back and forth to Golden Era greatness.  For the first time I felt like I was on the corner of 7^th and Red River and I was grinning from ear to ear.  The Emerson isn’t very big and there was no AC, but no one cared (except for Easy, who when I asked if he played there regularly, unbeknownst at the time of his identity, he replied ‘hell no, shit it’s hot in here!’).  We stuck around for about an hour before heading out to get some fresh air (we had guests with us, but if it was up to me we would have stayed).  I hope that the people in charge of the Emerson will regularly host a deejay that drops that kind of hip hop.  It was refreshing.

YUMMMMM.

I’ll leave you with a bit of news that I didn’t initially broadcast because, well, haters will hate AND my girl and I are very private about our personal lives.  We are officially engaged. 

We will wait to become more settled before picking a date; but you can bet your ass it WILL be in Texas and it WON'T be during football season.  Be happy for us and feast your eyes on the sweet potato falafel that my boo whipped up for us last week.  We kill it in the kitchen on Grand Ave. I’m going to spend the rest of my days with this woman and it feels spectacular to know that.  I love you baby.

I’ll be waxin’ ‘em again Friday, September 2^nd on Roosevelt Island before the free screening of one of my favorite animated flicks over the last ten years: UP.  Thanks for reading, kiddos.

Photo by Quito...Miss ya'll in ATX

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smiznO

bah-Voo, AKV, John's Coffee and Donut

Mr. Blakes

Texas hip hop ambassador Bavu Blakes has BEEN dope. The musician-journalist-minister is hands down the most reputable mic-controller to ever claim Austin and one of the top 10 emcees to EVER rep the Lone Star state. Well, at least for the Nobody Who Knows. Blakes’s commanding, yet inviting intonations of blue collar consciousness have painted paragraphs for well over a decade. Sharp and confident, Mr. Blakes lyrically is both a gatekeeper of information and a muse for the selfless, modern man. Whether it be the skirt lifting of atrocities or his emotive display of spirituality and introspection--Vu’s soulful style has been the archetype for a region of the country whose hip hop is thoughtlessly branded as inane, luxurious brag rap. Blessed with an army of fantastic collaborators throughout his career ranging from Adrian Quesada to D-madness to S-1, this righteous mouthpiece and purveyor of substantive music has also shared stages with De La Soul, the Roots and Guru - to name a few. Currently residing on the west coast, the soon-to-be father took a moment to answer some questions about his forthcoming record.

Soooo, will it be Mr. Blakes/ Rev. Blakes/Bavu Blakes  ??? 

I’m a broadcaster, musician, writer and a minister, a servant, not a reverend. What’s a reverend?

Your body of work speaks for itself and I consider you to be a true preservationist of soulful, conscious hip hop music. What makes you tic as an emcee in 2011?

Habit and sense of purpose. The fact that you, and some others -- I call ya’ll The Nobody Who Knows -- consider me to be anything encourages me to stay productive. I’m thankful to be an emcee and a musician, like the folks I’ve admired all my life. I’ve taken all my influences, mixed them in a bowl, rubbed it all over myself and eventually broke out of my shell!

I jam a lot of old school, Oddisee instrumentals, “Nobody Else” by NickNack, Soul Seekers and all things Adrian Quesada. I’ve turned into one of those “I don’t jam a lotta rap” cats.

Some may be unaware of your writing talent beyond penning beats to bars. How do you disassociate the two OR interweave the two skills in your song writing and vice versa?   

Great question (dap). I don’t disassociate different types of writing. I think efficiency is the key to greatness, including writing. I interweave it all as much as possible.

I’m far more conscious of tempo, melody and pocket in songwriting. Lyrically I try to stay out of the way of the music. But sometimes I write all the lyrics and melodies, and then go get the music to match it after the fact.

Writing is about color and imagery without wasting words or even syllables. I learned that consciously in journalism school and at work with John Bianco and in English class with John Trimble, then eventually I discovered that it’s true in all forms of writing. Check out Easy Lee aka Charlie Peters; he’s a writer!

What do fans of your penmanship have to look forward to with your new work?  

Grind over glory. Faith over fear. And far fewer features.

This new SANCT EP is just an update, an answer to “what’ve you been up to?”. And honestly, after S1 blew up and my Too Selfish album blew away, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be satisfied with my production sound again. I was wrong. Plus I’m down with D-Madness ‘nem.

Who handled production duties?

Reggie Coby. And the bonus track for the CD version is by Fire Winn.

Is there a scheduled release date?

My son’s release date is September 22. So it’s hard to be too specific about the SANCT EP right this second, except to say that I’lI start taking pre-orders on premium packages shortly. When I get to 300 pre-orders I’ll start shipping them out.

This is for The Nobody Who Knows. Y’all are like a members-only support group, and you are my priority as an artist.

Why did you move and how is the ‘scene’ in Long Beach? How do you remain connected to the Capital City?

My wife wanted to do her PhD in a major market, like Los Angeles, and she has family here. I wanted more opportunity, and I’ve found it.

I moved to Cali just to get naked. I’m out here turning my strengths into my weaknesses, and vice versa. So I’m not on the scene like that, especially not until I have the SANCT EP in my hand.

I remain connected to the Casual City through my people. I lived in Austin way too long, but it’ll always be home, and home to a lot of my people. I would’ve maybe named my son Austin if the missus let me, nah...

If you could paint the future, what would it look and sound like for Bavu Blakes? Do you plan to tour? How do you stay fresh in an oversaturated sea?

The future looks blessed, like my son. The future looks like time, energy and money well-spent. The future looks like a great marriage, a movement toward ministry and channeling the power and truth of the most high god. The future looks like multi-tasking through multi-media. The future looks like successful artists performing songs I wrote no matter who knows it. The future looks like a few paid trips around the world.

Touring the world a few times is still my dream.

I stay fresh by staying out of the way. I focus on having a quality life experience, saying my prayers and being professional.

Whatever.

On a different musical note, I don’t understand the hype behind Brooklyn hardcore newbies Cerebral Ballzy. I caught their set at the free Rock Yard concert in BK last week and it left me severely unsatisfied. The terrible sound (the vocals were the loudest thing in the mix) was not their fault, however, front man and unoriginal nasal whiner Honor Titus did not a break a sweat. Now, while we aren’t in the heat wave of Texas anymore, my punk rock co-conspirators, I think we can all agree that a vocalist should be moving around enough to perspire in the month of August. Yes?  The 20-nothing Titus posed and squealed (that's right, not a scream or yell or any other exerted throat force) while standing still, and at one point climbed the speakers to lay down topless while doing his 'thing' on the mic.  I didn't process his antics as any kind of a statement or a new approach to being aggressive. Rather it seemed out of sheer laziness and, in my opinion, an embarrassment to the culture as a whole. Zero pipes and zero emotion. But he did look the part ... I guess. Is that where we are, Brooklyn?! People were moshing and going crazy to these kids, too. I never in my life wanted to play after a band so badly. Surely I must of caught them on a bad day, perhaps??  Cerebral Bore-me.

Stephanie Williams is the kind of young, hustle-hard visionary that maps her own route and then mashes the gas. Stylishly hip from toe to lip; the 23-year-old voguish trend-getter has built an online boutique from the Austin (under)ground up, and her cultivated vision and business sense are quickly turning a hobby into paper and notoriety. The thrift store that is Austin Knight Vintage specializes in fusing aged fashions with modern design and presentation. ‘Let us do the digging’ is the motto for Williams’s well conducted site, whose foundation is built upon a small collection of uncommon pieces (jewelry, snapbacks, dresses, and everything in-between)  that come and go with the quickness. So by commendable design, you are forced to follow the social networking and shopping habits of Williams (side hustles include graphic design, photography, video production, AND Miss Thang is knee-deep in the hip hop game, to boot) for a chance to purchase her affordable, unburied treasures. I’ve copped a couple items myself and have MISSED more than a couple must-buys. You see, Williams keeps the images of purchased clothing posted as ‘SOLD’ (great idea) for proper enticement and a flavor sample of what’s really good with vintage gear in 2011. Did I mention her FREE SHIPPING policy?!! Young entrepreneurs and fashionistas take note… AKV is on it.

Bo knows.

So I must reevaluate my first notation of the shoe game in Brooklyn (see 6/7/2011 post).  While Air Jordans are abundant and to me, never lame (XIII’s and prior, that is), I can’t help but notice that the only other kicks I see are the Air Max ‘95s, the Air Griffey Max or any one of the 20 color combinations of the Air Foamposite Ones and Foamposite Pros.  I’m a little annoyed.  It’s so bad that I even got my girl calling shit out and she is nowhere near a sneaker head!  Are these the only kicks that people think are nice? Are they bootlegs and super cheap somewhere, hence why everybody seems to be rocking them? I copped the Air Trainer Max ’91 (Bo Jackson's) for $70 at Footlocker and I feel super fly. I had those jawns in 6^th grade and I am happy to own them again. I guess I’d rather see the same Nikes every day then have to see another kid wearing earthy, plain boot shoes with a rolled up flannel shirt. The Williamsburg uniform makes me want to vomit, but then again so does Williamsburg most of the time, so I guess that’s fitting.

Bacon with your French toast? Yes, please.

I’m completely addicted to John’s Coffee and Donuts. By far the finest breakfast diner I’ve experienced in or out of Texas, (that’s a bold statement folks) the tiny hole-in-the wall is always packed and seating is limited, but that’s the only negative thing I can say about a place that thrives with two short-order cooks and hand written checks. Waffle House: eat your heart out. JC&D pummels any competition with a greasy spoon, three-page menu that leaves no breakfast base uncovered. And on the cheap.  My lady and I  don't even spend $20 per visit, and that’s after a fat tip and fatter bellies. I cosign with a passion and am infatuated with the speed and accuracy of the cooks, who do it all on a single flat grill. Getting known here is my next mission.

Huge shout out goes to David Reyneke and Andrew Martin over at Potholes In My Blog. I’ve recently joined the team and am happy to be a contributor. Check for me in the reviews section. Speaking of blogs and talented artists; all of Austin needs to peep my boy Bak’s the Feedbak for the latest on local nightlife. Meanwhile, the emcee/b-boy/producer team of Mamba and Kwestro have properly organized their own music blog with Boycott Mag. I would also like to give a huge thanks and bow to photographers Marcos Molina and Miguel Angel. Subcomandante Quito and uLovei respectively are killing the photo game at any and every hot spot in the ATX. If you’re somewhere, they’re bound to snap you and have it posted with the quickness. Bravo, as always, gentlemen.

I’ll probably miss FunFunFun Fest this year, but the rockers-for-life crew over at Transmission Entertainment have out done themselves yet again. I said it a couple years back and now it is so—the Austin music festival rivals any other of its kind simply due to the rare quality and combination of acts involved. This year that bill includes:  Slayer, Public Enemy, Rakim, Odd Future (perhaps the reason it sold out so fast), Hum, Danzig, Murder City Devils, the Damned, Girls, Deathgrips, Boris, Flying Lotus, Black Milk, Passion Pit, and Future Islands, to name a few. If you've got tix, I'm jealous for sure.

Finally, on the day that Watch the Throne dropped, so did the Dow, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and coincidentally (?) the UK riots ensued. Jay Electronica tweeted the circumstances. Let’s not forget that ‘Hov’s Blueprint also was released on 9/11/01--just food for third-eye thought. I hope the outer worldly emcee from the Magnolia PJs does indeed  eventually drop his own album on Roc Nation. Here’s reason to believe it may come soon. Until next time, you can follow me on Twitter @kiLsmizno and I finally completed the Bandcamp pages for Like Dogs and Bohemian Grove Disco. Go download all of our shit for free. I’ll be dropping wax on Plush ATX on Saturday, August 27^th with the homies Digg and Kurupt.

 #theheatgoeson

1

B

Mid-summer check--an Assassin, sweet teeth and your Boyfrndz...

First off...RIP Chuthers.  

J.Period makes moves.  Heralded as hip hop's 'Mixtape Assassin' for his flawless production and distinctive style of reworking classic material into mixtape format (peep game), the BK representative's latest tape Wake Up! Radio pays homage to the collaborative work between  R&B sensation John Legend and Illidelph's finest the Roots' Grammy award-winning Wake Up! (the album nabbed three gramaphones back in February, to be exact). “When this project began, I was excited to explore the legacy of soul music behind the WAKE UP! album,” explains J.Period, “but I had no idea of the level of access and creative freedom I would be granted by John Legend & The Roots to tell that story. The result is not only something that traces musical history lines from artists like Marvin Gaye to contemporaries like John Legend—but something that adds to that history: brand new collaborative tracks as if Marvin & John recorded together. It’s simply unprecedented on a mixtape. And I am particularly proud of the fact that all of it speaks to the true power of music to carry a message, and have a positive impact on society, and on people’s lives.”  I was fortunate enough to have J pass me a vinyl copy of the single "In The Ghetto (Wake Up!),'' a soulful revamping of the Eric B and Rakim original which features the God emcee himself, Black Thought, and Mr. Legend.  Fusegreen was responsible for the slick artwork which stylishly portrays housing projects across the country.  Speaking of Black Thought; I also caught Mr. Trotter and J perform a dope-as-fuck version of their live mixtape series at Brooklyn Bowl earlier this month.  The pair were beyond fluent, as if J was an original Roots member, mixing the band's material (both new and old) along with other hip hop classics for the legendary emcee to verbally bless, as he pieced together the latest in his naturally on-point vernacular.  It was an absolute treat and we should all be on the lookout for the next Roots' album, Undun, set to drop later this year.  You can hear J team up with veteran boardsman Pete Rock and Da Beatminerz this Monday, August 1st  for another live mixtape. Smif n Wessun (Tek and Steele) will be spitting live verses from their new release and Pete Rock-produced "Monumental.''  Should be super tight.   J.Period has also been named the official deejay for Q-tip's upcoming European tour, after rocking the show behind Tip at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival a few weeks back.  Some guy named Kanye West swung through as a surprise guest.  It was bananas.  J is ALSO in the midst of a collab with FLUD that will pair the intricate designs of the successful watch company with customized jump drives containing previously unreleased music and mixes by J.  It will all take place through Karmaloop and I got a sneak peak of the design and let me just say that these little gems will be gone in minutes.  J.Period continues to move the culture forward.  RESPECT.

myself, iwannabeher and cookie

I paid a quick visit to the Big Easy for my boy Bobby Strawberry's 30th birthday.  The Kreep It Local Crew was Thick As Thieves in the N.O. and we were blessed to have a lovely tour guide in Mrs. Jackson (no 3000), who led us to the musical blessings of folks like the Brass-A-Holics, Michael Sklar and the world renowned Hot8 Brass Band.  Zfemi Moses seemed to pop up on every stage we visited during our two night stay.  Her raspy croons were the cherry on top of the sweltering second line sounds that have never failed to move my feet.  The weekend was a dancing affair, and although we missed the Roller Derby sponsored Running of the Bulls due to a malfunction in our hotel

somethin' else, indeed

room safe (which held some personal belongings, cash and drugs AND not in that order of importance) we still managed to make the San Fermin, red and white-laden party by 8:00am. NOLA is bar none my favorite city to visit.  The food alone is worth the trip and besides the  necessary stop by Mother's, where the etouffe
and gumbo were marvelous as always, my favorite meal AND Bloody Mary came from Somethin' Else Cafe in the form of a soft shell crab-stuffed omlette. Best. Breakfast. Ever.

Spotify will undoubtedly change the way people share music.  Grooveshark, Pandora, and even iTunes should be a little, if not EXTREMELY frightened of the Swedish-born program which is free and can be organized and searched by artist, album, record label, genre or play list.  The financial partnerships have been made with the majors (i.e. Sony, EMI, Warner Music Group and Universal) as well as a number of indies (although some have been shafted already).  Yes, there are most likely a slew of lawsuits waiting to emerge, but overall streaming, sharing and searching for music on the internet has been taken to a whole new level via Spotify.  And it's free. The same goes for my new addiction: Turntable.fm. It is here where I often stand as ThelifeWeLeadBuddy (whatup Chip?! Told you I was reppin' hard up here) in a chat room amongst other avatars who can deejay their uploaded music (five deejays in rotation at a time) and cuss and discuss the selections of others with every ounce of pretentiousness you'd expect from an elitist in real life.  There are different rooms for different genres or you can create your own room.  A universal point system is in place and is based upon other avatars 'laming' or 'liking' (awesome-ing) the tracks that you drop.  Cooler avatars such as a giant, gold chain-rocking gorilla  or the Daft Punk robot itself (reserved for super users) may be obtained as your points increase.  If you have a Facebook account you can head there now and join the future; and perhaps the most profound function of turntable.fm is the ability to grab the tracks played by another deejay and place them in your own library.  Or you can Spotify them.  Or buy them from iTunes if you have the heart and the funds.  Either way, the kids who created the site have pieced together a nice little monster that may just pull you in...for hours at a time.  Just a fair warning.

In other music news, longtime friend and fellow ATX native Gary Clark, Jr. will release his first EP on the Warner Brothers imprint, entitled Bright Lights on August 9th..  The title track was produced by Rob Cavallo, while the other songs were produced by the Texas phenom himself.  Look for a full length record in early 2012.  

Aaron Perez may be the most talented percussionist I've ever stood in the same room with.  His role in the psychedelic fervor of  ATX personal favorites Bridge Farmers has been noted.  He also maintains the timing in Texas Americana giants the East Cameron Folkcore, whose Sound and Fury tribute to the late Jon Pettis is a must-own.  His latest project, Boyfrndz, sounds like Hum or Sunny Day Real Estate, except imagine them being juiced up on poly-rhythmic steroids, a la Hella or Sleeping People.  The band moves together well and the live show is incredible, as Perez's arms look surreal with each blasting change and hasty swing.  On tour in support of  their debut EP which was produced by Mr. Ikey Owens (The Mars Volta, Long Beach Dub Allstars), the Texas fourpiece have received substantial playtime over here at headquarters.  Speaking of getting in the game; Jesse Moore, the founding member and lead guitarist/vocalist of East Cameron, is also on the road in support of his brand new acoustic EP entitled Tall Tales and Modern Lies.  The record was recorded in a single day, yet plays with the depth and magnitude of a full length record.  As the title suggests,  Moore paints pictures with his dynamic voice (from gruff growls to falsetto pleas) and shares the kind of embellishments that contain just enough truth to have you instantly fall in love, as his stories are our own.  Fellow EC bandmate and git/trumpet player Blake Bernstein joins him on the road to increase the volume and warmth.

All the hype about WU LYF is warranted.  Do yourself a favor and spend an hour with the kiddos from Manchester.  Start here.  They do their own videos, too.  They're finally coming stateside as well--go tell it on the mountain.

I thoroughly enjoyed the violent thrash of Providence, Rhode Island's Tinsel Teeth at Death By Audio in Williamsburg earlier this month, too. The vocalist already had a black-eye before their set--I had also seen a photo online of her screaming topless, covered in blood and wearing a sizable strap-on.  They didn't disappoint, tightly knotting Melvins-y doom into a Drive Like Jehu noose.  My lady got blood on her white denim as little-Miss-sexpot terrorized the pit, gagging herself with the mic in between pelvic thrusts and a viral, sweaty crawl that left her face draped across the concrete floor, barely-covered ass in the air, screeching guttural fodder to the banging heads that circled.  TOTALLY worth the $7.  \m/

It looks like Danile Dumile is back.  DOOM is my favorite emcee EVER (definitely one of GOATs) and recently performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with the Robert Glasper Experiment.  The Ghostface collaboration may also finally be released.  You can pre-order the first single off the project now, titled DOOMSTARK, from Stones Throw and receive a limited edition DOOM Serato record.  I just did.

And finally, if you haven't heard Action Bronson spit or watched one of his cooking videos on Youtube then you're just flat out uninformed when it comes to that on-the-cusp-of-hip-hop-greatness.  Bronsolino is hilarious and polished and he can cook!  Ghostface sound-alike or not, the tubby ginger raps tough for Flushing, Queens and he is most definitely on his shit.  Standing in his own dookie as Spitta might say!  Cop Dr. Lecter  and get with the program.  It's tasty.

You can catch me droppin' wax on Roosevelt Island next Saturday, too.  SummerLoveTunes.  'Til next time, kiddos.

1

Shitty service, Sean P and BK bike thievery

During my first two weeks in Brooklyn I've been quick to notice several issues that will haunt the duration of my stay in the rotten apple.  Don't get me wrong.  I still love my neighborhood.  And Brooklyn as a whole is alive and breathing with beautiful people, places and shoes that my eyes can effortlessly indulge in for the entirety of an afternoon.  That being said, my Boo and I have yet to receive proper service at a restaurant and perhaps that's just the way it is, unfortunately.  Is it that no one cares?  Simple tasks such as, what we in the service industry have come to label an 'initial call-back,' have been non-existent. You know, the server comes to check on your table about three or so minutes after the food has been dropped?  In addition, keeping waters refilled seems to be an even simpler task that almost every waiter has failed.  Hell, even being asked if we'd like another beer (me) or  vodka rocks (her) when our first was less than half full or empty has only occurred once without us having to flag someone down. And in that instance the establishment is losing money - i.e. the server isn't being a 'seller', which is perhaps the most important aspect of the business.  I slung food for seven years and booze for eight.   Quite frankly, I'm appalled at the way these customary (at least where I'm from) interactions are completely disregarded in New York.  I will admit that we don't dine out very often, as we both enjoy cooking and it's obviously more cost efficient.  We also haven't dined in Manhattan, but we have enjoyed $60-$100 meals in Brooklyn multiple times during these inexcusable situations and I feel we've been either a) shafted by lazy employees, or b) absolutely spoiled by the kind folks back home in the Lonestar State.  

Despite the service, the Italian cuisine and pizza served up at Graziella's on Vanderbilt is hands down the tastiest food we've experienced thus far.  B's personal veggie pizza was "thin crusted and fired well done" from a "unique wood burning brick oven and topped with fresh basil."  Amazing.  The crust was bendy, yet crisp, while the cheese and sauce were the first thing I've experienced in Brooklyn that could touch Stony's.  My lasagna was "layered with nutmeg-infused Bolognese sauce, béchamel, fresh mozzarella, and topped with parmesan" to my extreme pleasure.  It was marvelous and we will return...with our own water, perhaps.

One couldn't ask for a more appropriate introductory to live BK hip hop than the Duck Down showcase last Wednesday at Southpaw.  It was the album release party and the Brooklyn premiere swinging of Random Axe, the formidable trio of  Brownsville barbarian Sean Price, Detroit underground native Guilty Simpson and fellow Motor City producer phenom and emcee Black Milk.  The under bill was a rewarding treat for local heads and hip hop connoisseurs,  as Skyzoo (one of Brooklyn's most underrated emcees) spit-vicious through a hype set of passionate rhymes to a charged hometown crowd in promotion of his new The Great Debater mixtape.  The night then turned into a Duck Down-Boot Camp Clik-family affair, as Black Moon took the stage, and Buckshot, 5ft and DJ Evil Dee (who kept the crowd moving for the entire evening) performed cut after cut from the '93 classic album Enta Da Stage.   They shared the spotlight with  fellow Duck Down brethren Steele of Smif-n-Wessun fame, who was promoting the newly released SnW collabo with God-producer Pete Rock, entitled Monumental.   Then it was Sean P's Heltah Skeltah cohort, Rock, who added to the 90's BK gathering, donning a snide, almost bitter grin, as he spit a verse or two a capella that was boasting of his own  legacy on the m-i-c (the partner-in-rhyme would eventually join Price on stage for an HS reunion at the end of the evening).  Label co-founder and Duck Down CEO 'Dru Ha' Friedman even accompanied the performance, rapping a verse from "U Da Man".  The vibe in the building was nice, as the crowd and everyone involved on stage was feeling the music and the respect that blossomed along side the flashing cameras and videos.  Before Random Axe in its entirety took the stage, Mr. Price, formerly 'Ruck', went on and wrecked his two and half minute banger (one of my favorite joints from all of last year) "Figure Four.''   The "PEEEEEEEs'' being echoed by the crowd (in homage to the baritone moniker "P!'' he so often spews) could have been mistaken for ''boos'' they were so thick!  Guilty Simpson followed with his own solo gem, "Clap Your Hands'', a Dilla-produced track from 2006.  Joined by Black Milk, the trio then ripped through a good portion of their self-titled debut.  It was my first time to hear much of the record and I was thoroughly impressed.  Download it on iTunes for your summer soundtrack (peep footage below).  P's verses alone are worth the trip.  You see, Sean Price has a certain disrespectful aura that innately surrounds his speech and mannerisms; it's almost as if he's talking down to you as he schools you, and in the braggadocio world that is hip hop and emceeing, that holds considerable weight and can be accredited to a man's authenticity.  While I may have just lost some of you or perhaps you don't think you would admire such a voice - hear me out.  Yes, P is arrogant.  Yes Sean Peabody raps about selling and smoking cocaine.  Yes I think Jesus Price has probably done some legitimate dirt.  Yes he is a bully.  Yes he heralds mad respect from his peers.  No I wouldn't want to cross him or disrespect him.  A veteran of the game, Price is the kind of emcee that I naturally revere because of that air, because of that confidence.  And dude can flat out rap.  He's beyond seasoned and been around longer than so many paid cats in the industry.  I'm sure he can still walk through Brownsville whenever he wants.  Last Wednesday was my first time seeing him spit live.  He was the only emcee that evening that didn't seem overly excited or aroused about the occasion.  It wasn't in an 'I'm too cool to get hype' kind of way either.  He is just naturally somewhat private, unenthusiastic and/or extremely fucking cool.   His hand mannerisms are sharp and deliberate.  They firmly bring home every punch-line and joke.  Yes, joke.  He's not all about punking dummies and pistol claps. He's actually laugh-out-loud hilarious when he rhymes, but his stare is cold and penetrating.  He's probably a real nice dude, but maybe not.  I'm about through dick-riding,

Kimbo Price @Southpaw

but the bottom line is that Sean Price is dope.  He's been dope.  "Grown man rap,'' as he so often puts it.  Listen for yourself if you don't share my opinion or feel that I'm blowing smoke.  And I won't lie and tell you that I copped Nocturnal when it dropped back in 1996, but I've done my research and I recognize talent within a mic-controller.  Look no further than Brownsville's bully who is still somewhat of a blue collar, under the radar kind of artist.  Tell the aspiring hip hop kiddies about Sean P!

I'm going to leave you with some disturbing, yet not so surprising facts about NYC.  Hell, I guess I should've been ready for the shitty service as well, but needing to lock your bike seat to its frame?!  My lady and I thought we were prepared for theft, as we scoped the neigborhood and the lock choices before peddling out.  We found that U-locks weren't popular and that everyone used a chain, like that of a Kryptonite or something bigger.  While we were in Austin two weeks ago, I went to Home Depot and purchased a chain large enough to wrap around both of our frames and front tires when we went out together.  However, what we failed to notice was that most everyone has a smaller locking cable or chain that secures the actual bike seat to the frame AND that many people simply detach their seat, along with the

Yo Crooks & Castles!  You can borrow this design :0

connecting  metal rod, from their bikes every time they lock up.  Well, B's seat got jacked while parked near the subway in downtown Brooklyn.  It WAS there all day.  And when she looked at the other bikes parked on the rack surrounding hers, about half had their seats secured with said devices.  So now, we have our seats secured, a large chain for our front wheels and frames, and I even carry my old U-lock to bolt my back
wheel mags to the wheel frame just in case someone goes to eye-balling my 20" beauty and
its clean black shoes.  Three locks, one bike. #welcometoNYC

Welcome to Brooklyn

Tillie’s in Fort Greene is my coffee and Wi-Fi spot for now.  While I’m sure it’s just one of many caffeine serving gems, it’s the place B brought me first and the coffee and grub is fantastic.  I wasn’t starving and on recommendation went with a slice of zucchini quiche.  YUM.  Built upon a delicate, perfectly brittle crust, my medium sized triangle of cheesy, egg-y greatness hit the spot.  The zucchini was still crisp, to boot!  B went with a slice of Brooklyn Blackout Cake.  DUDE!   Moist, rich and thick, she dug through and ate around the chocolate slabs that separated the layers of actual cake which were gone in moments.  I ate the leftover chocolate pieces which reminded me of actual Hershey bars—DIVINE.

We peddled around that afternoon to get a feel for the neighborhood.  Diverse and friendly as expected, the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene area is a proper mix of families, college kids, independent business owners and commuters.  It is extremely bike friendly (zero hills—WOOHOO) and I can’t wait to call ‘next’ at one of the three basketball courts we came across.  While the competition level is most certainly higher than the Eastwoods pickup game back home, they seem to only play 4on4, half-court games, which makes it easier for us speed and handle-challenged folks :)  While making B watch at least twenty-five minutes or so of pickup games, I immediately noticed that EVERYONE can ball up here, which isn’t surprising.  I’m talking short, fat, old, young, black, British, Asian, Puerto Rican.  People were hoopin’ and I can’t wait to bring Texas to the muphuckin court.  _m/

We decided to grab dinner at the Five Spot on Myrtle Avenue (formally coined ‘Murda’ Ave) just two blocks from our apartment.  Advertising ‘SOUL FOOD’ on the side of the building, I was excited.  However, we aren’t in Kansas anymore, Toto, and while the food wasn’t really bad, it definitely wasn’t great (especially for the price).  I had meat loaf which was blackened by design (great flavor, yet a little dry and in need of more sauce) and the collard greens, which were downright bland.  When I asked for hot sauce, I was brought a plastic ramekin of what I guess was Tabasco (I guess theses brothers are worried about customers stealing the bottle? I though it odd, but then again maybe it’s like that everywhere up here).  I then learned that Long Island fries are what we southerners call ‘steak cut’ fries.   My beautiful cohort had thinly fried New Orleans’s catfish strips (ummmm, not really).  They were mostly breading and very fishy--she couldn’t bear them.  I cleaned them up with ketchup because I refuse to waste food.  The absolute best item was the cornbread.  DAYUUUUM!  It was of the sweet variety (my favorite) and thicker than the slice of cake from earlier.  It was chewy, yet not doughy in the middle and maintained its fluffy consistency through the morning, when I had it for breakfast with a glass of milk.  There was a ‘DJ’ at the Five Spot, but hell, he was beyond terrible.  He sat down in front of a laptop and used the space bar to attempt to blend mega-mixes of pop dancehall and reggae-ton tracks.  I didn’t appreciate one single mix or song, and yes, I’m difficult to please.  I did return the next day for happy hour though.  The folks there are friendly and a $3 pint of Brooklyn Ale (my new Fireman’s 4) is hard to pass up.

We enjoyed an early evening of nothing in our apartment.  We found that we need curtains if we’re ever to sleep past 7 am.  We’re on the fifth floor and the sun came-a-shining bright!  It felt wonderful though, to be in a new place with new opportunity, starting a new life  J

The next day started off shitty, as the first bike repair shop we took my 20” to (the brakes were somehow damaged in the move) tried to hustle us.  We were still without tools at that point and I knew it was an easy fix.  However, this dude looked at me and then the bike and then started saying I needed new brake pads and that maybe the wheel wasn’t aligned.  I was shocked.  I looked at B and we both knew we were being lubed-up.  He then said, “Well, if you’ll give the clerk your name and information, I’ll take a look at it when I can…”  yeah fucking right.  We bounced and were pissed.  I was having to maneuver the bike on its front wheel only around the city.  The next spot was completely different.  We walked in and I let B do the talking this time (maybe I just look like a dumbass) and this Italian fellow stopped working on the bike he was tending to.  He grabbed a wrench, loosened the pad, shifted the cable and said “that should do it.”  We gave him $5 dollars (that he didn’t ask for) and I was so joyous.  That was the kind of service we’d become accustomed to at East Side Pedal Pushers back home!  And now we BOTH had wheels again!

We rode all over the city again that afternoon.  Watched a few more basketball games and grabbed our first slice of pie.  It was only $2.50 and gigantic!  I forget the name of the place.  Better than ninety percent of the shit from back home, but still no Stony’s!  The absolute best pie back home HANDS DOWN!

So, almost every person you see in BK has admirable fashion sense.  I haven’t even been to Williamsburg yet (the oh-so-hip, or so I’ve heard).  I have seen some crazy kicks that seem super custom.  You see a pair of Jordan’s nearly every two minutes.  I’ve seen the II’s, III’s, IV’s,  VIII’s and  XII’s just around our neighborhood alone.  I’m so jealous.  I have a decent collection of shoes, but have decided to quit collecting (at around forty pair) unless they’re Jordan’s.  I formally decided to do so before moving up here, and upon arriving, have been even more motivated to capture my favorite J’s.

We decided to go to Woodwork, a sports bar in Prospect Heights, to watch game three of the NBA Finals.  There weren’t many people there to see the game, which I guess isn’t surprising seeing how Lebron James DID NOT go to the Knicks or Nets, yet to South Beach.  My Mavs had a chance to win and missed.  The series is 2-1 now, with the Mavericks hanging by Dirk’s shoestring and in need of some other laces to help tighten up a winning pair.  Woodwork, like many places in the area is ‘cash-only’.  We assume that businesses don’t want to pay the credit card fees, so they don’t.  The dimly lit bar had three forty-two inch screens, only one of which displayed the basketball game.  I was craving a bloody mary and was excited when it arrived in tall pint glass with tiny sweet pickles and olives poking out of the top.  However, once again, Toto  was me.  It tasted carbonated and had entirely too much sour kraut (is that even legal?) The pieces were getting stuck in my teeth with every sip.  I first thought I had hair in my mouth.  Seriously!  AND once again, I wasn’t going to waste a drop at $8, so I patiently sipped and waited and hoped that someone else would order one so that I could eyeball the bartender.   Finally, I hear someone boasting about how tasty the bloody mary’s were there.  I watched the bartender (back turned) prepare the cocktail.  And then came across the most peculiar sight.  She topped off her concoction with a sizeable pull of Guinness draft!!!!  I’m still a little concerned as to who the hell thought this would be a flavorful addition to all that is supposed to be spicy and ripe with veggie flavor.  Anyhow, that’s how they do it at Woodwork.  I wasn’t mad.  Maybe some people think it sounds tasty, but I couldn’t enjoy it.  I instead was happy to find that Tecate was only $3!  B was starving and decided to order a veggie sandwich.  Eat your heart out Bouldin Creek Café!  This scrumptious, soon-to-be staple began on a perfectly toasted French baguette and was generously stuffed with slightly grilled squash, red peppers, onions and zucchini, smeared in garlic humus and topped with tapenade, a creamy, palatable blend of olives, capers and anchovies.  It was easily the best food we had tasted in the first two days.  We are going back to the bar for Game 4 partly because of the sandwich!  I was now hungry, after only tasting the sandwich and depending on the bloody mary to fill me up (barf).  When I told B that I wanted to eat the half Cuban sandwich the guy next to me was about to throw away, she replied with “BABE!!! Nobody here knows you that well yet.  When we find OUR ‘spot’ you can pull that shit!’’  I really love that woman!  J

We instead devoured the Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Bread Pudding that was garnished with apple spears and drizzled with Nutella.  It was warm and splendid!  #nextlevelbarfood

Other first day observations: 

-The $2.20, half pound package of fresh fruit I purchased at the grocery store.  There was literally kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cantaloupe, oranges, blood oranges, grapes and apples packaged in Styrofoam and wrapped up with a plastic fork!  And for just over two bucks!  There is nothing of the sort that cheap and healthy back home! I didn’t even finish it all in one sit-in at breakfast the next morning! 

-I am finally in the presence of ALL my records and pair of Technics again.  I am so happy to have access to my vinyl and the ability to mix whenever I want.  Be on the lookout for smiznO to make an eventual BK appearance.  I also need to start a band, find a job (I may say fuck it and be a bike messenger) and continue networking.  I know so many people up here and have only contacted one of them.

THANKS for reading.  I’m O-U-T.