Criminal Minded Sessions

KRS-One is the Bob Dylan of Hip Hop. Here's a grungy cypher session delivered by the immaculate hands of DJ Kenny Parker via East Village Radio. Props to Unkut.com for revealing this Jewel.

Pete Rock Camp Lo: 80 Blocks From Tiffany's Pt 2

Pete Rock continues to rock his low key high hit profile by releasing a new mix with Camp Lo featuring Mac Miller, Ab-Soul, Talib Kweli and a few special guests with 80 Blocks From Tiffany's Pt 2. Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the classic Mecca and The Soul Brother, Pete Rock delivers his signature producing skills for free courtesy of Dat Piff. Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth recently played a free concert this past weekend at Central Park for their Summer Stage series. This mix is all killer and no filler, every track is high quality and deserves to be analyzed like a text book, go grab it!

Additionally 80 Blocks From Tiffany's is a documentary about gangs in the South Bronx, primarily The Savage Skulls and Savage Nomads in 1979. It was directed by Gary Weis who at the time worked on Saturday Night Live. I believe he actually got Lorne Michaels to fund this gritty examination of ghetto life before the crack epidemic took hold of those neighborhoods. The title relates the distance between jewelry store Tiffany & Co. and the South Bronx.

The Afrika Bambaataa Master of Records Open Archive

Afrika Bambaataa is as essential to Hip Hop Kulture as DJ Kool Herc. While Herc was the first to bring B-Boys and Girls, Emcees together during his park Jams it was Afrika Bambaataa who after a trip in Africa decided to transform the gang he led, The Black Spades into The Universal Zulu Nation. The organization expanded to all areas of the city and became a large proponent of Hip Hop and all of its active elements including but not limited to Deejaying, Graffiti, Breaking and Rapping. It was Bambaataa who met Malcom Mclaren and he was the first to bring Hip Hop to the attention of record executives and was a major supporter of the art in its infancy. I encourage you to listen to the Buffalo Gals- Back to Skool compilation for further info.

Bambaataa's song Planet Rock is my unofficial musical anthem. Before I really cared about music I knew that was my jam. I had a chance to speak to Bambaataa and give my respect. He is truly a powerful inspiration and humble figure in Hip Hop. Now his record collection is on public display as part of The Cornell University Library's Hip Hop Collection. The public can come and view the collection Mon-Fri from 12-5PM at Gavin Brown's Enterprise 620 Greenwich Street in New York City. The exhibit ends on August 10th 2013.

Press Release

Basquiat and RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ Collaborations

Many people are familiar with Jean-Michel Basquiat's artwork, but just as many don't know about New York's RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ a Graffiti Writer, Emcee, B-Boy and visual artist who pioneered many elements of art that are still in effect today. Check this video featuring RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ rapping lyrics he and Basquiat worked on together. It came out of a rivalry between the two artists, claiming they could do what the other could do and better. Basquiat set up some canvas and paint for RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ and the result was all the paintings he being sold. 

When Jean-Michel went to the studio with RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ to rap RAMM recalled that Basquiat's lyrics weren't up to snuff "...we crushed up his paper with the words he had written down and we threw it back at him face first." Beat Bop is an incredibly rare Hip Hop record that features RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ and K-Rob on vocals and Basquiat's artwork on the sleeve and label. It is said to have influenced The Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill and El-P among many others. Live at The Rhythm Lounge features RAMM:ΣLL:ZΣΣ and Toxic C1 and Basquiat's visuals. Despite the rivalry both artists were incredibly creative forces and we continue to build the foundation that they laid down.

Daft Punk Figures Push My Luck

I saw these fresh as fuck new Daft Punk figures on Amazon and I like many I want them. Don't fret as these aren't Comicon exclusives, but are actual figures Bandai is releasing in December at $45 each. Best to get on your good behavior now and hope that Christmas treats you well. Me? I'm pushing my luck with this wish, but man I would love to have these guys rock Castle Grayskull, Unicron and The Death Star!

Ka, Grief Pedigree

Straight out of the brownsville section of Brooklyn stands Veteran Emcee Ka and he is armed with vintage cuts with a modern flow that recalls the golden says of the 1990's while moving steadily ahead with Ka's main vision of survival and personal progression. These days a solo rap album is very much a family affair with guest appearances on nearly every track, but Roc Marciano is the only featured artist on the album proving that Ka's twenty plus years experience can control and handle every track with ease.


Grief Pedigree is a laid back, but rough traversal of Brownsville's gritty landscape. It's a great listen that recalls the dark and gritty days of New York in the 90's. Ka also directed and edited videos for every song, pushing his abilities and credits past a mere Emcee. The visuals are all very meticulously chosen and placed, it's clearly a labor of love. I doubt you will be able to cop Grief Pedigree and Ka's new release, The Night's Gambit in record stores. If you want a physical you can get it directly from Ka which you should be doing for all music you respect. Peace!

http://brownsvilleka.com/

The Gaslamp Killer's Brush With Death

The Gaslamp Killer is probably America's wildest DJ, hands down I can't think of a DJ who performs like a true rock star- no holds barred high energy flowing from every angle of his physical as he pumps unconventional jams to packs of rabid partiers all over the world. His debut album Breakthrough is a wonderful reflection of his reputation and style of glitchy breaks mixed with elegant melodies. It is easily one of last year's best releases. I had a chance to see GLK back in May in Brooklyn and I had a chance to express my appreciation for his musical efforts and I'm glad because this past week he had a brush with death that reading about it still sends shivers down my spine.

Photo by Ani Yapundzhyan

While riding a scooter he had an accident that caused the bike to flip over and land on top of him. He had to deal with conflicting information from Firefighters and navigating road conditions. After arriving at the hospital he found out after waiting in pain in the ER that he was suffering from internal bleeding and if he was left alone longer he would have died. He's out of the hospital and healing at home in LA, but due to the surgery of losing his spleen he is out of action for the rest of the Summer. 

Our prayers go out to GLK and all who are affected by his presence, transformations and manifestations occur in this world because those changes are necessary to our individual life experiences. We are confident that Gaslamp Killer has the power to pull through his hurdle and deliver the music he was born to create. Get well, brother, I'll be sure to see you at the next show. Peace!

More details and Interview at LA Weekly.