Ivory Snow & Radio B Freestyle

I shot this video during Ivory and Radio B's recent visit to Go Live Radio (yes that's me makin all that noise between verses, lol).

Thank you to the guys for rhyming over one of my favorite Dr. Dre beats in honor of his Bday.

XXL 2011 Freshmen Class

I'm not gonna get into what I think the about the XXL Freshman but here ya go:

Meek Mill, Cyhi The Prynce, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred the Godson, Mac Miller, YG, Lil B, Kendrick Lamar and Diggy Simmons

Go Live Radio 2/19/11

In continuation of our series "Elements of a Dope Hip-Hop Show" we've got Producers: Dr. No & J. Dubb, Guest DJ: DJ Rns, and Artists: Ivory Snow & Radio Blitz on this week's show.

PLUS DJ Jeff C and I slid a Big L tribute in the beginning of the show. RIP Big L.

Santigold-L.E.S. Artistes

Santigold (formerly Santogold) is one of those artists that might make you raise an eyebrow the 1st time you hear her music or see her perform but no one can deny the unique artistry that drives her.

Skimming through old cd's in my car made me stumble across this track (which was my unofficial "theme song" for quite some time).

The visual might be a little awkward to those unfamiliar to her performing style so I've included the 1st verse and chorus after the jump to give you a jist of the song.



Think you've never heard Santigold before?

Listen to the first line of this song...does it sound familiar? (Someone sampled it last year and turned it into an anthem)



Listen here for the sampled song:

Les Nubians - Nü Revolution

After my previous post, a few people asked about Les Nubians new album so here's an update:

Concert goers of the talented duo's Fall 2010 Tour had an opportunity to purchase a 6 song limited edition EP but the full "Nü Revolution" album will be released this Spring.

Here are a few teasers from the upcoming project:

Listen to Liberté


"Amour à Mort (Love to Death)" features French rapper John Banzaï and the videos show a relationship from 2 different perspectives. Watch them in the order listed to get the full effect.

Les Nubians

"Feelings or emotions are the universal language and are to be honored" ~ Judith Wright

This morning's commute included Les Nubians "Princesses Nubiennes" blasting through my speakers and, even though my 3 years of French in High School only amount to me understanding a handful of words, the emotions expressed need no translation.

Les Nubians are a grammy nominated group of French songstresses who I first heard on Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek's track "Love Language" (which skips on EVERY "Train on Thought" cd I've owned).

After hearing them sing the hook, I immediately searched for their other work and have been a fan ever since.

The video below features "Love Language" and I included the translated Chorus afterwards. I've also included their Top 10 single "Makeda" so you can get a feel for their music.



(Chorus):
L'amour n'a pas de, frontiere (Love has no boundaries)
Restes car je t'aime comme tu es (Stay because I love you as you are)
J'ai traverse l'ocean du verbe (I crossed an ocean of words)
Et je t'ai trouve (And I found you)

Mixtapes: Singles Awareness Day #3

Happy Valentine's/Singles Awareness Day!!

DCtoBC posted this great mix of 31 songs about the many facets of love on his website and I wanted to post something appropriate for all us "single folk" out there, so please download and enjoy. (Warning: There's no tracklist)

Download mixtape here

Go Live Radio 2/12/11

When I said "Valentine's Day is comin up, lets do a show of all love songs...hip hop version" the guys were a little reluctant but I'm glad they gave in.

Interviews with Kleph Dollaz, Nickelus F., and Diallo plus a mix from the Heavy Hitter DJ Lonnie B and all hip-hop love songs on this week's show. Hope you enjoy (I'm working with DJ Jeff C to create a downloadable version of tonight's mix)

Guess XXL's 2011 Freshmen, Win a Prize

(Update: Contest is over)

This time around, XXL Magazine is making the Freshman picking process pro-active (say THAT 3x's fast) by having a contest for people to guess this year's Top 10 Freshmen.

Click here and post your picks in the comment box. The first person to guess all 10 artists correctly will win VIP tickets to a concert in their area featuring one of the official Freshman.

Here are the Freshmen Class from the past 3 years. I'll discuss my guesses on tonight's episode of Go Live Radio.

2010: J Cole, Fashawn, Wiz Khalifa, Donni,s Freddie Gibbs, Jay Rock, Oj Da Juiceman, Pill, Nipsey Hussle, Big Sean

2009: Asher Roth, B.o.B, Mickey Factz, Kid Cudi, Cory Gun,z Charles Hamilton, Blu, Currensy, Ace Hood, Wale

2008: Saigon, Lupe Fiasco, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Rich Boy, Plies, Gorilla Zoe, Young Dro, Papoose, Lil Boosie

Chuck Close

Chuck Close is an innovative artist whose work resembles a sort of new-age pointillism. He emerged in the 70's as a photorealist and his mediums range from water color on canvas to tapestries, stamp pads, and even material that resembles egg cartons.

Below you'll find an example of his work along with a video showcasing some of his other pieces. It's almost as if he sees things in pixels! The second video (after the jump) is from a gallery opening. Skip to 05:04 to see some of the tapestries.

This is his self portrait:

This is a close-up of the rim of the glasses in the portait shown above:

Where has the time gone?

This Salvador Dali piece visualizes how I feel about time these days.

A visit to the VA Museum of Fine Arts is in my agenda for tonight so look out for some pix on tomorrow's posts. There's an exhibit I've been meaning to share with you guys.

Slaughterhouse on The Breakfast Club

After performing at NY's Highline Ballroom last night, Slaughterhouse made an early visit to The Breakfast Club to discuss the new EP and signing to Shady Records.

Tracklist after the jump. ("Sun-Doobie" produced by Mr. Porter is by far my fave track)

Mixtapes: DJ RnS - DUBSTEP MIX /// BASS LEVEL PT 2

He's slackin on the cover art but not the tunes (sorry RnS, couldn't resist talkin trash). Here's Part 2 of his Dubstep Mix. Tracklist after the jump.

DJ RNS aka Manotti da Vinci - Dubstep /// Bass Level 2 by DJ RNS

Banksy - Exit Through The Gift Shop (Documentary)

Banksy, Banksy, Banksy...where do I begin?

For those of you who've never heard of this amazing street artist, I suggest you GET FAMILIAR.

Bansky has been using walls all over the London area to express his political views for years and recently crossed the pond for exhibits in New York and Los Angeles, as well as putting up pieces in New Orleans during the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and many other random locations.

This film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, was shown in select theaters nationwide, and is now up for an Oscar Award for "Best Documentary".

The picture on the right of my blog is a Bansky piece but to see more of his work, check out his book "Wall and Piece" or visit his website here.

R.I.P. Big Pun

Today marks the anniversary of Big Pun's untimely death in 2000.

The "It's So Hard" video came out shortly after his death and features his children, wife, and many friends of the late great emcee. Although it's not the song I'd choose to represent Pun's tremendous contribution to Hip-Hop, it shows how much love and respect he earned even after he was gone.

RIP Pun.

Erykah Badu - Telephone

Knowing the back-story of this song gives me chills every time I hear it so it's only appropriate to post it on J. Dilla's birthday. RIP J. Dilla.

A snippet from our tribute along with the story about the track can be found after the jump. UPDATE: I was told by a friend that the song didn't play the whole way thru and it's been changed with a new mp3. (click on the track name to download)

Erykah Badu - Telephone

Info from Go Live Radio 2/05/11

Here's a re-cap of all the info I mentioned on our previous broadcast of Go Live Radio:

* J Dilla Foundation website is http://www.jdillafoundation.org/
Follow Jessica Estevez on Twitter @iheartdilla for info on events throughout the month

* Donations to help the Father of Hip-Hop, Kool Herc, with his medical bills can be sent to: Kool Herc Productions, PO Box 20472, Huntington Station, NY 11746 or Donate with PayPal here

* Details about The Grammy Museum's Hip Hop Exhibit can be found here: http://www.grammymuseum.org/
  Their address is 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. A245, Los Angeles, CA 90015

* "Donate a Dollah"  for the National Museum of Hip Hop at http://nmoh.org/

Go Live Radio 2/05/11

In the month of February we'll be discussing elements of a dope Hip-Hop show and feature different Artists, Producers, and DJ's each week.

This week's guests are emcee Joey Gallo and DJ Swerve 360 (producer Kleph Dollaz was ill but we hope he'll stop by before the month ends). Tune in next week when we have DJ Lonnie B, emcee Nick Fury (aka Nickelus F), and producer Diallo stopping by.

DJ Jeff C and I have been working on a J. Dilla tribute all week so we hope you enjoy. All the info I mentioned on this show will be posted tomorrow with the exception of the complete "Telephone" track, which I'll post on the 7th.

                                     

Mixtapes: Ivory Snow - THE FINAL CUT (J. Dilla Dedication)

It's past 2:04 Loviiies!! Y'know what THAT means?! The anticipation is over, hope you enjoy the mixtape. (Tracklist after the jump)

Download "The Final Cut" here

Canayda x Illa - "Fall In Love" (Ode to Slum V)

For those who may not know, February is "Dilla Month" to us Hip-Hop heads. I guarantee that every website/radio station focused on Hip-Hop will pay homage to one of the most beloved Producers of our time at some point in the next few weeks...and if they don't, they're posers.

Last night I spent over 3 hrs prepping my J. Dilla Tribute for this week's Go Live Radio broadcast and decided to share songs by people I know who are showing love to Jay Dee through music.

This track was played on last week's Go Live broadcast and Mr. Ivory Snow's dedication mixtape will be released at 2:04 pm today.

Ivory Snow

I went to an artist showcase this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised when an artist by the name of Ivory Snow rejuvenated the crowd from an inevitable coma as they waited for the "main acts" to perform (I was waiting for Nike Nando, Mike Millions, & Nick Fury).

I'm not saying the previous performers were wack, only that THIS artist stood out to me. Here's a recap video of the show plus Ivory Snow's "Till Death Do Us Part" mixtape after the jump. Make sure you check out #4 "They Not Ready", #7 "Dilla Rocks", & #10 "Bite Our Style".

His new mixtape "The Final Draft" (dedicated to J. Dilla) will be released on Feb 4th.

Mixtapes: DJ RnS - DUBSTEP MIX /// BASS LEVEL PT 1

DJ RnS strikes again!! Got this Dubstep mix, which is only Part 1 of 2, from him early this morning. Tracklist after the jump.

DJ RNS aka Manotti da Vinci - Dubstep /// Bass Level 1 by DJ RNS

Go Live Radio 1/29/11

I'm still nursing a bad cold (as you see me coughin like crazy on air) so please bear with me and my lack of posts in the past week. Here's last week's show: