Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek – The Blast

Love this song.  Love this video.

Damn, ça faisait bien longtemps que le break m’avait pas fait d’effet. Les coupoles et freezes, pass pass et casquettes à l’envers, j’ai décroché. Enfin, ça, c’était avant que je vois un BC One en direct. Le concept ? Un battle international qui réunit les 16 meilleurs B-boys de la planète. Ils s’affrontent en 1 à 1 devant un jury de 5 danseurs mythiques. Et autour, y’a une foule de gros fanatiques qui crient dans tous les sens. Après Biel, Berlin, Sao Paulo Johannesburg et Paris, c’est au tour de New York, ville emblématique du break, d’accueillir l’événement. Et quel événement ! Un bon show hip hop sans trop d’artifices avec la crème de la danse, et des bonnes grosses figures du mouvement : KRS One (old school mais incontournable) et Talib Kweli (très respecté mais un peu spé). On n’est pas dans le mainstream, on est vraiment au cœur du truc, et ça fait du bien. En plus, les Français ont fait une sacrée impression ! Reprezent !

Dimanche dernier, j’t’ai pas raconté parce que c’était tout naze, mais j’ai filé dans le Bronx pour fêter l’anniversaire du hip hop. Le musée du coin organisait un combo expo+conférence pour l’occasion, car Novembre comme tu le sais peut être, c’est le mois anniversaire de la culture hip hop. Résultat je me pointe là-bas, 167^e rue, pour finalement trouver une expo de bouts de ficelles, un ticket de concert par-ci, une photo par-là, une bombe de peinture encadrée. Non sérieux ? Tu penses bien que j’suis pas restée à la conférence. Les 3 darons old school qui y étaient m’ont juste donné envie de repartir à Brooklyn. J’suis vraiment sortie dégoûtée, genre « c’est ça l’hommage de la maman du hip hop à son enfant ? Bah putain, ça craint. » Les mecs sont toujours en train de surfer sur un passé glorieux sans considérer ce qui se fait aujourd’hui. Ça va ! j’ai donné. Sans moi.

Heureusement, RedcBull, (la boisson que je n’ai jamais osé boire par peur des représailles sur ma santé), m’a donné des ailes mercredi soir avec son événement de B-boys. J’en avais entendu parler, j’avais vu des images, mais j’avais jamais expérimenté le truc. Bah c’est intense ! Et pour sa première fois aux States, les places pour le BC One se sont vendues en 1h, petite salle oblige, histoire de garder le côté intime du battle. Les danseurs venaient du monde entier, (tout comme le public) très jeunes pour la plupart, genre 17 ans et déjà mondialement connus. Damn, j’me sens vielle d’un coup. A 17 ans j’avais les cheveux gras, je mettais des jeans 501 et des Nike Air (Pas Air Max, juste Air) et j’hésitais entre une Première L ou ES. C’était un autre dilemme que le leur… Côté B-boys, 2 Frenchy représentaient : Punisher, un métalleux d’Annecy, converti au break qui n’a pas une once de hip hop dans le sang, mais qui fait des figures comme personne ; et Lilou, petit gabarit asthmatique Lyonnais d’origine Algérienne qui met du Lacoste et défonce tout sur son passage avec son attitude et ses jeux de jambes (et de pieds, de mains, d’épaules, de hanches, bref !). J’avais bien hâte de les voir. Plus particulièrement de les voir gagner. Histoire de prouver aux Cainris que les Français ne savent pas faire que du pain, du vin et du Boursin. Hey les mecs, on fait du break aussi, ok ?

7h45 : La salle se remplit super vite, ça sent (pue ?) le clou de girofle, la clim me rend ouf et le groupe d’ados du Queens à côté de moi me chauffe la tête. Le premier gars qui prend la parole sur scène m’est totalement inconnu, mais comme il porte un ensemble en jean qui fait bleu de travail horrible bah j’tenais quand même à le mentionner. Il fait un shout out à tous les pays du monde et quand il demande qui ne vient pas de New York, toute la salle crie. Ok, on est vraiment face à des passionnés qui ont fait le déplacement exprès. Puis KRS entre en scène. C’est lui qui présentera le show. Il est massif le mec. Encore une fois, une styliste n’aurait pas été de trop. Il a un jean avec une bonne coupe bien dégueu et un tee-shirt artisanal, on dirait qu’il l’a fait lui-même. Le message (I am HIP HOP) est sympathique donc je ne m’acharnerai pas trop sur lui. Bref. Les juges font leur entrée. Chapeau bas, c’est que des mecs qui pèsent grave. En gros, juste avec leur démo, j’aurai pu rentrer chez moi contente. Coup de cœur pour Salah, un autre Frenchy qui maîtrise de ouf et qui a mis les States à ses pieds avec une mini-prestation bien originale. A 8h05, je réalise que je suis déjà à fond dans le show, avec presque plus de voix. Bon public la Travelin’ Girl !

8h15, les B-boys déboulent sur scène. Encore une fois, je m’étonne de voir leurs têtes de lycéens, à un niveau de compétition si élevé. Et faut l’dire, les mecs n’ont tellement pas l’air de breakeur. A croire que le B-boy des années 2000 n’a plus rien de celui des années 90. Le style skateur grungy est de rigueur. Le gros jogging/hoodie/Superstars est manifestement out. Revêt désormais un jean slim, des pompes de skate, un sous-pull marron et ça fera l’affaire. Anyway. La première vague de battles commence. Un contre un. 5 votes, celui qui est éliminé sort. Il n’en reste que 8 assez rapidement. Le niveau est déjà là, mais on en veut plus ! Déception pour notre Frenchy Punisher. Il n’a pas réussi à impressionner assez. Pourtant, ses figures m’ont fait mal à la tête, j’essaie encore de comprendre comment rationnellement, ce qu’il a fait est possible mais bon, je m’en remettrais. Ce qui compte lors du battle, c’est plus le style, le charisme, la repartie et la musicalité que la technique. Elle doit être irréprochable, certes, mais si tu n’as que ça, ça ne suffira pas. Dès le début par contre, Lilou nous fait bien rire : mimique, mime, sourire, attitude, le gars a tout pour lui et rend chaque passage unique. D’ailleurs, j’me souviens plus de ses jeux d’acteur que de ses figures. Pendant la pause, Red Bull n’a rien trouvé de mieux que de nous servir des sauteuses à la corde en entracte. À côté de nos breakeur toniques, les meufs aux jambes flasques et aux baskets bling bling me font bailler. Elles sautent à la corde quoi. Pffff vas y là, enchaîne ! Les breakeurs, ramène les breakeurs cousine !

Moi je suis à fond pour le p’tit Lilou. Et puis les autres, même s’ils sont bons, mon objectivité est faussée so… Non, en fait celui qui m’a mis la pression c’est Cloud aussi. C’est un Cainri. Grosse pointure, il danse avec la crème des artistes. Madonna pour n’en citer qu’une. Je l’ai vu manger ses adversaires en me disant que le mec avait trop de style. Doux, posé, il fait glisser ses pieds délicatement. J’crois qu’il pourrait danser sans faire aucun bruit. Mais il est grand, et j’ai l’impression qu’être grand en break c’est un inconvénient. Résultat le petit Lilou se faufile partout, faisant, entre deux coups de ventoline, sortir ses adversaires, les doigts dans le nez (pendant que j’y pense, conseil, ne traduis jamais cette expression en anglais. Une fois j’ai sorti « Finger in the nose » croyant que c’était une expression internationale, j’ai fait un bide, on m’a regardé chelou). 14 breakeurs se sont faits sortir, il est déjà 22h. Avant la finale, on nous fait deux p’tits cadeaux. Le Rock Steady Crew et Talib Kweli. Sympa quand même ! Pourtant, les darons du break m’ont pas fait kiffer. Normal, à plus de 40 ans, ton gras du bide t’empêche de faire pas mal de mouvements. Et puis j’avais l’impression que leur prestation était au ralenti. C’est dur de passer après de petites boules de nerfs de 17 ans qui te placent 50 mouvements en 30 secondes. Bref. Je respecte. Mais je kiffe pas quoi. Quant à Kweli, bon, il surfe un peu sur ses 2 tubes interplanétaires mais ça fait quand même plaisir. Un p’tit “Get By” et un p’tit Say My Name “Kweliii” avec Hi-Tek, comme ça, pour te divertir entre 2 coupoles, c’est cool. Mais qui l’eu cru, j’étais pressée que Talib bounce de la scène pour voir la finale. Parce qu’ils n’en restaient que 2. Les meilleurs ! Cloud vs Lilou. Pour moi Lilou allait se faire sortir. En plus il est en terre Cainri et son tee-shirt “I’m Muslim Don’t Panik” ne faisait pas de lui un favori. Pourtant, après quelques acrobaties, étalage sur le sol, pass pass, salto et autres mouvements inhumains, Lilou m’a tué (littéralement ! Je ne respirais plus) et a mis les juges dans sa poche. Enfin pas tous. Juste assez pour remporter la ceinture quoi. Et franchement j’y croyais pas jusqu’à la dernière minute. C’est Ronnie, juge Américain qui a fait la différence et qui a voté contre son compatriote Cloud pour faire du notre un champion ! Aller hop, drapeau Algérien en haut (Même si Lilou représentait la France, il a fait dessiner le drapeau algérien à la place du drapeau français sur les panneaux de vote). ENORME ! C’est le premier à remporter 2 fois ce prix. Moi, va comprendre, j’suis fière. Parce qu’il est français aux origines couscousiennes comme moi, parce que c’est un jeune qui a transformé son énergie en rage de réussir, parce que comme dans la série des années 90 sur TF1, il va « toujours plus haut, plus fort, plus vite, jusqu’au bout de l’extrêêême limite…». Et ça a le mérite d’inspirer. Pour la petite histoire, le gars a péta la première ceinture ! J’t’explique, la ceinture que tu gagnes au BC One, tu la prends, tu fais des photos, tu kiffes, puis tu dois la rendre. Mais lui ne l’a jamais rendue, utilisant une excuse qu’on a tous sortie un jour. « Mais madame, j’l’ai amenée au bled et depuis j’la retrouve plus. » Autant te dire que celle-là non plus ils risquent de ne pas la revoir.

La morale de l’histoire ? J’sais pas tellement par ou commencer parce que ce battle était pleins d’émotions. Et ce petit bout d’mec, qui n’est pourtant pas vraiment reconnu en France s’est fait standing ovationner avec son “I’m Muslim Don’t Panik” écris sur le torse en terre Américaine. Les meufs en talons voulaient toutes être prises en photo avec lui (Leeluuuuwwww), la presse l’a alpaguée de partout et Martha Cooper a fait son portrait. Pourtant, tu lui donnais pas 3 minutes en le voyant. Petit, limite bossu, binoclard, chaussettes remontées aux genoux et Gazelles grises défoncées, il avait l’air de tout sauf d’un B-boy. Et regarde ou il en est. Certes, c’est qu’un Red Bull BC One mais y’a pas grand-chose au-dessus en matière de break. Bravo ! Moi j’ai officiellement kiffé de ouf. Aller hop, pour conclure, on crie Lilou Président ! Son nom est à retenir…

Press play pour avoir une idée du niveau. PS, Lilou, c’est le p’tit reubeu à lunette et Cloud c’est le skateur aux cheveux longs avec un pantalon beige et casquette…

PS, les photo de l’articles ne sont pas les miennes exept celle de Kweli… Celles de Red Bull étaient plus belles ! Mais voici les miennes pour le kiffe ! Enjoy…

[Répétitions avant le show]

[Cercle des B-boys]

[B-boy Morris - USA - Yummiiii]

[Rock Steady Crew]

[Hi-Tek et Talib Kweli]

[Lilouuuuuu]

[Martha Cooper]

[KRS One et Lilou après le battle]

]]> http://musiklounge.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/soulful-sundays-kamila-sumner-ft-mikkey-halsted-take-it-there/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:55:36 +0000 musiklounge http://musiklounge.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/soulful-sundays-kamila-sumner-ft-mikkey-halsted-take-it-there/

Trust me this shit is real nice…

“Take It There”

Welcome to the last week of the series! I would like to thank all of you for following the series for these past few weeks. I hope y’all like the way I flipped this Hi-Tek beat. Follow me (www.twitter.com/dblack408) for any and all updates concerning upcoming events, songs, videos, etc. Thanks for the continued support and god bless!

DOWNLOAD: D-Black- Full Count (Prod. By Hi-Tek)

I just smoked some Killa Cali and I still don’t have a damn clue what Mos Def is spewing on about. I have concluded that rumors about a 2010 Black Star drop are in fact substantiated, and that’s great news for many purists. I will keep you posted if Talib or Hi Tek come out with any of their own clips regarding the project. I imagine that Kweli’s take will be significantly more lucid and informative. None of this banter about having fun and bronze medals.

Today I spent some QT with my first love: hip hop.  This is how it went … enjoy <3

“Ghetto Rock” – Mos Def

“Juicy” – Notorious B.I.G.

“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

“Gin & Juice” – Snoop Dogg

“C.R.E.A.M.” – Wu-Tang Clan

“Love of My Life” – Erykah Badu & Common

“BK Anthem” – Foxy Brown

“Act Too (Love of My Life)”  – The Roots feat. Common

“Hot Boyz” – Missy Elliott feat. NaS, Eve, Lil Mo

“Back Like That” – Ghostface Killah

“Elevators (Me & You)” – Outkast

“One Mic” – NaS

“Mass Appeal” – Gang Starr

“The Blast” – Hi-Tek & Talib Kweli

“Dear Mama” – Tupac Shakur

“Built From Scratch” – X-ecutioners

“T.R.O.Y (They Reminisce Over You)” – Pete Rock & CL Smooth

“Let’s Get Down” – Tony! Toni! Tone! feat. DJ Quik

“We Can Freak It” – Kurupt

That made up/distorted word basically describes my weekend and is a quote from super-producer 9th Wonder that he made to me after “Hip Hop Love” on Saturday night. When I say “weekend” I really mean, Wednesday September 16th until Sunday September 20th, that was my crazy 5 day adventure!

Day 1 – Weds Sept 16th: This was the day that started it all and surprisingly it was actually one of the more relaxing, which featured a night at the movies with “The Freshest Kids” and “Bomb It”. In the spirit of community, I told myself that I would make it out to every day of the Manifesto’s 5-day run to shake hands & kiss babies etc. After arriving a bit late with the Real Good team, we got there just in time for the beginning of “The Freshest Kids”, a documentary on the evolution of breakdancing/bboys/bgirls/poppin etc.

Did any of yall make it on time for the red carpet? I wonder how those pics turned out, I will keep checking back periodically and post some up when they are available.

I have always been intrigued by the BBoy/BGirl and independant cinema is always a good look, so partaking in this evening was almost a no-brainer. The most important part of this film (for me) was the fact that it included the originiators and trailblazers that created the style(s), moves and element that we still recognize to this day. I’m talking about “Rock Steady Crew” and “New York City Breakers”, amongst others, who really started dancing as a way to express their style & emotion(s), much like rappers, dj’s and graf writers do.

I didn’t know that “Flashdance” featured RSC (Rock Steady Crew) and the New York City Breakers danced for the Olympics/President in 1984. That’s pretty epic! Considering that Hip Hop (as a culture) was still very primitive and merely a shell of what it is today.

Also, movie gave a great insight on the emergence of “Poppin” & “Lockin” on the West Coast and how Breakin’ made it’s way out there in the early 80’s as well.

I was initially going to lead into my “Bomb It” review with a terrorist reference, but I found it to be in bad taste, so here I am.. This is kinda awkward, so let’s just get right into it.

“Bomb It” details the widespread acceptance and continous practice of “Bombing” and “Graf Writing”, it shows the mass appeal of a culture that is still outlawed in many countries and is still somewhat “underground”. I enjoyed seeing the different styles of writing from writers in different countries/continents. For example, writers from New York/Philadelphia tend to blend their letters with pictures and other visuals, so their pieces look very unique and sometimes hard to read. Meanwhile, writers from Paris & Europe in general, tend to focus mainly on their lettering and did not initially incorporate other designs/visuals with their pieces. I always preferred the harder to read, more elaborate writing that was done originally in the USA, but the “letters only” pieces from Europe are dope as well!

It also gave us some history on a man who is supposedly one of the first graf writers ever, “Cornbread” from Philadelphia, PA. What an incredible name and interesting story: He started writing his name around his school, became notorious for it and was being recognized all the time. Then he started to think on a larger scale and began to tag up the entire city of Philadelphia! Haha

Day 2 – Thurs Sept 17th: I never actually ended up going to this! Oops! Sorry BBoys & BGirls! I had full intentions of attending this and watching some of the best breakers in the world get busy, but I think we were still feeling a little fatigue from the previous night and current day, so things didn’t pan out as planned. I ended up checking out DJ Mensa do his thing at Octapus for “Social Experiement” with mans like DJ Royale and gyal like Citrus & Jillicious. The night ended up being pretty cool, as I answered 2 of 3 Kid Cudi trivia questions correctly to win a copy of his debut album! Nonetheless, I heard the BBoy Championship was a success and I’m definitely happy for all the participants & organizers for putting on another strong Manifesto event and pushing forward with this thing we call “Hip Hop”. I heard I missed out on some dancers from “America’s Best Dance Crew” and “So You Think You Can Dance Canada”?

Day 3 – Fri Sept 18th: Friday was definitely one of the longest days and possibly one of the most tiring as well! It began with Surreal Sound, Sha Jo Mo & Myself heading downtown at around 10:45am to begin preparing last minute Festival guide’s and flyers for the weekend at the Manifesto HQ. It’s hard to describe what 10 hours of stop & go driving is like, but it’s pretty easy to describe your feeling(s) after it: TIRED!

I want to take the time to shout out the homie Jesse O. from The Academy/Manifesto for indirectly showing me the kind of dedication necessary when it comes to flyering and doing around the way promotion. We went from Downtown to Uptown to Downtown and many areas in between! Dropping off festival guides and flyers to any & everybody who was willing to accept them.

Other than a quick 30 minute break for some delicious eats at BBQ Express on Queen St. W, we didn’t really stop until things were pretty much taken care of at around 8pm. I dropped Jesse off and we headed back home to get ready, after all, we had to be back downtown within a couple hours for the 3-Floor Art Show! Unfortunately, we missed DJ Mensa’s set, but we were still able to get in, check out 3 floors of incredible art and Jason Palma throwing down some craziness on the 2nd floor alongside a couple dudes gettin’ busy on the MPCs! Pause

On a more egotistical note, I was informed that the “Hip Hop Love: 9th Wonder” video (which I posted up on here a few days ago) was being shown on the side of a building, drive-in movie style for hundreds of people (in line and passing by) to see. Unfortunately, I was kinda slow with the pics, so I actually missed the shot of myself up there but I did manage to catch the text!

Coooool!

The first two floors of the gallery featured some really dope art that included a combination of power, emotion, lust and abstract images. As for the third floor, there was a ton of nudity, a lot of it being male, so you know I was out of there with the quickness. Here is one of my favourite pieces from the main floor:

I believe the gallery at 52 McCaul St. will be open until October 4th with the same artwork on display, so go check it out!

3 Days down, only 2 to go! But, Day 4 was the most important day personally, so it had the most pressure.

Day 4 – Sat Sept 19th: This was definitely one of the biggest nights of my career thus far, however, I wasn’t feeling pressured or stressed at all. I just woke up and started my day off regularly, without letting things build up or get to me. I believe it was around 12:45pm when I was sitting in my car at the YMCA parking lot when I got a call from Surreal Sound. He wanted to know if I was interested in picking up 9th Wonder from the airport. lol C’mon now! That conversation lasted less than a minute and I entered the gym with a really positive attitude, I mean, I was about to head to the airport to pick up one of the best producers of the past decade.

I don’t know how all of my fellow artists/DJs/MCs feel, but I love working out the day of my event, it just makes me feel better about everything, it’s a hard feeling to describe I guess. So, after a nice workout, I headed home and threw together a couple duffle bags before I headed to the hotel to meet up with the gang then head to the airport. Even though I live only 30 minutes from the venue, I decided to get a hotel for the evening, because I figured that it would be beneficial for me to be closer to all the action. It worked out perfectly because Surreal was staying in the same hotel and it was only 15 minutes away from the venue.

Around 4pm we met up with True School Corp’s DJ Cuzzin B & Jay Clipp to grab some food before we headed to the airport to pick up the special guest of the evening, 9th Wonder. It was kinda trippy looking into my rearview and seeing 9th’s head, it kinda reminded me of the “God’s Stepson” album cover (where his head is just pasted on Nasir’s body)

“Hip Hop Love” was a slow start, but once it got going it’s safe to say that everyone at Premium Rhythm Bar was having a great time and it was obvious with all the drinks flowing & people tearing up the dancefloor! A special surprise of the night came very early, as I was greeted with a pound by none other than Brooklyn’s own Dirty Rotten Scoundrel, Jeru Da Damaja! He was in town since the day before and actually requested to check out this party, it was definitely amazing to have him in the building and being able to interact with an MC I look up to is always special.

Surreal Sound warmed things up with a crazy mix of Canadian joints (Eh!) and some timeless Hip Hop from across the world! Ghetto Concept “E-Z On The Motion”, Jay-Z “D.O.A.”, Drake feat. Ye, Em & Wayne “Forever”, Fugees “Ready or Not” & “How Many Mics” etc.

After rockin’ the crowd til about 1am, Jay Clipp jumped on the tables to bring some of the True School flavour to the jam! I’m always a fan of MC’s who DJ and vice versa, aslong as you can hold it down! Trust me, my homie held it down! Not to be outdone, Cuzzin B stepped up to get the crowd all riled up before 9th took centre stage. One thing I really enjoyed about this party is that from Surreal Sound to Jay Clipp to Cuzzin B, they all played some really dope Hip Hop and it was a little bit different each time. I feel like they covered a large portion of the past decade or two, you know what I mean?

I don’t want to give too much away about 9th’s performance, as I know it will be featured online and/or on TV soon, but I will definitely tell you that he covers a lot of the 90’s classics and when he starts playing his own catalogue.. Ooooh weeee! Jay Clipp introduced him and then passed me the mic back as 9th started his next set with Jay-Z’s “Threat”.. Waaaaaooooooooow! What an amazing experience, rockin’ the mic for 9th Wonder, man.

I had a really incredible time this weekend and the party I was most concerned with, went off nicely and I want to extended a huge shout to Vince, 9th, Cuzzin B & Jay Clipp for doing their thing and definitely playing a major role in the success of the night. Also, to the Manifesto staff for working so diligently in promoting the event and for their efforts in covering every magical moment, through photography and videography. Last but certainly not least, the Real Good family (Surreal & Marc Genius) for allowing me to do my thing and including me in this big party as always. It’s always “business 2nd” with us, because I feel like I’m working with family everytime, you know!

After it was all said and done, the entire team of artists enjoyed the night and we all left the venue with good vibes as the next stop would be the traditional late night meal. But, not before I turned into a man-fan and asked 9th to sign my Jay-Z “The Black Album” CD insert booklet, right on the “Threat” page. Sweeeeet! As soon as I tag the pic, I will decide if I want to post it or not. lol

Day 5 – Sun Sept 20th: Wow. 5 days of madness was almost over at this point, but I can definitely admit that my body was tired and although I was looking forward to all the artists that took the stage that day, I was also anticipating the end of it all when I could just sleep!

In terms of Canadian artists, I want to big up Solitair for putting on an amazing show, which included Ro Dolla for a guest appearance during “Easy 2 Slip”. That was definitely the highlight & surprise of all the local artists, hearing that song just made me remember how dope it was and it gave me a new appreciation for it. Tona & Lyve were really ill as well, they are one of the few cats that are staying true to that “Boom Bap” style of Hip Hop music and you can’t be mad at that! Ayah & Saukrates as special guests doesn’t hurt either! Colin Munroe is a really talented dude, but I was somewhat disappointed that the majority of his set (all but 1 song) were rock/grunge sounding tracks. Is that what his mixtape sounds like?! I dunno, but closing his set with “Flashing Lights” was incredible, that is definitely my favourite C. Munroe track and it’s not even his song technically! I kinda wished he performed “Piano Lessons”, but oh well, maybe next time! Saidah Baba Talibah had a live band backing her and although I felt that her set dragged a little bit, I definitely want to commend her for a great selection of music and her voice is really strong. I can see a lot of people who haven’t heard of her, turning into fans after this performance, her stage presence was great, voice stood out and the energy of her crew was dope!

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek aka Reflection Eternal were the headliners and they really killed it! Our True School homies, 9th Wonder and Jay Clipp, took the stage to introduce the closing act as all of our anticipating and waiting had finally paid off. With Jeru quietly taking pictures near the side of the stage, Kweli & Hi-Tek took the stage to perform songs off their critically acclaimed “Train of Thought” LP, as well as new material and various Kweli solo joints. “The Blast”, “Round & Round”, “Get By”, “Eternalists” and “Down For The Count” were definitely the standout tracks for me! This was my 2nd time seeing Kweli live and he did not disappoint this time around either.

Overall, year 3 of Manifesto was amazing for me and I know there are many others that feel the same way. From the “Freshest Goods” market that featured a ton of local brands to the Red Bull BBoy truck to the delicious food stands that were there all night, it was a very successful weekend and the city of Toronto should be very proud of itself. When I say “City of Toronto”, I really mean the Hip Hop community and it’s supporters, because they are the one’s that really made this happen!

]]> http://bezelphotography.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/manifesto/ Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:01:33 +0000 bezelthephotog http://bezelphotography.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/manifesto/

On Sunday Sept 20th Nathan Phillips Square hosted the 4th annual Manifesto hip hop music festival.This festival had everything from “breakers”, graffiti artist, dj workshops, food, and of course hip hop artist to entertain the masses that attended. Which included a Sage, Grand Anolog, Solitare, Ro dolla, Saukretes, and Talib Kweli and Hi-tek to name a few.

more photos

I know it’s impossible to read, so hit the link to see what’s good with Manifesto ‘09 which runs from Weds. Sept 16- Sun. 20th

Manifesto Schedule

Be sure to check me rockin’ the mic on Saturday Sept. 19th @ Premium Rhythm Bar (173 Eglinton St @ Yonge St) alongside DJ Surreal Sound, DJ Cuzzin B, Jay Clipp and the headliner: 9th Wonder

http://www.discogs.com/Big-L-I-Know-The-Name/release/1133894

Label: xclusive

Source: Vinyl
Rip Date: Apr-24-2003Size: 17,4 MB
Street Date : 000-00-0000Tracks: 04
Style: Rap Playtime: 12:38 min
Quality: 192kbps / 44,1kHz / Full Stereo

RELEASE NOTES

think its a bootleg vls…

a side produced by Hi Tek
b side by roddy rod and jaydee

TRACKLIST

01. -03:28-I Know The Name
02. -03:08-I Know The Name (Instrumental)
03. -03:06-Flamboyant (The Remix)
04. -02:56-Flamboyant (The Remix Instrumental)

t0tAL PLAYTiME : 12:38 min

http://www.mediafire.com/?yjtmmyn2wym

Man, there is way too much good music coming out right now (did I really just say that?). Shouts to 2DopeBoyz for the lok on this one. Reflection Eternal (Talib & Hi-Tek) were in Washington DC recently, and they performed a new track off of their upcoming album. The new album will be epically titled Revolutions Per Minute, and unfortunately there is no tentative release date yet. By the sounds of the video, this track is beyond sick and it almost gives me that grimy vibe that “More or Less” gave me. Another thing you will notice is why Kweli is one of the best emcees in the history of the game. Oh boy, Kwe & Tek got me fiending  for a new Reflection album real bad.

Talib Kweli performs a new track from Reflection Eternal’s upcoming album, Revolutions Per Minute, at Rock the Bells Present Reflection Eternal show in Washington, D.C. This joint sounds so MUTHAF*CKIN SOULFUL MANNNN…

During Reflection Eternal’s stop in Washington, the boys decided to drop a new track off their upcoming LP, Revolutions Per Minute. I seriously can’t wait for this album to drop, since their first one, Train of Thought, stays one of my favorite albums of all time.

Hi-Tek feat. Mos Def and Vinia Mojica “Git Ta Steppin’” • Download

Take it light and enjoy yourself. Relax.

“Manifesto, because this is what we want to see happen!”

One of the most influential and important annual festivals is taking place on the weekend of Sept 16-20 and it’s shaping up to be a very nice looking line-up! More details will follow, but I will definitely re-confirm that Super-Producer 9th Wonder will be in the house (alongside True School’s own, DJ Cuzzin B & Jay Clipp) for the feature party on Sat Sept 19th, Hip Hop Love. DJ Surreal Sound will be on the wheels and I will be on the mic, so you know how that goes! I’m crazy excited for this, I hear Marc G is cookin up something marvelous for the flyer, so keep your eyes & ears open!

Also, can’t forget about Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal) performing live on Sunday Sept 20th in a rare FREE concert at Nathan Philips Square.

Manifesto Calendar: Details

Royal Flush released his classic debut album Ghetto Millionaire back in 1997.  Ghetto Millionaire featured production from Buckwild, L.E.S. The Beatminerz, EZ Elpee plus a young Hi-Tek, it also featured collaborations with Ja Rule, Noreaga and his longtime collaborator Mic Geronimo.

Iced Down Medallions – Royal Flush Feat. Noreaga

Worldwide – Royal Flush

Everyone can breathe now, it’s finally Friday.  I got an urge last night after being in the studio with Rob Bates, Maja 7th, Dave Coresh, Chuck LI and Classick to listen to some old Rawkus shit again.  I’m not sure why I have been on Rawkus so tough lately.  Maybe I miss high school and feel like I need to go back.  BTW Classic shit coming from The League of OGs, Maja 7th, Dave Coresh and Chuck LI.  You can check Dave and Chuck on the Formal Introduction Tour in Memphis, Milwaukee and St Louis.  They put on a really dope show.  Anyway, last night I had my mind made up that I was going to listen to DJ Hi Tek’s first album, Hi Teknology.  This album came out back in 01.  Hi Tek released The Sun God with Common and Round and Round featuring Jonell for the singles.  Both tracks are really dope, in fact the whole album is really dope.  My favorite joint today is Get Ta Steppin featuring Mos Def and Vinia Mojica.  This is actually one of my favorite Mos Def songs of all time.  It has an incredible vibe that just puts you in a great mood.  You cant’ possibly be in a bad mood when listening to this joint.  I might put it on repeat all day and try to figure out the steps they are singing in the song.  I wonder what Vinia Mojica is doing these days.  She used to bless so many dope tracks.  Once again, Happy Friday to all.  Make sure you check out Dave Coresh and Chuck LI in Milwaukee, Memphis or St Louis and grab the tour mixtape from Dave. 

“Now is the glass half full or half empty/ Common why they tempt me?”

I got the case of the Monday’s pretty bad this morning especially beacause I had to be at work by 7:40(cry me a river right?).  Today is my first day back on the job since July 30th but it feels like it has been a couple of months.  Vacation was perfect, almost too perfect.  However, it still feels good to be back home, back in a routine and back to reality.  I was talking to my dad last night about vacations and we both thought they should be banned.  It doesn’t matter how long a vacation is, it is never long enough and it makes coming back to work almost impossible.  I wonder how far I am from retirement?  I need to talk to my stock broker about the retirement calculator.  This morning wasn’t all bad though.  I downloaded several classic compilation albums while I was on vacation from Rawkus like the Lyricist Lounge and Soundbombing tapes.  This morning I put in Soundbombing Volume 2.  I could put this whole album as the soundtrack to my week.  Today, one song is particular is very fitting even though it is a decade old, 1999 by Common and Sadat X.  Kweli even makes a little guest appearance on the intro.  Produced by Hi Tek, 1999 is a perfect example of the Rawkus sound.  It is actually that whole sound and that group of artists that really formed my love affair with hip hop.  Artists like Mos, Kweli, Hi Tek, Common, Pharoahe, Slum and The Roots have been the foundation for hip hop in my heart.  I’m sure I’m not the only one.  These cats are the continuation of artists like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest meanwhile incorporating influences from Rakim, KRS One, Public Enemy and others.  I’m not sure what happened to Rawkus as a whole but most of these artists are still doing their thing and putting out great music(minus Common’s UMC).  I promise after watching the video and listening to 1999, Monday might start to feel like Tuesday or even Wednesday.  I suggest you put this joint on repeat until noon.