If your in the NYC area this Summer, do the right thing and pay homage to one of the longest running B-Boy crews in existence cuzzo (ROCK STEADY CREW)…
This time around they bring Pete Rock & CL Smooth into the fold….July 28th Central Park, mark your calendars…
DJ Ivory (P-Brothers) hits us off with some summertime, breakbeat fiesta shit…
I knew it was going to be a good day…I hope the P-Brothers will drop another full length this year…
*RIP KILLA SHA.
Del, Apollo Brown, and Queensbridge rhyme slayer Tragedy Khadafi are the special guest on the latest episode of Conspiracy Radio…
I’m not a big fan of their playlist, but they always manage to rock heavy name interviews..
*All flicks courtesy of AKBAR (damn, straight up classic ones at that).
Just like many of you, the first time I heard AKBAR rhyme was on “AKBAR’S GROOVE”, from Jamalski’s well received Roughneck Reality album (Columbia 1993)…And just like many of you, I was completely stunned while listening to AKBAR thoroughly tear the mic to shreds with brutal punch lines, raw poetics, and battle gladiator bravado…
In 2001 he dropped his full length “Big Bang Boogie” on Ill Boogie Records.. Which led to him rocking numerous feature verses throughout the years..
This Chicago transplant from the Boogie Down Bronx recently released another full length entitled, “PLANET X” on Peasant Podium Records…I highly suggest that you give it a thorough listen troopers….
I recently linked up with AKBAR to discuss the current state of Hip Hop affairs, Chicago / Chiraq , Graff, and all types of other wild shit that will hold your attention – so walk with us as we drop conversation..
I was livin in Chicago and my DJ P-Lee saw Jamalski in a magazine and was like “Yo thats my mans, I know him from livin in Manhattan” We decided to go to NY and link up musically. He introduced me to Jamal and we clicked. Jamal was in the midst of recording the “Roughneck Reality” LP on Columbia. Parker ended up getting a lot of production on the album. I was always hangin out @ Unique Studios while the album was being done and one day he let me go in the booth. Parker had this raw beat I was really feeling. I basically went in and spit for about 4 minutes- no hook. They cut it down to the last 2 minutes and it became “Akbar’s Groove”. I didnt know it would end up on the album.
Not really. After Jamal finished recording the album me and P returned to Chicago but we kept in touch. Jamal eventually moved to France and got into the D&B scene. I just kept doin my thing on the underground.
In hindsight I probably should’ve stayed in NY a little longer and networked etc. Honestly I wasn’t very impressed with the industry thing at that time. I saw Nas and the Fugees getting signed but I also saw cats getting pimped. I felt like I needed to go back to my stompin’ grounds in ChiTown and get more seasoned as an emcee and more knowledgeable about the business first.
Have to say my 1st influence was my dad. He used to do something called toasting. It was colorful poetry sorta like spoken word. He would talk about slick cats in straw panama hats who wore rings with stones that glowed in the dark. He also played “The Last Poets” who I later studied in my early 20s. And of course James Brown. My dad became friends with Muhammad Ali after writing him a poem called “Glory be to Muhammad Ali” and sending it to him. About a month later I remember he got a letter back from the Champ inviting him to visit his estate. I was inspired by that. My other influences are Spoonie G, Grand Master Caz, and Ninja Man.
HHB- 5..Do you listen to a beat before you write, or do you put together your lyrics without one ?
Both. I never sit down and write a rhyme on paper. Ive tried doin that but its not how i create. Im what I call a skywriter. I write songs in my head and store them in the medulla oblongata for later reference. They may or may not end up on paper later. Lately I’ve been challenging myself to actually sit down and write a 16- Im getting better at it.
It was like NY in the early 80’s all over again. Im one of the pioneers of that movement.
Kep was a real dude I knew him before he got started writing. I was like a big brother. Kep had real love and respect for the culture and became a very talented graff artist in X-Men Crew. My fondest memories are goin to see him off Wilson behind Truman college just before he made the transition. We would break bread together, burn a few, share rhymes, and talk about life.
HHB- 8..In your opinion, what is the legacy of the X-Men in Chicago ?….
That would be Parker Lee’s doing. Parker and I stopped bombing hard in the early 90’s so he started X-Men to keep the northside graffiti presence strong. P used to run with a few X-Men writers back in NY so he just decided to open a Chicago chapter which later got recognized and honored by the NY heads.
Well, one- because Chicago still gets it in and the gang culture is still very much a apart of the landscape. And 2- more importantly, if you fill the public’s mind with the problem over and over, that’s what you will continue to get- more of the problem.
HHB- 10…Views on the Trayvon Martin case ?
The media will always publicize and sensationalize these types of cases to induce fear and perpetuate a victim mentality in the minds of the masses. Black youth get murdered in the streets everyday and they remain nameless statistics. We gotta think above this and not allow ourselves to feel helplessly oppressed. The danger is real but fear is a decision.
HHB- 11..Views on current Hip Hop ?
I listen to everybody because I need to be in tuned to the present collective consciousness. I find whats good and I resonate with it- whats wack I leave alone. I’ve never liked everything that rap had to offer ever since I first started listening to hip-hop so really nothing has changed. I gravitate towards what appeals to me. I will never be one to say “oh hip-hop is dead” or it needs to go back to the 90’s sound because that’s not how things work. I move with the times and constantly re-invent myself as a leader not a follower of trends. Open minds create new ideas while those stuck in a particular era become antiquated in their thoughts and eventually fade away- this is one of the keys to immortality.
1985 it was Kangols and fat laces. We were fresh and carefree. 1995 it was boots, Tim suits, and camouflage; we were preparing for battle.Two different states of mind.
I dont know if I would change anything, we as artists just need to start our own industry that way we cant blame anyone else when the wackness gets pushed ahead of good music.
Yes, there are a few gems in the vault. Parker is sitting on a lot of old stuff. We’ve talked about putting some of it out but my mind is always so far into the future I’ve never really given it serious thought.
* Be on the lookout for part 2 of AKBAR on the battlefield next week….We chop it about upcoming releases, the west coast, house music’s impact on Chicago’s club scene, etc…
Below are a few choice AKBAR cuts to boost your Hip Hop morale levels….Big shout out to my Chicago / Chiraq connection, BIG MATTROCKS (Vendetta Vinyl)..
And you know I had to throw up the stellar “Poom Poom” remix for everyone out there that knows what time it is..Damn, those were the days, right ?
* In the above photo my 3 year old sun / son, “JAHMEL ROCKWELL”, AKA “MASTER ROCK”, AKA “TRACK SUIT DON”, A.K.A. “MR. MAKE MY OWN RULES”…
The good peoples over at VENDETTA VINYL are now shipping out some explosive T-Shirts to add to your collection….Do the right thing and go for yours before they disappear troopers..
SCOOP UP ONE FOR YOURSELF HERE.
NEW BALANCE has my attention once again….
Lately they have been rocking very flavorful colorways…For instance, these 996AH joints are straight up ridiculous…
“A cushy RevLite sole has been added to this beloved New Balance 996 silhouette, making the sneaker lighter overall providing the same durability and responsiveness, without losing any quality. The upper is make up of tonal green suede which is accented with brown around the heel and nicely contrasted with a sandy beige tongue and lacing system. The kicks are finished off with an off white outsole and metal eyelits, giving this mid top sneaker a hiking aesthetic”.
Some of DJ 10Shun’s music is so sinister that one of my friends is totally convinced he is an avid devil worshipper…
HAHA…
I’m not totally convinced of that, but I do know that he comes with some very ill shit that will give you some shock treatment…..If you think I’m bullshitting peep the visuals for “NEXT SHIT”…
Heavy scratch work, distorted drums, bugged out vocal samples, and all that other wild stuff on deck…
CHECK IN..
I recently got my hands on “Reggae Going International – The Bunny Lee Story” and it is a heavy duty piece of work (you can tell by the cover that this brother was/is serious, HAHAHA)…
Bunny has a documentary in the pipeline as well…”I Am The Gorgon” will hit the big screen sometime in 2013, so keep your motherfuckin eyes peeled if you know what time it is..
The film was directed by Diggory Kenrick and animated by James Stirzaker. Narration is provided by Dennis Alcapone and the film includes interviews with U Roy, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Sly and Robbie, Johnny Clarke, John Holt, Ken Boothe, Horace Andy, Cornell Campbell, Linval Thompson, Niney The Observer, Dillinger, Tappa Zukie, Prince Jazzbo, Derrick Morgan, King Jammy, Scientist and many many more…!
Check in on the trailer cuzzo..
Even though Hip Hop is my favorite form of music, I also spend a great amount of time studying Reggae, Jazz, and hardcore punk rock….
I’m not talking about that fashionista, cornball punk rock – I’m talking the extra fast, extra ugly shit that makes the average herb run for cover when it’s played at loud volumes..
No guitar solos, no extras, no bullshit – just straight to the point minimal blast of chaos that usually revolves around three chords (which means that you have to be really crafty with your arrangements to hold peoples attention)….
When cats talk about black punk rockers it usually starts and ends with BAD BRAINS…I grew up on their music like a lot of other people, but there were plenty brothers that caught wreck……
Off the top of my head : YDI, Circle One (RIP John Macias), DH Peligro (Dead Kennedy drummer), Scream, JFA (brother on guitar), Whipping Boy, Mcrad, Pure Hell, etc……I recently found out about a band from Detroit called “DEATH” that put out a few things in the early 70’s….
Peep this trailer and get inspired troopers….
Hempstead, Long Island repper ROC MARCIANO gets the interview treatment on the latest Combat Jack pop off…
“We’ve been trying to get this Hempstead, Long Island mc on our show for 3 years and we finally got him. Talk about history, from being a kid in Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad studio to rocking out with Busta Rhymes’ Flip Mode Squad, street hustling to going solo and dropping the Reloaded classic, this veteran ain’t no new jack, Jack. Marci also talks about being and exec and label co-owner, and why a whore’s clitoris tastes like porridge. Download and reload now”.
PRIZE ONE (GFC / TNS / SK) is no slouch when it comes to getting busy…As long as I have known him, I noticed that he is more about speaking with hands instead of flapping his lips like a lot of cats out there on the FIELD..
HAHA….
He has a blog that you should peep while your floating around in cyberspace….Flicks, jokes, blackbook work, Townbiz, etc…..SALUTE to you brother for keeping it fresh…
Remember when it was easy to come across “LIVE FROM THE HEADQUARTERS” download links ? If your like me you never had a SIRIUS radio subscription, so it was always nice to be able to hear what Premier was up to….
Unfortunately SIRIUS put a clamp on things over the last couple years…
Somehow I was able to track down a link for the June 14th broadcast…..
My man KUFUE ONERZ (he is responsible for the artwork on the GOOD MORNING VIETNAM cover) is a dedicated Hip Hop soldier, DJ, graff monster, historian, and a art teacher during the day….
He is a no nonsense type of cat that walks what he talks…..
This past weekend his artwork was showcased at the Oakland “Brighter than Blight” event…..Big up to you brother for keeping those flames burning…
VENDETTA VINYL is on the verge of releasing some very flavorful T-shirts for everyone out there that knows what time it is…..
From what I hear they will be available early next week…..When you head over there make sure to tell them the grimy dude from HIP HOP BATTLEFIELD sent you jack !!!!
Yeah, this is more like it..
Will Sessions drummer, Byran Arnold keeps the drum breaks crunchy on the BOBO BREAKS series volume 1….Unfortunately the vinyl pieces are sold out, but you can still swoop up the digital release if your on the hunt for more drum goodness in your life…
Salute to Willie Bobo of course (R.I.P.)….
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