Thursday, September 24, 2009

Dj Quik's Groove!



Last Night I was privileged to have a sneak peak and listen to Dj Quiks Band Rehearsal.
Now Being a Fan of Quik since back in the day & knowing a bit of history on his producing skills i jumped at the opportunity... live funkified LA jam session. I didn't know really what to expect, this year for me has been all about live music from the Artdontsleep jam sessions to the Timeless Orchestra's its just been blessings in music one after another...Last night was right in line.
so i roll up and the band is getting ready, I introduce myself saying "I just want to be the fly on the wall don’t pay me no mind”. A couple minutes later Russell Redeaux of Stampede Management my contact shows up he tells me do my thing Quik should be here soon, Bet. I have some time take a smoke break in the truck get my Head together ,little did i know my timing would be on point.. As i'm walking back from my hotbox session behind walks Quik I turn to him as we walk in...I Introduce myself...He tells me he remembers me from the NBA live shoot just didn't remember my name and thanks me for coming out. I’m like man I'm really glad to be here!! Sounding like a school girl crushing…Catching my long smile i say thank you for letting me come out, and I proceed to disappear in plane sight..
















it takes a minute for everyone to get set up Quik has his Valentine Red MPC,there is drums, two keyboards voice coders,bass,computers,guitar,Saxophone,more Keys.. These guys start jamming and its like what!? Quik is all over the place from working the Board to jumping on the MPC, sampling Drums for the drummer, pointing out the right Keys and tunes to the Bass player. I start to see how Masterful this Man is.RESPECT.the band is sounding amazing He knows actually what he wants but he’s not afraid to let the band also do there thing a bit. Musicianship at it’s best. Then Battlecat shows up The Energy in the room just gets HIGHER.Smiles & Handshakes West Coast Hip Hop legends in the room for sure. A Complete Band now they bust into it
















Quik plays the tracks First then the band chimes in and he makes tweaks then they jam. This being there first Rehearsal, whoa they are going again tonight too, Friday nights Performance at the HOB they are going to be some heads blown for sure. Me being the only non band member in the room Head Bobbing foot tapping picture taken I'm getting smiles as its obvious i am being moved by what is happening here., they can feel it as well Quik is Pleased indeed..
















Quik's " dam you sound good... face"

We could all be here for ever Blacknout as Quik calls it...
As they run down the Classic like "Tonight" with a Flip, Born & Raised in Compton, Get at Me,Etc..i cant help but think when i first heard these songs & that i would ever be in the Same room with Quik but to go to a venue to see these being performed with a full band....Fantasy! Our Music has come a long way and for that we are all blessed.. Thank you Quik,Russell & Rona for letting me take part.


check the show this Friday night, Pure fire Trust!!!

Thanks Cashmere Agency for the information Below




Notable hip-hop producer DJ Quik is bringing back his popular jam session style concert series,
Quik's Groove, to the House of Blues in Los Angeles located on the Sunset Strip. The first concert of the series will begin on September 25th, 2009. Quik's Groove combines the elements of hip-hop, R&B, jazz & funk against a back drop of live music.

“This is my own musical playhouse.”, says DJ Quik. “Quiks Grooves are special to me because they are not your typical DJ Quik show. Quik's Groove give me a chance to be a fan of music again and invite out artists that I have admired and BlaQKout with them under the appreciation of musicianship and artistry. You will never see the same show twice and you never know who might show up. The new partnership with the House of Blues on the legendary Sunset Strip is sure to make each night one to remember.”

Last year, Quik's Groove sold out Los Angeles’ own Key Club, as well as The Grove in Anaheim where Quik performed with a live symphony. Guests from past Quik's Grooves' include an array of hip-hop and R&B stars, including Xzibit, Ricky Bell (Bell Biv Devoe), Lady of Rage, Kurupt, Yo Yo, Jay Rock, Murs, Truth Hurts, Problem, Latoiya Williams, Dogg Pound and Raekwon. Quik's Groove and the House of Blues plan to announce new and exciting special guests to join the line up for the September 25th event.

Make sure you don't miss out this time!
Buy your tickets now on HOB.com.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Hanging with the Chef RAEKWON



Monday Evening i was fortunate to help my friends at Cashmere Agency Do a lil last Minute something Special for Raekwon,in light of his new Album just out.. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. II
Have u Heard. i like it. its about time there was a change from all this garbage going on these days Rae does his thing,Respect.



(120,000 sales; Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. 2″ in fourth place on the charts)









The event was hosted by DJs sour MILK and Just-N-Credible & Reflex of Power 106 ,i got some of my LA Fam out to support Aloe Blacc, DJ Lady Sha, Aceyalone, Gaslamp Killer, Medusa and Bambu all in the house.













Rae wrapped up the evening Making a speech and thanking the LA crowd for coming out letting them know how many labels had slept on putting this out and that he had to do it his self..
super Highlights for me Of course Rae getting his PEACE photo alongside the LA leakers and some of the Cashmere crew who would of thought.
PEACE Hip Hop Dreams do come true.







Wednesday, September 16, 2009

An Awesome sunday makes for easy Monday

The last couple of days have been full of Hip Hop Dreams Realized,This Past Sunday was a Special treat The Old School Jams Concert @ the Greek Theatre with crew.Now yes I am Completely dating my self ("38" feels great) this concert took me back to My junior high days in the Bronx..Lisa lisa,Kurtis Blow,the Soul Sonic Force,Grandmaster Melle Mel,Klymaxx & Ready For the World..shit! like that was it back in the day,Break Dancing & Graffiti in the streets on the radio Purto rican queens and Black kings,the roots of all this Hip Hop steeze all u R&B fools got your Whining on the mic from RFTW, we don't even have to argue the point of Kurtis blow or the Grand master you know the deal there is no Hip Hop Movement with out them.




The Afternoon b4 the show i thought it would be a good idea to have our concert goers over the estate for drinks and bbq.3pm + Saturday was Toks birthday so breaking bread with crew was def nit in order... since we had no idea what we were about to see in a few hours some pre conversation and good Food & vibe Building was the plan.
One person got a surprise he thought he was to old for
but you never too old for some Cake,let us all not forget this as we grow older..
Joy Rules!





Excuse the Falme-ing Dramatic cake trick Presentation
this is what happens After a few of Tok's Special Tequila drinks
THEN quickly trying to put 32 candles on tiny cake from Super A in
the bathroom b4 your guest notice you have been gone for awhile.
Toks still had no idea what was going on.





off to the Concert.
i didn't Know how this Show would take me back, like it did..
but i began to think about HOW it must of taken them back as well..
here i was excited about These Artist that i was idolizing in my youth romancing that time in my life real first kisses first Street fights,Those character making experiences.. being able to be my self the self ,when i had no responsibilities of the reality of the My world today & to be surrounded in that golden time of NYC then in the Bronx ,Knowing this was there HAY DAY years made me really think about how different the world had become & how that time shaped some views about life that i still hold true..sweet reminders of how Blessed i Am to be Present in this time and the possibilities of what Age means in our current pursue of Hip Hop Dreams.
i never thought i would be going to see these people then or now..but the truth of that is on some collective transmission of this hip hop thang was in all of us to different degrees awake to the possibility of it all making it happen to witness another moment of that truth.
Wish i Could Pull a Spock & Vulcon mind melt on the Tour Group to hear what they were thinking b4 the show.or maybe That's not a good idea.
Excitement is building..



we get there GMMM is into the last song
He starts the the shirt taken off Parade..Pro Body Builder that he is must be at least 56 on stage Rapping shirt off flexing, women yelling.wow.Handle Grandmaster.

How can you forget seeing that, forever a time marker 2009.
Next was the Soul Sonic Force with no bambaataa?? but somewhat dressed like the old days,globe was rocking the Indian head gear all in black robes..a half Attempt at it
wish they would of been in full funked gear but being over weight and out of shape there was no way fitting into the Zulu nation costumes of the 80's



they did looking for a perfect Beat, a jam on it play that beat Mega Mix then of course B boy Anthem Planet rock i recorded video too but erased it by accident...Please Say Dooooooosh i was very disappointed..Wish Bam was there would of been super fresh,Ive toured with him as a dj but never seen him perform any of these famous Hip Hop Bible songs..

Never the less the thrill was the same & then out walked Kurtis Blow,with son on stage giving props to his mom in the crowd & bringing out his wife of 25 years "i love you Baby"
then breaking and rapping like the Movie Crush Groove "these are the Breaks" smiles Screams everywhere.

Kurtis Killed it.check the clip on you tube.








Kurt got rushed off stage and ended with "they Playing basketball" up next PB WOLF dj vj set which was point on for this crowd he hit all the MJ, Rick James,Prince ,salt n pepa and old school favorites like i knew he would he had folks flipping on the videos some people had never really seen,a Dance Party for sure . Klymaxx came on after that doing there thing which still was about bashing men and Drugs Direct Quote "we swipe young men like credit cards" whoa Alpha cougar Female I'm scarred

Ready for the world hit the stage.with no curls!!!



come on i would pay double to see that even if it was fake..its just not the same.they killed all the little girls that were now full grown women taken it back..singing Let me love you down, digital display, & oh sheila.. such a flash back but not much different from today's R B swoons..of course all of these songs provoked yells from the crowd that never stopped..




to wrap it up Lisa Lisa came out to do her thing, now as most men my age she was a super crush Bgirl style and the sexy take you home record the ladies anthem i mean come on..
here is how i remember her



this is not what walked out more like someones auntie lisa lisa with no cult..her voice strong and she did her thing for sure.. even attempted a new house song,not really a crowd pleas er...but we all knew it was coming the song that can still be heard in clubs today the super duper hit
I wonder if i take you home, she new she had to sing it and this would be the official sing along Flashback Klymaxx of the evening...check the clip


She thanked the entire crowd for coming out and showed her gratitude for being able to perform for us after something like 25 yrs of being in the biz and silently i did the same,what an evening
never thought i would be able to see any of these performances live.
The Gift of Music the tie that brings us all a little bit closer and can transport you around the world and back in time.How Much I love you.