Strictly Genius . . . Where have they gone???

This is just one of Leo's sketch this genius did during his tenure here on earth . . . Imagine what he could have done with the amenities of the modern day . . . Anyway, check this page of more of his sketches . . . EZ

Wu-Tang - Chamber Music (2009)

-+TRACKLISTING+-

1. Redemption
2. Kill Too Hard f. Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Ace
3. The Abbot f. RZA
4. Harbor Masters f. Ghostface Killah, AZ and Inspectah Deck
5. Sheep State f. RZA
6. Radiant Jewels f. Raekwon, Cormega and Sean Price
7. Supreme Architecture f. RZA
8. Evil Deeds f. Ghostface Killah, RZA and Havoc
9. Wise Men f. RZA
10. I Wish You Were Here f. Ghostface Killah and Tre Williams
11. Fatal Hesitation
12. Ill Figures f. Raekwon, M.O.P. and Kool G Rap
13. Free Like ODB f. RZA
14. Sound The Horns f. Inspectah Deck, Sadat X and U-God
15. Enlightened Statues f. RZA
16. NYC Crack f. RZA
17. One Last Question…

R.I.P Michael Jackson . . .

Michael Jackson, the record-breaking, sensationally gifted "King of Pop" who emerged from childhood superstardom to become the entertainment world's most influential singer and dancer, and the tabloid world's most disturbing celebrity, has died. He was 50.

A person with knowledge of the situation says Jackson died Thursday in a Los Angeles hospital. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

His death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

Aphrodite - Shreveport, LA - July 3, 2009

Here it comes!!! The man, the myth, the legend of that gangsta style of dnb we refer to as Jump Up, rears his head in Louisiana of all places, during 1 of his only 3 stops he's making in the United States this time around . . . Big up to J-Dub & them kids @ Sp00M Productions for putting this one on!!! Lending some sonic assistance will be 360 Degrees & myself, dropping maaaaaaaaad original dubs, The Assault Brigade (Techknowledge, Pirahna & Dirkish), a solo set from the Dirkish DJ & Pleazure dropping that dub goodness . . . this is one you don't wanna miss!!! Get your presales @ groovetickets.com . . . EZ

Greenleaf Selekta AKA Clownstep KiLLa . . .

Next up on the blog is one of the coolest cats I know holding it down in the NOLA . . . I first met Green @ the Audobahn Hotel (I think that was the name of it) as Kaneda & myself rolled down to represent some OTB dnb flavor . . . Straight hospitality and kickin it like we'd known each other for a grip, these are just a couple of memories I have of that nite LOL . . . but for what it's worth, he and the BCL crew haven't given up holding it down with integrity ever since . . . Here's a lil bit bout this dude . . .

His DJ career began shortly after hearing Jungle for the first time in 1995. With guidance from the legendary Kise, he began to pursue my tastes in Drum & Bass.
Arround 96, he hooked up with Beebe, and they began playing records together on a regular basis. The combination has since become a staple of the New Orleans scene. Beebe's influence on him has been equally as important as Kise's was when he first started. Beebe's tastes have always differed from his slightly, so Beebe always has really good tunes that Green doesn't. Beebe's also one of the main reasons he's still playing today.

Right around 99, he was asked to join Outerbass longside Rekanize, Resin, & Beebe. This was a seminal time in his development as a DJ. Mondays at Cafe Roma will always have a special place in his heart. After Outerbass disolved in 2002, he went on "hiatus" for a year, but he and Beebe always stayed on top of the music. 2004 rolled around, and they decided along with Simian, Rekanize, & Resin to start up a new D&B weekly. It was at this juncture that BelowCLevel was formed.

Focusing on only the finest that Jungle has to offer, BelowCLevel began to showcase top producers from around the globe in The Crescent City. It was also in 2004 that they began to broadcast the BelowCLevel Show live on Jungletrain.net. Jungletrain opened up so many doors for them and they've made some really great connections because of that station. Another site that has been paramount in shaping his sound over the last 5 years has been SubvertCentral.com. This website has afforded him numerous friends, contacts, information, and tunes, as well as jokes galore.

All these things over the years have made him the Grumpy Bastard Junglist that he is today. He lives for breaks and bass. It is his everything, An Amen is his heartbeat.

Massive ups to Beebe, Russ, Mike, Ezra, Charlie T, Donovan, & Frazier. Y'all are my crew and my family. Also special shouts to Frank, Roxy, Steve LaVie, Third Sequence, Rules of Culture, Gravity A & Kryptic Soul System. Big ups all Louisiana Massive, you guys fucking rule! Massive respect to all Junglists worldwide working to move the sound forward. Boh!

If ya'll need to get @ ya man Green (which you do!!!) hit him up @ his myspace page or BelowCLevel's myspace page . . . EZ

U-God - Dopium . . .

Tracklist

01. Train Trussle (Featuring Ghostface And Scotty Wotty)
02. God Is Love (Featuring Cappadonna And Killah Priest)
03. Stomp Da Roach (Featuring GZA And Scotty Wotty)
04. Lipton (Featuring Mike Ladd)
05. Coke (Featuring Raekwon And Slaine of La Coka Nostra)
06. Magnum Force (Featuring Jim Jones And Sheek Louch)
07. Hips
08. Wu-Tang (Featuring Method Man)
09. Dopium
10. Rims Pokin Out (Featuring Lethaface)
11. New Classic (Featuring Large Professor)
12. Stomp Da Roach (Featuring GZA And Scotty Wotty) (Remix By Bloody Beetroots) (Bonus Track)
13. Dopium (Remix By Yuksek) (Bonus Track)
14. Hips (Remix By Felix Cartel) (Bonus Track)

Dead P.A. - Papa Zero & Son of a Blitch . . .

DEAD P.A. is changing the rules of dancefloor events. After cutting their teeth in the fourth largest U.S. city of Houston, Texas with an unusual dynamic interaction of live percussion, guitar, keyboards, vocals and programmable audio, the act quickly obtained a monthly residence at a swanky downtown club and has set fire everywhere since with their unique brand of "Drum N Breaks." While DJs are known for bringing music to the party, DEAD P.A. is bringing back the party to music. An emphasis on bad ass music, blistering performance, and theme oriented sets (rather than standing behind gear and pumping a fist once in a while) has generated comparison to a concert atmosphere and has consistently won over even the "cliquiest" of music-lovers. An adrenalin fueled exchange with audiences has kept DEAD P.A. in demand from Miami to Los Angeles and everywhere inbetween.

Core members of DEAD P.A. include George "The Human Drum Machine" Blitch and Jason Walsh AKA "Papa Zero" while frequent collaborative and performance duties are supplied by soulful songbird Krystal Hardwick and the Los Angeles based producer and MC Levon Louis.

2007 kicked off a little rough as Jason was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a small orange… but when life hands out small oranges, we’ve learned to make orange-ade. In spite of this setback, DEAD P.A. has released the full length cd (distributed to retail thru LOAD Media UK) “The Dead Will Rise,” a split 12" with Miami, Florida's Devine & Emily Play, headlined the Guitar Hero 3 stage at SXSW, and wrapped up 2008 with the "DEAD P.A. for President Tour." DEAD P.A. is accepting bookings for 2009!

These are some of the most entertaining cats in the drum n bass scene as of late - a breath of fresh air that was needed to add excitement in an otherwise stagnant culture . . . Check with anybody who has seen or worked with Dead P.A. and they'll have nothing but top notch things to say about their work ethic, as well as their integrity as artists . . . Check their website here, their myspace here, and go pick up their new album, The Dead Will Rise, here . . . EZ

Kaneda / Janky Earl / Pernell / Street Kreditz / DoS1

About 32 years ago, there was an earthquake in downtown Los Angeles that rocked the entire city... 30 seconds later Mrs Q. gave birth to a the rudebwoy you all know as Kaneda. Coincidence? Maybe. It wasnt until Kaneda was 14 that he realized that Music would be a major part of his life. All aspects of his life became engulfed by music, including his father (longtime musician, songwriter). When Kaneda was 16, his father gave him his first Roland 909, synthesizer, and Fostex 4 track recorder. Day after day, Kaneda and his brothers (Money Gripp & Jack Frost), would write and produce hip hop tracks for themselves and other young rappers in Reseda, California, which led to their first tune (“Roll With Me”) to gain Radio airplay.

After moving back to Louisiana once again, Kaneda became involved in Ragga-jungle production and Djing when he met Dinah. Together they formed Enlightened Operatives in 97 and later formed RJS Crew. They could be seen all over Louisiana spinning nuthin but the hardest Jungle Drum n Bass Sounds in the state. It wasn’t until Kaneda started to get his own tracks cut to dub with the help of N8 Loc of N20 that he saw himself as a prominent force in the jungle scene.

The bond between Dinah and Kaneda soon vanished, and things took a change for the better. Kaneda hooked up with long time friend Fi3ld and things started coming together. They formed the OTB Crew (Out Tha Box), and joined forces with DJ Hans, Indo, Kid Klymaxx, 360, Jahli, E-plat, DJ Classic and a gang of other amazing DJ’s, Producers, Emcee’s, and B-Boys, who proved to be one of the hardest crews in the south! Performing all over the southern states from Texas to Atlanta, OTB aka OTB Soundsystem became a driving force.

After graduating from college, Kaneda moved to Houston, TX where he continued to DJ/ Produce Jungle, Dub-Step & Hip Hop. After all these years for being in the scene, Kaneda continues to press forward and is currently working some new projects with Fi3Ld and some up and coming Houston Rappers.

Ya'll make sure and peep Kaneda's blog right chea and be on the lookout for that ruff n rugged sonic biznass comin from this dood in 09 & beyond!!!

Politics Explained . . .

FEUDALISM: You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.

PURE SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all of the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.

BUREAUCRATIC SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and put them in a barn with everyone else's cows. They are cared for by ex-chicken farmers. You have to take care of the chickens the government took from the chicken farmers. The government gives you as much milk and eggs as the regulations say you need.

FASCISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them and sells you the milk.

PURE COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.

RUSSIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. You have to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk.

CAMBODIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The government takes both of them and shoots you.

DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both and drafts you.

PURE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors decide who gets the milk.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors pick someone to tell you who gets the milk.

BUREAUCRACY: You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you can feed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. Then it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requires you to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows.

PURE ANARCHY: You have two cows. Either you sell the milk at a fair price or your neighbors try to take the cows and kill you.

LIBERTARIAN/ANARCHO-CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

SURREALISM: You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

-Steve Jackson

Dub FX . . . Str8 up & down!!!

Dub Fx the street-loop-beatboxer grew up in St Kilda / Melbourne / Australia performing in various bands before hitting the world-wide road. Dub Fx uses Roland BOSS effect & loop pedals to create sounds which when layered creates a live musical construct. Predominantly Dub Fx can be found busking through Europe with his Girlfriend the ‘Flower Fairy’ who also performs along side.

Fi3Ld interview @ DMC Nola Blog

So in the spirit of communication, education, art and literature, I told y'all that I would be interviewing local artists and the movers and shakers here in the local scene that wish to be represented. My first interview is with Fi3ld. He lives and works in Shreveport (only temporarily folks keep your fingers crossed). We go back a few years and I'm glad that he is the first person I interview on this blog . . . Check out the rest of the Fi3Ld/ROC interview by Tony 5kratchere @ the DMC Nola Blog & make sure to peep the DMC Nola competition July 10 @ Howlin Wolf NOLA . . . EZ

So you think you're significant . . . ?

THINK AGAIN!!!

Street Sweeper Social Club - Tom Morello & Boots Riley

What happens when you combine Rage and a Coup? Street Sweeper Social Club - that's what!!! Tom Morello and Boots Riley have joined forces to form Street Sweeper Social Club. The group’s anticipated self-titled debut album will be released June 16th through Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group. The 11-song set was produced by Tom Morello and features Boots Riley on vocals, Morello on guitar and bass, and Stanton Moore (Galactic) on drums.

“It’s revolutionary party jams,” said Morello of Street Sweeper Social Club. “It’s got huge steamroller riffs combined with depth, charge, funk, while Boots unloads clip after clip of incendiary rhymes rich with satire and venom.” Riley added, “This is a time when the working class is being fleeced left and right. More families will be homeless and more people will be jobless. They’ll need something to listen to on their ipods while storming Wall Street.”

Tom Morello is a founding member and guitarist of the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. The two bands are responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. Morello has also received critical acclaim as a solo artist known as The Nightwatchman. Widely celebrated for his unique voice as a master electric guitarist, he is recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “100 Greatest Guitar Players of All-Time (26).” He is also one of only two guitarists featured as a playable animated character in the overwhelmingly popular Activision video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Tom Morello graduated from Harvard University with honors as a Political Science major and has been a widely recognized political activist throughout his career. With System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, Morello formed Axis of Justice, an organization whose purpose is to bring together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.

Boots Riley is best known as the leader of The Coup, the seminal Hip-Hop group from Oakland, CA. As a producer and lyricist, Riley has crafted critically acclaimed albums for The Coup that have graced the year-end Top 10 lists of Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and more. They have also received “Album of the Year” honors fromThe Washington Post, Time Out New York, while Billboard Magazine declared the group “the best hip-hop act of the past decade.” Born in Chicago and raised in East Oakland’s Funktown neighborhood, Boots became a teenage community organizer. From his history of student organizing in Oakland’s public schools, serving on the central committee for the Progressive Labor Party, being the President of Youth InCar (Youth International Committee Against Racism), organizing to build California’s Anti-Racist Farm Workers’ Union, to developing “guerrilla hip hop concerts” (mobile concerts on flatbed trucks), Boots Riley has been an integral part of the progressive struggle for radical change through culture.

01 "Fight! Smash! Win!"
02 "100 Little Curses"
03 "The Oath"
04 "The Squeeze"
05 "Clap for the Killers"
06 "Somewhere in the World It's Midnight"
07 "Shock You Again"
08 "Good Morning, Mrs. Smith"
09 "Megablast"
10 "Promenade"
11 "Nobody Moves (Til We Say Go)"

Basic Overstanding

So here's the start of some archives getting posted . . . This album is called Basic Overstanding and it was really my first foray into solo hip hop after OTB Hip Hop Joints V.1 & V.2 . . . Mad help on production from Kaneda, JahLi, Dirt Track & Jhest . . . cop it cuz we're clownin HARD on this one!!! Download it here . . . and below is the tracklist

01_-_Intro_-_Fi3Ld_-_[production_Fi3Ld]
02_-_F_I_3_L_D_(Man_of_the_Hour)_-_Fi3Ld_-_[production_-_Jhest,Fi3Ld,Hans]
03_-_Danger_Factor_-_Fi3Ld_f/_Kaneda_-_[production_-_Janky_Earl,Fi3Ld,JahLi]
04_-_Graft_and_Corruption_-_Fi3Ld_f/_Fairchild,Kaneda_-_[production_-_Dirt_Track,Jhest,Fi3Ld]
05_-_Don't_Step_-_Fi3Ld_f/_Fairchild,Jack_Frost_-_[production_-_E.Phlat,Fi3Ld]
06_-_Wildstyle_-_Fi3Ld_f/_Cisco_-_[production_-_JahLi,Fi3Ld,Hans]
07_-_Interlude_(Shittin_in_High_Cotton)_-_Deaner_-_[production_-_Fi3Ld]
08_-_Tales_of_an_SM58_-_Fi3Ld_-_[production_-_Kaneda,Fi3Ld]
09_-_Interlude_(Norvelle_Blue)_-_Deaner_-_[production_-_Fi3Ld]
10_-_Like_No_Other_-_Fi3Ld_-_[production_-_Dirt_Track,Jhest,Fi3Ld]
11_-_Interlude_(Long_Dong_Daddy)_-_Magglio_Stockcar_-_[production_-_Fi3Ld]
12_-_Wikkidest_Dude_-_Fi3Ld_f/_Fairchild_-_[production_Fi3Ld]
13_-_Uncle_Rico_(Skit)_-_Fi3Ld_f/_Uncle_Rico_-_[production_Kaneda,Fi3Ld]

Noir Ghost AKA The Silent Warrior AKA E-Phlat

A master of sound, Noir has made his mark with hip hop, house, jungle, and drum n bass. But above all - Noir specializes in his own brand of jam - Nu-Fusion. With several years of jazz-influenced production and composition, this man has what it takes to move music to the next dimension.

Hailing from the city of Houston, Noir Ghost has followed the road of life to Alexandria, Louisiana and back to the Houston area. When quizzed on the question of purpose, Noir Ghost had this to say - “” I represent life without society’s standards (who made the rule book of life anyway?) I represent freedom from the vices of society. I represent passion for music…. Don’t live by anybody else’s standards or rules of life…. live by your own as long as it brings forth improvement of Humanity and leaving a permanent stain on the psyche of mankind and any other forms of life.” His mottos are - L.I.F.E.- Leaving Imprints For Ever & W.A.R.R.I.O.R.- When All Reasoning Results In Other Rationale. Be prepared to see his productions in a multitude of genres. Noir Ghost has finally put his stamp on Humanity.

Ya'll check ya boy out on his myspace page. He's also available for production so get at him bout that too . . . EZ

Three Hundred Sixty Degrees

Ever since DJ and producer 360 discovered tables in 1996, his passion for jungle and hip hop has been a shining force, providing a solid foundation for his current endeavors with the Rules of Culture crew and Sandia Recordings. His finesse at mixing hip hop, jump up and grimy dnb while incorporating turntablism has set him apart and given uniqueness to his name.

Six months after his start, 360 began spinning countless parties alongside greats such as Pish Posh, Tester, Phantom 45 and more. “I just started spending all my time and money on my music. It was like I had an addiction,” he says.

Known for being a pioneer in the junglist movement throughout his native Mississippi and the entire Southeast, 360 has built an impressive resume with a long list of accomplishments and associates. In 2001, he was a runner up in a national mixtape contest and in 2005 won first prize in a regional dj competition.

His membership in Knights of the Roundtable, Outthabox Soundystem and Straight Out Da Lab Productions set him up with longtime comrades Jahli (Rev. Scooter Jackson), Fi3Ld, Verbal and DJ Kaotic (CoS, Denver) for many projects, including weeklies, headliner parties and music production, where 360 is now focusing much of his attention. “I am all about learning. I was once told if you go in thinking you know everything, you will learn nothing. So I try to remain humble,” he says.

360’s influences are apparent: “I think I would have to give credit to hip hop for changing my life,” he says. But, inspired by everything from blues to jazz and r&b and soul, 360’s wide range of influences and collaborations mean big things for his new releases dropping in the coming year. Check out DJ 360's myspace page to get down with tha sounds - Stay tuned!

Reverend Scooter Jackson - The Brown River Beast

Scooter Jackson was born way down south in the mosquito infested river deltas of central Mississippi. Raised in the woods until old enough to venture out on his own, Scooter's influences were rooted in the local music styles of Blues, Jazz, and Country. With firm roots, he explored the world of music at a young age, consuming every style he could. Metal, Punkrock, Ska, Reggae, Rap, HipHop, Electronica, Industrial, Breakbeat, Jungle.... nothing was out of reach or reason. From being a drummer in a punkrock band, to going on a decade of DiskJockey/turntablism performing, Scooter has explored the realm of sound to shape his own style. With time spent in Florida, NewOrleans, Screwston TX, and now Southern California, not only does his music wander, so does the reclusive nomad now known as Scooter Jackson. He also played a HUGE part in the production & engineering on the 'It's Always Something' album from myself & 360 Degrees. Be on the lookout for more waves being made in the dubstep, hip hop & dnb arenas in 2009 and beyound from the RSJ. Check out his myspace page & download some of his sounds below.

RSJ - Dirrrrty Souf Promo Mix
RSJ - Instros for sale

DMC New Orleans - July 10, 2009

For the first time in New Orleans!!!!

New Orleans DMC will be July 10, 2009 at the Howlin' Wolf! For more information please email neworleansdmc@hotmail.com!

DJs must register by the day before any battle to compete.

Please write to usa@dmcworld.com with the following information

DJ Name
First Name & Last Name
Complete Address, Apt or House City State Zip
Phone
Email
Website or myspace
Which battle you are entering?
Crew affiliation

Rules & Details:

DMC Regional Battles:

DJs battle solo - showcase style (not head to head). Each DJ will perform a 2 min. elimination routine. If a DJ is selected for the top six regional Finalists, he or she must perform a 6 min. routine. We are using Technic turntables and Rane TTM 56 mixers. DJs can use any needles they favor. DJ computer programs are not permitted in this battle. Each DJ must bring his/her own headphones, slipmats, needles, records, etc. Competitors must be bona-fide nationals of the USA or be able to prove that they have resided in the USA for a minimum of 6 years. The champion of each regional advances to the 2009 DMC USA Finals on August 1, 2009 in New York City. Select DJs who came in 2nd could or might (not a definite) be invited to battle in the US Finals at their own expense. DJs can use their own mixers only to battle in the US Finals (not the regionals). The 2009 DMC US Champion will advance to the 2009 DMC World DJ Championships in London England on Sept. 12th, 2009.

Prizes from Rane and Serato for each DMC regional include:

1st: Rane SL 3: http://www.rane.com/sl3.html + travel & hotel to the DMC USA Finals on Aug. 1 in NYC.
2nd: UDG/Rane Creator Backpack
3rd: UDG/Rane Messenger Bag

For the US Finals on August 1st: the prizes from Rane & Serato include:

1st: Rane TTM 57SL mixer
2nd: Rane TTM 56S mixer
3rd prize: UDG/Rane Creator Backpack and Messenger Bag

Check out the DMC Nola Blog, the DMC Nola myspace page and the str8 up n down DMC Nola site- EZ

DJ Wally AKA Pish Posh - OG Triple OG

Innovative producer, DJ and composer Keef DeStefano (better known under his aliases DJ Wally or Pish Posh) is a multifaceted pioneer with his avant-garde styles of hip hop, drum & bass and jazz. His groundbreaking music has seen releases on Mo’ Wax, Rawkus,Grand Royal, Liquid Sky, Sub Rosa, Ubiquity, and Thirsty Ear. As DJ Wally he has released 9 albums, and another 2 as Pish Posh. He has also remixed a myriad of artists from Alicia Keys to Black Star {Mos Def & Talib Kweli} to Nina Simone. Wally stormed the scene with the Mustard Plaster EP, the B-side of which later appeared on Mo’ Wax’s monumental beat compilation “Headz 2” in 1997. He became a regular contributor to DJ Soul Slinger’s Liquid Sky imprint and his solo debut album “Genetic Flaw” dropped shortly after. The same year “Dog Leg Left” (Ubiquity) hit the streets to rave reviews. In 1997 he joined forces with Rawkus Records and was instrumental in creating Rawkuts, the dance imprint of the indie hip hop giant. As Rawkus faded into the background in 2001, he sought out other ways to share his abstract musical arsenal and has been hard at work producing underground hip hop acts, DJing, and scoring for film and television. Be on the lookout for his hip hop mixtape compilation coming soon & check out his Myspace page or for DJ bookings, contact sondra@premiereartistsgroup.com

Much Needed : June 5 - 9 : Nuff Said

Company of Strangaz - ID Recordings

Company of Strangaz is a middle finger raised to industry rappers who forgot the dj and program directors who spin catchy fillers when real Hip Hop has always been underground. It's Boom Bap in the spirit of KRS-ONE where every track counts. C.O.S. has come togather to give you something new but remininsant of the days when wordplay and innovative beats mattered more than spinning off the next guy. Verbal and DJ Kaotic, both raised up in MS but heavily influenced by the East Coast scene in the mid-90's gravitate toward greatness with their latest release, the "Vitaminz EP."

Pick up their sounds @ Digstation on the slick. Also, check out their website, ID Recordings (designed by my man Chris Garcia), & their Myspace page. REAL HIP HOP.

R.I.P. David Carradine

American actor David Carradine has been found dead in a Bangkok, Thailand, hotel, according to his personal manager, Chuck Binder. David Carradine became famous in the 1970s after starring in the television series "Kung Fu." David Carradine became famous in the 1970s after starring in the television series "Kung Fu." Binder said Thursday that the death is being investigated but could provide no other details. Carradine's death was "shocking and sad. He was full of life, always wanting to work ... a great person," Binder said, according to People magazine. Carradine, who became famous in the 1970s when he starred as Kwai Chang Caine in the television series "Kung Fu," was 72. Modern audiences may best know him as "Bill" in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films. iReport: Share memories of David Carradine His career included more than 100 feature films, two dozen television movies and theater work, according to the Internet Movie Database. Carradine, who was married five times and divorced four, is survived by his widow, Annie Bierman, according to People magazine. Don't Miss He was the son of actor John Carradine. "David's career as an artist did not begin on the stage, though some of his early career was on and off Broadway. His earliest work was as a sculptor and painter," Carradine's official Web site says.

Kryptic Soul System - DJ Ribbz & MC Docstafari

This DJ/MC duo was born in 1998 in Baton Rouge at a little club on Chimes street. Library Joe’s (now Northgate Tavern) was the club where the very first Kryptic Formations took place. This was a biweekly dnb event that saw many local talents grace the turntables such as: Selekta Ribbz, NLX-5, DJ Knuggs, and DJ Sapien to name a few. Many MC’s blessed th mic including MC Docstafari, MC FYAHH, Proper English, MC Skitzo, Damani, and Money Mike. From the first time Doc and Ribbz worked together, there was an instant chemistry that drew an enormous amount of attention. Ribbz’s deep raga/ reggae roots, coupled with the conscious vocal styles of MC Docsta has always been their trademark.

Fast forward to 2008. The duo reunited at the Dragon’s Den NOLA and rekindled the spirit that had seen them separated for some 7 yrs. Now, back in action as Kryptic Soul System, and backed by Rules of Culture, it’s JAH business as usual. This new project is a live music production featuring Selektah Ribbz on the drums, percussion, and a whole lot more. Docsta is still laying profound verse and sultry, chant worthy anthems. Add the saxophone styles of the one and only Dom B, and your ears are in for a major rush that won’t stop till it hits ya feet!

Their new album will be dropping soon, but to tide you over, grab up some sample sounds from KSS here:

Kryptic Soul System (Reunion Set!) - Live @ Definition 1.12.08
Kryptic Soul System - Epic
Kryptic Soul System - Innocent Blood
Kryptic Soul System - Life pt. 2 (The Chronicle)

RESPEKT!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid, too.

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Twin Brothers Darkness - Self Titled

Day 2 of the blog brings us a new release from a talented Baton Rouge, LA duo called Twin Brothers Darkness. Described as conscious music for the unconscious mind, it's a dope mix of hip hop, trip hop, drum n bass & dubstep with submliminal instructions laced throughout. . .

Formerly known as The Beat Mekanix, TBD is comprised of Shaman AKA El Noche & Loki Cocepeli. . . I first met these cats as they were rocking a show @ The Caterie with RibbZ & Pixel of the Kryptic Soul System. . . I'm vibin out to their sounds and they call me up to break it down with em and the rest is history . . . We blazed that joint like we'd been at it for years - then afterwards in the sound van :) . . . From there, they gave me access to their INFINITE vaults of sounds from which I found several nice cuts, a couple that appear on 'It's Always Something' (Four Years & Runnin / Count Em on One Hand) . . . We're currently putting in work on an effort entitled 'Saturn's Pattern' that explores consciousness & singularity (don't worry - it's COMING!!!) . . . Ya'll need to get ya hands on this release, so hit em up @ their myspace page or their website . . . EZ

New Type of Cloud?

This photo may have that HDR effect on it, but the clouds weren't altered in any way. Take a look at the slideshow of pictures found here. HMMMMM . . . Now that armageddon thing doesn't seem so far-fetched now does it???

It's Always Something - THEE ALBUM!

Well - here goes the first post . . . Gotta do a little shameless self-promotion . . . It's the album aptly titled, "It's Always Something," which inspired the name of this blog . . . Because no matter who you are, what you do, or where you go - that statement always rings true . . . The album is a manifestation of thoughts and reflections on situations I've been through in life up until this point . . . It's a nice little mashup of several styles - including hip hop, dancehall, & drum n bass - with influences of every kind to be heard . . . Production ranges from a slew of talented Southern cats like Reverend Scooter Jackson , 360 Degrees, Twin Brothers Darkness, StikTrakz, DJ Kaotic of Company of Strangaz & myself . . . Enjoy this joint for free as a celebration of the jumpoff of this blog . . . EZ

Download It's Always Something here for free . . . and if you're feeling it enuff to donate - Pick it up on Songcast Music . . .