Dutch Master

There’s a fat chance that if somebody asked me what my ideal concert would be to attend, I’d say Biggie Smalls in Amsterdam. Reality bites.

Notorious B.I.G – Live From Holland ( Full Concert Audio)

I don’t have money or a car but I’m going to this tonight…

The Infiniti is making weird noises, and I done spent too much money this damn month already. But sometimes you have to spend even when that means Top Ramen later. Lutan Fyah is arguably the hottest name in dancehall music, I’m expecting a big big show. Stay tuned for footage, you know it will be HD, and fiyah. Check him out at Reggae Rising last year, we took some footage (below).

February 2nd, 2010. Do you know where Sammy G is?

Come out on February 2nd to the 3rd Annual Bruin Mixtape release event @ UCLA. Sammy G will be performing his latest track, an Enzo Tanaka produced joint. Lionstarr affiliate Vers Brown will also be laying down a new Takstar joint on the mixtape. Shout out to Rudy @ Wize 1 Productions and the UCLA Hip Hop Congress for once again collaboarating with some of West L.A.’s finest talent and streamlining it into a savage mixtape.

Where: UCLA: Kerckhoff Grand Salon

When: February 2nd, 2010 @ 7PM

Price: Free

What To Watch Tonight? Alicia Keys Live On YouTube!

These live broadcasts on YouTube are the next big thing in bringing in viewers and money back into the music industry. We don’t watch TV anymore guys!!! Nothing like a charity concert by Ms. Keys on World AIDS Day to showcase the viral value of a YouTube concert. Viral value was a bad pun, but you know what I mean, if the industry wants to make money off the next generation, you have to go to their rooms and speak to THEM! In this case the room is YouTube, and they’re waiting.

Ill-ustration: Jay-Z Concert at Penn State

Jay-Z Rocking the show at Penn State University. College Tour 2009 Drawing by Brian Butler.

Video performance @ Penn State after the jump.

In a Land Far Far Away, G-Unit is legendary

For the majority of hip hop fans being a fan of G-Unit is the toddler equivalent of asking for a Tamagotchi for Christmas. It would seem to most that any hope for a 50 Cent led 2009 revival for G-Unit has withered away, more of a whimper than a bang. Even Fitty’s nemesis The Game has been able to secure recent media relevance, albeit through a half ass beef with Jay-Z, nevertheless, when’s the last time you heard about what Fitty was doing? Well, if I were 50, I’d go far far away, somewhere where time and logic are decades behind, hence, G-unit is popular, I’d go to Peru.

Yes, this weekend G-Unit paid Peru and its fine powder, I mean, fans a visit and hey, decided to throw a little concert while they were down there. The show was packed, at least the images 50 threw up on ThisIs50 would seem to paint that picture. I was curious how much tickets cost for the Lima show, so I popped onto Craigslist-Peru. There were literally no tickets for any events sold in their tickets section, but I did find out that they call condoms “Latex balloons” and they cost 2 Peruvian dollars, ouch! Thank goodness that G-Unit are the BBBJ kings, plus Gods are immune to STD’s south of the equator.

This is an anticipatory tour, 50 Cent’s new album Before I Self-Destruct drops in late September.*  Next two stops on the G-Unit fantasy tour? Poland and Belgium! Awesome. Sounds like the coalition we had in Iraq.

*track listing after the jump

Glitch in the interview meets best show of my life?

My first experience in a legendary Hollywood venue did not disappoint. The Hollywood Palladium was popping tonight! My interview with the Glitch Mob has been postponed for a phone interview due to the fact that it was “too loud.” Yes, it was too loud, and it was pure elation for all. Glitch Mob served some savage appetizers and a break in the action left the crowd starving for their Prodigy fix. Many fans I spoke with tonight described their decade long ambitions to see the legendary British threesome (what happened to Leeroy?). For the West Coast massive it was a night to be remembered by everyone from the personal assistants to the die hard mosh pit heads (moshing was ridiculously fun FYI). I took as much video and pictures as the crowd allowed, it’s hard to snap a Kodak moment when your getting pushed in the back and dodging crowd surfers.

Janelle Monae – Surfin’ to the Top

Born and raised in Kansas City, Janelle Monae has an eccentric swag similar to Outkast (more specifically Andre 3000) that puts entertainers like Ciara to shame. I say that because although Ciara is a great performer, much like Janet Jackson, she can’t really blow on the mic! (I’m picking on Ciara, but she’s not alone in regards to what I mean) However, Janelle Monae has skilled talent as a captivating performer AND has the strong vocal chords to match. Her futuristic style and funk/soul sound kept me enthralled during her entire performance, never bored or disappointed. And when she jumped into the audience and started crowd surfin’ I knew I was her fan! Her sharp edgy moves and melodic tones kept me dancing the whole night trying to keep up with her energy. I never wanted to take my eyes off of her because she did something different with every movement and song.  Her band rocked, and their vigor matched with hers truly had the whole crowd jumpin’. The audience even begged for an encore for about 5min after she left the stage, leaving us all wanting more from this petite and refreshing performer. 

In backstage access we mingled with her peoples for about 30min before she came out with a huge smile and beautiful energy. Her small frame is not what I noticed first, it was her pure artistic flare and positive energy that I was drawn to as she came over and greeted my friend with a warm embrace and shook my hand with sincerity. I praised her for her wonderful performance, and she said her thanks and mentioned how I was “soo sweet & kind”. I was just telling the truth. LoL. Took flix with her (remaining in my personal photo collection to keep my friend anonymous & respect Janelle’s non-consent). This was a night to remember and I definitely will be ‘following’ this star (http://twitter.com/JanelleMonae) as she continues to break records and bring her originality and unique sound into the music world. Check her out if she comes to your town . http://www.jmonae.com/

Born and raised in Kansas City, Janelle Monae has an eccentric swag similar to Outkast (more specifically Andre 3000) that puts entertainers like Ciara to shame. I say that because although Ciara is a great performer, much like Janet Jackson, she can’t really blow on the mic! (I’m picking on Ciara, but she’s not alone in regards to what I mean) However, Janelle Monae has skilled talent as a captivating performer AND has the strong vocal chords to match. Her futuristic style and funk/soul sound kept me enthralled during her entire performance, never bored or disappointed. And when she jumped into the audience and started crowd surfin’ I knew I was her fan! Her sharp edgy moves and melodic tones kept me dancing the whole night trying to keep up with her energy. I never wanted to take my eyes off of her because she did something different with every movement and song.  Her band rocked, and their vigor matched with hers truly had the whole crowd jumpin’. The audience even begged for an encore for about 5min after she left the stage, leaving us all wanting more from this petite and refreshing performer. 

I went with a friend, an actress (who totally reminds me of Paula Patton), that met Janelle and her crew a while ago on Janelle’s music video set for the song ‘Many Moons’. In backstage access we mingled with her peoples for about 30min before she came out with a huge smile and beautiful energy. Her small frame is not what I noticed first, it was her pure artistic flare and positive energy that I was drawn to as she came over and greeted my friend with a warm embrace and shook my hand with sincerity. I praised her for her wonderful performance, and she said her thanks and mentioned how I was “so sweet & kind”. I was just telling the truth. LoL. This was a night to remember and I definitely will be ‘following’ this star (http://twitter.com/JanelleMonae) as she continues to break records and bring her originality and unique sound into the music world. Check her out if she comes to your town.

On another note, the Elevaters, a sextet of UCLA alum really rocked the house before Janelle came on stage. Their diversely mixed band, tight beats, and clever lyrics really had me intrigued the whole time. Their music is a mix of funk, hip-hop, soul, & rock. I was impressed to say the least as it was a wonderful addition to a night of fun and musical enjoyment.

 

Twitbabies Follow Me:twitter.com/brainyurbnmodel