There are two primary reasons why I found this shotty footage of a Wiz Khalifa performance at the Boston Urban Music Festival compelling:
I was certain that Boston was a dead hip hop city, especially when it came to live shows and support for a non-mainstream artist like Wiz Khalifa
I thought Wiz Khalifa (one of my all time favorite rappers) was down and out, I mean I know he hasn’t been making outstanding music lately (fact), I just presumed this meant his fan base wasn’t on the up and up.
Well Bob’s your Uncle, I was wrong. The recent signing to Atlantic Records has clearly got this 22 year old veteran primed for reentry into the U.S. marketplace, the belligerent reaction from fans in Beantown is proof pudding.
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).
Singapore Kane is the internet’s equivalent of an Amazonian jaguar, a rarity to come across, but catch a glimpse and you’re hooked for life. SK put me on this interview he just completed with Beantown hip hop blog Bostonianz617. The interview isn’t exactly Walter Kronkite inspired stuff, but the footage of Singapore killing it in a small Boston venue, pure fiyah. Check part 2 of the video after the jump.
Last week the LA Times had a feature on Portable Payback and called them a “Jurassic 5 spin off”. I’ll tell you one thing the big boys over at the Times didn’t do, hit up the Portable Payback Release party @ The Mint this past Thursday night. Hence their take was unsubstantiated. ZIF put their money where their favorite acts are and went to the party and thoroughly enjoyed our introduction to Marc 7 & Soup’s new entity. Afterwards we chatted it up outside, enjoy an authenticated POV on Portable Payback.
Portable Payback Speak On It!
Part 1.
Portable Payback’s formation, creative constraints within Jurassic 5, production on the upcoming album, and family support
Part 2.
No communication within Jurassic 5, reasons for Jurassic 5 breaking up, why you should check out the LP, upcoming plans
For those in my generation Jurassic 5 members Marc 7 and Soup need little introduction. You’ve probably seen them perform several times, at some level, they represent a warm memory of your youth. For you younger cats, you either appreciate J5 or you’re in the proverbial dark. Few of you are haters. So keep that youthful open mind and come out with the Zebreezy crew when we hit The Mint tomorrow night to peep Portable Payback. We will be sitting down with Marc 7 and Soup, look out for that interview.
October 15th. The Mint. 6010 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles. 90035
Being able to sit down with an artist and examine their mind is a privilege that few of us are granted. Being able to sit down with an artist of genius pedigree and with a career second to none is outright rare. Thankfully we were given an opportunity by Eric Bobo, the lauded percussionist of Cypress Hill, to discuss his take on the music game and where he currently fits into it. Eric, son of Latin Jazz great Willie Bobo has been strumming his beat behind and in front of some of history’s undisputed legends. Starting off as a toddler on stage with his father, it certainly prepped him for the career he has realized. Eric has been a stalwart in many Beastie Boy albums and tours, and has been a fundamental member of Cypress Hill for 15 years. Amazingly, in addition to his commitment to Cypress, Eric has found time to record and perform with The Black Crowes, 311, Gnarls Barkley, Rage Against The Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Soulfly, and Ella Fitzgerald. Now at the tender age of 40, Eric has shifted his focus inward. Now busy working on his own projects, Eric gave us a moment of his time recently at The Terrace in Pasadena where he was doing a show to promote his album with Rhettmatic from the Beat Junkies. In addition to the new collaboration, Eric discussed a multitude of exclusive subjects, including the new Cypress album and even giving his take on who has better groupies: Beastie Boys or Cypress Hill? Eric Bobo is by far one of the most down to earth musicians we’ve interviewed. Ironic that it takes a legend to speak the language of us common folk. Enjoy the discussion, and watch out for a review of Bobo’s new album to be posted later today.
All Apologies for the audio quality, the opening DJ had a fetish for playing loud music before heads got there….(turn your speakers up!)
