HIP HOP
Meet John Hamilton – a 23 year-old DJ making his way through the ever-present dance music scene. He’s opened for the likes of Steve Aoki and TV Rock and most recently turned heads at The Belvedere Music Lounge at the W South Beach during Miami Music Week. Like most, I was there to check out the event and see the heavy hitter lineup that featured Sander Van Doorn, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano and Tiesto, among others. But it wasn’t Tiesto nor Sander that had everyone talking. Instead, it was Sacramento native John Hamilton that got everyone's attention. He has the stage presence that resembles some of the greats, a talented ear, an ambitious attitude, a humble personality and a great look - a lot of qualities that could potentially result in superstardom. I sat down with the NYU senior to find out how it all began and where it’s going.
Ever been to a house party and ‘vibed’ out the entire time to the music in the background? I’m not talking about the occasional one or two songs everyone’s heard fifty million times on the radio which causes a mass karaoke sing-a-long; but actively or even subconsciously enjoyed an entire play list at a party. I’m talking about a playlist that evolves with the wave like patters that occur during a really good house party. From the “kick the door down and let’s take shots!” to the “it’s time to get the sleeping stranger out of the bathtub before you start cleaning” end of the night moments.
Hip Hop artist, Ne-Yo, will host his annual Compound Foundation Giving Tour this December. The first event kicks off on December 7th in Las Vegas. The four city celebration will then move to Chicago on December 8th, followed by Boston on Friday, December 9th, and ending in Washington D.C. on Sunday, December 11th. The Compound Foundation was founded in 2007 Ne-Yo a.k.a Shaffer Smith and his business partner Reynell Hay to bring awareness and improve quality of life for children in foster homes and group homes. The Foundation’s mission strives to help young people develop healthy relationships, pursue education, and help them achieve their dreams.
The numbers are in for Wale's new album Ambition, and it's officially taken the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B list with over 164,062 copies sold. He's also ranking in at #2 on the overall Top 200. Additionally, Ambition held the #1 spot at iTunes beating out Miranda Lambert, Florence + The Machine, and even Justin Bieber! The album features appearances from heavy hitters such as Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Ne-Yo, Jeremih, Miguel and Lloyd. Diplo and Lex Luger also lend their signature sound to tracks.
In a time where American media inundates us with over-bronzed twenty-somethings whose lives revolve around dragging beds onto rooftops and drinking Chardonnay in the work bathroom, it’s become increasingly difficult to find serious music. Pop lyrics sing praise to ferocity, mediocrity, and debauchery. From Katy Perry’s “It’s [last night] a blacked out blur / but I’m pretty sure it ruled,” to Jay-Z and Kayne West’s acronymous title equating a cut of cured meat with street toughness, it’s pretty safe to say the American Dream has evolved. Blame it on the media, economy, school system, or even Facebook, but for many youths, particularly youths of color, the American Dream has become something along the lines of a luck-cum-instant stardom that, sadly, keeps stereotypes all too alive and prevents growth towards a positive cultural experience.
'Summer time', Vybz Kartel
In a neighborhood where warehouses and car repair shops dominate, new venue, Viva, has emerged
to bring the parties of Carnival to you. Pulling up, there is a valet ready to park your car and a door man ready to open the velvet rope for you and your entourage.
When you walk in, the space is-in a word my fellow New Yorkers- ENORMOUS! Several VIP booths have been scooped out along the walls and adequate tables and couch space around the building's support beams. Since it is Carnival weekend you know that the dj will play the hottest & most recently released reggae, soca, and dancehall tunes.
Hip hop lovers mark your calendars for Sunday August 28th. Joshua Davis, known as DJ Shadow, will be playing at the Gexa Energy Pavillion this coming Sunday. Davis, who is originally from San Jose California, is considered a pioneer in instrumental hip hop. He gained massive recognition with his 1996 release of Endtroducing which is considered to be the "first completely sampled Album." Sampling "is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece." This has become extremely popular in electronic music composition and hip hop. In 2006 TIME magazine named his record one of the "All-TIME" 100 best albums.
So there's electro. There's house. And there's hip hop. And what happens when you throw all three together? Well yes, cacophony, and also, Sidney Samson.
It seems the Dutch aren't just joining Americans in the crusade against prostitution and marijuana. Just last week, Amsterdam native Sidney Samson was reported leaving the studio last week with Black Eyed Peas member Will.I.Am, Lil' Wayne, and Lil' Jon. The first single from their sessions together, "Mutate" will feature Lil' John and will be released on Sidney's label "Rock the Houze" in a few weeks. “It’s amazing to get the opportunity to work with such great artists” Sidney says; “To my surprise, Will had already recorded vocals by Lil Wayne to one of the Hip Hop productions I had sent him."
When: August 22nd, 2011
Where: House of Blues
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Info:
Rock The Bells is an annual hip hop festival that orginally took place in Southern California only, but has since toured throughout the world. The concert features a lineup of high-profile alternative hip hop acts, often headlined by a more mainstream artist. The first festival was held in 2004, featuring a re-united Wu-Tang Clan, who performed 4 months before Ol' Dirty Bastard's death.
Entire tour schedule and tickets here!
As if dipped in black licorice, there doesn't seem to be a middle ground of interest with Pittsburg rapper Wiz Khalifa...You either love him, or loathe him. All feelings aside, the overnight success and monopolization of Khalifa's music on radio airwaves is undeniable. With his NFL playoff inspired single "Black and Yellow" in his rear view; the baggy clothes wearing, blonde hair totting, Zig-Zag rolling rapper is setting his sights on new ventures. Including, but not limited to, a serious relationship with is newly acquired girlfriend, creation of his upcoming album, touring of his latest album; and locating of the mystical fountain of career longevity, that few artists have had the privilege of soaking their feet in. Khalifa took some time out of his busy schedule to let me pick his brain, and question his motives.
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