HIP HOP
Last Thursday, celebrated musician Flo Rida hosted his "Hey Jasmin Experience" concert in Miami. Since his recent release of new smach album Wild Ones, which features hit singles "Whistle," "Good Feeling," and "Wild Ones" featuring Sia, Flo Rida released "Hey Jasmin" as a free track and video in appreciation of his fans. The hip hop star followed up the release with an intimate club performance in celebration of the song, as well as in celebration of his #1 single "Whistle."
The artist was surprised by his management team when they presented him with an incredible cake honoring his hit. There was also a special guest appearance by Interscope recording artist JRand.
Not many people would immediately connect the term Hip Hop artist with Ivy League school, but that's exactly what Upstate New York's Cornell University had in mind when they named music pioneer Afrika Bambaataa as a visiting scholar for the next three years.
Considered by many to be the "Godfather" of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaataa (whose real name is Kevin Donovan) forever changed music when his 1982 single "Planet Rock" was released. At the time, a new sound was beginning to emerge which he quickly found himself at the forefront of. The song has been sampled by everyone from Paul Oakenfold to Ice Cube and even now, thirty years later, you can still hear it played in clubs everywhere.
If you're familiar with Flo Rida, you're probably familiar with his friend and colleague, hip hop artist J. Dash. Also from Florida, this artist has recently made a huge splash in the music world with his top-of-the-charts single, "WOP." The single comes off his debut album, Tabloid Truth, and has reached the Top 100 on the Billboard charts. The album is sold exclusively through Wal-Mart. J. Dash chats with us about his past musical experience, his new album, and the lovely ladies of his life.
You are a piano prodigy who records hip hop music. Will we hear you playing piano in any of your tracks?
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.
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