Dedicated to the Black Experience
If your 4th of July weekend needs a kick-off event, this is it. Dam-Funk, the Los Angeles “Ambassador of Boogie Funk” will be performing this Friday, July 2 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Special guests for this show include: Master Blazter, Peanut Butter Wolf, and none other than LA legend, MC Eiht.
If you aren’t hip to Dam-Funk yet, I suggest you turn your speakers up and take a listen.
Who’s coming with me?
This week’s edition of STEREOLOVE welcomes the Summer solstice with soulful blends and deep + uplifiting tones w/
ABDUL SHAKIR (THANG, LA)
http://www.facebook.com/DJ.ABDUL
+LIVE DRUMMING: ORLANDO ROYAL
w/Resident Selections:
A-SKI & MIKECHECK
serving up a collage of Soulful House, Boogie/Disco, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Afro Latin + other unexpected/ uplifting themes
Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd
21 and Wiser | $5 | 9p-2a | Thursday
*** SPECIALS***
$5 Well from 9-10PM
GUESTLIST: unique74events@gmail.com
Low End Theory :: Tonight, June 30th 2010
This Wednesday, June 30th we are proud to present another night of sublime subharmonics at Low End Theory. We’re back to the cutting edge this week, featuring a stunning array of talent. Matthewdavid will take the headline slot, preceded by the illustrious P.U.D.G.E. Opening set by new discovery Vapor Mache. Residents Daddy Kev, Nobody, D-Styles and Nocando are on deck for soundwave demolition duty (GLK is in Europe). Early arrival is always recommended for easy entry at Low End Theory:
MATTHEWDAVID
[Brainfeeder]
It is indeed a pleasure for us to bring you a close encounter with one of L.A.’s most fabled new talents. Matthewdavid’s Spills EP on Plug Research exposed him to the masses, while his co-production on Flying Lotus’ Los Angeles cemented his rep even further. His Leaving Records imprint is among L.A.’s most essential. Rumor has it that Matthewdavid is nearing completion on his Brainfeeder debut, so expect to hear his newest beat creations at this week’s Low End Theory.
http://www.myspace.com/matthewdavid
P.U.D.G.E.
[Ramp Recordings]
Back at Low End for his second set of 2010, P.U.D.G.E. has been making major waves with his astounding beats and rhymes. He’s rocked just about every beat showcase in the city, impressing countless fans. He recently ignited the All City L.A. ten-inch series, and just dropped Idiot Box on London’s Ramp Recordings. A true Low End favorite, don’t miss this performance.
http://www.myspace.com/djpudgemcee
VAPOR MACHE
[Los Angeles]
Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska and now living in Los Angeles, Vapor Mache is a fresh addition to the L.A. producer community. Tonight makes his debut on the Low End Theory stage.
http://www.myspace.com/vapormache
As well as your Resident DJs
DADDY KEV
[Alpha Pup]
Batting first on the Low End Theory lineup is legendary producer and label boss Daddy Kev. As a producer and engineer, he’s spent the last decade crafting classics for the likes of AWOL One, Busdriver, The Grouch, Sage Francis, Mix Master Mike, Abstract Rude, D-Styles, Freestyle Fellowship, The Shape Shifters and many more. His DJ sets are a high-tech affair with Kev primarily engaged in live remixes, slicing experimental beats and hip-hop classics to shreds.
http://www.myspace.com/daddykev
NOBODY
[Plug Research]
From his adventures on the road with Mars Volta and Prefuse 73, to his production and remixes for Postal Service, Mystic Chords of Memory and Busdriver, coupled with his own solo work on labels such as Rough Trade and Plug Research, Nobody is a living tour de force of creative genius.
http://www.myspace.com/nobodyelvin
THE GASLAMP KILLER
[Low End Theory]
Over the course of the last few years, Gaslamp Killer has established a solid rep for devastating beats and intricate cuts. This nomadic West Coaster has steadily smashed the scene from San Diego to Los Angeles to San Francisco, earning the respect of heavyweight players in the process. Bear witness to one of his epic sets and see what the buzz is all about.
http://www.myspace.com/thegaslampkiller
D-STYLES
[Funkshitup]
His virtuoso skills on the turntables have been compared to that of Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane. As a former member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz and Beat Junkies, he toured the globe, helping transform turntablism into a global phenomenon. Now, the legendary D-Styles is back on the frontlines of underground culture, shredding your soul every week at Low End Theory.
http://www.myspace.com/djdstyles
Plus Resident MC
NOCANDO
[Alpha Pup]
He’s no longer a secret. After winning the 2007 Scribble Jam MC Battle Championship, Nocando has been catapulted to new levels of international fame. He spent many Thursday nights honing his skills at Project Blowed, and has broken the dreams and hopes of countless would-be-MCs.
http://www.myspace.com/nocando
Low End Theory goes down every Wednesday
@ The Airliner, 2419 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Google Maps | MapQuest | Yahoo! Maps
Massive sound system plus downstairs movie lounge
18+ | $10 cover ($5 w/membership) | 10PM-2AM | Fully stocked bar
The illest resident DJ lineup to hit L.A. in years, rocking one of the most ridiculous sound systems in the city. Over 10,000 watts of amplification flowing through twelve 18-inch subharmonic drivers that will take your breath away. Come hear the music as it was meant to be heard…
So I was watching the BET awards over the weekend and I noticed an alarming trend. All these beautiful, strong, talented, gifted, and smart…single moms, unmarried women having children. My mother-in-law said that in this day and age, there is no such thing as an accidental pregnancy. How is it that we (and our young girls), respect and look up to the likes of Alicia Keys? If you saw the headline, Pop Star Sleeps With Newly Divorced Man And Gets Pregnant! What would your response be to that? Where are the women that liked getting swept off their feet and invest in marriage before they have babies!? Now, I’m not judging Alicia Keys’ actions; she is an adult and a human being, which makes her not perfect by any means, but this is just how I view the situation. And it sparks the question: Are Black Women more fearful of marriage and commitment than Black men?
UPDATE!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!!
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats announced late Tuesday evening that they’re engaged, and that the Grammy-winning singer is expecting the couple’s first child together.
The news might have been a surprise to some: Keys is an R&B/pop superstar who has performed at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, while Swizz (real name: Kasseem Dean) is a Ruff Ryders alumnus and a veteran hip-hop producer who’s laced Jay-Z and DMX with some of their grittiest tracks.
But the musical couple have been dating for a couple of years, at least since 2008, when rumors of their union began to swirl — and recently whispers about the two ratcheted up when photos of Keys with what appeared to be a baby bump appeared online.
Here’s a timeline of the couple’s relationship:
» In 2008, music-industry insiders began buzzing about a pairing between Swizz — then married to R&B chanteuse Mashonda — and Keys, but the speculation turned public when gossip blog TheYBF.com published a post detailing their union, citing a source close to the singer.
» Later in 2008, Alicia Keys threw a surprise birthday party for the art-collecting producer (who by then was separated from his wife) at New York’s Guggenheim Museum. Although they wouldn’t appear in public together until the following year, the shindig solidified that the two were an item.
» In 2009, Swizz Beatz all but confirmed his relationship with Keys through a remix verse he added to Drake’s hit, “Best I Ever Had,” rapping, “She gave me a party at the Guggenheim … What’s next? The ring? The baby? She really loves me.”
» Throughout the year, Keys and Swizz (engaged in a messy divorce from Mashonda, including public spat on Twitter) were spotted together at a bevy of events, including his pre-Grammy Awards event, game three of World Series (where she performed alongside Jay-Z), and a swank Whitney Houston album preview event; the musical pair worked together to produce the Houston single “Million Dollar Bill.”
» This year, the duo have been frequently photographed together, both domestically and abroad; pics of Keys performing across the Atlantic caused a stir online as the singer’s loose-fitting clothing led many to believe she was hiding a baby bump.
» On Thursday, a spokesperson for the couple confirmed that they were engaged and are expecting their first child together. The baby will be her first and his third: The producer has two other children from previous relationships.
What do you think about Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys’ relationship? Let us know in the comments!
Many musicians honored Michael by creating remixes or tribute songs to him. Here are a few of my favorites:
HIStory (Dilla mix):
I Can’t Help It (Tangoterje mix):
They Don’t Really Care About Us (Ceyload Tipsy Mix):
The Roots ft. Erykah Badu
This selection is hardly exhaustive – feel free to add your own.
A Michael Jackson ballad is something special. Although many of them did not gain the popularity of his dance hits, MJ’s love songs were all soulful, heartfelt, and just plain sweet. Here are a few of my favorites:
Throughout his career, Michael Jackson teamed with several singer/songwriters to create some of his most memorable hits. Here are a few:
So in 1993 a few hundred lucky kids in the Los Angeles area got a once in a lifetime experience…perform in the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Michael Jackson! Now, just to give you a little background on me, I was the BIGGEST MJ fan I knew! My cousins and I would play Thriller about 500 times a day and re-inact the video. We all had the Michael Jackson doll (mine had on the Beat It outfit with one shinny silver glove). When MJ caught on fire, I cried! So needless to say this was huge for me!
We practiced for weeks, never with Michael of course (I was one of the kids on the field in black and white with the black and white board; left side, in one of the first 3 rows, on the very end closest to the end zone), so I knew I was going to be excited when he came out! Our coaches and the choreographers kept telling us that when MJ comes out, we have to remember that we are part of the performance and that we have to control our emotions. I was like, come on now, “I’m a dancer, a performer, I’m not going to be like these other people at his concerts passing out and acting all crazy”.
Performance begins, POP, out the top of one jumbo-tron, “aww, nope that’s not him, must be an impersonator”, I thought. Then again, POP, out of the second jumbo-tron, “what do they think I’m stupid, that’s so not him”, I said. Then, big explosion, and POP, out comes MJ in the center of the stage! I LOST MY MIND! Commence the screaming, pulling my hair, threw down my board, darted for the stage, and yes, peed on myself just a little! Our coaches were on the sidelines yelling at us to get into position, but we all had lost it! We finally pulled ourselves together, but that was the most exhilarating experience in my life!
Being that I never got to see him in concert, I am so glad I had the opportunity to participate in this show. It’s definitely one of the coolest things that I have done in my life!
RIP MJ
I remember the first time I saw Thriller in its entirety. I was glued to the television, paying close attention to every detail. I loved Michael Jackson. I would watch his large dance sequences and mimic the moves in my head until I knew them by heart because I was too shy to practice them. When I was 11, my mother told my brother and I that she won a contest and we would be visiting Neverland Ranch. I all but passed out. That place is a child’s dream land. It’s like a carnival, zoo, go cart track, movie theater and arcade rolled into one. It wasn’t as flashy as you would think Michael’s lifestyle would be. The best part was, everything was free and unlimited. I didn’t get to see him, unfortunately, and I cried when it was time to go but that was one day I will never forget for as long as I live.
Another day I will never forget is the day of his passing. It started off as a bad one long before I learned of Michael’s cardiac arrest. I was at work when the news hit. My concentration was shot and I ended up leaving work early. I couldn’t believe it. I always figured Michael Jackson would pass away in my lifetime but… I wasn’t ready yet. I wasn’t ready for him to leave us. I wanted him to be around because I felt like we still needed someone like him. My selfish thoughts wouldn’t allow me to see that he was in a better place, free from all the scrutiny, pain and disappointment. I also did not think about all he’s left with us in terms of music, performance, and spirit all of which can be seen in many of our music and performing artists today.
His influence is like no other. Never again will we have such an influential and inspirational performer such as Michael Jackson. Never again will anyone be able to touch the lives and hearts of millions the way the he did. As long as I am alive, his memory will not be forgotten.
This song has always been amazing, but a little video research unearths how many times Michael Jackson had to perform it, and how many different ways he could break it down. Check it out: