Bun B – Let ‘Em Know Live w DJ Premier @ BB Kings
Great line up for Funk Flex B-Day part, Mr. Luva Luva Shaggy, Group Home, Ja Rule, … Dope.
Tales From D&D Studios: Part 3
..September 10th 2001..starts off like any other Monday.Dollar cab ride to the “D” train,”D” train to 34th st., walk to the studio, set up for Preem and waaaaiiiiit.While waiting,the phone rings and Preem is on the line..”Yo what reel you got up now?”..me..”Nothing,waiting on you.We doin GS today right?”..him..”Nah we gotta do a remix for this kid Craig David”..me..”Fuck is a Craig David?”..him..”Some kid from London,supposed to be big,find a reel with some space I’ll put something together by the time he gets there”..me..”Aight.”So I find my reel,set my space,lay the SMPTE,all that good engineering stuff and resume waaaaiiiiting.Preem walks in a few minutes later,kinda early for him but from his tone earlier it’s a rush job,gotta get it done quick!He’s in there doing what he does and then Craig David walks in.Tall,light skinned “good hair” having R&B cat I saw on MTV just that weekend,making chicks loose their minds along with their underwear.OK,now I can put a face the hype.He’s a cool cat though.Me,him and Preem kick it for a minute while he tells Preem what he wants the remix to sound and feel like,that he plans to have Mos Def spit on it and that he can’t go to the mall without a police escort nowadays..WOW!..A little while later Preem comes up with a nice lil something for dude to vibe to,he goes..”That’s it right there,I’m going to the hotel and write my part tonight.I got pro tools on my lap top so I can do a reference vocal, and we’ll see if you like it”..Preem..”Aight then”..looks at me and we concur without speaking..”We don’t have pro tools here”.Time is set for the next day,which no one shows up on time for anyways, and Craig takes off to his hotel with his lil pro tools and me and Preem leave shortly after,him to Queens,me to Brooklyn.It’s around 2am September 11th and my session is at 11am,I’m taking a cab home…
…September 11th 2001, around 8:30ish in the am.I just stumbled into my lil BK basement apt a few hours ago.Phone rings.All types of mental expletives are flying around in my head.Can’t go off on who might on the line,could be moms…me(groggy voice)..”Hello”..my then girlfriend..”Dex turn on the TV…the World Trade Center is on fire!”..me..”Shut up yo,it’s to early for these games you playin”..her..”Dude I’m serious,turn on your TV”..me..”Aight”..fumbling around for the remote,on goes the TV,quickly switch to NY1….SHIT!IT’S ON FIRE..me to her..”I’ll call you back”.As I’m sitting there watching the coverage of the tower bellowing smoke, a small figure appears out of nowhere.I thought,because I’m still groggy eyed, it was a bird.No sir it was a commercial airliner,similar to the one that hit the the other tower moments before.”What The…!!”..”How is this happening!”On my block,people are going cookoo!In my apartment,I’m remaining calm.The phone rings..it’s her..”They evacuating the city,no trains,buses,nothing,I gotta walk home”..me..”Get to walking babe,call me when you get home!”..click!..My mental rolodex is on 100 right now.Who do I know that works in the Towers?Shit who works in that area?I’m watching people scampering for their lives,diving out of the towers and thinking damn,this is crazy.This is CRAZY!.Soon after there is no phone service what so ever,and only one channel broadcasting.I’m hearing about planes crashing all over the place,the Pentagon got hit,supposedly LA was gonna be next,all types of madness.”Stay calm dude and stay in your crib”.My landlady knocks on my door..”Are you seeing this?..me..”Yeah’..her..’My God what is this”..”I wish could tell you something Paulette,I really wish I could”.New York stood still for the next few hours and it felt like an eternity.At some point,I managed to fall asleep..not sure what time but it seemed like only seconds before my phone rang and woke me up..”Yo..sorry but Preem said we may have to go in tomorrow”..me..” Eddie you jokin right”..
..September 12th,2001,10 am.Another day but not like the others.You can feel the tension.People are scared to death, as we should be.We just watched a landmark crumble and lives lost and couldn’t do anything about it.There no answers but a slew of questions.NY is resilient and bounced back quick,not at full strength,but we back at it.The routine ensues..dollar cab ride to “D” train,”D” to Manhattan.Damn…look at this.As the train crosses the bridge to my left I see what’s left of the towers.Still smoldering.Everyone on the train is silent for a minute,or sobbing as they look out the window.”What the hell happened yo?”..this kid across from me asks looking dead at me like I had the answers.”Duke I dunno”..Few minutes later here comes my stop.34th street..I exit the train..exit the station..go out on to the street and pause.Silence.34th street at 11am..and nothing is happening.All the stores are closed,there is no traffic in any direction,literally I was walking down the middle of 34th st without dodging a vehicle.It was surreal.The air was filled with the smell of smoke, it felt eerie.Yet here I am in the city on my way to work!Got to the studio,second routine done and I wait..Eddie shows up and we wait.Gordon shows up and we wait..Preem shows up and says..”Let’s get this done,I wanna get outta here!”No shit we shouldn’t be here in the first place bruh!But we gotta get this shit done regardless.Mind you the kid David..he was on the first thing smoking outta the US…like Fuck u guys I’m going Home.So we working,Preem’s making music..me, Gordon and Eddie are watching TV for coverage,well repetitive BS about yesterday’s events.”What a mess”..I’m thinking as I watch expert after expert dissect this thing.All of a sudden Preem bursts out the room..”Yo they just called in a bomb threat at the Empire State Building…Let’s get outta here..fuck this!”..I don’t think I ever locked up the studio so fast,cause Gordon was giving me a ride home, and any second less than the time he said to be downstairs he woulda left my ass…no joke.We zoom outta Manhattan,cross the bridge and Gord drops me off at my crib…”Good Lookin”..him..”Yea Laterz”..He’s out and I’m in my basement apt.Sits on the couch and turns on the TV..nothing new..I turn it off.Cell phone rings..answers..”Yea?!”..then girlfriend..”you aight?”..me..”yea I’m home,we gonna do the joint another day”..her..”You know when?”..me..”Hmmph..maybe tomorrow..yea..maybe tomorrow”…
Written by Dexter Thibou
WEDNESDAY CLASSICS: Crooklyn Cuts Vol. III (Tape C) (1997)
gimantalon, August 11th 2010 |Canibus To Release New Album October 5th
Acclaimed and controversial Jamaican-born emcee Cannibus is proud to announce the release of his brand new LP entitled C Of Tranquility. The 15 track album will be available on October 5th from Interdependent Media, the label responsible for releases from Tanya Morgan, Finale, J*DaVeY, Moe Green, K’Naan, and co-founded by Evan “TRUTHLiVE” Phillips.
C Of Tranquility, Canibus’ tenth studio album, features production credits from DJ Premier, Jake One, Scram Jones, The Bizness, J-Zone and Slopfunkdust and proves that he is just as on point now as when he was first hand-picked by Wyclef Jean for the sensational debut LP Can-I-Bus. in 1998. His widely-known lyrical prowess, along with a knack for creating songs that double as personal statements, is even represented in some of the track titles on the release. “Merchant of Metaphors,” “Free Words,” and “The Messenger’s Message” all deliver on their promise of insightful and dexterous wordplay. Having been deemed by several rap magazines as being one of the best lyrical freestyle rappers, Canibus recognizes this record as his opportunity to showcase his skills once again, implying that C Of Tranquility is the culmination of years of practice and progress. “Sometimes life will beat you down just to remind you that you’re alive,” Canibus said during a 2009 interview with Conspiracy Worldwide Hip-Hop Radio. “There’s no better time than the present to try and actualize your dreams.”
Canibus’ C Of Tranquility drops October 5th via Interdependent Media.
Live From HeadQCourterz (08/06/2010)
gimantalon, August 9th 2010 |Malachi the Nutcracker released from jail, new Group Home album “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal” announced
Group Home is widely considered one of the most important groups to come out of hip-hop’s revered “golden age.” Recognized as originaÂtors in the culture, Group Home (cumulative career scans over 350,000 units), have proven over their 20 + year career that they are a force to be reckoned with. After his 2008 solo album “I.A.DAP,” Lil Dap returns with Melachi The Nutcracker to pay tribute to his longtime friend and collaborator, the legendary, and recently deceased Guru (Gang Starr). And with one of the most distinct and unique voices in all of Hip-Hop, Dap and Group Home are poised to pass on their knowledge, experience and pasÂsion, from the 80’s and 90’s into the second decade of the millenium.
Release date: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Label: Babygrande Records
Source: UGHH.com (Where you can also pre order)
That’s all, no more details, no details who’s on the boards… Props to PR for the heads up!
New DJ Premier Interview with Conspiracy Radio
DJ Premier steps sway from a busy recording schedule to grace us with his presence, delivering a classically ‘Primo’ interview. We explore his current production work with Kanye West, his hope that Busta Rhymes will finally like one of his beats the tenth time around, his desire to work with Eminem and all of his up coming projects. Essential listening for hip hop.
Interview with Conspiracy Radio
Shout out to Conspiracy Radio!
Some sidenews, here’s Bun B answer on working with DJ Premier:
You worked with DJ Premier on your new record? Was that’s something you’d wanted to do for a while, and how did that come about?
I’ve known him for a long time — over 10 years now. He’s from Prairie View originally, and I’m from Port Arthur, so we never knew each other coming up, but we’ve got a lot of mutual friends. Every now and then you meet someone who is just like you, and that’s Primo. He’s a really down to earth, really simple dude. Neither of us are into too much extra [stuff].
When we met up, it felt like we’d known each other for years, and when we collaborated, we never let the music interfere with our friendship. We’d originally tried to work together many years ago, but everyone’s schedule was [messed] up. Pimp was gone, then he came home and Premier was busy working with Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston. We never had the time to put something together, but finally we made the time to turn it into a real record that incorporated Pimp.
——
And some rumors from Christina Aguilera’s side, it looks like she wasn’t happy with the goings of her new album and the sales, she’s about to move to a new record company Live Nation. She’s already fully busy with her new project Burlesque which should include the unreleased Neptunes and DJ Premier tracks.
Tales From D&D Studios: Part 2
..So by now yall know I worked at D&D Recording Studios.Good,GREAT.It was the best place to work in HipHop at the time for sure.We made more than hits there we made classics.Not to say that classics weren’t made anywhere else but,let’s face it, if a client ate ramen noodles for almost a year just so they could mix their record in the same room Premier mixed “Mass Appeal”,that says a whole lot..right?!I’m also a fan of Rap music,I got my faves,my top ten,Blah Blah Blah..but a lot of times,these rap dudes will let you down.This time we won’t get into those dudes.However one cat will forever stand out as the most humble, down to earth dude I have ever met…KRS One.To this day I can’t say a bad word about my dude Krs…(or Kenny his brother for that matter)..
I’m a big fan of KRS,one of my favorite Emcees without doubt.So of course the opportunity to meet your favorite artist would make anybody’s day.Imagine getting to work with your favorite artist on their new project…yeah exactly!I’m still an intern at the time mind you but who cares, I get to sit in on the the sessions and learn a few things and get a preview of the new KRS album.Can’t get no better right?Wrong!Here’s why.Everyone has their favorite snack food..KRS Loved cashews…I mean he LOVED them joints.In particular the ones that came in the slim pack that would be on the counter of every corner bodega in NY. He would have me go to the store about every two hours or so to get him five packs of cashews,which were like a buck a piece.Why he didn’t just buy a big ole can of em is beyond me,nor did I care.He would give me $20,each run,to buy five packs of cashews.So on my first run, me being the good intern, I bring him his cashews and hand him his change.He looks at me and says” What Are You Doing?”.. In my mind I was like..”FUCK! What Did I Do?…’This Cat Is Gonna Chew Me Out!”.Oh by the way,Preemo is the room,Kenny,ICU,Willie D,Pal Joey..it was packed in there and I’m expecting to be clowned thoroughly.He says..”The Change Is Yours”…..me..(whew!)..”OK!”..Now mind you intern status means you work for FREE!If you’re lucky you’ll get clients that give you tips but basically you’re free labor.And $15 for a dude that been working since 11am and it’s now like 9:30pm(cause the night intern flaked so I had to stay) was alotta money!I could get chicken fried rice instead of plain!…Repeat the Cashew scenario, and this time I’m sure he wants his change,he just gave me $15.,no way he gives up another $15.WRONG AGAIN!..He gives me the same look and laughs at me..”Yo This Kid Is Buggin'” he goes..”Take The Money Man I’m Good”..From that day forward I worked on every KRS One session they put on the board,and he worked daily!
So let’s fast forward a bit to when Krs is working on the”KRS ONE” album.I’m still an intern but they let me assist certain sessions. This day I’m assisting,not on Krs’ session, but I’m still in the studio cause my session got cancelled or whateva.Krs is working with Norty Cotto and Luis Tineo(engineer and assistant engineer).Luis comes out the room and says to me” Krs needs you”..I go into the room…”Whuddup Krs?”..him..”Yo could you go to that store up the street and buy me a cheap pocket recorder..you know the ones you tape your voice notes with?”..me..”Sure no problem.”I go to the store, come back , drop off the recorder,bounce out the room.Louie comes out again..”Krs needs you again”..me..”Sup Krs?!”..him..”OK this is what I need you to do for me…”..his instructions.. I was to go out into the street and record street noises and say as loudly as possible..” These Are The Streets..Shit Is Real Out Here..This Ain’t No Fucking Joke!”..apprehensive and feeling a lil silly I did it anyway(plus Louie went with me so I wouldn’t look completely bonkers) ..and that’s how I ended up on the song “R.E.A.L.I.T.Y.” off that album.Oh did I mention I got to keep the change from the $100 he gave me get the $15 pocket recorder?And got another $30 for looking out?How could you possibly hate a dude like that?My point?..not all rappers are A$$E$!(But Some Are!)…One!..
Written by Dexter Thibou
New Gang Starr Art on 174th. Street between Park and Webster in the Bronx
This is sick. Painters are Logek, Cope, Deem, Sen, Gusto, Meres and OD who did the characters.
Props to Eddie Sancho for the heads up.
R.I.P. Guru
