Undeniable Proof
It’s another round of bueno blogging, piping hot with a slight dash of chili sauce. New music from Joe, Patrick Wolf, Eve, trailer links for the new film “Knocked Up”, Collie Buddz, Cam’ron and the new online radio segment, “Cue’s Reviews”.  It’s another good bag mix of digital hits from your favorite B-Boy blogger, Laron “Q.Rock639″ Cue.

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THE WORD ON THE STREET

~Russell Simmons has a few words about the words used in hip-hop. Basically, alot of rappers really may have to watch what they say. The latest developments in the ongoing story of controversial lyrics in rap has Simmons calling for a voluntary ban on the most offensive words.   A Industry Standards committee was also suggested as a way to help curb the commonplace use of abusive words.  Click here to read more!

You Can’t Say That Anymore-Lorraine Ali/Newsweek
Is Russell Simmons Playing Politics With Hip-Hop? by Alexander Billet
Cleaning Out Rap Sewer- Fort Wayne.com 
Jeff Chang and Dave Zirin: Hip-hop generation is fighting misogyny

~Cam’ron on 60 Minutes

I’m sure most of you had a chance to watch the YouTube clip of DipSet Don, Cam’ron, on 60 Minutes.  The controvery and media attention that it caused had a immediate impact, and Cam’ron offered a apology for some of his words.  The story has many legs as it directly connects to the current questions being asked about hip-hop music.  The street ethics and codes behind the ’stop snitching’ mentality have been brought into the bright glare of mainstream media.  Here are some links on the issue

An Intelligent Commentary: Cam’ron on ‘60 Minutes’-by Wise Intellegent of Poor Righteous Teachers

Rapper Backs Off “Snitching” Comments-TMZ

Black Leaders to Blame for ‘Stop Snitchin” Epidemic Says Rev. Peterson from Christian Newswire

~Take Off- Zero G Trip starting at 3G’s!
In case you’re still thinking of what to do with that tax refund, you can literally take off and break the rules of gravity! The hottest travel destination spot isn’t an sunny beach or neon lit metro skyline. For a unique vacation, you should think about a weightless jaunt into the atmosphere. ABC has a video feature on Zero Gravity Corp.’s amazing program. Check the clip for a sample and stay tuned as I am researching this a bit.

~Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors
New study reveals healing properties in medicinal marijuana in fighting cancerous tumors.  While this information is nothing new, the new studies should help the cause of medicinal users here in the US.  The new study also points to THC’s healing properties in regards to other cancers.  Skeptic are quick to note that the studies are new and need more research.  Any volunteers?

powered by ODEOAudio Video Room
~ATTENTION UNSIGNED MUSICIANS!!  You might want to head over to Diesel U Music’s website and enter their international talent search contest.  Diesel will pick 9 finalists and have them flown to London for the final international contest.  The 7th annual event will be broadcast on national televised and covered by NME magazine.  Check out the website for full details and good luck!

~Here are the film trailers of “Knocked Up” the new movie from Judd Apatow starring Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and more.  The story is based on the unexpected changes that an unplanned pregnancy brings to Allison Scott (Heigl). One night of drunken lust brings an up and coming career woman and a underachieving slacker together with a baby on the way. Check the website for more on this new comedy feature and click the links below for a sneak peak.
WMP
QuickTime

~Patrick Wolf
The Magic Position MP3
Patrick Wolf returns to the music world with Amy Winehouse, as they embark on a US tour. Wolf will appear at Virgin Records NYC for a CD signing and performance this Monday, April 30th.

All dates below w/ Amy Winehouse
05-02 Minneapolis, MN “ Varsity Theater
05-03 Chicago, IL “ Vic Theatre
05-05 Philadelphia, PA “ Electric Factory
05-07 Boston, MA “ Avalon Ballroom
05-09 New York, NY “ The Highline Ballroom
05-12 Toronto “ Mod Club
05-13 Toronto “ Mod Club

~Ain’t Nothing Like Me
Joe
Jive Records

R&B singer Joe has a new CD, “Ain’t Nothing Like Me” in stores now. The Jive Records recording artist’s first single, “If I Was Your Man”, is receiving positive response from FM radio and the album looks to be another hit for Joe. He continues to blend R&B with hip-hop as he works with rap stars like Nas, Fabolous, Papoose, Young Buck and Dre. In addition to that, Joe is hitting the road to promote the CD. Make sure you look for the CD at your favorite music store and check out the audio and video links for “Life Of The Party” below.

Life Of The Party
VIDEO (REAL) (WMP)
AUDIO (REAL)(WMP)

U.S. Tour Dates with Brian McKnight:
4/27 Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
4/29 Los Angeles, CA – Gibson
4/30 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
5/3 St. Louis, MO – Fox Theatre
5/5 Chicago, IL – Merrillville, Star Plaza
5/6 Cleveland, OH – State Theatre
5/9 Hartford, CT – Oakdale
5/10 Providence, RI
5/11 Westbury, NY – Westbury Music Fair
5/12 Washinton, DC – Constitution Hall
5/13 New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
5/18 Miami, FL – Knights Center
5/19 Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park
5/20 Virginia Beach, VA – Verizon Wireless Theatre
5/24 Louisville, KY – Whitney Hall
5/25 Columbus, OH – Promo West Pavillion
5/26 Charlotte, NC – Cricket Arena
5/27 Orlando, FL – House of Blues
5/31 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
6/1 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
6/2 Dallas, TX – Nokia Theatre
6/3 Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theater

powered by ODEO~Eve is back!  “Tambourine” is the new Swizz Beatz produced heat rock, featuring the First Lady of Ruff Ryder, gotta love that!  The new album, “Here I Am” will get here a little later in the year.  Check the links below for the new hotness from Eve

“Tambourine” AUDIO

(WMP) (Real)

~FINALLY THE HERBS COME AROUND!
Collie Buddz is just about here! The smoking raga grooves have been heating up the clubs for a while now. Here’s some more videos and audio links of the danky dancehall hit!

Come Around
Video
(REAL) (WMP)(QuickTime)
Audio

The firestorm of controversy that Don Imus and his off-color remarks whipped up, dragged a few unwilling participants into it’s heated whirlwind. As soon as the new wires began running the story of Imus and his choice of words regarding the Rutger’s female basketball team, many of the shock jock’s supporters cried foul. Hip-Hop music was cited as an example of the double standard that exist in the media and society, tainting the story with additional racial division. People began asking some hard questions about the choice of lyrics that many African American artists use in describing women and themselves, while skipping over the main issue of Imus and his statements.

Rev. Al Sharpton was in the spotlight as he publicly called for Imus to be fired and the line was officially drawn in the sand, again. To many of Imus’ fans, the Reverend seemed like an agitator looking for a easy target. His motives were questioned and to the uninformed it may have looked like Sharpton was turning a blind eye to the troubled world of Hip-Hop. If there was any doubt to just how serious Sharpton was about speaking out against demeaning lyrics in rap music, they should all be cleared after the latest developments.

Sharpton has his eye on rappers and has said, in so many words, that he is coming after hip-hop music. In an interview with MTV, Sharpton was quoted as saying “This Saturday at the National Action Network Convention, we will have the conversation about what we do about the violence and the [racist], sexist language in hip-hop.” With that statement, a series of events has begun to unfold that will probably peak this Saturday.

The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network held a close door meeting on April 16th, with many of the top power brokers in Hip-Hop in attendance, including WMG CEO Lyor Cohen, Russell Simmons, Island/Def Jam Group Chairman L.A. Reid, RIAA Chairman Mitch Bainwol and many more. While it is unclear exactly what was discussed in the meeting, questionable lyrics and the current controversy was undoubtedly the main topic of conversation at the round table, as the hip-hop industries head honchos look to be circling the wagons in preparation of the possible oncoming attack.

On April 18th, Sharpton made another surprise move by canceling plans to award L.A. Reid with the James Brown Award at his annual four day National Action Network conference, which started on Wednesday. The event will be attended by Senators John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Howard Dean (DNC), NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams, Paula Zahn, Marian Wright Edelman, Governor Eliot Spitzer, filmmaker Spike Lee, Governor Bill Richardson (NM), Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly, ABC’s Martin Bashir and many more. Sharpton has promised to deliver names of corporations that support what he considers to be derogatory music, which he has been quoted as calling
“gutter rap”. If he does reveal a list of potential targets during the convention, Island/Def Jam will most likely be atop of the list as he has spoken against some of the label’s top acts in the past.

To add fuel to the fire, it seems that Simmons is holding his own protest as he has yet to purchase two seats to the conference as he was expected to. The reservations were a reported $10,000 each. Sharpton publicly questioned Simmons motives for not attending as an obvious retaliation to his planned speech. Universal Music Groups reps deny any ill will and have stated they have not asked for a return of Reid’s $15,000 donation.

Meanwhile, both of New York’s primary Hip-Hop radio stations have issue statements saying they will begin to back off from playing offensive music. Power 105 FM had Sharpton as an on-air guest along with program director Helen Little, Kevin Powell, Music Director Nadine Santos and more. Little was quoted in The New York Daily News as saying “What we’re doing is holding labels and artists accountable for what they say and how they say it. We want our listeners to know that whatever they hear here, we thought about it.”

Noted Hip-Hop journalist Davey D wrote a lengthy article on Sharpton and his motives almost 3 years ago. Many of the points he raises about Sharpton are incredibly valid today, as Davey basically says that the Reverend’s outlying message is fundamentally sound but many people question his motives. As we head into election season, the rattling of sabres may have it’s usual purpose. This time around, no one can blame Sharpton alone for starting the fire. This time, the match and can of gasoline was clearly in Don Imus hands. Regardless who started the wildfire, it still burns on. It’s about to get very interesting in the Hip-Hop community. Stay tuned for more developments.

HERES A LITTLE MUSIC FOR YOU TO GET YOUR MYSPACE ON WITH.

The Cyber Mix Tape Show- April 2007

another mix of really really goodness from your favorite B-Boy blogger, El Q Tha Gr8!

1.Intro-
2.Space People/X-Clan
3.What A Job/Devin The Dude w/ Snoop & Andre 3000
4.Throw It Up/Begetz f. Star Mafia
5.In The Now/Fat Jack & Mascaria
6.Lazy Monday/Tantra
7.The Awakening/4hero f. Ursula Rucker
8.Shining Star/Nikki Skies
9.Q.Rock639 break–DVDs In The Headrest
10.Jah In You/La Dee Dred
11.New Year/JhaVoice
12.Pearls/Angelique Kidjo w/ Josh Groban
13.Bang/Brother Nyft
14.Go Around/Marco Polo w/ Buckshot
15.Mess I Made/Sean Price

stay tuned to canhead.wordpress.com and kayaro.blogspot.com for more from Q.Rock639

This is another Kayaro Inc. production

Paid Dues Festival, Sat. March 24th 2007

The second annual Paid Dues Festival is one of the very reasons hip-hop is alive and well in Southern California. The first installment of hip-hop summer festivals from the Guerilla Union crew continues to shine as a source of authentic rap music, as Murs follows Barack Obama’s lead and continues his run for hip-hop presidency.

Paid Dues kicked off early at 2pm with acts like Devin The Dude, Pigeon John and Evidence w/ Alchemist setting the tone for the evening. Zion I & The Grouch lit the stage with Amp Live and Charlie 2Na holding them down as they rocked cuts from their Heroes In The City Of Dope CD. The energy was high as they did it big for Oakland. Cage came through with his Smut Peddlers style, rocking his track “Shoot Frank” to a warm reception.

The Visionaries took over the stage as 2Mex, KeyKool, LMNO and the crew made the crowd drop and do crop circles all over the place! One of the night’s highlight performances, punctured with a nice boom bap session on the MPC by DJ Rhettmatic.

Mr. Lif dropped some heavy science and went for the Paid In Dues crowd’s jugular as he ripped his underground hits, bringing his concious east coast style to the sunny Cali venue. Pure hip-hop talent graced the stage as BK representer Jean Grae rocked the crowd with a mic in one hand and her cup of vodka in the other, ripping through a 20 minute set with ease.

Brother Ali laid it down heavy with cuts from his upcoming album The Undisputed Truth, showing the crowd his Rhymesayers backed flow. Blackalicious brought musicians and background singers onstage to lift it up to their level, while Gift of Gab showed why many people consider him as one of the best emcees alive. His multi syllable rapid fire flow is off the charts and very important seeing he freestyles like that. The night was caped by performances by Sage Francis, and the show headliners Felt with Slug & Ant and Murs, who announced he was signed by Warner Brothers and will deliver a hip-hop classic on a major very soon.

It seems that Mur’s dues have been truly paid, as he wraps up his second major rap festival with a gift of major label signing to cap it all off. By the amount of people floating around the pavilion and the tons of merchanside on hand by venodrs like HipHopDX.com, Rhymesayers, Visionaries & Up Above Records and more, this event was a huge sucess that will be back next year with more independent hip-hop.

Check out my Flickr photo set for pics from the show.

Links

MySpace page

Paid Dues Website

(Also posted at Blogcritics.org)

Thank you all for your hard work and support last night! I could not have asked for a better group of talent and supporters to work with, and everyone in attendance loved the shows you all put on! While many of you had to deal with our set-backs, you all hung in there and saved the day by doing what you do best, rocking the house!

I will let you all know of any shows that we have as soon as I get them, hopefully we can all continue to work together and make some noise here in LA. I am looking for other venues as well and will keep you all posted. As I mentioned at the show, thanks to one of our sponsors help, I did record most of the audio of the performances last night. If you’re down with us using some of your performances on a possible compilation, let me know and I’ll go over the particulars. Thanks again for your professionalism, time and great performances. It was amazing working with you all!

(Side note: I was running around way to much totake any decent pictures. If you have an, please send some my way!)

Peace