Since Run DMC and Aerosmith united in 1986 for “Walk This Way,” rap-rock collaborations have been common place in popular music. Some turn out brilliantly like the Rick Rubin produced Jay-z song “99 Problems,” but others are forgotten over time.
Blackroc, the collaboration between Dame Dash and blues rock experts The Black Keys is one of those collaborations that will be remembered over time. The album will feature the RZA, Mos Def, Q-TIp and a host of hip hops most talented MC’s.
Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire made a film in Olympia?! We DID not know that!
To be read while listening to this song:
Okay, so you know how FestiBus is going down in two weeks? Yeah, that’s the one. We do a canned food drive at FestiBus, and this year we’re splitting it between our planned recipient, the University District Food Bank, and the recently-burglarized Rainier Valley Food Bank.
Robbers: you’re wack. FestiBus attendees: you’re good people for supporting a good cause. Yet another good reason for you to come to FestiBus – as if you needed one!
If you enjoy mid to late 90’s hip hop, free music, or local music venues, then you should check out Chali 2na (Jurassic 5) and Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) in one of their two shows tonight. The first show is a free show at Easy Street Records in Lower Queen Anne. The Easy Street show starts at 6 and although it will be shorter than the Neumos show, Easy Street is one of the coolest free venues in the city. The Neumos show starts at 8, costs 18 dollars and also features Mr. Lif and Lyrics Born.
Chali 2na joined Jurassic 5 in 1993 and is a giant on the mic both literally and figuratively. Standing well over 6 feet tall with one of the deepest voices in the game, Chali 2na brings his dominating, thoughtful bars to any track he’s on.
Blackalicious is traditionally one of the most underrated groups in all of hip hop. Gift of Gab and DJ Xcel started Blackalicious in 1992 and have released 3 classic full length albums. Gift of Gab spits impressive multi-syllabic raps and is a constant on “Best West Coast Rappers” list.
Since Drake hit the popular music scene earlier this year, Canadian hip hop has been all the rage. Unfortunately, Drake has been the only Canadian artist to make it big stateside. Toronto’s k-os is one of those talented artists and his newest album Yes! released on iTunes yesterday. K-os breaks genre barriers and incorporates funk, reggae and rock. ”I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman” is one of the standout tracks on Yes! and has now received the video treatment. Yes that sample is the OC theme song and yes it was also used in that one Girl Talk song.
Because we can.
Embrace the chaos.
To channel our best Herb Caen: Item! Which zesty political group had a stunning year of prepostorous proportions? That is, which force for fortitude drove not four, not six, but seven issues and candidates to stunning success in this year’s electoral escapades? Why, none other than that lovable band of scrappy younglings, the Washington Bus, of course. Yes, those rambunctious rascals have done it again, what with their so-called Washington Way and whatsit. Breaking news: these scurrilous scamps are hosting a shindig of some sort. This fiesta, “FestiBus”, is sure to be both informal and formative – the so-called “Bussers” promise hijinks, hilarity, and humor from elected officials, interns, and very likely you, yourself. They claim it is open to all, and that they want you there. Interesting, eyebrow-raising, and irking to this lover of political establishment – a party celebrating democracy and political engagement? Consider my ire raised…
Trailer for 1985 masterpiece Rappin’.
