Yes the final volume to wrap the Not 97 Radio – Mad 2 Di Ting reggae mixes up. It has been somewhat of an honor because I managed to stay ahead of the loop for new dancehall tracks and being able to spread it to friends, family and those in between. This version is made primarily for a cousin of mine who came to Jersey for vacation for the whole summer and his words pierced me, he said “damn, since I been in Jersey all I been hearing is old music, old dancehall, old club, old everything.”

So I went to the lab and cooked up some new tings including Jim Screechie riddim (personal fave). This tape has been out a little over a week and I’m sure there is much more newer riddims to indulge in but celebrate with us.

Download & Enjoy

First up is Siren Music Festival 2010 : July 17th

“New York, NY (June 17, 2010) – The Village Voice, the nation’s largest alternative weekly newspaper, is excited to announce the addition of HOLY FUCK, PONYTAIL, DOM and APACHE BEAT to the line-up for the 10th Annual SIREN MUSIC FESTIVAL at Coney Island, NYC on Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 12:00 noon – 9:00 p.m. These artists join scheduled performers MATT AND KIM, TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS, THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART, NIGHT MARCHERS, SURFER BLOOD, HARLEM, CYMBALS EAT GUITARS, EARL GREYHOUND, SCREAMING FEMALES and WYE OAK at the free, all day, all ages music festival on two outdoor stages in historic Coney Island.

The 3rd Annual Official SIREN AFTER PARTY returns to Music Hall of Williamsburg on Saturday, July 17 at 9:00pm with WE ARE SCIENTISTS, LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION and more. For ticket information go to BoweryPresents.com or call (212) 260-4700. Tickets on sale now.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in historic Coney Island, SIREN has solidified its status as a leading New York City outdoor music festival, drawing over 100,000 music fans each year. With over 120 bands making their mark at SIREN over the last decade, this year will recognize SIREN’s roots with the first ever return of past performers. MATT AND KIM and TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS will be heading back to the SIREN stage to celebrate. WE ARE SCIENTISTS, who played SIREN in 2007, will be headlining the SIREN AFTER PARTY later that night. ”

Next up is one of my personal favorites actually starting TODAY! Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival 2010

Mon. 7/5 | Show & Prove:Hip-Hop Showcase/Competition

Rocking live is one of our very own Preferred Classics artist St. Joe Louis

Tues. 7/6 | Classic Hip-Hop Film Night:Screen classics

Wed. 7/7 | Bodega Education Initiative: Panel discussions

Thurs. 7/8 | Salute the DJ:Night dedicated to the DJ

Fri. 7/9 | Kickoff Party: Night mixer for artists and press

Sat. 7/10 | Performance Day:Main performances
Black Moon – Smif-N-Wessun – De La Soul – Black Thought – DJ Babu – Rakaa Iriscience – Curren$y – Skyzoo – Fashawn – Masta Ace – Those Chosen – Aquil – Black Milk – DJ Parler – Diamond District –

Sun. 7/10 | Family Day: Block party

For more information check out http://www.bkhiphopfestival.com

Summer Stage NYC 2010 (Free Concerts in the Parks)

Here are just a few upcoming shows.

Ryan Leslie
When: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 7:00PM
Where: Springfield Park
Ryan Leslie
Famous for his savvy production talent, Ryan Leslie is quickly gaining worldwide attention for his unique R&B styling.

Harvard-educated, singer, rapper and super producer Ryan Leslie rose quickly to stardom, with a mix of his producing credits for industry heavy hitters such as Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and a host of others. As famous for his savvy social media presence as his production talent, Ryan Leslie is quickly gaining worldwide attention for his unique R&B styling and sensual voice.

Presented in association with WBLS and Globe Star Media.
info@SummerStage.org
(212) 360-2777

NYC Revolutions Series: EPMD and Funkmaster Flex, Presented in Association with Globe Star Media
When: Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 7:00PM
Where: Queensbridge Park
NYC Revolutions Series: EPMD and Funkmaster Flex, Presented in Association with Globe Star Media
Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith of EPMD are famed as one of the breakthrough bands of the 1980’s NYC hip hop revolution.

Once described as “the rap equivalent of a rock & roll garage band,” EPMD (“Erick and Parrish Making Dollars”) are famed as one of the breakthrough bands of 1980s hip hop. Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith grew up together on Long Island, home to rappers Eric B. and Rakim, De La Soul, and Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav. In 1987, while on a college break, Smith recorded with Sermon the duo’s raps, which they had first performed together the previous year. EPMD immediately released the songs as a 12-inch single which sold 500,000 copies. Within six weeks of its release, their first full length LP, Strictly Business, had topped the R&B album chart and gone gold. Later hits included “You Gots to Chill,” “Crossover” and “Strictly Business.”

DJ Funkmaster Flex sets trends. His name is known around the world and for more than a decade Funkmaster Flex has reigned as America’s number one music radio personality, reaching more than two million listeners a week from his show on Hot 97. When he’s on the air, an estimated 10% of everybody tuned into a radio in the metropolitan New York area is listening to him. Flex was recently named America’s best DJ for 2009 by The Urban Music Awards. In addition to his on-air work, Flex also does prominent voiceover work for videogames and has hosted television programs for ESPN, MTV and Spike TV.

Presented in association with Globe Star Media

Part of the NYC Revolutions Series

A Celebration of Giant Step’s 20th Anniversary: Raphael Saadiq, Aloe Blacc, and Special Guests
When: Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 3:00PM
Where: Central Park/Mainstage
A Celebration of Giant Step’s 20th Anniversary: Raphael Saadiq, Aloe Blacc, and Special Guests
Award-winning songwriting/producer/performer Raphael Saadiq brings new meaning to old soul.

Raphael Saadiq is a standard bearer for ’old school’ soul, a contemporary artist continuing the time-honored American tradition rooted in the sounds of ’60s and ’70s. From his early days as a member of the groundbreaking ’80s group Tony! Toni! Toné!, through his work as an award-winning producer for Joss Stone, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, and John Legend, and in his own perfectly crafted solo albums, the multi-talented Saadiq has kept the faith. His latest release, the three-time Grammy-nominated The Way I See It, was named the Album of the Year by iTunes. While other contemporary artists may attempt to emulate the sound and flavor of soul, Saadiq brings real emotion and production values that are simply “right on.”
info@SummerStage.org
(212) 360-2777

Pharoahe Monch, Hosted by Danny Castro of Lyricist Lounge
When: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 7:00PM
Where: Queensbridge Park
Pharoahe Monch, Hosted by Danny Castro of Lyricist Lounge
Pharoahe Monch is one of underground hip-hop’s pre-eminent lyricists, crafting intricate and intelligent rhymes and having the ability to match them to the beats rolling off the turntables.

Pharoahe Monch is a Queens-based hip-hop artist best known for his complex delivery and multisyllabic rhyme scheme. This helped win him a reputation as one of underground hip-hop’s pre-eminent lyricists, crafting intricate and intelligent rhymes and having the ability to match them to the beats rolling off the turntables. His 1999 single “Simon Says” became a massive hit among rap and club audiences, securing Monch’s collaboration with some of hip-hop’s biggest players.
info@SummerStage.org
(212) 360-2777

The Main Ingredient
When: Friday, July 23, 2010 at 7:00PM
Where: Rochdale Park
The Main Ingredient
Classic R&B soul lives on in The Main Ingredient’s smooth melodies.

Best known for their hit 1972 R&B song “Everybody Plays The Fool,” the Harlem-bred band The Main Ingredient is over forty-five years strong and still as soulful as ever. Specializing in sweet, romantic ballads, the band has placed over twenty songs on the Billboard R&B charts. The current lineup of The Main Ingredient features George Staley Sr, Larry Moore and Cuba Gooding Sr.

AND MANY MORE .. FOR COMPLETE LIST GO TO http://www.summerstage.org

I couldn’t go one more day without putting this out for you to enjoy. It’s a dope mixture of hip-hop to satisfy any taste, grilled up especially for summer. Of course I had to throw my favorites (Dom, cezeOne, The Styvesants) and the crowds favorites (Drake, Wayne, West) plus music from some our features (Lerix, St. Joe Louis). Look! Spring Things was a big deal so if you haven’t gotten it yet go download it for your girlfriend or friend or sister. It’s 100% R&B. I wanted to come full circle with the seasons series starting from Summer Things 2009. It might be the last.. Peace

Download Summer Things 2010

Part three and we bring you 10:00 minutes of non stop hip hop flava. Word!!!

Here is the brand spanking new video for Show and Prove off Lerix’s new EP entitled New Heights dropping Summer 2010. We will keep you posted with new music and downloads in the near future. Catch up on his older stuff here.

Video Specs.
Lerix ft Shane Eli and Kamilah
Show and Prove
New Heights
Directed by Dwayne Burgess

Here is the big homie cezeOne’s new record called Seasonal Architect: Final Season . I know without a doubt that for the past 3 months this was his priority to get this album done and done right. The professionalism in the route taken to present this to his fans, friends and band mates has been noticed. It is playing in the offices right now and I had to stop in my tracks to get it on the blog right after:

“Open Your Eyes” | Download
Piercing lyrics over religious harmonics orchestrated between an ill drum pattern that grabs you directly after he begins to pray. Listen and you will soon understand.

But, as short as 9 tracks may seem, CezeOne brings you through a journey from being a MC, to a man, to a lover, to his religious beliefs, to his culture, to his past, to his stance on hip hop and life. He did in one album what takes many MCs to accomplish in 9 albums. Take heed. Another one of my favorites is “Only Time Can Save Her” produced by Luis Ramos, where CezeOne tells us how hip hop is in danger and how and what can save her. Kudos to Luis Ramos for laying down a complimenting track that has me holding down the repeat button. Listen.

“Only Time Can Save Her” | Download

Download CezeOne Final Season Here | http://www.cezeOne.com

Here is a word from ceze:
“The new compilation album is out. It is not a mixtape so please do not call it one. It is a collective compilation of songs I have collaborated with multiple producers and engineers. Some tracks are produced by myself and some are tracks that were produced by others (noted on the cover). Many people have helped me get here and I appreciate you all. I will let the listening experience do all the talking and if you like it feel free to pass it along to a friend.”

Once again Not 97 Radio comes through and bless us for this season (a little late) but we are still excited to finally get it on our hard drives. The Summer Things mixtape had sprinkles of R&B in it and the people spoke, now the Spring Things is fully flavored with slow jams from exclusives to old school classics. Somewhere in between you can also catch some Nicki Minaj (ok?!?) but regardless it’s a good listen for those who are in the mood to relax with a special someone or dance it off in front of the mirror before going to the club.

Download & Enjoy
Previous: Summer Things 2009 | Winter Things 2010

I made a post like this about a month ago.. and then when I found out that the “death of Guru” was a rumor started by twitter heads, I withdrew the post but kept the content there as an artifact. Today, I was once again awaken to the news of his death but this time without thought, I knew it was real. Guru has become over the years a staple voice in hip hop, whose music transcends time, generations and life.

Death is inevitable, and beautiful when you lived long enough to see things, feel things and experience what the universe has to offer. It is still beautiful to have died and left so much valuables for the world to search and find. As with Michael Jackson and the other greats that have passed along into what I do not know of yet, there will be a common base of artifacts for generations who need a quick introduction on the template, blueprint and characteristics of said genre. For me Guru wasn’t just a hip hop artist, he brought tradition to life, he was positive, humble and never wished to be different than that. Death on the other hand immediately gives off a negative connotation because of the life that is taken away, I see it as the opposite although the suffering & pain is alleviated through death, I always hope that it was never there to begin with. That is.. it is.. so now we must carry on with the celebration of life without being upset and saddened by the death.

Today I listened to a tribute from Mister Cee, a proclaimed hip hop DJ from New York’s Hot97 radio station. The reason I chose this tribute above all else was due to the fact that he appreciates Guru’s life without the red tape, structure or mechanics, meaning he really just put it down the way HE wants to put it down for the tri – state and the world to enjoy.

Update: Dj Premier tribute mix: peep the purposeful start of the mix and the scratched words.

Below is one of my favorite Gangstarr tunes: