Show alert! Wiz Khalifa along with some of my favorites are performing this Friday, April 2oth, at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. It is sold out through the box office, but tickets are still available through other online retailers (i.e. stub hub or craigslist).
ScHoolboy Q ft. A$AP Rocky - "Hands on the Wheel"
I've been listening to ScHoolboy Q'sHabits & Contradictions nonstop and can't wait to see the performance live. Another act to look for is A$AP Rocky, who has quite a buzz and should put on a good show as well.
A$AP Rocky - "Peso"
I'll be updating The Vent with more posts and music shortly, have a safe and happy 4/20!
Hey friends, sorry it's been so long since my last post. I just returned home after spending the last couple weeks in Israel (new job with Waze!), and I'm just now getting around to writing about all the great music I've been enjoying.
Before I get into all of the amazing full length albums recently released (I'm looking at you Cris Cab, Big K.R.I.T. & Rafael Casal), I thought I would share a song that really made an impact on me during my trip overseas.
If you know me, you wouldn't be surprised that I brought my own mix CD to play in the car as I commuted to work everyday in Tel Aviv. While the same CD played twice a day for two weeks can get tiring, there were a few stand out tracks that never got old - "Blessed" being one of them.
Schoolboy Q is a friend and label mate of Kendrick Lamar (along with Ab-Soul and Jay Rock of the Top Dawg Entertainment camp). Q often credits his friends in TDE as the catalyst that made him change his life from street gangster to rap artist, and the song "Blessed" really gives you an inside look at how deep (and lifesaving) their friendship has become.
In the first two verses, Q paints a picture of what he was going through and how sometimes it could be a necessity to stick to the street code. What starts as a calm and quiet musical backdrop, builds in intensity to match Q's tone; this effect really makes the emotion behind his words hit home.
"Story of a gun-clapper really trying to make a change"
But, it's the third verse from Kendrick Lamar that really seals the deal. This is a verse dedicated to his friend, meant to be inspiration and a constant reminder of their story and how everything they're doing now is for the better. The way Kendrick is able to mimic the beat with his delivery is remarkable and just adds to the laundry list of why he will have a long career.
First I'd like to start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
Otherwise, I won't waste any time in letting you know that Talib Kweli and Res' phenomenal Hip-Hop/Soul/Funk/Alternative fusion band Idle Warship is performing tonight and tomorrow night (1/6 and 1/7) at Yoshi's in San Francisco. Not only will they be blessing us two days in a row, but they will be performing twice each night (8pm and 10pm).
Even though the pair have been performing under the Idle Warship moniker for the past 4 years, November 1st, 2011 marked the day their incredible debut album Habits of the Heart hit the shelves. Check out the latest video for their uptempo track "Laser Beams".
Idle Warship creates a unique soundscape by combining several genres. The result is a fun project consisting of potent lyricism from Kweli interlaced between Res' amazing voice. While the album stays upbeat for the most part, they do experiment with some slower ballads. All of which sound completely natural and further justify why collaborations of this caliber must continue! Below are a few of my favorite records from the album.
Idle Warship - "The Floor"
Idle Warship - "System Addict (feat. Jay Knocka and Jean Grae)"
Trombone Shorty and the rest of his Jazz/Funk band Orleans Avenue are going to ring in the new year with back-to-back performances at The Fillmore on December 30th and 31st, 2011. If you haven't heard of this phenomenal group, it is time to get acquainted. Take a listen to the opening piece ("Buckjump") from the new album (For True) and I guarantee you won't be able to sit still.
Next, step into the world of Trombone Shorty and see how he gets down. This is the latest single "Do To Me" from his most recent album For True.
If you're anything like me, you'll feel compelled to see this show live. Luckily for us (in the Bay) Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will be performing TWICE in less than a week (tickets). Just as a warning, I tried to go this show last February when they came to town, and it sold out fast. Need another incentive? Check out the sweet poster The Fillmore gave out for the last show (I'm assuming they'll do the same for this show as it will sell out).
So if you're in the Bay this upcoming New Years, or just happen to get the opportunity to see a Trombone Shorty performance, don't miss out!
Enjoy the music! Go to the shows! Support the artist!
Tonight is the second performance of Left Coast Leaning 2011 held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, featuring one of my favorite artists of all time, Rafael Casal, and his new play "The Limp".
YBCA and Youth Speaks' Living Word Project are proud to present the third edition of Left Coast Leaning. Artists chosen to participate in Left Coast Leaning
reflect the unique pulse of the West Coast arts scene and the festival
format enables audiences and artists to engage in a shared dialogue that
crosses performance disciplines. By celebrating the diversity of
cultures that lie at the heart of West Coast society, Left Coast Leaning
presents an alternative to the negative image of hip hop arts that is
projected by contemporary media and challenges artists and audiences to
viscerally engage with each other. Our hope is to shift marginalized
art forms such as spoken word, media arts, performance installation,
puppetry, deejaying and contemporary folklore from the periphery to the
center of contemporary performance. Left Coast Leaning
integrates disparate ideas both outside and within the city of San
Francisco to establish the Bay Area as a place for artists, scholars,
and arts lovers to encounter this dynamic and flourishing New Majority
American art form. (via)
I've been fortunate enough to attend several Youth Speaks and Brave New Voices spoken word competitions, and I must say, they are life changing experiences. If you have the opportunity to check this out, or any other Youth Speaks/Brave New Voices events, don't miss out!
Now, if you have missed out on the phenomenon that is Rafael Casal...it's time to catch up! Rafael is a poet/rapper/singer/video director/all around talent powerhouse who currently has 4 released projects attached to his name (some are easier to find than others). His full length The Monster LP, The Bay Boy Mixtape, The Getback Mixtape (I couldn't find a link..I guess only the diehards like myself have it. If I get enough requests I'll upload it for the masses), and one of my favorites As Good As Your Word.
Rafael Casal is one of those artists who knows the importance of words; he doesn't waste a single one throughout his rhymes. Below are a few videos so you can see what I'm talking about!
The lead single "Monster" off Rafael's The Monster LP
Rafael's first appearance on HBO's Def Poetry Jam performing "Barbie & Ken 101"
This is a great example of The Getback's live show. Rafael, Daveed and the rest of the band performing "B.A.Y."
Rafael schools us on some of the top Bay Area slang that has been adopted by the rest of the country.
Enjoy the music, see the shows, support the artist!
