Hello...You're Welcome.

Think about it.

Every year I work at a conference called The Student Diversity Leadership Conference.  One of the homegirls on the staff, Priyanka, co-produced this here documentary.
Lots of up and coming talent on here and an appearance by The Cool Kids.
Watch , enjoy, share, discuss, and think.

Director's Cut from Midori McSwain on Vimeo.

The Roots survive crash!

Craaaazy yo...Peep Questo's blog here for the details

DJ Dez- Introducing...The Ladies!

The homeboy Dez aka DJ Dez has made a lil mix  with a bunch of the female pioneers in R&B and Hip Hop, such as:
Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Total, Missy Elliot, Lil Kim, Erykah Badu, and a bunch of other jams that you might have just forgotten about!

DOWNLOAD HERE!

Throw that on ya ipod, or even burn it to cd.
Whatever you do, BUMP IT.

Peace!

RIP MC Breed

MC Breed. The first man to "paint the White House black" has left this world.
When I first moved to LA from Oakland, Ain't No Future in Your Frontin was one of my favorite songs on the radio.  Still love it to this day.
Details here 

Please note:  Breed dropped an album every year for about 13 years.  That's dedication in a game where sometimes people only realease 3-4 in a career.

Pour out a lil something if you got it, and bump this classic shit right here.

....AAAAND WE'RE BACK!

Sorry for the delay.
Here's what you missed...
Me working on music (coming soon)
Working at work (lord save me)
Obama is president (HURRAY!  IT'S FINALLY OVER!)
And...that's about it.
So...Let's continue with our program...

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK!

DAME TAYLOR IS HERE!

About 3 years ago, my homegirl hit me up like "Yo, you gotta check out this producer I met."

She popped in the beat cd, and IMMEDIATELY I asked, "Is he signed?".

She said "No."

I said "WHY THE HELL N OT!?"

Through the years, he's been on a major grind, hustling, gettin his name out. If you are a fan of U.N.I, then you know the track "K.R.E.A.M (Kick Rule Everything Around Me)".

That monstrous beat is Dame Taylor.

Now he just got a placement on the G-Unit album with "Party Ain't Over".

Peep the man's bio right here.  This dude is about to be THAT  DUDE.  Not only does he make dope tracks but he LOVES MUSIC.  Kinda rare nowadays.

I love seeing the people around me on their way to their dreams.

Dame Taylor.  Remember that name, and check the vids below.

Damien Taylor, a.k.a. Dame Taylor on the Beat is an upcoming music producer.  His sound hits all over the musical spectrum.  But Dame Taylor's clear signature sound is in his sick drum patterns, which always draw in the listener.

This is a major year for Dame Taylor, as he has been blessed with major successes and is on a rapid rise in the industry.  He currently works with one of the biggest D.J.'s in the music industry, as POWER 106 DJ Felli Fel's engineer.  Felli has experienced major success himself with "Get Buck in Here" featuring Ludacris, Akon, Diddy, and Lil Jon, and was the #27 hit on the Billboard chart.  Dame also created a buzz with the hit single "K.R.E.A.M." (Kicks Rule Everything Around Me) for Hip Hop duo, U.N.I., which helped launch the group in a very short time with almost one million views on YouTube in March of this year, and is being aired on BET.  Now, Dame Taylor is breaking major ground with "Party Ain't Over', a track featured on G-Unit's upcoming sophomore album, Terminate on Sight.  "Party Ain't Over" will be the next club banger; but you may not see Dame two-stepping it up in the club.  The song title is ironic for this mystery man who'd prefer being in the studio than a big industry event; but, as he says, "I make beats, period…I'm here for the music, for the love of the music. I can drink, eat and sleep in my studio without fail.  I try to live by the motto work hard now and play later".

G-UNIT- PARTY AIN'T OVER

U.N.I.- K.R.E.A.M Before: Making of K.R.E.A.M. pt.1

AFTER!

Goin out with the bangers

Today, June 21st, marks the last day of Gemini as we move into Cancer.
Like I said.  I'm a Gemini, and I got lots of pride.
And today, we're goin out with a super bang!

Let's celebrate the birthdays of...

Brenda Holloway.
A very little known name from the Motown label but she made some great tracks. 
Beautiful woman with a beautiful voice.
She often opened for the Beatles, and had a handful of songs written by Smokey Robinson.
Apparently, the general trend of the music industry and Motown didn't bode well for her, and she felt that she should follow a more spiritual path, eventually retiring from music.  She returned in the 80s doing more gospel music.  For most of her years she was a background singer with her sister.  You might be interested to know that it is Brenda and her sister Patrice who "backed Joe Cocker and the Grease Band on the 1968 cover version of The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends", later the theme song to the 1980s television series The Wonder Years."
Here she is, solo dolo, singin Just Look What You've Done. 

Next, legendary Jamaican musician Augustus Pablo.  Most notably known for his influence on dub reggae and introducing reggae music to the melodica.
If you are into reggae, especially dub, be sure to get his stuff.  Here's one of my favorite tracks by him "King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown".  That little harmonica like sound you hear is the melodica.

And finally, to cap off why Gemini IS the best zodiac sign in the astrology chart...

Legendary producer Pete Rock.
I mean...I really don't know what to say.  He defined a large part of my youth growing up, loving Hip Hop.
When They Reminisce Over You.
Just about everything Pete Rock and CL Smooth did...incredible duo.
His Soul Survivor albums (this one and this one).
Production he's done for everyone from the Wu-Tang Clan, Common, Talib Kweli, Slum Village, Pharoahe Monch, and the list goes on.
Peep the first vid, as he shows you how he samples, chops, and creates.  SICK!

And finally, one of the greatest songs ever made in history.
Peace.

 

I need a Claire Huxtable.

I really do...

Gotta play some catch up on the Gemini tip!
June 19th was about the ladies.

First up!

Phylicia Rashad aka Claire Huxtable.  She played a loyal, loving, yet fierce and sexy wife of Heathcliff Huxtable in the Cosby Show.  A show that really defined a generation.  You could call it, the 80's version of the Obamas.  Smart, great family, educated, classy, all that.
Yesterday was her birthday. 
Now aside from Pam Grier, I have to say Phylicia is also one of the baddest.  She had the dope mom game on lock, WAAY before homechick on Fresh Prince of Bel Air (see I even forgot her name). 
I need a Claire Huxtable in my life.
If you feel me, then check this site out.  I'm gonna be gettin one of those shirts PRONTO!
What many do not know is that Phylicia Rashad, formerly Phylicia Allen (sister of Debbie Allen), is also a VERY talented singer.
Here she is, straight SANGIN', on a little known disco album she made in the late 70's.

Next up, everyone's favorite judge from American Idol, Paula Abdul!
Former Laker girl who made it as a pop star in the late 80's and early 90's.  And now you see her on ya tv screen.
Here she is, stylin on you.  Straight up.
I'd still do her by the way.
And yes, that's Arsenio.

On to today...

Errol Flynn!  Australian actor.
Now, you might ask, why in the hell would I mention him?
Well, first, because his name is awesome.  It's where we get the term "In like Flynn" from.
Second, it's the name of a popular gang in Detroit!
There is also a dance called the Errol Flynn, which, similar to the Crip walk or Blood walk, would signify the affiliation of the gang member to that gang.
Looks somethin like this...

Next up, saxophonist, flautist, and bass clarinet player,  Eric Dolphy.
Very unorthodox style were he used harmonies and discords, similar to Monk and Coltrane. 
Peep him in action.  He's got incredible skills.

And last...Lionel Richie!
First establishing himself with The Commodores, then branching out as a solo artist, he has sold more than 100million records world wide.  Interestingly enough, he's especially popular in the Middle East.  Let's take it back to the 80s real quick with All Night Long.  You know it's a party when the cop has to get hyphy.  Doesn't get much happier than this I tell you.

Shout out to Zoe Saldana...with her fine ass.  Ohhwee!

Home stretch

The time of Gemini ends on June 21st.  As we enter the home stretch, let's hit em with some more of that hotness!

First up, Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men (he's the one with the glasses)!
He is actually the founder of the group.  The man who put it all together!  One of the greatest R&B groups.  Definition of the 90s R&B.  And them boys can sang!
Let's take it back to where it all started...MOTOWN PHILLY!

Next...Sir Paul McCartney of The Beatles. 
I mean come on dude...The Beatles are legends.  Straight up.
The Beatles wrote a song a song called Birthday, with Paul singing lead vocals.
And here he is...booyaow!

And finally, the homeboy Tunji! Here he is rippin the first verse with the home doggie Toby and that talented ass guy Noah King with Hip Hop Soul.  These are legends on the come up right here!

It's my birthday!

Hoooooooo!
Today's my birthday yall!  Thank you to everyone who showed me love today.

And today I share a birthday with....
Krayzie Bone from Bone Thugs N Harmony!

Since today is my birthday, I wanted to let you know, I don't give a fuck!
Watch my birthday twin Krayzie rip the last verse.
And I'm out!
Shout outs to Igor Stravinsky, M.C. Escher, and Barry Manilow.
Wil' out!