7/29/10 BILAL LIVE IN BELGIUM SINGING A NEW SONG CALLED "ROBOTS"

One thing that must be said about this blog of ours is that you will see me put up an array of different things that either sparked an element in my mind/Asa's or just plain inspired us as a whole. Today its "Bilal"...You may ask "Why Bilal?" Simply, I feel that Bilal is a genius hands down!!! I remember watching a performance of Otis Redding and seeing how uninhibited and free he was performing and felt that the same rules apply here but in a different age of music. Every time I have seen Bilal I have always been captivated and taken to another place musically that no other artist has taken me. When we (Phase One & Asa Buchanon) perform we are always complemented on how live we are w/ the energy that is giving forth to the people. As artists though, we strive to keep taking it to the next level where people are floored or enamored with the pure emotion/passion seeping through the walls people put up that keep them from being them. To even the ones that we still have. Those are things that I study from artist like Bilal.

Even artists like Janelle Monae who is very soft spoken behind the scenes but explosive when she performs says the same about Bilal. Take a look at the clip of Bilal performing from the link I posted, a new song he has "ROBOTS" from his highly anticipated sophomore album, "Airtight's Revenge". When you watch you will almost see how he is just channeling into the music itself not caring who is watching sort of like someone who is dancing in the dark!!! and you already know how that is, FREEDOM at it's finest!!! If you don't like its all good but respect his craftsman/showmanship...Cause on this link here he is only playing with ya'll... enjoy!!!

7/28/10 pics from that show 6/25 @ Houndstooth Pub Big Ups "Young Mischiff"

7/28/10 Thoughts on Slum Village!!!

Its such a happy day/sad day in Hip Hop for me actually. One because its been a minute since we received a Slum Village album but now that we've got one, it is sad to hear that is their last one. Though it is their last and regardless if hypothetically speaking they didn't reach the level they wanted to, they have still made a serious imprint in the game!!! well at least in my opinion!!! there is awesome production here on "Villa Manifesto" from Khryis, J Dilla, Young RJ, Hi Tek. They even managed to put J Dilla vocals on the records and pretty much sounds like they all in the studio. To hear Baatin (fellow slum member who recently passed away) it is a breath of fresh air. I am pretty sure that it has been hard for the group with the loss of J Dilla and Baatin who were both instrumental on the growth as a group and as family but they are showing here how to keep on truckin'. As all good things do come to an end artist like these to me and others will never be forgotten.

They've honestly been a great, great and I mean great influence on my career musically and Asa's. Sometimes I honestly feel I have a Motown soul and that's no disrespect to my New York City roots. Its just that I have followed the Motown sound Hip Hop wise before I even knew it was from Detroit. I have a lot of respect for Detroit and feel that they are incredibly slept on but its the same reason they create music with intense hunger and always manage to elevate their sound!!! With that being said I hope and highly recommend that you go out and cop this and the rest of the albums to understand the history!!! I salute you Slum and wish the best on your solo careers!!! Love is Love!!!

7/24/10 SHOW @ PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

Phase-Now this night this past wknd here was Epic!!! I loved every minute of it!!! Saw people that night that I haven't seen in years. Its great when you can lose touch & people return and see your growth vice versa. In this event our dudes "Mohammad Dangerfield (Hasan Salaam & Rugged n Raw)" Tore it down an act after myself & Asa Buchanon. Along side us was a good brother by the name of MDE, St. Joe loius, DJ Ari Why & Final Outlaw...So much love in that house.Proof is always in the pudding & I can care less what you or anybody else say...Real music brings people together!!! Whether its RnB, Hip Hop, Rock or House if its good its just simply that. I bet you will find someone from across the globe that is in the spot with you bugging off the same line or guitar riff, live vocals or performance you loved...that is what that night was about & thanks to my man Baron from Red Clay who thought of us last minute to do the thang. It was a true blessing!!!

7/10/10 De La @ bhhf rockin "Saturday"

What more can I say about this!!! Its De La!!! One this I will add about this particular clip is that it was a real HOT!!! and muggy day in BK. Just to touch on that heat it wasn't some lets chill get some sun type hot. It was that walk 2 blocks & your pants are sticking to your legs hot!!! Have you ever had your pants just stick to your legs? where it make you feel you were 8yrs old again & you walked by a hydrant or sprinkler but wasn't refreshing or sexy. It was more like HORRIBLE but I LOVE HIP HOP..

At the point of this clip you will see De La perform "Saturday." Prior to this they bigged up J Dilla (rocked Much More & Stakes is high)and at that very point, my home girl Sarah was like look at the sky and the sun was literally breaking the clouds up. It was like God was letting Dilla shine with us that day!!!! I loved it!!!

*I wanted to post the clips of the songs Dilla produced but it was taking too long to load!!! sorry folks go the fb page to see it!!!

7/10/10 The Brooklyn HipHop Festival

Let me tell something about this "BHHF." Its a festival that goes on every year that showcases the hottest indie talent and some known hip hop talents/Legends. One this about this festival is that you would know if you are doing some type of moving in the game when cats salute you in this festival. Its also a great network environment. you may leave with a book of flyers but those are the repercussions-lololol But the most it's like a great big family reunion of artists from all over NYC & abroad!!! I saw so many guys that I came in contact from shows to sessions the works from like the last 10yrs of being on the grind. Its good to see the Folks that are standing strong and pushing along within turbulent times in the industry!!! Keep it love & alive fellas!!!

But on this show there were soooo many acts but this is one that I longed for besides the De La Soul Finale I will post later, Pete and CL smooth rocking T.R.O.Y.!!! That was their first performance in 10yrs. Pssst!!! let me tell you a secret 10yrs ago @ S.O.B.S (nyc) I was along side Breez' Evah Flowing, DJ Static & Swave Sevah opening up for Pete Rock & CL Smooth!!! Yup we did!!! Bet you didn't know that!!! YO!!! Breez' remember our song "Crumbs" lololol!!! Check this out it'll make you reminisce for real!!!

6/25/10 Phase One & Asa Buchanon @ Houndstooth Pub

Phase-This night I hold dear...It was the night my man AD & Young Mischiff launched their website "WWW.JUSCUZMUSIC.COM" & made an extravaganza out of the evening. They had a Performance which included the lovely songstress Tess, our dude Azzie who was debuting his album material for "Super Soul Sauce", Asa Buchanon & myself getting "Bugnanamously" live on stage then for the finale Ad & Young Mishchiff took the stage & showed off some new material from their album "PM2AM that should be out by September...

This night was special because when you see your people doing what they love by any means, its awesome!!! & we all haven't performed together on one bill in about 2 years so it brought me back a bit which was fresh. Everyone brought the vibes in ways that only they know how. Asa & myself were sooo amped!!! I'll be real with you...Asa had some things going on in head where last minute people out there in the world trying to test and take him out of his element & would never know looking at this clip. Goes to show in this game we are just like you!!! you can go to work & execute jobs with stomach pains, headache, drama at home or with your girlfriend/wife etc. When we up on that stage life doesn't end but it often feels like life begins and dead's that wackness or old skin that the world tries to infect us with. I Posted this on face book as well but for all my new heads out there enjoy!!! This is off our album "Bugnanas"