DEADLY MELODY: NYC

Blockhead in New York This Week; RJD2 Next Month

deadly melody — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:13:19 +0000

With successful solo albums of production work and creating beats for Eastern Conference & Def Jux emcees, Blockhead and RJD2 both return to New York City for solo shows. Blockhead, who several months ago released his fourth album plays Mercury Lounge Friday (02.05.10). Tickets are $12; 21.

RJD2 has a new album of his own . Two weeks ago RJ released his fourth studio album as well The Colossus (pictured right) via his own record label. He returns to New York for a night at Highline Ballroom on 03.07.10. Break Science and Happy Chichester open the show. Tickets are on-sale now for $17.

Paying Tribute To ‘Ultimate Breaks and Beats’

deadly melody — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:52:45 +0000

Remember when being a DJ meant having more than a MacBook and an actual record rollection? When DJs carried vinyl and were digging through crates to find that rare gem? The Ultimate Breaks and Beats collection was a must have for any serious DJ in the pre-Serato era. The 25 volume compilation featured the essential drum and break beats from prominent artists. With the first UBB release in 1966 the collection continued through the 80’s on Street Beat records.

To pay homage to the releases Big Daddy Entertainment is presenting the ‘Ultimate Breaks and Beats DJ Tour Launch Party’ at B.B. King Blues Club on 02.24.10. Helping pay tribute to UBB is an insane lineup of top DJs and producers. Confirmed guests for the night include DJ Dummy, Teve Dee, Kenny Dope, Breakbeat Lou, all members of Da Beatminerz (DJ Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, & Bazarro), J Flawless, DJ Wiz, Boogie Blind, Incrediboi, DJ Mocha, Eddie B Swift, Maseo of De La Soul, Lord Finesse, DJ Scratch, DJ Spinna, Grandwizard Theodore, & Spinderella of Salt-n-Pepa. Tickets are just $20 in advance to see a loaded lineup all on one bill.

Rare Form Presents Donuts Are Forever 4

deadly melody — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:50:35 +0000

Rare Form’s annual ‘Donuts Are Forever’ benefit event has become a incredibly successful fundraiser to remember the late J Dilla and raise money for The J Dilla Foundation. After three years of special guests and hosts for the event with lines around the corner to get in, they move ‘Donuts Are Forever 4′ this year to The Bell House on 02.06.10. This year’s benefit is headlined by a DJ set from ?uestlove along with DJs Brainchild and Parler. The night is hosted by long time Dilla collaborator and fellow Detroit native Guilty Simpson. Doors open at 10:00 PM with a $5 minimum donation at the door; early arrival is suggested based on the turnout from the last few years.

Gilles Peterson Back in NYC For 2 Nights

deadly melody — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:30:24 +0000

Gilles Peterson, the legendary French born and London based Radio 1 DJ returns to New York City this week for his first show since 2008. On Friday, 01.29.10 Peterson first plays in Brooklyn at Littlefield for an evening presented by Giant Step. Tickets are $15 in advance, 21+. Three days later he brings the party to Manhattan for a night with the legendary François K for Deep Space at Cielo on 02.01.10. These are two rare nights to see the acclaimed tastemaker in an intimate environment. His last NY appearances were at the much larger Summer Stage for the free Giant Step concert in Central Park.

OPEN Over, Fridays Are Now re-OPEN-ed @ Santos

deadly melody — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:01:32 +0000

Last December Rich Medina exited the OPEN weekly at Santos Party House leaving just Q-Tip and Va$htie. The January calendar at Santos was also empty leaving speculation that The Abstract was wrapping it up as well. With both Tip and Medina now gone, Santos has reconstructed a new lineup for ‘re-OPEN-ed,’ the new Friday party at the club. Just Blaze and DJ Soul take over the upstairs while Max Glazer of Federation Sound, Gravy, and Micro Don “provide the vibes in the basement.” Cover is $5 in advance with an RSVP (see flyer for details) or $10 cover at the door.

You can still catch Rich Medina at his other weekly and monthly residencies. The first ever OPEN party was at Santos Party House on 08.01.08 with Q-Tip and Rich Medina…see photos here.

The New York Stimulus Package

deadly melody — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:58:23 +0000

Philly native Freeway is set to release his next album The Stimulus Package on 02.16.10. The album is entirely produced by Jake One. Jake One took his name from well respected to well known producer after his ‘08 Rhymesayers release which made it to most critic’s top 10 lists for the year. To support the new project Freeway & Jake One deliver a short run of dates with ‘The New York Stimulus Package,’ coming to New York on album release day (02.16) at Highline Ballroom. Tickets are $13, show starts at 9:00 PM.

Mind + Body + Soul: A Concert Event To Raise Awareness For Diabetes

deadly melody — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:21:04 +0000

On Wednesday, 01.20.10 The Heavy Sound present Mind + Body + Soul: A Concert Event To Raise Awareness For Diabetes. Not only is this concert free but boasts an incredible lineup of incredibly influential players in the hiphop. The awareness event which takes place at Knitting Factory Brooklyn is hosted by Michael Rapaport, Okayplayer, and Phife Dawg. Rapaport has spent the last two years working on a documentary about A Tribe Called Quest being produced by Nas.

Mind + Body + Soul also features live performances from Ghostface, Jay Electronica, Consequence, and Talib Kweli along with special surprise guests. Not too bad for an event that is free with an RSVP (see flyer for details). Only thing that could make this night better would be Phife reuniting onstage with long time Tribe collaborator Consequence (hey, would be great footage for the documentary). I’d also settle for Rapaport aka White Mike grabbing the mic and performing ‘How To Rob An Actor.’ Doors open at 8:00 PM and its safe to say you’ll want to get to this one early.

Reflection Eternal Performing This Week

deadly melody — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:59:03 +0000

After several sold out shows in Manhattan this year, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek take the stage again at Highline Ballroom on 01.22.10 for a performance as Reflection Eternal. The all ages show starts at 11:30 PM with tickets for only $10.

Gil Scott-Heron Releasing a New Album & Show Tonight

deadly melody — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:48:26 +0000

Gil Scott-Heron has performed every Sunday on MLK Jr. Weekend at S.O.B.’s for the last few years. The annual tradition continues again tonight (01.17.10) when he returns for another show.

“The tradition continues with SOBs’ annual Martin Luther King Jr Day celebration, with one of the people responsible for the United States’ adoption of the national holiday. Gil Scott-Heron celebrates MLK Day on Sunday, January 17th.”

Something Gil Scott-Heron doesn’t do annually is release a new album. As a matter of fact it has been thirteen years to be exact. Next month, Heron will be releasing a brand new recording I’m New Here through XL Records. The record is produced entirely by Richard Russell who also owns the indie U.K. label. Heron will perform his classic and new material at his S.O.B.’s show tonight. Tickets are still available for $25 at the door.

Sunday Cookin’ with Questlove Tonight

deadly melody — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:03:35 +0000

No work tomorrow? Party tonight (01.17.10) for MLK Jr. Weekend with a DJ set from ?uestlove at the Sunday Cookin’ party presented by MeanRed. Waajeed of Platinum Pied Pipers joins ?uest for the night which was now moved to Southpaw. Cover is $12; doors at 10:00 PM, 21+.