Roc Raida is one of the most influential DJs in hip hop, having come up through the ranks with a foundational power crew of DJs The X-Ecutioners & X-Men his mark is indelible. Recently both crews got together to celebrate Roc Raida’s 40th, with an album and series of vignettes.
I’ll let Rob Swift Tell it:
This May 17th marks what would have been Roc Raida’s 40th birthday. Unfortunately Raida isn’t here to rejoice with us but it doesn’t mean we can’t. Thus, I ask you, Raida’s fans, not to mourn his death on the 17th of May. For birthdays are about celebrating life.
Although Raida only lived to be 37, he accomplished more in those 37 years than some people do in a lifetime. The odds were stacked against Raida from childhood. The odds say a young man who drops out of school will never make it out of the projects. But Raida not only left Harlem’s Foster Projects as an adult, he left New York and made a home for his wife and kids in Maryland. The odds say an aspiring DJ without turntables will never be able to perfect his skills. But Raida initially developed his style by going to other people’s homes and practicing on sets that didn’t belong to him. The odds say once you retire from battling you’ve given up your chance to win a world DJ title. But Raida came out of a 3 year retirement and won the 1995 World DMC Title. The odds say once you die, the world moves on without you. But through the support of many of YOU for my mixtape “Roc For Raida”, the memory of Anthony Williams aka Grandmaster Roc Raida continues to live on. The odds have always been stacked against Raida and even in death, he continues to defy those odds.
So for those of you who’ve purchased “Roc For Raida”, on behalf of Tyeasha Williams (Raida’s wife) and their 3 kids, Tia, Nyra and Asia, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. To those who haven’t bought a copy of “Roc For Raida” I urge you to please support. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to Tye and the kids. But If that isn’t enough incentive, I hope my latest “Roc For Raida” video trailer will move you to Roc For Raida!
“From The Inbox” is the submissions portion of Social8gency, whether you sent it via email / Soundcloud / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr - we try to listen to everything. Keep Creatin’!
Proe dropped through the inbox a few days ago, being as I received a good number of submissions in a matter of days, I hadn’t gotten around to listening to all of them yet. Sitting down this morning to go through them. I must say I waited too long to check out Proe.
A dusty style and sound that in some ways can be described as reminiscent of Homeboy Sandman, Grieves, & Atmosphere; fans of Rhymesayers and rap with a bit rock awareness will feel right at home with Proe. In my opinion he’s got a style and passion that comes through with every word he utters. Also there is a sick break in “She’s a Cutter”.
Be Brave, Gladiator @Social8gency Recommendations:
“All Day”
“Cuss By Candlelight”
“Be Brave, Gladiator”
“She’s A Cutter”
“The Worst”
I don’t want to say too much more, I’ll let you decide whether you’re feeling it or not. Check out the embed of his latest Be Brave, Gladiator below and look out for Proe -> @proemusic / Facebook / Official / Bandcamp
I (@bjones21) have been spending the last few weeks here at @Social8gency putting together this show and I want everyone in LA, shit Cali and lets add Nevada and Mexico for good measure to make it out on December 29, 2011 to The FreQ Show. Its the first of hopefully many events and performance put together by Social8gency to bring that good, that SWAG to the masses.
My homie, associate, and outstanding musician Malik The FreQ and I have put together a undeniable lineup of DJ’s to get your transition into 2012 going right and to exercise a few more bad habits before those resolutions kick in.
Here are the details for those playing at home:
WHERE Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Doors @ 9pm
$8 admission at the door RSVP HERE for $5 admission
LINEUP
9 – 10:00pm : The GetDown Collective (DJs)
10 – 10:45pm : dj Almighty Nectar
11 – 11:45pm : Malik The FreQ LINK
12 – 12:45pm : Ta’Raach
12:45– 2am : DJ House Shoes
Watching this made me smile, last I saw Iverson he was a bit of the a shell of the confident, ready to take on all comers player that I loved for so many years. On top of that it also features Dwyane Wade. So in one video two of favorite players of the last 15 years are on display laying props to one another.
I also love Iverson’s words about his famous crossover on MJ.
I came across Sagaki Keita’s work and thought it was some of the most amazingly psychedelic art I’d seen in some time. The precision on the macro scale down to the seemingly haphazard and spontaneous nature of the micro is amazing. I’m always a bit taken a back that he doesn’t lose his way when creating these pieces.
The interview was done via email. Sagaki speaks little english and thus the text has some hiccups here and there. I’ve kept it as is, with little alteration as not to misconstrue or misrepresent Mr. Keita’s words.
When I saw this I could think of only three things: it opens a portal to hell, its used as next millennia social experiment, or it signals aliens. I still wouldn’t doubt that one of those is still an option. Either way it’s now on my list of sites to see. Architecturally awe inspiring.
Guangdong Museum is one of the four cultural landmarks for Zhujiang New Town of Guangzhou. Conceived as an Objet d’Art in a monumental scale, it is an allegory to the impeccably and intricately sculpted antique Chinese artifacts of a lacquer box, which collects and reflects treasures of the times. The museum is designed to house objects of treasure, and is also a treasured object of fascination. It is an identifiable cultural icon, giving visitors a memorable experience on the traditional wisdoms as well as the appreciation of the cultural identity of the city.
When I linked up with Kenneth Price earlier this year for the Behind The Video Series, he made mention of “The Wonder Year” soon to hopefully see the light of day, and below is the trailer for Ken Price’s year chronicling the great Grammy Award Winning Super Producer 9th Wonder.
For this one I linked up with the outspoken Killer Mike, growing up in Atlanta he was one of the names I always loved. Not saying I’m some street dude, but I appreciate the craft on the mic and he was one of the first out of the A’ doing it and doing it with intelligence and speaking to real issues.
For this one I met up with the homie Spree Wilson back in October, definitely one of the artists you need to be looking out for: just so fresh and eclectic. He’s been working with a myriad of top names over the past year and just dropped a fantastic project The Never Ending Now, cop that immediately.
Candy Chang about her “Before I Die . . . ” Installation:
One month and seven hours of intense stenciling later and it’s up! With a lot of support from old and new friends, I turned the side of an abandoned house in my neighborhood into a giant chalkboard where residents can write on the wall and remember what is important to them. Before I Die transforms neglected spaces into constructive ones where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us. It turns out this entire process (including obtaining official approval from many entities) has been a great lesson, experience, and project in itself – more on that later. If you’re in New Orleans, stop by the corner of Marigny and Burgundy (900 Marigny Street) to add your thoughts to the wall and see what matters most to your neighbors
If you’re in N.O. you have as of this publishing 2 days to see it before its gone.
Head to Candy’s page, here, for more photos and discussion of the “Before I Die . . . ” Installation.
