Written by Yasu, threw this podcast down in the summer, and somehow it flew under our radar. A collection of Rare Grooves and Hip-Hop, producers will go bananas over. Let us get you up to speed with Tokyo’s #1 underground Dj, Dj Yasu!
Posts in category Articles
Londoners Pay Tribute to Jay Dilla and His Legacy
London Dj and Promoter Spin Doctor (Doctors Orders), put together another succesful annual J-Dilla Tribute (J Dilla Changed My Life). The Yearly event is put on in February to celebrate the legacy of the late producer and the musical legacy he left for all Hip-Hoppers worldwide to enjoy. This year it took place at Skala, and Dilla’s mother (Ma Dukes)
was in attendance and took the stage announcing that next year she was going to jump on the turntables!
The Detroit Native rose to prominence while producing for Dela-Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Slum VIllage and Common. He had a great solo career as an instrumentalist and rapper as well. Vibe magazine has ranked Dilla in the top 8 Hip-Hop producers in the History of the Genre. The music he produced touched peoples lives, and it can be seen around the world.
Yaheard.com was the house check out the exclusive footage.
Mars Co Op (from the Roots Crew) – Black Caesar
Most people know Mars Co Op and don’t even realize it. He’s the voice and mind behind the classic verse on The Roots Single “Clones” which solidified The Roots as lyrical giants way back in the 90′s. His memorable line “You can’t make loot when your moms is smoking up your product” sent chills up the spines of hustlers everywhere. Well industry insiders know that Mars, stays busy whether it’s doing shows, or recording in the studio. Here he is with Black Caesar, a song and video that’s really on some black super hero “ish”. This is the soundtrack for Hip-Hop lovers world wide.
The Man Who Brought The Soul To Your Tv.. Don Cornelius
When James Brown appeared on Soul Train, he pulled Don Cornelius to the side and asked him “Who’s backing you?” Don Cornelius replied “No One”. James Brown couldn’t fathom it. During an era where the black man was the face, and the white man was the backing, Don Cornelius owned his own show Soul Train…The first black man to do so. It wasn’t until 2008 that he sold the show to MadVision. 37 years of Peace, Love and Soul (Don’s signature catch phrase, which he shouted joyfully at the end of each episode). After the civil rights movement, Mr. Cornelius realized there was no show, that was for the people and by the people. His show that started as a local public access show, would bring Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Michael Jackson and countless others, into living rooms across the country, and further strengthen the popularity of Soul Music.
Soul Train, spanned generations, and you could just as easily catch Michael Mcdonald, as Rick James, performing while the latest dance moves were being showcased. Everyone who watched Soul Train, had their favorite dancer. It seemed watching the re-runs were just as entertaining, as you could see the fashions, and hear the sounds of times that were past.
Don Cornelius, a news reader and backup Dj at Chicago radio station WVON and was hired by WCIU in 1967 as a news and sports reporter. In his spare time from the station Cornelius also was promoting and emceeing a touring series of concerts featuring local talent (sometimes called “record hops”) at Chicago-area high schools, calling his travelling caravan of shows “The Soul Train”. The “Soul Train” caught the eyes of WCIU-TV took and in 1970, allowed him the opportunity to bring his show to television.
Chicago based retailer Sears and Roebuck gave Don Cornelius the sponsorship he needed and, Soul Train premiered on WCIU-TV on August 17, 1970, as a live show airing weekday afternoons. The first episode of the program featured Jerry Butler, the Chi Lites, and the Emotions as guests.
Soul Train proved succesful immediately, and was sponsored for national syndication by the Jonhson Products company who targeted the African American Audience with “Afro Sheen” (a hair-care product). Seven cities, Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco purchased the program, which began airing on a weekly basis on Cotober 2, 1971. By the end of the first season, seventeen other markets followed. Once syndicated, Soul Train moved from Chicago to Los Angeles. Though Don Cornelius moved his operations west, Soul Train continued in Chicago as a local program. Cornelius hosted the local Chicago and Los Angeles-based national programs simultaneously, but soon focused his attention solely on the national edition. He continued to oversee production in Chicago, where Clinton Ghent hosted episodes on WCIU-TV until 1976, followed by three years of once-weekly reruns.
In 1993 after 22 years of hosting the show, Don Cornelius took a back seat and remained the creative force of the show up until the shows ending in 2006. Soul Train even had a spin off The Soul Train Awards, and Don Cornelius continued to promote and expand, African American music and musicians, in a respectful and honorable fashion.
There will never be another Don Cornelius, who in an age, where African Americans were barely allowed to drink out of the same water fountains as their white counter parts, went Hollywood, and presented the best in African American talent in many genres, from Disco to Soul to not just Black America, but to all of America.
May Don Cornelius Rest In Peace Love and Soul!
Don Cornelius Dances on Soul Train
The Jackson 5 performing I want you back on Soul Train
Michael Mcdonald on Soul Train
Artists Mika Rottenberg and Jon Kessler Stimulate Minds at the Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery
By: Ruth Acevedo
Seven, a perfmance collaborated by artists Mika Rottenberg and Jon Kessler at the Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery (534 W 24th St. NewYork Ny), stirs the senses. The performance lives up to its name in its 37 minute piece presenting 7 actors representing the 7 colors of the rainbow. Taking place in a science lab, a chemist processes the sweat of 7 subjects while they sit in a sauna. Familiar yet oddly placed sounds permeate the setting and visuals range from the half-nude test subjects, to the elaborate science lab and the televisions that are placed throughout the lab. In its many levels of medium, it serves the audience with many messages and call for some self reflection.
CONTINUE TO FULL ARTICLE AND REVIEW
Hip-Hop Artist Esko “Greets The Morning”
“Greet The Morning” is the new single and video from Esko. Raised in New Jersey, Esko is dedicated to the culture of Hip-Hop. His style is unorthodox, and he’s able to have fun and be serious, while not taking himself too serious (in a good way…think Dela-Soul). Greet the Morning is the follow up to the Floor Model Ep. “Greet the Morning” is from the upcoming full length album The Seed
Download ‘Greet The Morning’ from www.EskoBTS.com
Download ‘The Floor Model EP’ from www.Esko.Bandcamp.com
Under The Radar… Check out this New Release from Marcus G “Clouded York”
Marcus G, from Tennessee is a self taught drummer, bass player and guitarist. It was his smooth licks you heard on The 49ers classic Japanese release “The Ultrasound” notably the song “Promise Me”. Clouded York is like someone took Kurt Kobain, and 8 ball and Mjg and threw them in the musical blender. This sound represents the mash up of cultures, that took place in the United States to where you can no longer tell a skate boarder from a rap artist. That’s the thing about Marcus G, you never know what he’s going to do next, but hand this man a guitar and you’re guaranteed to see “something”.
World Artist Showcase…Radio Armada “Pa La Gente”
Our good friend Dj Sleepy (NYC) put us on to a group he is working with which mashes up many genres to form a cutting edge world sound. The group might be the only group in the world that claims Ecuador, Peru, Japan, Europe, and NYC. They play a mix of cumbia /ska/punk. Its the kind of music that makes you want to mosh, immediately. It captures the spirit of rebellion, that unifies all baddasses on 7 different continents.
Check it out here on Yaheard.com
Raekwon Keeps It “Wu” with New Mixtape Unexpected Victory
Raekwon has been cooking up that signature Wu-Tang sound since the days of the “Purple Tape”. Well technology has advanced since then and now your favorite artists release downloads, instead of the plastic cassettes that used to slide right into the tape deck in your “ack” legend. For all of those who still love that custom Staten Island sound, Unexpected Victory definitely delivers. With production from Statik Selektah anda variety of guest appearances that range from Fred the Godson to Styles P, to Busta Rhymes to Cl Smooth, and even Sauce Money, The Chef reminds us that Wu-Tang Clan still “Aint Nothing to F*** With”
DOWNLOAD UNEXPECTED VICTORY
The 2011 Yaheard Awards!!
Here at Yaheard.com We Decide What’s Cool, and 2011 produced many cool albums, mixtapes, songs, artists, events and moments in general. We are honoring, all of the artists, that make the website hot, by staying true to their art, and making top quality product for the world to enjoy! We wish everyone a happy new year, and a prosperous 2012!
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: DJ QUIK THE BOOK OF DAVID
Veteran Compton producer/ rapper extraordinaire Dj Quik returned with The Book of David on 4/20/11. He took his signature production to a whole new level, updating his sounds, innovating his rhythms, and keeping the nod factor in effect. He called in a cast of characters that included Korrupt, Jon B, Gift Reynolds, Bizzy Bone, and Bun B to name a few. Listening to the album is like taking a ride through the sunny streets of Los Angeles, while possessing a medical Marijuanna license, but then you realize, you haven’t even left your house. Grammy worthy, and definitely Yaheard award worthy, this could be Quik’s best work and that’s saying a whole lot.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR- TRIBECA and Dj COSLA “The Worlds Best”
This song could’ve easily been called “The worlds best damn video”. The Bronx Bomber Tribeca, kept it 100% Hip-Hop with this one, as Dj Cosla provided the toughest sound bed, from overseas to complete it all. If you slept on this one, someone should hit you in the head with an alarm clock.
ARTISTS OF THE YEAR- Sean Henry and Kosha Dillz.
2011, was a good year for visual artist Sean Henry. His breakout art show was the talk of the art world, and his signature water color portraits, that range from Krs-one to Bin Laden spread across the internet like he dipped his brush in 4 g.
Kosha Dillz proved in 2011, that he was still “Everywhere”. Not only did he entertain us with “The Sweat Pants Song”, he toured the whole country collecting canned goods along the way for the less fortunate (which shows he hasn’t forgotten the true spirit of Hip-Hop which is to uplift the people). The grind that defines, him is still going strong, and the music is still creative!
DJ OF THE YEAR- DJ KAZABON- If you were anywhere in London in 2011, you must’ve seen the slogan Hipsters Don’t Dance. Dj Kazabon, and her Hipsters Don’t Dance movement, had the clubs rocking, the t shirt shops buzzin, the internet searching, and even ended up on a B Star Productions documentary. This Lady Spinster, is one to watch in 2012, and definitely did her thing in 2011
SONG OF THE YEAR- KOOL KEITH- “DR PHILADELPHIA”
“Allow me to re-introduce myself…” are the first words on the Dr Philadelphia track, and that’s exactly what Kool Keith did. The self produced track, features his trademarked rumbling bassline, and off the wall flow. This time Keith returns as Dr Philadelphia, the self proclaimed “Creator of Swag”. Packed with too many classic lines, to mention you will find yourself listening to this dark, yet light hearted song on repeat. Is he taking a jab at the current chart topping rappers? That’s for you to decide
Kool Keith – Dr. Philadelphia kid by yaheard
MIXTAPES OF THE YEAR- London Wilson -Bad Habits 2 / Money Makin Jam Boys Prestige
London Wilson, did more than his thing in 2011, he actually lived up to the hype. Coming from Fort Worth, he is redefining the sound of Dallas Hip-Hop. He’s got music for the “Metroplex”, and with co-signs from industry insiders like Allhiphop.com’s Jake Crates, London Wilson, is going to hit the world hard in 2012.
The Money Makin Jam Boys- This group is almost unfair to the competition. Consisting of Black Thought, Dice Raw, P.O.R.N, Truck North, and StS, The Jam Boys, might be the most lyrical group in all of Hip-Hop. Their Prestige mixtape, kept a lyrical foot on a wack emcees neck. They even worked in production from Jazzy Jeff, to keep it extra Philly. If you want about an hour of the best Hip-Hop you can ever imagine, download this mixtape asap!
BEST GROUP- THE 49ERS
The 49ers turned it up another notch in 2011. They released a full-length album MUSAIC which flew off of the record store racks in Japan, and had the internet blogs buzzing from their music video “Reminisce”. Before you could even blink, they followed the album up with the collaboration with production collective ZDW SOULSTICE. While Musaic, features the boom bap you would expect from producers like Soul Chef, and Marchitect, Soulstice, incorporates live instruments, jazzy grooves, and one of the most expansive sounds in all of Hip-Hop. Both albums could easily sustain you musically for a whole year.
