News

Jena 6 Rally And Artist Support, Skillz Tour Diary, Hezekiah NYC 2nite, Dilla Walk, New Contest, Jay-Z Song, Woodies!
MOS DEF in New Orleans last night
• Yesterday’s national protest and rally in Jena, LA proved that the people will not take this issue lightly. More than 10,000 people descended upon Jena to show support for the “Jena 6″ including your boy Mos Def who gave this TV interview to CNN. Coincidentally, The Roots performed in New Orleans last night, so of course Mos joined them for their set, along with Biz Markie. Everyone wore black to show their solidarity. Read Skillz blog about this special night in his Tour Diary. The raging injustice of the treatment of these 6 kids is inspiring people from all over to speak their mind and support this cause, from The Roots to David Bowie to Jasiri X, who’s myspace page features “Free The Jena 6,” and we think this song is pretty fresh!

• Hezekiah is showing solidarity as well, asking everyone to wear black tonight for the Jena 6. He performs in NYC at The Knit with Freeway, Bilal, Jag and a horn section. Congrats to the lucky winners of the OKP contest, the first 11 who replied to this post WON tix to the show tonight!

• We’ve also got a NEW contest for ya! Guitar Center is offering up 100 buck-a-roos to winners who can answer a simple question in promotion of some custom MPC 4000s. Good luck!

• You talk the talk, now walk the walk! Come support another amazing cause, research for lupus, on this October 13th Walk For Dilla in NYC. Rain or shine, we’re walking 3.1 miles, huffin’ it and puffin’ it, in the name of research. Meet us at South Street Seaport.

• It’s sad, but true… the weather won’t be this nice for long. NYC, this Saturday, Central Park, Rumsey Playfield. Live performances by MF Doom, Pharoahe Monch, Collie Buddz and more.

• Funk Master Flex dropped Jay-Z’s 1st listen off the reported concept album American Gangster* yesterday, “Blue Magic.” How are you feelin’ it?

• Decon Media’s latest news letter reminds us about new(ish) releases from Dilated Peoples, Z-Trip, and Aceyalone, and announces the 2k6 Sports Bounce Tour with Common, Q-Tip, 88-Keys, and Percee-P. Acey’s new release, Lightening Strikes will be in stores October 2. Preview select songs on his myspace page right now. We’re feeling that single “Easy” featuring Chali 2Na from J5.

• MTVU announces that both Common and Amy Winehouse, alongside Lily Allen, Gym Class Heroes, and The Shins, are up for Woodies this year. Yep, you heard right, “woodies”… heh heh. These are awards that honor the music college students loved most this year. At The Roseland, NYC, Nov. 8th.

• OKP reviews give Animal Collective’s Strawberry Jam a 4.5 out of 5! Read the Reviews for more on Chamillionaire, Madlib, U-N-I, Danny!, and more.

-gingerlynn

* we hear this is not that title of the album. It’s …. It’s…. It’s _____