Kweli Returns From Africa, Jean Grae Performs NYC, New Amanda Diva Interview, MF Doom-gate, Rap Up ‘05.
The SAMPLE FREE 9th Wonder X Jean Grae = Jeanius album is coming soon in ‘08
Last night we had the pleasure of celebrating an early New Years with some of the Blacksmith fam for a pre-taped NYE party (bizarre). Talib Kweli gave the usual stellar performance, and we got to chop it up with Kwe, DJ Chaps, and Mr. Blacksmith himself after the show. Having just returned from Nigeria where they taped the video for Kweli’s “Hostile Gospel,” the camp was buzzing with incredible stories, from spending time at the Fela Kuti shrine to hanging out with Femi to walking the streets of Lagos. Soundman-extraordinaire Efrem returned to NYC with the Kweli crew only to turn right back around and fly to Africa once more with Kanye West for two Nigerian shows which we hear were off the wall.
Speaking of the Blacksmith camp, this Thursday we’ve got a holiday celebration sure to put you In The Mood in NYC featuring DJ Eque, DJ shErOck and DJ Avee along with a very special performance by the fabulous Jean Grae. This sharp-tongued lyric-twisting heat-spitting word(black)smith will no doubt set it off at the event, and now we know where she gets her firey spirit from… MOMS! Read Jean’s blog where she honors the amazing Sathima Bea Benjamin, her mother, a prolific jazz songstress and author as well.
Another vibrant fem-cee, Amanda Diva, is proving that she’s also a hurtling force to be reckoned with. As MTV2’s 2004-05 “face of hip-hop” Diva was host to multiple programs, including Sucker Free. She was featured on Russell Simmons’ HBO series Def Poetry Jam in ‘02 and ‘05, hosted the top rated morning show “Breakfast at Diva’s” on Sirius Satellite Radio’s HipHopNation/40 for 5 years, was a member of ATL based DJ crew “The Aphilliates,” along side DJ Drama & Don Cannon, and has worked/performed along side legends like Q-Tip, ?uestlove, Last Poets, Kurtis Blow, James Poyser, Nikki Giovanni, Chamillionaire, Kwame and Green Lantern. All that, and a Masters degree from Columbia in African American Studies??? Oh yeah, and a brand new album Life Experience. Own it from iTunes now! For more from this dynamo, read Okayplayer’s in-depth exclusive interview with the lady herself.
Doom-gate? Reportedly MF Doom performed… er, uh, didn’t perform?…in ATL earlier this week. I suppose that mask could come in handy, imagine the dough you could rake in with simultaneous tours- Doom Europe, Doom Japan, Doom U.S. all at once. Yo Doom, hit me up, let’s get this cheddar!
And for our next installment of the Rap Up Round Up, we bring you Skillz circa 2005. Oh sweat… forgot all about Superhead. Listen to “Rap Up ‘05″.
Make sure to turn in FRIDAY when we announce the WINNERS of the OKAYPLAYER MUSIC AWARDS!!!
Stay Cool…
- gingerlynn