Black Toast, Recognize Ledisi, Grammy Awards Too?, New Madvillain Video, Badu Sings 2 Raekwon, ?uesto 4 Mayor.
Let’s face it, Black Thought smokes emcees on the daily. One of the biggest perks of working at Okayplayer is getting the sneak preview on all the new Roots joints. Yesterday was one of those days when El Keter and myself were treated to a vicious, 3 minute, no chorus having, verbal assault from Black Thought over a sharp ?uesto break and analog synth stabs. The track will be positioned as “blog banger” #2. The first one from that series will be premiered soon, when the count up to Rising Down (in stores 4/29) officially begins.
Major shout out to Ledisi, the beautiful dynamo from N’awlins, who is nominated for two Grammys! The powers that be are recognizing true talent this year, honoring our former featured artist with nods for Best New Artist and Best R&B Album for last year’s release Lost and Found. Congratulations!
Unfortunately, just as with the Golden Globes, the Grammy event may be waylaid by The Writers Guild strike who, according to New York’s Daily News, may demonstrate at Feb. 10’s annual Grammy ceremony in L.A. If that happens, the strike supporters’ musical allies may pull out of the show. Reat the article on SOHH that also reports on how Amy Winehouse (nominated for 6) may not be allowed to attend even if the event does go down.
VIDEOS!
Stones Throw’s second DVD release, “Stones Throw 102: In Living the True Gods” hits shelves on February 12th and is chock-full of delicious musical treats. Videos for Quasimoto and the never-before-seen “Accordian” from Madvillain are sure to please. MED’s video for “Push,” featuring J Dilla’s final film appearance is not to be missed. If that aint enough (so greedy!) there are a ton of bonus features including a Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf mini-documentary, and an exclusive Dilla interview from 2003. Pencil this one in people.
For those who didn’t make it out to NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom last Saturday for the Wu-Tang show, here’s a short clip we found of Erykah Badu serenading Raekwon with an impromptu “Happy Birthday.” Aww…group hug! Happy belated Raekwon.
This was picked up by most of the rap blogs last week and despite its pertinence, slipped through the okay crack. For those that missed it, Philly’s newly appointed Mayor Michael “Mixmaster Mike” Nutter loosened up his tie for a rather lively performance of “Rapper’s Delight” at last week’s inaugural ball. DJ ?uestlove was on the turntables alongside emcee Yameen, and the audience just ate it up. Watch the clip here. (We see you, Tayib)
Consequence’s video for his song “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” (featuring Kanye West) along with a new journal entry for the Cons will premiere right here TOMORROW.
- dantana & andrea3000