Alice Smith On Tour, Badu Tops Charts At #2, Pete Rock Interview, One Be Lo Review, Blue Scholars X Playboy.
I’ve got to admit I’m a bit biased here. I’ve been watching Alice Smith perform on New York’s stages for years, and after seeing her first show with an old band called Jolie Fuego (which, incidentally, also featured Roots guitarist Cap’n Kirk) I was hooked: I knew I was watching a star. I recently caught up with the Grammy-nominated singer at The Roots Annual Grammy Jam Session where she told me about her upcoming tour. Today, <a href=”http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=3&topic_id=168188&mesg_id=168188&page=
“>we’ve got those tour dates! Don’t sleep on this one.
CONGRATS to Erykah Badu who’s New Amerykah debuted at <a href=”http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=3&topic_id=168156&mesg_id=168156&page=
“>#2 on the charts, just below Janet Jackson’s latest Discipline. Read this in-depth feature on Badu where Scheme Mag gets down to the nitty gritty with the master of frequency. For more, watch <a href=”http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=3&topic_id=168173&mesg_id=168173&page=
“>this myspace video from Badu’s Dallas release party with clips of her performance, words from fans, and glimpses of Dave Chappelle, 9th Wonder, Taz from Sa-Ra, Bilal and more.
Pete Rock chops it up with Complex mag. His latest effort NY’s Finest dropped last week, but for this one Pete takes us waaay back, running through some of his most celebrated collabos. Read about work he’s done with legends like Public Enemy, Run DMC, Das Efx, House of Pain, and more.
This week in reviews we showcase one of our favorite acts, Michigan based rapper One Be Lo who’s newest work The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. sets the bar high for indie rap. Also in reviews, Wunmi brings her unique afrobeat inspired broken beat sounds on A.L.A., her first solo LP. Finally, peep the newest from Def Juxie Sonic Sum who gives us his latest, Films.
Playboy Magazine taps Blue Scholars as one of their “Top Ten To Watch In 2008″ in their March issue, on stands now. Blue Scholars, made up of MC Geologic and DJ and Producer Sabzi, are holding it down for the Seattle hip-hop scene. Catch them on tour this month with Del The Funky Homosapien and Wu-Tang’s GZA.
Tomorrow, tune in as we bring you the world premiere of the video for “Get Busy,” directed by Rik Cordero. For now, it’s all in the music…
The Roots - “Get Busy” ft. Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk, & DJ Jazzy Jeff
New York City, we’ve got events! Catch Amanda Diva Live at S.O.B.’s on March 12th hosted by Talib Kweli, and with a special guest appearance by Q-Tip. We’ve also got a special performance by Philly’s own Noveau Riche featuring Dice Raw, Nikki Jean, and Khari Ferrari, at The Knit on March 9th. See you there?
-gingerlynn