News

OKP Beta Baby, Behind The Scenes w/ Al Green, New Blu, Who Is: Grand Funk Railroad, Obama Ignites, West Coast!

• Hey peeps. Well, we’ve been working really hard on this for a while and although its not totally ready for launch, we would like to invite anyone who is interested to take a look around the new, upgraded okayplayer web site currently in it’s “beta” stage: http://beta.okayplayer.com

There are still plenty of things we are working on, including items you don’t see there. Meanwhile, we are gearing up to switch the beta out for the main site in the very near future. Not long after that we will be introducing new message boards for you guys to test out, along with simple (yet largely improved) profile pages for members. Lot’s more to come so, let us know what you think. (BTW, this is your “Friday Suprise” for those of you keeping track)

• Go behind the scenes with Al Green for a genuine look at the making of Lay It Down, in stores May 27th. This doc takes you into the studio with Al, ?uestlove, James Poyser, Corinne Bailey Rae, Anthony Hamilton, and John Legend as they write and record using an authentic approach, playing instruments, writing songs collaboratively, for that true Al Green feel. The album sounds like original 1970s Al Green, fresh for 2008!

• A New song from the kid Blu has apparently found it’s way to his myspace page. It’s called “GloryUs“, holla at my dude Shake for the download and lyrics.

• And the winner is…idralt with Grand Funk Railroad’s “Nothing Is The Same”! Yes, that was the sample used in the album version of “Rising Down (Hum Drum).” You win a Rising Down pre-order package of your choice, either a t-shirt with the album art, or our “Rising Down” tee along with the new record!

• “Ignite the people like Obama.” NY rapper 6th Sense took that line from Common and ran with it in this vid. The video shows 6th sense performing his song while doing some serious grassroots campaigning for Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Raising that Obama awareness is always a good look. Especially with the Philadelphia Primary coming up this coming Tuesday. Philly, stand up!

• I don’t know where ya’ll are at right now, but the weather is real nice round here today. Not quite tank tops and flip flops just yet but we gettin there. I digress, here’s a pool party video from the people at dub frequency in L.A. last weekend to fit that summer-soon-come vibe. Cameos from 9th Wonder, U-N-I, Pac Div, and Big Pooh among others (though I know what ya’ll are REALLY lookin at in that vid).

• Filthy hipped us to “The [Re]Mixtape Volume 2” by bay area’s own Trackademicks featuring Jack Davey & Phonte with remixes of Raphael Saadiq, Keyshia Cole, Pharrell, Sade, Kelis and Janelle Monae. Then check out Miss Jack’s own mixtape for free download. Cool out with those, just in time for summer.
• Yesterday we World Premiered the brand new video from 9th Wonder & Buckshot for “Hold It Down” ft. Talib Kweli & Tyler Woods and yes, we likey, so be sure you check it out.

- dantana, gingerlynn, & shamz