News

Santo, ?uesto Inteview, Roots Vids, Kanye X Dilla, Janelle Monae In LA, Gnarly Vids, Black Lily Fest, Keys’ Dress, El-P’s Blog.

• Yesterday OKP was in the house as Santogold performed for a fully packed Virgin Megastore in Manhattan. A full stage, complete with DJ and two amazing back-up singers and dancers, made it feel like a “real” show. Santi got serious with it as she banged out “L.E.S. Artistes,” “You’ll Find A Way,” “Shove It,” “Creator,” and “Starstruck” to an enthusiastic crowd who sang along throughout the show. Her album, Santogold hit stores yesterday (along with Rising Down so get your booty to Best Buy and cop!)

• Before you read this new interview with ?uestlove from the DJ Booth (shout out to Dj Z), check him on on BarackObama.com as he announces his personal fund raising goal.

• NEW ROOTS VIDEOS from around the Web - Black Thought freestyle over ?uesto cuts (”Champ IS Here”) from Rap City yesterday. - David Banner with The Roots On Sirius’ “Hip-Hop Nation” show hosted By DJ Green Lantern performing “Like A Pimp” Freestyle Remix dedicated to Sean Bell. Banner tells a story of one time almost stealing an ASR-10 sample disk from Kamal at a Roots show. - Rising Up” Live in the studio on SOHH. (Peep Black’s LeRoy Jenkins jacket on the mic stand)

• Straight from Kanye’s blog, is a J Dilla joint that just leaked called “Pay Jay”. According to Kanye this beat was originally made for Jay-Z when there was uncertainty if the sample for “The Takeover” would clear. Rumor has it this song might end up on that Dilla solo album we’ve all been waiting for.

• LA, win tickets to see Janelle Monae perform at the Key Club next Tuesday, May 6th! Okayplayer is hosting a contest give-away for 10 pairs of tickets to this P. Diddy hosted event. If you aren’t up on Ms. Monae, she’s the newest Bad Boy artist and has gotten a serious co-sign from Erykah Badu here on our boards. Winners announced this Friday!

• Gnarls Barkley never fails at bringing us some far left content. Here are some promo vids they did for MTV including a brief video for their song “A Little Better”, the last video is an interview they did with Dj Enuff. Go out and get their album The Odd Couple it’s in stores now and them sales could definitely use a boost. Link via Shake.

• Philly, the Black Lily starts tomorrow! We’ve got a kick-off event, “Ladies Love Hip Hop,” Thursday at the World Cafe Live, 9pm for only 5 bones. This night features Ultra Violet, DJ Roxy, AfroDJiak and Ethel Cee, with special guest Invincible. Friday, hit the movies for a screening of “This Is The Life,” a film about LA hip hop in the ’90s directed by Ava DuVernay (who will be there for a Q&A). It goes down May 2 at International house, 9:30pm and tix are only $7.

• In a dress like that how could i not post this video? Letterman’s on a roll with the musical guests lately, here is the lovely Alicia Keys performing her latest single “Teenage Love Affair” on Letterman last night.

• El-P’s got a blog! Peep the new set design for his stage on the upcoming El-P/Dizzee Rascal tour- isht looks insane. Sure to blow Glow-In-The-Dark tour outta the water.

-shamz, gingerlynn & dantana