By Dominga Martin

Diddy has a lot going on-after hearing the mini series “A Raisin in the Sun” which he portrayed “Walter Lee” in a lead role, has been nominated for a Golden Globe he stated “I really did not think it could get any better. First, an Emmy nomination and now a Golden Globe — this is an incredible honor.  A dream come true.”

Diddy has decided to make a few dreams come true himself. With the launch of his new fragrance I AM King; Diddy and Estee Lauder are giving 3 lucky winners a chance to be crowned King for a day by uploading personal videos to You Tube.

To top things off, Diddy wants to start the New Year off with a 1 million dollar offer to the Mayor–his request? To take over the historic ball drop by turning the crystal ball blue; a color reflective of his partnership with the Premium Vodka Ciroc. The 1 Million dollar donation will go to a charity on behalf of the city

“As the ‘Official Vodka of New Year’s Eve,’ it’s only fitting that we take over New York, the most iconic New Year’s city in the world,” said Combs in a recent press release. “I’m going to give every adult in America a taste of what it’s like to enjoy a sophisticated celebration with Diddy, and what better time than while ringing in the New Year.”

Let the countdown begin!

I AM King announcement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39C6CVveH-E

Potential Kings enter contest here:

http://www.youtube.com/group/wearekings

Kanye West publishes a book that makes you think ahead.

By Dominga Martin

Kanye West joins the Think Movement and author j. saKiya Sandifer to publish what he calls “Kanye-isms” a term for his way of thinking. The book, sarcastically titled “Thank You and You’re Welcome” is filled with motivational antidotes to inspire people to keep pushing forward.

He opens the book with a message to his late mother; “Hey Mom, I finally finished the book. I would’ve had you take a look at this before I put it out, but I know you were with me while me and Sakiya wrapped it up…I mean…Sakiya and I.”

In true Kanye fashion, he tells it like it is or what he calls “personal proverbs.”

The concept was inspired after Kanye read Mr. Sandifer’s first book “Think Think Think and Think Again.” Both books are pocket-style-table-top-quick reads-however, Thank You and You’re Welcome is filled with fun, pun-intentional quotes by the Louis Vuitton Don himself.

Yet, intertwined within the quotes he offers insight on what he thinks about himself, the industry, people…even gift bags!

The colorful book (in more ways than one) will have you laughing or saying hmmmm? In big quotes he mentions “Embrace Your Flaws” and gives a reason why–poking fun at himself and how school kids use to tell him “your teeth are big and white just like a horse!”

Yes, some things in the book are biting, but mostly inspiring tidbits that Kanye offers to the world.

www.kanyeuniversecity.com

Derek Luke steps into the rap game in his new role as Sean “Puffy” Combs in the biopic Notorious about the late rapper B.I.G.

By Dominga Martin

On January 16th the world will see Derek Luke as they never have before-dancing, rapping and getting jiggy…or shall I say, Diddy?

When the buzz hit the street that Mr. Luke was cast as hip-hop mogul “Puffy” in the film Notorious, I had my doubts. After all, Derek Luke is a serious actor isn’t he? Does he have what it takes to play one of the rap industry’s biggest hype men? Yes! After reviewing the film, Mr. Luke had my vote, along with a few other cast members who add to the ensemble of this highly anticipated biopic.

Director George Tillman (Soul Food) takes us inside the real life tale of Brooklyn rapper Christopher Wallace (AKA Notorious B.I.G.). The film delves into the life of the slain rapper whose life ended at the tender age of 24, shortly after the death of another fallen star, and B.I.G’s friend, Tupac Shakur, portrayed by actor Anthony Mackie.

The film brings viewers into the rise of the rapper, from the streets to the recording booth and everything in between. Love triangles. Rap Beef and the biggest misunderstanding of all; the shooting of Tupac Shakur, inside a NYC recording studio where Puffy and B.I.G. were present.

At a recent press junket in NY, held at Legacy Studios, where B.I.G. used to record, I had a chance to speak with the cast, including Derek Luke. First question of the day was: how much fun was it to play Diddy and depart from the complex characters such as “Patrick Chamusso” in Catch a Fire or “Antwone” in Antwone Fischer?

“You know what? My first film as a kid wasn’t Malcolm X,” says Mr. Luke and continues; “It was more like Karate Kid, Return of the Jedi, Oliver Twist…When I was much younger, entertainment, laughing and joy was pure and when I was on stage I felt so high. It was so intoxicating, I felt like ‘man, this is what these rock and roll artists feel like. I was like MAN, I gotta figure out how to do this! I gotta make an album or something.’ It was electrifying. And it was…right now, one of the most fun in making this movie than other movies I have done. I love the stage”

Derek brings Puffy to life in a way we’ve never seen; introspective, caring and the burning fire of ambition which makes him the Hip-Hop icon he is today. Who knew Puffy was hanging by a string before he started the infamous Bad Boy record label? For the first time we see a man with a heart rather than an arrogant producer turned rapper pumping out hits…who changes his name often.

At the end of the day we understand why Puffy felt the need to record the song “I Miss You” for his friend the Notorious B.I.G and at the end of the film, we will all miss the rapper and understand why this legacy must live on…and why Derek chose a role that’s bigger than life, which ironically brings him down to earth in the eyes of all of his fans.

And my word, does Seattle’s Hip-Hop community deliver those things and then some.

I do not think I am out of line in saying that most people not directly connected to said movement were first introduced to it by the emergence of now local legends, The Blue Scholars. Seeing them perform was like watching someone take up the mantle of great acts like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. They were commanding in their delivery, so professional, like true poets of their field. The beats they spun were so different than what I had been used to hearing, using old Jazz standards and blue records, taking a completely new direction rather than simply putting a beat over an old funk bass line that was digitally processed to within an inch of its life. Living organic is a pillar of life in the Northwest. Why should it’s Hip-Hop be any different?

As the Scholars blazed a trail, other acts came into the fold, Boom Bap Project, Optimus Rhyme, Cancer Rising and Common Market. Each was entirely different from the other, unafraid to cross over into other genres and at times, I was even lucky enough to witness some of them backed by full live bands. And through it all, the organic nature of the groups resonated with me and with others.

We are culturally diverse here in the Northwest and we claim to celebrate it. We claim celebrate our communities and we claim celebrate our neighbors. But these Emcees are actually doing it. There is something so magical to be walking through areas that are finally being talked about in song. Emcee’s are revealing the truth, whether good or bad, about our communities and our neighborhoods when others would rather ignore them, putting forth not only the good things, but the flaws and the cracks as well. They organize, they educate, not only about their own histories but of the history of Hip-Hop as well, courtesy of individuals such as local historian and Hip-Hop authority Julie C And they are putting a face on Seattle’s forgotten population

In a lot of ways, the burgeoning scene has benefited greatly from being tucked away up here in the corner, untouched by the prime centers of the industry. I have seen it in the Indie and Punk communities here and it is exciting to see it elsewhere. The lack of mainstream attention has allowed everybody to form and evolve as is necessary, according to our own customs and guidelines and without outside influence. It has allowed everyone to get involved; women, families and the youth, so that the very idea of music of any kind being a boys club becomes less and less a reality everyday. And there is still a long way to go to reach that point to be certain, but if were to happen any place, I would bet favorably on it happening here. In the Northwest.

But there are other folks having their music released by the Japan based Goon Trax. Awon is one of them.

You can take a listen to a few tracks from Awon’s Beautiful Loser (I know there really doesn’t need to be another work with that title – but listen) over at Rhymehouse.

The three tracks sitting over there waiting to be downloaded are actually pretty unique when compared to each other. It’s obviously going to stick to the formula that Goon Trax is in the process of formulating; there’s jazz, funk and soul cut up for beats with personal, social and political lyrical content wrapped around them.

Those beats come from the Soul Students production crew. Sporting music miners from across the nation – checking the coasts and even Cleveland - these Students have united despite the vast physical distance between them to work on unified, thoughtful and moreover listenable beats.

“Strictly Underground” sticks out from the others, not necessarily because it’s better, just due to Awon’s raps incorporating a list of canonical rap records from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Wu, Tribe, BDP, RZA, Common and a host of others have their records checked, but after that Awon goes on to examine, in passing, the game of music. Dividing rap into underground and commercial isn’t necessarily a new concept, or even a revealing one, but the setting that Awon’s given coupled with his rhyming ability ends up creating a rewarding track.

When he’s not rapping, this emcee runs a blog called Everyday Awon. On it are a great number of soul and RnB related videos, some Obama scribblings as well as some visual art – not exactly revelatory content, but it gives listeners a better sense of who Awon is. And judging from everything that I’ve seen and heard – I’m sold.

The duo made up of emcees Hus the King Pin and Smoovth, have not been an overwhelming media attraction. They have put in time on mix tapes, samplers and singles, but they remain relatively unknown. The tracks available on Rhymehouse from Tha Connec’s Trapeze, should ingratiate them to every true head on the planet. The production is half way between ‘90s jazz/rap hybrids and new millennial synthesizers. That last part might be confusing to readers – it is. The synths that are included don’t sound like silly dance music or ‘80s rock, but could easily have come from any Doom produced track.

The fact that Trapeze is the group’s first full length only makes this all the more shocking.

But as if this lone shot of twenty some odd tracks wasn’t enough, this East Coast group is slated to release more of their unique sounds on Japanese label Goon Trax.

Spreading their name far-a-field, Tha Connection seems to making a play at international rap dominance. And really, they might be able to pull it off. If nothing else they really do deserve it.

Amidst all of the tough guy rap that gets passed off as the real thing, it’s refreshing to hear a new act come at listeners in such a genuine manner. Braggadocio should be included and perhaps more will crop up, but it’s not really braggin’ if it’s true.

One of the most prestigious festivals – which is a funny description of a beverage soaked, drug fueled week – takes place every year in Austin, Texas. While not generally thought of as a bastion of liberal thought and music, Austin is basically engorged with college students and music folks. Even the early ‘90s film Slacker was filmed there.

South by Southwest has made a name for itself by hosting as of yet unknown talent and giving these groups an outlet to find like minded musicians, labels and everything that goes along with it. Primarily noted as a rock festival, the inclusion of Ben Harper isn’t all too surprising. He is brining along a new band, the Relentless 7. So who can be sure as to how that will affect his sound as opposed to bringing around the Innocent Criminals?

But over the past few years, South by Southwest has begun to incorporate more rap related acts. That is perhaps due to indie/rock labels embracing the likes of Sage Francis and his ilk, but maybe the organizers have just grown to have a greater appreciation for that music.

Sage, again, will be appearing, but this year, he’s gonna have a great deal of rap company. Perhaps the most exciting is the reunion of Reflection Eternal, made up of Cincinnati’s DJ Hi Tek and New York’s Talib Kweli. The group released an album around the turn of the millennium, but has been largely silent. Kweli has gone on to release a few albums in that time, but none that really compare to his groups’ previous disc – or Black Starr for that matter.

And while the less thuggish variety of rap has been embraced at the festival, this year finds 8-Ball and MJG counted amongst the ranks of performers. Not that they’re misfits – they’re even from the South, but we’ll wait to see the reception they get. It’s also a curious showing considering that the rap duo has been on the scene for a great many years at this point already and has amassed an enormous following. Their appearance is going to create quite a contrast when paired with smaller, less well known acts.

The artists confirmed for SXSW (thus far at least) can be found bellow – or at the festival’s website.

Ra Ra Riot (Syracuse, NY)
Gabriella Cilmi (AUSTRALIA)
Ximena Sariñara (Mexico City, MEXICO)
Primal Scream (Glasgow SCOTLAND/UK)
Friendly Fires (St Albans, ENGLAND/UK)
B.o.B (Atlanta, GA)
Sage Francis (Providence, RI)
Buraka Som Sistema (Lisbon, PORTUGAL)
Arc Angels (Austin, TX)
Courteeners (Manchester, England/UK)
Raul Malo (Nashville, TN)
8Ball & MJG (Memphis, TN)
Reflection Eternal (New York, NY/Cincinnati, OH)
Wale (Washington, DC)
Pete & the Pirates (Reading, ENGLAND/UK)
Ben Harper and Relentless7 (Los Angeles, CA)

Okay Player recently posted an interview with PUTS after the release of last year’s Fun DMC. That disc marks a decade of putting out quality albums. In the interview, the duo, who are interviewed separately, recall the past and explain what it was like making their first video ever.

Thes One invites cameras into his San Pedro home – note the incredible lookin’ set up he has – to explain the recording of Fun DMC. And everything out of either his or Double K’s mouth is endearing.

Towards the tail end of the video, K gets into life in LA, stating that he thinks it’s damn close to a miracle he hasn’t been shot or arrested in his 31 years on this earth.

It’s a rather surprising remark.

Perhaps it reflects reality there, but it’s also a sad statement on the social role our government plays in citizen’s daily lives. But K continues on, making clear his devotion to the life that he has chosen – hip hop.

I can’t say that I was ever a huge fan of these guys. I’ve heard some of their discs – I didn’t write them off, but I did think that this duo wasn’t necessarily the best of the best. But just solely based on hearing each man speak was more than enough for me to go back and take another listen. Give it a shot.

At first mention of remixing Miles, I instantly think of the Bill Laswell disc Panthalassa (The Music of Miles Davis 1969-1974). On that offering, producer Laswell uses only tracks from the electric period of Miles’ career. The disc ends up sounding similar to any live Miles recording from the ear – it’s loud, funky, ambient and abrasive all at once, which is a pretty incredible feat.

But more recently, the Apple Juice Kid has taken a shot at working with the most revered name in jazz. On Miles Remixed, offered up by Okay Player and Ill Roots, the Apple Juice Kid takes a more laid back approach to the work of Davis, often incorporating the trumpeter’s acoustic period. With the wide range of sampling options, AJK takes on a huge task of sifting through what is worthy to be included.

What the producer figures out is that the work of Miles can easily be fit into the acid jazz mold. And while that phrase, “acid jazz,” might be off putting to people, it shouldn’t be. It’s just laid back drums with horn and keyboard samples set against some hand drums. It very often ends up recalling DJ Cam, a French producer who has worked with everyone from the Roots to Mos Def. Not a bad dude to be compared to.

The last track included here, though, seems to stick out as a deviant. Without question my least favorite on the disc, “Come 2 Me” features a female vocalist, back up singers and a guy with a high pitched voice on top of a light piano line supported by occasional flourishes of Miles’ horn. The music on the track is as good as the rest of this offering, but the vocals could have been left out to better affect.

I can’t say that I know all that much about the Apple Juice Kid, but I am sure that if I found another one of his mix-tapes somewhere, I’d be sure to snag it if at all possible.

I probably wouldn’t be hip to this track right here if not for Ill Roots – who actually just posted a good Doom compilation as well. But B.o.B. is almost as good in a drastically different way. Not to take anything away from Doom, but he’s been dealing with some issues lately.

The best music, hip hop or not, has an innate ability to draw from a great deal of variegated influences and find some commonality to unify all of them. B.o.B. already knows that and because of this very fact, he puts out some good tracks. The live version of “I’ll Be in the Sky” is posted all over the blogosphere now – for good reason of course.

So, if you happened to get into that track, good. Now you, you internet savvy reader and head, can be a part of it. B.o.B. is trying to cast a video for “I’ll Be in the Sky” – and he wants you. Well, maybe. He has some stipulations and requirements, but they shouldn’t be too difficult to fulfill.

If you’re not convinced that you’d like to work with B.o.B. – I guess I understand. But you can check out his website for some more streaming tracks and a boat load of videos. I guess this is only valid if you live in or around Atlanta, unless you’re planning on traveling down there to begin your video career. But if you decide to take part in the filming and it works out, let me know. I’ll totally be your manager.