Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
DJ ROC RAIDA TRIBUTE NIGHT
Thursday Oct 8th
Armory Massive, NoSuckerDj's, Beat Junkies Sound, Flud Watches and U-31 present
Roc Raida Tribute and Benefit Event
$5 donation.
Free Roc Raida Tribute Shirt for the first 50 people to donate more then $20.
100% of proceeds to go Roc Raida's Wife and 4 kids.
Dj's for the night
Dj Babu-Beat Junkies/Dilated Peoples/Expansion Team Sound System
Kuttin Kandi-5th Platoon NYC
Kidragon-Jazzy Fat Nasty/Dojo Soundz/TableManners
Charlie Rock- Rock Steady Crew,Dojo Soundz
Armory Massive-Felt1 and CROS ONE
No Sucker Dj's
more to be announced.
Donations can be sent via paypal.com using the email address: ladietye@yahoo.com
These will go directly to Roc Raida's wife Tyeasha Williams
Monday, September 28, 2009
RHETTMATIC & ERIC BOBO
DJ RHETTMATIC OF THE WORLD FAMOUS BEAT JUNKIES & ERIC BOBO "BEASTIE BOYS & CYPRESS HILL"
LIVE & EL DORADO BAR & LOUNGE OCTOBER 15TH, 2009.
DJ CHARLIE ROCK " ROCK STEADY CREW "
DJ CHARLIE ROCK " ROCK STEADY CREW, DOJO SOUNDZ " LIVE DJ SET @ ELDORADO BAR & LOUNGE
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BEAT SWAP MEET FLASH BACK! 2009
THE BEAT SWAP MEET IS AN ANNUAL EVENT FOR RECORD COLLECTORS, DJs, PRODUCERS, MC's, AND FOR THE FOLKS THAT JUST WANT TO START THERE OWN COLLECTION, THE BEAT SWAP MEET IS THE PLACE TO BE. EVERY 3 MONTHS WILL BE ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF THE BSM, STAY TUNE FOR THE DECEMBER 2009 DATE. ENJOY!!
DJ ROC RAIDA'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS & FACTS
Grand Master Roc Raida: May 17, 1972 - Sept. 19, 2009
Anthony "Grand Master Roc Raida" Williams was born in Harlem New York on May 17th, 1972 to Brenda Williams-Bolling & William “Tony” He was educated through the NYC Public School System.
He passed away on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 from a cardiac arrest resulting from injuries he suffered in an accident while training in Krav Maga, a type self defense system that he had been studying weekly for the last two years. He was proud that his 15-year-old daughter, Asia, shared his passion for Krav Maga and was the only girl in their class.
At an early age, Anthony joined the Mt Neboh Baptist Church & was baptized under the leadership of the Late Rev. William D. Gardner. It is at Mount Neboh where he served faithfully during his youth. He was a member of the Children's Choir, the Junior Choir, the Usher Board, and a former mascot for the Male Chorus of which his grandfather, the Late Deacon Early Williams was a member.
Anthony Williams was both African-American and Puerto Rican. He lived most of his life in Harlem but after marrying his soul mate, Tyeasha on June 26, 1997, they moved to the Bronx. Several years ago, they realized their dream of owning a home and relocated their family to Maryland. He encouraged and shared in his wife’s dream of one day opening up her own beauty salon.
He began DJing at the age of 12, spinning at local parties around Harlem. By 1995, Roc Raida represented the United States at the DMC World DJ Championships and won! He was the first DJ from New York City to hold this title and was automatically inducted into the DMC/Technics DJ Hall of Fame. Throughout his life, he lived his passion - being a professional Hip Hop DJ. He was blessed to have touring the world as his day job. Williams was honored to have worked with recording artists including Showbiz & AG, Lord Finesse, Kool G Rap and most recently, he toured exclusively with Busta Rhymes.
Although his family called him “Ant” (short for Anthony), he became known worldwide as legendary DJ Roc Raida. In 1999, Grand Master status was bestowed upon him by a group of pioneering Hip Hop DJs, during a conference at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.
Before he passed, he asked his 10 yr. old daughter, Nyra, who was the most interested, of his children, in DJing to take over for him as a DJ. She agreed!
With a very aggressive swagger on the turntables, those who knew Roc Raida were floored by his humbleness. His wife, Tyeasha reports, “His notoriety amazed him every day!” He never took that for granted. Williams was also known to be very quiet, private and easy going. His self-control was commendable unless he was pushed to his limit and then he would roar. In fact, Lord Finesse called his friend “the quiet lion” for this very reason. Those closest to him have the pleasure of remembering him also as a hilarious comedian, loving to joke and laugh.
Roc Raida through battles, performances, videos, dvds and even a Pepsi commercial, influenced thousands of DJs, both to party rock as well as to battle and he took several aspiring DJs under his wing to mentor personally. As a member of legendary turntablist crews, The X-Men and The X-ecutioners, he along with his brothers-in-vinyl took the world by storm, innovating, influencing and inspiring at every turn. In 2006, to progress and contribute to the Hip Hop DJ battle scene, he founded Roc Raida’s Gong DJ Battle, a national DJ battle that occurs annually, combining head to head turntablist dexterity with comedy and drama.
Not only was he a World Champion DJ, he was a dedicated father and husband.
Anthony leaves to cherish his memories; his loving wife: Tyeasha Williams; three beautiful daughters: Asia, Nyra & Tia; one son: Earl Tyric Smiley; mother: Brenda Williams-Bolling; his step-father: Clarence Bolling; mother-in-law: Clarice Powell; father-in-law: Deryl Hunt; sister: Tamneka Bolling; 2 brother-in-laws: Willie Neat & Keith Powell; 3 aunts: Arlene Tramble, Jacquline Knox of FL, & Jacquline (Donald) Tramble; 1 god-sister: Tina Carter; Adoptive Grandmother: Juanita Jackson and a host of cousins & dear friends.
Anthony is now reunited with his grandparents, Deacon Early & Helen Williams & his Aunt Minister Carol Knox.
The family would like to acknowledge these amazing "God-sends". They have truly been Tye's backbone throughout this ordeal. To: Henley "Pro" Halem, Sean C, Fat Man Scoop, Busta Rhymes, DJ Premier and Christie Z. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!!
The family would like to expressly thank Chatman-Harris Funeral Home in Baltimore MD as well as Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem NY for their generosity and kindness.
Funeral Arrangements and Information for Thursday, September 24, 2009
The viewing for Anthony Williams will be held from 10am to 12 noon, followed by the funeral beginning at 12noon
Mount Neboh Baptist Church
1883 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (W.114th St. & 7th Ave)
New York NY, 10026
Phone: 212.866.7880
http://mountneboh.org
Directions
Train: 2 or 3 to 116th St. Exit near intersection of W 116th St and Lenox Ave. Go West on W 116th St towards Lenox Ave.
Bus M11: W 116 St and Adam C Powell Blvd
Please visit http://www.hopstop.com for more directions.
* For those who want to send flowers, please kindly be sure to have them delivered on Sept. 24th, 2009 to the church's address above only between 9am – 10am.
** The family kindly requests that NO FILIMING OR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE THE CHURCH during the viewing and during the funeral.
All accurate information, official family approved tributes and fundraisers will be posted at:
http://www.myspace.com/rocraida
http://www.myspace.com/thegongdjbattle
Donations can be sent via paypal.com using the email address: ladietye@yahoo.com
Press can contact toolsofwar@gmail.com for photos available for press purposes.
------------
some quotes That Christie Z. gathered up:
“As one of the Godfathers of Hip Hop, this is a tremendous loss to the Dj community. It’s sometimes rare to meet an individual who was a supertalent, be so mild mannered and so calm. His skill level was admired worldwide. It was pleasure to see him in action. It was a pleasure to know him. I give my condolences to his family.” - Grandmaster Flash
“My heart is in pain over the passing of a good friend. He’s like a brother to me because he holds the same values I hold when it comes to my family, friends, music and life. He will be missed but not forgotten. I will keep his wife and children in my prayers. Rest in Peace Grand Master Roc Raida!” – GrandWizzard Theodore
“Roc Raida was an innovator on the turntables at a time when we thought the best of the best had been seen. His artistic wizardry seemed so effortless it reminded me of a young GrandWizzard Theodore. His easy going attitude was a pleasure to see in a time where most artists of his caliber were big headed. Salute young general and RIP to our latest Grand Master!” - GrandMaster Caz
"The Lord is forming his band right now. He called home Michael Jackson. But he was missing a DJ that could match the skill level as Michael. So he called upon Grandmaster Roc Raida." - DJ Scratch
“Since the day I met Raida, he was the most humble, strong willed, genuine, ultimate competitor. The greatest DJ in my book.” - Lord Finesse
“Grand Master Roc Raida was one of the greatest DJs to ever touch a turntable. To guys like myself and Craze who came up right after the monumental generation of X-Men, ISP and Beat Junkies, Raida was the ultimate inspiration as a battle DJ. For those who knew him personally, Raida was also the kindest, more generous and funniest friends we had. He was like a mentor to me, I can't even count the amount of times he helped me out over the years. I feel like I just lost a big brother. He will be sorely missed.” – DJ A-Trak
THANK YOU TOOLS OF WAR FOR PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH ACCURATE UPDATES, AND TRUTH.
PEACE,
DJ CHARLIE ROCK " ROCK STEADY CREW, DOJO SOUNDZ "
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
ADAM'S STREET FAIR SAN DIEGO
BREAKESTRA PERFORMING LIVE ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH, @ THE ADAM'S STREET FAIR SAN DIEGO, FREE CONCERT AND ALL AGES
Monday, September 21, 2009
GRANDMASTER ROC RAIDA " RIP "
Anthony Williams, (May 18, 1972 – September 19, 2009) was better known as Roc Raida, was an American DJ, turntablist, producer and member of DJ group The X-Ecutioners.
He won the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship.[1]
THIS IS A BIG LOST IN THE DJ WORLD, NOT ONLY THE DJ WORLD, BUT A BIG LOST TO ME PERSONALLY, I HAVE KNOW DJ ROC RAIDA SINCE 1992, I WAS INVOLVED WITH A CLOTHING COMPANY IN NEW YORK CALLED KINGPIN CLOTHING, DURING THAT TIME, KINGPIN CLOTHING WAS DOING NUMEROUS ADDS FOR VARIOUS MAGAZINES AND SPONSORING SEVERAL PEOPLE. I GOT A PHONE CALL ONE DAY FROM THE OWNER OF KINGPIN " BRAD KESSLER " REGARDING A DJ BY THE NAME OF DJ ROC RAIDA. BRAD ASK ME IF I KNEW WHO HE WAS, AND I TOLD HIM YEA, HE THEN ASK ME IF HE SHOULD GIVE ROC RAIDA SOME GEAR, AND I SAID HELL YEA!!!!!! I THEN TOLD BRAD A LITTLE HISTORY BEHIND DJ ROC RAIDA, AND THE I TOLD BRAD TO TAKE CARE OF HIM. LATER THAT DAY, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM ROC RAIDA AND HE THANK ME FOR LOOKING OUT FOR HIM, AND EVER SINCE THAT DAY ME AND RAIDA BECAME REAL GOOD FRIENDS. IT IS CRAZY TO KNOW THAT HE IS GONE, AND I CAN'T TALK TO HIM NO MORE, WE HAD A REALLY GOOD FRIENDSHIP, I REMEMBER WHEN I HAD HIM DJ IN SAN DIEGO FOR A EVENT CALLED THE BUS STOP. THE NEXT DAY WE DROVE TO CERRITOS CALIFORNIA TO A COMPANY THAT I WAS SPONSORED BY CALLED MIXWELL. I BROUGHT ROC RAIDA TO THE MIXWELL OFFICE SO HE CAN BE INTRODUCED TO THE OWNER AND LACED HIM UP WITH SOME GEAR AND A PHOTO SHOOT. MAN, I'M GLAD THAT HE WAS PLACED IN MY LIFE, FOR THE SOUL PURPOSE OF BEING A GOOD FRIEND AND SOMEONE THAT I KNOW WAS VERY TALENTED AND A GOOD HEARTED PERSON. THE DJ WORLD WILL MISS YOU GRANDMASTER ROC RAIDA, YOU HAVE EARNED THAT GRANDMASTER TITLE FO-REAL.
DJ CHARLIE ROCK " ROCK STEADY CREW, DOJO SOUNDZ "
Thursday, September 17, 2009
JUST FOR KICKS
Since B-Boys first propelled them out of the New York City playgrounds in the 70's, sneakers have morphed from a tool for athletic performance to Hip Hop's cornerstone symbol of cool and an object of obsession for sneakers collectors world wide. Analyzing this global pop culture phenomenon, JUST FOR KICKS is the first film of its kind to present the underlying culture and personalities that fueled this fashion revolution and its $26 billion global market. Far from a formal history of the sneaker industry, JUST FOR KICKS offers a fun and colorful insider's history of hip hop's most treasured fashion item; revealing behind the scenes stories with exclusive testimonies, never before seen footage and the charismatic personalities that have come to influence pop culture.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
THE ART BEHIND MARK RICHMOND
Mark Richmond's Art
written by Andrea Ruhl for Nostika Magazine
The usual suspect not, Mark combines hybrid multiple mediums to encase his inventive mind's eye of imagination and journey, making this artist rare and curious. His visions are filled with hiddden meanings waiting for the viewer to translate into their own narrative. His paintings encompass multiple flavors and cultures, as expressed in the stirringly beautiful girls, which are a made up cocktail of various tribes.
Each striking and powerful vision has a story and "graffiti poem", a street flavor style mixed with almost Asian looking script, which Richmond has developed over the years and made his own. It tells the meaning of the piece, and the brilliance is it is very hard to discern for, again giving hidden meaning and conversation. The crisp look which is his calling card is what he refers to as the "woodblock print efect." It is what gives his paintings a sharp unique look, much like that of Japanese Woodblock art. This is a surprisingly long process from the beginning to end, starting with the original drawing, that is then transformed through various techniques using computer painting, printing, and then finally to be painted over again, by hand. If you have not yet seen these amazing works up close you can view them at the hip Harney Sushi in Old Town and also the soon to be opening Mangu in downtown San Diego.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
DJ NUMARK LIVE DJ SET IN SAN DIEGO
THE OFFICIAL WEEKLY 80'S & 90'S MUSIC NIGHT IS PROUD TO HAVE GUEST DJ NUMARK FROM THE FORMER GROUP J5. HE WILL BE DOING A SPECIAL & LIVE DJ SET.
Monday, September 14, 2009
BREAKESTRA'S NEW ALBUM RELEASE
MILES BREAKS DOWN THE NEW BREAKESTRA RECORD “DUSK TILL DAWN”!
posted on: 07-02-2009
NEW BREAKESTRA RECORDING-”DUSK TILL DAWN” DUE OUT IN SEPTEMBER-2009 ON STRUT RECORDS!
After 3 years of “hittin’ the Flo!” out there around the planet & me steadily simmering some new songs & instrumental tracks in my home studio in Highland park CA, I’m getting ready to share some more funky sounds with whoever out there wants to hear em!
The recording started in 2007,a little while after the main touring for hit the floor had come to a slow & also after the hard painful process of merinating on the loss of my dj mentor/partner & beloved friend DJ DUSK’s passing in 2006.Slowly i started to get back in the mix & soon found some inspiration from trying to work it out from behind my guitar & drum kit.Having chosen sometimes out of necessity & impatience to be the producer, engineer,mixer & (most of the time) overdub intsrumentalist takes it’s tolls on recording productivity.hopefully not my only technique for future projects…
The first track i started was inspired from a gig we did out in claremont Cal at the Kahoutek fest where in the middle of the show i witnessed Mix Master Wolf doing a natural fun little dance of his own that girls in the front row started imitating that i could not help but name “the Lowdown Stank”, a phrase i’d heard wolf utter many times.I brought in very funky dirty waffle (sandy eggo) based new recruit, Jake Nakor on the drums for this one and that was the start of a long sometimes staggered but fun process of building my songs one overdub at a time.
The second track to get in the mix was “set the sun” an obvious ode to Dusk that in actuality is a bit more on the funk soul rock side of things & was not intended for Breakestra.It opened the door for me to allow some other psychedelic funk rock sounds to enter the mix like “Show me the way” which i created for mixmaster wolf intentionally to let his soul rip through in his most honest fashion.that song is way influenced by everything from early funkadelic(wolf’s all time favorite) & other fuzz funk records like Bobby Franklin’s insanity which i had been discovering while digging for records to drop at my funky sole party here in L.A.The fact that i had deprived myself or rockin’ the guitar live since picking up the bass 10 years ago for Breakestra definetelly fueled the fuzz up the mix!
Also Djing with Cut chemist & Egon at The Sole exposed me to many deep world psyche funk sounds on a weekly basis as well my friend Jesse C’s constant sharing of heavy african funk & more.9 years of hearing Dusk playing funky cumbias & Afro cuban salsa on thursdays at Rootdown opened me to sounds that are subtley apparent on some of the new record.
Another inevitibility was finally Bringing the soulful sanger Afrodyete into the studio where we worked out our first collaboration “come on over”.It’s also the first time i used an acoustic piano on a breakestra record and flexed some of my limited piano skills i picked up as a kid taking lessons.Don’t think Mrs. Lindham would be too excited…
As well i got to play out my love for charles stepney/richard evans Cadet records sound on the instrumental “you’ll never know” which features the fine funky acoustic piano of my friend the Jer bear-Jeremy Ruzumna, daphne chen on violin & viola, myself on cello & funk drumming sicko, Pete “the funky buzzard” Mcneal!
Speaking of cello, what started as an instrumental i had written for horns to play a melody got transformed into a raw but sweet funky fusion cello thing called “me & Michelle” named after Wolf’s reference to my cello & friend with benefits.Again impatience & curiosity won out with me trying the line out on cello & me saying fuck it, i’ll let it ride.In spite of my little brother’s objections & discomfort at the sound of strings playing a bunch of notes i have decided to let you all decide.
While the new record features Breakestra veteran James “the Funky penguin” King on saxophones(”lowdown stank”) & Flute (Dark clouds rain soul), I now introduce you all to David Moyer on saxes & chris Bautista on trumpet for many of the new songs & the men on the horns for the live shows these days.I was also very happy to have my homie sheffer of the Lions on trombone.
After most of the tracks had started to take shape i was looking at around 14 cuts(still too many for a record in my opinion) and i had an ear for hearing something kinda cumbia, funk & fuzz & with Emcees flowing in some sort of tribute to Dusk.I got a groove locked in my head, jumped behind the drum kit & knocked out a couple takes.Who to MC on it? While family is an obvious safe choice it also felt 100% right & fortunetelly i was able to reach tha Manphibian MC chali 2NA & with a little coaxing got Wolf to dust of his Lyric pad & show his skillz again as a funky man on the MIC.His style harks back to one of Hip hop’s finest, Chill Rob G of the Flavor unit.
I had initially asked the cats to somehow tie some aspect of their lyrics, inspired from their experience.They no doubt brought the niceness but did not have any reference to Dusk other than it being dope mcing.After 2na suggesting i find some recording of dusk giving a shout out to throw in somehwere it popped into my head that i had a recording of Dusk rhyming on another beat of mine and that maybe i could find something that i could scratch into a verse.Blessedly i did find one of many dope verses of his that fit perfectly as it’s “posed to be”!lol
Not sure what the first 12 inch or 45 single will be at this moment but that’s seconds away.
Hopefully some more gabbin to come about how it went down.
Thanks to all the folks who helped with recording process & to all Breakestra friends out there on Planet earth.Dj DUSK REST IN PEACE & Keep funk Alive!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
INSTANT FUNK SEPTEMBER 23RD 2009
INSTANT FUNK SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2009, SPECIAL GUEST DJ CHARLIE ROCK " ROCK STEADY CREW, DOJO SOUNDZ "
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
ALIFE "NYC" GETTING READY FOR FALL SEASON
ALIFE SHOWING & DISPLAYING THE NEW LINE @ AGENDA TRADE SHOW
KEVIN LYON'S BOOK ON, FASHION, LIFE, & ART
If a T-shirt designer's work has ever begged for a retrospective exhibition and catalogue, then Kevin Lyons is that man. The graphic portfolio represented in this book stretches from 1989 to 2006 and is aligned with some of the cutting edge contemporary culture makers of this period. From underground labours of love like the magazine "Tokion" and the record label "Stones Throw", to cutting edge mainstream advertising icons like Nike, Stussy and 555 Soul we find Mr Lyons at a high pitched level of creativity, approapriating and readjusting iconographies to form a new personal profile. Sports, music, the revolutionary and the historical are equally employed throughout. Documenting diaires and sketches, as well as his philosophy and final products, "Pussy and Papers and Poetry Power and Pistols" is expertly presented here in a t-shirt bound cover to serve as inspiration to designers as well as aficionados of design.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
CRAZY LEGS " ROCK STEADY CREW, DOJO SOUNDZ "
CRAZY LEGS FROM ROCK STEADY CREW WILL BE DJING A LIVE SET @ SAN DIEGO'S OWN BAR DYNAMITE ON SEPTENBER 19TH, 2009. IT WILL BE CRAZY LEG'S FIRST VISIT TO SAN DIEGO TO DJ A LIVE SET, THIS WILL BE A HISTORICAL NIGHT, RESIDENT DJ BEATNICK WILL ALSO HAVE DJ PHERS1 AS A GUEST DJ AS WELL, THIS NIGHT WILL BE PACKED SO PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY " B BOYS & B GIRLS " GET READY TO ROCK STEADY!!
DJ MASEO " DE LA SOUL " @ EL DORADO BAR
DJ MASEO FROM DE LA SOUL, LIVE DJ SET @ THE EL DORADO BAR " SAN DIEGO ", FIRST TIME AT THE EL DORADO BAR, THIS IS AN EVENT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!!!!
EL DORADO BAR
1030 Broadway
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO
CALIFORNIA 92121
619.237.0550
WAYWARD SAINTS ALBUM RELEASE PARTY COMING SOON!!
STAY TUNE FOR THE WAYWARD SAINTS ALBUM RELEASE PARTY IN SAN DIEGO NOVEMBER 2009
The Wayward Saints relaxed, jazz-infused sound rides seductively hypnotic beats to create a unique groove. Founded by hip hop impresarios Presto (Concrete Grooves) and Avatar in Los Angeles, the Saints blend of jazz, hip hop, soul, funk and down-tempo combines a vintage feel with a contemporary edge, seemlessly intertwining these genres to make music that can be heard from clubs to coffeeshops, lounges to hipster hangouts. Presto's head-nodding beats provide the canvas over which he layers luminescent synth lines and samples, using MiniMoogs, Rhodes keyboards and the ASR-10. Av then brings in the low-end, with soulful basslines inspired by early Motown, jazz and 70s R&B, adding a few production touches of his own along the way. The Saints also utilize the talents of Smile-OAK on tenor sax, DJ Rylo (Sebadukes) on turntables and the fretwork of Jacob Slim on electric guitar. This collaborative effort has created music that has a definite feel to it, something old yet new, unique yet familiar. Their songs have been featured on Concrete Groove's "Next Impressions", Presto's "Magic LP" and the Presto album "State of the Art", as well as DJ Haul & Mason's "Scion CD Sampler" Vol. 9. Currently finishing their full-length debut "Future Vintage", Wayward Saints' sample-worthy material will surely find its place in the crates of future DJs and beat afficionados.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
DJ RUTHLESS RAMSEY
YO, THIS IS SOME CRAZY FOOTAGE OF A DJ NAME RUTHLESS RAMSEY, CHECK IT YALL, THIS DUDE IS CUTTIN AND SCRATCHING, BLENDING AND STUNTING.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
THE HISTORY OF HIP HOUSE!
THIS FOOTAGE TAKES YOU ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HIP HOUSE MOVEMENT FROM THE LATE 80'S TO THE EARLY 90'S, CHECK IT OUT!!
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