It was bigger than hip-hop: Review of Dead Prez performance 11/12/10

The one and only, revolutionary, conscious hip-hop group Dead Prez took the stage last night at Present Moment Cafe in St. Augustine and rocked the mic for a crowd of hundreds.  The event was part of a fundraiser by the Harvest of Hope Foundation, which provides assistance to local area migrant workers. 

The theme of local food and supporting low wage earners fit right in with Dead Prez's hardhitting messages about revolution, taking power back from the establishment and giving it back to the people, self-enlightenment, and the uplifting of black people. M1 and Stic.man mixed new songs in with classic joints, taking it all the way back to "Let's Get Free".  They performed "Malcolm, Garvey, Huey" from their latest album, Revolutionary but Gangsta Grillz, as well as oldie-but-goodies "We Don't Eat No Meat", an ode to vegan/vegetarian living, and "It's More than Hip-hop", among others.  A new sample that I really enjoyed was their take on Gucci Mane's "Wasted", called "Don't Waste It" in which they changed the hook to say, "Rockstar lifestyle ain't gone make it/too many black men locked in cages/if I stay wasted and you stay wasted/what's gonna happen to the next generation?"....Real talk....

The group interspered music with tidbits on conscious living, and eating locally grown and healthy food.  If I could point out any criticism of the performance, it would be that there should've been thousands there, and not simply hundreds.  If we gonna take back hip-hop from the trash and Illuminati agenda, then we have to go back to the roots and support artists like this. 

I have to give a shoutout to fellow sister blogger Tiffany Nakia Duhart of Nokturnal Escape, who caught a great video of "Don't Waste It", which you can watch here: Nokturnal Escape Dead Prez Performance.

The Dead Prez performance was on point and on time.  If you're thirsty for real conscious music like me, and you're not finding it in this desert wasteland of mainstream hihp-hop, then check out Dead Prez and other groups like them.  Healthy food isn't just for the body, its for the mind and soul as well.

Trackz on Demand-Trailblazin in the hip-hop nation

Every form of music has a history.  Hip-hop is no exception. People have tried to dismiss the genre as irrelevant from its beginning.  Some said it wouldn't last; well here it is 30 years later, still going hard. Sure, it may seem difficult to look past the sad state of affairs today, but if you do, the history is there.  If you are like me, you remember when the deejay, scratching records and making beats, was the heart and soul that drove everything.

If you turn off BET and tune into the underground, then you'll realize that you're not alone.  There are still producers and deejays out there turning out quality product, hustling away in the background.  That's why I write this blog, to bring them out of the background and into the forefront, to shine a light on the underground hustlers carrying hip-hop on their shoulders and trying to bring it back to its glory days.

I'm going to talk about two of those hustlers right now. Look carefully at the right-side column of this page and you will see a widget for Trackz on Demand.  If you don't know the names behind the sound, then I'm here  to educate you.  I don't make any secret of the fact that I rep hard for The Prolegend Movement, and today I'm reppin for two of the members of the group who make up Trackz on Demand, Mass Pro and Laf Legend.

Trackz on Demand showcases the beatmaking skills of this half of Prolegend.  In addition to rapping, Pro and Laf play the keyboard and bass.  Their instrumental skills are self-taught, "like the old blues cats" as Laf Legend put it, and make up a big part of their beats.  The two have worked together since high school, starting out with a Korg Trinity keyboard and a bunch of inspiration.  They formed Prolegend Productions, which went on to become The Prolegend Movement and expanded to a foursome with Laf's younger brother Lankdizzim, and Lank's friend J.Co.

The idea for Trackz on Demand came from Pro, who worked as a Comcast service technician.  Everyone in Jacksonville who has Comcast knows how iffy their service is sometimes, and Pro said that he was always getting calls for people whose OnDemand service wasn't working.  So the running joke became, " I'm gonna make a company, and my stuff is gonna work".  And Trackz on Demand was born.

Although the name may have come from a joke, the talent that these two guys have is no laughing matter.  They use software like Reason and Garage band, to produce their original sounds.  Pro said, "I like to start off with drums, put a bass to it, add some piano chords.  Build a foundation, sprinkle some other sounds in.  Once you have a sound, start arranging it into a song.  Intro, Outro, breakdown.  Make a dope beat, and all you need is some vocals."  Of course, The Prolegend Movement is definitely not lacking in the vocals department, so when you put it all together, you have the unique sound that has driven them to number 1 on the local hip-hop charts according to Reverbnation.  


I asked Pro what his favorite beat was so far, and he said that he really likes the sample that he did for Erry Time.  That song came out with a 70's funk sound that makes it one of my favorites, and the Internet audience seems to agree, because it became a favorite on underground radio shows.  But, he added, "I don’t know if I’ve made my best beat yet. It’s a continuous thing, I’m still trying to get better.  Still trying to outdo the last beat, as they say".  


That drive for excellence is what makes Trackz on Demand and The Prolegend Movement heavy hitters in my book.  They never settle for mediocre, but instead always try to give listeners their best sound.  In addition to the music on their original release, Revolution Revalationz, as well as the Black Diamonds mixtape and EP, they have a virtual library of tracks that they haven't officially released yet.  When I ask the guys why not, they all say something like, "its something missing" or  "its just not ready yet", or something along those lines.  They are their own toughest critics and it shows in the work that they put out.


So artists, if you need some fresh, original beats, then Trackz on Demand is where its at.  You can lease beats for $19.99 or buy them exclusively.  If you sign up on the website using your Facebook account, then you also get a free beat. They aren't just for hip-hop, either.  They have some great beats that would sound good with some R&B vocals, or even with some spoken word.  Independent artists, let's support each other and our community, because God knows it needs help.  I think Mass Pro summed it up perfectly when he said, "We need more beats.  We don’t need more violence, we need more beats so rappers can stop killing each other and just get on the microphone."


Enough said.

Things to do in Duval Wednesday 9/29/10

It's Hump Day!  Two more days until the weekend! 

Interestingly, out of the 1 million event invites that I received on Facebook (I'm only slightly exaggerating, lol), I could find only one local music event, so enjoy!

Winedown Wednesdays-Cityhall Pub looks like the place to be tonight.  From 3-7, take advantage of their happy hour specials, including $5 appetizers, 2-4-1 Martinis, Long Islands, and Sex on the Beach, and $2.25 drafts.  At 6 p.m., settle in for some of the best jazz music that Jacksonville has to offer as Elisha "Atlas" Parris and A'JaZE take the stage.  I've heard them perform at a couple of venues in town, and they are awesome. Ladies get free wine from 7-9 and guys can take advantage of $5 Crown, Ciroc, and Hennessey from 7-10.  Come hungry so you can sample some of the 50 cent wings or the $7.50 fish baskets, and finish it off with a slice of key lime pie.  The kitchen is open all night and there is free parking.  Cityhall Pub is located at 234 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd.

Things to do in Duval Tuesday 9/28/10

If you’re reading this then that means that you survived Monday! Hooray! Pat yourself on the back.


Here’s the scoop on what to do in Jacksonville today:


Miller on Sports Live for Lunch-Every Monday and Tuesday, spend lunch hour at Cityhall Pub from 1-2 p.m. Watch Richard Miller broadcast his sports talk radio show live inside the restaurant while sampling the menu, which includes Mahi Mahi sandwiches, sweet potato fries, tropical salad, and key lime pie. Check out the news on Cityhall Pub’s 20’ HD TV’s. Cityhall Pub is located at 2134 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd. across from the baseball grounds, and they have free parking in the garage.


Tipsy Tuesdays “The Ultimate Happy Hour Experience”-Point Blank Entertainment presents a new Happy Hour spot in Jacksonville at Oasis Bar starting at 5 p.m. You must be 21 and up to enter and if you’re lucky enough to be on the VIP list, then you need to get there by 7:30 p.m. Enjoy specials including 3 for 1 wells, 2 for 1 premiums, 50 cent wings and oysters, and crab legs for $9.99 a pound. Oasis is located at 9551 Baymeadows Rd. Suite 14.


Ladies Night-If you’re looking for a great party atmosphere, then go bananas with Ced Famous at Banana’s Bar and Grille on the Northside. Every Tuesday features Happy Hour for mature folks starting at 5 p.m. There are plenty of food and drink specials onboard, including 50 cent wings, $11.99 Garlic Shrimp Boil, $8 shrimp baskets, $7 fish baskets, $5 Hennessey, Grey Goose, Crown, Ciroc, Tanqueray, and Malibu, $1 Moscatos, and 2 for 1 Margaritas, just to name a few. Ced Famous also offers free birthday parties every Tuesday. Bananas is located at 13141 City Station Drive in the River City Marketplace near the airport.


Take off Tuesdays-Calling all hip-hop heads! Brewster’s Pub is the place to be at 10 p.m. on Tuesdays to watch the best local artists do their thing on stage. While you’re hearing the best in underground hip-hop from artists like The Prolegend Movement, you can play pool, and enjoy drink specials, and vibe to DJ Nothin Nice on the 1’s and 2’s. Brewster’s Pub is located at 14003 Beach Blvd.


Enjoy your Tuesday, and remember that if you can’t be good, always be safe!

Things to do in Duval Monday 9/27/10

Who said there’s nothing to do/no talent in Duval? Many times, we just don’t hear about it. That’s the goal of 904 Underground-to promote local talent and events. You know what I always say: “Support Duval artists.”

Here’s a roundup of some of the things going on locally today 9/27/10:

Miller on Sports Live for Lunch-Every Monday and Tuesday, spend lunch hour at Cityhall Pub from 1-2 p.m. Watch Richard Miller broadcast his sports talk radio show live inside the restaurant while sampling the menu, which includes Mahi Mahi sandwiches, sweet potato fries, tropical salad, and key lime pie. Check out the news on Cityhall Pub’s 20’ HD TV’s. Cityhall Pub is located at 2134 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd. across from the baseball grounds, and they have free parking in the garage.

Monday Night Affair-If you’re really feeling Cityhall Pub, then you can head back down there after work and enjoy 2-4-1 drink specials and $5 appetizers while jamming to DJ Q45 as he spins on the 1’s and 2’s. Doors open at 5 p.m. and ladies and members of the service industry get in free until midnight.

Moscato Mondays at Soho’s/ ESPN Monday Night Football Party-Kick back and relax and check out some Monday Night Football from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. Soho’s has 2-4-1 drinks during Happy Hour and $3 Moscatos all night long. Everyone is free until 9 p.m., and ladies are free until 10. Soho’s is located at 923 University Blvd. in the Town and Country Plaza (near Plush and Rain).

Metropolitan Monday’s at Aroma’s-Get free admission to Aroma’s Cigar and Wine Bar and enjoy a laidback, sophisticated atmosphere complete with $2 martinis’ and live music from The Experience Band from 7-10 p.m. Then, from 10-2 a.m. let DJ 151 work it out for you on the 1’s and 2’s and get 2-4-1 drinks while you’re at it. Guest artists featured once a month, including Keke Wyatt, Algebra Blessett, and Urban Mystic.

Monday Night Game on Mixer-If you love to talk trash, smack cards/dominoes on the table, and run Boston’s on folks, then head on down to AMG Uptown Salon starting at 7:30 p.m. Put your money where your mouth is and show everyone your skills in spades, pool, checkers, and several other games. Check out Monday Night Football on four big screen TV’s, and get a shot at winning the Monday Football Pool. Admission is $10 and includes wine. AMG Uptown Salon is located at 525 W. Bay St. downtown.

The Poetry Spot featuring Taalam Acey-Okay, all my fellow poets/spoken word artists: can I get a “whoot whoot”? Get down to Arielle’s in Arlington at 9 p.m. for open mic and poetry slam featuring some of Jacksonville’s best spoken word artists, including Moses, Seven, Odd Rodd, Cuban, and Shattered Thought. Featured artists are Taalam Acey and Jakqui Sol. CD’s, DVD’s, and books will be available for sale also. I hadn’t gotten information on the admission price at the time I wrote this, but usually spoken word events around here run about $10, but don’t quote me on that. Arielle’s is located at 7707 Arlington Expressway (if you’ve really been in Duval for awhile, then you remember that as Red Lobster’s!).

Happy Monday!

What to do in Duval this weekend 9/24-9/26

Friday 9/24/10

It's going down downtown at Poppy Love Smoke as Parriscope Entertainment presents Elisha Atlas Parris and A'Jaze with Avery Sunshine.  If urban soul and jazz is your thing, then this is the place to be.  The event starts at 10 p.m. so if you're reading this today, it's still not too late to get down there.  Admission is $10 all night.  Poppy Love Smoke is located at 112 E. Adams St. Jax., 32202.

If a live deejay and dancing are more your thing, then check out CED Famous Event's Famous Friday's at the Zodiac Grille down the street.  A lounge type event for the 25 and up crowd, Famous Friday's features Rush Hour Happy Hour starting at 5 p.m., live jazz from 7-9 p.m., and line dancing from 9-11 p.m. D.J. Al Pete is on the 1's and 2's from 9 p.m. until spinning old school, new school, neo soul, and R&B.  There are plenty of food and drink specials, too, so come with an appetite.  Dress is casual, but no white or black tees. Zodia Grille is inside the Schultz Building at 120 W. Adams St.

Ready to learn the latest steps?  Then step on down to Cityhall Pub for Final Fridays-"Get Your Step On".  With a live deejay inside and outside, and the chance to learn the latest steps out on the patio from 9-11 p.m., comfortable shoes are a must.  This is another event for the 25 and up crowd, and adult casual attire is enforced.  Food and drink specials are on deck, too.  Cityhall Pub is located at 234 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd. near the stadium.

Saturday 9/25/10

Ready to talk politics?  Then come out to Cuba Libre from 4-8 p.m. for the Down with Brown Campaign Mixer.  This is the opportunity to meet and talk to Alvin Brown, one of the candidates running for mayor of Jacksonville and to learn more about his platform. Cuba Libre is located at 2578 Atlantic Blvd. on Jacksonville's Southside.

After mixing it up with Alvin Brown, head on back to Cityhall Pub for Sexy Smooth Saturdays, with three parties in one, featuring DJ Plo, DJstylez, a reggae DJ on the roof, and special guest DJQ45.  Ladies get in free before 11 and drink specials for all include $5 Ciroc, Crown, and Hennessey, as well as 2-4-1 Sex on the Beach and Long Islands.  The dress code is strictly enforced, and the kitchen will be open all night.

If you want to watch college football in high-def, or rub elbows with the who's who in Jville, then check out Sho Nuff Saturdays at Oasis Bar and Grill.  Tailored to the 30 and up crowd, ladies get in free until 10 p.m. and everyone can enjoy 50 cent wings, shrimp, and oysters all night and 2-4-1 Hennessey and Grey Goose until midnight. Live DJ's and Southernlistic Radio will be in the building.  Oasis Bar and Grill is located at 9551 Baymeadows Rd.

As a Scorpio, maybe I shouldn't be reppin for Libras, but I'm going to give them a shout out anyway and tell you about the Libra Birthday Party at Fat Kats at 9 p.m.  Ladies get in free, drink specials will be flowing, and live deejays will be in the building.  Fat Kats is located at 1187 S. Edgewood Ave. between FSCJ Kent Campus and Jones College on the Westside.

Sunday 9/26/10

It's that time again.  Every 2nd and 4th Sunday, look out for Joy Dennis and Black Thought Sundays at Poppy Love Smoke.  The soulful, homegrown singer hosts this open mic/open stage event featuring a live band and plenty of opportunities for local singers, musicians, and spoken word artists to bless the mic with their talents.  Remember the two rules"  1)Crowd participation, and 2)Tell a friend, bring a friend.  If you come by, you may get to see yours truly bringing some spoken word to the mic.

After you get through cheering for the Jags as they take on Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles, swing on by Cityhall Pub for the after party, which will take place after every home game.A live DJ will be spinning and if you bring your ticket stub from the game you get a free drink.

Interested in checking out a fantasy hair competition?  Then stop by Endo Exo in San Marco where DLA Design Company presents The Hair Competition at 8:30 p.m. Cash prizes will be given for short, long, and fantasy hair competitions, and there will be fashion and entertainment as well.  There will also be a $100 cash prize given to the best dressed person in leopard.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and if you have a ticket stub from Lenicola's Makeup Dinner party, then you get $5 off.  Endo Exo is located at 1224 King St.

Check out my blog every weekend for the latest on what to do around town, and look for a weekly version as well, starting on Monday.

Rightway Entertainment presents Vol. II Unplugged-The Daytime Edition

Hey, Duval! I’m baaack! (in my best T.I. voice). Sorry I’ve been neglecting the blog, but I’ve been dealing with life. Or should I say, life’s been dealing with me! But hey, it gets like that sometimes.


Well, the good news is, I came out of hibernation just in time to spread the word about my homeboy, Rod G. He’s doing it the Right Way again and this time he’s flippin the script and doing a daytime concert. That’s right, you read correctly. It’s time to say farewell to summer on September 18 at Endo Exo with Rightway Entertainment Unplugged Vol. II-The Daytime Edition. A mix of hip-hop and spoken word, the event features DJ Al Pete on the 1’s and 2’s, Seven and Moe as the MC’s, and performances by Odd Rod, Monica Monet, Lefty Gunz and Al Kida, and more- all topped off with a live band. I was at Rod’s Unplugged Vol. I at Café 331 a couple of months ago, so I know that this brother can put on a quality show. The place was full, the drink specials were flowin, and the vibe was just right. Expect more of the same with Vol. II and make sure you come in lookin extra fly as we used to say in the 90’s, because photographers will be onsite.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Call 904-651-9832 or 904-233-6897 for more info. Endo Exo is located at 1224 King St. in San Marco.

Stay tuned to my blog.  Now that I'm back, I'm ready to go and I've got lots to write about.  I have a link to Thrill Da Playa's new album,  some real conscious hip-hop tracks from The Prolegend Movement, and I'm gonna talk about women in hip-hop.  The moment I've been waiting for since 1999 has arrived:  Lauryn Hill is back.  She's got a new single with Ron Isley that I'm really feelin, and I will have a link to the video up soon.  In the meantime, see you this Saturday at Endo Exo!  Peace.

Rightway Entertainment Unplugged Vol. 1

I couldn't call myself my a Ribault Trojan if I didn't give a shoutout to my fellow alum, Roderick Garner and his Rightway Entertainment Group.  Rod G specializes in event planning, mix cds, photography, videography and a lot more and his motto is, "You've tried it their way....now do it the Right way!"

He's doing it the Right way this Friday, August 13 at Cafe 331, where he's presenting Rightway Entertainment Unplugged Vol.1.  The concert features a live band and performances by some of Duval's best up and coming independent artists, including Jasmine Rhey, RnB Sanga, The Prolegend Movement, The IGive, and Ausmoses.  DJ Cheek and DJ De Mac will be spinning on the 1's and 2's.  Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.

If all of that entertainment isn't enough to convince you to come out, then the $5 Goose and $6 Hennessey should get some of you fired up! 

So come out and show love to Duval's independent artists.  If we don't support them, who will?

Doors open at 8 p.m. Cafe 331 is located at 332 Forsyth St., downtown Jacksonville.  For more information, call 904-651-9832 or 904-233-6897.

Random thoughts on hip-hop, education, and youth

Every one of the three high schools in predominantly Black neighborhoods in Jacksonville is failing. Less than a third of 10th graders in our community are reading on grade level. But when I look around, it seems like every other young person that I see wants to be a rapper...No wonder Soulja Boy's lyrics make no sense. These kids can't read.

When you listen to lyrics and watch videos filled with Maybachs, bling, and mansions, its easy to see the allure of the hip-hop industry. Hell, sometimes when I look at my light bill, I think about throwing a hat in the game and spittin some verses.

But is what we see real and attainable, or is it all just smoke and mirrors? Is the hip-hop industry the modern day slave trade, capturing youth with an illusion and enslaving them with draconian contracts that suck the life out of them financially and creatively?

We as consumers don't realize how much of the lyrics and content of today's songs are controlled by the record company executives and not the artists themselves. Ironic, when you think about someone in a high-rise office somewhere who has never set foot in the ghetto, pushing lyrics glorifying the hood and "keepin it real". Well, if the hood is all that great, why don't they live there? The truth is, for those of us who actually know, the ghetto isn't all its cracked up to be. That's why Jay-Z lives in TriBeCa and not Bed-Stuy. That's why you don't see any Jaguars players living in Cleveland Arms or Washington Heights. Why have mayonnaise sandwiches and Kool-Aid when you can afford filet mignon and Dom Perignon?

What's even more ironic to me, is the artists who make the money, and then still get themselves caught up in the game that they should have been able to avoid because of their finanical success. And then our young people, blindly following them and lacking positive guidance and role models in everyday life, try to imitate this negative pattern of behavior. And so we have a generation of kids who could sing all the lyrics to Kanye West's song "Through the Wire" without having any idea of who the Emmett Till was that he spoke of in the opening verses. We have a community of kids who talk about Ak-47's like they're Super Soakers, but can't spell this week's vocabulary words. That's if they even bothered to go to school in the first place.

We can't blame it all on the music, though. People say this all of the time, but it really does start at home. Parents, stop sending your kids to school in $200 Jordan's, but can't send them with paper and pencil. If your kid has brought home three report cards filled with D's and F's, don't wait until April to ask for a conference and then expect the teacher to change the grades or give extra credit. Worry about your kid's school clothes and less about your club outfits. Then maybe we'll see some changes.

But I'm not letting the record companies and artists off the hook. Record companies need to sell quality music again. Stop selling an album full of trash, and then wondering why kids would rather just download the stuff of the Internet. Artists, maybe its time to go back to being independent, if that means being able to produce better songs. While having a discussion about independent artists, Thomas "Murk" Kelsey said, "The artists need to step up on their craft and deliver regional if not local hits, besides songs they think are good in their ears, if not others." I personally think that the Internet might just be a great equalizer, allowing artists and consumers to take back some of their power from the executives.

And artists, you can try to channel Charles Barkley all day long and say that you're not a role model, but let's get real. You're putting yourself out in the spotlight-and pushing kids to beg their single parents who are already scraping to put food on the table, to buy mp3 players, cd's, and ringtones, so don't try to dodge the issue and act like these kids aren't going to look up to you.

When it comes to this issue, I feel like Brother Marley-"I got so much things to say". I have more to follow up with in a future post. But in the meantime, what do you think? Let's get this conversation going. Our community is desperate for it.

Black Diamonds EP-Hip-hop ain't dead yet

"Told you we ain't dead yet. We been livin' through your internet."

-Erykah Badu, "The Healer"

The Prolegend Movement is back at it again with the release of their Black Diamonds EP.  Following on the heels of the success of the mixtape of the same name, the EP is a compilation of the group's best original songs from Black Diamonds.  The songs range from the lyrical grittiness of "If I Had 2", to the swagger of "Get it Everyday", to the seductive quality of "Ladies Choice" and "Take Me Home".  The EP also showcases the group's collaborations with other local artists, Lyric Raines and Blaundie da Boss Lady, as well as breakout reggae singer Mosiah.  Available now on their Reverbnation page, the Black Diamonds EP will be officially released on iTunes on September 3.

The Black Diamonds EP gives credibility to Prolegend's right to call themselves a movement. A movement is defined as "an organized effort to promote or attain an end." The Prolegend Movement is part of a bigger movement, a musical revolution so to speak. Maybe it’s not as serious as civil rights, or womens' rights, or rights for people with disabilities. But it's for a right that music lovers everywhere hold sacred nonetheless: the right to listen to quality songs. This right is being fought for on the battleground of the Internet everyday by bloggers like me, online radio shows and podcasts, and most importantly, the independent music artists who have real talent and a passion for giving their best to their listeners.

I'm with Ms. Badu-hip-hop ain't dead yet, despite what some may say and what we may hear while spinning the dial these days.  I think hip-hop is going back to its roots and the movement is being fueled by the Internet, which has leveled the playing field for independent, unsigned groups.  The Prolegend Movement is one example of this.  They have heart and passion.  They're not on the mainstream radio yet, even though they have been getting airplay on Internet radio.  But they're not letting that stop them.  They're building up their online presence and constantly strategizing about how to improve what they're doing and reach out more to their fan base.

The Black Diamonds EP is one more way for them to stay connected to their fans, which number nearly 5,000 strong, making them number five on the local hip-hop charts according to Reverbnation.  While the mixtape let you see what they could do creatively with samples of some of the most popular tunes out there, like Gucci Mane’s “Wasted” and Mary Mary’s “The God in Me”, the EP is strictly about their original music-lyrics and beats included.  There’s funk, there’s soul, and most importantly, there’s hip-hop-spit from the mouths of four skilled MC’s who turn a mic into a weapon to slay their opponents on one hand, and a bullhorn to lead the revolution with the other.

Naw, hip-hop ain’t dead.  It’s on the Internet and on the Black Diamonds EP.  And the revolution might not be televised, but it damn sure will be broadcast over the radio.

Thrill Da Playa discusses the music industry, challenges for independent artists

Every other person in Jacksonville seems to be rapping, producing, or making beats, so why hasn’t Duval had a major recording artist since the 90’s? What can independent artists do to get the radio to play their music? Why do some find success, only to end up bankrupt?

These questions are on the minds of many and I had a chance to ask them when I interviewed Thrill Da Playa recently.  The Jacksonville artist found multi-platinum success as a part of the 69 Boyz, a homegrown group known for hits like “Tootsie Roll” and “Survival of the Fittest”.  He is also an accomplished songwriter and producer, having worked on songs for movie soundtracks including Dangerous Minds, Bad Boys, Space Jam, and Sunset Park. Thrill has written for So-So Def, Lil John, and the Ying Yang Twins, among others.

In a previous blog post (see July 18), we talked about his radio show, GFL Live, his upcoming album, User Friendly, and what it felt like to be one of the biggest music artists to come out of Duval. 

 Those of us old enough to remember when 69 Boyz first came out can also remember Thrill’s godfather, Big Al of Big Al’s Records and Tapes in Gateway Mall.  Thrill worked in the record store and he feels that the power of the independent record shops is what got a lot of artists around the country through to their big breaks.  With the decline of these record shops came a loss of a vital outlet for aspiring musicians. This has left a void in the community in terms of jobs, opportunities, and even memories.  I can remember going to Big Al’s with my sister to buy The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill the day that it dropped.  There’s something about standing in line, buying that cd and taking the wrapping off, that downloading music off of the computer just can’t quite replace.

As we talked about his music career, Thrill mentioned that he doesn’t make his money from royalties from music sales, but rather, makes a living through being on tour, and writing and publishing songs. We got into a really deep conversation about this that gave me some new perspectives on the music industry. 

He said “in the music industry…the record companies hold up your money, and by the time they give it back, they have made so much interest…..In the record business, you don’t sell to the consumer, you sell to warehouses. ….So they may order 10,000 records but if they don’t all sell, they will return them.” Basically, the record companies don’t pay the artists immediately in case they need to refund the warehouses.

“Also,” he went on, “when an artist is sued, no royalties are paid to them until the lawsuit is settled.” He then explained how 69 Boyz was sued by a female artist who had appeared on their 199QUAD album.  What could have been a $20,000 settlement, ended up costing the group about $65,000 after legal fees. 

When talking about how the music lifestyle, affects spending, especially for R&B and hip-hop artists, Thrill noted, “urban artists have a different journey to travel from rock n-roll artists.  Rock n-roll artists will give their money to an accountant to keep in escrow, put their jeans back on, and go back out and make more music.  With urban artists, if you don’t have on a chain around the neck, nice clothes, a nice car, young people don’t even want to hear anything from you.”

Some of his most unique opinions had to do with the mainstream radio stations. .  Regarding the quality of the music, he said, “it’s no excuse for some of these radio stations to be like they are.  For every four minutes of foolishness, there should be four minutes of progress.”

Many independent musicians here will doubtless find his next statement to be rather odd. “I don’t have a problem with radio not playing local artists’ music.  That sounds crazy, but if radio had played my music in the beginning, it would have handicapped me.”  Thrill explained that it forced him to go to the clubs and build relationships with the DJ’s and work his way up from there.

He closed the interview out with advice for the independent artists looking for their big break.  “Go back to integrity-filled music…..people aren’t making integrity-filled music, so the people who are buying it, aren’t integrity-filled.” 

Thrill got very personal and talked about how the things that helped him to succeed where the basic values instilled in him by family members and church.  He went through a period where he dealt with prescription drug misuse and had to overcome that, and he urges everyone to make the necessary changes in their lives to open up the way for positive outcomes.

“When people get right on the inside, stuff gets right on the outside”.

Video for Thrill Da Playa's new single, "God B4 Me"

Listen to new tracks from Thrill Da Playa's upcoming album User Friendly

Interview with Thrill Da Playa, Sneak Peek at his new album, User Friendly

Thrill Da Playa grew up right here in Duval and went on to become a platinum selling recording artist as part of the group 69 Boyz, one of the biggest music talents ever to come out of Jacksonville.  He is continuing to do big things as a solo artist and recently performed at Skyline as part of the benefit concert for the Tiphne Hollis Foundation.  Tiphne Hollis was a 16 year-old Ed White High School student who was killed earlier this year, becoming one of the victims of this city's violent crime plague.

I talked to Thrill recently about his syndicated radio show, GFL Live, his upcoming album, User Friendly, and his thoughts about being one of the biggest artists to come out of our area.

When I asked him what it was like to be a part of the biggest music act to come out of Jacksonville, he did something that was very positive and refreshing-he gave props to those who came before him. And when I say, before, I mean he took it way back, all the way to Doc Box and B. Fresh, the 80's group that had the hit, "Slow Love". He gave shouts out "because they were the first gold artists from Jacksonville.  We saw them struggle right from DJ’s record shop on McDuff".  


He also recognized another major group, 95 South, by saying that they "came out a little bit before me.  I was co-writing and co-producing a lot of their stuff.  69 Boyz was able to go multi-platinum and do big things and that was all a part of the vision. It makes me feel great to be the largest selling artist from Jacksonville".


For the past few years, Thrill has been on the other side of the airwaves as the host of his own radio station, GFL Live, based out of Tallahassee. He got started when he was tapped by Stevie the Man, who heard him on an album skit.  He was offered a position doing a night program in Orlando.  His show quickly moved to #1 in that market, and Clear Channel asked him to come to Tallahassee, where he took over the top spot there as well.  GFL Live is syndicated in 49 markets throughout Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.  Thrill says that the strength of the show is that it highlights independent artists who might not otherwise get a break.  He's currently taking a leave of absence, however, as he promotes his latest project, User Friendly.


User Friendly is what he likes to call "real music, fun, integrity-filled music.  Thrill stated that God gave him a vision that his ministry would be one of love and fun and that it would unite people across race, religion, and other boundaries.  “I’m praying that the world gets to see the love of God through the music.” In order for his music to reach as many listeners as possible, User Friendly is going to be a free download for everybody and he's taking it a step further by setting aside free hard copies to college campuses, starting with HBCU's (historically black colleges and universities).  August 7 is the tentative release date.  


Thrill Da Playa performed some tracks from the album at the Tiphne Hollis benefit, including "Ery'body Rock", "God B4 Me", and "Slide".  If you missed that great concert, however, you're in luck, though.  Here's a link to some of the tracks, as well as a video for "God B4 Me", which you can listen to while you're waiting for my next blog post, where Thrill Da Playa gets deep as he talks about how he makes his money as an artist, his opinion about Jacksonville as a market for hip-hop artists, and his thoughts on what aspiring musicians should do to get ahead in the industry.  Stay tuned and happy listening!

July 10 concert at Skyline to benefit slain teen Tiphne Hollis

This might sound strange, but I'm going to start with a disclaimer. I don't like writing about these kinds of events.  I wish that I could write about a birthday party, or a Grammy party, or hell, a pool party, for that matter. I would rather write about anything but a benefit concert to raise money for a foundation in honor of a slain teen.

Don't get me wrong, I"m not running from my responsibilities as a writer.  I have to report the bad along with the good, and I will keep doing so.  It's just that I'm sick and tired of the madness in the streets claiming the lives of people who have barely begun to live.

With that said, I'm inviting my readers to come out on Saturday, July 10 to Skyline (formerly The Big Apple) for the Justice for Tiphne Hollis concert. Tickets are $15 and the proceeds benefit the Tiphne Hollis Foundation.

For those who don't know, Tiphne Hollis was the 16 year-old Ed White High School student who was killed while riding in a car with friends through a Westside neighborhood.  Unidentified gunmen shot into the car, fatally wounding her in the stomach, in what is believed to be a case of mistaken identity. Once again I say, madness, pure madness.

The VH1 video crew will be filming the event, which will be hosted by Gene Dot Com. The show will include performances by local groups The Prolegend Movement, Bentley a.k.a. Yung, and Gutta Black. The headline acts are Thrill Da Playa from 69 Boys, VH1 Born to Diva winner Tarralyn Ramsey, and hip-hop icon Chubb Rock.

Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10.  Skyline is located at 5611 Norwood Avenue, across from Gateway Mall. For more information, call 904-444-2641.

Because I feel so strongly about the violence in our streets, especially here in Duval, where we have the grim honor of being the 'murder capital of Florida', I'm ending this blog post with a poem that I wrote in honor of Tiphne Hollis, Shenice Holmes, Dreshawna Davis, Somer Thompson, and all of the other young people who have lost their lives due to violence in this area.

Mad Dads

When do dads get to stop being mad?
Pounding the pavement in angry protest
Searching for answers that rarely come,
'Cause the law in the streets says 'don't snitch'
When do dads get to be dads again?
Holding up an unsteady child on a bike
Instead of lifting a too small casket
Walking daughters down the aisle
And sending sons out into the world
Instead of looking down on them
Through tear-filled eyes.

When do mothers get to stop crying?
Soul-piercing screams as they run to the scene
Where their child took their last breath
Not enough yellow tape in the world
To contain the hurt.
When do mothers get to be mothers again?
Healing wounds that require only a bandage and a kiss
To make it all better.
Cheering at sports events
And watching grandchildren being born
Instead of gazing through photo albums
And wondering what could have been.

And I don't think it's a coincidence,
That every time a young life ends tragically,
It rains soon after.
I imagine that God weeps also
That He must be tired of seeing
Drinks poured out onto the ground,
White t-shirts with photos on the front
Sneakers tossed over electrical lines,
Reminding us that another person will not live long enough
To chase dreams
Or outrun demons.

Yes, I know that God must be tired,
But the question remains...
When will we be?

Speaking up for Spoken Word

Today, I have to step aside from my usual blogs about music.  Today, I'm writing about poetry, my other love, which in many ways, is tied to my music writing.

When I was in school, writing poetry generally implied that you were either a)nerdy, b)weird, or c)all of the above.  I can proudly confess to falling into the "c" group. Then along came the movie Love Jones a few years ago, and suddenly, urban America discovered that poetry was kind of cool.  It was no longer about that nerdy, weird, shy kid sitting in a corner somewhere scribbling in a notebook.  No, you see, now it was spoken word.  It was Lorenz Tate seducing Nia Long.  It was cool people wearing leather jackets and jeans, working in record stores, hanging out in chill spots listening to jazz and neo-soul.

Whether you choose to call it poetry or spoken word, this thing with pen and paper has never been a fad for me.  I was that nerdy, weird, shy kid sitting in the corner.  I was writing poetry before it was cool, and I will be writing until I'm old and senile and shaking so bad that I can't hold a pen.  At one point in my life, when I was 'goin through some things' as we like to say, I gave up on my writing.  But it never gave up on me.  It was always there, nudging me, begging me, and finally screaming at me, to bring it back to light again.  Poetry brought me out of some rough spots, and I'm using it to lead me to better ones.  Poetry is the reason why I have never given up on hip-hop, despite the fact that in recent years, much of the genre has been held hostage by laughable lyrics, wannabe goons, and P. Diddy.  I can't help but appreciate the alliteration in Tupac's Gangstas Party or the raw lyricism of artists like Lil Wayne.  "I'll do the time cause her love is timeless."

I'm usually a behind the scenes person, so it's only recently that I've begun performing at open mic. It's been a great experience and I'm in awe of some of the talent that I have witnessed.  IGive, Cuban, along with his Shattered Thought team, Tonya Smart, Odd Rod, Reformed Butterfly, I could go on and on. We have a lot of talent here in Duval.  I say that over and over again in my blogs because I really believe in that.  And I have to send shout outs to the venues that are supporting spoken word like Cafe 331, Poppy Love Smoke, Aroma's, City Hall Pub and many more.  On that note, I must say hats off to Brother's Cafe on Edgewood, where I officially made my debut as The Poetic Princess, virgin on the mic.  Sadly, they closed up shop this past week.  I'm shaking my head at the thought of another black owned business going under.  But I hear that Robin is going to move Espresso Soul to Cuba Libre, so let's show some love and support that venue.

Without the hosts and promoters like Robin, Tiffany Duhart, Emanuel Washington (can somebody say Sooooooul Release!), Kia Mayshack, and many more, these open mic events wouldn't be happening.  There wouldn't be places for people to come out and test the waters and share a piece of themselves. We have to support these events.  We need to come together, Duval.  Stop complaining about there not being anything to do, but then not showing up to the quality events that are going on. If someone as naturally shy as me can come out-sometimes alone, and have the nerve to get up on the mic, then there's no excuse for some of you.  And when you do come out, do us all a favor and shut up while folks are spittin on the mic! That's a whole other blog post.

I might seem uncharacteristically harsh right now, but that's because I feel so strongly about poetry. Somedays, my poetry was the only warm hug that I had. I'm in a much better place now but poetry is still as important as eating and breathing to me.  So to all my spoken word artists, supporters, promoters, and venues, I say "rewind!" while snapping my fingers in the air.  Spit, Duval!

P.S. Come out tomorrow and check out open mic hosted by Kia Mayshack at Aroma's on Southside Blvd. Kia's a great host and she can sing her lungs out on top of it.

Reminiscing on the 80's

I had a Texts from Last Night moment the other day.  If you don't know what that is, Texts from Last Night is this crazy website where people submit the most hilarious text messages, usually related to hangovers, weird sexual escapades, and the like.  People wake up in strange places, doing or wearing strange things, or sometimes nothing at all.  It's great if you need a few laughs and it also serves as a free form of therapy.  If you think your life is bad, you'll feel a lot better when you realize that there are people out there who are way more screwed up than you are.

My Texts from Last Night moment came after the 80's Flashback Party at Arielle's this past Thursday.  There was nothing crazy involved, its just that I had so much fun that I was too tired to properly prepare for bed.  I woke up still wearing an armful of silver and black bangles, there was glitter all over me, and the deep plum MAC lipstick that I wore-a sharp deviation from my usually light colored MAC Lipglass, was smeared onto my pillowcase.  And before your mind starts wandering, yes I was alone!

I've been sitting here wondering why everyone there seemed to enjoy themselves so much.  Of course, the music was great.  DJ Hydro and DJ Silence were on point, taking requests and getting even the most diehard sit-in-the-corner-play-on-the-Blackberry folks out onto the dance floor.  I had never seen Twist West and Chubby perform before, but I was impressed with their 80's music covers as well as their original tracks. And of course, wearing my publicist/photographer hat, I have to give shouts out to The Prolegend Movement, who closed it out and with Whodini's "One Love" and then one of their own songs, "Take Me Home (One Too Many)" with Lady Blaundee taking the stage.

We danced like it was 1985 at Eastside High.  The Running Man, Kid n' Play, the Cabbage Patch, you name it, we did it.  We even busted out with the Electric Slide (shouts out to Kim Norris for starting that one).  And there was this one bad sister who took over the dance floor and did a Michael Jackson segment that was simply awesome, complete with moonwalk and all.

A few of us serious 80's kids dressed the part as well.  One brother came in with tight rolled jeans, a jeans jacket, high tops and a boombox.  He looked liked he had stepped straight out of Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" video.  Yours truly was rocking leggings, high heels and legwarmers, and a ponytail pulled up and to the side.  Laf Legend from Prolegend had on a blazer, white pants, and shoes with no laces.  It doesn't get much more 80's than that.

But when I really think about it, it wasn't just the music, or the clothes, that made the 80's so special to us.  It was the feelings.  Looking back, we now realize that the 80's was the last decade before our world changed in many ways.  Timothy McVeigh was unheard of and we couldn't even spell Al-Qaeda.  9/11 was just another day on the calendar and liquid soap and shampoo were toiletries in your luggage, not potential bombs.  The King of Pop was moonwalking his way to superstardom and we were planning our MJ outfits to wear to his concerts, not to his memorial tributes. We were not witnessing the slow death of an ocean due to an oil spill. Closer to home, Duval County wasn't the murder capital of Florida or one of the counties with the highest HIV/AIDS rates, and if you lived on the Northside, Gateway was a real mall, and not just an almost abandoned shell.

The world just seemed simpler.  Children weren't turning into miniature mass murderers, no Columbine or Jonesboro, Arkansas.  We still played outside until the street lights came on and rode our bikes to the corner store.  Boys passed notes to you that said, 'do you like me?' and girls played Teddy Bear and Hot Peas on jump rope. We still minded our teachers for the most part, and didn't curse around adults.

Yes, we had our fears.  We wondered what would happen if the Cold War with Russia turned hot, and this new thing called HIV had us afraid to go the dentist, and banning innocent little boys from school because they had the unfortunate luck to have hemophilia and get tainted blood during a transfusion. No, in those respects, the 80's were definitely not perfect.

But what the 80's did have, was a lot of fun, a sense of hope, amazing music.  Artists still looked at their music as just that, an art, and not just simply a quick way to make money.  People went into the studio and did jam sessions with live bands.  You could spend your money on an album and know that the whole thing would be worth listening to and not just the tracks they played on the radio.  We fell in love with hip-hop, and like the end of Brown Sugar, it loved us back.

I don't think that the guys from Prolegend realized the irony of their song choices the other night.  I play Black Diamondz to no end and "Take Me Home" is one of my favorite tracks, so I'm perfectly aware that the song refers to a woman at the club, but for the purposes of the 80's party, it had a deeper meaning to me.  I think we went home to the 80's that night, to the last decade of a semblance of normalcy and innocence.  And what better way than to describe the great feelings that we had back then than with the words, "One Love"?

So I say, if you had the privilege to experience the 80's, then you were truly blessed.  Lipstick stains on my new sheets were worth the fun that I had recreating that time period.  Now its time for us 80's kids to recapture some of that magic today.

The Prolegend Movement-Supporting and Inspiring the Jacksonville Community

I write about music partly because of my dad.  Ironic, given that his interests in music usually fall into the 'easy listening' category, while I mostly cover reggae and hip-hop.  You see, my dad is old school.  He would pull out a belt and tear our behinds up growing up, then say, "stop all that crying and straighten your face up".  He always said things like, "you better not waste that food, children in Africa are starving to death".

And he disliked constant complaining with a passion.  I inherited that trait from him.   So instead of constantly whining about the foolishness that some of these artists call music today, and the corporate-controlled radio stations that feed us this mental junk food, I'm out here doing my best to write about artists with real music, real voices, real messages.  One of my favorite local groups, The Prolegend Movement, falls squarely into that category.

Take yesterday for example.  It poured down raining in the afternoon, but when it cleared up, it still felt like 208 degrees outside.  Instead of chillin' indoors under the a/c, though, I was down at The Jacksonville Landing for the Summer Kick-off.  The Prolegend Movement came out and put on a free, family-friendly show to benefit the community and to support a local dance group, the Jacksonville Starz.  This wasn't Grind to Shine at Endo Exo, it wasn't about ticket sales or swagger, although Prolegend has plenty of that.  Yesterday was just about the music, the kids, and the community. 

They did three sets, "Get it Everyday", "Not Average", and "Ladies Choice", from their Black Diamonds mixtape.  "Ladies Choice", one of my personal favorites, was dedicated to all of the single moms that work hard everyday to provide for their families.  That got a great response from the crowd.  By the end of the performance, even the cloggers that were scheduled to go on later were clapping and rocking. At the end of the show, people came downstairs out of the balcony specifically to shake their hands, ask about cd's, and get their contact information.  The audience seemed very appreciative and grateful for them taking time out to come support and inspire the community.

Watching and photographing the performance reminded me that for every Wacka Flocka out there, there is a Prolegend Movement, artists with something real and original to offer.  Most importantly, they have a heart for the community.  If you're like me and you're tired of feeling like you need an anti-depressant after watching the 6 o'clock news, then you need to start supporting them and artists like them.  Music has the power to heal wounds and build bridges in our community.  So don't let a little heat or rain stop you from coming out to the next show, this Thursday at Arielle's for the 80's Party.  Last time I checked, the rain didn't stop Noah.  He built an ark and kept it moving. 

So lets put our money where our mouths are, Duval.  Let's keep it moving and join the movement. 

Time to do the Cabbage Patch-80s Flash Back Party

The Cabbage Patch, Gumby haircuts, M.C. Hammer pants,....what are your favorite memories from the 80's?  Come relive them all on June 24 at Arielle's as BowTiepresents.com brings the 80's Flash Back Party.  Doors open at 8 p.m. and the event is being hosted by Bow Tie.  DJ Hydro and DJ Silence will be spinning all the tunes from back in the day so make sure to brush up on all those old dance moves.  You know, Da But, the Running Man, the Kid n' Play.  Don't act like you don't still do them at home sometimes!

Start digging in the back of the closet or head down to Goodwill to find those old 80's get-ups because there will be a cash prize for the best costume and FlaImpulse will be in the building getting it all on camera. Live entertainment will include performances by Mr. Mac, Twist West, Chubby, and The Prolegend Movement.  For you Prolegend Nation out there, if you want to know what Laf Legend, J.Co, MassPro, Lankdizzim will be up to, you will have to show up and see for yourself!

$5 Grey Goose and well drink specials will be offered all night.  Get your tickets in advance, and they're only $10, wait until you get there and the price is $15.  Arielle's is located at 7707 Arlington Expressway.  (Us 80's babies  remember that spot when it Red Lobster back in the day).  For more info, call (904) 405-0055, or (904) 962-4499.

93.3 The Beat's Easy E Giving Local Artists Chance to Shine at Community Fest 2010

D.J. Easy E of 93.3 The Beat is known throughout the city as a colorful radio personality as well as a strong promoter of local music artists.  Heard weeknights from 7-12 p.m., he regularly spins singles from mixtapes of Duval rappers and singers and does in-studio interviews with them in order to help them gain publicity. 

Easy E is currently giving local artists yet another promotional opportunity by allowing them the chance to open for Community Fest 2010 on July 17 at Metropolitan Park.  Community Fest, which most of us Duval natives know as Come Together Day, is an annual event held to bring the community together for a day of fun, food, and great music. Past performers have included rappers T.I., Trick Daddy, and Trina, as well as R&B singers Kelis and Pretty Ricky.  This year's lineup includes J.T. Money, Ice Berg, Young Cash, and Diamond of Crime Mob.

The deejay has been telling listeners each night on his show to get their best song together and send it to him. He will review them and select the best act, who will open the July 17 show.  This is a really great opportunity for some local talent to get serious exposure.  So, if you're a local artist and you're still sitting here staring at this page, what are you waiting for?  Get your track together and email it to Easy E.  Maybe this time next year, I'll be doing a blog post covering the contract that you've signed with Grand Hustle or Bad Boy.  You've gotta dream big to make it big!

2nd Annual Tupac Birthday Celebration at Endo Exo

I know this is 904 and we represent all the way for our Dirty South artists, but we as members of the hip-hop nation must take the time to remember our past and honor our fallen great ones regardless of geography. 

That's why you need to be at the UDS Promo's 2nd Annual Tupac Birthday Celebration on June 16 at Endo Exo.  It's been 14 years since Tupac's life was tragically cut short, but his legacy lives on through the vast catalog of work that he put out, including music, movies, interviews, and poetry. 

Local musicians and artists will be on hand paying tribute to Pac by performing some of his best known songs and poems from his book of poetry, The Rose that Grew from Concrete.  The Prolegend Movement, Hann from Vendetta, and VIP Squad are among the musical acts performing, and local spoken word artists, including yours truly, will be reciting poems such as "Liberty Needs Glasses" and "Can U See the Pride in the Panther".  We will also be remembering Tupac's critically acclaimed acting talents with showings of Juice and Poetic Justice.

The event begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free until 8.  After that, the price is $10, however ladies wearing a Tupac shirt get in half price, as well as college students with ID.  For those looking to get their drink on, there will be $5 Thug Passion, 2 for 1 Wells, $5 Hennessey and Coke, and $5 Goose and Cran. 

As a special incentive, Dream Works and Stone Grfx will be giving out artist discounts on photography and video services.  It's not too late to sign up to perform, either.  Just send an email to udsentertainment@gmail.com.  We would love to see many more performers come out to pay tribute to one of the giants of hip-hop.  Part of one of my favorite quotes says, "what is true of an individual without memory is also true of a people without history: they cannot become wiser or better" (I.L. Peretz).  So, hip-hop nation, let's come out and honor a part of our history and celebrate the life of Tupac Amaru Shakur.

UDS Promo's 2nd Annual Tupac Birthday Celebration
Endo Exo, 1224 Kings Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207
7 p.m. until

The Prolegend Movement Took it Home at Endo Exo

There is a cliche in writing, usually used in reference to some great event or performance that goes, 'you could feel the energy in the room/building/fill in the blank'. 

Like any writer, I like to think of myself as original and not prone to the use of worn-out phrases such as this.  However, I can honestly think of no better way to describe The Prolegend Movement's performance at Endo Exo this past Thursday.  You could truly feel the energy in the place.  You may have listened to their mixtape or some of their songs online, but to see them perform in person is to truly understand the talent that they possess as well as the dedication and commitment that they have to their craft as well as to their audience. 

In addition to MassPro, LankDizzim, J.Co and Laf Legend, reggae artist Mosiah Jones and singers Blondee and Lyric Raines were onstage doing their thing as well.  Mosiah (in the center of the photo wearing white-trimmed shades) sings the hook to "Ayo Teaser" on the Black Diamondz  mixtape and the live performance of the track was a real crowd pleaser.  But that shouldn't come as a surprise to those of us who grew up in Duval during the Cool Runnings era.  We love our reggae in 904!  Blondee, looking stunning in a yellow dress, sang her heart out on the hook to "Take Me Home (One Too Many)" and Lyric Raines left no doubt that The Prolegend Movement is out to "Get it Everyday".  And when they broke out with "Last Call Wasted", some people got so excited that I thought they were going to hurt themselves!

Ironically, I think that the success of their performance and their ability to connect with the crowd was best measured by the reaction of the supporters of other groups.  The cool thing about Endo Exo is that they pay the independent artists to perform, based on the number of supporters that they bring in.  So when a new group hits the stage, those supporters come to the front and make sure that they rep hard for the performers.  I had to smile to myself when I saw other groups supporters begrudgingly nodding and giving silent props to The Prolegend Movement.  They easily had the most hyped and polished performance of the night.  Watching them take control of the stage, they gave you the impression that they could be performing in someone's backyard and would still go at it just as hard.  For them, its about the music first, something that I wish I could say about every artist out there. 

If you missed the performance, then you really did miss out on a great night.  However, there will be many more opportunities to see The Prolegend Movement in person.  They will be performing again on June 16 at Endo Exo as part of the second annual Tupac Birthday Tribute and will also be a part of the upcoming 80's Throwback Party.  I will be covering both events in upcoming blogs so be sure to stay tuned.  In the meantime, check them out on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, and be sure to listen to Black Diamondz.  We have to support our local artists because there is a lot of talent here in Duval that could really put 904 on the map, but it starts with determined artists like The Prolegend Movement and continues with dedicated fans.  Come be a part of the movement.

Black Diamondz Mixtape Performance and Video Shoot 6/3/10 at Endo Exo

I don't know where everyone else will be this Thursday, but I plan to be at Endo Exo, representing with The Prolegend Movement as they perform hits from their latest mixtape, Black Diamondz.  If you're down for some great live hip-hop music, then you need to be there too.  They will also be shooting part two of the video for "Take Me Home (One Too Many)", so make sure you come dressed to impress.  Guest performer and reggae artist Mosiah Jones will also be in the place, adding a little Caribbean flavor to the scene.

The Prolegend Movement is a group of four guys straight from Duval who are making big moves in the local hip-hop scene.  The more I listen to their music and understand the drive and passion that they have for creating a unique sound, the more I am impressed with them.  Lafeyette Williams (Laf Legend), Langston Williams (Lankdizzim), Randolph Harris (Mass Pro), and Jacorie Johnson (J.Co) mix great music with murderous skills on the mic to create a sound that's going to put 904 on the map for sure.  The first time that I heard "Take Me Home", I thought of one my favorite movies, Brown Sugar.  Sanaa Lathan's character, Sidney, was a music writer/editor and she started each one of her interviews by asking the question "when did you fall in love with hip-hop?"  "Take Me Home" reminded me of when  I fell in love with hip-hop.  The track took me back to what hip-hop used to be-great emceeing and mad sounds, before much of the genre fell prey to played out samples and tired verses. 

So if you feel like I do, then come be a part of The Prolegend Nation, because this movement is going forward with or without you. 

Black Diamondz Mixtape Performance and Video Shoot-Endo Exo 1224 King St. Jacksonville, 32207
Show starts at 10 p.m., $5 at the door, "tell 'em you're with The Prolegend Nation".  18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

This evening I had the privilege of seeing Patti Labelle peform live here at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.  Ms. Patti was wearing a baaaddd red dress and gave an outstanding performance as only a diva could.  At the same time, she proudly reminded the audience that she is "66 years young".  The crowd went wild and I could only shake my head in amazement.

As the sun faded and a welcome breeze embraced us, I was truly appreciative of the fact that I was witnessing a living legend.  It reminded me of when I saw James Brown perform back in 2005.  Performers like Ms. Patti, James Brown, and so many others, are giants.  I listen to the massive repetoire of music that they put out, and I am proud and yet humbled to dare call myself a writer/musician.  I realize that every time I pick up my pen to write another lyric or poem, I am standing on the shoulders of these legends.  I know that my words are not just entertainment, but a link, a part of the circle that joins past to present, ancestors to the future.  May that sacred circle always remain unbroken.

Looking for Artists and Business Owners Who Need Promotions

Are you a musician or rapper in the Northeast Florida area?  Do you own a business/sell products?  If you're an independent artist or entrepreneur with a quality product to promote or sell, then this is the place to be.  904 Underground is Duval County's newest blog dedicated to assisting you.  Founded by The Poetic Princess, aka Alana Tutwiler, a freelance writer and poet/songwriter, 904 Underground is the place to promote your new mixtapes/cds, events, business opportunities and products.  If you're serious about your business, then 904 Underground is serious about promoting you!