Jazz One

Spoken Word: Jazz One will be performing at Innisfree in Boulder CO on Aug 19 at 7p

2011-08-13T13:39:00.000-05:00

It's going down.

VIDEO: JAZZ ONE - The Pen (EXSE 2011)

2011-05-14T17:53:00.000-05:00

VIDEO: JAZZ ONE - My Love Letter to All my Haters (EXSE 2011)

2011-05-14T13:16:00.000-05:00

VIDEO: JAZZ ONE - Mourning Meghan (EXSE 2011)

2011-05-14T13:14:00.000-05:00

JAZZ ONE - EXSE 2011 Interview

2011-05-14T00:08:00.000-05:00

I'll post videos of my performance tomorrow.
This was recorded less than 24 hours after being under a surgeon's knife. This was shot about six hours after getting released from the hospital. This was without pain meds the day after surgery so I could drive to the studio. Not sure how I did it. Kind of surprised myself.
I'll be posting the performance videos tomorrow. Check back for it. For now check out the quick interview.

SXSW 2011 Recap

2011-03-22T12:55:00.000-05:00

Follow me on twitter. @JazzOne

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

#SXSW - It's not a race, it is a marathon.
South by Southwest 2011 went from March 11th-19th. The first part of the week is the interactive portion of SXSW The music part is Tuesday through Saturday. Film runs throughout. This year was going to be my longest SXSW.

@popolio freddie beat

Get @JazzOne @sxsw 411, rd his pop quiz, listen 2 his mashup "Bring the Ghostbusting Noise" & more. http://tinyurl.com/66mwsmo
March 11 was the first day of SXSW and an interview I did with Freddie of Popolio was posted that same day. Check it out by clicking the link above.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

I uploaded a YouTube video -- #SXSW - Reggie Watts at IFC House http://youtu.be/SFNHY3WzJ4c?a
I had seen some of Reggie Watts videos online and really wanted to see this cat live. I had my flip cam with me and recorded one of his songs that night. It is nearly ten minutes long, but it is hilarious. Listen to the lyrics.

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@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

#sxsw winning
While I was at the Pepsi Max lot I struck a conversation with some guys with a Charlie Sheen cut out. They asked me if they could shoot me with it. I gave them my camera too to get a photo.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

@alivelshi from @cnn and myself at the CNN Grill at #SXSW http://yfrog.com/h8v4dtij
I worked in television news for most the '90s. My inner-journalist-geek was stoked to meet someone in the business working at that level. I met and chatted with Ali Velshi from CNN and at sometime discussed sunscreen.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

Got my fader wristband. (@ Progress Coffee w/ 3 others) http://4sq.com/fXanR4
One of my long time favs of this week is the Fader Fort. Even though the party doesn't start til Wednesday, if all all possible go Tuesday to pick up your band. Yes, there will be lines, but they are shorter than the wristband line and the line to get into the party.
Before getting my Fader wristband, I picked up my SXSW artist band.
When I lived back home in Shreveport I had a few things plant the seeds of moving to Austin. I saw Richard Linklater's film, Slacker. Even though it is a fictional film, it was the first seed to plant the idea of moving to Austin in my brain. The online bmx magazine I ran is what eventually lead me to make the move to Austin. I remember seeing coverage of SXSW showing up in magazines and TV at the time. The whole concept just blew my mind. Rarely things you look forward to are better than you expected, but SXSW was.
The next year @djOrion invites me to play an unofficial SXSW show. I was stoked to be even playing that week. Each year the unofficial shows I played that week were larger and larger.
I played SXSW as official showcasing act last year and again this year. SXSW is the Superbowl of my year. Returning for a second year felt like returning to the Superbowl for me.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

I miss Girl.
2010 was the first time I got to play the festival as an official act. It was a really incredible experience and I got to share it with Meghan. She was able to roll with me for most of the week. In our first year together she took me to ACL. She got to experience SXSW my way, being at my showcase, going to shows with me, being my "plus one" at parties. Even though we had been together for years, this was the first time she got to do SXSW with me. She got why I love this week.
Four and a half months later she passed away.

Bittersweet.

The whole week was bittersweet. There were so many moments I thought to myself Meg would have loved this. Recalling memories of stuff we did or shows we saw exactly a year ago, I can find no word that fits better than bittersweet.
Mourning has gone from a sharp searing pain to a dull ache. I can live with a dull ache.
I miss Girl.

Meghan and Me (SXSW 2010)

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

I'm at Fader Fort by FIAT (1101 E 5th St, at San Marcos, Austin) w/ 93 others http://4sq.com/edQSPs
Wednesday I had time to go over to the Fader Fort. It was a blast as always. Until I played SXSW officially, my priorities were my shows, my friends shows and the Fader Fort. It's been crazy to watch that event grow over the years. Some of my favorite SXSW week memories have happened at the Fader Fort.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

I'm at Sony Lounge @ Trinity & 2nd (333 E 2nd Steet, Trinity Street, Austin) w/ 8 others http://4sq.com/fY0jrM

I meet my friends Donna Jean and Brian at the Sony party. It was somewhat of a blur. I do remember a band playing there called Mother's Hips. Good ole just flat out rock and roll. Though I thought it would have been funny if everyone in Mother's Hips wore 'mom jeans'. Seriously, when did 'mom jeans' become hip.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

Download my new mix MEGA at djjazz1.com #sxsw
During SXSW I released my new mixtape called MEGA. It's a cross genre mix of hip hop, electro, dance, old school, now school that captures what my live DJ sets are like. Download it, burn it, put it on the ipod, take it to they gym.
This mixtape had a dual purpose and was somewhat of a 'concept project'. It was a mixtape that I dedicated to Meg. Most of the songs in the mix was the soundtrack of our best times. It was songs we drove around listening to. Songs I played at a gig that doubled as our first date. Music we danced to in my kitchen while I spun records. Stuff that got me through her passing. Music makes the good times great and it makes the bad times bearable.
MEGA = Meg A.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

Official #sxsw showcase at Speakeasy Kabaret at 830p.

My showcase was Thursday night. When I looked at the list of official SXSW acts I noticed that DJ's playing solo shows was a small group. Of that small group, half of those guys were DJ legends. I was really stoked to play the festival officially for the second time. I think everyone there that night had a good time. Before I went on, Crop Diggie and Spinner T's new group The Throwbacks debuted. I enjoyed their set. For some reason Crop Diggie's flow reminds me of classic Boot Camp Clik.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

Party at ground zero. Fishbone at austin music hall #sxsw . Wutang up next.
The parking gods were smiling in my favor and I was lucky enough to park in the lot to the side of the venue. I packed my gear after my showcase and headed over the Austin Music Hall. Texas legend Trae the Truth was on stage when we got in. After him, Yelawolf performed. Then Fishbone played. It was great seeing a legendary act perform. A group that seemed like odd duck in the line up night was amazing. Next was Wu-Tang. How much you gonna get was the question. Five of the eight were there. No Meth, Chef or RZA. I was still stoked.
Every SXSW has a magic moment for me. This year it was seeing Eyrkah Badu come out and perform with Wu-Tang. It wasn't just me. Even the artist on stage, even Erykah were recording this on phones and flipcams.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

@yelawolf I didn't know anyone from Alabama could talk that fast. Great set last night. #sxsw http://yfrog.com/hsiqfvij
On my way to the convention center for panels, I see Yelawolf standing outside. He headlined Wednesday's Fader Fort line up and I saw him on Thursday at the Village Voice showcase. Yelawolf's music is like a mixture of Eminem and Outkast. It is amazing to see someone so early in their career being about to rock a live show like he is doing. We chatted a bit, picture was snapped and off to the convention center.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

That was a first, live elevator music from a mariachi band. Smallest venue in town. Yes, there's a line. #sxsw

When I am leaving the convention center a mariachi band steps into the elevator. They start playing. I mention how this may be the first time I've experience live elevator music.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

What the hell did I just stumble into? (@ StyleX) http://4sq.com/i6QqCD
Even though I have been in the convention center before, there was half of that place I hadn't see. I went to Gear Alley and to checkout Flatstock. The strangest thing was when went back to the Expo in the main hall I was at the day before, it was gone. It would be like coming home to not only find the furniture moved but seeing a different family. This was Style X (Style by). I checked things out. I met the people at Good Wood NYC who made my custom Jazz One piece.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

South by Southsweat #sxsw
Normally most year SXSW is the perfect temp, low to mid 70s. This year it was overcast most mornings and hitting mid 80s during the day. It was humid. Kind of reminded me of home.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

I hope DrScholls is a sponsor at next years #sxsw.
I woke up Saturday morning feeling beat. I think my feet and knees aged 30 years more than the rest of my body.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

Catching the "The Story of SXSW" documentary. (@ Vimeo Theater) http://4sq.com/h1L5YL
There is a whole 'nother festival still going on during SXSW music. "The Story of SXSW" was the only film I could fit into my schedule. I knew my history with the event but didn't know much prior. After seeing this documentary, I was even more stoked to be involved with this festival. I plan to own this when it gets released on DVD. The director's said in his intro that this would be the most meta thing of your SXSW.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

Just met Pill backstage. He's with Rick Ross' label now. Told him how Rick Ross stole my swag. Dough Boy Fresh. lol #sxsw
I remember when I first started doing SXSW, there was a hip hop showcase or two. It felt more like token involvement than anything else. This year felt like hip hop was a part of SXSW. Personally I like more variety than Baskin Robbins, but if you wanted to have a 'hip hop' SXSW, it was possible. Just like the other genres, the path to success in the music business goes through Austin in mid-March.
As I walked down Congress I saw a poster outside Light Bar that had some friend on the bill that I didn't even realize where in town. So I went into chop it up a little.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

My head is about to explode. I need about half a dozen clones right now. (@ Red Bull Threestyle w/ 25 others) http://4sq.com/hMZnty
There were so many incredible options for Saturday night. I said a half dozen in the tweet, but honestly, if I had a dozen clones I still couldn't be in all the places I wanted to be. My inner DJ nerd took over and I passed on a lot of great shows to go to the Red Bull DJ event. Q-Bert, Jazzy Jeff, Switch and others played with Z-Trip headlining. Oh yeah, there was a De La Soul performance included in the night too.
The Red Bull event was set up in the parking lot on 4th between Colorado and Congress. The crowd that couldn't get in packed 4th street. People were watching from the rooftops of other buildings. I've heard estimated of 10,000 people.
Every SXSW I have a moment that is for lack of a better word, magic. Memories that will stick with me forever. Every SXSW I also find something that really inspires me. Seeing this many people at a music festival at a side event for DJ's fired me up.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

LL fuskin Cool J!
Word was bouncing around twitter and the crowd that there was a surprise guest for the Red Bull event. After Z-Trip's set, LL COOL J comes out and joins Z-Trip for a set. Isn't that the guy from NCIS or something? Nah, I'm joking. It was incredible seeing a hip hop legend perform. I had played "I Need Love" in my set two nights before.

@JazzOne Jazzie Wonder

Maybe it was the moon that had everything crazy at #SXSW lastnight.
I'm not to sure I believe that the moon's gravitational pull influences human behavior. I've heard the police a busier during full moons. On the flip I've read full moons frequently correspond with payday for a lot of people.
Saturday night we had what they call a 'supermoon'. It was the closest the moon had been to the earth in decades.
I've been doing SXSW for at least ten years. Even my worst SXSW was still amazing. The atmosphere at SXSW is always incredible.
Saturday night was different. It was like cranked up to 11. The air was electric. Jay-Z flew in. I heard Gaga was in town. Snoop was doing a show a few blocks away. Kanye was about to do something crazy at the power plant. It wasn't even about that. It was something in the air. There was some bullshit that happened that night like what happen on 7th St. Then Ben Weasel. Seriously eff Ben Weasel (stay the f*ck out of Texas).
It's not just me. I heard and read lots of other people talking about the Saturday night of SXSW. There was something different in the air. There are a few haters, whiners and detractors, but for the most part people have been saying this was the best SXSW. I don't know if the minor bullshit that went down is going to affect future SXSWs. I saw in the news that the cops want 'more control'. There was an electric energy in the air that night.
Something was happening.
It may have been the moon.

New Mixtape: Jazz One - MEGA

2011-03-16T18:04:00.000-05:00

I want to present you guy with my latest mixtape, MEGA. It's a mix of hip hop, electro, old school/now school. Use the link below to download MEGA.

Download Jazz One MEGA

TRACKLISTING
Kid Cudi- Pursuit of Happiness
Miike Snow- Animal
LCD Soundsystem- Can Change
Caribou- Odessa
Gnarls Barkley- Crazy
Kurtis Blow- The Breaks
Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock- It Takes Two
Ghostland Observatory- Sad Sad City
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five- White Lines
Streetlab vs Hall & Oates- I Can't Go For That
HOLY GHOST!- Hold On
Eve- Fire
Young MC- Know How
Lidell Townsell- Nu Nu
Chyp-Notic- Nothing Compares to You
Applause Riddim
Debbie Deb- When I hear Music
B.O.S.E.- Rock the World
Egytian Lover- Egypt Egypt
Xscape- What's Up
Eightball and MJG- Ridin' High
Ghost Town DJ's- My Boo
Bamabounce - I Know I’ve Been Changed
Ting Tings - Great DJ
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Nylez B-More Remix)
Sam Sparro- Black and Gold

SXSW - My Video from IFC House of Reggie Watt

2011-03-12T20:17:00.001-06:00

Reggie Watts is amazing. I saw him at the IFC House lastnight. What he was doing with microphone effects and a sampler was crazy. About four minutes into this video he beatboxes and loops it. At ten minutes it is kind of long, but worth it. It was a great way to start my SXSW.

Bonus Video F*ck Sh*t Stack

Video: Alex Blagg

2011-03-12T04:39:00.002-06:00

Big Announcement- I'm Playing an Official Showcase at SXSW on March 17th

2011-03-01T17:29:00.000-06:00

I'd like to announce that I am playing SXSW as an official showcasing act again this year. As of now, my showcase is at Speakeasy Kabaret at 8:45p on March 17th. This is the second time I've got to play the festival officially. Put it on your calendar. Be there. I have a lot of great stuff coming together like the film and stuff I can't talk about yet, but this is the Super Bowl of my year. It's going down.

Check out my artist profile on SXSW's website at http://schedule.sxsw.com/events/event_MS14809
. Their website is great. Once you register for the website you can set up your custom schedule (including my showcase). For those on the iphone, once you log in, you will see your custom schedule (including my showcase) on your phone. This beats that piece of notebook paper I'd jot a schedule down on.

Video: Biz Markie - Spring again

2011-02-27T17:18:00.000-06:00

It's spring again.

Video: Endhiran (Robot) Best Action Movie EVER

2011-02-25T19:06:00.000-06:00

Indian Matrix like whoa.

Video: Cee Lo Green - Bodies

2011-02-16T11:59:00.000-06:00

Big Announcement (Coming Soon)

2011-02-08T18:26:00.002-06:00

I got some great things in the works right now. I'll let you guys in on them soon.
Jazzie

Video: Latasha Lee covers Betty Wright's "Clean Up Woman"

2011-01-21T12:44:00.000-06:00

Latasha Lee doing Betty Wright's Clean Up Woman justice. Great looking video.
This song reminds me of listening to the radio on Sunday afternoons back home.

#Blame Game on the Congresswoman Gifford Shooting

2011-01-12T15:43:00.000-06:00

#BlameGame I think crazy people find influences to do crazy things. Whether it is gangster rap, heavy metal, violent movies, holy books (Bible/Koran/Whatever), political vitriol, a talking dog, etc..., there are a many number of things that can influence crazy people to do crazy things.
The other thing, even if he took inspiration from Beck, Palin or Rush, I doubt it was the ONLY thing that drove him to what he did. I think being bat-stuff crazy has a lot more to do with it than politics.
Does this totally absolve people like Beck, Palin and Rush? I don't think it does. If these were teens talking about "Second Amendment solutions" and violent rhetoric aimed at the teachers and administrators at their school, then one of these kids shoot a teacher, do you think some people will look at the violent rhetoric lay at least some blame on it.
I don't think they are 100% to blame, but I think this is one of the things that can happen when you demonize people you don't agree with, but this is a story that has played out many many times.

2010: A Look Back and a Look Forward

2011-01-05T21:08:00.001-06:00

-January-
Toward the end of '09 I was at a party speaking with Marc (Mofoz) and John Gomi. We had talked about doing a mixtape to promote the gallery and what I'm doing. A little casual brainstorming birthed the idea of the One Take Mixtape. Marc shot the cover that night. A lot of what rappers call "mixtapes" sound more like "demo-tapes" to me. I am a DJ. They are called "mixtapes". I know it's not on tape, but there should be some mixing in there somewhere. We brought in some of the best emcees in Austin. I would be spinning and mixing instrumentals whiles the rappers rapped. Instead of just freestyles over "industry" instrumentals, I had each artist bring me an instrumental of one of their own tracks. So instead of just being freestyles, they could feature their own songcrafting.

The first one featured Tee Double, Zeale, Phranchyze and Orion on the microphone. One ringer sneaked in. It must have been his 8 Mile moment.

-February-
The second volume of One Take Mixtape went down. What started off as a "live" mixtape turned into a multimedia project. Off Shoot Media came out and shot it again. The produced a great video for it. Crew 54 was there and later cut their song "Moving Around" and made a video from it. It was incredible seeing the project come together and be a lot bigger than I imagined.

I know, I know, I didn't play in the Super Bowl... but it was one of the high points of my year. I'm from north Louisiana. Most of my life I had split loyalties. The Saints were like the ne'er do well uncle you pulled for and were happy when he did something. The Cowboys were from down I-20. The game was amazing. It was like a movie. It is one of the few times a game has moved me to tears. Since then I nearly weekly say to myself, "I can't believe the Saints won the Superbowl."

-March-

If you don't know about Narduar the Human Serviette, you need to find out.

March means South by Southwest. It is my favorite time of year. I may have better single days through out the year, but to put together a week of HOLY SH!T days can't be beat. I've played unofficially almost every year since I moved here. I've played some incredible shows. I've played for other DJ's at the Digiwaxx/Microsoft Zune party. I've played with a list of amazing artists. 2010 was the first time I've played SXSW officially. It's already my favorite time of year, but playing officially was like finding out they have presents at Christmas. The panels were enlightening and entertaining. I learned a lot. I was inspired.
My girlfriend Meghan (aka Girl) ran with me that week. It was the first year she could "do" SXSW with me and I was playing officially. I could almost write a book on how to get the most of your SXSW experience, but rolling with Girl and kind of seeing it through her eyes made it even more awesome.
Click this link to read my SXSW 2010 recap.

Rhymefest and myself at a film screening during SXSW.

-April-
April brings the Austin International Poetry Festival. It is the largest non-juried poetry festival in the world. It isn't a contest (except for the slam). The best comparison is that it is the poet version of SXSW on a smaller scale. Where as SXSW brings thousands from all of the world, AIPF attracts hundred of poets around the world performing at dozens of venues around town. This year I was scheduled to perform at Huston-Tillotson University. I've done this festival for years, but that reading truly was magical.

-May-
I have experienced some really amazing things in my life since moving to Austin. It was good back home in Shreveport too, but my life changed speeds after moving away. Part of me has always wanted to go home and perform. I guess most artists are like that in some way. The Shreveport Arts Commission booked me for a spoken word event they were throwing in May. I don't think I'd be doing what I'm doing at the level I'm doing it back home. It was a packed house. My mother came out to see me perform. My bio-sister came out. Family and friends were there. To play for a full room and get the love I did from my hometown ranks among my favorite memories of my life.

-June-

Yearly ChannelAustin puts does an on-air poetry festival called EXSE. I had kind of talked myself out of doing it this year. The host and producer reached out to me about performing. After a couple emails and phone calls I was in. This show is re-broadcast through out the year. I can usually tell when it happens. I start getting stopped by people that I haven't seen at poetry venues. People that you wouldn't guess are into poetry. Once I was leaving the HEB grocery store at Hancock and this chick yells at me from a truck, "I love your poetry!!" Only in Austin, only in Austin.

This poem that I perform in the video above, Sex is Easy, Love is Hard was written during a time when Meghan and I had split. We were apart for about two months. I don't normally bring my love life up here on this blog, but it's hard for me to talk about this year without talking about Meghan.

-July-
July started of great. My friends and influences as a DJ, Z-Trip and Mel were doing a show at Republic Live. If I was pressed to make a list of top 10 DJ sets I've seen, at least three of the spots would be seeing these two cats doing 2x4 sets (2 DJs on 4 turntables). It was epic. That night Meghan contacted me and was wanting to reconcile.
Meghan and I decided to give "us" another go. She had a drinking problem and was determined to beat it. She had sober times that grew longer after each relapse. There was something different about it this time. July was some of the best times we ever had. She was going to make it. We talked moving into together. We talked marriage. We talked children.
Then she relapsed. A few days later she lost her battle with addiction and depression. She passed away. My worst fear was realized.
If you are dealing with addiction and depression, there is help out there. If drinking/whatever is "f^cking your sh!t up", get help. Alcoholics Anonymous. If you are dealing with depression and feeling like ending your life, there is help. Suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

-August-

Early August was Meg's memorial. I was in shock. There are gaps of time after she passed that I can't really account for. Meghan's Colorado family help another memorial for her up there at the end of the month. I was invited but didn't know how I could make it. I had a 1am slot Thursday night at Back to the Drag Music Festival, a new back to school festival here in Austin. After playing my set, I get my gear packed and then go home. I take my gear in, take a shower and then back out to the airport. I had to be on a plane at 5:30. When I get to Colorado Springs I get picked up by my host up there. We go to the service early that evening. I read a piece I wrote when was hurting, Mourning Meghan. At her service they had a time when people could share. I read the piece at her memorial. She would have expected it. Later we went to Meghan's mother's house. It was about 1am Saturday before I got to sleep. When I counted waking hours, I was up for 40 hours.

The world is a little less beautiful without her in it.

-September-
I was at Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk down at the capitol. While I was there a man who does Suicide Seminars for teachers and counselors showed me the info pack that he was using for the next seminar they were doing in San Antonio. He included Mourning Meghan in the info pack. I was told this could impact 95,000 to 110,000 teenagers.
Meghan was determined to overcome her problem and then reach back and help people. One of her goals was to be an addiction counselor. Helping people was important to her. If I can tell a little bit of her story and help people, I think it would make her happy.
For the first month or so after Meghan passed away I didn't think I'd ever have another good day. Everyday felt like it was getting worse. The first good day I remember was the day I saw dancehall reggae legend Sister Nancy. It was a night of good music and good people.

-October-
After seeing Sister Nancy I had a few more good days. Most of the good days I had were attributed to good friends and good music.
Early October was the Austin City Limits festival here in Austin. In Austin you have SXSW people and you have ACL people. I am the former. I did go to ACL one year (with Meghan) and it was good, but I much more prefer SXSW. There was a short list of artists who I did want to see.
A few of my friends and I went down to Ditch the Fest (ACL anti-fest). It was impressive. It was a little hole in the wall bar that had four stages going on. I had friends playing the festival and met other friends there.
A DJ friend of mine invites me to a VIP meet and great for Mayer Hawthorne's after party at Antone's. Girl and I enjoyed Hawthorne's music. It was kismet. It was an incredible show.
Later that month I found out Rakim was doing a show here in Austin. I have seen Rakim three times before live. Almost every artist opening for Rakim were friends of mine; Riders Against the Storm, Dubb Sicks, Crew 54. I have either done shows or worked on projects with them. I was stoked for them to be opening up for a legend. I found myself with a backstage pass and hanging out in the green room. Rakim was a huge influence on my poetry. The Pen, my signature piece, was inspired by four lines from Rakim.While hanging out backstage Rakim saying Orange Juice is coming through. I figure there must be a lot of people with that nickname. I asked was it Oran Juice Jones. Indeed it was. I am hip hop head, but I'm an old school cat. I have quoted his song The Rain in breakups. It was a mind blowing night. Once again a mixture of good music and good people gave me another good day.

The end of October brought Gomi Halloween. It was amazing. April and John threw another for one the ages. It was a blast. A week later I DJ'd one of the few house parties I did this year. Rebecca's parties are always incredible.
There is a running theme of good music and good people.

-November-
I want to say it was late October or early November when I DJ'd one of my favorite poetry venues third anniversary. It was at Kick Butt Coffee. It's very rare that my music and poetry worlds collide. Some people know Jazz One the DJ and some people know Jazz One the Poet. I'm one in the same. It was an awesome night.
I went home for Thanksgiving. I got to spend some time with my family. I also got to hang out with a long time friend. It's amazing how some friends you have, you may not see them for a long time and when you do, it feels like it was yesterday that you hung out last.

-December-
The host of Spoke & Heard, Donna Jean, one of her friends and myself went to Music Monday at the Alamo. It was a screening of Purple Rain. It wasn't a sing along, but Joe and I sang along. It wasn't a quote along, but we quoted along. It wasn't a yell at the screen night, but we did. My favorite moment of the night was putting my lighter in the air during When Doves Cry. The theater erupted. It was the most fun I've ever had for two dollars. It was the most fun I've every had on a Monday night. It was the most fun I've ever had in a movie theater. For the hell of it I search twitter for Purple Rain. There was several people on there talking about us. We were called all kinds of names. There was one woman complaining about us on twitter who wasn't even there. It was too funny. Purple Rain isn't a great film with nuanced acting performances. It is a horrible movie with horrible acting with some of the best music every recorded. Eff'em if they can't have fun.
I returned home for Christmas. I got to spend it with family. It meant a lot to me.

-2011-
It's been hard going through that "year of firsts" (ie holidays, events, festivals, etc..) without Meghan. Writing this reminds me how many great things happened this year. What I wrote is the tip of the iceberg. Meghan's passing has made this one of the worst years of my life. I feel fortunate that I had so many good things happened to me in a bad year.
2011 had just started. I am excited. The worst times in my life are usually followed by the best times. I think 2011 will be a good year.
On the horizon, I have been invited to play SXSW officially again. I am honored to be a returning act. The official announcement will be coming soon.
I have a new mixtape that will be dropping in March called MEGA. It will be available for download.
I'm working on more bookings, both poetry and DJ gigs. I got some projects coming together that I'm excited about and looking at the possibility of touring.
I am just over ten thousand words into a book. I figure that is deep enough into writing a book to say I'm working on a book. It is a semi-autobiographical tale about a DJ slash poet very much like myself.

I dedicate this song to 2010:

"Somebody bring back some money please."

Video: The Roots Performing "The Christmas Song"

2010-12-22T23:21:00.000-06:00

I knew Tariq could sing, but I didn't know he could SING. That is some serious crooning there. Their performance of this song ranks among the best I've ever heard.

Sam Sparro - Black and Gold

2010-12-18T11:54:00.000-06:00

I've been listening to Celebrity Playlist Podcast. Normally I hate anything connected to "celebrity". this podcast plays songs the artist hosting is into. Some episodes are better than others. There is a range of genres too.
The last two were hosted by Cee-Lo and then B.o.B.. Both of them listed this song. I'm digging ...this song a lot. I don't know how it sneaked past my radar until now.

Video: Epic Rap Battles of History 1: John Lennon V Bill O'Reilly

2010-12-10T18:04:00.000-06:00

Video: Abe Lincoln VS Chuck Norris Epic Rap Battles of History #3

2010-12-10T17:56:00.000-06:00

Video: Kevin Smith talking about Prince

2010-12-02T18:56:00.000-06:00

Video: Prince and the Muppets

2010-12-02T17:47:00.000-06:00

Surreally awesome!
This made my day.

Video: J Davey - Smells Like Teen Spirit cover

2010-11-28T19:57:00.000-06:00

Video: Tony Joe White - Polk Salad Annie Original B&W

2010-11-26T22:27:00.000-06:00

"Down in Louisiana, where the alligators grow so mean..."

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T17:36:00.000-06:00

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages

2010-11-19T16:49:00.000-06:00

The FDA and TABC has cracked down and stopped the sell of 4 Loko. I think the problem with 4 Loko was the presentation. What do you get in a can? Cola. Beer. Pringles? It looks like an energy drink from the outside. For a drink that is almost as strong as schnapps, it was sold wrong (or right, they have been making money hand over fist).
I've kinda done with drinking. I've got too many war stories. I have not had a 4 Loko but I do remember a SXSW a few years ago that its fore-bearer, Sparks, co-sponsored. All the good stuff was gone and all that was left at this party was Sparks. The last thing I need when I'm drinking is more energy. This party was thrown by austinist.com at Penn Field. A friend was kinda hinting (strongly) that I should slow down, she vanished and somehow four drinks appeared in my hands before she got back. I don't even have that many hands. Too much energy and fewer working braincells is not a good combination. I see a photographer and strike a pose with this fountain.

The next day I see it on austinist.com.

Friends don't let friends drink caffeinated alcoholic beverages.

Video: Baby Got Back - Gilbert and Sullivan Style

2010-11-17T19:11:00.000-06:00

Video: Pac Div at the Digiwaxx during SXSW 09

2010-11-16T23:04:00.001-06:00

Digiwaxx Presents The BLAST Live @ SXSW 2009 Powered by ZUNE - Pac Div from Digiwaxx TV on Vimeo.

Jac, you mentioned Pac Div in the comment section of the last post. I don't have any upcoming shows with Pac Div, but I did play a show with them about a year and a half ago. This was during SXSW at the Digiwaxx/Zune party. I show up to this event and the CEO of Digiwaxx wants me to spin a mini-set. It was a club full of DJ's from all over. It was kind of like being a chef and showing up and being asked cook for some of the best chefs in the county. It was a blast.
Check out the video, toward the end of the intro you see my face pop up. I have a few cameos while I'm getting ready to go on after Pac Div. Watch out for my dance moves when the song with the Biz Markie- Just a Friend instrumental.
Thanks for commenting and thanks for the heads up on your blog. I added it to my Google Reader.

Video: Saul Williams Interviewed by Rainn Wilson (SoulPancake)

2010-10-29T17:48:00.000-05:00

Great innerview.

Video: Kanye West - Runaway (Full-length Film)

2010-10-26T20:14:00.000-05:00

A Few Good Days: Good Music and Good Friends

2010-10-23T11:59:00.001-05:00

Ok guys long time no blog (except for youtube vids that humor me). It has been kind of crazy lately. After Meghan passed away, I didn't think I'd ever have another good day. It seriously felt like every day was getting worse for the first month and change. Then one day, it was no worse than the day before it. That might sound bad, but it was an improvement. I've had four or five days since then that I consider to be good days. Almost all of these good days revolved around good friends and good music.

The first good day I had was a long one. I went down to the Suicide Prevention walk down at the capitol. It was an emotional thing. I saw familiar faces who I didn't realize we had this in common. It was really powerful. I saw a guy who does suicide prevention seminars. He did one since then in San Antonio for teachers and counselors. He showed me the info packet. The poem I wrote after losing Meghan was in there. I was told this could reach 95,000 to 111,000 to start off. Meghan wanted to be an addiction counselor after she beat her drinking problem. It was important for her to reach back and help people where she had been (and was working on getting out of). If I can tell some of her story and help people, I think she would be happy. It really made my day and it was still before noon.

My friend Donna Jean shows ups and we listen to the speakers. After that we walk down to Sixth Street for the Pecan Street Festival. It was one of those things that Meg and I would do every year. There were several times where "Meg, check this out" nearly crossed my lips.

Later I performed for Safe Place. A few years ago I was there for an event they put on. I performed "The Cutter". I had to jet right after but was told I had almost the entire venue in tears. I had a ten minute set. I performed "The Cutter" again. I followed it up with "Mourning for Meghan" and finished with "Love Letter to all My Haters".

It was a long day. I still wanted to see Sister Nancy. I had just about talked myself out of going. I was tired. It had been a long day, but it had also been a good day. It was the first good day since Meghan passed. Then I get the txt that I'm on the list for the Sister Nancy show.

My boy Orion was opening. I hadn't seen him in awhile. We should be putting "Mourning for Meghan" to music soon. I see Matt from Austin Surreal and SXSW. I see a lot of good people.

The video below is from when Sister Nancy was in Austin two years ago. It was like this but better. Sister Nancy is a reggae legend.

A few days later I get a txt asking me if I want to go to a VIP Meet & Greet at the Mayer Hawthorne show at Antone's. I had recently changed phones and didn't know who it was. It was a fellow DJ. Hawthorne was in town for ACL. This night was an official after party. I can't remember the opening band but at sometime I am handed the microphone. I let out one of those Charlie Parker/Biggie grunts at just the right time.

Mayer Hawthorne put on an amazing show. You don't see that kind of showman ship anymore. I saw my friends DJ Chicken George, DJ Starsign, DJ Nick Nack, I saw a lot of faces I hadn't seen for a long time. I didn't see enough on ACL's line up to warrant that much of an expenditure. Hawthorne was one of the handful of acts I wanted to see that weekend and it fell in my lap. Thank you, you know who you are.

Saturday I went to Ditch the Fest so see Richard Henry, Zeale and Rockwell. I was really impressed. There was a really good crowd there. It was almost like the anti-ACL. This little hole in the wall bar, Cheer Up Charlies had four stages of music going all day. There were food trailers there too. I had my first experience of chicken and waffles. OMG. A little syrup and Louisiana hot sauce on it. It was incredible. It definitely gets my co-sign.

The next day I meet up with Jeff Stewart. I haven't seen him since '04. He is good people. He is a writer. He wrote March of Time and Skin. Do yourself a favor and pick his book up on Amazon.

Last weekend Rakim was playing Austin. This show came up out of nowhere. I only heard about it the week before. Rakim was headlining. Dubb Sicks, Riders Against the Storm and Crew 54 were opening. I have with done shows with, DJ'd for and worked on projects with all of them. I was really stoked to see my friends open for a legend.

In a perfect world Rakim would be doing Rolling Stones level show. I ended up getting a backstage pass for this show. I rarely get too geeked about meeting people, but I am always stoked when I get to meet some of my influences.

In "I Know You Got Soul", Rakim says:

I start to think and then I sink
Into the paper like I was ink
When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines,
I escape when I finish the rhyme

It inspired my signature piece, The Pen.

I won't bore you with all the details. While hanging out in the green room, I hear Rak' say that Orange Juice is on the way. There was VIP wrist band sent to the front for him and Aziz Ansari (Raaaaandy and NBC's Park and Rec). I figure Orange Juice must be someone's street name. Like I'm sure there must be more than one. I ask, you mean Oran Juice Jones. Rakim answers in the affirmative. Holy shit. I've quoted "Walking in the Rain" in break ups before. I think I was as stoked meeting Mr Jones as I was meeting Rakim.

I asked Oran Juice what he was doing in town. He tells me he is working on some music with Carnival Beats. He then introduces me to Salih Williams. One of the guys behind Still Tippin', Draped Up and more. I tell Salih about doing Still Tippin' at Krunkaoke years before. He is good people.

Sometimes I'm not sure of I blog for you guys or myself. For a person who thought I'd never have another good day, I've had a handful of really amazing ones. I still wish Girl was around to share these experiences with.

Video: Rick Perry - "Money On My Mansion"

2010-10-18T16:45:00.000-05:00

Boosted from AustinSurreal. Vote Bill White. I thought this video rippin' on Rick Perry was hilarious.

Video: Daryl Hall and Chromeo - No Can Do

2010-10-13T11:03:00.000-05:00

This is passing the torch. Daryl Hall to Chromeo.

Video: Donald Duck Meets Glenn Beck in "Right Wing Radio Duck"

2010-10-03T15:50:00.000-05:00

This made me laugh.

Video: FANTASTIC FEST 2010 - Chaos Reigns Karaoke with Elijah Wood, RZA and more

2010-09-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

Pandemonium.

Video: Tosh.0 Spoils Human Centipede (24 minutes)

2010-09-16T17:25:00.002-05:00

Tosh.0

Weds 10:30pm / 9:30c

Spoiler Alert - Human Centipede - Uncut

www.comedycentral.com

Tosh.0 Videos

Daniel Tosh

Web Redemption

Video: Tosh.0 Spoils Human Centipede (24 minutes)

2010-09-16T17:01:00.000-05:00

Tosh.0

Weds 10:30pm / 9:30c

Spoiler Alert - Human Centipede - Uncut

www.comedycentral.com

Tosh.0 Videos

Daniel Tosh

Web Redemption

Video: Prince-Creep Live @ Coachella (Great Sound)

2010-09-04T23:48:00.000-05:00

Catch this while you can, Prince stuff just vanishes a lot of the times. If I a huge Prince fan. Here he is covering Radiohead's Creep.

Mourning and Missing Meghan

2010-09-01T20:46:00.004-05:00

You never know when you shooting someone's obituary photo.

About a month ago my girlfriend, my partner in crime, my band member, my sidekick, Girl... Meghan passed away. She lost her battle with depression and addiction.

Meghan had a drinking problem. I've got family members that I've seen open a beer before breakfast and drink until bed time and still managed life. There was a time when I was the drinker of my crew. Most of the time I drank when I went out. I'd have just enough to get me loosen up and hit the dancefloor. I'd sweat it out and go home. If I over indulged I wouldn't be hung over but just really melancholy. It would just be a day of the blaaaaaahs. It was something I could 'take it or leave it'. I've had a hard time comprehending how something that was no big deal to me, was instrumental in taking my love's life.

For most of our relationship she fought with it. She would get a sober couple months and change together. Then she would relapse. Meghan was two different people. When she was sober she was most awesome chick ever. She was smart and inquisitive. She was beautiful. She had a really good heart. She reminded me a little of that Elliot on Scrubs. She idled a little faster that most. I can relate. I can't even begin to explain how awesome she was when she was sober. When she drank, that Meghan would vanish and you would occasionally see glimpses of her. It was a complete Jeckyll and Hyde. Showtimes the United States of Tara was about someone with multiple personalities. One of them was "T". I started calling drunk Meg, "M", because of how different her personality was when she drank. Once I saw her go from making googly eyes at me telling me how much she loved me and ten seconds later she was yelling at me and storming off. Every time it got to the point of me throwing in the towel, Meghan would re-surface and "M" would go into remission.

During the last month of her life things were going really well. Even though she'd get some calendar pages of sobriety together and relapsed again, there was something different about it this go around. I really thought she was going to beat it.

The picture below is likely the last picture taken of Meghan. It was hump day for her first week of work at her new job. It after my first day at my new videography straight job. We were about to walk out of my apartment. She was beaming. I grabbed my camera and snapped this quick shot. We were on top of the world.

Three or four days later she was gone.

She had a slip. The story gets worse.

She lost her life.

I've been through a lot in my life but this has been one of the hardest times ever. It's like a really effed up onion. I keep pulling layers back and trying to process a little more.

The Sunday after she passed I performed a poem I had written about year earlier. Half was written not long after her almost dying on my couch from drinking and pills. The second half was written in one take, no editing. It just happened. She was passed out in my living room. It referenced her funeral. The youtube video is below. I can't write a love poem to save my life. Meghan loved the piece I wrote about her. She would have me read it to her. She'd read it. In a way, it was a love poem to her.

Just like the night I lost my father I started to write. I wrote and wrote for days. Friday before last I sculpted what I had written down to this new piece. I think I wrote about ten times that much. Sometimes I hear people that "let it all out" when they write. For me, it was more about not holding it all in.

I am a poet. This is how I cope.

Mourning Meghan

Everyday I ask God to give me a reason to live
and everyday God gives me one.
Some days it was big, some days it was small,
and when signs were small, they caused the most awe.
Some days I’d just felt it and don’t see it at all.
Every once in awhile, it was Meghan’s smile
Meghan’s smile would chase my clouds away.
So every day, I would make the girl laugh.
Some days were good and some days were bad,
but the good days were some of the best I ever had.
On bad days, I memorized the Serenity prayer.
When things were too much to bear, she was there
She’d rub my back and sing me sweet serenades
and it made me feel like everything would be okay
and for a little while, all the world's problems, just went away
and now......................................... she’s passed away.

Dear God, let me be okay

Little Irish girl and Russian vodka bottle
She lost the war, but fought a valiant battle
Addiction and depression can be a lethal combination.
Booze became the answer, back in her teens,
black outs that vaporized realities like dreams
Inward anger turned to outward rage.
The ones she loved most, got the most hate
and let me tell you, she loved me a lot.
Bad things happen when you run out of hope
I’ve been there,............. I know.
When I first heard my first urge was to go Romeo
Depression is like quicksand, and
sometimes you can’t see outreached hands
when you think you are alone in the dark

Dear God, let me be okay.

Every night before I go to sleep,
I pray that I see her in a dream.
Life is now a sad sad song on repeat.
I’m hollow, so hollow.
I’m hollow, so hollow.
I’m empty, like I may just implode.
I feel like I’m lost and don’t know where to go.
Every song I hear, everywhere I go,
everything i do and everything i see
reminds me that, she’s not here with me.
This mo(u)rning, there ain’t no Sunshine.
Inside jokes that no longer have punchlines.
The memories of sunshine and rain flood my mind.
I’m cold and alone in the midst of summer time.
But...
Everyday I ask God to give me a reason to live,
and everyday God gives me one.

Last weekend I was in Colorado Springs. I played Back to the Drag music festival on Thursday. After I was done it was just enough time to get my gear home, catch my breath and pack for the trip. I was on a flight to Colorado Springs at 6am. I did see a sunrise at 23,000 ft. That was amazing. With that busy night and day I was up 40 continuous hours.

I was in town for her memorial service. They did one down here in Texas right after she passed. I almost think everyone should get a second memorial service. The first go-around everyone was in shock. It has been about a month and people that loved her have been able to process what happened to various degrees.

I read the poem I wrote since losing her. I rarely get nervous. I am usually more comfortable infront of 500 than I am talking one on one. The subject matter, Meghan, was very personal to me and everyone in attendance at the memorial service.

While in Colorado I stayed with one of Meghan's best friends from growing up there. She drove around Colorado Springs and later Denver showing me landmarks of Meghan's life there. On the day I left Shelley took me out to Helen Hunt Falls in Colorado Springs. I've seen pictures of Meghan there. I could almost hear Meg and see her smile as she'd share stories of growing up there. These were stories I've heard before but would have listened to them again just so she could tell them.

It has been a difficult time. I am astounded at the quality of people I have in my life. I want to thank everyone that was there for me. I'm usually the one who gets other's tears on my shoulders. I wanted to John Wayne myself through this. I appreciate everyone that was there for me.

I don't know how much is the right about to say. I could write pages upon pages on what it's like going through this. I could write for weeks straight describing the good times. There were bad times, but I see how a lot of those were symptoms of the illness. It is hard to just say a few things about this because it keeps unfolding.

I think I'm done with drinking. Not everyone who drinks has a problem like Meghan did. I don't want to be the non-drinking wet blanket. If you are ok with it. If you have full control, good. That was the way I could most of the time. If you are coping (or trying to cope) with depression, drinking is only going to fuel it. I think if she was battling only alcoholism or depression, I think she would have beaten it a long time ago. Be honest with yourself and if drinking (or any other addiction) is f**king your sh*t up, get help. It is out there.

I miss Meghan.

If you catching me staring off into space, more likely than not I am remembering Meghan.

Video: B.o.B. "The Kids" ft Janelle Monae and B.o.B. covering MGMT's "Kids"

2010-09-01T20:15:00.000-05:00

I ride for B.o.B.

B.o.B - New Music - More Music Videos

Video: Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - The Bike Song

2010-09-01T12:56:00.000-05:00

Video: PROTECT YA NECK - BUSKER VERSION (Lewis Floyd Henry)

2010-08-23T00:48:00.000-05:00

Hey cats and felines, been having some heavy life type isht happening. I'll post about it soon.
I thought this video was awesome. I like covers done in an different genre.

Upcoming Jazz One Show: Back to the Drag Music Festival

2010-08-18T15:37:00.001-05:00

On Thursday August 26 I will be kicking off the Back to the Drag Music Festival at 4pm. I will return for a second set at 1am. It will be going down.
This will be at the Varsity Bar, it is above Austin's Pizza (2324 Guadalupe). It will be inside and air conditioned. It's Austin. It's August.
Tickets are $8. You can get them online or at the door. Enter code "jazzone" when you buy tickets on district512.com. $1 beers, ain't nothing wrong with that.
It's going down!!

Video: It Ain't My Fault by Mos Def & Lenny Kravitz | stupidDOPE.com

2010-08-11T16:32:00.000-05:00

Scale of the Universe

2010-07-17T00:53:00.000-05:00

powers of ten :: charles and ray eames from bacteriasleep on Vimeo.

Video: Bruce Lee Interview

2010-07-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

Video: Real Life Kick Ass

2010-07-08T21:23:00.002-05:00

Video: Stevie Wonder + Prince + Sheila E " superstition" @ Paris Bercy July 1 2010

2010-07-02T23:27:00.000-05:00

Watch it before it vanishes.

Video: L.A.R.P. Live Avatar Role Playing

2010-07-02T11:25:00.000-05:00

(silence)
I just don't know what to say.

Seen on Element615' facebook.

Video: Billie Jean by Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme

2010-06-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

Lissie - Kid Cudi live cover - Pursuit Of Happiness

2010-06-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

JAZZ ONE - The Pen (EXSE 2010)

2010-06-22T00:08:00.000-05:00

JAZZ ONE - Sex is Easy, Love is Hard (EXSE 2010)

2010-06-22T00:07:00.000-05:00

Jazz One - Love Letter to All my Haters (EXSE 2010)

2010-06-22T00:06:00.001-05:00

JAZZ ONE - EXSE 2010 Interview

2010-06-22T00:06:00.000-05:00

Interviewed by EXSE's Selah Vie

Video:Toy Wire (Toy Story x The Wire)

2010-06-17T23:40:00.001-05:00

Video: Snoop Dogg - Oh Sookie

2010-06-17T22:36:00.002-05:00

Video: Clara C. Music & Jason Yang - Nothin On You x Airplanes (B.o.B. Mashup & Cover)

2010-06-16T16:10:00.000-05:00

I saw Ian has posted this to A Different Kitchen

HAAM Benefit June 27th at Threadgills

2010-06-10T14:38:00.000-05:00

More info coming soon. Put it on your calendar.

Video: Eminem "Not Afraid"

2010-06-05T18:21:00.000-05:00

Except for that track on Soundbombing II, I have not cared much for Eminem. For a long time, well most of his career I've hated on the guy. I thought he was "shocking" only for the sake of shocking. I remember when the Stateman gave Krunkaoke some pub, I got name checked. They said I was a large Eminem type character. It irked me. What am I a peanut Eminem? An Eminem with nuts? His hatred for his mother always rubbed me the wrong way. Mostly, mostly it is the voice. If it was a tad higher or if it was lower, I wouldn't want to punch him in the throat. His voice is nails on a chalk board to me. Though I couldn't get with the lyrics, I thought he was capable as an MC. I thought he had a variety of flows. I just couldn't stand his voice.

As much as I have hated on this guy, I like seeing him getting his shit together. As a person who had to get his shit together, I can relate. Killing the ex-wife and hating his mother, I can't get with that.

It seems that almost every artist who gets sober has that one turd of an album, and that was Relapse. I am curious to see how Recovery goes. "Not Afraid" is the first track that didn't make me want to hunt him down and punch him in the throat.

Video: Asher Roth - Muddy Swim Trunks

2010-05-23T11:35:00.000-05:00

Check out the video to Asher Roth's Muddy Swim Trunks. I think the song is solid with some great punchlines. I liked how they went from the cover to his first album to his new mixtape cover.

Asher Roth - Muddy Swim Trunks (Directed by BBGUN) from bbgun on Vimeo.

MpFree: A-Trak's "Dirty South Dance 2" (mixtape)

2010-05-18T20:32:00.000-05:00

Dirty South Dance 2
There was a time where I didn't care terribly much for neither Dirty South nor Dance. I remember the when I heard Hollertronix's Never Scared before they became international sensations. It was southern accapellas over 80s club classics. It was a lot better than expected. The 80s club reminded me of my dance roots.
A-Trak has come out with a new mixtape, Dirty South Dance 2, a follow up to Dirty South Dance. It is aptly named. It is both Dirty South and Dance. It works. I was bumping it her around the apartment and it hits hard. I'm feeling it. I give it a thumbs up.

Download it by following this link >----> A-Trak's "Dirty South Dance 2"

I found this pic from a few SXSW ago before A-Trak's beard.

Solillaquists of Sound "Marvel" (official music video)

2010-05-13T16:39:00.000-05:00

Solilliquists of Sound were in here in Austin for a month back in March. They were at a poetry open mic I try to hit when I can. The next night I was invited out to their show at the Beauty Bar. They put on an amazing show. I was blown away. A day before their next show here in town, I get a call from Matt from Austin Surreal about opening for them at The Mohawk. It was another amazing show.
S.o.S. are good peoples. I ride for them. They just dropped a new video today for their song "Marvel". It is a great looking video and really captures what these cats and felines do.
Check it out.

So Jazzie, How Did Your Trip Back Home to Louisiana Go?

2010-05-10T16:41:00.001-05:00

I have been able to do some really amazing things with my poetry. It has been seen in films. I've done television. I've done radio. I have opened up for national music acts with my poetry. It's had me in front of big audiences. There was something really special about going home. You know, the whole "homecoming" thing. It is hard to put into words. I'll try.
Christmas was the last time I've been back home to Louisiana. I've found myself homesick. Read my interview with aol/spinner.com and tell me I don't sound a little homesick. I've been bumping jazz, zydeco and cajun music on my ipod. I've been hitting my cajun spot more often here recently. It was time to go home.
Taking the train is my favorite way to go home. Tickets are priced well. Less bullshit to deal with than flying. If you put the train seats on a plane they would be first class seats. There is a restaurant and cafe on the train. You can get some sleep. Often you will meet interesting people.

It didn't feel like I was home till I had some fried oysters. My mother and I went to a seafood spot on the way downtown. I've had some good oysters here in Texas but there is something about oysters back home. Other than on-line videos and reading at my father's funeral service, she hasn't seen me perform. It meant a lot for her to come see me perform. We had a table full of friends and family show up. I was surprised to see a full venue at a poetry show in Shreveport. I could tell it was going to be a good night.

I was impressed by the talent of the poets back home. I think a lot of them weren't accustomed to performing live poetry. "Speak your truth even if your voice shakes" is one of my favorite quotes. I can't remember who said it. The first time I read poetry in front of people I shook. The paper I was reading from shook. The next time it was a little easier. The time after that it was a little more easier. Keep at it. Shreveport has the seeds of an amazing scene around there.

Michael, the host and the person who coordinated the event introduced me and I did my things. I performed "Love Letter to my Haters" first. After that I went to "Sex is Easy, Love is Hard". For those that have seen it you know it gets rather "blue" in the beginning. Keep in mind my dear mother was in the audience.

The next piece I did was "King James". That was one of my father's nicknames. I lost my father in December of 2008. About this time last year I started this piece. It has been one of the hardest things ever for me to write. There are times that some things are just too big to write about it.The first eight lines sat in a word document for awhile. When I start writing about something, until I finish it is like having an open wound. When I complete a piece, it can scar over. I've been needing to finish this piece for awhile. Weekend before last I finished it. I didn't have time to give it a test run and the show in Shreveport would be the first time it was read. You can see video of this piece below.

After that I finished out my set with my signature piece, "The Pen". Video of this can be found below.

I've missed you Shreveport. Thanks for embracing what I do. I look forward to returning.

I want to thank the friends and family that came out last Thursday. I want to thank everyone in the audience who showed up. I want to thank the talented poets who read that night. I want to thank Michael from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (shrevearts.org) for facilitating this event.

It truly was an amazing week. This show was amazing and I got to see family I haven't seen in a long time. On top of it all, I didn't realized it was Mother's Day weekend, so it was good to see my mother on Mother's day. I got to have some incredible food while back in Louisiana. Nothing beats "home cooking" back "home".

It was an amazing week.

Knowledge Drop: Michael Viner and the Incredible Bongo Band

2010-05-04T08:04:00.000-05:00

Nina Simone/ Feeling Good

2010-05-03T15:28:00.001-05:00

Video: Nina Simone/ Feeling Good

2010-05-03T15:28:00.000-05:00

In a video posting mood today.

Video: Novel "Peach"

2010-05-03T14:49:00.000-05:00

I met this cat years ago when he was on tour with The Roots. If I am not mistaken he is related to Smokey Robinson. He is just beginning to get a little shine now.
I don't think this song is really about eating peaches, maybe it is.

All-4-One - She's Got Skillz

2010-05-03T14:44:00.000-05:00

Meredith Vieira says "Oh Shit!" On Today Show

2010-05-01T21:27:00.000-05:00

As someone who worked years in the tv news business, I find this hilarious.

Video: Edubb - Whooty

2010-05-01T20:50:00.000-05:00

Angie, my homegirl, former partner in crime (NFe for life!) and my sister from another ~~mother~~ country sent me the link to a video on face book.
You ever get a gift from someone who knows exactly what you like, I kind of felt like that. I do love the booty.
They song is kind of ummmm..... let's just say the mute button works well.
Thank you Ang, you made my day.

Video: Lupe Fiasco - I'm Beamin

2010-04-28T19:46:00.000-05:00

I ride for Lupe. If Big Daddy Kane didn't cancel a SXSW show a few years ago, Lupe was going with me to check out BDK's show before his set.

RIP Guru

2010-04-25T14:11:00.002-05:00

I have been having problems sleeping recently and I remember seeing the news about Guru's passing this morning on twitter. Anything I see on twitter like that I follow up on. I really hoped that it wasn't true. I knew he was in the hospital. It was a kick in the gut.
My favorite memory of Guru was seeing him perform with The Roots here in Austin. They performed DWYCK. Black Thought from The Roots did the parts Nice and Smooth did in the original. It was amazing. It was a moment. I'll never forget it. I looked high and low looking for video or a recording of it with no success. It was one of my top five musical moments in my life, well outside of my own work, then it is still in the top 10.

I feel sorry for kids that never got the chance to grow up exposed to such great rap music during the 80s and 90s.- Cosmo Baker

Gangstarr is one of those groups. Guru's monotone worked perfectly against DJ Premiere's production. Classic after classic after classic. Last year I remember going to a party Peanut Butter Wolf was spinning at. To hear a room full of people rhyme along with a Gangstarr track that might have been 20 years old lets you know they connected with people.

Austin International Poetry Festival 2010

2010-04-19T02:04:00.002-05:00

This weekend was the Austin International Poetry Festival. The best way to describe it is kind of like the poet's version of SXSW. AIPF is the largest non-juried poetry festival in the world. Just like SXSW, it is an amazing event to have here in my backyard. Where as you have a thousands of people in for SXSW, AIPF has a few hundred. I hate to keep comparing it to SXSW, but I have not done a SXSW or AIPF that I didn't get inspired. I love this time of year.
This year my reading/showcase was at Huston-Tilotson College. Most of the AIPF readings seemed to have a theme. I don't think this one did. It was an amazing line up.
This one poet from the UK, John Row intro'd and started this poem called Fresh Jazz. It starts off:

You are listening to fresh Jazz,
Not dried up, hard, refrigerated Jazz
Not deep frozen
Take care to defrost Jazz
Not "What is the smell coming from the corner?" Jazz
But fresh Jazz.

About half the people there knew me. It sounds almost as written about me. The guy had incredible imagery going through the poem, but I think most were putting me in that imagery. It was a perfect example of a piece working on levels.
Below you will find videos of my AIPF performance. Enjoy.

Video: Suzanne Vega and The Roots "Tom's Diner" Live on Fallon

2010-04-08T19:50:00.000-05:00

This is dope.

Video: Nardwuar Interviews Killer Mike aka Mike Bigga

2010-04-05T16:26:00.001-05:00

Nardwuar interviews Killer Mike.

Video: Galactic Empire State of Mind (from College Humor)

2010-03-30T16:08:00.000-05:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Video: One Take Live Mixtape Vol 2

2010-03-29T13:00:00.001-05:00

Check out the video from One Take Live Mixtape Vol 2. This time we had Dubb Sicks, Crew 54, Jaysin of The Word Association and Japanese Jesus. Everyone did their damn thing. Big thanks go out to Mofoz and Gomi.
Really big shout out goes to OFFSHOOT MEDIA. They have added a "whole 'nother" level to this that I didn't have in my original vision. It has truly become a multi-media event with their part in this. I think the video looks amazing. If you need some video production, I know some good people.
Once again check it out.

Video: Erykah Badu- Window Seat

2010-03-27T21:14:00.000-05:00

I love me some Erykah Badu. I love her music, I love her vibe. After seeing this video, let's just say I love a little more of her. Badu? Naahh Ba-DOW.
Unexpected ending. Feeling her words at the end of it.

Video: What is the Internet?

2010-03-26T17:27:00.000-05:00

This had me cracking up. I can't tell if this guy is serious or if it is a "character", either way it's genius. Even the name is awesome, "101".

Video: Absolut's Jay-Z Documentary- “NY-Z”

2010-03-22T17:52:00.000-05:00

Check out this 14 minute documentary from Absolut about Jay-Z.
It took me a while to warm up to Jay-Z. I grew up as a kid in Louisiana who was into east coast hip hop. I was always a Biggie guy. After Big was killed, it was offensive to hear someone trying to be "The King of New York". That was Biggie's title.
Honestly I wasn't in to Jay's music until I started going to a hip hop karaoke night. You had to do your homework. I would do some Jay-Z songs. I learned his flow and lyrics. Then I got it. Since then I have collected most of his catalog.
I don't care what anyone says, I liked Blueprint 3. I liked the other two Blueprints and Reasonable Doubt. The others I can take or leave. There are some songs I like on each, but none of them gets the burn the ones I mentioned does.

SXSW 2010 Recap

2010-03-21T17:58:00.008-05:00

So it's Sunday after South by Southwest. It has been another wild SXSW. I don't know if I am writing this for you guys or myself (both, really). Outside of family and Jesus being associated with Xmas, SXSW is my favorite time of the year. So much happens that it almost impossible to remember everything.

Monday
SXSW has the night time showcases. Then you have after-parties. Then there are the day parties. When else can you add more partying, you start earlier. I know there has been music stuff going on during the weekend and first part of the week, but it seems there is more going on this year.
A few years ago I learned to appreciate the public transit system here in Austin during SXSW. $2 bus ride is better than $20 parking.

DJ Neil Armstrong and myself

My week started on Monday seeing DJ Neil Armstrong at Complete Clothing. DJ Neil Armstrong is one of Jay-Z's tour DJ's. He is also one of the founders of the DJ collective called "The Fifth Platoon". He played a dope set. Playing a lot of older stuff and sample sources. Any DJ who ends a set with Outkast's "Spottieottiedopalicious" is alright in my book.
On the way down there I was listening to DJ Neil Armstrong's new mixtape, DNA of the Blueprint. You can download it by following this link.

Avi, Myself, DJ Protege and DJ Digg

I know I saw Enfoe and Digg spin also. They kicked ass. I've mostly seen Enfoe do scratch routines but seeing him spin a set was great.
After that it was down to see my homegirl Rebecca at the Found Footage Fest. It was an awesome event. A band would play a set, they would show one of the "films" and then another band would play. Wash rinse and repeat.
There were a few problems, it started to rain.

Rebecca and myself at Found Footage Fest

Tuesday
Tuesday was a day of preparation. It was raining again.
The first thing I wanted to do was go pick up my Artist wristband.
I have been doing SXSW for at least eight out of the ten years I've lived in Austin. The shows I've played have always been un-official. I've played some great shows. I've played with local and national acts. Every year is just amazing. 2009's was likely the worst SXSW I experienced and it was still epic. I was and still stoked to be a part of the festival in an official sense. I kind of hate to admit it, it was validating in a way.
After scoping out the convention center for a bit, it was off the the Levi's/Fader Fort.
I've always said that outside of my gigs, and shows of friends, the Levi's/Fader Fort is my favorite thing happening during SXSW. I have so many memories from there. I've seen magic happen on stage there. I've been banned for life from all Fader events (got back in the next year). For at least the last two years you could pick up your Levi's/Fader wristband up the day before the music starts. A little standing in a line on Tuesday saves a lot of standing in line on a Wednesday. It was raining and muddy, but to have people show up a day before the party starts to pick up wristbands speaks to how great that event is.
I think I went back to the convention center after that. It was an interesting mix of that last day of interactive and the music early birds.
Note to SXSW or anyone from SXSW, have a day when you blend the two together. The line between technology/web and music is blurring more than ever. So should the line between SXSW interacting and SXSW music. Maybe making Tuesday a day for some panels that relate to web stuff and music. Who knows what could come of it if music and interactive were under the same roof for at least one day. Just sayin'.
I get word about a show at the Levi's/Fader Fort. It was a private party. I am able to charm my way in. Don't ask my how, it just works. Metric was the last band that night. I haven't heard of them before but the lead singer was a beast-ess on stage.

Wednesday
Wednesday was the first day of the music part of SXSW. Like I said, this was the first time I've been a part of SXSW in an official sense. DJ Chicken George told me to take advantage of what was going on down at the convention center. I went to my first panel on Wednesday, it was about social media and the music industry. I learned a lot. I took notes. It was an eye opener.
I am blanking a little here, but I remember the next panel I caught was the one with Narduar. I stumbled across his youtube videos where he posts interviews he's done with artists. He is incredibly well researched before the interviews, some how connects something to Vancouver BC and usually has gifts for the person he's interviewing. Check out some of his interviews, Jay-Z, Pharell , Daniel Johnston and Kurt Cobain. He is easily as entertaining as the entertainers he is interviewing. He plays some videos and also told stories from behind the scenes of some of the interviews. Nardwuar, you either love him or hate him. I think the guy is hilarious.

After that is was some chilling at the artists lounge at the convention center.
My Partner in Crime aka Girl and I split for awhile. Later I get a text to meet her at the Levi's/Fader Fort. The schedule listed "Special Guest" as the headliner for Wednesday at the Fort. It was Nas and Damian Marley. The venue was over capacity already so I didn't get in, but I was able to watch this show through the fence. Girl was on the front row. It was epic. I explained to Girl what she just saw.

Film is also going on during the whole week. I thought I saw the lead actor from The Station Agent. It wasn't him. It was a little embarrassing.
I played my unofficial set that night. It was at Cuba Libre. I think things went well. It was early. I appreciate all who came through.

Thursday
I made it back downtown and got to the convention center to catch some panels.
I went to a panel about how Girl Talk has not been sued. It was interesting. It got a little contentious on the panel.
My partner in crime aka Girl and I worked out logistics. She was trying to catch my showcase and go see Stone Temple Pilots. 80s baby who grew up on 90s music.

My Partner in Crime aka Girl

My official set was at Speakeasy Kabaret. It was a little bit of a bumpy start. Even though I had my mixer and turntables with me, we used my turntables. They wanted to use the pioneer mixer there. The problem was a missing power cord. Once that was taken care of, we got everything into motion. My set started at 8p. It originally supposed to be an hour set. I got a text or email the day before asking if I could go two hours. Oh yeah, no problem. Two hours gave me some room to spread out a little. I am not sure what happened but one of the acts left without performing because of equipment issues or something. I don't want to slam anyone, but you make it happen even if you have to adapt a bit. Make the Girl Dance (from France and that rhymes) shows up. They did their set. The act after them didn't show, so I was asked if I could play again. Oh yeah.

What started off as a one hour set turned into a 2.5 hour set and a 1.5 hour set. Four hour set, it was almost like working.

Photo from my official SXSW set.

The SXSW crew there were incredible. I think their names were Devin and Eve. Even though things didn't go quite as smoothly as hoped, they handled everything very professionally.

Girl gets back from the Stone Temple Pilot on cloud nine. She said told me that Robbie Krieger from The Doors played with them.

She was tired but completely blown away by that show. She had to be at work at 10:45a. We load equipment with the quickness.

Friday

My equipment was in her trunk. There was no time to drop equipment off. I rode with Girl to work and caught the bus back to my place. I think I spent about an hour and change at my place. It was just enough time to shower, change clothes and charge batteries.

My official and unofficial sets were done, the rest of SXSW was gravy.

I went back to the convention center and checked out the trade show.

I saw the Spinner booth. They are one of the handful of sites that do AOL's music content. I think they were doing all of AOL's SXSW coverage. I was interviewed by them the week before SXSW. For those of you who haven't see it, you can check the interview at http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/12/jazz-one-interview-sxsw-2010/ .

At the Spinner booth at the trade show.

I have never checked out the trade show before. It was definitely worth checking out. I will be following up with a lot of people and companies I spoke to there.

While on the floor I saw Tee-Double. He won Best Hip Hop at the Austin Music Awards. Congrats. For those that follow this blog you have seen him on the first One Take Mixtape. He has to be one of the hardest working people in Austin hip hop.

That morning I got an invite to a screening of One Night in Vegas as a guest. I hadn't planned to catch any films this week but things fell into place. I thought there was a shuttle at the convention center to take you to SXSW film venues. There was, but not anymore. I jet over from the convention center over to 5th and Colorado to catch a bus over to the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar.
Soon as I show up I see some familiar faces. Friends, artists and such.
One Night in Vegas is a documentary about the friendship between Mike Tyson and Tupac. It was incredible. It really fleshed out both of those guys as people. The film was directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood who wrote the Biggie bio-flick "Notorious" and some eps of A Different World. I enjoyed "Notorious" and A Different World was one of my fav tv shows.
I saw Blaxsmith, Storm Shadow, Salah Vie, and other local familiar faces. Rhymefest and Killer Mike where there too.

At the screening of One Night in Vegas. To the left of me is Rhymefest ("Brand New", Co-wrote "Jesus Walks"). Myself. To my right is Reggie Rock Bythewood (wrote the film "Notorious" and some eps of A Different World). To the right of him is Killer Mike ("I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind", featured on Outkast's "The Whole World")

Rhymefest and myself

Most of us were going to the same place afterwards, the Digiwaxx party.
I've mentioned it here before that every year there is a group or artists who I never heard or wasn't checking for that will blow me away during SXSW. A few years ago I saw Game Rebellion sandwiched between, I can't recall now, and Saul Williams. GR is the first time I have seen Rap Rock done right. I am glad I got to catch their show at Digiwaxx. Some how I missed seeing CL there. I did see a lot of familiar faces.
My Partner in Crime wants to catch a show at Stubb's. We re-park so we won't have to walk more post show.
I realize my equipment is still in her trunk. Sadly during SXSW I've heard too many stories of equipment getting stolen and vehicles broken into.
I took a cab back home to drop my equipment off. My intentions were to head back downtown. I realized I had gone from breakfast to 9pm without eating. I was tired, hungry and weak. I go over the coffee shop for a sandwich.

Saturday
Saturday starts off with Freebirds and then goes down to the convention center. I had an interview scheduled with LP33.tv at 12:30p and I think I made it there around 1p. I think the interview went well. Fatigue was beginning to set in with a vengence. I will post the interview here when LP33.tv post it.
LP33.tv had a swag room. This was my first. I picked up a pair of Toms Shoes. I think they look like ninja shoes. They will be rocked after it warms up. I picked up some gear from Elm Company. Fresh.
Speaking of warming up, it was cold. I was nursing a little bit of a sunburn on my head and the next day, which was the first day of spring, it was colder than the other side of the pillow. It was windy and wet.
DJ and I venture under the freeway to get to the Levi's/Fader Fort. Outside of being there for a private party the night before it opened and seeing Nas and Damian Marley through the fence, I haven't been there until Saturday.

While chilling, quite literally I saw Beefcake the Mighty of GWAR.

Beefcake the Mighty and myself. Oddly enough I was wearing the same thing that morning but changed due to the cold temps.

Dam Funk was playing at 3p. I think this was his 13th show in four days. As much fun as I had all week and all the great music I'd seen and heard. Dam Funk was that "oh shit" moment.
I was sunburnt. I was cold. I was wet. I was wearing the wrong shoes for this. I was exhausted. I was hungry. Then inspiration hit.
Something clicked in my head. I can't talk about it yet. It's coming though.
After six days of SXSW, I was crashing. I felt a little defeated. I had hit my limit. I normally just do the four days of music.
I think I got back to my place about 5pm. At some point a nap commenced. I awoke in time to catch the last three acts at the Levi's/Fader Fort from my bed from the Fader website.

Once again SXSW didn't disappoint. It was another epic week. What I have documented here are the high points and there are some I am forgetting already. For everyone I got to see or meet up with it was a pleasure. For all the people I met for the first time, that too was a pleasure. For those that I missed your shows I wish I could have been in more than one place simultaneously. I know there was several times I was trying to juggle internet, telephone and conversations at one time.
Only 51 more weeks til SXSW 2011.

See You Tonight!!! Wednesday Night/ March 17th 10-12am/ Cuba Libre/409 Colorado/

2010-03-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

Thursday Night/ March 18th 8pm-9pm/ Cuba/Speakeasy Kabaret/412 Congress/

2010-03-11T22:20:00.000-06:00

Thursday will be the night of my official showcase. I have been doing un-official SXSW shows almost since moving to Austin. I have played some really great shows. I've played some crazy shows. I've played some big shows. I am really excited to be playing the festival officially this year.
There will be two venues there at the Speakeasy. If you have a badge/wristband, come through. If you plan on paying at the door, you are getting two showcases for the price of one.
It's going dowwwnn!!!

Wednesday Night/ March 17th 10-12am/ Cuba Libre/409 Colorado/

2010-03-10T17:20:00.000-06:00

What's up Cats and Felines, it is that time of year again. SXSW is next week.
As of right now I am playing two sets. One will be an official showcase. The other will be an unofficial showcase.
Here is the flier for the unofficial gig I am playing. If you don't have a badge, wristband, etc.. This one is free. It is going to be an amazing night.
Wear cotton, very little or something that breathes. You will be dancing. Booties will shake. Asses will wiggle.
Come through.
It's going down!!!

The 54 Reality Show (2-23) with some footage from the last One Take Mixtape

2010-02-25T18:37:00.000-06:00

Mos and G from Crew 54 came through to the last recording of One Take Mixtape at Fifth Gallery where they were one of the featured artists. They included some footage of One Take in the newest episode of The 54 Reality Show.

One Take vol 2 Going Down Tonight!!!

2010-02-19T10:24:00.000-06:00

Tonight is the second installment of One Take. We got Dubb Sicks, Crew 54, Lowkey and Japanese Jesus on the mics tonight. Come through and see history being made.
I am not sure what will happen tonight. One thing for sure, it will be a true story.

Rachel Maddow: They're Not Embarrassed -- Taking Names on GOP Hypocrisy

2010-02-18T13:22:00.001-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Video: Jazz One and Fifth Gallery's One Take (Mixtape)

2010-02-16T16:21:00.000-06:00

Live Mixtape at Fifth Gallery - Part 1 from mofoz visualz on Vimeo.

Live Mixtape at Fifth Gallery - Part 2 from mofoz visualz on Vimeo.

It all started with a coversation at the Seagrams party where Peanut Butter Wolf played here in Austin. The idea was to do a mixtape with Fifth Gallery. At first I wanted to get audio from the jam sessions there at the gallery and then go to tracks by artist. Then the idea hit to do it all live, in one take. Whatever happens, happens. We all pitched in few names from dream team Austin emcees.
Marc Zuazua and I worked out the details on the Twitter. We settled on a date.
When that date rolled around, it was like 17 degrees outside. We live in Texas. That is cold.
Gomi made sure everything ran smooth and had us webcasting this live on ustream. This was no small technical feat. Everything came together at the right time.
Phranchyze, Tee-Double and Zeale did their damn thing. These guys are all beasts on the microphone. My boy DJ Orion showed up, spit a couple rounds and had to jet due to playing Creekside later that night.
Phranchyze brought a cat with him that jumped feet first into the cypher. I don't know the cat's name, but for the rest of this blog post, I'll call him Opie. This cat's skills were not on par with the featured cats and more or less got in this because I thought Marc brought him in and Marc though I brought him in. He had some cliched subject matter. He had that AA/BB/CC flow going. He had a few dope lines along the way. He had his 8 Mile moment. I'm not mad, Opie jumped into the deep end with lyrical sharks. He treaded water, but he was there.
Chelsea Hernandez and Erik Mauck from Off Shoot Media (youtube/offshootmedia) were there to document the events along with Gomi webcasting us live. I just saw this today. I think the video is incredible. Set aside some time, it is just about an hour long, and check it out. It was a moment.
What started off as an idea being kicked around by Marc, Gomi and myself became the multimedia project you see here.
We are recording another One Take this Friday at Fifth Gallery. I am not sure what's going to happen, but it will be a true story.

Links:

teedouble.com
zealerapz.com
myspace.com/phranchyze
http://djorion.com/
http://gomikitti.blogspot.com/
mofozvisualz.com

thefifthgalleraustin.blogspot.com
youtube.com/offshootmedia

Erykah Badu ft. Lil Wayne - Jump Up In The Air (Stay There)

2010-02-13T00:34:00.000-06:00

Video: Dan Black ft Kid Cudi- Symphonies

2010-02-09T20:02:00.000-06:00

DatNewCudi.com: Dan Black Feat. Kid Cudi - Symphonies Remix from DP on Vimeo.

I don't miss the days of million dollar music videos at all.

Who Dat!!!

2010-02-09T18:33:00.001-06:00

Video: ItsTheReal's They Reminisce Over Ye

2010-02-08T09:23:00.000-06:00

They Reminisce Over Ye from jeff on Vimeo.

This is hilarious.

mpFree: Erykah Badu- Window Seat

2010-02-07T01:20:00.000-06:00

I am really feeling this new track from Ms Badu. The track is pretty simple and leaves Erykah room to do what she do. I am looking forward to hearing the album. Between this and her track with Weezy that leaked last week, I am feeling it is going to be solid.

Download Erykah Badu's Window Seat

Video: Jazz One - This Girl from Back in the Day

2010-02-02T13:23:00.000-06:00

I started to notice a lot of songs with womens names. Then I saw some of those tracks had the same name. I wondered was it different guys descibing one girl. In hip hop there are a few dozen Roxanne songs. I noticed Sally popped up everywhere from Gucci Crew to Slick Rick. The first two verses are an Ode to Roxanne and an Ode to Sally. Third verse was inspired by Common's I Use to Love Her.

Mixtape: B.o.B. aka Bobby Ray- May 25th

2010-02-01T17:43:00.000-06:00

I don't get it. Today is February 1st but Bobby Ray's May 25th came out today. Just razzin. Actually May 25th is the day his debut album will be dropping. I am looking forward to it. I am trying not to Phantom Menace it. If you grabbed the best tracks he has dropped so far, you'd almost have a classic on your hands. I don't know if anything can live up to expectations (get the Phantom Menace reference now?).
I ride for Bobby Ray. I think I blogged about it a few months back when his last mixtape dropped. I saw him at the Fader magazine party last SXSW and he was a beast on stage. One of the best live performances I've seen in ages. I want to see this cat do well. Download this mixtape and check out some of his past mixtapes. Get familiar. Buy the album when it comes out whatever day it is released, oh yeah, May 25th.

Download Bobby Ray's new mixtape May 25th here.

Tracklist:
01. The Biz
02. Champion [Prod. By B.o.B.]
03. Bet I (Feat. Playboy Tre) [Prod. By Kutta]
04. Gladiators (Feat. J. Cole) [Prod. By Alchemist]
05. Out Of Time [Prod. By B.o.B.]
06. B Is For B.o.B
07. Fuck The Money (Feat. Asher Roth) [Prod. By Kanye West]
08. Monique And Me
09. The Rain [Prod. By B.o.B.]
10. Uno Is My Funeral
11. Suprise Me [Prod. By Infinity]
12. Don’t Feel So Good [Prod. By B.o.B.]
13. 2010
14. Cool Side [Prod. By B.o.B.]
15. Fool For Love (Feat. Charles Hamilton) [Prod. By B.o.B.]
16. Nothing For You (Feat. Bruno Mars) (Bonus Track)

The Time Jazz One Cussed a Girl Scout

2010-01-19T15:08:00.003-06:00

Recently I was asked if I wanted to buy some Girl Scout cookies. It reminded me of something that happened year ago.
It was back when I was with my Ex. We had made a shopping pilgrimage to Wal-mart or it may have been a grocery store. Going in we are asked if we want to purchase some girl scout cookies. We declined. We made our purchases and walk out the door of the store. One of the little Girl Scouts, who I guess might have been eight or nine years old, ask us again if we wanted to buy some cookies.
"No, thank you." I was raised well and to be polite.
We walk about ten steps away and hear the little girl say something.
"Sir, we have diet."
I am a big man. Jazz One aka Big Love aka Mr Big Stuff aka International Player Hugh Hefty was not in a good mood already that day. It may have been different on a different day, but that day, I took offense to that.
I turned around and responded, "You, you can kiss my ass!"
When we get to the car my Ex asked if I thought I may have been a little harsh on the Girl Scout.
"I'm not taking that shit out of anybody."
The funny thing is after that, it took me like over ten years to be offered Girl Scout cookies again.
I would walk by their tables and never offered cookies.
I started to think and joke that I may have been blacklisted from cursing at a Girl Scout.
This was when I worked for KTBS in Shreveport. I told some people about it in the news room one day. One of the anchors was married to the humor writers from the paper. This story had legs of its own. Of the small group of people I told that day at work, those people told the story to other people.
So eventually I would be introduced to others as 'this is the guy I told you about that cursed a Girl Scout'.

Video: Game Rebellion's "Blind"

2010-01-13T10:59:00.005-06:00

Every South by Southwest week I do my best to plan it out but still be prepared to throw that out the window. Somehow every year I see an act who I wasn't planning to see. Maybe it was an act sandwiched between two acts I do like. My mind will be blown by something unexpected. I love that feeling.
I don't remember what year it was, but it SXSW and Saul Williams was headlining the Afro-Punk showcase. I want to say it was the first show he performed as Niggy Tardust. I may be wrong. That night, talent was stacked. I think 3/4's of the acts were acts I was stoked to see.
Just before Saul's set, this band plays. Game Rebellion. Holy shit. It was probably the only time I saw rap-rock done proper. It didn't feel forced like a lot of rap-rock. It didn't feel like a bad Judgement Night Soundtrack (whoever gets that reference gets cool points from me) nightmare. It worked. More than anything it rocked. It effing rocked.
I think I posted when they did a mixtape awhile back. I mentioned Game Rebellion sounds like Public Enemy became Anthrax after Bring the Noize. I think one of the guys from the band commented on it saying he liked how I put that. Seriously, I think that is the most apt description.
I ride for Game Rebellion.
I saw this making the rounds on the blogs and had to post it here. I am really digging this video. In a day where video budgets are a fraction of what they use to be so now you see come creative ways to make a visually stunning video without spending a million dollars.

Bonus. Making of this video.

Video: The RZA’s “Parks & Recreation” Screen Test

2010-01-13T10:35:00.002-06:00

Parks and Recreation is the Wu-Tang of Comedy - watch more funny videos

This is good stuff.