Peep D://BOI at AfroPunk in Brooklyn

My boys Nerve and Surreal (D://BOI) are gonna be showing off their DJ/Electronic skills in front of a big Brooklyn crowd in about two weeks. Gotta love that. It seems like this years Afro Punk festival is just creeping up on me. I haven't been in a Game Rebellion mash pit in a while so I should be on deck for that. And this year the boy K-os is performing!?! If you don't go at least one of the three days for the festival this year don't speak to me...well we can speak but I'll be judging you.

Go here for all the info you need on the festival and here to learn more about D://BOI

Dallas Penn Takes On The Nets

My homie Dallas Penn in cahoots with his crew The IC's (internets celebrities *yes there's an s at the end*) shot a short film discussing the changing landscape of downtown Brooklyn. Specifically the crew looks at the impending Nets Stadium which is to be built upon the Atlantic Yards site. This topic has been the cause of much head and heartache by many residents who view the stadium as being just plan unnecessary. I share that view and have voiced it many times on this very blog.

Today at the Brooklyn Public Library (Grand Army Plaza branch of Special Ed - "I Got It Made" fame) the film will be screened. This is an event you wont want to miss. Dallas has a way with words that will definitely leave you thinking and laughing. The screening will start at 7pm and you can take the 3 train to Grand Army Plaza if you aren't driving or on a bike.

See you all there and if you haven't already gone peep DallasPenn.com
And Internets Celebrities

Jay-Z Saturday Night Live Medley

I can appreciate what Jay brings to the table when it comes to his shows. It's more about the his presence than the actual performance. The audience is immediately drawn in to him because they are watching Jay-Z. Hell I did my best Jay impression when I did Encore during the HHK Championship.

Watching him here on Saturday Night Live he still seems to be doing him. The lovely lady who joins him at the end to fill in for Alicia Keys is none other than Bridget Kelly. She's a new artist on Jay's Roc Nation label and fits in well for the performance. Her voice sounds pretty good and she's definitely easy on the eyes. I can't say as much for the vest Hov is rocking, but that's neither here nor there. Kudos to the band for doing 4 much on the 99 problems joint. Also on a side note, is that Young Guru Baseline's engineer DJing for Jay?

Enjoy the show people.

Lena Horne R.I.P

A beautiful woman from the planet of Brooklyn, Ms. Horne was a woman who was simply before her time in regards to film. However maybe the world just didn't deserve to enjoy her huge talent. Ms. Horne's singing was great but what I will most remember about her was that smile. She had one of the most amazing smiles I have ever seen.

I first saw her in action on the Cosby Show when I was a kid. I knew about her because she was pretty famous and I guess I did see her in the The Wiz before then BUT it was the Cosby show that put me on to her. That showed me that she was an icon. That single appearance gave me a glimpse into her personality and why people idolize her.

May Lena Horne be remembered and rest in peace.

R.I.P. Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal (GURU)

What can I say that hasn't been said? The man from Boston who blessed Brooklyn with his presence is now gone in the physical form. Being a hip hop head from Brownsville, Brooklyn I've always loved the music of Gangstarr. How two folks with origins outside of NY could come to Brooklyn, and create musical heaven is beyond me. East New York mourns the loss of Guru the great.

What is his legacy? I wont comment on the uncertain things out there regarding a certain producer. What I will say is, because of GURU I know that lemonade was a popular drink. Some would say that its "mostly the voice" that cements his legacy. I think it's a man who thought to push boundaries beyond what the corner cats would dig and still kept them with him. Jazzmatazz was a great idea that he made a reality. Let us celebrate the life of Keith Elam aka GURU.

Before The Video Games

Remember playing outside with your friends? I do. This past weekend I spent some time outside playing with my nephew and niece (8 and 2 yrs old respectfully) on my old block. The kids brought their scooters with them to the park and that was fun for about 3 minutes. Then we went over to the jungle gym so my nephew could play tag with some other kids. My lady and I kept my niece occupied with slides and a little handball we found.

While in the park I ran into my boy Illanoyz whom you might remember from the first two Heltah Skeltah albums as well as the Boot Camp Click album "For The People" where had a solo track. I haven't seen Noyz in years and he had his children in tow. We took a minute to think back to a simpler time. Noyz remarked that this was where it all started for us. Playing in the parks with one another before we had serious video games. I agreed and realized that that's how we got to know folks from different blocks. Noyz told me that this park was his kids favorite place to play and a few minutes later told them it was time to go. "Yall too big for this park now." All I could do was nod my head and smile. I too, am "too big" for this park now and serve a different role. I'm ok with that, although I do miss those great games of Freeze Tag with my friends.

I can't wait to take the young ones out again.

They Broke Ground Yall... (Atlantic Yards)

Well, it's on now. They broke ground for the Atlantic Yards and Brooklyn wept. What can I say that hasn't already been said. We don't need it, we never did. Affordable housing for who exactly Mr. Ratner? Jay Z should be ashamed of his face being used for such a nefarious act. I'm rambling a little bit here I know, but I'm just really frustrated.

Brooklyn is my home. I was born in Brooklyn hospital which is not too far from the Atlantic Yards site. My father spent a significant part of his teenage years living in the Atlantic Terminal projects right up the block, so you see that area is special to me. The Nets can't even buy a win right now. They should focus on winning a game and not ruining the landscape of my beloved Brooklyn. To the politicians who stood by and endorsed this mess I say, shame on you.

In the words of the great Walter Sobchak "Has The World Gone CRAZY!?!?!?"

Spec Boogie - Bed Stuy

This is a Spec Boogie banger right here. Directed and edited by Ali Santana. My beautiful home of Brooklyn. You gotta love it.

Enjoy.

Spec Boogie - Bed Stuy from Boombaye' on Vimeo.

Mos Def - History Feat. Talib Kweli (Official Video)

Jay-Z - On To The Next One Official Video

New Jay-Z and I can't front, this joint is not even wack! Gotta respect what he's spitting on this record and Swizzy laced him beat wise. Some interesting imagery in this video, but you can make of it what you will.

Hip Hop Karaoke Championship 1st Round

Tonight at Brooklyn's South Paw it's going down. My man Josh Diggs fresh from the altar along with J New and DJ Wex are giving us another HHK Championship. This time there will be qualifying rounds leading up to the big night. Tonight is going to be a lot of fun and if you've never experienced HHK I weep for you.

The sign up starts at 9pm and show starts at 10.
It's 5 bucks with the flyer and 8 without.

See you there and if you need convincing...

Hands Off My Brooklyn Neighborhoods!

Recently I was in the market for a new apartment in Brooklyn. I'm finally taking the big step out of East New York (where the manic depressive psycho murderers stalk). As I looked through the different craigslist postings and real estate websites I got very upset.

First of all lets get something straight, I've been living in Brooklyn all 30 years of my life. I've spent time in Flatbush, Crown Heights, Bed Stuy, you name it I've walked there. These real estate maps are trying to tell me that Flatbush doesn't start until after Church Ave. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Also the area known as Lefferts Gardens is within Flatbush just for your information. Flatbush starts at Empire Blvd. Prospect Heights while it's a neighborhood now was only a high school when I grew up. There was no such neighborhood to my knowledge. Clinton Hill...only within Clinton and Washington on THAT HILL going between Fulton and about Myrtle. Now I got people telling me that Franklin and Dekalb is Clinton Hill, WRONG it's Bed Stuy.

I know there are still some Brooklynites out there who know the deal. Don't let these outsiders come and tell you what your neighborhood is. Reclaim the streets and buy property. Lets dictate how we live and who we live with. If you don't yours could be the next Williamsburg (unless you're into that sort of thing *smh*).

Michael Jackson's Prospect Park Extravaganza

Photos by Shino Yanagawa

Rain? What rain? Thousands of people came out to Prospect Park on the 51st anniversary of the birth of The Man The Myth The Legend Michael Joseph Jackson. It felt like the whole park was in on the celebration. As I walked with Ms. Shino into the park we saw lines of people walking ahead. The workers of the parks department were very nice and seemed almost happy for us to be there. As we walked up through the path leading to the open area where the event was taking place I saw a group of little kids dressed like the Scarecrow and the Tin-man from The Wiz. You gotta love it.

We continued walking to hear the sounds of MJ blaring through the air. I looked out at a sea of people. Never before have I seen so many folks in Prospect Park in my life. There were barricades up separating sections of people so the parks dept. could keep order. A number of NYPD folks were on deck but no one seemed to be on edge. There was so much love in the park that day you could feel it. At first we were told we couldn't go into the main front area where I could see my friends from afar dancing it up. So feeling a little defeated we walked along side the gate figuring out what to do. After running into a few friends we were given the idea to have someone try to bring us in as if we were already there. Shino told a park worker and then a police officer a wonderful tale on the spot which was sort of true to get us in. That tale along with our friend Lorraine waving an armband in the air (which had nothing to do with the day's event) telling the cop to let us in sealed the deal. The officer escorted us into the coveted section and it was on like popcorn.

Through the day I saw plenty of friends and family come through. We danced til we couldn't dance any more in the heat and under the rain. DJ Spinna did an excellent job weaving in well known classic Michael records with under the radar Jackson gems. For those who decided not to go because of the rain...you really missed out. I was a part of two HUGE electric slides that day. Spike Lee, Rev. Al Sharpton , Ed Lover and Tracy Morgan took turns being the MCs for the event. Plenty of michael impersonators were on deck and the kids...I can't say enough about the kids. They had the most fun. The whole place even sang along in Karaoke to "The Way You Make Me Feel".

We miss you Michael but Brooklyn will always uphold your spirit. Here's the pics from Shino Yanagawa.

Rain on MJ's Parade?

I'm a little sad. I learned this morning that there's a 70% chance of thunderstorms for this Saturday August 29th. If you've been hiding under a rock for the past two weeks on that day Spike Lee and DJ Spinna will be holding a Michael Jackson celebration in Prospect Park (too many folks for Ft. Greene). This is an outdoor event that the whole Borough is trying to hit up. I'm sure being that Spike Lee is the host there will be cameras on deck. I'm hoping we can do a thunderstorm later on in the day after 5, sort of like Sunday.

In the meantime here's a video to get you hyped for Saturday's epic event.



For the record I'm still made I never saw him in concert.

Rasu Jilani 120 Seconds

This is my brother Rasu co-creator of CDTBK. He's a very intelligent brother with great ideas and I consider him an asset to the Brooklyn scene. CDTBK is my family so check the joint.

10 Deep 2 Hot

The MotherGreen Team (minus Mahdi) got together at the 10 Deep Presents party. The designated place was in the Brooklyn neighborhood of D.U.M.B.O. This was hottest party in the city by far literally. We ran into a bunch of friends throughout the night. The young man Scott of 10 Deep was a gracious host we wish the whole 10 Deep nothing but success. He was outside often and I don't blame him. I felt like I was in the back of Debo's pigeon coup sweating like a slave © Smokey. It was entirely too hot and TOO MANY DUDES!

After we departed the party the plan was to head to Grimaldi's for some pizza and conversation. However waiting for certain family members who shall remain nameless we just missed their closing time. It was like the scene in Do The Right Thing when the Brownstone owner told Buggin Out he was "born in Brooklyn".



After that disappointing revelation we walked past restaurant after restaurant being turned away until we found a Mexican spot. That's where the drunken banter and all around good times hit a zenith. The following are pictures from the whole night.

Photos by Saviour and myself. (except the Bugging Out pic above)

John Forte On Good Day New York (Video)

My brother John Forte, out of jail and active. This video interview of him on Good Day New York is a nice piece in the larger puzzle of his rise back on the scene. The song he performs "Play My Cards For Me" is signature Forte since the I John album to me. Take a look and cop the Style Free EP off of iTunes.

I'm happy to see him happy and doing what he loves free of bars and regret.

Chin Chin - That's Where I'll Be (Official Video)

One of my favorite bands repping Brooklyn has a new video. My boys Chin Chin smooth it out with another banger from their album "The Flashing and the Fancing". I love these guys. Come out to see the crew rock live in Prospect Park in Brooklyn with TV on the Radio on Tuesday August 11th. See you there.

Good Hair Trailer presented by Chris Rock

I'm gonna see this movie on opening day. It looks like it's gonna be a really good film. This is a discussion that's gone on for decades in and outside of the Black community. Good idea Mr. Rock.

Hardcore Gentlemen - Hardcore Gentlemen

The world is missing music like this. Show some love to these cats right here. This is the 15th anniversary of this groundbreaking record. (LOL)

Seriously though cop the album Brooklynatti by Tanya Morgan if you don't already have it. I love the feel of the album. Anyone who's looking for a well crafted hip hop album in these days in times should check these brothers out.

Check the joint.