Posts tagged “Hip Hop

Unique74: Dj A-SKI | Weekend Warrior Fridays @ LITTLE CAVE | Highland Park | 2.3.12

U know my blends & styles are GQ smooth..check me out at my new FRIDAY NITE weekly 2moro!!

WEEKEND WARRIOR FRIDAYS | ALL MY AQUARIUS BIRTHDAY HEADS & PARTY PEOPLE report to  [LITTLE CAVE . Highland Park} 5922 N Figueroa St | No Cover | Full Bar #Unique74 #FRIDAY #TeamAQUARIUS  

Peace, Love & Unique,

A-Ski


Unique74 remembers… SYLVIA ROBINSON

“Ms Rob on the job”

She played a very pivotal role in bridging and branding the sounds of post 60′s Soul/Funk to taking on an untapped market in Hip Hop culture in the late 70′s. I remember getting very excited and blushing when “Pillow Talk” came on the radio as a kid. Rest In Paradise SYLVIA ROBINSON.


anthems | de la soul

During my power walks, this is what im rockin’. UP-wards.

“the pay off is much sweeter than the payback” -De La Soul


PRESSURE POINT | Dj A-Ski (new beat)


“Pressure Point”

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD>
http://djaski.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-15T08_21_38-07_00

Produced by
Dj A-Ski

http://www.SOUNDCLOUD.com/UNIQUE74

http://www.TWITTER.com/mrunique74

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRE ORDER “CHANGE THE MOOD” DIGI DELUXE EDITION!!!!


GIRL 7 | Dj A-Ski (new beat)

LISTEN /DOWNLOAD > http://djaski.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-11T18_45_34-07_00

New Beat | Girl 7 | Dj A-Ski
http://www.SOUNDCLOUD.com/UNIQUE74
http://www.TWITTER.com/mrunique74


Tribe talkin’

“I’m a Nubian yall…look what we did” -Q Tip

I catch a chill every time I hear this..What’s even crazier is that I HATED this song when I first heard it in 88′ (after so many years..it grew on me). Its stripped down, very minimal and warm.

This entire album got me through a lot I was dealing with at that time for a young age -street politics, family, puberty..just trying to figure s–t out!

This album was a fine medium of street, earthy and funk. I already had the heads up from The Jungle Bros “The Promo” and thought to myself “who is this dude with the soft spoken flow but is killing it!?” (Q-Tip). At the time, Hip Hop was going through a major transition of a less bravado tone. Icons such as Run DMC and LL COOL J at this point were struggling to stay afloat with the gold chain flow while a new generation was embracing medallions and chew sticks. Ironically, groups like NWA, EPMD, Kool G Rap and Polo, Schooly D, Ice T, Too Short etc were going strong with a new style called “Gangster Rap”…lol..I laugh because NOBODY in my hood or nearby ever used that term..we simply thought the s–t was dope and called it HARDCORE! The press created that whole “Gangster Rap” box (I want to say it was around the “Tipper Gore” era that I started hearing the mumbling about this “new sensation”).

What made A Tribe Called Quest so powerful is that they were re-defining and crushing the mundane images of the hyperactive, pro alpha African American male images -they were a healthy balance of intellect, street, spiritual and fun (along with the entire Native Tongue movement and like minds of that period). This album was a breath of fresh air for many of those who did not subscribe to being a prey to “keeping it real”, but rather elevate our pain and joy towards a more creative outlet. This album effected my life in so many ways…(stay tuned im going to speak more on this great group and album..)


Dj A-Ski > special guest . WE BUILD HITS RADIO | NYC


MAIN MECCA


Mecca=RAW

Main=REFINED


Caktuz vs Kanye + Brooklyn Love

Check for one of my closest friends and creative collaborator…he’s one of the most multi talented visual + graphic artist + rapper to ever come of out North Carolina. He has now invaded Europe, LA, NYC and coming to your town next!! dont sleep on the one they call CAKTUZ TREE…..check him out! He is one of those few people that I can say is beyond multi talented..check for his artwork as well…the cat is nice with it..(to all you so called, self titled “creative directors”..step your game up and take notes….my crew is above average..seriously…go and practice first..)
http://therussparrmorningshow.com/new-music/albert/caktuz-takes-note-from-kanyes-weekly-downloads-w-overthewallweds/

I wanted to give a big shout to the good folks over at 1 NOVEL MEDIA http://1nmedia.com/
for featuring the SOUNDCLOUD edition of the DJ A-Ski | Unique74 mixes on their listening stream!!! BROOKLYN LOVE EVERTYTIME!! (AIRHORN!!) Much Appreciation!!


2.12 | SPIRIT~LA | special guest: A-Ski (Unique74)


saturday vid picks…


Unique74 NYC | LORD FINESSE


STEREOLOVE presents..T LOVE, THE JAZZ LIBERATORZ, DJ DUSTY, MARK LUV + more TBA | 8.5


Unique74 EXCLUSIVE: “SUMMER TOUCH” | A-Ski | FREE DOWNLOAD | limted time only

http://www.yousendit.com/download/T1VtQ3QrZ2pwcFh2Wmc9PQ


Unique74 salutes PETE ROCK!!

I originally started this blog post last Saturday which was Pete Rock’s b-day, I got caught up getting ready for a gig that day. However, I felt the need to complete and speak about one of my heroes in the game that inspired me to spend endless hours in various record shops, hole in the wall spots while running the risk of rat bites and who knows what else in the name of “digging in the crates”. Pete Rock and Erick Sermon have to be single-handedly credited for constantly keeping the term “Funk” alive during the 90′s era of Hip Hop which was infused with a lot of sub standard new jack swing anthems that lacked the original recipe of the great Teddy Riley.

Hip Hop has always celebrated the music of past heroes in Funk-Soul-Jazz such as Gil Scot Heron, Kool and The Gang, Sly Stone, James Brown, The Headhunters, Roger Troutman,etc. Many criticized these new breed of street producers and dj’s for their constant use of sampling, but failed to acknowledge these young trailblazers in keeping the legacy of these artists alive by re-interpreting their works which might have been overlooked by these new generation of urban tastemakers and street griots. So-called “Black Radio” and many Pop/Crossover/ Oldies stations turned their backs on many of these great Soul-Funk-Rock-Jazz artists due to various inner politics and socio-economic ramifications that existed within their infrastructure. By the mid 90′s, most Mom and Pop radio stations that catered to fans of the classic 50′s, 60′s & 70′s sound were being sold and bought by major corporations which took over these stations. As a result, giving listeners a very processed and over redundancy in its programming. During this time, there is a new generation of taste makers on the rise creating street anthems that not only became charted HITS but cradled many through their high school and college experiences. Pete Rock was one of the major figures in ushering that new street sound, fusing heavy Funk, Jazz and Rock with the Emu SP-1200 as the navigating tool (I miss working that pretty little machine but dont miss losing the memory..). I remember hearing “Mecca and The Soul Brother” and going: “WHAT THE F–k?!” It was like a new wave of street funk samples for a new generation. See, I was also a huge fan of Marley Marl (who is Pete Rock’s mentor from his “In Control” days at WBLS). Which explains Pete’s great taste in samples in funk, just as the great master teacher Marley demonstrated on countless cuts..whats beautiful is that I always liked how Pete would incorporate Big Daddy Kane’s debut 12′ “Get Into It” in most of his early productions!!

I still get geeked watching this..my man pulls a “gangster move” during “Mr Big Stuff”..watch closely:

Pete has to be in my top 5 of great Hip Hop producers, with me being a die-hard funk head, I heard him loud and clearly. I remember during the mid 90′s I had the honor in opening for him at a venue in Downtown LA called “The Stock Exchange” (which was the original stock exchange building for Los Angeles during the early 20′s). This was the listening party for his solo debut “Soul Survivor”, what’s funny is that I had no idea he was going to show up. A lot of times, record labels may put together a listening party but that doesn’t mean the artist may show up, but in this case I was proven wrong. Its midnite and im flipping my doubles of “Dont Look Any Further” with “Get Money” (this was way before I started doing the emceeing thing..my man Toquan The MC from SOUL ELEVATION handled that area..big shout to Dj Rock for hooking me up with that gig!). So as im doing my routine (im on an elevated level overlooking damn near 1000+ people which was a huge deal for me at that time, its like the 8th floor on a balcony), I feel someone hovering over me and im thinking its someone trying to make a request..lo and behold I turn around.. its the “Soul Brother”, im nervous yet excited. We exchanged greetings and gave pounds, I asked him was he ready to play yet and he says “naw man you are nice with it, keep going.” At that point, I go hella hard on the routines. After that the man himself goes in with MOP‘s “How About Some Hardcore” and its pure pandemonium (bear in mind this was a Hip Hop/R&B crowd that was wide open that nite…high heels and all!). After the set, we had a brief conversation about “Crown Heights Affair” and funk breaks. Thats my Pete Rock moment I had to share which I still cherish to this day.

Thank You 4 The Funk Pete!! Happy Belated Birthday!!


Unique74 | NYC | Celebrating 40 years of SOUL w/PETE ROCK


Saturday 6.12.10
DJ Center w. special Guest Pete Rock
Deity
368 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NYC
Doors: 10PM
$10
http://www.deitynyc.net


Golden Stereo: A TASTE OF CHICAGO w/ DERRICK WIZE!! | THU | LITTLE TEMPLE

Last week was another beaufiul one at STEREOLOVE w/ THA BOOGIE who gave another beyond amazing performance with a red hot new band!! We also helped celebrate the b’day of the LEGENDARY RAPHAEL SAADIQ!! A lot of beautiful vibes and good times!!

This week we let the good times roll with another evening of Soulful House, Disco, Hip Hop ,Afro Latin and other beautiful beats and party anthems!!!

Golden Stereo | Unique74 | Extra Mild Sauce
presents..

A TASTE OF CHICAGO

Delivering a 4-Hour Set is EXTRA MILD SAUCE resident
Derrick Wize
with STEREOLOVE Residents:
A-Ski | Mikecheck

A real fan of deep house music, Derrick Wize is known for combining rare dance classics with choice modern organic soul, making it very difficult to stay off the dance floor. With his roots based on the evolution of dance music, a set from Mr. Wize could encompass a range of soulful elements including Jazz, Break Beat, Disco, Deep Tracks, Funk, and more. However the common denominator in each is always the same… stylistic uplifting dance floor heaters. “The basis of Deep House wasn’t just the familiar classics we all love but it was about the DJ providing a journey and experience of celebration for the audience through their choice of neck-snapping soul music – be it familiar songs or not. It’s always a pleasure and an honor to share my interpretation.”

A Taste of Chicago
Thursday May 20th
Little Temple [Silverlake]
4519 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029 [Google Maps]
$5 before 11p – $5 Valet


livin’ 4 the funk: Jimmy Castor | Space Age

“dont be a robot..you’ll lose your soul”. peep the keyboard..”settings and LFO” all day!!


Happy Birthday MARVIN GAYE pt 1 | DJ SPINNA

http://djspinna.podOmatic.com/entry/2010-04-02T22_51_05-07_00


STEREOLOVE | DEREK MCKEITH, BRUCE HATHCOCK, LAST CALL ft MR FRENCH | 3.25

UNIQUE74 | LITTLE TEMPLE | presents…

STEREOLOVE

3/25

We want to thank everybody who joined the STEREOLOVE + EXTRA MILD SAUCE fam last week for the EXCLUSIVE “A TASTE OF CHICAGO” event w/ a very special guest DJ set by DRACK MUSE who rocked the house with another amazing soulful set!! + we cant forget THE LEGENDARY MC LADY COPPER (in a very RARE appearance) who came to bless the mic!

THIS WEEK, we have another great line up of amazing cutting edge/ soulful artists that will set the party off w/ the STEREOLOVE sound collective!!!

APPEARING LIVE!!

Opening Acoustic Set:
BRUCE HATHCOCK

http://www.brucehathcock.com

LAST CALL (all rthe way from FRANCE)
Art Bleek, Charlie Sputnik and special guest DJ set by MR FRENCH (KCRW)

DEREK MCKEITH
http://www.myspace.com/derekmckeith (a very RARE LA APPEARANCE!!)

RESIDENT SELECTIONS:
LOTUSPETAL
PLUSHONE
DJ MIKECHECK
and A-SKI

21 and wiser | $5

| DRINK SPECIALS | 9p-2a

RSVP/ BIRTHDAYS / GUESTLIST
unique74events@gmail.com

LITTLE TEMPLE | 4519 SANTA MONICA BLVD (crosst st: VIRGIL)

::STAY TUNED FOR OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT IN MAY!! ::

http://www.myspace.com/stereolovelittletemple

http://www.stererolovecollective.wordpress.com

http://www.unique74mag.com

dont 4get THE OFFICIAL ERYKAH BADU LISTENING PARTY THIS SUNDAY!! w/ PAC DIVISION, BLU, NOAH DARLING at ZANZIBAR


the ORIGINAL 45 Master..the man himself..inspiration..

he’s clowning.. basically..take notes..


3.28 | ERYKAH BADU listening party | ft PAC DIV, BLU, PERFECTO, BLACKLA, EL PREZ, NOLA DARLING | ZANZIBAR


STEREOLOVE | MARCH

STEREOLOVE meets SAILAWAY COLLECTIVE | THU | 3.11

LAST WEEK was purely insane with a room packed full of party people and good vibes all nite! A huge shout out and THANK YOU to RUDY C, ABDUL, ORLANDO ROYAL and the FTWK/THANG/STICTLY JAZ collective.

THIS WEEK!!

SAILAWAY COLLECTIVE

http://www.myspace.com/sailawaymusik

We welcome alternative Latin crew, SAILAWAY COLLECTIVE presenting live music by La Santa Cecilia (bolero, cumbia, afro cuban, reggae) and special guest DJ Insectosound of Palenke Soultribe.

In the StereoLounge it’s a collage of dance themes and social apex:
w/Resident Selections:
LOTUSPETAL PLUSHONE, MIKECHECK and A-SKI

Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd

21 and Wiser | $7 | 9p-2a | Thursday

——————:~0~:——————-
*** SPECIALS***
$5 Well from 9-10PM
FREE before 10pm w/RSVP unique74events@gmail.com
——————:~0~:——————-

stay 2ned:


In The Lab w/ THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE


I recently had the chance to catch up with the Grammy Nominated THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE. The collective have been making waves in the music scene and are setting a tone for many more great albums to come. They shared their process behind the magic of putting together “Leave It All Behind” to Nicolay’s sojourn in Shibuya. (CONGRATULATIONS on the GRAMMY NOMINATION!!)

=============================================

You guys are red hot and raising the bar. “Leave It All Behind” is in constant rotation in my mixes, the album is crazy nice (translation: its a really good record). What was the inspiration behind recording this album?

PHONTE: For me it was wanting to explore different kinds of music, doing something that I didn’t have a chance to do up until that point. I wanted to stretch out and try something new.

NICOLAY: We were on the same page, we didnt have a lotta ideas in the beginning but didnt want to do what we already did before. That was partly what the album was all about, kinda do something that we had not done before. Instead of starting a new chapter, we started writing a book.

The album is fun, tangible and its funky. How have you guys grown since the first release?

PHONTE: I try to focus more on my song writing. Writing songs with bridges, hooks and full fledge songs that stand well on their own, lyrically and melodically.

(To Nicolay) From a production stand point, I noticed you have strayed away from sampling for obvious reasons i’m sure. What’s your take on your approach as a producer then compared to now?

NICOLAY: I think you learn as you grow and by learning i dont mean just musically grow, but you learn everything behind the scenes. What I learned is that if you use samples and you are not finacially able to clear them, there is a lock on the music and you become limited to an “in the moment” type thing. We are trying to make music that is timeless, it is better to compose music that is 100% original. I also felt that I needed to creatively try something different, I reached whatever goal I had in the sampling arena. I wanted to try something new.

From what I gathered on “Leave It All Behind”, it appeals to Hip Hop fans but I also feel an approach to a new form of R&B being brewed, this album totally dispels the “R&B is dead” myth (which is a running joke amongst me and my peers)

PHONTE
: When we sit at the piano and when I sit down to write in the studio, I’m not thinking of making any new type of R&B, etc. We’re just making music from our heart and it feels right.

Overall, Do you guys purposely stay away from titles, barriers and labels?

NICOLAY: I think as long you are trying to do something in the music industry, you can’t really get away from labeling music. People are going to expect you to slap a genre on it at the very least, especially with us running our own imprint we had to deal with situations like that. People think in terms of good and bad music, there is good music that comes in many different shapes and sizes, that’s what is important to me.

Who is responsible for the writing collective and putting the concepts together?

NICOLAY:
Our method of working pretty much me starting with some ideas of sketches or work through tracks and send those to Phonte and them. At that point it becomes kinda under his control in the sense of song writing and collaborations with other artists. The whole song writing and vocal perspective is something that he’ll work on and i’ll get it back. In terms of concepts that we work with, it is normally Phonte that will come with stuff like that. In terms musically, we go back and fourth and find what’s the common ground between the two of us in terms of what we want to do in that’s why we kick it back and fourth like that.

How long did it take to put the album together?

NICOLAY: we started around the end of 06′, but we are not the type of people to really work on a project all the way through and that be the only thing. Its really an off and on type of thing, but overall it took about a year or two.

(To Nicolay) Shibuya is a beautiful album, with well crafted compositions. It seems like you were wide open on this album. What was your inspiration for this album and the title alone?

NICOLAY: In 06 I was lucky enough to visit Tokyo and Shibuya is the one of Tokyo’s areas, kind of the more hip trendy places. Roughly, the album is inspired of what I saw there and the overall feeling. The album is an ode to that experience and the people, the noises and vibes.

What is your experience with the international market and them receiving the material? There is so much great music in the states, how do you guys stand out and stay concistent?

PHONTE: It comes from the inner desire to want to do better and being a genuine fan of the music you create. That’s what keeps you going.

(To Phonte) How are you able to incorporate the duality of singing, writing and rapping?

PHONTE: I think its both sides of me that I enjoy doing, I dont really look at it as a rap career or singing career.

Radio is changing in this day in age, are you guys seeking to cater in the direction of radio play or are you guys satisfied with solid and concistent underground audience?

PHONTE: Radio aint changing, Radio is dying. (all laugh)

Im trying to be PC about it. (all laugh)

PHONTE: For me personally its about making the music I want to make and letting it connect with the people I enjoy. Thats it for me, radio has never supported our records for the years i’ve been in the game and we’ve been able to survive and thrive.

(To Nicolay) In your previous releases you had a very warm sound? What type of new toys you are using these days?

NICOLAY: Well on “Connected” I didnt have any equiptment, I did that mainly with a computer, keyboard, desk top speakers that came with it and a bass. I did the best that I could with what I had. I think with minimal means we are always able to do a lot, we sometimes jokingly say that are two tracks are no less better than people’s multi track.

Any future remixes or upcoming artists that you are grooming at the moment?

NICOLAY: Actually, i’ve been doing a lot of remixes lately. I just finished a remix for RJD2, his new record is coming out soon. I did a remix for Vikter Duplaix his new single “Electric Love”, I did a remix for Sy Smith. Phonte and myself are working on a number of projetcs but eventually The Foreign Exchage Music is now also our imprint. Which means we can put our strength behind some of the people we’ve been down with for a mintute. Zo! who plays in our live band is working on his full length album which is coming in the Summer of 2010. We’re working with Yazarah, who people know from the both Foreign Exchange albums as well as our tour. She’s dropping her album with us in Spring. Phonte is working on his solo album that will drop in the Fall, all in all we got a lot going on.

(To Phonte) What’s going on with Little Brother?

PHONTE: We got an EP that we will be dropping this year.

a Very Special Thanks to..
http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/http://www.thebeautifulproject.blog.com/

=============================================
Interview: Dj A-Ski
Powered by: Unique74


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