Performance
Tarica June – “But Anyway” (Live Performance) [Video]
April 10, 2018
Hmmm… I remember coming across Tarica years ago. Really taking the underground route to success on her own terms. Looks like she is still on that railroad, and we get to look at some tracks she is riding… live!
Here’s a special acoustic performance filmed at one of my favorite places: Nubian Hueman! … Of course one of the songs I did was But Anyway (with a new verse!!) so that’s the one I’m sharing first. Special thanks to Tyler Moonlight on keys and thanks to Anika Hobbs of Nubian Hueman for having me!
– Tarica June
(Bio after the jump.)
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Videos | 
Tags: Anika Hobbs, But Anyway, Live Performance, Tarica June, Tyler Moonlight | 
No Comments »
Mark Ronson Speaks On How Sampling Transformed Music (Video)
April 2, 2018
Okay, grant me a late pass on this one, but this a dope TED Talk on sampling and the evolution of modern music. Presented by Mark Ronson.
Sampling isn’t about “hijacking nostalgia wholesale,” says Mark Ronson. It’s about inserting yourself into the narrative of a song while also pushing that story forward. Watch the DJ scramble 15 TED Talks into an audio-visual omelette, and trace the evolution of “La Di Da Di,” Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s 1984 hit that has been reimagined for every generation since.
– TED
– @ojones1
Posted in Craft, Hip-Hop, History, Lecture, Performance, Videos | Tags: How Sampling Transformed Music, Mark Ronson, TED, Ted Talk | No Comments »
Re-Collective Orchestra – “All The Stars” (Re-Imagined) [Video]
March 28, 2018
Brought together and led by the incomparable Orchestration/Conductor Matt Jones. So beautiful. So #WakandaForever
The Re-Collective Orchestra presents a re-imagination of Black Panther’s title track, “All The Stars” with an original orchestration by Matt Jones. Inspired by the iconic black superhero, Matt Jones (Composer/Conductor, Founder of the Matt Jones Orchestra) and Stephanie Matthews (Violinist and Founder of StringCandy) joined forces to bring together a collective of musicians that would create a sonically and visually powerful statement: WE ARE HERE.
Posted in Instrumental, Performance, Remix, Videos | Tags: All The Stars, Black Panther, Matt Jones, Re-Collective Orchestra, Stephanie Matthews | 10 Comments »
PRhyme (DJ Premier x Royce Da 5’9) – “Flirt†feat. 2 Chainz [Live On ‘The Tonight Show’] (Video)
March 24, 2018
Dope closer to Fallon’s show the other night. Preemo, Royce Da 5’9 and 2 Chainz doing the damn thing… letting the ladies know that they don’t know how to “Flirt.” Banger of a song (we posted here earlier) off “PRhyme 2.”
DJ PREMIER X ROYCE DA 5’9 – FLIRT FEAT. 2 CHAINZ | PRHYME 2 (PRE-ORDER)
Posted in Album, Hip-Hop, Music, Performance, Television, Videos | Tags: 2 Chainz, DJ Premier, Flirt, Jimmy Fallon, PRhyme, PRhyme 2, Royce Da 5'9, The Tonight Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | No Comments »
Black Thought And Lupe Fiasco Rocking For Hurricane Relief In Puerto Rico (Video)
March 21, 2018
Puerto Rico! Hoooooo!
Somebody had to do it: that chant above and the show embedded above that. That’s Black Thought up top. Boom bap rapping and it don’t stop. Neither does this party with a purpose. So nod ’til you get a li’l loopy. Then catch Lupe after the jump. They were down there helping raise money for hurricane relief. Enjoy.
Posted in Activism, Hip-Hop, Performance, Travel, Videos | Tags: Black Thought, Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Relief, Lupe Fiasco, Puerto Rico | No Comments »
Raekwon – “C.R.E.A.M.” (Live) [Video]
March 20, 2018
Damn right. Gotta do this for the cause, Chef. Raekwon blessed the SXSW crowd with a live set that contained the blessing of a rendition of “C.R.E.A.M.”
On the second day of The FADER FORT 2018, Raekwon popped out for a surprise set, running it back with tracks from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and other solo projects. But a major highlight was Raekwon’s performance of his iconic opening verse from the Wu-Tang classic “C.R.E.A.M.”
– The FADER
Mad Skillz Is Turning The Tables, And Kicking The Rhymes, At The Same Time! (Video)
March 16, 2018
Okay. Please excuse me in advance. Late pass like a mugg, but yoooo this throwback clip I had not seen before now is sooo DOPE! Skillz goes IN on this clip – emceeing AND deejaying!
Mad Skillz dropped by ‘Sway in the Morning’ two days in a row, and blessed us with two live freestyles. Watch above…
– Sway’s Universe
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Interview, Performance, Radio, Series, Throwback, Videos | Tags: Freestyle, Mad Skillz, Sway, Sway Calloway, Sway In The Morning, Sway's Universe | No Comments »
Royce Da 5’9 | Freestyles On Flex | Freestyle #090 (Video)
March 8, 2018
All that smoke and wreckage in the studio. And it’s Flex’s fault. At least that’s what Royce said.
Royce Da 5’9 and DJ Premier shut it down for 10 minutes with Funk Flex.
– Hot 97
Plus Preem on the tables?? C’monnnn son! DOPE!
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Radio, Series, Videos | Tags: DJ Premier, Freestyle #090, FREESTYLE090, Freestyles on Flex, Funk Flex, Royce Da 5'9 | No Comments »
Tiny Desk Concert Feat. Big K.R.I.T. (Video)
March 6, 2018
Get some of this Soulful Southern Short Set from Big K.R.I.T. Not too shabby a spread laid out, with “Mixed Messages,†“Keep The Devil Off,†and “Bury Me In Gold†being offered to the gathering.
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Series, Videos | Tags: Big K.R.I.T., Big Krit, NPR Music, NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert, NPR Tiny Desk Concert, Tiny Desk Concert | No Comments »
“Freestylin’ With The Roots” With Bruce Willis (Video)
March 6, 2018
Haaa! Now THAT’S how you show up to promote a movie (“Death Wish”)! Of course, Jimmy got him to the couch to talk about it later. But check out the ‘surprise’ audience participation by Bruce and the resulting song The Roots created on the spot with Willis’ input before that happens.
Posted in Celebrity, Comedy, Interview, Performance, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Bruce Willis, Death Wish, Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | No Comments »
Torey Lanez – “5 Fingers Of Death” (Freestyle) [Video]
March 3, 2018
YOOOOOOO!!!! When you are this dope, you can INSIST on a PROPER intro! Watch. And think, to yourself, who blessed the beat better… Torey Lanez or Mysonne on his Funk Flex freestyle. In Hip-Hop, emceeing is a competition! But we love it all in The Nation
#RealHipHop #BeatzAndLyricsMatter
Torey Lanez takes on the 5 Fingers of Death challenge and Freestyles for 9 minutes on Sway In The Morning.
– Sway’s Universe
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Videos | Tags: 5 fingers of Death, 9 Minute Freestyle, Tory Lanez, Tory Lanez Kills The 5 Fingers of Death | No Comments »
Big Daddy Kane Blesses NPR Music With A Mini Concert (Video)
March 2, 2018
Don’t know what’s wrong with your soul if this set from the Golden Era great doesn’t rock you. The B-I-G-D-A-D-D-Y-K-A-N-E in concert… a Tiny Desk Concert at that!
One of the greatest to ever bless the mic, Big Daddy Kane treated Tiny Desk to an office block party in the true essence of Hip-Hop. He performed a short set of classics, including “Smooth Operator,” “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” “Raw” and a bonus freestyle. Through his warm, engaging and devilishly self-effacing style, the pioneer used an interlude between songs to address the intergenerational divisiveness defining rap today and the importance of fans of all ages supporting whatever they like, while “focusing on what’s positive and keeping that in the spotlight.”
– NPR Music
– @ojones1
Highlights From The 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest (Video)
February 19, 2018
It’s a mainstay of All-Star Weekend. And it should be. Did you catch the Slam Dunk Contest this year though? If not, we got you. Distilled down to the good stuff… featuring Donovan Mitchell, the winner, above.
More funky dunkin’ after the jump!
Evidence – “Throw It All Away” / “Jim Dean” (Live Performance) [Video]
February 9, 2018
Evo at Vevo doing his damn thing tho’! Two joints, live, right in the booth, from his latest project, “Weather Or Not.” Rock with this.
Revered by fans since his days in Dilated Peoples, during the last two decades Evidence has been steadily building an enviable rep in the game. On his own, he’s dropped the acclaimed solo discs ‘The Weatherman’ and ‘Cats & Dogs,’ which included features as diverse as Aloe Black and Raekwon. Now he’s back with perhaps his strongest set of tracks yet. ‘Weather Or Not’ on Rhymesayers boasts strong lyrics and irresistible beats provided by a handful of producers including Nottz, The Alchemist, DJ Babu and DJ Premier. From “Jim Deanâ€Â to “10,000 Hours,†it’s a must-hear. We’re celebrating its arrival by having Evidence in our NYC studio, spitting “Throw It All Away†and “Jim Dean†and chatting with Vevo’s Jayson Rodriguez about putting the album together.
– Vevo
Posted in Album, Hip-Hop, Performance, Videos | Tags: EVIDENCE, Jayson Rodriguez, Live at Vevo, Throw It All Away, VEVO, Weather Or Not | No Comments »
Fabolous & Jadakiss Perform Cuts From “Friday On Elm Street” (Video)
February 5, 2018
Would not surprise you to see a music video for, say, that “F Vs. J Intro” on Vevo, would it? Videos for any of those bangers off “Friday On Elm Street” would have a home there, no prob. But how about a live set from the dope duo though? Ahaaaa! That would be a surprise… the best surprise!
Well…
Surprise, ninjas!!
FABOLOUS X JADAKISS – FRIDAY ON ELM STREET (ALBUM)
(More after the jump.)
Posted in Album, Hip-Hop, Performance, Videos | Tags: F vs. J Intro, Fabolous, Friday On Elm Street, JADAKISS, Live at Vevo, SOUL FOOD, Theme Music, VEVO | No Comments »
Kendick Lamar Kicks Off The Grammys With An Incredible Performance (Video)
January 30, 2018
Here is Kendrick Lamar's phenomenal performance to kick off the #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/zB714KDnfc
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeagueTSL) January 29, 2018
You probably heard about Kendrick’s phenomenal Grammy Awards performance. But there’s nothing like hearing and seeing it (and seeing it again, if you have already)!
Plus… how cool is it to just have Bono & The Edge (from U2) do a walk-through during your live set? Answer: VERY!
Plus, plus… A heartfelt acceptance speech (you know, for getting the Grammy for this year’s Best Rap Album)… after the jump!
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Speech, Television, Videos | Tags: 2018 Grammy Awards, Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar | No Comments »
Bruno Mars Sweeps The 2018 Grammys And ‘Finesses’ The Fans With A Memorable Performance (Featuring Cardi B) [Video]
January 30, 2018
Album Of The Year, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best R&B Performance… and THIS performance with the thick-alicious rap vixen Cardi B? Whew! Her body is Venus… The winner for 2018 is Mars. Bruno Mars! Watch high-energy on display above, and acceptance speech moments after the jump below.
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Speech, Television, Videos | Tags: 2018 Grammy Awards, Cardi B, Finesse, Grammy Awards | No Comments »
Check Out This “Sway In The Morning Jam Session” (Video)
January 29, 2018
Man. The Grammys are coming up. We should do something special.
Damn right, Sway. Good call. So you got Lupe Fiasco, Rapsody, Fred The Godson, Chris Rivers, Oswin Benjamin… and Anthony Hamilton… AND Robert Glasper?
Okay. We’re listening. With an anticipation of epic dopeness!!
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Interview, Jazz, Performance, R&B, Radio, Series, Soul, Videos | Tags: Anthony Hamilton, Chris Rivers, Fred The Godson, Jam Session, Oswin Benjamin, Robert Glasper, SITM Jam Session, Sway Calloway, Sway In The Morning, Sway In The Morning Jam Session, Sway's Universe | No Comments »
Angel City Chorale – “Africa” (Live Performance) [Video]
January 29, 2018
Yooooo! That thunderstorm opening though! I saw this in my Facebook stream and clicked play…and liked this choir’s page IMMEDIATELY… after I picked my jaw up off the floor. This is an amazing rendition of “Africa” fam. I will even embed the original Toto music video after the jump, just because.
Wow. Just wowwww!
I used to get hyped when classmates would cipher to music we beat out on school desks, lunchroom tables, gym bleachers, and bus seats. And when acts like Take 6 and Bobby McFerrin would go so hard acapella I’d swear there was instrumentation somewhere. Now, they have taken all that to the next level… orchestral though!
– @ojones1
Check Out This Live Performance Footage From Young Prophit (Video)
January 24, 2018
Get ya likes up Young Prophit! And before you go all ‘grumpy ole real Hip-Hop head’ and click past this post, why not give this next-gen young G an earnest look? Actually pretty good. In fact, he seems to be tracking more Joey Bada$$ and Stro than the garden variety young mumbler. Just saying. But watch for yourself and see what you say.
Young Prophit is on the rise. Check out this recent vlog. Prophit is behind the scenes on his daily grind and here he is rocking out in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.
– Empire Music Group/Lions Mane Records
Posted in Hip-Hop, Performance, Videos, Youth | Tags: Elijah Pacheco, Prophit, Young Prophit | No Comments »
