Tribute to the Haters Edition

So I want to start this latest post with a poignant quote from the scribe Shawty Lo:

BIG UPS TO ALL MY HATERS!!

Okay, I only had one hater (shout out to yikes!), which is 10 less than I thought I would have. However, since this is a weekly column, there is still more time to post nasty comments from your laptop while wearing that pink Snuggie. Don’t give up haters!

On the flip side, much thanks to all the people who have reached out with thanks and congratulations, and a special shout to suril who says that this column brings “my two favorite websites” together. YES!!

This Week

• Last week, we talked about how Jay-Z killed Auto-Tune, the overuse of the pitch correction software that created robot-sounding voices. Well, the use of Auto-Tune has spread to gospel, with Mary Mary’s track “God In Me”. Yes,it’s thinly disguised with spiritual lyrics for you to get your Jesus on at the club, but its also the best use of AutoTune I’ve ever heard. The verdict? God likes AutoTune. Even if Jay-Z is the greatest of all time, God sorta wins this one by default, don’t ya think?

• If you didn’t know, Mos Def released his latest CD, The Ecstatic, with almost little fanfare this week. The album is currently winning over hip-hop fans all over the world. Me? Not so much. You should still check it out however and make up your own judgment.

• Lupe Fiasco is back! The recently elusive Grammy-nominated rapper has surfaced with a new track titled, “Shining Down,” with his buddy Matthew Santos. Unlike most bling and dance inspired hip-hop today, the track takes a darker, moodier tone than some of his other efforts and reminds me of Hello/Goodbye from his last album The Cool. Lupe is not one to shy away from musical experimentation, and this track is getting me ready for his upcoming album Lazers.

• Now that Wale has vaulted into major label territory, the DMV is looking for its next star to put the region on the map. Look no further than Phil Ade. The Maryland rapper’s fast-paced flow reminds me of a budding Lupe Fiasco, and his performance on the sold-out Wale show at 9:30 (which pays homage to the likes of Bob Dylan of all people) still has people talking. Mr. Ade is making major moves soon, but until then, check out his track, “Going Off” for his upcoming mixtape, Starting On JV which drops July 10th.

• I’m not going to lie. I’m falling in love with Irish Singer Laura Izibor. We featured not one, but two posts about the Irish soul singer. Marcus reviewed her album which dropped this week, and called her “an artist bound to be one of the future cornerstones of international R&B.” I was one of the few and proud to get a press pass to cover her amazing concert at the Kennedy Center held on Tuesday as well. Add Ms. Izibor to your musical wish list, and don’t forget who first wrote about her back in 2007!

• If you didn’t go to the BLK JKS concert like we asked you to, you missed out. They simply killed it! Check out our interview with the South African rockers before their show at the Black Cat and check the beautiful photos courtesy of Lady Glock.

• And finally, this goes into the “beyond” category, but I don’t care. I LOVE Little Boots. The UK pop songstress (who has gotten noticed on this side of the pond for her take of Kid Cudi’s Day N’ Nite) released her album Hands in the UK this week and our writer extraordinaire K Dot Scribe got a copy for review. The verdict: there were too many “hands” involved in this album, watering down her perky pop persona. Agree? Let us know what you think.

Events

• TONIGHT: If you missed former Yo! Majesty rapper Shunda K when she tore it down for Peaches at the 9:30 club last night, you’re in luck. She’s scheduled to roll through the weekly Woman 6 party at Expo (1928 9th St NW) along with DC’s own The Five One and DJ Jackie O, Smudge, and Manulita on the decks. Cover: $7.
• TONIGHT: As always, the Commonwealth crew will be holding it down at Steve’s Bar Room in Dupont Circle (1337 Connecticut Ave NW) for the weekly 95 Live party. This week they’ve recruited DJ Bee (from Skratch Makaniks) on the 1s and 2s, spinning ONLY tracks from 1990-1999. Always a good look. Free.

• FRIDAY: If you’re not familiar with the retro soul stylings of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears then check them out when they open for veteran punk rockers The New York Dolls at the 9:30 Club. Cover $25.



• SATURDAY: The Hip-Hop Cinema Cafe returns to the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. with a screening of the 2005 documentary The Art of 16 Bars, which features a list of some of the hottest MCs in the game–Kanye West, 50 Cent, Common, Raekwon, Nas, Rakim, KRS-One, Jay-Z and MC Lyte for starters–on how the craft their rhymes. After the movie there will be a panel discussion featuring DC hip-hop artists Kokayi, XO and Yu. Free.
• SATURDAY: If you can’t get into the free Major Lazer show at Rock and Roll Hotel on Saturday, I’m sorry. It’s long sold out. You might want to read a book or something that night.
• SUNDAY: UK Neo-Soul artist Julie Dexter comes through Liv for a live performance with DC’s own hip-hop fusion band The Jaspects. Tickets are only $15 in advance, and like previous events at Liv, it promises to be a hot show. Cover $15. Buy Tickets Here.
• MONDAY: Canada’s Thunderheist combines the supernatural production of Grahm Zilla with the potent rhymes MC Isis. Their track “Jerk It” has been winning over hearts and minds all over the world, and they come to the Black Cat for the first time on Monday. Not only do they have DJ Will Eastman backing them up, but my homie Jahmal from indie band The Carps will be backing them up on drums for a not to be missed performance. This promises to be the sleeper show of the upcoming week. Don’t miss out. Tickets $12.

• NYC: And if you’re going to be in New York City this weekend like I will, I highly suggest checking out the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival which takes place at the Empire Fulton State Park in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The lineup this year is stellar, featuring such acts as Pharoahe Monch, DJ Premier, Styles P, dead prez, Smif N Wessun, Grand Puba and J Period. Unfortunately, online sales are done, but you can still pick up tickets at Fat Beats in the West Village.