PAID DUES 2011 | RECAP

I feel sorry for all the poor blokes that missed out on Guerilla Union's 6th Annual Paid Dues Festival this year. A great day of Hip-Hop and breezy Southern California weather, and after it all, I just had two words to say - BLACK STAR.

The crowd during Binary Star.

My homie MC Futuristic stays on the grind. Check out his music. It's fresh.

Mistah FAB wearing a Hiero tee, representing for Oakland and the whole Bay Area.

Hyphy.

This is my good friend Mondo from the one and only Matt and Mondo's Punk Rock Power Hour. We talked about girls and Pokemon. I'm serious.

I like this picture a lot. Visionaries onstage.

P.O.S. is not a piece of shit at all. He's actually a really nice guy and is great at what he does. One of my favorites for sure.

Met this dude with a cool Supreme cap and I snapped a pic.

Security guards and Scarub (Living Legends/Afro Classics).

I ate here. The food wasn't great, but the stand looked cool.

Rawth (Asher Roth and Nottz) on the main stage with this sunset. Until next time.

MC PROTOTYPE - CHASING DREAMS FT. SCARUB | OFFICIAL VIDEO

Yeah, I know, it's been a while, and I'm gonna do my best to update this blog more often. So what better way to get back into it than with my big brother MC Prototype's new music video!

"Chasing Dreams" was filmed and directed by Original Knockoff, the same team that brought you Pro's last video. The song and video features an all-star cast of players: CookBook of LA Symphony produced the track, DJ Nickyboi(Surf Ninjas Crew) provided the cuts, Brett Woods, who also sang on "She Is" off The Ones Overlooked, and a true living legend(literally!) Scarub of the Living Legends and Afro Classics.



Conscious of the mixtape-driven industry, MC Prototype is redefining the limitations of traditional Hip-Hop songs. By teaming up with a nonprofit organization, "Chasing Dreams" is more than just a single, it's a campaign and a movement for hope. More info will be announced soon on Pro's site. For now, enjoy the video, leave comments, and take something away from this song.

One last thing... Pro is wearing the ETRNLST drip tee in the video! I can't even begin to explain how cool that is. I'm honored and thankful to know such amazing people.

INTRODUCING... THE LEFT FIELD

My homies Stevie D and Kevin make up the Hip-Hop collective, The Left Field. They released their first mixtape Hit The Ground Runnin earlier this week and it's super dope! Oh, and I'm featured on one of their tracks too! These guys will definitely be shaking up things in the IE and LA real soon!

Opposites by TheLeftField

Click on the album cover below to listen and download The Left Field's mixtape.

Follow The Left Field on Twitter and add them on Facebook!

LET'S KEEP MOVING

A couple hours ago, my friend NAK posted a new song online. It's a tribute to the late, great producer, Nujabes. I was really excited when NAK posted the cover art for "Keep Moving" last night. Nujabes was, hands down, one of the best, and NAK's rendition of the song definitely does the original composition justice ("Counting Stars").

NAK has such a dope style. If you've ever heard his music, you know NAK has an aggressive style of lyrical delivery. Nujabes' style of producing, on the other hand, is soothing and full of jazz. How do the two fit so perfectly? Just listen and you'll understand.

I think NAK is a great story teller and an incredibly talented emcee. His music spreads positivity. We need more positivity.

Thank you, NAK.
Thank you, Nujabes(R.I.P).

Click the cover art bellow to listen to (and download) "Keep Moving."

DAILY DUELS 7

So, I'm sitting here at The Bakery with MC Prototype and DJ Nickyboi, and I figured I should post a blog about Daily Duels tomorrow. If you remember from a few months back, ETRNLST made its debut at Daily Duels 6, where I was also battling. I won't be battling at DD7 though. Instead, I'll be performing a short set of some songs I've been writing.

I'm not big on calling everyone I know to get them to come to my shows, so let's pretend this is the invitation. I hope I see some familiar faces tomorrow night, and some strange, new ones too! Bring your friends, significant other, or grandparents for the love of Hip-Hop.

Lastly, ETRNLST will have a booth set up all night! Bring some cash to get a great deal on some of our Summer '10 threads. What does that mean? Am I talking about a special one-night-only sale? Who knows...

JOON SPEAKS | BLACK & YELLOW

Two nights ago, my good friend Joon Speaks (aka @BoycottJoon) released his version of Wiz Khalifa's song "Black and Yellow." Instead of writing a cliche club anthem, Joon talks about the reality of what black and yellow is... oil and gold.

Listen to the track and download it here.

CURTISS KING - "FINALLY" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Hip-hop is an ever-changing art form. New music is not always everyone's cup of tea, and honestly, there aren't many artists I truly believe in anymore. If I take the time to write something about this music, it's because I believe in it.

Curtiss King's music is refreshing and it stands out amongst the blur of new music that's flooding the airwaves. He makes honest and personal music that you can feel. Too many "artists" try being deep and honest in their music, but honesty is something you can't fake. There's a sense of sincerity in Curtiss King's music that's hard to find these days.

His latest effort, Jet Pack On E, is definitely his most personal album yet. This is the fifth video installment from Jet Pack... for the song "Finally." Watch the video and listen/download the album here. 

COCA COLA BEATS PEPSI

This weekend my good friend Julian Ransom (Joon Speaks) released a track called "Coca Cola."  This is the first time I've ever heard him spit, and you know what... he can spit! Last time we went skating, he told me he was working on some music, but he was keeping it on the low until it was ready. Click here to listen to the track and expect more things from Joon Speaks in the future.

Oh, he models for TITS, too. This guy is everywhere!

REVIEW: KANYE WEST - POWER (REMIX) FEATURING JAY-Z & SWIZZ BEATZ

I hope, by now, everyone has heard the original version of "Power." If not, you've been sleeping too long. When it was first announced there would be a remix of the track featuring none other than Jay-Z, I was sold. Together, the two never fail to impress, whether it's on an album track or a remix, such as "Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)" on Late Registration. Jay and Kanye compliment each other well, and some of each artist's most memorable verses are on tracks they record together.

It's no surprise the "Power (Remix)" is no different. Lyrically, both emcees went in on this track, and on the production boards, Swizz Beatz put his unmistakable signature touch on the track. The end result is a great song, but it still leaves me wondering what the rest of the album is going to sound like.

Oh, and if the name SNAP brings back any memories, listen all the way through the track for a sweet and nostalgic surprise. Now that you've read through this, press play and start clapping!

Music courtesy of Hypetrack
(I do not own the rights of these pictures)

CAN'T HIDE (TRAILER)

MC Prototype teamed up with Original Knockoff again, but this time the final product was a music video for the first single off Proto's latest EP, The Ones Overlooked. I got a chance to watch the rough cut of the video a while ago, and judging off of that, the finished version is going be amazing.

DUMA VS. SNK

My friends Kray-Z K and Lex Diamond run a rap battle league called Daily Duels. They asked if I wanted to battle in Daily Duels 6...so I did! It was a promo battle, meaning it didn't get judged. Either way it was fun and a great experience. I'm looking forward to my next battle.

41 PAST MIDNIGHT

I can honestly say that Save from 41 Past Midnight is one of the main reasons I emcee today. I've known him since my sophomore year of high school, so he has seen just about every phase I've gone through. We went skating almost every weekend my senior year, which I think that was a turning point for me, because all we'd listen to was hip-hop on the drives to each spot. At the time, I was still mostly listening to punk, so I was exposed to a lot of dope music from this guy.

Now, about 41PM...they are probably the most unique hip-hop duo I have ever listened to. Marked Fair is really fresh on the production side, and Save is still one of the best writers I know. Raw hip-hop in full effect. I dig it, but you can decide for yourself. This is their first music video for their new song, "Enter."

GOOD WILL

Whether it's an interview or a music video, Original Knockoff never cease to amaze me. These guys are good at what they do. Gabe, one half of OK, is also known as the "thrift shop hip hop" emcee, Good Will. His style is fresh. "Little Man" is one of the most unique hip hop songs I've heard in a long time, and the video is bananas! Puppeteering at its finest. Yes, I said puppets!

There is a lot to learn from artists and creators like Gabe and Dennis. Step outside your comfort zone, and do something different. Be an innovator. In the long run, it'll be more self-fulfilling than following trends and attempting to meet the standards and expectations of others. Set your own standards and meet your own expectations. Honest work is always appreciated in the end.

GSS SANTA ANA IN-STORE

Last night, Cook & UNO and Proto & DJ Nickyboi gave the crowd at GCS in Santa Ana a lesson on how to have fun and STILL be hip hop. I usually only go to the Pomona location, but the GCS in Santa Ana is really nice too!

CLASSICS SESSION

Last Thursday, Afro Classics, MC Prototype, and Curtiss King blessed the Session A crowd at Cal Poly with solid performances. It was great having Scarub and Very come out to do the show at my school. But I have to say the highlight of the night was DJ Nickyboi coming out from behind his tables to get on the mic with Proto during "G.I.G." All in all, the show was bananas!

RADIO FUTURA IN-STORE

The Downtown Pomona Art Walk is always a great time. From galleries to performance venues, there's something to see everywhere you go. Last night, we spent most of our time at Radio Futura's in-store, where Tomorrow, Yesterday, Cookbook and Uno Mas (LA Symphony), and MC Prototype and DJ Nickyboi performed. Our friends at Original Knockoff also started filming scenes for Proto's new music video.

Radio Futura carries a lot of music that you may have a hard time finding at most other record stores. They have been open since 1997 and are still going strong. They currently have two physical locations in Pomona and Alhambra, alongside their online store. Check out one of the stores when you get a chance. Support your local scene.

MC Prototype & DJ Nickyboi:

 Yep and T.i.E (Tomorrow, Yesterday):

MUSIC MONDAY

So Brother Ali, BK-One, and Fashawn are on tour now, and they just released the "theme song" of their tour, "Breakin' Dawn." The track was produced by Ali and BK. To me, the beat has a similar feel to the songs on BK's album, Radio Do Canibal, which features a fresh, hip-hop blend of traditional Brazilian music. Download the song here.

Straying away from the use of videos on this post, my good friend MC Prototype's new EP, The Ones Overlooked is now available in limited quantities at Radio Futura in Downtown Pomona, or from Proto himself. The EP's official release will be at Paid Dues this Saturday, April 3, and will also be available at other independent record stores. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this album. You can preview 3 tracks from the EP on his Myspace.

MUSIC MONDAY

The new Murs and 9th Wonder album, "ForNever," comes out April 13th. The first video off the release, "The Problem Is," features two legendary Los Angeles emcees, Murs and Sick Jacken, with the help of Uncle Chucc and, of course, 9th on the beat. You can catch Murs and 9th, as well as Sick Jacken and Psycho Realm at Paid Dues on April 3rd. Get your tickets soon, it's less than 2 weeks away! My boy Proto is gonna be there too! If you keep up with my blog, you would have already known that.

Another album to look out for is "Revolutions Per Minute" by Reflection Eternal. It's been 10 years since 'Tek and Kweli have released an album together, and from what I've heard so far, I might have this album on repeat for a while. It drops April 20th. Here's their new music video for the song "Strangers," featuring Underground King, Bun B.

RE-UP YOUR RE

It's been 10 years since Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek released their debut album, "Train of Thought." Reflection Eternal is back with a new album "Revolutions per Minute" and a new video. According to Hypetrak, the album is coming out April 20. Though I can't pick a favorite emcee, Kweli is definitely in my top 5.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

The greatest producer of all time. Until we join you shining in the light, we will always celebrate your life.

Rest in Power

James Dewitt Yancey/J Dilla/Jay Dee

February 7, 1974 - February 10, 2006