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.

HELLA WHAT - NORCAL TRIP

This past weekend, Lex D., Kray-Z K, and I drove up to Northern California for a Grind Time event they were battling in. It was my first time in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, and to say the least, it was...different. I've been to a few different countries and a handful of other states, but San Francisco has to be one of the most unique areas I've ever traveled to. True, the cars drive with the same license plates, but it feels like you're in a completely different state. Since this trip was so short I definitely have to take another trip up there to take in the rest of the city. We'll be more prepared next time.

First meal we had was at Top Dog in Berkeley. Let's call this "Heart Attack #1."

AT&T Park is one of the nicest baseball stadiums I've ever seen. I've never been a big fan of baseball, but I admire this. We were also told the stadium is built on an island made of trash. That may explain the funny smells on our way to the piers.

The driver of this contraption has to pay money to haul around other people. What a rip off.

Fishwich and garlic fries from Salty's. (Heart Attack #2)

The architecture in the city was amazing. If I didn't hate math so much, I would have definitely studied that in school.

Lex Diamond + Kray-Z K = Alpha de Omega. Yes, we're in SF reppin' the IE.

The views from some parts of SF were amazing. I could sit and stare at this all day.

Look! We even got to say what's up to all the Haight-ers. I look like a fool, but still on the come up, as always. Until next time...

PAID DUES 2010

This year's Paid Dues Festival was incredible. The fact that I got to spend it with some great friends made it even better. This year's show was exceptionally special because my good friend MC Prototype was on the bill. He even got a special introduction by Murs. Congrats Proto!

While I was doing promotional work for Proto's new EP The Ones Overlooked, I got to watch a lot of other performers' sets. One that really stood out for me was Afro Classics. Scarub(Living Legends) and Very are really good at what they do. After their set, I picked up 2 of their CDs and talked to them for a bit. Those guys are real down-to-earth.

On the main stage, we saw Psycho Realm, Dilated Peoples, Tha Dogg Pound, Jay Electronica, Raekwon, Murs and 9th, and West Coast legend, Ice Cube. I could go on for days talking about how cool it was to see each of these artists. Paid Dues has gotten better every year since they started it, so I can only imagine how good next year's show is going to be.

Proto doing what he does. Photo by Dennis Chung for Original Knockoff. The rest of the pictures are mine.

1 part of the team - Lex Diamond, Kray-Z K, and me on the curb. These guys host a show called Daily Duels. Any MCs want to battle, hit them up! Oh, they battle too and they're both really good.

SuperB and Proto. Check out this video SuperB did with our friend Shane Romero.

I'm a fan too! Me and Scarub(Afro Classics/Living Legends).

Another part of the team, David (BLK) and Kei-O. 3 tracks on Proto's new EP were produced by Kei-O.

To be continued...