The-Quotable's exclusive coverage of the 5th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is on the way!  Interviews, video, audio coverage in store, muttaskutttas!  

NILES PERFORMING LIVE AT EODUB!!!

Make sure you catch Niles performing live, this Sunday, June 14th at EODUB!!! 

The showcase kicks off at 9pm. $10 at the door. Crazy lyricism in store.

Niles Showcase at End of the Weak
Sunday, June 14th
at The Pyramid (Ave A between 6th and 7th)
$10 at the door

CLICK HERE FOR THE-QUOTABLE's EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NILES

CLICK HERE FOR THE TOP 4 REASONS WHY END OF THE WEAK NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR WEEKLY ROTATION

Brooklyn Bodega's Show and Prove - Making History

Brooklyn Bodega President, Wes Jackson highlighted a startling fact midway through the third leg of the Show and Prove series: the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is the only annual Hip Hop Festival in New York City.

Click here for April Show and Prove Recap

Now, we're talking about festivals of size, all-day-Hip-Hop-events. Festivals with local and national artists. International acts. Cats like Ghostface Killah, KRS-ONE, Big Daddy Kane, Fat Joe, Lupe Fiasco, etcetera, etcetera. Festivals like the legendary HOT97 Summer Jam. Or the ubiquitous Rock The Bells festival series.

I'll say it again...just to make sure it sinks in. The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is the only annual Hip Hop Festival in New York City.

FACT.

Lets put it into perspective: HOT97's Summer Jam is held annually at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NEW JERSEY. Rock The Bells festival series is held each Summer in Jones Beach, LONG ISLAND. And that’s dope. Both organizations host premiere events. Live Hip Hop is a blessing anywhere you can get it.

But this is New York City. Hip Hop's birth place. The Mecca. Logic would dictate that this City, complete with a history as rich this one, would have Hip Hop festivals littered in parks and venues throughout the 5boroughs. Ironically, and unfortunately, that just isn't the case.

Despite the fact that BHF is the lone Hip Hop festival within The City limits, fiscally speaking, three major festivals within the tri-state area is serious competition for any ambitious promoter - especially in this economy. People are stretching duckets as far as possible. How many fifty-bucks-plus tickets can the average head afford?

And thats what makes Brooklyn Bodega and its endeavor to further The Culture so significant. The Bodega Fam has managed to assemble the top shelf Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival for 5 years - gaining in notoriety while maintaining an emphasis on affordability. A ticket to this year's BHF - featuring Pharoahe Monch, Dead Prez, DJ Premiere, Styles P, J.Period and a "group of Emcees that are gonna fuckin blow your mind", Marco Polo, Brown Bag AllStars, and who knows who else - is only 10 bucks. And the Bodega just started charging anything at all a couple years ago. Back in the day, you could register online, wait for the confirmation email, and pick up your ticket - FOR FREE - at Halcyon, or Fat Beats. The BHF has been a labor of love since its inception. Brooklyn Bodega is the only organization in The City doing it this big, in this manner. That you must respect.

That you must support.

What's most appreciated is that Bodega shows are no longer limited to the annual BHF. The Show and Prove series is now one of this region’s most consistent underground events - providing a venue for the next wave of hungry Emcees to show skills. What started as a three-part competition series awarding the right to rock the main stage at this year's festival, looks to evolve into a regular event even after the festivities. April was quality. The collection of artists did not disappoint and The Mayor, Homeboy Sandman, shut it down as featured artist. Only great things have been said about March (which TQ missed). And May may be the tightest competition yet. Sleepwalkas, Brokn.Englsh, Those Chosen, and 8thW1 are all noticeably talented. All four came A-game equipped. Each act deserves a presence at this year's BHF.

FACT.

"These dudes up here, these are our Stevie Wonders. These are our Marvin Gayes. These are our Teddy Pendegrasses. All that shit that yall grew up with that yall parents listen to - we are creating it right now. This is history making right now." - Wes Jackson at the May 21st Show and Prove

Sleepwalkas


The "Best Guerilla Marketing Campaign To Get On Brooklyn Bodega's Show And Prove" award goes to the Thoroughest Borough duo, Sleepwalkas. Along with their bourgeoning reputation, Brooklyn Emcees K.Gaines, Cyph Diggy, and DJ Polarity hustled into the showcase by distributing lime-green fliers at the March and April shows, urging people to email BrooklynBodega.com, demanding their inclusion in the May Show And Prove. Some ‘old school street-team’ shit. "Grind" is synonymous with their name. Sleepwalkas have rocked everywhere from the Iguana Lounge, to EODUB, to the Knitting Factory. And from the moment they touched this night's stage, it was clear they were here with a purpose.



Sleepwalkas opened with the head-nod inducing, "Take That" - kicking ill cypher-rhymes over a thumping, horn-heavy soundscape - commanding the crowd to DJ Polarity’s beat. "Number 1 contender. / avatar-word bender." These cats were lyrically ready, locked and loaded with energy. By the time K.Gaines' exclaimed "Put your hands up for the hood sensation" on the closing verse to the nostalgic "Holiday”, drinks hit in the air like money shots. And chances are most of those in the house had not previously heard the song. Add that to the fact that they opened the showcase! Every audience is sleepy (pun intended) in the beginning. Not a problem for K.Gaines and Cyph Diggy. Dope beats plus dope rhymes equals immediate attention. Sleepwalkas captured the crowd from jumpstreet.

I gotta say this though: Sleepwalkas truest example of showmanship came when the duo guided the audience through a brief tour of BHF history, MCing over beats from performances past (Fat Joe, KRS-One, etcetera) while providing a glimpse into this year's festival (Pharoahe Monch).



"If you wasn't there something's wrong with you!! " – K.Gaines

Whether or not this is comparable to kissing up to the teacher is irrelevant for two reasons: (a) nostalgia plays well with live audiences, especially when rocking crowds unfamiliar with your music; and (b) in a broader context, their tribute highlighted the growing legacy of the BHF itself. A 5th-annual-anything is a significant milestone and a testament to vitality. The down side, like any other interlude, crowd energy was lost due to the break in the action (Sleepwalkas picked it back up on their final track, “Nuff Said”). That aside, their tribute was necessary and appreciated for many reasons, regardless of the motivation. Dope shit.

Brokn.Englsh



Brick City’s Brokn.Englsh continues to make a name for itself within the 5boroughs, having rocked the Knitting Factory and Sputnik Bar this side of the Hudson. The-Quotable.com first met (1/3 of the trio) Myk Dyaleks during the April Show and Prove but had yet to experience a live performance. Judging from their entertaining BE Diaries webisode series – Dyaleks, Cion Buris, and Lyriq2Go ooze chemistry – they genuinely enjoy kicking it with each other. As if they’re actually having fun together. Hopefully that translates into their live set.



Brokn.Englsh jumped in with the soulful, bass-heavy “Right About Now” (Cion Buris suitably crooning the hook), raucous energy and natural chemistry on full display. The tone carried through the sublime “I Remember My First Time / First love was kinda my first rhyme” before peaking on the anthemic “Make Some Noise” (the audience erupted immediately as BE broke it down into a back-in-the-day House Party dance. Not the classic Kid and Play dance from House Party. But the Kid and Groove dance where Groove passes out drunk right after the spin move. Again, nostalgia plays well to live audiences).

All set long, BE seemed to innately play off one another, complimenting each other on stage. Clearly these three enjoy rocking together, making their performance more engaging to watch. Unfortunately, there is such a thing as too engaging, and BE reached that point near the end of “Make Some Noise.” Following the dope old school dance break down, Lyriq2Go jumped down audience level to kick his last verse. Now in a stadium style venue this would translate more effectively. But in Public Assembly, where the audience is all on the same level, those in the back can’t see the action and therefore can’t feed off the energy. In fact, I looked away as Lyriq first left the stage and surprisingly couldn’t find him when I looked back. At one point I thought he was on stage lying down!



With that aside, the crowd felt the performance. BE commanded a high energy show complete with memorable songs and memorable moments. And their overall style is a great fit for the BHF. Stiff comp. Stiff comp.

Those Chosen



Those Chosen certainly made the longest commute to Public Assembly. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Japetto, Kornbread, and Foreshadow trekked cross-country to compete in this night's Show and Prove. Watch out for these cats. Those Chosen has a sizeable following out West and continues to work with major industry players. Not only have they rocked stages along with Slick Rick and Little Brother, but their upcoming mixtape - Steamulis (The Watts Riot Effect) - is hosted by Mick Boogie (available June 15th).

"Don't speak on how I live / and our grind ain't the same." - Those Chosen



Those Chosen probably had the night's most balanced performance. No interludes. No choreographed dance moves. A solid show nonetheless. Set openers, "Own Lane" and "All In All" felt like classic boom-bap-type-tracks, and "The Feelin'" fulfilled the night's nostalgia quota. Dope. All three. TC wrapped with the thumping "Soundclash," rounding out a well assembled performance.



To be honest, The Company Man was a bit surprised at the crowd response, or lack thereof, during TC's set. I mean, their energy was consistent. They went hard all the way through. Songs were dope. The beats were dope. Rhymes were dope. Something just didn't resonate. Don't get me wrong, no one in the audience threw tomatoes - Sandman didn't sweep them off stage Apollo-style or anything. The crowd was certainly receptive. Heads nodded throughout.

No doubt.

It’s just that given the overall quality of their performance, a greater crowd reaction would've been expected. Maybe it was because their performance didn't yield more opportunity for participation. Maybe regional bias. Maybe their set was too balanced in comparison to the two previous acts. Who knows the reason? Nevertheless, Those Chosen did their thing. Anyone not checking for them in the future is starving themselves.

FACT.

8thW1



Arguably the least known member of the AOK Collective, New Jersey native 8thW1 left a significant mark on Show and Prove. Hitting the stage with an aggressive, unapologetic, b-boy demeanor – 8thW1 was the only non-group competing tonight. Decked in D&G reading glasses, white T-Shirt flashing the logo for his most recent LP (LoveMoneyandMusic) across the chest, and khaki cargo shorts – 8th roamed the stage like an Emcee is supposed to. Each syllable spilled confidence. Every lyric spit with a purpose.

“My name’s 8thW1 and I’m tired of wack shit!” – 8thW1

From mic to plug, 8thW1 maintained ardent energy and animation throughout the set. Opening track “Some say its vision / some say its sight” (not sure of the actual title) provided a head-knocking lyrical introduction, and his ensuing sick acappella-16 garnered instant crowd reaction - "35 and older say we need 'Pac. / I listen to me. I think not!"

“My name’s 8thW1, and don't put no fuckin sugar in my food!” – 8thW1



Eighth displayed his ability to command the crowd at the beginning of the impressive “The Pressure” – where he (presumably) botched the lead-in to the first verse and started off beat. Before it became obvious to the audience, 8th stopped the DJ, turned to crowd as if we did something wrong, and initiated a commanding call and response – “When I say Pressure, you say ‘WHAT’!” The crowd complied immediately, and then it was back to the track as if that was part of the song. Tragedy averted. The audience remained unaware. Exactly how its supposed to be done. Bravo.

“I don’t gotta dumb it down, this is how I talk! / Passionate! / with a lisp. / I use / literal figuratives / to make a point like a finger tip!” – 8thW1

Along with displaying professional crowd command, 8th delivered diverse song selections, both lyrically and sonically. "Sugar", with its anthemic production and infectious hook ("They claim we sellin' crack / but you be doin that!"), touches on the addictive level of sugar found in just about everything we consume ("Sugar sugar sugar won't you give me give me more / of your sweet elixir until my liver gets sore"). Ironically, the HARDEST track of the night. And "Drunken Saturday" is a happy ode to his favorite buzz-inducers, complete with a hook Professor X couldn't remove for your dome if he tried. Ill. Simply ill.



"I'm the favorite. / Fuck pretendin!" 8thW1

8thW1 shut it down. And he knew it. You could tell by the way he vacated the stage. No salutations. No shout outs. No 'hit me at whateverwhatever.com'. He simply placed the mic back on the stand and exited stage left - only leaving behind audience adoration. 

And deservedly so. 8th's lyrical one-man-show was packed with energy and diversity. His track choices were on point. His delivery and word-play translated clearly throughout this live performance.  He was the only solo artist and the only one without a nostalgic track - distinguishing himself from the comp. Honestly? The total package. This was the type of show that forces you to immediately buy the performers product. And thats exactly what The Company Man did (LoveMoneyandMusic review coming soon).

The Wrap Up

Brooklyn Bodega has done it again. Another good night. Another quality array of talent. Again, asking for anything more is straight Bernie Madoff (greedy).

Seriously though, choosing a winner out of tonight's performers is not an easy decision. There's so much to consider. All four maintained high energy throughout. All four came lyrically prepared. Sleepwalkas hit hard with 'Take That' and 'Holiday' and somehow fit in an absolutely necessary BHF tribute. Brokn.Englsh arguably had the most energy of all, earning the loudest crowd response with the House Party break down. Those Chosen's overall balanced set was more than Worthy (like James). And 8thW1's stellar song selection, lyrical creativity, and brash showmanship shut it down. Tough choices.

Queue the Jeopardy theme music.

From our perspective, its a push between Brokn.Englsh and 8thW1. BE's live performance, crowd appeal, and flare for the nostalgia would play well at the BHF. 8th's overall creativity plays well with people in general. Both deserve the opportunity to be pitted against previous Show and Prove winners, Children of the Night and Brown Bag Allstars.

But since this is a competition, there must be a winner. And the winner is...

Brokn.Englsh. 

Based primarily on live audience appeal and ability to jump start the crowd for the rest of the day's festivities, Brokn.Englsh's high octane performance, dope track listing, and flare for the nostalgic is a perfect fit for the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival.

As for the overall winner of the Show and Prove series - and I say this without witnessing Children of the Night's March performance - has got to be Brown Bag Allstars. Like we said before, "The crew's highly energetic live set and crowd command is bred for rocking live shows. Theirs is the type of show that the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is now known for." BBAS will make sure the BHF starts off correct.

FACT.

Once again, we leave you as Show and Prove left us...with an ill cypher featuring Homeboy Sandman, Prezzure, Brown Bag Allstars, Mr. Beatz, and several other of tomorrow's best.

***Editors Note:  Congratulations to Brokn.Englsh for winning the May Show and Prove as well as Brown Bag Allstars for taking home the overall Show and Prove Crown.  No doubt these fellas will represent.***

Quotable InBox - Julian Marley, K'Naan, Niles, Prezzure, ZEPS the Adobo King

JR from NYC hit us with the latest on reggae artist, Julian Marley.

“Julian is looking forward to the release of his [latest] album Awake on May 26th and playing select dates on the Blazed & Confused tour with Snoop Dogg, Slightly
Stoopid and brother Stephen. Check out the new single “Boom Draw” here:

Boom Draw - Julian Marley

Ill rhyme slinger, Niles, dropped another teaser from his upcoming mixtape, When The Clock Strikes XXII… Consistency is the path to greatness. Homeboy comes with it each every time. No doubt.

Niles-Who the hell are you-.mp3 -




Niles has a lot going on right now:

“I am in the final chapters of recording my mixtape (I'd rather call it a project) "When the Clock Strikes XXII...". I am very excited about it for it is my 1st release of an opus. I put so much passion, conviction and soul light into it. I truely feel you'll embrace it like I embraced it while making it. I talk about it in this fresh new "Artist of the Week" interview I did with Adam B, check it out. In the meantime, I have a showcase with Uhuru's "African Liberation Day" event on May 19th at La Pragunta in Harlem. Plus, I have a big showcase on June 14th at the notorious EOW (I will update you on that later in the month on the rapathon and the EOW showcase), and I will be one of the veterans in the "26 Hour Harlem Rapathon" on May 30th at the Hip Hop Culture Center. Definitely make room on your calendar for these events. I will be performing new and exclusive material from my debut album "To Remain..." which is a quarter done as well. Also, me, Queen Kash, Purple Haze, and D-Nasty are on a song called "The One" that a video is being shot for later this month, the video will be directed by Ralph McDaniels and debuted on Video Music Box. Plus, I have to leave you with a track off of the mixtape (project, ha) called "Who the hell are You?". Even though it isn't mixed or mastered yet, it's a master of mixtures.”

Adam B interview link: http://adamsworldblog.com (leave a comment if you like)

Tuesday, May 19th show information:
Where: La Pregunta; 1528 Amsterdam (Harlem)
Cost: $5 with rbg, $7 without
When: 8pm (be there on time if you can)

DV from BK had this to say about Somalian Emcee, K’naan:

“And yeah - k'naan brings this perspective i so WANT to be thought about in hip hop - like in "whats hardcore" -"if i rhyme about home and get descriptive, i'll make 50 cent look like limp bizkit...its hard, harder than harlem and compton combined" - like lets have a reality check about the third world, here, people. im from effing somalia, refugees dying in boats, kids can't wait to meet god, and you're hardcore cuz you sling bags in the hood? i spent a month in africa in january, and it was some shit, dude.”

Word up.



Woodside lyricist, Prezzure released the second single, from his upcoming album Can You Feel It, dropping June 25th. Aptly entitled “Go In” this track features Niles as both emcees...well…go in!

Go In - PreZZure Feat. Niles

Emcee-slash-comedian, ZEPS aka The Adobo King kicked us a couple of solid tracks: the nostalgic, "I Love New York" and the hilarious "Don't Fuck With Crazy Chicks." Check ZEPS at http://www.myspace.com/zeps and www.Logrithmic.com.

Dont Fuck With Crazy Chicks.mp3 -

I Love New York - ZEPS



Carry on...

End of the Weak - As Dope As It Gets (FREE DOWNLOAD)

"This is the part where you all show love! / When we say E-O, Yall say DUB!!!"

Lurking in the midst of Manhattan's East Village lies The City's livest Hip Hop open mic night - End of the Weak. Rockin' every Sunday night at The Pyramid (Avenue A between 6th and 7th), End of the Weak, or EODUB, showcases top flight lyrical talent from across the 5ive Boroughs, Jersey, CT, etcetera.

This isn't some novice shit. These cats can spit. The name, End of the Weak, perfectly fits.

Since 2000, EODUB's held it down for endeavoring Emcees, providing a weekly platform to show skills. And with EODUB chapters in Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, The UK, Argentina - their movement has gone global.

Aight Quotable Nation. I can't front. The Company Man is inextricably embarrassed about this one. New York City's longest running Hip Hop open mic has jumped off weekly for the past NINE YEARS and I'm just now hearing about it!! Honestly, I was first introduced to EODUB while preparing for The-Quotable's Niles Interview (All Ready A Success Story). And had I not into my man Mars Jupiter last Tax Day, I probably wouldn't have attended when I did. How could I have missed this for so long?? I feel like punching myself in the face!

Cue the Leon Phelps voice

"Yeah that was the stupidest thing I ever said."

Nevertheless, in honor of this fundamental discovery, we here at The-Quotable have decided to deliver our first Top Whatever List of 2009. See, everybody wins at The-Quotable.com.

THE-QUOTABLE PRESENTS: THE TOP 4 REASONS WHY END OF THE WEAK NEEDS TO BE ON YOUR WEEKLY ROTATION

4. The Venue

Narrow, indistinct, corridor. Dim, red hue highlighting a thirty foot bar hoisting alcoholic favorites, littered with bar stools. Two dollar Rolling Rocks. Five Dollar Heineys. Blackened back room bumping DJ Vinly Richie's ill soundscape. The Pyramid feels alternative. It feels like the East Village. It feels like Hip Hop. All at the same time. Its one of those spots that you picture being smoked out in the late 90s. Or early 2000s. The good ol' days. Back when puffin' in the spot wouldn't get you kicked out. Sorry non-smokers. Live shows are better with haze in the air.

The back room is where the ill spills. Any lights present are turned off, except for those igniting the stage. Ceiling low like a basement party. Acoustics are off the chain. Although there are a few low seating tables along the right side of the cut, by 10pm, its standing room only. And really, thats what I want in an underground event. Someplace that captures the energy of hungry Emcees. The Pyramid aces this requirement.

3. The Format

On the typical Sunday, theres two parts to EODUB - the Open Mic and the Rhyme Off. Artists come early, sign the list, and rock whatevers ready in their arsenal. Thats the Open Mic. During the Rhyme Off, two heats of four Emcees kick their best 16, rhyme javelin' for that night's victory. On every fourth Sunday, the the previous Rhyme Off winners compete in the monthly MC Challenge. Now, this goes on in each EODUB chapter mentioned previously. The winners from around the world toss their lyrical fitted-hat into the ring and compete for the global crown. It doesn't get any doper than this.

MC Challenge

"Hip Hop you havin' a good time, say 'Hell Yeah!' (Hell Yeah!) So right now we're about to jump off with MC Challenge #41. This is the ninth season of the International MC Challenge. The World Championship is currently held by Jack Flash out of the UK. So, what up Jack Flash? And this season we tryin' to win the championship for America. Are you with that shit?! Make some fuckin' noise in here!!" - EODUB Host, Pro-Payne during the MC Challenge intro.

No doubt, EODUB's MC Challenge is the iPhone of rap competitions. Talent wise, think 8 Mile - off-the-domes so dope that they must be written. Except there are no personal disses. You can't just grab the mic and shit on the next man's kicks or rhyme about 'yo'mama'. Which is why hosts Pro-Payne, Vice Verses, and Big Zoo emphasize repeatedly that this is a challenge, not a battle.

You have to appreciate that.

But what makes this Challenge the iPhone of rap competitions is that it includes each element of Emceeing. I'll break it down like this:

Lets say you think that an Emcee should have an ill written verse ready to flex over a dope beat - original or otherwise. Theres an event for that.

Lets say you think that an Emcee should be ready to represent with an ill written acapella. Theres an event for that.

Lets say you think that an Emcee should be able to freestyle off the dome about random objects or words or whatever, while maintaining a dope flow - proving that its an actual freestyle. Theres and event for that.

Lets say you think that an Emcee should be able to seamlessly rhyme over ever changing production - juggling various beats, catching it every time. Theres an event for that.

Lets say you think that an Emcee should be able to rock in a cypher, trading bars with a fellow Emcee. Theres an event for that.

The MC Challenge separates the rappers from the Emcees. You can't be average and compete here. Weak heads won't survive. The wack will be exposed. Theres no place to hide. It doesn't get any doper than this.

The iPhone of rap competitions.

DOWNLOAD MC CHALLENGE #41 HERE

This night's Challenge pits ferocious Queens Emcee, Am Zilla, Lansing's finest Niles Davis aka Alias, Woodside Queen's own Prezzure, street lyricist AP the Great, and Jigsaw the Puzzler head-to-head in a lyrical battle royal.

The Highlights:

"HANDS UP! (OH!) / EVERYBODY!!! (OH!) / LOUDER!!! (OH!) - Contestant Number 1!"

- Jigsaw the Puzzler's Written Round verse from his track "Spazzz Out". Not only was this cut mean, but Puzzler was the only Emcee to spit over original music. He even came with a hook. Smart approach. The verse was effective and distinguished him from the rest. Dopest Quotable (5:33 into the download):




"You don't write rhymes / you write scripts. / The problem is / you're the star actor in the script / smokin' clips. / You talk real reckless / with a pen and pad in your hand. / Knowin' your whole life / you never held a gat in your hand. / Am I the only one / who ceased to be bamboozled? / Most of these killas is fake, / don't let them confuse you."

"HANDS UP! (OH!) / EVERYBODY!!! (OH!) / LOUDER!!! (OH!) - Contestant Number 5!"

- Prezzure's verse in the Acapella Round. The gruff voiced, heavy-set Emcee kicked ill lyrics while smoothly changing cadence throughout the rhyme. He's on his Sunday shit, yall - End of the Weak! Dopest Quotable (14:35 into the download):

"A lot of cats wanna see Prezzure on top. / I got the haters feelin' Prezzure if they like it or NOT! / I'ma claim my spot. / Then the lames gon' flop. / Got ladies lovin' me, screamin' 'please don't stop'. / Cause I give em' / orgasms through they ears. / Similar to the one when I'm hittin' their rear. / 'OOOOOOH YEEEEAH! / Macho / Savage. / I do / DAMAGE! / HIP HOP FOR THE FUCKIN' PLANET!! / And / I'm / straight outta Woodside. / Kill yourself if you can't ride."

"HANDS UP! (OH!) / EVERYBODY!!! (OH!) / LOUDER!!! (OH!) - Contestant Number 4!"

- AP the Great's Acapella Round verse. Straight up, AP the Great can spit. So much so, that The Company Man felt compelled to drop his entire verse direct for Quotable Nation. Dopest Quotable (16:46 into the download):



"Even if the time on your watch stop, haters still gonna be ticked off. / Niggas is so backwards, they got the game Kris Krossed. / I'm a New Edition. / You Lost Boyz need to get up on a new mission. / Bullets don't start friendships. / This shit's The Game, but see, I don't like to play around. / I'd rather 'rock a knocka chick boots ' off in H-Town. / For that loucini watch your Camp get Lo. / Even a Bone Thug can end up walkin' up and down them Crossroads. / I was smart in school, your boy got intelligence. / Police love to see me as an Arrested Development. But, / I'm just another young Nigga Wit an Attitude. / 'Makin you' say Ugghh' cause I rhyme like a Master (P) do. / I ain't a flashy dude. / Look at my chain. / You would start thinkin' that I feed my diamonds fast food. / Shit, even Wu-Tang taught us that Cash Rules / so why you bloggers gettin' mad cause we talk cash and jewels? / If you ain't got it, don't hate, just congratulate. / I'm 'bout Strictly Business like an EPMD tape. / I can't see straight. / Maybe its the haze up in me. / I Get Around like 'Pac, keep razor blades with me. / I ain't a Crip or Blood, but you can Color Me Bad. / Shooters don't give a fuck about the color of your rag, nigga. / My Shock G got a Sure Shot principle. / I love it how Underground was the first to go Digital. Bitch!"

"HANDS UP! (OH!) / EVERYBODY!!! (OH!) / LOUDER!!! (OH!) - Contestant Number 3!"

- Niles' verse in the Acapella Round. Niles continues to impress with his lyrical dexterity. Quotable Nation is already familiar with the Emcee-formerly-known-as Alias, but this the first time we've peeped him in a battle, er, Challenge setting. Once again Niles Davis represents - this time kicking an ill rapid fire flow during the Acapella Round. The beauty is that every syllable is completely distinguishable in a live setting. Extremely difficult to pull off clearly (Jigsaw had difficulty with this style during his acapella). Dopest Quotable (18:20 into the download):

"You followin' trends. / Yall are pretend. / You'll never will win. / You wanna be ballers and drivin Impala's but live with yo' mama. You gotta be kidding me. / The enemies lettin' me win, call it a victory. / You simp with the lyrics. You simp from the ink from my pen on the ceiling. The remedy. / Know it is I. Don't even try. Don't even focus on mine. I know that you're hoping I fry. My flow will put an 'O' in your zone like the hole in the sky."

"HANDS UP! (OH!) / EVERYBODY!!! (OH!) / LOUDER!!! (OH!) - Contestant Number 2!"

- AM Zilla in every single round! PERIOD. Straight up, Am Zilla is a monster! Lyrically aggressive. Lyrically clever. Lyrically complete. Am wrecked shop in every round, torching the mic each time, leaving only a pile of ashes in his wake. The entire night, it was as if he was on that Manny Ramirez (performance enhancers). The difference between his off-the-domes and his writtens is negligible. Everything Zilla kicked was masterfully dope, but his Grab Bag round performance was most impressive (32:37 into the download). Grab Bag objects in (parenthesis):



"Yo, I'm about to jook the bag up, take that stash. / See what I got up inside this Grab Bag. / First off, dog, I'm bustin like ratchets. / I'm lettin off the fire and I ain't use the (MATCHES). / Yeah nigga, that nigga AM-spire. / I'll save this shit for my freestyle camp fire. / Then I come through and go into the bag again / pull out the (BAT) again. / Dog, I call up you dogs and you catsman. / I'm the most powerful nigga in the line up / so I'm the 4th batsman. / Yo this freestyle is off the dome, son. / Yo throw me the pitch...thats a homerun. / Now, we go back to bag. / Nigga tell I'm comin' through. / Am's the shit! / Oh my god, nigga, yall niggas can't stomp me. / Niggas wanna look at my style. I rep New York, B. / And I do it. Yall niggas can't do this hardly. / This looks like a Queens detect (WALKIE TALKIE). / Niggas is listenin. Dog try to battle me. / Fuck get close, yall niggas can't bag me. / How many obects I got left? 2 more? / How the fuck is my flow? I think its too raw. / And yall niggas know / I got the righteous shit. / Oh, this is the (NAPKIN) I give your girl to wipe her lips. / Stand up. Zilla's nice. / I got one more object / Ill for your life. / And the last thing I pull out, oh I'ma catch wreck. / The bud I smoke is even more bright green the (SHREK)!"

ALL FREESTYLE! RIDICULOUS! Zilla is special. And not surprisingly, he won MC Challenge #41.

2. The Hosts

End of the Weak hosts Pro-Payne, Big Zoo, and Vice Verses alone are reason enough to check out EODUB. They manage the mic like Joe Torre, tag teaming like The Legion of Doom, guiding the audience through the event. Atomic energy. Crazy chemistry. Kicking freestyle rhymes between each performance, demanding crowd participation. Because of them, EODUB feels more like a concert than an open mic. No doubt, this trio rocks a party.



1. The Emcees

Top to bottom, mic to plug, most of this night's Emcees sport top tier talent. Whether its song writing ability, lyrical skill, creativity - these cats are Worthy. Like James. Its enough to give you hope for Hip Hop's future. The majority of the list consisted of radio-ready jams wrapped in lyrical ferocity. And if commercial radio wasn't saturated in Payola payments, you would actually hear the majority of this music. The standouts:

- Sick Brick City lyricist, Khalil Kash's ill track, "Pay Day." Kash's conversational-early-two-thousand-Jay-Z-esque flow commands the head knocking boom-bap soundscape.

- Ryze's anthemic "I Get Moolah". This was probably the most radio-ready track of the night. Ryze's raucous performance demands audience participation, and his tounge twister delivery over the synth heavy production is reminiscent of Mystical in his prime (but less nasaly) or something out of late nineties ATL (thats a good thing). "I Get Moolah" forces you to bounce. Why this song isn't knockin' in every club in everywhere America I don't understand.

- "Since I Was A Minor" by Class President's. Honestly, I'm not sure if thats the actual name of this track, but the hook goes "Since I was a minor, I've been doin major. / I be gettin' mine, tryna grind for this paper." This feels like something to smoke and ride to, or drop down into mack mode to. Infectious. Perfect for the Summer.

- Connecticut Emcee, The Rising Sun Quest. Homeboy wrecked shop in the Rhyme Off, advancing to the final round. And although he fell to Am Zilla (like everyone else on this night), he was dope enough to win an invite into an MC Challenge later this year. Dopest Quotable:

"Yo, its pretty obvious I'm not a novice and not a suprise. / Not a lot of people pick up what I'm puttin down / when I rhyme. / Vision fine, but they mentally blind. / I expose what your disguise was designed to hide. / You and I are like the sun and the moon / lighting the sky. / 'Til the lunar eclipse proves that only one shines. / Line after line, I boggle the mind. / All rise when the honorable Rising Sun preside. / With a dirty flow / comparable to a hill slide. / When a volatile incline produce a mud slide. / A dangerous threat unbenounced to the human eye / like a tumor that was diagnosed unbenign."

"This is not the beougie shit! We're not serving apple martinis!" - EODUB Host Big Zoo

Mic to plug, EODUB is official. The hosts are live, locale is tight. The format's dope. The artists are worthy. The talent level and overall energy make this event feels equally club and concert-esque. "Its the evolution of Hip Hop competition." And at $10 at the door - EODUB is a steal. Now thats whats poppin' during a financial crisis.

Check these vids and much more dopeness at http://www.youtube.com/user/justhunte.

Niles



Niles Cypher Round



AM ZILLA



AM ZILLA Beat Jugglin'



Prezzure



AP the Great

The Return of the $10 Dollar Bill Show (DOWNLOAD)

Hip Hop's hardest working group, The Roots has blessed New York City with a fourteen-show-series (entitled The Jam) at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom while doubling as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Packed with guest appearances, The Jam vibes more like an eclectic mix of musical soundscapes than the quintessential Roots concert. Front man ?uestlove guides the band through a funky array of production as Black Thought kicks random verses from the group's illustrious catalog.

This ain't the albums. This is The Jam.

And its still only $10!!!!

The April 21st show featured guest appearances from Grand Puba, the Bronx own Mickey Facts (illlll stage presence), John Forte (fresh off his Bush Administration pardon - a story made for the big screen), vocal-queen Jaguar Wright, among others.

Clips after the jump. Dope shit.

DOWNLOAD THE LIVE SHOW HERE

Check Welcome to the $10 Dollar Bill Show Here.

John Forte



Grand Puba Part 1



Grand Puba Part 2



Mickey Facts Part 1



Mickey Facts Part 2



Mickey Facts Part 3

Brooklyn Bodega's Show And Prove

"Is that The Company Man right there!?"

Slightly startled as I faux swagged out the cab - caught off guard by the sound of my moniker - I look up urgently to see who's shouting me out.

You see, most people call me J Hunte. Or Justin, as I'm known to my family and the government. And, although I'm accustomed to seeing The Company Man written in emails and all over The-Quotable, hearing it audibly and unexpectedly is something I'm not used to.

"Huh? What?...Who?" I muttered to myself, scanning the scattered faces littered outside of Williamsburg's Public Assembly. Its a beautiful Brooklyn night. Slightly cooler than the nights to follow. The type of night where people feel obligated to step outside for a quick nicotine fix. The type of night where non-smokers don't mind chilling with the fiends. Towering above a small collective stood the six-foot-five-inch Homeboy Sandman looking over at me with a welcoming mug.

Cooling in an early 90s purple Lakers Starter jacket draped over a black T-shirt fresh with a Murakami-esque cartoon face sporting a Louis-rag masking its mouth hanging on top of his marine-green cargo pants, Homeboy Sandman has become somewhat of a mayor of NYCs underground Hip Hop scene. His gregarious personality and passion for The Culture, along with his envious work ethic and lyrical ferocity, has garnered the respect of fellow Emcees, fans, industry-types, and the like.

Its impossible not to gravitate towards him. You want to like him.

Who else would shout The Company Man out?

We politic for a few as 'Boy Sand splits time texting and chatting it up with a slender cat rocking Malcolm X glasses, Brooklyn Emcee Fresh Daily, and a naturally beautiful brown skinned woman to be named later. The cue comes through his hand held - Mr Beatz is about to hit the stage. Brooklyn Bodega's April "Show and Prove" is about to jump off. Time to go in.

Husband and wife tag-team, Wes and Ebonie Jackson are the founders of Brooklyn Bodega, an online blogazine carrying the torch for Hip Hop since its 2006 inception. Brooklyn Bodega is the mind share behind the beautifully expanding Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. The 5th Annual BHF takes place June 18th through June 20th. The Main Day is held annually at Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in BK's Dumbo section. Ghostface Killah, KRS-One, Lupe Fiasco, Big Daddy Kane, Blue & Exile, Homeboy Sandman, Little Brother, Kidz in the Hall, CL Smooth, Chubb Rock, DJ Premier, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera have all graced the BHF stage years past. This night's event is the second leg of the Bodega's "Show And Prove" series taking place at Williamsburg's Public Assembly on March 19th, April 16th, and May 21st. Each night's winner becomes a finalist for the right to rock as the opening act in this year's BHF. Westchester Emcee Mr. Beatz, Fat Beat's own Brown Bag All-Stars, and UK Born Cymarshall Law are competing for the crown tonight. Stakes are high.

Mr. Beatz

So the five of us traipse through the dark corridor leading into the spot. Theres a five dollar cover charge tonight but the doorman stamps us through without question. Obviously, since The Tall Man is performing later, they are exempt from paying the toll. Me? I slide through with the crew and get stamped for free. What else would you expect? I'm walking with The Mayor.

We round the corner headed into Public Assembly's backroom just in time to catch Mr. Beatz at the beginning of one of his off-the-dome-live sets. He's decked more throwback than hipster (rocking a rather conservative white-T with a 'microphone + MPC = Mr. Beatz' image emblazoned across the front, black hat, and dark jeans in direct contrast to the colorful contingent filling the venue). Although this is The Company Man's first Mr. Beatz live show, judging by the crowd, the start could’ve been smoother.

But it was all love, still.

Beatz transitions into his crazy nostalgic single "Plain and Simple", immediately reclaiming the crowd. A Dope dope track (the video's cool too). He wraps with a trunk rattling, base-heavy cut that I can't seem to find online anywhere...But the hook goes "Mr Beatz is an Emcee / Movin' on the MPC" (or something close to that. Like I said, I can't seem to find it online to verify) in homage to his dual hat as both lyricist and beat maker. The track knocked. The crowd felt it. Neck snapping spread like subprime mortgages throughout the venue. The nastiest part was that last verse where he stumbles through the rhyme as if he forgot the lyrics then brings it back on time for the return of that ill hook..."Mr Beatz is an Emcee / Movin' on the MPC!" Dope shit.



Brown Bag Allstars

My homegirl Enid arrives just in time to man camera duty for the next contestants - Brown Bag Allstars. Hailing from different regions of the country, J57, Koncept, The Audible Doctor, Soul Khan, DeeJay Element, DJ E Holla, and DJ Goo all met through NYC’s ubiquitous Fat Beats record store (where the crew works). That’s right, these dudes run the shop by day, rock the mic by night.

4 Emcees. 3 DJs. Ample stage presence. Virulent energy.

BBAS bum rushed the audience almost instantly after hitting the stage. Set opener “Step down, we step up / You let down, we next up / Who the best now?? / Brown Bag, GET UP!” and the contagious “Gimme the Booze, Gimme the Booze (in a Brown Bag)!!” coerced the crowd crunk. I mean, these guys were all over the stage – weaving in and out of each other physically, sonically, lyrically, in sync, and on time. Impressive. Even their between track adlibs were dynamic enough to engage the crowd while guiding us into the next song. Unfortunately BBAS didn’t rock their anthemic “League of Intoxicated Gentlemen”, but so far they have to be the front runner for tonight’s competition. Their combination of energy, showmanship, lyricism, and crowd involvement is built for the live audience. And if I’m organizing a Hip Hop Festival, or any other live performance in any genre anywhere, that is the first thing I'm looking for.




Cymarshall Law

The crowd thins briefly as BBAS exits the stage. Heads need to drink something. Heads need to smoke something. Heads need to step out into the tranquil evening and recap the first two-thirds of tonight’s semifinal. Enid and I snag the opportunity to slide stage right for an up close view of the third performance, England-born, NJ based, Cymarshall Law.


Cymarshall has been in the game for a minute. He's already released two full length LPs (Hip Hop in the Flesh, and Hip Hop in the Soul (review on the way)), toured the UK and the eastern US, and received Rookie of the Year honors from Sucio Smash over at WKCR's 89.9 Squeeze Radio (2004). For an artist as established as he, competing in "Show and Prove" seems a bit out of place. At the same time, its a signal of his love for the craft and hunger for The Culture. And that you MUST respect.


Decked in a black, red, and white Addidas jacket, jeans, and a black hat tilted to the left, Cymarshall opens his set by calling four women on stage for an acapella rendition of "A King With 4 Wives" - an ill extended metaphor about the four wives in all of our lives (Body, Possessions, Family, and Soul. Wife number 1? The naturally beautiful brown-skinned shortie chilling with 'Boy Sand before the show). Packed with energy and animation, this is clearly the night's most creative opening set. And to be honest, his entire set was packed with energy and animation. So much so that, by the time he reached the end, his Addidas jacket was tossed to the side, hat turned backwards, sweat pouring from his dome, and he's rocking with two mics! Cymarshall is a lyrically clever emcee - and his live show is a direct translation.





The Wrap Up

Tonight was a good night. The music was great. Each act brought its A game. The weather was the best its been in months. Brooklyn Bodega assembled a quality array of talent. Asking for more is straight Bernie Madoff (greedy).

Plain and Simple.

And although Mr. Beatz and Cymarshall Law all came tight, The Quotable's money is on Brown Bag Allstars. The crew's highly energetic live set and crowd command is bred for rocking live shows. Theirs is the type of show that the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival is now known for.

A perfect fit.

And with that, I leave you as "Show and Prove" left us...with another hype performance from The Mayor, Homeboy Sandman.











****Editors Note: Brown Bag Allstars would go on to win the April 16th Show and Prove semifinal and will compete in the finals against Children of the Night and the winner of the May 21st semifinal. Congratulations to the crew.****

Carry on...

Welcome to the 10 Dollar Bill Show - The Roots (FREE DOWNLOAD)

11:04 PM. Like Black Moon, Black Thought enters the stage.

Charcoal peacoat draped over his purple and white button-down. Classic navy Yankee fitted tilted over his right eye - brim low. Swagger tight. The Roots resident Emcee coolly clutches the mic as the band grooves into the opening set of this night's Jam session.

Arguably the hardest working group in Hip Hop, The Roots have blessed New York City with a fourteen-show-series (entitled The Jam) at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom while doubling as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Packed with guest appearances, The Jam vibes more like an eclectic mix of musical soundscapes than the quintessential Roots concert. Front man ?uestlove guides the band through a funky array of production as Black Thought kicks various verses from the group's illustrious catalog.

They're not playing songs from their albums. They're jammin'.

The best part? A ticket only costs 10$!

Thats whats poppin' in a financial crisis...getting your money's worth.



Download the live version of The Jam HERE (part 1)
And HERE (part 2)

Catch the Roots, The Jam at Highline Ballroom weekly at the Highline Ballroom each week through June 23rd.

Its The First of the Month...

Niles - All Ready A Success Story

"Niles is the new Miles Davis, Coltrane" - "This Time"

Some would say that overcoming hardship, in any context, is the genesis of true success. A diamond from the ruff. That proverbial rose grown from concrete. Jazz. Blues. Be-bop. Hip Hop. Each birthed from plight. Each one defeated its odds.

No doubt, the artist born as Chadwick Phillips has experienced more than his fair share of trepidation. Growing up in Lansing, Michigan, was tough. "I came up in a family of 8 kids and we all had different dads. We were all going to be taken by the state and put into different orphan homes and foster care homes because of the unstable situation. That foundation...created a stigma that I had to grow out of." Bouncing between hotels and homeless shelters at an early age taught him that education was necessary to break the cycle. "One thing I knew was that no body could take my education away from me...Once I found that out, I attacked it full throttle. I hit the ground running. So, I was deep in the books, man."

Chadwick took his burgeoning lyrical reputation and commitment to education to Michigan State University in 2002. Always a keen listener of music, the artist-formerly-known as Alias continued to hone his craft and affection for jazz legends. "I really admire Miles Davis, man. Just who he was beyond the music was real ill, real fly to me." It was there that the name Alias began to demand respect throughout Michigan's historic hip hop landscape. It was there that he finally met his father - jazz legend Sam Gill. "My first time seeing him was in the jazz music section at Michigan State University in a book...He was a very important part of the Be-bop era. He was an understudy of Thelonius Monk...I knew nothing about all of this stuff! It was like opening up sacred...treasures, man. It was great."

After receiving his degree from Michigan State in 2006, Alias relocated to Brooklyn, New York, in order to turn his craft into a career. Showcasing an aggressive flow laced with dexterity and lyrical prowess, he has achieved an impressive level of success within NYC's legendary rap circles. Few Emcees can boast Harlem Rapathon winner, EOW Challenge winner, performed at HOT97 Summer Jam 2007, performed at HOT97 Summer Jam 2008, solo performance on BET commercial for Barack Obama You(th) Vote campaign, HOT97/Koch Records Talent Show winner on their resumes. He even squeezed in a moniker change. "Winning that talent search was like another graduation. It was like another shift...I was thinking...what other form was the updated Chadwick?" He eventually landed on Niles. "Theres a lot of similarities between me and the Nile River. The Nile flows upstream in an unorthodox way. In life, I'm flowing upstream in an unorthodox way. You know, the Nile River is a provider. Its been a provider since its creation. I'm a provider. And I've been a provider since my creation. Its of African decent. I'm of African decent."

Hello Brooklyn. Hello Niles.

Lyrically, Niles is that rare breed of Emcee that sounds equally as authentic on party anthems as he does on battle rhymes and conscious cuts. One part Slum Village. One part Lauryn Hill. Smooth delivery. Lyrically lethal. Contextually commanding. His recently released E1 (formerly Koch Records) single "This Time" showcases his innate ability to craft an infectious, inspirational party anthem laced with common man sensibilities. It feels like Summertime. It feels right-on-time. "That songs straight from the heart! Thats what I was going through...I wanted to tap into that person who you don't show to the world...I wanted to tap into 'that' person. And thats what that song is about...Overcoming struggle. At times we get impatient. But thats hard to listen to. Thats why its a back and forth theme." LISTEN HERE.

Or he can flip his brim and come like this:



Overcoming adversity is a constant theme in the life of Chadwick Phillips. From homeless shelters to college degree. To Brooklyn from Lansing. From contestant to Champion. To record deal. The book of Niles is a success story. But he won't tell you that.

"You know what brother, theres always a higher mountain to climb, man. You can imagine like 'yeah...when I get there its gonna be like this.' But when you get there, its a higher mountain that forms. You know, it rises up and you lookin up like 'Damn!' When you get to the top of that mountain, theres a higher one! So, I'm just in a cycle. I'm just in a zone. In a flow. And I can't really see it for what it really is. But I don't want to because then I'll get comfortable...I'm not really tryna get comfortable. So much more to do."

Niles Davis continues to build his catalog. His debut album To...Remain is still under construction. Higher mountains are still forming. And like Jazz, like Be-bop, like Hip Hop - no doubt, Niles will overcome. Its in his blood.

Hit Niles at http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/1alias.