#weloveuhex

#weloveuhex
#stillprayingforhex
#weloveuhexandrobyn
#detroitmakestheworldgoround

Often times you hear the phrase, "Detroit Stand Up!" This phrase often comes as a part of a call to arms to rally the troops whether in support, defense or celebration of all that is Detroit hip hop. Well Detroit, Redford, Farmington Hills, Warren, Inkster, Dearborn, Ferndale, Flint, Miami, Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles and then some stood up in honor of our wounded yet not fallen soldier, Hex Murda.

Healthcare is no joke these days. So Detroit's hip hop family proved that they...er ...we are a family and came together to raise funds to help Hex and his family offset forthcoming medical expenses. For $10, a crowd of 700+ witnessed what was quite possibly the biggest Detroit hip hop show of our era. At one point the entire crowd was chanting "We love Hex! We love Hex!" It was awesome. Oprah would've hated every minute of it!

The night was hosted by Rochester's own "Rude" Jude Angelini of Shade 45 while Detroit's Ambassador to the world, DJ Houseshoes held down the turntables all night. The musical performances were AMAZING. Everyone who performed gave it their all and made sure the crowd knew the purpose of thier time on stage.

Performances included: (I apologize in advance if I've missed anyone)

Ro Spit & Ron Dance
Moe Dirdee
OneBeLo
Danny Brown
Miz Korona
Super MC
The Fat Killaz
The Almighty Dreadnaughtz
Black Milk
Guilty Simpson
Phat Kat
The Alchemist
Paradime
Slum Village
Trick Trick

The entire night was stellar. But a few moments stood out as highlights. Slum Village absolutely tore it down. They performed hit after hit. Everyone knew every word of every song. (I love those moments) But then it climaxed (girl shit) when Elzhi burned everyone's ear drums with one of the illest freestyles ever. Another moment was the lapse in time between Rude Jude introducing The Alchemist and The Alchemist actually coming out on stage. Noone really understood what Jude was talking about, until they heard the first few notes of "Hold You Down" and then *SHAPOW*...Alchemist on stage. The crowd took a collective shit in thier pants. Paradime must have taken a few lessons from being on the road with Kid Rock, because his time on stage was larger then life. (New album is going to be illy! plug plug plug) Miz Korona's set was bitter sweet for me. Bitter because her music gets slept on like a severe case of narcolepsy. Sweet because it was awesome watching those narcoleptics wake the hell up right in front of me when she stepped out on stage and absolutely murked it! Her recent work with producer Chanes is of epic proportions! The best moment of the entire night however, was the moment Ms. Robyn stepped on the stage. You could feel and sense her strength, integrity and thankfulness. If anyone needs a lesson in strength or the definition of grace under stress, she's the one to look at.

I could go on about how every performer did thieir thing, but you were probably there. If you werent there you missed out on great performances and appearances by tons of Detroit Hip Hop classmates including D12, Street Justice, Chief, Moe Dirdee, Dante, Quest McCody, Ty Farris, Mike Chav, Magnetic and Will Sessions.

But just because we had a great time at the show, it doesn't mean Hex and his family no longer need our prayers and support. If you weren't able to make it or haven't had a chance to offer monitary assistance to the Hex Family, you can visit www.paypal.com and enter the email address: thehexcarefund@gmail.com.

But for now...enjoy some pics from the event!

"#weloveuhex"

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KEEP STANDING DETROIT!

Dillanthology Listening Party Pics (10.13.09)

If you know anything about Dilla fans, you know that we know how to have a good time when good music and positive energy is in the air. That always seems to be the case at 5E Gallery. whether its discussions on the digital age of hip hop, grimy reggae after hours or a celebration of the musical legend of J.Dilla, you can always expect to walk away with a great story to tell. Every Tuesday night at 5E Gallery, they have "The Foundation" which honors and showcases women in hip hop. Well Dilla loved the ladies and the ladies will always love Dilla. Peep the scene below. TURN IT UP. RAISE IT UP. SHAKE IT DOWN

"Picnik Show"

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Detroit Makes The World Go 'Round (Literally)

This is short and sweet. I assume that you (Taste Makers Audience) are bright individuals and don't need me to go into detail about what's good this week....Peep the flyers below.

Detroit Taste Makers Selection: Exclusive: The Find Magazine X DJ Houseshoes Present… – The Shimmy [Mix]

"Detroit's Ambassador To The World" and the self proclaimed President of the Detroit Taste Makers League, does it again. After the release of the epic "King James Version" he gives us another treat. He teamed up with The Find Magazine and put out this ill mixtape..."The Shimmy".

The mix includes Royce 5'9, Fashawn, 14KT, Quelle, Shawn Jackson, Black Milk, Wajeed, 14 KT and oh yes Ghostface Killah

Follow the link below to get your ChristmasInOctober on...

Exclusive: TFM & DJ Houseshoes Present… – The Shimmy [Mix]


Houseshoes In Detroit Dates:

10.17.09 "The Fucking Get Better Bro" Benefit for HexMurda (St. Andrews)

(Detroit Hip Hop elite is in the building, come through, donate for Detroit's frontline...Hex!)

10.18.09: DJ Houseshoes at Oslo

10.20.09: Houseshoes Loves The Ladies (Spinning at The Foundation @ Elements Gallery)

Ann Arbor: Not Just for Urban Outfitters anymore

Disclaimer: I would like to offer my official apology in advance to anyone who resides in or near Ann Arbor. And to anyone who is a fan by choice or by relation to the University of Michigan.

With that said.

I hate going to Ann Arbor. For one reason and one reason only. I get lost every time I enter or leave that city. EVERY TIME without fail. I wish I was making this up but it's true. I went to Oakland University and was a member of a sorority. We had a sister chapter at U of M. They made me go there to drop off candles once. I was 18 years old. I had to be at this house by 4 pm. I didn't show up until 6. Why? Because I got lost on state street, main street, tree street, whatever it was. I think my fellow "sister" put a curse on me because ever since then I can not seem to navigate my way through the city. Even now. I'm all grown up and rely on my blackberry to point me in the right direction. I automatically develop dyslexia when I have to go to Ann Arbor. If it's not on the same street at Urban Outfitters, I'm lost, so don't ask.

I don't like U of M. I don't think the people there are bad. I could care less about their sports teams. I partially grew up in Maryland so I was a Georgetown Hoyas fan. Then when I moved to Michigan this bully at summer camp said to me.... "Adrienne! You live in Michigan now. You need to like Michigan or Michigan State. What'll it be?" I picked State and rolled with it. No particular reason other than I like the color green and I heard that school had a lot of fun. And I went to Oakland U. which didn't have a football team and didn't go Division 1 until 2000. So whatever.

But beyond my habitual disorientation and indifference towards the Wolverines...Ann Arbor has got a WHOLE lot to offer to the world other than the jacuzzi suites hotel and a big ass Salvation Army.

Music.

Keep reading. This blog is dedicated to those fellas doing it real big. You should be proud.!

Ann Arbor's Talent Show Starring: Yoshi

I had the pleasure of meeting local hip hop artist, Yoshi last year at the Red Bull Music Academy Session. We chopped it up for a little bit about music ... nice dude.

Fast forward to Summertime 2009 and I'm talking to my homeboy D.Allie at the Mayer Hawthorne show in, where else... Ann Arbor. (For the record I got lost on my way to this show)

Me: Who's this Yoshi cat opening up for Mayer H.?
D.Allie: Oh! He's so dope!
Me: *blank face*
D.Allie: Do you like Lupe Fiasco?
Me: Yes
D.Allie: Then you'll like Yoshi. He's great! He's one of my favorites. I think you'll really like him.
Me: *blank face*

I have this conversation EVERY SINGLE TIME I haven't heard of someone. About 10% of the time I end up liking what I'm hearing. This time fell within that percentile! He came on stage and owned the crowd from the first #BAR. He had excellent stage presence...great mic skills...super smooth R&B infusion. (His big teddy bear hype man was a crooooooooooo-nerr!) The whole crowd was 2 stepping by the end of his set. I became a fan. But the thing is I didn't realize I had already met him! Once again we end up chopping it up. I cop his cd "Talent Show". (Yes I actually bought it at the show). Put it in the whip as soon as I left and loved it from track 1. It's funny. It's crisp. Definately a must for the rotation.

Fast forward to today...

He's released the video for his single "Magnetic" from "The Talent Show" featuring the homie Buff1 from the Athletic Mic League. The epilogue is a snippet from the track "Meet The Deadline". Great video. I give it 3 cupcakes out of 5. I would give it a 4 if I was in it. ha ha. Just not kidding.

Check it out...

Ann Arbor's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Ladies and Gentlemen (Ladies pay closer attention)....say hello to Ann Arbor/Ypsi's ATHLETIC MIC LEAGUE



Buff 1

14 KT

Grand Champ

Texture

Tres Styles

Vital

DJ Haircut

They've been delivering inherently intelligent hip hop around the country since '98. Talk about paying dues. I don't know about you, but I was eating personal pan pizzas every day from Oakland University's pizza hut in '98. When you listen to their music you can tell they work very hard to perfect their craft. Thier lyrics have depth and layers and the beats, done by their sub-league known as Lab Techs, are RIDICULOUS.

BUFF1....There's only 1 Buff. You know that ONE dude with that big smile who can rhyme his ass off and is usually wearing a crown? Buff is one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. And did I mention he can rhyme his ass off? I have gone to countless shows in my lifetime and I have to tell you that in my top 10 shows Buff 1 and Mayer Hawthorne fall right in line. Buff 1 released "There's Only 1" last summer and the whole mic league was there. It seriously was one of the best shows I have ever been to. I didn't know any of his lyrics walking in, but it felt like I knew everything by heart by the time I left. I even went to that show dolo.
Don't believe me? Peep his video for "Real Appeal" produced by 14 KT



14KT...He released "The Golden Hour" last year. I would like to rename this album as the "Platinum Gold 24 Hours", because these are some of the best beats I have heard in quite some time. This and Ghostface's new record is pretty much the only things I've been listening to. Since A-Side is getting a lot of shine world wide, I wanted to dive a little deeper and step outside of Detroit and find out who's really making noise. And 14KT is that dude. He's worked with Black Milk, Tanya Morgan, Guilty Simpson, Invincible, Now On (Also apart of the A.Side Family), World Famous Beat Junkies, Monica Blaire, D12 & Past Due. He has a classic musical structure. It's clear with defined lines and keeps you wanting more. What I love is that he's not afraid to mix it up. You can find him making selections from ghetto-tech to classic r&b and soul to straight street bangers and then back to gospel. Don't believe me? Well Red Bull thinks he's the shit and so do I.



DJ HAIRCUT... Well. He's Mayer Hawthorne. I am convinced that this guy is Jamaican. He's got like 5 jobs. He's a rapper. He's a crooner. He's a DJ. He's a producer. He's a 1/3 of a sick hip hop group! When he's not making me scream like a 16 year old circa 1962 watching the Beatles, he's doing all kinds of other dope shit.

Like laying hooks on my homeboy's tracks.



Like producing my FAVORITE SONGS with his fellow LabTechs...

Download: Guilty Simpson "Chief Pat Pockets"

Watch: Buff 1's "Beat The Speakers Up" (WARNING: LAB TECH BANGER!)



Making dope ass mixtapes... (I mean it's called Shoot The Duck, you should expect nothing less than greatness)



Click Here for a listen....but that's all you get, beacause this is sold out ------> HAIRCUT

He's also a part of one of my favorite groups out of MI...NOW ON...



He is the DJ for the AML AAAAND he's got BARS!!




Oh yea...and he's sings some classic soul songs too. So I've heard. Well at least that's what Ghostface Killah, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and John Mayer told me. But they be some bullshit sometimes, so they could be lying. ;)



Ok...if you aren't convinced that Ann Arbor is doing great things and isn't just real estate for U of M...check out A.Side Worldwide for yourself.

Ann Arbor's Unofficial Mayer...Hawthorne That Is.

If you haven't heard of Mayer Hawthorne by now, you should probably pack up all of your belongings and move to a bigger place. Because that rock you've been sleeping under is going to get awfully cold this winter.

His music started as just goofing around until Peanutbutter Wolf of Stones Throw got ahold of it. And PB.Dubb is no dummy. He knows good ol' fashion sangin' when he hears it. Signed DJ Haircut to Stonesthrow...Mayer Hawthorne & The County were born...A Strange Arrangement was released... and now Madonna and Whitney Houston are asking themselves "Who the hell is Mayer Hawthorne, and how did he outsell us I.Tunes?"

Let me repeat that.

He beat out Madonna, Whitney Houston, The Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z etc. on I.Tunes

He's doing shows with my favorite...Ghostface...and selling out city after city.

When they said A.Side is world wide you'd better fucking believe it. Peep some live footage from the EchoPlex in LA

(For the record, this has over 28,000 views)

How To Tell If They Are The Right Fit For You.

If you have ever gone on a date and thought any following statements, then this blog is written for you my friend.

"If he is this dumb on a date to Buddy's Pizza, how will he act at an outing with my co-workers?"

"Will she act like a snob if I take her to a hip hop show at Drews? Shit! She only listens to the Jonas Brothers!"

"If I took him to Funk Night would he end up in the fetal position in the corner?"

"Will she make fun of me because I take time off of work for going to the Downtown Hoe Down?"

Ladies...Do you remember that one scene from Clueless? Where they were all sitting at the restaurant and Cher finally reveals that she is a virgin to Tai and Dione? There is something she says in that scene that is one of the best quotes I've ever heard about dating/relationships/etc.

"You see how picky I am about my shoes and they just go on my feet." (c) Cher Horowitz

I love this statement.

So many times "women my age" (FML by the way) and men too...get so caught up in the fact that they are single, that when they let societal pressures get under their skin, they settle for any Tom, Dick (pun intended) and Harry, or Tina, Diane and Harriet that comes their way. Then months down the road, they are unhappy and "stuck" with someone they didn't really vibe with in the first place! All for what? Comfort? A warm body? Companionship? Get a damn dog if you are that lonely! Don't just keep someone with you that has mad feelings for you when you aren't feeling them, just because they show you attention.

Someone once said to me that "In all relationships someone always loves a little bit more than the other." I'm on the fence about this one, because I think soul mates should match each other in passion and care. BUT. If you know you love less than the other... either step up or step off. Do us all a favor.

Point of the blog...Be selective. (But not too selective)

When I was younger my criteria for dudes was pretty generic. You know what that got me? A stockpile of napkins from Clutch Cargos with phone numbers, a slew of six-week relationships and a lifetime of awkward moments when I run into them at the mall, weddings, etc. Then my big brother from another mother Jude said this to me when I was in college...

"Adrienne...write down everything you want in a man and the next time you meet someone go over your list and if he doesn't line up with everything, then forget it." (c)Rude Jude

You know where that got me? Nowhere. Once I realized that no guy at Oakland U looked like Justin Timberlake, had dance moves like Justin Timberlake, had money like Justin Timberlake, had a voice like Justin Timberlake, could play basketball like Michael Jordan and could rap like Eminem I was finished! I actually told I guy I was dating that I had this list and you know what he said..."Good luck! That list is the worst thing ever! You are essentially setting up every man you meet for disaster."

He was right. I finally started figuring out who I was, got rid of that list, got my act together and met a great person. I realized I truly loved him, because he was my partner in crime! He was always down for me wherever I was and I was down for him wherever he was. It lasted a very long time, but not forever. Relationships come and go. But my point is this...know what you want, but leave some wiggle room. People aren't perfect, by any means.

So instead of just jocking any cute white boy with "bars" or developing a detailed checklist of my dream man I have a "test" that I use.

Before I divulge the details let me add this disclaimer: This is not scientifically proven. This is just something I like to think about when I go out with someone. This doesn't mean that I don't give guys a chance. Exactly the opposite. This doesn't mean it's set in stone. Shit! You could find the person of your dreams that fails this test completely. Do you! Im not encouraging you to be a snob or turn your nose up at people with differences... Just a thought/metaphor/idea. You dig? Don't jump into this test without any interaction with "that" person. I do that too often, and sometimes end up in the old "...book by the cover" syndrome, so give it time. NOT TOO MUCH TIME.

THE TAKE THEM ANYWHERE TEST: When you are getting to know someone, ask yourself, "Can I take them anywhere I go?" This test is great because everyone is different. My test will be different than yours. Yours will be different from your homegirl's and hers will be different from her homeboy's. For instance I ask myself...

Can I take him to a work gathering? (Will they not act a complete fool? Will they smell like weed? Will they smack a co-workers ass?

What about dinner with family? (Will he be able to interact with my mom and dad at Outback Steakhouse?)

So he can kick it at a Guilty Simpson show, but what about these late night Reggae spots? (Will he be unnerved by women humping the ground and jumping off of sound systems at 4 in the morning with a bunch of rastas?)

What if we go to a wedding and we don't know ANYONE! Can he deal? (Will I have to sit there and stare at my bland chicken?)

Can he go to a party with me where he doesn't know anyone? (Can he interact with people? Or will I have to baby sit him)

How will he act if I take him church with my mom? (Will he be sweating balls or roll with it?)

I can go on for days, but you get the point right? And it's not just about going out and about. Look at the big picture. If they can roll with you wherever you need to be...that's a clear indication that they can roll with you and be there for you for more important things. And think about it? If you can take them anywhere that means their personality is compatible with yours, all the while being a grown up! Right? They don't have to have all the same interests as you or even like them at all. But can they accept you for being you? Without a complaint, without judgement and with a smile? And also! Do you feel comfortable with them? Im not saying that they have to "fit in" or be "apart of the in crowd" they should be adaptable. I shouldn't have to keep saying "OMG I know you don't like hip hop, Im sorry, this will be over soon" C'mon! Don't sell yourself short. Your interests and life make you who you are. Now here's the flip side. If you find a guy that is the man of your dreams and he just so happens to love Dilla AND NASCAR, deal with it! Right? Put those earplugs in and start counting those laps. If you find the girl of your dreams who loves sneakers, shut up and go shopping for stilettos once in a while. Shit...even suggest it. What's great about this is that your situations are a reflection of you, so this test is built to be adaptable. I just encourage you to find someone who accepts you for the weird shit you do. I do a lot of weird shit....I'm just saying.

(But guys...this doesn't mean you kick her to the curb if she doesn't want to go the titty bar with you. Ladies...this doesn't mean he HAS to go to a Yankee Candle Company party that your lovely aunt Eugene is throwing. You get the point.)

Know what you want. It's like going shopping when you don't know what you are looking for. It's a waist of time and you end up with a Cina-Bon, Olga Snackers and a cheap pair of shoes from Wet Seal that you don't wear. Point being, is if you don't know what you are looking for, you'll never find it. And on that note...

Justin...I'm single, holla.

Oh! 1 More Note! This is not an endorsement of siamese couples either! That shit is stupid. You do not have to do everything together. Don't get me wrong...yes boo...I love that you accept me for who I am, but you don't have to go EVERYWHERE. Especially if you don't want to. Balance people...the key is balance!


O. I will not make any exceptions for dudes in to Dungeons and Dragons. Just saying.

Evidence x Fashawn X Rakaa Freestyle @ RTB VIP

In case you forgot what real hip hop looks, feels and sounds like...Don't worry here is a reminder.



You feel better now? Good. Enjoy the rest of your day.