The Internet is for Porn

Just saw Avenue Q last night and its awesome. This is one of the songs sung, but redone in World of Warcraft. Yes its old, but Avenue Q is awesome.

Previously: Avenue Q in Philly

7 Years of The Bodyrock

The 7 year anniversary is February 29th at the M Room with King Britt.

Illvibe.net

Puppies Every Where....

Apt One from the Yinz put me up on the puppy round up. Check out the blog here and the dude is trying to get ride of some of these so feel free to email the dude and get a nice new dog. They look so freakin cute if only I didn't live in small ass fourth floor penthouse apartment overlooking the best view of the city, then I would get one.


but if you got like a yard and maybe there is one tree on your block in South Philly then this would be a good look. These dogs look like they could help you pull mad ass.

Sloppy White Free Downloads

Not sure how I stumbled into Sloppy White but this dude actually got some heat on that DJ tip. I first heard the Fat Tape when I was writing reviews for Tiny Mix Tapes which was this anti pitchfork thing like three years ago and is now on some other shit. So and den right see this dude I guess is finally offering up all his mixs for free which is pretty dope since my boy Luke ganked my Fat Tape in like 2005. I got this I think right after hearing the Hip House mix tapes by the Rub which have also disappeared from my stash of Cd's.

Also the best part of his site is that he goes through every single record on his mixs and shows you the covers and shit. Really interesting since most of these are like records from the early 90's and pretty unknown to me since I was rocking the shit out of some Phish Bootleg tapes at this point in my life.

Get at Sloppy White here

NY Times: Hip-Hop’s Newest Faces: Indie, Fierce and Female

Santi, Amanda and Rose on the set of B.O.O.T.A.Y

The NY Times profiled the new crop of female MC's this past weekend, many of which we've been covering for awhile, including Amanda Blank, Santogold, Kid Sister and Yo Majesty (playing this Friday at 4am, guestlist here).

But in the wake of the critical favorite M.I.A., a new crop of young, multicultural, female hip-hop acts is causing a stir on the Internet and in indie-label conference rooms.
There’s Kid Sister, a cheeky, charismatic rapper from Chicago who recently released a video featuring Kanye West; Amanda Blank, a nasty-mouthed M.C. from Philadelphia who is associated with the hipster male hip-hopper Spank Rock; and Santogold, a new-wavey singer and dub-style rapper from Brooklyn who toured with Bjork last fall.

Holla! This is going to be a huge year for these three girls as all three expect to release albums this year. The only qualm I have is that they say Santi is from Brooklyn. They later go on to correct themselves and say that Santi is "now living in Brooklyn" but don't mention that she is from Philly.

NYTimes: Hip-Hop's Newest Faces: Indie, Fierce and Female

B.o.B feat Amy Winehouse - Grip Your Body

New track from B.o.B. I think this is about to be his year with 2 hot features last year on Haterz Everywhere and My Girl Gotta Girlfriend.

• B.o.B feat Amy Winehouse - Grip Your Body

BobSpace

Santigold 20 Min Mix

Just lifted this from the Mad Decent blog. Its a 20 min little mix by Santogold's Dj Martelo. Its a lot of dancey rock, Miami Bass, punk, the switch remix of the awesomely produced disco d track Shove It, some reggae jawns, and a bunch of other shit.

Pretty refreshing for a Wednesday afternoon.

• Santogold X Mad Decent Mixtape Madness teaser

Sangtogold 12" also for sale over at TTL

Since I'll be in Detroit...

go to this for me and leave all the comments you can about how kick ass the show was....please?!

Skillz live wit Da Legendary Roots Crew

Skillz - Crazy World

Bonus:

• Skillz - Crazy World
• Skillz - 07 Rap Up (Jimmy Rose Remix)

Skillz is expected to drop Million Dollar Backpack in early Spring.

Skillz Space

Michelle McCoskey

Have you ever gotten bored with your H&M scarf and been like, "Damnit today I want to wear a squid as a scarf!". Well now you can thanks to Michelle McCoskey. Michelle is from Philly and one of her specialties is crocheting scarves. If you're not into squids and more into octopi or something completely different she will create a custom creature just for you. Need a suggestion? Do you like Firefox? I would totally get her to make one of these. Michelle is also quite skilled in painting and prints. This painting is totally going up on my wall.

Michelle McCoskey

Sunday: A Mummer Happening Fundraiser

January 27th 2008
Noon to 4pm
The Vaudevillains invite you to their first fund raiser of the new year. $5 provides 5 blank cards for you to print and art up for the loved/hated one in your life. Frustrated by all of this Valentine’s Day emptiness? Come break some pinata hearts too. Store 1026 and the Give-Away Shop will be open providing goods both free and affordable. Partial proceeds benefit the Folk Arts Charter School in Chinatown.
As always:
Space 1026
1026 Arch Street
2nd Floor

Vaudevillains

What It Do - Last Weekend of January

Ongoing

• Pedestrian Winter Sale
• Buy one get on free on the sale rack at Topstitch (311 Market)
  

Friday

• Derrick Carter at Fluid. $5 on the list (613 S. 4th)
• Jungle Rave with J Smooth, former Platinum residents and all vinyl classics all night at Medusa
• Straight Dope with West Wax residents at Khyber Upstairs
• Money Folders 2 at The Arts Garage
  
• Illvibe's Bodyrock is Back. Special guest DJ Ultraviolet $7 at M Room (front and Girard)
  
• DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist with special guest Kid Koala at the TLA
  
• Unsigned Hype Series featuring Wordsmith at Liquid Charm (1207 Race)
  

Saturday

• Live Forever - John Redden, Designer Drugs and Club Lyfestile at the Barbary (frankford and girard)
• LA Riots and Brendan at Mad Pussy at Transit $5 on list til 12, free pbr til 12.
• Bleached Black at Medusa with Lovefingers and Morelli
  

Sunday

• Make it Break It: A Mummer Fundraiser
  
• Pete Moss at Sundae at La Veranda
  

A Kiss for Mayor Nutter

DesignPhiladelphia and the Fallon And Rosof Art Blog have teamed up to remind Michael Nutter to keep his promise of reestablishing the Office of Arts and Culture.

Here's the deal. We will create a series of photo posts on the blog called A Kiss for Mayor Nutter that will include images of artists and art lovers throughout the city. These images make the face of the "arts" constituency somehow more real than it seems when people talk about artists and the arts.

So, send us jpeg images of yourselves in the city, one per artist -- at Love Park, at a gallery, at the museums, the zoo, on Broad St....somewhere in Philly--you know you have these photos and we want em! Send medium resolution images (281 height x 375 width is the artblog standard size) with your name and the location of the picture. We will run these images in a stream under the heading "A Kiss for Mayor Nutter" in a continuing series of posts starting today.

Act now and send us your images (one per person, please). Email: libbyandroberta{at} gmail.

We are acting in collaboration with Kevin Derrick, of designphiladelphia blog, who proposed an image campaign to show the how Philadelphia artists love the city and love being artists here.

A Kiss for Mayor Nutter

So Philly

A roundup of local Philly stories.

• Nutter revokes the casino license granted by the leaving Street Administration. Odds of casino actually being built? 2 to 1.

• Nutter vows to enforce city laws on gun ownership defying state law. Charlton Heston vows to part the Delaware to show how awesome guns really are.

• Art Museum selected to represented US at Venice Biennale. Artist only happy that he is getting a free trip to Venice, thats the one that is sinking right?

• Vineland Music Festival put on hold after announcement of Coachella of the East. Stocks of Birkenstock and patchouli plummet.

• Hershey decides to pull their "pacs" after outcry that it looked too much like drugs. In related news, I'm still not sure which markers to sniff, so I sniff all of them.

• "Philly fans have that way about them". I always say its not a real house party until there is the E-A-G-L-E-S chant.

• A. Serril Headley, former owner of the Khyber passed away. Plans on haunting the bar and going upstairs cause the cover is always free.
  

Throwback Fridays - T.R.O.Y.

Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth - T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You) Classic hip hop from early 92.

Philly Sound Clash Recomendations again

Tom posted his recommendations over here but he didn't talk about the band that totally blew people away this year. Yeah they don't have guitars so are they really a band, well I guess they have a bassist? Fuck if I care cause they got that killer xylophone on lock. Is it even really a xylophone, I can't think of the word you use for that instrument at this time. But Gang really came through in 2007 and I hear they got big things poppin for 2008.



I wanna see that Gang and Yo Majesty collabo soon aight....




Vote here for Gang in Philly Sound Clash

how'd i miss this? P.H.I.L.L.Y.

Mason, Mental Sharp and philly....i got serious love for that mixture.

Tonight: Tomorrow's Radio

Tonight, Tomorrow's Radio at the Barbary with residents Brendan Bring'em (on the beat) and Ian St. Laurent and what better special guest than Low Budget.

Even the Philadelphia Weekly thinks its an A List pick. :)

The Rub History of Hip Hop: 1992

Over at BrooklynRadio.net, The Rub have taken the opportunity to present a history of hip hop beginning with 1979. They've just started up again and are have just released Volume 14: 1992. DJ Eleven runs through over 50 tracks in just over 2 hours ranging from Gang Starr to Dr. Dre to Redman, Too $hort and so many more. I can't recommend enough to subscribe to this podcast if you haven't already.

Listen/Download Volume 14, (tracklist)

Subscribe to The Rub on BrooklynRadio, Download 1989 and before

Claude Von Stroke - Whos Afraid of Detroit (video)

Claude Von Stroke representing for D Town. You know, minimal can be so boring sometimes but damn if Claude doesn't seem to have a magic touch.
“Shot during last year’s Detroit Electronic Music Festival, it incorporates footage from his performance at the Beatport stage with a moody montage of Detroit scenes.. It’s a true love letter to the city”.

(via Discobelle)

Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival

The Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival is accepting entries for their third annual competition. Last year they received 69 entries from 10 different area schools. This year they expect to receive over 150 entries. Entries are accepted up until Feb 1st without a fee, while entries received afterwards up until February 15th are required to submit a $10 late fee.

The festival is open to anyone currently enrolled in a 2- or 4-year post-secondary school in the Greater Philadelphia region at the time of submission. Senior Theses and related submissions will also be accepted within one year of graduation.

The awards ceremony will take place March 26th at the University of the Arts. Stop by GPSFF.com to watch the past years winners and in the coming weeks use Connect, a forum for student filmmakers to meet and interact.

GPSFF.com

8 for '08 from the Inquirer

(photo from Diplo and friends at Mummers Museum)

The Inquirer just released their Spring music announcing 8 in '08 to watch out for and it features some of our favorites on the list including the power couple above.

The YMD: set for the spring release of the hilarious Excuse Me, This Is the Yah Mos Def on Princeton's My Pal God records.
Santogold: Santogold, her self-titled debut, comes out in April.
Nouveau Riche: A new EP is due next month, and a full-length by year's end. They play Silk City, with TuPhace, on Feb. 12.
Diplo: putting the finishing touches on a Brazilian music movie called Favela on Blast that dazzles even as a work in progress. He's got a solo album coming with vocal tracks from artists as varied as Cat Power and rapper Bun B, and a reggae dancehall album with British DJ Switch. And, oh yeah, he's spinning on the MySpace tour as the opening act for Justice, at the Electric Factory March 10.
Spank Rock and Amanda Blank: both will have albums out on the Downtown label.

Philly is doing it real big in '08.

Link

Higher Wine Prices Boost Drinking Pleasure

According to researchers at Stanford, people will trick themselves into thinking a wine tastes better if they know it cost more.

The researchers said that when 20 adult test subjects sampled the same wine at different prices, they reported experiencing pleasure at significantly greater levels when told the wine cost more. At the same time, the part of the brain responsible for pleasure showed significant activity.

This is kind of a "Duh!" study but still interesting nonetheless that it has been confirmed.

Link

Beanie Sigel - Go Low feat Rock City

Beanie Sigel - Go Low feat Rock City. The Solution in stores now.

Bonus: Freeway speaking with Whoo Kid how they "bodied" the White T's show

Chase Those Clouds

Mr. Slow Flow does it again....

What can I say...

I like that dark shit. I've been hip to Blestenation since the late 90's when they appeared on Ming And FS' debut album Hell's Kitchen. They have been workin' on this Rock-Hop sound for a while now and I'm not gonna lie to you, they can be hit/miss; but when they hit it's often a nice hit.

The video is worth watching alone but the song is aight too; for that white boy rapper blues isht. Marilyn Manson + 1/3rd of D12 + a bottle of whiskey =

JANG HOUSE TONIGHT

This clip of them from Australia is funny as shit. Passed out people rule.

What It Do...Part Too

I couldn't figure out how to format these exactly as D did so I didn't want to mess up his nice post. Instead, you get a special double edition of WID. Enjoy.

Tonight
Zodiac At Medusa. Capricorns get in free. Reef The Lost Cauze hosting.

Tomorrow Night
Beats And Rhymes is a producer showcase hosted by The Mighty Flipside and a rotating guest; this time it's Broady Boy Ace. Producers doing live recreations and remixes...nuff said!

What It Do

Ok, so I've obviously not been online much. I've had to deal with some real life situations, naw Imtalmbout? Back to actual posting next week. This isn't an exhaustive list, just some major parties.

I'm sayin, Philly is doing it so big in '08. We Da Best! Who? We!!

Friday

• Tittsworth and Philadelphyinz at Fluid
• Turbostation 2 at the Troc with Diamond Kuts
  

Saturday

• Emynd & Bo Bliz with guest Scottie B from Unruly Records at the Barbary
• Kid Sister and Catchdubs at Mad Pussy afterparty for Akon and friends (now with Beans)
• Glass Candy at the Mausoleum

I forget anything? leave em in the comments, won't be able to update in time.

Throwback Fridays - I'll be missing you

Best part of this video is that he actually crashes the bike.

I'll be missing you.

Soulja Boy on CNN

Dayum son! 17 years old and he has the most digital downloads ever. 127K downloads just last week??? Also, watching this was kind of painful, they're just so awkward.

'Roids ain't just fo' the athletes

This just in...musicians use steroids too!!! (also, I haven't found anything worth posting in a minute so i figured I'd drop this on you for a lil sumthin sumthin til i find a record that's worth talking about.)

"A number of Hip-Hop and R&B stars have reportedly been named as part of the ongoing investigation into illegal steroid distribution via the Florida-based Signature Pharmacy. The probe had previously named a number of pro athletes and wrestlers as customers, though a story in the Albany, NY Times Union mentions Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean as well."

Here's the full article

Adam Sparkles January Mix 2008

That dude Bushy put me on to this mix by that dude Adam Sparkles. This is on some other chill out shit. Basically burn one down then turn this on while you wash the dish's and clean up your living room. Then lay down on the carpet and get ready for another stale night of tv and bullshit and think about how nice it was this weekend to walk your dog in Mt. Airy and some real trees. Yo sorry about this pic it was like the only one I could find that was not blocked by my computer at work.


spacemen 3 - ecstasy
jackie o motherfucker - valley of cookness
fleet foxes - white winter hymnal
chin chin - toot de'amore [prins thomas bonus mix]
psychic ills - untitled
black dice - endless happiness
faust - its a rainy day, sunshine girl
lovefingers - kentucky
my bloody valentine - touch
time machine
jackson jones - i feel good put your pants on [pilooski edit]
m83 - church [loop]
olivia tremor control - i have been floated
pink mountaintops - i [fuck] mountains
deerhunter - white ink
midlake - roscoe [beyond the wizards sleeve remix]
os mutantes - bat macumba [loop]
grizzly bear - lallabye
blonde redhead - u.f.o. [loop]
harmonia - ohrwurm
keith hudson - still need you dub
fujiya and miyagi - one trick pony
mmm - donna
wooden ships - we ask you to ride
icy demons - 1850
panico - gudalupe [optimo remix]

• Adam Sparkles - January 2008 Mix

Editor: Minor updates

What It Do

What is up people? Philly stay doing it real big in 2008. We got that motivation. We on our Philly grind. I'm bout to get up out of here and get my drink and my 2 step on. All the haters better Get Down On the Ground.

Friday

• Clap Trap with DJ Nehpets at Inciting late night jumpoff so go after one of the below. Juke it gurl.
  
• Let Me Ride - Now 2nd Fridays at Fluid. I think I may have mentioned this once or twice.
• Turnaround vs Immediate at the Barbary. Funk. Soul. Psyche. Damn good music with special guest "DJ" Jayson Musson aka PackOfRats from Plastic Little.
• I <3 RBTQ at Medusa with Billy W and Mike Tee
  
• Ill Aphillyates at the Khyber - Release Party- Philly hip hop and it don't stop
• Skipmode from Illvibe upstairs at the Khyber
  

Saturday

• Philadelphyinz at Medusa. Get yinz pirate on.
  
• Casi G pick - :ravens:and:vultures: over at Johnny Brendas. -$8 and they are too cute West Philly Asian hippieesters that make electronic folk. I enjoy them.
• Hip Replacement with Mike Tee, billy W and friends at the Khyber
  
• Mad Pussy doing the damn thing. Get buck downstairs with DJ Sega and Dirty South Joe. Mainfloor, you know how Brendan does. He doesn't have off nights. $5 on the guestlist.
  

Sunday

• Sundae at La Veranda with Miles Maeda
• Sorted with the RDN TWNS at the Barbary
  

Armands is Closing For Real

Remember the last time we mentioned this? Apparently a little over a year ago. This time it is for really real. Sadly the upstairs music department is closing and the sale begins today.

Armand's Records Music Dept. which has been in business since 1980 is officially closing its 2nd Floor Dept. at 1108 Chestnut St. in Philadelphia. All Cds, Records, DVDS, Slipmats, Record Bags and all Accessories will be 25% - 75% Off.

Any DJ can tell you the loss of such a cornerstone in the market. This was the place to go for new music. Remember when the official release date was the official release date? You went to the store, saw a bunch of your DJ friends, hung out, fought for listening space and dropped your whole paycheck.

Read on for some reminiscing:

Dirty South Joe:

Hate it or love it, the Hollertronix Never Scared mixtape was a revelation to some and had an enormous influence on the global dj landscape. I remember one particular interview Mike did at the time when he attributed the eclecticism of the mix to the simple notion that walking around Armand's, that was the stuff you ran into, one genre after another. It wasn't exactly unique, plenty of stores carried a wide variety of music, but it was always up to the time, and basically a candy shop for the urban music based dj. Plus it was ENORMOUS, and the vinyl department dwarfed everything else. The first time I ever walked in there I came to the immediate and essential understanding that I had to work there. I had just moved to Philly from NY and the EVERYTHINGI'LLEVERNEEDINONERECORDSTORENESS of the place was the perfect antidote to the 17 record store rotation I was used to in my previous residence.

The roll call of Armand's employees who have made their mark on the game in recent years is formidable...Low-Bee, Cosmo Baker and Kenny Meez to name a few, the place had a way of leaving as much of its mark on you as you could possibly ever influence it yourself. That was probably because, during its heyday, it was INSANE with activity, and the place to go if you had any notion of staying one step ahead of the game. I was blessed. On my very first day, Jazzy Jeff and Ca$h Money kind of randomly bumped into each other moving through the aisles while I was within earshot putting records away. One had just gotten back from Japan and the other from Europe, and it was obvious they hadn't seen each other in a long time. What a great sign that I was in the right place at the right time! Jazzy Jeff and Ca$h Money!!!On my first day!

Cosmo Baker:

Damn, this kind of makes me teary. I think I can really say that this is the most appropriate place to say:

"The end of an era."

Rest In Peace Todd-1. If it weren't for him the store would not be what it became.

Respect to Yuri Dutton for streamlining the store in the 90s, helping solidify it's position as a place for independent vinyl

And MUCH respect for the love and guidance from Dirty South Joe who ushered the store into the next generation, and who singlehandedly kept the store alive, as well as using the store to become a champion for tons of musical talent.

Bo Bliz:

when a NEW HOT record would come out it would get a lot more rub than this huge amount of wmd's that somehow get into my hard drive. pretty crazy. more of an event.

and yeah, swinging into armands on a tuesday or before the weekend would be an amazing opportunity to talk shit bout records and really get down with folks. didn't appreciate it at the time, but damn!!!

Billy W:

When I lived in NY, we'd roll down to Philly to cop club records because at that time the Lab only had a small handful and weren't getting new ones the same way Armand's was. You'd go in there checking out five club records and leave with a grip of like 15-20 singles of all different types of sounds. That's what I look for in a record shop experience and Armand's always delivered in spades.

Emynd:

I will always remember these things about Armand's:

1. Dirty South Joe playing me countless new bangers.
2. Dirty South Joe convincing me to buy records that turned out to be club clunkers, but he was very persuasive.
3. Drinking behind the counter with Joe.
4. Layla and her accent.
5. Lloyd
6. Bmore Club records

Man, this sucks.

JT from 215HipHop.com:

I also want to take this time to acknowledge all the hard work, support, and love the owners of this business has shown all of us. From the discounts to the secret record stashes they have always looked out for the average consumer to the superstar DJ. So if your a fellow record collector/supporter like myself I advise you get out of work early on Friday, and go down to Armands and get as much as you can.

Real talk. This is major. End of an era for sure.

Armands Records

Philly Restaurant Week Winter 2008

Holla! Its that time again to make your reservations for Winter Philly Restaurant Week. Be sure to get your reservations in soon as many of the more popular restaurants are already starting to fill up. There are over 100 restaurants participating this year with a number of highly recommended places and good deals. I just made my reservations today using Open Table. Don't forget parking is cheaper than normal and if you sign up for their email list, you could win dinner for a year. Prices this year are $35 for 3 courses and restaurant week runs January 27 - February 1st.

More Info

Cool Kids, Amanda Blank and Roxy Cottontail Urb Cover Shoot

Behind the (cold) scenes of the cover shoot for the next Urb. One miss Amanda Blank, a couple Cool Kids and the Queen of Downtown, Roxy/Oxy Cottontail.

Urb presents Motivation by Mick Boogie and Benzi

Oh hellz yeah. Benzi and Mick Boogie, easily 2 of my favorite mixtape DJ's right about now, have teamed up and put together this massive mix. This bangs harder than a conjugal visit (no Bay Area). Lots of remix favorites in here including Krames, Eli, Mick and Benzi, Skipmode, DJ Sega, Nephets (who is playing tonight at Inciting) and more. Original tracks include Kanye, Kid Sister, T2 and Heartbroken, Snoop Dogg and more all spread out over 48 tracks.

• Urb pr