Emynd & Bo Bliz Interview

215HipHop catches up with Emynd & Bo Bliz. Check em out! (Books!)

South Rakkas Crew Get Mad Again

South Rakkas Crew get mad again with a brand new release on Mad Decent. Mad Decent head honchos picked up Mad Again from the Mix Up and offer up an all star mix treatment featuring remixes from Diplo, Drop the Lime, Boy 8-Bit, Emynd, JOTS, Fake Blood and more. Emynd's Nola Bounce is my highlight, but the Boy 8-Bit goes in hard. Download it now

• South Rakkas Crew - Mad Again (Boy 8-Bit Remix)

Download high bit rate from Lab, iTunes quality or buy the beautiful vinyl

South Rakkas Crew, Mad Decent, Boy 8-Bit

Bo Bliz & Emynd representing in Bmore Friday

Yeah I know this place is all about Philly but if you are an in the know reader you know we represent for Baltimore any chance we get. So the Bol Bliz and the Re Emynd eR are heading south to the land cradle of Club Music civilzation. Check the City Paper out of Bmore wrting up these dudes.

Shouts out to Senari who is doing her booking thing and promoting tracks. Its kinda crazy how promoting is pretty much all myspace now but I did see some flyers for this in all the cool spots (even at Unruly Headquaters). I wonder who be working the street team for your shit. Reguardless YGG and yeah kitten crew or what ever that bullshit is.

Check the tracklisting for the new Bo Bliz & Emynd mix tapes over at Crossfaded Bacon Blog. Download them below.

• Emynd Mix
• Bo Bliz Mix
  

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 2008 We Da Best

Philly We Da Best. Emynd, Bo Bliz, Dan teh Mutherfucking Swede, Beanie, Peedie, and Freeway. Arts Garage will never be the same again.

Update: Image courtesy of TonsOGuns. Photo (and more) courtesy of Ian Meyer.

The Barbary

So Jhn Rdn bought The Barbary a former punk rock etc club and is turning it into a club of awesomeness. Think Johnny Brendas plus Fluid or thats at least how it sounds to me. From The Inquirer:

The downstairs Barbary will be for monthly events, and Redden challenges "DJs and promoters to come up with ways to make their parties better than they've been at any other venue." Upstairs, set to open next year, will be a "dive bar" venue of a different name that will have booths, food and a jukebox.

"In my ideal world, the club would be a worker-owned syndicate where profit would go to support the abolition of the prison system and fund radical social movements," Danielle Redden says.

For now, though, brother and sister will settle for making the Barbary a dance-and-hang space "where people feel comfortable having meaningful social interactions, where people can experience joy," Danielle says.

Tonight is the grand opening with a whole slew of DJ's. Saturday sees The Bounce with Emynd & Bo Bliz and The Barbary MySpace is now updated with the next week of shows.

Countdown to Free At Last

Its official Freeways Free At Last will be released November 20th and the White Tees White Belts bols are counting down. They are posting a Freeway related track every weekday from now until then. There are already some gems popping off over there.

Download the bonus track from Nick Catchdubs as he mixes Hypnotic Brass Ensemble with Jay, Beanie and Freeway. I aint talkin bout chicken n gravy mang.

Follow along at CrossFaded Bacon

White T's in Citypaper Music Issue

First off, that is such a dope picture. Shout out to Michael T. Regan. Second the story behind the picture is funny. Read it in Emynd's own words. Read the full City Paper article by phabulous Phileb jawn Kelly White. Of course if you've ever read this site in the last 2 years you know we've been repping White T's White Belts since the beginning. Its weird, we started out so different from where we are now.

Dudes are crazy on their grind right about now. Saturday downstairs with Jokers of the Scene at Transit with MSTRKRFT, Thursday 25th with Rich Medina and Questlove for the Philly Car Share party, Saturday the 27th at Haverford College and then Nov 2nd Halloween jumpoff at the Arts Garage.

MSTRKRFT Saturday October 20th

Briefly mentioned yesterday, today its officially official. Last minute addition to the tour are vowel haters MSTRKRFT at Transit. Playing the main room with Steve Bloodbath and Shawn Ryan from Hurrah while downstairs White T's White Belts will have table duties with Ottowa DJs Jokers of the Scene. Note, the White T's staff includes Dan teh Swede as well as Bo Bliz and Emynd. Congrats to Jokers of the Scene on their recent announcement of their debut EP out on Fools Gold. There was a fierce bidding war but they finally settled with Fools Gold.

• Guestlist jumpoff

This party brought to you by Paper Street, Turbo Station and Mad Pu$$y.

Roll Call!!!!!!!!!!!

Its Roll Call bitches! Young Jones is back in the building with Emynd & Bo Bliz and his trusty sidekick Illegible Caps with KMass on mic control. $1 vodkas and $3 PBR + Whiskeys are back in the building EARLY!. Its going down. Get on the list for $5 entry all night long (like Lionel Richie).
UPDATE: Link was wrong

What It Do

Mo money, no problems indeed. New Silk City, like old Silk City but now with better sound. Not really sure what they did besides clean and replace the speakers. Good times, good break from this grey weather. Words escape me. Guys 2 sales this weekend. One at Grasshopper and one at Pedestrian, but you should already be In The Know.

Friday

• Jinxed BBQ / Art opening jumpoff with Opal DJing 7 - 10Pm (620 S. 4th)
  
• Features graf artists Cense and Computer Chip 7
• Freshmeltwater.com bbq all day today. They're there and drinking now. (5th and Cecil B.)
  
• Rosie Kim presents a swimwear and summer fashion show at Bamboo
• Open bar and house music from Starchild 8PM on
• Stakeout Music presents Jackin Heaterz brodown at Fluid (613 S. 4th)
  
• House music all night long
  
• Damage - Stoya's 21st birthday party featuring Mike Saga and Mindbender at Raven (1718 Sansom)
• Electro, hard house and go go dancers
  

Saturday

• Mens sale at Grasshopper today and Sunday (727 Walnut)
• Roll Call!!! Caps and Emynd & Jones & Bo Bliz at the M Room. They're like the fantastic four but without the super powers and there isn't a girl. Remember the last time? No? Yeah my memory is a bit hazy from that night as well. I do know that I had a blast. presented by Simplefly. Guestlist for half price entry.
• Mojito on the Moshulu - Latin / Afro / summery house music and such with live percussionists on a boat. Open bar 10:30 - 11:30 (note the change in time). Grown and sexy good times with 900 of your closest friends. There will be more bars open this time. (Delaware and South)
  
• Guestlist
• There is this party where they freak out like crazy people and get rad with partytrainsoldiers. This time there is 30 cases of Colt45 which probably won't last from 9 - 11. Special guests Voxtrot. If you email talesofphiladelphia@viceland.com you can get free entry if you are one of the first 100 rsvps to arrive. Making Time at Transit (600 spring garden)

Sunday

• Sundae day party at Bubble House. Outside, and good rhythms
  
• This week its Lee Jones and Dirty presenting Flashback. House music from the 80's and 90's
  

iN THE KNOW!

So this week, we have a lot on board. We are having a sale(30% on all sweatshirts and jackets) this weekend cause I'm going to a Fourmula One race in Indy, and why the hell not. We also got in some new Mighty Healthy, Fresh Melt Water, The Cut and OMMO. Also some dope parties going down, sure to be a great weekend ...So here it goes...

First the fresh gear for the weekend...


Then we are also having a SALE...SAVE 30% ON ALL SWEATSHIRTS AND JACKETS...Sale starts at 12PM Friday and ends Sunday at 8PM...So Stop down a get a nice Hood or Jacket for one of these parties...



Friday Afternoon Fresh Melt Water Website Launch/Bobby Crooks Birthday Bash...Party starts Friday at 3PM (5th and Cecil B)...Free booze, give-aways, and food...This is gonna be the reason you cant make it out Friday night...But it's okay cause Bo Bliz and Emynd are killin the Mroom(15 W. Girard)with a little jawn called ROLL CALL on Saturday Night



Have a good weekend kiddies, and if your open, check out the F1 race it should be on Speed Channel or NBC around 1PM on Sunday...The hum of the engines helps cure a hangover...Trust me, we been doing it for years...

Saturday: Roll Call!!! w/ E&B & C&J

Caps & Bliz & Jones & Emynd now monthly. Remember last time? They back this Saturday at the M Room and now every third Saturday. Holla at the gueslist for reduced entry.

White Tees White Belts Moved

From Emynd:

The Ukie's nice and all, but they were trying to stop our grind so eff that. Anyway, we're partying later and we're letting EVERYONE in this time. So come through and party with your dude Low Budget who hasn't DJed in Philly in what seems like 6 months (though it's probably only been like 1). This shit is going to be bananas and this place the Arts Garage is the best venue I've seen in Philly (no hyperbole).

We're starting at midnight because nobody comes until midnight anyway.

Let's party.

White T's on MySpace

What It Do: Your Weekend Guide

So I just finished a little something that I'm super excited about. Baby steps, baby steps. I will be letting you all know about it real soon like. Also, Casi from Flamin Hotz Records has just joined the blog and will be posting about all sorts of blog house, blog indie and other stuff in other words mpfrees since I've been slacking lately. Also, coming up is a brand new t-shirt design, a bunch of records, mixtapes a bunch of giveaways, basically right now the sky is the limit. Stay tuned on the same bat channel.

Friday

• Jinxed Tatooo Dunny Release Party
• Designer vinyl "toys, tattoo artists, DJs, beer and art (by tattoo artists)"
• Need we say more? Jinxed 7 - 10PM (620 S. 4th Street)
  
• Padlock Gallery Opening (1409 Ellsworth St.)
• Carnivolution
• I'm not really sure about this one but if you saw the clowns this past First Friday, that might give you a good idea. Its a party run by clowns "dedicated to anyone who fears or hates clowns" (3819 Hamilton Street)
  
• Ladies Love Hip Hop with host Jean Grae (Fluid, 613 South 4th Street)
• $5 b4 11 or on the guestlist
• Mission 300 - 12 Bowling lanes, all you can drink beer, all you can eat Philly pretzels, limited to 150 people all courtesy of Badminton Stamps. (16th and Shunk)
• Futureshock 086 - Skipmode and Skeme Richards with shelltop hip hop (Khyber upstairs)
  

Saturday

• Scion and Paperstreet Present The Rub: Philadelphia at the newly opened Marathon Bar (10th and Walnut)
  
• Monster with Steven Bloodbath and Emynd & Bo Bliz
  
• From Emynd: "Really cute hipster jawns, cheap drinks ($2 PBRs and CHEAP liquor) and only $5 to get in and you're guaranteed to wile out.
• Philadelphyinz at Medusa
• Illvibe latenight loft party jumpoff (Arts Garage 1520 Parrish)

Sunday

• Professor Murder, Tussle and The Golden Ball - 8PM All ages (4028 Filbert)
  

What it Do: First Friday

Peedi Peedi, Pablo the Badlands Bully tonite, tonite. I'm super excited. I love First Friday. The weather is killer now. I'm hyped about the boat party. I'm just excited in general. Holla at your boy when you see me out this weekend.

Friday

• First Friday -art and stuff. Walk around, go to Lineage, talk about the post modern color and the soul of the artist as he worked through his emotions using watercolors, newspaper and flour (no this doesn't help, but its kind of how i feel right about now)
• American Sneakers at Ruba at 10 PM
  
• White Tees White Belts with Peedi Crack at the Ukie til 3:30 or so. A whole new level of awesomeness on par with Bun B at Hollerween. (847 N. Franklin Street)
• Hipster doomsday as its the last nite of Hands & Knees. (blocs away from the Ukie just saying)
  

Saturday

• Rittenhouse Row Fest - Noon to 5 PM. (web designers take note, flash sucks because you can't link to it!!!)
• Grasshopper party for Doyle and such and DJ's and 20% off everything and more. (727 Walnut)
  
• Jon Gill says "1PM-9PM AT EL VEZ (13TH & LOCUST, PHILA) GREAT INDOOR/OUTDOOR EVENT WHERE THEY BLOCK THE STREETS OFF AND EVERYTHING. A DAY LONG DRINKERS PARADISE WITH ME SPINNING EVERYTHING I'VE GOT IN MY COLLECTION FOR 8 HOURS! NO COVER"
• [click] with Dave P and the Cobrasnake at Medusa (27 S. 21st street)
• Fiesta - rave like it was 1999 brought to you by Local 13 promoter Stottle
• Arsenal presents “The AFBL All-Stars” featuring works by John Freeborn, Andrew Jeffery Wright, Andrew P. Warcraft, and a ton more. 6pm - 9pm, 623 North Second Street. (yes ripped from philebrity)
• Kung Fu Triple Feature at the International House (37th and Chestnut)
  

Sunday

• Fat Camp at 700 Club with Dan the Swede and Pandemonium Jones
• drunking and dancing at 700 N. 2nd Street

Wheres Me Booty At?

So apparently there are only 35 tickets left so I would buy mine soon, like now, just click this link.

PaperStreet & Thane Wright Presents:

"WHERE'S ME BOOTY?" It's the Summer Kick-Off Boat Cruise with DJ Rich Medina; WHITE TEES, WHITE BELTS with Emynd & Bo Bliz and Madonna/Michael/Prince with DJ Dee Jay.

Saturday, Jun 02, 2007 10:00 PM EDT (9:00 PM Doors)
- Sunday, Jun 03, 2007 2:00 AM EDT
at Liberty Belle at the Navy Yard

It's a Four Hour Open Bar Boat Party for 600 people on 3 levels of Philly's biggest party boat. *THIS IS A SPECIAL TICKET PRE-SALE STARTING MONDAY, APRIL 30TH AND ENDING FRIDAY, MAY 4TH AT MIDNIGHT. THESE ARE $50 TICKETS THAT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK FOR PAPERSTREET SUBSCRIBERS. THESE TICKETS INCLUDE THE 4 HOUR OPEN BAR AND ARE PRICED ALMOST AT COST! This event is 21+.

p.s.- Pirate, wench and ninja costumes are welcome. Warning: We will be in international waters and there may be illegal betting on live monkey knife fights. Landlubbers are suckers.

Link

Pics from Saturday

Saturday was a crazy good time. I had a blast. Shout out to Yap Snaps. More pics from Caps & Jones & Emynd & Bo Bliz here.

WTWB at the Ukie

Yep, word on the streets with the over capacity and whatnot of last month, the March White T's White Belts will be at the Ukie of Hollertronix fame. There will be a special surprise guest, $4 Obolons.

Meanwhile the record is selling out of control at Turntable Lab. It hit #4 in 4 days and completely sold out or would have easily hit #1. Not to worry though, if you slept on the first batch, the Lab reupped and you can still cop it. Its $8 and features a crazy full cover pic sleeve and labels and 9 tracks.
And as a bonus, the duo just released two tracks on their MySpace.

• Emynd & Bo Bliz - Hard Piano (Make Room)
  
• Emynd & Bo Bliz - Poppin Remix

Links: Cop the EP, White Tees Myspace, Crossfaded Bacon

51:51 x Flamin Hotz Monthly Mix Jumpoff

Back once again with that podcast jumpoff. Its First Friday so that means two things, Old City Arts Crawl and White Tees White Belts. We've been beating the drum for this party since we started. Easily one of the best parties in the city. Now that they've moved to their new spot, this party has officially blown up. You can meet cats from Boston to DC who make the monthly trip to get down with Emynd, Bo Bliz and Dan the Swede. This month is extra special as it is the record release party for Emynd and Bo Bliz and there will be mixtape giveaways from WTHN. Their debut EP, White Tees and White Belts is being released by Flamin Hotz and is in stores here in Philly at Armands and The Sound of Market. I've got word that it will be at Turntable Lab and your favorite record stores early next week. Flamin Hotz picked them up as the duo have been coming with straight heat lately. Just check out this message that they received from Scottie B:

Need a big big favor. Please could u send me the new EP u have. I will send u whatever it costs thru paypal or whatever. Im gonna be at Fabric on 2/2. Wont be able to get the joint and i know Emynd and Bo came w that fire! Please let me know!"

We've got two seperate mixes and one from Dan the Swede later on this month. They represent what you'll hear at the party tonite with everything from Miami Bass, to hip hop, electro, Baltimore club, special remixes and whatever else will rock the crowd.

So without further ado: Subscribe with iTunes, subscribe with other podcast software, Emynd Feb 5151 Mix, Bo Bliz Feb 5151 Mix

Related: WTWB Myspace; Armands: 1108 Market Street, 19107; Sound of Market: 15 South 11th Street, 19107; WTWB on Flamin Hotz, CrossFaded Bacon Goods and Services

What it Do

Beats, check 'em out. Still recovering from last weekend, need some more Vitamin C. Will post crazy amounts of pictures by Monday, promise.

Friday

• Until gone - %50 off sale at Pedestrian (252 South Street) on select brands.
  
• EDIT:Philebrity reminded about an art opening tonight at ICA called "Locally Localized" featuring local galleries like Space 1026, Black Floor and more. Check this, its incredible.
  
• Girl Talk at Johny Brendas with Plastic Little - Last time he played here was a random house party in South Philly. This time he gets written up in the Inquirer and the Philly Weekly. Needless to say tickets are sold out, I looked on Craigslist and there are only wanted tickets. When I saw him in LA, I found it to be a pretty good show seeing as he is just clicking on his computer every few minutes. First he brings all the girls on stage and then proceeds to jump around taking his shirt off waving it around like a helicopter. Just don't bother trying to pick out every sample he uses or your brain will overheat. Oh and maybe, just maybe you will be able to win tickets from Philebrity & R5 by 4:30. (I'm sure snarky emails will be rewarded)
  
• Cage and friends at the Church (btw, if you haven't noticed Cage switched his style up and got signed to def jux)
• Cage ft Aesop Rock and Yak Balls - Left it to Us
• Hands & Knees - Sparks fueled hipsters dance to Jhn Rdn and friends
• AJ Ready Wright at 700 club cause who doesn't like 700?
• Rave on with Double Vision and Unbirthday
• Oh and BobSaget at the Tower Theater, have you seen the Aristocrats?
  

Saturday

• Beats and Rhymes - Reef the Lost Cause on the mic with all of his producers squaring off against one another. That bol emynd is in the competition so root for him.
• Yurayura - House and techno with Bart Skils and the funkshun crew
• Rowdy Send Off - At Medusa, DNB send off party for Nate Day and Steve Rea
• Tech Support at Bubble House
• Stakeout on Acid - Acid house and tech house at Upstairs at Sals

edit:
Sunday

• Dan the Swede & friends - New weekly at Upstairs at Sals (thanks Jawntronix for reminding me)
  

Omar - Get Money

Heres the latest in Emynd's t-shirt line featuring the one and only Omar Little from The Wire. If you haven't seen The Wire, go rent it but to fill you in now, Omar is a stick up man who holds up local drug dealers. You have to have a code, Omar's is that he only believes in making money from those already in the "game" proclaiming that he "never put my gun on no citizen." Omar's gun is a shotgun often tucked under his trench coat. Omar is legendary in Baltimore and is scared of no one. To see the shirt in action pick up a Philadelphia Weekly as emynd is sporting it for the photo shoot accompanying the Beats & Rhymes party this Saturday or just click here (flash won't let me copy the pic).

Get the shirt over at Crossfaded Bacon.

I believe in Weezy

Emynd is back with another shirt, this time immortalizing Weezy F. Baby. Its maroon with white screen print and available in S, M, L, XL, XXL. Paypal emyndandbobliz@gmail.com $20 in the US, $25 Canada, $27 rest of the world. Prices include shipping. As mentioned by someone else, we think that Emynd makes a new shirt to match his new hats.

My game is tight not my shirts

Emynd has been killing the T-Shirt game lately.
Holler at him to get one of your own from the three shirts below.

Tell Me When to Go Dumb:



Dipset! Dipset Dipset!



Ironic White Tees:

Holler at emyndandbobliz(at)NOSPAMgmail.com to get yours delivered today. US prices are $20, more outside of the US.