Photos and Re-Cap: Big Boi x Clipse x Yelawolf at King Plow Arts Center

This past Friday, while most of Atlanta was sleeping off the itis from Thanksgiving leftovers, it was jumping at The Gallery at King Plow.



Just judging from the names on the bill, it wasn't a question of IF the show was gonna be dope...it was WHO was gonna be the dopest...











Wil May was the nights opening act. Wil May is a pretty solid entertainer, but you'd have to know his songs or be around people that know his songs to really enjoy it. Some but not all of the people in the crowd knew his songs, but...this crowd was mostly comprised of our White brothers and sisters and you already know that Alcohol + White folks + loud music = Screaming for no damn reason. So needless to say, Wil May got some love from the crowd. I am kinda dissapointed he didn't do his guaranteed party-rocker "Get Up Early" though.













Prynce was the second opening act and he was pretty solid as well. He did songs from his latest mixtape What Da DEC Been Missing Vol.2 but the only song he did from Vol.1 was "Sweet Georgia" which the crowd was very receptive to. He killed it when he did "Studder" though, that must mean people are coming to the site more often.









As usual Yelawolf killed it. He was the only performer of the night to have a live band so of course that amplified his set.





Ashanti Floyd





Matt









He did songs from off his Arena Rap and upcoming Trunk Muzik projects including "Pop The Trunk" and new fan favorites "I Wish" feat. Raekwon and "F.U." He also allowed this random white dude on stage to scream "F*** YOU!" at the top his lungs. 'Wolf later said he did someone a favor because by doing that he prevented an office shooting next week.











As usual a few folks left after Yelawolf performed but many still stuck around for Clipse. I've seen Clipse a few times now and their show is always pretty good. However, its not for those that like nostalgia. Being the "trendsetters" they are, they mainly do their most current songs with stops on memory lane coming few and far between. Of course they did "Grindin" and "What Happened To That Boy"...but most of this show was songs from Hell Hath No Fury, We Got It For Cheap pt. 3, the Play Cloths mixtape and what ever has leaked from Til The Casket Drops.











Play Cloths is fresh as hell by the way. I don't think I've seen a piece I haven't liked yet. 'Bout time a rapper(s) who actually knows how to dress a little came out with a line that people will actually wear on some everyday shit.









Last but not least Big Boi went on and killed it as usual. I didn't get good positioning for the Big Boi set so I didn't get as many pictures. But shied, if you come to this blog often you've seen plenty of Big Boi concert pics by now.





Blackowned C-Bone



Backbone





Overall the show was very good. The venue was pretty dope too and look forward to seeing more shows there. Shouts out to the Gallery Group for putting on a cool show. The sound stage was pretty impeccable.



My only gripe about the show is that it started 2 hours late, hoping more people would come in. Good thing I don't have a wife and kids at home, because I probably would have left.



Anyways, you can peep the rest of the pics in the gallery below. Tell me what you think of the pics.

Review: Black Dynamite

After seeing the trailer for Black Dynamite late last year and hearing about it from the homies at Konsole Kingz when they went to the Sundance Festival I made sure I kept an eye out for its release date. Though its been a while since then, the wait was most definitely worth it...

I planned on going out to see it tonight when it hit theatres but I was blessed with an invite to a free advanced screening (whats up Diego) last night. The film was so funny that I plan on spending money to see it again.

Now, I'm usually not one for silly, or overly dry humor for that matter. I tend to prefer "smart" humor. Black Dynamite is a combination of of silly and smart. This was a very well exectuted movie. This may sound confusing, but they made the movie bad, on purpose. I mean you'll see boom mics in some of the scenes (which are sometimes out of focus) and you'll even see characters crying tears that disappear and then reappear all in the same dialogue. To clear it up for you, the film is not supposed to be a 2009 Blaxploitation flick...its a Blaxploitation spoof. Think I'm Gonna Get You Sucka but wittier with less blatant hi-jinks.

While the movie is silly as hell, it doesn't come off as embarassing. Meaning that yeah, its cool to laugh at this movie with White folks around. This is due in large part to the movie actually having skilled actors and comedians in the cast.

Michael Jai White (writer and director of the movie), Salli Richardson, Bookeem Woodbine, Tommy Davidson, Aresnio Hall, Kym Whitley, Mykelti Williamson, Cedric Yarbrough, Miguel Nunez, Chris Spencer and alot of other familiar faces will be found in this film. Hell, even John Salley and Brian McKnight are in it. So you know that even though the film is meant to be silly...serious talent was involved in pulling it off.

If you've been keeping up with the trailers and internet clips promoting the film, you'd know that alot of work was put into making this film an actual experience and that's what it felt like watching it. Everybody in the theatre was rolling and the "Cinemaphonic Quadrovision" filter that they added to the film actually made it look like it was made in the 1970's.

I really don't know what else I can say about the movie without spoiling it or getting the jokes wrong. Plus, I'm going off of straight memory since I couldn't take notes in my cell phone (they asked me to put it away, might have thought I was recording?). But the film is pretty much about what all Blaxplotation films are about...sticking it to "the man."

The movie starts fast and doesn't slow down anywhere. Each scene payed attention to detail through intricate wardrobe and writing. Of course the score/soundtrack played a part in the feel of the film too. All of the songs were funky as hell and equally funny at times. Just like the soundtracks of Blaxploitation flicks of the past, there was a song for damn near every scene. So if Black Dynamite was walking into the room...then dammit, the song sung "Black Dynamite is walking in the rooooooom."

The only drawback about the film is probably something that was done on purpose...which is the confusing plot twists towards the end and the lagging final fight scenes.

Really, all I can do is just encourage you to go see it for yourself if you are looking for a good laugh. The movie opens today in Atlanta, NYC, LA, Chicago, Philly and Seattle.

Leave the kids at home though, there's titties and alot of cursing in it.

When Animals Attack! Episode I X X I

You know what...

I just realized, that I really don't give a hot damn about who sells the most records between the Teddy Bear and the Gorilla tomorrow. Well actually I kinda hinted on how I felt last month. But still, I don't care. People are acting like this is the biggest day in Hip Hop history. WRONG!

I can think of a better day from 9-years ago. Now that my friend is a day that was indeed Hip Hop History. You had one group putting in their bid for Greatest Rap Group of All Time, another guy beginning his 5-year chokehold on the game, another group bowing out, a female rapper repping for a gender, region, city, clique and sound and lastly, a group proving that when you're dope it doesn't matter how old you are.

And oh, how could I forget, 1998 was smack dab in the middle of the No Limit era, so you know Master P dropped something too. [side note: that CD contained one of the fiest UGK songs EVER!]

Hell, even on a more personal note I can think of two handfuls more that meant something to me.

I guess I was compelled to say all of this because I listed to both the Teddy Bear and Gorilla's albums last week, and um, I wasn't really impressed by neither one. The Teddy Bear named his album Graduation, but really, that shit should be called 5th Year Senior or Still Waiting On Financial Aid, after all, he did say "wait 'til I get my money right." I've already been called crazy for not christening this album, so you may have to come up with a new word after you read this.

Sure, the Teddy Bear's album is good. But, when did we start having to applaud people for doing what the fuck they supposed to do? Are folks liking the album simply because he ain't snapping, trapping, cranking, beefing? Aight, let me stop hating. Basically, I guess I just find the Teddy Bear annoying as hell. He reminds me of that kid from 3rd grade, who's parents had money, so he could afford to bring something new to Show and Tell, all the time. While rest of our snotty asses was bringing the same damn G.I. Joe man every week. Or, remember this? Bring a Transformer, in car form one week, and then bringing it back in robot form the next week, talking about its new.

Back to the CD. I almost got caught in the hype, but then I listened to it while driving, and realized, that, that shit really ain't just bumping like that. This is one of those industry albums that everybody wants to like because no one wants to be the sore thumb that says "its just okay." Hopefully, I'll feel differently a couple weeks from now. Or better yet, a couple years from now. Because thats the true test to see if an album is tight or not. Will it make you want to randomly pick it up one morning while you're getting dressed a couple years from now.

Now, as for that Curtis shit. Maaaaaaan...
He's one publicity stunt away from joining his boss in the "damn, dude done fell off" category. Listening to Curtis was the most uneventful 60-or-so minutes I've spent all year. The whole time I was listening to it, I was getting mad thinking about all of the other things I could have been doing instead of listening to it. See, I don't really get mad when 50 taunts broke people, brags about his money, or gives one of his trademarked rants at the end of his diss records. That's what I'd expect from him, his filthy fuggin rich, BIOTCH! But, he lost me as soon as the CD started with him shouting "NIGGA MY GUN GO OFF!" No it don't. I'll bet that its quite rusty these days. If you still in a position where you have to shoot people, then, well, you ain't as smart as I thought you were 50.

Forget both of them fools. Buck the establishment and buy B5 and/or The Cupid Shuffle on September 11th. And if you really want to support an emcee, buy Young Bleed's new one.

p.s. Check out the homie Noz' blog at XXL

When Animals Attack! Episode I X X I

You know what...

I just realized, that I really don't give a hot damn about who sells the most records between the Teddy Bear and the Gorilla tomorrow. Well actually I kinda hinted on how I felt last month. But still, I don't care. People are acting like this is the biggest day in Hip Hop history. WRONG!

I can think of a better day from 9-years ago. Now that my friend is a day that was indeed Hip Hop History. You had one group putting in their bid for Greatest Rap Group of All Time, another guy beginning his 5-year chokehold on the game, another group bowing out, a female rapper repping for a gender, region, city, clique and sound and lastly, a group proving that when you're dope it doesn't matter how old you are.

And oh, how could I forget, 1998 was smack dab in the middle of the No Limit era, so you know Master P dropped something too. [side note: that CD contained one of the fiest UGK songs EVER!]

Hell, even on a more personal note I can think of two handfuls more that meant something to me.

I guess I was compelled to say all of this because I listed to both the Teddy Bear and Gorilla's albums last week, and um, I wasn't really impressed by neither one. The Teddy Bear named his album Graduation, but really, that shit should be called 5th Year Senior or Still Waiting On Financial Aid, after all, he did say "wait 'til I get my money right." I've already been called crazy for not christening this album, so you may have to come up with a new word after you read this.

Sure, the Teddy Bear's album is good. But, when did we start having to applaud people for doing what the fuck they supposed to do? Are folks liking the album simply because he ain't snapping, trapping, cranking, beefing? Aight, let me stop hating. Basically, I guess I just find the Teddy Bear annoying as hell. He reminds me of that kid from 3rd grade, who's parents had money, so he could afford to bring something new to Show and Tell, all the time. While rest of our snotty asses was bringing the same damn G.I. Joe man every week. Or, remember this? Bring a Transformer, in car form one week, and then bringing it back in robot form the next week, talking about its new.

Back to the CD. I almost got caught in the hype, but then I listened to it while driving, and realized, that, that shit really ain't just bumping like that. This is one of those industry albums that everybody wants to like because no one wants to be the sore thumb that says "its just okay." Hopefully, I'll feel differently a couple weeks from now. Or better yet, a couple years from now. Because thats the true test to see if an album is tight or not. Will it make you want to randomly pick it up one morning while you're getting dressed a couple years from now.

Now, as for that Curtis shit. Maaaaaaan...
He's one publicity stunt away from joining his boss in the "damn, dude done fell off" category. Listening to Curtis was the most uneventful 60-or-so minutes I've spent all year. The whole time I was listening to it, I was getting mad thinking about all of the other things I could have been doing instead of listening to it. See, I don't really get mad when 50 taunts broke people, brags about his money, or gives one of his trademarked rants at the end of his diss records. That's what I'd expect from him, his filthy fuggin rich, BIOTCH! But, he lost me as soon as the CD started with him shouting "NIGGA MY GUN GO OFF!" No it don't. I'll bet that its quite rusty these days. If you still in a position where you have to shoot people, then, well, you ain't as smart as I thought you were 50.

Forget both of them fools. Buck the establishment and buy B5 and/or The Cupid Shuffle on September 11th. And if you really want to support an emcee, buy Young Bleed's new one.

p.s. Check out the homie Noz' blog at XXL

Other-ground Atlanta

Contrary to popular belief, every artist in Atlanta or the South for that matter does not trap, snap, lean, rock, crank, SupaMan and/or SpiderMan dem hoes. Not that I have anything against any of that, because hell, if I have enough drinks in me and the music is right, I will snap, lean and rock with the best of them. This is coming from a dude who has bounced and ragtopped until I couldn't sweat anymore. But, I doubt that you will see me cranking Supaman's and SpiderMan's on dem hoes. I don't think I have the energy for all of that.

That being said, I went to a show last Friday (the 13th) at the Drunken Unicorn. It featured a crop of artists that you can label "underground." But I don't think that's fair, especially with how that word is just thrown around now. It seems like every person who doesn't have a song on the radio or television likes to call themselves "underground." Even if their "underground" ass is making music identical to what is currently getting played on the radio and television. {turning away from soapbox}

That reminds me of something else. Me and JBoogie were having a discussion about how sound and image plays a big role in how people are percieved. For instance, we both have a mutual friend who said they don't listen to Slum Village or Little Brother because "i dont like that backpacker, concious shit." Anyone that listens to Slum V. knows that they talk about sex and hoes just as much as Daz and Kurupt. Its just that SV rocks Nike Dunks instead of Chucks and they had vibey/lounging beats from the Dilla and Dwele's of the world, and not that G-Funk from Dr. Dre/Warren G/DJ Quik/Battlecat or whoever else you wanna throw in that mix. Anyone who listens to Little Brother knows that, yes, they got college degrees, but they ain't coming at you like Chuck-ONE.

I guess I'm saying all of this to say, um...I dunno.

Anyways, I wanted to share some pics and info from the show I went to last Friday. It kinda turned into an under, er, other-ground Atlanta star party on the low.

[photography sponsored by bad lighting, 3 cans of PBR and a crowded room]

GRIPPLYAS


This was my first time seeing this dude live, but I'd been peeping stuff on his myspace page over the last year or so. The shit is slum as hell (that's a good thing). For the sake of reference, I'll say he reminds me of Devin because of the way he blends humor and sex in his rhymes. He performed a handful of songs, none of them sounded identical to each other and none of them sounded like something you would hear from someone else. He has that vintage-beat machine sound that everybody seems to be trying to recreate nowadays. Right now people are talking about his song "GITYOASSONDAFLO."

PROTON

Same thing here. Got familiar with thier stuff through Myspace about a year ago. They have this song called "Notice Me" that I really dig, I used have it as the profile song my Myspace page. They describe their sound as "Girl and Ghetto Shit." Why their brand of "Girls and Ghetto Shit" isn't being mass marketed, consumed and jumped on, I don't know. Guess it goes back to that Slum Village vs. Dogg Pound stuff I was saying earlier. But anyways, they also have some very original music you should check out.

YELAWOLF


Yelawolf isn't from Atlanta, he's from Gadsen, Alabama. But he pretty much lives/works in the A. I got hep to his stuff a couple years ago. I guess you could say that he was the headliner of the show. He ripped it and ended by performing his song "Run" with B.O.B. He is signed to Sony/Columbia, but he is still out in the streets doing shows at venues like this one and giving out mixtapes for free. I got a chance to hang with him and his people in Gadsen a couple months ago when they was shooting the video for his single "Kickin'." It felt like I was experiencing history or something. KP said "this is the realest video shoot I've been on since Outkast's 'Players Ball'." Everybody that sees or hears him for the first time get surprised because he's white and can rap, of course. Don't know if that's much of a compliment, but oh well. I thoroughly enjoy his stuff. You can download his mixtape at his Myspace page. Its dope. Not just just a bunch of songs thrown together, its actually themed from the cover art down to every track.

B.O.B.


Alot of you have probably heard of this dude already. He's from The DEC and reps it well. I got put on to him when I had to interview him for Ozone last year. He was so new at the time that we did the interview on his way to Atlantic Records where he would sign that day. He's dropped a couple mixtapes and he sends out like, 1,000 Myspace bulletins a day directing you to his page. If you've been, I assume you enjoyed most of what you heard. Alot of people are looking forward to this dude's album. Let's pray Atlantic doesn't give him the Saigon treatment.

MORE PICS

B.O.B. & Janelle Monae
(shameless plug: I wrote the first nationally published articles on both of these artists [B.O.B. for Ozone, Janelle for VIBE])


B.O.B. & The Dreamer
(Dreamer got some jammin' shit too, he does that "Grind" intro that Greg Street plays on his show. Look out for him.)


Zoo Atlanta & Gripplyaz
(I don't care, Zoo Atlanta is one of the tightest monikers to ever come from the city.)



DJ Quiet Storm
(Me and this dude go back. We've lost money together doing parties The Aquarium. Made money together doing parties at Club Mirage. Ran into each other going eastbound MARTA. Gave each other rides home. Now he DJ for the Atlanta Hawks, holds down a show on 88.5 FM every Saturday from 9 to 12 and spins at Slice, El Bar and a couple other spots. He is available for parties and club gigs at an affordable price.)



Wonder
(This is the dude who co-produced T.I.'s "What You Know")



SHOW PICS

Other-ground Atlanta

Contrary to popular belief, every artist in Atlanta or the South for that matter does not trap, snap, lean, rock, crank, SupaMan and/or SpiderMan dem hoes. Not that I have anything against any of that, because hell, if I have enough drinks in me and the music is right, I will snap, lean and rock with the best of them. This is coming from a dude who has bounced and ragtopped until I couldn't sweat anymore. But, I doubt that you will see me cranking Supaman's and SpiderMan's on dem hoes. I don't think I have the energy for all of that.

That being said, I went to a show last Friday (the 13th) at the Drunken Unicorn. It featured a crop of artists that you can label "underground." But I don't think that's fair, especially with how that word is just thrown around now. It seems like every person who doesn't have a song on the radio or television likes to call themselves "underground." Even if their "underground" ass is making music identical to what is currently getting played on the radio and television. {turning away from soapbox}

That reminds me of something else. Me and JBoogie were having a discussion about how sound and image plays a big role in how people are percieved. For instance, we both have a mutual friend who said they don't listen to Slum Village or Little Brother because "i dont like that backpacker, concious shit." Anyone that listens to Slum V. knows that they talk about sex and hoes just as much as Daz and Kurupt. Its just that SV rocks Nike Dunks instead of Chucks and they had vibey/lounging beats from the Dilla and Dwele's of the world, and not that G-Funk from Dr. Dre/Warren G/DJ Quik/Battlecat or whoever else you wanna throw in that mix. Anyone who listens to Little Brother knows that, yes, they got college degrees, but they ain't coming at you like Chuck-ONE.

I guess I'm saying all of this to say, um...I dunno.

Anyways, I wanted to share some pics and info from the show I went to last Friday. It kinda turned into an under, er, other-ground Atlanta star party on the low.

[photography sponsored by bad lighting, 3 cans of PBR and a crowded room]

GRIPPLYAS


This was my first time seeing this dude live, but I'd been peeping stuff on his myspace page over the last year or so. The shit is slum as hell (that's a good thing). For the sake of reference, I'll say he reminds me of Devin because of the way he blends humor and sex in his rhymes. He performed a handful of songs, none of them sounded identical to each other and none of them sounded like something you would hear from someone else. He has that vintage-beat machine sound that everybody seems to be trying to recreate nowadays. Right now people are talking about his song "GITYOASSONDAFLO."

PROTON

Same thing here. Got familiar with thier stuff through Myspace about a year ago. They have this song called "Notice Me" that I really dig, I used have it as the profile song my Myspace page. They describe their sound as "Girl and Ghetto Shit." Why their brand of "Girls and Ghetto Shit" isn't being mass marketed, consumed and jumped on, I don't know. Guess it goes back to that Slum Village vs. Dogg Pound stuff I was saying earlier. But anyways, they also have some very original music you should check out.

YELAWOLF


Yelawolf isn't from Atlanta, he's from Gadsen, Alabama. But he pretty much lives/works in the A. I got hep to his stuff a couple years ago. I guess you could say that he was the headliner of the show. He ripped it and ended by performing his song "Run" with B.O.B. He is signed to Sony/Columbia, but he is still out in the streets doing shows at venues like this one and giving out mixtapes for free. I got a chance to hang with him and his people in Gadsen a couple months ago when they was shooting the video for his single "Kickin'." It felt like I was experiencing history or something. KP said "this is the realest video shoot I've been on since Outkast's 'Players Ball'." Everybody that sees or hears him for the first time get surprised because he's white and can rap, of course. Don't know if that's much of a compliment, but oh well. I thoroughly enjoy his stuff. You can download his mixtape at his Myspace page. Its dope. Not just just a bunch of songs thrown together, its actually themed from the cover art down to every track.

B.O.B.


Alot of you have probably heard of this dude already. He's from The DEC and reps it well. I got put on to him when I had to interview him for Ozone last year. He was so new at the time that we did the interview on his way to Atlantic Records where he would sign that day. He's dropped a couple mixtapes and he sends out like, 1,000 Myspace bulletins a day directing you to his page. If you've been, I assume you enjoyed most of what you heard. Alot of people are looking forward to this dude's album. Let's pray Atlantic doesn't give him the Saigon treatment.

MORE PICS

B.O.B. & Janelle Monae
(shameless plug: I wrote the first nationally published articles on both of these artists [B.O.B. for Ozone, Janelle for VIBE])


B.O.B. & The Dreamer
(Dreamer got some jammin' shit too, he does that "Grind" intro that Greg Street plays on his show. Look out for him.)


Zoo Atlanta & Gripplyaz
(I don't care, Zoo Atlanta is one of the tightest monikers to ever come from the city.)



DJ Quiet Storm
(Me and this dude go back. We've lost money together doing parties The Aquarium. Made money together doing parties at Club Mirage. Ran into each other going eastbound MARTA. Gave each other rides home. Now he DJ for the Atlanta Hawks, holds down a show on 88.5 FM every Saturday from 9 to 12 and spins at Slice, El Bar and a couple other spots. He is available for parties and club gigs at an affordable price.)



Wonder
(This is the dude who co-produced T.I.'s "What You Know")



SHOW PICS