NC Black Colleges x Spoken Word
KidEthnic and I traveled across NC to get a poetic perspective on voting at Historically Black Colleges. Check out Emmy winner Bluz, and Poet.She aka Kelly Rae live from the campuses of Bennett College to Johnson C. Smith:
Heart to Heart: a Durham anthem by LiLa
More dope work from LiLa. This track features Duncan from Hammer No More The Fingers. It’s a Durham party. And its awesome.
Robert Glasper Experiment: “the most dangerous musicians alive”
These dudes are so dope: #3 on iTunes, #1 jazz album, I’m so thrilled that progressive music is appreciated. Go get Black Radio. Right now. Then check out my interview with ?uestlove from Guru Legacy where he calls The Experiment … Continue reading
Red Pill: The Beast Songwriting Sessions
A few weeks ago I posted some examples of our songwriting process, including experimental and final versions of our song Interfaith Dialogue. I was Morphius inviting Neo (you) to take the red pill: and go deeper into the rabbit hole … Continue reading
Interfaith Dialogue: Songwriting Methodology
Today we’re giving a presentation to some engineering students about our creative process. When we write songs, often times we’ll improvise over a vamp or musical idea until a solid theme that we like crystalizes. Here’s an example of that: … Continue reading
The Black Candle Soundtrack
I wrote a Kwanzaa anthem which appeared on MK Asante Jr’s award-winning documentary narrated by Maya Angelou entitled, The Black Candle. Produced by Derrick Hodge, this track features some of The Beast’s biggest inspirations: Robert Glasper on piano and Chris … Continue reading
“I’m Black Home” – Ghana, Durham & More
Last month I went back home – to Ghana. I spent some incredible time in the motherland with Blitz The Ambassador and Les Nubians. Now I’m back home – in Durham. Read “part 1″ of my account with the News … Continue reading
Cole, Phonte, 9th Drop #Sept27
North Carolina. I know we’re in a recession.. but it’s time to break out the credit cards, check books, food stamps and big face 20s, in support of three titans of North Carolina hip hop. Tomorrow, on September 27th, 9th … Continue reading
Hip Hop and Community Empowerment
Check out my lecture on Hip Hop and Community Empowerment this Sunday September 18th at the downtown Durham library, as part of their Humanities Lecture Series 3PM-4:30PM. Here’s the press release - I’m pretty sure it’s free.
Hopscotch Music Festival Recap #Victorylap
If you’ve been following our tweets, you know that we had an amazing time at #Hopscotch11. From the opening party at Flanders Gallery, to the underground wrestling match/food truck fair, to the incredible Foreign Exchange/Carlitta Durand show. One of my personal … Continue reading
