MTE + Waxpoetics + Me (your MC)

Calling all NYers & music lovers:

The More Than Enough fam is joining forces w/ one of my favorite labels, Waxpoetics, to bring you the video release party for Kendra Morris’ “Concrete Waves.” Ms. Morris is Waxpo’s best kept secret with a voice that’ll make you say “Damn! Ok, I’m listening…” and I’m a fan. Think Amy meets Adele meets Beth Gibbons, then check this track + the DJ Premier Remix here.  I was right, right?

Come thru Saturday to celebrate it’s release, and to watch me make an @$$ of myself on the mic as your host ! Is this thing on?

Hot Peas & Butta @ the Notorious IBE in Heerlen, Netherlands

Tomorrow, Hot Peas & Butta’s own Elroy Jenkins and Skeme Richards embark on a journey to the lil town of Heerlen, Netherlands to do BIG things!

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If you read my interview with the artistic mad man himself, OR if you know him personally (ahem – as I do <- yes, that was a winky face, don’t judge), you’ll know eL devotes many-a sleepless nights to his craft, while Skeme Richards spends hours diggin’ for gems even your grandmama’s never heard AND jetsetting around the world to play said gems.  It’s a wonderful thing to see the art and music of Hot Peas & Butta culminate into a prominent showcase and exhibit at the Notorius IBE.  Congrats, guys…do your thing out there! Just don’t embarrass us.

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via http://hotpeasandbutta.com

THE ART BEHIND HOT PEAS & BUTTA AT THE NOTORIOUS IBE

September 1, 2011

Skeme Richards & Elroy Jenkins will be speaking at The Notorious IBE in Heerlen, The Netherlands. Exhibiting several Hot Peas & Butta original works, as well as video and inspirations, they will be covering topics involving the ideas behind Hot Peas & Butta, the influences of cult/exploitation film, 60s/70s television, comics, and martial arts on bboy and hip-hop culture, and how the music is directly connected to those influences.

For more information about the numerous events, panels, and workshops going on at The Notorious IBE visit thenotoriousibe.com.

And of course Skeme Richards will be spinning throughout all 3 days.

I think they’ve hit a brick wall.

I’ve definitely been outta the sneaker game for a minute now. Or perhaps I was never in it.

When did Nike start doing this and WHY?

Ok, ok. While all of the SBs are pretty barfferific, I’m kinda sorta digging these Jordans. Or perhaps they’re just the lesser of all evils?

Keep it brassy.

I love horns. Anytime a producer asks, “So what do you like on your tracks usually? What are you looking for?” I always say: a funky bass line, kickin’ drums, and HORNS.”

So obviously, when I found out via @HypnoticBrass‘ Twitter that Hypnotic Brass Ensemble was doing a show at SOB’s in NYC, I was sold.

What I love about Chicago-bred HBE is that they are literally…a band of brothers.  All eight of ‘em! They’re now based in NYC, and you can catch them playing shows around town w/ the likes of Mos Def, Erykah Badu, & The Gorillaz (I got a special treat @ The Gorillaz show last year seeing them open w/ “Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach”).

These funky brothers are about to embark on a European tour, so all my overseas peeps – catch them in the skreets!

Live At The Loft Ep. 2: Chico Mann

Recently, I had the pleasure of checking out this Live At The Loft series, Episode 2 featuring Chico Mann.  Shouts to the homie Blair for the invite! The space itself was PROPER, Chico Mann held it down as a one-man show, and the warm vibe was just right.

 

And yes, ya’ll, this was in New Jersey.  Bet you thought it was Brooklyn, right?

Doin’ it for the kids

This made me teary-eyed. Little Dragon & PS22 doing “Twice”:

 

The MOS Beautiful Boogie Man

Last night was a blessing.  I snagged the last two tickets to see Mos Def at the Blue Note NY!  Surprisingly, it was my first time catching him live (aside from that one time at Audiotistic waaay back when. Err…yeah…what’s not remembered doesn’t count).

Sing me to sleep, Boogie Man.  I have yet to be disappointed by anything he puts out.

Obvvvviously I was iPhoning.  If anyone could let me know how to fix these video settings to fit the screen, please holler!

PS: Chris Dave was murderous on drums. Dude was on another planet – in a good way.

Where I’ve been

WHOA! It’s been forever since I’ve updated this bad girl! The last couple months have been loco to say the least, but in an amazingly good way.  Let’s  do a little photo recap, shall we?

In early Dec, I was in sunny SoCal. Perfect weather, and I was able to catch up with my fam and friends.

Damn you, Santa Monica. Why do you have to be so awesome?

Beach cruisin’.

After the LA trip, flew back to NYC, and week later flew to Punta Cana, DR to celebrate Christmas – island style! It was paradise to say the least, and we had mucho fun.  Definitely the first time catching a tan in the middle of winter!

Riu Palace – Punta Cana, DR.

All-inclusive err’thang. Yes please!

Sunrise on the beach.

Four days just simply wasn’t enough, but it was a nice breather, to say the least!  Got back to NY on Christmas day just in time for my first white Christmas.  However, the beauty of the snow lasted all of an hour ’cause seriously? Going from 85 degree Caribbean sunshine to 20 degree temps was NOT FUN.

Needless to say, I was SUPER excited for my b-day trip to Barcelona one week later!  I’d never been to Europe (shame on me, I know), so it was fitting to make it happen for my b-day.  On January 4th, my friend Steph and I took flight for Spain!

Our studio apartment on Las Ramblas. Highly recommend going this route instead of hotels.

Placa Reial. Tons of bars and clubs lie along the perimeter of this plaza and it was right around the corner from our apt!

Tapas. Left corner: Jamon iberico. Ask about it, then stuff your face with it is what I was advised. Don’t mind if I do!

Carrer de Ferran. View from one side of our apt.

No donuts for you!

Cable car to Castle Montuic. As you can see below, Steph was not happy about the ride up.

Sad face!

 

Bought your tickets to the gun show?

JAMON IBERICO! Kryptonite for this Filipina.

Want some of this chocolate?

Pretty much the only beer they had there. After a few days, I really just wanted a freakin’ Sam Adams.

Weird baby head street performer.

City of Figueres (2 hrs north of Barcelona) – Dali Museum. This. Museum. Is. BONKERS.

Occupy and resist.

 

Rule number one: don’t talk about Fight Club.

Since it was just us, we had to take mirror pics to have some together.

 

Steph was paranoid about possible intruders, so putting a kitchen knife under the bed gave her peace of mind.

 

View of la Sagrada Familia from Parc Guell.

What up tho.

Clams & ham.  Tapas at Cal Pep, where we met Nick & Sophie (below).  They’re from London, and Nick is a trumpet player who recently toured with Mumford & Sons.

Adios, Barcelona! Had a blast.

Flying over the frozen tundra that is NY. Blahhhh…

So goes my adventures over the last month or two.  Can’t wait for the next one!

Free download: “Just A Little Bit (Remix)” prod. by Freddie Joachim

This past Spring, I wrote/recorded a track called “Just A Little Bit” prod. by Freddie Joachim for Mellow Orange’s Last Resort compilation.

Last week, Freddie dropped this little remix on me that I didn’t even know he was working on! He flipped the whole vibe which I totally dig — so much that I want to give it to you for free .99.

DOWNLOAD:

Just A Little Bit (Remix) and Instrumental

Enjoy.

Follow the yellow brick road (Halloween weekend in NYC)

This past weekend was bonkers in NYC!

Here are some flicks of how we got down:

Happy Halloween, everyone! Hope you had a good one.