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Hiphop - Hiphopn.com

Jean Grey Famke Janssen
I got introduced to Jean Grae by this English dude at the cafe where I worked. 'D'you know Jean Grae?' he asked me.

'Do I know Jean Grey? Hell, yeah! She was smokin' in that X-Men movie!' I exhuberantly trumpted in the kitchen.


No, I didn't know at the time, but he lent me a CD, which I listened to, realizing that it was easy to place the rapper's voice... the chick off that Herbaliser album, with the slick freestyle ending.

The good news to all you cats in NYC: Grae will be performing with a jazz band and her mother, notable singer, Sathima Bea Benjamin at the Sweet Rhythm Jazz Club on Jan 23.

Details on the event.

For those of you that still think of Jean Grey as the lover of Cyclops, here's a clip from my favourite track, Each Morning:






*this image is from the SuperherodB
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the elements tour 2007 ztrip
Click to enlarge

THE ELEMENTS TOUR 2007
Z Trip LIVE feat. SOUP of Jurassic 5
( live percussion)
DJ Format (DJ Set)
Swollen Members (Live)
The Jungle Brothers (Soundsystem Set)
& local guests (tba)

The Elements Tour is a live representation of the defining aspects of global hip hop culture. The sound and substance of hip hop is defined by the constant evolution of each of the 5 ‘elements’ that drive its progression, (graffiti, breaking, emceeing, deejaying & knowledge). The Elements Tour profiles local and international grand-masters of the elements of hip hop, as well as providing a gateway for a next generation of Australian hip hop emcees, DJs, breakers and beatboxers to represent on the world stage.
Elements aims to represent Australia’s premier hip hop culture reference point, combining the cream of the local and international crop with a unique and diverse approach to melding musical forms. The local talent presented through the shows will aim to profile ozzie hip hop’s own elemental masters, featuring artists who have helped shape the genre.
Witness the international overground and the local underground converging to create a truly unique hip hop spectacle, blurring cultural definitions and burning musical boundaries.
Local line up to be announced shortly…

TICKETS ON SALE Thurs 18th October
Check website for details www.futureentertainment.com.au

NATIONAL DATES

Thursday 29th November Hobart University Bar, Hobart
Saturday 1st December Metro Theatre, Sydney
Thursday 6th December The Met, Brisbane
Friday 7th December Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Saturday 8th December The Forum Theatre, Melbourne


Z-Trip LIVE
Z-Trip is one of the biggest DJs of our time. Doing over 100 shows a year, every year, he is known as the founding father of the mash-up movement, and one of the most important figures in the modern evolution of both turntablism and hip hop production.
The Elements Tour presents Z Trip performing in live mode for the very first time, backed up by live percussion and the stunning MC magic of Soup (J5), this is an Australian first.
Z-Trip's major label debut Shifting Gears was a huge success receiving critical acclaim from fans and media alike. The first single Walking Dead went Top 20 and featured Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. The album also had two Number 1s on the college chart. Listen to the DJ featuring Soup of Jurassic 5 and Shock and Awe featuring Chuck D. He's also a master of the remix, with a stand out re-working of The Jackson 5's I Want You Back on Motown Remixed. Z-Trip can be seen in the movie Scratch (and Scratch Live) alongside Q-Bert, Mix Master Mike and originators of the art form including Afrika Bambaataa and Jazzy Jay.

Soup (from Jurassic 5)
The Elements Tour proudly presents Zaakir, aka Soup, performing solo for the first time ever in Australia. Considered one of the greatest new skool MC’s on earth, Soup appears as a part of Z Trip’s stunning new live show.
Soup found fame as a part of the hip hop crew Jurassic 5 along with rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Mark 7even, and turntable maestros DJ Nu-Mark and DJ Cut Chemist. The group came together from two separate crews in 1993, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee.

Jurassic 5 Discography:
*Jurassic 5 (1 December 1998, Pan Records) * Quality Control (20 June 2000, Interscope Records) *Power In Numbers (8 October 2002, Interscope Records) * Jurassick! (Freestyles and Rarities) (date unknown, Interscope Records) * Pre-Historik Rarities (2003) * Feedback (25 July 2006, Interscope Records) In Australia, a two-disc version of Quality Control was released, the second disc comprising instrumental versions of the album. A second version of Power In Numbers was released, which included a DVD. There is also a vinyl edition of Power In Numbers comprising of instrumental versions of the tracks from the original album.

Soup Appears On:
Family Rap (This Is The Sound) (12") Family Rap (This Is Th... Ubiquity Records 2005 Hit The Floor (CD) Family Rap Ubiquity Records 2005 Hit The Floor (2xLP) Family Rap Ubiquity Records 2005 Listen To The DJ (12") Hollywood Records 2005 Shifting Gears (CD) Listen To The DJ Hollywood Records 2005 Shifting Gears (2xLP) Listen To The DJ Hollywood Records 2005 FabricLive. 26 - The Herbaliser (CD) Family Rap Fabric (London) 2006 FabricLive. 26 - The Herbaliser (Promo) (CD) Family Rap Fabric (London) 2006 Stand Up E.P. (12") Family Rap (Laid Back ... Ubiquity Records 200


Swollen Members
On the strength of their unique sound and a live show that stands without comparison in hip hop, Swollen’s are taking it back to basics building a movement one fan at a time. They have been paying their dues since the 90s when rappers Mad Child and Prevail first joined forces to release a series of critically acclaimed 12 singles on Mad Childs own label Battle Axe Records.

The Rock Steady Crew-affiliated groups debut full-length, Balance hit streets in 1999 to a wave of critical praise. Its dark but aggressive sound combined with Swollen Members reputation for rocking crowds from LA to Tokyo cemented their position in the independent hip hop world.

With the release of their sophomore album Bad Dreams in 2001, Swollen Members saw their music embraced by a widespread audience in Canada. Commercial radio and video airplay fuelled Swollen mania, and accolades and awards piled up, including the Vancouver British Columbia crew winning Juno Awards (Canadian version of a Grammy) three years in a row. Bad Dreams was certified platinum in Canada, Balance went gold, and their third album Monsters in the Closet has also nearly reached platinum status. Producer Rob The Vikings contributions led to him being made an official member as Swollen Members became the best selling hip hop group in Canadian history. Though they spent several years promoting and touring almost exclusively in Canada, with no international promotion their records have sold nearly 500,000 copies worldwide, still through the ever-independent Battle Axe. In the wake of this success, Swollen Members pulled back from the outside world to focus on recording Black Magic. Over two years in the making, the album largely sees the group returning to the dark signature sound they have become synonymous with. A melting pot of introspective lyrics, bookworm intellectualism, aggressive beats and party-rocking jams, the album features collaborations with Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan), Everlast, Dilated Peoples, Mr. Vegas, Hieroglyphics, The Alchemist, Mix Master Mike, Planet Asia, Phil The Agony, and more. Storming out of hibernation with their sights firmly focused on the United States, Swollen Members are poised to begin an endless barrage of touring, bringing their renowned live show and sound to the masses.

Jungle Brothers (Soundsystem Set)
Jungle Brothers have been around since hip hop's Golden Age, and they continue to adapt creatively to the changing soundscapes of both hip hop and DJ culture. They first appeared on the NYC hip hop scene with the release of the groundbreaking Straight Out The Jungle in 1988. A prototype for later envelope-pushing crews like the Wu-Tang Clan, the Jungle Brothers were among the first groups to aggregate a like-minded posse of fellow rappers (the legendary Native Tongues: De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, and later Mos Def) in which intellect and vocabulary dominated the game. Following up their raw, energetic debut, the group went into the studio with NYC underground club and house producer Todd Terry, and hip house was born. "I'll House You" became a bona fide international hit, making Terry one of the most in-demand remixers to this day. A major label bidding war ensued, and the Jungle Brothers subsequently signed to Warner Bros. Free to sample and manipulate in a more sophisticated setting, the JBs mixed up breaks and beats that recalled the Bronx block parties of their youth, incorporating elements from jazz, soul, and funk classics. The resulting album, Done By The Forces Of Nature, ranks with other masterpieces of the era like the Beastie Boys Paul's Boutique and De La Soul's seminal Three Feet High And Rising. Jaybee’s appear on the Elements Tour in a never before witnessed performance mode – an MC vs DJ sound soundsystem performance, featuring Mike Gee and the group’s original DJ Sammy B. The Jungle Brothers Sound System set features old classics mixed up with brand new material, presented in true ‘Jaybees’ party rocking style.

DJ Format
DJ Format AKA Matt Ford's debut album “Music For The Mature B-Boy” is one of the slowburn success stories of hip hop culture in the 21st century. An album of soulful, funk fuelled hip hop packed with infectious beats and lyrical dexterity, it delivered in spades on the promise of his early releases for Mo' Wax and Bomb Hip Hop. Received with quiet acclaim in the press it quickly became a word of mouth triumph, going on to establish itself as one of the most successful debut artist album’s in UK hip hop/alternative urban/dance scene. The campaign was successful for a number of reasons not least it’s supporting batch of three incredible music video’s all directed by then unknown Ruben Fleischer. The most famous of these will undoubtedly be the rap and breakdancing costumed animals of ‘We Know Something You Don’t Know’ featuring the vocals of Chali 2na and Akil of Jurassic 5 - played out by a shark and tiger respectively on the big screen it is an unforgettable piece of feel good hip hop. “Music For The...” also led to Matt supporting Jurassic 5 on their European tour, and through subsequent touring in 2003 establishing Format & Abdominal as one of the hottest live hip hop tickets in town culminating in triumphant appearances at the Reading & Leeds festivals of 2004 and worldwide touring taking in the whole of Europe, North America and (most recently) Australia. Format's signature b-boy instrumentals, down-tempo sketches and body rocking backdrops are interwoven seamlessly throughout his live sets, simultaneously hooking in both the casual initiate as well as the most hardened crate spotting freak.
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slum village j dilla tribute hip hop concert
Click to enlarge
Slum Village have been synonymous with a unique light hearted, yet intelligent hip hop, making their way to our shores this month to educate, enlighten and entertain us with their solid style. On their first Australian tour members Elzhi and T3 will be hitting three Australian cities, showcasing some of their old hits as well as tracks from their recent success, Detroit Deli, plus special tribute to the legend R.I.P J-Dilla.

Many may remember the days of Slum when Jay Dee and T3 rapped about growing up in Detroit, the cars they drove and clothes they wore. This no nonsense approach to hip hop is what gave the group its break in the sometimes flashy world of hip hop. More recently Slum Village have brought a more serious tone to their rhymes, touching on family and faith and the importance of both in their lives.

Through collaborations with urban success stories like Kanye West, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Dwele & Common, Slum Village has produced their most successful album yet and look forward to introducing this to the Australian audiences.

Sydney
Date: Thursday 18th October 2007
Venue: The Gaelic Club – 64 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
Doors Open: 8pm
Supports: Foreign Heights, Mr Zux & BOP Crew, DK Kay Z
Tickets Available: www.moshtix.com

Melbourne
Date: Friday 19th October 2007
Venue: The Espy – 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
Doors open: 9pm
Supports: Diafrix, DJ D-Red, DJ A-Style, Fresh Sox, Hosted by Fevapress
Tickets Available: The Espy, Obese Records, Missing Link, Polyester, www.inthemix.com.au

Adelaide
Date: Saturday 20th October 2007
Venue: Viva Function Room – 9A Light Sq
Doors open: 8pm
Supports: Delta & Staen 1, DJ Sanchez, DJ Nuck
Tickets Available: www.venuetix.com.au, B Sharp, Da Klinic
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bliss n eso bullet and a target featuring the connections zulu choir


All I gotta say is... RESPECT!

Bliss n Eso

Return with their latest single:
“Bullet and a Target”
featuring: The Connections Zulu Choir


Bliss n Eso are back with something truly special this time – a collaboration with the Connections Zulu choir, a 21 piece African Choir from the Valley of a thousand hills in South Africa. And the result? Nothing short of extraordinary!

Affected so much by their life changing trip to South Africa earlier in the year with MTV and the Oaktree Foundation, Bliss n Eso where inspired to record a song for charity, donating 100% of the profits to the funding of projects in developing regions of South Africa in the hope of creating awareness and a brighter future for those in need.

The Story:
Hailing from KwaNyuswa, in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, South Africa comes the Connections Zulu Choir – an inspirational group of teenagers and young adults whose songs tell the story of growing up in South Africa. They live in the epicentre of the worlds HIV/AIDS epidemic (over half their population is infected with HIV) and every day they face the challenges posed by high rates of crime, unemployment, substance abuse and extreme poverty. However, in spite of living in such adverse conditions and without any formal training, the choir's musical talent is undeniably incredible.
It had always been a dream of the choir to be able to travel overseas and share their music with the world. Thanks to The Oaktree Foundation, that dream became a reality. In June 2007, the Connections Zulu Choir journeyed to Australia for an amazing three-week music tour. During the tour the choir managed to get together with BNE at Jimmy Barnes' home studio in Sydney and, after a hectic four hour recording session, the foundations for Bullet And A target were laid.

The Cause:

100% of all profits from the sale of this track will go to The Oaktree Foundation, Australia's only youth-run international aid and development organisation. The money will then be channelled through to the Connections Zulu Choir and the funding of other projects in developing regions of South Africa in the hope of creating awareness and a brighter future for those in need.
For more info on the Schools 4 Schools program please check out www.schools4schools.org

" When I saw the video of the Connections Zulu Choir singing I realised that this was really something special… As a singer, and as a human, this was something I really wanted to be a part of."
– Jimmy Barnes

" Going over to South Africa really gave us a sense of reality - It's one thing to read about Africa, or to see the ads on TV but actually being there is something totally different. It's incredibly rewarding to know that I've been a part of something that has the potential to not only create awareness but also to really make a difference."
- MC Bliss

Bullet And A Target Hits Stores October 27

Request Bullet and a Target on radio here:

Nova Melbourne

Nova Sydney

Triple J

Bliss N Eso - Bullet And A Target - Feat: Connections Zulu Choir

Add to My Profile | More Videos
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keith murray nobody do it better
Keith Murray's new track, Nobody Do It Better featuring Tyrese & Junior is his first single off Rap-Murr-Phobia (Fear Of Real Hip-Hop) through KOCH Records. The long-awaited album after over 4 years of drama in Murray's professional life since his last album (he had a punch up with two employees from his former label Def Jam) will also feature his Def Squad colleagues Erick Sermon and Redman, scheduled to be released on July 31st.

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Nas can't forget about you video
Nas
I've been digging this track for a while. From the rich lyrics dripping with hints of Hip Hop history to the catchy soulful chorus sung by Chrisette Michele that samples Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" classic in this Will.I.Am produced track, Nas' "Can't Forget About You" is reminiscent of the good old days and has been promoted to one of my main ringtones.

Peep the vid:



Lyrics:

[Nas- Verse One]

There comes a day in your life
When you want to kick back
Straw hat on the porch
When you old perhaps
Want to gather your thoughts
Have a cold one, Brag
To your grand kids on how life is golden
So I’ma light a cigar in the corridor of the crib
Pictures on the wall of all the things that I did
All the money and fame, 8 by 10’s
Of the whole rap pack inside of a big frame
Colliding with big names that could’ve made you career stop
All that, and your man is still here, and I’m still hot
Wow, I need a moment ya’ll, See I almost felt a tear drop

When was the last time you heard real anthem?
Nas, the millionaire, the mansion
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme?
Never on schedule, but always on time.

[Chorus- Chrisette Michele]
These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me (truly this is what made me)
Break me (not a things gonna break me)
These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me (truly this is what made me)
Break me (not a things gonna break me)
Oh, I’m that history, I’m that block
I’m that lifestyle, I’m that that spot
I’m that kid by the number spot
That’s my past that made me hot
Here’s my lifelong anthem
Can’t forget about you (Can’t forget about you)

[Verse Two]

Can’t forget about the old school
Bam, Cas, Mel lie Mel flash,
Rocks steady spinning on they back
Can’t forget when the first rap Grammy when to Jazzy
Fresh Prince, Fat Boys broke up,
Rap hasnt been the same since
So irregular, how it mess you up when Mr. T became a wrestler
Can’t forget about Jordan’s retirement
The shot Robert Horry hit to win the game in the finals kid
Some things are forever, some things are not
It’s the things we remember that gave the world shock
They stay in a place in your mind so snug
Like who the person was with whom you first made love

When was the last time you heard real anthem?
Nas, the millionaire, the mansion
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme?
Never on schedule, but always on time.

[Chorus]

These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me (truly this is what made me)
Break me (not a things gonna break me)
These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me (truly this is what made me)
Break me (not a things gonna break me)
Oh, I’m that history, I’m that block
I’m that lifestyle, I’m that spot
I’m that kid by the number spot
That’s my past that made me hot
Here’s my lifelong anthem
Can’t forget about you (Can’t forget about you)

[Verse Three]

Unforgettable, UnSubmittable I go by N now, just one syllable
It’s the N cuz' the game tied is the same vibe
Good times had right after James died
That’s why the gangsta rhymers ain’t inspired
Heinous crimes help records sells more than creative lines
And I don’t want to keep bringing up the greater times
But I’m dreamer nostalgic with the state of mind
The past the past, enough of it aight then
Nothing gives me chills like Douglas and Tyson
Or Mike when his talk was live
Or when he first did the moon walk on Motown's 25

When was the last time you heard real anthem?
Nas, the millionaire, the mansion
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme?
Never on schedule, but always on time.

These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me (truly this is what made me)
Break me (not a things gonna break me)
These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me (truly this is what made me)
Break me (not a things gonna break me)

That's why darling it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I'm unforgettable too
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shantan wantan ichiban stolen records sunsets fbi 94.5
Vote or Die!


So I'm biased. It's not just because I work with ShantanWantanIchiban that I'm helping him in his campaign to dump toxic radio and vote for his Hip Hop radio show, Stolen Records on Sunsets at FBi 94.5FM (Sydney). It's because I dig the music he plays (well majority of it) but most of all, I like his local and international celebrity and lesser known guests coming into the studio and ripping live solo or battle freestyles, talking about random topics and what not. What really entertains me are the cheap shots, defensive comebacks and outrageous claims.

Shantan Wantan Ichiban Stolen Records on Sunsets Fbi 94.5FM
Shantan Wantan Ichiban: Dump Toxic Radio!!!
Campaigning against cardigans and wack music, SWI insists on dropping records from all kinds of Hip Hop-related or influenced genres, from many different countries. It's good to see a lot of local artists being given exposure on this volunteer-based not-for-profit radio station, who really minimise on the amount of ads they play; to show my support and enthusiasm for this, I signed up as a passionate supporter during their fundraising drive. I turned down the free tickets to 13th Son's show as I had plans for that night, and a free cd which I have access to at work but instead, requested that guest MC NickKnowledge, a friend of mine from good ol' UNSW spit in German about man-boobs. Sorry Nick, that was a tough one, and I would've struggled too.

So to keep this guy on air, keep the great music flowing with all his awesome guests, foghorns and BRAAAAppp BRAAAApppping, vote for Stolen Records at www.urbanmusicawards.com.au. Just look at that e-flyer! Now isn't that enough to sway your vote? To get to know Shantan, listen in on Wednesdays, 6-8pm EST or stream it from the FBi website.
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I only found out about this film last night after I watched Planet Bboy. It's so great to see two Hip Hop documentaries included in the Sydney Film Festival, especially one that's homegrown.

Words From the City wire MC sydney film festival

Word up! From multi award-winning Adelaide dwellers Hilltop Hoods, through story-teller Fijian/Australian MC Trey from Sydney's outer west, to the snappy politics of inner-Melbourne's TZU, this evocative documentary explores the energetic and vibrant culture of Australian hip-hop. Focusing on the verbal and lyrical virtuosity of the performers - including Wire MC, Downsyde, Layla, Koolism, Bliss'n'Eso and Maya Jupiter - the filmmakers match the vernacular they document with a smart visual style. Travelling across the country over a long hot summer, capturing the MCs at festivals, gigs, recordings, and just hanging out, the film is infused with a great sense of place, and a distinctly Australian combination of casualness and urgency. Not just for fans of Hip Hop (who will love it!), this film is for anyone with an interest in the vitality of language, politics and attitude.

Words From the City wire MC sydney film festival
Wire MC (right) at home in Redfern, Sydney, NSW


WORDS FROM THE CITY, a feature documentary about hip hop in Australia directed by Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham, will be screening at the Sydney Film Festival this Friday, 22nd June 2007 followed by the official after party, WORD UP at the Metro Theatre, George Street, featuring local artists Bliss N Eso, Foreign Heights and Wire MC.

For tickets, go to Ticketmaster (or ph: 136 100) or online via the Sydney Film Festival site & search for WORDS FROM THE CITY and WORD UP.

Check out the official WORDS FROM THE CITY website for clips and more info.
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If you're looking for Hip Hop dancers, breakers (breakdancers) or DJs for any event, from corporate gigs to bahmitsvas, smaller community events or birthday parties, etc then email trina@hiphop.org.au for all your performer needs (Australia only, for now).

Trina's Snapshot:

Represents and has many affiliates within the Hip Hop and dance community.

Danced with Caramell, Groovesteps (Looze Control 2006 winners).

Co-choreographer and dancer in all girl dance crew The XY Project.

Co-manages SKB (Street Kulture Breakers), the 2007 Australian Bboy (Breakdance) Champions.

Chairperson of Hip Hop Society D2MG (based in the University of New South Wales).

Manages City Studio (Level 8, 88 Liverpool St, Sydney) offering Hip Hop dance classes.

Owner and primary blogger on Hiphop.org.au (this site) and Dancing.net.au.

Loves supporting real artists, groups, events.

Lives and breathes Hip Hop.

Will make friends with your grandma.

sleazeball dancers
Dancing at Sleazeball with Katie Underwood then later with the drag queen and king - best gig ever!
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Blog Top Text

November 2nd 2005 21:16
Post Summaries:

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Bottom Menu Section

November 2nd 2005 09:45

Dancing.net.au
My dancing and personal blog, Confessions of a Serial Dancer.

D2MG Hip Hop Society
D2MG Hip Hop Society based in the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Darrio Street Dance in Sydney
Darriostreet Dance based in Sydney, Australia. Darrio is my dance mentor.

Dancekool
Dancekool, the only REAL Hip Hop and Funk dance school in Sydney. They are also my dance mentors.

Ozbboy
Ozbboy.com - the forums for bboys and bgirls in Australia.

B-boys.com

Harlem Hip Hop Tours

Rap Beefs

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