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Oakland’s Blackalicious is What Hip Hop Has Been Missing

September 26, 2015 By

Chief Xcel and Gab leftIt’s been a long time, they shouldn’t have left you, with a strong rhyme to step to…It was 10 years ago that Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel aka Blackalicious put out their last album, The Craft. It was a dope album and left many of their fans wanting more.  That ‘more’ never came.

The group did a lot of shows and would occasionally tour, producer Chief Xcel was doing a lot of work with Grammy nominee Ledisi  while Gab dropped a couple of solo albums….but no new music was coming from them as a duo.  This year all that changed when they got back in the studio,  creative juices on fire and dropped ‘Imani Vol 1’. It will be the first in a trilogy of albums.

Imani album coverIn a recent interview done at the group’s West Oakland studio, they noted that its important to take time off, grow and then put out something that reflects their collective growth, creative inspirations and overall freshness. Imani Vol 1 does not disappoint. Some may say it’s the return of the boom bap sound. Others may say its the return of Hip Hop music with substance.. I say its the return of a damn good group who have 20 years under the belt, have gotten better with age and gave us what most will deem straight rewind material.  Imani is not an album filled with filler.  Each song resonates. Each beat leaves its mark.

Below is our recent Hard Knock Radio interview

Download_Blackalicious interview 09-09-2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpa-czMLAWQ

Earlier this month Blackalicious and their extended crew Lateef the Truthspeaker, Myron, Verse, Win Strong, Jumbo of the Lifesavas and special guests Fantastic Negrito and Kelly Finnigan of the Monophonics came together and did an incredible show at the historic Filmore. I got to deejay for the opening acts and take some cool photos in between. Here are some of the flicks.. enjoy

written by Davey D

Filed Under: 2015 Daily News, Davey D Photos Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Straight Outta Mexico- Oakland’s Raw G Catches Wreck

September 24, 2015 By

Raw G close upGina Madrid aka Raw G is a fixture in the Bay Area’s current Hip Hop scene who earned her stripes and position by doing what so many successful Bay artist have done before her, by grinding. In addition to being a dope emcee who has opened for everyone from KRS-One to Blackalicious to Ana Tijoux to Mobb Deep to name a few, Raw G also has her own promotion company called Steelo Entertainment. She learned early on, that opportunities arise when you create them and not sit back and wait.

Coming from Guadalajara, Mexico, Raw G is part of the first wave of pioneering emale emcees who laid down crucial ground work and opened doors for what has emerged to be a vibrant scene, south of the US border. There are scores of female emcees in Mexico who bring serious heat to the game. Artists like Jezzy P,  Leazzy, Vicky C,  Ximbo, Rabia Rivera Dayra Fyah and Nina Dioz  to name a few.

Mujeres TrabajandoMany of these women including Raw G and fellow local/ Oakland emcee Aima the Dreamer are featured on a landmark compilation called Mujeres Trabajando which has morphed into a collective of the same name which translates to ‘Working Women’.

Raw G noted that Mujeres Trabajando has made major headway and as a promoter she has brought a number of the women from Mexico to the Bay Area to perform at jam packed shows.

Raw G never falls back and is forever hustling. The hard work has paid off.
Her new album Esperanza which means Hope is a masterpiece that reflects her evolution and love for Hip Hop culture. It also reflects her activism, as it speaks to important issues of social justice. All proceeds from her album are being donated to  International High School which services the immigrant community in Oakland. The first single off the album Sangre which means blood sets the tone for the album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO_4VGRMz34

Recently Raw G kicked things off for the Blackalicious Show held at the Filmore in San Francisco. She came with a full band a incredible back up singers like; Naima Grace Shalhoub, Lila Rose and Emily Afton Moldenhauer all have their own solo careers. But that’s typical of Raw G, she’s all about trying to bring folks together to help get them exposure and additional shine.

Below are some of the photos I took of Raw G and her crew during their performance at the Blackalicious show. Enjoy

written by Davey D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIBtz4CuNjo

Filed Under: 2015 Daily News, Davey D Photos Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Don’t Sleep on Martin Luther- A Musician’s Musician

September 19, 2015 By

Martin Luther FilmoreOne of the most talented Bay Area artists around, who many like to consider a musician’s musician,  is Martin Luther. The San Francisco native plays a variety of instruments but the guitar is his main tool. His voice is part Sam Cooke, part Marvin Gaye as he is intense and deeply convicted with each note sung. His swagger is Jimi Hendrix and then some.

According to his bio, Martin Luther developed his musical chops as a child raised on choir hymns.  At the same time, he learned how to play piano and was exposed to the sounds of Parliament Funkadelic. These eclectic tastes redirected Martin Luther’s interests as he experimented with the sounds of funk. He later taught himself how to play the drums which allowed him to incorporate a wider range of instruments into his music.

Martin Luther over the years has worked closely with The Roots and Cody Chestnutt. He as several albums out including ‘The Calling’, ‘Rebel Soul Music’ and ‘Love is the Hero’ which were released independently.  Martin Luther is a Morehouse graduate with an emphasis on business and entertainment law.

Martin is also an actor who has appeared in several projects including; 2007 Beatles musical Across the Universe in the role of “Jo-Jo”, who reflects Jimi Hendrix. In the film, McCoy performs the song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps“,

We took some great shots of Martin Luther the other night during his stellar performance with Blackalicious  at the Filmore. Enjoy the photos and don’t sleep on Martin Luther.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_gifhe1Fdc

Filed Under: 2015 Daily News, Davey D Photos Tagged With: , , ,

Free Speech TV… Davey D Interview w/ Blackalicious (OLM News)

February 28, 2013 By

Chief XL of BlackaliciousThis is a our recent Free Speech TV show  OLM News w/ Davey D where we sat down and chopped it up with Oakland based rappers Blackalicious. It’s always a pleasure to build with Gift of Gab who is by far one of Hip Hop’s most underrated emcees and Chief XL who is a producer’s producer..

During our convo we covered a variety of topics like them working with the late Gil Scott Heron, the current state of Hip Hop and them rocking mics internationally… They note one of their favorite places to get down is in various countries throughout Africa. We also focused on their longevity in the game which now spans over 20 years..

You can catch our weekly TV show on Free Speech television on Sunday nights..and the repeats which air 3 times each week.. Check local listings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFD-NooIo9M

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, OLM News Show Tagged With: , , , , ,

Blackalicious Set To Touch Down This Friday

January 24, 2013 By

Blackalicious Flyer

This Friday.. Blackalicious will grace the stage at New Parrish and bring some serious heat. It’s been a while since we got to see this Oakland based duo catch wreck in tha Town and everyone is looking forward to it backing Blackalicious will be ‘Jazz Mafia’. Also on the bill will be Kev Choice and Raw G and your truly (Davey D) on the turntables….In the meantime here’s a couple of interviews we did with group members Chief XL and Gift of Gab..

We caught up w/ Chief XL at Kevvy Kev’s Bang the Drum celebration at Golden Gate park.. We talked to him about his work, parenting, Hip Hop from overseas and being the Chief.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgDMVwxx4pk

We caught up w/ Gift of Gab at Kevvy Kev’s Bang the Drum celebration at Golden Gate Pk.. We asked if emceeing was gift or skill obtained through practice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7knci6Q4xUI

 

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, Artist Interviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,