What is Pimp Culture? Podcast w/ Madlines, Ryan Nicole, & Coco Peila

 

Link to watch

DOPE conversation by MC's MADLines, Ryan Nicole, and Coco Peila talking about #pimpculture #misogny #hiphop and divisions within the Black community. Soooooo necessary coming from the Bay and Oakland specifically where we ll grew up with so much pimp culture which is a direct product of capitalism and passing on oppression. I've seen, heard, or experienced all three of these sisters perform and rock and they are not only super on point, but just dope artists. 

Dig this? Check out their websites: MADlines, Ryan Nicole, and Coco Peila

Linafornia - Beatmaker and composer

 

link

Been loving the work of Linafornia for a few years before I even knew who she was. This is a live set she did w/ an MC, but her work is amazing on its own. The Belizean LA raised musician is on her way!

Follow her work on IG

Linafornia- Wet

Dig this? Check out the last inspiration board.

El Michel's Affair + Black Thought- I'm Still Somehow

 

video link

Prolly had this joint on repeat for the last week at least. The slow melancholy nature had me nodding.

Dig this? Check out the last Stuff I've Been Listening To-JAZZ

Ashley T Visual - Beats!!

 

Video

Just got hip to this producer via YouTube and love the beats she makes. Lots of different styes from this multidisciplinary artist. Her first EP is up on Bandcamp and you can follow her channel here.

Dig this? Check out the last post I made about JAZZ i'm listening to.

Stuff I've Been Listening to 22 - (Instrumentals)

 

Wha gwan? I got hip to this group through my mom who loves "The New Birth". This group "The Nite Liters" is an off shoot or sub group of the New Birth and its the band I believe. Anyway, dig it. LINK . If you're new. Every year I share some music that I love from many genres. The core is Black music. Take a listen to these instrumentals and beats! The Nite Liters - KJee (Louisville, 1970)

Slept on this album. I dig this beat. Alchemist has so many bangers across his career. Link to listen. 

The Alchemist - No Window Tints (FETTI) (Los Angeles, 2018)

Don't know much about Peruvian Pysch or the hisory of cumbia, but I love this instrumental version of "Botecito" by Los Orientales de Paramonga. I wrote about this song back in 2014 here on the Muphoric Sounds blog.  

Los Orientales de Paramong- Botecito (Paramonga Peru, 1972)

This entire LP is headphones/ ride out music. One half of the Stuyvesants, brother Allmos made this dope album. Aromas is my favorite song off this. 

Allmos- Aromas Naturalle (Portland, 2017)

Kokoroko is an amazing band lead by trumpeter Sheila Maurice Grey from the UK and I love their mix of jazz, high life, funk, and everything in between. 

Kokoroko-Age of Ascent (United Kingdon, 2022)

Love this dude DJ Harrison. First heard him via Ivan Ave from Oslo. He's a multi-instrumentalist from Richmond Virginia and is also a member of Butcher Brown. His bandcamp is full of incredible beat tapes like this. Pen Eyes 9 is my favorite. 

DJ Harrison- Pen Eyes 9 (Richmond,VA, 2021)

This whole LP is fire. Jahari Massamba Unit is drummer/producer Karriem Riggins and producer Madlib. Merde is my favorite track from the album. 

Jahari Massamba Unite - Merde (Detroit/ Los Angeles, 2020)

Kiefer is such a dope musician. His work as a producer and jazz pianist is instantly recognizable when you hear it. Peep his catalogue. 

Kiefer - Superheo (Los Angeles, 2021)

This is a dope cut from vibraphonist and vocalist Roy Ayers. Produced for the 70s Blaxploitation flick Coffy starring Pam Grier. Fans of Hieroglyphics will recognize this one from Casual's first LP.

Roy Ayers - Brawlin Broads( Los Angeles, 1973)

I became familiar with "The Putbacks" through Hiatus Kaiyote and I dig the way they play alone and with other artists. This is my favorite track from this album. 

The Putbacks - Hold on (Melbourne, 2018)

I grew up listening to this band and I love Sade. If you go back and listen, the band included an instrumental song on most of the Sade albums including their solo Sweetback album. Siempre Hay Esperanza is dope but this is my favorite.

Sade - Mermaid (United Kingdom, 1992)

Georgia Anne Muldrow, the producer and vocalist has a ton of records under her belt including an album by Elzhi entirely produced by her, and several instrumental LPs such as Vweto 2. This is my favorite from that album. 

Georgia Anne Muldrow- Bass Attack Rap (Los Angeles, 2019)

If I were a producer I would add an 808 and some drums to this interlude produced by Lianne La Havas and Geo. Its my 2nd favorite track on this album. But as it stands, I would listen on repeat for days.

Lianne La Havas - Out of your mind (London, 2020)

That's it, there are so many more like this snippet from Oddisee's new material but thats it for today. If you like discovering new music check out some of these other posts I've made over the past few years. Remember, even though you may have a sweet spot for a specific era or period, there's always great music to be discovered and appreciated. Some of its old, and some is brand new! The best way to hear that new new is through your local favorite DJ. Playlists are great too, but hug a human through your speaker.

Stuff Ive been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff Ive been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff Ive been listening to 19: UK Artists

Stuff Ive been listening to 20: Remixes

EDIT: Added later

ESG (Emerald , Sapphire, & Gold) - UFO Classic rock/hip hop shit

Power Struggle (MC) Documentary

Yo, brother Nomi aka "Power Struggle" (Beatrock, Odd Jobs, Kill the Vultures). Bro is an educator, musician, and organizer who not only writes about the struggles of working class people and does it with incredible hip hop songs. Nomi is from Minneapolis but he's been in the Bay for nearly 20 years and a comrade in this work to make art from the heart and simultaneously speak about the struggle for liberation whether it be specifically about Pinays, People of color, the Filipino diaspora, or young men of color. 

Listen to his new LP! Out on Beatrock music!

If you're in the Bay tomorrow you can catch him performing and listen to his new LP in Frisco!

And if you don't know him check out this short documentary about him by Eric Tandoc

Dig this? Check out this remix of Dead Prez's "Hip hop" by Pele Durian Funk

Stuff I've been Listening to 21 - (Raps)

 

Sa-Roc (Atlanta)- Hand of God

What up tho? This is not a playlist of all time greatest rap songs, my favorite rappers, or even the best raps to come out in the past 6 years. These are just a few songs that I remember playing over and over by various MCs. Mostly in the US and the UK. 

Blackstar (NY/Spain)- O.G.

Klassy (Los Angeles)-Traveler

Mach Hommy (New jersey) -Self Luh

Every year I upload a bunch of songs or podcasts that I'm listening to. Because music is such a big inspiration for me as an artist I do this pretty frequently. Theres so much music coming out compared to when I was a teen. I'd say DJs are still the best way to hear the good shit. Going to festivals is good. So is checking out playlists on streaming services.

Ayentee (Berkeley,Ca) -Wanna Stay Gotta Go

Nayana IZ (UK) - Walking

Namir Blade (Tennessee) - Space Ghost

Some folks I'd like to mention that you might have passed up because they're got enough buzz are Freddie Gibbs x Alchemist-Babies & Fools, Nipsey Hussle-Double Up, Nas-Speechless, annnnd, what are you listening to rhyme wise? Like, you play it on REPEAT type shit.

Little Simz (UK) - Woman

Mani Draper (Richmond, Ca) - Dialed In

Deezy Hollow (San Diego) - Backstroke

Kota the Friend (Brooklyn)- Sunny Day

Ok if you missed some of the previous playlists like this I made feel free to check out some of them here:

Remixes

House Music

Jazz

Soul

Rocky Rivera (San Francisco)- Bad News

Ivan Ave (Norway) - Bike Lock

Chynna Rogers (Chicago) - Bat Country (RIP)

That's it fam. If you missed this hip hop documentary, check it out. Its the legendary Souls of Mischief!

Black Thought + Danger Mouse

 

video link 

Loving this new music from Black Thought and Danger Mouse! This video is dope and this new song is fresh.

Feeling this? Check out Stuff I've been listening to (Remixes)

Stuff I've been listening to - 20 (Remixes)

Otis Redding- Sitting on the dock of the bay DJ Spinna remix 2021

Listening to this remix of Otis Redding the other day reminded me how a good remix can really light up a depressing day. With isolation from family, friends, and restrictions I look for inspiring things to share. And I started this series of blog posts, to share good music new and old. The majority of this will be hip hop, soul, and reggae but I know many genre's have their dope remixes.

     

Brandy - I wanna be down IAMNOBODI remix 2013

The Roots - Silent treatment Da Beatminerz Remix 1995

Maylee Todd - Hieroglyphics Tall Black Guy Remix 2012

Mega Banton - Sound Bwoy Killin Salaam Remi Remix 2000

Teedra Moses - Be your girl Kaytranada Remix 2013

The Pharcyde - She said Jay Dee/Dilla remix 1995

Little Dragon · Seconds (Syd The Kyd of OFWGKTA remix)

Little Dragon - Seconds Syd The Kyd Remix 2010

A remix is a restructuring of an existing song. It could have the same beat and different verses, the same lyrics and a different beat, or a slight change that makes the song slower or faster. Either way it is an improvement of an existing song. These are some of my favorite remixes. It's not comprehensive, it's a list of what I like. Feel free to comment with your fav remix!

Dead Prez - Hip Hop w/ Sault Pele Durian Funk remix 2020

Capelton -Tour Dynamik Duo Remix 1994

De La Soul - Stakes is High w/ Fela Amerigo Gazaway Remix 2011

D'Angelo - Cruisin Remix 1995

Trackademicks · E-40- "Tell Me When To Go" ft. Keak Da Seak (Trackademicks Remix)

E40 -Tell me when to go Trackademicks Remix 2006

 

Timeless: Untitled/Fantastic remixed by Georgia Anne Muldrow from MOCHILLA on Vimeo.

Slum Village/J Dilla - Untitled/ Fantastic Georgia Anne Muldrow Remix

And there are so many more. For instance, the Luniz "I got 5 on it" remix, A Tribe Called Quest "Bonita Applebum" remix, NWA's "Dopeman" remix, SWV "Right here", or the Black Hippy Remix of "That Part" by Schoolboy Q. Ahhhh there are so many lesser known artists w/ dope remixes too. What's your favorite remix?

Want to hear more music? Check out my posts from the past!

Stuff I've been listening to 19 - UK Artists

Stuff I've been listening to 18 - House Music

Stuff I've been listening to 17- Soul

Stuff I've been listening to 15 - Jazz

Black is Beautiful 2022 - The Black Resurgents

 

"The Black Resurgents" is a historic dance group from Oakland California. There were many dance groups back then but these gents became the official dancers for the Black Panther Party! They also stood out performing at talent shows, concerts, and events all across Oakland and the Bay. For those that don't know Boogaloo, Strutting, and Robotting come from the Bay. Oakland, Frisco, and Richmond to be exact. And this group was one of the pioneers of this dance. Rick the Robot, Mr Penguin, LA, and The Crowd Pleaser along with others formed the group in 1971. They danced to funk! They moved their bodies with the music and the moves groups like theirs The Black Messengers, Close Encounters of the Funkiest Kind, Media Cirkus, Demons of The Mind, Granny and The Robotroid, P-T 3000, influenced dancers all across the world and can be seen in the moves of Bay turf dancers, hip hop choreography, and in dance competitions. 

A crew of them got together and created their own alliances and a yearly event called the Boogalaoo Reunion to reclaim that name from white supremacists and to celebrate the culture in dancers both young and old. Their continued performing educates the next generation and gives context to where all these people got their moves from. Shout out to Traci Bartlow who is a part of this lineage, The Malonga Casquelord Center, Destiny Arts, The Hyphy movement, and East Side Arts Alliance for keeping dance alive! 

Sources: The Strutters Room, KQED Arts, Doug Harris, TheBlackResurgents.com

2018: Peep this piece I did of Alvin Ailey

In case you're following along with me, here's the last one I did this year: The Warehouse Club in Chicago!

Gratitude - Lunar Heights

 

The words, feel, vibe, and subject matter are resonating big w/me today. These cats have been rocking for at least 15 years and one of them was a teacher to my son in Oakland. Big respect to Spear of the Nation and Jerneye!

To cop music from them: lunarheights.bandcamp.com/

In case you missed it, here is some recent music I was feeling from the UK.

Stuff I've been listening to - 19 (UK artists)

 

Greentea Peng - Dingaling (2021)

It feels like I've been listening to a lot of UK(British) artists lately from a few genres but mostly hip hop and soul. Here are a few of those artists. Hearing how they do their own thing and flip soul, hip hop, jazz, or house really trips me out sometimes. One of my biggest wishes is for more US based MCs, vocalists, and producers to collaborate with them. Got some folks I should hear? Leave a comment!

Yusef Dayes & Tom Misch - Storm before the calm (2020)

Cleo Sol - Sweet Blue (2019)

Little Simz-Backseat  (2016)

Eric Lau-Masamba (2017)

Kokoroko- Carry me home (2021)

Nayana IZ - TNT (2020)

Sault - Little boy (2020)

Andrew Ashong - Never dreamed (2013)

I wish I could tell you where everyone is from but I do not always know. And I'm trying to include artists from the past 5-10 years mostly. If we were going back in time I would include artists like Soul 2 Soul, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Loose Ends, or Sade.

Omar - I want it to be (2016)

Zilo - Show me whats mine (2021)

Blue Lab Beats - Memories (2019)

Hawk House - Chill pill (2014)

Hollie Cook - That very night (2011)

Shout out to Osunlade, Gilles Peterson, Vanessa Warren, Thinkbeat Radio, and the Colors YouTube channel for some of the gems!

The previous "Stuff I've been listening to" was about HOUSE music

Stuff I've been listening to- SOUL music

Stuff I've been listening to- JAZZ

VIDEO: My fav art books

 

What up y'all, been wanting to do this video for a minute. Art books are a great way to unplug from the internet or get someone reading who doesn't normally like books. Whenever I get stuck I pull out some ill art books, read them, and just flip through them. Check these books out. Cop them from an indy store or request them at your local library!

If you missed my last inspiration board check it here

The last kids book I did is called Alejandria Fights Back

Here are all the books I mention in this video, please support them. Cop from the artists themselves,   your local independent bookstore, or Bookshop.org.

-"Spraycan Art" by Henry Chalfant & James Prigoff 

-"One Track Mind" Graffiti Magazine 

-"OS Gemeos" 

-"Reflections In Black" by Deborah Willis 

-"Chaz Bojorquez" 

-"The Early Bird" by Morning Breath 

-"De La Soul" by Frank 151 

-"Spider Man Into the Spiderverse" by Sony/ Marvel 

-"The Dam Keeper" by Tonko House 

-"Robota" by Doug Chiang and Orson Scott Card 

-"Celebrate People's History" by Josh MacPhee 

-"Everyday Love Vol. 3" by Nidhi Chanani 

-"Frontier" by Hellen Jo 

-"Spam 4" by Mingjue Helen Chen 

-"The Black Book" by Khari Randolph 

-"Version 002" by Jake Wyatt 

-"Art of Jisei" by Miguel C. Hernandez

Inspiration board 39

 

Ok, lately a lot of whats been on my mind is the study of film, particularly how to storyboard a good film sequence. Heres the board from top top bottom, left to right: 

1. Gaidaa- Incredible young singer/songwriter from the Netherlands via Sudan 

2. PBS YouTube series "Weathered" about climate change is scary and engaging 

3. Cassey Kuo-incredible concept/story artist 

4. DJ Premier is doing a videos series abt beats! 

5. Lightbox Expo-art, film, animation, illustration expo online 

6. Greentea Peng-great UK singer songwriter photo by Suki Dhanda 

7. Maya and the Three-Upcoming film by Jorge Gutierrez 

8. Blk Wmn Animator-is a video series by Deborah Anderson 

9. Jordi Lafebre-french illustrator for comics

10. Drik the Villain-Graf writer w/ 3d styles

11. Native artist- David Kanietakeron Fadden great piece abt native genoicde

12. My Dad the Bounty Hunter-an upcoming animated seriess by Everett Downing Jr. 

13. Studio Binder-great resource for learning film 

14. Screenwriter and story consultant Brian McDonald gets deep into the story

15. Hand lettering by Carmi Grau 

16. Script consultant/writer - Shannan E. Johnson gets structure

Please check out the links and support these folks, things, etc.

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 

Inspiration board 38 

Inspiration board 37

What's this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life's trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I've been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments.

Who am I? My name is Rob and I'm an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube.

You can purchase my book "Art of Rob" here

DJ Premier production process

 

These videos of Premier talking about his music production are dope! There's three of them up already!

Here's an old drawing of Guru RIP.

RIP Zumbi (Zion-I)

 

"And when you're doing it right, you know your inner light shines" -Zumbi

Sad hearing about the passing of Zumbi from Zion-I.  I didn't know him personally, but I'm a fan of his work with Amp Live as the group Zion-I, his solo work as Baba Zumbi, the LPs w/the Grouch. The Bay and the hip hop community lost a huge one. I met this dude 20 years ago through the homie Pandora and his energy was positive and creative whether on stage or in person. I remember seeing them perform at La Peña in Berkeley, Life is Living, so many incredible songs, spirituality, political consciousness, slap, humbleness, positivity, generosity, lyrics, skill, presence,etc. He never stopped making music. Respect and condolences to his family, his fellow group mates, collaborators, and his fans. 

May his music and message live on forever. If you're not familiar with his music please take a listen. These are some of my favorite songs: Inner light, Revolution, Silly Puddy, Trigger, On the one, We don't, The Bay, Don't lose your head, culture freedom, saving souls, so many songs, albums, features!

article via KQED

If you know or knew him through his music please consider donating to this fund for his children.

We lost so many Bay legends, Shock, Gift of Gab. Man.

Butcher Brown Tiny Desk

 

Been a fan of Butcher Brown for a minute and they're still rockin! Take a listen.

Little Simz feat Cleo Sol - Woman

 

First Heard Little Simz (UK) and could tell she could spit fire by the first few bars. Listen to this jam.

Check out this post about Gary Bartz collab w/ Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge 

KRS ONE -Free Mumia

 

Remember this? The time to free the brother Mumia is now! If you hadn't heard the brother got Cvid and needs our help urgently. Please got to freemumia.com or Mumia's IG to learn more.

See my last post about him here.

G Yamazawa (NC) - Love Like

 

Feeling G Yamazawa! From North Carolina, them Southern Fried Asians!