don't front friday™

pics by robert adam mayer
DON'T FRONT: Saturday was the ill summer kick-off...

if youtube it...

lots of BHF video content to come -- still compiling and editing and what not.
in the meanwhile howevers...
• ghostface, cappa, & theodore unit: ice cream
• mad skillz: '99 b-boy document
• chubb rock: treat 'em right
• jeru tha damaja: return of the crooklyn dodgers
• parish smith: headbanger
• dres: flavor of the month
• heltah skeltah: leflaur leflah eshkoshka
• smiff n wessun: bucktown, sound boy burial
• ghostface feat BROOKLYN!: ol' dirty tribute/shimmy shimmy ya

sampler party

pics by bodega james
The night before Saturday's BHF perfomances, we had a lil' party for the release of Charlie Ahearn's Wild Style The Sampler, a new book marking the 25th anniversary of Charlie's classic film. The party got started early with a full on b-boy/girl cipher breaking out like a gotdamn flu virus...

The energy was high and the breaks just kept coming... unfortunately for the BODEGA™ crew, we had a lot of running around to do in preparation for the next day - so we missed a whole lot of the party, post b-circle.

Luckily for us however, this guy was there:

Joe Conzo, "The Man Who Took Hip Hops Baby pictures" - This from Joe via myspace:
"Fam let me tell you, it was like being transported back to 1982! DJ Disco Wiz was on the 1's and 2's along with Grandmaster Caz and Grandwizard Theodore. We had Ken Swift, Doze and Frosty Freeze from the Rocksteady crew there! Afrika Bambaata, Lil Rodney C, Easy AD, Busy Bee and Asia One. Graf Legends Sharp, Kel and Case where ine the house. Rockafella, Ivan Sanchez, Fab 5 Freddy, Queen Dita, Brian and Dr. Shaka Zulu also in the house."

Yeah it was very, very official... befriend Joey over at his myspace, you can see his photos from friday and lots more there...

memorieeeees

pics by bodega james

From Donwill (of Tanya Morgan)'s blog on HipHopDX, describing his experience on the BHF stage:

"...i literally blacked out. Usually it takes me the entire set to warm up and finally get to the zone but from the beginning of the first song i was there this time. it felt incredible. like honestly i dont know what the crowds reaction was cus i was just having so damn much fun, it was almost like they werent there. as i bounced from stage to speaker to stage doin my lil dances and adlibs and pacing my breath and controlling my tone and interacting with my band i kinda just phased the crowd, both bridges, a huge body of water and the world out. nothing was there but the stage, my crew and the music."

...check out Don's entire post here



Also, shouts to our main mellow Dave Park, who i saw in the photo/mosh pit i believe snapping flix - check out Dave's rundown (with photos by Loic Duquenois) over at his baby, prefix mag

internets love-fest

Big ol' elephant sized shouts to our homie (and fellow Bodega habitué) Dallas Penn for coming through - check out his glowing recap of the fest right here... The Internets Celebrities were in full effect (also pictured, Rafi - face obscured by dudes elbow). The ladies must have been besides themselves with lust, gentlemen.

Also saw our comrades Ian & Joey, of Different Kitchen and Straight Bangin' respectively - thank you both for your continued support... Ian, hollar at Wes Jack and Trani World about those BODEGA™ hats, man - we need every voice we can get!

The estimated total attendance on Saturday was over 6,000+ people - three times as many folks as last year (thank you sunshine) -- if you have pics, videos, or testimonials from the day, we'd love for you to share them with us -- send mail to info@brooklynbodega.com and keep checking back, as we'll be posting more festival content/wrap-up throughout the week...

BONUS *** nah right with the video links
UPDATE **** okayplayer, with a dope set of pics from the kid Mel D. Cole

thank you brooklyn

pics by bodega james

Wow.

What can we say BK? What an incredible feeling to look around this past Saturday and see so many smiling hip hop heads. We're still in that weirdly buzzing state of shock, running purely off of remaining adrenaline while teetering between utter exhaustion and school-girl giddyness. Hard to find the words to describe it.
On behalf of the entire BODEGA™ family, we wish to extend our greatest and most sincere thanks to all of you for making The Third Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival such an overwhelming success. Thank you to The Parks Department of N.Y. State & The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for providing the most amazingly scenic setting, all of the performing artists who graced the stage throughout the day - Print, Blitz, Poison Pen, Pack FM, Kidz In The Hall, Tanya Morgan, Emily King, El Michels Affair, Skillz, Large Pro, Dres, Cons, Sean P and The BCC, and of course Iron Man, TONY STARKS (not to mention all of the unannounced guests who showed up and killed it - Jeru Tha Damaja, Chubb Rock, Channel Live, Fat Joey Crack!!!). Thanks also to our supremely respected host Uncle Ralph Mcdaniels, our dj's Cap Cee, Sucio Smash, and J.Period for holding down the wheels between sets, Borough President MC Marty Mark(owitz) - classic, our Sponsors, Partners, and food vendors for their important contributions, our magnificent security team and also the park rangers for their efforts, our devoted staff and all of our hard-working volunteers for making it happen -- and most important of all of course, THANK YOU!! to each and every person who came through to rock with us this year. Thank you for your energy and your support - your generous donations surpassed even our most positive expectations, and we couldn't be more grateful to you all. You are our family, and we love you like crazy.

PEACE

Stay tuned this week for lots more pics, detailed re-caps of Saturday and our other events, videos, links, and more. Plus, news and info about upcoming BODEGA™ events and happenings.

don't front friday™

DON'T FRONT: Regarding this evening's and tomorrow's events; it's fairly safe to say that no amount of poetic musing could affectively hype us up (any more so than we already are) as much as a little actual audio and video...

SUBWAY THEME: Grand Wizard Theodore - intro by Lee ZORO Quinones


COLD CRUSH BROTHERS LIVE AT THE DIXIE


MIGHTY HEALTHY: Ghostface, from Supreme Clientele


I JUSWANNA CHILL: Large Professor


LEFLAUR LEFLAH ESHKOSHKA: Heltah Skeltah & OGC (The Fab 5)


WILD STYLE THEATRICAL TRAILOR

THE ILLEST SCENE IN WILD STYLE: Grand Master Flash in the kitchen with Fab 5 Freddy

THE 2ND ILLEST SCENE IN WILD STYLE: Double Trouble real dealin' on the stoop "Ain't nothing to it, but to do it..."

TONITE! THE THIRD ANNUAL BHF PRESENTS: WILD STYLE SAMPLER BOOK PARTY @ THE powerHouse ARENA, FOLLOWED BY A SPECIAL OUTDOOR SCREENING OF THE SEMINAL FILM, DIRECTED BY CHARLIE AHEARN

TOMORROW! THE THIRD ANNUAL BHF PRESENTS: LIVE! ALL-DAY PERFORMANCES - FEATURING GHOSTFACE, CONSEQUENCE, LARGE PROFESSOR, SEAN PRICE, DRES, SKILLZ, EL MICHELS AFFAIR AND SOOOOO MANY MORE!!!!
...peep the FAQS and survival tips!

Marty + Hip Hop = BHF DAY!

Everyone's favorite President, Marty Markowitz has officially declared June 23rd Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival Day in the borough of BK! The Borough President's office have been long time supporters of the BHF, and Marty decided to make it official. Word on the street is that Marty may ride in on Jay's yacht to deliver the proclamation.

“Here in Brooklyn, we groove to every beat on the planet—and I have no doubt that the 3rd Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival will be the hottest yet,” said Borough President Markowitz. “Everyone loves to argue about the birthplace of Hip Hop, but it’s undeniable that the “Brooklyn attitude” has made and continues to make our borough the epicenter of Hip Hop flavor.”

there's an afterparty too?

That's right folks. You have already marked your calendars for Friday evening Wild Style bonanza, and got your gear all prepared for the Saturday BHF show with (Ghostface, Consequence, Large Professor, etc. etc. etc. etc.), but HAVE you marked those berries for the Official BHF (W)Rap Party held in conjunction with the nice folks from Hip Hop Karaoke and Rare Form?

Get on your game BHF patron! Don't let the party stop after Ghostface is done rocking - join us to celebrate all of our hard work. Get there early to reserve a spot to do Hip Hop Karaoke - DJ Spinna on the decks late night.

PLUS: We're proud to announce the addition of DJ Enuff, Pack FM and DJs Sucio Smash and Cap Cee!! Enuff will be blessing us with a Notorious B.I.G. tribute set. Not to be missed.

See you Friday!

tune in...

from our aces over at Subsoniq (no, NOT pictured above) - check the BHF on xm radio!
Tuesday 6/19 midnight et on RAW 66, *Wed 6/20 6pm et on The Rhyme 65*, Sunday 6/24 9pm et on RAW 66

"(with the festival in full swing) ...we once again invite the festival organizers Wes Jackson and Alma Geddy-Romero on the show this week to talk about the relevance of the festival, the obstacles it faces, the community feel it promotes, and of course...the music of the festival!"
"...Its a pioneering independent/progressive/community oriented festival and we here at Subsoniq could not be prouder to help, and be a part of it. Check for it this week..."

where did june go?

This is it... hard to believe we're only 4 & 1/2 days away from the official Third Annual BHF performance date, but that is, as they say, the case. Stay tuned this week... survival guide and lots more important ish on the way.

RANDOM GHOST TRACK OF THE DAY: beat the clock (a favorite from the pretty toney album)

don't front friday™

DON'T FRONT: ON WILD STYLE... please.
only 7 measly days stand between you and hip hop history. something to think about over the weekend, friends.

pics from last night up monday - for real.

the bhf continues.....TONIGHT!

Tonight::: Join the BHF Fam, powerHouse, Magnum Festival and American Photo as we celebrate the work of DAVID ALAN HARVEY: LIVING PROOF.

Harvey, a Magnum and National Geographic photographer has trekked the globe, documenting Hip Hop culture. Come celebrate the fruits of his labor, and enjoy a complimentary brew courtesy of the fine Brooklyn Brewery.

powerHouse Arena - 6-9pm
37 Main Street (At Water St.), DUMBO, BKNY
Drinks courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery

peep the show here!

See you in a few...

keepin' it moving, duke

an update from the BHF news desk: JUNE 21ST DATE CANCELED, but the BHF ROLLS ON!

BODEGA™ PEOPLES:
We wanted to keep you all abreast to the latest happenings concerning this years BHF dates. Amp’d Mobile , our lead sponsor of this year’s Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, which will unfortunately affect their ability to rock with us this year. Because of this, we’ve been forced to cancel our June 21st event, Hip Hop Under the Bridge with Ralph McDaniels.

While this situation is certainly an unfortunate one, (the folks over at Amp’d Mobile have been great to work with the past two years), the BHF continues to roll along, unscathed and energized. The good people at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy have stepped up, and will be helping us out with even more support this year to make the rest of the BHF events go down - make sure you give them a pound on June 23rd – and check them out online at www.brooklynbridgepark.org. The response for our June 21st event had been great, and we know so many of you had picked up your tix and already marked it on the lil' black books/berries – while we’re bummed that Uncle Ralph won’t be able to do his thing on the 21st – the June 22nd Wild Style Celebration and the June 23rd Main Event with Ghostface headlining a thorough group of performers, are surely going to be the dopest BHF events to date.

We also wanted to thank each and every one of you who has held down our backs throughout these past 3 years. From the folks who partied with us in ‘05, to those donors who were out on the dance floor at our kick off party last week, you are the reason we do this every year, and you are the reason that we’ll continue!

While so many of you have already contributed generously to our Give 5 Keep It Live program, these recent developments mean that we need your support now more than ever. If you’re feeling what we’re doing, let us know – tell your friends – put it on your MySpace page! Let folks know that Hip Hop is alive and well in BK, and that we’re gonna throw down on June 23rd.
Com'on - nothing is gonna beat Ghostface at dusk, your family surrounding you, and the city of New York shining behind that BHF stage.

Keep checking the site for more updates, we’ll see ya’ll soon.

-BHF FAM

king's county

Recently, BODEGA™ representative DaRuffian had a moment to catch up with the lovely Emily King. The talented singer/songwriter (and L.E.S. native) had been busy touring with John Legend over the month of May - no doubt an incredible experience - but seeing as she'll be rocking with us Brooklyn folks in a few weeks, the kid figured he should use the opportunity to get to know the more intimate sides of Ms. King a little mo' better... You know, like where she get's her grub on at 5 in the AM.

Before a show, do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?

EK: I try to keep away from the superstitions, but there are some things I don’t do - like drinking before the show. Once I had a lil cocktail and it didn’t work out. I also don’t eat. However I do listen to James Brown’s the Big Pay Back to get me hyped for the show.

Since you're from the Lower East Side, I wanted to ask you; why is the 2nd ave station on the F line so hot?

EK: I have no idea, it's so nasty in that station. A lot of homeless cats used to lived there before but its changing - now the rich kids get drunk and sleep there.

Well, after getting drunk on the LES, where do you suggest to get a bite to eat at?

EK: I love my Indian spots, love it, love it, but I’m always at Odessa - it’s a lil diner on 8th and 2nd ave, its not really good food but its poppin at 5 in the morning.

So another food question; Is Katz Deli really that good?

EK: Yes, it is, I haven’t had a Katz deli sandwich in like 10 years cause I’m a vegetarian, but even if I wasn’t, I still wouldn’t eat there cause the sandwich cost 13 dollars, just ridiculous. But if you split it with somebody its worth the price, I recommend the corn beef.

When is the last time you were in a bodega, and what did you buy?

EK: Everytime I go I get some Swedish fish, milk dudes, and the lil Debbie Swiss rolls, that my guilty pleasure but they don’t have them everywhere. I have a corner deli on my block, it’s not a bodega, you can tell the difference by the prices.

And the by the dust on all the products...

EK: (laughs), Yeah exactly.

So how do you recover after a show?

EK: First I have to go touch up my makeup, cause I’m nice and sweaty. It’s a great feeling to come off stage from interacting with the fans, its something like a high. I do take some personal time to celebrate though.

Since the upcoming BHF is not only a celebration of Hip Hop, but Brooklyn as well, what do you think of Brooklyn?

EK: When I think of Brooklyn I think of beautiful brownstones, just a overall dope vibe. The only thing that’s lacking from L.E.S. (today) is the neighborhood feel that everybody knows you, like back in the day. Places in Brooklyn don’t even feel like New York - eventually I would love to have a spot in BK.

Check for Emily on J Records, and Myspace.com...
...and be sure to catch her performance LIVE from the BHF on Saturday, June 23rd!

...and the bhf continues...

The BHF kicked off last week with our Stax 50th Celebration - Large Pro officially killed it. Not sure the last time he'd had a chance to do an all-soul set, let alone with back to back Stax gems. And got-damn, where does Uncle Ralph GET all of this footage?! If you missed it, you definitely were sleeping...but never fear, the Bodega's got 4 more opportunities for you to get your BHF fill...

David Alan Harvey actually photographed our first BHF in good ol' Willy-B. He makes a full-circle appearance at this year's Festival in conjunction with powerHouse and the Magnum Festival. Join us this Thursday, as we celebrate his latest body of work, Living Proof. You can preview the show by clicking here. NYC's own DJ Language on the decks!

last night...

pics from the BHF kick-off/Stax celebration! photos by bodega james






BIG BIG shouts to everybody that came through powerHouse last night to rock with the BODEGA™ fam. The festival is officially off and running! Kids were gettin busy last night!! Extra sweet shouts to Large Pro (killed it!), Uncle Ralph, The powerHouse Crew, our homies at Wax Poetics (lookin mean there, mr. torres!), Tanya Morgan, Fresh Daily, The Agytators, Leah from Current TV, Hip Hop TV crew, Dashaun from Brownsville, Slept Wonder, Dallas Penn, Dave from Prefix, Rob With The Camera, Amanda, Eb Rock + Nubes, Ms. Panda The Bottle-Picking-Up Queen & all the folks who danced their asses off 'til they turned out the lights -- Thanks for making the night a success!

see you NEXT WEEK!!
Peep more pics here

TONITE!TONITE!TONITE!

(depending on what time you read this) you have just over/under 6 (or less) hours to get fresh. hit the barber shop, get your nails did, shine your jewlery, dust off your flat-top, pull up your pants, iron your white tee, crease your khakis, pump up your reboks, spot clean your fila suit and get on down to DUMBO...

WE'LL SEE YOU THERE, FAMILY!

stax week: videos

CLASSIC FOOTAGE FROM THE STAX ERA:
• Booker T & The MG's Green Onions
• Rufus Thomas Funky Chicken from Wattstax
• Carla Thomas Pick Up The Pieces from Wattstax
• Arthur Conley Whole Lotta Women
• Eddie Floyd Knock On Wood
• Otis Redding with The Bar-Kays Try A Little Tenderness
• The Emotions Peace Be Still from Wattstax
• Linda Lyndell What A Man
• The Bar-Kays Son Of Shaft from Wattstax
• Isaac Hayes Walk On By

party people: see you tomorrow night!

we interrupt stax week to bring you...

...the best video out for the best song of the year.
The Ruffian tried to Real Deal me already, "oh i saw this and heard it a while ago" (a direct quote!) - yeah we know the song is sooo old (what, like 3, 4 months now?) and the video dropped two days ago (ages in internets time) - but surely we can all still agree regardless of age, it's the illest thing goin'!

**stax week resumes momentarily**

stax week: cold feet

This handsome devil is Albert King. He was a self-taught Mississippi blues legend - a master of the "single-string solo" who could bend strings to produce a particularly tormented blues sound that would set his style miles apart from his contemporaries. King was also the first major blues guitarist to cross over into modem soul, signing to Stax in 1966.
One of his best received recordings for the label was the supremely funky Cold Feet, produced by Stax stable artist Al Jackson.

Along with King's howling guitar wizardry, Cold Feet features a rather odd lyric that playfully snubs several Stax label mates, mock-threatens fugasi disc jockeys across the land, and somehow works a woman's cold feet into the picture. The record, released December 26, 1967, hit #20 on the R&B chart, and #67 on the pop chart, King's highest pop placing ever.

** bonus
TOP 5 JOINTS TO SAMPLE "COLD FEET"
• ULTIMATE FORCE: I Ain't Playin'

• POISON CLAN: Spoiled Rotten

• CHUBB ROCK: Just The Two Of Us

• DIAMOND D: Check One, Two Actually the second time Diamond used Cold Feet, the first being I Ain't Playin', as DJ/Producer of Ultimate Force

• WU-TANG CLAN: Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)

** honorable mention goes to House Of Pain's Guess Who's Back, and TCF Crew's Straight To The Horse's Mouth

stax week: rainy day ladies

Only four days now until the official BHF 2007 kick-off party and Stax Records 50th anniversary celebration. Continuing the countdown to kick-off, today we're focusing specifically on some of the mighty-fine female talent to release records on the Stax label. You know the ladies had joints, and these three are nothing if not perfect for today's teary weather.

Wendy Rene: Born Mary Frierson, Mary and brother Johnny Frierson were part of a half-female, half-male quartet called The Drapels. Signed to Stax in 1963, The Drapels started out singing back up parts for William Bell and Rufus & Carla Thomas. After recording their first two singles as a lead group, Mary was taken solo. Otis Redding suggested she change her name, as "Frierson" somehow didn't seem commercial enough to the Big O. Thus, "Wendy Rene" was born. Mary Frierson would go on to record three forty-fives as Wendy Rene between August 1964 and May 1965. The first was "After Laughter (Comes Tears)" which she co-wrote with her brother Johnny:


Barbara And The Browns: As told by Rob Bowman. Another great unsung singer from this period was Barbara Brown. With her sisters, she fronted a group called Barbara and the Browns. The Brown family was a large one consisting of ten girls and two boys; four of the girls ended up in the group. They had originally sung gospel as the Brown Sisters. Then one of their brothers had gone down to Chips Moman's American Recordings Studio to discuss the possibility of making a gospel recording. Chips listened to the group sing two spirituals. He then played them "Big Party" and they recorded it that night. This one, "In My Heart" was released September 15, 1964:


The Charmels: Recorded first in 1961 and '62 as The Tonettes, and then in '63 as The Dixiebelles, the group would eventually come together, with the help of Isaac Hayes, as The Charmels. Hayes found Barbara McCoy sitting in with friends The Bar-Kays, and asked her if she would be interested in singing lead in an all girl vocal group. She agreed. Backed by baritone Eula Jean Rivers, alto Mildred Pratcher, and soprano Mary Hunt, The Charmels were the first secular group McCoy would ever record with. She was always very nervous and would insist that the studio lights be turned down so that she couldn't see anybody on the other side of the glass while recording. Barbara later recalled that the songs, which were specifically writen around her voice, ("sweet and kind of high"), were typically written casually in the studio while the group was hanging around the piano eating chicken and drinking Cherry Kijafa wine. Tell me you can't hear that on this one:

stax week: mad lads pt II

The Mad Lads (pt II): as told by Rob Bowman
Late 1965 and early 1966 proved to be the hottest period in the Mad Lads' career. Their second release, "Don't Have To Shop Around", went #11 R&B and #93 Pop while it's follow up, "I Want Someone", sailed to #10 and #74 on the two charts. The former was written by bassist Allen Jones and his roommate, pianist Richard Shan. Both were Memphis natives who had been trying to work their way into the company. Shan was never too successful, but Jones would soon get hired to audition demo tapes, become a staff songwriter and producer and eventually manage the Bar-Kays. The tune he had concocted for the Mad Lads was a gossamer, shimmering ballad that beautifully juxtaposed Isaac Hayes' organ and Booker T.'s piano with a vibraphone.

Apparently the record had already been cut by a local white Memphis group (no one remembers who they were anymore). The Mad Lads remember learning the song in the attic above the studio with Shan playing the piano. A few hours and two takes later they had a hit. As was the case with the Astors, the Mad Lads were huge in Philadelphia.
The group's second hit, "I Want Someone", was credited to Deanie Parker and Estelle Axton. According to Estelle the record was produced by Packy Axton while Jim Stewart was out of town. Deanie played the piano on the record. She recalls quite clearly the inspiration for the song: "Miss Axton kept running around, 'Somebody needs to come up with a ballad.' I said, 'Okay, Miss Axton, you write the words and I'll write the melody.' So sure enough she came in with these lyrics and I thought these were the worst damn lyrics but I went back and got on the piano. If I remember correctly we finished the lyrics together and I put that simple melody to it and Miss Axton and I got back in the studio with those Mad Lads. Miss Axton and I were out to show the rest of them that 'if you all can't do it we'll do it."

Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton (co-founders of Stax) regularly disagreed on just about everything by this point. "When Jim got back to town," laughed Estelle, "I told Deanie, 'Don't you breathe to Jim that I had anything to do with this even though my name is going on the record as half writer. Don't mention it at this point 'cause the record will never get out.' So she didn't. Soon as Jim got back in town she said, "Jim we got something fantastic on the Mad Lads.' 'Good, let me hear it.' He went back. 'Boy that's great, we're going to have a hit with that record right quick." When he found out that Estelle had co-written it, it was too late to change his mind.
In 1966, John Gary Williams and William Brown were drafted and replaced by Sam Nelson and Quincy Clifton Billops Jr, (formerly of The Premiers). A version of the Jimmy Webb standard "By The Time I Get To Phoenix' proved to be the Mad Lads" last chart entry in 1969, after which they broke up. A new line-up was assembled in 1972 (Williams, Brown, Phillips, and Freddie Durham) but disbanded after completing one album, which included appropriately, the moody 'Gone! The Promises Of Yesterday'.

Former member Billops joined another Stax group, Ollie And The Nightingales, and from there moved into a re-formed version of the Ovations. A new Mad Lads built around Williams and Gary formed in 1984, with a new Volt album, Madder Than Ever, released in 1990.