happy halloween

ganksta n-i-p = putting the horror in horrible!


this one may be a little bit of a stretch - but they do get out of a hearse, and wear mad costumes... word to the dancing rabbis.

wake up call

Bodega homie and all around good guy Othello is celebrating the release of his latest solo project, Alive At The Assembly Line hitting stores today. If you love that boom-bap, his music is really breathing some new life into this culture of ours. Click here for for his myspace, e-card, or to peep the video for his single, "Let's Just".

i just wanna celebrate...

A new track off of Ghost's upcoming release, The Big Doe Rehab out December 4th on Def Jam. Ghost himself will be taking over the Bodega starting next week, giving us an inside look into life from the road, and what it means to be in Big Doe Rehab. Stay tuned!

"CELEBRATE" - peep it here.

www.ghostface.com

cam'ron: glitter

a two year old in a diaper/filled up with sh*t
had came up and said "why's glitter on your wrist?/and glitter in your ear?
and glitter on your chain?/and glitter on your neck?"
well, glitter's my name...

the SC on prodigy and pants

from the swift chancellor report
(Recently) On SOHH Prodigy was talking about his gun charge and upcoming 3 1/2 year bid. Always loved the HNIC and the Mobb since I heard Shook Ones in college. Part 2, wasn't up on Part 1 or Juvenille Hell. P was talking about the Hip Hop police targeting him and made a commet about how they are not targeting someone like Kanye. The poignant comment was a thinly veiled attack on Ye's wardrobe that remain a serious point of contention.

P said something to the effect that with Kanye's tight clothes you could see if he had a joint on him from the outside. Ha ha ha. But it got me thinking...

I'm 34. I have boys who sat right next to me pounding E&J in Charlottesville and 880 Boynton because P said it. Some of these dudes are Feds, lawyers, asst DA's, and NYPD now. These are robably the folks who make up the Hip Hop police. Rappers should know this. These cops are not Barney Miller dudes who think we are all the same. These are dudes who have heard you talk about 'stabbing your brain with your nose bone' since the 90's. Shit, they probably have people who did dirt with you. (I have one boy who was a real hustler growing up who is now a CO in charge of several dudes from his old crew.)

If they want to make an arrest they know who to follow. Shit, if they didn't follow you they would be idiots. B, you've talking about catching bodies and holding heat since 1993! Of course they don't follow the Louis Viton Don. All he talks about is clothes and his mom. They're not following Will.i.am or Kweli or KRS or Little Brother. Why? LISTEN TO THEIR DAMN RECORDS AND LISTEN TO YOURS. They follow TI and J Prince and C-Murder. You should know this and not carry around an unlicensed burner.

Now P is not asking for sympathy and that makes me like him even more. He made a mistake and is ready to do his time. But I don't want to hear one more 'gangsta' rapper complain about the Hip-Hop police.

Don't want trouble? Hire a licensed bodyguard. Rap about Christian Dior and reperations. Stop wearing 8x t's. Wear tight red pants to award shows and you'll be good.

all hallows eve

waxin and milkin

"In a moving tribute to her son, Ms. Voletta Wallace will unveil a wax figure of the legendary Biggie Smalls on Thursday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. at Madame Tussauds New York , 234 West 42nd St. (b/w 7th & 8th Aves.), Manhattan..."

The creepy wax B.I.G. will be joining the likes of Creepy Wax Paris Hilton, Creepy Wax Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Creepy Wax Ghandi. I believe there's a Creepy Wax 'Pac there too... but that might be the Hollywood location. How ironic that the final stroke of their East/West beef would be kept on wax - sorry, couldn't resist.

This also from the press release:
"Madame Tussauds visitors will be able to take photos with and even hug Biggie's figure, which will be housed in its own room on the attraction's ninth floor. As guests approach the figure, they can use parts of their body to break moving multi-colored light beams to trigger clips of Biggie's songs to play." - Not sure what that means, but it sounds pretty dope. Lasers, Biggie songs, hug photos... can't go wrong there.

monday foot watch

back to the future

"I HATE the state of NY rap music today. I hate it because it's corny and boring as shit. Everyone is waiting for things to come BACK but time doesn’t move backwards. Ever. Not even for rap music. NY used to be the most progressive place for rap music. But since about 2000 it's been in a tie for the most unprogressive place for rap (tied with the southern California, where they still make G Funk records)"

tell 'em how it is, Jeff!

pack it up, pack it in...

The Pack 'Based Boys' Listening Party
by Eavvon O’Neal

As people slowly started shuffling into Angels & Kings—the bar owned by the angels and kings of TRL-type pop/punk, various members of the Fueled by Ramen label, but most notably, Peter Wentz—I seriously had no clue what to expect. "The Pack" promo posters plastered the walls and tables, and stickers adorned with release dates covered the pew-like benches. Once the bar was relatively filled, a small army of some of the freshest kicks I've every seen broke into the club with the swagger of seasoned Hip-Hop artists. Stemming from these sneakers were The Pack.

The Based Boys album is due out October 30th, and to amp the crowd, the single "In My Car" spilled from the speakers, the video flickered on the two TV monitors above the bar, as well as from the projector that hung from the ceiling. As the video played, Stunna Man headed the call to kick up the crunk on the otherwise vacant dance floor saying, "Stunna Man is SO AWESOME, and this video is FUCKIN HOT!" While he executed The Pack steering wheel dance, he continued, "I heard New York niggas don't even dance."



The video directed by Dale Resteghini showed similar flash. The minimalistic effects coupled with the day-glow obnoxious attitude was a more than perfect backdrop for Stunna Man to ...err...stunt on the floor...alone. No joke, there was some light foot tapping, but no off-the-wall decadence that we all would expect at a release party. Not even the free vodka or beer helped.

A few tracks from the album were promising, but did little to resuscitate a party in desperate need of a defibrillator. Most of the tracks were space synths and shallow panned drums, with some rapping intertwined. Either that or three-tone bass plucks with southern two-step finger snap simplicity. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just sayin’. "I Look Good" and "My Girl Got A Girl Too" were shot off in rapid succession, and the swift pace of the beats were mirrored in the swift procession out of the club once the preview was over.

Perhaps the night's lack of kick, and dearth of push is not completely related to the popularity and quality of the music (there were some impressive moments of lyrical ability), but more so related to the maturity of The Pack. With the exception of Stunna Man, most of the band sat around as if perplexed by the concept that listening parties are supposed to convey the entertainment the album will create. Even when the Jive exec Jeff Sledge entered, a majority of the group barely interrupted their texting to shake hands. Nothing about the listening party created a sense of urgency or camaraderie. I didn't feel lucky to be apart of this, or that the music would create an unforgettable atmosphere. It was just a whole lot of "this is my shit, I'm awesome, dance if you want" and that lone wolf mentality isn't going to get The Pack anywhere.

**editor's note: what the hell were they thinking with that saturday-morning-cartoon-looking cover?? aaaayo!

act like you know pt I

more pics coming soon... next trivia extravaganza popping off in november!

dante the scrub-free

30 questions with BODEGA™ homie, esteemed hip hop trivia host, fitted hat loyalist, and all-around NYC legend... Mr. Dante Ross. If you still can't figure why we rep for this dude so readily, this is a fine introduction.

On a side note, InquiringMind™ Magazine is hot hot hot like Buster Poindexter.

Annual Fundraising Drive

Like Brian Lehrer, we at the Bodega strive to give you the best in in-depth reporting. So why spend all your time on the blog? Check out our latest editions of our PAIRS, REVIEWS, and TWO CENTS sections this week.

we got 5ive on it

incase you missed the fam...

random thursday lou rawls post

because sometimes you just need some rawls in your life.

locked up

10 penal classics dedicated to our man PENITENTIARY P who just caught a three year bid for carrying an illegal loaded gun. Damn it's been a bad month for money stack.

warning! prison raps are NOT for kids!
#10 X-RAIDED DUECE FIVE TO LIFE** particularly notable, as it was recorded from prison...

#9 PRINCE PAUL feat SADAT X, XZIBIT, & KID CREOLE HANDLE YOUR TIME

#8 ICE T THE TOWER

#7 BEANIE SEIGEL WHAT YA LIFE LIKE

#6 CONVICTS FREE WORLD

#5 KOOL G RAP RIKERS ISLAND

#4 PUBLIC ENEMY BLACK STEEL IN THE HOUR OF CHAOS

#3 SLICK RICK feat WARREN G BEHIND BARS

#2 CAPONE-N-NOREAGA PHONE TIME

#1 NAS ONE LOVE


hold your head p! see you when we see you!

GLARING OMISSION:
• raekwon feat. tony starks & nas verbal intercourse
NOTABLE OMISSIONS:
• kurupt behind the wall
• mf grimm incarceration blues
• convicts penitentiary blues
• johnny cash folsom prison blues

a message from pretty tony

"THE BIG DOE REHAB" December 4th, ladies and gentlemen...

also: THE WORLD ACCORDING TO PRETTY TONY now available for pre-order at amazon.com - your coffee table will thank you.

lupe's burden

"HAVE I LISTENED TO MM IN ITS ENTIRETY?...NO!!!"
At'a boy, Lupster! Way to continuously alienate yourself from the majority of your would-be over 18 audience! A few other seminal 90's classics grandparents who wear backpacks love, that we suggest you dismiss incessantly in the run-up to your new album The Cool, in stores December 18th 2007!:
• GANG STARR Hard 2 Earn
• DE LA SOUL Buhloone Mindstate
• BLACK MOON Enta Da Stage
• OC Word... Life
• THE GZA Liquid Swords
All of these records are surely important to somebody. Doesn't mean you, as an artist, gotta go study them. Let alone give them a listen. Who are you, The Game? Heck no!
Stupid ATCQ fans! They're obviously all jan-sporting skateboarders... gross! They don't understand you, Lupe! When will they let you live??

get familiar: whodini

interesting tid-bit: that little dude in the bottom right corner of this still is a young jermaine dupri.

from their historically accurate-enough wikipedia posting: Along with Run-DMC and The Fat Boys, Whodini were among the first rap groups to cultivate a high-profile national following for hip-hop music, and made significant inroads on Urban radio. The Brooklyn New York-based trio consisted of vocalist/chief lyricist Jalil Hutchens, co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy, who tended to wear a Zorro-style hat as his trademark; and DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee. Contemporaries of Run DMC, they were managed by Russell Simmons, brother of Joseph “Run” Simmons. Signed to NY-based indie Jive Records in 1982, they enjoyed a string of hits, mostly charting on Urban/R&B stations. The bulk of production on their releases was done by Larry Smith, a bass player who also handled much of Run DMC’s early work... read on

be sure to peep tonight as whodini is honored on VH1... the big show airs at 10pm BK time
BONUS** one love

something for everybody

If racially specific/insensitive comedies are your thing, you're gonna HAVE to see this one! 'Homie Spumoni' is my new official sonnin'-fools-out name to use. I cannot wait til the opportunity arises to call somebody that. CAN NOT WAIT!

If informed discussions on Hip Hop culture and popular history, or incredible photography are more you, then be sure to join us tonight & tomorrow at powerHouse in dumbo... Hip Hop Honors MONTH is in full swing buddy!

roll out the red carpet

Tonight's the big night: the taping of the 2007 VH1 Hip Hop Honors in New York City! The BODEGA™ crew received ONE ticket for tonight's big bash, clearly an indication of our incredible stature in the hip hop blogosphere (ONE TICKET???) It's BODEGA™ crew, not BODEGA™ soloist. Gotdamn! Never the less, Geezy happily excepted the lone ticket and will be repping her jealous family at tonight's exciting event. Tribe Called Quest, Snoop D Oh Double G, Whodini, Teddy Riley, Tracy Morgan, Silkk Tha Shocker. Wait, no... Silkk won't be there - but still, a stellar list of honorees. Maybe if kids win the title of 'Best Underground Hip Hop Site', VH1 will be forced to send us a family pack of tickets for next year. Early buzz is indicating a 2008 show honoring the storied careers of such legends as Plies, Tupac's homie Big Syke, and headliner Coolio. Boy can they pick 'em.

new jack swag

'member when phifey uttered that weighty line on jazz (we got) that went, "strictly hard core tracks, not a new jack swing"?

yeah you 'member. back in the early 90's, lot's of "hardcore" hip hop groups/heads were sternly opposed to what was seen as the saturation of R&B (rap'n'bullsh*t) records on the radio box, and numerous lyrical shots were taken at artists who's attempts to cross over were looked at as less than admirable.

outside of grumpy rappers however, people were eating up the new jack swing. as a sub-genre, new jack was a perfect example of an artistic movement inspired by an established asthetic, subsequently doing it's thing in the face of adverse surroundings, and ultimately breaking ground and inspiring more influence of it's own. in the case of new jack swing, it's influence was damn near all-encompassing... movies, television, and radio. 80's babies were weaned on the stuff.

the cross-influences could be traced in so many different directions, it'd spin that sideways starter hat right off your dome.
good thing the bodega is hosting these panel discussions on saturday...

honorific lineup

The Bodega has the honor (wink wink) to be involved with a number of amazing events going on this week(end) during Hip Hop Honors. Our fam from across the Hip Hop specturm will be turning it up in celebration of the legends in our culture. Make sure to hit up more than one, they're not to be missed! Check out our full events calendar for all of the details.

• October 4th - Questlove w/ Cosmo Baker at Love 179 Macdougal - $15

• October 5th - Jamel Shabazz at powerHouse Arena - 37 Main Street - Free 99

• October 6th - Brooklyn Bodega HHO Panel Talks @ powerHouse - Free 99

• October 7th - Kings of Rock with M.O.P. + many more at Southpaw - $20

• October 7th - Spotlite: 20 Years of New Jack Swing - Free with RSVP

in it to win it

We normally don't do our weekly trivia contests on the blogs, but thought in the spirit of all things honorific we'd open it up to our beloved blog readers as well. VH1 Hip Hop Honors has given us tickets to the VH1 Hip Hop Honors Old School vs. New School Celebrity Hoops Game featuring the likes of Common, Fatman Scoop, DJ Envy, CL Smooth, Grandmaster Caz, Dana Dane and so many others at LIU. You can purchase tickets here, or email info(at)brooklynbodega.com with a list of 5 groups or artists that can be considered part of the New Jack Swing era.

We'll also be giving away a Hip Hop Honors Mitchell & Ness jacket,pictured above!
Hit us up, we'll email you this week if you've won.

ALSO DON'T FORGET - Saturday is our Hip Hop Honors Panel Discussions at powerHouse Arena, discussing New Jack Swing and A Tribe Called Quest. More details on our Events Page.

For more info on Hip Hop Honors and a full list of Hip Hop Honors Weekend events, go to hiphop.vh1.com.Watch VH1 Hip Hop Honors on Monday, October 8 at 10/9c on VH1.