Talib Kweli “Get By” at The Knitting Factory

Mind Body Soul with Phife, Ghostface, Jay Electronica and more

As 2010 comes into full-swing, ‘health and wellness’ is on the mind of millions – and here in New York, artist’s and activists have come together to launch a concert series in support this common cause…

The Heavy Sound™, an eclectic music collective, consisting of world-class artists, celebrity deejays and top musicians, present to you – MIND BODY SOUL- A benefit concert to raise awareness of Diabetes.

Taking place at 8pm on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010, at the new Knitting Factory. A historic venue, known for its intimate setting centered around great live performances. The Heavy Sound™ founder, creative guru Moon Mehta, has chosen the Knitting Factory, located in Brooklyn’s hip Williamsburg District at 361 Metropolitan Avenue as the location for his special event.

Actor, Michael Rapaport, will join as host. In addition to his many motion-picture and television network appearances, Rapaport will be attending this year’s Tribeca Film Festival to preview his breakthrough documentary film about the legendary rap group, A Tribe Called Quest. Rapaport is thrilled to be invited as host for this noble cause.

Joining Mr. Rapaport, as our Guest of Honor will be, Mr. Malik Isaac Taylor best known as ‘Phife Dawg’ from A Tribe Called Quest. Having been affected by diabetes himself, Phife recently had to undergo a bout with the disease and receive a long-awaited kidney transplant this past year. Other celebrities having to battle similar circumstances, are NBA all stars Sean Elliot and Alonzo Mourning. Phife will be appearing for the first time in New York since this successful surgery, exclusively to attend this event.

Universal Motown artist, Consequence will be there to perform songs from his new album, with additional performance by break-out artist, Jay Electronica, and special guest performances to, include Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, Grand Puba, and others.

The evenings musical-styling will be brought to you by deejay, D-Lyfe. D-Lyfe has performed with many reputable artists such as, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Notorious B.I.G., just to name a few. Special guest deejays scheduled to appear include DJ Premier and Static Selektah.

Diabetes, is a condition affecting families in the number of over 235 million people across 7 continents.
You can make a difference. Tell a friend, and join us. It will be a fun and inspiring evening with a series of performing artists of epic proportion, for a global cause.

Event will commence at 8pm. Show times and complete Artist roster to follow. Thank you in advance and see you there!

Contacts:
RSVP & Guestlist –> rsvp@theheavysound.com
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Artists & Performers contact: Khalil Moses – litro@tmo.blackberry.net
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Press & Media contact: Ben-David Fenwick – bdfenwick@gmail.com
Event Sponsorships contact: mindbodysoulbenefit@gmail.com
Questions & Contributions contact: mindbodysoulbenefit@gmail.com
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For more Info on Diabetes visit: www.diabetes.org and www.dlife.com
Door & Venue info visit: www.knittingfactory.com

Supporting Partners:
AriZona Bev. Co. – http://www.drinkarizona.com
OkayPlayer – www.okayplayer.com
Mpire Creative – design@mpirecreative.com
Creative Control – http://www.creativecontrol.com
Brooklyn Bodega – www.brooklynbodega.com

Another Blacksmith Production – Reflection Eternal

Lucid lyricist Talib Kweli and longtime collaborator DJ Hi-Tek will be performing a late night show at the Highline Ballroom on Friday the 22nd. The duo will sure to be rocking new and old jams alike and probably will showcase a lot of material from their “Reflection Eternal” album.

Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek
Friday, January 22nd, Midnight
Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street, Chelsea
$10
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=1075305

Mos Def and Talib Kweli – “History”

Mos Def was recently nominated for two Grammys, including Best Rap Album for The Ecstatic and Best Rap Solo Performance for his single “Casa Bey,” In addition to that, Mos Def’s recreation of Chuck Berry’s “Nadine,” featured on the Cadillac Records soundtrack, received a Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media.

This is the video for the Ecstatic’s 3rd single, “History”.

Review of Talib Kweli @ The Night Before The Night Before Xmas

Twas the night before the night before Christmas, and it was freezing in The City. Twenty-three degrees to be exact. Cold enough to question ever leaving the apartment. But judging by the nearing capacity crowd packed inside and the sixty-plus people deep Will Call line dangling down the block of Manhattan’s Highline Ballroom, cold don’t mean nothing. Blacksmith Records is rocking. Twelve years following his professional debut, and heads still run deep for Talib Kweli.

In promotion for what looks to be a loaded year for Blacksmith Records — Strong Arm Steady, Jean Grae, and headliner Talib Kweli all have new albums slated for 2010 — this event doubled as a label showcase. California trio SAS jump started the show, rocking to a “what do you mean the coat checks full? Its still early!” type packed lower level, followed by a scratch-tastic DJ set courtesy of celebrated producer Pete Rock. Rock’s exclusively Golden Age (90s) spin session kept heads knocking throughout. No side conversations. Ironically, no dancing. All eyes locked on the DJ booth perched upstage center. All paying deference to the legend.

Jean Grae playfully took aim at the audience during set opener “Stick Up Dance”. “Yall spent yall’s hard earned money to come out here on a holiday and when I say dance yall can’t muthafuckin dance and when I say clap yall cant muthafuckin clap? Bullshit! We gonna try this again…This is New York, yes? Don’t embarrass me in front of my friends!” she admonished, punking the crowd into compliance.

Using the first half of her set to run through select lyrical dopeness, JG satisfied core rap fans (read: dudes) with spitfire tracks like Jeanius’ “#8” and “Think About It”, and “Style Wars” from her critically praised LP This Week. “Type of Girls’” nimble, tongue twister delivery sounded more impressive live than through ear buds, garnering audience applause as she sashayed across stage.

The set’s second half veered towards the feminine side, breezing through chick favorites like “Love Thirst”, “I Want You”, and preview cuts from her upcoming album, Cake or Death. As Jean describes it, “a lot of the album deals with a lot of relationship shit. Surprise!” Expectedly, the ladies ate up the Cake part of the show, grooving to JG while the fellas wavered, anticipating Kweli.

As far as live rap performers go, few do it better than Talib. Commanding the stage for sixty-three minutes — cycling through hits like Lance Armstrong — Kweli lyrically “flipped it like a sneaker pimp.” He covered hits from seminal album Reflection Eternal, to the certified classic Black Star, to the redeeming Eardrum, to the ubiquitous Quality — all with album clear delivery. Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady assisted on Eardrum’s “Say Something” and “Go With Us” respectively, and the crowd erupted for surprise appearances by Joell Ortiz and Styles P. Kweli previewed two gems from his upcoming LP with Hi-Tek, Revolutions Per Minute. “Because I’m Paranoid”, a down south bounce heavy cut coerced the crowd crunk, while the sublime “In This World” kept fists pumping. If the rest of this new album comes reasonably close to the infectiousness of these two tracks, then 2010 just may be year of the Blacksmith.

Brick outside. Blazing inside. Blacksmith brought the heat to Highline Ballroom. SAS and Jean Grae provided a balanced mix of rugged and refined. And Kweli’s pristine delivery and cool B-Boy demeanor not only rocked heads, but provided a visual reminder of why he’s outlasted the last decade plus. Dope beats. Dope rhymes. Dope live show. Twenty-three degrees or otherwise, asking for anything more is straight Bernie Madoff (greedy).

More vids of this show located at www.youtube.com/justhunte:

Twas The Night Before the Night Before Christmas and the night before that……

Blacksmith Records has an early present for ya. Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady and producer extraordinare Pete Rock will all be unwrapping their skills at the Highline on December 23rd. Do we really need to say anything else? Deck the halls, spike your eggnog and come support some live Hip-Hop.

Blacksmith Presents The Night Before the Night Before Christmas
Wednesday, December 23rd, 9PM
The Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street, Chelsea
$15

On Tuesday night the Highline also has Jadakiss, Fiona, and just added, the Clipse. (That’s why they aren’t on the flyer.) Tickets are selling for 20 bucks and the show starts at 10.

Bodega Approved Dec 22nd – Free Kweli tix

Talib Kweli at the Idle Warship show

Talib Kweli takes a minute to talk to our own Raven after the Idle Warship show at Southpaw this past Saturday.

Check it out

Blasting Holes In The Night

Bodega Sponsored – IDLE WARSHIP

Put down that drumstick and leave the gravy at home (actually bring the gravy). The Bodega and Southpaw are teaming up to bring you a killer lineup on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Our October Show and Prove winner, Kalae All Day, will open a show that will feature Megabone, Niles, Soul Queen TreZure The Empress, Jah C & The Antidote and Rebel Starr. Talib K’weli’s supergroup, Idle Warhship (featuring Res and Graph Nobel), will close out what is shaping up to be a very memorable night. The event will be hosted by End Of The Weak and there will be Music Live Painting by Marthalicia Matarrita!

Idle Warship starring Talib K’weli
Saturday, November 28th, 8PM
Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn
$15 in Advnace, $20 Day of Show

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