Behind the Scenes: My cover shoot with J.Cole for Beyond Race Magazine

What a great shoot. Made possible by David Terra, Rikers, Jewell Tracy, Kyle Timlin, and the kind people at Roc Nation. Thank you Deidre as well.

Behind the scenes footage from the shoot.



Melanie Fiona, Esso, Mike Posner, Amanda Diva, Emilio Rojas and more. So make sure you subscribe or pick up a copy when it hits news stands BEYOND RACE MAGAZINE

Ghostface Killah feat. special guests Skyzoo, and Sosh B : Nov 11/09 at B.B. at King

If you are hip hop head and still alive, you should be at these shows. *PERIOD. (Repeat 3 times and absorb.) We have hip hop legends performing regularly in New York City. Respect to Shao Lin. Ghostface once again clearly shows that he is one of the best MC's of all time. Skyzoo and Torae are definitely ones to watch. The Nottz beat on Skyzoo's "Popularity" sounds amazing on big speakers. Also "Click" produced by DJ Premier is a personal favorite, indie classic. Thank you Skyzoo and Torae. CLICK to see the full gallery from the event.

Torae and Skyzoo

Ghostface Killah



Trife Da God (back), J-LOVE (center), Du-Lilz (right), and some famz.

Ultramagnetic MC's in the building

Duck Down Records presents: CMJ Showcase, Gramercy Theatre 10/24/09

Buckshot with 9th Wonder, Kidz In The Hall, Blue Scholars, Sean Price ft. Heltah Skeltah, Smif N Wessun, Marco Polo & Torae, Skyzoo, Team Facelift, Pharoahe Monch, Masta Ace & Edo G, Da Beatminerz: DJ Evil Dee & Mister Walt. I walk out of the door on nights like this saying, "What a great night for hip hop." Props to the BroHa's and the infinitely deep talent pool that makes up Duckdown. Ya'll know what you're doing.
CLICK to see the full gallery from the event.

Black Moon

Smif N Wessun

Heltah Skeltah

Kidz In The Hall

Da Beatminerz

Masta Ace & Edo G

Double Barrel

Skyzoo

ROC RAIDA TRIBUTE - TABLETURNS REUNION

Words and photographs can not do justice to this event honoring the memory of Grand Master Roc Raida, master turntablist and producer, member of the legendary group The X-Ecutioners (X-Men), Champion battle DJ, and family man. Rest in peace and thank you.
CLICK to see the full gallery from the event.

Boogie Blind

Rob Swift

Cash Money

A-TRAK

Brooklyn Bodega CMJ 2009 Pac Div, Big Sean, Jesse Boykins III, Diamond District, DJ Parler, Host: Wes Jackson

Brooklyn Bodega does it again with a very dope show. The acts nicely complimented each other with funky, smart melodies and talented lyricists. Good times. I was just impressed all around with the production through performance of everyone involved here. ...Proof once again that there is classic, great hip hop being created right now.

Pac Div

Tanya Morgan (minus one)

Diamond District

Those Chosen
CLICK to see the full gallery from the event.

50 Cent’s "This Is 50 Festival" Kid Cudi, Wale, Mike Posner and MANY special guests presented by LiveNDirect, AEG Live & Hot 97

So the weather forecast was rain...however, it turned out to be a beautiful, cool night. The sound system was mastered nicely, and the talent pool was ALL deep end SON. There are way too many amazing appearances to list or post pics of them all in this post...
CLICK to see the full gallery from the event.

50 Cent arrives at Governor's Island

Kid Cudi

Wale

Mike Posner

Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II" release Party @ Santos 9/8/09

New York's metropolitan hip hop community (Shouts to Shaolin, and Jerz) unified and came out to support Raekwon's anticipated album release. It was crazy! These photos are from the red carpet outside of the venue. Thank you: Santos Party House, Icewater, Littles, TRIO Entertainment, and McQueen Media. CLICK to see the full gallery from the event.

Here are some Red Carpet photos:

Raekwon and Ghostface

Coco and Ice-T

DJ Premier and Redman.

KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT SURVIVAL SKILLS

Buckshot, KRS-One, and Pharoahe Monch.

"Skills" is a good word indeed to have in the title of this Album. Veteran flow masters, solid production (all aces), and hard hitting boom baps with deliberately unhurried bpms. This is my favorite image from the listening event.

CLICK HERE to see the more images from the event.

Re: DJ JS-1 "No Sellout" Blaq Poet w/ DJ Premier "The Blaqprint" at SOB's 6/30/09

DJ Ody-roc, Nut-Rageous, Cold Heat, DJ Eclipse, Rahzel, Large Pro, Sadat X, OC, Marco Polo and Torae (Double Barrel), Masta Ace, Craig G, NYGz, Kel Spencer, Sabac, MC Eiht and Young Maylay, Nick Javas, Pack FM, Mikey D.

Yup(rubbing eyes in disbelief). Mark one up for the good guys, as it was another great night for classic and good independent hip hop. This was NOT a $12 show despite the door charge. There is SO much good hip hop in New York City. I walk amongst verbal giants and master producers and musicians. Thanks for a solid show, as everyone was so on point. This is how it's done. CLICK to see the full gallery from the event.

Large Pro, DJ JS-1, and Mickey D at SOBs 6/30/09
Blaq Poet and DJ Premier rock joints from "The Blaqprint"
Torae and Masta Ace perform Double Barrel's "Hold Up"
SOB's New York, NY 2009

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival 2009

The 2009 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival was truly amazing this year. Mentioning the highlights would only be a disservice to the deeply talented MC's, DJ's, producers, and musicians that performed and spun their tracks as it was a rich show. Hats off to Ralph McDaniels and the dedicated Brooklyn Bodega team for another great event, despite the weather challenges.

CLICK to see the full gallery from the event. What more can I say? Top billin'.

visit Brooklyn Bodega for more info on the festival.