“This is a soulful city…this is an R&B city” – Ron Trent

Just finished watching the first episode of the great new series from Wax Poetics called Soul City.  This episode focuses on the South Side of Chicago, hometown of writer Ronnie Reese.  He interviews Todd Mayfield, the son of Curtis Mayfield and author of Traveling Soul. They discuss the pioneering indie labels of Curtis Mayfield, music ownership, as well as his devastating injury.    Reese then links with house legend Ron Trent who chronicles his career as a DJ and producer.  As a bonus, Reese also visits a Crate Diggers/Discogs record swap with both Mayfield and Trent to do a little digging.

via Wax Poetics

Del + Amp Live are dropping a new project called Gate 13  on 4/20.

Hop over to their page to check out exclusive packages.

Upcoming Shows:

4/20 – Cornerstone – Berkeley, CA – Tickets
4/21 – The Stonehouse – Nevada City, CA – Tickets
5/4 – Cervantes – Denver, CO – Tickets
5/5 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO – Tickets
5/24 – Los Gatos BAR & GRIlL – Los Gatos, CA – Tickets
5/25 – Cali Roots After Party – Monterey, CA – Tickets

Expect beats, rhymes, and metal as Czarface controlled by Inspectah Deck and 7L & Esoteric team up with everyone’s favorite villain, MF DOOM. Beats from the Czar-Keys with guest appearances from Open Mike Eagle and Jedi Mind Tricks’ Vinnie Paz.  Listen today on iTunes or Spotify.

We are so excited for Boot’s new film, Sorry to Bother You (which he wrote AND directed). Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer, Patton Oswalt, Steven Yeun, Terry Crews, David Cross, Danny Glover and more.  It will feature new music from The Coup with a score by Tune-Yards It will be playing in the Bay Area April 12th during the SF Film Festival,  will be in select theaters July 6th, and nationwide on July 27th.

New Sade song produced by No I.D.  From the upcoming, A Wrinkle in Time movie, directed by Ava DuVernay.  She wrote on Twitter, “I never thought she’d say yes, but asked anyway. She was kind + giving. A goddess.”  Indeed. 

OBEY X NEVER MADE from Never Made on Vimeo.

Obey’s latest artist series is with Los Angeles based artist Francisco Reyes, Jr. aka Never Made. Along with working at Studio Number One and OBEY, he has designed for Rebel 8, Hurley, Primitive Skateboards, Epitaph, Hellcat Records, Urban Outfitters, FYF Festival and Day N Night Festival. Check out pieces from his new collection with OBEY and more of his work on his site.

The good people at Art Don’t Sleep are cooking up TWO crazy shows on Tuesday, February 13th.  They are taking over both the The Echo and the Echoplex.  Upstairs is #jazzisdead and downstairs is the return of the 70s Ethiopian funk god, Ayalew Mesfin!

If you purchase entry into one of the events, you will be granted entry into both events. This is a very special one time happening and only going down in Los Angeles.

There are Dilla Day celebrations taking place all over the world, but we know that the family/foundation endorse the Detroit dates.  This Sunday is Dilla Youth Day, which will be hosted by his daughter, Ja’Mya.  Later that night is Dillatroit featuring several of his friends and collaborators.  Check the foundation’s FB for authorized events.

We’ll be at Obey’s Nor Cal Sample Sale this weekend at Azalea in Berkeley.  TRUE, Nixon, and Amuse Society will also be vending.  Azalea is at 2633 Ashby Ave in Berkeley.  January 27-28 from 11am-6pm.

Hear Our Voice – Brooke Fischer

A number of organizations are providing free poster art for The Women’s March this weekend.  You can download free printable art from:

Women’s March
Amplifier Foundation
Studio Number One