AustinSurreal

Shit Music Bloggers Say!

2012-01-24T16:01:00.001-06:00

Pretty on point. Being that I am a lifestyle blogger, this doesn't offend me at all.

I think I know all these guys, in passing at least. Thanks Slava P!

INSTANT CLASSIC!

New Video from Austin's Bird Peterson& Ocelot! "Soul Survivor"

2012-01-24T15:17:00.000-06:00

Jackie Chain, DJ BurnOne, Scotty & More Saturday at Gypsy Lounge!

2012-01-20T20:34:00.003-06:00

OMG Sat. Jan. 21st its really goin' down! At the Gypsy Lounge!

Lotsa great folks on this one so glad its happening in the ATX!

Scoremore Presents: Kendrick Lamar with 10YRFriday at the Beauty Bar Ballroom

2012-01-18T10:02:00.005-06:00

Not to be confused with the Beauty Bar on 7th Street. This is the NEW Beauty Bar down there on Riverside. Where some people seem to think our music district is moving to. Viva le southside. Anyway I guess its opening this weekend with one of the freshest voices in hip-hop today, KENDRICK LAMAR, and one of the coolest things happening in Austin music RIGHT NOW, 10YR!

Its really goin' down Friday night.

GET TICKETS HERE THIS WILL SELL OUT!

And peep the Facebook event page and drop your RSVP.

I saw Kendrick at Red 7 last year and he wrecked. One of the only new dudes I really think is amazing. I mean I like a lot of the new dudes, but Kendrick is amazing.

I was younger then...

2012-01-18T09:06:00.004-06:00

Thanks to all the good folks who hit me up in these past daze to wish me a happy birthday and remind me that yes indeed I am 40 years old. Its a milestone I guess, and it HAD made me sit and think a bit about where I am in life, and well, I'm here. Not a terrible place that is for sure. This past weekend, the last of my 30's, we did it big. Family, friends, the things that really count.

Took the two hour trek out just past Fredericksburg to Enchanted Rock. A huge granite dome mountain. More info on that here.

Its gorgeous though. I need to do more things like this, now that I am 40 and such, I'm way more in the heart attack range so I need to get more exercise and spend more time in natural, positive places.

That's another thing I've been thinking about.

I'm way more into hiking than going to some gym. Mostly because I hate people.

Not you, but a lot of people, yeah, I hate them. Especialy up in the gym.

Motherfuckers watching Fox News on a treadmill and shit, fuck that shit.

Listening to HiNRG and shit man fuck that shit. Just gimme a mountain to climb.

Or a stream to row down or something.

Speaking of streams. I'm so glad that we are getting some rain these daze. We need more though, as evidenced by these DEAD CACTI! Aren't cactus supposed to survive droughts and thrive in the desert? Yeah, it's been THAT BAD. Praying for more rain in 2012.

Cuz this region really isn't shit without some water to jump into.

Also I know I wasn't supposed to post anything. I guess its some kind of blackout the internet day in response to this whole SOPA debacle. I don't know about you, but as an anarchist, I don't respond to THEIR laws anyway, so whatever on all that shit. They can't stop me from internetting. They wanna stop me from internetting they are gonna have to pry the internet from my cold, dead hands.

Mark my words, stay off my internet.

If something can be digitized, it can be shared. Point blank. And 13 year olds way smarter than our elected officials will always find a way to get around whatever they try to do to stop them. Its a fact and has been proven time and time again.

So whatever, quit wasting our time and tax dollars. People need to spend more time climbing rocks than they do sitting staring at screens, I agree, but whatever, there's no turning back now. They wanted this zombie culture and they got it.

I do kinda trip out on the fact that like every album and movie ever is available for free on the internet. I don't think that is right at all, unless the makers want them to be free. But in the end, what're you gonna do? Arrest everyone? Wait, please don't think I'm suggesting that. I know that you can do that if you want to. Motherfuckers.

ANYWAY lets stop being negative for a moment. Cuz seriously, this past Sunday I went to the most positive hip-hop show I have ever been to in my life. Don't take that the wrong way, positivity is a good thing. And the Riders Against the Storm (the good folks behind this event) truly know how to spread it in the right way.

Austin gospel act The Levites opened the show and brought some real #magic to the building. Beautiful voices and they really spread the spirit through the room. I'm not a super religious person, but I do have my beliefs and one of those beliefs is that classic Gospel music is some of the best music ever made, and well, the foundation for almost all American music ever made. Ponder that for a minute.

I haven't been going out as much as I should be as of late and I kind of forgot how much I love Riders Against the Storm. I mean I knew that I loved them, but man, everytime I see them I am reminded about how much love they really give to the people and how important that love is.

They call themselves "hip-hop healers" and I am very aware of the fact that that whole concept could be really corny if done by the wrong people. Thankfully Riders Against the Storm are the RIGHT people.

It's hard to explain, as all spiritual healing is hard to explain. But they bring a real energy to any room they are in. Its not a game to them, they really are there to inspire and uplift and it shows and you can feel it as soon as you step into one of their events.

Tonight the energy levels were set way up off the meter. Positivity flowed through the night as I entered into my 41st year on this earth.

Which was a good way to start it off. With good friends and real vibes. After a weekend with my family, in nature. I think I may have done something right for once in my damn life. This could be a sign. Maybe my 40s won't be so bad. Maybe you should not stick the proverbial fork in me. I dunno.

Anyway if you are in Austin on Jan. 26th, we should all go down to Lambert's and catch Riders Against the Storm with 10YR. That night will be #magic.

Like this one was.

#magic

This kid stole everyones heart for the night.

Right at the front of the stage soaking up and adding to the vibes.

DaShade hit the stage third and killed it as well. Dude is a lyrical giant and another very positive artist.

So much to say and he can really get a crowd moving.

You might remember him from the group Blacklisted Individuals.

He's a real inspiration for sure.

DJ Notion held it down in the North Door, the bar behind the ND and one of my favorite places to hang in the city at the moment. Always great DJs in there.

Lowkey of the LOEGz seen here with DJ Notion. My hangover on Monday was all Lowkeys fault.

Indeed.

The big brother Bavu Blakes returned to Austin to rock the show and man, the man rocked.

He's always been one of my favorite MCs of all time, especially live on the stage and he hasn't missed a beat. California hasn't softened him one bit.

His SANCT EP will see an official release this spring with a release show in Austin at the end of March.

DMadness and his band held it down of course with the man Bavu. You HAVE to see D's new group 10YR very soon. Possibly this Friday opening for Kendrick Lamar?

Its no joke.

Rochelle Terrel was in the house supporting. Another very important voice on the Austin music scene.

Vibes.

Blaxsmith joined Bavu on stage of course and straight wrecked on some #LeagueShit and then some. Another important voice on our scene. And also more positive energy!

For real.

DJ Chorizo Funk held it down all night, and during Bavu's set.

So good to see the man rock the stage once again. Been way too long. He should teach a crowd rocking class.

DaShade, Bavu Blakes and Tiger. GIANTS.

Tell 'em.

Nice vibes inside and out with some great folks.

Beautiful singer Willette Wallce, and International SuperStar Gary Clark Jr.! I've always been impressed by how much Gary has always supported the Austin hip-hop scene. But now more than ever its like, dude is playing Brazil, London, David Letterman, sharing stages with Eric Clapton and more and more and more, and he still pops up for local shows in ATX just like he always has. That's real and much respect to Gary. If you haven't heard him yet, you will soon. Don't miss out on the revolution that is.

YES WE CAN.

The Latest AustinSurreal Show

2012-01-12T00:23:00.002-06:00

Man it really went down this past Sunday.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM OR DL THE LATEST AUSTINSURREAL SHOW ON RADIO KAOS - Jan. 8, 2012

Tracklist:
Lupe Fiasco, Killa Kyleon, Twista Get Throwed
ABN Renegades, Freeway Lights Off
Lupe Fiasco American Terrorist
Corner Boy P, Fiend, Killa Kyleon, Smoke DZA La La Pt 2
Doughbeezy Pass the Swisher
Doughbeezy, Fat Tony In For The Kill
Ritmo Machine Maestro
Los Rakas Yo Vengo de Panama
Canamojoso Omega
K-Paul, Point Blank, Money Fam Dre They Already Know
Will Hustle, K-Paul, Playa C Wicked Women
East 35 Block Star
Gerald G Megaman Remix
Checkmate, Tay Tunechi I Need That
Nook, Chalie Boy What That Is
BDBO Party (HTown Remix)
Big Chiefa, Dorrough, Bay Bay Triple D Anthem
Da Ryno, Chalie Boy, Bavu Blakes Texas
Worldwide How You See It
The Fall Taking Off
Boyfrndz Ghost Hits
Sorne First Born
Equals Salvo
Young Girls We're Not Friends
Trae tha Truth Nothin'
Scotty, SL Jones Strap Up
M.U.G., Propain, Killa Cal Wayne Salute
Screwtape What's Goin' On
B. Dolan, Jasiri X, Toki Wright, Sage Francis Film The Police

FREE MUSIC: ft. Celeste - A Monarchs Mixtape!

2012-01-10T11:46:00.002-06:00

Man the girl Celeste done moved to New York and went hip-hop on us! I shoulda known from the 2Pac medley at that last Austin show. Lucky for us all SHE CAN DO THAT. Man hold up...

One of my favrorite bands in the past few years of living here in Austin is definitely The Monarchs. The city wept and took a few steps back when she (she being the nucleus of the Monarchs) up and moved to NYC, but we all understood, well at least I did. The girl is dope. Some real soul and realness to her music, and this mixtape here is more proof of that.

On this here mix, she goes in over some deft beats um, borrowed from Clams Casino, Jake One, J-Dilla, Reggie Coby, Javelin, and MF Doom. And she kills it. I don't know of anyone else of her ilk doing this and making it work properly, so props to Celeste, we miss you down here girl.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ft. Celeste - A Monarchs Mixtape.

And definitely hit up MonarchsFamily.com to dig more into the sounds at hand.

Free Week in ATX Continued!

2012-01-07T11:31:00.002-06:00

Man last night was really insane. One of the best line ups I have seen in a long time really went down at Club DeVille. All these folks are the future for real, right up here in the present and shit. Some of my favorites in the state for real. Pissed I missed Limb though, anyway...

I came in during Multitracker's set and somehow didn't get any photos. Multitracker makes spaced out beats and plays drums and different things along with it. Got things started quite well.

Then B L A C K I E came to wreck.

I hope the people in the condos across Red River liked him.

That's really important to me.

As it is important to the city of Austin.

I'm gonna enjoy Red River while we still can.

Before it is destroyed.

And Austin becomes the shot bar capital of the world.

As opposed to the Live Music Capital of the World.

Like it says on that sign at the airport.

But alas and alak, the new sign may say...

The Condo and Shot Bar Capital of the World.

Or possibly, The Downtown Surveillance Camera Capital of the World.

I'm not totally againist the surveillance cameras downtown. I mean yeah I am generally not in favor of public surveillance cameras (what is this, London?), but in Austin it will be good to have footage of the cops smashing peoples skulls in on horseback when that happens to happen. And maybe it'll stop the frat boys from hurting themselves and others. We shall see I suppose.

Attack Formation was up next and kilt it.

Harmonica and all.

One of my favorite bands of the past two years Bali Yaaah really killed it too.

In the hot little room.

Always great to see Zorch rockin and shockin it on down.

And my night ended with watching Sorne through the window as it was too packed and hot inside for me to go up in thurr.

But man Ilove this dudes album and his show is nuts.

You'll see and hear more from all these people in 2012, unless the Mayans were right then fuck it anyway. #hope

New Music from Bavu BlakesPlus he's live in ATX Next Sunday!

2012-01-06T11:37:00.004-06:00

GREAT NEWS! Next Sunday Bavu Blakes, Da Shade, Riders Against The Storm and Chorizo Funk will be live and in full effect at the ND! See the flyer below.

And to get you extra hype for that, Bavu has blessed us with a new song.

CLICK HERE TO GET "Big Bright Future" from Bavu Blakes Featuring E. Major.

BIG Bright Future by Bavu Blakes

produced by G. Ledaris for Weighted Keys Productions
chorus/adlibs by E. Major

League of Extraordinary G'z Premier "Roll One" Video

2012-01-05T23:19:00.002-06:00

4:20pm central time yall. Friday 01/06/2012

Reality Rap Lives On.

MP3: Kydd feat. Pac Div - Now and Then

2012-01-05T23:12:00.003-06:00

SO happy to finally have this one! Get ready for a big announcement pertaining to Kydd (and The Niceguys, and ADd+ and Worldwide) here by Monday at the latest!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD KYDD ft. PAC DIV - NOW AND THEN FROM THAFIXX.COM

www.kyddmusic.com

@kyddmusic

Kydd - Now & Then ft Pac Div BTS #2 from JoinTheStudio on Vimeo.

A Magnificent Success

2012-01-05T21:09:00.004-06:00

MAN HOLD UP! Big ups to everyone who came out to the AustinSurreal/Proper Entertainment Free Week Show at the Mohawk last night and to everyone involved cuz real talk, IT REALLY WENT DOWN!

Killa Kyleon and Doughbeezy both destroyed their sets, representing Houston, along with the Tontons.

Lani Thompson, Yadira Brown and Erin Jantzen of 10YR had everybody trippin.

Gerald G and Rapid Ric still a killer combo. What a night.

And having DJ Orion and Rapid Ric together on 4 turntables for the first time was quite a moment in time. My lord.

I'm sorry the Party of the Year had to happen on January 4th.

Parking opened up the show and killed it.

They got the energy real high and had people streaming in.

The Tontons from Houston went on next

And smashed it.

Literally and figuratively.

And 10YR closed out the outdoor stage, that had to end by 10:30pm cuz you know, you know why. #Austin

But whatever, by the time they went on it was way packed out and they just slayed.

Neo space soul magic combo

DMadness, the madman behind the music.

Yadira Brown, themadwoman behind the music.

Blaxsmith

Gerald G and friends

Mos, DJ Knowledge, G-Christ fresh back from Iraq! Wes Sanders, Cory Kendrix

Cory Kendrix & ABT Music

Jazz One

DJ Orion & DJ Rapid Ric 4x4 smashin'!

Worldwide from San Antonio opened up the inside stage.

Killed it.

(3 of)The Ladies of 10YR

Mari, Nickleplated - the man behind some of your favorite Mayhem Lauren tracks, Action Bronson and more, and Celine from France!

I love Doughbeezys music, but I didn't know he was gonna wreck so hard. What a show!

I'm not even tripping. He had the house rocking.

Super photographer Miguel Angel covered the event like only he can! See all his photos here!

Reggie Coby!

DJ Grip and Tony Wayne!

Why does everyone in this pic looks like a Muppet to me?

JBro of Riders Against The Storm will present the next 10YR show at Lamberts on Jan. 26th! RAS and 10YR YES WE CAN!

Mayne hold up this is quite the combo...

And this is a one man walking revolution of realness

Killa Kyleon almost made the walls burst off the place. Shit was tectonic.

I squeezed up in that crazy packed crowd to see it and MAN it went down.

WORD TO THE REAL CHINO FOR THE FOOTAGE!

Die Slo In The Building!

Worldwide and his crew from San Antonio. Man hold up. Thanks to everyone in the house last night. How dope was that?

Get up in it:

Free Week in ATX!

2012-01-03T18:19:00.003-06:00

DO NOT FORGET! Wednesday night come to the Mohawk FOR FREE! Outside early its Parking, The Tontons and 10YR, then from 10:30ish till 2am inside its Worldwide, Doughbeezy, Gerald G, and Killa Kyleon with DJ Rapid Ric and DJ Orion on the tables together all night. TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME OMG OMG OMGOMMMMMGGGGGGG!!!!!!

And I am sure I am missing a whole lot of other dope free week shows as I am old and only know so much these daze, but this one on Friday is gonna be insane. Some of my favorite acts from the state of Texas at this moment B L A C K I E, Equals, Sorne, Bali Yaaah, man hold the f on up peep this shit out and come to Club DeVille Friday night!

Free week is the move. Hope to see you out this week in them streets. WEDNESDAY NIGHT MOHAWK ALL NIGHT BE THERE!

Download or Stream The AustinSurreal Show Best of 2011 Special

2012-01-03T18:13:00.002-06:00

Forward ever, backward never, I always say. But alas and alak, 2011 brought us a shit ton of jammin' jams and I felt like I needed to go head on and reflect on a wonderful year in the life of an Austin blogger/music nerd/pseudo radio host/nutcase. Anyhoo...

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE AUSTINSURREAL SHOW BEST OF 2011 SPECIAL! All sorts of gems on there you may or may not hath missed.

Tracklist

B L A C K I E Warchild LP Version
B L A C K I E Warchild Demo Version
Mexicans With Guns, Freddie Gibbs, Bun B Highway to Hell
Asa OK OK
The Echocentrics Esclavo Y Amo
Nick Nack Mysticism
League of Extraordinary G'z Pressure
David Banner Swag
Cool Kids, Bun B Gas Station
Trae tha Truth, Pyrexx Strapped Up
Trae tha Truth Song for Clip D
Bjork Dark Matter
Institutional Prostitution Mouchette Vs That Chick
Homeboy Sandman Soap
I Wayne Herb Fi Legalize
LeCrae Jesus Music
Vizion Rooftop Sermon
White Denim Drugs
Willie D, C-Murder, Trae tha Truth Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangster
Chamillionaire, Hurricane, Gator Main Po Pimp
8Ball, Slim Thug, Lil Keke Fa Sho
Lupe Fiasco, Killa Kyleon, Twista Get Thowed
Willie D, Mannie Fresh, Waka Flocka, Fat Pimp, Juvenile Bald Head Hoes
K-Rino Let It Burn
Big K.R.I.T., Freddie Gibbs Play The Game
Big K.R.I.T Time Machine
Freddie Gibbs 187 Proof
ADd+, Sore Losers Like a Mug
B L A C K I E The Kid Who Tried To Cut Himself In Half
B L A C K I E Girls In The Front
Jonti Twirligig

New Video! Deep Thoughts -Cory Kendrix & A Better Tomorrow

2012-01-02T18:06:00.002-06:00

My man from right here in ATX. You may have heard him with Kydd before. This song produced by ABT Music, same dude who did the Kydd & Yelawolf joint.

NEW TIME! AustinSurreal Show 7-9pm Tonight!

2012-01-01T17:50:00.004-06:00

Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. The AustinSurreal Show (the online radio show that accompanies this blog here) has a new time. Itsnow on every Sunday night from 7-9pm Central time!

SO CLICK HERE AND TUNE IN AND JAM WITH ME LIVE! ITS REALLY GOIN DOWN!

BESTVIDEOEVAR#ATXSTANDUP

2011-12-29T21:23:00.000-06:00

CHRISTEENE "African Mayonnaise" from PJ Raval on Vimeo.

FREE WEEK AUSTIN!10YR, The Tontons, Killa Kyleon, Doughbeezy, Gerald G, Worldwide, Rapid Ric, DJ Orion

2011-12-26T12:10:00.001-06:00

YEAH! It's really goin' down! AustinSurreal and Proper Ent Present!

Starts right at 8pm and goes till 2 a.m. and will be THE GREATEST PARTY EVER FOR FREEE EVER IN EVER.

League of Extraordinary Gz on DigiwaxxRIP ESBE

2011-12-22T21:01:00.003-06:00

Man, hold up.

These boys gotta press on, for sure.

Houston's The Niceguys premier "Ari Gold" videoOn SXSW.comThe Remix! Ft. Bun B!

2011-12-22T17:40:00.002-06:00

Maaaaaaaaaan as we approach 2012 no doubt a lot of folks in Austintown are thinking about how SXSW is pretty much upon us. The Niceguys will be there this year and today SXSW.com premiered their new video "Ari Gold (featuring Bun B)." Video is dope and this group is about to have a huge year!

Damn I posted about The Niceguys and ADd+ on the same day. Wait till the next time that happens (HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT).

Share the video let em know how its goin down around here!

Feliz Navidad to all y'all!

One of my favorite groups did a holiday podcast!

2011-12-22T11:26:00.003-06:00

ADd+ - THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

Word to Sky Dive Tony, Devonte Swang and DJ Bobby Shobes, this is SoReal!

GET THE FOOL ADd+ HOLIDAZE EXPERIENCE HERE!

Tis The SeasonTrailer Park Boys Christmas Special

2011-12-21T09:30:00.001-06:00

Maaaaaaaaan the world sure could use a new season of Trailer Park Boys. But for now we can revisit this Christmas classic. I watched it again last night. Got to every year, it's tradition now. Allow me to share it with you...

League of Extraordinary Gz A3C Cypher!

2011-12-20T16:16:00.001-06:00

This was quite a weekend. So glad I got to hang in Atlanta with my boys and watch them turn heads for Texas non stop. It was also the last time I saw my brother Esbe da 6th Street Bully. Rest in Peace to one of the realest... And um, DON'T REST YOUNG LEAGUERS! You still have work to do.

These are some of the best rappers rapping, IMO.

Tonight in ATX: 10YR!

2011-12-20T09:44:00.001-06:00

I been raving about the new project from DMadness and Yadira Brown, 10YR for a couple months now. Tonight they plan to put it down hard at the Legendary White Swan once again! Come thru, it's free and its a great place to really kick it!

Friends Not Family Christmas Really Went Down!

2011-12-20T09:29:00.006-06:00

IN such a major way, OMG OMG OMG it really went down. What a night. Big thanks to all my co-presenters (even the ones who did nothing and didn't even show up WHATEVER), The North Door and everyone who came out. What a great way to kick off the holiday week. #drunk

Priscilla has more pics pon di Facebook! Thanks Priscilla!

Richard Henry came thru and wrecked at the end of the night. West Coast Rap Christmas jamz.

NA, Chris Proper and Aaron in the place!

JazzOne wins the best shirt of the night, hands down. Seen here with Tracie! Two folks who always support the realness at hand!

Crop Diggee and Billy Craig in the place!

The scene in the alley. Smoking section and such.

All my people right here right now with Gary Clark Jr! Austins latest rising star. Did you see him on Letterman? Oh man it was epic. If you missed that check him out here:

OMG LAUREL AND DAVE HELD US DOWN ALL NIGHT SO REAL!

Mystery Man in fool effect

Flynn D and Gerald G in the house! #rap

Aaron won the award for best shirt of the night

Desirae in the house! Big ATX Hip-Hop supporter!

Haris the Terrist got them beats!

Word to Die Slo Ent!

Dee-1 coming to Austin next week, Dec. 30th! You should support that.

Lolo the YellaStudNDaSouth and FatfaceNDaSouf

Word to Sertified and Die Slo for bringing the ruckus!

And the Subkulture Patriots too!

Be on the lookout for SKP, the town really seems to be buzzing about them for real.

Anyway yeah man another year, another Friends Not Family Christmas Party! Next year it gonna have to be a lil earlier tho because of the impending end of the world OF COURSE.

FunFunFunFest Early Tix On SaleHoliday Early Bird Discount!

2011-12-16T15:22:00.003-06:00

"All I Want For Christmas Is My Fun Fun Fun" $50 Discount

The good folks at FunFunFunFest are happy to present their first ever Early Bird Christmas Ticket offering (also Hannukah and Kwanzaa). Get into the holiday spirit and share the joy of Austin's most FUN (x3) Outdoor festival with others. This ticket includes:

Entry to ALL 3 days of FFF 7
FREE Shipping*
Limited Edition FFF Christmas Card
"All In" Pricing (No fees. No bullshit.)
Entry to FFF Nites shows (subject to venue capacity)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR DEEPLY DISCOUNTED HOLIDAY SPECIAL TICKET NOW!

Fat Twitchy Dude Is Backwith B L A C K I E y Black Milk!

2011-12-15T09:56:00.004-06:00

Back on the bus, the Red Bull Scenic Cruiser with Do512!

To The Moon With Christmas!

2011-12-14T14:09:00.003-06:00

It's here! My first new Christmas Mix of the year and it's a spaced out doozy.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD - TO THE MOON WITH CHRISTMAS!

Track List:

1. Pee Wee Herman Intro
2. Nive Nielsen & The Deer Children - Christmas Song
3. Orba Square - What I Want For Christmas
4. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Happy Christmas
5. Willie Nelson - Pretty Paper
6. Low - Long Way Around The Sun
7. Sun Ra - It's Christmastime
8. The Raveonettes - Come On Santa
9. The Hush Now - Wishing You A Happy Christmas
10. Michael Palmer - Happy Merry Christmas
11. Roger LaVerne & The Microns - Christmas Stocking
12. John Cale - A Child's Christmas In Wales
13. Giant Sand - Christmas Everyday
14. Camera Obscura - Little Donkey
15. AM - Christmas Time Is Here
16. Sufjan Stevens - Worst Christmas Ever
17. Low - Taking Down The Tree

Enjoy and lemme know what you think! I may do another one, I don't know. Any requests? Comment below.

MP3: Nive Nielsen & Deer Children - Christmas Song

2011-12-13T23:09:00.003-06:00

From right up there just next door to Santa Claus in Greenland comes a pretty little Christmas Jam from Nive Nielsen & Deer Children. The song simply entitled "Christmas Song" is available for free download right here on AustinSurreal.com.

Nive Nielsen & Deer Children - Christmas Song

It's an extremely welcome addition to my holidaze collection and man its so good to hear more from them. One of my favorites hands down that Nive Nielsen & Deer Children.

Grab the song and share it everywhere IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Also this:

City Wide Holidaze Party

2011-12-13T00:27:00.002-06:00

Click flyer to see full size in all its glory...

Yeah, it's that time of year again.

What You Really Know About The Dirty South?

2011-12-12T12:03:00.002-06:00

You tell me, and I'll tell you that Carlton Wade almost definitely knows more. The man has been putting it down as a mentor and a hip hop journalist for years! He's a pioneer from the south and his documentary is finally about to see the light of day. Much respect this looks amazing!

Why I'm On the Radio

2011-12-09T18:09:00.003-06:00

Because I'm a fat, nervous old man and TV just doesn't suit me. But yo straight up word to Do512 and Red Bull for having me up on the bus to do some interviews during FunFunFunFest. The first of which are up now.

FAT TONY

SPANKROCK

Dopest thing about these interviews is that Spankrock and Fat Tony are straight up family to me. So glad to have this opportunity! Also FunFunFunFest has announced their dates for 2012 and next week they will sell some super early bird tickets at a deep discount. So make a plan to have FUN X 3 in Nov. 2012.

Trying to bring things fool circle here. Did you listen to my podcast yet????

PODCAST! AustinSurreal.com BEST OF AUSTIN 2011

2011-12-09T08:51:00.002-06:00

Yeah so its really goin' down today. As we approach the end of 2011, biting our nails at the thought of 2012 because the Mayans told us to, AustinSurreal.com presents a look back at a great year for Austin music.

So much great stuff came out of this little musical town, and on this podcast you can hear some of my favorites. This is by no means the definitive look at what happened in Austin this year, it's my look. It's 3 hours and 40 minutes long, so you can either download the whole show as one from the link below, or you can stream/download it in 2 parts. I suggest downloading it as streaming this big ass thing will more than likely be a pain in your ass.

Disclaimer: This could have been way longer. There's some songs I just couldn't find in my mess of a life, and well, at the 3 hour and 40 minute mark I realized that I have probably gone a bit too far. What with the attention span of the average internetter and all.

Anyway I hope that many of you jam this at your desk today and I hope that many of you will spread love and send this link to all of your people who may or may not have an interest in Austin music. It ain't just lil guitar boys I tell u whut.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE AUSTINSURREAL BEST OF 2011 PODCAST IN ITS ENTIRITY.

Then go head on and use one of these links if you want it broken in two parts:

Here's the tracklist if you'd like to follow along. Please to enjoy my podcast friends.

1. DJ Orion - Naturalesa
2. Bavu Blakes - Eddie Long - ft. Easy Lee
3. Equals - Salvo
4. End Wave - Belch Yelp Yawn Ouch
5. K-Paul - On Da Block
6. Dred Skott - Let's Go - ft. Devin the Dude
7. Nick Nack - Life In The Speaker
8. White Denim - Street Joy
9. Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights
10. Chili - PB to My J
11. The Echocentrics - We Need A Resolution
12. Soundfounder - The Comforter
13. Sorne - Omnipotent
14. Brainiax - Jakistan
15. White Ghost Shivers - Santa's Sack
16. Nerd Murder - Night Swimming
17. The Creamers - Slow Burn
18. Rubble - You Can't Ever Come Down
19. How I Quit Crack - Old Age
20. Cooley Fly - Cool World
21. Karma Jones, Reggie Coby - Keep Moving
22. Above All Ent. - Fukk Wit Me
23. Purple Diesel - Goodness
24. Terell Shahid/Neckbone - City Talk Corner Convo
25. Total Unicorn - Straight Space Crooked Time
26. Xupki - Dim Shine
27. Atari Matt - Recognizers Ain't Shit
28. Butcher Bear - Made Of Sound
29. Quiet Company - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
30. Ocote Soul Sounds - STTP
31. The Echocentrics - It's Not Too Late
32. Fresh Millions - Hot New Jam From '73
33. Christeene - Fix My Dick
34. Yadira Brown - When They Run (Prince Klassen Remix)
35. Zorch - Cosmic Gloss
36. Signs - Sunshine
37. Rapid Ric, Gerald G, Chamillionaire, Zro - All About My Change
38. League of Extraordinary G'z - Pressure
39. League of Extraordinary G'z - Winners Circle
40. The Throwbacks - Cynical Fool
41. The Culprit - Wander
42. Pimpin Pen, Ryno - Story of a Hustler
43. G$Baby - What Da Biz
44. Moth Fight - Hopscotch
45. Love Inks - Black Eye
46. The Just Desserts - La Valentina
47. Simple Circuit - Sattrash
48. Coma In Algiers - The Machine
49. OBN IIIs - Do My Thing
50. Ocky Good Sounds, Cory Kendrix - Seeing Double (Haris the Terist Remix)
51. Go Hard Jetson, MJ the Disaster - Call It Successful
52. V.I.P. - We Back
53. Boombaptist - Jazz Hands
54. Bali Yaaah - Shoot It
55. The Monarchs - Business Casual

Whew that was a long year. Again apologies to anyone I left out it wasn't intentional and also yes I know a few of these songs came out in 2010, generally at the end, and well I got up on them in 2011, so they are in for 2011. I know this, man. I hope you enjoy my podcast. Spread the word. Austin ain't no punk.

New Video! Austin's East 35 - Block Star!

2011-12-07T09:14:00.002-06:00

This my kind of video for real. I like the girl jumping around two fisting Budweisers. I wouldn't drink no drink with smoke coming out of it neither.

EAST 35 - BLOCKSTAR

EAST 35 hails from Austin, Texas with their much anticipated third album, SOUL, SIN and SWISHERS. The collaborative duo of Young Gift and Bigg John spit insane rapid fire verses over hottest guitar licks this side of the Mississippi.
Check out the album with a FREE ANDROID MOBILE APP

Nice one!

ReUp Gang: My 2010 Holidaze Mix

2011-12-06T10:52:00.003-06:00

So I went out last night, in the city of Austin, doing what I do, hitting up them venues and such. And as I was sitting at the Mohawk, looking around at all of the flashing Christmas lights, listening to Moody spin non stop Mystikal songs (for the holidaze), swerving on a barstool attempting to not fall down, I came to the realization that yes indeed it is Christmastime once again. Er, the Holiday Season for you liberal Christmas haters, and our public school system. Which means I am supposed to be making some mixes for that azz to keep YOU and ME in the spirit.

Anyhoo I haven't done that yet but I will. For now go head on and download the mix I did last year. Its one of my most highly regarded and that's saying a lot coming from the Thowdest Christmas DJ in the world. I try to be humble at all times, but when it comes to Christmas mixes, I mean, shit, you already know. Who gone compare to this? Battle me. Lez go.

ANYWAY CLICK HERE TO DL THIS HERE HOLIDAZE MIX! WARM YOUR COCKLES AND SUCH.

And here's the trackist. Happy Holidaze y'all.

Marvin Gaye - Purple Snowflakes
Marvin Gaye - I Want to Come Home for Christmas
Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means to Me
Otis Redding - Merry Christmas
James Brown - Santa Claus is Definitely Here to Stay
Odetta - Go Tell It On The Mountain
Mahalia Jackson - Silent Night (King Kooba Remix)
James Bee & the Royal Jelly Orch. - The Christmas Song
Bing Crosby & Elvis Presley - White Christmas
Valerie Masters - Christmas Calling
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Sound the Trumpet
Eek-A-Mouse - Christmas A Come
Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, Toots & the Maytals - Happy Christmas
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Ain't No Chimney in the Projects
Jimmy Redd - Xmas Present Blues
Clarence Carter - Backdoor Santa
James Brown RIP Mega Christmas Mix….

Jam Out

Long Live Pimp CThe Pimp C Health & Wellness Fair Returns!

2011-12-06T09:49:00.001-06:00

Big ups to Bun B and Chinara Butler (Pimp C's wife) for keeping the mans name alive in such a positive way.

BUN B & CHINARA BUTLER HOST 3 R D A NNUAL PIMP C HEALTH FAIR
The Trill OG, Bun B, and the widow of Pimp C, Chinara Butler, will host the 3rd Annual
Chad ‘Pimp C’ Butler Hip Hop, Health & Wellness Festival this Saturday December 10th,
2011 from 2p-6p. This year’s event will be held at the Fifth Ward Multi Service Center
in the historic 5th Ward community in Houston, TX.
Highlights of this year’s event will be the Pimp C memorabilia exhibit, HIV/STD testing,
immunizations, a Wii video console raffle, and an art submission contest. Proceeds from
the art contest will benefit the Chad ‘Pimp C’ Butler Scholarship fund.
“Chad was a REAL Underground King, and believed in helping those less fortunate. This
event embodies what he was all about.” This year’s event is sponsored by Houston
S.E.A.C., Monster Energy Drink, DoMyTaxesFree.com, and CCM Foundation. For
more information call 281-377-4481.

Its So Cold In Tha DNew iNSECT Records Podcast!

2011-12-06T09:11:00.003-06:00

Its so cold in tha D and I still don't know how the fuck do we sposed to get peace, but I tell you what this here podcast of all Detroit Dojo jams might help. What better city to celebrate around the holidaze than Detroit. The city that done gave us the biggest gift of music ever in the history of the planet. Its still really goin' down around there. No ICP.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST iNSECT RECORDS PODCAST FROM SLAUTAH - "Detroit Dojo Music"

Tracklisting:

1. Rusty Chain - Guilty Simpson & Roc C (Ox 2 Tha D)
2. In This... - 87 (#)
3. Silver Charm - O1asEdSciz & Alius Pnukkl (%)
4. Over The Edge - J Kidd & Moe Dirdee (#)
5. Let Me Tell You (The D) - Slautah, Alius Pnukkl & Kawshus (%)
6. Let's Smoke One - Guilty Simpson (#)
7. Sound of Slautah - Slautah (A.R.E.S., prod. by Oznoh)
8. Elevation - Konphlict (&)
9. Be Cool - Slautah, Alius Pnukkl & J Kidd (#)
10. The Day After - Konphlict (&)
11. Talez #7 (*)
12. Talez #9 (*)
13. People Mover - Konphlict & Moe Dirdee (&)
14. Vices - B-Side (%)
15. Stories - Konphlict (&)
16. Earl Brewski II - Slautah, Kawshus & Guilty Simpson (%)
17. Outta My Head (*)
18. Roll Some Mo' (*)
19. Dangerous - A.R.E.S. feat. B-Side (Unstoppable, prod. Oznoh)

All songs produced by Slautah except #7 & #19

#=(Sourface Vol. 1)
&=(He's The Producer, I'm The Emcee)
*=(Detroit Dojo Music)
%=(Unreleased)

Bonus cut suspiciously left off this Detroit compilation:

and then...

Rest In Peace J-1 aka Tha Deer

2011-12-03T00:10:00.002-06:00

Another rough passing. I didn't know the guy but I just saw him play in Atlanta with Master Blazter a little over a month ago, and I been loving the Starship 27 album he put together with NSect Records, from right here in Austin. NSect Records also recently released this:

"Lucky 7" e.p. by J-1 aka THE DEER

The Lucky 7 EP. Beats By J-1. May he forever Rest In Peace. Another brilliant musician and great man gone.

Cool album from Austin... Equals

2011-12-02T22:35:00.003-06:00

Good stuff from Austin's Equals. Been hearing good things, finally listening to the record as I miss them play with the Tontons at Lamberts tonight.

Equals EP by Equals

Free download on Bandcamp. An Austin producer needs to sample something off this.

This Weekend in Austin!The Tontons, DMX, Jonti!

2011-12-02T12:08:00.002-06:00

Lots going on in the Cap City this weekend of course. Here's a few totally diverse things you could do with your time. I'd like to hit all of them but alas we shall see. Houston's Tontons are always high on my list tho! Tonight at Lamberts!

Might have to head NE tho and catch Dark Man X up in the Mansion though. I know that shit is gonna be insanity X 10. Word to Jimmi Dean and all of ATX on this one...

And Saturday night I almost forgot but JONTI is gonna be at the ND. Dude is a slick producer from Australia whose CD I have had in my deck in the vehicle for a while now. I jam this dude all the time. Glad I remembered this. My mans Havana Joe from Stones Throw (y mas) will be in the house so I gots to see this. And the crew from Exploded Drawing (y mas). RIP J1 and such.

Another heavy freakin weekend.

Also, should I make a new Christmas Mix or several?

Austin Music Weekly Presents 10YRFootage from first show

2011-12-01T20:06:00.002-06:00

I done told you that D-Madness has a dope new project happening called 10YR with Yadira Brown of LAX (and more) on lead vocals, Erin Jantzen from LAX and Lanesta on backing vocals, and some extra plair playaz on sax, keys, guitar, bass, etc...

Anyway its a real soul, funk, fun, ethereal, driving, jamming experience and I think it's only going to get better. See The D-Madness Experience every Tuesday night at The Legendary White Swan on 12th and Chicon (one of my favorite places to sit and drink) and on December 20th see 10YR once again up in the spot. And then on January 4th, see 10YR at The Mohawk for Free Week (yeah, its FREE) with Fat Tony, Worldwide, Rapid Ric y mas. Presented by AustinSurreal.

Anyway peep the videos below and definitely support Austin Music Weekly. Big ups to Chase Hoffberger!

The OG Ron C R.E.A.L. Music Conference is this weekend in Houston

2011-12-01T20:02:00.003-06:00

Click the flyer to see full size...

Its really goin' down this weekend in Houston. OG Ron C presents the R.E.A.L. Music Conference. Check out the website and the flyer above for more info. I was hoping to go out there this weekend but things just didn't work out, what with the holidaze approaching and all. But if you are in Houston you should definitely check it out. You can get in by donating three unwrapped toys, to be donated to kids in need for Christmas. What better reason than that is there to attend? Wish I could make it, I like speaking and such.

Peep the website for more info. Dallas event happening in 2 weeks.

3 Reasons to be at SF2 in Houston SundayShawn Chrystopher + Society IN STORE!

2011-12-01T19:44:00.002-06:00

It's goin' down this Sunday at SF2 on the Southwest side of that H-Town! Come meet Shawn Chrystopher and check out the latest from Society Original Products!

So yeah, 3 reasons.

1. Because Sf2 is THAT SPOT.
2. Because Society Original Products makes some dope gear, namely the jerseys that look like the ones you used to get a rock concerts in the 80s. You know the white shirt with the black semi long sleeves?
3. Because Shawn Chrystopher is one of the realer dudes in the new world order of hip-hop and you need to get familiar!

Shawn will be signing posters and meeting fans from 2PM - 4PM before he takes the stage with Big Sean on the Finally Famous Tour at Warehouse Live. SF2 South is located at 7204 SW Freeway, Houston, TX 77074.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP OR WHATEVER ON THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE AND GO SUPPORT MY PEOPLES!

New Video from OG PhotographerThe Echocentrics - It's Not Too Late!

2011-11-30T14:26:00.002-06:00

MAYNE HOLD UP! I was there dude. Me and the OG went out to Marfa with the Echocentrics earlier this year to do a show and make this video and it hath finally hit the internets! So stoked he done kilt it. And the song is amazing. So happy I can present this to you. Nice work all around!

Echocentrics - NOT TOO LATE from LUXURY MINDZ on Vimeo.

Rest In Peace Clip D, ABN

2011-11-25T12:35:00.002-06:00

Not sure what happened but I am sick about this. A few too many losses in these past months and all good folks. One thing I do know is Clip was a leader, and one of the few/main people my man Trae would put his trust into. Which means a lot. To the entire ABN Gang, please keep your heads up. And all who loved Clip. I am sitting here wishing I could have gotten him to more countries, more crazy places. I know he got to go to Norway and Finland with Trae, wish it could have been more. I need to get to work on this shit. Too little, too late. Rest In Peace...

New Video: Behind the Scenes with Kydd + Pac Div

2011-11-22T17:15:00.001-06:00

Looks like it went down!

Statik Selektah, Big K.R.I.T. & Freddie Gibbs – Play The Game

2011-11-18T21:24:00.002-06:00

Our man OG PHOTOGRAPHER shot this one.

I love it because it was shot at A3C and for me is like a real treasure to have this dope footage. That's really what it looked like out there. Super dope.

Can't wait to drop a super heavy OG Photographer joint next week. Stay tuned.

Melt Banana + B L A C K I E y masLIVE IN AUSTIN SATURDAY NIGHT!

2011-11-17T15:18:00.003-06:00

If you know me you know that I love Melt Banana. In fact I have said in all seriousness, and have probably written it as well, that they are my favorite band of all time, OF ALL TIME. For real, they really are.

No one jams like Melt Banana, no one. And no one brings it live like them. No one brings it live like B L A C K I E either, so yo, seriously, the Mohawk is going to be the most intense and awesome place to be this Saturday night. Please join me up in the spot. I have never seen 400 Blows but if they are out with Melt Banana then I assume they are great. After party inside with Prince Rama and Indian Jewelry will be dope as well.

But after Melt Banana I'm gonna go jam to HOUSESHOES at Beauty Bar, but that's a different post...

Check this and feel the funky real. Hope to see you Saturday in the spot.

FunFunFunFest Recap Video

2011-11-17T15:17:00.002-06:00

The brim of my cap is up in this! Just off to the side of Chuck D. Anyhoo, man this brought back memories of a great weekend. Can FunFunFunFest be quarterly? I'm bored.

Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 from Guerilla Suit on Vimeo.

The only group I truly jam to

2011-11-14T16:35:00.002-06:00

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THEM LIVE IN CONCERT ON THE AUSTINSURREAL SHOW. Live from Montreal, Pop Montreal, in a backyard. The last half hour. You can stream or download it here.

Montreal's Institutional Prostitution.

This is their film.

from their tumblr -

PUBLIC ACTION SPAM: FIRST IP PERFORMANCE
AT IP’S BEDROOM, BATHROOM, BASEMENT IN MONTREAL
APRIL 2011

DOCUMENTATION/EDITING BY
LUCIE SZECHTER
LOOK AT HER GREAT WORK HERE:
lucieszechter.blogspot.com

Exploded Drawing X TONIGHT!

2011-11-11T12:39:00.002-06:00

This is one of the tightest monthlies in this here city. Genuinely new music up in that space.

LEGEND: Buk of Psycho Drama! No Control Mixtape!

2011-11-11T12:11:00.003-06:00

Some might not realize that Buk and Psyde of Psycho Drama used to live in Houston for a while when they were signed to Suave House. Down with everybody including and especially Bun B and them MDDL FNGZ, they made a big impact in Houston and throughout the underground but alas that Suave House album never actually came out and they went back to Chi and remained underground legends to this day.

This mixtape is off the chain. There's literally NO ONE who raps like Buk past, present or future. The man is his own animal and his style is one of the dopest I have ever heard in all of hip-hop history. Yeah, if you know me you know I ride for the south but I jock the hell out of Psycho Drama and honestly the early-mid 90's/early 2000's Chicago/Midwest gangsta shit is some of my favorite rap music. Especially Psycho Drama.

So this mixtape right here is a welcome addition to the collection. I need jams like this in my life way more often. Shit is fucking real.

Go get it over here at my folks FakeShoreDrive site asap and then go check for a whole lot of new Chi stuff all over the site.

Track 8 has me trippin' by the way. Word to Da Wreck and all my Chi-town folk. Where my Wicked Ent. folk at? Folk.

Slim Thug ft. S-Dot of the LOEGz - New Shit

2011-11-10T08:00:00.001-06:00

S Dot done smashed this one.

IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE + KILLER MIKE = BEST SHOW EVER

2011-11-09T16:14:00.004-06:00

Houston Saturday, Dallas Sunday, Austin MONDAY! THIS IS THE TOUR OF THE YEAR! #OCCUPYMOHAWK naw but seriously in these daze and times, seeing Immortal Technique and Killer Mike on the same night is a revolution in itself.

GET TICKETS AND MORE INFO HERE. WORD TO SCOREMORE FOR COMING WITH THE REALNESS. THIS IS MUCH NEEDED.

FunFunFun Fest 2011 REALLY WENT DOWN!

2011-11-09T14:10:00.002-06:00

And what a fine event it was. Seriously, 3 days of real music with real vibes and not a shit ton of corporate shilling up in your face.

First act I saw for the weekend was the first to hit the Blue Stage Friday, my man Fat Tony.

Who brought the band Mother Falcon out to back him for half his set.

Dude ripped it of course.

And the band was a nice touch and a nice start to the day.

Just after TOny Detroit's Black Milk hit the stage.

Seemed cool to me but I guess he had some sound issues and cut it short, I didn't notice.

Ocote Soul Sounds had no sound issues that I could hear either, they just came down and spread the beautifulness.

In front of the stupid fucking condos in the nu Austin skyline.

Whatever, they jammed so hard.

Close friends Stef and Serg came to town and stayed at the Embassy Suites just a couple blocks from all the action and well, if you know about Embassy Suites you know about their free happy hour that happens daily, and well, we took full advantage of that, daily.

Friday night after party of note happened at Empire Automotive with Kool Keith, Death Grips, B L A C K I E and late addition ADd+ from Dallas. Man, this is one of the best things happening hip-hop wise right now, and it's coming straight out of Texas.

Expect big things from ADd+.

And of course B L A C K I E came out and destroyed the party.

In a major way.

I had already put my camera away when the crowd started to surge and go ballistic, and Serg started hoisting people up into the air and chaos just broke out like hell in an automotive shop with beers.

B L A C K I E s official FFF show was out of control as well. Dude came out and said "I only came here for one reason and that's to tell you exactly what I believe in. I believe in total freedom. I didn't come here to sell you anything..." Etc.

And then he just exploded on and off the stage.

Showing folks how he gets down and telling them whats really real.

West Coast folks look out for B L A C K I E and Death Grips on tour out there in a couple of weeks.

Also Nov. 18th at Mangos in Houston and Nov. 19th at Mohawk in Austin with MELT BANANA!

Dude ain't even trippinG.

Death Grips impressed me on both shows too. Extreme raw power vocals and such.

Probably my favorite band of the weekend. A little out of place in some ways, and in some ways right at home.

They certainly dressed right for the weekend.

And killed it.

African desert psyche rock what?

This would have been me if this fest were 20 years ago.

By any means necessary.

Negative Approach also destroyed their set.

After (sort of) seeing Danzig limp through his set, it was great to see these dudes, same age if not older, coming out like its still 1981 and not missing a beat.

HOw John Brannon can scream like that, for so many years just baffles me. Adele cancels her tour cuz of vocal strain and John Brannon chugs on for 30+ years living ROUGH and rocking non stop.

He's an inspiration to us all.

My man Crispin and my girl Jessica in the place. Hung tough with ol' Jess all weekend which is always a pleasure. AND she brought air horns so it really went down.

I don't know what this or why/when I took a picture of it. Thanks for the drink tickets FFF dudes.

Closing set was of course the loudest and the craziest and the coolest. SLAYER.

I wish they would have done more (only) old songs, but they played a lot of shit I didn't know.

Still and all the destroyed and were a pleasure to see as I lol'd at the condos and all the people who live downtown in this city and hate/don't understand music and what Austin stands for. Shove the noise ordinance up yer ass, I wish I could see Slayer play in an outdoor park every weekend, preferably on a Sunday, maybe a little later.

Hats off to Transmission Ent and everyone involved in FunFunFun Fest. Already can't wait till next year. Wish I would have gotten more photos, but unlike John Brannon, and possibly like Glen Danzig, I have gotten lazy (and cranky) in my old age. Also my camera sucks now. As evidenced by the photos above. Yes, I blame the camera.

MP3: Austin's own Kydd ft. Yelawolf!

2011-11-03T15:41:00.002-05:00

Click here to check out the new single by KYDD featuring Yelawolf - Hall Pass

From Kydd's upcoming mixtape Sounds In My Head Part 2

BEEN Excited for this.

Houston's The Tontons in Austin Thursday at The Parish

2011-11-02T17:42:00.001-05:00

And they freakin' rule. I plan to pass thru the olllll Parish on Thursday night, how about youse?

Detroit's HOUSESHOES is headed to Austin!

2011-11-02T17:41:00.000-05:00

More on this soon but this man is a Detroit legend for real. Austin needs more Detroit up in it, real talk.

FunFunFunFest Afterparty FRIDAY!Kool Keith, B L A C K I E, ADd+ and Death Grips

2011-11-02T12:42:00.002-05:00

This shit bout finta be WILD! Come one come all! Just across from Beauty Bar/Red 7!

New Videos from Austin's GERALD G!

2011-11-01T09:10:00.004-05:00

Always hyped to get some new stuff from Gerald G, one of the strongest voices in Central Texas!

Keep em coming.

Pray for Rob Quest

2011-10-31T21:18:00.002-05:00

You probably know Rob Quest as 1/3rd of the Odd Squad or maybe as the blind dude who is often on stage with Devin the Dude. I know him as both of those and also as a great friend for 20 years (literally). He's a great man and an immense talent and while underrated there is no doubt in my mind that his production skills helped shape the Houston sound and honestly the whole sound of the south. His jazzy funk laden straight up down south beats were always some of my favorites. Listen to the Odd Squad record and everything that came after it and tell me what you think. The man is a legend.

He's been battling liver problems for a long time now and it seems to be taking its toll on him for real right now. He's in the hospital and in a coma, and word is he opened his eyes a bit today, so we have hope. I have heard that he needs a liver and maybe even a kidney replaced, so man, this is something really serious.

Keep the man in your prayers and maybe go help out a bit by buying some of his music on Itunes, search Rob Quest. You won't be sorry. His solo work is amazing and highly slept on.

Pray for the man Rob Quest. My Coughee Brotha.

New Video: Cali Zack & N/A - Money To Make

2011-10-31T10:00:00.001-05:00

Featuring TuJoint Swagg it's really goin' down.

FunFunFunFest STARTS THURSDAY NIGHT!

2011-10-28T16:26:00.006-05:00

Holy Scheisser Batdude(ette)s. Lace up your Doc Martins, or your Adidas, or whatever it is that you wear and get ready to rumble.

Its happening at Auditorium Shores Nov. 4-5-6 that's Friday - Saturday - Sunday with pre-parties on Thursday and night events every night. Man, it's really goin' down. Best line up ever.

Below please find my picks for each day and some information on each act. So stoked for this every year!

I left out the times because these things tend to change. For the full line up complete with times and all that go to FunFunFunFest.com and feel the real.

FRIDAY

Orange Stage

Ocote Soul Sounds

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

Black Stage

Ty Segall

Danzig Legacy

Blue Stage

Fat Tony

Black Milk

Omar Souleyman

Big Freedia

Spankrock

Public Enemy

Yellow Stage

Best Fwends

Upright Citizens Brigade

Reggie Watts

Nite

9:00 pm - Glass Candy, Big Freedia, Fat Tony and more - Mohawk
9:05 pm - Kool Keith, Death Grips, B L A C K I E and more - Empire Automotive

SATURDAY

Orange Stage

Joe Lally of Fugazi

Tinariwen

tUnE-yArDs

Black Stage

B L A C K I E

Death Grips

Dead Horse

Youth Brigade

Negative Approach

Hot Snakes

The Damned

Blue Stage

Cecil Otter

Dan Deacon

Rakim

Childish Gambino

Major Lazer

Yellow Stage

Donald Glover

SUNDAY

Orange Stage

The Budos Band

Slayer

Black Stage

Zero Boys

Kid Dynamite

Cannibal Corpse

Black Lips

Blonde Redhead

Blue Stage

Soul Khan

Bird Peterson

G Side

Grimes

Baths

Del the Funky Homosapien

Flying Lotus

Diplo

Yellow Stage

Rap Battle Royal

Chris Trew

Henry Rollins Spoken Word

Nite
Dengue Fever - Beauty Bar

More to come on the subject of FunFunFun Fest all this week. Can't wait to dive in to it.

Help Ocote Soul Sounds Spread The Good Word! #STTP

2011-10-28T16:07:00.002-05:00

Hands down one of my favorite groups to see live. A cut above the rest and a breed of their own. Just super real.

Help them hit the road this December (after a serious show at next week's FUNFUNFUNFEST here in Austin). Check out their KICKSTARTER PAGE and give these folks a helping hand. If anyone deserves it... And the world needs music like this to travel to many, many different earholes.

Tour Dates:
11/4 - Fun Fun Fun Fest @ Auditorium Shores, Austin, TX
12/7 - Low Spirits, Albuquerque, NM
12/8 - Solar Culture, Tucson, AZ
12/9 - The Satellite, Los Angeles, CA
12/10 - Brick & Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
12/13 - Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA
12/14 - The Media Club, Vancouver, CAN
12/16 - The State Room, Salt Lake City, UT
12/17 - The Walnut Room, Denver, CO
-------

Co-led by Adrian Quesada, of Grammy-winning Latin ensemble Grupo Fantasma, and Martín Perna, of Antibalas (the famed afrobeat orchestra associated with the acclaimed Broadway musical Fela), Ocote Soul Sounds warm things up this December when the band sets sail in support of their fourth studio album, Taurus, out now on ESL Music.

Taurus sees the cosmic producers honing their signature psychedelic, analog funk infused, Afro-Cuban sound and crafting an album bigger than any of their previous efforts. That's not to say it's a massive departure from their back catalogue, but this time, the vibrations are stronger, more muscular and confident. Marking their first time working with an outside producer, Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation, Ocote Soul Sounds maintains their cosmic ambiance while building on the pan-Latino rhythms that have become favorites of dance freaks and headphone space cadets alike.

Download the single - Ocote Soul Sounds - Primavera - here

And then of course there's this:

Good Morning Austin#StupidMotherfuckers

2011-10-28T09:01:00.005-05:00

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. I wonder What Willie D thinks of this. Also Davey D. #NewLow? GOP is NOT the new black, its still the same old stank motherfucker its always been. Democrats too. #EatTheRich #NoHope

Saying anything is "the new black" is racist even if a black sell out says it.

via KVUE.com

Click here if the video doesn't play for you --> GOP is the new black claim East Austin billboards

Also Fuck Godfathers Pizza.

Ask Yourself: Why are these British women rapping harder than you?

2011-10-27T18:20:00.002-05:00

How did I miss this???

Ladies Gang

My Man DJ DUS Killin' the game

2011-10-27T12:37:00.002-05:00

Who knew they got it so live in Corpus Christi????

Hula hoops and pinatas is real living.

Fishbone Everyday Sunshine Tonight at ALAMO and In Store at Waterloo!

2011-10-26T11:11:00.002-05:00

PALE GRIOT FILM PRESENTS THE AUSTIN THEATRICAL PREMIERE OF THE DOCUMENTARY “EVERYDAY SUNSHINE: THE STORY OF FISHBONE” AT THE ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE. ONE NIGHT ONLY AS PART OF THE AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY'S DOCUMENTARY TOUR AND POST-SCREENING Q&A WITH THE FILMMAKERS AND BAND.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Wednesday, October 26th at 7:00pm
Alamo Drafthouse (Austin Film Society Documentary Tour)
1120 South Lamar Blvd
Austin, Texas
*Post-screening Q&A with filmmakers and band

https://www.austinfilm.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=264
http://drafthouse.com/austin

Additional Fishbone events that week in Austin:

Wednesday, October 26th (5pm to 7pm)
Waterloo Records (In-store Performance and Appearance)
600A North Lamar
Austin, Texas
http://waterloorecords.dostuff.info/

"Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone"
directed by Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler
narrated by Laurence Fishburne
featuring Fishbone, Flea, Ice-T, Gwen Stefani, Perry Farrell, Bob Forrest, Branford Marsalis, and George Clinton.

From the shifting faultlines of Hollywood fantasies and the economic and racial tensions of Reagan's America, Fishbone rose to become one of the most original bands of the last 25 years. With a blistering combination of punk and funk they demolished the walls of genre and challenged the racial stereotypes and political order of the music industry and the nation. EVERYDAY SUNSHINE is a story about music, history, fear, courage and funking on the one.

http://www.fishbonedocumentary.com/

"Effortlessly entertaining." - Variety

"Fascinating!" - New York Times

"One of the best music documentaries, period" - Portland Mercury

"A rare beast: an inspirational, happy film about failure." - Variety

"Let’s be clear, this is no lame-ass “Behind the Music." - indieWIRE

Critic's pick by the LA Weekly

Today is John Peel DayTribute tonight at the North Door

2011-10-25T16:50:00.005-05:00

Today is John Peel Day. What’s that mean exactly? It means that 7 years ago today we lost one of the most unique and impassioned voices ever to touch the music business, and every year on Oct. 25th unto infinity we will celebrate his good name.

If you don’t know anything/much about John Peel, there’s numerous websites that can tell you his history. I’m no historian so today I just want to try and relay to you what he meant to me, and my views on music and the industry that so often sucks it dry.

I’m not going to opine and say that today the state of music is all that different from when he was alive. It isn’t. There’s great music and there’s terrible music and there’s everything in between. There’s independent music and there’s music made by people who don’t really care to do a thing but make music, and there’s music that is controlled, created and delivered by a massive corporate machine, that while shrinking, still holds a massive amount of control on the people’s collective consciousness.

Now listen, I said the state of music isn’t all that different today than it was, ever, but yeah ok there’s lots of new and exciting ways to acquire and listen to music these days. Many say that these new things make radio largely irrelevant. In fact, I personally say that every time I attempt to surf the commercial stations just to see what might be on. I can plug a thing into my car stereo and have hundreds of songs I want to hear at my disposal on demand. I could have thousands if I were to go out and purchase a more expensive thing. But I’m old, I can’t even process all that. So a couple hundred is fine.

That being said I often still find myself surfing the stations, in hopes that I will find something that I haven’t heard before that is not complete shit. In Austin we are lucky. From 88.7 – 91.7 on our FM dial we can hear a pretty good selection of stuff at the right time on the right day. KAZI, KUT, KVRX, KOOP, that station Alex Jones is on all the time, and that weird “music of your (grandparents) life” station that comes in from Killeen on 91.3, all have real DJ’s playing real things. If some of these stations have play lists to follow at certain times, they are certainly fairly loose in comparison to the computer driven stations we have to deal with any further right of the dial.

But most cities aren’t so lucky. Many towns across the US (and the world) don’t have any independent stations and many these days don’t even have college radio to turn to. Their dial is a vast wasteland of pop music where the most adventurous sounding stuff they will hear will be on the classic rock station. Venture to the alt-rock station, or egads the “hip-hop” station these days and you’re likely to vomit on yourself if you happen to give a shit whatsoever about art and/or culture.

On the alt-rock station they’re crying, real tears, and on the hip-hop station they are laughing all the way to the bank while they dance on the heads, backs and necks of middle America. It’s a travesty, but fuck it’s never really been all that great. Radio is a business and most people who are in that business are in it for the money or for the kind of fame that comes without having to stand in front of a camera. The real music heads are few and far between and always have been.

John Peel was not few and far between, he stood alone, with a good portion of the worlds music on his shoulders.

I first heard of John Peel when I was a really little kid. Pre-10 for sure and probably more like when I was 7. I’ve been collecting records (and mangling my parents collections) since I was probably about 4 years old, and have been reading about music since about then too. I remember getting British magazines like NME and Kerrang when I was super young (ok probably not 5 but definitely 7ish) and seeing ads in the back selling records. Many would be titled “Peel Sessions.” And it was only a matter of time before I found out what that meant.

Peel Sessions were special recording sessions that bands would do, at the request of John Peel for the BBC, that would generally be played only once on Peels show. Sometimes the artist, or a bootlegger would make these recordings available on record and later CD. These sessions span more than 30 years and feature a wide range of recording artists from around the world. John was a champion of real rock and roll, psyche rock, one of the first people to really play and pay serious attention to punk rock, reggae, and even to a lesser extent, hip-hop. He championed new music coming from original sources that were as genuine as him. He eschewed anything fake. He was not a tool of the major label machine, but the majors certainly looked to him to figure out what they should glom on to next. (Why the majors never got fully behind Happy Hardcore though is beyond me. One of my favorite things to hear on Peel’s show was the insane pummeling rhythm of a gabber track from Holland just after a song from Melys or PJ Harvey or some shit. It was startling and unnerving and exactly what I needed at that moment).

((In fact, I have found myself, obviously inspired by the man, tuning in to some Happy Hardcore at work and turning it up really loud in my speakers or even headphones to wake up co-workers at random times in the day. The world needs Happy Hardcore.))

But that’s neither here nor there, I was young and I was like “Who is this John Peel guy?” Back in those days we didn’t have this internet thing that makes “life” so easy, all I could do was read and hope that I was getting the correct information. Until one day I heard the man’s voice on Canadian radio. I don’t remember what station. See, I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and in Erie, as you are right on the lake aka the border with Canada, you get a lot of Canadian stations on your radio dial, especially late at night. So often late at night I’d sit with my radio carefully tuning tuning tuning looking for something decent to listen to. And one night I heard him. I heard John Peel.

I don’t remember the songs, I don’t remember what he said, I just remember thinking to myself “Wow this is wildly different from anything else I’m hearing on the radio.” And that’s what he did. He played the music, of quality, that others were scared to touch. In fairness he played the music that others probably never even heard of. He found it, he liked it, he played it, and it showed.

I heard him a few more times in those days, but really not much. I don’t think my young brain totally understood the concepts of time and place, I just kind of tuned tuned tuned looking for something good, all the time.

I was in my early 20s when I moved to Amsterdam for a year and met a guy named Jasper McWhinney. Jasper was from Scotland, but lived in Germany where he and his brother ran an “English Shoppe” and often Jasper would drive from Germany to England, via Amsterdam and he’d stop over and see me. And sometimes he would bring me cassette tapes of John Peel shows he had recorded of his syndicated program on German radio, or on BBC’s Radio 1. Either way it was always a treat. Again I was hearing music, of quality, that I would hear no place else.

THEN a couple of years later, back stateside with newfound internet access I saw that the BBC had begun broadcasting on the internet. That meant that I could hear John Peel, live, three times a week from 4pm – 6pm central time here in the USA, and the shows were archived to listen back to anytime I wanted. Or I mean anytime the dial up connection was strong enough. I swear I listened to the man every Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday from 1998 – 2004 fairly religiously. John Peel’s show (and underground rap) was what I listened to. Religiously.

And on October 25th, 2004, I woke up, as I do everyday thank the Lord, made some tea and flipped on my computer. My homepage had been set to the BBC site and across the top I saw the announcement. John Peel had died in a hotel room in Peru where he was on vacation with his wife of many years, Sheila. Aka The Pig.

My heart sank. I remember my exact thought at that moment. It was, “What am I going to listen to now?” Not that John Peel was dictating my taste in music, it was that I LISTENED to John Peel and what he played, multiple times a week for six years. His Festive Fifties year-end count down show became as important as Christmas itself. He was like a friend, a real friend, I could turn to and just turn on and feel like I was in the presence of someone great, who really cared about the things I care about. That might sound like a bit much, but it was fucking real. If you really listened to John Peel and his radio programs throughout his 30+ year career on air, I bet you considered John a friend.

That’s why so many people all over the world are celebrating John Peel Day today. The impact he made on real people’s listening habits is immeasurable. There’s podcasts, websites, concerts, all sorts of things happening today in the mans name and that really makes me smile. He’s one of those people whose spirit HAS to live forever.

Tonight I’m going to attempt to do my part, perched at the far end of the bar, in the corner of the North Door – the back bar at the ND – playing nothing but songs from classic John Peel Sessions. It’s free to get in, and there probably won’t be hardly anyone there. But I’ll be there, jammin’, hoping that you show up to jam out in the name of one of our finest patron saints of real music and good, good living, John Peel.

9pm – 2am
Free admission.
Great drinks.
Possibly some tamales.
501 Brushy, pretty much right at East 5th Street and I-35 on the east side of I-35. Come down, there’ll be plenty of parking, trust me.

Tonight on the AustinSurreal ShowGet your John Peel Week Started

2011-10-23T21:21:00.002-05:00

John Peel Day is this Tuesday and we have the party at the North Door to all come together in the name of the man, and tonight we have a special sneak preview, John Peel Day Tribute show special thing.

Tune in 11pm Central time for 2 hours of Peel Sessions and more. Its gonna be as live as Texas Rangers World Series Game 4 I swear.

NYC TONIGHT! Celebrate Roxy's new label and see FAT TONY y mas!

2011-10-21T09:40:00.002-05:00

OMG ITS REALLY GOIN' DOWN!

It's CMJ Week in the big city and you know its really goin down out there. My family has an incredible party tonight celebrating Roxy Cottontail's new Bunnyjawn label. The line up is incredible and my brother FAT TONY will be pon di mi wreckin'. Wish I could be there but alas, I'll be there in spirit via the Facebook or some shit.

Anyhow check this line up and if you are in NYC for CMJ go get you some free Heinekens and JAM OUT! Say hello to my folks and congratulate Roxy for me. Its a big night!

FACEBOOK INVITE PAGE HERE SPRED LUV.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 21st 2011

Roxy Cottontail Presents...

BUNNYJAWN CMJ SHOWCASE

www.bunnyjawn.com

11PM - 4AM

Bunnies FREE w/ RSVP: CMJ@BUNNYJAWN.COM

Jack Rabbits $5 Bucks

DROM http://www.dromnyc.com
85 Avenue A (b/w 5th & 6th)

New York, NY

ROUND ONE

11:00 PM - OPENING DJ (10 min) - DJ HARUKA SALT & BETWEEN ACTS

11:10 PM - ARTIST #1 (10 min) - MISS MARTINI

11:20 PM - ARTIST #2 (10 min) - POISON IVORY

11:30 PM - ARTIST #3 (10 min) - ZUZUKA PONDEROSA

11:40 PM - ARTIST #3 (15 min) - DUCKY

11:55 PM - ARTIST #4 (5 min) - ROXY COTTONTAIL

ROUND TWO

MIDNIGHT - ARTIST #5 & 6 (30 min) - CAZWELL & AMANDA LEPORE

12:30 AM - ARTIST #7 (10 min) - FREAKY FRANZ

12:40 AM - ARTIST #8 (10 min) - 40 THOUSAND

12:50 AM - ARTIST #9 (10min) - LIL FRIDAY HOE

ROUND THREE

1:00 AM - ARTIST #10 (15 min) - FAT TONY

1:15 AM - ARTIST #11 (15 min) - GET BUSY COMMITTEE

1:30 AM - ARTIST #12 (40 min) - NINJASONIK & JASMINE SOLANO

2:10 AM - ARTIST #13 (30 min) - JAPANTHER

2:40 AM - CLOSING DJ SET - DJ HARUKA SALT & TERRORDACTEL

Talib Kweli Live in Austin This Friday!

2011-10-19T16:06:00.004-05:00

My family at Proper Entertainment and Knuckle Rumbler Present one of the best Live MCs on the planet with a live band this Friday night at the Mohawk.

With Cali Zack and N/A, Crew54, G-Eazy, Phranchyze and Hosted by Dubb Sicks

I'll be in Florida missing this, but you definitely should not. There's actually a lot of big name rappers in town on Friday and I'd expect a few of them to show up at Mohawk to support Talib Kweli, when reality hits them like a Mack Truck (no subliminal).

SLAYER HEADLINES FUNFUNFUNFEST

2011-10-19T15:54:00.002-05:00

And you already knew that of course. Look for mucho FunFunFunFest posts coming in the coming days and weeks cuz yeah its really goin' down and this is going to be the best one yet. Slayer, Tinariwen, The Damned, B L A C K I E, Fat Tony, Public Enemy and so much more on one line up? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Anyway, Merry Christmas.

First Look! 10YR + D Madness ProjectLive Tuesdays at The White Swan

2011-10-19T14:03:00.003-05:00

Ahem, the LEGENDARY White Swan that is. A spot that is rapidly becoming my spot. How come all the coolest bars in Austin are on 12th and Chicon? What happened???

Anyhoo last night it REALLY WENT DOWN. Always glad to see the legend D. Madness do his thang (drums, keys, bass, vocals, extreme beat box, etc...)

And tonight was special because we got a sneak preview of his new project with vocalist Yadira Brown, 10YR.

And they freakin' wrecked.

Earlier in the night though we were treated to the legend Tray God and CJ on the mic.

It seriously went down in there.

Real soul music from Austin

Laney and Erin Jantzen joined Yadira on the mic(s)

DOS showed up and wrecked as well.

And me and Aaron were chillin. Anyhow, it really went down. Tuesdays the place to be is the White Swan, the LEGENDARY White Swan. Except for next Tuesday the 25th. See post below, you will be going to the North Door. With me. Celebrating the life of John Peel. Thanks.

John Peel Day CelebrationAt The North DoorTuesday Oct. 25th

2011-10-18T17:50:00.002-05:00

More info coming soon but I will be DJing all night, playing nothing but jams from classic PEEL SESSIONS.

In celebration of the only man I'd really ever call, my hero. The dude who REALLY put it down for real music. More John Peel info coming soon. Hope to see you out on the 25th. No cover, great drinks, great music and its gonna be fun.

FINALLY Photos & Fool Report from A3C 2011!Plus SXSW Atlanta A3C Kick Off Party Mixer Event!

2011-10-18T16:54:00.004-05:00

Oh Bloggazphere, it hath been a while. Way too long in fact. More server issues means less blogging from me and I apologize for that (I seem to do that a lot). Anyhow, man seriously, I been waiting more than a week to say this but...

IT REALLY WENT DOWN! A3C is THAT EVENT. Something I will never miss ever again if I can help it. It's hip hoppaz Heaven and I swear I had an amazing time. But first, I went out to Atlanta a day early to have our official SXSW Atlanta Industry Mixer and A3C Kick Off Party. Big ups to the fine folks at A3C for connecting us with the fine spot Noni's, and for coming out and kicking it just 15 hours or so before their own festival kicked off.

Noni's is the bomb and we packed the place with cool, young Atlanta music folks (And a few Texans). Great food, strong drinks, Yuengling, etc. I walked in and they were playing rap music complete with cuss words blasting and I knew I was in the right place. Classy spot but they ain't trippin'. Which is the kind of spot I like.

Nice group of folks.

Including my man, the late Esbe da Bully. I know you heard the news. It pains me so bad, thinking of my man. We kicked it JUST LAST WEEK IN ATLANTA. He came to the party, we had a talk, we had some drinks, went to some spots, and he and the League of Extraordinary G'z RIPPED their show to shreds, and one week later, and my brother has passed on to a better place. Its a real tragedy for all of us left behind. WE LOVE DA BULLY and he will always be with us. Seriously yo, last week, we kicked it. I saw a bright future for he and all the LOEGz and now, here we sit. Still bright but slightly cloudy with a chance of depression.

Matt D. Proprietor of Noni's. A total gentleman with a fine establishment.

Max Burgundy in the house. Saw him at Pop Montreal, A3C and now he's at CMJ. DOING IT.

Me and Mike Walbert kicking it. Mike is one of the main dudes at A3C along with Brian. They have a great staff and have created and ESSENTIAL event. So fun every second of it.

BLUNT FANG CAME DOWN AND SHINED LIKE DIDDY!

A Day and A Dream. Man. Brandon told me that I inspired him to blog and I don't think that he knows that I live for that sort of thing, so thanks so much brother.

4Ize in the house! First met at the Ozone Awards in Houston with Wendy Day, was great to reunite.

MY OLD SCHOOL PARTNERS! CJ of Konsole Kingz and Maurice Garland. The man.

MY OTHER OLD SCHOOL PARTNERS! Fort Knox and Senor Kaos seen here with a friend. Man, I met Fort Knox in 2003 at SXSW with the man Ishues. Dude still has CRAZY ENERGY.

My man Greg Schick from World Hip Hop Market is already formulating a killer SXSW International Hip-Hop Showcase with some great partners. Get ready for it.

FORT KNOX (is Atlanta)

League of Extraordinary G'z were in the house.

Putting in work and gaining new fans in Atlanta. Seen here Mr. Greezo, S. Dot and Lowkey

My man HashBrown in the hizzy!

MS RIVERCITY CAME THROUGH OMG!

Kunal repping TX

Lana from A3C and friend came through. Big ups to Lana for looking out the whole fest!

Me and Scotty

Young Scolla is on to some big things for sure.

ATX REALEST. Blaxsmith and Sertified in the alley

The man we miss so much, Esbe, Reggie, Chino and Sertified.

Anyway, the party really went down. On to the fest....

WAIT NO NOT YET! That night me and super publicist Cherelle Renee tried to organize a posse and see Count Bass D and Master Blazter at this spot called The Drunken Unicorn, but alas we were the only ones keeping it real enough to see this insane show.

CountBassD STRAIGHT WRECKED! I've known him for 15 years or some shit.

Nashvilles finest.

Master Blazter blew my mind. Dam Funk, Computer Jay and a drummer who is on straight up fire.

Great kick off to the week. Drunken Unicorn is one of those places that is so underground, it doesn't have a sign and is even in a basement. I was feeling that. Also Yuengling.

Hit up this clothes spot for an in store.

Wish

And saw Brandon, Cherell and T. Piper in the street. #HTOWN

And the LOEGz of course, hitting every spot in the city #ATX

Was shocked to get to the festival and first person I see on a stage is HeadKrak from Dallas! Friend of mine for YEARS! He hosted the first night of the Jagermeister stage.

And he and his group the Bodega Brovaz came out and wrecked! Does Dallas have Bodegaz? I know you have to buy beer in weird lil stores that are all on the same street, but not sure if they have bodegas.

Lyric was one of the first artists I saw and she killed it. As did the girl above in the radical outfit. Need to know her name.

Mos from Crew 54 was in the place getting footage, thanks to him for all the great footage of our man Esbe.

Always so happy to see Boog Brown come out and kill it. She is amazing.

#Detroit

MAN! Diamond D spun a whole set of breaks on 45s and WOWSERS!

El da Sensei came out and wrecked some Artifacts tracks.

I told him about the first time I ever saw the Artifacts which was in 1993 at a memorial for Subroc. I went out there with Will Strickland and we saw Artifacts, Beatnuts, Hard 2 Obtain, Pete Nice, Kurious, man it was SERIOUS!

RIP Subroc, another tragic passing in hip-hop.

Marz Lovejoy was super dope too.

Can't front, A3C may be THE ONLY hip-hop festival that has the respect to book a lot of female MCs. I mean seriously. RESPECT FOR THAT.

Cuz I hate dudes.

Except Killer Mike.

I love Killer Mike, can't wait to see him in Austin with Immortal Technique REAL SOON!

My brother Homeboy Sandman put on one of the most energetic hip-hop sets I have ever seen.

I love this dude.

Cuz he is not pop. Which is IMPORTANT to me.

Freeway also wrecked it

And the Ying Yang Twinz had a song about skinny jeans and I think said the word faggot 45 times in 3 minutes at the end of their set. THIS is what stuck with me about the Ying Yang Twinz set. Whatever.

The next day was super dope as well. So glad to be able to see my girl Wendy Day and my man Kelly G from BET.

This was after hanging all day with Dante Ross and eating BBQ. What a day.

The Media Panel

The gear area.

DJ Burn One manned the decks on the big stage on this day and just killed it. Jam after jam after jam.

That being said he had a guitar player playing along to the songs he was playing. Which I have mixed feelings about. In concept I think its cool. In reality, I just don't know. Also just so you know I think that the DJ / Drummer combo is the corniest and most annoying thing in the musical world. THATS JUST MY OPINION THO.

Good good friend Fiona Bloom and Soul Khan. Excited to see Khan at FunFunFunFest SOON!

MAN. The bittersweet memory of the League Of Extraordinary G'z show. Dudes wrecked, was an amazing thing to see. I felt like a proud uncle. And I mean, well, you already know how I feel about all this. RIP Esbe. His last show was a FESTIVAL. At least we can say that....

My fuckin' dudes.

Sertified!

Finally got to see the ReMINDers from Colorado and YES they are all that.

Seriously.

Always great to see Dee 1 from NOLA as well.

ETERNIA came out and killed it too. One of my favorite performers in hip hop.

Again with the serious energy and straight up heart

My current favorite group from Texas, Dallas's ADd+ KILLED IT!

Only got 2 photos because it was so packed in there I couldn't get close.

My lil bro Lido Lido came all the way from Norway.

He's really on the verge for real.

And of course, my sister, Jean Grae killed it too. I love seeing her perform more than almost anyone.

Sadly thats the end of the photos. I didn't take any of Big KRIT cuz it was so packed I couldn't get close. And I missed the final day cuz I had to fly home on a 6:30 am flight. Hate that I missed Action Bronson too but oh well, I'ma see all these folks soon enough, at SXSW at the latest. Look for A3C to come official with us at SXSW next year and well, stay tuned for updates right here. I'm back ta bloggin.

Rest In Peace EsbeDVZN Media + Statesman.com

2011-10-18T08:25:00.002-05:00

DVZN Media went and done a special video for Esbe and all of my young brothers the League of Extraordinary G'z. Check 'em out out there in Atlanta at the A3C Festival.

And thanks to Deborah Sengupta Stith for this beautiful piece on our man Octavis Berry.

Visitation: Thursday, October 20, 2011 @ 6-8PM @ Cook-Walden/Capitol Parks Funeral Home 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660

Celebration of Life: Friday, October 21, 2011 10AM @ David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 2211 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Austin, TX 78702

Gathering of friends: 3 to 6 p.m. at the Victory Grill, 1104 East Eleventh Street, Austin TX 78702. Donations will be collected for a fund for Berry’s children.

Crew54 A3C Day 2 Wrap Up VideoWith strong footage of Esbe, RIP

2011-10-17T13:28:00.003-05:00

Watching this has me freaking out, I can't even lie. I was there, dude. Last week, in Atlanta. Watching the League of Extraordinary G'z straight wrecking. Young Esbe up there just destroying the stage. And here we go, one week later and our man has passed. Thank God we have this footage and all the music he left us...

Tragedy: Rest in Peace My BrotherOctavis Berry aka Esbe Da 6th St. BullyDred SkottLeague of Extraordinary G'z

2011-10-15T18:16:00.002-05:00

It's with great regret and a heart full of sorrow that I have to report the passing of Octavis Berry aka SB da 6th Street Bully of the League of Extraordinary G'z.

I don't know all the details and don't want to pass on any misleading information. But will post info as it comes in. Sunday's AustinSurreal Show will be all for Esbe. One of the artists in my life that really became a friend of mine. All of the League of Extraordinary G'z. I'm sorry my brothers. I really don't know what to say right now.

Just saw him last week in Atlanta at the A3C Festival. An incredible time for the LOEGz and it was really a moment. I really never thought I'd be making a post like this. Esbe is a one of a kind dude. I'll post info soon, but man, prayers and condolences out to his family and everyone affected by this.

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
It's a huge loss personally, but this is also a huge loss for Austin and for hip-hop in general.

Make Sure You Have The Dred Skott Mixtape.

Download B L A C K I E - True Spirit And Not Giving A Fuck The new EP for FREE NOW!

2011-10-04T11:13:00.003-05:00

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifTRUE SPIRT AND NOT GIVING A FUCK.

Realest album you will hear all year. Hear what people are talking about all over Canada, and also Texas.

B L A C K I E + Fat Tony + Aspiring ADD = Black Amerikkka Tour 2011

2011-10-02T22:41:00.002-05:00

Tonight's the last night of the Black Amerikkka Tour. B L A C K I E holding it down on his own on the solo tip. Here's some footage of the road and such as it stood. Can't wait for Part 2. Hope they got some footage at Canadian Customs.

Fat Tony - Live at Strange Matter - Sept. 15, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

B L A C K I E - Live at Strange Matter - Sept. 15, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

Houston: Win Tickets for the Tontons In Store at Cactus Records This Weekend!

2011-09-29T09:05:00.005-05:00

The Tontons "Golden" EP Release and In Store Performance

Cactus Music
2110 Portsmouth
Saturday, October 1st, 5pm

To celebrate the release of The Tontons "Golden" EP, Cactus Music is hosting a private full length performance which will include music from the new release as well as tracks from previous releases.

Admission is free with the purchase of the "Golden" EP ($5). The album will be available exclusively at Cactus Music beginning Monday, September 26th at 10am. Due to limited space, this event will be capacity restricted, so go early to secure a wristband for the show.

Complimentary beverages provided by Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

www.thetontons.com

"It's funny. They are one of the few bands in town who don't have a readily available mainstream band to make an off-the-cuff comparison. The Tontons sound like the motherf**king Tontons. " - Craig Hlavaty, Houston Press

"Houston foursome the Tontons sound like they're set for bigger (if not necessarily better) things...the Tontons could fit well on a Rolling Stone "next" list." - Bryan C. Reed, Indy Weekly

The Ton Tons "Golden" EP release at Cactus Music from Ella Egg Films on Vimeo.

First two people to email me on austinsurreal@gmail.com will win a pair of tickets to get in to this exclusive in store appearance. And get your hands on the Golden EP! Its really a whole nother level of jammin out that H-Town.

Pop Montreal 2011 - or - Yeah, B L A C K I E, Fat Tony, Bubba and ADD made it to Canada

2011-09-28T20:25:00.004-05:00

Which is fairly unbelievable but o.k. yes they did. The times, they must be a changin'....

Anyway this was my 6th Pop Montreal IN A ROW and I have to say that every year it just gets better and every year when I arrive in Montreal I feel like I never left. Family style friends and that city, its just really welcoming...

Thanks to the King Bee of the whole thang, and poutine connoussieur (<-- the French spelling)once again...

Dan Seligmayne (<-- not the French spelling). This picture was taken one late night when I was rolling with the man hisself, and we decided to get some poutine and eat it backstage on a stack of beer, backstage of a venue in the basement of a church. Yeah, like I said, it really went down.

Pop's Princess turned 2 years old on Day 1!

And had an excellent DJ spinning actual vinyl at her party!

OMG Two of my realest people in the whole north, Melanie and Hil in the hizzy. Where's Patirica tho?

Maybe she was in here, I dunno.

Anyhoo, the Seligmayne's are a beautiful family.

As evidenced by these photos, and their daughter was born two years ago just days before Pop Montreal 2009. And Dan didn't have a coronary, which makes him a super kingpin of the festival lifestyle ad nauseum, no one can deny.

The kid had to leave early though to go catch a pre-season Habs game, which had me trippin' cuz I would have totally gone to that but whatever, it was time to rock and roll.

With my family. One of my oldest friends (both literally and figuratively) Bubba Hightower and one of the greatest musical entities of all time and the man who embodies everything that I find good in music hands down, B L A C K I E.

And of course my new friend and way up there on the list favorite rapper Lezbianic Blunt Fang and my brother and teetering right there on the edge of the top rapper status, and definitely most entertaining after a few drinks with two mics rapper, Fat Tony.

These spiders were all over the windows on St. Laurent, a main street in Pop Montreal ville, but no one in Montreal could explain them to us. They didn't seem worried, we Texans, were a bit nervous. Spiders that look like this in Texas will kill the fuck out of you.

Anyway these dudes were on the street trying to get the free public wifi, cuz Blunt Fang had his music in his email, and well if he could just download it from the email, and transfer it to Tony's phone everything would be all good.

I just kinda SMH'd but um, it all worked out, and...

The Lezbianic Blunt done wrecked the stage.

Headed over to Club Hohn where I think I saw Recife jammin.

This being Recife I am pretty sure. Whatever it was they were jammin', in surround sound.

The next day, Blunt Fang, Fat Tony and B L A C K I E all had sets outside in the afternoon at the Notman House. So of course we had to get our nourishment.

B L A C K I E seen here with said nourishment (poutine of champions)

Dude not only got into Canada, but he got into Canada WITH ALL THIS SHIT. Crazy. I once tried to drive into Canada with my sister and they tore my car up and sent me home. I was real happy B L A C K I E and them didn't get the same curmudgeons that I did.

Blunt Fang was shinin' like Diddy out that ho.

And made new fans.

And he and Tony did their hit "Lezbianic Blunt" together.

Fat Tony done wrecked like hell. I love how he rocks two mics and is his own hype man. Shit is insane.

In the best way.

Fat Tony and DJ Ipod Ammo

Then B L A C K I E cranked his wall of speakers up and pretty much freaked out a 20 block radius around the Notman House.

But I mean those who really saw it, dug it.

Word is the cops came during the next bands set and were really mad.

I dunno, what're you gonna do.

Bring the noise is what B L A C K I E's gonna do.

And bring the noise he did.

See B L A C K I E live in Austin this Saturday Night October 1st at the White Swan!

A message from our sponsors.

I hate to say it but rolling with 6 dudes or whatever, I have to say that I mostly took pictures of them. I wish I would have done a better job documenting all the bands I saw, but I have gotten lazy with the camera, I admit that.

So here's more of B L A C K I E tearing it up that night at Club Lambi.

Right before Death Grips!

Things ran a lil late, so we missed Fat Tony's set at the other spot in the church basement, but word has it he killed it of course. We did however get to see Sarah Linhares behind the bar though! Her new album Messages From The Future is out NOW and she is down with the brother o mine DJ JESTER. SO yeah, that's fam.

Sarah Linhares

Vockah Redu is always a site to behold

And a wonderful show.

I love New Orleans.

The craft fair Puces Pop, was poppin' once again. I love that place. The record fair was as well but I couldn't spend too much time there, I really haven't got that vinyl money anymore!

Saw this kitchen knife set in a window somewhere on Mount Royal. Someone get this for me please. I didn't think I could take it on the plane, soooo... yeah.

Went back and hung at the Notman House again for a bit on Saturday where Tanika Charles and the Wonderfuls were straigth killing it!

Sweet soul sounds outside in Montreal.

(And no cops)

Hi Donna! See you in Austin soon!

These boys plottin'.

The crew, Fat Tony, Bubba Hightower, Blunt Fang, B L A C K I E...

This is Tony asleep in my hotel room after watching too many Iggy Pop youtubes.

B L A C K I E and Bubba out on the terrace. You can't tell here but Bubba was suffering from vertigo at this very moment.

But I mean the view was gorgeous. I am telling you, the Trylon Apartments/Hotel in Montreal is hands down my favorite place to stay in the world. An excellent spot to really chill. It really is like my home away from home.

I hope my neighbors enjoyed the smell of hash and chicken pot pies cuz that was what was really goin' down up in there.

And here's an actual video of said view:

Saturday afternoon/evening we hit up a super cool backyard BBQ and saw the whole crews new favorite group, Institutional Prostitution.

Pretty much the kind of group I like to see.

Just jammin'. In fact a car alarm went off during (for most of) their set and they didn't bat an eye, they just went with it.

In fact YOU CAN HEAR SAID SET HERE. THANKS TO BUBBA AND HIS LIL RECORDING THING. Dude looked like Rerun when he went to see the Doobie Brothers on What's Happening, but nobody sweated him for bootlegging this particular EVENT.

Here's a clip from the show of them doing their song "06 FUEGO FUEGO PARA UN AMANTE DEL FRIO (JULIE'S EULOGY)"

And here's a little bit about themselves from their webiste:
"Ip is a band who would love to be either Jacques Rivette or Mis krazie.
Ip is really into contemporary dance, reggeaton and community center shows with teenagers.
Ip is violons and fluoranscent lights.
Ip steals from your Grocery Stores and organizes funeral for your car."

Get with it. It's a movement.

If you couldn't tell by just the photos alone. Viva Canada.

Then this band played and I wrote down who they were and I can't fucking find any of my notes from any of this.

So yeah this post is a total freestyle.

B L A C K I E and Blunt Fang opting for pizza over poutine.

Things were winding down around this point.

Also I was there in Montreal on the first day of fall. #Beautifool

Montreal is gorgeous.

One of my favorite cities in the world.

This is pretty much what my walk back to the hotel looked like every night of Pop Montreal. Yes, it really went down. Good Night Canada.

This is the type of rap music that I like

2011-09-28T15:24:00.000-05:00

Black and white together, we shall overcome.

Houston's Uzoy on the Come Up!

2011-09-28T09:33:00.001-05:00

Shout out to SF2 FO LIFE! Finna get it tatted on my eyelidz.

Austin loves Orgone

2011-09-27T09:39:00.002-05:00

And YOU will love Fanny Franklin. Check it out.

You've seen her fronting the band Orgone on their solo shows, and backing rappers like Bun B and waaaaay more back when Scion was doing those super dope tours pairing rappers with bands like Orgone, etc... She's working on her solo disc and is looking for some assistance. This how you do thangs in the 2011 and such.

Check out her Kickstarter page and help her out. Don't let 'em steal the soul.

NickNack - Nobody Else

2011-09-27T08:45:00.001-05:00

The King of the chops and the cuts. Austin's own NickNack...

Doomtree Fam at Beauty Bar This Thursday!

2011-09-26T20:49:00.001-05:00

Sims + Lazerbeak + Cecil Otter = MAAAAAN! It's really goin' down. Gonna have to go see these dudes after BLONDIE at ACL LIVE.

Come out for this! Always a great show!

Free Mixtape! DJ Hella Yella - All Freestyles

2011-09-26T20:45:00.003-05:00

GET THOWED TO THIS! Austin's DJ Hella Yella comes really real on this one. And it's a free download!

DJ Hella Yella Says - "I wanted to kind of bring it back to the days of all freestyle tapes."

Download Here:

Chalie Boy - I'm on one freestyle
Dorrough Music - I'm a boss freestylehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Killa Kyleon - My People freestyle
Bone - Take it off freestyle
Marcus Manchild - Set it off freestyle
Yung Nation & Ace Boogie B - Hammer freestyle
Doughbeezy - Pass the swisher freestyle
Lil Tony - Gone freestyle
Kylee Lee - I get money freestyle
Dee-1 - Jump freestyle
Fonzworth Bentley - Black Ice freestyle
Trai'D - Creep freestyle
BeatKing - Otis freestyle
Big Sid - Tonight's the night freestyle
Fat Pimp - Lapdance freestyle
2 Chainz - Tupac back freestyle
Louisiana Ca$h - I don't play freestyle
Da New Kid - Four freestyle
Tum Tum & Lil Rony - Ballin freestyle
Meek Mill - Niggas in Paris freestyle
Marcus Manchild, H Kane, Propain & Kirko Bangs - June 27th freestyle
Question - MMG freestyle

Yeah I'm out here at Pop Montreal

2011-09-23T16:47:00.006-05:00

Full report on Monday or Tuesday but maaaaaan Fat Tony and B L A C K I E out here straight wreckin'!

And I'm out here singing Warchild in my head...

Godess & She celebrate the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell

2011-09-20T16:33:00.001-05:00

Keep it real y'all, this is dope. And word to change.

D-Sisive - GG Allin

2011-09-20T12:48:00.003-05:00

I like this video for more reasons than just the fact that D-Sisive looks like a deformed, deranged Bubbles. I like that he's taking GG Allins mission statement and making a pretty dope rap with it.

You probably don't know this, but I used to talk to GG Allin a lot. He'd write me from prison and I'd help him send some of his "messages" out. We met a few times. Cool guy, till show time. But anyway that's another blog. Rest in Something, GG Allin. I know for sure he ain't resting in peace....

Looking forward to finally seeing D-Sisive live in Montreal this week.

New Video! Austin's Phranchyze - "Beaches"

2011-09-19T21:52:00.003-05:00

Repping the part of Austin I like the best!

The only song I truly love right now

2011-09-19T13:32:00.002-05:00

David Banner - "Swag"

The brother breaks it down exponentially.

Houston Press Best Fest!Get your discount tickets HERE!

2011-09-15T13:01:00.004-05:00

IT's really real over here in AustinSurrealville, in fact, it's "SoReal" once again as we return to Houston for BEST FEST! (Real heads know the deal)

See Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Cake, Deer Tick, The Toadies, The Tontons and way more!

Tickets - General Admission Weekend Pass - $40. BUT WAIT Ah heh naw! Use Promo Code SOREAL for $30 General Admission Weekend Passes.

MUSIC, FOOD & ARTS FESTIVAL. The first annual Houston Press Best of Houston® BestFest comes to Midtown on September 24th and September 25th. Celebrate the best music, food and art in Houston during this 2 day outdoor festival.

Musical performances by CAKE, Toadies, Deer Tick, Chamillionaire, Against Me!, Bun B, Hayes Carll, Slim Thug, Carolyn Wonderland, Buxton, The Tontons, Little Joe Washington, Wild Moccasins, Honky Tonk Blood Brothers, Hell City Kings, Los Skarnales, thelastplaceyoulook, Nick Gaitan & The Umbrella Man, Ryan Scroggins & The Trechtown Texans, Althea Rene, and Texas Bass Band.

Restaurants such as Best of Houston Winners Beaver's Houston, Last Concert Cafe, Russo's New York Pizzeria, Rudyard's British Pub, Kahn's Deli along with Freebirds World Burrito, El Xuco Xicana (El XX) and Sushi King will all be on hand to showcase the best food in Houston.

All ages welcome.

Tickets - General Admission Weekend Pass - $40. BUT WAIT Ah heh naw! Use Promo Code SOREAL for $30 General Admission Weekend Passes.

Mercedes Benz VIP Weekend Pass - $150 (Can't help you with that one...)

www.HoustonBestFest.com

Stay with our official hotel sponsor Hyatt Regency and receive special discount rates of $99 per night! The downtown Hyatt is a 5-10 minute walk to the festival. Click here to book your stay https://resweb.passkey.com/go/HoustonPress

Come one come all it's really goin' down! Don't forget to use the code "SoReal" for $30 tickets, as opposed to $40.

ACL After Parties This Weekend

2011-09-15T12:55:00.003-05:00

Its goin' down pretty heavily this weekend in the city of Austin. Big ups to the ACL folks for including so much dope hip-hop and soul music on the line up this weekend. Its gonna be so dope. And here's two after parties Friday night that will also be quite great!

You will more than likely see me here... BIG BOI AT THE MOHAWK! With some very special guests including my lil sis Perseph1!

And I don't know where or what Haven is, but shit a reggae party sounds right on time as well. You know this is gonna be dope. I heard Nas is at the Music Hall tonight as well.

YOU MUST RSVP HERE FOR THE NAS & DAMIEN MARLEY PARTY! DISCOUNT TICKETS!

Quite a year for hip-hop at ACL this is for sure. And the rest of the line up is looking real cool as well. Where will Kanye show up after his ACL slot tomorrow night???

South Africa Side The RealestMy trip to the Moshito Music Conference!

2011-09-13T12:46:00.006-05:00

Again apologies for the late postings. I know that blogging is supposed to be on the spot, up to the minute as they say. But as they also say, I am on Africa time, still, and I may just remain on Africa time, for Africa is where it all started, and Africa is where it remains.

Don't get me wrong, I honestly haven't seen much of Africa yet. I have set foot on the continent twice, and both times I stepped, I landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, so I'm no expert. BUT both times I went, I got to attend the Moshito Music Conference, where I met incredible music-centric people from all across the continent and honestly both trips had great effect on my life. You see, the best music in the world comes from Africa (you can't debate this) and all music is rooted in some way, in Africa, and whatever, I'm not here to philosophize, just suffice it to say... IT WENT DOWN!

I got in a couple of days early this time and got to hang with some friends. My hosts Tholsi Pillay and Wouter Kellerman treated me like a star, and my good friends Angel and Fresh took me for a day trip to Soweto, which was just incredible.

Seeing the pic above you might think that it was taken in Texas, no that's Soweto, different droughts I guess.

Angel and Fresh in them Soweto Streets!

We started the day off at the Hector Pieterson Museum for a little lesson on the ills of Apartheid. Not to take anything away from anyone, but the museum reminded me a lot of civil rights era America, and made me think really hard about how many peoples the world over have had to stand strong and risk their lives against the Devil to obtain some sort of semblence of freedom.

It's a really touching experience actually.

Hector was a young boy killed by police during an uprising in Soweto in 1976. Click the link above for more in depth info.

We mostly just walked the Soweto streets for a couple of hours.

Which are alive and full of great energies. I wish my cable network carried Soweto TV.

But alas it doesn't.

We didn't actually go to a Shabeen (sp?) but we did happen to go to this sandwich shop called "Dagwoods."

Yes it's called Dagwood's for obvious reasons...

The shop is actually a makeshift kitchen in a big metal container in a guys drive way in Soweto. Probably 15 people came up and ordered sandwiches while we stood there waiting for ours. Yet another incredible experience.

And then on the way back from Soweto I took some video from the car.

Peep my Dogma65 Style, and such.

See Soccer City, and right next to that, a squatters camp, and right across the road, a farm. #Diversity

Anyway, my first couple days were real cool, but then it was off to Moshito, which was also really cool.

The drive into downtown Johannesburg was a little slow as this was the day when there were huge protests in the street, just 3 blocks from my hotel.

The folks you see here in this photo are actually from another protest, of workers, not the YANC demonstration that made all the international news channels. Anyway I was like 9 blocks from my hotel and decided to get out of the car and walk the rest of the way, with my bags, on the perimeter of all the demonstartions. No worries mate, I got there fine and loved the adventure. (Oh yeah right before that I bought some Zol from a rasta sitting beneath a tree). #Joburg

The people most certainly were NOT protesting the World of Beer, no, they were not.

Ratz is a bar in Melville, a cool spot in Johannesburg where people actually go out at night. Bars, restaurants, etc. Nice area.

Met up with Andre LeRoux, the director of Moshito and some other good friends for some beers before the event kicked off the next morning.

Also saw this bird at a shopping center.

Anyway Moshito kicked off lovely! Not as much dancing as last years opening ceremony, but Andre did play Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" during his speech. The event was held at the Sci-Bono building, a really cool science center that made me wish even more that I could have brought my family. Oh well, maybe next year.

Directly after the opening address, I moderated a panel on entrepreneurship in the music business. Danny K, Wouter Kellerman and Concord Nkabinde, all South African musical legends.

It was a great way to kick off Moshito for me. I was on four panels there and all were dope but this one was real special. Cuz I got to moderate.

Conrad, Wouter and Danny K

Wouter Kellerman, Diane Coetzer and Tholsi Pillay

Ladies were in the house of course.

Taking pitchaz

This panel was about setting yourself apart from the pack and getting noticed by festival bookers.

This is LIRA, big star in South Africa right now (on right) seen here with a friend.

First band I got to see was Skipper Shaballa! AMAZING!

Pretty much exactly what I wanted to see.

Luis Giménez from Spain opened the opening night show at the Bassline. So nice to be back at the Bassline. Drinking Castle's and Hansa's and such.

Toguna was up next. They come from Reunion Island and played an all acoustic set that really jammed.

No joke, just some beautiful island sounds.

This girl blew me away. Nomsa Mazwai! Aka Nomisupasta she is amazing.

Soulful, alt rock leaning, soul, electro, organic, drum n bass, with more soul, sounding jams. Just perfect.

I'll be playing her music weekly on the AustinSurreal show for a while, you can bet on that.

Colombia's Sidestepper closed out the night with a serious dance party in full effect.

Spaced out Afro-Caribbean rhythms from cloud 9. Just wonderful.

Blew me away.

The second night they had shows all over Newtown, a section of Johannesburg with some cool clubs. This guy here...

Mbuso Khoza was pretty much my favorite of the night.

Ethereal vocal jazz, I don't know what else to call it. Was very nice.

Got to hang with Fresh again too.

And OMG one of my best friends from Amsterdam, Arend Feenstra was in the place. We kicked it hard in Joburg, what an amazing surprise. Though I cannot keep up with a playa like Arend, aka Icepik the 2 Timer.

Where's his badge anyway?

Other bands I saw that night:

The Soul Servers served up a mix of classic soul and pop of sorts. Nice stuff.

The Fridge was real unique and jammin and had a lot of soul/heart and I want to hear more. Hope to make that connection soon!

And the Federation came with some seriously classic hip-hop. Sounded kinda mid-90's ish, which is not bad in my book.

Nice jams.

Outside the Sci-Bono Center

And here's some views of Joburg from where I done stood. And rode, and such.

Gorgeous city eh?

Got to sit and chat with the folks from Sidestepper multiple times. BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! I need to get to Colombia soon, and well, I think we may just see Sidestepper at SXSW 2012 if the stars align properly, and they should, I tell you what. WHAT A SHOW!

Hannalie coordinated the uncoordinated like myself. Thanks for that!

Finally met Tumi of Tumi and the Volume. A SOUTH AFRICAN HIP HOP LEGEND FOR SURE! And an incredible MC no matter where he is from.

Mannn, his song "Eyes Wide Shut" is one of my favorite songs of all time, OF ALL TIME.

My cousin in South Africa and his business.

The next night, I met up with my man Molefe from Blk Jks and we took a lil walk through the city in search of an art show that may or may not have happened (#Africatime)

No worries we still found some great things to look at.

Not sure why one cig machine says 16 and one says 18, but I am glad there are options.

Anyway yeah, it went down.

We walked some more and I shot more pics.

With my dudes. In the streets.

Quite a nice graf scene in Joburg. Wish I would have shot more of it. Not always an easy feat.

This girl said to me, as I was taking pictures, "Are you taking pictures?" I said "Yes," and she jumped in this one, then took off like a light.

Gorgeous eh? Miriam, oh Miriam.

So glad to see my man Marcus Gora from Zimbabwe again! He manages a group called MOKOOBA who I can't even describe. So dope. I played them on the radio show this week and will continue to do so.

Molefe, in the night.

At the Bassline on this particular night, the Africa Unites show was really goin' down. The Africa Unites show from 2010 was my Show of the Year last year hands down, and this year, its show of the year once again. OH WHAT A FEELING!

Eric Wainaina killed it!

Got a beer during Eric Wainaina's set and met this dude who used to live in Houston!

So good.

As did my man Arend. Aka Ice Pik the 2 Timer.

Nkulee Dube did as well. She is the daughter of Lucky Dude and she totally channeled her fathers spirit on this show.

Just straight up magical. I am a big fan of her late father (RIP LUCKY DUBE) and man, she did some of his songs and many of her own, and I tell you what, she put on the best reggae set I have seen in years.

Was touching and blew me away.

Headliner for the night ASA came from Nigeria and well, had the crowd rapt with emotion.

For lack of a better term, she's a soulful pop star from Nigeria and does not sound like anything you would expect from Nigeria.

GET FAMILIAR WITH HER FOR REAL!

Her album is hands down my favorite album of the moment, HANDS DOWN.

After the huge Bassline Africa Unites concert, we went next door to Shikisha for the AFTER PARTY! Where Sidestepper was playing once again.

Man oh man, they blew out the power, so Molefe got up on the drums with them, they broke out whistles, they just kept it moving.

In fact, it was so jammin' that I didn't even realize that they were doing all this because the sound blew, I thought they were just caught in the moment. And what a moment it was.

I will never miss a Moshito Conference if I can help it. In fact, I think I am now the US rep and then some for Moshito, so yeah, I'ma probably drag a bunch of you along with me to Joburg next year. And you won't regret it. I am already counting the daze....

Red Bull Emsee Battle - Sept. 8th 2011 - HOUSTON, TX

2011-09-11T21:32:00.004-05:00

OMG OMG OMG OMG IT SO WENT DOWN IN THAT H-TOWN! Not tripping at all, this was the best battle I have attended in a long time. All freestyles and all young Texas heaters on the stage warming it up to a bit of a rolling boil and such.

READ A REAL REVIEW OF IT HERE FROM SHEA SERRANO. He hits you with the play by play. While I hit you with the blurry ass pictures, signifying motion, and such.

Also because I went through and helped select the contestants from a pool across Texas and well, I don't wanna be all talking out of line. Just suffice it to say it went down.

Bun B is hosting all of the Red Bull Emsee competitions across the country. Though not generally in socks and sandals.

Above photo taken by @RiceOwlett THANKS!

The Texas edition had 8 MCs - MC Kane (Houston), G$Baby (Austin), Playdough (Dallas), Mad One (San Antonio), Go Hard Jetson (Columbus), Hoodstar Chantz (Houston), O.N.E. (Houston) and reigning Texas champion Phranchyze (Austin) all going head to head in a 3 round battle where they were actually forced to freestyle.

Trae tha Truth, ESG and Alchmeist were the judges. And all performed. What a line up. Trae, seen above in his car with ace videographer EZAccess.

ESG and Bun B...

Pregaming.

The entire Red Bull Emsee thing will be broadcast on a cable channel to be announced soon in first quarter 2012, so they got interviews and freestyles from everyone involved.

And my folks from YUMS came down from Dallas!

Go Hard Jetson and G$Baby on the streets of H-Town.

Alchemist chats with my man @ThePartyKing

ESG

Oh yeah they are building a new stadium for the Houston Dynamo right behind Warehouse Live. Tip for the builders, DON'T USE METAL SEATS! Those summer games and such.

It's really goin' down.

Go Hard Jetson and O.N.E. in the bullpen.

It was hopping with excitement.

And anticipation.

Not sure why Hoodstar Chantz wore his ear guards from the firing range to this but...

Playdough

Its crazy, all the MC's in the first round were shown 5 images and were supposed to incorporate them into their rhymes.

Some did, some didn't I guess. I think everyone gave each round a good shot though.

Playdough vs. Hoodstar Chantz.

After the first round ESG came out on stage and blew through some hits right quick.

Of which he has a lot.

And he really had the crowd rocking. Good first set.

Phranchyze and Mad One in round 2.

AFter ROund 2, in which Phranchyze and Hoodstar Chantz won, respectively, well TRAE THA TRUTH hit the stage.

And of course straight wrecked.

Pyrexx joined him for "Strapped Up"

Perseph1 was in the house, fresh back fromher first international tour of France and Spain. CONGRATS!

Joined by Jakki of course.

Fat Tony is about to set off on an east coast tour that will take him to Pop Montreal! All this will be alongside B L A C K I E. Go and seemy broz if you are out there and see they are coming to your town. #BlackAmerikkkaTour

Bijan Kazemi, Cold Cris, Me - No three men should have so much powa. These are my old school brothers for real.

As is Mike Mack.

Keeping it Trill up in the Warehouse as always. Always great to catch up with Mike Mack, especially after some drinks. #TheMan

Oh wait and earlier in the day. We got to catch up with Killa Kyleon.

And Also Bun B. Not sure what happened to my pics of K-Rino but he was there too.

Anyway, Phranchyze won once again, and will head to Atlanta for the finals. He said it was one of the toughest battles he's been in in a while. Everyone went hard. And the young firestarter who is currently most likely next to blow out of Houston, Hoodstar Chantz took second place. Not bad for his first official battle.

And this event gave me an idea. Some might think that Houston is not a battle city, but we have some legendary battle MCs scattered across the city, and well, I may have to call in the old guard. I'll let you know soon...ish.

Bavu Blakes SANCT Listening PartyTrae tha Truth + XV Live in Austin

2011-09-11T16:32:00.004-05:00

MAYNE HOLD UP! I done told you already that I've had server problems, and this is why all these posts are so late and being hastily thrown up on a Sunday but hey, they are important none the less and got to reach the people and such and so it shall be and here we go again.

This whole day, REALLY WENT DOWN!

From Trae's in store at Nice Kicks, to Bavu's listening session just down the street at Complete Clothing, to the concert that night at Red 7, suffice it to say, IT WENT DOWN. As evidenced by these photos.

A veritable who's who of the Austin rap illuminati came out to all these place to rep for two of the best our state hath ever produced unto the rap game. Bavu and Trae.

Like me and Sascha, we came out for all that shit.

Crew 54 was in the house getting the story on the new forthcoming SANCT EP. Bavu Blakes, with all the production handled by Reggie Coby. I've been jammin' the hell out of it for a few weeks now. Wait for it. Here it comes.

Trae, Pyrexx, Rod C, Yung Quis, EZ, Show, Clip and more came out to check Bavu en route to their show that night. Down there by the campus. Seen here with JBro of Riders Against The Storm!

My homeys behind AustinKnightVintage.com - Alie and Stephanie, seen here with my boy JohnnyBlaze and #1 Austin songstress Yadira Brown.

Me and Amad go waaaaaay back! Word to The Warriors.

Trae found it real funny that Pyrexx and Lowkey look a little bit alike. . I can't front they sort of do. Collabo, lez go. Both of them can genuinely rap.

Samaan catches up with Reggie Coby and Bavu Blakes

The man EZAccess seen here with Pyrexx and Trae

DJ Kurupt and Brotha K! LEGENDS

Tuk da Gat

Phranchyze

League of Extraordinary G'z in the house even before they hit the road with Dead Prez and done showed a nation

Lil J

Kid Slice and Traci Miller

Black Prophet and Friend

Running that Complete Clothing. HAT BATTLE

De ladies Christie and Traci!

Avi in the place

Blaxsmith in the place

Anyhow it really went down over there. It was about 100 degrees on the street and 120 in the store and we drank Lone Star beers both inside and outside the store. I assume its not legal to pound Lone Stars out there on Guadalupe. I mean, I assume way after the fact,but I assume.

Red 7 was crunk as hell on this particular night.

RIP DJ SCREW

Kansas City's own XV opened the show. Making him one of three Kansas City rappers/rap groups currently on the blog right now (Ces Cru, Mac Lethal)

I always loved Kansas City. And I love that XV really does his own thing.

Word to Rich the Factor

Speaking of a street king, H-Town's Street King Trae tha Truth went the fuck off on this particular night.

Crazy enough he gave a similar show to what he did in Houston only weeks before. Only in Houston he had a full band, guests like Lupe Fiasco and Waka Flocka (and way more) and his whole hometown on his back. In Austin he had a rockin' Red 7 and that was about it. Still and all, he did a genuinely real show.

Which is all I ask for.

Jayton came out and wrecked of course, with Rod C.

Rapid Ric worked the turntables.

Pyrexx came out and wrecked that "Strapped Up"

And Trae just really held it down.

And called the whole crowd up on stage.

And it got crazy.

Trae even stayed way past 2am, signing everyones posters and CDs and man I can't tell you how dope it was to see Trae rock Red 7 on his Street King tour. Word up. Keep it coming.

Mac Lethal + Ces Cru Live in Austin

2011-09-11T16:15:00.002-05:00

OK This show was a couple weeks back as well. I done told you, I had server issues so it took a while. Man, I always liked Mac Lethal, he's dope and a real hustler, but tonight I was super stoked to finally see Ces Cru/ PersephOne told me about them some time ago and I been checking things here and there. Always thought they were dope. Tonight I got to finally see them. Bonus. Mac Lethal and Ces Cru at Antone's on a Saturday night.