The Lo and The Loose, aint nothing wrong with that...right?

I walked into the Knitting Factory ready to expose the young lady Shino (all photo's courtesy of Shino Covant) to the illest band out of Ireland. However before we got to them we had to get through a few acts.
The first act we saw was Creature w/ Rebelmatic (my boy Omar was on the bass!). This band put a LOT of energy into their performance.
After that was done Jemini the Gifted One took the stage. Now I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Jemini since he made the personal classic "Brooklyn Kids".
Now Jemini is a lil older and seems like a genuine nice guy however he also seems like he hasn't done a show in years. I'll just say he never did "Brooklyn Kids" that evening and leave it at that.

Next up was The LOOSE! Republic of Loose came through (and the ladies came out for them) to crush the buildings. They went through a gang of bangers from the head nodding "Aaagh!" to the smooth crossover ready "Comeback Girl". When these guys from Ireland came on the crowd was at it's zenith in both numbers and energy. The band seemed in a zone performing their new album material (I LOVE "23 Things I don't Like"...no pun intended).

Left to close up the show to half the crowd of the previous act was Camp Lo. Now I'm a fan of The Lo. I copped their first album back in 97 as soon as it dropped and loved every bit of it (except Negro League). They started with the album opener "Krystal Karrington" and drew the crowd up from the first word. This was when the young man Just C left and I went to the front with Shino. So I'm rapping along to every lyric to all of their jams. Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede go into their first single "Cooley High" and I'm loving the transition from the sample to the song. I'm yelling for them to do the remix (my personal favorite Camp Lo record). Sonny Cheeba keeps smiling at me because he sees me getting deep into the performance...at least I think. After they go into the remix and I'm going crazy I notice that he's looking at me a lil too long. I started feeling so uncomfortable that I focused my attention on the middle of the stage. After they performed their hit Luchini and a few new records I was more than satisfied with the show. When leaving I mentioned to Shino that I felt like I had a moment with them, to which she replied "yeah I saw the way Sonny Cheeba was looking at you, I think he was into you." My answer to that lil comment...

FLASH THE MESSAGE: John's Coming Home!

Forte' and I-Truth waaaaay back

I first learned of the brother John Forte' when he produced and featured on an old Brownsville rap record that never saw release. This was the era when I was seriously pursuing a rap career as a part of Population Clique reppin Brooklyn. Forte' was also from Brownsville but unlike the rest of us he was blessed to go to a private school out of the city. When For (as I call him) returned he was all about music. My personal relationship with the boy got strong when he was already in trouble awaiting trial for his fed drug case. I mean sure, I went to his album release for Poly Sci and we have family connections (my big bro Alyasha is his mentor/brother/friend), but this was different. For was working on his second album "I, John" while crafting commercial jingles to make doe. I would go and visit him in the studio to listen to joints and just talk. The boy was very uncertain about his future. When he was found guilty and hit with 14 years we all felt it. It's hard to believe it's been almost 8 years since he went in. Fast forward to Nov. 24th 2008 and I was hit with to quote the homie Young H "The greatest headline ever" George Bush has commuted the sentence of John Forte'. It felt like F*ck wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin). I immediately got on the phone and started calling family spreading the good news. Everyone is excited and can't wait to see the young man back home. I'm sure my brother has learned some serious lessons being away from all he loves. I can't wait to talk with him about music, women, the world and just life. We've had other members of our family get sent away and some leave the planet never to be seen again. Alot can change in 8 years.

So, to the man who gave me the nick name "what a difference a Da' makes" I look forward to the day of our reunion and mutual smile. John Forte' is extended Mother Green fam, please make a note of it.

For those of you unfamiliar with my boy's work, peep game.

John Forte feat. Wyclef Jean - Ninety Nine (Flash The Message)



John Forte feat. Tricky - Trouble Again (from the I, John album)



Fugees feat. John Forte, ATCQ and Busta Rhymes - Rumble In The Jungle

BLACKOUT MUSIC

This edition of BLACKOUT MUSIC takes us across the mighty Atlantic to the green hills of Ireland. The hidden treasure here are The Republic Of Loose. Happening upon their first release "This Is The Tomb Of The Juice" in the Import section of Virgin in 2004. I have been listening to this band with complete and utter awe ever since. Their sophomore release "Aaagh" is the type of record that is so far ahead of the curve, that most people don't even know that the road exists. That is what attracts me most to these guys. They are truly on their own shit. Be that as it may, their sound is becoming more and more universal. The best example of that would have to be their super funky dopalicious banger "Comeback Girl". With it's soulful melody and lyrics that are every bit as witty as the catalog of Seifeld, this is the stuff that legends are made of. Currently in town promoting their latest and maybe greatest effort "Vol IV Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil" you can still catch them at S.O.B's, Mercury Lounge and Knitting Factory. I tell you this. Get your tickets in advance and be prepared to dance. Without further ado, LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!LOOSE!!!

For more check out Republic of Loose

G-Speak (Gesture Technology)

g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.

People this is real life right here. You can't help but think what else is possible and what else is already in the works. It was just a preview of what's to come along with man's imagination and his science. Just think how this was in developement for some time in order to bring to you the cool little nuances of the Apple IPhone and the IPod touch screen. We are truly in the 21st century and it just shows that all that we imagine can and will happen when science fiction becomes the blueprints for technology. The first video is a demo of how the technology actually works. The others are based off of the reports CNN & CBS did on this gesture technology.

Corporate Cannibal

Grace Jones releases a new album and of course her video to introduce it is amazing. I can't help but say that this woman does not care what the main stream does and seems to always try new things even if it is at times too out of the ordinary. Look at her all the roles she has played in movies but the funniest to me was her role as Strangé in movie Boomerang with Eddie Murphy. As an artist you've gotta respect what she does because it is unique to her. So peep the video below and enjoy the visuals.

We In There!

So you're in NYC on Wed. night, Nov 19th and want a piece of the action. The place to get that piece is Manhattan's premier underground concert location the Knitting Factory. On this particular night three of hip hop's under the radar bangers will be performing live. Blitz the Ambassador hailing from Ghana with his brand of head nod hip hop. My boy Che Grand reppin Brooklyn with some real sick songs. Then last but not least Amanda Diva known on TV(MTV2), radio(SIRIUS), and stage(DEF Poetry) the triple threat. This is NOT your lil cousin's rap. These artists have integrity regarding their craft, thus you see MotherGreen & H.K.M gracing the flyer. Individuals of like mind and being must support one another. Use this event as a call to all those in the Tri State Area who are about making a statement. Come out and rep with MotherGreen and Hip Hop's Killer MCs for a wild time. We are probably gonna give away some shirts to a couple of lucky cats in the audience. I'll be doing a book signing in the back of books I didn't write plus interviewing for interns (I need someone to type my blog entries). I'm gonna pre-rate this event on the Brownsville rating system and give it a two piece with a biscuit and Drank. (High Honors)

So for those of you who plan to come through shout MotherGreen at the door. You'll get a reduced lunch ticket so your entry will only be 7 bucks. Leave a comment to this entry so we can see who's coming through.

Oh what's that? You're not knowing about Che Grizzly? Peep Game



Blitz who? Ambassador of what?



Amanda (damn she fine) Diva?

Sleep on the ground to not fall off the bed.

In these tough economic times everyone is looking for a way to save a buck or two (c) 1 800 Collect. Food is going up in price. Events are getting more expensive. Unemployment hit a five year peak of 6.1% in September of this year. Plus the Wire is off the air, so you don't REALLY need HBO now do you? So I've come to talk to you about ways you can save some money and still live your life. Being that I grew up in the Projects of Brownsville I know what it's like to struggle. Both my parents worked, so I didn't have to drink sugar water or eat mayonnaise sandwiches. However that doesn't mean there wasn't Kool Aid in my house nor does it mean I didn't wear hand me down clothes from my family and neighbors. While I'm not exactly eating Govt. cheese these days I'm not raking in the doe (do the uptown bounce) either. To maintain a healthy lifestyle I live way below my means. Can't pay an overdraft fee when you don't spend much. Now onto the tips. (Please note this might not be the healthiest diet but you'll eat.) Meal Tips

1. Keep a steady supply of peanut butter and jelly in the crib. The ability to make a PB&J at the drop of a hat has saved me in many occasions. Bread is getting real expensive these days too. Keep this in mind when your shopping and think about getting that 12 grain bread. Are you really too good for Home Pride now? You don't have to go back to that 99 cent bread but save a buck yo.

2. Become a French Fry Master. When I was in college I stayed with a cheap bag of potatoes and a gang of vegetable oil. If you're really strapped keep pre-used grease in a can on the back of the stove. Keep the skin on to add some fiber in your diet. I season my fries with pepper and seasoning salt before the fry. If you got some old bay (which you should not because your trying to save) you can get those fries really popping.

3. Become a friend of water. No you don't need that Nantucket Nectar. Nah you'll be ok if you don't have your Sprite today. Water is free and plentiful. You're supposed to be drinking it anyway so act healthy while being frugal. Like the great Homer Simpson said "water water all around LET'S HAVE A DRINK!"

Now for a full explanation of all things survival lets peep the God Ghostface.

What Will You Wear On The Eve Of History

Approximately two years ago when Presidential candidate Barack Obama embarked on his path towards the white house a call to arms was issued. Senator Obama repeatedly let the general public know that the element for change in this country/world was in their hands. Change is not something that comes from the top down but from the bottom up. Change your habits and you can change your culture.

With that in mind I have been going back and forth with the support of this senator hailing from Chicago (my 2nd favorite city). Walking the streets of NYC I see people with Obama buttons, T-shirts, hats, short sets and condoms (ok not the last two but you get the point). Men, women and children, old and young all rocking the newest Obama shirt or hat. This over saturation has rubbed me the wrong way even though I recognize folks have to go hard to make sure their candidate gets elected. I honestly think it’s more fashion for fashion sake and less a reflection of ones political desires. I mean NY is a democrat state when it comes to national elections. It’s not even close here. So wearing that stuff is like preaching to the choir. It’s like wearing red in Inglewood, CA. The ultimate thing is a lot of these shirts are CORNY. People are not using much imagination to get their expression out to the world. One positive thing is Obama has already stimulated the economy, by providing a new line of income for the neighborhood hustle man.

Pushing that aside, I’m happy to see something my great grandparents never got to see and something their grandparents couldn’t imagine come to fruition (the campaign not the win). I am taking my 7 year old nephew with me to the polls Nov. 4th in Brownsville, Brooklyn so he can share a part of this history. There have been points where I got teary eyed. If Inshallah at the end of this thing there is a Black President I will be there in DC doing it way B.I.G. for the inauguration. I've had thoughts of rocking a black suit with a sharp tie into work on the 5th if Senator Obama takes the "Win the G" contest. Fashion has played an interesting role in this election, from Palin's $150,000 wardrobe to Michelle Obama's TV spot outfits. Lets dress for success on the 4th. And more importantly lets change our habits to be successful in our present and future endeavors.

Here’s a video of one Philly rapper giving his views on the election and I must say it moved me a lil bit.



The views expressed in this writing are those of Dashaun and Dashaun alone and may not reflect those of this blog or MotherGreen as a company.