We need some real hiphop, stat! So check out the third installment of the What 'Cha Want Music Project ("a unique opportunity to view the front and back of the video and audio industry") going down at the Lo_Fi Saturday, November 20. Jace Ecaj of the Silent Lambs Project will be premiering his video for "Hustle Backwards," off of his 4BC solo debut Red Scribe Pages. I haven't heard RSP yet, but Silent Lambs' first project, Soul Liquor, was a jagged, complex affair containing the politically charged, yet deceptively stream of consciousness, flows of Jace and Silas Blak that left a lot of fools scratching and nodding their heads. The album contained starkly soulful production from the likes of Mr. Hill, Bean One, and King Otto. Brooding, heated, and not at all the easily digestible pap that is the industry standard, the brothers of Silent Lamb demand your full attention. Also performing are 206 RBG representers dRED-i. I caught a stripped-down set from dRED-i some time ago at Coolout's anniversary party; their intensity was immediate, with MC's Asiatik and Moorpheus (AKA Merciful) kicking fire and knowledge on the mic. Combining narratives from the struggle, soulful harmonies, and knocking beats (courtesy of Roc'Phella and Vitamin D amongst others), dRED-i can't help but draw comparisons to Dead Prez, for whom they've opened on numerous occasions. Having recently dropped a three-song EP called Revolutionary Crunk Muzik: The Black Panther Party Meets Soul Train, they are reportedly readying their full-length LP Guerilla Scrillah. Support that NW!
Monday, November 22, brings us the 2004 edition of that good ol' CaliComm tour--this year headlined by Ice Cube's favorite cousin, Hieroglyphics patriarch Del the Funky Homosapien. I wouldn't say I'm one of those Del devotees, but he's done a gang of stuff I love and deserves support simply for bringing the Hiero crew into the public's eye (Pep Love is the truth!). Alongside him will be one of Hiero's greatest assets, Opio from the mighty Souls of Mischief. Also performing on this bill is the sooperfresh Left Coast supergroup Haiku D'etat--comprising none other than Freestyle Fellowship alums Aceyalone and Mikah 9, and Abstract Tribe Unique's Abstract Rude. Rounding out the tour are Oaktown's proud sons Zion I (whose Deep Water Slang V2.0 from last year was a thumping, innovative work of thinking man's hiphop) and the always crowd-rocking Bukue One. See you at the Showbox.
Do you idolize Buffy from the Fat Boys (RIP), Doug E. Fresh, Rahzel, or Kenny Muhammad? Did you want to be Michael Winslow from Police Academy back in the day? (Shit, I know I did.) Well, then hear this--the good folks at SCIONtific Records(that's RA Scion's label) have opened up registration (which is free, for chrissakes) for their inaugural 5th Element Beatbox Battle--where nimble-mouthed combatants will compete for $500 and a SHURE SM58, among other prizes. Go to www.rascion.com or call 355-4002 for details.
