From the Jul 24 – Jul 30, 2003 issue

Music

The Hiphop Tip

24/7

Wicked & Wild has been bringing the best of Jamaica's dancehall classics and current hits to different local settings for over five years. This is where you'll hear the greats before they get regular rotation--like the most recent Sean Paul, Buju Banton, and Wayne Wonder jams. The night has called a couple different locations home over the years, originally setting up at the Art Bar, and later moving to I-Spy/Nation and Noc Noc. Once again, Wicked & Wild is announcing a relocation, and from now on, DVS Crew's Soul One will be stationed at the Baltic Room on Thursdays, where you can expect a lively vibe and cool setting.

If you haven't quite embraced dancehall and are still looking for that Thursday-night spot to hear good music, definitely check out DJ Scene and Bronze FM's weekly at the Watertown on First Avenue and Denny Way. The promoters at Stuck Under the Needle are hoping this event, called Ghetto Blaster, will create the same vibe that Yo, Son! had before it became Large Marge. Speaking of Bronze FM, the Philadelphia group that he DJs for, Schoolz of Thought (consisting of emcees Intense, Syntax, and Speaque-Ezie as well as Scratch, of Roots fame) are dropping a new album this week called From Thought to Finish that features production from the crew as well as ?uestlove of the Roots, 88 Keys, and D-Smooth.

With this year's Red Bull Music Academy conference hitting Cape Town, South Africa, there's no doubt you'll see a grip of artists from the Northwest applying to attend (deadline is July 25). The main purpose of the Academy has been to bring the diverse electronic musical community of DJs, producers, and others together to share ideas and experiences. For the last six years, the event has run annually, visiting different cities such as São Paulo, London, and New York. The first Academy was in Berlin in 1988 and it has progressed over the years to a worldwide audience, bringing all types of different well-known artists to share their knowledge and experience with a lucky 60 attendees from all over the world. Their website is the redbullmusicacademy.com, so if you're a DJ in town and forgot to submit your app, handle your biz so you can try to kick it in Africa.

Friday, July 25, marks the second show from the Impulse Hip Hop Collective (in a collaboration with AWOL) involving a few up-and-coming Seattle artists in a free show hosted by the winner of this year's Mayor's Award for Excellence in Hiphop, Wordsayer. Performing at this Golden Gardens function will be the duo of Gatsby & Judas--otherwise known as Cancer Rising--who have been creating a little buzz with their debut EP, Sippin' Music. Both have made their presence known in various arenas, with Judas taking on the battle circuit and Gatsby dabbling in journalism as well. (Emcee Gatsby's father also was instrumental in many Donald Byrd classics.) So don't expect to see any sample clearance issues in future projects from the South End duo. Double Helix, Greasy Earl, Dead in Seattle, and Joe Infinite will also perform at this show.

Sunday, July 27, will be a big night for shows, as the creator of Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg, will be rocking at the Paramount, while the soulful French duet Les Nubians do their thizzle at the Showbox the same night.

After his collaboration with every white boy's favorite producer, RJD2, Ohio emcee Blueprint has definitely done a good job making a name for himself. Accompanying Atmosphere on tour and holding the fort down as Slug's hypeman definitely didn't hurt the man's exposure, either. His new album, The Weight Room, was released this year and features a number of emcees from the Weightless crew, including Illogic--who has bubbled up from the underground with Got Lyrics? and Write to Death. Rounding out the tour is an artist who is definitely no stranger to Seattle, this being One Man Army's fifth time hitting the Emerald City. DJ Przm and Yo, Son! resident DV One will be the house DJs Tuesday, July 29, when this show hits the Vera Project.

I want to end it off by wishing a speedy recovery to Josh Skins of the Portland dub group Systemwide, who was struck by a delivery truck and critically injured while riding a bicycle last week. Also an R.I.P. shout to the queen of salsa, Celia Cruz, who has moved many with her incredible voice, questionable wardrobe, and immense musical flavor. SAMUEL L. CHESNEAU

hiphop@thestranger.com

REQUIRED LISTENING 1. Tela, "Tired of Ballin" (Suave House)

2. Schoolz of Thought feat. Curse, "You Need to Stop" (Full Blast)

3. The Last Emperor, "Prisoner" (Raptivism)

4. Zion I, "Speakers" (Raptivism)

5. Bravehearts feat. Nas, 50 Cent, Nature, "Projects Too Hot" (Ill Will)

6. Mr. Mike, "Where Ya Love At" (Suave House)

7. One Man Army, "Waterworld" (Subterraneous)

8. Apani B Fly Emcee, "Abracadabra" (Fat Beats)

9. C-Rayz Walz, "Balance" (White)

10. Proof, "Ja in a Bra" (White)

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