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PERFECT August 30 2011
So I’m back in LA, braving the 90+ degree weather and all I can think about is how spoiled I was in the bay. It was 75 degrees with a breeze everyday I was there; perfect for walks around the city, bike rides to the Golden Gate, and outdoor seating in North Beach and Pier 23…Here’s my last photo set from the vacay.
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ROCK THE BELLS SF August 29 2011
While up here, I made my way to Mountain View to catch Rock the Bells. I couldn’t make it to the one in LA last week, so it all worked out. Christine Alane and I really just wanted to see Nas and Lauryn Hill at the festival. Mission accomplished.
Nas performed all of Illmatic in a set that lasted well over an hour.
Waiting between sets.
Finally, Lauryn Hill. I first watched Lauryn around 10 years ago, when Miseducation first came out, and one of her tour stops included what was then called the Universal Amphitheater. That album did so much for me as a teenager, and now as a woman. When I heard that she’d be headlining and performing all of Miseducation, I knew I had to see her again. In between then and now, there’s been some controversy surrounding her - how she went crazy, her unplugged album that could not match her freshman release, how she was super diva at every performance, etc, etc. But I chose not to listen; I chose to keep her on that pedestal. And after seeing her last Saturday, I’m doing the same thing. I don’t care what anyone has to say about her. She still got me.
When she came back for her encore, she performed “Fu-gee-la” and “Ready or Not” from The Fugees’ The Score. Everyone got so hyphy (to use proper bay area terms). Then, she brought out Nas to do “If I Ruled the World”. Nuts.
It was a great day.
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GARFIELD ADAMS August 25 2011
A couple of us were at Garfield Adams’ studio last night to have an advanced listen of his upcoming LP 1st Things First (dropping 11/11/11). Although I see him around the way every now and then, this was my first time actually sitting down and having dialogue with the producer. A genuine lover of music, he made the last minute decision to release something on his own and it’s good. It’s really good. It’s a mostly instrumental record that you cool out to, and at first sound, you get into this vibe that Adams wants the listener to be in. I don’t have any leaks for you, but at least you won’t have to wait until November. His first single “For My City” drops on Saturday, September 10. Stay tuned for that.
Get hip to his work via Twitter / Tumblr / Facebook / Bandcamp / MySpace
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BIG UP August 24 2011
Yesterday was Glen’s (Rhythm Natives, Rick & Ray) birthday. When we gave him a shout out on our Facebook and Twitter, we also gave a fun fact about him. Glen was actually responsible for bringing Rhythm Natives and CA together with a MySpace message appropriately titled “Suka and bawang” - which translates to vinegar and garlic, the best dipping sauce for chicharon. We all know what has happened since. CA endorsed RN, we released a collab t-shirt, I became the band’s PR turned manager, which later became the basis of my latest endeavor. Needless to say, I owe this guy a lot!
Last night we celebrated at what seems to be the squad’s new spot - O Dae San. Happy birthday, Glen.
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