What's In My Bag-'Peanut Butter Wolf'

What's In My Bag- 'Mayer Hawthorne'

Mayer Hawthorne is a singer, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Hawthorne was deeply influenced by the soul and jazz music from D...

More...

Mayer Hawthorne is a singer, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Hawthorne was deeply influenced by the soul and jazz music from Detroit. He has produced and played instruments most of his life, but isn't formally trained. Still, he performs and arranges nearly every element of his retro-soul inspired music. Hawthorne was signed to Stones Throw Records after label owner Peanut Butter Wolf heard only two songs. His debut full-length, A Strange Arrangement, was released on Stones Throw in 2009. His sophomore album, How Do You Do, was released on October 11, 2011.

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Tribe Called Quest Documentary

BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST is a documentary film directed by Michael Rapaport about one of the most influential and groundbreaking musical groups in hip-hop history. Having released five gold and platinum selling albums within eight years, "A Tribe Called Quest" has been one of the most commercially successful and artistically significant musical groups in recent history, and regarded as iconic pioneers of hip hop. The band's sudden break-up in 1998 shocked the industry and saddened the scores of fans, whose appetite for the group's innovative musical stylings never seems to diminish. A hard-core fan himself, Rapaport sets out on tour with "A Tribe Called Quest" in 2008, when they reunited to perform sold-out concerts across the country, almost ten years after the release of their last album, The Love Movement. As he travels with the band members (Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White), Rapaport captures the story of how tenuous their relationship has become; how their personal differences and unresolved conflicts continue to be a threat to their creative cohesion. When mounting tensions erupt backstage during a show in San Francisco, we get a behind-the-scenes look at their journey and contributions as a band and what currently is at stake for these long-time friends and collaborators. Check the Ryhme!

What's In Your Bag- James Blake

James Blake is an English electro-soul composer and singer-songwriter who released his self-titled debut full-length in March 2011. Blake started playing piano at six years old, playing mostly Jazz and Classical. He moved into electronic composition after hearing dubstep at a club in London at age 19. He released his first 12" in 2009, "Air & Lack Thereof," on the dubstep label Hemlock Recordings. He released several more 12"s on various dubstep labels including a cover of Feist's "Limit To Your Love." Just prior to the release of his first full-length, Blake was named second in the BBC Sound of 2011 poll.

What's In Your Bag- Prince Whipper Whip (The Fantastic Five)

Prince Whipper Whip is a pioneering Hip-Hop MC from the Bronx, New York. Born James Whipper, he began his career with Grandmaster Caz, became a member of The Mighty Gestapo in 1978, went on to form the Salt and Pepper MCs with Dot-A-Rock, was briefly a member of the Cold Crush Brothers, and then joined Grand Wizard Theodore's Fantastic Five. Grand Wizard Theodore is credited as the inventor of two DJ techniques: the scratch and the needle drop. The group (also known as the Fantastic Freaks or the Fantastic Romantic 5), released a 12", "Can I Get A Soul Clap," in 1980 and appeared in the influential Hip-Hop movie, Wild Style, in 1981. The group broke up in 1983, having never recorded an official album.

Prince Whipper Whip (a.k.a. the Bronx Puerto Rican Prince) was one of the first Latino Hip-Hop MCs and one of the first MCs from New York to travel to the West coast, where he performed with Ice-T and Afrika Islam. Prince Whipper Whip has also collaborated with Afrika Bambaataa and appeared as a guest MC on records by DJ Honda, The Beatnuts, Brother Ali, De La Soul, and DJ Z-Trip.

Swindon Diggers on their trials and tribulations

Copped this video from the good people of Ageing B-Boys Unite
a short film, YOKEL ADDICTS from Roundabout Town Productions.
It's about a group of people in Swindon who all have one thing in common - a vinyl obsession.

I'm sure it'll strike a chord with some of you out there.
And the interesting thing about it is that unlike some crate-diggers, it delivers with a rather humourous way about it, too.

YOKEL ADDICTS from Roundabout Town Productions on Vimeo.

What's In Your Bag- KRS-One

KRS-One is an MC, philosopher, activist, author, and lecturer. KRS-One spent his teen years in a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, and it was there he met a counselor named Scott Sterling (aka Scott La Rock). Together they formed Boogie Down Productions in the mid-1980s, releasing their debut album, Criminal Minded (M.I.L. Multimedia), in 1987. Sterling was killed in 1987 and shortly after KRS-One founded the Stop the Violence Movement to address violence in the Hip-Hop community. In 1983, he released his first solo album, Return of the Boom Bap (Jive). To date, KRS-One, also known as "The Teacha," has released 19 full-length albums, has given over 500 lectures, and written three books, The Gospel of Hip Hop: First Instrument (2010), Ruminations (2003), and The Science of Rap (1995). KRS-One was given the BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 for his work with the Stop The Violence Movement and his contribution to Hip-Hop.

What's In My Bag- DJ Scratch

DJ Scratch is a renowned DJ and producer who has been nominated for three Grammys and 40+ Gold and Platinum Awards. Born in New York as George Spivey, he won the New Music Seminar Battle for World Supremacy DJ Championship in 1988 and then went on tour with Run-D.M.C.. During the tour Scratch and Jam Master J became friends and it was under JMJ's mentorship that Scratch developed his style of showmanship and honed his performance skills. At JMJ's recommendation, EPMD hired Scratch when they needed a DJ with flair. By 1989, DJ Scratch was the official EPMD DJ and by 1992 he was part of the Hitsquad, a collective of Hip-Hop artists associated with EPMD, including Redman, K-Solo, Hurricane G, and Das EFX. Scratch is not only a DJ but a producer and has produced tracks for EPMD, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, and many more. He was also the resident DJ for various national TV shows including BET's "Rap City: Tha Basement," was featured in films including Spike Lee's Bamboozled, and was named a Hip-Hop Icon in 2006 by The Source Magazine.

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

Actor and director Michael Rapaport's upcoming documentary, "Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest", will be playing at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The film follows the group during a 2008 tour and showcases their current dynamic as well as examines their musical legacy in hip hop. The documentary will be interspersed with interviews from many who witnessed their development and are fans of their music. The trailer is coming soon and you can read more about the film here

What's In My Bag - Busy Bee

Busy Bee is a Hip-Hop MC originally from the Bronx, New York who has worked with many of Hip-Hop's founding fathers, including Afrika Bambaataa and Melle Mell. Busy Bee (a.k.a. Busy Bee Starsky) was in one of the first documented rap battles versus Kool Moe Dee in 1982, was featured in 1982's Wild Style, the first Hip-Hop film, joined Afrika Bambaataa's Zulu Nation, and won the 1986 New Music Seminar's MC World Supremacy Belt. He released three solo albums: 1988's Running Thangs (Strong City), 1992's Thank God for Busy Bee (Pandisc Records), and 1998's Look In da Sky Who Do Ya See (Jazz Child Records). He has also appeared on records with Funkmaster Flex, De La Soul, KRS-One, and Marley Marl.

What's In My Bag - Ledisi

 Ledisi is a soul singer-songwriter from Oakland, CA (by way of New Orleans) who has released four studio albums and earned four Grammy nominations.

Ledisi Young (whose name means "to bring forth" in Nigerian) began performing at age eight with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. She continued performing in the Bay Area, including singing, acting, playing piano, and studying opera. In the '90s she formed a group called Anibade which combined Jazz, soul, and funk. In 2000, Ledisi independently released her first solo album, Soulsinger: The Revival (LeSun Records), and followed it in 2002 with Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (LeSun Records).
After a five year haitus, Ledisi reappeared on the Verve label with 2007's Lost & Found, earning her Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best R&B album. During a case of writer's block following the success of Lost & Found, a friend recommended she listen to Buddy Miles' Them Changes, an album she says influenced her to change her vocal and musical styles. She released Turn Me Loose (Verve) in 2009, which combined rock, blues, soul, funk, and Hip-Hop and was produced by Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, among others. Turn Me Loose was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

What's In My Bag - Spinderella

Spinderella is a DJ, best known as a member of the groundbreaking Hip-Hop group, Salt-N-Pepa. The first all-female Hip-Hop group, Salt-N-Pepa broke boundaries both as women in Hip-Hop and as Hip-Hop artists crossing over into pop music.

Born Deidra Muriel Roper, Spinderella joined Salt-N-Pepa as their DJ at age 16. Salt-N-Pepa released their debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious (London), in 1986. Its single "Push It" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1989 and helped the album go platinum, a first for an all-female Hip-Hop group. Their second album, A Salt With a Deadly Pepa (London, 1988), would garner another Grammy nomination for "Shake Your Thang." On Blacks Magic (London, 1990), their third album, Spinderella took on producing and vocal parts, in addition to DJing. Blacks Magic featured "Let's Talk About Sex," which became one of their biggest pop hits and was re-recorded as "Let's Talk About AIDS" to bring attention to safe sex and AIDS.

Their fourth album, Very Necessary (London, 1993), featured a more sophisticated, mature Salt-N-Pepa. Spinderella once again produced tracks on the album and lent her vocals to the music. Very Necessary featured "Shoop," "Whatta Man" with En Vogue, and "None of Your Business," for which they became the first women in Hip-Hop to win a Grammy. The album also went multi-platinum, crossing another milestone for women in Hip-Hop. Their fifth album, Brand New (Mercury), was released in 1997 and would be their last album as a group. Salt-N-Pepa officially broke up in 2002.

Spinderella continues to DJ, as a radio host and at parites. She hosted a nationally syndicated radio program called The BackSpin and recently developed an online community also called The BackSpin.

 

What's In My Bag - Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins

Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins - G&D

Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins are Los Angeles-based musicians who have released numerous albums as solo artists and together under the name G&D.

Georg...

More...

Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins are Los Angeles-based musicians who have released numerous albums as solo artists and together under the name G&D.

Georgia Anne Muldrow came from a family of musicians with roots in the '60s and '70s progressive jazz scene. She released The Worthnothings EP (Stones Throw, 2004) and her debut full-length, Olesi: Fragments of an Earth (Stones Throw Records, 2006), which combine soul, jazz, and Hip-Hop and for which she was the singer, songwriter, and producer. Dudley Perkins, a.k.a. Declaime, began rapping in 1987 and has collaborated with tha Alkaholiks, Lootpack, and Madlib. He released A Lil’ Light (Stones Throw) in 2003. Three years later, Dudley met Muldrow while working on his follow-up album, Expressions (2012 A.U.) (Stones Throw), and they realized that they wanted to work together more. In 2007, they released The Message Uni Versa (Look Records) under the name G&D, and delivered a universal message of peace, love, rhythm, and rhyme. They have also released Presents Dudley Perkins & Georgia Anne Muldrow: Beautiful Mindz with 2Tall (Eclectic Breaks, 2008). In 2009, Perkins released Holy Smokes on SomeOthaShip, a label formed by Muldrow and Perkins, with Muldrow acting as producer.

What's In My Bag- Phonte from Foreign Exchange

Phonte is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who is half of Foreign Exchange and half of Little Brother. He has also recorded under the names Tigallo and Percy Miracles.

Born Phonte Coleman in North Carolina, Phonte began singing in his grandmother's church choir. While attending North Carolina Central University, he met the future members of Little Brother, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder. They formed Little Brother in 2001 and released their first official full-length, The Listening (ABB Records), in 2003. Their second album, The Minstrel Show, was released in 2005 on Atlantic Records. For their third album, Getback (2007), Little Brother returned to ABB as a duo with the departure of 9th Wonder. Their fourth and final Little Brother album, Leftback, was released in April 2010 on Justus Records.

Phonte met Dutch producer Nicolay online in 2002. They began creating music by sending it to each other over instant messenger, without ever having met in person. The debut Foreign Exchange album, Connected (BBE, 2004) was a mix of R&B, electronica, and Hip-Hop. Their second album, Leave It All Behind (FE Music), was released in 2008 and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Their third album, Authenticity, is to be released in October 2010.

In 2008, Phonte released an album with Detroit producer Zo! under the name of Tigallo. Their album, Zo! & Tigallo Love the 80’s (Hall of Justus), was a collection of covers of '80s classics like A-Ha's "Take On Me" and Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out."

What's In My Bag - ?uestlove from The Roots

Questlove, best known as the drummer for Hip-Hop band The Roots, is one of the busiest men in music today. Ahmir Khalib Thompson was born into a musical family in Philadelphia. As a child, he toured with his father's doo-wop group, Lee Andrews & the Hearts, learning how to play drums at age 7. He went to the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts where he met Tariq Trotter (aka Black Thought), with whom he would later found The Roots.

The Roots are a critically acclaimed band who broke Hip-Hop stereotypes with their musicianship, lyrics, general lack of sampling, and incorporation of different styles of music, particularly jazz, rock, and soul. In 1993, they recorded and independently released their first album, Organix. Their next two albums, Do You Want More?!!!??! (DGC, 1995) and Illadelph Halflife (DGC, 1996), were critically acclaimed records that did not find immediate popularity among Hip-Hop fans, in part due to their differentness from the rest of the genre. That all changed with their 1999 release, Things Fall Apart (MCA), and its single "You Got Me" featuring Erykah Badu, for which they won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 2000. After four more studio albums, in March 2009, The Roots became the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where they nightly exhibit their craftsmanship, deep musical knowledge, and ability to spontaneously perform nearly every style of music possible. In June 2010, they released their ninth studio album, How I Got Over, on Def Jam.

Questlove has also produced, arranged and/or drummed for Common, Erykah Badu, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, John Mayer, Slum Village, Blackalicious, Christina Aguilera, Duffy, Dilated Peoples, Fiona Apple, NERD, and many others. He has also released two albums in his own compilation series, Questlove Presents: Babies Making Babies; is an associate producer for the Broadway musical, Fela!, which won three Tony Awards in 2010; is a character in the basketball video games NBA 2K7, NBA 2K8, and NBA 2K9; has his own Nike sneaker and will be releasing his second Nike shoe in February 2011 - all while maintaining his day job with the legendary Roots crew every evening on Jimmy Fallon.