I wasn’t gonna post this here. By the time I jumped on JTTS, both Trees and Marty had already written about CZARFACE, and I figured that I’d tend only to the Phoenix blog. But then I noticed the low quality of their coverage – a re-printed press release, and some sort of insider spiel from Caballero. Anyhow, while I wrote this post with a less rap-nerdy audience than JTTS in mind, I thought that some younger readers could use the history, and that an older reader (perhaps Eso himself) could point me in the direction of the Elemental column I’m referring to…

There’s no such thing as seriously awesome news in hip-hop anymore. Everything has more or less been done. Twice. If Tupac returned from Hawaii to cut a track with Sam Adams about how much he loves the FCC, I might find it blog-worthy. But if there’s a marathon of some Angie Harmon show or another on TNT, then forget about it. You’ll just have to read about it elsewhere.

Still I jumped at today’s news that Boston’s 7L&Esoteric are collaborating on a joint project, amazingly titled CZARFACE, with Wu-Tang’s Inspectah Deck. The reaction was probably because I consider myself an insider geek in the local scene, and, under most circumstances, would have known about this from the minute that Deck texted Eso to confirm. Rap music is supposed to pack an element of surprise, though – or at least it’s better when there is one. This shit really toppled me. So here I am.

I also appreciate how this isn’t out of nowhere – the result of an amusing studio session, in which a bunch of guys who like smoking blunts smoke a whole bunch of blunts together and decide to collaborate on a box set. There’s an interesting history between Deck and Esoteric, as the latter documented in a legendary Elemental Mag column (which I can’t find, so please shoot it over if you have a scan), and has told several times since. They met recording “Speaking Real Words” on some pay-to-play shit – one of the earliest documented instances of an up-and-coming underground act securing a verse from such a prominent MC. But over time, Deck came to respect the duo for their skill and hustle, and just last year collaborated on the full-circle banger “12^th Chamber.”

Lastly, this announcement has me psyched about the possibilities for Wu-Tang soldiers moving forward. We’ve heard Ghostface with Termanology and Action Bronson. Slaine rocked the U-God album. The Think Differently project was fucking fascinating. But the thought of this whole new wilderness is one that I truly hope materializes. In the least it’s enough to get me blogging about hip-hop.

this was titled “Chris Lil Dick Faraone“.

This is one of TWO entries I have received thus far for the Chris Faraone art show and the other entry was from DJ ON & ON..

Are you fucking serious America? Is Chris Faraone simply that unimportant that you cannot take 15 minutes out of your life and submit a drawing, painting, sketch, or photoshop.

You have ONE MONTH left to submit something relevant to Chris Faraone.

A haiku, a poem, a stick figure fucking an occupy protester.. who gives a shit.

GIVE ME SOMETHING!

For rules: CLICK HERE

If you’ve no clue what I’ve been up to since September, then you must have missed the perpetual flatulence that my JTTS colleagues have blown in my direction over the past few months. In that event I can only assure you that I was working on a project that’s at least half as important as my duty here, which is primarily to remind one and all that any hip-hop recorded after 2001 is guilty until proven innocent.

By now it’s no secret that the shit-ass Frat Rap Tumblr is nominated for a Phoenix award, while the illustrious JumpTheTurnStyle is not. Anyone who thinks I’m the reason for that is precisely right; on account of an obvious potential conflict of interest, we can’t nominate a blog that I personally fuck with. Which raises the serious issue of whether Chris Faraone – the swiftest damn punslinger on this motherfuck – even writes for JTTS anymore.

As a matter of fact I do. I’ve just been equal parts lazy, busy, and inebriated, not to mention in need of a significant break from hip-hop. You see, I’m completely comfortable with being that old guy who hates every shred of success that Lil Flame and Waka Flocka Wayne attain, but it takes a whole lot of work to identify the errs of my contemporaries and recommend substantial alternatives to needy rap fans. I can only prop Action Bronson so many times. It’s ridiculous already.

Which is why I’m making a commitment to start listening to shitty hip-hop. Or southern hip-hop. Or whatever the stupid kids and college pukes are calling it these days. I’ll be taking all of your suggestions – even though most of you don’t know shit about rap music, and are probably still reeling from your cheap two-month tango with dubstep, which still doesn’t show up in my spellcheck, and probably never will now that I declared it dead and done.

So here’s the big, unanswerable question: what did I miss during my hiatus? I got that new Homeboy Sandman shit, and it’s amazing. Also feeling the new Jake the Snake, and looking forward to what Reks has cooking. There’s a new Tajai album in my box that I’ll be bumping, and I heard that I should check the new Copywrite. And Blacastan too. Word to Blacastan. But otherwise, why shouldn’t I have taken a few months off? Fuck you. And did I mention Action Bronson?

Lastly – I just wanted to make one last point about how the scum-sucking Frat Rap Tumblr is nominated for the Phoenix Best poll while this blog isn’t. The other reason for the omission is that, to be frank, I don’t trust Trees around awards. The last time he wrapped his no-good libertarian fist around a trophy, dude started cursing out his friends for no reason. Haven’t seen him that mad since he lost funding to star as Rick Moranis in the sketchy interpolation skin flick, Honey I Blew the Kids.

So I’m returning home. At least as much as I can be for now. I actually have a bunch of emails and press releases that I need to mush through my meat grinder and get up on this blog. But other than that I’ll be pushing my new book, which I don’t really expect anyone who frequents JTTS to be interested in anyway. I’m heading to SXSW in a few weeks, and will no doubt return with a whole heap of hip-hop to hate on. That’s my promise. My name is Chris Faraone, and I approve this message.

Like I said – Kenny Powers ain’t the only one back on the mound.

By now you all know that the BPDNews.com website was hacked by Anonymous over retaliation for their – in all honesty – incredible work and peaceful, thought-out, and downright gold standard dealings with the terrorist movement known as Occupy Boston.

Well the website is back up and they thought it would be funny to troll Anonymous.

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This video symbolizes every interaction I’ve ever had with Boston Police.

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I used to work with Will C. He quit abruptly and disappeared off the face of the planet. Rumors began to circulate about his whereabouts..

“He is a professional dog walker”…

“He has been listening to a lot of Brian Wilson”..

“He got naked, took acid in the desert with Shamans, and began chanting about the multi dimensional relationships between matrices and hyper matrices when viewed on multilinear maps”..

Really odd shit..

Anyway, we know where we was now. Crafting a fucking brilliant soundscape called “Adieu Or Die” in which he reworked a grip of Beach Boys classics. This is about as music nerd as it gets folks, so naturally – the results are amazing.

DOWNLOAD HERE: Adieu or Die! (FREE DOWNLOAD)

and see Will C’s description hurr:

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Sadly we lost a GREAT one in the Boston music scene…..I hate having to poast this but after the conversation I had w Checkmark I feel it’s only right to remember someone who I had much respect for and a great many times with…….from the 15 passenger van we took up to a show in N.H. in 98′ to the show we did in R.I at a out door skate park. The Flunkies had some good times and most of them had EB at the helm. I’ll miss you brother, your music will live on forever.

This is my favorite Eddie Bones verse….hope you feel the same

These words come from his brother and long time music partner Checkmark……he puts it perfectly and if you knew EB you’d agree.

The World lost another good man last night, and Heaven gained a hardworking Angel.. He’s in a better place. Erik’s last couple years were a living torture for him. He was a hands-on, “stand up” type of guy who had to sit back and watch the World move around him. It ate him up that he didn’t have the ability to contribute more than words, thoughts and feelings since his accident. Erik was a DO-er and never wanted to rely on others to take care of him. In remembering Bones, don’t think of the dude in the wheelchair.. Remember him in his finest hours, whether on stage with a mic in his hand and the spotlight on him, or the proud Father, pushing his daughter on a swing. He already endured the tough times, living, and now he can relax at ease, and be the Angel to guide Marley through life with a much more powerful impact. My Brother got his wings now. No more chair. No more relying on anyone to do the simple things that we all take for granted. God took him from his challenged position, and gave him the opportunity to make things better for his Mom, Daughter, and Woman.. The next week or so will be difficult, but things happen the way they are supposed to. This too shall pass.. Erik went out as he lived- a fighter. Not fighting senselessly, but fighting with purpose. He wanted people to just be BETTER. He wanted us to learn the TRUTH, and not settle for face value. He believed in “each one, teach one”. His life was cut WAY short, but he’s also left a lot behind to live on for him, most importantly, Marley and his Mom, and also his Music.. Remember the good times, and create your own new ones, with him in mind. All I ask is, don’t get DRUNK and mourn for him. Hug your kids, and love your Mom for him. Be a better person for him. Make the most of your time on the earth for him, and be happy for each living, breathing, MOVING day.. In the words of my Brother- “One Love, One God”.

my boy Edo’s still doin it……real nice on the mic (not so much w/ returning calls)

i’ll tell ya i don’t know much about these G Dot & Born fellas but i’m feeling this…..take a listen guys

Shouts to DJ Knife, Evaredy and Good Life for sending over this second volume of “In the Mix.”

Boston’s Good Life bar is proud to announce the second installment in their series of DJ mixes. Last April Good Life released the first of its series- In The Mix Volume 1 featuring DJ sets from Tommee and Knife from Good Life’s signature party Fresh Produce.

Today we’re releasing “This Charming Pig” a blend of electronic pop, moohmbaton and indie dance hits from local powerhouse DJ Evaredy (@djevaredy).  A somewhat new face to Boston’s DJ scene,  Evaredy  holds down The Thickness, a night of classic / modern party music held upstairs at Good Life the second Friday of each month.

Simply put, here’s what  he had to say about this release. “This mix was inspired by the electronic pop side of things. It includes tracks that I have been playing out, as well as stuff I don’t often get a chance to drop. Swag.”

Good Life plans to release DJ sets from Bassic, Boston’s longest running Dubstep night, later this year.

 

Enjoy!

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I rarely hear Mr. Lif listed among the most, as they say, “political rappers.” He’s not mentioned alongside the more aggressive likes of Immortal Technique, nor is he someone who I picture kids who get their philosophy from Tumblr to understand.

But if we’re talking about enlightened, informed hip-hop over the past decade, I couldn’t think of many artists who better define the role of activist rhymer. Lif has set the bar for progressive hip-hop, from kicking The Man on “Live from the Plantation,” to denting the public’s perception of WMDs on “Memorial Day” (which there’s also an awesome remix to), to examining the current housing crisis before ANY OTHER RAPPER (at least that I know of) on “I Heard It Today.”

This time I dare say Lif’s back with his most poignant statement yet on corporate evil and oppression. Teaming with the DC-based production duo Thievery Corporation, he demonstrates his usual intricate knowledge of critical issues that other artists care about, but only know enough to wax trite on. All that with a bounce and horn kick that could even inspire some militant activists to breakdance on their cardboard picket signs.

There have been countless rap videos filmed at Occupy camps, directed at Occupiers, and related to the movement in general. Some, like the Strange Famous posse cut “Film the Police,” have been dope, while others have come from apolitical MCs who have – without adding to the dialogue – tried to bank on the backs of those whose backs Wall Street already banks on. It goes without saying that Lif belongs to the former tribe, as this is by far one of the defining musical moments of Occupy so far.

Angry white men doing angry rap music. Don’t miss out.

Slaine x Action Bronson

Friday, December 16

The Middle East Downstairs, 480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA

hosted by Sly Young / Music by DJ Slipwax

feat. NBS, Powda, The Expendables, Rich Budz, Natural, Dave Holt + Joey Stadik

$15 Advance / $20 doors / 18+ / 8 PM

leedzedutainment.com / mideastclub.com

People are still talking about the now-legendary weed fest/Diplomats tribute party that PBR and Grillo’s Pickles sponsored last year at the Model Cafe in Allston. Why people don’t throw more pickle-and-beer events is beyond me, but, at very least for this Thursday’s Vitamin Thick Holiday Party and Trunk Sale at The North Star in Boston (222 Friend Street), pickles and beer (and whiskey) will be united once again. Vitamin Thick is the brainchild of Brookline native Elliott Curtis and Andrew Shredd; it’s a progressive men’s street wear line that pulls inspiration from late 80s/early 90s nostalgia. Thursday’s party will feature performances from Brey Quick, Aziz, Kyle J, Brek.One and DJ Goulet, plus discounts on VT gear. Come down and get drunk with your favorite bloggers and a dude in a pickle suit.