Crib Notes

Desiree Williams, aka That Retail Chick, is Atlanta’s go-to-girl when it comes to all things retail in urban music. As the manager of Sound Shop in the Mall West End, she makes it her business to break down the business to independent artists desperate to get their grind on.

Tonight, she’s inviting the city to eavesdrop on her conversation with record exec. Rico Brooks. It takes place at 7 p.m. at Desserts by Latrell, 581 Edgewood Ave. 678-705-3409. dessertsbylatrell.com.

For a preview of the conversation, check out this snippet from her recent blog post, The Death of Music Retail and its Effect on Hip-Hop Music:

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The connection between art and spirituality may not be as popular as it has been in previous eras (’60s folk and pychedelia, ’70s funk, ’90s neo-soul movement), but for Fertile Ground it’s never been a passing fad. Easily the most ethereal soul-jazz band since Earth, Wind & Fire, Fertile Ground and dynamic lead singer Navasha Daya have been the “heavyweights of the underground” for over a decade. The Baltimore-based group is currently working on its fifth studio album.

Tonight they headline at the Shrine of the Black Madonna (7 p.m., 946 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., 404-840-9927) in an appropriately-themed show featuring two other Atlanta-based Mother Earths, spoken-word artist Fhena and enlightened MC SAROC. To get a taste, check out a video clip of Sa-Roc’s performance at the recent Peter Tosh tribute below.

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Those weerdos are at it again. Apparently this is what you get when you combine two ’09 CL Best of Atlanta winners (Hollyweerd, SMKA) with a featured artist from CL’s ’09 Music Issue (A. Leon Craft).

“So What”

A lyrical romp over haunting strings and 808 bass, “So What” is the second leak from SMKA’s highly-anticipated (thanks to this track) re-up, The 808 Experiment Vol. 2.

And the execution is killer — from 808 Blake’s track to A. Leon’s hook to Tuki batting clean-up on the last verse. It’s always good to see MVPs from the same scene come together and score.

Suggestion: Do not dare press play unless you’re prepared to be stuck on rewind for the rest of the night.

Vol. 2 is due in January. In the meantime, check out SMKA’s recently released full-length collaboration with Trimm (Trimm Meets SMKA).

(Illustration by Corey Davis of Mach 5)

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Jay-Z's camp tapped Goose's talents as a producer, but ultimately passed on his tracks.

Welcome to CL’s annual catalog of impotence: the 11 Least Influential. You’ll meet folks who tried to achieve an ambitious goal, but fell short (or, in Goose’s case, more than made up for the difference); people who’ve devoted themselves to a personal mission in near-total obscurity; and ordinary Joes who can’t get anyone to pay attention to them. Every day until the full issue hits the streets on Nov. 11, we’ll bring you a new story of failure — some noble and heroic, others abject and pathetic.

Subject: Alex Goose
Failing: Can’t get any play from Jay-Z

Atlanta-based music producer Alex Goose has big dreams, and bigger gonads.

After being contacted this summer by a New York-based A&R rep working closely with Jay-Z, the burgeoning producer jumped at the chance to submit beats for the legendary MC’s album-in-the-making, The Blueprint 3.

He says the A&R rep was so impressed with his work for such Atlanta-based artists as Brittany Bosco and Danny! that he came to Atlanta to hear what the Goose was cooking. “He was telling me, ‘I’d love to get some of these [beats] to Jay, for sure,’” recalls Goose, who estimates he submitted 20 to 25 tracks for consideration. “A few months later he hit me up and was like, ‘Hey, I got word back from Jay that he didn’t really hear anything that he wanted to use for the album.’”

With such name-brand producers as Kanye West, Timbaland, the Neptunes and No I.D. getting first dibs at the highly-anticipated release, a virtual unknown just didn’t have the pull to earn himself a placement.

“You know it kinda sucks,” he says. “Jay would say, ‘It’s politics as usual.’”

Continue reading “11 Least Influential Countdown: No. 8 — Alex Goose”

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By Mark Hibbard

Over the past few years our nation’s love affair with beer has grown considerably. Pubs are now tap houses and the beer aisle is constantly swelling and expanding, threatening to encroach upon the noble wine racks that have held sway over discerning palates. As far as trends go, this is a good one. It has opened up a new market for enterprising drunkards and has forced even the king of beers to rethink their model. Wimpy light beers no longer rule the roost, and the mighty hop’s relevance is getting stronger by the day.

In a city that has deemed happy hour unsavory, going to one of the local breweries is a great way to get an early buzz on the cheap. The initial plan was to hit up Sweetwater, but for the third time in six months I was reminded after the fact that it is best to get there early. (more…)

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BRAVO DARLING: Kandi Burruss' star is brighter than ever.

When Kandi Burruss reveals, during a recent telephone interview, that her favorite expletive is “motherfucker,” it’s almost too cute to bear. As if we really needed another reason to root for the Atlanta native, come to find out she likes to cuss up a storm, too.

“My mouth is bad sometimes,” she says, smiling through the phone. “I have to wash it out with soap. Luckily y’all don’t get to see that ’cause you can’t really say bad language on TV.”

It’s probably one of the few character wrinkles of Burruss’ that wasn’t excessively ironed out over the course of Season Two on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” While NeNe Leakes transgressed from fan fave to villain with a vengeance, newbie Burruss stole the hearts of viewers with her down-to-earth, charmed demeanor and an off-screen plot line that earned an outpouring of sympathy.

Considering all the tribulations and B.S. Burruss has publicly endured in recent months — from the gossip blogs that initially made a mockery of her relationship with former fiancé Ashley “A.J.” Jewell to the shocking tragedy that claimed his life before the season finished airing — it almost seems as if her decision to be on the show was cursed from the start.

Continue Reading “‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star Kandi Burruss revels in the gift and the curse with Fly Above“

(Photo Courtesy Tremedia)

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First the Nobel Peace Prize, now this. Forget the haters, it’s the lovers that Prez Barack Obama can’t seem to shake. (more…)

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If anybody remembers Michel’le, the late ’80s/early ’90s R&B singer who worked with (and eventually had a son by) producer Dr. Dre, you might understand why Atlanta-based songwriter and artist the Dolldaze reminds me of her.

They sound nothing alike, mind you. But Michel’le has this helium-high speaking voice that’s the polar opposite of her rich, soulful singing voice. The difference in the Dolldaze’s speaking and singing voices isn’t quite that dramatic, but it’s interesting to hear how her Southern, round-the-way accent totally disappears once she begins singing.

But trust, that’s where the comparison between them ends. The self-penned song that the Dolldaze starts singing about 1:18 into the above video is one of the highlights from her recently released six-song EP, Acid Report: The Missing Peace. Titled “Let it Blow,” it features her signature blend of classic rock and soul. The traces of flamenco in her guitar strumming combine with her vocals in a way that reminds me of Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick singing “White Rabbit” for some odd reason. The alternating push-and-pull of the song’s changing rhythms builds a nice bit of tension, too.

Download Acid Report: The Missing Peace for free.

The Dolldaze performs tonight as part of the Think New 9 line-up featuring Sidestreet Ked, Grand Prize Winners From Last Year, Innate Forte, Lundy, Richelle L. Brown, Rico Wade, Dungeoneze and Pobody’s Nerfect. $10. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.

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Which came first, the BET Hip-Hop Awards or Atlanta’s steady flow of garbage-ass rap music?

The chicken-or-the-egg question occurred to me as I watched last night’s broadcast of the awards show, which should’ve been renamed the Gucci Mane Awards for the number of performances (3?) featuring the East Atlanta-bred MC.

It typified a night in which the show took every possible opportunity to reference Atlanta — which is odd considering the crowd is made up entirely of industry fucks (artists, publicists, label reps, promoters, radio heads, etc.) and almost zero fans. (more…)

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Back when we included Fabo of D4L in the 2007 CL music issue, he seemed like the member of the Bankhead snap rap clique who was most likely to blow — not the D4L boss and former trap star Shawty Lo, who wound up dropping two solo albums and garnering a strong regional following in recent years. Fabo was also the member who drew the most criticism, mainly from hip-hop purists who felt the “Laffy Taffy” sound and Fabo’s colorful dances were destined to kill the culture.

But just when it seemed his detractors were about to get the last laugh, Fabo disappeared into the ether.

In the video clip above, he stops to talk to MTV’s Shaheem Reid on the red carpet of the ’09 BET Hip-Hop Awards, filmed in Atlanta earlier this month, and tells him that he returned to high school to get his diploma and is currently studying “business and management” at Ashworth College in Georgia.

I’m getting great grades. I ain’t no honor roll student or nothing like that, but I’m making it. I’m trying to better myself, not wanting this to be the last stop for me. Having a couple of more kids and watching them grow, being there with them. I been in the streets all my life, it’s time to do something for me and my family, you feel me? So I went back to school. That’s a great thing!” (more…)

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Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Kelly Love Jones’ enchanted video for her acoustic wedding song, “For You,” has cast a spell on me. Directed by Roni Nicole, it features Rico Wade (Organized Noize co-founder/producer) playing her love interest. It was filmed  two and a half months ago in various locations around town, including East Point and East Atlanta.

The video also features several other local artists, including Doll Daze, who performs this Thursday night at Drunken Unicorn.

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Of all the things happening this Saturday, Oct. 24 on Dilla Day in Atlanta — including a performance by the deceased hip-hop producer’s brother Illa J that night; a Lupus Walk that morning to support further research into the disease Dilla battled in life; and Dilla’s Dream Camp from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., which will offer MPC production lessons to participants 16-and-under — the most significant event could be the one that takes place at 7 p.m. at the Atlanta Bench (602A Marietta St. 404-512-7671).

That’s when Amond Jackson (co-host, 89.3’s “Beatz & Lyrics Show” w/Jayforce) and taj anwar (hip-hop activist) will hold a name blessing ceremony for their months-old baby boy, Dilla Premier Wonder Jackson.

Named for his parents’ most beloved hip-hop producers (J Dilla, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder), their son has already graced the cover of Creative Loafing (his dad’s holding him up on the Aug. 8 issue) and made a feature appearance in Stahhr’s recent “Still Dope” video.

Not even a year yet, and already the kid’s doin’ it big.

UPDATE: Before posting, I emailed taj anwar to get the story behind her son Dilla’s name. Here it is, in her words:

I chose to name my son Dilla because of my love and respect for JDilla as a person. If my marriage to Amond was a movie- then JDilla’s music is the soundtrack. Our son is a symbol of that.

I met JDilla in 2004. I was a really big fan so when I had the opportunity to meet him- I was amped to say the least. I was introduced to him, and our first conversation went like this- (more…)

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In 1980, Nigerian musician and creator of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, hooked up with funk-jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers to release the Pan-African collaboration Music of Many Colors. Ayers’ performance at this year’s fifth annual Atlanta tribute to Fela caps off a three days of educational roundtables and media meet-and-greets for Ayers.

The Saturday night tribute, sponsored by Spread Love, will also feature Mausiki Scales and Common Ground Collective, plus DJs Ausar, Kemit and Rich Medina. $15-$20. 595 North, 595 North Ave. 404-835-2329. www.595north.com. For more info, visit experiencespreadlove.com.

Below the jump, peep Ayers’ full schedule of events, which begin tomorrow in Atlanta: (more…)

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$20 for Atlanta-area college students w/I.D. $25 for non-students. 8 p.m. Wed., Oct. 21. Morehouse College Forbes Arena, 830 Westview Dr. 404-681-2800.

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Kenny Burns‘ upcoming documentary on himself looks fierce. The trailer for the doc, entitled B.U.R.N.S., offers a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Atlanta-based cultural connoisseur’s success, with clips featuring early collaborators Diddy, Dame Dash and Jay-Z. Dig it:

B.U.R.N.S means Be Ultimately Realistic & Never Sellout.

Far to many times I hear people idolizing or worshiping the “Entertainment Bizness”.
The crazy thing is half the time they don’t even know what they want from it, or better yet what it will TAKE FROM THEM!
B.U.R.N.S is the story of My Grind and hopefully will show YOU that YOU don’t have to be somebody’s slave to make it in the Entertainment Business (or The World). I NEVER WALKED TO BROOKLYN FOR CHEESECAKE!

As of late, he’s also added Huffington Post blogger to his long list of credentials.

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SMOKE ONE: Decatur's own Bobby Ray gets lit Friday at Smith's Olde Bar.

(Photos courtesy Dustin Chambers. More after the break.)

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Atlanta-based music industry legend and former James Brown promoter Bob Patton died last Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Piedmont Hospital of an aortic aneurism. He was 70.

Born in Middletown, Ohio, Mr. Patton launched his music career as a teen with a weekly radio show. He would grow up to become a highly-respected music promoter. He had personal and professional dealings with stars that included Isaac Hayes, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Jerry Lee Lewis and B.B. King. He booked act for American Bandstand, the TV show.

“He was in the business 50-something years and worked with everybody from the Beatles to Prince,” said Sammy Blue, founder and executive director of the Georgia Legacy Foundation, a Decatur-based nonprofit that assists musicians with their careers.

“I’d say he was one of the greater promoters of what I call real American music.”

Read the full AJC obituary on Patton.

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via NahRight.com

See additional parts after the jump.

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With the ink still drying on their recently-signed, four-album deal with Virgin Records, the Constellations make a pit stop at the crib tonight before returning to their tour through the midwest and other spots on the map. A couple of people have asked me why the hell (!) the Constellations didn’t make CL’s recent Best of Atlanta issue. And it’s a valid question. The band shot out of the blocks since dropping Southern Gothic last year, and they’ve crafted a potent, unexpected indie-pop sound considering the cats that comprise the local supergroup of sorts, including members from Trances Arc and Snowden.

Expect tonight’s show to double as a homecoming celebration, featuring the premiere of the Constellations’ new video for “Perfect Day.” Special guests include Falcon Lords, Future Shock and Prince Presto. $10. 9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 10. Lenny’s, 486 Decatur St. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com.

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Asher Roth has received his share of citations from the cultural police for Tweeting While White (TWW). Back in April, he caught wreck after referring to “nappy headed hoes” before his scheduled show at Rutgers University. The former Atlanta resident and MC later apologized, saying he only meant to make fun of Don Imus.

Huh?

Anyway, his latest Twitter sound-off over Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize win may need no defense since he seems to be on the right side of the argument:

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