Crib Notes

Following the sudden news that the monthly hip-hop publication Vibe magazine was folding, the last issue hit newsstands earlier this month with part one of what was intended to be a two-part story on the Dungeon Family. Written by Linda Hobbs, the in-depth story (”Am I My Brother’s Keeper? The Untold Story of Dungeon Family”) about DF’s internal makeup, eventual breakup and ongoing reunion has renewed interest in the South’s most influential hip-hop crew — especially its two cornerstone acts, OutKast and Goodie Mob.

Whether part-two of Hobbs’ DF story ever sees the light of day remains to be seen. (Word on the street is she’s in talks with other music publications to run part two). But here’s one reunion to bank on: Shameless Plug, the burgeoning promotions team that brought rappers Drake and Devin the Dude to Atlanta in recent months, just booked Goodie Mob for an Atlanta concert to take place Sat., Sept. 19.

The venue has yet to be announced. Stay tuned for further updates.

Update: Read CL’s Sept. 16 cover story, A dirty job for Goodie Mob, about the upcoming reunion concert.

Updated: Meanwhile, peep former CL music critic Roni Sarig’s 2003 cover story “Dungeon Family Tree: An oral history of OutKast and the extended crew’s first decade”:

Cee-Lo: We happened to be in Greenbriar Mall one day, and my homeboy was telling Marqueze [Etheridge, Organized Noize associate who co-wrote TLC's "Waterfalls" with them] that I sing. He was going over to the Dungeon, so we decided to give him a ride. We went over there, and I sung for Sleepy Brown. At the time, Rico, Dre and Big Boi had rode off to get something to eat. They came back and saw me sitting there and Dre got excited, like, “That’s my homeboy Cee-Lo I was telling you about. He can rhyme, he can sing.” That particular day, T-Mo and Khujo and Gipp walked in the door — I knew them from high school. When I saw their familiar faces, I was immediately comfortable.

Khujo: Me and T-Mo started fucking with them Crown Royal liquor bags, the purple and gold bags. We used to strap them on our belts and have goodies in them — weed, a couple dollars. Just a little bag we used to walk around with, and it would swing on the side. We’d say, “It’s the goodie bag, man.”

Edited: An earlier version of this post mentioned other DF acts scheduled to play the Goodie Mob reunion show. No other acts have been confirmed as of yet.

(Story image courtesy Vibe magazine)

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SUGARHILL AIN’T DEAD

(See more photos of Sugarhill’s last jam at John Crooms’ photoblog, mauricegarland.com or rollingout.com.)

Last night’s going-away party at Sugarhill in Underground Atlanta was “beautifully chaotic,” in the words of resident funkstress Joi, who’s held Sugarhill’s open mic night down as host since its inception in ’06.

When we broke the news on Crib Notes last week that the owners of Sugarhill had decided to close down Atlanta’s premier live soul venue to search for better digs, people began leaving mournful comments (myself included) that made it seem as if the announcement marked the end of an era.

But when Joi stepped on stage around 11:30 p.m. last night clad in skintight patent leather leggings, a backless red tee and red platform stilettos, it was apparent that she had not come to kick the proverbial bucket. Instead, Sugarhill’s last jam quickly morphed into a nasty, New Orleans-inspired, funk-jazz, juke joint of a funeral.

“This journey started about two and a half years ago ’cause it wasn’t shit to do in this city,” Joi eulogized from the stage, “this beautiful chocolate city full of talented artists.”

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