Stumble Upon Goodness

At Metropalife we like to have fun, we are always in a pursuit of happiness, but at the same time we are always in the pursuit of truth as well. We as a people cannot move forward if we don't know where we came from. After visiting Ghana this summer and touring the different slave fortresses it really open my eyes to the African holocaust. I became more and more interested in the African diaspora and our contributions/sacrifices to the world. The Africans taken from their homelands helped to build the great wealth that the western countries still enjoy today. But yet as Africans we are still on the bottom of the totem poll as it were when it comes to financial strength. Why is that, what do we as people need to do to change this? In the documentary "500 Years Later", it focuses on the African holocaust and where we are 500 years later because of this  historical tragedy. I posted this up to help give some extra insight in the history of African diaspora, in hopes that it may bring people closer to the truth, to teach, and maybe help change people for the better.

Need To Know: King Me Entertainment

If you come to Westport on any given weekend you are bound to find a ton of people right in front of Americas Pub. You may ask yourself, what's going on over there? Why are they always so packed? Well the organizers behind these masses is a promotional group by the name of King Me Entertainment, who has been delivering big and exciting bangers every weekend. The group specializes in keeping the crowd engaged and always moving not only from music spun by a DJ, but they also have live local and national R&B and Hip Hop groups performing and dance groups too, that get the crowd jumping. Its a smorgasbord of all out entertainment. I got a chance to talk with of the CEO of King Me Entertainment Steve Hampton the man making it happen and hang out at the Pretty Ricky Show. It was a super live show with equally live audience peep the video.

Way Back Play Back

I just love old school flicks, especially ones that deal with hip hop in its original form. It seems like in this day in age when you turn on the radio or watch videos on TV, that the essence of hip hop has been lost. The only message is cars, ladies, and money. Some of us know and some don't know, but there are elements to this music we love called Hip Hop: Breaking, MCeeing, Graffiti, and Djing.  Sometimes we just need a refresher and the movie Wild Style will do just that. Its a docudrama about Graffiti writer that comes from being underground and undercover to a being known and celebrated artist through out the city. The film is based in 1980's New York and features a host of Old School Hip Hop groups and celebrities. Enjoy

http://quicksilverscreen.com/watch?video=35825

Funny Ass Shit: Spills and Thrills

Now as messed up as it sounds who doesn't like to see a good fall, especially when its a celebrity, and when its a rapper, its that much funnier. Here are some clips of some well known spitters on the mic, busting it on the pavement.

Music For Your EarHoles

Who doesn't love to groove to Reggae and take it easy on Sundays? Here is another island mix sent from across the Atlantic from Jamaica by man Dj Kyle Supreme. Feel free to download and enjoy.  

http://www.sendspace.com/file/cjs1fa

Hot To Def

You have to have accessories to fully complete any outfit and of course the more useful and fashionable the accessory is, its always a plus. I'm a big fan of Nooka Watches because of their crazy stylish look and digital futuristic reading of time. Once again they've hit us with two super dope ass watches with two great color patterns great for the fall. These watches are based off of Nooka's general color skeme but with a twist in celebration of the cartoon Spongebobs Squarepants's tenth anniversary.  Check out Nooka's whole collection at www.Nooka.com

The Battle at Kansas City: Rappers vs KPRS

Recently there was a large conference call with about 40 people involved led by Jaz at 64111 studios to KPRS in regards to the lack of support they give to local artists. This conversation boiled over unto twitter and facebook. I ended up getting in the conversation on facebook with Kenny Diamonds who runs the Underground Heat Show on Saturday nights that features local artists. I want to say I do support what he is doing playing local artist and I do like some of the Djs on a personal level, but Kenny was saying that local artists should support the radio station by buying ad space and then that would possibly get them some spins. He also said that local rappers need to support themselves before they get support from the station, which makes sense. Music is a business and one should take it as such. But with that said KPRS should support those who are grinding and building their businesses. There are many Kansas City Artist that have been on tour, who have had numerous albums, have gotten written up in the Pitch, but have yet to be played on KPRS. Lets just name some of these artists so there is no confusion, James Christos, Ces Cru, D/ Will, Approach, Miles Bonny, Deep Thinkers, Mac Lethal, Tech Nine, and many many others. Most of these artist decide to just move away and seek out a larger city to get noticed. Why does it take money to possibly get played in your own town. I understand radio stations have to make money, they get money from all the commercials the play and other larger record companies. In fact odds are if you turn to KPRS right now there will be a commercial on. So they are getting their money. Why do they need to try to squeeze it out of the little guy here in Kansas City, these people have good music and are trying to build a larger audience.  All the local artists want is just a little bit of airplay throughout the day. I mean, KPRS is willing to play garbage all day for pay, but don't want to play some good local groups out here.  They have the opportunity to be huge force in Kansas City, like a Hot 97 in New York, but choose to be mediocre and not push the limits. Look at Atlanta, St, Louis, New Orleans just recently the became hot spots for hip hop, and why is that because they had local support and radio DJs played local artists which became huge successes. But Kansas City its different always slow to change. After my conversation with Kenny Diamonds and others that joined in this long debate over KPRS and their lack of support for local talent I realized even more so that it is up to the person to make the changes that they want to see. Build your own podcasts, do your own internet shows, you have to do it all, not only go on tour, not only do shows, not only promote yourself, but make your own media outlet too, if you want to be heard in this town. Maybe thats not such a bad thing though, the power is in your hands. You may be the David that slays Goliath. Thanks for leaving the door wide open.

Way Back Play Back

As humans we are always looking for something inspirational, to keep us moving, to get us up early in the morning and stay up late at night. For me its hip hop and especially its movers and shakers, the individuals that really are grinding and doing major things in the industry. I like to follow people like Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, and Puffy because they are always hustling making it happen and on the forefront of things. A wise person once told me if you want to be successful you have to study what successful people do. With that said here is a documentary on JAY-Z Backstage behind the scenes on the Hard Knock Life tour. I know there are a lot of you out there trying to make it happen, so this is for you. Enjoy

Stumble Upon Goodness

So I wanted to put this video up for all those Hip Hop enthusiasts out there, especially those who love the Break Dancing element of hip hop. Hip Hop didn't just start in the streets of New York, the origins of our beloved genre goes further back to Africa, with the beats, rhythms, and story telling ryhmes, and so does the dancing aspect as well. The history of break dancing has its origins  from African slaves that were brought to Brazil to work on the sugar and tobacco plantations. The slaves devoloped a type of martial art called Capoeira disguised as a dance to keep slave owners at bay. The same movements of Capoeira have been brought from the streets of Brazil to the streets of the Bronx and modified to what we know as break dancing. This is a video done in drawings to show that history. 

Shoe Porn: Nike Delta Force High AC

When I saw these, I thought they looked pretty fresh for the fall. Nike turned a basketball shoe into a modified skate shoe. But of course you don't have to skate or hoop, you can just stroll. Nike revamped and volcanized their classic Delta Force High and made it super nice for the holiday season. For all of you who are thinking about coping a pair it will be released in October/November.

Way Back Play Back

In honor of Def Jam's 25th year I wanted to put up the movie Krush Goove which is basically a movie about how Def Jam came up. It has Run DMC, LL Cool, Sheila E, Fat Boys, and  host of other stars from back in the day. It always nice to look back and see the early years of hip hop. Here is the full movie in 2 parts, click the link Enjoy!

http://grab-videos.com/krush-groove/

Funny Ass Shit: Bottles and Rappers

Here is a new segment that we would like to present to you, frequently when I'm on the net I run into funny ass shit. So with that said here are some clips of some rappers getting water bottles thrown at them. I love their reactions especially since they feel they have to put on such a hard persona, its crazy the things they say and do after a bottle hits them. Check out these videos.

Coney Island Love

I found this short video piece of my second home Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York I had to put this up. Shoot out to all those who have supported Coney Island through out the years. Its a shame the powers that be want to tear it down. In any case here is a video that celebrates the famed amusement park and beloved borough of Brooklyn. 

coneycopia from Graham Elliott on Vimeo.

Stumble Upon Goodness

I was on youtube the other day and stumbled upon an old dance show that I used to watch growing up in Detroit. The show was called the New Dance Show, where it featured local djs and dancers from the metro tearing it up every night. The show came on local television on Channel 62 which was a community TV station where you could find anything from old school kung fu flicks to guys watching exotic belly dancing in an auditorium. So every day after school at 4pm I would sit and watch the "New Dance Show" with my friends while talking on the phone commenting on all the crazy dancers. Each dancer had there own personas, its like the left their day job at home and put on their alter egos on the show. People would dress up in the most outlandish outfits and dance their asses off, to bass, electro, and house music and it was great!  Way to much entertainment at 4 in the afternoon. Here are some old videos that I found that I wanted to share with you all.

Party Party Party

So it basically goes like this. A friend of mine took me to her dance studio in downtown Kansas City. When I saw the spot I immediately thought we definitely need to do a party up here. A huge open space in a sky rise building overlooking the city. Yes yes yes. She told me though, if we are going to do an event up here it must be in the essence of art and creation. So we put our minds together and decided to do an event celebrating music, dance, film, food, and people.  So this Saturday October 10th at City Center Square 12th and Baltimore 5th fl downtown Kansas City. Miles Bonny will be spinning, we will be dancing, laughing, and celebrating life.  Its a BYOB, $5 donation, starts at 10pm -2am

Music For Your EarHoles

Its been a minute since we put up a mix to share. Here is hot like fiyah dancehall mix sent from my man Dj Kyle Supreme from Kingston, Jamaica.  Enjoy!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/8ql7ul 

If you are a Dj wherever you are in the world and you have a hot mix that you would like to share, please send to

email: AdellHendon@gmail.com

Hot To Def

by Raechel Hitchye

In my high school costuming class my instructor had a mantra: construct for those you love devoutly. Well at 16, with oversized glasses and enough awkward androgyny to put Oscar Wilde to shame, there were only two men who were allowed entry to my heart for the miserable three hours a day I was stuck in a basement sewing room: the unlucky gentleman who dated me for 3 out of the 4 years in high school, and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Yes, that Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jane Austen’s miserable Mr. Darcy that is the would be victim to Elizabeth Bennet.

      And how may this tie into what’s hot for fall fashion for 2009? Old world charm is in, and is hand in sweaty hand with puberty. The cropped, snug, “woke up to a growth spurt” look has made its presence felt, and the 18^th century seems to have influence for the cooler months this year. The romantic military look is in, and it is stifling; for both sexes. Wool, tarnished buttons, and bands have appeared across chests everywhere, exporters including everyone from D&G to H&M. So be edgy by being classic for fall, because there’s nothing worse than that special someone, or anyone (fictional or not) murmuring your look is “tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.” 
                             

In The Streets: Skateboarding through Kansas City

What up everyone, last night was a dope ass night, cruzin' through downtown Kansas City via skateboard. Here is a brief tour of the downtown area of KC if you are not familiar or even if you are here is another perspective brought to you by myself and Dougie. 

Shoe Porn

I came across these shoes awhile back and always thought they were dope. If you haven't seen these yet they are the Le Coq Sportif x M&M's Eclat collectors. The two companies Le Coq Sportif and M&M really got down and came up with a sweet looking shoe. Unfortunately for those who are trying to cope a pair good luck, these shoes are pretty hard to come by. 

Le Coq Sportif x M&M's Eclat collector
Uploaded by lecoqsportif. - Independent web videos.