City Paper music contributor Sarah Godfrey, I’m thrilled to report, is a finalist in the music-criticism category in the 2008 AltWeekly Awards. Take a look at the three pieces that earned her the nomination:

“Half the Man He Used to Be,” July 19, 2007 (On T.I.’s T.I. vs. T.I.P.)

“People, People, Why Are They Fighting?” Sept. 19, 2007 (On Kanye West’s Graduation and 50 Cent’s Curtis)

“Hug Life,” Oct. 24, 2007 (On Trey Songz‘ Trey Day and J. Holiday’s Back of My Lac’)

A friend just pointed out this post from Jessica Hopper’s blog, in which the blacklist-happy music writer goes after Chicago black-metal band Nachtmystium. The problem? Well, Hopper thinks they’re racist and homophobic.

Now, I loved Nachtmystium’s last album from 2006, an arty slab of psychedelic metal called Instinct: Decay. But I don’t go around doing due diligence on every band I like, so I’d never read any interviews in which frontman Blake Judd uses questionable language, or expresses questionable ideas.

But I decided to Google Nachtmystium and “Zionist conspiracy” and got nothing but Hopper’s blog. (Googling “Nachtmystium” and “Zionist” gets you here.) I didn’t bother with the f-word, because it seems clear enough that the guy is upset with message board lurkers, not, um, gay people.

Now, I’m not going to condone what Judd said, but, if Hopper’s going to call out poor Stephin Merritt for not liking rap, then perhaps she will understand that–as Faulkner once said about the South–some of us like despite, not because of.

The folks at Red Bull and XM are bringing back the Sub-session—a local version of the Red Bull Music Academy. Thursday at XM, DJ Spinna will be talking about his work and art while sharing some of his tips and tricks. RSVP required, if you can’t make it into the XM session, Spinna will be at Jin on Thursday night. Definately check him out, he’s a great DJ.

Press release below:

Every year, the Red Bull Music Academy selects 60 musicians, DJs and producers from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds to exchange their ideas about music through discussion, collaboration and inspiring dialog with musical revolutionists like Just Blaze, ?uestlove, Bob Moog, Bernard Purdie, and Giles Peterson. The Red Bull Music Academy Sub-Session is a glimpse into the Academy experience.

On Thursday, April 24th, The Red Bull Music Academy and XM Satellite Radio’s Subsoniq continues the Sub-Session series with an intimate look into the genius mind of producer and remix extraordinaire DJ Spinna. Spinna’s versatility is what truly sets him apart - his work spans the entire spectrum of music from hip-hop to house, having worked with everyone from De La Soul to George Michael to the Jungle Brothers.

Thursday, April 24th, 2008
XM Satellite Radio
1500 Eckington Place NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
7:00pm - 10:00pm

Very limited space. RSVP only.

Please RSVP to munch@redbullmusicacademy.com with your name, your particular music skill/talent, and your genre of music.

Apply to be a part of this year’s Academy in Barcelona from now until May 19th at http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com

If we are unable to accomodate your RSVP, please join us at the after party at Jin Lounge with DJ Bee (XM’s Subsoniq and The Rhyme) and for a special set by DJ Spinna himself.

Jin Lounge
2017 14th St NW
Washington, 20009
9:00pm - 2:00am

(Illustration by Aniekan)

Amir “Oddisee” Mohamed is one of the region’s standout hip-hop talents. A foundation of the Low Budget Crew, Oddisee’s resume reads like a who’s-who of modern hip hop: DJ Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli, J-Live, Asheru, Little Brother and many others.

His newest track, “Gentrification,” (produced by Kev Brown) speaks to a familiar issue—the (un)intended consequences of development and a bursting housing bubble. Hailing from Largo, Oddisee brings his perspective to gentrification and the radical change that the real estate market has manufactured from U Street to Aspen Hill.

Oddisee is breaking it down, and he’s right:

It’s something to see when the
authenticity of a city is
replaced by college kids and high sadiddyness
urban decay, making way for Ikeas,
luxury lofts
replacing what I see is a history lost

He ties together the gentrification here in the DMV to similar situations in Harlem, Chicago, Atlanta, and New Orleans. He really shows his strength as an MC on this track, with dope rhymes on a topic that needs them over a solid beat.

MP3: Oddisee, “Gentrification” (Linked with artist’s permission.)

An emerging radio-personality and established hip-hop DJ, Peter Rosenberg earned his stripes at WMUC while a student at the University of Maryland. After brief stints at WPGC and WHFS, Peter found a home at WJFK hosting an experimental talk radio show that fused discussions of hip-hop, sports, and politics. Already an edgy proposition for the stodgy WJFK, The Peter Rosenberg show was canceled after one too many run-ins with local talk radio darlings Don and Mike.

A media maven in the making, Peter quickly packed up and relocated to New York - landing a spot on the weekend graveyard shift at Hot97. His show brings a mix of underground hip hop both new and old, interviews, freestyles, an odd fascination with pro wrestling and Rick Ric Flair, and something that has long been missing from NYC corporate radio—D.C. Hip Hop.

Check out last week’s show, which features all new material from Wale, Tabi Bonney, Oddisee, Kev Brown, Kaimber, The Package and others.

Real Late with Peter Rosenberg airs Sunday nights in New York City from 1-3 AM on 97.1 FM. MP3s are available at RosenbergRadio.com

Also: check out his videos on YouTube!

Yesterday, in the A-section, the Washington Post ran an article about DJ Kool Herc and his efforts to save the Bronx apartment building in which he invented hip-hop back in 1973.

The developer who is trying to buy the building, where DJ Kool Herc spun in the rec room, would, presumably, turn it into something other than a hip-hop museum.

DJ Kool Herc is going to hold a fundraiser to help the tenants buy the building themselves. But wouldn’t this be the perfect acquisition for some hip-hop mogul? I mean, Lexus, shmexus. Who needs another hot tub when you can own the building where it all started? Am I right?

Stacy Willyard, a graduate student a George Mason’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution has spearheaded the organization of the first annual Hip Hop & Peacebuilding Frestival. This six day festival brings together an international coalition of artists and peacemakers and looks to define the roll hip hop can play in empowering youth to obtain a future of peace.

Its a pretty lofty idea, but one that is certainly welcome when violence seems to be increasing and hip-hop’s relevance as an agent of social change seems to be decreasing. Stacy and her co-organizers have put together a full schedule of events definitely worth checking out.

Full schedule inside…
Read the rest of this entry »

Poet Saul Williams will be performing tonight, Monday, April 7th with his band at the 930 Club. Tickets are $15 - more info at 930.com.

D.C. has consistently been on Saul’s cosmic orbit, and he captured the feel of the district in the 1998 film Slam. A visionary artist, his most recent album, Niggy Tardust, was released online a la Radiohead last Novemeber.

Nike has licensed his new song “List of Demands” for use in a new ad campaign. Not everyone thinks its such a good idea. Some fans are even questioning if he has sold out. A student asked him about it and he breaks down his vision in this video. What do you think? When he says “we need to upgrade our idea of revolution and how it occurs,” is he right? Discuss.

Also worth checking: this interview with KRS-One on corporate cultural cash connections.

Hip-hop super-blogger Eskay over at NahRight.com is linking to a leaked track from the forthcoming album by The Roots featuring up and coming R&B star Chrisette Michele and D.C.’s Wale over a crankin’ go-go via Philly backbeat courtesy of QuestLove. (Looks like all those shows in DC finally rubbed off on him!)

In the past, Wale has credited the Roots’ Black Thought as one of his influences as an MC, and the admiration is definitely mutual–Black Thought has stated that “Wale is the only new artist he is feeling.” The execs at Def Jam are lining this up to be the lead single for the new Roots album and Wale’s buzz may give them the boost they need. Not to mention that go-go influenced songs by non-DC artists have a great track record. (See Jill Scott, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Salt N Pepa, Heavy-D, LL Cool J…)

Wale layers his in-the-pocket flow about nothing to Quest’s go-go influenced drumming with a tight 16 bar verse that compliments the vocal work of Black Thought and Ms. Michele. Like many a great song by the Roots, Rising Up seems to lament the mainstream hip hop media’s refusal to support their brand of good music and their efforts to correct that.

Here’s to the Roots finally achieving the multi-platinum records sales and radio success that they have been angling for their whole career. Only time will tell, but they may have just lucked up on one of this summer’s D.C. anthems - at least once it gets covered by a real go-go band or two.

Kev Brown, who is a featured producer at Friday’s BeatDown producer showcase at Club Five, breaks down the secrets to his production style in this great video:

One of the region’s production stars, Kev has worked with the likes of De La Soul, Marley Marl, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Raheem Devaughn, Biz Markie, and a number of local hip-hop artists. With his process firmly rooted in the MPC based technique of beat making, he has forged a unique sound that pays homage to such greats as Pete Rock and the late J-Dilla. Definitely check him out on Friday–it should be a great event with a number of talented producers and hip hop acts on the bill.

Also: Kev and Los Angeles’ LMNO have just released a collaborative project entitled ‘Selective Hearing’ on Up Above Records. Support that real hip hop!

Double Bonus: Kev Brown and Kaimber at last month’s J-Dilla Tribute at XM performing a cover of “The Official”