03 Oct

Hip Hop Music: A Brief History

Posted by No comments

To truly find the roots of modern hip hop one must first delve far into the ancient history of Africa. Hip Hop is essentially words being sung or spoken in a rhythmic fashion in syncopation with the beat of background music. It is not entirely unlike what one would have found in ancient and modern West Africa, where at almost all celebrations, and ceremonies, oral histories and tales are traditionally spoken or sung to the beat of many drums. This African tradition has influenced many genres of music, including jazz and soul, which in turn have also had an influence on modern Hip Hop.

Most would agree that the birth of modern hip hop occurred in the 1970’s in New York City. DJ’s at block parties in the Bronx began doing creative new things with music like isolating beats, and scratching records, mixing up random rhythmic tidbits of modern music to create a whole new sound. Eventually people started using this unique new sound as a background for rhyming words along with the beat and Rap music, a sub-genre of Hip Hop was born. Many of the lyrics used in rap, in the past, and today were an outlet for disenfranchised, and often poor, youth of African and Latin descent to rail at the unfairness and inequality of modern society.

From the late 1970’s to the mid 1980’s Hip Hop continued to grow and evolve. The first Hip Hop recording occurred in 1979 though fans of the genre differ in opinion on whether it can be attributed to The Sugarhill Gang with “Rapper’s Delight” or The Fatback Band with “King Tim III (Personality Jock). It hit its peak, or Golden Age, from the mid 80’s to the mid 90’s. This was a time of much innovation and growth in the genre. Most of what we hear in modern Hip Hop originated in this time period with artists like Dr. Dre, Ice T, and Salt-n-Pepa amongst many others. There were many rivalries during this time period between West Coast and East coast rappers, some that still continue today.

Hip Hop is still popular today, although it has branched off into a variety of categories. Gangster Rap is s widely popular with artists like 50 cent and Snoop Dog. Alternative Artists like Outkast, Kanye West, and The Flobots are consistently redefining the Genre. Over time even the face of Hip Hop is changing with the success of artists like Eminem, and Insane Clown Posse, as they don’t fit into the original mold of disenfranchised African American and Latino youth. Hip Hop is now a diverse and creative culture embraced by people of all walks of life.

Categories: Houston Hip Hop
Tags:
17 Sep

15 Years Without Tupac Shakur

Posted by No comments

Fifteen years ago, on September 13, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot and killed after seeing a Mike Tyson heavyweight match.  His music was the basis for many hip hop artists at the time and especially since his death.  Even though he was shot in public, it is still unknown who killed him and what the motive was.  He was no stranger to violence; he had been shot several times in 1994 and checked himself out of the hospital.  He turned his struggle into music and released several albums that earned respect from fans and critics alike.

His death was part of a greater controversy, the East Coast/West Coat hip hop rivalry.  Notorious B.I.G., another hip hop artist and rapper, led the label Bad Boy Records.  Tupac had his own label, Death Row Records.  B.I.G., or Biggie, feuded with Tupac and other members of the record labels.  Tupac’s murder would not be un-avenged as Biggie was killed only half a year later.

Although he was killed at the age of 25, Tupac Shakur released more albums posthumously than he did while he was alive.  Eight albums were released between 1996 and 2006, with seven of them reaching platinum status or higher.  He is also remembered through film as well as music.  While he starred in some movies before his death, he also is featured in films in the 2000s and also some that are still being produced.  This archival footage will reveal more about the life of the esteemed rapper and continue his legacy decades after his death.

Fans still mourn his loss today and the mystery behind his murder is one that many hope to solve.  As of yet there are no suspects; however that does not mean that there are not a lot of people who are not considered persons of interest involving his death.

Categories: Legends
Tags:
26 Jul

Hip Hop Music

Posted by No comments

Hip hop music emerged as a reaction to the Europeanized disco music of the 1970s. Popularly originated in the 1980s among African-American youth of New York and other large US cities, and hip hop music is largely characterized by its initial moniker of rap music. Rap music involves the rapper narrating rhyming lyrical words in a certain rhythm. Occasionally known as MCing, this is also accompanied in later years by DJing when rap became popular in night clubs. Popular hip hop artists of the 1980s included the pioneering Beastie Boys whose album Licensed to Ill enjoyed iconic status.

Hip hop then spread out to Europe, Latin Africa and even Asia. In the 1990s, MC Hammer emerged as the biggest hip hop rapper with his album Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em and the song Can’t Touch This was a consistent chart topper. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were other successful artists who dominated the 1990s hip hop scene. In later years, alternative styles like Southern Rap, Rap Rock, and Rap Metal evolved as rock, punk rock and other forms of music continued to influence hip hop. Artists like Arrested Development, Goodie Mob, Eminem and Master P created huge waves.

Eminem, 50 Cent and Dilated Peoples entered the hip hop scene big time in the 2000s and gave hits like The Marshall Mathers LP. Hip hop continued to evolve and bore the influence of funk and soul music along with its traditional roots. Hip hop spread globally during the 2000s and influences of Arabic and Asian music became evident. Other derivative forms evolved and hip hop was no longer identified solely with rap. Crunk music with its slow tempo, snap music with its signature groove, and glitch hop and wonka with a notable influence of classical Indian music continue to evolve.

Despite its growth and diversity, hip hop became overshadowed during the mid-2000s by other forms of music. Alternative hip hop came to the rescue and hip hop music again regained its popularity, this time due to the combined influence of pop, jazz, funk and rock into traditional hip hop music. Jay-Z, M.I.A and K’naan are popular new artists.

Categories: Houston Hip Hop
Tags:
04 Jan

Texas hip-hop legend to hold charity concert in fight against hunger

Texas hip-hop legend to hold charity concert in fight against hunger

by khou.com staff

khou.com

Posted on December 17, 2010 at 3:34 PM

Updated Friday, Dec 17 at 3:49 PM

HOUSTON – Texas rap legend Bun B and Boost Mobile have teamed up to host a holiday food drive and charity concert benefiting Houston’s hungry Saturday, December 18.

The rap artist is offering a free concert to those who donate canned food to the Houston Food Bank.

“Once again at this time of year, when so many are without the basic necessities of life, Boost Mobile and 2 Trill Entertainment are more than happy to recommit themselves to helping the Houston community,” said Bun B.

Visitors who drop off five or more cans of food to Boost Mobile stores throughout the Houston area will receive a free pair of tickets to the concert held at Warehouse Live Saturday at 9 p.m.

“Boost Mobile believes in the positive power of music,” said Maurice Elrod, local marketing manager, Boost Mobile. “Partnering with Bun B is a great way to encourage the Houston community to give back this holiday season. We are confident we will provide the Houston Food Bank a large contribution of canned goods.”

Bun B said it is more than just a privilege for him to give back; those that have more should try and support those that are struggling.

“We created this event for the same reason we helped Haiti and did the Thanksgiving drive last year, it’s our duty as people of compassion to help those that need it,” he said.

The Port Arthur native says that he understands taking care of the home front is the first line of defense and shows appreciation for his fans by staying involved.

“As an artist, it shows that the Houston music community isn’t blind to the issues affecting its local citizens, and that we are willing to lend a hand. It also shows the community that we are not just here to take from them and that we care about what happens around us locally,” he said.

This is the second year Boost Mobile has partnered with Bun B for a holiday food drive. In 2009, the effort produced more than 7,000 cans of food to donate to the Houston Food Bank.

Bun B says he has something special in store for the crowd this year.  In an interview with Houston radio station 97.9 the Box, the rapper revealed he is adding a song to his act that’s never been performed live. 

Bun B uses the art of entertainment often as a means of giving back. This summer, he headlined Houston’s Hip Hop for HIV charity concert for those who were responsible enough to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. More than 15,000 young adults attended the event.

For more information and a complete list of drop-off locations, visit warehouselive.com. 


Source:
http://www.khou.com/entertainment/Texas-hip-hop-legend-to-hold-charity-concert-in-fight-against-hunger–112094524.html

Categories: Houston Hip Hop
Tags:
29 Nov

DJ Premier: A Pillar Of Hip-Hop History

DJ Premier Concert Flyer.jpg Maybe it’s withdrawal during a back of a twenties as good as embracing a thirties, though we’ve been so endangered with a past lately… history, which is. We’ve been clear to a parents mom in a final couple of months about her hold up as a immature kid flourishing up upon a Texas border.

You indeed do not know someone by how you know him or her today. That’s what we’ve learned, during least. You know them, really, by how you didn’t know them yesteryear, if which creates sense.

Take a grandmother: an aged Hispanic lady who doesn’t fit a distinctive nature for what she’s “supposed to be.” She’s an American citizen, innate here, lifted here, as smooth as good as clear in English as she is in Spanish. She’s Pro-Choice. And, she swam a limit … legally?

Yes, as oxymoronic as a idea sounds, she did. In fact, she did it multiform times when she didn’t even have to with her mom who, distinct her daughter, was undocumented. “Mama’s gonna float as good as so you have been too”-type thing.

Here you suspicion a prominence of a grandmother’s hold up was being a single of a tip U.S. sellers in Tupperware winning cars as good as trips to Hawaii. You consider you know someone, though you don’t.

Our indicate is which story is critical as good as critical to viewpoint upon a stream times. Without it how do you unequivocally know what partial of a story you’re assisting write? That was reinforced when you left Mexican-American studies for Hip-Hop 101 as good as got upon a phone with nothing alternative than DJ Premier final week, arguably a single of a most critical hip-hop producers of a time as good as someone who could really good have a section in music’s story book, that’s if hip-hop ever creates it there.

When you talked to Premier, he wasn’t spooky with a destiny as most as he was educating rank as good as file about a past. Google his name as good as strike “news” as good as you’ll find so most arriving projects which he didn’t speak about. He chose to speak about history.
In this week’s Houston Press, you get a tiny glance in to a thoughts as good as hold up of DJ Premier as good as his surprisingly different ties to Texas, as good as his upbringing in Houston.

We found it startling how most New Yorkers as good as Texans suspicion DJ Premier was innate as good as lifted in Brooklyn. After a couple of decades critical there, you predict you can’t censure them, though you felt a readers indispensable a accessible story doctrine upon a Houstonian who is so critical to a expansion of hip-hop.

It was erotically appealing conference about Premier’s practice with a Geto Boyz during Harlem’s Apollo Theater, “when everyone was only singing along with them,” he recalls.

Categories: Houston Hip Hop
Tags:
22 Jan

A Look at Music’s Healing Qualities

Posted by No comments

Music is a powerful healer because it touches us in the very depths of our souls where modern medicine cannot reach. If you have ever paid attention to how music makes you feel, you will know that music can stir up all sorts of emotions in the human body. If for example you listen to a Christmas carol you are likely to be filled with a warm emotion of happiness that may stem from your childhood. If you listen to really fast and loud music you may become anxious and nervous. Music has a way of taking us back to a place in our minds where we have once visited.

Certain songs can have us in tears before we know it and can make us feel as if we want to cry. It is amazing just how much music can work on our emotions and how just a simple song can make us cry one moment and ready to dance and sing the next.

It is proven that when patients listen to music during their treatments they need fewer pain medications. Music can be especially healing for those who suffer from anxiety disorders because it can help to calm their nerves. Medical doctors are just now starting to realize the healing powers that music has to offer and are starting to take advantage of it.

You can not only enjoy the healing powers of music but you can also make the world around you disappear when listening to it. I believe this is one of the reasons that music is so good for you. Whether you are suffering from an illness or not, you can enjoy music and all the wonderful qualities it has to offer.

Categories: uncategorised
Tags:
14 May

The Perks of Playing Online Bingo

Posted by No comments

People from all over the world have been playing bingo for hundreds of years. The game has always been incredibly popular. These days the wide selection of entertainment options caused most versions of real time bingo to fade so that the game tends to only be played in grade school and for the occasional charity event. Despite the waning popularity of the real world version of the game, online bingo has become so popular that it’s providing some serious competition for the online casinos. Every single day people have discovered and fallen in love with online bingo.

Online bingo has completely changed the way that people play bingo, instead of being forced to play the game at pre-arranged times and a specific location. It’s finally possible for fans of the game to play bingo whenever the urge hits them. Not only will the bingo fan be able to play bingo in the comfort of their own home while wearing pajamas, they’ll also be able to play bingo whenever they want. Online bingo rooms have games in process 24/7. Playing bingo has never been easier. You’ll be surprised by how much you enjoy the convenience of online bingo.

In addition to being able to play online bingo while in the comfort of your own home, you’re also going to find that you’ll be able to play online bingo no matter where you might be. The only things you need will be an account with an online bingo room, a smartphone or tablet, and a reliable 3G connection. Provided you have these three things you’ll be able to play online bingo whenever you want. This will turn out to be a really great way to distract yourself while waiting in traffic, or to pass the time before an important meeting. Many parents have started to let their kids use the mobile app to play online bingo on long road trips.

You will never ever have to worry about getting bored while playing online bingo. This won’t be like grade school. Most of the online bingo rooms have gone to great lengths to make sure they have a variety of online bingo games for their members to choose from. You’ll be able to play bingo with other players that have a similar skill level to your own, increasing the chances of you winning. You’re going to find your fellow online bingo members to be very friendly and ready to provide helpful advice. Visit these websites to learn more:

• Click here to see a variety of bingo games you can play at home.

• For home bingo games where you can win cash and prizes, click here.

• Check out the popular Robin Hood Bingo here.

Categories: art of bingo
Tags:
25 Apr

Finding a Good Music Teacher For Your Child

Posted by No comments

With schools facing an increasingly tight budget, it’s falling to the parents to fill it the gaps in their children’s education. One gap will most likely be music. Many of the public schools will no longer have the funding available to hire music teachers and band instructors.

What parent’s shouldn’t do is decide that music isn’t something their child doesn’t need to know about. It is. Children who learn about music at a young age will have a stronger understanding of the arts and the amount of work and effort that goes into the creative process. Even more importantly, music will provide your child with yet another way that they can express themselves. Even tone-deaf kids who won’t ever make a career out of music will benefit from taking some music lessons as a child.

When it comes to enhancing your child’s education through music, you’re going to want to make sure you’ve paired them with the best possible teacher. You should choose a teacher who’s going to connect with your child.

When it comes to finding a teacher, you don’t have to look for someone who is a top-level player. It’s far more important to look for a person who loves music and who will be able to pass that love to your child. When you’ve found this teacher your child will be eager to go to their music lessons and will not fight the idea of having to practice. This will be someone who makes your child passionate about music. A good music teacher will be able to make the lessons fun, as well as enjoyable. It will be this teacher, more so than any of the others, which really teach your child how to use music as an emotional escape.

Categories: uncategorised
Tags:
07 Feb

3 Reasons I Love Satellite Radio

Posted by No comments

Because I travel so much, having great music to listen to is very important to me. There are some weeks where I am in my car more than I am at home. My car does not have an iPod hookup so I rely on my radio for great music. Recently I purchased satellite radio and I ma in love. I never thought I could find something that would give me every thing I needed in music while I drove. There are 3 reasons why I love it so much.

#1: Different varieties. Satellite radio not only offers different stations like a regular radio but it goes above and beyond in different varieties of music. If I am in a jazz mood, it has it. If I am in a dance club kind of mood, the satellite radio has just the right music.

#2: Things for kids. There are times when I am not traveling for work that I have my kids in the car with me. Satellite radio had kid channels. These channels go anywhere from preschool music to pre-teen. My kid’s love picking what channel they want before we start riding. They love getting to control what they listen to and I love that they have their own music to enjoy.

#3: More than music. There are some days when I want to hear news or maybe even some preaching so Satellite radio meets that need every time. I can listen to many different preachers or if I want to hear news, there are many different channels to choose from. I love that I can hear what I want when I want it. Satellite radio has changed my long traveling days to times of refreshment and joy.

Categories: uncategorised
Tags:
29 Nov

The Latest News on Sexual Health

Posted by No comments

Sexual health is not a topic that most men are comfortable talking about. Many men and women included never talk to their doctor if there is a particular issue in the bedroom but sometimes the need does come for a doctor’s visit to be made. While you may find yourself embarrassed about your question it is very important to do so. Leaving sexual health issues alone can cause issues in your marriage as well as in your life. Some issues can even be a symptom of something much worse such as a disease or cancer so you should always discuss your health with your doctor.

One of the most common issues in men’s sexual health is a disorder called premature ejaculation. This is often a common complaint among men and their partners alike. While not exactly a severe health issue this disorder can lead to issues in the marriage or relationship so it is best to get a doctor to determine the cause. While you may find it embarrassing there are medications out there that will treat and cure premature ejaculation.

Your doctor will want to know things about your health and may ask you many questions. From there you will more than likely have blood work and then be asked to come back in for those results. If those results are normal your doctor will work with you on a regime that can help you overcome this disorder. It may just be a change of environmental concerns or a change in the stress in your life or you may actually need a pill form of medication like Viagra. Don’t be embarrassed! You can buy medicine online now and no one will ever know.

In some cases, studies have found that the medication Tramadol (or Fioricet) is used to treat premature ejaculation. Tramadol is a pain medication that acts like codeine and helps to alleviate moderate to severe pain. However this medication has the ability to work on the serotonin found in the brain and help delay ejaculation in a man. More studies are ongoing but most men that have tried Tramadol for this use have had good experiences.

If you want to buy Tramadol for the issue make sure that you let your doctor know. Tramadol has a low risk of becoming habit forming, does not have many side effects and works well for many people. Tramadol has different dosing so your doctor can give you the appropriate prescription for you. You can order at your regular pharmacy or find a pharmacy online that has Tramadol, Ultracet, and other pain medications. Either way be sure to ask your doctor about Tramadol today and be sure that if you are having an issue you let your doctor know. Your doctor is your second line of defense against disease and health problems with you being the first line of defense. Talk to your doctor today.

Categories: tramadol online
Tags:
18 Jul

How Music Led Me to Online Casinos

Posted by No comments

I never thought that I would be interested in online gambling. When I was in college, several of my friends would take off to spend the weekend at the casino, gambling and partying, but I never did. It simply wasn’t something I enjoyed. I preferred staying at home and listening to my music.

The internet changed my life. I no longer simply sit at home listening to music, but I also blog about what I am listening to. I was searching for topics to blog about when I stumbled across an article about how a woman noticed that when she listens to certain types of music, she is able to increase the amount of money that she earn while playing various games at Mr Green Casino. She was convinced that as long as she listened to a certain song, she couldn’t lose.

I was skeptical, but I thought it had the potential to be an interesting experiment, so I decided to give it a while. After reading through some reviews of various Uk casino sites I became a member of caesers casino.
I have listened to all different types of music while playing everything from blackjack, to gonzos quest slot, to poker, to frankenstein slot games. I seem to lose money no matter what I song I have blasting from my iPod. I did however make one surprising discovery.

Gambling is fun!

When I first started out, I was really nervous, I didn’t know any of the rules, but there were some very pleasant people hanging out in the chat rooms who helped me get started. Now I am comfortable playing just about any game without assistance, though I still spend a great deal of time in the chat rooms. It turns out that the chat rooms aren’t just a great place to learn about the games that online casino’s offer; they are also a great spot to make new friends who like to talk about music as much as I do.

Prior to starting to play, I was worried that I would lose all my money. While it is true that I have lost some money playing poker, I was stunned to find that it was possible to gamble online without spending any money at all. I just participate in some of the free bonus games that the online casinos always seem to be running. These games are wildly popular, and I have yet to win a single one, but I have a lot of fun trying.

Another thing that I noticed shortly after I started to gamble online was that I feel better. Just like listening to music, gambling provides me with an outlet for my stress. When I play I forget all about the little things that irritated me earlier in the day and can finally able to relax and enjoy myself.

I still make sure that my iPod is playing, and if I find the one song that helps make me a millionaire I’ll be sure to let you know.

Categories: Bingo Affiliate Programs
Tags:
20 Feb

Music and Online Bingo are a Perfect Fit

Posted by No comments

Being able to unwind at the end of the day is something that many people look forward to after a long day of working. There are many ways that people around the world try to make the stress of everyday life a little bit easier to handle. If you are lucky enough to have internet access at home, going online may be one way to relax after dealing with an annoying boss or customers. For one person who fits into this category, playing games online is a hobby that she enjoys more than anything else.

Let me introduce you to Kendra.  She works full time in a noisy bank and deals with complaining customers all day long.  At the end of a long, hard day, she loves to get online and just relax. She kicks back and visits her favorite game sites like Ritzy Bingo and JackpotjoyBingo. And while there are plenty of other people who like to play games on these sites, there is something that sets Kendra apart from others. She likes to listen to music while she plays games online. But not just any music, she prefers hip hop from new and upcoming artists she finds online. She finds that this type of music keeps her going and makes her feel even better than she did before when she played games without music playing.

Though she knows the music really has nothing to do with how much she is winning while playing games like gossip bingo, she still cannot help but feel uncomfortable playing without some hip hop music in the background. If you could not tell already, Kendra loves having internet access at home, but she also takes advantage of it while at work. Though she does not play games at work, she spends some time researching what games she wants to play next.

In order to find new bingo sites, Kendra uses a process similar to how she finds great new music. Reading reviews of games is one way to find out if a game is worth playing or a song is worth listening to online. If others like to play a game with qualities you like in your games, then you can feel better about trying the game as well.  Take a cue from Kendra and check out some of the fabulous no deposit bingo games online and turn up the Hip Hop while you play!

Categories: Online Gaming Advice
Tags:
13 Jan

While the Cat’s Away….

Remember the old adage that goes something like “while the cat’s away the mice will play”? Well, speaking for myself and a bunch of fellow employees, that adage is true. When our boss would step out we commonly found things to do other than our jobs. To be totally honest, as soon as he left we jumped on a computer and did a little gambling at an online casino.

We all thought that our covert activities were just that, covert. We had a few company computers that we played on since we could not all play at once otherwise. We thought we knew what we were doing; we read online casino reviews and numerous UK blackjack reviews to sharpen our skills. We all knew the best bingo sites. We even knew the game master of every site by name! We really worked at honing our skills so we could win our fortunes and retire. I don’t know who originally thought up the scheme but it worked like this. We all put in an equal amount and then we joined numerous websites by making equal deposits at each site. We intended to split all earnings equally, we were a team. We saw dollars signs in this scheme, big dollar signs.

Everything was progressing according to plan. That is to say, we had not lost all our money yet thanks to some pretty good wins. We visited European poker sites frequently since they seem to have consistently large jackpots and remarkable incentive programs. We all liked to play William Hill Casino; we played all the latest hot games of video poker, roulette and even a few slots.

When one of the employees asked if she should download Virgin Casino we all agreed she should go for it; after all it would bring in a £100 bonus. We were taken smitten with this colorful, fun site with over 200 game selections. We played and played; that is to say we played and played until the cat came back and caught the mice playing.

Needless to say the boss was irate and we nearly lost our jobs. The only positive on our side was that was if he fired us all there would be no one left to do the work. So, we negotiated a treaty with our boss. He decided that since we were playing on company computers that whatever was in the online accounts was his. He got all our money and we got to keep our jobs.

Categories: Online Gaming Advice
Tags:
01 Jan

Still Standing

Posted by No comments

On any given day, music fans stroll in and out of a dilapidated shack on Houston‘s Southeast side and buy CDs with such titles as Thangs Done Changed and Still Standing. A decade after the death of its founder, and years of weathering an avalanche of music-industry changes, Screwed Up Records & Tapes is still standing.

The store has a woozy, laid-back atmosphere. Chopped and screwed versions of songs by Notorious B.I.G., Too $hort and others ooze from the surround-sound system. The display cases teem with what looks like an eternity of Screw CDs and mixtapes.

Rap posters, S.U.C. shirts and beanies and a ton of other hip-hop paraphernalia adorn the walls. In the back is a recording studio where local artists go to cut new songs and tap into the innovative spirit of the man who once walked the store.

Underneath the haze of Houston’s hip-hop scene, there was always the beating heart of Robert Earl Davis Jr., popularly known as DJ Screw. It’s as if Screw woke up one morning, stuck his finger into the hot, humid Houston air and sensed the city’s desire to cool things down. So he went about exploring ways to slow rap music to a crawl.

In the early ’90s, this unique sound found its way onto the streets of Houston. It was so original it took on the name of its creator. Screw relied on a slow, laconic sound, a departure from the 808 blasts and drum-driven style dominating the West and East coasts at the time.

If Screw’s style had a ­progenitor, it was the blues. It wasn’t the type of ­music you expected to hear at a club.

But Screw wasn’t just about slowing down rap songs. That’s part of it, but it was also an original art form that relied on an innovative technique. It’s grown into a lifestyle, a culture and a hip-hop movement in its purest form.

DJ Screw’s co-conspirators were equally sluggish in their approach to rapping. For the most part, their lyrics didn’t protest anything or threaten anyone, just celebrated their slow-motion lifestyle.

Whereas East Coast MCs were perpetually menacing and hasty, Southern rappers were calculated and relaxed, albeit with the occasional hint of ominous tales. Regardless of the topic, there was always a sense of calm.

Thus the sound of Screwston was born. Not since New York nicknamed itself the “birthplace of hip-hop” in the boom-bap days has one city been so synonymous with a specific sound. Screw’s dominance continued to grow even years after his death, as his mixtapes and albums traveled across the Mason-Dixon line.

Then, in the mid-2000s, the tide of history turned in favor of Houston hip-hop’s short-lived hegemony as spearheaded by Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire and Slim Thug. Veterans like Scarface, Lil’ Flip and Bun B christened their arrival, but one shout-out kept popping up on everyone’s records: “R.I.P. Screw.”

Today, that familiar name has single-handedly turned Screwed Up Records & Tapes into a monument of sorts. In terms of regional significance, it’s to Houston hip-hop heads what Bob Marley‘s Tuff Gong Studio is to reggae fans and Fela Kuti‘s Kalakuta Shrine is to Afrobeat followers.

On a global level, its prominence isn’t necessarily on that level. You won’t find Jay-Z dropping by to record an album there, for example. But you’ll see throngs of hip-hop heads popping in for a piece of history.

Lil D, the radiant manager who helps oversee Screwed Up Records & Tapes’ operations, estimates that the shop moves about 40 CDs on a good day, and around 80 on a very good day. But he’s quick to add that sales have declined significantly as tape seekers migrate online. The store is readying a new Web site to palliate the damages done by those pesky pirates, and also help catalog some of the mixes available at the store.

DJ Screw was such a prolific producer that indexing his tapes is a grueling task. Like the man behind the legacy, the staff is in no rush to move, transferring about three or four new tapes to CD every month.

While nearly 300 mixtapes are accounted for as of this writing, Lil D says another 150 or more have yet to be transferred — not including albums and one-off projects. Oh, and no one knows the exact location of all Screw’s tapes.

So, how exactly has the store managed to stay afloat in the age of eBay and torrent sites? Lil D credits the loyalty of Screw fans: “People support us because they know that this is what feeds his family,” he says.

Still, not too many businesses can survive on the strength of charity support. There’s something else going on here.

“Screw’s originality is the key,” says Lil D. “There’s a lot of people that come out and copy. But you can’t duplicate this. A lot of people know it’s the real deal, and they can tell the difference between Screw’s mix and other people’s mix.”

Originality aside, Screwed Up Records & Tapes also finds strength in the support of Screw’s disciples. If you call the store’s answering machine, you’re likely to hear the profound basso of Z-Ro calling out the store’s business hours.
Source:
http://www.houstonpress.com/2010-12-30/music/still-standing/

Categories: Houston Hip Hop
Tags:
30 Dec

It’s Hot In the Hot Tub

More and more people are starting to take a hard look at purchasing whirlpool bathtubs. One of the reasons for the increased interest is because discount whirlpool tubs are becoming more affordable, especially when you buy whirlpool tubs online. Another reason is that people are starting to realize that owning a hot tub or whirlpool tub can improve their mental and physical health.

One reason that so many people used to hesitate when it came to purchasing these luxury tubs was space. Few people have enough space for an enormous hot tub. However, the creation of the air bath and increased availability of two person hot tubs and corner bath tubs means that people have more space efficient options for installation.

Owners of hot tubs will tell you that there is probably going to come a day when you notice that the tub doesn’t seem to have the same kind of power that it used to. The water is still circulating, but it doesn’t seem to have the same massaging effect. When you notice this lack of current, it means that it is time to clean your hot tub’s jets. Even if the jets seem to be working properly, you should plan on cleaning them regularly. Most hot tub experts recommend cleaning your hot tub jets at least four times a year.

When cleaning your whirlpool bathtubs jets you will want to make sure that your hot tub is completely full, and that the water is approximately 130 degrees. Add a single cup of unscented bleach and pour it into your hot tub. In addition to the bleach, you should add a ¼ cup of unscented dish soap to the water as well.

After you have added the bleach and dish soap, you need to turn on the jets at full blast and allow them to run for about fifteen minutes. The bleach and dish soap running through the jets will clean away the debris and buildup. When the jets are clean you are going to have to drain your tub and clean the sides with regular bathroom cleaner before refilling your hot tub.

If the jets are not working at full force after being cleaned, you need to have a repair person come out and inspect the jets, which may need to be replaced.  Another way to make sure that your hot tubs Southern Wisconsin are always in perfect working order is keeping them clean. If the hot tub is outside, make sure it is covered whenever it is not being used. A stray leaf or broken twig can ruin a hot tub.

Categories: Hot Tubs
Tags:
20 Dec

Keep the Rhythm

There are so many great things about playing games that offer large jackpots. The first and most obvious thing is that you could walk away with a substantial amount of money. But knowing when to say enough is enough is just as important so that you do not end up losing that huge jackpot you worked so hard to get.

If you ever play bingo online you understand how addicting it can be. This is especially true if you are on a winning streak and are about to hit it really big. But if you are a new bingo player and are not sure how to get to the point of staying hot while playing and then stopping before you lose it all, you may want to consider some lower risk games.

Knowing what you are doing and being careful is very important when you are playing with your money at risk. For some, practicing playing games like Bet365bingo is all about fun and not how much you can win. This is a good attitude to have when playing games for money.

If you get way too into the game and forget that Jackpotjoy is just a game, you may forget also that you have money at stake. What some people do is to set a time limit before they start playing. This way, you will not find yourself sitting at the computer for hours and risk losing that huge amount you won earlier.

Another idea some may find helpful when they are playing with the Polo Bingo Bonus is to set a limit on how much they will spend before calling it quits. Even if you continue to play, perhaps trying another game will be a good idea. Taking a break from one game is a great way to refresh your mind and really think about how much money you are spending or winning.

No matter how much you win while playing, it is very important to know when to stop playing. If you have spent a few hours and are breaking even or are just above what you have spent, you should really think about the time you just spent playing as time spent keeping yourself entertained. That really is what a game is for anyway, right?

Categories: Online Gaming Advice
Tags:
28 Nov

DRUMLine Live’s marching-band moves get Overture audience dancing

Capitalizing on the success of the 2002 film Drumline, about the marching band of a historically black college, DRUMline Live is a high-energy musical revue that on Saturday night brought a 40-piece marching band off the football field and onto the stage of Overture Hall.

The show opened with a cheesy, low-budget video, an awkward juxtaposition with the pomp and grandeur of the venue. My hopes for this 2.5-hour production sank to my feet. But then a spotlight — and then another, this one two feet from where I stood — illuminated performers in traditional Zulu dress, beating djembe hand drums. And then silence. The room was electrified.

The next two and a half hours were a musical voyage through black music, gospel to Motown to hip-hop, arriving of course at the brassy, blasting, get-on-your-feet-and-clap sounds of the marching band.

Performers were chosen from the marching bands of historically black colleges and universities across the country, and the talent is truly incredible. Florida A&M’s Larry J. Smith II had a saxophone solo that nearly brought the audience to its feet, and the James Brown imitation by Houston’s Larry Allen was the most entertaining I’ve ever seen.

Revues like this often drag as the show goes on, but this one seemed to gain steam. For the first few numbers, I was skeptical. The dancing was surprisingly sloppy, and the video segues were goofy and plodding. But by the end of the first act, I was energized. The best parts of this show are the audience interactions, which are almost constant. Performers dance and sing in the aisles, pulling the audience to their feet — even pulling them onstage. The kids in the audience were dancing in their seats, and a few adults were, too. I’ve never seen an audience so loose at an Overture Hall show.

Some audiences may be disappointed by how little of the show consists of marching band tunes. For a show with ‘drum’ in the title, most of the drum work doesn’t come until the second act, though when it does, it arrives in style, with a show-stopping drum battle and an ear-splitting half-time show.

Glenda Morton’s costumes are colorful and fun. Xavier Pierce’s lighting is inventive, but sometimes distractingly so, frequently blinding the audience while casting performers in a murky glow. Choreography by Jacques Bell and Tovah Lovely is a highlight. My favorite piece of the night was a glow-in-the-dark dance number to a top 40 R&B medley.

For all the show’s technical shortcomings, it won me over with its energy, its sincerity, and its heart. It’s a show that asks a lot of its audience, so if you go to Sunday’s performance, bring a lot of energy — and maybe some ear plugs.

http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=31401

Categories: Houston Hip Hop
Tags: