JOVM’s William Ruben Helms belatedly celebrates Phife Dawg’s 53rd birthday.
Tag: hip-hop
Throwback: Happy 58th Birthday, Mike D!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Beastie Boys’ Mike D’s 58th birthday.
Throwback: Happy 49th Birthday, Prodigy!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 49th anniversary of the birth of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy.
Throwback: Happy 53rd Birthday, Snoop Dogg!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Snoop Dogg’s 53rd birthday.
Throwback: Happy 55th Birthday, CL Smooth!
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates CL Smooth’s 55th birthday.
New Video: Salimo Shares Breezy “Jelly”
Montréal-based artist Salimo is a rising Francophone emcee. In a relatively short period of time, he has captured the attention of media outlets across both his hometown and Québec, and he has already amassed an impressive array of live dates under his belt: The Montréal-based artist has opened for Niska, Youssoupha, MAES, Gims, Sofiane, Soolking and a list of others. He has also played Francofoiles de Montréal — including a headlining set at the festival, making him the youngest artist to date to ever headlining in the festival’s history. He has also played Festival Marocain de Laval, Fête Nationale du Maroc au Parc Jarry and M for Montréal.
Salimo has amassed over 10 million streams across digital streaming platforms and millions of views on YouTube, adding his name to a growing list of Quebecois rappers, who have received attention across the Francophone world.
The Montréal-based rapper’s sophomore album is slated for a November 4, 2023 through Kartel Music Group/Sony Music Canada. The album’s latest single “Jelly” is a breezy, hook-driven, club and lounge friendly bop featuring an ethereal, reggaeton-inspired production featuring skittering and shuffling beats, a looped, strummed Flamenco-like acoustic guitar sample serving as a lush bed for Salimo’s effortless, subtly Autotuned delivery. May this one be a reminder of summer warmth — and flirting with pretty young things at the club.
Directed by Disjoncté Productions, the slick and stylishly shot accompanying video for “Jelly” follows the rising Montréal-based rapper through some gorgeous locales in one of my favorite cities, including a stunning view of Montréal’s skyline and Vieux Port from the other side of the St. Lawrence River.
Throwback: Happy 55th Birthday, Dave Jolicouer, A.K.A. Trugoy The Dove, a.k.a. Plug Two
JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 55th anniversary of the birth of De La Soul’s Dave Jolicouer, a.k.a. Trugoy the Dove, a.k.a. Plug Two.
New Audio: BluFlame Shares Swaggering “Outta Sight”
BluFlame is an emerging emcee, who was born in Bartow, FL, a town located between Tampa and Orlando and just south of Lakeland. While the town is named after Francis S. Barrow, the first brigade commander of the Confederate Army to die in combat during the Civil War, it’s best known as the birthplace of Hall of Fame linebacker and two-time Super Bowl Champ, Ray Lewis.
The Bartow-born emcee, grew up in Winter Haven‘s Abby Lane neighborhood, one of the region’s toughest neighborhoods. “Back then, Abby Lane was the streets,” he says. My cousin and I witnessed out first murder. A lady got her head blown off by her husband. I remember me and my cousin running, until the asthma kicked in. We seen the police everyday, if not every night. It was crazy fights everyday. Throw ‘em up, bust ‘em up…is what we called it. But it was a grind all day, every day.” Unsurprisingly, the environment forced the young, emerging emcee to mature much younger than most while fostering a desire to protect and provide for his family as best as he could. “I had to help take off my lil brother and sisters when I was 7. So I hustled and sold candy…anything to keep the family alive,” he says.
His latest single “Outta Sight” pairs a hyper contemporary trap production — featuring skittering, tweeter and woofer rattling beats, eerily twinkling synths serving as a sleek vehicle for the emerging emcee’s remarkably self-assured and swaggering delivery full of some hilarious punchlines rooted in pop culture references. The single reveals an emcee and producer with an uncanny knack for a catchy hook.
New Video: London’s O.MORGZ Shares Summery and Upbeat “Living”
Emerging, Croydon, UK-born, London-based emcee O. MORGZ grew up in a Black, Caribbean-British household, where he heard a variety of music from Missy Elliot to Beres Hammond, but he took a shine to hip-hop at a very early age. Despite, his interest and passion for hip-hop, the emerging London-based artist didn’t start to pursue a career in music until 2019 with the release of “My Element,” which saw him using a combination of skippy flows and harmonic melodies to get his message across.
Much like countless young Blacks across the world, the London-based artist has had to face a lot of obstacles in a relatively short time, but his ambitions, go-getter attitude and vulnerability are at the core of his work. Ultimately, he hopes to project a sense of consciousness that gives a positive outlook on life. But he also hopes to encourage his audience to acquire financial freedom with a concept he’s dubbed “Money Motivation.”
O.MORGZ’s latest single “Living,” is a breezy and upbeat summery bop built around a vibey production featuring twinkling keys and skittering boom bap serving as a lush and chilled out bed for the British artist’s effortless and self-assured flow. As O.MORGZ explains underneath the song’s celebratory and anthemic nature, is a song meant to be motivational for anyone in difficult circumstances to get up and get yours.
Directed by Fivos Vas, the accompanying video follows the emerging British artist through beautiful Cypress. It’s the high life that many of us dream of attaining — and are busting our asses to achieve.
Throughout his career Robert Glasper has become known as the leader of a new sonic paradigm with his work bridging a number of musical and artistic genres. So far, the accomplished musician, composer and producer has received 11 Grammy nominations across 11 categories and has won five. Glasper has also won an Emmy Award for his work with Common and Karriem Riggins for Ava DuVernay‘s critically applauded documentary 13th. Adding to his impressive accomplishments, the acclaimed artist has also won a Peabody Award for his composition, “Mr. Soul!”
Glasper’s work and accolades bridge all aspects of the music business, from live touring, film scores, composing and producing. His ongoing Black Radio series has become his calling card and the heart of a trailblazing community of collaborators including Yasiin Bey, Bilal, Ledisi, Lupe Fiasco, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu. Glasper is an artist at the heart of an important moment — and a movement — to champion Black music, Black people, and the possibility of a better future for all of us.
Founded back in 1981, New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club is one of the premier venues in the world. While jazz is at its core, the famed club continues to broaden its offerings to spotlight contemporary artists across all musical styles, backgrounds and cultures.
The club and its sister institutions across the globe continue to draw beloved — and massive — household names with frequent appearances from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and more.
Last Friday, The Blue Note Jazz Club and Robert Glasper announced the fifth annual Robtober, his iconic residency. Kicking off on October 4, 2023 — with two shows per night at 8pm and 10:30pm — and running until November 5, 2023, Season 5 of the residency will see the acclaimed pianist, producer, composer and songwriter performing eight distinct episodes, with a different array of renowned special guests including Yebba, Norah Jones, Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, Moonchild‘s Amber Navran, D Smoke, Yasiin Bey, Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge, and DJ Jahi Sundance.
A complete list of dates are below. Tickets are available here y’all. Don’t lose out on a legendary month at The Blue Note.
BLUE NOTE x ROBERT GLASPER “ROBTOBER”
SEASON 5
EPISODE ONE: THE ORGINIAL TRIO: TRIBUTE TO PIANO GIANTS
October 4—The Original Trio: Tribute to Piano Giants—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 5—The Original Trio: Tribute to Piano Giants—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
EPISODE TWO: YEBBA
October 6—Robert Glasper x Yebba—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 7—Robert Glasper x Yebba—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 8—Robert Glasper x Yebba—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
EPISODE THREE: NORAH JONES
October 11—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 12—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 13—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 14—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 15—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
EPISODE FOUR: AMBER NAVRAN (MOONCHILD)
October 18—Robert Glasper x Amber Navran (of Moonchild)—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 19—Robert Glasper x Amber Navran (of Moonchild)—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
EPISODE FIVE: DINNER PARTY FEAT.
TERRACE MARTIN & KAMASI WASHINGTON
October 20—Dinner Party feat. Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington
—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 21—Dinner Party feat. Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington
—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 22—Dinner Party feat. Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington
—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
EPISODE SIX: TRIBUTE TO ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS
October 25—Tribute to Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 26—Tribute to Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
EPISODE SEVEN: D SMOKE
October 27—Robert Glasper x D Smoke—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 28—Robert Glasper x D Smoke—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 29—Robert Glasper x D Smoke—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
EPISODE EIGHT: YASIIN BEY
November 1—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodgeand DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYCNovember 2—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
November 3—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
November 4—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
November 5—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
New Video: Gotts Street Park Team Up with ENNY on Soulful and Intimate “Mountains”
Acclaimed and rapidly rising British neo-soul and hip-hop instrumental outfit Gotts Street Park— Josh Crocker (bass, production), Tom Henry (keys) and Joe Harris (guitar) — will be releasing their highly anticipated full-length debut, On The Inside on October 13, 2023 through Blue Flowers.
The 12-song album is reportedly a window into the band’s inner world, a world that’s been expanding since the band’s formation. What initially began as an outlet for their shared love of 60s Motown quickly became one of Leeds’ most successful and acclaimed bands, while amassing over 69 million Spotify streams.
So far I’ve written about two of the album’s released singles”
- “Got To Be Good,” an effortless, vintage soul-inspired strut built around skittering boom bap-like drumming, glistening Rhodes, burst of funk guitar and a sinuous and supple bass line paired with Pip Millett‘s yearning delivery.
- “Fuego,” the album’s second single saw the acclaimed British outfit returning to their instrumental roots with an irresistibly funky funky, El Michels affair-meets-classic soul-like groove, “Fuego” and a shape-shifting arrangement of twinkling keys, squiggling funk guitar and relentless boom-bap snares. It’s a mischievously anachronistic jam that’s perfect for lounges and for crate diggers looking for deep, hypnotic grooves.
“Mountains,” On The Inside‘s third and latest single is built around a swaggering, Quiet Storm-meets-neo soul-like groove featuring boom bap-like snares, twinkling keys an glistening guitar paired with ENNY‘s Lauryn Hill/Mary J. Blige-inspired delivery that sees her spitting bars and crooning lyrics informed by lived-in experiences of heartache, depression, struggle and survival. While not being a straightforward Behind the Music-like tale, it celebrates the fact that life is often about figuring out how to go forward when everything has gone to shit in front of you.
“The instrumental for ‘Mountains’ is originally from a little batch of GSP jams that Joe had chopped up and made beats from a couple years ago,” the band explains in press notes. “Fast forward a year or so… Josh was in the studio working on songs with Enny mainly for her solo stuff, and this was one of the beats she liked enough to write to.” They continue, “When we heard her demo vocal on the beat, we fell in love with the song. Enny is an artist we all admire and it was obvious we needed to get this tune fully finished and have her guest on our album!”
“I had a session with Josh last year around a time I was going through a bit of a down period,” ENNY says. “And, once he played the first few seconds everything just flowed. It was the first time in a longtime that I’d written lyrics using a pen” ENNY adds: “The guys are so cool and easy to vibe with and I’m grateful to be a part of this project.”
Directed by Harvey Pearson, the cinematically shot black and white accompanying video for “Mountains” places ENNY in the center of the screen passionately performing the song in an intimate club, before slowly panning out to reveal the members of Gotts Street Park. “With this video, I wanted ENNY and her performance to be front and center, capturing an intimate moment within a motionless crowd,” Pearson explains. “Shooting in a single, unbroken take, we draw focus to the frank and captivating performance. Underlining this approach in striking black and white, we deliberately zero in on the raw and immediate essence of this moment.”
