Many Blessings

-DeVon

Creative Director

Soul Love Networking, LLC

The crowd slowly made there way into the lobby of the theater, stood in line to get their complimentary beverages provided by Ciroc. Everyone mingling, the event being the type of event that brought out a diverse crowd but still a lot of people in the know and as friends and people who ‘you’ve seen around’ linked up the doors of the theater suddenly opened  after let’s just say a short wait(ok not really) Walking into the theater, it felt more like a classroom for theater majors than an actual ‘Theater there was the screen for the documentary and DJ Jrocc standing behind his turntables, me and my friend took our seats with the other curious patrons. I was curious why DJ Jrocc was there, according to the flyer I thought he would provide the mood music to the mingling in the lobby, the event coordinator came out to greet the crowd and explained the timeless series, which is three documentaries and that we would be seeing a mixture of all 3. The lights dimmed and the documentary started. I saw DJ Jrocc, moving and grooving as if he was djing but I couldn’t understand why, we were watching a documentary…until the screen flickered and another documentary from the timeless series was mixed in. Then it hit me, He was mixing the documentaries. For real!? Stop Playing!! From then on it only got better and better. DJ Jrocc weaved select pieces from the three documentaries like we were at a lounge, I could have had a glass of wine in my hand at a art show. Once I truly wrapped my head around  the fact he was actually mixing the video, while not new definitely was a welcome surprise it took my experience to another level because it was watching a performance in a performance. There was Jrocc mixing and the documentary, so as he was vibing so was I as he spun back certain pieces, slowed them down and blended with the ease of a true professional DJ. The audience started to really get into the documentary as Jrocc selected some very well known and nostalgic J Dilla cuts performed by the orchestra such as “Fall in Love” “Reminsce ft. Bilal” and the most memorable track of the night “Stakes is high” where in the documentary Posudonus  of De La Soul was assited by Talib Kweli on his CLASSIC, CLASSIC track .

The documentary ended, the lights came back up and the crowd applauded. Following the screening was a Q/A session with the guys from Mochilla(who produced the DVD) and the event coordinator. The audience was elated! The questions were fluid in succession “How did this come about?” “How did Jrocc do that?” “Can I buy this?…now!” “Are you showing this again?” “Can I help in bringing this to others? More people need to see this!”

I don’t know if my words do this night justice but I will say get the DVD, have your own screenings, whether in your homes or in a larger setting. It is awe inspiring, it has it’s roots in hip hop but this is just good music, a cultural experience. Thanks to Mochilla for producing the series and all involved in the D.C. screening. Truly magic!

-DeVon

A Special Kind of Fool-EPK

 Download  “Something Big, Vol. 1 A Ty mixtape”

Spotted at Soulculture

video by www.kontain.com

Shaun White wins Gold at the 2006 Olympics

The title says hip hop for President but I’m not talking about the American Presidency although it is always nice I am talking about the world and specifically Haiti. I will touch on a few other places but let me begin with Haiti. As we all know Wyclef Jean has been out front since we’ve known of him in the public eye as a true ambassador for his native country of Haiti. I’m not the first to say this, the Haitian press has asked, diddy has mentioned it and so many in the hip hop community but Wyclef running for the President of Haiti just seems to make sense! Although this commentary goes deeper in it’s statement “hip hop for President” in that from hip hop comes some serious leadership and that the main mission of urbandrop and truly soul love. Networking is to tale hip hop to the next level. Seeing wyclef give press conferences and be followed by CNN speaks volumes. Let’s remember that Wycled was a part of the influential group ‘The fugees’ who had an album out called ‘blunted on reality’ that not many people focused on and then released the  ‘The score’ and status was classic status was reached. So much so that is a hashtag on twitter called #fugees4haiti meaning The fugees should reunite for Haitian relief and recovery efforts.

Think about this, Wyclef was rapping with ‘the fugees’ and then becomes the loudest voice we hear in support of the Haitian people in the aftermath of this tradegy. I’d say that is a pretty good transition. I’ve always felt hip hop can be a catapult for exactly what Wyclef Jean has done. If memory serves me correctly it was Chuck D who said that rap music is “the black CNN” Now I’m not naive to believe that hip hop is some sort of savior, it is an artform a culture and has elements sprinkled throughout the world…so much so President Obama admitted to listening to Jay-Z. I say all of this because if there ever was a time to recognize the power of hip hop it is now. Many, many people donated to Yele off the strength of Wyclef and I definitely believe many of the donations came from people who are deeply rooted in the hip hop community or have knowledge to some degree. You have movements like Hip hop 4 Haiti which had a national day for Haiti in January and the list goes on for some many other projects beyond haiti. I say hip hop for president in the fact that President’s are visible they have power to move masses with their voices, they are leaders.

I think about my journey to Europe, Germany and France specifically and seeing the hip hop scene’s there and definitely when I was in the Bahamas. I kept thinking Wow! MC’s could make mad money in the Bahamas doing shows. Paris is one of the most hip hop focused cities I’ve been to outside of New York which is a given. I’ve met people from all over the world and absolutely everybody listens to hip hop or has participated in the culture through some art medium. It is mind blowing to me, I honestly do not remember the first hip hop song I heard because it was always there for my generation. So in conclusion “Hip Hop for President”

12pm-6pm
$2 entry fee per person
30+ Record Dealers
DJ’s (see schedule below)
Full Bar upstairs Food (available in the downstairs cafe)
Poster to come

As many of you know, nearly 500 folks came through for the last record fair, and this looks to have an even bigger draw being that it all goes down at one of DC’s staple venues. Plenty of space to look for vinyl or hang out and catch the DJs doing their thing. What better way to spend your Sunday during 3 day weekend in February?

DJ’S CONFIRMED FOR THE EVENT:
Bluebrain 12:00 – 1:00
Geologist 1:00 – 2:00
Kid Congo Powers 2:00 – 3:00
Eric Hilton 3:00 – 4:00
Ian MacKaye 4:00 – 5:00
Casper Bangs 5:00 – 6:00

Sponsored by:
Som Records (somrecordsdc.com)
DC Soul Recordings (dcsoulrecordings.com)
The Vinyl District (thevinyldistrict.com)

Wale-My Sweetie