Monie Love vs. Adeva "Ring My Bell" (Video)

British rapper Monie Love and New Jersey's Adeva go head to head in a battle of the voice.

Party: Tri-Coastal Clash (NYC)

It's official! I'm teaming up with Geneis Be and DJ Lil Ray to bring you the Tri-Coastal CLASH Dance Party at the Delancey in NYC on April 14th 2012. We'll be spinning the best of Hip Hop from the West, East and Southside of the US, plus a live performance by Genesis Be and the OSA Team. Join us for a night of two-steppin' booty shakin' and body rockin' from midnight to 4 am. Brought to you by WNYU Radio, Open Sky Artworks and Hip Hop & Her Family.

 $5 Buy pre-sale tickets here!

Rocky Rivera "Slick Talk" (Video)

Omara Portuondo "Flor De Amor" (Video)

Cuban songstress Omara Portuondo with "Flor De Amor," released by World Circuit in 2004.

Les Nubians "Afrodance" (Video)

"Afrodance" by the French sister duo Les Nubians, from their album Nu Revolution released last year.

Zuzuka Poderosa "Mas Com Voce" (Audio)

Zuzuka Poderosa is a Brooklyn-based baile funk vocalist from Brazil. Check out this liquid fire track produced by DJ Sujinho (of the duo Nossa) with a bumping electronic take on the original baile funk rhythm-- doon-sha-sha-dun-dun-sha!



Zuzuka Poderosa - "Mas Com Voce" -DJ Sujinho - Nossa by Zuzuka Poderosa

MC Lyte "Ruffneck" (Video)

Goin back to the old school... "Ruff Neck" was MC Lyte's first big hit single in 1993. 

Erykah Badu "Bag Lady" (Video)

Women's History Month is almost over, so I'm going to load up a big helping of women's voices to finish up this month's run of ladies-only material. We can't talk about influential women in music without talking about Erykah, aka Fat Belly Bella. Here's one of her classics, a playful / super deep commentary on modern womanhood (like all of her songs...)

Sarah Vaughan "The Sassy One" (Video)

Going back to the classics. "The Sassy One" performed live by Sarah Vaughan.

Joy Denalane "Should Have Never Remix" (Free Download)

Courtesy of OkayPlayer, download this soulful and powerful song by German songstress Joy Denalane. Featuring Bilal. Remix by Jake One.


Joy Denalane - "Should Have Never" (Jake One remix) f/ Bilal by okayplayer

DJ Agana "Miami Art Basel-- Behind The Scenes" (Video)

I just found a dope new blog about women graffiti and street artists-- Few and Far. "Few and Far connects women by creating social and artistic exchange, by showcasing art on the streets, on walls and in other high profile venues." The Check out this amazing behind the scenes footage of this mural project in Miami, shot by DJ Argana.

Boog Brown "U.P.S." (Video)

Boog Brown is real. Solid as the old school and fresh as tomorrow morning... The beat is by Detroit producer Apollo Brown. Buy the album here, released by Mello Music Group.

Rita Indiana Y Los Misterios "El Juidero" (Music Video)

Rita Indiana is one of my favorite artists of all time. Hailing from the DR, she mixes merengue and bachata with electronic and reggae. I was lucky enough to catch her live at SOB's last summer. If you have the chance to see this amazing group, don't miss it!!

Electric Jive "Classic Mbaqanga Girl Groups Vol. 2" (Free Download)

"The black South African music scene of the 1960s and ‘70s was dominated by a unique electric jive sound that was later christened mbaqanga. For almost its entire near-twenty year rule over the country, mbaqanga’s most distinctive feature was the all-female close harmony sound, sometimes augmented by the booming bass vocals of a gruff male singer. The girl group of South Africa was partly modelled on the girl group of the USA... Today, Electric Jive presents another special mix of tunes: Classic Mbaqanga Girl Groups – Vol. 2."

Listen below and download for free here. Brought to you by OkayAfrica.

Electric Jive "Classic Mbaqanga Girl Groups Vol. 2" by okayafrica

Heather B "I Get Wreck" (Video)

In addition to meeting Eternia last week, I also met one of my heroes Heather B. Watch their interview on WNYU's Halftime Show.

Eternia "Foul Child" (Free Download)

I had the pleasure of meeting Eternia at WNYU last week on the Halftime Show. She first caught my ear back in 2010, so it was really inspiring to hear about all of the amazing work she has been up to. Watch her interview on the Halftime Show, alongside Heather B and DJ Chela. And download her ill track "Foul Child" below.

Eternia - Foul Child (Prod. By Ant B) by Eternia

Lil Bitts "Hold Me/Dis Year" (Video)

Lil Bitts is one of my favorite Soca artists. Here's a double-feature music video of two of her songs, starting off with the sweet & romantic "Hold Me" and ending with the hype carnaval track "Dis Year."

Brenda Fassie "Vulindlela" (Music Video)

Brenda Fassie was known as the Queen of Pop in South Africa throughout the 90's and her music was an important part of the anti-apartheid movement. She passed away in 2004, but her music lives on. I love to drop her playful and uplifting music at the high point of a party.

DJ Petra "Let The Woman Speak Vol. 1" (Free Download)

We're taking the month of March to celebrate and support women's voices in music... I'm having too much fun filling the blog with videos and music from women artists. Such diversity! Such abundance! To celebrate I recorded this mix last week-- 50 minutes, strictly women's voices, mixed 100% live. Listen and download for free! Track list below.

Sa-Roc "Valley of the Queen" (Video)

Sa-Roc is a dope MC from Washington DC, with a powerful flow and a revolutionary message.

Omnia Hegazy "Grace" (Video)

Right in line with our theme this month... singer/songwriter Omnia released her debut video for her track "Grace," advocating for women's empowerment and liberation, the first track from her EP The Jailbird. Looking forward to hearing more!! Via Open Sky Artworks.

Esperanza Spalding "Black Gold" (Video)

Last year Esperanza Spalding won the Grammy for Best New Artist, and this year she dropped this amazing video. Keep your eyes out for more.

Sade "No Ordinary Love" (Video)

Another classic throw-back...

Last Night's Show: Natasha Diggs + Not Enough Mics

We kicked off Women's History Month last night with special guest DJ Natasha Diggs and the Not Enough Mics Collaborative. Check the archive here for Natasha's killer all-45 set and a live piece performed by NEM's Sofía Snow, B-Girl Pyro & Marne Bruckner (which they did onstage earlier at Mommas Hip-Hop Kitchen.)

TLC "Baby-Baby-Baby" (Video)

Speaking of classics...

MADlines "Delirious Ways" (Free Download)

Oakland based MC MADlines dropped this dope love song for Valentines day this year. Free download below.

Selena "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" (Live)

Since we're focusing on women's voices this month, I had to take it back to the basics... Taken way too soon, Selena was an amazingly talented songstress and a brilliant performer. I'm just imagining the dopest reggaeton and cumbia nueva tracks that would exist if she were still here.

Aisling Peartree "Let's Get It On" (Video)

A beautiful rendition of the classic Marvin Gaye song. Here Aisling Peartree masters the art of reinvention, capturing the intent of one of the dopest love songs, bringing it to a new context. Catch her on stage at Momma's Hip-Hop Kitchen this Saturday in the Bronx.

Iva Lamkum "Raise Your Glass" (Listen)

New Zealand's Iva Lamkum released this dope soul-funk-gospel jam last year. Watch for her upcoming album Black Eagle.

Iva Lamkum - Raise Your Glass (Way Back) by ivalamkum

Conscious Daughters: "Something To Ride To" (Video)

Happy Women's History Month!! All month we will be focusing on women's voices in Hip-Hop (and her family.)

RIP Special One. And thank you to all the women who paved the way... much love.

Party: Momma's Hip-Hop Kitchen (NYC)

"Turn Up the Heat and Let the Soul Simmer, as We Stir This Hearty and Healthy Soup for the Hip Hop Soul!"

This Saturday from 2-5pm check out Momma's Hip-Hop Kitchen
@ the Hostos Center for Arts and Culture (Main Theater)
450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.) Bronx, NY
Celebrating their 5th year, this amazing community healing hip-hop festival includes performances by DJ Chela, Not Enough Mics, Las BomPleneras, MC Beats, Aisling Peartree, Guerilla Queenz and many many more.
This event is FREE and open to all ages.