Monday, November 14, 2011

Zulu Nation 38th Anniversary ~SUTRA 7th Anniversary~

ZU~LU~Nation~~~!
It was Universal Zulu Nation 38th Anniversary from Sep 9th-13th in NYC. O~~~LD SCHOO~~~L! I joined only Friday event tho, it was the best night to hang out.
I went there with my girl, Mineko. And Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest invited us to this very special night... Thank you so much! And We really did have a great time!
It was at Yotel. when we got there not so many people were there yet, but once Qtip showed up, next to next people came out... It was so nice to see so many old school rappers, DJs together for this special night.  
my foreva Idle...Q Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, blesses New York City with a Dj Set at The 38th Annual Zulu Nation Celebration on November 11, 2011 @ The Yotel in NYC. 
Guests included Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Keith, D Nice, GrandMaster Dee, Lava 182, Jarobi Wright, Marc Live and Talib Kweli to Jazzy Jay with performances by Keith Murray, Dres (of Black Sheep), Rakaa (of Dilated People), Jarobi, Artifactz, Black Un, Mickey Factz, and Venomous, I also met Melle Mel, Kangol Kid, Sadat X, Grand Puba, from Brand Nubian, JDL from Cold Crush Brothers, and more and of course sent my big love to them! I love you guys always!!!And thank you very much for being great friends!
Personally, I enjoyed the most of Talib Kweli and Keith Murray show with Jazzy Jay. Jazzy Jay is always funny to me... he speaks a bit of Japanese lol 
Probably young people think its just one of the old people's party... but you know what, without them, where is the real HIPHOP was at? http://www.zulunation.com
The Universal Zulu Nation is an international hip hop awareness group formed and headed by hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa.[1]:101 Originally known simply as the Organization, it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youths, combining local dance and music movements into what would become known as the various elements of hip hop culture. By the 1980s, hip hop had spread globally, and the Zulu Nation has since established (autonomous) branches in Japan, France, the UK, Australia, South Korea and the Cape Flats in Cape Town South Africaca

The Zulu Nation has undergone changes over the past decade. From the late 1980s, at the height of the Afrocentric movement in hip hop (when artists such as KRS-OnePublic EnemyA Tribe Called Quest, the Native Tongues, and Rakim hit success), the movement seemed to be incorporating many doctrines from the Nation of Islam, the Nation of Gods and Earths, and the Nuwaubians. In the 2000s, however, its official Web site affirmed that the Zulu Nation has left the system of "believing" and instead adheres to Factology versus Beliefs, a philosophy and doctrine that can often be seen in, though is not always exclusive to, Nuwaubianism.
Also don't forget about Native Tongues--->
The Native Tongues is a collective of late 1980s and early 1990s hip-hop artists known for their positive-minded, good-natured Afrocentriclyrics, and for pioneering the use of eclectic sampling and later jazz-influenced beats.[citation needed] Its principal members are the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest. The collective was also closely tied to the Universal Zulu Nation.


It was such a busy night for me as I had 3 party invitations.
I could make it only 2parties tho, I am glad that I could make it to go to Sutra Lounge 7th Anniversary!
As I have done some events over there at Sutra, I am always feeling special to be there. 
As soon as I got there at Sutra, Ariel came out and brought us in, she asked me to do video interview. Too be honest, I was so nervous as it was already 4am and I was so tired...my English was worse than ever and couldnt think what to say. But I wanted to express my feeling and love to Sutra and Sista Ariel.
This special night was with DJ Clark Kent and Tony Touch, of course my neighbor in Brooklyn, Danny Castro and VooDoo Ray.
Big Jeff came after us from Yotel and here we go, our family gathered together. It was so special night and I am really really happy to be there!
Then Then Then, after Sutra we were gonna go for Dinner, in village... someone stopped me on the street...!
It was my great friend, Karl! He just grabbed my arm in the middle of pedestrian crossing, I thought some drunk stranger suddenly did it to me to get my attention! Almost screaming! Glad that was you, Karl! Then after I left him, while I was waiting for the light changed, I ran into my FAV Producer, and my long term friend DEVO SPRINGSTEEN! YEEEEY! I hadnt seen him really long time! 
How long have I known him??? Since I was in Japan, I knew him...Wow... that means over 6years or so???
He is an amazing Grammy winning producer with Jay-Z and Kanye West, John Legend, and more over he did so many beautiful works for Brittney Spears, Deborah Cox and more.
Devo Springsteen, is a Grammy Award winning producer and songwriter. Springsteen launched the career of multi-platinum selling recording artist John Legend by signing him to Kanye West’s GOOD Music in 2003. Springsteen produced and co-wrote “So High”, “Live It Up”, and “Refuge (When it’s Cold Outside)” from Legend’s freshman album Get Lifted. Springsteen has also produced songs forThe Last PoetsOl' Dirty BastardRhymefestEstelleConsequence, and won the Best Rap Song Grammy in 2006 for his production of “Diamonds (from Sierra Leone)” with Kanye West. In addition, he is a well known DJ featured at events in London, Sydney, Nairobi, Tokyo, and Johannesburg.
I actually set up the interview for my girl Shino and Keiko for Japanese music/producer/engineer Magazine with Devo! I hadnt read it yet to be honest but the photo shooting by Shino was amazing!
It was all crazy beautiful HIPHOP night and again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR Y'ALL LOVE!

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

ABSOLUTE FUNK: Honoring GEORGE CLINTON with Ray Chew Live at Apollo Theater

There We go!Here We GO!!!I still feel like it was like a dream night on Tuesday, October 25@Apollo Theater.
Dr. Funkenstein, founder of Parliament/Funkadelic and ringmaster of the funkiest music-making circus on the planet-George Clinton Tribute night by All-Stars- Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Sheila E., Nona Hendryx, Hezekiah Walker, Paul Shaffer, DJ Kool Herc, Doug E. Fresh, Ray Chew, Vernon Reid, Full Force, Questlove, TM Stevens, Dallas Austin, Richard Smallwood, Valerie Boyd, Marley Marl, Fab 5 Freddy, Tye Tribbert, Joel Ortiz and more!
When I got there, already the venue was full of FUNKATEERS and MR. George Clinton was sitting on the balcony seat with his family already looking down who were coming there! When I found him from my Orchestra seats, GEORGE FOUND ME TOO!!! AND WAVED HIS BIG HANDS TO ME FROM BALCONY!!!!!!!!!!! OH I Love George!!! 
The show started with Tye Tribbert then Full Force came out. Good start, good start. Our Funk blood started excited... then Shiela E! WOW... She is the only and only Shiela... WOW! She killed it!
Meanwhile Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell came to see George Clinton at the balcony, I saw the moment when they hugged and BIG SMILE on All of them! Doctor Cornel West came to the balcony too. I saw that moment, I saw it! All were hugging and really happy together, thats the moment! I heard George got tears to see them at that time...wow. LOVE!
Paul Shaffer from Late Night with David Letterman, he funked the vibe so as NONA HENDRYX- <Who got her start recording with Patti LaBelle before releasing a solo album. She has worked with such diverse collaborators as the Talking Heads, Bill Laswell, and Bootsy Collins, among others.>
Some of The P-FUNK all stars memebers were there on the stage with RAY CHEW band. Ray Chew and his wife VIVIAN SCOTT CHEW, thank you so much for this wonderful moment.
Vivian was the one who gave him his last major deal on Sony with T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M in '96 and landed the Mothership in Central Park with Bootsy Collins! Again VIVIAN, Thank you so much for this beautiful night and RAY CHEW!GREAT WORK!
Ray Chew is a World renowned musician, composer  and producer  Ray Chew is Musical Director  for  3 network television series – NBC’s The Singing Bee, Showtime At the Apollo and BET’s Sunday Best. He is
also responsible for  the music in Donald Trump’s Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA pageants. Ray’s most recent turn at musical director  for  BET’s ground breaking event – The BET Honors – features a piano duet with Stevie Wonder, in addition to signature performances by Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight and Jill Scott and John Legend.Ray Chew has been at the helm of award winning musical events – live and televised – performing with countless legendary artists such as Barry Manilow, Sting, James Taylor, the 4-Tops, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin and Quincy Jones. Ray’s other recent televised performances as Musical Director of the 2007 BET Awards and the 7th Annual BET Celebration of Gospel resulted in critical acclaim throughout the artist community and an NAACP Image Award.

In the Band, I saw Alyson Williams and Kalli Sae in the backing vocal section! I was with my dearest Bro, Thomas Dyani the fantastic percussionist who is from Incognito-London (he was visiting NY after SHAKIRA WORLD TOUR) , Kelli Sae used to be a singer for Incognito. We were actually talking about her just before we got there. So weird moment to see her on the stage, we really didnt expect seeing her there! 
Alyson is Lafayette Harris's friend and we were on the same stage at Zinc bar the other day!
Questlove came out to hit the drum with PFunk and others, 
My PFUNK FAMILY--- P-Nut, Garrett Shider, Kendra, Paul Hill, Michael Hampton, Michael Clip Payne, TM STEVENS (We always talk in Japanese in front of everyone and love to surprise people! We did it this time again!!!hahaha) Frankie Kash, Boogie, and more. I LOVE YOU GUYS and THANK YOU FOR TREATING ME AS A FAMILY always! Also my Funkateers family, like Ed, Carter, and more... thank you always!
When Bootsy and Bernnie came out on the stage, started singing <TOUCH> and as usual Bootsy came down to the audience seats... people got in FIRE! Funny and great TM STEVENS was playing BASS for Bootsy as Bootsy's STAR bass didnt work somehow.. 
Sorry for my dear friend, Alan - Sound Engineer for Bootsy, I could see he was so stressed out coz the bass didnt work and actually Bootsy did the show without his FUNK STAR BASS!
(Alan told me that 10 min before the show, it was fine but somehow all of sudden didnt work once the show started...local production's fault...!Ahhhh... Bootsy's Bass...)
George Clinton couldnt stand sitting in the balcony seats any more...ran came down to the stage and sang for Bootsy! It was Great seeing them together! 
And more, that day was BOOTSY's 60th Birthday!
We celebrated his Birthday with George Clinton and all other stars! That was beautiful~~~~~~~!!!
At the end of the show, everyone came out to the stage and that was a big time historical moment!That was WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
I met DJ/Producer Marley Marl in the audience, its always nice seeing him and his girlfriend, also I heard Jay-Z and Oprah Winfrey were in the audience too.  
D'Angelo was invited to come to the show by George but I heard he became a chicken and told him < Do your thing, I do my thing...> hmmm. sad... I wanted to see him there too!
DJ Kool Herc and more came out to the stage, after the show I greeted some of my people and went to after party that was at TIME HOTEL.
Actually At After party we saw LADY GAGA came thru. Here is the article about it.
Who knew Lady Gaga was an ace at pool, even in sky-high black boots? The superstar showed off her skills to funk legend George ClintonBootsy Collins and Paul Shaffer at Inc Lounge at the Time Hotel on Wednesday night.
A spy told us that Gaga, who had been at George’s tribute at the Apollo Theater, “slipped into the lounge with a small entourage, wearing a black hood which covered most of her head. She had extremely high-heeled black boots.”
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/lady_at_the_table_2xsNcOUxsUJawQT5L9r8eM#ixzz1d8TJHb7h  (Thank you Ken Simmons to let me know! Vivian appreciate it too!)
I missed seeing George Clinton as we got there a bit late and he was already left and in bed. 
Damnnnnn! I wanted to see him really badly on this special day! But its ok... he knows that I was there...
I could see Ray Chew, my PFunk family, Nona Hendryx, Ken Simmons, Alan, Carter, and some of my new friends, and BOOTSY Came out!
His wife never remember me but BOOTSY remembered me well and I could tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thats all great! My Day was amazing. This moment... wow... !
Again thank you Ray and Vivian, and the musicians for this special night. I will never forget this special FUNK night!I LOVE FUNK!