]]> http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/news/sept_25_monophonics_and_grilla.html http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/news/sept_25_monophonics_and_grilla.html news Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:33:34 -0800 Black Milk has kept quiet the last year and a half. In 2008, not only did the Detroit emcee and producer drop his third album to much acclaim, he also produced the entirety of Slum Village member Elzhi's The Preface and dropped a collaborative album with fellow Detroit rapper Fat Ray. He's spent the time since meticulously crafting his fourth full-length, Album of the Year, which just dropped Sept. 14 on Fat Beats/Decon.

While naming your project Album of the Year may seem like a bold proclamation, those familiar with Black Milk's work know that it just might be true. He's helped shape the gritty Motor City Sound through bruising bangers that some say evoke Dilla's ghost, and traded verses with lyrical heavyweights like Royce Da 5'9" and Elzhi.

Black Milk will celebrate the release of Album of the Year with his first performance in San Francisco ever, accompanied with a live band, for VTech Phones' new monthly get-down, Frequency. This Detroit edition also features Elzhi and DJ House Shoes. It goes without saying...but this is gonna be a dope show. Ticket info, flyer, videos and downloads below.

Order presale tickets at: http://frequency.eventbrite.com/

Download: “Welcome (Gotta Go)"
Download: "Closed Chapter" (ft. Mr. Porter)

]]> http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/news/sept_24_frequency_the_detroit.html http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/news/sept_24_frequency_the_detroit.html news Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:28:36 -0800 111 Minna Gallery. Up the City came through with the assist--thank you! We celebrated a bunch of birthdays, had clothing giveaways, a performance by Mike-Dash-E, a couple of go-go dancers and a bunch of other shit that we were too drunk to remember. Shouts out of course to our line up of DJs and artists: Mes 1 (of All Mighty Family), Tap 10 (Honor Roll), Justin Time (Mixerfriendly) and Super Sayan; J.Todd.O, Ichii Ohrhyin, Kris Mestizo, Steve Belale and Nick Trujilo. Check out the pics below...

(Click on an image and click the left and right arrows on your keyboard to scroll through the gallery.)

]]> http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/reviews/oh_dangs_4-year.html http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/reviews/oh_dangs_4-year.html reviews Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:19:52 -0800 2010 ASR Marketplace?

People from all over the globe showed up at the San Diego Convention Center the weekend of Aug. 13-15 for the most on-point tradeshow of its kind. Focusing on the skate, surf, swim, fashion, lifestyle and street industries, the Action Sports Retailers Marketplace featured four different areas – ASR, Class@ASR, Crossroads and Sacred Craft.

ASR and the companies present certainly knew how to mix business with pleasure. Tradeshow goers experienced many complimentary services, including plush lounges that provided booze, a salon and barber shop for a quick stop and chop and a self-serve coffee and candy bar. Alongside the “energy” bars, a playground area with billiards, foosball and air hockey were available for friendly matches. I was lucky enough to pick up a caramel-frosted brownie – aka crack brownie – from one of the few carts with snacks and beverages pushed by a lovely lady. Lastly, free pedicab – bicycle taxi – rides transported attendees to and from Crossroads, the essential skate show. Other attractions included lip-busting roller derby, skateboard exhibitions and trick contests, and swimsuit fashion shows.

Aside from the amenities provided and events showcased by ASR Marketplace, businesses put their own spin on capturing the crowd. Volcom attracted attendees with their bass-pumping techno music and its entourage of wig-wearing ravers. And if that didn’t get your attention, they were giving away trucker hats donned with customizable stickers. While other booths also used music and giveaways to bait the crowd, many companies had a fly PYT in a bikini standing in front. Reef had exotic models autographing free calendars featuring their, uh, assets. Roxy had arts and crafts and Vans had hella snacks, including tasty waffles on sticks.

Upon passing the fun on the frontlines, business was waiting within. All companies showcased their newest fashion and product lines. As an Oh Dang! ambassador, I did my best in scoping out the latest fashions, accessories and products at ASR that you readers need to keep on the radar.

Many brands were fairly new, but established names also made an appearance during Class@ASR. As Working Media and not a Buyer, I wasn’t able to preview the newest lines of LRG and Stussy, nor did they give me any keywords to be excited about. On the flip side, many emerging brands were stoked on showcasing their stuff. Most lines will be released for the spring/summer season of 2011, unless noted otherwise. Let’s start from the bottom up – footwear.

Step Yo' Game Up!

After visiting several shoe companies, I spotted a trend on what’s hot right now: lifestyle-focused, low cut and vulcanized rubber. Every company has its own version of these features. But just as well, each has a variety of trendy styles from high-tops to futuristic designs and a wide range of different materials.

Radii Footwear (radiifootwear.com)
For being in the shoe game for only two years, Radii Footwear, an Orange County company, already has accounts overseas and can also be found at your local Sheikh and, for SF heads, True Sole. Part of the Black Book collection, the cork-patterned Hamptons are sure to make some eyes pop. Look out for the wood-grained Hamptons; you’d swear they were clogs’ cooler cousin. According to owner Casey Arisohn, kicks for kids will be available for the holidays.

DVS / Lakai (dvsshoes.com / lakai.com)
Under the umbrella of Podium Distribution, both companies offer shoes for the average action sports guy. Keep in mind that Lakai is strictly skate – the same company that last year collaborated with Spike Jonze, director/writer of Where the Wild Things Are. International Sales Manager Justin Reyes explains that Diamond Supply Co. has licensed DVS to design, produce and sell a new shoe line. These brands can be found at FTC and Villains.

Creative Recreation (cr8rec.com)
Known for its upscale footwear, Creative Recreation has added a new style to its prestigious name. The Essentials line, CR’s version of the low cut, vulcanized shoe can be found in stores next year. The line has a nautical feel with grommets and laces on the outer edge of the shoe. The already released Capri high-top can be transformed into a low cut by unzipping the upper part. This brand can be found at True Sole, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Barneys.

Huf (hufsf.com)
One of the few companies representing the skate scene from the Bay, Huf brings its own version of what’s hot right now, showcasing its new line of low-top kicks. One style to look out for has the Huf logo repetitively emblazoned on the shoe, like a designer handbag. This and other new styles will be released for spring 2011. Huf hats will be available during the same time. And if you don’t already know, stop by Huf on Sutter to cop this exclusive gear.

So Fresh and So Clean

For a skate show, I managed to find the hottest up-and-coming urban lines. Peeped a line from the East Coast, serving up a fresh feel. West Coast represented with two brands from SoCal, each with a edgy feel. They all brought something to the table: style, art and attitude.

Entrée (entreelifestyle.com)
This lifestyle clothing brand hails from the Big Apple, fusing hip-hop and skate cultures. Entrée believes that “originality stands alone,” bringing to the table a style that serves the New York underground cultures. With its crossforked logo and play on pop culture, it is one brand sure to be on menus, err, racks in a street wear store near you. It has a yellow shirt with a thick, solo zig-zag stripe, instead of going all the away across, plummets downward like a stock market drop in a design called Charlie Down. In San Francisco, hit up Mack or Status to get a taste of what Entrée has to offer.

Revolutionary Me (revolutionaryme.com)
Meaningful art on a shirt is basically the premise of Revolutionary Me. By no means are they simple art nor shallow messages. The SoCal company has commissioned an artist from UCLA who draws on canvas and the final product is put on shirts. Each thought-out design has its own special meaning and value, like Earth Elements which fuses the basic earth elements (fire, water, air and earth) with the hip-hop essentials (DJing, emceeing, graffiti and music). Revolutionary Me has already reached the hands of some hip-hop notables, including several members of the Wu-Tang Clan, the Dogg Pound, Immortal Technique and more. Visit the Web-site to become a fashion game soldier.

True Love & False Idols (tlfi.com)
This LA clothing company has ties to the Bay Area by way of Black Claw tattoo artist and painter, Henry Lewis. True Love & False Idols’ Hollyhood series by Lewis gives the most famous celebrities, like Julia Roberts, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian, a gangsta makeover. Other artists are commissioned by TLFI, each with their own bold artwork. The logo itself, uzi-wielding Reggie the koala, gives this brand a classy, yet cut-throat appeal. Next spring, look out for the brand’s first hat line and inphonics, ear buds built in the hood drawstrings. This is a brand that is surely to make a statement – “in love with a lifestyle I can’t afford.” Visit the Web-site for more details.

On the Side

Like a side of fries complements a burger, accessories go well with fashion. I really didn’t think to run into accessory brands at a skate show, but I’ve never been so now that I know, it only makes sense to list a few. Although it ain’t really focused on skaters and whatever, this could be for anyone. Here are a few companies that you may find useful.

TurtleScarf (turtlescarf.com)
Did you ever fumble around figuring out how to tie a scarf perfectly? Turtlescarf scarves make it easy. It is essentially a scarf attached to a turtleneck. This fashion accessory is not only stylish, but practical and warm for all of you who know how drastically the weather can change in San Francisco. They range in different colors and styles, including ones with pockets, two tails and hoods. Kids sizes are available. Visit the Web-site for an innovative way to keep your neck warm.

Incase (goincase.com)
Another Bay Area company represents at ASR, showcasing its line of products, including laptop cases, sleeves and bags. Since the recent release of the iPhone 4 in late June, the slider cases have been flying off shelves. For next spring, keep an eye out for a collaboration with a well-known celebrity.

Beats by Dr. Dre (beatsbydre.com)
Mr. Chronic himself, Dr. Dre, was intimately involved in the engineering of these headphones. Backed by Monster, Beats by Dr. Dre are a line of high-quality headphones. They range from headphones that are especially made for the high-definition sounds of the studio to on-the-go all-around in-ear headphones. Diddy and Lady Gaga sponsored their own headphones through this brand – Diddy Beats and Heart Beats, respectively. This is sound quality you have to hear to believe - if HDTV is for your eyes, Beats by Dr. Dre are for the ears. Pick up a pair at your local Best Buy.

Ryan Baladad is a freelance contributor to Oh Dang!

]]> http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/reviews/2010_asr_marketplace.html http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/reviews/2010_asr_marketplace.html reviews Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:46:16 -0800 Hood Scope, Muni Diaries, Doc Pop and other San Francisco bloggers, was invited to attend Flip Video Night at AT&T Park on Sept. 1 and videoblog from the Giants game (the Giants smashed the Rockies that night, by the way). We thought it only right to bring out San Francisco native and Fillmore representative DaVinci. An SF giant in his own right, DaVinci's held the city down with his debut album, The Day the Turf Stood Still--a grim examination of gentrification and urban renewal. "When the public schools shut down, murder rates shoot up / What else is an inner-city family left to do but / pack it up and move it out or sack it up and get it in / Cut the education, now we racin' for them dividends," DaVinci raps on "Aristocrat."

While DaVinci's debut earned him national acclaim and recognition, he keeps the city on his back and his raps soaked in SF culture. He came through and laced Oh Dang! with a tribute freestyle to his home team. And we caught it all on our new custom Flip cam, thanks to the good folks at Urgent Content and Flip Video.

Follow DaVinci on Twitter at twitter.com/davinci415 and download The Day the Turf Stood Still for free at swtbrds.com/davinci.

Zoneil Maharaj is editor-in-chief of Oh Dang! He doesn't even like baseball that much.

]]> http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/features/davinci_freestyle_at_sf_giants.html http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/features/davinci_freestyle_at_sf_giants.html features Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:21:00 -0800 Freddie Gibbs celebrated the release of his Str8 Killa EP last Wednesday at San Francisco's 330 Ritch with hometown favorite DaVinci and NY's Tanya Morgan (the show was a stop on their Headphone Rock Tour). As always at a significant hip-hop show, the guest list read like a Who's Who of hip-hop leaders, innovators and taste makers: from Keelay to Trackademics, Hip Hop is Cool Again to 24KMilkcrate. Even on a Wednesday night, a decent-sized crowd came to show love to the Gary, IN native, and he showed love back, making sure to rock "How We Do," a mixtape track over Souls of Mischief's "93 'til Infinity." (And props to his manager/DJ Arch Bonkers for dropping C-Bo's "Black 64" before the set.) Gibbs did have one gripe with the city: the SF Weekly. Responding to a not-so-glowing review in the Weekly, Gibbs made the crowd chant "Fuck you Phillip!" before getting into his EP's lead single, "Fuck the World!"

Oh Dang! was in the building, snapping shots and flicks. Check out a photo slideshow below, followed by clips of Tanya Morgan performing "So Damn Down," DaVinci doing "Clean Ass Whip" and Freddie Gibbs going in on Masta Ace's classic "Born to Roll." And yeah, we know the sound's kinda fucked up; eat a dick.--Zo

Lorenzo Escalante is a chaser of destiny, a poet of pain and a videographer of vengeance. What?!

]]> http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/reviews/rewind_freddie_gibbs_str8_kill.html http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/reviews/rewind_freddie_gibbs_str8_kill.html reviews Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:14:09 -0800
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There once was a time when gangsta rap reigned supreme. Our parents and politicians might not have understood it, but the taboo content of dope pushin’, pimpin’ and random thuggery served a purpose. For better or worse, gangsta rap vented the frustrations of ghetto youth, gave a perspective of life from below the poverty line and dropped heavy doses of reality.

At a time when rap’s target audience is the cast of Jersey Shore instead of the residents of the Jersey projects, it’s time we get back to basics. Enter Gary, IN native Freddie Gibbs. Once signed to Interscope, Gangsta Gibbs is now dominating the indie rap scene and giving hipster rappers cause for alarm. He’s bringing back raw, gritty realism to rap while showcasing lyrical excellence with his brash Midwest drawl and double-time delivery. He may scream “Fuck the world!” like 2Pac, stay strapped like Biggie and remain ruthless like Eazy, but Gibbs is blazing his own unrelenting path. And he hasn’t let the industry’s fickle nature halt his efforts either.

Following a string of successful mixtapes, Gibbs hit 2010 hard, appearing on the cover of XXL as a member of the Freshmen 10 on the merit of his skill alone. Fans have since waited patiently for Gibbs to drop some new heat. This month, he released his Str8 Killa No Filla mixtape, followed by his Str8 Killa EP, available now on Decon Records. (See him perform live in San Francisco on Wed., Aug. 25 at 330 Ritch. Click here for more details.)

We caught up with Gibbs to talk about his music, industry bullshit and garbage-ass rappers.

Listen to "Crushin' Feelin's" (from Str8 Killa No Filla mixtape)

Listen to "P.S.A." (from Str8 Killa No Filla mixtape)

Download: Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa No Filla mixtape (No DJ)

You started off the year on the cover of XXL. It seems like 2010 is gonna be a big year for you.

Man, I’m bout to crush these niggas this year. F’real dog, can’t nobody rap better than me. If a mothafucka feel a certain way about it, then they just feel a certain way about it, but that’s my personal opinion. For me to feel like I’m the best and to be sitting at home, that wasn’t the move. I took that whole year (2009) and I sat back and was like, “Yeah, I’m bout to crush these niggas. I’m bout to get focused and do what I gotta do.” You know what I mean? Because I had some situations in this game that really threw me off and had me in the dumps. I had to just get back on my grind.

What were those situations? I know you were signed to Interscope at one point.

Yeah, that definitely fucked me up. It fucked up my outlook on the whole music game. It made me think that all these mothafuckas was fake because the mothafuckas around me was the fakest of the fake. They embraced me, and I embraced them like family but I had to learn the hard way that ain’t too many mothafuckas in this game your family. I had to let my emotions of all that go and get back in and stop being sour on the industry and say fuck the industry.

So what's it take in 2010 for an emcee to maintain and find some sort of success?

You know what man? That’s yet to be seen because I think I’m about to do something different that nobody ever did or hasn’t done in a long time because there ain’t too many original mothafuckas out here. Everybody sounds the same, everybody’s trying to mimic or do something that’s already been successful. I’m not conforming or following nobody’s blueprint. I’m just doing me and that’s what it’s gon’ take for any mothafucka to survive out here in this dirty game. It’s hard for a nigga to get money out this music shit, that’s why a mothafucka still in the streets.

You put those extended mixtapes with like 80-something tracks. That was ridiculous.

That was a combination and collection of the work I’d been working on for the last couple years. I just didn’t want to let this shit sit. I wanted to get it all out there and get people more familiar and get people caught up on what I was doing.

You came to LA how many years ago?

I first came to LA in 2006. And then I left LA in 2007 and came back in ’08. I’ve been back and forth. I do a lot of business out there so it’s a good place for me to be, between there and Geary and Chicago and whatnot.

You always hear that story about people coming to LA from all over to make it big, but few actually do. How did you make such a big impact so fast?

That was the good about me signing to Interscope; it put me in the arena of people I would never see or talk to in Gary at all. I used that part of it to my advantage. They ain’t put my record out or no shit like that but, for the most part, I just took that and ran with it.

You’ve got another project coming out this year, right?

Str8 Killa No Filla. That’s bout to drop next. You talkin’ bout a full album? I don’t know. It might, it might not. I’m just doing music, man. With the fucked up politics in this game, it’s a lot of companies and shit that’s scared to take a chance on a nigga like me ‘cause they feel like I’m not gon’ give them no single or some shit like that. These labels, they’re not signing mothafuckas to give them full albums no more, they just want your songs. It’s like the mothafuckin’ ‘50s or some shit. My shit will come out, it’s just finding the right home for it and putting it in the right position. I think my shit is next level and deserves to be put on the highest pedestal. And if a company ain’t willing to share my vision, then fuck ‘em. I’m straight, I’ll keep doing what the fuck I’m doing. Like I said, I ain’t in this shit to be the most famous nigga. If that happens, then that happens but mothafuckas gon’ know I’m the best in this shit.

Can you tell me a little more about Str8 Killa?

It’s self explanatory: Str8 Killa No Filla. There’s a lot of in between ass mothafuckas in the game and I’m just bringing that hard shit back. I’m trying to re-establish this gangsta rap ‘cause a lot of people done took it and did all kinds of bullshit to it and fucked it up. And the mothafuckas that’s really doing it for real, you gotta sift through too much of the bullshit to get to it, and I wanna eliminate all that.

All original beats?

About 70-30, mostly original. But the beats that I pick, most muhfuckas ain’t gonna know where they came from.

On one of your mixtapes, you rapped over “93 ‘til Infinity” and a lot of beats that cats weren’t rapping over. A lot of cats rap over what’s hot right now and recycle the same hook.

‘Cause they garbage, ‘cause they fuckin’ garbage. I rapped over that shit ‘cause, for one, mothafuckas don’t expect me to rap over that shit with me being from Gary, so when I do it, and do it to perfection, they like, ‘Aww shit, this mothafucka can really rap.” Like, yeah nigga that’s what I’m in this shit for, to really rap. I’m not in here to play with y’all. I’m a always pick obscure beats and just shit that gives me a challenge. What’s the point of me rapping what’s on the mothafucking mixshow on the radio, using the same hook and putting a rap to it? That shit don’t make no fuckin’ sense. I’m not gon’ shine or stand out. I do what I want to do with this rap shit; other mothafuckas just do what they can.

What’s next for you?

Man, just rocking these shows and staying in that lab. As long as I hold my integrity in the studio, can’t nothing stop me. I think the people know that, I think the people know that I’m not gon’ bend over for nobody or no money or none of this shit in this game and I’m gonna hold true to what I’m doing. That’s why people love, so I’m a keep doing it.

Zoneil Maharaj is editor-in-chief of Oh Dang! His gangsta rap collection includes gems such as Temporary Insanity's Bitchez Neva Learn and Dayton Family's What's on my Mind?.

Ariel Zambelich is a contributor to Oh Dang! Check out more of her work at www.arielzambelich.com.

]]> http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/features/freddie_gibbs.html http://www.ohdangmag.com/archive/features/freddie_gibbs.html features Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:17:15 -0800