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Philly's hip-hop magnificence will be spread across North America this month as the "Live From The 215 Tour" launches an 18 city experience January 25 at Magnolia St. Pub in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Continuing the momentum of the Okayplayer Tour, Roots alumni Dice Raw and Scratch (the human sound system) are bringing the 2-1-5 live, with a full band and Scratch's amazing vocalizations.
Joining Dice Raw and Scratch on the tour, the four-man crew, Schoolz of Thought (MC's Intense, Syntax, Speaque-Ezie and their DJ – Bronze F.M.), Schoolz has been burning up the underground circuit for a few years. Award winners in their own right, Schoolz took home the Philadelphia City Paper’s Readers' Choice Award for "Best Local Hip Hop Group" for 2000. Opportunity knocks for the rest of the nation to catch these hot Philly rhyme slingers in action.
"Live From The 215" Tour Dates see EVENTS section
Schoolz, Dice and Scratch are available for interviews. Contact tour publicist Aine Doley, 267.978.4220 (
Shot Gun Love
Sometimes you get lucky and discover that a hyped event actually lives up to its hype. Shot Gun Love, the monthly event hosted by the Shot Gun Squad was truly a lovely experience.
Shot Gun Love's vibe started early with the pounding beats of hip-hop. When the rhythms turned tropical, a la reggae, Silk City's dancefloor began looking like a transit platform during rush hour. "Daddy G" (Time Machine) held the grooves to a steady flow, while the love overflowed.
Kenyatta and Puma teased the crowd with a bit of a freestyle show. Rhyming over recorded tracks, the duo opened their stage to some up and coming Philly talent.
Shot Gun Love is not a venue-centric event. They move from club to club bringing their crowd along with them. Look for next month's event, and be sure not to miss it.
It's hard for Philadelphia's cynical, provincial natives to see their city as
"World Class." To most, the fifth largest city in the US seems like a small
town, where everyone knows everyone else. The truth is, there are only a
handful of people here who are "doing things." We tend to know each other and
when we go out, we tend to gravitate to those we know.
Surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly, October 13th, a Friday under a full moon, the streets of Philly's most active area, Old City were alive!!! There was traffic, lines of people outside of nightclubs, bars and lounges and street musicians playing everything from electric violins to trumpets. One fellow was playing a flute accompanied by a tape recording of a piano on a boom box. There is more going on between the blocks of 2nd and Market and 4th and Chestnut than is most areas of the city.
After countless of DJ-less Fridays at Lucy's Hat Shop (247 Market St), DJ Roland Riso was warming up the decks. Meanwhile across the street, producer/MC/songwriter Christian James was playing DJ at Marmont (222 Market St.) Around the corner at the newly opened SoMa, DJ Lorne was spinning.
Happy Birthday to June Lopez, one of Philly's emerging producers. Lopez was celebrating his birthday at Butter with legendary turntablist Tee Alford on the decks, along with other guests. Look for June's "blessing" (that's means remix), on Rob Paines new record.
North of Old City DJs Kathy Fadigan and John Gill were preparing their 80s
music event Square Pegs at Silk City. Kathy spins her 80s set every Tuesday
at Silk, while John is all over the place doing "Sweet" parties, he usually
names after popular movies (Coyote Sweet comes to mind). Check out John Gill
at Martini's on Saturdays.
I had the opportunity to visit Motion (formerly Space, 935 North Front St.), as the designers were preparing for the grand opening on October 20th; that's next week kids. There will be a host of DJ's including local chap Imri Jonas (www.reflective.net). Check it out if you can.
Carlos Sanchez (pictured) is on a mission. The mission he's decided to accept
is transforming a corner bar on the northern tip of Northern Liberties (3rd
and Girard Ave.) into a swanky lounge/restaurant for the house music crowd. I
have to say that after visiting Aqualounge a few times, I am a believer. Upon
my first visit, Aqualounge was quite impressive. Carlos shared his plans to
"open up" the space, which involved knocking out the common wall and redoing
the space next door. Well, upon my next visit, (the CD release party for
Nigel Richard's, 611 Records) the size had been doubled. The lounge was twice
as beautiful. Several 18 hour days of work had paid off. Sanchez is an hands
on proprietor a man of his word. The DJs he books are among the best house
spinners in the area.
Philadelphia has long been abundant with talent, in 2000 there seems to be active talent around every corner. Check out a couple of our local artists on their websites. Structure (www.sunkenrecords.com) is a producer/mixer who launched his label digitally. His music has attracted much interest including a film soundtrack.
Transient is a transplanted farm boy from Lancaster County, Pa., who decided to seek his fortune in Philadelphia. His music (www.mp3.com/transient) a mix of funky belly dancing melodies, bhangra and drum and bass can be downloaded for free. Most of the folks I have recommended this music to have enjoyed it. We will be doing a piece in the next issue of Audiogliphix about Transient. Also, Transient and his cohorts Adrienne Leasa and Gypsonic (pictured) play out every last Saturday at Hologram, an electronica party at La Tazza 108 Chestnut.
One more shameless plug. You can order the latest issue of Audiogliphix Magazine for $3 Canadian (in Canada), $2 US in the USA and $3 US from anywhere in the world (cash please).
Until next time. Peace.
I have a theory about the seasons. They are changing. The evidence is right here in Philadelphia and has been for the past five years. It's been getting hotter later in the year. The weather is spring-like from about May thru July. In August it gets hot and humid. This pattern continues through October then the weather mellows out and we have autumnal temperatures through January, sometimes even February. We will get the odd snow storm usually late in February. Once in the past five years we got dumped on by snow in March! Just when we are expecting spring to show up...it stays cold!
Enough about the weather. In this transmission I have some of the hottest upcoming and recurring parties in the city. None of that corny stuff you get off of the so-called "hip" Philly websites. (Philly's hottest website is
philly2nite.com, if you want to get the pulse of the city's twenty-something crowd access this site).Okay onto the goodies:
MONDAYS: I've yet to be able to nail down just when the Artists' Den (Bar Noir) happens. Seems I just missed one last Monday (August 7th), which was hosted by City Paper gossip maven a.d. amorosi. The event happens every other Monday. At least one edition of the Den was recorded by mediabureau.com and is available to experience on their site. Go to
mediabureau.com front page and search Artists Den.DJ Ralph has finally gotten a few more props for his vinyl manipulations every Monday at Lucy's. People are beginning to discover his flavor. Remember you heard it here in the CyberKrib first.
My friend Marie has been trying to convince me to come over to Butter on Monday nights for DJ Deep C's deep house experience. Deep used to hold down the Monday night shift at Lucy's (Blue) back in the day. I hear Deep likes to keep the venue dark and gloomy. Maybe you will run into someone there; maybe they will spill their drink on you. ($5.00)
TUESDAYS: Darshana and Chetana are two of the most unique DJ/Promoters in the city. A couple of gorgeous Indian ladies (who just so happen to be twins born under the sign of Gemini) who dig the vintage sounds of Brazilian soul, Indian influences grooves and most things retro. They've been tossing the Bombay to Brasil parties at Silk City (3rd Tuesdays) for about a year now. The party attracts its regulars and whoever else happens by. No cover most nights. Expect to come out of pocket for a few ducquetts if there's a band on stage.
Elsewise, if you are looking for that Irie feeling, enter the Dubspot (at Fluid) with DJ Kenny Meez. It's a dubbed out reggae groove hosted by Darian J. Bagley.
Fly Tuesdays serves up that cool upscale vibe. Yes, someone has actually gathered a bunch of cool down-to-earth people in one spot. It's a balancing act, mingling with suits and spaghetti strapped quasi-bimbos while grooving to a deep house set. Old City guru Tommy Up works promotion magic while DJ Sean Thomas works the sound system.
The Wiggle Productions team pulled of a Timewarp Tuesday Night (Aug. 7th) at Silk City. Spinning 80s fare and no doubt luring the crowd that usually stands outside of Polyesther's in the rain waiting to pay a cover to hear bad 80s disco music. (Ahem) DJ Kathy Fadigan plays better stuff. I'll let you know if you can expect to Time Warp every 2d Tuesday at Silk, or if you are better off listening to your local Jammin' Oldies radio station.
Heavy is the first night of the week to catch Rob Paine. Rob and guests spin reggae to dub to deep house every Tuesday at St. Jack's.
That's a lot of stuff for a Tuesday!!!!
WEDNESDAYS: Next Wednesday (Aug 16th) your humble correspondent will bare witness to the second generation of Afrobeat. Femi Kuti sets up at the Trocadero with his band Positive Force. If Femi has yet to come to your town, you will want to read my review. I will write it after I catch my breath. If I weren't going to see Femi on the 16th, I'd be at Soulglow Wednesdays at Filo's. Filo's is literally an underground club, located beneath a restaurant/bar. DJ Willyum flows deep house, plus he's one of the friendliest DJs on the set. A gracious host and a neat person. Go to meet Willyum, go and experience the music and absorb the vibe.
Wiggle invades Lucy's on Wednesdays with "CoolGruvs." A Funk and soul party with funky beats.
THURSDAYS: I miss Groove Lounge!!! Thursdays I used to follow Cozmic Cat to St. Jack's for her mix of funk, soul, hip-hop reggae and that smooth acid jazz she spins so nicely. When Coz took a gig in New York, DJ Lorne took over the decks on Thursdays. Lorne brings a lively drum & bass, soul, trip-hop, techno vibe to St. Jack's. It's definitely louder; if only because there are more people there.
New on Thursdays: "Origin" at the newly renovated (new paint, new management) Evolution brought to you by the people who threw the highly successful Hemisphere parties earlier this year. "Origin" is an Asian/panAsian night that welcomes all young professionals looking to mingle. The music ranges from commercial to trance. (The later you arrive the better the music gets). DJ's to be announced.
Full-Tilt Boogie: This is an event for the late night Wigglers. This week (Aug 10th) Kicked off the event. The only thing funkier than the line up are the hours: the risky 10p until 6am!!! DJs Roland, Dutchboy, Joey Blanco, Jenn Louie, Imri, Mass, Vince Wonder; and I am told MORE!!!!! OUCH!!!
This may be your last chance to catch Flavor Thursdays at Eden Roc. The underground weekly event attracts a mature (and I DON'T mean old!!!) audience. It's a word-of-mouth thang brought to you by the Reflective boys and girls.
FRIDAYS: Every 2d Friday THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT; this month at Silk City. DJ Willyum, Sean Thomas, Kevin V, Carl Michaels: 4 turntables + 2 deejays = sonic alchemy all night long. The Experiment has been brewing for about a year now and this will be my first time experiencing it. Look for my report!!!
Unfortunately I will have to miss Worship Friday at Filo's with Rob Paine and Zach Eberz. Rob and Zach let loose with the reggae and deep house vibes. If you like it all come early. If you like reggae come early. If you are more into the deep house come later.
Release at Butter: hip-hop, funk reggae with DJ Roland on the wheels!
Definite at Eden Roc. Three floors of music. Reggae, funk, classic soul, deep house; Kenny Meez, Deep C and others hold down the groove.
Where it's At:
Bar Noir: 112 South 18th St
Butter: 125 S. 2nd St. (Between Market & Chestnut)
Eden Roc: 1437 South St.
Evolution: 1500 North Delaware Ave.
Filo's: 408 S. 2d St.
Fluid: 4th Street between South & Bainbridge
Lucy's: 247 2nd Street
Marmont: 222 Market St.
Silk City: 5th & Spring Garden St.
St. Jack's: 45 S. 3rd St.
Before you head out to Philly to experience this stuff, here are some websites to check out.
Philly2nite.com: Philly's BEST website for information and news on parties, dining and even cornball stuff that I don't bother with. (You might be interested so check it out).
RecordKingdom.com: Brand new online record retailer specializing in...well visit the site. You will see the inventory.
My personal favorite:
That's all for now. I hope you got through all this. My new email address is
audiogliphix@aol.com so if you'd like to drop a line. See a pic, or get more info on the info I've transmitted, drop me a line.Peace
