Archive for May, 2012
DJ Nu-Mark “Tonight” Featuring J-Live, M3 & Erica Dee
May 22nd
Dope new video from the homie DJ Nu-Mark! Support that real Hip-Hop.
DJ Nu-Mark “Tonight” Featuring J-Live, M3 & Erica Dee
Preview it here:
“These Are The Breaks” Pt. 12 | The Isley Brothers – Let Me Down Easy
May 18th
Always loved this loop — so simple, so perfect. Classic town shit right here!
The Isley Brothers – Let Me Down Easy
Saafir – Just Riden’
Anybody know what that string/vocal sample is?
Bonus (for all my Berkeley heads):
Saafir – Just Riden’ (Live @ Leopold’s Records)
Long-lost 1986 Hip-Hop Doc “Big Fun in the Big Town” now available commercially for the first time in more than 25 years!
May 10th
A RAP REVELATION: “BIG FUN IN THE BIG TOWN” (5 DAY WEEKEND / TRAFFIC) DVD TO BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE, MAY 22, 2012
GROUNDBREAKING 1986 HIP-HOP DOCUMENTARY COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS
VIDEO TRAILER:
“Today, more than 25 years after it was all captured, it’s easy to see ‘Big Fun in the Big Town’ as a natural sequel to Charlie Ahearn’s ‘Wild Style.’”
– Bill Adler, co-author of Def Jam Recordings: the First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label
“The essential mid-‘80s hip-hop documentary… it magnificently captures a special time in rap’s history.”
– Chairman Mao, Ego Trip / XXL
“The best hip-hop movie you’ve never seen… the barrage of highlights doesn’t let up.”
– Wax Poetics, Monk One
“It’s a who’s-who of that era as you’ve never seen them before – LL Cool J, Schoolly D, Run-DMC, Biz Markie, Russell Simmons. The first time I saw it was a non-stop WTF experience.”
– Peanut Butter Wolf
“BIG FUN” DIRECTOR BRAM VAN SPLUNTEREN IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS (PHONE / SKYPE / EMAIL)
DVD highlights include:
- Russell Simmons interviewed inside Def Jam Records’ offices at 298 Elizabeth Street
- Run-DMC in the studio and on the street: recording, freestyling, and adjusting to their new-found fame
- LL Cool J interviewed at his grandmother’s house in Queens, discussing love raps and authenticity
- Grandmaster Flash reprising his famed kitchen DJ set from Wild Style, this time in his living room
- Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante and MC Shan live on-stage in the Bronx
- Doug E Fresh beatboxing and philosophizing on the street in Harlem
- The late DJ Mr. Magic on WBLS (with his DJ, a young Marley Marl)
- Gangsta Rap originator Schoolly D live and backstage at the famed Latin Quarter club
- Suliaman El Hadi of hip-hop progenitors the Last Poets, spouting off about younger hip-hop artists
- Students rhyming, beatboxing and dancing at the Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx
- In-depth liner notes by Martin Caballero, featuring an interview with filmmaker Bram Van Splunteren
New York, 1986: a city of big dreams and equally big problems. Like New York itself, hip-hop music encompassed both of these human conditions. But hip-hop and its cultural birthplace shared other important characteristics, too: the desire to always be original, a hustle-to-survive ambition, and – if the stars aligned – the ability to come out on top, no matter what the odds.
Dutch filmmaker, journalist and rap fanatic Bram Van Splunteren stepped into the city for one intense week in 1986. He was armed with five things: a camera crew, a map, a deep respect for the hip-hop artform, a list of phone numbers, and a burning desire to get to the bottom of what this still-growing subculture was all about. By the time he left, he had the answers he needed, along with a treasure trove of golden video footage. Tragically, these images never returned from Europe, languishing in obscurity from hip-hop’s homeland for more than a quarter-century. Until now.
Big Fun in the Big Town is about hip-hop when artistry in the game was still at its center. When skills, not hype, got you your first record deal. When Run-DMC took the reins from Doug E Fresh and Grandmaster Flash, paving the way for hundreds of other hitmakers to follow. When a chart-topping LL Cool J still lived with his Grandmother. When the Latin Quarter was the club to be at on any weekend night. And when artists from all backgrounds could taste their own pop-chart dreams, just beyond their reach but still seemingly attainable.
This essential, fast-paced documentary shows hip-hop from just about every angle, and approaches its subjects with a journalistic sobriety and respect rarely given to this oft-misunderstood artform and culture, even to this day. It presents worldwide superstars and aspiring rappers, dancers and beatboxers on an even playing field, reminding us that rap was once a wide-open game for anyone with talent to grab at the brass ring of fame.
Commercially available for the first time ever after more than 25 years, Big Fun in the Big Town is nothing short of a revelation. Suggested retail price: $19.98.
Dutch director Bram Van Splunteren has been a noted music, arts and human-interest documentarian for more than two decades, known for feature films on The Red Hot Chili Peppers (“A Dutch Connection”) and Loudon Wainwright (“One Man Guy”), among many others. For more information, visit: www.bramvansplunteren.nl.
PREORDER THE DVD ON AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Big-Fun-In-The-Town/dp/B007NZVZQI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333583162&sr=8-1
5 Day Weekend website for more information on “Big Fun in the Big Town” and more: www.fivedaywknd.com.
