RIP Adam "MCA" Yauch

Rap music pioneer Adam Yauch, better known as MCA from the Beastie Boys, died today at age 47 from cancer. Rock stars die almost every week it seems, but in the case of Adam Yauch, this rock star death is more significant.

Yauch was a co-founder of the Beastie Boys back in 1982 when the group was a four-piece hardcore group. As they ditched hardcore and discovered rap, the B-Boys became one of the most significant groups in pop music history. Their importance, not only to me, but to the world, is hard to overstate.

As a suburban kid growing up in the Midwest in the 1980s, I was not exposed to much "urban" or "street" culture (translation: black people stuff). I grew up on classic rock like KISS, Led Zep, and AC/DC, and by the mid 80's, I was definitely a metal kid. My first exposure to rap music, technically, came from Blondie's "Rapture;" but I was too young to really understand the references to Fab Five Freddy and all that. I remember seeing Run-DMC late one night on television, probably '85 or so, and not knowing what to think. But a year later, it all made sense.

The Beastie Boys really did take rap music from an urban, underground phenomenon to a mainstream one. This, obviously, had a lot to do with being white, and therefore getting more access to non-urban radio stations and to MTV. But the Beasties' whiteness, for lack of a better term, should not be equated with a watering down of authentic hip-hop to make it more palatable to whites. The Beasties were the real deal, and by the time of their second album, Paul's Boutique, you could not find a credible rap source - black or white - who did not agree.

In the early days of the B-Boys, many mocked the group and considered them to be either a joke or an insult to what had been an entirely black dominated style of music. But the band slowly changed its image over the years to reflect who they really were, as opposed to who they were trying to be. Their music and message evolved to such a degree that it is almost impossible to believe that it is the same three guys that created both 1985's "She's On It" and the 2011 album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2.

Unlike many of the band's peers, however, the Beastie Boys were able to have a long and successful career. The group's albums began incorporating elements of and samples from jazz, rock, dance, disco, R&B, and pop. Lyrically, they were all over the place, too. The band effortlessly moved from the party rock themes of their first album, to more serious topics like 9/11 and Tibet on later releases. All the while, though, keeping the music fresh, funky and fun. The first single from HSCP2, "Make Some Noise," sounded like vintage B-Boys, like not a day had gone by since 1987. Fantastic stuff!

I have been listening to the music of the Beastie Boys for 25 years -- more than half my life. There are few things that I liked as a sophomore in high school that I still like today, at age 41. But, the Beastie Boys have stayed constant from my walkman days to my ipod days, and I imagine I will still be listening when we move on to the next way to play music. Timeless music is timeless music, and the Beastie Boys are timeless.

I'm going to pour out some of my 40 on the curb tonight in honor of MCA (first, I'll have to buy a 40, assuming I can find one), and play the Beastie Boys all night. I suggest you do the same.

 

 

 

  

  

 

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

Ace Frehley Phoner - Ghostface Tonight

Just wrapped my interview with Ace Frehley. I got 20 minutes and it went pretty well. Expect to hear excerpts on my show this coming Sunday, and probably an all Ace podcast in the future, as well. I am going to try and get it transcribed for use here at The Dark Stuff, and should have it done before Ace's show on Thursday at Whiskey Roadhouse in Council Bluffs. FYI, Thursday's show is the opening night of the tour!

I caught It's True and Say Hi last Saturday at Slowdown Jr. Both were openers for David Bazan. I'd been hearing nothing but positive raves from people in the Omaha scene about It's True. Fortunately, I can say that the band more than lived up to the hype. They were quite good, and I am making it a point to see them as much as I can before they get big and leave town. I was able to hear a few cuts from their just recorded, A.J. Mogis produced album, and it was exceptional. Really great production and a really unique sound. As of now, It's True and Little Brazil are probably the best bands in Omaha.

Say Hi was a little disappointing. They weren't bad by any means, but they came across as pretty generic indie pop in concert. I bailed out before David Bazan.

TONIGHT over at The Waiting Room is Ghostface Killah from Wu Tang Clan. I heard his show last time at Slowdown was great. I doubt I'll be making it to the show as I am pretty dead after my radio show last night. Tickets are still available for $20.

Del the Funky Homosapien TONIGHT at Slowdown

Quick note to all Omaha readers: Del the Funky Homosapien is performing tonight at Slowdown. Tickets are still available for $18. Even if you think you don't know this guy...you do. In addition to performing as a solo artist, Del has also worked with Hieroglyphics, Gorillaz, Deltron 3030, and much more.

Del is giving away his excellent new album, Funk Man (the stimulus package), for free on his website:
delthefunkyhomosapien.bandcamp.com

A new article on Del from Reuters.

Watch This For Some Stress Relief

Ice-T Schools A Young Whack Rapper

This video is hysterical. Rap legend, Ice-T dissed Soulja Boy in a very public manner. Soulja Boy (currently enjoying his 15 minutes) tried to fight back. But, clearly, he is no match for The Iceberg. Ice decides to end the "battle" right here with this video. I say...case closed.

Brother Ali at Waiting Room TONIGHT

Rhymesayers recording artist Brother Ali is playing at Waiting Room tonight. Ali usually hits Omaha once or twice a year, but for some reason, I have not been able to see him until now. Tickets are $12 and Abstract Rude, Toki Wright, & BK-One are opening.

You can hear a couple of Brother Ali tracks at Last.FM. And here is the video of his song, "Uncle Sam Goddamn."

MC Bill Cosby?

My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, and if you were wondering what to get me, here is a suggestion: Bill Cosby is making a rap CD!

(AllHipHop.com) Bill Cosby - a staunch critic of some rap music - is set to release a Hip-Hop album called State of Emergency, which will be a sanitized, issue-oriented CD.

Sources told AllHipHop.com that the actor, comedian and philanthropist will address issues like proper parenting, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, Black-on-Black crime and the dropout rate in America's high schools.

In 2004, Cosby said in a speech, "Your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it's cursing and calling each other [the N-word] as they're walking up and down the street. They think they're hip. They can't read. They can't write. They're laughing and giggling, and they're going nowhere."

Cosby's album will not contain any profane language, nor will it offer any denigrating comments towards women.

State of Emergency would be the 35th album for the legendary comedian, actor, who released his first album Bill Cosby is a Very Funny Fellow in 1963.

Whether or not Cosby will work with rappers on his lyrical flow or his musical selection was not known at press time.

Kanye West Is A Douchebag

I have never liked Kanye West. I think his music sucks. "Gold Digger" is a decent tune, but the rest of it...bleh. He's a crappy live performer (as witnessed when I saw him open for U2), and he is an arrogant S.O.B.

He's also a major douchebag, as evidenced with his most recent interview in Spin Magazine. Here is my favorite quote:

KANYE: There's certain things that black people are the best at and certain things that white people are the best at. Whatever we as black people are the best at, I'ma go get that. Like, on Christmas I don't want any food that tastes white. And when I go to purchase a house, I don't want my credit to look black. [Laughs]

SPIN: And what foods would fall into that category?

KANYE: White-people food? You know what it is. You never ate fried chicken and said, "This tastes white." It's America. People know the stereotypes. I play to the stereotypes. I believe in the stereotypes. And I submit to them. [Affects a black, Southern accent] "Man, black people sure can cook some chicken! And I'ma get some black chicken."

Yeah, Kanye isn't racist. And neither was Axl Rose.

Keepin' It Real At the Omaha Rap Show

Had a rather eventful evening last night. I worked the door at a rap show down at Sokol Underground. It was some type of showcase with 12 or 13 artists scheduled to appear -- all of them local. I've worked the door enough times to know to expect the unexpected. And though I may be accused of some type of racism, I have to say that rap shows are always the most...volatile, let's say. Last night was no exception.

The show's organizers were nice enough guys, and they handled themselves well considering the circumstances. Apparently, there was a great deal of miscommunication regarding exactly who would be performing, and at what time. Everyone in attendance seemed to be there just to see one act; and nearly everyone tried to claim some association to an artist so they could get in for free. Because there were so many freakin' artists, it became a constant struggle keeping track of who was who. I finally had to lay down the law and say that any artist was two people, and everyone else had to pay. This did not go over well.

Once the show got going, the line-up was constantly changing, as was the order. Things were going okay until one of the acts was told that her set would be shorter than she had expected because she showed up late. She threw a tantrum, as did the 15 or so people she brought with her -- most of whom had paid the $7 cover. They started rushing up to me demanding their money back. I refused. Fuck them. 1) It was only $7 and 2) they had been there for a while AND their artist was going to perform. Tempers started to flare and all of a sudden one of the angry "friends" jumped on stage and started trashing stuff. I told him he had to leave and he threatened to kill me. It was about this time that I decided we might have a problem.

I ran to the back of the club, grabbed my laptop and the cash drawer and locked them in the back room. The sound guy cut the music and turned on the lights, but no one was leaving. The 15 angry people became a much larger number by this point. I came back out to see what was happening when my co-worker told me to stay in the back because the crowd associated me with the money, and they wouldn't leave as long as they could still see me. After a minute or so in the back room not knowing what was happening, I peeked outside and saw what looked like a potential riot. The sound guy told me to call the cops, so I did. Four patrol cars full of Omaha's finest showed up and dispersed the crowd. Whew.

Maybe we didn't need the cops, but it was hard to tell for sure. I'd rather be safe than sorry, I guess. All that hassle over seven measly dollars. Suffice to say, I am not doing another rap show without a security guard. That is just a burden that has to accompany rap shows.

Tonight I am working a metal show at the same venue. Let's hope there are no near riots tonight.

Son Of Hip-Hop Legend KRS-One Dies

This is some sad news, as I've always been a fan of and respected KRS-One.

(AP) The son of hip-hop legend KRS-One was found dead in his apartment in an apparent suicide, authorities said Tuesday.

Randy Hubbard Parker, 23, died of a gunshot wound to the head and the death was classified as a suicide, said Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office investigator Mark Guilbeau.

Parker had suffered a long battle with depression, his mother, Simone G. Parker, said in a statement on Tuesday. He was found on Friday.

Parker was a graphic designer and fashion entrepreneur seeking employment in Atlanta. His family said a private memorial service will be held on July 18, which would have been Parker's 24th birthday.

A memorial service in New York, where Parker was born, is scheduled for August.

KRS-One is a rap pioneer whose hits include "Criminal Minded," "Black Cop," and "The Bridge is Over."