The subject line of this post pretty much sums it up.  To make a long story short the gallery is being forced out of their old place and need some seed money to move into a new space.  If you know us and our history we had a good run with “Kill The Bullshit” at 5e and we want to do everything we can to help the Gallery move into its new space.  Luckily for us the Gallery is not asking for much and frankly it deserves a lot more.  All they are asking is that you go to the website (www.5egallery.org) and donate $5 as their “$5 for 5e” campaign.  It definitely takes a village and if we all do a small part we can keep this movement moving.  This is “our space” and the work that Sicari and Piper along with many others put into it is at the least commendable.  Lets do our part and donate, spread the word so others can donate by writing on your own blogs, hitting the phones, and sending emails.  Below is an attached press release to circulate but you already know the deal.  All too often we have been faced with great tragedy in this city and have lost a lot of our hip hop saviors.  We have been good about bringing flowers to the funeral but this is an opportunity to give a little soup while one is sick.

Article on The Gallery:

There are so many amazing stories of the people that have taken matters into their own hands to make a difference in our community. For those of you with an understanding or appreciation for the arts and music education programs, you most likely understand the current economic issues surrounding the city of Detroit and how it has affected the schools and community programs. Not just in the city, but the surrounding areas as well. Many have tried and failed, yet there are those who have created something really so moving from simply bringing people together.

Sicari “DJ Sicari” Ware founded 5 E Gallery in Corktown—the oldest neighborhood in Detroit—back in 2008 with the intention of raising public awareness and encouraging visual arts, music, hip-hop culture, and community through exhibitions and education. Since it has served as an outlet for artists, musicians and people to unify and empower themselves, the space has become a resource for various nonprofit organizations to utilize for fundraising, community events and cultural awareness programming.

The energy and activity that has been nurtured by the people involved with the gallery has stimulated positive change in the arts community and Detroit. The vision has grown and with that, a new space and community support is needed. The gallery is currently in need of a larger space and is being forced out of their current building. During this move, DJ Sicari and the rest of the 5 E staff are planning and organizing plans for new programs that will enable the local community, especially children and young adults, to create opportunities for themselves and build a better future for themselves and future generations.

Some of these plans include a multimedia lab that will provide employment training skills to lead to competitive employment opportunities, as well as a member-based design center for creative professionals in Detroit. We are committed to providing resources, opportunities, and a dynamic, creative network community at large. The new space will also house studio space for artists to rent, a coffee shop, art education programs and a theater.

Even though the gallery has come so far, and all of these programs are needed with the city of Detroit, the 5 E Gallery staff operates on a 100 percent volunteer basis. Monthly expenses are covered by personal income, donations, and grants.

Over the next several weeks, the gallery will host a series of fundraising events and an online donation campaign starting at just $5. We are focused on assuring that these programs and the gallery will always have a home here in Detroit.

If you are interested in donating to our current campaign or learning more about our current needs, programs and events, you can find more information or make donations through PayPal online at: www.5egallery.org.

boy meets girl with two guns

Whaddup yall,

Been a minute since I blogged as usual, but it means I’m busy outside of the net so it’s all good.  Anyway’s I’ve been meaning to get at you about my boy Chief’s new album for the last couple weeks but am just finding the time now to sit down at this computer.  Goes without saying as I don’t promote ish I don’t like, but let me hit you with the disclaimer.  I have known Chief for quite some time and we’ve shared many beers and many shows as we toured together last year.  Now that you know my bias here goes nothing….

To really get the experience of Chief you have to check out a live show which I had the pleasure of doing by attending the album release party for this project.  I’m not gonna say his music is for everyone as the masses enjoy that whack shit, but the people that are in to Chief’s music hang on his every word like it is the gospel.  He really speaks to a certain demographic that is diverse but also quite niche pertaining to specific experiences around the Detroit area, but ghetto’s and suburbs surrounding them are found everywhere I guess (meaning you don’t have to be from around Detroit to get it, but it helps).  At his show he ran through a catalog of material and the crowd knew all the tracks like it was Jay Z at the Garden or some shit.  As I’m not an expert at the body of work Chief has released I had to ride with the CD in the car for a week to get a feel for what this specific project was talking about.  Needless to say it hasn’t left the CD player too much.  Here are my thoughts specifically on the CD.

Chief “Broken” Review

I don’t know what it is exactly what people love about Chief and I’m sure there are an array of reasons, but if I could take a guess it is that Chief is a man extremely comfortable in his own skin and it shines through in his music.  He speaks his mind (i know this is what all artists are supposed to do, or at least they front like they do, but Chief has a uniquely direct way of letting you know how he feels) and leaves it up to you to hate it or love it.  However, it would seem that Chief is most comfortable in pain and that pain is what connects you to his music whether you can relate or perhaps feel better about your problems. I was telling a friend that after listening to this CD i felt like giving into all my vices and just saying fuck it.  For some reason I MEAN THAT AS A COMPLIMENT.  You figure it out.

As an EP the CD covers an amazing amount of ground in terms of mood, subject, and feel while staying true to its downtempo and headphone roots which get close to stretching the bounds of what hip hop is considered.

Starting off with “This Cloud ft. Rusty” Chief acknowledges his pain but you feel like there is a desire to climb out from the under and win.

On “Broken” which is the title track and my favorite track, he discusses what is probably one of his and all man’s greatest vices in terms of a woman and it also works if it is a metaphor for hip hop.  Just because you are broken doesn’t mean you can’t find and be in love.

With “Lesson in Love ft. Kiko” Chief finishes the woman thought out with a sick lesson in vocal harmony from Kiko.  This lady absolutely killed it and should be checked for on the solo tip if she has any work out.  The last verse begins an emotional ascension of sorts.  Taking a departure from just pointing out the flaws and mistakes there is a desire to change.

On “Gotta Stop Running” finds a little help from his friends as Phathom rips this track to shreds as far as you can tear up a downtempo track.  Hook is dope.

On of my favorite phrases is “If you don’t know where you’re coming from, where would you go”.  Chief acknowledges his love of this phrase on “Days I Remember” which is the lead single.  This is probably the most feel good track on the album in my opinion and as we are a reminiscent generation, I think everyone will appreciate this track.  Good choice for the single, but i wanna see anything from track 2-4 get released next (my vote is “Broken”)

“In Times Things Change” is not my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t consider it a miss but this  is also a feel good and inspirational tracks (perhaps I myself am too bitter to truly appreciate the inspirational. lol or that’s actually not that funny if true).

“SODC” puts me right back on track with the program.  This song can give you a sense of pride if you’re sharing the same experience as Chief is.  As he has this desire to change, he’s also trying to love every moment on the in between time. And isn’t that when life happens.

“Vinnie Johnson” is the closer and the most perfect way to end this CD.  Although we all have to handle serious business, you gotta have fun and enjoy yourself and that’s exactly what Chief does with this joint.  As the rest of the CD is extremely up close and personal, this is an ode to the punchline style and attitude that Detroit is probably most known for.

I usually won’t go through every song when reviewing, but this is a shorter project and the man is saying something on every track.  This ain’t a club project but if you’re into that you’re not reading this anyways.  To me this is one of those “Headphone Masterpieces”.  You will enjoy this most in your bedroom with the lights low and just zone out, or when driving in your car alone thinking about your path.  The production is tight (check the credits and know i could write a book of compliments on everyone involved), there is real substance to the lyrics, and it is a complete project in a world filled with singles and ringtones. What more do you want?  I could go on and on but I have my own struggles to attend to.  Cop this from www.megaroyal.com (CLICK ALBUM COVERS ABOVE TO JUMP TO SITE) and tell em Large Marge sent ya.  In a minute yall.

Just getting back from San Fran and figured I’d give you a quick synopsis of my trip.  Really just a few short observations.

1) San Fran was cold, but definitely not nearly as cold as this Detroit weather

2) People in San Francisco love “views”.  And they have a lot of them.  Over every hill you see something beautiful.

3) Mexican food in San Fran is dope, and the city is very vegetarian friendly.

4)  It’s hard to find high life to drink out there, but pbr’s and tecate are in abudance.

5) The homie 5 ill of USM definitely has a good thing going out there and I hope I got the funds to make a trip back there this summer.

All and all my trip was a good one.  I got some relaxation in and was able to work on some music with 5 ill and also my homie Black Nature from the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars.  If you don’t know about them you can check them out here @ http://www.refugeeallstars.org and really get involved with their movement.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to check out the Full House residence, but I did hook up with Kimmie Gibbler. With that being said and me being home I also wanted to shout out Ro Spit and Monica Blaire for their new video “Renaissance State of Mind”.  I love Detroit so check the video after the jump.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoLCYbeI524

i would say poor Turkey, but that's the point of the holiday...other than the oppression of Native Americans, but hey lets have a beer anyways

If you’re like me and you’re a starving artist you’re stuck working your service job on Thanksgiving Eve. as this is the biggest bar night of the year.  However, my bar job is closed on Thanksgiving and as I am now a vegetarian I will not be in a coma from all the tryptophan.  Therefore, I will be rip roared and ready to go and fortunately for me my homies in Snakewing have decided to throw a show.  They are on that punk & metal tip to the vibe will be high energy and I’m sure filled with good people.  Check the music @ http://www.myspace.com/snakewing and spread the word on this show.

they don't mean to toot their own horn, but.....you get the point

Just a few quick words on “The Few”.  I admittedly don’t know what other artists they have outside of Will Sessions, but seeing Will Sessions is good enough for me.  They’ve really kept a great buzz going for themselves this year with the Black Milk, Phat Kat, and Guilty Simpson Big Band Shows.  If you’ve ever seen them live there is no doubt that the Funk Movement is very much alive and it seems to be growing exponentially on a grass roots level.

Them along with the rest of “The Few” roster will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary at The Majestic complex this Saturday in what plays out as a Music Festival.  The Magic Stick and the Majestic Cafe will be hosting the festivities and Carl Craig will also be rockin which is ridiculous so get involved.  As I’m lazy look below for my cut and paste job giving you the particulars for the evening.  See you there.

the Few Records 1 Year Anniversary: No Genres, Just Good Music. We Are the Few.
Promotional Support by the Greening of Detroit: Keeping Detroit Clean and Green

Magic Stick Side:
Grammy nominated and Movement 2010 Creative Director CARL CRAIG (Planet-E) 1 – 3AM
Will Sessions Funk Big Band (the Few) 11:40 – 1AM
New Music Detroit (the Few) 11 – 11:20PM (Performing Marc Mellits’ piece, “Smoke”)
Kevin Reynolds (Todhchaí, Yoruba) 9:50 – 10:45PM
DJ Patrick Russell (the Few, Circus Company) 9PM and In Between Acts

Majestic Cafe Side:
Silverghost (the Few) 1:05 – 2:15AM
Zoos of Berlin 11:45 – 12:45AM
the Replicas 10:35 – 11:25PM
Adieu (the Few) 9:35 – 10:15PM
DJ Steven Robert (the Few, Tour Detroit) 9PM and In Between Acts

Special Art Installations by ACCESS Arts

Only $8 Total!!! for BOTH sides before 11:30PM, $10 after.
9PM-3AM 18+

the Few Records will be celebrating their 1 Year Anniversary and throwing a party to reflect their newly diverse and talented artist roster. With the recent signing of Silverghost, New Music Detroit, Steven Robert and Patrick Russell, combined with the Few’s artists Will Sessions and Adieu, there is no better time to get down with the Few Records. Grammy nominated and Movement’s 2010 Creative Director Carl Craig headlines the mini-music festival. ACCESS Arts will be creating multiple art installations as well. Both rooms are musically curated by the Few Records’ label head Dominic Arellano.

ACCESS Artists: Louis Casinelli, Sicily Amaris McRaven, Matt Pawenski, Ayaka Hibino, Rose Rivard, Angelo Conti and Matthew Scarlett. For more info contact isleaccess@gmail.com.

In partnership with the Few Records, The Greening of Detroit will be providing eco-friendly ways to get involved in your community.

Local artists Sicily Amaris McRaven and Louis Casinelli will lead a group of artists delivering live performance and installation artworks. They are working in support of Access Arts, a public art exhibition hosted at Belle Isle Park during Michigan’s warmer seasons.

the Few Records New Website!:http://www.theFewRecords.com
Greening of Detroit:http://www.greeningofdetroit.com
ACCESS Arts: http://accessartsexhibit.blogspot.com

It’s been too long as usual, but as usual I’ve been working and working to give you guys something to talk about next year.  B4 I say my piece about the man of the hour, Metasyons, lemme give you some quick updates on what’s going on in the world of D. Allie.

1) Progress Report (my collaborative project with Producer/MC Eddie Logix) is all mixed and should go to master this week.  This is an initial step in a long list of things we need to take care of b4 we can get the finished product to you but it is an important step and I’m making sure that I try to enjoy the journey as much as possible this time around.  As of now we are releasing a 7 inch in January (that’s right my people – cats are still on that vinyl movement) and we hope to have the full length project to you by March.  I know it seems like a long time away but if you looked at our to-do list it wouldn’t seem too far away.

2) I just recently celebrated my 27th birthday and I’m looking forward to this year very much.  I’ve made a concerted effort to slow myself down just a little (can’t party like a rockstar every night of the week because those hangovers seem to hit harder and harder).  I’ve also tried to make steps to improve my health by going to the gym and……..wait for it…….I am pleased to say that I haven’t had a cigarette in about 2 months now.  Those that know me know what a tremendous feat that is for me because there were few things I like on earth as much as a cigarette.  I can already feel the positive effects when I’m performing and recording in the studio.  I might mess around and start putting out some long winded bone thugs type verses on you.

3) For my bday I bought myself a few presents.  One being a mac book which I’m typing on right now, (I love this machine) and another being a plane ticket out to San Fran to visit the homie 5 ill so hopefully we’ll get some music crackin out in the bay area come early december.  If you are or know anybody in the San Francisco area who puts on shows let a brotha know.  I would definitely like to rock while I’m out there.

Alright, I think I’ve bored you to death with my updates but b4 you go to sleep let me wake you up to one of my musical partners in United States of Mind and a man I have the pleasure of calling my friend….METASYONS.

"Detroit...The birthplace of everything fly" - metasyons

As I disclosed we are crew and he is a close friend so I’m gonna be a bit biased, but I truly believe that Meta is by far one of the most talented cats I have come across since I’ve been doing this music and I think you’ll get to see that with this project.  It’s a quick listen with 6 songs and features myself, Ro Spit, and some cat from Greece (yeah, we tryin’ to keep up with the global trends).  If you’re digging what you’re hearing we always ask that you spread the word in anyway you can.  Check the commercial for it posted below and then go to WWW.USMDETROIT.COM and get to downloading the project.  Hit me on the email and let me know what you think.  you can even download it here but go to the USM site as well and see what we’re doing over there.  I’ll leave you with some words from Meta on the project so enjoy.

USM PRESENTS…

Metasyons’ Eviction Notice. This mixtape/sampler was produced because I (Meta) am broke as fuck!! I recently received an eviction notice, so that’s what sparked this project. You people can at least give me the pleasure of enjoying my music, hence the free download! Spread the word. We need this to be major! Maybe it could lead to me eating again……..

Thats it hopefully the music speaks for itself

yeah....mafuckas got photo shoots and shit poppin' these days son

whaddup my people,

yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.  It’s been a minute and all that.  I’m still staying pretty unplugged from the matrix before I have to dive back in and hit yall with the constant updates.  I’ve been experiencing a lot of new things and I can’t wait to share everything with you guys.  Right now i’m trying to learn the balance between actually being in the moment and then being able to relay that moment to someone else (it’s quite the difficult task – i’d love to take video footage and photos of the events i’m at, but when i do that I feel like I’m not fully enjoying it…dig?).  Anyways, that’s neither here nor there.  What’s up are the guys that brought me out of my digital foxhole if only for a second.  And these guys go by the name of Abrasive Method.

I’m pretty sure I’ve already written about them a few times on this blog so hopefully you’re somewhat familiar with them.  If not the quick rundown is this.  They’re like family to me.  They relay their life in their music – it may be unfortunate to some but they’re not killing or drug dealing.  However, it’s not all peaches and cream in the burbs and they have a lot of themes in their music that I relate to so I feel that you will too, but whatever for all that.  It’s not my job to sell their music to you.  I’m gonna take the position of letting you know it exists and when you check it out you decide if the proof is in the pudding.  With that being said I just received an email from Abrasive the other day about their new video and upcoming shows so I will just copy and paste below.  Check 1, Check 2, Check it out:

as usual the Foundation is going down tonight and the females will once again be representing.  all too often it seems as if the women have been overlooked and this night is a perfect example of why they should not be.  i don’t know about your city, but the female mc’s in detroit are as serious as it gets.  Invincible, who is one of my personal favorites has this line that goes something like, “I’m trying to be one of the best period, just not one of the best with breasts and a period,” and that really says it all.

also tonight an all female band will be backing up the mc’s tonight and as I believe I have personally jammed with all the musicians before this is definitely not to be missed.  much love goes out to Piper Carter for putting on this even every Tuesday @5egallery.  she is really trying to turn peoples attention to this event and just the culture in general so it is my hope it is appreciated by those that have a vested interest in keeping the scene alive.  we need it more than ever in these times of struggle we are facing on the day to day. *immediately steps off soapbox and keeps it to the point at hand*. come out, have fun, forget your worries, and enjoy good music.  shit…if you feel the need participate and hold the mic. trust me…it’s a pretty good feeling.  here’s the flier.

we came from our mothers so i think the name "the foundation" is quite fitting.

here is what 5e gallery has to say about the event:

The social impact of Hip Hop is a cultural revolution which crosses borders, inspires ideas & influences behaviors.

Encouraging freedom of expression, healthy competition, independent thought, & positive self-identity, this weekly event as a movement focuses on redefining the vital role of Women in Hip Hop.

Hosted by Detroit’s Legendary Miz Korona http://www.myspace.com/1mizkorona
Featuring DJ’s Mel Wonder & Sticky Niki
with B-Girls Mama (Hardcore Detroit) & Ris Money

This evening features open mic, freestyle battle, art battle, b-girl battle, showcases, special guests, & other surprises.

We call it The Foundation because we are dedicated to preserving the culture of Real Hip Hop and also because Women are the Foundation of the Universe!

All are welcome.
Peace!

and of course we are back at it with kill the bullshit this saturday.  let em know on both counts.

let your people know

forgot that this was going down, but remembered just in time to put you guys up on it.  If you don’t know about Foreign Exchange it’s Phonte from Litttle Brotha and Nicolay who is an amazing producer.  Also Zo! is in town opening for these brothas so it’s important he gets the hometown support he deserves.  From Guerilla Funk Mob to the Overdue Process Album with my brotha Asylum 7 you should know this is not to be missed.   I would go on and on but I’d rather get the info to you as soon as possible.  Just go and thank me later.  Have I steered you wrong yet? (well, that time was a ….nevermind. lol). LET’S GO.

June 4, 2009: The Foreign Exchange | Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit MI

Posted by aimee_flint on May 11, 2009 at 7:14 PM | 5 Comments | No TrackBacks

Thursday June 4, 2009 Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, 315 East Warren Avenue, Detroit MI, 48201 | (313) 494-5800 The Foreign Exchange (Phonte + Nicolay) with Yahzarah, Darien Brockington, Zo! & The ELs Doors open : 7:00 PM | Show starts : 8:00 PM Tickets : $18 museum members / $20 non-members presale | $25 at the door | Click here to buy tickets online!