When I was much younger and got a request to play a party at a community center or a night at a club somewhere, I’d be so happy because it meant I was on the road to doing more as a DJ and possibly being taken seriously. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to be one of many consistently working DJs from Philly and it can sometimes be exhausting. Often, I’ll be doing two events in a day, for several days in a row or sitting on a conference call while on my way to a gig or staying up all night guest DJing on a late radio show, then heading straight to the airport to catch a flight for a gig. Sometimes, I have conversations with people who ask how I can keep track of it or when i plan to get some rest. Especially with concerned family members who have witnessed my dad nearly work himself to death for years.

This past week has been one of those weeks between doing Hez’s Album Release shows in Philly and making a brief appearance with Rich at APT, rocking in Chicago with Baham, jumping off a plane to open the Pharoahe Monch show, and heading directly to the afterparty to DJ with Lil’ Dave, resurrecting Dilla with House Shoes & Jay-Ski, rocking with DJ Dummy in celebration of Jill’s album release, DJing at Love Park for the Campus Philly Press Conference with the Mayor, returning to M Room for the BODYROCK, rocking all day for the Campus Philly Kick Off, then heading straight to New York City to Guest DJ at Samba Soul. Whoever said DJing cannot be a full time job has a lot to consider. Still with nonstop work and many fringe benefits, being seen, paid, sponsored, acknoweldged, and heard does not make me a DJ. The love I have for it is what fuels my need to hang in there even when shit is not in my favor. This is what makes me a DJ.

One of my favorite DJs in the world, Karizma from Maryland breaks it all down.

Czech it out…

I spend a bit of time in DC with a bunch of great people and the thing that jumps out at me regularly is how the black folks there are empowered. There seems to be geniune support btwn black folks, entertainers, businesses, etc. Perhaps it’s merely a jaded view from a perspective of a Philadelphian (Everyone is secretly competing with you or hating on your value in Philly).

Nonetheless, I remember being there with my comrades, The Soul Controllers one weekend, and my dude DJ Stylus, dropped this Crunk Soon To Be Anthem, “Read A Book”. I was like WTF?!? I first thought, wait a second, is this out? Then I was like, wait is this Kev Brown and them joking around again??? Then I got it; Saying something significant to young people masked by what folks are comfortable with. And, on top of it, making fun of the cookie cutter formula used in commercially viable music of the past 5 years. Brilliant.

Then I was in LA, kicking it with some friends in Crenshaw, watching BET and the video airs. I couldn’t believe that it was 1. being aired on BET, and 2. being aired on BET on 106th & Park at 3pm. Once the video aired, the studio audience was really confused and the hosts were at a lost for words. This makes me wonder if people are ever really going to be prepared to do better. (See The Last Poets – Niggers are Scared of Revolution – 1970)*

The Funniest thing to me is how intellectual types are attacking this Satire and comparing a rap video to Sesame Street. Few are addressing the actual issues with BET, … Anyway, since me and my close friend/business partner, Lil’ Dave was discussing this topic, I figured I’d share it with y’all. Peep.

Also, Dig this…

www.myspace.com/knotarapper

*http://www.amazon.com/Last-Poets/dp/B00006EXIB/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1597561-2458210?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1190044376&sr=8-1

This is probably the only song I’ve heard recently that features T-Pain and doesn’t annoy me after 3 plays.

Kanye is brilliant. He is the type of personality that was missing in the industry. I love it.

I will be buying an official copy of the album although I had a cdr of it weeks ago.

During the Summer, me and Hezekiah hit the west coast for a couple weeks for some spot dates. One thing that is a given is that sneaker shops and clothing stores will get hit up everyday in addition to the search for the best burrito California has to offer. We even did a lil bit of skating in Portland and took a long trek through LA in search of the Kwik-E-Mart that was only there for the month of July. Those pink donuts were terrible. Another great way to pass the time is to scout unique places for a video shoot. Check out the new video from Hez’s latest album “I Predict A Riot” (out Sept. 18th) filmed in Eugene, Oregon. Hez is getting his director weight up so when this guy has a budget, he’s going to be trouble… Peep it.