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Erykah Badu and Adrian Younge Tear Up the Stage in NYC
Last night Yvonne and I attended the Wax Poetics Records Showcase presented by Skullcandy, a monthly showcase teaming renowned DJs and Wax Poetics recording artists. Last night’s show, held at Le Poisson Rouge, featured one of my favorite artists of all times, Erykah Badu aka DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, and Adrian Younge and his new band, Venice Dawn. Clearly Erykah and Adrian have tons of fans in NYC because at 10:30pm, 30 minutes before the doors opened, the line was 3 people wide all the way around the block–wow!
The show kicked off with local DJs warming up the room….
Then came Adrian Younge and Venice Dawn. And wow, they blew me away! Their energy was crazy. They jumped on stage with their grey retro suits and killed it with a fierce performance from beginning to end. Their style is an eclectic fusion of psychedelic soul, rock, and funk, utilizing a variety of instruments from the flute to a keyboard called a Selene! The band will release a new album, Something About April, this fall through Wax Poetics Records and I can’t wait for it!
Front man Adrian Younge
For the finale, Erykah Badu appeared as her alter ego, Lo Down Loretta Brown, tearing up the 1s and 2s. I would have loved to hear that voice of hers, but it was cool seeing her do her DJ thing!
Check out video of Erykah Badu in action. (P.S. I love the rings she had on!!)
Thanks to Wax Poetics and Skullcandy for a great event!
kisses, Olisa
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Year of 9th Wonder
In spirit of this upcoming weekend’s Pioneer DJ Stylus Awards in Toronto, I feel this video comes from a relevant home. LRG presents: 9th Wonder, “The Wonder Year” Documentary.
This piece follows one full year in the life of Grammy award winner, North Carolina native, hip hop producer, DJ, University Lecturer, and Rapper, Patrick Douthit… better known as 9th Wonder.
Beginning his career as producer for hip hop group Little Brother, and since leaving the group in 2007, 9th has also worked with Mary J Blige, Jean Grey, Weezy, Wale, Jay-Z, Drake, Erykah Badu… and the list continues. 9th’s production style has been known to sample greats like Curtis Mayfield and Al Green. Throughout the video 9th takes us through the neighborhood where he grew up, introduces us to his craft and verbalizes the mind state that creates hits and wins awards.
I’m so excited for this video to drop and while the release date is still yet to be announced, word is that one will need to vote the showing in your city. Peep the trailer below.
