Rugz D. Bewler - "By Any Means Necessary" Music Video/Album

If you been keeping your ear pointed towards the DD172 movement, then you know at least a little bit about Rugz D. Bewler. I'm just getting hip to his music and the album is for sure one of those download, burn and throw in the whip immediately joints.

'By Any Means Necessary' is by far one of the most complete independent projects I've ever heard. Clearly conceptual from start to finish is how I like an album to sound and Rugz executed perfectly. I feel like this is what an Isaac Hayes record would have sounded like if he were a rapper. It's sharp on soul samples, heavy on the beats and bass and I'm going to dare say revolutionary rappin'.

It is crystal clear that Rugz D. Bewler is up to more than "Divas & Doobies" and the sequential follow-up "Red Bull & Guinness/The Hangover." Super dope tracks but clearly of the, I'm-not-all-serious-all-the-time variety. The rest of 'By Any Means Necessary' is about rappin' ass rappin' and progression. Is he hinting at the idea that he's the next Malcolm X? Absolute not. What he he is saying is that he's Harlem's next big deal. He's saying I have something you need to hear. He's saying he's going to achieve. I agree wholeheartedly with all of that.

With a double feature I bring you the music video for the title track as well as the entire project for download. The video, directed by Anthony Sylvester, is a fantastic visual. I absolutely love the transitions, warmth in color in juxtaposition to the obviously cold temperature and location scouting. Check the video and hit the download link below that.

Click to Download 'By Any Means Necessary'

Camp Lo and Stalley at Santos

Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg and legendary producer Ski Beatz of DD172 have teamed up to launch a new Monday night event called "Bridging the Gap".  Last night was the first run of the event, headlined by Camp Lo (The Lo) and Stalley.

Though the show didn't kick off until much later than expected, it was a great time and both acts brought the noise.  Stalley even brought out Curren$y to perform "Address".

I was personally most excited to see The Lo.  I've never seen them perform live before so it was surreal to hear them perform Uptown Saturday Night classics "Krystal Karrington", "Black Connection", "Black Nostaljack", "Rockin' It" and, of course, "Luchini".  I was thrown back to '99 and the time in my life when I didn't know much about anything but I did know good music.  Even then I knew that Camp Lo was entirely singular and they still are now.

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Married to the MOB x Shameless present....

MTTM x Shameless Management's free concert at Santos Party House was a blast!  It was a packed house for headliner, Def Jam recording artist, Curren$y.  The show was jump started by rapper and DJ Jasmine Solano and Duck Down records' Team Facelift.

Curren$y

Curren$y's Signature

The evening was hosted by Shade45 The Morning After Show star Angela Yee. I laughed to myself seeing her talk so little when her job is to talk so much.  She was very pleasant to be around and posed for a bunch of pictures with fans. 

Angela Yee

Jasmine Solano went from DJing the event to kicking the nights performances off with her single "That's Not It".  Hop over to www.JasmineSolano.com if you've never heard this song.  It KNOCKS somethin' ferocious!

DJ Jasmine Solano

Mistress of Ceremonies Jasmine Solano

Team Facelift temporarily turned the show into a ceiling hanging, Angela Yee belly smashing, water spitting, slam dancing romper room during their set.  I was just glad that band member "The Fat Jew" didn't get naked.

Team Facelift

Machine goes in.

If the performances weren't enough for you, a few special guests were in the building showing support.  You'll be surprised at this mixed bag of talent...

 Donnis (l.) poses with Jasmine Solano's Publicist

Homeboy Sandman....diggy dot com

Hip-Hop Pioneer Marley Marl

The rest of the nights shots are on my Flickr page.  Go.  View.  Be happy.

Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Brooklyn Bodega really does a great job with this event.  It's a huge undertaking and while I'm sure there are hitches all over, it all comes together for fans of Hip-Hop.  You can't ask for much more than that.  You really get a great value for your money.

I took off from my home around 1 pm and traffic slowed me down considerably.  I didn't get there until 2:20 pm.  It should have only taken me 30-40 minutes tops.  Then I got there and couldn't find parking.  I was frustrated for a short while, but once I got into the park the positive energy made everything OK.  There were plenty of vendors and sponsors, lots of food and drinks and tons of good music.

I didn't stick around to catch headliners De La Soul perform, but I did get a chance to shoot them before they went on.  I'm sure they killed it as usual.  I slightly regret missing their performance though.

Trugoy aka Dave

Maseo (l.) and DJ Evil Dee (r.)

Posdnuos

Smif n Wessun (aka Cocoa Brovas) also came through to represent Boot Camp.  Black Moon was also in the building.  I even saw Rockness.  It was good to see them out but I was only looking for Sean Price who did not show.  Sue me. 

Tek

Steele

I wish Babu had a solo.  When I started learning to scratch back in 2002, I was big on the Invisibl Skratch Piklz.  Especially Q-Bert and Mix Master Mike.  I knew I would never practice enough to get to such an advanced level, but I loved watching and listening to masters.  Then I discovered Babu.  He almost instantly became my favorite.  His style is so effortless and funky.

DJ Babu feat. Rakaa with the screw face

I missed Kalae All Day's set due to the afore mentioned traffic.  I did catch up with her at the show though.  She was stuntin' hard in her self designed Utta K.A.O.S. shades.  Also ran into YC the Cynic giving love and support to Kalae.

Kalae All Day

YC the Cynic

Fashawn came out representing Cali as well as that "Golden Era" Hip-Hop.  Definitely check out that 'Boy Meets World' album.  He really held it down on stage.  It's a shame that everyone had such a short amount of time to perform. 

Fashawn

At some point during the day, I took a short break to go get a drink and I ran into Grind Time battle rapper Soul Khan.  It was weird seeing him outside of his "I can beat any battle rapper...any time...any where." mode.  He's a real laid back guy and he even smiled for his picture.  I still wouldn't challenge him to a rap battle.  Hell, most people who do shouldn't.

Soul Khan

I had a really good time.  I cut out a little early to go cover another event but I got to see and talk to some great people.  The homie Pack FM was there for a guest spot with Those Chosen.  Mr. Mecca berated me for not smiling enough.  I caught Hip-Hop pioneer Marley Marl walking around with his son/upcoming producer M. Will the Shogun.  Craig G was hanging out backstage.  Curren$y and Trademark were in the house.  It was just overflowing with talent.  A great mix of old and new schools.  The crowd was into the whole experience and the brief rain couldn't change their mood.  I'm definitely looking forward to next years Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival.

Big K.R.I.T. Showcase @ SOB's

Def Jam's latest artist to sign on the dotted line stopped through SOB's last night to showcase his work as well as the work of some his friends and collaborators.  It was a star studded night filled with some truly dope rap music.  Up and comers Yonas and YC the Cynic kicked the night off and then Def Jam and Cinematic Music Group took over.  Smoke DZA, Curren$y and Big K.R.I.T., while all very different artists, displayed wonderful camaraderie as they each took a turn delivering their material.

The event brought together some of the most discerning fans of underground and mainstream music.  Just as it should always be under the umbrella of Hip-Hop.  The venue was filled with indie label artists like Mr. Mecca up to major label artists like G.O.O.D. Music's Consequence.

Enjoy these selected photos from the evening (more at my Flickr):

Consequence (l.) & Big K.R.I.T. (r.) stop for a photo after K.R.I.T tore the house down.

DJ Envy backstage

Curren$y checks for the real Jets fans.

Yonas giving the crowd energy.

YC the Cynic delivering 16 bars to HipHopWorld.com

Smoke DZA zoned out.

Kalae All Day (l.) gets a clap from YC the Cynic.

Surprise guest Mickey Factz rocks with Smoke DZA