covering music and culture in the harrisburg area
R&B singer Alonda Rich. Photo by Michelle G.
So Provocative
Mantra Records
On November 28, 2008, Alonda Rich gave an impressive performance at Hollywood Casino in Grantville. The bashful singer, who moved from Williamsport to Harrisburg, was one of the opening acts for the Denm Inc.-promoted Jaguar Wright concert. During Rich’s performance, she sang her song “ So Amazing” and SWV’s “Weak.” Continue reading ‘CD review’
Emerald Serum by stainlessinsaness
Stainless Steele, a talented rhyme spitter/producer, represents the Lancaster area. Peep his instrumental mix CD titled Emerald Serum—Steele has always been on some surreal ish. Click here to download the CD. We’ll post more info on Steele in the near future.
Danny Devine spray paints a mural in 2008. Photo by Leon Laing.
On August 9, 2008, specialty car company WRTeam shut down Harrisburg’s State Capitol and threw a memorable car competition/festival called WRevolution. Aside from whips, WRevolution offered breakdancing, a performance from D.C.-based rapper Tabi Bonney and live graffiti from Danny Devine of Pittsburgh.
Much Ado About Nothing: The Nothing will perform at Gettysburg’s Ragged Edge Coffee House at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28. Photo by Leon Laing.
Digital Villains
On 2008’s Closer, The Nothing crafted an eclectic album. The production ranges from jazzy horn loops to soulful grooves, which includes the somber instrumental from James Brown’s classic “King Heroin.” Influenced by the Soulquarians, such as Common, J Dilla, Mos Def and De La Soul, the group delivered witty, lighthearted lyrics and skits on Closer.
One year later, the Gettysburg-based collective returns with Digital Villains. On the previous album, the group preached on songs, such as “Invest.” The group continues to kick the truth to the young urban youth on Digital Villains. “Use your degree, go ahead, get a real profession,” Wally suggests on “Kick It.” Continue reading ‘CD review’
The 2009 American Music Awards airs tonight, and the attention-grabbing Toni Braxton/Trey Songz kiss on the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards airs Nov. 29. See below for local events.
Concerts
Nov. 27: Wiz Khalifa. Doors open at 7 p.m., Gemini Entertainment Center in Harrisburg. Phone: 717.623.0956 and 610.931.5665.
Dec 3: Lady Gaga w/ Kid Cudi. 7:30 p.m., Susquehanna Bank Center in New Jersey. Phone: 215.336.2000.
Dec. 4: BET Live! 106 & Park Tour ft. Mario with Pretty Ricky. 9 p.m., Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia. Continue reading ‘Upcoming events’
Phene in a b-boy stance at the York-based High Off Life concert. Photo from Phene’s archives.
Rapper Phene relocated to the ATL, but he still reps for York, which is his hometown. Peep this video of Phene in the lab. He drops his next project called God On A Greyhound in the first quarter of 2010.
J. Bair at the local hip-hop awards last year. Photo by Leon Laing.
J. Bair and I go way back. In fact, he remembers when I was a teen, and I used to wallpaper my bedroom with photos from hip-hop mags. Bair’s mission to recall hip-hop’s past is what keeps him relevant. “I’m a fan first,” the local rapper says about his position in hip-hop. As Bair preps to drop his new album in January 2010, he explains his feelings about opening up for the legendary Rakim on Nov. 14 in Harrisburg. Continue reading ‘Local CD releases’
W.O.P. hosts the Talk of the Streets DVD series. Photo by Leon Laing.
With the current release of R.E.A.L. Entertainment’s Talk of the Streets Part II DVD, we reposted our review of the first DVD.
R.E.A.L. talk
Like mixtapes, DVDs can be an inexpensive and effective way to showcase local artists. R.E.A.L. Entertainment artist W.O.P. proves this point by hosting his Talk of the Streets DVD. Talk of the Streets, which takes place mostly in the hoods of Harrisburg, includes videos, freestyles, interviews and a CD. Continue reading ‘Local DVD releases’
Charles Miller (left) and girlfriend Ashlee Raines. Photo by Leon Laing.
In 2006, VigorOnline wrote a story about urban clothing line Many Milez Traveled (MMT). Leland Nelson of Harrisburg founded MMT and sold his first line of T-shirts at his alma mater, Delaware State University. Like Nelson, Charles “Pook” Miller has become a staple in the Harrisburg area by launching an urban clothing line in college (East Stroudsburg University). Continue reading ‘Movin’ on up’
DJ Hero hits stores Oct. 27, the same day the BET Hip Hop Awards 2009 is aired. DJ Hero is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation consoles and the Wii.
Local concerts/events
Oct 2: Lancaster County-based rapper Stainless Steele, a longtime collaborator with DJ Image, holds a release party for his mixtape, My Top Friends Are Beat Makers. The event takes place at The Shoppe Revival in Lancaster. Graphic designer Andy Musser displays his artwork during the event. The party runs from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Oct. 3: Maxwell appears at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. The falsetto singer helped to usher in neo-soul in the late ’90s. Time: 7:30 p.m. Continue reading ‘Events: October 2009’
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