Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Run-DMC inducted into Rock Hall of Fame



Rap pioneers Run DMC, heavy-metal band Metallica and soul singer-songwriter Bobby Womack have made the cut to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"I'm a rap dude, I'm an MC from Hollis [a New York neighbourhood], just rockin' the mic, and to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Beatles, and [Bob] Dylan, and the rock 'n' roll gods? It's ridiculous! Ridiculous in a good way," Darryl (DMC) McDaniels said.

This year's artists will be celebrated at the 24th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction gala on April 4, with the festivities returning to the hall's home in Cleveland after a few years of celebrating in New York. Tickets for the music-filled show will also be open to the public.

Recording artists are eligible to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first single or album. More than 500 musicians, music journalists and industry representatives then vote for who will join the U.S. musical institution, and the new inductees are then featured in an exhibit at the Cleveland museum.


post by K-Easy

Monday, January 19, 2009

Before Bel-Air Academy.....wack moment?



Who knew Carlton was breakdancing too??

Allow me to introduce myself...




Yes yes yall, this is Kyle "K-Easy" Dixon. I am the production manager/producer of the "Tougher Than Leather" Documentary and one half of Precise Minds Filmworks. I have always been involved with the culture of Hip Hop way before we decided to do this project. Its so much I could discuss on how the culture has affected my life for the better. By not being from a major urban city (Nashville), I had to get my fix through my older bro( D what up!) his rap tapes, and Mtv-Bet Hip Hop programs along with my first ever concert which was the Run DMC - Beastie Boys tour August 1, 1987. Even though the media can sometimes have a skewed perception, this culture was so new that they didn't know how to take it or what its impact would really be on society. I attached to it immediately because here were these young black men and women who were doing these profound things with so much style it was hard not to take notice. Especially being in the Dirty South it was a rarity to see an abundance of black folks on TV or in your community that were undeniably talented with this type creative energy. These Mcs DJs, Bboys/Bgirls, Graff writers gave me a sense of pride. They had the courage to do these things and say things that were against the status quo, because it needed to be said/done. I found out about various topics (vegetarianism, black history, cultural genocide, Africa..thru Hip Hop! Defiant...intelligent...creativity.
I absorbed it, practiced it and became a faithful citizen (Zulu Nation member since 2000). This project is my dedication for the culture that helped me understand that we a have a collective spirit that won't be extinguished and its magnitude of potential has yet to be fully realized. As WE are, Hip Hop is. 'We' are the citizens of the world. What is true Hip Hop? Well, with this project we plan to do our part to shed sum light on that.... word-life!

"K-Easy"

Friday, January 16, 2009

In this Economy.....




Hey it's Friday and don't forget to enjoy yourself in this state of U.S. drudgery. Don't be tempted to fall off the righteous path so just remember my man Redhead Kingpin from back in the day when Hip Hop was fun but not buffoonery so please people DO THE RIGHT THING!...Peace

"K-Easy"

Da Rare Jems


Chances are great that there’s something on here you haven’t heard before.


01. Notorious B.I.G - Intro
02. Shakespeare - KingsCounty (Brooklyn Bullshit Anthem)
03. biggie spittin at 12
04. biggie - music video box freestyle
05. biggie - soul power197 rhymes
06. Fulton St. battle at 17
07. big daddy kane & jayz - bday party freestyle 9-10-91
08. biggie - guranteed raw
09. big daddy kane/kool g rap - raw (demo)
10. jay-z/sauce money - rippin it up
11. big daddy kane - aint no half steppin (demo)
12. biggie - blind alley freestyle (demo)
13. biggie-i love you (teenage recording)
14. biggie - dont love no hoe
15. jay-z/sauce money - nothing but love (demo)
16. biggie - biggie got the hype shit (demo)
17. big daddy kane - raw attitude (unreleased)
18. jay-z - high powered (at age 17)
19. jay-z/sauce money - broken english & drug selling (demo)
20. notorious big - party and bullshit (extended version)
21. biggie - 16 bars at the lyrical lounge in 1993
22. jay-z - whats in a name (demo)
23. big daddy kane - sing my song (unreleased)
24. jay-z - pass the roc
25. big daddy kane - set it off (unreleased remix)
26. big daddy kane - for your own concern (demo)
27. biggie - childhood rhymes
28. jay-z - greatest mc (demo)
29. biggie/sadat x - come on (1st take demo version)
30. biggie - niggaz bleed
31. notorious big - big millionaire (unreleased verse)

DJ Mike Nice - Broooklyn Bullshit (Mixtape) (OS)

Monday, January 5, 2009

Just like Hip Hop We Don't Quit!!

So, today we received some not so great news from a TTL supporter....the news was that Bush and this recession got folks holding tight to their wallets like old women clinching their purses when young "hip hoppers" come around. Well, maybe that's no real news flash. We all know what the current state of the economy has us all (or most of us..besides...well u know) doing...pinching pennies. Those who want to invest are reluctant, because they too gotta watch their pockets. I dig that, but it's scary to think that worthwhile projects like ours, that aim to tell the truth about this beautiful culture, will get pushed to the side while music industry big wigs will still fill the pockets (or atleast hang chains around the necks) of pop culture rappers or shall I say puppets. But just like the music, we don't stop...we will keep pushing forward. Today's news is a minor setback if any, but not enough to keep us quiet (I wonder where we learned that?! Hip Hop has never and will never shut up). It is our mission to produce a message of greater possibilities for today's Hip Hop generation. These young kids can't believe that most of what they are seeing on these video shows is what Hip Hop is all about...be forreal...if our youth relied on this stuff to feed them they would starve. We can't let them starve. Help feed us so we can feed them. We won't stop... one closed door just means we have to take it back to the lab to regroup and plan our attack. We will do whatever it takes (well mostly...but we won't compromise the art...that's the problem with so much of this so called music that's out now). So, thanks to Hip Hop for teaching us another lifelong lesson...just like it, we don't quit. If you wanna learn of ways in which you can support this film and Hip Hop, follow the blog for updates and/or get at me at PositiveKK@aol.com. Peace and Progress!
~PositiveKK

Friday, January 2, 2009

"It Was All A Dream...."

K. Smalls here people...welcoming you to the new year. 2009....or as a good friend of mine put it...2000-Mine. Today I was riding the Red Line on my way to work...just vibing. I started thinking about this endeavor we began in the spring of 2008...this thing that I named "Tougher Than Leather" one night during a long shower. Yes, that makes me a RUN DMC fan to the heart, without question. But today, on the train I was listening to my main man Biggie Smalls....feeling like today was the beginning of an amazing....kind of like the way I felt the first time I heard Ready To Die way back in 1995. When "Juicy" hit the air it was some inspirational shit man. No question. And I realized that in the last ten years whenever I felt like I needed to restart my internal clock....I played this record. Why? Because what Big represented was THE DREAM. The dead end kid gone legit....the dude that made good on his drive and his talent. BIGGER than LIFE. BIGGER than DEATH. Forever....

You might wonder what in the hell this has to do with the film I'm looking to shoot come springtime (funding pending), right? Well...I'll tell you...EVERYTHING. My commute to work, and how BIG or Big Daddy Kane or Slick Rick or any of the other real emcees that were on my mix made me feel...that's HIP HOP. How it has shaped and molded and enriched my entire life: how I walk and talk and dress and write and feel. How I express myself. How I even ended up in film in the first place. And to think...it all started (at least in a serious way) in a bedroom in Livorno Italy in the summer of 1988....

We are pushing to have the funding for TTL by spring....and I look to be directing the shoots in Europe by summertime. For those of you holding us down with prayers and side gigs and encouragement...or even just interest...We Love You. For those of you who may just check out my blogs on myspace or hit me up on the email tip from time to time and enquire about things...thanks to you too. To my crew: K-Easy, PostiveKK, Jellybean (see how we all have hip hop nicknames) and extended fam....Let's Do This!!!! GO SEE NOTORIOUS WHEN IT HITS THE THEATER. WE MISS YOU BIG.

IT WAS ALL A DREAM....

K.SMALLS

Thursday, January 1, 2009

TTL interviews

So far making this film has been an amazing experience for me. I am not a filmmaker of any sorts...I respect the craft but my art is organizing. I am the Assistant Production Manager for the Tougher Than Leather Hip Hop documentary. My film experience pales in comparison to the awesome "precise minds" that I have the pleasure to work with and learn from while working on this project. Using my talent and skill of organizing people and tasks to see this project come into fruition has become a passion of mine. Why did I get involved? Well I love to be apart of anything progressive and its just a plus that this project combines my love of indie film and Hip Hop. Hip Hop, I am apart of this culture, and as an elder once asked me, "well, what is it that you are contribuiting to it?"...I agree it is critical that we be much more than just consumers...especially in this day in time when bogus rap music is masquerading as Hip Hop. Well, Im not going to get on a soapbox about that, but instead express my gratitude to be able to contribute to this magnificent culture in such a way.
Thus far on our journey, we have interviewed noteworthy and respected figures that in their own rights have contributed much to the culture. Those interviews include Charlie Ahearn, Bom 5, Alex Shtaerman and Sonia Sanchez. Each interview was absolutely amazing and unique in its own way. Charlie was easy going and straight to the point; he is a humble servant who has been able to capture the culture through film. Bom 5 is a true "street griot," retelling stories from his many experiences b-boying and tagging during Hip Hop's early years in NY. Alex was honest and laid back; he has continued to offer his talents to assist our project. Every interview was a jewel, but the one I wish to expound on at this time was with our beloved sister and renowned poet Sonia Sanchez. What a gracious lady. From the very first time I spoke with her over the phone she was encouraging and willing to help with the film. When myself and director Kris Smallwood met with her in her home, we were welcomed by a tiny woman with a spirit the size of a giant. Being in her presence you can't help but to be absorbed. She spoke casually from the moment we entered and we listened intently. It was like sitting at the feet of a grandparent listening closely as they tell stories and impart wisdom. She spoke of the Black Arts Movement, Revolution, Womanhood, Respect, Art and Hip Hop; beautifully and effortlessly intertwined like poetry. She showed us photographs of herself and respected Hip Hop artists such as the legendary Rakim. The interview lasted probably close to two hours. Two hours of complete inspiration. She is the type of woman that a every hungry, driven, and progressive young sister like myself aspires to be like. Before we left she sent us with offerings of bottled spring water, fresh peaches that had been cleansed with peppermint soap, and copies of her most recent cd. What more could we ask for?! My small contribution to the culture has once again given me so much more.
We at Precise Minds want to thank all persons that have so graciously been apart of our project, and also those that we have yet to interview, but have agreed to help manifest our vision. The time is soon coming.
I've said enough for now, but will return with many more tales along our amazing journey of Hip Hop and filmmaking.
Peace and Progress!
~Kristina W. "PositiveKK"
Assistant Production Manager