Viewing entries tagged
music
Thank you so much to Homeboy Sandman... better known to me as Angel for placing his stamp on the Nomad•ness Travel Tribe Movement with our new theme song! One of the dopest friends ever!!
'Nomadness, you ain't gotta ask where your ass is/ You be pulling out passports like hall passes'
= why the hell do I not play a guitar????
Well what I can't do I pass along to you all. The Weeknd is looking for a professional guitarist and bas player in or around the Toronto area. You have until JANUARY 8th 2012 to email theweekndband@gmail.com with your goods. Name, age, photo, credentials, YouTube Links, instrument....all that. If anyone gets it from reading this, please just remember where you heard it first.
Also, somehow get my man to lay a track down for the Nomad•ness Travel Series. It's kind of a big dream of mine! Thanks!
I'm a Kanye Fan...let's just throw that out and get over that first hump.
I'm not a blind fan though. Meaning, I'm not a fan that turns a blind eye to the wrong intentions, bad choices, and flaws in people, even icons in my eyes. Kanye has done some foolish things in his lifetime. Haven't we all? Just so happens his get magnified.
'George Bush doesn't like Black People' rubbed some people the wrong way. I happen to not be one of them.
Ambushing Taylor Swift's acceptance speech on the VMA's definitely a low point, from my point of view, in his career. It was uncalled for, insensitive, and highly unprofessional. So, yes I get it.
The man is still a genius though. An icon. An entrepreneur who put it all on the line before it started reaping it's own benefits.
I DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT think last night's Twitter discussion coming from his page was one of those moments.
I was more surprised by everyone's negative comments towards his speaking on education reform, wanting to start a school program with Spike Jonze (fucking genius!), and even posting a gmail account where people could send in their own ideas. What artists do you know, and listen to that would even do something like that?
Kanye (and I) never claimed to have the answers to it all. As he stated, it's something in the system that needs to be changed, but why knock a celebrity for speaking on it to get the dialogue going? It was a complete disconnect to me.
Why make fun of those (including myself) who did email the address with business plans, ideas, resumes, etc....who cares?!! Why bring negative energy to something that may positively change someone's life, even if that life is Kanye's.
Live and let live.
Strive and let strive.
Succeed and let succeed.
Maybe I'm missing something.... I don't get it.
I wake up and by habit I always check my phone before I leave the bed. I want to see what I can sort out via phone before my feet even touch the ground. It's more comfortable that way. For some reason, I check Twitter first, and see this Tweet connected to me by @VIBEVixen...ok. Further reading and it becomes clear, that even with my sweats on, crusty eyes, and bedhead that VIBE Vixen were cool enough to grant me the title of Vixen of the Day.
I can't front..it's pretty fly! Pretty cool! And I'm filled with gratitude. 3rd day of the year, and 2nd write-up. I am NOT mad at all! 2012 is starting off just as intended! Keep it moving!
Shouts out to Tribe member and HEAVY world traveler (we're talking 40+ countries) Oneika for bringing this amazing video, Edith Piaf cover, in my life. Check out more of their music at madmoizelle.com
Great morning...
Here are my Top 3s of 2011:
Top Places:
1. Germany
2. NYC
3. Miami
Top People: (needed 7)
1. Mikey
2. Public Enemy
3. Greg Selkoe
4. Thomas
6. Kali Blocker
7. Jason Francis
Top Events:
2. Mikey's Graduation
Top 3 Hardest Moments:
1. Rudi 1 year memorial
2. Breakup with Nel
3. Being a 1st responder to a motorcycle accident
Top 3 Books:
3. The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell
Top 3 Memorable Moments:
1. 1st Tribe Meet Up in NYC
2. Tacheles
3. Battle of the Sexes
Top 3 Epic Fails:
1. Attempting to be a Cougar
2. Feeling the need to always have to explain myself
3. Falling off the healthy eating bandwagon towards the end of the year
Top 3 Words/Phrases:
1. Dope
2. Tribe After Dark
3. I'm just sayin'
Top 3 Successes:
1. Kickstarter.com
2. Nomad•ness Travel Tribe
3. Write up in BlackEnterprise.com and Clutch Mag
Top 3 Trips for 2012:
1. Panama
2. Germany
3. Spain
Top 3 Plans for 2012:
1. Be on/affiliated with Black Girls Rock!
2. Be 100% totally financially self-sufficient off of Nomad•ness endeavors and evierobbie. media.
3. Nomad•nessTV to acquire funding in the area of $500,000 or more to go ahead transform the world through this series, with proper financials through advertising, sponsorships, investors, and income
4. Integrate the Tribe and the series seamlessly
5. Hit the college and university population with a vengenance through workshops, panels, and hosting to spread the word of travel and tolerance to the demographic I've always intended to hit
dope.
Nomad•ness Gal, the ever amazing and original Trezure Empire, along side her ace Cav shut Tokyo's Yume Fest down in November. The duo skipped town from Brooklyn and graced the stage to an always live Japanese crowd. She did one of my favorites, 'Shibuya'. The nostalgia tho......damn, I'm saying. I miss my second home.
I feel like this title would be RIP Heavy D, if I hadn't spoken to him...
Today, Mount Vernon, in Westchester, New York was flooded with fans, celebrities, and onlookers alike for the servces of Heavy D, Dwight Myers. If you don't know him, you don't know hip-hop music at its core.
What brought our inital communication together was that I was always a fan of his Tweets. Every single last one of them was inspiration for my eyes, in particular while I was living out in Japan. One day a Re-Tweet, led to a conversation, led to trying to set up an interview, led to Facebook messages back and forth randomly over the course of a year.
I hadn't 'spoken' to him in awhile, but true to the begining, I was always on his Twitter page, still and always inspired.
When I heard he passed, I immediately went into my Facebook inbox and typed in 'Dwight Myers'. A year struck me. He was gone. The interview had never come into fruition. But whether he knew it or not, he left an impact. For this I thank him.
Dwight, kick it with my boy Rudi up there. He'll show you the ropes. I wish your family, friends, and every lover of true hip-hop my condolences...but please, please remember him in rhythm. Got nuttin' but love for you baby!
-Evie
To all my backers of this project, thank you so much for all the support. This is the web version of the pilot episode that your donation helped fund. Check it out! You all are so amazing, and the gratitude that I have for all your help is unparalleled. Movements on the business side have been made, that I can't release just yet. I will when I can. Again, thank you!!!!!!!! I fu*king love you guys...
-Evie
Pharrell Williams: Hiro Ballroomm NYC
Tonight was the night. I showed up, not sure if my name was on the list (which I'm still not sure I ever got confirmed) to catch the official screening of Pharrell's documentary on Tokyo's sub culture post the tsunami and nuclear reactor explosion on 3/11. 'Tokyo Rising' director, Thalia Mabros, pieced together the magic that was this thirty minute documentary. Invigorated, heavy with nostalgia, and on a networking high I watched the screen in front of me in awe.
Dumbfounded, as usual, by all that Tokyo has to offer and how unapologetic Japan is with its sense of style. So far out the box, it's hard to even encapsulate it in words.
The energy was well...New York. Networking proved to be priceless, and I was able to continue to spread the word on Nomad•ness Travel Series amongst people who really get it!
One day I'll really be able to go in and let you all know the details of tonight. Until then let the imagination wonder and I promise that the movement continues. Shouts out to Pharrell, Karmaloop TV, and Palladium Boots for putting this together.
CHECK PART 1 BELOW and WATCH THE REST AT PALLADIUM BOOTS!
PS. Don't forget to 'Like' the Facebook Fanpage HERE. You guys rock!
And now their child will rule the world...I LOVE BLACK LOVE!
Though I've never told him this to his face, and will even deny it after I press "Publish" on this blog, I put Ivory in the ranks of a budding Ryan Leslie prototype (and it's not just because he's tall and slim). Not only an emcee with apparent talent, and an infectious flow, he also has a knack for the production of his own work, and that of others. Including, and not limited to, the Nomad•ness webisode theme song, "Traveling Girl." You've definitely heard him before on this site.
At 21, there's something youthful, yet learned about Ivory. Not manipulated, or jaded by the non-sense that tends to be hip-hop these days, the regard he has for artists like J'Dilla, Anita Baker, Jay-Z, Ryan Leslie, Peter Hadar, Stevie Wonder, all the legends is infused in his music catalogue whether through sample, subject matter, or inspiration. Old soul.
I've known 'of' Ivory for about three years now, but I've known him personally for about a year. In that time he's impressed me enough with his style, and work ethic that not only have I become a fan, and supporter, but I even took the initiative to ask him if he'd join the Nomad•ness team as Music Director for the show. This coming after a studio session, in which he completely revamped the theme song, that I'll be debuting in the coming months. While I was working in the background on Story producing the pilot episode, I heard magic happen. What started off as a blank canvas, quickly morphed into a drum beat, a break down of vocals, a melody...and a track that I'm now obsessed with. I always say that music producers do with sounds, what filmmakers do with visuals. It's just two different forms of magic.
Fast forward to today...a huge accomplishment for this Connecticut native is in store.
Mr. Snow's track, "Wake Up" is a part of the compilation album, "The DocuTape Soundtrack". This particular track was produced and performed by him, and still stands as one of the most popular, and most purchased tracks on the entire album. Defintely worth an audio peep.
But tonight...WAKE UP WILL BE PLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON NYC'S HOT 97.1 DURING PETER ROSENBERG'S SHOW 12a-2a!
I want everyone in the Tri-State area to tune in on the radio, and everyone elsewhere to tap into it online. Love it and purchase it!! It's all supporting artists on the come up! Evie certified.
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW AND PURCHASE IVORY SNOW'S "WAKE UP" ON iTUNES!
My viewpoint, backstage, during Cypress Hill's performance at splash! festival 2011, Germany
So, Ive had a number of people ask how the hell I get backstage at many of the events that I cover. I'll say that's it's not premeditated to the extent that I have a plan. It's usually some type of ebb and flow that occurs, patience is necessary, and I have found that there are a few consistencies that I've found. Those patterns are a few of the things that I've listed below, as my pointers to getting behind the red tape at events.
1. LEAVE THE ENTOURAGE AT HOME...GO ALONE
This is by far the most important. There are things you can maneuver and places you can get into, if you're by yourself that simply won't happen if you're running with a crew. I have gotten into most places because it's one thing to let one person (especially a female) sneak by, but the more you have the lower your chances of getting anywhere are. I'd say the ratio is that your chances are cut in half x how many people you have. Just one other person cuts it in half. Trust me, go it alone!
2. STAY LATER THAN EVERYONE ELSE
Even when most people attend concerts for people they LOVVVVVVVE, they don't really cool out and scope the scene afterwards. They want to get on the train before the crowd, or get the car out before the traffic, or their hells are hurting their feet. Attention spans run thin and that's when you go in for the kill. Cool out and see who is around the artist and go to get their attention! That's key. Patience. Be calm, cool, collected, and wait to get a good idea of venue and people navigation.
3. NEW YORK STAND UP!
If you're from, or live in New York, say it! I don't know what it is, but this works! The world opens up like parting seas when you let people know this fact, particuarly in foreign countries. I learned this first in Japan, and second in Germany.
4. HAVE A LEGIT PURPOSE
No one wants a crazy fan in their midst, but if you have a solid purpose for wanting to get backstage that works best when you are stopped and questioned...which you will be, everytime. Even if it's a blog, magazine, what have you. Have something legit in your back pocket when questioned.
5. BOOBS WORK
Sorry guys this one is for the ladies. I'm not saying slut it out or go around flashing, but it helps to look nice, and boobs many times do the trick. Cleavage is enough. It sometimes diverts the attention. That purpose you created from above doesn't matter as much.
6. GO INTERNATIONAL
You have a higher likelihood of getting the attention of your favorite artist if you catch them when they're abroad. First off, we're like vultures in the States and that guard is already up. If they're abroad they assume they aren't going to meet anyone that is where they are from. It's the homesickness effect. Travelers know. If you travel to a far off land, and meet someone from your neighborhood, weirdly enough you become these fast friends and could talk for hours with a stranger. Same deal here.
7. VIBES ARE EVERYTHING
Go with the ebb and flow of the situation. Don't push too hard, and also don't be a push over. You are going to be a little nervous because you're trying to enter an area that you know good and well is off limits to you. Play like you know the surroundings and move with everyone else. And seriously, if it isn't going to work LET IT GO! You do not want to be pegged as that person at the event. They take note, and so will the artist.
So the last night of splash! was last night and the performances included Janelle Monae, Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Onyx, and Cypress Hill.
Lupe finished performing at splash! and this dude killllllled it!
Post- Janelle Monae I reclaimed my spot right in front, eye shot away from all artists and bands. This happened to be the best and worst place for Lupe's set. His new stage fixation is throwing water on the crowd. Equipment was secure from the water bottles, as I got sucked more and more into his performance. This is my third time seeing Lupe, and if I ever spoke to him personally I would tell him this. (Which I did briefly later last night).
"I hope you don't take offense to this, but your stage performance has improved tremendously over the last couple years."
Seriously, he's bananas on stage now! I remember a time in Summerstage years ago when that wasn't so much the case. This dude could really be conisdered a headliner for this festival and BY FAR he's the best performance I've seen on the Main Stage, while Foreign Beggars takes the cake for the best performance on the Aruba Stage. Even more so because they allowed me to sneak backstage too. That video will be up later.
In perfect unity, as Lupe belted his hits to new heights, the rain came down. Slowly at first then in unison with his energy it poured, and none of us cared. I can say I have NEVER been so into a performance that while raining I still stayed there, let alone with equipment in a book bag. Drenched, clothes sticking to me, sneakers soaked...I walked away from that stage fulfilled and on a high of life.
The night ended with me kicking it with Onyx, giving information about Nomad•ness over to Lupe, and watching Cypress Hill's set, backstage with a perspective from the other side of a concert. splash! gets my vote.
So it started off as a trying day. Landing in Graifenhainchen with no lodging was definitely one of the bolder moves I've made in life. All hostels and hotels booked up locally, and the only other hotel being almost a thirty minute ride away from Ferropolis, tapped in at a 50 euro cab ride one way. Never will I ever.
When in Germany, walking around lost for hours with a 30 pound backpack on, you follow suit, and camp out. This has been my life the last few days since arriving in Germany. I decided to join the tens of thousands of others attending splash! Music Festival and get my ass a tent. Going through all the craziness that has been navigating splash! on foot, I finally made it to the concert grounds. Only to hear Public Enemy faintly finishing 'Fight The Power". Luckily Flav had something to say....he really connected with the audience and spoke about peace and demolishing racism.
Tic Tac is one of the big sponsors here, and there were two guys from the Public Enemy camp handing them out in the front of the stage, to us on lookers. I asked the security guard if there was a press area I could get to interview the artists. He said no. Lying, but I respect him doing his job. I proceed to scream to the guys handing out Tic Tacs:
"Right here!! I came all the way from New York!"-Me
"What? New York!"
"Yes, and I have a travel website that I wanted to know if I could interview Flav and Chuck D for."-Me
"You coming with me."
"How? The security guard said I can't." -Me
"Don't worry about him. I said you can come. Can you climb over the barrier?"
"Ummmmmm..." -Me
Enter the same security guard who moments earlier said no. He picked my 150 pound ass up the crowd and threw me over the barrier.
"Oh my God, thank you so much." -Me
"No problem. Hi I'm Chuck and Flav's manager."
People, this is how things in my life happen. It's inexplicable but it's real.
This interaction led to me in the backstage part of entire concert, and eventually in the Public Enemy dressing room politicing with both Chuck D and Flav on the state of hip hop in the States, and how it is comparable abroad. The video above is a short snippet of what is soon to come.
Enjoy guys...and Flav you have my respect for life. After our interview he probably picked up that I was famished. Dude gave me his artist meal ticket and I ran though that buffet like I had never eaten. That's love.
This past Saturday was 1st Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum, and it was amazing!
I was all for the kick off to the July 4th weekend, and once I found out the DJs from my favorite Friday night party in NYC (FREEDOM PARTY @ Le Poisson Rouge) were spinning...I was in there like swimwear.
It was an amazing time. I finally got to pop the 1st Saturdays cherry of a few friends. Jason, Ivory, and even Australia's own stylist Chip was in the house. It felt so good to be around good people, great music, and positive energy.
I wasn't expecting to run into so many Nomad•ness supporters. Spotted through the crowd by my DRT•BG it was really all love and I adore you ladies. Fabianna, you are amazing. Trezure, as always I love catching up with you. Liz...even Nelson was in the house. Great times had by all.
Jason and Chip
The gorgeous Fabianna and I
The talented Ivory Snow, Chip, and I.
Feast your eyes on the lineup for the 2011 splash! Hip-Hop festival, taking place in Germany July 8th-10th, at the Ferropolis!
Do you see this line up?! Now you know why the pilot episode of Nomad•ness TV will be there filming this event! It's time to bridge the world of both domestic and international hip-hop artists, and I intend to have my show be a vehicle for just that.
Living in the mecca of hip-hop it's hard to know the real reach that the art form and genre has had on a world wide level. From my travels, I can tell you, it IS world wide! This event had my producer and I re-route trip dates, and it's all working out for the best. I can't wait to showcase this event.
Three days of camping out, live music from some of hip-hop's most notoriously respected artists, as well as events on emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti. It's the place to be.
If anyone is interested in more information, CLICK HERE, to go to the event page. Click the small 'EN' in the top left corner for the site in English.
If you will already be there, contact me through the contact form on the site, and let's see if it's feasible to link! Germany, LET'S GET IT! HYPE right now! This pilot will be EPIC!
It's that time of year again. The Roots crew, with host Amanda Diva, are tearing down Philly for the Roots Picnic. If in the area it's a MUST GO TO!!!!
Every year I sai I'm going...this is on the 'To Do' list for next year. Right next to Miami's Art Basel.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Beyonce teamed up to create the first in what looks to potentially become a number of remixes.
First Lady Obama lauched her "Let's Move!" Fitness Campaign, and the first of the songs are surfacing. Listen to how Beyonce remixed "Get Me Bodied" (a personal favorite of mine) for the new fitness program.
Side note: I'm loving this and it's targeting the population that needs it, through their own popular means. If you can't get them to you, bring it to them. This is dope. I love how campaigns like this, and Wii are making working out fun! I'm with it!
So you all know that I've been on my Paris kick lately. Nostalgia of course. To add fuel to the aggressive blaze I was sent some information on an R&B singer from France. Paris to be exact. Check out the video below. If interested in more of what Maty has to offer check her album out HERE!
Maty Soul feat. Walking Bass - Enfants De Martin Luther King
Uploaded by NOWAITINGINVAINTV. - Explore more music videos.
A little insight into the artist:
Maty Soul was born in Paris and spent half of her childhood in the south of France.
She grew up listening to Miles Davis, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill and later
Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway and artists from the Hip hop culture.
For Maty Soul, it all started when one of her friends invited her over to mess around with
her older brother's mic. Encouraged by everyone she decided to go for her love of music
and never looked back. Living in the South of France wouldn't stop her from jumping in a
train to Paris each time a Hip Hop or Soul artist was in town for a show, spending the
night on her sister’s couch.
To pursue her goal she decided to concentrate on music full-time. She left University
before graduating and moved back to Paris. She started singing regularly in different
venues, taking on minimum wage jobs to support herself.
Network or not work is how the saying goes. I respect the international reach. If there are other artists out there, regardless of country, feel free to contact me through the site for a potential posting.
(Cannot tell me she doesn't look like Teena Marie)
