Wonder-Full Returns!
Dj Spinna and Bobbito are once again serving up a night to remember with Stevie Wonder classics, twists and remixes. Although the duo is known very well for teaming up with KieStar Productions for various dance parties through-out the year, the most buzzed about event hands-down is Wonder-Full, a tribute to genius of Stevie Wonder.
Last November, Stevie Wonder came in the flesh to the party, making fans and late night dancers lose their minds and dance as if their lives depended on it! Word on the street is that he may again make a special appearance on Saturday, so don’t miss this event!
Doors for this event at the Hammerstein Ballroom open at 10pm, but the Stevie jams continue to pump into the early morning — just in time for pancakes.
Tickets Available at Fat Beats (406 6th Avenue);Pieces (671 Vanderbilt Ave); Academy Records (415 East 12th Street); Harriet’s (293 Flatbush Avenue); Addy & Ferro (672 Fulton Street).
Mojito Sunday’s
Sunday’s in Brooklyn are like food for the soul. Music on the streets, garage sales filled with vintage treasures and collectable vinyl and the smell of life fills the air, from sun up ’til sun down. In search for the perfect way to take it all in? Habana Outpost in Fort Greene is the destination to sit back, relax and bathe in the sun. Known for its huge outdoor seating area, green friendly tactics, cheap mojitos and seasonal schedule, this eco-eatery will serve as home (at least on Sundays) for Dj Dhundee and Dj Don Cuco.
While Dhundee has a solid repetation in NY for keeping you dancing all night to some funky swing-head boopin’-soulful house-broken beat classic’s, Don Cuco embraces his debut to Brooklyn carrying crates of electro cumbia-bossa soul-salsa-dancehall-riddim’s.
The kick off was last Sunday with Don Cuco, and it will continue to rotate every Sunday between the two until the summer calls it quits. This week, be sure to swing by for some Cuban- and Mexican-accented latin food, music by Dhundee from noon-6 and the movie of the week projected outside that follows.
To see production and more gigs by the Dj’s, check out their sites! Here for Dhundee and here for Don Cuco.
Take back the World!
There are so many different types of music shuffling through the radio and digital waves: music for the soul, music to party to, music to inspire you and music that makes you reminisce. Some people make music for the world, while others use music as a tool to change the world.
K-Salaam has proven track after track that his dedication to bringing head knocking, bass grinding music while weaving in a message of change and taking back what’s yours is not only to be expected, but respected. The highly anticipated release of “Whose world is this”, produced by both K-Salaam and Beatnick, serves as a tool and a message for the world to wake up and either be a part of the problem..or join to fight for the solution.
Featuring new original and exclusive tracks from a variety of Hip-hop and Reggae greats like Buju Banton, Sizzla, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez and so many more, make sure to be a part of this movement. The album releases July 29th, but this Sunday you can get a taste in Brooklyn @ Galapagos, featuring Dead Prez, Blitz The Ambassador, Jahdan and many more.
K-Salaam: I would like to dedicate this album to all people around the world who live in constant fear of being arrested, deported, attacked, or murdered just because of who we are. The truth is that all Immigrants, Refugees and People of Color everywhere have had to come to terms with the fact that we have no rights, and anything could happen to us at any time. I made this album because I wanted the world to hear our story. The World Is Ours.
Ear Play
Visually as appealing as her work, Najwa Moses has mastered her game as a stylish tastemaker and an earring connoisseur. Taking the industry by storm with her large personality and explosive sense of style, you can find footprints of Najwa on the side of great designers, fashion events and behind the mic on interviewing for her video-podcast, The In List.
With the release of Salte, picturesque and one of a kind art for your lobes, Najwa has introduced her debut collection “The Hollywood Set”. Playing on the characters in the thick of the entertainment world, each piece is designed to represent it’s name and scene such as the The Stylist, The BFF, The Celebrity and of course, The Blogger.
The best part about these gems? They are all hand-made, lightweight, 100% leather (except where noted) and make a statement without saying a word.
Bonus! Check out this video with Najwa interviewing TRACE Editor-in-Chief Claude Grunitzky and designer Diane Von Furstenberg.
Check out more about Najwa and grab some of her collection on Styleaholics.
When Dragons Fly
There are musicians in every city. Every block, every street and every community grows and pulses as music scenes merge and continue to build. It takes something special to break open the walls and pull together all types of personalities and gain an eclectic but die hard fan base. You must have the “it” factor.
The band Little Dragon entered my world as an accident. I stumbled on their myspace page a few months ago, and found myself returning every couple of days for a fix of their amazing sound. The singer, Yukimi Nagano has a voice that soothes the soul while tickling the eardrums. The band, tightly knit and visually intriguing, deliver songs that reach deep into your bones and beg you to be present.
Although they have not yet made it to NYC to play, they have been doing tons of shows everywhere from California to Sweden, where they are based. Yukimi gave me scoop on what’s behind the group and what drives the force…Fall in love here.
TRACE: How did Little Dragon come together to become the masterpiece it is growing into?
Yukimi: We met in highschool and have been doing music since forever it feels like! The name Little Dragon came about later when we realized we needed a name 4 years ago.
Turn Turn Turn
There is a season for everything. A time to cry, a time to love, a time to laugh…and a time to dance so hard your body burns for weeks. Spring has sprung and it’s about time we join the universe in its celebration.
Welcome to Afro Blue, The Launch Party. The only rules are:
1. No wallflowers
2. No standing round and not dancing
3. No holding back when the music moves ya
4. Dress fashionable and comfortable
This event takes place at Tillman’s and will be bumpin’ all night with everything from soulful house to world rhythms, a beautiful crowd and it will all stream live once the party starts. Presented by Gibril of the GiKu Experience (Giant Step Jukebox), be prepared to sweat!
No cover (for all of you “striving” artists)
Territorial
Ubiquity has turned on the world, yet again, as another of the label’s producers brings the heat, changing the frequency of music. Last month, the anticipated debut of New Territories was released by London-based Eric Lau, arousing the press, the music junkies and the DJs ready to take it to the dance floor.
From beginning to end, the fourteen-song experience combines soulful beats and heart clutching vocals, taking you on a journey through the love of music. While some songs offer a completely new sound and approach, others could be compared to the late J Dilla, Platinum Pied Pipers and other tastemakers.
Gracing our ears while coming correct with Tawiah, Rahel and other lovies on vocals and production credits by Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Lupe Fiasco and more, this is just the beginning of the movement for Eric Lau.
Listen up here!
Her Holy Rocks
This weekend, the innovative and soul-driving Imani Uzuri, brings her ‘caravan of dreamers’ to Harlem. Presenting a musical and theatrical performance of her work in progress, Her Holy Water: A Black Girl’s Rock Opera, this journey into self and the universal traveler is based on her album and its magical arrangement of music.
With 2 nights in the intimate Sound Stage room of the legendary Apollo Theatre, be prepared to shed your egos and emotional walls as you enter Imani’s “gypsy tent”, and get pulled into the rapture of “living the light”.
Backed with a full band including Malik from Game Rebellion on electric guitar, Tbone on drums, Jeremiah Hosea on bass, Marvin Sewell on acoustic and electric guitar, Lenae Harris on Cello, Jeannie Oliver on viola with Rashida Bryant, Aleijuan King and Sarah White (yours truly) on vocals, this show is truly not to be missed. Friday April 4th and 5th @ 7:30 pmTickets available @ Ticketmaster and Apollo Box Office.
Where’s Brooklyn At?!
The BK Style Foundation is excited to debut it’s Fifth Season of the BK Fashion Week{end}, bringin’ “Brooklyn Underground Fashion Rocks!” to Williamsburg. This three-day soiree promises to catch the attention of savvy fashion nuts from across the boroughs, while providing a platform for emerging Brooklyn Designers to rock the runway with collections for Fall 2008.
Tonight the jump off begins at 5pm, with music by The Rozz Nash Band and the “International Designers Night” with collections of Denis Michel’s French-inspired designs; bold looks by Ghana-native Nana Boateng and Romania’s Catalin Botezatu.
Saturday and Sunday night’s line-up will be sure to show an innovative and eclectic variety including street designs by Riddim Driven, sexy denim by the lovely Joan Vaccianna, transformational pieces by (one of my favorite duo’s) Miss Bruno and many more.
Get a eyeful of what is developing in Brooklyn fashion here
Mad Decent Heart’s Comix
The annual South By Southwest Music Conference (SXSW) is known for some amazing acts, labels that come from the world over, and parties that go down in history. And heartache, because trying to capture the tectonic scale of SXSW with mere words has made more than one music journalist cry.
Festivities this year are going to be as big as ever, but the recent legends lined up for today’s Austin Blowout 2008 make the event unmissable. Iheartcomix and Mad Decent are joining forces to go all the way with 12 hours of live performances and they’ve collected two pools, vids, and free booze to boot.
The 4 stages with be laced with almost 50 bands and DJ’s — Diplo, Santogold, and Flosstradamus are all up — and a mouthful of other gems on the rise, like Heartsrevolution, who spin some mad mix of hipster head-banging electronica and high school angst-rock lyrics.
Dancing kicks up as the first record spins at 2 pm and won’t stop till 2 am. Right in time for the after parties, naturally.
Here are the mainstage time slots: Diplo/Switch/Drop The Lime 12am-2am // Amanda BlankMatt & Kim 11-11:30 // Simian Mobile Disco 10-11 // Cut Copy 8-8:30 // The Toxic Avenger 6:30-7:30 // Santogold 6-6:30 // Flosstradamus 5-6 // Heartsrevolution 4-4:30 // Har Mar SuperstarWalter Meego 2pm-2:30pm