?uestlove Participates In Vh1 Soul Train Documentary

Soul Train inspired many and in honor of the show, Vg1 aired a documentary on the iconic television music program. For years, folks witnessed soul acts and dancers take the Soul Train stage. One of those people, inspired by the show's greatness was The Roots' drummer ?uestlove. He recently took part in the documentary but also shared his thoughts on it, speaking with Steven Kurutz.

“I never missed an episode," he said, according to Speak Easy. Even when it was re-run time, I still studied it. That was the only place where I could see people who looked like me playing music. You would always catch mainstream artists like Stevie Wonder on the Grammys. But all those under-the-radar soul acts, this was the only place that you could find them. It wasn’t like you’re going to see the Ohio Players on American Bandstand. I definitely knew of the Main Ingredient because of Soul Train. I didn’t know of Sylvia Robinson before Soul Train." 

He also explained that the show is tied to various childhood memories, including his first time seeing Rap on television.

"Between ‘73 and ’75, it came on at 12 in the afternoon. But then ‘75 to about ’79, it started coming on at 1am after Saturday Night Live went off the air. My parents still woke me up to watch it, which was kind of strange because they they were anti-television. I couldn’t watch TV as a toddler. So all my childhood memories are tied to this show. First time I got Crayola crayons, Sugarfoot was playing with the Ohio Players in 1974 with a double-neck guitar. The first time I saw rap music on TV was Soul Train. There was a period in ‘86 when I was on punishment for a month and I knew Run DMC was coming on. I’d have to coordinate during the week with neighbors, Mission Impossible-style, for me to open up my bathroom window and look through their bedroom and see Run-DMC."

He added that he takes lessons learned from the show to his new gig on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

"I’m trying to take lessons that I learned from Soul Train and apply it to [Late Night With Jimmy Fallon], especially with the artists we’re embracing. We have to reinvest in the music. Okay, we can bring the show back but who in black music is doing music so inspirational as to make one or two seasons of Soul Train? We’re one band. If this were the ‘70s, we’d be one of a jillion bands.”

No need to look through the neighbor's bedroom windows, the Soul Train interview with Run DMC is below.

… Continue

Artists Likely To Receive Sales Boost Thanks To Grammy�s

Following the airing of the 2010 Grammy Awards last month, a number of music artists are likely to see an increase in sales and a rise on the Billboard charts.

According to Billboard.com, artists including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Pink, and the Black Eyed Peas are all expected to sell tens of thousands more albums than they sold in previous weeks.

The Black Eyed Peas, who won several Grammy awards and performed during the live show, could possibly sell anywhere between 25,000 and 35,000 more copies of their album The E.N.D. than they did the week before the Grammy’s.

The 2010 Grammy Nominees compilation album is also expected to crawl its way up the charts. The album features songs from Beyonce, Pink, The Black Eyed Peas, and more.

Specific numbers won’t be available until February 10 when the Nielsen SoundScan numbers are reported.

… Continue

Melky Jean, Black Da-Da, Redd Eyez & Billy Blue Shoot Haiti Tribute Video

Four prominent Haitian artists spent the last weekend in Miami, recording "Mamman Pa Crie (Requiem For Haiti)." The song, with a corresponding video, included several established and major label artists, and was produced by Benzino. Included was onetime MCA Records artist Melky Jean a/k/a Melky Sedeck, who appeared alongside her brother Wyclef on his 2000 hit "It Doesn't Matter," as well as Zoe Pound emcee Redd Eyezz, Black Da-Da and Billy Blue.

The video, shot by R. Malcolm Jones, is set in Miami's Little Haiti section. Wyclef Jean makes an appearance in the final edit, during his sister's verse. The active spokesman for Haiti Relief and the Ambassador Of Goodwill to the island nation said, "“This is big song. It’s an international, worldly song and I was happy to be a part of the video" in a statement.

The whole production was sponsored by Hip-Hop Weekly magazine, Requiem Clothing and veteran emcee/producer Benzino.

… Continue

Fashawn's Boy Meets World Released On Double Vinyl

Among 2009's acclaimed independent albums, 2010 is seeing several of those CD and digital releases come to vinyl release, including Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II and Marco Polo & Torae's Double Barrel. Today it was announced that another release will follow suit. Initially released on One Records, through The Orchard, Fashawn's Boy Meets World album has been licensed to High Water Music for 2LP release.

Available now on HighWaterIsMusic.com, the double vinyl release features the original album, produced entirely by Exile, as well as three previously unreleased bonus tracks. Included is the song "The Score" featuring Fresno, California's Rap pioneer Planet Asia.

Previously, High Water Music has released catalog from John Robinson and DJ Spinna.

… Continue

General Steele Holds Town Meeting On Civic Issues

General Steele of veteran Boot Camp Clik outfit Smif n' Wessun announced today that he will be holding a town meeting tomorrow (February 9) at the famed Nuyorican Poet's Cafe in Downtown Manhattan to discuss issues affecting communities today. Although not excluded to, the event appears geared towards New York and tri-state communities specifically.

Tickets are $5, and the title of the town hall meeting is "Change Starts From Within." The event, which will also include musical performance, coincides with Steele's upcoming solo album, Amerikkka's Nightmare, Part 2.

The veteran Brooklyn emcee recently penned three editorials for HipHopDX on matters of race, national pride and politics They can be read here, here, and here in respective order.

Amerikkka's Nightmare, Part 2 releases February 23.

… Continue