RUSTY'S IMEEM UPDATE; PLAYLISTS UPDATED! JAM ON YOUR COMPUTER!

I was looking at my RUSTY RADIO stuff on IMEEM and realizing that now that there were 50 (FIFTY!) mixes up there, it was time for an upgrade. I hadn't been able to spend any time on it in a while and I wanted to do so. I've put a lotta work into my DJing of late and I'd like to make it easier for you (and myself) to listen to what I wanna listen to.

I've developed a number of new playlists and made sure to make it so that each 'sub-station' of the station is available for you, my peeps, to launch alone and just rock to or embed on your social-networking page of choice. Yes, I mix, I upload, I post, you rock...and it don't cost a thang. It's truly for the love of the Music and for the love of what I do. I'm on the wheels pretty consistently, so I might as well share what I am bumpin', right? You'll have a lotta opportunities coming up very soon to see and hear me DJ. I have a great time making these mixes, so really everybody wins...

Now, before, everything was on RUSTY RADIO, which was a catchall for all my mixes. As time has gone on, I realized that everybody might not wanna go from a straight-ahead rock mix into a hip-hop mix or whatever. I had to approach it like real radio or my real iTunes. Things are catergorized very well, so I can find what I am looking for in an easy fashion. So, to that end, I decided to develop a group of 'sub-stations' outta RUSTY RADIO, so that mixes would be grouped by genre, theme, vibe, whatever it is that made it part of a group...

For example...I have place all the 'History 101' Mixes in one playlist...so if you felt like getting your classic hip-hop on, you could do so...



Now, say you felt like getting your Rock N' Roll ya-ya's out. We can do that, too...This is my 'Rocks Off' Playlist...



Or, what if you felt like you wanted the funk, the whole funk, the grit, the soul? Man, you KNOW I have that covered.



For all you clubheads out there, your buddy Russ can do the 4 On The Floor thang as well. Let's get that heart pumpin'.



There's a few examples of some of the ways I have tried to make RUSTY RADIO a viable option for you to rock during your day online. I hope you take the time out to check out my profile on IMEEM, as well as the MUDKIDS page on IMEEM which was recently added. You will get updates and new Music frequently on both of these pages, so take the time out to explore and enjoy them. It's one way that I can share my influences, views, and loves of all kinds of Music with you. I'm only so happy to do it.

Here is the link to my IMEEM page.

RUSTY ON IMEEM (I HAVE SOME FLY PLAYLISTS!)

...and here are the mighty MUDKIDS!

MUDKIDS ON IMEEM


Hope you enjoy the new playlists. Drop me a line and lemme know if I got ya jammin'...don't forget downloadable versions of many of the mixes are available on my blog. Here's the link,

'PREHENSILE TALES'

Y'all be good and stand up for whatever you believe in. We'll see you the day before Thanksgiving at SPIN NIGHTCLUB

Respect and Grace,

Rusty

MUDKIDS - 'Shades (I'm Fly)' Beta Base Video

Russ: "Alright, so you wanna get down for a bit?"

Tyler: "Yeah, sounds good."

Russ: "Grab your sunglasses outta the car."

Tyler: "huh?"

Russ: "Think I'm gonna shoot a video for 'Shades' while you're over here

Tyler: "Ah, man...I just shaved. I'd like to have a little scruff."

Russ: "I got you, man. C'mon, let's do this..."

Tyler: "Alright, then."

We did about five or six takes and here it is...the BETA BASE video for 'Shades (I'm Fly)'. I've been wanting to get ol' Elp-Mass some more facetime. I'm glad he got ready for his close-up.

Here's the new joint, y'all...

MUDKIDS receive BEST HIP-HOP BAND in NUVO READERS' POLL. Dig the plaque.

Here's the lovely and talented Amy Crook of NUVO Newsweekly bringing the plaque to the 'Kid for the 'Kids. Thanks to everyone who voted for Us and all of you everywhere who have supported Us all these years.

We got so much to say. Thanks for listening.

Respect and Grace, Get your MATISYAHU/FLOBOTS/MUDKIDS tickets NOW!

LIVENATION

MUDKIDS

MUDKIDS ON FACEBOOK

MUDKIDS TV

RUSTY ON IMEEM (I HAVE SOME FLY PLAYLISTS!)

Rusty

PG freestyles for MUDKIDS TV

Yeah,

I ain't finna talk your ear off. I really want you to see this video.

My man, PG, came over to vibe and talk about his set. I couldn't let the opportunity to get one of Indy's illest on tape. We went into Beta Base and this is how it went down.

Dude is ill...



See us do it tomorrow at SPIN.

Respect and Grace,

Rusty

MUDKIDS - 'Shades (I'm Fly)' - recording vocals with SPStar

Here's the 'Kid getting the real vocal done. After the writing of the Song, the next logical step is to get into the studio, y'dig? Gotta hold of SPSTAR (Mudkids' main engineer/producer of my solo album, 'Lazarus') and shot over to Green Gloves' to get it done.

Here's another peek at our process...we get it done.




Peace, peace. Stay tuned to MUDKIDS TV and my blog, 'PREHENSILE TALES'. Lotsa good stuff happening over here.

...and don't forget, next Saturday...

ORANJE IS COMING!

Respect and Grace,

Rusty Redenbacher

MUDKIDS - 'Basically' lyrics..let's play 'Karaoke'!

Hey,

Just had a friend request I added and he quoted this Song from 'Basementality'. I thought I would post the lyrics for you for the latest edition of 'MUDKIDS Karaoke'.

Press 'play' and rap with Russ!



'Basically...The Intro' by MUDKIDS (from 'Basementality')

(1st Verse)

I'm March Madness, you're the NIT
I'm a Masters, you're a G.E.D.
I'm the Main Source with Large Professor
You're their second LP, wack beats, your label under pressure
I'm fresher, keep it all in the family
You're 'Archie Bunker's Place'; a spinoff no one will see
I'm tantalizing and you're tearable, unbearable
It's amazing such a herb as you would dare to flow
I'm the Beatles, you're Herman's Hermits
You're Brittany Spears, gettin' props and you don't deserve it
With your limited talent. You really can't do it live
You're the Sylvers, I'm the Jackson 5
You're the Osmonds, I'm 'The Sixth Sense'
Too intense, like the stress of 7 sins within men.
You're the last of an eighth of a bag of shake
I'm 9 long pulls of chronic making your dome ache
I'm a perfect 10. You're a bucktoothed blind date
You're Hamburger Helper with no meat ready-to-bake
And somethin's missing, I'm nuclear fission, you're double A's
No power to power, just one of them days
I'm Wille Mays, say 'HEY!'. You're Willie Lump-Lump.
I'm spinnin' on my head, you're just learning to bump
And basically, I slay MC's, you're weak, I'm hot.
You's a herb, I rock, I'm Redenbach and you're not.

(Chorus)

Snap your fingers, tap your toes
Clap your hands, throw your blows
And if you wonder why we keep it hot
It's cuz we're the MUDKIDS and you are not
Snap your fingers, tap your toes
Clap your hands, throw your blows
And if you wonder why we keep it hot
It's cuz we're the MUDKIDS and you are not

(2nd Verse)

I'm Bruce Lee, you're Chuck Norris
Ranger, you're in danger like the rainforest
I'm a 6 on 22's, you gassed by funny crews
A Pinto, Escort, Yugo...You go
Peeps is like "Russ is Gucci, your style is like 'Fucci'.
Faker than Pat Boone doin' 'Tutti Frutti'"
You're booty. Your cutie would say 'I'm lovin' Rusty'.
Game so dirty, yours is merely dusty.
Clearly crusty. Clearly, Russ be...
More than your favorite MC, please believe it, trust me
Just see, I'm a mountain, you're a molehill
Feelin' you need penicillin, because I'm so ill
The flow kill anthrax. Jam-packed, stand back in awe
Russ get the cabbage, you get the cole-slaw
So raw, know all about the aspects of bustin' ass
I'm Super Cat, you're Snow. Informers get dealt with fast
I mash the gas, you hesitate, you wait
You're Ephedrine, I'm like Peruvian flake
Straight off the dock, raw, Redenbach
Is burnin' up the block and you're not.

(Chorus)

Snap your fingers, tap your toes
Clap your hands, throw your blows
And if you wonder why we keep it hot
It's cuz we're the MUDKIDS and you are not
Snap your fingers, tap your toes
Clap your hands, throw your blows
And if you wonder why we keep it hot
It's cuz we're the MUDKIDS and you are not.

Have a GREAT Saturday. See ya soon. New SONGS posted on the MUDKIDS page.

Respect and Grace,

Russ

MUDKIDS - 'Shades (I'm Fly)' and '8:50' posted @ MYSPACE.COM/MUDKIDS

Yo,

You can hit the title of the post and get right to it...or you can keep reading.

Straight from the studio and here it is for you.


Tyler (Elp-Mass) gave me a really nice batch of tracks to work with, kiddies. The guy is on top of his game. We are essentially finished with what we think is 'We Are Dynamic And People Like Us', but we see no reason in stopping while we are clicking so well. These two may make it or not. We'll see...

I posted a video of me writing the original draft of the tune, 'Shades (I'm Fly)' and even went so far as to make a quick video of myself recording the demo through my mixer into my CD burner. I was well aware that the sound quality wouldn't be up to par, but I did wanna share the process of how things get done when they have to.
(Peace, LT! get it done, man!)



I get a lotta emails from kids lamenting the fact that they don't have equipment or there they don't know anybody who does what they wanna do. Trust me; I am feeling you. I'm just letting you know that it doesn't take much and until you can get into a studio, record yourself by any means necessary. You don't hafta post it like I did, but those types of demos will end up being very helpful.


Anyway, if you did in fact sift through the hiss and thump to figure out where we were going, I felt like it was only right that I let you hear what we were working towards. What I am hipping you to with the whole 'Shades' experience is a how a Song goes from an idea to a concept to a Song, at least within our process.


'Shades (I'm Fly)' and '8:50 a.m.' were both recorded tonight. You are hearing them with fresh ears, just as we are. Hope you dig 'em. They're posted on the MUDKIDS page.


I hope you have enjoyed this little peek inside our world. Keep doing what you do, if it works for you.


Respect and Grace,

RR

MUDKIDS - 'Shades (I'm Fly)' - Home Demo and 'Making Of' Video.

Yo,

Here are the lyrics to the song I wrote last night. Yeah, I still use a pen and paper, kiddies.

While I am sure there are a lotta kids out there that think it's cool to go into the studio and 'freestyle' ("Jay don't write nothing down, man! Neither does Weezy!"), I write Songs. And do you know how much time those cats spend in the studio? I ain't got that kinda bread, man! I ain't h8n, y'all; it's an admirable talent and I'm amazed every time I watch the studio clips of Jay from 'Fade To Black'. From what I understand, Wayne's method is a little more choppy than Jay's, involving him building Songs bar-by-bar-by-Barre...heheh.

Lemme put it to you this way; If I was gonna build you a house, wouldn't you wanna know there was a blueprint (no pun intended)? I do freestyle pretty well and enjoy doing it in the live show, but the pen and the paper will always give me my strength. I really like for the whole verse to make sense from the first bar to the last. Maintaining that kinda focus would be hard for me without preparation.

Press 'play' and rap along with your buddy, Russ!


'Shades (I'm Fly)' by MUDKIDS

Every release is seminal, the victory eventual
"Mudkids Is A Army", and Redenbacher is the general
You're rockin' with the best again, Peace to TWILIGHT SENTINELS
Naptown, we break 'em down; compounds and minerals
Kick it up a notch like Emeril, I got the hot sauce
I seen a lot lost, thou shalt not floss
Or get outta pocket if thou ain't got it
Thou shalt not bear false profits or worship false prophets
It's your true idol, the new title; King Of The Freak-Flow
Super weirds, Superhero
I never say 'no', the law, the last say-so
The blow that's fatal, the coup de gras. Who we are?
True from-the-ground-up hood superstars
Literati, glitterati, we never trip on paparazzi
If ya want me, ya got me; I'm so easy to find...
Myspace.com/MUDKIDS bombin' online
Like Matthew Broderick, I 'Ferris Bueller' outta these fixes.
Keep it forward, continuous like an ellipsis
You got everything but talent like Sid Vicious
Witness, Tyler and Russ. Man, this sh*t's kismet.
Great quickness, I'm Usain Bolt on you lame dolts
Celebratin' runnin' away and hangin' with the same folks
Victory for my homeland, on and on and
Chasin' nighttime into the early mornin'

(Bridge)

Don't sleep
You might miss something good
Don't sleep
The rhymes I write you wish you could
Don't sleep
I wish you would, man, gimme a reason
Don't sleep
Cuz you never know why Rusty's cheesin'

(Ad-lib)

(Chorus)

Gimme my shades!
I'm ready for my close-up.
Gimme my shades!
I'm ready for my close-up.
Gimme my shades!
I'm ready for my close-up.
Gimme my shades!
I'm ready for my close-up.

I check myself in the mirror.
I'm fly. I'm fly.
I check myself in the mirror.
I'm fly. I'm fly.
I check myself in the mirror.
I'm fly. I'm fly.
I check myself in the mirror.
I'm fly. I'm fly.


Here is the video of me creating this demo as well as a special announcement.



TYLER KNAPP GOT THEM BEATS!

Stay in your books, kiddies. Stay on your gear, kiddies.

Respect and Grace,

Russ

Are You Aware...?

Are you aware that you can go into the 'SOUNDS LIKE' section of our Profile and download 'HIGHER', our classic third album for absolutely free?

...or you can get it right here...

MUDKIDS - HIGHER

Are you aware of the fact that I upload many mixes weekly that you can paste onto your Mysoace/Facebook page? Are you hip to RUSTY RADIO?



Have you checked in with MUDKIDS TV lately? We've always got something goin' on over there.

Are you aware that we are playing a really interesting show this Saturday night at SPIN? It's called 'Bridging The Gap'...I've been talking about it a lot, cuz I am legitimately excited. This is the flyer...



Here's the links to check out the Artists involved...

GRAMPALL JOOKABOX

TWILIGHT SENTINELS

CHRISTIAN TAYLOR

Did you know that S.A.I.N.T. RECON and myself remixed Q-TIP's new single? Would you like to download it? Here's the link.

Q-TIP - 'GETTIN' UP' (RUSTY RECON MIXES) EP

Are you aware that ORANJE IS COMING!? Man, get ready for that...it's the JAM OF THE YEAR!

Did you know that you are loved?

You are. Hope to see you soon.

Russ

Never Never Never...

I originally posted this on my Myspace blog some time ago. I dunno if it's poetry or prose or anything like that, as I have heard some amazing spoken-word Artists recently (What up, Rebelle! That 'VOCAB' thang is HOT!) A friend reminded me of this thang I wrote.

That's what friends are for...

Here we go.



"I will never never never stop being what I am.

I will never never never stop working towards my goals.

I will never never never let anyone make me feel small again.

I will never never never let anyone else make me believe that I don't have the right to capitalize the word, 'Me' or any other number of words that had me reaching for the 'shift' key while I was going insane, trying to remember what was Good about Me.

I will never never never let God see Me let this wonderful gift He gave Me languish.

I will never never never play myself for anybody's money, fame, or judgement.

I will never never never let myself forget that God Loves Me soooo much, there is no way for Me to stretch my arms wide enough to illustrate it.

I will never never never forget any of the above statements."

Good lookin', Clev...I didn't forget. I'm always working it out. I have to let some things outta me. I never lose sight of this and I do appreciate you sending it back to me, so I could share it with others.

I'll never never never lose sight of the fact that there are so many Good People around me.

STFU 2...My New Life

Hey,

(Disclaimer; I ain't talkin' to or about you, and if you think I am...well....then, write me. I'd rather work it out, but I can cut 'em off just as quick. Welcome to The New Life. Everybody has a Nemesis. I'm finna talk to mine. The next time you hear about this; it'll rhyme and it'll be my TRUE VOICE. Enter 'Icarus')

I don't like you. You represent everything that I am against; sloth, greed, false pride, faking jacks, inability to check yourself, and an ego that is outta control. Even in my absence, I can smell the hatred coming off you, wafting over the heads from the back of the club. The stench is unbearable.

I just told you I was done STFU. I did that for the longest. I let people take credit for shit they didn't do, could never do, and never had the HeArt to do. I let people slide when I hear shit talked about me and my Group. I have turned away from it and listened intently, all while STFU. If I were to detail some of the stuff that has gotten back to me from extremely reliable sources or some of the things that have been said about me/Us in print, online and otherwise, you would understand why I am so down to hold a grudge. It don't bother me one iota to shake off haters. I am thankful that you finally decided to show your true colors. You fooled me for a long time.

I'll never again feel the need to talk to you about anything. I am letting you know this because when you see me, I don't want you to think I am gonna be politically correct. You shit on me/Us and I'm never forgetting that. No one in this group has ever been anything but supportive of anyone in our Circle (I CAN speak for the Group in this case.), so when people in that Circle or formerly in that Circle go into the world and tell outright lies about me or my Group; yeah, I take that shit pretty seriously. I have had people that have claimed to know me and love me as their brother sit directly across from me and tell me that I was 'selfish', a 'spotlight hog', "I want it to be all about me" as if I just do this for some kinda glory or something. Kiddo, if it didn't mean as much to me as it does, I wouldn't have my ass up at 8 in the morning, making mixtapes featuring local cats for free downloading, writing Songs, editing videos and uploading them, driving my neighbors crazy in the name of MUDKIDS and MUDKIDS TV . If it meant half as much to you, you would receive the recognition you so desperately long for and you wouldn't hafta hate on me/Us to get it. I have taken it on as my RESPONSIBILITY and MISSION to represent YOU and your City. You, in return, have shit on Us.

When I address issues and over-explain my case after months of STFU and I don't get responses, I am forced to believe that I am right. I am absolutely no joke when it comes to telling you what has been on my mind after a long period of STFU. No one busts outta STFU like me, man. So, when I address issues like some of the ones you see above and I don't hear back from the transgressors, it's only natural that I would think I was right. Silence speaks volumes and y'all ain't saying shit. Meanwhile, We continue to do what we have always done; make Great Music and stand behind it or get behind it and push. I ain't stopping nobody from getting what they want outta this life; if you are with Us and you have a dream, a goal, a wish, I am quick to speak for MUDKIDS and say, "We got your back." It's part of the job, at least with this crew. Which is why you don't see me around some of the people I used to be around and you won't. If it don't reciprocate, it don't work. They have played their 'f*** Russ/y'all' card, not knowing that Jokers ain't wild.

Guess what? It didn't work. In fact, all it did was make you look like the fool I told you that you were. I've long tired of gossippy, bitchy, 'rally-the-troops' mentalities. All that bitching and screaming about me/Us has only made it worse for you, because we put our heads down and grit that much harder, not to spite you, but because that is simply what...we...do. I've sent you the links, I posted the bulletins, the Music is all there and so are the images. Any beefs? Please contact me here cuz I promise you, I can explain anything I said and stand behind it. I'll extend that offer to you one more time and I will be happy to explain how and why I got whatever it is you wanna talk about done. I am feeling sooooo 'Daniel Plainview' right now;

"I told you what I was going to do, didn't I? I told you that I would continue to work as hard as I ever did, if not harder and now look...we have MUDKIDS TV, we have 'PREHENSILE TALES' and once again, for the seventh or eighth time in a decade, the people where we live have selected Us as their representatives. Name one other band that can say that. Just one...you can't, because there are no others who can stake that claim...in dang-near any of the Arts 'round these parts. Our time is coming and if it isn't, it's not because of lack of effort. I told you this would happen, didn't I? Was I wrong? I told you what would happen and you tried to play me for a fool. Now, who's laughing? Not me! To get to where I wanna go, I have had to accept the fact that there are just certain...people...that will have to fall by the wayside. I accept it, however begrudgingly, but it is accepted nonetheless. I will always, always, always find happiness or at least, solace in my work. And I will always, always, always outwork you. This has nothing to do with money or fame. This is about respect, a respect for me and mine that was completely discarded and I am only so happy to reciprocate, just as I would with 'Love'."

If I were to never play another show or write another Song, I would know that it was because of choices I made, not because of dumb shit that was said by people that would love to be in my position. Let me be brutally honest; you couldn't handle it. You haven't been willing to open your HeArt to the point where you could stand the pressure. Don't you realize that people will always have higher expectations of Us? Do you know how that feels when you are trying to create? All you have ever had to do was play the back and be cool, but you took it upon yourself to get in the middle of everybody's shit. It's your nature. You're weak-minded and weak-willed and when told so, you curl up into a ball and hide behind your glasses, be they on your face or full of beer.

You would sit there and talk shit about everyone and how 'we ain't doing nothing', you're such a 'star', man. I would STFU and listen to this dumb shit and make conversation for the sake of doing so, while taking note of the fact that you were too self-absorbed and self-obsessed to recognize that the very scene you are shitting on is supporting you. And the 'Kid you are sitting there shitting on everybody to is a part of that scene. In fact, I could make an argument that it was I who introduced you to this 'scene', oh so many years ago. My mistake for doing so because you can't sustain friendships or relationships, and manage to bring strife and drama to every group situation you are in. You'll find a way to tear apart whatever it is you are working on now...it's just a matter of time. I'm not worried about it, though. It really is all about you.

Don't get it twisted; it's all about me, too. I've proven a lotta things wrong throughout my career. We took a year off from playing shows and recording and came back as strong as ever. When we started this Group, there was NOBODY around here even attempting to play what was then called 'East Coast Hip-Hop'. I was fresh outta the BIRDMEN, doing something essentially entirely different. I am sure there are some people who thought that MUDKIDS would shrivel up and die after they left the Circle. We're here and better than ever, working harder and producing more Music. It's all about ELP-MASS, (who doesn't have a page or you would be seeing his link there), the producer, the architect, the Genius. It's all about DJ HELICON, not only the DJ for the 'Kids, but a multi-tasking maniac, holding down a weekly gig at 6 Ultra Lounge on Fridays AND being one of the co-founders of ORANJE. Oh, yeah...ORANJE IS COMING!. Think he don't know PRESSURE? There will be no less than 2500 people at his event. AND he will dealing with a buncha crazy Artists ('good crazy', though.)

We rock on...until....

"I told you what I was gonna do." I told you exactly what would happen and look now. 'Bang bang bang' - pretty much in the timeframe that I told you it would happen. Don't be shocked by anything, because we are capable of anything. You outright shat all over my trust in you, my confidence, your word, and my vision and reputation. You need waaaay more soldiers, bruh. I ain't goin' nowhere until I want to. I told y'all that Tyler and I were 'jazz cats', kindred spirits. I'm gonna rap for-effin'-ever if I feel right about it. I have never felt more right in my Life. Go for yours, cuz I am going for OURS as hard as ever, with a vengeance and fury.

"Check the stats."

MUDKIDS

MUDKIDS TV < The 'revolution' is being televised.

RUSTY ON IMEEM

'PREHENSILE TALES'

Know that as much as I loved you at one point, enough to put up with all the stuff you started, you have hurt me. I told you that and I'm not letting that go until you acknowledge it. You tried to 'kill' me and I know it.

You lost. STFU.

Respect and Grace, that's why I don't speak to chumps anymore. Doing 'Me' FEARLESSLY. Regretting NOTHING.

Russ

Rusty On The Wheels - 'Quickly Through The Breaks, pt. 3' - SHOWS, SHOWS, SHOWS!

Hey,

You can't know where you are going unless you know where you came from...



Don't forget...



Our man,NATE FX, has opened his spot! We have maaaad love for NATE FX and when he hit DJ HELICON up and let us know that his club was opening and he wanted Us to come through, there was no way we could let this opportunity slide. We had the weekend open, but we gotta get back to Lexington and see our friends down there!

Please acknowledge the Love and the Hustle; big-up to NATE FX and everyone with a dream and a fierce will to see that dream through to fruition.

NATE FX's club is called LOWER 48 and if it anything like NATE FX himself, it will be a dynamite, funky, good time. Check out the links and make sure you support the brother.

LOWER 48

NATE FX



LEXINGTON, WE WILL SEE YOU SATURDAY AT LOWER 48!

AUGUST 30 - SCRIBBLE JAM PRELIMS! THE ALL-AGES HIP-HOP EVENT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

AWwwwWWWW, MAAAAAN! This show is gonna be AWESOME! An MC battle for a chance to be in the legendary SCRIBBLE JAM in Cincinnati and a Producer Battle, too!!??? MAAAAAN, I am so proud and honored to be a part of this event. As a Scribble Jam vet and a part of some battles that made me a better MC to this day, I know how great this event can be. All you battle-cats; get your stuff together and contact JOE ADAMS or SLAPFACE ENTERTAINMENT and come MAKE IT 'YOUR TIME'.



Do you see the pedigree of performers and judges? THE PHILOSOPHY, NUVO's Editor Pick for 'Best Hip-Hop Band' In Indy', and their high-powered, high-knowledge show? The aforementioned TWIN MONSTER, who is one of the best young bands I have seen here lately? The mighty TWILIGHT SENTINELS and MUDKIDS? If you ain't coming for the battle, you are still gonna see one of the best hip-hop shows you will see around here (or anywhere else). Don't miss it!




SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

SPIN NIGHTCLUB

'BRIDGING THE GAP' featuring MUDKIDS, GRAMPALL JOOKABOX,
TWILIGHT SENTINELSAND MORE!!!!

'BRIDGING THE GAP' at SPIN NIGHTCLUB INdy INdie Rock and INdy INdie Hip-Hop...man, I am excited for this show. I contacted Dave from GRAMPALL JOOKABOX a while back to let him know that I was appreciative of how original their sound was and how interested I was in learning more about his band (as well as the fact that he had a great quote from Rufus Thomas as his headline.) He expressed the same kind of interest in MUDKIDS They/it/he was somewhat of an enigma to me, but the more we talked, the more we realized how much we had in common and how much the struggles and victories of independent Artists across the board were pretty much the same.

We thought we'd share a victory together and that victory is 'BRIDGING THE GAP'....the flyer will be posted soon. Performers include MUDKIDS, GRAMPALL JOOKABOX, TWILIGHT SENTINELS, and another act to be announced...

This will be a DYNAMIC show to say the least!

And of course, NAPTOWN'S NIGHT OUT, THE ART/CULTURE THROWDOWN OF THE YEAR...

ORANJE IS COMING!

That's your update for now...hope to see you out soon! Hit some of those links and check out all this good noise going on here in INDIANAPOLIS!

Peace, Respect, and Grace, We're all in this together. Let's go Naptown

Rusty Redenbacher

Bulldozers, Pt. 3 - 'The King Of Kong' - MUDKIDS @ LOWER 48 in Lexington, KY, Saturday, August 23,

No pics. No nothing. Just noise. I ain't mad, though. They're just doing their job

There is work going on here. Lotsa work. I counter it with noise noise, noise noise. I'll be posting some of the other mixes soon. Just been really busy.

Sat down and watched a movie last night and that was good. 'The King Of Kong'; so interesting. It was about this cat, Steve Wiebe, that got laid off from his job and decided while he was off he needed something to do. He decided to break the long-standing World Record in 'Donkey Kong'. As the story unfolds, you begin to see just what lengths some people will go to to be recognized. You also get a great look at the lengths some people will go to keep that recognition. Just a great film. In an epic case of synchronicity, the 'South Park' episode featuring Bono was on. I had never seen it and as it turned out, it was based on 'King Of Kong'.

It was a good night to do nothing for a while.

Back to the grind...



Our man,NATE FX, has opened his spot! We have maaaad love for NATE FX and when he hit DJ HELICON up and let us know that his club was opening and he wanted Us to come through, there was no way we could let this opportunity slide. We had the weekend open, but we gotta get back to Lexington and see our friends down there!

Please acknowledge the Love and the Hustle; big-up to NATE FX and everyone with a dream and a fierce will to see that dream through to fruition.

NATE FX's club is called LOWER 48 and if it anything like NATE FX himself, it will be a dynamite, funky, good time. Check out the links and make sure you support the brother.

LOWER 48

NATE FX



LEXINGTON, WE WILL SEE YOU SATURDAY AT LOWER 48!

FREE DOWNLOAD - LIL WAYNE/RUSTY REDENBACHER - 'A MILLI (Rusty On The Wheels) Remix)'. VIDEO INSIDE.

Muthf***a, I'm ill not sick.


myspace graphic at Gickr

Haven't been here in a minute, but if you were to check MUDKIDS TV, you'll see why. I have been on the wheels like a madman.

I think things hit an apex yesterday. I recorded this remix, shot and edited this video and posted it for ya. I'm kinda proud of this one. I think it shows a little bit of a lotta what I do.

LIL WAYNE/RUSTY REDENBACHER (MUDKIDS) - 'A MILLI (RUSTY'S 2 DEX REMIX)'



You can download it here...

'A MILLI (Rusty On The Wheels Remix)'

Peace, y'all. Stay tuned, this is getting good.

Bulldozers, Pt. 2

This looks to be a continuing story.

'Slumber Is The Price Of Progress' - at least I got a good title outta this...



Fucking bulldozers.

RUSTY REDENBACHER - 'A Milli' (Russtyle)' (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Did a little 'Russtyle' on the 'Milli' Beat...

...sh**, everybody else was having so much fun with it, I had to get in on it.



Here it is...download it and have a good one.



MP3:

RUSTY REDENBACHER - 'A MILLI (Russtyle)' [zshare]

AmilliAmilliAmilliAmilli...we're gonna talk more about that later.

Rusty

Gear Up...So, You Wanna Be A DJ?

Hey, been a minute. I got some goodies coming for you.


pimp your myspace at Gickr.com

I actually was awakened by a nightmare. I had a dream involving my equipment. I swear to God. I have been DJing a lot lately and I think it is just bleeding through.

To be honest, I have had a great week since my last post; I had a family reunion in town, I picked up some extra work (which I definitely needed. Big-up, DJ Limelight) and I booked a buncha gigs. I will be in the mix quite a bit over the next few months. I'll probably be in the mix long after that.

I was talking with a friend online and she informed me that she always felt like she wanted to learn to DJ. I told her if she could count to '4', she could do it. It just takes time and practice. You just hafta start doing it and part of starting is investing in gear. When I started DJing, I had no gear, no records, nothing but the desire to DJ. I started out by talking my way into a gig. I can honestly tell you that if the Patio didn't have their own set of wheels back when I was prompted to start, I might not have ever become a DJ.

Since then, I have collected three separate sets of wheels. I bought my first used set of turntables when I rediscovered the love of the mix around 1998 or 1999. I had been outta the mix for a few years, leaving DJing alone until further notice.My buddy, Noah The Arkitect, had bought a set of wheels and a record collection. He was nice enough to let me come over and mix when he wasn't on his decks. I made as many tapes as possible, listening to myself and relearning the art of the blend and the scratch. I was also roommates with DJ Paul Bunyon at the time. He also allowed me to get on his wheels when he wasn't working. Once I felt comfortable enough with mixing again I put the word out that I was in need of a set of wheels while I was working at Rockin' Billy's. I had started to assemble my wax collection already and catching up was relatively easy, as I worked in a record-store. I was bumping into DJ's all day every day, so it was just a matter of time. There were always guys coming in there to flip gear and I knew there was no way I could afford a brand-new set of decks. Finally, someone had a set of Technics 1200's that they were getting rid of. I think I paid $500 for the pair, which I took to Top Speed immediately for checking out, tuning up, and retooling. He let me know they were in great shape. I took them home and set them up downstairs in the kitchen. I made the first and second mixtapes that I sold at Noah's house. I made my third mixtape that I sold right in the kitchen. I made 'em all with the two crates of records that I had at the time.

Once I realized that I was fully in it to win it with the wheels again, I really got serious about my record collection. I collected all the current stuff (gotta have the stuff people are listening to NOW), everything that I remembered as funky or rockin' as a child, breaks, old-school...I bought it all. I was in the record-store all day, so I would spend any down time digging for wax. On my off days, I hit the other record stores and practiced or made tapes to sell. When the hustle was good, I was making more money off mixtapes than I was at my job, but it was all going back into the work. I needed to augment the hustle with club gigs. DJ Indiana Jones and I started a Wednesday night party at The Patio called TASTE where we mixed live with 4 turntables. It was a big success for that summer. No party was like it in this citry and there hasn't been a party like it since. People were actually tuned in to hear what we would throw on the wheels, not their 'jam'. We were fearless, playing any and everything. It was as much fun as I have ever had DJing. It's still one of my fondest 'work-related' memories. We jammed. The skills I learned DJing next to DJ Indiana Jones made me feel comfortable enough to go and work in other clubs. I picked up a lotta hustle during the year or so that we had TASTE at The Patio poppin'.

At this point, my life was changing immensely. My living situation changed and I had way more financial, household and job responsibilities. I was working on the radio now, as one of the first four mixers to be on-air. We did a mixshow weekend that led to the formation of a 'mix-squad' at the station. I was playing a lotta Music in the house that I didn't want to, but I was so in the game that there was no turning back now. The practice was paying off.

I began pumping out tapes as fast as possible. I had to focus on what was hot and get that into the street as soon as possible. There were more DJ's than ever competing for counter-space and gigs. I had to stay ahead of the game, so working at the radio station helped. I was receiving records in the mail every day, which I would immediately open and time. If it was hot it went into one of my four 'working' bags, the four bags that went to every gig. I was also booked more in clubs, so I was taking my wheels everywhere. Realizing that if something were to happen to one of my wheels, I started thinking about a second set for safety. I would've been so assed-out if something had happened to just one of my decks. DJ Kenny Kixx came into the radio-station and said he had a set of wheels to get rid of. I asked him what he wanted, got the money together, and had him bring the decks to my house. Now, I needed to have two sets; one for club gigs, one for making tapes at home...and if something did ever happen to one of the decks, I now had back-ups. I still use those decks on the road.

I came into work at the radio station and saw Paul looking weird. He didn't have his record-bag. He just had this little computer. I watched him set-up his little computer and this little box into the mixer. He set everything up and turned on his computer. I had no idea as to what he was doing. I watched as he pulled up a program called Serato SCRATCHLive. He looked through the library and pulled up 'records'. I couldn't believe what he was showing me and talking to me about. With this program, you could mix with MP3's, meaning that you could have all those four 'working bags' and then some with you at all times. You could mix as fast as you could think. This SCRATCHLive was gonna change EVERYTHING and I knew it as soon as I saw him do the mix that day. Dag. I had no less than 7000 records; all of that stuff was gonna be sitting in the crib soon. I needed a computer. I bought my first computer (and SCRATCHLive) ever ever ever later in the year and immediately began the process of getting all that Music I needed into MP3 format. Quite simply, that is one of the best investments I have ever made; it made it so that we could play ANY Mudkids songs, as long as we had the instrumentals and THAT in and of itself, was reason enough to have it for me.

At this point, I had been DJing for about ten years, most of that time professionally. I had never had a brand-new set of wheels. I had always worked with what I could afford and made it happen, but I had never had a new set. I don't even think I had ever DJed on a new set of wheels. When I finally did have enough money to reasonably afford a set, I invested in the 'Black Beauties'. Ohhhh, they are gorgeous; black finish, blue LED displays, pitch control that goes to plus or minus 16 (I never use that function, but it's nice to know it is there). They're gorgeous. I set these decks up at home for studio work and bring them out for special gigs. I really love this set of wheels. They bring me a joy that I can't explain; when I am on these decks, I am on the nicest decks that I have ever owned, decks that I paid for with money that decks earned me. Nobody was on these before me, they're mine and they're immaculate. I treat them like babies. I keep the dust-covers on them, I have invested in serious road-cases for them (and they don't travel much), I take care of them. That's six decks; a road set, spares, and the 'Black Beauties'. Now, if anything goes wrong with anything I am ready.

There was a while when I didn't really wanna DJ anymore. The Beauties sat in the room, chilling. I was focused on other things and my spirit was getting kinda crushed in the clubs. But, the fact is I will always find a way to love to spin records. It is something I have invested a lotta time and money into and I believe I always get it back. I love it so much that I upload mixes to share with y'all on the regular, on the free-free. I love it so much that I have back-up wheels so I can continue to spin if anything were to happen to my wheels. I get ideas in my head and immediately run home to mix them and share them with you. I started out just wanting to do it and I have had to invest that time and money to keep up with it. I've had to sell other things to keep up with gear, because this is what I do. I am a DJ, so I hafta be able to at least provide the gear to do my job. DJing takes sacrifice and dedication, because while you are in the crib, brainstorming and working on your weak hand, someone else is booking gigs and digging for records...and listening to you. There is always a kid that wishes he was in the booth, doing what you are doing. ALWAYS.

You hafta stay in touch with your sound and you hafta stay on top of your gear. You ever been at the club and the Music skips or stops completely? What did everybody do? I never wanna be that cat. The DJ is really the most important person in the club; he gets you to pay cover, he makes you wanna go see the bartender, he makes it so you can talk to that girl over there when the 'jam' comes on. The DJ is truly the foundation of most good nights out, whether you acknowledge it or not. I get so many folks who want me to teach them to DJ. No one ever taught me; I watched, I listened, I jumped on it and stayed in the mix. I can happily invite someone to watch and listen. I don't know how well I would do at 'teaching', per se. What I do tell them is that if they can count to '4', they can mix...now, it's a question of keeping your gear up, practicing like crazy, being wiling to work damn-near for free on many levels, and learning something whenever you get in the 'mix'. I have had my times when I have wished I did something else, but who hasn't hated their job for a minute or two?

(This joint won't be on 'We Are Dynamic And People Like Us'. It don't fit the concept of the album, but it's fun...wiff my grumpy ass...)



When I realize that I actually get paid to play and reinterpret Music, I know there are soooo many worse ways to make a little bread.

Hope you guys are enjoying the mixes and get a chance to hear me spin live some time. I just wanted to give you a little history on some of what it has taken to get there. I love what I do and that is more than a lotta people get outta this life.

Independents' Day Blues

This one is personal.

Yuh know, people will take your loyalty and kindness for weakness. There are so many parasitic entities in the Music Business. They will jump on your team when they think there is something in it for them. But, as soon as shit gets real, they are the first ones to bail, all the while smiling in your face and telling you how much they 'support' you.  I don't need that kinda 'support'. I don't need fake 'friends'. I don't need phony businessmen and shysters around me, and I sure as hell don't need for anyone to tell me, 'Well, that's just the Game'. Bullshit, the Game ain't got nothing to do with somebody being fake.

I am here to let you know that all that shit is dead and has been dead with me for a long time.

I do not deal with a lotta people from my past; people that swore they were my friends, but when I HAVE TO make REAL MOVES to keep my future in focus and my band on the road, they can't seem to muster up that 'support'. I don't deal with people that have shown me that they are self-serving, lazy, lackadaisical con-artists and sycophants, suckling at the teat of whoever they think is 'hot' that month. I don't hang around people that are gonna take my words, twist them to make me look like a jerk and broadcast their bullshit interpretations of what they think I am about to their 'friends'. I don't deal with 'yes-men' and talentless hacks that wish they could be as eloquent as I am in expressing their emotions and views on situations, but think it would be a smart move to fuck with me, knowing damn-well that they have NO CHANCE of debating, battling, or outthinking me. (Trust me, kids; I will not be so gracious when it is time for war. I protect my team like a mother lion. And I protect myself like Daddy Lion). I cut all those bastards off for my own sanity. They're simply of no value to me anymore, because they have shown me that my friendship ain't really about shit to them. They would rather do other things with other people and that is perfectly fine.

Where there is unfinished business to attend to, though, I am trying to 'zero out' all accounts, so I can go on with my life. The Mudkids' merchandising is all fucked-up and I am doing all I can to get it right. All I want is my gosh-darn merch booth to be in order, so that when we go play shows, we can leave our 'footprint' on your city. There are entities within this business that are so outta control, so fly-by-night, so full of themselves, that their arrogance makes it so they must lord over what they were supposed to be controlling YEARS ago. And NOW they wanna be lazy about getting Us INFORMATION, not even money, man; INFORMATION. I would think that is the most basic thing in the world, but apparently that was just another case of me thinking with my heart and not my head. When you do business with a friend you think you can trust, think twice or find an outside party to keep your head straight because your 'friends' are the first ones to fuck you over, intentionally or because they are too 'friendly' to take you seriously. It's a fact.

You may have noticed some changes in the Mudkids and the way We present ourselves. There are people that promised Us things, be it dedication, effort, time, money or whatever that they couldn't hold up to. We do not have the time for that anymore. This band is in the midst of recording another classic album, full of heart and soul. I can't begin to tell you how many hours I have spent in the studio, making sure that I have done things right. I cannot begin to tell you how many hours I have spent writing Songs, practicing flows, and rewriting Songs. I can't tell you how many times I have had to sit here and listen to the same beat, over and over again, writing down my bars so that when it is time to rap, there ain't no bullshit on there. I don't slack and I make a lotta shit happen by my lonesome. I'll say it; yeah, I push...even when ain't nobody looking. Prove me wrong, I want you to.

Some people see that 'pushing' as threatening. It could be because when you are around someone who works their ass off, you either hafta work as hard as them or you hafta acknowledge your own laziness and ineptitude. I hold no punches anymore when it comes to letting someone know that they ain't doing what they said they would do or what they were asked to do. I know when I am slacking and I do what I can to stop that shit. I guess now, I am trying to stop it in others. I don't allow that energy around me because it is infectious. I need to be around people who are willing to work at least half as hard as me. The last things I need are excuses.

I have tried to lead my team by example. I try to live up to the things I talk about in Songs.I have planted seeds of thought in Songs for years. Well, now I am about to start planting some seeds that may grow into poison oak. I am sure there are factions of people that will feel some kinda SOMEthing about what I have been writing lately. I am gonna make it impossible for some people to ignore Us/Me. I have kept from screaming on a lotta people that have screamed on me; runnning back to 'friends' and talking about how I am 'outta control' and my 'ego is outrageous'. Really? Hmmmm....if I haven't talked to you and I haven't spoken to you, where do you get that idea from? My absence? The fact that I don't kick it with fake, back-stabbing, unfocused, do-whatever-it-takes-to-make-myself-look-good dudes anymore? Did you really think I could continue to let that shit slide? I am not with the 'kee-kee-ing' and smiling in my face when I know for a fact that you have been talking extremely stupidly and recklessly about me, my projects, my life, or my Music.

That said, if you are reading this and you feel like you have unfinished business with me, feel free to call or write, so we can settle it. It's al about respect and such a lack of respect has been shown to Me, my values, and my team that I can't believe I am even being as cool about the shit as I am now. I am so easy to get in touch with, it's not funny. I'm online every day. I'll leave it up to the transgressors for now, the ones who are feeling the sting of having the 'Great Rusty' prepare to tear them new ones. 

I don't need no negative nothing, man. 'Triple Negative', I am moving on. The least one could do is let me do so and not make it any more difficult than it has already been. I have been more than cool with more than a few people and look...I am still here. My shit rings bells, yo, and you know it. I am setting myself up to be in control of my own destiny and my own dream, by my own means. We let a lotta people ride with Us and when it was time to really get down to business, we were met with indifference, laziness, and eventually (for me, especially) a general sense of 'Fuck you'. You cannot just say something to me and expect me to just believe it anymore. I wasted a lotta time believing in the power of 'friendship' and 'togetherness' with selfish individuals and companies that really only care about themselves.

No. No more. Get your shit together, cuz I am trying so hard to do that...and it ain't even for just me. My team rolls with me, man...if my team is only three or four people, ALL of Us will always be on the same page. I am so shitty with myself for believing in the BS that 'friends' will sell you. If you believed is Us then, you should still believe in Us now, because the GROUP and the MUSIC hasn't changed, except for the better. A cursory glance at the four albums we have released and the new Songs on our Myspace page (and mine) would make that obvious. We are STILL the grindingest, nastiest, realest, coolest, down-to-Earth cats you will meet...but We ain't no punks and we ain't 'kids' no more. We play nice, but when you shit on Us, that goes out the door. And I know when I have been shit on; I turned the other cheek for years until I couldn't do it anymore.

You can choose to ignore me, but I will be using my talent to get some kinda satisfaction and retribution for Myself. I'm just letting it be known so that when you hear some slick stuff fly outta my grill and you think, 'Is Russ talking about me?', you might be thinking correctly. If you even have an inkling that I might be talking about you, I probably and that is your own damn fault. All I have is this Music and NO ONE can tell me what I can address when I wanna address it. That's my power, yo; it's all I really have to show for the years of work I have put into this; a talent that God gave me in the first place and you could never truly understand. I'll make it simple for you. Believe that.

...and I won't let it go. Ever. Get it right and keep it that way.

Monday.

I had a wicked sleep. It wasn't great. Not as deep as I needed

I got up and checked my emails. I logged onto my Myspace and wrote people back. I watched 'Jerry Springer', which I believe is one of the most life-affirming shows on television. (There's no way my life could be that twisted.) I dried off and reached into the dresser-drawer for one of my favorite t-shirts, a light brown t-shirt with a iron-on of Chewbacca that reads 'WWCD?' underneath his picture. Looked in my closet and instinctively reached for my 'Mudkids' custom Air-Max '95's, the pair that started my collection. I slid my shoes on and packed up my computer. I kissed my buddy, Jett, goodbye and made my way to the door. I am looking at my place, and while it is 'home', I don't like it as much as I should. I am thinking about a lotta things. I am moving and swimming, working through an ocean of insecurities and doubts.

I started my car. I waited to hear what I was listening to the day before yesterday. The radio doesn't work and the tape deck is out, which means 'No iPod in the whip'. I have been forced to go back to my CD collection, but it has been a happy accident. It has made it so I am listening to stuff that I had either listened to once and put away or CD's that I absolutely love and haven't listened to in a while. The truck starts, thank God because I sure haven't brought my battery charger in the house in a while, and my voice comes outta the speakers, imploring me to 'Don't stop, don't quit...' I chuckle, back out of my space and make my way to the gate. The gate opens and I am off into the streets of Indianapolis, destination ; Northside News.

I say 'what's up.' to everyone. I know every single person here. The Dude is behind the counter, holding court with Timbo Too. JJ is cooking. Uncle Miiiiike is getting his coffee...and I always ask if he needs a refill before I get mine. Karen is in the corner, learning lines for a play. Buddy just came in and re-upped on his two 'ultra-weenie' American Spirits. Jared, who had dreadlocks thicker than mine is here with his girl. I haven't seen him since the CAC moved its office downtown. He's cut his hair and they are having a baby. The kid looks like a million bucks. He tells me he has moved to Florida. Makes me think real hard. 

Seems like everyone I know is doing good in the Sunshine. Chaz. I am so proud of Chaz. I am proud of Jared.

When I see my friends doing well, it makes me feel better.

I am sitting at a table with Heidi, who has one of the best smiles in the world and an attitude to match. She's just a great spirit. She is working on something for some kinda wellness retreat in the mountains of Montana, seemingly a kajillion miles away from everything and everybody. Karen comes over and sits with us and Heidi begins to speak. Heidi always begins to speak; the lady can talk, okay? She's really easy to get to know, because she gives of herself very freely. She saw the funk all over me when I came in and gave me a big ol' hug and shook me by my shoulders. Then she cheesed at me and I cheesed back. I'm feeling better, but I still have so much to think about...

I was ready to sit in the corner and blahblahblah about the rivers and oceans of uncertainty that I have been trying to swim through lately. I just go through this. It's just me now. Things can be great, but contrary to some opinions, I DO worry about my future and I DO somewhat of a plan.

(these joints ain't finished, but they fonkay enough for now...I live this shit)

It's easy for me to lose sight of how good things are and can be. I just do that sometimes and there are a bazillion people like me. I am never alone, when I feel 'alone' and that can be a good thing. And when I wanna be 'alone', I have to make it happen and that can be a good thing, as well. I am truly loved and I know it.  This is where I belong and has been for some time...but I am starting to wonder about the rest of the world. I have seen so many little parts of it, one night, one show, one drive-home at a time.  As much as I love my Home, I know I can come back to it, should I go. Some of my better instincts are telling me to go. Go somewhere, even if it's only for a while. Test the waters. Follow the Sun.

Where will I go? What will I do? I don't really know the answers to those questions and that may be what has had me in a half-funk for the past two weeks. I just know that my heart is longing to be gone for a while. I can't say that a tour would get it done. I'm really thinking about changes in a big way. I have so many ideas, but I am not certain as to how to implement them in the most effective way. I can make any type of music that I set my mind to make, I rock crowds, I get my point across and I know it by the smiles and the responses and reactions when I do my thang with my team(s). By the end of the summer, I will have two records wrapped, ready to go and will be headlong into creating the next one, whatever it is. This I DO know. Now, what am I gonna do with all this work that I have put in? The hours and hours of writing and re-writing, the nights in the studio with SPStar, the rides around town listening to this stuff over and over again, the video shooting, the nights spent editing, the communicating with two-three teams of musicians, the emailing...all of this shit, man. Damn. 

Sometimes, I wonder why God picked me to be this rapper. I'm so thankful for my gift, but it's a double-edged sword. I've sworn to 'keep it real' and the reality is I think too damn much. I worry and worry. I sweat shit and internalize it. I still think like the kid that was beating on tables at lunch to serve you in front of your boys and your girl, but I also know that that kid is a lot older now and needs to talk about other shit. I'm hoping the message is still getting across; it seems to be. I suppose it's working, I believe in Us. 

I've never thought about my future as much as I have the last two weeks. Everyone has to do it at some point. You just have to make sure you are moving forward in the present. I'm trying to push the pace some, I guess. 

tick tick tick tick...

ticktick, ticktick...

ticktickticktick...

Time don't stop, so why would you?

Here's the Mayor. I love that dude. He's got some pics of me that I really want...and Heidi is back. Jared and his girl are headed out, as is Karen...I'm here with Heidi, tapping away, working my way towards SOMEthing and 'happy'. Again.

Cuz that's just what you do...

What Goes ON? Three SHOWS this weekend

I've got a few shows this weekend. What is interesting about this is that this is the first time I have had a chance to do ALL my thangs in the same week.

Tomorrow, Friday the 13th, I will be rocking the set with LAZARUS at the Melody Inn. I'm geeked about this; we haven't played since April and this set should be fun. I really enjoy the Mel; it's got that 'old rock bar' thing down pat. It just LOOKS like the place to take great band-shots. The crowds are always lively, the beer is cheap, and the sound is surprisingly awesome for such a small room. I've never actually played a show there (that I can recall off the top of my head), although my man, Ahmski, and I did host the first MC Battles there (The 'Melody Massacres', where many a great MC was knocked down a peg or two and many MC's came to realize their true potential) I have always wanted to play a ROCK show at the Mel; tomorrow, it happens.

(side note: Ahmski (Ahmed) is an absolutely SICK rapper. He was in a group called 'Play Cuzinz' with another unbelievable cat named 'Zone'. I have some of their demos, but they ain't in this computer; once I get them uploaded to IMEEM, I'll post them. To this day, I'll tell you that I believe that the 'Play Cuzinz' is one of the illest groups I have seen around here. I only saw them perform twice, but they were stellar both times. Check for them.)

After the LAZARUS set at the Melody, I'll shoot over to the Tip-Top Tavern for a set of my solo-material. I've performed in this room once before and that time sucked. I am sure that tomorrow will go much better, as they are under new managment, have updated the sound-system, and gotten rid of some of the miscreants that were on staff. There have been some bad-ass shows there in the last month or so. I'm really excited to get an opportunity to play this stuff, but the idea of being onstage by myself is rather daunting. I've always had somebody up there with me. Tomorrow night, it's all on me; I DJed the set, I've gotta put in this work to memorize it and get it right in my head. It's kinda stressful, to be frank, but I am ready to rise to the challenge. Dammit, if you want people to know what you are doing , you hafta go and DO it, in their faces, and you better damn-well hold your own. I will.

Saturday morning, I cannot afford to hit the 'snooze' button. MUDKIDS will be opening the Independent Music and Arts Festival at the Harrison Center for the Arts. We play at 11 a.m., which is far from a standard hip-hop 'wake-up time', but we will be raring to go. DJ Helicon and I will be playing a set heavy on new material from 'We Are Dynamic And People Like Us' and with the early start, bringing the kids is definitely an option. Yuh know we'll keep it clean for ya.

I hope to see y'all at one of these events...Don't forget the BLACK SHEEP show at SPIN, Thursday, June 19.