BOONDOCKS "It’s A Black President, Huey Freeman"

For all those who still have illusions of Obama as a progressive president.. Thank you Aaron McGruder.

PROP 19

A cartoon that represents the real debates going on right now. VOTE on Tuesday, November 2nd!

POWER STRUGGLE documentary

A new documentary on the life and music of Nomi from the hip-hop group POWER STRUGGLE. From Africa to the Midwest to the Philippines, this film chronicles Nomi's life journey and personal transformation through political awakening.



Shot and edited by Eric Tandoc
Interviewed by Tadashi Nakamura

You can purchase POWER STRUGGLE's new album "REMITTANCES" at:
beatrockmusic.com
iTunes
CD Baby

The Committee @ Break The Silence

The original MCs of The Committee reunite for a performance at One Imagination's Break The Silence open mic in Downtown Long Beach on July 29, 2010.

The Break The Silence open mic series takes place every last Thursday of the month at Pizza Pi on Broadway & Lime in Downtown LB..

ENTER THE DREAM JUNGLE

These guys have a future in acting...

BEATROCK ARTIST KOLLECTIVE presents
"PORTRAITS OF THE PROLETARIAT" art show

featuring
BAMBU x RHYTHM NATIVES

Dream Jungle Tattoo
Long Beach, CA
Saturday, July 24th 2010

MASS MOVEMENT TV - Live at the BBQ July 3rd 2010

MASS MOVEMENT RADIO on MMTV
Recorded Live at the BBQ, ReVision's house
July 3rd 2010

Rockin on the 1s and 2s:
KRISSFADER x ET x ROOTS x ReVISION x INTELLECT x JEDI

Live art by:
STUTTER x ROOTS x ZOO SQUADRON x everybody else!

SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE LIVE REMIX

SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, AUGUST 27th 2010

JACCC Plaza
224 S. San Pedro Street
Little Tokyo, Downtown LA

LIVE VIDEO REMIX of the documentary SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE

With LIVE PEFORMANCES integrated into the film featuring: Kiwi, Power Struggle, Shining Sons, Krystle Tugadi, Gingee, Vicoy Bagongsigaw, and more...

http://soundsofanewhope.blogspot.com

GINGEE @ TEKNOGLORIOUS

GINGEE performing at the TEKNOGLORIOUS E3 Convention Afterparty
June 16, 2010

FREE DOWNLOAD of "The Rhythm Inside Me":
http://soundcloud.com/gingee

California Taking Note from Arizona

Santa Barbara Immigration Check Point

Lakers,
Chris G.

POWER STRUGGLE Interview on REMITTANCES

POWER STRUGGLE interview with MASS MOVEMENT TV about his new album “REMITTANCES”

Be sure to cop it this TUESDAY, MAY 18th, available in stores and online at beatrockmusic.com!!!

Directed by Tadashi Nakamura | Shot & Edited by Eric Tandoc

SHINING SONS - BEATROCK SWEATER

DOWNLOAD HERE

Introducing GINGEE

Last night I was chillin with Thee Dope Show and told him about a show at The Airliner, featuring Marjorie Light, aka DJ Gingee. I got her FB invite for the “Heart-On” event and it said she’d been preparing for this night for the past 4 years.

I’m glad we went, cause her show blew my mind! Marjorie is a straight up one woman band. She was singing, rapping, DJing, scratching, playing guitar, and rocking on traditional Filipino and Vietnamese instruments over her own beats made on Ableton. She’s extremely talented and gots hella skills on the kulintang! Best of all, her lyrics are progressive and empowering!

Watch out y’all for the newest Pinay phenom from LA!

-ET

Let's hit up some charming shops! Let's buy some antiques!

If the Lakeshow keeps playing unselfishly, efficiently, and aggressively like they did last night, then we're taking the ship! If not, I'm scurred Kobe's gonna actually have to take this guy up on his offer:

Lakers,
Chris G.

D-STYLES the World's Greatest Scratcher

i was digging through an old hard drive last night and found this footage i shot of D-Styles back in 2001.. shout out to A.J. from Xylophone Films!

i must have watched these 2 minutes of madness hundreds of times. nobody even comes close to being as vicious on the cut.

haven’t heard D in a minute. hopefully i’ll catch him at Low End Theory one of these Wednesdays.

-ET

Trilogy Screening in Austin

All three of my films will be screened together for the first time at the Association for Asian American Studies Conference tomorrow in Austin, TX! It'll be my first time in Texas, so of course I'm going to surround myself with a hotel full of Asians.



-Tadillac

Erykah Badu - "Window Seat" Video

Badass Erykah!!!!! Here's the first video off Ms. E. Badu's New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh) due to drop on March 30th.

The "Inspired by Matt and Kim" credit in the opening of the video is in reference to the "Lessons Learned" video by Matt and Kim. At least Badu didn't try to hide the fact that the idea is off the bit. As much as I would rather watch Erykah over and over again, the filmmaker inside of me can't help but admit that the concept and execution is done better in this one...


*pause* Maaan, what the hell am I talking about! I'm bout to watch Erykah again!

-Tadillac

Future States at SFIAAFF

While I was in the bay last week the homie Kori (the Cheddar Path) asked if I wanted to hit up the "Future States" short program at the San Francisco Int'l Film Fest. Not being a sci-fi dude at all and remembering that the last time Kori talked me into going to something I ended up wasting a day in NYC looking at unicorns and dragons in a museum, I was skeptical. But unlike the Mythical Creatures exhibit, I dug it.

ITVS got 11 youngish filmmakers and asked them "to take the current state of affairs in the United States, and extrapolate them into stories of the nation in the not-so-distant future."

These three were my favorite...

PIA by Tanuj Chopra

Mister Green by Greg Pak

Silver Sling by Tze Chun

-Tadillac

Paul Valery Music Video by Blue Scholars

Fresh off their recent shows at SXSW, Blue Scholars just put out a video for "Paul Valery", a track they dropped last week. You can download the track here.

-Tadillac

FREE DOWNLOAD - Otayo Dubb - "So Opinionated" Mixtape

-CLICK COVER ART TO DOWNLOAD-

So Opinionated by Otayo Dubb (Co-Deez/The CounterParts) gives listeners a taste of what is yet to come - Otayo Dubb’s debut solo album. Much more than your typical mixtape, this 14 track gem is rich with hard hitting original production that creates O’s unique melodic sound. With writing that captures the voice of the Bay Area streets and storytelling that will make you fall back in love with Hip Hop, So Opinionated gets listeners in tune with 'Tayo's unique perspective. He is witty, talented in his gift of gab, and oh so opinionated. So please check out Otayo Dubb's So Opinionated mixtape, brought to you for free by Beatrock Music and TD Camp of Hella Records.

Preview it here:

FULL TRACK LISTING:

Otayo Dubb - So Opinionated (mixed by TD Camp)

1. Get Mine

(prod. by Tahaj The First)

2. So Opinionated ft. Tahaj The First

(prod. by Tahaj The First)

3. Raise'em Up

(prod. by DJ Envoy, cuts by Gammaray)

4. Can't Stop ft. Akil & Spank Pops

(prod. by J.London)

5. 'Round The World ft. Jallah Keys

(prod. by Danimals)

6. Fine Tuning ft. L.E.G.A.C.Y.

(prod. by Dirty Bird Beats)

7. The Dealership ft Akil, Tahaj The First and Hudathawt

(prod. by Toba)

8. What Works

(prod. by TD Camp)

9. Whataday

(prod. by Chrono Khalid)

10. No Doubt ft. Pep Love and LB

(prod. Pep Love, cuts by DJ Zeph)

11. Mainstream ft. Tahaj The First and Sakima

(prod. by Otayo Dubb)

12. Cycle Love (Remix)

(prod. by Danimals)

13. Blow My Mind ft. Tahaj The First

(prod. by TD Camp)

14. We On ft. Tahaj The First & Jalalah Keys

(prod. by Tahaj The First)

-DOWNLOAD OTAYO DUBB SO OPINIONATED-

FUNK FUZZ | AIDGE & ET'S 30TH BIRTHDAYS!!

Come celebrate Luke "Aidger" Patterson & Eric Tandoc's 30TH BIRTHDAYS at FUNK FUZZ next Thursday in LB!

Mass Movement DJs spinning hip-hop soul boogie funk brazil reggae rock electro all night long..

Que Sera
1923 E. 7th Street
Long Beach, CA

Doors open 9pm
FREE before 10:30pm
$5 after
21+

AOKI at SFIAAFF

The homie Ben Wang and co-director Mike Cheng's film AOKI is screening this week at the San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Fest. The documentary is about Richard Aoki, a Japanese American who was one of the founding members of The Black Panther Party. Much respect to Ben and Mike for telling such an important story, staying true to the movement and their city, and pulling off a feature length doc as their first film.

Watch Ben and Mike talk about the making of AOKI:

Thanks Dave

Less than half way into this month and it's already been a crazy one. I entered my 30's, got rejected for the second time by the school I was raised to love, got accepted by the school that I was born to hate, and was presented with a possible opportunity that could shape the next 2 years of my life. I definitely feel like I'm at some kind of crossroad in my career path and it's been met by more anxiety than excitement.

Even though I heard about how amazing Dave Chappelle was as a guest on Inside the Actor's Studio back in '06, I never got around to watching it. Kinda like The Wire, I had slept on one of the most phenomenal things to happen to TV in a long time. But in a way, I'm glad I hadn't seen it until last night because I doubt the impact and inspiration that I got from Dave's words would have been as high if I wasn't at this crossroad.

If you've never seen this before or haven't since it came out, do yourself a favor and watch it:



Thanks Dave!

-Tadillac

Offical Video for "Slow Down"

Here's the final cut of Bam's video that I did a behind-the-scenes piece for a while back. Props to Cinematographer Anthony Ignacio for making this video look so clean. Too bad all the homies who thought they were gonna make their video hoe debut got left on the cutting room floor.



-Tadillac

National Day of Action to Defend Public Education

Here's a couple of photos from the March 4th National Day of Action to Defend Public Education:

Rallies, marches and building takeovers popped off in cities and campuses all over the country. I took a long lunch break and hit the streets of Downtown LA:

Met up with ET and the Shining Sons:

As always, the homie Bev and the rest of the AnakBayan LA crew were holing it down:

FATGUMS INTERVIEW on CHICHARON ADVENTURES

via http://www.chicharonadventures.com/features/view/fatgums/

Back in November, I dropped a blog entry about the launch of a new music label called Beatrock Music. They were local, Long Beach to be exact, with a slew of independent hip hop artists in their repertoire. Heading the label was a producer named Eric Strand, better known as Fatgums, an SF native and medical student on leave. With two releases under Fatgums' direction, (first was the Counterparts, second was Bambu), we were compelled to learn more about the man behind it all. To us, Beatrock stood for community and organization and if that was any indication of the kind of music it would represent, then we were all for it. Originally from the bay, Fatgums began DJing at 13 and made his first mixtape by 19. Then he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to build his catalog. He'd take every spare moment to do so, even in the kitchen of his then studio apartment. His hustle allowed him to connect with the right people and now with a studio near LAX, he makes music his life. Well sort of...

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE MUSIC SCENE IN LA VS. SF?

Hmmm. My heart (in terms of music) will always be in The Bay. That is where I fell in love with Hip Hop and where the folks I grew up with in Hip Hop still live. So, this response will be very biased. I feel that independent music in general, particularly independent Hip Hop, is better received in The Bay than in Los Angeles. I don't know why this is the case - maybe the hippie communal temperament still bleeds in our generation of Bay Area hip hoppers. You know, supporting a community or a movement over making stars or icons of a few. I feel like if you make quality music in The Bay you will be heard, appreciated, and followed. If you make quality music in LA you might be overlooked. LA is the mecca of entertainment and the population is ridiculous. So you not only have a larger sample size of people who might make Hip Hop music, you also have a higher concentration of people who are really trying to make it as musicians. So, when comparing things like the ease of finding venues or the likelihood of getting your CD on the end cap at a record store, you have a much better chance to succeed as an independent musician in The Bay Area. But, at the same time, if you DO make it in LA, I believe that the likelihood of getting national and international recognition is probably greater than in any other city in the US.

WITH THAT SAID, DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A PLACE FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS IN LA CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF TALENT IN THE CITY?

There is always a place for independent artists and independent art in general. Wherever you are. Independent art is art that isn't dictated by an entity disconnected from the artist's community. One good thing about LA is that the communities here are big enough to support their artists, or at least make their artists feel appreciated enough to keep creating.

SO HOW DOES BEATROCK MUSIC COMPARE TO OTHER MUSIC LABELS?

I'm still figuring this one out. All I know is that I want Beatrock Music to be a platform from which community-oriented, socially-aware, and forward-thinking artists can have their voices heard. I want it to be a label that is guided by the artists and the community the artists speak to. I want the label to put out music that influences, motivates, and moves people to take action against the ills of society. (That sounds so cheesy!) But it's true though - this isn't a label that was created to make music for music's sake alone. At the same time, however, I want the label to push creativity and help nurture artists' growth.

ARE YOU GOING TO STAY WITHIN THE HIP HOP GENRE OR BRANCH OUT TO OTHER TYPES OF MUSIC?

I've been a Hip Hop knucklehead all my life. I think the only reason I'm able to make beats is because I know how Hip Hop should sound. I don't know how to play any instruments. I just basically take other types of music and make it sound like Hip Hop. So, even if I tried to make music of other genres, it'd probably just end up sounding like Hip Hop. I'd love the label to branch out, though.

WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?

I listen to certain producers for inspiration. Nowadays it's Exile, DJ Khalil, and Jake One mainly. In the past it's been all types of producers: Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Alchemist, Dilla, Da Beatminerz, No I.D., J-Swift, Kanye, Madlib, Just Blaze, Eclipse 427, JT The Bigga Figga, Khayree, Organized Noize, 9th Wonder, Prince Paul, Large Professor, Rza.... the list goes on and on. The producers on ...Paper Cuts... and ...Exact Change... have all hella influenced and inspired me. I got to work a lot with Mister REY on the new Power Struggle record. He hella inspired me. Gammaray has been an influence and inspiration from day one.

IS THERE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU'D LIKE TO WORK WITH?

I've been blessed to be able to work with some of my favorite emcees/Hip Hop heroes already: T-Know of the CounterParts, Bambu (I remember being jealous of DJ Phatrick [Bambu's DJ] for being an East Asian DJ down with him. I recently told Phatrick that hella drunk one night. It was pretty embarassing.), and Geologic of the Blue Scholars (you can also add him to my list of who I'd like to work with; it would be an honor to have him to a Prometheus Brown project on Beatrock Music).

The one specific emcee I want to work with is BWAN. We actually plan to release his first full-length album on Beatrock Music. BWAN is a ridiculously talented rapper. I first heard him on an EP Mister Rey gave me back when Rey, Nomi, and I started to record Remittances. You can hear BWAN on "3 Basic Problems" (on Remittances). I think people are really going to fall in love with BWAN's delivery when they hear that song. Dude is vicious!

There are also quite a few producers I'd like to team up with. DJ Phatrick and I have been talking about doing a record together. I personally want to call it "The Phfats" but we haven't really talked about a name or even what the record will be like at all. 6Fingers just moved down to LA. I'd love to collaborate with that dude. I feel like just being in the same studio with him would probably make me a better producer.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU AND THE LABEL IN 2010?

Well, first was ...paper cuts... by Bambu, then we'll release Remittances by Power Struggle in the Spring, then we're releasing a free mixtape from Otayo Dubb called So Opinionated to get people ready for his solo album, which will hopefully be released in the Summer/Fall. We also have a Mass Movement mixtape in the making that will feature a whole bunch of talented local artists like Aidge 34 of the Aesthetics crew, Broken Halos, The Committee, Shining Songs, Rhythm Natives (hopefully), and many others. There are a few more projects slated for 2010/early 2011, but I can't give it all away yet though! What I can tell you is that we have some really big things on the horizon.

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORKING ON MUSIC?

I am a medical student at UCLA. I basically have to study all the time.

WHEN BEATROCK MUSIC STARTED, YOU WERE ON YOUR SECOND LEAVE FROM MED SCHOOL. YOU WENT BACK? WHY?

Well, that was probably one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. Remember how I was talking about how I want Beatrock Music to be a label that pushes social awareness, action and change, etc? Well, my initial goal when I decided to pursue a career in medicine was somewhat along the same lines. My goal was to become a doctor in order to help serve the under-served. I wanted to open a free clinic in some city and serve folks who can't afford heathcare. To me, being a doctor is one of those professions that enables you to have a direct, hands-on impact on the community you serve. But, at the same time, I feel music and cultural activism can create an impact just as invaluable. So I feel both pathways will allow me to do the type of things I'd like to accomplish in life. So, why go back? Well, music will always be there, no doubt. Med school will not. If I didn't go back now, I would have missed this opportunity forever. Also, I feel like the groundwork has now been laid for Beatrock Music. I feel very comfortable taking a step back and having the artists take the lead. Like I said before, I want the label to be spearheaded by the artists and directed by the communities they are a part of. Also, if I ever do become a licensed physician it sure will be nice to have a disposable income to help fund some of these projects. In the meantime, please send investors our way! Haha.

Though the focus of our e-zine is surveying one's relationship with Los Angeles, I felt that I diverted from that with Fatgums. It's not because of his loyalty for his hometown, or his rationalization of independent music succeeding better there than here, but because I was so engaged in the thought of 'living what you love'. I got that from him. Through his answers, and through his analogy of medicine and music. I never thought those two could go together. But it has, and I'll be proud to say that it's all starting here in LA.

by triciaCA

Bambu on Soul Assasins Radio

Bam doing his thang thang with DJ Muggs and Mr. Choc on Soul Assasins Radio, make sure and peep his freestyle at the end..



-Tadillac

Bambu's New EP "Paper Cuts" Drops Today

Congrats to Mass Movement's own Fatgums for releasing another EP off his label Beatrock Music . Bambu's new EP "Paper Cuts" hit stores today. The EP is packed with guest features including Geo from Blue Scholars, Thurzday of U-N-I, and Malcolm & Martin. Go here for details on all the tracks. Cop it now at Beatrock Music or download it on itunes.

Here's my favorite joint off the EP produced by my JA brethren Fatgums:

The Queen is Dead - Bambu

DOWNLOAD

-Tadillac

Blood Of My Heart - Power Struggle Feat. Denizen Kane

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, here's a new track from Power Struggle off their upcoming album "Remittances", which is set to be released in March on Beatrock Music. The homie Nomi continues to be one of my favorite MCs as he brings that heavy Mid-West poetry that is both honest and powerful.

Blood of My Heart - Power Struggle Feat. Denizen Kane and Big Drew, Prod. by Fatgums

DOWNLOAD

I've been dying for this damn album to drop!!!

Click HERE to download a sampler of the album.

-Tadillac

Behind-The-Scenes of Bambu's "Slow Down" Video Shoot *MMTV Exclusive*

Last week I went over to IMIX Bookstore in Eagle Rock where Bambu and Geo were shooting a video for "Slow Down", a track off of Bambu's upcoming EP Paper Cuts, which will be dropping on 2/23 on Beatrock Music. I honestly just wanted to hang out since there were so many folks there but after Bam laced me with this I had to go to the trunk and get the gun. I gotta be the only filmmaker who will work for clothes (and shoes, in case you were wondering).




The Bambu camp also just released a new electronic press kit (EPK) which has a lot of footage shot by me and ET. The piece was directed by Erica Eng and cut by Joel Bunavista.



-Tadillac

DARK SIDE OF OZ

-ROOTS

ZOOANTHROMORPHIA

and here's what to expect at this upcoming solo art show at beatrock in long beach. besides water color, i'm also showing some mixed media paintings, drawings, intaglio prints, and some scuptures:).

Not Having Enough Money

A little venting and frustration through the words of Mr. Louis C.K.

-Chris G.

MARK CANTO Solo Art Show @ BEATROCK this Saturday!

"ZOOANTHROMORPHIA"
Solo art show featuring recent works by MARK CANTO

A retrospective body of work in various disciplines predominantly drawing, mixed media painting, watercolor, intaglio and sculptures.

WHERE: Beatrock Store & Art Gallery, 4158 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA
WHEN: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 6:30-9:30pm

for more info:
rootskalibre.blogspot.com
beatrock.com

See you there!