Tag Archives: wu-tang clan
Hip Hop festival Rock The Bells | Best Line Up Yet!
Posted on 20. Aug, 2010 by JD.
Chang Weisberg is aware that the natural thing to do in this situation is count his blessings.
Rock the Bells, the traveling hip-hop festival he founded, is recognized as the most consistently successful tour of its kind: a beacon to fans of indie-leaning and old school rap with a track record of safety and high sound quality that stands virtually alone among hip-hop arena tours. As the annual fest enters its seventh year – at a time when the concert industry has been rocked by declining revenues, cancelled tours and widespread hand-wringing – ticket sales have already exceeded expectations with more than 20,000 tickets pre-sold in each of the major markets Rock the Bells will reach (including San Bernadino’s NOS Event Center, where the tour kicks off on Aug. 21).
But Weisberg, founder and head honcho of the Pomona-based concert promotions and marketing firm Guerilla Union, hasn’t been able to ignore the broadsides from fans outraged by his decision to significantly downsize the tour for 2010.
“We have a lot of fans upset at Rock the Bells this year,” the promoter acknowledged. “Last year we were in eight markets and this year, we’re in four.”
Previous years have seen the festival book as many as three times more dates and travel to smaller cities including Honolulu, Minneapolis, Myrtle Beach, SC and Columbia, MD. In addition to the NOS Event Center engagement, Rock the Bells 2010 will reach San Francisco’s Shoreline Amphitheater, Governor’s Island in New York and Washington, DC’s Merriweather Post Pavillion.
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The festival reliably showcases many of the genre’s most beloved acts alongside a Who’s Who of hip-hop up-and-comers. But in another shift from established policy, this year’s Rock the Bells will feature several rap luminaries performing their classic albums in their entirety: Long Beach gangsta doyen Snoop Dogg running through his 1993 debut “Doggystyle,” A Tribe Called Quest doing its classic LP “Midnight Marauders,” the many tentacled Staten Island collective Wu-Tang Clan reuniting to perform “Enter the 36 Chambers,” (with fallen member Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s eldest son, Boy Jones, subbing for his father) and influential British-America rhyme-spitter Slick Rick performing “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.” Then there’s what amounts to a three-date mini-comeback by reclusive rap-R&B diva Lauryn Hill – but more on that later.
To chatroom commenters across a grumpy hip-hop nation, the sense of loss remains acute.
“They did a horrible job organizing this event this year,” wrote a commenter on okayplayer.com. “They screwed a lot of cities over.”
“Only four cities? maybe this is a trial run to see if hiphop is dead,” reads a post on deephousepage.com.
To hear it from Weisberg — who launched Rock the Bells in Southern California by refinancing his house in 2004 and morphed it into a touring fest in 2007 — the decision to scale down this year has not been entered into lightly. The choice comes after conducting years of field research and trying to grow the festival on the road. Not, as some haters have grumbled, because of lax organization or Rock the Bells caving in to the soft economy.
“It’s not physically possible to recreate the show we do 12 times across North America. And we tried,” Weisberg said. “I don’t know that the audience is there in Boston, Chicago, Miami, Denver or Toronto. The markets are not capable of sustaining a hip-hop show of this magintude.”
As the concert promoter explains it, by limiting Rock the Bells to just four markets, each date on the tour becomes a destination event a la the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival or Lollapalooza, the type of blockbuster, multi-day summer music festivals Weisberg hopes to one day build Rock the Bells into.
“The LA show gets people from all 50 states,” he said. “In New York, ridiculous amounts of people come from Europe. In DC, you get the southern states pluse the midwest. You can’t get 20,000 hip-hop lovers to an event without some out of market support.”
In addition to such emerging rap talents on the line-up as Yelawolf, Wiz Khalifa and Jedi Mind Tricks, sure to be a big factor in that kind of market support this year will be “special guest” Lauryn Hill.
As hip-hop heads have never forgotten, L-Boogie (as she was known as a lead singer of the Fugees) became a solo phenom with the multi-platinum-selling release of her 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” – a nimble rapper and soulful R&B chanteuse with a multiple-octave register whose musical talents were only matched by her beauty. But at the apex of her success – after selling some 8 million albums and collecting five Grammys — Hill seemed to grow disenchanted with music. And her behavior grew increasingly erratic. She began demanding that people address her as “Empress,” quoting scripture at public events like the Grammys and even declared herself “crazy and deranged” in a between-song rant on her 2001 CD “MTV Unplugged No. 2.0.”
For the last decade, the rapper-singer shied away from the public eye to raise her five children, although fan ardor never diminished. In that light, Rock the Bells can be seen as an attempt to return to form, a sustained commitment by Hill to reestablish her pop stardom.
According to Benjamin Meadows-Ingram, senior editor of XXL magazine, the festival has done well by catering to an under-serviced market: a constituency of “longtime hip-hop heads” overlooked by most other traveling hip-hop shows.
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“There’s real excitement about this year’s line-up. About this packaging of artists doing full albums,” Meadows-Ingram said. “What Rock the Bells promises, it’s consistently delivered. It seems to be a very well conceived and executed appreciation of what a lot of people consider to be ‘real’ hip-hop.”
At a press conference for the fest in May, an MC on this year’s bill, Supernatural, couched its appeal in a different way.
“Every year at Rock the Bells, you can expect one thing and that’s high level, high quality music. That’s never a question,” Supernatural said. “If any of have ever read comic books, Rock the Bells is like ‘Marvel Universe.’ It’s the greatest collection of super heroes ever brought under one roof.”
– Chris Lee Thanks LA TIMES
Photo: Lauryn Hill in 2005. Credit: Associated Press
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Rock The Bells Festival 2010, its here..
Posted on 20. Aug, 2010 by JD.
Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Slick Rick, Rakim, KRS-One, Street Sweeper Social Club, Murs & 9th Wonder, Wiz Khalifa, Clipse, Immortal Technique, Brother Ali, Jedi Mind Tricks, Supernatural, DJ Muggs with Ill Bill, Big Sean, Yelawolf, DJ Rocky Rock
Plus very special guest Ms. Lauryn Hill
YouTube – rock the bells festival 2010.
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Ed Lover, Still Hustlin’ 15 Years After “Yo! MTV Raps”
Posted on 18. Aug, 2010 by JD.
Ed Lover, Still Hustlin’ 15 Years After “Yo! MTV Raps”
Casual hip-hop heads might only know Ed Lover for his radio stints with Hot 97 and now Power 105.1 FM or even his comical new web series, “C’Mon Son,” but that man’s history in the game is much deeper than that. Alongside longtime partner Doctor Dre—and Fab 5 Freddy—Ed co-hostedYo! MTV Raps which served as the premiere program for the nation’s dose of hip-hop videos and artist profiles. During its seven-year run, the show featured memorable interviews with the likes of2Pac, Wu-Tang Clan and Naughty By Nature, among others.
Since then Ed has evolved into a regular fixture in hip-hop, as the Queens, NY native brings his levelheaded and insightful humor to the world of celebrity news and gossip for a much-needed reality check to the madness that is “Hollyweird.” With today (August 17) marking the 15th anniversary of the final episode of Yo! MTV Raps, XXLMag.com caught up with the former-rapper-turned-media-maverick to reminisce on hip-hop, talk radio politics and air out a few stars like Chris Rock and Will Smith for abandoning the urban audience. It’s no holds barred.
XXLMag.com: One of the reasons why Internet radio is so popular these days is because many people complain that traditional radio plays the same songs all day everyday. Do you see that situation as something that’s hurting hip-hop radio?
Ed Lover: Radio is a huge business and owned by corporate America. Once it becomes a business then they will do what they feel is right for their business like any corporation. So with radio the bottom line is making money. They will play the hits that drives people to the radio station. They are not there to break records. If it’s a hit they will play it.
XXLMag.com: Many years ago there were radio stations that would break new artists and introduce people to the latest underground sound making waves. So do you feel that the corporate ownership is hindering the evolution of hip-hop music?
Ed Lover: I think it’s bad for independent artists but I also think that cream always rises to the top. So if you got something hot it won’t be hard for you to make it. I don’t understand how people can have that attitude about anything when artists like 50 Cent and Drake come out of nowhere and they become big stars.
XXLMag.com: Some people suspect that stars like that usually have the support of payola systems to help them breakthrough. So how prevalent do you find that to be during your years of radio?
Ed Lover: I’ve had people approach me for payola but I won’t lose my lucrative job for a little bit of money for a record; that doesn’t make sense. I’ve never seen it going on but I’m quite sure it does. Maybe I turn a blind eye to it but I don’t deal in that arena with people that do that.
XXLMag.com: Another issue with radio is the fact that we have many DJ’s, most visibly DJ Khaled who are now also stepping out in front of the scenes. You’ve also done that in your career so do you feel like that should be a non-issue?
Ed Lover: I don’t see anything wrong with being more than what you are at the time. I’ve known [DJ] Khaled since he was selling bootleg cell phones. So for him to do what he’s doing is wonderful. He has the personality and skills and knows good music. What I think is wrong is people trying to copy and not finding their own way. I think the DJ goes from breaking records and giving other artists a chance to being more concerned with his own music and projects, and that’s what most [people] complain about. I don’t think [DJ] Khaled is guilty of any of that but I think certain DJ’s are guilty of that. That’s where the problem lies and that’s why Jermaine Dupri had something to say about DJ’s a couple of years ago.
XXLMag.com: Would you put out a single or album again?
Ed Lover: If I did record something—sometimes I do get the itch to record—it would have to be something special like a parody record or up-tempo club record. I think Jay-Z has the 40-year-old market on lock and I’m not as good as him. So I will leave it alone to the people that do it best.
XXLMag.com: Sometimes when celebrities crossover into the mainstream market they forget the urban audience that helped make them stars. Do you find that a lot of celebrities are still open to urban radio?
Ed Lover: I haven’t had problems with the artists. I’ve had more problems with these Black stars who do movies and feel like they don’t need to talk to their audience anymore. That’s ridiculous. I’m in the No. 1 market in the country, New York City, and Chris Rock will do Good Morning America, but not radio. It could be them saying it or the point people for their project making the decision. Will Smith has yet to come through and I don’t know what that’s all about. You would think he’d say that’s my man Ed, so let me visit him. I don’t understand when you feel like you bigger than urban radio. We blindly follow everything so if the audience puts the pressure like you don’t support the urban market then we won’t go to your movies, they will change their mind. As long as we follow they will do whatever they want to do.
XXLMag.com: In your “C’Mon Son” Web series you regularly talk about celebrities the same way bloggers do. What do you think of celebrities who are sensitive to anyone who says anything negative about them and choose to publicly retaliate?
Ed Lover: I think it’s ridiculous since everybody has their opinion. You got to remember everybody won’t like everything. When I first did “C’Mon Son,” people said some things that could have really hurt my feelings but you won’t please everybody. So you look ridiculous yelling about somebody hating. There’s a difference between hating and not liking something. If you have no campaign to shut that person down then you’re not hating on them. People don’t know that there’s a difference
XXLMag.com: What is up next for you?
Ed Lover: Right now I’m working on taking the Web series to national television. It will be the same format but with some skits involved in it. I’m also doing my radio and just doing my best. I got lucky to make a living in hip-hop. —Souleo
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Rock The Bells 2010 LINE UP UPDATES
Posted on 10. Jun, 2010 by JD.
It’s offical! This is going to be the best Hip Hop Festival this summer. Go pick up your Tickets now!! on www.guerillaunion.com Your Boy is going to be Hosting this Festival thru out the nation. WESTCOAST STAND UP. Im Gonna show them how we do it! Keepin it Turntablism style. Godbless and see you there your boy -DJ ROCKY ROCK
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ROCK THE BELLS 2010 FESTIVAL SERIES ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO THE ALL-STAR LINE UP: SNOOP DOGG PERFORMING DEBUT ALBUM ‘DOGGYSTYLE’ A TRIBE CALLED QUEST PERFORMING ‘MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS’ PLUS DJ PREMIER PERFORMS TRIBUTE TO GANG STARR AND VERY SPECIAL GUEST: MS. LAURYN HILL
JUNE 8, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FR: GUERILLA UNION
ROCK THE BELLS 2010 FESTIVAL SERIES ANNOUNCES
ADDITIONS TO THE ALL-STAR LINE UP:
SNOOP DOGG PERFORMING DEBUT ALBUM ‘DOGGYSTYLE’
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST PERFORMING ‘MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS’
PLUS DJ PREMIER PERFORMS TRIBUTE TO GANG STARR
AND VERY SPECIAL GUEST: MS. LAURYN HILL
TICKETS ON-SALE BEGINNING JUNE 12 AT TICKETFLY.COM
MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!
Guerilla Union, the promoter for the ROCK THE BELLS 2010 FESTIVAL SERIES, has unveiled the latest artist additions to the previously announced stellar line-up of performers featuring headliners Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, KRS-One, Slick Rick and more.
Making his first ever appearance on the ROCK THE BELLS stage, Snoop Dogg will co-headline in San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C. performing for the first time his debut album, Doggystyle, in its entirety. The 1993 Death Row Records release went quadruple platinum and has since made influential albums lists including Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of Essential Recordings of the 90’s and The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums. This historic set will feature guest performances by Warren G,Tha Dogg Pound, Lady of Rage and RBX. Alternative hip hop luminaries, A Tribe Called Quest, are slated to perform their coveted third album, Midnight Marauders, from beginning to end. The 1993 release was the highly anticipated, up-tempo follow up to The Low End Theory achieving critical and commercial success. Legendary producer, DJ and co-founder of revolutionary hip hop group, Gang Starr, DJ Premier will make a special appearance to celebrate the life and work of fellow Gang Starr collaborator, MC Guru. This special tribute comes in the wake of Guru’s untimely passing to cancer on April 19, 2010. The innovative duo is largely credited for pioneering the hip hop sound of the 90’s mixing jazz, funk and soul. As a very special guest, Grammy Award-winning recording artist, musician and actress, Lauryn Hill will take the stage in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. A unique set will be prepared exclusively for ROCK THE BELLS featuring songs from her critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, spanning through her work with The Fugees and more. In 1998, Lauryn Hill set record-breaking sales with the release of Miseducation. Going on to set a new record the following year, Ms. Hill became the first woman to win five Grammys in one night. Tickets for all markets will be available at www.TicketFly.com. An exclusive pre-sale for Guerilla Union newsletter subscribers will begin this Friday, June 11.Tickets for Los Angeles and New York will go on sale to the general public June 12. Tickets for San Francisco and Washington, D.C. will go on sale the following week on June 19. Please check www.rockthebells.net for exact line-up and ticketing information for each city.
“This is one of those rare shows that lives up to the promise,” states Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union. “It’s such a massive blessing to have all of these amazing performers embrace the opportunity to celebrate and unite everyone that loves Hip Hop. I woke up this morning and asked my son to pinch me because I could not believe it myself. This kind of show happens only once in a lifetime. It’s a serious piece of live music history. All these records in one day? Some of the greatest records ever. I can’t wait to see it!”
“Festivals the size and caliber of this year’s ROCK THE BELLS are rare and difficult to assemble,” adds Weisberg about the decision to visit four cities this year. “We know that there are a lot of fans from other markets disappointed that ROCK THE BELLS isn’t stopping in their city this year. Hopefully, those fans can travel to one of the four destination cities or support one of our more intimate shows that we’re planning for the fall.” Guerilla Union encourages fans to stay tuned as there will be more announcements in the coming weeks.
www.rockthebells.net
www.myspace.com/rockthebells
www.facebook.com/rockthebellsfestival
www.twitter.com/rockthebells
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SUPERNATURAL freestyles the 2010 Rock The Bells line up
Posted on 26. May, 2010 by JD.
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