Weekend Rap

Had a pretty busy weekend. Started off by checking out art show. It was overwhelming! So many friends, and just people in general. Many a pretty person there, and some cool art to boot. Don't worry if you missed this, you can still stop by the Luggage store Wednesday thru Saturday 12 - 5 pm. If you haven't gotten a chance to pick up the Hot and Cold Magazine, contact Chris chris@keepsakesociety.com or Griffin griffin@keepsakesociety.com. It's $30 and they are really proud of it. Amy and Richard (the Roadie) at 1984 Printing (http://www.1984printing.com/) worked hard printing the majority of these magazines up, and they look great.

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Another night partying on sketchy sixth street in SoMa. Mike Thorn's photo here makes it look like New York or something, though. It's sometimes hard to imagine the plethora of tourists and suits a mere two blocks away from this seedy area.

Challenger was, per usual, good times. My personal fav song of the night that we played was prob "Speedin" by Rick Ross and R. Kelly. I already dug the song, but I was quickly reminded of what a rad jam it was when hearing it over the system. Speaking of the system, there were some unfortunate technical difficulties, and hopefully they'll/we'll have that worked out before next time.

Party Photos by Ashley Brianna

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Really came out on top at the record swap in Oakland - paid $10 for Quicksand "Slip" LP w/ Smiths cover. Paid $15 for Swiz "Hell Yes, I Cheated" 12". Was on an unexpected East Coast Hardcore kick this day. Besides the aforementioned, I got the other two OG YOT records I didn't have, 1st Wrecking Crew LP, 1st Slapshot 12", 1st SOIA LP, Quicksand "Manic Compression" - all these for $5-15 each. Grabbed OG copy of "The Evil One" by Roky Erickson, Dead Moon "Crack in the System" LP, as well as Augustus Pablo, David Bowie and Byrds LP. Skipped over OG press of Turbonegro "Apocalypse Dudes", missed "Nightfall" by Candlemass, already had Cro Mags "Age of Quarrel" (great copy went for $20).

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Had fun time at the Soul Knockout, as always. Our ballroom dancers made a briefer than usual
appearance (I was running unusually late), and a couple friends were able to come out and see us play for the first time - one in particular made the trek down from the time forgotten hippie/fishing town of Bolinas. On the way home from dropping E off, I got on 80, only to realize, I didn't have cash in my wallet. I was ready for bed as it was, but got off, got cash in Emeryville. Got back on highway, stopped at toll booth, heard a little beep, drowsily handed my in the direction of the tollbooth lady. Her: "You got Fastrack." Me: "Huh??" *Handing the 20 closer to her.* Her: "You got Fastrack." Me: "Oh, shit."

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Baby Cham show was cool and intimate (75 ppl?). I think that the $30 ticket price kept it intimate, but "big ups" to Sham for hooking it up! Before Baby Cham went on, three or so other dancehall MCs performed, in addition to Irie Dole holding it down on the 1's and 2's. The highlight was the older Jamaican guy named Razorblade. The 1st guy wasn't very good, and he took a cell phone call, sung that he was taking a "cellular" in patois, and then talked on the phone for 20 secs or so before leaving the stage for good.

Leading up to the show, I was curious about what Cham's set list would be like - I was only familiar with his 3 or so singles. And sure enough, those were the only originals he did. For the whole beginning of his set, he did like an autobiographical mix tape of sorts. Performed a set of classics from growing up, beginning with him as a youngster, going into his adulthood. He kept it positive on stage, and had a great presence. That said, there was no lack of ice on his person. He had diamonds on his ring, watch and chain (not one, but two "Cham" chains). He also acappella'd a 16 bar verse that he drops on an upcoming Rick Ross track.

Photos by Mike Thorn