Hippoland Skate Contest!

Thanks to the people over at Born Ugly for keeping me up to date. This weekend the Hippoland Skatepark in Richmond will be hosting a skate contest/"fundrager". It's only $10 to get in, or $10 worth of concrete. The funds collected are to help in some additional construction. I'm sure there will be a good turn out. Stay tuned for pics of the event.

P-NYCE: Hip Hop's Soldier

In order to be successful at anything, consistent hard work is inevitable. Hip Hop is no different. And in this day and age, an artist has to grind from every angle. They have to create albums and mixtapes, release them in the streets and online, then go on the road and do shows, link with DJs and radio stations, all the while getting footage and photos for further promotion . . . and let's not forget, they have to have a solid product. Seldom do I come across a truly independent artist who is able to attack every side.

Fortunatley, seldom does not mean always. P-Nyce came across my radar in a big way. I saw his face on almost every one of VA's hip hop artists I contacted. When I made my way to his page (http://www.myspace.com/nyceman I found so much good quality promo material, I was fixed on his site for over 30 mins!
The promo material (i.e. videos, music, photos, blogs, etc.) also revealed an interesting and compelling artist. Without saying too much, P-Nyce is more then just an artist trying to get on. He is also known as SPC Phillip Harris of the US Army. And on Memorial day, it is only fitting to bring you his music.
This being said, don't expect to hear music drowning with war stories. On the contrary, he makes that feel good music, the kind of music that will contstantly reminds you, go get on your grind!! His lead single, "Bitch I Look Good" is catchy. I mean, you look like an idiot if your not singing the hook with him. Don't believe me, http://www.zshare.net/download/56042168ec6ecea2/

Grab the song there, throw it in your ipod, and let me know.

Wale in Richmond, VA

Wale performed here in Richmond about a month ago. I just came across the high quality video and figured this would be a nice weekend treat! Enjoy. Monday I'm back INSociety! PEACE

Born Ugly!! - The Voice and Visual of the Everyday Skateboarder

Holy shit on a stick! This site is off the hook! In my search to jump into the VA skate scene, these guys have created a site that quenches all my interest. Not to mention there is a sick twist that gives this site some real flavor.

I started my search looking for some artists in VA that designed decks. I found Nowhere Skateboards, designed by James Callahan. I did some research on him and found that he is actually the creator of Barf Comics, which I've heard of when I used to chill at SPOT in Tampa. I think my homeboy Indo or homegirl Peels put me on. Anyway, after checking out some of his work I sent him a email telling him about that I liked his work and was trying to link up.

Nowhere opened up the floodgates, and the next site I found was Born Ugly. This is a skateboard magazine that they release for free in both print and online. I downloaded the .pdf and started going through it. The layout was on some real trippy and warped style, but I came to expect that if Callahan is involved. I knew it was on when I saw their feature article was on VA's notorious, Gilbert Crockett! Man, this guy is a legend. I'm not gonna front like I'm a skater, cause I barely kick push, but this guy's name rings bells. When I told my friends I was coming to VA, they all told me to find this guy.

Click the image to download the free issue of Born Ugly. Check the links I've left you, there is some good stuff in there.

http://bornuglymag.com/

http://www.nowhereskateboards.com/

"I Got Money": Introducing Ace Corleone

http://www.zshare.net/download/601572722961fbe6/

Ok, so you should all know I just touched down in VA. I put the word out to a few DJ's in the area and DJ White Mike was the first to reach out. I told him I was looking to hear some good music and to show me what VA's got. Without even letting him know, he sent me a track that was exactly what I was looking for. That hardcore street shit. I love to hear artist rep their hood articulately. Beats gotta be proper too. I'm not into the bounce, music gotta vibe with me, sort of like a good conversation. 

Enter Ace Corleone and Vybe on the beat. The soulful sample got me hooked from the jump. Introducing Waynesboro as Dub City, Ace jumps right into the hook "I Got Money", same as the title. Yeah, I know, we've heard it before, but Ace let's us know how he got it. Painting VA as a hustle state, with 2 pairs of J's and the piff, Ace goes in; orchestrating his lines with a smooth flow over Vybe's laid back sample. Reppin’ for his team, Ace brags and boasts all over the track, warning the haters, he's not all about stuntin'. 

I’m gonna reach out and try to connect with these guys to bring you some more exclusives, so stay tuned.

This was a good intro to the VA music scene. Now go add them on the myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/acecorleone1

http://www.myspace.com/vanumber1d

"Kinda Like a Big Deal" Memorial Day Weekend

So I got this post on my myspace (www.myspace.com/movingthemovement) about Clipse having a Memorial Day weekend party. I had planned on going down to Miami for "Best of the Best", but I'm in VA now, so I might as well take the opportunity to get out there and kick it with some VA folks. I've always respected the Clipse and their whole Re-Up Gang movement. I've seen Malice and Pusha T a few times when I was living in Tampa. As a matter of fact, if my memory serves me correct, Malice was at the University Mall just chillin and signing some autographs in the food court and police ran up on him and threw them Chanel bracelets on him. Brothers seem humble, everyone there was feelin their vibe. And that was in Tampa, so I can't wait to see how they put it down in their home town.  

Vick leaves prison for home confinement in Va.

It is about time Mike Vick comes home. His case has been an example of how the legal system really doesn’t care who you are. I know so many people on house arrest, or on probation, or released and still on parole. Even though he is a former NFL quarterback, the justice system still has their hands in his life. It has been said that when Vick gets back home he will be putting in 40 hours working construction for $10 per hour! This is the man who was once the highest paid player in the NFL. He will have to check in with his supervising officer on the regular and probably have to piss in a cup every visit. How familiar does this sound? It makes you think about the mistakes we have all made and the consequences we are subjugated to. The fines and fees, the permanent marks on your record, the inconvenience of law visitations . . . and Mike Vick is going through it all. I feel you Vick, keep your head up.  Here is the ESPN story: Vick leaves prison for home confinement in Va.