This is the long awaited video to the song Home by Jake One.  This song is off his debut album White Van Music which was released last October by Rhymesayers Entertainment.  It’s about Jake One’s hometown Seattle and showcases the city through great camera work and angles instead of featuring the typical tourist attractions and locales- all thanks to great directing by Zia Mohajerjasbi.  The video even includes a cameo by Seattle native Sir Mix-A-Lot. The song features MC’s Vitamin D, Note, Maneak B and Ish.   This jam definitely makes you homesick. Check out White Van Music, and Jake One on MySpace.

This is Beats+Crates 100th post and it’s only fitting that it is for a special event, Jay $tay Paid. Please take the time to read about Ma Dukes battle with Dilla’s legacy and her health. If you still haven’t discovered the genius of J Dilla, think of your favorite artist, and Dilla has most likely done a track for/with them. Come out and show your support to Dilla (G.O.A.T.). All proceeds go to Ma Dukes Yancey! Jay $tay Paid in stores June 2nd on Nature Sounds Records. BIG thanks for Fusicology for keeping the party going.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009
open: 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM, age: 21+
cover: $5.00 & $5 before 11PM & $10 after 11PM

Grand Star
943 Sun Mun Way (N. Broadway), Los Angeles, tel: 213-626-2285

For more info email Break Atoms or head to Grand Star site.
Check out: Stones Throw, Nature Sounds, and Fusicology

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J Dilla – Reality Check (ft. Black Thought)

Just when you think your weekend is coming to a close, and you didn’t rock it like you thought. Well you’ve got the Do-Over, every Sunday! Ladies get your summer dresses on, Fellas break out your summer fedora and get your groove on. Hosted by Aloe Blacc, Strong, & Haycock and always have a special guest roll through. So turn your Sundays into your weekend highlights. BIG thanks to Fusicology for keeping the party going.

2:00 PM – 9:00 PM, age: 21+, cover: FREE

For more info click here to check out the Do-Over. If you dig the Crane’s Hollywood Tavern check them out on MySpace.

I’ve got a little time these days to put the ipod on shuffle, and check out whats on it. It’s cool that I can rediscover stuff that’s been on there for days, or a track I’ve played once. I do want to say the music I bought, stuff everyone sends me, and found i appreciate ever bit of it. Thanks to everyone out there makin it happen. Hip Hop never dies…It just gets slept on, and hopefully I can open some ears.

• J Dilla – Anti-American Graffiti
• U-N-I & Ro Blvd. – Hollywood Hiatus
• Pac Div  -Pac Div
• fLako – Failure
• Dom Kennedy – Runnin Out
• Vast Aire – Graveyard Shift (ft. Genesis)
• Serius Jones – Good Guy
• Pheo. – Say You Ill
• The Mighty! – LAST NIGHT
• J1 – gloria

Ok I got this bangin track “Monie Love” in my  heavy rotation playlist. Sometimes I get into the groove and forget that I’ve got Beats+Crates to post my finds. Well this is one of them. I was diggin around for some L.A. Sympth and ran across Cookbook & Uno Mas’ album they just put out called The Overflow. I was diggin it because it still had a little hint of L.A. Sympth in there, but clearly a Cook & Uno record. When I got to “Monie Love,” my iPod went straight to repeat. Blazin HOT track. Download The Overflow here and check Cook & Uno on MySpace.

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Cook & Uno -Monie Love (ft. Joey the Jerk)

Always something going on in L.A. poeple. Soul Sessions goes down every second & fourth Friday of each month. This Friday Soul Sessions is in full effect wit DJ Icy Ice, so break out yo dancin shoes and head to Chinatown for some Funk, Soul, and Hip Hop action.

age: 21+, door: not sure, but bring a $1o spot just in case, and opens: at 9pm

GRAND STAR JAZZ CLUB
943. N Broadway, Los Angeles 90012 (Chinatown)

For more info check Soul Sessions or Grand Star’s web sites.

I’ve been rockin “Forever Yung” for a few days trying to think who Draft sounds like, or someone to compare him to. No luck because this cat is in a class of his own. The closest person I can compare him to is Bill Withers with his real story telling and rhythmic flows. J-Haze brings some bangin beats and classic samples like on “Let’s Roll.” The combo of Draft and J-Haze makes “Forever Yung” a banger. Download this dope EP here and check out Draft and J-Haze on MySpace.

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Draft – Early and Late

Not much to say about a classic except watch it, and get yo dance on. Jones’n for more Camp Lo? Check out CampLo.net and peep them out on MySpace.

Do you remember the first time you heard a De La Soul album? How about when you went to the record store, picked up an album because the cover was cool, and it turned out to be one of your favorites? Well Rhyming Dictionary is that album. Beat makers Erik L. and Illingsworth produce a dope album, and on top of that Detroit Cydi (Can You Dig It?!)  spits some smooth lyrics making this an instant classic. Download Rhyming Dictionary and you’ll be dancing to it before you know it. BIG thanks to Illingsworth for keeping me in the know.

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Detroit Cydi – Too Cool

There are lots of charities out there to pick from, but this one caught my eye right a way. BIG thanks to Nate for checking out Playing for Change and getting Beats+Crates informed. Here’s a quick video to explain Playing for Change. For more information check out PlayingForChange.org or PlayingForChange.com. Thanks you