Take the time and enjoy a Dilla track or 2. We’ve all been blessed to witness a movement in music history with this man’s gift. Be inspired, create, and leave your mark on the world. I hope to have an impact as J Dilla’s music did on me.  Please check out the J Dilla Foundation.

Thank you James Yancey aka J Dilla.

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J Dilla – Think Twice (Welcome To Detroit)

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The Pharcyde – Runnin’ (Labcabincalifornia)

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J Dilla – Make’em NV (Ruff Draft)

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J Dilla – Dilla Says Go (Donuts)

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Jaylib – Starz (Champion Sound)

I’M NOT PLAYING…BUY THIS SH*T NOW! Ok, I’d heard the buzz about Strong Arm Steady’s (Krondon, Phil Da Agony, & Mitchy Slick) In Search Of Stoney Jackson, but it was the midnight release and in-store performance at Fat Beats that pushed me over the edge. (If you haven’t seen it, google that sh*t. I would have paid for that show.) Earlier that day a Strong Arm Steady podcast mixed by House Shoes and J. Rocc was dropped with all the extras. I bought the album that night and bumped it all the way home. Even took the long way. I can’t say anything bad about In Search Of Stoney Jackson; every track is a banger. Funky beats by Madlib, hard-hitting lyricism by Strong Arm Steady, and guest appearances by Phonte, Planet Asia, Tri-State, Fashawn, Talib Kweli, Oh On, Evidence, & more mean there’s no way this could be a bad album. Stop what you’re doing and go buy In Search Of Stoney Jackson! I got mine at Fat Beats. BIG thanks to Strong Arm Steady and Madlib for making great music. You cats set the bar high.

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Strong Arm Steady – New Love ft. Planet Asia & Tri-State

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Strong Arm Steady – Two Pistols ft. Mitchy Slick

I got Mochilla’s email newsletter about their upcoming event, and saw this flyer. I caught Madlib, Coleman & B+’s names first, and was like “that’s what I’m doing” before I saw the date. I continued to read the rest of the email. Real talk, I had no clue who Hypnotic Brass Ensemble was, so I did my homework. I watched this YouTube video on them, and was floored. I hope you watched that video and bought a ticket, because I think it’s going to be a packed house. Catch some more background and videos on VTech Music. Buy your tickets online at TicketWeb. You can try to hit the door the day of, but I’m not trying it. BIG thanks to Mochilla for keeping me in the loop. See you cats there!

The Echoplex

1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles

9:30pm-2am | 21 & over

Presale $15, at the door $20

For more info check out attheecho.com or mochilla.com.

I first got wind of this cat Rick Hughes from the track In My City off Cali Co-op, and a few folks I’ve talked with dropped his name in conversations. But what made me really pay attention was an email I got from Camille about her post on Arize Magazine’s site. I chatted with her on twitter about it, and Camille told me she was all about getting good music heard. I was down for that, and the tracks she sent were good. Rick Hughes has worked with a gang of people from Kid Boogie to Oh On, so I’d keep a close eye on this cat. Rick, keep making moves…and rep’n the I.E. Download all 5 tracks here. BIG thanks Camille for keeping my ears open.

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Elzhi & William S. – In My City (prod. by Rick Hughes) Download

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Mykestro – We Major (prod. by Rick Hughes) Download

THIS IS THE EVENT TO BE AT!!!! For reals. Mark September 5th on your calendars now. The main event is going to be kicked off at Fatbeats to rock the compilation Starship 27. There will be featured DJ sets by J1 aka The DEER & Houseshoes. Live beat set by Dibia$e & Snowman Jack (Devonwho hope you can make it), and another DJ set by Teeko & Max Kane. They are giving out free Starship 27 copies to the first 50 people! And of course free beer and lots of Fatbeats merchandise to check out.  It’s going to be a packed house, but the party don’t stop there.

BOOMBOX is hosting the Starship 27 album release party. Boombox usually throws banging events anyways, but they are making this extra special with the lineup they got. Dam Funk, Houseshoes, J1, and hosted by Oddisee! Can you say off the HOOK?! Just check the flyer for the rest of the dope cats. To top it off they are going to have some crazy visuals by my man Moonsatellite. Not much else to  say but GO! September 5th is going down in LA history as the day Starship 27 blasted off, so hop on because it’s going to be a great ride! BIG thanks to GroWeyez for making things happen behind the scene.

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FAT BEATS 6pm – 8pm
7600 Melrose Ave. Ste. J 2nd Flr

Los Angeles, Ca

tel: 323-655-8997

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BOOMBOX - Grand Star 9:30pm – 2am

943 Sun Mun Way (N. Broadway)

Los Angeles, Ca

tel: 213-626-2285

open: 9:30 PM – 2:00 AM, age: 21+

cover: $5  before 10:30PM & $10 after

The Root Down knows how to bring the people out, and is always delivering the goodness. This Thursday Aloe Blacc is in the house. You may know him from Emanon (Aloe & Exile), his solo album Shine Through, or from hosting the Do-over on Sundays. Either way you’ll be glad you went.

THURSDAY, July 9th, 9PM – 2AM

age: 21+, & $5 b4 10:30 $7 after

El Cid

4212 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029

tel: 323.668.0318

For more info check El Cid or The Root Down

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 a few days away, one of the biggest music festivals is gearing up to happen. COACHELLA. Three Days of music goodness in the I.E.! To set it off the headliner on the 17th is Sir Paul McCartney. If you’re trying to figure out who he is, you’ve been living under a rock. The Beatles, or think Danger Mouse Gray album. If you are wondering where the hip hop is, it’s in there! Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw), Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco, Public Enemy, Clipse, and K’naan just to name a few. Check out who you want to see and what day they’ll be on and get going. You might even catch another act that you’ll love.

If you can’t make it check out AT&T’s live broadcast for some of the performances.

For more details head to Coachella.com

Yes I’ve been sleeping on this, but ears are wide open. I got an email from Dub MD Promotions and this track was in it. I replied with a thanks and will get to it. Well when I did, I was like wow that’s hot. Madlib makes some bangers, but this cat Cyrano gives a good balance to the beat. With the addition of Silent Knight this track will end up on your heavy rotation playlist. On April 13th check for Dub MD & Cyrano aka Cy Yung presents “Madicinal Libationz: Flow Springz Eternal. BIG thanks to Dub MD for shooting it over. Check out the other mixtapes Cyrano aka Cy Yung is rocking on MySpace.

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Cyrano – Forcefeel ft. SiLent Knight, prod. By Madlib

This is a cool track and cover art. Washington DC group Damu The Fudgemunk takes a Madvillain ( Madlib x MF Doom) track from Madvillain and puts their own spin on it. The download also comes we a couple of beat making videos and more cover art. Check it out. BIG thanks to URB tweeting about this one. Download the track here.

Damu The Fudgemunk on MySpace

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Damu The Fudgemunk – Beat Grinder (Madvillain ReVISIONS project)