Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Friday, July 3, 2009

CAL State LA Went Hard: Sharafa Odusanya





The Voice is into highlighting people who do good things. Why not show appreciation for those are out there on their hustle and grind. Meet Sharafa Odusanya the man responsible for ASI of Cal State La Hip Hop and Comedy Fest. Which brought you Drake, Ryan Leslie, UNI, and some great comedians.......Its not everyday you meet a young person who is avidly pursuing their dreams and taking the monumental steps to fulfill them. Applause Please.





What inspired you and ASI to put this concert together?
I really felt that our organization and most importantly our school needed a big event like this for our students. CSULA is a really good school but the only thing that I believe it lacked real big social events that nearby schools like UCLA and USC have. I shared the idea to my fellow students in ASI and my Program Directors and they agreed with me every step of the way in the ideas for this event. With Hip Hop, R & B, and comedy- we just couldn’t go wrong with this event.


What was your favorite performance and comedian? Why?
Honestly, I enjoyed every single second of the show. James and Chris were phenomenal with their comedy. James knew exactly the kind of situations college students deal with and put funny twists on them. What impressed me with Chris was how he could talk about random people in the crowd and keep the usual flow of his comedy set. As for U-N-I and R. Leslie, both of their performances were great and they vibed really well with the crowd. Me being a musician, there’s nothing I enjoy more than good live music and both of those performances had exactly that. Finally Drake had an incredible stage presence during his performance. This was the only full performance that I saw and I was really impressed by how every single word the man said was being recited by the audience.

What can we see in the future from A.S.I?
As always, ASI will continue to represent the students the best ways we can. These times are tough times for California schools in general and ASI will continue to be the student voice on campus as well as statewide. With regards to programming, expect another concert around the same time next year.


How did you become involved in ASI?
I really felt like I needed to get involved at school and I saw possible changes and differences that I can make on campus. So instead of complaining about changes that the university could use, I decided to step up and help contribute to that change.


What is your major?
Business Administration- Marketing

What is your favorite thing to do?
My favorite thing to do is either play basketball or play the drums.


How does ASI help the community?
ASI helps the community in so many ways. The two big ways is through the Child Care Center and through our Environmental Policy Committee. We fund a nearby child care center that many of CSULA students with kids take advantage of. Through our EPC, we encourage environmental awareness around campus and the community.


What’s the best thing about going to CSULA?
The main things I like about CSULA are its diversity and its size. I think the diversity of the school mirrors Los Angeles exactly. I also like how CSULA is not too big so its not hard to develop good relationships with the teachers.



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Sunday, May 24, 2009

San Bernardino Puts On for the IE

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd324/besidone/4337_104806726816_730321816_2385260.jpg?t=1243235709
Credit:CMOORE Photos

It seems that the Inland Empire has began the complete take over. Spring Heat 2009 held May 23rd at the ASU Fox theater brought in hundreds of avid loving music fans. To entertain the crowd and help keep flow of the show, was none other than DJ Tos (well known in the IE for his affiliation with GBS and DJ'ing a party so that it's guaranteed to crack). The lines for those who were slow to get the memo to show up early, had people waiting in line for almost four hours, well worth a ticket only $25.00 dollars to see the most alluring young new rapper and hit maker, "Drake". Drake had the entourage in tow with sound engineer 40, Niko, Future and more. As Drake stepped foot on stage the audience began to roar with young girls screaming and young boys dropping their jaws in awe of the performer live in the Inland Empire. Drake might have stole the show claiming all he needs is a " good California Woman" before "Successful" having females pass out left and right but also set it off with the performance pushing young males to start thinking about how to make their own dreams come true. Audience members rapped every track with Drake, knowing each detailed lyric down to the syllable. How could the famous rapper soon to be great, be right here in the Inland Empire? Tip your hats off ladies and gentleman to 22 year old, Mr. Juan Young C.E.O of Hard 2 Please Entertainment, for your now satisfied Drake addictions. "I wanted to do something to provide quality entertainment and having Drake in the Inland Empire did that. He was great to work with and a blessing to have" said Juan Young. Not only did Drake fans get to see Drake perform but were also given a concert of the Inland Empires upcoming talent such as The Push, Perfect Harmony,Hi Hatts, Sunny Phoenix, Elevate Dance Team, Price, A.D and The Lost City, Finess as well as many more. The event included sponsors and vendors such as an urban clothing line Donut clothing (Do You Not Them) Nelson, one of the founders of the company described the line as "skateboarding with a street vibe, we want our clothing to speak originality, positivity and spirituality". Amongst the many people performing, there were also many big faces in the audience such as recording artist,singer,dancer,rapper and songwriter Teyana Taylor, Justin from Baldwin Hills Season 2,3 and soon 4, recording artist Steph Jones and Raz B of B2K himself. It seems that Hollywood is beginning to notice the Inland Empire and its self created hidden culture filled with the "jerk", colorful skating clothing, divas, beat boys, bangin house and club parties and underground rappers.
Don't sleep on the IE take over, you just might wake up and miss out.


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Credit:CMOORE Photos

For interviews with Teyana Taylor, Steph Jones, Donut Clothing,The Push, and Perfect Harmony check out audio below.


Teyanna Taylor
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd324/besidone/4337_104901791816_730321816_2387317.jpg?t=1243235757
Credit:CMOORE Photos

Teyana Taylor Interview 5.23.09 Spring Heat 09.wav -

Teyana Taylor Official Website Click Here
Teyana Taylor Myspace Click Here


Steph Jones
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd324/besidone/4337_104901806816_730321816_2387320.jpg?t=1243235794
Credit:CMOORE Photos

Steph Jones Interview 5.23.09 Spring Heat 09.wav -

Steph Jones Official Myspace Click Here


Donut Clothing Interview With Co-Founder Nelson




DONUT Clothing 5.23.09 Spring Heat 09.wav -

Donut Clothing Official Blog Click Here
Donut Clothing Store Click Here


The Push
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/73/l_36ba55c138f39694950b099dfb964df9.jpg


The Push Interview 5.23.09.wav -

The Push Official Myspace Click Here


Perfect Harmony

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/83/l_313c177085ae470991781115ac2390f6.jpg

Perfect Harmony Interview 5.23.09 Spring Heat 09.wav -

Perfect Harmony Official Myspace Click Here

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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Heat 09 ft NERD


























































































.....Late But Worth the Wait
Photography by Bethel Moges

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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Drake x Lykke Li // Jay-Z x Santogold


In "Brooklyn (Go Hard)", Jay-Z samples Santogold's "Shove It," for an ode to Brooklyn. And, indeed, it goes hard. The song will be on the soundtrack for "Notorious," the Notorious B.I.G. biopic (in theatres January).


Brooklyn (Go Hard) - Jay-Z


Also, Drake (or Jimmy from Degrassi) has made a cute little remix to Lykke Li's "Little Bit." With a special appearance by that damn auto tune. Can that trend be over already *cough*kanye*cough*? But the auto tune doesn't really take away from the song, so I approve.


Drake & Lykke Li - Little Bit - - Drake & Lykke Li

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Friday, November 7, 2008

The Renaissance


After nearly a decade, Q-tip is back with his new album, The Renaissance. The jazz-infused, vintage hip hop album features Raphael Saadiq, Norah Jones, D'Angelo, and Amanda Diva in what can only be described as an excellent listening experience from beginning to end. Don't sleep.

"You" and "We Fight/We Love" are my fave tracks.

Listen to tracks from The Renaissance on Q-tip's myspace blog here.

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Thursday, October 23, 2008

J*Davey at the Barn Oct. 29th


(photo: http://www.myspace.com/jdavey)


J*Davey, the funk/soul/new-wave duo from Los Angeles is coming to the Barn. The show starts at 7:30pm, with special guests Odd Modern.

Don't miss out!

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Monday, October 20, 2008

The Trifecta of Badassery.

http://www.myspace.com/janellemonae
(photo: ymib.com)

I love artists that step out of the box to do something completely different and out of this world. For awhile now, I’ve been listening to what I call the “holy trifecta” of badass, Afropunk-esque* females shaking up the industry.

One third of this trifecta is Janelle Monae, an Atlanta-based artist who has often been called “the female Andre-3000.” My fave songs are “Violent Stars/Happy Hunting” and “Metropolis.” She grabbed me with her futuristic sound. The girl has some serious talent.


Another is Jack Davey, one half on the Los Angeles retro-funk duo, J*Davey. Jack Davey is a vixen with a lot of attitude, just listen to any of the sex-filled lyrics over synths and drum machines and you’ll see why. Make sure you check out J*Davey when they perform October 29th at the Barn! 7:30pm.



Lastly, there is Santogold. You may have seen her recently on MTV or have heard her songs in Budlight commercials, but she caught my attention a few years ago while still in the Philly-based punk band, Stiffed. Since then, she has come a long way with her eclectic beats and unapologetic lyrics. Don't Sleep on Ms. White.

* in case you were scratching your head, see previous blog about afropunk here.


-le chat noir

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