Backpack Rap tours, Label News and this weeks shows

So, I just recently found out thatRock The Bells festival/tour is firming up its performers and dates for the summer. Hosted by Supernatural, Rahzel, and Dj Hi Tek includes performances by Mos Def, EPMD, Cypress Hill, and Public Enemy. For the full story on Allhiphop.com go here

Also keep marked in your calendars:
Mar 30 Diplo, bonde do role, and the Mad Decent Crew @ Studio B (SOLD OUT) but ill take some pictures for you
April 5th The Virgins open for Jet @ Webster Hall
May 8th-9th Amy muthafuckin Winehouse @ Highline Ballroom 16th btw 9th and 10th
May 15th Spankrock @ Highline Ballroom
May 18th Talib Kweli @ Highline Ballroom
May 26th Mos Def @ Highline Ballroom

Also, in other news from Stereogum "Alexandra Patsavas, the influential TV and film music supervisor who has helped put Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol and the Fray on the mainstream map, has inked a deal with Atlantic Records to form a new imprint, Chop Shop Records. The label shares the name of Patsavas' 10-year-old California-based firm, Chop Shop Music Supervision"... Read the rest of the post here

I also have pictures posted on my flickr acct (linked on this page) of the Team Facelift show on Friday night. Here are a few, check em out...

before the show, the place is packed



Producer reps the Mets

Leaders of The Pack

Coming from the subgenre of hip hop known as hyphy from the Bay area, The Pack (formerly known as the Wolfpack)- skaters turned rappers from Berkeley, CA are bringing this movement a lot of attention as of late. Hyphy is distinguished by gritty, pounding rhythms, and in this sense can be associated with the Bay Area as crunk music is in the South. Contrary to popular belief, the musical aspect of the movement has very few similarities to crunk music, as it is dictated by more uptempo beats.

Longtime Too $hort studio engineer/production collaborator Taj Mahal Tilghman, who is Up All Nite Music's general manager and project coordinator says of The Pack “They're totally unique and they embody the whole essence of the 'hyphy' sound and style with their energetic crazy party personalities and all that shines through in their delivery and their lyrics." "Organized madness" is how Taj sums up The Pack's instantly spellbinding 'hyphy' assault.
The Pack’s self-titled album is highly anticipated featuring the likes of Too $hort, Keak da Sneak, Mr. F.A.B., Jody Breeze of Boyz N Da Hood, and The Team. Complete with hits such as "Vans" (already creating a strong buzz on the Left Coast with stations in California, Portland, and Washington all following the Bay Area's KMEL lead and quickly expanding to Miami and Atlanta), "Ice Cream”, " Dum Diddy Dum " and "Booty Bounce Bopper".
No strangers to controversy, their video for “Vans” was banned by MTV for apparently being a commercial for the shoe. For more on this go here.
"It’s a punk rock shoe so they get real dirty/Sole kinda thick like a big booty chick"
Watch the video:


Discovered by Too Short and now signed to his label Up All Nite/Jive, The Pack (formerly The Wolfpack) is on the fast track to Berkeley, California rappers stars. When they signed to Up All Nite Music they also officially became a part of the Up All Nite crew along with Too $hort and Atlanta's up-and-coming Murda Mob (comprised of freestyle master Booski, female emcee Lil Red, and Young Bay who was formerly known as Baby DC).
Here are some songs:
The Pack - Vans.mp3
The Pack - Dum Didi Dum Dum ft. Mr.FAB & Too Short.mp3

News and shit

*Ok so I'm obsessed with how weird this girl, Teyana from StarTrak who was on My Super Sweet Sixteen.... Fader wrote this funny blog entry about her here
*Madvilan has AN ACTION FIGURE OMG I WANT THIS
*Anything about Dick Manitoba is newsworthy to me... I love his bar, and have had many amazing nights getting fucked there and fighting about jewish/catholic raisings
*A touching tribute to the travel mixtape... I totally agree
*Callmemickey has a good post re: a new hip hop artist that played a Fader party earlier this week I think, named Tabi Bonney... for more info, go to catchdubs


This is my new favorite SONG for the WEEK... I love the line "i dont gotta rap i can sell a mill sayin nothin on a track"

MIMS - This Is Why Im Hot (Dirty).mp3



Oh,

P.S. I'm going here tonight