Kidd Called Quest and Vic Spencer drop new single “Eyeceddatsh*t”
Hardworking Rochester, NY beat-smith Kidd Called Quest recently dropped his new compilation LP Kidd Called Quest On The Beat, and now he delivers this stand-out track “Eyeceddatsh*t”. The track sees the prolific producer teaming with rapper Vic Spencer who gets busy over the hard-hitting soundscape laid before him.
Excelling at soulful to gritty boom-bap compositions, on this release, Kidd taps Rochester neighbours and frequent emcee partners ETO, Jae Hussle, Curtis Coke and Azariah (whom he also works with as the duo Young Black And Gifted). Also on hand are Vic Spencer, G. Fisher, Al Jamar, L-Biz, Trife Diesel, El Ay, YEAROFJRDN and more!
Kidd Called Quest also dropped this mini-documentary that explores his production style. Watch it below.
Keep up with Kidd Called Quest| Twitter: Instagram
BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming
Catch me on the freeway, 110 South ‘til it ends at Bridgetown, USA
– Blu & Exile “Simply Amazin”
In a quiet hillside neighborhood, the amber colored lights of El Principe lit the streets for BLU, San Pedro’s rap king, to return to his humble small-town roots. The Bridgetown Homecoming also featured performances from local stalwarts Block Scholars, Cashus King, Yuckee, SPVCE, and Mike G.
Street Status Studios organized a night of homegrown talent and implored the local residents to celebrate their champions from around the block. El Principe is known for hosting live bands and karaoke, so this hip-hop show was an alternative twist from their usual events.
As I walked in the nightclub, I was amazed at the colorful murals that covered the walls – the neon paint was accented by the black lights, which emulated a psychedelic vibe for all to experience. The sounds provided by DJ Lapaz created a party atmosphere, for the women enjoying their buckets of beer, while also respecting the hip-hop lovers in the crowd.
I didn’t have much downtime before the host called Mike G to the stage to kick off the night. His quick set gained attention from the guys playing pool in the back of the club. Halfway into his performance, he introduced new music produced by fellow Odd Future alumni Leftbrain – the sound system highlighted the eerie and deep bass production. While debuting the new music, Mike G slipped up on his lyrics but bounced back with no problem. His performance left me wanting to hear more from his new output.
The next performance was energized by the Block Scholars. This trio calls San Pedro their hometown and the local crowd showed them lots of love. The three emcees traded verses and slapped hands with the enthusiastic people in the audience. Seasoned veterans is what I would call them after watching their showmanship and signature production.
As the clock neared 11:40pm, renowned bassist Yuckee took the stage. Although, he is known as a supporting member of alternative reggae rock band Special Blend – this instance he was backed by DJ Kut Kaper. Yuckee is now exploring his love for rap and focusing on a solo career. His blend of boom-bap beats and introspective rhymes made fans get closer to the stage to take in the vibes. At one point, Yuckee made his way into the crowd to give the crowd that face-to-face interaction and created a deeper connection to his music. His set was met with applause and appreciation.
The conclusion of a Yuckee’s set was met with a fan favorite track from JayLib. This set up a great alley-oop for one of the special guests of the night and an exceptional producer set from Donel Smokes. Smokes used the Roland SP-404 like a wizard concocting specialty spells to snap the necks of every person in the crowd. Their heads bobbed in unison and bodies swayed to every filtered sample and beat drop. As a frequent collaborator with BLU, Smokes production fell in line with the soundscape of the event’s headliner.
30 minutes after midnight, Cashus King graced the stage and brought his thought-provoking lyrics to the forefront. He was wearing a shirt that featured an iconic image of LA rap legend, Tupac Shakur – the stark similarities of their ideals and lyrical content reminded me why I supported Coss (King’s former pseudonym) in the mid-2000’s. He was backed by SPVCE on the turntables and their chemistry was on full display. To get a grasp on King’s musical offerings, check his latest album “Lost in the Wilderness”.
The night had reached its tipping point, when the hometown hero BLU invited everyone to the front of the stage. He was met with cameras, “bridgetown” chants, and a clamorous welcome. The smile on BLU’s face, while kicking off his set with last year’s Fatlip-assisted “Gangsta Rap”, was great to see. He then jumped into “The West” a familiar tune (produced by Bombay) from his 2014 ‘Good To Be Home’ album. BLU’s appetizer provided an opportunity to bring the supporting acts Block Scholars and Donel Smokes to the stage and perform a posse cut that cemented the hometown brethren’s legacy.
Fans graciously approved when Oxnard’s finest, M.E.D. hopped on stage to perform hits alongside BLU from their Madlib-produced ‘Bad Neighbor‘ LP.
The crowd erupted when Exile joined BLU to perform “Simply Amazin’” – it was great to see these two trade verses, and more than likely you will be able to catch BLU & Exile perform together very soon. Overall, BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming was adrenaline-pumping night for San Pedro’s hip-hop scene. Hopefully, more shows in the area will inject the energy needed to sustain the platform for others to ascend. Peep more flicks from the show below:
Skip Bayless Uses Bronny’s Talents To Roast LeBron James
Skip Bayless is someone who is known for being an absolute troll. One could certainly liken what he does to performance art. Overall, he goes into each episode of Undisputed with an agenda. Moreover, he masks it as some sort of “debate” that has any real substance. While these may feel like slights, we will be the first ones to admit that it is incredibly entertaining. This is especially true when you add Shannon Sharpe into the mix. They are a great team that makes each weekday more fun.
That said, if you know anything about Skip Bayless, it is that he loves to rip on LeBron James. Although some find this to be annoying, there is no doubt that it has gotten Skip to where he is now. Whenever there is an opportunity to get a joke off about the Lakers star, you can be sure that he is going to do it. On Tuesday night, that is exactly what happened as Bronny James Jr. was lighting it up at the McDonald’s All-American game. Bronny was so good that it inspired Bayless to roast LeBron in typical Skip fashion.
Skip Bayless Gets His Jokes Off
“Bronny is lighting it up from long range in the McDonald’s Game,” Skip began. “Obviously a purer and better shooter than his dad.” This was a completely unnecessary comment, although when you consider who it is coming from, you cannot be surprised. This has been Skip’s raison d’etre for a very long time. However, it’s like being mad at a dog for eating the steak off of the dinner table. If you leave him alone, he’s going to do it. It’s the same with Skip, If you give him an opportunity to hate, he is going to take it.
As for Bronny, his 15-point performance certainly had scouts gushing about his potential. It seems pretty obvious at this point that he will be a top-10 pick. Additionally, the promise of LeBron following him around the league makes him that much more attractive to prospective teams. Let us know what you thought of Bronny’s performance, in the comments down below.
Bronny Highlights
BRONNY IS FUEGO FROM DOWNTOWN
pic.twitter.com/muXjYBopfT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 29, 2023
DJ Drama Suggests “Gangsta Grillz” Mixtape With Quentin Miller After Drake Debacle
Some Hip Hop beefs can come and go without fans giving a care, but Drake and Meek Mill’s unraveling was havoc for Quentin Miller. We remember when Drizzy and Meek were at odds all those years ago—primarily because of the classic tracks that came from the chaos. At the time, Miller’s reference tracks for Drake were given to Meek, who could use the material against his foe. It was alleged that DJ Drama was responsible, but he denied the allegations. Miller even spoke up, saying he didn’t write anything for Drake, but that didn’t calm the masses. Funk Flex then threatened to release the reference tracks—and later did just that after Meek failed to provide a Drake diss.
For some, this is all water under the bridge, but Miller’s career was negatively impacted. He would also say that he wasn’t paid for his additions to Drake’s records, and has made no qualms about being bitter about the financial loss. Meanwhile, DJ Drama revisited that time in Hip Hop history with DJ Akademiks. The pair chatted on the latter’s Off The Record podcast, and Drama admitted it was time to make things right with Miller. The hitmaking producer has widely been credited as pouring gasoline on the flames of the beef.
DJ Drama Wants To Make Things Right
“Well, just to clarify, I definitely think there are apologies owed to Quentin Miller, for sure,” said Drama. He added, “I don’t know if I would say that they would only need to be from me. If it makes you feel any better, me and Quentin have seen each other recently.” Drama included Miller in online posts and even teased a possible collaboration. “I put it on social media, I put him in my Story. Came to the studio, and we’ve even talked. I asked him if he wanted to do a Gangsta Grillz. So, you know, I would definitely be open and down to doing a Gangsta Grillz with Quentin Miller.”
Drama also wanted to shut down any rumors that he and Drake were at war behind the scenes. They appeared together at the Kentucky Derby for Jack Harlow‘s music video and posed for a photo op. “These guys have patched it up. And then Quentin, out of the four of us or what have you, unfortunately, it looks like he got the short end of the stick.” Quentin issued a response on his Instagram Story. Check that out, along with Drama’s interview, above.
DJ Drama Suggests “Gangsta Grillz” Mixtape With Quentin Miller After Drake Debacle
Some Hip Hop beefs can come and go without fans giving a care, but Drake and Meek Mill’s unraveling was havoc for Quentin Miller. We remember when Drizzy and Meek were at odds all those years ago—primarily because of the classic tracks that came from the chaos. At the time, Miller’s reference tracks for Drake were given to Meek, who could use the material against his foe. It was alleged that DJ Drama was responsible, but he denied the allegations. Miller even spoke up, saying he didn’t write anything for Drake, but that didn’t calm the masses. Funk Flex then threatened to release the reference tracks—and later did just that after Meek failed to provide a Drake diss.
For some, this is all water under the bridge, but Miller’s career was negatively impacted. He would also say that he wasn’t paid for his additions to Drake’s records, and has made no qualms about being bitter about the financial loss. Meanwhile, DJ Drama revisited that time in Hip Hop history with DJ Akademiks. The pair chatted on the latter’s Off The Record podcast, and Drama admitted it was time to make things right with Miller. The hitmaking producer has widely been credited as pouring gasoline on the flames of the beef.
DJ Drama Wants To Make Things Right
“Well, just to clarify, I definitely think there are apologies owed to Quentin Miller, for sure,” said Drama. He added, “I don’t know if I would say that they would only need to be from me. If it makes you feel any better, me and Quentin have seen each other recently.” Drama included Miller in online posts and even teased a possible collaboration. “I put it on social media, I put him in my Story. Came to the studio, and we’ve even talked. I asked him if he wanted to do a Gangsta Grillz. So, you know, I would definitely be open and down to doing a Gangsta Grillz with Quentin Miller.”
Drama also wanted to shut down any rumors that he and Drake were at war behind the scenes. They appeared together at the Kentucky Derby for Jack Harlow‘s music video and posed for a photo op. “These guys have patched it up. And then Quentin, out of the four of us or what have you, unfortunately, it looks like he got the short end of the stick.” Quentin issued a response on his Instagram Story. Check that out, along with Drama’s interview, above.
BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming
Catch me on the freeway, 110 South ‘til it ends at Bridgetown, USA
– Blu & Exile “Simply Amazin”
In a quiet hillside neighborhood, the amber colored lights of El Principe lit the streets for BLU, San Pedro’s rap king, to return to his humble small-town roots. The Bridgetown Homecoming also featured performances from local stalwarts Block Scholars, Cashus King, Yuckee, SPVCE, and Mike G.
Street Status Studios organized a night of homegrown talent and implored the local residents to celebrate their champions from around the block. El Principe is known for hosting live bands and karaoke, so this hip-hop show was an alternative twist from their usual events.
As I walked in the nightclub, I was amazed at the colorful murals that covered the walls – the neon paint was accented by the black lights, which emulated a psychedelic vibe for all to experience. The sounds provided by DJ Lapaz created a party atmosphere, for the women enjoying their buckets of beer, while also respecting the hip-hop lovers in the crowd.
I didn’t have much downtime before the host called Mike G to the stage to kick off the night. His quick set gained attention from the guys playing pool in the back of the club. Halfway into his performance, he introduced new music produced by fellow Odd Future alumni Leftbrain – the sound system highlighted the eerie and deep bass production. While debuting the new music, Mike G slipped up on his lyrics but bounced back with no problem. His performance left me wanting to hear more from his new output.
The next performance was energized by the Block Scholars. This trio calls San Pedro their hometown and the local crowd showed them lots of love. The three emcees traded verses and slapped hands with the enthusiastic people in the audience. Seasoned veterans is what I would call them after watching their showmanship and signature production.
As the clock neared 11:40pm, renowned bassist Yuckee took the stage. Although, he is known as a supporting member of alternative reggae rock band Special Blend – this instance he was backed by DJ Kut Kaper. Yuckee is now exploring his love for rap and focusing on a solo career. His blend of boom-bap beats and introspective rhymes made fans get closer to the stage to take in the vibes. At one point, Yuckee made his way into the crowd to give the crowd that face-to-face interaction and created a deeper connection to his music. His set was met with applause and appreciation.
The conclusion of a Yuckee’s set was met with a fan favorite track from JayLib. This set up a great alley-oop for one of the special guests of the night and an exceptional producer set from Donel Smokes. Smokes used the Roland SP-404 like a wizard concocting specialty spells to snap the necks of every person in the crowd. Their heads bobbed in unison and bodies swayed to every filtered sample and beat drop. As a frequent collaborator with BLU, Smokes production fell in line with the soundscape of the event’s headliner.
30 minutes after midnight, Cashus King graced the stage and brought his thought-provoking lyrics to the forefront. He was wearing a shirt that featured an iconic image of LA rap legend, Tupac Shakur – the stark similarities of their ideals and lyrical content reminded me why I supported Coss (King’s former pseudonym) in the mid-2000’s. He was backed by SPVCE on the turntables and their chemistry was on full display. To get a grasp on King’s musical offerings, check his latest album “Lost in the Wilderness”.
The night had reached its tipping point, when the hometown hero BLU invited everyone to the front of the stage. He was met with cameras, “bridgetown” chants, and a clamorous welcome. The smile on BLU’s face, while kicking off his set with last year’s Fatlip-assisted “Gangsta Rap”, was great to see. He then jumped into “The West” a familiar tune (produced by Bombay) from his 2014 ‘Good To Be Home’ album. BLU’s appetizer provided an opportunity to bring the supporting acts Block Scholars and Donel Smokes to the stage and perform a posse cut that cemented the hometown brethren’s legacy.
Fans graciously approved when Oxnard’s finest, M.E.D. hopped on stage to perform hits alongside BLU from their Madlib-produced ‘Bad Neighbor‘ LP.
The crowd erupted when Exile joined BLU to perform “Simply Amazin’” – it was great to see these two trade verses, and more than likely you will be able to catch BLU & Exile perform together very soon. Overall, BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming was adrenaline-pumping night for San Pedro’s hip-hop scene. Hopefully, more shows in the area will inject the energy needed to sustain the platform for others to ascend. Peep more flicks from the show below:
DJ Drama Suggests “Gangsta Grillz” Mixtape With Quentin Miller After Drake Debacle
Some Hip Hop beefs can come and go without fans giving a care, but Drake and Meek Mill’s unraveling was havoc for Quentin Miller. We remember when Drizzy and Meek were at odds all those years ago—primarily because of the classic tracks that came from the chaos. At the time, Miller’s reference tracks for Drake were given to Meek, who could use the material against his foe. It was alleged that DJ Drama was responsible, but he denied the allegations. Miller even spoke up, saying he didn’t write anything for Drake, but that didn’t calm the masses. Funk Flex then threatened to release the reference tracks—and later did just that after Meek failed to provide a Drake diss.
For some, this is all water under the bridge, but Miller’s career was negatively impacted. He would also say that he wasn’t paid for his additions to Drake’s records, and has made no qualms about being bitter about the financial loss. Meanwhile, DJ Drama revisited that time in Hip Hop history with DJ Akademiks. The pair chatted on the latter’s Off The Record podcast, and Drama admitted it was time to make things right with Miller. The hitmaking producer has widely been credited as pouring gasoline on the flames of the beef.
DJ Drama Wants To Make Things Right
“Well, just to clarify, I definitely think there are apologies owed to Quentin Miller, for sure,” said Drama. He added, “I don’t know if I would say that they would only need to be from me. If it makes you feel any better, me and Quentin have seen each other recently.” Drama included Miller in online posts and even teased a possible collaboration. “I put it on social media, I put him in my Story. Came to the studio, and we’ve even talked. I asked him if he wanted to do a Gangsta Grillz. So, you know, I would definitely be open and down to doing a Gangsta Grillz with Quentin Miller.”
Drama also wanted to shut down any rumors that he and Drake were at war behind the scenes. They appeared together at the Kentucky Derby for Jack Harlow‘s music video and posed for a photo op. “These guys have patched it up. And then Quentin, out of the four of us or what have you, unfortunately, it looks like he got the short end of the stick.” Quentin issued a response on his Instagram Story. Check that out, along with Drama’s interview, above.
BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming
Catch me on the freeway, 110 South ‘til it ends at Bridgetown, USA
– Blu & Exile “Simply Amazin”
In a quiet hillside neighborhood, the amber colored lights of El Principe lit the streets for BLU, San Pedro’s rap king, to return to his humble small-town roots. The Bridgetown Homecoming also featured performances from local stalwarts Block Scholars, Cashus King, Yuckee, SPVCE, and Mike G.
Street Status Studios organized a night of homegrown talent and implored the local residents to celebrate their champions from around the block. El Principe is known for hosting live bands and karaoke, so this hip-hop show was an alternative twist from their usual events.
As I walked in the nightclub, I was amazed at the colorful murals that covered the walls – the neon paint was accented by the black lights, which emulated a psychedelic vibe for all to experience. The sounds provided by DJ Lapaz created a party atmosphere, for the women enjoying their buckets of beer, while also respecting the hip-hop lovers in the crowd.
I didn’t have much downtime before the host called Mike G to the stage to kick off the night. His quick set gained attention from the guys playing pool in the back of the club. Halfway into his performance, he introduced new music produced by fellow Odd Future alumni Leftbrain – the sound system highlighted the eerie and deep bass production. While debuting the new music, Mike G slipped up on his lyrics but bounced back with no problem. His performance left me wanting to hear more from his new output.
The next performance was energized by the Block Scholars. This trio calls San Pedro their hometown and the local crowd showed them lots of love. The three emcees traded verses and slapped hands with the enthusiastic people in the audience. Seasoned veterans is what I would call them after watching their showmanship and signature production.
As the clock neared 11:40pm, renowned bassist Yuckee took the stage. Although, he is known as a supporting member of alternative reggae rock band Special Blend – this instance he was backed by DJ Kut Kaper. Yuckee is now exploring his love for rap and focusing on a solo career. His blend of boom-bap beats and introspective rhymes made fans get closer to the stage to take in the vibes. At one point, Yuckee made his way into the crowd to give the crowd that face-to-face interaction and created a deeper connection to his music. His set was met with applause and appreciation.
The conclusion of a Yuckee’s set was met with a fan favorite track from JayLib. This set up a great alley-oop for one of the special guests of the night and an exceptional producer set from Donel Smokes. Smokes used the Roland SP-404 like a wizard concocting specialty spells to snap the necks of every person in the crowd. Their heads bobbed in unison and bodies swayed to every filtered sample and beat drop. As a frequent collaborator with BLU, Smokes production fell in line with the soundscape of the event’s headliner.
30 minutes after midnight, Cashus King graced the stage and brought his thought-provoking lyrics to the forefront. He was wearing a shirt that featured an iconic image of LA rap legend, Tupac Shakur – the stark similarities of their ideals and lyrical content reminded me why I supported Coss (King’s former pseudonym) in the mid-2000’s. He was backed by SPVCE on the turntables and their chemistry was on full display. To get a grasp on King’s musical offerings, check his latest album “Lost in the Wilderness”.
The night had reached its tipping point, when the hometown hero BLU invited everyone to the front of the stage. He was met with cameras, “bridgetown” chants, and a clamorous welcome. The smile on BLU’s face, while kicking off his set with last year’s Fatlip-assisted “Gangsta Rap”, was great to see. He then jumped into “The West” a familiar tune (produced by Bombay) from his 2014 ‘Good To Be Home’ album. BLU’s appetizer provided an opportunity to bring the supporting acts Block Scholars and Donel Smokes to the stage and perform a posse cut that cemented the hometown brethren’s legacy.
Fans graciously approved when Oxnard’s finest, M.E.D. hopped on stage to perform hits alongside BLU from their Madlib-produced ‘Bad Neighbor‘ LP.
The crowd erupted when Exile joined BLU to perform “Simply Amazin’” – it was great to see these two trade verses, and more than likely you will be able to catch BLU & Exile perform together very soon. Overall, BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming was adrenaline-pumping night for San Pedro’s hip-hop scene. Hopefully, more shows in the area will inject the energy needed to sustain the platform for others to ascend. Peep more flicks from the show below:
DJ Drama Suggests “Gangsta Grillz” Mixtape With Quentin Miller After Drake Debacle
Some Hip Hop beefs can come and go without fans giving a care, but Drake and Meek Mill’s unraveling was havoc for Quentin Miller. We remember when Drizzy and Meek were at odds all those years ago—primarily because of the classic tracks that came from the chaos. At the time, Miller’s reference tracks for Drake were given to Meek, who could use the material against his foe. It was alleged that DJ Drama was responsible, but he denied the allegations. Miller even spoke up, saying he didn’t write anything for Drake, but that didn’t calm the masses. Funk Flex then threatened to release the reference tracks—and later did just that after Meek failed to provide a Drake diss.
For some, this is all water under the bridge, but Miller’s career was negatively impacted. He would also say that he wasn’t paid for his additions to Drake’s records, and has made no qualms about being bitter about the financial loss. Meanwhile, DJ Drama revisited that time in Hip Hop history with DJ Akademiks. The pair chatted on the latter’s Off The Record podcast, and Drama admitted it was time to make things right with Miller. The hitmaking producer has widely been credited as pouring gasoline on the flames of the beef.
DJ Drama Wants To Make Things Right
“Well, just to clarify, I definitely think there are apologies owed to Quentin Miller, for sure,” said Drama. He added, “I don’t know if I would say that they would only need to be from me. If it makes you feel any better, me and Quentin have seen each other recently.” Drama included Miller in online posts and even teased a possible collaboration. “I put it on social media, I put him in my Story. Came to the studio, and we’ve even talked. I asked him if he wanted to do a Gangsta Grillz. So, you know, I would definitely be open and down to doing a Gangsta Grillz with Quentin Miller.”
Drama also wanted to shut down any rumors that he and Drake were at war behind the scenes. They appeared together at the Kentucky Derby for Jack Harlow‘s music video and posed for a photo op. “These guys have patched it up. And then Quentin, out of the four of us or what have you, unfortunately, it looks like he got the short end of the stick.” Quentin issued a response on his Instagram Story. Check that out, along with Drama’s interview, above.
BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming
Catch me on the freeway, 110 South ‘til it ends at Bridgetown, USA
– Blu & Exile “Simply Amazin”
In a quiet hillside neighborhood, the amber colored lights of El Principe lit the streets for BLU, San Pedro’s rap king, to return to his humble small-town roots. The Bridgetown Homecoming also featured performances from local stalwarts Block Scholars, Cashus King, Yuckee, SPVCE, and Mike G.
Street Status Studios organized a night of homegrown talent and implored the local residents to celebrate their champions from around the block. El Principe is known for hosting live bands and karaoke, so this hip-hop show was an alternative twist from their usual events.
As I walked in the nightclub, I was amazed at the colorful murals that covered the walls – the neon paint was accented by the black lights, which emulated a psychedelic vibe for all to experience. The sounds provided by DJ Lapaz created a party atmosphere, for the women enjoying their buckets of beer, while also respecting the hip-hop lovers in the crowd.
I didn’t have much downtime before the host called Mike G to the stage to kick off the night. His quick set gained attention from the guys playing pool in the back of the club. Halfway into his performance, he introduced new music produced by fellow Odd Future alumni Leftbrain – the sound system highlighted the eerie and deep bass production. While debuting the new music, Mike G slipped up on his lyrics but bounced back with no problem. His performance left me wanting to hear more from his new output.
The next performance was energized by the Block Scholars. This trio calls San Pedro their hometown and the local crowd showed them lots of love. The three emcees traded verses and slapped hands with the enthusiastic people in the audience. Seasoned veterans is what I would call them after watching their showmanship and signature production.
As the clock neared 11:40pm, renowned bassist Yuckee took the stage. Although, he is known as a supporting member of alternative reggae rock band Special Blend – this instance he was backed by DJ Kut Kaper. Yuckee is now exploring his love for rap and focusing on a solo career. His blend of boom-bap beats and introspective rhymes made fans get closer to the stage to take in the vibes. At one point, Yuckee made his way into the crowd to give the crowd that face-to-face interaction and created a deeper connection to his music. His set was met with applause and appreciation.
The conclusion of a Yuckee’s set was met with a fan favorite track from JayLib. This set up a great alley-oop for one of the special guests of the night and an exceptional producer set from Donel Smokes. Smokes used the Roland SP-404 like a wizard concocting specialty spells to snap the necks of every person in the crowd. Their heads bobbed in unison and bodies swayed to every filtered sample and beat drop. As a frequent collaborator with BLU, Smokes production fell in line with the soundscape of the event’s headliner.
30 minutes after midnight, Cashus King graced the stage and brought his thought-provoking lyrics to the forefront. He was wearing a shirt that featured an iconic image of LA rap legend, Tupac Shakur – the stark similarities of their ideals and lyrical content reminded me why I supported Coss (King’s former pseudonym) in the mid-2000’s. He was backed by SPVCE on the turntables and their chemistry was on full display. To get a grasp on King’s musical offerings, check his latest album “Lost in the Wilderness”.
The night had reached its tipping point, when the hometown hero BLU invited everyone to the front of the stage. He was met with cameras, “bridgetown” chants, and a clamorous welcome. The smile on BLU’s face, while kicking off his set with last year’s Fatlip-assisted “Gangsta Rap”, was great to see. He then jumped into “The West” a familiar tune (produced by Bombay) from his 2014 ‘Good To Be Home’ album. BLU’s appetizer provided an opportunity to bring the supporting acts Block Scholars and Donel Smokes to the stage and perform a posse cut that cemented the hometown brethren’s legacy.
Fans graciously approved when Oxnard’s finest, M.E.D. hopped on stage to perform hits alongside BLU from their Madlib-produced ‘Bad Neighbor‘ LP.
The crowd erupted when Exile joined BLU to perform “Simply Amazin’” – it was great to see these two trade verses, and more than likely you will be able to catch BLU & Exile perform together very soon. Overall, BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming was adrenaline-pumping night for San Pedro’s hip-hop scene. Hopefully, more shows in the area will inject the energy needed to sustain the platform for others to ascend. Peep more flicks from the show below: