Consequence of Sound » Living Legends

In Photos: CoS at Paid Dues 2012

Lainna Fader — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:24:34 +0000

It’s been seven years since the inaugural Paid Dues Independent Hip Hop Festival took place in Los Angeles. The annual music festival has since gained a solid reputation for its celebration of the diversity in the underground rap universe. Curator Murs’ vision hasn’t changed, even if the fest’s venues and sponsors have—his commitment to supporting up-and-coming artists is unwavering—but this year, it seems he had to make a few concessions to keep attendance up in this economy, and as a result, Paid Dues 2012 had more big name acts than ever. Beyond the stacked lineup, the event was exciting because it brought together two generations of rap fans: long-term supporters of veterans like Wu-Tang Clan and DJ Quik and kids just getting into hip-hop thanks to the rapid rise of young superstars and Paid Dues headliners Odd Future and Kendrick Lamar.

The massive NOS Events Center was a natural choice for Paid Dues. Just last month the venue hosted the Cypress Hill Smokeout, a rap and rock festival that draws thousands every year from all over California, and in August, it’ll hold Rock the Bells, another giant single-day hip-hop fest.

You had two equally undesirable options on Saturday: stay outside and risk getting a gnarly sunburn in the scorching heat or head inside the fairground’s two windowless airplane hangers and choke on weed and cigarette smoke. Some of the biggest names—Wu-Tang Clan, Living Legends, Odd Future, Dipset—played the outdoor Paid Dues stage (not to be confused with the indoor Dues Paid stage in a nearby hangar, where People Under The Stairs, DJ Quik and Kendrick Lamar performed). The Monster Energy Stage—also in a hangar—hosted Lecrae, Three 6 Mafia, Brother Ali and Mac Miller. Once a breeze came through and the sun went down, we forgot our initial discomfort and actually had a pretty good time. Here are some photo highlights from Paid Dues 2012.

Photography by Joseph Engel.

Zion I’s Amp Live releases solo album, remixes Why?

Harry Painter — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:20:54 +0000

He’s remixed Radiohead and MGMT and appeared as a playable character in a couple of NBA2K video games. He’s made conscious hip-hop as one half of Oakland duo Zion I for a decade, gaining widespread respect for his production in the Bay Area and elsewhere. Now beatmaker Amp Live has prepared a solo album, Electrowonderland vol. 2: Murder at the Discotech, which is described on Zion I’s website as a mix of hip-hop, dubstep, electro, and indie. The album will feature guest vocals from Zion I frontman Zumbi, Grouch & Eligh of Living Legends, and a slew of other rappers and vocalists. It is set for release March 16th via Child’s Play.

Until then, listen to his remixes of five tracks — one of which features Zumbi — from Why?’s latest album, Eskimo Snow. They are available for download here. Also take a gander at the video for the single “Gary is a Robot”, which features a very Flight of the Conchords-style dancing robot and a provoking obituary.

Murder at the Discotech Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Blast off
03. About to Blow (feat. K.Flay)
04. Gary is a Robot (feat. Trackademicks and Mr. Micro)
05. Chick Pop
06. Hot Right Now (feat. Dude Royal, The Grouch, Fashawn, Eligh, Bambu, Zumbi, and Chris Young)
07. Turn It Up (feat. Mickey Factz)
08. Dropp (feat. Hot Tub)
09. Mad Man
10. Money Back Guaranteed (feat. Rebecca from My First Earthquake)
12. Get Served (feat. Myka Nyne)
13. Ugly (feat. Yak Ballz)
14. Bravest Heart (feat. Golda Supa Nova)

Zion I 2010 Tour Dates:
01/28 – Salt Lake City, @ UT The Depot
01/29 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theater
01/30 – Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
01/31 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
02/02 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theater
02/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
02/04 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
02/05 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
02/06 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
02/07 – Toledo, OH @ Frankie’s
02/10 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
02/11 – New York, NY Fillmore @ Irving Plaza
02/12 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *NO SOJA.
02/13 – Philadelphia, PA Fillmore @ Theatre of The Living Arts
02/14 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa *NO SOJA
02/17 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
02/18 – Ybor City, FL @ The Ritz
02/19 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
02/20 – Jacksonville Beach, FL @ Freebird Live
02/21 – Jacksonville Beach, FL @ Freebird Live
02/24 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
02/25 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues
02/26 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s
02/27 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
02/28 – San Antonio, TX @ Scout Bar
03/02 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
03/03 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
03/04 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
03/05 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
03/06 – W. Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
03/07 – W. Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues

Smoke Out Festival 2009 offers reunited bands and munchies…

Alex Young — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:30:45 +0000

As we reported yesterday, a Sublime reunion, or at least the closest possibility to a Sublime reunion, will be taking place at Cypress Hill’s Smoke Out Festival 2009. But that won’t be the only act of note offered at this year’s festival, which is scheduled from October 23-24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre in San Bernardino, California.

Slipknot, Deftones, Pennywise (minus its frontman), Method Man & Redman, and Kottonmouth Kings head the festivities, while Bad Brains, Immortal Technique, K’Naan, and Mix Master Mike are all also scheduled to make an appearance. Also confirmed will be reunions by Goodie Mob, The Geto Boys, Hieroglypics, and Living Legends. Oh and of course, Cheech and Chong will be hosting the event. Find the complete lineup here.

And as the name indicates, the festivities will also included a number of non-musical, cannabis-themed events, such as a medical marijuana expo, vendor village, and massive munchie gardens.

Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning Wednesday, September 9th. The general public will get its opportunity on Saturday, September 12th. Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com will be the places of purchase.