Just watch…

Download Dahlak’s mixtape “Commencement - A Kanye West Tribute” here: www.thisisdahlak.com

www.ill-literacy.com

My bad, once again I’m guilty of not sticking to my word of keeping this blog focused on advice and information for independent artists… it’s been difficult with all the progress, new releases, and events happening.

So just in case you missed it the first time around, here’s a recap of some helpful information i’ve talked about in the past year:

The Lo Down - Check out interviews with the industry’s best, giving you advice on different areas of the music business.

Management - some basic info to consider based off my experiences.

Drop Cards- Creative promo tool that could double as a business card and/or flyer.

Tech Rider - Know the basics, protect yourself and your equipment for shows.  Really important aspect of the business you should not overlook.

Email Etiquette - If you use email to promote - READ THIS!!

Ok, and I’ll be more careful going forward to have a balance of useful information and fresh music, events, and homies to stay up on… (feel free to ask me questions too, I’ll post on the blog and share the knowledge - papalodown@gmail.com)

The Honor Roll homies Mike Baker the Bike Maker  and Trackademicks are in LA… it’s Tuesday do you know where you’ll be tonight?!

a lil somethin to get you in the mood:

www.mikebakerthebikemaker.blogspot.com
www.trackademia.blogspot.com

Remix’s can sometimes be better than the original, or in this case just as good as the first.   Sometimes it’s not just the beat that counts, but how that beat is matched with the lyrics and energy of the song. 

Props to Dren Doh- fresh producer out of Fairfield, CA. 

And check out the video for “Without A Shadow of a Doubt” off the album Church Musick.

www.imeem.com/drendoh1
www.ggoraps.wordpress.com

When Ruby and I put together the marketing and PR plan for the release of her book “Miss Universe“, who knew it would include an exclusive earring designed by one of our favorite independent designers?!

Creating additional product to sell with the release of your own project will only enhance sales and branding, not to mention the cross promotional opportunities!  Keep in mind it’s important that the brand and product you go with make sense to your image and fan base.

With that said, check out MADE Jewelry’s  new collection “That Girl“, which includes the Miss Universe Earring!  MADE is currently the only online retailer where you can cop the book, and they even put together a special combo package so you can save a few bills when you buy both.

retail $44

retail $14

I’m already picking out a few pieces I need to buy myself for my bday and xmas ;)

ps. fellas if you want to buy your special lady (mom, sister, significant other, friend, etc) something she’ll really love, go to MADE Jewelry’s site NOW before they sell out!

www.madejewelry.com
www.rubyisill.com

Please look at all the detail for this album art: From the Kanye Graduation album in Dahlak’s hand, to the green “Trees”, the UC Davis water tower, and the diploma and handcuffs - there is a story in this image that gives you a glimpse of what Dahlak went through the year he graduated.  A tribute to Kanye West, this mixtape is done well and the timing couldn’t be more perfect with 808 & Heartbreaksabout to drop.  (Can someone give a copy to Yeezy?!)

Get your free album HERE (courtesy of iLL-Literacy crew) 

One of my favorite tracks is “Do It”

… and the rest of the album ain’t so bad either ;)

www.thisisdahlak.com
www.ill-literacy.com

Yes yes ya’ll, and you don’t stop… iLL-Literacy touches down in NY tomorrow night!  How I wish I was back at my (other) home joining in the funkadelic voyage that iLL-Lit has embarked on.  (I miss my friends!)

Check out the flicks and review on Oh Dang! Magazine from the SF show a few weeks ago: CLICK HERE  

So NY, don’t miss out! Get your tickets here before the show tomorrow night!

ps. Check out Ruby’s Interview on Oh Dang! HERE

www.ohdangmag.com
www.ill-literacy.com

Ever since DJ Phatrick started these tribute nights, I’ve been wanting to have an Erykah Badu tribute. Something about her music reaches into your soul… feel me?

So here we are, just a few weeks left of a challenging, and exhilarating year, and It feels good to have Namu Bar as a home base for our community to dance, laugh, and eat cake.  

Since the second DP in November falls on “thanksgiving”, this Thursday’s 11/13 - Erykah Badu X Jill Scott Tribute , is goin to be crackin!  DJ Phatrick will be back in The Bay, while our resident DJ Wonway will be rockin in NY.  

A lil teaser to get you in the mood…

www.namubar.com
www.djphatrick.com
www.myspace.com/secludedjournalists

Hurricane Paloma is the seventeenth tropical cyclone, the “sixteenth” tropical storm and eighth hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Paloma developed out of a strong tropical disturbance off the eastern coast of Belizeand northern coast of Honduras on November 5. The disturbance had slowly developed into a tropical depression while hugging the coastline. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm early the next day then a hurricane later that day. - wikipedia scource

Hurricane Paloma is expected to hit the Cayman Islands and Jamaica this weekend (damn, I wish I really was going there!), it ain’t nothin new in the Bay though… 

ps. I’m not Dove16 for nothin I guess…ha!

In case ya’ll forgot… the Bay has been ahead of the game!  

props to Gigio for bringin this one back…