On November 7th, 2009 New Orleans’ own GrassRoots! Hiphop Monthly Showcase presents the GRNOLA Bars, Vol. 1 performance showcase to help raise the profile of local underground New Orleans and to create a networking opportunity with New York hiphop artist, Pseudo Slang. GrassRoots! is the longest running hiphop music showcase in New Orleans and the only ongoing event that provides an outlet for traditional hiphop in the city.
The November 7th GRNOLA Bars, Vol. 1 edition of GrassRoots! will feature Pseudo Slang (Buffalo, NY), Lyrikill (NOLA), Skipp Coon & Mr. Nick(Jackson, MS), Lyriqs the Lyricist(NOLA), Don the Worker(NOLA), GrassRoots! Monthly Showcase founder and host, Truth Universal, and GrassRoots! resident DJs, DJ EF Cuttin and DJ Def D.
GRASSROOTS! is a monthly performance showcase of underground New Orleans hiphop talent held on the first Saturday of every month, and holds the distinguished title of being the longest running hiphop showcase in New Orleans. The first GRASSROOTS was held in 2002 at the Neighborhood Gallery and, with the exception of a long hiatus caused by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, has been held on a consistent monthly basis since that time. Begun as a labor of love by New Orleans’ own internationally renowned talent and community leader, Truth Universal, GRASSROOTS! has consistently provided an avenue and resource for independent hiphop artists to showcase their talent, sell their merchandise, and find new audiences for their work. More importantly, GRASSROOTS! creates a space for hiphop artists and community members to come together to air issues, solve problems, forge connections, and find both formal and informal support for their art. While hiphop music continues to gain mainstream momentum on an international basis, underground hiphop musicians still struggle with a lack of support from mainstream radio, a lack of funds to record their work, and a lack of greater support structures to nurture their artistry. GRASSROOTS! is therefore both a showcase and an exchange that has served an indisputable role for artists who struggle with economic viability, public support, and artistic sustainability.
WHEN:
Saturday, November 7th, 2009
Doors at 10:30pm / Show at 11:30pm
Price: $5
WHERE:
Dragon’s Den
435 Esplanade
New Orleans, LA
November 7th performers:
Pseudo Slang (Buffalo, NY/Chicago) is the collaborative effort of Emcee Sick of Xtracts of Slang and producer Tone Atlas of Pseudo Intellectuals. Based in Buffalo and Chicago respectively, Pseudo Slang have been closely followed for almost a decade, garnering international praise and acclamation for creating music that steps outside the standard boundaries of contemporary rap.
http://www.myspace.com/pseudoslang
Lyrikill (New Orleans, LA) is at the forefront of the “new sound of the South” movement in hiphop. His latest album, Heart & Sole, released Summer 2009, has already garnered much critical success and attention. Lyrikill has graced stages alongside Mos Def, Afrika Bambaataa, Dilated Peoples, Zion I, Camp Lo, Heiroglyphics, Living Legends, and Jurassic 5, among others, and hosts New Orleans' premier beat battle and artists showcase "soundCLASH.”
http://www.myspace.com/lyrikill
Skipp Coon & Mister Nick (Jackson, MS) released their latest record, Women, Revolution, and Tennis Shoes to much critical acclaim and in doing so, have continued their mission to use hiphop as a method of creating social change. Much like Mr. Nick, Skipp’s producer, blends past musical influences into this album, Skipp Coon blends his historical knowledge with his ability to speak directly to pressing issues, creating a mood of hope, sadness and triumph.
http://www.myspace.com/tibbitsmusic
GrassRoots! Founder & Host:
Truth Universal (New Orleans, LA) is the principle director of GRASSROOTS. With his political messages, traditional hiphop sensibilities, and progressive lyrical content, Truth Universal has remained a consistent talent and a true voice from the South for over a decade. While he calls the flourishing New Orleans hiphop underground home, Truth has an international perspective that he brings to his music through his birth and childhood in Diego Martin, Trinidad. Born Tajiri Kamau, Truth Universal’s family relocated to New Orleans at age four. Truth is a leader of the New Orleans hiphop scene, an outspoken voice for social change and consciousness, and an invaluable member of the New Orleans cultural economy and the greater international hiphop community.
http://www.myspace.com/truthuniversal
Resident DJs
DJ EF Cuttin (http://myspace.com/efcuttin)
DJ Def D (http://myspace.com/djdefd)
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