Blind I | The Boutique Music Blog | Quality Over Quantity.

HIP-HOP GETS POLITICAL: POWELL FOR CONGRESS

Most of us are old enough to recall Kevin Powell as a cast member of the first season of MTV’s The Real World (back when it was provocative, ground breaking documentary television and before it descended into “OMG! Everyone is, like, drunk and hot and totally gonna make out!”). What some of you may not know is that Powell has a 25 year career as an activist and writer based in Brooklyn. He is the author of some 11 books and was an integral part of Vibe’s original editorial line-up.

Powell is currently making his second run for Congress in Brooklyn’s 10th Congressional District, which includes the iconic Bed Stuy, Fort Greene and East New York neighborhoods (home to a lot of Hip-Hop history and some of your favorite artists, indluding Jay, B.I.G., Jeru, the GZA, ODB,  etc). My interest in Powell’s campaign is twofold: I’m not only a huge fan of his writing and activist work, but I’m also a resident of the central Brooklyn area he wants to represent. And I definitely think the brother represents a change we need around these parts.

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NPR INTERVIEW: LAURYN HILL SPEAKS

It was hard for me to not react dramatically when I began reading this. As a writer, sometimes I fear that the internet has grown into such a dominant force, that it will cause these kinds of stories to become obsolete. But, like a breath of fresh air, Zoe Chace interviewed people Lauryn Hill has worked with for context and she also got Ms. Hill to talk. Everyone knows this is no longer an easy thing to do.  She sounds like she’s ready revisit the music world. Listen here and hit the skip for the entire article. Major props to NPR. We’re waiting on you Lauryn.

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FROM THE “WINDOW” TO THE BACK SEAT…

The internet was all abuzz these past few days with two very different women making  two very different revelations. Erykah Badu’s body-bearing “Window Seat” gave everyone something to think about, whereas Kat Stacks’s groupie tales made us shake our heads. However, there is a notable connection here. Walk with me for a second.

All tragic everything

Erykah shed her clothes to, as I understand it, make a statement about groupthink and how the culture of this country strikes down those who refuse to conform. In using her body to make this statement, the singer also presents some other very important commentary in the process. By striding through the streets of Dallas naked as the day she was born, without the aid of foundation garments or editing tricks to enhance her frame, Badu informs us that she is the owner of her body. She knew very well that her nudity would be interpreted very differently than say, Alanis Morrisette’s in “Thank You” or D’Angelo in “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”. Embodying Star Jones’ code of “free, Black and grown“, Badu allowed herself to be vulnerable in a very powerful way. And the conversations sparked thus far have certainly made her efforts seem worth it.

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LITTLE BROTHER | END OF AN ERA

Good news:: Our beloved rap duo of Rapper Big Pooh & Phonte are dropping another LB album. Bad news:: It will be their last. I can’t say I am surprised. We’ve all noticed Pooh on his rap game like no other & Phonte on his everything else other than rap game like no other. Both have grown, both are on diff levels of their respective careers. I know it wont be the last time they work together m but as far as under the LB umbrella that looks to be a negative.

Peep the official announcement from LB themselves after the j…

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BILAL CONCERT-WASHINGTON D.C.

By now, you all know I am an uber Bilal fan. He will be in D.C. this Friday at Black Cat–which is home to some consistently awesome shows. Plus it’s $20  and he will be performing material from his upcoming album, so you can’t beat that. If you go, hit us up and tell us how it was.

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BILAL LIVE PERFORMANCE- “LEVELS”

I had the pleasure of catching this performance during CMJ week in NYC. Bilal was one of the most anticipated artists to hit the stage that night and as usual he tore it down. “Levels” is from his forthcoming album via Plug Research. I love the way it begins.

Shouts to VTech for the footage. If someone gives me this leak I’m not even going to cheat and download. Gotta support real artistry.

Enjoy!

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JAY-Z – BLUEPRINT 3: THE SAMPLES

The homie and fellow blogger A.SAMP has compiled a dope compilation of the samples used from Jay-Z’s latest album. I know fellow crate diggers like myself always find joints like this fantabulous and splendiferous so by all means do like you do and do the damn thang.

…and by do the damn thang I mean click the download link below.

Tracklist after the hop.

Download The Blueprint 3 Samples Mixtape (Mediafire)

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CHICAGO | THE EVOLUTION OF THURSDAY!

Evolution Thursdays is the new name of our weekly Thursday we recently started back up, and tonight we’re going in heavy! Located in the trendy gallery row district of River North at the corner of Superior and Wells, AVILA & RELIGION boasts sprawling dance floors and multiple levels of VIP seating for bottle service. Located three stories above street level, exposed brick walls and 15 foot cathedral windows shower club goers with views of the Chicago Skyline. Adorned with stained glass windows, black crystal chandeliers, and candelabra wall sconces Religion offers a warm, sexy experience accented by deep purple and rich gold tones.

AVILA and RELIGION operate in union as multi dimensional music-driven venue with a state of the art sound system. Complimenting Religion’s lofty aesthetic is a 15 foot pulpit style DJ booth and transform the space with an energized glitz. Club goers can indulge in two full service bars including a private VIP bar on the mezzanine and bottle service nightly.

What, you need more reason to you need to Join us on Thursday as we transform your night from ordinary to Extraordinary? More info after the jump…

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OBAMAS BULLETPROOF FASHION

We all know that we all want the best in security and protection for our new Prez. So they are going all out to make sure he has the ultimate protection. Did you know that Obama was wearing a bulletproof suit at his inauguration? Rumor has it he might have been adorned in an outfit manufactured by Miguel Caballero, a Colombian company that specializes in bullet-resistant gear like leather jackets, windbreakers, etc. Click here for an interview with this bulletproof fashion-aire. Caballero is well known for his super tough but flexible and business appropriate clothing (see pic above), such as the $7,500 polo shirt that can stop a shot from a 9-mm revolver. According to Caballero, many of his garments offer more than three levels of ballistic protection and they are about seven times more flexible than the Kevlar vests that are usually worn.  So does this mean Sasha and Malia are getting bulletproof backpacks?  Let’s not forget to mention the new presidential limo.

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HONDA + HYDROGEN POWER = CRACK

Introducing the all-new Honda FC Sport Hydrogen-Powered car. According to YankoDesign it was released yesterday and comes with some pretty dope specs….more pictures and information after the jump. › Read More…

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