Saved by the bell

by SCOTT C

You may remember an interview I did with hip hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc last summer, in which he was busy spreading the word about 1520 Sedgwick Ave., the apartment-complex basement where he used to throw parties back in 1973. New York City was getting ready to convert the 100-unit building into condominiums, but luckily, 1520 Sedgwick has been given historical status by the city. Herc was drumming up support for the initiative from the beginning, and I’m sure he’s smiling now.

The unstoppable Skratch Bastid does his thing at Tokyo tonight, Thursday, March 6, rocking the Red Room with dancing midgets and party joints, while DJ Duvall spins in the Shibuya Room, where future music is the order of the night.

After much applause and a strong run at the swank W Hotel, DJ Toddy Flores, aka KID K.I.C.K.S., moves his Wednesday-night jam Sneaks, Beats & Life to some new digs over at Segafredo (966 Ste-Catherine W.), where he’ll hold down the fort with some special guests stopping by each and every week for the good times. This now means you can catch the KID from 5 p.m. until closing, with absolutely no cover in sight.

The much anticipated arrival of dancehall sensation Mavado that was scheduled for Friday at le Medley has been bumped to a May date, still to be determined. The Jamaican singer is most likely going to sell out any show that hits the city, if everything goes according to plan.

I was looking forward to picking KRS-One’s brain about the U.S. presidential election last week, but I guess I got lost in the shuffle. Blastmaster KRS set the bar for live hip hop shows a long time ago, providing nothing short of the perfect blend of knowledge, energy and microphone skill to keep the crowd completely amped. He plays le National on Sunday with Narcicyst, D-Shade and K6A, and beats by DJ Blaster. Narcicyst should be proud, having recently unveiled his new blog illuminarcy.blogspot.com. The one they also call Narcel X has just dropped another classic piece of music too, with Stuck Between Iraq and a Hard Place Vol. 2 available for download on the blog. Take a minute and read what this brother has to say before you disappear with the hip hop goodies—he’s got a way with words.

Seven reasons I could be your Uncle Scott:
1. Bahamadia “Spontaneity” (Chrysalis)
2. Bullion “I Know There’s an Answer” (independent)
3. Clutchy Hopkins Walking Backwards (Stones Throw)
4. Miles Bonny “Closer Love” (independent)
5. Elmore Judd “Funky Nerd” (Honest Johns)
6. Ge-ology “Superstar” ft. Mos Def (CDR)
7. Jose James The Dreamer (Brownswood)

INCUBATE.WORDPRESS.COM…… fathead@videotron.ca