Saul Williams coming to CSUMB Feb. 1

America's most famous slam poet, Saul Williams will perform Feb. 1 @ the University Ballroom on the CSU Monterey Bay campus.

More info is available after the jump.

GRAND SLAM

Spoken word artist Saul Williams performs at CSUMB Feb. 1

In celebration of Black History Month, spoken-word artist Saul Williams will perform at CSU Monterey at 7 p.m., Feb. 1, in the University Center ballroom.

Williams has been called a “new-age hip-hop renaissance man” by the Fresno Bee. Esquire magazine called him the “Bob Marley of American poets.”

He’s a slam poet, author, actor and a musician who raps and plays guitar. To young people across the country, he has defined poetry as an accessible, living art form; many view him as the catalyst for the spoken word movement and the advent of poetry slams.

After graduating from Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in acting and philosophy, Williams moved to New York City to earn a master's degree in acting at New York University. There, he found himself at the center of the New York cafe poetry scene.

He landed the lead role in the 1998 film Slam. Williams served as both a writer and actor on the film, which won the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and the Camera D'Or prize at Cannes and introduced him to international audiences.

He’s written three collections of poetry and has been published in the New York Times, Esquire and African Voices. His newest book, “The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop,” recounts the history of that genre. As a poet and musician, Williams has toured and lectured around the world, appearing at many universities and colleges.

Admission is $5 and tickets can be purchased at the door. A $2 parking pass must be purchased as well. Driving directions and a campus map are available at csumb.edu/map.

For more information or disability accommodations, contact Ajamu Lamumba at 582-3698 or alamumba@csumb.edu

The concert is sponsored by the Associated Students and the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development.

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Slaughterhouse announces new E.P., XXL cover

More Slaughterhouse news, as the fearsome foursome announced the release of its latest E.P. on Feb. 8, which is the release date for the XXL Magazine cover featuring the group with Eminem and Yelawolf.

Full press release after the jump.

HIP HOP SUPERGROUP SLAUGHTERHOUSE
(JOELL ORTIZ, JOE BUDDEN, CROOKED I AND ROYCE DA 5’9”) TO RELEASE BRAND NEW E.P. ON FEBRUARY 8, 2011

(New York, NY) –, Entertainment One Music announces the release of The Slaughterhouse E.P., the new E.P. from Slaughterhouse-- the hip hop super-group featuring four of the most lyrical MCs in the game -- Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5’9”, Joe Budden and Crooked I.

The incomparable talents, prolific lyrics and fan base of Slaughterhouse have created a new excitement within hip-hop which ignited a whirlwind buzz. Rap icon Eminem caught wind of Slaughterhouse and signed them to his label Shady Records. Slaughterhouse and Eminem will appear on the March 2011 cover of XXL which will be on stands nationwide the same day as the release of The Slaughterhouse E.P., February 8, 2011.

To pre-order the Slaughterhouse EP now via iTunes, please visit: http://bit.ly/goKYSZ

The first single, “Back on the Scene” featuring Dres is being serviced to college and mixshow radio and can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=60e7zhY7294

The E.P. features Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, Styles P, Dres, and Iffy, with production by Frequency, Black Milk, Mr. Porter and more.

The group came together only 2 years ago when Joe Budden was working on a song for his Halfway House album and enlisted the services of Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5’9” for a song called “Slaughterhouse.” Inspired by the vibe of track and the immediate chemistry of the four rappers, a plan was immediately made to form the super-group. The group released the self-titled Slaughterhouse album last year on eOne Music to incredible critical acclaim.

Kicking off the year with this E.P., Royce Da 5’9” says, “2011 is ours!!!!”

Slaughterhouse is currently planning and gearing up for a tour that will criss-cross the U.S., giving fans and supporters alike the opportunity to see the super-group deliver ground-breaking performances.

For more information, please visit:
www.slaughterhouseweb.com
Joe Budden Twitter.com/joebudden
Joell Ortiz Twitter.com/joellortiz
Crooked I Twitter.com/theRealCrookedi
Royce Da 5’9 Twitter.com/RoyceDafive9

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Jan. 29: Sarah McCoy live @ The Alternative Cafe in Seaside

Easily one of the most talented musicians/singers I've seen come through the Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam/Open Mic, Sarah McCoy is as gifted as they come. I've written in the past that she has Janis Joplin living insider her mouth, but that's too easy. What she has is a buoyant device that erupts before the audience, delivered with passion and desire. Show details and press release below.

What: Live Music with Sarah McCoy
Where: The Gallery at the Alternative Cafe. 1230 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, CA
When: Saturday, January 29th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Why: The bayou and the bluesy south collide!.
Ticket Price: $5

Sarah McCoy:
The vagrant sounds of Sarah McCoy have hitch-hiked from the East out to the West
and to each ear canal in between. This quasi-local gal has fused her classical piano
training with Bohemian-swamp-folk adding a teaspoon of kindergarten style fable.
With lyrics sewn tight like a strand of DNA and the melodies of a bayou ghost,
McCoy delivers her strong felt messages of hope with a dark wink of reality.

---
Show starts at 8pm, and we will begin seating at 7:30pm.
Tickets are $5 for all ages at the door.
Beer & Wine, as well as coffee and snacks will be available.

Further questions:
The Gallery @ The Alternative Cafe
1230 Fremont Blvd.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 583-0913
cafe@thealternativecafe.com
www.thealternativecafe.com

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Travis Barker announces details for solo album "Give The Drummer Some"

Travis Barker looks to continue his assault on pop culture with the impending release of his solo album "Give The Drummer Some, " which is scheduled for release March 15.

Details were released today about the album (read the full press release after the jump). You can view the video above for the album single "Carry It," featuring RZA, Raekwon, and Tom Morello.

Barker parlayed his initial success as drummer for pop-punk band Blink 182 into a successful side project, the trip-hop/thrash band The Transplants. His brand has expanded into fashion with his Famous Stars n Straps clothing/lifestyle line, as well as remix production for numerous hip-hop stars.

"Give The Drummer Some" will feature Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Corey of Slipknot, Tom Morello, Rick Ross, The Clipse and more.


Travis Barker Announces Details About Upcoming Solo Debut, GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME, Due From Interscope Records on March 15, 2011


ALBUM FEATURES SPECIAL GUESTS LUDACRIS, LIL WAYNE, KID CUDI, SLIPKNOT'S COREY TAYLOR, TOM MORELLO, RICK ROSS, THE CLIPSE, AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED


FIRST SINGLE, 'CAN A DRUMMER GET SOME,' FEATURES THE GAME, SWIZZ BEATS, LIL WAYNE, AND RICK ROSS

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After unleashing two tracks, "Jump Down" and "Carry It," from his upcoming solo album on iTunes, and tantalizing his Twitter followers with tidbits of news, Blink-182 drummer and hip-hop producer Travis Barker has confirmed more details about the album, GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME, which will be released March 15, 2011 by Interscope Records.

The first single will be "Can A Drummer Get Some," featuring The Game, Swizz Beats, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross. "Jump Down," featuring The Cool Kids, and "Carry It," featuring RZA, Raekwon, and Tom Morello, are currently available on iTunes.

Other confirmed tracks include "Devil's Got A Hold of Me," featuring hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, "Misfits," featuring Steve Aoki, "Cool Head," featuring Kid Cudi, "Don't F*** With Me," featuring Paul Wall, Kurupt, and J Roc, "City of Dreams," featuring The Clipse and Kobe, and "On My Own," featuring Slipknot's Corey Taylor. More very special guests are in the works with details to be announced soon.

In addition to the list of musical artists that Barker worked with on "GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME," he has enlisted his favorite artists from the art world to come up with a visual representation of each track on the album. The who's-who list includes seminal artists from the street, tattoo, graffiti, fashion and music world: Slick, David Choe, Mr. Brainwash, Mike Giant, Haze, Munk One, Nate Dino, Skinhead Rob, Cool Head - Jeff Soto, Richard Sanchez, Risk One, Chase Tafoya, Chris Peters, Dire One, Mr. Cartoon, Maxx242 and Usugro. Each song's accompanying art will be rolled out in the coming weeks on Barker's website (http://www.travisbarker.com). Additionally, CTDGS's cover art was created by legendary rock & roll cover artist Pushead. Pushead has collaborated on revered classic album covers with such recording artists as Metallica and Dr. Octagon.

As Barker announced on Twitter, the album will include 12 tracks with 16 tracks to be included on the deluxe version.

In addition, Barker continues to be actively involved with his clothing and accessory company Famous Stars and Straps, his label LaSalle Records, and his band The Transplants (with Tim Armstrong and Skinhead Rob), are gearing up to record their third album. Barker, has also been in the studio with the re-formed Blink-182, who will release a new album in 2011.

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“H*A*M” — new single by Kanye West and Jay-Z

I heard some new music released today from Kanye West & Jay-Z.

“H*A*M” is the latest single from the pair's upcoming release, “Watch The Throne.”

On the rhyming end, there's lots of boasting and posturing about money and, according to Forbes.com blooger Zack O'Malley Greenburg, a little inside jab at Lil Wayne and Baby of Cash Money (You can read Greenburg's post HERE).

The track was produced by Lex Luger, and is adorned with stuttering synthesizers, 808 drums and operatic vocals. Overall, it comes off as haunting and atmospheric, which is an interesting turn for this project.

The track is available now for download on iTunes.

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Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf sign to Shady Records

Underground super group Slaughterhouse and Alabama emcee Yelawolf have signed with Eminem's Shady Records, it was announced today.

The move marks a new direction of sorts for Em's label, which in the past has achieved large success with acts closely affiliated to the Detroit rapper, including his crew D-12 and fellow Detroit native Obie Trice, who has since left the label.

The signing of Slaughterhouse had been speculated for months, buoyed by Em's long-standing relationship with group member Royce Da 5'9".

Yelawolf emerged as a breakout mixtape MC in 2009, on the strength of his “Trunk Music” release. His established following could see a boost with the Shady Records affiliation.

Full press release after the jump.

It's Shady 2.0: Eminem Announces the Signings of Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse to Shady Records Roster

SLAUGHTERHOUSE JOINS SHADY RECORDS & INTERSCOPE RECORDS, YELAWOLF ADDS SHADY RECORDS TO THE TEAM

Complete Story Told Exclusively In The March 2011 XXL Magazine On Stands Nationally February 8th

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2011 — Rap supergroup Slaughterhouse and budding superstar Yelawolf have been signed to Eminem's Shady Records, it was announced today.

"Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, it's kinda phase two of Shady," says Eminem. "It's the new generation of Shady Records and as we're trying to rebuild our label, it's exciting for hip-hop and with all of these forces coming together and with what everybody's capable of on the mic, it's gonna be fun."

Bringing together the East Coast, West Coast and Detroit in the middle, Slaughterhouse consists of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5'9". Most recently, Slaughterhouse was featured on "Session One," a bonus track on Eminem's 2010 blockbuster Recovery album. Eminem is expected to be personally involved in Slaughterhouse's sophomore album scheduled for release in 2011.

Said Royce Da 5'9": "It's very exciting for me to reunite with Eminem years after our Bad Meets Evil project together. Slaughterhouse on Shady Records will be a force to reckon with."

Late last year, Yelawolf released Trunk Muzik 0-60, a compilation of select tracks from his critically acclaimed 2010 mixtape Trunk Muzik, along with six previously unavailable songs. The Alabama native is currently in the studio recording his full length major label debut.

Said Yelawolf: "Considering where I'm from and the shit I've been through, it's hard to put into words what partnering with Shady means to me, my team at Ghet-O-Vision, and my state of Alabama. I can tell you that when you're willing to give your life up to see a dream through, the reward is great. And now that I've become an apprentice to one of the greatest artists in the world, my potential reaches beyond anything I ever imagined. Let's kill this shit."

Shady Records was founded in 1999 by Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg. D12, the label's first signing, were also Shady's first breakout stars, selling more than four million albums in the U.S. In 2002, the label released the quadruple platinum 8 Mile soundtrack, with its hit single "Lose Yourself" -- the first hip-hop song to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Shady Records then partnered with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment to ink 50 Cent, who subsequently has sold more than 23 million albums worldwide. Of Shady's 11 albums to date, four have earned U.S. multiplatinum certification, three others platinum (including the compilation Eminem Presents: The Re-Up) and two gold. The label has sold over 40 million albums worldwide.

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Paper Wing Theatre Co. fund raiser

The Paper Wing Theatre Company is hosting a fund raiser, with an eye on improving their facilities. You can donate the cause at the link here.
Press release below.


2011 Paper Wing Theatre Fundraiser!
It is time! As we celebrate 10 years of local entertainment, our theatre needs to undergo some minor changes. We are in the process of streamlining and upgrading some of our facility, as well as planning for a brand new performance space. The "Gallerie" theatre will be added this spring, and will create a new "black box" style space. We hope to showcase new directors, singer/songwriters, and musicians here.
Most importantly, we are in the process of repairing our fire escape doors, and this has put us in the position of needing to raise 1000. in the coming days.
But, we cannot do it alone.
Paper Wing Theatre was created to make community theatre accessible to everyone. We reach out to those who wouldn't normally have the means to attend a show. To date, we have given away over 25,000 in free tickets to recovery centers and homes, students and their families, and people with low income. We work hard to showcase local talent and feature struggling performers at our music shows. Now, in turn, we need help to continue our work.
To make the donation process painless and simple, you can click on the donation button. If you can donate even 10-20 dollars, it will be a great help. If Paper Wing Theatre has brought you joy, entertained you, or given you a place to play, please show your appreciation today.

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“reAlisal” premiers Feb. 11 in Salinas

“reAlisal” is an ethnographic theatrical production conceived by Luis “xago" Juarez of Bay Area theatre troupe Headrush. It premiers Feb. 11 at The Breadbox Theatre, 745 North Sanborn Rd.
Salinas.
This staged reading centers around material gathered from interviews conducted with residents and community leaders from the Alisal community. Members of Headrush and Baktun 12 of Salinas conducted the interviews.

Full press release below with details.

HEADRUSH BRINGS “REALISAL: YOUR NEIGHBORS HISTORY” TO EAST SALINAS

Salinas, CA - January 11, 2011 — “reAlisal: Your Neighbors History” is a staged reading that was initiated by life-long residents of East Salinas, asking the question, “How does a community tell its own story?”

Focusing on the theme of land ownership, territories, and turf in East Salinas, a small team of researchers and performers from the groups Headrush and Baktun 12 have conducted extensive interviews among Alisal residents, employers, and public servants, with the intention of gathering the voices of the community to write a theatrical people’s history of the area that illuminates the political and social contradictions and human idiosyncrasies of this controversial and somewhat neglected heartland of California.

“reAlisal” is an ethnographic theatre reading of the Alisal community, as told through the lives of 30 individuals connected to the histories and major news stories of the area. It will uncover a diverse set of voices from the story of a neighborhood that has housed Okie farm workers who migrated from the Dust Bowl of the Midwest, to the more recent immigrant arrivals, who escaped the hardships of globalization in Southern Mexico and Central America.

BACKGROUND:

“reAlisal” is sponsored by the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts (ACFA), which has conducted free art workshops for young artists of east Salinas.

ACFA's enduring accomplishments are directly attributable to a long succession of dedicated, conscientious, talented and thoroughly professional artists/workshop leaders. ACFA has provided innumerable young artists with skills, confidence, and hope and has encouraged
and enabled many of them to continue their education.

ACFA's goals are to provide arts instruction in East Salinas; to bring cultural events to the community; to produce cross-cultural events; to stimulate and foster community pride and participation in the arts; to promote the development of art forms and art production unique to the community; to attract residents from other areas to East Salinas activities; and to create a more positive image of the Alisal community.

Director Luis Juarez has worked with ACFA as a theatre instructor, and has written and directed several productions including “Bethlehem 93905,” and “Cero,” among others.

WHEN:
6 p.m. Fri Feb. 11; 1 & 6 p.m. Sat-Sun, Feb. 12-13.

6 p.m. Fri, Feb. 18; 1& 6 p.m. Sat, Feb. 19; 6 p.m. Sun, Feb. 20.

Free (donations accepted).

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“Zodiac Series" @ Luxe Lounge

Luxe Lounge in Monterey announced its newest promotion, the “Zodiac Series” a monthly celebration for the astrologically inclined.

According to an e-mail from club manager Fred Parra, “Every 3rd Friday of the month will be the "Zodiac Series" featuring the zodiac sign of the month starting Jan 21 with Aquarius. We will feature a guest list through 102.5 KDON for birthdays for that zodiac sign, cover $5 and feature a different drink special each month called the birth sign of that month. Rotating DJ's Danny C, Big B, Showbiz, and Juan Burgandy. I plan on making the Zodiac Series a year long party (possibly longer) and the place to be once a month for Monterey nightlife. It will be fun where people can come and celebrate. Dress code enforced, +21.”

Luxe Lounge is located at 180 E. Franklin St., Monterey. For more information, call 643-1100, 262-5656, or search Luxe Lounge at www.facebook.com.

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Honeymoon drummer Matt Bailey leaves group

Honeymoon, the talented Peninsula band featuring a quartet of local starlets, announced the departure of founding band member Matthew Bailey due to health issues.
According to a band statement, Bailey suffered a work-related back injury in early 2010, when the band was in its early stages. Bailey soldiered through numerous tour dates and gigs while undergoing physical therapy. Regarding Bailey's departure, the band said "Despite all of his efforts to heal his back injury, Matt is still suffering from acute pain and has therefore decided to take a medical leave from honeymoon; we respect his decision and encourage him to take the time he needs for the necessary steps towards his recovery...”
Replacing Bailey is Mark Quinn, who has played with the bands Humboldt Squid, The Frequency, and Tregenza.
A full swipe of the band statement is available after the jump.



Matt Bailey Departs from honeymoon

January 10th, 2010

It is with heavy hearts today that honeymoon announces the departure of Matthew Bailey from our band. After sustaining a work-related back injury in early 2010 (right around the time that honeymoon formed), Matt was able to continue performing with the band while simultaneously undergoing rigorous physical therapy. We were fortunate enough to have him at our very first shows, including opening for Jackie Greene in Petaluma, CA and playing the Sunshine Stage at Furthur Festival in Angels Camp, CA. He also played with us during our first tours which took us all over Northern and Southern California as well as Nevada, and during which we opened multiple dates for Mary Chapin Carpenter, played the Garden Stage at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles with Ray LaMontagne and David Gray, and headlined several shows in our hometown including our EP release party in Big Sur, CA to celebrate our debut EP "After The Flood", which Matt also played on.

It would be redundant to say that Matt is like family to us as he has familial and marital ties to two of our front women, Sara Bollwinkel and Christina Bailey as well as his brother-in-law Matt Bollwinkel who plays bass in the band, but over the last year we have all become a family in every sense of the word and have seen each other through the plethora of obstacles that being a young band in it's first year is certain to provide. We've grown closer because of these experiences and are grateful for the safety-net of each other's support and love.

Despite all of his efforts to heal his back injury, Matt is still suffering from acute pain and has therefore decided to take a medical leave from honeymoon; we respect his decision and encourage him to take the time he needs for the necessary steps towards his recovery, in order to achieve a healthy, active lifestyle once again. Though this is an incredibly tough transition for us and we will miss Matt's presence in the band immensely, we are glad that he is healing himself and know that he'll always be close by. We have nothing but love, respect, and gratitude for his contributions and dedication to honeymoon over the last year.

Picking up the drumsticks in Matt's place is our dear friend Mark Quinn (Humboldt Squid, The Frequency, Tregenza). We know firsthand that Mark is an extremely talented musician and performer, and we are confident he will be a wonderful new addition to the honeymoon family as we continue to develop our sound and grow as a band. Mark joins our rhythm section with bass player Matt Bollwinkel, and front-women Andrea Blunt, Lauren Shera, Sara Bollwinkel, and Christina Bailey.

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And we're back...

Won't get into much detail about my recent blog hiatus, but if you've been reading the print edition of "The Beat," you have a good idea where I've been.
Happy New Year! Happy 2011! My year is already off to a great start, and it will just get better and better here @ "The Beat." Lots to catch up on, so Let's Roll Kato!

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