Tag Archives: exile

BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming

Catch me on the freeway, 110 South ‘til it ends at Bridgetown, USA

 – Blu & Exile “Simply Amazin”

In a quiet hillside neighborhood, the amber colored lights of El Principe lit the streets for BLU, San Pedro’s rap king, to return to his humble small-town roots. The Bridgetown Homecoming also featured performances from local stalwarts Block Scholars, Cashus King, Yuckee, SPVCE, and Mike G.

Street Status Studios organized a night of homegrown talent and implored the local residents to celebrate their champions from around the block. El Principe is known for hosting live bands and karaoke, so this hip-hop show was an alternative twist from their usual events.

As I walked in the nightclub, I was amazed at the colorful murals that covered the walls – the neon paint was accented by the black lights, which emulated a psychedelic vibe for all to experience. The sounds provided by DJ Lapaz created a party atmosphere, for the women enjoying their buckets of beer, while also respecting the hip-hop lovers in the crowd.

Mike G performs on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

I didn’t have much downtime before the host called Mike G to the stage to kick off the night. His quick set gained attention from the guys playing pool in the back of the club. Halfway into his performance, he introduced new music produced by fellow Odd Future alumni Leftbrain – the sound system highlighted the eerie and deep bass production. While debuting the new music, Mike G slipped up on his lyrics but bounced back with no problem. His performance left me wanting to hear more from his new output.

Block Scholars perform on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

The next performance was energized by the Block Scholars. This trio calls San Pedro their hometown and the local crowd showed them lots of love. The three emcees traded verses and slapped hands with the enthusiastic people in the audience. Seasoned veterans is what I would call them after watching their showmanship and signature production.

Yuckee performs on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

As the clock neared 11:40pm, renowned bassist Yuckee took the stage. Although, he is known as a supporting member of alternative reggae rock band Special Blend – this instance he was backed by DJ Kut Kaper. Yuckee is now exploring his love for rap and focusing on a solo career. His blend of boom-bap beats and introspective rhymes made fans get closer to the stage to take in the vibes. At one point, Yuckee made his way into the crowd to give the crowd that face-to-face interaction and created a deeper connection to his music. His set was met with applause and appreciation.

Donel Smokes performs on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

The conclusion of a Yuckee’s set was met with a fan favorite track from JayLib. This set up a great alley-oop for one of the special guests of the night and an exceptional producer set from Donel Smokes. Smokes used the Roland SP-404 like a wizard concocting specialty spells to snap the necks of every person in the crowd. Their heads bobbed in unison and bodies swayed to every filtered sample and beat drop. As a frequent collaborator with BLU, Smokes production fell in line with the soundscape of the event’s headliner.

Cashus King performs on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

30 minutes after midnight, Cashus King graced the stage and brought his thought-provoking lyrics to the forefront. He was wearing a shirt that featured an iconic image of LA rap legend, Tupac Shakur – the stark similarities of their ideals and lyrical content reminded me why I supported Coss (King’s former pseudonym) in the mid-2000’s. He was backed by SPVCE on the turntables and their chemistry was on full display. To get a grasp on King’s musical offerings, check his latest album “Lost in the Wilderness”.

BLU performs on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

The night had reached its tipping point, when the hometown hero BLU invited everyone to the front of the stage. He was met with cameras, “bridgetown” chants, and a clamorous welcome. The smile on BLU’s face, while kicking off his set with last year’s Fatlip-assisted “Gangsta Rap”, was great to see. He then jumped into “The West” a familiar tune (produced by Bombay) from his 2014 ‘Good To Be Home’ album. BLU’s appetizer provided an opportunity to bring the supporting acts Block Scholars and Donel Smokes to the stage and perform a posse cut that cemented the hometown brethren’s legacy.

M.E.D. joins BLU on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

Fans graciously approved when Oxnard’s finest, M.E.D. hopped on stage to perform hits alongside BLU from their Madlib-produced ‘Bad Neighbor‘ LP.

Exile joins BLU on stage at El Principe in San Pedro, Calif. on Saturday March 18, 2023

The crowd erupted when Exile joined BLU to perform “Simply Amazin’” – it was great to see these two trade verses, and more than likely you will be able to catch BLU & Exile perform together very soon. Overall, BLU’s Bridgetown Homecoming was adrenaline-pumping night for San Pedro’s hip-hop scene. Hopefully, more shows in the area will inject the energy needed to sustain the platform for others to ascend. Peep more flicks from the show below:

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Blu & Exile – “Miles: From an Interlude Called Life” (Album Review)

This is the 3rd full-length album from the critically acclaimed California hip hop duo Blu & Exile. Their 2007 full-length debut Below the Heavens: In Hell Happy with Your New Imaginary Friend is rightfully regarded by many to be one of the best hip hop albums to come out within the past 15 years. This was followed up in 2011 with Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them & then the 2017 rarities compilation In the Beginning: Before the Heavens. But as we enter the 2nd half of 2020, they’re returning with the double-disced Miles.

Things starts off with “Blue”, where Blu makes a bunch of witty references to the titular color on top of a heavenly beat from none other than Exile. The next song “When the Gods Meet” tells the story of an African American meeting a caucasian on a Saturday over a hypnotic instrumental while the track “True & Livin’” sends an impassioned message to the people over a soulful beat. The song “Miles Davis” speaks on how his opponents are washed up & his crew is superior over a jazzy boom bap beat while the track “The Feeling” talks about hope over a gorgeous piano instrumental.

The song “Music is My Everything” with Choosey of course is about how hip hop is their #1 passion over a soothing instrumental while the track “Bright as the Stars” with Aceyalone touches down on their earliest memories in the culture over a delicate beat. The song “Blue as I Can Be” of course talks about how unique he is over a forlorn keyboard instrumental while the track “You Ain’t Never Been Blue” is pretty much Blu talking his shit over a minimalist boom bap beat.

The song “Miles Away” talks about touring over an upbeat instrumental while the track “Troubled Water” comes through with some fiery bars over a harmonious soul sample hanging in the background. The song “Roots of Blue” is an amazing 10-minute black power anthem while the track “African Dream” talks about Africa being “the motherland” over a tribal instrumental. The song “Requiem of Blue” reflects on 2 points in his life in ’83 & ’88 respectively over a flute-tinged beat whereas “The American Dream” talks about wanting it all over a luscious boom bap beat.

The song “Dear Lord” talks about a dream he had where everyone was united backed by a gorgeous horn section while the track “To the Fall, But Not Forgotten” pays tribute to a bunch of famous celebrities who’re no long with us & I really dig the Saloon-style piano chords on here. The song “All the Blues” tells the life story of Miles Davis over a jazz-flavored beat while the penultimate track “Spread Sunshine” talks about positivity over a joyous instrumental. The album then finishes with “The End”, which is a decent Dirty Science posse cut.

Double albums are usually hit or miss with me personally because many of them are just bombarded with filler cuts, but the duo manage it to pull it off very well. For this to be their first release of original material in almost a decade, it’s almost like they never left. Blu reminds us of his place as a West Coast underground titan & Exile’s extravagant production fitting his conscious lyricism like a glove.

Score: 8/10

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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The Happiness of Pursuit Festival w/ Murs, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Blu & Exile, Crooked I + Many More

60 East presents the 4th Annual “The Happiness of Pursuit Festival” going down in Ontario, CA, 35 miles East of Los Angeles, Oct. 25th, 2019.  Performers include Murs, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Blu & Exile, R.A. The Rugged Man, Crooked I, and many more.  Tickets available on Eventbrite & THOPFEST.NET.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Exile, Choosey & Aloe Blacc Hit The Switch For A Lowrider Love Letter (Video)

Rap music and car culture have a long and colorful history together, especially as it pertains to lowriders. There are iconic images and videos involving Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, King T, Cypress Hill, MC Eiht, Mack 10, Kid Frost, Coolio, The Game, and others forever etched in the memory of Hip-Hop Heads. Even outside of the West Coast, these custom cars that often feature hydraulic suspension, small white-wall tires, and perfectly-polished wheels are in the consciousness of Rap culture. While lowriding predates many pillars of Hip-Hop, both forms of expression stem from hobbyists using available resources to make stylish statements about themselves, their neighborhoods, and pride for their people.

Exile has worked closely with and produced some critical voices in independent Hip-Hop. This list includes partnering with Blu on a series of releases beginning with 2007’s Below The Heavens, before widely introducing Fashawn two years later on Boy Meets World. Since then, the Los Angeles, California-based producer and DJ has worked on albums by Big Sean, Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa, and Pharoahe Monch. This decade, in particular, Ex’ has shined a light on San Diego, California’s Rap talent. Choosey appeared on E&J, the album from Exile and Johaz’ Dag Savage duo, in addition his solo Left Field. However, now he is getting his look via this Friday’s (March 29) Black Beans. Exile handles the sonic half of the upcoming Dirty Science Records LP.

Blu & Exile’s Video Imagines Their Playful Chemistry 20 Years Before Below The Heavens

Choosey is laid-back and soulful in the LP’s first single. The video for “Low Low” celebrates the lowrider, but in a way that is much more Skee-Lo than N.W.A. Twenty-four years to the day after Eazy-E’s death, Choosey raps about the automobile he would have, if only he could afford it. This dream dates back to building models and watching those in his ‘hood show out. Featuring Exile’s Emanon partner Aloe Blacc on the song and in the visual, this Latin-tinged track is a love song to a car, a woman, and an authentic L.A. pastime. In the footage, Heads can see a ’53 Chevy convertible, a ’64 coupe, and a ’63 Impala drop-top that Aloe maneuvers in the closing sequence. Other cars, including a ’69 station-wagon, a ’59 with teardrop lights, a ’65 coupe, and a ’61 bubble-top make appearances too. Apart from the vignettes of classic Chevys, a modern Lincoln achieves a turn in three-wheel motion.

“My biggest influences have been people who spoke from the heart, and what’s most honest about me is my heritage,” Choosey says in a statement. “There’s a stigma that Black and Mexican cultures don’t get along, but I wanted to show the beauty in being a product of both.”

Love Blu? You’ll Like Choosey & Exile A Lot, Especially Fly Me To The Moon (Video)

Exile’s beat is equally informed by those legendary Lowrider  music compilations. This dreamy song is all about culture, aspiration, and style.

Rap music and car culture have a long and colorful history together, especially as it pertains to lowriders. There are iconic images and videos involving Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, King T, Cypress Hill, MC Eiht, Mack 10, Kid Frost, Coolio, The Game, and others forever etched in the memory of Hip-Hop Heads. Even outside of the West Coast, these custom cars that often feature hydraulic suspension, small white-wall tires, and perfectly-polished wheels are in the consciousness of Rap culture. While lowriding predates many pillars of Hip-Hop, both forms of expression stem from hobbyists using available resources to make stylish statements about themselves, their neighborhoods, and pride for their people.

Exile has worked closely with and produced some critical voices in independent Hip-Hop. This list includes partnering with Blu on a series of releases beginning with 2007’s Below The Heavens, before widely introducing Fashawn two years later on Boy Meets World. Since then, the Los Angeles, California-based producer and DJ has worked on albums by Big Sean, Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa, and Pharoahe Monch. This decade, in particular, Ex’ has shined a light on San Diego, California’s Rap talent. Choosey appeared on E&J, the album from Exile and Johaz’ Dag Savage duo, in addition his solo Left Field. However, now he is getting his look via this Friday’s (March 29) Black Beans. Exile handles the sonic half of the upcoming Dirty Science Records LP.

Blu & Exile’s Video Imagines Their Playful Chemistry 20 Years Before Below The Heavens

Choosey is laid-back and soulful in the LP’s first single. The video for “Low Low” celebrates the lowrider, but in a way that is much more Skee-Lo than N.W.A. Twenty-four years to the day after Eazy-E’s death, Choosey raps about the automobile he would have, if only he could afford it. This dream dates back to building models and watching those in his ‘hood show out. Featuring Exile’s Emanon partner Aloe Blacc on the song and in the visual, this Latin-tinged track is a love song to a car, a woman, and an authentic L.A. pastime. In the footage, Heads can see a ’53 Chevy convertible, a ’64 coupe, and a ’63 Impala drop-top that Aloe maneuvers in the closing sequence. Other cars, including a ’69 station-wagon, a ’59 with teardrop lights, a ’65 coupe, and a ’61 bubble-top make appearances too. Apart from the vignettes of classic Chevys, a modern Lincoln achieves a turn in three-wheel motion.

“My biggest influences have been people who spoke from the heart, and what’s most honest about me is my heritage,” Choosey says in a statement. “There’s a stigma that Black and Mexican cultures don’t get along, but I wanted to show the beauty in being a product of both.”

Love Blu? You’ll Like Choosey & Exile A Lot, Especially Fly Me To The Moon (Video)

Exile’s beat is equally informed by those legendary Lowrider  music compilations. This dreamy song is all about culture, aspiration, and style.

Source: AmbrosiaForHeads.com

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