Clip of The Day: A Gem from Prince Ken Swift of 7 Gems

Freestyle Session 13th Yr Anniv. Congratulations to Cros 1 and his staff.

Congratulations to the homie Cros 1. Tomorrow will be the 13th Freestyle Session Anniversary. It is one of the most inspirational jam that have reached many bboys/girls throughout the whole globe. It is considered the Super Bowl of BBoy Jam. It is that legendary because 13 years it is still relevant to this day. Too bad I can't be there due to family business. However, my MZK members will be out there to support the jam, also my brotha Alien Ness will be judging. Hahha finally Cros got him to judge....lol I remember Ness ran up to me all excited to say "YOOO TY!! CROS finally got me to judge!! I'm so happy!" hahahaha.

I still remember the first Freestyle Session video that I saw was Freestyle Session 3. You can watch the clip of it below. It have inspired many including myself.

Flashback Freestyle Session 3 Clips:


Also, my crew (Zulu Kingz) and I got the honor to win Freestyle Session 10th yr Anniv in 2007 so that was a very memorable moment for my crew and I.

This year the winners of Freestyle Session will represent at R16 2011 in Korea! A trip worth over $20,000 dollars plus $10,000 in cash. Again shouts to the homie Cros 1 and also his Freestyle Session staff for always putting out a quality BBoy Jam for us all. Congratulations!


Freestyle Session 12 DVD Trailer:


Information about Freestyle Session 13:

@ Henry Fonda Theater Music Box
6126 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

November 27th - Day One
12pm-8pm
Bboy Preliminaries
FunkStyle Session-Poppin and Locked Battle Prelims

November 28th - Day Two
12pm-10pm
Top 16 Bboy Crews(14 from Day 1 + West Coast and East Coast Winners from Rock the Bells)
Funkstyle Session Finals

CLIP OF THE DAY: Hip-Hop Legends Celebrate 37th Anniversary of the Zulu Nation

Song of The Day: The Narcicyst featuring Shadia Mansour "Hamdulillah"

This is why I love Hip Hop..transcend all barriers! This is Narcicyst with a song called Hamdulillah meaning "Praise to God" in Arabic.

According to the director of video: this video is a global collaborative effort by 10 photographers - from London to Lebanon, Cairo To Canada, Abu Dhabi to America- to create a portrait of the New Global Citizens. They are DJs, MCs, poets, architects, teachers, doctors, parents and children. Most of all they are people.

What?!! FunkMaster Flex dissin Tupac? C'Mon SON!!!

Cmon Funk Flex...u buggin!!!

Funk Flex dissin Tupac:


His response on why he diss Tupac:


Outlawz camp responding to FunkFlex diss:


On the real, Funk Flex is buggin for real. Let Tupac Rest In Peace. Also, he saying Tupac as dwelling on negativity but Funk Flex been a 50 supporter with all that beefing 50 does...and doesn't he know Hip Hop is about battling etc as well...so I think Funk Flex is confused...lol...He needs to know his place for real.

Like 2pac said..."Niggas talk a lot of shit but that's after I'm gone
Cause they fear me in physical form let it be known"

Araab Muzik is nice with it on the MPC!!

Araab Muzik did it again!! Straight fire on the MPC. A lot of kats don't even understand the art behind producing beats and yes it's part of Hip Hop no doubt! To me Araab Muzik is nice with his. He is the producer of Dip Set. This is just his promo of him using the mpc and drumming on it.




Here is part 1 and 2 in case you missed it before:





Other video of AraabMuzik:

Grandmaster Caz and DJ Disco Wiz vs Afrika Bambaataa

In Honor of Hip Hop History.

Caz and Disco Wiz drop some gems about a time when they battle Afrika Bambaataa.

According to my Zulu Ahki Coda of Tomahawk Zulu Chapter, he stated:
"The ill thing about this video is that the comic shows them outside in the park. But in reality this battle that he is speakin of actually took place inside at a place called the PAL(Police Atheletic League) on Webster Avenue in the Bronx."

Clip of The Day: Bgirl Hanifa Queen A,K.A Bubbles - UK first B-Girl

In Honor of Hip Hop History Month, I gotta shout out UK first B-Girl: BUBBLES aka Hanifa Queen

Clip of The Day: KMEL (Boogie Bratz/Zulu Kingz) dropping that gem!

Mighty Zulu Kingz vs Skill Methodz Raw Cypha Battle: Check the battle ethics!!

This is from Freestyle Session 11 in 2008, the same Freestyle Session where MZK called out Massive Monkeez in that infamous concrete cypha battle.

Shouts to SKMZ!! I think it was Teknyc from SKMZ that set it off to call out one of the MZK members. I think it was Smurf ...that he called out. Then it became a 3 man battle (Casper, Smurf, Joolz vs Teknyc, Venum, Flipz) with no one else jumped in since none from each side jumped in after that, and let just the 3 from each side continue to battle cuz thats just the rule of engagement. The footage here show like the last 1/2 of the battle if I can remember.

To all BBoys/Girls: Watch and Learn the BATTLE ETHICS by the two crews.

- No shit talking, do the talking on the floor dancing
- No disrespect
- Crew members from both side watching but in battle demeanor mode ready to throw down in case someone else from each side jumps in
- No cheerleading on the sidelines jumping up and down to give props for their crew members even if someone from their crew did some nice rounds.

True class act on how a battle is suppose to be from both crews.

Also, the footage don't show this but when the music stops, the battle stops, and when the music starts again then the battle continue. It went on like this for i think 15-20 minutes. I think this went down during Freestyle Session prelims or top 16. This is only like 1/2 of the battle. I think there were rounds missing from both sides in the beginning of the battle where Teknyc was the first one to set it off.

Take notes...this is an educated post for the future generations on how a battle should be.

Peace to my crew and SKMZ for the inspiration and carrying on tradition on how it should be done!

Dr. Randy Pausch Inspirational Speech: Achieving Childhood Dreams

Dr Randy Pausch is truly an AMAZING and INSPIRATIONAL person.

Please listen to his message.



This is his Last lecture before he passed away on July 25, 2008. It's an hour long.

The Notorious IBE 10th Edition: Holland here I come once again!

I will be flying to Amsterdam tomorrow for IBE. I should be in Amsterdam on Thursday morning, and staying the whole day there on Thursday. On Friday the bus will take all the artists to Heerlen from Amsterdam for the 10th Edition of IBE.

IBE basically an International Hip Hop jam with emphasize on the BBoy element of the Hip Hop Culture. This year will be the 10th Edition. The whole city of Heerlen, Holland turn into a big Hip Hop festival. It's crazy! I got to witness it first hand in 2008 when IBE flew me out as a Judge, and the vibe is unbelievable. I'm sure with it's 10th Edition, it's going to be even crazier! It's on and popping!

Shouts to IBE staff! See all my worldwide BBoys/BGirls there! To all my MZK crew members that are going to be there: let's get it in!!!

Clip Of The Day: Shouts to Hip Hop OGz!!

Shouts to all the OGz!!!

David Banner: Death of A Pop Star

Shouts to David Banner to come into realization that he needs to do a 360 on his creativity as an artist in the Hip Hop music industry. He was once one of those so called "Down South" type of rappers that have infested the Hip Hop community with the same equation (money, bitches, hoes, cars etc) that are being played on MTV and BET, or on the radio. Almost all of them all sound the same.

Well David Banner is breaking out of that mold to go back to what he use to be about: a creative Hip Hop emcee.

I salute David Banner for realizing there's more to life than just following the same trend.

I wonder how many of our good down south brothas in the Hip Hop Community are trapped into that mold of the Down South Rappers that the industry have created? I hope they do the same as David Banner soon and not sell themselves out.

"It just seems like we falling into this Matrix type of thinking. Records are not selling anyways, so why not be creative..." - David Banner

His latest work as a true Hip Hop Emcee being in total creative control:

His work when he was part of the so called "Down South Rapper" branding and creative control by the so called Music Industry:

SEE THE DIFFERENCE?!!  DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MATRIX!!

Tupac Shakur: Unconditional Love

 
It's been 14 years since Tupac passed way on Sept 13, 1996.  His voice, and music still resonate today in Hip Hop because his work is timeless.  He speaks from the heart with deep lyrical content, and a true freedom fighter. Many rappers in the game today should look at what Tupac did for his community.  He inspires many to uplift instead of self-destruct. Also he's part of Universal Zulu Nation as well.  A true soldier of his time! He mos def got Unconditional Love for the Community.

Shouts to Tupac.

R.I.P.

Rocaway Freeway @ Skullys in Columbus, OH this Friday September 17, 2010!!

I be catching wreck along with the Shaolin Funk bboy crew at the Freeway show this Friday Oct. 17 in Columbus, OH! Come through!

For more info: http://www.showclix.com/event/11927/

Skill Methodz Celebrates 15 Yr Anniv in NYC

Shouts to Skill Methodz for holding it down all these years.  Catch their Anniversary this weekend in NYC starting September 16th.  All information are below.

These brothaz on the bboy tip to the rhyme tip to graff tip etc.  Straight Hip Hop na mean.  They came out of  Tampa, Flava Florida, and been putting in work as a crew for 15 years now.

Keep carrying on tradition Skill Methodz!

SKILL METHODZ WEEKEND SCHEDULE.

Thurdsay: RYTHM & BOUNCE.
@ KATRA. 217 Bowery.
Sounds by CRAZY LEGS & SICKROC.
Admission: FREE!!!!
21+ ONLY!!!!

Friday: FREEDOM PARTY.
@LE POISSON ROUGE.
158 Bleecker Btwn Thomson & Sullivan.
Sounds by DJ COSI & DJ HERBERT.
SAY "SKILL METHODZ" AT THE DOOR!!!!
Admission:
Ladies FREE Before 12AM. $10 After!!!!
Fellas $10 Till 2AM. $15 After!!!!
21+ ONLY!!!!

Saturday: SKMZ 15 Year Anniversary.
@ SANTOS PARTY HOUSE.
96 Lafayette St.
Sounds by DP ONE & SICKROC.
Admission:
$15.00 "Daytime Event Only!!!!"
ALL AGES WELCOME!!!
$20.00 "Includes Admission To THE GO OFF - 21+ ONLY!!".

Saturday night: THE GO OFF.
@ SANTOS PARTY HOUSE.
96 Lafayette St.
Sounds By UNKLE CHIP & PHILLEE BLUNT.
Admission:
$10.00 At The Door.
21+ Only!!

Sunday: FUNK BOX.
@ SULLIVAN ROOM.
218 Sullivan St.
Sounds By TONY TOUCH.
Admission.
SAY "SKILL METHODZ" AT THE DOOR!!!!
$5.00 Before 10PM
$10.00 After 10pm

NOTE:
For Fridays "FREEDOM PARTY" & Sundays "FUNK BOX"
...You Must say "SKILL METHODZ" At The Door!!!

Imagine Life Without Hip Hop.....

Life and Society would be different without Hip Hop for sure. Hip Hop Culture have touch so many people lives around the globe of all ethnic background. I have seen Muslims and Christians getting a long sharing freely and peacefully with one another while their leaders are at war with each other based on political agenda. Within Hip Hop Culture we don't judge anyone by their skin color, but by the actions of our characters. We don't judge you if you a Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and so on. Within Hip Hop Culture, I have seen people of different countries who can't communicate with each other because of language differences, but when getting together at a Hip Hop jam, they are able to communicate with each other non-verbally. Some people who are not in tune with the Hip Hop community might ask how can the communicate when they don't speak the same language? Well all I can say is, it's a experience that I can't put into words, you just have to experience it to really know what I'm talking about. I'm sure those of you reading this who are part of Hip Hop Culture knows exactly what I'm talking about. Within Hip Hop Culture, I have seen Hip Hop heads all around the world no matter the race, religion etc share Cultural background/values/principles with one another to learn from each other, and respecting the differences. While political leaders, media, financial institution are playing a chess game with society to cause a division, and keeping people from thinking outside the box on a WORLD scale, Hip Hop does the opposite. So I can't imagine how this world be without Hip Hop. Hip Hop is the platform for reconciliation for world peace in my opinion. Hip Hop is a Blissing from God for sure!

Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun!!

The Untold Story of Up-Rockin'

Big ups to Fabel for putting this together to tell the stories of other rockers in other NYC boroughs in the early 70s. The Volume One features three OG BX Rockers: Enoch, Papo and Marine Boy.

Rock Dance wasn't just in Brooklyn. It was an all city wide dance with many different styles and flavor!

CLASS IS IN SESSION!!!

ROCK DANCE HISTORY: The Untold Story of Up-Rockin' Vol. One by Jorge "PopMaster Fabel" Pabon



Trailer
 PART 1
 PART 1.5
 PART 2
 PART 3
  PART 4

PART 5
 PART 6




Hopefully everyone take the time out for the gems above!!! 

Now go to the following link (did not allow me to embed it to the blog), and watch it. A lot of GEMS on there! Ken Swift brought up an interesting point at the 24:25 mark: http://vimeo.com/12498927

Now this is what I wrote on the Facebook: Rock Dance Forum

Something to ponder upon. At 24:25 mark in this clip Ken Swift brought up an interesting point. This is the same way how I feel about the so called Rock Dance in perspective of it's history. It is very much possible that the music that are being played in those early days have the same impact for on someone who into dancing whether they be from BK, BX, Manhattan, Queens etc..and also a lot of these dancers are all influenced by the same surrounding their neighborhoods or pop culture that they see on tv: poverty, gangs, latin culture, fred astaire etc Put all those elements together, I'm sure brothas in one borough will move in a certain way that another brother in another borough would do as well...so who is to say who invented what, or started wat. For me, ever since I'm on this forum I have stated that I believe that there are all Rockers in other borough as well and there are different style to it, and that NEW GENERATION should learn from all of them and not be bias to one style. However, I do have to say BK have the strongest Rock Dance history with their style by a long run than any other borough becuz its proven that BK took rock to another level. That's just being real. BX Rock Dance style got watered down because of the over exposure of Breakin period. If you say BX people automatically say BBoy, and not pre-bboy days which has Rockers in BX. So the " BX Rock Dance" history got watered down in my opinion and thats no one to blame except those that in BX that was rocking in those pre-bboy days didnt pass on the torch correctly compare to how BK pass on their torch. However, until now Fabel is going to put out some history of other boroughs so thats a good balance to the whole Rock Dance community. Hopefully new generations do reach out to other borough rock dancers to get their perspective as well and learn a thing or two.

For you old dudes, just teach the new generations and dont talk about no beef cuz I dont wan't to hear none of that bullshit. To you new dudes including myself..learn all style and innovate off of it. in the end its all about STYLE WARS!! Who got the best style will reign supreme so why not learn all style and master it all and innovate it into your own style like how Bruce Lee did with martial arts. Stop the ego everyone. We are all one at the end of the day. SAME STRUGGLE!!

Peace. Respect. One Light.

Tyquan
Mighty Zulu Kingz
Ready To Rock

MZK w/ The Art of Dance and Ballet Academy Presents: Hip Hop for Peace, Love, & Unity

It's going down Sept 19, 2010 in Placentia, CA!!

Rock Dance: Ready To Rock steez

Check out Ready To Rock rocking it out at All-City Blackbook 2010 jam in Queens, NYC in the clip below starting @4:52 mark. No happy happy joy joy type $hit. STRAIGHT RAW, GULLY Ruffneck style. HOLLA!

In the clip Rocking:
Myself (Tyquan)
Phantom
Main Event

Diss Track Flashback of the Day: JadaKiss - Checkmate (50 Cent diss)

I was going through my mp3 today, and came across one of the best diss track of all time hidden in my mp3 treasure playlist, the 50Cent diss track by Jadakiss. I remember when this track came out back in 2004 or 2005, 50Cent wasn't getting no love at all in the hood cause Jada basically slaughter 50Cent with this track. The streets was riding with Jadakiss in this battle.

The story behind the diss track was that back in 2004, there was a song called "New York" by Ja Rule that feature Jadakiss and Fat Joe. In the song, Ja Rule took shots at 50Cent. This made 50Cent reply back with a track called "Piggy Bank", but in this track 50Cent fire some shots at Jadakiss eventhough Jadakiss never took shots at 50Cent in Ja Rule's "New York" track. So when 50Cent took shots at Jadakiss, CHECKMATE literally destroy 50cent street rep.

I remember listening to this in Harlem at Jeskilz spot with Ness and K-Mel before we head out to RSC Anniv jam at Crobar in 2005 to get us amped up, and we was wilding out and rapping along to it especially the part where Jadakiss says:

You don't be in the hood, you be in the woods
Fuckin' wit' me, is where you really gon' be for good
I hold the 4-5 myself, and hop out the Range on 1-4-5 myself

We were literally near 145th in Harlem and was bugging out when Jadakiss said that. One of my favorite Hip Hop diss track! And that's the Diss Track Flashback of the Day!

A BBoy/BGirl Public Service Announcement:

Why do majority of bboys/girls live a fantasy lifestyle? lol They act hard in battle but in real life they not even hard at all, or never ever get down like that on the hood street level, or affiliated to the streets. Damn too many fake kats in the scene thinking they the realest but if they walk in the hood they be SHOOK, or don't even know anyone from the hood! The scene is starting to look like the rap scene filled with fake heads. Or I've seen bboys/girls living it up in the bboyworld thinking they superstars, but in real life they are struggling to make ends meet, and work long hours with low pay living paycheck to paycheck with no savings or any ownership. If you living it up, then you shouldn't be strugglin in real life! REAL TALK! Quit living a lie! Be truthful to yaself, get ya $hit together in real life first (education, financial, health, ownership, jobs, investments, mortgage etc). Educate yaself (knowledge of self), and it will set you FREE! Everyday life is not a episode of Beatstreet! I respect those that keep it real 100 than those that fake the funk!