Video: Chick Hearn Interviews Chris Mullin

Chris Mullin is one of the greatest Golden State Warriors of all time, but his first couple years in the league left something to be desired. After overcoming a slow start and a bout with alcoholism however, Mullin went on to become an All-Star, a member of the gold medal winning 1992 Dream Team and a Hall-of-Famer, thus making him the NBA’s poster child of new beginnings.

This 1989 interview with legendary Lakers announcer Chick Hearn takes place during the turning point in Mullin’s career, and the year before Tim Hardaway was drafted to complete Run TMC and their subsequent string of play off appearances. His Brooklyn rogue is prominent, but it is his renewed focus, humbleness and dedication to his craft that shine through in this segment.

Props to our friends over at Warriors World for digging up this gem and naming the 6’ 7” white boy as the starting 2 guard on their all-time Golden State squad. 

"Growing Is Forever"- A Tribute to the Bay Area's Natural Beauty

38thnotes covers Bay Area hip-hop culture, but there is beauty that surrounds us that isn’t captured in that net. I love Oakland like family and I know many others who share that conviction, but we often take more pride in the war, than the beauty.  One of the blessings of living in the Bay Area is that we are surrounded by natural magnificence. We are perched on the Pacific coast, bathed in the Frisco Bay, enshrouded by rolling fog and crowned with majestic redwoods. This Oakland is our land, but this side of it often goes unnoticed.

Thankfully, filmmaker Jesse Rosten put together a stunning tribute to one of our natural neighbors, the majestic Redwood groves of Northern California. Featuring Rosten’s beautiful cinematography and the poetic prose and narration of Kallie Markle, “Growing Is Forever” views like a spiritual experience. It’s an homage to the towering trees that have stood in their stead for thousands of years, but it is also about growth and stillness.

“Growing is Forever” leaves you calm and contemplative. For me it reminded me of the Redwood tree that has always stood tall in my back yard, the annual tree plantings we did for a family friend who was killed, and the llama pack trips I used to go on in the shadows of Mount Shasta. We are so distracted by our city life and the concrete that covers it, that we often forget our roots. We all came from the land at some point. Whether our ancestors were farmers, sharecroppers, hunters, gatherers, cowboys, traders or frontiersman– the work, modes of travel and the spaciousness of this expanding country necessitated a relationship with Mother Nature. We’ve become somewhat lost in that regard.

Let “Growing Is Forever” remind you of the beauty in your own backyard and let the zen-like wisdom it emanates urge you to slow down and explore yourself and the natural world that surrounds you. 

Video: The Latest from Los Rakas

Los Rakas won’t stop killing shit in the lead up to dropping their album Chancletas y Camisetas Bordadas on August 23^rd. Fresh off a performance at UCLA’s famed Jazz/ReggaeFest, the duo just dropped an animated promo video for their forthcoming LP that plays off their dope album art.

Their latest heater “Ta Lista” is a hit and, interestingly enough, the video goes to great lengths to celebrate Mexican culture. There are Mexico and Atzlan flags left and right, and the video was filmed on Oakland’s East 14^th St. in the Fruitvale district and at San Jose’s Cinco De Mayo festival as well. It’s safe to say that though Rake Rich and Raka Dun are Panamanian by blood, they recognize that it is the rich Mexican-American culture of the Bay Area that gives their sound the foundation to flourish here. Perhaps this is their thanks.

Raka Dun also just hopped on a joint with San Francisco’s own Rocky Rivera. On “Girl Like Me” the Pinay lyricist calls out men who are still living in trifling adolescence and ignoring the good women in their midst. “You’re no teenager any more / So why you still tryna find love on the dance floor?” poses Ms. Rivera. Raka Dun is left to the task of defending himself and other similarly situated men by extension. I’d tell you how great of a case he made for himself if I could understand everything he said, but I can’t. Shout out to Oakland director Erica Eng for handling the visuals! 

Hit the jump for a couple recent interviews with the PanaBaynian duo. These boys are doin it large and bilingual!

Interview: The Cataracs & Dev at SXSW

The Cataracs and Dev have been making major inroads the last few months. The Cataracs have been writing and producing for Snoop and 50, and released their first single and video on a major label in "Bass Down Low." Just yesterday, it was announced that along with Dev, they will be opening for Usher on the North American leg of his OMG Tour. Needless to say, the audience they will reach on this tour will open even more doors for them. We said it three years ago, and we'll say it again, don't be surprised when you see a Grammy in their hands.

Here, the threesome sits down to talk about the origins of their collaboration and  the recording of Dev's forthcoming album, The Night The Sun Came Up. Special shout out to Campa for keeping mum the whole time. We see you!

Video: Chris Turner: "All We Need" Live

Chris Turner takes the stage for a little unplugged performance of his new song "All We Need." With Rene on guitar and Basil on keys, Chris pours his heart and soul into an acoustic rendition of the second single off of Love Child. Props to Chris for repping The Town in East Coast circles and to the multi-talented Jesse Boykins III for shooting the performance.

Video: Catching Up With The Based God

MTV Woodie Awards presenter Pete Wentz had just announced that Kanye West won the Left Field Award, when Stunna Man of the Pack commandeered the mic. "Yo, no offense, but Lil B had the best left field and he was the shit! Based Goddd!" What followed was a chorus of "SWAG"s as Lil B, The Cataracs and Young L stormed the platform to celebrate the award that they hijacked. Lil B then exclaimed that he was the "rawest rapper ever," as his Berkeley contingent applauded in the background. It was hilarious to see The Pack "Deebo" Kanye's victory in the same fashion that he ruined Taylor Swift's moment two years ago. But it was also fitting that The Based God take home the "Left Field" award. What accolade better describes the impact that Lil B has had on the game in the past year?

The Woodie Awards were in Austin this year due to SXSW, and Lil B was just beginning to mess with Texas. He headlined the FADER Fort this year and somehow Diddy ended up introducing him. It seems ridiculous that OG Puff would intro the Master Chef, but then again, he thrives on remaking his image to maintain his relevance. Still, his exclamations of "SWAG!" and his cooking dance were so cheesy and off-putting. Back to the drawing board Mr. Combs!

Afterwards Lil B talked to the most offbeat interviewer in music, Narduar the Human Serviette. It could be argued that Narduar and Lil B are cut from the same cloth, so watching this interview (below) is recommended. And if all that weren't enough, Lil B just dropped a new music video for his song "Illusions of Grandeur." Check it out after the jump!!

SXSW: DNas Reports Live From Austin: Video

DNas, of Streets Is Talking Radio, hasn’t just been blogging for 38thnotes, he’s also been filming. Check out his latest flipcam documentation of Erk Tha Jerk’s Audible Treats performance and the raucous streets of Austin. We’ve also added a clip of Mistah FAB kickin a sick freestyle and Lil B and Diddy cooking at the Fader Fort. Lil B stays throwing curve balls. Here he talks about the age of information and riding AC Transit over subdued beats. No swag? No problem. The Bay is in the Area!

Previously:

SXSW: DNas Reports Live From Austin: Day 1

SXSW: DNas Reports Live From Austin: Day 2

Video: DJ D Sharp & DJ Malachi Remember Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg is a west coast legend. The King of Hooks was a bit like a 90s T-Pain, except that he had a rich gangsta croon rather than a syrupy vocoder.  Here The Bay Area’s DJ D Sharp and DJ Malachi recount his legacy. RIP Nate Dogg

Music Video: Young L: "Loud Pockets"

Young L’s “Loud Pockets” slaps way too hard. It’s the type of track that has your face twisted and head doing the Timbaland bounce in a coffee shop full of bewildered lames. The video only enhances the effect. Young L literally just sits in an antique chair on city streets while sparse animation and a lone dancer work around him. It’s probably one of the most straightforward videos Aris Jerome has ever directed, but also one of the dopest–proof that there is genius in simplicity. And as Daghe+Digital noted, Young L probably didn’t have to burn any calories during the entire shoot. That’s efficiency!

What makes this video so dope is the beat, presumably produced by Young L himself, and the animation, executed by Kristofer Ström, Natalie Larsson and Erik Buchholtz. The trio’s work channels Kanye and T-Pain’s “Good Life” aesthetic, but in a very understated and complimentary way. All the elements leave you with a clean and simple visual accompaniment to an already undeniable slumper.

And maybe it’s just the Berkeley connection and the fact that “Loud Pockets” conjures up “Sex Packets,” but Young L reminds me a bit of Shock G here. 

In any case, watch the video to his slappin ass new mixtape, Domo-Kun. after the jump! Wolf Paaaack!

Video: Dahrio Wonder: "I Surrender"

Many of us have been the other (wo)man before and had to deal with the frustration that comes from loving someone who loves some one else more. Often times we rationalize our convictions and convince ourselves that they love us more but are tied to that person by circumstance. Sometimes this is the case. Oftentimes it is not.  In "I Surrender" Dahrio Wonder expresses this tug of war between perception and reality and tries to unravel his addiction to a woman who simultaneously fills and drains him. It's an exhausting endeavor to be sure.

The song is aided tremendously by an amazing video by Ella Camellia of LOUDreams. Her work glows with warm hues and emotional depth that tells Dahrio's story even when the audio is muted. You can feel the hot and cold nature of his predicament as he alternates between basking in her affection and standing in lonely shadows. The whole video he finds solace in their intimate moments, while staving off a glowing room at the end of a dark hallway–his subconscious. It's nagging presence will eventually force him to stand face-to-face with what he already knows–that she is married to and in love with someone else. There is little worse then opening yourself up, only to find that you've fallen in love with a charade–that you are just her escape from him.

Video: The Jealous Guys: AllDayPlay Interview

The Jealous Guys take a trip across the bridge for an interview with All Day Play FM in Oakland, CA. The duo discusses their recently released Love Mixtape, their sound, contemporary influences and the Life Insomniac movement. If you haven't downloaded the Love Mixtape yet, do so HERE.

Video: LiL B: XXL Freshman Freestyle

Lil Bars kicks a #BASED freestyle at XXL Headquarters during the Freshman cover shoot in NYC. In isolation, it might sound strange, but 38thnotes has analyzed his unique assent HERE. Check out the #BASEDGOD's response to being selected to cover XXL.

“When I got the freshmen call I was at home on the Internet as always, and I got a call from my friend and he told me, ‘Man, XXL wanna have you [as a] freshmen.’ I couldn’t believe it when I heard that I was a part of it. It was an honor. It’s a big accomplishment for me to be working so hard, [and] it feels amazing to be appreciated; and very humbling… You know what’s funny is I made a video [last year] called ‘XXL Freshmen 2010,’ [so] it feels amazing that I was chosen.”

New Music: Jennah Bell: Early Bird EP

Jennah Bell’s debut is, in a word, personal. At some point you’ll see yourself in one of the music pictures she illustrates, even if it’s the emotional you that you’re hiding from others. That’s what happens when artists are honest. The most personal things become universal because the feelings are real.

In Bell’s case real is being honest about missing former flames, wondering aloud “Do You Still Love Me,” and recognizing fear. Staying away from the overproduction that plagues many artists, the simple and raw sound makes the project, and message conveyed, a bit more authentic. The Early Bird EP features all new tracks, so if you want to hear "3hrs, 59min (New York)" you'll have to go watch the Subway Series again. The new lo-fi tracks work together to answer the question who is Jennah Bell? and prompt more questions like "What's next?" and "When is she performing out here?"

Miss Bell is back in Boston now studying at the prestigious Berklee School of Music, but we'll let you know when she's back in the Bay. For now check out her work with Making Music Herstory and download the Early Bird EP.

The 38^th favorite is “Shotgun City.”

Still what is there left to say?

Too tired to shout, too lonely to go away

But I want to know you’re ok

That you’re living your life

And not lost in the heart of the shotgun city.

Steer clear of the lights

And look at the moon

And when you look at the sky

I’m looking at the same sky

As you.

DL: Shotgun City by Jennah Bell

DL: Jennah Bell's Early Bird EP

Video: Mara Hruby: "Simply Beautiful" (Live)

Photo by Mark Chua

Mara Hruby piqued a lot of people’s interest with her debut project From Her Eyes, a cover of songs originally sung by men, from the perspective of a woman. Her sound struck folks as soft, soothing and refined. During 38thnotes and Warriors World’s exclusive interview with her last year she shared that many have likened her to Corrine Bailey Ray. I would argue that there is an unmistakable hue to her voice that is distinctly her own, but she is certainly not without inspiration. “Al Green is very influential to my music, and to the feeling I want to convey with my music,” she shared with me yesterday. That of course explains her beautiful cover of Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful,” a song that sadly missed the deadline for From Her Eyes.

Al Green wrote “Simply Beautiful” in 1972, since which it has been covered by the likes of Maxwell, Van Hunt, Queen Latifah, Fantômas and now Mara Hruby.  On February 18^th, Mara performed it for the first time at Pagoda in San Jose. It’s stripped down sound is slow-burning and scintillating. Nate Mercereau’s  acoustic rhythm guitar is steady but nuanced and Cam Perridge's electric accents pierce the atmosphere just right. Near the 2:09 mark we particularly hear Green’s influence in a few high notes that I’ve never heard Mara hit before.

This song is my new favorite Mara Hruby song, but we’ve also included her performance of "Alright" for your viewing pleasure. And finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t give a shout out to Mara’s always elegant vintage wardrobe. Respect.

Many thanks to San Saefong for filming and editing the footage and Juan Romero for producing it.

Video: Balance feat. U-N-I: "Hard To Get"

Oakland’s Balance teams up with LA’s U-N-I for a Left Coast collaboration set on selling the fairer sex on the merits of ménage a troi. It’s a hard sell, but with the song’s smooth delivery, sultry visuals and crisp editing, they just might convince a few females to join their fantasy. As they say in the chorus, 

“You ain’t gotta play hard to get,

I know you like the art of sex.

Laying it down like an architect,

You and ya friend, we can all get wet.”

With that said, convincing the woman you’re with that your interest in bringing another woman into your bedroom is a matter of sexual exploration and not boredom, can be a touchy discussion. Good luck with that, gentlemen. I for one will do my best to avoid raising the issue and coming off like a unfulfilled douchebag. If however, such a scenario is presented to me, I just may partake.

Video: Oakland's Legacy Alive in The 2011 Slam-Dunk Contest

Yesterday’s all-star weekend hoopla centered on Blake Griffin’s showmanship in the final round of the slam-dunk contest. And though I hate to agree with bitter-ass Charles Barkley, it was an overrated dunk that was flashier than it was amazing. A 6’ 10” man-child dunking over the hood of a car? Back in the day a 5' 9" Oakland playground legend named Hook Mitchell did a 360-degree dunk over a Volkswagen. Now THAT was a dunk worthy of accolades. 

Unfortunately Hook's legendary talent was lost to Oakland's streets, leaving players like Jason Kidd and Gary Payton to carry The Town's torch. Mitchell's sad story is told in a documentary entitled Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell. An excerpt is below.

Griffin's attempt at Hook's glory wasn’t the only homage to Oakland in this year’s dunk contest however.  The Raptor’s DeMar DeRozan remixed another local classic, the East Bay Funk Dunk, originated by Isaiah “JR” Rider. Rider debuted the oft-imitated between-the-legs slam in the 1994 dunk contest. Unfortunately this rookie feat was the highlight of his NBA career, as he soon was tagged a problem player and became a journeymen who's drug habit and off-the-court problems  overshadowed his talent.

It’s sad that two local hoop icons have longer rap sheets than stat sheets, but that’s the nature of life for many in Oakland, CA. JR at least made it to the show, but Hook never got his shot. Renowned by many as better than both Jason Kidd and Gary Payton, his addiction to drugs and penchant for crime has left him in dire straits. While we can’t celebrate the successes of these two men, it’s good to see that their legends and legacies are still alive today thanks to players like DeMar DeRozan and Blake Griffin.

Bonus:  Here is "Funk In The Trunk," Rider's contribution to a 1994 NBA mixtape entitled B-Ball's Hidden Secrets. It's light on the lyricism, but heavy on the shit that would eventually get him caught up. Talking about smoking weed on an NBA mixtape? Good job JR. smh.

DL: JR Rider: "Funk In The Trunk"

Video: Erin Paula Ft. Summer Breeze: Acoustic R&B Session

I am a fan of musicians making a song their own. Some choose to repurpose an instrumental for a mixtape, but others opt to get a bit more interpretive. Here, Erin Paula and Summer Breeze fuse “What’s My Name,” “Say Ahh,” “Pretty Girl Rock” and “F*** You” together for a dope combination of hit records.  The cherry on top is that it's filmed in Oakland’s Jack London Square, and you can tell the musicians are having fun and feeling what their doing. 83,000 views in a month for some acoustic jammin?? Swag! Check it out.

Remembering Mike "DREAM" Francisco

DREAM is the most iconic graffiti artist to ever come out of Oakland, and when he was murdered 11 years ago today, it left a huge whole in the Bay Area's artistic community. The Pinoy graffiti artist is a local legend, and a quick google image search will reveal exactly why. But for the uninitiated, talking to some OGs can help flesh out the particulars. Check out Estria and BAS-1 sharing their thoughts on DREAM and read this dope interview Complex Mag did with his one-time protege Marty Aranaydo last year as well. 

The throw-ups you'll see over at Complex will demonstrate his artistic ability, the piece above reveals his investment in the culture and the 1993 video interview below will show you his gregarious East Oakland personality. RIP DREAM.

Video: Raphael Saadiq: "Good Man"

Discussions about what constitutes a good man or a good woman run rampant these days. It keeps the blogosphere ablaze with viral arguments about what to look for and whether such a thing even exists. Unfortunately we often end up talking more about how much money he makes, how fine she is, or how many people he/she has slept with, than we talk about the goodness of each other's hearts. In his most recent video, Raphael Saadiq depicts a "Good Man" who maintains a good heart even when cursed with loving a self-serving woman.

Of course, Ray Ray's portrayal of a good man is up for debate, but there is no doubt that this is a cold ass video. In it, Yaya DaCosta (cotdamn!) plays a woman who's greed and lack of fulfillment supersede her love for her man. We see her turning tricks and turning her back looking to escape an affliction and emptiness that torment her from the inside-out. Even at the very end when our leading man shows his loyalty to a woman so vile, we can't tell if her tears are of regret or joy.

Regardless of how you interpret the video, you have to hand it to the Oakland OG for pulling off such a wonderfully shot period piece. From the fashion, to the architecture to the cars, "Good man" captures an era, while also proving that time hasn't changed much concerning matters of the heart. When two people love each other with their full selves, complete with their circumstances, faults and insecurities, sometimes it doesn't matter how "good" you are. Sometimes things just fall apart. What we have to decide however, is whether to fall apart with them, or to get back up and carry on open and unjaded. 

Watch Brene Brown's TED Talk on the importance of openness and vulnerability and download Raphael Saadiq's "Good Man" on our Bay Abridged: January mixtape!

Video: Los Rakas: "Kalle"

This time around Los Rakas are claiming the street with "Kalle." Whereas past videos have been more nuanced, this one seeks to capture the vibrant Afro-Latino street life of New York City. Shot primarily on the Brooklyn Bridge and in The Bronx, the PanaBaynian duo is claiming the East Coast as their next frontier.

Los Rakas has recently shared stages with Cypress Hill and Erykah Badu and toured with The Grouch and Brother Ali, bringing their mexcla of hip-hop, reggae and Latin dancehall to a whole new population of folks. The Fader darlings are just one of the many incarnations of Oakland hip-hop, but one with worldwide appeal. 

As if on cue, Los Rakas will be performing at S.O.B's in New York this Tuesday. If you're out that way, head down there to catch a great show with Latin American MTV Award -inner Mala Rodriguez. Also check out dope joints from Raka Dun and Raka Rich on the June, October and TwitterCon editions of our Bay Abridged mixtape. Download them for FREE in the right sidebar!!

Previously:

Catching Up With Los Rakas
Video: Los Rakas: "Soy Raka"

Video: Los Rakas feat. Faviola: "Abrazame"

Video: Los Rakas: "Fuego En Su Cuerpo"