iLL-Literacy: No Place Like "The HereNow"

iLL-Literacy has dropped their second single off of iB4the1.1. Joined by the super talented Jeremy "Passion" Manongdo, the crew spits about living in the present whether it's in relationships or when dealing with career aspirations. There's a line that everyone can connect to on this track, and the sound is great for reflecting. See how they flipped it from "Gentleman's Kool-Aid"? Talent, skill, and range at work here people. This album is going to be so dope.

"There's no place like the herenow/
so why don't you just listen close and hear now."

DL: "The HereNow"- iLL-Literacy

New Music: iLL-Literacy: "Gentleman's Kool-Aid"

If you know iLL-Literacy as the spoken word collective that hit your campus with all the sauciness and gravitas Def Poetry wish it had, stop right now. Before you press play, let that ish go. Still delivering lyrics to mess with your mental, the crew has released its first foray into the world of new-age electro-funk, "Gentleman’s Kool-Aid."

iLL-Lit's forthcoming debut album, iB4the1.1, is the end result of a months long submersion in their Sacramento-based Boondock studios–a sort of musical rabbit hole for the Bay Area crew. They have since made the move to NY to cash in on the genreless Brooklyn music scene, but will hopefully bring some shine back west in the process. "Gentleman's Kool-Aid" is the manic lead single from iB4the1.1 and it does a few things:

1. Re-introduces them as a three-man crew. Drizzleton, Dahlak, and N.I.C. are Ill-Literacy, while producer Ada Clock is affiliated, but not a formal member (He's sort of like iLL-Lit's resident Cappadonna).
   
2. Screws with your misconception of what a lego-headed “spoken word” collective does (or can do).
   
3. Inspires your inner-addict to dance all willy-nilly through the player's club.

Ok. You’ve been warned. Press play and enjoy.

DL: "Gentleman's Kool-Aid"- iLL-Literacy

Also, be sure to check out the über-clean iLL-Literacy.com

N.I.C of iLL-Lit: "Welcome to the Jungle"

Nico of iLL-Literacy spits passionately about the beautiful struggle that is Oakland, CA to a passive crowd in Vermont. I think from here on out iLL-Lit's slogan should be: Bringin' The Town to a less cool town near you!

In any case, though Nico, Dahlak and Drizz just touched back down in Cali, they will be bringing The Bay to NYC when they make the move later this year. I'm eagerly awaiting their forthcoming EP and will let yall know when it arrives.

Pretty Buoyant Society: "Schizophrenic Love"

World premier "fusic" (and lego art) from the boys Drizz and Phatrick of the Pretty Buoyant Society. I was going to properly introduce PBS myself, but I think I'll have to defer to the horse's mouth. Adriel writes:

Across cyberspace, and all up in your interface--it is with technically-advanced pleasureness that we present to you, Pretty Buoyant Society: a hi-octane force of musical extravagance that finds its roots in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and perhaps some corners of America. PBS ambassadors Drizzletron (of iLL-Literacy) and DJ Phatrick serve a first taste entitled "Schizophrenic Love," a tale of romance so forlorn, the volcanic powers of the lava lady Golda Supernova had to be summoned. Add the eruptive heat from the b-side "Hot Chocolate," and you have the most delicious download your hard drive will ever coax into its cache.

Aside from being a dope track, I think we can all relate to the concept of schizophrenic love. How many of us have realized that the "she loves me/ she loves me not" extremes are overly simplistic and that our relationships are often mired in our own dualing desires and indecision? I think Golda Supanova hits the nail on the head when she tells her boo "Hold me close, now set me free." Can we ever have both?

DL: "Schizophrenic Love" & "Hot Chocolate"- PBS

"Oakland Winter" & Peaceful Protest

Check out this mezcla of sound and soul courtesy of Jon Reyes & iLL-Lit's Drizz. He addresses Oakland and the Oscar Grant injustice and upheaval. Definitely worth the download (Click link below. Then on the pg that opens, right click link and click "Save link as" on the menu to DL)

"Oakland Winter"- Drizz

Also Peep Drizz's montage of the protest at City Hall yesterday. Props to all the folks who made it peaceful and successful. Womps to all you knuckleheads who think you can masquerade as opportunistic wannabe revolutionaries and idiots in my Town. Now sip on that molotov for me young squire.

Also, check out Too $hort's speech at the rally, in which he implores the crowd to be peaceful out of respect for The Town we love so much. That's real. If you rep it, respect it!

Wiretap Reviews Ruby's Miss Universe

Head on over to Wiretap Mag where Anika Brown has reviewed Ruby Veridiano-Ching's book of poetry and prose, Miss Universe. If you aren't familiar with Ruby, then get so. She is 1/4 of the dynamic Oakland-based spoken word collective iLL-Literacy, and is featured on the cover of the latest issue of OakBook. In her book Ruby references Oakland throughout, making it a must read for any Oaklander looking for a fresh new voice celebrating The Town. In "Home" she begins:

"The Park Blvd. exit lets me know that I'm not far away from home. Driving down 580, every single time I look over to the left of my window, breathe in and am sure that I must live in the most beautiful place in the world. I am madly in love with Oakland."

Win your free copy of the Miss Universe book and Miss Universe Earrings (Made Jewelry) by submitting a poetry piece (no longer than 1 page) to Miss Crew’s website, and Ruby (aka Miss Universe herself) will be reading over the entries and helping pick the winner. Come onnnn…you know you got a poem handy already! Plus, it would make such a wonderful holiday present. Hint Hint. CLICK HERE TO ENTER CONTEST

Contest via iLL-Lit

iLL-Literacy Opening for Blu & U-N-I in SF

Oakland-based spoken word collective iLL-Lit will be opening for the leaders of the LA new school, Blu and U-N-I, tonight at the Independent in SF. Blu is a fresh off-beat emcee who has already explored different sounds and directions at this early stage in his career, all to much acclaim. U-N-I could be categorized in the vicinity of hipster rap, though I hate drawing these lines of demarcation. All you need to know is that their dope. The show will be part of Imeem's Key to the City serious in which Raphael Saadiq was featured in the post below. Oh yeah, again, iLL-Lit wil be in the house! Support The Town mayne!

iLL-Literacy featured on Karmaloop TV

Karmaloop catches up with Bay Area spoken-word collective iLL-Lit at the Boston College show of their Natural Electricity tour. Ruby, Dahlak and Nico explain the show and crew while Adriel opts to kick a little family history. Not your average family tree session with grandma for sure. You might want to have a listen.

Also Adrizzle Kanyes Beyond Race's review of their NYC show. I was at the show, and have to say that it was a solid set. Seems dude came hoping to see Jesus or Yoda freestyle societal ills out of existence while creating an art form that had no discernible antecedents. Too bad all he got was a dope show. Oh and that "monotonous drone" you heard? That was your brain idiot.

Ruby of iLL-Literacy covers Oakbook

Check out iLL-Lit's Ruby Veridiano-Ching on the cover of the 5th issue of the esteemed local zine- Oakbook. Again, I defer to Adriel.

There are three things that Ruby could possibly be doing with that shovel over there:

1. Posing as the Virgin Mary for a nativity scene–except one where Mary is Filipino, Christmas is in the fall, and Joseph is a farming tool (it’s not blasphemy if you’re talking about the Son of God’s dad…)

2. Reflecting on a date that ended really really really really really badly.

3. APPEARING ON HER FIRST MAGAZINE COVER EVERRRRRRRRR!!!

Sure it’s a local Oakland magazine, but Oakbook is a hella fresh magazine at that, and who knows what other magazine covers this might lead to…Vibe? Fader? Martha Stewart Living?? The possibilities are endless.

If you’re the O, pick up an issue at one of these fine locations. Otherwise, wait for Oakland to take over the world, and hopefully one will end up on your doorstep.

Dahlak interviewed on Fresh Air Radio

Interview: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Check out Dahlak on DJ Matt Werner's Hella Hyphy Hour on the United Kingdom's Fresh Air radio. I can't say it any better than either Adriel or Ruby over at ill-Lit, so I shall now resort to my mean copy and paste game.

There are three initial reactions to Dahlak being on the “Hella Hyphy Hour” hosted by DJ Matt Werner on the UK’s FreshAir:

1. They go dumb in London???

2. Dahlak’s not really that hyphy…but maybe you have to at least have a bit of hyphy-ness in you to pull off a 40-minute phone interview by yourself.

3. One thing that’s definitely gonna be hyphy–that phone bill for the 40-minute call from London. Yeeee!

In the first interview with any of the iLL-Lit members since the Natural Electricity Tour, D talks about his Commencement mixtape, the future of iLL-Literacy, and how Q-Tip be picking ideas right out his head.

Update: I found the hyphiest picture of Dahlak we may ever find!!

Previously: iLL-Lit crash NYC

The Yay’s iLL-Lit Crash the Mansion in NYC

I’m running a bit late, but I caught a dope show by Oakland based spoken word/ hip-hop collective iLL-Literacy this past weekend out in NYC. iLL-Lit’s Dahlak Braithwaite, Nico Cary, Ruby Veridiano-Ching, Adriel Luis and their band The Hi-Lifes tore down Manhattan’s Crash Mansion with a vaudevillian fusion of poetry, hip-hop, comedy, rock, oratory and soul. If you’re familiar with the Bay’s performance scene, think of their Natural Electricity Tour as one part poetry slam, one part Tourrettes Without Regrets, one part Ashkenaz jam session and one part La Peña hip-hop showcase. Put it all together and you have an amazing bouillabaisse of underground Bay splendor.

The foursome transitioned easily between Ruby’s searching soliloquies, Dahlak’s riffs on race, Nico’s witty musings, Adriel’s poignant social commentary and the Hi-Life’s versatile musicianship. That said, they also came together for rumbling jam sessions, cuts off Dahlak’s new mixtape Commencement (available for free download!) and group pieces like the scroll unraveling crowd favorite “Fuck You List.”

iLL-Lit is one of a few up-and-coming crews that have grown out of Youth Speaks’ farm system of dynamic young writers and performers. All four of them are extremely accomplished and their iLL-Literate empire encompasses albums, mixtapes, books, plays, and much more. Though this leg of their tour has just ended, I just received word that they will hit the road again in the spring to help thaw yall out with a little hotness.

Below is a little promotional appetizer of iLL-Lit's solo stylings.

Reviews of Ruby's new book Miss Universe by Oh Dang! & Venuszine

Venuszine review of NYC show by the esteemed Niema Jordan

Dahlak's Commencement Mixtape drops today

Be sure to shoot over to ThisIsDahlak.com today to download Dahlak's much anticipated Kanye West tribute mixtape, Commencement. The SacTown emcee and member of Bay Area spoken word collective iLL-Literacy, is currently on a national tour with iLL-Lit and their band, the Hi-Lifes. Check out iLL-Lit's website for a show near you.

For those who slept on Dahlak's track-by-track battle a couple of weeks ago, don't miss the finished product! Commencement includes the stand out single "Do It."

Previously: Dahlak's "Black Genius"

"Black Genius" by Dahlak. We did it folks!!

Dahlak is on it with a quickness. I'm sure a torrent of commemorative tracks from everyone and their mothers will soon follow, but Mr. Brathwaite was the first. The good folks at iLL-Lit are on their game as the "Black Genius" vid already has Obama's victory speech in it. Good work guys and girl. Download "Black Genius" below.

"Black Genius"- Dahlak

Living Word Festival short documentary

Living Word Festival from Christopher San Agustin on Vimeo.
Via iLL-Lit

Living Word Festival kicks off this weekend!

Living Word Festival 2008

RACE IS FICTION
A 10 Day Festival curated by Marc Bamuthi Joseph

Schedule for Weekend 1
OCTOBER 17, 2008
10am
Museum of the African Diaspora, SF MoMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
685 Mission Street (at Third), San Francisco
Workshops and performances co-hosted by
Youth Speaks, SF Green Festival, Global Exchange, and Grind for the Green.
FREE (Registration is Now Closed to the Public)


12:30pm
Yerba Buena Gardens
760 Howard Street, San Francisco
Lunchtime outdoor concert with Goapele, Urban Word NYC and Kev Choice Ensemble FREE

OCTOBER 18
11am-5pm
red black and GREEN
Environmental Caucus and Concert at deFremery Park (aka Little Bobby Hutton Park)
1651 Adeline Street
Oakland, CA
FREE

Featuring the 2nd annual Estria's Invitational Living Word Graffiti Battle, Bamboo Architecture, a lowrider bike demo with Scraper Bikes, a skateboard expo presented by Hood Games, and a free outdoor musical concert featuring the Bay Area's own iLL-Literacy & Los Rakas and special guest Mos Def.

Living Word article in the Oakland Tribune

iLL-Literacy's upcoming tour dates

Check out iLL-Lit's site for more information and to RSVP for the above dates. Ruby, Adriel, Dahlak and Nico will also be touring with their band The Hi-Lifes.

Adriel of iLL-Literacy goes in on McCain

I'm a bit late on the post, but Adriel verbalizes what many in the media have danced around regarding McCain's "That One" comment in the 2nd debate. Enjoi and then peruse ill-lit's site. They're departing on a lil tour coming up next month. Don't miss them when they pass through your city.

Miss (Uni)Verse: Ruby of ill-literacy

"'This is my life,” Ruby Veridiano-Ching says of her debut book Miss Universe. “This is my heart scripted on paper. I didn’t want it taken apart and sewn back together to where it doesn’t fit me anymore.” Her voice is soft, yet urgent. . ."

Full article here

Check out his article by my girl Niema Jordan and peep her blog on women in hip-hop entitled Flow. Also check out ill-literacy, a dope spoken word collective of which Ruby is a part.