Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

Cashmere Event Recap: Murs Listening Party

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Last Friday, the Cashmere team threw an invite-only listening party for Murs’ latest collaborative album with producer 9^th Wonder – Fornever. Fornever ­marks the duo’s fourth pairing, and as time has shown, magic when these to these two get together.

The event, held at And Still, was MC’d by Fuzzy Fantabulous and saw appearances by Krondon from Strong Arm Steady and DJ Rhettmatic of the world famous Beat Junkies DJ Crew and DJ Just-N-Credibe working the turntables.

Check out some of the images from last Friday’s event  along with viral video footage from the listening party as well. Fornever drops March 30th.

It’s Common Cens(us)

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

2010 marks the return of the U.S. Census. What is the Census you ask? Why should I care? How does it affect me and my family? These are valid questions that many Americans are asking. Well non-profit organization, 99Problems.org is answering all those questions for you and spreading the critical message about the Census…but in a cool way so you understand exactly what this means for communities nationwide.

Using the theme “Numbers Don’t Lie” as a backdrop, 99Problems.org is bringing familiarity to hip-hop lovers and minority communities. It’s also going about effectively explaining why an accurate count of the U.S. population is essential in determining the location of hospitals and fire stations in your community, along with schools, safe construction, and most important, the numbers of seats your state occupies in the House of Representatives. As 99Problems.org states, “Filling out the Census form is a free and easy way to fight for the resources and respect our community deserves. It’s up to each of us to make sure our community counts. Be smart. Take the Pledge!”

Filling out the Census form takes a mere 10 minutes to do, but will affect the livelihoods of not just yourself, but every other American, despite cultural, racial or political background. Click on the banner below to take 99Problems.org’s Pledge to Participate in the 2010 Census and you’ll receive a free download of  the Numbers Don’t Lie mixtape hosted by DJ Willie Shakes. And check out the video below of  99Problems.org’s  Numbers Don’t Lie Philly tour stop.

Cashmere Event of the Week: Mishka Grand Opening

Friday, February 19th, 2010

In celebration of its new West Coast store opening, popular boutique store Mishka is hosting a giant bash tomorrow at The Echoplex in Echo Park. Mishka is home to many unique clothing apparel, accessories, gadgets and toys from independent designers and artists.  Their new Echo Park store is going to serve as a perfect reflection of the neighborhood’s budding artistic and fashion-forward community.

And what would a grand opening be without a proper party to follow the momentous event?  Mishka brought in  L.A.’s very own Dubstep king, 12^th Planet to kick off the festivities after the opening reception. Also performing will be rapper Rass Kass alongside Franki Chan, Killing Spree and bands Wavves, Best Coast and The Franks.  Should be a dope event!

The grand opening starts at 12 noon with in-store exclusives followed by an opening reception from 7 – 9pm.  For more information about the party, visit Mishkanyc.com.

Cashmere Attends The Color Purple Opening Night

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Since its release in 1982, The Color Purple has been more than just a story ingrained in the African-American community, it has become a heart-wrenching theme and testimony of hardship, isolation, abuse AND triumph embraced by all communities worldwide!

Beginning its journey as a novel, The Color Purple garnered a Pulitzer Prize for author Alice Walker a year later, before being adapted into a feature film directed by Steven Spielberg in 1985. Both mediums have been powerful in impact, but the musical, produced and presented by Oprah Winfrey, has definitely developed its own notoriety, garnering widespread inspiration and influence.

Our very own Misty Anderson had the opportunity to attend the Los Angeles opening night  at the Pantages Theatre. Media was out in numbers as flashing lights and microphones were everywhere, so you know celebrities weren’t too far behind. Heavyweights like Arsenio Hall, Chaka Khan, Clifton Powell,  Quincy Jones, and more were enthusiastic to bypass all the red carpet festivities to get inside, and by play’s end, she understood why.

During this North American tour of the play, American Idol Winner Fantasia Barrino is reprising her role as lead character Celie. Her voice blazed the ears of all in attendance, serving as a form of therapy for whatever issues the audience came there with it by taking them on an emotional roller coaster of laughter and tears with her powerful performance.  In the end, you learned many great life lessons from songs like “I Am Beautiful”, “I’m Here” and “Dear God”.

If you haven’t done so, Cashmere highly recommends you check out this play that paramount the topics of forgiveness and love. The Color Purple will be at the Pantages until February 28th. For more information regarding the tour, storyline, and the all-star cast, visit ColorPurple.com

Valentine’s Day, brought to you by Terrace Martin’s “The Lovers Edition EP”

Monday, February 15th, 2010

It seems every February that most people either get into the spirit of celebrating love or they scorn the Valentine’s Day hype and revel in their envy of all who are enjoying this lovey-dovey time of year.

Well, if you somehow avoided cupid’s arrow yesterday, Cashmere highly recommends that you check out super producer Terrace Martin’s “Lovers Edition EP” — a 10 track project featuring the likes of Snoop Dogg, Frank Nitt, Problem and more.

So step your love game up and download the Lovers Edition EP now. While you’re at it, check out the video below of Terrace explaining the inspiration behind the blue heart.

Rocky Rivera: Repaving the way for Women MCs!

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Long before Krishtine de Leon, the Hip-Hop journalist, won a Contributing Editor
on MTV’s docu-series, I’m From Rolling Stone, she was an MC by the name of EyeASage.  Writing was her day job, penning articles for magazines such as Vapors, XXL, The Source and Rolling Stone.

But she also wrote raps in the very same Moleskine that house her reporters’ notes, performing with her crew Rhapsodistas at college functions and community events.  Her playful-yet-militant style of rapping expressed a message that was bigger than the limitation Hip-Hop placed on her gender, and for once, gave her freedom to speak outside an institutional voice.

Two years and 13 tracks later, EyeASage, now known as Rocky Rivera, has completed her self-titled debut album with production by 6Fingers, DexBeats, Nick James, Keelay & Zaire, CZA, and Fatgums — Once again, she is now ready to enter the national spotlight!

Rocky Rivera is a call to arms for young ladies to take Hip-Hop back and is also a testament that truth is universal, irregardless of gender.  The music on Rocky Rivera (dropping February 2, 2010) is designed to move you and ready to be heard at a high volume!

Make sure you look out for Rocky Rivera this February!  Check out her latest video for MRSHMLO below and visit her site at http://www.rockyrivera.com/

MRSHMLO from Mikhail Shapiro on Vimeo.

An MPC on your iPhone?

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Why go to the studio when you can knock out a beat on your phone?

BeatMaker, a sampler/sequencer for your iPhone or iPod Touch that allows you to record and make beats on the go. The app created by Intua is very similar to the infamous Akai MPC, allowing you to create loops and beats and play them back in real time. BeatMaker also includes a three-channel EQ, synchronized delay, bitcrusher and get this, MIDI is also in the works for future app updates… how dope is that?!

BeatMaker App.

So maybe the app isn’t your cup of tea…

Check out the video below of top producers DJ Muggs, Terrace Martin, Jelly Roll, Scoop DeVille, Play N Skillz, Thayod, Kanobby and DJ Quik on the MPC5000 as they display the ins and outs of the beat making process!