Metal Leaves Studio

The Black Eyed Peas will perform tonite in Dallas- at the Super Bowl half-time show.  Their performances are packed with energy- a perfect complement for a raucous sporting event such as this. They have come a long way from their shows in quaint dive bars, with an audience of twelve- to their high-gloss stadium productions with millions of fans in attendance. 
An aside: I hung out with some of the Steelers in Pittsburgh so I hope Pittsburgh prevails.  If they win I'm going to send for a Primanti Sandwich... Yeah!!!

*Addendum:* will.i.am rigged the mikes in order to 'highlite' his performance [wink, wink] & condolences to the Steelers on their loss... no Primanti Brothers sandwich for me. [tear]

Happy 70th Birthday, Neil!

Kanye West is set to drop his next studio album this summer. His latest project, a collaboration with Jay-Z, the aptly named 'Watch the Throne,' will be released in March.  

Hold onto your hats, fasten your seatbelt, and be on the look-out for a '77 Dodge ambulance;  The Defibulators are rolling into Pontiac  tonight.  The much lauded Brooklyn-based band will be performing their auditory destruction live! at The Crofoot.

The Defibulators are one the most energetic, raucous bands you will see this side of the Mason-Dixon!  They will shake the dust off any joint they step into, whether it be the Brooklyn Country Cookout at SXSW or during their recent European tour  at various pubs, clubs, and prisons.

They came up as a bunch of boisterous musicians in Brooklyn, emerging out of the New York roots scene- mixing bluegrass, country, rockabilly, honky-tonk, and punk. They have been compared to watching 'Hee-Haw on mescaline,'  [this is not your mother's Mickey Gilley!]  The Defibulators rev it up hardcore, with both their instruments and their stage-presence. So put on your dancing shoes, high-tail it to Pontiac, and witness their debauchery for yourself.

All the tortured souls of Detroit showed up to witness the King of Darkness, Tech N9ne, perform during the final leg of his Strange Days 2010 tour. The spiked-out, fishnet clique were hardcore and true. They showed up early and waited patiently in line.

The seriously rough-looking, but exceedingly polite crowd stepped into the inferno on Fort. Speaking of Dante's Inferno, looking closely you could catch a glimpse of the Devil himself, King Gordy, wearing his ever-present trademark 'horns' hairstyle. Caught between the dark shadows of fog and the crimson curtains, Gordy later stepped into the fire and showed up on stage as he performed with special guest Bizarre. They performed for a minute then stepped aside to make room for the Strange Music artists.

Opening acts from the Strange Music label included Brotha Lynch Hung, Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob, Prozak, Cognito, and Oushaboo. This was one of the most supportive Detroit crowds witnessed in years; the packed to capacity crowd energetically sang every word to all the label's performers. The only downfall was that by the time the supporting acts had exited stage right,  the unfortunate soul whose skeleton make-up would make any grave dancer jealous, had melted and slid down his face before Tech could make his Grand Entrance.

Tech N9ne stepped onstage, hitting the crowd with a barrage of heavy artillery- his words. Sinister and shocking lyrics paired with the skillful delivery that Tech is known for caused his fans to go insane. His lyrical execution is precise. He brought with him his symphony of violence, punctuated by vivid story-lines.  
  
Effortlessly filling the void of hardcore rap that cannot be satiated by the mainstream music that crams the airwaves, Tech N9ne still reps the Midwest hard. The Kansas City native keeps it real. The authenticity of his music and performance is unrivaled by most of today's artists. Tech N9ne is a charismatic performer;  with intriguing contradictions surfacing throughout his show. The live show parallels the intensity of his studio albums, with added energy.

The Detroit show at Blondie's, due to unforeseen circumstances, became the final stop of this tour. Catch Tech N9ne in Europe for the next segment of his tour or check out impending North American tour dates as Tech makes the rounds again this fall. Tech N9ne's latest album, The Gates Mixed Plate, drops on July 27, 2010.

Another day, another milli. And with that brings another sold-out show for Jay-Z during his nationwide BP3 Tour.  Could things be getting predictable for him now that he 'runs every town' he touches down in? Probably not.

An entrepreneur and philanthropist with an extreme amount of diversified business holdings, Jay-Z told Billboard,  "I just can't sit here and make records and not do anything else." 

He founded Roc Nation, a multi-faceted entertainment company.  He is part owner of the New Jersey Nets, and co-owns the 40/40 Club. Pair that with serving as co-brand director for Budweiser Select and retaining stake in Rocawear.
But tonight, he would once again play the role of entertainer. As everything he touches turns to platinum, it is not haphazardly that Jay has earned the title of "Greatest Rapper Alive." He would not accept anything less.

The  crowd descended en masse upon the Palace of Auburn Hills. They came dressed to kill, Detroit-style. The illest sneakers from Burn Rubber, seductive stilettos from Neimans, tight party dresses, over-sized striped polos. Even though Detroit reps the D hard, one woman showed NY love as she rocked an entire outfit with the New York Skyline recreated on the back.

Although everyone wore their Sunday-best, none surpassed the iconic style of the Man of the Hour himself.  Not surprisingly, as years ago, Jay single handedly changed the game when he chose button-down over throwback. His entrance tonight was more elaborate than in years past,  his ensemble, more dramatic. He came fully dressed, ready to hold it down, in military regalia. Not a far cry from the fatigues he used to sport; he's just repping a higher rank now.

The Master of Ceremonies stood stoic as he rose through the floor. He took his place at center stage, illuminated by a single spotlight.  He commanded respect through his silence. And although Hova was backed by a ten piece band. and surrounded by over fifteen thousand fans screaming their allegiance- throwing diamonds in the air, all eyes were on him and him alone.

Out of nowhere, he began fiercely spitting lyrics like it was one man guerrilla warfare. He reigned over the crowd with his powerful words, professing:  "I went from Pauper to President, every deal I ever made set precedent."  Jay-Z shares his struggles and successes and lets the audience know the journey that is possible.

Sean Carter was born into the projects and has now conquered The Palace-  through years of hard work. Everything is easier than you think, but harder than you ever imagined. And as you walk down the streets of Detroit, with its empty, burned-out houses- know that it is difficult to rise above the ashes-  not impossible.

R.I.P. B.I.G.