Legendary Memphis rapper Young Lo at the inaugural Open Mic Sunday at Burks Sports Bar on Crump in South Memphis, September 18, 2011.
hip-hop
The last day of the Independent Music Market in St. Louis began with a breakfast buffet on the hotel patio. Unfortunately, facing a four to five hour drive back to Memphis, I had to leave before the end of the day’s events.
After the jazz performance, my friend Tom Ray wanted to head to downtown St. Louis to check out a rare groove DJ event called “Funkin’ Right.” It was taking place in the entertainment district on Washington Avenue, at a tapas bar called Lola’s, which was soon standing room only. The music was largely funk and breakbeat, with a little hip-hop thrown in. It was great fun.
The Independent Music Market conference was held at the Sheraton Westport Chalet hotel in the Westport area of West St. Louis County. It got underway Friday September 9, 2011 with a meet-and-greet reception, and then I walked to the next-door restaurant named for Albert Pujols for a late dinner.
DJ Paul Vol. 16 Tape Release Party Flyer, 1994
DJ Paul Vol. 16 Release Party @ Juicy J’s Place, 1994
Ecko Records has been a bedrock label of Memphis blues and southern soul for years, but in the wake of the Pop Tunes/Cat’s Music collapse, Ecko decided to become a retail store too. Located on Elvis Presley (Bellevue) just south of Kerr, the Ecko Records shop sells blues, soul, rap and gospel, as well as used CDs, vinyl albums and 45 RPM singles. They’re open until 7 PM every day except Sunday (they close at 5 PM on Sundays), and are worth a visit.
Ecko Records has been a bedrock label of Memphis blues and southern soul for years, but in the wake of the Pop Tunes/Cat’s Music collapse, Ecko decided to become a retail store too. Located on Elvis Presley (Bellevue) just south of Kerr, the Ecko Records shop sells blues, soul, rap and gospel, as well as used CDs, vinyl albums and 45 RPM singles. They’re open until 7 PM every day except Sunday (they close at 5 PM on Sundays), and are worth a visit.
Austin hip-hop crew The League of Extraordinary G’z is on tour with Dead Prez, and stopped off in Memphis as they were driving from a show in Lexington, KY to one in Houston, TX.
Austin hip-hop crew The League of Extraordinary G’z is on tour with Dead Prez, and stopped off in Memphis as they were driving from a show in Lexington, KY to one in Houston, TX.
Kevin “A & R” Shine of The Firm came to Memphis and sponsored a Tastemakers Music Networking event at Zodiac Monday August 15, 2011. Lots of local industry people were there, including DJ 007, Wes Phillips and DJ Bay of Select-O-Hits, Miscellaneous, Trap House Studios, and probably some I forgot. Ultimately, it was a very informative event, and a great way for Memphis artists to build their network.