Let Me Get 'Em - Octane & Illite

By now, I hope you are all pretty familiar with Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique, the small sneaker shop with a big clientele serving Metro Detroit (or the world?) nestled cozily in Downtown Royal Oak.

BR probably has one of the most recognized logos in the state for sure and on November 26, Chef So Ill will have a closer ear to the street. Burn Rubber x Nike will be releasing the Burn Rubber New Balance MT580, what's even more crazy than the fact they will be releasing their own shoe, there are only 1,000 pairs that will be made 500 of which will be in the United States. Same exclusivity the Air Yeezy had, #BallerStatus.

Burn Rubber has been around since 2004 and in the hands of its current owners, Rick Williams and Ro Coit (yup, Ro Spit), since 2007.

I've said this a million and three times, you can't help but respect Rick and Ro for everything they've accomplished with the Burn Rubber brand. Whether your a sneakerhead or not (like myself) you definitely could lear a thing or two from them.

 

Speaking of sneakerheads,  November 27 (the day after the BR New Balance drops), there's going to be "the ultimate sneakerhead event" going down at St. Andrew's Hall.

'What's Your Size' will be going down and there will be giveaways, contests and all that cool stuff. Doors open at 7 p.m. and if you want to show off what you have give BR a call (248.543.3000) for table rental info.

Immediately following that we have "Yours Truly" a concert featuring Ro Spit and Stretch Money with a live band (rap and live bands usually equal awesomeness). It's 18+, tickets are being sold in advance at BR and if you cop the VIP tickets, you'll also get a ticket to the aforementioned sneaker swap.

Come, check it out. It should be a good time.

Music Video: Too Easy - Ro Spit

So is today Detroit's day to premier video joints? I'm not complaining, next we have Ro Spit, who I'm assuming most of you are quite familiar with. If you're not you have probably been sleeping under Mount Everest, the guy that brought us "Renaissance State of Mind" has brought us another video off The Oh S#!t Project. The video, "Too Easy" was directed by Chicago's Davy Greenberg and is so simple yet cool (which I've noticed a lot of Ro's video's tend to be this way). Without further adieu, Ro Spit "Too Easy".

Ro Spit - Too Easy (Official Music Video HD) from Davy Greenberg on Vimeo.

Renaissance State of Mind - Ro Spit & Monica Blaire

Of all the performances I've been to (ask Cliff and Mos it's not nearly enough) none has yet to top seeing Ro Spit and Monica Blaire perform "Renaissance State of Mind" with a live band at Ro's release party back in December.

If you haven't seen them together, well you may just miss your chance July 2, 2010 (NEXT Friday), Ro Spit and Monica Blaire present the "Renaissance State of Mind Experience" (which I won tickets to, #holla). It's a family friendly affair happening at the legendary St. Andrew's Hall in Downtown Detroit. The event celebrates the release of Ro's "A Different Arrangement" and Monica's "Circus of the Mind" projects.

Experience is definitely the best word to describe this event, it's more so like a Detroit hip-hop block party or family reunion. There will be food, music, possible spades game (emphasis on possible) and just a good afternoon of fun.

In reference to what I said earlier, word around town is that this will be the last time Ro and Monica will be performing "Renaissance State of Mind" live (I know my heart is breaking). They will be combining both of their bands and I'm sure the performance is going to be epic (maybe even historic?).

Tickets are on sale at Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique for $10 and $25 for V.I.P. package (which includes a meet-and-greet, early entry and balcony access). Or if you don't have the time to make it to the shop, you can get your tickets at the door for a solid $15.

Immediately following the Experience is the Third Anniversary party for Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique. Tickets are only $5 with your stub from the Ro and Monica show. It's going to be in The Shelter and is being hosted by Ron Dance and sounds will be provided by DJ Graffiti.

It amazes me that Rick and Ro have only owned BR for three years and have turned it into a solid Michigan hip-hop staple. The infamous Chef logo is recognized everywhere and has been seen on some of everybody both local and not (like Chris Brown).

This day is sure to be a great one and what better way to kick off the Independence Day weekend than with good music, good food and a lot of fun.
totally facebook jacked that photo, BTW.

Promise Me - Monica Blaire

Fact: Monica Blaire has one of the most amazing voices I've ever heard.

Maybe you have her album "Portraits of Me," heard her updated cover of the 80's classic "Material Girl" or you probably recognize her as the voice on the "Renaissance State of Mind" hook. Last Friday, at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Monica Blaire held a free concert that featured her own talent and other locals including Marv Won (who released his album Wayne Fontes this night as well) and Ro Spit. One guest she had came as a surprise to some and a feeling of excitement for others who have seen him perform before. Aside from being the other half of Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique, Rick Williams is a trained tap dancer. I love that! I mean so many people stick to the traditional role of rapper, DJ, or producer very few venture out into other areas of the arts. If you missed it, you're in luck, peep the video below of Monica Blaire performing "Promise Me" with Rick tapping.

Music Video: Detroit Edition

This past week has been musically wonderful on the Detroit hip-hop scene. Not only have some ridiculously dope mixtapes dropped, but music videos have premiered as well.

Southfield native, Mike Posner, has had a rocket ride of a year and 2010 will have more twists an turns for the 21-year-old musician. He debuted his music video for 'Drug Dealer Girl' off of his mixtape 'A Matter of Time.' It was filmed on the campus of Duke University and stars Rosa Acosta as its leading lady.

By now you should be somewhat familiar with Ro Spit. If not, just scroll down and read his interview. While Ro may be from Pontiac he holds the city down very well and it is shown in his video for "Renaissance State of Mind" featuring local songstress Monica Blaire. The song is off 'The Oh S#!t Project' and is an unofficial anthem for the city.

I Do Me - Ro Spit

Ro Spit is a man of many hats. He's one half of one of the most respected sneaker boutiques in Michigan, a father, a husband, a DJ, and a rapper. Ro Spit recently released a musical hybrid called "The Oh S#!t Project" and his single, "Renaissance State of Mind" has been deemed a Detroit anthem by many. While he's technically not from Detroit he still holds the city down well. Ladies and Gentlemen: Ro Spit.

Name: Ro Spit
Role: Renaissance Man
Affiliation: Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique

Alex Washington (AW): How is Ro Spit different from DJ Phrikshun and Burn Rubber Ro?

Ro Spit (Ro): I'm the same person to the core. All three of those people want to get money and provide for their family—bottom line. Now, the person that is nothing like any of those guys is Roland Coit. I'm just a humble dude that loves to laugh and work hard.

AW: What is the Oh S#!t Project? From what I understand it's not a mixtape but it's not quite an album either.

Ro: The Oh S#!t project fits right in between a mixtape and an album. The reason I didn't want to call it a mixtape is because of the negative stigma that the word "mixtape" has on it. Everybody and their grandma has a mixtape out here in the streets. Another thing is that mixtapes have short shelf lives and I want my music to stand the test of time. It's not a mixtape because I'm rapping over all original beats; even the "Renaissance State Of Mind" track was re-made—that is not the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys version. On the other hand, the project is set up like a mixtape; it's songs on a CD with no real story. My album will tap more into me as a real person—not just dope rhymes and dope beats. This project was to show people that may not be familiar with me as an emcee, that I got bars.

AW: What can people expect from this project?

Ro: Raw beats and raw lyrics, cleverness, slick talk, flow and fresh sh*t.

AW: Who are some of the featured artists on the project and why did you select who you did?

Ro: I have a few features on this project. The most notable is Bun B, and for obvious reasons. He's a legend in the game, well respected and got bars for days. I can't take the credit for that feature though, I gotta give it up to the producer of the track my man Frank The Butcher. He gave me the beat, and said he wanted me and Curt@!ns on a track together; he could hear Bun B on it. He made a call and the rest is history. Big Sean is also on a track, he came through in the clutch, literally. The day before the project was to be turned in, he came to the shop like, "I gotta get on a track man," that was the perfect track for his feature. Of course I got my 101 fam on there, Marv Won and Ron Dance, we all we got and Marv Won is one of my favorite rappers, period. Got my man Stretch Money on there, he's that dude that a lot of "Hip Hop" cats sleep on because he's all over ther radio, but that dude is a monster and will shut a cypher down. Other than that, I have the fabulous, M Bleezy on there twice. Monica Blaire is a star; I love her voice, and she's a beautiful person to just be around. She's like one of the fellas almost, but still a girly girl.

AW: "Renaissance State of Mind" has definitely become an anthem of sorts, did you intend for it to happen that way?

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Party & Bullsh*t - Rah Digga

So I've been lagging with the posts..simply because I just finished moving back to school so yeah life = hectic. Back to school time is one where parties are plentiful and as many people are starting to get back into their respective schools and such there are MAJOR parties going on in both Detroit and Atlanta. So below I pulled fliers for the 4 most popular events that I just wish I could attend, 3 are happening this week in the 313 and 1 is in the A. What're you going to?

Yay or Nay: Victory 2009 - 101 feat. Fatt Father and Phatboy Chef

"Victory" by Biggie Smalls is not my favorite song by the notorious rapper, but it is my favorite beat that he has rapped on. I got this song in my inbox today and it's by 101, now you may be thinking you haven't heard the name 101 before or that you don't know any of the guys but you'll be lying to yourself. Marvwon, (who so nicely dissed Charles Hamilton sending him into static shock), Ro Spit (the artist formerly known as Octane and 1/2 of Burn Rubber) and Ron Dance (sales manager over at District 81 more recently turned actor) all make up this Detroit rap super trio. Throw on Fatt Father and Phatboy Chef and you have these bars on a B.I.G. classic. Yay or Nay: Victory 2009.

TO DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK, OR ANY YAY OR NAY TRACK, CLICK THE DIVSHARE LOGO AND YOU WILL BE REDIRECTED TO THE DOWNLOAD PAGE.

This is a Movement - Young Scolla

This past weekend one of the biggest events to hit Detroit this summer took place, 3 Days B4 Fame, and I was lucky enough to attend Days 1 and 2. It was thrown by U.S.R. but was sponsored by and featured a gazillion (ok maybe that's an over-exaggeration) people. I had fun, LOTS of fun, then again I have fun everywhere I go. I guess the best way to jump into this would be to talk about Day 1.
Day 1 was 'Fashionably Late' and took place at the Crofoot in Pontiac; it was a fashion show and a concert and of course a fiesta! (lol). Well, I got there a lil' on the late side and missed a few performances including Big Shan's, but I walked in on Yung GooD performing "Transformers" (he did 'GooD' BTW). I spent the first few minutes really saying hey to people and scoping the place out to see who was there. Crowd was pretty much what I expected.I walked in the same time as Big Sean and the rest of Finally Famous arrived, naturally U.S.R., Young Slapz, your favorite blogger Cliff Skighwalker and Ro from Burn Rubber were there as well.
Now on to the actual concert/fashion show. Like I said Yung GooD performed, as well as, Dusty McFly, Earlly Mac, Big Sean, the man of the weekend Young Scolla, and JFin. There were others but those are all the performances I caught. Some of the lines featured were Fanciee Clothing, Get Fresh Society, Brother's Four, and Freshman Clothing. My problem: The stage was too congested. The way it went you had the performers doing their thing while the models were strutting around them, showing off whatever line it was (think BET's Spring Bling or Rock the Runway). However, since there were more people onstage than just the models and performers (basically the entourages) that distracted me and a few others I talked to. You couldn't see one or the other (model/performer) and the stage really wasnt large enough to have all those people on it to begin with.
For the actual performers? No complaints, I liked them and the songs they performed (though my opinion may be somewhat biased because I actually listen to some of these artists anyway). In between the running around Scolla actually made time to perform and performed "Infatuation" (which I love) and Big Sean performed "Hollywood" w. Earlly Mac and "Iraq" w. Dusty McFly. The closing performance of the night was JFin. The everything (can't really just call it a concert, or fashion show, or party) doubled as the mixtape release party for JFin's InFINity and Beyond mixtape; though I was late I managed to get a hard copy of the mixtape too (YAY!).
Day 2 was a pool party at Chandler Park Aquatic Center. It was hosted by Ray J., WJLB was there, reps from Monster Energy drinks were there (and giving out Monsters! ) and most of the people you saw at Day 1 were at Day 2. Though I did have fun here, there were a few complaints made by some others I spoke with. The biggest one being the timing; according to the flyer the party was to be from 2 p.m.- 7 p.m. However Ray J. didn't show up until after 6, which means nothing was really happening because the host wasn't there.

It's a saturday, it's nice out, and it's a water park so naturally there were lots of kids there. When Ray J. showed his 5'4" frame they came like the antelope stampede in The Lion King straight out the pool and over the picnic tables to Ray J. I found it funny how I was nowhere near the water but ended up wet one side. But the kdis weren't the bad ones, I spotted a lady let go of her son (he had to be about 1 because he had on a little swimmers diaper thing lol) and run up to Ray J. leaving the baby standing there almost getting ran over.
I left before the step show so I didn't get to see the MSU Iota Phi Theta's step, but I saw them stroll and such earlier and I also caught a couple of other step teams practicing; they were all cool.
Now I didn't go to Day 3,but I caught some of the livestreaming from the Loft, Dante Marshall's Loft that is. I really wasn't surprised when they announced the "secret location" of the private party, like not at all surprised. Not going to comment on it because I wasn't there, but ONE thing I did hear happened (via the livestream and attendees) and had to mention was the problemo around Big Sean's arrival. Apparently some unknowing soul at the door tried to charge Big Sean to get in and he wasn't taking that well at all. On one hand the situation is ironic because of the message he delivers in his song "Hollywood" but on the other if I were him I'd probably be upset too (Ok, I'd be heated).

Overall thoughts: Depending on how you are as person, 3 Days B4 Fame could've been fun or a bust. I personally enjoyed myself and I like the idea of the whole event. From what I understand there will be another event next year (and I'm sure it'll be bigger and better than this year's). If you missed this year, don't fret, everyone gets their 15 mins. in the spotlight, 2010 is YOUR year! ( ;-) lol)

Summer Vacations - The Cool Kids: Video Blog!!!

Yay or Nay: Too Easy - Octane

You don't have to go to Burn Rubber to know who Ro/Octane is. *I mean I've never been to BR (will change soon) and I know..then again this is hip-hop we're dealing with.* I couldn't post last week's freestyle release because the file was acting crazy but take my word for it, it's dope. Today's freestyle was produced by DL Jones, so here's another "Yay or Nay": Octane's "Too Easy".