Hau's Version Excursion - 'One', 'Two' & 'Three'

More rap stuff. This time I'm rocking over Geko's beat interludes titled, 'One', 'Two' & 'Three', from his album, 'The Crate Cartel'. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD MP3

Hau's Version Excursion - 'History of the World'

OK, here is the story. I was meant to write a review for Adelaide MC & Golden Era Records signee, Vents', new album, 'Marked For Death' (which is out early May) for triple j Mag. Unfortunately/ fortunately, Golden Era Records sent the single for 'History of the World' instead. On it was the instrumental. So, being a fan of the song and an MC, I naturally wanted to do my thing over it. I had just bought a Rode USB mic to demo stuff up on, so I thought... stuff it. Let's record it and chuck it out there. So, here it is.

Big up Vents. New album, 'Marked For Death' is strooong. Yes, I did finally receive a copy. Peep it when it comes out.

Download MP3

Rest In Power Nate Dogg & Smiley Culture

Shiiit... my blog looks like a bloody obituary at the moment. But try not to feel down. Let's celebrate!

Two music legends passed away recently; The king of hip hop/ R&B hooks, Nate Dogg, and reggae don, Smiley Culture. Both artists were highly respected in their fields and have left some great moments for all of us to enjoy. Their voices will be missed. Maximum respect, boys. Salute!

Also, much, much blessings to those affected by the earthquake in Japan. Totally heart breaking. Sending positive vibes and strength your way.

Travis Desfontaines RIP

The article don himself

As a Tongan, I grew up with death and funerals playing a big part of my life. That being due to being part of a big family and, being a Tongan in Australia, you knew pretty much every Tongan family in your community. And the Tongans, in general, are quite close knit.
It wasn’t ‘til a close friend of mine, Scott Bain, died that I experienced a loss of a different kind. Uncles and aunties pass away and that obviously hurts, but when someone your age dies, it truly hits you in a unique way. Is it because they died way before their time? Does their death force you to question your own mortality? I don’t know. What I do know, I’ve never felt like that before.
Another close friend died recently. Travis Desfontaines. I’m completely heartbroken. I truly don’t know where to start in order to describe his character, his persona, his light and his presence. So I just want to share a few (of maaaaany) stories that, I hope, will give you some insight on the man and the myth.

Travis was a party monster. When it was time to get down, he was the one you needed to get down with. But Trav was also the party entertainment. The bloke you hoped would be there at the gathering because you knew sometime throughout the night; the big fella would steal the spotlight and have the whole house cracking up. That, too, was part of his act… he’d have you crazily anticipating the show’s commencement.
One night at a party, we’d be doing what we do; having a dance, a few drinks and so on. We noticed Travis hadn’t been seen for a few, but we didn’t think much of it. We kept drinking and talking crap.
Suddenly, Travis rocks in with a lawn mower. A lawn mower? Yes, a lawn mower. And what’s more, the lawn mower had a hat on it. Obviously everyone was looking at Trav like, “what the hell?”, but we knew that that crafty raggamuffin was up to something. Obviously feeling he had the whole places attention, with the straightest of faces, Trav looks at everyone and says, “Hey everyone, meet me mate, Victor!”

Travis spent a lot of years in Melbourne. Hanging out with him down in that culturally rich city was almost like walking around with the mayor. He was the type of person people wanted to know and be seen with. But to me, he was always the same Kambah kid and I just loved hanging out with him for him.
Walking down a busy street one night in Melbourne, we walk pass a bar that was blaring some trance music. We both looked at each other with cringed faces in agreement of how crap it sounded. Travis then said, “Awww shit. It must be ‘80s night tonight”. I looked at him puzzled knowing that full well it wasn’t ‘80s music playing; it was trance. What is this guy hearing? So I turned to him and said, “’80s music?” to which he replied, “Yeah, cos you’ll need 8 E’s to enjoy it!”

OK… one more – short and sharp. Trav’s wit game was unmatched. I forget which hotel it was… and even why were staying at the same one. Anyway…
We all jump in the elevator, pushed the buttons and chatted away as the elevator started to move up to our designated floors.
We reach Trav’s floor and the doors open up. We exchanged good-byes with handshakes and he walks off the elevator. As the doors begin to close, Trav turns around to us and says, “Thanks for the lift”. Incredible.

I’m not sure if these story fall into the ol’ ‘you just had to be there’ catergory, but really… who cares. These are some the moments I’ve thought about many a time. If you knew him, you would understand the man’s comedic genius I was trying to capture with these stories. If you didn’t know him, I’m sure it will still make you crack a smile.
I guess that’s the bitter sweetness of Trav’s death; he has sadly passed away, but the big fella has left us with so many fond memories and funny moments. Travis, ya bastard, I miss you. We all miss you. Wherever you are, I hope you have reunited with our brother, Scott, and those Chicago Bulls socks you wore into the ground. Love you, brother.

Heat 4 Huntz

I'll let my man, Len Wun, school on with the haps:

Are you ready to witness the most amazing collection of local Hip Hop ever listed for auction? The cream of Australia's talent has pooled together for a once in a lifetime eBay listing, offering some extremely rare & desirable bits n' pieces from their own collections all in the name of fund-raising for our friend, HUNTER-SBX.

The "HEAT 4 HUNTZ" eBay auction begins late Sunday the 8th of November 2010 & hopes to raise a decent amount to donate to the Perth, Western Australian stalwart who is battling with Cancer. 100% of all proceeds of the auction will be donated to Hunter & his son, Marley!

As a huge fan of the Oz scene, Hunter is an avid collector of the vinyl releases this country has offered, so it's only fitting we offer a massive selection of some of Huntz faves from over the past 10 years. Most of the pieces on offer are long out of print collectibles with many personalized for this auction by the artist, making the items majorly rare! So..... bid accordingly!

This auction will be run by "Wordburner" a.k.a. Bias B, so you can trust the auctions will be 100% legit! Click on the link below to see the auctions!

HEAT 4 HUNTZ

Recommendation

If you love your old time dancehall and reggae, this album is for you. Gappy Ranks 'Put the Stereo On'. Good vibes a plenty. Favourite jam is, 'Pumpkin Belly'. Eeeeeeeasy!

Canberra/ Queanbeyan Crew!

Yooo... for those in the area, come join myself and the family for some good ol' fashion boogie-shoes business. Must point this out though, this is not a Koolism show. I'll just be joing my cousins' band on some Roots sh*t. Call me Brown Thought.

Hope to see you there.

Old School. Proper Old School

"Look Ma, we're on top of the wooorld!"

What up, blog crew?

Long time, long time. Been on the road. Yep - doing my yearly travelling with the lovely wifey. In Mexico at the moment. Chichen Itza, to be exact. This picture, however, was taken at Piramides de Teotihuacan. Which is about an hours drive out of Mexico City. Beautiful place. We're standing on top of the pyramid of the sun and in the background is the pyramid of the moon.

Anyway, just dropping in to say I'm still alive and yeah, I will be posting some more pics that are probably better than where you are right now. Haha... jokes.

Bless up!

'Write the Future #EndAIDS' by Nike

I got my laces... have you?

(NIKE)^RED Laces generate money to help people living with HIV in Africa get the medicine they need to stay alive and help educate Africa's younger generation to help stop the spread of HIV.

Today, life saving medication exists but millions still can't afford it. Watch how the power of a global movement can eliminate AIDS.

You've seen the future. Now write it. Join the fight.

Side Note: My Favourite Video Game EVER

As you were...

More World Cup Action with Nike

Sydney crew hold tight! Big up Lu @ Nike for the love.

Nike Sportswear at The Atrium (Sydney)

The world’s football power houses are getting set to take to the pitch in South Africa. To celebrate, Nike Sportswear has joined forces with The Atrium in Sydney to present the Nike Sportswear Colab collection.

This year, Nike Sportswear worked with established and emerging artists from six countries to create alternative National Team Kits that flip the script on the classic football kit.

Each kit available at The Atrium will include either a pair of Nike Sportswear footwear and/or apparel item. Unique twists on iconic silhouettes including the Air Max BW Gen II, Dunk High AC and Nike LunarLite Chukka Woven provide plenty of options to express team pride.

Usually an appointment-only store, The Atrium will open its doors daily from 11.00am - 6.00pm from Friday 11 June – Sunday 27 June.

Stay tuned via http://www.facebook.com/nikesportswear to see what’s happening instore and coming up after hours at The Atrium!

The Atrium: Shop 5, 591 George St, Sydney (enter via Eager Lane off Sussex Street)

The Nextmen World Cup Mix

My boys across the pond have put together a mix of tunes that will serve as your World Cup soundtrack. Yes, they are from England, but don't hold that against them. These fullas have a knack for selection and mixing, so make sure you check this out. Also available to download - click the link under the soundwavey thingamajig.

Where's my vuvuzela crew at???

The Nextmen - World Cup Mix 2010 - England Expects by The Nextmen

Hay-fever

If hay-fever was a guy, I would karate chop it right in the larynx. Aaaaaiiiyaaah!!!

If you guys feel the same and you want theme music in order to execute your Japanese martial arts maneuver, bump this tune, 'Sellouts', by Styles P and his mate, Bully. Produced by Statik Selektah, this jam is nuts and will get you so hype you'll want to chop hay-fever, a cold AND it's bitch-arse cousin, the flu. Bam!

(Tip o' the hat to Kevin Nottingham for the link)

"Fuck a hay-fever, yo"

Working on the new mixtape, 'Sexy Beast'

"you can do it, man... you can do it"

Howdy, folks...

Long time, no blug, huh? Hoping everyone is well.

Just thought I'd drop in and say "g'day" and to tell you I'm back in the lab working on the next mixtape in the 'Sound of the Beast' series titled, 'Sexy Beast'. Big up Jacob Giles for once again helping a brother out. Ya large!

I've already got about six tunes done and there will be a lot of surprise guests featuring on some tunes. Production-wise and vocal-wise. Audio splendour for your musical bender.

So yeah... stay tuned and I will you keep you posted on the happenings. Oh, big high-five to all those who downloaded the last mixtape, 'Love the Beast'. I have gotten a lot of good feedback about it. If you haven't yet got a copy, hit this link:

'Love the Beast'

Alright, people. Stay up and keep safe.

'Get a Chance' (from 'Love the Beast')

Taken from the 'Love the Beast' mixtape. The original tune is produced by a dude named, Testiculo (mad name, right?), off the Hi-Hat Club Vol 1 LP.

If you want to download the mixtape, there is a link in the previous entry. Eeeeeeeeeasy...

Universal Daps & Pounds

Peace and blessings, blog massive...

Long time, no update. I thought I'd let the blog breathe a little bit with the upload of the mixtape (which, I'm sure you have all downloaded, yeah?) - let it get it's proper shine. Up front and centre.

I just wanted to say 'thank you' to all those who took the time out to download and listen to the 'Love the Beast' mixtape. I have had a lot of great feedback about it. But don't take my word for it, read what these people had to say:

"F**kin' sick c*nt!" - Lad from down the shops

"It's great... but when are you going to get a real job?" - The wifey

"You will be hearing from my lawyers" - Eric Bana

So as you can tell, it's getting love all across the board. If you too dig it, you may wanna pass it on that has the same superior taste in music and lyrics as you. Spread the word - spread the love... of the BEAST.

PRESS ME FOR THAT BEASTFUL LOVENESS OF A MIXTAPE

Happy Valentine's Day! Free 'Love the Beast' mixtape

"Love is in the air... everywhere I look around"

True words sung by a true man.

Well, here it is. My first solo venture in the form of a mixtape (explanation to why this is is down below) dropping on this lovely date to help you and your better half celebrate such a heart-felt occassion. So without any further ado, I present to you...

The 'Love the Beast' mixtape

GIMME THAT FREE DOWNLOAD

And since this is a free download thing, all I ask in return is to please pass it onto anyone else who you think may enjoy it. Spread that love peoples!

Nike RED Lace Up Save Lives Video

What's happening crew?

The Nike RED campaign are back at it enlisting some heavyweight athletes to help with reaching the people. The video is short and sharp and hopes to raise awareness of this worthy movement.

This press release better explains the finer points:

In support of Nike and (RED)’s unique two-pronged partnership approach to fight HIV/ AIDS in Africa, leading footballers Didier Drogba, Andrei Arshavin, Clint Dempsey, Denilson, Marco Materazzi, Javier Mascherano, Fabio Cannavaro along with Maria Sharapova and Kobe Bryant came together in a new viral film released by Nike this week to encourage fans globally to “Lace Up Save Lives”.

The film is part of the (PRODUCT)^RED™ partnership. Nike produces (RED) branded laces, with 100% of Nike’s profits from the sales of (NIKE)^RED laces going to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – which funds medication for those living with HIV – and football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa. This unique partnership, first announced on November 30^th, the day before World AIDS day in London last year, delivers programs that both medicate and educate.

Bringing together athletes with global appeal across football, tennis and basketball through this film provides another way to elevate awareness and unite people in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The film features a cast of global athletes using the (Nike) ^RED laces to lace up in unusual and imaginative ways. Premier league rivals Drogba and Arshavin pay each other the ultimate respect lacing each other’s boots, as do Series A competitors Materazzi and Cannavaro. Maria Sharapova and Kobe Bryant add their personal touches, while all the players use the RED laces in distinct ways to encourage support for the campaign.

Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, the leading global ambassador for (Nike)^RED, has been wearing the (RED) laces in Premier League and at The African Cup of Nations, comments: “Filming was a lot of fun, but all of us are aware of the seriousness of the problem of HIV and AIDS in Africa and it is something I have seen first hand when I go back there. Maybe people aren’t aware but AIDS is treatable and we want to encourage players and fans around the world to by the laces and help fight this disease.”

(Nike)^RED laces are sold separately for $5 from selected Nike stockists in Australia.

For stockist information visit http://www.nikefootball.com/RED

Further information contact: Luisa Superina at Nike Australia on 03 9292 9423

Notes to editors:

Progress has been made in the drive to reduce HIV infections in Africa, with fourteen countries reporting a decline in the prevalence of the disease. But AIDS remains one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. An estimated 3,800 men, women and children die in sub-Saharan Africa every day, in addition to 6,000 new infections every day among 15-24 year old men and women.

Everyday is the 14th! 'Love the Beast' Mixtape

OK, this is how it runs. On my down time, I do a lot of writing and recording. Koolism business gets taken care of first, but every other chance I get, I'm busting into someone's studio to make music. That's why you'll hear me work with the likes of Astronomy Class, Urthboy, A-Love, Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs... etc etc. Not only because they are my peoples, but I just love making music. Well, penning lyrics and rapping them. Guess thats still making music right? I also gotta big up my folks who have played hospitable producers/ engineers like Katalyst, D'Opus, BVA, DJ Bonez, Trials and the list goes on and on...

Also, I figure since the brain is still ticking over with this writing thing, I might as well make the most of it, yeah? Who knows when the ol' think tank will start leaking.

So, that brings me to this release here. Bits and pieces I've been working on with original beats and other people's instrumentals. Instead of it gathering audio dust, I've decided to unleash it to you, the listener, in the form of a mixtape called 'Love the Beast'. Named after the Eric Bana doco. No, he won't be on here, so don't get too excited.

Anyway, this will be available as a free download on Valentine's Day. So if you're stuck for ideas on what to get your partner... BAM! Here it is. Did I mention it will be free?

Gotta give a mighty, man shout to Jacob Giles who has helped me put it together. A very talented (not to mention patient) chap who, I think, is on the verge of great things. Watch this space!

Hold tight for the link. Pop back on Valentine's Day folks.

My 'F**ken hell, this is crazy!' Track

"Oh yeah... we back muhf**ckas"

This link and pic comes courtesy of the two lads @ 2DOPEBOYZ, so forgive me for straight jacking this post from them. But I had to cos wooow, this tune is laaarge!

These two fullas really need no introduction, but if you're a bit slow on the ol' rap game, allow me to introduce you to Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek. Together known as the mighty Reflection Eternal. Both well established artists and kill it proper when going for dolo, but when they pair up - woooh! Danger.

This tune is from their forthcoming album, 'Revolutions Per Minute', apparently due out early 2010. 10 years after their first outting, 'Train of Thought'. The track is called, 'Just Begun', and features pretty much the cream of the crop in today's hip hop circles - Jay Electronica, J. Cole and the mighty Mos Def. Everyone pulls the weight and this track is one hell of a tune to end the year off with. Check it out and bump it til 2011.

Get it HERE

Oh, Merry Christmas by the way. I hope everyone kept safe, tried to love a little bit more than usual and spared a thought (or change) to those less fortunate. Hopefully I'll catch you before the years out. Bless!