This should be fun. Making his way back to LA for the first time in a while, Stalley is back at the El Rey with a few friends for some live Hip Hop fun. Check out the info/press release below, and have fun.

LOS ANGELES, CA-Friday, May 25-Stalley will perform at El Rey (5515 Wilshire Blvd). Doors at 7pm. All Ages. Other performances include Chip tha Ripper, Thurz, Sahtyre and Cesar Luciano. Get your tickets now at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2C004897D9D34FA0.  Please respond to this email for all press inquiries, see you in LA!

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Donna Summer kept you musically right with all kinds of musical hits that spanned over 40 years and and 3 different genres. Multiple hits as a result of a long discography and a 5 octave mezzo-soprano voice. 5 Grammies, 9011 other awards, 1 billion succesful tours, and a universe of fans.

That nerdy thing I’m into tho? Bet you didn’t know Donna was fluent in several languages, one of them being German. After attempts to get signed with her blues rock band right out of high school, Donna had the offer to move to Germany and star in multiple award winning plays, like Show Boat, Godspell and the oh so popular counterculture production of Hair. Pointed out by Johnbook (OMG PRAISE YOU), Donna basically murders the whole German Language and proves that with the right voice and personality/swag/flan (LoL), you can make ANY song sound good in ANY language.

Watch below, with other random hits I am on my 9th time playing by the time you read this.

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“I see we’re still killing over Jordans. Ain’t no punchline in THAT bar.”

After a brief absence due to the result of being in the studio (and being elusive as ever), The Black Opera have teamed up with Mello Music Group return to the musical scene with the ever-informative, common sense-observant track “Black Superstar.” Delivering rhymes that obviously took time to craft over a nice, laid back track with a touch of funk involved, The Black Opera and compers yU deliver that high quality hip hop shit that I have come to love them for. Hopefully I can sit them down again and get more information than I did in that first interview. Lets see if I’m so lucky.

Click HERE to listen/direct download to their shit  and to hop on their mailing list (something is up with my html5 embedding, lemme figure that out), and please enjoy.

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Broken down into 6 parts and 10 minutes each, it should hold your attention while you kill time and learn something new. You’ll enjoy it.

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Shoutout to Thievery Corporation.

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Of course I can’t go to this at all, but I still want to support rapcity.com.au., good friends in the show, people who put this tour together and anyone in Australia who likes hip hop (that actually happens? odd). Set to take over for the first two weeks of June, Chino XL heads out with Doom (but will he actually show up?) and the legendary Ghostface Killah are teaming up for the Rap City Summer Tour. In a perfect world, they will bring this exact line up back to the states… but we’ll see how that goes.

For now, act like you care and enjoy.

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Also guys, if the Nerdery is acting kinda buggy today, give me a minute to fix things and add photos back to the site. For some retarded reason my domain name expired and I’ve got some shit to fix. For now, enjoy all the lovely links and videos we have for you below, and enjoy.

Seven Female Rappers Who Are Not Nicki Minaj Or Kr*ayshawn (‘s Bitchass.)

If you were to rely solely on media and pop culture to shape your musical knowledge, you may think that the only female hip hop artist worthy of your attention right now is Nicki Minaj.

Or worse, Kreayshawn, who claims bisexuality only when it’s convenient, and seemingly thrives on being a direct representation of everything that is wrong with hip hop: the glorification of labels and name brands over knowledge of self; the adaptation and appropriation of hip hop culture without a genuine sense of what it really means.

With the plethora of hyper-sexualized females using visual gags and fashion stunts to keep your attention and an overwhelming amount of misogyny pervading the genre, it can be easy to forget that the history of women in hip hop is incredibly diverse, expansive and amazing. Even more disappointing is the fact that you can listen to copious amounts of modern Hip Hop and not realize that there are plenty of talented female MCs in that world, both past and present, who often get overlooked. With that said, I’d like to introduce you to a league of talented ladies who deserve a few plays on your iPod.

The hardest part of creating this list was trying to narrow it down to just seven great female MCs. It took two weeks of intensive research, decisions, redecisions, debate and general fuckery, but I think what we have here is a great starting point for anyone who’s curious about women in Hip Hop.Please don’t mistake this shortlist as anything ‘official’; there are a host of up-and-coming female rappers out there who are equally as deserving of your attention: Ethel Cee is pretty amazing, as is 7th Stori, Kid Sister, K-Slay, Snow, Karmin, and Ill Camille (shoutout to Invinvible!). And let’s not forget the legends who they learned from; MC Lyte, Salt & Pepa, Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, Eve, Da Brat, Bahamadia, Mystic, Rah Digga, Ms. Jade, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and my personal favorite Missy Elliot… women/artists who have consistently delivered an eclectic mix of positive, artfully done Hip Hop, as well as the occasional and oh-so-necessary party anthem. Women have always been and will always be a powerful force in Hip Hop, in various forms and styles. Don’t let anyone make you think different.

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Well how nice is this indirect win.
Just when I think no one is really reading this shit, I always get some kind of sign from somewhere that awesome, nerdy people always find their way to my work and random ramblings about great music. First it was the BBC, then it was getting nominated for a Canadian Indie Blog Award (which I lost by Los Angeles default). There have been other things along the way (Hey Ma B), but being shouted out by the King of all Hip Hop and Music Nerds… Mr. Nelson George… man. I have to step my game up on general principle.

So remember how I’ve been hyping up my boy Damon as The King of the New Funk Era? Welp, it seems as if Mr. George actually read my sentiments on Dam-Funk, and agrees with me in some fashion…. as he took the time to retweet the article to his readers. Wow. I’m just here to say I am humbled and to document this mini-victory properly.

If you do read this, sir I loved those soul documentaries you were doing with VH1. You should get back to that. And Hip Hop ones too. I can totally help. Thanks for finding the site and supporting good music.

Meanwhile, you should check out Damon’s work when you get a chance. Make sure you stop by his twitter to check for dates… hes always doing a live show somewhere.

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Live At Central Park

Reggie Watts brings music, comedy, and a host of characters to COMEDY CENTRAL in the world premiere of “Reggie Watts: A LIVE AT CENTRAL PARK”!

Using nothing but his voice, keyboard and a looping machine, Watts covers topics from quantum dynamics to sex and everything in between. Tune in to see Reggie in full force at Central Park Summer Stage with a story that will keep you on your toes…

Airing tomorrow May 11th @ 1am on Comedy Central

Also, CD/DVD “Reggie Watts: A LIVE AT CENTRAL PARK” will be released on Tuesday May 15th on Comedy Central Records!

Spring Tour

5/16 – Chicago
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5/17 – Cleveland
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5/19 – Philadelphia
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5/20 – New York City
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5/21 – Washington, DC
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5/23 – Atlanta
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5/24 – New Orleans
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5/26 – Austin
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5/29 – Phoenix
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5/30 – Los Angeles
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6/1 – San Francisco – SOLD OUT!

6/3 – Portland
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6/4 – Seattle
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It was planned to be a fun trip filled with music, partying, amazing concerts and bonding over old Chapter 8 vinyl records. In the end, it ended up being a bit more work and induced a bit more stabby than I had originally anticipated, but nothing that is any good or of any value comes with ease. In the end, after it was all done… it was worth the effort, time, cussing out of several people and the sudden and unexpected hamstring strain/pull. And I’d do it all over again, just to hear her sing. Proof in point that this woman’s voice can single handedly make ANYTHING better. All the time. For like, 30 years. Wow.

Anyways… after a wonderful flight to New York via Virgin America, a brief stop over at the Hilton Towers and a long stare at the stunning New York view, it was already time to head over to Radio City Music Hall for a bit of work and a lot of fun. Lucky enough to be within walking distance of Radio City Music Hall, I took the opportunity to do what most Angelinos never do in Los Angeles… walk a few blocks to get to my destination. Although this is not the first trip I’ve taken to the Big Apple, it would only be my second time seeing Radio City Music Hall, and my first time ever inside of the venue. Of course the music geek inside of me completely collapsed upon entering the large art deco-style music hall with capacity seating for 5,000+ people. Overwhelmed by the sheer size of it all (doesn’t look that huge from the outside or on TV, people) I took a long walk around the entire venue, its several balconies and entire backstage area while listening to Anita run sound check, fine tune and prep her sound for the show (yes, she is her own sound master/engineer at times, and she’s VERY serious about her sh*t). For me, it was humbling just to be there. Being the quintessential music nerd, I knew one day I would make it inside the hall… but never like this.

After meeting and spending some quality time with Ms. Baker’s amazing band, and then standing on stage to perform my rendition of Randy Watson & The Sexual Chocolate Experience’s “Greatest Love Of All”, I’m sure you can understand how I was feeling really good about the day thus far. However, it quickly became apparent that work needed to be done around the hall; additional guest listing, costuming, lights, whatnot. I was commanded by Ms. Baker to frankly sit my ass down and enjoy the show, and after a long flight, I had full intentions on doing so. But of course, I’m way too nice. I should have sat my butt in my seat backstage and never left my damn seat until instructed. Alas, me being the classic booboo the fool (yes… you were right Ma B, I know), I attempted to help out with things and found myself pulled into business that included finding out promoters and publicists had taken tickets and redistributed them to other people as a priority, and ended up having to fix people messing up guest lists for family members of the band and other people who were left out as a result. I got it done (gatdammit), but I never really had a chance to sit and enjoy the view or even change clothes (oh my struggle was REAL at that point), trying to make sure everyone was seated and comfortable. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Being the type of person I am, I couldn’t rest until I had seating situations fixed, and knew people were taken care of.

After “gently correcting” the people who destroyed the ticket situation and working with the AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL Security Team at RCMH (may God bless you for helping me out that night, yo… you guys were amazing) to make sure everyone was okay, I headed to the main stage to see the rest Ms. Baker’s set. Already 6 songs into the show, it really felt as if I had missed nothing… especially with the show on a PA system that carried the sound of her soothing voice throughout the building. Rocking a beautiful black dress we had picked earlier in the evening, Anita was now thoroughly engaged in entertaining the 5200 guests who had found their way to RCMH that night. Despite taking a year off from touring/performing to prep the new album and to send her sons off to college, Anita Baker owned that stage like she had never left. Already breezing through her trademark classics like Sweet Love, Same Ol Love (365 Days Of The Year), and Mystery (dammit I MISSED THAT), Anita appeared comfortable and at home on stage by the time I got to her. Always delightful and Auntie-Like while on stage, Ms. Baker engaged her fans in conversation, listened to (and occasionally took) requests from the audience, took flowers and gifts that her fans brought to her, and would start her songs with awesome little hype-chants like, “Turn me up! Turn me up! Turn ME UP! Get stupid! Get Stupid! Get Stupid!” (LOL yes she did) before taking the entire audience to Musical Church with that stunning contralto. Hah. There truly is nothing like watching this woman in her zone while she is having a great time. You can watch it yourself too… because you knew I was getting video of this. Video means I had to spend a good chunk of the show being a glorified human tripod (whats up, Wendy) and staying silent for the best sound, but it was worth every minute.

The night progressed beautifully from there, with Bebe Winans joining Anita on stage momentarily for a duet, along with the amazing performance Tyrese gave, duetting his song Lately with Anita live on stage. The transformers star couldn’t stop himself from geeking out throughout the show, shooting me the most adorable “MAMA I MADE IT!” smile ever after wrapping up his time on stage with Anita. To my delight, Anita then did her newest single, Sweetest Dreams from her upcoming album, 21st Century Love. I adore this song, and cannot wait for more people to hear it. After acknowledging her wonderful band, shouting out people like Bill O’Reilly (yes it is true; this dude has a straight up OBSESSION with Anita Baker’s music, do NOT ask me anymore after that), possibly sighting Azalea Banks in the crowd (it REALLY looked like her chillin) and bringing Sherri Shepard up on stage to join her, Ms. Baker then ended the show with Fairy Tales (she DESTROYED it fam, watch the footage) and Body & Soul as her encore. From there, we wrapped and sent Ms. Baker to her room to relax for a minute before meeting and chatting with some of her business associates and people. Meet and Greet time.

In that moment, I took what was left of my energy to try and find some dear friends who had made their way to the show (King Joffer! Stephanie! Ms. Law Tanya! Happy Birthday Chanson! What up Sinnamon. WE MADE IT FAMILY) and tell them thank you for their time. After that, I found my way to the lovely Mjeema so that I could specifically get her to Ms. Baker; it was one of the ONLY things I wanted to do with my night. Once the connection was made and Mjemma got her AnitaHug, photo and time with her… my entire night was complete. We found our way to Ms. Baker’s dressing room where she then toasted her band, Ms. Mjemma for her hard work and the wonderful show with a fine bottle of Riesling. While no one was looking however, I found my way to a private room on hold for me and completely fell out. After close to 36 hours of travel, consistent moving and a strained left hamstring, I was just ready to go home. But even as I laid there, reviewing the footage I had just captured on video, and listening to the good times she was having down the hall…. just to hear this womans voice, and to see that she was happy at the end of the night… made everything worth it.

Exhausted, limpy and a bit fonkay at the end of the night, I found the energy to help Anita’s with her belongs down to the private car. Expecting my own car to come and take me back to my hotel, I connected with the wonderful Lauren (the best employee Radio City Music Hall has ever had, Ima see you in Philly girl… bring the goods) to make sure she knew I loved her, and said a second God Bless You to Rasheed and the greatest security team evar. Walking to Ms. Baker’s car for hugs and byebyes, I was humbled when she yelled at me in total mom voice to get in the car with her. She knew I was exhausted and all limpy, and even though she should have just went to the penthouse and went to sleep, she chose to spend her time with me. Be still, my little heart. I still dont understand what I did that made me worthy of all this, but I wasn’t going to question it in that moment… and hobbled my ass to the car. Anita, gracious as ever, hopped out the car as I got in to sign autographs and take pictures with fans who waited outside after the show and say goodbye. After saying some final goodbyes to some business associates, she hopped back in the car with me and we headed back to her hotel, finally reaching the end of a very long daynight.

You know, its funny. Reading the liner notes of Anita’s albums many moons ago and knowing that she was adopted as a child, I found it heartwarming reassuring and loving that Anita referred to the women who birthed her and the woman who adopted her as her ‘Birth Mother’ and ‘Earth Mother.’ It was sweet to see her acknowledge both the woman who brought her into the world and the one who raised her. I remember sitting back and thinking in that moment, “Gee. I wonder if Anita knows that somewhere between 1979 to 1995, she became the Earth Mother to about 19.8 million children in the United States alone. Give or take a few. I’m one of those kids.” I know a lot of people who personally feel this way: Anita Baker has always been our adopted Momma/Earth Momma/Auntie/Sister/Play cousin/Homie in your head that would talk you through not stabbing multiple people. If she doesn’t know by now… she will know soon.

I don’t know what it is about this woman, but her voice, her presence and the love that she shows in person and through her music… It just, has the power to fix anything. Touch anyone. Make almost everyone feel better. Time and time again. Red-eye flights, pushy publicists, and 97 popped hamstrings couldn’t keep me from doing this again in a HEARTBEAT.  The opportunity before me is a gift from God (whatever version of God you believe in) and I hope I get to have this experience again soon. Possibly repeatedly and forever. Best weekend of my life.

But now is the time where I shut up and let you watch all the awesome video that I was able to capture, along with some great footage the homies were able to catch. Enjoy the footage. There is more coming.

Her newest single, Sweetest Dream:

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Lately with Tyrese. At 2:28 into the video is probably the best part:

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Sweet Love (captured by a good friend. LOL at people and the “YOU’D BETTER SANG” comments):

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Fairy Tales (I’m not being biased, she DESTROYED this shit son. Somewhere around 2:17, she looked at me and decided to take it to CHURCH. The best part? PLEASE watch the sound manager in the background of this video absolutely JAMMING OUT for the entire duration of the song. I shoulda been over there with him; he was getting the party was STARTED. Watch.):

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No but seriously, I’m going to go elevate my swollen left leg. If youre interested, I have a nice live show of Anita’s that you can download by clicking here. Please enjoy the videos above, allow me some time to not stare at a computer, and I really hope you enjoy.