Words & Flicks by Anthony Campusano      Edits by Lucas Alvarado Farrar

Hot 97 and Peter Rosenberg are known for giving a lot of artists their first NY show with the “Who’s Next?” concert series. Why not add Tinie Tempah to the list?

Hailing from the UK, Tinie Tempah is quick on the rise. A lot of his fans are based out of Europe but with his recent track with Wiz Khalifa, he has quickly gained fans in the states. SOBs housed a mix of tourist and New York fans all to see Tinie Tempah, as well as the opening acts. STS and his DJ Bearone started the night off right. Though he had a tough crowd to rock, STS was able to attract some energy from these Tinie fans.

Next was Action Bronson, from Flushing Queens, who held it down. Running late, Los, performed a few tracks and had a couple fans in the audience rocking with him. Lastly, before Tinie, was Hezekiah who also pulled some energy out of the crowd that awaited the headliner.

It was clear who the audience came for as SOBs made some noise when Tinie came on stage. He had a lot of supporters in the audience as most of them sang along with him. Usher also came through to support (but according to security wasn’t taking any pictures. His short-sided set lasted 40-50 minutes but had everyone jumping each minute. As he left, the crowd chanted for an encore for about 5 minutes until they realized he wasn’t coming back out.

 To see more pictures by Anthony check out GRIME

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Words by Tannis Spencer of Product of the Nineties

Thursday night in the backroom of SoHo’s Sweet & Vicious the Cool Kids treated fans, friends and general groupies to their official album listening party for their new album, When Fish Ride Bicycles. The album is set to release on Tuesday, July 12th worldwide via iTunes. Last night we were able to get a sneak peek of the entire album and meet a few other cool kids in their own right.

If you are a Cool Kid fan you’ll be pleased to know this new project shows a serious progression from their older stuff. While the Cool Kids will always be known for the numbing bass that can be heard in almost every song, they have also grown lyrically as a group. They’re taking more risks as artists and stepping away from what people are likely to expect from them. Presumably a calculated a risk, but likely a good one.

From the sounds of it they have some definite bangers featured on the album just in time for the remainder of the summer. The duo have always been good at creating music easy to ride to and didn’t drift too far away from the formula for this project. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke right?

When Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish weren’t busy being cool kids throughout the night, they were seen mingling with attendees and talking to the human sized fish that was seen floating throughout the party. A few special guess also dropped by for the evening including Asher Roth, Amanda Diva and Tennille.

Track List for When Fish Ride Bicycles

‘Rush Hour Traffic
‘GMC’
‘Boomin’ (featuring Tennille)’
‘Sour Apples (featuring Travis Barker)’
‘Penny Hardaway (featuring Ghostface Killah)’
‘Bundle Up’
‘Gas Station (featuring Bun B)’
‘Get Right’
‘Swimsuits (featuring Mayer Hawthorne)’
‘Roll Call (featuring Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper, Boldy James)’
‘Summer Jam (featuring Maxine Ashley) Produced by Pharrell Williams’

Have a look and a listen and pre-order the album, out this Tuesday, July 12th, only at iTunes: http://bit.ly/lrcHE1

Follow: @LexAve – @FarFetchdFuture – @LaVisionary

Photography by Far Fetched Future

Words and Flicks by Sade Joseph

It was a female dominated night as Shyvonne, Jasmine Solano, Zoe Kravtiz and J Davey rocked the mic on Tuesday, June 21st at Prospect Heights’ underground music venue, Southpaw. Solano’s opening words herself commented on the evening’s all star line-up, in which she shot out the talented “fly Bohemian chic rap city bitches” that would be taking over the stage that night. Her words proved true as the talented urbanistas blew the audience away with their powerful rhymes, lyrics and DJ sets. Shyvonne, the lesser-known act still delivered as her sass, bright turquoise hair, and back up dancers kept the crowd on their feet. Solano was up next, stepping from behind the DJ booth to spit her old school hip-hop styled songs. The Brooklyn-based rapper is more commonly known for her DJ work at parties throughout NYC, and has gained a large following in the process. The crowd responded with resounding enthusiasm to Solano’s stage presence and performance, excited to see her take command of the stage.

Elevator Flight followed, whose wings were guided by the petite and vintage clad, Kravitz on vocals and tambourine. With her bottle of Jim Bean close at her feet, Kravtiz sang with deep emotion and rock soul. The set was lively as the band rocked out; dancing and jiving on stage, Kravtiz eventually kicking off her shoes and going barefoot, and guitarist Dominic Angelella jumping into the audience for a solo. This was the first time the band had played together in over a year, and the crowd couldn’t get enough of them. Father, Lenny Kravitz, proudly watched the performance from the back of the room in VIP, along with Drake, who has long been a fan and admirer of Zoe.

After much anticipation, and a treat from special guest Greg Nice, the headlining band J Davey finally graced the room, and it was their performance that shook the house. The duo, accompanied by Def Sound, worked it – with Jack Davey (Briana Cartwright) on vocals and Brook D’Leau providing the beats behind the DJ booth and on drums. Most memorable was the band’s rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and it was their spirit and energy in Southpaw that evening that had everyone wanting more.

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For More Pictures Check Out the STR8NYC Page

Words Chike Ohayia Edits Lucas Alvarado Farrar

On June 17th Kendrick Lamar took South Paw by force headlining his first show in New York City and building hype for the release his first album, Section 80. He hit Brooklyn with his Black Hippie teammate Ab-Soul as part of his national tour, giving New York the honor of the hosting him on his 24th birthday.

DJ’d by Meka of 2DopeBoyz the show jumped off to a slow series of opening acts. With Jah C & The Antidote giving the crowd more of an afro punk, garage band mash up than a hip hop set, hype man Kid Potential was called into action to raise the energy. Pulling a goon named Marvin on to the stage for a wild rendition of Bump N Grind, Potential got the crowd back in it.

Meanwhile, Nitty Scott MC prepped backstage for what would prove to be the best opening act. The crowd showed familiarity with her that was not seen again until Kendrick came out. As one of the few females brave enough to grab the mic, Nitty Scott showed that she has more than good looks to show for her sets. Be sure to check out some of her tracks from her mixtape The Cassette Chronicles.

Sean Price made a guest appearance during Apollo the Great’s set, the last hype moment of the openers.

As soon as Kendrick came out to ‘The Heart pt. 2’, the opening track off his mixtape Overly Dedicated, the crowd erupted. Everyone was live, hands waving, cameras flashing and SouthPaw surged with energy. The stage burned at over 100 degrees as the summer heat mixed with the Brooklyn hype, but Kendrick stayed buried in his red Adidas hoodie through five tracks.

After getting the crowd to throw their Hiii Power fingers in the air, Kendrick took a break to do a little acting. He told stories about how his parents pushed him in school, threw the livest parties out of their home and exposed him to a great depth of music and culture.

Rapping less about drugs and gangs and more about the social realities of the New West, Kendrick is helping to define 21st century hip hop as greater than Youtube sensations. Songs like H.O.C., which he performed while Ab-Soul blew smoke in his face, show Kendrick’s will power in the face of pressure. His music constantly reinforces his self-confidence and thirst for growth, while reminding his listeners that dreams evolve. When crowd requested Cut You Off blasted from the stage that sentiment of progression rung out.

As the show closed, Kendrick played a few cuts off his new album. Rather than performing the tracks he mimed them as they played in the background. There was a good mix of hype songs and slow sensual tunes. Get ready for Section 80 to drop on July 2.

Follow @str8nyc @chike @FarFetchdFuture

Photography by Far Fetched Future

Brooklyn Museum’s Rubin Pavilion provided an exceptional location for a free concert on last Friday night June 10, 2011. Spacious, both in front of and around the stage, the venue was perfect for the growing audience with an overhead walkway allowing concertgoers to see and hear the artists from every angle.

With hip-hop renditions, high energy, and an eclectic ensemble PhonyPpl captivated the crowd from jump. The group’s performance consisted of a mixture between cuts off their album WTF is Phonyland and covers of other artists.

Unfortunately the audience didn’t give back what PhonyPpl put in. The crowd’s energy waned throughout the set and never seemed to match the energy displayed by PhonyPpl until the group began to play covers of other artists.

Once Theophilus London hit the stage the crowd got live! The hometown native opened with a couple cuts off his Lover’s Holiday (EP). Midway through the set, London noted that he was having trouble with the sound, which was cutting out his vocals for the people in back. This doomed London’s set – ultimately cut short by the audio personnel at the museum after a reported “verbal confrontation” between them and London.

London was able to salvage the show however by tossing out exclusive hats, t-shirts, fake money (yes, fake 1 million dollar bills) into the audience and closing with songs by precursor Brooklyn natives. Who doesn’t love freebies?! But his sudden departure went unnoticed as the audience descended upon the stage and the party popped off.

Words by Chike
Photography by Sade

Words & Flicks by Far Fetched Future

Last Wednesday STR8NYC stormed the MTV2 pre-screening of UnPlugged: Lil Wayne at the Eventi Hotel to get an exclusive look of the show that dropped this past Sunday, June 12th. While MTV’s UnPlugged usually stays away from hip hop, Lil Wayne blessed the stage for this past Sunday’s airing of the historic show. Performing a well-rounded selection of tracks from Tha Carter II, Tha Carter III, Rebirth and his upcoming album Tha Carter IV, Wayne was the dynamic and energetic performer his fans have come to expect.

Wayne came on to a “+” shaped stage with a back up band and hundreds of fans crowding the venue. He started swagged out in dark shades, a “WOW” shirt and a red fitted, but half way through, his shirt, in typical Wayne fashion, ended up on the floor. He was still donning the shades and cap. Rumor has it he is trying to show off his prison workout routine to market a P90X Lil Wayne Limited Edition set to drop this summer.

Throughout the show he blessed the crowd with different “Wayneisms” that were both comical and insightful. Building up the crowd for I’m Single (I Am Not a Human Being) he spurted, “if you in a relationship make some noise, if you having trouble in a relationship make some noise, but if you like me you not in a relationship.” But the jokes were mixed with serious lines as well – “they say you don’t know what you’re doing till you stop doing it.” Which speaks to the multitudes hustling their own brands, labels and businesses in a broken economy.

Beyond the expected tracks, UnPlugged gave the crowd a nice treat when Wayne performed Nightmares of the Bottom off the up-and-coming Carter IV. But this was the most unique moment of the show. Other than the unreleased track, UnPlugged left the viewer empty as to the details of Wayne’s life. While the show featured an amazing performance, especially for anyone who’s never had the luck of seeing Wayne live, it lacked the depth that viewers demand from digital content in the 21^st century. I wanted to know more about Wayne’s personal life – favorite sneaks, family story, best show – than just concert footage could offer.

Overall, MTV2 did an amazing job in capturing Lil Wayne live, but lacked the personal touch that other UnPlugged shows have featured.

Set list for Lil Wayne’s ‘Unplugged.’

’3 Peat’
‘Mr. Carter;
‘Shoot Me Down’
‘Miss Me’
‘A Milli’
‘Fireman’
‘Hail Mary’
‘Hustler Musik’
‘Drop the World’
‘I’m Single (I Am Not a Human Being)’
‘Lollipop’
‘Nightmares At the Bottom’
’6 Foot, 7 Foot’

UnPlugged: Lil Wayne aired this past Sunday June 12 on MTV2 be sure to catch again on heavy rotation. In the meantime enjoy some the flicks we captured at the screening after party.

S/O to LexAve & Lucas of Str8NYC, Zunnania, KurtWurt, Rae & Gabe of SFPL, Hanif Sumner, Double 0, RapRadar’s Elliot Wilson, SomyaK, Jayson Rodriguez and all the other fabulous people that night…cheers to you!

Check out more pics from the rest of the night with Far Fetched Future

Last Thursday StuffFlyPeopleLike held their 3rd year anniversary party at Akoo Showroom in NYC. Str8NYC team was in the building (LexAve & Lucas) partying it up and playing paparazzi. The DJ was on deck and both Rae & Gabe lit up the room with their flyness…great people, good networking, good liquor…overall SUCCESS! Check out some of the flicks below…