What's upper!  Last week, the world lost a true R&B legend in funk music, Rick James who died of natural causes at the very young age of only 56 years old. It feels like it was just yesterday I was on the air at Seattle's 1250 KFOX breaking on the air & in the mix some of Rick Jame's classics, "Mary Jane," "You & I," "Give It To Me Baby," "Coldblooded," "17," "Superfreak," "Ebony Eyes" & "Fire & Desire." And that was nearly 24 years ago. His music changed the entire funk scene & he is in the same catagory as a James Brown or a George Clinton. No doubt his music will live on forever not only through his tracks but through his offspring tracks by Teena Marie & The Mary Jane Girls. Thank you Rick for your music & R.I.P...

I want to big up the Latin Prince from www.bumsquaddjz.com & the entire Bum Squad Djz as we all kicked it on their conference call last Wednesday. Def Jam hosted the call & we were hoping Shyne was gonna make it on the call but because of his incarcerated situation, it didn't happen like we hoped for. Although we did get a chance to holla with N.O.R.E., Young Jeezy & Shawna. Def Jam's Sam Crespo gets props for makin' that call happen... Level 3 nightclub was the spot for the Black Eyed Peas "The APL Song" (see photo above) industry premiere party. The place was packed & my dawgs Lucky Lou (KPFK) & DJ Roslynn (ThirdFloorRadio.com) were on the wheels keepin' the floor poppin' all night! "The APL Song" video sits very close to my heart & shares with the world a taste of our filipino culture. Hope you get a chance to see it... Ali Shaheed Muhammad's Garden Seeker Productions has inked a deal with Penalty Recordings/Ryko Distribution. "My Garden Seeker Productions family & I are ecstatic about the new partnership," said Muhammad, also a member of A Tribe Called Quest. "We plan to turn the heat up with Penalty by our side." Muhammad's "Shaheedullah & Stereotypes" is due in October... L.A.'s DMC battle held at the Henry Fonda Theater is now history. DJ I-Emerge from NY's 5th Platoon is this years big winner. Congrats... PARADIME is one of Detroit’s most respected and recognized emcees and performers. Replacing Uncle Kracker as Kid Rock’s DJ on tour, PARADIME is the man instilling the Hip-Hop sense of the show, having also lent his writing skills to both artists in the past. And now he’s concentrating on his latest LP titled, "11 Steps Down" (Beats At Will) featuring Kid Rock, D-12, Tash (Tha Alkaholiks), Uncle Kracker, Guilty Simpson and Detroit's next underground gangsta group to blow up, Trick Trick. It’s his third release on his fully operated Beats At Will record label. A definite must peep album. Log onto PARADIME's website at: www.dimesworld.com... Make sure you peep out Akon's album "Trouble" (SRC/Universal). The next HUGE hit if they release it as a single will be "Lonely." Remember you heard my prediction here first!... Akon is also featured on the phat & I mean phat new Beatnuts single "Find Us" (Penalty Recordings). Don't sleep on this ish cause it's pure fiya! For copies hit up Lee L'Heureux at (207) 314-1765 or online at: hiphopnation897@aol.com...This summer's got some heat with a couple of Wu related joints. Masta Killa featuring the Wu-Tang Clan "Old Man" b/w "Silverbacks" (Nature Sounds) and Theodore Unit featuring Ghostface & Trife "Paychecks" b/w "Wicked With Lead"...  Remember Ice Cube's "You Can Do It" (Priority Records) featuring Ms. Toi? It's been a long minute but Ms. Toi is back & I got a chance to peep out 17 new freestyles from  the one & only. Not only is her emcee skills still tight but this girl can sing too! Her "Ms Toi Presents-Street Mix Vol.1" is about to drop & if you want to get laced, hit her up online at: FLYMSTOI@AOL.COM... DV Alias Khryst is back in the lab & with his own indy label gettin' ready to release his new joint "You Can't Run" on Dynazte Records. You can peep his website at: www.dynazte-entertainment.com & you can also hit him up online to get laced at: dvaliaskhryst@dynazte-ent.com. Tell him Nasty sent ya'... It is official according to my homeboy, Marc Matsui of www.brainstormbattle.com that I'm gettin' an all expense paid trip back home to Seattle this coming September 3rd-6th to be a guest judge at their Brainstorm MC/B-boy Battle! Yo, this is the weekend of one of Seattle's biggest events called Bumpershoot & I feel honored & so excited to be going back home to see my friends, fans & family once again. I'll keep you posted on the event if you plan to be in the neighborhood. I do know Nas & Public Enemy are scheduled to perform at that event & I can't wait to see them too. Stay tuned & Seattle, I'm coming home!... The Real Live Show is a Hip-Hop/funk band born in New York City and ready to make some big noise this year on our Rap Attack panel's 1s & 2s. They've got three cuts I recently peeped "Shop Rockin'," "Too This" & "Shake Down" which are all off the heezy. Formed in 2001, The Real Live Show is a collective unit of 2 lyricists/emcees and a 7-piece jazz/funk ensemble. Each member boasts his own distinct musical styling and undeniable talent combining to create onstage charismatic synergy and a sound/experience that can only be called The Real Live Show. Mugshot Magazine writes, “Real Live Show music has its own distinct personality, evident by the way they move the crowd …a sound so refreshing, vibrant and alive, you can’t help but smile.”This band consists of members: Tarus Mateen, primary bass player, produced and performed for Outkast, Lauryn Hill, Toni Braxton and Christina Aguilera. Additional bass provided by jazz great Eric Revis of the Branford Marsalis Quintet. On drums, jazz legend and Grammy award winner Greg Hutchinson. Also on drums is Terreon Gully. On keys are Raymond Angry and James Hurt. Angry is among the most sought-after keyboardists in live music, following his successful tours with Joe, Me'Shell N’degeocello, Kelis and the late great Ray Charles. James Hurt produced and performed with Q-Tip and Bilal.On guitar is “World” Thor Madsen of Wax Poetic. Wax Poetic's latest release on Ultra Records features N'Dea Davenport, U-Roy and the single "Angels" featuring Norah Jones. Pascal Zumaque, flutist and producer-extraordinaire. Produced for the likes of Latin sensation Marc Anthony. Colt Seavers, first class DJ spinning at venues such as Lotus and Lot 61, also in house DJ for several MTV and VH1 events. Coming soon to a turntable near you within' 2 weeks!... Here are some of the tour dates for The Procussions, Time Machine, Insight and Edan. If any djs want to do interviews or ticket giveaways on your show, please hit up my dawg Papa-Dizzle at: papad@brickrecords.com.
DON’T SLEEP TOUR! Presented by Mixwell/Scion:
Aug 10@ Fox Theatre, Boulder CO
Aug 11@Cervantes, Denver CO
Aug 13@ Lo-Fi, Salt Lake City UT
Aug 17@ Red Devil Lounge, San Francisco, CA

Rap Attack takes a "WHAT'S UPPER" look this week with Nick Huff (KOXY-LA): "I am definitely juiced after my trip back from the BAY. If all goes well I think the Bay is going to make some national noise in the coming years and help put the West Coast back on the map cause we are struggling nationally right now. I definitely want to shout out my folks Baby Jaymes and the Ret Net (we are going to make this happen), Balance (I see you on XXL), Locksmith (MTV's some cheaters mang, Uh Huh), Keak (White Tees), Omen (keep making them hot beats), DJ Icewater (can I get on the new mixtape gods?)...the NEW BAY is here. I am switching email accounts and slowly fading huffn@oxy.edu out. Please send all future emails to huffn3000@yahoo.com"... Milena "JazzyBell" Pastore (KCSU-CO): "So how’s everyone’s summer been treatin ‘em? I’m just trying to enjoy my last few weeks of summer break before school starts back up. I moved into a cozy new house and I’m so excited cuz I got a new set of Numark TT 200s for my B-day (which is coming up on the 14th). I will have a smile on my face for a long long time. I'm so happy!"... Nate Abney (WKDU-PA): " Well what up all? It was a busy week for yours truly. After coming home from NY last Sunday, I had three normal days then Thursday my group the Flight Brothers opened on the Philly leg of the Don't Sleep Tour ( TimeMachine, Insight, Edan, Procussions). The crowd could have been better but for those who were there the show was hot. Shouts to everybody that repped. Friday night saw me driving though fog heavy mountains back to PSU. Seeing people get married and all grown up scared me cause I realized I'm getting closer to the age that rhymes with dirty. I stumbled upon Mike Jax on College Ave Saturday and had fun watching all the State College drunks celebrate outside of Players. It was fun no doubt as getting away from home always is. A special edition of Euphoric Soundbites this week from 9-12 on Thursday and next week we'll be doing our weekly 12-3am in Rockyville"... Craig "C-Sharp" Arthur (WUVT-VA): " Hope alls well with each of you.WUVT HAS A NEW ASSISTANT HIPHOP/URBAN MUSIC DIRECTOR! I'd like to welcome the homie Son Stewart to the ranks of WUVT's music staff. You can reach Son at  SON@WEALTHMUSIC.COM and at (540) 250.5293. Please add his email to your mass mailing lists. Thanks in advance.Yall will hear from him soon...he's a real stand up guy and I'm glad he's signed on to the team"... Reggie Love (WOWL-FL): " I went to the Warped Tour this past Saturday in Pompano Beach, would you believe that my name, which was supposed to be on the list was NOT!!!!!!!! Jason Gloss and the PhilaFlava crew had to pay my way in, what kind of sh#t is that, you put my name on a list to get tickets and passes and my name is not on there?????? plus it was raining like a muthf*cka, which was not cool!!!!!! did see Nonphixion tear it up on stage which was a great look, again thanks to Jason Gloss and the Philaflava crew (Saturdays, 1pm-3pm, WOWL, shameless plug!!!!!!) for hookin a brotha up. I guess I am now one of the newest DJs to join the Interscope boycott......you've got a Lloyd Banks album, Young Buck and a D12 album out and don't want to service college off with it?????? what the f@ck kind of sh*t is that, I'm not playin ANY Interscope artists until I see some wax or CD from them.......if labels think they want to sh*t on college DJs, be my guest, big ups to Def Jam and SONY that DO give a f*ck about us" (editor's note: Atlantic, Jive, Universal & soon to happen, KOCH Records gives a f*ck about us too!!!)... Edgie Kokoski (WUNH-NH): " Accept my apologies for being redundant if you are on Papa D's mailing list, but I have to address some of the same issues that he mentioned this week.
1. Nomar Garciaparra traded from the Red Sox to the Cubs: At first I was a little saddened by the news, and felt bad when I saw Nomar on the news sorrowfully stating that he had hoped to spend his whole career in Boston. Then my surly pessimistic Red Sox fan of a father reminded me that the Sox had offered Nomar $60 million for 4 years earlier in the season and he curtly refused the offer. For $15 million a year, I would play baseball in Falleujah drapped in an American flag. Sorry Nomar, no tears as I wave goodbye. At any rate, the way the Sox are playing now they have about as much chance at catching the Yankees as I do of catching VD from a hooker. Oh wait...
2. "The Village": I had a chance to check out this creepy period piece this weekend and I have to say, M. Night Taliban has once again had me wandering out of the theatre dazed like I had just took 10 hits of acid. The movie is a total mindf*ck. I definitely recommend checking it out if you are in the mood for a movie that will make you think. If not, check out "Thunderbirds" and I guarantee you will emerge stupider than when you entered.
3. Kimora Lee Simmons: The bride of Hip-Hop multi-millionaire mogul Russell Simmons was recently busted for drug posession and failure to stop for police officers. Of course, Russell is outraged citing police harrasment and hatred for Hip-Hop to blame. I find it curious how Hip-Hop people are always outraged when they are blatantly caught red handed in violation of the law. I suppose the police in Russell's town had nothing better to do than sit around and plot how to frame Kimora Lee Simmons by stopping her and planting marijuana in her car. After all, a misdemeanor like that could lead to a real severe punishment like a fine. I hope the Simmons can scrape together enough cash to pay it. If you want to smoke weed, then smoke weed by all means. But when you get caught with it don't make yourself out the victim"... Meddafore (Mixtape-PA): " Make sure you check out my artist Splitt, currently on the Code of the Cutz / Warped Tour. We've got some new joints on the way. Speaking of Forever Fam, everyone needs to check out Shannon Swain. No matter if it's her response to the Holla Point track - http://meddafore.com/ShannonSwain-BabyMama.mp3 or the D-Minor remix to her "Let Me Down" joint http://meddafore.com/ShannonSwain-LetMeDown-DMinorRemix.mp3. Shannon is going to be one of the next stars in soul and r&b music. It's been raining and flooding out here, so I been taking in some TV. Entourage (Sundays - HBO), Growing Up Gotti (Mondays - A&E) and Amish in the City (Wednesdays - UPN) - 3 new shows that you need to be checkin for! Bad Boy's on fire and the heat keeps gettin hotter with each and every release. Brand Nubian album comes out on Tuesday, cop that and pick up the craazy mixtape they did with my man DJ 730. The site has reached well OVER A MILLION HITS, keep updated on what I got goin on at http://www.meddafore.com/"...

Thank you for all the love & support with Rap Attack's "Rock The Beat Vol.1" featuring new music from Specifics, J Bully, NSS16, Hill-B & Strange Fruit. Our debut promo vinyl is this weeks NUMBER ONE record on our TOP 30 CHART! Again, thank you & get ready for Volume 2 dropping next!

SHOUT OUT TIZIME: Happy Birthday this week to DJ RIP (KBLR-NE) on August 8th, King Shameek & Milena "JazzyBell" Pastore (KCSU-CO) on August 14th & my escrima pare', Arnold "E-Rock" Noche on August 15th... Jo Jo outta Bryan Farrish Radio Promotions (yup, 2 for 1! I had an awesome time), Aaron Eng aka DJ Crazy Ase outta Universal Records & Jayleen Sun (Dim Sum 4 Life), my MySpace buddy Yvette "Grapey Grape" Marie (Bliggedy Blam, I had a blast) & to my cousin Randy "Entoy" Buhay (Bahala Na) & Arlene! Rick James (R.I.P.)

PEACE, LOVE & HIP-HOP UNITY (God Bless & Isa Mahal),

Nasty-Nes

(Pinoy Pride4Life / John 3:16)