Pastime Paradise!
Some hot Stevie and some steamy Prince mixed with a Chaka chaser with a splash of classic hip hop and funk. Lounge 201 is the spot, come out, get a beverage and bob your head. Bring your ipod to make it a bit more interesting. THAT'S what's up!
It's time to bring the soul back to Friday nights...It's Chocolate Soul Fridays at Lounge 201. Dunlap and Rich bring you a groove tailor made for Friday nights. Dj Life will be slangin them classics and gettin deep all night long.
Do You Know What You Need On A Hot Friday Night In DC?
You need a good bartendar to keep the good drinks flowing and a real mellow spot. Okay, check. You need a hot dj spinnin' some classic soul and rare groove to make your head bob...Aiiggght, check.
Ya' know what I'm talkin' about, that Earth, Wind and Fire, that Parliament/Funkadelic, that Stevie, Teena Marie, Mandrill, JB's vibe that Fridays were made for....check, check and check. It's time to bring the soul back to Friday nights...mmmmmm It's Chocolate Soul Fridays at Lounge 201. Dunlap and Rich bring you a groove tailor made for Friday nights. Dj Life will be slangin them classic and gettin deep all night long and if you have an ipod with your favorite funk classics, bring it and lets get it in!
Click here to register and reserve a table
We Still Miss You Mike
Michael Jackson died one year ago and we still miss him. Here is a new Mike Mix in tribute. This is an awesome video with Mike and Roberta Flack.
Here is a new Mike Mix.
Rest In Peace Garry Shider
One of the best to ever touch a guitar, Garry Shider died today at the young age of 56. As the funk guitarist for the groudbreaking Parliament/Funkadelic, Mr Shidder connected Jimi Hendrix to James Brown to Parliament/Funkadelic to Dr. Dre and that is a big damned deal.
Here We Go! Your Boy is Getting His R&B On This Friday.
Join yours truly and a hot band Secret Society. My man Pree is gettin' it in with a lil bit of R&B, a pinch of funk, all simmering in a hot spot, Station 9 in the heart of dc's historic U Street. Hey, it's Friday night and you're like "I wanna do something different. See some different peeps, groove to a different beat. Smell a new smell, drink a new drink. I wanna see a kat play a sax or vibe off of a real drummer and let my weiry body go where that bass player takes me. Plus I KNOW that L-L-L-L-Life is off the chain!" So come on out to Station 9! Details below.
We Are Gathered Here Today To Get Through This Thing Called Life.
Is he the bastard child of Sly, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and the goddess of all things funky? I don't know, but he is the SHIT!! The is the second mix in a series. Again...Just an experiment, a new mix, an entry in a timeless series salute.
Happy 60th Birthday To Stevie Wonder
If I can point to one artist who has shaped and molded soul music palette, hands down, it would be Mr Wonder. All male r&b roads lead directly to Stevie. So, happy birthday to you, happy birthdaayyyy!
New Funk And Soul Mix And Momma
It's cold and windy as hell on the east coast today. Where's spring? Happy Mother's day to my moms and all my mommies out there. I made a new mix that reminds me of the summer heat and a funky vibe. Some Roy Ayers, Stevie, EWF, and Grace to kick thing off sounds like summer to me. And I'll always love my momma!
Bill Withers
One of my favorite artists is Bill Withers. I like an awesome songwriter that can stay true to his art and still be relevant today. There is nothing like sitting back with some Bill, a nice brandy and the sunset. Enjoy and thank me later. By the way, this video has the absolute coolest band EVER!!
RIP GURU!!
I am up late and really bothered about the death of Guru. Life is short ya'll, live it all the way out. Guru left beautiful pieces of art and I thank him for that but I know he had his own family that loved him as just Keith. Live Life ya'll! Love some people, start a business, find a passion and BUY SOME RECORDS.
Here is a Gang Starr/Guru mix fresh out of the lab.
Doing It In The Park, Ohh Yeah
The family is back at it again!! Another swanky spot, more party people, then mix in the sun. No, it's not a cookout but it's the ultimate day party...Trust, the heat is up when the sun is out! We are day dream in at The Park on Saturday April 3rd with The Family Entertainment, dj Biggs, Dj Duece Juan, Dj Battle and your boy(ONCE AGAIN, IT'S THE LIFE) and you can bet your last money, it's gonna be a stone groove honey!!
Get It In In The Daytime
My man Mark and Rich are bring the party to the day time with the first official day party of spring. Complete with two levels and 2 hot dj's, my man scientific and your boy. Do yourself a favor and spend the day getin' it in in adams morgan.
1st Saturday at 201 Lounge
A classic, like a pair of fresh K-Swiss. Each and every 1st Saturday of the Month. Great people, great drinks, great food, and the grooves are perfect to bob your head a little sing a long a little, or shake a butt cheek or two. Mix 1 part swanky location, 1 part drink specials, 2 parts awesome bartendars, 2 parts your boy, DJ Life spinnin' dem classics and new heat, add a splash of the night. Serve chilly...tasty.
Special shout out to Mark and Kris for throwing a banger each and every month for the past rack of months!
Happy Birthday Nina Simone!!
What can you say about a legend and a queen and revolutionary and a true artist. I was chopping it up with some friends and we all agreed that there was a before we heard Nina Simone and then an after. She is a life changer. Very few artists use their talent to speak to injustice and to uplift the world and she was the blueprint for that. I had the honor of seeing her live in DC in '98 and she was magnificent, one of the single greatest performances I have ever seen. She was truly a blessing to the world. And if you don't know...now you know.
All My Sophisticated Ladies
We have been layin low from the snow for about a week and now it's time to get out and get it in...sideways. The Family is back at it again with another banger Sunday night!! Spend a white hot valentine's night with The Family and your boy at one of the swankiest spots in the DMV. Bambule Lounge. I added the Natalie Cole joint cause its a damn classic. Come out and get close to someone...You will thank me later.
Monday is Now Funky
Let's call it Funkday...Each Monday we will feature some funky grooves, funky music, and funky artist.
Let's start this thing off right with Ann Peebles. Ann is one funky sister from St. Louis (The Lou, Stand Up!!) but she got real funky when she started recording in Memphis TN. She is best known for "I Can't Stand The Rain", a classic funk jam sampled by Missy Elliot. Listen to the original and thank me later. She is still touring and ripping shit, check her out when she comes to your town.
Here is one my favorites songs, "Breaking Up Somebody's Home." I love when the sisters are talking about real life and real emotions and this one is right on point. Check it out. Happy Funkday!
New Chocolate Mix Volume 11
Classic hip hop's funky soul smell's good in this journey through beats and rythmn. Check it out.
The Unmistakeble Teddy Pendergrass
In a world where "hurry come ups" call themselves "Kings" of this and that, we have lost a true King of Soul, funk, R&B, disco, and the stage. Teddy help usher in Phili Soul with Gamble and Huff and all of the Phili greats. He did it with passion, strength, soul, spirit, style and original swagger unlike anybody. With that Phili soul wrapped around his power voice, we have seen nothin like it. Who has ever done it like him? Who has ever sounded like him? Who would ever sound like him? Shit, who could even remake a Teddy song? We miss you Teddy, You are truly one of a kind. BUY TEDDY PENDERGRASS RECORDS!!
Gettin' It In, It's 2010!!!
WHAT'S UP WORLD!! Happy New Year to everybody!!! It's the first month of a new year of a new decade of the new mellinium. WOW!! that's a first for me. What a perfect time to "do new" New outlooks, new hopes, new dreams, shit why not. I am starting a few new thangs that I am introducing this month. One is the brand new Chocolate Mix Series. This is something that I have been choppin up in my head for a while, a rare groove mix series that will always have surprises. I am starting with volume 10 and will through around random numbers because order is overated.
A lot of great artists left us in 2009 and for that fact of the last decade and I want to send a shout out to them over the next couple of months. From Mike to Rick to Nina to Isaac to Barry to James and all of the other great whether it's my dad who introduced me to great music or a street performer that I knew who would play Al Green at 3am, I am gratefull to all of them for trying to bring bueaty to the universe.
We Love You and We Miss You Mike.
Summer Is Heating Up At Indique Heights
Exotic name, hot location, the right people and two blazin' dj's so let's get it in damnit...Dj Battle and your boy will heat up the summer night in Bethesda MD on Saturday June 20th vist www.indiqueheights.com for directions and information.
ARTOMATIC, It's Kind Of A Big Thing
Wanted to continue to big up Artomatic, one of the DC areas coolest happening. It's a chance to see some are that you would not normally get to see, buy some REAL ART and stop buy art from Target. Meet some cool artists, hear some bands and musicians that you wouldn't normally hear and you might see a dude swallowin fire or spinning fire batons or some other crazy shit!!! and YOUR BOY will be slangin that funk juice all over the walls on JUNE 13th 6p-1a and July 5 10p-1a. Check out some cool pics in the gallery. Tell a friend, It's free, it cool, it's hip and it's free!!...Oh, I got some new live mixes on the mixes page.
Summer Madness
Big tings a gwan dis summer my youth!! The stars are lining up to make this THE bomb summer. The cold is finally breakin', that summer nights spirit is taking over. I love summer nights in the city, it starts right about dusk with a breeze kissing your cheek as you walk out of the barbershop. Frankie Beverly calls it the "Golden Time Of Day", when you just want to be out catchin up with the neighborhood or at lest have the windows open hearing the kids playing and your favorite wino singing his favorite Blue Magic song "So Let The Sideshow Begin, Hurry, Hurry, Step Right On In." For me, it feels spiritual, it feel like happy, it feels relaxed...Then Mama Moon rises and you feel that itch to be in the mix and let that groove take over your mind and make you want to move your backside to a rythm. MAN!!! Thats summer in the city and it defitely has a sound track...Different tempos, dialects and rythms but the same vibe...I LOVE IT! This is the summer ya'll...get out and get it in, catch a groove, throw your right hand in the air and you left hand in your underwear and groove, baby...It's been too long. Check this out....Oh, I got some new mixes on the mixes page
ARTOMATIC!! Baby!!
Now here is what's really crackalatin'; Artomatic is back for it's 10th year!!! Oh...what, you don't know nothin about Artomatic?! It is the coolest art show EVER!!! A month of art, bands, dj's, fire spinning lunatics, short film, performers, stilk walkers, bourlesque(yeah, I thought it was strippers too, but it's not), grafitti art, and all kinds of general artistic coolness and avant garde hot shit...no stuffy art galleries with nasty cheese and crackers. It's art for the rest of us who love art. And your boy will be spinning on June 13th on the electric stage. HOLLA AT ME!! More Artomatic Info!!
What's Happenin' Brother Marvin
Today, April 2nd, is Marvin Gaye's Birthday and he would be 70 years old today...Such a powerful spirit with such a powerful soul and he delivered such a powerful message. A DC native with original swag...arguably the pioneer of east coast swag..When the world wanted him to go one way, he decided to speak from his soul...Wow...How many artists can say that? Shit, how many people can say that? A living example following your spirit in making timeless art...An inspiration...A Sage...I miss him...Happy Birthday Brother!! Here is a Marvin Mix in celebration. How many times have you heard "Give It Up" in its entirety?
Recession Funk
"Wanna buy a new car, but the price ain't right. Be a damn sight cheaper, start ridin a bike!" Talk to 'em Johnny. Shit is rough all over but we still got that funk...I don't know about ya'll, but I remember being broke waaaaayyyyyyyyy longer than I remember havin' money. What did Pac say, "Mama made miracle every Thanksgivin'!" Stevie said, "Lookin back on when I was a nappy headed little boy, then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy. Even though we sometimes would not get a thing, we was happy with the joy the day would bring!" Back to basics, baby...Here is a new funk and soul mix to keep your head up and let the sun's funk rays fortify you, keep you, and guide you to that next funky blessin'. RIP Johnny Guitar Watson!!
President OBAMA!!
Let's say it again, President OBAMA!! A great day for black men all over the world. I still can't wrap my mind around it, it's a spiritual awakening unlike any other event in history and God has blessed me to see it with my own eyes. I wasn't just the message of hope and change of which this brother speaks but the strength and responsibility that resonates for so many.
I just love the art and music that this president has inspired. When was the last time you've seen graffitti endorsing a president. Artist from all walks are moved by this brother to create great and awesome works. Rappers are making Obama records!! wow.
Take a look around at the art of this movement. Take a look at the wall art, the murals, and the children's art. Amazing!!
New Mixes
I Won't Complain
Been feeling inspired lately, even spiritual. I made this house mix from some not wanting to complain and thanks to the creator for giving me just what I need. check it out
Summer Madness
It’s summertime ya’ll and it’s hot as hell outside. It’s reminds me of the days of the classic family cook-out. Frankie Beverly on the radio talking about them happy, happy feelings, pops on the grill, your auntie drunk again and tellin’ everybody’s business. Ohhhh, they played the O’jays and Aunt Velma and Uncle Junior dancin’ on the grass, one hand holdin’ that classic glass with the flowers on it, not spillin’ a drop. Little kids rippin and runnin and your mama steady threatening their life if they break somethin. No matter how poor we were, at that point we were rich beyond money. The grooves from the summertime touched everybody, from “Jamaican Funk” to “The Double Dutch Bus”, from “Hot Fun In The Summertime” to “Dance To The Drummers Beat”. How about “Don’t disturb the Groove” or Biggie’s “Juicy” and the whole backyard sayin’ “It Was All A Dream….” We all had that summertime groove that filled us with joy…even the hardest hardrock, mean mugging, triple O.O.O.G. got a groove that will make them smile and reminisce. What's your groove... What songs still give you that deep down good feelin’, Maze, Teena Marie, ConFunShun, The Ohio Players, Michael Jackson?
Life, It Ain't Real Funky, Unless You Got That Prince!
Is he the greatest artist of all time? Is he the most talented performer of all time? Is he the bastard child of Sly, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and the goddess of all things funky? I don't know, but he is the SHIT!! I made this mix live by accident with a combination of a dare and too much Patron. Never would I take on such an undertaking sober. Just an experiment, first in a timeless series. So just sit back and let's just imagine what silence looks like, yeah...Show me a boy that stays in school and I'll show you a boy aware, WOW!
90 Degrees Of Summer Grooves
Here is a mix the reminds me of the good summer times of past. The family, the love, the breeze and the sun setting in rythmn. I tugged on my earliest memories of my pops and his record player with the arm or just the radio playin thos classics. Ride with me
Ike's Groove
I lost my dad in March and I'm still hurtin bad. I made a mix for him. He introduced me to some deep james Brown and The JB's and all of the funk that it brings. So sit back with a taste of scotch on the rocks, shake the ice, bob your head, feel the drink and the groove and get your great dad on. Yeah, Pop.