The other day Bay Area songstress Siaira Shawn over to bless our next installment of iB4the1 with some ridiculously amazing vocals.  You’ll be hearing her on two tracks, tentatively titled “4the1″ and “Fly Me Away.” In the meantime, do yourself some good by downloading her freEP, The In Between.

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Our DC-via-theBay homie Christine has been blazing mucho trailos (that’s “many trails” in Vietnamese) with her site Lunchbox Theory and her monthly dance party Afrobeat 4 Ya Soul. Such a combination is perfect for me, who wants nothing more than to spend my days reading blogs, and then spending my nights dancing to Fela. Really what else do you need in life? Oxygen, you say? LOL…silly mortals.

This month, the worlds merge and Lunchbox Theory presents a morsel of Afrobeat goodness for those of us who can’t make it to Chocolate City. Mixed by DJ Underdog, Africa Africa Africa Pt. 2 is everything you need to get you to where you need to be. No ifs ands or buts. You download now.

DCians. You hit jump!!

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Oh, the Sonnymoonians. What a dope pair they are.  We first linked with them this past March at SXSW, and since then they’ve been taking names.  Their latest feat? Signing to Plug Research, the label home of Bilal and Quadron.  Not too shabby, right?  Here’s some new shit off the Potholes in My Blog Summer Sampler, entitled “Blast Off.” This might earn the crown as my favorite of theirs.  Enjoi.

Sonnymoon “Blast Off”

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One of my favorite monthly parties is the Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturdays.  Nothing like getting all fancied up to go to the museum and stare at beautiful ass people all night.  The dance party reminds me of that Zion scene in Matrix Reloaded, except without impending death by robots.

This October, First Saturdays is hosting a visitor-curated night, featuring work voted in by the peoples!  Our homies at Friends We Love have made it to the final round, and you have all of today to help them secure their first place spot.  Their film series follows a unique set of artists who are making waves out here.  Check out the one about shadow painter Ellis G, and then click here to vote.

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The coolest man in the world.  Some “Concentration” fo dat ass.

PS: He’s playing in Ft. Greene Park in Brooklyn tonight!  Come! (via Roobz)

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The video for “Cold War,” one of my favorite tracks from Janelle Monáe‘s The ArchAndroid. Is this our generation’s version of “Waiting to Exhale?”  If so, I am not mad at all.

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Last week while in LA for Brave New Voices I had the distinct pleasure of sneaking out with the adults to do what responsible adults do – drunk bowling and karaoke.  One of the lovely humans I met that evening was Ms. Novena Carmel.  Ummm can we say BEST “BABY GOT BACK” RENDITION EVER?!?

What came as no surprise is that even when not covering Sir Mix-A-Lot, baby got pipes.  The next day I copped her EP recorded under the moniker Babystone, and haven’t been able to turn it off since.  Amazing vocals, fantastic instrumentation…you know I like that funky shit.  Say ahhhh:

Babystone “Can I Be”

Hellz yeah.  Her EP Babystone is excellent.  Pay a visit to the iTunes fairy.

And if you’re in SoulCal tonight, check her out with our homies The Park!

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Here’s a powerful powerful new film from fellow MVMTer Blitz the Ambassador.  Soundtracked by his song “Something to Believe,” this one hits home for me and the way I’ve been feeling lately – stifled not by a lack of motivation, but by others (fictitious and nonfictitious) who choose to stop me in my tracks.  I was listening to a radio show today where the host described working with a 7-year-old autistic child who had enough strength to hurl him across the room, simply because he couldn’t process the fact that 7-year-olds aren’t supposed to be that strong.  What potential lies in our beings? And what remains inert forever because we bind ourselves to the ways of the world?  It’s time for some magic.

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In our most jaded era, rare are the moments when we witness the blips in time known as true love.  When such occurs, all I can do is stare with wonder.  Alas, the clock strikes again.  My fellow Pretty Buoyant is getting hitched.

Today marks the wedding of Mr. DJ Phatrick and Mz. Steph Cariaga.  They’ve been through thick, thin, and all that slime in between.  But I’m starting to get sappy and the food coma from the pork belly fried rice (good breakfast!!) is sinking in.  If you’re feeling amorous, join the livestream @ 5pm PST.  It does get that geek.

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I’m a huge fan of the homie Bambu.  Truly one of the first emcees I gravitated to that balances politics with artistry, each project has gotten better while still maintaining the integrity of the message. For “Old Man Raps,” he goes in.  With the aid of Xylophone Films, this video takes a snapshot inside the mind of Bam as he reflects on the possible future of his baby son Kahlil.  Beautifully shot, beautifully song, and Bam’s pretty ass has some acting skills!  Whooda thunk? Shit’s fire.

Cop Bambu’s EP …paper cuts…

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