A FAMILY AFFAIR: LAST NIGHT’S LIVE AT IPANEMA REVIEW!
I’m so grateful to Kendra for giving me the opportunity to bring The Cheats Movement vibe to Ipanema Cafe last night. A huge thanks to Allen for working with me through all of the planning and S/O to PJ for the dope poster and photographing the night. Sam Reed has been family for a minute and I never take that for granted. Many more projects coming from her in the near future. I’ve been a fan of The Low Branches for about a year and even more so now – so much love for them. I can’t wait to see what they have planned of this summer.
We did it again Richmond. It is a true family vibe. Bringing RVA together to enjoy music – enjoy each other and build community. It sounds a bit unrealistic – but if you were there last night – I bet you felt the family vibe. If you missed it – I challenge you to come out to the next Cheats Movement Blog event (don’t know what that is yet…but I’ll think of something). For those that did come out last night: THANK YOU! #WESEEIT
Sam Reed: 10:18 PM
The Low Branches 10:51 PM
The Shop Family #WESEEIT
Thanks Christina – #WESEEIT
Sam’s B-Boy Stance – S/O Brother Manifest and Blasco
WE SEE IT!
MUST HEAR MUSIC: RVA’S GLOWS IN THE DARK FEATURED ON JJ DOOM MIXTAPE [DOWNLOAD NOW]
RVA’s Glows in the DarkWords by Scott Burton (of Glows in the Dark)
Late last year I got a call from my friend Jneiro Jarel, who was hard at work remixing one of our tracks for possible inclusion on a top secret record he was working on with MF DOOM. I was so excited, because up until recently, we’ve been a local secret that’s been relatively well kept, and this would bring so many more ears to our music. That album would eventually become JJ DOOM, and while we didn’t end up on the finished LP, we’re really happy to be on this exclusive mixtape alongside Tears for Fears, Bjork, Gary Numan, JJ, and DOOM himself.
JJ & MF DOOM!
The mixtape is now free to download at JJ Doom’s Facebook page. Check it out and check out more work for our band Glows in the Dark by clicking our bandcamp page HERE.
Keep it locked to the Cheats Movement Blog for the best in RVA creative diversity. WE SEE IT!
LIVE AND NATURAL: PHONTE, PHOTOSYNTHESIZERS, DEREK 32ZERO, – PHOTOS FROM THE HAPPILY NATURAL DAY CONCERT
Hip hop heads were out in full force Saturday night for the man they call Tigallo – Phonte of Foreign Exchange (formally of Little Brother). When I spoke to him last week he told me that RVA should expect a good time – he was right. Phonte delivered one hell of a show. He brought high energy, amazing stage presence, and a connection with the crowd on every song. Of course, it helps when your fans are hanging on every word and know every lyric. Phonte’s fans new every track – weather it was from his solo album, Charity Starts at Home, or Foreign Exchange, or Little Brother – they sung almost every word. He could do no wrong Saturday night and represented to the fullest. I commend the organizers of Happily Natural Day for such a perfect selection. Beyond the performance, Phonte appeared to be having a great time doing what he loves. He is fully aware of his place in hip hop and appreciates the support he gets and the fans that came out. He didn’t take too many breaks but during the breaks he did take – he took a moment to talk to the audience about real life. And his chats were mostly hilarious. His best line of the night was, “There are two types of people in the room – people that are sad that the summer is over – and people with kids.” Well, I’m sad that the night had to end but it was well worth it. One of the best shows of the year.
Also holding it down Saturday night was my family: Photosynthesizers. I was glad to hear that Photos had spent all day in the studio recording new tracks. You know how I feel about them as a group (BEST BAND IN RVA). I can’t wait for the new music to come and and kill the RVA scene. Also, they got on the merch grind too – check out and pick up one of their new T-Shirts.
Finally, shout out to the brother Derek 32Zero. This was my first time seeing him perform but he held it down. You could tell he was a seasoned live performer. He kept the crowd engaged, worked the stage, and represented for real hip hop. He put in work to a crowd that wasn’t really familiar with his music (and the music was dope). Always good to see new hip hop talent in VA. I will be looking to see him perform again. He also brought with him VA super producer Nottz. S/O to him for coming through.
A great show and night all the way around…follow the Cheats Movement on FB for more updates. WE SEE IT.
WHERE MY DOGS AT? DMX ROCKS THE NATIONAL [PHOTOS]
“Flesh of my Flesh, Blood of my Blood, Ruff Ryders, and of course, This is not a F-in Game,” all chants synonymous with the legendary rapper DMX. The Grand Champ took the National stage last night to a very enthusiastic crowd. X did not waste any time going right into the string of hits that made him one of the biggest emcees of the late 90′s and early 2000′s. He performed nearly all of his popular songs from his 7 albums, normally performing one or two verses from each song while the DJ kept the pace moving. X, the ultimate showman, showed tons of energy – despite saying that he had just gotten off of 3 planes. He interacted with the crowd, often joking with members in the audience, pulling women on stage (yes he did), and he even poured a bottle of Hennessy on the front row. To the dismay of National security, at one point X climbed on the large speaker system on the side of the stage to launch into the Ruff Ryder Anthem.
He controlled the stage at every moment with ease. He ripped through songs like: “Get At Me Dog,” “Who We Be,” and “Party Up.” He slowed it down with, “Slippin.” As always, X ended the show with a prayer and left the crowd chanting for more. Also, S/O to the homie Black Liq and The New Juice Crew for always representing RVA on stage. The man works hard.
HEY RVA, WHATCHA KNOW ABOUT: ELECTRONICA WEEKLY
The best thing about The Cheats Movement blog is that it allows me to meet new people and learn about new things in RVA. I met my dude Sheb AKA Skywalk3R at the Shadrock Music Fest and he told me about his weekly radio show Electronica Weekly. I told him that I didn’t know much about electronica music beside the amazing photos that I have seen of his live shows (Skywalk3R does his thing with the trio Nint3ndo). He invited me down to the U of R radio station to check out his show in person. It was a really cool trip. His studio partner Justin AKA E!i Cash was in the mix, djing some on-air sets. I was able to talk Cheats Movement but mostly learn about the EDM music scene in RVA . I had now idea what was going on right here in this city. I can’t wait to shoot one of these crazy shows. Make sure you stay up one Tuesday night and check out the show: The Electronica Weekly Radio Show airs every Tuesday Night from 11pm-1am on WCDE’s 90.1 – Richmond, VA! For live listening, please go to www.wdce.org.
SKYWALK3R AND E!i CASH – The host of Electronica Weekly
E!i CASH: Lil Wayne vs. Minnesota – Babylon Stuntin (Dubstep Mashup 320 DL)
SKYWALK3r: NINT3NDO (SKYWALK3R Glitchfvk) – X1
RVA HOT SAUCE FRIDAY: CHRIS RYAN [VIDEO]
The other week I dropped the ManlyMan RVA HOT SAUCE video with a promise to post more — well I’m posting more – and hopefully most Fridays until my clips are done I will be posting videos from RVA HOT SAUCE.
Today I am posting a clip from singer/songwriter Chris Ryan. Chris has been one of my favorites for a while now. I first saw him bringing down the house with Beast Wellington. Then I heard his fantastic solo album, “Pray for Rain.” Chris came by The Shop to helps us at RVA HOT SAUCE. Not only did he play some songs from the album but he also played a pretty sweet jam session with Mike Kemitic and Chuck Dawson. RVA HOT SAUCE was one of the most diverse nights of last year. I’m so glad Chris was a part of it. Check it out and make sure to buy his album “Pray for Rain” on itunes.
RVA HOT SAUCE Flyer by: No Name No Brain
AMEN DUNES, WHITE LACES, SNOWY OWLS, CANARY OH CANARY, PLAY STRANGE MATTER THIS SATURDAY!
If you follow this blog close enough — you are aware that I will branch out of my zone from time to time to hit a noteworthy indie rock show. I got a note about this show about a month ago and checked around with some of my RVA indie music friends – they all say, this one is worth checking out. Amen Dunes (New York) will be headlining the show. From what I’ve read, Damon McMahnon is Amen Dunes. His work has been getting praise in Pitchfork for a while now. Joining the bill is some really good local bands: White Laces (who are friends of the blog – I dig them), Snowy Owls (who I’ve never seen live but are highly recommended, and Canary Oh Canary. The show is this Saturday (10 PM) at Strange Matter. I’ve been told it is sure to sell out! (Pictured Amen Dunes (left) and White Laces.
NEW RVA MUSIC: JUST PLAIN SOUNDS X DOOM MIXTAPE (1ST TIME ANYWHERE)
Is Just Plain Sounds working on THE mixtape project of the summer??? You be the judge…I got a “too exclusive” leak from my fam…Check out this track “Orris Root Power” featuring Drano, Joey Ripps, and James Dangle. If the mixtape is half as hot as this lead track…RVA be on alert. I’m looking for the hottest sounds in RVA this summer…all love on this site – hit me up. Like The Cheats Movement on FACEBOOK.
MANLYMAN AT RVA HOT SAUCE [EPISODE 2 PREVIEW]
I know – I know….I’ve been busy but RVA HOT SAUCE Episode 2 is coming soon. I’ve been working on it and thinking about it a lot lately. Here is a song from Caitlin and Erin AKA ManlyMan to hold you over until I have time to finish. If you don’t know about ManlyMan — read my original post about them HERE and like their Facebook page HERE…They are amazing!
NEW RVA MUSIC AND VIDS – RVA FAM IS DOING WORK!
I really don’t know how I’m going to keep up this summer. It seems like every day RVA is putting in work – doing things bigger, better and flyer than ever. I certainly can’t keep up with a weekly Cheats Movement Club so I’m just going to start posting RVA music and videos as much as I can. Leading it off I have special video – no secret to anyone – Photosynthesizers, Just Plain Sounds, K&B Music, Dank D, The Shop are all like family to The Cheats Movement Blog. Last Friday my man DJ got this live video: Richmond We Go Hard featuring Official Freeze, James Dangle, Dank D, and Draztiq.
My man Just Plain Ant hit me with a new track from his upcoming album. Sad World features JPS crew member The Night Drive Drano.
Sad World – Just Plain Ant ft. Drano
If you haven’t notice (and there is no way you could not have) Suburban District is making serious moves – check out their latest track Bleachers produced by Conrizzle
Bleachers – Suburban District
The last drop of the day is from my dude Rah Scrilla. He just released a new joint titled Most Underrated – check out the title track
Most Underrated – Rah Scrilla
PROPER ATTENTION: MS. PROPER “SAY IT”
True story, I’ve been asking Ms. Proper to send me a new track for a minute. I’m a fan. Honestly, I do not notice very many female emcees killin the RVA rap scene these days and I see even less rockin live shows. No disrespect to other female emcees working hard (I do know a few that on the grind) but Ms. Proper seems to be cut from a different cloth. I was able to spend some time with her for a piece I’m developing about females in hip hop and it’s clear that while music comes first – Proper has the additional responsibilities of making sure her entire team at So Proper Ent. is moving in the right direction and holding down Rated R Radio. She is on the grind as a musician and a boss. Check out her latest track, “Say It” and CLICK HERE to visit to her website.
NEW DOWNLOAD: EXCLUSIVE BLACK LIQUID “RHYME” [PRODUCED BY LORD SLUGG]
It’s a new year and The Cheats Movement has a brand new exclusive - ONLY ON THE CHEATS MOVEMENT – the track is called Rhyme by the New Juice Crew dynamic duo of Black Liquid X Lord Slugg. A week from today, Black Liq will be launching his new website — make sure you check out the site for new music, new projects, and new information on shows. WE #RVA
NEW: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “RHYME” NEW: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “RHYME”
The Cheats Movement
