HEY RVA, I THINK “TOGETHER” WE CAN CHANGE THIS CITY – DO YOU?
It has become very clear that the goal of The Cheats Movement Blog in 2013 is to do something bigger for the RVA community. What do I mean by, “bigger?” I mean the blog, myself, the entire Cheats Movement Family will deliberately take on the task of creating and presenting the type of Richmond community that we want see spread throughout this city. I think that has always been the underling goal of the blog, to present RVA as the positive, diverse, creative community that I see daily but is not reported in the RVA media. With the growth of the blog it has become clear, or should I say even more real, that this blog (with the help of a lot of amazing friends and supporters) can be a driving force to bring Richmond’s community together. If you were not there last month at Gallery 5 when Photosythesizers, JPS, and Glows in the Dark performed on the same stage, you missed the very best of what I’m talking about. The most diverse audenice in the city coming together to enjoy Cheats Movement Family, The Richmond Comedy Coalition and these bands, that may not have been billed together if it wasn’t for a platform like the one we created together.
It happened again last night at WRIR’s Party for the Rest of Us. Seeing such a diverse crowd, in a small room, grooving to the music of Ohbliv, and then turning it up with YFD and The New Juice Crew gives me a feeling that I can’t explain but I know I want to duplicate over and over again. Immediately following the showcase last night, as well as the Richmond Famous show at Gallery 5, and even follow the RVA HOT SAUCE show nearly 2 years ago, strangers come up to me wondering when are we going to do “that” again. How can we get that vibe again. I feel the same way.
HEAR IS THE POINT – I can’t do it – WE can’t do it without everyone playing their part. Step 1 – if you are not following the Cheats Movement Facebook Page – Click HERE and follow, share it with your friends. We need to spread what is happening in the city. Step 2 – If you see that The Cheats Movement Blog is hosting/supporting a event or cause – rest assured that it will be one that is worth attending or supporting. I am very clear that this blog is about positivity, creativity, diversity, and anything that lift up RVA. Feel comfortable knowing that while you may not feel every blog post, it all serves a goal. Step 3 – if you see something that this blog “should” be supporting, send me an email (CheatsMWC@gmail.com) and let me know. If it is positive and good for the RVA community, you have a friend in me.
I strongly believe that celebrating Richmond’s creative diversity will go a long way in healing some of the lasting bitterness of the past. It’s not the only answer but I can’t solve every problem with a blog post or event. I can take action to create a better city. We can together. I need you to be a part – will you help?
The crowd at Gallery 5 last month was one of the sparks for me that we can do something bigger.
We did it again last night at WRIR – RVA is a diverse city, no need for us to act like the city is bigger than it is – come together and party.
EXCLUSIVE: ART WHINO G40 RAP BATTLE
True hip hop was on deck Saturday night at the Art Whino Gallery (115 West Broad Street). Everyone that knows hip hop knows that the rap battle is a core element of being an emcee. Man v. Man – my skills are better than your skills – off the top – no written rhymes - THAT IS WHAT SEPARATES THE REAL. The G40 rap battle was a fun time had by all – Flex Matthews (D.C.) did his thing as the host. DJ MadOne held down the beats. And a combination of emcees (mostly from D.C. and RVA) represented well. Eito, the traveling man (based in NOVA), edged out RVA’s own James Dangle in the finals to claim the battle crown. Just Plain Sounds represented well with Dangle making it to the finals and Damaged Andy battling hard against the eventual champ Eito. Others emcees representing: Chungo Rock, Profit, Tesla, and Spike Mouth aka Ray aka he saved the battle. The photos really show the love in the room. The event was small but well done – all love for G40 and the emcees on this one. S/O Mr. Harden — I see you homie on the coin flip.
BIG THINGS COMING FOR THIS BLOG – KEEP IT GOING STRONG WITH A LIKE ON FACEBOOK! CLICK HERE!
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PHOTO FROM THE G40 RAP BATTLE!
[FULL PHOTOS] WRIR: PARTY FOR THE REST OF US
Here is the deal – I took a ton of photos at this event. Unfortunately, several of them did not come out due to lighting and “straight up” some personal problems with my flash — if you don’t see a particular photo it is probably because it didn’t come out at all. Since I take a lot of pride in what I post — I’m not posting anything that I really don’t feel at all. With that said…enjoy the photos I do have of a crazy/wonderful night….CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM…WRIR PARTY FOR THE REST OF US!!!
THE CHEATS MOVEMENT BLOG IS PUTTING IN WORK FOR RVA – PLEASE LIKE THE CHEATS MOVEMENT ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW ON TWITTER
The last show – Baby Help Me Forget
T
he Man – Swerve 36
Noah-O and Style Weekly’s Editor Jason Roop
White Laces
DAY ONE EXCLUSIVE: MIX BREED “COOLEST IN AMERICA” MIXTAPE
By now I hope it’s clear that Cheats Movement Blog supports those that support the site and support RVA in a positive way. My goal is to have a strong relationship with all sides of RVA’s creative community. Doing that requires me to spend a lot of my time meeting new people and starting new relationship. I really enjoy that aspect of the blog. However, this post is a rare occasion — through this site and the RVA creative community, I was able to reconnect with a friend that I met a few years back and now I’m able to see him moving full circle. That someone is local hip hop artist Charles Diamond. A part of the hip hop collective Mix Breed. I met Charles a few years ago at a summer camp designed for young people that were leaders in their high schools. Charles along with his Mix Breed family are now striving to be leaders in the RVA hip-hop scene.
Their latest mixtape, that dropped at midnight, is called, Coolest in America (Click to download). Charles blessed me with the link and RVA Mag just posted the dope video Where I am (also below). Support Charles Diamond and Mix Breed on Facebook and twitter. And of course, check them out performing live in and around RVA.
Backstabbers
Where I am
ON THE WILD STYLE SET WITH MIZZ UNDASTOOD!
Tuesday night I may have found my new calling. I’ve often been told that I have a face for radio but I finally got to put it to the test (okay predictable joke — won’t happen again). I was the guest host on Wild Style with Mizz Undastood AKA the lovely Sam Sea. We talked about just about everything – The Cheats Movement Blog – The RVA music scene – even LA Weekly’s top 20 artist of all time. It was a great time and it just flew by. I was asked to bring in two tracks to be played on the show. I brought in Naima by James Dangle ft. Bar Codez and a Big K.R.I.T track.
Wild Style is streamed live through Global Scale Radio every Tuesday night. And Mizz Undastood has not one but two local shows: Wild Style on Tuesdays at 9:30 PM and R&R on WDCE 90.1 FM (University or Richmond Radio) Thursday night (early Friday Morning) at 1AM. You can also keep up with Mizz Undastood on her blog JustMizz.com. Check her out — she is doing big things in RVA and above all she has a passion for helping people. Check out my photos of the event she co-sponsored over the winter holiday: Hip Hop for the Hungry.
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”
WELCOME TO THE CHEATS MOVEMENT CLUB [NEW MUSIC - ART- VIDEOS]
A 2012 Cheats Movement project is to post new music, artwork, and videos from RVA’s creative community. Therefore, I’m starting The Cheats Movement Club. A series of picks from “friends” of the Cheats Movement. If you are an artist and would like you new work considered for the club, send it to TheCheatsMovement@gmail.com.
THIS WEEK IN THE CLUB: DAMAGED ANDY, SUPERSTAR SPITAZ, ARTIK PHREEZE, SMOOTHMATIC, RYAN EASTER
ARTIST: DAMAGED ANDY ALBUM: PSYCHOSIS TRACK: ROMANS WHY: Damaged Andy is a RVA hip-hop vet. He took some time off to focus on what he wanted to accomplish in music and the result of his internal joureny was Psychosis. Check out the track Romans below and check out the album by clicking here.
Damaged Andy – Psychosis – Romans
ARTIST: SUPERSTAR SPITAZ X ARTIK PHREEZE VIDEO: YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS WHY: What’s next in RVA hip-hip? You can never tell but these two gentleman, Phreeze and Spitaz are working hard to carve out their spot. They were kind enough to invite me down to West Coast Kix to shoot some behind the scenes – check that out by clicking here. Below is the official video.
ARTIST: SMOOTHMATIC VIDEO: 2011 YEAR END PROMO WHY: I give credit where credit due and Robert Roby AKA SmoothMatic absolutely killed the 2nd half of 2011 with video after video. He is always doing quality work for RVA artist. Check out his year end promo below.
ARTIST: RYAN EASTER VIDEO: RORSCHACH’S JOURNAL WHY: I’ve only met Ryan Easter one time (and it was brief) - after he killed a show at the camel last year before he went to Berklee College of Music. I ran across this video on my facebook feed and really loved the RVA visuals and the groove. Salute to Ryan Easter reppin RVA.
Again, if you want your work considered for the club send it to: TheCheatsMovement@gmail.com — all art, music and videos.
THE MIND OF MIKE KEMETIC: HELLO 2012
Hello 2012! The Cheats Movement is back with the first Mind of Mike Kemetic of the year. In this episode, Mike talks about what the new year has in store for RVA. Check it out!
THE CHEATS MOVEMENT X BLACK LIQUID [RVA MAG PHOTO SHOOT]
If you haven’t picked up the latest RVA Mag — make sure you do that (if you can find any) and check out my article with Black Liquid titled The State of the (Richmond Hip-Hop) Union. The is not your average interview with a local hip hop artist. Black Liq goes in on the current state of RVA hip-hop and what needs to be done for RVA to reach it’s full potential as a hip-hop community. I feel that we pushed the envelope with this interview and this is only the begining. Along with conducting the interview the good folks at RVA Mag asked me to organize and shoot the photography for the story. S/O to The Shop for letting me shoot at the spot. The Shop is one of the fasting growing creative hubs in RVA — always something creative going on and S/O to the Capitol Police for allowing me to get a few shots at the capitol w/o a permit. Check out the entire shoot by clicking HERE.
VIDEO: THE CHEATS MOVEMENT – YEAR ONE
This year has been amazing for the Cheats Movement Blog. I would have never imagined when I started in January that nearly a year later I would be having so much fun covering the creative community in RVA. This blog started as strictly a photoblog — and because of the support and the inspiration of Richmond — it has become so much more. From RVA Profiles to RVA Hot Sauce — The Cheats Movement is committed to presenting content that supports the RVA community – and I will keep that commitment in 2012. There is no doubt that the site will continue to grow — but I can’t do it without your support. Make sure you do your part to spread the word about this blog on facebook and twitter– and I will continue to make sure it’s the best blog that I can do — WE R-VA!
Now with that– check out my quick holiday present — The Cheats Movement – Year One.
VIDEO: PHOTOSYNTHESIZERS X RVA’S SILENT MUSIC REVIVAL
My man Bar Codez hit me up and asked me to swing by the Firehouse Theater last Sunday to film some of Photosynthesizers playing the Silent Music Revival. I had no idea what the Silent Music Revival was all about but I was treated to a very cool and unique night in RVA. Silent Music Revival is the screening of a silent film while a live band plays to the movie. Last Sunday, the film was “The Uncomfortable Man (1948)” with music by the aforementioned Photosynthesizers, who I’ve already called my favorite band in RVA. The event was hosted by Jameson Price (who I’m currently begging to profile for The Cheats Movement). Jameson has already told me that the next Silent Music Revival is on December 18 at Gallery 5. The films are The Insects Christmas (1913) & The Frozen North (1922), with music by: The Snowy Owls. If you have not seen this event, check it out.
Dear RVA: The Cheats Movement Blog is Growing…
And you can help…Click HERE and Like the Cheats Movement Blog on Facebook! Follow CheatsMWC on Twitter.
Face Melt V [Strange Matter, RVA]
Face Melt Fridays at Strange Matter keeps getting stronger. Face Melt V brought its most enthusiastic crowd to the series. Hosted by Azrael Onassis and Black Liquid, I’ve got a few photos from the part of the night I was there — S/O to the New Juice Crew, OMG, Swordplay killed it, Cameo by Octavion Xcellence. I had a real nice talk with Conrizzle – fresh off of his Big Sean performance — big things coming from him. Click HERE to see all the photos.
THIS IS CRAZY: RVA HOT SAUCE IS THIS FRIDAY!
RSVP by clicking HERE!!! We just landed Chris Ryan too. All kinds of interviews will be happening!
The Cheats Movement X Charged Up Ent. (Black Lyric Shoot)
First, S/O to my man Black Reed for giving me the call to visit the Charged Up Ent. Studio. I came thru last week and took some photos of Charged Up artist Black Lyric. We put Lyric on the spot but it was all good and at the end of the day, we got what we were looking for — Hopefully I’ve landed that mixtape cover (j/k). Click HERE to see a few shots from the shoot.
PART 2: FINALLY FAMOUS TOUR PHOTOS
Click HERE to see Part 2 of the Finally Famous Tour Photos. Big Sean Photos and one of Pusha T. If you didn’t see part 1 click HERE.
Grape Cloth X The Cheats Movement: New Juice Crew Freestyle
Just in case you missed this a while back, my man Iain over a Grape Cloth — hooked up this video on the Grape Blog. Check it out – BCMusic1st, Black Liquid, and Emphasys of the Mighty New Juice Crew. RVA Stand Up!
The Vault: Random Photos From RVA Music Fest
Click HERE to see NEW RVA Music Fest photos — not yet posted. Click HERE to see RVA Music Fest photos of Best Coast and Girl Talk. Click HERE to see photos from RVA Music Fest Hip-Hop Hooray.
RVA Music Fest: Backstage with Best Coast, The Diamond Center, & White Laces
Photos: Beast Wellington CD Release Party at Bogarts!
Last night, I stopped by Bogarts to see one of my favorite Richmond bands Beast Wellington. They were celebrating the release of their latest CD with a large number of supporters, family members, and friends. Mark, Samantha, and the BW crew did not disappoint. Check out all of my photos from last night by clicking here. Also, I met some very cool photographers last night and even a few people that are familiar with this blog. Thanks so much for the support. A very fun night indeed.
Amazing: Trombone Shorty X Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On [Cheats Movement]
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue did their thing at Friday Cheers. Listen to Shorty blaze Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On. He also treated the crowd to James Brown and Louis Armstrong. Treme was in RVA last night – Amazing!
The Cheats Movement
