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.
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CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PHOTO FROM THE G40 RAP BATTLE!
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.
CHEATS MOVEMENT CLUB PICKS JAN 16 – 22
THE CHEATS MOVEMENT CLUB IS BACK! Bringing you the new, the fresh, the def in RVA music, art, and video. This week I got music from Just Plain Sounds’ Drano, The New Juice Crew’s Lord Slugg, my dude Chris Ryan, and Antagonist Dragonspit. I got videos from HaBitS, Luggage and this new video I saw yesterday from Carytown Cupcakes!
Keep sending your music, art, videos to: THECHEATSMOVEMENT@GMAIL.COM — It may take me a minute to get you on but if you hooked me up — I will return the favor. Stay Focused.
ARTIST: DRANO ALBUM: THE NIGHT DRIVER TRACK: THE GOOCH WHY: Just released last Friday you know I have to represent for my brothers at Just Plain Sounds. In my humble opinion, one of the most talented collectives in the Cap City. Drano brings the Emcee element to the production happy crew. Check out and download The Night Driver.
ARTIST: LORD SLUGG ALBUM: THE SLUGG TAPE 2 TRACK: 20 SLUGGS FT. BEAST SONNIE BOSS TONE LUV WHY: The Slugg Tape 2 drop was one of the hottest local drops of last year. BUT it dropped in a crowded field (everyone dropped a tape at the end of last year) and with the New Juice Crew being all over the place. I think the Slugg Tape and this track 20 Sluggs got lost a bit. The production on this track is a smash. Click here to download The Slugg Tape 2.
ARTIST: CHRIS RYAN ALBUM: PRAY FOR RAIN TRACK: TABLE FOR TWO WHY: I first saw Chris killing it on lead gutiar with one of my favorite RVA Bands Beast Wellington. I had now idea he could sing – but sing he can. Chris dropped Pray for Rain last year and was great enough to play a couple of tracks last October at the first ever RVA HOT SAUCE Table for Two was one of the songs Chris played — check it out and check out Pray for Rain now available on Itunes.
Click the link below to hear Table for Two!
ARTIST: ANTAGONIST DRAGONSPIT ALBUM: BACK ON THE MAP TRACK: KEEP IT MOVIN INTRO WHY: Good music – simple as that. I heard the Keep It Movin Intro and thought – The Curtis Mayfield loop is crazy and – I got to post this on the site. I met Drangonspit last year at Soul Live in RVA (S/O to The Shop). He’s grindin and the album is dope. Check out what he is doing in the 757.
ARTIST: LUGGAGE VIDEO: 2 UP, 2 DOWN WHY: I saw Luggage for the first time at the Nile with Ohbliv over the holiday. I got the feeling from the show (and their feature RVA Mag Article) that they are back to having fun. That wasn’t always the case dealing with hip-hop in RVA. I enjoy seeing the space they are in now and love the video S/O to my tweeter buddy VanWilderLife.
ARTIST: HaBitS VIDEO: RIDE IT OUT SMOOTH WHY: I’ve notice HaBitS grid. I think the first time I saw them was at a Rebirth at the Camel. They are working hard and it’s good to see hard workers dropping videos and getting bigger sets a bigger show (like the January 26 Beat Battle at The Camel) . I appreciate their work ethic. Big things for them in 2012.
ARTIST: CARYTOWN CUPCAKES VIDEO: CUPCAKE WARS WHY: UM – THEY ARE DELICIOUS — HATE IF YOU WANT! S/O Carytown Cupcakes! Best of luck getting on Cupcake Wars!
RVA’S MAD SCIENTIST: A BLESSING FROM BRAD OHBLIV (JPS)
I’m still pretty sick today — so I couldn’t work on new stuff last night. However, I’ve been holding some gems that were dropped on me by RVA Super Producer Brad Ohbliv. And since I’m feeling a little down — might as well pick up my spirits with some new boom bap. If you don’t know about Ohbliv — you are missing one of RVA’s most talented producers. The dude is a throwback to when hip hop was a little more simpler yet a little more real. I first met Ohbliv early last year when I tracking the collective Just Plain Sounds, which he is a member, and we just hit it off — then after I met him I heard Yellow Gold – his collaboration with RVA Emcee Nick F - and I was hooked. I reached out to Ohbiv a few weeks ago when I decided that I was going to start posting Cheats Movement Club Picks and he dropped these beats on me. Check them out – more official club picks coming this week.
freekphone – By Ohbliv
tete-a-tete – By Ohbliv
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!
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.
THE CHEATS MOVEMENT X RVA MAG X BLACK LIQUID – AVAILABLE NOW!!!
It’s still a bit unreal to me but I did my first print article for RVA Mag and it is on the streets of RVA RIGHT NOW! I sat down with my man Black Liquid and we went it on The State of the [Richmond Hip-Hop] Union. When Black and I first got together with this opportunity I told him that I wanted to do something different – something that people would want to read from start to finish — and as always Black Liq said, “Bet! Let’s go in.” And go in we did — I hope you pick up the article around RVA and let me know what you think. Side Note: I’m also really proud of the photos Black and I shot for this article — more photos from the session coming this week.
PHOTOS: RVA’S K&B MUSIC SHOWCASE [CANAL CLUB, RVA]
A few months back, I got an email from DJ Lavan, a Richmond music lover who had just started K&B Music, a booking, promotion, and management company for musical talent in and around RVA. I was instantly interested in what DJ’s new company was attempting to accomplish because we both appear to have the same attitude about abundance of diverse musical talent in RVA. Last night I was finally able to catch up with DJ at K&B’s first Richmond Showcase at the Canal Club. The showcase featured: Carl Anderson (Not Pictured), The WeatherVanes (Washington DC), Mojoceratops (Philly), Trees on Fire (Charlottesville), and RVA’s own Dan.K D and Marionette. The night was a celebration for K&B and chance for most of the K&B family to meet each other and hang out. DJ told me that the K&B stands for Kindness and Balance. “I am just trying to see the local music scene grow and put talented acts in the right place to be successful.” So far, the response has been overwhelming. DJ mentioned last night that the K&B Family stretches from Philly to Georgia and is growing daily. Check out my photos from the K&B showcase by clicking HERE.
Backstage: You Know What It Is – Superstar Spitaz ft. Artik Phreeze
I dropped in on Day 1 of the Superstar Spitaz video “You Know What It Is” featuring my dude Artik Phreeze at West Coast Kix in Carytown. S/O Ben Margolis, President of West Coast Kix and CameraMan Niqko holding down the filming. Check out the single and the new projects coming from Spitaz and Phreeze. Stay Focused. Find out what the RVA is talking about visit and Like The Cheats Movement on Facebook.
VIDEO: WHAT ARE YOUR 3 FAVORITE JOINTS? [2012 PREVIEW]
The Cheats Movement has taken to the streets of RVA to find out YOUR 3 favorite songs or as I call them joints. This is the 1st short video in the new 2012 series. This video features: Lord Slugg, Katie Holcomb, Bree Davis, Janice PS Cartwright, and Black Reed.
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.
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.
RVA Music Fest: Backstage with Noah-O and Streetz Deep
I caught up with Noah-O and Streetz Deep outside of The Camel before they killed it at the RVA Music Fest: Hip-Hop Hooray show. They got the streets (and MTV) on lock with their smash, I Got It. Support these hard working artist.
RVA Music Fest: Backstage with Best Coast, The Diamond Center, & White Laces
RVA Music Fest: Cheats Movement Photos of Best Coast and Girl Talk
RVA Music Fest Week continues on The Cheats Movement. Click HERE to see my photos of the Headliners: Best Coast and Girl Talk. The show was amazing and thanks to the good folks at RVA Mag I was able to get backstage for Best Coast (video interview coming soon). Girl Talk made me a believer…The hype is real.
Thank You! What Movement Looks Like…[WordPress Stats Graph]
I started this blog in January as a way to highlight the RVA I know and love – for a lot of my closest friends and family it’s been annoying (to say the least) since I keep talking about it and asking them to look at it. Side note for anyone on the grind: Believe in what you do (and that means tell somebody – tell the world) because if you don’t – no one does it for you. It’s only after you break down the door that some major company or rich investors comes and says they now want to speak for YOU (crazy right). The blog has been growing all summer and August more than tripled the Cheats Movement growth. I really love this blog – I’m gonna keep pushing even if no one was paying attention BUT I know that’s not the case - I really appreciate everyone that checks the site, supports it, and helps it grow (I can’t say that enough- Thank You). More is coming – Stay Focused! And Tell a friend!
Face Melt Friday IV [The Photo Version]
It’s not called Face Melt Friday for nothing! Last Friday, RVA Hip-Hop went in [once again] at Strange Matter. A strong show indeed – S/O to everyone that made the event positive, DJ King James and Big Game James were in the building! OMG, Juice Crew, HipHopVA, RT, everyone [too many to say everyone] was their to support their friends and support true Hip-Hop. It’s a beautiful thing! Check out FMF IV [The Photo Version] By Clicking HERE. And Please Share this Photo Page around FB and Twitter – Positive shows need to get out!
Tonight: Black Liquid & OMG Presents Face Melt Friday IV
![Face Melt Friday III [Strange Matter, RVA]](http://i2.wp.com/videos.videopress.com/n7Whg72n/face-melt-friday_scruberthumbnail_11.jpg "Watch: Face Melt Friday III [Strange Matter, RVA]")
Talented RVA Hip-Hop tonight at Strange Matter. DJ King James is in the building! If you missed my clip from FMF III – Check this out! Don’t sleep on RVA! It’s going down.
Dope On Plastic on The Cheats Movement [DOP NIGHTSHIFT Party Tonight!]
It’s no secret that I am a fan of RVA blogs. I very much consider myself much more of a reader and fan than a blogger (or even photoblogger) myself. I started reading Dope on Plastic around a year ago and liked it so much that I “cold” emailed Erik Fox, the creator of the site, just to tell him how much I enjoyed his work. Last Sunday, I finally ran into and met Erik shooting some shots at the Camel (Hence the Pic). It’s always great to meet people in person and Erik was very cool. Dope on Plastic, along with Rumors, is throwing a party tonight at Strange Matter. Click HERE for all the details. Check it out tonight and support RVA!
The Cheats Movement
