J Dilla's Vinyl Collection - Crate Diggers

J Dilla's Vinyl Collection - Crate Diggers

It's safe to say that if you claim to be a full time fan of Hip Hop culture then in one way or another you have been touched by the works of the late great James Yancey. The mark he has left on the culture will be always remembered. I personally feel that his mark has been left on all music genre production full stop. We can only imagine the level of genius he would have attained had he not been taken away from his family and fans the world over. My lasting impression will be his work with the Pharcyde. That was my first personal introduction and after that I was hooked. The documentary above delves in to his personal record collection and gives a wonderful insight in to the man. You also get a strong sense of the brotherhood & friendship that J-Rocc and others shared with him. I'm sure we can all agree we have lost someone special in our lives and it's moving to see this fitting tribute. Enjoy and feel free to leave a comment below. Peace.

Down and Out in the Slums of My Bed

I am sitting, no wait, lying in bed sulking knowing the fact that I am going to be missing a great show tonight - Masta Ace, Stricklin, and Wordsworth for the Son of Yvonne Canadian tour. I could suck it up and drag my sick ass to the club, but have been on this kick where I am trying to make better life decisions for myself. You know like taking care of yourself when you have a fever, can't move, can barely breath and feel like you are going to fall asleep at any given second. So I keep telling myself its okay if you miss it,  you have seen Ace a few times, seen Stricklin, seen Words.   But I find out a few hours ago that  Citizen Kane (one of the opening acts) is retiring from the game and will be performing his last show tonight in Ottawa. Word has it that his first performance was here in Ottawa years ago and they want to end it where they started it.  For those who are not familiar with Citizen Kane, they are a Toronto based duo that have been part of the Toronto hip hop scene since about  '95. In 1995 they released "Soul Survivor" on the Zulu Nation compilation, It's All Good. In '96 they released their "Structure/Foundation" featured on BeatFactory's RapEssential Vol.1, and in '97 released the single "Black Rain" on their own independent label - Tree House Records, as well as many other single releases. In 1999 they released their full album  "Deliverance" on their TreeHouse Record label.
In 2001 they made a documentary about the Toronto hip hop scene as well as their journey in the game called Raisin'Kane: A Rapumentary. I tried to find a link to the film but am only coming up with a few short clips.
So here I lay down and out in the slums of my bed living vicariously through YouTube videos.
Enjoy

Who We Are

What is your name and age, where your from and where you rep now?

My name is Caroline Cichelly but I got given the nick name Chico by a few of my boys some time around the early 2000's, and it stuck ever since. I am going to be 31 next month. I was born in Vancouver BC and lived there until I was 9, then grew up the rest of the time in Ottawa. I left Ottawa for roughly 5-6 years once its all added up. I went back out to Vancouver in my mid twenties where I did my culinary training, then moved to  Toronto for a year and bit. After Toronto I continued to bounce all around Ontario, eventually making my way back to Ottawa.


What were your first albums that introduced you to hip hop and on what format? 

My first album that introduced  me to hip hop that I can remember off the top was Heavy D & The Boyz "Peaceful Journey" on cassette, I was 9 and it was a total fluke of to why I had it in my possession - my dad had found it on the ground while he was out walking the family dog.  I had also made friends with a boy named Colin in 3rd or 4th grade and one day in class he handed me a cassette and said "Here listen to this, you won't regret it"  it was Black Sheep "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing".  I remember going home and listening to it and thinking wow there is so much more out there then New Kids On The Block. It changed my whole outlook on music and helped shaped my character into what it is today. Colin and I are still best buds, we have matching tattoo's that represent our love for music and how it is basically the root of our friendship.  Soon after that I can remember being taken over by Wu-tang madness, and you could have found me obsessively tagging the Wu symbol on every possible surface in my middle school. It was not until High school that I got into underground hip hop,  which I have another buddy to thank  for hooking me up with mix tapes and providing me with the knowledge.  I quickly became obsessed with finding new releases, new artists and learning all about the history.

What is your favourite movie?

Geez. This is a toughie for me. I love movies of all genres, and I have so many I can't possibly just say one, so instead I will name a bunch: Big Lebowski, La Haine, Casino, A Bronx Tale, Zebra Head, Do The Right Thing, Kids, Happiness, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich, True Romance, Spirited Away, The Outsiders, Lost Boyz, The Labrynth, Amorres Porres, City of God, Edward Scissor Hands, and I guess I will stop there......

What brought us together?

The ever so wonderfully creepy land of Instagram.  When I first joined IG I started following my favourite artists and anyone who I saw that had common interests as me. Cammack was one of those people. We began commenting on each others pics as people do, which led to e-mails and exchanging music. We also soon discovered that we were both going through rough patches dealing with anxiety and such. We really supported each other and helped each other keep our heads up through the not so swell times. We drifted a part here and there but always checked in here and there. Even though we have never met in person I definitely consider Cammack a good friend.

 Whats your most memorable hip hop moment as a fan?

I don't think I have one particular memory that stands out the most because I have a few. When I was younger I was blessed to attend many shows and still am to this day. Much love and thanks goes out to the boys at Kapacity Entertainment that made the shows possible to happen and for letting the hip hop culture thrive in Ottawa. I have had the opportunity to shake hands, give props, and shoot the shit with many talented artists and to me that is always memorable. 

What does the word AcKnowledge mean to you?

To me Acknowledge means to educate and be aware of yourself and your surroundings. Always explore other options and dig deeper under the surface. 

Who We Are

What is your name and age, where you from and where do you rep now?

 I'm Chris, Some people call me that, others call me Cammack which is my surname. I'm 34 years young and currently reside in the Steel City known as Sheffield. Its in South Yorkshire, north England. I was born further up the road outside Leeds but from the age of 5 was raised down south in a town called Andover which is a hour south west of London by train. I have a mixed up accent, neither cockney or broad Yorkshire.


What were your first albums that introduced you to hop hop and on what format? 

 My mum had a love of all things music, her collection was and still is diverse. This has rubbed off on me and my tastes. The first 2 albums she ever bought me where Beastie Boys 'Licenced To ILL' and Run DMC's 'Raising Hell'. I had heard the singles on the radio and was hooked and she indulged my new love. A good introduction to the culture I'm sure you will agree. Then came Public Enemy & LL Cool J..........

I also developed a strong love of film at an early age thanks to my mum. She and my Nan took me to see The Return Of The Jedi at cinema on its first release, I must have only been 4 but she has told me I didn't take my eyes of the screen.

What are your favourite movies?

 I have many favourite films, too many to mention but right now the 2 that come to mind are Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan and Juice. Both different genres I know but that's what hip hop culture has taught me, you can mix up everything!

What brought us together?

 I connected with Caroline (Chico) via social networking, Instagram to be accurate. I had posted a picture on the markets in Sheffield and if I recall correctly Chico knew exactly where it was! I was blown away! From that point on we have be come good friends and I think the world of her. Yes we have drifted apart a few times but now we are tighter than ever. I guess all friendships have a few bumps in the road huh?

Whats your most memorable hip hop moment as a fan?

 I have 3 moments that stand out to me the most. The first was back in 1994 when I briefly met the Gang Starr foundation at the Reading Festival. All real humble dudes. Big Shug was such a large presence but incredibly friendly. The 2nd was meeting Percee P a few years back at a gig. He was really down to earth and we chopped it up for a good 30 plus minutes. He signed my cd and I had a picture taken with him. I have since lost the picture but the memory hasn't faded. The 3rd is meeting J57 & Koncept from the Brown Bag Allstars this year. I have been taking with J for a good 6-8 months on IG, Twitter and via email and we have become homies. I got to hang out with him and Koncept (who is also a real good dude) at a gig they had over here. We drank until the the early hours and talked and laughed about all sorts of things. We shared Knowledge and humour. Shouts to Booda French & Digga also, 2 stand up dudes!

What does the word AcKnowledge mean to you?

To me AcKNOWLEDGE means one thing. It means to move forward in life you have to acknowledge what is going on around you and where you can share what you find, spread the knowledge to others. Keep it simple. Positive vibes.