Two of Harlem‘s finest — Dave East and Vado — have graced the hip hop world with a new single. “Deniro & Pesci” is the latest record from 2/3 of hip hop collective “The Council” (which includes Dave East, Lloyd Banks and Vado). The ominously themed record is an ode to the lifestyles of mobsters James Conway and Tommy DeVito portrayed by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci from one of hip hop’s most referenced films, Goodfellas.
In like manner, Vado and Dave East metaphorically reference the film and other famous mobsters. For instance, East begins the song with an introspective recounting of his rough upbringing that inspired his hustler mindset. Similarly to how Goodfellas begins with the telling of Henry Hill’s youth. Meanwhile, Vado juxtaposes Dave East, playing the role of the fully realized hustler. For his part, Vado’s verse is full of vivid imagery, whether it be intimate hustler tales, or stories of lavish expenditures. Together, the duo captures the evolvement from impressionable youth to “goodfella” as well the surrounding factors that play a role.
Best Lyric
With a vision like Bugsy, I’m Warren Beaty inspired, or like LL, standing at the crowd at Supreme Team party with murderers all around. Kingpins on stage, reppin’ the seven crowds. Analyzing they style, wishing that I was down.
– Vado, “Deniro & Pesci”
Album On The Way
Meanwhile, “Deniro & Pesci” serves as a prelude to the duo’s forthcoming collaborative album set for release in the first quarter of 2024. Dave East’s last EP Fortune Favors the Bold was released in July, while Vado dropped V-Day 4 in May. This will be their second joint-project together following 2017’s It’s Harlem, hosted by DJ Kay Slay.
V and I have been locked in for the longest, that’s family, it’s only right we team and up do something for the town.
-Dave East
2/3 of The Council are back with more heat, and just wait until we drop the album
Four-time Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum-selling Canadian rapper Drake announced his 2024 US Tour “It’s All A Blur Tour – Big As The What” with American rapper and producer J.Cole featuring two stops at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Tuesday, Feb. 27, and Wednesday, Feb. 28 and two in Belmont Park at UBS Arena on March 14 and 15.
Drake is a Canadian born hip hop artist who first emerged in the music industry in 2009 when he debuted his EP So Far Gone, named the hottest mixtape of the year by MTV and selling over 650,000 copies. Since his emerging success Drake has focused on his development and creation of music, leading to some of his most praised work. Drake embraces the hip-hop culture while integrating R&B and pop to create a languid, grandiose sound. Some of his fan favorites include “Nice For What”, “God’s Plan”, “One Dance (with Wizkid and Kyla)”, “Controlla” and many other record breaking hits.
The upcoming tour follows Drake’s successful return to the stage after his 2023 “It’s All A Blur” Tour, which saw Drake perform 50 sold out area shows across North America throughout the summer and fall. Most recently, Drake released his eighth studio album For All The Dogs featuring ten collaborations with top charting artists SZA, Bad Bunny, J.Cole and more.
Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning on Wednesday, November 15, followed by general tickets on Friday, November 17. For more information please visit here.
DRAKE ‘IT’S ALL A BLUR TOUR – BIG AS THE WHAT?’ 2024 TOUR DATES:
Thu, Jan 18 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena +
Fri, Jan 19 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Mon, Jan 22 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Thu, Jan 25 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
Mon, Jan 29 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Tue, Jan 30 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Fri, Feb 02 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Wed, Feb 07 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Thu, Feb 08 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Mon, Feb 12 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Fri, Feb 16 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Tue, Feb 20 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
Wed, Feb 21 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
Sat, Feb 24 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Tue, Feb 27 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Wed, Feb 28 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Sat, Mar 02 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Tue, Mar 05 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
Sun, Mar 10 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
Thu, Mar 14 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
Fri, Mar 15 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
Mon, Mar 18 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
Sat, Mar 23 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
Wed, Mar 27 – Birmingham, AL – The Legacy Arena at BJCC
With hip hop’s ever-changing landscape, it had been a decade since Brooklyn native AZ graced fans with an album. The reserved hip hop legend has maintained status as a result of his pen and classic album cuts. However, his long-teased sequel, Doe Or Die II, became one of 2021’s undeniable success stories and proved AZ’s potent hip hop poetry still had a place in the rap game.
Since the release of Doe Or Die II, AZ has appeared on Westside Gunn’s “99 Avirex” Rick Ross’ “Vacheron,” Statik Selektah’s “Historic” and most recently on Tony Touch’s “Rampage 2.0” for Def Jam’s mixtape Documentary.
Now AZ is back with the release of his single “This Is Why” in anticipation of his latest album, Truth Be Told, set for release on December 1. “This Is Why” interpolates a classic Slick Rick sample throughout, as the hip hop veteran takes on the role of the “been there, done that” MC. In light, he shouts out two Brooklyn legends — The Notorious B.I.G. and Mike Tyson — for serving as inspirations behind his success. With his effortless delivery and poignant rhymes, AZ embodies the grace and knowledge that comes with having survived some of New York City’s roughest eras.
Album Details
After contributing behind the boards on both Doe Or Die and Doe Or Die II, AZ and legendary producer Buckwild team up once again. The GRAMMY-nominated Buckwild handles all of the production on the new album. With his own crate of classic production, Buckwild will look to recreate the mafioso, final-boss themed production that the elder AZ has thrived on in his late career surge. In addition, the album will feature guest appearances from fellow New York rhymers Fat Joe and Pharoahe Munch, adding diversified flavor and point of views.
The Halluci Nation (formerly A Tribe Called Red) announced they are performing at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.
Photo credit: Rémi Thériault.
The Halluci Nation is comprised of Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill, beginning as an act of protest, throwing dance hall parties for Indigenous youth in their hometown of Ottawa to Indigenize the club space after realizing the city’s nightclubs hosted such parties for many different cultures, but none representing the First Nations community. The Halluci Nation takes its name from a phrase coined by John Trudell, to describe the vast global community of people who remember at their core what it means to be human. As a visionary artist and activist, Trudell recognized the connection between his accomplishments and what A Tribe Called Red did intuitively through music and art.
Through groundbreaking stage shows and ever-changing visuals, Bear Witness and 2oolman are working to create media that reflects the modern-day Indigenous identity. They are facilitating a necessary conversation around a subtle and complex representation of the contemporary Indigenous experience. The project is built on collaboration, with the duo collaborating with a diverse set of people, including Yasiin Bey (AKA Mos Def), the Indigenous Australian band, OKA, the Wayuu-Colombian powerhouse, Lido Pimienta, and more.
The next chapter for The Halluci Nation has them further exploring the boundaries of cross-genre collaborations. “We wanted to take the music to another place,” says 2oolman. “We showed a little bit of our ambitious side on our last record and we got to do a lot of songs that we’d been wanting to do for a long time. And this is just the start. We are at the point where we are making music we love, inspired by our everyday lives and the people that surround us. We’ve got so much more coming.”
Photo credit: Rémi Thériault.
This event is part of the Sanctuary Eco-Art Trail project, connecting Indigenous legacy with environmental justice. Located on a block-wide environmental campus in North Central on settler lands, this neighborhood is one of the most under-resourced in New York State, with a long history of disinvestment and environmental contamination. The Eco-Art Trail acknowledges these layered histories as they dream and build towards restored biocultural diversity and robust Indigenous futures.
The reach of Griselda Records remains immeasurable. From murals translated across continents to ritualistic celebrations in concert, people appreciate those who stamp their legacy in a way that could never be replicated.
The Liz by Armani Caesar
Griselda grew organically and through a brilliant scheme devised by Westside Gunn. Armani Caesar, first lady of Griselda, serves as a cornerstone to their rise and continual ascension.
Buffalo: the Queen City
Armani Caesar often embodies the lavish aesthetic. Her mixtapes consistently revolve around street couture. Mixtapes named after Liz Claiborne, Miss Elizabeth [WWE] and Elizabeth Taylor showcase the lane and luxurious vibes she provides. She dropped out of college the minute she learned how to sell Iceberg and other apparel items discussed in Marketing class at North Carolina Central University. “Hip-Hop in Context 1973-1997” taught by Kid N Play and 9th Wonder at this HBCU changed Armani’s perspective immensely.
Armani Caesar poses beneath spiral stairs while donning a ‘Buffalo Kids’ necklace
This artist expresses herself in an uninhibited and nonchalant manner. Treating hip-hop as competition runs in the veins of any Griselda artist. Yet, Armani makes it seem like she only conquers hip-hop to generate an additional stream of income. That type of disposition adds to the overall appeal of the artist. Additionally, her fashion expertise continues to create many satisfied customers at Armani’s Closet.
Producer Over Consumer
With an entrepreneurial mindset – Armani remains steadfast in all of her endeavors. In 2020, she signed to Griselda and began to cement her legacy as the first lady on the roster. She joined GxFR during quite the pinnacle of musical production for her and her Griselda teammates. Upon rapping over a legendary DJ Premier beat, her abilities began to sharpen quickly.
Liz 2 by Armani Caesar
The way that Westside Gunn reignites and branches individuals together proves why Griselda’s reach will stand the test of time for generations to come. The amount of individually talented people comprise quite the collective of ambitious people who push the genre forward. Armani Caesar could quite possibly be the flyest emcee of the bunch and will continue to elevate her skillset down the line.
AC could tour in 2024 so make sure you stay tuned to see where she might perform.
MVW and Valee have combined their idiosyncratic styles to bring about their latest avant-garde endeavor, VALEEDATION. The join-effort sees the duo make good on years of collaborations, with their like-minded approach bringing the best out of one another. The 14-track project — exclusively produced by MVW — offers a minimal yet expressive approach to hip hop. Moreover, in a boisterous genre, Valee and MVW present themselves through a colorful-yet subtle hue.
Valee (left) & MVW (right) bring Valeedation to the game
After all, Valee’s unconventional style and infectious energy, along with his distinctive lyrical delivery and unwavering commitment to artistic exploration has led to his own niche existence within a fickle music indutry. Meanwhile, MVW’s expertise in contemporary classical composition is showcased as he weaves together intricate musical arrangements. All in all, their unique blend of classical-trap music is part of the connection they’ve developed through their shared artistic vision.
VALEEDATION Review
“The music feels like scenes in a movie more than tracks on an album, highlighted by different lighting on a thematic, subtle vibe. There is this sense of installation.”
– MVW on VALEEDATION
Ultimately, VALEEDATION serves as another installment in the series that is MVW’s hip hop voyage. Notably going away from contemporary rap music’s in-your-face production style — where the beats usually outshine the artist — MVW has countered with a a more subtle, complementary style. Since embarking on his hip hop journey in the fall of 2021, the former classic composer has featured a myriad of rappers on his classical-trap beats. However, none have quite meshed with his musical ethos quite like the Chicago-bred Valee.
Comparatively, his own musical exploits have seen the former Good Music signee depart from mainstream conventions. Rather, he immerses himself in innovative aesthetics that challenge the status quo. This avant-garde approach serves as a guiding beacon for MVW. In effect, VALEEDATION offers hip hop fans a unique lens through which to navigate uncharted territories in music.
Another key point is the continuation of MVW and Valee’s symbiotic musical relationship. With this latest effort serving as the final stamp of approval in MVW’s hip hop passport. Through 14 unique records, the duo charter through a wave of unexplored, genre-bending possibilities. Record like “Tailor Swift” and “Could Be” offer an alternative, unsaturated production style, which Valee does his best to command. All the same, songs like “Pistachio” and “Yo Yo” see the duo share the stage between MVW’s spacey prodcutions and Valee’s colorful metaphors and one-liners. Overall, the album follows a theme of internal dichotomy between conventional ear-catching tunes versus unconventional beats and flows that challenges the microwave music consumption of today.
In 1994, a unique and laid-back sound known as “hip-hop blues” emerged from the streets of Philadelphia. It was the creation of G. Love & Special Sauce, a trio that quickly captivated music lovers with their blend of Delta blues, hip-hop, rock & roll, soul, and funk.
The self-titled debut album from this talented trio swiftly went Gold, setting the stage for a remarkable musical journey. Now, three decades later, they’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of this iconic album with an extensive national tour, including a special stop in Homer, New York, and another in New York City.
Born Garrett Dutton in Philadelphia, G. Love (as he is popularly known) was raised with a diverse musical palette, equally enchanted by folk, blues, and rap. His musical influences ranged from Lead Belly and Run D.M.C. to John Hammond and the Beastie Boys. Upon relocating to Boston, G. Love, along with his band, Special Sauce, broke into the music scene in 1994 with their Gold-selling self-titled debut album. The album garnered widespread critical acclaim for its bold vision and innovative production, establishing the trio as a pioneering force in the music industry.
Over the next three decades, G. Love continued to build on this success, releasing seven more acclaimed studio albums with Special Sauce and four solo albums. His music was described by The New York Times as “a new and urgent hybrid” and by NPR as a “musical melting pot.”
G. Love and Special Sauce’s most recent studio effort Philadelphia, Mississippi saw the group embark on an innovative and deeply reverent sonic journey to the heart of the South. Produced by Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars, the album is a tapestry of joyful, improvised performances and freewheeling collaborations with a range of special guests, including blues luminaries like Alvin Youngblood Hart and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, as well as rap icons Schoolly D and Speech. This album followed their 2020 Grammy-nominated release The Juice, co-written and co-produced by Grammy-winning icon Keb’ Mo’.
The Juice paid homage to centuries of blues heritage while offering a contemporary pop spin on the genre. It masterfully mixed programmed beats and hip-hop grooves with blistering guitar and sacred steel, conveying a message of hope and determination in a society that sometimes struggles with doubt and despair.
Now, G. Love & Special Sauce is coming full circle, revisiting the album that started it all. Their self-titled debut produced chart-topping hits like “Cold Beverage,” a college radio staple, and “Baby’s Got Sauce,” dubbed the “Song of the Year” by Seattle’s KEXP-FM 90.3. The album even reached #32 on the Heatseekers chart.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their iconic debut, G. Love & Special Sauce is embarking on a 40+ date tour that crisscrosses the United States.
Tickets for this extraordinary musical journey will go on sale on Friday, October 20th, at 10:00 a.m. local time in each respective market.
Tour Dates
1/11 – St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill Duck Room
1/12 – Chicago, IL – Park West
1/13 – Minneapolis, MN- Fine Line
1/14 – Milwaukee, WI- Turner Hall Ballroom
1/17 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
1/18 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
1/19 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
1/20 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café and Music Hall
1/21 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer
1/24 – Boston, MA – City Winery
1/25 – Boston, MA – City Winery
1/26 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
1/27 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
1/30 – New York, NY – City Winery – Pier 57
1/31 – New York, NY – City Winery – Pier 57
2/1 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
2/2 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
2/3 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton Live
2/6 – Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27
2/7 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
2/8 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
2/9 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
2/10 – Atlanta, GA – City Winery
2/13 – Fort Myers, FL – Point Ybel Brewing
2/14 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
2/16 – New Smyrna Beach, FL- Beachside Tavern
2/17 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
2/18 – Key West, FL – American Legion
2/29 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
3/1 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
3/2 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour
3/3 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
3/5 – Santa Barbara, CA – Soho
3/6 – San Francisco, CA- The Independent
3/8 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
3/9 – Seattle, WA- The Showbox
3/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
3/13 – Aspen, CO- Belly Up Aspen
3/14 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Strings Music Pavilion
The Buffalo Central Terminal will host its infamous Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 22, with live music from local bands featuring southern soul, blues, hip-hop, pop-rock, and gospel-inspired sets.
Get ready for a day of autumnal fun with live music and delicious treats at this year’s Oktoberfest. This family-friendly fall festival blends contemporary elements with the traditional charms of Oktoberfest, promising an unforgettable experience with activities for all ages.
Live music: Enjoy music with DJ P followed by live performances featuring southern soul, blues, hip-hop, pop rock, and gospel-inspired sets from fantastic local bands. Don’t miss a Free Music Party at 1:00 pm, as well as Miller and The Other Sinners at 3:00 pm.
Bills Watch Party: Watch the Bills take on the Patriots at Oktoberfest’s Bills Watch Party. Cheer for your favorite team on several big screens. Wear your Bills gear, and don’t forget your lawn chairs and picnic blankets.
Petting Farm: Bring the kids for a chance to pet, feed, and learn about some adorable animals such as goats, pigs, tortoises, rabbits, and more, at the petting farm.
Hayrides: The hay wagon is back in the neighborhood. From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, enjoy the crisp autumn air on a hayride around the historic Terminal. Pumpkin Decorating: Skip the mess and get creative at Oktoberfest’s no-carve pumpkin decorating station.
Local Food and Drinks: Indulge in your delicious fall favorites, from traditional Oktoberfest fare to plant-based foods, they have something for everyone. Oktoberfest vendors include sausages from Shish Kabob Heaven, plant-based treats from Avenue29 Foods, spice and flavor from KT Caribbean Cuisine, and artisan German cookies from Catering by Marjorie. Oktoberfest has your favorite local beer, wine, cider and MORE served up by Buffalo Brewing Company, Bully Hill Vineyards, Tree Hugger Hard Cider, Blue Groove Coffee, and Bubba’s Loganberry.
The Buffalo Central Terminal has also partnered with their neighbors at Buffalo Brewing Company to present “Central Terminale,” a pre-prohibition style amber ale brewed in honor of Oktoberfest at the Terminal. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Central Terminale” will support the rehabilitation of the Buffalo Central Terminal. The release of this special brew will happen this week at Buffalo Brewing Company’s Myrtle Avenue tap room.
“This partnership echoes our slogan ‘Good Neighbors, Great Beer.’ The Buffalo Central Terminal and our renovation of Schreiber Brewing run on parallel tracks. Even though each project is happening independent of one-another, they both will have a profound effect on Broadway-Fillmore and the East Side,” said John Domres, Jr., owner of Buffalo Brewing Company.
These events at Buffalo Central Terminal are all about uniting our diverse East Buffalo community. We’re creating an inclusive space right in our very own neighborhood where families can come together and celebrate the season without having to venture out of the heart of the city.” said Lindsey Taylor, events consultant for the Buffalo Central Terminal.
Lindsey Taylor, events consultant for the Buffalo Central Terminal
Buffalo Central Terminal’s Oktoberfest is the perfect opportunity to embrace the autumn spirit and create lasting memories with friends and family. So, bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs to celebrate at the Buffalo Central Terminal on Sunday, October 22 from 11 am to 4 pm at 495 Paderweski Drive Buffalo. Tickets are free for all October events at the Buffalo Central Terminal.
For more information and event updates, visit the Buffalo Central Terminal website.
Global sensation Bad Bunny announced a 47-date North American tour slated for this spring, titled the Most Wanted Tour. Kicking off on February 21 in Salt Lake City, the tour will make stops in Los Angeles, Detroit, Boston, Washington, DC, Houston, and Dallas, as well as three back-to-back shows at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on April 11, 12, and 13.
The Most Wanted Tour will be curated as an experience for day-one fans, featuring a rollercoaster of explicit lyrics paying homage to the Bad Bunny’s “trap” style roots. Parental discretion is advised.
Bad Bunny rose to global fame in recent years, and became the top touring artist in 2022. After winning 3 Grammy Awards, the rapper took a break from large-scale tours, and will make his comeback this spring on the Most Wanted Tour
Bad Bunny released his newest album, nadie sabe lo que va a a pasar mañana, to massive success, as it became the most-streamed album in a single day so far in 2023 on Spotify. The Spanish title translates to “nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.” The record’s lead track, “MONACO,” hit #1 in 16 countries on Spotify, making a mark with over 900 million streams so far.
Fans can register for the Most Wanted Tour resale here until October 22 at 11:59PM. Once registered, fans will be randomly selected to receive a code that grants them access to the on-sale on October 25.
In addition, the tour will offer a variety of VIP packages and experiences, including premium tickets, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge Experience, exclusive gift items, and more. Visit vipnation.com for more information.
Critically-acclaimed Buffalo native, Westside Gunn, continues to push the envelope on his “underground” status with the release of his latest LP, And Then You Pray For Me. Released this past Friday, the star-studded project features a host of hip hop heavy hitters along with a mesh of styles and sub-genres. All in all, showcasing the Griselda head honcho’s status within the game.
‘And Then Your Pray For Me” album cover
The Making of “And Then You Pray For Me”
Furthermore, the self proclaimed “FlyGod” took a unique approach to the creation of And Then You Pray For Me, recording most of the album overseas. Immersing himself in inspiring locals, he laid down tracks in Paris, Athens, London, and Denmark. Subsequently, as Westside Gunn cements his place in hiphop folklore, he has begun to experiment with different sounds. After years of maintaining an air of creativity and cultural fluidity with his keen fashion sense, expressive styles and interest in art, this has begun to manifest itself in his music — which has long fed the streets with a combination of boom bap and luxury drug raps. While the new experimental sounds have been well received, it has led to questions on whether Westside Gunn’s loyalty to the boom bap sound that gained him relevance has begun to waiver.
After all, the 21-track project boasts contributions from legendary figures such as RZA, Rick Ross, Jeezy and DJ Drama. While contemporary stars the Iikes of Ty Dolla $ign, J.I.D., EST Gee and producer Tay Keith make appearances with the addition of British rapper, Giggs, for a bit of European flair. Meanwhile, And Then You Pray For Me maintains its gritty feel with appearances from Griselda cohorts and fellow underground stars. Particularly, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Stove God Cooks, Rome Street and longtime producers Conductor Williams and Derringer grace the project. Ultimately culminating in an electric blend of trap, boom bap with remnants of R&B & soul samples.
Everybody keep asking me based on the the clips they heard wondering is “AND THEN YOU PRAY FOR ME” Boom Bap or Trap bc the “Disgusting” record ft Giggs sound trap & the “ Dunhill”ft Unknown clip sounded trap but the @JIDsv record sounded like Boom bap
I have Virgil Abloh doing my artwork and who left on earth can say that. I cannot disrespect his legacy, he’s immortal and I feel this is his way of blessing me; even though he’s not here in the physical.
– Westside Gunn
In a heartfelt tribute to the late Virgil Abloh, a close friend of Westside Gunn, the renowned Off-White creative designed the artwork for And Then You Pray For Me. Abloh, known for his innovative and boundary-pushing designs, also created the iconic cover for Westside Gunn’s 2020 album, Pray For Paris. This latest collaboration between Abloh and Westside Gunn is a testament to their enduring friendship and creative synergy.
