New Year, Same Ole Funk...

The tone was definitely set for 2011 with great performances from Pyinfamous (Jackson, MS) and first time performers w/a band, Top Billion & featured artist, Dappa. Thanks to everyone who came out in addition to the Dragon's Den staff and Que Duong (http://queduong.com) for the photos.




Uniquity returns on Friday, February 18th w/an all R&B lineup including D. Selina and featured artist, Tonya Boyd-Cannon. They'll be joined by special guest hosts, Greg Banks & Robin Barnes.

September Stockade

After an evening that included opening for Hipnott Records & NJ's own Cy Marshall Law, I'm here to inform y'all of the remainder of September's happenings...

We haven't done two Uniquity events in one month since December '09 but that long streak comes to an end as the first month of fall brings forth the Concoctions event. Brought to you by myself and GO DJ RQ Away, Concoctions is a fusion of music genres (soul, R&B, Hip-Hop), mixed drink specials (make sure you try the Slangtini or Tipping Point) and live music entertainment (RQ Away's turntablism and live band, Fo On the Flo) as Uniquity and the Tipping Point merge for one night with performances by Lyriqs da Lyraciss, Phat Word, Q.P., Suave & Robin Barnes. RSVP HERE: http://bit.ly/c2TMVQ

The Swap Meet returns with a smorgasborg of the city's most talented R&B singers and songwriters hosted by yours truly with DJ Kidgo on the 1's & 2's. Check out the flyer above for further info and the full list of performers.


And what better way for you to close out September than by embracing that sheeeiiittt! Uniquity continues on for the remainder of the year with a lineup of R&B/Soul singer/songwriters that is sure to impress. Jareen Austin, Evelyn Champagne and featured artist, Raion Ramsey all join live band, Fo On the Flo. Once again hosted by yours truly.

In addition, peep the latest & last track I'm releasing off of my upcoming mixtape release, Nu-Growth called "JMSH (Kid Dynamite)." It's an ode to my "full" rap name, James Mercer Slangston Hughes & one of my many aliases.

Check Out My Detroit Homie This Tuesday!!!

At the Dragon's Den, tomorrow night, 3/24, come out & show your support for a Detroit emcee by the name of D.Allie, who is currently touring the US & decided to stop in the Mardi Gras Mecca. D reminds me of a slightly grittier Trugoy a la Stakes Is High. But don't get it twisted, D.Allie combines his lyrical dexterity on joints that have him giving listeners social commentary as well as have fun & party jams. Slangston Hughes co-signs and shall be in the house and believes you should be too. Additional performances by Floopy Head & Truth Universal.

Where You Can Find Me...

Ignore the date. This is where it goes down every Saturday night. Some of the most talented peeps can be found in this nook of the Mardi Gras Mecca. Very cool open mic spot.

You have the address and the directions. Note: Pass It On pops off @ 8:30 ish EVERY Saturday. I'll be there (puttin' knowledge on ya mind & work up on ya block) and think you should be too.

Brought to you by Truth Universal, Grassroots! goes down EVERY Saturday as well at the Dragon's Den. The lineup this month speaks for itself. A blend of various flavors within New Orleans' Hip-Hop cupboard. Like I said, I'll be there. This is where you can find me.

168 Hours From Now... (3/1/09)

*I wrote this on Saturday, February 21, 2009. A week prior to a show, The Winners' Cup put on by me & my production company, P.T.E. Productions.*
For some reason my mind is always progressive & forward thinking. Though my "Winners' Cup" event (http://tinyurl.com/b8xqxf) is about 6 days away, last night I thought how would this show be remembered not just by spectators & the New Orleans Hip-Hop collective but by me. What would I take away from a show with six of the city's hottest emcees and a band that can give you a funked out version of "Shook Ones" or their crisp approach to "The Next Episode?" In actuality, I'm trying to make history and feel this is definitely a stepping stone in that direction. It's also slightly sad to say but I'm already starting to brainstorm for my next several events within the upcoming months before this one has ever taken place. A gift and a curse to say the least. The 6 Million Dollar Hypeman, Rusty Lowdown put knowledge on my mind with some great advice the other night saying "take it one show at a time," but that's hard to do when both he and I know my capabilities and what I have in store. So... I say all that to say this, A Night of Champions will commence next Saturday at the Dragon's Den beginning at 10 p.m. Hope to see you there...

So... looking back on the Winners' Cup, I ask myself if I achieved what I set out to do by creating the show in the first place: a profit, history AND most importantly, a notch in the right direction as far as New Orleans' Hip-Hop scene is concerned. I can assure you that all three of those goals were met with this event. It's one thing to make money off of a show that you invested a lot of your time, sweat and energy into BUT I'm all about breaking bread with my peers and extending the Hip-Hop culture, especially in my city. Every performer, patron, fan and Hip-Hop lover in the Dragon's Den that I talked to enjoyed the show from top to bottom and were still talking about it days after the event. It's this top of response that makes me proud to be an emcee and appreciative of all the hard work that went into the event. Thanks to the venue, all the performers, bands and spectators. The Winners' Cup was more than worth it in my eyes and has helped me to continue in my quest to push the envelope. Stay tuned for more...

Now THIS Is What You're Supposed To Blog About

* These events occurred on January 3rd of this year*

So it seemed as if the floodgates literally and physically opened Saturday night around 8:30 p.m…. flash flood and tornado warnings were in full effect… as my production manager and I continued to burn copies of Money & The Message… The Colts got ran over by one of the smallest rushers in the NFL… Living on the Westbank IS NOT all it’s cracked up to be… Getting home was definitely a challenge… flooded streets with shin high water all around me… felt like my middle name was either Ponce de Leon or circumvent the way I navigated those waters… driving a Scion tC didn’t help matters either… through it all the ride, was and is still intact… but I had a show that night, Grassroots!… which by my watch had already started… the homies; Blaze the Verbal Chemist and J-Dubble were already in the place to be (The Dragon’s Den)… got out the whip and braved the elements… with a Dockers slicker jacket and no shoes or socks… please believe I WAS NOT going to ruin the Barney Dunks…waded in that same shin high water like the old Negro spiritual… five blocks to my house… changed clothes like Jay… and was out the house within minutes… in a new outfit and rain boots that ran two sizes too small… Ouch to say the least… LOL at myself… drove up the wrong side of the street to get to the Interstate… found a good parking spot and rushed to the venue… what a coincidence that Blaze was next on stage… pulled a Clark Kent in the Dragon’s Den bathroom as I threw on some SB dunks and Express denim… premiered the Mayan Tamang purple bandana…WHAT YOU KNOW BOUT THAT ?!?!… made my entrance into Grassroots!… smashed the stage for the new year with THE Product of Greatness himself… and rocked out to Mr. Still Fantastic… sold a couple copies of the mixtape… received love from my peers and those above me who I deeply respect… shouts out to Lyrikill, Merc, A Scribe Called Quess, Truth Universal and DJ E.F. Cuttin… what a show, what a night… I’d do it all over again for the love of Hip-Hop!!!