Two Years Strong & Nowhere Near Faltering...

Within two years of booking artists, scheduling rehearsals, performing, learning new songs, designing flyers, editing photos, promoting online and in the streets, informing the unknown of what Uniquity, we've NEVER (and I mean NEVER) have had a crowd like we had on March 26th! The freshmen class of NOLA's Hip-Hop showed & proved with the highest grossing Uniquity in two years! Giving many thanks to our guest musicians, Cliff Hines, Kashonda Bailey and Sam Wiseman, Preston & Bricks of the Dragon's Den, all of our performers (Chels, Heata Best, Macniffy, Quest, D. Selina and Jakie Skellz) and everyone who embraced that sheeeiiittt! Check out some shots from the illness that was March's Uniquity.



As we proceed with the proceedings, brought to you in conjunction with Inner Recess Recording Studios, Uniquity's two year anniversary celebration begins a day early with a special beat sale called the Auction by featured artist & producer, DaiN. Many of DaiN's beats will be available for purchase at exclusive slash and burn prices for one night only. We'll also have some discounted pre-sale tickets available for Friday's show at the Auction.

Keeping with the theme of two years, Uniquity celebrates its two year anniversary THIS FRIDAY with performances by featured artists, Soundclash Beat Battle producer/emcee, DaiN, seven time LEAF Poetry Slam Finalist and professional Spoken Word poet, Jon Brown and Rockspel artist and former BET Sunday Best top contender, Franklin IV.

April's Uniquity is sponspored by the Right Brain Society and Humidity Skateshop, who will also supply some free giveaways. We'll have special guests performing throughout the night in addition to our special guest cohost and Uniquity alumni, Elliot Luv. If you catch any Uniquity, this is one you don't want to miss!

I Couldn't Be Happier...

I still look back on last Friday and try to decipher why I was so nervous and worried about the the show in general. The talent truly spoke for itself and this month's Uniquity was one of the best attended shows I've put on in the past two years! Giving many many thanks to our AWESOME featured artist, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, D. Selina, special guest hosts, Greg Banks and Robin Barnes, the Dragon's Den and the Uniquity staff. Check out the pics below for a glimpse into the night that was.



Proceeding with the proceedings, we up the ante with the March edition of Uniquity. Deemed the "Up And Comers Edition," next month's Uniquity features some of the brightest talent of New Orleans' Hip-Hop freshmen class. Performances include Element Movement's Macniffy (formerly of the I.C.U.), Off the Dome runner up and freestyle fanatic, Jakie Skellz, lyrical prodigy, Chels and the penchant punchline prince, Heata Best. All will be joined by live band, Fo On the Flo for a showcase the young spittas. Make sure you're at the Dragon's Den on March 26th to embrace that sheeeiiittt!

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.

2010 Ends With A Bang

If you weren't at the last Uniquity of the year on 12/18, you definitely missed one of the better Uniquity's of the year. With performances by Marcel P. Black, The Purple Bastard, Ensane One and featured artist, Elespee this month's Uniquity had an eclectic sound that definitely delivered.



Make sure you're at the Dragon's Den on 1/29 to check out the first Uniquity of the new year w/performances by Top Billion, PyInfamous and featured artist, Dappa.

Uniquity x DJ RQ Away Present Embrace The Dream

I decided to start the year off right dropping music under the Uniquity brand. Along with the assistance of the homie, DJ RQ Away we present to Hip-Hop lovers & listeners a mix entitled "Embrace the Dream." In memory of MLK Jr. & released on MLK Day, "Embrace the Dream" features socially poignant & lyrically conscious emcees from New Orleans & Baton Rouge, LA, Memphis, TN, Jackson, MS and New York City.

For those who might not be familiar with Uniquity. It's mission is to provide a monthly performance platform for both newcomers and seasoned veterans in the local Hip-Hop, Spoken Word and R&B communities, offering them the opportunity to push their musicality to a new level by collaborating with a jazz band on stage. Tracklisting & download link below.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Virgin Feet AND Flows Pt. 2

Before I had ever written a rhyme and all I knew how to do was kick a garbage freestyle I was in Austin, TX (early to mid 2002) at the Mercury Lounge for Hip Hop Humpday, a weekly freestyle session running for over 3 years when the good homie Element7D (aka Deon Davis) invited me on stage to kick a verse. I kicked my little trash rap and was ready to exit the stage when Element7D grabbed me and said, 'you ain't done, we gotta go back and forth.' I was nervous but wasn't gonna say no. He went first and immediately referenced the fact we both had the same shoes on, navy blue GBX boots. All I had brought with me on the trip was a pair of Nikes, so my cousin let me borrow his kicks to get into the show, cuz they wouldn't allow sneakers in the club. The rest is history. - Gotham Green (http://gothamgreen.wordpress.com)


I can't remember what shoes I had on when I rocked my first show, but they where probably not that hot. I wasn't a sneaker pimp in high school. I was into CDs and reefer sacks. My first show was in high school at a high school talent show and the more I think about it, I was probably wearing standard and very basic timberland boots. I was in high school from 1996-2000 and wore boots most of the time, it's Colorado lol. I will say that right now in my life I'm way more into sneakers and I'm looking for every DOPE pair I can get my hands on. - Whygee (www.whygeemusic.com)

I have always loved sneakers. Growing up a poor kid I never had a nice pair. When I got older and got a great job I became a sneakerhead. I bought a pair of $500 glow in the dark air force 1's at a store in DC called Kickballers (which is no more). While I was there people were skating and a rap battle was going on. It was the first time I ever took the mic. The next day I got the mic tattooed on my arm. Me and the mic have a deep love, just as much as I love my sneakers. - Nastasjia



My first show was in 2001 at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans. I stared at the floor the whole time, smh. Can't remember the kicks but they weren't fresh. I was hurting. Came a long ways from there. Now it's cordless mics & Bo Jacksons on my feet. - Nesby Phips (www.nesbyphips.com)

Tygah Woods, Hottest Group of the Year

Left to right: Wes B, Lyriqs da Lyraciss, Slangston Hughes

L to R: Lyriqs, J-Dubble, Slangston Hughes

J-Dubble & Slangston Hughes

DJ Mike Swift & J-Dubble

A couple of weeks ago on Tuesday, October 19th, Tygah Woods took home the Hottest Group of the Year Award at the NOLA Underground Hip-Hop Awards. It's always an honor to recognized by your peers and the general public for all of the hard work and dedication to the craft and the culture. An award like this is not the end but better yet a catalyst for many more great things to come including our first full fledged LP. Shoutout to all of my fellow Tygah Woods members, J-Dubble, Mr. J'ai, Blaze the Verbal Chemist, D. Francis, Wes B, Lyriqs, Rusty Lowdown & Coke. Many, many thanks to everyone who voted and all who scream our chant across New Orleans; FUCK YEAH!!!