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!!!

Virgin Feet & Flows...

Many performers (emcees, dj's, spoken word artists, etc.) can distinctly remember their first time onstage like it was yesterday. Looking around my bedroom a couple of days ago, I catch a quick glimpse of the Nike Air Force One (Tuxedo Pack) that I wore on Thursday, November 18, 2006 at Tipitina's, my first show. Pretty big venue with at least 200 new faces for your premiere performance. Though I and my group members (Spellbinderz) only did two songs and were terribly offbeat and nervous, this moment paved the way for the next several years of learning and progress in the art of emceeing.


I can only speculate on my first performance but I was probably in some Converse Chuck Taylors or Adidas Shelltoes. However, one of my first performances in New Orleans was in 2002 at the House Of Blues. I was rocking some classic brand new black canvas chucks (simulated in this picture). The band took most of the equipment from Loyola via streetcar. Yes, streetcar, maybe named Desire. While making our way from Canal street, freshly wet from some rain, I stepped in a disgusting puddle. That was no way to perform, but luckily there was a Foot Locker across the street where I promptly picked up a pair and played a very memorable show. Unfortunately both pairs of shoes were lost to Hurricane Katrina. To end on a brighter not, the population of my Chuck Taylor city has recovered and they continue to rock shows today. - Jermaine Quiz of Jealous Monk (http://jermainequiz.bandcamp.com/)

Rockin out at my alma mater, Dillard University in the 2002 retro Jordan 9s, OG Colorway...as one-third of my group Euphonetiks. We were booked to headline a talent compeititon in Henson Hall. This was when I copped from Trill Will (now manager for Mannie Fresh's artist, The Show) at Foot Action in Gentilly Woods Mall. I remember a girl motioning for us to get off the stage and I immediately went into freestyle mode, directing the rest of my bars at her. She was definitely embarrassed. I saw her at a campus house party a couple days later. As soon as I came through the door, she looked at me and asked "Why did you do that?" - Lyrikill (http://www.lyrikillmusic.com/)

Man, my first show was at Grassroots June, 6 2009. My sneakers were Radii, all red with black zebra stripes. I was extremely nervous but when "Amazin Dae" came on... I was ready! - Lyriqs da Lyraciss (http://lyriqs.bandcamp.com/)


At my first show as 7even: Thirty, I wore the Nike Vandals. They're significant because I wore them at my debut album release party in August '07, Jackson, MS. They're appropriately named, because that night I vandalized the stage. - 7even Thirty (http://vintagenoize.bandcamp.com/)


Actually, I don't remember the sneakers I wore for my first rap show at Mic Check 2001 (Spanish Moon, New Orleans). It was so long ago that I do remember wearing a FUBU baseball jersey, my hair was long and twisted up like Ginuwine. But many of the classic shoes I've ever had were debuted at my concerts. The most memorable pair were the Number 6 Gold edition Jordans. They were black suede leather with the gold accents at the bottom (I called them my Saints Jordans with the gold Jumpman). The runner-up would probably be the black Adidas high tops with the yellow stripes that Jon Jackson filmed for the Rock Box Movie. It's awesome when the stage lights shine on bright sneakers. - Mr. J'ai, The Mic Check King (http://mrjai.bandcamp.com/)


I honestly don't remember my first show, but one of the earliest I can remember was 2006 at a secret show in the warehouse district. About 300 heads came out and I remember feeling more eager to prove myself than I was nervous. Was wearing all black Air Jordan 15 (at the time 6 years old) and I had heads asking yo "how'd keep them so fresh?" I felt like a superstar. - Mic Skills (http://www.myspace.com/micskillstheillest)

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.

What Kind of Rapper Are You???

Every rapper these days has there own style (so to speak). With that being said, the following might help those who haven't exactly narrowed down their creative niche or perplex them even more than they were before. I decided to take two of my favorite things; Hip-Hop & coffee and combine them into a little "taste" test called: What Kind of Rapper Are You??? So, without further adieu where do y'all measure up?

- Mocca Java: Earthy and very full bodied, with hints of spice and gentle sweetness.

- Peruvian Organic: Certified organic... light, with floral acidity and subtle fruitiness
(Sissy bounce rappers maybe???)

- Raspberry Hibiscus: A symphony of color, aroma and rich character sure to leave an impression (THAT'S ME!)

- Espresso Roast: Full-bodied and well-balanced, with the characteristic flavor of fine espresso.

- French Roast: Our darker roast, intensely bold and full-bodied with a pleasant, smoky flavor.

- Colombia: A rich, balanced coffee, with a medium-to-full body and a clean winey flavor.

Develop your own description with some of the phrases below:
* traditional blend, smooth and aromatic, a confection..., preferred blend, velvety.

The Artistry of Uniquity

I've been blessed to work with a very talented artist by the name of Que Duong (http://www.queduong.com). Whether it's a camera, paintbrush, pencil or computer mouse, Que gets it in. He's been doing graphics for me specifically regarding Uniquity since last summer. Look for some of these to possibly be in print later on this year. Hope you enjoy as we'll have more flyers being created by monthly.

"The Grassroots! Campaign" on VH1.com!!!

Host of the longest running NOLA Hip-Hop monthly showcase, Grassroots! (since 2001) & New Orleans Hip-Hop pioneer, Truth Universal's video for "The Grassroots Campaign" lands on VH1.com & the Spike Channel! Check out the Another great look for the Mardi Grass Mecca and the "17 year overnight success" Please check out this video, shot by Larry Legaux of Onpoint Media Solutions leave a comment and spread the word!

VH1.com: http://www.vh1.com/video/truth-universal/530039/the-grassroots-campaign.jhtml?xrs=share_twitter

Spike.com: http://www.spike.com/video/truth-universal/3419494

"The Grassroots! Campaign" can be found on Truth Universal's recent EP release Guerrilla Business here: http://truthuniversal.com/guerrilla