The Gathering PRESENTS Anthony Nicholson

CURRENT TRACK: Floating Points - Love Me Like This PURCHASE HERE...




What better way to celebrate my homie, RamonRawsoul's birthday, than to have Chicago's own, Anthony Nicholson come down and bless the A with goodness? Big ups to Karin, Kai, Ramon and all who do this amazing event every month. Without you all, I would have no where to go. For real. Love You all!

Now mind you, the last time the Chicago cats came down, Jamie 3:26 shut the place down and destroyed the dance floor RIGHT after House In The Park. Big ups Jamie! Oh, I cannot forget Julius The Mad Thnker coming down and putting a whoopin' on all of us. Stayed on the dance floor the entire night. Many were appreciative of the range that both cats provided. I love my fam! Mad LOVE!

When I think of Anthony, I think of the raw and deep sounds hailing from the Southside of Chicago. I envision 45s blaring out soulful tunes that keep the sound of the movement together. When Glenn Underground came down, it reminded me of how similar their styles are. Raw, organic, eccentric, full of soul and Yes, may I say it, BLACK!

Sometimes (NOT all of the TIME), I get an heir of superiority from certain DJs. They look down on our city as if we do not know the sound and its origins. As soon as the music starts flowing and people are feeling it, their energies shift and at the end of the night, it is all LOVE.

A sista is not gonna lie: I was a bit nervous meeting him due to the simple fact that I have been a fan of his work for years now. A real humble man who brought in the goodness from beginning to end. At the end of  the day: Thank You so much for sharing with us.

Ramon warmed up the crowd with a mixture of goodies to satisfy any palette. The room filled up nicely and before midnight, we were getting it in. There are still tracks I have not heard of that these gentlemen played. Kai brought the heat with that damn goodness from Karizma. When is 'Lonely Town' coming out?! He put his foot in that. Oh, did I mention, it was DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME?! A sista was delirious in the music and on a high. Seriously. I have not had that feeling in a long time. I think us gaining one hour to beat it out on the dance floor did it. My body is STILL feeling it!

ONCE AGAIN: Thank YOU, gentlemen! I approve of this goodness!

P.S.-  I LOVED IT!

MI CASA HOLIDAY: Season 4

So Julius is an amazing being to know. I just have to get that out.

For three years, him, Adam Gibbons, Sabine, Kevin and so many others have told me about this event.

'D, you are gonna Love it! You HAVE to come...' 
'For a dancer, this is Heaven. Are you coming next year?'

I kept putting it off for THREE YEARS. What is wrong with me?! I am ALL about the Beach, Meeting wonderful souls and of course, Dancing. So I packed my carry-on and headed to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico for Mi Casa es Su Casa Holiday 2012.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! The experience has forever changed my mind, body and soul. The individuals I met there are beautiful. Coincidentally, I bonded on an even greater scale with some wonderful souls I already knew.

Seeing Osunlade and Djeff, on top of getting big hugs from many made this trip beautiful. Osunlade with his suspenders, badass shoes and pipe. His set at the Blue Parrot set a sister on fire. The ancestors were lock and loaded with his set. I turned back to see him playing without headphones. That's a bad motherfucker! Hands down one of the dopest sets I have heard this man play. Ahh I love him!

My first night was the meet and greet. I ran into so many people I already knew: Jenn and Brad, Asya Shein of Fusicology, MasterKev, Justin (Aquabeat), RamonRawsoul, Julius The Mad Thinker, Adam Gibbons and so many others. I took a quick shower after a long day on the beach and went down to La Santanera for Uhuru Afrika/Wepa! event. Oh my goodness talk about spiritual! Sidy Maiga was on the drums. If you do not know who this brother is, Google him. He has worked with my fellow brother, Boddhi Satva on a few projects. I was in a trance by the drums and danced the ENTIRE night. I ran into my homie, Sabine, and it all went to another place RIGHT then and there. Met Lucid of Soulshifters and Odie (San Francisco) and we got it in as well. Big ups West Coast! Still SALTY that I missed Jose Marquez on the decks! I got you next time, homie! I know he ripped it. Big ups Max Pela and Adam Gibbons for keeping a sista on the floor and sweating her hair out the first night. That is dancing!

Friday was a crazy day as well. Went to hear the ladies on the deck for It's Her Turn! Helen Ting of Hong Kong: I'm gon' need for you all to peep this lady! I was sleeping on her and I apologize! She ripped the decks. DJ Tabu did her thang as well. I think the performance that shut down that day was Lady Alma. I LOVE me some of her! Her mic went out at one point and she started SAAAAAAAAAANGING like no one's business! That sister is the truth! I LOVE her voice and God has surely blessed her with it. After her performance, I ran into her and gave her huge hugs. Guess who was RIGHT there? Lisa Shaw! Talk about awesome! Such a sweet soul.

That night was the United Nations event at The Blue Parrot. I walked into about 11:45-ish because I COULD NOT miss my boo Sabine on decks! That sista is the TRUTH! I am so proud of you, woman! You always hold your own, but this night, you took it to another level. Love You bunches! Hallex M of Hong Kong (Paris) did the damn thing. When he played Kerri Chandler's remix of 'Rain', a sista was DONE! I do not think the locals who were not used to dancing of such magnitude knew what to do. Me, Soukeyna and Sabine all zoned out, cleared the area and just went RIGHT into it.

Osunlade got on the decks and shut it down until 5:30 in the morning! Needless to say, it was magical. Starting off with 'Cantos a Oya et Ochun', going into his remix of 'I Want You' by Floetry to hearing vocals bringing the return of the Black Messiah to Moodymann's 'Shades of Jae', a sista was on another planet. He always does that to me. I got to meet MAWU's own, Linda, on the dance floor. Talk about humbling. It is funny when you think no one knows who you are and come to find out, they do. Truly an experience. I shall forever treasure that night.

Saturday it was off to Om Tulum for Turntables on the Caribbean. Nickodemus, Eddie Plenty, Dj Numark and Sabo brought the tunes in. I met even more amazing souls that day. We dance to Old School Hip-Hop, House, Salsa, Soul and so much more. The water was PERFECT. But yeah, fifteen minutes away from us was a jungle with wild animals and shit. Talk about interesting. Not about that Life at all. We had fresh food and wonderful drinks to keep us all going in the spirit.

WARNING: Saturday night was STUPID! I needed dirt, a casket and someone to carry my ass out! Atlanta's own, RamonRawsoul started the night off right. I do not think I truly expected this night to be this mind-blowing!! I knew Ramon was gonna shut it down. Djeff SHUT IT DOWN FOR ALL OF MI CASA HOLIDAY! To be honest, he played better than when I saw him in Miami for Winter Music Conference and Atlanta! This dude had people calling all types of names. I felt my ancestors on the dance floor and went bananas! He played some newness from Boddhi (Do NOT think I did not ask! lol) and that was all she wrote. I was doing handstands, screaming out things I never knew I would say. When he busted out with EnaWadan's 'I'm Still Standing', I knew it was about to be a wrap. LAWD!!!! Where was my dirt? DJs were by the booth and were just mesmerized like they had seen a ghost. I was screaming up to the Heavens as to why he was bringing such goodness! I look over and see Joann Jimenez and she replies, 'I think I am pregnant!' Homie, you are the truth!

After his set, Julius got on. I'm not gonna even lie, if I were the DJ after him, I would have kept my shit in the bag and went back to my hotel room. That energy was DIVINE! After his set, he tells me, 'I hope they bring me back next year...' ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! He will PROBABLY be a staple for Mi Casa Holiday! AND he wanted to get back on. Someone would have had to mop me off the floor. That foolishness would have not been pretty at all. My homeboy Kevin is upstairs playing and he smacked the Hell out of me with the goodness he played. Sidy had his drum and there was a little drum circle going on. his energy geared more towards me and Sabine. Her and I felt the Orishas around us and that was all that she wrote. I needed to cool down. However, when I looked up and opened my eyes, the damn sun was OUT! I danced ALL night until 7:30 in the morning!

Sunday was more of a lax day. It was the last day. Oh so sad to see everyone packing. Some already left on their respective flights. We chilled for the Ambassadors' closing party. Salah represented ATL VERY NICELY with his set. This man is doing amazing things for our scene and it is great for the rest of the World to see it first hand. Osunlade got on next and played all old school tracks! I loved it! So refreshing and the blend was PERFECT!!! Mikeytown got on! This dude is hilarious! If you put him and Djeff side by side, I PROMISE you that they are RELATED! His set was awesome! Kept all of us going. We all sung in unison and vibed out. David Sabat got on and brought his Chi-town flavor. I see you, homie!!! I miss Keith's set. Sadface. I heard it was smooth as well :) That night was the Soiree/Farewell event. We all hugged, took pictures, kisses on the cheeks and of course, more dancing. I got my feet some loving, courtesy of a foot massage. Ahhh yes!! I needed it after all of the days of dancing!

Vibing out with wonderful souls. I shall treasure the moments we shared. I got off the shuttle and into the airport and cried. I LOVE YOU MY MI CASA FAMILY!! UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN... <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

<3

Are You Afro? and LIBATION NYC

Alright, alright... I cheated a little bit ATL fam.

So my birthday weekend, I jetted out and went back to my second home, New York City. Every single time I come back, I am always showered and adorned with so much hospitality that it is crazy. My charm, perhaps?

Nonetheless, I let it all out on the dance floor at Are You Afro? to hear Wasabi, Des Uno and Lou Gorbea. Got my dancing in there, then scooted over to the Sullivan Room to hear Ian Friday, Perez Massimo and Zandy SheJay. I walked into RIGHT when Perez was playing 'Mukubwa' by G'Sparks and I LOST IT! You all put this sista in a coma.

Big ups to Gale (Are You Afro?) and Manchildblack (Libation) who always shows this sista Love. I want to relive that night because I ran into good peoples. I got it in. Ya heard me?! What it do Gio and Mark? Been a minute since I have seen you Mark (I'd say Shelter Party 2007, WMC to be exact). Ahh amazing times. Okay, no more chit chat, here are the photos:


Thank You for making my birthday week amazing, NYC! I have so much Love for you. Until then... <3

Celebrate Mujasi

This beautiful soul has touched so many lives within the Atlanta Scene for so long, it is only just that we give back. I have known Theresa for many years. With an infectious smile, a wonderful spirit that oozes of Love, Strength and Confidence, we all came together in a time of healing. Her son, Mujasi has been diagnosed with a rare condition called LCH-Unifocal (Langerhans cell histiocytosis, unifocal)Read more about it here: LCH-Unifocal.

The House community came together in the name of music, Love, Unity and Dance for her son. Stan Zeff, Salah Ananse, RamonRawsoul, Lynnee Denise, Yusef and DJ 1derful provided the wonderful moves and grooves for us all to vibe with. Kemi Bennings jumped on the mic for a bit to show Love and solidarity for Mujasi. Thank You so much everyone!

I was moved to tears and my soul was happy to see all share hugs, great memories for this beautiful soul to heal on an even greater scale. to show how amazing the Universe works, we all stood outside after the event took place and the moon had its halo around it. She is listening to us and it all-knowing.

We Thank you, Theresa. We Love You!! The Healing has begun. Here are pics from that amazing night:

1st Annual Atlanta Weekender + Karizma/Ian Friday + House In The Park

Can I just say this: IF YOU MISSED THIS PAST WEEKENDER, YOU ARE STRAIGHT LOSING IT!

Never had this much fun and dancing the entire weekend. I got to see peoples from all over (big ups my NYC family! I LOVE you all), dance my heart out and let out tears of joy. Once again, THANK YOU Salah Ananse for conceptualizing this idea and making it a reality. Atlanta is TRULY impressed, as am I. Oh, the consensus from people that heard you spin is that you are phenomenal! Keep it going, brother! I am here if you need ANYTHING!

Alright, back to the goodness: I got my interview with Baltimore's own, Kris Klayton, better known as Karizma. When I tell you this cat ripped his damn set - OOOOOOH WEE!! Hearing 'Chasing' and 'Rain' through the speakers gave me an out of body experience. Last time I saw him was in the UK at Southport Weekender and he did not disappoint. I missed Saturday night and I am a sad panda because of it. Nonetheless, Sunday made up for it all.

I volunteer every year for House In The Park and every year I go, I always get something out of it.

Lesson Number One: Folks never learn. Why you out at the park 4:30 in the MORNING setting up your grill and food?! It was that serious, folks!

Lesson Number Two: Hugs and Love are essential in Life.
I had an emotional moment not only because of a hug, but the song that was played. Kai Alce was banging ':Let Me Show You' by Kenny Bobien and a good friend I have not seen in a while came up and hugged Rodney Williams and myself. We let out a sigh and then tears rolled. The power of Love and support is something that I never take for granted. This individual gave me open arms when I came onto the scene at the age of 16 and it is only just that I continue to spread that as well to those who are not used to this sound called House.

Lesson Number Three: DO NOT set a park on fire.
I'm going to need for folks to get their grills in check. Why was the event ALMOST shut down because of someone and their grill?! Then people in the pavilion dancing scream out loud, 'The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire! We don't need no water let the motherfucker burn!'  Really everyone?

THANK YOU Kai Alce, Ramon Rawsoul,Kwest_on, Ian Friday, Roland Clark, DJ Kemit, Salah Ananse and SO MANY OTHERS for making Labor Day the business! So yeah, the stats of House In The Park: Fire Marshalls say 6,000 to 7,000. Let me be honest and tell you AT LEAST 10,000 EASY.

 Here are pics to prove the craziness that weekend...


Much Love

The Atlanta Weekender : The Beginning

Get passes here: THE ATLANTA WEEKENDER

Let me rewind this for a second...

One night while out getting my dance on, I greeted Salah Ananse and Nina with a huge hug and similar sentiments were expressed. Us, along with several others, are music festival lovers and have had the amazing opportunity to travel across the pond to England. We all met up in 2008 for Southport Weekender and had a blast! Salah cultivated the idea and placed it into motion. The concept in a nutshell: A series of events held in a distinct location that played ANYTHING that was of SOUL in different rooms at the same time (Afrobeat, House, Soul, Funk, etc;), hence the idea of this event. The Atlanta Weekender will be taking place at SoundTable and Space 2 (Thursday - Sunday night) and Grant Park (Sunday during the day).

I am thankful to see the idea come to the table with such amazing acts, such as: Ian Friday, Karizma, Roland Clark, Miranda Nicole and Stephanie Cooke. Oh yeah, I cannot forget some of my FAVOURITE DJs on the bill : RamonRawsoul, Salah Ananse, Kai Alce and DJ Kemit. In my honest opinion, these men encompass the TRUE sound of HOUSE MUSIC in Atlanta for me. Sure, there are others that I can mention, but in all honesty (Ron Pullman and Cullen Cole are hands down favourites of mine too!) these men do it for me. Having flashbacks as to when these men truly touched me on the dancefloor is nothing but beautiful.


The breakdown:

Thursday Night: The Love Sexy Party - The title says it all! Salah Ananse and Chicago's own, Kwest_On on the decks spinnin' the likeness of: Prince, Apollonia, Vanity 6, Morris Day and The Time. What a way to kick off Labor Day Weekend

Friday Night: Afrique Electrique and Distinctive: I am gonna need water and straight Aleve for this. Ian Friday will be holding it down on the decks. Whenever he plays, I seem to lose it and go bananas! The music he plays is a dancers' dream. Along with acts mentioned earlier in the post, this should be a memorable night.
Jump over to the other room and you have Baltimore's own, Kris Klayton AKA Karizma AKA Kaytronik. Having goosebumps from memories at Southport Weekender, 4:30 in the morning with 5,000 heads jamming to dopeness. All I know is, it is gonna be hot!!

Saturday Night: DJ Kemit will be in one room spinning some beautiful tunes to get the crowd going. It is suffice to say that the true heads will be in the building! Congrats on your latest album, 'Everlasting'. It is everything a music head needs and then some. Oh, did I mention in the other room we have Chicago's own, Sadar Bahar playing some wonderful Soul and Disco gems for the vinyl heads to get down with? Come with an open ear because this evening is about to be spectacular.

Sunday: Yep. I will have my damn whistle with me for House In The Park. I ain't playing with you all when it comes to my music. To my friends: Be cute and get there late if you want. Your behind will be without a parking spot and nowhere to chill. Several people learned last year. We had rain all day, but that did not stop folks from dancing. Imagine 5,000 people dancing in the name of music. IT IS ABOUT TO BE BANANAS.

Oh and sidenote: Jamie 3:26 is gonna put a hurting on us all come that night after the park. Get ready, folks!

Get your pass, folks! It is about to be a CRAZY weekend.

Oh yeah! One more thing: On Saturday night, Secrets is having a party at the Metropolitan Lofts with my fav ladies on the bill: Lynnee Denise, Sabine Blazin and DJ Fyre.

DO NOT SAY THAT ATLANTA LACKS A SCENE NOR LACK ANYTHING TO DO ON THIS WEEKEND! REST UP AND GET READY, PEOPLES!


Much <3 nbsp="nbsp">

Tambor Party PRESENTS Djeff Afrozilla (Kazukuta, Nulu, Tribe)

Let me just say this: If you missed this man on the decks last night, I really do not know what to tell you.

REWIND TO WMC 2012 - Tribe Records Party at The Vagabond: So my brother, Carlos Mena is like, 'Yo, this kid is the truth! You might wanna stay for his set for a second...'. Ausar also informs me that this dude is the TRUTH and is to not be slept on. I go to greet him and he says hello and then HANDS ME A SHIRT and CD! He thanks me for dancing and I thank him for keeping the tunes going. Jose Marquez is finishing up his set and did the damn thing as well. Big ups Jose! We gotta get him to the A soon! His sound is amazing and so raw. Okay, I digress.

He steps on the decks and the SPEAKERS are RIGHT there in front of me. I am in a complete trance when he is on. I could care less if no one was dancing around me. I felt my ancestors the entire night while I was there. However, it was a warmth that covered his sound, along with the Angolan beats that kept me on the floor until Carlos tells me it is time to bounce. Such a humble and warm being. His set was INCREDIBLE!!!


DJ BE warms the crowd up with some dope bangers to get people AWAY from the walls and onto the floor in order to get Djeff nice and right for all to feel whom he is as a being on the decks. Stan Zeff closes out the night with some goodies I have not heard. A sista needs to know where she can her download from of the tracks you played. I WILL pay and dance even more.

Suffice to say when he played last night at 595 North, he did not disappoint. I am still on a high. I am a big fan of Kuduro and still learning more about it. The scene in itself is taking Angola by storm. Stadiums are filled with the sound. Reminds me a little bit of Soca with a little bit more of deepness intertwined. If you do not know about Kuduro, do your RESEARCH, folks!!! I am thankful that we as a city have the wonderful opportunity to experience sounds that other major cities do not have the opportunity to experience. It says a lot about our scene and the music overall. Atlanta is bringing the heat, folks!

Now onto the pictures and quick interview I did with him: