GRAMMY-WINNING HIP HOP ARTIST / ACTOR COMMON ROCKS THE HOUSE WITH THE COMMON & FRIENDS SHOW

Concert Featured Surprise performances by Kanye West, Queen Latifah
Heavy D and Mos Def to Benefit the Common Ground Foundation

September 27, 2009 (LOS ANGELES) –The Common Ground Foundation held its second annual “Common & Friends” concert at the famed Hollywood Palladium Saturday night. The show, sponsored by Hennessy Artistry with additional sponsor support from American Airlines, Best Buy @15, Diesel and William Morris Endeavor, raised funds for the foundation, created by Grammy-Award winning hip-hop artist and actor, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, best known as Common.

The concert featured live performances from Common, The Roots, Nas, De La Soul, Ludacris, Queen Latifah, Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Heavy D. while Freddy Rodriguez, Garth Trinidad, Rasual Butler, Toccara Jones, Serena Williams, Amber Rose, Erica Hubbard, Alyssa Milano, Eva Amurri and Ian Ziering were all in attendance to support the Common Ground Foundation.

“I am very grateful and thankful to all who attended and supported the 2nd annual Common Ground Foundation event. To all the gifted artists that participated – I thank you for giving your time, energy, and creativity,” said Common. “To all the sponsors, thank you for your ongoing commitment to the progress of the future of our youth. God bless… Love.”

The Common Ground Foundation continues to show support through partnerships, events and programs reaching many dynamic groups. Recent initiatives have included being the recipient of Cartier’s LOVE Charity program; the Chicago White Sox’s “Be in the Game” day at Cellular Field; and the Emmy-award nominated “A Minute” campaign. Last year’s inaugural event, “Start the Show & Bowl” featured will.i.am, Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bilal, and Marsha Ambrosius.

Photos can be found at:

http://www.fusicology.com/new/index/sitepage/?page=PHOTOS

http://www.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=394350&nbc1=1

http://www.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?sr=41&igi=394372&nbc1=1

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=90792119#

About The Common Ground Foundation

The Common Ground Foundation is committed to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States. The Foundation’s vision serves as an inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. For more information, please visit www.commongroundfoundation.org.

FUSICOLOGY: Where do you get your inspiration?

DONN T: It is because of my particular upbringing – that I gained a deep appreciation of music from a very broad perspective. My dad, an artist on Chess Records  and my mom a tap dancer who studied with legends The Four Step brothers and Charles “Honey” Cole stacked the family music library with everything from soul to classical. That library remains my  first great inspiration. It exposed me to all music styles. It’s why it’s pretty easy for me to call my debut album Kaleidoscopic.

F: “Kaleidoscopic” means?

Kaleidoscopes, intrigue me, I have a few. This tube toy that with each rotation reflects light and color.  That idea fits me and fits my debut album. Donn T Kaleidoscopic has a  broad spectrum of styles that take you from 70’s 80’s post disco New York to underground clubs in Chicago and continental Europe. It deals with electronic stripped down  London-funk and tecky, minimal Berlin-soul.  It’s definitely a tecky album with retro mystique.

F: Where do you see the music industry going?

Oh boy,  (laughing)my inner geek revealed…I recently read a digital music study, put out last year, that said digital sales made up 18% of the American music market. But now, in 2009 that figure has jumped to 33%.  And the projection is – that by 2013 41% of music bought in the US, will be downloaded. I feel that the music industry, in general, is headed to a more virtual place, from the way that music gets made and distributed, to the way artists maneuver within it.

With my  debut album Donn T Kaleidoscopic, I had the benefit of being in the same  room with French DJ and Producer Simbad. We wrote, recorded and mixed the entire album in a 8 days. That’s unusual. We had the benefit of time. But, time is a premium. So many artists juggle multiple projects. Which means, artist and producer may be creating and recording the song apart from each other, on different coasts or from different  countries.

Within that idea, I definitely I  believe I represent that shift to virtual. I am based between LA and Philly.  More About Music (MAM), my management is based in the UK. My label Still  Music is based in Chicago, with distribution thru K7 (Germany). But, with Skype there is 24hr full-on access. No one’s ever in the same room well, hardly ever. There’s a world between us so, everything’s accomplished with an air of intentionality. We’re a well –  oiled machine. Label negotiations? Very futuristic. Paperwork from London, going back in time to Chitown during precise hours so, it could get re-sent forward in time to Germany before end of day. This went on for a month. Sounds like chaos. But, it was so synchronized. My team definitely has that Charlie’s Angels 3009 vibe…“Good Morning, Charlie….” – is  how I answer my Skype  (laughing).

F: Tell us about your local music scene

I’m a Philly girl who spends as much time in LA. My hometown is all about the hybrid right now…that mix of  genre ‘n style. Electro Alternative is on the rise for sure and the category  is real broad. What I love is, Philly’s fully supportin’ the artist that’s  bringin’ it in a new way – that may be hard to categorize but, that  has some nice musicality. Folks like Tu Phace, Elevator Flight, Spankrock,  transports like Santigold (Philly, Brooklyn based), and Willieisz.  (Philly/GA, LA based).

Eavesdrop Radio (WKDU  91.7) is a strong supporter of the new music trend. King Britt’s Back2Basics  Monday party at Silk City is as well. Lee Jones’ Sundae.  Party is killin’ it. For summer, it’s an outdoor event at The Piazza. Insane  location. Capacity is probably 1000 people. House music, hula hoopers,  rollerskaters, plus bring mama, y’ mama’s mama, y’ baby mama, the baby and the dog. The idea is so left…it completely works.

F: Prior to your debut album Donn T Kaleidoscopic, what other projects  have included your work?

I’ve been doing work behind the scenes, writing  songs that have gone to TV/Film for a few years, plus writing for other  artists. I co wrote song “I Am Music” (Common’s “Electric Circus”  MCA), I did voiceover’s for Chappelle’s Show (Comedy Central), I was  featured on Exit Music: Songs with Radio Head “Morning Bell”  with The Randy Watson Experience (BBE).  My song “Beauty” appears in  film “Cougar Club” (Open Sky Entertainment), song “Rainy Day” featured on  UPN’s “Kevin Hill” (Taye Diggs) drama series, “Love” is the single from the  BAADAAASSS” (Sony Pictures) BBE soundtrack, and in radio ads. Five songs  were included in the 2nd season of Showtime’s “Street Time”.

As a performer, I’ve supported or shared the stage with Alice Smith, John Legend, Alice Russell, Nelly Furtado, Jill  Scott, J Davey, Amy Winehouse, Zap Mama, Les Nubians, Floetry, Graph Nobel, SA- RA.

F: And you’re the sister of The Roots front man Ahmir “Questlove”  Thompson?

That would be a “yes ma’am.” (smiles)

__________________

Special thanks to Mark Potts for granting Fusicology.com the interview

Fusicology.com in conjunction with The International Soul Music Summit 2009 present the 2 for 1 Registration special for a limited time.

For everyone who’s interested in going to this years International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta, GA. Sept 24-27- the ISMS has offered Neosoulville a great opportunity to share with our friends and supporters. Two for the Price of One Registration!! $100.00 for 2 people.

THE WHAT:

The International Soul Music Summit is the biggest music conference in the world dedicated to Soul Music. Come hang out with your favorite artist for 3 days of networking, workshops, and of course…parties!! If you are an artist, here’s your chance to rub elbows with industry movers and shakers…Record companies, managers, booking agents, you name it, they’ll be there!

To Register, simply email your FULL NAME to submit@fusicology.com with “International Soul Music Summit – 2 for 1 Registration” in the subject heading.

Registration must be received by Sept 4th.

THE WHERE:

The Soul Music Summit September 24th-27th 2009 Atlanta,Ga

ABOUT THE ISMS:

4th Annual International Soul Music Summit 2009 The largest music conference in the world dedicated to the independent soul genre.
Major Networking Opportunities with mainstream, emerging and independent soul artist, retailers, taste makers, consumers and executives

Official Site
Fusicology Listing

1. Oveous Maximus (Yoruba, NYC): Oveous Maximus – “P.Y.T.” (“Feel Good” Remix) | Free Download

2. Q-Tip (NYC): Q-Tip vs. Michael Jackson – “Breathe and Stop vs Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” | Stream

3. DJ Scribe (Raw Fusion, NYC): Michael Jackson – “We’re Almost There” (DJ Spinna Remix) | Soul Source Jackson 5 Remixes Compilation [Polydor, Japan, 2001]

4. Carlos Mena (Casa Mena / Ocha, SFB): Michael Jackson – “Rock With You” (Frankie Knuckles Remix) | White Label

5. Terrence “TP” Parker (Parker MusicWorks, Detroit): The Jackson 5 – “Maybe Tomorrow” [Motown]

6. Mark de Clive-Lowe (London/LA): Michael Jackson – “Get It Together” (4Hero / Dego Remix) | Soul Source Jackson 5 Remixes V.2 [Universal, Japan]

7. Karizma (Kaytronik, B’more): Michael Jackson – “In My Nature” (Karizma Mix)

8. Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw, LA): Michael Jackson – “Show You The Way To Go”

9. Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw, LA): Michael Jackson – “Style of Life”

10. Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw, LA): Michael Jackson – “Blues Away”

BONUS:

Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw, LA): The C.O.D. – “Michael” (c.1960s)

Hard to believe it’s been 10 years already since the inaugural Detroit Electronic Music Festival back in 2000, and despite its changing hands several times, 09 had a subtle feeling that something big is about to happen again both in Detroit and in electronic music (was it the great weather too?)… now being dubbed by influencers as the “Detroit Future Music Festival.”  Some of our fave performances @ Movement Festival this year came from Afrika Bambaataa, Flying Lotus, Exchange Bureau, Osunlade ft. Oveous Maximus, Kevin Reynolds, Carl Craig and Detroit House legends Al Ester and DJ Minx.  The ladies of Fusicology certainly had an amazing weekend re-connecting with all our hometown people!

The afterparty circuit had us bouncing as if it were WMC in Miami for a few nights, with hot sets from DJ E-Man, Karizma, Rick Wilhite, Spinna, Daz-I-Kue, Jeremy Ellis, John Arnold, Josh Adams, Scribe, Moonstarr, Arch_Typ, Billy Love, Tortured Soul, Family Funktion, Jeff Mills, Chuck Love, N’Dambi, Blue Neffertiti, Malik Alston, Chez Damier, Kai Alce, DJ Dez, and more – wow!

| Check out Fusicology’s exclusive interviews with Afrika Bambaataa and Derrick May, along with their video clips courtesy 6 Minutes TV!  |  Fusicology Movement Festival 2009 Photo Wrap-Up and Staff Video fun!  |  Thanks to Oh!Beatrice Photography (Triple Threat Pre-Party | Exchange Bureau Live) & EdwinHoPhoto for capturing some of the best moments @ Movement Festival 2009!  |

The 10th Annual Detroit Electronic Music Festival, known now as Movement (in its 4th year under direction of Paxahau), kicks off Memorial Day Weekend in the Motor City on 05.23.09, with pre-parties on Friday, 05.22.09. The 3-Day festival at Hart Plaza features performances from Afrika Bambaataa, Osunlade, Flying Lotus, Derrick May, Carl Craig, Al Ester, Detroit Beatdown, Los Hermanos, RJD2, Dennis Ferrer, Exchange Bureau, Z-Trip and more. Yet, it is the afterparty action this year that has us a bit excited, as the list of dope afterparties seems to keep growing, with many starting in the early evening and going all night… what? Is this WMC in Miami or something?All-weekend festival passes go up to $50 from $45 this Friday, 05.15.09. VIP passes $150. | Fusicology 09 Movement Festival Afterparty Guide | Check out the Flickr fun we had in 2007 and 2008

The 1st week of May 2009 saw some great losses in our artist community.

R.I.P. | One of music’s most cherished pioneers, Detroit’s Amp Fiddler, lost his only child, 18 year-old Dorian A. Fiddler, on May 1st due to diabetic complications. Dorian was an accomplished drummer and trumpeter, with a stoic spirit and his father’s inherent musical talent. Dorian will be dearly missed, and Amp is in our thoughts and prayers.

R.I.P. | Renowned American painter Ernie Barnes made his final transition last week at the age of 70. Barnes work, such as the famed “Sugar Shack,” became cultural icons by way of mass media such as the hit TV show “Good Times” and Marvin Gaye’s “All Things Considered,” and have since served as inspiration for countless underground soul-dance music party flyers worldwide. His work now immortalized, NPR reported; Many people would call Barnes a “black painter.” He preferred the description “neo-Mannerist.” Barnes never painted his subjects with their eyes open. “We don’t see each other,” he said once in an interview. “We are blind to each other’s humanity.”

What recession? Fusicology tore it up this year in Miami for Winter Music Conference just as hard as years past.  In fact, the slightly smaller attendance only made it more like a giant party vacation with all our close friends and colleagues that are pushing the envelope to revolutionize the music industry right now. Amazing and inspiring.

As always, we brought you our annual Fusicology Alternative Guide to The More Soulful Side of WMC, and here we present who turned out the joints last week in Miami with our WMC 09 TOP PICKS…

+ Fusicology WMC 09 Photo Wrap-Up c/o Oh!Beatrice Photography

+ Exclusive Live Audio from Godfather III – The JB Tribute!!! c/o Daz-I-Kue & Karl Injex *Available as a FREE DOWNLOAD only for the next 48 HOURS are the 1st three audio segments of Godfather III exclusively here on Fusicology.com.  Next week the entire party audio will be available streaming, you know we’ll give ya that link

> Ayro aka Jeremy Ellis live MPC Freestyle

> DJ Scratch (EPMD)

> DJ Spinna

*Want to know when and where the next GODFATHER event is?  Join the mailing list >>> godfather@rude-nyc.com

+ Stay tuned next week for more photos, WMC DJ Top 5’s, and exclusive video from Godfather III !

04.16.09
> As promised, The Goodness & Fusicology bring you *exclusive* live video clips from the notorious GODFATHER III party @ WMC this year featuring improv freestyle sets from Phonte & Mad Skillz w/Jeremy “Ayro” Ellis — it was hottt in thurr! More footage to soon come, complete with witty pop-up bubble captions for each song (hehe), in the meantime… enjoy!

+++ OUR FAVE WMC 09 PHOTOS FROM OH!BEATRICE +++

FUSICOLOGY WMC 09 TOP PICKS
…curated by the ladies of Fusicology.

BEST PARTIES (in order of appearance)
1. Soul Heaven
2. Bugz in the Attic vs Jazzanova
3. GODFATHER III JB Tribute
4. Objektivity
5. Body & Soul
6. Deep
7. Stones Throw Hella Intn’l
8. AquaBooty w/ Jump N Funk
9. Raw Fusion / The Goodness
10. Sundae Philadelphia Pool Party

HARDEST WORKIN’ DJs (in alphabetical order)
1. Daz-I-Kue
2. Rich Medina
3. Spinna

BEST NEW ARTIST
1. Kissey Asplund
2. K’Naan
3. Joy Jones
4. Cecilia
5. Rozzie Daime
* Taylor McFerrin (honorable mention)

BEST LIVE PA
Ayro aka Jeremy Ellis

BEST DJ SETS
1. Karizma @ Objektivity
2. Rich Medina @ Deep
3. Ge-Ology @ Raw Fusion
*Biggest Surprise DJ Set > Lil’ Louis @ Soul Heaven

BEST DRESSED
1. Joy Jones
2. Rozzie Daime
3. Nadia Harris

BEST BRUNCH
Sunny Side Up w/Bagpak @ Raphael

BEST GRUB
TAP TAP Haitian

BEST ON-THE-RISE COLLECTIVE / LABEL
1. Raw Fusion
2. Restless Soul
3. Exchange Bureau

MOST SOUND DRAMA
King Britt

TOP 10 TRACKS
1. God Created Woman - Teddy Douglas ft. Margaret Grace
2. The End of Me and You – EXB x Daz-I-Kue
3. DET.RIOT – Moodymann
4. 99 Bottles – Kissey Asplund
5. The Joy / This Too Shall Pass – Joy Jones
6. White Cloud – Rozzie Daime x Sa-Ra
7. Badly - PirahnaHead ft. Clara Hill
8. Mirror Dance – Osunlade ft. Afefe Iku
9. Running For Nothing – Lady Alma x Universal Sun (+ Simbad mix)
10. Everytime – Restless Soul ft. Zansika

* Girl Let Me Change Your Mind - Zed Bias ft. Jenna G (Restless Soul mix)
* 78 - Hygher Baby x Raw Fusion

+ WANT ALL THE DiRTY DiSH & PLAY-BY-PLAY FROM WMC WEEK?

>>> Check out recent Tweet pages from @fusicology + @azboogie + @JMoneyRed on Twitter!