Super Bowl Weekend Keeps Things Poppin' in D/FW

Thanks to Jerry Jones’ brand new and all-purpose state-of-the-art Superdome, for the second year in a row the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex has supported two zeniths in American sports.  Last year around this time, we partook of NBA All-Star Weekend, and two days ago we witnessed the pinnacle of all things American-made, the Super Bowl (number XLV, to be exact).  Despite iced-over roads and snowy weather conditions that had Texans feeling like God was punishing us, a number of high profile celebrities made appearances at the weekend’s festivities.  Schools might have shut down, but the show would not be stopped, as Diddy, Lil Wayne, Drake, Birdman, Nelly, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, Rick Ross and the Wayans Brothers all hosted parties from Thursday through Sunday night.  For me, the shocker appearance was discovering that Nicki Minaj had made her way to Club Avalon right in my own backyard in downtown Fort Worth on Thursday night.  (If anybody was there, after seeing her in person can somebody comment and answer the million-dollar question: is that booty real or not?!?)

Despite a hectic work schedule last weekend, I was fortunate enough to get out on Saturday night, and I made my way to Club Rain down at the stockyards in Fort Worth.  The man of the hour was Curren$y, who had also made an appearance at Shogun on University Drive for a meet and greet earlier that evening.  Among the opening acts for the Hot Spitta, representing the Funk was the Dru B Shinin’ trio, who held down a strong set of songs from the Dirty Money Painting album, with additional sets from Houston act G. Bailey and Dallas cats The Nice Guys.  Curren$y himself did not disappoint, as he charismatically blazed through a 30 minute set that included his most popular songs and features.

It’s not often that a city can say that they have hosted the NBA All-Star Game and the Super Bowl in back-to-back years.  I’m not one of those people who gets over-hype about being on the scene every time celebrities come to town, but I am grateful that D/FW got the chance to experience this taste of the high life and play host to some great hip-hop talent (which is kind of rare for us).  If we can’t thank Jerry for finding ways to get the Cowboys to play well consistently, we can at least commend him for keeping the city live in other ways.

Dru B Shinin - Dirty Money Painting

The concept of the complete album experience is a dying art in hip-hop. In today’s singles-driven market, music sales are determined by who has the hottest song or a collection of hot songs that often seem like mere duplicates of themselves-most artists seem to be looking for that guaranteed formula for success rather than just focusing on their personal artistry. With that being said, Dru B Shinin’ has once again proven that he exceeds the status quo of today’s music market with his newest release, Dirty Money Painting. As the album title indicates, Dru B Shinin’ paints colorful portraits through rhymes containing vivid imagery and clever metaphors.  Dirty Money Painting is a canvas displaying Dru B Shinin's values and struggles, his journey personally and artistically, and quite simply, his life. Beginning with the “Lid Opener Overture,” Dru B Shinin’ narrates through fourteen tracks as the listener goes on an excursion of emotions and experiences with Andrew the man. Don’t sleep on Dru’s skills as an MC, for he is no rookie at rap-to use his own rhymes, “Knew I’d make it in the game, ‘cuz my cadence is insane, my lyricism sharp…” and that’s him being modest. On songs like “Range,” he shows you just that, warning other rappers that he has earned his stripes and is not to be slept on. Songs such as “Live It Up” and “Let It Shine” show Dru expressing the joys of being alive, free and able to celebrate life with loved ones, while “Burnt Out” and “Let It Pour” reflect the unwelcome pain and turmoil that sometimes creeps up in life. The lead single, “The Promise” is Dru’s ode to being dedicated to your dream, and not letting anyone stop you from being yourself and accomplishing your goals. Dru showcases an incredible talent for storytelling as well on the songs “Heaven in the Sky” and “D.M.P. Theme (The World Is a Canvas).”

Dirty Money Painting is an astounding album from a serious artist with talent oozing from his soul. With unbelievable music production from Eye Jay the Boy, and excellent contributions from Greg Shark, Sean Martin, Andrew Skates from Telegraph Canyon, and Sandi McQuinton, Dru B Shinin’ and his team continue to set the bar high for D/FW hip-hop talent, and for hip-hop musicians worldwide. Cop Dirty Money Painting today on iTunes or Bandcamp-you won’t be disappointed. You heard it here first!

http://itunes.apple.com/album/dirty-money-painting/id405735946?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1

http://spheremusicgroup.bandcamp.com/

Photography by Richard Georges

"The Promise" 1st single from Dru B Shinin's Dirty Money Painting album, coming late November 2010

The Cellar, 9/24/10

“But off to better things like a hip-hop forum…”

I dropped the Q-Tip quote because it's relevant right now since hip-hop seems to be running sh!t...and that realness is in our neck of da woods, people, it’s not a fallacy… Last Friday night The Cellar on West Berry St. was live and in full effect with a DJ who was spinning right and some of the most-talented MCs from the D/FW area.  I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to be able to fall off in a nightspot on the weekend that is close by and just vibe out to some good hip-hop music in the comfort of a chill environment.  Throughout the past few years all of the options in Fort Worth have typically been either too club-oriented or not hip-hop enough for my tastes.  For this reason, I went to the Cellar with muted expectations – I’ve been on a good streak recently in regards to live music experiences, but I’m aware this area is still a "now you see it, now you don't" type of market.  To my delight, as I entered the Cellar I was greeted by an ample and diverse audience of people and a vintage hip-hop soundtrack of jams that I probably haven’t heard anywhere outside of my own headphones in years.  The MC line-up, including J-Kush, Big Cliff, Dru B Shinin’, RLC tha R.O.D., J. Quest and more, all kept the high-quality music coming, performing sets that included off the dome flows and songs that kept the crowd swaying and bouncing.  And did I mention there was no cover?  No cover for a package that included live music, great DJing, a sizable crowd of friendly, good-looking people to mingle with, cheap drinks, and multiple areas to sit, shoot pool, and watch Sports Center highlights.  I really couldn’t have asked for a better way to start off the weekend, and from what I’ve heard, this may become a regularly-scheduled event that will continue at the Cellar.  So for those of you who enjoy having a few drinks at a laid-back venue while hearing good music, be sure and give the Cellar a visit – I doubt you’ll be disappointed, I surely wasn’t. 

Dru B Shinin'-The Admission One EP

Real hip-hop is alive and well in Fort Worth, TX.  Those of us who live or have spent time here are aware that Cow Town is country first, but if you are a fan of hip-hop, or you’re looking to hear some original, thoughtful, high quality music, you have been missing out if you have not taken notice of my boy, Dru B Shinin’.  Sleep no more - I’m about to put you on some game. 

Anybody who knows me knows that I don’t endorse wack music.  I just can’t do it, because I love it too much.  Dru B Shinin’, as a part of Sphere Music Group, has been in the game dropping unheralded gems since 2008, but he’s been a serious MC since the first time I met him back in 2003.  A few of the homies used to get together on the yard from time to time and freestyle, and Dru always pretty much sh!t-canned any of us who thought we could rap.  Ever since those days, I’ve watched my man grow and blossom as an artist, taking seriously his talent for rapping and love of hip-hop culture, continuing to improve his flow and craft incredible songs.  I’ve watched him go from freestyle sessions with literally anybody who was willing to step up, to developing stage presence and learning how to rock a crowd.  I say all of that to throw props to his latest offering, The Admission One EP.

This EP is the prequel to his new album, Dirty Money Painting that will be dropping in November, and these 8 songs have me hyped and ready for the coming sophomore LP.  If you aren’t familiar with Dru B Shinin’, I think the quickest way to describe his style would be to use his own rhymes: “I’m like B.o.B. mixed with ODB/ alotta crazy sh!t, a little poetry.”  That’s not doing him complete justice, because he definitely has more depth to his rhymes than many artists you will hear.  On Admission One, Dru B Shinin’ rotates between stories about life’s small pleasures as well as frustrating hardships, hallucinations of wilding out on the world, and hardcore hip-hop laced with an easy-going spirit.  The music behind his rhymes is solid; primary producer EyeJay handles the beats with co-production from Greg Shark and Andrew Skates of Telegraph Canyon.  The EP mostly employs rock-tinged beat arrangements with lots of strings and melodious mid-tempos, making this musically an album that plays with different genres.  This EP gives you a sample dose of great music from some underground artists who are serious about their craft and are talented enough to do it well.

But my words are merely meant to give you a quick picture and point you in the direction of… http://spheremusicgroup.bandcamp.com.  Download Dru B Shinin’ The Admission One EP, and if you haven't been persuaded yet, listen to “The Final Lap” on my page, and then go download the EP.  If you live in Funkytown, I’ll see ya at the next show…