Mear One x Alicia Keys

Legendary LA writer, Mear One featured in Alicia Keys' new music video "New Day." I'm happy to see Mear still doing his thing! Check it out.....

The Root Down 15th Year Anniversary is only a day away! Check the details, you definitely don't want to miss this ridiculous line up. You can still get your pre-sale tickets, so don't sleep!

Root Down 15th Year Anniversary Promo Mix

In honor of Root Down's 15th Year Anniversary this Friday, I made a quick mix of some Root Down classics & some. Shout out to my Root Down Fam, thanks for all the inspiration & much respect to a true LA legend, DJ Dusk, rest in peace.

14th Annual Thanks Givends Benefit

It's that time again. Before you spend Thanksgiving weekend with your families, come and enjoy a night of incredible music with your extended LA Fam! I'm honored to be in such great company, here's the info, see you all soon.....

ReMitch came with it on his lastest mix, "Inside My Sample!" He features various artist who have sampled or covered Minnie Riperton's class "Inside My Mind." Great concept, overall great mix. Check it out for yourself; http://soundcloud.com/the_remitch/inside-my-sample

Sample This (The Movie)

How incredible is this!!? The trailer speaks for itself, check it.....

Root Down 15 Year Anniversary

Root Down is a huge influence on who I am as a DJ, I'm honored and blessed to even be apart of such a legendary party. So many great memories, so much talent that blessed the stage, I could go on for days telling why Root Down is so dope. But instead, I invite you to experience it for your self....... Full line up coming soon!

New Residency!!

Open, a new residency in downtown LA. The formula is pretty simple, resident selectors, Bency, Ben Diggin & yours truly doing what we do best! Join us for our first night this Sunday Nov 11th with special guest DJ Brazilia. Here's the info..... Seven Bar & Lounge; 555 W 7th Street, FREE All Night!!

Sweet Cheeks [San Diego]

Tonight, I'm spinning at El Dorado for Sweet Cheeks in San Diego, Ca. Also getting down will be Fonkis (LA) along with SD's very own Kid Dragon & DJ Bency. If you're in the area, come out and join us! El Dorado; 1030 Broadway SD 92101

Bodega

This Sunday, I'm guest DJaying at my favorite Sunday hangout, Bodega!! If you haven't been, you can expect brazilian funk, hip hop, salsa, cumbia, afro beat as well as great peeps & banging tacos!! So I hope you'll join us and be sure to bring your dancing shoes! Senor Fish; 422 E 1st St in Little Tokyo 6:30 to midnight.

Cherry Poppin

The neo soul era in the late 90's, early 2000's was the era that I related to most. I loved the direction that hip hop was talking during that time, my favorite hip hop artist were going from rugged to grown. Collaborations opened me up to a lot of r&b artist like Jill Scott, Amel Larrieux, Erykah Badu & many more. From there my taste in music became what I like to call, "grown up hip hop" and Cherry Poppin is the perfect place for this vibe! join me this Wednesday night....

MOM x Root Down

Tonight, I'm back with my Root Down Crew at Motown On Modays. This time around, it's an all vinyl, stax vs motown edition, so that's sure to be a good time. I hope you'll join us. Here's the info....

Motown On Mondays; Stax vs Motown featuring Music Man Miles, DJ Sloe Poke, DJ Expo, Ervin Arana, DJ Jedi & Amani of the Root Down Sound System. 21+ FREE All Night at the Short Stop; 1455 Sunset Blvd in Echo Park!

MOM Ft Jeremy Sole [Photo Recap]

A couple weeks ago, I made my way out to see Jeremy Sole at Motown On Mondays at the Shortstop. Definitely my favorite Monday night spot right now. If you haven't been, make sure you check it out soon. The Root Down fam will be guest DJaying on Sept 10th for a special edition; Motown vs Stax. Make sure you save the date, more info coming soon....

*Photography by Ervin Arana 2012

Throwback Thursdays; Musical Massacre Mixtape

I was digging through some old boxes and came across some old promo tapes. I was posting them on my instagram as #ThrowbackThursday photos, but I decided to do the next best thing and digitize them and share with you guys.

Here is the first one.... "Musical Massacre Mixtape presented by Tony Touch." Dopest thing about this mix, is Tony Touch taking you on a Beatnuts journey before he plays samples of "Musical Massacre" album. Here's the DL link, enjoy.

Reincarnated

I can really appreciate people who explore the world. I don't mean travel, but really explore and experience other cultures throughout the world. I feel it's almost mandatory in order to grow artistically and help make sense out of life. Any who, I'm not sure what Snoops experience was during the filming of his new documentary, "Reincarnated." But I definitely applaud him for this and look forward to seeing this film. Peep the trailer and the first single's really dope too, check it........

Respect.

This Thursday Night, my good friend Frantick invited me to spin at Respect for his welcome back party. I know Respect is mostly a drum n base club, but we'll be in there representing our hip hop roots. So, I hope you'll join us. You can RSVP on their $5 list; rsvp.pmam@gmail.com

Beat Junkies!

I've been a little M.I.A. on the blog. My apologies to those that do take the time to visit. Been caught up with life, but always in a good way. Any who, wanted to congratulate the Beat Junkies on their 20th year anniversary (couple weeks ago.) I didn't make it to the anniversary show, but I did catch a snippet when they came by Amoeba to perform. All I can say, WOW, big inspiration! Check 'em out on youtube

*Photo by Ervin Arana 2012

MA Doom: Son Of Yvonne

Masta Ace's new album dropped a couple weeks ago. Produced entirely by MF Doom. I'll just get to the point, you need this in your life.

Motown On Mondays Ft DJ Spinna [Photo Recap]

Always been a fan of DJ Spinna production, everything from his Mos Def remixes to his production with Tortured Soul. The guy is just so versatile. But last night, I realized that I've never heard him spin before, which is outrageous!!!? How does that happen!!? Anywho, I'm glad I got to finally hear him spin last night, and all I can say is.... WOW!!! I'm so inspired. Here's a quick photo recap, big ups to DJ Expo & the rest of the Motown On Mondays Crew (SF & LA) for making it happen.

*Photography by Ervin Arana 2012

Root Down Celebrates James Brown

Special thanks to everyone who came out a couple Mondays ago for Root Down Does Motown! This Thursday, we get together again with special guest, Inka One & Adrian Young for Root Down's 15th year anniversary and to add to the occasion we celebrate the god father of soul's born day. Root Down Celebrates James Brown, don't miss it!!!

Root Down Does Motown!

Root Down fam is getting together for Motown On Mondays. I'm super excited about this one, please spread the word & join us!

Dumpin' Em All

Just got a new single from uncle Nu aka DJ Nu-Mark & thought I'd share it with everyone. Download ---> HERE. Enjoy!

Low Key

Peace everyone, it's been a minute. You know how it is, blessed to able to stay busy. Anywho, just a quick reminder about Low Key, we do it every 2nd & 4th Wednesday at Carbon in Culver City. Peep the new flier & come check us out on Wed March 14th....

Photo LA 2012

I've been to the last two & was really inspired. So considering that this year I'm focusing more on photography, this event is a must for me! I suggest the same for anyone truly into photography. See you there. Here's the info directly from the site, photola.com

© Anthony Friedkin, Woman by the Pool, 1975

21st Annual International Los Angeles Photographic Art Exposition
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium | January 12th-15th, 2012

Confirming Los Angeles’ rising status as a destination and marketplace for curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts are the city’s many new galleries, world-class museums, and outstanding university programs. Now in its 21st year, Photo LA, the longest running art fair west of New York City, carries on its mandate to showcase emerging and established artists from around the globe. Photo LA continues the discourse on photography’s place in the fine arts, providing a platform for the display of vintage masterworks from the 19th and 20th centuries, contemporary photography, new techniques, and new forms of presentation alongside video and multimedia installations. This exciting juxtaposition creates the character that is Photo LA.

During the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, January 12-16, 2012, Photo LA returns to the landmark Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for the 13th time. As the Getty’s Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980 initiative continues into January, Photo LA will include installations focusing on post-WWII art created in Southern California. January is also LA Arts Month, a collective marketing effort by the city and its arts organizations to attract enthusiasts and collectors to Los Angeles.

Buy tickets HERE