Sade

Big birthday shout to the lovely Miss Sade. Check out this incredible portrait done by artist Steven Lopez as part of his After Midnight Soul Series. I also ran into a DL link (via Inka One's FB post) for a Best of Sade Mix done by DJ Spinna.

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.

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

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.

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!

The Givends Benefit Compilation Vol 1

Peace world, and I really do mean PEACE! As messed up as the world is today, it's very important to set our personal agendas to the side from time to time & give back. Giving back doesn't always mean donating millions of dollars to charity. In this case, a small donation to purchase this Compilation or it can be as simple as donating a moment of your time to spread the word and encourage others to buy it. Either way, thank you for your time & remember as DJ Dusk would say "None of us are as strong as all of us."

THE GIVENDS Benefit Compilation Vol 1 is a unified effort from artist to support arts/music programs that benefit at risk and underprivileged youth.

In conjunction with the annual Thanks Givends event, this compilation will enable our outreach to go global and with 20 incredible tracks from a wide range of artists at a "you name the price" donation, you not only get to discover new music and artists that are pushing the industry forward, but each dollar is energy that will be put back into these programs.

This years beneficiaries; Marvista Family Center, Sound Art,
Peace 4 Kids & Pio Pico Ms Music Program

DJ Destroyer at Low Key

On Wed Sept 28th, Low Key is honored to have special guest DJ Destroyer. If you don't know, join us and find out. You won't regret it! Always free at Carbon (9300 Venice Blvd in Culver City)



DJ, producer, remixer, Aaron Paar a.k.a. Destroyer was born in Nottingham, U.K. raised in Los Angeles, California and has been an active figure in the LA club and recording scene since the late 80′s. With a family music background as well as strong underground roots, Aaron continues to stay on the cutting edge of Club/Hip Hop+Soul music cultures. He cut his teeth in the early 90′s rave/loft scene in Los Angeles and currently holds residencies at Fast FWD @ Little Temple, and One of LA’s signature Eclectic Soul nights, Strictly Social. Aaron has touched the turntables at just about every club or bar in Los Angeles as well as booking gigs in San Francisco, NY, Las Vegas, Portland and San Diego. Look out for Aaron’s Remix work on the artist Rogiers remix/rejects album entitled “My Gift” as well as the Anthony Valadez remix project on Recordbreakin’. Expect to hear Destroyer displaying many different genres in his Soul driven sets geared for dancefloors worldwide.

Nasty

Nasty Nas at it again! His first single "Nasty" produced by Salaam Remi has been floating around the internet. So I thought I'd pass it along, check it... Download it HERE

While I'm at it, I'll share another one of my favorites. "New York State Of Mind (Featuring Alicia Keys & Rakim)" Enjoy.

Thank You Afro Funké Pt2

It's an amazing feeling when you play for a crowd that's open to all genre's of music! Shout out to Jeremy Sole, Glenn Red, Cary Sullivan & Rocky Dawuni, thanks again for having me at Afro Funke'.

And for those who didn't make it, here's a snippet of what you missed, enjoy! Download HERE

Soul Sessions

My first time spinning at Soul Sessions. Friday April 9th, you don't want to miss this night, I have the honor of opening up for what is sure to be a BANGIN' Percussion/DJ performance by Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill & DJ Rhettmatic of the Beat Junkies. On top of that, the Soul Sessions Crew will be holding it down as usual! All happening at the Grand Star in downtown LA; 943 N Broadway; 21+ $5 before 10:30pm $10 after. For more info; http://soulsessionslive.com

*Download Bobo Meets Rhettmatic Mixtape; http://bobomeetsrhettmatic.com/

Valentine's Mix

I put together a quick compilation/mix of some of my favorite hip hop, r&b and instrumental tracks to get you ready for Valentine's Day. Email me at ervinarana@gmail.com for track list. Enjoy :D

Click HERE to download

Soldier Of Love

It's almost here! Sade's new album drops Tuesday, February 9th, 2010. I've been a fan since I was introduced to her music back in high school. Some of my all time favorites, Hang On To Your Love, Is It A Crime, No Ordinary Love and even the white label house remixes are off the hook! Then there's Mad Professor's Remix of Love Is Stronger Than Pride Wow, so much classic material from Sade.

No matter what direction the new album takes, Sade has definitely earned my trust. You can hear a snippet of the album on on her site http://www.sade.com/us/home/; and if like what you hear, make sure you pick up the album at your local record store.

Root Down Finale

When I was 20 years old, 2 weeks before my 21st birthday, a friend of mine took me to Root Down for the first time and tried to convince the bouncer to let me in. Security wasn't having it, and I stood outside for about 10 mins while my friend went in to say what up to some people.

Two weeks later, I went back and experienced the Root Down for the first time, I was hooked. There was nothing like it at the time. They played everything from Funk, Hip Hop & even dropped a little Sade into the mix. The vibe would go from raw bboy cyphers to a sexy grown up experience. As an up and coming DJ, Root Down became my inspiration.

Five years later, a dream came true and I joined the Root Down Sound System. It's been an incredible journey. I've learned so much from Sloe Poke, Music Man Miles and the rest of the Root Down fam. So for all the unforgettable memories, I'm forever grateful!

After this Thusday Night, LA will never be the same. So join us for the end of an era...


*Download Breakestra's "Let The Bell Ring"

Mos Def

This dude never fails to impress me. Lyrically, musically... he's what I call, "Grown Up Hip Hop." I've been following his career since 1999 and it's been a privilege to see him grow as a musician. In honor of his birthday, I wanted to share some music you may or may not already be familiar with, enjoy!

Happy Birthday Mos!



Mos Def recently collaborated with Ohio based blues rock band The Black Keys. The album titled "Blacrok" also features Raekwon, RZA and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan; Jim Jones, NOE, Nicole Wray, Pharoahe Monch, Ludacris, Billy Danze, Q-Tip and was overseen by Damon Dash. Here are two tracks Mos Def is featured on; "On The Vista (Featuring Mos Def)" & "Ain't Nothing Like You (Featuring Mos Def & Jim Jones)"

In 2001 Mos Def was featured on Charlie Hunter's "Songs from the Analog Playground". Charlie Hunter wrote the music and Mos Def transformed himself into a tender soul singer. This is definitely not what Mos Def fans are used to hearing; "Creole (Featuring Mos Def)"

Still Love H.E.R. (Hip Hop Demo Mix)

I'm working on a full length early 90's Hip Hop mix, this is the first draft.... enjoy! Feel free to comment and let me know what you think. Download HERE