If you haven’t seen this girl on stage, then you’re missing out.

Although it may seem that the Long Island native has been promoting her first album “I Am” for, hmmm, forever, you gotta remember that people. are. a little. slow. to catching onto something good.

If you’re tired of filtering through the gar-bage clogging up the airwaves and violating your eardrums, consider - no, scratch that - go catch Chrisette at the El Rey Theatre tonight.

If you haven’t heard her album, I’m pretty sure you’ve at least heard her voice (Jay Z’s “Lost One” or Nas’ “Can’t Forget About You” ring a bell?). The mature and soulful voice of the young songwriter and Def Jam artist is unmistakable.

I’ve seen her do some live sets a couple of times earlier in 2007, once with a band and once without (just her, her voice and the keys), and both times moved crowds (literally, they were groovin) even as they wondered who the small woman with the big voice was.

If you don’t know, you should know…tonight.

Wed, 3/5/08 ($20)
El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles 90036

Join us this Wednesday at Ritual for “Revelations in Style,” a soulful event sponsored by Complex Magazine and Honda. The image above is the Propaganda Champ’s rogue attempt to bring the orginal image to life.

The night will be hosted by Garth Trinidad of KCRW’s Chocolate City, with music by Vikter Duplaix and DJ Eque. As accomplished musicians, Duplaix’s video for ‘Make A Baby‘ has earned a number one spot on BET-J, while Eque has electrified stages both domestic and international as the tour DJ for artists like Beyonce, Usher and Redman. You do not want to miss out on this night of style. 

Complimentary cocktails by Effen Vodka will be served from 9-10 PM, so arrive early. See you there!

Ritual
1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

Note: This is a guest list only event, so you will need to RSVP at rsvp@complex.com.

In my humble opinion these dudes have next. Ty is a true innovator when it come to production (I’ve got an old Jack Sample beat CD on my desk right now) and sonics. These dudes spread their music across the world through satellite radio and a mail-order mixtape. They are back at it with Raw & Bangin Vol. 2, on Buddah Brown Records. You can take a listen here or check out their myspace.

“J*Davey this. J*Davey that” ….that’s all I seemed to hear early 2007. Now that I’ve finally had the pleasure of catching MANY shows and purchasing the album I now know what the fuss is all about. I won’t give you their life story but I will say that there is NOTHING like seeing them LIVE. They’re an eclectic mix of Surf/New Wave/ Fusion with a bit of Funk, Soul & Hip-Hop influence. So if your in the mood for one hell of a show this Tuesday J*Davey is it. RSVP on going.com for $8.00 admission. Arrive early show is guaranteed to sell out.  Be sure to check out J*Davey’s myspace page.

J*Davey Live | 12.11.07 | 8:30pm
The Viper Room
8852 Sunset Blvd
W. Hollywood

Without artists putting out quality mixtapes, where would we be? Well, that’s a debate for another time and place, but right now you should download Drake’s new mixtape, Comeback Season. I heard him a while ago on a track with Trey Songz and another with Little Brother and I was impressed. Chas put me up on some his other work and the most recent mixtape. Let us know what you think.

Drake, Closer Freestyle

Click to download mixtape

Great party! This Saturday at Element Night Club, Nas will host a party for his “Greatest Hits” album that will release on Nov. 6^th. Join Nas and friends as we celebrate his career as a great MC. Check out the pictures from his birthday party a couple months back.

Element Night Club
1642 Hollywood Blvd

On the west coast we have always loved a little “talk-box” now and then. As a kid, I can remember laying in the back (wreck-less child endangerment) of my uncle’s Corvette, hearing Zapp & Roger on the radio, and being blown away.

Fast-forward to now and one of the most popular sounds on the radio are the nasal computerized melodies that T-pain helped to bring back to the forefront of pop music. Although it is the perfect remedy for people who cant sing (Britney Spears), people that can really sing (Chris Brown, Fantasia, Justin, and others) Often incorporate it into their music.

Snoop Dogg’s song, “Sexual Erruption” [nh], is a clear case of “fcuk-it I’ll sing that ish my self cuhh!” There are really no singers raw enough to be qualified to say it how Snoop said it. Overall I love it; the song is a little corny/silly, but I think it’s brave and creative for snoop. Maybe I’ll add it as a bonus track on the Champion Lover Mixtape…

Snoop Dogg, Sexual Eruption (Seduction)
via ahotmess

I don’t know much about Bermuda, but if New Orelans-born, Bermuda-raised Collie Buddz is any representation, than I don’t mind sayin’: me likey.

I know, I know, not much to go on. But see for yourself at tomorrow night’s House of Blues show where the reggae singer will be opening for another islander, songstress Rihanna.

Buddz released his first album this year, and I had it on heavy rotation in my car this summer. I bet you’ll find his smooth voice is even smoother live, and the catchy hooks and beats will have you movin to the sounds, even if you don’t know what the hell he’s sayin half the time.

Rihanna with Collie Buddz
10.23.07 | Showtime 9pm

House of Blues Sunset Strip
8430 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323.848.5100

Tickets $37

Ok so, I haven’t had the opportunity to catch the show BUT I’ve heard nothing but RAVE reviews about the first two shows Jill Scott put on at the House of Blues this week. So for all of you Jill fans and/or lovers of good music that may have been unaware she has one last show tomorrow night. Tickets are still on sale. On another Jill note…. I got a chance to check out “Why Did I Get Married” ….it was awesome. Now marriage on the other hand?…..I think I’m officially frightened.

House of Blues Sunset Strip
8430 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323.848.5100

10.20.07 | $45.00 | 9pm

I don’t know where this track came from, but it’s a cool song to vibe to. It may be a special track from a foreign release, something scrapped from Because of You, or something coming soon. Either way, take a listen to this Ne-Yo track that we will call “Chillin” since I don’t know the real title.

With Ye’s platinum-plus status for Graduation, I know most of you have the album, either via download or purchase. With many great albums come great remix albums; if you remember, the Black Album had a White, Grey and many other remix albums. So with Graduation’s popularity, The League Crew set created The Graduate. Mixed by Mick Boogie, Tony Urban and our buddy 9th Wonder, hosted by Kanye and sponsored by LRG, you have 28 remixed, rearranged (and some brand new) songs for your listening pleasure.

Graduate Track List | Download Here

They say she is fine enough to make a n!$$@ want to sing! G. hit me the other day and told me that he was going to be doing the official birthday party for Ms. Kardashian on the 21st, and asked me to cook up a promo image for it. Coincidently one of my favorite songs at the moment was inspired by her. Marques Houston had a song called “Kimberly” on his last album, Veteran. Hands down the joint is a perfect record. I loved it enough to feature it on the “Champion Lover” Mixtape (coming soon). Give it a listen.

“The ceiling fans is spinning and the lights is low / I got frequent-flya mileage…” - MH