A DJ in Amsterdam: On The Road With Rich Medina (July 14-21)

Image via Complex Original

WHERE: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
WHEN: July 14, 2011 6 p.m.

I know way too many DJs who are quick to say "I love Serato, cause now I just walk up with a book bag and do my thing without having to carry ALL THOSE RECORDS *whiny voice*" which is pretty fucking lazy to be honest. I embrace the technology myself, to be clear…, but never at the replacement of my wax. My brother, Edson, is one of the last men standing who still haven't turned the digital corner at all, and he will bust that ass at ANY party, trust me. We walked this big ass flight case almost a mile to Red Light Radio for Ed's guest slot, and he smashed it, analog. Records still sound and feel the best, no matter how many dope digital edits you may have or play.

WHERE: Costa Del Soul Festival, Blijburg, the Netherlands
WHEN: July 16, 2011

After the wet drive 30 minutes outta Amsterdam to Blijburg, we thought we were doomed to be spinning for 3 bartenders and a festival promoter. Man, were we dead wrong. Not only were we wrong about that, but we were also wrong about the food they were serving to the 3,000+ in attendance.

I've had a great deal of road meals, street meat, and other things people have tried to pass off as food over my career, but this fucking burger right here was amazing. Not sure if it was, but it tasted like Kobe beef, with lettuce, onions, tomato, hollandaise sauce, and toasted bread…in the rain. So fucking good.

WHERE: Costa Del Soul Festival, Blijburg, the Netherlands
WHEN: July 16, 2011

THESE motherfuckers right here—DJ KC The Funkaholic, Rob Manga, DJ Mr Mendel, and Alex—are a buncha animals on the turntables. Kees is a card carrying charter member of Sun Ra Research, and a man I'm proud to call one of my mentors. Manga is one of Amsterdam's best kept secrets, though his parties hold over 1,000 people weekly at Paradiso, and Mr Mendel is the youngest in charge at Waxwell Records, and a super talented DJ himself. One of the best days of the tour. Incredible afternoon/evening of music.

WHERE: Ghent, Belgium
WHEN: July 18, 2011

Ghent kinda looks like PIttsburgh, Detroit, and Philly all wrapped up into one, and just a zillion years older. And with their original King's castle, complete with the absolute latest medieval torture rooms. My man Lefto said, "We really know what Ving Rhaimes meant in Pulp Fiction when he said 'get medieval on your ass.'" I'll never hear that line the same again.

WHERE: Charlatan, Vlasmarkt Square, Ghent, Belgium
WHEN: July 18, 2011

We're 100 feet up in the air, overlooking the square. The square is bloated with people, and most of them really are paying attention to the music and giving it up.

I can't begin to consider how many bodies were really there. Blown away. And DJ TLP AKA Troubleman beat the shit outta them for 2 hours before I got on at 2:30 a.m.

WHERE: The Crib, Philly
WHEN: July 20, 2011

Pulled these joints out the freezer this week. Had 'em iced up for over two years. They defrosted quickly though, cause they hot like lava. Bong.

WHERE: Dubspot Music School, New York
WHEN: July 20, 2011 8 p.m.

After returning from my EU Mini Tour, my first order of business, aside from spending time with my family, was to get to Dubspot to teach my first DJ class as an official Dubspot DJ Insructor, alongside the incredible DJ Reborn. These guys are in Class 2 of Level One, learning basic baby scratch techniques and bar counting. You want more? Sign up for a course and getchu some.

WHERE: Vlasmarkt Square, Ghent, Belgium
WHEN: July 19, 2011 5:15 a.m.

Gentse Feesten is an annual 10 day festival in Ghent that celebrates all things Belgian and musical. Shops close, people take off work, and the entire city, along with tourists like me and others from across Europe, descend on the city to get fucking twisted, and rock out 'til sunrise. Amazing energy. This was shot from our DJ booth/tower, above Charlatan, the baddest venue in Ghent, hands down.

WHERE: Geentse Feesten, Ghent, Belgium
WHEN: July 19, 2011 7 a.m.

Last song of the morning before sprinting to a cab to make a 7:15 train to Brussels to catch my flight home. Gerald, the owner of the venue, was yelling at me, but then dancing away. Yelling, and dancing away for 20 minutes before I turned around and he had packed my records up to force me to make my flight. Incredible.

WHERE: Props at Le Poisson Rouge, New York
WHEN: July 21, 2011 12:15 a.m.

Newsflash: This guy is one of the baddest out. Period. My partner in crime through my entire 8.5 year run at APT, and still my partner in crime at Props, the continuation of the fine tradition of Li'l Ricky's Rib Shack, started back in 2001. As you can see, we are not fucking around in there. And, in case you didn't hear me, this fucking guy is a silverback gorilla on the wheels, aside from being the A&R brains behind the incredible Truth & Soul Records family. One of my favorite people in the world to play records with.

July 23
Paparazzi for the People
Denver
608 E. 13th Avenue
Beauty Bar
$7
21+

My first trip back to Denver since rocking Afro Blu, which I believe was back in 2006! Mad excited for this one!

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July 24
Soul Shrine
Austin, Texas
422 Congress Ave.
Lanai
Free
21+

Another banger alongside my mellow from Austin DJ Chorizo Funk. Presented by the baddest promotional team in Austin, Soul Of The Boot Entertainment, and Strange Tribe Productions. FREE.99!!!

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July 27 (10 p.m.—4 a.m.)
Props with DJ Akalepse and special guest DJ Nuts
New York
158 Bleecker St.
(Le) Poisson Rouge
Free before 11 p.m.; $10 after
21+

My weekly NYC residency with DJ Akalepse. This week we welcome one of the most respected DJs in Brazil. From São Paulo, we bring you the one and only DJ Nuts. Do not sleep; this dude can fucking play some records.

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July 28 (8 p.m.—2 a.m.)
Giant Step Thursdays with Dego & special performances by Maya Azucena & Sophia Urista
New York
570 10th Ave.
Yotel
Free with RSVP
21+

Another FREE.99 banger from my family over at Giant Step. This time, we are at Yotel, and I'm blessed to be rocking alongside Dego (4Hero, 2000 Black, Silhouette Brown), and the lovely and talented ladies Maya Azucena and Sophia Urista!

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July 29 (10 p.m.—2 a.m.)
Jump N Funk
Philadelphia
613 S. 4th St.
Fluid
$10
21+

The Original American Afrobeat Party returns to Fluid in Philly for another blast of that Global Afro Soul sound! Stay tuned for our 10 year anniversary information immediately following July 29! Love Afro Life! Let's get it Philly!

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July 30 (10 p.m.—4 a.m.)
Body Rock
Brooklyn
Southpaw
125 5th Ave.
$10
21+

No sleep 'til Brooklyn! Here's to a night of throwback classics from across the spectrum at one of my favorite BK venues, Southpaw! Let's go, Brooklyn!

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August 5 (11 p.m.—4 a.m.) – FLYER COMING SOON
STATE OF with RICH MEDINA
Miami
Bardot
3456 N. Miami Ave.
21+

Installment number four of my new Miami residency! One of my favorite new things to do! Hopefully, if you're in Miami and check us out, you'll feel the same! Bong!

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August 9 (7 p.m.—2 a.m.)
The Uptown Concert Series
New York
Apt. 78
4447 Broadway (189 & 190 Sts.)
21+
Open Bar From 7-8 p.m.

Proud to be on the short list for this joint! Pete Rock! Spinna! Bobbito! And me? Honored and excited to be back uptown for old time's sake to rock in Washington Heights!

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August 12 (9 p.m.—2 a.m.)
Soul Sessions Presents California Soul
Grand Star Jazz Club
943 N. Broadway
Los Angeles
21+
$12/$15

This is gonna be fucking bananas. I've never worked with these folks before, but if their party is anything like their professionalism, we are in for an amazing night on August 12! Looking forward to this!