Weddings and Wax: On The Road With Rich Medina (Aug. 12-17)

Living this life and holding the camera.

Aug 18, 2011
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This past week had to be one of the most geographically challenging weeks for me ever. Between traveling home from Miami and then straight to Washington Heights,  then downtown Manhattan, and then Long Island, to jumping on a flight to L.A. to meet up with my family, DJing at Soul Sessions in L.A., partying at DJ Keith and Monica Conklin's wedding in S.D., and then flying back home with the family to a full week of studio, writing and local club work, the game didn't stop, so neither could I.

Work while you can, rather than when you gotta, I always say. And with that, we get back to life on the road, local, domestic, and foreign, all with the same goals: spread love, become a better artist, and get paper to feed and shelter my family. It may make Jack a dull boy, but since my work includes play, my blades are feeling good and sharp. Salute.

Group Hug

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WHERE: Del Mar Fairgrounds, San Diego, Calif.
WHEN: August 12, 2011

My brother Keith Conklin rented out a section of the infield at Del Mar Fairgrounds for his wedding party to come kick back and enjoy some horse racing the day before the wedding. We had a fucking blast and only lost 50 bucks due to our lack of betting expertise, thank God. Captured this moment before leaving the field to travel to LA for my gig at California Soul. I love my family. This is really not a pose. The boy was so mad that I had to go that we all ended up jumping on the Coastliner together to ride to LA. So validating when your kid knows you gotta go, and demands to go with you. Thanks for letting that happen, Mommy. XO

California Soul Annual Party #5

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WHERE: Los Angeles
WHEN: August 12, 2011

Just as the Lions were ending their incredible reggae set, I was setting up to rock. There HAD to be at least 1,200 people there. Maybe that's the rum talking, but it definitely felt like that many folks to me.

Shouts to Chad, Derrick, and the enire California Soul Crew, as well as J Boogie, DJ Plann B, and all the other mega talented people on the bill. Apologies for omitting some names, but you know I mean no harm. Just writing and being thankful to everyone involved. Guilty parties, stand up. Soul Session, you fucking rock. Thank you for an incredible night in L.A.!

JRocc AKA ShortRich & Rich Medina AKA TallJay

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WHERE: California Soul Party, Los Angeles
WHEN: August 12, 2011

This dude is one of my favorite DJs on the planet, hands down. Got HEAVY crates, crazy hands, and is a founding member of the Beat Junkies Crew, one of the finest groups of turntablists ever assembled. He beasted on Props last time we brought him out, and it seems like we'll be doing it again in September. This was shot moments after my set at California Soul, and a few hours before jumping on a train with my family to go back to Solano Beach to do Keith and Monica Conklin's wedding.

Keith & Monica Conklin's Wedding

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WHERE: Solana Beach, Calif.
WHEN: August 13, 2011

Me and the man of the house showing them how a real tag team does it. This boy is a hot ass mess! Every other record he was hamming for his mom, or doing some crazy ass Power Ranger/Rock Steady moves with grown ass women following him around like paparrazzi. Hilarious.

So happy and proud that I can travel with my family, and include my son in my work whenever possible. Moments like these are both priceless and timeless, because I know he will be 21 with a beard and stealing my kicks and gear soon enough. But, for now, it's another gig in the books for DJ Snacks.

I Believe I Can Fly

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WHERE: Salana Beach, Calif.
WHEN: August 14, 2011

I was too beat to get up and go with them, but my lady caught this great shot of Kamaal acting like a little braided seagull on the beach in San Diego. I bug out when i think that there's a chance this dude could be dunking on kids in less that 11 years, 'cause right now he's got the "newspaper" vertical (AKA can only jump high enough for you to slide a Sunday paper under his feet). Classic shot.

Rush Hour Slow Down

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WHERE: New York
WHEN: August 16, 2011

Great view of a not-so-great situation to be in when you are 30 minutes from late to your soundcheck in Wiliamsburg. My cabbie was the shit though. He actually pulled a U and beat ALL this traffic to the Willyburg Bridge in record time. Had to tip the brother. AND he was rocking Fe Fe Na Efe ( Fela Kuti) on a CD Walkman loud as fuck in his cab. My kinda dude.

Words to Live by

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WHERE: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn
WHEN: August 16, 2011

At times I couldn't imagine the things a venue owner has to deal with weekd after week of having drunk people beating the hell out of your place. Spills, fights, broken equipment, stocking a bar or bars, staff, and the dumbass who decides to stick an entire notebook in the toliet after taking a dump in the club, which is beaucoup non-cypher in and of itself. Funny that when dealing with supposedly forward thinking adults, notes like these are the norm in most if not all clubs and venues, and they are often full of little smart ass ad-libs from time to time too. Point is, relax, and just don't do it when you wanna crap in public and stuff a toilet with things that don't belong in toilets. Thanks.

Little Dragon

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WHERE: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn
WHEN: August 16, 2011

Cool backstage aerial view of Little Dragon whooping Brooklyn's ass. They gave your man the ill shout out at the end, just like I was a band member. That was a first, considering I only opened and closed for them, but an honor nonetheless. Thank you for an inspiring show. I think LD is on the verge of something big. Really big. Like Bjork big, in due time. So fucking dope.

Little Dragon Playbill

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WHERE: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn
WHEN: August 16, 2011

This band is really incredible. And their following is nothing short of ravenous. Every time they ended a tune  had to put in my earplugs the roar was so deafening. Honored to play bother before and after their lie set in Williamsburg this past Tuesday. The show was completely sold-out, and after the live set, i was able to maintain just about half of the room for about 45 more minutes before it was time to shut it down. I love days like this…

Struck by Structure

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WHERE: Midtown Manhattan
WHEN: August 17, 2011

En route to the Complex offices for a photo shoot, I looked up from my cab, had my phone in hand, and caught this shot. Semi-random, but striking just the same. I've always been a bit of an architecture freak, and sometimes the most random Manhattan buildings can look extremely majestic to me from certain angles. Almost as if the buildings themselves are watching us on the streets as we move.

Upcoming Shows

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August 20 (9 p.m.—1 a.m.)
Uhuru Africa Meets Jump N Funk (with Adam Gibbons & Max Pela) 
AllAsia Bar
334 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, Mass.
21+
$10


Last time I brought Jump N Funk to Boston we almost knocked down two walls at AllAsia Bar! We meet Uhuru Africa once again for another night of Global Afro Soul, Afrobeat, Afro House and Pan African grooves. Beantown, let's get busy! Love Afro Life!


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August 26 (10pm—4am)
GOOD FRIDAYS (with DJ Soul & DJ GetLive)
Tammany Hall
 152 Orchard Street
New York
21+
$10


I did a party at Tammany Hall a few months ago, right after the tsunami in Japan. I had a great time for a great cause. Looking forward to rocking with DJ Soul and DJ GetLive as well.


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August 29 (10 p.m.—4 a.m.)
DEEP SPACE
Cielo
18 Little West 12th St.
New York
21+


Free admission and vodka cocktails witj flyer before 11 p.m.; $12 with flyer after 11 p.m.; $15 without flyer


When one of the DJs that you looked up to your whole career calls you to sub for him at his party, you should show up. Francois K. is a pioneer, and one of the leaders in dance music culture. You may know him from Body & Soul and his productions, but Deep Space is his baby, and I’m thankful that he asked me to come participate.


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September 2 (11 p.m.—4 a.m.)
STATE OF with RICH MEDINA
Bardot
3456 North Miami Ave.
Miami
21+
$10


Installment #5 of my new Miami residency! One of my favorite new things to do! Hopefully if you're in Miami and you check us out, you'll feel the same. Last month was super heavy, rocking out ‘til 5 a.m., and we're only expecting more first Friday fireworks this coming month. Miami, let's get it!


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September 3 (11 p.m.—4 a.m.)
WHAT THE FUNKE! w/DJ Spinna
Santos Party House
96 Lafayette St.
New York
21+
$10


Installment #4 of my annual Fela Kuti vs. James Brown throwdown with my brother DJ Spinna. Each and every time we do this party it gets stronger, more full, and gains more recognition. Here's to you being a part of NYC Afrosoul history with us on September 3!


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September 4
LAZY EVENING w/LT SMAS, KITTYBAT and DJ YNOT (9 p.m.—2:30 a.m.)
SUbstance
934 North Mills Ave.
Orlando, Fla.
21+
$10


I did the Lazy Afternoon party over Memorial Day weekend with these cats and had a ball. Now we are looking to make it a residency at least on a quarterly level, if not more often. I love bringing my sound to new markets, and if my last visit was any indication of what's to come, September 4 should be one for the record books, to say the least!


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September 9 (11:30 p.m. — 3:30 a.m.)
Brooklyn Bowl w/ The Marksmen
61 Wythe Ave.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
21+
$5 


Brooklyn Bowl is one of the most unique and ambitious venues in New York. To be brought in there as a DJ to rock such a big room on a monthly basis is an honor and a challenge that I welcome with open arms. As much as I trend toward smaller rooms, I really enjoy this party because I get to rock alongside my partner in crime, Mark Hines, who will rip your video guy's head off. Trust me. If you doubt it, come check us and see for yourself. I'm beyond positive you will agree. BK let's go!


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