Upgrade You: On The Road With Rich Medina (Dec. 1-6)

Image via Complex Original

WHERE: The friendly skies
WHEN: Thursday, December 1, 2011

With all the traveling I do, you might figure I'd be flying first class on each and every flight. Well, I don't…aside from times where I may upgrade myself for comfort, or when I run into a nice flight attendant on a flight that's not so full…until now. This trip brought me to Gold status on American Airlines and their network of sister airlines, which means many more first class trips going forward. Feelin' that.

WHERE: Harlem Stage Gatehouse
WHEN: Thursday, December 1, 2011

I really appreciated receiving this card from the good people at Harlem Stage. Sometimes, personal acknowledgement is far more important than money or public accolades. Our first 10 years with Jump N Funk has been very personal and critical for me as an artist, and this was the very first time anyone ever reached out to us in this fashion. Thanks Harlem Stage, and here's to 2012. We're super excited about our future endeavors together.

WHERE: On Your Needles
WHEN: Every day

THIS is why your Serato sometimes goes into Poltergeist status when you're in relative or absolute mode. Clean your needles between every song, especially when rocking digitally. You'll most likely save yourself from some sonic embarrassment…trust me…cotton tails are not your friend, and you are not above making self inflicted mistakes as a disc jockey. Yes, you…and you too…carry on.

WHERE: All Asia Bar, Boston
WHEN: Saturday, December 3, 2011

Setting up for Uhuru Afrika's three-year anniversary with Max Pela and my fake cousin, Jay Medina. Love the African cloth on the booth, too. These guys go hard, bringing in their own sound and decorations for each and every monthly party they throw. I love to see teams of folks do the rig thing, simply for the sake of throwing a five-hour party. That kinda sew equity is a lost art for the most part, and it excited me to see people who are not above doing the diligence necessary to achieve their desired goals.

WHERE: All Asia Bar, Boston
WHEN: Saturday, December 3, 2011 

This poor cake didn't stand a chance…Before we dug into it it said, "Happy Anniversary Uhuru Afrika, and Happy Birthday Adam Gibbons and Rich Medina,"…but you can't see that part cause we had wrecked half the cake by then.

WHERE: All Asia Bar, Cambridge
WHEN: Saturday, December 3, 2011 

Happy three-year anniversary to Adam Gibbons, Max Pela, Jay Medina, Brother Andre, and the entire Uhuru Afrika family. Love y'all…

WHERE: Home
WHEN: Sunday, December 4, 2011 

This child of mine is growing outta sneakers and pajamas like he's getting paid to do so…sheesh…."Boy you need to cut all this damn growin' out, you're killing me over here!"  was a well known phrase in my house as a kid, and remains the same for me as a parent. Had to give Auntie Mariella's gifted Adidas one lost shot for posterity before they go into the "Too Damn Tight" box…

WHERE: Home
WHEN: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 

My latest Fela Kuti original pressing purchase. Salute to my L.A. record dealer (source withheld by source's request) for tracking this down for me. I have two copies of it already, but only one is an original Nigerian pressing. Now I finally have two OG pressings. Phenomenal live recording of the Afrobeat master at his best, complete with an emphatic a capella speech and introduction by Fela, his German host, and his personal announcer. Really incredible recording, in very good condition, which is damn near infeasible as an expectation when getting records that originated in West Africa. Everybody Say Yeah Yeah!

December 10, 2011 (10 p.m.—LATE)
STRICTLY NICENESS w/KWAK vs BERNARD DOBBELEER
La Bodega
Rue de Birmingham 30
Brussels, Belgium
Free before 11 p.m.; 5 euros before Midnight; 10 euros after Midnight

If this party is anything like the flyer, you may have to call the paramedics on me at the end of the night. DJ Kwak is my dude, and has said for a while now that he was gonna book me at his night. I appreciate a man of his word, and we'll be rocking together at Strictly Niceness in Brussels on December 10th. According to my man DJ Lefto, this is the absolute best night in Brussels. I don't know the man to mince words, and I got MAD love for DJ Kwak, so I'm praying for fireworks! Here's to an incredible night!

---

December 11, 2011 (7 p.m.—1 a.m.)
FOREVER DANCE TILL YOU DROP w/DJ KC THE FUNKAHOLIC & MC JOHN AGESILAS
Toko MC Theater
Polonceaukade 5
1014 DA Amsterdam
8 Euros

Once again I team up with one of my favorite DJs worldwide, DJ KC Tha Funkaholic at Toko MC with John Agesilas on the mic keeping the people engaged. Last time we rocked at Toko, the windows were sweating even with the doors open. Here's to another dope night in Amsterdam, family.

---

December 16, 2011 (11:30 p.m.—6 a.m.)
w/DJ TROUBLEMAN
Charlatan Café
Vlasmarkt 6
Gent, Belgium
FREE!

Last time I rocked in Gent I think I drank five 40s of Belgian Lager with TLP & Gerard Claes. This trip, I'm back on the rum and TLP and I bring that funk thing back one mo' time before the New Year!

---

December 18, 2011 (6 p.m.—1 a.m.)
INNER RHYTHM X’MAS PARTY w/PHIL ASHER and STUART PATTERSON
East Village
89 Gt. Eastern Street
London EC2A 3HX
£5
Purchase tickets here.

Excited to get back to London before 2012 just in time to rock alongside one of my favorite dudes Phil Asher and Mr. Stuart Patterson at Inner Rhythm at East Village!

---

December 21, 2011 (10 p.m.—4 a.m.)
PROPS w/DJ Akalepse
(Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street
New York
21+
Free before 10 p.m.; $10 after 10 p.m.

Me & Lepse continue fighting the good fight on Wednesday nights in NYC! Each and every week for going on 10 years now! no filler, no radio fluff...strictly bangers, and strictly para tu. Free before 11pm every week kids. LPR.