Image via Complex Original
After SunceBeat in Croatia, my 2012 EU tour routed through Amsterdam for three shows, then to Oslo, Norway, for the very first time ever, then Paris, Berlin, back to Amsterdam again, and back home on the 14th, finally. Three weeks have never seemed so long, been so jubilant, or contained so much reflection for me as an artist. Li'l Ricky in Europe starts with Amsterdam this week, followed by the remainder next week. So much shit to share.
Welcome to Week 58.
7" Treat of the Week: Le Ry-Co Jazz Si I Bon Di I Bon
WHERE: Amsterdam, Holland
WHEN: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
One of only 7" singles released by the Congolese pioneers of the West African vs. Latin Jazz sound. Also known as the pioneers of Zouk in the French Antilles between 1967 and 1972. Incredible, deep, and pretty hard to come by. You're welcome.
Rocking With The Roots, Day 1 (I)
WHERE: Paradiso, Amsterdam
WHEN: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
My view at Paradiso for two hours, warming up the crowd for the Legendary Roots Crew.
Rocking With The Roots, Day 1 (II)
WHERE: Paradiso, Amsterdam
WHEN: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Pre-show laughs with James Poyser, Frankie Knuckles and Black Thought before they beat the brakes off Paradiso.
Rocking With The Roots, Day 1 (III)
WHERE: Paradiso, Amsterdam
WHEN: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Roots lightin' it up in Amsterdam.
Hey Ladies
WHERE: Paradiso, Amsterdam
WHEN: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Paradiso stage manager literally ran on stage with surgical gloves and a trash gripper to pull these bloomers off the front of the stage. Fucking hilarious.
Rocking With The Roots, Day 2 (I)
WHERE: Paradiso, Amsterdam
WHEN: Thursday, August 2, 2012
Day two soundcheck before opening the second show AND playing the 3-and-a-half-hour party afterward. First night Questlove held down that slot. Tonight, it's mine.
Rocking With The Roots, Day 2 (II)
WHERE: Paradiso, Amsterdam
WHEN: Thursday, August 2, 2012
My "Day Two View" at Paradiso. Incredible.
International Alarm Clock
WHERE: Amsterdam to Home via Skype
WHEN: Friday, August 3, 2012
Mommies take note: Make sure that if your man is traveling, you force your hand in making the kids communicate with him as frequently as possible. It's critical. I'm living proof that it works for relationship building when you spend a great deal of time on the road. My son and I are hand in glove.
United Groove with Mr. Mendel I
WHERE: De Club Up, Leidseplein, Amsterdam
WHEN: Friday, August 3, 2012
Mr. Mendel, one of the sharpest young guns in Amsterdam, setting the pace at our first "United Groove" Party at De Club Up, Amsterdam.
United Groove with Mr. Mendel II
WHERE: De Club Up, Leidseplein, Amsterdam
WHEN: Friday, August 3, 2012
Nice chunk of the approximately 400 people we crammed into De Club Up that night.
United Groove with Mr. Mendel
WHERE: De Club Up, Leidseplein, Amsterdam
WHEN: Friday, August 3, 2012
Drunk jokes and late night snapshots in the booth at United Groove. So much fun.
Hugo Martinez Goes Dutch
WHERE: The Harbor behind Centraal Station, Amsterdam
WHEN: Saturday, August 4, 2012
How many of my NYC/NJ/CT/Philly peoples remember the Martinez Gallery? Well, meet Mr. Hugo Martinez, one of the main reasons we had that place to share experiences in a few years back. I've wondered ever since they closed if there could ever be another place like that in NYC. Well, Hugo just showed me some 3D CAD renderings that may have the answer to that question. In Harlem. Sugar Hill, to be exact.
Stay tuned, and salute Hugo. Great to see you in Amsterdam once again, mi gente.
Family Time
WHERE: Uterecht, Holland
WHEN: Sunday, August 5, 2012
My beautiful nephew and niece hanging out on a lovely day off. Love these kids, man.
Upcoming Shows
August 17, 2012 (all day festival)
THE SOUL LODGE w/DJ New Life + MC Zulu
Vail Soul Music Festival
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Vail, CO
All ages
$30/45/85
First time ever in Vail. I wonder if any black people ever ski there? Haha. We shall see. Salute Freddie Baez for the work!
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August 18, 2012 (9 p.m. — 2 a.m.)
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FEATURING RICH MEDINA + DJ’s Brent Crampton & Stephen Bils
House of Loom
1012 South 10th St.
Omaha, NB
21+ or FREE w/RSVP to info@houseofloom.com
First time rocking in Omaha. My man Brent approached me six years ago for the first time, and here we are, finally. Looking forward to it.
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August 20, 2012 (10 p.m. — late)
DOWNTOWN TAKEOVER w/Anthony Valadez + DJ88
Insert Coin(s)
512 Fremont St.
Las Vegas
21+
$12
Looking forward to rocking with my man Anthony Valadez at Insert Coin(s). When I was there a couple of months ago, it was a really good time. One love to DJ 88 for the repeat visit.
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August 22, 2012 (10 p.m. — 4 a.m.)
PROPS w/DJ AKALEPSE
(Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker St.
New York
21+
Free before 10pm; $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.
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August 24, 2012 (9 p.m. — 3 a.m.)
LEISURE STUDIES PRESENTS RICH MEDINA + KON
Lola
500 North 14th St., St. Louis
21+
$10
Super excited about rocking alongside one of the most slept on DJ talents in the business today, my good friend Kon (Kon & Amir On Track/Off Track). Haven’t been in STL in a minute, and more than happy to share the stage with this guy.
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August 25, 2012 (9 p.m. — 1 a.m.)
UHURU AFRIKA w/Adam Gibbons + Max Pela
Allasia Bar
332 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge
21+
$15
uhuruafrika.com
Once again, another night of madness at Allasia Bar with the Uhuru Afrika Crew. Yeah-yuh.
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August 30, 2012 (9 p.m. — 2 a.m.)
CLASSIC JAWN w/Mike Nyce
North Shore Beach Club
1031 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia
21+
$7 before 11 p.m.; $10 after
Me and my brother Mike Nyce by the pool to close out the summer. It gets no better!
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August 31, 2012 (9 p.m. — 2 a.m.)
KING BRITT vs. RICH MEDINA
Bar Standard
1037 Broadway
Denver
21+
$10
Advance tickets here
King Britt vs. Rich Medina Part 2 in Denver. Last time was un-fucking-believable. Here's to more of that. Salute, Denver!
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September 2, 2012 (10 p.m. — 4 a.m.)
WHAT THE FUNK?! w/DJ Spinna
(le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker St.
New York
21+
$15 advance or RSVP to keistarproductions@gmail.com
Back at it again with one of my favorite DJ’s, DJ Spinna for our annual James Brown vs. Fela Kuti shindig. I expect nothing less than pure dynamite.
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September 3, 2012 (5 p.m. — 12 a.m.)
RUB A GRUB w/Queen Majesty
Do Or Dine
1108 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
21+
$20/$35 (VIP includes 3 food items + 2 beers)
advance tickets at: soundliberation.org
I love great food, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to DJ at a twilight dance party at Food TV star chef Justin Warner’s new spot Do or Dine in Bed-Stuy with the Sound Liberation crew.
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October 18, 2012 (9 p.m. — 2 a.m.)
JUMP N FUNK w/The Marksmen
Neighborhood Theatre
511 E. 36th St., Charlotte, N.C.
18+
$15/20
This will be Mark’s and my first time ever bringing Jump N Funk to Charlotte. Thanks to Jalonda for making it happen, and ready to make this the first of many!