Addicted to music...

It all started in the Summer of '06 when my friend let me borrow his turntables and some records while he was out of the country for a few months. I really had no idea what to do, but I figured it would be nice to have a cool new toy for the summer. Little did I know that this would be the start of an addiction not only to turntables, but to buying records. When all was said and done, I think I had $350 worth of records by the time I had to return the Technics at the end of August...and I couldn't even play them since I didn't even have my own record player. At least I have this live mix I did (which I'm still pretty proud of). 

Flash forward almost three years later. I've had my own set of turntables for just under a month now and I couldn't be happier. I'm usually an impulsive buyer when it comes to music equipment, but I resisted the temptation to buy them for over 2.5 years until the time was finally right. Thanks to Craigs List, I found a deal that was just way too good to pass up and I have absolutely no regrets.

Now in less than 24 hours I'm going to be spinning at Mass Movement's Funk Fuzz event in Long Beach. I thought I would start spinning at little kickbacks and BBQ's, but I had no idea that my first public set would be at an actual bar/club. Although I'm far from calling myself an actual "DJ," I'm still excited that I have this opportunity. Like my brother said in an email earlier today, "Everyone has to start somewhere." 

I guess I can check off one more item on my list of musical goals/accomplishments...

Deep thoughts with Jack Handy...

This might've been a semi-decent Jack Handy moment:

"If you need an indicator on your beer can to tell you whether it's cold or not (Coors Light), should you really be drinking in the first place?"

Like sham-wow we just gotta absorb it...

Hilariously clever...

Gotta love my people...

Even the Wall Street Journal knows wassup. This was filmed at the homie's house...

This is some crazy shit, yo. Not only are they voluntarily sleeping on the streets, but they're doing it for some expensive ass shoes too! I wonder what the homeless people in that area think of these kids?! 

Waiting for Yeezys from kwest on Vimeo.

I'm a few years late, but I finally watched "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," which focuses on The Funk Brothers, the musicians who played with artists like Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and The Supremes just to name a few.

Considering my newfound love and appreciation for old Soul records, this was a really inspiring film. What I loved about it was just seeing all the band members reminiscing about the good ol' days and sharing all the stories that went on behind the music. And even though it's been years since they made music together, you can still see the strong sense of camaraderie and chemistry between them, which just can't be duplicated with today's fancy production and elaborate marketing plans.

One of the things that sticks out the most for me is when someone said something like "don't play it if you don't feel it." That's such a simple idea, but it's something that tends to get overlooked in today's musical climate. They were focused on making hits back then, just like many musicians are now, but there was just so much more feeling. And at the end of the day, people should make music that they feel instead of worrying about ringtone downloads and record sales.

Feel Good Music...

Play this song at your BBQ's, Sunday lunches and all family gatherings. CLASSIC. (Although I don't necessarily agree with all of their views during the talking part at the end -- mainly the domestic role/perception of the mother).

Absolutely beautiful...

This is a couple days late, but the feeling is still beautiful. How can you not like this guy?!?