So if you didn't hear, I was one of the two openers for Bone Thugs last sunday. This was my first big national artist opening experience. I opened for Joe Budden with Neema (then Unexpected Arrival) but wasn't really a billed artist, and once for Gza...technically...in Everett. But never anything like this. Wanna hear my thoughts on the night? Good...cuz its my blog and I was going to tell you anyway...

Lets get the complaints out of the way.

El Corazon security is FUCKIN STUPID! I know they have a tough job, and they have had shit go bad in the past i.e. shootings. But to not allow one of your performers, regardless of how big or little he may be, to video tape their performance is not only aggrivating but its disrespectful. I've worked hard to get to the point where I have these oppurtunities to do things like this, and I want my god damn efforts documented. I didn't get backstage access, only 2 drink tickets, and couldn't record my set. Gay.

Other than that...I had the best night of my "rap career" so far. The night started off with Sadistik performing. I think this dude is talented, but I don't think he's right for a Bone Thugs crowd. He's much more Atmosphere/Grayskul/Aesop Rock type shit. But props to dude for performing completely by himself and still managing to keep peoples attention.

I was up next. And of course I had my team with me. Aro and DJ Rise were in full effect and held me down as professionally as they always do, along with a couple guest features from Grynch and Neema. It was a packed house by the time I was on, which made this the biggest crowd I've ever performed for...by far. I'd like to think we killed it. The crowd seemed to be really into it and went ape-shit for some T-shirts when they saw I was bout throw some out.  It was definitely one of those nights you have that remind you why you keep spending all your money in the studio.

After that I made my way to the bar on the other side of the venue and by this point the club was sardine status. I decided not to drink at all and just went out for some air. R.P. (Young Soprano's little brother and upcoming artist) was outside so I talked with him for minute before heading back in to see Bone.

Bone had a few of their "lil homies" perform before they went on. The only one who was really worth a damn was Tay Smalls. He wasn't bad...but wasn't super impressive either. His last song he performed brought Bizzy Bone out, which laid any doubts that he may be a no show to rest. Bizzy kicked off E. 99 and people started going nuts. As they worked their way through the song, all 5 members appeared on stage...which is something I have litterally waited 10+ years to see. I loved it. They did some of the best songs they got, including Days Of Our Lives, 1st Of The Month, For The Love Of Money, and of course, Crossroads.

Soon as they left stage, I held up my albums and started hustlin. I made a nice chunk and every member of Bone left that club with my album in their pockets.

Great night. Thanks to Abe at Mike Thrasher Presents for putting me on.

And thanks to everybody who came out to support. Whether it was for me or Bone I appreciate it all the same. Peace.

...that Joey is the freshest new photographer on the scene right now. I see me doing a lot more work with him very soon. Heres what he put up in his blog. It contains the photo shoot in the slide show below. Holler ballers...

I got the chance to work with local emcee Ripynt this past week. I must say, he was probably the funnest musician I have worked with so far. You musicians need to step your social game up and have some fun on these photo shoots! Ripynt just released his sophmore album Reinventing Poetics which has recieved some pretty solid reviews locally. I had the chance to listen to the album while editing the photos and it will spend some time on the ipod for sure. Below is a slide show of the shoot. Click the 4 arrows at the bottom right to view in full screen. You can check out Ripynts tunes at www.myspace.com/ripynt. He’s also looking for stalkers at twitter.com/ripynt.

You can view the slide show at http://blog.joephotoanddesign.com/

 Check out more about Joe Photo and Design at www.joephotoanddesign.com. Great rates and ever greater pictures. Peace. -Rip

Tonight: Ripynt at Nectar

....

A while back, I wrote a profile of Everett-based MC Ripynt (pronounced "repent") that brought the long knives out on 206 proof, as well as on this widely read, totally relevant magazine's web site.
(Beware: The latter post is a taxing read for a number of reasons, not
the least of which is the spray of exclamation points in the prolix,
tone-deaf fourth paragraph. Perhaps the editor's time would be better
spent actually editing, and not commenting on his, uh, writers' posts.
It also might help to avoid labeling other publications "rags" without
showing a little ironic self-awareness. But, hey, what do I know? I
like using the second-person!)

Lost in the all the chatter was the fact that Ripynt is
a talented MC with a broad range of lyrical interests. And on the
tracks I've heard from his four-years-in-the-making debut album, RIP: Re-inventing Poetics, he uses that range to maximum impact. For
example, Ripynt tackles the numbing effects of poverty and the saving
grace of music on "Breakthrough" (produced by Sinic and his younger
brother Aether and propped up by a wall-rattling chorus from Kansas
City, Mo., MC Krizz Kaliko); the pain he experienced when he and his
wife went through a temporary yet nasty break-up on the
Sinic-and-Aether-produced "Scarecrow"; and on "Rippin' It," produced by
Sinic, he offers some much-needed comic relief, taking a shot at his
own confusingly spelled MC moniker.

It's a well-rounded debut that Ripynt nevertheless understands is
one small, though significant, part of a much larger struggle. "It's
not a perfect album. In retrospect, I know there are songs I could've
afforded to cut, and it could've been shorter," he says of its 18
tracks. "But overall, I'm very proud of the product."

WHAT IT DEW?

I'm proud to finally announce that my debut album, RIP: Re-Inventing Poetics, is back from the presses!!!

I don't have a Paypal button set up yet cuz I'm a slacker. But if your interested in picking the album up from me personally, just get at me and we can work something out. Otherwise, it will be in your local Silver Platters/Sonic Boom/Easy Street/Platinum Records this next week.

OR

You can always go to iTunes, E-Music, Amazon MP3, or Napster and get your digi-bounce on. But remember!!! The awesome, incredible, bodacious song featuring Sleep of Oldominion, Lonely People, is only available on the CD version of the record.

And to all my budding entrepreneur's looking to get your grind on, I have exclusive bulk package rates. Contact me for details on that.

I'm extremely excited about this project and am very proud of it. I am confident that you will enjoy the listen. Here's what Larry Mizell Jr. over at the Stranger had to say about it:

March 25 at Nectar, catch the CD-release party for RIP:
Re-Inventing Poetics, the debut album from EVT-er and fellow comics
lover Ripynt, pronounced "repent" (Rip even has a song called
"Rippin' It" dedicated to all those, like myself, who mispronounce his
name on the regular). Poetics is a solid debut, with no shortage
of passionate rhyming and topical diversity but while his fundamentals
are in order, Rip's stiff rhyme style and overreliance on Slap Chop
double-time raps show an MC that still needs more seasoning. My man
says it himself: "I got a polished style, it just ain't polished
perfect," but moments like the stomping album opener "Take It to the
Top" let me know that Ripynt knows how to play to his strengths. One of
which is his live show, and rocking with Rip on the 25th is one of his
avowed influences, Oldominion senior partner
Sleep—as well as Wizdom, DJ Swervewon, and
your host Neema. -Larry Mizell Jr.

How can you argue with that? Pretty good for a debuter, huh?

Anyway, I hope everyone can make it to the show this Wednesday, March 25th at the Nectar Lounge. Lets get tossed and celebrate a night of incredible music. I promise to bring my A-Game. One.

-Ripynt

Ok. So today is the day. My album should be in every record store in the greater Seattle area that isn't owned by a conglomerate company, but its not. I should have a button on my myspace to buy directly from me, but I don't. Why you ask? Well I'll tell you...

A certain CD manufacturing plant that I went through seemed to have gotten backed up and misplaced my order somehow. The good news I'll have 200 copies for this weekend that were overnighted to me, and the rest should be here in time for my AWESOME ALBUM RELEASE PARTY THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, THE 25TH, AT NECTAR LOUNGE!!!

The bad news is unless you see me in these skreets, you won't be able to order the album or find it in your local Silver Platters/Sonic Boom/etc etc for another week or so.

The other bad news however is that my album didn't seem to go live digitally today like it was supposed to. I'm not sure whats up with that but I will be sure to inform you all when I know.

Such is life I guess. I promise an incredible show this coming Wednesday and I swear...there will be albums for purchase. Don't forget to be one of the first 25 paying peeps through the door and you gets a free one. Hope to see everyone there. And thanks for the continued support. One.

-Rip

And there you have it folks. You can pick it up March 20th. The release party is still in its planning phase but you can go ahead and mark your calendar for Wednesday March 25th @ Nectar Lounge. 21+ (Sorry all my underage supporters. I'll figure something else out soon.), and only $8 at the door. So far the line-up is myself (obviously), and Sleep of Oldominion (If you don't know who this guy is, go to www.myspace.com/sleepofoldominion. I can honestly say he is one of my favorite emcee's, period. Don't sleep...GET IT?). DJ Swervewon will be spinning (www.myspace.com/djswervewon), and my good pal Neema will be hosting (www.myspace.com/unexpectedarrivalmusic). There will be one more name added to the roster before long so keep an ear and eye out for an announcement. Hope to see everybody there. I'll have the album for sale as well as some fresh new T-Shirts. Thank you for supporting local hip hop. We need you more than ever.

R.I.P. 29-E. Get well Prez, Contajus, and Trama. Lets make the rest of the year a good one. Peace.

-Ripynt

Ok. Last night I performed at The Corner. No...I'm not a giggalo turnin tricks, fuckers...The Corner is a monthly hip hop showcase thrown by Candidt of Oldominion crew. Its the best place in Seattle to introduce your ears to the sweet sounds of local hip hop, both new cats breaking into the scene (such as myself) and established artists still expanding their name (such as Cancer Rising, Oldominion, 206 Zulu crew, etc, etc).

It was, hands down, one of the funnest nights of performing and cold chillin I've ever had. I wanted to come up with something more theatrical after seeing Spaceman perform there, but nothing worth while ever came to mind. So I just did like I always do and rock the stage with sheer energy. Apparently it did the trick. Some of the toughest critics in Seattle gave me the pass...which was nice. Johnnie Storm performed after me, and to be honest, I was less than impressed. Orbitron KILLED it with B-boys, dope spittins, and even a marriage proposal from his homeboy Gumbo to his woman in front of the entire crowd. It was a beautiful moment in Seattle Hip Hop. Night Owls finished off the night like a couple of drunken bums who just so happen to be two of the dopest emcee's in the city. They were entertaining as fuck. I loved it.

It was a great fun night with lots of friends, some new aquaintances, and a crowd full of people who genuinely love hip hop. Hope to see ya'll at the next show.

PS: Shouts to Duranged Pitt who has now dubbed me "The Rap Wolverine". Haha...Rip Howlett (Thats for my true comic book heads. If you don't know feel free to ask...).

-Rip

Last night I had my mastering session at Undercaste Studio with Mr. Isaak Meek. I haven't heard the final product yet (I need to pick it up today.) but if you've ever heard an Undercaste album before, you know its top notch. The artwork is almost done and is looking amazing. March is still a few months out, but just know that there is no slack-off left in me. March 20th is the date. RIP: Re-Inventing Poetics is the album. A release party is in the works, and you can expect a few surprises in the coming months to hold you over. Tell your friends to check out Ripynt. Its time to get my feet off the ground.

Keep supporting, cuz I'm not slowing down.

One.

-Rip