speakeasy event

New Video | Lungz - Crabs In A Barrel

Lungz - Crabs In A Barrel (Dir: N2ition) from Brandon "N2ition" Riley on Vimeo.

Directed by Brandon "N2ition" Riley

New Video | Visual - What's Up Joe

VISUAL - What's up Joe feat. Ale Nova music video from Visual on Vimeo.


Directed by Leo Flores

A story about dedication,success,struggle,jealousy and death. A lot of hip hop is violent but never has it been brought to the people in true story form like this.

Download the remix here: http://www.box.net/shared/5fnohygu2j

Also follow Visual on Twitter - www.twitter.com/ISeeItAll

Interview w/ Gozamos TV

Hey All,

It's been a long time, but we're still alive and kicking here in Chicago. This past weekend CMP Co-Founder, Leo A. Flores, stopped by the office of the Chicago Culture website, Gozamos to talk about CMP and Indie music in Chicago. Check it out!!




Chicago Music Project - Gozamos.tv Episode 10 from Gozamos on Vimeo.

CMPtv On the Scene | The Streets on Fire Album Release

Almost six months ago we wrote about a new band we love - The Streets on Fire - and now almost six months later to the day, the motley quartet that comprises the band released their second full length album at the world famous Double Door.

It was an amazing night. The stage floor was packed, the drinks were flowing, the air was hot and sticky, and the fog machine was on 11. Everyone was psyched.

The openers Blah Blah Blah and Big Science set the stage for the night with excellent performances. We've know about Blah Blah Blah for sometime, but it's the first we've heard of Big Science. Great to say the least. We can't wait to see them @ The Wicker Park Fest later this month.

With that The Streets on Fire entered the stage, and killed it! Next time these guy perform live you have to see it. It's one of those live show experiences that rarely happens.

Would we go as far to say they are the best band in Chicago right now? Well on that Friday.....they were.

Check it out!


CMPtv On the Scene | The Streets on Fire Album Release from Chicago Music Project on Vimeo.

CMP Playback | Natalie Oliveri "Never Too Late"

What more can we say about Natalie Oliveri that hasn't been said before? Since the age of 9, this Chicago based Singer/Songwriter has been shaping her own style of music. From Neo-Soul to Hip Hop this songstress has shown her versatility through her ability to deliver a soulful ballad, or a undeniably danceable Latin Pop tune.

To add to Ms. Oliveri's resume she just announced that her EP Eclectic Soul will be released in Japan by Japanese label, Revolution Recording (aka...River City Japan). Through CMP, Natalie connected with Chicago Hip Hop Group 1773, and they in turn collaborated on a track that was included on their Japanese album release Sound Soulstice. This was the catalyst for Revolution Recording to contact Natalie, and sign her to a multi-album deal with Eclectic Soul being released on July 14th.

CMP will also have the privilege of being packaged with Natalie as the music video below will be included on DVD with her CD release in Japan. Early in the year CMP Co-Founder and Filmmaker, Leo A. Flores, brought his team together to create a concept envisioned by Flores and Oliveri.

"I knew what we were creating wasn't going to be anything ground breaking," states Flores, "I just wanted to tell the story using some classic Hollywood composition, and use editing that matched the slow unwinding process that is heartbreak."

Who would have known the day we first saw this starry eyed young woman on the Student Stage during Columbia College's Manifest, that she would accomplish so much in such a short amount of time. Word is she's working on her second EP, and possibly working with several Chicago music industry notables.

Watch....Comment....Share....Enjoy!

CMP Playback | Hey Champ "Neverest"

This one is hot off the burner! Check out this gloriously strange video by Hey Champ in advance of their debut album "Star" which hits stores July 13th

CMP Around The Chi | Just for Laughs Comedy Fest: The City That Works

Last night, CMPtv had exclusive access to a rehearsal to one of the hottest show this week. Thursday, June 17th @ Martyrs in Lakeview the Just For Laughs comedy festival presents The City That Works. The is a collaborative effort between the critically acclaimed Chicago comedy ensemble Scadenfreude, and the Soul/Funk/Hip Hop band The Jordan Years.

Instead of me explaining to you what this show is......just check out the video below. It's sure to be a great night with appearances by:

Rhymefest
Radio Personalities Eddie and Jobo
The Walter E. Smith Brothers (Yes the guys from the commercials)
and many more....

RSVP Here

CMP Around the Chi | Just for Laughs: The City That Works from Chicago Music Project on Vimeo.

CMP Presents: Natalie Oliveri's Music Video Release @ Butterfly Social Club

This Wednesday, Chicago Music Project will premier Singer/Songwriter Natalie Oliveri's first music video for her hit single, "Never Too Late."

We've been reporting on Natalie's career since her first appearance with us during our INTERVENTION days @ Moonshine in Wicker Park. Since then we've been amazed with just about everything she's been a part of. Besides releasing her EP "Electic Soul" she has collaborated with Chicago Hip Hop artists 1773, Keith Masters, and even Italian Electro Lounge Group Silenzio Assenzio.

So this Wednesday marks another milestone in her music career as we share her music video Directed by myself, CMP C0-Founder Leo A. Flores, with Jordan Campagna adding his masterful work as Director of Photography.

So join us.....Details Below.....

Wednesday, June 16th
Butterfly Social Club
Doors open @ 8pm
First Showing @ 9pm
Followed by a Live Acoustic performance by Natalie
Second Showing soon after.

Drink Special | $4 beer with a free shot
Resident DJ Seano

RSVP Here....

"Puertas Del Corazon" Live @ Cuatro from Natalie Oliveri on Vimeo.

Free Mixtape | DJ Asiatic - NEVER SOLD CRACK

This past Thursday at the Darkroom Visual, Klip Art Studios, and CMP teamed up to celebrate the release of NEVER SOLD CRACK, a mixtape by DJ Asiatic.

The night saw performances by Detroit Metro Area Abrasive Method, Que B.I.L.L.A.H, Scheme & Astonish, and of course Visual himself. Let's not forget DJ Scend who backed up all the acts.

It was overall a great night with the performances, and the other Chicago artists in attendance. CMPtv and Klip Art will be releasing video and pics very soon.

Enough talk.....its time for you to download the mix tape. If you've never heard Visual before, this is a good chance to sample his work. In a sea of rappers talking about "jukin hoes" and "Party Party", Visual brings a positive message to his music. A message of believing in yourself and not just following your dreams, but making them a reality. Since Thursday, the mixtape has been blowin up the internet on various music blogs. It's hot!

Click on the pic above to download the mixtape. Below is a video for Visual's "We Gonna Fly" by our hommies @ Kilp Art.

Visual "We Gonna Fly" Video from Klip Art Studio on Vimeo.

EXPERIENCING LOCAL MUSIC - ONE FESTIVAL AT A TIME

One of the things people look forward to most during Chicago Summers are the festivals. Whether it's the shopping, quick eats, beer tents or just being able to meet up with everyone you know - summer festivals in Chicago have become huge events with new one popping up every year.

And at Chicago Music Project, we're happy to see that summer fests are supporting more and more local artist by booking local talent for their shows.

Check out the Taste of Randolph this year with local legends Califone along with Mucca Pazza, Superchunk, and one of our favorites, Matthew Santos and his band. See you there!

HE SAY SHE WHO? THIS IS KINKY NOTTI AND THEY'RE HOT

All right, this city has had it's share of boy/girl electronic duos in the past. But Kinky Notti's "Ghetto Love" is here to let you know that none of those other guys (and girls!) matter.

Smart video, funky grooves - I can't get this track out of my head. Check it out!

KINKY NOTTI - Ghetto Love Video from Kinky Notti on Vimeo.

CMPtv | REBELS @ LARGE - CAM BE PRESENTS 1773's "THE GOODNESS"

Proving himself to be a legitimate music video maker, Cam Be submitted his second work of art with 1773 for their hit single, "The Goodness".

1773 - The Goodness/ So Clear from Cam Be on Vimeo.

CMPtv PRODUCTION FEATURED ON LOLLALPALOOZA SITE

CMPtv got together with Derek Berry and Rick Carrico of Team Bayside high and created a SPOTLIGHT segment for them. It's been featured on lollapalooza's website!

CHECK IT OUT!

CMPtv PLAYBACK | "GIVE IT TO ME" RHYMEFEST

Rhymefest has a new album coming out June 8th . . . check out the music video for his single "Give It To Me"

CMPtv PLAYBACK | "I'M BEAMING" LUPE FIASCO

At fourteen, Lupe lived on the west side of Chicago, in “the ‘hood,” as he said, “like the ‘hood ‘hood, the real ‘hood. Prostitutes on the corner, gangs, drive-bys, blood stains in the hallway.” He’d been a black belt in karate for four years. He skateboarded the lakefront and was raised a Muslim, as he still is today. His dad taught him about African music and his days in the Black Panthers. He hated hip-hop.

“The ‘hood was the environment,” he said, “But it was juxtaposed with a really strong family. As kids, we couldn't curse. We got whippings for cursing. Girls were taboo then, and [in some hip-hop] they were talking about doing all this wild, outlandish stuff with girls. Quite honestly, it was embarrassing.”

But around that time he heard Nas’ 1996 album “It Was Written,” and his distaste for hip-hop vanished. The parallels ran deep: Nas grew up among the harshness of Queens but was raised on the teachings of Islam and by his famous and worldly musician dad, Olu Dara.

Enter: Music (noun)

1. a most immediate art form, resistant to theories and generalizations

2. a long-standing refuge for the creative

By 25, Lupe had a second album out, had been produced by Jay-Z, Kanye West and the Neptunes, and was rapping about how “hip-hop saved [his] life.” Now at 28, he has the power to lift new talent from obscurity, helping to launch the careers of Matthew Santos, Chicago’s Hey Champ and GemStones.

There appear no limits to his ideas these days and the directions he’s willing to take. He created a persona called “LupE.N.D.” in 2009, the name he said he’d give his newest album, the last one before he quits music forever. Going back on that, he then said he’s sticking with music and titling his new album “Lasers” — which is due out soon.

Creativity is like that. Everything seems like a good idea at the time, and usually because it is a good idea at the time. Even if it contradicts itself.

What’s next for Lupe is anyone’s guess. He’s currently climbing Mount Kilamjaro with Kenna and Justin Timberlake for charity. He and Kanye have been planning with Pharrell to put out an album under the pseudo-group name the Child Rebel Soldiers for at least half a year. He’s also said to have a novel in the works, which is, interestingly, about a window-washer.

Angela Chase of My So-Called Life, a veritable philosopher of our times, once said, “It just seems like personality is something you agree to, just to make things easier on everyone else.” All that we can say about Lupe for sure is that few are less predictable and more interesting to watch. Only, he’s somehow doing it more quietly than his peer stars. He’s not grabbing microphones from Taylor Swift — nothing so tasteless. It makes it easy to forget (or not to realize) just how big he is.

Check out the latest in Chicago's local legend - Lupe Fiasco:

CMPtv | REBELS @ LARGE - CAM BE presents TAYLOR MALLORY

CMPtv contributor Cam Be (camera/editor) did a segment on local singer/songwriter Taylor Mallory at the Vocalo.org radio station. Taylor Mallory - whom we had the pleasure of opening for a Claire Stahlecker acoustic set a couple months back - performs his single "Sunni's Outside" in the radio station's studio.

Check out the video and give us some feed back . . . we hope to see more from this rebel at large.

Taylor Mallory - Sunni's Outside (Live) on Vocalo 89.5 FM Chicago from Cam Be on Vimeo.

Cam Be also did * CMPtv On The Scene | Every Drop Counts - Haitian Relief Series * to become a CMPtv "REBEL AT LARGE" simply submit a link to your reel and/or video to rebels@chicagomusicproject.com

CMPtv ON THE SCENE | EVERY DROP COUNTS - HAITIAN RELIEF SERIES

Time has passed since the devastating earthquake that rocked a small nation and captured the hearts of America - but time has not forgotten the people of Haiti. At risk of repeating myself, the Presidential Palace left in ruins has been chiseled into my mind as a haunting representation of the destruction that was wrought upon the Haitians that fateful Tuesday afternoon. If the single most powerful effigy of a nation is reduced to rubble and debris, imagine the death, destruction, agony and pain that was inflicted upon the rest of the nation.

Haiti was in dire need and a small group of artists came forth to answer the call. Utilizing the power of social networks, Aja Monet and Ferrari Sheppard were able to hook up with the World Water Relief organization and put together one of the most impressive hip hop bills ever for this humanitarian cause. Marco Lopez of Black Market Caviar was generous enough to allow his store to be the hub of the operations, as well as providing T-Shirts and other printing services for the event.

With a lineup set and most details locked in, it didn't take long for a buzz to begin among social circles for weeks prior to the event. Despite any obstacles and internal disagreements that may have occurred - which is just the proverbial nature of the beast when trying to organize such a large scale event - while planning, all were overcome and the final product was one huge music event that will be spoken of for years to come.

We had the privilege of attending the Every Drop Counts benefit that brought out every single important hip hop artist in the city of Chicago for an evening of motivational speeches, cohesion, love and selflessness. The atmosphere was filled with inspiration and the performances truly did rock the sold out crowd at Reggie's Rock Club. Aja Monet was the most gracious of hostesses for the event, while Ferrari Sheppard ensured that the operations ran smoothly. Clayton Hauk of Everyone Is Famous captured the event best - check out the gallery.

We were given the opportunity to interview most of the local artists that performed and the general consensus seemed to be in unison across the board. There was no hesitation to put forth a helping hand for this cause and everyone's efforts paid off - this event raised close to $7,000 from ticket sales and auction items. And this monetary value was matched by the World Water Relief organization, enough to buy several water filtering systems that can reach out to thousands of people in need.

After all is said and done, however, the tragedy is still not over. There are still tens of thousands of Haitians without enough sustenance or even a shanty to call home for them and their families. Relief and aide is still needed. If you'd like to donate or volunteer or become a part of the movement, please visit Every Drop Counts website.

Check out the video, and watch it in it's entirety. A lot of passion and dedication went into organizing the event and we hope that this video does the benefit justice in capturing the essence of what went on and the feelings that were felt from all of those present.

Thank you Aja, thank you Ferrari and a special thanks to all those of you who supported and made this event such a huge success. Events like this show the world what Chicago is about and capable of. All it takes is one person to care enough, and the rest will follow.

Every Drop Counts from Chicago Music Project on Vimeo.

article written by: Israel Fernandez III (contact at ifernandez@chicagomusicproject.com)

CMPtv PRODUCTIONS UPDATE

Last week, the guys from Chicago Music Project teamed up with revolutionized ARTS and Natalie Oliveri for a weekend long music video shoot for her hit single Never Too Late off of her latest EP Eclectic Soul.

Coming off of a short string of performances in Italy and an international collaboration with Rome's Selenzio Assenzio, Natalie was eager to come back (despite the fact that Chicago's on it's last legs of winter) and get working on this latest endeavor.

Special thanks to Brandon Reilly (N2Ition Productions), Product Productions, Alonzo Alcaraz and the usual suspects of Chicago Music Project.

Check out Natalie's EPK here.

Video set to be completed mid-April.

CMPtv PLAYBACK | "TURN IT UP" GREEN VELVET w/ SANTIAGO AND BUSHIDO

Green Velvet (a.k.a. Cajmere) has been a notorious Chicago mainstay in the club/house scene ever since his first serious hit most commonly known as "It's Time for the Percolator" (released on Cajual Clubhouse Records 1992). Well into the new century, the famed DJ/producer has continued to create club jams and high profile collaborations that have effortlessly been shaking asses* throughout Chicago and beyond.

Check out his latest collaboration with Santiago and Bushido for "Turn It Up" with multiple cameos from various local DJ's and underground house socialites.




* picture of booty courtesy of www.hotchickswithdouchbags.com