Recent posts: CARLITA

Previewing Grammy Museum’s new “Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit” before its public opening a few weeks ago, my eyes immediately met priceless, meaningful cultural artifacts at every turn. Among the friendly faces greeting the small crowd of photographers and journalists viewing these rarities, stood UCLA’s English and African-American Studies “Professor of Hip-Hop” and Rap Lab founding director Adam Bradley. As a life-long lover of poetry and song lyrics, I was hyped to connect with him about his passion for the art form and his influence on the prominent “Lyrical Adventures” pod within the exhibit.

Entering The Grammy Museum’s latest ” Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit”, in the center of the room, an eye-catching case with studded jeweled nails worn by Bay Area rapper Saweetie, rests. Contributing this trendsetting piece of hip-hop art is celebrity artist and nail salon owner Temeka Jackson. Beginning her nail art journey as the first Black nail technician in New Haven, Connecticut, she’s appeared in reality shows like “Next Top Nail Artist” and “Nailed It”. Today, staying booked and busy, her custom creations reign on red carpets, music video sets and magazine covers on the reg.

Getting the unique opportunity to preview Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum’s latest exhibit before doors opened on Friday, Dilla’s personal cassette tapes, Andre 3000’s flamboyant feathery suede jumpsuit, Saweetie’s elaborate nail art, and a B-Boy posed in mid-head spin all awaited me inside.

SPUNSUGAR DO IT THEMSELVES IN NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR UPCOMING SINGLE ‘SAN JOSE’ DROPPING SEPTEMBER 29TH 2023- Swedish three-piece Spunsugar is releasing DIY-chic music video for new track ‘San Jose’, the third single from their upcoming new album ‘A Hole Forever,’ via Adrian Recordings on September 29th, 2023, with forthcoming sophomore album due to release on November 17th, 2023.

Welcoming WAASH to the Light Organ Family– Andrew Bishop, a versatile musician hailing from Vancouver, has firmly established himself as a prominent figure in the city’s pop music scene. He’s been a part of various groups, including Twin River, Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds, dwi, and White Ash Falls.
Now, he embarks on a new musical journey under the moniker WAASH, merging his prolific songwriting skills with a passion for expansive shoegaze soundscapes. This marks both the culmination of his musical career and an exciting fresh start.

While perusing through the stacked lineup for Bull City’s 5^thAnnual Art of Cool Fest earlier this fall, my eyes immediately stopped at one name. Dwele. Universally known for hailing from the historic Midwestern music metropolis of Detroit, he respectfully pays homage to the greats that came before but blazed his own action-packed melodic trail since his demo debut ‘The Rize’ in 2000. His career’s gone fascinating places, linking up with Raphael Saadiq, Eric Roberson, Slum Village, Common, Phife, Raheem Devaughn, DJ Quik and Kanye.

Returning for its 5th year, the Art of Cool Fest brought the perfect combo of hip-hop heat and smooth soul back to NC’s beloved Bull City. Fans were treated to monumental moments like DJ sets by 9th Wonder and Spinderella, a live set by Q-Boro’s own Nas and a surprise last minute reunion of Little Brother as music coming from The Armory and The Bulls Athletic Park speakers blasted sentimental favs. Also in search of R&B band bops, we made sure to race around town to catch Dwele, Erykah Badu, Young Bull, Maxwell and Anthony Hamilton throughout the worthwhile action-packed weekend.

Keep your eyes locked for info for next year’s fest HERE!

Now that 2017 is a wrap, it’s time to give props to the artists and bands that caught my attention and never let go. The projects that stood out among the rest. The projects that kept me coming back.

Peep the #CarlitasCuts list below and my fav song off each project! If you like what you hear, go buy it!

Prince-“Purple Rain Deluxe (Expanded Edition)”

Gwen Bunn- “Safe Travels”

Rapsody- “Laila’s Wisdom”

Miguel- “War & Leisure”

H.E.R- “H.E.R”

Adelitas Way- “Notorious”

R.LUM.R- “AFTERIMAGE”

Sadistik- “Altars”

Daniel Caesar- “Freudian”

Hurray For The Riff Raff- “The Navigator”

Kesha- “Rainbow”

Bomba Estéreo- “Ayo”

Mega Ran- “Extra Credit”

La Pingos Orquesta- “Peregrino”

The Doppelgangaz- “Dopp Hopp”

Emily Estefan- “Take Whatever You Want”

Sabrina Claudio- “About Time”

DJ Colette- “Retrospective”

Valerie June- “The Order of Time”

Suzi Analogue- “Zonez: Vol 3: The World Unwinds But The Sounds Hold Me Tight”

Goldlink- “At What Cost”

Various Artists- “Insecure (Music from the HBO Original Series), Season 2”

La Misa Negra- “La Misa Negra”

Björk – “Utopia”

Chris Stapleton- “From A Room: Volume 1”

Prophets of Rage- “Prophets of Rage”

Ozuna- “Odisea”

Nai Palm- “Needle Paw”

Joey DeFrancesco and The People- “Project Freedom”

Willow- “The 1st”

Takashi Tsuzuki- “It’s Not Fair”

Dua Lipa- “Dua Lipa (Deluxe)”

Ambrose Akinmusire- “A Rift in Decorum-Live at The Village Vanguard”