FELA FEVER: The Official Kickoff Party for FELA! World Tour Baltimore
feat. DJ Stylus & DJ Jahsonic of The Soul Controllers.

http://felafever.eventbrite.com/

Sunday, May 13, 2012
$10 advance / $15 door
9pm – 1am
Calypso Cafe
771 Washington Blvd
Baltimore, MD

Afro.Latin.Brazilian.House.Disco.Funk

With heavy emphasis on HOUSE for this mission, we’re headlining the premier dance music venue in DC, going big room style.

Psyched to have Joe L. joining us, as well as reuniting with percussionist Hermon Farahi.

Friday, April 27
U Street Music Hall
1115 U Street NW, Washington D.C
FREE ENTRY ALL NIGHT FOR 21+
$10 advance for 18+
*ages 18-20 by advance ticket only

And here’s a live recording from our last U-Hall set. Stream below or download.

Now with ROBOT ROCK and special guest DJ Book!

..::: www.AxelFParty.com :::.

Saturday, April 28
10pm – 3am
$5 before 10pm / $10 after
Liv Nightclub
2011 11th St NW, WDC

Saturday, April 21, 2012
Eighteenth Street Lounge
1212 18th ST. NW, Washington, DC 20036
21+, $10
curated by Farid

In the Main Room:
SOL POWER ALLSTARS
(Meistro, Deep Sang & DJ Stylus w/ Boogie on Percussion)

In the Gold Room:
FARID & DJ K2

On the Second Floor:
ALL THAT JAZZ
with THE DONVONTE MCCOY SEXTET feat. MAVIS WATER & DJ Provoke

Even if you can’t make it in person, you can tune in online at ESL Radio.

Listen to our most recent recording to get in dancing mode.

A while back I had a conversation about the history of black music in DC with some good friends and peers. Here’s the result.

Much respect to my fellow panel members Stacy Brooks, W. Ellington Felton, and Luke Stewart, DCHHP hosts JBenOK and Kokayi, Rappers I Know and The Dunes.

Documentation is critical. Glad to see folks stepping up.

New schedule. New mix.

Catch me once a month, every 1st Thursday. Starting this evening, April 5.

no cover, 21+, 10pm
Blackbyrd Warehouse
2005 14th St. NW, WDC 20009

Download audio file (djstylus_blackbyrd_vol3.mp3)
[download | right-click (PC) or CTRL-click (Mac) > 'Save As']
[subscribe in iTunes]

Q-Tip – Getting Up (KING MOST REDIRECTION)
TiRon & Ayomari – All My Love ft. Yummy Bingham
Donae’o – Number One
Pure-P – Luv Like Dis
Jill Scott – Shame feat. Eve & The A Group
Cutty Ranks – Cutty Edwards (DJ Day Reflix)
Eric B. & Rakim – Paid In Full (Album Version)
MC Lyte – Poor Georgie
Toto – Georgy Porgy
Musiq Soulchild – Halfcrazy (Remix)
Bernard Wright – Who Do You Love
LL Cool J – Loungin (Who Do Ya Luv)
Mos Def – Brown Sugar (original mix)
Poor Righteous Teachers – Rock Dis Funky Joint
Frank Ocean – nature feels
Mark Ronson – She’s Got Me feat. Daniel Merriweather
Zhané – Hey Mr. D.J.
B.o.B – Play The Guitar (feat. André 3000) [Explicit]
Usher – Whatever I Want
Mark Ronson – Ooh Wee feat. Ghostface Killah & Nate Dogg
Skillz – (For Real) He Don’t Own Me
De La Soul – Keepin’ The Faith (Just A Touch Edit)
Bennson – Let The Love (Yam Who Remix)
Uncle Jesse – Even Closer
Lyrics Born – I Like It, I Love It
Analog Players Society – I Can’t Wait feat. Cecilia Stalin
Los Rakas – Abrazame (uproot andy mix)
Jay Dee – Rico Suave Bossa Nova
Kid Creole & The Coconuts – Maladie D’Amour (Mutant Disco Version)
Fela Kuti – Water No Get Enemy (Cousin Culo Moombahton Remix)
Adele – Rolling In The Deep (Cousin Cole Remix)

From the iconic to the overlooked, this night will be nothing but women powered jams.

..::: www.AxelFParty.com :::.

Saturday, March 24
10pm – 3am
$5 before 10pm / $10 after
Liv Nightclub
2011 11th St NW, WDC

DC DJ legend Funkregulata Celo set off the launch of this monthly classics party last month. I’m eager to follow him.

Get there early for free admission. 21 and up with proper ID. No cover till 10pm. $10 after. Dress code is casual. Strictly classics! 70s, 80s, and 90s, all night.

Fever First Fridays II w/ DJ Stylus
9pm – 2am
HR-57
816 H St. NE WDC

Bring your best boogie shoes, dance with somebody and be ready for the Soul Train Line.

Your resident Sound Selectors are:

DJ Jahsonic
DJ Adrian Loving
DJ Stylus

Saturday, Feb. 25
10pm – 3am
FREE Before Midnight, $5 After
Liv Nightclub DC
2001 11th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

See you there!

Saturday, Feb. 18
10pm – Close | FREE | 21+

Jimmy Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club

1103 Bladensburg Road, NE, Washington, DC 20002

And some pre-game action from our last ESL night.

B-more’s up first on Saturday. Then DC pays homage on Sunday. All Dilla, all weekend.

Check the sets from last year’s celebration.

On the Decks:

Stylus/RoddyRod/2 Tone Jones/R.B.I/Book/Quartermaine/Pudge/Mimms/Harvey Dent/Cuzzin B

Hosted by: Grap Luva
Live Artwork by Aniekan Udofia
Photo Gallery by: Eye Candie Designs

SPECIAL  GUEST: Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey

U Street Music Hall
1115 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
$10 Donation
Doors Open at 9pm

Afro.Latin.Brazilian.House.Disco.Funk

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Eighteenth Street Lounge
1212 18th ST. NW, Washington, DC 20036
21+, $10
curated by Farid

In the Main Room:
SOL POWER ALLSTARS
(Meistro, Deep Sang & DJ Stylus w/ Boogie on Percussion)

In the Gold Room:
FARID & KIMOZAKI

On the Second Floor:
ALL THAT JAZZ
Featuring THE DONVONTE MCCOY SEXTET feat MAVIS WATER & DJ Provoke

Take a listen to our last appearance to get your mind right for the weekend.

Slip in after dinner with someone and continue the conversation. Bring a bunch of friends and take over the spot. Whatever you do is how I play. The only constant is flavor.

Have a listen to this new set, grab the previous joint then stop by tonight for a bite, some tunes, and a place to chill.

DJ Stylus at Blackbyrd Warehouse
alternating Thursdays
no cover, 21+, 10pm
2005 14th St. NW, WDC 20009

Download audio file (djstylus_blackbyrd_vol2.mp3)
[download | right-click (PC) or CTRL-click (Mac) > 'Save As']
[subscribe in iTunes]

DJ Format – Here Comes The Fuzz
Heatwave – Ain’t No Half Steppin’
John Legend & The Roots – Compared To What
N*E*R*D – Stay Together
Latyrx – Lady Don’t Tek No
Prince – Begging Endlessly
the Caesarz – Take Me Away
Biggabush – Shark Fin Soup
King Most x Frank Ocean x Notorious B.I.G. – Big Novacane (King Most Redirection Clean)
PPP – Smoking Mirrors
Matt & Kim – Block After Block
Grace Jones – Williams Blood (Aeroplane Remix)
Slave – Feel My Love (InnerWestSoul Edit)
The Fatback Band – I Found Lovin’
?uesto/FE/Carlitta Durand – Purple Flip
Analog Players Society – Feat. Cecilia Stalin – I Can’t Wait feat. Cecilia Stalin
Teena Marie – You Make Love Like Springtime (propsEdit)
Tall Black Guy VS Michael Jackson – Sunshine (Blame It On The Boogie)
Uncle Jesse – Even Closer
Anthony Hamilton – Prayin’ for you ( Hallex.M Edit )
Chanson feat. Q-Tip – Don’t Hold Back (The S-Man & DJ Phaze remix)
Edwin Birdsong – Cola Bottle Baby
Cymande – Bra
The Brand New Heavies – Saturday Nite (Jay Dee Remix feat. Mos Def)
The Politik – Saturn (the Gentleman Players remix)
N*E*R*D – You Know What
Ikenga Super Stars of Africa – Soffry Soffry Catch Monkey (Sol Power Dub)
Quantic & His Combo Bárbaro – Mas Pan
Gregory Porter – 1960 What? (Opolopo Kick & Bass Rerub)
d e g o – Eyelids Heavy
Tanya Morgan – A Love Joint Named Saturday (clean)
Donwill – Love Junkie (Wallpaper. Rmx ft The Park)

Had to cook up something special for the big shebang-bang.

Saturday, January 28th. A celebration of one year of all the body-rolling and curl moisturizing you can handle.

Tickets: http://axelf.eventbrite.com

Pre-game with this jammy right ch’ere.

Download audio file (djstylus_axel1stannivmix.mp3)
Reverend Brown intro
DâM-FunK – Monster Jam (DâM-FunK Re-Freak 4 Kool Herc)
Gladys Knight & The Pips – Save The Overtime (For Me)
Bobby Nunn – Do You Look That Good In The Morning
Sherrick – Just Call
Vesta Williams – Don’t Blow A Good Thing
Tyrone Brunson – Fresh (Scratch Mix)
Bugz In The Attic – Consequences
RJD2 – A Rollerskating Jam Called Fridays
Aurra – Baby Love (Touchsoul Boogiedub Edit)
Kon & The Gang – Sunlight
Bennson – Let The Love (Yam Who Remix)
Material – Over & Over
Logg – Lay It On the Line (JM After-Session M&M Mix)
Finis Henderson – Skip To My Lou
Janet Jackson – Say You Do
Aretha Franklin – Jump To It
Michael Jackson – Just Good Friends feat. Stevie Wonder
Ollie and Jerry – Breakin’… There’s No Stopping Us (Club Mix)
New Edition – My Secret (Didja Gitit Yet?)
Jamie Foxx – Slow Jam (live)
Midnight Star – Slow Jam
DeBarge – Love Me in a Special Way
Sheila E. – Hold Me
Isley Jasper Isley – Insatiable Woman
Herb Alpert – Making Love in the Rain feat. Lisa Keith and Janet Jackson
Status IV – You Ain’t Really Down (acapella)
Azari & III – Reckless With Your Love
EPMD – It’s Time 2 Party
Raze – Jack The Groove
Aretha Faltermeyer – Who’s Zoomin’ Axel F
The Time – Grace
Prince – Irresistible Bitch (propsEdit)
Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Ahmed’s Get It Remix)
Shalamar – Dancing In The Sheets
Dance Avenue – Doing Lines

Check out this sneak peek into the preparations for the Sexual Chocolate Band & Show’s triumphant unveiling at the Axel F anniversary.

And now, the smash follow-up to episode 1!

A reminder not to always judge a book by its cover.

F**k breakfast, get money.

This is 100% true, 100% of the time.

#everyoneisaDJ

I’ve done this before and no, sir, it’s not a little thing. It’s the type of thing that keeps your soul from dying.

It wasn’t even a smartphone.

*fist pump*

BONUS TRACK:

They missed most of the classics that will never die, but presented some of the others that I’m less familiar with because of the younger/druggier/bro-steppier demographic. I have gotten the “play something more ghetto” one many times.

EMPRESARIOS
DJ set w/ Javier Miranda on Congas
Fort Knox Recordings – DC

THE SOL POWER ALL-STARS
Afro.Latin.Brazilian.House.Disco.Funk

MARACUYEAH CREW
Celebrar, Cultivar, Mezclar, Proponer, Boom!

Saturday January 21st
9pm – 4am
$8 in advance (purchase at Som Records & Smash Records)
$10 at the door
Warehouse Loft, 411 NY Ave. NE, WDC 20002.

In 2011, a concept was born to take a wondrous period of dance music out of the dark and into the light.

This magical time from 1977 – 1987 bore the imprint of the disco age and the promise of the hip-hop era to come. It was the music we partied to when Reaganomics was going hard. A time when your video was not touching hearts and minds without synchronized body rolls and laser light effects.

It’s all the music that no one else ever plays at ’80s parties.

Throughout 2011 we celebrated this music, and you showered it with the love it deserves. We called it Axel F, after Eddie Murphy’s character in Beverly Hills Cop.

This month we celebrate one year of The Illest In Jheri Curl Funk, Champagne Soul & Lazer Boogie.

Saturday Jan. 28, 2012
Liv Nightclub DC
2001 11th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
$10 in advance
$15 at the door

TICKETS:

http://axelf.eventbrite.com/

with your resident DJs:

Jahsonic, Stylus and Adrian Loving

featuring the Sexual Chocolate Band & Show performing LIVE covers of Axel F era tunes:

Zo!
Deborah Bond
Phonte
Ne’a Posey
N’digo Rose

Also, cop the album.

Skip the shit show this New Years Eve. Carnaval de Trahison (Carnival of Treachery) is a limited attendance celebration at The Dunes to bid farewell to 2011 and say ‘sup to 2012.

Saturday, December 31st
8:30 pm – 4:00 am
$20
The Dunes
1402 Meridian Place NW, WDC 20010
150 tickets only
Cash/Credit Bar & Food

DJ SETS BY:

- Sam “The Man” Burns
- Soul Call Paul
- DJ Stylus

LIVE MUSIC BY:

- Jonny Grave & The Tombstones
- Alex Vans Band (Ben Tufts killing the drums)

FEATURING:

- Craft cocktails
- Indoor food truck by Tarsier Post-Modern Filipino & American cuisine.
- Huge, projected arcade games on the awful vacant building across the street.

And then later on, ’round 12:30 I’ll be spinning at this joint. Just found out tix are sold out. D’oh! This is just an FYI then…

Saturday, December 31st
8:30 pm – 3:00 am
BYT’s DJs & Beer & Books New Year’s Eve
1800 L St NW, WDC 20036

OPEN BAR (beer and liquor), a best of FotoWeek DC exhibit, giant hamster balls, lasers, and more.

DJs:

Animal Collective
Le Tigre / MEN, JD Samson
Lightwaves
DJ Stylus
The Metaphysical (GKYK)

LIVE BANDS: (playing guilty pleasure cover songs)

The Dance Party
The State Department & Friends Supergroup
(featuring members of Ra Ra Rasputin, Imperial China, Vita Ruins, Lightfoot, & Jeremy Teter)
Sunwolf
Silver Liners
Beyond Modern
Shark Week
The Plural Nouns Supergroup
(featuring members of Loose Lips, Last Tide, Mittenfields, and Lightfoot)
Hiding Places
Dance For the Dying
META

*Nas – “Nasty”

After I posted this, I was reminded that I left off a song I raved about in 2011. That’s because I created this list in hasty, sleep deprived fashion. This correction is a good thing mainly because I noticed that my 2011 list had fewer anthems that made me want to kick strangers in the chest. I’m not always in my subtle, soulful, sexy lane. While Nas isn’t saying anything profound on this track, he’s just saying it profoundly. And the beat is everything that’s good and just in hip-hop. I was never one of the whiners who wished Nasty Nas would return. I just resolved myself to not expecting much from him, but when he wildly exceeded those expectations I was paying attention again. Was a bit let down by the cliché video but it’s still a monster tune.

Thundercat – “For Love I Come”

Still a few years from 30, Steve “Thundercat” Bruner is shaking up the world of modern bass playing, excelling in roles as varied as Erykah Badu and Suicidal Tendencies while anchoring a unit of LA’s most forward thinking soulful music makers. Flying Lotus helped him craft The Golden Age Of Apocalypse, a love letter to jazz fusion and an open canvas of new textures. “Walking” gets the nod from most of the folks who turned me on to the record but this George Duke cover blows my wig back every time.

King – “Supernatural”

These three ladies conquered the world this year with only three songs. I was at a loss for words when I first heard “Supernatural”. Fortunately my man John Murph explains it much better.

Pharoahe Monch – “Still Standing” feat. Jill Scott

I probably had the most visceral emotional reaction to this song than any other I’ve heard this year. I’m just so thankful that Pharoahe Monch is still so ridiculously ill. This song is the sonic definition of triumphant.

Illvibe Collective – “Medicine Men Featuring A.R.M.”

I remember when this was a quick snippet from a lil’dave beat tape. I played it like it was a released track. Then IllVibe finally dropped the album they’d long promised to make, and the finished version exceeded my expectations. African emcees are not just the future anymore, they’re the right now. Glad that IllVibe had the foresight to grab a few of my favorites for this much played cut.

Phonte – “Who Loves You More” feat. Eric Roberson

I was thinking really hard on what a true grown man hip-hop record would sound like and could only think of a handful of albums that have fierce lyricism, musicality and mature themes that address adult concerns. Then Phonte dropped Charity Starts At Home and I felt like that album was created specifically for myself and my peers.

TiRon & Ayomari – “All My Love” feat. Yummy Bingham

A Sucker For Pumps renewed my faith that hip-hop can exist that appeals to the sensibilities of my generation while formed from the aesthetics of the current one. I hope these cats lead the way. I caned the Yummy Bingham jam at every gig I’ve had since it dropped. Now I can drool over her cameo in the vid.

Dego – “Pushing You To Begin” feat. Ferraz

And thus I begin the black Brit section of this list. Anyone who knows me knows I’ve done some of my finest stannery over the years for cats from this scene, and Dego is a god of it. 4hero, DKD, Silhouette Brown, 2000Black, and finally his own solo project. I struggled with choosing one tune as the album is such a unified whole. You have to experience it that way.

Omar & Zed Bias – “Dancing”

A party demolition bomb. The scenes in the video are what I strive for whenever I get on the decks. Perfection. I can’t imagine what bacchanal madness this inspired at Carnival. It sure did smash Sol Power every time we dropped it.

Donae’o – “I”

After assaulting the dance with “Party Hard” for the last couple of years, I was intrigued when the R&B/UK Funky vocalist dropped this soul stirring anthem on the venerable Strictly Rhythm label. It’s a nice spiritual balance to the club persona in his mainstream music. Sean Mccabe’s remix is embedded here but I’m most partial to the original.

Mark de Clive-Lowe – “The Why” feat. Nia Andrews

A profoundly sexy song. Stuck on repeat for me this year beyond the point that can be defined as obsessive. Mark’s club mix just takes it to another place, as if it were possible to increase the seduction factor. Nia Andrews says yes, it is.

And I’m not writing a long treatise about the hippity-hop. This 2010 Pitchfork piece still has that covered.

These are just the last couple of things I wrote that happen to pertain to rappers, and I hadn’t yet posted them here although it’s almost 2012.

Wait, before you read these, make sure you own this album. It’s one of the best favors you can do for yourself if beats, rhymes and heart still matter. DC stand up..

Oh yeah, my crew dropped an album this year too. I think it’s really good. And that’s not just because I was involved. DC stand up… again always.

Aaaand… these guys too. I’m really proud to say they’re part of the DMV. Good brothers, good music, hard work paying off.

Check the vid for “You Don’t Have to Be A Star” and the remix featuring Bahamadia, Monie Love and MC Lyte (!!!)

Ok, now for the other stuff I was talking about…

In concert: G-Side at DC9 (The Washington Post)

I was pleasantly surprised by this duo and had to do an internal reassessment of my feelings on where southern hip-hop is these days. Wish that happened more often.

Common’s Growing Pains (The Root)

Wasn’t feeling Rashid too tough this time around, but I want more from hip-hop, not just from him.

featuring:

EMPRESARIOS
Performing live & direct, Sabroso!
Fort Knox Recordings – DC

CHEICK HAMALA DIABATE
Malian Griot & Ngoni Master
Grigri Discs – Mali/DC

SOL POWER ALL STARS
Afro.Latin.Brazilian.House.Disco.Funk
DJ Trio w/ Live Percussion – Washington, DC

doors at 8pm, show at 9pm
All Ages Show
$10 Tickets

Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H Street NE
Washington, DC

Gaia is a DC-based group of musicians, singers, dancers, and DJs who collectively bring you a transcendent and interactive experience. Actively incorporating the art and architecture of the Corcoran with dance and projections, Gaia invites you into the middle of their performance. It is part concert, part nightclub, part performance art. Odds are you have not seen anything quite like it.

Saturday, Nov. 19
7:30pm
500 Seventeenth Street NW Washington, DC 20006

Corcoran Members $30
Non-members $40
Corcoran Students $20

tickets:
https://getinvolved.corcoran.org/gaiaatthecorcoran

MUSIC

Soul – Tamara Wellons
Trip Hop – Avenue To
Vibe Conductor – DJ Stylus
Congas and Jembe – Tom Pipkin
Flute and Tenor Sax – Kolai

DANCE

Urban Artistry

VIDEO ART

D’Blend – Juan Botero & Lina Almansa

Rapper J. Cole shows his star power at the Fillmore Silver Spring – Washington Post

In concert: Meshell Ndegeocello at the Birchmere – Washington Post

Thursday Nov. 17
9:30pm
no cover
Blackbyrd Warehouse
2005 14th St NW WDC

Mark de Clive-Lowe may just be the most significant modern talent bridging the worlds of jazz, soul and electronica.

During his decade long stint as an emigrated New Zealander in London, he was one of the driving forces of the broken beat and nu-jazz scenes. Since departing London for Los Angeles, his pace of productions, remixes and touring has only increased. When not creating studio magic with Lady Alma, Sy Smith or Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, he continues to push the boundaries of his already mind-blowing live shows that combine sharp jazz chops on keyboards with live production wizardry employing synths and samplers.

The overall sound of his new album Renegades hinges on club cuts flavoured with soul, funk, tech-Afrobeat and Latin twists topped with fine, organic songwriting; all orchestrated by MdCL showcasing his ability to meld the science of beat-making with musicianship. He sums up the approach: “My whole thing with this kind of production is balancing electronics and programming with organic and live musicianship. I love for that line to be blurred almost to the point where you don’t know which is which.”

The mourning process is putting all of his substantial career accomplishments in context. There’s a lot to celebrate there. But there’s more to it than that, which is why this loss is hitting me harder than I would have anticipated.

It’s not just that he was an icon for me in my youth, although nostalgia does play a major role. What really stands out is how he was universally loved and respected. And how he always extended himself to others, whether professionally or personally. And how in a cutthroat business full of ugliness and people trying to exploit others, he was always a class act who thrived on positivity and optimism. And how he was able to diversify his work to sustain a successful post hip-hop career, always setting and reaching new goals as an artist. Hev was doing everything right, yet he was cut down so prematurely. At least he made the most of his time. That’s the lesson.

I’ve said a lot this week, and others have said even more. Here are a few that deserve attention.

Heavy D (1967-2011) – by yours truly, over at D-Mac’s spot

Heavy D tribute on Decipher hip-hop radio, WPFW 89.3 FM – via my crew, The Soul Controllers.

“Heavy D danced the way big men work the back line in tennis. Not a lot of sweat or hustle, just a few clutch moves that make it look elegant.” – NPR’s Michelle Norris

RIP Heavy D – Cosmo Baker

Things We Can Learn From the Overweight Lover’s Legacy – Afrobella

Grap Luva on the Death of Heavy D – Washington City Paper

Featuring:
DJ Sets by: DJ RBI, 2 Tone-Jones & DJ Stylus
complimentary Smirnoff Cocktails, food and more!

RSVP required:
http://fs2.formsite.com/LilSosoP/MOTMDC2

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
8pm – 12mid
The Warehouse
411 New York, Ave, NE WDC

So yeah, I tried out for season 2. In NYC. *wermp*
Check out my cameo at 0:15!

Axel F #10: The Illest In Jheri Curl Funk, Champagne Soul & Lazer Boogie 1977-1987
Saturday, October 22 and EVERY 4TH SATURDAY
Liv 2001 11th St NW Washington, DC
10pm – 3am
Free before Midnight, 5.00 after