MURDERDOG REPORTS:

What is the whole concept behind Kung Fu Vampire?
It is the hip-hop equivalent to the classic battle of good versus evil. It is a lot of good and a lot of bad. But Kung Fu is the energy and the Vampire is the Yang. It is both of those things that is why they fit and that is why some of my songs are happy and dark. It is the battle of good and evil and I want that battle for people to hear. The Vampire influence is long life; it’s about staying young eternally. The Kung Fu is about positivity and freedom of expression and being spiritual. But the Vampire’s about expressing the demons that we all have inside of us.
When I look at what you’re doing the image of the Vampire comes out more!
Because people are into that and the media looks at the vampire side of what I do.
The music has a lot of Kung Fu side to it!
I think I will do more of a Kung Fu themed album with a monk look to it and a lot more positivity to the music, but I think vampires are just popular. People tend to focus on that with me. The reason I have not been doing the Kung Fu thing so much is because I’ve been focusing on the Vampire. Maybe I will take it to a level to where it is more about the Kung Fu. After 10 years in the game you don’t think of certain things. When you think of Tha Jacka you don’t think of somebody who jacks people. That’s to where I’m trying to get to and that is the point that is coming to. People all the time say, “oh you’re a vampire, why are you shooting a photo of the day light?” And I tell them, “I am not a vampire. I am the Kung Fu Vampire, and there is a difference!” I’m a day walker and I am on that Blade shit. A lot of people think Kung Fu was martial arts but that is not what it means. The word Kung Fu means time and effort spent towards enlightenment or towards your goals. That comes from working your absolute hardest to become your best and that is where the Kung Fu part of me comes from too.

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STARTING FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 AT 12AM EST AND ENDING MONDAY MAY 20TH AT 12AM EST TWIZTID-SHOP.COM WILL BE OFFERING FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL ORDERS OVER $25 OR MORE!!! WE APPRECIATE ALL THE JUGGALOS AND JUGGALETTES FOR SUPPORTING TWIZTID-SHOP DURING OUR LAUNCH. WE GOT NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR THE FAM AND WANT TO SHOW IT THIS WEEKEND!

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Catch Big B On Tour With The Dirty Heads & The Expendables This Summer

Las Vegas hooligan Big B has premiered his new video for “Here Comes The Lightning” online with VEVO at http://vevo.ly/17lwV4S. “Here Comes The Lightning” was co-written by Pink and producer Butch Walker, and is the first single from Big B’s new album “Fool’s Gold”, which hits stores on July 9th release on Suburban Noize Records.

“I was lucky enough to work with Pink and Butch Walker on “Here Comes The Lightning”. We had talked about making music together for a long time and for this record it finally happened. We had Butch Walker produce the track and helped us write some of the music for it. He was working with Panic At The Disco at the time and he took a day off to work with us,” remembers Big B. “Butch had some music that went with the ideas that we had, and as soon as he played us the track, Pink and I just both grabbed a pen and pad and starting writing to it. It turned out to be an awesome song, and we were fortunate enough to create a dope video to back it up.”

Big B’s new album “Fool’s Gold” features musical collaborations with Slightly Stoopid, The Dirty Heads, and members of legendary punk outfits NOFX and Pennywise. The end result is a collection of songs that are just as contagious as Big B’s thuggish charm. With the entire music industry focused on finding the next huge star on reality television, Big B has taken a back-to-basics approach on “Fool’s Gold” and filled it with fun spirited songs that can fit into any music lover’s playlist. The album is rich is musical diversity and is cleverly inventive, as Big B seamlessly bridges the gap between rock, hip-hop, and alternative.

Fans can catch Big B on tour this summer with The Dirty Heads and The Expendables on the Cabin By The Sea Tour throughout June and July.

BIG B TOUR DATES:

06/21 – Austin, TX – The Belmont

06/22 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues

06/23 – Jacksonville, FL -Free Bird Live

06/24 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live

06/25 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

06/26 – North Myrtle Beach, FL – House of Blues

06/28 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa

06/30 – Ocean City, MD – Seacrets

07/02 – Boston, MA – House of Blues

07/08 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre

07/09 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall

07/11 – Kansas City – Midland Theatre

07/12 – Denver, CO – Exdo Event Center

07/15 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory

07/16 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

07/21 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon

07/22 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom

07/24 – Reno, NV – Knitting Factory Concert

07/26 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee

07/28 – Costa Mesa, CA – Pacific Amphitheatre

Juggalos everywhere know and respect Psychopathic Records’ in-house mixmaster DJ Clay. His two mixxtape series “Let ‘Em Bleed” and “Book of the Wicked” have become classic Juggalo albums. On June 4th, DJ Clay will be dropping a completely new mixxtape that captures the craziness of these fucked up times we live in.

Titled “A World Upside Down,” this album features dope new material from ICP, Anybody Killa, Blaze Ya Dead Homie and guest artists like Tech 9ine, Hopsin, and the Kottonmouth Kings. Also included is a new track from old school Psychopathic homie Myzery!

We caught up with DJ Clay to discuss the creation of “A World Upside Down” and what Juggalos can expect.

Hatchet Herald: So your new mixxtape is called “A World Upside Down.” Tell us a bit about the concept. How is this different from “Let ‘Em Bleed” or “Book of the Wicked?”

DJ Clay: This mixxtape is different from any other mixtape that I’ve ever done. The name explains it all. I called it “A World Upside Down” because everything is fucked up right now, the world is just twisted. If the world turned upside down the underground would be on top and the mainstream would be under us. And that’s the whole vibe of this mixxtape. Just straight up unexpected pandemonium!

There’s more scratching and turntable play and I ain’t yellin’ over shit as much. I feel right now is a great time for this mixxtape come out; it couldn’t have been planned out better. Certified banger from beginning to end!

Hatchet Herald:How long did it take you to complete this new album?

DJ Clay: It took about three months to complete this project but the idea, concept and just the whole organization of it has been in the works for about five months. But when you hear the mixxtape you’ll appreciate why it took as long as it did. I can honestly say this is one of the best mixxtapes that I have put out to date.

Hatchet Herald:Tell us about some of the guest artists appearing on “A World Upside Down.” You’ve got some really impressive names representin’ on this CD.

DJ Clay: Yeah I got a real hard-hitting lineup on this one. I have an exclusive Insane Clown Posse track, I have a Legz Diamond remix that is ridiculous, there’s a remix of “SKREEEM!!” with ICP , Tech N9ne and Hopsin and exclusives from the Kottonmouth Kings, Drive-By , ABK, Blaze, Violent J, Myzery and the list keeps going! This motherfucker is straight up trunk bangers! If you have a system in your whip, I just want to let you know that I am not responsible for blowing your speakers.

Hatchet Herald:Who are some of your biggest DJ influences?

DJ Clay: My biggest influences in DJing and turntableism are DJ Q-Bert, Mix Master Mike, Tony Touch, The Xecutioners, DJ Quik and all the local DJs from around Southwest Detroit that used to put out mixtapes in the 90′s. It was that whole freestyle scene that influenced me as well. Those are my roots.

Hatchet Herald:Any final message for the Juggalos out there?

DJ Clay: Yes… I just want to say GO GET IT! It drops on Tuesday, June 4th. This mixxtape, musically and lyrically, shows the power of the underground and all the production is ridiculous. I haven’t been this excited about one of my mixxtapes since I dropped the very first “Let Em Bleed.” JUGGALOS, LET’S SPREAD THE WORD OF A WORLD, OUR WORLD! “A WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!” Whoop whoop!

On Saturday, Detroit’s Insane Clown Posse return to the Twin Cities as part of their Mighty Death Pop tour.

While the Faygo-soaked show will be at the Myth in St. Paul, members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope have been coming to Minnesota for almost 20 years with generations of loyal Juggalos witnessing the carnage. We spoke to Shaggy 2 Dope on bringing their unique live show on the road, what his first concert was, and the time they visited Paisley Park.

See Also:
Insane Clown Posse and their fans terrorize First Avenue

 

Gimme Noise:You’ve always had a strong presence in the Twin Cities. Do you recall your first time in Minnesota?

Shaggy 2 Dope: I don’t recall exactly when it was, but I recall the impression it made on me. I think Minneapolis is crazy because it’s a big ass city. It’s a metropolis, and I don’t think a lot of people across America really realize that. It’s full of mad diversity and craziness, I love going out there to hang and especially to do shows. Minneapolis has always been good to us.

Do you have any favorite memories from those shows?

I used to do this show for the internet called “The Shaggy Show,” back when it took forever to download shit, and [Minnesota] was the first time I got a broad to get naked for my show. That was a fond memory right there. I remember the Quest was the shit, and First Avenue, of course. I remember once we had our bus roll up on Paisley Park just to go see it. It was 3 a.m. and we just marked the fuck out cause we were such huge Prince fans. That was cool even though we didn’t do shit, just stood around like some dumb-asses and took pictures.

 

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I was invited to go take some pictures at the second to last stop on the Independent Powerhouse Tour for Strange Music.  I usually like to catch a tour early on so you can all see the review and pictures and get amp’d up for when it comes to your area, or if it’s bad, steer clear of it.  However there is a upcoming Summer of Strange tour this summer, and if it is a fraction of the quality of the Independent Powerhouse Tour, it is something you will not want to miss.  I did not get to take pics during the VIP time period, but from what I heard in the crowd it was a good experience.  Got to see some of the merch which Strange has always set the bar high on when it comes to VIP.

Usually the root of my complaints with shows has more to do with getting in properly and given the proper access as a photographer.  This was the smoothest and easiest show I have ever attended as a photographer.  Got right in when doors opened, without waiting in the long line, my name was on the list, and a photo pass was already waiting for me.  This is unheard of for underground shows. I’ve missed opening acts at shows, I’ve had to buy tickets and leave the camera in the car after driving hours.  So I would like to thank Strange Music and the local staff and security for a very well planned and executed event.

From start to finish, this was such a smooth and flawless event. You may never see a photographer say this. The lighting was epic, it wasn’t just a over blaring of lights to highlight the artists, it was a show in itself, there was no pointless lighting and it was all pretty predictable but in a good way for me. Great spots, strobes, flashes, and all that jazz.

Ok enough with the boring stuff. The local opener I was not familiar with him or his music.  P-Nut I believe. However was not overly impressed and the crowd did not seem to be either. However once Ces Cru took the stage, you could tell it was a full blown show. To say they opened the show is a understatement.  They got the place live, the crowd was up on the barricade and the Val Air Ballroom had a large number of people out on the floor, with very few sitting in the lounge/bar area, it stayed that way for the whole night.  I was able to capture some good shots of Ces Cru and enjoy the music at the same time. They did not have anything on my playlists that I tend to stick to on a daily basis, however I would not be surprised if a few tracks get dropped in there now.

Seemed like no time at all between Ces Cru and Rittz.  I seen Rittz perform at the gathering, actually stood on the stage taking pictures during his full set there. Having been a fan for some time, it was amazing at the gathering seeing him perform live.  However on this night, it was like a whole new Rittz, confidence maybe, the tail end of a fun filled tour maybe, I am not sure but he performed amazingly.  Mixed in some acapella of some of his more known tracks, yet rocked out all his hits and some new stuff.  TJF’s Blackie is working up a review of the new album that we purchased day it came out.  Only issue I had with the whole show was the CD pushers, not sure they understood some people bought CD’s before the tour came to town, really the merch pushers where the only stale part of the show, we all know Merch is the main income for labels/groups/artists, however this was a bit much and it could be because the tour was coming to a end, but take a hint guys, be friendly at least and you’ll get much further in sales.

The photo pit was huge, I could of laid down arms stretched out and probably not been able to touch the stage and the barricade at the same time. Not a ton of security slammed up there with me and the other photographer either so tons of room which lead to some good shots of artists and crowd.  Very little intermission between all the artists so it seemed like I was heading back into the photo pit for Kutt Calhoun really quick.  The MC kept the show flowing quite nicely, and Kutt came out in shades and a jacket, huge chain of course. Jumped right into his arsenal of tracks that lifted the energy up a notch and you could see even the non-fans getting into it. At the end of the photo time period he broke out into a bit of a funky dance, and its moments like that I love to capture.

Brotha Lynch Hung was out on this tour – which is rare in itself, the theatrics of unchaining him was fun, heard new and old tracks alike and even though some of the younger in the crowd didn’t seem to know his stuff, many more did then did not.  Trizz was on stage with Brotha Lynch for his entire set and he had the balls to stage dive across that massive photo pit, and succeeded, wish it would of been during the photo set though.  BLH and Trizz both played to the camera while I was up front which is always nice.  Seemed to have a longer set then those before him, but that might of just been the overall feel of it.  I enjoyed BLH out of all the acts probably the most on the night, just for the freshness of it, I have seen Tech and Krizz live quite a bit.

Tech N9ne and Kirzz Calico are pretty much a duo on this tour, whether doing tracks together or alternating their own tracks.  Of course with much more known tracks to the crowd. The whole place got wild when they both lit into their popular tracks. Tech and Krizz both have a huge stage presence and like me are getting old – yet seem to move like artists half their age. All over the stage and just feeding off the energy of the whole venue. Jumping, spinning towels, crazy moves, etc.  Of course its not a Tech set without some nice boobies in the crowd – something Ill always appreciate, lol.    Tech fed off the crowd, we had him doing Slacker Acapella at the end, which was fun.  Krizz tossed out some Monsters into the crowd and at least one of them was opened Juggalo style!!  With a large juggalo crowd in des moines it was a great show and a fun time. There were no security problems until the last 4-5 tracks of the night when suddenly security had to escort probably 4-5 people out for various things.  No one was injured.

Most of the artists found time to go do some autographs back in the merch area after their set for the fans buying their merch.  Nice way to get your 30 seconds in if you couldn’t swing the VIP.

Des Moines is pretty much the main tour attraction in Iowa, and for some reason all the easy food places close down right when the shows close down, someone needs to set up a food truck outside shows, I guarantee you’d make bank… Driving halfway back across the state before finding some gas/food for the car pool for the loss.

So the Summer of Strange tour will be starting up in the near future, with Krizz, Stevie Stone, and Mayday, and probably more.  Like i said you need to be getting anxious for this, if it’s even a fraction of the quality of this tour it’s more than worth checking out.

You can check out our Full Gallery of Photos on our facebook page currently, full quality has not been uploaded to this site yet.  CLICK HERE TO GO SEE THEM, feel free to comment, share, like.