Everyone knows that Wu-Tang Clan producer/MC RZA is smart. He’s a studio wizard, an entrepreneur, a vegetarian, deep thinker…and, apparently, a Hip-Hop Chess Federation champion. According to a recent article on RZA in The New York Times, he’s been playing chess since he was 11 years old.
Just before taking off for his first live band tour (with backing band Stone Mecca) to promote his Bobby Digital album, Digi Snacks, he launched WuChess.com. Combining his love for chess and hip-hop, WuChess is a community where chess players can play live against other players and in tournaments for prizes. You’ll even get a guided tour from Rakaa from Dilated Peoples when you go to the site. There’s a $48 fee for a yearly membership, but he will allegedly be giving out free memberships to children (through certain organizations), and as much as 20 percent of WuChess’ revenue will go to scholarships awarded by the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. RZA’s a giver, man.
Go show some support on his Bobby Digital tour, which starts tomorrow in Houston.
Tue-Jun 10, 08 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Wed-Jun 11, 08 - Austin, TX @ Emos
Thu-Jun 12, 08 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium
Sat-Jun 14, 08 - Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Sun-Jun 15, 08 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
Tue-Jun 17, 08 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
Wed-Jun 18, 08 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Brickhouse Theater
Fri-Jun 20, 08 - Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater
Sat-Jun 21, 08 - San Francisco, CA @ 1015
Mon-Jun 23, 08 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
Tue-Jun 24, 08 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
Wed-Jun 25, 08 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richards
Fri-Jun 27, 08 - Calgary, AB @ Sled Island Music Festival
Mon-Jun 30, 08 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Tue-Jul 1, 08 - Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
Wed-Jul 2, 08 - Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
Thu-Jul 3, 08 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
Fri-Jul 4, 08 - Ottawa, ON @ New Capital Music Hall
I’ve been really pining to ditch out on work to see Iron Man. You know, part of me thinks it looks wicked awesome and then my brain remembers that every superhero movie I’ve ever thought that about has turned out to suck more balls than one of those lottery machines. The logical compromise seems to be to see it, but while I’m on the clock. Unfortunately, that seems to be a rather impractical proposition, but this new remixed trailer from Addictive TV has helped take the sting out of staying in the office.
If you haven’t seen any of Addictive TV’s work yet, you are overdue! This British duo has pioneered video remixing and frequently cuts up movie trailers so the audio portion becomes piece of music. You can see more of their stuff on their YouTube Channel or their own site. Also, look for tour dates for their amazing live A/V shows on their Myspace page.
We have our own Coachella write-up and photos coming in the July issue of Remix, but in the meantime, check out this cool gallery of photos taken by photographer Dave Vann for our sister magazine, Mix.
Remix Hotel L.A. is here! Registration just opened, and we can’t wait to see all your lovely faces here. We’re gearing up for our Keynote Q&A tonight at 8 p.m. with 9th Wonder. You don’t wanna miss this!
But before that, Apple is presenting a Master Class with Josh Gabriel from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Apple Room, DJ Revolution will be spinning in the M-Audio/Digidesign Room at 6:30 p.m. and DJ Rhettmatic from the Beat Junkies will be spinning in the Rane Room at 6 p.m.
And don’t miss Hank Shocklee’s awesomely informative panels, including Building Your Team: All You Need to Know About Artist Management & Promotion from 5-6 p.m., and Mixtape vs. Radio DJs from 7-8 p.m.
There’s so much more going on…but ya gotta be here. So get your sweet buns down here and check out all the action.
So there you are, sittin’ in your bedroom studio, makin’ music and stuff. Have you ever wished you could get feedback and tips from someone who has made it in the music biz already? I mean, your friends are cool and stuff, and their feedback is great, but half the time they’re high, right? Mmmhmm. They think even the McDonald’s jingle is the shiz. (No, we are not lovin’ it.) Anyway, the point is Remix feels your pain, and we’re here to make it go away with two interactive Shocklee Innertainment panels for Remix Hotel L.A. Now you can get the tips and tricks that you want, directly from the pros.
Breakbeat Science: Producers, Bring Your Beats!
Friday, Nov. 9, 7-8:30 p.m.
Calling all producers and beatmakers! Register your hottest beats today! Here’s your chance to get your tunes played and receive professional feedback and constructive criticism from our panel of producers.
Panelists
DJ Rhettmatic, turntablist, DJ, producer (Beat Junkies and Visionaries) and DMC and ITF champion; DJ Babu, turntablist, DJ, producer (Beat Junkies, Dilated Peoples, Expansion Team Soundsystem and Likwit Junkies) and DMC and ITF champion; Aloe Blacc, MC, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer (Emanon, Stones Throw)
Please Listen to My Demo, Part 2
Saturday, Nov. 10, 7-8:30 p.m.
This time we’re calling all artists! Register your demo today for the chance to have your song played before our panel of judges. Want some real feedback from industry veterans? Then this one’s for you. Are you ready for the truth?
Panelists
James Leach, senior director of writer/publisher relations, SESAC Inc.; George Sarah, electronic composer, multi-instrumentalist and performer (CSI, Oprah Winfrey Show, MTV, Discovery Channel, PBS)
Click here for track submission rules. Now get crack-a-lackin’ with your trackin’! (Yeah, that made no sense. But you know what we mean.) See you at the panels!–Lori
Okay, I’m not aiming to brag or promote ourselves shamelessly. I just think you gotta know: Just Blaze has signed on to participate at the Remix Hotel in NYC coming up in less than a month, May 18-20. He’s going to be on the producers panel on Saturday, May 19, from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. It would be a serious shame if you were in the NYC area and couldn’t make it.
What’s rad about Blaze is that he’s happy to share what he’s learned in the studio. You don’t get that from producers all the time. See below to check out Blaze demonstrating the MPC4000. Apparently, as of late, he’s not using the MPC anymore, so he may be discussing software sampling and editing at the Hotel. But watch this to get your MPC fix:
Hey, it’s Kylee from Remix. It’s early morning Tuesday, and we’re finally getting on the blog bandwagon on our main remixmag.com page. We’d been blogging at remixhotel.com, but it took us freakin’ forever to get our blog on here. I’m listening to Sage Francis’ new album Human the Death Dance and editing a feature on him, Alias and Sage’s engineer Chris Warren. I think Sage is angry. Don’t blame him. I think he just went through a divorce or something. I’m angry, too. I recently chipped yet another tooth on a microphone during band practice, and I look like a hillbilly. Need to fix that.
All right, happy Tuesday. Check out this Timbaland video if you haven’t already seen it, and go buy our May issue with Timbaland on the cover: Border’s, Sam Ash, Guitar Center, etc….
