Destroy The Skies / Suffokate Show Nov. 30th Cobalt Cafe

Photo Credit: Jason Middleton

One of the San Fernando Valleys finest upcoming metalcore bands, Destroy The Skies, will be performing at The Cobalt Cafe in Canoga Park on Sunday November 30, 2008. The band, which has been together for several years and has undergone a couple of lineup changes, will be a supporting act for Suffokate, one of California's greatest metalcore bands. Oscar, one of Destroy The Skies' guitarists, also attends CSUN. Other bands performing include The Breathing Process, They Were Martyred and Through The Agony. Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased from the Destroy The Skies band members through their MySpace link and tickets at the door are $12. Doors open at 6PM. The Cobalt Cafe is the premiere venue of the San Fernando Valley which hosts bands, musicians, poetry nights and open mic nights. The Cobalt Cafe is located at 22047 Sherman Way Canoga Park, CA 91303.

For tickets contact: http://www.myspace.com/destroytheskies

Show flyer:

BET's Rap City is WRAP City

That's right. Rap City is a WRAP! Kapeesh! Fin! It is a wrap! Saturday night BET aired the final episode of Rap City. Many viewers are probably thinking, "I didn't even know Rap City was still on." After Big Tigger left, it seemed as if the show went downhill with hosts J Nicks, Mad Linx, and Q45.

The show, which first aired in 1989, was BET's longest running show and has been an iconic staple for artists rhyming their way into the rap game.


The finale included appearances from Bow Wow, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Wu Tang Clan, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Nas, and Weezy all had a few words for the show's ending.

Hosts for Rap City were Joe Clair, Chris Thomas, Prince Dajour, Big Lez, Big Tigger, J Nicks, Mad Linx, and Q45.

Joaquin Phoenix Annouces Retirement

Photo Credit: WireImage

Joaquin Phoenix, stunned the public with the announcement that he would be retiring from acting. The two-time Oscar nominee stated this on the red carpet at a Monday benefit for the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, a charity founded by Paul Newman.

Phoenix said that "Two Lovers," his upcoming romantic drama with Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw , will be his final on-screen role.

Phoenix is apparently giving up acting to pursue music, a passion of his since he learned to play guitar to play the role of Johnny Cash in 2005's "Walk the Line."

"Two Lovers," Phoenix's final film, premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival to mostly positive reviews. The picture is scheduled for release on February 13th, 2009.

T.I. Put in His Vote...Who's Next?

America!

On November 4th, we will vote for the 42nd and next President of the United States of America. Wednesday night, Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama aired a 30-minute advertisement focusing on America's economy and what needs to be done. Rapper, T.I., was one of the millions of Americans to watch the ad.

Earlier in the day, T.I. exercised his right to vote in Georgia. "Now rather than just talking about it, I'm being about it. I'm leading by example, and it makes me feel a lot better", he said in an interview. TIP also mentioned that this was the first time in his life that he's ever voted. Originally he thought he was unable to vote because he is a convicted felon, but after researching Georgia law, it read that only people on probation or currently serving a prison sentence are not allowed to vote.

Come November 4, go out and vote!

In other related hip hop news, the Houston All-Stars (Bun B, Chamillionaire, and Paul Wall) released a track entitled "Obama 08". It can be heard here: Obama 08

Events Calendar - Halloween Week 10/30-11/3

Photo Credit: www.colourlovers.com

The following events take place between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3 and are all in the Los Angeles area...make sure to check venue/band sites in case there are any cancellations...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Oct. 30

Cobra Starship, Forever The Sickest Kids - pop/punk - House of Blues Sunset Strip, West Hollywood

The Heavy - R&B/soul - The Echo, Echo Park

Jenny Lewis, Beachwood Sparks, Pierre De Reeder - indie/rock - Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles

Neil Young, Death Cab For Cutie, Everest - indie/rock - The Forum, Inglewood

Oct. 31

Bullets & Octane - rock - The Roxy, West Hollywood

Cypress Hill, The Cool Kids - hip-hop/rock/electro/indie - The Wiltern, Los Angeles

The Damned, The Adolescents - House of Blues, Sunset Strip, West Hollywood

Indie 103.1 Halloween Bash - Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Darker My Love, The Juan MacLean - punk,/emo/dance - Natural History Museum, Exposition Park, Los Angeles

HARD Haunted Mansion - DJ AM, Justice, Boys Noize, DJ Paparazzi, Crystal Castles, and many more - electro/dance - Shrine Expo Hall, Exposition Park, Los Angeles - SOLD OUT!

Love Grenades - pop/indie - The Echo, Echo Park

Jason Mraz - adult contemporary/indie/pop/hip-hop - Greek Theater, Griffith Park

Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice, The Gaslight Anthem - punk/emo/rock - Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood (3 day event - Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 2)

Tiger Army, The Quakes, 12 Step Rebels - punk/rockabilly - The Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim

Nov. 1

All Time Low, Mayday Parade, The Maine - pop-punk/emo - House of Blues Sunset Strip, West Hollywood

Godhead - goth/industrial - Whisky a Go Go, West Hollywood

Horrorpops - punk/rockabilly - The Avalon, Hollywood

Maxwell, Jazmine Sullivan - R&B - Shrine Auditorium, Exposition Park, Los Angeles

Yelle, Passion Pit, Funeral Party - dance/electro/indie/pop - Henry Fonda Theater Music Box, Hollywood

Nov. 2

Russell Brand - British comedian, host of 2008 MTV VMA's - Largo, Los Angeles

"Skaloween" - Voodoo Glow Skulls, Left Alone, and almost 20 other ska/punk bands - ska/punk - Knitting Factory, Hollywood

Suicide Silence, After The Burial, Emmure, Beneath The Massacre, Architects - metal/deathmetal - House of Blues Sunset Strip, West Hollywood

Nov. 3

The Last Shadow Puppets - indie/dance - Mayan Theater, Los Angeles

Lykke Li, Friendly Fires - dance/pop - El Rey Theater, Los Angeles

Mando Diao - garage punk - The Troubadour, West Hollywood

Tragedy Strikes the Hudson Family as Three Family Members are Found Dead.

Photo Credit: http://www.daylife.com/home

Police found the bodies of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, on Friday afternoon after a family member came to their home and saw signs of violence inside.

William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of the boy's mother, Julia Hudson, was brought in for questioning Friday night. He was initially described by police as a suspect in the investigation.

Hudson's nephew's, 7-year-old Julian King, body was found Monday on Chicago's West Side.

The body was found in the back seat of the white Chevrolet Suburban police were looking for in their search for Julian, three days after actress-singer Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death in the mother's house in Englewood.

The SUV containing King's body was found by a 75-year-old who lives on the block, John Louden. He saw the SUV while walking his dog. He said police showed up in about five minutes after his wife called them. They discovered the child inside.

Jesse McCartney Shoots New Music Video

Photo Credit: AOL Images

21-year-old singer Jesse McCartney is staying busy working on new projects. His most recent project is the filming of his brand new music video to his hit song "It's Over". The video, which I am going to be in, was shot on Monday, October 20th in Hollywood on the top of the historic Roosevelt Hotel. The video's concept has McCartney falling for a beautiful young lady only to find out she's disappeared and is being seen with another man. His song "It's Over" says just that - it's over! Expect the video to premiere very soon!

In rumor control, actress-turned-singer-turned-actress Hayden Panettiere was on the set of the video. Hayden and Jesse were apparently an item some months ago however there was no cuddling between the two on set. Panettiere released her debut CD on Hollywood Records in the late summer. No word on whether both are dating as of now.

Amy Winehouse Hospitalized!!

Photo Credit: www.celebrific.com

Amy Winehouse was rushed to the hospital Sunday night and is being treated for a lung and chest infection. Reports surfaced that she checked into rehab (again) but her publicist told People magazine: "Amy is in hospital being checked out with for a chest infection. She is not back in rehab. She should be fine and is expected to return home soon"

Earlier in the year Winehouse was rushed to the hospital for a reported lung infection and was diagnosed with the early stage of emphysema.

Comedian Rudy Ray Moore Dies at 81.

Photo Credit: http://www.cobraverde.com/index.php

1970s Blaxploitation comedian and rapper, Rudy Ray Moore has died at the age of 81.

Moore died Sunday evening at an Akron nursing home from complications of diabetes, said his brother, Gerald Moore. Services will be held in Akron and Spokane, Washington.

Moore played the title role of a flashy, fast-talking pimp and title character fresh out of jail in the 1975 movie Dolemite. In later years Moore collaborated with 2 Live Crew, Big Daddy Kane and Snoop Dogg becoming an influence to a generation of rappers.

Rudy Ray Moore was part of the heyday of black "party records." His stage personality featured blunt sex routines. He never crossed over to the mainstream audience like others during that time.

The Washington Post said in a 1992 profile that “Moore was elaborately boastful, profane and scatological tales of life in the old-style urban subculture of pimps, prostitutes, gamblers and badmen.”

Moore's other notable acting credits during the era of black action films included The Human Tornado in 1976 and Disco Godfather in 1979.

The following clip contains brief nudity and adult language:

Lady Gaga - The Fame

Photo Credit: Interscope Records

Lady Gaga (real name: Joanne Stefani Gabriella Germanotta) is preparing to release her major label debut album and there is quite a buzz around this singer/songwriter. Her album, The Fame, is being released in the U.S. on 10/28/08 and the major online presence of the artist is predicted to propel the album nationally. First single, "Just Dance", which features Akon and Colby O'Donis and was produced by RedOne, has over 13 million hits on YouTube. Lady Gaga's MySpace Music profile also has over 13 million plays on the songs posted on site.

Lady Gaga is a singer songwriter from New York who has written songs for various artists including Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls and New Kids On The Block. Her album features electro, glam rock, reggae, dance, piano ballads, 80's music, with quirky lyrics and most of the songs are beat driven - she's found a way to integrate varying styles and actually makes it work to her advantage. Her songs have been featured on many hit shows including "Just Dance" on the MTV hit show The Hills, "Poker Face" on The CW hit show Gossip Girl, "Beautiful Dirty Rich" on ABC hit show Dirty Sexy Money, and "The Fame" on the Australian version of Make Me A Supermodel. Her production company Haus of GaGa has garnered Lady Gaga a wide array of exposure through media, technology and fashion - she has performed on various TV shows like Rove, Jimmy Kimmel, So You Think You Can Dance? Sommerkrysset, and the Miss Universe Pageant.

Lady Gaga, who attended various music schools (including NYU) and learned to play piano by the age of four, started out at New York clubs performing with bands and other artists and built a small empire through word of mouth and internet self promotion which has reached catastrophic levels that garnered her a record deal with Interscope Records.

Official Site: http://www.ladygaga.com/
MySpace Music Profile: http://www.myspace.com/ladygaga
YouTube Channel: http://www.blogger.com/youtube.com/user/ladygagaofficial?ob=4
MTV Profile: http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml

"Just Dance" music video: