Tag Archives: DJ Jazzy Jeff

Red Bull Thre3Style Returns to Rock Dance Floors Across The US

thre3style_logo_2012Red Bull Thre3Style is back and looking for the best open format DJ in the World.  The competition series, which will be hosted in more than 20 countries, kicks off in the U.S. this month with qualifying battles in more than 25 cities. Hundreds of DJs hand-picked by curators will battle their way through a series of competitions in the hopes of landing the coveted title of Red Bull Thre3style National Champion – a title that comes with bragging rights, cash prizes, a stamp of approval from some of the best DJs in the world including DJ Jazzy Jeff, Z-Trip and A-Trak; and a ticket to compete in the Red Bull Thre3style World Finals in November.

COMING UP THROUGH THE RANKS

Local qualifiers are currently underway with remaining battles in:  Cleveland, New Orleans, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Seattle, Pittsburg, Detroit, San Diego Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Austin, Kansas City, Charlotte, Nashville, Brooklyn, Chicago and Orlando.

 Winners of these local qualifiers will advance to the Regional Qualifiers in Philadelphia , Miami, Dallas, Seattle and Chicago where their performances will be judged by the world-renowned DJ Jazzy Jeff, Z-Trip and A-Track. Regional winners will meet in Los Angeles in April at the Red Bull Thre3style National Finals to determine the best open format DJ and who will represent the USA in the World Finals at the end of the year.

The reigning world champion– Four Color Zack is a native of Seattle, WA who came up through the ranks winning each qualifying battle in last year’s Red Bull Thre3style series competition. The notoriety gained by winning the title has resulted in a steady flow of DJ gigs across the country for him.  Four Color Zack will also be a judge at several Red Bull Thre3style local qualifiers this year.

 THEY BATTLE YOU DANCE

Red Bull Thre3Style is an in international DJ battle series based on an innovative concept that gives highly skilled DJs a platform to battle, perform, gain notoriety and express themselves in a party atmosphere.  Unlike other DJ battles that are based on more technical aspects, this is a creative and unique format that seeks to find the DJ that has best perfected the true art of “party rockin’.”  Competing DJs fight for the crowd’s favor, each with a 15-minute set that MUST contain at least three different musical genres.  A panel of music industry judges selects the winners based on track selection, creativity, mixing skills, stage presence and crowd reaction. Sets from competing DJs are archived at http://www.mixcloud.com/redbullthre3style.

 Official Web Site- www.redbullthre3style.com

Twitter- @redbull3style / #rb3style

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/redbull 

 

DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ayah Present ‘Back for More’

DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ayah release Back for More today.  The duo is giving away a collection of soulful tunes to fans for free download.  This 13-track project is sure to have music lovers grooving for the rest of the summer and beyond.

DJ Jazzy Jeff, along with contributions from well-known producers James Poyser, Pete Kuzma and Demien DeSandies, has created an experience that music lovers have long awaited. Yet, those not as well versed in the genre will appreciate these soulful treats just the same. We are already familiar with the success of Jeff’s past work with heavy-hitters Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild and Floetry.  And his work with theTorontosongbird, Ayah, will be no exception.

Ayah, who is a success in her own right, has already garnered a grass roots fan base of her own with the release of her last two projects, Problem Woman and 4:15.  And her most recent release of the When it Comes to You single and short film is continuing to make headway.  Having worked with respected MCs like Freeway, Mac Miller, Elzhi and Skyzoo, Ayah is no stranger to hip-hop either.  This makes Jeff’s jazzy production and classic hip-hop sound the perfect complement for Ayah’s full and melodic vocals.

With Back for More, fans should expect nothing less than greatness from soul music’s hottest new collaborators.  Notable tracks on the project include the soulful tune, Make It Last and title track, Back for More, with its feel good party vibe.  Listeners will also witness Ayah’s versatility in the already popular single, Notorious.  Ayah unveils her inner b-girl and lyrical flair in this hip-hop banger.  Back for More also features appearances from Sugar Tongue Slim (STS) and Toronto’s own Tona.

To download Back for More, please visit:  http://www.backformore.bandcamp.com/

Heineken Inspire

By Tamara Jenkins

D-Nice and DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning amid three floors of food, games and a plentiful supply of Heineken all awaited those lucky enough to snag a ticket to the exclusive, invitation only Heineken Inspire event held June 26 in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood.

The two day event featured souvenir silk screened t-shirts, customized Rolling Stone Magazinecover photos, Wii games, movies, Heineken tasting areas and performances (on June 26) by rapper J. Cole and R&B crooner Ryan Leslie.

J. Cole

The day’s first performance was by J. Cole. Cole, the first artist signed to rap mogul Jay Z’s new label, Roc Nation, held his own on the stage, performing with ease amid the humidity; his impressive mic skills kept fans cool during “Lights Please” and “Who Dat” while Leslie gave a soulful performance, backed by a band, he performed a few songs including hits “Diamond Girl” and “Addiction”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In between performances, brief interviews were granted and UnRated Urban got a chance to speak with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ryan Leslie.

DJ Jazzy Jeff-

How did you get involved with Heineken Inspire?
I’ve done some events with Heineken in the past and they asked me to do a few (cities); I’m doing Chicago, Philly and Los Angeles. Whenever I work with them, the vibe is always great.

Do you have any upcoming projects, anything you’re working on right now?
Right now, I’m  just in the process of doing a lot of touring, I usually do that into the Fall and then I kinda take a break and go in the studio and figure out musically what I’m going to do next. I’m just going to keep rolling until September, October, then take about a month off, and do some brain time.

Who are some of the artists that you like right now?
I’m weird because I like all kinds of stuff. I would definitely say someone like Drake, I love the Roots, love the Roots new album, Esperanza Spalding, I’m all over the place, I really like J. Cole, it’s funny that he’s here. It’s a refreshing time in music with guys like Drake and J. Cole and the Roots it’s not just the typical things you would (be) use to hearing on the radio; people are starting to stretch like they did in the 70s and 80s. 

Ryan Leslie-

What have you been working on? Can you talk about some of your upcoming projects?
(on the) Production side, I just worked with Ne Yo. (I have a) record with Game featuring Lil Wayne and Bird Man, worked with Keri Hilson, two records with Asher Roth and my forth coming album called Les Is  Moore will be out in the Fall.

What do you think about artists today, like, Lady Gaga or Drake?
I just love artists who aren’t afraid to be expressive and really utilize all of their resources and relationships to make and convey the most powerful messages that they possibly can so as long as artists are doing that, then I respect them.   

Anyone new you really like right now. Someone people may not know about (yet to be discovered talent)?
A kid named Miguel that just opened for me in New York City and (he) has a record with J. Cole; he’s a talented writer and he’s on J Records.

Photos courtesy of  Heineken USA