Centre + HOB + Beauty Bar=Good Times

Stepped out last night for a bit in the beautiful city of Dallas and had a really good time. Good to see so much positive energy going on in the D/FW area.

Started out at Centre & Atama for their grand opening party. My man Sober was holding it down on the 1's & 2's. Shot out to Hance and the team at Centre & Atama for hosting a dope event.

Next, headed over to House of Blues to catch my man J.Rhodes performance with his band. The performance was super on point. Everyone in the band held down their respective instruments. J.Rhodes killed it with his performance too. You should definitely try and catch their next performance. They do not disappoint and it is more than apparent that J.Rhodes and his band take their craft very seriously and put in mad work.

Finally ended up at Beauty Bar to catch my man Sober's "Big Bang" weekly. Once again, he held it down with the tunes. Dropped a really nice B-More Club set. Had me feeling like I was actually in Baltimore jamming 92Q.

Bless!

AV

Leon The Professional feat Karon Donnelly"A Man's World"

Here is a new track by the homie Leon The Professional. Loving the drums and the vocal harmonies at the end too.

Bless!

AV

Viva Panama

So my man Panama just dropped his "Viva Panama" mix. Definitely peep the hot new flows by mi pana. Bless!

AV

Decent Something

So my man Cokni O'Dire has a ustream show on Sundays called "Decent Something" He drops the best in roots, reggae, culture, dancehall, and lovers rock. You can tune in every Sunday from 7 pm - 9 pm Central Standard Time. If you miss the show, he leaves an archive up of the sets for your listening pleasure. Trust, my man does not disappoint.

Bless!

AV

Anita Tijoux "1977"

2010 has proven to be a breakthrough year for Anita Tijoux. Her album 1977 received a Grammy nomination in the category of "Best Latin Rock, Alternative, or Urban Album." Amazon also recently ranked her album number one in their, "2010 Best Latin Music of 2010" list.

I was put out to Anita during my undergrad years at The University of Texas at Austin. My roommate Gabe had went off to Santiago de Chile for a semester to sharpen his Spanish skills. He returned with an assortment of cd's from various Chilean hip hop artists. I must say that I was initially surprised being that I had not previously thought of Chile as a bastion of hip hop. What caught me about Anita was her clever word play, use of funky production, and her breath control (knowing how to ride the beat). What impresses me even more, is that she experiments with other sounds while still keeping it hip hop. So a toast to the one they call, Anita Tijoux.

Bless!

AV

Dallas Stars Game, 16 December 2010

I had the opportunity of attending my first Dallas Stars game and hockey game for that matter last night. Shot out to my friend Brent for the ticket. I am not well versed in the rules of hockey or that familiar with the sport, but I must say that I really enjoyed the action last night.

Bless!

AV

Mambo Dallas 2 year Anniversary

Tomorrow night, I will be joining my man DJ Colombiano to play Mambo Dallas' "2 Year Anniversary" party. It will be a fun night of dancing and a farewell of sorts as Frederic, one of the co-directors of Mambo Dallas will be moving to Cincinnati next week. If you were at the "Mambo Luau" party in July, you already know this Saturday will be even more fun.

Bless!

AV

2ND MAMBO DALLAS ANNIVERSARY

SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2010

9:30 PM UNTIL LATE

W/DJ'S AV & COLOMBIANO

SALSA // BACHATA // MERENGUE

CHI STUDIO

807 FLETCHER ST

DALLAS, TX 75208

214.557.6408

$10 OR $7 WITH A TOY DONATION

Patwa (Female MC) - If I Ruled The World / Sky's The Limit Freestyle

My man DJ Select posted this video of Patwa on Twitter the other day. I peeped it and was thoroughly blown away. She flows over Nas' "If I Ruled The World" and Notorious B.I.G.'s "Sky Is The Limit" Good to see female M.C.'s repping.

Bless!

AV

Datahowler's "Slowdrifter" - Scifi space music at its finest

The homie Datahowler started his Kickstarter campaign for his "Slowdrifter" album. If you are not aware, Kickstarter is a way for artist to raise $$$ for their projects. They set a pledge goal and offer different gifts at each pledge level. I think this an ingenious way to empower musicians and keep good music alive. Datahowler is a beast on the production tip. He has toured with bands, done remixes for countless artists, and is just an overall good dude. I just made my pledge and you can too.

Bless!

AV

RapFix Live With David Banner, 9th Wonder, & J.Rhodes

So the homie J.Rhodes whose "Hello" video we posted the other day was blessed with the opportunity to be on MTV's RapFix. The show is hosted by Sway and guests David Banner and 9th Wonder gave the kid positive feedback on the track. Once again, I am really happy for the kid. Dude is mad humble and on his grind. He will be performing

Friday, 17 December 2010

The Prophet Bar
2548 Elm St
Dallas, TX 75226
214.742.36

$8 over 21

$10 under 21

Bless!

AV

MTV Shows

PANAMA - NO LOVE FREESTYLE OFF "VIVA PANAMA" (1ST OFFICIAL LEAK)

My man Panama just dropped this Freestyle to Eminem's "No Love" instrumental. Be sure to catch the second installment of his mini-mixtape "Viva Panama" dropping on 17 December 2010. Bless!

AV

ROSEMARY ORDÓÑEZ-JENKINS Recognized

Big up to my cousin Rosemary on her nomination as one of the "25 Bronx Influential Women" This is a good look for the Garifuna and Honduran community worldwide.

Bless!

AV

A.Dd+ When Pigs Fly: A National Campaign for A.Dd+'s 1st Album

The kids A.Dd+ have been pushing their campaign to raise funds for their new project with Picnic. I have listened to leaks of cuts from the album and I gotta say, it is very refreshing material. I made my pledge the other day. You can too as the campaign has 6 days left.

Bless!

AV

Panama "Never Cold In Panama" Mini-Mixtape

My dude Panama just recently dropped his mini-mixtape, "Never Cold In Panama" My man been on the grind for a minute doing his thing. Be it on HBO's "The Wire" to his up and coming music career. Dude puts in work.

Download Mix

Bless!

AV

J. Rhodes - Hello (video)

The homie J.Rhodes just released the video for his single, "Hello" I gotta say that the treatment on this video is ill (that's the undergrad in film degree coming out). The production and flow are ill too.

I met J.Rhodes back in 2008 when I had just separated from the U.S. Army. He engineered studio sessions for my cousin and I at The 808 Studio. Dude is mad humble and cool. He has been on the grind with this music thing for a minute. Whether racking up iStandard Producer awards, dropping ill verses, or producing, mixing, and mastering tracks; the kid J.Rhodes is definitely putting on for The D and one to watch out for. Bless!

AV

Nick Nack's "Dearly Departed Remixed"

My good friend and mentor Nick Nack released his "Dearly Departed Remixed" album today. If you did not peep the original version, you should check that out too. Nick enlisted The Are, Datahowler, and Ayres just to name a few of the producers on board for the remix. Bless!

AV

"Dearly Departed Remixed"

Holla Back Sunday

Just wanted to say thank you to DJ SOI and Mutemor for letting me come and rock with them last night for their Holla Back Sundays weekly. The vibes were good and the crowd was real cool too. My apologies for not posting the gig earlier. Been dumb busy lately. Bless!

AV

Happy Veterans Day

As a 4 year enlisted Veteran of the U.S. Army I gotta say Happy Veterans Day to all those that have served. It says a lot for an individual to sign their name on a contract and taking an oath to defend the U.S.A. against all enemies of the state, foreign and domestic, and at the behest of the President. So to all of my Veterans, I say, SALUTE!

AV

Roc Raida Tribute

Just peeped this Roc Raida tribute done out in L.A. on www.hiphopdx.com Raida's passing last year hit me pretty hard. I started D.J.'n in 1995 and a two videos that really influenced me were the 1995 DMC World Championship (which Raida won) and Jon Carlucio's X-Men documentary. I probably burned out 2 VHS players watching these tapes over and over again. I definitely learned a lot from those videos as I am sure many other DJ's did too. God bless the dead and big up to the one they call, Grandmasta Roc Raida. Bless!

AV

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Roc Raida Tribute Final   

Mysonne - Tape Rock

This tune is so TOUGH. It is heavy in the iTunes.

Bless!

AV

Dorrough - Get Big Remix Behind The Scenes

Peeped this video on N.O.R.E.'s page. Happy to see Dorrough doing his thing. He got some heavy hitters from Uptop and Down South for this remix. I had the chance to meet Dorrough at his Hood Chick Fetish video shoot and dude was mad cool and humble.

Bless!

AV

French Montana feat Fat Joe + Show TuFli feat Vado

Peep these videos on Miss Info's page. The first video is by French Montana featuring Fat Joe. I found this one dope is because they have a lot of shots of popular places in the Bronx. What caught my attention was the shot of Crotona Park where the Honduran/Central American Parade is held every September and also known to be a main meeting ground for the Garifuna community. Also, there was a shot of the Happy Land Social Club and Fat Joe even says a line about the club. Happy Land was a club mostly frequented by Garifuna immigrants that burned down because a jealous boyfriend through a cocktail bomb through the front because he was mad at his girlfriend who worked the door.

The second video is by Show TuFli and Vado. You already I been bumping Vado heavy. Don't forget to cop the Slime Flu album next week.

Bless.

AV

Bartnedaz

I remember seeing this video back in 2007 and being like, "Dag!" Having done amateur boxing for 3 years and serving in the U.S. Army for 4 years; I always believed that one does not need a gym to get Hard Body. This video speaks for itself. Bless!

AV

R.I.P. Kazzabe Agrupacion & Chicas Zamba

So this morning mi Tia Nanda asked if I had heard about the tragic bus accident that occurred in between Progreso and Tela Honduras to nights ago in which members of Kazzabe Agrupacion & Chicas Zambat were involved. I told her know. Truth be told, I have been dumb sick with stomach flu the past 5 days and out of commission I can't front, the news hit me kind of hard. One, I have Kazzabe in concert mad times. I was even on a plane with them in 2001 from Houston to San Pedro Sula in route to attend my first Carnaval in La Ceiba. God bless the souls of the deceased and may they rest in peace. Bellow is a video that Teofilo Colon posted on his blog. Bendiciones.

AV

Garifuna Community Civic Meeting with New York City Mayor Bloomberg

This is video shot this summer at a Gairfuna Community meeting held with the Honorable Michael Bloomberg of New York City. My father, Jose Francisco Avila was the moderator of the forum. Big up to Mayor Bloomberg for taking the time to hear out our community. SALUTE to all my Garifuna bredren making moves in the Tri-State and abroad. Garinagu Wagia!

AV

Spanish Harlem

This was a photo taken in August 2008. I am on the left and mi primo-hermano (1st cousin) Jermaine is on the right. We were chillin outside of my cousin's building on the East Side, Spanish Harlem. Big up to my peoples at Carver Houses on E 101st (between 2nd and 3rd) and E 99th (between Park and Madison). Bless!

AV

BET Cypher: Vado x Fonzworth Bentley x DJ Premier x Rey Chesta x Nick Javas x Reena Major x Laws

Glad to see BET still keeping the cyphers as a part of their annual Hip Hop Awards. All I'ma say is everyone that spit on here had me jumping out of my chair. Beats and lyrics. One time for all those still moving the culture forward. Bless!

AV

BET Videos

LaLa Vazquez: Puerto Rican Can Be "BLACK" Too!

This is an article that my friend Celina shared with me earlier this year and I totally forgot to post it to the blog. The piece was written by Natasha of --> http://stage2.theybf.com/ I found the article interesting and relevant to my own story. Being a second-generation Garifuna and Afro-Honduran from the East Coast, I always caught a lot of slack from people trying to define me when I first moved to Texas and even now as an adult. People would be like, "Oh! You speak spanish? So are you black?" I would sarcastically look at my skin and reply with, "Last time I checked yeah." Or as my cousin International Stro says, "Same ship, different trip." I used to get really frustrated with having to explain myself. Then I came to the realization that the problem stems from peoples lack of exposure. The media is also responsible. If you watch television (spanish or general market), you would think that all Latinos are blonde-haired and blue-eyed or brown. As my mentor Dr. Subervi said in his Latinos and Media class, "You can look at Latinos as a bell curve when it comes to the various races that make up the ethnicity." Now, I just respond with, "Google me." Bless,

AV

LaLa Vazquez wrote a personal note addressing all the drama that tends to ensue when people discuss her (and other Boricuas' for that matter) racial background. She says that while both of her parents are Puerto Rican, that makes her Puerto Rican. But she also says that doesn't mean she's not "black" as well. LaLa explains that black and Puerto Rican

are not always mutually exclusive...and she schools people on her Latina heritage and what she teaches her son Kiyan. Her words when you read the rest...

A lot of people don't realize that I'm Latina, which is fine. One thing about being Latina is that there isn't one look that comes with the territory. I don't expect people to know my cultural background just by glancing at me. I do, however, expect that when I tell people my family is from Puerto Rico, that I will be believed and not accused of trying to be something that I'm not. It usually goes something like this: a person having a conversation with me discovers one way or another that I'm Puerto Rican and fluent in Spanish. That person then expresses their shock over these realizations for any number of reasons--common responses are, "You don't look Latina" and "I thought you were black!" I never said I wasn't black. And since when does being black and being Latina have to be mutually exclusive? In my experience, people tend to have an uninformed and rather narrow view of what it means to be Puerto Rican. For me, not looking like some people's idea of a typical Latina has been challenging and often painful. I constantly find myself trying to justify who I am, and why should I? I'm proud of my heritage

and my family

. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico. They raised two kids in Brooklyn and later in New Jersey, where we ate arroz con gandules and pasteles and listened to salsa music. I feel just as at home in Puerto Rico, where I still have tons of family, including aunts, uncles and cousins. Puerto Rico is in my blood. And that has nothing to do with the color of my skin. I'm not angry with anyone who doesn't understand the complexities of race and culture. And I'm also not interested in having long, drawn out conversations about how it's possible for me to look like this and speak Spanish. In fact, sometimes I make it a point not to mention my parents' birthplace because I don't always feel like having the inevitable discussion that follows. Instead, I let people look at me and come to their own conclusions. As I start to get my feet wet in Hollywood, I already know that there are certain parts I won't even be considered for. The character can be Puerto Rican and speak Spanish just like me, but Hollywood defines Latina as Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergara. As beautiful as they are, we're not all one race in Latin America. But I don't go to auditions so that I can give history lessons to film executives. I'd rather skip the entire process. I'm raising my son to understand who he is, and it's my hope that he'll never let others define him. It reflects poorly on us when we don't educate ourselves about the rest of the world and what it looks like. I encourage people who are interested to learn more, do research and ask informed questions. If you're lucky enough to visit various countries in Latin America, you'll be baffled to see the blackest of the black and the lightest of the light living together. And I dare you to ask one of them to prove their latinidad.

Cam'Ron Feat. Vado - Soul Plane (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Another one from the kid Vado and Cam. HARLEM!!! Bless

AV

Diesel Presents. . . Only The Brave + Camron & Vado "Speaking In Tungs"

The first video is a dope piece that Diesel did on the kid Vado and Nipsey Hustle narrated by Common. I am happy to see the kid Vado doing his thing and repping Harlem and NY to the fullest. East Side what up!!!! Peep the kids Gettin Lite in the "Speaking In Tungs" video. Also happy to see the kid Nipsey Hustle getting his shine too. Been a fan of his since first heard DJ Wonder play his joints on Shade 45. Hip Hop is really a business now a days. Bless!

AV


Diesel Presents...Only The Brave: Vado
Uploaded by thatsfunny. - Explore more music videos.

D-Block Freestyle on Funmaster Flex's Show

This is a freestyle featuring Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Bully of D-Block kicking a freestyle on Funkmaster Flex's radio show. If you all didn't know, D-Block is my favorite crew of mc's. They have consistently ripped the mike from jump street. Bless!

AV

Top Notch w/DJ Excel

This Friday at Zubar, my dude Sober will be hosting his Top Notch monthly featuring special guest Excel from Los Angeles. I gotta say that Excel is one of my favorite dj's to bump in the iPod and I am looking forward to finally being able to catch him live. Bless!

AV

Pictures f/2010 Honduran & Central American Parade - Bronx, NY

These are pictures that mi primo Teofilo Colon of Being Garifuna took at this years Honduran & Central American Parade. The parade is held annually and ends at Crotona Park in the Bronx. SALUTE to all my Garifuna bredren making moves in the Tri-State area and worldwide. Bless!

AV

Parade Pics 1

Parade Pics 2

Parrot Arrested In Colombia

Apparently this parrot was arrested. The drug dealers in Colombia apparently trained the parrot to be a look out and alert the criminals when the law was near. I gotta say that this is one of the funniest stories I have heard all year. Bless!

AV

Kidrae Illtellect Fall Promo

Dope video shot and edited by Kidrae for M.Knight's illtellect Fall 2010 line. The treatment and story is very dope. Shot out to M.Knight too on the fall designs. Bless!

AV

Illtellect. Fall, 2010 from Kiddrae on Vimeo.

AV at Ten Degrees, NYC

This was video shot of me by my dude Chuck while I was dj'n at Ten Degrees last month in NYC.

Bless!

AV

Dope on Plastic - September

Be sure to check D.O.P. this weekend with the homie Sober. Here is a description via decadeclothing.com

Bless!

AV

The fourth edition of Dope On Plastic will take place next Saturday. This month’s guest will be Austin’s own Prince Klassen. Klassen just returned from a couple month stay in Japan and is ready to drop some Gems on you. This dude stays digging and I am super excited to have him back in Dallas for this event. Come through and rock with us. All vinyl and it’s FREE folks!

Fuego Ft. Deevani - Que Buena Tu Ta

This tune has been in heavy rotation in my iPod and Serato. You can't help but get down to the beat of merengue urbano. Bless!

AV

Allhiphop.com Interview w/Sympolyc One

Just peeped this interview by Symbolyc One on Allhiphop. If you didn't know, S1 produced Kanye West's "Power" single. Oh, and he is based out of Dallas. D-Town, Stay Down. Bless!

AV

J. Period MJ Tribute

Dope MJ tribute mix by J. Period.

Download

Bless!

AV

Tabou Combo and Kassav - Pi Gro Pi Long

This is one of my favorite Hatian/Compas tunes. It brings back memories of taking road trips with my pops as a youth and hearing him belt out the lyrics. Nothing for nothing, the rhythm sections on Compas tunes are super tough. You can definitely hear the African influence with the call and response. Bless!

AV

More NYC Pics

NYC Trip August 2010

I recently had the chance to travel back home to NYC and let me say, it was a very fun and productive trip.

Friday, went and caught my dude Empanadamn of Buhbomp at White Rabbit. As always, he held it down on the 1's and 2's.

Saturday, had the chance to visit a non-profit that my father is involved with called The Garifuna Coalition. Also got to finally meet Teofilo Colon of Being Garifuna, which was very cool. SALUTE to all my Garifuna bredren making moves in NYC and worldwide. That evening, met up with some friends to catch Derrick Carter at Sullivan Room. This was my fourth time to see him and he did not disappoint.

Sunday, got to meet up with my man Chuck whom invited me to do a guest set at 10 Degrees in the Lower East Side. It was really nice to play an eclectic set and have the whole place jumping up and dancing on a Sunday evening. The hospitality from the bar staff (Jasper & Dora) was also top notch. Special shot out to mi primo Kyle, Miguel, PJ, and everyone else that came out and rocked with us.

The rest of the week was spent catching up with friends and fam. Had a mini UT Austin reunion with my peoples from Buhbomp on Wednesday at Saigon. Nothing like going to the Dominican barber for a $10.50 cut with a razor shape up included, $14 Surf 'n Turf (steak, shrimp, tostones, & salad), listening to salsa dura, reggae, top 40, and old school all on one radio station. As always, I LOVE NYC. It will always have a special place in my heart.

Bless!

AV

Grapples Quest - Dallas, TX

Wanna send a special shot out to all my Team Reyes Jiu Jitsu/MMA fam competing at Grapplers Quest this weekend. VAMOS PA' 'LLA! Bless!

AV