MOJO IN CHINA

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I Met Roc Raida

admin | 30 April, 2006 11:23

(Looking to get pics from the show soon.) Roc Raida is a cool, talented, and very soft-spoken cat with a lot of hip-hop in him. He started off the night with "Release Yo Def" by Method Man and I kid you not, I've never heard that done in China. Honestly, I am imporessed and was impressed the whole night.

He played some poppy stuff to get the crowd going during the night... (ahem... Usher's "Yeah"), but he played some hits like "Slang" by Big L and "Juicy" by Biggie. AND, he did this retro / current hip-hop set. AHHHHH!!! Too good! Roc Raida would take folks back in time for a verse and then bam, get the new, rap version of the oldie. You can't go wrong when you get a throwback like "Foxy Lady" by Hendrix and then... SMACK... bringin' it back home with "Foxy Lady" by Brooklyn's finest, Foxy Brown. He did 10 hits like that in a row.Overall a dope evening.

At work right now, slowly recovering from last night, editing, and looking forward to my gf's arrival into Shanghai. Might hit up The Lab today... cause, The Lab is always fun... we'll see.

Vacation for starts at 12:30 pm... its 11:45 now... I CAN'T WAIT.

Tick-Tock, Office Time, Don't Stop, Get That Paper

admin | 29 April, 2006 18:13

Man, it's actually nice to be back at the office with little work. High speed internet, office phone, easy access to food delivery... Can it get any better than this?

In a few minutes, I am off to meet some Middlebury college students in Shanghai (AND SEE ROC RAIDA, PUNK!!). They're working on getting some internships out here. It's funny, but I was just chatting (actually a deep convo) with my co-worker Wendy. Wendy, a thinker and a hard-worker at here Edelman asks me, "Why do you want to work in China? Competiton is harsh out here." Yes it is, even with the growing economy. But I have my reasons.

I've been doing China for a while now, from hanging out in Chinatown during high school, to taking China to heart at Middlebury College, to trading words with Nanjing University grad students and the Nanjing Hopkins Center for Chinese and American studies. This work thing in China is the next step... but that's not all.

Folks, China has a lot going on. A lot of changes, all day, everyday. A lot of what I see of China is what I imagine of America in the 1950's. "The American Dream" is now "The China Dream". It's isn't hard to find ads around halfway constucted buildings of beautiful, futuristic apartments up for sale, or tv ads in elevator lobbies about buying that new villa you've always wanted just outside of the city. It's madness, but its everywhere.

Money as a God is a complex issue out here. Why? Competition and the goals of the Chinese to be the best they can be and move up. 1.3 billion people with great ambition leads to a dog eat dog country for high-end job positions. It's not easy. Social security is a road China must follow, but think about it... 1.3 billion people... How does a country deal with that?

To see all these changes come about, and witness this country's success and failures first hand is why I am in China.

...And a bottle of Coca-Cola for 50 cents ain't bad either. =P

When I say "Roc", you say "Raida"!

admin | 29 April, 2006 14:33

This should be an exciting event, and I'm proud to say, I am willing to pay the 16 bucks for the entrance. Should be dope. Maybe I'll get to meet the man himself. Meeting foreign celebs is quite common out here (see Tom Cruise blog), and heck, if I can rap with the scratch, then that would be gangster.

Went to Pegasus last Thurs and hung with owner Paul. Might have some gigs lined up there with V-Nutz real soon. Don't sleep! This will be a good opportunity to bring hip-hop back to the basics.

Everyday I'm out here, I see Chinese kids with the dress and the attitude for hip-hop, but I'm concerned if they truly live it. The idea of "face" is real big out here and to do hip-hop for the purpose of getting women and attention is common. Sad to say, but I think the state of "pop / crossover" hip-hop is going up, and though provoking deep underground hip-hop is going down in SH. Granted, they need each other, but there's gotta be a balance... I guess the universe isn't swingin' that way right now.

You get a few kids that actually keep hip-hop life poppin'. They know about the history and know that a hip-hop life isn't all about what's on your feet, who you're gonna beat down, and who's around your arm. They know hip-hop is your mind, your heart, and your spirit. Everything. Keeping it real is as keeping it real does, not just what one says or how one dresses.

On another topic, May holiday is coming up. My lady will be in town tomorrow, and I'm headed to Hanzhou from the 1st-3rd. Then back in SH to run wild in the city. Should be good times. I need the break. Edelman's been jerkin' me with the work. But to bastardize the word of Lei Feng "为Edelman服务！" (For the service of Edelman!)

Did somebody say "beta"?

admin | 26 April, 2006 20:52

Phaze 2: Beware...

Ok... So I bit off McDonalds's. Sue me... Really, try to sue me... Cause that copyright stuff won't work out here. HAHA!! Welcome to China!

For all SH folk. Chek the latest from Pegasus and my man V-Nuts on the set. Your truly will be there with freestyle bells on. Holla!

MI IV: Diaper Change

admin | 25 April, 2006 00:33

Ladies and gentlemen, a year goes by and we've heard a lot about this man. He needs no introduction.

Between the Nicole split, the new gal around his arm, and the Scientology scare, I think he's finally settled into some less "risky business". Her name is Suri.

Now, I know the public's freaked out by him, and he's borderline matched up with the king of pop on the "freak scale" but I have friends that still talk about seeing big time celeb Tom at Shanghai's New Heights last Fall. Is it because he's this crazy hollywood resident? Maybe... but... (Now read the title, boys and girls...)

And no matter what, the guy gets attention.

I can't front, nuts as the media say Tom Cruise is, put yourself in his shoes... the guy has had some life, and most of us can't even imagine what he's seen and done. I know if I left Nicole and I got the media all over me, I would probably go a little crazy too. You are always welcome to China, man. Congrats on being a new dad.

MoJo is in the house!

admin | 24 April, 2006 18:29

What's the deal, everyone? This MoJo, from the NYC, up in Shanghai, China like "woah". This is my first post, and I am working with Jason, Lindsay, and the Taiwan Endgadget crew on this joint. Keep your eyes open for updates. Peace.

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I Met Roc Raida

Tick-Tock, Office Time, Don't Stop, Get That Paper

When I say "Roc", you say "Raida"!

Did somebody say "beta"?

MI IV: Diaper Change

MoJo is in the house!

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