After her performance at this year’s Grammys, You would think how can M.I.A. top that. How about starting her own label called N.E.E.T.(an imprint under Interscope) and signing  young sensation Baltimore’s Rye Rye as her first artist. Rye Rye debut album is due out later this year.  A new song from her debut album is out on the interweb called Bang produced by fellow Baltimore producer Blaqstarr and features her boss M.I.A. If this song is an indication of what the album will sound like, I will be very happy camper.(via Sound Verite)

Rye Rye ft. M.I.A. – “Bang” (prod. by Blaqstarr)
[audio:http://www.needledrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/rye-rye-bang-ft-mia.mp3]

I am heading back to my old stomping grounds of Washington DC for the Inauguraton.  I am alumni of Howard University, and I left DC back in late 96 and I haven’t been back in a couple of years.  My peeps still live there repping Adams Morgan.  I decided from now until the big day, I will be highlighting a variety of events going down in Chocolate City. I also thinking of trying to throwing a party myself (I don’t know yet).  

On January 20th at the Rock N Roll Hotel (it is really not a hotel) will be having The People’s Inauguration Ball with performances by Blaqstarr, Scottie B, and my man from Minneapolis Mike the 2600 King.

 Below are the details:

Tuesday, January 20th 
Rock N Roll Hotel: 9pm – 5am 
Limited $5 tickets at: http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/3031.aspx 
$10 at the door 

All profits to: www.afterschoolalliance.org 

Main Room: 
BLAQSTARR (Mad Decent, Bmore) 
SCOTTIE B (Unruly Records, Bmore) 
COUSIN COLE (Flagrant Fowl, BK) 
DEEP SANG (Dirty Bombs, DC) 
& Special Guest Performance EARLY 

Upstairs: 
STEREOFAITH (Feedback, DC) 
MIKE THE 2600 KING (Burlesque, MPLS) 
BITCH ASS DARIUS (NES Records, CHI) 
NACEY (Nouveau Riche, DC) 
MEISTRO (Dirty Bombs, DC)

Shame on you if you miss this past Saturday’s one year anniversary of SpacedOut at Moct presented by Rhythm Lab Radio. Diamonds, Jai Alai Savant, Blaqstarr and Diplo killed it. The place was packed and people were sweating. We even had multiple and simultaneous crowd surfing. That is how we do it in Milwaukee. You can see more pictures in our gallery. Big love to Sarah Fierek for taking great pictures.

Our man Diamonds even did a special mix for our show to celebrate. You can grab it below.

Spacedout! mixed by Diamonds
[audio:http://www.box.net/shared/static/yuk5wweo0w.mp3]