After SFNY, did a few more gigs, including Venus vs. Mars, the 3-Day weekend delight brought to you by DJ Parler where 4 DJs-2 Male and 2 Female-rock all night. We kicked off the first one Presiden’t Day weekend and kept rockin until the club kicked us out so we knew we had something good going. We brought it back Memorial Day weekend to equal success. Definitely honored to spin alongside Parler, DJ Stimulus, and DJ Chela.

Then it was my birthday and I got to spend it with some great friends and relatives. So blessed!

Managed to FINALLY catch Dam Funk perform in NYC at Bowery Ballroom. Monk One and Waajeed kept the funk rolling with great pre-performance sets. Chin-Chin opened up for Dam (not really a fan of their stuff), and then Dam hit the stage with his band, Master Blaster. While I enjoyed the show, it felt a bit static. I’ll blame this on Dam not having a bass player on hand. They pre-programmed the bass and it was definitely funky and I hummed along all night, I feel not having someone doing the bass live didn’t leave much room for improvising and really jamming out like I felt they could.

Photo courtesy of Paper Magazine)

Then, this past weekend DJ Stimulus invited me to guest at his monthly residency at Deity in Brooklyn. One thing about Brooklyn crowds-they love their dancehall. I was happy to oblige. I haven’t spun that much reggae in a minute but I got to do all the classics I grew up listening to.

It got pretty hotbox in there after the reggae came on but it was cool to see a little bashment vibe. I hope to do it again real soon!

Can’t leave you without some goodies so here they come!

First is a (relatively) new Beenie Man joint. Gotta love the Whitney Houston interpolation.
Beenie Man-Skettel Shadow

The next is a new Dam Funk track he posted for download a week or two ago for just 24 hours Here’s your second chance (note: I didn’t get a chance to fix the tags on this!)
Dam Funk-Unreleased Joint

And that we did, thanks to a few great guys from San Francisco.

(Clockwise From Top Left: King Most, Moi, DJ Moma, Rameen, Freddy, Marky, Dee, Monk-One. Photo by Human)

SFNY was greater than I had ever expected. The weather was fantastic and we had over EIGHT hours of non stop dope music from a great group of folks that I’m honored to be peered-up with. Monk-One and mOma are 2 NY DJs I’ve admired for some time and to be able to rock with them was a blessing. Marky can get a party started. Freddy spins ONLY vinyl (!!!) and has a bicoastal flavor for dance music. He was rockin some hip-house that had me on the floor. King Most has these crazy edits and mixes and I did what I absolutely hate when people do-I just stood and watched him work instead of enjoy myself. I soon snapped myself out of that though b/c I love to dance and the tunes were hard to resist for very long.

Here are some more shots of the day.

After DJ Auto and Marky warmed up the crowd, I kept it simmering with my set.

When the sun set, we all just took turns back on the wheels because the crowd just would not stop!

If you love hip hop, funk, soul, boogie. house, afro beat, latin jazz, reggae, 80s pop and were there that day, you got your fill. This was the best way to kick off the summer. Even the Village Voice got up on it. I only hope the rest of it is full of as many good vibes, music, and people as there were on Sunday.

I want to give special shouts to Leonard, JP, and The Mighty G-Man who co-hosts The Underground Railroad in NYC (this show is one major reason why I’m as big a hip hop head as I am)  who also helped keep the crowd moving by MC-ing alongside our illustrious host, Dee.

Though it wasn’t played that day, this song I’m leaving you all with would have fit right in and is currently my newest obsession. Dee sent me this via King Most. Its a remix of Ryan Leslie’s “You’re Not My Girl” by DJ Big Jacks. I have no idea who he is other than he is from Canada and is obviously magical. I played this song and all of a sudden I was wearing a dress with shoulder pads, my hair was teased, and I had on tights with rhinestones on them and I nearly shimmied myself into a seizure b/c of his blend of Leslie’s vocals with Sherrick’s “Just Call”. I did find these two websites on his Facebook (no stalker-o) so let’s all get familiar. Catch up is probably more like it.

Ryan Leslie-You’re Not My Girl (DJ Big Jacks Call Me Mix)

I’m super excited about my next gig this Sunday.

3 NY DJs

3 San Fran DJs

1 amazing rooftop in Manhattan

1 lovely sunny Sunday

Massive Selector is back again to do their second installment of SFNY, a party bridging 2 of my favorite cities in the world.  Its going to be a day of great folks, amazing music, and good vibes all around. You have to RSVP for more details

You can also check out a quick mix and interview I did with the homie Dee for the party here. There are also mixes by the other DJs spinning the event and theyre all dope: Monk One, King Most, MoMa (whose Good Spot party on Mondays is KILLER) as well as Marky and Freddy. Can’t wait to rock with them all! Hope to see you there .

Wow. I think after 20 days, I’m recovered. What a night!

Seriously, we (RareForm) do this every year because of the outpouring of love and support folks have for Dilla’s legacy. Its really amazing. We had no clue that when we did the first one at Galapagos Arts Space, that we’d be going strong four years later and beyond!

We raised $4,400 this year! That’s a thousand dollars more than we raised last year! The J Dilla Foundation is incredibly grateful and they are already putting that money to good use and have already located music programs that can benefit from the money!

While DJs Parler, Low Key, and myself held it down in the lounge, DJ Brainchild was absolutely killing it on the main stage with some live blends with some Ruff Draft acapellas he created. He did one with “Nothing Like This” which was really dope.

There was just a ton of great energy in the room when it came time to introduce ?uestlove and Dilla’s mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey (!!!) to the crowd. ?uestlove literally stayed up all night to prep his set and performed in his pjs! The Roots recreated 70 something Dilla beats for the occassion, and we got to hear quite a few woven into ?uest’s set. It was truly a fitting tribute to a great friend of his and I’m glad he was willing to share it with the rest of us.

We are really forever indebted to ?uestlove for bringing Donuts are Forever to a whole other level.

Y’all really don’t want to hear any more of my take on it when you can see and hear a bit of what went down, do you? Of course not.

You can see some photos as well as video of Ma Dukes greeting the crowd on our Donuts Are Forever website.

And since I’ve been away so long, I’d like to do some penance by sharing with you some of the “sandwiches” of Dilla beats that The Roots recorded for ?uestlove’s set. You can download them here.

Finally, there are so many folks to thank and I’m going to try and do this now. We couldn’t do this without the help of: Brooklyn Bodega, DJ Parler, DJ Brainchild, DJ Lowkey, Okayplayer.com, Stones Throw Records, Hot Mop Films, Decon, Rule4080.com, Richard Louissaint, N. Corren Conway, Liz Allen, and Joann Gomez.

Its time!

My third job involves throwing on and supporting dope events in NYC. This by far is our biggest event each year and is the one we hold dearest to our hearts: Donuts are Forever-our annual tribute to James Dewitt Yancey aka Jay Dee aka J.Dilla aka Dilla aka my most favorite producer/MC. This is the reason why my blog remains without updates for yet another week and rightly so-there’s a lot of work to be done and this year is going to be EPIC.

We finally were able to get Drummer/DJ/Producer/Bandleader/Music Director extraordinaire Questlove to DJ. If you’ve been following him on twitter (@questlove) you already know he’s literally in the studio prepping for this event. We also have some other suprises up our sleeves so if you can make it out, please do so. GET THERE EARLY.

I love our event because its also a great mix of folks who knew Dilla personally, as well as DJs and MCs who were personally influenced by his body of work, which was prolific during his short  time here on earth. This year I’m honored to be a part of the DJ lineup. I’ll try my best to honor the man who gave me so much enjoyable music.

Its been a busy month for me! Unfortunately, it has taken me away from getting this website together (and subsequently updating this blog portion).

I found myself DJing a couple of house parties this month. I don’t really get to do that very often since I don’t have speakers or a car that would accomodate me being more mobile. However, house parties are always fun and you know you’ve done a good job when its 3am and people are still dancing and you aren’t in some club in a “cool” part of town, but are in a very beautiful historic brownstone in your own neighborhood (Bed Stuy!) with a bunch of people who are very serious about their music. It was awesome.

Spinning @ The Potluck Crew's Annual BBQ

I also found myself DJing another unlikely venue-a shoe store! Yours truly was on the 1s and 2s at Sole Food NYC, a sneaker store on Lispenard St in Tribeca. That store is so dynamic-I’ve been there a few times before to view some art on display and this time around, I was DJing a trunk show they were sponsoring for an up-and-coming jewelry designer. Gotta love a store that has turntables on hand!

Spinning @ Sole Food NYC's Ladies' Night

Then on to my other-other job (from non-profit employee by day to DJ by night to event planner with Rare Form on other nights). We got to do something super cool this past weekend and hold an event on Governor’s Island at Water Taxi Beach with the original Hip Hop Karaoke crew. The weather was perfect, we had one of my most favorite DJs Rich Medina warming up the crowd between sets. Governor’s Island is absolutely great. Felt good to rip around the island on my bike without worrying about cars! The houses are really beautiful as well. I definitely recommend heading out there before the summer ends-especially you staycationers!

And it still doesn’t stop! This weekend is a bit action packed, as I’ll be DJing both Friday and Saturday in Brooklyn. Friday night I’m teaming up with Never Leave Brooklyn:

NLBKLYN is proud to present the One-718 Jump off at Public Assembly. This event celebrates the digital age by honoring bloggers and any other forms of digital communitcations and entertainment.

Hosted By Disko D, Rlfnowhere
Photos by Rule4080.com

DJs:
Tony Tantrum
DJ Brainchild (The Roots Jam Sessions / Gordon Gartrell Radio)
DJ Tara (Rare Form / sugarcuts.com)

Special Guest DJs throughout the night

Free with RSVP/ $5 without
*RSVP to: nlbklyn@gmail.com

Doors Open at 10pm
Public Assembly
70 North 6th Street
Williamsburg| Brooklyn, NY

*****

I’m also DJing the farewell party for the talented poetess, Aja Monet. She is the youngest ever to win the Grand Slam @ Nuyorican! I’ll be DJing alongside Jasmine Solano, who is ill in her own right (she DJs and MCs!), and there will be additional performances from folks such as Amanda Diva, Oveous Maximus, and Miss Angelina.

Boy! This post was a mouthful. Promise not to stay away as long as I have and I’ll keep plugging away at the site! Thanks for checking in!

(DJ)Tara

I don’t do well with death on any level. I’ve had to attend quite a few funerals in my youth and while I haven’t had to deal with a personal friend or family death in some time, I must say that I’ve had many a musical influence pass on that has affected me deeply, as these people not only inspired me to become a DJ, they comforted me through rough times in life with their words, amazed me with their talent, and truly reinforced to me that there must be some sort of higher being out there that blessed them with the immense talents they possess.

For those who know me personally, they know a few of these influences: Dilla, Luther Vandross, James Brown, Isaac Hayes (among others!)…and of course, Michael Jackson.

The one thing I remember the most about MJ was that he was my first crush. However, being the G that I am, I would never admit to it. I was always teased by one of my uncles about it-even when the crush was long gone. Y’all couldn’t tell me MJ wasn’t going to marry me! He had me at Billie Jean. However I was a pretty stupid kid and didn’t really understand the words but I wished I was Billie Jean.

I’m sure this is the 300 millionth blog entry about MJ and I would be remiss to not make one. While I’m deeply in sorrow over his death and wish like hell it wasn’t so, his life was not easy and I know he is at peace. I also cannot be too sad as he left us with decades of music to fill our lives and the lives of future generations. The amount of gratitude felt by the millions of fans in the world for his gifts of music, dance, and style is eclipsed by what he gave us. I only wish and hope he felt that despite all the hardship he had to endure, that he knew there were people in the world who loved him.

I hope to see you again one day, Michael.

On an end note, I want to say a million thanks to Mary Pryor from We Fancy and Ladies Love NYC, who organized a Ladies Love Michael Jackson event held last Monday, June 29th. It was a very last-minute effort and I am beyond honored and blessed to have been included in this event honoring one of my heroes. I also want to thank DJs Beverly Bond, Miss Saigon, DJ Kiss, Shorty Wop, Brina Payne, and Reborn for keeping the magic alive that night.

I have to say this about the House of Yes: his has to be the most fascinating space in NYC I have been in recently. I studied urban planning in graduate school, so I’m really into adaptive reuse and new models for work/living spaces. If I had my way, I’d be a private developer specifically creating projects that incorporated creative uses, and I’d get every person involved in the House of Yes on my team. They managed to transform this raw space into a place where people can perform and create. Who else can hold a circus in their HOUSE? I know I can’t.

I’d say this event is worthwhile just to check out the House of Yes. Even if you don’t like charities. Or girls. Or me

The Bushwick Wildlife Preserve proudly present GIRLS RULE!

SAT JUNE 13th !

A night of revelry in honor of the awesomeness of all girlfriends, sisters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers, best friends of the world.

Proceeds of the event will be donated to The Lower Eastside Girls Club so bring all your friends!

We are being hosted by the legendary The House Of Yes!

$10

DOORS @ 9PM
AFTERPARTY @ 11PM

On the wheels of steel:
DJ ROOKIE
DJ JOHNSVILLE
&
DJ TARA

Rocking Tunes Live:
Sweetie
Sankofa
The Smyrk

with Your Host Cavalier from the Dugout
Video Projection by VJ Anita!

BYOB!

THE HOUSE OF YES
342 Maujer St
Brooklyn NY 11206

Take L To Grand St. Walk down Grand so the school is on your right hand side.
Turn right on Waterbury then the next left on Maujer. 7 min walk.

I am beyond honored to be a part of yet another quality event brought to you by Ladies Love NYC.

Ladies Love the Breaks is a fundraiser for Autism Awareness. At this point, I don’ t think I know one person who isn’t impacted by Autism in some way, shape or form. It affects 1 in every 150 persons born-this is more than pediatric diabetes, cancer, and AIDS combined. Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

The amazingly strong and beautiful women of Ladies Love NYC is on a mission to raise money to increase awareness so that it will lead to a cure. This is a night chock full of the most talented people in New York City: Visual Artists, B-Girls, DJs, Musicians, MCs, Singers, and more, who are getting together to try and raise awareness and raise money!

Ladies Love The Breaks -
Autism Awareness Fundraiser @ Southpaw

June 4th -
9pm -1am / 8 with RSVP & 12 w/o
RSVP@LADIESLOVENYC.COM

GIVEAWAYS – GALORE – KILO/ ROCKSMITH/ ADIDAS RAFFLE/ BEYOND RACE MAGAZINE/ CRUNCH MEMBERSHIPS/ AND MORE!

Revive Da Live Presents:
BILAL – Special Performance
NICKY GUILAND (HEAvy)/ INVINCIBLE / LAH TERE / RAYDAR ELLIS
IGMAR THOMAS and THE CYPHER
DONWILL / HOMEBOY SANDMAN / LIKWUID

Sounds By:
DJ CHELA  / DJ SPARKLES / JASMINE SOLANO / DJ NICKEE / BRINAPAYNE / DJ TARA / DJ TYGER LILLY

Live Art, Photography and Silent Auction – MarthaAlicia, Mike Schreiber, VIK and Noelle Theard
Bid Online @ http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/ladieslovenyc

Donate Money or Join the Team for the Walk Now for Autism June 14th in NYC!

http://www.walknowforautism.org/nyc/ladieslovenyc

for more information on Autism, please check out www.autismspeaks.org