This is the first time I’ve blogged anything in a long ass time. The 9-to-5 life had me all but discard of this domain name, but alas, we’re still alive! I came back here to announce that we’re proud to present our next show, featuring DC’s own Fat Trel. Check the flyer out above! Crazy, right!?

I blogged about Trel pretty in-depth a little over a year ago (check that here). While bigger names Wale and Tabi Bonney have worked diligently to put DC hip-hop on the map, Trel has been too, just a little differently. Trel’s been in the trenches (read: the studio), perfecting his craft and killing open mics and murdering shows across the country when time permits. Sure, the noise hasn’t been as loud (although it did garner some attention from Cash Money CEO Bryan “Baby” Williams aka Birdman, some big magazines, and a bunch of labels), but you’re about to hear it.

You may have caught Trel at DC’s Vitamin Water Uncapped show alongside Rye Rye, Wale and X.O. earlier this year (I was in there. It was wild!). If you missed it, here’s some footage:

He’s only 20, but his talent as a musician is unparalleled by most. I wouldn’t have said that before yesterday, when the DC to BC team hit the practice site for Krank Factory, the electrifying band that will be backing Trel on stage. He told us it was his first real time rocking with a band that wasn’t a go-go band, but watching him work, you would think he’s a vet. Adding his input for when the guitar should solo on a track, communicating with the lead keyboardists to figure out how to recreate the synth sounds for the live performance. He was doing all that. They jammed out for like 6 hours straight and didn’t even seem tired. That’s an artist if I ever seen one.

I don’t need to sell you on anything else except his actual music, which is what the compilation that we’ve put together will do. It’s called The Set List, and it’s (give or take a few surprises!) the exact same set list that all 500 fans will experience on Sunday evening. We curated it and finalized it with Trel before we gave it to you guys. We hope to gain Trel some new supporters through this mix; you can download this today and know all the words by Sunday. Lol. But really though, we think this could be a cool new way of experiencing music as a new fan. The old fans already know what’s up, but it’s worth a download because it features a lot of his crazy thumpers on one compilation. The best part for both old and new? It’ll sound completely different (but equally as awesome) with a live band.

The entire point of this blog post was to give you guys an exclusive. So here it is, “Nightmare”, the introduction to his heavily anticipated mixtape Nightmare on E Street, dropping at the top of 2012. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Fat Trel – Nightmare [DC to BC EXCLUSIVE! PLEASE TURN THOSE SPEAKERS UP!]

DOWNLOAD: Fat Trel’s Nightmare Before Christmas – The Set List [Mix Compilation]

I’ll have the streaming version of The Set List shortly for those who can’t download. Gimme like 30 minutes. I gotta find some food. For those in DC, see you guys on Sunday (grab tickets here!). For those who aren’t there, we’ll definitely document that joint for you!

Dilla fans, rejoice!

DC to BC is a proud media sponsor for the 6th Annual J. Dilla Tribute and Fundraiser, featuring some of DC’s most prominent hip-hop acts and headlined this year by Pharcyde. I honestly thought I’d never get to see these left coast legends rock a show, but this was a pleasant surprise. At the 9:30 Club, too. Talk about trill.

I can’t believe it’s been 6 years since the incredibly influential producer’s passing. I wasn’t even hip to how influential Dilla was until after he departed; I found out he produced so many jams that I never knew he had any part of crafting. It should be cool seeing all these local acts, as well as one of Cali’s most legendary and iconic hip-hop groups, pay their respects through their music!

Grab those tickets, cuz they’re moving quickly. Hit @heartdilla or the official site for any more info.

I’ll see you guys in there. I’ll be the dude posted up on the wall in the back, doing a super smooth head bop and blending in with my people and my surroundings.

trill. concert tonight at the 9:30 club in DC. are you gonna be there? i’ll try. enjoy this crazy video, shot in boston. see if you can spot me or my man robby jordan in the clips. and if you want more wale, hit my man ernest’s complex.com interview here.

CLICK BELOW to see the remaining dates. but real quick…does skateboard p ever age!? good grief!

yerp. akon’s still beating up on fans who spend up to $100 to see him live and in living color. this one is actually horrible. good grief. he does more damage in concert than anywhere else in the world.

thank the people over at UGBC for this special fall concert. seating is general admission, with the doors opening at 7 pm for the 8 pm show.