I’ve been rocking with this party pretty much ever since I met the Lunchbox Theory team (Christine and Allison) through my man Spencer, and it’s awesome to see how much progress they’ve made. I remember the joint when it was $1 to get in, get face painted, and jam out with the drummer’s circle and DJ Underdog’s vinyl collection of everything soulful, African-rooted, and more funky stuff. Incredible. That was honestly a steal! I was having the most fun of the month for $1. Glad they realized that they were providing such a good experience that they could raise the price and still pack the house.

I digress. This Thursday at Liv (11th and U), there’s a special edition of Afrobeat 4 Ya Soul for you. Let me let Christine tell it how it is:

Afrobeat 4ya soul: concert edition ft. Blitz the Ambassador
http://afrobeatdc.eventbrite.com/

Lunchbox Theory is kicking off the fall with something special this September.  In addition to the earth thumping sounds of DC’s very own DJ Underdog, Afrobeat 4 Ya Soul: The Concert Edition will feature Blitz the Ambassador. Based out of New York, this Ghanaian emcee uniquely fuses melodic African sounds such as Highlife and Afrobeat with classic ‘boom-bap’ hip hop. Featured along with Blitz is his very own brass heavy band, The Embassy Ensemble. Together they will be giving you a sonic live show that will take you back to the days of the “Boom Box” while simultaneously flashing into the future of Afrikan sound. come out on September 30 at Club Liv (2001 11th St, NW), enjoy some FREE face painting and take a look into the future.  Advanced tickets are $10, $15 at the door, and doors open at 8pm.

Oh, and you already KNOW Underdog cooked somethin’ good up for your MP3 player, too. For those new to the scene, this is what to expect when you show up on Thursday. For those who know what’s up, I needn’t say much more. Enjoy.

AFRICA AFRICA AFRICA pt 3
http://lunchboxtheory.bandcamp.com/

The debut of this mixtape was the spark of a new style of African based sonics and a new movement into the realm of afrobeat. Its about the progression of the dance. There is no sonic comparison to these mixes. There are so many elements fused between the notes. This release signifies the next step in the evolution. As the groove continues, watch this space, and bring a change of clothes.

SEE YOU THURSDAY!

The Great Progression is at it again. Me and my DC to BC, LLC team jump on concerts, while my project, entitled The Great Progression (or “The Gee Pee” for short) focuses on the good times. You saw our last cookout, right? If not, check out video footage here (I see you, Lifah!). It wasn’t a game. As many as 300 people came out to enjoy the best cookout and kickback of 2010. Maybe even in the last five years. It was that monumental. Everybody just came out to connect, politic, ditto. I couldn’t have been more happy with how every thing turned out. When The Gee Pee drops, look out for the photos and more video footage from that.

On to the next one, though. And the next one is this weekend at the Donovan House in DC, on the rooftop. BRING OUT THOSE TANKINIS AGAIN, LADIES! Saturday, July 17th. People are coming from hours away for the sake of good times! Do you realize this? Our parties aren’t to stunt. They’re for people to get together and talk, and to inspire and motivate. We don’t even make money like that on these. We just do it for the love, and to break away from the typical “event” where you have promoters yapping to you about bottle service and you’re worried about looking cute for people. Eff all that. This is the real deal, Holyfield. HUGE shout out to Lunchbox Theory for putting this joint together; it’s really them that brought The Gee Pee and YEBies on board, but we will do our best to make sure the mix of people is phenomenal, per usual.

In closing, if you’ve been to any of our (Lunchbox Theory, DC to BC / The Gee Pee, or YEBies) events, then you’ll definitely come through to this joint. If you need to be persuaded, then do some research, ask around. They’ll tell you who throws the trillest stuff in this area. Fall through, we’d love to have you. Click the flier for more info (or here. But how much cooler is clicking the flier, you know?)

It’s free, by the way. Yeah. top that sh!t. I double dog dare you.

it’s back. the trillest afrobeat mixtape series ever, dropping just in time for the coinciding afrobeat party hosted by the sexy ass ladies of LunchBox Theory on U street tomorrow, friday july 31st. DJ underdog still hittin’ ‘em with that live mix – no serato either, straight vinyl baby! wowzers.

not sure about what afrobeat is? well, here’s a definition:

Afrobeat is a combination of Yoruba music, jazz, highlife, and funk rhythms, fused with percussion and vocal styles, popularized in Africa in the 1970s. Its main creator was the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti who used it to revolutionise musical structure as well as the political context in his native Nigeria. It was Kuti who coined the term “afrobeat” upon his return from a U.S. tour with his group Nigeria 70 (formerly Koola Lobitos).

exactly. this is truly some special music, and i implore everybody to get on it, because it’s a pretty trill genre. we posted the first mixtape a few weeks ago; grab it HERE.

DOWNLOAD: Africa Plays On, Pt. 2 [Mixtape]

and the party is INCREDIBLE! AND ONLY $1! PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT TONITE! I’LL EVEN GO WITH YOU IF YOU’RE NERVOUS TO SHOW UP SOLO! I’M NOT EVEN LYING!

mixtape tracklisting after the jump.

Track 1- Tony Allen & Fenga- Kelintro
Track 2- Mamond-Preguiciman
Track 3- Osunlade- Aqaurius
Track 4- Osunlade ft.Bongo Herman-BongoAquarian
Track 5-Step Light Zimbabwe-Move
Track 6-Kuduro Mbulu-Critical Condition
Track 7- Melba- Come Go
Track 8- Sensei ft. Floetry- I Want You
Track 9- Afrochile Orchtet-Equator
Track 10-Just Dance Pause
Track 11- Fela Kuti- Underdog Rmx
Track 12- Sunny Ade- Synchro System
Track 13- Vincent  Ahehehinnou- Ou C’est Lui Ou C’est Mui
Track 14-Honore Avolonto et l’orchestre Black Santiago-Assoun DJE Dokoli
Track 15-Tony Allen Interview Closeout

after hitting one of lunchbox theory‘s trill 1st-of-the-month afrobeat parties, i have a newfound appreciation for this genre i’m just getting familiar with. why would i tell you what it is when wikipedia can do a more thorough job!?

Afrobeat is a combination of Yoruba music, jazz, highlife, and funk rhythms, fused with percussion and vocal styles, popularized in Africa in the 1970s. Its main creator was the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti who used it to revolutionise musical structure as well as the political context in his native Nigeria. It was Kuti who coined the term “afrobeat” upon his return from a U.S. tour with his group Nigeria 70 (formerly Koola Lobitos).

yep, pioneered with my nigerian kinfolk, of course. so DJ underdog and the beautiful girls of lunchbox theory decided to promote this awesome party with a monthly mixtape series consisting of the illest afrobeat sounds. perhaps the greatest part about this mix is that it was all done live, on vinyl as opposed to serato, so you can hear those authentic clicks and pops that i have no idea about cuz i’m from the new millennium.

it’s been in constant rotation in my household (meaning my mother has it in her possession too) since the lunchbox theory vegan / BYOE bbq last weekend, which was the highlight of the summer. who woulda thought i’d survive with no burgers!? anyway, enjoy the sample, and download below.

DOWNLOAD: Africa Plays On [Mixtape]

1. Fela Kuti – Ako (K Civ Edit) 12″
2. MAW Fea Wunmi – Ekabo
3. Toure Kunda – Saf Sap
4. Carl Craig – Kilode Remix
5. Erykah Badu & Ziggy Marley – In Love With You (Tony Allen Remix)
6. Tidjani Kone – Djanka Magni
7. Yosaku – Mirandolina
8. Yosaku – Atoa Atoa
9. George Benson – The Ghetto (Brasil RMX)
10. Black President – K Civ
11. Nigerian Stepn Octet – Give Thanks
12. Chin Chin – The Section
13. Osibisa – Music For Gong Gong
14. Goapele & Lagos United – Michael Joseph Jackson Gulla Mix

shout out to every other area blog that put this up, from upset the setup to DC mambo sauce to DC rap, and whoever else did. respect. also, underdog has a trill health blog that my man over from upset the set up put me on to! check it out here.