Back in 2009, Oakland keyboardist and MC Kev Choice launched the Daily Dosage music series to offer music lovers and fans a new song every 24 hours from Halloween until New Year’s Eve. Fast forward to 2012. During Kev’s European Fall Tour as keyboardist with legendary Hip-Hop group The Coup, Kev launches the Daily Dosage: Euro Edition from Dijon, France. The second song recorded in this series — “Show The World” — was recorded in his Dijon hotel room. The song carries the theme of showing the world what you have to offer, taking advantage of the moment, taking risk, and the challenges of seeking international fame. The song was produced by Kev Choice and features a sample from French composer and arranger Jean-Claude Petit.
While in Paris last month for The Coup’s European Spring Tour, Kev felt inspired to capture the magnificence and beauty of Paris and to document his journey on the road. With the help of vocalist and event producer SisDee (whom he met at a late night Paris jam session), Kev connected with two locally based filmmakers, resulting in the video for “Show The World.” The song is available for free download here.
CREDITS:
Directed by: Kev Choice
Filmed by: Wallace Pixmaker & Arthur Budnik
Edited by: Arthur Budnik
Project Coordination by: SisDee
At this year’s Paid Dues Festival, Souls of Mischief (A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai) headlines the Monster Energy Stage (9:30-10:30 p.m.) and will make history by being backed by a LIVE BAND for the FIRST TIME ever. SOM will be performing classic songs from their catalogue while highlighting the already prevalent musical influences of the group’s style, ranging from classic jazz and soul samples.
The SOM band will be under the musical direction of Kev Choice who has served as Musical Director and Keyboarist for Lauryn Hill and has played as sideman with the likes of The Coup (current), Too $hort (current), DJ Quick, Dwele, Goapele, Zion I and more.
SOM/BAND:
Emcees – A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai
Musical Director/Keyboardist – Kev Choice
Drums – DJ Toure
Bass – Scott Thompson
Guitar – B’nai Rebelfront
Saxophone/Flute – Marcus Stephens
Trumpet – Henry Hung
DJ – DJ Lex
VENUE INFORMATION: EastSide Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA
Help Elect Chokwe Lumumba!
Please join the Committee to Elect Chokwe Lumumba Oakland Chapter in the effort to help him become mayor of Jackson, Mississippi. The progressive social movement has a rare opportunity to make some major transformations in the city and the region in 2013 and beyond by fully implementing a progressive plan of grassroots transformation called the Jackson Plan.
One of the central components of the Jackson Plan is electing movement stalwart, Attorney Chokwe Lumumba, Mayor of the city of Jackson. This event will feature campaign updates as well as discussion of how Oakland can be a catalyst city for the campaign.
Usher joins The Afghan Wigs for a surprise performance
Besides performing, the benefit of being at SXSW is being able to catch other incredible bands and artist. Some of the best shows I was able to get a glimpse of were Haitus Kaiyote, Joey Bada$$, and The Pharcyde. I spent a couple hours at The Fader Fort – always one of the biggest attractions at SXSW — and caught a crazy afternoon of music and surprise guests. Texas artist Trae The Truth was joined onstage by T.I., B.O.B., and a host of others from The Grand Hustle team. Atlanta rapper Future then randown a set of his hits before the night was closed out by rock group Afghan Wigs. I heard Usher was in the building and that was confirmed as he jumped up with Afghan Wigs and did a 3 song set in a mash-up style with the live band. To the crowds delight, he came back on and performned 2 songs a cappella for an encore. It was a pretty dope performance. I didn’t get to make it to the Prince show, which everybody was trying to get into, but they only issued 300 tickets for the exclusive performance.
Hands up for The Pharcyde
This by far was the biggest SXSW ever and from the last time I had been about 4-5 years ago, it has grown exponentially. It seems the last time I went there were more artist and bands roaming the streets and mingling, this time it seemed to be just regular people roaming the streets, bar hopping, not really all that concerned on the hot up and coming bands performing around town. The socializing and partying aspect of SXSW seemed to have grown, but it may be drowning out the music aspect of it. It seemed over saturated. There are still a lot of jewels and dope music around town, you just have to search harder and deeper to find it. A lot of performances were announced last minute as some groups just show up and jump on whatever showcase or stage they can get on. Another thing I noticed is how the corporate sponsors pretty much dominate the big showcases. People didn’t seem to mind going to see their favorite band presented by Doritos per se, plus it means they may get Free stuff!
The Fader Fort following Solange’s performance (top), Martin Luther (l), Talib Kweli (r)
Overall, SXSW was still a blast, and next year the plan is to go with and rock as many shows as possible and see as many bands as possible!
Kev Choice & Carson Daly of Last Call with Carson Daly following The Coup’s performance
[Updated on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 6:50 p.m.]
Many of you have probably noticed by now that Kev Choice has been performing live with Oakland’s The Coup as the band’s keyboardist. On March 13th, The Coup embarked on an eventful — and literally lively — journey to Austin, Texas to play six scheduled shows for their SXSW debut. The first of these shows was Last Call with Carson Daly‘s SXSW Showcase, “this year emphasizing rock bands that have not made their television debuts” as reported by Billboard Magazine.
The pre-taped on-location musical performance — also The Coup’s television debut — airs Wed. March 20th and Friday March 22nd. Kev will hit the road with The Coup in April for their highly anticipated European Spring Tour.
The Coup on Last Call with Carson Daly airs on weeknights on NBC at 1:35 a.m. / 12:35 a.m. Central.
This will be Kev Choice’s 4th headlining show at Yoshi’s and will feature some of the Bay Area’s best up and coming musicians and vocalists. For this show, the Kev Choice Ensemble will consist of up to 15 pieces including string section, horn section, rhythm section, and vocalist, all lead by Kev Choice on grand piano, synths, and lead vocals.
Kev will showcase his pianism a lot more in this show, doing solo piano works and small combo pieces. He will be premiering new works off his forthcoming project, “Dual Realities” and also excerpts from his Hip-Hopera, “The Chosen One.”
Between funky jams, he reached out to the audience (sometimes literally) in the intimate room and preached for equality and fair representation. It was powerful stuff that could have been annoying - he was interrupting a great dance party - but he was so earnest.
In this video, I bust into a blues interlude coming out of the song “Kill That.” This footage was shot live at Mains-D’Oeuvresin Saint-Ouen, which is located right outside of Paris. The journey continues on tour as opener and keyboardist for The Coup’s Sorry To Bother You European tour.
Recent Comments