The Sounds of VTech

Last month we celebrated the life of hip hop producer JDilla at Nightlife in Los Angeles. And if you weren’t there, you missed so much amazing music. The energy, the sold out crowds, the special guests that graced the stage, it was one of those nights where everything just went right.

For those who want to relive the experience, there’s no better way than by downloading these podcasts. From J.Rocc to Mr. Choc, Rhettmatic to Slum Village, it’s all here waiting for you.  And those who couldn’t make it out, the music speaks much louder than words ever could.

Right click to download: Nightlife Part 1

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Right click to download: Nightlife Part 2

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TRACKLIST:

(1) THE BEAT JUNKIES: J.Rocc, Rhettmatic, Mr Choc, & Curse
1. J Dilla Inst
2. They Call me Muddy Ranks
3. Turn Me Up Some - Busta Rhymes
4. Don’t Say A Word inst - Chino XL
5. Dedicated To The Suckas -Phat Kat
6. What Up - Busta Rhymes
7. Jay Dee Inst
8. Busta’s Lament - A Tribe Called Quest
8. J Dilla Inst
9. Jay Dee Inst
10. Dynamite - The Roots
11. Alright - The Visionaries
12. Volume 4 Intro - J Dilla
13. Game Over - Dabrye feat J Dilla & Phat Kat
14. Clap Your Hands - Guilty Simpson
15. Keep It On - Slum Village
16. Say It - J Dilla feat Taraach
17. Sweeter Than Love - J Dilla
18. Jay Dee inst
19. Last Donuts Of The Night- J Dilla
20. Get A Hold - A Tribe Called Quest
21. Act Like You Know - PPP feat J Dilla
22. Time 4 Us Is Now - Chali 2na
23. Reality TV - J Dilla feat Black Thought
24. It’s Like That - J Dilla feat Hodge Podge (Big Tone) & Lacks (TaRaach)
25. Let The Dollar Circulate - Spacek
26. 24KT Rap - J Dilla feat Havoc & Raekwon
27. Make It Fast - J Dilla feat Guilty Simpson
28. Thelonious - Common feat Slum Village
29. Let It Ride - Q-Tip
30. Time Of The Heart - J Dilla
31. Thelonius Rmx Inst - The Roots
32. Various J Dilla beat tribute - The Roots
33. Various J Dilla beat tribute - The Roots
34. Breathe & Stop Inst - Q-Tip
35. Shoop - De La Soul
36. Outro (Donuts) - J Dilla
37.Various J Dilla Beat Tribute - The Roots
38. Various J Dilla Beat Tribute - The Roots
39. Askio - Tony Allen
40. Heat  Inst - Common

(2) SLUM VILLAGE PERFORMANCE / BEAT JUNKIES
1. Intro
2. Untitled
3. Fall In Love
4. Players
5. I Don’t Know
6. Get Dis Money
7. The Look Of Love
8. Climax
9. Do You
10. Raise It Up
11. 1nce Again - A Tribe Called Quest
12. Runnin - The Pharcyde
13. Drop - The Pharcyde
14. Fever Inst - Q-Tip
15. The Heist Inst - Jaylib
16. Gone Til Its Gone (rmx) - Janet Jackson
17. Without You (rmx) - Raphael Saddiq
18. Still Shinin - Busta Rhymes
19. Peer Pressure - De La Soul feat B-Real
20. Love Junkee Inst - Dj Cam
21. Eve (rmx) - Spacek feat J Dilla and Frank N Dank

D is for DILLA

The line to get into the EchoPlex last Friday for Nightlife was long. I can only compare its actual length to that of the line I waited in to get onto Space Mountain at Disneyland. Yes, it was amusement park long, but surprisingly, everyone in it seemed to be in good spirits. They patiently waited as it slowly moved inch by inch. They remained loyal and determined, unhindered that they faced a full capacity venue which only let a few individuals in at a time.. but I’m pretty sure it’s because they knew what awaited them inside.

The music inside the Echoplex was beyond good, it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Mr. Choc and JRocc spun their hearts out for the wall-to-wall audience, and they were rewarded with cheers of appreciation. It was exciting and upbeat and reminiscent of Dilla. You could feel the energy and the serious body heat in the air. There were so many people inside that the notion of personal space seemed non-existent. It was a struggle moving from one side of the room to the other without getting an elbow in the gut, brushing against a stranger’s backside, and a drink being poured down the front of your dress. But it was worth it.

And once Slum Village came on stage, the energy level in the place soared to new heights. The audience threw their hands in the air and sang along to every song as if it had rehearsed. You could not avoid being swept up and singing along, or in my case, humming. Music and love was everywhere and we all spent the evening celebrating and remembering J Dilla.

Though its been four years since his death nothing has changed. J Dilla’s music still lives on and we still continue to listen. Since his passing he’s gone from hip-hop to symphony orchestra, reaching new heights and finding new fans, and his legacy only continues to grow. Where there’s music, there’s love, there’s understanding, there’s remembrance. Let’s keep the celebration going this month.. there is nothing better than this.

photos by Azul

If you’re in LA and have no plans this evening, make your way out to Echo Park  to the EchoPlex and celebrate the life and music of James “J Dilla” Yancey. Tonight is not only the fourth anniversary of his passing, but also Act 2 of Songs in the Key of “D.”

J.Rocc, Rhettmatic, Mr. Choc and more will be hosting this event, remembering their good friend. Good music, positive energy and special appearances by Slum Village as well as other special guests will provide you with an evening to remember.

Dilla, we miss you , we love you, and we’ll be there tonight showing you just how much. So, let’s all go down to Nightlife and Turn It UP for Dilla.

This Friday, February 12th, 2010, VTech and Beat Junkie Sound presents NIGHTLIFE: “Songs in the Key of D - Act 2.” Resident DJs, the Beat Junkies: J.Rocc, Rhettmatic, Mr. Choc, and Curse, remember the passing of their dear friend and colleague James “J.Dilla” Yancey, alongside very special guests, Slum Village and more.

Be there as fans, friends, and more come to celebrate the life that was J.Dilla’s. The music, the memories, the joy and laughter will be present. Let’s commemorate the anniversary of his passing with positive energy, dancing and good times. Thank you J. Dilla.

21+ and over. Doors open at 10pm. $5 before 11pm and $10 after.

They’ll be accepting $5 donations for Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey. Early arrival is suggested.

The Echoplex

1154 Glendale Blvd. LA, CA 90026

Here’s a little souvenir from our friends, the World Famous Beat Junkies. A podcast from their appearance at this year’s CMJ where they brought a little bit of sunny L.A. to cold and wet NYC. So download now and get a taste of DJ Shortkut with Mr. Choc and Large Professor on the mic. Only on VTech.. 

Right click to download:   Nightlife at CMJ

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Tracklisting from NIGHTLIFE NYC: Shortkut mix w/ Mr. Choc & Large Professor on mic

Listen Up (vocal/inst) - Erule                             

A Million & One Questions - Jay Z                       

Rico Suave Bossa Nova - J Dilla                                 

Water Get No Enemy - Fela Kuti                                                                         

RUNNIN-Saudade Vem Correndo - Stan Getz                              

Runnin - The Pharcyde                                              

Dynamite!- The Roots                                        

God Lives Through - ATCQ                                         

Shimmy Shimmy Ya- ODB                                    

Take It Easy - Mad Lion                              

Ghetto Red Hot (hip hop remix) - Supercat                                        

Fuck What U Heard - Diamond D                                    

Mona Lisa - Slick Rick                                               

SLENG TENG-Budy Bye v1 (dubplate) - Johnny Osbourne        

COME AROUND- Last War - Zap Pow                               

COME AROUND (dubplate) - Collie Buddz                      

More Justice*** - Jr Gong Marley                                         

JAMROCK-Welcome To Jamrock (Dubplate) - Jr Gong Marley                    

DOCTORS DARLING-It’s A Pity - Tanya Stephens

BY HIS DEEDS (dubplate) - VC                                   

REAL ROCK - Sound Dimension                                          

REAL ROCK-Armageddon Time                         

CHASE THE DEVIL - Max Romeo                                 

STALAG-Bam Bam - Sister Nancy (dubplate)                  

Sound Bwoy Bureill - Smif & Wesson                               

T’Cha T’Cha - BDP                                         

We Gon Make It (inst) - Jadakiss                                    

Verses From The Abstract - ATCQ                                  

The What (f Method Man) -Notorious B.I.G                                  

Tonight’s The Night (v/i) - Redman                                                                 

Next Level (Nyte Time Mix) -Show & AG                               

Slow Ride - Beastie Boys                                          

Hold It Now Hit It  - Beastie Boys                                

MASS APPEAL (Inst. - Vocal)- Gangstarr                               

OH MY GOD - ATCQ                                             

Stress (Extra P Remix)                                    

Shook Ones Pt. II - Mobb Deep                                                                                

Tried By 12 (inst) - East Flatbush Project                                       

Tried By 12 (dirty)                                

AINT NO HALF STEPPIN - Heatwave                                     

AINT NO HALF STEPPIN (rap)  - Big Daddy Kane                              

ADDICTIVE -Do It (Til You’re Satisfied)                   

ADDICTIVE (Dirty Version)                                 

ALL NIGHT LONG*****                                       

Mary Jane-Rick James                                                

Forth And Back (Rock Music)-Slum Village                               

Bonita Applebaum-ATCQ                                           

RIDING HIGH -Faze O                                              

RIDING HIGH-Killa Lipstick-Ghostface Killah                      

SERGIO & Will-J Dilla inst                              

SERGIO Mendes-Slum Village-J DIlla                        

The Blast-Reflection Eternal                                                

What a great night for music. Last week we had Hockey, Bilal, Blu, Exile, Spinna, and more. And to finish it off, a NYC version of LA’s own Nightlife. Mr. Choc, Babu, J.Rocc, and Shortkut were on the decks bringing you there funky beats all night long. 

Thanks for coming out and playing with VTech. We hope you’ll keep it locked here as we have plenty more to bring you. More music, more events, more downloads. So check back with The Sounds of VTech as we bring you more exciting events in the weeks to come. An exclusive NIGHTLIFE CMJ Podcast is on the way!