I’m very excited to once again be a part of a great donation to a charity that definitely deserves it.  Be sure to check out our Facebook Events page to RSVP!  Let’s make this event more memorable and even more charitable than last years!  Thanks to all the donators who are making this possible in a major way and of course to my special dj’s that will be holding it down with nothing but classic HIP HOP.  Another special thank you to Rhyme and Reason for their promotion and dedication to this event.  - Mayra E

From the words of Mighty Mouse Powell:  I set out with my close friend ILL AL to make a project that would serve not only as my debut but also as an indication of what can be accomplished in the future, this is the result. 14 tracks of growth. Each track we did together seemed to be stronger than the last. I think every track on this album is a reflection of a mindset I’ve embodied over the last 2 years. The production is soulful and largely composed by my good friend and long time collaborator Make Sense. Where It’s Cloudy is a mind state of peace and stability. I think what we’ve accomplished is amazing and I hope you agree.

Thank you’s due to My Family, Whatever or Whoever is upstairs, Avenue of the Arts crew, anyone who’s tolerated my behavior and/or fed me over the years, Universatile Music, Make Sense, Milo, Brad B, ILL AL, LES735, Kira Best, Andres Rodriguez, BuenoBeats, Jimmy Nelson, Dumperfoo, Smooth Like Slope, my brothers Isacc and Clay, Blunt Club, DJ Element, anybody reading this, and last but not least Stewart The Cat.

Recognize Sunshine.

In my time of DJing I’ve been introduced to many different musicians and artists. One of my biggest interests was a group that goes by The Insects. Together they form something incredibly unique and separately they are equally unique, as each has established a well reputation among the Hip Hop community. The Insects which includes Brad B (emcee), Foundation (dj/producer), & Dumperfoo (artist) are among three of the most talented people I have been fortunate to meet. The Insects explain their essence and background to their productivity and love for what in conclusion combines them, which is MUSIC.

Brad B, the emcee and voice of the group captures your attention with his vocal literature. His voice has a low, clear but yet blunt strength. His stage presence is mature and lyrically he is able to help you forget about anything, make you take a deep listen and then slowly lift you away.

Q: Are there any specific artists that you would like to work with? Brad: I would really love to work with the Sugar Thieves. I think they’re the best band in town.

Q: What is the inspiration behind your lyrics? Brad: I get inspiration from people watching. I’m inspired by all aspects of life. I get inspiration from animals, plants, kids, soul music, food, family, love, confrontation…. everything. Just thinking about shit. I think though, in my opinion, my best stuff comes from when I’m real down, out, and drunk.

Q: How old were you when you wrote your first rhyme and how did you feel about it? Brad: When I was in 8^th grade I started writing in this journal. I think that was the origin of what I have become as a poet and a man. I probably thought my first rhyme was dope at the time, but it wasn’t. I’m happy to be where I’m at now, and I’m glad I got into writing when I was young and stupid.

Q: What kind of message through your lyrics do you want to give your listeners/fans? Brad:I want them to feel the pulse of the city and think about shit when they listen and see this messed up world from a different perspective.

Q: What do you enjoy the most when performing live? Brad: My favorite thing about performing live is the release and the look on people faces when I know they feel it.

Foundation, a well-established dj/producer and the soul of the group with his beats imaginably creates a performance in your thoughts while you listen. His beats are described as hard hitting with a lot of heavy head bobbing. Foundation’s music is an introduction to different instruments and incredible vibes.

Q: With Djing and Producing, which one takes most of your time and is your biggest passion? Foundation: Up until 2 years ago I spent the majority of my time producing. But for the last couple years it seems like forever that I have been on the road. I have played over 250 shows since January 2010 so I guess it is safe to say that djing had dominated my life as of late. My passion as far back as I can remember has been playing and creating music and to me they’re pretty much on the same level of joy but there is nothing like showing a grip of strangers your art and watching them get wide open. I’m addicted to it and it’ll do till the day I die.

Q: What influence do you have to create your music? Foundation: When I sit down to make a beat I am trying to murder every producer that has inspired me in my life.

Q: What music did you listen to growing up? Foundation: What didn’t I listen too?! You name a genre and I probably had a faze where I banged it hard. In the 80’s it was Run DMC, N.W.A., and The Beastie Boys and at the same time I was way into Prince, The Police, Bobby Brown and of course M.J. In the 90’s I was into Metallica, The Almond Bros., Rush and a lot of Manchester stuff like The Stone Roses, Ride and The Happy Mondays at the same time I was bumping Hiro, Snoop Dogg, anything out of Project Blowed and anything that Dj Premiere was involved in. My love for all types of music is part of what drew me to creating hip hop.

Q: As a producer, how do you feel when you’ve completed a project? Foundation: I feel a split second of satisfaction because I know that when the album is done the work is just beginning. To push an album to it’s full potential is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever tried to do in my life and in 20 years of making music I’m sure I have never accomplished this.

Q: How have you progressed since you first started? Foundation: Sonically I’m light years away from where I started if you listen to “Face the Music” (Drunken Immortals 1^st album) and then pop in “Gone part 1” it’s pretty evident that as the years have gone by I’ve exponentially and my taste has changed drastically. I always tried to make conscious effort to change with the times at the same time to not loose my identity. Either that or be ahead of the curve so that when the record is finally finished it is not out dated before it is released. Quite difficult to do these days because information travels so fast that it seems like there is a new hot genre of music every couple months.

Dumperfoo, an outstanding accomplished painter and the vision of the group abducts your attention with his canvas skills. His art is illustrated perfectly through public performances and his color selection is captivating and brilliant. Dumperfoo’s imagination keeps you interested while he paints his brainwork.

Q: How many paintings do you currently have? Dumperfoo: The only work I currently have available was from The Next Movement Gallery show, which was a collab with The Roots crew photographer Sol Exposure, who’s photos of The Roots (spanning back to ’08) were enlarged and printed on canvas and I painted directly on them. Also I have a few paintings hanging in various places around AZ, otherwise, thankfully I’m sold out at the time.

Q: How does hip-hop influence you to paint? Dumperfoo: Being a hip-hop promoter and previously a b-boy in my younger day’s music has always been an influence, a job, and an escape for me. When I’m on stage I just feel the music and shut everything off and let my hands do the talking on the canvas.

Q: How old were you when you first noticed the talent you have? Dumperfoo: Kindergarten, my family is artistic. Especially my parents, most the influence was taken from their work. In Kindergarten, I won my first art contest in school so I guess it was just in me….

Q: How would you describe your style? Dumperfoo: Graffiti influenced, lowbrow, pop art at times… I paint real quick though, usually I complete a painting in 20 minutes to one hour so you see the piece unfold in an Insects set. I start when they start and complete it when they complete the set!

Q: We know your paintings are quite famous, is there anyone that you felt proud to paint for? Dumperfoo: I’ve done a lot of amazing things (thankfully), traveled many places doing my thing and met lots of great people along the way. But I think painting at Snoop Dogg’s house on a show called Man Caves and Snoop Dogg Fatherhood (Season 2) had to be one of the illest things I’ve done.

John Carbis who people know better as Skip Skoolnik has been djing for so many years, he’s a record loving, old school soul!  Recently he took up photography and let me tell you “His Pics Are ILL!”  J. Carbis has a lot of projects under his belt.  He’s taken photos for venues around Phoenix, some album covers, family pictures, artist promotions, models, weddings and even some bugs.  My reason for adding John to my blog is basically because I think his photography is very expressed and beautiful.  He catches memories, feelings, emotions, music & art that most of us take for granted.  So a shout out to my friend Skip for taking the time to catch our memories and for reminding you how awesome that drunken night was!  Oh and don’t forget to take a picture of him once in a while!  Check out his Facebook Page for more Pictures!

Mouse aka Bill Powell has established a well production flow with 11 new tracks that will be released every Monday which leads to his overall album “Where it’s Cloudy” releasing on November 22nd, 2011.  Take advantage of his lyricsm and check out music!  His first release titled “My Delicate Little Flower” written by Bill Powell with production by Make Sense as well as additional vocals by the talented Kira Best.

Speakerfood Playlist

1)EXCEL INTRO Roknowledge, Ill Al the Anglo-Saxon, Maja, Vprolific, Mykr Fiendx, Random, Ohm  2)LADIES FIRST Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love  3)NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST Black Sheep  4)LOVE AT 1ST SIGHT Mary J. Blige  5)I WANT YOU Common  6)ONE EVENING Feist  7)HOT MUSIC Soho  8)BRING THE PAIN Missy Elliott ft. Method Man  9)BRING THE PAIN Method Man  10)HERE I AM Nitty Scott  11)AT THE HELM Hieroglyphics  12)THE REMEDY Mpress  13)SUN DOOBIE Slaughterhouse  14)ASSASSINS Pharoahe Monche ft. Jean Grae & Royce Da 5’9  15)FLOETIC Floetry  16)TIGHT EYES Nicolay & Kay ft. Oh No The Luv Bugz  17)REPERCUSSIONS Lauryn Hill  18)JUST FRIENDS Musiq Soulchild  19)SOLDIER Erykah Bady  20)DON’T FEEL RIGHT The Roots  21)HEAD OVER HEELS Allure ft. Nas  22)GETAWAY Oh No ft. Aloe Blac  23)MISSION IMPROBABLE The Herbaliser  24)SQUARE ONE INST Fallen Angels  25)A MILLION EYES Apani B. Fly  26)GET A HOLD A Tribe Called Quest  27)THE LIFE Mystic  28)INTERLUDE Illa J Inst  29)SOUNDS LIKE LOVE Illa J  30)REAL LOVE Bahamadia  31)THE OWNERZ Gang Starr  32)LESSON OF THE DAY Rah Digga  33)CLASSIC Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One & Rakim  34)ALIBI Dessa  35)LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH & FAMOUS Kool G Rap & Dj Polo  36)TWO DJ’S are BETTER THAN ONE  37)BUMRUSH OUTRO Mouse, Dan Smack, Mr. Miranda, James Ciphurphace, Spit Suicide, Roknowledge