inspirations from verbs

VerBS – Feelings Getting in The Way

VerBS is the Homie. I wish that James Brown was still alive, because I’d love to set up a challenge between the two of them to find the true “hardest working man in show business.” The last time I saw VerBS was at Home Room. He was closing out my video release party, but he had to jet over from a photo gig in some far-off part of town. He showed up without a set, slapped one together on his laptop in just a couple of minutes right as he was scheduled to begin playing… and then laid down a spot-on performance that belied the rushed preparation.

VerBS is one of the hardest-core DIY cats out there, and also one of the most open-minded. His Bananas nights in Leimert Park have done more than continue that neighborhood’s tradition of true, intelligent hip-hop; they’ve expanded that tradition to include alternative acts and elements from all over the LA underground.

Of course VerBS will be at FMLY Fest this week, and if you want to shake your ass I’d recommend that you watch his performance. In the meantime, follow the link to see some video inspirations provided by the man himself.

Anavan: “You’re Taking Me Out”

A former girlfriend introduced me to the whole world of DIY venues and music, which at the time was so foriegn to me and out of the microcosm I frequented (Hip hop shows and rap battles). Anavan was the first band of this type of noise punk electronic awesomeness that I got exposed to. I’ve seen these guys play in every part of LA (The Smell, Pehrspace, Family Bookstore, their house, and another random where house get-down). They were so fucking awesome — the lead singer was the drummer and sang through a hockey mask. The music they produced inspired me to really let loose when performing and have fun…

RIP Anavan. That chapter of my life was very fun. If I wasn’t exposed to this stuff I might not even know about DIY shit and the FMLY. So Anavan and the ex-girlfriend who will remain nameless — thank you for acting as a catalyst to help me develop more as the Entertainer/Performer I am now.

St. Vincent: “Human Racing”

St. Vincent… Annie Clarke… So fine… “Human Racing” is soooooo fucking dope. Her lyrics are ill-ass poetry. Yo I love the bars “roooomeeoo whered ya go its been years and still no sign but I’m keepin hope allliiiiiivvve ” and “Hummingbird, what’s the word? Are you still your mother’s child or have you found yourself a flower?” I also like this lyric: “Flowerchild, you’re still wild. Under a harvest moon can we eat of all the fruits of our youth?”

I love songwriting like this and her vocal ability and style really make me love this song… Hardcore dope shit over here yo.

The Noisettes: “Every Now and Then”

There was a time where I was soooooo gay for The Noisettes. It was a good time in my life: I had a indie rocker black girlfriend, and I walked down the street with a since of dignity and pride… it was great. I feel like I was getting higher off the weed I was smoking, more full of the food I was eating, getting great orgasms when having sex, and I loving the smell of… wait, what am I saying? Yeah, the Noisettes. I found out about them on Myspace and I thought the singer was hot and electic-e (I make up words). The song “Wild Young Hearts” really did it for me from there I peeped their other stuff. Seen them at Amoeba at an in store, and I’ve even seen them at Spaceland. That show was fucking amazing. She’s a great performer and she plays bass in her band. Man, gotta love cool alternative black chicks.

Anyway this video is from some performance from somewhere. I used to watch this alot on Youtube.

Jay Electronica: “Anakin’s Prayer”

Jay Electronica is an absolute wizard when it comes to rhyme formulation, song concepts, and rhyme scheme complexity… He’s a real “rapper’s rapper” if ya know what I mean… On “Anakin’s Prayer,” he begins rapping like he’s Darth Vader: “I can drill a hole at the Earth’s equator/ fill it with dynamite and make another moon a’ craters/ See ya later/ She ain’t know, that innocent shit with Obi-Wan behind the Jedi back can turn Anakin to Vader/ shit, your lack of faith in the force is disturbing / and if it wasn’t Jack Daniels and Parliament Lights it woulda been murder.” Then after that he relates the story to his life and the shit is really cool. You gotta listen to it in allegory an you’ll realize how crazy he is of a rapper. Every time I listen to his words I get inspired to rap better.

Alicia Murphy: “Appreciating”

Alicia Murphy (check her out here) is my friend. I love this girl and I love her music… I met her in 2010 in Davis; I was performing at this school event and she came up to me and told me she was a big fan of my stuff and my friend Sirah’s stuff. I was like “Dayyyuum! Thank you for listening and all that jazz.” Anyhoo, we became real friends and when I go up to Davis we hang and the same when she comes down here.

So! the last time I went to Davis she gave me a CD and this song was on there and the words are just so sweet and impactful. She has an angel’s voice and in real life is one of the most positive people I know. “We got all the time in the world and all the world of time.” Really listen to her, and go to her website and fall in love like I have… She inspires me so much as a human. Oh, and she majors in Hydrology! That’s cool!