East of the River

Southeast Stylings

Local Treasures On MySpace

by: Khadijah Ali-Coleman

Welcome to the first installment of “Southeast Stylings.” Each month this column will feature emerging local artists who are connected to East Washington, or whose artistry impacts this side of town.

I was a bit shy to admit to friends that I joined the mainstream and recently signed up for an account on the super-popular MySpace.com. A free online site, MySpace has made national headlines as a virtual playground for people of all ages from all over the world. Although I hate to be a "follower," I was curious to learn more about the social-connection website that began not as a cyber-date site but rather as a tool for independent musical acts and visual artists. Once I got logged into the website, I was happy to find a wealth of DC-area talent. Here are three local MySpace musicians worth checking out: acoustic balladeer KUKU, go-go weapons of funk Mambo Sauce, and the lyrically dynamic 7th Prophet.

Mr. KUKU

“Unexpected Pleasures”

Nigerian-born acoustic artist Abdulzatar Kuku, known as KUKU, is a Barracks Row favorite, performing regularly at restaurant Ellington’s on Eighth. KUKU’s music, which is reminiscent of the acoustic calm of Tracey Chapman mixed with the passion of Marvin Gaye, greets listeners with a sound that is remarkably fresh yet familiar - what one fan described as "authentic and soulful." At his recent album release of his CD Unexpected Pleasures at U Street’s cozy Café Nema, KUKU lived up to the description, crooning passionately his self-penned songs “It’s Alright” and “No Raindrops” to a packed house. My favorite was “After and Then,” with its melancholy yet hopeful lyrics and wistful melody that merge together to create an endearing image of the struggle of love.

KUKU believes sites like MySpace and the internet in general make it easier than ever for emerging artists to promote their music and performances. As he performed in front of his audience, largely solicited from his MySpace site, KUKU sighed, “I’m so happy to see you all, I could cry.”

The musician has upcoming May performances at Barracks Row’s Ellington’s on Eighth as well as U Street's Mocha Hut and Cada Vez. To hear more of KUKU and to get a listing of upcoming shows and CD info, check out www.myspace.com/kukumusic or his official website www.mrkuku.com. The CD is being sold at area Olsson’s Books and Records, 202.785.1133.

Mambo Sauce

“Put That In Your Pocket”

When you ask anyone in DC what the city’s musical taste leans most heavily towards, you will get two words thrown in your face—GO GO! The Junkyard Band, TCB, Rare Essence and Suttle Thoughts are just some of the bands that play to packed houses in Southeast and other parts of DC. The DC Lottery has even tapped local legend Chuck Brown to promote lottery sales through a go-go song in a television commercial.

Go-go music, brought to the mainstream in 1988’s Spike Lee college satire “School Daze” where the band Experience Unlimited (EU) performed “Da Butt” during one scene, has been mainly a delight enjoyed by DC natives and their Prince George’s County friends in Maryland. Other than EU’s showing in “School Daze,” go-go bands, however, have rarely left the confines of the city, unable to expand to a national audience.

Meet Mambo Sauce, a five-member band put together by manager William “Malachai” Johns. The band is named after the mystery sauce that is served in almost every DC carry-out when you order a piping hot order of fried chicken wings. Like the sauce, the band is both delectable and a crowd pleaser.

Johns, on the bands’ website, describes the band as a fusion of go-go, rap and alternative, “Put Go - Go music, Kanye West, No Doubt and Outkast in a blender. Blend until the top pops off, and that might scratch the surface of where Mambo Sauce is going."

With a soulfully polished sound that is highlighted by lead female vocalist Thi Lai’s powerful singing, Mambo Sauce may have the both the vision and skills necessary to become an act that transcends DC’s borders. The dance hit “Damn Joe” brings to mind the “old school” days of go-go where the singers can really sing and the beats are so contagious you can’t help but dance where you’re standing. On their single “Go”, they are successful when they combine rap, rock, go-go and some R & B riffing to create a sure-thing anthem.

“We run this town,

we run this city,

we’ll run you down,

till you weak and weary”

Thi Lai makes a surprise turn as both a singer and rapper, spitting some flavorful rhyme on top of an infectious pocket beat that is tickled lightly by an electric riff on guitar. Together, the magic is, well, like mambo sauce -- finger licking’!

Check out www.myspace.com/mambosauce to hear the band’s mp3s and learn about upcoming shows. Their official website is www.redcrecords.com.

7th Prophet

“Every time I rock, it’s a Kundalini show!”

Yoga groupies who know what kundalini is--the human spine that is believed to be the gateway to higher consciousness-- may find a certain affinity with the raps of 7th Prophet.

Laying down lyrics that are filled with references to his Rastafarian religion, black pride, political revolutionaries and the plights of oppressed people internationally, 7th Prophet likes to make the distinction between being a rapper and embodying hip hop. Using KRS-One’s words, he believes, “Rap is something we do, Hip Hop is something we live.”

In a town that is defined by its go-go music, 7th Prophet would like to see the musical inclinations of DC natives expand, providing a venue for all types of artists to be accepted and to collaborate across genre lines. “Washington DC is a go-go city hands down. We ,as the hip hop artists [in DC], would love to have two or three shows a night in packed-out venues [like many go-go artists]. Some hip-hop promoters in the city don’t show love for the underground or independent artist ...We as artists need to bridge the gap more. Go-go and hip hop together if we want the world to take notice of us. Togetherness without jealousy is the key!”

7th Prophet offers a deviation from today’s mainstream rap artists. Instead of spitting anthems for the rich, famous, pimped-out and culturally inept, he remains committed to upliftment and advocacy for the underserved.

An avid reader who attributes his gifted rhyme to his teachings and inspiration from his peers, 7th Prophet is working on his upcoming EP “Tone Scientizt”. He also hosts an open mic night when he isn’t performing. To learn about the locations he can be seen next and to hear for yourself his skills, check him out at www.myspace.com/tonescientizt or contact him at 240.423.8793.

Khadijah Ali-Coleman is a writer, performer and youth worker who lives in the DC metro area with her daughter. Email her at soouryouthaspire@yahoo.com if you would like your artistry featured in this column.


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Southeast Stylings
Local Treasures On MySpace
by: Khadijah Ali-Coleman
Welcome to the first installment of “Southeast Stylings.” Each month this column will feature emerging local artists who are connected to East Washington, or whose artistry impacts this side of town. I was a bit shy to admit to friends that I joined the mainstream and recently signed up for an account on the super-popular MySpace.com. A free online site, MySpace has made national headlines as a virtual playground for people of all ages from all over the world. Although I hate to be a "follower," I was curious to learn more about the social-connection website that began not as a cyber-date site but rather as a tool for independent musical acts and visual artists. Once I got logged into the website, I was happy to find a wealth of DC-area talent. Here are three local MySpace musicians worth checking out: acoustic balladeer KUKU, go-go weapons of funk Mambo Sauce, and the lyrically dynamic 7th Prophet. Mr. KUKU “Unexpected Pleasures” Nigerian-born acoustic artist Abdulzatar Kuku, known as KUKU, is a Barracks Row favorite, performing regularly at restaurant Ellington’s on Eighth. KUKU’s music, which is reminiscent of the acoustic calm of Tracey Chapman mixed with the passion of Marvin Gaye, greets listeners with a sound that is remarkably fresh yet familiar - what one fan described as "authentic and soulful." At his recent album release of his CD Unexpected Pleasures at U Street’s cozy Café Nema, KUKU lived up to the description, crooning passionately his self-penned songs “It’s Alright” and “No Raindrops” to a packed house. My favorite was “After and Then,” with its melancholy yet hopeful lyrics and wistful melody that merge together to create an endearing image of the struggle of love. KUKU believes sites like MySpace and the internet in general make it easier than ever for emerging artists to promote their music and performances. As he performed in front of his audience, largely solicited from his MySpace site, KUKU sighed, “I’m so happy to see you all, I could cry.” The musician has upcoming May performances at Barracks Row’s Ellington’s on Eighth as well as U Street's Mocha Hut and Cada Vez. To hear more of KUKU and to get a listing of upcoming shows and CD info, check out www.myspace.com/kukumusic or his official website www.mrkuku.com. The CD is being sold at area Olsson’s Books and Records, 202.785.1133. Mambo Sauce “Put That In Your Pocket” When you ask anyone in DC what the city’s musical taste leans most heavily towards, you will get two words thrown in your face—GO GO! The Junkyard Band, TCB, Rare Essence and Suttle Thoughts are just some of the bands that play to packed houses in Southeast and other parts of DC. The DC Lottery has even tapped local legend Chuck Brown to promote lottery sales through a go-go song in a television commercial. Go-go music, brought to the mainstream in 1988’s Spike Lee college satire “School Daze” where the band Experience Unlimited (EU) performed “Da Butt” during one scene, has been mainly a delight enjoyed by DC natives and their Prince George’s County friends in Maryland. Other than EU’s showing in “School Daze,” go-go bands, however, have rarely left the confines of the city, unable to expand to a national audience. Meet Mambo Sauce, a five-member band put together by manager William “Malachai” Johns. The band is named after the mystery sauce that is served in almost every DC carry-out when you order a piping hot order of fried chicken wings. Like the sauce, the band is both delectable and a crowd pleaser. Johns, on the bands’ website, describes the band as a fusion of go-go, rap and alternative, “Put Go - Go music, Kanye West, No Doubt and Outkast in a blender. Blend until the top pops off, and that might scratch the surface of where Mambo Sauce is going." With a soulfully polished sound that is highlighted by lead female vocalist Thi Lai’s powerful singing, Mambo Sauce may have the both the vision and skills necessary to become an act that transcends DC’s borders. The dance hit “Damn Joe” brings to mind the “old school” days of go-go where the singers can really sing and the beats are so contagious you can’t help but dance where you’re standing. On their single “Go”, they are successful when they combine rap, rock, go-go and some R & B riffing to create a sure-thing anthem. “We run this town, we run this city, we’ll run you down, till you weak and weary” Thi Lai makes a surprise turn as both a singer and rapper, spitting some flavorful rhyme on top of an infectious pocket beat that is tickled lightly by an electric riff on guitar. Together, the magic is, well, like mambo sauce -- finger licking’! Check out www.myspace.com/mambosauce to hear the band’s mp3s and learn about upcoming shows. Their official website is www.redcrecords.com. 7th Prophet “Every time I rock, it’s a Kundalini show!” Yoga groupies who know what kundalini is--the human spine that is believed to be the gateway to higher consciousness-- may find a certain affinity with the raps of 7th Prophet. Laying down lyrics that are filled with references to his Rastafarian religion, black pride, political revolutionaries and the plights of oppressed people internationally, 7th Prophet likes to make the distinction between being a rapper and embodying hip hop. Using KRS-One’s words, he believes, “Rap is something we do, Hip Hop is something we live.” In a town that is defined by its go-go music, 7th Prophet would like to see the musical inclinations of DC natives expand, providing a venue for all types of artists to be accepted and to collaborate across genre lines. “Washington DC is a go-go city hands down. We ,as the hip hop artists [in DC], would love to have two or three shows a night in packed-out venues [like many go-go artists]. Some hip-hop promoters in the city don’t show love for the underground or independent artist ...We as artists need to bridge the gap more. Go-go and hip hop together if we want the world to take notice of us. Togetherness without jealousy is the key!” 7th Prophet offers a deviation from today’s mainstream rap artists. Instead of spitting anthems for the rich, famous, pimped-out and culturally inept, he remains committed to upliftment and advocacy for the underserved. An avid reader who attributes his gifted rhyme to his teachings and inspiration from his peers, 7th Prophet is working on his upcoming EP “Tone Scientizt”. He also hosts an open mic night when he isn’t performing. To learn about the locations he can be seen next and to hear for yourself his skills, check him out at www.myspace.com/tonescientizt or contact him at 240.423.8793. Khadijah Ali-Coleman is a writer, performer and youth worker who lives in the DC metro area with her daughter. Email her at soouryouthaspire@yahoo.com if you would like your artistry featured in this column.