STRIVIN'

Get to know the bi-coastal duo Keelay & Zaire up-close-and-personal when we go behind-the-scenes of the video shoot for their song “Alright With Me.” In this VIMBY video, we see Keelay & Zaire’s camera crew working hard to get the shots they need before the sun sets on an LA rooftop party. Guest artists Phonte of Little Brother, D-Minor, Tunji and director Jeremy Ian Thomas all drop in to share their take on the video shoot too. Get a first-hand look at the making of the music video here and look out for the real video soon!

Keelay & Zaire: website / MySpace

The Video:
“Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed” – You’ve heard the song, now Blaq Poet comes through with the visuals to match. DJ Premier, who produced this track, along with the large majority of Tha Blaqprint, joins Blaq as he takes us on a tour of his stomping grounds, the infamous Queensbridge Projects, and shows us how he gets down, two turntables and a mic style. The video was directed by Brendan Cochrane, a two-time PEN award winner and veteran in film and television production.

The Background:
Blaq Poet, a Queensbridge, NY native, first made a name for himself in 1987, entering his name into the legendary battle of Queens vs. The Bronx with his song “Beat You Down,” a scathing attack on KRS-One. Later, honoring a dead friend and namesake, he formed the hardcore rap group Screwball, comprised of other QB spitters Hostyle, Solo, and Poet’s cousin KL. Elsewhere, he appeared on the anthemic LP Nas Presents Queensbridge’s Finest, alongside Jungle and Cormega on “Straight Outta Q.B.” Blaq Poet’s refusal to dilute his subject matter or soften his cadence attracted the interest of rap’s most legendary producer, DJ Premier. Preemo, along with fellow luminaries Pete Rock and Marley Marl, laced Screwball’s Y2K album with Poet’s beloved boom-bap. A second album, Loyalty, would follow the next year, thereafter the Screwed Up compilation in 2004. Premier also lent his sonic signature to Poet’s 2006 solid solo debut, Rewind: Deja Screw. Preemo then inked Blaq Poet to his own Year Round Records label. Blaq Poet’s new album, Tha Blaqprint, will be available this spring via Year Round Records via Fat Beats Distribution now.

Blaq Poet