EVENTS Archive

Ground Lift 4 Year Anniversary w/ Pac Div, Que B.I.L.L.A.H. & more!

Ground Lift Media & Jugrnaut Chicago are teaming up on October 1st, 2010 to commemorate another successful year! Respectively celebrating their 4th & 3rd year anniversaries, together these companies have worked tirelessly towards promoting, nurturing, and building Chicago’s Hip-Hop and Urban Fashion scenes. Join us as we look forward to another 365!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24th, 2010
GROUND LIFT MEDIA 4YR & JUGRNAUT 3YR ANNIVERSARIES w/ Pac Div, Mic Terror, Que B.I.L.L.A.H. & More!

Produced in conjunction with online media partners Rubyhornet.com & Fusicology.com, this anniversary concert will feature performances by Universal/Motown recording artists Pac Div (the official Grown Kids Syndrome album release concert), local legends Mic Terror, Que B.I.L.L.A.H. & Timbuck2, as well as DJs TREW (of Ground Lift Media), Matt.Boy.White., & Manny Muscles (both of Jugrnaut).  Hosted by Awdazcate.

As an exclusive anniversary bonus, Ground Lift Media will be hosting a contest where local musicians can register to win an opening slot on an upcoming Ground Lift Media-produced event! Boasting a concert resume which includes sold out shows with national recording artists like Little Brother, Wale, Mayer Hawthorne, Blu, & Tanya Morgan; Ground Lift Media concerts offer artists high levels of focused exposure, promotion, and branding. Contest details can be found here (http://bit.ly/9g0mU9).  Swag bags courtesy of Jugrnaut, Mishka, 10Deep, & more!

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“Warehouse Junkies” Record Show @ CUAS Gallery

The depth of Chicagoland’s musical heritage may often be unfathomable –labels like Cadet, Delmark, Dust Traxx, and dozens more all call Chicago ‘home’– but the global cultural impact of our city’s music scene is anything but deniable. With Chicago Urban Art Society and Ground Lift Media’s new bi-monthly Record Show “Warehouse Junkies,” we whole-heartedly celebrate and embrace Chicago’s rich musical lineage, and bring together a group of individuals in a pursuit of music and buying, selling and trading.

“Warehouse Junkies” isn’t your typical Record Show.

Using their gallery to its fullest, Chicago Urban Art Society will repurpose their space as the official “Warehouse Junkies” venue. In this non-traditional environment, vendors will consist of Chicago-based music retailers as well as local independent dealers, collectors, and DJs. Customers are invited to shop – buy/trade – rare, valuable and classic merchandise while local DJs talents provide the soundtrack.

<< VENDOR REGISTRATION & ADDITIONAL INFO HERE >>

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Ancient Astronauts @ Darkroom – 8/5/2010

As we approach the 2010 Lollapalooza festival weekend, Ground Lift Media & The Dirty Social are proud to announce a special pre-festival set by Lollapalooza artists - Ancient Astronauts (ESL Music / Switchstance Records)!

Fresh of their tour with fellow ESL artists Thievery Corporation, the Cologne, Germany-based DJ / production duo is ready to herald in a memorable weekend with a special DJ set at Chicago’s Darkroom alongside DJs Intel, John Simmons, Newlife, & TREW

For some, this August weekend is like a small vacation from bustling reality – so, come by for the start of the excitement!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

Press inquiries please contact
:

Nigel Ridgeway, Ground Lift Media
trew@groundliftmedia.com

ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS INVADE CHICAGO

Ground Lift Media, The Dirty Social, and Redlight Productions present:

Lollapalooza 2010 artists Ancient Astronauts (Switchstance Recording/ESL Music) for an exclusive pre-festival engagement at the Darkroom on August 5, 2010. Fresh off their recent tour with fellow producers Thievery Corporation, this concert marks the Ancient Astronaut’s first ever Chicago performance.

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TBS ‘Just for Laughs’ Festival w/ Rhymefest, The Jordan Years

Ground Lift Media is proud to announce the TBS’ “Just for Laughs” Comedy Festival. Headliners include cutting edge comics and fan favs Aziz Ansari & Patton Oswalt, as well as the “Original King Of Comedy“, Cedric the Entertainer. TBS-sanctioned events happen all over the city, and on June 17th we’ll be at Martyr’s for our The City That Works variety showcase featuring the sketch comedy troupe Schadenfreude, local Hip-Hop hero Rhymefest, and the Funk/Soul band The Jordan Years.  More on that can be found below or here.

Wednesday June 2th 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press inquiries please contact:

Karin McKie, Tree Falls Productions
karin@treefalls.com

Schadenfreude, Chicago’s long-running, critically acclaimed comedy ensemble, and soul/funk/hip-hop band The Jordan Years present The City That Works, two performances of sketch comedy and music with special guests.  Parking meters are privatized, property taxes skyrocketing, unemployment at an all time high, city services cut back and crime on the rise, yet Schadenfreude is still happy to live in the “City that Works” (even though they can’t afford to).  The City That Works runs about 90 minutes.

Part of Chicago’s Just for Laughs Festival, the first The City That Works show is on Thursday, June 17, 2010, 9 p.m., at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., with $10 tickets at www.martyrslive.com.  In addition to Schadenfreude – Kate James, Justin Kaufmann, Sandy Marshall, and Stephen Schmidt – and The Jordan Years band, slated to perform are Grammy Award-winning rapper Rhymefest (comedy and rap), plus comics Brian Babylon and Joe Bill, as well as Schadenfreude’s premiere of “Local Commercial Theater,” where, just for laughs, Chicago celebs read their famous local ad spots, including DJs Eddie and JoBo (United Auto Insurance), and furniture maven Tim Smithe (Walter E. Smithe Bros., “you dream it, we build it”).

Schadenfreude Bio:

Formed in 1998, Chicago’s sketch comedy ensemble Schadenfreude has performed on local and national stages, and is the creator and producer of the radio program “Schadenfreude,” (which aired on Chicago Public Radio 2003-05).  Schadenfreude has performed at countless venues including Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, The Second City, The Neo-Futurarium, and in New York City and Los Angeles.  Schadenfreude performed sold-out shows at the Chicago Improv Festival (1998-2007) and was the inaugural recipient of the Festival Highlight Award.  The ensemble has been featured in several national comedy festivals, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and at various colleges.

Slum Village in Chicago 7/10/2010!! ‘Villa Manifesto Tour’

slum village concert flyer 7/10/2010 ChicagoWe’re proud to announce SLUM VILLAGE live SATURDAY JULY 10th 2010 at DOUBLE DOOR in Chicago! The duo will be touring in preparation for the release of their new album VILLA MANIFESTO.. THE LP (Ne’Astra Music Group, August 2010), the group’s first project to be released since the passing of Slum Village founding member Baatin.

Press inquiries please contact:
Nigel Ridgeway trew@groundliftmedia.com

Tuesday May 25th 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SLUM VILLAGE, with original members T3, Baatin and producer J Dilla, defined the sound of golden era hip hop coming out of Detroit.  The work of legendary producer J Dilla still echos in todays newer generation of artists.  The group’s first album, Fantastic, Vol 1. of 1996 wasn’t actually release until 2005 but was highly sought after by serious hip hop heads in all underground circles.  Their second effort, Fantastic, Vol. 2 featured D’Angelo, Busta Rhymes, Kurupt, Pete Rock and A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, among others.   It became an instant classic and and Slum Village was seen as the second coming of the Native Tongues (A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul) by member Q-Tip, as well as fans and journalists alike.

As J Dilla left to pursue a solo career, T3 brought in rapper Elzhi to join.  The group continued to be tested as Baatin departed the join to seek treatment for illness.  Since then producer J Dilla died from TTP and Lupus, and Baatin returned to the group in 2008 only to pass away last year.

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Release Party: 1773’s Mixed Signals Vol.1 in Chicago!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1773’s Mixed Signals Vol.1 Mixtape  & Release Party (Release date: 5/28/2010)

The first of five releases of 2010, the gentlemen of 1773 emerge from the bone-chilling Chicago Winter having spent the past 5 months in full-on production mode. Featuring beatmaker talent from across the globe and a myriad of local Hip-Hop artists, their lead mixtape titled Mixed Signals Vol.1 (release date 5/28/2010) began as a single release but the overwhelming response from guest MCs necessitated two installments.

Typically, 1773 limits guest appearances to 2-3 per release, so for Mixed Signals the fellas decided it was time to up the ante. “Chicago gets branded as ‘Haterville’ but on this release we aim to transcend any superficial boundaries created by that moniker” explains MC Just Jay. Essentially a musical experiment pulling from Chicago’s varied Hip-Hop scenes; as an end result, Mixed Signals Vol.1 is more than a mixtape but rather an all-city showcase.

Hosted by Donwill (of Tanya Morgan), Volume 1 features include: Visual (Molemen/Community Service), Elevation (Fordafresh), Love Jones, MC Sick of Pseudo Slang (Fat Beats), Neak, Add-2, Sincerely Yours, Verbal Kent (Gravel), Phero, Itch13 (Superheroes of Sound), Cerebral Vortex (of Vertual Vertigo, MPM), Philip Morris, Awdazcate, and K-Sera. Certainly one of these names rings a bell, and if not consider this a wakeup call!

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May Day, May Day: Annual B.I.L.L.A.H B-Day Bash

It’s that time of year again folks! Ground Lift is gearing up to celebrate with Chicago brethren Que B.I.L.L.A.H. for his annual birthday bash. This year’s lineup features some of Chicago’s finest new school Hip-Hop artists including Dave Coresh & Rockie Fresh, and at midnight we’ll be unveiling Que B.I.L.L.A.H.’s new video for the song “The Fresh Air Syndrome” (dir. by Da Visionaryz) from his upcoming still photo/video project titled A Thousand Words.

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Little Brother in Chicago 5/19/2010!! ‘Left Back’ Tour

Little Brother in Chicago 5/19/2010. Left Back Album Tour

We’re proud to announce LITTLE BROTHER live WEDNESDAY MAY 19th 2010 at DOUBLE DOOR in Chicago!  It’ll be a legendary, yet bitter-sweet affair as they tour on the heels of LEFTBACK, the duo’s proclaimed last album together.

Press inquiries please contact:
Nigel Ridgeway trew@groundliftmedia.com

Tuesday April 13 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Forming in 2001 in Durham, North Carolina, LITTLE BROTHER is the pair of emcees Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh and , first appearing on the hip-hop scene with their 2003 ABB Records release, The Listening.  The album immediately struck a chord with the rap community, garnering praise from the likes of Pete Rock and The Roots, as well as catching the ears of Jay-Z, who recruited producer 9th Wonder for some production work of his own.
The Minstrel Show LP followed as a darkly humorous album that is equal parts soul and satire, presenting a fictional television network, UBN (U Black N*****s).  As emcee Phonte explains, “As rappers, we have to take responsibility for what we say…If not, we’re doing essentially what minstrel shows did: perpetuating negative images and reinforcing those negative stereotypes.”  The second album was highly acclaimed by both critics and fans as both a bold statement on the current hip hop climate, and also as a masterpiece catapulting Little Brother into underground prominence.
After inner strife which usually follows success that shines as brightly as Little Brother’s, the long-awaited final album is here.  The laid-back yet infectious first single off the album, “Curtain Call,” says it all.  Phonte explains why the long wait, “I didn’t want our last record to be a bunch of second-rate material, I wanted to walk away from Little Brother knowing that I gave our fans all that I had to give, and said everything I wanted to say. With LeftBack, I’ve done that.”

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House of Pain, GZA, La Coka Nostra in Chicago

hop_flyer_web

React and Congress Theatre present

FRIDAY MARCH 12th
…a pre-St.Patrick’s Day JAM! featuring

HOUSE of PAIN!
GZA! of the almighty Wu

also featuring: La Coka Nostra, Mass Hysteria, ADaD, The Comeups

and djs in the lobby: Big Once, Trew, Demchuk and RTC. Hosted by Ms. Chicago and Martin Malafaktor

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Bring That Beat Back v2 feat. Blu/Exile, Tanya Morgan

bring that beat back v2 concert flyer.

bring that beat back v2 concert flyer.

‘BRING THAT BEAT BACK’ v.2
Feat.: Blu & Exile, Tanya Morgan, Eulorhythmics (album listening party), Il Subliminal. DJs Tone B., Trew, Sean Doe, & RTC. Hosted by 1773, Ms. Chicago.

Saturday March 6th, 2010
Subterranean 2011 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL
17+, $10 presale / $12 door (www.subt.net)

The seminal Chicago Hip Hop label and artist collective All Natural Inc. & the Marketing /Event Production firms Ground Lift Media & Cold Grum Productions have joined forces to present the 2nd installment of the event series entitled ‘Bring That Beat Back.’ The launch event (Nov ‘09) featured live performances by Guilty Simpson, Black Spade and Rita J, a producer showcase and a host of supporting DJ sets.

Bring That Beat Back returns on Saturday, March 6th with performances from L.A.’s Blu & Exile, Brooklyn/Cincinnati’s Tanya Morgan, Chicago’s own Il Subliminal (of Tomorrow Kings), and Eulorhythmics, who will be previewing their new album Green St. and Avers Ave.

Hosted by 1773 and Ms. Chicago, the night will also feature DJ sets by Tone B., Trew, Sean Doe, & RTC.

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Dre Day ‘10 w/ Psalm One, Jordan Years

dreday_chicago_flyer_frontdreday_chicago_flyer_back

Feat.: Psalm One, The Jordan Years, The Comeups, TREW, Big Once, Kool Hersh. Live Art & Photobooth.

Friday February 19th, 2010
Darkroom 2210 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL
21+, $5 pre-sale / $7 door (www.darkroombar.com)

_______________________________________________

The Marketing & Event Production firm Ground Lift Media and the Minnesota-based design collective Burlesque of North America have joined forces to present the 2010 installment of DRE DAY: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Dr. Dre. February is quickly approaching, and this will be our eighth year celebrating Andre Young and his creative contributions to the world of Hip-Hop.

It’s time to strap on your Compton hats and locs and celebrate the music and legacy of one of the greatest Hip-Hop artists of all time, the icon responsible for introducing the world to acts as diverse as N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, The D.O.C., Eminem, J.J. Fad, 50 Cent, Arabian Prince, and so many more. It’s Dre Day 2010 and everybody’s celebratin’!

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Me & You: Valentine’s Day w/ 1773, Wes Restless

V-Day w/1773 V-Day w/1773 Back

Feat.: 1773, Wes Restless (Vocal set.) DJs Trew Romance, Moral One & Only, Manny ‘Love’ Muscles.

Sunday February
14th, 2010 @ Lokal 1904 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL

9pm-2am, 21+, No Cover

Beauty lies beyond the search… Ground Lift Media and Arthur Banks (of Jugrnaut Chicago) are excited to entice you with an intimate single/video release party for the Chicago-based trio 1773’s newest song entitled ‘That One.’ Featuring performances by 1773, a solo vocal set by Wes Restless, and love song-centric DJ sets by Moral One, TREW, & Manny Muscles (Jugrnaut).

“By looking at our group’s name, it’s obvious we have an affinity for Chicago. We always try to move people’s bodies with our music, but this event allows us to interact with Chicagoans on a personal level,” states Just Jay. “Although we may still tell you to wave your hands in the air [laughs].”

As an event, Me & You evokes the more passionate side of Hip-Hop & Soul as filtered through a perspective which is distinctly 1773 – at all times representing Logan Square/Humboldt Park, ‘feel good’ music, and eclectic urban fashion. Within the intimate confines of LOkal on Valentine’s Day, 1773 unveils their new album’s lead single ‘That One’ which finds MCs Wisdm O.N.E. & Just Jay contemplating their ideal mates. However, “the search is only part of the beauty, when you find out someone’s passions, goals, and quirks… that’s the realness,” explains Wisdm O.N.E.. In addition, the group performs a short selection of their ‘romantic’ tracks, and vocalist Wes Restless (The Jordan Years) takes the stage for acapella renditions of his most recent ballads.

1773 Mini-Bio:

Multitasking as MCs, singers, producers, & instrumentalists, 1773 [Pronounced Seventeen Seventy-Three] originated in 2004 as an occasional venture between Just J & Moral One (respectively, lead MC and drummer of the live Hip-Hop band Berto Ramon) and their longtime friend Wisdm O.N.E.. But in two short years the group evolved into a full-fledged endeavor and a highly regarded live performance act who has shared stages with Wiz Khalifa, Lyrics Born, Blackalicious, Pigeon John, L.A. Symphony, SoulStice, Tanya Morgan, Ohmega Watts, Othello, Braille, Blu & Exile.

2010 finds the trio nearing completion on their next album titled Greenlight Go produced completely by Tall Black Guy and featuring guest performances by Von Pea (of the critically acclaimed group Tanya Morgan), 14KT (Buff1, Athletic Mic League), and singer Ragen Fykes. Release date: October 2010.

Doom X Mos Def X Mike Relm Destroy Chicago

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The super-villain of Hip-Hop MF DOOM will come to wreak havoc in Chicago with his latest partner in crime… MOS DEF! The proper authorities have been notified…consider yourself warned! Sources also say MIKE RELM has joined the crew on this night of music and mayhem.

Cold Grums, React, Silver Wrapper and Congress Theatre present…

Friday January 29th 2010
DOOM feat. MOS DEF!
..and for Chicago date only with MIKE RELM!

Chicago’s own QWEL & MAKER, BBU, THE COMEUPS, RUDE 1, TREW, DEMCHUK and RTC have signed on for support, even as they continue to deny any knowledge of DOOM’s whereabouts. With LAZER GRAFFITI by KID STATIC!

What is lazer graffiti?? check it out http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=76#video

Hosted by MARTIN MALAFAKTOR (http://Custom-Vibes.com) and MS. CHICAGO!

—————————-Details, details…——————————————-

Congress Theater – 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Doors 7pm 17+ Show | 21 to drink
www.congresschicago.com

GA presales and VIP tickets ON SALE NOW at:

http://www.clubtix.net/ql.php?a=M&e=372255904b1fd76f98ae2

**VIP gets express entry into event, Free bottled water and access to the Sky Lounge**

Hard tickets (General Admission) will be available at the following locations:
Site & Sound (Congress Theater Box Office)
-2125 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago IL (773)-227-7595
Grammaphone Records
-2843 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL – (773) 472-3683

meet the crew…

www.coldgrums.com
www.reactpresents.com
www.silverwrapper.com

and check out our fine, fine sponsors…

Media & Nightlife-
www.chicagoreader.com
www.urchicago.com
www.rubyhornet.com
www.fakeshoredrive.com
www.groundliftmedia.com
www.fusicology.com

Fresh Gear-
www.stalfred.com
www.jugrnaut.com
www.novemlife.com

Guilty_Simpson_Rita_J_Black_Spade_34 Guilty_Simpson_Rita_J_Black_Spade_54 DreDay10_0153 1773_Return_of_the_New_Release_Party-33 Bring That Beat Back vol.2 @ Subterranean Chicago 1773_Return_of_the_New_Release_Party-21 1773_Return_of_the_New_Release_Party-7 DreDay10_0142

Keys ‘N Krates Perform Live in Chicago 12/8/09

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On December 8th, 2009 the Chicago-based Marketing/PR firms of Bandit Productions and Ground Lift Media are happy to present the Canadian live band Hip-Hop trio Keys N Krates! Earlier this year during Lollapalooza weekend, KNK performed to sold-out audiences at Lumen and The Tonic Room, and for this concert they’re moving on up to the South Loop’s newest concert venue, The Shrine.

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1773 Opens for Wiz Khalifa’s ‘Deal or No Deal’ Tour

wizkhalifa_flyer_web

Sunday December 20th:

Sang presents
The Deal or No Deal Record release party

with:
Wiz Khalifa, Dave Coresh, Tha Basix, & 1773

djs Intel & Trentino

Subterranean
2011 w North ave
doors 9pm show 10pm
$13 advanced $15 door
Ticketweb.com
18+