Bob Marley’s Birthday Celebration at 1440 Collective – Friday, February 6 with The Basiks Reggae Band

Every year we like to sit back and honor Bob Marley for his huge contributions to the world music scene. What better day than his birthday?

The MUSIC!
We have the Basiks Reggae Band from right here in Detroit laying down that smooth island sound for a very special hearing. We feel extremely blessed to be able to have them on the busiest night for Reggae! We’ve only got them for a limited time, so make sure to get there early (11ish) to dig the sound.

Also, as with any Collective Studio event, you can expect an open jam at the drop of a hat. This many musicians in one place, it’s bound to happen…

The FOOD!
Named Metro Times “BEST ETHIOPIAN”, we have a selection from Eastern Market’s very own Taste Of Ethiopia. If you’ve never tried it, come prepared for some delicious cuisine for both omnivores and vegetarians.

The BEER!
Every time we hold a party, it seems Black Lotus Brewery beer is nearby. Every time somebody tries it for the first time, they have to know where it’s from. Yes, it IS that good. This event is no different. Beware though that limited supplies will be available, so if you’re planning on coming by late (1ish), expect to have to BYOB, it goes fast no matter how much we get.

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The INFO!
Doors will be open at 9pm and will close with the last man standing ;)

A contribution of $5 will get you in, but for only an extra $5 you can enjoy all the food and beers you can handle.

PARKING is in the rear of the building on Service Street. Generally people don’t have a tough time finding where the party is!

Feel free to bring whatever else you can think of to celebrate!

Much Love,
The Collective
1440 Gratiot Ave
Detroit, MI

Nadir and Distorted Soul’s ‘Fast Lane’ Named Best Rock Song of 2008 by Soul-Patrol.com

Nadir and Distorted Soul’s version of Life in the Fast Lane was named Best Rock ‘n’ Roll Song of 2008 on Soul-Patrol.com.

The track was recorded Live at The Buzz Bar and is featured on Nadir’s latest album, Workin For The Man.

Many thanks to Bob & Mike Davis at Soul-Patrol.com; Kris Kurzawa (guitar), Yaminah Brock (vocals), Kamau Inaede (bass), Brandon Holland (keys), Dan Eichinger (drums), Steve Szajna (recording and mixing); Nancy Schoenheide-Phares, Akanke Rashad-Omowale, and Adam Laurie at The Buzz Bar.

Also Workin’ for the Man ranked as the 15th Best Black Music Album of the year and Nadir’s February show at the BAM Cafe at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, NY was named the 6th Best Live Show.

Learn more about Nadir’s Distorted Soul at www.distortedsoul.com

Young Detroiters giving a fresh spin to Kwanzaa

Originally published in the Detroit Free Press

One by one, people spoke about the special meaning of Kwanzaa in their lives — how unity is needed to strengthen the African-American community and why faith, purpose and support for one another are valuable.

After they spoke, Khary Frazier of Detroit lit candles representing each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

“We do this so people of all ages can have a better understanding of the universal beliefs,” Frazier says later.

While celebrating Kwanzaa isn’t unique, the ceremony Frazier organized Sunday was.

It was held at a trendy downtown Detroit restaurant — the Woodward — and organized by Frazier, 26, a hip-hop artist and educator, and William Cartwright II, 39, co-owner of the restaurant.

Some observers say Sunday’s program shows how a new generation is taking Kwanzaa — a 42-year-old tradition — and making it their own. [Read more...]

Nadir in Detroit Free Press Spotlight

From The Detroit Free Press:

Local Artist Spotlight: Nadir

WHO HE IS: Jonah Nadir Omowale records as Nadir Distorted Soul and makes waves with poignant, politically minded funk music. He’s celebrating his new album, “Workin’ for the Man,” which is ripe with political commentary, with a CD-release party Saturday [Nov. 15, 2008] at the Jazz Café at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. [Read more...]

Preaching to the boardroom

Originally Published in Metro Times
EAPro artist emcee Khary WAE Frazier brings activism to his music, but don’t say he’s just ‘pro-black’

“Working at Excellence” once defined the initials in Khary “WAE” Frazier’s name. He used to tell folks this meaning more often back when he simply called himself “WAE.” And even though this worldview could be called “inspirational,” he admits that, in the world of hip-hop, it can get corny.

Nowadays, he just lives the philosophy. It describes the way Frazier approaches his song lyrics and music. And the acronym, he now says, connotes his tendency to approach his music “eight ways.” Get it? WAE? “Way”?

All puns aside, Frazier — Detroit’s answer to a ’90s-era Ice Cube — is raw enough for the streets but thoughtful enough for fans of substantive hip-hop music. His is a forward-thinking steeze but with a very contemporary feel. It’s not as much pulpit-preachy as it is corner-store concentric. And he does it all by design. [Read more...]