VIDEO: Cause Freestyle

Cause drops a freestyle over Kanye West's 'Flashing Lights' instrumental.

VIDEO: Cause - On The Run (Live)

Cause was one of the performers at last week's Stand Up! show. Another amazing video courtesy of Terrence Elenteny.

Dallas Austin Penn said: "[Cause] has a calculated delivery and he can go from the meditative style of a Rakim to the hyperfast spit of a Twista. We joke on Cause because he is only 21yrs old and he has two managers, a hype man a back up singer and a camera crew. Cause took the HBO show to heart and got his own ‘Entourage’. You are going to hear more good things about this emcee sooner than later."

Rafi said: "Cause can amaze with his flow and he has a strong but good-natured presence on stage. You can definitely tell the guy is having fun up there, which is important for a performer because it is contagious."

I say: Watch out 2008, Cause is coming. More news soon.

VIDEO: Donny Goines - Never Let My Talent Die (Disco D Tribute)

Donny Goines performs 'Never Let My Talent Die', his Disco D produced tribute to the man himself who passed away this year. This was filmed at the recent NYC's Stand-Up show, Harlem mc Donny Goines delivers "Never let my talent die". The song is a heartfelt tribute to the rapper's friend and collaborator Disco D (r.i.p.). The was filmed at last week's Stand Up! show, a showcase for underground hip-hop put on by OhWord.com and SitDownStandUp.com and hosted by the Internets Celebrities. Previously: Hired Gun performed. Video by Terrence Elenteny.

VIDEO: Hired Gun - Hip Hop's Heartbroken

Hired Gun performed at last week's Stand Up! Hip Hop show that was curated by OhWord and yours truly, and hosted by Internets Celebrities. Other MCs on the bill were Donny Goines, Cause, Channel Live, NYOIL and Sean Price. Video by Terrence Elenteny.

PHOTOS: Stand Up! ft. Sean Price, Channel Live, Etc.

Last night's Stand Up! show at Pianos was curated by OhWord.com and yours truly and hosted by the iCs. It was a great night. Cause, Hired Gun, Donny Goines and NYOIL all came through with tigh, explosive sets proving Hip Hop is more than alive. Hakim of Channel Live energized the crowd with a surprise set with guest Scanz. Sean Price ended the night with a hype performance. I forgot to bring my camera (d'oh!), but Ccelli from ExponentEntertainment sent some pics over that I quickly edited. Thanks to all that made the night possible.

NEWS: Stand Up! The show is tomorrow. Spread the word!

Like Rafi said: If you’re anywhere near NYC, you have no excuse not to be there. Let musremind you what’s going on here. Two hip-hop blogs (Oh Word and Sit Down Stand Up) have put together a showcase for deserving underground rap acts. Internets Celebrities will be hosting.


For a $9 ticket you will be seeing sets from 4 underground MC’s who can rhyme their ass off, a group freestyle cipher onstage and a special guest appearance that will blow your mind. You get more than your money’s worth, we promise. I don’t know how to make this any clearer: if you miss this event, you’re probably an asshole. Don’t be an asshole. Buy tickets now.

The Performers:
Hired Gun: video + interview
Cause: MP3's + videos
Donny Goines: videos
NYOIL : videos

BONUS: Our 3 performers in a Cypher + Our Three Performers go Bowwwwlliinnn'.

LISTEN: Cause - BBQ's & Music

DOWNLOAD Cause - BBQ's & Music (MP3)


You may remember Cause from his excellent re-workings of 'The People', 'Stronger', and 'Ayo Technology', and today he shares with us 'BBQs & Music' over a Alchemist/Dilated Peoples beat. On December 6th Cause will be performing as part of Stand Up!, a live Hip Hop show at Pianos with underground talents NY Oil, Hired Gun, Donny Goines, a secret guest and Interns Celebrities as hosts. Co-curated by yours truly and OhWord. More info here.

VIDEO: Rappers Bowling

Cause, Hired Gun, Donny Goines, the Internets Celebrities and myself went bowling. Or as I like to say "Bowwwwwllinnnnnn'" Dallas: "Hip-hop has become not like wrestling... but like bowling."


You know the deal. OhWord.com & SitDownStandUp.com curating. Internets Celebrities hosting. 4 dope underground MCs and one secret guest. Git yo tickets here.

VIDEO: Stand Up! Three MC's Cypher

Three dope NYC underground MC's in a street cypher: Hired Gun, Donny Goines and Cause representing Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx respectively. All three underground rappers plus NYOIL and a surprise guest will be performing at Stand Up! An evening of pure hip-hop, hosted by the Internets Celebrities. It'll take place December 6th, 9pm at Pianos on Ludlow St. in NYC. Buy your tickets here. Stand Up! is a Liberated Matter event curated by OhWord.com & SitDownStandUp.com.

LISTEN: Cause - The People (Remix)

DOWNLOAD Cause - The People RMX (MP3)


A SitDownStandUp exclusive! First Cause killed the 50 Cent Ayo Technology instrumental, then the Kanye West Stronger instrumental, and now he takes down Common's 'The People'. Perhaps a good reminder to purchase those tickets for the December 6th Stand Up! show in the Lower East Side of New York curated by OhWord.com and SitDownStandUp.com that will feature the kid Cause.

NEWS: SitDownStandUp + OhWord Curate Stand Up!

DOWNLOAD Donny Goines - Am I Dreaming (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Cause - Ayo Technology (Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD NYOIL - Free The Jena 6 (MP3)
STREAM Hired Gun - The Village (MySpace)

Oh we've got an announcement for you my friends. SitDownStandUp has banded together with OhWord to curate a great night of Hip Hop on December 6th called Stand Up!. It will be hosted by the Rafi and Dallas Penn together known as Internets Celebrities. It's all presented by Liberated Matter and features four of our favorite underground artists that we think deserve some extra attention. Each artist will perform a solo set followed in the end by a big posse cut with all four artists PLUS our special secret guest. The special guest will then close out the night with a set. Get your tickets here now! All info below. Expect featured posts leading up the event and some more extra stuff.


Liberated Matter Presents Stand Up!
Curated by OhWord.com & SitDownStandUp.com
Hosted by Internets Celebrities
featuring Hired Gun, Donny Goines, NY Oil, Cause & one special surprise performer
Where: Pianos, 158 Ludlow St. NYC (directions)
When: Thursday December 6th, 9-11PM
Buy tix here

LISTEN: Cause - Ayo Technology (Remix)

DOWNLOAD Cause - Ayo Technology (MP3)


Oh man, Curtis loses again. The kid Cause outdoes 50 Cent with his remix of 'Ayo Technology' produced by Timbaland.

He re-christens the chorus and flips the meaning with the new words. "Ayo, I'm tired of all these artists I see."

Related Cause freestyles over Kanye's 'Stronger' beat.

LISTEN: Cause - Stronger Freestyle

DOWNLOAD Cause - Stronger Freestyle (MP3)


Oooooooooohhhhhhhh! The kid Cause obliterates the Kanye West 'Stronger' instrumental with his trademark hungry flow.

Tonight: Cause @ Rap Fanatic Power 105.1

DOWNLOAD Cause - More Than Music (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Cause - Click Clack (MP3)

Cause, who previously performed as part of Cross-Pollination, is performing at the Rap Fanatic showcase hosted by Power 105.1 tonight. Go check out this promising newbie to the Bronx rap scene at The Remote Lounge (327 Bowery btw. 2nd & 3rd), 9:00pm.

Cause & Elijah B. Torn @ Cross-Pollination

DOWNLOAD Cause - More Than Music (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Cause - Click Clack (MP3)
STREAM Elijah B Torn - Several Songs (MySpace)


Cause and Elijah B Torn Cross-Pollinating
Last Tuesday Cross-Pollination featured our first rapper ever. Cause, a 20 year old Bronx native, was paired up with electro artist Elijah B Good. The results were surprising and quite stellar. Even though Cause's energy level wasn't as high due to a flu-ish situation, he still put on an engaging and entertaining show with plenty of food for thought. Elijah looped away and created some crazy and beautiful landscapes. When they came together it was something special, almost a mellow version of a Def Jux song, or a lighter version of one of the moody electro/rap acts from the UK. Much recommended!

Just Jack, No Mannequin

EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOAD Just Jack - No Time (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Cause - More Than Music (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Cause - Click Clack (MP3)


Just Jack
Hmmm the dilemma. Two great shows to attend on Tuesday. If it weren't for the fact that Cross-Pollination runs on every Tuesday at Pianos from 8-10pm (and I co-organize this with with my business partner Jay. And on top of that it weren't for the fact that I'm even more excited than usual for this particular Cross-Pollination, since it features the genre-spanning match up of my current favorite new rapper, Cause, and crazy electro-singer/songwriter Elijah B Torn.

Well then, if it weren't for all of that, then I'd just go to Hiro Ballroom for Just Jack's US debut show (free entrance by dropping a line to rsvp@giantstep.net). Doors are at 8pm, Chicken George opens at 9pm from what I understand, so my solution: first I go to Cross-Pollination and see genres destroyed, then I go to see Just Jack melt them back together again. I'm really digging the song above right now, but check his myspace for a few more songs that sound completely different.