Hip-hop fans, there's a show going on at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom tonight that's not your typical hip-hop show yet one long time heads and new fans alike probably don't want to miss. Cervantes' is hosting a RE:CREATION event, this time bringing veteran producers, DJs and MCs together with some newer names and faces to the game. This eclectic combination of pioneers and boundary-pushers will provide a unique and comprehensive hip-hop experience that won't normally be found.

The headliner is long time New York based hip-hop producer Blockhead. Blockhead crashed onto the scene in the late nineties and made his mark in the early 2000s, most notably for providing beat work for Aesop Rock's first few albums. His style was completely groundbreaking, combining orchestral and rare samples with attitude-filled beats to create a downtempo and emotive hip-hop sound like none before him. Since then Blockhead has released several instrumental solo albums, all of them maintaining that initial concept but growing increasingly complex in a manner that can only be identified as the Blockhead sound. Check out this mixed sampler of Blockhead's latest album, The Music Scene.
Blockhead - The Music Scene (Album Sampler Mixed By DK) by Ninja Tune


Ill-Esha is a Vancouver based producer, DJ and vocalist. She began her career about a decade ago, making a name for herself by uniquely mixing music as a DJ while performing as a vocalist at the same time. Since then she has ventured into various electronic musical genres. Now, she is very heavily involved in glitch-hop, and she should provide a unique and modern mix of electronic influenced and manipulated hip-hop. Check out "The Golden Mean".
The Golden Mean (MUTI 090: REVERIE) by ill-esha


DJ Cam is a veteran producer and DJ from France. He blew my mind back in the mid nineties when I got a hold of his first album, Underground Vibes. He combined jazz and vibraphone samples with turntabilist hip-hop to create laid-back downtempo beats with a certain sophisticated flair. I consider that album a classic, and years later, he still continues to deliver that smooth jazz meets hip-hop sound. Check out "California Dreamin".
01 California Dreamin by DJ CAM (official)


Mr. Lif is an MC from Boston, MA who's been laying down his distinctive lyrical style since the mid-nineties. He has a very unique vocal delivery that often has political overtones, and he's known for working with atypical producers to provide highly stylized beats for his flow. His 2006 El-P produced album Mo' Mega still finds a lot of play in my music rotation. He'll be rhyming over beats provided by San Francisco based experimental producer DNAE. Imagine the rapping in "Brothaz" over stuff like DNAE Beats' "Ride Like Thunder Crash Like Lightning" mix - should be crazy.
Mr. Lif - "Brothaz" clean by Mr. Lif
Ride Like Lightning Crash Like Thunder - Beat Tape by DNAEBEATS


AshTreJinkins is a young producer based out of Los Angeles. Influenced by pioneers of trip-hop, downtempo, and glitch hop, AshTreJinkins produces a very atmospheric and somewhat abstract form of experimental beats. His tracks are all very moody expeditions into the depths of sound, creating very unique yet enveloping soundscapes. Check out "Hillz".
hillz by AshTreJinkins


Hoot + Morbidly-O-Beats is a local beat production team. Both Hoot and Morbidly-O-Beats create atmospheric downtempo beats, and Hoot is known to lay down some vocals as well. They will provide a more electronic based and glitchy trip-hop/hip-hop sound showcasing a modern approach to genre. Check out "You Ain't Gangsta".
you aint gangsta. HOOT on Vocals by Morbidly-o-Beats

The doors at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom open at 8:00PM, and the music starts at 9:00PM. The show is all ages and tickets are $22.