Baltimore Club Music Documentary Produced By Issa Rae and Directed by TT The Artist Now Streaming on Netflix

You could feel the spirit of K-Swift in the production in this one. Issa Rae, TT the Artist, and Nexflix come together to showcase Baltimore city’s club culture in Dark City Beneath The Beat documentary.

Dark City Beneath The Beat initially premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and American Black Film Festivals prior to the 2020 pandemic. The documentary premiered mid-April 2021 with a bang on Netflix while artists in Baltimore share in pride and excitement across their social media timelines opening weekend.

I can speak for many in Baltimore when I say we were a little skeptical of the documentary. It’s been years since I celebrated club music. I reminisce of my peak in embracing Baltimore’s club culture when I joined dance battles amongst my middle school classmates. I miss making up dance routines with my neighborhood friends. Those fun moments in my past that I associate with club music and viewed as a distant memory, aren’t as extinct to many artists like TT the Artist, DJ Mighty Mark, and DJ Blaqstarr.

It was in the early 2000s when the city lost its club music queen K-Swift. There are small glimpses of a rise of Baltimore’s club culture – back when K-Swift traveled and advocated nationally for house music prior to her passing. Without K-Swift, the aura is not the same. It’s like the people of Baltimore secretly get jealous of acclamations that other house music listeners from states like, for example, New Jersey claims “to being the land of the greatest club music, ever.” & Such claims are absolutely absurd, of course.

TT The Artist is a Baltimore city arts advocate and director of Dark City Beneath the Beat. She speaks about the hate she receives considered an outsider of Baltimore. Originally from south Florida, TT moved to Baltimore city and fell in love with Baltimore’s club culture while attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. When she left to pursue dreams in Los Angeles, she exited carrying with her the precious sounds of the Baltimore club mix to push an evolution. TT saw something magical. She felt that club music and dance were too good to keep confined to the streets and people of Baltimore city. She sees a culture that uplifts a community that also needs to be uplifted in return. So she created this documentary.

About the Film

The artists featured in the film have the charisma to share with the world what Baltimore’s club culture is about. What I and many other people lack is the knowledge of how they do this. The film sheds light on groups and organizations working to keep the Baltimore club music culture alive. Viewers learn a brief history of club music, the names of staple icons, such as dancers, singers, and producers, in the current Baltimore’s club music scene, and soak up the essence of feeling Baltimore’s original beat. The documentary isn’t so caught up on historical breakthroughs in club music by highlighting influencers that we so often hear of like the well-known Frank Ski, Rod Lee, and Ms. Tony. Rather we learn about influencers in the culture today. A new list of artists comprised of dancers and community leaders like Uneek and Tsu Terry.

I gave the documentary a shot the morning it premiered on Netflix and wasn’t disappointed. I had faith in it doing well so I support it. It stands as a good representation of what Baltimore club music does for those who live here. It’s not so prevalent in my lifestyle as it once was for me as a child, but the beat still speaks to me whenever I do hear Baltimore club mix. It’s near impossible to watch the film without doing the crazy legs or sexy walk in my chair. It should be the same for anyone who’ll stream the film on Netflix. I encourage others to give it a shot, too.

Overall the film gets a Doc’s Thumbs Up because TT The Artist served her purpose well. She paid homage to Baltimore and forged a visual representation for a famous Baltimore art subculture. She works her ass off helping to pave a lane for this art. The film is beautifully done. I commend her and everyone involved in the production of Dark City Beneath the Beat. It deserves to be celebrated.

Watch Hey Baltimore! Produced by Kariz Marcel and written by Rufus Roundtree and Eze Jackson.

This song was featured and can be streamed via the Dark CityBeneath the Beat soundtrack.

Do you have a favorite Baltimore club song? Leave your answers in the comments below.

Busy Doing Nothing Podcast Season Five Returns with Mixed Drinks

I’m opening up another year with the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast crew ready to discuss current events for those lovely listeners who like to do nothing right along with us. We’re here with season five and more readily available for others to find us to stream their favorite podcast platforms.

If you aren’t the one to listen to podcasts but you’re looking for something light to start you off, the Busy Doing Nothing crew is back with more content for easy listening. I’m lucky enough to say I’m still apart of the Busy Doing Nothing crew since 2017. It’s been four years of bliss and sharing interesting topics while drinking with cool friends.

Watch Season 5 Part One: Episode One of the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast

In Season 5, the crew returns to discuss more social topics that make us ponder the normalities and common sense of the world around us. Expect ear cringy content to sharing a bit of light-hearted material, the crew talks to you while drunk about it all. They share a traditional shot of the Drink of the Day at the beginning and end of each episode, and sometimes individually throughout the episode all in good fun to close off each week.

The Busy Doing Nothing Podcast is originally filmed on a 360-degree camera to provide virtual reality interaction with viewers who get right in the middle of the conversation. So listeners can view from a perspective as if they’re sitting directly at the table with the Busy Doing Nothing hosts. The Busy Doing Nothing Podcast also prides itself on highlighting local talent and business owners by either having them as a guest on the show or promoting their cause during the episodes. Some guests to grace the BDN microphone are producer Jony B, rapper 7uca, journalist Ryan Chance, photographers Sofia Vidal and Shae McCoy, videographer A Ross Films, and multiple other talented and business-savvy people from Baltimore.

I’ve truly missed meeting up with my friends every weekend to talk and make light of what’s happening throughout the week during 2020. Before season four was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Busy Doing Nothing crew introduced a new segment for viewers. In addition to the podcast, there now is a portion of the show where hosts test out and judge each other’s mixology skills.

Busy Making Drinks is a series of short videos brought to you by the four BDN hosts. Each host takes turns in choosing a wine or spirit to use as the main ingredient in a mixed drink prior to the recording of each episode. Hosts record, taste, name, and rate on a scale of 1 through 5 their mixology dexterity. The same mixed drink concocted in Busy Making Drinks is sipped throughout the podcast and viewers are left to infer how good the drink is by watching the cues of the hosts throughout the show.

Watch Haus make her mixed drink on Busy Making Drinks: Haus’ Quarantine Punch.

New episodes of the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast are posted every Wednesday via Anchor Podcast and YouTube. Watch all previous content at the Busy Doing Nothing Website www.bdnpodcast.com.

Stream Busy Doing Nothing Podcast on your favorite platform:

What’s your favorite drink to have while hanging with friends? Leave your comments below.

American Idol Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon Lead Aspiring Songwriters in Baltimore Workshop

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon is an awesome talent to watch from Baltimore who once graced our television screen on season 17 of ABC’s American Idol in 2019. Now he’s back in town with the help of the Baltimore County Arts Guild to teach aspiring songwriters how to compose their very own successful ballads.

Jeremiah’s story touches my heart because of the personal connection I have with him growing up being once a part of the congregation his dad preaches. I’ve followed and supported Jeremiah for as long as I could remember. Way past the point of our grade school days as we both grew up in the same church community attending the same Sunday school, Awana Club Meetings, and Vacation Bible School services in Baltimore, MD since our wee single-digit years. I never knew what Jeremiah was experiencing dealing with the pressures of being the son of the pastor until his appearance on American Idol where he briefly shares his tribulations, and later in a documentary “The Mirror Will Take Us Home” that focuses on his life growing up as a pastor’s kid.

Despite whatever Jeremiah has been through, I remember him being the talented singer whose voice always shined radiantly Sunday mornings whenever he sang his solos before each sermon. Such a beautiful voice that has sparked an interest in my heart to keep up with his journey well into our later years, even in our bump in collaborations with Today’s 101.9. I’m here to lend my support as another artist in Baltimore proud of the odds that he still chooses to rise above. This is why Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon gets a shout out on Doc’s Castle Media.

Photo Source: Today’s 101.9 Entercom Baltimore

Jeremiah, as a contestant on American Idol, performed while his family rejected him in his desire to pursue a musical career. His story touched the hearts of millions, even pop star Katy Perry when she shared her experiences growing up as a pastor’s kid. His passion for music leads us now with a great opportunity to possibly have his musical genius rub off on us with the rare opportunity to participate in his songwriting workshop in Catonsville.

This isn’t the first time Jeremiah has gotten involved and shown his support for the Arts and performance district in Catonsville, MD. Jeremiah has contributed to donating to two arts and entertainment organizations, The Listening, Inc. and The Catonsville Clubhouse. He also teaches online using The JLH Songwriting and Vocal Scholarship Fund to help aspiring musicians “afford an opportunity at expanding their artistic abilities in his online community through songwriting workshops and one-on-one voice coaching.” During the mid pandemic, Jeremiah hosted the 1st series of virtual songwriters workshop with the Baltimore County Arts Guild in the Summer and Fall months of 2020. Wrapping up his first workshop, participants performed in a virtual recital during the holiday season sharing what they came up with while enrolled in the course. Now he’s back with another 8-week session that will conclude with another live recital of new music.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CKE2iMVp01W/?igshid=19e6ocr60clw8

Jeremiah’s dedication to pursuing his passions motivates me to share with my readers as a #PrayforLove message. I’m big on believing that God does things in people’s lives to show us how to define the true meaning of “love.” Jeremiah’s story is no exception. He should continue striving to share the talent that God gave him through any adversity. His story is inspiring and it’s important for other people to see. It speaks deeply to someone in ways unimaginable. Though his life may have some turn of events, God still provided him with what he needed, which is a positive and much larger community accepting of his gifts. But now also a gift along with a story of acceptance and encouragement for many others seeking inspiration. We actually need more #PrayForLove moments like this.

Listen to the new single “Mama, I Don’t Wanna Go to Nashville ” by Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon via all streaming services or at www.jeremiahlloydharmon.com.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6dww2Bak5/?igshid=n5bxmmy73t5t

What do you think? Do you know any more Catonsville art natives? Share in the comments below.

Whiskey’s Birthday Hip-hop Showcase at DC’s Art Gallery The Fridge (DCM Gallery and Recap)

People pour into a one room warehouse full of astounding art on a beautiful Saturday evening. The Fridge, a place where artists from DC gather to spread their inner creative abilities, whether it be through painting, poetry, singing, dancing, and any other art form a person can think of. It’s on this particular day, we all gathered to listen to spoken-word and a group of talented local hip-hop artists performs in celebration of DC blogger Whiskey Girl, owner of the Whiskey and Poetry Brand and also the host of the Embrace The Crazy Podcast, birthday celebration.

I don’t know what to make of the start of the event on whether it was good luck or bad luck. Outside of the venue, there was a fire that occurred at Capital Hill Tandoor & Grill, directly across the street from The Fridge. People crowded the streets to sneak a peak of the damage inside the restaurant. It’s uncertain whether there were any injuries during the time.

I have tunnel vision for the arts, I guess. Haha.

Otherwise, the evening was nothing but love once I entered the showcase. The host Rich Rocket opened the night telling peers to “give an energy that can be reflected by the audience.” So whenever an artist performed, they needed to give an energy that the audience could mirror. If the performance was worth a standing ovation, it’s what the artist got. That was what made the evening lit. Everyone was respectful to everyone’s art. Artist worked with what they deserved.

A few artists to name that were in attendance were Donnie Breeze, Rello, Starve Marv, Mike Evann, Young Mally, and DC Kash. Each artist came with their own individual swag representing where they come from. Some of these artists even came long distances to share their unique flair; Starve Marv from Florida, and Donnie Breeze and Rello from Baltimore city.

I was so proud to see Baltimore recording artists Donnie Breeze and Rello perform at the Fridge. I put on my proud parent smile as I watched them perform. Whenever I see people from Baltimore out of their element, I get super hyped to support them. It’s the idea that they don’t get that type of love in Baltimore. The love was abundantly overwhelming from DC event goers because, like the Rich Rocket told them to do, they came with an energy that demanded an equal response.

Again I found myself asking why can’t it always be like this?! Every time I leave Baltimore City hip-hop scene to experience another city’s hip-hop atmosphere I ponder what could it be that my city is doing wrong which is preventing artists from getting the recognition they deserve? First, it happened as I went to Rockview Entertainment’s hip-hop showcase in Queens, NY while I was in attendance for support of DMV artist Jae Ducketts. Now I’m in DC, and the love that their peers showed was phenomenal.

I want to bring the attention back to the promoter of the event, always. The power of support is always in the event thrower. In this case, it was Whiskey who’s birthday may have been the cause of such a great turn out. But such a turnout was worthy of being mentioned when comparing to the turnouts of open mic and showcases in my hometown.

What I notice about attending both the events in Washington, DC and Queens, NY is the hosts for each event reminded their audience the importance of showing others respect when they have the floor. It’s appalling that the majority of the audience were old enough to understand modest mannerisms. But maybe that’s what it is needed in Baltimore. Promoters in Baltimore should often push more participation from the audience at the start of their events? It’s something worth pondering.

Here are some moments captured during the show by Doc’s Castle Media.

What are some ways to show support for independent artists? Leave your feedback in the comments below.

Ever heard the difference between the #NewBaltimore and #OldBaltimore music beaf back in 2014? Read “#NewBaltimore vs. #OldBaltimore. We’re All Crabs” on Doc’s Castle Media.