Inside HILife: ‘Hele Mai’ Tour
June 5, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Featured, Latest News
‘Hele Mai’ tour starts today
ONE LOVE COMMUNITY“Hele Mai” Tour with Barikuda, J. Ross-Parrelli and Ms. Mighty Junebug Where: Tropics Cafe, 1020 Auahi St. When: 9 p.m. today Cost: Free for 21 and older; $3 for 18 to 20 years old Call: 591-8009 ADDITIONAL SHOWS9 p.m. June 6 at Emerald Nightclub, Hilo 10 p.m. June 11 at Ocean’s Nightclub, Kihei 10 p.m. June 12 at Casanova Nightclub, Makawao June 13 and June 14 at the Sheep Dawg Hawaii Festival, Maui 10 p.m. June 15 at Charlie’s, Paia |
It will be a blend of hip-hop music and a reggae mindset tonight at Tropics Cafe when a trio of California-based artists arrive for the “Hele Mai” tour in conjunction with the venue’s regularly scheduled “Hip-Hop at the Trops” party.
MCs Barikuda and J. Ross-Parrelli will be joined by DJ Ms. Mighty Junebug to headline seven performances on three islands today through June 15, including two days on Maui’s North Shore as part of the first Sheep Dawg Hawaii Festival.
They’ll be joined tonight at Tropics by local hip-hop acts Fat Soul and Intrepid, along with DJs Cozy, Revise and Careless1. Performances are expected to start around 10 p.m.
The Star-Bulletin caught up with J. Ross-Parrelli on Monday, as she celebrated her 28th birthday in Long Beach, Calif.:
QUESTION: How did you get started in music?
ANSWER: I got into music about seven years ago. I was in a duo with my brother. … He rapped and I sang.
People thought it was really cute because we were siblings. We got into a lot of reggae festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern California.
Eventually, I started doing backup (singing) for a lot of different reggae musicians … (and) within the last two years, I started touring on my own.
Q: Were you musically inclined growing up?
A: I was really reserved at first. … I think it was my shyness. But don’t ask me what happened, because now you can’t get me off the stage! (Laughs)
My grandma, she competed with Shirley Temple … and my dad grew up with drumsticks and a guitar. So music has always been in the family.
Q: Do you play an instrument?
A: I play the keyboards. It helps me to find melodies and kind of come up with different songs. I play the melodica and the flute, too.
Q: You spoke about touring as a backup singer for reggae acts. Is reggae your passion or just the genre that allowed you the fastest path to success?
A: I love the soul, the harmonies and melodies within reggae.
I think it was really me being 11 years old and falling in love with Bob Marley – that kind of set the stage for my music. My parents listened to a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire and jazz, so they’d be blasting that and I’d be competing with my Peter Tosh and the Maytals.
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Raekwon gig canceled over cash conflict
June 4, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Nightlife
Less than a week after it was confirmed, Saturday’s concert at Pipeline Cafe with the Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon has been canceled.
I was able to confirm the news with the venue earlier today, when a spokesperson for the club said the “promoter and artist had differences” and were unable to work out a suitable compromise. Raekwon himself confirmed the show was off via his Twitter account soon after.
Another local promoter dished on the site that it was indeed a money issue Raekwon’s management reportedly asked for more money to do the show and the local promoters involved balked at the new number. Pipeline still comes out ahead, however, since the nightclub already collected a non-refundable deposit to reserve the date.
To counter the cancellation, Pipeline offers “Urban Sway Saturday,” hosted by 808 Sounds. HI Tribe will perform live, with $3 Primo and Red Stripe specials all night.
Doors open at 9 p.m. for everyone 16 and over; cover is $10 general and $12 for those 16 to 20 years old.
Inside HILife: ‘Hip-Hop at the Trops’ 2-year anniversary
April 17, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Latest News
George F. Lee / glee@starbulletin.com
ON STAGEHip-Hop at the Trops Two-Year Anniversary Where: Tropics Cafe, 1020 Auahi St. When: 10 p.m. Friday Cost: Free |
By Jason Genegabus / jason@starbulletin.com
In hip-hop, just as in real life, the easiest way to get someone’s attention is via their stomach.
That’s how Justin “DJ Bone” Kaneshiro ended up partnering with Tropics Cafe on “Hip-Hop at the Trops,” a regularly scheduled local hip-hop showcase at the Ward Farmer’s Market.
“About two or three years ago, I started coming to Tropics and met Pat (Kashani) and the crew,” said Kaneshiro. “They had the best food I’ve had in a long time.”
Tropics already featured live entertainment in the evenings, hosting a variety of reggae and rock bands in addition to regular open mic sessions. Once he tried the food and got to know the owner, Kaneshiro knew he wanted to promote his own party there.
“I just wanted to get the word out about this cool little spot,” he said. “There wasn’t much going on at the time, so I figured why not start something (myself).”
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