The following is an exclusive video clip commemorating the 50th birthday of go-go legend Milton “Go-Go Mickey” Freeman. The clip begins with an audio conversation between drummer Quentin “Footz” Davidson and Mickey (Rare Essence), and then shifts to a 1992 … Continue reading Exclusive Video Clip Commemorating Go-Go Mickey’s 50th Birthday
A mobile device captured moment! As Rare Essence near the end of their show during last night’s Merriweather Post Pavilion’s Summer Spirit Fest 2013, actor/comedian Mike Epps takes the stage and gives his points of view on DC politics, among … Continue reading Mike Epps + Rare Essence = Summer Spirit Fest 2013
That girl sure does love herself some Go-Go! In a live performance on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, 28 year old soul singing idol Fantasia Barrino turns her hit single “When I See You” into a straight party by revamping … Continue reading Fantastia Rocks Rare Essence and EU for Tom Joyner
20 years ago, a new band stepped out of the woodshed. And with a little help that served as a little push from a local radio deejay, they blew up on the go-go scene with the quickness. The name of the band: Proper Utensils. This project was the result of a merge consisting of former members from for already established bands, Rare Essence, Little Benny and The Masters, AM/FM, and Hot Cold Sweat. And although this was the second coming of James Funk’s Proper Utensils brand, the members were all different this go round. They consisted of: James Funk, Little … Continue reading Proper Utensils: We Zoom Zoom Zoomed 20 Years Ago
There have been a couple of position shifts in the Go-Go music industry. Word backstage is that two members of Rare Essence has left to play new bands. Milton “GoGo Mickey” Freeman, the longest running conga player in the Rare Essence camp, is moving forward to the Familiar Faces camp, with his former colleagues Donnell Floyd, Ms. Kim, Derick Paige, and Bojack. And his son, Brion “BeeJay” Scott, is moving on to the L.O.U.D. band camp reuniting with his former Fatal Attraction/FAze 2 band members. How much will these power moves shake up the industry? Well… stay tuned for further updates. Continue reading BREAKING NEWS IN THE GOGO INDUSTRY – A Father / Son Power Move
Two years ago today the innercity groovin wickedest band alive Rare Essence celebrated their 31st Anniversary with a concert defining the different generations of their existence. Fast forward two years later (today), Wingsworld has released footage of that historical concert. Does this mean that this is a sign of a full concert video to be released? Who knows. But in the meantime, at least check out the footage below. CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO BELOW: [pro-player width=’560′ height=’315′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgzRnafu_Gs[/pro-player] Continue reading Re-Living Rare Essence’s 31st Anniversary Concert
Below is a collection of photos taken at the historical Rare Essence vs Backyard Band Armageddon showdown – held on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012. AND THE WINNER IS…..? GO-GO! By a Landslide!!! – click on thumbnails to view larger size images. * Photos by Preston Blue Continue reading Rare Essence / Backyard Band: A Photo Gallery of an Epic Event
It’s official. The anticipations, speculations and assumptions are done. After a week of hovering practically the entire Go-Go circuit, the “Da Animal” has finally landed… on the Rare Essence stage. Killa Cal, who exited the What Band stage with a final performance just last week, has announced last night, WKYS’s “The Ghetto Prince Show” that he will now be sharing the stage with the likes of Whiteboy, Shorty Corleone, GoGo Mickey, Blue-Eye Darryl, Mike Baker, Roy Battle, Ms. KeKe and BJ, -aka- The Wickedest Band Alive. Needless to say, it has been a very interesting week watching how it all … Continue reading Killa Cal NOW with Rare Essence | Damn… Damn… The Wickedest Band Alive!
Behind-the-scenes exclusive video of legendary giants Biz Markie and Rare Essence rehearsing for the Master of the Mix DC Go-Go Challenge. The video features Biz Markie’s “Just A Friend.” CLICK BELOW TO WATCH CLIP: Continue reading Biz Markie & Rare Essence “Just A Friend” Rehearsal
It always seems to frustrate me sometimes when a person says that Go-Go bands need to create more originals, when I know for a fact that many of them do. So whenever I’m asked that question, my response is always, “Yea. Many of them do.” The question I cannot answer is why many people have never heard them. This is why I got ‘syced’ and a little frustrated when I came across this particular tune here. This song “Real Brothers” recorded by Rare Essence and DC’s own Sylver Logan Sharp is a prime example. Personally, I have only heard this … Continue reading Rare Essence / Sylver Logan Sharp – “Real Brothers” [Audio]
With 3 mixtapes released since August, and another All-GoGo live freestyle dropping this week (entitled “Wire To Wire”), Killa Cal has got to be one of the most watched, and possibly sought after, figures in the DMV right about now. Killa Cal, who is a rapper for the What? Band, seems to be keeping himself pretty doggone busy these days. When not performing with his camp, he can be found just about everywhere… leaving no stone unturned. Currently in stores now, Cal can be found featured on the releases of Suttle Thoughts Plaza 23 Anniversary, as well as the Rare … Continue reading Looks Like Killa Cal is Gonna Be Around For Quite A While
Scrap clips of the final preparations taking place as members of the Rare Essence organization are just a couple of hours away from musically celebrating their 31st Anniversary with three generations of loyal fans. WATCH VIDEO CLIP BELOW: Find more videos like this on TMOTT CITY Continue reading Rare Essence – 31st Anniversary Reunion – Final Preparations Before Showtime [VIDEO]
Uptown Productions Presents: Rare Essence – Each & Every Friday Night @ Tradewinds Nightclub WATCH VIDEO CLIP BELOW: Continue reading RE FRIDAYS @ THE TRADEWINDS [VIDEO]
Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, who is also given credit for turning the planet onto Reggae music by helping launch the careers of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, as well as U2, Grace Jones, Roxy Music, and Nick Drake, is also the same Chris Blackwell who is responsible for the 1986 go-go movie entited “Good to Go”. Recently, Chris sat down with the Washington Post and gave his explaination on why he feels that Go-Go Music never took off nationally quite like the way Reggae has. WP: When did you first encounter go-go music? Chris Blackwell: I would … Continue reading Chris Blackwell of Island Records Gives His Account As To Why He Feels Go-Go Has Never Broke Nationally