Da Black Lotus

Sunday, November 18, 2007
EDITION: Final SECTION: Local PAGE: B2 LENGTH:
TYPE: REVIEW: MUSIC

BYLINE: By Mark Bialczak Staff writer

To start the first edition of the Upper State Indie Awards on Saturday night at the Palace Theatre, the 16 students in the Nottingham High School World Drumming Ensemble marched down both aisles, walloping their way to the stage.

As they got their groove on using various drums and percussion instruments, a handful of fellow students couldn't sit in their seats front and center anymore.

So they jumped up and joined the band with dance moves as fast as they were energetic.

That set the tone for three hours of awards and performances in the ceremony set up by Syracuse hip-hopper Kendric T. Bedell and his wife, Sheridonna. It was a night for community and displays of the heart.

Hostess Sheridonna and the two masters of ceremony for the night, Syracuse University students G.K. Williams and Harold Kuntz III smoothly shrugged off glitches in the ceremony's debut. They were smooth and likable at the microphone, and kept the event moving at a comfortable pace after a bit of a late start and a delay after the Nottingham ensemble to get a handful of young models ready to strut their fashion down the aisles.

Some presenters listed on the program didn't show up, but Bedell, who performs under the name Jimmy Black, was ready to jump up and fill in the gaps.

The musical performances were diverse and entertaining.

PISCIEN ENTERTAINMENT set a cool hip-hop spell. Charley Orlando's voice and guitar rang with folk music richness. Roberta Chaney hit the heavens with a glorious, a cappella gospel song. The band As Is grooved with Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." Glenn Beaman channeled Elvis Presley with "Suspicious Minds." Stevie Wolf & the Blue Express delivered real-deal blues. And Black and his brother, Rinnessy, ended the night with deep rap rhymes.

The winners in the 35 categories were selected by voting, both online and by paper ballots distributed in a handful of Central New York stores. Many of the winners weren't present to accept their trophies, but those who attended were heartfelt with their thanks - to the organizers and to their fans who voted.

Rapper Tah Phrum Duh Bush reached toward the sky and thanked his "moms and pops, and hip-hop for being alive. It's not going anywhere," he said.

DJ Runnamuck said he felt honored to be included with his peers in the best DJ category.

"I'm tired of people saying there's no music in Central New York," he said in his acceptance speech.

"We get it busy up here. We do our thing. I'm tired of people saying they need to leave for their career. If you got the music, I'll get you spins," said Runnamuck, who spins records on Friday nights from midnight to 2 a.m. on radio station Z89.

Celebrity presenters included city schools Superintendent Dan Lowengard and Police Department's Deputy Chief Frank Fowler. Both praised the event for shining a positive light on the city and people who are trying to make it better through their art.

Patrice Henry, owner of the Irie Jamaican Queen Restaurant in Auburn, told the crowd that they should always strive to be their best.

"I see a lot of talent here tonight," Henry said. "Please don't let that talent go to waste."

Julius Lawrence, presented with the humanitarian award for his work with the youth of Syracuse with Project Connection and many other organizations, shared his creed: "What we do for the children now will determine what they do for the world tomorrow," Lawrence said.

Mark Bialczak can be reached at mbialczak@syracuse.com or 470-2175. His blog "Listen Up" is at blog.syracuse.com/listenup/. - The Post-Standard

Posted by Mark Bialczak March 07, 2008 9:12AM
Categories: Upcoming Shows

Syracuse hip-hop entrepreneur Kendric T. Bedell is at it again.

The guy who toiled so hard to put on the first Upper State Indie Music Awards show in November at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse has his Upper State Tour on the road.

He'll perform under his rap name, Jimmy Black. Also on the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday at Funk n Waffles, 727 S. Crouse Ave., Syracuse, will be performers from Buck Head Records, Boss Hogg and Piscien Entertainment. Cover charge is $7,

After that, they're off to Harrisburg, Pa., on March 14, and Washington, D.C., on March 15. - Post-Standard

Categories: Guest review

I think Kendric T. Bedell had a good time Thursday night at the hip-hop show he calls the Upper State Tour.

The first of three shows kicked off at Funk n Waffles in Syracuse.

I'll let Bedell, also known as rapper Jimmy Black, tell it in his own words and style in a message he sent to me.

"Oh my goodness i'ma just let yaw know that the tour is fire "Meaning" if your doctor told you don't do too much moving then don't come to the show,but if you like to see true Hip-Hop at it's best then you don't want to miss this UPPER STATE TOUR when it come to your area. Blessing the stage first was a mc who heard about the tour on the radio and then seen it in the newspaper. Vega Villan Sign up on the performers list and boy i can tell you he was an element of surprise.

"The next artist to sign up on the list was Anormous.
Anormous didn't look like much of a rapper or mc but when hit the stage he had the crowd bouncing to his joint and then he smashed them in the head with a accapella. Once the crowd was warmed up PISCIEN ENTERTAINMENT Bogarded the stage Like PISCIEN ENTERTAINMENT in the Building and ripped it for 26 minutes straight with out looking the was tire. These dudes was true mcs at it's best.Next came my lil homie all the way from TOLEDO OHIO names BIRD. Bird did 1 song call Get Away and once he was done he told the audience that was his first time performing live and they was shocked because he was so comfertable on stage. Where is my head at this morning gotta give a big shout out to the Host of the UPPER STATE TOUR Dj RunnaMuck. RunnaMuck held it down the entire night.

"RunnaMuck is a Dj in Syracuse on Z89. When Jimmy Black got on stage he told everybody to come up front to the stage.The crowd was live so the ones that was already stand came closer and the ones that was sitting got up and came up closer to the stage and everybody was at full attention. He hit'em in the head with cuts like You can see the hunger in my eyes,I'm addicted to Rap Hip-Hop. He even did some cuts off his mix tape, when he started this on song call Lord i'm on my knees, the room lights was damped so you could see all the lighters and phone in the air,You heard buck buck buck buck,He had so much crowd participation when he did this on joint called Why should you run. Every time Jimmy Black would say Why should you run when you can take your time the crowd would be like time. Everytime he would say formulate your plan and get on the grind the audience would say get on the grind. And of course he did his Smashing hit IT'S HOTT. Just when i thought he was done he announce that he had a surprise for the crowd he spit a verse to Rakim Paid in Full.

"MAN IT WAS SICK. (WHAT A HOT SHOW )What is killing me is i don't have that much time fill yaw in with everything cause we on the road but i will keep yaw informed. Just a little bit more Boss Hogg came thru with his label Suspect Records hailing from Buffalo Ny man the show was so crazy i can only tell you a little bit more cause i got to roll out. THE show ended with the owner of Funk N Waffles, Adam came on stage and started beat boxing and cats started freestlying and this one youngin all the way from Alabama punished the beat. WHAT A SHOW. I'M JUST WAITING TO SEE SOME OF THE FEMALE MC'S IN THESE OTHER AREAS HOLDING IT DOWN. OH YEA THAT WAS ALL THE STORY you had Black Dog Media with they artist blessing the stage 2.

"Talk to yaw later"

Next up: 10 p.m. today at Cameron Cafe, 1028 Market St., Harrisburg Pa., and 9 p.m. Saturday at Kendejah Restaurant Lounge, 5828 Georgia Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. - Posted by Mark Bialczak March 14, 2008 2:01PM