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Hello VIP ticket holder and welcome to Soundset 2010. Please read through the following info prior to your arrival to Shakopee, MN this Sunday, May 30, 2010.

DIRECTIONS
Please take this route to Canterbury, it is for VIP ticket holders only and will get you parked closest to the festival grounds.

STARTING AT: US 169 SOUTH
EXIT TOWARD MN-13 / SAVAGE / HENNEPIN COUNTY 101 / SHAKOPEE
MERGE ONTO MN 101-NORTH
TURN LEFT AT SHENANDOAH DRIVE (follow VIP parking signs to VIP parking)

STARTING FROM US 169 NORTH JOHNSON MEMORIAL DRIVE
HEAD EAST ON US 169 NORTH / JOHNSON MEMORIAL DRIVE TOWARD CO. ROAD 69 / OLD BRICK YARD ROAD
TAKE THE 1ST LEFT ONTO CO ROAD / OLD BRICK YARD ROAD
CONTINUE TO FOLLOW RD 69
SLIGHT LEFT AT FULLER STREET SOUTH
CONTINUE STRAIGHT ONTO MN 101 SOUTH
TURN RIGHT AT SHENANDOAH DRIVE (follow VIP parking signs to VIP parking)

GET YOUR GOOGLE MAPS ON: http://is.gd/coS0y

PARKING PASS:
Your parking pass is your ticket. If you do not have an actual ticket, you MUST bring a printout of your ticket order from Ticketmaster (Ticketfast) or Artist Arena. This document must say VIP with your confirmation number. Show the document to the friendly parking attendant and you are now in VIP parking!

CHECK IN:
You’re VIP, and you need a wristband and laminate. Once you park, VIP check in is located at the main entrance. The tent will say ‘VIP CHECK IN“. At this point, your I.D will be checked (must be 18+), your wristband put on and you will be given your laminate and festival guide. If you purchased multiple tickets, please have your total party with you upon check in, everyone MUST show their ID and be wristbanded. Now you’re set, look for the exclusive VIP entrance at the main gate and have fun!

Travel safe, see you at Soundset 2010 in 4 days!

QUESTIONS:
Not quite sure on the information, please email back questions to soundset@rhymesayers.com

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

Although he’s primarily recognized for his production, he’s also one of the early holders of a Hip Hop Triple Crown–Producer, DJ, & MC…. He is without a doubt one of Hip Hop’s greatest and most versatile producers. Whether you know it or not, If you are a Hip Hop fan from the ‘80s, ‘90s, or ‘00s, I can pretty much guarantee you’ve heard at least one 45 King beat.

His name first started to grace records in the mid/late ‘80’s, with stand outs including a few instrumental records, production for the first Gang Starr singles, and of course his classic Red Alert Goes Berserk radio show promos. Around this same time, he also introduced the world to his crew, The Flavor Unit (Latee, Lakim Shabazz, Apache, Chill Rob G, Lord Alibaski, Double J, Queen Latifah, etc.).

By the time 1990 hit, he was in high demand for production and remixes. A steady stream of classic Hip Hop productions followed with the Flavor Unit, as well as Digital Underground, Eric B & Rakim, Salt N Pepa, MC Lyte, Diamond D, etc. However, he also had the ear and skills behind the boards for crafting classic club tracks, which led to high profile work with Lisa Stansfield, C&C Music Factory, Madonna, David Bowie, and many others.

The mid ‘90s showed a slowed output of work with other artists, but 45 King still produced a seemingly endless amount of instrumental projects.

In ’98, he gave Jay Z his first “Mega Hit” with his production for “Hard Knock Life.” He followed a couple years later with another huge hit, Eminem’s “Stan.” This resurgence, of sorts, also included some indie productions/remixes for Wildchild, Common, Rasco, Craig Mack, Esoteric, etc.

In more recent times, he’s been relatively quiet in regards to releases, but has made a more prominent presence on the internet with his Youtube channel. It was there I was “reminded” of his original skill, being the DJ. His Youtube videos of him rocking the “lil turntables” and the 45 RPM records from which his name is derived are becoming nearly as classic as his productions. On the mix, The 45 King is as quick, precise, and animated as ever, and of course, he has breaks for days.

Several months ago, after rediscovering those videos, I set on a quest to find and book The 45 King to DJ for the B-Boy battle at Soundset. Even with his increased internet actions, it proved a bit of a challenge to make contact. Eventually the connection was made and The 45 King was down to come rock some records, play some beats (as part of our LRB Production Showcase), and check out the Soundset Scene!

For those, like myself, who are hardcore fans of his production style, I hooked up a 79 Minute Mix of pure 45 King material as part of my “Production Credits” series that has been on hiatus since circa the “Hard Knock Life” era. This is Volume One of a three-part 45 King series, soon followed by “The Flavor Unit” (Vol 2) and “Club Trax” (Vol 3).

DJ Nikoless Presents-Production Credits: The 45 KING
Featuring cuts by Plain Ole Bill
-Volume One Download Link (includes 79 Minute Mix, Playlist,
Liner Notes, Art): DOWNLOAD

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

45 King: Youtube | 45King.com | Twitter
Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

The Last Of The Record Buyers is a MPLS born production event started by Brandon Allday (Big Quarters) and Kevin Beacham*. Once a month any and all producers are invited to come thru with beats on a CD or IPOD and let the people hear what they got. The goal is to provide a forum for producers to showcase their work, get feedback from their peers, network with people on the scene, and encourage collaborations with MCs and other Producers.

Also, on select occasions LRB expands it repertoire with special events such as the previous Content Under Pressure and now this years LRB Event at Soundset 2010.

Taking place in the “B-boy/Girl & DJ Tent”, this Special Edition of LRB is action packed from start to finish:

Local Producers Showcase: Benzilla, Nick Fource, Sinister Grinch, Prime Cut, Cory Grindberg & GMO

National Producers Showcase: 45 King, DJ Revolution, Domino (Hieroglyphics), Budo, Vitamin D, Jake One, & Frank Dukes (Big Tune Champion)

Live Production Showcase: JEL is well known as a master drummer on the sampler and a pioneer for working the MPC, SP1200 and misc other gadgets, overtime on stage. He’s in town to rock the Fifth Element stage with his crew, Themselves, but we had to have him come thru for LRB and do his thing! Peep some of his classic videos below…

Live Team Production Showcase: We locked five of the Twin Cities finest producers in a basement armed only with their weapons of choice (samplers, keyboards, laptops, etc). It was only a matter of time before the creative juices gave birth to an impressive collage of sounds. Big Cats!, Greg Grease, Medium Zach, O-D, & PC collaborated to form something that…gets to wordy to explain so peep the teaser video below and then come peep it live at Soundset 2010.

LRB SOUNDSET 2010
B-BOY/GIRL & DJ TENT
STARTS AT NOON! (12-1:30 PM)

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Last of the Record Buyers: Facebook | Myspace
Big Quarters: BigQuarters.com | Youtube
Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

With over 8 hours of live hip hop, live painting, skate demos and car show to take in this Sunday, May 30th we’re sure you’re going to get a little hungry and thirsty! We’ve put together a list of all the food and beverage vendors and what they’ll be selling at Soundset this year so you can come prepared. Don’t worry we’ve got options for both our vegetarian and meat eating friends!

Cookies & More
Cookies
Soft Pretzels
Nachos & Cheese
Lemon Ice
Mini Donuts
Pizza by the Slice (Pepperoni, Sausage, Cheese)

Deb’s Corner Foods & Catering
Curry Chickpea with Rice
BBQ mock duck with rice or wrap
Nutty Balls
Deb’s Chips (flavored tortilla’s)

El Burrito Mercado
Steak & Cheese Burrito
Vegetarian Burrito
Walk-A-Taco
Nachos Machos
Tamales
Churros

Gass Concessions
Brats
Hot Dogs
Corn Dogs
Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers

Sugar Shack
Fruit Smoothies
Cotton Candy
Sno Cones
Nachos & Cheese

Kennedy Concessions
Cheese Curds
French Fries
Chicken & Veggies Quesadillas
Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Santa Lucia
Greek Gyro
Mediterranean Grilled Sausage
Chicken Millano
Vegetarian Pita
Greek Salad

Jerry’s Lemonade
Lemonade
Cherry Lemonade
Shaved Ice

Steamworks Coffee
Fruit Smoothies
Blended Hot Coffee
Variety Iced Blended Coffees

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

Since Brother Ali dropped his latest record Us. He’s been relentlessly touring the United States, Canada and Europe to support his latest release. Brother Ali just finished his “Breakin’ Dawn Tour” with friend and DJ BK-One as well as Soundset performer Fashawn. Download the their tour anthem track “Breakin’ Dawn Boys“.

Catch Brother Ali Sunday, May 30th on the Main Stage at Soundset!

You can also catch Brother Ali playing some the Glastonbury, Open Air, Peace & Love & Roskilde Festivals this summer. You can catch him next Saturday, May 29th at the Sasquatch Festival at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington.

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Brother Ali: Facebook | Twitter | Myspace | BrotherAli.com
Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

Photo credit: Vincent Shim

Initially drawn to DJing because of a love of Hip-Hop and interest in scratching records Anton Pearson bought his first Technics 1200 turntable circa 1997. He started DJing at shows in 1999. From 2002 to 2003 Anton was the resident DJ (with DJ Espada as well) at the now infamous Loring Pasta Bar Hip-Hop night at the same time he was entering DJ battles and won the local Guitar Center battles both years progressing to regional finals. He also entered the Scribble Jam DJ Battle in 2002 and made it to the final four round. DJ Anton has played numerous shows over the years including opening for Slum Village with the Interlock All-stars at the Twin Cities Hip Hop festival & opening for Buck 65 while DJing for Twisted Linguistics.

In 2009 Anton co-founded Wants Vs. Needs, a DJ collective and monthly dance night at Club Jager. Anton also currently holds a residency at AZIA and other clubs in Minneapolis. He is a rotating DJ on Rhymesayers Radio and also works at the Rhymesayers flagship store Fifth Element. Anton is known for playing all types of music from Hip-hop all the way to Electronic with some Funk and Soul in between.

You can catch DJ Anton tomorrow night at Club Jager for Wants Vs Needs. The free party jumps off at 10:00PM and is 21+.

Anton made this mix of some his favorite Summer songs for you to enjoy.

Download: Summer Classics

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

DJ Anton: Facebook | Twitter
Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

Busdriver has returned to jolt rap back into shape with the virtuoso, gatling gun vocal stylings and poignant (and at times dadaist) lyricism of his new record, Jhelli Beam. Appearing to only abide by the approaches cemented by his 15 some odd years spent in the underbelly of rap, Jhelli Beam not only effortlessly trumps all previous mind-bending performances of his earlier works, but gives them new context; highlighting their dexterity with nuggets of election year paranoia and absurdist humor.

Still as one listens to what has become this latest grouping of ‘songage’ from the man in question, you can’t help but taste the scrawny, sweat-slick thigh of rap’s forsaken alt. universe as it trudges upwind. Is it fueled by some adherence to a host of high-minded ideals (anti-consumerism, battle rap machismo, greener-than-thou-isms, armchair liberal musings or groin-derived intellectualism)? Or something more immediate: a medium that minces ideas to a primal end. For as much as non-traditional rap is deemed plainly reactionary, there must still be a bubbling mire from which a genuine ‘other’ can be forged.

Or maybe that ‘other’ is another subheading for what is. Fortunately, Jhelli Beam is more a guileless, visceral dirge from a dying scene than a self-aware stab at a paradigm shift. Busdriver spent a chunk of time unlearning lofty careerist goal-orientation and re-discovering basic motivations for song writing. The result? Songs like “Me-Time (with the Pulmonary Palimpsest)”, which borrows internalized approaches used on “Imaginary Places”(from 2002′s Temporary Forever) while heightening the stakes by elaborating on structure, content and the actual physical demand of the performance. “Least Favorite Rapper” harkens back to timeless Project Blowed assertiveness, all awhile poking fun at his and guest emcee, Nocando’s, comically understated standing in any version of whatever rap universe. 


But like all of Busdriver’s previous output, his relationship with whatever production that is chosen is tantamount with the records sway over listeners. And to insure this, he has re-visited his prolific working relationships with Victorian-dandy/electronic pastiche mastermind Daedelus, as well as psyche-rock beat smith, Nobody. From such high-minded collisions you get the sprawling, glockenspiel flurry of “Handfuls of Sky” as well as the eery synth-infused Pakistani folk song of “Manchuria”(featuring an engaging exchange with the one and only Mikah-9), both courtesy of Nobody. And as a counter balance, Daedelus’ arrangements toy with the senses. An example would be the structural free-for-all of “Scoliosis Jones”, which speeds up then slows down right before the first word of each chorus.

But is this the record that solidifies Busdriver’s commitment to the pockets of precocious listeners lurking in peripheries of the blogosphere, mining for substenence? Yes. Does it lay claim to a host of styles and an inexhaustible knack for all that unnecessarily difficult? Yes! Does a physical copy of this record actually have a place within your home? hmmmm….

Busdriver is currently at work on his “mixtape”, “Computer Cooties” due to release this fall. In the meantime you can catch him freestyling in bubble-baths, rocking shows in Europe and Cali, dropping classic one-liners on twitter, and of course dazzling on-lookers at the Fifth Element stage at Soundset 2010!

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Busdriver: Facebook | Twitter | Myspace
Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

Z-Trip is considered to be one of the best live performance DJs in history, by both fans and peers. Fans voted him “America’s Best DJ” in 2009, beating out over 100 other DJ’s in; DJ’s Times highly acclaimed readers poll. It”s a fact that many call him the “godfather of mash-ups”, as he is one of the originators of the genre. His worldwide sold out shows continue to set attendance records while drawing critical praise. “One of the great musical moments from Coachella (2002) was the frenzied set by turntable wizard Z-Trip. He had fans howling and bobbing, closing his set with a surprise appearance by Beck.” -The LA Times. The LA Times review was well deserved as Z-Trip performed to a jam packed tent of over 10,000 that day.

He has crisscrossed the globe numerous times since Coachella 2002, chalking up tons of rave reviews along the way. He returned to Coachella 2010, for his 4th appearance at the festival headlining the Sahara Tent “Even against two of the biggest draws on the schedule, Z-Trip raked “em in, filling the Sahara with over 15,000 revelers,” Daily News. His recent Detroit Electronic Music Festival performance to over 10,000 stole the festival receiving the lions share of press; “Z-Trip lit up Saturday night, first by jamming with RJD2 then following with a Detroit-saluting mash-up set”- Billboard 2009. Most Friday nights you can find him at his new residency at Rain inside The Palms, Las Vegas. Entitled “Z-Trip’s Revolution” He has thrilled crowds there with his genre bending skills and surprise guests including Too Short, De La Soul , Rev Run and Three 6 Mafia.

Worldwide sold out shows would be enough for most DJs, but not Z-Trip. Please do not call him a celebrity DJ. His career is too full of impressive producer/artist milestones for that. In 2009, Z-Trip appeared as an in game character in DJ Hero; for which he also supplied several original remixes and songs. In 2009 “Victory Lap” his last album did over 500,000 copies. “Victory Lap” (his homage to Obama) was reviewed favorably and recommended by Wired, Urb, BPM, and XLR8R to name a few. Z-Trip’s longtime friend and collaborator Shepard Fairey supplied the art.

Z-Trip’s major label debut “Shifting Gears” was given 4 stars by Rolling Stone — it’s highest honor in 2005. Shifting Gears featured Top 10 singles in the US and abroad. WIth appearances from many of Z-Trip’s friends; Chuck D, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Murs and Soup of Jurassic 5.

“Uneasy Listening” was his first record to receive critical acclaim and helped propel Z-Trip to national attention in 2002. It made album of the year lists in Spin, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Wired and XLR8R.

It’s hard to paint a complete picture of Z-Trip with words alone. So we’ve chosen to leave you with a few links below, check him out.

Download: “Justice the DJ Hero remix.

Make sure you catch DJ Z-Trip Sunday, May 30th rockin’ the Official Soundset After Party. The party kicks off at 10:00PM and is 18+. Tickets will sell out fast so grab yours today!

After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your After Party tickets online through First Avenue, Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Z-Trip: Facebook | Twitter | Myspace | djztrip.com
Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace

Soundset is proud to annouce the 3rd annual skate demo and contest. What was previously a street course, this year we’ve partnered up with Vitamin Water to bring in three mini ramps at this years event on may 30th, Memorial Day Weekend at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. Top skateboarders from around the Midwest will be on hand from 3rd Lair Skate Park & Familia Skate Shop!

The top three contestants will receive great prize packs from Soundset, Rhymesayers, Vitamin Water, 3rd Lair, Familia, and Fifth Element and the winner will receive Back Stage Access and seating for 2 for the headline act!

Any Skater with a Soundset ticket is eligible to compete. For more information and to register for the contest contact Mark Muller @ 612.388.3709 | mark@3rdlair.com

Soundset RSVP: Facebook | Twitter
After Party RSVP: Facebook

Buy your Soundset Festival & After Party tickets online through Ticketmaster or walk up through Fifth Element in Minneapolis!

Make sure you follow, fan or text “SS2010″ to #66937 for Soundset updates and your chance to win!

Soundset: SoundsetFestival.com | Twitter | Facebook | Myspace
Rhymesayers: Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Myspace