During the month of September, I’ll be DJing the pre and post shows for grandstand concerts at the Los Angeles County Fair. I will likely not interact with the talent. I will not get you a free ticket. I will be working and not very chatty. I will rock the party that, likely, will rock your body, should you attend.

All shows take place at the Pomona Fairplex (I got lost on my way to Pomona once with my mom, ask me some time, funny story). I start rocking around 7:30 or 8 and will be done around midnight, at which time the fair closes and they will hurl you from the premises. Just kidding. Probably.

In order, here’s the list of shows I’m doing …

• George Benson and Chaka Khan, Thursday, September
  13, 2012
• Tower of Power feat. Average White Band, Friday,
  September 14, 2012
• Boyz 2 Men, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and En Vogue,
  Thursday, September 20, 2012
• War, Friday, September 21, 2012
• Old School Soul Jam (featuring Rose Royce, Heatwave, Lenny Williams & Evelyn “Champagne” King), Saturday, September 22, 2012
• Earth, Wind and Fire, Sunday, September 30, 2012

I already did one “warm up” show (because I was rusty and didn’t feel confident, but it went pretty well) where I did a mostly 80s set for the B-52s. Super fun getting a chance to play “The Batter Ram” and two songs by LA’s Dream Team!

I’m doing these shows in conjunction with YNotLive Entertainment, the company formerly known as Starlight Entertainment. I probably won’t be drunk. Right, then.

If you’re making the drive, be patient with the roads as they’re super crowded and stuff ain’t going anywhere. Leave early, be prepared for them to search your bags and have fun. I know I will!

Playing (Music): “Girls on Film” by Duran Duran

Looking for your MP3 downloads?

They’re over at Komplicated … remember? That website I wrote a poem about? Yeah, it’s up and running.

I plan to finish my commitment to National Poetry Writing Month and do the last, very late poems. I also plan to drop the also very late commentary track for last week’s reviews. I hope that stuff hits by Wednesday.

Before I forget, on Sunday at noon you can catch me, my brilliant wife and Jabir Faqir discussing the Top Ten Greatest Songs in Hip Hop History LIVE at Geekweek on their broadcast platform. Hoo hah!

I’m tired. Bed now.

Playing (Music): “Words I Never Said” by Lupe Fiasco

WHAT IS #MUSICMONDAY?

Every week, I post a lot of links to free music you can download. Why? Why the hell not? I’m not hosting the links, I didn’t upload ‘em, I have no legal liability and I’m helping promote the artists. Essentially, I’m a g******ed hero! Enjoy!

Sometimes I rant about musical stuff — that goes at the end. The music is divided into three categories …

I’VE HEARD IT AND IT’S WORTH A LISTEN

• Super R&B Hits Vol. 2 [LINK]
• Glee Cast, “I Fell Pretty/UnPretty” (Rachel/Quinn Duet) [LINK]
• Glee “A Night Of Neglect” I-Tunes Rip Songs [LINK]
• Only since this writer got to see it live: VIDEO (no download, but you can always audio capture) of Prince and Alicia Keys performing “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore” at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. It’s okay to be jealous. It’s natural.

I SUSPECT THIS IS WORTH HEARING, BUT I’M TOO BUSY TO HAVE LISTENED TO IT

• Direct MP3 download, courtesy of Walasia Noor El Shabazz and Clear Label Records: “Soul of The City” by Esinchill feat. Dave Hollister
• Also from Clear Label Records, here’s the instrumental for “Heart & Soul” by Baby Jaymes. First hit’s free, the rest …
• Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan), Grand(er) Vonye (Mixtape) [LINK]
• “This Is Dedicated To You” (a Nate Dogg tribute) by Warren G [LINK]
• Statik Selektah & Lord Sear, Open Bar Classics Vol. 1: The 80’s (Mixtape)[LINK]
• StartYourOwnRebellion, “Let It Go” feat. J. Cole[LINK]
• “Closer” by Joe [LINK]
• Consequence, “Last Supper” (prod. Lee Bannon) [LINK]
• The Beastie Boys, “Say It” [LINK]
• Kevin McCall, “Touch Yourself” [LINK]
• Mixtape: Fabolous, The Soul Tape [LINK]
• Glee Cast, “As If We Never Said Goodbye” [LINK]
• Glee Cast, “I’ve Gotta Be Me” [LINK]
• Glee Cast, “Born This Way” [LINK]
• STS ft. Joell Ortiz, “The People” (Remix) [LINK]
• Pitch Slapped, EP (a capella) [LINK]
• Atmosphere, “Which Way Is Up” feat. Aesop Rock [LINK]
• “Like My Bass” by Tha Outfit, [LINK]
• “Motherlover” by The Lonely Island feat. Justin Timberlake [LINK]
• Craig G ft. Guru, “Coming To Get You” (Unreleased) + Mr. Cee’s Guru Tribute Mix [LINK]
• Kardinal Offishall, “Smash the Club” feat. Pitbull, Lil Jon & Clinton Sparks [LINK]

I PROBABLY WOULDN’T LIKE IT, BUT MANY PEOPLE WOULD

• N.O.R.E. N.O.R.E.aster FreEP [LINK]
• Britney Spears feat. Nicki Minaj & Ke$ha, “Till The World Ends” (Remix) [LINK]
• Don Omar, “How We Roll” (remix f. Busta Rhymes & Reek Da Villain) [LINK]
• Big Hud feat. CyHi Da Prynce & Curren$y, “Summertime Ish” (Remix) [LINK]
• DMX Ft Jan, “Didn’t Go Nowhere” [LINK]
• American Idol Top 7, Studio Recordings [LINK]
• Timbaland, “Slow Down” feat. Blind Fury [LINK]
• Jagged Edge, Love Potion (Chambord Edition) [LINK]
• Trick Daddy, Greatest Hits [LINK]
• Akon, “Take It Down Low” (Feat. Chris Brown) [LINK]
• American Idol Season 10 Top 7 I-Tunes Rip [LINK]
• One Dae, “Play By Play” feat. Evidence, [LINK]
• Sheek Louch, “Star Wars” feat. Styles P [LINK]
• Beyonce, “Girls (Who Run The World)” [LINK]
• Self Scientific, “War Stories” feat. Big K.R.I.T. [LINK]
• The Steve Miller Band, Let Your Hair Down [LINK]
• Complex Presents Prodigy, The Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson EP [LINK]
• Truck North, “Latest Greatest” [LINK]
• R3L, El Elegido [LINK]
• Scoob Lo feat. Spice 1, Daz Dillinger & Knoc-turn’al, “Rap Stars” [LINK]
• Incubus, “Adolescents” [LINK]
• Parachute, “Kiss Me Slowly” [LINK]
• Plain White T’s, “Boomerang” [LINK]
• “Boyfriend” by Big Time Rush feat. New Boyz [LINK]
• “Mr. Baton Rouge” by Lil Boosie [LINK]
• Waka Flocka Flame, Benjamin Flocka [LINK]

This is the last week you’ll see this at the Operative Network. Next week — spirit willing and the creeks don’t rise — this will be located at Komplicated (stay in touch via the Facebook page (click “like”) or the Twitter page (follow). Question: it’s currently a weekly summary of music downloads … how would you feel if it were daily? Please leave your thoughts on that in the comments, and thanks in advance.

Don’t forget that late additions and exclusive extras end up on the mobile version of this blog.

Playing (Music): “G.R.I.N.D.” by Asher Roth