LOW END THEORY is the blue print for everything in this beat world. The first event i knew of that was producer/dj focused with Daddy Kev’s roots in LA Underground Hip-Hop and D&B, his experience with Celestial & Alpha Pup and then teaming up with Producers/DJ Nobody, D-Styles, and MC Nocando. I was blessed with being able to grace the stage at LET (check that off the bucket list). So when i got the news a few days ago that they was shutting down LET, i was bummed cause that was my spot to go to when i made my year trip to LA. At the same time i completely understand, i did the same with INERTiA after running it for 10 years. Only love for Low End, and all who were involved from Jump. Im hoping to fly up to LA for the last show. Don’t Sleep, keep it low.
Category: events
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BEATZZZA
And we back, with more BEATZ & PIZZA. This months featured producer is none other than OSNA a.k.a. OSNIZZLE. By far one of the most all around musician in Hawaii. His catalog is deep and his crazy stories is deeper. If you are a new jack producer or vet, we welcome you to play your beats & grab a slice. 6pm to 9pm, with OSNA going on at 8pm. Free at the Lightsleepers McCully Location. Don’t Sleep.
The Shaka
We did a quick restock online of our Infinity Shaka OG & version 2. Mahalos to all who pre ordered we will be packing and shipping ASAP. Don’t Sleep
DOOMSDAY 2018
DOOMSDAY 2018 is this Friday! I really don’t know if anyone else in the world celebrate DOOM. For one we usually and only celebrate a famous or influential person when they DEAD. Well, MF DOOM released OPERATION DOOMSDAY on April 20th, 1999 and to me DOOM’s music is more than just lyrics and beats. The added significance is my MC partner and brotha, Kapuni EP/IG88 is the first one to hip me to Sev Love X transformation to MF DOOM. And since both DOOM and i had a brother pass on too early, even more so, DOOMSDAY. So, 20 artist, food, drank, and music, plus major product drops. Stay Tuned and Don’t Sleep.
Front & Center
As i was moving this chair i had in my shop since we opened, that my wife picked out from Re-Use in Kalihi i decided to take a photo in front of the shop before i loaded it up to take home. As much as im blown away how far we came, from a 300 watt college radio show, im not surprised that we are here. I envisioned a shop, always talked about if i had a shop, and even took notes as i visited other shops on my travels. Whats dope is when the opportunity came to open a shop, it didn’t surprise anyone we opened. The feeling was “it was about time”. Ask me if i was ready, nah. Did i have the money to open, nope. Did i wanna quit a dope job with my own office, unreal benefits, great coworkers, NO! So why did i do it? Why not…why not me? Since i was a kid i had to operate on “zero” conditions. No money, got a paper route in 3rd grade. Got my first full time job at fifteen and a half working at a hospital in the medical supplies department, i was the youngest employee they every hired. I worked every vacation, every summer, Christmas, Thanks Giving, New Years, & Birthdays…that was when i was a Junior in High School. When i went to college it was no different, we would go out an party or i dj’ed til 2am, then went to an After Hours or ate, got home at 5-6ish, took a shower and when to work at 7am. Didn’t take out one school loan, i worked, and applied for every grant and scholarship. Zero debt after graduating. What does it all mean? I worked my ass off to get here, am i better than the next man? Nah, but i stand on mine that fo’ sho. So as i sit in front of our first LIGHTSLEEPERS brick & mortar, am i amazed to be here the answer is Yes! but not surprised it was all planned back when i was slinging news paper at 9 years old on the streets of Kapahulu. God Bless & Don’t Sleep.
GOT ‘EM
We been celebrating AIR MAX DAY since the inception in 2014. Released our first shirt in 2015. Not that we don’t like Jordans, but been air max’in since jump. So when NIKE decided to create a holiday for AMX we thought it be dope to make a tee to honor a staple for all us Hip-Hop heads.
We decided to mash up the epic screen, when you not catchin L’s: GOT ‘EM! with the OG Mobile Suit; RX-78-2 Gundam. Its just fresh to intersect two cultures like sneakers & OG mecha anime.
Had to replaced the AIR MAX 98 “Seismic Veloctiy” aka “Gundam” then added our twist of mecha typeface.
We picked the AM 98 cause its 2018, it only made common sense, but i guess you thought we were gonna do a 97/1 shoe, nope. We still want the kicks, fo’sho, but damn hype beasts gonna be out and a bot. The tee drops 3/26, but stay tuned for an early release link, for all that actually check out website and read. Mahalo for the support. Don’t Sleep.
BEATROOT 2018
BEATROOT 2018 and we are locked and loaded with the entire season. Also a new email dedicated to BEATROOT: beatroot808@gmail.com if you or your producer friend would like to enter BR hit up the email. Incase you don’t know what BR is you must be living under a coral reef, cause we been doing it for over 10 years. Trust me this producer came in to the shop diggin’ and never heard of Lightsleepers or BR? Maybe its arrogant of me to assume he knew but c’mon man, if you was really making music the natural hunger to play your music to someone other than your cat and moms would of forced you to find us…anyway hear are the rules/lowdowns:
- Battle consist of 6 producers with all original beats produced by them!
- Battle is head to head, randomly picked.
- Each beat is 2:00 minutes max.
- Producer must play beats off of laptop, beat machine, or controller.
- NO playing beats from phone or tablet (exceptions may be made but highly discouraged)
- First round, 1 beat each, 3 battles, 3 winners move on to final 4
- 3 losers battle in “sudden death” round to take the final spot in the final 4, 1 beat each.
- Final four, 1 beat each, 2 battles, 2 winners move on to FINALS.
- Finals, 2 beats each, 1 winner moves on to Grand Championships!
- Incase of a Tie, producer will play another beat, there can only be 1 tie, no second tie.
Any questions please email: beatroot808@gmail.com
Don’t Sleep.
KidsNeedFood – “Chakras”
Last week we hosted KIDSNEEDFOOD mixtape release party. The “mixtape” called PORTALS plays more like a album but hey i love the lofty goals. They also premiered their new video, “Chakras”. The HOFFAPOUND record label headed by producer KHOMPONO is on a tear planning hood performance popups. I really dig the direction these brothas are going. Big things. Don’t Sleep.
PETER MOON
Like alot of locals growing up “Hawaiian Music” was played on Aloha Fridays, 105.1FM, clean house sundays, Luau’s, 1st baby parties, Beach, or just when your parents would put on the records. I was blessed my Dad played music with and worked along side many great Hawaiian Legends, he also had all the records! One being, Peter Moon, he is a staple in shifting Hawaiian Music from traditional into mixing different vibes & styles. I first heard of his music through Sunday Manoa.
“Pua Lilia” always gave me chicken skin cause you know one pretty Hawaiian Aunty gonna jam da Hula a couple chicks from one Halau gonna get up and dance. Another garens jam was “Kawika” which was a standard in “Kamehameha Schools” if you no can pick the first couple bars den you better put down the Ukulele, i put it down (i can jam Surf, LOL).
As much as i loved The Sunday Manoa, it was when The Cazimero Brother’s peaced out and then The Peter Moon band was formed with various lead singers such as Martin Pahinui, Cyril Pahinui, & Randy Lorenzo. At first i was confused cause i thought Peter Moon was singing, but he was more like the conductor/composer. Genius. Choke tracks i could post but this one comes to mind, “Island Love” a killer cut.
Uncle Peter Moon, created countless jems. I find it amazing that Hawaiian Music can encompass elements of Folk, Country, Rock, and Funk. The world really don’t give our music the credit it deserves. Anyway, the song that captivates and moves me the most is “Keawaiki” from the first few cords it automatically hits the soul in an area not often touched.
The melodies and the thick rhythm of the instruments topped with the smooth voice of Randy Lorenzo, brah. When my daughter was born, i knew that i would name her “Keawaiki”…”she gives me love and piece of mind”. This ones for you Braddah Peter Moon, you was one Killah musician that no one could F wit in Hawaii and The World. I just hope one day the World will appreciate your greatness and i can take from your legacy and apply that to Hawaii Hip-Hop. Livicated to Peter Moon. Don’t Sleep.