The Rejected Musical Inventions of basketQASE Rodriguez

DJ basketQASE on Facebook

2012-01-31T00:46:00.002-06:00

Random Pictures of DJ basketQASE

2012-01-30T22:50:00.000-06:00

Some old, some new.. all music related .

-bQ

In this video: Kaliq Woods on Bb Clarinet ..basketQASE Soundscapes.. every 2nd & 4th Thursday @ LOKAL (1904 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park - No Cover)

2011-12-28T23:58:00.000-06:00

New email address: DJ.basketQASE@gmail.com

2011-12-04T02:35:00.000-06:00

New email address: DJ.basketQASE@gmail.com

DJ basketQASE presents: The Ableton Beat Tape Sampler - containing selected material from 3 forthcoming EPs: RE-Runs EP, Soul of Samuel, & ODD-METRIC BOOM .

2011-11-16T15:14:00.002-06:00

Storytella Recordings

2011-11-06T12:43:00.000-06:00

Storytella Recordings Soundcloud Page

Good morning friends.. when you have a moment, check out this article Brotha Edward Onaci wrote about DJ basketQASE.

2011-11-06T11:56:00.001-06:00

Get Familiar Episode 4: DJ basketQASE Rodriguez
http://soularadiance.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/get-familiar-episode-4-basketqase-rodriguez/

Chicago is a big city with a high concentration of musically inclined people. And the music scene is diverse. It literally offers something for everyone. One small problem with having so much talent in one place is that it can be difficult to decide on exactly what to do. But sometimes a good artist emerges, making the choice relatively easy.

DJ basketQASE is one such artist. A born and bred Chicagoan, his talent extends from the upright bass to Ableton DJing and beat making. I had an opportunity to witness this guy perform an Ableton routine, and I was impressed (anyone who knows me can attest to how tough a critic i am of those who CLAIM to be DJs, but don’t quite meet the requirements). His mixes were on point, his song selection exquisite, and he sprinkled in some of his own work just to keep things interesting!

basketQASE has been honing his skills since his childhood. In fifth grade (circa 1989), he wrote and recorded his first rhyme, and in 1994, he got his first DJ setup – a pair of Gemini turntables, a mixer, and some hip hop records. From there, he picked up a Roland R-70; yet, looking back, he believes that he was a “late bloomer” with regard to music theory and classical training. In high school he began to dabble with the trumpet, then in college he studied the upright bass. From there he delved deep into jazz theory, which helped him think about ways to push his own creative boundaries.

Fast-forward several years, and basketQASE is now an impressive multidimensional musician who is as invested in spreading dope hip hop and jazz sounds as he is in expanding his own artistry. If there is a theme that unites the breadth of his work, it is trying to get “listeners to dig beats outside of typical meter for the sake of expanding hip hop lyricism and the urban dance floor into different types of phrasing and cadence.” He gains inspiration for his creations from just about everything his senses allow him to experience. Everything from Debussy to Dave Holland to Astor Piazzolla to Mark deClive-Lowe to Dibia$e is currently in rotation on his headphones.

When you need a hit of dope music, I suggest that you check out DJ basketQASE. He hosts 'The bQ SoundSYSTEM' at LOKAL (1904 W. North Ave) every 2nd & 4th Thursday. DJ basketQASE promise an exciting evening of Jazz based beats and deep soulful house music plus special guest features!

If you’re not in Chicago (and even if you are), definitely check out basketQASE’s blog: www.basketqase.blogspot.com/, and stay up on all of his updates via Facebook. He’s preparing to drop THREE EPs: RE-Runs (featuring DJ headsHop); Soul of Samuel; and Odd-Metric BOOM. But first, he’ll put out “The Ableton Beat Tape Sampler,” which will consist of a few tracks from each EP.
 If you would like more information about DJ basketQASE, or if you want to collaborate with or book him, you can contact him at: storytellarecords@gmail.com

He’s “always looking to collab with creative people, whether it be musically or on the promotion tip or film related projects.”

– Brotha Onaci

..basketQASE Soundscapes.. every 2nd & 4th Thursday @ LOKAL (next one: 10/27/11)

2011-10-20T14:27:00.001-05:00

Another installment for the upcoming RE-Runs EP. This one is based on the old-school sitcom from the 80's "Small Wonder", enjoy! -basketQASE Rodriguez Jr.

2011-10-16T19:01:00.000-05:00

The first .. basketQASE Soundscapes .. event at LOKAL was a success! Next one: 10/27/11, click for pix

2011-10-16T18:52:00.001-05:00

and Here's the facebook invite below:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=174605769287130

This beat is a work in progress.. Am looking for a soloist and/or vocalist to bless it.. holla at me if you dig: storytellarecords@gmail.com

2011-10-15T09:17:00.002-05:00

Cousin Michael by storytellarecords

Another Track from the Forthcoming EP: "Re-Runs: The EP". A colabo of beats made from old-school TV show themes. DJ headShop & DJ basketQASE have teamed up for this exciting project!

2011-09-29T16:13:00.001-05:00

Thanx to Jorge Luis Berrios II for supporting my new project: "Re-Runs:

2011-09-29T15:43:00.003-05:00

http://www.mywordisvinyl.com/2011/09/basketqase-rodiguez-gimme-breakbeat.html

Thanks to Inti J Rodriguez for the positive review and post on his blog:

2011-09-29T15:41:00.003-05:00

http://www.1200dreams.com/articles/536/new-tunes-from-way-way-back

Chris Paquette and basketQASE Colabo (Fall/Winter 2011)

2011-09-23T07:50:00.001-05:00

2nd Release by [Producer + Instrumental Duo:] Computer Love (DJ basketQASE + Trumpeter Jerome Croswell). Recorded at basketQASE Studio September 14, 2011

2011-09-14T19:46:00.002-05:00

King of Queens Beat (by basketQASE) by storytellarecords

NEW SINGLE FROM basketQASE - entitled: "Commercial Interruption" from the forthcoming EP: Odd-Metric BOOM (Out Winter 2011)

2011-09-09T15:16:00.002-05:00

Commercial Interruption by storytellarecords

New baby-makin' beat by basketQASE

2011-08-16T11:37:00.002-05:00

Very First Kiss by storytellarecords

DJ/Producer: basketQASE teams up with Trumpeter/Percussionist: Jerome Croswell to form DJ + Instrumental Duo: Computer Love (for booking, click link)

2011-07-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

First single release by DJ + Instrumental Duo: Computer Love

2011-07-28T09:46:00.001-05:00

Sammy's House by storytellarecords

DJ/Producer: basketQASE Rodriguez teams up with Trumpeter/Percussionist: Jerome Croswell to form a DJ + Instrumental Duo called: "Computer Love".

2011-07-25T14:36:00.002-05:00

DJ basketQASE UPDATE

2011-07-19T20:42:00.002-05:00

DJ Jesse De La Pena interviews basketQASE Rodriguez and many others about ATCQ documentary: Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. Click link to download the show.

2011-07-17T12:49:00.000-05:00

The Night That basketQASE Met Tribe & De La

2011-07-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

The Night That basketQASE Met Tribe & De La

The year was 1993. I was 14 years old when Midnight Marauders was released, but already was a huge fan; ever since the very first time I heard Bonita Applebum and her chords - ever so infectious! Then The Low End Theory, which really hit the nail on the head for me. I'd never heard anything like The Infamous Date Rape – what a “classic example” of an original sound! It was innovative and refreshing and changed the face of hip hop forever.

So when I heard Tribe was coming to The Windy City on their Award Tour with De La Soul and Souls of Mischief, I was flippin' out because these cats were my musical heros. I just had to see them live!

The plan of attack was – me and my friend would go to the mall to hit up Ticket Master, but it was freakin' sold out - not to mention 21 & over! I felt really down and devastated but was still determined to make it happen. What did happen next would change the course of my life and lead me on a musical path of rhythm & jazz travels weaving thru harmony.

So the night of the show I go to the venue alone on the bus; my “friends” bailed out on this potential hip hop adventure – but not me – not the basketQASE – basketQASE Rodriguez ain't no quitter! I had two bus tokens, a quarter, and a whole fifty dollar bill my grandpa gave me – Abuelito said to spend it wisely and I believe I got my monies worth!

The show was at the China Club located on the west loop of downtown Chicago and the line was beginning to form. I entered the line on that cold dark ice-ridden sidewalk and began to chitchat with some older hip hoppers asking if anyone had an extra ticket, no one did. But then this big tall cat O Type Star offered to help me sneak in. He suggested I hide between him and his friend behind his trench coat being that the line was tight, congested, and compact, it actually almost worked! But security spotted me, grabbed me by my black bomber jacket, and aggressively ejected me from the premises. They kicked me out to the curb like a bag of trash.

As I'm dusting off my jeans I notice a scalper selling a ticket. He was announcing loudly “Come getcha ticket – ticket for sale” - so I asked, “how much for the ticket?”, he's like, “how much you got?”, I'm like “I got fifty”, he's like “alright fifty”.. lol.. Keep in mind I was 14 years old and had limited experience with street negotiations! I bought the ticket for fifty bucks and re-entered the line when someone hands me a promotional Tribe poster.. “thanks dude”.

As I'm reentering the joint I decide to rock my bomber jacket inside out – orange exposed - to switch up my steelo, but to my dismay, they were freakin' chargin' two bucks for coat check and I had already spent all my loot on the scalp ticket. Then when I ask the coat check cat to cut me a break, guess who he calls on his walkie talkie? The very security guard villain who initially kicked me to the curb. Hence curb dust part two!

My third attempt was a long shot. You see, I ran into this cat I used to rhyme with in grammar school whose older brother knew Common Sense. Common had just entered the spot with his crew UAC and so we trailed in behind him hoping this time would be a success, but the strategy was a failure and once again I caught glimpse of security rent-a-cop villain, so I decided to just bounce to avoid face on the curb part three!

At this point the concert was in progress. I could hear the opening act and beat thumps of 93 till Infinity thru the thick brick walls and it occurred to me to go around back, towards the alleyway, in hopes to find an open window and proceed with my sneak attempts. This is when I met this cat who was chillin' by a huge dumpster holding De La Soul's album – Buhloone Mindstate – so I ask, “sup dude, whatcha doin out here?”, he's like “waitin' for De La to sign my cd”.. and just when he said that, a big white cargo van pulls up and Q-tip and Maseo hop out – so as ol' boy get's Maseo's autograph, I'm like, “yo Tip! Could you sign my poster?” - he signed “Q-tip ONE LOVE”. Wow Q-tip just signed my poster! I felt really satisfied to have met my main musical hero – the very cat who said “Rap is not pop, if you call it that then stop..” – but I still wanted to get inside to watch the concert!

A few moments later, a little beat up white toyota corolla pulls up – and guess who comes out?
It was Posdnuos (Plug One) and Trugoy the Dove (Plug Two)! The cat with the cd runs toward them, gets autographs, and disappears into the darkness of the alley. I get a couple signatures and then observe De La as their preparing to enter the back. This is when Dove kept looking back at me as I'm sitting on the dumpster. I guess he was wondering, “what's this kid doin' out here in the alley.. he's obviously a fan” - Dove signals me to come over – I look back over my shoulder in disbelief - “you talkin to me?”.. as I approach, Dove hands me an all access VIP pass that granted me access to all areas of the venue – including backstage! I couldn't believe what was happening! Is basketQASE Rodriguez really chillin' with Native Tongues Crew?! Word life!!!

Upon entering, Dove tells me to wait in the rec-room where Pace Master Mase was playing NBA Jams on arcade. So me thinkin' I'm part of the crew now.. lol.. I approach the arcade and insert a quarter thinking it would be cool to join the game. Big Mistake! My coin entry interrupted his game and reset it. Maseo said, “Man, what the fuck you doin?!”.. I was embarrassed and speechless, and simply walked away.

At that point Dove signals me to enter the concert area, but that shady security guard spots me again and tries to eject me, but Dove defended me and said to the cat, “he's my fan, leave the kid alone muthafucka!”.. after many words exchanged, Dove tells me to stand backstage before they start their performance.

So here I am, standing next to Phife Dawg watching De La Soul rock the crowd. They send shouts out Common in the house and eventually invite MC Shorty No Mas to spit with them. She was dope!
After the show I felt this surreal feeling of hip hop glory. I was truly inspired. I thanked Dove for hooking me up then headed to the media room for after show interviews with Souls of Mischief, Tribe, and De La. It was 1993: the peak of the golden era!

In conclusion, back in the rec room, Q-tip was shooting pool, Phife was tryna holla at MC Shorty No Mas, and Pos and Dove were chit chatting.. but that's when the evil security guard spotted me for the last time.. he grabbed me by the jacket and finally ejected me like an ended cassette tape on the B-side. Harsh words were exchanged, and I remember saying: “man screw you, I'ma make music!” as I drifted into the darkness of Milwaukee Ave., my beatbox froze in the chill of the air.

THE END

True Story by basketQASE Rodriguez