None of you are going to Kraftwerk!

When you think of hip hop where do the Germans rank? For the old skool b-boys, "Krautrock" pioneers Kraftwerk come top of mind. And don't forget the world's #1 b-boy event is run by Battle of the Year. Don't front of the Krauts!

Last week, tickets for Kraftwerk's concerts being held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York went on sale. No queuing up at a box office at the break of dawn...no Black Friday style mayhem. No, this was a more civilized affair. Or so it seemed.


Man Machine overload Instead, tens of thousands of eager fans sat at their PCs at 12pm EST and proceeded to bombard the ShowClix service to get in on the "Kraftwerk-Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8." The result? A total meltdown of the ticket service, agitated fans and much venting on forums like BrooklynVegan about the debacle! Check out Craigslist New York for some funny rants too! (But watch out for the offer to sell tickets in exchange for an Alaskan pipeline.)

What did we miss out on? The Kraftwerk-Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 concert series is so named because Kraftwerk will hold court over eight day span, between April 10-17, and perform a selection of their studio Krautrock albums from "Autobahn" (1974) to "Tour de France Soundtracks" (2003).

Kraftwerk performance (credit: New York Times)

According to the New York Times, the performances will be in MoMA’s main atrium, which holds 450 people. THAT's TINY! The lucky showgoers will get an intimate full stage set, complete with 3-D video musical improvisation. I think only the nerds will notice those edits!

Tuesday, April 10, 8:30 p.m.
1 – Autobahn (1974)
Wednesday, April 11, 8:30 p.m.
2 – Radio-Activity (1975)
Thursday, April 12, 8:30 p.m.
3 – Trans Europe Express (1977)
Friday, April 13, 10:00 p.m.
4 – The Man-Machine (1978)
Saturday April 14, 8:30 p.m.
5 – Computer World (1981)
Sunday, April 15, 8:30 p.m.
6 – Techno Pop (1986)
Monday, April 16, 8:30 p.m.
7 – The Mix (1991)
Tuesday, April 17, 10:00 p.m.
8 – Tour de France (2003) 

What's missing? Their first four studio albums until 1974 are absent from the billing. But, on the seventh night fans are being served "The Mix," Kraftwerk's 1991 remix album, including remixes of Computerlove and Trans Europe Express.

Second Chance bid If you're in New York and weren't lucky enough to get tickets go see the exhibition at MoMA PS1. New York Times reports, "Kraftwerk’s past audio and visual materials — including the robots — and material from the concerts at the museum will be incorporated in a sound and visual installation at the new Performance Dome at MoMA PS1, from April 10 to May 14."

Performance Dome (credit: The L Magazine)

Some of my favorite Kraftwerk tunes and videos:




The Fearless Four hipped me to "Man Machine"




Boogalo Shrimp immortalized "Tour de France" for the b-boys!

Star-spotting in West Hollywood...Die Antwoord

I was out getting my phone fixed and on Third Street wandering down the street were Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er (no sign of DJ Hi-Tech) of Die Antwoord, Cape Town's export to the electro/rap world.

I was a bit in awe even though they didn't want a picture taken by the world-famous Stevio ;) They were in town for a show last night at Henry Fonda Music Box which I didn't check out. But I found this wicked little video on Amoeba's blog - and they performed a free in-store set in San Francisco too! Man, check out that video too...Dope!

The man behind the B-Boy classic: "Planet Rock"

When the opportunity comes you have to be prepared. This occasion was in the form of Arthur Baker coming to LA and spinning a few tunes alongside A-Trak at a Downtown Records party for Kid Sister at Zune LA.

I had a pic from Winter Music Conference in 2004 when I bumped into Arthur at a club. A quick turnaround at Walgreens got me a 5x8" print for Arthur to sign for me. Hip hop history. This is the man who sat in the studio with Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force (aka Mr. Biggs, Pow Wow, G.l.o.b.e. and Jazzy Jay!)