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Call it spoken word, call it hip hop theater, but never call it typical! Enter iLL- Literacy — a collective of poets, emcees, and all-around fresh individuals with enough funk, energy, and personality to get your feet jumping at any given moment. Their unsurpassed talent to reach the hearts of their listeners with a kind of groove that is unique only to their group has placed them on our Center Stage this week. With so much formulaic garbage in mainstream media guised under the category of entertainment, it’s no wonder so many are becoming disenchanted by the nonsensical ideas of music these days. But interestingly enough, this is what makes iLL-Literacy even more empowering and sexy; that they knew from the start they had more to give than just a hard beat with empty lyrics. What they want is for people to WANT to listen and this is their mission: to bring people of different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities together.

So what better way to bring unity to light than with hot beats laid on fresh rhymes? It seems like those who know already know! 2006 Emmy Award winner, 2 time Def Poetry feature, MTV featured artist, performances from Paris to NYC… the list goes on and on for iLL-Literacy and they’re definitely not slowing down. Go listen to what they have to say and check out what these folks are upto at www.myspace.com/illliteracy and also to www.thisisdahlak.com to check out this guys newly released album. See what the hype is all about because world peace and one love have never sounded so funky!

The Slants – Can’t help but to pay attention to that name, right? But don’t go on making any assumptions yet. This group knows exactly what it’s all about when they say “keep the audiences attention at all times”! The Slants are an Asian dance/rock band from Portland, OR and was formed by Simon Young in 2006. Their sound is similar to The Faint, Depeche Mode, Daft Punk and Joy Division… except with an Asian twist. One song definitely worth the honorable mention has to be “Sakura, Sakura” where they take hateful rhymes about Asians and turn them into a message of unity and being proud of our heritage. Yes the message is great but what really puts the cherry on top is that their songs are one of those you want to wake up to, and not just necessarily waking up from sleep. You literally want to pounce on top of couch and start doing your crazy air guitar stunts while flying through wherever you are at the moment the music hits your ears.

Within the last three months of their first show, The Slants have already found themselves with international press, requests in four different continents and have already played for a gathering of 3,000 fans. Their album, “Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts” has already gained much popularity for songs that can’t be ignored as well as for reasons that continue to raise eyebrows among many, claiming the name The Slants seem racist for obvious reasons. But the group proudly explains the name has nothing to do with negativity. Rather, it is a gratifying statement that explains their refusal to deny who they are. For more on this controversially awesome group, please visit www.theslants.com and www.myspace.com/theslants.

Sue Jin – She’s been compared to music greats like Alicia Keys, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John and maybe even a little bit of Stevie Wonder. But what really makes her a “force to be reckoned with” is that she is Sue Jin. With talent, heartfelt lyrical skills and a poised demeanor to expose her soul just so elegantly, it is almost hard to believe she is only 24 years old. Yet she continues to amaze those that follow her and equally those who come in contact with her musical brilliance for the first time. Though she had dedicated much of her younger years and time at college to figure skating, her love for the performing arts could not be contained as she manifested that devotion through lead roles in her college productions like “Grease” and “The Tales of Changsu” as well as dancing on various troupes including ACA Hip Hop, one of UCLA’s most reputable, competitive hip hop teams.

And maybe it is this conviction – of her now knowing for sure more than ever that she was born to live music – that gives her the balance to rightfully inspire young Asian American artists and be a role model worthy of the title. Her songs like “Worth the Tears” and “You Own Angel” has something of a “blindly falling in love” effect. Her strong, controlled voice that has just a touch of soft wispiness conjures up a beautiful imagery similar to raindrops delicately pounding the windowsill. Visit www.myspace.com/suejinmusic for more information.

The Happy Analogues – They are a Jersey City-based rock group that has generated quite a buzz in the underground rock scene with the release of their two-sided single - Minimum Memory Required. The two tracks in the release - 'Beautiful Pain' and 'Crazy Girl for You' garnered amazing reviews and has indeed put them in a path toward recognition and success. That path led them to a milestone - 'Beautiful Pain' was selected to be a part of a Filipino-American produced compilation album that was released for the benefit of victims of the Leyte landslide in February of 2006 in the Philippines. The album, Leyte: The Benefit CD, is available worldwide and is currently enjoying massive airplay in the Philippines. The Happy Analogues have played in some of the best venues in New York City: The Cutting Room, The Knitting Factory and The Rebel. They have also toured the West Coast playing in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Their debut album, Lilacs and Politics was released on May 5, 2007 and is now available on iTunes and CDBaby. You can also check their latest news on www.thehappyanalogues.com.

10 – Koi Chala Ja Raha Hai Album / Film: Woodstock Villa
9 – Jee Lee Album / Film: U, Me, Aur, Hum
8 – Samay Ka Pahiya Album / Film: Bhootnath
7 – Kyun Album / Film: Woodstock Villa
6 - Door Na Ja Album / Film: Jannat
5 – Jaane Kyun Tanha Ho Gaye Album/Film: Bhram
4 – Samandar Album/ Film: Mr. Black Mr. White
3 – Khwaja Mere Khwaja Album / Film: Jodhaa-Akbar
2 – Dil Haara Album / Film: Tashan
1 – Judai Album / Film: Jannat

This past Friday, Peter NUZ attended the CD Release party/concert for PaperDoll for Ballad Nerd Pop. The concert was off the hook and you can check out some of the footage as iaTV was on hand to capture the madness and energy. Also, if you are in NYC this weekend you can check out Lijie live at the Lower East Side staple Pianos doing her thing.

Hip Hop with Nuz 'n' Nak: Monday-Friday, 3-4pm EST, Online Only They're more fun than a suitcase full of spider monkeys. You must check out their new hip hop grooves!

NiteLife Radio: Wed, 8-10pm EST, Online Only What's new, hot, and very debatable? Hear it on this show!

Fill in the conversation bubble and we'll select the best answer. The lucky winner will receive an ever-intriguing mystery gift bag! Want to find out what secrets lie hidden inside? Then send your answers to radio@iatv.tv with 'Caption Contest' in the subject line.

Send us your poetry, spoken word, short skits, and spoofs. The best one of the week will be produced and wired on ImaginAsian Radio! You will also win a set of CDs and t-shirts (another nice little goodie bag)!

Sue Jin – Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
Experimental Café – 401 South A Street, Downtown Oxnard, CA
Cost: Not Available

Mission: On Mars – Thursday, May 22th, 2008
Fat Baby – 112 Rivington Street, New York, NY
Cost: Not Available

Malea McGuinness – Friday, May 23th, 2008
El Rey Theatre – 5515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Not Available

The Slants – Saturday, May 24th, 2008 (10pm)
Luckey’s – 933 Olive Street, Eugene, OR
Cost: $5

The Slants – Saturday, May 24th, 2008 (12am)
Black Forest – 50 East 11th Ave, Eugene, OR
Cost: Free

Lijie – Saturday, May 24th, 2008
Pianos – 158 Ludlow Street, New York, NY
Cost: Not Available

Shin B – Friday, May 23rd, 2008
Five Points Mission – 30 Mott Street, New York City
Cost: Not Available

Kevin So – Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
Banjo Jim’s – 700 East 9th Street, NYC
Cost: Not Available

DJ QBert – Friday, May 30th, 2008
Zentra Nightclub – Chicago, IL
Cost: Not Available

Dengue Fever – Saturday, March 24th, 2008
Sasquatch Festival – Washington
Cost: Not Available