Ricky Powell has compiled a new dvd containing the best clips from his early 90s cable access show, "Rappin' with the Rickster." The two-disc dvd set includes interviews and footage of the Beastie Boys, Russell Simmons, Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth, and Kool Keith among others. (Click on the image at left to view the dvd contents list.)

The clips on the dvd were pulled from Powell's original analog masters, so the quality is much better than the VHS-sourced clips fans have posted at Youtube. (View some clips HERE, HERE, and HERE.)

The dvd, aptly titled Rappin' with the Rickster, may be purchased at Amazon.com and other online outlets. According to the distributor, the dvd's official release date is tomorrow, July 27. Please note that the dvd is a region 1 dvd (United States and Canada).

Powell recently did an interview with Conspiracy Worldwide Hip Hop Radio in the UK that Beastie Boys' fans will appreciate. Powell talks about his time with the Beastie Boys in the past and where he stands with them now. Powell definitively puts the question of beef between the band and him at rest.

There is no beef. "I never hang with them as a unit anymore...Adrock gives me dues and respect," he says. Powell attributes his not hanging with them now to his being a "bohemian, swingin' bachelor" and the band being married with children. Powell summarizes it all with the explanation, "Their wives don't really dig me."

Stream or download and listen to the 34-minute interview HERE (see the download link at the right of the Play button). The interview is highly recommended.

Bad news, Beastie Boys fans. According to a source at the Beastie Boys' label, Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1 has been removed from Capitol's 2010 release schedule. My source says the album has been on-again, off-again a number of times this year, but now it is definitely off for 2010.

Fans should not assume this news is a sign that Adam Yauch is doing poorly. It simply means for reasons known only to the band, the album will not be released this year.

Do not despair. There are a number of things related to the Beastie Boys to check out or do during the band's continued hiatus.

HE CHOPS, HE DICES
Attend a Mix Master Mike show to reaffirm what you know: Mix Master Mike reigns supreme on the turntables. See MMM's performance schedule at Mixmastermike.com.

2 MCS AND NO DJ
See the film Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child by Tamra Davis to hear music composed by Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz. Visit the film's official website to see if it is being screened in your area.

Y'ALL KNOW KEYBOARD MONEY MARK
Watch Money Mark's Myspace and Tumblr pages for possible updates on his new album. Also listen to Mark's keyboarding on Salvador Santana's album Keyboard City, which was released earlier this year. Mark played on and produced some of the songs on the album.

WE LIVE TO PLEASE HIM
Make Yauch happy by seeing some of Oscilloscope Laboratories' films. Visit Oscilloscope.net to view a list of its films. (On American cable TV, Flow: For Love of Water is currently showing on the Sundance Channel.)

A BOOMBOX IS AN OLDIE MUSIC PLAYER
If you are in Washington, DC, visit the National Museum of American History to see the exhibit "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment." Beastie Boys donated the boombox that they used on tour opening for Madonna in 1985 to the exhibit. The exhibit is in DC through August and then will travel to museums in Detroit and New York City in the coming year.

HE WAS BORN TO SING AND DANCE
If you are in New York City, attend a "Our Hit Parade" show at Joe's Pub. If Adam Horovitz is not on stage performing with the ensemble, he is usually in the audience. Performances are generally scheduled during the last week of each month, and they are hilarious. Review the calendar at the venue's website for performance dates. (Note: "Our Hit Parade" often posts full video of its shows to its website.)

RELATED THROUGH MARRIAGE AND MUSICAL TALENT
See the concert documentary "Le Tigre: On Tour," now screening at various film festivals. Some of the concert footage in the documentary was shot when Le Tigre opened for the Beastie Boys on their concert tour of Japan and Australia in 2005. (Beastie Boys do not appear in the documentary.) You should see this film because Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman, and JD Samson are interesting women who make interesting music. In many ways, they are similar to the Beastie Boys, particularly their sense of humor and feelings on standing up for what you believe.

JULIA CHILDS NEVER SHOPPED FOR SUPERHERO PAJAMAS
Watch or rewatch Tamra Davis' internet cooking show to see the Michael Diamond family and friends at home and at play, while you learn how to prepare healthy dishes.

BIG SCREEN TAKEOVER
Keep an eye out for announcements about the Bad Brains documentary in which Yauch appears. The film has been in post-production status for some time. Screenings could be announced any time.