Friday, July 16, 2010
A Roundup of Rammellzee Tributes Online
For those not knowing Rammellzee was the epitome of creative hip hop in the Old School era. Dude was WAY ahead of his time - not only was he a legendary graf artist, he was an MC known best for the seminal art-rap single, "Beat Bop" which became notable, not only for its Jean-Michel Basquiat-designed cover (an original pressing of which will cost you thousands to cop... if you can find it!) but also its showcasing of his distinctive nasal vocal style that many assume influenced how Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys and Cypress Hill's B-Real rhymed.
Anyway, I might be late on this but dude was so ahead of his time in everything he did that paying tribute to him a couple weeks late seems somewhat fitting. Here's some links to some people who were right on time and pay homage to his genius:
Writer, Dave Tomkins reminisces on Rammellzee.
Donewaiting.com: R.I.P. Rammellzee - includes an Uncommon Radio interview with Rammellzee.
Rammellzee Interview by Noz
Greg Tate on Rammellzee: The Ikonoklast Samurai.
Jeff Weiss' Rammellzee tribute in the LA Times.
Rammellzee :: Elegy for a Gothic Futurist by Elmattic
Open Mike Eagle's Ruminations on Rammellzee.
Chris Richards on Rammellzee at the Washington Post.
Gentle Jones at Allhiphop.com: R.I.P. Rammellzee (1960 – 2010)
Big Dog hip hop blogger Eskay says R.I.P. Rammellzee.
Watch Rammellzee's "Alpha's Bet" video HERE. [via Grandgood]
Finally, here's a rare pic of Rammellzee unmasked with Basquiat [via Grnadgood]
[thanks again to Ivan | videos spotted via Unkut]
Labels: Art, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Old School Hip Hop, Rammellzee
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
In NYC TOMORROW: BLOCK PARTY 2010 Art Auction Benefit
My homegirl, Zuhairah is involved in this - support it if you can:
"GreenHouse is a horticulture-based program on Rikers Island that works to improve the lives of inmates and to provide them with re-entry skills through horticultural therapy and vocational training. Learn more about the GreenHouse Program HERE."
BLOCK PARTY 2010
An Art Auction Event to Benefit The Horticultural Society of New York's GreenHouse Program on Rikers Island
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
7:00 - 11:00 pm
F.illi Ponte
39 Desbrosses Street, Tribeca, NYC
Cocktails, buffet dinner & dancing
Silent Auction of original works by an international collection of renowned artists
Contributing Artists:
* Henry Chalfant
* John Copeland
* Dearraindrop
* Daze Ellis
* Shephard Fairey
* Erik Foss
* HAZE
* Jo Jackson
* Todd James
* Chris Johanson
* KAWS
* Sue Kwon
* Wes Lang
* Eddie Martinez
* Barry McGee
* Taylor McKimens
* Gary Panter
* Erik Parker
* Steve Powers (ESPO)
* Brent Rollins
* Francine Spiegel
* Dondi White
BLOCK PARTY Curator
Dana Albarella James
Master of Ceremonies
Minya Oh, Miss Info of Hot 97
Music
DJ Jus Ske
Individual tickets start at $100; Junior tickets (35 and under) $75.
Advance registration encouraged. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
Ticket includes buffet dinner and open bar. BUY THEM HERE.
Click HERE for more details.
Labels: Art, charity, Jus Ske, Parties and Events
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Video: Karl Sadler x XX Video-Light Installation
This is probably more suited to my other blog but Wednesdays is alternative music day at The Kitchen and this kind of fits. For more info on Karl Sadler, click HERE.
[note: A CPC video from the GoViral network]
Labels: Art, Indie/Alternative Rock, Technology, xx
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Restoration Project: Help Save Style Wars
Get the details HERE. Watch the video above if you don't know why I'm posting about this....
[via Grandgood]
Labels: Art, Documentary, Movies, Old School Hip Hop
Friday, March 05, 2010
Video: Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (trailer)
I can't believe this is already out and not being hyped by EVERY blogger who fancies themseleves as cool, cultured or both. WTF are y'all sleeping on this for??!!?
"Trailer of the new documentary Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child.
Directed by Tamra Davis, the documentary features never-before seen footage of the prolific artist painting, talking about his art, and existing in the two years prior to his death in 1988.
The OST features music from Mike D and Ad Rock.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child was released on Feb 21st."
Related:
The Kitchen on Basquiat previously: Basquiat Exhbit at the Brooklyn Museum.
Jean-Michel Basquiat : The Radiant Child is airing at SXSW.
Dude was not only an amazing painter but a proto-figure in the hip hop and the, not-even-named-yet, afro-punk scene.
[trailer via the.LIFE files]
Labels: Art, Beastie Boys, Documentary, Jean Michel Basquiat, Movies
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Video: Spine TV interview with Futura
"Spine TV catch up with New York legend Futura for a chat and a drink at his recent exhibition: Odyssey Two. The solo exhibition was presnted by Artorial at a pop up space in the centre of Mitte, Berlin."
Futura is a legend. Don;t know who he is? Do your homework....
Labels: Art
Thursday, November 26, 2009
T.dot Heads: Make Your Vote Count To Increase Art Funding In Toronto!!!
Here’s the jist of it: If you feel like there are too many billboards in the city and and not enough art then you can actually do something to help change that. Help pass a new tax on billboard advertisers to fund enforcement and arts initiatives across the city. Shouts to Che from The Manifesto family for always keeping us in the loop of important initiatives in the community. The time to make your vote and presence felt is now! All the info is below and pop the hood for some more visuals supporting the initiative:
Background
After seven years of work, the tax on billboards for art is close to becoming a reality! Toronto City Council will be voting on the new billboard enforcement bylaw and tax for art on November 30th OR December 1st, 2009. We don’t have much time – and we need your help!
Advertising is increasingly infringing on our public spaces, and the privilege of leveraging our city for commercial ends should come with a responsibility to keep them healthy. Almost all other forms of advertising subsidize content in exchange for your attention. The billboard tax is a fair and just means for private advertisers to take responsibility for their impact on the city.
What it will mean?
What’s at stake is a revolutionary new approach that will help bring balance in our communities. The billboard tax will provide the funds for proper enforcement of the new billboard bylaw as well as generate new funds for art in the public sphere – including murals, sculptures, festivals, accessible arts programming, outdoor performances and more.
This is not just about increasing funding to arts in Toronto (which lags behind most other cities in cultural spending) this is an opportunity to start building the beautiful and creative city we all know is possible: to nourish communities; to reclaim and rehabilitate our public spaces, and to build our city’s economic potential. For every dollar of public arts funding in a regional economy, eight dollars are generated (McKinsey Co.) Investment in arts and culture is proven to be effective in cultivating healthy and prosperous communities — don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of transforming our city!
Implementation of the bylaw and tax would dramatically increase arts funding in Toronto while democratizing access to expression public space. At the target of 18 million in revenue it would create the opportunity for:
- An historic increase to Toronto’s arts and culture budget, potentially doubling the number of artists and projects receiving grants.
- Providing approx. $100,000 annually to each Toronto ward for urban beautification, streetscape improvement, and green initiatives
- Provide approx. $300,000 annually to each of Toronto’s 13 priority neighbourhoods to support accessible youth arts programming.
- Creation of a well-supported bylaw enforcement team to keep pervasive illegal advertising in check and an arms-length variance system.
Toronto! Take Action Today:
1. Call and write your councillor. Let them know that the revenue should not be hijacked or pushed down to nothing. Click HERE for info and key asks.
2. Show your support at City Hall on Nov 30th / Dec 1st RSVP HERE.
3. Spread the word.
Go to www.beautifulcity.ca to find your councillor, scripts, updates, links and facts.
[via Cityonmyback.com]
Labels: Art, Its a T.dot Thing
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Parliament/Funkadelic artist, Pedro Bell looking to sell his originals!
This is the saddest thing I've read in a while. Click HERE for the story.
[via Grandgood]
Labels: Art, George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Video: 'Electronic' Graffiti by SWEATSHOPPE
In the words of makers of this clips, "The 'Video Painting' you are about to watch was shot live. It does not use post production effects or paint." Read more here:
"In an effort to establish new platforms for public art and performance, the multimedia duo SWEATSHOPPE has developed a new interactive technology that enables them to explore the relationship between video, mark making and architecture. Dubbed "video painting", this technology allows them to essentially "paint" video onto any surface. Shooting in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, the duo spent weeks documenting their work in urban settings to create "The Landing" the first in a series of episodes that showcases their work as artist, technologist and performers. This video shows 4 full uncut extra clips form the landing."
Online:
SWEATSHOPPE - website | myspace | Bruno Levy
[via the.LIFE Files]
Labels: Art
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Video: The Classics: Album Cover Art Exhibition
What is this??
"A video comprised of album covers and vintage interviews from a variety of the artists/groups whose album covers will be featured at The Classics series 1: RAP."
Yeah, I'm swagger-jacking Rizoh two posts in a row. And?? Dude posts fly sh-t....
Labels: Art
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Artwork by Ashwan
And even more hip hop-inspired art! This time by UK-based artist, Ashwan. I like his stuff a LOT but unfortunately I'm broke like a joke right now and he sells his stuff to high-rollers like DJ Honda, DJ MK (Roots Manuva's DJ) and premiership soccer player, Micah Richards. Hey Nas, Ye and Common, Ashwan is a big fan so feel free to hit him up if you like what you see....
i used to love her part 1:
adventures:
INDUSTRY RULE 4080 (3ftx3ft):
WILL O' THE WISP (4ftx4ft):
electric relaxation (4ftx4ft):
Online:
Ashwan - website
Tweet
i used to love her part 1:
adventures:
INDUSTRY RULE 4080 (3ftx3ft):
WILL O' THE WISP (4ftx4ft):
electric relaxation (4ftx4ft):
Online:
Ashwan - website
