Italian street artists Sten(Rome, 1982) and Lex(Taranto, 1982) have been working together since 2001. They have often been referred to as the Italian stencil pioneers. Their halftone stencil portraits are based on personal photographs and can be admired in metro poles such as Rome, London, Paris, Barcelona and New York. In 2008 the duo participated in the Banksy Cans Festival and the Power and Currency show at the Factory Fresh Gallery in New York. In 2009 Sten Lex started to develop a new durable technique to produce Stencil Posters. They inventively combine collage, painting and stencils, resulting in highly original linear works. Since 2011, the artists have shown their pieces at MACRO, Magda Danysz Gallery and the Carandente Museum. They were invited to the
Living Walls show in Atlanta and the Open walls in Baltimore. More information: Eleanor Mathieson and Xavier A. Tàpies, Street Artists, the complete guide, London, Graffito Books, 2009, ISBN-13: 978-0956028419
American MC Murs (1978, Making Underground Raw Shit) mostly rhymes about relationships, faith and beliefs on his final collaborative album with 9th Wonder. Their fifth LP The Final Adventure after Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition(2004), Murray's Revenge(2006), Sweet Lord(2008) and Fornever(2010) features ten tracks. Tracklist
Brooklyn emcee Buckshot and grammy - award winning producer 9th Wonder previously released Chemistry (2005) and The Formula (2008). Their third joint album The Solution(Duck Down Records) explores the concept of self-determination, the solution to all success and problems to be found within oneself. Their newest creation includes guest appearances from DyMe-A-DuZin and Rapsody. Buckshot Shorty began rapping in 1992. The leader of Boot Camp Clik released a solo album entitled The BDI Thug (1999) and led the gritty Black Moon crew. Both gentlemen are most fond of the nostalgic old-school vibe, complete with soulful samples and memorable lyricism. Tracklist: 01 – The Big Bang 02 – What I Gotta Say 03 – Stop Rapping 04 – Crazy 05 – The Feeling 06 – SAM 07 – Pat Em Down 08 – Keep It Going 09 – The Change Up 10 – Shorty Left Ft. Rapsody 11 – You Ft. Dyme-A-Duzin 12 – The Solution
After passing through the New York School of Visual Arts American visual artist Keith Haring became a prominent subculture figure, leaving his spray painted mark on subway walls. Born in Reading and raised in Kutztown, Keith Haring(1958-1990) grew a passion for drawing at an early age, learning basic cartooning skills from his creative father. While attending the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh, he realized he had no interest in becoming a commercial graphic artist. In 1978 Keith Haring moved to bustling New York, where he developed his own style of abstracted figures. While attending the SVA he experimented with performance, video, installation, collage, painted plastic, metal and found objects and exhibited in Club 57. In 1980 Haring decided to draw cartoon-like pictures on the large amounts of unused black subway billboards. These recognizable white chalk Subway Drawings allowed direct communication with the public, whose attention he very much enjoyed while performing. His black outlined pictures of vital human and animal figures expressed powerful social messages of life, birth, drugs, AIDS, death, sex, war and unity. Vividly colored stereotype imagery of dices, dollar bills, barking dogs, wormlike babies, flying saucers, Mickey Mouse were successfully used in his 1980’s graffiti creations which soon caught art handlers' attention. Following his neon drawing on Times Square(1982) and a popular one-man exhibition at Tony Shafrazi’s gallery Haring’s intense worldwide career took form with shows at Documenta 7, the Paris, Whitney and São Paulo Biennial, ... An urban artist at heart, he continued to paint public murals: in Melbourne(1984), New York(Crack is Wack), Amsterdam, Paris, Phoenix, on the western side of the Berlin wall(1986). Although the elite paid towering prizes for his works, Haring still believed art should be for every one. His hand painted Soho Pop Shop, the ultimate example of the artist as a brand image, sold affordable merchandising such as T-shirts, caps, toys, magnets, buttons and posters. Embracing advertising as a medium, Haring designed for Swatch, Château Mouton Rotschild and Absolut Vodka. He furthermore painted in Grace Jones' I’m not perfect video clip, created a jacket for Madonna, theatre sets, posters, logos, held art workshops for children and generously painted to benefit health centers. Diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, the artist established the Keith Haring Foundation which provides education to children in addition to the prevention of AIDS. This virtuoso pioneer of contemporary mass culture died at the age of thirty one. www.haring.com www.haring.com/kh_foundation
Parisian street artist Aguirre Schwarz (1977) named himself Zevs after almost being hit by a Parisian regional train line coded ZEUS. When he was twelve years old, he already enjoyed expressing himself by tagging on his way to school. The artist befriended Invader and André, with whom he often collaborated in the 90's. During the late 1990's Zevs developed a project based on street objects' shadows. His enchanting Urban Shadows series drew attention to objects in urban space by outlining their shadows to make them more visible at night. The silhouettes of city fixtures such as traffic lights, mailboxes, benches and bins were detoured with white paint. ( Public Bench 2000, Paris; Subway, Electric Shadows series, Paris ) Around that time Zevs also started working in the reverse graffiti technique. His Liquidated Logowork, a unique treatment of advertising logos of corporations such as Nike, McDonald's, Chanel, Google and Louis Vuitton, spread his name. By dripping the logos with paint, he creates the illusion that they are dissolving or liquidating. He visually assaults corporate culture by showing that the power of the logo can be reversed against the company. Following a liquidated Chanel logo on a Hong Kong Armani store, Zevs ended up in jail for a couple of days because the authorities didn't believe the paint could be easily washed off. His Visual Attacks series(2001) targeted advertising boards and light boxes with dripping bullet-wound style spots of red paint between the models' eyes. Another one of his provocative projects was his Visual Kidnapping of a Lavazza poster in Germany, with demand for a ransom of 500.000 euros ... Another reverse strategy: he kidnaps an advertisement which is meant to kidnap the public's attention. The ransom money was given to a good cause: Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Experimental and inventive, the artist creates Invisible Graffiti with a self created paint, invisible during the day but visible at night. This invisible ink technique is a method he also uses for his gallery work, in addition to UV printing. Signs and the light remain Zevs' trademarks, be it graffiti illumination, a spray painted lightning strike or a shadow effect. This prominent French street art figure simply loves playing around in the street.
Karriem Riggins' debut album Alone Together has just been released by Stones Throw Records. The producer's thirty four track instrumental hip hop project was recorded in Los Angeles. Detroit native Riggins grew up in a jazzy family: his mum collected records and his father played the piano and organ. A man of great talent... no wonder Riggins was asked to complete Dilla's last album The Shining, worked with Madlib and produced tracks for The Roots, Common, Erykah Badu, Slum Village, Dwele, among many others. Riggins is trying to be the best he can be.
Experimental producer Steven Ellison, known as Flying Lotus has been known for exploring the wide array of musical genres be it hip hop, jazz, electronics, ... The Los Angeles native stemming from the Coltrane jazz musicians family has often been compared to Jay Dilla. His debut album entitled 1983(2006) was followed by Los Angeles in 2008. Whereas his previous jazz inspired Grammy award winning(Dance/Electronica Album category ) Cosmogramma(2010) record sounded restless and hard to access, Until The Quiet Comes sounds quite the opposite. Although his busy tour schedule made it hard to find the right creativity enhancing mindset, he easily succeeded in producing an ambient fourth album. The new course in the underground hip hop scene inspired him to create Until The Quiet Comes, a delightful cosmic journey towards unconscious dreamlike states. Enchanting female voices invite the tribal drum intoxicated listener to enter an atmospheric nocturnal universe. Dazing streamlined break beat hip hop, dreamy soul and down tempo electronics to loose yourself in and day-dream upon. Tracklist 1 - All In 02 - Getting There feat. Niki Randa 03 - Until the Colours Come 04 - Heave(n) 05 - Tiny Tortures 06 - All the Secrets 07 - Sultan's Request 08 - Putty Boy Strut 09 - See Thru to U feat. Erykah Badu 10 - Until the Quiet Comes 11 - DMT Song feat. Thundercat 12 - The Nightcaller 13 - Only if You Wanna 14 - Electric Candyman feat. Thom Yorke 15 - Hunger feat. Niki Randa 16 - Phantasm feat. Laura Darlington 17 - me Yesterday//Corded 18 - Dream to Me
New Yorker Homeboy Sandman(born Angel Del Villar II, 1980) released his fourth album "First of a Living Breed " on Stones Throw. Sandman deserved his solid non conformist reputation with debut full length album Nourishment(2007), second album Actual Factual Pterodactyl (2008) and The Good Sun(2010). Former law student Sandman uses wit to convey thoughtful messages. He clearly wants to be a plausible role model, lectures about right and wrong as a true teacher. However the song lyrics of "For the Kids" might be perceived as tritely annoying. Still... listen closely to Oddisee-produced "Watchu Want From Me?". No-nonsense Homeboy Sandman is capable of writing clever rhymes, delivers them in a nice flow on soulful beats. Let's hope his entire next album will refrain from clichéd moral advice. Tracklist
Talib Kweli's album Prisoner Of Conscious is on its way but the man is already enlightening us with a mix tape entitled Attack The Block, released on the third of September 2012. The old school MC collaborated with DJ Z-Trip on Don Cannon, Boi-1da and fabulous 9th Wonder beats. The sensational sound, delightful beats and underground artists are bound to take you on cloud 9 . Tracklist: 1.Attack The Block!!! 2.Letter From The Government (Prod by Vohn Beatz) 3.That’s Enough ft John Forte, Skyzoo, Posdnous, Rubix Fashawn (Prod by OhNo) 4.Numerology (Prod by Symbolic One) 5.Congregation ft Black Thought, Ab-Soul (Prod by J Rhodes) 6.Outstanding ft Ryan Leslie (Prod by Boi 1nda) 7.Earning Potential ft Mac Miller (Prod by Amadeus) 8.The Corner ft Jay Rock (Prod by Charlemagne) 9.Getting To The Money- Cory Mo ft Talib Kweli, Killa Mike (Prod by Don Cannon) 10.NY Shining ft Greg Nice, Styles P (Prod by Symbolic One) 11.Mack Maine ft Talib Kweli Lil Wayne – Celebrate 12.Make It Classy 13.So Fresh 14.To The Music ft Maino (Prod by 9th Wonder) 15.I Like It ft Das Racist (Prod by OhNo) 16.Mr. E ft Talib Kweli Ace Hood – Let Em In 17.Solid Gold ft Grafh and Planet Asia 18.Fly Away
Fiasco's fourth and sequel to his debut album "Food & Liquor 2: Great American Rap Album Pt. 1." with additional vocals of Bilal, Guy Sebastian, Casey Benjamin and Poo Bear is available in the store. Unfortunately the rapper announced that he will quit making commercial music after the release of part 2. This retirement was provoked by rapper Chief Keef, a gangster rapper who was recently offered a record deal and a Kanye West remix following his abusive and violent "I don't like" track. Both artists are inhabitants of Chicago, a city terrorized by an explosive number of homicides. Sick of gangster rap's glorification of violence Lupe frankly shared his concern about Keef's representation of aggressive lifestyle: “Chief Keef scares me… Not him specifically, but just the culture that he represents…The murder rate in Chicago is skyrocketing and you see who’s doing it and perpetrating it, they all look like Chief Keef.” “My first true love was literature, so I will return to that… Lupe Fiasco ends here…” he wrote after his attempt to spread peace. Tracklist 1. Ayesha Says (Intro) 2. Strange Fruition Ft. Casey Benjamin 3. ITAL (Roses)v4. Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free) 5. Audubon Ballroom 6. B*tch Bad 7. Lamborghini Angels 8. Put ‘Em Up 9. Heart Donor Ft. Poo Bear 10. How Dare You Ft. Bilal 11. Battle Scars ft Guy Sebastian 12. Brave Heart Ft. Poo Bear 13. Form Follows Function 14. Cold War Ft. Jane $$$ 15. Unforgivable Youth Ft. Jason Evigian 16. Hood Now (Outro) 17. Things We Must Do For Others
Inspired by a recent trip to Mecca, American rapper Jason Newman(1977) decided to create his fifth full length album during a two-month exile. Brother Ali's Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, produced by Jack One( De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, ...), was released on September 18. Known for using music as a therapeutic expression of personal experiences and ideas, the MC raps about his son's mother(All You Need), drugs( Need a Knot), the music industry( Won More Hit), violence and murder( Mourning in America) and social issues as unemployment, poverty and the economic crisis ( Work Everyday and Only Life I know). This brother's philosophical record is all about cultural criticism, American consciousness, genuine hope and idealism. Tracklist: 1.Letter to My Countrymen (4:04) ft Dr. Cornel West 2.Only Life I Know (4:01) 3.Stop the Press (4:01) 4.Mourning in America (4:08) 5.Gather Round (4:39) ft Amir Sulaiman 6.Work Everyday (3:45) 7.Need a Knot (2:46) 8.Won More Hit (3:43) 9.Say Amen (2:59) 10.Fajr (3:51) 11.Namesake (2:10) 12.All You Need (3:14) 13.My Beloved (3:58) ft Choklate & Tone Trezure 14.Singing This Song (4:22) http://brotherali.com
Which aspects of urban art attracted you to hit the streets of NY after your successful studies in graphic design and filmmaking at Tokyo Zokei University and media studies at the New School? At college I was into documentary filmmaking. Urban art is similar to documentary film in some characteristics: both are non-fiction, rough and real. Urban art is performing arts, it is a spontaneous happening on the street, a communicative art form that is meant for everyone, for random people in random situations . When following media studies, Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan once said "the medium is the message, an extension of our body". Urban art became my medium and my large-scale murals and installations became extensions of my body. My stencils beautify the cityscape, leave prints of my positive soul here and there. I enjoy the feeling that the city becomes an extension of myself, allowing my body to become bigger and bolder. You worked for Takashi Murakami, whose work is also inspired by Japanese pop culture, anime and manga imagery. What did you learn from this unforgettable co-operation? When I was assisting Takashi Murakami, he wasn't the superstar artist he is now. Back then he rented a tiny space in Brooklyn to prepare for his solo exhibition at Marianne Boesky Gallery in Soho. Murakami and a few assistants worked at the one small table in the room, it was an intimate co- operation. This was right after my arrival in NY. I was very interested in the artist's life style, more than in what he created or in his artistic techniques. I was observing him, this middle aged Japanese artist beginning his world-wide career. What was your role in the artists' collective Faile? My role was from A-Z, I was a creative part of Faile. As a solo artist you have been known to utilize a large scale of materials and techniques: acrylics, spray paint, collage, pigments, coffee stains, film, screen printing, stencils on spray cans, designing sculptures and toys, ... Which are the main messages you are aiming to convey by means of your bright street and gallery work? By experimenting with several techniques and materials I seek the beauty of human life. The world of today is filled with sad stories, therefore I want to focus on the positive moments of everyday life, on making things better ... The Japanese tragedy that took place last year filled me with concern. I also feel deeply for my heritage, I like talking about my roots in order to preserve our beautiful culture and tradition. What's your view on the position of female artists in the male dominated art world? It can be very difficult, but I enjoy my position as a very unique individual most of the time. Can you tell us more about your collaboration with Martha Cooper? She's a very good friend of mine. We travel together, organize shows and mural events, lecture on the history of graffiti and street art. We simply inspire each other. It's really nice to work with a different generation's talent. Based on the photographs Martha took in Tokyo during the 1960's, a book called Tokyo Tattoo was published. The Tokyo Tattoo project consists of Martha's book publication, an art exhibition of images I designed, and a spray paint mural project in Europe and the US. Could you tell us more about your future projects? Soon I will do a mural project in Las Vegas. This fall Martha Cooper and I will be working on the Tokyo Tattoo show in Soho NYC. In Japan I will be working on a new version of the Lady Butterfly sculpture, which is to be released this winter. A fashion project, new prints and a book will be out by the end of this year so please stay tuned on www.ladyaiko.com. Many thanks , Lady Aiko Nakagawa!
American documentary photographer Martha Cooper is best known for documenting the 1970-1980's NY graffiti scene. Her father was a photographer who went out on shooting adventures with his little girl. Later in life she earned degrees in art and anthropology. In the 60's Cooper worked as a photography intern for National Geographic magazine. In the 1970's she was a photojournalist for the New York Post. When she was photographing unsupervised children's play in the Lower East Side, a boy called HE3 showed her his sketchbook and asked her why she didn't photograph graffiti. The boy introduced her to Dondi White, who was so interesting that she became obsessed with graffiti just because of him. Dondi was the first artist she accompanied on a writing tour. Later on she followed Lady Pink, Shy 147 and Seen UA on their lay ups, rewarding them with pictures of their masterpieces. Subway graffiti perfectly combined her interests in art and anthropology. In the 80's Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper published Subway Art, the classic groundbreaking book illustrating the graffiti subculture. Their pictures show the pieces in different contexts. This lady was one of the first to follow the intriguing secretive urban art scene. No wonder her work has been published in books, journals and magazines as Vibe, Smithsonian, National History and National Geographic magazine and have been exhibited in museums and galleries. Specialized in art and anthropology, her photos breathe her passion.... Publications:
Subway Art, Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, 1984, Thames and Hudson London Subway Art, the 25th anniversary edition, ISBN 13 978-050051452 RIP: New York Spray can Memorials, Thames and Hudson, 1994, ISBN 13 978-0500277768 Hip Hop files: photographs 1979-1984, From here to Fame, 2004, ISBN 3-937946055 Street Play, From Here to fame, 2005, ISBN 978-3937946160 We B*Girlz, Powerhouse cultural entertainment books, 2005, ISBN 13- 978-1576872697 Going Postal, Mark Batty Publisher, 2009, ISBN 13 978-0979966651 Name tagging, Mark Batty Publisher, 2010, ISBN 13 978-098190067 Tokyo Tattoo 1970, Dokument Press 2012, ISBN 13 978-9185639274 Links: http://www.12ozprophet.com/index.php/martha_cooper/ http://www.bgirlz.com/ http://www.kodakgirl.com/ http://www.nycitysnaps.com/
To commemorate their anniversary, Public Enemy drops two albums this year. Their eleventh album entitled " Most of My Heroes still don't appear on no Stamp" was released in June 2012 with the help of Gary G-Wiz. Follow-up "The Evil Empire of Everything" will be available from the 4th of September.
Chuck D described the albums as "two concise statements connected in the same breath". Those who are fond of that groovy 80's sound mixed with politically charged lyrics know what to listen to...
American neo-soul artist Michael Eugene Archer(1974), raised in a preacher family, experienced early influences of church and soul music. Belief remained an essential part of his life, physically uttered by verse four of psalm 23 tattooed on his arm.
In the 90's insecure, glasses-wearing Archer met golden voice Angie Stone. She inspired him and made him feel better about himself with all her love and dedication. They started dating each other, had a son and helped each other produce thrilling tracks such as Everyday. They joined forces on Stone’s Black Diamond album(1999).
D’Angelo collaborated with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of a Tribe called Quest on his debut Brown Sugar(1995, RCA Records). Stone was in charge of the backing vocals on this album, which earned platinum certification and drew attention to the 90's neo soul movement, along with debut albums by Lauryn Hill, Maxwell and Erykah Badu.
Collaborations with J-Dilla(So Far to go, Tell me), Raphael Saadiq( You’re my lady; U should be here, Instant Vintage), Erykah Badu (Your Precious Love and Heaven), Mary J Blige (Would you), Lauryn Hill( Nothing even matters, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) and DJ Premier(Devil's pie) add to his credits.
Following his debut album's success the singer-songwriter went into a four-and-a-half-year absence from the music scene.
Follow-up Voodoo(2000, Virgin Records) won two Grammy awards, for best R & B album and best male R&B vocal performance.
Redman and Method Man featured on the album’s lead single Left and Right. However it was the second single How Does it feel, produced by Raphael Saadiq, that became an enormous hit. It's sensual video clip was both d’Angelo’s worldwide breakthrough and his downfall.
Although these two neo-soul master pieces were cited as two of the most excellent R & B albums, his acquired sex symbol status wasn't exactly stimulating his way of living. His focus on the music turned into an obsession with sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. And then it suddenly went silent around him. Self-reflection finally started kicking in when he lost his friend James Yancey aka J- Dilla in 2006.
In 2008 Archer was asked asked to sing on Q- tip's Believe track.(The Renaissance album)
This year the man's comeback tour throughout Europe proved incredulous critics that he remains a neo-soul icon. Accompanied by a sublime band, he is once again showing his multi-instrumentalist abilities(guitar and piano) in a superior show.
His Ghent Jazz festival jam made mouths gape, hips move, eyes shine and minds feel like making love.
Nowadays one is often disillusioned by live neo-soul or hip hop performances but this man isn't one of those delusional want-to-be-seen studio artists, he is the true human representation of pure funkiness.
In the words of former partner Angie Stone: « D'Angelo will always be d'Angelo. « Respect the talent of the Marvin Gaye of this day.
Underground old school MC and producer Oddissee grew up in Maryland. Although he planned to enroll in a visual art school, he started focusing on hip hop.
Whilst working at A Touch of Jazz Studios his music career really kicked off with the Musik Lounge production on Jazzy Jeff's Magnificent album(2002).
Oddissee joined the low budget crew( with Kev Brown, Cy Young and Kenn Starr) and released the Foot in the Door EP( 2006, Halftooth Records), mixed by Jazzy Jeff.
In 2008 the producer signed with Mello Music Group. Heavy bass line productions and tracks such as 101, Mental Liberation, Everything changed nothing, Odd Reasons and Traveling Man followed.
Furthermore he created the hip hop group Diamond District and had the chance to work together with hip hop icons J-Live, Talib Kweli, Little Brother and Apollo Brown.
People hear what they see, Amir Oddissee Mohamed's proper debut album(Mello Music Group) took some time to compile but then that's logical as it represents his personal path towards self-actualization.
With lyrics tackling serious matters as materialism, the economic crisis(American Greed, Set you free) and real-life relationship experiences(The need superficial, Thinking Maybes), this self-reflective album is worth an attentive listen.
Tracklist:
Ready to rock
Do it all( with partners XO and yU)
That real
Let it go
American Greed
The Need Superficial
Way in way out
Thinking Maybes
Another's grind
Set you free
You know who you are
Think of things
Halftooth records: Instrumental Mixtape Volume one 2005 The Remixture Volume 1 2006 Foot in the door 2006 Instrumental Mixtape Volume 2 2006
Mello Music Group: 101 2008 Good Tree EP 2008 Mental Liberation 2009 New Money Traveling Man 2010 Odd Reasons 2011 Rock Crek Park 2011 People hear what they see 2012
Hidden Beach Label released the first volume of Scott's Crates Remix fundamentals Spring Summer Feeling, an eleven -track album of highly dance-able productions. Producers and DJ's such as Ca$e Boogie, Bruce Walker, Jacques Richmond, Kyle West, Mr Mig, Ron Trent, Teddie Vee and all time favorite funky DJ Jazzy Jeff delivered their versions of Scott's songs. Volume 2 will be available on the 31st of July.
Tracklist Volume 1: 1. Can't explain 2. Bedda at home 3. Talk to me 4. Whatever 5. Spring Summer feeling( tribute to Minnie Ripperton) 6. Come see me 7. Slowly Surely 8. Golden 9. Brotha 10. A long walk( A Jazzy Jeff redux) 11. Love Rain
The Rebirth of Detroit is the first release of Maureen Yancey's new Ruff Draft Records label. J-Dilla's mum asked various artists from the Detroit hip hop scene to perform on unreleased J Dilla beats.
Tracklist:
The new installment
Detroit Madness( Phat Kat)
Big Thangs(Esham)
Ride with it( Tha Almighty Dreadnaughtz)
Say my name(La Peace, Moe Dirdee, Seven the General
Detroit Game( Chuck Inglish and Boldy James)
Feel this( Ketch Phrase)
City of Boom(Loe Louis and Beej)
Let's pray together( Amp Fiddler)
Requiem( Alllan Barnes)
Do it right( Fat Ray, Vstylez, Soulman)
My victory( Boldy James)
Rebirth is necessary(Tone Plummer and Mr Wrong)
Dillatroit(Supa Emcee, Nick Speed, Guilty Simpson)
D* face, a multimedia artist who isn't afraid of experimenting with the possibilities of new techniques, grew up in London named Dean Stockton. He developed an early interest in graffiti, comics, cartoons and animation. 80's skate influences such as Jim Philips and Vernon Johnson inspired him in that extent that he dreamt of becoming a skateboard photographer. The book Subway Art and Spray can art created such an immense impact on him that it finally changed his life.
After attending an animation course he worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. Out of sheer boredom he started doodling little characters, the beginning of his 90's vinyl sticker crusade. His omnipresent adhesive characters appeared on traffic lights, lorries and walls throughout London, still his playground up to this day.
Driven by sharing his outlet in urban space, he continued exploring street art's possibilities. There's no technique the artist doesn't use: stenciling, screen-printing, spray, stickers, posters, painting, sculptures, canvas and installations.
This pop art lover refers to his work as aPOPcalyptic subverting consumption imagery. Recurring elements in his work are the winged balloon D* Dog, wing icons, celebrities, cartoon characters and super heroes, all symbols he reworks to make them relevant to today's society and our popular culture. According to him altering advertising is the most direct way to make people think objectively about our media-saturated environment.
His winged versions of Marilyn Monroe, Che Guevara( CliChé), Kurt Cobain and Queen Elizabeth II with exposed skulls criticize society's fixation with fame and celebrity.
For his "Her Royal Hideous" campaign he designed £ 1O notes to criticize the queen's authority as he doesn't believe she represents good value for money.
D*face dropped four oversized Concrete Cans(2008 ) in Hyde Park, Covent garden, Trafalgar Square and outside the Victoria and Albert museum.
Shocking, subversive, nihilistic pieces: we still prefer seeing them in the street instead of some gallery where it simply does not make any sense.
Underground freestyle talent Wordsworth's The Photo Album contains eighteen lyrics-driven tracks. He previously appeared on albums of Blackstar and A Tribe called Quest's and released his solo debut Mirror Music in 2004.
Tracklist:
1. Destiny 2. Until I win 3. Betrayed 4. Mirror Mirror 5. Coloring Book 6. Vendetta 7. Knock on my door 8. Don't settle 9. Joy & pain 10. Start over 11. Big dreamer 12. 911 13. The oldest 14. Feel me 15. All I knew 16. Vanish Bonus tracks 17. Reach 18. No need to explain
Above( 1981) often sticks his work high up in prominent positions overlooking the streets.
He started painting his name ABOVE on Californian trains but soon realized that the trains were moving too fast to instantly grab the viewer's attention. That's why he shifted from conventional letters to the easily understood symbol of an arrow, in the form of stickers, colorful stencils, wooden sculptures, mobiles, installations or spray paint.
At the age of nineteen he painted his trademark arrow pointing above in Paris. Since 2001 the adventurous artist has undertaken self financed annual tours. Whilst living in Paris, he attached more than 4000 wooden arrows to walls. When he moved to California(2003), he hung wooden arrow mobiles from high -voltage wires, allowing them to twist and turn and interact with passers-by. This worldwide crusade was continued with a 2004 USA tour, a 2005 European tour and a 2007 south central American tour, accompanied by fellow artist RIPO and documented by Rodrigo Lopez.
His painted wordplays enlarged, more social and political stencils were being spread, such as the "giving to the poor "(2008) campaign on homelessness and the "first love "(2009) stencil. The naked truth video shows his street art installation of a shower in Copenhagen. His 2010 "Help the neighbor" video tackled the social issues of the Haitian disaster.
Blek le Rat invited him to take part in an indoor gallery show at the White Walls in San Francisco. Luckily Above’s focus remained in public space, placing celebrity arrow mobiles in the Hollywood district( Hollywood video) and modifying the Banksy piece "Because I'm worthless" into "Because now I'm worth it ".
In 2011 it was time to tour Down Under, where his first Australian solo show "Here today, Gone tomorrow " featured celebrity icons as Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Lee, Bob Marley and Princess Diana.
A globetrotter having lots of fun along the way...
Above’s book entitled Passport: ISBN 978-1-937222-03-1
Underground lyrical flow pioneer Keith Matthew Thornton uttered that this brand new fifteen track album is to be his last. ( cfr the album's last track Goodbye Rap).
It might be more plausible to believe some new alter ego will stand up...
The London Police , an Amsterdam based male collective composed of two British(Bob and Chaz) and one American(Garrett), fully exploit the possibilities open urban space offers. Their smiley faced figures are as much an Amsterdam feature as coffee shops and tulips.
Their multiple headed friendly Lads, which Chaz had previously drawn on flyers, first started to appear in 1998. Clean white papered surfaces were perfect spots to display his hand black marker pen drawn The Lads, often bearing numbers on their feet or bodies. Their bold black and white style, perfect curves and clean lines nicely contrast with the surrounding settings.
In 1999 photographers Bob and Chaz started working together. When Garrett, who arrived from San Francisco in 2000, met Chaz drawing one of these characters, they quickly became friends. A couple of months later G was invited to join the crew. Members have come and gone, Chaz has often run the project on his own. The TLP crew regularly collaborates with graphic design magazines, happenings and street artist D* face.
After visiting NY the guys went larger, producing giant lads on walls. Be it hand drawn or on posters, the lads get up wherever and whenever, from Berlin via New York to Tokyo.
Pedestrian crossing signals in New York are being highlighted by Thundercut(1974).
Thundercut draws attention to these traffic lights by giving the figures detailed outfits and suitable accessories made of hand-cut adhesive vinyl. The colorful cut out pieces show tiny holes for the dots of light, adding an urban style and a specific personality to the omnipresent walk symbols.
Linked to the specific area the pieces include a posh shopping girl in Soho, a baseball player at the Yankee Stadium, a hip hop man, a Rasta man, ...
A playful, simple idea as this showcases the power of street art to enliven the city.
Twenty-four year old Kwes is an all-round artist: a painter, producer, writer and photographer. At the age of four he started playing an organ, followed by sound recording at the age of ten.
His debut EP No Need to Run(Young Turks/XL) was released in 201O.
The timid London native previously collaborated with Speech Debelle, Micachu, Romy Madley( The xx), ... Last year Kwes, Damon Albarn and a group of British producers participated in Warp's and Oxfam's DRC Music-project.
This still-rising producer's second four track EP Meantime( Warp/V2 records) contains sensitive electronic love songs floating on melancholic distorted synths. (Bashful, Honey, Igoyh, ...)
Who doesn't appreciate a courtly man who's in touch with his emotions?
Love... the deepest emotion in life, laying warm foundations for the richest form of human relationships. That beautiful mental and physical connection, that much sought after utter unity. That genuine joy in life putting a smile on your face...
Common and Erykah Badu The Light: It's love every time I think about your smile. Anytime I need you by my side you'll be there for me. Whenever I got lonely or needed some advice, he gave me his shoulder, his words were very nice.
Until recently authors, poets and philosophers wrote about love, depicting romantic love as a whirlwind of emotions, passion, fear and jealousy. An exact definition of love is very hard to accomplish.
The simplest definition could be Robert Heinlein's in the cult classic Stranger in a strange land: love is the condition in which the other's happiness is essential to your own.
Scientific research on the subject has grown tremendously over the last decades. It revealed the importance of love in child development and adult health. The first relationship with the mother is a blueprint for the following ones. Severely psychologically or emotionally damaged people are unable to experience healthy, independent love.
Psychologists and scientists study the subject of love pragmatically, defining it as an intense affection or preference for someone, so strong that it colors one's perception and conduct.
A Tribe called Quest Common Ground: Have u ever met a woman who just took ur breath? So deep inside her life, she contemplated death. Can't help to get attached to a woman like that.
According to psychologist Elaine Hatfield love can be divided into two basic types: compassionate and passionate love. The compassionate type is characterized by attachment, affection and trust. Usually developed out of feelings of mutual respect and understanding, this type assures an enduring relationship whereas the intense emotions, anxiety and sexual attraction of passionate love are transitory, usually lasting between six and thirty months.
A good, lively relationship is based on trust and intimacy. Genuine loving intimacy depends on the personal ideas on love and the notion that love develops. Intimacy is characterized by the elements of care, share, trust, commitment, honesty, empathy and tenderness.
Angie Stone The ingredients of love: How do we make love and what's it truly made of. Gimme an ounce of some honesty, some innocence and a cup of loyalty. At least a pound of conversation. Some attention when it comes to relation. Want I want is a liter of respect and a damn good listener.
Reciprocal care or the intensity of positive feelings towards each other is only to be found when two people openly share positive and negative feelings, thoughts, desires and needs with each other and interact. This frankness in sharing is essential for intimacy's growth in a warm enduring relationship. Trust, honesty and empathy are indispensable ingredients in this process of self revelation. Caring, sharing and trust lead to commitment. Verbal and physical expressions of tenderness are the most neglected aspects of intimacy.
Masters & Johnson (on sex and human loving 1982) explained that respect enables us to appreciate the other's identity, essential for the long duration of a relationship. Sexuality is another important factor to keep a relationship lively and fascinating.
Dwele What's not to love about you: Everyday I find more reasons to. It's your inner beauty that's always shining through. With you I can always be myself. It's something that I never felt.
Talib Kweli Never been in love: First time I let her in my bed she got wetter than the perfect storm. Gave the rest a try now give the best a try.
In The art of loving(1956) Erich Fromm wrote that love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence. Love is an art, just as living is. It requires effort and knowledge. Fromm believed that self-realization is a necessary condition to attain meaningful love. He defined mature love as a union of two individuals keeping their integrity and individuality. Become one and stay two.
Jill Scott He loves me: You got me feeling like the breeze, easy and free, and lovely, and me
The Light: I ain't the type to walk around with matching shirts. A relationship is effort, I'll match your work. I wanna be the one to make you the happiest.
Why do we love? Because love makes sense. Because it brings out the best in us.
This revered street artist is best known for his iconic black rat (anagram of art) silhouettes, symbols of the urban environment and of the fear those invasive marginalized animals provoke.
Blek's style is often compared to Banksy's. Only difference is that Le Rat was stenciling walls while Banksy was still a kid.
While others were doing political graffiti in the 80's, Blek Le Rat started stenciling his rat silhouette on Parisian walls, hoping to provoke others to express themselves in the same way. The preparation( drawing and cutting) of these stencils took him over a week. Around 1981 he stenciled small black rats, bananas, running red men, little faces and a self-portrait.
Graffiti wasn't criminalized yet, allowing him to create a multitude of rats and tanks all around Centre Pompidou and frankly answering inquisitive policemen he was doing art.
After a couple of years the small pieces developed into life size figures. Inspired by a photograph of an old man from Belfast, he created the Old Irish Man in 1983. This piece, symbolizing civic courage, was reproduced all over France. Other full size images followed. (among others Andy Warhol, a Woman from Bangladesh, Mitterrand, Joseph Beuys, Jesus Christ, Two dogs mating, ...)
His first and last collaboration took place in 1984, when he and Bergu from Surface Active worked together on a stencil fresco on the Louvre's fences.
Le pochoir became a popular way of expression, as referred to in Le Monde(1986) as L'école de Blek le Rat. His pioneering technique added a new perception upon art and design. His work inspired other stencil artists such as Logan Hicks and Swoon.
After some graffiti charges in 1991, he chose a safer method: posters and cut-outs. Working on paper changed his approach towards working in urban space, allowing him to work in other areas freed from the constant fear of being caught.( e.g. self portrait, French Soldier)
He tackled some ancient mythological subjects(Centaur, Faun) and experimented with Michelangelo's (faun, David) and Caravaggio's imagery( Madonna and Tribute to Caravaggio). His wish to influence social change became apparent in 2003 when he created his American Soldier(2003) to criticize the Iraq war. He pasted hundreds of posters of the kidnapped French journalist Florence Aubenas(2005) throughout Paris and pasted tragic fairy tale symbol Lady Diana(2006) on the walls of Tate Modern.
Aware of the architectural impact of image, time and space, his images are always linked to the social urban environment. It explains why his Greek lady was found in multicultural areas.
His street art raises global social awareness on issues as discrimination, the solitude of the elderly, the homeless, poverty (Woman from Bangladesh), loneliness, people living on the fringes of urban society( Beggars). His pieces have permeated public consciousness and have had a profound effect on people's critical thinking.
Le Rat's art is all about purity of content and imaginative thought-provoking imagery.
Real life passionate rebellion against art imprisoning institutions, now who could object to that?
Watch: Blek le Rat- Original Stencil Pioneer 2006 Bomb It 2007
