Beejoir does what he likes best

Beejoir, LV child

Beejoir, a British street artist whose pseudonym derives from a nickname, has been living in Thailand for over a decennium, where anti graffiti laws are non existent. This is where he founded the Souled Out Studios print house in 2004.

Although he was thrown out of art class at the age of 14, Beejoir felt the need to express his thoughts and indeed street art was the easiest way to do so. Recurring meaningful themes include politics, world affairs, religion and consumerism. A versatile artist who strongly dislikes the hidden-meaning concept.

His oeuvre includes paintings, prints, sculptures, photos, wheat pastes and stencils. His pieces are marked by rich contrasting colors and juxtaposed imagery. 

There's nothing greater than doing what you love every day of your life.

http://www.beejoir.co.uk

Menno wins Unbreakable World Championship 2013

Menno Van Gorp started dancing at the age of 12 after having seen Run DMC's “It’s Like That” video. Besides break dancing he gives workshops and organizes events.

The energetic Dutch b boy was one of the sixteen selected b boys who battled each other at the Lotto Arena on April 20th.

Thanks to his unique style the Hustle Kids crew member won the Unbreakable World Champion title for the second time in a row. 

Menno's a true hip hop culture adept who misses the old school break dancing scene with MC's, scratching DJ's and beat boxers. 

Talib Kweli's Prisoner Of Consciousness

Talib Kweli's delayed fifth solo album Prisoner of Consciousness refers to his attributed socially conscious rapper label.

The New York rapper chose to approach writing in a different, more experimental and impulsive way. The musician focused on the album's musicality.

Prisoner of Consciousness features a wide array of guests appearances from Rubix, Curren$y, Nelly, Melanie Fiona, Miguel, Seu Jorge, Amber Strother, Kendrick Lamar up to Busta Rhymes.

Poetic music you need to feel.

Tracklist:

1.     Human Mic
2.     Prisoner Of Conscious
3.     Ready Set Go featuring Melanie Fiona
4.     Upper Echelon
5.     Letter From The Government
6.     High Life featuring Rubix; Bajah
7.     Kilo's of Love
8.     Before He Walked featuring Nelly
9.     Come featuring Miguel
10.     Push Thru featuring Curren$y ; Kendrick Lamar; Glen Reynolds
11.     Hold It Now
12.     Delicate Flowers
13.     Hamster Wheel
14.     Rocket Ships featuring Busta Rhymes
15.     Favela Love featuring Seu Jorge
16.     Can't Barely Breathe featuring Amber Strother

Charles Bradley's Victim of Love

Charles Bradley's career started out as a James Brown imitator and blossomed when Daptone Records founder Gabriel Roth provided him with The Menehan Streetband.

Whereas Bradley's debut album No Time for Dreaming is a dark, melancholic album about his stressful life of poverty and misery, a new direction has been chosen for Victim of Love. 

Optimistic, soft, tender and romantic... even at the age of sixty five the Screaming Eagle of Soul remains very committed to his soul.

Tracklist:

1. Strictly Reserved For You

2. You Put The Flame On It

3. Let Love Stand A Chance

4. Victim Of Love

5. Love Bug Blues

6. Dusty Blue

7. Confusion

8. Where Do We Go From Here

9. Crying In The Chapel

10. Hurricane

11. Through The Storm

http://thecharlesbradley.com/

Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge: Twelve Reasons To Die

Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah and composer Adrian Younge unite in Twelve Reasons to Die, a conceptual twelve track album.

The cinematic 1960's Mafiosi storyline is based on a comic book with the same title and is influenced by the sinister Italian giallo film genre.

Soulful instrumentals and committed narrative wordplay embedded in a strong concept.

Tracklist

01 – Beware Of The Stare

02 – Rise Of The Black Suits

03 – I Declare War (Featuring Masta Killa)

04 – Blood On The Cobblestones (Featuring U-God & Inspectah Deck)

05 – The Center Of Attraction (Featuring Cappadonna)

06 – Enemies All Around Me (Featuring William Hart)

07 – An Unexpected Call (The Set Up) (Featuring Inspectah Deck)

08 – The Rise Of The Ghostface Killah (Featuring Masta Killa & Kil

09 – Revenge Is Sweet (Featuring Masta Killa & Killa Sin)

10 – Murder Spree (Featuring U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck &

11 – The Sure Shot (Parts One & Two)

12 – 12 Reasons To Die

Nametag & Nameless For Namesake

Nametag's storytelling began on Slum Village's Dirty District Vol. 1. 
Since then he contributed on Motor City's Dirty District Vol. 2, Black Milk's Popular Demand and Caltroit. His solo work includes mix tapes, EP's and the full length solo album The Name Is Tag.

Nameless started producing soul record morphing creations in 2002.

For Namesake combines the NN duo's clever rhymes and Motown samples. 

Tracklist:

01 – Indo 
02 – Hype Break 
03 – Reaction (feat. Miz Korona) 
04 – How It Get 
05 – Notchos (feat. Mahd) 
06 – Feelin’ Good + Feelin’ Great 
07 – Cease & Desist (feat. Jahshua Smith) 
08 – Stress Relief 
09 – May Day 
10 – Oxymoron (feat. Black Milk) 
11 – Hookless (feat. Mahd) 
12 – Raw-Dirty-Filth (feat. Guilty Simpson) 
13 – Blaow!! 
14 – The Teacher (feat. Chell) 
15 – Outdo 
16 – Buggin (Digital Exclusive) 
17 – Whatcha Want (Digital Exclusive) 
18 – Yo Self (Digital Exclusive) 
19 – The Jump (feat. Mahd) (Digital Exclusive) 

The honest work of Mike Schreiber

Self-taught photographer Mike Schreiber's anthropology studies are reflected in his black and white photographs of prisoners, street kids, musicians. 

Meeting new people and discovering things is what appeals to Schreiber, who focuses on the interaction with other people and states his humanistic approach is more important than the pictures themselves. 

More comfortable outside than in a studio, he shows a preference for immortalizing his subject in a personal and familiar location. The use of his sense of humor brings about a relaxed, less self-conscious atmosphere.

When he was working for a celebrity photo agency, he felt inspired by the photographers' concert pictures. With a fake press pass Schreiber started shooting musicians in an attempt to sell his work to Vibe and Source. Basically he was just doing what he liked best and having fun at free shows. His non posing, natural light portraits soon led to assignments, published work in Esquire Magazine, Rolling Stone, TRACE, New York Magazine, VIBE, XXL, SLAM, SPIN and Arise in addition to solo shows in New York, Berlin, London, Miami and Atlanta.

His portfolio features snapshots of Erkyah Badu, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Mos Def, Diddy, MIA, Nas, Lil Wayne, Blackstar, DMX and many more. In 2010 a photo book entitled True Hip-Hop, composed of pictures, inside stories and technical details, was published.

No nonsense Schreiber makes honesty breathing pictures which stand the test of time. 

True Hip Hop
2010
ISBN: 978-1-935613-11-4

The Henri Rousseau of this day: Julien Colombier

Colombier's skate ramp @ Galerie Metropolis, Paris, 2012

Parisian autodidact Colombier makes mental sketches for his nature inspired compositions on walls and ceilings. 

His sceneries depict imaginary, fairytale like worlds where human figures are non existent. A black background serves as a basis for surprising murals in oil pastels. Stylized trees, woods, clouds, waves, lightning, flowers, geometrical figures and biblical symbols are the subjects of his pieces. These contemporary fresco's render the devastating power of nature by the repetition of patterns.

Deeply inspired by Henri Matisse and filmmakers David Lynch and Tim Burton, he always creates a dreamlike, dark atmosphere. The designer concentrates on conveying a particular sphere instead of telling stories.

In 2011 Colombier was asked to decorate Chanel pop up shop at Harrod's, followed by an illusionist skate ramp at Galerie Metropolis, a tapis plein at Brafa fair Brussels(2012) and limited edition carpets for Didden & co(2013).

www.juliencolombier.com
www.juliencolombier.wordpress.com

GQ Death Threats and Love Notes: The Prelude

Jamla Records released Oakland rapper QG's Death Threats and Love Notes: The Prelude. The 18-track warm-up was produced by 9th Wonder, Amp, E. Jones, Eric G. and Khrysis. The former NCAA basketball champion's full-length debut album is to be expected later this year.

Lyrical loops in a righteous rhyming game.

Tracklist:

1.) Repetition (produced by Ka$h)
2.) Around The World (produced by E.Jones)
3.) I'm Gone (produced by Eric G.)
4.) Too High (produced by Sinopsis)
5.) The Town (produced by 9th Wonder)
6.) Last Breath (produced by 9th Wonder)
7.) Memento (produced by Fatin)
8.) This Is Me ft Carlitta Durand (produced by Fatin)
9.) Back Here (produced by Eric G.)
10.) Amazing (produced by Eric G.)
11.) Grind In (produced by AMP)
12.) I Know ft Rapsody & Rocki Evans (produced by Khrysis)
13.) World Turns (produced by 9th Wonder)

https://twitter.com/LifeOfGQ
http://www.iwwmgroup.com/
http://www.lifeofgq.com/

Wiley The Ascent

Grime artist Wiley's ninth studio album The Ascent was released via Warner Music Group and Boy Better Know. Evolve or Be Extinct's follow-up features guest appearances of Far East Movement, Skepta, Chip, JME, Ghetts, Griminal, Manga, Frisco, Kano, Big Shizz, Double S, Wrigz, J2K, Ice Kid , Megaman, Tulisa, Angel and Emeli Sandé.

Wiley collaborates with Ms D on lead single Heatwave and with Skepta, JME and Ms D on the album's second single Can You Hear Me?.

Fresh and fun but Wiley seems to have forgotten to focus on lyrical content in this energetic attempt to produce chart friendly music.

Tracks:

1.Ascent (intro)

2.First Class

3.Skillzone

4.Hands in the Air

5.Reload

6.Chainsaw (A List)

7.Heatwave

8.So Alive

9.Lights On

10.Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya)

11.Tomorrow

12.My Heart

13.Humble Pie

Ron English billboards modern culture criticism

Copyright Lazarides Gallery 

American artist Ron English studied photography but chose to concentrate on becoming an exquisite painter and an inspiring street artist.

From 1982 to 1984 he was part of an art crew who modified billboards to communicate criticism on politics and consumerism with passers-by. An essential characteristic of his oeuvre remains this culture jamming: the liberation of an advertisement's commercial message by adding his own, often by means of the use of colorful pop culture's iconography. No need to say English feels inspired by Andy Warhol. His subversive POPaganda conveys sociopolitical satirical reflections on modern culture.

Hand painted popular imagery as comic superheroes, Disney characters, animals, cowgirls and skeletons are used to open a humorous dialogue with the public, often leading to media discussions. The pop iconoclast's Abraham Obama pieces during the 2008 presidential campaign had a strong impact on the election.

Like Dan Witz, English is also a master in photorealistic painting. His versions of symbolical artworks as Picasso's Guernica or Degas' the Absinthe Drinkers illustrate his craftsmanship. Street pirate Ron English simply deserves the name he has on the street.

https://www.popaganda.com

The deejaying of Ali Shaheed Muhammad

Copyright Ann Timmermans

Copyright Ann Timmermans

Brooklyn MC, DJ and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad (1970)began focusing on turntablism at an early age. He was asked to produce music for Eric Bennet, D’Angelo, KRS-One, Angie Stone and Mos Def and co-formed The Ummah with Q-Tip and Jay Dilla.

From 1990 to 1998 Muhammad recorded five classic hip hop albums with high school friends Q -tip and Phife Dawg. A Tribe Called Quest remains the ultimate musical initiation point for anyone wanting to explore the meaning of genuine hip hop. The combination of their intelligent rhymes, infectious melodies and the use of jazz and funk samples results in an unforgettable, warm sound which is still up to date. 

Muhammad, Dawn Robinson and Raphael Saadiq recorded a Lucy Pearl album in 2000. 
Muhammad states the formation of The Ummah, ATCQ and Lucy Pearl was only possible because their members were close friends. With music bonding them, their friendship's chemistry constructed a playground in which expressive, sincere and innovative music was created.

In 2004 the time was ripe for Shaheed's debut album Shaheedullah And Stereotypes, followed by Untitled New Studio Album in 2011.

Muhammad is still spinning his records to get people dancing. His London Jazz Cafe gig was a delight thanks to his excellent choice of music. This Native Tongue pioneer keeps it real and his favorites can soon be enjoyed live in Brooklyn and San Francisco .

http://alishaheed.com

The Golden Age of DC Comics

Comics fans, time to buy the first issue in a series of five essential collectors' books published by Taschen: The Golden Age of DC Comics written by DC executive Paul Levitz. The book consists of comic books, photographs, art, covers and illustrations of all the essential DC classics. 

The American economic crisis in the 1930's provoked an insecure, somber atmosphere. People needed the sparks of a colorful super hero to lighten up that dark period, leading to the birth of iconic figures such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

The Golden Age of DC Comics

Paul Levitz

Hardcover, 23,8 x 32,4 cm, 416 pages, € 39,99

ISBN-10: 3836535734

ISBN-13: 978-3836535731

Lost Scrolls of J Dilla

To commemorate J Dilla's birthday on the 7th of February, Frank Nitt compiled a 10'' of four tracks, entitled Lost Scrolls, Vol. 1.(Fat Beats). Dilla himself can be heard on DeWitt to Do It , while his brother Illa J and Nitt do their thing on The Throwaway.

Lost Scrolls:

J Dilla – DeWitt To Do It
J Dilla – Smack A Bitch
Yancey Boys (Feat. Frank Nitt) – The Throwaway
J Dilla – Ruff & Rugged

Day Land of 1000 chances

Californian artist Day was previously referred to as DJ Day, began producing in the 90's and worked for Aloe Blacc, Alice Russell and People Under the Stairs. 

This second album of Damien Beebe once again represents his own relaxed sunshiny sound as 2007’s The Day Before did.

His jazzy flow, soulful use of samples, sweet sentimental melodies and catchy drum breaks are loyal reminiscences of hip hop's golden age.

Piecelock 70 Music released this less is more must have album.

Tracks

1.VQ
2.Chinaski’s Theme
3.Mama Shelter
4.Quaalude
5.Daddy’s Home
6.FML
7.Boots in the Pool
8.Ode to a Fiend
9.Land of 1000 Chances
10.Adu
11.Partir
12.Sushi in Fresno
13.Hopefully
14.Green Fin
15.W-E-L-O-V-E

Edo.G Intelligence and Ignorance

Envision Entertainment released Edo. G's fourth solo album Intelligence and Ignorance. 

1.    Done Talking
2.    What They Say
3.    Power
4.    Easy
5.    Love I Need Feat. Freestyle
6.    Bags & Shoes
7.    Give It to Me
8.    Can t Wait Feat. Noel Gourdin
9.    Change Feat. Noel Gourdin
10.    Hold U

Roots Manuva Banana Skank EP

Roots Manuva's Banana Skank(Big Dada) is a transitional release between 2011's 4everevolution and his next full length in the making.

Tracks

1.Natural (feat. Kope)
2.Banana Skank, Part 2
3.Banana Skank (WAFA remix)
4.Party Time (feat. Kope)

Vadim vibrations: Interview with DJ Vadim

Vadim Peare has recorded under the aliases Andre Gurov, Little Aida but primarily as DJ Vadim, the self-made master in turntablism, a sound innovator who fuses soul, funk, grime, jazz, reggae, hip hop and electronics to enlighten us with that very recognizable Vadim vibration. 

The purchase of a sampler kicked off your production quest in 1992. Abstract Hallucinating Gases and Headz Ain't Ready (1995), your own Jazz Fudge label and a Ninja Tune sign-up soon followed. Which impact did this have on your life?

Well it has been huge.  I never would have imagined that
1 - this would be my job, i would make a living with it
2 - I would still be doing it 20 years later.
So in that sense the impact has been huge.

You have produced music for DJ Krush, Stevie Wonder, Kraftwerk, Erykah Badu, Alice Russell, Paul Weller, Prince, CL Smooth, Amp Fiddler, Public Enemy, The Roots, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Dialated Peoples, The Roots, The Herbaliser, Killa Kela,  The Cure, Foreign Beggars, and many more. It seems like you never cease to collaborate with MCs, poets and singers?

For me music is music. I do not separate music into boxes like hip hop,  soul etc... it's s great to collaborate with a large variety of people. Their background doesn't matter. All that matters is the passion and vision for music. A quest for something new and exciting.

You have been described as the John Coltrane of hip hop. Was jazz one of your early musical influences?

Hip hop was my first love, jazz came later. For me jazz is about the 40's -late 60's. What's crazy about jazz is how so many people from the establishment were disturbed by it,  calling it 'jungle music' and all kinds of derogatory names.. and yet for many people nowadays, jazz is what you hear at Starbucks or in a hotel elevator.... Perhaps within 50 years Rick Ross will be to what jazz is now...!

When touring with old school group The Russian Percussion One Self, the renowned hip hop trio with outstanding female MC Yarah Bravo and MC Blu Rum 13, was formed. Could you explain the message of One Self's debut album Children of Possibility (2005)?

The Russian Percussion was just a live band I put together for when I was touring. It was really just a concept. After being on tour with the Herbaliser in the 90's I noticed how much more responsive people are to a live band so I thought, hey I should do the same. I got Mr Thing(world DMC champ 99), Killer Kela(incredible beat box), John Ellis(keyboards - cinematic orchestra), and at first Blu Rum 13(who was kid koalas mc) and then Yarah Bravo. This was as you can see the cradle from which One Self was born. I came up with the title Children of Possibility and for a while that's what we were being called - C.O.P. They were stories from us being on tour for 3 years: the experiences and feelings of what we were going through at that time... 

Which elements of working with a live band attract you? 

It's not so much about a band but about working with anyone who is passionate about music. Since I am not classically trained in piano or drums etc, it's easier to work with people who can play!!!

Your soulful Don’t Be Scared album(2012, BBE) expresses types of fears. Why did you choose this theme?

The title came at the last minute, and the album was going to be called many other things before.... but in the end it felt like it worked best with where I am and it's music and also the times we are living in right now. I always felt the importance of social commentary in music. I always gravitate towards that so... that's the reason why artists like Bob Marley or Bob Dylan or Public Enemy always struck a chord with me because we do live in a very unfair world. One where most of us live with very corrupt governments who are preoccupied with filling their pockets and using their tools such as the police to maintain their equilibrium and laws to keep the rich getting richer...
The title is partly about these social affairs and all these supposed threats we are facing from Al Qaeda to Islam, from bird flu to communism to ... it's all part of a system.
Apart from that, the fear I'm talking about is a human fear of one self. One that we all have. Especially as adults. Everyday people will say - I don't want to do that or this or I don't like that or I don't want to go there. It's like we become conditioned as adults and go cozy. You would never hear an 8- year old kid saying those things. In a way I think we are restricting ourselves from developing because of that fear. Perhaps that's why the human brain stops developing around the age of 18 or 20. Because we limit ourselves. 

Which one of your own albums are you still most fond of?

I am a perfectionist so when I listen to past albums, I always find holes them. Oh I wish I had done this or that. But I guess that's the charm of music - its errors or the missing stuff. Personally I am more into the new stuff than the old stuff. I like the aesthetics but I think the very early creations lack a lot . 

Exploring the world seems to be one of your passions, as can be noticed by the incorporation of ethnic sound samples in your productions. Which aspects of traveling stimulate your creativity and self development?

Just going to unpredictable places and being smacked in the ears by exciting sounds and grooves. Things I had never heard of before. That' s important as a musician - constantly being excited and invigorated.

Creativity clearly has no limits. How are your photography projects evolving? 

Hahah - you detective. 
It' s something I  have gotten into the last few years and it's coming along great i should take way more but just always run out of time. Perhaps one day I will do an exhibition of some photos!

Any other dreams for the future you would like to share with us?

Dreams  like Martin Luther King?! Little colored kids playing with white kids... well all of those but personally I would love to open a restaurant. perhaps a cafe, a boutique /clothes shop...

Links:
loads of music on the links blow - exclusives, dj mixes  etc...: 
www.djvadim.com
www.twitter.com/djvadim
www.facebook.com/djvadim
www.mixcloud.com/djvadim
www.soundcloud.com/dj-vadim
www.electricsoundcompany.com
www.djvadim.com/dont-be-scared-tour

El Mac's premium picture perfect

Mac and Retna Miami

Autodidact Miles Mac MacGregor(1980) has been studying art as if it were a religion. When growing up, the art that spoke to him was the art which looked real.

El Mac started painting with acrylics in the mid ’90s, realistically rendering human faces and figures.  After being blown away by the Subway Art book he started experimenting with graffiti(1994). A perfectionist at heart, he always desired to create perfect, super tight works of art. Having to paint quickly in the dark was a fruitful lesson for this portraitist. 

Painting from photographs and from life, El Mac has been described as a photorealistic painter. His detailed representations of a large variety of individuals look perfect, meticulously lifelike, moving your inner sensations in each and every way.

This technical master who uses iced spray cans to create an energetic rippled effect, desires to affect people in the same way he's inspired by paintings, to connect with the public and to change how others think.

His aesthetic preferences have evolved over the years, growing more appreciation for abstraction.

El Mac often collaborates with Retna, who's in charge of the typography while Mac paints the figures. Interacting with another artist balances Mac's introverted and extroverted sides. The duo painted an enormous mural for Primary Flight Art Basel Miami Beach(2007- 2009), held an exhibition at the Robert Berman Gallery(2009) and released a book entitled Alianza: Mac & Retna which documents their individual and collaborative works in three sections.

Mac's classical influences were illustrated by his interpretation of the Flemish Primitives at the Groeningen Museum in Bruges(2003).
With solo shows in San Francisco (2009, Fifty24SF Gallery), New York(2010, Joshua Liner Gallery) and sponsored murals for the Pasadena Museum(2011), the MARCO(2010) and the Cisneros-Fontanals Art Foundation(2012, Havana Biennial), more canvases and public work are to be looked forward to.

There’s always more to learn, more to discover, and MacGregor will definitely do it in his own unique way.

http://elmac.net

Publication:
Alianza: Mac & Retna, 2009, Upper Playground/Gingko Press, 
ISBN: 978-1-58423-359-6 

C2C's funkiness

French turntable crew C2C (Coups2Cross) was formed in 1998 by high school friends 20SYL, Atom, Pfel and Greem. This incredibly funky DJ collective from Nantes won the DMC World Team Championship four times in a row.(from 2003 to 2006)

Founder 20Syl and Greem joined forces in the Hocus Pocus project while Atom and Pfel created Beat Torrent.

After a break C2C’s first six-track Down The Road EP (2012, Casablanca Records) and their album Tetra(2012) were released, accompanied by a live tour. 

This turntablist quartet enthusiastically mixes jazzy, soul, blues  electro, pop and hip hop with self recorded vocal and instrumental samples. No wonder they recently won the 2013 European Border Breakers Awards. 

http://www.c2cmusic.fr

Jean Grae's Dust Ruffle

South African-born rapper Jean Grae released Dust Ruffle, an album consisting of ten unreleased songs recorded between 2004 and 2010. 

She calls it an interesting retrospective project. Indeed the album does once more illustrate her lyrical gift, soul-searching and artistic growth. 

The album, featuring Planet Asia and Sadat X on Haters Anthem, can be found on Grae’s Bandcamp page. 

Snapshots of one of the most genuine female emcees' life journey!

Tracklist:

 1 - Neckface
  2 - Mean Jean (B Day edition)
  3 - What Cha Gonna Do
  4 - What The Hell
  5 - Admire Quagmire
  6 - Haters Anthem Remix ft Planet Asia and Sadat X
  7 - The Setup
  8 - Lights Off
  9 - The Climb
  10 - SupaLuv (Acoustic Rehearsal)

Uptown XO Colour de Grey

Diamond District member Uptown XO's album Colour de Grey album will be available from January 29th 2013.

Two very musical parents gave birth to Jamaal Walton, who experienced a life struggle against poverty. He first sang in a church choir, played the piano and trumpet to continue his musical expression with open mics where he met Oddisee, YU, Slimcat and Gadget.

The self-made MC worked together with several mc's and created diverse projects and mix tapes. When Oddisee formed Diamond District with XO and YU, the In The Ruff album(2009) and a tour soon followed. In 2011 this DC native released his 8th project entitled Monumental vol.2.  

Uptown XO's debut was produced by A.B. The Pro and is packed with introspective reflections.

Tracklist
1. Grey Poupon (feat. Messiah)
2. Spread Love 
3. Everyday (feat. A.B. the Pro)
4. Finding My Way
5. Salaam
6. Soul Value
7. Reflection Eternal (feat. Doe Cigapom & Benji)
8. Poor Man’s Copyright
9. They Say
10. XO Skeleton
11. Evolution (feat. A.B. the Pro)
12. Needs and Wants
13. If I Should Die (feat. Danni)
14. Grey Area (feat. U St. Face)

Nosaj Thing Home

LA producer and DJ Jason Chung made a therapeutic second album, more quiet, symphonic, melodramatic and somber than his 2009 electronic debut Drift.

Blonde Redhead vocalist Kazu Makino lent his voice to the Eclipse/ Blue track whilst Toro Y Moi produced his most angel like sound in Try.

Tracklist:

1. Home
2. Eclipse/Blue
3. Safe
4. Glue
5. Distance
6. Tell
7. Snap
8. Prelude
9. Try
10. Phase III
11. Light 3

http://www.nosajthing.com

The Trevor Nelson Collection

Trevor Nelson presents his selection of sixty Rand B classics, recorded between 1979 and 2010.

The Soul Show host shares his passion for tracks as Lucy Pearl's Don’t Mess With My Man, Luther Vandross’ Never Too Much,  Mary J Blige's Real Love,  TLC's Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg, Aloe Blacc’s I Need a Dollar  and  Montell Jordan’s This Is How We Do It.

Three discs of sing-along party music!

http://trevornelson.com

Oh No Disrupted Ads

The Michael Jackson(1979) who's known as producer Oh No and Madlib's younger brother, is enlightening us with another hip hop release. He enlisted Blu, Gangrene, Souls of Mischief, MED, Rapsody, Psalm One, Ron Artiste, Tristate, Midaz, Declaime, Georgia Anne Muldrow to provide lyrics on previously unreleased instrumentals. 

Disrupted Ads is his fourth solo album after Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms(2006), Dr. No's Oxperiment(2007), Dr. No's Ethiopium(2009).

Oh No's new album Disrupted Ads will be released on January 29th via Kash Roc Entertainment.

Tracklist:
1. Intro Doctor Visit
2. Creepers
3. Jones's ft. Blu and MED
4. Wet Em Up
5. Same Shit ft. Rapsody and Psalm One
6. Boom
7. The Difference
8. Punchdrunkpatterns ft. Tristate and Midaz
9. Perfect Cylinders
10. Cleansing
11. Animals ft. Ron Artiste' (Chali2na & Roc C)
12. The Magmas
13. Rollin Up ft. Gangrene (Oh No & Alchemist)
14. Drifters
15. Improvement ft. Declaime and Georgia Anne Muldrow)
16. Outro
17. Controlled Riots ft. Souls of Mischief (BONUS TRACK)

Ill Bill The Grimy Awards

Ill Bill's new album The Grimy Awards will be available on January 29th 2013.  An impressive list of collaborators such as H.R., A-Trak, El-P, Jedi Mind Tricks, O.C., Cormega, Meyhem Lauren, Q-Unique, Shabazz the Disciple and Lil Fame in combination with productions by DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Psycho Les, El-P, Ayatollah and MoSS are bound to prick up the ears.

Brooklyn MC William Braunstein(1972)'s third turned out to be a personal, provocative album. 

Tracklist:

1. What Does It All Mean? Prod. by Ill Bill
2. Paul Baloff prod. by Moss
3. I Don’t Know How Long It’s Gonna Last (Interlude)
4. Acceptance Speech ft. A-Trak prod. by Junior Makhno
5. Truth prod. by Pete Rock
6. Exploding Octopus prod. by Ill Bill
7. Forty Deuce Hebrew ft. HR of Bad Brains prod. By Ill Bill
8. How To Survive The Apocalypse prod. by Psycho Les
9. Vio-Lence ft. Shabazz The Disciple & Lil Fame Of M.O.P. prod. by DJ Skizz
10. Acid Reflux prod. by Large Professor
11. L’amour East ft. Meyhem Lauren & Q-Unique prod. by Ayatollah
12. Power Ft. OC & Cormega prod. By DJ Muggs
13. When I Die Ft. Tia Thomas prod. by Pete Rock
14. Severed Heads Of State Ft. El-P prod. by El-P
15. 120% Darkside Justice ft. Jedi Mind Tricks prod. by C-Lance
16. Canarsie High prod. by Large Professor
17. World Premier prod. by DJ Premier

www.illbill.com

Opposites attract: Miranda Donovan

Copyright Miranda Donovan 2012

Miranda Donovan(1979) grew up in The Netherlands, followed art courses in London and France and is currently residing in London. 

Whilst living near Marseille she met a graffiti artist who contaminated her with those addictive graffiti germs. Back in London Donovan began experimenting with graffiti.

While her earlier work was mainly marked by textured brickwork, obtained by applying a cement mixture on board to build a carved out brick wall relief, a tactile surface for the contrasting painting, nowadays urban and homely symbols are omnipresent.  

Donovan has been known for her bright color palette, transforming meticulously painted traditional interiors or Ruisdael-like landscapes with neon paint dashes. 

One of Donovan’s artistic ideas seems to be that opposites as decay and poverty versus wealth, luxury and magnificence attract each other. Her gallery work illustrates her personal social beliefs in a humorous way.

Nothing’s what it seems, reality and fiction can easily be confused when not thinking critically...

http://www.mirandadonovan.com

The social work of Haas & Hahn

Dutchmen Jeroen Koolhaas(1977) and Dre Urhahn(1973) are known as the artistic duo Haas & Hahn. 

Graphic designer Koolhaas previously worked as an illustrator for the New Yorker while Urhahn worked as a journalist, copywriter and art-director. 

Since working together on Firmeza Total(2005), a documentary about hip hop in Brazilian favelas, they have been joining artistic forces in social art projects. 

Haas & Hahn's Firmeza Foundation(2007) organizes inspiring community art projects to encourage crime news manipulated citizens to deal with their negative perceptions of certain deprived neighborhoods. With the help of local youth enormous murals are created to improve the look of a slum village and enhance it's inhabitants sense of pride. 

In 2008 the duo worked eight months on Rio Cruzeiro, a 2000m² carp-filled river painting in Vila Cruzeiro and one day on a fantasy wall with the help of fifty Brazilian children in Terra Encantada. Their Brazilian quest continued with the painting on Praca Cantao, a 7000m² square.

At Art Basel Miami 2010 they created an installation with eighty painted canvasses.

A 2011 Knight Arts grant allowed them to reside in Philadelphia for a year to reinvent the Germantown Avenue blocks with bright colors and patterns to provoke a sense of unity. The same year they participated in a group exhibition held at the Smithsonian.

Lectures, documentaries, video clips, audio and photo installations complete the urban concept of these two social workers.

www.jeruniverse.com
http://www.favelapainting.com/haas-hahn

Ruff Sqwad White Label Classics

No Hats No Hoods released Ruff Sqwad‘s White Label Classics, featuring previously unreleased instrumentals.

This well known East London grime initiating crew arose in 2001, composed of founder Tinchy Stryder(1986), accredited grime producer and sound engineer Rapid(1983), producers Dirty Danger(1984)and Dizzee Rascal's cousin Slix(1982), Shifty Rydos and Mad Max. In 2006 Mad Max was replaced by Fuda Guy. From 2004 until 2010 DJ Scholar joined the group, whose place was taken in by Tinchy Stryder's personal DJ Sir Spyro(1984). 

Thanks to their mix tapes grime became a new genre. Other early grime contributions came from N.A.S.T.Y. Crew, More Fire Crew and Aftershock. 

Ruff Sqwad's first studio album Guns and Roses Volume. 1(2005) was a success upon its release. Both the independently released debut album and their second full length Guns and Roses Volume. 2(2006) have been cited to be the best full-length grime albums of all time. 

The grime rap record production team split up in 2010, after which only crew leader Tinchy Stryder continued his mainstream success.

An urban album which simply needs to be bought!

Tracks

1.Anna
2.Misty Cold
3.Lethal Injection
4.Pied Piper
5.Functions on the Low
6.Together
7.Your Love Feels
8.Tings in Boots
9.Down
10.Move 2 Dis
11.Knight Rider
12.An Ting
13.Underground
14.Burial
15.Top 3 Selected
16.Cheque
17.Clio
18.Xtra
19.Good Old Days
20.I'm From a Place
21.No Bass
22.Clio (remix)

Kendrick Lamar shares his personal stories in Good kid, m.A.A.d city

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth's(1987) father was a member of Chicago's Gangster Disciples. The boy lost relatives in the Crips' and Bloods' battle and saw others go to prison. 

The album's cover shows a Polaroid of him as a youngster with his father holding a gun. His entire family tried to protect the Good kid from the wild street life. Lamar chose to feed his mind with book knowledge and reflected on the world with masterful storytelling.

Letting it all out in music, growing into a technical lyricist, Dr Dre signed the young MC. His 2011 Section.80 EP was a rousing success.

The result of Lamar's dedication is a genuine self-portrait, a brilliant hip hop album based on honest storytelling about Lamar's living conditions, the Compton crime scene, social anomalies and love.

Not afraid to show his vulnerability, he takes up a victim's fear and emotions. 

Human, empathic, responsible, .... 

Who's keeping it real? This Good kid!

Tracklist: 

1. Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter’s Daughter (Prod. By Tha Bizness)
2. Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe (Prod. By Sounwave)
3. Backseat Freestyle (Prod. By Hit-Boy)
4. The Art of Peer Pressure (Prod. By Tabu)
5. Money Trees (Ft. Jay Rock) (Prod. By DJ Dahi)
6. Poetic Justice (Ft. Drake) (Prod. By Scoop DeVille)
7. good kid [Prod. By Pharrell]
8. m.A.A.d city (Ft. MC Eiht) (Prod. By Sounwave & Terrace Martin)
9. Swimming Pools (Drank) *Extended Version* (Prod. By T-Minus)
10. Sing About Me (Prod. By Skhye Hutch + Sounwave) / I’m Dying Of Thirst (Prod. By Like of Pac Div)
11. Real (Ft. Anna Wise) (Prod. By Terrace Martin)
12. Compton (Ft. Dr. Dre) (Prod. By Just Blaze)

Deluxe:

13. The Recipe (Ft. Dr. Dre) (Prod. By Scoop DeVille)
14. Black Boy Fly (Prod. By Rahki & Dawaun Parker)
15. Now Or Never (Ft. Mary J. Blige) (Prod. By Jack Splash)
16. Collect Calls
17. Swimming Pools (Drank) (Prod. By T-Minus)

http://www.kendricklamar.com