Today is the 56th Birthday of the creator of hip-hop, Clive Campbell ‘Kool Herc’, which in turns makes it the Birthday of hip-hop. Without this man I might not be sitting here in my girl’s house banging on about how great some MC is, and you might not be reading this. That’s some pretty scary perspective if you ask me. If you claim to be a hip-hop head, immersed in this culture and don’t know who Kool Herc is and/or don’t respect what he and the other legends created then I suggest you find yourself a big rock to bash yourself with. After which go educate yourself you poor little person.
Herc has been battling medical problems with his kidney stones for years, but with no health insurance it can get pretty expensive. I can’t even fathom that; the creator of hip-hop can’t even afford his medical bills!? Someone call 50 and tell him to sell one of his cars and give the money to Herc. That blows my mind, it really does. To donate go over to his website and see how you can help the father of this music.
In keeping with the graffiti theme from yesterday. Here’s the trailer to the new film documenting the rise of graffiti, from it’s smallest beginnings starting with ‘Taki 183’, and going all the way up to the present day. The film’s shot by Roger Gastman, the producer of Banksy’s ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’. Whether you’re a writer or not, if you’re a hip-hop head then I suggest you try and catch this when it comes out.
For all those of you out there in hip-hop land that can actually dance, and not do that shuffle-to-the-right-shuffle-to-the-left thing or my personal favourite; the pointy dance. Although this night is actually for all of you, ’cause hey who doesn’t like watching some breaking? Errr no one b. If you’re in the London, UK area then I highly suggest you get down here. Here’s the reh teh teh for all those interested in entering and/or going. The DJ and MC line-up is ridiculous!
The search is on for the next big B-Boy / B-Girl acts for a battle competition at the launch of the new Elementz club night which takes place at Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel Road, London on Thursday 26th April. This is a new quarterly event representing the traditional 4 elements of hip hop to full effect.
At the launch party there will be DJ sets from Sarah Love (resident), DJ 279 (Choice FM), DJ Mr Thing (Scratch Pervert / DMC Finalist) and DJ Snips (Livin Proof). There will also be live performances by Caxton Press, Genesis Elijah, Naba Napalm, Ether L Banks, all hosted by Mystro.
A full section of the night is also being given over to live graffiti, open mic, and a b-boy / b-girl battle with a cash prize on offer. This is being hosted by End of the Weak / Speakers Corner DJ Snuff assisted by DJ Johny Garcia.
In addition to the existing line up of dancers, 7 more successful entrants will have the opportunity to take part in the battle competition on the night to be crowned Elementz Champion at the club’s first event.
To Enter:
Entrants should send either an existing or newly filmed video link of them performing in one of 3 ways. Either by uploading it onto the Facebook page www.facebook.com/elementzUK or by sending the link via twitter to @ElementzUKor by simply emailing the link to info.elementzuk@gmail.com
Only one video is accepted per entrant and all video submissions will be highlighted on the Facebook page. An email should also be sent to info.elementzuk@gmail.com with the entrant’s name & if possible, contact number. In return, an email will then be issued confirming entry into the competition.
The 10 entrants with the most “likes” on their own Youtube or Vimeo video will be shortlisted. For those using an older video, a note will be taken of the number of exisiting likes at the time of submission, so only “votes” registered after submission will be counted. The 7 successful entrants from that shortlist will be decided upon by an independent judging panel.
Entrants must be 18 years or older (UK Only). Entry into the competition is free and all votes will be counted on Thursday 19th April. The winners will be notified via email on Saturday 21st April
ELEMENTZ – REPRESENTING THE 4 ELEMENTS OF HIP HOP – THURSDAY 26TH APRIL 2012 AT THE RHYTHM FACTORY, 16 WHITECHAPEL ROAD, LONDON E1 1EW
8PM – 3AM. NEAREST TUBE ALDAGATE EAST. TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR £7 IN ADVANCE NOW VIA TICKETWEB, £8 ON THE DOOR.
There is nothing I like more than hearing a rap track written by real graff kids. Now don’t get me wrong, I love hearing a song appreciating the love of the art, but it just gives it that little extra bonus when the MCs are writers themselves. ‘Graffiti’ by the Canadian group Piece of Mind (rapper G-Roc & DJ Gedsi) was sent to us a week ago but the inbox is close to full so it’s taken us some time to listen to this. I’m gonna be a bit bias now since I’m a graff writer, but daaammmmn this is too good.
‘Graffiti’ is taken from the Refused Magazine compilation (imagine if Vice wasn’t written by coked up, hipster, trust-fund kids that loved capitalism just as much as the Daily Mail but did it in nicer kicks. Oh snap I’m so funny!), and put together by Structures Built Records. It’s a musical response to Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford declaring ‘war on graffiti. ‘Cause you know right now that’s the most pressing issue in world politics.
This song is so catchy, I’ve had it on repeat for the last hour and I can’t tell you when I’ll turn it off. It’s even got some classic samples from The Pharcyde, and a few quotes from the legendary film ‘Style Wars‘.
South Wales UK heads. Get down to Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff this Saturday for the ‘Under Construction’ Bboy jam, live graff show and sets from DJ Veto and Mr Potter. Get down to this! I would if I wasn’t working shiiiiiiit. Here’s the Facebook event page.
Pistache Clothing produce their own unique style of custom clothing and streetwear, there’s nothing worse than going out to a club thinking you’ve got some fly kicks for ya to find half the club wearing them! So if you want something to stand out from the crowd these are the people to come and see.
Whether it be Hand Drawn Graffiti Sneakers, Snapback & Fitted Caps, Limited Edition Mens & Womens T-Shirts, Hand Painted Skateboards & Art Prints. Pistache Clothing have got it on lockdown.
They create their limited edition hand painted sneakers, snapback & fitted caps using a mixture of uni posca pens, eco friendly screen printing inks & spray paints. Because they paint them all by hand, each pair of shoes is a very limited edition of 1, never to be duplicated. When you buy a pair of sneakers from our online shop, you’ll also get free Pistache limited edition stickers.
Below is the 1st blackbook video that has gone online from Pistache, it features art sketches, characters and throw up letters. Beats are also by Pistache. Ive also posted some more videos looking at how some of the products are created, Links to get in touch with The Pistache team will be at the bottom of the post, so give em a holla!!!
GRAFFITI BLACKBOOK #1 art sketches characters throw up letters
GRAFFITI SNEAKERS #1 how to draw hip hop shoes style kicks
GRAFFITI SNEAKERS #2 how to draw hip hop shoes style kicks
Sometimes when I pop my head outside from my self-aggrandizing underground castle I live in, I’m actually generally shocked at what civilians think ‘hip-hop’ is. Now don’t get it fucked up and think this is a hate post, nah that’s not what HHL&T is about or ever will be, but I am still generally surprised at what is considered as hip-hop when it comes to the mainstream. Yes it’s a billion dollar industry and I’m not saying all music on the radio is shit (I love me some Jay-Z), but is this really what’s cool? No I don’t want to drink your swag juice, and I still don’t understand what ‘reem’ means (is that just a UK thing? Answers on a postcard), but I do think bgirls are the hottest thing since women were invented, graffiti is just as important to hip-hop as rapping, and supporting your scene goes further than clicking ‘like’ on Facebook.
So with all that being said here’s a short, but what I believe to some of the better artists, promoters, and labels out there supporting the community and culture we all love. Some you may know, some you may not. If you think there’s kids in your city/town/country killing it, why not get in contact and we can all fan over their awesomeness. This isn’t a permenent list, it’s just a bunch of dudes I’ve been stoked on lately, so this is always subject to change.
This post was brought to you in association with and dedicated to one of my best buddies #Jed#swagmeoutdenaubergine# who is totally swagged out on every flavour of swagjuice.
What’s cooler than hip-hop and comic books? Errr NUFFIN. Give Murs ALLL YAAAAALL MONEY!
From pioneering the independent rap hustle to starting his own festival, Cali emcee Murs has always been a trailblazer. To that end, he proudly presents Yumiko: Curse Of The Merch Girl, a brand new album and graphic novel available exclusively through Kickstarter. The album and novel unite to tell the story of Yumi Morales, a girl living the fabled tour life working the merchandise table for her boyfriend Dominick’s band Murder Acts. The 124-page graphic novel is illustrated by Jose Garcia, written by Josh Blaylock and the ten-song album – whose lyrics are printed in their entirety throughout the novel – is produced entirely by DJ Foundation. Yumiko is available only via the project’s Kickstarter page, where a range of different pledge options will get you everything from the novel and CD to exclusive apparel, custom download cards illustrated by David Mack and Jim Mahfood, and a personal thank-you note and Twitter follow from Murs. Followed by the release of the album and book, an animated music video will officially be unveiled at Murs’ party during the Comic-Con convention in San Diego. “Yumiko is hip hop and comics done correctly,” says Murs of the project. “Comics have always been a huge inspiration to me. And having the chance to publish my own comic is truly an honor. Working with my partners to create this book was a lot of fun and we are looking forward to making our dream a reality with the help of the fans.”
UK producer and our homie Tricksta has dropped this promo video for his track ‘Strength In Numbers’, taken from his highly anticipated upcoming album ‘Out Of Darkness Cometh Light’ (RGS Entertainment). The video features the talented street artist Mr. Tronix (www.mrtronix.co.uk), and is produced & edited by Triple Fear Films.
The track features ten emcees from the UK LATE, SEANIE T, SUPAR NOVAR, INJA, DOUBLE E, SONNYJIM, CONS, JOE GUTTA, CONMAN & TAURUS
US emcee Fokis will be releasing his “A Vintage State Of Mind” mixtape on 21/02/2012 and today he is unveiling the projects Graffiti inspired cover art. In an effort to highlight the effect the graffiti culture has had on Hip-Hop, Fokis will be releasing a Graffiti Black Book in conjunction with the mixtape with throw-up’s and pieces from some of art form’s most talented artists; including SOE.TNS, FN.GTF, SF.WON, PR.GTF, SHCEME, KECH and many more.
Fokis said on the project “Graffiti is one of the main pillars of Hip-Hop; I am a graff head who used to go bombing all the time along with many of my peers. This Black Book is a way for me to pay homage to many of the writers who have been putting it down for years”
Fokis’ “A Vintage State Of Mind” mixtape is Sponsored by GoodWood NYC and any graffiti artist who would like to submit a tag, throw up piece or artwork for potential consideration in the Black Book may do so by submitting them to fokeezy@gmail.com
The only requirement is that you must write/include one of the following things on your submission page:
hiphoplifeandtimes 