It’s the return….Long time, no blog. I’ve finally got my mind/money right and sorted out visas etc. so I shall be touching down in Toronto around 11:00 this Wednesday. Phew. I’ll also throw up some of the photos from my 25th Hour party in West London…..It’s about to be a cold winter. No Comments »Soca And The CityWow - What a weekend. Over here in the UK we have a public holiday at the end of August, basically because it guarantees everyone at least one weekend of sun (and even then the odds aren’t that good). Those with any sense head over to West London for the country’s original street party. Notting Hill Carnival always takes place around the end of this month and runs on the Sunday and Monday - so everyone can get extra lit without having to go worry about work. All round, it’s a much safer affair now than when I used to go back in the 90’s - Definitely less pepper spray (good) but no more Tim Westwood/Radio 1 stage (bad). Less likelihood of getting robbed for your kicks (good) but more police on foot, on horse and in helicopter (bad). I spent most of the day posted up at This Jeneration on Powis Terrace with Greasy P aka Merkin and Jimmy. They went to check out some Roots and Culture while I was bogelling to Red Rat. I even managed to find random friends in the crowd while wandering (What’s Really Good, Joey and Jen Compound?!) which takes some doing as all the cell service providers usually buckle under the sheer weight of calls on those days. This year I could have tapped out after one day, but went for both. 9th Wonder at The Westbury was postponed due to issues beyond anyone’s control - No interview, but that’s the breaks - but I went with my boys Grudge and General Omar anyway. We ended up meeting a gang of very cool ladies from Amsterdam who were on their annual visit to London and kicked it with them on the second day at the Flavour Magazine Stage, where my boy Artcha was performing (”A!”). Mighty fun was had by all. And it didn’t even rain… A few photos for your perusal:
Greasy P rebukes dem….
This sorry state of affairs was taking place at 14:49 (GMT) yesterday.
All posse and crew. No Comments »Kobi Annobil’s Day Off….If something can make me laugh when I’m up this early on my holiday, it must be good. Here’s the kids’ version of The Dark Knight Trailer: On a side note it’s that time of year again. Notting Hill Carnival in West London this coming Sunday and Monday. Plenty of loud music, buff gyal, good vibes and tasty if overpriced Jamaican food. Maybe someone will come up with a dish that includes “The Nuggets” as a tribute to sprint king Usain Bolt. Also heading over to The Westbury in Kilburn to see North Carolina’s very own 9th Wonder rocking the spot on Sunday for the after party. Photos and everything next week. I’ve also been on my reading grind so expect a mini -review of the latest Volume of DMZ too…. No Comments »T.G.I.F“It’s Friday, yes it’s Friday….” Two new promo clips - N.E.R.D feat CRS and Pusha T - Everyone Nose (Remix) - this joint is dayglo as hell. Feeling the space invaders and Leisuresuit Larry renditions of Britney, Kim and Lindsay. (Directed by Hype Williams) You hear the footsteps?Jockin Jay-Z: A new Jay-Z track with Kanye on the beat, live at Madison Square Garden - sounds like running the festival circuit this summer has inspired him…. Misty Watercolour Memories…Below is a few random shots taken over the past month. They go from the art studio I’m working in right now - WorkStation Zer0 - onto Jay-Z, Mark Ronson and The Cool Kids live in Hyde Park, detouring through The Grenade Gallery in West London for Alex Long’s Exibitionism show and The Cuban Carnival in South, pit-stopping at Rupert Shrive’s East London exhibition at the Truman Brewery and finishing in Cork Street at Brazilian Grafitti artist, Tinho’s first show in the UK. In no particular order…
He’s baaaaaaack….Yes, it’s been a minute, but at the first opportunity I came right back to you. Wow. Over a month away. What’s really good??? Me - the same old same old. A couple of shows, a few exhibitions - shiiiiiit, just life in general. Saw The Dark Knight last night. Ledger owned it. According to the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words so I may just do a photo diary of my time in the digi-wilderness for yous guys….. Oh - almost forgot. Toronto, I arrive in September. Consider ya’selves WARNED! No Comments »Oh - it ain’t over….As promised - I’ve had to check back in to hit you guys off with some exclusive flicks of the NSW Air Max 90’s. Nike flipped these ones with the whole minimal stitching thing - hence the red Flywire detail. I haven’t seen them elsewhere on the net yet, so treasure these joints, y’hear?
Interesting stuff happening in London right now? Hmmmm - Ahead of his much-spoken about headline appearance at Glastonbury next weekend, Jay-Z was spotted at a Coldplay show outside the BBC building. I’ve come across a spare ticket for the o2 Wireless Festival as well, which means that I will be taking the day off to sho0ck out to Big Pimpin in a field…. While I’m sharing - as a hip-hophead I’ve been watching how the album by the self proclaimed ‘Best Rapper Alive’ fared in it’s first week (Sales don’t mean ish to me but it seems that is the way the game judges people now). I liked the album as it goes. IMO The Carter 1 leaned too heavily on Jay and Em in terms of style (Earthquake and Go DJ! were my tunes though), The Carter 2 was a strong album and the Carter 3 is pretty dope. Better than 2? I’m not sure yet. Anyway - Thanks to Worldhiphopstar.com here’s Weezy performing my second favourite track on C3 - My favourite being the Axelrod-sampling Dr. Carter (Swizz channelling Diamond D). Say it with me: “A Millionaire, I’m a Young Money Millionaire/ Tougher than Nigerian Hair…” Lol at the attempt to make it rain around 2:30. A Milli (Live On MTV) A World P-P-P-P-Premiere…So, the homegirl Jill over at Radiator PR hollered last week about the new Nike collection that will be dropping at the tail end of the summer. The Nike Sportswear line (NSW) is going to see some old classics revisited and remixed. You’re talking classics like The Dunk, The Air Force 1, The American West 77 hoodie and the Windrunner: iconic products one and all. What we’ve got now are 21st Century versions of said garments and shoes (Nike have pledged to remove all stitching from their clothing by 2012 Futuristic, huh?). And the verdict? I like ‘em. Especially the Spot Optics Dunks. The Air Max 90’s are also very dope. These joints should be in a store near you in August (just in time for the Olympics)….
PS - I’ve got a bunch more photos of the new Windrunner and the other new designs for the Air Max 90. I’ll re-up for the part 2 later in the week… No Comments »The Ruler’s Back.I fully admit it. I am Nas stan. I feel entitled to be though - not everyone can say ‘Halftime’ changed their life. I’m liking the confrontational/socio-political angle of his new work. Not only has he just dropped ‘The Nigger Tape’ (I’ll hit you with a link shortly. The Mike Tyson song and Black President are crazy). In the meantime, I offer ‘Be A Nigger Too’ directed by Rik Cordero. |
