“New York is where stars are born, LA is where they go to die.” – Swiper Bootz.
“Hip Hop” is but a term alluding to a culture that shelters its various inhabitants. Although its intentions are purely good, the occurrences within the realm itself often prove otherwise: a concept that is similar to that of mankind, particularly within society many-a-time taking on the unnecessary need to divide. So it goes, as above so below, and in Hip Hop culture, listeners are born with an equally innate sense of bias. Whether it be shifted towards the West or East Coast, gangsta rap or lyrical poetry, or underground versus mainstream; inevitably what this usually boils down to is the relentless debate surrounding Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G.
California is a place envied by the rest of the world, known for its diversified population comprising of the young, bronze, and beautiful. Gulf Shores, Alabama-bred Lindsey Mickelson recognized this an obvious attribute, but was drawn to the West coast for different reasons. Behind what only the eye could see, Mickelson found comfort and more importantly an artistic voice amidst the boldness of the California energy.
Fresh off their recent cover of LA Weekly, everybody’s favorite new wave duo J*DaVeY recently sent us this awesome remix of their cover of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’ While their original cover was a sultry and soothing rendition, DJ Skeet Skeet turns the track into an all out experience in everything late night, early mornings, electronic, drug and sex induced. This is just one you have to hear. Listen and download it below. Macaulay Culkin would approve.
It’s Sunday evening at the New Era store in Downtown, Atlanta. The hat store is buzzing with life as media and fans begin to pack in for the event that is set to take place: a free J*Davey performance. The crowd isn’t your typical, you’ve got the J*Davey fans mingling with the urban New Era crowd and usually it would be a recipe for disaster, but tonight everything is just fine. After all the promise of Starbucks party platters, wings and Jose Cuervo is enough to make anyone get along.
Humor is the crux of Joka‘s work. So it’s no wonder the Philadelphia based artist’s toothpick paintings having me laughing as hard as I’m in awe. It’s not that they’re funny. In some sense, it’s disconcerting to the sane eye. It’s not really the subject matter, it’s his process, a term he coined called hyperpointillism. He works entirely with toothpicks. Wow.
If you need anymore proof that Dub Step is about to become as mainstream as a pop princess take one listen to Britney Spears’ undeniable hit “Hold It Against Me,” which has a sick dub step breakdown. So what’s next for dubstep? Meet Sonny John Moore better known as Skrillex. The Los Angeles born, 23 year-old musician’s last record, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, is amongst the first dubstep albums released on a major label (Big Beat/Atlantic).
LA based street artist Patrick Martinez focuses on the phenomenology of his surroundings. He brings sublime beauty to things that aren’t thought of as conventionally beautiful. He does just that in his latest street installation entitled “Come In We’re Closed.”
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LA based brand PottyMouth is one to keep your eye on. There's a feeling in the designs that instantly makes them stand out in a sea of street wear brands. I can dig it. Graphic designer Nico Cruz has a winner on his hands.
CLICK FOR MORELA based artist Luke Chueh Covers the 68th Issue of Giant Robot Magazine. The issue which also features Linkin Park, Haunted Hausu, Envy and more is on newsstands now.
CLICK FOR MOREThe Los Angeles based painter Patrick Martinez captures the essence of his hometown of Los Angeles. It's street, it's vintage, its hip-hop and it's really good. Take a closer look at Patrick Martinez's work here.
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