Rebel in the name of …

One of my favorite artists.

‘One nation under CCTV’: CCTV (pictured top right) failed to catch Banksy.

Banksy pulled off an audacious stunt to produce what is believed to be his biggest work yet in central London.

The secretive graffiti artist managed to erect three storeys of scaffolding behind a security fence despite being watched by a CCTV camera.

Then, during darkness and hidden behind a sheet of polythene, he painted this comment on ‘Big Brother’ society.

Yesterday the scaffolding gang returned to remove all evidence – again without the camera operator stopping them.

The work, above a Post Office yard in Newman Street near Oxford Circus, shows a small boy, watched by a security guard, painting the words: ‘One nation under CCTV.’

Andrew Newman, 35, a businessman from Dulwich, who works locally, said: ‘It was only on Sunday morning that the Post Offices guys realised what had happened.’

– Daily Mail

The “Frosty Freeze Ta Pleeze” Benefit Hip Hop Jam

Hosted by Ken Swift, VII Gems NYC.

Come through to support, give a hand and represent real Hip Hop for living legend Rock Steady Crew B.Boy, Frosty Freeze.

All proceeds will go to the “Freeze To Pleeze” Fund.

Hip Hop Culture is about positive energy and strength in Unity so lets get together and Rock the house for Frosty Freeze!

Special appearances & performances by
Guest DJ’s, Writers, MC’s, B.Boys & B.Girls, ….

Friday, April 11, 2008
10:00 PM – ???
All Ages
cover: FREE

 

Venue Information:

Goddard Riverside Center 647 Columbus Ave 91st & 92nd. Columbus New York, NY 10025 http://www.goddard.org/

 

 

Rest In Peace

I have always been into the hip hop dance culture and greatly admire those who have inspired dance to become what it is today. I’m always down to hit up any battles or showcases to watch, learn and be educated. Recently, Ken Swift was reaching out to the community to put together a benefit for Frosty Freeze who was hospitalized due to a longterm illness. I was excited about attending for I know a lot of the old school dancers were going to come together for supporting one of their own and I was happy to just be in that inspiring environment. Unfortunately this morning as I was catching up on my news for the day, I came across this article…

“Hip Hop culture lost one of its founding fathers when Wayne Frost, who was better known by most as “Frosty Freeze” of the Rock Steady Crew, died in Manhattan on Thursday (April 3). Frost helped bring Hip Hop into the mainstream’s consciousness with appearances in movies such as Style Wars, Wild Style and Flashdance. The legendary b-boy was 44. Rock Steady Crew Vice President Jorge “Pop Master Fabel” Pabon says Frosty’s death followed a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

“He was not only an amazing dancer but a daredevil,” Pabon tells the New York Times. “The moves he did were really super high-risk. He had these signature moves and swagger, this really classy b-boy swagger, that made him extremely unique.”

Among his many trademark moves, Frost invented the “Suicide,” a mid-air flip which breakers end by landing.”

- Hip Hop DX

It is sad to imagine that the day will come where all the bboy innovators are no longer present to pass along their history and will only live through our memories.  

 R.I.P Frosty.

Upcoming Calendar

Summer is almost here but not quite. I definitely ready to toss my jackets and coats into my closet until the next year. The great thing is I am beginning to see more folks of the late makin moves for upcoming shows and concerts. So far, this year has knocked my socks off already with all the great artists I have been exposed to and I can’t wait for what’s in store for the rest.

Two Fridays ago, I was fortunate to be invited to attend a Revive Da Live production at Blue Note. It was sooooold out. Having came from the AMP/Tortured Soul concert at Highline right before, I was on a roll by the time I made it to Blue Note with Derreck (Rare Form).  The line was predictably long but luckily it moved quickly and we managed to secure a spot to sit.

I got to meet Meghan Stabile (Revive Da Live) for a quick minute who seems to manage everything from the band, organizing shows, promotions, marketing; basically a Jill-of-all-trades. As their manager, The Real Live Show is collective unit of 2 lyricists/emcees and a 7-piece jazz/funk ensemble. Fresh lyrics with a talented band, they are definitely a must see and reminded me of my favorite Bay Area group, Crown City Rockers. 

Check out their profile here: The Real Live Show

Last Friday I was at the JayZ/Mary J Blige concert at the Izod Center in Jersey. It is one of the hypest concerts I have ever been to. They came on stage together then Mary took the lead and Jay Z ended the concert with an encore. They practically performed one hit song after another. It kinda hits you on how long they have been making music. Some of the songs by Mary J took me back to high school even. It was nuts. Another highlight of the show was seeing my favorite DJ of all time,  Neil Armstrong (5th Platoon), being JayZ’s tour DJ.

So far on my calendar:

April 6^th: The Cool Kids @ SOBs

April 11^th: Frosty Freeze Benefit

April 12^th: Hot Chip

May 9^th: Erykah Badu with The Roots @ Radio City Music Hall

June-July: Brooklyn Bodega Film Series/Hip Hop Fest

July 10^th-11^th: House Dance International Competition