Raekwon the Chef - House of Flying Daggers (RadioRip)

I love Only Built 4 Cuban Linx as an album. Raekwon and Ghostface lead the charge on a classic Wu Tang record back then. Now Rae is coming back with the sequel finally dropping in a little over a month and the people are ready. I've gotta say that dropping nuggets like this only helps to build the anticipation. This latest jam has Rae's Wu-Tang brothers Mef, Ghost and Deck going ape on a ill track. You gotta love it bottom line. Between this new joint and "New Wu" this could be a banging album.

Check the joint. House of Flying Daggers

Today's youth, tomorrow's future.

I wanted to show support to my nephew Elijah and his crew. (1.one.five.one.0).
These guys did a video for Pepsi, who is looking for there next rock band commercial. So Elijah and his friends got together with the cam and shot there next Pepsi commercial. Check it out, support our youth.
View the video and vote august 8th http://pepsi.yahoo.com/rockband/video/watch/?v=5HPQXHcuB

Beauty is the Beast

Today I had the opportunity to grab pics of 2 dope contributions to this "subway series" post. Unfortunately I didn't notice the last one until it was too late and I was getting off the train but let me tell you it was NYC talking. Basically it had all these faces for community, teaching, hope and one more thing I can't recall but guess which face was cut out????? That's right people "HOPE", NYC was saying that there is no face for hope. That just shows you what other people are feeling and going through. So here's the pic of the picture I as able to get.

I couldn't resist to capture this picture. I mean you have nurses, needles and monster demon faces. Beauty can truly become the beast. A show like this would definitely turn beauty into a beast just by feeding peoples ego/vanity. It just makes me think of the movie "Escape from LA" when they were being chased by crazed plastic surgeons. Peep the trailer for the movie.

Super Michael Jackson Bros.

Normally I wouldn't post something like this because of the high regards in which I hold MJ. However... this is a pretty cool video. Props to whoever came up with this idea and execution. This is just one of the many tributes to come to celebrate the Baddest man ever on the planet.

President Obama missing his Pumas.

Back in the 80's if a cat was walking down the street with a fresh pair of suede Pumas he would get tested by some street toughs. These thugs would check to see if he had heart and if he didn't he would walk home in his socks only. The conversation would normally start off with something like "oohhh those are nice, what size are those?" The rest is a street tragedy.

Fast forward to 2009. The ongoing drama of one mans arrest in his own home has the nation talking about race, police policy and what's presidential territory and what's not. Let me get this out of the way, I don't think Obama really needed to discuss the case in Boston. There are plenty of cases of police misconduct going on in the nation both during and before his presidency in which people of color (specifically Blackmen) have been the victims. You can look to the case of the Blackman executed by the police in Oakland earlier this year in which the President was silent or the murder of Sean Bell before his election. Both of these incidents involved Blackmen receiving the short end of the stick with white officers doing the shoving. The President looked past these incidents and instead speaks out when asked about his Black friend who is arrested in his home by a white officer. I understand being emotionally involved when a public matter hits close to home. In this case the matter caused President Obama to show a bit of his own personal character when he denounced the arrest of Prof. Gates. People oppressed by police behavior cheered when the President showed his displeasure of the way the situation was handled. He made mention of the disparity between how Blacks and Latinos are treated by law enforcement as opposed to others. He also made sure to note that such a disparity might have no direct effect on this case yet because it is so apparent in our culture it still looms. As I watch the video of his comments he really only answered the question asked. The reporter brought up race in the initial question and Obama answered accordingly.

Not even 48 hours after the President made such a bold statement he was changing his tune and reaching out to the arresting officer who as I blogged about before will not apologize for his actions. To me this is the act of a President who can't stand on his principles. As the President of the United States if you state an opinion you are entitled to that opinion. Hell as a human being you are entitled to that opinion. It is NOT a good look for the President to call a member of law enforcement to appease his feelings. What are you going to do when you have to negotiate with foreign leaders over matters of life and death? Sure he didn't officially apologize but he did everything short of it. Inviting the man over for a beer along with Gates to smooth it over? Gates was arrested on his own property! There was no crime committed and that's why the charges were dropped!

I'm sorry but if Obama was walking down Franklin Ave. in 1988 with fresh suede Pumas on he would walk home in socks. Why? Because his heart is missing. I hope that he finds it and chooses at some point to stand his ground. You leave your church of 10 years because of media fire and you back off of your words as soon as you are called to task on it. For such character he should have to wear a pair of Kangaroos for a year.

Dynamic Duo

For as long as I can remember Boris Vallejo and his works have inspired me just as much as Frazetta's work. Frazetta none can compete but Vallejo brought about a different appeal. His work is a bit different, maybe a bit more sleek. As you can see his wife Julie Bell used to model for a lot of his works but what was refreshing was that she too was crafty when it came to the brush and canvas.

Boris Vallejo and his wife Julie Bell

I've always been told that when a couple can have the oportunity to work together it can either build or destroy a relationship. In this case it's helped to create a wide array of work. They both have their own style of work but to see the combination is always a fresh thing.

The style is all there with these two are amazing.

Sometimes nothing tells a story better than black and white images.

Boris' work in oils.

Julie Bell's work in oils. It's dope to see and feel how each person can leave their own touch even though using the same mediums

A few pencil sketches from Julie Bell

Julie Bell's work for Marvel and DC comics

The couple that plays (or works) together stays together.

Old School Mondays

I'm gonna take it different levels of OLD SCHOOL...

The 1st crew that got signed for a Mil, and a 10 album deal on Geffen. (94) fact...

Another one of my favs from the Roots.

Dancehall style..

Even though this is not too old, look at all the videos clips from old BBC vids. E.O.S. was always present at all the videos shoots.

Taken it back to my Latinos..

Jay-Z - Run This Town feat. Rhianna and Kanye

Hmm I'll say this much, I don't like the flow on this song. The lyrics are a bit forgettable on Jay's part. This is his second attempt to garner interest in his latest project Blueprint 3. I can't say I'm looking forward to this album. I mean, Kanye is the best thing about this track. It's ultimately just a forgettable song which is supposed to be a single. Not exactly how you want to launch a new label (Roc Nation).

You be the judge.Run This Town

Harvard Prof. Arresting Officer Refuses to Apologize

By now I'm sure (or I hope) you have heard about the Harvard Prof. who was arrested in his home under the idea that there a break in occurred. The Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. was locked out of his home and had to force his way inside. An onlooking neighbor saw Gates struggling to enter his home and mistook him for a burglar. We should all hope our neighbors would look out for us in the same way. Protect my assets PLEASE!

The trouble comes when the police arrived at the Professor's Boston residence. The arresting officer claims the Prof. refused initially to show identification when requested. He also states according to CNN that Gates exclaimed the ordeal was taking place because he was "A Blackman in America!". Gates would later be arrested and taken from his home under the charge of "loud and tumultuous behavior in a public space."



So now after all of the hoopla the charges by the police have been dropped, even President Obama weighed in on the situation. The officer who arrested Gates says he refuses to apologize for his actions. Am I surprised? No. The officer thinks he did the right thing...by arresting a man in his own home when no one has been harmed. *smh*

Stay classy Boston.

Read CNN for the full story on the refusal HERE

Clipse -I'm Good (feat. Skateboard P)

This is my theme song right now. I can't wait for the new Clipse album to drop. I had Hell Hath No Fury on last night during my leg work out. This song right here tho...FLAMES!

Video coming soon.

Read the fine print

I was having a conversation with my cousin Supreme last night regarding food. He told me he learned that there are certain brands of Doritos which contain pork ingredients. I then chimed in with my recent discovery that Martin's potato bread (my favorite burger buns) is also made with pork (mono and diglycerides). We were both saddened.

I bring this up because today Supreme hit me up with the Frito Lay website. I must say they do a lot to inform their consumer on which products are better for their individual diet. Frito Lay offers a number of products from Sun Chips to Doritos to the Friday famous "Chili Fritos!". I appreciate them putting their consumer diets first and being forthcoming with their ingredients.

Pay attention people.

Frito Lay

French Montana - New York Minute Remix

This dude French (OWWWWW) went back and grabbed dudes from the 90s to rock on his jam. Where the hell did they get Mic Geronimo? I saw dude on the 3 train one time and wanted to say what's up because in high school I was a fan. However I remained quiet because he looked like he wanted to be left alone. Hell you would too if your producer and understudy went on the become MAJOR in the rap game and you fell off HARD! He's not bad on this joint though.

My man Lil Cease is on the record (check the solo album that you slept on). And last but not least my man Noreaga (NORE). Nore came hard on this joint (pause). Maybe his new solo will have some legs. Makes me shake my head to see the state of New York hip hop.

Electric Relaxation

I was planning on doing a post on Keith Herring after I saw this documentary about him the other day which gave me a new found respect for him and his work. That I will save for another post for another time.

Like I said before sometimes when you're unplugged from things you don't realize how much time has passed by. Recently through out some of my research I was reunited with the works of Hajime Sorayama. I remember coming across some of his work when I was super young back in the day. Man I still look at it and think it's flawless.

It's always a great thing to see when the imagination of an artist can go further than a 2 dimensional drawing. Just to think his work inspired a commercial. Not saying it was a good commercial but never the less a commercial. Also to make known that he designed the first generation of the AIBO robotic dog.

Fool's Gold

Recently I've been seeing these ads on the subways and I can't front that they bother me. Just look at the imagery that's being used and to be on a train that was Bronx bound was even funnier especially since you could only find these locations in Brooklyn, Queens and Manahattan. This is a time for us to seriously conserve what ever ends we do make but this seems overboard. Is it neccesary to show nothing but goudy truck jewelry and then to top it off..win free Mets tickets.for crying out loud!!! (sorry Gamar, sorry O)

Old School Mondays

I feel so out of the loop recently. It's almost as if once you take a step back and unplug yourself from the matrix you can feel the disconnect. Well anyways I decided to dive in a bit deeper with some tunes I know we all know the lyrics to. I just remember hearing some of these on the radio and just being a kid and singing along not really knowing what was being said but keeping the melody alive in my head.

To get this going I decided to start with the Buggles - Video Kills the Radio Star.


This always had that tune that would stick out in your mind. Joe Jackson


Gotta give it up to Blondie.


This I remember always singing along, The Romantics.


Men at Work


Rick Springfield


Hall and Oats, too many classics to choose from so here we go.


To end this why not a closer such as Musical Youth!!

Q-Tip at Summerstage Tomorrow

You Going? You might want to. I've seen Tip about three times since he dropped his Rennasance album last year. The album is pretty dope and Tip laid down a cool musical backdrop for this piece. He also travels with a dope band and the set list is official with plenty of bangers from the A Tribe Called Quest archives. Summerstage overall has declined in quality performances for me over the past few years. This may be a reflection on the state of music today or the taste of their program manager. I don't know but what I do know is the whole damn world is gonna be there. DEEP! So you want to get to Central Park early if you are going to go. Little Dragon is going to be performing as well and they have a hefty following.

For more info here's the Summerstage Site

Spotlight on Tracy Morgan

One of my favorite comedians hailing from Bed Stuy Brookyn is the one and only Tracy Morgan. Dude has worked his way up from the round the way comedy spots up to 30 Rock on NBC. Tracy has a wild and crazy shtick that I happen to love. Here's a clip from Tracy doing stand up in Caroline's in NYC discussing Michael Jackson. This was during the time Mike was on trial for the last child molestation case (it's weird saying that now). Either way here's Tracy.

Game vs. Jay Z (The die has been cast)

I never thought the bol Game (who I think is weak sauce) would directly address Jay. Well I was wrong. This dude Game really trying to go in on Jay on this record. The backlash from Jay's DOA record has been a bit much. This is crazy. What will Jay do on this?

This song really brings to the forefront this age issue in hip hop. Dudes really REALLY got a problem with cats getting up in age rapping. To me I don't care as long as the music is good. I say diss a cat on his weak output rather than his years on the planet. Any body can get it in hip hop but have some respect for your elders. *smh*

What do yall think.

Game - I'm So Wavy

NAACP Chicken Deal at Dallas BBQ

My co-worker Howard put me on to this..."situation". The chain Dallas BBQ has been the scene for many birthday affairs in the past with my old crew. The food is ok and the environment is conducive to loud conversations and carrying on. If you want to joke loud and tell old stories about crazy antics this is the place to do it.

HOWEVER. I don't dine there often, actually outside of one time this year it's been at least 4 years since I stepped foot in one. Now I learn that the location in Times Sq. is offering a 100th Anniversary NAACP deal which includes two 1/2 chickens two servings of soup and two servings of potatoes or rice. It looks like a date deal to me. ALSO in order to get this deal you have to show your NAACP card! So this is kind of like a recruitment initiative. Very interesting.

Your thoughts? Power to the people?

Buckshot & KRS One - Robot

I can't even front, this is a dope record/video. The boys did their thing with this. See what happens when you let Ruck run the label (ha).

Peep Game

It's A Family Affair

This past weekend my Grandmother (on my mother's side) came up from North Carolina to spend time with the family. So the NY part of the family got together out in Long Island at my aunt's house in Central Islip for a good ole BBQ. I got to see some family I haven't seen in AGES! Hell my uncle Vinton was the reason I got heavy into computers. When he and my aunt got together I loved going over to their house in Queens and playing Olympic Games on the Commodore 64.

Now here we are in 2009 and my Grandmother is a Great-Grandmother. I was her first Grandchild so we always had a special bond. It's ill what you can learn from being around the elders of your family. Nana (as we call her) got to talking about delivering her baby without much help from the doctors (she had 8 kids). We had Turkey burgers and regular burgers on the grill. Plus there were some ribs (not for me) and corn on the cobb all cooked on Propane (God's gas according to Hank Hill).

Just sitting back and watching my nephew play in the pool along with his sister took me back to my childhood. Watching my mother, Grandmother and Uncle sing along to the Main Ingredient almost brought a tear to my eye. There were four generations of my family together under the sun, now THAT is a miracle and miracles are the way things ought to be! (c) Cyrus of the Gramercy Riffs.

Here's a couple of pics taken by myself and Shino on the point and shoot.

Sometimes Words Mess It Up.

I'm really in a 90s zone right now. This Saturday at Element (in the L.E.S.) DJ Spinna, DJ Scratch and DJ J.Rocc are putting on another one of my favorite parties. The Keistar Flavors party 90's edittion. I have one particular song at the moment that I have to hear.

No you don't understand I have to hear this song. Right now I'm gonna play you a version of this song that's all scats. This is an example of when you don't need coherent words. Sometimes a rhythm and a great beat is all you need to go hard. I hope to see you at the spot on Saturday so we can boogie together. In the meantime where ever you are reading this just do a little boggie to yourself to this crazy record.

HOUSE MUSIC ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!

Old School Mondays

The day before Old School Monday is usually laid back Sunday. And yesterday I got the chance to catch "SOUL POWER". I've been quite psyched to catch this flick for sometime. Below are a few of the artists that contributed to the 3 day festival "Zaire 74". Some you've read about here before (Big up Bill) and others you may have never heard of. But as always the music is only half the story. Hope you enjoy. Peace.

The BBQ to end all BBQs

The date was July 4th and the place to be was Brooklyn, NY. I woke up to see the sun shining bright and the sky as clear as the skin on a 1 year old. Today was the day that as a nation we celebrate the rockets red glare and the bombs bursting in air. Somewhere in planet Brooklyn Dj Spinna was preparing for his 9th annual Rebel Music Cookout BBQ.

This is a BBQ that's so crazy there's security at the front gate. We are not talking about a party in the Hamptons here, we were in Clinton Hill Brooklyn people. I arrived with my invited guests and our contributions to the event (water, chips, beer etc.). We had to wait a little bit for the music to get set up but once we heard that first song it was on like popcorn.

With DJ Spinna and Kim Lightfoot on the 1's and 2's we did it up real nice going through sets of soul, disco, house, raggae and hip hop. The man of the moment was of course the no longer living legend Michael Joe Jackson. We danced the day and night away to some great tunes in between throwing down some bbq chicken, rice and peas, mac and cheese you know the basics. I ate well and danced even more. This was the destination for all the beautiful people from the babies to the grown ups. There was plenty of water and food for everyone.

After the Spinna BBQ my boy Danny put me up on a rooftop party downtown BK that he was spinning at. It seemed to become the unofficial after party for the Spinna Event. The music was eh but the view was beautiful. Nice way to end the night especially when you are on your bike.

Thanks to Keita and Spinna and the whole Keistar family for putting together one hell of an event. Here's a few flicks from Shino Yanagawa to see what you missed.

How to Eat to Live When the Food is Deadly

When I was a teenager I read the book by the Honorable Elijah Muhammed called "How To Eat To Live book 1". This book truly effected my outlook on nutrition which to this day continues to expand and take on new shapes. Growing up and living in the inner cities of America the average person does not have much access to the healthiest of foods. For those of you who don't know and think "well you should just eat a lot of vegetables from the local supermaket" most of those veggies SUCK! The produces is not fresh and does not last long at all. Also the other choices are fast food and MORE fast food. This is not just an issue in the inner cities however. All over America there is a food crisis which effects our health mentally as well as physically. I truly think that when a child is fed the "wrong foods" their development is altered in a way that is not benefitial for their future.

Below is a trailor for a film which addresses how the issue of how our food is grown and maintained and how we can change it. Enjoy and discuss.

What A Ride!

*Photos by Shino Yanagawa*

On July 3rd Shino and I embarked on a grand ride through the city. Leaving from Flatbush to get lunch at bush baby we saw that the weather was perfect for a long ride. After eating we rode through Bed Stuy and Ft. Greene where I got my bike fixed to stop the squeaking. After fixing my bike we went to the Afrikan Street Festival which seems like it's loosing it's strength. There were very few people walking around to shop there. We then rode right out of the borough of Brooklyn and over the bridge into Manhattan. After the normal yelling at pedestrians to stay on their side of the bridge everything was smooth.



We shot through the village looking at the many well dressed folks along with the clueless looking foreigners. The next area to conquer was Central Park. So we took 6th Ave up through the middle of the city racing with handsome cabs and exchanging pleasantries along the way until we hit 59th street.

At this point the greenery of the park hit me and I could not help but to smile. This was the first time I rode my bike through Central Park all year. There were a couple of people out on bikes and skates trying to be healthy while enjoying the weather. The dreaded 110th street hill almost killed us all though. One guy plain got off his bike and walked it. (shameful) Also I must make mention of the beautiful pool in the north end of the park. I might have to pay a visit to take a swim later this month.

Once done with that hill we left the park and rode down the riverside. I couldn't remember the entrance to the west side ride higher than 59th street so we just rode down the street paths. At one point we saw a Dominican older man who complimented a woman on her child, then looked at me and Shino and said "YOU'RE NEXT!". I laughed and he then told us he had "3 children and 2 grandchildren...with 3 different women" and followed that statement with "NEVER AGAIN!"

After that we finally made it to the west side ride and looked over towards Jersey on this beautiful day. The ride was great going back down to battery park where there were plenty of families out for the day. There is a really dope looking restaurant right at the end of Battery Park kind of on the water. One day I will eat there (Take advantage of this beautiful weather people. You'll never know when it might rain again.

A Night On The Town for Forte' and Shan Boogie

Last week we did it up for my boy Shan Boogie at the local family bar Von's on Bleeker St. However before that I made a stop at SOBs to see my brother John Forte put it down. I walked into the spot with no problem (shouts to my boy Kozza). Once inside I saw Bizzare Royal on stage performing which let me know they were way behind schedule. I should have been walking in on a just starting Forte performance but there was another act to go still before he would take the stage. I was in for a treat because that next act Planet Ubiquity did the damn thing. If you get a chance I would recommend checking them out. Their style and sound is pretty dope plus they definitely had the crowd moving.

After that band rocked next up was my man John Forte'. While waiting for him to rock I ran into my brothers Blackman, El Divine and Ahsaan in the crowd. Before seeing them I was pretty much alone besides seeing my boy Jaleel from TV on the Radio. He told me that he too was heading over to celebrate Shan's birthday after the show.

Once Forte' got on he had the crowd in his hand. He did a bunch of new songs from his upcoming EP entitled "Style Free". He was at times joined on stage by his God brother Ben Taylor (who REALLY looks like his father James). Forte' isn't a "SANGER" singer but he can pull through some strong lyrics and a cool melody. I was just happy seeing an old friend free and doing what he loves after a hard lesson learned.

Following the show I rode with the boys over to pick up Shino and then on to Von's. Once inside I saw the homie Kareem and a couple of cats from work. Everyone was going downstairs to party for my boy Shan's birthday. On the lower level the vibe was extra cool. The music was blasting some vintage MJ with DJ Eli on the 1's and 2's and a gang of people on the dance floor. Lorraine and her crew were in the house plus I ran into Just, Tahleim and a gang of fam in general. I had such a good time but at 2 had to exit stage left. Work in the morning people...

Peep the photos by myself and Shino Yanagawa with my lil point shoot.


Planet Ubiquity
MG Fam all day
The Brothers Grimm feat. Black El Divine and Me
Anthony and Kos
Lorraine, Shino, Lisa & Yvette

The Birthday Boy, Just and Me

Soul Summit is coming back!

Soul Summit

For the dancer in you the Soul Summit Music Festival is returning to Brooklyn. This Summer fixture came about a few years ago at the top of the hill in Ft. Greene Park and stuck to the hearts of house music / disco lovers all over the city. Many prominent DJs come through to bless the turn tables like Brooklyn's own DJ Spinna and the Grammy Award winning producer/DJ Sting International.

Through battles with the city and the constantly changing neighborhood it's been up in the air at times if Soul Summit would remain in the park at all. However on July 12th we can look forward to doing a hard core hustle in the park til the street lights come on. So if you want to groove with a great people, an incredible vibe and representatives of the whole human family come through. The jam starts at 3pm and ends at 9pm in Ft. Greene Park.

For those not in the know please take a look at some past Soul Summit highlights.

Old School Mondays

What's up supporters. It's time for another Old School Mondays so lets go back, way back...

BACK INTO TIME! (to the year of 1993)

Nobody Move....it's a 93 thing.

One of the dopest single's ever! KRS One with a serious story of how he grew as a man in hip hop.


The lost Gin and Juice Remix, yall remember this??!?!


Trendz of Culture....I love this song!


I remember staying up on Thursday nights for 91.5 w/ Mr. Magic and Mr. Cee to tape this song.

Di Fara The Best Pizza In Brooklyn

*Photos by Shino Yanagawa taken with an iPhone*

When I say the best I mean the best. This past Sunday I took to a bike ride with the lady Shino from Flatbush to Coney Island. Let me say that it broke my heart to see what has become of my beloved childhood playground. I have fond memories of traveling to Coney Island as a youngster and riding the motorcycle ride and really believing that my 7 year old self was pushing a motorcycle. That ride is no longer there, and instead is replaced by some wack low budget ride. The only consolation is that my house music heads still go there on the weekends to dance in the sun. (Although I prefer the boardwalk to the new location in the actual park.)

On the way back to Flatbush we rode down Ocean Pkwy and saw some absolutely beautiful homes. Brooklyn can truly be a sight to see. 

We decided while at Coney Island to head down to this pizza place Shino has been raving about forever. Once we reached Ave. J and E.15th street I saw a very old Pizzeria. Once we walked in I saw two men working. One older man was making the pies and another gentleman was taking orders. There weren't many people inside and I was told that we were very lucky. There's normally a line around the block for these pies. You see, the old man who was making the pizza is the ONLY one who makes them here. He's been at this location for decades and takes his time. I watched him as he made pie after pie with fresh ingrediants like Buffalo Mozzerella and fresh crushed tomato sauce. After toping the pie off with olive oil it goes into one of the two ovens (which means only 4 pies can cook at a time). Because this place is so popular we wound up waiting an hour and a half for our pie with sun dried tomatoes. Once it was done I took the longest time to take the second bite of my first slice. It was simply too amazing to swallow (pause). 

If you get a chance PLEASE check out Di Fara. It's worth the wait and money (slices are 4 bucks and a pie is about 20).  

TRUST ME!

Drake - Best I ever had

Also known on twitter as BREAST I EVER HAD! Directed by Kanye West. Again I say, you be the judge. Click the link below to see what I think.
Dashaun's Opinion

Building Blocks

The Clash, Velvet Underground and Iron Maiden

I'm pretty sure you've come across these little dudes either as a child (or child at heart) playing the game or walking through the streets of the city. Either way we've seen the simple graphic style pop up around up and now it has taken another turn. I was put on to this recently and I just loved how the video shows him doing his work. Space Invader is having his new works at showcased the Jonathan Levine Gallery. I truly believe your mind has to be on some other isht to make images out of tile but to manipulate a Rubiks Cube into it, your outta here on some space cadet mission. So I'm sharing these videos with you in hopes to get a better understanding of the person behind the art.

TOP 10
by extermitent

How Times Change...

When I was in high school the Walkman was an essential tool. Most of my friends from those times recognize me by seeing a pair of headphones in on my head and a book bag on my back. I had (and still have) a big box of tapes which I would listen to on the regular. Back then the only thing I listened to was the hip hop of the day.

There was one summer where my brother Mahdi lent me his Sony Walkman. Man this was the illest Walkman I'd ever seen. It was able to pick up TV signals like radio stations. I remember I was working for the Summer Youth Employment Program and on my lunch breaks I would listen to All My Children (probably should have kept that secret but hey I'm weird). The tape that was in the Walkman when I got it was Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Links" album. It was on a TDK tape I believe and it was a good month and a half before the release date. I was the MAN in the hood. I would burn batteries out listening to TV shows and Raekwon's album.

There was a whole culture to owning a Walkman. Freezing your batteries when they went dead to squeeze that last bit of juice out of em. Flipping the tape over (because I never REALLY trusted Auto Reverse) to listen to another banger instead of pressing rewind. Those were the days. Now we just make a playlist and hit the streets. The new players charge up at night so the battery man on Utica Avenue (I used to hit up for 1 dollar Duracells) has to find another way to feed himself.

So today we salute the Sony Walkman. Honorable mention to the Aiwa models with the super base switch.



The End

A Rainbow Flows in Brooklyn

Saturday was the grand opening of the Kuntaw Martial Arts school in Brooklyn. This is the first school in New York to offer Kuntaw to the masses. The turn out was really good and we did a nice demonstration of what Kuntaw is all about. All of the Kuntaw students (Kyuds) who were up for promotion got to be officially prsented with their new belts and certificates on this day. While we were in the school rain came pouring down. When it was time to leave I walked down Flatbush Ave. People were just staring up in the sky. I stopped at the corner and see a HUGE rainbow the likes of which I'd never seen in New York period. I've only seen a large rainbow when I traveled to Hawaii last year.

People were stopping in the middle of the street to take pictures. I heard comments like "It's Michael Jackson!" and "The Lord has spared this city again and provided a covenant!". It was a moment for sure. I hope you were able to see it to for a minute. It seemed to be a small miracle.