Dez Einswell @ Kicks Lab Tokyo

Friday, April 30, I headed into Tokyo with the STOKYO Japan crew to the Dez Einswell event at Kicks Lab in Harajuku. Dez is a really down-to-earth, talented and humble individual. You can check out the photos on Flickr HERE.

DJ Flipout's re-edit of Bob James' classic

Hello all!

The holiday season is upon us and I would like to wish you all "HAPPY HOLIDAYS!"

I gotta share this with y'all because it's a bangin' track from none other than one of the original bboy's of Vancouver and one of the many Hip Hop historians that I know. When I first heard the original track from Bob James back in '97/ '98 from a Japanese friend of mine who had one of the original LP's, it just blew my mind. I love this track!! And now with Flipout's re-edit of the track with the "Beats to the Rhymes" drums with it and Nas, it's a neck breaker! Be sure to download it from the link below. I got it on repeat.

Bob James feat Nas "Nautilus" (Flipout C.U.P. Edit)

For more info on DJ Flipout, you can check him out here:

http://www.myspace.com/straightgoodsradio
http://www.nationofmillions.ca
http://www.ampfamily.com/index.php
http://thebeat.com/

Also for your weekly dose of hip-hop, and I MEAN HIP-HOP you can tune in "every Friday night/Saturday morning from 12:00am to 2:00am. It’s 100% Hip-Hop, straight from the streets to your radio." << on the Beat 94.5, with DJ's Flipout and Jay Swing. Stream it or download the shows from www.nationofmillions.ca. VANCITY (Vancouver) baby!!

PEACE!

Dedicated to the Hastings Set

As my title shows, this entry is dedicated to the Hastings Set. This movement has been inspiring artists from all mediums, as well as people who just love art, music and life. I was privileged to be a part of this experience when my good friend Jeff (Jeproc) invited me to a Hastings Set event. From there on my spirit felt renewed and had been longing for a movement, a collective to inspire me and others to open our minds and our ears and hearts. After the first event, I always looked forward to the Hastings Set and their partners work. I was getting hungry. It's been about a year since I was introduced to the Hastings Set. Everytime an event was hosted and associated with THS, I always encouraged friends and family to come along for the ride. To name a few, THS consists of a collective of musical talent, producers, promoters, photographers, dancers, dj's, etc. Here are some of the links I encourage you to look at and be inspired:

The Hastings Set
Love and Electrik/ Blog
Brad Dijkman
Tiffany May
Justin Tyler Close
The New Royales
Chin Injeti

A recent article from Vancouver Is Awesome website features the Hastings Set and can be seen HERE.

Love and Electrik will be releasing some new material in the near future, SO LOOK OUT AND COP IT!; Justin Tyler Close did a wonderful makeover of his site, as well as posting new work; The New Royales will be dropping their new single "Kinda Like A Big Deal" which features the Clipse and Kanye West, with the beats and talent of Chin and DJ Khalil. Single drops 4/20/2009, 12noon PST.


Congratulations to the Hastings Set!! Many blessings and love! Caesar misses y'all but so happy the internet keeps me connected.

Shout outs to Jeproc, Chin, Aidan, Love and Electrik, JTC, Tiffany, DJ Bles-sed, Niña Mendoza, DJ She, Brad, NaRai, Jeff Spec, Omar Khan, SVS Style Dance Crew, Boombox Saints, the Boyscouts, EH! Team DJs, Almighty, The Freshest, Beatstreet Records, Gman and Rizk, DJ OMG, Littlesumo, SDUBB, Baby J, Shaolin Ewok, Rock Royalty Inc., Riojex, El Kartel, VANCOUVER, and to you all!!

Saturday Was A Good Day

Dec.13, 2008:
Let's see, where shall I begin...

2pm:
Oh yes, none other than Love and Electrik performed their second performance at Beatstreet Records out of the Five Feats of Strength Tour. Their first performance of the tour was the night before at the Sweatshop for the Schools Out For Winter event, which was hosted by Team Cream. Their next performance will be at the Shine Nightclub this Thursday, Dec. 18 with the Freshest Kids DJs and special guest DJ Bles-sed. For more information on Love and Electrik, please visit their MySpace page HERE and their blog HERE. I took some video footage of their performance at Beatstreet Records, which I will post shortly.

For more photos of Love and Electrik, please click HERE.

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10pm:
Next up, I went to the Camilla D'Errico art show which was hosted at El Kartel on Robson St. She is one of the many favourite artists that I admire. She's such a cool person and real easy to talk with. I had the privilege of meeting her at her first show, about 2 years ago at El Kartel. She signed a t-shirt for me then and signed another one now. Thank you!! Also in attendance was Vincent Chan, who was featured on Hypebeast.com recently, along with his partner and a good friend of mine, Matthew Miyagawa from Finale Design. And last but not least, Santa stopped by for a drink. For more information on Camilla D'Errico and to see more of her work, please visit her website HERE.

For photos from Camilla D'Errico's show, please click HERE.

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Midnight:
And last but not least, I headed down to the Royal Unicorn for the Studios' Film and Music Industry Party. Music was provided by Cheeky Disco (in a monkey suit. What?!), Small Fame and Saint Expedite. The night was great with good music and good company. Thanks again to Justin for the invite! :) Please visit www.thisisthestudio.com, to view more of their work. I also have some video footage of Small Fame's performance, which I will post up shortly too.

For photos of this event, please click HERE.

Good night :D

Jemapur "Evacuation" 2nd Album release

Maledict Car by Jemapur

W+K Tokyo Lab's newest artist, Jemapur, released his 2nd Album. Unfortunately this album can only be purchased off of the iTunes Japan Store. Above is a video from W+K Tokyo Lab and was directed by Kosai Sekine. I had the privilege of meeting with the Creative Directors from W+K Tokyo Lab earlier this month in LA. For more information please check out their website, HERE.

Tokyo.Ten @ Gallery Nucleus

-with Shane Lester, Eric Cruz and Gino Woo
-

This is Day 2 of my visit to LA. It started off on Melrose Ave. to La Brea Ave, checking out stores. During that time, I was caught in a thunderstorm (booo!!).

That evening though was the purpose of my trip: W+K Tokyo Lab - Tokyo.Ten Show in Alhambra. I was very fortunate and privileged to have met the Creative Team of W+K Tokyo Lab; Eric Cruz (+cruz), Shane Lester and Gino Woo (Woog). The show presents a compilation of work from artists that have collaborated with W+K Tokyo Lab. Tokyo.Ten is a compilation of DVD, Book and Blog that chronicles their entire audiovisual output since they began five years ago. The exhibition included prints, dvd and cd artwork, and a video presentation. Music was also provided by Woog, Shane Lester and Nanopaul. For more info about Tokyo.Ten and the exhibit, please click HERE.

I have become a big fan of Hifana since discovering them while living in Japan back in 2003-2004. I have frequented Shane Lester's blog to see what's been going on, as well as W+K Tokyo Lab's Blog too. Last year, during my trip to Japan to visit my lady, I had the opportunity to see where W+K Tokyo Lab's studio in Roppongi was. To see them in person though was weird, just because I would always see them on their blogs.

Please check their work out at www.wktokyolab.com/ and at www.wktokyo.jp/.

I have been following their work since I discovered their profile in December 2006 on Apple's Pro web page. Thank you guys!!

It then ended off with dinner with my friend Mikee and my cousin Lisa and her friend, Lolly, at Wockano in Pasadena.

For more photos, please click HERE.

Love and Electrik @ the Bayside Lounge - Sept.20, 2008

Love and Electrik performed at the Bayside Lounge last night. As I have missed their 2 shows from the previous Hasting Sets parties, i've finally managed to catch them. While sitting cozy in the lounge, sippin' on my Gin and Tonic and snackin' on some nachos, I listened and grooved to the sounds of Love and Electrik. This duo consists of Roxy Aiston and Kevin Mah. If you would like to learn more about them and their music, you can click HERE.

I LOVE ROBOTS!!

For photos of the show, please click HERE.

Common and N.E.R.D. @ Malkin Bowl - Sept.17, 2008

It has been 6 years since I last saw Common perform and I have to say that my second attendance to his show was amazing. Again with a live band and a small production, I was very happy to have attended this show.

I went down to the show with my cousin John and one of my best friends, Bryan. DJ Pump (Eh Team DJ's) opened up the show, and was followed up by N.E.R.D. They too put on an amazing set. N.E.R.D. is so alive when they're live. The one thing I really appreciated and took to heart was what Pharrell said on stage for a young 12 year old and to the youth . He gave a mad shout out to them which I thought deserves mad respect, as well as stressing education.

Common on the other hand, still shows how a gentleman should be. I'm really looking forward to Common's new album, "the Believer", which will be released in November 2008.

Click HERE to view photos of the show.

Livestock Block Party 2008 - Photos

Okay, so this weekend was just party, after party, after party. From Friday at Republic with DJ OMG to the Hastings Set "Freedom" Party, to Saturday at Plush for SVS Style Dance Crew's 3 year Anniversary to Bar None with DJs P-Luv and OMG, to Sunday for Livestock's 3rd Annual Block Party. Phew?!

So photos will be comin' in reverse order of events. So first up is Livestock's Block Party 2008.

Livestock hosted its 3rd annual Block Party. Each year is getting bigger and better. Thank you to the organizers, DJs, sponsors, performers, dancers and most importantly, the people, that make this event possible! LIVESTOCK!!!

For photos, please click HERE.

Sept. 17 @ Malkin Bowl - Common & N.E.R.D.

the Hastings Set: Everybody's Party - August 8, 2008

Ooh wee!... It's been a long time since i've been to a private event like this, where there was great music (live bands and DJs) and great people. It was hotter than a MF in the joint, but everybody's vibe was positive and all were having a good time. DJ's Niña, Gerald C. and Bles-sed rocked the decks and kept the crowd moving all night. Omar and friends, Curtis Santiago and his guitarist (sorry, but I don't remember names well), all the musicians, and for those that i've missed, gave great performances that evening. I also met a couple of great photographers; Brad Dijkman and Riaz Makan. Thank you to Jeff, Chin and the Hastings Set crew for putting on another great gathering! See you next round. Peace.

Please check out photos of the evening, HERE.

http://thehastingsset.wordpress.com/

The return of Zaki Ibrahim

My good friend, Zaki Ibrahim, performed at the Media Club, as well as Kinnie Starr as the opening act, on July 17. Due to a prior engagment, I missed the show :( In any case, I heard that the show was great. I managed to meet with Zaki at Lola's and got her to sign a copy of her cd. Thanks Zaki!!

p.s. "Tanika, it was great seeing you homegirl!! Miss you!"

Canada Day...

Ok, so i'm still playing catchup. So a couple of events happened on July 1, Canada Day. First was Bryan's birthday, which involved a day trek around the seawall of Stanley Park and ended off with a nice dinner at Mr.Pickwick's on Denman. In the evening, the Boombox Saints performed at Lola's on West Broadway. Next up... Paul's Bday BBQ. Peace!

More photos HERE

More photos HERE

Flashing Lights to Republic - June 25, 2008

Pluskratch (Paul Mighty, Boombox Saints, Kut Co.) and Huggy Fresh (Boombox Saints) had their birthday celebration at Fabric. It was theme based and the theme was "futuristic". G and I were only there for a minute cuz we had to bounce somewhere else. You can check out some of the photos of that night here.

Pluskratch x Huggy Fresh x 1st Love Wednesdays - June 25

Salamat - June 11

Sammie Jo Productions, Spectrum Entertainment, and 1st Love Wednesdays successfully put on a great show for the 2nd Annual SALAMAT Festival. With a DJ lineup you couldn't miss, all dj's kept the night going. There were performances from the SVS Style Crew, Pure Dance Crew, Toxic Slime Clique, Boombox Saints (sorry guys :( ), Jiggz (No Plan B.) and D-City; the night was hot and entertaining.

Pluskratch a.k.a. Almighty Paul Mighty, was sportin' and sellin' his new print "ALMIGHTY". In the back there were booths set up with some local organizations such as Enspire Foundation, the Philippine Womens Centre, and Glory MMA Apparel. Also body art provided by Got Funk Threads. Thank you to all who came down and supported. Also, KUYA was in attendance serving up hot eats for all of ya'll. I heard the puto was bangin' (extra butter :P). Anyhow, I hope you all enjoyed the night. Happy Philippine Independence Day!!

>> Please click on the names if you'd like to get more information regarding the individual and groups. Thank you! << >> To see more photos, please click here.

damage

Another friend of mine i'd like to introduce you to is Daniel Gonzalez aka damage. He is a fashion designer from Mexico and has produced and collaborated on projects with other fashion designers in the industry. Please check out his site at 11after11dg.wordpress.com. Please also stop by and say "hello" to him if your on Robson St. at the El Kartel store.

The One and Only...Zaki Ibrahim

For those of you who don't know Zaki Ibrahim, I am proud to introduce you to her and her music. I have known her for many years and since moving to the East, specifically Toronto, she has been focusing and working hard towards her dream: Music. The question that many have asked is: Is she the next Amy Winehouse? But in a good way. I encourage you to experience her music and her talent. Please visit her website at: www.zakiibrahim.com.

Ghost x Livestock T-Shirt

Livestock came up with a great plan to collaborate with various artists to design a new set of t-shirts every 45 days.

Read more...