Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Better Than Turkey

Video Credit: http://www.okayplayer.com/

Talib Kweli, Res, and Graph Nobel new video "Black Snake Moan" off of their project Party Robot. This video was filmed at club Rehab NYC. Another reason why New York is so thankful this holiday.

And if you want to have a live experience, Idle Warship is performing at BB King's in NYC on December 22nd.

My favorite part was seeing was seeing Ibrahim Yaqut, my favorite male model/artist right now. [drooling]
Aiight let me go start on this turkey, all this drooling got me hungry. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Kid+Cudi = Omen


So.....

     Its seems, whenever these feet touch European soil, I bump into an Artist from the U.S. Last spring while at Collete in Paris I ran into Mr. Paris/Tokyo himself ....Lupe Fiasco. Cool guy, that Lupe.
      
So now, I'm at customs taking out my passport and travel info to give to the agent, when beside me comes Kid Cudi. I bump into him again at the baggage claim. I says what up, then he asks me if I'm a producer. (Do I look like a producer to you?), anyway I says yeah. After a lil small talk, I let him hear a track. He digs it (or so I assume, since he listened to the whole beat). Then gives me his email and says hit him up.  And that I will. He went on to say that he didn't know what exact sound he was going for, but when it jumps out at him he'll know... 
(that's helpful :-*).
  
      According to the Alchemist (a book I'm reading at the moment), this particular encounter is what some spiritualists would refer to as an "Omen". To me, this encounter was reassurance that I am indeed vibrating at the right frequency. I am a planet orbiting in its ordained solar system. 
(translation: ...I'm on the right track.) 


I'm just sayin...
 How can they front on me when God got my back.

"...I'll be your American boy!"




....Estelle holla at me! Yes folks, this is RIPMC reporting live from London (yes, i found the apple store in London). I know.. I didn't really tell anyone I was going till I was on the plane. Sometimes you just have to do things like that... nothing personal. Any way, I'll be out here for three weeks. I'll probably do a couple shows while I'm out here. That's the goal. As I check out the Museums I'll post about them, so no worries you wont miss a thing.... except me of-course! 
:-)


     Hold on...Pardon me folks.... I see some lonely beautiful british women that needeth my company. I'll be right back....(!!!)



WRITERS BLOCK!!!


I'm sayin' though.... This is the livest event in NYC, But you already knew that. I mean where else can you be enlightened, learn something new, party, get wasted and forget everything you just learned all in one night....  

Monday, November 24, 2008

Put A "Rim" On It

If you liked it, then you should'a put a "rim" on it!! If you liked it, then you should'a put a "rim" on it!! Oh oh Nooo!!
Ha! I am not to sure how I feel about these shades. Yeah they are all futuristic, but I have the sudden urge that Beyonce is going to replace her infamous metallic gloves with these metallic lens.Both shiny accessories lack any real function, except exerting a blinding glare to the defenseless bystanders. I don't even think she can see through them, kinda defeats the whole purpose.
Which do you prefer?
A. Metal gloves
B. Metal shades
C. Neither
D. I don't give a flying fook
E. Who cares, can't wait till December 18th at The Bowery Poetry Club

Friday, November 21, 2008

Taking Blogging to a Whole 'Nother Level

By "nother" I really mean that "no-other" has ever attempted to blog from such an intimate point of view. Let me introduce you to Rob Spence, a man who plans on making a documentary about changing his prosthetic eye into a wireless web camera.

It is like Big Brother, only it is more like "Big Nother" haha, I kid, I kid.

So the documentary will be called Eye 4 An Eye, a film about the process and he is currently in development with the National Film Board of Canada. Oh, and he lost his eye when he was 11 years old and literally "shot his eye out" with his grandfather's shotgun, while trying to aim at cow dung. The gun backfired and damaged his eye permanently.

I don't know how I feel about this, Writer's Block seems to satisfy my blog longings. But as a treat peep the video of Mr. Spence getting his prosthetic eye placed in, it starts out with a snippet from Six Million Dollar Man.

WARNING THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!! THE EYE GETS REMOVED!!


Don't forget today is the last "Spit That" for the year!!
come through and have some Turkey!!
YUME Loftspace
925 Bergen St, BK
@ 7 p.m.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Taking Over, or Over Taking???

A play by a Hip-hop writer, about the gentrification in New York City, namely Brooklyn. Need I say more. Well, of course I am going to say more. So here goes...Danny Hoch the brains behind this genius work of theatrical art has created a "one-man show" literally.

Picture Credit: www.berkeleyrep.org
Picture Credit: www.berkeleyrep.org

Picture Credit: www.berkeleyrep.org

This is his first new solo show in 10 years. Hoch is renowned for the landmark shows Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop, Pot Melting; Some People; and Till theBreak of Dawn. That show delt with hardcore issues like AIDS, racism and its intricate link with the criminal-justice system.

Hoch's lastest work "Taking Over" gives voice to everyone from the real estate developer, to the local young man whose family is being kicked out of their apartment, to the hipsters who buy, and those who fit none of the aforementioned categories.

The New York Times stated "Mr. Hoch said, many upper-middle-class audience members told him they felt excluded or alienated while watching the show, particularly when the more hostile characters were onstage. 'And my response to that is: That is a good thing embrace that, because that is what all of my characters who are getting displaced are feeling.' "

All I know is this is a must see:

WHERE: The Public Theater / 425 Lafayette St / New York, NY 10003
WHEN: November 6 – December 14, 2008
HOW MUCH: $20 - $70
TIX & INFO: 212.967.7555 / publictheater.org

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Kickin' New Flava In Ya' Ear!!

Well to some this is new flavor, and to others this flava is as familiar as the taste of Hi-C on an elementary school lunch break. But definitely had to put you on to Muhsinah.

She is a modern day experimenter, and I don't mean that she is a scientist, but the works she creates seems like new discoveries. Maybe she should be nominated for a Nobel Prize, but it seems that magazines such as XLR8R and TRACE, have given her due props, and I co-sign 100%.





Peep the video Construction below...this is my favorite one!!
Her albums "Daybreak" and"The Oscillations" are currently available on iTunes.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

"Maybe" We Can???



President - Elect Obama has been the first in a lot of things, but dare we say that he be the first President to keep his beloved Blackberry. I say "Maybe We Can???"

I mean according to the Presidential Records Act, President-elect Obama will probably be forced to relinquish his once cherished singular conduit to the outside world. I mean sure it is a threat to national security and what not, but how else will he get to visit THE BLOCK.

But never fear Super Obama is here, and he said that he is hoping to at least have a laptop computer on his desk in the Oval Office, which would make him again the first American president to do so.

All I have to say is who cares if he has a Blackberry or not, with a middle name like Hussein, I'm just ever so glad that he made it in office.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Dee + Ricky = >:-(


Yes! I'm  hatin'! I see this not so "dynamic" duo all over the NYC downtown scene stuntin' and frontin' at events (but they aint even as fresh as me).

Originally known for their lego belts and buttons which found their way onto the Marc Jacobs runway during  Fall '08 fashion week, the duo has done it again. I wont lie, this is genius. It's moments like this, when artists can proclaim themselves greater than a one hit wonder, that impress me most. Go out and cop, support the artist! 
Their latest creation (duffle bags made out of vintage Starter jackets) will be available very soon at:  Fred Segal's, Conveyor, Colette (Paris) as well as Liqour Women and Tears (Japan).







 (hmmm...I wonder if this athletic inspired invention might have dudes in the hood wearing man bags...interesting)

Sunday, November 16, 2008

AZ? Where are you?

...probably looking for letters B through Y. Okay that was a super corny, but honestly Sundays are the best days to sit back and reminiscence about the spent days. So i treat you with my personal Sunday Special...



And that has me thinking "What ever happened to AZ?" Maybe he should come back out with an album and banish the voice synthesizer and all the artists that have been associated with it.


Unless of course, it comes back in the sweet sweet wonderful form of Zapp and Roger "I Wanna Be Your Man"



Saturday, November 15, 2008

Pause for a KAWS

His name is KAWS. Youve seen his work before....







Well, now you can find him in the Gering & Lopez Gallery Located at 730 5th ave. between 56th and 57th. Take the elevator to the 6th floor. Its a small exhibit, but definitely worth the trip. In the spirit of Andy warhol (Grn Pea what up!) KAWS is Pop culture at its best. I had the pleasure of checking out the exhibit last friday. Considering I didnt know much about KAWS the artist before hand, it was a pleasure. It was a new, but moreso different apporoach to fine art. With Bright colors, heavy diologue, abrupt contrast, and sharp images KAWS makes his presence felt by carving out a place for himself in the canvas of time.





4+1+1= Green Pea



RIPMC is in the house, and back like I never left. Before I get into the next post I must officially welcome my homegirl Green pea on board. Green pea has been holdin' it down the past couple of days bringing you the latest in international contemporary "street" culture (music, fashion, art etc.) Green Pea is on the block all day and every day, she is the word on the street, keepin' you up to date with the 4-1-1. So with that being said......


WE. ARE. WRITERS BLOCK.




Friday, November 14, 2008

Word to yo MoMA!


The Museum of Modern Art, for those that don't know....

The MoMA is the perfect spot for a first date fellas, take notes (make her actually believe you know something). Or, if your like me, the MoMa is just a good spot to take yourself out on a date.
Oh ... and do yourself a favor, be sure to check out the cafe on the second floor.
As for the art, I had the pleasure of checking out two exhibits that covered key moments in the lifetimes of two prominent artist: Joan Miro and the legendary Van Gogh.

Peep science....

Joan Miro, set out to "assassinate painting" with the use of collage. Through innovation he revolutionized the use of the canvas, incorporating mediums such as aluminum, Card board, even Rope to name a few. His usage of color also put him ahead of his time. (Keep in mind, these works are from the early 1930's)







("still life with old shoe", one of my favorites)


Van Gogh known for his unique use of lighting and brush strokes defined an era in Art history. In this exhibit they focus on his earlier works, giving an artistic depiction of the small town in which he lived. Moving on to later works, after being influenced by Japanese artist of the time, he started using brighter palattes giving birth to new peices that accentuated the sharp contrast of light and dark on canvas.











Poems Lacking Words...

Last night's "Spit That" was nostalgic. The topic of discussion was none other than....


Often a topic referred to in poems, and often to inspiration of a lot of written work. But, as usual here at Writer's Block we like to "THINK outside the BOX" So, I felt that this video by Sia, demonstrates that so much can be conveyed without ever saying a word.

You can watch the whole video, or skip to 1:20 when things start to get interesting...

-

"Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a death-like slumber,must always create a sunshine,filling the heart so full of radiance,that it overflows upon the outward world."

-The Scarlet Letter


...And remember that next week's Spit That will be at Yume Lounge, but on Friday, November 21, and this will be a potluck to commerate the "Thanksgiving" Season.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Swedish Fish < Swedish Music

It seems that currently Sweden is producing more than just their Red 40 dye colored sweets...
Swedish Fish Pictures, Images and Photos
...they are producing another treat. Swedish music has managed within a short span of years to cultivate my groupie longings for artists such as Lykke Li, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Robyn, Little Dragon, & the Teddybears.

Let's starts off with my personal favs, Lo-Fi-Fnk, they are like an androgenous version of Uffie on 'shrooms. I swear I am addicted.

Lykkie Li is like Mary-Kate Olsen on acid, with a little bit more meat on her bones.

Then I had to join a 12-step program to get myself off of my Robyn addiction. But I've relapsed, she had my heart since I was in JHS listening to her teenie bop "If You Really Want Me" but honestly you gotta commend her for constantly switching up the style and always leaving you guessing.

Listening to Little Dragon is like taking a trip through Erykah Badu's third eye accompanied with a mp3 player blasting a live performance of a Swedish fish flavored Jack Davey with a psychedelic tambourine player.

The Teddybears are like .... well they just are. DON'T JUDGE THEM!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

My Thanksgiving Present.

Dudes...and Dudettes....get into this. The trees are naked and the leaves have all turned the color of our new president. Thus signifying that the winter months are upon us...
So i suggest you prepare yourself, and your feet, adequately...with a pair of Dr. Martens

Seeing as how i have a problem with patience, which implies that i don't like to wait. I cannot wait for Christmas to get presents, so instead i created new gift-giving holiday, of which the mass media has not managed to monopolize as of yet. I call it "We're eating turkey so you might as well give me a present" day.

I mean yeah the name is all long and what not, but i figure whatevs as long as i get something to give thanks for on Thanksgiving who cares...

pic via NYLON
i really really really want a pair of Dr. Martens, and you should want one too....

and no this was no funded for by any companies. Although i do take check, cash and money orders....

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Jaime + Lewis x RIPMC = Literary Evangelist





.....At least that's what the word on the street is. Well, not so much the streets... but.. it is however the word on Un-Mute.com. I've been interviewed! Check me out!

UN-MUTE.COM

Thanks Myisha!



Monday, November 10, 2008

Patrick + Moberg = (LMAO)

I dedicate this post to everyone who has logged on to our blog over the last week to find that it hasn't been updated since last week. Incase you were wondering, some loser after 6 months decided to secure their wireless connection (almost like the kid in elementary school that covered their paper during the spelling test...) so, now I have no more free Wifi and am writing you via the Apple store in Soho. I hope this post finds you well. I think this post should cover everything that I would've posted last week.
 Ladies and gentlemen I give you....... 

Patrick Moberg  

Hah! We're just getting started.. peep the link to this video clip. Enjoy



(P.S.... last week's, "Spit That! open mic" was crazy.... what? I'm just sayin'...) 

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Kanye Channeling His "Inner Andy Warhol"

Kanyezzee has done it once again, and channeled his inner "artist,"[said with a french accent]. In this case scenario it happened to be none other than Mister Andy Warhol. Andy was a major figure of the pop art movement, and was well known for creating ink images with slight color changes.

Kanye's recently dropped video "Heartless" features some pop art itself with slight color changes, and according to his blog it was based on the 1981 American Pop movie. Check it out for yourself.

You might recognize some resemblance to the work of Mister Warhol....



But honestly, this is not the first time that Kanye has managed to take a style and make it his own. It was done before in his "Good Life" video that was surprising reminiscent to Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." video. And I sure this won't be the last time.

But here at Writer's Block, we'll pay homage to the master Andy Warhol.

The master, the originator, the creater of this style...himself.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

We. Are. Writers Block.

No this isn't a plug or an ad. I just really want to say thank you. Yes by all means this open mic has been a success... but bigger than that, I'm always amazed at the amount of Love in the room at any given Writers Block event.
...Heheh....I love you too.



We. Are. Writers Block.
wearewritersblock.com


Writers Block: The Movement that keeps you moving!

Pics from last weeks "Spit That!".
BIG shout out to Urban Word (GITS!!!)
Carl Chisolm on the pics! Holla at him.