tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074726978034009372024-03-12T20:43:20.385-07:00I DO HAVE A BRAINPeople often say to me "B. you're a lot smarter than what you look". I reply "Duh!"B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-83824968998451487362012-01-12T10:19:00.001-08:002012-01-12T10:19:46.041-08:00what you think ?<iframe width="320" height="192" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tT7_oQzDYMw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />There is a part in this that I didn't like but overall I liked it.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-13964821309210028622011-12-28T19:05:00.001-08:002011-12-28T19:05:56.005-08:00capoeira<iframe width="400" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/InQ4ZN0V7tU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-62589302245867270182011-12-28T19:03:00.000-08:002011-12-30T13:28:05.393-08:00Meeting Capoeira pt1The Why… kinda<br />I have wanted to learn capoeira for years now, yet I couldn’t tell you when I learned it even existed. I was intrigued the moment I saw it being performed, and began searching websites for places in Chicago where I could take classes. It seemed to be a “secret squirrel” society though. It was something people were doing, but it was hard to find a place to go to where one could see such a marvel for himself. I wasn’t living in the city at the time, and the only places found were far away from me. But I was willing to take the long journey from south suburb to the cities end to learn this graceful thing. <br />I found a place called Keller’s Martial Arts in Irving Park that offers martial art classes in various styles from taekwondo to hapkido, boxing, kickboxing, judo and even kung Fu. However the owner sneakily has patrons sign these eleven month contracts that require one to pay one hundred dollars a month for the duration of the contract plus a start up fee. I would have gladly paid too, but the schedule posted online for the capoeira classes changed drastically and it no longer was worth my wild to join seeing as I ONLY wanted to learn capoeira. <br />I found a place in Pilson, IL, which had a pay as you go type of plan. That sounded much better to me. I took one class, and never made it back. It was just too inconvenient on account of my class schedule and the commute. I saw that capoeira classes were offered at the fitness center on campus at Columbia College. Which was perfect. I was already a student, but when I went to join; it turned out that the brochures for the fitness center where I found that information were outdated. That was spring of 2010. Fast forward to fall semester 2011 when I found out that once again capoeira was back at the fitness center, I was ecstatic. I could get in shape, learn this skill I’ve wanted to learn for so long, and it was free! <br />The What… somewhat<br />Capoeira is in limbo between a deadly sport, and a graceful dance. Combining fast flying roundhouse kicks done ever so poetically to an entrancing spiritual, yet tribal music. Ultimately creating something that resembles a contemporary dance. It seems as though the exact origin of capoeira is a touchy subject. I’ve always know this to be a Brazilian martial art, however it seems that some serious capoeiristas and other so-called knowledgeable people of all things worldly think otherwise.<br /> I was speaking to a friend, a friend who is not at all a capoeira contender, and he said that capoeira was a based off a system that comes from the Yoruba people. I’m not knowledgeable enough to dispute that, however I found a passage in a book that really caught my attention. The passage basically said: that saying that Capoeira is completely native to Brazil without the African influence would be absurd, yet to say that it was preexisting is too far fetched. I agree with that because of all the countries that partook in slave trading, capoeira is still what I like to call “secret squirrel society”. Even though it does exist, and is very popular, it isn’t as easily found as say… karate or other Asian based martial arts. My perhaps… ignorant opinion is of all the slaves the United States had; if Capoeira were native to Africa, it would be as big for us as it is for Brazil. (Almeida)<br />The Place<br />Capoeira at Columbia College Chicago is taught in the basement of the fitness center, which is part dormitory, part student rec center. The building is located on the corner of Plymouth court and Polk Street. Outside the building is a collection of bars and shops, and the old Dearborn station. As I go inside I think to myself how few times I’ve been in this place. I take a seat at the window to really absorb my surroundings. It is a tremendous amount of purple decor in this place, and for a recreation area it sure is quiet. Walking down the stairs to the lower level is an eerie thing with only a few footsteps, and elevator dings to be heard along with the hum of a vending machine. <br />The Capoeira class meets Tuesday’s at 6:00 pm in a huge room with a wall, covered floor to ceiling with mirrors. Black and white speckled rubber like mats cover the floor. A speaker system is in one corner. This is a multi purpose room used for activities like yoga, but also could be a junk room for random things not being used. There is a wall covered with boxes packed with unknown things. They have aerobic equipment like steps, and some weights. There’s usually a little funk in air when I’m in this room. Not because I stink, but you know… people workout there. <br />Students warm up by jumping in place, and performing the ginga back and forth, and up and down. Form is very important when drilling moves for speed, accuracy and ultimately protecting your self from counter attacks or being tripped/pushed down. During one of our sessions the maestro was having people drill moves called armada and queixada (ke-sha-da). Basically one delivers the former kick then leans back to get out of dodge, because the opponent is going to return with the latter of the kicks mentioned. People weren’t giving the lean enough importance, and he wanted everyone to know that you have to be sure to clear your face and shoulder from the attackers foot. He then said “Give those movements justice, I swear I’ll kick you” (Granger)<br />The Teacher (Maestro) and His Crew<br /> The Maestro is a man of average height, and built frame by the name of Joshua Granger. He’s a family man, whose wife always comes in ten or 20 minutes earlier than he does carrying their son. A fair skin, green eyed, curly haired baby boy who’s destined to be one of the top capoeiristas in the city of Chicago. Several times I heard Joshua say Isaiah (son) will start training as soon as he learns to walk. Josh started his own training in 1994 at age seventeen after being introduced to it at the University Of Chicago, a place he said he frequented even though he was not enrolled there. <br />The Game<br />The pulse of the music is like a heartbeat dictating the pace of the movements. Meanwhile what is being sung is meant to keep our energy up when you’re in the roda (pronounced ho-da). Every practice has a roda at the end. A roda is when everyone forms a circle, and then two people spar one another. When they’re done, they leave the circle and the next two opponents go. There is another way we do a roda in the class and that’s when one person goes against another, and after a few minutes someone else has to “buy in” and take the place of the fighter who has fought the longest in that match. This game is about courtesy and respect. The point is to show off your moves, and maybe tap the opponent but not intentionally hurt them; meanwhile you’re becoming a better capoeirista. When class is over we huddle in circle; put in one hand and yell salve (sal-ve) or save us in Portuguese.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-14091969009503226532011-12-28T19:01:00.000-08:002011-12-30T13:29:30.445-08:00Meeting Capoeira pt2Music is a big part of Capoeira and can be ritual and symbol. The lyrics of the songs sung could be light hearted and fun, or inspiration to play harder. The lyrics could be about love or death. The music was also a way to relay messages to one another about things happening outside of the roda. Joshua told me that you could tell the difference between an old school Capoeira song and a new school one. The classics, like Negro spirituals, had lyrics like: “Don’t tip over the milk, because the tree will fall. Look yonder to the owl so the fork will know”. “It had to be crazy shit like that because they had to be discreet”. New Capoeira songs are direct, and talk directly about what’s going on, because there’s no need to be discreet. (Granger)<br />My Identity In this Class <br />My time here learning capoeira, learning about capoeira, and getting to know those in the group has been interesting. I remember a few weeks ago writing about my identity and place in the group, and not feeling so good about it. But that drastically change between then and now. When I was in class drilling moves I often felt like I was doing them wrong. I felt awkward, and sometimes uncomfortable. Sometimes I fell, and got embarrassed. I felt very outside the group in those moments. One day a woman named Amy was leading my side of the class, the beginner’s side of the class, and I felt I couldn’t do the moves correctly. Well actually it wasn’t that I couldn’t; it was that she was moving way too fast for me. Even when Josh teaches I feel like the pace is going way too fast. I looked around to see how many of these guys (and girls) were actually doing the moves correct, and in sync with the teacher. Not many of them were. It eased my mind a bit, but I was still very self-conscious. <br />I tried to shake it off and just do it, but I still wasn’t executing the moves. We were drilling a combo kick. A combo made up of two different kinds of roundhouse kicks; the already mentioned armada and queixada. I remember feeling like “don’t give up B, you got this” so I excused myself from the group In order to regroup. I went to the back of the room, and just watched for a minute. Then I went back to try again. I still couldn’t get the moves right; I couldn’t get over how effortless this woman’s armada was. It was almost like she was performing ballet. Amy’s arms went up, and her leg followed as her foot led her twirling body 360 degrees clock wise while the other kick followed, counter clockwise. I then threw in the towel. I felt like even though she didn’t say anything to me directly I had been written off as a quitter. <br />The entire class regrouped, and both the beginners and the more advance were together doing this crazy move where we had to jump to the floor and some how swing our legs up like we were b-boys break dancing. Then somehow switch legs to be facing the other side. I was too through! I sat in the back and watched in frustration. Josh asked me had I done the exercise twice yet, and I told the Maestro that I was thinking about leaving. I don’t know why told him that. Like, why would he care that I was a quitter? But I explained to him that the pace was just too fast, how could he expect me to just know how to summersault, land on one foot, and then jack knife into a glass of water. My frustration was not because I thought it was impossible to do, but I’d need to know what are the steps one takes to do such things. His answer was to slow the moves down in my head and study them. He must think this is the matrix I thought to myself. I didn’t want to completely quit, so I suffered through the rest of the class. Even still, I was very unresponsive to anything else done in the class. It would have been less embarrassing if I had just got my stuff and left.<br />Things took a turn for the better on the November 8th 2011 class. A week or so before then I was rear ended while stopped at a stoplight, which stills has me on the bench suffering from a neck injury. However I continued to go class to observe, and this particular day on the 8th I felt very involved and needed. Another group occupied the room we are usually are in, and for that reason we practiced in the corridor. We didn’t have the usual sound system equipment to plug in an iPod with capoeira music, so we used the traditional instruments and played our own music. <br /> We had two kinds of berímbaus and a pandeíro (tambourine). A berímbau is a long stick with curve in it, with a wire string tied at both ends. On the side that faces the person playing it is half of a gourd tied on with a string. To play this instrument you use a rock to apply tension to the wire while tapping the wire with a stick. The rhythm we played was four quick taps with the rock and 2 taps with out the rock. Meanwhile the pandeíro is a tap at the top, then a tap at the bottom followed by another tap at the top. I had never in my life played a berímbau, but that day I was willing and eager to learn. Pilar (participant) told me I was good at it, and the only real criticism I got was how to tap the pandeíro with the correct fingers. <br />I felt more apart of the group because as I leaving I went to shake hands with the players, and they all seemed more embracing then usual. I’m not sure if it was because I felt more open and embracive to them or what. I shook hands with a guy also named Brandon and I had this goofy look on my face. I said, “I’m being a creep, sorry”. Then he touches my face and says, “I know”. My reflexes reacted, and I grab his hand, and my mood changed but I realized he was only joking. I soften my frown and replied: “now you’re the creep”, and we laughed. That exchange made me feel like an insider. I made sure he knew I wanted to interview him for this project, and once we had the chance to sit and talk I reminded him of when he touched my face. I told him that it was off putting at first. But then I realized he was joking, so it made me feel more like I had a friend. He said it was to show that in this group everyone is welcomed, unlike other capoeira groups, which can be “clicky”. <br />Getting To Know People, While Getting To Know Capoeira<br />Brandon is one of my favorite capoeiristas in this group. Not because he shares my name, or my hair (style). But he, unlike other players in this bunch, never comes to class with sweats or formal Capoeira attire. He comes dressed in his street cloth. A sweater. A large scarf. Casual dress shoes. A nice shirt. Even with all the attention to detail, whether it be intentional or not, he’s never NOT ready to step into the roda, or the assist by teaching the beginners of the group. <br /> When I come to Capoeira, I’m just leaving my English class, so for me it’s more convenient to just join the formation street cloths and all. That left me with the question… why does Brandon choose to fight in jeans, sweaters and button ups? He answered: “just for the energy of it and to rebel against the system”. He continued to say that he’s always practicing Capoeira because it’s in every day life. It is a set of morals that guides him in his interaction with people and different situations. (Cooper)<br />On the last day of class I interviewed Josh and after all the simple Simon questions I asked just to get the conversation going I came up with a great question, but Amy came over and said a few words and I forgot it. My solution was to stall, so I asked him to just tell me a story pertaining to him and capoeira. He replied, “I’m named after my uncle. My uncle was a black panther, and he looked after Tupac Shakur. It was about a struggle, and the struggle is in all of us even if we are blind to us.” I didn’t get it, so he followed that by saying: “Capoeira is the freedom of the movement, and the celebration of the fight.” I then asked Josh what was next for him and Capoeira, while secretly still stalling, and he said he wants to do an event in spring that brings many capoeristas together to one location. I couldn’t remember the REAL question, so I said my goodbyes and left him and a few others as they went for drinks and some food at a near by restaurant. <br />I went back to school and begin to type what I had just wrote down when probably the most important question, as far as I was concerned, came back to me. I packed up my things and headed to the restaurant; I was in luck he and the others were still there. I took a seat and asked him “is it a dance, or is it a martial arts?” “It’s a dance. It’s based on rhythm. Any martial arts you learn you have to have rhythm, just like a dance “ he said. My point of view is, when I hear some people call Capoeira a dance I think they are unknowingly belittling the seriousness of it. “Let them believe that” He said, with a convincing stare. I followed up with “is it fighting or is playing, because you often refer to it as playing?” Quickly he responded, “It’s playing, the minute you start fighting, you’re weak. It’s a game.” (Granger) <br />After four months of paper writing, note taking, and video recording Capoeira has reveled it’s self to me. Not as a thing that you do, not necessarily, but as the capoeiristas have said Capoeira is something much bigger than what we can do in an hour and half long class; it is a way of life. It is at my side in my darkest hour as a mentor that advises me when I face any form of oppression or obstacle. Even if you think you’re not very good at it, all anyone really has to do is play the game.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-33135114078008969552011-11-11T19:35:00.000-08:002011-11-11T19:36:19.710-08:00WORKING<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbBeyUPm2hg/Tr3pqmbHl6I/AAAAAAAAAiE/G7qn_FG7N6Y/s1600/wcgd_reflection_72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbBeyUPm2hg/Tr3pqmbHl6I/AAAAAAAAAiE/G7qn_FG7N6Y/s320/wcgd_reflection_72.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673948023634761634" /></a>B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-8812784048653126312011-09-01T18:29:00.000-07:002011-09-01T18:33:21.004-07:00What Came To Mind While Watching This Brilliant Video<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27855492?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/27855492">MOMENTS at MADE I CHAPTER TWO with Erykah Badu, Jaybo & Miki´s String Quintet - The Film</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/madeblog">MADE Blog</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
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<br />Color / Abstract / Honesty / Strength
<br />Line / Drum / Awkward / Brilliant
<br />Pattern / Snare / Expression / Beautiful
<br />Rhythm / Movement / Africa / Feelings
<br />Creativity / RootsB. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-87253395763285694712011-08-09T20:58:00.000-07:002011-08-09T20:59:32.186-07:00Wood is Good<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25534804?portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/25534804">Good Wood: "419" Eyewear</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/theicu">The ICU</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-63310977618511504572011-06-09T17:56:00.000-07:002011-06-09T18:51:57.657-07:00Pougialis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozfyiPKG6Rc/TfF2Jpvz9DI/AAAAAAAAAhU/iK_Qahb5sK0/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozfyiPKG6Rc/TfF2Jpvz9DI/AAAAAAAAAhU/iK_Qahb5sK0/s320/IMG_1037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616400118505010226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIS2xJR3gI4/TfF2A3nS6QI/AAAAAAAAAhM/eUsBcrFamt8/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIS2xJR3gI4/TfF2A3nS6QI/AAAAAAAAAhM/eUsBcrFamt8/s320/IMG_1024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616399967608563970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W70bDUalybA/TfF13psae9I/AAAAAAAAAhE/CRkQnIsvro8/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W70bDUalybA/TfF13psae9I/AAAAAAAAAhE/CRkQnIsvro8/s320/IMG_1022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616399809253112786" /></a><br />I did the Pougialis competition at my school, I didn't win but I enjoyed the process of choosing work, framing, and the camaraderie. My friend Ej Hill won in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yMA4nYi91c&feature=channel_video_title">2010</a>B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-92156429045659280992011-03-06T17:05:00.000-08:002011-03-06T17:08:23.921-08:00you don't know<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="320" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BQYAIeq5_FY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />My grandmother was a big Nancy wilson fan. I dedicate this one to her.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-25749910427752602402011-02-22T19:31:00.001-08:002011-02-22T19:31:44.422-08:00.Don't sleep because if you sleep you can't work.<br /><br />No more sleeping.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-17934249077262185552011-02-20T17:16:00.000-08:002011-02-20T17:17:22.503-08:00Concep gets a lot of love on this blog.<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="320" height="210" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2rwmfjPwguI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-87830187461442536502011-02-10T20:48:00.000-08:002011-02-10T21:34:00.579-08:00Soul MusicWhen most of us think of soul music the connotation is r&b driven music performed by a black artist. To a certain extent that is true, mostly because we made it that way. That's the term we use when describing such acts. However, for me, any music performed with enough emotion that the voice, instruments, composition...etc have the ability to single handed-ly or collectively influences or sway my emotions is soul music. That transcends race, gender, preference or any other box. At the point when troubles are forgotten, and sad moods become happy, it's just the listener and the music... It's just soul to soul. <br /><br />*Note when I say we, I mean people in general. Black, white, or whatever.<br /><br />I'm adding links of some ... just a small few of my favorite songs, that I consider to be full of soul. Which adding just a couple is very hard, for I love music and have far too many favorites.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5da3cXp_7U&feature=BF&list=QL&index=8">Dionne Warwick - He's Gone. Which is a cover song (originally She's Gone by Tavares), and it really</a> jams. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xXIHPUmv3k">Gino Vannelli - I Just Wanna Stop. I think a lot of people know this one, but I for the longest this was an African American man. Hah! Tell me something. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiCFjNsZLwg">Helen Reddy - To love somebody. The man is named Barry Gibbs, the lead singer of the bee gees. He singing. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLNpeQM5BpI&feature=BF&list=QL&index=2">Celia Cruz - Bemba Colora (red lips) - This is my JAM. The queen of salsa is singing with FUERZA. Peep the crowd too.</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCUCIBCQPMM">Shirley Bassey - Excuse Me. I'm a sucker for this sort of theatrical song and expression. I feel her pain when I listen</a>. <br /><br />*Note: some of these songs may be too advanced for the average listener.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-39824947733119092312011-01-28T19:23:00.000-08:002011-01-28T19:29:59.965-08:00so....When it comes to the arts,<br />we don't need another visual artist, singer, dancer,rapper, we most certainly don't need another poet, shit... we don't even need another baller player....<br />but people are still going to want to fulfill the above categories. <br />The way I see it, you got about 10. million(+) fools trying to be number one. The question is... What are you going to do to AT LEAST BE RECOGNIZED?B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-82865269931498966752011-01-24T23:15:00.000-08:002011-01-24T23:41:09.638-08:00ReciprocityI want to relieve my mind of a lot of scenarios that revolve around the word reciprocity and it's meaning. I won't though, not now, but by writing even this much I pray that I can sleep with a pacified mind. <br /><br />I can't stand when I reach out to some one and they don't reach back. I know people aren't always tied to their technology[,yet many are.] But you cannot assume that they are. I know you must be mindful that people get busy and have their own issues to deal with. But the biggest BUT is the fact that people think it's ok to not call/text/tweet/facebook you [me] to say "hey, I'm busy right now". Naw, that'd be too easy though, instead they don't say anything to you. For weeks sometimes, then they pop up on you like nothing happened. Like y'all just saw one another last thursday. <br /><br />I'm not sure if I'm being too sensitive, but I just can't stand that. it aint right, don't do me that.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-80960993764125701672011-01-12T11:56:00.000-08:002011-01-12T12:30:59.380-08:00Hey Mr. DJI'm notorious for dj'ing family functions. Playing music is like an escape, and an adventure for me. I love to play music for fam and friends. Quite often people will ask if they can have my music, which is kind of a odd question. I never know what to say to those that ask, because in a lot of ways it's like asking to take my children and never bring them back. I use children as an example because I'm very close to my music, so imagine giving anything that you are very close to away to not get back... it's not that easy. <br /><br />Lately I have been considering taking up dj'ing as a more serious hobby, and purchasing a cross fader. Dj'ing doesn't have to be all about fancy turn table tricks, shit, it don't really have to be about a cross fader. I've been turning out house parties with just a lap top and a speaker for some time now. So really I have boiled it down to this theory: AS LONG AS I ENJOY THE MUSIC AND EVERYONE SEE'S THAT, THE'LL MOST LIKLY GROVE WITH ME. No doubt I'll get a request or two, which is cool, but the moment my solid gold soul set turns into, "hey, let's play the new Wacka Flacka Flame request hour", I'm not down with that. <br /><br />When I play music, it's guaranteed to be old school. I pretty much specialize in 70's/80's funk and disco. I'm talking Peter Brown's<span style="font-style:italic;"> Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me</span>, and my all time favorite George Clinton <span style="font-style:italic;">Atomic Dog</span>. Along with an array of soul/R&B and Pop mixed in. While yes I do sprinkle a little new millennium music in too, it really is not my forte. <br /><br />If I'm ever to be asked to play music for anyone's function, I need to know that I can play the music that I like to play as I would if I were in my cousins basement on card night. I feel as though I can stipulate that, for it is not about the money they may pay me for my services, although it's nice to be paid, it's about integrity. It's about the good ass music that could never go out of style. It's about FUN. If I can't have fun, then I'd rather not be posted in someones dj booth looking stone cold crazy.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-3736298862350060512010-11-12T16:26:00.000-08:002010-11-12T16:27:49.164-08:00A Noble Savage<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16774895" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/16774895">A Noble Savage</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1778048">Bis anartist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />A Noble Savage is an art exhibit shown at the Wiesner Gallery at M.I.T. Dorian Dargon is the brilliant artist, who even this early in his career, has an amazing grasp on his ideas, how he wants to present them. He is not only a friend, but my brother, and I was proud to help him put the finishing touches on such a phenomenal show. <br /><br />I created this video to show the progression from just having hung the work, to the trickling of the 150 plus people that showed up on opening night.<br /><br />P.S - D, made this beat.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-84465354326649800962010-10-27T21:17:00.001-07:002010-10-27T21:18:18.930-07:00About as hopeless as a...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EQ3Fh0JODyg/TMj5g0MdhOI/AAAAAAAAAZY/KCXIsqwQ8rM/s1600/Photo+on+2010-10-27+at+23.10+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EQ3Fh0JODyg/TMj5g0MdhOI/AAAAAAAAAZY/KCXIsqwQ8rM/s400/Photo+on+2010-10-27+at+23.10+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532946484386694370" /></a>B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-36190002451019288742010-09-14T12:50:00.000-07:002010-09-14T12:54:01.945-07:00Thought.Once you realize it's in you, NOBODY can take it from you. At that moment, I didn't need the afro picks, the ankhs, or the wrist straps to signify or symbolize who I was.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-90455254893130086832010-09-12T21:19:00.000-07:002010-09-12T21:21:17.882-07:00Erykah Badu Meet and Greet twenty10<object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nibb_LQ2T_U?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nibb_LQ2T_U?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object><br /><br />I happened along a door that led me back stage, and I found myself at the Erykah Badu Meet and Greet in the basement of the Chicago Theater June 2nd 2010. I had just come back from Miami, and had only 50 bucks to my name. I scraped upped the last money I had in this world, and bought myself a ticket to her show. I'm such a fan that I went to her show back to back in 2008. I got to shake her hand and all I could say was... "I love you" (3 times). I'm not sure how bugged out I appeared, but Badu asked me my name and said "I love you too, and thank you". She later followed me on twitter, and had a mini convo with me. If she reads this, I just want to say I can die HAPPY.<br /><br />P.s - Erykah spoke softly so use head phones.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-54699637840594496922010-09-04T13:14:00.000-07:002010-09-04T13:16:46.598-07:00<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxF62teooO7ve9gRC8ZPBMZtjUweTJ8G_bxeEtuoGqdrB5_ARDeu5XKpt7_swl5r-xfmxOcWEIaLFKTIFxIug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-29097376497518516222010-08-15T10:51:00.000-07:002010-08-15T10:57:56.068-07:00Russell Ferguson<object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nYsJreiQkA0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nYsJreiQkA0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object><br /><br />My Boy Russ, I voted for him on so you think you can dance. I've been following him since he won the competition.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-34672014850342450082010-08-10T21:55:00.000-07:002010-08-13T22:20:31.715-07:00Out All NightI swear I would tell people that I would watch a show starring Patti Labelle with my Granny, and they wouldn't believe me. I couldn't think of the name, and I tried to youtube and google but no luck. I guess because I was using the "The Patti Labelle show", well long story short... I have found it!<br /><br />Do you remember <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSZIcE4sxrk&feature=related">Out All Night</a>?B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-4458496090151741632010-08-08T23:44:00.000-07:002010-08-08T23:45:51.615-07:00Hey Arnold<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EQ3Fh0JODyg/TF-j7g-HV3I/AAAAAAAAAY4/K7uYkB_Ehw4/s1600/tumblr_l6ugkb0vb81qb82q8o1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EQ3Fh0JODyg/TF-j7g-HV3I/AAAAAAAAAY4/K7uYkB_Ehw4/s400/tumblr_l6ugkb0vb81qb82q8o1_500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503297512528107378" /></a><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlZNcFENKH4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlZNcFENKH4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The DO NOT make them like this anymoreB. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-70608276978195436902010-08-07T20:47:00.000-07:002010-08-07T20:58:21.116-07:00The Musical Arts Institute- Summer Workshop Choir<object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cUwggFlLYBE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cUwggFlLYBE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object><br /><br />I was presented the opportunity to sing in a choir this summer. I've NEVER been in a choir. I took the opportunity to do something I wouldn't normally do, and I enjoyed it. I had moments when I felt otherwise, however I am glad I stayed with it. I was moved by this song, <span style="font-style:italic;">"They Crucified My Lord"</span>, composed by Lana Manson of the Musical Arts Institute based in Chicago, Il. <br /><br />I think the word is euphoric, I feel euphoric at the moment. When we sang at the concert (8/06/2010) you could feel the spirits of the audience. The people were so happy, and I get joy in knowing that I provided a piece of me to help get them to that point. I was amazed. <br /><br /><br />By the way this is just a rehearsal, I will try and get a better video.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207472697803400937.post-21335185608333768312010-08-07T18:41:00.000-07:002010-08-07T18:44:54.350-07:00Ratchet Ass Gas Station Bathroom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EQ3Fh0JODyg/TF4LdwlFinI/AAAAAAAAAYw/oru5jwE2u6w/s1600/Slide2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EQ3Fh0JODyg/TF4LdwlFinI/AAAAAAAAAYw/oru5jwE2u6w/s400/Slide2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502848400577890930" /></a><br /><br />I think I got AIDs by just walking in that joint.B. The Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225732678431473585noreply@blogger.com1