"Surely the most powerful social commentary to come from a music video in quite some time...
There is an ongoing debate in the UK over so-called "anti-social youth" who are identified by their penchant for wearing "hoodies" . Many public places , such as shopping centers and pubs , have banned hooded customers from entering their establishments . The case is made that gang-bangers and criminally minded kids prefer hoods , primarily because they conceal faces and make it harder for witnesses to identify them later.
But most adolescents argue that "hoodies" are simply comfortable and fashionable attire , and that it's unfair to punish the whole for the actions of a few . Thus the "hoodie" has become a symbol of the cultural divide between the older and younger citizens of England . W.I.Z.'s music video for Dizzee Rascal's "Sirens" is loaded with vibrant imagery , but one of its most quietly potent ideas centers around Dizzee's choice of attire . The hooded jacket he wears (and is forced to remove) is about more than a conflict between young and old though , it's the fear of the unknown itself . It's about those in power being afraid of "difference" , of what they don't understand and can't see . And it's about exploiting those in a weaker position without concern for the long-term effects it has on society at-large .
Then of course there is the monumental foxhunt , which heightens the power of the video with piercing surrealistic metaphors . The uniform of choice for these men and women is the same tight red coats hunters in England have been wearing for centuries , an equally loaded symbol of status and class . These "sportsmen" break down Dizzee's door as he casually works on music with his brother (or son) .
Remember that the video begins with peaceful silence, there is no sign of any "anti-social" youth out for havoc in the night until the hunters lure the "fox" out of its hole.W.I.Z. constructs every frame with an obsessive attention to detail . Dizzee walks by a wall spray-painted "only cowards steal from the poor" . Later the galloping horses pass a yellow sign that reads "Smile! You're on CCTV" - implicating the government in this witch hunt . And when Dizzee reaches out to a woman for help , she turns him away while we notice a "Neighborhood Watch" sticker on her window . The look in her eyes is an assumption of guilt - a hooded black man turns up at her window asking for help (even if she knows who he is) and she has no intention of letting him in .
Race is of course a major factor in this equation . What is really hidden under that hood is Dizzee's black skin , his dark unknown face . When he removes his coat the director cuts to a shot of a women sensually admiring his body , and it isn't just about the sexualization of the black man's physical form . It's the power gained from reducing a human to a literal slab of meat - the thrill of seeing your intense fear thrown out in the open , vulnerable and weak . A type of blood lust . It was common practice to rub the blood of the captured fox on the cheeks and forehead of the newest member of the hunt . Thus the cycle of discrimination and class mentality is easily passed along to the next generation .
Yet on the other side Dizzee's young friend also witnesses the absurdity of the scene , and is now destined to be one of those "anti-social" youths . Dizzee is paranoid about "the sirens coming" precisely because he knows he is a target of law enforcement by default , the hood is almost a necessity . But this cycle of fear and difference originates in higher and older places than the London city police . The young lady who receives the celebratory blood on her face is wearing a necklace with a sm all gold replica of the Queen's crown . Foxhunting itself is believed to be an off-shoot of the "royal" game of stag-hunting , which the Queen herself still plays to this day (thanks for that Helen Mirren) .
What greater symbol of the continued influence of class divisions on British society than the still (uselessly) present Royal Family ? On one of the horses that chase the black Dizzee Rascal down the street , W.I.Z. zooms in on a bundle of rope hanging from the white rider's saddle . We may not want to remember what upper class fear of difference and exploitation of the weak has led to in the past , but it's no coincidence the head of a foxhunting group carries the chilling title of "master" . It's the most subtle and daring statement in a video chock full of them . "
Source : http://obtusity.blogspot.com/2007/04/fear-of-hood-dizzee-rascal-sirens.html
More Than Meets The Eye ...
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The Transformers are back ! Toys and Headphones by Takara Tomy .
Nike Optimus/Megatron Free 7.0 - Retail 2685¥ or 17€
Headphones - Retail 3950¥ or 25€.
Forever Fresh ...
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I AM 8-BIT , is a show that gathers artists to create reinterpretations of our favorite video game characters from the 8-bit era . Check the link for more info .
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Pour les nostalgeeks ! Fred , Dyd ...
Port Authority ...
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Marco Polo - "Port Authority"
01-Port Authority Intro
02-Copywrite "Get Busy"
03-OC "Marquee"
04-Kardinal Offishall "War"
05-Masta Ace "Nostalgia" (video for this song in the works!!!)
06-Wordsworth "The Wrong One"
07-Kev Brown, Kenn Starr, Oddisee, Cy Young & Kaimbr "Low Budget Allstars"
08-Jo Jo Pellegrino "Speak Softly"09-Ed O.G. "Time and Place"
10-Large Professor "The Radar"11-Jaysaun "All My Love"
12-Roc Marciano (of The UN) "Lay It Down"
13-Buckshot "Go Around"14-Kool G. Rap & DV Alias Khryst "Hood Tales"
15-Supastition "Heat"
16-Sadat X, AG & Ju Ju of The Beatnuts "Rollin"
17-Critically Acclaimed "For The Future"
18- J*Davey "Relax"
First pic : Masta Ace - Second pic : Marco Polo
Coming May 15th . First single is literally fantastic . Check it out here and bless the lefty for deliverin' the goods
www.marcopolobeats.com
01-Port Authority Intro
02-Copywrite "Get Busy"
03-OC "Marquee"
04-Kardinal Offishall "War"
05-Masta Ace "Nostalgia" (video for this song in the works!!!)
06-Wordsworth "The Wrong One"
07-Kev Brown, Kenn Starr, Oddisee, Cy Young & Kaimbr "Low Budget Allstars"
08-Jo Jo Pellegrino "Speak Softly"09-Ed O.G. "Time and Place"
10-Large Professor "The Radar"11-Jaysaun "All My Love"
12-Roc Marciano (of The UN) "Lay It Down"
13-Buckshot "Go Around"14-Kool G. Rap & DV Alias Khryst "Hood Tales"
15-Supastition "Heat"
16-Sadat X, AG & Ju Ju of The Beatnuts "Rollin"
17-Critically Acclaimed "For The Future"
18- J*Davey "Relax"
First pic : Masta Ace - Second pic : Marco Polo
Coming May 15th . First single is literally fantastic . Check it out here and bless the lefty for deliverin' the goods
www.marcopolobeats.com
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Du bon son direct de NYC rappellant la grand époque des Gangstarr , Group Home et consors ... du trés bon à venir . Nos amis New Yorkais sont entrain de sauver le hip hop des eaux .
Paper Boy ...
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The last marketing smart idea in the world of sneakers comes once again from Onitsuka Tiger (Remember the sushi box ?) who have teamed up with Shin Tanaka to provide templates for Origamis of the Mexico 66 model .
Shin Tanaka’s already recognized in the domain of toyz . Check his website and Shin x Onitsuka website for more details .
Source : Sneaker Freaker
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L'art japonais de l'Origami , une bonne idée de collaboration entre Onitsuka Tiger et Shin Tanaka , pour un résultat trés ludique ! A vos feutres et vos ciseaux et si l'idée vous tente envoyez vos photos .
I Can't Go To Sleep ...
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Viktor Vaugh(aka MF DOOM) - Mr Clean
MF Doom - My Favourite Ladies
Jeru Da Damaja - Ya Playing Yourself
Jeru Da Damaja - Come Clean
Wu Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)
Wu Tang Clan - I Can't Go To Sleep Ft. Issac Hayes
New Yorkers Be Proud
MF Doom - My Favourite Ladies
Jeru Da Damaja - Ya Playing Yourself
Jeru Da Damaja - Come Clean
Wu Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)
Wu Tang Clan - I Can't Go To Sleep Ft. Issac Hayes
New Yorkers Be Proud
What's My Name ...
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I never felt the need of writing my name on a wall , but some did . This upcoming movie is about their stories , their daily lives ...
www.bombit-themovie.com
Finding Forever ...
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Here is the title of Common's next opus . Good things to come ...
.Drivin Me Wild (featuring Lily Allen; prod. by Kanye West)
.So Far to Go (featuring D'Angelo; prod, by Jay Dilla)
.Start the Show (prod. by Kanye West)
.Break My Heart (prod. by Kanye West)
.The People (featuring D’Angelo; prod. by Kanye West)
.Misunderstood (Nina Simone sample; prod. by Devo Springsteen)
.Black Maybe (featuring Bilal; prod. by Kanye West)
.I Want You (prod. by will.i.am)
.Southside (featuring Kanye West; prod. by Kanye West)
Common’s Finding Forever in stores July 10th
Source : hiphopdx.com
.Drivin Me Wild (featuring Lily Allen; prod. by Kanye West)
.So Far to Go (featuring D'Angelo; prod, by Jay Dilla)
.Start the Show (prod. by Kanye West)
.Break My Heart (prod. by Kanye West)
.The People (featuring D’Angelo; prod. by Kanye West)
.Misunderstood (Nina Simone sample; prod. by Devo Springsteen)
.Black Maybe (featuring Bilal; prod. by Kanye West)
.I Want You (prod. by will.i.am)
.Southside (featuring Kanye West; prod. by Kanye West)
Common’s Finding Forever in stores July 10th
Source : hiphopdx.com
Planet Of The Apes ...
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Small documentary for the ones who still don't know what's up with Bathing Ape . For the others , you will have the pleasure to realize that :
a) Nigo is not gansta
b) Jonathan Ross is fly
Where Are They Now ...
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"Down on Fairfax , Reserve is currently showcasing vintage photographs from Wynn Miller’s “Arizona Maravilla” collection . Miller documented the East LA gang culture during the ’70s , as he followed his brother-in-law who was writing “American Me” at the time . Yup. Really real ."
Follow Bobby Hundreds here > O.G.
Aquarius ...
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I remember 1993 ... I remember the "Three-Peat" ... I remember BJ , Pip , Horace Grant , Bill Cartwright and Jordan , and I remember the team they were opposed to during the 1993 NBA Finals ... I also remember my third pair of Air Jordans .
They are not the playoffs version I owned back in the days but I am glad the VIII Aquas get a re-issue .
Release date is Sept. 22 and retail is $140 .
"Very true to the original “Aqua” VIII released in 1993 , the Retro “Aquas” feature a Black Nubuck upper , a Grey Nubuck heel (a darker shade of Grey than the OG) , the trademark VIII cross strap and “carpet tongue” , and an Aqua/Concord/Black midsole ."
Classic ...
Source : KixAndTheCity
Back To The Future ...
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When you are sleeping , there are curious individuals that get together on various forums , and that make plans to change the world . For sneakers freaks , this begins by setting up petition for the release of their most beloved pair of shoes they can't afford in their original form .
" Mark Parker is perhaps one of 2 or 3 people in the world who owns a pair of the Air McFly, the shoes Marty wore in Back to the Future II. Early last year self-titled Sneaker Activist Al Cabino start a campaign to bring back the the Air McFly, not much came from the campaign but I am sure Nike heard the noise. Here’s another earful for them, bring back the Air McFly in 2015 or sooner! "
Source : SlamXHype via Freshnessmag
" Mark Parker is perhaps one of 2 or 3 people in the world who owns a pair of the Air McFly, the shoes Marty wore in Back to the Future II. Early last year self-titled Sneaker Activist Al Cabino start a campaign to bring back the the Air McFly, not much came from the campaign but I am sure Nike heard the noise. Here’s another earful for them, bring back the Air McFly in 2015 or sooner! "
Source : SlamXHype via Freshnessmag
Under My Skin ...
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I instantly think to my favourite jumpan red-haired aficionado when I saw this . Dave White offering his skills for Gelaskins ... you got to get that cement on for your ipod video . Fire Red IV & V , and DMP VI available .
Personally I prefer the other ones ... but the shape of the old ipod doesn't fit the skin concept as well as the shape of new one . Whatever the old shape doesn't need any extras in my opinion ... so none for me although the Mario/Luigi thing is hella good .
Red Light ...
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Parra has recently made an exhibition in Los Angeles at the Standard Hotel , under red lights , reminding people where his roots are . This Amsterdam based artist has made some noise for more than a year now , after a collab with Nike . He is involved in the young Rockwell Clothing , a company that uses his designs .
Source: The Hundreds
He was in Paris earlier this year .
La Femme Chocolat ...
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“Jardin Public - Jardin Secret”, the new exhibition of Koralie at the Galerie LJ Beaubourg has begun in Paris last thursday . The lady from Montpellier let us appreciate her fruity lolly pop vision of the woman , taking inspiration from Japanese illustrations . Thus she offers us cute geishas , that just seem to ask to be delicately undressed .
She pushes the vice one and propose a decent vision of bondage with a collection of sensual photos . Beautiful and Sexy...
Ending May 10th . Source : www.glltn.com
Survival Of The Fittest ...
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... Bigfoot exposition at the Corey Helford Gallery ( Culver City , Ca ) has started March 24th . The artist is showing his obsession of the Sasquatch myth , revealing the beast in the deep green forests of Northwestern America , playing with its inner humanity . Bigfoot , survival in the modern world !
Man in the mirror !
Project S2DIO ...
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... Guillotine keeps on delivering the goods .
" Cum is a street art collective of three people based in Ghent , Belgium , displaying their art on and off the streets . After one of them did a stencil of a pin-up girl , they came up with the whole “erotic street entertainment” idea . "
" Blek Le Rat , if you don’t know him yet , is the founding father of the whole Street Art scene in the world . A first trip to New York City in 1971 and the discovery of graffitis in the streets had the youg parisian went nuts . Ten years later , in 1981 , Blek started using (for the first time for artistic purpose) stencils . More than 25 years serving Art in the streets makes him a major influence for all street art artists (”Every time I think I’ve painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek Le Rat has done it as well , only twenty years earlier …” - Banksy) ."
" Tim Tsui , along with Michael Lau , is one of the precursors of the Designer Toy movement , coming from Hong-Kong . He has been working as a Graphic and Multimedia Producer for more than 11 years . In early 2002 , he started developing a strong interest creating action figures . His debut work was called “Da Team Bronx“ . The name comes from his ever growing appreciation for Hip-Hop music , graffiti and street culture . Out of his imagination came the Dape (a mutant , graffiti artist ape) which is , today , one of the most recognized toy icon. "
" Mark “Huck” Gee moved to San Francisco in the early 90’s pursuing the venerable life of a b-boy . Maintaining day jobs that expanded his artistic vocabulary ; he spent his nights testing his skills , and his weekends searching for inspiration . Graphic design by day , graffiti by night , studying Miyamoto Musashi on the weekends . He later culled his skills as an illustrator , allowing him to explore more commercial art styles and delve into the alluring world of Japanese pop art .
Huck recently released several toys through Kidrobot ..."
"Based in Albania (CA) (where he has better to accessibility to his global empire) , Attaboy is co-founder of Hi-Fructose Magazine with his lady love , the artist Annie Owens and has a multitude of ongoing toy label collaborations covering brands from Rock America to Star Wars . Do we even need to mention his latest grammatical creation , AXTRX ? Of course , we do ! The embodiment of the Asterisk (*) provides another personal glimpse into Attaboy’s day-to-day undertakings and offers a vinyl face for punctuation precision !
" D*Face is a London-based sculptor and stencil artist , who uses London as his own personal gallery . He sticks , pastes and draws on any wall or space he finds . An associate of Banksy’s , he’s also hung legitimately in Santa’s Ghetto and recently had his own solo exhibition at the Stolen Space gallery in East London’s fashionable East London . "
" For more than ten years , Augustine Kofie , A.K.A. Kofie One (Draftsmen) , has been collecting various vintage objects , transforming them and working on them to offer them a new life , with the incredible aesthetic of the artist ! "
www.glltn.com
" Cum is a street art collective of three people based in Ghent , Belgium , displaying their art on and off the streets . After one of them did a stencil of a pin-up girl , they came up with the whole “erotic street entertainment” idea . "
" Blek Le Rat , if you don’t know him yet , is the founding father of the whole Street Art scene in the world . A first trip to New York City in 1971 and the discovery of graffitis in the streets had the youg parisian went nuts . Ten years later , in 1981 , Blek started using (for the first time for artistic purpose) stencils . More than 25 years serving Art in the streets makes him a major influence for all street art artists (”Every time I think I’ve painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek Le Rat has done it as well , only twenty years earlier …” - Banksy) ."
" Tim Tsui , along with Michael Lau , is one of the precursors of the Designer Toy movement , coming from Hong-Kong . He has been working as a Graphic and Multimedia Producer for more than 11 years . In early 2002 , he started developing a strong interest creating action figures . His debut work was called “Da Team Bronx“ . The name comes from his ever growing appreciation for Hip-Hop music , graffiti and street culture . Out of his imagination came the Dape (a mutant , graffiti artist ape) which is , today , one of the most recognized toy icon. "
" Mark “Huck” Gee moved to San Francisco in the early 90’s pursuing the venerable life of a b-boy . Maintaining day jobs that expanded his artistic vocabulary ; he spent his nights testing his skills , and his weekends searching for inspiration . Graphic design by day , graffiti by night , studying Miyamoto Musashi on the weekends . He later culled his skills as an illustrator , allowing him to explore more commercial art styles and delve into the alluring world of Japanese pop art .
Huck recently released several toys through Kidrobot ..."
"Based in Albania (CA) (where he has better to accessibility to his global empire) , Attaboy is co-founder of Hi-Fructose Magazine with his lady love , the artist Annie Owens and has a multitude of ongoing toy label collaborations covering brands from Rock America to Star Wars . Do we even need to mention his latest grammatical creation , AXTRX ? Of course , we do ! The embodiment of the Asterisk (*) provides another personal glimpse into Attaboy’s day-to-day undertakings and offers a vinyl face for punctuation precision !
" D*Face is a London-based sculptor and stencil artist , who uses London as his own personal gallery . He sticks , pastes and draws on any wall or space he finds . An associate of Banksy’s , he’s also hung legitimately in Santa’s Ghetto and recently had his own solo exhibition at the Stolen Space gallery in East London’s fashionable East London . "
" For more than ten years , Augustine Kofie , A.K.A. Kofie One (Draftsmen) , has been collecting various vintage objects , transforming them and working on them to offer them a new life , with the incredible aesthetic of the artist ! "
www.glltn.com
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