make time to design. if only it were that simple.

Looking for a nice coffee table mag?

Set up by Shepard Fairey (Obey) and Roger Gastman (While you were sleeping magazine) in 2004, SWINDLE magazine is a definite must have for any coffee table.
The magazine offers an insight into everything imaginable, from interviews with Henry Rollins and Banksy, full page fashion  spreads, underground music scenes to articles on big rigs!
No matter what the article is about you can guaranty that it will be aesthetically pleasing, that’s one thing the magazine strives for.  I think that’s why I find it such an inspirational magazine to read.

They are up to Issue 17 now.
A sneak peak at the latest issue:
For #17, we looked around for examples of creative energy, and brought back quite an eclectic display. From the streets of Baltimore to the bustling capital of Nigeria, the stories in this issue showcase vast forms of expression. We visit Los Angeles’ Mariachi Plaza, where dozens of mariachis congregate every day—socializing, playing music and making their living. In “Nollywood Dreaming,” we go inside Nigeria’s booming film industry, and “Big Rig! Part Two” takes a look at the vibrant subculture of custom trucks through the lens of photographer Roger Snider. We also bring you East L.A.’s obsession with all things Betty Boop; Gary Baseman’s menagerie of mask photos; and three artist features: Chaz, Roy Ferdinand and Amanda Visell. We think that this diverse selection of stories has something for everybody, and we hope that you gain as much inspiration from it as we have.

Go take a look at their site and order some back issues!

SWINDLE MAGAZINE>>

Check out the new flyer for Hip Hop Kemp 2008.

The flyer was designed by Mr Dines (Studio Blup) who has just opened his online doors.. check out his new look website>>

Just got back from seeing Roots Manuva @ Cargo in London.

It was pretty random.  Basically Channel 4 were filming for Independents day and me and misses managed to get some tickets. 
Cargo was empty, I kept on waiting for a huge crowd to arrive but it never happened.  There were only a handful of people there which made it feel really personal.  I shouldn’t say this but at one point my girlfriend turned around and had a tear in her eye, she couldn’t believe that Roots Manuva was right there in front of her playing to a tiny crowd.

He only played 3 songs but the highlight of the evening was when they dropped Movements, which to me is my favourite Roots tune!

We left the place and couldn’t really believe what had just happened, it was strange but VERY good!

Sorry the pics are a bit sh*t but they were funny about people taking pics so I had to do it on the sly… 

Nice view on the way home…

This year the rebranded Brighton Hip Hop Festival (BHHF), Rising Styles (RS), is set to immerse you in ten days of Hip Hop and the wealth of art forms that surround the culture. RS is run as a ‘not for profit’ event with many of the exhibitions and events being FREE! This year the organisers, Kala Phool, have gone all out to setup an outsanding line up of events and artists to peform over the 10 day period, these will include:

• Fresh Styles Hip Hop Film Festival
• Poetry and MC shows
• Youth workshops in music production, MC-ing, DJ-ing, breakdancing and art and design
• Live public art
• Battlejam (a day long breakdance event)
• Exhibition
• Hip Hop Foundation (educational programme)
• Festival CD
• Performances - indoor & outdoor

….and much MUCH more.

This month also see’s a FREE copy of this years Rising Styles CD taped to Hip Hop Connection! Laden with beats and rhymes from:

Blak Twang, Young Kof feat. Rukus, Sonny Jim, Aviation, Blaktrix, Koaste, Jid Sames, Lady Lykez, Chris L, Gentleman’s Club, Diversion Tactics, Multifinish, Scizzahz feat. Dr Syntax & Kosyne, Influx, The Last Skeptik feat. Kashmere, Illustrate and Skrein feat. Micall Parknsun & Smife.

Get your tickets for the 12th July Saturday night event here, artists on the saturday include:

KIDZ IN THE HALL, SWAY, EMMANUAL JAL, THE INFOMATICS, BLAK TWANG, SKINNYMAN, JEHST, SKILF & BAND, SEROCEE, PERCY FILTH, KOSYNE, SOWETO KINCH, FLORIGINAL, MILLION DAN, SPECIAL SCHOOL, DIZRAELI, LONGUSTO, WITHDOCTOR WISE, SOUTHERN SUSPECTS, KOASTE, ENLISH AND MUCH MUCH MORE TO COME….including AERIAL HIP HOP from BANDBAZI.

So I was little hungover yesterday and in the mood to do nothing but lounge around and watch a good film.
I was reluctantly persuaded to watch Juno, I didn’t know what to expect as I hadn’t really seen or heard much about it and the front cover was of some pregnant teenager and a geeky looking guy… GREAT!

Surprising the film was just what I needed, I thought it was absolutely fantastic! It was just a nice film, that’s the best way to describe it… NICE!  Ellen Page is an amazingly talented actress.  But what really had me tuned in was the amazing soundtrack, the songs go so well with the feel of the movie and I couldn’t wait for the next song to be played.

The vast majority of the sountrack is by Kimya Dawson, as soon as I finished the film I turned the computer on and downloaded a few of her albums.  Make sure you check her out, she is absolutely amazing.

KIMYA DAWSON - remember that name!!! 

This months installment of Doodle Jam is tonight (the next is 24th July) ! So if you’re anywhere near Old St tonight hit up The Legion, 348 Old St. London. As ever a great line up of artists and dj’s, but the beauty of Doodle Jam is that you can take part. It’s not a closed event where you have to sit and admire, you can get involved…take a pen, a friend and get yer scrawl on!

Rising styles is the UK’s largest celebration of International Hip Hop culture.

The event will be running from July 4th till July 13th and will feature the following artfroms of Hip Hop culture: 

• Graffiti Exhibition
• All elements battle jam
• Film screenings
• Rising Styles block party
• Live public art
• Open mic and decks session
• Plus much more…

Make sure you head on down to Brighton and check this out.

More info on the Rising Styles Website>>

Calling all Hip Hop fans…
Make sure you go check out our friends over at Early Bird Solutions for all up to date news regarding Hip Hop Kemp.

A sneak peak at the line up:

The Roots
Pharaohe Monch
Atmosphere + Brother Ali
eMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline, Strick)
Kano
Mr. Lif & Akrobatik
Zion I
Looptroop Rockers

Click here to buy tickets now>>

Bit strange to be shouting about an album that’s fairly old now, but I was having a clear out over the weekend and came across this CD shoved in between some paper work.  So I put it on and fell in love all over again.  If you don’t own this album then what the f**k are you doing?  Download//Buy this TODAY!

Quasimoto is the alter ego of master beat maker, Madlib.  So as you can imagine the beats are just out of this world.  Really nice jazz samples, random sounds and voices and some tramp shouting abuse!

The story of Lord Quas:
It has been said that Madlib produces 60mins of music a day… if you look into his back catalogue then it’s fairly easy to believe it.  Apparently Peanut Butter Wolf was snooping around Madlibs studio (the bomb shelter) and came across a few tapes featuring Madlibs voice speeded up accompanied by these dope beats.  PBW then begged and pleaded with Madlib to release these and out came the first 12″s featuring my favoutrite all time tune: Microphone Mathematics.
Then, in 2000, The Unseen was released on Stones Throw Records and changed the Hip Hop scene for ever!

So to all the Hip Hop fans out there that are looking for something fresh and new; GO BUY THIS ALBUM      

That’s right, tonight it’s Visual Tourettes!!!

If you live in or around the Basingstoke area then make sure you head down to the Light Lounge tonight, here’s what is going on:

Live Painting from Lenzie Vandal, Dirty Thirty and more.
Live Hip Hop from Twisted Link plus resident DJs.
Free wall, feel free to bring along your artwork and hang it up for all to see, you might even get a few offers…

Free Entry - 8 till 11

Check the website: www.visualtourettes.com

See you there…