B-BOY DJ PROFILES #1
Dedicated to the deejays who play with the circle in mind.

DJ WOODO - Switzerland.
Pronounced Voodoo. Former b-boy himself, Woodo was chosen as one of the djs for BOTY 2002 & 2003. Also had the track, Remerciements included on the BOTY-2003 soundtrack. To be nice to everyone I've upped his amazing dedication track he did for his friend DJ Leacy's memory that was included on the CD, Together Forever We Are Number # 1. Leacy was one of the best djs on the b-boy circuit. Unfortunately he lost his life last year (I'll do his profile soon). Woodo is currently working with fellow countrymen & funky drummer JJ Flueck aka J:Loop. They recently released the EP Raw and Dirty Cuts from the Funky Kitchen. Woodo is definitely a digger & realises that there are far more gems to be unearthed & played than the UB&B catalogue. Keeps it fresh, original & forward thinking. His mixes are seriously some of the dopest ones you will hear. You can download a few of them off his website. If you like your funk up-tempo, skillfull scratched & mixed with vocal drops, then seriously, track his mix-CDs down. He recently played for the Chinese BOTY competition & is playing for the Swedish b-boy comp next month.

• DJ Woodo website

• MP3: DJ Woodo - A Tribute To Break - DJ James Leacy - R.I.P
From the CD, Together Forever We Are Number # 1 - DJ Woodo VS J:Loop.
Available here - Hiphopstore.ch
• Video: DJ Woodo, J:Loop & Freestyle (The Arsonists) - In the studio QT 2mbs

FADINGS: Graffiti to Design.
21 cm x 28 cm (8.27 inches x 11.02 inches),
Hardcover, 240 pages. Full colour + special-colour silver,
Bilingual (German – English), including CD-ROM
39,90 Euros

Graffiti, with its individual aesthetics and bohemian values has poured in many parts of visual communication for a long time. An exclusive selection of designers and illustrators, who derive their professional way from their graffiti past, documents this evolution.
»FADINGS« shows their latest works with the involvement of briefing and concept. Thereby it is enabled to relate the approach of design to the final product. At the same time – by examining the existence of graffiti – analogies and mutual influences are presented, which vitally have characterized the handwriting of the graffiti designer and graffiti illustrator.

Artists profiled: CMP, ZEDZ, 123KLAN, ATALIER, TYPEHOLICS, VIAGRAFIK, HELLO, BACKYARD 10, INKUNSTRUCTION, MISTER E., ESHER, NECK, BESOK, SUPERBLAST, FLYING FORTRESS, SAT ONE, STUKA, EROSIE, FINSTA, 56K, GOMES, DIBO, HITNES UND SHAWN-THESIGNER.

And no, that's not Mystery. Different person

• Fadings website
It can be ordered via the Style File website.

SHARON JONES & the DAP KINGS
All i needed was a flimsy excuse to put up this pretty cool photo of NY's finest funk outfit, so i did. Recently Kanye West sampled their track, Pick it Up or Lay it in the Cut for the Rhymefest track, Brand New. Then DJ Numark of J5 sampled their cover version of M.A.W.'s Nervous for Red Hot. I also upped the awesome anti-Iraqi war track, What if we all Stopped Paying Taxes, which isn't on either of their 2 albums, Naturally or Dap-Dippin. It was released as a 7" last year & has turned up on the fantastic new compilation from Freestyle label's Stay on the Groove. It seriously is one shit hot song. Amazing in all respects, Lyrics, rhythm, memorability. Straight modern funk classic.

• Daptone website

• MP3: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - What if we all Stopped Paying Taxes
• MP3: Jurassic 5 ft. The Dap Kings - Red Hot

PIECE BY PIECE: San Francisco graffiti film
Dir. Nic Hill US 2005. 78mins
Piece by Piece is a groundbreaking film that documents San Francisco's highly controversial graffiti art movement. The story offers an intimate journey into the most intriguing and misunderstood artistic movement of modern youth culture by detailing the last 20 years of San Francisco graffiti art. The film explores the history of graffiti in other parts of the country and elaborates on how San Francisco became an international magnet for innovative graffiti styles yet to be seen in other parts of the world. It also examines the wide range of public opinion towards this admittedly illegal art form by giving a voice to the citizens of San Francisco and law enforcement officers. The film captures the artists' heartfelt confessions of their love and addiction to graffiti art and typographic lettering, as well as their social activism and the short life span of their work.

The DVD version is scheduled for a December release, but looks unlikely.

• Film website
• Link: Piece by Piece - Film trailer

GET RICH OR DIE TRYING
Opens in Australia on the 12/01/2006.
Yeah, you know you'll go & see it, well I know I will anyway, strictly for review purposes of course. I still can't believe that Jim (My Left Foot) Sheridan directed it. Seems such an abstract decision to choose an Irish guy who's claim to fame was depicting the historic struggles of his own people. I haven't checked the soundtrack but indy producer Jake One gets in on the action with the track, I Don't Know Officer. The film has been lambasted in the US. It's made about 25mil at the box office so far. On Rotten Tomatoes & IMBd it has struggled to get more than 25% approval. I mean Fiddy is a shitty rapper at best, what the hell makes anyone think he could act? I taped the episode when he was on Letterman & he came off all quiet & humble, but he then launched into a track that was a diss towards Nas. Musically it was pretty cool, but geez he's crap on the mic. Where's the charisma? He actually comes across as, well...dull.

• Film website

• MP3: 50 CENT - Window Shopper - Live
From the Late Show with David Letterman. Nov. 2005.

• This is an excellent read from Ben Rayner of The Toronto Star on the attempt to ban Fiddy's film: Stop giving hip hop a bad rap

UK:GIACOMO - Building
Seems ages ago, but British lad Giacomo travelled around Australia when Celsius were recording their debut album. Sereck asked if he'd like to add some scratches to their album, so he obliged & ripped it on a few tracks. He then backpacked around the country with his MPC in tow visiting the many thrift stores looking for cheap records that he could sample to make beats in his spare time. A few years later he released the Fresh Air EP with Sam Sure. Then he later came out with his own instrumental album Programmed Percussion & has followed that up a few years later with this gem, Building. Of the 8 tracks, only one features vocals, the rest are lushly arranged straight up instro hip hop bangers. Tired Hand is my fave, but I thought I'd up the vocal track. Less eclectic & raucous than DJ Shadow & RJD2's latest work, but a pleasurable listen.
Only available on vinyl.

• MP3: GIACOMO - Changing Times ft. Sam Sure
From the album, Building. CANTEEN. 2005 UK. Distributed by Shogun

Yay, someone remembered.
Even if it was a computer generated database email. Ha!

SUBURBAN SISTAS Tour
Suburban Sista Soundz rock the Metro, Sydney 3oth November.

Fresh new talents the Suburban Sistas, young women's RnB and hip hop from Western Sydney, take to the main stage of the Metro Theatre on Wednesday 30 November. They headline a massive line-up including Ozi Batla & Urthboy from The Herd, Figgkidd, Maya Jupiter, MC Trey, DJ Nick Toth, Dzcyple and MC Earthqu8ke. 7pm. $15/ $10 conc.

More information - Ice.Org Click image to enlarge

The MIX TAPE SHOW Podcast
My man Dex in Los Angeles@KCUR has re-invented his site due to the usual no love approach from those within, but heads up it looks even fresher. He's even left the links for the previous shows for anyone to download. So have a wander over & suss it out. With interviews with Chester Coperpot, Hezikiah, O.C., Doujah Raze you know he's onto it.

• The MIX TAPE SHOW

The cassette tape images were taken from this amazing Japanese site: The C-90 Project

Romanian crew PARAZITII to support WU-TANG CLAN.
*WARNING* Apparently this crew is anti-Gypsy.

By Otilia Haraga of Bucharest Daily News.

Parazitii is the only Romanian band which will perform at the opening of the Wu- Tang Killa Beez concert which will take place in Bucharest on February 15 at the Polivalenta Hall. The band received agreement to perform after negotiations which lasted more than a week between the organizers of the Wu - Tang Killa Beez concert in Bucharest and the management of the American hip - hop band.

According to the organizers, hip - hop fans will witness over three hours of performance by Shabazz the Disciple (the most well-known MC in the band who has collaborated with Sunz of Man & Gravediggaz), DJ Sueside, Beretta 9 and Shogun Assasson (the latter being two of the MCs of the Killarmy band), Cilvarings (the only European MC in the Wu-Tang family), Barracuda, Bronze Nazareth (the most recent member of the Wu movement, which produces albums for Afu - Ra, Masta Killa and Cilvaringz) and Blue Raspberry (the only woman in the band). Apart from Parazitii, Salah Edin, an Arabian rapper will also perform at the opening of the show.

• Parazitii website

REANIMATION - Graff & street art magazine
Another cool little PDF magazine. At 36 pages & simple design it might not win any awards for its layout, but there's some nice photography & some spotlights on places in Milano, Berlin & Austria. And you can zoom in without it getting too pixelated. Seems as though the PDF kids are overcoming this initial fault.

• ReAnimation website
• PDF: Download ReAnimation - Issue 0 6.7mb

MINDFIELD - left to right: Bdeps, Mark1, Toobiz

MINDFIELD MELBOURNE TOUR DEC 2005
Fri 2nd: Carlton Music Room, Carlton w. Equills, Low Budget + DJ David L - $10
Sat 3rd: Public Bar, Downstairs @ Esplanade Hotel, St. Kilda w. Art Of War, Julez & Hykoo + DJ David L - $10

After building a strong following in Adelaide, performing countless shows with the likes of Guru, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Lyrical Commission, Hilltop Hoods & Terra Firma - MINDFIELD are set to blow up the stage with a host of Melbourne's finest. Featured in the latest issue of Stealth Magazine with their first major single and the upcoming album's title track This Way Up, MINDFIELD are gaining a reputation as Adelaide's next group to take Australia by storm. To celebrate the tour Crackhouse have pressed a limited edition 7" vinyl record which will be available at both shows so come along and pick up a collectable while you're at it.

• Mindfield@MySpace

HIP HOP ESSENTIALS - New series of CDs
HIP HOP ESSENTIALS 1979 - 1991 encompasses a magical era when party dances were practically made up daily, shouting out your zodiac sign was flavor and Afrika Bambaataa was pushing his message of peace, love, unity and having fun to the universe. Some tracks may also re- educate young and old alike to the dangers of cocaine, unprotected sex, racism, skeezer women, tramp men or police brutality. The collection will take you back to a time when Hip Hop was not mainstream and wasn't always easy to find outside of NYC. HIP HOP ESSENTIALS 1979 - 1991 clocks out just before the era of Gangsta Rap explodes and just touches on its beginnings with Schoolly D, Ice-T, N.W.A and just a few others.

1. There's no biting in Hip Hop.
2. You must have a DJ and sometimes he is leader of your crew!
3. Everything can be turned into Hip Hop if you sample it right.
4. Rap is just one element of the culture not the whole culture!
5. Being experimental and unique is best.
6. Dancers provide good hype and don't have to be strippers.
7. It's OK to have a message, be educational and/or take a stand.

Look for Volumes 1 through 4 in stores now! Volumes 5 through 8 will be on the shelves by the end of January 2006 and remaining Volumes 9 through 12 will complete the set in March of next year.

• Hip Hop Essentials

Love the artwork.
I just needed an excuse to post up this wicked homage to Just-Ice's 1986 classic, Back to the Old School. The cover was originally created by NY writers Gemini & Gnome. They did have a couple of pieces in Spraycan Art & that's about it. Virtually impossible to find any information on.

I can't recall who did the artwork for the Akeim & Narkim 12", The Brothers/I Got Rhythm,' on B-Boy Records, but I've been looking for the picture cover version to replace my copy that was lost 15 years ago. Anyone?
Incidentally the Just-Ice album was re-released this year on CD.

Texta, who are an Austrian crew, recorded this EP last year with German fellas Blumentopf.


Click image to enlarge.

UK Breakdance compilation TV advert
I thought this was cool. Only 30 secs, but took me back to 1984 for half a minute. The usual mob are on the CD selection. From Sanctuary records.

• Video: TV ad - Breakdance CD Real player Stream

Here's some bonus Apple ads with hip hop content:
• QT Video: Apple TV ad - iPod - b-boy
• QT Video: Apple TV ad - iPod - hip hop 1
• QT Video: Apple TV ad - iPod - hip hop 2
• QT Video: Apple TV ad - iPod Saturday - Ozomatli
• QT Video: Apple TV ad Oct (pulled off air) - iPod with Eminem

F & D - Worship the Grit
Adelaide's deNorthwode (aka BVA of Mnemonic Ascent) & Funkwig obviously had some spare time on their hands to bring us a sophisticated album with a very distinctive feel. There's a few tracks that are instrumental, but mostly BVA rhymes over the majority of the tracks. Guests that feature include, A-Love, Mr Monk, Social Change, Abstract Rude, Jim Blah, Jada & the best track of the 12 gets help from the boys from Brissy, Brothers Stoney (Lazy Grey & Len 1), who tell us to 'chill the fuck out'. Definitely has the potential of being an anthem. Know the truth is probably the heaviest banger with some 80s styled rock guitar, though I'm liking the ease of Transformation with it's kooky retro keyboard sounds. Album scratches provided by Kansel & Ransom (who incidentally mixed the album as well). All we need know is Raph Boogies & A-Love's solo albums...

• Butterthief website not a lot happening here at the moment.

• MP3: F & D - Chill ft Brothers Stoney
From the album, Worship the Grit. Crookneck. 2005 Australia. Distributed by Stomp

French magazine: AWAKE STUDIO
Looks pretty cool. Excellent photography. Illustrations by Dan23 of old school funk fellas is well wicked. Landscape format. Next time in Paris, could someone pick me up a copy. Please?

• Awake website

German Hip Hop Culture in the Holy Land
Sponsored by the Goethe Institute, the German rap group Blumentopf has embarked on a five-country tour designed to promote interest in German language and culture in the Middle East.

Blumentopf (German for flowerpot) took the stage in Nazareth dressed in full jerseys from the local soccer team. Before going on they were warned, "Be prepared: Arabs usually don't dance." That soon changed, however, when they launched into their single, "Macht Platz.". Buoyed by the 50 or so Germans in attendance -- mostly the children of German diplomats and volunteer workers -- the crowd gradually moved toward the stage and picked up the flow.

One of Germany's most successful and well-known hip-hop acts, Blumentopf is the first German rap group to tour the Middle East.

Marketing and advertizing for the tour is handled by Germany's Goethe Institute, which is spinning the tour as a kind of German cultural showcase. Blumentopf ads were plastered to the sides of city busses in Nazareth and the groups lyrics are translated into Arabic and passed out to the crowd at all of their shows.

Another way of generating local interest in a German-speaking act like Blumentopf -- who are relatively unknown in places like Ramallah or Amman -- is to showcase the group alongside local artists. Full article here

• Blumentopf website

• MP3: BLUMENTOPF - Von Disco zu Disco

BLOODWARS Issue 19 November 2005
The latest issue of this PDF graffiti/street art magazine is up for your pleasure. Started out in Jan 2003 as a small free download, it has continued to blossom with this new issue at a staggering 73 pages. They've already published a book version of compiled pages from previous issues & they are currently underway with V2. You can check for it on the website. For a free mag, it's hard to knock it. PDF file is 7.1MBs. So make sure you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.

Bloodwars website
• Link: 'Save as' for direct download - Bloodwars #19

TOM GREEN records album with Beastie Boys producer
Seems as though the former skater cum chucklemaster was in a crew called Organized Rhyme back in his hometown of Ottawa. Strangely enough in 1993 Drew Barrymore's ex even managed to get nominated with his crew for the Canadian version of a Grammy, The Juno. Now he's back to his old tricks recording material with Beastie Boys associate, DJ E-Z Mike. The album is entitled Prepare for Impact & with track titles like Your Bum is on My Lips I can assume it will be more comedy oriented than Anticon styled. Ha! Sounds like he's bouncing back from his bout with testicular cancer in a therapeutic way. Watch him recording material on his blog.

• Tom Green's blog