Shaggy 2 Dope of the Insane Clown Posse had a wicked fresh show at the Catch One last summer & this spring, the Southwest Strangla is making his way around the 1720 Warehouse on May 16 for his upcoming Psychopathic Soldier solo tour. He also added HEXXX to open the upcoming Los Angeles show. You can get tickets here
In the bustling heart of Downtown Los Angeles, where towering skyscrapers pierce the heavens, a new breed of artists are making their mark on the urban landscape. But these artists aren’t armed with just cans of spray paint and paint rollers, they are also deploying drones to capture their art in places where you can only see while high in the sky.
Graffiti, once confined to the walls of alleyways and abandoned buildings, has transcended its traditional boundaries in recent years. Thanks to advancements in drone technology and the ubiquity of social media platforms, graffiti artists are gaining unprecedented notoriety and reaching audiences on a global scale.
Take, for instance, the abandoned skyscraper in Downtown LA—a towering monument to urban decay that has become a canvas for these daring artists. What was once a forgotten relic of a bygone era now serves as a stage for an exhilarating dance between man and machine. Armed with drones equipped with high-powered cameras and precision controls, these artists take to the skies, transforming the dilapidated facade into a breathtaking work of art.
But it’s not just the act of painting these towering structures that captivates audiences—it’s the spectacle of it all. As drones buzz around the skyscraper, capturing every twist and turn, bystanders below are drawn in by the sheer audacity of the endeavor. Passersby stop in their tracks, their eyes glued to their smartphones as they watch the live stream unfold on social media platforms.
And therein lies the magic of this new form of Skyscraper graffiti. No longer confined to physical space, these artists transcend boundaries, both literal and figurative. But with this newfound fame comes controversy. Critics argue that these artists are merely vandals, defacing public property for their own selfish gain. Yet, proponents counter that graffiti has always been a form of self-expression—a way for marginalized voices to be heard in a world that often ignores them.
In the end, perhaps the true beauty of graffiti lies not in the legality of its execution, but in the emotions it evokes and the conversations it sparks. As drones continue to soar ever higher and social media platforms connect us in ways we never thought possible, one thing is clear: the sky is no longer the limit for graffiti artists in the future.
In the world of hip-hop culture, the DJs play a crucial role. With deft hands, ear, and mind they set the sound, mood, and flow of the music. The best of them become legends. The greatest DJs of all time bring unique elements in hip-hop like no other, charting its evolution. Creating new sound effects, influencing textual content and social movements define their contributions to cultural diversity.
Besides, hip-hop has a long history of cultural and musical transformations. Now this type of music has turned into an integral part of global pop culture. It still changes, gives birth to new styles, sub-genres and trends, staying important and meaningful in the sphere of music. As well as providing you with the chance to show off your technical ability and creativity, dj jobs in New York on Jooble can also make you one of those who help hip-hop grow up.
It is not possible to celebrate every hip-hop DJing legend. Nevertheless, included among them are some of the most influential, respected and deserving of cult status whose beats have delighted millions of people across the planet:
Christopher Martin is DJ Premier’s real name. As a member of Gang Starr, he has recorded many classic albums (Step In The Arena, Daily Operation, Jazzmatazz: Street Soul, Hard to Earn, Moment of Truth, etc.). It should be noted that this Texas native created the unique and inimitable sound of 90s New York City. Primo was one of the main creators of the reference sound for “golden era” along with Pete Rock and D.I.T.C. crew.
Andre Young, better known as Dr. Dre, became a notable character of the 90s west coast hip hop style in Compton, California. Leaving the electro-funk band World Class Wreckin’ Cru, Andre Young got involved in hip-hop music in 1988. This led to his formation of N.W.A with some friends and production of their inaugural album called Straight Out of Compton that set new trends for the West Coast rap scene for years. In 1992, he released his first solo work “The Chronic”. With his singles “Nuthin ‘But a G’ Thang” and “Fuck Wit Dre Day” Dre rose to stardom and was recognized as the best-selling producer in rap.
If you want to know what hip-hop would look like being human, then check out the photo of J Dilla. His real name is James Yancey, and although he lived a short life, his beats became famous and influenced a generation of young producers. Jay’s skill with the MPC drum machine made him one of the most unusual producers in history.
RZA is a very prominent hip-hop figure. Moreover, he is identified not only with the DJ but also as a producer, rapper and the founder of Wu-Tang Clan. RZA, who was Robert Diggs, produced several tracks for the group, and he also invented its unique sound. He did it by using distinctive sound samples – from films and also music- to create a new signature in Wu-Tang Clan’s works of art. Of course, his involvement in hip hop is not just about music – he has the cultural and artistic side as well.
In the 1996-1970, Timbaland made himself very famous to the world through recording a song titled ”One in Million” with Aaliyah. Their second Missy Elliott album, namely “Supa Dupa Fly”, further established them as a winning duo of young stars. Timbaland’s sound is a very exclusive occurrence in hip-hop and also R&B music. With the help of Timbo’s unique drum pads, beatboxing and vocal inserts, one is capable of recognizing his beat seconds after a track starts.
Thus, some of the greatest hip-hop DJs of all time have had a huge impact on the genre. Their contributions have become an integral part of the cultural heritage. Their skills and influence continue to inspire future generations of artists.
Hip hop culture is a vibrant and powerful movement that is constantly evolving and impacting different parts of society such as music, art and fashion. Interestingly this culture has impacted various big industries in the world, including fashion, film and interestingly, the casino industry. This article is going to explore how hip hop has impacted the fashion, casino and film industry, helped to modernize them and the positive impact it has had in attracting bigger audiences.
Casino
The casino and gambling industry is one of the biggest in the world. With many to choose from, online casinos and land-based, there are a variety of casinos out there that are specialized and influenced by a variety of different themes and cultures. Many casinos incorporate hip hop music into their venues and events. Whether that’s playing music through the speakers to create an exciting atmosphere, or even featuring hip hop artists in live performances and events. This has helped to attract a younger demographic as well as creating an unmatched atmosphere within the casino. Hip hop inspired slot machines with iconic symbols and references and casino games that feature icons and music are becoming more popular too. Themes like this cater to fans and create a more enjoyable and immersive experience for them.
You could even argue that hip hop has played a role in the less strict dress codes that most casinos go by now too. Heading out to the casino was once a formal affair. Men would have to wear tailored suits and women formal dresses. Now, thanks to the evolution of fashion, which hip hop has played a huge role in, dress codes are more easygoing. This makes casinos more accessible as well as allowing bettors to head out in clothing that they want to wear.
Some casinos’ marketing strategies have been influenced by hip hop. There are many promotions and advertisements that incorporate hip hop stars, language and imagery. These come with the intention of staying relevent and reaching a wider and younger audience. Some casinos have even collaborated with hip hop stars directly to promote their new games, casinos and even big events.
Fashion
The fashion industry has been massively influenced by hip hop. The culture has created a whole new sense of style that millions of people incorporate into their outfits every day. Hip hop works hand in hand with street fashion and has helped to modernize style and shape it into some of the popular styles we know today. Fashion isn’t just about looking good in clothes, it’s also about expressing yourself and Hip Hop has given so many individuals the inspiration to express their personality through their clothing. Some popular styles are baggy jeans, sneakers and of course, bling.
With names such as Drake, Cardi B, BLU and Roy Royal acting as style icons and huge brands such as Nike, Addidas and Puma creating clothing lines that are inspired by the culture, hip hop style has never been so accessible to individuals. This has led to a huge movement in fashion and hip hop becoming its own entity in the fashion world. Many artists have even collaborated with big brands to create collections of clothing and even limited-edition items, which further solidifies the influence of the culture on fashion trends.
Film
And finally, hip hop culture has also had a huge impact on the film industry. A lot of artists put their tracks on movie soundtracks or even write music specifically for a certain movie. This has led to even more exposure to the music genre and artists and has been a great way to enhance the cinematic experience for the audience. There have even been artists who have transitioned into acting, such as Will Smith and Queen Latifah and become household names in both industries. This just shows the level of influence hip hop can have.
The culture has also provided a source of inspiration for a lot of filmmakers. Some popular examples are “Boyz in the Hood” and “Straight Outta Compton”. The themes of these movies celebrate the rich history and reflect the struggles and triumphs of the community, educating the rest of the world on cultural and social issues most artists have had to face.
In summary, it’s clear that hip hop has played a huge role and influence in a number of different industries. With a culture that is so loved and celebrated, it’s easy to see why these industries have incorporated and celebrated into their business. The impact is huge, we can see it in our clothes, in our entertainment, it’s all around us. With hip hop continuing to impact trends and push boundaries, it’s exciting to see what other industries are incorporating the vibrant culture too.
Source: The Billie Holiday Theatre / The Billie Holiday Theatre
A popular statue commemorating The Notorious B.I.G. will return to Brooklyn for a special exhibit on Black resistance and music in time for Black History Month.
Source: The Billie Holiday Theatre / The Billie Holiday Theatre
On Friday (Feb. 9), The Billie Holiday Theatre announced that it would be hosting Sky’s The Limit: Music Is My Resistance, a visual art exhibition. At the heart of the exhibition will be the striking statue dedicated to a beloved son of the borough, the late Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace aka Biggie. The statue, created by artist Sherwin Banfield, is entitled: “Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings,” which will be present at the theatre for the duration of the exhibition.
The exhibition is slated to also feature smaller sculpted pieces from Banfield’s extensive portfolio of work in addition to paintings, prints and sculptures from a slew of other artists. All of the works will be displayed in the lobby of The Billie Holiday Theatre, located in Bedford-Stuyvesant only minutes away from where The Notorious B.I.G. grew up. The exhibition will open Feb. 15 with a reception featuring a Q&A session with Banfield. The Queens, New York, native will return to the theatre Feb. 28 for an artists’ talk on resistance with Hip-Hop icon and host of Video Music Box, Ralph McDaniels, and Hip-Hop historian Leroy McCarty. Sky’s The Limit: Music Is My Resistance will be free to the public for viewing until May 30.
“Music and the arts have always been a cornerstone of Black expression through which we get to authentically tell our stories. For this exhibition, we wanted to highlight how vital music has been to the Black experience as it relates to resistance and we wanted to do it in a way that was unique to Brooklyn,” said Shadawn Smith, The Billie Holiday Theatre’s executive director in the announcement. “With his Biggie sculpture as the centerpiece, Sherwin Banfield is the perfect collaborator to help us bring that vision to life.”
“The Notorious B.I.G. is the truest representation of Brooklyn. His poetry is peppered with mentions of Brooklyn throughout his short but impactful career. By immortalizing The Notorious B.I.G into a respected monument, we introduce a unique cultural and educational opportunity for his community and his millions of fans around the world to experience this monument in B.I.G.’s Bed Stuy neighborhood while showcasing a diverse representation of creativity here at The Billie Holiday Theatre,” Banfield said in the press release.
Jermaine Dupri thought he got a fit off, but X users vehemently disagreed.
Usher’s highly anticipated Apple Music Halftime performance at Super Bowl LVIII blessed us with many moments worth talking about and, most importantly, joking about.
One person catching heat on social media is So So Def general Jermaine Dupri and his choice of drip, which many believe was so so trash.
Dupri hit the stage during the performance, rocking a black short suit with a white button-up underneath paired with some eyebrow-raising socks and loafers.
Of course, the slander of his fit didn’t get past him, and Dupri decided to respond via Instagram by showing that his socks were from Louis Vuitton.
In the caption for the post, he wrote, Ha!! ok I ain’t have time for y’all last night I was too drunk, me and my homies performed at the Super Bowl!so I’m just really seeing y’all got me fucked up !! But I will say it’s funny as hell,yoooo!! @pharrell you see this !? PS we came into this game with our clothes on backwards, i ain’t no regular nigga.”
On Sunday (Feb. 11), Usher had the world in the palm of his glittery gloved hands with a heck of a Super Bowl Halftime performance. And while everyone was enjoying his hits from yesteryear, sneakerheads were infatuated with the chrome Air Jordan 4s Usher was rocking while cutting a rug.
Sporting a outfit designed by Off-White (RIP Virgil Abloh), many sneakerheads were quick to notice the chrome and blue Air Jordan 4s on the “Lovers and Friends” singer and were wondering if these were exclusive 4s made specifically for Usher’s highly-anticipated Halftime Show. With Bruce Brown having sported a chromed out version of the Air Jordan 11s that were made for him a few weeks back, many assumed Usher’s Air Jordan 4s were made exclusively for him as well.
They were, but not by Jordan Brand.
As it turns out the sneakers were crafted beautifully by revered sneaker remixer, the Shoe Surgeon, who’s known for taking sneakers and reworking them into the kind of styles that heads wish would actually release. Sporting a chrome, blue and white color blocking with a big “U” on the heel tab, these Air Jordan 4s are a one-of-one that will never see the light of day outside of Usher’s home.
Sorry sneakerheads, but these ain’t for general consumption.
Check out pics of the kicks below, and let us know if you’d want Jordan Brand to drop something like this in the comments section below.
In today’s digital age, the landscape of event promotion, three platforms stand out as indispensable for maximizing exposure: Bandintown, Spotify, and Songkick. Let’s delve into why listing events on these platforms is paramount for artists and promoters alike.
Bandintown: Connecting Artists with Fans
Bandintown has emerged as a powerhouse in the world of live music promotion. This platform allows artists to seamlessly list their upcoming events, concerts, and tours, enabling fans to discover and track their favorite performers. For artists, maintaining an active presence on Bandintown not only fosters a direct connection with fans but also helps in cultivating a dedicated following.
Bandsintown’s integration with Spotify and other music platforms offers a holistic approach to event promotion. By syncing tour dates with their music profiles, artists can reach existing fans and attract new ones, all while providing fans with a hassle-free ticket purchasing experience.
Bandintown for promoters serves as a powerful promotional tool to attract attendees to live events. By listing events on the platform, promoters can tap into Bandintown’s extensive user base, comprised of avid music enthusiasts actively seeking live experiences. The platform’s personalized recommendations and notification features ensure that events reach the right audience at the right time, maximizing attendance and engagement.
Bandintown for artists offers embed options for artist websites, allowing artists to display their upcoming events directly to fans visiting their official webpages. This seamless integration enhances the accessibility of event information, enabling artists to keep fans informed and engaged with their live performances effortlessly.
Spotify: Amplifying Reach and Engagement
With over 365 million monthly active users, Spotify reigns as one of the largest music streaming platforms globally. Beyond its primary function as a music streaming service, Spotify offers a range of features that empower artists and promoters to extend their reach and engagement.
Listing events on Spotify through its Concerts feature allows artists to seamlessly integrate tour dates with their music profiles. This integration not only enhances visibility but also facilitates discovery for listeners who may stumble upon an artist’s music and subsequently explore their upcoming shows. Additionally, Spotify’s algorithmic recommendations leverage user data to suggest relevant concerts, further boosting event attendance.
For promoters, leveraging Spotify’s Concerts feature presents a unique opportunity to target highly engaged listeners directly. By aligning concert listings with artists’ music profiles, promoters can leverage the platform’s vast user base to drive ticket sales and enhance the overall concert experience.
Songkick: Empowering Artists and Promoters Alike
Songkick serves as a centralized hub for artists, promoters, and fans alike, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline the live music experience. From concert discovery to ticket purchasing, Songkick provides a seamless platform for listing and promoting events, ensuring maximum exposure for artists and promoters.
Promoters benefit from Songkick Tourbox robust promotional tools, which enable targeted outreach to potential attendees based on their music preferences and location. By harnessing Songkick’s data-driven insights, promoters can optimize event promotion strategies, maximize ticket sales, and enhance audience engagement.
Similar to Bandintown, Songkick also offers embed options for artist websites, allowing seamless integration of event listings directly onto artist pages. This feature further strengthens the artist-fan connection by providing fans with easy access to upcoming events and ensuring consistent engagement with their favorite performers.
Embracing these platforms not only amplifies reach and engagement but also empowers artists and promoters to thrive in an ever-evolving music ecosystem.
Ye aka Kanye Westcompared himself to disgraced singer R. Kelly, Diddy, Bill Cosby and Jesus Christ in a new song at his Chicago show.
According to XXL, on Thursday (Feb. 8), Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign took the stage at the United Center in Chicago for a preview listening experience for their album, Vultures Volume 1. One of the songs from the anticipated release, “Carnival,” featured what potentially could be one of the rapper’s most eyebrow-raising verses ever.
“This that Game of Thrones, Yeezy not the clones,” Ye raps. “Elon, where my rocket ship, it’s time to go home/They served us the corn since the day we was born/Anybody pissed off, gotta make them drink the urine/Now, I’m Ye Kelly, b—h/Now I’m Bill Cosby, b—h/Now I’m Puff Daddy rich.”
His verse on the song (which features Playboy Carti and Rich the Kid) continued:
“That’s ‘Me Too’ me rich/First she say she suck my d—k/Then, she say she ain’t suck my d—k/She ’gon take it up the a— like a ventriloquist/I mean, since Taylor Swift, since I had the Rollie on the wrist/I’m the new Jesus, b—h, I turn water into Cris’/This for what they did to Chris/They can’t do s—t with this,” Ye raps.
Ye performed this track and others dressed up in what’s now his customary all-black attire, wearing a white hockey mask similar to the one worn by Friday the 13th villain Jason Voorhees. It fit the scene as fans had entered the United Center while smoke machines began to emanate fog. The show also featured surprise appearances by his daughter, North West, and Bump J along with YG.
The listening event comes after Kanye West stated in an Instagram video that he was having trouble booking venues, alluding to his past controversial behavior and antisemitism. The album also has not dropped as expected. However, Ye is now set to hold another listening event, this time at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, Friday (Feb. 9). The venue announced a ticket pre-sale on the night of the United Center show with tickets beginning at $182 per seat. The album, which was expected to have been released at midnight on Friday, has not yet materialized.
I got the opportunity to sit down with Cam Gnarly to talk about his latest release, Northend Gnarly. He gave me the details on the creation of the new album. We talk about the inspiration behind the “Space & Opportunity” video, as well as the subtle dedication to a friend on”Dro’s Interlude”, all the while breaking down the intelligent tie-in with the re-election of San Bernardino Councilman Ben Reynoso.
We also got a dope guest DJ mix from Oje of Soulection fame on the show, check out his mix at the 53:00 minute mark. The interview with Cam Gnarly starts at around the 1:25:00 minute mark. Press play and enjoy!