My brother Eli is the best graphic artist i know and has worked for several high end design labels including BeBe . He also owns his own graphic design firm, Sightbox Studios. The shirt you see along with a host of other shirts is apart of a line Eli Tercero is designing for Urban Outfitters . click here to checkout the UO line and bookmark his blog . You’ll definitely see me in this shirt real soon ( :
“brick x brick”
hmb
With all the hooplah surrounding the Tiger Woods incident, Healthcare debates, & talks over a second stimulus package after the first one hasn’t seen any results, there are still things looming over this country’s head that are now seeming to slip under the radar. Two things i’ve always been leery of are the control of the country’s money (Federal Reserve) and our civil liberties as human beings in a free society. Mayer Amschel Rothschild once said, ” give me control over a country’s money and i care not who makes its laws. ” With the Federal Reserve having been in control over our country’s money for over the last 50 years , it seems hard pressed to remove them from that position without the cooperation of the government. A government in which the Obama Administration houses the most Wall Street minded executives in political history . The second factor in my hesitance of our society is the USA PATRIOT Act.
First thought to be a noble amendment for the protection of American citizens what we didn’t know is that we were giving up our civil liberties to the United States government allowing them access into personal files as well as decisions. Yes it says, “against terrorist” but in their description of terrorism, anything that goes against the forward progress of America’s motives is terrorism or treason. For example, if flu shots were mandatory law, let’s say Obama declared it a National Threat as he did, and i denied receiving a flu shot. i could be deemed as a terrorist, forced into a quarantine camp, and have my God given liberties vandalized. Seems far fetched but nonetheless, TRUE!
I said all that to say this, our president BARACK OBAMA quietly supports the USA PATRIOT Act . The same Act once put in by our beloved former president, George W. Bush, in October of 2001. read the article , think about it , dismiss it , say it’s a conspiracy theory, do whatever it is you may with this information. The one thing i’ve learned is that knowledge makes you responsible & accountable .
Song: Pop Culture Politics by my brother Chion Press f/ Montayne James
T-Shirt: Fading Fast by FreshJive
” brick x brick “
hmb
As I progress in this entertainment industry I see more and more what people don’t understand. The more I read and learn the harder it is to succeed (by my standards). I see why some of the celebrities are off their rocker so to speak. The pressure to be great and sustain relevancy in an industry that has chewed so many up and spit them out into psych wards, rehabs and in some cases the morgue. Entertainment, no matter what aspect is demanding and very scary at times. The many different people and personalities you have to deal with on an ongoing basis is enough to drive one mad. I’ve seen the lifestyle these people lead and it’s only glamorous from the outside looking in. Its really ugly in some places and a façade that masks the travesties only insiders know. I get through it on the daily, with little to no complaints realizing it does no good.
It danwed on me how harsh this industry is when I started reasearch for one of my projects. Quik rapped in one of his songs, “I really protect ‘em all because the truth is wack.” This was a phrase/bar/lyric that was in reference to his own experiences and partially exposing the ills that came along with it. The “Truth” he spoke of, I assume, would be the lackluster deals one makes to keep himself forever fresh or important in the industry. He didn’t share the knowledge he had with outsiders (non industry people), becaue of their lack of knowledge and understanding of the industry. With all that said I’m just want to express my gratitude to those who came before me and succeeded righteously when the odds were against them. The more I read, the more I know, and the more I understand, but everything isn’t what it seems.
Recently, i spent a cool California winter night out with my bro Ap & sis Jessica at Coffee Bean . One of my favorite spots to attend for quiet time , blogging time , or just people watching . A habit i picked up in Germany with my bro Tamal & Johannes drinking Gluwein in Munich on the sidewalks of cobblestone streets . In any event , i was coerced into trying this Winter Dream Tea Latte by the cashier who called it , “Christmas in a Cup” . So like any other avid Christmas fanatic i tried it out & loved it ! & now i’m telling you . you must go to Coffee Bean immediately after reading this and pick yourself up a Winter Dream Tea Latte , the teabags , and if you’re like me , the candle as well ! (Recommended Pairing: a slice of their cheesecake)
” brick x brick “
hmb
Been away for a little while but with good reason . this NBA like season can become really deceptive . there is a lot of down time but that down time is usually spent in one place . i.e a hotel room , a restaurant . So with every chance i get i try to get out and do the things i enjoy . In any event , we got a really big win on the road in Reno… i thought i share a highlight my folks found on youtube . Enjoy…
CLASSIC AMERICAN STYLE | Old school values/New school style
view the catalog here for your own good , J. Press is simply astonishing !
” brick x brick “
hmb
I’m simply just feeling all things LONDON right now . their vibe & appreciation for art, culture, & life in general reminds me of the times my mother lived in. Where people just appreciated and respected the integrity & hardwork of a person perusing their mind beyond the norm. Whether it received acclaim or just released tension, people, liking it or not, just respected it ! And their culture is something i can truly appreciate !! One thing they’ve inspired around the world is the ‘Pop-up Shop’ . It has become even bigger in the midst of the recession but turning a crisis into an opportunity with ingenuity is something the London culture seems really adept at doing . the picture is of House Home (in London) .
” How you gone say i ain’t no ‘Lo head… ” well i’m not a ‘Lo head but i’m definitely a big fan of Ralph Lauren and his classic American style . These RL Ranger Boots aka ” Cookie Boots ” are a major part of RL’s urban market . Not that i believe he intended to do so but the strap across the forefoot is as stylish as you can get . The previous colorway was tremendous but i think this Grey colorway tops it . i’m almost certain i will have a pair . About as certain as 88keys will have 2 pairs as well .
This is something you’ll see me post quite a lot of on the blog . ARCHITECTURE . i love it ! i like modern architecture with a very minimalist style of interior design . clean lines , with large floor to ceiling windows that let in a lot of natural light & a lot of use of ‘earth-friendly’ material . Homes, like this one inspire order & organization for me . i like subtle sophistication and can appreciate it even more within simplicity . ( the house you see is from the DLuck House Studio )
Tawiah was introduced to me by my boy Raymond . He’s always introducing me to new unheard music so you’ll see his name and his face quite often (pause) . She’s a young songstress also from London with a very soulful vibe that reminds me a lot of some of my other favorites from the UK (Sade , Corinne Bailey Rae , & Adele ) if you feel led to do so , please check her out . Her EP is entitled ‘In Jodi’s Bedroom’ click here to hear some of her songs !!
” brick x brick “
hmb
This by far is one of the hottest and most sought after sneaker in the history of shoes. This shoe makes history and is on the top of everybody’s list of shoes to get, if it’s not… something just might be wrong with you. Every sneakerhead, sneaker lover, sneaker wearer can’t wait for its re-release late this year. As the anticipation elevates and the release nears, we’ll all be waitin for this timeless masterpiece to drop… i’ll see you in line. Be there or be SPACE JAM LESS
BJW
Hip hop has been one of the most influential forces on the world since its popularization in the 80’s. Its ability to sway the masses and develop a culture has surprised and disappointed many who did not want it to last. Though its inception had many benefits to venting youth; through time its development was halted and formation redefined. Hip hop music is bad for African American youth due its cultural misrepresentations. So many rappers are liars and their ways are further displays of how false and misleading they are. The ambiguous messages and deliberate glorification of a detrimental way of life is another way they exploit the music and people they ”lead.”
Hip hop has made significant progress over the last 25 years and the art took a long time for its acceptance and expansion. In the process of growing it began to define a people instead of an art form. Unfortunately, this hip hop culture has been demonized by the corporations who puppeteer the most influential artist. In the process of investing in an art that related to youth, the perceived culture of hip hop was stigmatized and used as a profiling mechanism of African Americans opposed to a voice for a silent people. In addition, the messages delivered through the art were not accurate or dispelling this popular ideology either… stay tune there’s more to come.
BJW
To Be Continued…
