Vigilante Vigilante

Vigilante Vigilante is a documentary about the insane ocd white dudes that go around buffing graffiti with the same tenacity as the writers writin’ it. Think of it as an extended version of that Graffiti Guerilla Joe Connolly bit from Infamy.

via: theworldsbestever.com

Vigilante Vigilante Preview Clip from max good on Vimeo.

The union

A very well built documentary about cannabis and drug prohibition. Does the drug prohibition work? Have a look and think for yourself.

how to become a rapper.

Ehow.com dropping serious knowledge.

How To
How to Become a Rapper
By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
Rate: (76 Ratings)

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

You have heard the rap rags-to-riches story enough times to know that it is as much reality as it is fantasy. Rappers like Tupac, Diddy and Jay-Z rose from being amateur rappers to stars of the hip hop world. The path isn't easy but the goal is achievable so follow a few steps to help get you there.
1.
Step 1

Get a rap name. Names like Sean Combs (Diddy) or Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) just don't fly in the rap world. Think of a rap name that incorporates something from your name, lifestyle or biography to add a little mystique to your persona. Think edgy and catchy to find the right name.
2.
Step 2

Hone your battle skills. Rap battling is one of the best ways to innovate new beats and lyrics in a pressured environment. Many of the top rappers started out as master battlers, so start battling in your community to get your lyrics rolling off your tongue.
3.
Step 3

Make a demo tape. You can rent a public studio for a fairly reasonable amount of money to lay some tracks down. Get a solid mix tape and use your friends and family as a test audience. If you know some other aspiring rappers, ask for help in the production of the tape.
4.
Step 4

Publicize your material. Give your demo tape out to as many people as possible. Try attending rap events and clubs where you can drop your tape off with the MC and DJ. Also, take advantage of Internet outlets like MySpace and YouTube to get your name and style out there.
5.
Step 5

Keep going even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you. Not only did it take most successful rappers much longer to reach their goals than they initially thought, but many of their most difficult times produced their best material. Stay in it, keep innovating beats and rhythms and take heart in the process of becoming a hip hop success.

DRAKE...not sure about this guy

Ok so there has been a lot of hype about "Drizzy" I mean Drake. lol
I downloaded his mixtape to give a chance and I must say that he has some hot verses , dude has skill no doubt.

However he interviews like a total cornball...check this shit he did with peter rosenberg
(now granted Ive seen peter rosenberg in action and he can really throw cats off...((I saw him bother pharoah monche super inappropriately a few years back at CMJ)) I'm just sayin...



Also if that wasnt bad enough...I have a hard time taking someone from a teeny bop tv show seriously as that next big thing...i dunno. I int gonna say he aint good , but i know a lot of cats that are good that dont get any kind of commercial success. I guess what im trying to say is acts like "drizzy" basically expose this rap shit for what it is. Politics and Bullshit. Yeah dude can rhyme, and sing. Cool. But the acting school and all that tv bread to be a kid star shit is a little suspect to me, in terms of just handing him the next new dude seat.

The game is fucked up...heres some bio info on drizzy in case you need to know

Aubrey "Drake" Graham Bka Drizzy


Aubrey Graham


as Jimmy Brooks

Aubrey returns to Degrassi: The Next Generation for an eighth season as Jimmy. The Toronto native's film and television credits include lead roles in Blue Murder, Soul Food and Conviction.

In addition, Aubrey has also done numerous commercial spots for GMC, Sears and Toys 'R Us among others.

He has trained with Young People's Theatre and the Showtime summer workshops. Aubrey was a 2003 nominee and the 2002 winner of a Young Artist Award for Best Ensemble Actor in a TV Series for Degrassi.

Aubrey also has a thriving hip hop career recording under the name "Drake", which includes opening for Nelly Furtado. His first video, entitled "Replacement Girl" aired on BET's 106 & Park in the summer of 2007.

Aubrey is currently working on his music career and working with some of the world's top music producers and engineers.

His Character: Jimmy Brooks

Jimmy's still all heart, open-minded and a good friend but he hasn't been sure of himself since the school shooting left him in a wheelchair.

He spent a lot of time rebuilding his past life only to find out it wasn't what he wanted so he quit the band and basketball.

He developed his artistic side (while developing an unrequited crush on Ellie which cost him his relationship with Hazel) and even found it in his heart to forgive Spinner.

At the crossroads of who he was and who he wants to be, Jimmy knows one thing's for sure -- he's not going to be known as "the guy in the wheelchair".

Coming back to pick up a couple of courses at Degrassi will give him the time he needs to figure out life after high school, rekindle a friendship with Spinner and navigate the challenges of a more grown-up relationship with Ashley.

The "gangsta" becomes less relevant.

In an interview with Cigar Aficionado magazine, Jay explains that "Obama represents so much hope for blacks and Latinos...The hope he represents is bigger than any of the huge problems he could possibly correct.... When you have positive role models, you can change your life for the better. The day Obama got elected, the gangsta became less relevant."

I read this and have mixed feelings. I've always kinda thought the gangsta thing was hard to believe from most dudes in the rap game, because they always play themselves and expose their actual lack of gangsta or display their gangsta shit and die or do years.

Either way. I come from a true hip hop background and gangsta hasn't ever been trumped skills.

On another note, with how much money Obama is printing up he may turn out to be one of the biggest gangstas ever! Hyper inflation is coming! The question is when? I dont know , but fuck swine flu, terrorism, aids and all that other shit I'm terrified of the true economic forecast of the remainder of my life.

Let's get this shit legalized

President of the U.S. Marijuana Party Richard Rawlings reports from Peoria Illinois with updates for the week of April 20th 2009.

Worldwide marijuana legalization march! This saturday! 4/28/09 high noon @ Adams and Dearborn.

Sometimes the rap game reminds me of the crack game.

I never met you , but a few my homies did. I hope you are on an island somewhere. If not, good luck with your case! I guess we can't ever say the clipse was fronting.


Clipse feat. Kanye West - "Kinda Like A Big Deal"


Now, This is kinda like a big deal...

Former Clipse manager and nightclub owner Anthony "Geezy” Gonzalez has been charged in U.S. District Court with running a $10 million a year drug ring.

According to federal documents, Gonzalez’s 6 year drug empire has allegedly moved 100 pounds of cocaine and over a ton of marijuana through Hampton Roads, Virginia since 2003.

Authorities suspect Gonzalez imported the drugs from Panama Florida, California, and Arizona.

The 82-count indictment states that Gonzalez laundered drug money through several front businesses, including the Clipse’s booking agency Soul Providers Management.

The federal document elaborates that the defendants painted “themselves out as music producers, rappers, entrepreneurs, club owners, clothing designers and other legitimate occupations in order to conceal the true source of their income.”

In addition, Gonzalez is accused of making several kingpin transactions, such as purchasing 10 kilos cocaine for $200,000, and 625 pounds of marijuana for $540,000 in 2007.

Gonzalez’s Encore Lounge nightclub was allegedly purchased in 2007 for $80,000 and 40 pounds of marijuana.

Earlier this year, the Virginia Beach nightclub closed down after a reputed 100-plus incidents of violence and drug transactions in 2008.

Six other co-conspirators were named in the 60-page document, including a police officer who allegedly tipped Gonzalez off about the coming indictment.

To date, Anthony “Geezy” Gonzalez remains at large. At press time, the Clipse could not be reached for comment.

a decent tony robbins vid.

he swears more than I thought he would. His vibe has changed since the "awaken the giant within" days. Its still valuable, just different.

(Mike) Tyson Documentary. -

I been waiting to see this. you can switch it to full screen by pushing one of the center buttons. just close out the pop up when it appears. The full movie...Enjoy.

Marco Polo MTV Cribs - Double Barrel Tuesday Part 5

Was this really mtv cribs? Nice try ...lol
He said "dollar crates not dollar beats". hahahaha!
Keeping it real no doubt.

On the real tho...
I need some Marco Polo beats for my next shit. I wonder what hes talking about???

Let's get freaky now. lets get lets get f*ckin freaky now!

I saw this like a year ago and forgot about it. I always wondered are they serious? and who funded this project? Nonetheless, after my re-visitation of this gem i decided to give it some shine. I enjoyed Lords of Apathy's spin on this, so i took the liberty of control c and control v and got my gank on. Hope you enjoy. Lords of Apathy...What up!

Well, they've done it... Brokencyde has made the worst song in all of human history. I don't entirely want to give them credit for it however, considering that they pretty much took elements of several different genres of horrible music and combined them, in their own horrible way, into a nasty foul-smelling musical goulash. It really REALLY sucks. -bad...
Blatantly stolen from Revok's blog -Holler at him!

Weird talent?

Someone brought this to my attention. Its some girl who refers to herself, as Armenian Princess. I thought it was Kim Kardashian at first, but then i noticed it was'nt. Nonetheless.its crazy what she is doing in the video. If you watch her feet they start to look like her arms. Peep.

Brazilionaire of DGMG LLC breaking down locking in ...(responding to P. Twitty BKA Diddy)

Game recognize Game.

Brazilionaire TV Episode #01 - Response to PTwitty's "Lock In"

Follow Brazilionaire at

twitter.com/brazilionaire


Official Brazilionaire TV Show launching May 1st.

Digital Generation Media Group. LLC

Shout out... Michael Gerber. E-Myth. I see you.
If you dont know...Act like you know

DETECTIVES UNDER INFLUENCE. COPS PATROLING DRUNK

Came across this a little earlier. I told you Joseph Frugoli...This is NOT going to just "go away". YOUR CLOUT CAN'T SAVE YOU NOW! You're going to JAIL.
REST IN POWER EVOL! REST IN POWER AFROE!

Kep X-Men Benefit Party.

Checked out the Benefit for Kep last night. It was a good time. I ran into a bunch of people I had'nt seen in years and brought back alot of memories. Akbar and Ang 13 also both did there thing. The video of the Kep interview footage and painting was dope as well. Big up to severe, were, Hek and everyone else from X-Men and THC that put that together. Rest in power Kep, Afroe 42, Evol.


On a similar but different note props to nyke, slugs, and cosbe for putting the below flick down in nyc last week.

Dope- Pose Msk D30 interview.

Pose interview

Big up to bombing science for the ill Q & A...Jordan! What up!

Interview by S. McDonald

Bombing Science: How did you get into Graff and what were your early inspirations?

Pose: Boredom and the unbelievable urge to be up everywhere and rock burners. In the early nineties (pre buff) Chicago’s graff scene was BOOMING! There was so much good graffiti and so many writers, shit was destroyed, riding the trains as a child it was the most unbelievable shit I had ever seen, nothing could describe it. With Graff visually sinking in your whole childhood you just get to a breaking point where you go out, rack some shitty cans and try your hardest to figure it out. Then comes the wildfire that takes over your life, the excitement, bombing, chases, beef, wars, court cases, racking, friends, fights, good times, stories, travels. The next thing you know it just completely consumed the last 17 years of your life.

BS: When did you realize this was what you wanted to do for the rest of your life?

Pose: Ha, I still haven’t figured out if it is! Seriously I’ve been asking myself that question a lot the past few years, and unsuccessfully attempting a retirement / hiatus. I have massive OCD so painting graffiti has been less about a choice and more about a life coping mechanism for me. Either way regardless of how bad graffiti will run your life through the ringer there is nothing that compares to it and im sure il never be able to fully quit…ever.

BS: Here in the Midwest Graff had been in decline or at least dormant for a while, but for the last year or so I've seen a real resurgence. Has anything like that been happening in Los Angeles?

Pose: I have only been in LA a handful of times so I’m probably not the proper authority to speak on behalf of the LA scene, although I can say my AWR/MSK Fam has been holding down the west coast like no one in Graff history for as long as I can remember!

I will say it looks to me, as there is a major resurgence of graffiti globally. For the steaming pile of shit that the internet/technology is, it has exacerbated global Graff activity to an insane level.

Although I lived and painted in Chicago most of my life I also lived in other undesirable American city’s for part of my life and always travel heavily to paint, so I’ve stayed fairly nomadic. I will say Chicago’s back with a vengeance. The buff (Mayor Daley’s Graffiti Blaster’s) started their highly effective campaign in the mid nineties and did quite a job on our scene and history. Although its one of the toughest buff’s in the world thankfully in the early 2000’s OG’s made came back, new jacks began sprouting up like weeds everyday. That coupled with our clean train scene has really put us back on the map. So yeah, the Chi is back and although they are buffing every day, kids are painting every night.

BS: You avoided the graffiti / art gallery crossover until recently. Why did you want to avoid it, and what made you finally give in?

Pose: I never got into graffiti to do art; I got into graffiti to do graffiti so I was always against taking the medium out of its true place in the world and putting it into another. Originally I felt it would lose all its potency. Its like taking a lion out of the jungle and putting them in a zoo, he will just turn into big pussycat on display for a bunch of morons that don’t understand him. When I was a kid I would much rather see a lion hunt and chase down a zebra and rip its beating heart to shreds, not docile and being fed in a cage. But with that said I have done art for long time completely separate from my graffiti, at this point it no longer makes sense for me to keep narrow restrictions on myself, its friggin 2009 for god sake.

Times are changing rapidly, and some of my peers are putting the work in to change the way people view graffiti writers and their life’s work. They are opening the door to where you can still be aggressively active in the street as well as a multi faceted, successful “artist” and entrepreneur. It’s a tough hurdle with the legal ramifications and publics narrow perception of graffiti. It’s tough but they are making it possible while keeping their integrity. So I feel opportunities are broader for us these days, if you are willing to risk it and push into new territory.

To be honest most of my personal goals in a classic graffiti sense have been achieved a while ago, and I don’t get off on the competition / race for fame like I used to. It’s all about a different sense of personal fulfillment for me now. I don’t want to get stale holding onto shit, chasing old goals or faking it. It is what it is, I still have fun with it im just not racing that same race anymore, other things excite me in the same way Graff did when I was a kid. I guess that’s what im trying to articulate is that my new personal hunger is aimed at pushing other boundaries that’s why I recently decided to start showing my artwork. Also I am frustrated with the whole street art phenomenon and all the jokers milking its teat, there are people that I greatly admire in that genre, but the majority just want the milk without the work, and are reaping the benefits of other peoples struggle. The word “street” is blindly handed out Halloween candy these days, no earning it, no living it, just anyone willing to slap up a sticker and get a flickr account. From my experience the majority of writers that really do it and invest their life in it, struggle and mostly get stuck, period. Honestly just want new goals and aspirations to keep me motivated, creating, innovating and pushing for bigger things. I guess it’s the same shit as when I was a kid, time is short and Im not trying to tread water.

BS: What is We Are Supervision, why and for what purpose was it created?

Pose: Supervision was created with similar aspirations. Create an arena for legal hustles, for talented friends / peers that have and continue to pay their dues, have the skills, and want to pay their rent and lawyers. Since graffiti as any sub/youth culture is and continues to be a more and more a lucrative asset for major corporations and advertising agencies to coop, we wanted to get back some of that power and get the proper people paid. Despite the current economy, the past 5 years have been really good for a lot of us. A generic description of what we do is would be… we creative problem solve, i.e. design, illustrate, paint, run events, and consult for big clients. Beyond that we are an “artist collective” working together with similar experiences and a common goal (to not have a shitty day job working for a bunch of strokes).

BS: What have been some interesting projects We Are Supervision has worked on, and do you try to work in a graffiti sensibility into those projects?

Pose: Unfortunately not that many are interesting from my perspective, at least not worth further promotion for the companies involved, just money makers for the artists involved. 2009 is a new era though, with many books, videos and art related projects soon to drop. We have hustled and stacked our chips for a while in order to do the less profitable to no profit jobs we believe in, so be on the look out.

BS: As you have traveled recently for TSL and Swindle, what are some things that stick out in your mind about people, graffiti, art...?

Pose: Shit man, all of it! To be honest there is way to much to get into specifics and I have already rambled way to much as all is all I can say is anything to do with TSL or Swindle, you know it was real good people and real good times!

BS: What is on the horizon for Pose1? ...Graffiti, galleries, projects...?

Pose: I’m still going to paint the graffiti cause I can’t stop and I friggin love painting point blank. But a grip of my illustrations will be popping up at various gallery shows, and some really solid collective art, video and photography based projects are in the works. Sorry, trying not to spill the beans just yet. Just big things coming, hopefully big enough that you wont have to look, they will find you.

Streets is Talking....Fuck your clout!

Joseph Frugoli may have gotten a cheap bond very quickly, however family and friends of Andrew "Evol" Cazares, and Fausto "Afroe 42" Manzera are'nt letting this "go away" as quickly as Frugoli and his CPD homies would like.

Hey Joey... I know you are plugged with the city but youre going to jail this time pimpin. thats what it is. You might as well just cop out and take your time. If you can enforce the rules why not follow them...

South side beef squashed.

Here we are, approaching the weekend following a difficult week. The passing of three well respected people within our scene has given us all a humbling reality check, reminding us of our own mortality. At the services for both Evol and Afroe, I ran into people who I have had a less than cordial past with, however this time we bumped into one another the vibe was different.

I had some personal drama that was'nt as serious as the graf drama but still uncomfortable come to an amicable end at Afroe's services. That felt good.

As far as the Graf Drama. I spoke with Dabs and Guru intially at Evol's services and we concluded that there have been too many deaths to perpetuate any further beef between any of the southside crews. CAB, CMK, 35th, AIR, and anyone in between, that shit is dead. We can't redo any of the horrible things that may have happened between us but we can prevent any further bullshit. Let's get real, who wants to go to another funeral anytime soon? Especially if it could have been prevented. I'm not sure if we will ever all be best friends, but at least we wont be ready to kick it off at the first sight of one another either. I have faith in this resolution and I hope everyone else does too.

Here is a throwback to provide a soundtrack for this moment.

Peace

St. Alfred "Afro 42" Shirt

Big up to Kane One , for getting this popping...

Rest in power. Afroe KYM

To celebrate the life of Fausto "Afro" Manzera, St. Alfred is
releasing this shirt tonight from 10-11PM. 42 shirts were made. $42
each. All proceeds go to Afro's family. On behalf of his fam, his
father Fausto Manzera Sr., would like to personally thank St. Alfred
for this wonderful tribute to his son. We miss you so much lil brotha.
Look at how many people you've touched.

Moodswangz doing the damn thang!

| DONT FOLLOW THE LAWS, I JUST ENFORCE THEM!

Big up to Gerrard McClendon (CLTV). I couldnt have said it better myself.

Only Drunken Cops Get Bail

How can the alleged culprit in a fiery crash on the Ryan, killing two people, get bail? Well, if you're a police officer with a blood alcohol level of .277, traveling 65 mph, killing Andrew Cazares, 23, and Fausto Manzera, 21 - just post $50K and you can go home and sleep off the hangover.

I can justify why the fight and arrest broke out after word broke that Frugoli was to be released on bond. He allegedly killed two people, and he gets to go home and watch his alleged behavior on CLTV news? No way.

Reverse the scenario - if Cazeres and Manzera were the drunken party, killing a police officer - they would have already been tried, found guilty, serving a wreckless manslaughter, DUI charge, thrown in prison, never to be heard from, again. Wicked double standard...and we will see how "just" our courts system is when the trial comes up. There is no way Frugoli should have been released...No way!

M.A.D.D. has good reason to be mad - especially when to "serve and protect" shifts to "defer and neglect." The FOP should have demanded "no bond." Have Frugoli sacrifice a little time away from a martini - and let's find the bar or restaurant that served him.

Here is a photo of Officer Joseph Frugoli...should he be out on bail?

AFROE & EVOL R.I.P.!

FUCK!

April 10, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- An off-duty Chicago police officer, accused of causing a deadly crash, was charged with DUI and reckless homicide on Friday night.

Police say Joseph Frugoli crashed his SUV into a car stopped on the side of the Dan Ryan Expressway near 18th Street early Friday morning.

The two men inside the red Dodge Intrepid likely never knew what happened as their gas tank exploded and the car became a fireball.

Andrew Cazares, 23, had called a friend minutes earlier telling him he'd had a flat tire. He pulled over to the side of the Ryan just after 3:30 a.m. That's when a black Lexus SUV slammed into the back.

The SUV was allegedly driven by 41-year-old Joseph Frugoli, an 18 year veteran of the Chicago Police Department who was off duty. Officers arrested him as he allegedly left the scene.

Meantime, Cazares and Fausto Manzera, 21, were trapped inside the burning car.

"He had that a personal way of welcoming others and making people feel part of our group at work, just in general. He definitely was a light to the room with his attitude," said Mindy Evans, fellow DePaul student.

Manzera was a student at DePaul studying art. His close friend Cazares worked in construction and shared the interest in art.

State police went to his family's home on Friday morning to share information with them. The investigation allegedly reveals Frugoli's blood alcohol was three times the legal limit. He has worked most recently as a detective at Area 1 headquarters.

The state's attorney has charged Frugoli with two counts of reckless homicide, two counts of aggravated DUI and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Marcus Copeland was nearby the scene and tried to help the two victims.

"It was just the flames, every time I put my hand in there&there was nothing I could do," said Copeland.

The police department has stripped away Frugoli's police power and opened an Internal Affairs investigation.

The officer is due to appear in bond court on Saturday.

DJ Third Rail or Officer "Third Rail" Fuentes?

i know that I am late on this but I need to add my two cents. Its only right.

First and foremost. 3rd Rail showed me a lot of support at the beginning of my run of dropping rap records. He threw me on a few of the subway hip hop joints stocked my shit at beat parlor and hip house, and even went the extra mile of pushing my product on customers when they came in those stores.

Nonetheless.
I knew 3rd did the guardian angels shit but i thought he was on some once and a while old school "protect the neighborhood/save old ladies from getting"mugged" "purse snatching" tip...you know like beat street/style wars era all you see is crime in the city kinda vibe.I also thought he turned a blind eye to graf as a guardian angel. But I guess that aint the case....

The video circulating on youtube is unacceptable. "officer we have graffiti writers " Cmon KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID... "what part of the game is that? (word to scheme lol)

Your name is 3rd rail. you got a graf discussion forum on your website and you call your mixtapes "subway hip hop". =GRAF, GRAF, GRAF, then why "officer we have graffiti writers "?

I think you are off your rocker, pimpin. Straight up. I never commented when you got out of pocket and WROTE IN ALL CAPS in other forum posts in the past, trying to pull old school rank because you were doing you, even though I may not have agreed, you were doing you and i respect that.

Nonetheless, your new found pride in being an anti-graf guardian angel is cool or whatever,( i guess) but it invalidates your hip hop props. If you wanna do that---- quit wnur, give up public djing , go into isolation, and kick it at cop bars. You dont even get paid for being a guardian angel. what the fuck is the point?
Who are you protecting? stupid fucking yuppies/hipsters on the western blue line from "eyesores" cmon kiiiiiiid . you are wrong and you know it. I dont feel safe talking to you if i see you. I am really dissapointed and disenchanted with this shit because you used to be a pretty cool guy.

For EVERYONE ELSE who may have an opinion on graf.

Graffiti can be expensive to clean up and i agree that thier are guidelines on to what is ok and not ok. Houses are not ok, etch bath on indie business not ok. damage/

defacement to CTA-beyond ok, -neccesary. Chicago is getting a bit too clean we need a little more grime to keep shit balanced. IS Chicago the city or the suburbs in the city limits? Whats more important culture or commerce? can they coexist? A little off topic /kinda tangent but valid questions nonethless...

This sterilization of the city sure is ironic when you look at how dirty shit is beneath the surface. The Daley machine demonized graf and dick M. got in office using his daddy's type of tactics with Graffiti Blasters. It was the easiest target to make a noticable difference. However before a lot of areas got gentrified, writers would paint them diffusing the gang

influence, and make them cool for "artists" and "activists" to frequent. Once the artists/activists move in, then the "urban pioneers" (wannabe yuppies creeping on a come up) come in, after they get established the full blown yuppies are there and the cycle continues somewhere else. My point is graffiti enabled this change and then it is blamed for urban decay when it actually was the catalyst for economic sodomy i mean gentrification.

and one last thing....

How about cleaning up city hall instead of painting the walls shit brown and continue to deficit spend hoping to land an olympic bid.

no proofreading or punctuation/grammar correction so excuse me...

I've just wasted what would have been my time to eat lunch. i got biz to handle . SF!

Seel Fresh putting it down in his debut!