GuSHee is the Future.

Whenever I hear about fearless Black folks stretching out in the full range of their creative genius, I'm immediately interested. Whether I actually like the art or not is irrelevant. The fact that the some Black folk have the gumption to buck trend and push the envelope always inspires my higher self and gives hope for the future generations. Black artists have always been in a purgatory state, smacked from the right with the pressure to perpetuate the mainstream stereotypes and sucker punched from the left to "stay in your lane" and "get money." Black folks are a diverse and dynamic people. To be beholden to a monolithic consciousness and aesthetic is ludicrous. We express ourselves in a myriad of ways. None of them any less "Black" than the other.

Which brings me to GuSHee. When I first heard about the early sketchings of this duo last year, my ears involuntarily perked up. Comprised of the otherworldly beatsmith and Red Bull Music Academy alumni Pursuit Grooves and Toronto-based soundscape artist Pro-EF, GuSHee is definitely on some other ship! And even though they're a dope musical collaboration, that's only one aspect of it. They're also making inroads into the curatorial world. From the Western hemisphere and beyond. Their understanding and manipulation of electronic music production is unparalleled. So all you museums, art galleries, and festivals, GET AT EM!!! Check their music on the link above. And remember...GuSHee is the future.

Contact: gusheefly@gmail.com

We The People: The Citizens of NYCHA in Pictures + Words (a photojournalism project)

We The People: The Citizens of NYCHA in Pictures + Words (trailer) from Rico a.k.a. Superbizzee on Vimeo.

My good people! After a year of hard work, I give you We The People: The Citizens of NYCHA in Pictures + Words! An unprecedented photojournalism project!! I don't think I've worked on anything in my life! Photographer Shino Yanagawa and myself have been working diligently over the past year putting the nuts and bolts of this project together. The goal of the project was to investigate the myths and stigmas often applied to housing projects and the residents who live in them. Especially the Black and Latino population. And from the 50 + people we interviewed, we discovered some very interesting things. it brings us great joy and pleasure to finally cut the ribbon on such a breathtaking collection of photographs and interviews. Our goal is to exhibit this project as many times as the universe will allow, including internationally.

We've already been selected to exhibit the project at the Fesman 2010 festival of world Black arts being held in Senegal this December. In addition, one of the photographs from the exhibition has been selected to be a part of Danny Simmons & Brian Tate's Curate NYC exhibition project running October 21st through October 31st in New York City. We're also looking at expanding on the exhibition aspect of the project with a prospective book project. Yeah. Pretty ambitious. But hey, Putting this together has definitely been a labor of love, but it needs your support. In order for us to actualize this exhibition and the trip to Senegal, we're relying on the generous contributions of compassionate individuals, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and corporations. So do me a favor, if you will. Post our Kickstarter, Facebook, and webpage links to your respective social networking pages, websites, and favorite forums.

Spread the word to your friends, families, and associates! Help us debunk the myth!!

Book signing event/ Trespass: A History of Uncommissioned Urban Art (9/29 @ Taschen SoHo, NYC)

Taschen has always been the odd man out in the art book world. In recent years, they've been very liberal in their pursuit of the erotica genre. Let's see...there was the Big Penis Book, the Big Butt Book, the Big Book of Legs, oh...and the Big Book of Breasts. And that's just to name a few. Well, what can you say? Those Germans sure do know how to be controversial and artsy at the same time! Being that they're the new kids on the block (established in 1980), they have a lot less to loose in the archaic sense of rigid legacy.

At any rate...on Wednesday, September 29th from 7-9PM, they're having a book signing/ discussion event at their SoHo location for the book Trespass: A History of Uncommissioned Urban Art.



The title should clue you in on the subject matter. They go beyond the pedestrian definition of street art in the major metropolises of the world. Sure, by the nature of the subject it's investigating means it will feature examples of works by the proverbial Banksy and Shepard Fairey. But hey...as "mainstream" as they are, you can't take away from the fact that they're pioneers. Still, the book is worth a gander.

Anyway, the book signing and discussion should be interesting. The book's author Carlo McCormick (Paper Magazine) and editor Ethel Seno will be there along with some of the featured artists. Wooster Collective's Marc & Sarah Schiller had a prominent hand in the creation of the book, so I'm sure they'll be there. Being that Shepard Fairey has been in and around NYC lately, I'm putting my chips on him showing up.

The only catch is I'm sure the event will get slammed with folks from all ends of the five boroughs trying their damnedest to stuff themselves into Taschen's aesthetically intriguing, yet small space. So it's best to RSVP. Like, now.

RSVP: store-ny@taschen.com

Nixon's Art Mosh: Friday, September 17th (NYC) - RSVP NOW!!!

HAW RITE NOW! Here's another corporate sponsored attempt to beat a subculture in the head with a brand name. Usually, I'm appalled at such blatant displays of f*ckery. But in certain instances, it can be a perfect fit. This is one such instance. Nixon's watches are ill. Hands down. I'm still lusting for their woodgrain Rotolog model. Timepieces have never looked so sweet in these modern times.

This Friday, Nixon, in tandem with Mountain Dew and Vice Magazine, are putting on an art show to snuff out all other art shows. The second annual one night only Art Mosh is a art exhibition featuring photography, film, visual art, and live music performances by the likes of Ninjasonik and 2 Mandy DJs. I'm looking foward to checking out this concept in person to see how the space functions with the event. RSVP at the URL on the flyer above. See you in Chelsea...

548 W. 22nd St.
Friday, September 17th
8-11pm

Jneiro Jarel Strikes Again!

Let me start off by saying that I'm a self-professed Jneiro Jarel fan. Nah. Scratch that. I'm a Jneiro Jarel groupie. I go hard, homie. Seriously. I think his sound is dope as all hell. So suffice it to say that I'm a little disappointed that this dude's output isn't nearly as prolific as I'd like it to be. He's right behind Flying Lotus and Madlib on my list of the coldest beat junkies of the first stretch of the 21st century. Various alter egos and side projects withstanding, his solo catalog could use a little creatine. But I know Fauna will whet the appetites of those like me who have been anxiously awaiting his formal return.

Now Kindred Spirits is on the cusp of releasing the first official follow up to Jneiro Jarel's 2005 gem Three Piece Puzzle. Fauna is a 12-track journey through Jneiro's splendiferous and long-standing Brazil fetish.

Not only that, but a little birdie told me that Kindred Spirits is selling the album in two different packages:


1. Vinyl album + 7" single ("Amazonica" b/w "See Them Cry") + poster.

or...


2. CD + 7" single (same) + poster.

I'm going for the all vinyl package. With the closing of Fat Beats here in NYC, Hip-Hop vinyl shops are becoming more and more extinct. Anyway, I'm amped about this new record. Anyone who enjoys this man's work should definitely go out and cop. The indie scene needs our support the most.