Black Book Sessions, In The Back Cave with Dontay TC5

I'm a bit late pulling the trigger on this one. Last weekend Sye, Dontay and myself had a black book session at Dontay's crib. We had jokes the whole time there. I would say during these cold winter days this helps keep us within the right state of mind when it comes to pieces as well as being an outlet for us to get together and just build. Here are a few pics from the session but believe me when I tell you this, Dontay is a beast when it comes to this. He is able to do pages so effortlessly that it make me cringe. Watching him and Serve FBA get busy, dear lord Dash calls likes to call him "rain man" because he does it in a state of like unawareness. Like no thought just coomes with the most ease. I seen Serve nearly complete half a black book within a couple of weeks. This is truly an art form that is under appreciated and like all else, practice makes perfect!!

Yes Japenese Denim with Crogs...Dontay is always stylin'...WTF????

The operating kit. Special tools of the trade do detail to characters.

Aside from Dontay being able to burn on walls and in books he can burn for real...he hooked us up with the grub!!
Quick Pic of him doing his thing. Here's also a video SyeTC5 put together. For more check out TCFive.com

Blackbook sessions: Dontay from Sye.TC5 on Vimeo.

Quick pic Wilm by Dontay TC5

Wasn't to sure what to do so went with trippy mind power

Finished product

Calm Before The Storm

Sometimes we have something to do and we have to prepare for it. The way I prepare is I totally still my body. I slow down my breathing so that I get the full meditation out of every breath. Then when I feel calm I go out and do my best. It's in these times that I remember, nothing in the world is permanent. With knowing that, I find myself in a better space to let go of things. I am in a space to accept change and remain swift and changeable myself.

I will carry this mind state with me to Irving Plaza tonight where I along with 11 great folks will perform in front of many of our friends and family. When the moment hits I will fully enjoy and stay engaged...until it's over. Even the greatest moment is impermanent and thus you must let go. Peace

2 Days to HHK Championship

Tomorrow is the big day people. The second ever Hip Hop Karaoke Championship is going down. 12 contestants all putting it down for the second win the G contest. My love affair with Hip Hop Karaoke started some years ago down in the LES. It's wild to think that so much time has passed and I'm still quite active in it. Last time there was a championship I didn't fare well, and caught a 1st round knock out. This time I'm going strictly for the fun factor.

Lets take a moment to go through some moments in my HHK history.
Enjoy.



The one that got me in the championship


The whole fam here

Hellz in New York

Bam from Hellz hit me up to go to their party a week ago. They've came through to NY numerous times and had bang out parties. My only thing is I hardly went. For some reason I become an anti social person when it comes to these events. I always dread going to these events and like most of the times i end up having a good time due to the fact I get to see peeps that I dont usually get a chance to kick it with. Good peeps too not the chumps. So like I was saying last night i was glad to go as always. I got to see Alex Corporan who told me he just finished his book on NYC skateboarding which has photography that documents 30 years. of the scene. He showed me a few of them on his phone and they were over a decade old. I got taken back for sure. Also got to kick with crew Like Virus and Gets. Also ITruth came through.

Gemma with Miss Lawn.

All photos courtesy of Miss Gemma Rowlands and for you ladies please check out her blog here.

For more pics from another eye like the above pics check out Liz's boy Mel's blog here.

In4mation Inspiration

It's time again to show support to the In4mation Ohana. This is their spring 2010 launch. I selected a few styles as a teaser. I know I'm a bit late with it but all the other blogs won't show you the art that comes in this season.

For more on the In4mation collection click here.

I can't believe a year has gone by already. I have to say that some of the work I've been doing has taken me back to my adolescence. I haven't painted or drawn this much easily within the past 10 years (since we started Alphanumeric) of being in this industry. Alyasha always would push me to do more painting and drawing but to be completely honest I didn't see it. I wasn't comfortable with my hand style or the outcome of the product. I was being my worst critic for sure. What I've come to realize over the years is that everything was being generated on a computer. There was a loss in the indiviuality of the art/graphic. Only a select few decided to stay with doing hand finished graphics.

This is truly an eye opener for me since I lost the connection with the child within. To enjoy what I do instead of looking at it as a routine. Idle hands makes for the devils playground. So with that said I put these bad boys to work. Enough talk and here are 2 style I created. One was inspired by my favorite magazine Heavy Metal.

Here are the sequence shots of the project.

the end product.

This one was really taking it back to when I was into Hardcore Punk circa the later half of the 80's. I remember having to forge my birth certificate in order to go to the sunday matinees. You had to be I thinnk 16 yrs old. For me it was really that and Hip Hop because I am one dude that couldn't stand freestyle music. Uggghhh just the thought of it till this day. My older brother would laugh and tease me about it and then I remember recent talks with Dash 167 would also tell me I'm crazy for not liking it, color me crazy then. It was lacking a message and for me that wasn't the move. So anyways this is where part of the inspiration came from on top of the love for the things like nature channel & Nat Geo.

Man I remember seeing things in the pit where dudes would get lumped up. When there was a beef you handled it in the pit. That's why dudes would form like a pack of piranhas in the pit. Shout to Jere, MQ, Mod, Ezec, Vanz, Double O (RIP), Sasha, Nino, LD, and Eli.

This was how I started out. Unfortunately it wasnt coming out the way I wanted doing it in stipple. Back to the drawing board.

Decided to go back to using a paint brush to go for a stronger more comic book feel.

Inking in as I go on.

fin

I also realized I never showed some of the other pieces I did for the Holiday season that just passed, so here they are.

This little bad boy took me like 4 days. I had fun throwing in all kinds of izm's into it. Its lmost like a "Where's Waldo?" type of thing.

This was overall just a mix of fun things. Previous graphics all mixed in a tasty jambalaya. Had to throw in the Cheshire Cat since he's always been my fav since little.

This one is raw dog and got dropped. We were making fun of the tongue twisters and The Little Mermaid. We know we know but we got a kick out of it.

500 Something Dollars Laying Right In The Street

hmm, now lets try and get something to eat. (c) MF Doom

When I was a kid (which is how I start too many of these posts) it was a big deal finding 5 bucks in the street. It was if the world had just opened up to me and there were infinite possibilities. I could go and get a Chinese food dish (not just french fries). I could go and get an Italian Cheeseburger (Kennedy Fried Chicken Chef Specialty). I could also just sit on it and think for a long time of what to do.

I think Doom captured this feeling perfectly with his line that starts off this post. Nine times out of ten you would take the money to get something to eat. If you got a larger piece of cash in your hands (say 50 bucks) you gotta tell your mother. That's something you gotta share with the family.

Ahhh the simpler days.
Madvillian - Curls

Old School Mondays

I wasn't too sure where to go with this edition of OSM so I picked TV shows. I remember watching some of these because they were my favorite. TV has changed now for sure and become mostly about talent vs no talent contests and ridiculous reality shows. Regardless here are a few classic shows I used to watch.

Also I feel I have to apologize for the lack of effort put into the blog. Life as we all know can become very hectic but we have to keep pushing forward. Thank you for your support.

Being a Jets Fan

I've been a fan of the NY Jets since I've known there was a game called football. I don't know what started this abusive relationship exactly. I guess it doesn't really matter because after 30 years and no championships between myself and the Jets, the chain remains. I remember the days of watching Al Toon play for Gang Green. We weren't winning much then and in the new millennium not much has changed... UNTIL NOW BABY!

I don't claim to be the biggest Jets fan. I'm not. I don't even follow football that much anymore simply because the Jets lose often and there's only so much heartbreak a man can take. However this season I happened to have an HDTV, which if you didn't know forces you to watch football. In watching the games this season I saw a team with strong defense and a young QB willing put in the effort. This was not the same team that let me down last year with Brett Favre. And now after all the nay saying from inside and outside the team (yeah I'm looking at you coach lol) they are in the AFC championship.

This Sunday I plan to sit down with the Jets glasses my mother got me for the holiday (How do Mothers always know?) and watch a great game. Do I want my team to win yes. Will it be hard as hell to beat the Colts, YES. Ultimately I think the Jets know that they have already beat out the expectations of most people. I salute my fellow Jets fans. To those of you who watch every game and paint yourselves green, I leave the analysis to you.

Time Waits For No Man

Over the holidays I spent time with my family like most people do. There was a moment where I was talking with my 8 year old nephew and almost started to tear. It hit me that he's 8 years old now and I still remember when I held him in my hands.

We sometimes expect the people who are in our lives today to be there tomorrow and that's not always the case. Usually we reflect on this type of thought when someone passes on, but I say there's no time like the present. Give that extra long hug just because you'll miss it when they're gone.

The children in our lives will not be children forever. There will come a time when they no longer want to play sports with you, or just want to be with you. Childhood is a special time and I think as adults we have an opportunity to enrich that time. Play table tennis or take your young ones to the park and play with them. A little race up the block never hurts. Just don't wait until they become teenagers and you start to loose touch.

Peace

Track of the Day: Johnny Pate - Brother On The Run

I recently re-discovered this jam listening to an old mix by Chairman Mao and Citizen Kane. I love the grit in this record. How can you be mad at such a soulful groove. I kinda want to see the movie now to see if it matches this grit level.

For now here's the track. Enjoy.

R.I.P. Teddy Pendergrass

Teddy Pendergrass was the dark knight, ladies use to say.  He was a Philly dude was always up in New York. Well this is my favorite TP tune this was also my wedding song. 

Rest.In.Peace....

Prayers for Haiti

I don't have much to say on what went down in Haiti. I can't imagine the torment Haitians must feel at this moment. All I can say is to those of you reading this is, look into your hearts and find a way to help.

For me Haiti is a symbol of true freedom. A nation founded by a people under the heel of oppression and slavery. We must not forget while we live here in the states and try to make a way through the system, when the law books treated my people as cattle Haitians fought and won. Since then Haiti has been plagued with economic hardship and political unrest.

Lets help them to rebuild their country and heal their wounds. Below is a message from my close friend who happens to be Haitian with info on how we can help.

Words from Ferentz Lafargue: http://americancity.org/daily/entry/1975/


http://doctorswithoutborders.org/ Doctors Without Borders have set up clinics to treat injured in Haiti now.

Or

Text “Haiti” to 90999 $10.00 will be sent to the red cross

Or

Text “Yele” to 501501 $5.00 will be sent to Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund

Both bill directly to your cell phone account.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/01/13/help-haiti

You can also help immediately by donating to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort. Contribute online to the Red Cross, or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999." Find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information.

Families of Americans living in Haiti are encouraged to contact the State Department at 888-407-4747.

R.I.P. Teddy Pendergrass (1950-2010)

A legend passed on yesterday. I will never forget the sound of that man's voice and the depth contained within. Teddy Pendergrass was played in my household often when I was a kid. I never knew much about him other than his music, so lets go there.

This is for all the lovers out there. Quiet Storm Status


This was the JAM!!!!! R.I.P.


Damn Soul Train LET THEM SING!!!

Old School Gamer And Proud Of It

Once upon a time there was a game called Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong was the pack in game for a home console system called the ColecoVision. This system was the first one I ever owned and it was Coleco's answer to the Atari 2600. From the moment I held that joystick in my hand I knew I would never be the same (pause).

From there I moved on to having an NES, a SNES, N64, Playstation and a number of other systems. I was also that guy in the arcades with not many quarters in my pockets but games on my mind. I'd like to go through two of my favorite games from the NES era of gaming. Some of these you probably know while others you may have never heard of.

Game #1
Solstice
This was a sort of adventure/RPG light game. I got this game on a humble one year from my father. I'm glad he copped it because it became one of my favorites on the Nintendo. You are this sorceror who has to save a princess by assembling a broken staff. As you journey your map gets bigger an you have these magic potions to help you. The game play is addictive.



Game #2
Flying Warriors
Growing up my mother wouldn't allow me to trade games with my friends. So like any other normal kid I did it on the sneak. One game I borrowed was called Flying Warriors. This martial arts game was so on point. It's a shame NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT IT!



Game #3
Ninja Gaiden
Ahhh I remember playing this game so much as a kid. I mean who didn't want to be a ninja? This was one of the first games I played that had cut scenes and dialogue. I loved it.



Game #4
Double Dribble
I'll never forget those infamous words "DOUBLE DRIBBLE". From the moment I heard that I knew it was on! From the first ever slow motion cut away dunks to real calls in a basketball game, Double Dribble was a gem. I would always play with Chicago even though there was no MJ in the game (or any other player names for that matter). Double Dribble is an NES classic.



Game #5
Super Mario Bros. 3
Possibly the greatest video game ever created SMB3 caused a shift in platform games. From the moment I got my first Raccoon leaf I knew my life would never be the same. From being able to use whistles to fly through the game in about an hour's time, to slugging it out through 8 fully fleshed-out worlds SMB3 was very complex. I loved the water world where you get to use the frog suit. To this day I can turn this game on and completely enjoy it. A Nintendo legend.

Paul Mooney Drops It w/ Davey D

I will always respect the brother Paul. He's very insightful. Watch and learn.

Sade - Soldier Of Love (Official Video)

Featuring the Age of Obama S1Ws. I like this video as it's nothing like what's out right now, just like the song. Also it takes me back to 80's type videos.
Enjoy

Old School Mondays

You know how we do...

Kid N Play


X-Clan


PRT


De La

Clutter Complex

Bluster sent me a link for V Magazine. He told me he felt that this was right up my alley and thought I'd get a rush form the typography. He was right. The moment I began to scroll down and look at the type I thought to myself, Damn I hate that person and only a person with OCD would work on a font like this. This is something I would take my time to make sure it looked right and most importantly have fun with the elements created to make the type. Afterall it needs to make sense to the people!

My New Favorite Comic: Unknown Soldier

Yesterday I had lunch with my old college buddy Ed. In the past Ed has put me on to many great comic book and movie selections. While we sat to enjoy a recession induced cost effective Thai lunch (appetizer and main course for 6 bucks plus tax and tip!) Ed passed me a new trade book. This book would be the latest in my love affair with Vertigo comics. The title is Unknown Soldier and it is quickly seeping into my psyche.

I started reading this book yesterday on the way home and it's graphic tales and images caused me to jump in my seat on the Q-train. I continued reading once I got home, and picked it back up for the commute headed in this morning. As I started my days work I could not get the images of this comic book out of my head.

Now for the story. Unknown Soldier is about a Ugandan doctor who returns to him home country to be a part of the solution. Somewhere along they way things go horribly wrong and this doctor becomes the "unknown soldier". I will tell you no more because I want you to enjoy the story as fresh as I did.

This is a comic for adults as much of the language and images are not appropriate for anyone under 16 IMO. Take a trip to your local comic shop and pick this book up. Let me know what you think as I eagerly await your feedback.

Peace