Video: Aloe Blacc – I Need A Dollar
It’s the intro song to How To Make It In America, dude has an awesome voice. “I Need A Dollar” from his forth coming album, Good Things.
Video: Nas & Damian Marley Interview W/ Okayplayer TV
Okayplayer hooked up with Nas & Damian Marley whilst they were at SXSW, in part 1 of this interview they touch on the overall aesthetic of the album, health care, and Barack Obama after completing one year in office.
Video: Roger Steffens’ Reggae Archives
This past January Roger Steffens gave us a full guided tour of all six rooms of his Reggae Archives. Comprised of collections within collections the ‘Ark-Hives’ represents a lifetime dedicated to Reggae music. Involved since the earliest days of Reggae music’s debut on the international scene Roger has not only been a collector but a participant and key player in the development and spread of the music and culture.
Affectionately known as the Reggae Ambassador to some, Steffens has left his mark on the music through his work as radio host at KCRW 89.9 in LA, a founding editor of The Beat magazine (1981-2009), as well as the various liner notes and books he has authored, the interviews he’s conducted, the lectures he’s given, the shows he’s emceed, his position as the chairman of the Reggae Grammy committee, and his open door policy at the ‘Ark-Hives’.
Yep. That’s a glass alright
Look’n at it from all perspectives. A lot of people see it just as that [Yep. It's a glass alright] and because it doesn’t effect them directly it’s not a social problem, in which that is true. One man’s solution is another man’s problem. But when we stop caring we lose our humanity. All I’m say’n is at least be aware and have a take on it.
Keep It Surreal approves. “There’s a funny [relief] tee in here somewhere..” #KanyeShrug
It’s Surreal: The Radiant Child, Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat became notorious for his graffiti art in the late 1970s on the Lower East Side scene. I’ve been on Basquiat since the beginning of my blogg’n days. No secret as to why I labeled one of our tags, “SAMO,” Basquiat’s moniker. In his short career, Jean-Michel Basquiat was a phenomenon. Literally making his mark with graffiti on public walls under the nom de plume “Samo” (short for same old thing). It definitely made its mark on me. Debuting at this years Sundance Film Festival, “The Radiant Child” is a film on the legendary art icon Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Director Tamra Davis pays homage to her friend in this definitive documentary but also delves into Basquiat as an iconoclast. His dense, bebop-influenced neoexpressionist work emerged while minimalist, conceptual art was the fad; as a successful black artist, he was constantly confronted by racism and misconceptions. Much can be gleaned from insider interviews and archival footage, but it is Basquiat’s own words and work that powerfully convey the mystique and allure of both the artist and the man.
Past Articles:
Keep It Surreal >> SAMO
Keep It Surreal >> Lee Jaffe x Basquiat
Keep It Surreal >> Basquiat x Peter Relic
Wyclef Jean & Fugees’ Pras Encourages Earthquake Aid To Haiti
Hip Hop artist Wyclef Jean and Pras is urging people to donate $5 to Jean’s Haitian charity, Yéle Haiti, by texting “YELE” to 501501. (The donation will be automatically charged to your cellphone bill.) His is one of many Haiti earthquake relief efforts underway. Pras says he’d be open to group reuniting for benefit concert.
The Haitian people were still desperately trying to recover from deadly hurricanes that hit 18 months ago before this latest devastating blow to the poorest and least prepared country in our hemisphere. The earthquake, the largest the Caribbean island has seen in more than 200 years, struck around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter was around 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, which according to reports was largely destroyed by the initial quake and a series of more than 30 aftershocks.
The earthquake was felt in several areas of Jamaica including: Liguanea, Barbican, UWI, Half-Way Tree, Heroes Circle, Kingston/St. Andrew, Seaforth, St. Thomas, Annotto Bay, St. Mary, Hope Bay, Portland. The last historic earthquake to hit Jamaica was June 1692, which sunk then the chief city of Jamaica, Port Royal. Boy!, these are the times and it makes you really think about the global warming issues and 2012. I don’t think 2012 is the end, but global warming is a big issue and should be among our concerns.
A Tsunami Watch was issued at 4:53 p.m. by the Pacific Warning Centre for Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Whilst none was issued for Jamaica, a Tsunami Advisory has been issued for the region.
Summit on the Summit
Lupe Fiasco and others trying to make a change for the better. Gotta thank Kara for finding this article.
CLIMBER BLOG: Lupe Fiasco
WHY I JOINED SOTSK
One of the most utopian and challenging phenomenon of man is the process of trying to realize the ideal. To sculpt the tangible from what is the ether of the mind. It manifests in the artistic mind as a vision and translates in the world via the specific talents of the artist as a song, a painting, a poem, a sculpture, a building, etc. The ambitious among us try and take a crack at it in every category. I think the category that best fits this trek is dance. Expressing oneself through the movement of one’s own body. An inaudible rhythm that silently screams a message to the audience. A public sacrifice of sorts. Putting ones own body directly in the firing line of critics, risking humiliation and to the extreme even creating enemies of friends and friends of strangers. All because of a dance. The steps of this dance in particular are simple enough, one foot in front of the other. The stage is a harsh and meandering, chaotic thing. The cast is a mix of Juilliard graduates, street trained, pop-lock champions and downright hopeless amateurs. The music is all natural thunderclaps and raindrop drumsticks upon cold plastic rooftops. But the message is the real star of the show. The underlying manifesto is one of awe inspiring pageantry fit for carnival in the streets of Brazil or the main drags of New Orleans. It’s classic and new, unchanging but full of progression. Alvin Alley meets The Court Waltz. A “dance macabre” and the unfortunate ones amongst the skeletons are ignorance and complacency. So What’s The Message?!?
Let’s Change The World For The Better.
Inspire a generation to aspire to activate its humanity. Inform the uninformed and more importantly those deemed “uninformable.” An open-ended challenge to this world, and the one that was before it, to dance to the beat of a different drummer. Motivate the wall flowers and the rhythm-less to dominate the middle of the dance hall with uncompromising confidence.
So there you have it. And the most poignant and at the same time the most hopelessly corny wrap I can think of to finish this off is…
May I have this dance?
Source via: Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro
Untitled (Radio Rip) – Talib Kweli Feat. Jay Electronica, J.Cole & Mos Def
This track go hard for real! Talib created something special with this track – bringing together some serious artists to body the beat. Keep It Surreal APPROVED!
Download “Untitled (Radio Rip)” – Talib Kweli Feat. Jay Electronica, J.Cole & Mos Def
Blakroc Project week 1
11 artist who collaborated with the Black Keys x 11 days x 11 tracks. 11.27.2009. Photos by John Peets
More photos after the jump.
Lil Wayne: The Carter documentary
Just after hearing Wayne is preparing to do a bid in February for a past gun charge, it’s a pivotal time for QD3 to present the ‘The Carter” documentary. What better way is there to pay homage to a pop icon than Sundance? “Few will ever live the life of a true rock star, Wayne is one of the few.”
A Gay Response
Haha. BURN.! The gay community defends same-sex marriage by quoting the Bible, calling out the validity of common marriages.
Designed to Chill x Design Philadelphia
Laidback present “Designed to Chill,” an interactive launch party and discussion on how great design can enhance relationships during Design Philadelphia. We will be creating our very own urban hang suite for you to relax and hang out, play with Wii and board games, and experience a sense of community. You will leave with quick easy pointers on creating a space of your own using color and conversation pieces, tips on creating game nights and the food and design to complement it. Laidback will also introduce new designs from the collection throughout the space.
For more info about Design Philadelphia and other events going on during the week check out http://www.designphiladelphia.org/
The Rose that Grew from Concrete
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s law is wrong it
learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping it’s dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Written by Tupac Shakur (1971-1996)
The good thing about being optimistic is that you get to see something truly for what it is, rather than what it’s not. Stop. Just marvel over the rose that grew from concrete and all else is trivial. Judge something for what it is, and what it over-came to get where it’s at, regardless of what’s wrong, the mistakes, or imperfections. LOVE. LIVE. LIFE – PROCEED. PROGRESS.
el fin.
Can I Kick It?
Can I Kick It? at SoleFood NYC is looking to be one of the best events of the summer, for me that is, hosted by some of my favorite painters, PESU from Old Soulz and Concep. We missed the official date, but I still want to get out there. You never know! Just being in the atmos and the possibility of meeting these guys are satisfying, and hopefully the sample sale is still going on. PESU ART x GOODWOOD has some cool necklaces, it’s making me think if there can be some Bizy Dreaming accessories as well.
Who’s down for the trip?
Source via: Old-Soulz Ent. (OSE)
Design Ignites Change
Design Ignites Change challeneges students to use design thinking to explore and create solutions for pressing social problems.
Creativity holds enormous power for fostering positive social change. Instilling this ideal in the next generation of creative professionals is core to Design Ignites Change, a collaboration between Adobe Youth Voices and Worldstudio. Design Ignites Change promotes and encourages talented high school and college students across the country to use design thinking and innovation to create messages for, and solutions to, pressing social problems.
Each year, participating colleges, universities and high schools engage with their students to create work that addresses powerful social topics ranging from issues of diversity, homelessness, hunger and gun violence to scarce water resources, sustainability and endangered species. The students are encouraged to develop actual projects that are visible in, and beneficial to, their local communities; projects that stimulate thought, dialog, action and ultimately change.
Find out more at www.designigniteschange.org.
Habana Outpost & Market
Great summer activity! Enjoi good food, musiq, art, design and bohemian folk in Brooklyn. That’s if you’re into those kind of things.
Outpost Market brings together the hottest local designers and artists in one big, colorful outdoor marketplace. Local DJs, frozen mojitos, and kids stuff make it the perfect opportunity for everyone to get together and support the community.
Look fly and shop local – shop Outpost Market!!!
Outpost Market @ Habana Outpost Fort Greene
757 Fulton Street at South Portland Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone 718.858.9500
Weekends, noon to 6pm
Kahlil Gibran
“I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires.”
-Kahlil Gibran
Recycled Cardboard Macbook Case
Architecture student Alastair Hunter has recycled some cardboard to create this beautifully crafted macbook case!
Video: Surf for the Cause Trailer
Surf for the Cause x Grassroots Films
Chad Harris
Broccoli
Keep It Surreal we can talk about what we want, when we want, how we want. Bloggers keeping it real. Our purpose is to touch on topics from art, design and musiq to life and habitat. We try to give a shining light on all creatives, especially folks with aspirations of growing viral, as well as, already established folk in pop-culture. We’ll use this blog to explore a thing or two. Hopefully you’ll contribute.
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