30.6.11

Polyester the Saint | Sumthin' ta Creez To


Polyester the Saint follows up his debut album Peace, Love, Unity, Respect with a summertime classic (yes, I said classic) Sumthin' Ta Creez To. A high energy album with undeniably L.A. sounds, the solo project (no features) showcases Real Deal P's dexterity as a songwriter and producer. Check the first single and video "El Co" below and download Sumthin' Ta Creez To for the free HERE.

13.6.11

Dom Kennedy | Grind'n

Dom Kennedy has the internet going nuts waiting for From the West$ide, With Love II. Until then, The Infamous Green Streets serves an appetizer: the first "leak" from the project, Grind'n. Produced by Cardo on the Beat.

11.6.11

Nesby Phips ft Trademark Da Skydiver | Chemtrails


Rather than sell dope off his iPhone, Nesby Phips puts it to good use by filming, producing, and editing the visuals for Chemtrails. Nesby explains the motivation behind the track, the chemtrail conspiracy theory:
The video concept is based on the chemtrail conspiracy theory. The theory claims that trails left by government aircrafts contain chemical or biological agents targeting communities where higher-ups seek to influence population and climate control, violence stimulation, respiratory disease, and other health problems.
The fact that he calls upon his J.E.T. affiliation and enlists Trademark Da Skydiver for the hook takes the concept of the song to the next level. Another one in the steady stream of exceptional work from the New Orleans native.

JETS (and possibly government chemicals) over everything.

9.6.11

The Things We Carry | Kyle Bryant


If you're in the Vacationland you might see the wood cut and intaglio prints of Kyle Bryant wheat pasted around town. If you can't catch him on the street you can see his work on display June 8th-25th in Edward T. Pollack Fine Arts at 29 Forest Avenue. Click the image above to visit Kyle Bryant's online portfolio and print shop to see more of his work.

His work can also be seen on the cover of Portland, ME, hip hop group Sandbag's newest album. And as long as we're on Maine hip hop be on the look out for new music by the prolific South Portland, Mainers Dynamo-P & Ryan Augustus/Ghost.


7.6.11

Changing the Game? | Ode to Illmatic x Elmatic


Illmatic is one of the most impactful HipHop albums of all time. Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones penned a classic that continues to inspire emcees the world over. Lately, and most explicitly, it spawned two mixtapes, beginning with Fashawn's "Ode to Illmatic," released in June of 2010. The mixtape, sponsored by XXL magazine and DJ Green Lantern, featured original Illmatic beats, and paid homage to the influence that Illmatic had on Fashawn's state of mind.



Last month, Elzhi followed suit, releasing "Elmatic," paying his respects to Illmatic. The tape features the remaking of the beats featured on Illmatic by Detroit band Will Sessions, and was sponsored by XXL magazine. Like Fashawn, Elzhi stayed true to the lyrical structure and cadence of the original.



The genre of HipHop has always toed the line between biting an original and creating something new. The use of samples in HipHop production immediately comes to mind, with artists whose work has been re-appropriated often catching feelings, and paychecks, over sample clearance. The integrity and intentions of the artists and projects posted is unquestioned--both Fashawn and Elzhi are true lyricists--but such similar mixtapes, in such a short amount of time, sponsored by the same magazine, gave me pause.

We want to hear what you think. Hit us on facebook, twitter, or post up in the comment box below.



25.5.11

L.A.U.S.D. | Ignite ft. Thurz x Y​-​O x Vida Jafari


The Los Angeles Unified Sound District (L.A.U.S.D.) is responsible for a lot of those west coast sounds that end up finding their way to your eardrums, having produced for the likes of Dom Kennedy, Blu, U-N-I, etcetera. Made up of artists/producers Polyester and L4ZY LOU, L.A.U.S.D. enlists Thurz, Y-O, and Vida Jafari for "Ignite," off their upcoming project L.A.U.S.D. *Board of Production.


23.5.11

Jay Ant | You Don't Understand


Bay Area emcee Jay Ant laces a beat, riding out to some smooth production sounding like summertime on the visuals for "You Don't Understand" (filmed and directed by Aris Jerome). Off his latest mixtape All About Being Cool 2: F%#! it, Smile.

20.5.11

Ses da Great | Dream Chaser x Cartoon Dedication


I've been told that the worst thing you can do to a person is take away their sense of purpose, and I'm going to go ahead and say that this applies to music as well. When swag saturates with no substance, the results can be (and often are) disastrous. Such is not the case with Newburgh, New York emcee Ses da Great and his TRUSIC movement--True Righteous Unique Successful Inspiring & Creative music. Ses laces tracks you might otherwise confuse with the industry standard with a distinct narrative and uncompromising message and mission. Check these two cuts off his latest offering, Live Great. Ses spits the obstacles he's overcome and the rewards that lie on the horizon in "Dream Chaser" and articulates what all that Saturday morning tv did to his brain on "Cartoon Dedication." Not satisfied with two cuts? Get some more trusic on your playlist, download Live Great HERE.

Ses da Great | Dream Chaser


Ses da Great | Cartoon Dedication


19.5.11

Skeme | The Statement


I've been waiting for this one since Pistols & Palm Trees. Inglewood's own, Skeme, drops his highly anticipated sophomore mixtape The Statement. Featuring Casey Veggies, Dom Kennedy, Freddie Mac and G Austin; production by Boi-1da, The Futuristiks, Bink!, and others. Download The Statement HERE.

While we wait for new visuals from The Statement, keep your appetite up and musical palette wet (pause) with these two drops from Pistols & Palm Trees, respectively.





17.5.11

Blu | je s u s ▲


In an era where most music is overproduced, or not deemed acceptable by any standards other than HD, it's refreshing when a project comes along that embodies some of the grit that hiphop has lost since the bling era. Such is the feeling that Blu's newest project je s u s ▲ invokes, which dropped today without warning. Featuring production from alchemist, madlib, hezekiah, knxwledge, 9th wonder, nathan & g o d barnes.


And if you're stuck on that apocalypse shit for this coming Saturday, we invite you to check out TwentyTwelve's take on things HERE. Don't fret, it will be beautiful.

16.5.11

J*DaVeY | Evil Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes

Hailing from Los Angeles, Jack Davey and Brook D'Leau are J*DaVeY. Their style and sound is best understood through experience, but they phrase it nicely, dubbing it a "...merger of hip hop culture, electronic innovation, with a soul/funk spirit and punk attitude." Inspired by the dark undercurrents that exist in the phrase, "To protect and serve," their latest project, Evil Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes goes a long way in showcasing their distinct taste and unique sounds. It's a solid tape with dope inspiration, but Brook admits that, "We cannot provide the message, we simply provide the mental playground for listeners' minds to go wild upon."

Consider this a formal invitation to go wild.

12.5.11

Noey | By the Acre


Noey sparks up and flips the flow. To quote Jigga Man, you gotta puff a J to this one.
"Eyes lookin' like the Black Swan, get the mission?"

5.5.11

Culture of Creativity

To live in America is to live under constant assault from advertising: media, promoting an endless number of products, is constantly shoved into our field of vision. Nothing exists in a vacuum though, and so products aren't merely products--they're a reflection of a state of mind, a set of intentions. Marketers understand this. Their goal is to get you to consume.

The Culture of Creativity also understands this. Their mission? To inspire you to create. They accomplish this by documenting the people around them who are pursuing their passions, committed to the actualization of their dreams, by any means.


For those who were privileged enough to witness it, Jordan inspired a lot of this same sense in us. The way he played the game moved many to action; who amongst us hasn't attempted to recreate and recapture the essence of his intensity on the court? Linking up with The Madbury Club, the Culture of Creativity took to the streets to document those paying homage to the legend who's influence on the game forever changed it. A prelude to the Asphalt Warriors spread.


4.5.11

From the B.A.Y. | Rafael Casal. GETBACK!

Reppin' the East Bay, CA, Rafael Casal has been doing his thing for a minute since he started blowing up television screens with "Barbie & Ken 101" on Def Poetry Jam. Maybe you didn't notice, maybe you couldn't hear with all the noise they put into the airwaves these days, so maybe you didn't take note, but this is an emcee artist who chooses his words and imagery carefully. Reppin' The Getback, a bay area collective dedicated to keeping good art in rotation, Casal showcases his crisp high-energy flow in this Get:Live episode, and delivers the cool in "Spitter" off his Monster LP (which was released in 2009--long before 'Ye, Jay, and Nicki decided to play dress up with the word).



Download Rafael's latest work, The Bay Boy Mixtape, HERE
#GETBACK!

30.4.11

This is not your job.



I don't know how many of you saw the season premier of Southpark, but that shit is crazy (pun intended). Dug this image up out of the old external hard drive. Don't get convinced that that's your purpose, even when people get paid to make you believe otherwise.

Word to Cartman.

27.4.11

Polynice Pictures x J Royal | Don't Stop

This one is a trip. Brooklyn emcee J Royal enlists Polynice Pictures to shoot the visuals for his aggressively laid back track "Don't Stop." Shot in Brooklyn and LA, you get a freshly unique understanding and perspective on two cities that have been filmed countless times over. Directed by Abteen Bagheri.



Sample: One Way | Don't Stop (Ever Loving Me)



A couple other gems that also sampled Don't Stop:



26.4.11

Stop, Drop, Shut 'Em Down, Open Up Shop

The TwentyTwelve Art shop is now up and running, but just warming up. Prints are available, originals are coming soon, and send an e-mail for inquiries about clothing. Check back often for additions from various new artists and restocking.

Kane | Catch the Sun ft.VanGogh and Jaja Gibore

Kane drops the visuals for his solo joint Catch the Sun, which dropped last Wednesday as a holiday snack for those celebrating their residence in the 420 area code. The video, another solid production by Intell Hazefield, captures the smooth tone of the track and the spark of light that we feel in cyphers when Mary acts as a muse. Featuring fellow Albany emcees VanGogh and Jaja Gibore.

21.4.11

Meet Yulia Pinkusevich



Wandering the Stanford campus yesterday with friends, we had the pleasure of meeting and stumbling upon the studio that belongs to current MFA student Yulia Pinkusevich. Hailing from Kharkov, Ukraine, Yulia is an interdisciplinary visual artist whose works include Atomic Bomb Portraits, installation art, and orgami on a scale the likes of which I had not previously witnessed. We were privileged to get a look at one of her most recent installation pieces on display, "Icarus," a kinetic fan composed of Aluminum, steel, and Tyvec paper. The paper and metal mesh seamlessly into simplicity and elegance; what's more, due to the Icarus's mechanical nature, it can take on many forms, being as inviting and open or as closed and rigid as it cares to be. Check out and explore the influences and messages behind Yulia's impressive body of work on her website, www.yuliapink.com

19.4.11

Life of a Wall on E. Houston & Bowery


Around this time last year, Shepard Fairey was catching a lot of buzz for his trip to New York City, where he put up a mural in the west village. It was a nice piece of work, to be sure, done by an artist recognized the world over. However, nothing--in life, arts, culture, or most certainly in the streets--is permanent. Who knows how many hours it lasted in its original state, but it only took a couple days for the sticker slaps and tags being thrown up on it to get some press (including, of all things, a Target sticker). To his credit, Shepard was cool with the transformation of his work, which was, after all, influenced by and therefore also a product of the same culture that was destroying it.


I decided to take a visit and see what had become of this wall. I don't know which artist(s) work this is, nor when it went up, but there it is.I think I like it. It grabs the attention of people and casts a haunting image on the reflective surfaces around it. The characters are an expressive bunch, attempting to smile amidst the grind of the City.

17.4.11

Kwamizzle | Life Movement ft. Kane

Any good narrative of life necessarily involves the past and present applied towards the future, and we know this intuitively. Think about it: when a person is too heavily involved with any one of these phases--too stuck in the past, living in the moment with no regard for the consequences, or preoccupied so much by the future that they are forever missing the moment--it is typically regarded as a negative thing. Why? Because it impedes progress and hinders our ability to get the bigger picture.

With that as the frame, Kwamizzle and fellow Hand Gunz High member Kane paint that picture in detailed bars on Life Movement. By navigating the highs and lows of everyday being, they show why they rap with a purpose

Don't get stuck on stupid, keep movin'. Download Kwamizzle's latest mixtape Kwam E. Coyote HERE


16.4.11

Noey | Gimme Mine



This joint BOOMS. Manhattan emcee Noey slices a beat up and reminds us to be on the lookout for Music, Money, and Models at all times.

15.4.11

Introducing | Liz Zunon

A good friend and early supporter of TwentyTwelve Art, Liz Zunon is busy these days. An illustrator and painter by trade, she is gearing up for the release of her work featured in two children's books: My Hands Sing the Blues and La Salama. Born in Albany, NY but raised in West Africa's Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), her style is effortlessly elegant and honest, mixing mediums, materials, and influences in her work. While the methods vary, the result is always the same: eye catching, head turning work.







14.4.11

Dom Kennedy ft. Casey Veggies & cARTer | CDC

It's no secret that we here at TwentyTwelve Art are fans of Dom Kennedy, who has been consistently dropping west coast gems since the 25th Hour. Directed by The Topshelf Company, the fist visuals off The Original Dom Kennedy match the tone and flow of CDC, mixing a potent combo of California Cool and grit. Featuring Casey Veggies and cARTer.



13.4.11

An Alternate Lens

People have been searching for ways to alter their surroundings forever. Whether it be it through (in no particular order) drugs, art, architecture, design, vandalism, whatever, I believe humans are constantly searching for ways in which they can alter and gain a new perspective on their reality. In this regard, the camera is perhaps the most powerful medium of all -- dissecting life through its lens offers a new take on our surroundings, showcasing our habitats in ways previously unimagined. Alex Greenburg understands this, his work is the proof and speaks for itself. Catch him and his photos at The SUB, an art and community space, in San Francisco's Mission District.






Erik Hansen, photographer and uncle of TwentyTwelve artist WebbieG, showcases new worlds by altering capabilities of cameras, creating images of habitats and worlds previously unimagined. Most impressively without the use of computer programs. For proof, check out his two series: Imaginary Timescapes and Industrial/Ogranic: Echoes of Man in a New World.


12.4.11

For Sale | Limited Edition Legend Lines Prints

The homie and TwentyTwelve Art representer WebbieG is selling a limited number of his highly acclaimed Legend Lines prints. They've been spotted at Freshness Online Magazine, Curated Magazine, RESPECT, reviewed in the Portland Herald Press, and were recipients of the #1 spot at the Stanford University Art Affair. Showcasing a truly unique style, these prints are sure to step up the swagger of any wall and art collection--what more do you want for $20?! Pick yours up HERE

26.2.11

TheOvun x HedAk Clothing | The Love/Hate Mixtape, Vol. 3

TheOvun.com and HedAk Clothing present the Love/Hate Mixtape, Vol. 3., a solid production appropriate for any season. Mixed by Intell Hazefield, tracklisting after the art. Download it HERE

01. Get In the Car [Skit]
02. Fresh Breath Committee – Why They Do What They Do
03. IMAKEMADBEATS – Twisted Heart / Congratulations ft. MidaZ, Roc C, Mic Geronimo
04. Dumpah! [Skit]
05. Chiddy Bang – The “F*ck You” Remix
06. State of the Artist – You Know Girls ft. Sol
07. Balance – F*ck Love ft. NoOne
08. The Mario Test [Skit]
09. Rapper Big Pooh – Girlfriend [prod. Black Milk]
10. Shad – Telephone [prod. DJ T Lo]
11. VerBS – B*tches [prod. Jlisted]
12. She’s A Pig [Skit]
13. Ghostface Killah – Handcuffin’ Them Hoes ft. Jim Jones [prod. Chino Maurice]
14. JR&PH7 – She Loves Me ft. Shawn Jackson
15. The Door Test [Skit]
16. Skyzoo & Illmind – #allaboutthat
17. QuEST – If You Wanna [Prod. A.I.(ICE)]
18. 3 Great Ones [Skit]
19. The NiceGuys – Somebody ft. Lee Lonn Walker
20. Luck-One – Ribbon [prod. Terry Harris for New Ideah]
21. Black [Skit]
22. Actual Proof – A Letta To Corretta ft. Bird & the Midnight Falcons [prod. Khrysis
23. No Body Cares [Skit]
24. Scholarman – Lighthouse
25. Tabi Bonney – Where We Gonna Go ft Lykke Li [prod. Smiles Davis]

15.2.11

Overdoz | Live for, Die for

Hailing from South Central LA, Overdoz drops their third mixtape "Live For, Die For." Boasting features from Skeme, Kendrick Lamar, and Dom Kennedy, Overdoz continues their musical progression on that California cool shit. Tally another W for JBC Music Group productions. Download Live For, Die For HERE



9.2.11

Мишка Presents: Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music)

Intelligent beats, smooth flow, and sharp lyrics from Stalley. Blow your smoke out Lincoln windows and rep your city. Download it HERE



7.2.11

Hand Gunz High | By Any Means

Right on time and right on point, Hand Gunz High release their debut mixtape "By Any Means." Download it HERE



15.1.11

Behind the Scenes

i'm down in downtown dallas, uptown to be exact, and i'm working on a short film. here's a little behind the scenes footage, fuck with me.

12.1.11

Shepard Fairey & the AP Settle



Shepard Fairey and the Associated Press came to an out-of-court settlement agreement today regarding the copyright infringement lawsuit the AP filed against Fairey for his use of AP photographer Mannie Garcia's picture of Barack Obama in his infamous HOPE campaign poster. A press release from the AP reads:

"Mr. Fairey has agreed that he will not use another AP photo in his work without obtaining a license from the AP. The two sides have also agreed to work together going forward with the Hope image and share the rights to make the posters and merchandise bearing the Hope image and to collaborate on a series of images that Fairey will create based on AP photographs. The parties have agreed to additional financial terms that will remain confidential."
The case pushed the limits of copyright and trademark infringement and called into question a number of philosophical and legal positions surrounding what constitutes fair use. Although there was no court ruling on the matter, it remains to be seen whether or not this will become a landmark case setting a precedent for how these kinds of conflicts will be handled in the future.

11.1.11

Introducing | Hand Gunz High

Albany NY capital region representers Hand Gunz High need you to know that #LyricsStillMatter. Comprised of Intell Hazefield, Kwamizzle, and Kane, HGH show an appreciation for the art of putting words together and these first two tracks capture that philosophy. Be on the lookout for the "By Any Means Necessary" mixtape dropping February 6th.



Troublemakers

9.1.11

CAN | Vitamin C


Can is an experimental rock band from Germany. They played in the late 60's into the early 70's and are claimed to be the god fathers of indie rock. I enjoy the clean percussion and powerful vocals of this track Vitamin C. If you liked this check out their other tracks, Spoon and I Want More.

5.1.11

TwentyTwelve on Freshness & Curated


TwentyTwelve Art artist Eric Giddings (WebbieG) was recently put on by Poe at Freshness, and Curated (a Titel Media site) for his Legend Line drawings. Both sites are part of the Complex Media Network. Check out the write-up on Freshness by clicking HERE and the write-up on Curated by clicking HERE.