Semillas De La Paz
Roughly 2.5 million people call the El Paso/ Ciudad Juárez border their home. Every day people from Juárez come across the border to go to school and work. People who live state-side may have family back in Juárez. Some-how, everything seems to be connected. There is a lot of history and culture… a lot of life. Statistically El Paso is one of the safest cities in the United States. Ciudad Juárez has been publicly recognized as the most dangerous city in North America. The level of corruption and violence surrounding the drug war, politics and social issues are almost indescribable. Over 28,000 people have died in drug related violence. This year alone there has already been over 1,700. If you turn on the TV or search the web, all you see is tragedy.
A few months ago I had a conversation with a new friend about creating something reflecting the people and the social issues surrounding the El Paso and Ciudad Juárez borderland. We wanted to bring people together to raise awareness of the other side of things. We wanted people to see the beauty and inspiration within the people here and how they could affect the world around them by simply realizing that there is another side to things. Or at least kinda of remind them. People seemed to relate to the idea.
The images and video featured in this article document a series of events involving many people from both sides of the border that spawned from the conversation over a period of several months; including a photo-journalist journey into Juárez and community protest walk, as well as a short documentary creative film project featuring a collaboration of local artists.
This past Saturday, we invited the community to come out to join us to celebrate life, reflect on the idea that creativity and expression can change the way we see the world that surrounds us and to bring peace. The event, “Semilla De La Paz” featured the artwork of Cimi and Victor Casas, as well as a collaborative piece created by local artists, and raise money for Hands of Love and Hope, a charity in Juárez dedicated to providing food and shelter to area orphans. There was some amazing art, music, and people.
*Featured artists:
Arturo Arce
Fernie “GFX” Fernandez
Werc
Gera Lozano
Frank Rosales
Luis House
Shedrick Allen
A lot of people have been involved with “Semillas De La Paz” in some way or another. This wouldn’t have been possible without them. I’d like to give a special thanks to everybody at the San Carlos Building (especially Koi Studio Productions and The Root Yoga Studio), Arturo and Ellisa Arce (Hellpaso), Celisse Villagrana, EP Culture Beat, everybody involved in The Green Beans Project, Sons of Villa, Rafa Pistola and The Immigrant Noise, Christina Velia Gurrola. Not to mention, Sonic Ranch Studios, L&P Scientific Consulting, Klothes Lime Fashion who sponsored the movement. Thank you to anyone that I’ve missed. If you do not have an understanding of the issues surrounding the violence in Juarez and the rest of Mexico, please take a moment to search Google. There is a good amount of information out there.
Here’s a link to the images surrounding “Semillas De La Paz” contributed by Bianca Cerventes, Joseph Lozano & Rob Leal:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lafamigliamagazine/sets/72157624721593113/
Fatt Father ~ Fatherly Advice
There is no question that there is always been some real raw talent breathing and breeding through out the city streets of Detroit. I don’t think that there is anyone that knows something that would tell you differently. But everybody and there drunk mother seems to think they can rap, it’s not true. I’ll tell you one thing though. After all the years of jumping from one studio to the next, one show to another, every rapper that was worth something, has always had some amount of love, respect, or knowledge to share that they owe to the Fatt Father.
On Fathers Day the legendary Fatt Father, ¼ of the World Famous Fatt Killaz, dropped his long awaited and latest full length album, Fatherly Advice. The release and listening party featured performances by the Fatt Father himself, as well as Detroit’s own Danny Brown, Kuniva (D12), MU and a guest performance by the Fatt Killaz.
The album is dope. That’s really all we can tell you other than its real personal. No fluff or fake shit. Guest vocals by DeyOne and Shim-E-Bango. I should mention that the production is one of Detroit’s illest hip-hop producers, Piece of Mind. You can listen to all 14 tracks online before you buy it.
Listen and Buy Fatherly Advice Online Here:
http://fattfather.bandcamp.com/album/fatherly-advice
BP Your Heart is Black!
The song “Top Kill” and the accompanying protest video against British Petroleum is a project by New York City musicians and film-makers (www.bpyourheartisblack.com). It is dedicated to humanity’s endless struggle to overcome mass insanity, and to the global community victimized by the greatest act of theft in recorded history.
Planned as a performance art piece by New York’s blues-rock band Electric Black, the Flash Protest at the BP station on Houston and Lafayette on May 28th turned out to be the largest of its kind. Earlier that week the band, joining forces with activist group CodePink, took the streets with 7000 flyers. With no time to procure a protest permit, a few mobilized many.
“We organized this protest with the intention of creating a multimedia performance piece aimed to fan the fires of outrage against BP, TransOcean, and Halliburton, and so spread consciousness about this abomination,” says organizer and lead singer of Electric Black Johnny B. With the support of accomplished film-makers and artists such as Shoja Azari, Nariman Hamid, and Tommy Mokas, a powerful protest video was turned around in 48 hours.
The works vent our frustration and encourages others to do so as well. Though the feeling amongst most people seems to be of a helpless paralysis, such attitudes are counterproductive in the effort to punish the companies responsible, and attempt to prevent future acts of catastrophic negligence.
J DILLA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL BENEFIT & LAUNCH PARTY
The J Dilla Foundation, whose mission is to help fund inner-city music programs, and provide scholarships to students attending schools that have progressive music curricula, was co-founded by Maureen “MaDukes” Yancey, mother of acclaimed producer James “Jay Dee aka J Dilla” Yancey. J Dilla was a Grammy award winning record producer and artist who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan. According to NPR.org, he was one of the music industry’s most influential hip-hop artists, working for big-name acts such as Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, Common and Janet Jackson. J Dilla passed away in 2006 after suffering with Lupus and the rare blood disease TTP. The Foundation was established in his name to carry on his legacy by giving youth the gift of music.
The J Dilla Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity, announces the anticipated celebration of the re-established organization’s first event and fundraiser June 12, 2010 at the G.R. N’Namdi Gallery (52 E. Forest) a contemporary art gallery in the newly revitalized Midtown Detroit. The event will be hosted by Detroit’s soulful crooner recording artist Dwele and BET’s Comicview and P.Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy comedian “The Great Dr. Bobo Lamb.” The evening will also have a special a performance by recording artist Illa J and presentations will be made to The J Dilla Foundation’s first grant recipients.
All Proceeds from the benefit will go directly to The J Dilla Foundation. Guests will also be invited to visit the ‘Donation Station’ where additional donations can be made to The J Dilla Foundation, and donors will receive an instant tax deductable receipt. The event will also be available for viewing online where the Foundation will hold a virtual fundraiser and have limited exclusive merchandise for purchase. Purchases made during the event, including online, will be personally autographed by Maureen “MaDukes” Yancey.
“We are so excited about this event,” Chairwoman Yancey states, “This is the first event for us, by us, and I’m really looking forward to it being a great success, I’m mostly looking forward to making our first grant presentations and getting our programs kicked off.” The Foundation’s fundraising effort is anticipated to bring approximately $10,000+ of donated funds, of which will be distributed throughout the organizations programs that support local youth music organizations, and to provide scholarships to musically gifted students. “This will be the first of many events, we hope to be leaders in the efforts to enhance and develop arts programs in urban communities across the nation” says Yancey.
For more information about the J Dilla Foundation go to:
http://www.JDillaFoundation.org
Towers of Simon Rodia
Towers of Simon Rodia in the Watts district of Los Angeles, California, is a collection of 17 interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet. The Towers were built by Italian immigrant construction worker Sabato (“Sam” or “Simon”) Rodia in his spare time over a period of 33 years, from 1921 to 1954. The work is an example of non-traditional vernacular architecture and American Naïve art. The Towers are located near the 103rd Street-Kenneth Hahn Station of the Metro Rail LACMTA Blue Line. We’ve broken this video in to 2 parts.
R.I.P. GURU ~ You WIll be Missed
If you haven’t read the headlines we’ve lost Guru, co-founder of Gangstarr, another part of hip-hop’s rich cultural history to cancer. We recommend you to Google it and read the letter he supposedly wrote on his death bed. Below is a quoted announcement Solar made to the public and a few videos. R.I.P
“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius. For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can’t tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter [read above] while he was in the hospital for the fans. I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place! Guru is a great Black American Hero and should always be remembered as such and he is much more that just a Hip-Hop icon — he has changed the world for the better. I salute my fallen brother Guru! He will be missed tremendously!” Solar stated.
Record Store Day
This Saturday, April 17, 2010, Record Store Day will be continue. Hundreds of stores in the USA and across the world will bring people together to celebrate. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries internationally make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and so on.
Record Store Day is an annual celebration of art and music focused on bringing people and artists together and supporting independently owned and managed record stores. Record Store Day was founded by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner as a celebration of unique culture that surrounds independently owned records stores across the USA and around the world.
Quotes from artists:
Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion)
“I got my start by going around to record stores like Moby Disc and Middle Earth and giving them The Bad Religion 7” to sell on consignment. I’d go back every couple of weeks to see if they needed any more and while I was at it I’d always check out the zines, flyers and new punk releases. These places were more than stores, they were gathering places and hubs of information. They were the heart of the LA Hardcore scene and it would never have existed without them.”
Ben Harper
“Independent record stores are much more than the name suggests. They are an international community and platform where music has an outlet and an opportunity to grow over the long term, in a way that sincerely connects with community and culture. They are also a magnificent mob of highly opinionated musical bandits which I am proud to call my pals! Bill, keep that indian ring shining for me. Matt, I’LL meet you in the morning for breakfast. John, we’ll always have paris. Rhino…..straight outta Claremont!”
P.O.S
“The record store is where me and my friends cut our teeth growing up. I love getting lost trying to master every section, walking with a stack of possible purchases and weighing all my choices at the end of it. Nothing will ever replace that for me.“
BT
A long time ago, people that made music meant it, people that bought it cared and celebrated the listening to it as an activity unto itself. They read the liner notes like a sacred text and conversed for hours on the intricacies of a band, a sound, a producer, a label, the artwork, a movement. Oh yes, in a store, face to face. Uphold that tradition. Honor our stores that still exist that cater to people making music that still care, and fans that do too.
For more information and participating independent record stores go here:
www.recordstoreday.com
Funk Night Records – 45′s
Will Sessions “Getcho Mind Right”
If you are from the Detroit area unless, you’ve been sleeping, you’ve most likely heard about the legendary Funk Night. This monthly gathering has brought people of all kinds of people together time after time for no other reason other than to celebrate, dance, to classic funk tracks. Funk Night was started by Scott Craig back in the late 90’s. Scott and Brad Hales ran it for some time then took a brief hiatus. Scott left town and Funk Night started back up again and is still every last Friday of the month.
The real story is the music, the house DJ Frank Raines & the house band, Will Sessions. Will Sessions came together in a basement back in 2007. Most of the members are were involved in in Wayne State University’s Jazz Program. The bands tight enough to jump from funk, hip hop, jazz-fusion to soul music that could make The Funky Meters stop and stare. In the past the band has done live collaborations with artists such as Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, Mayer Hawthorne, Monica Blaire, Phat Kat, & Rickey Calloway. This band is got to be the funkiest thing from Detroit besides Enemy Squad. Of course they are two different worlds of Funk, but you’ll get the idea.
Now Frank Raines, whom many of know and love who has been deeply involved with funk night over the years as a DJ and promoter has stepped it up and started Funk Night Records. Since I have never seen him spin anything but vinyl records its no surprise to me that he was to only release the debut release of Will Sessions via Funk Night Records on 45’s. We just wanted to give you a taste. There are two 45’s (limited edition of 500) and they are only available at Funk Night or directly from Frank.
Will Sessions members: Bryan Arnold (trumpet/keys), Tim Shellabarger (drums), Eric Kacir (guitar), Ryan Gimpert (bass), Matt Martinez trombone), Tom Parks (trumpet), Sam Beubien (trumpet/keys), Billy Love (Vocals)
Links:
Funk Night – www.myspace.com/funknightdetroit
Will Sessions – www.myspace.com/willsessionsdetroit
Funk Night Records – www.funknightrecords.com
PRISON INC
Prison Inc., group show exhibition curated by Gregg Stone, featuring a large collection of drawings created by incarcerated artists with letters from the artists. Additionally, Crewest officially opens a new “Featured Artist Room.” This new Featured Artist Room will feature monthly installations by featured artists selected by Crewest. Kicking off inside this new room, Crewest presents “Life Inside” a collaborative installation, directed under Edgar “OSOK” Hoill, featuring the creative works of Adrian Nieto, John Jarasa, Gregg Stone, Juan Sanchez Jr., Salim Assid Jr., Elena Dominguez, David Montes and Rafael Vasquez. Dedicated and inspired by the trying times of prison.
Exhibiting Artists:
Gregg Stone, Edgar “OSOK” Hoill, Kenny McDermott, J. Cheddah, Leno Delgado, William Woods, Klive Hulsey, Martin Bueno, Javier, Penko, Warlock, Oscar Campos, Adrian Nieto, John Jarasa, Juan Sanchez Jr., Salim Assid Jr., Elena Dominguez, David Montes and Rafael Vasquez.
This is exhibition will be open to the public till Feb 27, 2010. For more information check out Crewest, 110 Winston St., Los Angeles, CA
Links:
Alex Gopher “Party People”
After talking on the phone with a producer and friend who has been involved with some instrumental projects over the years we thought we should post this Video. Alex Gopher “Party People.” This is one of our favorite DJ’s in the mix, for real. Check it out, check out some of his life sets. Spread it around.
Reorganized J Dilla estate & plans for J Dilla Foundation
Announcing reorganized J Dilla estate & plans for J Dilla Foundation
Via: j-dilla.com January 24, 2010
The family of late music producer James “J Dilla” Yancey is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of West Coast probate attorney Alex Borden as administrator of Yancey’s estate, and also to announce the establishment of the official J Dilla Foundation. The developments mark a new chapter in preserving and enhancing the legacy of the legendary artist and secure a means of future prosperity for his mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, daughters Ja’Mya Yancey and Ty-Monae Whitlow, and brother, John “Illa J” Yancey.
“I’m so excited because it’s like one big organization,” says Maureen Yancey, who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the well-being of her family remains a priority for all involved and her son’s accomplishments are held in a positive and productive light. “We’ve got cutting-edge people all over the country waiting to work and be a part of it. Everybody’s on one accord it seems like the universe is working with us.”
Borden came on board last April following Arthur Erk’s tenure as Executor and has been working closely with the Yancey family in developing creative opportunities for J Dilla’s vast catalog of music. Says Yancey: “It’s awesome to not only have things back on the right track, but to have people who are really in your corner. I’m just blown away by the past few years, and working doubly hard to get things corrected, it drives you. It’s wonderful.”
The Estate will serve as the channel through which the Yancey family will receive financial benefit from the J Dilla/Jay Dee name, merchandise, and recordings; the goal of which is to create a successful, joyous, and profitable enterprise to be controlled by the family once the probate process is complete. All business dealings with the music of James Yancey, Pay Jay Productions, Inc. and the Estate of James Yancey should be directed to the Estate through the newly launched official J Dilla website www.j-dilla.com. The Estate will also manage contracts, copyrights, and other matters relating to the Yancey name and/or Pay Jay Productions, Inc., and welcomes ideas, requests, and licensing opportunities for evaluation and review with the family.
“We’re very happy about it,” says Yancey in regards to her family’s relationship to the new administration. “The entire family knows how Alex’s team works and how they’ve pulled together and stood up for us even before this time, and it’s just been excellent. The communication is wonderful. It’s like family…we’re just one big family.”
In a separate but complementary role to the Estate, the newly established J Dilla Foundation has filed for tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit charitable institution to help fund the development of music in the inner city and provide scholarships to students enrolled at schools with progressive music curricula. Four initiatives will be launched each year and three cities chosen to enhance local music programs, with scholarships awarded to one or more students at the beginning of the fall semester. Target cities for 2010 are Detroit, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The Foundation will hold fundraisers in each city with each effort anticipated to bring approximately in $10,000+ of donations.
“One of the things Dilla wanted me to do with his legacy was to use it to help others, people with illness, and kids who were musically gifted but had little hope due to poverty,” says Yancey, founder and chair of the Foundation. “The Foundation is to keep Dilla’s dream alive to help youth—those who aspire to make good music—and develop their time, talent, and nurture their skill. We also want to be there financially for those who are talented but don’t have the money or access to the networks they need to help them grow.”
By the time of his death in February of 2006 from complications due to Lupus, Yancey was revered by the music world for his contributions to hip-hop and R&B, emerging from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan to become one of the industry’s most influential artists. “Every year, Dilla and his dream get bigger and bigger,” says Yancey. “Every time I go to a different city and visit with his fans, the dream just grows. It’s something that I can’t even describe, and it’s not going to die.”
Contact:
Estate of J Dilla/James Yancey
www.j-dilla.com
J Dilla Foundation
www.jdillafoundation.org
We’re back!
After a little downtime, we’ve tried to streamline things so that we can bring more quality content and less crap. So this is where it begins. We will be updating almost everyday and sending out newsletters a couple times a month with our pics of the weeks starting with in the next 12 hours. The next issue of La Famiglia will be published on the 15th. This issue has in-depth interviews with Glen Friedman, Blek le Rat, Chris Dean, DJ Js-1, WON + much more.
The old Site, galleryies are still live if you can find them. We will most likely re-post some of our favorite art features and interviews from the past year in the future. Thanks for all the love. Come thru daily and let us know whats good. Theres a few posts below.
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