Happy New Year

So another year has passed and I may have learned more this year about myself then through out the rest of my life. I learned that I don’t know much but I love to learn. I learned to tell the truth. Most of all I learned that through all the hype and the bullshit it is merely love that I promote. I stay real, Rasta no wear tight jeans. STAABB has become a part of my life and if you’re reading this I hope it has added something to yours. In 2009 I am hoping to take STAABB to new realms. I don’t know anything about music I just like to listen. Fashion is just fun it doesn’t matter. Art makes me who I am so you will be seeing more of that. Don’t worry I stay rocking dope beats and crisp gear and that part of me will never die. For those that read THANK YOU for your feed back and support. Tell the world about STAABB and maybe someday I’ll let you drive my white Lambo. Have a safe and Happy New Year!


These are my top ten favorite albums of 2008. This is what I like, like I said I am not a musician. I am spectator and a critic with small opinions. Wu-Tang Forever.

1. Cut Copy “In Ghost Colours”
2. Clipse Presents: Re-Up Gang
3. TV on the Radio “Dear Science”
4. MGMT “Oracular Spectacular”
5. Kanye West “808s and Heartbreak”
6. Statik Selektah “Stick 2 the Script”
7. Crystal Castles
8. Booka Shade "The Sun and the Neon Light"
9. Lykke Li “Youth Novels”
10. Lil Wayne "The Carter III"

Just Call Me Steezy

If I was one of the seven dwarfs they would call me steezy. Once my bank account recovers from that Christmas thrashing I’m heading to Concepts to cop my first pair of Vans. The Vans Half Cab Syndicate model seems to be the the raw uncut on the block. I don’t know shit about Vans. I know these will look steeze with some fresh ironed khakis. They are super heavy duty and that skinny toe will for sure fit swell into chain link fence holes. The Cool Kids got together with Kenna and made a track, you should listen to it. It’s called “Loose Wires.”

Can't Slow Down

I love graffiti. I can get down with this French weirdo fa sheez. Weird never scared me. Andre is a famous French writer that is famous for his top hat stick figures with an X for one eye. Here is some footage of Andre doing a “love graffiti” piece for his wife behind a studio the last time he was in Los Angeles.


André from Arkitip, Inc. on Vimeo.

I had the week off and took a break from STAABB. This time of year brings out the best and the worst emotions for everyone. As usual my Christmas was touch and go. In the end filled with some special moments with my family that will last longer than the shitty feelings. The Grateful Dead is where this love for music started for me. Their music NEVER gets old and is always there for me. The Wheel is a song that is packed with eye watering guitar rifts and brings the message of strength and hope through its tantalizing Jerry and Bob vocals. I had to go back to basics this morning. I ripped this in the shower, gathered my thoughts, and realized that “ I’m bound to cover just a little more ground.”

Pure Inspiration

Stephan Doitschinoff, aka Calma is a Brazilian street muralist/painter that caught my eye when I was breezing Juxtapoz. He currently has an exhibit in New york this month at the Johnathan Levine Gallery featuring beautiful paintings like the one above alongside this short film below. The movie displays the brilliant process that he goes through to create these magical murals and artwork. I love smoothly brushed thick outlines and the intricate stencil details add trademark style to the work. Pure inspiration.


TEMPORAL : The Art of Stephan Doitschinoff (aka Calma) from Jonathan LeVine Gallery on Vimeo.

After reviewing Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of the year I was disappointed. I do agree that TV on the Radio deserves a lot of props for “Dear Science.” They had it as number one, it will definitely in my top ten. I know there will always be criticism with lists like these but I felt like Rolling Stone left some major albums out that made big waves in 2008. Now a top album list and a top track list are very different but when I turned to Pitchfork today for their top 100 tracks I found it more accurate and I have high hopes for their top 50 albums. It definitely cooks up a taste to suit an informed indie pallet but it does not seem to be handicapped by that hopeless TRL feel that Rolling Stone can’t seem to shed. Bands like Cut Copy and Santogold holding two top 25 spots as well as featuring a fairly unknown track by Hercules and Love Affair called “Blind” as number one. It is an interesting list and there are some unknowns on there that are worth checking out. On new years day I will be publishing STAABB’s top 15 albums of 2008 alongside the steeziest 25 tracks of 2008. Sheet is fashow tubeeREALdope.



Here is the top 25 tracks of 2008 off Pitchfork top 100 list

25 The Hold Steady - “Constructive Summer”
24 Gang Gang Dance - “House Jam”
23 Beyoncé - “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
22 Santogold - “Lights Out”
21 Hercules and Love Affair - “Hercules’ Theme”
20 The Juan MacLean - “Happy House”
19 Vivian Girls - “Where Do You Run To”
18 Women - “Black Rice”
17 Wiley - “Wearing My Rolex”
16 The Mae Shi - “Run to Your Grave”
15 Amadou and Mariam - “Sabali”
14 Lil Wayne - “A Milli”
13 Kanye West - “Flashing Lights”
12 Cut Copy - “Out There on the Ice”
11 David Byrne and Brian Eno - “Strange Overtones”
10 Estelle [ft. Kanye West] - “American Boy”
09 Portishead - “Machine Gun”
08 Air France - “Collapsing at Your Doorstep”
07 Cut Copy - “Hearts on Fire”
06 Deerhunter - “Nothing Ever Happened”
05 M83 - “Kim & Jessie”
04 Santogold - “L.E.S. Artistes”
03 Hot Chip - “Ready for the Floor”
02 Fleet Foxes - “White Winter Hymnal”
01 Hercules and Love Affair - “Blind”

Humble Pie

Sever from MSK….google that shit.

I haven’t run into to much new stuff I’m vibing this week. A close friend put me onto The Knife this week. I have definitely been sleeping on this shit. This track and performance is dope. It has been out for a minute. STAABB’s got connects all over the globe. Believe it or not there are cats out there that got some shit even I haven’t heard. I definitely love this. I feel behind for not knowing much about it but I don’t remember much before 2006 anyway. I’ll get humble and say even I can be schooled. Thanks to Miami sunshine.

Simply Lovely

Bump Os Gemeos. Os Gemeos is Portuguese for ‘the twins.’ Os Gemeos is graffiti’s own identical twin brother duo. They have played a major role in defining the style of Brazilian graffiti since 1987. Their art is now featured all over the world. Get with it…shit is serious.

I just copped Pressure’s new album and it is fantastic. Positive lyrics and powerful steady roots beats bring Pressures beautiful voice to its maximum potential. I love this dude, flow is simply lovely.

Those Who Have Suffered

I have been trying to take a step back from STAABB lately and work harder at my job and on my personal artwork. I have been researching other artists and really diving into other venues for inspiration. I am seeing positive movement in my style. Through my travels this week I ran into this awesome video of South African street/fine artist, Faith47. "Those who have suffered understand suffering and therefore extend their hand" is displayed in monster size deep in the South African community. Faith47 is known all over the world for inspirational socio-political street art.


A Question from Rowan on Vimeo.

So I’m kind of into Kanye now, I am a fair-weather Santogold fan, and I would marry Lykke Li. When I heard they all came together for a track naturally I was interested. I have had my eye on the rising star Lykke Li for a while now. I recently saw her live at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. She is a Swedish fox with a voice that will make you want to dress classy. Check out this new jump “N.A.S.A.” from Kanye, Santogold, and one of STAABB’s favorites Lykke Li.

World Go Round

So most of you know I have the heart of a Rasta but certain aspects of my life have forced me to leave their version of higher meditation out of my daily routine. Believe me I have burned enough erbz to conquer the summit of Mt. Zion a few thousand times. I can still channel that spiritual paradise without smoke as long as I have the right sound.

Itation Records originally started as a sound system in Burlington, VT and has made its way to Oakland, CA. My boy Pete Chillz hooked up the new Itation Records “World Go Round” Riddim #14 produced by Dread Lion. I had heard of Dread Lion when I was living in Burlington but lets just say that period of my life was kind of hazy. The mix features beasts like Pressure and Sizzla to up and coming artist like Rocker T (a personal favorite of mine) and Ras Matthew. It has been a while since new reggae has got me this fired up. This mix is unbelievable.

www.itationrecords.com

Kali Blaxx “One Smoke” my favorite track on the mix. In the video Kali is in the back of the cop car in handcuffs just tryin to spit love and erbz. I had to wipe a tear away when I saw that.


Throughout the riddim Dread Lion drops props to Satori Movement. Satori Movement is a skate/clothing company located in California. Satori has that “natural” look featuring clothing that is made for every day wear and if you run out of erbz you could try rolling it up as they are constructed primarily from hemp material. I like some of their sweaters but this look is one that you have to pick and choose your moves through.

www.satorimovement.com

Stay Underground

I read an interesting article in The Phoenix this morning. This is what happens when you commercialize an illegal underground culture. For years I have stayed active in underground art in Boston. I don’t claim to be a big hitter but I draw straight lines on a daily basis and I respect the people that paved the way. I will always support the growth of urban art. Never stop creating but stay underground until it hurts and the rewards will be greater than any fame. Take the time to learn and earn your name. Recognition will come if you put the work in and you deserve it.

http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/73132-Graffiti-wars/

Curren$y of Fly Society is gonna be huge, here is a peak at his new shit. Watch out for this cat. Flow is murderous.

Hit That Shit

Baobinga’s newest track “State of Ghetto Jacking” brings that European ghettotech pon di level. They really don’t fuck around over there in the U.K. None of that bullshit trance fantasy (that I am still known to fall a victim too) just straight uncut supadope. This is is the type of electronic music I get down to with no shame whatsoever. This beat drops raw and immediately all my fears are lifted when it comes to the thought of shacking up with Missy Elliot for the evening…straight sexin that back. No doubt this video describes it all. http://www.myspace.com/baobinga



If you have not got with the Cipse yet I would highly recommend it. Their new mixtape is absolutely freaked. I featured a track off "Road Till the Casket Drops" recently and I have now had the chance to listen to it in its entirety. Needless to say I am now dreaming of buying a starter chemistry set and making my living from my grandmothers kitchen.


Clipse Mixtape Listening Party @ CMONwealth Wash D.C. from Expressive Frontier Lifestyle TV on Vimeo.

We Go Hard

This is black hoodie rap. I wouldn't be much of a blogger if I wasn't posting the new Jay-Z jump off. I love waking up to new Jay-Z tracks especially ones produced by Kanyeezy. Complete with Kanye’s magic and the dope Santogold sample “Brooklyn We Go Hard” flows smooth. This track will be sure to add heavy artillery to the track list on the ‘Notorious’ soundtrack dropping in 09.



When I was reviewing the new Fabriclive 43 playlist I noticed these cats from London known as Foreign Beggars. I am feeling this shit for sure. Shit is sickly, I am on amazon now ordering up one of their albums. I'll pass this dutchie to the left my friend...you can finish it.



Looking back on the past year Nike SB went through some strange phases. It’s nice to see them close out the year with a release of simple color ways. If I didn’t have four pairs of mids in rotation already I would probably cop those "Batmans" but those dunk lows and blazers seem worthy of atleast going to look at.

Happy Thanksgiving

I love Clipse and the Re-Up Gang. They never hesitate to bring you that illicit Virginian cocaine rap for sure. They hold a dear place in my heart after the drop of their last album that just got you feeling like you were supposed to be behind a stove just chasing that paper. Couldn’t be further from the truth but it was fun to listen too. I can live that fantasy when I close my eyes but when I open them I embrace reality to hot beats, straight lines, and dope gear. I stay grateful. Happy Thanksgiving.


The Clipse “Big Dreams” off their new mixtape Road Till the Casket Drops

Deezull

Kanye feat. Kid Cudi “Welcome to Heartbreak”


Kanye’s new album is deezull. I’m into the new flavor fa show. Hey those crazy kids love the robot voice and I ain’t going to lie I do to. This album is an emotional basket case. Prepare yourself. Kanye definitely got played by some ho...money over bitches. This is my favorite track on the album, "Welcome to Heart Break" featuring Kid Cudi...makes you reconsider the life of a paper chaser. I am still down to learn the hard way.

Let me show you what my paper like.

Maybe Someday

So when I dream of living that Columbia to Miami connect lifestyle it is tracks like these that make up the soundtrack. I have sought out this dream in Miami and I can tell you it didn’t work out. If you have found that dream down there on the southern tip my hat goes off to you for real. I know for this Boston cat that Miami ate me alive. For today I’m going to stick to just dreams of living in Miami, rocking pearl Lambo’s, skiing in safety, and putting coats of smash on unshaved bitches in yellow above hip one piece bathing suits with a track like this blazing.

Miami Horror “Don’t Be On With Her”


Diamond Supply Co. and Gravis teamed up to drop this private jet worthy travel bag today for a mere $300. That Tiffany color way gets me every time. Maybe someday

Fresh Coat of Smash

Heads We Dance- “The Human Touch”


SO turn this track by ‘Heads We Dance’ way up. Strip naked. Put a pair of kicks on like these Air Max Miami’s. Throw your sunglasses on and turn off the lights. Then throw a fresh coat of smash on a plate of warm pink cookies fresh out of the oven and don’t stop until the song is over and all that is left is the crumbs on the floor.



Get out your umbrellas The Storm is coming on Friday. I know I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Blackberry Storm and come Friday I will be a new Verizon customer. Looks like I found a weapon of mass destruction. Shit looks serious. I need about 3% of the actual features but I get ice.

I got you

Chris Martin has a mystical voice that always has the potential to turn any music listener into at least a modest fan of Coldplay. This is the category I fall into. There is no denying the power of some of their music it just doesn't always do it for me. Chris Martin sold me on his ability to mix well with Hip Hop when he dropped the hook on Kanye's track "Homecoming". It is actually the track that turned me on to Kanye for good. Now when you add HOVA to the mix I go running to STAABB to put it down fomypeepill....I got you

Coldplay featuring Jay-Z "Lost"

"Doughboy" Fresh

Benny Gold’s new “Doughboy” fitted is a take on the Detroit hat that Ice Cube’s character Doughboy rocks HARD in "Boyz 'N' the Hood."


I picked up a used copy of Neil Young’s album Harvest this weekend. I drove cross country once with just this tape to listen too. It was serious. This is one of my all time favorite albums and songs. Neil Young is truly an amazing musician. Peep the throwback of the week.

Neil Young's “Old Man”

Category Raw

This is what daft punks "technologic" sounds like after a chat with Emperor Selassie.

Terry Lynn’s “Kingstonlogic”



air max "Nintendo's"

murdered out

Foreign hip hop is not my steez foreally but I like the way it sounds. What caught my eye bout this track is Adam Tensta. Serious. He drops head nodders and in English no doubt. I need a watch.



flat black + steel= murdered out

Fired Up! Ready to go!

Congratulations to Barack Obama and to the American people who exercised the courage to change. It is exciting to see people so united. Let's get it.



I gave the Kitsune Maison 6 compilation a listen this morning after last nights victory and it just made my mood even better. Kitsune, as some of you may know is a record label that holds the key to the electro castle. They are very serious. Kitsune seems to be branching out and recruiting some good American artists which is a great sign. Up until recently they seemed to be primarily European. The compilation has some of my favorite artists on it, A-trak, Pnau, Digitalism, Autokratz, LO-FI-FNK, and many others. The two artists that I had not really listened to before that caught my attention on it were Fischerspooner and Grovesnor. The whole compilation is great.


All of the aritists…


Fischerspooner is grown in Brooklyn with a great sound…..“All We Are”

Serious Times

Today is the day folks. Get out and vote. I know that I do not want four more years of the same thing. I have been taught when something you are doing is not working a change is needed. To change takes courage but to keep repeating the same thing that yields no results is insane. STAABB was created to show people the things in life you can enjoy that for me were brought on by change. I usually do not get this serious but in the words of one of my favorite island reggae singers known as Gyptian these are some “Serious times”.
VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA.



So Nike SB has just been forcing me to peep other brands lately with their less than average releases. I have faith they will make a comeback but for now I am branching out. Clae caught my eye with these simple but deadly mids titled the McQueen’s. Steve McQueen was a master chef when it came to baking up a fresh plate of pink cookies. He was a stage five lady slayer and a complete bad ass so I would be honored to rock these kicks.



RIP Steve McQueen...an absolute legend. If you haven't seen his movies I would start with Bullit and go from there. McQueen getsrealdope.

The Usual is Not Suitable

Tomorrow is one of the more important days of our generation. Get informed and vote. In my mind the choice is obvious. STAABB is a proud supporter of Barack Obama. If you want to continue on with something that doesn’t work be my guest. Where I come from that is the definition of insanity. I stack paper and get down with change.


Ghost still gets on it. “Computer Love"...no doubt.



I haven’t had a pair of Saucony's since back in the day. My grandmother used to bring me to the outlet to pick out what ever I wanted. She still steady rocks Saucony. Betty Devaney, the classiest lady I know. Bodega is knockin cats out the box these days. Their last team up with Adidas was not enough to get my money but was fairly impressive. This is Bodega's latest team upz with Saucony. These heat seekerz get dropped on Saturday for $125. I’ll be out of town but I’ll peep for size 11 on Monday. Word is they got a matching windbreaker package to go with it. Should be cool…colors look illy forealdough. Go creep through the snapple machine and check em.

I Give Tricks a Treat

Happy Halloween. Last night I went to Newbury Comics and got wild. I picked up Mos Def and Talib’s Black Star, a classic. I threw it in when I got home and got funky with a brush and some paint pens until like one in the morning. So needless to say I’m feelin pretty hip hop today. I’m like a river I run through it, I’m cold.

diamonds are forever.


Evidence, a crucial member of the infamous Dilated Peoples is dropping his album “The Layover” on November 25th. This video is aight, the song is sickly. My peoples come first. Evidence rocking Diamond Supply fitteds foreal….no doubt.



So when the charges were brought forward on me for bumping this track I pleaded guilty. I have a friend whose opinion I trust greatly on hip hop say to me “come on this is what’s with everything that is going on today”. I agree but sometimes I do the wrong thing. There is about as much musical talent in this video as I had brain cells in 2003. However there is something about Akon screaming out “Im so paid” on the bow of a serious yacht just makes me want to throw on a Diamond fitted and just dance on some dimes tan lines.

I'll Be Gone Till November

I was introduced to this cat Kenneth Bager a few days ago on Discobelle.net (one of my daily blog rolls). He is a Danish musician and producer. Apparently he has been around since the golden age some refer to as the eighties. This video gets me thinking about smashing a jar full of pink cookies late night.

Kenneth Bager’s "Love Won’t Leave Me Alone"



November SB drops

Lately Nike SB has to launch heat seeking missiles to get my money out of the bank. I go for quickstrikes and pure killers only. I keep it simple and classy. As for Nike SB November drops this is what I am interested in seeing. I never buy before I see. If I did I would have to build a new closet

The Zoom Tre SB answer to the Back to the Future Hyper Dunks, a little more reasonable I would say. Word is that swoosh glows in the dark…word.



Lance Mountain Blazer Highs. These are already bought in my mind. The inside features red quilted style padding like that of P-Rod II’s. This is a must cop situation. Here is some other gear from the Lance Mountain SB series. The jacket looks interesting. Nothing like black murdered out SB artillery.



That quilted padding looks fuckable.

Boston in the Fall

Sometimes all you need in life is some neon lights, a white suit, a matching Lamborghini, and a bleached out white girl that would do ANYTHING for you to take her skiing 365 days a year. If you’re still working on getting that together here is a track that will fill the void for the meantime.

Munk “Down in L.A.”



For all you Boston cats, support your local Bodega. These Corduroy and wool fittedz are available now at Bodega for that classic American fall feel. Stay away from the blue that’s already on my rack.

Welcome to STAABB

STAABB is a channel that represents the fuel of my daily motion. My mind calculates life artistically to the tune of eclectic music with an organic sense of style. This is merely the equation I have created for realness. If you plug your mind into this simple format you too will arrive at a solution that will set you free.