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.