Slow It Down

Lately I have been getting very reflective with my life. From time to time I try to jump ahead and make things happen quicker. This is no fun…mad stressful. Im trying to learn to sit, just be, and let life present itself to me, I mean sure you need to go after things you want but worrying about things you cannot control is pointless. Im thinking this… I’m slowing my shit down in hopes that it will speed things up if you can catch my steeze with that. Whenever I need to slow down I go home with my music. Home is where the heart is and my home is Reggae. Rocker T is one of my favorite Oakland white boys in the Cali reggae scene. He has a magical voice that makes my eyes water and my feet start backwards skipping while sitting in my cube. Watch for his album this summer he is so NASTY. I did a little exercise on my break today...Listen to this ill recording of Rocker T at Northwest Reggae Fest in 2007 and draw the first thing that comes to mind and see what I come up with by the end of the track (I went about three minutes over) This is what I had…It’s a pineapple doode. If I could just a reach a one, just a teach a one, just through me speech my son...

Daps

I went to Miami this weekend. On Friday I went to the hood to peep some art and draw on some dumpsters. I got to talking to this homeless doode right next to this wall. The corner store owner pays him daily to sweep around this alley. He said he used to live with the boy in this painting and his father in the sidewalk alley around the corner. He then went onto tell me that the boy died right in front of his eyes on the sidewalk one morning and this wall was a tribute to the boy. I didn’t get into how the boy died and I am not sure if it the story was even true. Either way I was moved by his friendliness and by the power of this wall, it really was amazing in person. I gave the guy some loot for “food” and he watched my back while I drew on a near by dumpster. I gave the doode daps and rolled out. The man was very nice and this was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. Lately I have been listening to everything that is wrong with hip hop just cuzzz I dont feel like dealing with reality and...I say wassup

Blue Flowers

When I was little I knew spring was coming when these two little flowers would pop up in my front yard. Well I was at my parent’s house and sure enough there they were. Pretty steezy they pop up every year no fail. I had a job interview on Friday. They asked me why I was qualified for the job. I pulled a boom box out of a duffle bag, played this track, and walked out of the room. Going to Florida this week bringing back mad butts on the cheap if you want I’ll have what you need.

Swamp Dolphin

been doing my thing.

Well let’s see... I saw a trash barrel explode at lunch today on Boylston St, it was pretty awesome. The other day I bought Talib and Madlibs album obvi its fresh. I am going to Florida next week to see my booRADley…pumped about that.I heard this new phrase, "swamp dolphin"... shit is hilarious. I heard this new single thats gonna be released on WALE's album this summer, shit is kinda fresh…Lady Gaga sounds like she would get it.

WALE featuring Lady Gaga... "Chillin"

Maybe Twice

I had a passing thought at work today so I had to pick up the pen. I have been setting the letters aside a bit lately. I love drawing weird characters, I have been using them to try and display my letters in a different kind of way… just trying to find my niche.


Fuck all this hipster bullshit and half ass hip hop I’m getting back on my gangster lean. I miss grimey hip hop. I admit I get down with some pretty questionable shit sometimes and I’m sure most people I hang out with would rip most of my taste to shreds. All I’m saying is that I miss 36 chambers steez. I am excited for Jada’s album to drop on April 7th …The Last Kiss…This track is pretty hood. "Had the baddest chics in the world...maybe twice."

Jadakiss- “Can’t Stop Me”

REGALIZE IT

Today is the 50th post, it is beautiful out, and I just got some cheap denim...life is good. STAABB has been kickin it with some weirdo shit lately that’s for sure. In the words of the late Hunter S. “when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Recently I have been exploring my artistic mind with the guidance of exotic music that would drive some straight to the insane asylum. I'll be honest my last purchase was 10,000 Maniacs MTV Unplugged featuring the infamous cover of "Because the Night", great fucking song. Hey what I love is what I do. I have been working extremely hard on this art thing and the weirdness has started to pay off. Today Im gonna tone it down for you. I just ran into this brand new Consequence Kudi joint. Im back and forth with Kudi but there is no denying Consequence comes hard with this shit…so steezy. I have been working on this new sticker...REGALIZE IT

Booty Chasers

The year is 2092. STAABB, ruler of the universe is called upon to deliver a message. The people stare up desperately at their gorgeous leader hovering above the horizon. STAABB motions towards the sky. It begins to rain, a sign from the heavens that the people will get what they need. This song begins.

Serving Fiends

I saw the dopest girl at lunch today…. Asian, Gucci bag, thicknuss in the rightnuss, and just walking with that hit it from the back attitude. We made awkward eye contact, I pretended to be looking at my phone, and we were separated for ever. Awww sheet, I like sunshine girls anyway. It put this doode together at my lunch break today. I have been serving fiends since 1982.

I heard these dudes on WERS the other night. SOJA…Soldiers of Jah Army, I heard that name and I was like aiigghht. They are on some John Browns Body type shit and kind of reminded me of Gentlemen…sure enough Gentlemen was their number one friend on my space and about ten spots down was John Browns Body. Lately I have been vibing on some higher meditation type reggae. This track “Rest of My Life” is just some niceness nothing less.

Chitchattah

It was such a nice weekend. I even got to hang out wall side for a minute, smokin butts, housing diet cokes, and making history... I do a few thangs. I saw this dude on the bus yesterday eat an entire pound cake like a candy bar from Wonderland Station to Haymarket chasing it with a Mountain Dew two liter. He then proceeded to spill an entire package of bic pens allover the ground and nod out. It was nothing short of impressive although incredibly disturbing. Although I was on my way to sign into Johnny Babylon it gave me perspective and I remained grateful. I’m sure that doodes day was way worse than mine. Any who… it has been a while since I have posted, I have been so busy with my new crib, painting, and work. I stay grinding on a per diem basis ya hurrd... People dem a chitchattah but STAABB is in da streets.



I used to be a star with those rocks now I’m just a rock star.

Dope Sick

“Dope Sick”
3/3/09

I got real “sick” with it last night. I don’t reveal much of my artwork on here so you can’t see the rest but this piece I’m working on is called “Dope Sick”...you might get hooked. That’s how I do…I stay dope with the sickness. Careful, you’ll get sick with out me.



In honor of The Hundreds putting down some new fitteds I figured I’d rep some of dat Cali hype fashion hip-hop. Dom Kennedy rolls with those Pacific Division cats. I’m sure were all gonna be hearing a bit more about all of them in due time. If your coming at me with the skinny jeans vans shit you better come correct. When I heard this shit bump I was likkeeee aiiight…I feel you son. The Hundreds keeps it real with a nice crisp simple design, kinda like my ass. You know Im copping the grey size eight. I’m thinking of naming my head “The Watermelon DEElight”, I’m pretty sure I saw that scent in Yankee Candle yesterday. Yeah that’s right I’m getting my self some scented wax baby, that shit is da stank.

Finally Moving

I cooked up this sketch for my boy’s band. These masked bird baring character are intriguing to me. I have been getting surgical with those microns pens. Believe it or not those outlines took some time, good thing I’m going to look at new computers today so I can learn how to rock it bobby digital. Don’t worry though I will keep pushing that pen. I stay drawing straight lines.

Sunshine is at it again. When she comes with something I haven’t heard of, the first thing I do the next time I am at a computer is check it. Sure enough she was right on dee money. Pretty Lights is a Colorado based cat that falls into that electronic jam scene that I have been known to get my new era fitted on to. My love for that scene starts with STS9 and it runs deep. Check them out to if you wanna know how I get down when there is a full moon. In the meantime here is that exclusive Sunshine STAABB collab featuring Pretty Lights with the track “Finally Moving” sturdy with that "Players Club" sample. Not the official video but cool none the less.



Peace to them thick babes that stay with their lips glazed.

Rockin Hoes

STAABB JEWELERS…rockin your hoes since 1982. I create all of my digital artwork on Photobucket and Paint on my computer at work. Needless to say those are not the most advanced programs but it has taught me to be resourceful. It has come time to take it to the next level. In an effort to help STAABB get out the cube I’m buying a new Macbook tricked out with Photoshop, come the end of March you’re going to be seeing some new shit going down.

I heard this a few weeks back and was like aight bro check yourself, so I popped 36 chambers in and regained my manhood real quick. Today however I was unable to deny the power of this chic’s voice. Marina and the Diamonds are signed to Neon Gold Records. Neon Gold houses one of my local favorites known as Passion Pit. I like the pop flavor they put down. The video is tight, you know STAABB loves diamonds. I would take Marina on a swan boat ride with just my socks on. Rockin Hoes Since 1982.

Chain Gang

2/20/2009
Do your chain hang low?

So I just tried to get this Shepard Fairey J. Dilla print, there were only 400 released on his site at 3pm...sold out by 3:04. Obviously I didn’t get it but whatevs. I support art but that cat Shepurrd got mad diamonds now. So instead I focused my efforts towards bustin out this freaky little lizard. Do your chain hang low? I'm starting a chain gang and the only requirement for membership is the desire to let your chain hang meng. I ain't Shepard but if anyone wants to buy my print let me know… gentlemen send a money order for $5.99, ladies a Polaroid of your ass, and the print is yours. Just in case you forgot how dope this cat really was. J. Dilla RIP.

J. Dilla- “Won’t Do”


Here is the print I wanted to buy. Shepard sells his prints for low money…only 55 bucks. So dope the shine on the face and those colors are gangster. Maybe I'm fallin for the Shepard hype but I love this. Oh well it wasn’t meant to be...I’ll put the money towards art supplies.

J. Dilla x Obey limited print by Shepard Fairey

Serious Cats

My roommate has this cat named Lola that gets these regal poses going. She looks like a statue or something. Her tail wraps around her feet and she looks straight forward. Needless to say it inspired me. I have been trying to draw things out of the ordinary lately, not bad for office highlighters and a sharpie. Lola and I have a lot in common; we are both serious cats.

This song allowed me to breathe for just a moment today. Not a trunk banger just honesty mixed with the niceness. I appreciate B.o.B. getting real for a minute; he also seems like a serious cat.

B.o.B. “Generation Lost”

Hollatchyaboy.

2009 is going to be serious.

I was bumping the new NASA album titled The Spirit of the Apollo that I picked up yesterday and remembered that Shepard made a nice video for one of doper tracks on the album called “Money." The album is ok,it features some big names such as David Byrne, RZA, Ghostface, MIA, Lykke Li, Santogold, and Kanye. When I saw the line up of artists I will admit I thought the album would be a little crazier but it bumps no doubt. Here is NASA’s video for “Money” made by Shepard Fairey.



So I guess we should talk about Shepard Fairey. I have been avoiding report on his recent stir because the rest of the world seems to be doing a good enough job. A lot of people seem to be asking my opinion on the issue given that urban street art holds a dear place in my heart. Well first off, if people are talking this much about him he is doing a good job. When you have people that love your art and at the same time you have people that want to kill you for your work you’re definitely following the “Becoming a Famous Artist for Dummies” correctly (for all you hipster pussies that book fortunately doesn’t actually exist). Most of you probably know that Shepard Fairey currently has a show in my home town of Boston at the ICA and was recently arrested for an old warrant and his recent work around the city. His poster work is up everywhere and in some thorough spots. My opinion goes as far as if you got big spots I’m down. He has been gettin up in the streets for years and gets mad spots worldwide. He takes it to the next level and his art is beautiful. I had a feeling the Boston Vandal Squad would eventually take action against him. I mean he was throwin it right in their face which I fully support. Illegal shit bares consequences, it is a question of are you willing to pay them? I am. Getting arrested on the way to my show at the ICA would be a dream come true. Go peep his exhibit and talk about it. It will stimulate your head khed.

Handle With Care

I have been pushin that pen lately and getting after those letters. Here is an E I smashed last night. If you know me and you want the whole sketch we might be able to work something out, other then that I stay lurking in the shadows. I push that.

So ya I'm into music with magical female vocals, minimal electro beats, and that makes you feel like your riding on Falcors back through the clouds in the final scene of The Neverending Story. I heard this track about a month ago and I loved it. I have a delicate side that allows me to put the diamonds and guns down for a minute and just appreciate beauty like this. Life is fragile, I handle with care. This is the video for Appaloosa’s single “The Day We Fell In Love." Of course Kitsune records has their hands in this.


APPALOOSA - The Day (We Fell In Love) from Patrick O'Dell on Vimeo.

Fun Fact
Pablo Escobar began his criminal career while he was still in school by stealing tombstones and selling them to smugglers from Panama.

Welcome to the Jungle

You know where you are, you're in the jungle baby. STAABB is back. I just got home from a week of sun, music, art, and some lover boy shit down in Miami. Florida is full of whack jobs but Miami was legit. The culture is booming, graf was ill, and oversized rims ride slow. I went to visit STAABB’z main homegurl, Miami Sunshine. For those of you who don’t know Sunshine, she is the source of a lot of STAABB’z musical insight and has led me to many artists that I love dearly today. She is the director of the University of Miami's radio station, 90.5 WVUM…The Voice. Sunshine is responsible for a lot of cool changes to the station and in my eyes and I’m sure many others she is major contributor to growing art and music scene in Miami. WVUM is a major station in Miami and has many listeners. They have unveiled a new website for the radio station that will be up and running in a few weeks. I have seen all of the designs and concepts for it…it looks diamond. If you would like a preview of the site and to listen to the live stream go to www.wvum.org. I had the opportunity of sitting in on her show and getting down with the latest dopeness. Whenever I deflate my ego and allow her to make suggestions she always surprises me with some fabulous new music. Our tastes are not the same but they definitely overlap from time to time. I have the pleasure of featuring one of her gems today on STAABB. So for your listening and viewing delight here is Air France’s video for their track… “No Excuses”



With the anniversary of Fat Pat’s death last week I started listening to a lot of purple drank Houston hip hop. If you don’t know who Fat Pat is remind yourself with the classic track…Wanna Be a Baller… “hittin the highway making money the fly way.” Texas cats live slow, sip on lean daily, stay with dope whips, smash big big booty queens, and never hesitate to throw down an ill gangster bboy BBQ on the block. This track is so dope get with this throwback in memory of Fat Pat…RIP

Fat Pat… “Tops Drop”


I found this famous MSK wall off the interstate in North Miami that blew my mind. It was painted very recently, I believe at the end of the fall 2008. I have seen flics of this wall before but to see it in person was a treat and a half. This kind of shit makes my eyes water. The wall went around an entire building and the main wall housed some of the world’s top writers from the MSK crew. These cats are the same to graffiti as someone like Jay Z is to hip hop. I am happy to say that these are my own flics of the wall. These are the heavy hitters known as Ewok, Rime, Sever, and Revok. If you would like the full size flics let me know I’ll hit you up. These pieces are huge. The wall is probably 15ft high. So dope.

Ewok


Rime


Sever


Revok

Polo Rugbys

1/27/09

When the fuck is this album gonna drop. Raekwon has been talking about Cuban Linx 2 for a minute. This gave me some more hope that its on its way. Criminology 2…yes…Raekwon and Ghostface…yes. I have sampled enough of the product Chef, I’ll take the whole key now. Trying to get that and CREAM. I’ll hit the back of your dome from far. Word is bond, I’m the eyes that in back of your head kid. You like this gangster ass Y off this sketch I did.I push that.

I Push That

1/22/09
Another masked weirdo and I just can’t seem to get rid of that bird. I painted this for my boy’s birthday. I push that.

This Swedish cat, Henok Achido is making waves… This song is tight. I started noticing him a minute back and I think this song is no doubt going to start getting him that credit he deserves. Well produced with a little pop flav but still rocks dope flow. Im into this kind of shit even though it usually finds itself onto the ipods of purple supra clowns. The black light on the Crooks hat sold it for me...whaaattt. I push that.



Speaking of ill Swedes, Lykke Li is a fucking goddess. I have been on her for a minute. The day I heard her collab with Kleerup called “Until We Bleed” I have become a superfan. Since then I have bought her album and seen her in concert. I went by myself as to not be interrupted as I stood on the floor of The Paradise gazing into her eyes imagining what it would be like for her to drop this voice upon me while she danced naked on my face. Her voice is fantastic. Her album "Youth Novels" made it in to my top ten so you know I had to drop her video for this lovers joint… “Tonight”. I push that.



Listening to the Wu gets fired up about Clarks. In the words of my favorite poet Raekwon…“Here’s the policy slide off the ring plus the Wallabies.” My boy at Clarks is hopefully going to be swingin the inside connect to a pair of the these grown man joints. I push that.

We Buy Diamonds

Grown man shit.

Martin was so fresh…peep that neon sign…so dope... "Word On The Street". I have been noticing the neon signs on pawn shops and check cashing joints lately. Shit is so hood. I wanna get one for my living room, like right over the couch…gleaming blue WE BUY DIAMONDS. I heard the BIG movie was illy.




Im feeling these bros fursure. I don’t know shit about them but I ran into this on Big Stereo this morning ( http://this.bigstereo.net/) . Friendly Fires, I have seen the name no doubt but never listened...bout to peep the album for sure.


Friendly Fires “Skeleton Boy”


I have been busy working on my artwork and getting some shit together so STAABB is slowing down. My sketches keep flowing nightly. Here is part of one I did for my boy this week. I stay in between the lines all day.

Phish Sucks

1/14/09

In the words of Raekwon, "we gonna grow like a plant son." I love drawing with office supplies. Phish sucks but they got my mail order request after I watched this. I have a lot of good memories seeing this pussy ass band. I haven't listened to Phish in a long time. They are back...AGAIN, of course with a reunion comes the hype. Oh well Phish are a bunch of complete pussies but they can throw it down. If I get a ticket I will check them out in MA. Even though I don't part take in the festivities anymore, a part of me hopes to see the next generation holding it down on the gas scene fo real.

Notorious

1/11/09- Another freakay mask

In your memory I keep a Coogi in my closet. Mad busy today…small post, I stay grinding. This track is on the Notorious soundtrack that drops tomorrow. The movie drops on friday, I could be checkin that. I heard this a few weeks back, found a version with out some brutal DJ shout outs on it. I think that is the fucking worst. Jadakiss is a beast… “Letter to B.I.G." I have been into drawing these masks lately. Kinda feeling them will switch gears tonight. Yo...like no joke...I miss NOTORIOUS. One.

Hope

1/8/09- “Hope”

Last night I got home around eleven from a night of some pretty righteous spiritual growth and a lovely sushi dinner with the old man. When I go a night without drawing it bothers me but I needed to go to bed. So I sat down for fifteen minutes put in my newest Amadou and Mariam album and drew the first thing that came to mind. The song “Politic Amangi” is my favorite track of their album titled "Dimanche & Bamako." I want their newest album “Welcome to Mali” pretty bad but it has not arrived stateside as of yet. “Hope”, a word you here a lot these days was the first thing that came to mind when this song came on so I ripped a quick version of it. Hope as defined by Mr. Obama is the "belief that there are better days ahead". I can get with that fa sheez.I know I already posted Amadou and Mariam this week but in 2009 the theme of STAABB is what is truly going on in my life not whats new or cool. Babylon system is a fraud. Music like this has potential to motivate people to change the world. One.



One of STAABB’s top homegirlZ, MoniKa hooked me up with this video. This is a Sony commercial featuring Jose Gonzales’ version of “Heartbeats” originally by one of my favorite artists, The Knife. This is one of the coolest commercials I have seen in a while. I would of never guessed that this was not made with a computer. I would love to head to Winchester this weekend and unleash 250,000 bouncy balls down Madison Ave.

"A Head of His Time"

1/7/09- "A Head of His Time"

Last night I popped The Knife (one of my current favorites) in my stereo and when the album was over I had come up with this bad boy. Kinda reminds me of a mayan mask from the future or something so lets call it "A Head of His Time".

Another Miami Sunshine recommendation coming your way....this Brooklyn cat known as Morgan Geist...siiick...nice laxed electronic music with vocals here and there. Just copped the newest album at lunch titled "Double Night Time." This track is called "Lullaby." Perfect for the whole family!

Something on My Mind

1/6/09- "I Have Something on My Mind" Blackbook Sketch

So like I said I will be focusing more on my artwork this year on STAABB. Everyday I am going to try and post a little sketch or something that I'm working on. Not only will this motivate me but it will give the daily post more personality. I'm getting sick of reporting about other people's shit. Although that is part of it all as it does provide inspiration its time my shit lands on some other clowns blog when I am famous. Enjoy.

anywhoooo....on a more musical note....Amadou and Mariam is a blind African couple that has made their way through the world together through their music. Their story is amazing. Their music music is magical. Thanks to Miami Sunshine.

They're Back

The Dead is back. What a way to start off the New Year. The Dead recently played together at Penn State back in the fall in support of Obama. This sparked the rumors of a possible future tour. The other day I was saying that I need some Phil in my life and sure enough moments later I was struck by the mighty dead bolt when it was thrown down from the clouds by four of the original members. Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann will be rejoining for a twenty date tour through April and May. You can count on me being at a few of those. I saw them last time when they did the Wave That Flag tour in 2004. It was the summer of the all mighty fractal sheets. Needless to say the last night I saw them I found my self playing with a ping pong ball in my friends basement till 8am. I will be taking a different approach this time, first class all the way.

April 12 Greensboro NC Greensboro Coliseum
April 14 Washington DC Verizon Center
April 15 Charlottesville VA John Paul Jones Arena
April 17 Albany NY Times Union Center
April 18 Worcester MA DCU Center
April 19 Worcester MA DCU Center
April 21 Buffalo NY HSBC Arena
April 22 Wilkes-Barre PA Wachovia Arena @
Casey Plaza
April 24 Uniondale NY Nassau Coliseum
April 25 New York NY Madison Square Garden
April 26 Hartford CT XL Center
April 28 E. Rutherford NJ IZOD Center
April 29 E. Rutherford NJ IZOD Center
May 1 Philadelphia PA Wachovia Spectrum
May 2 Philadelphia PA Wachovia Spectrum
May 5 Chicago IL All State Arena
May 7 Denver CO Pepsi Center
May 9 Los Angeles CA The Forum
May 10 Mountain View CA Shoreline Amphitheater


SB is rolling out some new models for 09… The Veloce…mix of the Tre and Airmax, looks kinda fresh. Definitely will take a peek.



I have been listening to people talk about Cuban Linx II for a long time. I’ll believe that when Raekwon is speaking to me through my speakers. Here’s a new track called "Hood Story" that gives us a taste of what we're in store for…Someone once said to me, how can hip hop be dead if the Wu-Tang is forever?