The Newest Era ™

DJ SPINNA! MJ vs Prince

2010-06-18T12:44:00.007-04:00

Some of you might recall the legendary nights... They've all been amazing! We rekindle our love w/ these stellar nights this weekend w/ DJ Spinna once more:

NY's own DJ SPINNA plays it all night long, like he's done so wonder-fully in the past. This time, in the surroundings of the GREAT HALL, let the day's sunshine guide you to a enchanting night of delight, euphoric dance and dizzying enjoyment. Wear your soft shoes!

SOUL SLAM featuring DJ SPINNA
Saturday June 19th 2010
@ The Great Hall - 1087 Queen St west (@ Dovercourt)
Tickets Are $20 and are avail here online.
Doors @ 10p.

View Larger Map

And as you all know, w/ NXNE going on, The Great Hall has an extended 4AM license. WOW.

Looking fwd to seeing all tomorrow!

H!

WONDER-FULL feat BOBBITO & DJ SPINNA, Oct 24th - Toronto

2009-10-23T14:57:00.002-04:00

This happens only but 1nce a year my friends.

All the info is on the flyer, and here. You too will believe in superstition after tomorrow night.

We just did a tckt count. Oh boy. This will be epic.

Want to get in the mood?? Here's a stream of the 2008 WONDER-FULL night in Toronto.

Enjoy, and see you sat night.

H!

Shouts To Fred Perry & KamaSUEtra!

2009-06-10T20:53:00.005-04:00

Say Wrd.

Shouts to both Fred Perry and KamaSUEtra! indeed. The mandem were outfitted in some clean Fred Perry for this party taking place very soon. Can't really spill the beans, but Black Beatles are playing a f*cking Grammy® nominated artist after party. WTF?
Yep. Gonna be kinda nice. June. That's all I will say right now.

Wonder if my most recent diet + the good cycling has resulted in my fitting into a size small. Hmmmm?? Ladies, don't let the smooth taste fool you as I like to say. ;)

Anyhow, I'm pretty pumped.

H!

Getting My Heart-On (Fundraiser)

2009-06-01T11:48:00.007-04:00

Yea, I know x 2.

It's been a while. Sorry. I've been spending all my time here, whilst I've been contemplating massive redesign on this end.

But, on another note....

Many if not most of you know that I've been spending lots of my spare time cycling. Love the peace it's offered me along side the cardio that I'm getting from it. It's allowed me to remain full of vim and vigor, maintain my boyish looks as well as keeping a diver's body. LOL. Many of you on twitter know that I'm an ambassador of healthy and responsible diets, and that may have some play in it as well.
All of this however, has allowed me to take on a new challenge: The Becel Heart+Stroke Ride
Did you know that heart disease and stroke is responsible for 1 in 3 Canadian deaths every year? Nuts.
So to help change the afore outlined statistic, I’m participating in the Becel Heart+Stroke Ride for Heart on Sunday, June 7 2009. This is a 50km ride!

I'll mount the infamous W.O.W. aka white on white aka the Wowery (Giant Bowery) and ride the Holy Grail of bike paths in Toronto:
The Gardiner Expressway & The DVP.
What cyclist would pass up an opportunity to ride 50 KMS along this path?? Even more so, this will be for a great cause.

I decided late to join and register, but no better time than the present. I have 6 days to raise what I think is an achievable goal of $600 CAD: 6 in 6. So, with an impassioned and wholehearted plea, I ask for your support.

You can find my donation page by clicking here. Enter a donation amount, and click continue. It can all be done in moments with a credit card.

With a $5 donation from 100 ppl ($4.50 USD, 3£/€ for all my International friends) , I'll be close to reaching my goal. But I feel I can do better. (I'm sure hope our friendship is worth more than $5. And that's cheaper than most Toronto parking!) In fact, if I can raise $1000, i'll cut off (or trim) what was formerly known as a beard, but has now become facial shrubbery. LOL.

Regardless, I'll have a great time as I'll be riding with other members of the fixed/single speed community for an even greater cause.

Look for updates on this one as time goes on.

And thx again for your support, be it moral or monetary. ;)

Wish me luck! I have less than 1 week.

H!

FINALLY! Pixels back in hand...

2009-04-16T14:13:00.002-04:00

Again, another bout of writer's block. KInda sucks some days. More like, designer's block in fact. Again, been meaning to make some whole sale changes, and I will. But there's not reason for me to not post anything?!?! NO??

Anyhow.... you know how I love to do...

I need to get out to decompress and think a bit. Been a funny week. And what's best is that, although I'm sitting here @ my lap and posting right from it @ JFK, I'll be hella posting from my BarackBerry now. ;)

Anyhow, chat soon.

H!

SPINNA! Esta Noche!

2009-04-09T11:27:00.004-04:00

I can't even get into it right now.

I've not been on this blog of like 1 month?? Been weighing some design changes. Been too long as the same format. +, I will be doing more mobile postings since I find myself spending more time here these days (that's my music HQ btw).

So tonight is the night: We are proud to have DJ SPINNA in the building @ Revival Bar.

I just saw Spinna rip it week before last in MIA and i'm glad to be able to host his return to YYZ.

If you're looking for tckts

They're avail @ play de record, goodfoot, slinky music, rotate this, delphic & soundscapes

I would call 1st but there should be some tix left.

See you tonight, and I'm glad to be posting here again. ;)

H!

This is a test.

2009-03-22T14:16:00.001-04:00

Live from Houston airport.

-----
MyManHenri - Sent from BarackBerry
Class By 'Emself

Prince vs Michael: April 9th 2009

2009-03-17T11:26:00.003-04:00

It's finally here. Get you most comfortable dancing shoes out. For the ones who were @ the WONDERFUL night.. you know the deal.

Facebook group here.

Make it happen!

H!

Act 4: Out Now

2009-03-03T08:32:00.000-05:00

For those familiar with Stones Throw way of life, they have released Thank You Jay Dee, Act 4. And most welcomed is the news that it's still free. Say wrd.

You can get it here, but what you should really do is simply get down with the Stones Throw Podcast.

Any you know this...

H!

1nce again....

2009-03-02T22:01:00.003-05:00

I ask, what am i still doing here?? The sun is calling me.

Shouts to Computer J, Dam Funk and J1. Good look to Ty G as always.

HVW8 all day.

H!

For The D: Saturday Feb 28th

2009-02-23T12:42:00.002-05:00

Pce to Eric Lau.... What a banger that was. In any case, this necessitates no explanation.

So nice, I had to do it twice.

For The D
Saturday Feb 28th
678 Queen Street West (in the heart of QB)
between Euclid and Palmerston on the north side.

Don't forget the tees for Ma Dukes are in Toronto. Cop one whilst you still can.

Free download.

As much as I never do this, take this joint in by my man, UK's own Eric Lau. Dude got bangers. Met him in the UK in summer of '07. Luh dat dude and he produced this title track.

For The D ft Guilty Simpson (produced by Eric Lau)

Or download it here

See you Saturday.

H!

Thk you Cairo Caro!

2009-02-22T13:22:00.005-05:00

She and I chatted about this last night and she found the link!
This vid makes me smile with no end. ;)

H!

Obey x Dilla: Print Goes On Sale Tomorrow.

2009-02-19T13:34:00.003-05:00

Or would that be Fairey x B+??

Regardless, Shepard Fairey is on fire. After a full year+ of media coverage for a campaign image that has gone down in history and historical archives, he's @ it again. Albeit, in much smaller scale - bordering on minuscule in comparison, but none less meaningful.
He and B+ have teamed up for Ma Dukes as well.
Shepard has taken what can be described as a classic shot of Dilla by B+, and put it through his signature transformations. What has resulted is the following:

More deets here.

This 18" x 24" print will be sold tomorrow, Feb 20th 2009 @ obeygiant.com. Of the 400 available, 50 will be sold @ a Ma Dukes orchestral fundraiser in LA entitled "Suite For Ma Dukes"

Grab yours whilst you can. Hope they ship cross border. ;)

H!

Ma Dukes Tee (Official Dilla fundraiser): In Toronto stores TODAY

2009-02-18T11:40:00.005-05:00

Some of you may or may not have known, but I had been working on the back end trying to make sure that we had some retailers in Canada to carry this tee as there was only 1 out the gate. WOW. That's a long drive where ever you are!
So now, I'm glad to announce the arrival of the 1st batch of tees:

Background: Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, the mother of the late James “J Dilla” Yancey, is currently battling the same disease that took her son’s life. Dough from this tee goes to Ma Dukes. Long time Stones Throw friend Parra banged out the design. This one is getting snatched up left and right and is almost impossible to keep in stock. I was lucky enough to make something happen - big shouts to the Minister of Information @ Stones Throw.

In any case, they should be in stock @ the following store by end of day:

Play De Record
357A Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M5B 1S1, Canada
(416) 586-0380

Slinky Music / MOOG
442 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 2A8, Canada
(416) 603-2600

Get yours whilst you still can.

MAKE 'EM NV!

Say wrd.

H!

SuperBowl Rings For All

2009-02-17T13:52:00.003-05:00

Say wrd.

On a pretty day riding, I dropped in none other than GDFT in YRKVL. I decided stop to say wassup and stare @ this beautiful wood counter (one that I need).
Lo and behold, looks like H and M is selling Super Bowl rings for all.

I mean girl, is your arm tired from swing around with rocks like that?? If you need to see this one upclose, holla @ my girl Shy T and ask to see the SuperBowl ice.
Wanna see the real ice up close?? You need to peep this and see what I'm chatting about: All 42 rings (not this year's yet).

Say wrd.

H!

Thank You.

2009-02-10T10:45:00.003-05:00

Feb 10th indeed.

Shouts to Andy B for the vid. Uk got love. Say wrd.

Dilla a.k.a Jay Dee - My Tribute 2009 from Andy Brown on Vimeo.

H!

Bring A White Girl Night.

2009-02-09T10:32:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting to try a similar party for a few years now (and a few jokes), but kudos to my man A.VEE and Prince Paul who've held it down for few years now. All done in the spirit of good fun, brilliant smiles and of course, racial harmony. ;)

Lemme take you out with a clip that I used to see run oft during the BET Uncut years. Have fun, and have fun.

Mighty Casey - White Girls
Uploaded by bernynab

MPC Changed My Life: Feb 15th, Toi Bar.

2009-02-03T12:43:00.005-05:00

Couldn't have said it any better. Cats know what's up. This one piece of hardware has evolved to define (and possibly re:define) beats and the music spawned from it. The mere mention of the MP and it's maestros will spark spirited discussions and study about it's sound and swing.
It's in the sense become a bit of a state of mind, almost a culture.
With that said, I bring to you a long weekend event that beat fanatics, lovers of that hoodtronica™ and electronice will all enjoy.

Deets are as follows:
THE MPC CHANGED MY LIFE
Feb 15th 2009 @ Toi Bar - 577a College st (upstairs)
Doors @ 10p
FREE
Facebook group is here

View Larger Map

Tell a friend, bring another...

And since it's been hot min since I've hit you cats... Lemme take you out with one my fave cats. Dude inspires me errtime I hear him... PUDGE. Enjoy.

See you Feb 15th.

H!

My gyal's more bashy than yours...

2009-01-29T09:40:00.006-05:00

We know Japan's Junko as she dealt with gyals to hold the Dance Hall Queen title. I was watching bshmnts in FRA and ITA and even the . But I still think that some of the bashiest gyals dem are in the far corners of suburbs... Like SCARBOROUGH! LOL. And really... half the fun is listening to mans toast the mic with foolishness and chat slackness.

Anyhow, here are some random youtubes that I picked from the myriad of motion pictures out there. And you know that every single bashment is on film!

You need to watch this one through the end still... WOW.

EU DanceHall Queen (from FRA)

I've been telling man like Dread that I would reach some bshmnts.... Soon come still.

H!

Lykke Ross: Hustlin' (f*kked Li rmx)

2009-01-27T10:14:00.004-05:00

This is in fact kinda cute esp as she admits not knowing the whole chune. ;)
Never thought that I would have LL x RR post... Q? is more like, would you really wanna see a RR x LL offspring??
WOWSERS. Regardless, enjoy.

H!

Land of The (Un) Free And The Most Mighty Dollar: Obama Declares Disapproval Of Dolls

2009-01-26T08:52:00.007-05:00

Amidst the historic Obama run to the White House, the only things that was, is and will continue to sell are Obama chotchskies (can that be in plural form??). You know what I mean: paraphernalia, stuff, things like tees, mugs, pins, scarves, toques... There's so much of it, you actually cannot keep track of any of it, though I did find this to outline my claims.
As well, during the campaign for highest office, all candidates had made a pact that all familial matters would be positively be off limits, esp in light of the fact that Sen. Obama was father to two wonderful young girls named Sasha and Malia, and that attacks could be very traumatizing @ such a young age.
But what do you do when you have a First Family that's likely more popular than Wacko Jacko @ his prime, and the sweetest First Daughters?? If you happened to be the Oak Brook based Ty Inc, makers of Beanie Babies, you jump all over it and put out 2 dolls of your own.
But wait. The dolls are both called Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia. And they're both slender and brown skinned and with brown eyes. But that's just all coincidence. Wink x2.

As we might say around these parts - must tek man fi fool. Thinking about putting out these dolls was inappropriate. Putting them out to market was sacrilegious and inexcusable. Again, Barack becoming a public official of the most highest ranking has come to realize that this is what you must face when in the public eye. But his daughters?? And being that this was a supposed coincidence (and that decision i assure you did not take place over night for anyone that even remotely understands manufacturing of retail goods), why would you not @ least opt for the blessings of the Obama family seeing that there's an uncomfortable parallel?? Well, they knew that the chances of that happening were around Less Than Zero. I guarantee they spent more time preparing PR statements to deal with the assured backlash than they did developing the dolls.
So, like a very caring mother should, Michelle Obama aka the Mom in Chief has denounced the dolls as inappropriate. It's much worse than that. It has exposed what I think is obviously disgraceful and contemptible decision making that likely runs from the head of Ty Inc and CEO H. Ty Warner, right down the ladder to the very staff in charge of R&D.
This was very simple. Ty Inc, like the rest of the world was gripped by likely the most watched political race in the history of Presidential campaigns are taking advantage of the partisan frenzy that ensued. And, certainly, no one has even seen anything of the magnitude of the Obama campaign. So Ty Inc did it: Stooped to new lows in retail marketing. @ this point, somewhere in the trash must be the designs for Piper. Track. Willow. Trig and a pregnant Bristol Palin.... Yea right!
Feel equally as disgusted??? Send your disdain over these dolls to:

contact@Ty.com

or

Ty Inc.
280 Chestnut Ave.
Westmont, IL 60559
IL Tel. 630-920-1515
Fax 630-920-1980

Be heard.

H!

The Black Prez: Rich Medina @ Revival Tonight.

2009-01-23T11:12:00.003-05:00

Not since this past summer had I been privy to the sounds of your man and Philly's own Rich Medina. I last saw dude @ the Do Over in LA whilst on a decompression trip.

So tonight, in this week of full of blackness, we are blessed to have your man with the Jump n Funk sound @ the Revival tonight for a Black Presidential event like no other.

Should be tight as hell. Last time I peeped a full Jump n Funk, I was in Miami for WMC. Broad day light. Kinda heavy.
Rich knows how to lead the crowd - like a President do! Whether it be words or riddims.... Say wrd.
Looking for a heavy bshmnt to gwan tonight long side Footsteps and Main Ingredient. Shouts to General Eclectic. Say wrd.

See mans and ladies tonight.

H!

The most of improbable: The BarackBerry

2009-01-22T13:18:00.003-05:00

This has been the week to bookmark in history's books. One that will be recalled throughout time and have ppl asking "Where where you when you saw it?"
After yrs of extolling the virtues of 1st Nokia phones and then the iPhone handheld, witness history unfolded:

I finaly picked up my own: The BarackBerry. ;)
Following the early yrs of watching the Wizards of Waterloo release vers after vers of it's ubiquitous gadget, more widely know as the crackberry (and I do know a gang of crack heads), it took the most recent release to sway me to the black side: The Bold. No one does qwerty like RIM does.
But what sealed the deal was the Missing Sync. A software app that will enable you to sync your Mac with the blackberry, flawlessly. That was all I needed to hear.
Nokia's OS was boring me, I was sick of tapping on my iPhone's screen (even though I still think it's likely the best handheld) and the resolution on the Bold is bananas. Oh yea, PIN'ing is tight as well.
Would you believe that in the time that I wrote this, I received an email alert: Nokia's sales are plunging, @ the same time Apple reports better that expected sales, amidst this economic slump. Nokia needs to release this beta soon.
Anyhow, welcome to Qwerty Qalamity v2. PIN me!

H!

A Day Marked With Remembrance: Obama's Inaugural Speech

2009-01-20T13:35:00.006-05:00

Just one day after listening to a rousing speech Steve Jobs gave @ a 2005 Stanford commencement, I and the world stood still in silence for another. For those who would love to keep this archived, I've recorded the audio of the speech (which unfortunately includes the jejune opening prayer) for all to enjoy in your iTunes (et al). Pass it around freely. ;)

Barack Obama Inaugural Speech. (click for download).
Artwork by world renown HVW8

As I sat @ the Gallery last year... Mural by HVW8 of course.

Enjoy...

H!

The Hot Mess Contest

2009-01-16T01:28:00.004-05:00

WOW. I was going thru some older folders and I just stumbled on a classic shot: my old apt in QB (click to zoom)

Yes: my bedroom. I can't believe that I actually lived like this for a hot min. Nuts. But is it really?? Do you mean to tell me that no one @ any moment ever had a lazy week? month?? I had roomies @ this point in time, but that mattered none really.
So to commemorate a lazy point in history, I'm running a contest:

The Hot Mess Contest.

Send me your hottest mess: whether it be your car, your desk (work or home), any room in your house/apt (though I shudder to think you can top mine), anything. Don't be afraid to put your friend(s) on blast either and blow-up their spot by submitting for them. I figure this could be like an episode of Intervention on A&E. You'll just have to be slick with the digi. ;). All you vinyl DJs (if they still exist), all you Nike heads... and you ladies with all your shoes in the closets... I can see it now.

The Rules

So the rules are simple: submit a decent sized shot (800x600 is minimum) of your hot mess. And pls, nothing staged. You can email the photo here: mymanhenri (at) hotmail (dot) com . You can have multiple entries (but if you do, wow. I'll have to wonder about you still). Make sure to put HOT MESS CONTEST in your subject line and send whatever name you want to be listed as.

Deadline is Friday Jan 23rd @ Midnight EST. A week sounds like enough time, no? The winner will be announced Monday Jan 26th. That will give me the weekend to LMAO and confer with the judges. BTW, if you're on FaceBook you can also join in here.

And the prize?? A used can of Febreeze™ and a Shamwow™, long side some bragging rights.

Anyhow, this is all in the spirit of good fun. Have a great weekend - and send'em in!

H!

See You In June Dude.

2009-01-15T07:02:00.005-05:00

Team,

I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple’s day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.

Steve

The actual letter as reported by NY Times. Nuts. I've never been, but now I feel compelled to go to WWDC
Regardless, my thoughts are with Mr. Jobs.

H!

G-Shocked: Casio is the new New Era

2009-01-14T04:23:00.004-05:00

I still recall going through LRG catalogs and seeing the not so subtle placement of the classic G-Shock on every model's wrist. Not mad. Word was that the 60+ yr old company was pumped that the 20 something G-Shock was back in vogue. I actually have an OG Baby-G @ the crib.
But might this excitement have turned to say... irrational exuberance? Maybe taking a page from New Era Caps, they have gone on a collaborative campaign that is making even New Era blush.

I guess that's how you go about penetrating the market. I just hope they don't go bare back.
As most of you know, I've been partial and still remain faithful to Nixon. Been on them and will remain, with some new models in my sights, I'm pumped about SP09.

Do you have the time btw?

H!

Dreamin'

2009-01-14T03:31:00.003-05:00

Jose could not have been more prophetic.

H!

Officers Of The Piece: RIP Oscar Grant - Get Well Robbie Tolan

2009-01-08T12:14:00.007-05:00

Most know me as a pretty calm dude, and I'm not the vociferous type - but I will express my opinions. I have a particular disdain for injustice on all levels and across all racial lines. Fact is that minorities have long been the target of judicial inequities and @ the very least profiling. Much of these events have long straddled the line between negligent misconduct to actual profiling. Sh*t, it's happened to me.
This start of 2009 has seen two inconceivable cases of police brutality - both involving shootings.

Robbie Tolan, son of a retired Major League Baseball player was heading home @ 2am with his cousin after a nye party and stopping for fast food in his home town of Bellaire. After pulling into his driveway, he's confronted by an officer with a flash light and pistol drawn. The officers, concerned that the SUV they were driving was stolen, were told otherwise by Mrs Nolan who had since come out to clear the matter. Mrs. Nolan was soon after thrown against the garage door, @ which point the 22 yr old Robbie who had been on the ground @ the time raised up to ask what the officer was doing. 3 shots were fired. One hit the unarmed Robbie. He now lies in ICU in a hospital bed with a bullet lodged in his liver - which doctors say is likely inoperable.

When accused of profiling, Bellaire's assistant police chief told reporters, "As far as any allegations of racial profiling, I'd probably say that that's not really going to float." Really?? You followed an SUV driven by a black man to a predominantly white neighborhood? Do you know how much information you can pull from a simple license plate? Registered owner and the address @ the least would have offered all answers. This ~~officer~~ cowboy likely did not even bother doing such. He's on administrative leave while the Bellaire PD remains very tight lipped.
Anything short of a substantial demotion and/or lawsuit with significant damages, i will regard as a defeat. This 10 yr veteran of the police force used astonishing lack of judgement considering his rank. I'm no officer, but I will bet my home that this officer did not follow any kind of protocol or procedure. But the profiling will not float.... right.
Read More.

Certainly adding to Bellaire's mounting problem was a parallel and much more tragic shooting only hours apart playing itself out in California's Bay Area.

After a scuffle on a BART train (subway), 22 yr old Oscar Grant and some others were taken off the train @ the Fruitvale STN by BART security officers. All involved were positioned sitting against the wall.
The exchange that took place afterwards remains a mystery, but the unarmed Oscar Grant was then placed face down, his hands placed behind his back and cuffed.
Then, one of the officers standing over him inexplicably shoots him. Although disturbing, I offer the youtubed events in 2 parts:

Footage 1

Footage 2 (with sound)

Oscar Grant was then rushed to hospital where he later died of his injuries.
Initial reports from the BART spokepersons were that Oscar Grant was not faced down or restrained @ the time of the shooting. FALSE. Officers involved obviously lied to investigators/Internal Affairs from the start. Would you also believe that there are no vid cameras available with recorded footage for BART officials to review ANY altercations?? To their dismay and in the name of justice, the incident was YouTubed by witnesses and the truth has never been so clear.
Witness accounts indicate that Oscar Grant pleaded officers not to shoot or taser him as he had a young daughter.
The officer who fired the shot was placed on admin leave but then, likely under the clear and incontrovertible set of facts, has now resigned.
For some odd reason, much of the chatter still swirls around whether or not 1. the firearm discharged by mistake, and 2. whether he thought that he was puling out his taser or not.
Either way, again, I still present to you lack of protocol and incontestably undue force. You can clearly see Oscar Grant's hands up several times and offering no resistance. In fact, a friend and witness indicated that they had disembarked the BART to get away from the kerfuffle.
Yesterday, shortly after Mr. Grant's interment, a rally in Oakland turned violent as demonstrators grew angry and agitated over what is probably one of the worst cases of police misconduct in recent times, likely heightened by the plain proof that the videos have offered all to see.
Read more.
Let's hope of exemplary and principled punishment - in both cases.

RIP OG.

H!

Beau-Ties & Beauties

2009-01-06T08:10:00.005-05:00

That's right. Look good, feel good.

NYE was fun night. Making the night special were w/o doubt my man Jonathan Ramos (congrats on the news!), and our beauties - his lovely girlfriend and my fabulous ex-roomie.

But I must thank a few ppl in particular. In company were long time brethren Marc Jacobs (who I had holla'd @ previously) and Paul Smith (who I had not seen in a min).
Looks as though the Marc Jacobs Beau Ties were a triumphant hit (as I had always known). The light lilac Paul Smith blazer contrasting against the laser lime button down was also a stunner. Rounding it all off was a slim grey Top Man denim and a white perf'd pair of leather Prison Issue Vans. The compliments, the acclaim, the honeyed words were all appreciated - best believe. And since I had mentioned a new direction in 2009 and consider this step 1. Bringing my blazers back out (had a convo with a seer suckered Ralph before heading out, said he couldn't make it. Next time). But yea. Although spectacles are very in vogue, I should have kept mine from years back. But no worries.
Shouts to Ramos who was in equally stunning dignitary designate habiliments.

The night would not have been possible w/o our Beauties - Natalie & Banasa. Miss L was spaghetti strapped with a black corset skirt and 1-shade-short-of-opaque leggings to match and what looked like T-bar mid heels.
Banasa was adorably adorned with a black strapless silk pintuck puffball dress. She also wore faux-iguana skin leggings and ankle high suede heels. All of this was topped off with a lustrous gold choker.
Look good, feel good. Beau-ties and beauties indeed. Great Start!

H!

HNY: 2000-mine aka my f1rst 100 days.

2009-01-01T12:39:00.003-05:00

AKA the cleanest slate.

As much as the glass is sin duda half full, this was a less than banner year for your boy. I had to postpone 2 major trips, and as such did not travel a whole lot. Got into a sticky work situation that I've yet to wipe clean and just in all did not live up to my own expectations. Tisk x 2.

So as I make that right turn onto 2009 ave, I have to essentially recalibrate my GPS. Lost a touch of direction seemingly in the latter part 2008. UGH. But this will be a very engaging year. I def have a few forks in the road, and this multiple choice question has more than one correct answer. All good. I've been doing some studying though could use a touch more time. I need to stay on course with this course as it looks to be the roughest terrain I've prolly encountered in sometime.
Resolutions for 2009?? You bet. Making some ppl close to me happy, among none other than myself 1st and foremost. Am I dispirited and depressed?? Nahhh.... I just love seeing smiles of merriment.
So with that said, much like heads of state, I will engage in marked changes and major engagements.
My 1st 100 days will be full of efficacious transformations and campaigns on all levels: personal and professional. My productivity has not been as efficient as I would have liked it to be. I've had plenty of visions that I've sat on and even passing them onto others - only to see them eventually decay and putrefy. UGH!
So join me folks, for what I will call...

2000-Mine.

This is far from being pompous, but positive, sanguine and assured. Most of you do realize that I enjoy taking all my friends on my rides, so strap in and let's go.

Mucho besos.

H!

Merry Christmas! MPCs & Beatbreaks (download)

2008-12-25T09:21:00.001-05:00

MERRY XMAS!

This is not a Xmas gift, but more like a gesture of goodwill and amity. During this festive season, let's have a good laugh, quaffe well, break bread and break beats.

So, I present to you:

MPCs & Beatbreaks (click to download).

The track listing is as follows.

1. Intro (Alt.) - J Dilla
2. Exhibit A (Transformations) - Jay Electronica
3. Eff This - Samiyam & Hudson Mohawke
4. Be Acceptable – P.U.D.G.E.
5. Alll Reddaayy - ADAD/KEYS
6. JetBoat (Boozina Remix) - Muhsinah
7. My Comet - Onra
8. Fall In Love feat. Stray - Eric L & Cerebral Vortex
9. Nature Sounds (Lavender) - Elaquent
10. Whole Wide World feat. Pattie Blingh - Declaime
11. Soul Power - Common
12. On You - De Javaanse Jongens
13. Ruined My Record – P.U.D.G.E.
14. Color Of The Space - RLP
15. 90% Of Me Is You (midtro) - Gwen McCrae
16. Port Salut - Devon
17. Believe - Afta-1
18. Roberta Flack (Mike Slott's Other Mix) - Flying Lotus
19. Auuu / Imagine - Brenk
20. Knockout Kings - Super Smoky Soul & Guilty Simpson
21. Piece Of Art (rmx) - Lorett Fleur feat. LMNO
22. Second Synth Song v2 - Jay Scarlett
23. She Wanna - Hawthorne Headhunters
24. Rickshaw - Flying Lotus
25. Was, Is, Will Mathematik
26. Call To Arms - Harmonic 313
27. Saturn - Karizma
28. Her Fav Color - BLU
29. Like A Purple Shade - Yann Kesz
30. Shake It Down Pt. 2 - ILLA J
31. SynthaSizey ft Kissey Asplund – P.U.D.G.E.
32. too much nebula - Stevo
33. Apprendre - Leneko
34. Shangrila - Floating Points
35. UFOol u - Dyno
36. Lottahydro – Suff Daddy

Not a DJ mix, more like a ME-J mix. You know the deal. I play for myself hahaha. And... DISCLAIMER: no signing or any autotunin' on my part! LOL. That's the next one.
Happy Holidays and hope you take some delight MPCs & Beatbreaks. Pt2 in development as we speak.

H!

Beau Ties

2008-12-22T16:12:00.003-05:00

Funny how things can happen. On my last trip to LA and my requisite stop @ Marc Jacobs, I saw these clip on bow ties. I had been meaning to host a xmas party @ some point w/ my man Jon and have all guys wear bow ties or Beau Ties. ;) But as it was, I forgot to grab one, but my man JJ just got back and hit me with this! BAM!

I used to rock these hard 1nce upon a time. My code of dress was all about who could look like the most well-read academic, bespectacled University of Glasgow professor throwback to Harris Tweed jkts, Florsheim shoes and trousers to my navel. I 1nce rocked that look all day, along side a trench.
Anyhow, none of that will be happening for NYE, but look for this Beau Tie to bedeck my neck and collar - with no questions, long side like a Paul Smith blazer that I've not rocked in ages.
Thank you Marc J and shouts to Jon Jon.
H!

One Triangle: Two Lovers (2009)

2008-12-20T07:56:00.004-05:00

Oddly, I find myself eagerly looking fwd to another film simply after one pass of it's trailer.
Two Lovers looks to be another passionate tale of personages, consumed by adoration whilst still being adored. Did that make any sense? By what I have seen, Two Lovers will be a classic isosceles love triangle with 2 equally tormented affairs and one hopelessly nebulous outcome.

As I mentioned, there have been but a few films that I have peaked my interest after a single pass of the trailer - Vicky Christina Barcelona (a BRILLIANT film that I went to see alone - and that I would go watch again, hint x2) and more recently Let The Right One In - a fantastic foreign gem.
Ironically, all three are love stories. Huh?
Word is that the release in set for Feb 13th 2009. I'll let you do the math. Who's down??

H!

Queridos

2008-12-19T15:34:00.001-05:00

Dearly beloved... we were gathered last night in QB in the sign of Dionysus and in the face of this company, to unite these kindred spirits in the most holy of merriment, commended to be honorable by all. Therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently. Into this holy Stafford estate these persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, just leave. ;)

What do I live for?? These days... just the key things: family and friends, in the that order. And really, for the latter of the two, the close ones are prolly just family anyways. Good times are simply the therapy you need in trying times, and not saying that I'm in any kind of rut but I've certainly been in better places of late. Much like my folks, belief that wining and dining among family is priceless - and last night was just that.

Shouts to all I saw last night, from the Black Beatles (Jon Jon, Man Like eBanks and Ramòn), Harbs & Daniella - you guys need your own reality show, Celine, Lynne, Suzi, Nat, Patrick, iVana, Toula, Steph and Pam. Extra special big shout to Jon Jon for being a fab host. I need a bigger yard! A great night indeed. Wishing you cats all the best for the holidays, and see you next year, in 2000-mine, cuz it will be about me. ;)

As much as I don't post much music here these days, how could I not dedicate a track this time around? A lovely update of a classic. Who doesn't want love among friends? I do love it like this... ;)

H!

Knee Deep: IRIS 30 CM event @ Livestock Dec 20th

2008-12-19T15:29:00.004-05:00

The mandem @ IRIS could not be have been more prophetic. The day before their WINTER 09 JUMP launch event @ Livestock, yyz has been blanketed in a thick, fluffy and not so comforting snowy purgatory. Hmmm...
Most important though is the fact that I'll be running a set @ this launch night. Taktiks, Marco Polo and I will be sharing duties as purveyors of fine riddims.

So if you're in the hood, but sure to pass through. You can RSVP @ the FB group here. Be sure to say hi.

See you tomorrow.

H!

HVW8 x Charlie Ahearn: True History

2008-12-17T02:39:00.005-05:00

Would you believe that it's been 25 yrs?
In 1983, producer and director Charles Ahearn finally brought to screen what was to become one of the most if not the most influential film in hip hop. Wild Style was the 1st film of it's kind: the depiction of a free form movement of art, dance, music and culture. Hip Hop.

Purveyors and proponents of fine print art HVW8 have hooked up with Charlie Ahearn himself to release a series of tees which will pay homage to his work in Wild Style. They will pull stills from a massive cache of images and transfer them to tees in this collaborative endeavor. The first of many has just dropped @ the HVW8 Hollywood gallery:

Make sure to visit HVW8 to get your own. Shouts to my man Ty G & Max all day. And PLS try not to backspin in it. ;). So how could I not take you out with an original break?? Enjoy.

H

Only In New York: Just-Ice Dec 19th

2008-12-16T13:12:00.005-05:00

I had been contemplating hitting NYC this week for a gig that Giant Step put on. Your man Alex Bark from Jazzanova was in NY for a quick hotel gig. Love that dude. Germans are on fire in my books. Some great music to say the least...
But I also was just shot an email. Dec 19th, NY will be host to foundation:

Can you even believe this?? I need to get my travel game back up as this 08 year was a snoozer. Had some great times this year, but they were also clipped by some BS. But when I see a gig w/ Just-Ice on the bill??
I grew up listening to this dude. So nuts.

No disrepect to the other cats on the bill, esp LORD RAKIM, but Just-Ice? This is big. Anyone who recalls the earliest days like Sleeping Bag , will and must recall a big man like Just-Ice. When the beatbox used to blare out of speakers, Gemini x-faders were tops. Cats talk that gangster sh*t, but this dude was one of the originals. That sh*t takes me way back, way back....

Sam (friend I bucked up this past weekend) and I were chatting about NY and why NYers are born with a chip. She loved her stay in NYC, lived there for a few years and could not get enough of it. I felt her. It all happened there @ some point. Came from there, is there or it's on it's way there. Who knows. But, I keep saying it: the tourists in NY will outnumber the NYers, if that's not happened already.

This show could only happen in NY. So much history on that bill. Anyhow, I would have loved being @ this gig. And to boot, I think I know the dude putting it on. Long ass story. Anyhow, enjoy some Just-Ice on me. You can stream and for the 1st time ever, a downloadable link. Enjoy today's benevolence. I'm not in favor but I love Just-Ice too much for other to not enjoy it. Lemme know if this joints sounds familiar @ all...

Enjoy...

H!

Pubescent Passion: Let the Right One in (Låt den rätte komma in)

2008-12-15T19:27:00.006-05:00

So, I had been repeatedly seeing this trailer on HDNET, and it had peaked my interest like another film I had been obsessed with after seeing the trailer.

Let the Right One in (Låt den rätte komma in): A Swede story of schoolyard sweethearts, a near bleach blonde boy and the pearl of his big blues eyes, an eerie adolescent vampiress.
Blood curdling, ambushes and inexplicable execution take a back seat. This is a very cute love story. And honestly, I loved it.
I in fact will place this in the Vicki, Christina, Barcelona realm. Simply amazing.
Though as gangly twelve year olds they have that gaucheness expected, but you still see some classic life lessons from this minuscule Scandinavian set. I started to have flashes of this IML fatigue that i could be suffering from.... argh. I need to see someone about that.
This is a must in the pages in my books, even for the most remote movie buff. You into some decent horror, this is a good one to catch. As you know, night time rules for the vampiric type.
Thank you Sweden. Shouts to Kissey and Fatima! Was gonna txt you guys during the film... was too sucked in. ;)

H!

HVW8 All day.

2008-12-12T08:53:00.005-05:00

I miss LA DEARLY! I need it for more reasons than you think ahora. I'll be there muy temprano. I just get inspired there on all levels. Not saying that life here is insipid, but there's a little something missing @ times. But I still love you yyz. LAX does me well though.
My man Ty G from HVW8 sends me this yesterday. Dude is homeless, would you believe??

This was right as her was preparing the new podcast. Shouts to Max and Ty G!
This dude, should be @ Wrongbar tonight to flip it with Dâm-Funk. For real. Speaking of, make sure to come out tonight and show some love. Mayer Hawthorne, Dâm-Funk, Taktiks and this other cat.
All deets here, the FB group.

H!

Bad Santa! Move Dec 12th @ Wrongbar

2008-12-10T09:47:00.000-05:00

Guess who's gonna blow the speakers @ WrongBar Friday Dec 12?? (this week)

Dâm Funk, Mayer Hawthorne aka Haircut, DJ Taktiks from CKLN's Mixtape Massacre and your fave ME-J... me. ;)

See you there. You should be a blast. I got a few new gems for mans.

H!

Ye Day

2008-11-26T06:37:00.006-05:00

The 1nce Vuitton Don, now the Colette King, Cinelli Vigorelli vanguard was on Conan with his 808 kicks and Jigu (and no, not Jigga).

More chat...

Don't shoot the animals.

Who's gonna f*ck with Pastelle when it drops?? Well... I'm almost afraid. 2 fold fears: The stampede to teh authorized dealers, and the one to the bootleggers, grey/black market, flea market dudes. Bottom line - both will get paid.

I'll rep that.

H!

Saved by Poli Sci: John Forté Freed

2008-11-25T11:39:00.004-05:00

Bush Doesn't Care About Black People.

Do you think that Bush thinks about it?? Will failed Dubbya acknowledge that echoing statement from Ye as one of his lowest points ever?? Can you shake something like that from your psyche ever?? Bush was never really a erudite dude, but even I cringed when I heard that... MAN. Forget W, cuz my beef been more with Conde Rice. Where was she during Katrina?? Oh yea... Shopping for shoes for a private function and playing tennis with M. Seles. Way to go.

So, in a flurry of 14 pardons and commutations, political scientist Dubbya sent the Poly Scientist, former Refugee Camp MC/producer John Forté what he has been yearning for since 2000: a pardon.

Was Bush thinking of John Forté or was in trying to get into Carly Simon's pants?? Regardless, Dec 22 2008, John Forté will walk out of the Penn pen and taste freedom.

FINALLY is all his myspace says. I guess homie. Does this mean there's gonna be a Refugee Camp Party?? Well.. not quite an inaugural ball, but I would watch it on youtube I guess.

Maybe all the efforts by Carly Simon did pay off, since I don't see Bush as a Refugee Camp or John Forté fan.
So does this mean George Bush loves Black people now? Who knows, but John Forté loves him some of that Poli Sci though.

What will he do 1st?

H!

I dream about sex. Do you??

2008-11-21T09:02:00.006-05:00

ADIDAS.

My man Nalden just let us in on a little secret. ADIDAS is turning 60? for real? Well, whatever they plan - sexy house party or not, they better holla @ your man. I hope to bring some of that DVLPMNT to the party. They could use some. Let's take it left a touch more. Say wrd. And I just copped the Adidas Campus pair, in 3M. I'm a f*cking 3M junky man. Perfect from riding @ night.

Naldisney put me on to the trailer that has been produced out of Montréal of all places. Nuts. Adidas and Montréal have a lovely bond seemingly. An agency in MTL also was also behind this build of boundless beauty.

This could be fun. Stay tuned....

H!

Winter Wanderland

2008-11-21T07:34:00.005-05:00

I wander around wondering when i'll waive this white flag. Speaking to my parents last winter, my father had all but tossed in the towel, sick of the furiously foul flurries. But in his defense, his territory was slammed with record breaking snowfalls. Like, REAL CRAZY. Some might even recall my famous shot right in front of my parents' place last Xmas.
So yesterday, we got our first snowfall on the year in Toronto. UGH. I'm not ready.

Would you believe that i went for a bike yesterday afternoon?? The sun was in fact blazing, the roads dried up. It was an awesome day in the end. Well... after noon really. It can be done! Shout outs to Nalden.

Anyhow, I need a new jkt. The goose is dope, but I wanna a new one!

I'm gone wandering.

H!

Madlib x Brent Rollins x Stones Throw = Say Wrd

2008-11-20T08:24:00.006-05:00

I've had this on going work campaign that just seemed to NEVER END! ARGH! So I was staying offline unusually. So popping upyesterday, I got an immediate hit from my man Strong from Stones Throw. They've been toying with the idea of putting out more tees, but they've always had the one offs here and there and, I happen to own a few myself.
So he hits me with the link and voilà...

They've done a collab tee with famed Brent Rollins, notorious for his work with Stüssy, Nike, and most notably Ego Trip. So now, Madlib is also a customer... you bet.

They'll be a perfect complement to my Topshop dnm. Wrd. These are due in the Stones Throw eStore quite soon with the last black and pink colorway exclusively available during the Madlib x J-Rocc tour in Japan. WTF?? What the hell is up with all the Nipponese exclusives?? Anyhow... I should be in LA soon. Hope to cop one. ;) Big shouts to Minister of Information, my main man Strong!

AY!

H!

DNM Delight

2008-11-17T12:31:00.002-05:00

Say wrd. After a cute game of cat and mouse with my girl Kate, I was able to get my TopShop dnm she so graciously grabbed for me before she made her away across the pond.
So she left the winsome Nancy in charge of the delivery. And what a delivery!
They have quickly become my fave pair of jeans ever since my trop to LDN last summer. And you certainly heard and read my despair when I had to dump them in the Whirlpool washer.

Anyhow, I'mpretty pumped. Levi's, Nudies and def Topman aka Men's TopShop.

Witness.

Say wrd.

I see you staring...

H!

Nike is down with us...

2008-11-13T12:59:00.002-05:00

Yessssir.

I'll be @ the Nike Party tonight. Man, I might need a drive home after tonight. I've been told of open bar and such is happening. HELLO?? +, I missed out on the Olympic jkts, notably the Haitian one. VERY UPSET I WAS.

Anyhow, see you tonight.

H!

Black is Still Back: Nov 6th 2008 @ Revival

2008-10-26T20:33:00.002-04:00

Man... anyone who knows me, know that I get into this work funk when I'm in season. I have a backlog of posts and have yet to post them. ARGH.

Anyhow, this is a quick, simple reminder. We got Black Milk in Toronto Nov 6th @ Revival celebrating the release of TRONIC, the new LP in stores Sept 28th - that's THIS TUESDAY.

Here's some footage from a few days ago in NYC @ Southpaw.

Anyone with a discerning eye might have caught the one and only Daru Jones on drums. Say wrd. Shouts to Heath for the link. Come thru my dude!

See the rest of you cats Nov 6th.

H!

Tickle Your Ivory

2008-10-16T13:24:00.000-04:00

As many of you may have observed, I do my best to exercise heightened dental hygiene as the alternative is not an option. No benefits will make you carry some floss and an extra toothbrush here and there. I would keep one in my glove box of the german car, the trunk of my spanish scooter let alone the one @ home.
With that being said, can and should you look @ the opportunity to carry a pretty brush?? I did last year - but balked. But on my return to LAX last week, I promised myself I would do it - so I did.

Presenting the Japanese made Paul Smith Black Toothbrush - bristles included. Black in all 17 cms of glory. Wild no?? This black toothbrush is supposed to give you white teeth. ;) cute. Regardless, this was so striking, I had to get one. And in fact, this will be part of my remodeling campaign with it likely serving as a simple decorative piece in my lone lavatory.

A black toothbrish with black bristles. Hmmmm... but why stop there?? Why not black toothpaste. What about black dental floss?? Are we scared the ink will run?? I know that I use some lime green floss right now and the bristles on my brush are a US democratic blue. I don't see any issues. Ay yo, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, get cracking. I'd cop these black items.

H!

Love You Kate!

2008-10-15T05:00:00.005-04:00

An email came in yesterday @ 14h38 (19h38 local London, UK time)

"Alright hiz have the jeans in hand, the slim ones they didnt have the exact grey u wanted so i got a really nice plain grey figure cant go wrong with them and if u dont like i can take back xx"

update today @ 9h48AM EST

"I am pretty sure you'll like em hiz. I figured better to have 2 pairs rather than 1...they are so cheap its amazing!! £35...amazing!

See you in 8days!"

Only days ago, I lamented the fact that i had to wash some jeans and subsequently ruin their finish. Well, friends to the rescue! BESO!

Bout to get my dnm game back in line. ;)

H!

Deed Done: CDN Election

2008-10-14T16:16:00.002-04:00

Funny how the US gubernatorial drama has had me politically invigorated. 1st thing I did this AM was go make my electoral selection. Let's see how things turn out. Nonetheless, it's made things pretty interesting indeed.
Would you believe that I've been so fascinated with the US call that there were moments where I though that political involvement would be kinda cool. But alas, the way they dig up bygone happenings, I couldn't handle the sleepless nights. Am I a bad dude?? Far from. But man, I'm good with my privacy. I would have to go out and untag the 300+ photos on FB as I'm sure that would be an issue @ some point (I've been debating that anyhow). Public office is not for the faint of heart.
They'll talk to your close friends and your not so close ones. They'll fallow you around, and god for bid you should go out and have a good time.
You can forget about sending any kind of txt message/PIN'ing friends. They'll get a hold of that. But that's another story....
So shouts to all who make their living trabajando para los gentes.
The very people you want to serve will take you do the world's zenith, but also to a career nadir. I for one could not handle these NASDAQ swings.

But The People are still dope. Tell'em Com.

H!

I Don't Wash

2008-10-13T16:22:00.002-04:00

I hate it in fact.

Last night was Wayne Warner's infamous Premium Denim Affair (Stop it P!) and I had an small appetite for this one as it was just moments after the Maxwell show and I was fully around the corner.

But sadly, i was hit with a triplicate of challenges. First, my date was uninterested, the gang of usual cohorts were all scattering, and thirdly, I ultimately didn't have my fave pair of dnm adorning my slim backside.

Which?? Well, i'm glad you asked! ;). Last summer, during my Tour Of EU, I went and did a little bit of shopping despite the diminutive CAN$ vs the £. But I did make my way down to Top Shop to purchase what would become my most top rated paid or jeans. A raw wash with a resin type finish. Just lovely.

So, as many of you who know me have learned, I have a no wash dnm policy. I figured that you wear jeans and then take them off. That's it. 1nce dnm as been washed, it's never the same. The day that i wash my dnm is when it's been officially relegated to Sunday clothes status, never to grace the halls or surroundings of a social soirée.

I had been recently riding my Giant hard with my Top Shops on, and in fact, I had them on during the most famous bail. All of that had taken place w/o a single wash. The time had finally come as they were propagating a hum. I reluctantly dumped them in the wash.

Sigh.

Aware of the jeans would rise from these cold waters with a new identity, I pulled them out and voilà:

The new wear is now very evident. The deep color has now vanished just as the resign coating has, and I just don't feel they're as banging. Saddening.

ARGH.

Would you have it that a good lady friend of mine is in London right now, and is making her way down here?? Well... I'm glad to announce that earlier today I sent my request across the pond in a quick electronic communication aka an email. So as it stands right now, I should have new pair on their way.

Can't wait. Say wrd.

H!

My Man Henri presents: The Date Idol!

2008-10-10T15:33:00.008-04:00

So what is this all about?? Months ago, I got tix to the Maxwell show this Sunday Oct 12th. I totally forgot about it and was reminded by a kind and timely email.

This is apparently a hot ticket and I for one have not paid much attention to the whole thing. But it is long weekend, and I did decide to stay in town. But I am @ present time sans date. Can you help me out??

Do you supply stride across a room in your Christian Louboutin heels along with your Chloé clutch and other such accoutrements?? Does your Hervé Leger dress fit you like the couturier called for you as his model?? Will the waft from Tom Ford Black Orchid's perfume leave most spellbound when you pass them by?? A pretty and alluring smile??

Do you answer yes to all?? Just a few?? Or none?? Well... lemme know why you, a single female would be a great date for this Maxwell show. I love great prose. You can message me on FB if you choose, or email me (mymanhenri@hotmail.com) all marvelous prose and megapixels. I like creative types, but don't limit myself to... LOL, this is starting to read like a contract.

The rules? There are none! The winner will be contacted by email and be scooped up in the finest German engineering that i can afford. A Jetta. LOL.

Anyhow, chat soon! ;)

H!

Just Because I Really love uuuuuuuu.....

2008-10-10T10:17:00.005-04:00

I'm back. Sadly, but I'm back.

But could I really complain?? Sun, sand and cervezas...

I forgot my camera in LA though. So I won't have pix for a few days. SUCKS! I had some great ones.

Real quick, although I had not plans to shop, I had to touch few stores.

Shouts to my man Meg@ for lacing me. Made my ceremonial and obligatory way down to MJ's and Paul Smith flag ships. Burton ALWAYS gets touched. Funny what banging luggage will do. Complete strangers hollering. ;) Thank you Burton.

Although I am glad to be back, I can only sit back and think about what whole week had been like. From the great weather, to all the bikes I saw rolling around, to the cats that I met and the soirées I attended. Again, shouts to Ty G and Kim for holding me down, I got you cats all day. Anytime. Shouts to Little T as well. ;)

Anyhow, more on the week when I get my pix... but in the meat time: my theme song pls. Beats, Beats, Beats....

Ok. I'm regrettably off to work. Sun is shining though... not all is bad.

H!

Californication

2008-10-07T11:08:00.004-04:00

I always thought that David Duchovny was a good dude still. I was down with during X Files and sh*t, you know he's heavy in that showtime show of his...

Cali in my eyes is like a sort of Mini Mecca. I'm starting to qualify my trips to the Golden State as a quasi pseudo Hajj. So consider this my very own Holy Month (or days really... and by this heat? More like Daze!). Hza's ~~Holidays~~ HolyDays.

So why not come out here?? After confirming a few work deets, I jumped on expedia, plugged in my dates and here were my cost details on a return flight to LAX:

BAM. Are you f*cking kidding me?? No.

I then figured that I would need a rental seeing that LA is just inaccessible without one. So, looked for a rental as well, for 4 days:

Are you f*cking kidding me?? Are we getting that ripped off in Canada?? Getting it with no vaseline?? Seems so. Wow.

Anyhow, I came down to decompress and to surprise some long time friends with a visit to Floss Angeles....

HIZZYWOOD

That's what I'll call it.

Since I landed on a Sunday, you know I had to touch Do Over. Shouts to my mans Strong, Haycock and Aloe. This week they had Sake One repping SFO (sadly, I had no time to make it out there to pick up a lost keychain among other things... ), Almighty Rich Medina, FRA's DJ Mehdi and my mello my man Ty G of world famous HVW8.

Do Over was it's usual ebullient self. Good ppls and great music. Say wrd. Shouts to House Shoes (See you in a few weeks), and fer sure - SHOUTS TO P.U.D.G.E. (VJC). Meeting my man right there, was the highlight of my night. More on him hella soon. Say wrd.

My main man Aloe Blacc in the building.

You know I had to make a quick stop by HVW8 gallery and show love? Shouts to Max and my man Proh of Hawthorn Headhunter.

Shouts to my man Millie who's always blown away when I show up.

Is it me or does DJ Mehdi not look like Jonathan Ramos? Or is that the other way around?? LOL.

Big shouts to fellow Canuck Asya who was also floored when I just popped in! BESO!

But man.... can you really blame me for coming out?? Check out today's forecast:

On top of that, the view from my man's place Ty G. is just bananas...

Good Look Ty G and massive shouts to Green Spatula aka Kim. ;)

Just hope to come home with a tan... Aiiight. Enough. I have a beach to drive to. More to come...

Muy temprano!

H!

PRPL PSHN

2008-10-04T12:14:00.003-04:00

No no no... Not Purple Passion, but PRPL PSHN.

Sometime this past year. I was telling my clients that they could easily sell some purple dnm. But then again, I had a passion for the pretty hue for a min. Used to rock a prpl back pack, polartec and goretex shell. Sh*t.

So when I saw these, I was sold pon di spot. White on white kicks with the same tee? Long side a gold Nixon Ticket with a purple face? All love.

Tell em Nas!

H!

Sen. Biden & Gov Palin VP debate: Download it here.

2008-10-03T00:15:00.004-04:00

Watched it. Heard it.

This is more like an exercise in tagging.

you can download the whole debate here.

H!

Ahhhh...

2008-10-02T05:21:00.003-04:00

Man, now that I have moved my beat music maundering over to a new blog, well... most of it anyhow, I'll be returning to my qwerty qalamities. I'm acutally pretty pumped about it. I got pretty tunnel visioned for a min about this music, and I won't stop loving it. But man, there's so much of me I was just leaving out there. And as I mentioned, the writing is fun... no? Anyhow, look for restoration of irreverence, bytes upon bytes of blasphemy, and my daily dosage destiny.

Let's GO!

H!

I f*cking hate Toronto

2008-10-01T12:25:00.009-04:00

That's right.

I've talked about it time and time again. I can't stand it here. There's too much ground to cover. I don't have enough time to do all of this. And that's just me chatting about all the pretty women here. ;) Shouts to Phar-REAL, Com and Rose Royce (I see you!)

But seriously Toronto. You spoil me.

This past Monday, we just had Common/N.E.R.D. come thru for a show. Shouts to my girl Sinah! Miss you (wo)man. ;)

But we're getting on bombardment of performances in the next 4 weeks. Which you ask??

Here we go:

Monday Oct 6th: Robin Thicke.

Some may recall the last one where there was a marriage proposal.

Thursday Oct 9th: RedBull Big Bang

This will be one big party. Look for AA chicks running around in neon tights, and me hanging in the cut with the cute ones. Lidell?? That will be the sh*t. say wrd.

Saturday and Sunday Oct 11-12: Digable Planets.

A reunion tour? All good. Well... Just show me where Lady-Bug is staying, ya ddig? With 2 'Ds' for a double dose of that xxxxxxx. Holla if you know how that phrase ends.

Oh... and I have no flyer for this one, and I'm still unsure if I'll be going, but your man Maxwell is here. Oct 12th - long weekend Sunday.

Opener, Jazmine Sullivan?? Hmmmm..... I in fact have tckts already but was MAYBE going to move them. Might go now that I see the opener. Oh yeah... it's my bday weekend. Shhhhhh.

Sunday Oct 19th: Little Brother.

Bananas. And no more SARS jokes either...

Friday Oct 24th: Zaki Ibrahim

Sin Duda. Also looking fwd to seeing opened TC.

Sunday Oct 26th: The Roots w/ Gym Class Heroes & Estelle.

Man, this is not real. Is it??

Nov 4th: Ill Bill w/ Sean Price

Jesus Price w/ the Devil himself? Say wrd. Love both. But why is IllBill headlining this one?? Hmmm... This should be a co deal. All love.

And finally but not least:

NOV 6th 2008: BLACK MILK & ELZHI & DJ House SHoes!

It's so official.

Compendium: 4 weeks. 9 shows. DIZZYING! So save your coin folks. This is almost excessive. F*cking Toronto. I hate you for real.

LOL. PCE!

H!

A Trick Called Tuesday (exorcising exercise)

2008-09-25T09:43:00.003-04:00

Part of my rehabilitation has been a 2 pronged affair. 1st, getting on my bike and riding outside of the security of my crescent was going to have to happen. That took place Saturday on the Gardiner Expressway of all places.
Part 2wo however was going to be the bigger endeavor. Tuesday, TOFXD massive meet @ the Trinity Bellwoods rink and go flip around and work on tricks. My last time there, I essentially nailed the skids, but had not been since my bail. I decided to tag along @ least for the ride, thinking that I was simply going to play the side. Then I rolled in and....

w00000000000t!

Yep I could not resist the nectars of these fruits. Shout outs to Ted P who documented the whole night.

Last night was hella fun and more importantly, I was able to shake it all off. I'm still pretty much @ sea and nonplussed as to how I actually did bail, but last night was my return, a perviously described Clint Malarchuk-returning-to-the-ice-moment:

my exorcising exercise.

Feels good to ride again...

H!

Reunited! Move OCT 17th 2008

2008-09-24T14:28:00.006-04:00

Beat Konducta, Hza, Funky President & Karriem Riggins circa march 07. MIAMI

Seriously. I simply need to photoshop Taktiks in there.

Taktiks and I will be opening up. Sick.

All deets are here

See you then.

H!

Gardiner Gallivanting

2008-09-21T03:54:00.008-04:00

Yea...

Back freewheelin with the gang. The weather was nice, and after the call dame down, I just looked @ The Giant, I just had to do it.

Best was that whilst cruising along Lakeshore, we spotted one of the onramps leading to the closed Gardiner Expressway. And with unbridled zeal, just hopped over the gate and just cruised along Gardiner, on our own. Even stopping a few times to take advantage of a sunny after noon with some Canon Digis. WTF??

Was a fun afternoon indeed, though I times I pedaled and wheeled around almost withdrawn, still having flashbacks of the bail. This was like a Clint Malarchuk-returning-to-the-ice-moment after his horrific accident.

In any case, it was good to get out and sorta shake the webs out.

More photos of the Gardiner Gallivanting coming soon. Shouts to O, Just, Jay W, Wes, TV and Ray... And Oh yea, and another shout to City TV or CP24 who saw us jump the barrier and bolt! LOL.

Say wrd.

H!

Black is Back: Black Milk, Elzhi & House Shoes, Nov 6th 2008

2008-09-19T14:11:00.011-04:00

I thought that I would save my 200th post for a big announcement. The timing could not be any better...

That's right.

it's just over 1 year since he last came and we're about to do it again. Last time, Phat Kat came to rip the show to shreds, this time, we got long awaited Elzhi and that MF House Shoes in the building as well.

So we here.

We'll be rawkin out and celebrating the release of the Black Milk "TRONIC" LP. You know w/o question this record will bang.

As well, getting to see Elzhi finally rawk is going to be pretty bananas. House Shoes is always a trip. But don't sleep, he's got soe bangers I'm trying to get my hands on. So man, this is hella simple. You're down or you're not. That's it really.

All the deets are here, FB event style. More deets and music to come later.

Shouts to Heath Blizzard @ Fab Beats and Jay @ Koch. Let's do it.

See you Nov 6th.

H!

Instrumental To Your Development

2008-09-19T14:11:00.004-04:00

So... In all the chaos of the past week, I though that I would break the morose mood and get back to my jovial self. It's been a good week outside of the craziness.

I finally started my new beat music, hoodtrnonica blog: NSTRUMNTL2URDVLPMNT or Instrumental To Your Development.

Very self explanatory and a full double entendre

I had a 2 pronged approach. 1, this is a music scene garnering little coverage, and as such doing my civic duty to get that out there. And 2, I've been meaning to start writing more seriously. 1nce upon a time, I used to spend hours putting little reviews together, and my work finally climaxed into a published review in URB Mag a long time ago (Shouts to Oliver Wang).

So there. If any of you are into some of that beat music like I am, or have heard me play out and love the sound of that magic that comes out the Cerwin Vegas, bookmark that site. I will be having some fun with it.

Music previews
Reviews
Interviews/profiles
yada x 3...

Anyhow, I look fwd to getting this cracking as I'm pretty excited. I kinda dig writing. And, If you used to peep this spot for some chunes, I'll be migrating some of the posts over to NSTRUMNTL2URDVLPMNT.

This blog will remain with more miscellany, more megapixels, more qwerty qalamity so, stay tuned! We're here to have fun, no?

H!

The Money Shot aka The Inconvenient Truth

2008-09-15T23:13:00.009-04:00

So, after seeing the Good Doctor who dealt with my case Friday AM (the one fixed me up just enough so that I could actually leave my house and show my face), he also sat me down to give me his earnest and humorless opinion: I had some serious work ahead of me.
Although I did look relatively fine on the outside, the inner workings of my humanoid engineering were far from being hale and hearty

I have a deep fracture that will likely require some surgery. HUH?? Say again Doc?? The chances I can avoid the surgery are not good. Well... that was Doc #1. So, I packed my overnight bag and headed East to see the lone Doc i've know all my life. After paying $1.51/L for gas, I made my way to see my fave doc. His prognosis?? La misma. He even added that my chances for a simple procedure were even less...

That folks, was the Inconvenient Truth.

Man, I feel like I've been given a hand with 4 doubles @ dominos - so I can't call for a reshuffle. A victory is within the realms of possiblity, but the #s are just not on my side.

So what happened??

The red circle happened. Ladies and gents: The Money Shot.

Ready?? I've been advised that this procedure may total $4000.
Are you kidding me?!?! No. This is so real. If you have benefits, pls kiss the sky or the ground. Take your pick.

As it stands, this is on top of what was done last week. That little red triangle?? Yea... Without it, I would have been home all weekend. Say wrd.

In any case, this is the real deal. I have an appointment with Doc #3 on Friday as I believe the process towards Pretty Hizzy is due to start. Man, today I fully felt like Jeff Goldblum in The Fly. My scars were just getting harder and more unsightly with every passing hour! ARGH!

Speaking of Pretty Hizzy, I may have to put a funding drive together, college radio style.

Anyhow, my drama continues...

I couldn't just leave you w/o a musical gem now could I?? Here... Dilla said it best, didn't he?? The $. Enjoy.

McNasty...

H!

.... is now friends with Kitchen-Aid

2008-09-14T10:23:00.006-04:00

You know it. She is holding me down. MAJOR.

Kitchen-Aid. She and I have recently been hanging pretty tough. Evenr since top of the summer, we have breakfast almost every morning. Fruits, yogurt, soy... And despite my recently less than handsome looks, my fat and cicatrized lip, scraped hands, scarred knees, she's been helping me out. She likes when I run my fingers across her body... and push her buttons. ;)

Man, need her more than ever now. Eating has become pretty laborious if not just plain hard. Chewing? Ahhh, man, not the easiest task. Been enjoying mostly soups of late. The easiest way to feed myself right now. As I said, if anyone can show me a channa roti smoothie, I'm so down! Shrimp wonton is another friend of mine these days. Spicy is when she's best.

In any case....

THANK YOU!

Want to shout all who have send the kind wishes here and thru FB.

A special thank you to Miss X! You know who you are. No joke. What a surprise indeed. Preciate it. I got you!

I got some great replies and some just plain made me laugh.... KEEZY! So yes, tomorrow I have to see one of several specialists to see what can be done. As most have seen from Friday night, I look as presentable as can be imagined considering the photos, but I have some greater concerns to address. Kinda sucks, but I'm prepping for what may be some $eriou$ly $ad new$. :(

Anyhow, my travels continue...

pce.

H!

Knockedthefuckout!

2008-09-12T02:33:00.012-04:00

It f*cking happened.

Man, I have no idea how, but it happened.

I F*CKING BAILED ON MY BIKE.

Bails can be fun and safe as my man Skam will tell you, but I also wished that I had bailed on some grass like he did. Nope. Ossington, next to Levack Block. And I should have been home too, but we decided to hit this spot after Beacs. Ahhhh...

"Things were all good just a week ago..." - Jay-Z

That's what it pretty much felt like. Lemme cut to the chase:

Was pulling some skids with my mans O and jay, and for some reason unknown to me, I bailed after a full day of riding with no issues. And now...

There ya go...

These shots were taken after my relatively placid ride home in cab.

So now, Part Deux:

As I walked around in total shock and awe @ what happened, spitting a steady stream of blood (if you walk any where behind Levack, you'll see. It was like someone got stabbed), holding parts of my mouth in my hands, I was convinced by both O and Jay W to just chill and compose my thoughts for a min - after I wiped my bloodied jaw.

So I decided to pull up on a stoop and just wipe my mouth down. Shouts to that girl who was a 1st responder to the scene and who also was quick to offer me some fresh bottles of water to wipe my face down.

So as I listened to the options being offered by my two compadres, I just sat there , head tilted back looking @ the deep navy sky still in complete astonishment.

... clik, clak...

??!?! HUH?? What was that sound?? I turn my head and what do I see...

THIS MOTHERF*CKER GOT ON MY BIKE AND F*CKING TOOK OFF!

Adding insult to unsupportable pain, suffering and clear disfigurement, I was suddenly becoming a victim of wrongdoing and injustice by a f*cking vermin!

I just sat there unable to really utter much outside of "SH*T! My Bike!"

Possibly not realizing that he had bestrode and saddled a fixie, the thief took a few minutes to gain speed - precious time that was used to close the gap as cats chased after him. As my man O and Jay sprinted and were in persuit, this parasite made one brutal error: He headed north on Ossington.

Ossington is an essentially a hill, and you can't really gain that much speed on a fixie - esp if you're not accustomed to one. So, although I did not see much of this part, faced with the very definite and crystal clear reality that he was going to get caught as he struggled to gain speed, he decided to relinquish my bike and make a getaway on foot. My man O maintained the chase but may have been winded from the initial sprint.

WOW.

What a f*cking night.

So wheres does this leave me @ present instant?

A jaw and mouth so busted that i'm scared to sleep on it tonight. In fact, I can't close it properly.

A wrist's that's hella sore.

Headache!

Have you seen the gash in my lip?? Inside and out. And the outside one won't stop bleeding now....

But I still have my bike. ;)

Man... all was going so well.

On top of all that, I was due to host the Wonder-FULL party tonight. WTF??! Well, as of right now, count me out. To all who were looking for tix from me, I'll do my best but I hope you know where I live.

You know I kept the worst for last: Your man has been working @ a small indie company and is void of ANY BENEFITS or coverage of any form or fashion.

Whatever has to be done to my jaw and mouth will be banana$. I was pretty much in financial stupor, standing outside as I thought of what this was going to co$t me... Man...

Well, I saw this dude similarly run this on CNN 1nce, so I will partake in a like drive.

Feel free to holla @ your man, with kind words, gifts or even a donation if you'd like. I have no expectations but I love surprises. ;)

You can use the mymanhenri@hotmail.com as a recipient email addie.

I call this the Pretty Hizzy Foundation - cuz I am so f*cked up right now. I could not even consider myself quasimoto as there's nothing quasi about it. This is full on disfigurement. Plans are to remain @ home, leaving only to see a Doc in the AM - which should hopefully be 4hrs from now.

Anyhow, in closing - I just wanna shout both O and Jay for sitting around with me as I complained and contemplated jumping into my car just to drive to see the only dentist I have known all my life - 4hrs away though. Really appreciate the kindness fellas. Shouts that 1st responder who came thru with the bottled water. I will not forget you.
FIRE AND BRIMSTONE on that fool who tried to swipe my bike. I swear....

Anyhow.... not sure what the day will hold for me.

You know I couldn't leave you w/o a treat?? My man PUDGE basically said it best... Listen to the whole 1.06 and you'l see what I mean.

Pce.

H!

Dare to Wonder

2008-08-29T13:56:00.006-04:00

Indeed.... Dare to WONDER.

1nce again, Michigan and Detroit are playing into the historical musical landscape.

Stevie Wonder, a multi instrumentalist who is mostly known for his mastery of the keys, has influenced countless fans of soul music world wide. Without question, his influence has touched well known luminaries among which are two of the finest selectors and music connoisseurs world round: Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob Love aka DJ Cucumber Slice, and DJ Spinna.

In a brainstorm, their love for Stevie's catalog translated to tribute night entitled WONDER-FULL. Note the double entendre.

A party born in NY, had recieved such acclaim that the dynamic duo were suddenly fielding requests to take it on the road. And on the road they have.

It is our pleasure to announce that this famed fiesta has now made it to our lovely city.

WONDER-FULL
w/ DJ SPINNA and BOBBITO

A Canadian Premiere!

FRIDAY SEPT 12th 2008
REVIVAL - 738 College St. - TORONTO.

View Larger Map

This is a Do Right, MILK and mymanhenri production. say wrd.

Click here for the FaceBook group and get down.

This will be a night to remember. DARE TO WONDER. More goodies coming soon.

BTW, shouts to Matt from 1 sick flyer! ;)

H!

Heaven Scent

2008-08-28T12:22:00.007-04:00

After a few weeks of impassioned search...

The Heaven Scent idol winner has been declared:

Next time you see me, traces of this fragrance shall waft through the air and should pick up where CDG left off, my retired Hall Of Fame scent. Anyhow, I'm pretty excited. This will be unboxed and unveiled.... later.

Smell you cats later.

H!

2 Words

2008-08-26T14:51:00.003-04:00

NO MAGIC.

Pretty much.

Since 2002, I've been in LV 2wice yearly. 2wice a year getting stupid, 2wice a year grinding hard. 2wice a year touching base with 2 friends. But this year the deadlines were draconian and 2 days away from the office would be 2 costly. So, 2day, I sit back wondering what's happening ahora in my absentia. 2 of my fave folks hit me, looking for 2 catch up @ my booth.

2 words: No dice.

The parties will be pretty crazy, esp if this flyer is of any indication... Shouts to my man Damian. The wanton and salacious soirées will escape me this time. Is it so bad? Hmmmmmm...... I'll answer that later. ;)

All good.

The sun is due 2 be out and bright all week, and is burning hit 2day. Anyhow, I had a good morning and am looking fwd to a good end of day. ;)

Enjoy it cats.

I'll see you cats next time.

H!

WTF?!!?

2008-08-22T01:51:00.005-04:00

Sorry about the expletive, but WTF??

this is the 2nd time I've been robbed man. Although this was a less significant loss, but it's the f*cking principle of it.

Someone took my back light, the red LED right off my Bowery aka Azulito, and just walked with it. F*cking destitute dudes... I would have hit you with the $4.50 it cost to get it from MEC. But you swiped it off mine instead. I WISH i had been outside man. It so would have been your birthday.

ARGH.

Anyhow, I'm sure this is not the big entry you expected to see after a seemingly slow week - (though so far from) but your man's been in the cotton fields HARD. Possibly like never before. Just deplorable conditions right now... ARGH! But as much as it's been very crazy for such a short period, it will be done sooner than usual. Say wrd.

Anyhow, shouts to tofixd who set up a great run tonight. So perfect. Glad we linked. Bigger run next time. ;). Shouts to Jee Em and Desi! Enchanté.

BTW, I may have mentioned it to you in person, but I'm actually working on a new blog. Migrating the music over to a new address. This will be just as dope and I'm looking fwd to it. SAY WRD. So if you've seen less music of late, that's why. But I'll make it happen nice and right. ;)

Roxy Reunion Friday night. Tight.

H!

Got Some Amazing Head

2008-08-16T07:58:00.001-04:00

Totally did.

I mean, the night was shaping up something lovely. I kept telling SL, my lovely date that the skies were looking good for the show. Than, as per this summer, Mother Nature had other things in mind.

The rain came POURING hard. And that was off an on with the worst coming down for until about 8pm. Then, the skies opened up. And the night was starting to write itself, or right itself?

So I kissed my parents good night and made my way down to Amphitheater on Lakeshore.

But right before, I was due to meet someone who was buying tix off me... and dude hung up on me after I called. Called again, and then gave me a story about how he bought tix already. BRAD (that was his name)! YOU ASSHOLE. That was not the deal. After an exchange, the lies he told me were so clear and blatant, he felt it obligated to send someone my way, and luckily I was able to sell my tix. Nice dude came up from Mexico for the show, looking for tix on site. All good. But Brad the furniture salesloser (cuz you're not a man), you're still a liar.

So what a gig. As we sat under a moon that was as bright as Hale-Bopp, we heard Thom sign like a jay bird, long side some great visuals. We had lawn seats, but we ate shrimp instead, filet mignon with vermouth reduction!! LOL. We never went to our seats and had a ball in the back 300s! SL!

But night was sick. Great show, great company, and the ended the show with possibly my fave track - period. Like, who sick do you have to be to bang this out the studio?? Still recall sitting in my friend's car in LA and just studying this joint like...
seriously?? Man...

Anyhow, so good. Someone have a cigarette for me??

H!

Welcome Barak!

2008-08-12T21:36:00.003-04:00

Fist Bump?? Fist Pump?? Huh??

Round my way, we call them daps and/or pounds. "Whatever you call it..." - my mom ads, "It's cool!". She thinks it's soooooo funny! And just like that, I welcomed my parents back to my APT. ;) My parents are so cute! I think that my dad loves my place more than I do - and he totally admits it.

As much as I love their company, I'm just sad that I'm under despotic deadlines @ work. I'm unable to spend some meaningful time with them and be that guide. :(. But we've been able to have some good chats and laughs despite. But as my mom added, she came to relax and just rest up. Say wrd. ;)

Shouts to my bro who took some time off to come hang all the way from The Boro. Then again, he was itching to unveil his new purchase. Ha.

Regardless, welcome Barak Mom & Dad. Always a pleasure. ;)

Ay!

H!

Say Yeah!

2008-08-09T13:23:00.005-04:00

Man... it's been a busy week though you wouldn't have known be looking out here.

What's been good?? I've just been planning the latter 1/2 of Cero Ocho. Important things, you know?? Like..

A new cologne. Say yeah...

It's been a a sort of Cologne Idol. The last, reigning champ and irrefutable Hall Of Famer Comme Des Garçons has now run it's course of spell binding wafts about Queen West. Say yeah...

So next time you see me, lemme know what you think of the new scent as I'll be testing a few. So much to live up to as CDG was @ times worthy of a Controlled Substance tag - the way they kept coming back! LOL... Yo real talk though. I talked about it almost a year ago. Say yeah...

I overheard some ppl take my direction and get right. All love. Now I gotta move on. Anyhow, that's been a REAL dilemma of late.

So imagine my whole week as I spent much of it out and about. Nuts. Lemme not get into too many deets, but will simply hit you with my miscellany of megapixels.

Shouts to the LRG crew: 1st timers to Toronto and it was BANA. Say yeah...

This week, my ppls Tonya Morgan came through Toronto as well as an opener for Hiero. Shouts to Don, Von and Ilyah in absentia. Always nice to rap with cats. We need another show. Say yeah...

Sh*t... Shouts to Culli for hollering Thursday night. Like, didn't know you were still alive. So, after getting toasty @ a Nike Sportswear event (Shouts to CY - hace f*cking mucho tiempo man), I made my way down to one of my fave spots. A hug, kiss and a Guiness! On my way.

Did I ever get haunted!

Friday night was another white wine filled wanderings... ARGH.

The good ppl @ GDFT were pleased to announce the release of an eco friendly GDFT x Adidas collabo. The shoe's launch was @ the GDFT YRKVL location and drinks longside some succulent smoked salmon. YUM!

Shouts to Seven.

Safari Stuntin!

"Ol El and Hza read the same literature" - as mentioned by Jesar. LOL. You bet dude. Shouts to Chase. Get it dude.

Finally the prized pieces.

Imagine this site @ the end of a driveway??

BTW, shout to all responsible for this collabo. Recycled materials were used in it's fabrication. So even someone like Big C and his size 15 can have a small carbon footprint. ;) Say Yeah....

Adidas x TSTBDS/INQMND x Agency1

I had to do this one... say yeah...

We then made our way down to QB for a 20 yr anniversary party commemorating NWA. Say Yeah...

Ran into my man Age. All day dude.

Say yeah... My man Bobby Brown (real talk) was in the building.

A massive shout to Dave G who made the most brilliant entrance! Say yeah... Always good to see you dude. Shouts to my man JR Jollyrancher....

... and a massive shout to Steph. Sh*t! This is one of the most brilliant pics I have taken ever! Say yeah! Thx for being such a sexy model. Dress and heels. Love it.

Man... I'm getting some rest right now. Going to Bump n Hustle tonight @ The Riv. Say yeah....

So lemme take you cats out with this joint that I must have spit over countless times in CA in May. Heard it all the time @ radio and wondered why it wasn't poppin here. No matter.

Was gonna post the track - but f*ck it. Video is f*cking hilarious!

¡Dile sí!

holla.

BTW... ENOUGH WITH THE RAIN!

H!

JFK2YYZ

2008-08-03T23:57:00.001-04:00

It's all love.

Funny how ppl connect. It took someone from Sweden to introduce me to someone from NYC who in turn showed up in Toronto.

ARGH!

It matters none. Good ppl meet. Have I said that before?? You bet.

Shouts to my man OP! Welcome to Toronto and looking fwd to having you back my dude. Shouts to Dave G, Nana and Medi (been way too long dude). Shouts to Kissey for making it all happen. I'll get you a gluten free roti - somehow, and TONS of sweet fried plantain! ;)

LOL.

Holla.

H!

Caribana 2008

2008-08-02T21:24:00.004-04:00

It's been a min. Had been meaning to post, but it's been a pretty busy week with work and that was taking up my time. Seeing custies, and even worse - driving! ARGH!

man.

Simply put, Bana 2008 was here. When the sun's out, I'm all about it. Sin duda. And as I told my man about this, it's more about the sound and vision for me. It's such an event - with speakers blasting, and men toasting the mic heavy. Love it.

On top of it, I had some 1st timers who were just agape @ this festival - like nothing they had ever seen (esp not in LA apparently) . Shouts to Kev D, Rich, Nick and Woodie. Say wrd.

Shouts to all who I ran into in my travels today, esp Rose Royce. Radiant smile as always. ;)

Shouts to the 4our ladies who were determined to track me down for this photo.

But in the end, Bana2008 was all about the Killa show. You better axe somebody!

So, I'll simply leave you with a few pics, with the rest of the photographic dissertation being here.

Say wrd.

Chat soon,

H!

1000 names, but wack ain't one.

2008-07-27T22:05:00.002-04:00

My boy Simon who's from Venezuela 1nce told me that when you're born, in latin culture, you must take on the name of members of the family of a parent... something of the sort. So, his name is Símon Z., but in reality, his FULL NAME is Símon xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx Diamante Z. He recited his whole name once... ha.

So, sometime time late last year, I came across these cats called 1000 names. A EU duo from Sofia. Not sure how, but I eventually got some joints from them. Cool.

More recently, I had seen them come up on some comp (beatnicks 1+2), but they had one release in particular that did it for me.

Worth Making Noise About... And Noise I did make. This EP had this banger than I just loved and chopped nicely live when I played out. And more recently I went and bought the digital music files to a new 7" this have just released.

Both of the above were releases from the French Eklektic Records.

After mentioning the 7" in a convo with them, would you believe what arrived @ my door whilst in NYC??

A red 7"?? You know you have to be a collector for that.

They even threw in the last release for kicks. Say wrd.

1000 names, and wack ain't one.

I have to give a shout to Nikko and Margg for the love on this one. Been a min since I was serviced vinyl. But I do realize that some ppl still take pride. And I'm not mad @ that @ all. Say wrd.

7€20 was the EU freight and was worth every penny. So peep this: Monobinate <-- my joint!

H!

NY State Of Grind

2008-07-25T03:40:00.004-04:00

That's it really. Some of you might be like...

Dude, where ya been??

Man, your man needed to simply decompress man. Sin duda.

Things have a touch uninspiring. On some real métro, boulot, dodo type thing. I was in this creative rut and I needed a change my surroundings. So I printed a long overdue boarding pass for JFK.

So off I was. Had not been out there in a min and as many of you might recall, I've be Californicating with every opportunity.

Man, NY is just so bananas. It makes me realize more and more why there are seemingly more tourist in NY than NY'ers: there's too much to see and, for someone's who's never been there - it's quite a site... and all of this had slipped my mind - really. ;)

I would have offered some reg updates this week, but in my proclivity to pack as puny personal wares as possible (I like to challenge myself err-time - all I needed was in a backpack for 4 days), I forgot my f*cking laptop charger. So, it was essentially useless. And, with these Robbers Wireless rates, I did't want to chance having some lengthy and data intensive updates from my non 3G iPhone. :(.

So what better way to chat about it via a photographic dissertation... ;)

Yes, you are seeing this correctly.

Post MLB All star artwork. Is nothing sacred?? ;)

Shouts to Miss Castro for hollering and inviting me to Capsule. What a f*cking nice venue. No joke. They had it in a synagogue.

I def did a ton of chilling and thinking... needed to relax and reflect a touch.

Def one of the highlights of the NY trip was finally running into the ever so polite, EU transplant and now US resident Mike Slott. Say wrd. I have run his name out here a few times already, so reg readers might recall. We got to kick it and chat. That was hella tight. Good look dude!

Another cat that I was pretty stoked on running into as well (and I do mean that when I say running into... ) was this cat: Daru Jones. Again, another producer who I have more recently chatted about as well. Essentially, I was just on my way back home @ night and ran into what looked like his twin... Then I took a few more steps only to decide then that I would wait to ask - since this would bother me all week had it been him and said nothing. I was either going to play myself or be like... WHOA. BAM. It was him. My man & I chatted for a min about some of his joints and we swapped contacts. Say wrd. It was a very good day.

And who might this be??

Another hint...

Ok. After chatting a ton, I finally got to run into the bday girl herself, Kissey Asplund. Again, a name that I have run thru The Newest Era™ a few times previously.

And again, being that it was her bday, she got busy on the mic @ Studio B in BKLYN.

Certainly, a big shout to my man OP! who held down a tight set. Ha... Kissey was right. ;) Good look. Lets get up when you get down here dude. Say wrd.

So.... as I sat there by the bar, this dude is like:

"Were you in MIA for WMC??

Hell yea dude. What's good? He then proceeds to introduce himself.

SIMBAD

WTF?? Pffffff....

So the French came ripping out. I was just chatting this dude's name last week. Missed him in Toronto as I was @ a bday party in Ajax. All love. That was so crazy.

All in all, that was a great night, with many more shouts to be handed... Like DJ Scribe . I've been on homeboy's mailing list for as long as I can recall. Wow.

I've said it in the past, and I'll say it again: Good ppl meet.

So glad I took that little bit of time off man. That trip put me back on my NY State Of Grind for real. There really are some great ppl around, and I got meet a gang on this one little stretch away from home. The music I heard this week was just blazing too... man. Love this sh*t.

Shouts to the whole gang: Dr Byrne, Slott, LRG crew in NY, Kissey, Fiona Bloom of Bloom Effect, Sribe, OP!, Daru, Waajeed (sorry I was soooo late), SIMBAD (that was wild), Night Nurse & Chandler (WTF??) - that was really rndm, Neil, AILEEN, Phillionaire (good seeing you dude - shout Brooke for me man), Adam @ Evisu (congrats) and my man ANT over @ New Era. I'm sure I forgot a few. Catch you on the rebound if I did. ;)

So now, time to engage the cluth and get this poppin.

Chat soon.

H!

Twist And Go

2008-07-20T23:11:00.004-04:00

This is not even a joke.

More and more cats are riding. I mean, there are 5 of us @ work. Friend of mine The Gardner came to surprise me @ my house with her brand new scooter and I just had a long chat with CB who revealed to me that she's got her M2 permit. Sick.

It's fun to see more ppl riding. Living in QB and having all/most of my dealings in the downtown core, it made absolute sense for me. Then, the oil speculators showed up to the party and welcomed all to the $100 fill up. ;). Now that's all ppl ask me: how much to fill up??

I'm just about to round the 8000 kms mark on my Derbi Bullet. It's been fun. But in a quick, random and periodic search, I found hella deals online. There's been no better time to get on 2 wheels. A Buell Blast for under $4k?? Say wrd.

Speaking of scooters...

FUCK YOU.

That's for the person who stole my prized piece of head gear: my full face helmet. For 2 yrs, no one bothered with it. Now, I come out around 5am to find that's it's been jacked. Oh well. I'll wait till the end of the season to grab one. I have 2 extras for now. I'll also take a good look in EU in oct for one. They have some sick ones out there... so many riders. HA.

As well, a quick shout out to the TMSC who had the Monster Scooter Rally 08 just about 1 week ago. We get together 1nce a year and go a monster ride. Click for bigger shot.

I'll be there next year gents... barring another bday out of town. ;). Shouts to Gord for a stunning photo.

So my new rider friend of mine asked whether I'd double her if she came thru. Unless you have this is mind, I'm good. ;)

LOL.

Anyhow, so random.

Cheers. Great week coming up.

;)

H!

Love!

2008-07-18T14:07:00.004-04:00

Lord Quas... you pimp. Love LQ.

Would also love a girl who came to me like this too...

I mean, maybe I just caught this image on one of my highs (I slept aiiight, but I'm feeling good and there's a full calendar this weekend), but this is sick. As such, could I hang with a girl who might want to listen to some Lord Quas all night?? You f*cking bet I could. Haha.
Shouts to who I will call Quasima for this shot.

This is hella fresh.

This ain't no Hydrant Game! Say wrd. QUAS!

PS Quas... we need that new sh*t.

H!

Proxima Vez

2008-07-17T13:27:00.004-04:00

As the news of the RBMA winners trickles slowly through the very world wide web, I had a quick chat with one of the most celebrated grads and a friend of mine Hudson Mohawke. He asks:

"Have you see the pics from Sonar?"

NO.

So, he then proceeds to send me this shot...

All I can say is: proxima vez gents. Next year indeed.

And speaking for RBMA, shouts to Fatima, Dorian Concept, Pursuit Groove, Onra and Ta-Ku....

It's gonna be bananas.

H!

Sesenta! The RBMA 08 starts today.

2008-07-16T23:08:00.003-04:00

CONGRATS.

That's it. After having to spend who knows how much time getting this extensive application complete and out the door, el famoso sesenta have been selected aka The Barcelona Sixty. From just under 3000 applications, the RBMA crew were able to trim it down to 60 who they felt were best deserving of the most exalted slot.

You will be in good company in BCN. Your inclusion into this group of RBMA participants speaks (or plays) volumes.

Congrats again. I know of a few that made it so far. Looking to catch the rest soon, and hopefully, I'll catch a few of you out there...

H!

Bad Man! Simbad, July 18th @ SPRMRKT

2008-07-15T08:59:00.004-04:00

Man, not oft do we have the pleasure of having cats from EU come thru town, but you know how Toronto stays: spoiled. This month has been pretty crazy and the momentum maintains this week.
Friday, we play host to Simbad - UK based French born producer as part of the 1yr anniversary for Vintage. But one thing stays true: BANGERS.

Signed to RawFusion, a label that I like to keep an eye on, Simbad will bring that exquisite electronic dance floor tempo. LADIES! ;).

So having said that much, Toronto's due to be blazing all this week, leading to a blazing weekend and Simbad will signal the start of a good weekend. So come out. Bring a friend, tell another. Shouts to my man Paredes! Should be fun.

Vintage 1 yr anniversary ft. Simbad (RawFusion, UK)
Friday july 18th w/ residents Patrick Paredes, Basic Soul Unit & Jason Ulrich
Supermarket - 268 Augusta
Facebook Event here.

And speaking of Momentum, a recent banger from Simbad. Hold it.

See you there.

H!

HAPPY BDAY DAD!

2008-07-14T20:28:00.007-04:00

What a day. What a week in fact. I was seemingly away from the AIM café as my folks were in town to see the Don, 1st born, I & I, and I then headed back home to celebrate my Dad's bday. What a blast!

1st, my parents came thru town. Ever since my dad discovered GPS devices, he's been on this driving tear. He's one who never traveled any distance that he didn't know well. Then, suddenly, he drove to NYC! So they came through to kick it for a week. That was fun. Laughed, ate and watched Poupées Russes and La Doublure.

My mom loves trinkets, so she spent hrs pon hrs in Chinatown. She loved it. So cute!

So after a fun filled week, headed to the home town to have a great day with the whole fam: yow x yul connected for my dad's bday.

One thing my dad loves doing is running his mouth and laughing. There was much of both. You see, my dad's a kind of raconteur. Has a story for every situation. So they ran. Hard! My dad's seen alot though. Going from being a student in Haïti, to a young UN teacher in Zaïre, to a married father of 3 in Canada. Nothing but love and admiration. All day.

Happy Bday Papi! Many more to come. ;) Of course, more shots here.

BESO!

Bday shouts to TR Gunna, More Mec, CaitCulli (see you tomorrow) and Les Bleus!

H!

Big Kids

2008-07-08T10:55:00.003-04:00

Man...

This is what I'm talking about. The summer that we've all been missing is soooo here, finally! It was blazing hot yesterday and although the sun was splendid, one could only take refuge in the in deep in the night... though it was still gorgeous out well into the wee hours. So after a great eve @ Chelsea Room with Age, Rebecca et al (Bullion does rawk, no??) - Age suggested that we hit the pool.

Hmmmm... 3h47 am?? Cool. Let's go.

So off we were to reminisce and re-enact a great scene from Larry Clark's cult classic KIDS (if you haven't seen this.... ARGH!)

Here we were hopping the fence, stripping down to bare essentials and that's all she wrote. Swimming freely with not a worry @ all (I had to get up early as did a few of us) except that blasted chlorine! ARGH. Hey... was that Rosario Dawson over there??
So this is a shout to all who were there man... Age, Rebecca, Lil E aka edub aka 1/2 somersault and the rest who bashed it with us from Chelsea to the pool...

We're all just big kids in the end. Sin Duda. Someone mentioned skinny dips for the next run... sh*t... Might be down. ;)

So this one's for my man Harold Hunter (RIP). The man who convinced Larry Clark to hire Rosario Dawson. The cat who I had the pleasure of having drinks with back in LV... This one's for you. We did it nice last night... as you did as well.

For those who recall HH's cameo in this video for this sick track... 1 - 9 - 9 - 9 ... Still getting mine in the ONE!

H!

I Don't Do Lines

2008-07-05T13:02:00.004-04:00

Say wrd. Been a min since I got to see these type of lines. In fact, I've never done lines @ all... If I didn't get it, it wasn't for me - that's for sure. But in a morning ride today, I just to pass thru GDFT to say peace to the mandem and then... WHOA.

Have a Canada Day sale for the ppl. ;)
Hope things go well for the crew. It's a beautiful day.

H!

Such A Bundown

2008-07-02T17:18:00.006-04:00

Wow.

This is why I love yyz. Love. The mandem can chat pon such a bundown riddim.
Kardi is just stoopid for this one. And, I love seeing/hearing Lindo P chat pon di mic still. I need this riddim ASAP.
Big chune indeed.

So hold this lickle street video with the mandem innit still...

Looking fwd to Kardi's record still. Zeen.

H!

Rising Son: Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti

2008-07-02T14:09:00.002-04:00

YYZ.

We are spoiled much more than words could ever say.

Tonight, Son Of Fela: Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 @ HRBRFRNT.

Many thx and all credit to Alessandro Di Francesco for the great shots from MTL show.

See you @ Queen's Quay.

Pce.

H!

Elaquent Keep it Movin!

2008-07-02T12:40:00.005-04:00

Say wrd. Although I did want to post this on Canada day, I just found myself mossing around the city aimlessly... However, it would have been so fitting. Ran into this can online one day, and was just blown away by some tight beats as always. Even better this cat was down the street?? Say what?? He's from Canada, & just down the 401.
Elaquent does keep it moving - and he gets it. Huh?? Hard to define, but man like Nick Holder knows that kind of speak. Elaquent knows the sound and has been adopted by the hvw8 torch bearers in this hoodtronica world... say wrd my dude.

And to boot, he's another among some of the proficient 8 bit loop stranglers. He hit me with this banger just a few days ago! He and I will connect within the next month I predict. Look out for some of his riddims @ your soon to come 92BPM launch night.
Sh*t... The Sega Continues fa sho! Good look ad happy Canada Day. Hope you got home safe dude. Say wrd.

Ay!

H!

xxxxx Need Not Apply

2008-06-30T13:31:00.003-04:00

You fill in the blank. I was just put on this site, lafixed.com which is a LA based fixie forum. I love forums and oft join em when it's new sh*t that I've adopted and I feel the community (best community the world has to offer - a forum that is).
So, 1st issue - I can't peruse the forum w/o registering. Ok. Not a fan but lemme handle that. When that was all done, I get this message (click for larger).

Wow. AM I applying for a Green Card? Work VISA? Bursary? Anyhow, I await my response - w/o baited breath. I just wanna read what cats are saying and doing man... Kinda lucky I love LA.

H!

Lee McDonald: Supersized RMXs

2008-06-29T16:38:00.005-04:00

Man, this is so crazy. I was just about to walk out the door when something pulled me back to my lap. Had been listening to Kissey's Goodies 08 and was tripping off some unreleased riddims when one thing lead me to another and BLAM!
I find out about this release by Lee McDonald.
On the plate were a set of rmxs by some of EU's respected for I'll Do Anything For You. Here's glimpse of the original classic.

So, step step step step up... Lets' give it a 2k sound.

As I mentioned, the rmxs were served courtesy of EU, via FRA in my favorite case: Yann Kesz. This cat is just bananas. I picked up a release he had earlier this year under the Apollo Jazz moniker. Yann kills this rmx. How can anyone turn their back on the beat? Even when Broken?? This b r o k e n b e a t rmx is just too sweet... And yes, I bought this. You should too.

So before I sail out, here's a little treat of b r o k e n b e a t, rmx'd courtesy of my man Yann Kesz. Bananas.

Aiiight. Out the door.

Peace.

H!

CANSADO! WIPED!

2008-06-28T16:51:00.004-04:00

Man, I just had my longest ride to date. I need to lie down... 33.2 kms. I didn't need to go that far... felt good though. ;) Zoom out to see the full map still....

View Larger Map

Bullion $$ Man

2008-06-27T14:10:00.007-04:00

This week has been a great music week indeed. Better than both f*cking CMW x NXNE combined, (don't get me started on those 2 weak weeks).
Sometime last year, came across a young cat thru my man Jay as always and was pretty much floored by my man's riddims. Bullion, a cat out of London had just done a superb refix, re-edit and rmx of a Beach Boys record: Pet Sounds.

Taking inspiration from the Deacon of Tha D, the almighty Dilla himself, he created what would many might regard as a mash up (though, I cringe when hearing that term, and usually refrain from using it - but will use it in this case to illustrate my point): Pet Sounds in the Key Of Dee. How sick is that concept?? Beach Boys??

Fa Sho! He even slid Dilla's likeness in there. Fresh. Even fresher though was this record. Full of bangers.

Here's a sample (you prolly heard me drop this @ a 92BPM event):

I still recall this one night @ Global Warming (shouts to Big Ager!) and I dropped a joint off this LP. This chick came storming like... "BEACH BOYS!!" - and she was losing it. Haha.

Anyhow, FFWD just about 1 year, and Bullion has hit us with a new 12" in anticipation of an LP.

Get Familar b/w Rude Effort. Banger. What's even doper, I bought this one off iTunes. This is an iTunes+ release as well, so in theory, no DRM for you Serato cats.

Looking fwd to more joints indeed, as he's been singled out by EU's hvw8's: GP, Benji and a many others... Look out. So do yourself a favor and get this record. $2 CAD you won't regret dropping.

So in the mean time, you need to Get Familiar indeed.

Say wrd.

H!

Rodando En Azul

2008-06-26T12:14:00.007-04:00

Man... I have so caught the bug. Today marks my 6th ride in as many days and I feel so dope. What's worst is that, when you move to Rome... You know. So, as a new roamin Roman I've been online looking @ fixie blogs. DAMN. They are so bangin!
Am I that vain?? You f*cking bet. LOL. So, ahora I'm rodando en azul. (hope I said that correctly Simon). More work coming soon... But I'm lovin it!
Huh?? What's so different? Take a closer look. Here's El Gigantes last week.
You rolling?? You down? Well, let's get up!

Enrique.

H!

8ight Bit Love: Hayzee

2008-06-25T12:43:00.001-04:00

How do I start this?? Shouts to Kissey for such a priceless link. This is what I'm talking about. Honestly. That love. After kicking it @ the AIM Café for a few, she was like "You need to holla @ my man Hayzee." Oh yea?? So, in the next breath, she emails me this dude's work and his contact. So wrd. We offered goodbyes and she headed back to BMA and I, YYZ.
So, Hayzee is the name. That 8 Bit computer riddims is his "game". Pun fully intended. I know that some cats have messed with sampling games and all, but it doesn't oft sound that tight (Shouts to my man MAT64 who is killing on the game front, in a more classic style. Had a set @ the RBMA Lounge @ Sonar for those who might have been there).
In comes Hayzee with this wonderful arrangements. Are you kidding me?? What's up with the water in Holland?? I need to bring some back.
So Hayzee emails me and is like... "Lemme know how you like it". Well. Here you go Hayzee. Praise onto you. Love it. Looking fwd to playing more or this man. Say wrd.
So could I really say anything else, but: Press Start?

Say wrd.

H!

It's all love: Friends n Fam

2008-06-24T08:57:00.010-04:00

Friends,
how many of us have them,
Friends,
Before we go any further let's be friends...

I will admit that I've amassed a few friends in my travels. But, I also ask you this: why the hell not?? I still recall Ghetto Gold's bewilderment when he sat down to have din din in London UK this year, only to be asked if he new this chap called "My Man Henri". He just laughed. Shouts to Ghetto Gold and Brad @ New Era!

But I also tell you this: I love to sit and chat life. If we somehow share interests, you will have mine as I enjoy personal perspective. All Day.
As such, I had been wanting to dedicate a section of my blogosphere to cats I like to kick it with. Whether it be music, art or just what they do. Be it that since turning my new leaf after the RBMA07, I have more than ever submerged and surrounded myself in music 1nce again. But I love it too much not to (reasons I have temporary contempt for work right now! ARGH!).

Rules are simple: there are none. Chat as you want, chat what you want and chat who you want.

With that, it's my pleasure to offer my space for the inaugural guest post to a fine young Swedish singer who's lovely music i came across not so long ago. But you know how this online life is: we're all neighbors. So I knocked on her door one day asking for a splash of coffee (I put it in my hot choco soy), and guess what? She was home. We have since then kicked whenever possible. ;)

To inaugurate my friends & fam column, special guest blogger, Kissey Asplund, as she chats about the ladies in her life. ;)

My women, Henri!

Henri have you check these ladies out? I know that you proberbly have, but let me post about them on here. Sweden seems to be pulling out some nice cards in the music world right now but there are 3 ladies that had the taste of Swedish soil that are doing GREAT things. 1 ahead and 1 upcoming and 1 is a real little teaser

Miss lady 1

Yarah Bravo.

Queen of London, The One Self MC, Dj Vadim’s sidekick, fashionlady and more, more, more
Latest news : She’s Touring Brazil
Latest single: 6toys feat Yarah Bravo – Wanna Ride

One of my favorites: KidKanevil feat Yarah – Fire

Ok.

Miss lady 2

Fatima

Myspace // Blog

MC and songstress that works with Hudson Mohawke. She’s one of the says ooops!'ers, IG Culture brought her with him and his ”bring the noise” to Cameroon etc etc e t c

Latest news: Coming to LA!

Want to hear some? Download this radio link with ”Alexander the nut” on Rinse.fm

Finally and the biggest teaser of them all:

Miss lady 3

Rahel

No! it’s not the Rahel that sings the magical vocals for Erik Lau. This is another beautiful lady that sits here in Sweden and doesn’t make a lot of noize. But people, people go up on her myspace and have a listen. I’ve just fallen in love with her and I can’t stop listening at all…. She’s so cute! But a teaser. We are awaiting the first release from this lady still ...

Shouts to Kissey for the love. All day. Where's that Rustie joint?? HOLLA! BTW, if you've not picked up some of Kissey's riddims, you're not living right. I've chatted this in the past, and even more distant past, so go nuts.

H!

El Gigantes

2008-06-21T19:08:00.005-04:00

Indeed.

This is big.

I have been looking to shape up and get some exercise. It's been years since I've done anything meaningful, and had been looking around to see what my options were. Club flyers this, club flyers that - to many gyms and none were that close to my place. Oddly, after an appt, I had gone to a bike shop to look @ a few selections. Bike were far from the 2 wheeled vehicle that i recall as a youth. You can easily ¢pend on one and be like, wtf?!?! This is a BIKE?!?! Anyhow, FFWD a few month, here I is... I present to you El Gigantes.

Lots of my pals have been on the fixie movement, and I was hesitant and possibly even unwilling @ one time of making that move and commitment. But, I did favor the mechanical simplicity that a fixie offered. So after looking around and riding a few, I did it.

I also went ahead and replaced the handle bar with a straight one and some Azul grips. ;). So today, I got the call from Pete's Bike shop on Bloor west and picked her up! Shouts to Chris, Lealand and Patrick for all the love and help.

It was a pretty close race as I was also looking @ a Trek Soho S and a Specialized as well. But this one was priced too well to pass up.

So, the plan is to ride in the AM or in the PM with a few who might want to come along. I just ask that you don't leave me behind. ;). I'm looking fwd to my new found fitness.

So in the spirit of the ride, take in this beat by man CuppCave. Mach Riding!

Palabra!

H!

Ya Girl's Fave Color

2008-06-19T06:16:00.006-04:00

Is Blue.

But is it Tiffany Blue?? Topaz, Summer Sky or is it Tarheel Blue?

It's just Blu. Say wrd.

As sad as I am for now being in BCN right now with all my EU friends and fam, all is love. I can't be mad @ work for ever, feel me?!?! Like my man Jay said - next year. Do or quit. ;)
But the best part is that I'll be in town to catch the Blu show. Sin duda.

So tomorrow, your man Blu is in town. That wll be tight. Not seen my man Blu in a hot min. In fact, the last time I saw my man, it was in a quick surprise stop in LA in Nov last year. Little party with my man Waajeed. Shouts to Ta'Raach & Coultrain. Big shouts to SwitchBlade for holding me down! ;).

Will be nice to catch up to a dude for real. The same year, we rocked a small show w/ my man Black Milk in Las Vegas for Magic. ARGH! Sorry I woke you up dude! Hope you kept that LV permit. LOL!

Shouts to JK. Too bad you can't make it JK. I'll catch up with you soon! All will be love

Blu has been that buzzword for more than a min. Below The Heavens was a sleeper and than slowly just creeped up on cats like BAM.

If you haven't checked it yet, tomorrow night will be your chance @ redemption still. He'll be rolling with MC/Producer Mainframe who was also @ the LV show.

So man, do the do. Just reach tomorrow @ El Mo. Below the heavens will feel like the real thing.

So as a parting shot, lemme hit the mandem with a banger w/ your man Blu. One of my faves right now. My fave color indeed. Shouts to FlyLo.

See you tomorrow night. ;)

H!

Crush! Kill! Destroy Stress!

2008-06-14T21:25:00.007-04:00

You f*cking know it. (sorry).

Man, this had been a sh*tty end of week. Work has been a touch more trying that it should be. My hopes of an EU tour of duty got thrown out like Hillary's bid for the presidency. For real. But, as usual, the sun shines upon a man and I have nothing to say or do but to smile and hop on the Spaniard and ride.

Was feeling very retro today. Almost coincidently, I was feeling very anti-street wear as JR Ewing has been of late. Enough with that sh*t. I had to bring back to the jersey (Peace to the pure shooters: Allan Houston all day) and the matching kicks ni**a! Hugging the block all day and stay ghe-tto like plastic cups...

So why did Cheese have to rock a pair of orange kicks as I did?? WTF is that all about?? Someone else got orange joints?? ARGH. All love my dude.

But for real, today was so lovely. Rode like a champ on the streets, was chilling by the Nike MMVA gifting suite all day, and drank vodka redbulls. Say wrd.

This all came after my new beta mxtp that I recorded just hours earlier. More on that later.

The block was pretty hot. We sat and ppl watched the whole time, listening to bands rehearsing for the mess that will be Queen St for the MMVAs that go down tomorrow. I forget how crazy Queen gets on a Saturday, esp when it's nice out.

But for the most part, watching ppl come thru the suite and running into old cats was always love. Your boy Bug Sox aka Big Sock-it-To 'EM aka Saukrates came thru. Been a minute my dude. Wont' say anything about the tight clothes though. Holy role reversal. Looking fwd to the new record dude. Say wrd.

Shouts to the P and Killa.

Shouts my man Tòmas for his 4 yrs of laboring. He's now a U of T grad. Say wrd. 4 yrs already?? That's nuts. I guess that's what 4 yrs of hard schooling will get you my dude: a pretty pink bag from Holt Renfrew. ;)

Extra big shout to ChuckY. Always hard @ work dude. Let's have some ALive chats soon dude. 7 Lite all day.

Anyhow, as usual there's an overabundance of activities tonight: NXNE showcase w/ PPP. Say wrd 'Jeed. Buckshot and 9th Wondra are @ Harborfront. Oh yea, Junior Reid is there as well... One Bloodclawt! And there's more... The night's bound to be hot as usual.

Where's the afterparty??

Holla if you know. I love these days....

Hza!

H!