This is my boy Nick Ngo of The Bangerz & 17 Hertz Recording Studio.  The other weekend, phenom photographer Mark Sebastian followed him throughout the day @ Hot Import Nights, and Nick shows you how we handles biz during a recession.  Most people like to keep their money…maybe save it.  But Nick, he likes to throw his money into large crowds..  This goes to show that the man is doin’ something right, when you take calculated risks, have a monster hustle mentality, and a ‘never say die’ attitude.  Major Major Major Props to Nick for always holding down, like no one else can. And as always, major props to Mark Sebastian for keeping folks in the photography game, on their toes.!

The Bangerz :: Wanna Act Loco :: (originally started off by Nick)

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Took this back in ’05 @ Meezy’s when I first started learning After Effects.  Khmer Apsara heads, tagging sesh’s with sharpies, wacom pen, packed bowls, scratch sessions, painting sessions… I think i had just come back from Cambodia with an urge to destroy.  I was there almost a month, with a large amount of reflection time, and was contemplating what I wanted to do in life.  These are the some of the objects I surrounded myself with at the time..  Even though he was my boss, I give it up to Meezy for really lettin me be me in the work environment.  I was 1000% creative when I was there..  Sometimes i wish i could go back to capture that feeling.  Anyway…  this song kinda takes you back.. not necesarilly 05… but it just gives you a nostalgic feeling.  oldies.. duh.

Santo & Johnny :: Sleep Walk :: Download

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This wasn’t too long ago, but here’s some footage of Don and I postin’ by the Golden Gate Bridge on the 4th of July. A little somethin’ to hold you over till the next Music Machine update.

Illa J :: Swagger

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Atmopshere :: Lucy Ford :: Between The Lines

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Sketchbook & Notes :: I grew to not like lines in my notebooks & sketchbooks.  I naturally enjoyed the challenge of writing as straight as i could.  And as a right handed person, i hold the pen like a left hander.  Anyway, i like this sketch cuz it brought my notes to life.  And i barely realized i spelled the word ‘exhausted’ wrong.  I look at this now, n see how all the ways it can move.

Lateef of Latyrx Sketch :: Loved the Latyrx album, especially the self-titled track.  hearing Lyrics Born & Lateef at the same time was a trip, and the last verse sold me.  Too bad they fell the fuck off.  I was really rooting for Lateef to come through, but oh well, least this sketch did him justice, even though you can’t tell that its him.

B-Boy Remind | Mos Def | Kam 2 :: Between, charcoal, brush pen & sharpie, I’d have to say that the brush pen is my favorite.. When you know how to flick it just right, it gives you the illest thick and thin markings.  And for some reason i still do clouds, arrows and faces…  One day i’ll go back to doing portraits.

Figure Drawing :: I miss these days in figure drawing sessions.. and not cuz im some perv, but because, drawing the human form has a therapeutic quality to it.  Exceptions when it’s no longer therapeutic, is when you’re drawing a dude, in some abstract pose, with his sphincter is all up in the air. No bueno.  But for the most part, hashing out the gesture, giving it rhythm, overlapping lines to suggest form, and being assertive with each stroke, is a healthy challenge for the hands and eyes. Plus it’s real pimp to stunt with hand skills.

Concept sketch for a Painting :: This did become a painting, and I actually remember painting it at MeezyArt one night,  when they all left to go clubbing.  The final didn’t look anything this detailed.  But the mood it conveyed, with the colors made the sloppy/unfinished painting a good one.  I tend to stick to primaries when painting.

I got to catch up with up and coming hustler/director of photography/producer Marco Bercasio earlier last week, and he stunted with his new Sony EX3. The features on this monster are crazy! The time lapse options are sooo sick, and the footage he shot while in the Phillippines was extraordinary.  Can’t wait to be a part of a project using this bad boy.

Slum Village :: Get Dis Money

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Here’s an older storyboard for the Music Machine project.. We’re almost there!!! and I aint shaving till it’s done! Thats my word.  Be ready to witness the exclusive premiere at the next Music Machine in August.  Goldenchyld just went in on the audio, and it’s taking on a whole other life form.

Electrik Red :: “P is for Power” INSTRUMENTAL :: Download - No Knows Dope July

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J Dilla :: Jay Stay Paid :: “KJay & We Out”

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Melanie Fiona & The Illadelphonics :: “Heartless” :: Download Mixtape

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If you’re a dancer, and you DON’T KNOW about Housing Authority, and you’ve never seen this clip..? Shame on you. Housin’ Authority, from Richmond CA, held it down many years ago, before this latest trend of hip-hop dancing even emerged.

This clip was originally off of a Style Elements video: “Strategic Monsters”, where Remind & Crumbs from SEC actually battle Housing Authority. Whats incredible about this battle, is that it was 2 completely different dance styles going at it with each other. Pure B-Boying versus Pure Hip Hop. This made a lasting impression in my memory of the Golden Era of Hip-Hop. At the time, this clip could have possibly ignited a lot of crews to surface. It definitely made an impact on mine.

Some Housin’ Authority members are Flii Styles, Rich & Tone who were behind David La Chapelle’s movie “Rize,” and of course Super Dave. They’ve been infamous for teaching the likes of Michael Jackson & Usher…

This video is circa 94-96.  I wish i could post the battle between the 2 groups.. but I guess you’ll have to cop the Strategic Monsters DVD, to witness the historic battle.

Galt MacDermont :: Space

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This is VESL Studios, having a little fun with Bottle Rockets & Tecate on a warm Bay Area night.  I witnessed a bottle rocket explode in Val’s hand and burn a hole in her nylon nikita jacket.  Tone was javeling rockets.  Steve was aiming at pedestrians & neighbors. And Erik seems to now be the resident pyrotechnic of the crew, as well as official iphone/glowstick dancer.  Remember to check out the VESL 2009 LookBook.

Also, a MAJOR SHOUT OUT goes to FlavorInnovator for being accepted into the world renowned KDU. The Keystone Design Union is the avante garde of contemporary design, housing a collective of many of the  world’s elite designers.  Steve just so happens to be one of them now, so… “bow in the presence of greatness!” Much props brotha! This is Major in So Many Ways.

Kid Cudi :: Catch Up

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Dandiggity stopped by Stab Labs to enlighten us about the APIA Poetry Summit, that will be held out here in the Bay Area. Some words from Diggity ::

What’s good y’all? You’re watching a clip my boy Ra took of me during a rooftop session in San Francisco. I’m spitting poetics about an upcoming event I been working on with my friends, the 2009 APIA Spoken Word & Poetry Summit. This bi-annual gathering of poets, writers, and activist of asian and pacific islander backgrounds was created in 2001 to bring these people of color together in solidarity and unity. We just trying to build commmunity y’all! So if you want to check out more about it, hit up the website www.APIAsummit.com and learn the history of our peoples movement!

G-Wrex of The Bangerz, just put out a collab mix with Blind I For the Kids, and of course we had to repost here.  G-Wrex has been handlin biz for a minute and shining at his event STRUT in SF.  Germel and I go way back to the days of Boogie Unit, which was our highschool dance crew.  Shouts to The UNIT!  And his son Air Max, has taken on padiwaning under the Jabbawockeez.  Rhythm is definitely in the blood of this family.  Enjoy :: Fly & Saucy Vol. 1