NVR OVR

Go To Work feat. Pimps of Joytime - JBoogie's Dubtronic Science (Dj Eleven Remix)

2011-11-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Claps, snaps and lunch table boom baps.

This morning I came across Dj Eleven's remix of "Go To Work feat. The Pimps of Joytime by J Boogie's Dubtronic Science.

At first listen, it feels like a good night percolating with the promise of welcome consequences. Beckoning synths, sharply timed drum programing, and a clever vocal chop color the elevated feel of this track, then Eugene Tambourine's keys do work to take it there. Hear we see a Dj Eleven that is reverently citing his sources of electric funk party music that set a thousand funky rap tunes in orbit... a wink backward to boogie forward.

download it here

Remixes are an exhibition of choices. Dj Eleven made some damn good ones here.

Infact, he's celebrated for making excellent choices... night after night and on 11.11.11.

-WillieMaze.

Josie Stingray - Got To Get It [video]

2011-06-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

New video dope from Josie Stingray of The Honor Roll crew! Dope how she casually flexes brilliance and references to her devastating shoe game. Been one of my favorite MCs since I first heard her in 2007 or so...

Can't wait to release our collaborative project that's yet to be named. It's KILLING me to hold on to the first three tracks... nothing I've heard in the last few years is as well written, passionately delivered, and styled the f*ck out! If you're hungry for what rap has been missing... look no further. Trackademicks is jokingly listing it in the Honor Roll vault as "The adventures of Josie Maze and WillieStingray." Ha.

More soon!
-wm1200

Last Donut of the Night [video]

2011-06-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Last Donut of the Night from Tuomas Vauhkonen on Vimeo.

Whatever happened to "bad cop no donut?" Good fan video though...

Sprinkle East New York (Remix)

2011-06-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

Just a quick remix/blend I made while making a mix to bring in the first day of Summer. Classic Group Home track with Dj Premier production meets my favorite E-40 verse with his sister Suga T. While stylistically different, the tones and Summer-y feel of the production and playerlistic stylings of 40 Water and his sister somehow work and tonally compliment one another, so much that I thought I'd share. Not a game changer, but I like it, if only for a smile.

Laughed for the entire 15 minutes of design time for the graphic. Stay tuned...

Sprinkle East NY (WillieMaze Refix) - E-40 feat. Suga T
Sprinkle East NY (Dj WillieMaze Remix) by WillieMaze

Vhils. This is Beautiful.

2011-03-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

Orelha Negra - M.I.R.I.A.M. X Vhils aka Alexandre Farto from Vhils on Vimeo.

Big up Vhils, aka Aleandre Farto and his cache of what I assume are shape charges.

Thanks Brent for spreading the good news.

TDK - Life On Record - Nas

2011-01-23T13:45:00.000-08:00

This is dope, tapes were a way of life. TDK was ubiquitous in those days, as a brand of choice, but also in graffiti where I grew up near the 23rd street yards. Those yards were the center of Oakland's graffiti culture and inevitably someone, usually Dream, would hold court and tell stories and we'd end up listening and laughing rather than painting. Dope to hear Nas look back on the days when cassettes were the method of capturing and sharing music. Nas and TDK better hope the RIAA isn't listening.

-wm.

Daft Punk - Drezzed

2010-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

DP-DRZD
Uploaded by rockohoward. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

So geeked for the new Tron! The Tron future has had huge influence on me from my youth, helped inform my sense of aesthetics, and was my favorite arcade game... totally wide eyed and excited all over again. Hope cheezy Hollyweird one liners don't ruin it for me.

New Willie Maze Logo(s)

2010-11-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

I been kicking around some designs for a new Willie Maze logo… The DJ handle comes from my favorite and perhaps the best baseball player ever to do it, Willie Mays. I’ve been staring a the MUNI logo since i first rode the damn thing as a kid, baffled by the super summer of loveish logo, and once I figured it out, decided it was so appropriate for the city, and was reddish and later orange for the Giants. I always wanted to flip it over, and with a few adjustments, you got a perdy good WM logo. *baang* That's gonna be make a sick sticker for a record label.

Ambigrams! They're called f*cking ambigrams. The first two letters of my handle also have an ambigrambic quality, when stacked and create hella possiblities for design. Here's one...

Here's a tune in honor of my style idol, and the best to ever do it.

Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song) - The Treniers

Ason Jones - Raekwon

2010-11-19T12:39:00.001-08:00

Raekwon - "Ason Jones" from kinetikcinematix on Vimeo.

Rae puts it in perspective. We all know the feeling.

Dj Willie Maze - Sister Music (Music Er'Body Sister Like) cir. 2001

2010-05-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

What up Fam... in 2001(pre-Serato) I recorded this mixtape (really a tape!) in honor of my sister Adeline, using records I figured she'd dig (thanks for put'n me up on Tribe when we were kids!). It's a trip looking back at old mixes... I can hear how fun this was to make. It's got an ORIGINAL Goapele track we recorded in Dj Fuze/Namane's basement closet that was also my first time behind the boards mixing her vocals, also what we usta call "remixes" mixed live that are now 'mashups' or 'blends,' and a grip of dynamite soul and rappity rap that has stood the test of time. Yowza!

All told, it was a good project that never saw a whole lot of daylight. If you like it, please share it and spread love. Thanks!

-Willie Maze

WillieMaze - "Sister Music" mix

Download it here.
Tracklist:
Erykah Badu - Bag Lady
Angie Stone - Keep Your feat. Guru (R.I.P.)
Pharoah Monch - The Light
Jill Scott - Love Rain (WilieMaze Re-Work)
N'dea Davenport - Sweet Misery
Talib Kweli - I'm On My Way
Musiq - Sunny (Just Friends)
Outkast - Ms. Jackson
Dj Quik - Well
Whitney Houston - Fine
De La Soul - All Good? feat. Chaka Kahn
Angie Stone Everyday (WillieMaze Remix)
Common - Funky For You
Raekwon - Ghetto
Goapele - Low Down (WillieMaze Exclusive)
Lenny Kravitz - I Belong To You
Zion I - Venus
Toshi Kubota - Nothing But Your Love
Wycleff Jean feat. Mary J. Blige - 911
Bilal - Soul Sister

ps. Wish I still had the tape jacket! If you got one, please holler.

also: GOAPELE has a show coming up in Oakland May 13tha & 14th @ The New Parish! Don't miss it! Get tix here!

"...Master of None" Art Exhibition by WillieMaze aka Marty Aranaydo

2010-05-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

What up Fam, I've been painting alot lately, and somehow talked my friends at Somar Bar where I spin Fridays into letting me show some new work. I was really inspired by the big walls and good lighting, and created a series of new, big works that will be exhibited at their space for the month of May. The show opens officially today, with a reception from 5pm-9pm. I'll post photos of the work soon!
Ugh, i hate writing Bios, but had to craft one for this show. Here it is, I'm presenting it in an effort to get accustomed to doing so... please forgive.

"Martin Aranaydo is a mixed media artist with a strong focus on painting. A descendant of Native American and Philippino dissidents, his work navigates the universes he walks in. He has made art in Oakland, San Francisco, and many American cities for a lifetime and has written graffiti for 20 years as a protégé of the late Mike “Dream” Francisco. His work can be seen on Bay Area walls and in protests and direct actions across the US and Canada. Martin Aranaydo lives and paints Oakland, and is soon moving to Hawaii to contribute to the freedom struggle of the Hawaiian people."

This show will consist of a series of paintings.

Layers of "Self Portrait" from Willie Maze on Vimeo.

Hope you can stop by and check 'em out! They'll be up thru the end of May.

"...Master of None" Art Exhibition by Martin WillieMaze Aranaydo
Somar Bar
1727 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, Ca!

Welcome Home AKIL!

2010-04-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, massive love and hellllla respect to everyone for supporting Dream Day 2010. I wanted to tell this story when Dream Day was happening, but kept it tight in lieu of legal repurcussions. Now that this tough situation is resolved, I'm more than happy and proud to tell you EXACTLY where your hard earned and heartfelt $upport went. . Now that Akil is home where he belongs, Lil John, Dreams brother, thought it would be good to let yall know.

Akil's mother, Nikki Sellers, moved with Akil to Wisconsin to be with her family as soon as she found out that she had breast cancer and she didn't have long to live. Tragically, when she passed, Nikki's father and mother wanted to keep Akil and raise him, contrary to Nikki's wishes and as stated in her will. Akil who was held against his wishes, wanted desperately to come home and cried every night to Lil John, who has raised him with Nikki ever since Dream was murdered. A custody battle ensued, and legal fees amassed (and still a ways to go). Akil only 10 years old, had lost both parents, and was being held against his will in Wisconsin, away from his family and all he knows. By the time I heard, Dream Day planning was already in motion, and the pressure was on to make Dream Day amazing and raise money the family needs. The money raised from Dream Day 2010 went DIRECTLY to paying the lawyer who got the case thrown out, and Akil was brought home in a few days after Dream Day! I'm really proud to be a part of the community of people who tweeted, facebooked, commented, blogged, attended and dropped money in the milkcrate and made Dream Day a success. You've transformed a tragedy into a good and beautiful deed. Your support brought a kid who had been through more than his share, home to this community who will continue to raise and support him... in his mother and fathers honor.
Thank You.
The Dream Kontinues....
-Willie Maze aka Marty Aranaydo.

Extra huge thanks to: The New Parish fam, Dj Apollo, Dj Sake One, Dj ShortKut, Dj Platurn, Dj Qbert, Dj Myke One, Fresh Analog Music Experience (F.A.M.E.), The Bangerz (Cutso & Squareweezy), Equipto, Bored Stiff, Mike Marshall, Big G of the 808 Band, TDK dudes for the art, Estria, Bam, Gilad of Live Venu, Namane, Sele Nadel-Hayes, Oakland City Council Woman Nancy Nadel, and the thousands more who supported...

Catch some of the performances and goodness courtesy of LiveVenu.com (THANKS GILAD!)

The City of Oakland honors "DREAM DAY"

2010-02-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

Lookout world, this may be a first. The City of Oakland has officially proclaimed February 17th, 2010 "DREAM DAY" in honor of outlaw artist and rebel graffiti writer Mike "Dream" Francisco. Its HELLA official... gold leaf proclamation states:

CITY OF OAKLAND
City Council Proclamation

PROCLAMATION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MICHAEL “DREAM” FRANCISCO
WHEREAS, it is my privilege and pleasure to recognize the life and contributions of Michael “Dream” Francisco; and

WHEREAS, DREAM was born on August 15, 1969 in Vallejo, California to parents Irene Francisco-Ancheta and Sergio G. Francisco and raised with brothers John Francisco, Kenny Ancheta, and Dexter Francisco and step-father Sonny Ancheta; and

WHEREAS, DREAM was an Oakland artist, writer, father, and community member who pioneered the art form of “graffiti” on the West Coast; and

WHEREAS, DREAM used the power of his art to convey messages to the greater society, connecting and raising the sights of a broad community voice, unifying people from vastly different backgrounds, and taking a stand against nuclear proliferation, police violence, colonialism, cigarette companies for unfairly targeting communities of color; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1983, DREAM became recognized as one of the Bay Area’s stylistic innovators, organizing and participating in gallery installations such as “No Justice, No Peace – Word from the underground” (1993) and “Amerikan Terrorism – Shadows on the Global Street” (1995), globally-recognized murals including the 1993 memorial mural for Plan Bee, which spoke out against gun violence, and collaborations with Oakland and Bay Area musicians featured in music videos and on album covers; and

WHEREAS, DREAM challenged young people and his peers to determine their own pathways in life, through revolutionary literacy, pride in culture and history, respect for the family, conscious living, and lifelong learning; and

WHEREAS, DREAM took great pride in his Pinoy roots, and embraced other cultures by building bridges between the Black and Asian/Pacific Islander communities in Oakland and throughout the Bay Area; and

WHEREAS, DREAM earned the 1995 Precita Eyes Youth Mural Arts Award and 2001 Best of the Bay Award for Visual Arts; and

WHEREAS, DREAM gave lectures on graffiti to students at the University of California at Berkeley, Laney College, and the Eastside Arts Alliance and was featured in numerous films and documentaries, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s production Roots, Rhymes + Rage: The Hip-Hop Story; and

WHEREAS, DREAM’s murder on February 17, 2000 was Oakland’s twelfth homicide that year and sparked a renewed focus on anti-gun violence in the Oakland community; and

WHEREAS, DREAM, the TDK “The Dream Continues” crew honors DREAM’s life and work in the forthcoming book “The Title of My Book Reads: Advanced Vandalism”; and

WHEREAS, DREAM’s fiancé, Nicole Sellers lost her battle with breast cancer this year, their larger community has re-pledged their commitment to support Dream’s brother John in caring for their son; and

WHEREAS, DREAM’s son, Akil Francisco, continues as an artist and future community leader in father’s legacy, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the City of Oakland recognizes the great contributions of the arts and community that DREAM brought to Oakland and encourages all to join us in declaring and celebrating February 17, 2010 MICAEL “DREAM” FRANCISCO DAY.

Nancy J. Nadel
Councilmember, District 3

Wow.

Vogue and I got it framed and we presented it to Dream's Brothers and Neice at the Dream Day throwdown!

In recognition of the occasion, the TDK CrewFamilyMassive are continuously creating art for the entire 24 hours of Feb. 17th, 2010. Check back for updates, images and video... I hear it started exactly as the time went from 11:59 to 12 midnight!

For your listening pleasure, DJ SakeOne CFD, during the first few hours of Dream Day busted this dope soundtrack for the 24 hour celebration! All tunes are TDK associated/inspired... Thanks Sake!

SakeOne - "Tha' Dream Kontinues" Mix
free download: CLICK HERE

DREAM DAY 1O: Honoring the Life & Legacy of Mike "Dream" Francisco

2010-02-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

"Dream Day" Celebrating the life and legacy of Mike "Dream" Francisco
February 5th, 2010

@ The New Parish
579 18th St. @ San Pablo Ave

Oakland, California
Art Reception 5pm-9pm, All Ages, Free
Showtime 9pm-2am, $10 (dontations accepted) All Ages (with parent)

Art exhibition by TDK crew + more

Music by DJs: Apollo, ShortKut, Sake One, Fuze, Myke One, Platurn, Namane, and Willie Maze. Live drums by: Big G of the 808 Band

Performances by: Equipto, F.A.M.E. and The Bangerz.

The Bay Area's best DJs and Artists have assembled to pay tribute to life and legacy of Oakland's beloved Graffiti King and Bay Area legend, Mike "DREAM" Francisco. Recognized worldwide as a style master, Dream's graffiti established the visual aesthetic of Oakland's Hip Hop culture, and put The Town on the map in what is now the fastest growing art movement in human history.

This event marks ten years since Dream was tragically murdered in a robbery on February 17, 2000. All DJs, Performers, and organizers will be donating their skills to benefit Akil Francisco, Dream's only son (now 10 years old) who also just lost his mother to breast cancer in January.

Mike Dream’s use of a temporary and renegade art form created a lasting legacy of radical education, social justice, speaking truth, and creative self expression. His life and work continue to inspire thousands and bring pride to his community. The TDK crew is also proud to announce the forthcoming book on Dream's art and life: “The Title of My Book Reads: Advanced Vandalism.”

If you are unable to attend and want to support, please make checks out to: The Dream Trust Fund, or Akil Francisco.
Checks can be mailed to:

Irene Francisco-Ancheta
427 Central Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501

Thank you,
-TDK CrewFamilyMassive

IF THIS WAS '92 THEY WOULDA BEAT YO ASS

2010-01-31T03:07:00.000-08:00

Dom Kennedy ruling outta Venice... Shouts to my homie Sharon, Activista House, I wouldn't know the feeling this video exudes without time well spent a block from the sand. Shouts to Dream and PakOne TDK who painted with me at Venice back when it was all good!

DIGITAL BLACKBOOK

2010-01-27T04:57:00.000-08:00

The Future looks pretty damn cool right about now...

Graffiti Analysis 2.0: Digital Blackbook from Evan Roth on Vimeo.

Graff eye candy as we gear up for Dream Day 2010, honoring the life and legacy of Oakland/The Bay's undisputed graffiti style master, Mike "Dream" Francisco. Many posts to follow about DREAM DAY, its Super dope line-up of Graff Artists, performers, DJ's and other goodies... hold tight.

DREAM DAY
Feb. 5th, 2010
6pm-2am
The New Parish
579 18th Street @ San Pablo Ave.
Oakland, Ca

Mark sure you're there!

Rad Omen - Rad Anthem

2010-01-13T14:55:00.000-08:00

RAD OMEN - "Rad Anthem" from Nicholaus Goossen on Vimeo.

New electro dope from Troublemaker out of LA. The track is dope, the video is hilarious and well done. SEARCH, PARTY, & DESTROY with the fast food boys. Enjoy/Support/Holler.

Download: Rad Omen - Rad Anthem / alt link
Caught wind of this on Chrome Kids, stay gold.

MTN MUTE BUTTON

2010-01-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

Big up Photoshop for the redux...

The release of the MTN MUTE button has a lot of writers like myself hollerin' GENIUS. Apparently after talking to my yout MIGUEL he was like, "yeah, i usually just use grab a magnet from wherever." *Bubble bursts* Guess the real genius is marketing it! Coming soon to a distributor near you... remember, real killers move in silence!

UPDATE: I was informed that citizens may not know what the fuck this means, so *for the non-writer* The agitator (metal ball)that mixes the spraypaint is held in place and kept quitet by this nifty magnet you can buy from your local montana retailer, or just take a powerful joint off your ‘Fridge and voila… happy hissing sound with no pesky rattle.

Get yours at MTN COLORS South (SF) City!

In the meantime, enjoy this dope KING BRITT graff anthem off of When The Funk Hits The Fan. Got it off his blog, reassuring to know the DJ/Graff connection is still strong. Philly, I see yawl.

King Britt - Taggin' & Braggin' feat. Capitol A

CaliWay - J-Billion, 1O.A.K. & Spank Pops

2010-01-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

"CaliWay"-J Billion ft Spank Pops & 1 O.A.K from Vinroc on Vimeo.

again apologies on the late pass...

Salute to Dj Vinroc, J-Billion, 1O.A.K. & Spank Pops for capturing Summer and re-creating it sonicly (nothing short of F'n magic!). The That's That Records team took it even further and made the perfect call to shoot the video at the quintessential Bay Area slice of life "Dooinit In The Park"... it almost hurts to watch it in what seems to be the coldest winter in recent memory. Maybe if I play this more often it'll warm things up out this piece!

The song is available on iTunes so go get it!

1O.A.K. - Love Cats

2010-01-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

1 O.A.K. - Lovecats from The Mighty Fifty on Vimeo.
1O.A.K. performs live, download the orginal below.

Honor Rollers, forgive my tardiness... (I got a note stating technical difficulties.)

Lateness aside, I'm going on the record FULLY endorsing the head-nod, slap and soulful vocals 1O.A.K. and Trackademicks brought to the loved/hated Cure version. The HNRL version really takes Lovecats in a new direction (hairspray and white hi-tops to fitted caps & t-shirts) while amplifying a proper dose of sexy that the playful original obscures with it's sexy lyrics & goofy tune. Looking forward to the forthcoming "covers" project from Trackadeezy and 1O.A.K.

Download: 1-O.A.K.- "Lovecats" (prod by Trackademicks)

Dezzy Dez [Video Interview] Circa 1983

2009-11-25T09:23:00.000-08:00

Amazing footage I've never seen! Dezzy Dez (aka. Kay Slay The Drama King) breaks it down...

...Dez's interview gives you a good look at the foundation of graffiti culture, the words we live and die by.

So much of what is expressed here was what I learned at Oakland's famed 23rd Street Yards(R.I.P.) on the other side of the country; under Maestros like Dream TDK, Poem HS, Vogue QMC, Krash BSK, and Spie TMC to name a few. Now that 23rd is defunkt (paint yeah, hang out, no) there's a void in the tradition that hundreds, maybe thousands of writers were schooled, made mistakes and proved themselves one way or another. I wonder where the Bay's new frontline of writers are getting put up on what this Writing thing is all about and how the game goes. I came into Graffiti writing about 8 years after this interview was given, and seeing it now, I can definitely say it was carried almost exactly to the letter (no pun intended)... It remains to be seen what the effect the internet has on todays new guard. Time will tell.

-W.Maze

Big up Ket and 12 Oz. Prophet who's dope blog I caught this on.

Let Me Take You To The Movies (Shorty)

2009-11-04T13:54:00.001-08:00

This video is surprisingly good. I laugh every time.
Big up Trackademicks for bringing this to my attention.

Willie Maze - The Extra hOur (mix)

2009-11-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

What up Fam, daylight savings is upon us, and I'll spare you any "fall back" wordplay.
Kasha told me I have an "extra hour" today, so I thought I'd share some music. The first song that came to mind was something I have only on vinyl, so i figured I'd keep it that way throughout. Selections are also pretty autobiographical, songs that made me want to DJ in one way or another. One Take Willie aka Willie Maze lightweight mixed it in a stream of conciousness... this is what it sounds like.

Willie Maze - The Extra hOur

Download it here.

TrackList:
1. Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane - Abide With Me
When I'm dead and in a box, I wanna hear this.

2. E-40 - Earl... That's Your Life
Earl is totally at home at this tempo. Styling super hard. "Yeah, Too $hort, bust adlibs on my shit... " Classic. Besides, how many rappers gonna tell you their gov't name?

3. Just Ice - Going Way Back

4. Aretha Franklin - Baby I Love You
My girl was listening whilst I was recording. (Aww...)

5. Planet Asia - Moonlight Melodic Rush
Audible hunger in this mans verses was amazing at this stage.

6. Mistah F.A.B. - If "IF" Was A Fifth
F.A.B. tells us about the future and makes some good points about the past too... and about Trina's ass.

7. Jr. Walker & The All-Stars - Cleo's Mood
This is my pops copy of this record, the pops and scratches tell you how well loved it was in our house.

8. Joseph Malik - Take It All In and Check It All Out
Bay Area Hip Hop Coalition record pool rando record. I instantly liked it, didn't go to the dollar bin at amoeba.

9. Goapele - Higher (Closer Amp Live Remix)
Amp Live's production brings a more than worthy tangent to Closer. King Britt made a dope Closer remix that I also felt coulda seen a lot more daylight.

10. Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Everyday People
Another one of my pops records, love this track cuz it sounds like they coulda been playing this song for hours and decided to start recording. The song fades in and out... so they just may have kept on playing it. I'd love to get my hands on the entire session...

11. Volume 10 - Pistol Grip Pump (UK Jazz Remix)
The original version is so classic, I rarely play it out anymore, but UK Jazz Mix? That goes too!

12. Dj Lengua - Pacheco's Cumbia Squares (Remix)
This track gets me everytime, this is what I like to call PsyCumbia. Mexican space funk also works. Dj Lengua says Unicornio Records has more projects coming soon, new Dj Lengua and a kid called Chicano Batman. Get familiar.

13. Jay Dee - Fuck The Police
Needed to play this since I got harassed earlier this week. Apparently "am I under arrest" sounds like "stand me next to the other brown men in a lineup while someone in a car looks us over" to a cop. Yeah, fuck 'em.

14. Grand Master Caz and Chris Stein - Wild Style Subway Rap 2
The talking in the background makes me laugh. I needed some good advice after the FTP moment.

15. Havana - Tangled
Matthew Africa bought this for me in the dollar bin at Amoeba, Nicolay production Havana sounds great over. Figured if it was that important... Matthew has his reasons.

16. Masta Ace Incorporated- The Phat Kat Ride (I.N.C. Ride Remix)
Sounds like this Sunday, sun's just breaking. Can't beat it for the Left Eye reference.

17. Otis Redding - Groove Me
Been listening to this song my whole life, just now hitting me that this song reminds me of the love of my life right now! Awesome!

18. The Roots - Long Time feat. Peedi Peedi & Bunny Sigler
This
19. Joan Jett - Crimson and Clover
The first minute or so of this cover goes, then it gets dated real fast...

20. Mic Geronimo - Masta I.C.
One of the first records I ever mixed on two turntables. Last I saw the Masta I.C. he was on MTV as a former rapper talking about his relationship with his lady... whatever, this is dope!

21. E-Rule - Listen Up
I saw this record, and thought about how I've seen it used as crate cred (Synopsis is the A side) but I think Listen Up is played not nearly enough. E sounds like he could rap forever. The song is waaaay long.

22. O.C. - Word Life (Les Nubianes remix)
Is it safe to start playing this again? Nah, I think not. It became hella cliche to the headwraps and Common hat dudes back in the day... still dope tho.

"Golden" (Mix)

2009-10-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Big up the Fams Dmadness and Dj Zita who are having me guest with the homie Dj Vna at Golden their monthly SF throwdown at Lazlo in the Mission. D asked me a for a mix to "give the people a taste" so here goes... I'm tryna give you that G-G-Golden feeling in less than 15 minutes... to do that, I took various flavors from Shuggie Otis to The Jacka, trew'm in a pot and mixed for about 14 minutes... In one take, it came out sounding like this:

Willie Maze - G-G-Golden

Tracklist:
1. Timbaland feat. Drake - Say Something
2. Goapele - Milk and Honey (Sake One Re-Fix)
3. Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information
4. Sylvia Striplin - You Can't Turn Me Away
5. Michael Jackson - I Can't Help It
6. Spank Pops - Beautiful Noise
7. Jacka - Glamourous Lifestyle

Download it here.
See yall the November 21st @ Lazlo in La Mission SFC!

Rippin These Corny Ass Rappers is His Job

2009-10-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Came across this on Twitter. Casual letin'm know... hasn't lost a step.

"Skirrt!"

Estria Graffiti Battle 2009 (Update)

2009-10-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

Vogue TDK ?CREW 2009 Estria Graffiti Battle National Champion

Congratulations to Vogue TDK/?Crew on winning the 3rd Annual Estria Graffiti Battle! (Katch of Hawaii took 2nd)! Last Saturday, 20 graff writers from across the country came out to Lil' Bobby Hutton Park, aka Defermery Park in West Oakland to paint for the National finals of this now annual community event. The graff battle is a part of the Life is Living festival which featured Dj Sake One, performances by Kev Choice, Pharoah Monch, The Mighty 4 B-Boy Battle, and Town Park Skatejam. Yeah, it was a zoo!
Each writer was given 13 cans (Montana 94) to paint an 8'X8' canvas stretched on wooden cubes strewn across the park which was packed with community people on a really good vibe. Writers were given the word "Grow" to freestyle, manifiest, and inspire the community that's watching and interacting during the 5 hour time limit to complete work (it was tough for people like me who are from Oakland, stopping every 30 seconds to hit up a kids blackbook or give pounds and hugs to the fam). Every painter went went super hard this year, making this year's throwdown one for the books!

Since I didn't get to leave the confines of my cube, I'm glad my patna Scott LaRockwell did a bang-up job documenting the day, CHECK IT OUT. Some good shots in the SF Weekley blog too.

Refa TNS's piece was extra dope!

Big thanks to Estria/Bamuthi/Crew and all the volunteers for bringing it all together! This has quickly become my favorite annual community event! Stay up!

Love Me Right Here

2009-10-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

I don't believe in coincidence. There I was, listening to the Rich Harrison instrumental he did for Ur-sher, digging thru vinyl for a Jungle Brothers acapella when the 12" of Goapele's Love Me Right jumped up. Take my favorite G-rock jam (Love Me Right), add the acapella with Rich's production (Dat Girl Right There) get to choppin', mix it live on the tables, and Voilá! It's like Milk & Honey.

Goapele - Love Me Right Here (WillieMaze Remix)

Love Me Right is a dope song, off the Change It All Album. Get that if you aint got it.

Bobbito in OAKLAND!

2009-10-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

First off, CONGRATULATIONS are in order. Saturday marks the offical opening of The New Parish Music Hall, which i am proud to say, is owned by good people I cut my teeth with and my muhfuckin' Fam! I couldn't be more proud, and feel hella honored to be asked to open for Bobbito Garcia, Mr. Cucumber Slice himself. Bobbito is a giant in the field, and to have him open Oakland's newest music temple sets one HELL of a tone. Raise it up!

My favorite city in the World is going through some huge thangs right now... around the corner, Gentrification has the Fox Oakland Theater for its rock and alternative music fix, and there is a clear need for music and culture that comes for and by the people of Oakland. From the soil where Sweet Jimmy's once reigned, the opening of The New Parish means our Oakland has a new home for live music and world class entertainment.

Dj Willie Maze opens for Bobbito this Saturday! Get tickets HERE.

If you're on this blog, you know who Bobbito is, but if not...

Man Vs. Dog

2009-09-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

"It's been a long time, I shouldn'a left you..."

In this video, a strutting dog takes out a floor rocking man. The human's friend racializes it, then is like "That's it, no more- awww..." when round 3 resumes.

Shits and giggles, Im'a try and be better about posting. Stay tuned.

Lightweight Famous

2009-07-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

Big up to the crew, (WillieMaze, Kasha, Sele) of LIGHTWEIGHT RACIST on getting hit up in the BEST OF THE BAY in the East Bay Express...well, lightweight anyway.

IZ THE WIZ - REST IN PIECE

2009-06-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

"THIS IS IIIIIIIIIIIT, THIS IS IIIIIIIIIIIITTT!!!!" -IZ THE WIZ

Filmed 5 days before his passing into LEGEND.

I have been working with Frisco Graffiti's Spie One TMC/TDK/FC on the "DREAM TDK" book project this week, today he informed me that another King has passed on to join the ancestors. Our thoughts and prayers go out to IZ, his family and friends. IZ the WIZ was as central character to the foundation of Graffiti, not to mention the "Style Wars" Documentary which was a huge influence in my upbringing and thousands of other writers around the world.

The Roots - Act Too (Love Of My Life)

When the TDK crew put an held a memorial artshow to raise funds for DREAM's son and to fund a book/documentary of DREAM's work, IZ THE WIZ was there, sending original artwork to be auctioned off to support the cause. We will always remember IZ THE WIZ with honor and the utmost respect as a true Graffiti King and bad mother fucker.

“A lotta trains, a lotta fun…a lot of art”. -IZ THE WIZ. [MORE VIDEO CLIPS]

I have spent some time recently with the TDKids, the children of my TDK brethren. This generation will grow up with graffiti in there lives from day one. Had our lives been the slightest bit different, these beautiful little mammals might not exist... who knows? It all might not go down the same without Legends like IZ THE WIZ that inspired us to get up... REST IN POWER. We've got another sprit on our shoulders to lookout for us.

Go hit up IZ if you LOVE THIS GRAFF SHIT!

BIG UP NAH RIGHT for suma the links

The Best Of DJ Quik

2009-06-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

Big up to the fam MATTHEW AFRICA on his new project reminding yall how deep the Quik's catalog of work goes and how nice M. Africa is in the mix. He's nice enough to GIVE this away, with the stipulation that you share it far and wide and cite your sources !

Tracklist and backstory can be found on I WISH YOU WOULD Matthew's blog, which you should follow... TONS of rare and awesome music from one of the MOST knowing m.f.'s you'll ever come by. ENJOY.

THE BEST OF DJ QUIK - Mixed by Matthew Africa

CFT*H! As we continue...

2009-05-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Willie Maze is has left the building. Thanks yall, almost 3 years bangin! Matthew Africa's got it from here...

Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge (feat. Chris Keating)
This song is so funny and glitchy with the ill vocals.

Ready For The World - Oh Sheila (Trackademicks Remix)
Track's production is perfect for this classic. Seriously, one of my favorites.

Mothers Day, Mothers NIGHT!

2009-05-17T23:16:00.001-07:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

DJ ELEVEN & DJ MOMA - SPECIAL DELIVERY 3

2009-05-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

The NY family DJ ELEVEN and DJ mOma (Most Outstanding Magnificent African) have been putting out dope mixes every month to let yall know what time it is... SPECIAL DELIVERY, get it? (I think mOma's really into G-Dep or somethin.') Shits are great. You can get SD 1, 2 on Eleven's website (and hella other dope mixes) if you are in the area it's a MUST.

Special Delivery
APT - 419 W. 13th Street btwn 9th Avenue & Washingon, NYC
with DJ Eleven & DJ mOma
10PM-4AM, $10, email APTdelivery@gmail.com for the free before midnite list.
Grab the brand new mix at http://www.divshare.com/download/7287130-5bc
SIDE A - MIXED BY DJ ELEVEN
01. Won't Trade (Hedspin Edit) - Q-Tip
02. Good Life (Horny Horn Mix) - Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth
03. Let's Talk About Sex (Super Crispy) - Salt 'N' Pepa
04. I Need Your Lovin' - Cover Girls
05. Starchild - Level 42
06. Weekend ft. Chris Wiltshire - Class Action
07. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - DCUP
08. Party Lights (Morsy Mix) - Gap Band
09. Dance Our Way - DJ Eleven
10. Walkin' on the Moon feat. Kanye West (UMYO Remix) - The Dream
11. When I Think Of You (Eleven Rough Turf Remix) - Janet Jackson
12. Kiss You Back - Digital Underground
13. Bust Your Windows (DJ Eleven Remix) - Jazmine Sullivan

SIDE B - MIXED BY DJ MOMA
14. Regulate feat Yahzarah - Camp Lo
15. Squeeze Me (A Skillz Remix) - Kraak & Smaak
16. Superstylin' - Groove Armada
17. Everyone Nose (Douster Remix) - N.E.R.D.
18. Pro Nails (Rusko Remix) - Kid Sister
19. Boyz - Dub & Run
20. Int'l Players Anthem (mOma dubfix) - UGK
21. Gangsta Party feat. Bun B & 8 Ball (edit) - Yo Gotti
22. Poppin' Tags feat Twista (edit) - Jay-Z
23. So Sexy feat R.Kelly - Twista
24. I'm Fine feat Young Buck - Colin Munroe
25. Punch Drunk Love feat Kanye West - Common

ps. good looks on the SUPER DISCO BREAKS graphic!

The 45 King - (MIX/VIDEO)

2009-05-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

You need this in your life.
Big up to Skratch Bastid for putting me up on this heater...
I have no words, don't need any. Peep.

Pilippinos are de Pest! (Best)

2009-05-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

Got an extra fifteen minutes? Big up to the fighting pride of the Pilippines. The knockout was extra gratifying since the Hatton camp was talking HELLA shit. Where's Floyd Maywether's raps now? I believe he called the pound for pound, best boxer in the world a "Mule." Which can make sense when you see the way Hatton hits the canvas like he got kicked in the head.

Chris Tucker - YGKTFO!

Watch. Repeat.

*Bonus* There's a shot of Jay-Z making doughnut mouth when the knock out "pance" hits Hattons mug. See if you can preez prame dat!

Playboy Tre - Liquor Store Mascot (mixtape)

2009-04-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

I took notice of Playboy Tre ridin' with Matthew Africa listening to last years Goodbye America and was really struck by the hunger and emotion in this dudes delivery and writing. Tre killed it at the Fader Fort at SXSW last month, opening for B.O.B. (who is somewhere using another name, strumming a guitar, and ignoring techy bangers of yesterday). I'm such a believer right now, as I post this, I ain't even listened to this new tape yet... ! Saturday listening music... check!

Get your copy here or click the covers.

JAY Z - BROOKLYN GO HARD (VIDEO)

2009-04-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Seriously tipping my hat to Evan Roth. For a letter freak like myself, this is amazing. Word has it he released the source code for the software he used to freak it. *Cheers.*

I assure you this is Bloc Party

2009-04-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

Fox Oakland in full effect!

Rob Roy - Fur In My Cap

2009-04-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hot video! Definitely on...

The Burnerz - Cops Hate Kidz

2009-04-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

The Burnerz (Zumbi of ZION I + The ARE of Trackmasters) have responsed to the recent violence in Oakland with a track "Cops Hate Kidz." Say what you will, Zumbi ain't never lie...

“Cops Hate Kidz is written as a response to the murder of Oscar Grant by a Bart Police Officer, as well as the murder of four Oakland officers last week. The Burnerz feel that the tragedies that we are witnessing can be attributed to the long history of police brutality experienced in the black and brown communities.”

The Burnerz - Cops Hate Kidz

Oakland stand up, get organized. Look out for one another. Stand tall or not at all. Found this video too, prolly unofficial, but still pretty thick with footage from Justice for Oscar Grant protests and references to other brutality cases.

BDK - Big Daddy Kane (Trailer) Albee Sq. Mall (R.I.P.)

2009-04-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

This morning I got a twit from Cosmo Baker that said "Albee Square Mall R.I.P." (bummed) and I was perusing OUTSIDE BROADCAST and came across a trailer for BDK: The Big Daddy Kane Story. Hell yeah! A film documenting one of the best to ever hold a mic.

In the trailer BDK mentions getting his first mic at Albee Square Mall so that he could get on... woah, broooo. Shouts to Cos and especially Joe Eleven for making sure I got to post up the Albee Square Mall and sing the song! TJ Swan is freakers on the chorus!

Can You Jerk?

2009-04-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

When Dave Chapelle came to the town, his first impression of Turf Dancing was "Charlie Brown" dancing... post Hyphy is upon us, and has mutated and apparently went south to LA. Its latest iteration proves Dave prophetic. There's a dope write up and tunes over at COCAINE BLUNTS. Peep. Gets extra fresh if you play them at the same time.

Wii Spray

2009-04-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

The photo above and video below are prototypes of a Wii Spray can controller for a new Sony video game. The video game industry is hella crazy right now... it seems that no sub culture is safe from the desire of the introvert inside the millions of gamers who want to catharticly experience that which a musician, Graff artist, and dj's (DJ Hero) sacrifice thousands of hours and hard work to become great. The possiblity presented by the Wii spray can is distinctly different than the dynamics of Guitar hero because if the can is built right, the user can actually learn to paint whereas a "Guitar Hero" can't play shit after mastering it. As a writer, I can see the learning curve getting shorter and shorter without the elements of danger, expense and potential jail time. The part of me that wants to "keep it real" is at odds with the possiblity of a future where we will have to be even better at our craft to hold the crown. So be it.

WiiSpray Teaser from Martin Lihs on Vimeo.

The users in this video suck, but the potential in the Wii Spray is there. In the end, who's on your team?

Graff writer who learned to paint on the street? Or...
Wii Graff painter who learned in the comfort of they living room?

Graffiti could potentially have a Rap vs. Internet Rapper momenet really soon... ugh.

p.s. Serato allowed in the DMC competition? You ain't heard that from me...

Where The Wild Things Are (Trailer)

2009-04-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

My favorite childhood book by Maurice Sendak is being made into a live action movie...There's always an opportunity for a project like this to fuck up something damn near perfect... but if it can be done justice, I'd say this team could. Once we concede that the book will always be better than the film and before you start ranting, peep the lineup:
Directed by Spike Jonze
Screenplay by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers
Music by Karen O & Carter Burwell... word!

SABBATH IN THE PARK

2009-03-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Perfect closing ceremony for SXSW 2009...
Till next year...
Update: Ok, go...
Last year's Sabbath In The Park was my first. My receipt for coffee and eats on the way there came to 6 dollars and 66 cents($6.66). The coffee jockey was like "dude..." and I assured him that it was a sign that I was on the true path to destruction... and SABBATH IN THE PARK. I gave the receipt to Cosmo for some reason, and it's now that I realize that it's so I can give you his official Sabbath In The Park Wickemix 666!

This year marks the 3rd (Austin) Sabbath In The Park, which by Austin charter, grandfathers it in so that Sabbath In The Park can happen every SXSW for eternity!

DJ CLASS - The SHIT up in this Bitch! (UPDATED!)

2009-03-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

DJ CLASS AND SCOTTY B!
Getting UNRULY!!!!
Big up EMYND, BO BLIZ, SMALLTOWN PETE, JOE 11!
Whew!

UPDATE:
KANYE cosigns that DJ CLASS is infact the ISH! Remix'd!
Click that and get that... "take that, take that"

BUN B!

2009-03-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

UGK for life!

MALUCA (in mid air)

2009-03-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

"You bad as FUCK!"
- 1 O.A.K. of the Honor Roll
Word!

MALUCA hit me with a whitsle.
I'd never heard of her, but 4 songs later, I'm bout it.
Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure hardly anyone knew, but by the end it was as full (as an early for SX show was gonna get) of whistle blowing drunks! Find out!

KEYS AND KRATES!!!

2009-03-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

I can honstly say they blew me the fuck away...
4 piece outfit killing it remixing classics keeping it
hella Hip-Hop and actually melted my (grand) cynicism about
"Live" H.H. Bands. These cats had a room full of DJs/artists rocking and
documenting... you WILL hear about 'em... don't trip!

Honor Rollin @ Fools Gold

2009-03-20T01:11:00.000-07:00

On after Treasure Fingers at the Fools Gold SXSW party... BANG!

You See This Up Here?

2009-03-20T00:13:00.000-07:00

That's Mike Baker's self worth...
Big up the Fools Gold party for the most challenging
Bathroom line! Ugh. Gotta love it tho'.

Best Rap Dude EVER

2009-03-19T23:20:00.000-07:00

FREEWAY X JAKE ONE = AWESOME.
Do your homework, you will grit teeth and nod!

Meet WALLPAPER!

2009-03-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

Find out about this 2 dude outfit!
It's unanimous... 2nd most enjoyable
Performance of SXSW so far...
I laughed, I cried.
Hottest Video/vocoder/costume act since
Humpty Hump of D.U.
-wm

And I quote...
"What's the world coming to when there's no
Cilantro ona mans tacos?"

Nothing short of white magic!

Yours Truly

2009-03-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

Haha! Still the Caddo Nation as far as I'm concerned.

Philly X Bklyn X The Town

2009-03-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

Davey D, Cosmo baker 1st meeting... shit like this warms my lil' heart and is why I love SXSW.
PS... Jonelle Monet's stage presence is GARGANTUAN! She is hella like a new GRACE JONES! (No pics, she was THAT good).

Quincy Jones!

2009-03-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

"I think I'm gonna cry..."
-Amp Live of Zion I

Rollin with THE RUB

2009-03-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

SXSW night one! Big up COSMO BAKER, AYRES, DJ ELEVEN & Tittsworth! Yee!

AMOEBA warehouse Party = BURGER TIME!

2009-03-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

Burger Time update1!

2009-03-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

A work in progress... painting while sick sucks!

MAKE SURE YOU KICK THE BURGER!

Graffiti Rock(!) for Amoeba Music Party!

2009-03-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

Amoeba Music , easily one of my favorite spots to dig for vinyl, is throwing a warehouse party ala "Warhol 60's" steez... Guess who is gonna paint the walls? A Montana Cans sponsorship lured a dope crew of Graff Writers to paint... unconfirmed invitees are Buder TMF, Keb ICP, Wand TM7, Mike Giant, Meut TDK, Coro, PI= 3.14... Big up to Buder for working his magic, think I'll pass out when is see how many cans of Montana Gold we're working with... check back for sidekick photos and updates on the walls! Oh yeah, the party is free so come thru!

In antcipation I thought I'd share some shit witcha... I was peeping DJ ICEWATER's aka. DJ Pinoy Noir's AWESOME blog The Source Pages and was floored by the GRAFFITI ROCK episode that had me all nostalgic and laughing. Enjoy! Thanks Icewater! "Just check out THIS!"

Graffiti Rock from DJ Pinoy Noir on Vimeo.

Seeing corny productions of "hip hop" in its commercial infancy is dope when you think of all it's latter day manifestations... it's a long way from the f'n billion dollar circus that comes to mind nowadays... yowza.

The ILLEST jewler EVER! DMD METAL

2009-02-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

Sup Fam?! Meet my dude Derek of DMD METAL. Derek and I have been painting walls together for a while now. He's a SICK painter, but also the ILLEST jeweler EVER. He created the GRAFFILTHY HOOPS which i bought for my lady.... a sick Funk Style alphabet makes an accessory basic make a DOPE piece of art. Peep...
People literally can't stop complimenting them, neither can I. It's such a hot idea, that he made a piece for dudes that is arguably more Hip-Hop than the four finger ring... check out the GRAFFILTHY RING...Derek HELLA outdoes himself on his signature piece... the TRAIN HOOPS ... these shits are f'n unbelieveably detailed. Once again, a variation of a fashion staple, the hoop/name plate but with a mini subway train bombin' scene that is CUSTOMIZABLE. Wholly shit... he can bust a handstyle, throw-up, or burner with your/your girls name or whatever on the train... WTF?! Game over!In the Graff world Derek is bonafide, ask somebody... as a jeweler, a total professional. All Derek's work is done by hand, so if you love graffiti, stylin', and craftmanship holler at D!... You can find these and more dope stuff for your fam at Derek's ETSY STORE. (He's too humble about pricing in my opinion... get yours!)

FUCK YEAH!... AGAIN! ATTACK o' the UNICORNS!

2009-02-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

This graphic is disturbing and awe inspiring... FUCK YEAH! This week has all the makings of a MONSTER! To quote a brilliant man: "I wanna see you dance..." haha Lets go!

THIRSTday the 26th I HELLA WANNA KICK IT @ Kitty's, the Taint!
FRYday the 27th FUCK YEAH! @ 111 Minna, SF
saTURDay the 28th CRAZY FROM THE HEAT with Matthew Africa!

I'm posting a few tracks I'm looking forward to slappin this week.... see yall out there!
Blaqstarr - Get Off (prod. by Diplo and Switch)

Kraak and Smaak - Squeeze Me

Estelle - No Substitute Love (Treasure Fingers Remix)

Too Much Dick On The Dance Floor!

2009-02-20T10:25:00.000-08:00

You're thoroughly rocking a set at a club, everything is going as planned... erryone is rocking steady, the ladies looking right, you've got it about to pop FOR REAL, and then *scream* a fucking breakdance circle errupts! Now, before you keep it real and pull my Hip Hop card, I love the art of B-Boy'n and DJing for BBoys/Grrs is one of my great joys... but in a sweatbox, it's hella out of context, alienates everyone else, the atmosphere we worked on creating is now centered on your bullshit look at me "DANCE-TURBATION." I don't know what's worse, when it's your patna from round way, or some hippy raver who just took a tab to the knob... ugh.

HAS THIS HAPPENED TO YOU?

Luckily, DLAKE and DJ MORSY banged out a song that can help you deal with those fucks. They formed a Baltimore supergroup called CLAIRE HUX! Click that shit and download the mixtape by Bmore O.G. Scotty B. Here's a video (kinda). Can't wait to drop this on the next hippy raver spinnin' on his lips!

I was on Discobelle th'other day and APPARENTLY the dudes of Flight of the Conchords made their own version... hmmm. Funny. But biting is never condoned. Spread the Dicks out.

Kid CuDi - Day N Nite (video)

2009-02-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

Boom.

Kid Cudi - Day 'N' Nite from Leak Jones on Vimeo.

KANYE needs a HUG!

2009-02-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

Man, this dude is hella sad... Somebody give him a hug!
Dopest video I've seen since Cupcakin'... and there's nothing wrong with your computer, the video is that good!

KANYE WEST "Welcome To Heartbreak" Directed by Nabil from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

TRACKADEMICKS DEBUT SINGLE OUT TODAY!

2009-02-17T16:47:00.000-08:00

BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the homie TRACKADEMICKS! Today marks the young man's debut digital release of "Enjoy What You Do" b/w "Topsidin'" feat. Mox More on FOOLS GOLD records. The release features remixes by fellow Fools luminaries Flosstradamus and Sammy Banannas.
CLICK HERE and get yours!

Big up to the whole HONOR ROLL familycrewmassive... the fam's been steady bustin dope rhymes, making fresh remixes, and slaps... proof of the HR's true love pushing music forward. The singles are a funky introduction of how nice Track is... and Topsidin' is already a Bay classic and testament to my man's style and choice of footwear.

Celebrate on it with the crew @ VESSEL in the SFC Tomorrow! NICK CATCHDUBS of the Fools Gold label is spinning, TRACKADEMICKS performs live on stage! It's free too! ... in case you blew your cash cupcakin'... See yall there!

CUPCAKE'N for Valentines Day?!

2009-02-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

That's right, fam... CUPCAKE'N. MATTHEW AFRICA is baking cupcakes for the Valentines Day jumpoff at Kitty's tonight. I hear he has been rippin' bumpers and grinders for days in preparation for our musical salute to Love and it's sexy friend LUST.... cupcakes are available until otherwise consumed. Oh yeah, if you're gonna slide thru, make sure you got my # so you can call or txt if there is a line... Early arrival is suggested! See ya'll tonight!

Raphael Saadiq - I Love Her
Here's one of my favorite jammys by one of my favorite artists... he too is from the best city on the planet. Tells it like I see it... goin' out to Sneaky Squirrel.

Make sure you grab Cosmo Baker's Valentines Roll mix! 2.5 hours of the sound of Love!

Big up to Trackademicks for putting me up on the best CUPCAKIN' video EVER!

"Valentines Roll" mix by COSMO BAKER of The Rub!

2009-02-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

As much as I loathe hallmark holidays, it's good to take a second to recognize "the great motivator". Weather it's love or lust... Bromance or Romance this time round, here's one of the hottest collections of love and lust inspiring songs brought to you by one of the world's foremost DJ's and tastemakers... COSMO BAKER of The Rub! put it on and go for yours! hahaha... Big mahalos to Cosmo for sharing the love and shout to Lil' Sneaky aka La Brown Eyes.

Cosmo Baker- "Valentines Roll" (z-share link)

"Here's a mix that I did for Valentines Day. It's pretty much just songs, no fancy tricks and minimal mixing, but it's 2 and a half hours of some of my favorite love songs. This one is dedicated, as everything else I do is, to my wonderful wife whom I love very much. I'm thankful to have the life I have with her, so this one is for you babe. But I hope you all enjoy it as well... once again, hope y'all make some babies!"
-Cosmo Baker

If you like what you hear, make sure you visit Cosmo's online store! This man's got a million of the dopest mixes including his latest, "Genius: The Sound of Raphael Saadiq" (Oakland standup!). Thanks again Cosmo!

Tracklist:
The Friends Of Distinction "Circles"
Aretha Franklin "Call Me"
Donny Hathaway "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"
Rick James "Fire & Desire" feat. Teena Marie
Curtis Mayfield "Sweet Exorcist"
James Brown "That's My Desire"
Otis Redding "That's How Strong My Love Is"
Sam Cooke "Bring It On Home To Me"
Irma Thomas "Ruler Of My Heart"
Al Green "Simply Beautiful"
The Isley Brothers "Voyage To Atlantis"
George Harrison "I'll Take You Anytime"
Stevie Wonder "I Believe (When I Fall In Love)"
Patrice Rushen "Settle For My Love"
Prince "Adore"
Quincy Jones "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)"
Rene & Angela "Your Smile" (12" Version)
The Isley Brothers "Fire And Rain"
The Smith Connection "Rainy Days And Mondays"
Darondo "Listen To My Song"
The Beach Boys "Forever"
Rita Wright "I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You"
Black Ivory "Got To Be There"
Brenda Russell "So Good, So Right"
Bonie Pointer "More And More"
David Bowie "Can You Hear Me"
Earth, Wind And Fire "Can't Hide Love"
The Rolling Stones "Let It Loose"
East Of Underground "I Love You For All Seasons"
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell "If This World Were Mine"
The Delfonics "Walk Right Up To The Sun"
New Birth "You Are What I'm All About"
Steely Dan "Any Major Dude"
Bill Withers "Can We Pretend"

I HELLA WANNA KICK IT! (Thrusdays)

2009-02-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

LADIEeeeeS & GENTLEMENnnnn, (no boys, no girls) Thursday, we begin an epic journey that can truly enrich your weekday nightlife... NVR OVR proudly presents... "I HELLA WANNA KICK IT!" It goes down at er'y ThirstDay at KITTY'S in Emeryville (aka. the "taint" cuz it tain't Oakland and it tain't Berkeley) where I, DJ Willie Maze will be rocking Renaissance Raps, Throwback Thumpers, and Electronic Elements for yall to kick it to...

As for the name, I had a little contest on facebook and decided to go with my own cadence on this one.. but here are some honorable mention jawns:

"Gettin Laid(off)"
"Thirsty"
"NVR UNDR"
"STANK" or "RAP MUSK"
"ERY THURRSDAY"

Who knows... maybe I'll just keep renaming it until something sticks. "I HELLA WANNA KICK IT" has a nice ring to it and it's in the 4 word(mo'r less) tradition of CRAZY FROM THE HEAT which me and Matthew Africa rock on Saturdays. Big up to my man Dougie for puttin me on!

oh yeah, there's never a cover at KITTY'S!
LETS GO! SEE YOU THURSDAY!

"Bay Area Graffiti" Book Release Party!

2009-02-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

Q-Tip - Gettin Up
Welcome to your NVR OVR read-along storybook...Graffiti Slanguistics 101... (please forgive if you already know)... Gettin up: "Writin my name in graffiti on the wall." push play and read along!

Bay Area Graffiti book release party and art opening this Friday, Feb. 6th, 5pm-9pm @ 111 Minna, SFC! It's free to get in and still leaves enough time to get a burrito before you hit the club...

Bay Area Graffiti is a brand spankin' new graffiti book chronicling getting up in the Bay Area. I got a preview during an Oscar Grant rally in Oakland last month... It's fucking AWESOME! The layout is clever and striking where other books can overwhelm and insult. The choices of what is in or out were made by one of our own, Chris Brennan of Unaesthetic who is not only one of the fam, but imbedded in the culture from which this book explodes.

For real yall, in the days when "the buff" (graffiti removal fucks) seems to be winning and graff art is a scapegoat every election cycle, Bay Area Graffiti is an excellent document of the dope shit that lies dormant under a half assed city sponsored paint job, and by all counts, should put the Bay where it belongs as a world class graffiti city. Hopefully this book will inspire another wave of art and artists, here and around the world. To any and all that feel left out cuz you didn't get in, hey... there are only so many pages, but the canvas is endless!

More info and photos... get clicky:
Bay Area Graffiti information page from our publisher
Order on Amazon.com
Review in Juxtapoz magazine
Interview with co-author Steve on San Francisco Graffiti site sfgraf.com
Bay Area Graffiti page on unaesthetic

See yall Friday at 111 Minna from 5pm-9pm... Willie Maze be spinning with the Look Out Weekend crew! Copies of the book will be available for $30, ($45 in stores) cop one and get it signed by the artists in the book!

Eric B and Rakim - My Melody

Q-Tip - Renaissance Rap (Remix feat. Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, & Lil Wayne)
Finally, well you just need to hear this... Dope posse cut in the tradition of "The Symphony"

FACE DOWN ASS UP!

2009-01-30T09:34:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY the 31st, Serg of BEER AND RAP/HARD AS FUCK fame is throwing a fucking monster! The lineup is maney! Dave Nada, Emynd and Bo Blizz headline at a undisclosed location. You gotta hit up THIS LINK to get with it. Here are two of my favorite bangers from the Saturdays headliners... Lets go APESHIT!

Tittsworth feat. Kid Sister & Paserock- WTF (Nadastrom on Drugs Remix)

Emynd- To All My Haters

Lower Haight! (Updated)

2009-01-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

Listen to this on repeat till your ears bleed....

Lil Wayne feat. Pharrell- Yes

This wall is wall 2 of the 2walls in 2days run. It was hella fun to paint with yall! The last 2 posts were directly from my sidekick, so apologies for the low rez (no pun intended) and lack of context. These are from the first day of painting, like Buder TMF/189says "it's like a party painting at this spot." So he came back and lit it up! I'll repost with the final shot with saucy megapixels...

This is Lil' Mohammed in front of my piece. His pops owns the store. This dude is a G, he just stood and watched us paint and guarded our gear/paint so the sketchy Haight St. types couldn't violate. I rocked a pager code with my "MT" since Buder repped 189 crew.

Buder has been painting O'looney's liquor store on Haight and Steiner in the SFC for years through the homies at Lower Hater who are across the street from the sto'. I've rocked with him on this wall a couple of times, but unfortunately wasn't able to come back the second and third nights in which a magical unicorn pegasus appeared my little pony steez. He also hit up the homies in Lower on the wall which I thought was a hot idea since the whole hood comes thru to say hey and spread love. Check back for the shot of the wall!

Big up to Mohammed and lil' Mohammed for holdin' us down!
-wm

NEW GRAFFITI IN THE SFC! (Updated!)

2009-01-19T15:26:00.000-08:00

Wall 1 of 2walls in 2days... the corner of Valencia and Duboce in SF, on the side of Pizza Zone. This is phase 1, burners. We came back on day 2 after painting O'looneys in Lower Haight and hooked up the background. Again, apologies for the low rez imagery, shot of the finished wall to come soon!

above: Mike Giant was one of the first writers I met after I started writing for real. He was hella good to me and taught me "whatever you can draw, you can paint" which I now tell youngsters. He is duly recognized as a great artist and is blowin' the fuck up! He's got his own Sharpie model. Damn! That's official!

above: Keb, GM5 Killin' it, wait till you see the background laced up just right!

above: Buter, TMF So ill he's decrepid and falling off the wall... This man's hustle is flawless! Keep you eyes peeled, more to come fa sho!

above: Wand, TM7 Tall, white and sick widdit! His gargantuan final letter forced me to be creative. Thanks buddy!

above: Little dude infront of Meut, TDK's abreviated styles. He and his brother were like 10 and 11, just started writing and just got caught by their dad for having paint. Think this dude wrote "Toxic" haha.

above: Chief is always one of my favorite writers. Don't call it a come back!

above: SF O.G. Cuba... a worker asked, "no sketch?" to which he replied "I been doin' this for 30 years, I don't need one." Word!

above: Pi = 3.14159265 gets ill with scraps and borrowed paint.You've seen him up... pleez buhleev!

Guardians of the wall were painted on the rooftop by Buter. The spot is visible from across the street at Zeitgeist. I HELLA love painting! FUCK YEAH! Thanks to all the homies, well wishers and all who rocked the wall of fuckin Pizza Zone!

CRAZY FROM THE HEAT!!!

2009-01-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

Hell yeah, its Saturday! YUP! Matthew Africa and I been holding Saturday nights at Kitty's down for at least a couple years. In honor of that I thought I'd share another Napquest! You know you doin' a lil' much when you wanna suggest your friend Selena, who just turned what ever, is a Nasty Girl. Pretty sure I obliged this one with a good laugh... especially since these aggrobreezies were polite and shit ("please, thank you"). Check out how creepy the little face is with the mono-brow. Come thru tonight if you wann chill in the East Bay and you wanna hear us bus' the dope moves! 10P-2A, 21+, Always Coverless to deal with the Heat!

Keep it Sureal

2009-01-15T17:49:00.000-08:00

With all the Tax Dollars Killing in the first days of 2009, I fucking need a good laugh.

I'm gonna keep adding shit that keeps me sane to this post... come back, aaite?

BIG UP to my dude Mr. Marlon for hitting me with this!

Air France- Collapsing At Your Doorstep
Talk about surreal... this is coming down off of the best... um yeah.

Obama on the cover of Spider-Man

2009-01-12T10:54:00.000-08:00

That's right... not only does this dude listen to rap music, shoot hoop, and body surf... but he collects comics. Issue #583 of The Amazing Spider-Man gives "a shout-out back" to the President Elect says Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief, who calls P.E. Obama a "nerd-in-chief" because of his stated childhood reading of Spider-Man comic books. The story is set during the inauguration and gets LIGHTWEIGHT RACIST when an impostor and a basketball get involved. Don't get me started on the fist bump... Here's a page Marvel leaked...

Books come out Wed. January 14th, half of all covers feature the President Elect. Here's some music while you wait in line for your shop to open...
The Ramones- Spider-Man

Tenacious D- Spider-Man

Homer Simpson- Spider-Pig

QUANNUM Mix by MATTHEW AFRICA

2009-01-10T11:52:00.000-08:00

Just before the Holidays, Reebok X Quannum Records X ShobizSF collaborated on a series of Ventilator shoes inspired by Quannum Records, Lat yrx, Blackalicious, and DJ Shadow. Congrats!

My fellow record slayer Matthew Africa took the occasion to release a DOPE mix of Quannum tracks that I been rocking for a couple weeks and moms always told me to share...

CLICK HERE to git Matthew Africa's Quannum Mix!

Hit up Matthew Africa's blog I WISH YOU WOULD for the track list and hella other dope music!

P.S.... Matthew and I are rocking at Kitty's tonight and EVERY SATURDAY... come holler!

Oakland's first HOMICIDE of 2009

2009-01-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

I really don't know where to begin... my thoughts and prayers are with the family of Oscar Grant and community of Oakland.

image: jsight.com

A BART policeman murdered a man on the platform of Fruitvale station in Oakland on New Years day. It was captured on cell phone video... the Town feels different to say the least.

image: jsight.com

My flight home was welcomed by a text message that read "oakland is going off tonight... get home safe my dude..." I knew about the protest at Fruitvale station, but by the time we were riding home, shit was on fire and the cops and hellacopters were all over downtown. The media is busy sensationalizing the damages, citing estimates of up to $150,000. Speaking of damages...

BART should pay the ALL damages during protests in addition to whatever the family needs and then some... fuck that, the officers pay should automaticly go to the family for the rest of his life.

The family is suing for 25 million dollars.

What ever $ settlement associated with this murder should be LARGE ENOUGH to make BART feel the sting daily... and what are we to do? I don't feel safe on the train anymore as long as their police are armed. I've lived most of my life blocks from Fruitvale station and have been lined up and harrassed by the BART popo hella times coming to and from St. Elizabeth High just 2 blocks from Frutivale Station. It really could have been any of us. How will the damage to the community be repaired? In a way, this happened to all of us.

I know it's hard to be strategic in all this anger... but we must.

CLICK HERE for more photos of Jan. 7th protest on JSIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

"In Their Own Words" NBC Bay Area has some decent coverage

Davey D TV has some words from Oakland Mayor Dellums (finally)

NWA- Fuck The Police
Part of me thinks I shouldn't... fuck it. Police Brutality... some Amerikkkan poets wrote a song about it... like to hear it? Here it go...

The RUB! Best of 2008 Mix!

2008-12-31T14:48:00.000-08:00

Big up to THE RUB fams out in NYC! What better way to bring in the new year than "The Best of 2008" by Cosmo Baker, DJ Ayers and Dj Eleven! The free download is 2+hours of RUB stylism... Enjoy and be safe tonight fam!
**********************
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PART 1
Q-Tip - Gettin Up
Erykah Badu - Soldier
The Roots ft Wale & Chrisette Michelle - Rising Up
B.o.B. - I'll Be In the Sky
Jadakiss ft Ne-Yo - By My Side
Lloyd ft Lil Wayne - Girls Around The World (DJ Ayres Blend)
Big Boi ft Raekwon & Andre 3000 - Royal Flush
Rick Ross ft T-Pain - The Boss
T-Pain - Can't Believe It (Benja Style Blend)
Movado - Am So Special
Serani - Play It Straight
Mavado - Money Changer + Get Money Remix
Lil Wayne ft T-Pain - Got Money (DJ Ayres Blend)
Stephen & Damion Marley - The Mission
Santogold - Creator
Ludacris ft T.I. - Wish You Would
Bun B ft Lil Wayne - Damn I'm Cold
Young Jeezy - My President
Big Tuck ft Trae & Slim Thug - Not A Stain On Me (Houston remix)
John Legend & Andre 3000 - Green Light
Tittsworth ft Pitbull & Nina Skye - Here He Comes (DJ Day remix)
Busta Rhymes - Don't Touch Me
Robin Thicke - Magic
Estelle - Wait A Minute (Just A Touch)
Q-Tip - Move
J-Boogie ft Zumbi of Zion I & Rithma - For Your Love
Raphael Saadiq - Never Give You Up
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (DJ Day Alternative Mix)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PART 2
Shawty Redd & Big Gipp - Drifter
Kanye West & Mr Hudson - Paranoid
Estelle - No Substitute Love (Treasure Fingers Remix)
Common & Pharrell - Universal Mind Control
Fully Fitted - 100 Million
Pase Rock - Get Money Kids (OG + Nacho Lovers Remix)
Treasure Fingers - Cross The Dancefloor (Laidback Luke remix)
A-Trak & Laidback Luke - Shake It Down
Blaqstarr - Get Your Handz Up (Nadastrom Remix)
Crookers - Big Money Comin
Fake Blood - Blood Splashing (Fake Blood Theme)
Boy 8-Bit - The Cricket Scores
Studio Apartment - I'm in Love (Rasmus Faber Epic Remix)
Osunlade ft Divine Essence - My Reflection (DJ Gregory Remix)
Surkin - White Knight 2
Nacho Lovers - Acid Life (DJ Eli Remix)
Juan Maclean - Happy House (Lee Douglas Remix)
Hercules & Love Affair - Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
MGMT - Kids
Santogold - You'll Find A Way
Think Almost Twice - Chikiba
N.E.R.D. - You Know What
**********************

Peace, Justice and Liberation in 2009!
One heart, one mind, one struggle!

TAX DOLLARS KILL, TDK Crew (1995)

2008-12-31T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Tax Dollars Kill production was a great moment in Oakland/Bay Area graffiti. The concept came from the TDK brothers Mike Dream and Spie in 1995. That's Dream in the photo. Whenever Spie and Dream connected on a wall, you could be sure that the message would be strong and the styles would be fierce. The Tax Dollars Kill production represents what writing graffiti is all about for me... blasting the truth and calling out the oppressors. In style!

Unfortunately our government continues to prove that the words still stand (although the mural is gone). Thoughts and prayers for the loss of life in Gaza. Long live a free Palestine! Get your ass in the streets!

TDK: The Dream Khronicles

2008-12-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

"THIS IS IIIIIIIIIT! THIS IS IIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTT!"
-IZ the Wiz, Style Wars, (Tony Silver, 1983, 70 minutes, color/b&w, 16mm)

If you haven't seen Style Wars, you should as soon as humanly possible. Back in the day, we usta have to dig like fuck just to find a VHS copy all fuzzy from being a 8th generation copy... nevertheless an integral part of a young writer's development... yall know.

Subway Theme from Wild Style
Start this track and click play on the video!

Big up to the TDK CrewFamilyMassive... The pieces as they appear in the video are KING 157, DYL by Dylska, JASE, STASH, MEUT, GYRO, AMEND, SPIE, DONE, VOGUE, KRASH, MERX and PAK by Spie. The "OAKLAND WALL OF FAME" is by Krash with background by Done (dope! and easier to see in person).

The overall theme of the Oakland contribution to the wall, "THE DREAM KHRONICLES" is a dedication to the TDK brothers in the spirit world. KURL, PAK ONE, PLAN BEE 11-5, Mike DREAM TDK who all called 23rd St. yard home and BURNED this wall with the some of the dopest styles west of the Mississippi. The Background is all renderings of photos from Mike Dream's flick box throughout the lifetime of the 23rd St. Yard(they came out HELLA fresh)... The pieces rocked are a testament to the style and heart put into a culture we made in an ignored corner of a ghetto you know the name of.

I wouldn't trade my time in that yard for anything. In a world gone mad, nothing means as much as the alliances we choose.

T.D.K. The DREAM Khronicles from Willie Maze on Vimeo.

THE DREAM KONTINUESThe future of TDK... Sir Jahar, Prince Akil(Dream's son), and Princess Bella B at Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival 2007.

Class is in Session!

2008-12-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

In my evolution, there are the kindred, those I look to for opinions, homie love, and good times. Those that are proud of where we're from and our influences, but somehow never satisfied, always looking forward, always pushing in their own way. Those that get it like I get it. I been meaning to do a "HOMIE LOVE" post on the reg, and am overdue. Don't trip, I'ma make it up to yawl... ALL week.

The Honor Roll crew makes the music I wanna hear. The crew is deep to the tune of Trackademicks, DJ Tap 10, Spank Pops, Josie Stingray, 1 O.A.K., Mike Baker the Bike Maker, and Mox to the More. Trackademicks is one of the Bay's foremost producer/mc's and at the center of the sound that is the HONOR ROLL. The sound slaps like we like it in the Bay, but don't get it twisted, they take their cues from everywhere and then some. TrackyD was just awarded a Goldie by the SF Bay Guardian and the 'Roll is celebrated wherever forward looking Artists, DJs, and producers are seen and heard. ... so like the young man says, "Class is in session!"

Mox to the More - Guzzlin Guiness feat. Trackademicks
This track makes me wanna slap someone and have a beer. In a good way.

Spank Pops - Hangin feat. 1 O.A.K.
Spank and 1 O.A.K. do the damn over this Loose Ends classic...
T

Chromeo - 100% (Trackademicks B-Live Pemberton Remix)
Trackademicks puts his hands to a Chromeo heater and turns it out! Fools Gold/Honor Roll? Fuck yeah!

I'ma hit yall with more Honor Roll tracks this week... stay tuned... Fuck it here's more.

Mike Baker the Bike Maker - Lets Make it Happen feat. Trackademicks
Mike Baker and Trackademicks flex styles over this bouncy feelgood sound... referencing old school flavor with updated content and style. Watchout for the give and go on the last verse! Hot!

Kenna - Say Goodbye to Love (Trackademicks Remix feat. Mike Baker)
The Mike Baker blues makes for good listening and the video below is kinda eerie but dope!

In case you missed it or g-d forbid SLEPT on this, here's the [RE]MIXTAPE here it is... all you gotta do is look at a little Z-Share ass. It's a good cross section of what goes down in the Honor Roll camp, with fresh remixes from Trackademicks, mixed by DJ Tap 10. Taa dow!
Trackademicks - The [RE]Mixtape Vol. 2

I know you like what you hear... do yourself a favor & buy music! Go see them live!

2008-12-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

Tonight two great boxing traditions square up... two hard working nations represented that get shit on by U.S. Capitalism and Emperialism ("e" on purpose) get to beat the shit out of each other... (Hey, wait a second...) It's no contest really, active vs. retired, hungry vs. paid, and one has a the cooler name and roots for the G-Men ... PAC MAN! Thanks to big brother Corey for hitting me with the photo... Go PAC MAN! GO GIANTS!

Herve- Rocky Raver
Granted, this song is bugged, but considering tonight's main event... it works.

"DOWN BY LAW" Oakland Wall of Fame Prequel

2008-12-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Krash TDK's dedication to Dream of the 23rd Yard... pressure washed to remove all the layers of paint that were peeling off.

Fab 5 Freddy- Down By Law

I'm hella excited about the 23rd Yard "Oakland Wall of Fame" being completed, I can't wait to get down there and take connector photos and video of the entire wall. The taped together 4"x6" prints alone will be at least about 20 feet long. In anticipation of full completion, check these photos and video i took of the wall the day before production began. It was an honor to see the wall stripped down to the bone revealing how much time, energy, and love went into the wall so many of us called home. For me, it literally was home, I grew up on the other side of the big shady wall at 23rd, and painted my first toy pieces on the shorty wall. I usta throw rocks at bottles in the Yard before I ever thought I would be painting alongside the masters I watched develop while taking the shortcut home so I could watch cartoons. In later days, after school I was there every day painting, meeting writers, hanging out, and watching kings paint. Chances are I seen almost every piece that makes up each layer, and that each layer I made is in my blood (literally, i don't think the toxins ever leave)... In the video below, one of my Maestros talks about the wall and what a trip it is to see all the layers down to the bricks over 20 years later. Also discusses his process for laying out pieces on the 23rd Yard Wall... take notes!

23rd Interview 2 from Willie Maze on Vimeo.

Burner by Buter TMF dedicated to King Dream TDK...

The Photo above is a rough layout of the wall plan Krash TDK made. Didn't quite work out like that but it's a cool document. This is just the Bay Area sampling of the wall. Some of the Nation's best writers from across the country came out to rock the Oakland Wall of Fame. Big up Krash for bringing it all together, this shit is a monumental task to say the least!

In the video below, another OG writer discusses his anticipation of what's to come on this wall...

23rdYard Interview 1. from Willie Maze on Vimeo.

Looking forward to showing you all that and more soon...

PRESIDENT GETS HEAD FROM PARDONED TURKEY

2008-11-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

Every year on Thanksgiving, a turkey is pardoned by the President and not killed for dinner. They then perform lewd acts with that turkey before they eat one of its relatives.In all seriousness, this photo makes me wonder if President Elect Obama will be participating in such DUMB ASS traditions as this... or will he make a real power move and actually pardon a prisoner... I nominate Leonard Peltier. I've never been given cause to put my faith in any US president, but a pardon of an INNOCENT political prisioner might make a Native think twice.

In the grand tradition of Presidents getting head, I offer you this... Substitute the right bird and
Voila'!

Project Pat- Chickenheads

Big up Lisa Chen for lacing the photo...

FUCK THANKSGIVING. YOU'RE WELCOME

2008-11-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

Goin' out to all my Natives, those Indigenous to Turtle Island... and all our friends, allies, and loved ones however the fuck yall ended up on this continent. While you are enjoying food and family, take a second and think about your ancestors, and give thanks. But FUCK THANKSGIVING. Things are the way they are because of lies, murder, slavery, and genocide committed(and being committed) by our "founding fathers" (White Americans.) So go find your elementrary school teacher and slap the shit out of them for teaching lies, making you make a construction paper headband with feathers, or god forbid "reinacting" the first thanksgiving with the "pilgrims." Ok, so it's 2008, lets get it straight... shit is still fucked up and the same thangs continue under the guise of free markets and corporations. Genocide is still alive and driven by companies we all probably support unknowingly. If you are with me in flippin the bird to Thanks-taking, try not to live off the backs of others, and to those who are lived on, lets shake these fucks!

I hope you're living it up with fam and friends. Here are some bangin' Rez jams I got from my dude Nick from Thunder Valley... he's making the worlds first green corridor on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota... show the world how to live Nick!

Northern Wind- Sneak Up
I like this song because it sounds gunshots going off and sneaking up on your enemies. Northern Wind is no joke, these fools kick ass!

Northern Wind- Crow Hop
A Crow Hop is a pow wow dance where dancers flex their skills at a different tempo. It's all about fools swagger and style. If you ain't seen, get your ass to a pow wow... shit is dope!

Oakland Wall of Fame Update

2008-11-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

Beat Street/B-Boy Interlude- The Roots

Meut One TDK, Soul TDK, portrait by Amend TDK

Dream's Tattoos of fallen brothers PakOne TDK and PlanBee 11-5 By Spie TDK

J Dilla- Anti-Amerikkkan Graffiti

Vogue TDK reps an original style... wholly shit.

PakOne R.I.P. by Spie TDK, TMC, FC, IRIE POSSE

Chino BYI rep'n NYC!

Original style innovators, Mark Bode character, Stan 153

Young buck Daz flexes on the Meeting of Styles section of the wall.

Tall homies are the last to Rock, we gotta sew the backgrounds together and it's a wrap! Apologies to those not featured, promise I'll get you up, the shadows were too much for my sidekick... booooo.

More from Oakland's Wall of Fame. Stay tuned for a massive post once it's all said and done... Shit is lookin DOPE. The wall is almost a QUARTER MILE long with many of the Nation's freshest writers rocking styles in memory of Mike "Dream" Francisco, Oakland's favorite son and style master who was tragically murdered in February of 2000. The wall is a tribute by his comrades that helped Mike put Oakland/Bay Area Graffiti on the map. Keep an eye out for the opening party throwdown coming soon!

Ps... the banner image for this blog is a pic of one of my old pieces the day before painting began on this huge project. The wall was so caked with hundreds of burners that it was falling off in huge beautiful chips that had to be pressure washed off and primed. Big up to young Kufu 2!
-wm.

Oakland? Berlin? HELL YEAH!

2008-11-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

You gotta love the interweb. A big part of my evolution is tryna stay up on shit round the globe as much as possible. Although there's HELLA bullshit out there, there's a whole lotta dope shit too, you gotta find good filters... Discobelle is one of my favorites. I came across this track from Bounce camp 'round Ju-ly and I wanna play it more, sooo I'm innoculating your asses with the expectation that you'll come out and listen. This track is dope cuz 1. It's Town related (Saadiq vocals!). 2. proper freakage of the best samples of the original song. 3. progression is clever and not hella repetitive. 4. the Champ!

Bounce Camp is from Berlin. This is how he describes his sound...

"10% rap, 24% house, 10% cheese, 12% hand claps, 2% cheap perfume, 8% golden oldies, 8% Miami, 0% minimal, 6% sexy midget playing a keyboard, 12% stolen property, 100% Bounce Camp!!!!!!!"

... I can digit.

Bounce Camp- Big Dancin'

TOWN BIZNESS OFFICIAL

2008-11-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last week my birthday exploded all over the city. In the age of gentrification, aka hipster-invasion, it's rare that anyone is from the Town these days, and today I wanna express my love for my fair city. I live within eyeshot of where I was born and love what I am because of it. As a dude who loves music, by my count you gotta love history too. Music is always be shaped by hella factors, and in this city the good, bad, and ugly always makes for good music. If you love your city and rep that shit you know what the fuck I mean... I got love for all yall, but Oakland's home.

I could go on... I'm sure I'll revisit this topic often... this time round, here's what comes up when search OAK.

Keak Da Sneak feat. Mistah FAB- Oakland
Man, this song really puts it down... Nostalgia and hella shit no hipster could ever reference (hipsterproof). This shit reminds me of writing E.S.O. on the bathroom wall of my elementary school in pencil next to "ELF" which was my first tag. hahaha. Love that FAB is on it too E.S.O. and N.S.O. love! Big up to my patna Matthew Africa (KALX 3p-6p Wed.)for puttin me up on this'n!

Jawbreaker- Condition Oakland
This track makes the cut even though Jawbreaker ain't from the Town, cause it reminds me of drinking with punks on rooftops and shit (and the title). This track's huge sound is hella beautiful and reps a feeling I know to be Oakland. Peep the Kerouac samples... dude knows the town too.

Rodger Collins- Foxy Girls in Oakland
Listen. This song is self explanitory and not a whole lot has changed except E.14th is called International by newcomers (See Keak's track). This song is a whole lot of awesome and there's a bit of shit talkin' bout Frisco dudes in it, and although I don't share the opinion, it's reassuring that the friendly rivalry goes back to Rodger's day. This track reminds me of DJ Kitty who held down the Town's longest running Soul nite at the Ruby Room on East 14th. She usta rock this bout every Wednesday and even though fools at that spot looked like they were fighting when they danced, she kept it poppin.' She owns a bar now. I rock Saturdays with Matthew Africa at KITTY'S you should come thru!

Casual feat. E Mac, Too $hort, G Stack & Richie Rich- Oaktown
Off the Smash Rockwell album this came out when hyphy was big and its genius is that this track takes it back to the slump Too$hort made famous. Love that the chorus is kids yelling "Oaktown" while fools are spittin' bout all that town life includes. It reminds me of catching the 82 to go play ball at Greenman next to the 69 Village. Ask somebody.

more later!

Dam(n)s!

2008-11-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

Ya boy Willie Maze has been working with Native Tribes on the Klamath River in Northern California to remove 4 dams. The story made the FRONT PAGE of the SF Chronicle today when the company announced an agreement in principle to remove the dams. It's a huge step forward in removing the dams, which has huge spiritual, environmental and economic impact for the all people on the Klamath, which is one of this country's last great salmon rivers. In addition to being a DJ, I've been the director of the Indigenous People's Power Project that works with Indigenous communites across the U.S. and Canada to use direct action strategy and tactics to stick it to The Man (in this case, Warren Buffett). I been collaborating on creative nonviolent direct action with them since early this year in a campaign that goes back hella far. Looking forward to turning up the heat and pushing those shits over! This is one hell of a birthday surprise!

The fam Chook Chook (KARUK) is a young and powerful leader in this fight. He called the "richest" man in the world a S.O.B. in his native language in front of 30,000 + shareholders in Omaha this year at Berkshire Hathaway's AGM. I asked him for a musical selection for this post he offered "Solid As A Rock" by Sizzla.

Try this on too... Unstoppable - Santo Gold

p.s. FUCK PROP. 8!!!! (Watch the video) REPEAL! REPEAL! REPEAL!

OK, ONE MORE YOU DEAR BOY.

2008-11-12T11:27:00.000-08:00

As a DJ, one sees HELLA funny/sad shit. Less than one of every 100 requests is worthy of consideration... every now and then something keeper happens. Matthew Africa (and I) has collected hella "request napkins" or "napquests" as I've been calling them. Here's one of Matthew's funniest... Hit up his myspace for a whole gallery of these rare treasures and check back er'y now and again for more... Love the use of punctuation and "near Timberlake" request that turned Furgielicious in no time.

Funny how the napquests come earlier in the night, and later its aggrobreezies and dudes with 3 dollars... for best results ask for something that doesn't suck ass!

HOMIE LOVE

2008-11-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

A while ago I nominated my homegirl Nancy for an Agape Foundation Peacemaker prize, which they won for their life-changing (and saving) work in the Mission (SF) with Latino/a youth, taking their love for their set/block/hood and turning it into love for the people, our struggle and freedom. When nominating her, I asked Nancy, "you wanna be nominated? Or the organization?" she snapped "You ain't shit wit'out your Homies!" H.O.M.E.Y. stands for Homeys Organizing the Mission to Empower Youth. They were a part of a recent shutdown of the I.C.E. (Immigration Control [ha] and Enforcement) who has been unjustly deporting and detaining mission residents who are the life blood of the city on some homeland paranoia/prison industry bullshit. Here are some photos.

These are a few of my Homies that I ain't shit without...

MATTHEW AFRICA is my ace. He busts the dope moves on mix tapes and up in the club. He and DJ Eleven collaborated the definitive "DIRTY RAPS... the Best of Too $hort" mix last year, and he is still driving the ladies (of age of course) wild with the double disc "Dirty R&B... the Best of R. Kelly." He and I make party every Saturday up at Kitty's in Emeryville at a night called Crazy From The Heat! Matthew is like my personal library of dope music. He's always hella generous and willing to talk music over some dranks. His latest and greatest is "HARD AS FUCK VOL. 4" on Beer and Rap which will have you stompin' the shit out of somebody in no time!

DJ ELEVEN of (((LOCAL1200))) fame is the tallest DJ on record and we go back so far I hooked him with his name. He laces the ladies, gents, boys and girls with the get sweaty heavy heavy monster sound at The Rub in Brooklyn every first Saturday with the dudes Cosmo and Ayers. Like B-Legit said the dude is "so international" and i would agree. He rep'd the Town on the Best of Too $hort with Matthew Africa and has made like A BIZILLION other DOPE mix projects that stay in rotation round the world. He and The Rub homies kicked the shit out of a huge undertaking unlike any other in their take on the "HISTORY OF HIP HOP" series that plays all the platters that matter from 1979 to today! Hot damn!

SAKE ONE my (((LOCAL1200))) crewfam makes sure the Bay's soundtrack to the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality always has its proper dose of dynomite soul! My man is the Bay's foremost record slayer and holds down the best weekly nights in Fog Town. PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (tuesday) and COLORS (thursdays). Sake stands tall amongst us freedom fighting party mongers who put it where our hearts are and still makes the ladies say "Owwwwwww." For real doe, my man is a Legacy in this line of work and makes good like the champ he is! Here is a live mix he rocked at Colors (early set), at the behest of his moms I think.

I could go on and on! Fuck it, think I'll go weekly with it... HOMIE LOVE. Word!

In Struggle,

w.m.

p.s. Big up Fred Savage of SUCKA FREEZE!

Oakland Wall of Fame!

2008-11-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

Coming soon from the TDK champs! Wall featuring crews/artists from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Oakland (of course) and more!

NVR OVR... WHAT'S IN A NAME?

2008-11-08T15:57:00.000-08:00

Willie Maze here... supwiddit?

I found music stashed away in a the rat infested storage room in my families crib in Jingle Town USA. Cardboard treasure chests made sure this kid was reared on the blues, soul music, jazz, moms rock records on uncle bob's realistic stereo... apparently my family liked to throw down. My first gig was playing records at a house party for sips of beer and drags of tobacco... sometimes pocket change... hell yeah!

The Meaning of the Name.... Gang Starr

The kid really hit his stride when he got passed a "rap" tape from his patna Theo at school. It was a radio program of an early hip hop show his pops recorded in new york. It was black with a piece of masking tape on it that said RAP in all caps. I wore that shit out. On my way home I always stopped to throw rocks at bottles and shit. After hearing that tape all shit looked different. The paintings on the wall was now graffiti, there really was broken glass everywhere, and someone talked about my life in song... IT WAS ON! Baseball was my first love, hip hop would be my life...

Hip Hop you the love of my life... - The Roots

... BUT Mo Money Mo Problems the man said. The billion dollar industry it has become, the internet taking it global, leaders, biters, and saviors coming and going and the ever present tyranny of popular taste has mutated and at the same time changed pop culture forever. My mode is the same, my thirst for the freshness is stronger than ever, but i can't seem to satisfy myself with the shit that's out now. Evolve or die.

"Hip Hop Don't Stop".... "Our Work Is Never Over." Get it?

So here it is... my evolution.