LGND SAYS

Homemade Veggie Burger

2010-12-20T21:00:00.001-08:00

I've wanted to make a homemade veggie burger with my family for months now. I've scoured the internet for recipes--from black bean to tofu to chicpea recipes. I finally chose a recipe that was chicpea based because it wouldn't overpower the other ingrediants the way a black bean burger would. I found this recipe over at www.101cookbooks.com as they are one of my favorite cooking blogs!

I promise the burger tasted better than I look!

To begin prepare your ingrediants:

2 1/2 cups sprouted garbanzo beans (chickpeas) OR canned garbanzos, drained and rinsed
4 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 onion, chopped
Grated zest of one large lemon
1 cup micro sprouts, chopped (try brocolli, onion, or alfalfa sprouts - optional)
1 cup toasted (whole-grain) bread crumbs
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (or clarified butter)

"Combine the garbanzos, eggs, and salt in a food processor. Puree until the mixture is the consistency of a very thick, slightly chunky hummus. Pour into a mixing bowl and stir in the cilantro, onion, zest, and sprouts. Add the breadcrumbs, stir, and let sit for a couple of minutes so the crumbs can absorb some of the moisture. At this point, you should have a moist mixture that you can easily form into twelve 1 1/2-inch-thick patties. I err on the moist side here, because it makes for a nicely textured burger. You can always add more bread crumbs a bit at a time to firm up the dough if need be. Conversely, a bit of water or more egg can be used to moisten the batter." (www.101cookbooks.com)

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium low, add 4 patties, cover, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms begin to brown. Turn up the heat if there is no browning after 10 minutes. Flip the patties and cook the second side for 7 minutes, or until golden.

As you are cooking the burgers make sure to make your homemade beerbattered, fried jalapenos and onion rings for the veggie burgers!

My parents original recipe for beerbatter. We used Negra Modelo beer for the batter... and drank the rest!

Cook until crispy on each side, slightly browned.

Once everything is finished assemble your burgers. Although the veggie burgers will be moist we still used our homemade secret sauce, but that's a recipe for another time!

Enjoy with family or good people!

With satisfaction,

Bobby El Jefe de Cocina James

Dream.Develop.Do. x Morris League "A Night at the Ballpark"

2010-10-12T10:10:00.001-07:00

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Home | About | Students | Donate | Contact

Our Fall fundraiser is almost here! Dream.Develop.Do. has collaborated with the Morris League of Sacramento, an amateur baseball league that started at Sac State, to put on a home run derby titled “A Night at the Ballpark”. We have a pretty sizeable goal of raising $10,000 that will be split 50/50 with the Morris League who will also be providing scholarships, but to Sac State students specifically.

If you have been keeping up-to-date with Dream.Develop.Do. then you know that we recently just awarded three deserving students $1,000 scholarships. For our first project Dream.Develop.Do. is proud to have fulfilled our purpose and mission statement and look forward to continuously doing so.

We look forward to seeing you out at “A Night at the Ballpark” this October 16th, 2010 at McAuliffe Field by Sac State from 4-8pm.

Robert Graham

Founder & President

Dream.Develop.Do.

dreamdevelopdo@gmail.com

www.dreamdevelopdo.org

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Blackberries x Ciroc Vodka

2010-08-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

I found myself at the weekly farmer's market in downtown Sacramento two Wednesdays ago being sold blackberries against my will; "2 baskets for $5" the semi-annoying/semi-cute girl kept repeating. I didn't know what to do with that many blackberries and I was going to say no until the vendor next to her said you could always infuse some vodka... and I was sold.

I took the blackberries and put them in a large airtight jar, lightly smashed them and then poured a 1/5th (750ml) of Ciroc Vodka over it, sealed it and left it for 7 days. Today I bought a small funnel, strainer and cheese cloth to help strain out all the seeds, mush and other blackberry parts. Thankfully it turned out delicious.

Here's how it went...

7 days in a dark cool place did wonders for the fruit/alcohol infusion.

Infusion, Ciroc bottle, strainer, cheesecloth and funnel.

This was a new and interesting experience... I wasn't sure if I should eat the fruit before work??

The finished product!

Joe and I drank a small sample of it and it is delicious on its own, deep in flavor and full bodied like a red wine. This infusion would be great simply mixed with ice and shaken, however, I think I'll make a homemade simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar boiled down) and make martinis and other drinks with this!

Anyone care to join me?

-Bobby James

Summer Time Nom-Noms

2010-08-05T17:35:00.001-07:00

Been making this frequently this summer--heirloom tomatoes are in full effect. If you come over you are sure to see a basket full of fresh fruits and veggies.

Summer x The Freshness of Ciabatta

This heirloom tomatoe, cucumber, avocado, feta cheese and fresh bread salad is my absolute favorite summertime snack/salad. It has a champaigne vinegarette and the $10 spent on the vinegar was well worth it!

Here's the recipe:

Dish

2 medium heirloom tomatoes
1 medium avocado
1 large cucumber
1 loaf of ciabatta or pugleise bread
4 oz feta cheese

Method

chop tomatoes, avocado, cucumber and bread in to sizable chunks and toss with the feta cheese and the champaigne vinegarette in a large bowl. Serve immediately.

Champaigne Vinegarette Dressing

1 each shallot -- Quartered
1 small Garlic clove -- pressed
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons sugar/or spenda equivalent
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 dash freshly ground white pepper
1/2 cup Champagne vinegar
1 1/2 cups Canola oil (or olive oil will do)

Mix all of the above mentioned salad dressing ingredients in a blender adding the canola oil slowly at the very end.*
1. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to meld the ingredients. Pour over salad ingredients.
*Mix all ingredients a day ahead and store in covered jar. Keeps very well.

I promise you this will impress and satisfy.

Bobby James

Vandalizin' The Crooks!

2010-08-05T17:31:00.001-07:00

New cut off... Took an old Crooks & Castles tee and chopped it up!

I'm not sure how Crooks & Castles would feel, but this goes hard!

Bobby Jay

Pancake Breakfast

2010-07-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

...This is how every Monday morning should be...

Marisa made me pancakes this past Monday morning after a drama-filled Sunday night where we celebrated my friend's 21st birthday!

I swear she's eyeing me like "stop taking pictures or no pancakes for you!" She's such a pancake-nazi.

I said something funny =P

Marisa makes her pancakes in a cast-iron skillet with butter and a very thin pancake mixture that makes the edges of the pancakes crispy and the middle golden brown.

They were nom x 10!

I was also introduced to Karo syrup that morning, but I still prefer my pancakes with peanut butter, crunchy por favor!

Thanks Marisa!

Who wouldn't want to see that face on a Monday morning??

Bobby Jay

DLRN (Delorean)- "The Bridge"

2010-07-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Finally DLRN's new project, "The Bridge" is here! It dropped yesterday and I downloaded that shit when I woke up (seriously).

I listened to "The Bridge" twice in a row while at the gym, thoroughly enjoying their music. DLRN (5th Ave & Jon Reyes) stepped their game up and produced something that is so artistic it is larger than Sacramento Hip-Hop--"The Bridge's" strong production by Jon Reyes and collaboration between 5th Ave and Bay Area/Sacramento features is smooth and melodic. I'll leave it at that... Listen for yourself!

DLRN's first project "No More Heroes"... setting up the Sacramento music scene with an epic introduction and conclusion about how Sac has no more heroes and that it's time to recreate them through themselves (and personally to me, within ourselves).

"No More Heroes" to me ushered in a new era of Sacramento Hip-Hop that sets a standard for a level of production and a beautiful artistic sound. Step your game up basically!!

"The Bridge", which dropped yesterday, celebrates some of the best musicians/rappers that Sacramento/The Bay Area has to offer; creating a bridge for Sacramento music to resonate throughout Sacramento and shatter the barriers that have traditionally held back Sacramento music from being more wide spread and listened to.

If I were to recommend one Sacramento Hip-Hop group to represent our sound, who we are and the scene that we have here in the 916/530 I'd recommend DLRN and I have done so!

One of the underlying themes in DLRN's music, to me, has been hope and I mean that. There's a certain dream of being a musician and once you acheive that and feel like your music is a certain caliber or satisfactory to oneself there's a hope and another dream that's about being heard, having your gift shared and listened to by larger bodies of people and to be recognized, either by a label or a people or a greater scene, as having "made it" or as being "great" and I believe DLRN is creating that bridge and instilling that hope. They do this by creating a sense of needing new heroes in a scene where there aren't any more left and then transitioning in to those heroes between the first and second albums!

Both albums are downloadable for free on their website DLRN Music. Do it!

All album artwork was done by Nick J. Naraja of 12ftDwende.

Bobby James

Beijing Photo Series by Jasper Jones

2010-07-18T19:36:00.001-07:00

Found this series at NotCot.org and it caught my eye.

Notice the compression of multiple photos and the preciseness of the imagery.

All the photos in the series found here.

Super dope!

Bobby James

Steve Carell Spoofs "The Decision"

2010-07-18T17:55:00.001-07:00

Out of all the spoofs and mock-video's of "The Decision" (Lebron James x ESPN, See Below) this is the funniest...

Steve Carell at his best...

Looking forward to his new movie.

Bobby James

Blueberry Infused Vodka!

2010-07-17T12:34:00.001-07:00

Found it! The perfect, delicious recipe for blueberry infused vodka...

"Sweet Blueberry Infusion"

Summer's here and I get thirsty... here's a refreshing infusion I WILL be making in the upcoming weeks. I'll repost pictures of my own...

It has been decided that we will be using Ciroc Vodka and mixing this drink with fresh squeezed lemonade-- Diddy style via London.

Recipe:

"Sweet Blueberry Infusion

1 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 litter Tito’s Vodka (any top shelf vodka will work)

In a bowl cover the blueberries with the sugar and lemon juice (the lemon juice helps keep the blue color) then gently break the skins of the blueberries with a spoon to open the fruit. Do not overwork or mash the berries, let the vodka do the work. Then move the berries and excess juice and sugar to a container, with a sealable lid or swing top (mason jars and swing top bottles work great). Cover the berries in 1 litter of vodka and seal the container. Allow the fruit to sit for anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month, shaking every other day. Once the infusion is done, remove the fruit, and strain the vodka to remove any left over particulates. Serve over ice, as a martini, mixed with fresh lemonade , or reduce with raspberries and sugar over low heat to make a syrup and serve over pound cake."

Found over at Liqurious via The Hungry Southerner.

Along with the Jalapeno-Blood Orange Tequila there shall be drinking, dancing and a fucking good time!

Bobby James

1960's Colt 45 Malt Liquor vs. 2010 Old Spice Man

2010-07-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Every great man/woman has a predecessor...

If 1960 had the Old Spice man it'd be this guy from the 1960's commercial for Colt 45 Malt Liquor. Watch both vidoes for similarity.

Vs.

I still love the Old Spice Guy, but I enjoyed and laughed heartedly at Colt 45 Man.

Bobby Jay

Mel Gibson x The World

2010-07-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

This shit's comedy...

"With each new rant, Mel Gibson has managed to successfully insult random minority after random minority (including his latest reference to “Wetbacks”), alienating himself from various groups of people with impressive, almost-organized precision.

Below, the official checklist of Gibson’s progress so far, as well as his upcoming targets:"

STAR-LESS SNEETCHES... How low will Mel go??

Found over at: Best Week Ever (Vh1).

Bobby James

Can You Say Bachelor Pad!!!

2010-07-13T12:20:00.001-07:00

Found this over at Design Milk and it caught my eye. The lines are so crisp throughout the whole structure, bathed in white, manicured wood and cool steel. I can see myself coming home from work, suited up, turning on a flat screen tv, walking to the bedroom and changing down before relaxing with a beer or drink.

Unfortunately this spot is in Toronto, Canada and is known as the Walmer Loft, designed by Dubbel Dam Architects.

Imagine having this place in downtown Sacramento overlooking the Capitol, the bridge and J street? Oooohweeee.

Check out more pictures and the article here.

-Bobby Jay

Lebron James x D. Wade x Chris Bosh... MIAMI BABY

2010-07-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

It's final! Lebron James will be joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami!

I was at the gym yesterday watching "The Decision" on ESPN anticipating either Chicago or Miami. There was no way he was going back to Cleveland.

After rewatching this clip you can see that Lebron looks hesitant and remorseful about having to make this decision in front of a live audience, having his own special and knowing that he was letting down his home state of Ohio.

So let's watch it again and rejoice.

Enter: The era of super teams in the NBA.

Lakers.

Celtics.

Heat.

My prediction for the 2011 Finals is Miami v Lakers with Miami in 6. Any takers?

Bobby James

Shawnimals x Kid Robot

2010-07-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

POW!! Right in the kisser... Ninja style.

Shawnimals teams up with Kid Robot to create pocket ninja blind box vinyl series.

If you know me then you know I love my plush pocket ninjas. I was once wearing a suit, at the California State Capitol talking with some staffers when I felt something in the pocket of my jacket and I pulled out (I shit you not) an orange pocket ninja!!! The conversation stoped and we all stared at it in disbelief.

The collabo blind box vinyl series is $7.95 at Kid Robot retailers, http://www.kidrobot.com/ and select retailers. I'm hoping Sacramento homies Dragatomi (Off J st. downtown Sacramento between 23rd and 24th streets) gets them in...

Until then, stay sneaky.

Bobby James

Jalapeno-Blood Orange Infused Tequila

2010-07-08T20:23:00.000-07:00

As soon as I move in to my new place and find a new job I am making this as a celebration elixer...

I will find a glass jar similiar to this photo and Jalapeno-Blood Orange the shit out of some tequila. As I write this I also think an Acai-Blueberry infused vodka would be pretty bomb as well.

You can find the recipe here. I'll be needing it so I sure as hell will be clicking there too.

Who's ready to party!?

Bobby James

Ana Tijoux @ Sol Collective Downtown Sacramento!

2010-07-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

Fresh off the South by South-West Music Festival, French-Chilean MC Ana Tijoux is coming to Sacramento for her U.S. tour. 2574 21st Street, otherwise known as Sol Collective, is hosting the event as part of their cultural music series.

Ana Tijoux first started rhyming in French and then in Spanish in the mid-90's where she formed numerous groups, eventually making it mainstream in Latin Pop (much different than American Pop). With her current solo album, "Kaos", Ana Tijoux has re-entered the South American underground Hip-Hop scene.

I'm planning on going because I know the Executive Director Estella and Anand (DJ Crush Delight) both have great, worldly taste in music.

If anything... this cultural music showcase is only $10. I'm there.

-Bobby James

Justene Jaro- One of L.A.'s Finest

2010-07-03T22:37:00.001-07:00

Found this beauty over at Frank151.

From a sheer beauty standpoint Justene is it, but I'm diggin the classiness of the black and white and the photo edges as if they were a century old. Photos were taken by photographer Estevan Oriol and the caption on the post reads "One of L.A.'s Finest". Estoy de acuerdo.

On another note there is just something about black and white that makes me want to understand it better; to master its depths and clarity.

-Bobby James

Last Night... Going Away Party

2010-07-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

Meet Erin O'Brien aka Ernie aka BIANCA BITCH.

A wild one who parties harder than anyone I've ever known; Erin is the catalyst for a good time. Sadly, she leaves for Bali to teach English for a year on Sunday, July 4th. I'm proud to say she was my first friend in college and eventually like a sister to me.

This is a photo recollection of her going away dinner party at Mundaka in Carmel, California; I got there late and I still had a damn good time. I recommend that place ONLY if you've got $200 to blow and eight friends... it is well worth it.

This is how the going away party looked like when my dude Kevin and I ARRIVED. Shit was already crackin, empty glasses and half eaten plates alongside empty bottles of wine and carafes of who knows what!? From my point of view, which I'm sharing with you here, I had the best seat in which to view everyone and everything happening.

My game face for the night...

Kevin's game face for the night... If this was the World Cup of Game Face's I'd lose in the first round; you can't beat that 'stache nor that stare.

They had these dope wine carafes that were made specifically (or not) for a fun little game that goes a little something like this...

And after all that swallowing (lol) Kevin's reaction was grizzly! If you look closely in the other photos you can see where people spilled on themselves. In hindsight that was the best part... watching people handle it, only to spill on themselves and eventually start laughing along with us.

Eventually the bill came and we were off, but we took some fucking awesome photos beforehand. Look at those hot bitches... and when I say that... I mean Kevin and I! :P Kidding.

When was the last time you had a night out like this? Thanks to Erin, Bess, Paige, Melisa, Brennan, Domingo, Kevin for a great night. I ended up driving back to Sacramento after that, not getting home 'till 3:10 am, but just the dinner alone was worth the drive.

Good luck Erin, I'd love to come visit you in Bali. I'm told if you don't learn to surf every day in beautiful Bali, Poseiden will beat the shit out of you; I'm just sayin'.

-Bobby James

Ireland- Protestants v Catholics

2010-06-16T20:17:00.001-07:00

(All Pictures Taken by Randy Graham, My Father)

I just got back from Ireland, please excuse my two week hiatus, and absolutely loved it. Flew in to Dublin and realized that was NOT Ireland and left the city life for the countryside, spending 14 days driving around the coast of Ireland. I had heard, but didn't understand that the island of Ireland is actually two countries: The Free Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is under British rule. Originally my idea for my first article back was to do a re-cap of my time in Ireland--packed with photos of the beautiful countryside and small seaside villages, but at the end of the trip we found ourselves in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, and realized the article should be about the Peace Walls that were originally built to oppress the Catholics by the British Protestants.

Known as "The Troubles", a conflict between Irish Catholics and English-loyal Protestants, began in 1966 in Northern Ireland and wouldn't officially end until the "Good Friday" agreement in 1998. During this time hundreds, if not thousands, of Irish were murdered as the civil war between the two religious groups. Originally, England's Parliament officially moved away from the Catholic Church, who they believed had to much influence on the people and therefore their Democratic system of governance, developing a national Protestant movement. Northern Ireland, under British rule, was Catholic and wanted to stay that way; they believed the British government was oppressive and they wanted a free Northern Ireland that could then unite with the Southern, Free Republic of Ireland.

What arose from this conflict was the British government bringing in English military troops to combat and suppress any political uprising--to establish their rule without any dissention or conflict. However, this fueled the loyal Catholics and the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The IRA acted as a guerrilla-like group that created a viscious, high-civilian casualty, war between religious groups. I shit you not... when describing the conflict our guide said the United States has the Crips and Bloods, while we have Protestants and Catholics; the rivalry was that bad. Bombings were constant and assassinations occur still to this day. Dividing up the cities across lines of religious affinity huge walls, with steel pickets at the top of the fences, surrounded by barbed-wire, and a thin road inbetween them.

"We Will Never Be 2nd Class Citizens to You Scummy Bastards" (Catholics to Protestants)

For decades (1960's-1990's) this was an area of Belfast where riot squads suppressed, well, riots; where Prostants fought Catholics; where bodies were scraped off the floor by ambulence and EMT workers; an area of catalyst for the religious rivalry. Somewhere down the line, after "Good Friday" in 1998, an agreement between the two major political parties in Northern ireland, controlled by Protestants and Catholics, agreed to put aside their differences on accounts of the lives lost on boths ides. Afterwards, the narrow streets where these walls were constructed were painted over and thousands of people from all over the world started writing on it ("Bring Peace to Belfast", "Give Peace a Chance", etc.) and eventually it began an infamous, known worldwide, wall for graffiti art. Here are some photos of some beautiful pieces. The city of Belfast actually grants space to artists and crews to paint over the wall... Here are some of the photos my dad and I took:

A small taste of far the walls stretch and how high the fences were...

While the walls still hold a political charge to them, reminiscent of a repressive time as pillars of segregation and religious apartheid, they still stand, intact, as symbols of what once was and what has become a canvas for Change & Peace.

From Belfast with Love,

Bobby James

Seed Bombing 1.0

2010-05-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Mi mama y yo hacemos seed bombs por diviertido a dia. They were fun and easy to make... we used Sunflower seeds and California Golden Poppy seeds to make our seed bombs. The recipe is super easy as I will go over in this photo blog-- 1 part seed of your choosing, 1 part soil and 5 parts clay!

What is seed bombing you ask? Well shit if I know! Okay, really its a form of guerrilla gardening created by gardeners in the 70's who wanted a fun and hip way to garden in hard to reach places or areas taken over by land developers and corporate America. Here's a link to a pretty cool guerrilla gardening website: Guerrilla Gardening (I am most inclined to the seed bombs and the seed pills!).

Okay now to the goods:

What You'll Need: a mixing bowl, a measuring cup, seeds of your choosing (I recommend a wild flower blend), soil, and (I recommend powdered) clay, and a small cup of water for mixing.

To begin: Mix the seeds and the soil together and spread around.

It should look like this.

Next: Mix in the 5 parts clay and spread around evenly.

Then mix in a small amount of water, just enough to get the clay sticky without making it too watery, otherwise the clay won't stay together. Another reason why you don't want too much water is you don't want the seeds to start to germinate as they should naturally be able to do so wherever you plan to "bomb" them!

Mix that shit up! Yes by hand!

Mix it up into a sticky ball and then pull it a part and create smaller balls. 1/4 cup seeds, 1/4 cup soil and 1 and 1/4 cups clay should create 10 seed bombs!

Finito! Bombs away...

Bobby James

Gradu-fucking-ation!!!

2010-05-29T00:24:00.000-07:00

I did WHAT???

YOU BETTER NOT BE LYING TO ME...

CHECK MY CAP... WHAT CA...P.

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS???

OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD... I DID IT... I REALLY FUCKING DID IT!!! THE JOKES ON YOU WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOP WOOP Familia GRAHAM

Shit I´m Diggin...

2010-01-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

Found this over at Hypebeast and I´m all about the crew neck sweaters-- no more hoodies, zip ups or v necks.

This is a collaboration between Kazuki Kuraishi x CASH CA and is for the Spring and Summer 2010 lines.

I gotta say it´s all about the stripes.

And these socks... DAMN!

These go perfect with the socks and sweater. Lookin for that sugar mama to marry before she dies a year later...

Why am I day dreaming while I´m over here below the Equator? Makes no sense...

-Bobby James

PrecYse- See Me Say (Prod. by Charles Hamilton)

2010-01-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

Shout out to the Prince for sending me the link for this joint.

I´ve been listening to this for a couple days when I´ve had time out here below the Equator and I´m diggin the beat and dudes flow. It´s worth the listen...

Artwork is from an older EP, couldn´t find a picture of dude...

Listen and download the song here.

-Bobby James

La Casa Del Arbol

2010-01-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

Found myself in Banos, Ecuador right before New Years. Dyane´s brother and I decided to go find this camp site called La Casa Del Arbol where you could see the whole valley from the top of this mountain. Plus... it supposedly had an amazing treehouse that we could sleep in. What kind of camp grounds have treehouses to sleep in?

Well... this kind of camp ground!

I was at disbelief that there was a real, actual tree house, rope swing included and all! It was actually hella shaking when we got upstairs and we decided to sleep outside.

As the night went on we lit candles for light and seriously told ghost stories. reminded me of growing up around a camp fire or a sleep over at a friends...

We sat here in the morning and drank tea, overlooking the whole valley...

Lastly, we had to try this rope swing... its called the "Deadliest Swing In The World" because you actually swing over the 1,000 ft drop. That was a rush...

This was top three camping trips of my life... it was just so unreal. Late at night the clouds came in and we were actually chilling inside them.

Living it up in Ecuador...

-Bobby World Travelin´ James

DipSet Producer AraabMuzik KILLS THE MPC

2010-01-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

Dipset producer AraabMuzik absolutely demolishes his MPC making a beat...

-Bobby James

Don Cannon x The Cool Kids Videos

2010-01-05T09:07:00.000-08:00

I posted right before Christmas the Don Cannon x The Cool Kids Merry Christmas FreEP. Here are two videos of the talented trio knocking out two songs off the 4 song EP.

Don Cannon + Cool Kids: Tires ft. Boldy James from Decatur Dan on Vimeo.

Don Cannon + Cool Kids: Free Throws from Decatur Dan on Vimeo.

Decatur Dan had this to say about the project "In four short days, Don Cannon and The Cool Kids knocked out four classic tracks for the Merry Christmas FreEP. This track, Tires, features Boldy James and is produced by one half of The Cool Kids, Chuck Inglish."

If two other videos drop for the other two songs I´ll be sure to post them as this black and white shit has got me pressing replay.

From Decatur Dan to 2DopeBoyz to LGNDSAYS!

-Bobby James

The (R)Evolution of Art Video

2010-01-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

The (R)Evolution of Art is a dope video portraying how the urban art movement has taken over galleries and created the new traditional form of art. Urban art is finally being recognized as it´s own style of artwork in its own period of time...

(R)Evolution of Urban Art from Warrington Museum & Art Gallery on Vimeo.

"he Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is holding an exhibition until March 13th highlighting some “Urban Art” from artists like Banksy, Blek le Rat, Gavin Turk, Adam Neate (interviewed), David Choe, Faile (featured), Lorraine Robbins, Antony Micallef (interviewed), Ron English (featured), José Parlá, Elbow-Toe (interviewed), Sam Taylor-Wood, Candice Tripp (interviewed), Swoon (interviewed) and Takashi Murakami - um, yes… Murakami. We believe the pieces are part of a private collection that also exhibited at the Stoke-on-Trent Potteries Museum & Art Gallery earlier this year."

I thoroughly enjoyed this video...

Shout out to Arrested Motion for the original post.

-Bobby James

MIXTAPESSSS!!!

2010-01-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

While I've been out here in Ecuador I haven't been able to download any new music, but I have been waiting to get home so I can listen to that new Jay Electronica Act II tape! While we all wait here is a series of mixtapes that were released between January 1st and today, the 3rd. This is the beauty of the new music movement-- great music releases from great artists at random times...

Here's a couple of my favorites that just dropped. Can't wait to download them when I get home...

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek are Reflection Eternal- The Re:UNION Mixtape (prod. by Statik Selektah)

Download: Reflection Eternal- The Re:UNION Mixtape

Blu TheGodLeeBarnes(lp)

Download: Blu- TheGodLeeBarnes(lp)

Mickey Factz- thedarkphoenix: ALPHA Mixtape

Download: Mickey Factz- thedarkphoenix: ALPHA Mixtape

Sacramento Stand UP!! Illecism- 4DB: ForhDaBoy (Mixtape)

Download: Illecism- 4DB: ForhDaBoy (Mixtape)

Here are some honorable mentions that I haven't really listened to before, but excited to check them out:

Download: The Knux- Fuck You (FreEP)

Download: Yelawolf- Trunk Muzik Mixtape)

Hope this helps while we all await Jay Elec's Act II...

-Bobby James

IM KING x N4E1

2009-12-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

I saw this collabo between one of my favorite brands IM KING and Not For Everyone Co.

I was so focused on finals I forgot to post this...

Truly a dope collaboration. I want a pair... but who wouldn't?

-Bobby Christmas James IV, Esquire

P.s. It's all about bowties for the upcoming year. I want to see a dope collabo on one... so if you're reading IM KING that's whats up!!

Christmas Gifts... What´d You Get???

2009-12-25T14:14:00.001-08:00

I´ve been wanting a nice digital camera for a while and my parents surprised me with on before I left for Ecuador.

The Nikon SLR DX60

What´d you get? Big or small I want to know!

I usually don´t get fancy schmancy gifts like this so it´s been awesome taking all the photos I´ve been putting up on the blog!

-Bobby Christmasss

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2009-12-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

This has been one of the most memoral Christmases to date. Spending it with Dyane´s family in Ecuador has been nothing short of a hangover, mass quantities of food and movies on TV.

This is because we celebrated Christmas last night, into the early morning. I don´t think we got home until 4am.

Here´s a short summary:

Dyane´s brother Alexander waking up rockin´that Self Made Lgnd "The Leaders of Tomorrow" tee!

A little last minute Christmas shopping with Dyane helped create this...

We celebrated at her aunt´s house with the whole family. After traditional Catholic prayer, dinner and opening gifts a couple bottles of Zhumir appeared. When I first saw it in the store I thought it was a good thing it was so cheap...

Meet Familia Osorio y Familia Enriquez. This photo was taken around 3am... Again, we drank until about 3:30am and didn´t make it home until about 4am. This was all that survived!

Paul, in the middle with the santa hat, had us cracking up all night. He said he was afraid I´d catch all sorts of diseases and sicknesses in the Peace Corps. I told him I had malaria and that I survived, but before I could finish he said "Oh yeah, Malaria? Well I have marriage!!!" His wife was sitting right next to us...

With everything inbetween and after I can say that I´ve really been enjoying my vacation here in Ecuador and I´m going to miss Dyane muchisimo.

However, having survived last night I now consciously thank God for inventing the liver.

Merry Christmas!

-Bobby James

Don Cannon x The Cool Kids "Merry Christmas" Mixtape

2009-12-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

Don Cannon + Cool Kids: Merry Xmas from Decatur Dan on Vimeo.

This video dropped yesterday, Christmas Eve, in anticipation for today´s release of the "Merry Christmas" Mixtape.
javascript:void(0)
Here´s the cover art work

DL: Don Cannon x The Cool Kids

-Bobby Christmas

Ecuador Part II

2009-12-24T08:14:00.001-08:00

What´s good? It´s Christmas Eve and my girlfriend still hasn´t done her Christmas shopping!!! But I think that´s the trend. Thankfully, I have until the 17th of January before I have to give my friends their Christmas presents.

The last few days have been interesting and I thought I´d share three of my favorite photos with you that I´ve taken since the last post.

Because there has been little rain this winter in Quito, Ecuador the city and surrounding areas have rolling, mandatory, blackouts that go from sector to sector every day that last about three hours. Ours usually happens between 7-10pm. But it´s not all bad... I haven´t written by candle light since, well, ever!

I wanted to make Dyane´s family dinner because they´ve been so good to me, so I went for my go-to dish... PIZZA! I was so tired after playing futbol all afternoon and preparing the pizzas I only remembered to take a picture of the meat one. I know all you meat eaters are salivating right now!!! The trick is getting the dough just right...

Lastly, every Christmas, which they take UBER seriously here, they make these goodie bags for the children. Here is the "filling". I kept eating all the cookies lol.

I´m gonna go help Dyane buy her Christmas gifts this afternoon. I got her some good shit before I left the States from her favorite store, Anthropology.

Merry Pre-Christmas

-Bobby MF James

Hella Tight SF and Ransom Holding Co. Make My Eyes Water

2009-12-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

On a less serious note, I´m diggin this Hella Tight SF Trolley Fitted Cap and the new Ransom 2009 Holiday Collection!

Hella Tight SF is a California Bay Area clothing line that pays homage to the culture of the ¨Bay Area.¨ This fitted cap shows the classic SF colorway that the GIANTS have made famous over the years. It also embodies the classic means of transport in SF, the trolley, that runs all over the city and is a major attraction for tourists. Simply put, it´s dope =)! (Shout out to my homie MATHIAS who I know is gonna want to cop this hat!!!)

¨
Ransom’s 2009 holiday collection enjoys the release of three marquee items. Leading the way is a varsity jacket featuring a Melton wool body and bone-colored calfskin leather. A collaborative Pendleton flannel features custom tailoring by Ransom as the capsule is rounded out by a drop-crotch ribbed sweat pant made of Japanese fleece. The collection is available now at the Ransom flagship store in Toronto.¨

While I wouldn´t wear these pieces together, they sure as hell would go nicely in my collection.

Bobby Jay

U.S. Buses Undocumented Immigrants to ´Nowhere´ by NPR

2009-12-22T07:54:00.000-08:00

I may be in Ecuador, but I´m still staying up on important news in the states... With that said here is a story that recently aired on NPR.

Undocumented immigrants who have been crossing the border from Mexico to Southern Arizona that have been recently caught by Homeland Security are being bused 570 miles up to Texas, documented then sent back over the Mexican border to the tiny town of Ojinaga, Chihuahua.

We have a law in the United States that says ¨No cruel and unusual punishment,¨ however, busing undocumented immigrants 570 miles away from their point of entry, making them stand in line for hours to be documented and then dropping them off in a small border town, hundreds of miles away from where they´d have to return home to, counts to me not so much as cruel but as UNUSUAL punishment.

We as a country justify our action by the end results, never by the means, and I must point out that the cruel and unusual punishment in this case STARTS on American soil and just because it ends in Mexico, doesn´t mean it is right or the proper way to handle this situation.

"I'm going home with nothing. This is why I'm sad," says Jose Pedro Caseres, 23. "Thank God I'm alive, but I return just as I left — with nothing in my hand." (NPR)

If anything, the smugglers who help undocumented immigrants cross the border will simply adapt, finding a new way to cross the border from Mexico to the United States. Imagine how much money is spent on border patrol and security and now think about how that money could be used to naturalize and assimilate immigrants to the United States.

If you disagree with me on this point I ask that you think about how this country was founded, how you were born in the United States and where you roots came from. Is it okay to say that undocumented immigrants today are simply 200 plus years late to be naturalized and given citizenship?

Enough of my ranting though. This has been another article that has shown me reasons why I should be thankful for who I am and what I have.

Bobby James

Ecuador Week 1

2009-12-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

I was surprised for Christmas, right before I left for Ecuador, with the Nikon DX digital camera. I´ve been wanting a nice camera that allows for serious photography and still be able to mess around with. My parents did a good job this year lol...

So I´ve been taking hundreds of pictures of Ecuador, which will never see the light of day, and I thought it was only right to share some of them with LGNDSAYS!

Guess who picked me up from the airport? Dyane!!!

Every morning when I wake up there is an egg scramble waiting for me... with potatoes or rice, avocado and fresh bread!

And because I love food so much... Here´s another picture of traditional Ecuadorian food. This is an empanada de viento, THEY´RE HUGE!!! You eat the crispy crust with sugar and the cheesy inside with fresh salsa...Mmmmm.

This is how they´re made...

Finally, this past Sunday (Yesterday) we drove three hours into the jungle of Ecuador to Mindo, a town where 70% of the surrounding area was untouched by humans and we went ziplining through the whole thing...

Who was that handsome beast above? I´ve been a lightweight adrenaline junky for the past year or so, enjoyin the rush of adrenaline one gets when he´s flying through the fucking jungle like Tarzan, except I eat regular food and sleep in a bed! The last zipline Dyane and I went together with the guide... The more weight there is, the faster you go!!!

My first seven days have been amazing here in Ecuador. I am staying in Quito, but for new years we are going to the beach in Salinas, Guayaquil & some jungle called the AMAZON!!!

I´ll put up more pictures next week...

Bobby James (Beto)

P.S. Dyane´s got an OLD SCHOOL sticker of MJ on her bedroom door, back when he was still black... and well... alive! =S

IRON MAN 2 TRAILER

2009-12-17T12:50:00.001-08:00

Christmas came early... as soon as I saw this over at www.mag.ma it was the first thing I had to watch.

I can't express how dope Iron Man was as a comic and cartoon, but I will say that I waited since my sophmore year of high school (2002) to see the first Iron Man and now I can't wait until May 2010 for the sequel to drop...

Here's the trailer for Iron Man 2:

I graduate right around the time that that movie drops... but if it happens to be the day I'm supposed to walk... guess which one will take priority??

-Bobby James

Doey Rock is Making Me Hungry!

2009-12-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

Beats for Breakfast, Rappers for Lunch... That's what they're serving over at MyBBQSpot off J and 26th street in Downtown Sacramento!

DOey Rock is vicious with this song/video titled "Doe's Diner."

I suggest watching this on a full stomach, or else.

Doey Rock "Doe's Diner" from WE The West on Vimeo.

I thoroughly enjoyed this video... shit was comedy. I still wonder why Sac isn't up on the big blogs?

Bobby Jaaames

What's Going On In Tim Burton's Head?

2009-12-17T08:29:00.000-08:00

For all you Alice in Wonderland fans, Tim Burton has been directing the new Disney movie that's a "Return to Wonderland," feating the likes of Johnny Depp & Anne Hathaway.

This movie looks truly epic...

Watch this shit!

Personally, I thought the original Alice in Wonderland was creepy, strange and off-the-wall, "Leave It To ~~Beaver~~ Burton" to truly outdo all that once was, creating all that will be!

-Bobby James

NPR All Songs Considered "Discussion: The Year in Music, 2009"

2009-12-16T08:47:00.001-08:00

Here's a question I've been asked a couple times recently, "Bobby, where are you?"

Answer: Well, I'm in Quito, Ecuador!!! I'm at my girlfriends work right now and I'm listening to NPR's All Songs Considered "Discussion: The Year in Music, 2009."

The beauty of the internet...

If you know me then you know how much I love NPR; I'm pretty much a geek for it!

You can listen to what I'm listening to right now here or below!

Here's a list of some of the artists discussed and played on this podcast:

Visqueen, The Woods (Great Falsetto), Taken By Trees, Coconut Records (Really Enjoy Jason Schwartzman), K'NAAN (The Best Out of The Group), Fanfarlo, The XX (A Must Listen), Little Claw, Buck 65 & more...

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did right below the Equator!

-Bobby Jay

How I'll Be Spending Christmas & New Years!!!

2009-12-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

Finals are done... Christmas is almost here... and I'm off to Ecuador for a month!!!

I leave tonight at 12:30 am on my dad's birthday (Happy Birthday Dad!) and I'm stoked. Been wanting a nice camera to really practice photography with and I was surprised this morning with a new Nikon D5000! Get ready LGNDSAYS for some photography of South America!!!

In case you have no clue where Ecuador is, as I've had to show my friends recently, it is HERE:

Tucked right inbetween Columbia and Peru!

Most importantly though, the question is why I am going to Ecuador!?

And the answer is to see this beauty:

Almost there BooBoo!

Ecuador here I come... stay tuned for updates from the equator!

Bobby MF James

The Onion- DEA Recruits Lil Wayne To Use Up All Drugs In Mexico

2009-12-08T17:13:00.000-08:00

I can't stop laughing at this... BRILLIANT!

Right!?

Bobby Jammmmmmes

STRANGER DANGER MIXTAPE

2009-12-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

My boy DJ Undies is a bit strange, but damn does he have a good taste in music. Below is his latest mix!

"Finally back in touch with the technological Western world. To celebrate this interweb return is a mix. Psychedelic/Afro/Funk/Disco Mix. Bringing the heat for those cold Fall nights."

Funky Mix
1. People Get Up And Drive Your Funky Soul- James Brown
2. Hot Funky And Sweaty- The Soul Lifters
3. Two To Make A Pair- The Strangers
4. Jungle Fever- The Afrosound
5. Fast Man- The Pc's LTD
6. It's A Vanity- Gabo Brown & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo
7. Gbeti Madjiro- Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
8. Money Won't Change You- James Brown
9. So hard to find- Pazazz
10. Night Court- Vibes
11. Home Is Where the Hatred Is- Gil Scott-Heron
12. The Payback- James Brown

Check out DJ Undies blog and download the latest mix: DJ Undies- STRANGER DANGER FUNKY MIX

-Bobby James

Mock Funeral Photo & Video Summary

2009-12-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a post about a protest I was involved in this past week...

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 almost 400 Sacramento State students, faculty and media correspondents joined the Sac State Coalition in mourning the death of California's committment to the higher education master plan at a "Mock Funeral".

The Mock Funeral began with a small march around the Library Quad, gathering the first 100 or so students. As the march grew it's span encompassed the entirety of the Library Quad!!!

As the crowd began to grow larger than expected, faster than expected, we moved into the grassy area of the Library Quad and proceeded to start the "funeral service" in rememberence to California's committment to the higher education master plan. Even the sun came out in attendence...

There was a small coffin placed in the middle of the gathering, symbolizing the Mock Funeral. A number of student and faculty speakers rallied the crowd, creating a beautiful energy that hadn't been present at Sac State in a long time.

Students went into an uproar when they learned that a now ex-senior official in the Chancellor's Office had wasted over $150,000 in misc. travel expenses over a three year period, with charges like $400 a night suites at 5 star hotels...

>(Photo by The Sacramento Bee.)

We passed out note cards and asked students to write down what fee increases, furloughs, decreased class offerings, part-time lecturer cuts & other affects of budget cuts meant to them. As the speeches finished up we had everyone put their cards into the coffin.

One of the lead organizers, Alma Lopez, then picked up the coffin and began the march to the administration building on campus... 100's, plural, followed, chanting in unison!

(Photo by The Sacramento Bee.)

Students were upset, even angry, charging the air with an emotional electricity, fueling the peaceful and civil demonstration in rememberence of a time where higher education was accessable, affordable, and rich in its quality.

(Photo by The Sacramento Bee.)

The coffin was carried into and up the stairs of the administration building, towards President Gonzalez's office...

(Photo by The Sacramento Bee.)

Students marching outside of President Gonzalez's Office. A.S.I. student government President Robert Torres stands by idlely as the protest marches past!

(Photo by The Sacramento Bee.)

As everyone made it out of the administration building, safely and unharmed, we rallied out front of the President's Office window. Below is a video that a student took of the march and how it ended, safely and peacefully! A great success...

To everyone who was able to make it out... Thank you for joining the Sac State Coalition in the mourning process.

However, please remember that we are still here, within the higher education system, and that we must take full advantage of the quality of education that's before us or we are only hurting ourselves... So we will fight for better accessability, affordability and quality of public higher education, for ourselves, for family and friends, and for the future of California... but we will also continue to learn in the never ending progression of ourselves, taking great pride in that.

Sac State STAND UP!!!

In Solidarity,

-Robert Graham

Sac State Coalition Blog

MMMMhhhhhhhMMMM

2009-12-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

Look at what I found...

My mom's cleaning out boxes of old memorabilia and she came across this, which I immediately grabbed like YESSSSS.

Now Polaroid discontinued making their 600 instant film... which looks like THIS:

I have half of the excitement... America, do you know how that feels?

So now my misson is to collect as much 600 instant film as possible!!!

Anyone want to get me a gift for Christmas? This is what I want!

-Bobby Jay

C-Plus & P-Funk "My Patna Dem" Remix

2009-12-01T17:53:00.000-08:00

Been slackin on postin this... because I've been listening to it for days on end over at http://www.ill-literacy.com/.

C-Plus teams up with P-Funk for the "My Patna Dem" Remix and absolutely kills it. This is a straight up anthem song...

Check this shit out:

C-Plus & P-Funk "My Patna Dem" Remix

-Bobby James

Veggie Sliders

2009-11-28T18:19:00.001-08:00

I'm sick of hearing about "sliders." There's this dope BBQ restaurant in Downtown Sacramento called My BBQ Spot and I can't eat NOTHIN' there.

So tonight I decided it was time for me to invent the "Veggie Slider."

All my vegetarians BE EXCITED.

Here's the ingredians:

Thinly sliced zuchini and yellow squash, fresh sage and thyme, onions, roasted red and yellow bell peppers, herb goat cheese, grilled foccacia & a roasted eggplant and sundried tomato spread. I actually stood up on the counter to take this photo.. WORTH IT.

Me cooking the zuchini, yellow squash, fresh sage and thyme, and onions... Get that camera out my face!

And the finished "Slider"

Up close...

I added fresh avocado at the end, on the side, and it was BOMB. I had a better meal tonight than I did for Thanksgiving.

Veggies Stand Up!!!

Hit me up for the recipe: lgndsays@gmail.com

-Jefe de Cocina MMM Delicioso!

Lupe! Thanksgiving Treat... "Enemy of the State: A Love Story" Mixtape

2009-11-26T19:06:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving was a LOT better than expected, especially with Lupe dropping this mixtape...

Pumpkin pie? Spshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'd rather give me earbuds a taste of "Enemy of the State: A Love Story" instead!

Classic, pre-digital era, mixtape graphic. I would have loved the photo looked more like a casset, with a piece of beige tape and shapie handwriting, but thats just me.

Download your Thanksgiving treat http://www.mediafire.com/?4wzdnmfn2z5.

-Bobby James

How The West Was Won Tour (S.F.)

2009-11-24T11:18:00.000-08:00

Got a call Saturday about going to the Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik & Nipsey Hustle for FREE...

What you think I said?

Smashed on down to Stockton, picked my editor up, and made our way to The Warfield in S.F.

I had the opportunity to take some great videos of Snoop and DJ Quik. I highly recommend watching at least one Snoop and for sure the DJ Quik video.

Somehow my editor got the credit for these videos on TheMashUp & 2DopeBoyz... Interesting.

"Gin & Juice"

It was dope when Too Short and Mistah Fab came out on stage unexpected...

2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted... Great tribute to the late Tupac!

And DJ QUIK!!!!

KILLED IT... This is truly How The West Was Won!

-Bobby Jaaames

REVOK x CHARLES HAMILTON (IS BACK)

2009-11-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

Oh you didn't know? CH is BACK...

CH teamed up with REVOK, legendary L.A. graffiti artist, and put together this promotional video.

The beats EPIC, while CH is still CH (If you know about CH then you understand, HOWEVER REVOK's piece in this promo video is SO TOUGH that I kinda wish I was CH right about now... NOT!

REVOK x CHARLES HAMILTON x KEEGAN GIBBS from Keegan Gibbs . com on Vimeo.

I wish the video was longer though, right?

Mad love to REVOK...

-Bobby James

Blee- "The General" Music Video (Produced by Bosse)

2009-11-24T09:49:00.001-08:00

What's GOOOOOOD Sacramento!?

You're favorite Turf Hop rapper Blee just dropped his new music video for "The General." I used to watch Bay Area Hip Hop videos wondering where they were shot, on what streets and which neighborhoods... and I caught myself naming almost every single one in this music video... it's truly repping the 916.

I gotta say, this song GOES.

Blee - The General (Music Video) from State Cap. on Vimeo.

Full Course Meal LP coming soon...

-Bobby J.

N.A.S.A. feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith "Spacious Thoughts"

2009-11-23T23:24:00.001-08:00

N.A.S.A. has been known for being out there... intergallactic and shit... and at least "orbital," but I HAVE to say whoever produced the visuals for this video has found the way to express his hallucinogenic trips from whatever drugs he's taking and I love it...

Tell me you didn't want to grab your 3-D glasses and catch those transitions *POP* as the song progressed. If you don't know what I'm talking about it's time to watch that video again and pay closer attention!!!

-Bobby Jaaames

Nick Kova & Dominic Parisi "The Night"

2009-11-23T15:18:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine Nick Kova has been into film and photography for years. He's pretty raw at it too...

We used to do a little acoustic guitar and spoken word set titled "Giraffes in Business Socks" back at CSU Monterey Bay, however his guitar skills were better than my writing skills! (lol)

It's been a minute since we've had the pleasure of catching up, but he just released this short film with Dominic Parisi and it's all things worth watching...

Not only is this video captivating and intriguing, but the score sets the mood perfectly. Dominic did a great job of building up the ending scenes and Nick's direction really brought the whole story together.

This short film was directed in Monterey, California and I recognize the streets which it was shot in. Never have I seen those streets so deserted so I know how much time the two must have put in!

You can check out more of Nick Kova's work here.

Great job Nick & Dom...

-Bobby Jaaames

BlakRoc!!!

2009-11-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

Damn, this is my new favorite collaboration project... These two new songs prove my point. People talk about super-groups and collaborations, but this is by far one of the better ones out there; It's like a good version of Slaughterhouse! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Check out the new songs BlacRoc ft. Pharoah Monch & RZA "Dollaz & Sense" and BlacRoc ft. Billy Danze,Nicole Wray & Q-Tip "Hope You're Happy".

BlacRoc Project droppin Black Friday (Next Week)!!!

-Bobby JAAAAAAAAAAAAMES

Missed Connection...

2009-11-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

If you know me you know how much I love my bike and going on night rides!

Thanks to the dope girl over at HrrrThrrr I came across this Missed Connections blog whose purpose is "Every day hundreds of strangers reach out to other strangers on the strength of a glance, a smile or a blue hat. Their messages have the lifespan of a butterfly. I'm trying to pin a few of them down."

How dope is that?

Here's one of my favorites so far...

"Thursday, August 27, 2009
sorry your bike got stolen. its beautiful. when some guy offered it to me for 40 bucks, i didnt even think twice. i was drunk, missing my bike and figured if not me, someone else would buy it anyways. also, my bike got stolen last week. who knows, maybe you bought it for 40 bucks from some guy on the street. so if you see me riding it, feel free to say hey. maybe we could trade back. if not, you can buy it from me for 40 bucks. id buy my old bike back for 40 bucks. it was way more comfortable than this one."

If my bike was stolen, again, I'd be so pissed!!! But I'd love to find a missed connection on Craigslist with a story about my bike like this... at least knowing that someone's getting good use out of it and offering to sell it back to me for 40 bucks! However, I like my seat. =P

-Bobby James

ILL-Literacy "iB4the1.1" Out Now For FREE!

2009-11-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Sacramento/Bay-Area bred Hip-Hop/Spoken-Word group Ill-Literacy just dropped their first EP and I have to say this is a must DL.

If you don't know, Ill-Lit recently moved out to New York City, where they felt they had the best chance of getting their music out and progressing artistically. A lot of us out here on the Left Coast, whether were friends or fans, have been patiently waiting for this first release... and it was well worth it.

Like I said, a must DL, get it here.

Whaddup to Dahlak and to the other members of Ill-Lit I have not had the pleasure of meeting, Drizzletron & N.I.C.

-Bobby James

Doris Salcedo- "Shibboleth" Exhibit

2009-11-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

While this exhibit is not new (2007), I was just introduced to Columbian installation artist Doris Salcedo! I have to say she's pretty dope... completely original and the stories behind her artwork are powerful.

Tate Modern had this to say about her exhibit in 2007:

"Doris Salcedo’s Shibboleth is the first work to intervene directly in the fabric of the Turbine Hall. Rather than fill this iconic space with a conventional sculpture or installation, Salcedo has created a subterranean chasm that stretches the length of the Turbine Hall. The concrete walls of the crevice are ruptured by a steel mesh fence, creating a tension between these elements that resist yet depend on one another. By making the floor the principal focus of her project, Salcedo dramatically shifts our perception of the Turbine Hall’s architecture, subtly subverting its claims to monumentality and grandeur. Shibboleth asks questions about the interaction of sculpture and space, about architecture and the values it enshrines, and about the shaky ideological foundations on which Western notions of modernity are built.

In particular, Salcedo is addressing a long legacy of racism and colonialism that underlies the modern world. A ‘shibboleth’ is a custom, phrase or use of language that acts as a test of belonging to a particular social group or class. By definition, it is used to exclude those deemed unsuitable to join this group.

‘The history of racism’, Salcedo writes, ‘runs parallel to the history of modernity, and is its untold dark side’. For hundreds of years, Western ideas of progress and prosperity have been underpinned by colonial exploitation and the withdrawal of basic rights from others. Our own time, Salcedo is keen to remind us, remains defined by the existence of a huge socially excluded underclass, in Western as well as post-colonial societies.

In breaking open the floor of the museum, Salcedo is exposing a fracture in modernity itself. Her work encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths about our history and about ourselves with absolute candidness, and without self-deception."

And if you're too lazy to have read that paragraph, here's an interview with Doris explaining "Shibboleth" herself: Tate Modern x Doris Salcedo "Shibboleth"

What's up with my fixation on Columbian art lately?

-Bobby James

Gameboy & C-Plus "CAPSIZE" feat. Karen O. & The Kids From "Where The Wild Things Are."

2009-11-16T19:17:00.000-08:00

New Gameboy & C-Plus song "Capsize" off their upcoming "Prologue: The Pretape" coming early Christmas time.

I actually listened to this song about five times before I switched to another song. The over all production value and content of this song shits on most out right now...

Check it! Gameboy & C-Plus "Capsize" feat. Karen O. & The Kids From "Where the Wild Things Are."

-Bobby Jaaames

Logan Hicks & C215- "Parallel Universe"

2009-11-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

Famous Stencil Graffitist Logan Hicks teamed up with C215 for his latest showing.

Hicks style incorporates architectural elements that incorporates the details of human emotion and being. This is my favorite picture from the recent showing...

Dope right?!

-Bobby Jaaames

Sarah Morrison x The Hundreds

2009-11-16T18:33:00.000-08:00

Sarah Morrison writes for the Married to the Mob blog, but before that she was holding it down with her own blog and her website.

The Hundreds just put these photos of her on their blog... they're dope!

Her writings are just as dope as these photos... check them out at the links above!

-Bobby James

Hip Hop Workshop

2009-11-12T20:48:00.001-08:00

What is Hip Hop? And How Does it Relate to The Concept of Revolution?

Hip Hop is a culture that manifested itself in the late 1970's and 80's in the
African-American communities within NYC.

Hip Hop takes its immediate roots from Raggae. New York City in the late 1970's
had a DJ named Kool Herc, who used to improvise rhymes over the raggae beats
he'd play, eventually evolving into looping sounds from popular songs, creating
the first production of Hip Hop.

As he continued to perform in NYC people from all over the 5 boroughs began to
come around his parties and clubs. Rhyming, or Emceeing, at the time commanded
so much attention because it was seen as an accessible art form by the masses.
Emceeing had no requirements for participation, it didn't require money and
could be practiced on ones own at any time they chose.

People from all different groups and communities began to participate in the
early years of Hip Hop, growing the movement through a collaborative effort,
putting behind differences of class, what neighborhood they lived in and became
a way for people to express themselves and the different social, political or
economic issues that they were surrounded by everyday.

As it has grown, it has been used in many ways, most notably as a profession in
which to get rich and acquire fame, but in many ways it has become an outlet
for social change, incorporating revolutionary concepts and tendencies that have
shaped the political climate of our society.

The purpose of this workshop is to demysitify Hip Hop, from the different elements
of the artform, how it relates to the concept of revolution and how we can all
participate in Hip Hop, whether for a purpose or just for fun!

To begin there are four, original elements of Hip Hop, with a debated, unofficial 5th.
The elements are Emceeing, Djaying, Break Dancing & Graffiti, with the 5th being
the catalyst for constant progression in Hip Hop, Knowledge, Culture & Overstanding.\

To begin...

"Emceeing"

Emceeing was what drew people to the social movement that is Hip Hop. As I mentioned
above, Emceeing was started by DJ Kool Herc, rhyming over instrumental beats. As
Hip Hop grew, people began freestyling, or rhyming off the top of the head and
naturally cyphers, or groups of emcees coming together to freestyle or perform
previously written rhymes. It was in this way that people began to create reputations
for themselves through emceeing.

As Hip Hop evolved you had numerous emcees who began to take on not only social
issues, but political issues as well through their rhymes. Without going through the
individual history of revolutionary rap, one modern day Hip Hop revolutionary is
Immortal Technique, out of Harlem, New York.

Immortal Technique is Peruvian, being born in his native country of Peru, immigrating
to New York City because of the political turmoil Peru was facing at the time. As he
grew up he racked up multiple assault charges, eventually leading to him facing 5-10
years in prison, but only recieving 2. While in prison he began to write down his
revolutionary ideas, stemming from the racism and ignorance middle class America had of the Latino
culture, but more importantly the racism and ignorance the Latino community expressed internally.

When Immortal Technique was released from prison in 1999, he became a battle rapper, freestyling and
getting involved in neighborhood cyphers. He created a reputation for himself and decided to use his
talent to educate the Latino community throughout the world through his rhymes. (source http://viperrecords.com/imtech/bio.shtml)

Here is a song by Immortal Technique that enlightens the listener to injustices the American Government has gotten away with domestically and internationally.

Immortal Technique "Harlem Streets"

"Djaying"

Again, DJaying in Hip Hop began with DJ Kool Herc. DJ Kool Herc introduced the concept of "Break-Beat DJaying," using funk songs and adding percussion to the music.
As this evolved, scratching, or the movement of a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the cross-fader switch, began to become popular.

One of the greatest DJ's of all time is DJ QBERT, out of the Bay Area, who has mastered the art of scratching. Through his DJaying, Qbert has been able to use
his art form to reach millions of people across the world, creating a musical revolution in itself.

"Breakdancing"

Breakdancing wasn't always called breakdancing, it was originally known as "The Good Foot," then became B-Boying or B-Girling, eventually becoming just break dancing.
Like the first two elements of Hip Hop, breakdancing began in Harlem as a high energy form of dance. It evolved similarly to the way emceeing evolved, into
breakdance battles, the equivalent to an emcee's cypher!

With us today is a local B-Girl, or breakdancer, named Shasta. She is going to perform for us!

Here's a video from the movie "Beat Street" that focuses on what breakdancing was originally like:

"Graffiti"

Graffiti was originally used for revolutionary efforts by political activists to make statements, or by gangs to mark territory. It wasn't until the late 1960's
that graffiti began to be used as a form of individual expression and as a way to gain fame. The first two original writers were CORNBREAD and COOL EARL,
who wrote their names all over NYC, making them infamous and spawning a new generation of street artists. As writers from the different boroughs of NYC began
to "get up" or write their names across town, it bred a form of competition to see whose name could be seen most, as well as a sense of pride from the neighborhood
you lived in.

This competition breeded bigger and bolder "tags," eventually creating "top-to-bottoms" or the top-to-bottom graffiti piece of a subway car. As the artform grew
it became something more than just getting your name up, but grew into a social and political movement all its own, coming full circle to its original intent.
Graffiti as a form of street art, evolved into urban street art like stenciling, wheat-pasting and installation pieces. While there are many world famous
urban artists, one of the most famous is Shepard Fairey, the creator of the clothing brand "Obey."

As a teenager Shepard Fairey was a legendary graffiti writter, making his way all over the West Coast, getting up and creating fame for himself. As his art evolved
he got into stenciling and then wheat pasting. Shepard put his famous "Andre The Giant Has A Posse" poster all over America, making him famous in the underground
art scene. However, it was his clothing line that really made him famous and he used this fame to create politically conscious artwork. If you remember the Obama
Presidential Campaign and the artwork he had done for his famous red, blue and white poster of himself it was created by Shepard Fairey. Through graffiti and
urban art Shepard Fairey used his talent to help progress one of the greatest revolutions this country has ever seen, the first Black President, Barack Obama.

"Andre the Giant Has a Posse"

"Hope"

"Knowledge, Culture & Overstanding"

Originally coined by the famous emcee Afrika Bambaataa, Knowledge, Culture & Overstanding, is the 5th element of Hip Hop.

Again, I introduce Shasta to cover this element of Hip Hop.

Conclusion:

Throughout this workshop, I hope it is not just us emphasizing the revolutionary concepts and ideas that is Hip Hop, but that you internally see the connections
between social and political issues and the artform itself.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have:

Lgndsays@gmail.com

BlakRoc "Nothing Like You" (Hoochie Coo)

2009-11-12T18:04:00.001-08:00

What a fucking DOPE collabo this is!!!

Mos Def & Jim Jones.

ILLLLLY.

Bobby James

Street Artist "Blu" Bogata, Columbia

2009-11-12T17:24:00.001-08:00

Socially and politically relevant artist, Blu, recently completed a new street art piece in Bogata, Columbia.

Arrested Motion had this to say about Blu:

"Blu is one of those street artists that always makes an effort to create pieces that are socially relevant to the area he is working in (ie Milan and Taranto). Combine this with superior artistic skills, his flair for black humor, and an imagination that knows no limits, it’s no surprise he has become the superstar that he is today.

Here we see his newest piece put up in Bogota, Columbia for “Memoria Canalla.” Don’t you love the imagery of a credit card getting a line of “cocaine” ready made from human skulls?"

Here's some more pictures

Coffins as bullets... or is it that bullets create coffins?

I love that Citibank card cutting up skulls into lines of coke. That shits so vivid!

-Bobby J.

IM KING X PACQUIAO Charity Tee

2009-11-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

IM KING collaborates with Manny Pacquiao for this charity tee...

At $40.00 it's out of my price range for now, but I'll always be a supporter of all things IM KING.

Check them out here!

Bobby Jay

40th Anniversary

2009-11-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my homie Dom aka "Ocho Siete" reppin Omega Delta Phi, I didn't miss the 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street!

I know you've been wondering why Google's been using them for the past week for their daily artwork and this is why!

In highschool I picked up the nickname Bert, after my first name Robert and that shit always reminded me of Sesame Street. In college we called one of my best friends Ernie, a variation of Erin.

Shout outs to Bert & Ernie, THE Big Bird, The Cookie Monster, Oscar The Fucking Grouch, The Count, & Snuffaluffagus.

Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, was quoted once saying "Sesame Street was built around a single, breakthrough insight: that if you can hold the attention of children, you can educate them." Thanks Sesame Street for educating me in the alphabet and language formation, simple problem solving skills and how to fucking COUNT. A dedication tee is in order!

-Bobby Jay

The Hundreds '09 Winter

2009-11-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

In class again, I just can't focus when brands like The Hundreds '09 Winter Collection is so fresh.

The Hundreds is so eye catching that they're '09 Winter line caught my third eye, forcing me to put my Political Thought teacher on mute, open up my laptop and visit The Hundreds online shop.

Here's a little of what I'm feeling for the '09 Winter Collection:

"Half Tone Adam Crew" I'm feelin the crew neck sweaters this Winter, been wearing a hoodie for too long.

"Furry Long Sleeve" Knit FEELIN IT!

"Repel Tee" Knit

"Mash Pit" Tee Personally I think this is the freshest tee in the whole '09 Winter Collection, but thats just me!

"Vista Denim"

If you don't know about The Hundreds yet, who the fuck are you!?

Btw, I wear a size large tee and size 34 jeans.

-Bobby Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaames

HUF x NIKE SB OMAR SALIZAR VIDEO

2009-11-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

So I'm in my 9 am class just now, checking the blogs as a way to wake up (as usual), and I came across this DOPE video of Omar Salizar, putting fear into San Francisco's notorious streets...

Worth the watch!

HUF x NIKE SB from HUF on Vimeo.

Damn if that doesn't make me want to go to the city and ride my bike. Look at dude!!!

Found over at HighSnobiety.

-Bobby Jay

HELLAWEEN '09

2009-11-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

These took forever to get back from my friend, but I got them!

Hellaween 2009...

WOOP WOOP, Chicka...Chicka... WOOP WOOP, Chicken HEAD. AHHHHH!!! So Sweaty...

Dude Tried To Eat Me Alive! CREEEEPER!!!!!!

Me Flappin' My Wings Trying To Get Away From All The Carnivores...

Meet Ben Gum... Passed The Fuck Out On Some Polar Bear Skin Rug At Our Homies!

Snuggle Snuggle AHAHAHAHA.

Ben Gum You Are A FOOOOOL!

So that's what I looked like on Hellaween 2009.

What'd you dress up as?

-Bobby JAAAAAMES

The Wu-Massacre Trailers!!!

2009-11-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

Raekwon, Method Man and Ghostface have announced that they're collaborating on a new project, titled "The Wu-Massacre" set to drop December 22, 2009.

For all obvious reasons, this next album will be an all out gore-fest for the ears, but what really has gotten me excited are their promotional videos for the album...

Check them out here:

And if that wasn't enough to get you excited...

This shit makes me want to see a Wu-Massacre MOVIE. How fucking ill would it be to buy the cd and get a dvd movie with it? AN INSTANT WU CULT CLASSIC!!!

What do you think?

-Bobby JAAAAMES

Alexander Spit... Legit!

2009-11-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

Had the opportunity to see Alexander Spit last night at "The Prime" show in Downtown Sacramento.

Throughout his set I kept having this nagging sense that I knew his music somehow... but it wasn't till his last song "Beat For The Street" that I made the connection.

I watched Alexander Spit's music video for "Beat For The Street" on The Hundreds site.

Here's what Bobby Hundreds had to say about his employee and first music artist...
"Alexander Spit is an artist we believe in. Most rap music today is so diluted, hackneyed, an echo of a greater generation, or perhaps just cheap mimicry. Hip-hop music is an evocative spirit, it’s emotional and political, it should make you dance and piss you off. Alexander Spit’s music does that. Rap should be engaging and relevant, inspired by the past but directed towards the future. Alexander Spit’s music does that too."

I completely agree, but have to add how Alexander Spit's voice, quality of production and polished stage performance seperates him from the rest of the up coming West Coast/Left Coast rappers.

Alexander Spit uses an Eazy-E sample for the chorus of this song... and its TOUGH!

Shout out to The Hundreds and Alexander Spit for this...

-Bobby James

Bobby James Wish List # 3

2009-11-06T13:34:00.001-08:00

It's that time again... I've found too many fresh items for me to pass up writing up another wish list!

Puma Chukkas!

For obvious fresh reasons.

HUF beanies...

Because the 916 get's cold when you're mobbin on your bike.

Rogues Gallery Gold Label Duffel

Found THE bag I want to take with me on my trip to see my lady in Ecuador this December-January!!! So fucking RICH.

Who's gonna buy me an early Christmas present.

-Bobby Jay

The Neighborhood Watch... The Break-Down!!!

2009-11-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

Who's going to this? If you're not... YOU'RE LAME!

There hasn't been a Watch Show like this, especially at Press, for a couple months now. The Sacramento Hip Hop scene is coming back...

ILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.

I WILL BE THERE.

And you should too =P

-Bobby Jaaaames

I Want My Home To Look Like This...

2009-11-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Found this over at BobbyHundreds Hypebeast blog.

I love this house, I want to raise my family in something like this...

BobbyHundreds Wrote:
"My good friend Tyler Tylor sent me these photos the other day. He knows that I’ve always been into architecture which incorporates the outdoors.. indoors. Which is beautiful to be immersed in, but can be quite the logistical nightmare. This is some pretty great execution of it though. I love the balance of light in the space, the vented skylights, use of glass. From what I can see, you don’t need any artificial light in this home, it’s just a conduit for natural light."

Very well said, but I'd add how the white walls act as a reflectant for light, bouncing off the walls and reaching throughout the parts of the house that aren't directly lighted naturally, also allowing for greater absorbtion of light for the plants. I want this!!!

-Bobby James

Zombie Cuisine?

2009-11-03T11:12:00.001-08:00

Thanks to HrrrThrrr for introducing me to Patrick Moberg!

Wooh! I love zombies... Anyone who isn't prepared for the zombie-acolypse is asking to get bit!

-Bobby James

NEW MADVILLIAN

2009-11-03T11:01:00.000-08:00

ALWAYS check the Stones Throw Records website... for gems like this!

Whenever this comes out... I'm coppin' it. I rarely cop cd's too! With all this extraterestrial and outta-this-atmosphere bullshit rappers rhyme about lately I almost felt like gravity was disolving and my own musical taste was lifting off the surface of the earth, without my permission... thankfully Madvillian is here to be the Anti-Hero again, repairing atmospheric pressure!

Ughhhhhhhhhh

-B.Jay.

Carbon Fiber & Plywood Bike Frame

2009-11-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

I ride my bike everywhere... It's probably because I have four previous tickets and I can't afford to get another point on my record... but I guess this is all better than having a DUI!

I used to love riding my bike as a kid and I'm so thankful for the road bike I have now... she's a beaut!

Themore I ride te more I get into bike culture... I've seen some neat frames but this one's one of the coolest I've found:

Made from carbon fiber and plywood,this bike frame was built by Gary Galego, and is only built in Australia currently. Since every frame is hand built they're in small batches of production and rare to come by, especially in the states. The carbon fiber and the plywood make for an extremely light frame, but just as durable.

I think I'll stick with my 1970's Le Tour Du Schwin road bike, but it's always fun to see what people are creating. On that note... in Africa right now there are villages who are making bike frames out of bamboo and selling them to foreign dealers as a way to generate income for their community... and they're all sustainable!

-Bobby James

Emilio Who? 60 Moments with Andre Rodriguez

2009-10-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

OMG this shit had me in hysterics. I was laughing out loud literally!

Just watch it... 60 Moments!

Calm Down!!! Remember to breath!!!

-Bobby James

SABER Health Care Reform Video Challenge

2009-10-29T18:12:00.001-07:00

This shit blew me away... I'm in my Politics of the Underrepresented class and if this shit doesn't fall in line with the purpose of this course I don't know what does.

"LA based graffiti artist Saber sends his message to the country on health care reform. This is his submission for President Barack Obama's Organizing For America Health Reform Video Challenge."

-Bobby Jaaames

Mateo- Just Get To Know Me (Video)

2009-10-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else know who this guy is?

He's all sorts of dope. I'm truly impressed. not only is his voice dope, but his piano skills are solid and his band is TOUGH.

Mateo - Get To Know Me [Official Video] from Mateo on Vimeo.

Ohhh WA-Ahh-OOOH ohh WA-Ahh-OOOH LOL

You can download his mixtape here.

-Bobby Jay

Bobby James (ME) Interviewing Vast Aire

2009-10-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know I'm now writing for TheMashUP.

Here's an interview I had the pleasure of doing, with the man himself Vast Aire.

TheMashUp.Net x Vast Aire Interview from themashup916 on Vimeo.

I even got a play on 2DopeBoyz.

Movvvvvin On UPPPPP.

-Bobby Jaaaaaames

Lego Kitchen? Whaaaaa

2009-10-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

Number 1 reason why the internet is the greatest creation of the 20th Century:

Because it allows for the world to connect, to show each other who each individual is, what they're doing and what's possible... They say competition breeds innovation, but I believe is creativity, which may or may not be a product of competition.

Here's what I want my kitchen to look like:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH. This shits so tight.

Check more pics http://www.thecoolhunter.net/.

-Bobby MF Jay

Basement Jaxx "My Turn" Feat. Lightspeed Champion Video

2009-10-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Basement Jaxx is my new favorite group.

As Hip-Hop tries to continue to incorporate electronica into it's sound, Basement Jaxx is the epitome of what could be.

Here's Basement Jaxx's Video for "My Turn" feat. Lightspeed Champion.

Prepare to groove...

This just made my day.

Check out more Basement Jaxx at their website.

-Bobby James

David Browning "Paper Nikes"

2009-10-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

OMG. That is all I have to say.

I should be paying attention in class... unfortunately I can't get my head around these shoes and I'm in love. Doesn't my philosophy teacher understand that?

LGNDSAYS presents to you:

David Browning "Paper Nikes"

Right?

Check out more of the Paper Nikes at David's site.

-Bobby Jaaaames

VIDEOGIOCO

2009-10-27T17:51:00.001-07:00

Found this over at Kanye's blog.

I was getting kind of bored with art lately, I wanted something fresh, unique and different.

Then I came across this video... shits unreal and way beyond what I was craving.

VIDEOGIOCO by Donato Sansone from Enrico Ascoli - Sound Design on Vimeo.

You could say I'm "satisfied".

-Bobby Jay

Michael Franti- "Say Hey" Video

2009-10-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Michael Franti is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine and this song is so feeeeel goooood you can’t help but dance.

Try it, I dare you!

“It seems like everywhere I go, the more I see the less I know, but I know, one thing, that I love you!”

-Bobby Jaaames (Your Partner In Crime Music!)

Darkness Cannot Exist Without Light

2009-10-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Was checkin the big blogs this morning and came across this at Kanye's Blog.

This is more on that activist/artist tip and it's beautiful.

"All the stories one can hear are probably true. The worst is in the Congo. In the last decade, more than 5 million have died from war-related causes, only exceeded in the past century by World War II. One million Congolese civilians are displaced, and due to a rebel offensive late last October, that figure grew by 250,000. The United Nations estimates upwards of 250,000 women have survived sexual assault, ranging in age from 3-month-old infants to 80-year-old grandmothers. Cholera, Ebola, AIDS, diarrhea and malaria are regular foes in understaffed, under-resourced medical centers. The infant mortality rate is more than 10 times that of the United States. Despite having some of the greatest natural deposits in the world of highly valued resources such as copper, gold, diamonds, uranium, timber, coltan and caciterite — the latter two being necessary elements of laptop computers and mobile phones — the Congo has one of the poorest national economies.

Darkness cannot exist without light, even in the midst of tragedy and loss. If one of the richest nations in the world (the size of Western Europe) has any chance of recovery and survival, now is the time to invest in the Congolese people and honor their journeys."

"For the last seven years, a Congolese physician named Goddy Efula has been living in Brussels. Originally, he is from the Equateur Province, along the Congo River, in the western region of the country. As a staffer for MSF (also known as Doctors Without Borders), he’s worked in Chad, Indonesia and Sudan. Presently, he is the chief resident at the general hospital in Kirotse, situated in the province of North Kivu in eastern Congo, on the front line of fighting between government forces and Nkunda’s troops. MSF had been doing external consultations for a long time, and with the recent strife began sending out mobile teams into the field to treat the wounded and those in need of primary care. At Dr. Efula’s hospital, soldiers are allowed to enter for treatment, but are required to leave their weapons outside. There is no hospital security and consequently supplies rarely make it. Another non-governmental organization, Action Against Hunger, has a presence in the hospital, providing food and nutritional services. Ostensibly, it’s a government facility, but there’s not much assistance coming from that source.

The hospital is open 24 hours a day with two doctors, a surgeon and an anesthesiologist on duty. It was built to hold 161 beds. “Right now, we have nearly 350 patients,” Efula notes."

Check out more pictures and stories at Kanye's Blog, shits real.

-Bobby James

88-Keys "Baggage Claim"

2009-10-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

This is the real shit right here... for all my LOST geeks!!!

One of the reasons why I fuck with the big blogs is because for all the shit you don't want to see... there are some GEMS out there like this 88-Keys song "Baggage Claim."

88-Keys raps as if he was a part of the LOST camp.

Read the lyrics below while you sink into 88-Keys rap.

Baggage Claim by 88-keys

Uh, yeah! My name is 88-Keys & that’s the name you’ll see on the manifest on Oceanic Flight 815. We’ve been Lost for a few weeks now. I don’t think anybody’s coming for us. Man… I remember this like it was yesterday; When I lost my bag on day one.

1st Verse:

I woke up from a concussion
With sand on my feet
No futher discussion
I’m a son of a beach

Where’s my briefcase?
It was in reach
I gotta drill these people
Just like a prez before he gets impeached

Let me go straight to the liar & pack rat
Scratch that
Take it to the man
With the desire for that hatch

Locke – Don’t give me that
Philosophical crap
I know is gonna spew
From you esophagus track

Just tell me where my box is
Before I let everybody know
You couldn’t use your limbs
Where your sock is

Save it!
I’ll just ask Sawyer
Now let’s face it
He’ll say he didn’t take it

So now I gotta go to Kate
To sweet talk Sawyer
Just to get my briefcase
For a kiss like cheap dates

Sawyer doesn’t have it
Nobody said they grabbed it
Now they’re all acting like
I’m chasing down a white rabbit like Jack did

Chorus:

My bag got lost
So now I’m looking for it
My bag wasn’t found
I got tooken for it – Lost
Have you see it
Anywhere around here? – Lost
Tell me if you see it
When the ground clears

I’m not taking orders from Jack
Like I’m his soldier
I don’t trust Katie
As far as my arms could throw her
Expect the unexpected
When they do drop bombs so
YouMightWantToConsiderHikingBoots.com

2nd Verse:

Gotta investigate this matter further
This madam that I never heard of
Using words
So absurd to

Me & everybody else
Except for Shannon
Distress calls
Who got balls like cannon?

To tell me where my briefcase is
How ’bout you Michael?
You know us brothers gotta
Stick together

I tried to play the race card
But my plan faultered
The only one he’s cares about
His lil’ man Walter

That’s the kid
Who could
Make reality
Alter

I ain’t messing with him
So I slid
Back to Shannon
Just to see if I could find Sayid

And he’s over there
Talking to Boone
Let me see if I could get closer
And get the scoop like a spoon

I heard him say,
“Stay the Hell away from my sister!”
Mr. Overprotective brother
Not only does he lover her but he used to kiss her… Under the covers

Chorus

3rd Verse:

Now I searched all over the island
For my stuff
Man it’s rough
When these dead bodies are piled in

There’s only so much
That Jack can do
With polar bears running through the forrest
Attacking you

Now let’s not forget Claire
She needs the prenatal
Care – Make the wrong move
And Charlie makes it fatal?

I’m not really here for friends
Just my bag
I don’t care about you, your drugs
Or Drive Shaft

Now why did Sun laugh
If she only speaks Korean?
There’s something she ain’t telling
There’s something Jin ain’t seeing

She making ginseng
Just to poison human beings
And everybody on the cave & beach
Disagreeing

I should’ve asked Hurley
Early
‘Cause he took a head count
He knows everybody on the island

I described my baggage
He said he knows who had it
Now we gotta figure out
Why Ethan’s name wasn’t added to the manifest

Chorus

Shout out to Nahright for dropping this geeker.

-Bobby Jay

2009-10-20T17:43:00.001-07:00

This shit was just staring at me this morning… I could feel it on me. I want one of these so bad. I would treat this baby right… from taking it out to shows with me, to my upcoming travels to Ecuador and Peru, then a few months later to Egypt and Israel to the Peace Corps next Fall… I want this baby by my side.

Here are some of the specifics: “True 1080p high-definition video. Some other interesting aspects of the camera include 45-point autofocus system, an ISO range up to 102,400, 10 fps shooting modes and a Dual Digic 4 image processors. The camera should hit retailers before the end of the year in December with a suggested retail price of $4,999 USD (body-only). (Hypebeast)”

I love the person that’s going to surprise me with this. thank you in advance.

-Bobby James

Bicycle Restoration Process... Frog=Prince. DAMN!

2009-10-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

If you know me I ride a classic 1970’s Gold Schwin Le Tour Du!!! I dig the road bike style, the heavy steal frame and the classic look and feel of my bike, but I do get jealous of how fresh and eye-catching some of these fixed gear bikes are… then I found this and feel like I want to do THIS shit to my bike. ILL.

Damn. Can’t get my head around how they really did that though!!!

-Bobby James

Johnny Cupcakes Halloween Tees

2009-10-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

After Johnny Cupcakes released his limited edition “There’s Something In My Cupcake Mix” tees he decided to release 6 new tees for the Fall/Winter 2009 line that all have a Halloween theme to them.
Here’s the “There’s Something In My Cupcake Mix” design:

And here’s a few of the new tees for the Fall/Winter 2009 line. I’d DEF rock the Ghostbusters themed tee. That shits TOUGH.

-Bobby Jaaaaames

Nendo x MoleSkine Detour Exhibition at MoMA Design Store Toyko.

2009-10-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

Damn I hella want this... It's the simple things in life, with a touch of innovation, that are most satisfying.

Via Hypebeast.

"Seen here is a work by artist Nendo who 'wanted to show the way that sketches function in the space between two and three dimensions, and to present the sketchbook itself as a ‘place’' with the manipulation of the pages."

-Bobby James

Where The Wild Things Are Review by NPR

2009-10-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

After the Jason Segel interview a review for Where The Wild Things Are came on.

It was so well done that I had to post it as well. The imagery of the review makes you want to go see it today... on opening day...

Listen to it here.

-Bobby James

Vast Aire- Sunday Oct. 18th, 2009 @ Mindstyle Studios!

2009-10-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

Vast Aire, a name that is familiar in some circles, has been on the scene making hardcore-experimental Hip-Hop since his group "Cannibal Ox" dropped 2001's "The Cold Vein."

Check him out this Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at MindStyle Studios Downtown Sacramento with Scarub from The Living Legends, Ivan Ives & Agustusthelephant!

Here's one of my favorite songs by Cannibal Ox "The F Word:"

I have an interview set up with Vast Aire this Sunday for TheMashUP. I'll make sure to repost it here!

-Bobby Jaaames

Jason Segel Interview- NPR

2009-10-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to NPR today and this interview came on.

Jason Segel is one of my favorite writers/comedians/actors and this interview is great.

Here's a little of the interview online:

"the story behind his full-frontal appearance in the opening scenes of Sarah Marshall.

'That was taken from the pages of real life,' Segel acknowledges. 'I once got dumped while I was naked, but she asked me to put clothes on during this real breakup — my real life breakup.'

It was a tough moment, Segel says: 'Picking out an outfit for the second half of a breakup is like the hardest outfit you'll ever pick out in your life.'"

Here's the actual interview online:

My favorite part is when he's talking about how he came up with the Dracula Puppet Show from Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

-Bobby James

Banksy SWINDLE INTERVIEW by Shepard Fairey 2006

2009-10-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Found this over at Kitsune Noir... It's an interview of Banksy by Shepard Fairey for SWINDLE Magazine in 2006.

While many know Banksy as quite the "Anti-Hero" through his art, this interview makes it apparent that he is that "Anti-Hero" and has no desire to ever come out publicly.

S: "How long are you going to remain anonymous, working through the medium itself and through your agent as a voice for you?

B: I have no interest in ever coming out. I figure there are enough self-opinionated assholes trying to get their ugly little faces in front of you as it is. You ask a lot of kids today what they want to be when they grow up, and they say, “I want to be famous.” You ask them for what reason and they don’t know or care. I think Andy Warhol got it wrong: in the future, so many people are going to become famous that one day everybody will end up being anonymous for 15 minutes. I’m just trying to make the pictures look good; I’m not into trying to make myself look good. I’m not into fashion. The pictures generally look better than I do when we’re out on the street together. Plus, I obviously have issues with the cops. And besides, it’s a pretty safe bet that the reality of me would be a crushing disappointment to a couple of 15-year-old kids out there."

Check out the whole interview here.

-Bobby James

The Boondock Saints II

2009-10-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

If I was a hipster I'd be disappointed that the sequel to The Boondock Saints is out in theaters this October 30th, but I'm not and am actually pretty damn excited to see how the sequel plays out.

At the Apple website the synopsis of the movie says:

"The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is the much-anticipated sequel to the indie cult classic, The Boondock Saints. The film is the continuation of writer/director Troy Duffy’s tough, stylized cutting edge saga of the MacManus brothers (Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery). The two have been in deep hiding with their father, Il Duce (Billy Connolly), in the quiet valleys of Ireland, far removed from their former vigilante lives. When word comes that a beloved priest has been killed by sinister forces from deep within the mob, the brothers return to Boston to mount a violent and bloody crusade to bring justice to those responsible. With a new partner in crime (Clifton Collins Jr., Star Trek) and a sexy FBI operative (Julie Benz, TV’s “Dexter”) hot on their trail…the Saints are back!"

Like I said, pretty damn excited...

Thanks to Apt78 for the look out!

-B.J.

Mick Boogie & Terry Urban Present "Wild Young Heartbreaks"

2009-10-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

You know when Mick Boogie & Terry Urban put together a mix or a MashUP it's fire...

In fact, this shits SO FIRE that I ripped off all my clothes because after listening to this I burst into flames, pulled the fire alarm at Sac State and tried to dive into a water fountain.

Honestly, Mick Boogie & Terry Urban have found the right mixture of dopeness in "Wild Young Heartbreaks," a MashUP between British rock trio Noisettes and Kanye West, for spontaneous combustion.

The MashUP takes acapellas from Noisettes "Wild Young Hearts" and reconfigured beats from Kanye's "808's and Heartbreaks."

It's available for download here.

-Bobby James

Skullcandy iPhone Application

2009-10-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

With all the iPhone applications out there it's beginning to become a little dull and boring...

...but locating the nearest skatepark, checked the 5 day forecast in Tahoe and finding out how many inches of fresh powder just dropped is something I know my friends can appreciate and find useful.

Welcome the Skullcandy iPhone App:

"With the touch of a finger, iPhone users can now get the latest surf report or snow conditions, find a skate park, and listen to free streaming music."

The application also includes:

- Surf reports so you know when and where to rip
- Up to the minute snow reports plus a 5 day forecast
- A skate park finder for nomads who have to try them all
- Free music player chock full of Skullcandy-approved tracks
- Video from Skullcandy TV loaded with shorts featuring Skullcandy athletes and musicians
- For those who want it all, a dealer locator feature will find the nearest shop for instant gratification
- A mobile Skullcandy store that allows you to buy new headphones, backpacks or other Skullcandy gear
- A fresh selection of continually updated wallpapers designed by Skullcandy fans
- Access to all Skullcandy happenings through the Skullcandy blog

Thanks to Hypebeast.

Download the app here.

-Bobby Jaaames

Adidas Plants Exhibition "All Natural"

2009-10-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

My parents have this amazing garden in their backyard that my mom works on all the time. They grow tomatos, zuchini, cucumber, melon, and even have an herb garden. On top of all this they've just done a great job of landscaping around the whole house.

This post is dedicated to my mom who I know will appreciate this; we're always talking about how to re-use everyday items instead of throwing them out.

I can see creating a small "shoe" garden on the side of my family's house, maybe adding a hat and having the plant come through the top...

All Naturaaaaaal. So FRESH.

-Bobby Jay.