FreshNerd

Ok, I usually don’t take breaks but I need this one and it is well deserved. I’m out until next week and will be eating, drinking, and being merry with fam and friends. Yall shouldn’t be on the internet during the holidays anyways. Until next week nerds…

One of my favorite rappers got snatched up for questioning about a double murder in Philly last week. I’m hoping he had nothing to do with it and this is all a mix up but who knows. A prayer will go out to Roscoe. Meanwhile, here is an old clip from Def Comedy Jam where he basically lets us in on his life.

Erik Foss is that dude…he creates interesting, controversial pieces thought evoke some kind of emotion whether you like it or not. Don’t believe me??? Check out his website for some art that I decided not to post here (I’m in enough trouble with my web host as it is).

Click inside of post for a piece he has created of signs from homeless people to form the American flag. Great work people, check it out.

Former skater, Ron Flores does a great job at merging his graffiti background with fine art to create his unique style. Here he talks about his beginnings in San Francisco, his dislike for the word street art, and skating.

Wow!!!….I am willing to bet this dude will have a record deal by Spring ‘09. This cat is pretty sick and you can tell he is hungry…it’s a breath of fresh air to see hungry creative artists. Word on the net is that his name is Red and he’s homeless. Hell, I may go down to Hollywood and see if I can find him myself….think I’m playin?

Wale brings the nerds a new joint produced by Cool & Dre (check the interview if you haven’t). At first listen, I almost shut it off once I heard autotune. But Ilistened some more, and was bobbin’ my head(pause) after a quick 30 seconds. Wale plays off of Audio Two’s Top Billin, while Cool & Dre creatively flip a Steam sample (Na Na Hey Hey…study your samples nerds). Definitely a joint I’ll be bangin’ for the next couple of months, autotune and all.

Wale - Chillin’

Update: Sorry nerds, had to bring down the link for 2 reasons:

1) I was asked politely

2) I respect artists. Major labels, well….that’s a different story

Here is what Wale and his manager have to say about the track:

First of all, THIS SONG IS UNFINISHED. Second of all, this song was recorded 6 months ago, before “Arab Money” came out. THIS IS WHY LEAKING UNFINISHED SONGS IS NOT A GOOD LOOK. I’ve sent emails to every single person who has posted this song and most have obliged in taking it down. Thank you for having enough respect for the music to do that. I’m reading feedback, both good and bad, on the song and it’s just so frustrating. Imagine if a scene from like, STAR WARS, leaked with no special effects on them. Or a rehearsal scene from just a regular movie. People can complain all they want about piracy but that is not the issue here. The issue is spreading demo material and passing it off as finished. Once the song’s done…shit post it everywhere, I don’t care. So please, if you are a Wale fan, please, if you see the song, leave a comment telling them to take it down. I have seen that this internet thing is actually far more civilized than you would imagine. And saying, “well everyone else is doing it” does not make it right. Come on, your parents taught you better! Only YOUUUUUUUUUUUU can save hip hop.

Saigon brings us the last installment of his 3 part interview. Here he talks a bit about his non-profit organization, wordplay doesn’t = being nice, and the rumors of him being signed to Roc Nation. Can’t wait for the album…

So my boy Shep’s Obama cover will be on newsstands by the time you nerds read this, but he had a little something to say about Rick Warren’s participation during Obama’s inaugural address. This was spotted over at Fairey’s website (we need more people like this guy):

Tomorrow my illustration for Time Magazine’s  “Person of The Year” hits the newsstands. While I’m very honored to be validated by a periodical that is nothing short of an American institution, the moment is bittersweet because I’m very disappointed by Obama’s appointment of Rick Warren to deliver his invocation during Obama’s inaugural address. Rick Warren is against gay marriage and reproductive rights, and he does not believe in evolution (maybe he offers himself as proof of lack of evolution). I understand that Obama is trying to appeal to conservatives and evangelicals, but this move is symbolically a slap in the face to many people. Warren is not a uniter, but a divider… he is intolerant in many of his views. I still think Obama is the best choice for president, but I can’t condone Warren’s involvement in Obama’s inauguration, no matter how insignificant it is. While I’m on the subject of gay marriage, I will be donating a chunk of the proceeds from an inauguration poster of Obama I was asked to create to the movement to overturn Prop 8.  At first I was considering pulling my inauguration poster, but I think re-directing funds from it to put into a cause I care about is actually more constructive. Plus, I wouldn’t want withdrawing the image to come across as a blanket boycott of Obama.  I’m sure I will ultimately disagree with Obama about many things, but I think I will agree with him on more. I think it is important to speak one’s mind, but also to not let the narcissism of petty differences sabotage our unity and progress.

Saigiddy talks some more about the ‘clownery and coonery’ in today’s hip hop and as well his new record deal. Yea, I’m shocked too…the album is coming.

Please, no comments on how un-original Kanye West is and how hip hop is not a real art form. I will not entertain your foolish comments nor give them any attention. Thank you…

Bay Area indie artist/poet, Ladessa, gives us a cool vid of one of her pieces she titles “Imaginery Frenz”. Definitely a dope artist to watch for. Be sure to check out more of her work here.

Who says the internet is filled with non-talented artists? You just have to weed through the trash to find the gems. Today I bring you Freddy reigning from Canada (not sure what part, sorry about that) but thats besides the point, this kid is talented. His style is a blend of pop and ‘awesome’ mixed with a touch of acoustic/electric. The melody on this song is infectious and also doesn’t fall short on the clever/descriptive lyrics. One of my new favorites…

Saigon has always been one of my favorite rappers as far as lyrics and common sense (for the most part). Here is Saigon talking about the state of hip hop and I must say that I agree with him. Rappers need to start pushing boundaries and setting new standards. BTW, is his album still dropping. I hope its not on the same time line as Dr. Dre’s Detox.

Dosa Kim talks about art and Atlanta. Dosa is an artist/graphic designer known for his hardcore content. My favorite quote from this video:

“The rest had to go get the office job, or go do I.T. or whatever they do. And its kinda depressing, it really is.”

I ran across dude over at Charles Hamilton’s blog. He’s from Canada and he is pretty sick. It’s safe to assume that this is a real freestyle (not written, off the head) and he rhymes for 6 minutes straight. Supposedly Charles will be working with this kid in the future so I can’t wait to hear the collabo. Be sure to check out Shad’s myspace for more of his music.