I know I’m mad late, but if you were in BK you already know what’s up. Here’s a soca classic for all of you Trinis.

• The GOODIES Blog is up: Click here (must be age 18+)
• The digital magazine is underway (big shout outs to Ellen Stagg Must be age 18+ to enter her site)
• This blog may get redirected to the GOODIES site at one point
• Until then I want to explore more pop cultural concepts

I like hearing industry insight, especially from someone that works at one of the world’s major advertising agencies. Good work Matt.

I went through a lot of old magazines the other night. Many of them were from my formative years, and were close to 10 years old. I happen to come across what I was looking for–an issue of Mass Appeal I had purchased due to my interest in the underground hip-hop scene. I can’t lie I was an unadmitted backpacker at the time (note: when someone tells you their not a backpacker there’s a good chance they are), and would routinely go down to Fat Beats to buy vinyls of songs I already had on CD or on mp3 OR couldn’t find on the internet or couldn’t buy anywhere (Disc-O-Rama doesn’t always sell underground music). I was that much of an enthusiast. As ass-backwards as it might sound, there is a comfort in purchasing a vinyl over a CD, but that I’ll go into in another blog entry.

It doesn’t just stop at Mass Appeal. Buried in my collection of old magazines are issues of Vice (back when that ish was raw–and I mean RAW[II]) and yes even Complex (I also have old issues of Don Diva and FEDS, but just like the aforementioned vinyl, I’ll save that for another entry). Perusing the pages of these magazines took me down memory lane . It was magazines like this that influenced me to move towards writing. More importantly they conjure up a feeling of nostaligia that defined pre-and-post 9/11 New York for me. As weird as it sounds but there is a driving connection that I have with these magazines. These magazines were my introduction to underground culture, which as it evolved has turned into the present streetwear/hipster culture and essentially become mainstream. It’s here in these pages that authentic street  culture and art is documented, unadultered and accurately presented by those who were genuine gatekeepers.

In this one issue alone Mass Appeal had Alife as it’s creative director, the IRAK crew as a photo spread, the SSUR store as a filler feature and graffitti photos that would make Commissioner Kelly blush.

Here I was a passive 14 year-old eager to become either (a) a DJ (b)a music video director, or (c)something in the music industry that involves getting taking seriously for having good ideas (which I would learn is technically an A&R, and would later learn there is no such position), and being exposed to street culture in one of its most authentic magazine not thinking that this culture would eventually hit the mainstream.

I guess this nostalgia also leads me to have a wakeup call. The scene has changed (or evolved). Mass Appeal is no longer published. If I had been a little less passive, maybe I would’ve attempted to intern for Mass Appeal or Vice. Of course even 10 year ago, having an under-18 year old intern would have been risky. I guess you can say that all of this looking back, helps me to look forward.

It’s amazing where a decade can take you. I look at this as the beginning of it all and though the landscape has changed, the inspiration remains the same.

I read a NY Times article a few days ago about several international non-profits trying to make affordable glasses in developing nations. I thought this was great.

I think if they were able to work closely with another international non-profit with a cause like (RED) and get a few celebs to take part in an advertising campaign this would really take off. Cool looking glasses look even cooler if there’s an admirable cause behind it. Although these glasses don’t look like they are being sold in the US (after all they are non-profits), I can imagine some type of deal being worked out, where you could acquire a pair and donate a pair too.

This video is a bit old, but I recently stumbled upon it on the Don blog. They usually present their video lookbooks with that stop-and-go style. Looks cool. Nice cardigans.

04 Feel Like I’m Back

Went on a 9-day pre-holiday vacay. I know, I know–a bit random but I finally got out of the country. Pics coming soon. DR was great.

Pardon the blunt title, but as a Bronx Science alum, I must say it speaks volumes to me that DJ Neil Armstrong, a decorated DJ and turntablist (who happens to have a degree in chemical engineering), is also an alum. I wish the admin would push stuff like this more. Instead they feel compelled to either push Nobel prize winners that you’ve probably never heard of as the face of Bronx Science. Don’t get me wrong winning a Nobel prize is a notable thing and an undeniable achievement, however I do sometimes feel that promoting awareness of a school and it’s accomplished alumni involves delving past the most prominent names.

After the interview Neil informed me that Scott Sasso, founder of 10 Deep also attended Science. Maybe one day all of these guys who didn’t pursue science tracks for their careers will one day get recognized and be asked to give a speech and inspire a bunch of nerd stoners to do something that doesn’t involve science.

Not that there’s anything wrong with pursuing the science field.

I’m just saying.

Some of the best teacher’s I had while in high school were non-science related. They were also non-traditionalist. Which brings me to the point–maybe doing something outside of the box can get you the results that you need.

And is isn’t that the gist of science anyways?

I digress–the video was dope. The interview went really well–Neil had much to talk about and he was really candid about his experience. Much thanks to the folks at Goliath for hooking us up.

I saw this as I was leaving Union Square one day. There are some things you can’t make up. I love New York.