Planet of The Apes Cataclysm

As a kid and even well into the 90's I've been a comic collector with Marvel and DC the main companies of choice.  But over the last 10 or so years the independents have really risen to the top, similar to the days of independent record labels eclipsing the majors and releasing much better material.  One of those indy companies is Boom! who have been releasing some really great titles but for me the Planet of The Apes series has been the best and it looks like they've got a new series making it's debut next week.  Planet of The Apes Cataclysm releasing with 4 different covers to choose from.

Draw Straws

Wow, 2 parties in Philly  in 2 weeks that I get to spin?  Talking about rarity.  Definitely looking forward to spinning the upcoming Draw Straws party with Ed Blammo, Coolout and the hardest (if I must say hands down best party rocker in Philly), Mr. Sonny James.  The concept is simple, each DJ draws straws to see who rocks first.

Through The Lens

While in Monterrey Mexico had the opportunity to do a photoshoot with Nika Kramer. 

T shirt courtesy of L2BF.  www.live2befree.com

Strong Like Steel

Had an amazing time in Monterrey Mexico this past weekend for Red Bull BC One Latin America qualifiers.  The people of Monterrey were great and the venue where the event was held was amazingly rich with so much culture and the history was definitely captured inside.  The venue was an old steel factory from the 1950's and everything was left intact with a historical museum inside telling the story of the building and it's workers.

Kodoja Statue

I love being around the creative people in the Hot Peas & Butta artist collective! Rory Smith (artist for our Kodoja comic book) has been in the lab claying away and sculpting a statue based on the Kodoja character. If you haven't peeped the comic yet, written by Big Pimp Jones' Keith Foster or heard their 45 and Album then head or Record Breakin' Music and cop it!

Behind The Red Door Ep3

Finally found some time in my schedule to drop a new 'Behind The Red Door' mix for the Hot Peas & Butta site.  As usual the mix is all 45s of whatever music gets pulled from the crate, no format and no specific genres, that's the concept of Behind The Red Door, you never know what the mix will be about.

Enjoy!

Hot Peas & Butta Switzerland

Hot Peas & Butta makes it's way to Lausanne Switzerland once again.  Switzerland has definitely become a second home to me since I'm there 4-5 times a year and it's always a pleasure visiting and catching up with friends and family.  This HP&B date will be one of the 3 dates that I will be playing an all 45 set during my time in Europe next month, the first being strictly Funk & Soul in Zurich Switzerland and the final being Funk, Soul, and Disco Rap in Russia.

September 15th DJ C.T.B and myself will be playing Funk, Soul, Rare Groove and Hip Hop 45s for the great crowd that always seems to be at Lido Club.

For The Record w/ DJ Kaos (The Artifacts)

This Thursday "For The Record" is back and this month we have special guest DJ Kaos of The Artifacts on deck along side Unkle Chip and myself spinning strictly vinyl delights!

Live To Be Free

This Wednesday I have the pleasure of DJing for the Live 2 Be Free launch party in Philly.  If your unaware on what L2BF is all about then head over to www.live2befree.com to see what it's all about.  Also on the bill will be Don Cannon, DJ Mirandom, Dirty South Joe and hosted by Set Free and Cory Townes.  Stoli Vodka will also be in providing you with complimentary drinks.

The Guillotines

It's really good to see that Martial Arts films are getting more of a buzz these days to the masses (even though these films have never stopped being made) especially with the RZA / Tarantino "Man with The Iron Fist" releasing in November and now "The Guillotines" being released in December.  Not sure if this will make it's way to theaters in the states but he, none of the others did and I still managed to secure DVD copies of them.  It's great to see a new spin on the classic Shaw Brothers "Flying Guillotines" film.

Taking A Trip

Right from the start of this video I knew it was going to be a good one.  Z-Trip came off funny, entertaining and really left field from others that tell stories of diggin which is why I really loved this interview.  The other thing that I really enjoyed was the fact that he flossed records that are not diggers "holy grails" but are indeed common records that are actually good records and mean something to him.  Too many times record guys try to impress you with rare records often being garbage records which really gets old.

Enjoy

Dust & Grooves w/ Yale Evelev

It's not often that I sit back and watch a video on people who "dig" for records especially when the bulk of the interview is no more than "oh this record has this sample" or "so and so used this".  I enjoy hearing stories about the music, who made the record and where it's from, you know liner notes steez from the people who actually know about the record much more than a sample and actually enjoy it fully.  Eilon Paz over at Dust & Grooves does a great job with capturing not only that type of info but my attention as well so when I view clips such as this one with collector Yale Evelev who drops serious knowledge on his collection and why he loves the records that are housed in his collection.

Yale Evelev Talks Vinyl to Dust & Grooves from Dust & Grooves on Vimeo.

Live 2 Be Free

L2BF: Operation Foxhound from L2BF on Vimeo.

www.Live2BeFree.com

Neo Geo X

I've been a video game lover since the days of Pong and since the beginning of Atari Corporations nice run with the 2600 I've had, actually still do most of the consoles ever made.  The one system that was so necessary to own back in the early 90's which most people couldn't afford the console, let alone the $200 & up price tag on the cartridges that went along with it was the awesome Neo Geo.  So it's great to see that the company will be releasing their 20th Anniversary Neo Geo Gold system with a handheld device later this year. 

The system comes pre loaded with 20 games including a fan favorite Fatal Fury, and all for $200.  Yup, I'm on it.

Iron Fists

So great to see a second trailer for RZA and Quentin Tarantino's "Man with the Iron Fists" film.  Definitely looking forward to it's November release.

Philly "The Handstyle Capital"

Spent a good portion of yesterday in New York handling some business and afterwards roaming the streets taking in the sights, people watching and see what's new and what's no longer there.  Afterwards while heading home on the Amtrak I bumped into legendary artist / writer and Philly fam ESPO who was also taking a trip to Philly on the same train.  So for the next hour and some minutes we talked about everything artistic, old stomping grounds, buying records and of course graff which of course got me to reminiscing of the good old years of Philly walls, the scene and how our handstyle is so loved around the globe.  Here's a documentary that came out in 2012 about Philly and it's earliest beginnings of wall writing.

The 80 Year Lego Celebration

Great video celebrating the 80 year anniversary of Lego.  Amazing that a "toy" can survive all these years and still remain relevant among the youth as well as adults.

Essential Catalog

As I mentioned a few weeks back, there have been alot of people of the years asking me for copies of my older mixtapes which have been long since sold out.  So to cure the need for those wanting to obtain these mixes I've decided to do a limited run of 50 each starting with 2005's Bboy Essentials vol. 1 (hosted by Ynot Rock Steady Crew).

I will release the first volume and will not release the subsequent ones until the previous ones have all been sold so if your waiting on a later edition then you need to call  your friends up and tell them to hurry up and by the others so that you can obtain the one you want.

CD's go on sale Monday Aug. 13th so pre order now since supplies are limited to 50 copies.

CD's are $15 (s/h included) / $20 outside of USA.

Paypal to: info@hotpeasandbutta.com

And if you sign up for the Hot Peas & Butta newsletter you might find yourself receiving at Hot Peas & Butta gift pack filled with a few goodies from our monthly random drawings. www.hotpeasandbutta.com

A Musically Rich and Cultural City

Took a much needed R & R last week and headed out to New Orleans to take in the sights, enjoy the great music, savor the fine food that the city had to offer and check out the great antique stores and art galleries.  All in all it was a great few days away from home, work and the social media world but it's back to business so here's a few pics from my recent trip.

Who Shot Ya

While in Rotterdam a few weeks ago I did a quick photoshoot with the homie Maurice for World Bboy Classic x PUMA.   Maurice always comes through with the great shots and if you've been reading my blog for a while then you've seen some of his work.