When someone yelled “Whe Sista P Deh?!”
(Late for a Wedding. More pics when I get Back ^_^ sorry*_*)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Michael Jackson Factor
The passing of the King of Pop no doubt left a super massive hole in the hearts of music lovers everywhere, not to be out done Jamaicans and our need to catch any cold the U.S has to offer. This year’s Reggae Sumfest was all about Tributes and to Michael. From the banners to the buzz about members of the Jackson family being present for the show immediately after his passing. Almost every artist performing did some sort of tribute piece during their set. And every night there was an impersonator to channel his energy in a seance sort of manner from the very strange and over the top to the just plain bad. Tito bored the younger none US audience to tears and we all just wished he would just collect his pretty pictures and say nice words and get the hell off the stage. To be fair he was pretty good with a blues guitar but after two songs was just too much to bear. That didn’t stop the top brass from showing up for their photo opp. and “jamming” oh so hard to his boring old ass. What was funny however As Ed Bartlet and Babsy Grange made their way to center stage.
When someone yelled “Whe Sista P Deh?!”
(Late for a Wedding. More pics when I get Back ^_^ sorry*_*)
When someone yelled “Whe Sista P Deh?!”
(Late for a Wedding. More pics when I get Back ^_^ sorry*_*)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Reggae Sumfest – Dancehall Night
Disclaimer: I was very very drunk so please don't hold any interviews which i hope never airs against me. My defence the Great Gore Vidal once said that one should never pass on the opportunity to have sex r be on T.V.
So far I got some really hot pics to share with all of you however in all the hubbub I frgot to pack both a card reader and usb cables. I know lame. So many great performances to tell you about like the Alliance putting their stamp of professionalism on Sumfest, however a Gaza show. Ok sorry I got to run I woke up like 3:30pm and this country ass internet place closing now. Tomorrow i will sort out pix on all.
P.S. Guess who knows what cologne Vybz Kartel wore to Dancehall night at Reggae Sumfest? Issey Miyake Intense. How do I know, well because I have a piece of the Gaza Emperor’s outfit from that night.
So far I got some really hot pics to share with all of you however in all the hubbub I frgot to pack both a card reader and usb cables. I know lame. So many great performances to tell you about like the Alliance putting their stamp of professionalism on Sumfest, however a Gaza show. Ok sorry I got to run I woke up like 3:30pm and this country ass internet place closing now. Tomorrow i will sort out pix on all.
P.S. Guess who knows what cologne Vybz Kartel wore to Dancehall night at Reggae Sumfest? Issey Miyake Intense. How do I know, well because I have a piece of the Gaza Emperor’s outfit from that night.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Le Roi est mort. Vive le Roi!
The evil that men do live after them;
The good is oft interred with their bone
..But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once with out cause
What cause withholds you then to morn him?
Julius Caesar; William Shakespeare
The recent death of the proclaimed King of Pop Michael Jackson sent shock waves across the world. Never before has a contemporary artiste influenced the world in so many ways. He hit number one on so many charts and held that position for much longer than possibly than any other artist before him. He also did this before the days of iTunes and Facebook. In death as in life, many flock to get a piece of and/or capitalize on one who clearly was very vulnerable. Now more than ever, attention whores come out from the woodwork to praise his greatness while pushing hidden and not so veiled agendas. One wonders, why is it that important to know every single minute detail of his life and the circumstances of his death as oppose to doing the respectful thing which would be to honor his body of work, his mountain of achievements and his charity. Instead we are bombarded by what prescription drugs he was allegedly addicted to, how much his children don’t have his DNA, and why he cant be buried yet.
It would be very hard to find a young musician or person who wasn’t influenced at some point by Michael Jackson. From the most hardcore head banging rock head, the Hype-to- death flossing dancehall ‘rudeboys’ or none English speaking polka enthusiast and every one else in between. Unfortunately, for a great deal of his life much of his contributions were overshadowed by allegations of him being a pedophile, addicted to plastic surgery and an all round crazy person. Hence spawning the nickname ‘Wacko Jacko’, and I’m sure we all remember him dangling Blanket over a Paris hotel rail, you know so the crowd could feel his essence but not see his face... No doubt these labels only added to his already psychological and emotionally painful and clearly fragile state. Money buys a lot of things - nice clothes, good lawyers, Lisa-Marie Presley but happiness…not so much. I still wonder why people thought it was a good idea to leave children in his care besides the fact that it pays 20 million every time he plays purple touch with them and give them Jesus Juice.
Personally, as crass and heartless as this may sound I am very happy Michael Jackson is dead. At least now he has rest and contentment. Forever removed from elements that sought to exploit and maliciously hurt the boy who never grew up.
The good is oft interred with their bone
..But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once with out cause
What cause withholds you then to morn him?
Julius Caesar; William Shakespeare
The recent death of the proclaimed King of Pop Michael Jackson sent shock waves across the world. Never before has a contemporary artiste influenced the world in so many ways. He hit number one on so many charts and held that position for much longer than possibly than any other artist before him. He also did this before the days of iTunes and Facebook. In death as in life, many flock to get a piece of and/or capitalize on one who clearly was very vulnerable. Now more than ever, attention whores come out from the woodwork to praise his greatness while pushing hidden and not so veiled agendas. One wonders, why is it that important to know every single minute detail of his life and the circumstances of his death as oppose to doing the respectful thing which would be to honor his body of work, his mountain of achievements and his charity. Instead we are bombarded by what prescription drugs he was allegedly addicted to, how much his children don’t have his DNA, and why he cant be buried yet.
It would be very hard to find a young musician or person who wasn’t influenced at some point by Michael Jackson. From the most hardcore head banging rock head, the Hype-to- death flossing dancehall ‘rudeboys’ or none English speaking polka enthusiast and every one else in between. Unfortunately, for a great deal of his life much of his contributions were overshadowed by allegations of him being a pedophile, addicted to plastic surgery and an all round crazy person. Hence spawning the nickname ‘Wacko Jacko’, and I’m sure we all remember him dangling Blanket over a Paris hotel rail, you know so the crowd could feel his essence but not see his face... No doubt these labels only added to his already psychological and emotionally painful and clearly fragile state. Money buys a lot of things - nice clothes, good lawyers, Lisa-Marie Presley but happiness…not so much. I still wonder why people thought it was a good idea to leave children in his care besides the fact that it pays 20 million every time he plays purple touch with them and give them Jesus Juice.
Personally, as crass and heartless as this may sound I am very happy Michael Jackson is dead. At least now he has rest and contentment. Forever removed from elements that sought to exploit and maliciously hurt the boy who never grew up.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
How Do You Represent?
Jamaica is full of talent and the world knows this, be it in sports music, medicine and art you name the field and we excel in it. However I bet you never heard of any comic books from Jamaica that could compete internationally with quality and content. Enter Negash Davidson author, artist and all round video game badass. The author of the very successful comic Beyond Borders, so hot Bookaphilla cant stock enough of these babies. Beyond borders is a hilarious Manga inspired love story about a bored graphic designer who finds love on the internet with a little German hottie. Very reliable sources hinted that Negash might have a small booth at an upcoming comic book convention due to support from a mysterious benefactor. Hmmmm, Comic-Con 09 is already underway so is it 2010 or maybe Florida Super Con, Heroes Convention what I do know is he is keeping this information close to the chest for now, but as soon as more new is available you all will be the first to know. Recently I hijacked the very busy Negash on his way to a radio interview to pick his brain, about what it feels like to be such a huge underground star among other things.
Eve: What makes you so awesome man?
Gash: Dunno if I’m really that “awesome” but I like telling stories and no ladies not the kind where you’re wondering if I’m telling the truth or not but actual stories for entertainment. The production of a comic is not that easy a task either…rather daunting if you ask me, but with determination and a little support I managed to pull it off.
Eve: Most persons move from Edna Manley to Utech, you did the reverse. Is something wrong with you?
Gash: Wrong with me?…not that I can recall…but I just happened to make a mistake and followed what seemed safe rather than following what I wanted. I figured Architecture was a job that would be secure and get me money, but when I started school I realised it wasn’t as I pictured it at all. I realised the mistake I had made forsaking what I loved doing for something that I knew very little of and I never really felt like I fitted in. So I decided to go the route of the arts with more resolve than ever after realising that Utech wasn’t my speed.
Eve: How do you represent?
Gash: Quite well actually (lol) Represent is my brainchild, born out of my own sheer idleness into something that I am currently building into a (hopefully) profitable business.
Eve: What is the main purpose of your company-aside of course to make money and impress the bitches?
Gash: Well ummm…money and ehhh bitches was it? Well that aside…The company’s main purpose for me is to foster creativity, I wouldn’t mind represent encouraging fellow artist out there to go on and do their own thing. If a market for what you want to do is not out there…then create it.
Eve: What made you become interested in art?
Gash: I use to destroy my father’s comics by cutting out the characters to play with them, in total I destroyed his books. I became interested in art when my Uncle showed me I could draw what I saw in the books rather than destroying the book itself. So the power to create rather than destroy was appealing I would say…not to mention it meant no ass whooping from my Dad.
Eve: How did you end up making comics?
Gash: Ever read a comic and was just so involved with it from the artwork to the Story that you just felt compelled to do one yourself…well I did. So I charged myself with coming up with stories of my own to hopefully rival the great ones out there one day…hopefully lol.
Eve: Who are your major influences as artists and/or comic book writers?
Gash: Artists – Joe Maduiera, Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, John Romita Jr, Tetsuya Nomura, Yoji Shinkawa, Jim Aparro.
Writers - Mark Gruenwald, Chris Claremont, Stan Lee, Mark Millar
Eve: Why?
Gash: They all did things their way, and were not afraid of pushing things beyond the accepted norm of what a comic should look like and the stories it should tell.
Eve: Where do you get your inspiration?
Gash: Seeing Various Artists work online and works of my peers, also from those that admire what I do.
Eve: What were some of the previous projects you have worked on?
Gash: My previous works as it relates to the comic field are zero prior to Beyond Border, as my main job area is graphic design(mostly web related) I worked with a small company called Webfx in development of local/international websites.
Eve: What is in the pipeline for us to look forward to?
Gash: Ahhhh the pipeline well there is a lot I really want to get out…just the timing really, but the projects I have waiting are:
The Children of O- This is a tale of a young boy who gets reeled into the world of young children charged with the responsibility of defending their home from demon-like creatures called Jonkunoos.
Jacket – Story of a Robot bodyguard built to protect a young boy who has been found out as not being the biological child of a well known politician.
Battlescars – Story of a young man who uses his love for videogaming as a means to make money for his family whose father has now lost his job in the current declining economy.
Beware of D.O.G. – Story of a young man who now takes up the reigns of assassin that his father once held but can now no longer do.
Eve: What is your preferred medium?
Gash: Old School pencil and paper hehe.
Gash: Dunno if I’m really that “awesome” but I like telling stories and no ladies not the kind where you’re wondering if I’m telling the truth or not but actual stories for entertainment. The production of a comic is not that easy a task either…rather daunting if you ask me, but with determination and a little support I managed to pull it off.
Eve: Most persons move from Edna Manley to Utech, you did the reverse. Is something wrong with you?
Gash: Wrong with me?…not that I can recall…but I just happened to make a mistake and followed what seemed safe rather than following what I wanted. I figured Architecture was a job that would be secure and get me money, but when I started school I realised it wasn’t as I pictured it at all. I realised the mistake I had made forsaking what I loved doing for something that I knew very little of and I never really felt like I fitted in. So I decided to go the route of the arts with more resolve than ever after realising that Utech wasn’t my speed.
Eve: How do you represent?
Gash: Quite well actually (lol) Represent is my brainchild, born out of my own sheer idleness into something that I am currently building into a (hopefully) profitable business.
Eve: What is the main purpose of your company-aside of course to make money and impress the bitches?
Gash: Well ummm…money and ehhh bitches was it? Well that aside…The company’s main purpose for me is to foster creativity, I wouldn’t mind represent encouraging fellow artist out there to go on and do their own thing. If a market for what you want to do is not out there…then create it.
Eve: What made you become interested in art?
Gash: I use to destroy my father’s comics by cutting out the characters to play with them, in total I destroyed his books. I became interested in art when my Uncle showed me I could draw what I saw in the books rather than destroying the book itself. So the power to create rather than destroy was appealing I would say…not to mention it meant no ass whooping from my Dad.
Eve: How did you end up making comics?
Gash: Ever read a comic and was just so involved with it from the artwork to the Story that you just felt compelled to do one yourself…well I did. So I charged myself with coming up with stories of my own to hopefully rival the great ones out there one day…hopefully lol.
Eve: Who are your major influences as artists and/or comic book writers?
Gash: Artists – Joe Maduiera, Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, John Romita Jr, Tetsuya Nomura, Yoji Shinkawa, Jim Aparro.
Writers - Mark Gruenwald, Chris Claremont, Stan Lee, Mark Millar
Eve: Why?
Gash: They all did things their way, and were not afraid of pushing things beyond the accepted norm of what a comic should look like and the stories it should tell.
Eve: Where do you get your inspiration?
Gash: Seeing Various Artists work online and works of my peers, also from those that admire what I do.
Eve: What were some of the previous projects you have worked on?
Gash: My previous works as it relates to the comic field are zero prior to Beyond Border, as my main job area is graphic design(mostly web related) I worked with a small company called Webfx in development of local/international websites.
Eve: What is in the pipeline for us to look forward to?
Gash: Ahhhh the pipeline well there is a lot I really want to get out…just the timing really, but the projects I have waiting are:
The Children of O- This is a tale of a young boy who gets reeled into the world of young children charged with the responsibility of defending their home from demon-like creatures called Jonkunoos.
Jacket – Story of a Robot bodyguard built to protect a young boy who has been found out as not being the biological child of a well known politician.
Battlescars – Story of a young man who uses his love for videogaming as a means to make money for his family whose father has now lost his job in the current declining economy.
Beware of D.O.G. – Story of a young man who now takes up the reigns of assassin that his father once held but can now no longer do.
Eve: What is your preferred medium?
Gash: Old School pencil and paper hehe.
Eve: Manga or Comics
Gash: Manga
Eve: Video games or Sex
Gash: Sex
Eve: Yeah right, is that your final answer? Remember I know you man.
Gash: Yes it is.
Eve: Loonytoons or Disney
Gash: Disney
Eve: Resident Evil or Silent Hill
Gash: Resident Evil
Eve: Marvel or DC
Gash: Marvel
Eve: Akira or Howl’s Moving Castle
Gash: Akira
Eve: Tekken or Soul Calibur
Gash: Soul Calibur
Negash Davidson
negash@representdesigns.com
negash@representdesigns.com
Related Articles
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Last Don
The event invite was posted literally hours before the start of the show. However there was no question who and what patrons came to see, the Rickards Bos. premiere of the possible TV/video series ‘‘The Last Don’’, last Thursday (June 26) at the Kingston On The Edge’s Film On The Edge held at Redbones Cafe. The show chronicles the life of music producer/promoter and all round iron balloon popper Josef Bogdanovich. The production value on ‘‘The Last Don’’ project far surpasses what is seen now on the local television line-ups. It’s refreshingly good to be constantly spoiled by quality work as the Rickards Bros. and it’s easy to see ‘The Last Don’ crossing over to other markets.
One gets the feeling that Joe is the only straight man in this cosmic joke he chooses to inject himself in, which is being a sore thumb in the dancehall landscape. Reminicent of a Rodney Dangerfield stand-up set, Joe gets ‘no respect’, not even from those who work for him, as he constantly finds himself on the recieving end of a dial tone in the middle of important business calls and constantly being bombarded with excuses and the cop outs of "you haven’t paid your dues yet". One is left to wonder how much longer he should keep at it seeing as he already pulled down 15 years in this music business.
Eveyone is a character, they just don’t seen to know it. However it doesnt overwhelm, instead in some crazy way it brings harmony to the piece. Unknown to them is the chaos which pacifies all involved and one gets the feeling that if printers miraculously worked and everyone showed up on time and did their jobs their worlds would just fall apart, plugging them into darkness and despair.
It seems Joe prides himself on taking on promethean tasks and makes a name for himself by 'popping' iron balloons, a perfect example of which is artist I-Maroon with the most insane song ever ‘Mi Salt’. Among other acts in his arsenal include up and coming dancehall pop act Magma and veterans Nanko, Fantan Mojah and the Blonde Ras himself Harry Toddler.
One can’t help but feel love or something like sympathy for good old Joe as he seems to be the ultimate underdog in the Jamaican music industry. Eventually you are seduced by his sheer obliviousness to how bad things really are around him and all the vultures that seek to pick his pockets clean. By far the line that embodies Joe's actions and expriences and subsequent relationships with the people he comes in contact with, and was so eloquently said by none other than the Blonde Ras Harry Toddler when he describes his first impressions of Joe on their inital meeting.
"See a whiteman a carry some money ya fi gi we."
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Out Pon Bail....Maybe Not
It’s not looking good for good ol’ Desmond John Ballentine, more populaly known as Ninjaman, who was again denied bail at his most recent appearance at the Gun Court section of the Half-Way-Tree Criminal Court on July 9, 2009. Ninjaman, his son 21 year old Jahniel Ballentine, along with Clayton Dennis and Seymour Samuels are all remanded in custody on charges of murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), March 16, about 11:15 a.m., 20-year-old Ricardo ‘Ricky Trooper’ Johnson was sweeping his yard in the company of a friend in the Marl Road area of Kingston, when a grey motorcar with three men aboard drove up. An argument reportedly developed between one of the men and Johnson's friend. The vehicle left and later returned and the occupants opened fire, hitting Johnson, who later died at the Kingston Public Hospital. The police, however, say they have no reports that Johnson's friend was injured in the incident.
His attorney, Norma Linton tried to renew their bail application, however, the court set a preliminary enquiry date for September 7.
In the late 1990s, Ninjaman was accused (but later acquitted), among other things, of having raped a woman at knifepoint in his home and having murdered a taxi driver. He was sentenced to one year in jail in late 1999, after being convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition. However unlike previous charges these loom more ominously for the artist.
Hey Annie, you think our friends over by Afflictedyard got anymore of those get out of jail cards can help out Ninjaman? Or maybe he just needs a bath over St. Thomas.
According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), March 16, about 11:15 a.m., 20-year-old Ricardo ‘Ricky Trooper’ Johnson was sweeping his yard in the company of a friend in the Marl Road area of Kingston, when a grey motorcar with three men aboard drove up. An argument reportedly developed between one of the men and Johnson's friend. The vehicle left and later returned and the occupants opened fire, hitting Johnson, who later died at the Kingston Public Hospital. The police, however, say they have no reports that Johnson's friend was injured in the incident.
His attorney, Norma Linton tried to renew their bail application, however, the court set a preliminary enquiry date for September 7.
In the late 1990s, Ninjaman was accused (but later acquitted), among other things, of having raped a woman at knifepoint in his home and having murdered a taxi driver. He was sentenced to one year in jail in late 1999, after being convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition. However unlike previous charges these loom more ominously for the artist.
Hey Annie, you think our friends over by Afflictedyard got anymore of those get out of jail cards can help out Ninjaman? Or maybe he just needs a bath over St. Thomas.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
DID YA MISS ME?
Did you miss me because I sure missed all of you? All 11 that is ^_^. Four weeks not that long but without internet and a PC, it felt like forever. In four weeks the world fell apart and I wasn’t around to tell you about it, forgive me please. Let’s see if I can catch up (BIG SIGH) Michael Jackson is dead. The hottest place to see our local artistes seems to be the Gun Court-Bounty Killa, Ninja Man to name a few. Teflon is out of jail, thats the revolving door effect. Thieves broke into Bolt’s house when he was away being progressive. Rickards Bros. showed us the type of balls one needs to be an active participant on the Jamaica music scene with the debut of the series ‘The Last Don’. Queen Ifrica dropped her much anticipated album Montego Bay and Romping Shop made its debut on the US Top 100 Billboard R&B/Hip Hop charts at 96. Anything else, or does that just about covers it?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)