REMIX: Check out this remix from NastyGeniusHQ!

Stoked to check my You Tube account to find this remix waiting for me to listen to. This is ILL and yes I am over the moon - what a dope ass remix. Thanks NastyGeniusHQ - that is some damn fine nastiness - and to the crew at AYEBRO thanks for the support! Phat submissions for the remix showcase all round. YIA!

METHVEN: Good people, good food, good days on the Snow!

Hey waddup Peoples! Had a minute to chill in Otautahi (Christchurch) so I thought I'd give you an update on movements from the last couple of days spent in Methven with good people and my fams. .

We kicked off the night at Steelworx in fine Methven fashion, that was after of course the sustenance that was provided for us from the Steelworx kitchen by my man Tony (thank you bruv). Always a good meal guaranteed from this kitchen btw!


Dope turnout of keen as peeps.  I'd like to think that we kicked butt and all people enjoyed themselves, but like I said if you didn't have a good time you obviously didn't take your happy pill ya'll!  Special mention has to go out to the participants of the dance competition too.

The Sloppy Shuffle won hands down but if I recall correctly the Methven Wiggle had a fan club in the house.  The Babysitters Club took us into the early hours of the morn. Rocking set from the boys and DJ Kilotone setting up the vibe for the night and nicely finishing off the night. Thanks to all the peeps that joined us.
The next couple of days was spent riding Mt Hutt. Slick as weather for snowboarding. Big Ups to Big Al's for the rental of the gear. I'm gonna have to get a pair of those Burton Boots, they were ill!! Also to Mt Hutt for the hook up's, travelling with three teenagers is expensive, so much appreciated!

Mad hip-hop love going to Tony and Ems at Alpenhorn too. If your budget is tight and you want a good rest after a day on the hill - the Alpenhorn is the place to stay - highly recommended. Good rates, good people, good conversation, good vibes.

       And people if you didn't know; Hip-Hop Lives Here in Methven ya'll. Waddup to my man Lofty, Casey, Franz and all the peeps that bring this niceness from the Steel Worx Bar and Restaurant. That shout out also includes the sound cats, the cdj's cat and the stage props that involved the No.8 wire kiwi initiative and usage of an ironing board to hold gear for the show - love it. $4 props from the second hand store. If ever in Methven call into Steel Worx. Tuesdays are a jug and curry night for $12 with an open mic (I can hear the microphone calling my name LOL ). Make sure you stay at Alpenhorn for those budget wary travellers, you won't be disappointed.  Definitely good people, good food and damn good days on the snow. Kaps.

GIG: Methven Thursday 26th August

One more night and we will be rocking it in Methven at Steelworx for the Adidas Eyewear Winter Party.  Looking forward to getting up on that snow, either on my board or my back side...its been awhile people LOL.

This will be a good night guaranteed, and if you don't enjoy yourself I suggest you take a happy pill before you head on down to Steelworx, positive vibes only ya'll! Catch you on the snow or at the bar. Kaps.

PACIFIC RESORT: Rarotonga

The crew and my fams on Muri Beach, Rarotonga

My family and I had our 'every five years' holiday recently in Rarotonga.  Yep I know that is sad, too much work to do ya'll!

Met a lot of cool people and it has to be said Rarotonga has some of the most nicest people I have met in all my travels (Bangkok was similar actually, must be that warm weather and good food!).

Muri Lagoon

One of our mates (thanks Shannon) managed to hook us up a glass bottom boat trip out on the lagoon in Muri. As you can tell from the pictures the water is spectacular - snorkelling in Muri was by far the dopest thing that I have ever done. I mean look at this water! And really with all those airlines competing all the time there are really cheap airfares to get to a place that takes the same amount of time it takes to drive to Taupo from Auckland! The Pacific is our back yard people!

Our boys really enjoyed the snorkelling, my in-laws thought it was 'brilliant' and neither of them got into the water, my wife took pictures and wondered why she isn't home more often!?

Rarotonga is a holiday destination, so that is what you do when you get there... We did try and do some work which we did a little but internet was slow (well for the 50-150 daily emails we receive) and honestly it was really important for us to chill for the time we were there.

I came back from Rarotonga after playing at Rehab ( its a night club, not a rehabilitation centre...or is it??) in August. I was supposed to be in Rarotonga longer but missed my flight from Hawaii (long story) so ended up cutting my time in Rarotonga short.

Feeding the fish, Muri Lagoon

This time I got to stay at Pacific Resort (thanks D). Special mention has to go to the staff - the food was outstanding. Ya know, one thing when you travel and work, its imperative that you find good food.  Everything I ordered tasted good! The Pacific Burger, the island fries, the Smoked Marlin and Pawpaw, there is nothing lacking here.

Anyway before I start rambling on about the food and losing focus - definitely check out Pacific Resort Rarotonga if you are travelling those ways and without a doubt check out their Aitutaki boutique resort if you head that way too.  Perhaps a future update will be from there!  Kaps.

GRAFFITTI: Colouring in book

Here is something from my man Subway Suds. If you are a hip-hop head with kids [or upcoming artist, interested in graff...] this is the perfect thing you need for these rainy winter days, a little bit old school with a hip-hop twist -  Graff Colouring-in Books.
64 pages jam packed with funky flexed sketches and characters from graff writers made up of an all star Australian lineup with overseas special guests!
The purpose's of this book was to: [nb. taken from press release]
1 - Provide a platform for good graffiti artists to be printed.
2 - Make the viewer more interactive with graffiti by being able to colour it in, thus subconsciously absorbing styles and progressing the movement.
3 - To allow the public to post their coloured in versions on the Akromatism blog.
4 - Attempt to positively promote the graffiti artform and make it more accessible and accepted.
We just ordered some so they will be available from our online store very very very soon!
Alternatively you can order directly from the cats themselves here. Also important to note - they will have book signings throughout Australia on the 11th of September. Peace.

STORY: Fat Beats connection...

Credit: Matt Grace

What a lot of people don't know about me is that I am a deejay. Hence the digging in the crates from continent to continent.

The first time I went to Fat Beats, I was amazed there was a deejay spinning records, wall to wall rap album covers, it was dedicated to hip-hop music.

Crotona Park Jam 2003 credit: ToolsofWar

A few years back I did a gig at Central Park (TradeNZ & NZ Music Commission initiative) and at Crotona Park in NYC (organised by Christie Z Pabon and Fabel collectively as Tools of War). After the Crotona Park gig I was invited by DJ Eclipse to jump on his radio show. I was sitting there waiting for my turn and there was this little (well most people are little compared to me LOL) Peruvian fella sitting next to me rhyming away with his homies.  I got this all on video, cos I was thinking damn this dude is dope. Anyway, a week later I was over in Amsterdam visiting my son Rakim (yes he is named after the rapper Rakim) and we went to Fat Beats Amsterdam.  I picked up a 12" and it was the fella from the radio show. Little did I know that it was none other than Immortal Technique.  As you hip-hop heads will know,  the brother is a microphone fiend - I bought the 12" and the album. Fat Beats memories. Kaps

BIG UPS: Farewell to Fat Beats

Me outside Fat Beats on Melrose, Los Angeles 2009

Over the past 10 years I have spent a lot of time travelling our planet.

My usual routine when I  arrive into a city is find a computer to search the internet (used to be a phone book) for the closest 1] comic stores (for my wife), 2] toy stores (for both my wife and I), 3] basketball courts and 4] record stores. 

Break Ya Neck Customs

I then calculate how far it is from where I am staying...In this one particular case it was a $160USD return cab ride away but I was trying to get to FAT BEATS on Melrose so well worth missing a few meals while on the road plus there was Munky King just down the road so we hit two birds with one stone. But then we crossed the road to find Break Ya Neck Custom Sneaker cats...more shoes, records and toys...less food.

I am glad we made it to Fat Beats that one time, had a scratch, bought a couple of deejay and freestyle dvds, tees (for our big son who loves 90's rap, cos like most dope things they don't come in Hulk size for me LOL) and a couple of 12" records.

Running a retail store with my family I know its real tight right now and the online option is better economically, which is where you will continue to find Fat Beats.  Word is though, the owners are not done with the idea of a physical outlet, so keep your ear to the ground.  Thank you for existing in the first place,  Hip-Hop appreciates you. (BTW I have been to the NYC and Amsterdam Fat Beats Stores too - rap record fiend) Peace.

GIG: Adidas Eyewear Winter Party in the Snow

Its about that time again! Come join the Steelworx Crew, TBC and myself for a hot night out! After snowboarding all day you gotta shake those winter chills off with a bit of warming alcohol and dope beats. Always guaranteed a good time on the dance floor TBC will give you a good cardio workout, myself on the other hand will get your hip-hop nod on! Next Thursday ya'll, see you up on the hill for a snowboard too!

HHLH ALBUM: THAITANIUM - NO STOPPIN US feat BLAHZAY BLAHZAY AND LIL FAME (MOP)

Had to throw this clip up - dope track from the brothers of Thaitanium. I have the privilege of having this ill Thai-thay crew guesting on my forthcoming album, Hip-Hop Lives Here. Can't wait to drop their track! Wassup Thailand Massive?! Keep on grinding. Respect to AsianRapWorldwide.

NEW MUSIC: RAKAA IRISCIENCE Crown Of Thorns Album Release Day

Mad hip-hop love to the brother Rakaa Iriscience on the release of his debut solo album - Crown of Thorns - You need to buy this people - definitely an ill purchase for 2010 - yia! Thanks to DECON for the link.

HONOLULU: Respect and shoutouts!

Big Ryzyn and Fams in Honolulu

Thanks to the sister Veronica Scanlan I have a couple of photos from the dope gig at Don Ho's for the late Brother Walter 'High Chief XL' Saole.

Apart from shopping for basketball shorts and shoes for my sons I spent time with the brothers doing what we do, chill, converse, write rhymes and eat large amounts of good tasting food - Rainbow Restaurant for life ya'll LOL.  I only managed to take photos of food and shoes, so these pics are a little more reminiscent of what went down on the night. As well as a fundraiser for the Saole Family, it was also the release party for Rakaa Iriscience's debut solo Album, Crown of Thorns.  You need to purchase this album, check the KRS One track, Human Nature, ILL!
 

Big Ryzyn and Rakaa - monstas on the mic!

Gotta give mad shoutouts to Big Dave, Rakaa, Big Ryzyn, DJ Taco, Tassho, Hahk, Or1ginal, Creed and all the other peeps and groups who supported the event. Respect to the Saole Family.

Also thanks to Raphael and DJ Drama at the Indigo Bar - it was a good night, good music, good people.

Mad hip-hop love to my peoples in HI State. Peace!

RAROTONGA: I went to Rehab in...

Yes, yes, not what you think people! We played at the Rehab Nite Club in Avarua, Rarotonga on Wednesday night.  On the day of the gig we went up to the radio station 88FM and ran a competition for a double pass, a collection of all my video clips and my Dominant Species Album with four remixes from Tiki, Katalyst, Forty One and The Nextmen. 

Instead of your usual question about a song or an album, the challenge was put out to the people for the first person who could get to the station with some pe'epe'e (freshly made coconut cream), pisupo (corn beef), rukau (taro leaves) and taro. Two people made it up to the station - it came in handy after the Afterhours at Scotty's.  Thank you so much for the food, it was a mean feed!

Big ups also to Scotty at Rehab and all the people who sold tickets and braved a windy rainy night to make it to the club, we appreciate the support immensely and look forward to coming back soon!

Also to the Pacific Resort - man I would come back to Rarotonga just to have the 'island fries' on the menu ya'll - you got me addicted to them! I cannot say enough about the quality of the food here - that Pacific Burger and Smoked Marlin with Paw Paw... didn't have much luck keeping the kilos' off on this trip either!  - big ups to Greg, Marcus and the staff at Pacific Resort - Fa'afetai Lava - we will be back!

Whaddup to Tini and the crew at The Roadhouse - thank you for making us feel like we are home when we rock into your place - the Roadhouse have a mean $5 burger meal plus there is a gallery in the space that you should definitely check out supporting some of the local artists including one of the brothers Papa Ataera. The brother works in pastels depicting the history of our people and challenging your understanding of Cook Islands culture and people. We are also proud to have the brother on-board the travelling Hip-Hop Lives Here exhibition. We love Rarotonga ya'll! Peace.

GIG: Rakaa Iriscience Album Launch & Fundraiser in Honululu

Calling all peoples in Hawaii - please come and support the aiga of Walter 'High Chief XL' Saole - this Thursday 5th August at Don Ho's Island Grill, Aloha Tower Market Place. Plus incredibly talented emcee and Hawaiian Native Rakaa Iriscience releases his Crown Of Thorns Album. Its gonna be a good night! Tickets available via pre-sales and at the door on the night. Respect to the Saole Aiga. RIP Sole.

HEALTH: Looking after dem knees...

Hey waddup people?! This is Mike, one of the brothers that works at the Body Workshop in Rosebank Road, Avondale.  I had my first Acupuncture session (he is inserting a needle into my knee, you know I love to ball & can still dunk LOL)  the other day - what an out of it buzz.
There are many things that are dope about what these cats do. Its a physiotherapy clinic without the 'clinical' feeling. Its like visiting your mates except that with whatever you have hurt when you leave -  will start to heal.  They incorporate both Eastern and Western medical practices in the one place.  If you have an injury I reckon check these cats out - especially if you have never tried Acupuncture before, these dudes will hook you up! They also have Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Kung Fu classes too Yang Martial Arts Association NZ. 
Check them out if you can!