My Interview with Shing02

Photo by Richard Louissaint

On April 18^th the Museum of Natural History held a joint exhibit involving the embrace of Bollywood and Japanese Anime by the American public. Amongst the walls which house dioramas of ancient civilizations in North America and other parts of the world, a Japanese rapper named Shing02 was rocking the mic with his DJ Icewater on the decks. It makes sense for Shing02 to perform in this venue due to his song “Battlecry”, which is the opening theme for a popular anime series “Samurai Champloo”. I got the chance to sit down with Shing02 to discuss the meaning of some of his lyrics, his relationship with the late great producer Nujabes, and how he likes his Japanese cuisine. Being that I just got back from Japan I'm just getting this up but, enjoy.

Pt. 1

http://www.zshare.net/audio/75165744afc62e5f/

Pt. 2

http://www.zshare.net/audio/75166057c192e524/

What's Wrong With Williamsburg.

Over the weekend I went to Williamsburg to work on a side project. Once that work was done, I found myself ready to head to Queensbridge via the G train. However before I would leave my beloved Brooklyn I had to eat something. I had not eaten a thing and the day was halfway done, so I decide I'll stop off and grab a hero from a corner store. Kool and the Gang right? Wrong...WRONG.

I saw two deli's along Metropolitan not far from the train station. I start to think "I'll pick one and if I don't like it I'll check the other one out." I went and peeped the first one and the layout looked fine enough. I was put off by the hipsters who stood in front of me in line, but hey I'm no jerk so I'll play nice. Then I notice the names for the "special" sandwiches in this establishment. There were names like "M.J. Forever", and a few obscure movie names... lame. Once it was my turn I asked the gentleman behind the counter how much would a hero with ovengold turkey, swizz cheese, lettuce and tomatoes would cost. The man looked at me with a straight face and said $7.50. I sharply replied no thank you, and left with a taste of disgust in my mouth.

I went across the street to the neighboring deli and got the same sandwich I previously asked for with Kettle chips and a water for $7.25. Now this is what a meal of this magnitude should cost in Brooklyn. That experience nearly ruined my day. Needless to say, I pretty much hate what Williamsburg has become. No it's not new, and no I didn't just develop these feelings this past weekend but COME ON!

I concede and now acknowledge Willy B as the Manhattan annex it wishes to be. You guys can have it, anything past Graham is dead to me.

A Little Sun Does Not = T-shirt Status

If I've seen it once I've seen it a thousand times. Just because the sun is out and it doesn't "feel" like winter anymore doesn't mean you can throw on a T-shirt and call it a day. It's still March people! Next week we will be back to highs of 45. I appreciate beautiful weather as much as the next guy, however Spring doesn't officially start until next week and even then I'll wear a jacket. I saw all types of folks wearing t-shirts with no jacket yesterday like it's the end of April. It's not!

Also, flip flops? Easter hasn't even come yet and you're breaking out the flip flops? I'm done. < /rant>

The City Stops For Snow!?!?

I've been living in New York City all my life. I've gone to public school and dealt with all types of obstacles. When I first heard news of a blizzard possibly hitting the city this week I thought, "cool, we get to throw some snowballs". Then I started hearing people talking about how they can't make it to work. After that, the city declared the schools would be closed before it even started snowing. This whole affair just seems weak to me. I've been through a number of snow storms and I don't remember every having school canceled.

So this morning I wake up and prepare like I normally do to head to Manhattan for work. I look out the window and see the snow falling and I see the streets already plowed. Fine, the city is acting as it should and staying on top of things. Then I get a text from a co-worker asking if I'm attending work today. I reply of course and scoff at the idea of staying home while the trains are working fine. While on the train heading over the Manhattan Bridge I receive a text from the aforementioned co-worker and a second friend telling me to go home, the office has been officially closed. Instead of feeling happy I get a bit sad. To me it just reflects another blow to the spirit of this great city. Now something as common as SNOW has caused the administration of NYC to hit a state of paralysis. It's sad.

I guess a day of watching anime and playing video games will have to make up for it. *kanye shrug*

Headed To The 2nd HHK Championship

On December 4th 2009 (Ether Day) I joined a number of really dope karaoke performers at the Mercury Lounge. The goal was to have the most fun on stage and possibly gain entry to the 2nd HHK Championship. The performances ranged from top tier to cringe inducing. However we all went to have fun and that was indeed had by all. The judges ranged from underground MC Pack FM to Label CEO and Manager extraordinaire Dru Ha. To offset those two was a vet in the show promotions arena (lets call him Mr. Schwartz).

What I loved about last Friday was that as a crowd we were so into being supportive that the judges named a group of us the FUN BUNCH! There was a time when a guy did Nas' The World Is Yours and forgot when to start. I stared the first two bars for him and then he was off and running.

Here's a few videos from the big winners on Friday. Come out and support everyone on January 29th at Irving Plaza as we go big for the 2nd annual Win The G contest!

The Kid


Robert Downey JR


Doni D


K-Dot

Goodie Mob Reunion Show @ BB Kings Tomorrow

One of the greatest groups in hip hop hailing from the south have reunited. Tomorrow on stage together all four original members of the Goodie Mob will perform. It's been years since Big Gipp, Khujo Goodie, T-Mo and Cee-Lo have rocked together. They first got together back in ATL and that day the Atlanta flood rains started. The Goodie have two banging albums under their belt (one classic).

If you are able to I say get a ticket and witness history. If you are unfamiliar peep game and learn yourself on Hip Hop royalty.

1st single, classic.


The title track from their classic debut album.


Another Goodie Mob jam!

Back In The Days w/ DJ Shark

Another night in Deity where folks were getting down to the sounds of my man DJ Shark. I was pretty battered from a sparring session earlier in the evening however I still made it over to the party. You see this was a makeshift birthday party for Shark San and his lovely wife Kazumi was leaving to go back to Japan in a few days so it a special occasion. The turnout was really good. I ran into my homegirl Cynthia in the place to be with a friend in town from the Bay Area. The music was tight as Shark moved smoothly through the mid 90s with uptempo grooves like Janet Jackson's "Alright" and Wrecks N Effect's "New Jack Swing". A lot of my Japanese friends were in the house.

It was good to see people like Toru and Harue having such a good time. I even ran into my friend Hiroko who I haven't seen in months. She seemed to be in good spirits and fit right into the fold of the evening. There was this one Japanese cat dressed in a Cross Colors jacket (you heard me right) and a flat top dancing mega hard. On the flip side was this older Black dude who kept dancing very weird with every woman in the place trying to corner them off for who knows what. You could see many women running from him throughout the night.

All and all it was a good time at Deity. It could always be better though, especially once they get better speakers with more bottom in the basement.

Check these photos provided by Ivan Lam.

What happened to Chivalry?

When I ride the train every once in a while a seat becomes available. I generally look for a woman in need or a child before I sit. However I've been noticing lately that the tried and true practice of giving up ones seat for a pregnant woman 1. doesn't happen as often as it should and 2. only involves a man and woman. Do women have no sense of respect for their sisters? I've seen a woman look right up at a visibly pregnant woman and keep on siting. Not even checking to see if said pregnant woman would like a seat. This leads me to my next question. Why are we as men giving up seats to women when they won't even do it for themselves? WTF MATE?

Has it always been that some women just expect respect and courtesy but not to give said courtesy? I will continue in my crusade to give up a seat to the common lady (especially if she's cute) but it's not easy. It's not easy seeing these women sit and ignore a pregnant woman on her feet. Is it the idea that she has to deal with HER pregnancy on her own? I don't get it, but maybe you do.

I need some feedback people.

Remember When Gov. Patterson Was Liked? Me Either

Ok well that's not entirely true. When he took office initially I was hype. Here we have a blind Blackman living uptown in Harlem taking over the highest office in the state. You gotta love that right? ...Right? Well then the coke thing came out and I thought cool he's clearing his table to do the work. Then the relationship scandal dropped and I thought ok but now get to work. Then there was the... well you get the point. A LOT of time has passed now and I'm still waiting for him to get to work.

Apparently I'm not the only one as word has come down from President Obama's administration that the Gov. should not look to run in the next NY election. His poll numbers are in the dumps and have been for quite some time. The Governor in his steady pattern is still looking to run despite word from Capital Hill. *smh*

I had some high hopes for Mr. Patterson. He still lives in Harlem and is running the state. Maybe before he leaves office he can make sure the drummers in the Mt. Morris Park don't get edged out by the "new Harlemites". At least he pardoned Slick Rick.

Well here's further discussion of the tension between The Gov. and The Pres.

Sasabune and the problem it creates.

A little over a year ago I took a trip to Hawaii with my friend Lorraine. While in the beautiful city of Honolulu I stumbled across a top tier sushi restaurant named Sasabune. This place provided the best sushi experience I'd ever had. The set up is omakase style which means there is no menu. The Sushi masters layout a piece by piece spread for you until you are floating on cloud 9.

When I was in Hawaii the tuna (which I rarely to almost never eat) was great and the eel was sublime. It was damn near orgasmic. As the servers arrived with each new selection they would let you know what kind of fish you were about to enjoy and whether soy sauce was allowed or not for said piece. Fond memories for the kid.

Fast forward to Sept. 2009 and I'm seated in the Sasabune location in the Upper East Side of NYC with Shino. It felt like we had been transported to Japan for two hours. The staff was very friendly and accomodating. The sushi was fresh and delicious. As each piece arrived our smiles only got bigger. Sasabune has spoiled me for any of the NYC sushi restaurants of a different name. It's a whole other level of taste when dealing with this establishment. It's now hard for me to run out and get a lil sushi for lunch knowing that it's almost a joke.

I highly recommend this place. It's definitely on the pricey side so I would only go for a special occasion (unless your rolling like Scrooge McDuck). Until the next time, I'm haunted by the realization that it will probably be another 6 months before I dine on such a delightful piece of sushi.
*Oh and it's even better than the sushi I had in Japan.*

Big Apple BBQ Re- Up

It's that time again people. Last year we put you up on the huge event that is the Big Apple BBQ. It goes down every year in Madison Sq. park over by my alma mater Baruch College. When I went last year it was straight up hot, shorts weather. There were bands playing and plenty of eats to go around. The lines were kinda long so I suggest you get there at a decent hour for lunch. There were a lot of people out there. The only issue I had with this mass public bbq is I CAN'T EAT MOST OF IT! There's mostly pork and beef eats to be found. While they might be very tasty, I can't rock with it. So for those of you who indulge...enjoy. They need more chicken tho, but maybe that's not what BBQ is about to most Americans.

The event takes place June 13th and 14th from 11AM to 7PM. Peep the link for any other details. Big Apple BBQ