« February 2005 | Main | April 2005 »

March 30, 2005

The Good Foot, Portable Style & $107M

Arkitip is another dope publication that stems from low-cost ingeniuty. They're one of sub-culture's strongest print medias for expression in the design world. Their humble beginnings were established with a 50 copy hand-stapled zine in 1999. They are now circulating 1000 copies with each new edition. Every copy of the mag is hand numbered making it an original piece of art. The once zine is more of an art book these days - hitting you with fresh designs and insight. As you probably can tell, they designed the funky wheels pictured above. Find out more about them {here}.

Adventures Abroad: I'll be kicking it with the Parisians tomorrow. Updates may slow down a bit, unless my hotel has some broadband or I can find a cool cyber cafe or something. But, we'll have some cool treats for you when I return. Be on the look out for new columns, interviews with Asheru & Da Beatminerz as well as some insane pics. Hope all is well in your world and peep the linkathon below.

peace. taj

PS> Rest in Peace Johnnie. You will be missed.

Posted by taj at 02:34 PM | Comments (45)

March 29, 2005

Talking to you, Viruses & Gatorade

Brazilian bean burritos aren't a good look when you catch a virus. Man, I hate being sick. It hit me in the middle of the night and I'm just beginning to get my equilibrium back. I watched it hit my fellow co-workers, hoping that it wouldn't come my way. Wrong. It hit me square in the gut. At least my bedside gatorade and crackers will help me get through this.

Audio Adventures: Today's download bring's back some dope memories. Remember Rawkus in its hayday? In early '99, the release of Lyricist Lounge was so promising. I remember a time where I would buy a Rawkus release without even listening to it. They had secured a niche and in my eyes there was no one messing with them in terms of pound for pound releases. Below take a click and remember those days with one of my favorites singles off of the Lyricist Lounge album, Talking to you.

[Lyricist Lounge Allstars, Talking to you Download]

peace. taj

Posted by taj at 01:55 AM | Comments (35)

March 27, 2005

EavesDrop, PunchDouble & Transparency

Last weekend was way out. It's hard to determine where to begin, but mega-big shout to DJ Junior for having us on the show Friday night - peep the recap here. We had a great time. Another big shout goes to the strange couple stage left of James getting down at Tangerines. Crazy! They were on some osmosis type stuff as I watched them try to become one right before my eyes. PDA gets the gas face.

Update on the Update: Also, before we jump into today's news links and quirkiness, I wanted to give you all an update on the upload. All articles should be posted by week's end. In addition, we'll be hitting you with some cool mp3s, so look alive.

peace. taj

Posted by taj at 11:02 PM | Comments (26)

March 25, 2005

Kamaal, MOMA and PSP (It's super official)

I'm obsessed with modern furniture, minimalism and all that other good stuff. Recently Marsha and I visited the MOMA store in SOHO and copped a gazillion books on the genre. Crazy. The pic shown above is from an apartment in Vienna, Austria. I believe it's the stairway entrance to this crazy ill office. You can check out more in New Home Office Design by Daab. It's pretty fresh.

Today we bring you the latest Kamaal Fareed, aka Qtip, track. Well at least it's new to us. I really dig the vibe he's established and he's rhyming! Yeah, I know that may sound simplistic, but at times Tip can shy away from the rhyme scheme and lean more toward the singing side of things. There's a good balance here.

[Kamal Fareed, Oh Yeah! Download]

peace. taj

PS> Don't forget to tune in to 91.7 FM Philly tonight (6-9pm) for our interview and deejaying guest spot on Junior's EavesDrop. Check out his site Record Breakin for upcoming shows and other goodness. If you're not in the Illadelph area, you can peep the Dork Invasion online via WKDU.

Posted by taj at 12:45 AM | Comments (29)

March 24, 2005

More Jaydee, Anthem & Huckabees

Three coincidences. What do they mean? The other night I checked out I *heart* Huckabees and thoroughly enjoyed it - great flick. I went into the movie without a clue as to what it would be about. The first 15-20 minutes I was a little confused, but if you stick with it you won't be disappointed. Existential detectives are real, and we're all part of one big connected blanket.

Anyway, enough of the wierd and sublime. Below we have Part 2 of the Jay Dee Interview. In this short session he discusses how he didn't get credit for the Janet Jackson single that he and Tip produced. Pure madness...

[Jay Dilla Interview Part 2 Download]

peace. taj

Posted by taj at 11:03 AM | Comments (12)

March 22, 2005

Classic Dilla Interview, SK8 Graph, Apple 1 DVD Jon 2

More skateboard antics above - Andy Jenkins and Tony Larson design another ridiculous board. There's something about that bat that stays in my mind. I don't know what it is, but it sticks.

In addition to this week's skateboard madness, we've got another guerilla download for you. This week we present one part of a seven part series of interviews with the Beat Maestro himself, Jay Dilla. Talk about a podcast?! I landed this from a friend last year and wanted to pass it on to our readers. It'll only be posted for a few days, so get it while you can. I wish I knew who was conducting the interview, but it's fantastic. Jay talks about Madlib, their friendship and beat jacking...

[Jaydee Interview 1/7 Download]

peace. taj

Posted by taj at 10:21 PM | Comments (34)

March 21, 2005

Form & Function, Skateboards and PSP

Skateboards are one of the greatest marriages of form and function. The combination of form's dope graphics and function's smooth rides has turned me into an advid collector. Although I'm no Tony Hawk, I can appreciate the partnership. Whether I'm looking at the graphics for some design inspiration, or jumping on a deck to go for a spin - there really isn't anything messing with the form and function of a beautiful skateboard.

The graphic above is from one of my favorite art directors, Andy Jenkings. It's the Flow 2 Series Howard - Pro Model by Toney Larson. Great use of color and the drawings are sick. Anyway, I'm hoping to land another cool board when I travel to Europe at the end of the month - so all my Parisian friends holla at me with some cool skate shops. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. And now for today's news, links and other madness...

peace. taj

PS> "Please be patient with us as we update the site. If all goes well, it should be completed by the end of the week. We're working like dogs over here to get it finished." -- Best regards -- Dork Staff

Posted by taj at 03:14 PM | Comments (67)

March 18, 2005

St. Paddy's Recap & Dork in print

I'm so square. In my last post I declared that going out was weighing on me - yet I went out last night without hestitation. I'm slowly becoming the person I despise. I dragged Hashim (literally) and we hit up the Fixed Mag release party - which was a complete bust! Hey I'm sure Fixed is a great publication and I wish them well, but don't have a release party and run out of beer at like 8pm on the get drunk holiday. That is so burnt up. It was super packed too and there were no seats. All you could do was bump into people. We left.

So its 8:42 and we have nothing to do. To kill time we bought a small bottle of Johnnie Walker Black, ate some chinese food and talked life. Luckily Qudus hit Hashim up about this party at Wonderland (new spot - used to be the Social Club) - boy what a party! Free champagne and a 10 to 1 female to male ratio - cute girls too. I had to stab myself with a fork to remind me that I have a beautiful girlfriend. I killed it when I did the robot and some old Micheal Jackson moves, then for some reason I started doing kung fu. Like karate chops and kicks and I stayed on beat! Truly a night to remember. The only sad thing is that I scuffed my new kicks. Last night think I became a Power Boy. How funny is that?

Check my boys Nick Geez and Jamo tonight at Sutra. These guys can deejay way better than me. Nick used to hit me off with mixtapes when we working at a law firm together.

Oh yeah this announcement is way in advance but I thought that you'd want to know. Dork Magazine will debut in print this fall!!!

peace. james

Posted by james at 10:37 PM | Comments (31)

March 17, 2005

Technology & Music, Bag Support, New looks

People! It's Thursday evening and I feel good about the past week. I heard the weather is going to flirt with us again and bring some more luke warm temps. But on another note, is it wrong to be hyped about the back to back line up of Apprentice and Power Girls? I know, I got issues, but I can't front, those girls get their PR on. Oh! and while we're making confessions, I think Ian is on point about this one. Anyway, peep the crazy ill links we have below (well, maybe they're just cool, not crazy ill)...

peace. taj

Posted by taj at 07:52 PM | Comments (1137)

March 16, 2005

My restlessness is my nemesis

The more I go out the more it makes me want to stay inside. Or, maybe I'm just sick of New York. I guess I get bored easily. That's not to say that the show last night @ Lions Den wasn't dope (that's where I went) - it was a great show. I just wasn't too big on being out. This networking thing is making me feel like a big phony. I hate explaining to people what Dork is about. I feel like if I told them, "Hey man I've got this blog and it's called Hustle & Flow. It's about the hustle of hip hop", people would be way more receptive. It is what it is, and if you don't get it that's cool, I mean it's just me and Taj having fun. I can't wait to go to Italy in April.

I've been in the weirdest mood this week. Yesterday I felt that someone I knew had passed - I don't know why I just did. A few hours later, while having a conversation with a person I just met, I found out that an acquaintance of mine had died the other day (R.I.P Patrick - MassAppeal). I'm not trying to make people sad or anything and usually I'm a barrel of laughs, but I would be fake if I didn't say that I have a lot on my mind.

I'm going to check the new Woody Allen movie Melinda and Melinda this friday. The film explores the idea of whether the same things that make us cry make us laugh. The critics have already trashed the movie. Basically they think it's trite and Allen is justing ripping off and watering down his early work. The trailer looks interesting though and Will Ferrell is in it - how bad could it be? It's just cool to hate Allen. The themes that he addresses - the fragility of love, marital infidelity, sophisticated romance, the inability to communicate - are things most films don't even attempt to tackle. As a writer my goal is to describe the world the way I see it and I think Allen describes his world well.

Things to do today:

Adam Mansbach is having a reading, discussion and reception for his new novel Angry Black White Boy @ The Institute for Urban Education at New School University today @ 7pm. It is going to be an interesting night.

later. james

Posted by james at 03:47 PM | Comments (96)

March 15, 2005

Post Hiatus & Audio Tuesdays

Dork took a little hiatus after the last party to recoop for this week's madness. Last Thursday was a blast. Cool folks came through to hang out, eat some good food and hear great music. Big shout to Jason, Jeff and Ian for coming through and rocking the tables.

Audio Tuesday: This week we bring to you a remix that barely caught any attention but certainly deserved to - Raphael Saadiq's YOU remixed by Jay Dee. It has all the signature Jay Dee sounds, deep kicks, a crazy snare and those filtered subtleties we've all grown to love. This happens to be one of my all time favorite songs. The replay value is endless. (If you miss Audio Tuesday's in the future, you can always download them from our download click right below.)

[You! by Raphael Saadiq rmx. by Dilla]

peace. taj

Posted by taj at 08:51 AM | Comments (47)

March 10, 2005

Dork Party Tonight!

Random Relevance: I would like to issue a moratorium on the eating of fruit and cheese together. That's just stupid. Sorry, but it's how I feel. Fruit and Cheese! There is no question in my mind that they should be eaten separately.

Now that's out of the way, I would like to direct your attention to two events going down tonight. First up, starting at 7pm, Adam Mansbach is hosting a book release party for his lastest pressing Angry Black White Boy at McNally Robinson Bookstoore, located on 52 Prince Street - Manhattan, NY. He has a great interview in our upcoming edition of Dork. Don't miss it.

Then, following his release party, is the ever present Dork Magazine event starting at 9pm. James and I will be rocking the turntables, but it's going to be a truly special night because Metalface and Ian are coming through to spread their audible funk on listeners. Last time Ian came out he blew the lid off the place - so be sure to come through and say whats up.

peace. taj

PS> Free Vapors Magazines for the first 50 people who come out to LowBar.

Posted by taj at 01:08 PM | Comments (28)

March 08, 2005

Last Night Changed it all.

I really had a ball. Five dollars to the person that knows the name of the artist that sang that song. Anyway, I went to the Hip Hop Karaoke thing yesterday and it was pretty cool. When I walked into Rothko I realized that they had an official rapper set-up for this - live DJ and everything. I was so amped - finally I could live my fantasy of being a rapper. I originally wanted to do Electric Relaxation by ATCQ but it was taken, so I picked Juice by Eric B. & Rakim. Juice is one of my favorite movies, which made me even more excited. Then I decided to call Taj:

Me: Yo Taj I'm at the Karaoke jumpoff! Sup with you?
Taj: Just finished playing Candyland with my daughter.
Me: Should I plug the site? They're like 200 people in here. Or is that corny?
Taj: No you should definitely plug the site and the party.

Cool. The convo relaxed me a little but not much. I really wanted to kill it onstage. I completely blocked out all the other karaoke performances - I was too focused on what I was about to do...

Jay-Z says if you focus on having a great performance before you perform, you will - visualization is real dudes. They called me to the stage and I completely blacked out. I mean I knew the whole song by heart, I had crazy stage presence. I said dorkmag.com over and over again as the hook. The highlight was when I thought the crowd couldn't hear me and I put 2 mics to my mouth at once like LL Cool J back in the day. After my performance the crowd erupted as I dedicated the song to The Game & 50 begging them to know the ledge. I hopped off the stage and for some reason threw up the Rocafella diamond. I'm such a dork.

After the karaoke we hit up Sway for Girl on Girl. These ladies really killed it. The highlight of the night for me was when I heard "Baby you send me out" by PM Dawn. It made me remember the days when I wore sky blue Girbaud jeans with a matching Hilfiger shirt - wow I'm old.

Did anyone see the new issue of Black Book? Rosario Dawson is on the cover and it is all about blogs and stuff - pretty cool issue. Black Book is dope because it has the Little Black Book List (LBBL). LBBL is basically a cooler version Zagat's. Out of curiousity I wanted to see what they had to say about LOW:

"Low 81 Washingston St. (718) 222-9880 Ariana's smart, subterranean bar, talent, Tara at the bar."

Cool description, but who is Tara? Yuki is at the bar.

Dork party Thursday - be there.

Posted by james at 11:41 PM | Comments (890)

March 07, 2005

Pre-Spring, Robot Spies, Ronaldinho

60 Degrees! Wow, it's another beautiful day in the Illadelph. I went skiing yesterday and now it feels like spring. This weather is crazy, but no complaints here. I took in a nice stroll this morning and I think I'm ready for the new season. This Thursday, we're having our monthly dork party at Low Bar in honor of the pre-spring muses. Be sure to come through and check us out.

peace. taj

Posted by taj at 10:44 AM | Comments (45)

March 05, 2005

Runnin Runnin & Runnin Runnin

I can't get that song out of my head. This last week I feel like that's all I've been doing, but hey pimping ain't easy - it sure is fun though. Last night, me and the main dame went to Lowbar and had a great time. I think we had everything on the menu. Yuki hooked us up with drinks too - she is bartending Thursday so tip well - she is mad cool.

If I had to define Dork in two words it would be Nick Geez or DJ Con Leche as he is known to his fans. He's going to be spinning at the White Rabbit ( 145 E. Houston) Sunday @ 8pm. The spot is plush. I actually wanted to do some parties there back in the day.

For some reason people love cupcakes. I mean it's not like I'm against them, but I don't know why you just wouldn't get a slice of cake instead. Anyway, if you are obsessed with cupcakes you might enjoy this Haiku.

Okay I gotta go, working on another editon of DWM - it should be the best yet and I have an interview to do today. The spring edition should be pretty fly.

Adios Amigo. james

Posted by taj at 01:52 PM | Comments (30)

March 04, 2005

Friday Goodness & Mp3s with that circa 95 feeling

HomeSkillets! It's Friday! I heard the GoodFoot event from RoomService was bananas yesterday. DJ Language supposedly went guerilla style and played the original break to Hate it or Love it. I'm mad I missed it, but I had to hold it down in Philly in preparation for next week's madness. So, this weekend I hope you get well rested because we are on the brink of the new Dork Edition, and on Thursday (3.10) Low Bar will be hosting another Dork Party. There'll be all sorts of cool stuff - Jenga, a new Saki bar, great food and dope music. Music selectors will include DJ James and I, as well as MetalFace and our honorary homeboy Ian.

Adventures in Lo-Fi: Last night, I had a flashback to about 95 when everything wasn't hi-fidelity and the best music was rocked on tapes until they popped. So, in tribute to that memory please check out the following (all songs aren't circa 95 but have that circa 95 feel):

Have a great weekend and I hope all is well in your world. See you next Thursday.

peace.taj

Posted by taj at 01:41 AM | Comments (17)

March 03, 2005

A good day on the good foot!!

Yesterday was one of those days when everything went right. Taj & Marsha came to the office after meeting with Wayne and hooked me up with an illmatic t-shirt. We hit the streets and got some work done. Yesterday I didn't even have to use my AK, I have to say it was a good day!

Anyone watch PBS last night? They aired the 2004 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Lorne Micheals won, he beat out Alf & Carrot Top. I'm lucky enough to have never read any Mark twain - hey I'm illiterate. It was pretty funny considering the show was basically a bunch of rich old farts talking about how rich and stinky they are. Tracy Morgan made a weird joke about Lorne enjoying seeing him dressed in drag - awkward and hillarious.

Don't forget to come out to the Knitting Factory 2nite. Room Service has put together a killer lineup - DJ(s) Language, Amir, & Rich Medina are spinning. There is a $5 cover and $3 Brooklyn Brews all night long. Don't be a cheapskate. Man there is no reason for you not to come out.

Misc:

I know that this is late but it's perfect for losers that think they're wine experts because they saw Sideways a couple of times.

I'm Audi 5G

"One word to describe me spectacular YES"

- Juelz Santana

Posted by james at 03:20 PM | Comments (40)

March 02, 2005

Kozyndan!

Kozyndan is perhaps my favorite artist of the moment. They are Los Angeles based mad scientists working on a secret formula for controlled nuclear fusion, and are creating a line of edible chickens. For fun they like to take long deep breaths and dip their heads into bowls of rasberry jelly and lemon curd. They live indoors and don't paint on walls. The couple also moonlights as freelance illustrators. Check them out here...

Also don't forget to check out our upcoming Dork Party on Thursday March 10. :: Flyer ::

peace.taj

Posted by taj at 01:24 AM | Comments (40)

March 01, 2005

Cool Russ, Toothbrushes & Chelsea Wins

Did anyone catch Bobbito Garcia at the Brooklyn Public Library last week? I never realized that homeboy was 38. He's a true renaissance man. I was checking out the descript they did in The New Yorker and he's lived a full life - tackling various things of interest. He makes getting older (38's not old) interesting and fun - more experiences, stories, adventures, etc. I'm definitely looking forward to all the adventures Dork has to bring, God only knows the adventures we've had so far...(Flashback: Yo James! I forgot my needles for tonight's show... silence... I know - my bad, maybe halycon's open, or I'll give Ian a call and he can come through to save us, or maybe Russ - our official strategic advisor and magician - will think of something!). Anyway, here's today's update loaded with the weird, introspective, repetitive and just plain cool...

peace.taj

Posted by taj at 12:26 AM | Comments (17)