Sneak Peak: "Yonder" by Brandon Opalka

Tired of being chased out of every decent spot in downtown, I decided to head north last night. I usually don't go north bound on my rides but my good friend Brandon Opalka, one of Miami's great contemporary artists, had invited me to hang out at his studio earlier that day.

The last time I was at Brandon's studio he was experimenting heavily trying to find his new series and upon my arrival, at his studio last night, it was apparent that he had found it. Scribbled on some tattered piece of paper, which looked as if he found it in the dumpster, was the word "YONDER". This was to be the name of his new series and next show which was set for the end of September.

Jason Ferguson of MAP magazine was already at the studio when I arrived with a cup of jack in one hand and a ciggie in the other. Looking at the nearly empty bottle I realized I had some catching up to do, so I immediately poured myself a stiff one and began the night.

Brandon had recently been studying Gauguin and his works. For those unfamiliar with Guguin, he was a French born...ahhh fuck it, just look him up on Wikipedia. I think Brandon's new series is heavily influenced by Gauguin's frustration with the lack of recognition, European culture, and "everything that is artificial and conventional." Brandon seemed to find himself relating to Gauguin heavily in that sense. He seemed tired of Miami and tired of the lack of talented and innovative artists in the city. "Yonder" is Brandon's escape from Miami's superficial lifestyle to a place in his own imagination where each figure and object, in this new series of paintings, have there own life and their own individual stories.

I think this is his strongest series he has ever created and the "Yonder" show is definitely going to be one of Miami's "Must See" shows of the year (Basel included). We will keep you posted on the opening reception and all that good stuff so stay tuned!

B-WARE of Hawaii

Introducing B-ware of Hawaii. This brand is based out of the North Shore of Oahu. For all of you surfers, you know what's up. For those that have no idea... The North Shore of Oahu is home to some of the World's sickest surf breaks... Pipeline/Backdoor, Haleiwa, and Sunset to just name a few... World class.

Ante Up!

I am waiting for the remix where the Cookie Monster plays Busta and Big Bird is Remy Ma.

Ripped Off?

I recently seen this on the Mosely Tribes Blog. The picture on the left is an advertisement for Rocawear Eyewear. In the advertisement, Jay is pictured in a black MI-5 styled coat wearing what seems to be the Mosley Tribes and Crooks & Castles collaborative Costellano Sunglasses. But wait, isn't this an advertisement for Rocawear? Now Jay rocking Crooks gear is nothing unusual, especially for the last year or so. Pictures of Hova wearing one of the industries most dominating labels; Crooks & Castles, have been popping up on every blog for the last 8 or 9 months, even rocking the shades to death during his Glastonbury show which was blasted all over Europe on BBC. But this wasn't a paparazzi shot of Jigga Man walking down Rodeo Drive, this was an advertisement for the launch of Rocawear's new Eye wear line. Of coarse the Crooks and Mosley Tribes logos were photoshopped out of the picture, but the shade on Jay are undeniably the Costellanos. Not a good look.

I found it very ironic that a brand such as Crooks & Castles who has branded themselves as the avant-garde of ripping off... I mean being influenced by luxury brands, are now being ripped off themselves. People have often told me that that was a measure of success, but I always thought that was bullshit. Especially because I, myself, have been ripped off a few times. Whether it was some half ass wannabe boutique ripping off my design or other stores and websites stealing our identity, being ripped off sucks! But I guess thats the price of success.

DAFT PUNK'S ELECTROMA TRAILER

Electroma Trailer

Stemmed from there "Human After All" album, critically acclaimed Cannes Film Festival award-nominee Electroma, a.k.a Daft Punk's Electroma will be released on DVD July 22nd. Written and Directed by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo, the film follows the history of two robots, the members of Daft Punk, on their quest to become human.

Butta Verses "Reality BV" in Stores September 1st!

Fort Lauderdale's own, Butta Verses is set to drop his first major debut album September 1, 2008. The Bronx born emcee has been through some turbulent times in the last five years. From falling out with Maceo (Del La Soul), who first signed Butta only to shelf him after being on the Bear Mountain label for 3 years, to rocking sold out crowds in Europe, Butta Verses has been through more than most people go through there whole lives.

Butta Verses is the first artist to be signed to Culture Kings Music, and his album, which was originally supposed to drop last Winter, has finally been set to release at the beginning of September. The highly anticipated album, "Reality BV", features Joell Ortiz, CL Smooth, A-Butta of Natural Elements, and Kurious, with production by Marco Polo and V.I.C. His first single, "If I Die" featuring Lucian, has been making major waves in the indie hip hop community.


Brian, who is the head of our label, would play new Butta Tracks for me after each studio session. I have never been a fan of being force fed music. As much as I hate people forcing me to hear a new artist or a new track, I enjoyed every track that I heard from Butta, and I am not just saying that because he's on our label! This dude is talented and spits some real shit. There is no fake guise of drug dealing or pistol popping, just real shit that most people will be able to relate to.

A Kid Named Cudi

While the repetition on the radio might be telling you differently, there has been no lack of new, progressive music coming out. On the heels of our successful mixtape release party for Wale, we're continuing to add to your summer playlist as we present "A Kid Named Cudi," the highly-anticipated mixtape from Fool's Gold recording artist Kid Cudi.

On Thursday, July 17th, 10.Deep will be hosting Cudi's release party at the Red Bull Space here in NYC. Featuring a performance by Kid Cudi, as well as DJ sets by Plain Pat, Nick Catchdubs, and 88 Keys, the event also serves as the release of our exclusive 10.Deep x Kid Cudi: "Up There" tee. For those of you who won't be able to make it out, the mixtape will also be made available through stream (courtesy of imeem) and download, only at 10deep.com.

10.Deep presents: "A Kid Named Cudi" Mixtape Release Party
Thursday, July 17th. 8-11 PM.
The Red Bull Space
40 Thompson Street (at Watts)

Heineken & Belvedere Vodka Open Bar
10.Deep x Kid Cudi Gift Bags

rsvp: urb.com/events

"And the winner is..."

Hey we made another Best of list. This time the nod comes from The Sun Post. Here is a little excerpt from the Sun Post Best of 2008 issue.

"Chris Oh sits on a bike casually welcoming customers while they peruse a variety of clothing and shoes at his store Culture Kings. Art lines the walls and Vans slip-ons, which were painted and designed by various artists, make up a display near the entrance. Culture Kings carries T-shirts, hats, art and skateboards, but the draw is definitely the kicks. A sneaker head, Oh left a career in corporate drudgery to open Culture Kings, where he drew inspiration from his earlier days as a graffiti artist to create the store’s street aesthetic. The store has a wall of colorful one-of-a-kind shoes and carries limited edition sneakers. (Currently, he has a $500 pair of brand-new retro Nike Air Jordan II.) The Vans slip-ons, which were part of a Vans-sponsored art show at the store, feature painted images of decapitated figures, mixed-media creations and designs that utilize papier-mâché." The Sun Post Best of 2008.

"We'd like to thank the Sun Post, the Devil (because everyone else thanks God), my mom who was always there for me, (pause), and all the fans for believing in us. Oh my god I wasn't expecting this... blah blah blah." (pause) No seriously, big up to the Sun Post staff for the love.

"The Great Republic" part 2

Through the back door of the DORSCH gallery, around Dorch's personal work space, open the rusted rod iron gate and down a narrow corridor, that is barely wide enough for a person to walk through, lies "The Great Republic".

Originally done for ART BASEL 2007, "The Great Republic", was the largest mural, done by a single artist, in Miami's history. Over 140 ft in length, artist Brandon Opalka took his conceptual contemporary styling to a level that surpasses anything that has been done in previously in Miami's history.

As a collective effort, members of MSG crew, which is the most notorious graffiti teams in Florida, collaborated with Brandon to add a different element to the enormous mural. The collaborative effort was showcased this past weekend during Art Walk in Wynwood .


>The mural is viewable from NW 2nd AVE, and will be running until the end of August. For a private viewing of the mural, contact the good people at the DORSCH GALLERY.

DORSCH GALLERY
151 NW 24th ST
Miami, FL 33138
www.dorschgallery.com
305.576.1278

CULTURE KINGS X MONEY SHOT SUMMER CAMP PARTY

THIS WEEK THURSDAY JULY 10th
MONEY $HOT X CULTURE KINGS TAKE YOU AWAY TO
SUMMER CAMP!
INSIDE:
SUMMER CAMP GUEST DJ
ROK ONE (BANGERS/FUN NYC)

ALONG SIDE MIAMI'S BEST RESIDENT LINE UP
DJ's MIKE DEUCE, INDUCE & CONTRA

IN THE COURTYARD:
SUMMER TIME BBQ BATTLE!
3 BBQ'S SERVING UP FREE FOOD!

LIVE PAINTING BY
INFAMOUS CROME OF THE MSG CREW

COURTYARD SOUNDS BY
DJ OBI

2-4-1 EVERYTHING 10-11PM & 3-4AM!!

FREE BEFORE MIDNIGHT // $10 AFTER

THE VAGABOND
40 NE 14TH ST
DWNTWN MIAMI

Street Art in MODERN LUXURY MIAMI

Check out the Street Art Feature in the July/August issue of MODERN LUXURY MIAMI.

You can check out the issue on-line, just click on the blog title.
The feature starts on page 70.

Big ups to Judd Katz and Jared Ryder for the proper representation and BOOKS for making sh*t happen in Miami!

Abraham Obama by Ron English

Ron English's "Abraham Obama" series in color, is part of a new politically themed group show at Gallery XIV in Boston. The group show consists of 40 artists "expressing notions of politics." The four month show also features Michael Costello, Francois X. De Costerd, Tim Geers, Revolt to Die, The Miracle 5 and others.


Pictures courtesy of Ron English

Lost In Transition

In the last 5 years Miami has gone through some dramatic changes. What was once a neighborhood filled with crack heads and prostitutes is now a Historic neighborhood with million dollar homes. What was once a freight container yard is now a giant outdoor mega mall called Mid-Town. What was once a skyline filled with construction cranes with hopes of a metropolis of luxury condos is now a city filled with unfinished development projects leaving the city littered with modern day ruins. A scary reality check of what over development and bullsh*t speculation can do.
Our neighborhood, the Design District, more specifically Buena Vista is a prime example of how the real estate crisis can have a direct affect on a specific area.

Random Shots

Here are just some random pictures I took last week. Sorry for the quality, I took these with my phone.

A-Trak feat. Lupe Fiasco "Mastered"

Recently A-Trak produced a mix for NIKE's New Running Campaign. The 43 minute mix was recently released on NIKE's website. Kanye West, who helped produce the mix, had a track featuring Lupe FIasco that didn't make the final cut. the track is entitled "Me and My Sneakers", and you can download the track by clicking on the title.