Boy-Cott Magazine #11

Boy-Cott is about supporting the underdog.
It’s about the dj, mc, artist, writer and the
photographer.
It’s about the bmxer, skateboarder and the
film critic.
It’s about giving exposure to talented, up
and coming individuals.
Puttin’ their skills out there for our
readers to enjoy.
And maybe, just maybe…..’ Boy-Cott will play a
role in helping them reach someone who has yet
to hear about what they have to say, spray, draw,
paint or dance to.
We can all make a difference, and we’ve
es t
started here.
!
icl u
s
t o
ka
ar ith
c
o
l
u
w
il k s
N
d. rt w
te r pawe to bac
c
te o d se o
roholeptehouch y
p
t
m r at
gh in w
tteyouo w
i
r
a
y d f
s
op ce e. I s to it,
s croduazingle ect
i
e
g a p
zine repmaald est ex
a
agy b ott r b lea
t Mma y-Ckilleyou
t
o s Bo r
y-Cturteof ck o hen
o
w
B c
** r pi sena floou
o on d k y
c en ac
s tt
a
4
0
.
.
... ...07
.
.
.
... ...... ..09
.
.
.
s. ...... ....... ..10
t
ar ....... osa ....... ..11
.
e
i .
th own a d ........ irs. .....13 5
t ht un .... ta ..... ...1
u
o in e w s .... ..... .17
b
e he .... .... ..... 9
a s
d
r
l
al oy mo el c r t m... ....... ...... ......1 21
bb rit reb nde for ...... ....... ...... ...... 24
al e le u fe ....... ...... ....... ...... ...... 25
th op r li ...... ...... ...... ....... ...... ...... 28
pe we k d tra n... ...... ....... ....... ...... .29
lo uc kes itio g... ...... ...... ....... t.. .30
ch ea pos klin ..... ...... ...... pos ......
br ul duc chic ....... ....... out .......
so ly on ..... ds. nic ......
ug ir plus en ga ......
dj e low or s...
ce e last tor
th e ribu
th nt
co
it’s all
about the
arts




3



b-boyin’ in h-town
by black mamba

’

’

charles
I started this program called Youth Advocates in 1988,
but originally I started out doing gang intervention
work for about 7 years. Then in 1995, a lot of our gang
members got out of gangs and got into the hip-hop
culture such as: grafitti, break dancing, mc’ing, and
dj’ing. So me and my staff decided to give these kids
an alternative place to go, and literally after a month,
we went from 50 kids to 250 kids! We didn’t even have
a set dj or any events planned. We just opened our
doors for kids to come and practice and bring their
tapes to play. Eventually we expanded to three different buildings in the Houston Area. We also expanded
to San Antonio and Los Angeles. Y.A. has always been
a constant change of characters but the feeling stays
the same, and that’s why the kids keep coming back.
It’s a very positive place where the kids are supported
for expressing themselves and they’re able to support
other people for expressing themselves. Kids come to
Y.A. to dance, vibe with everyone else and share their
similarities which is what the hip-hop culture is and
truly is all about. ---(Charles—Organizer of Y.A.)
B-Boyin to me is something special and has taken me
from a lot of negative things and negative activity. BBoyin is a big part of me and still is. I’ve been blessed
to travel around the world, pick up a few sponsors and
even make appearances on television. It’s helped me
out emotionally, mentally, and physicically. B-Boyin will
always be there for me whether I can or can’t do it.--(Moy—Havikoro)
B-Boyin is an expression, an art form. It’s rebellious, and it touches on being on point mentally, physically,
and spiritually because you have to embrace it and hold it
in. This is a dance where being an individual is your ultimate goal, and it helps you be free. I say freedom because
this dance is our escape, and it’s what we do. Unlike other
dances not every step or move is set; you’re free to create
your own moves and steps. As B-Boys we don’t have to
conform to trends and styles. We take from everything, but
we make it our own. Dancing is my escape from everything
negative in my life; my dance is my salvation. Being a BBoy is not just doing the dance. It’s: listening to the music,
dressing the part, talking the part, learning from different
things and other B-Boys. It’s about doing things YOUR
way.---(Marlon---Havikoro--)
jesse germ
marlon
B-Boyin to me is not a hobby, or just some sort of
backyard dance. B-Boyin is my release, my love and my passion. If everything went wrong in life such as -- all my friends
and family disappearing or let’s say I’m flat broke FOREVER
-- B-Boyin has always been there for me. It’s the first thing
on my mind when I wake up, the last before I go to bed, and
sometimes it follows me to my dreams. It’s been my anti-drug,
my anti-gang and my anti-everything. B-Boyin is my heaven on
earth because when I dance everything else around me doesn’t
matter; is just me, the music, and the floor.
B-boyin takes the most balance, the most strength
and the most hand eye coordination. Let’s not forget about
the family side of b-boyin. I’ve been to so many jams and had
no where to stay and nothing to eat and just b/c I’m a B-Boy I
was covered for that weekend. B-Boyin is a brotherhood that is
stronger then most families. .------(Jesse Germ—Vicious Germz
B-Boyin is a one-of-a-kind thing
------(Joe Germ—Vicious Germz Crew)
moy
B-Boyin has no boundaries. It doesn’t see race, color,
or sexuality. We’re all getting together for the same
cause, and you don’t have to belong to a certain
group. (---Bruce Ham--)
7
Bruce Ham
joe germ
8
What is your name, alias names and all your crew members?
My name is Joe B, my alias names are Easy on the Cut, Manuel Mambo, and The Psychedelic B-Boy. My crew members are Karina Nistal, Lenke Don, Mark Sound, John Durban, Henry
Darr, Mary Allen and myself.
-
AL RITMO DE UNA DIOSA -
Ella Hermosa y AMBISIOSA
Baila con el ritmo de UNA DIOSA...
Con el Corazon lleno de amistad para EL MUNDO
Pinta la Vida con colores a SU RITMO!
Su rostro lo CONOSEMOS...
El rostro de belleza y NATURALEZA
Sin limite y con mucha RIQUEZA
Baila Con el mundo a sus PIES
Como la mariposa libre que no se puede CONTENER!
Con los ojos abiertos y su figura bien PURA
Se enfrente a la Vida Como una DIOSA SEGURA!
Con el espiritu y la fuerza de los MARES
Canta... Baila... Vuela...
Porque ya no se puede CONQUISTAR o TOCAR
Volar...Volar...Volar...
Por Siempre esta MARIPOSA
Bailara y Cantara
AL RITMO DE UNA DIOSA!
4/20/06
Peace! Mstar
When did the Rebel Crew start?
Well, it started with me and my Lonny 808 when we were four years old. Then in 6th grade
we joined a band, and in the 7th grade of 85’ we met DJ Unity and his cousins LoveSun and
Brejaque who really made the crew.
Who has influenced your sound?
I was influenced by this guy named Peter Parker, a.k.a. Prince Easy C from New York, who
came to Houston to join the hottest crew and they turned him down. So he went out to the
northside to pick up the tightest b-boys, dj’s, and emcees, and he picked me and my boy
Unity who had crew called Unique Style Rockers. Then he handed us the whole hip-hop
culture on a silver platter: Cuttin’ Breakin’, Graffiti, and MC’ing. We were showed the foundation,
but it was up to us to be creative and original.
Where have you traveled in the last 5 years?
I’ve been around the East and West Coast, the UK, Mexico and the beaches of Mexico.
What advice would you give to anyone in the culture?
I would say to stay focused and don’t quit your day job and don’t let anyone influence you in
telling you what’s in and what’s not because you could be on the verge of creating a whole
new sound.
What makes you want to stay in Houston?
What makes me want to stay is my family, my son, the food and just our culture as a whole.
I even leave the city just to miss Houston.
I really hate to ask this question but, how old are you?
I’m 35 and still alive, Ya Mean! Someone put $75 in my hand every time I dj’ed when I was 11
years old and it got me thinking… I wake up hip-hop and go to sleep hip-hop, and age is just
a number and hip-hop keeps me young.
Well, you’re also a parent and that’s a full-time job in it self. How do you do it?
Well, when I had my kid Scorpio, a lot of people though I was going to quit and get a full-time
job. But I proved them wrong because I got more gigs, booked more shows and it inspired
me to not to give up my dreams.
by black mamba
KARINA NISTAL
*
The Psychedelic B-Boy Joe B represents soulful underground music and the Rebel
Crew to the fullest! Joe B has soo much charisma and “STYLE in his sets. Hearing
him live is like seeing his “SOUL IN MOTION”. Joe B has been on the scene since
1985, has a kid and still is going just as hard as he did in the beginning!
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank all the original Rebel Crew, Lonny 808, Rebel John C, Ace, O-Z, Unity,
LoveSun, Indio, Soulfree, DJ Spirit, Lenke Don, Karina Nistal, my mom, dad for telling me never to
look back and my sister and niece.
10
LowerLIFEform // The Lowlifes did it up big for H-Town.
They made me, this city, and their
mamas proud. With the recent additions of producer, C.O.S. and rapper, Brew, the Lowlife crew
is that much iller. If you don’t have latest album, cop that ish. Now. And Brew is right; the
new merch is “beautiful.”
PsalmONE // Fine, I’m biased.
I’m a huge Rhymesayers fangirl, and well, a girl. So when
Chicago’s Psalm One, the new female addition to the Rhymesayers Fam, hit the stage -- I
took notice. As Rhymesayers likes to plug her: “If you like your mom, you’ll like Psalm One.”
I hope you like your mom because Psalm One’s got the verbal acrobatics and lyrical punch
to give the boys a run for their money. No longer is Jean Grae the only female underground
emcee worth mentioning because the Midwest holds it down, son!
GYMclassHEROES // I’ll be honest.
Last night, when teenybopper emo kids swarmed
the stage to see New York’s Gym Class Heroes, I raised an eyebrow. Now, the morning after
show, the Lone Star has exited my system, and I can safely say that it wasn’t just a onenight stand. I am still in love with Gym Class Heroes.
They are 1 part Roots, 1 part Rage Against the Machine, and 100% HOT. GCH abide by the
live instrumentation and musicianship aesthetic and boast a Zach De La Rocha-esque frontman (*le sigh*). As their name suggests, they are former nerds who were deeply scarred
by memories of junior high dodgeball. Today, they’re here to prove that even nerds can be
rapstars while, as frontman Travis proclaimed, the jocks who made fun of them, “make sandwiches at Subway.” So what if their recorded stuff ain’t nearly as live. Watching them made
me feel like a junior high girl again. I even screamed like one.
timeMACHINE // Yeah, Gym Class Heroes was a tough act to follow.
California’s Time
Machine may not have been as pretty, but they sure could dance! Their dorky, off-beat
choreography, onstage antics, and boom-bap style hip-hop made for a fun set. But by then, I
was still jonesing for some GCH.
PeopleUNDERtheSTAIRS // You already know what I’m about to tell you.
Let’s just say
that you should multiply your expectations of a P.U.T.S. show and anything I’m about to say
by 10,000. You just had to be there. It was that good. And more.
P.U.T.S.’ live show channeled what the L.A. duo is celebrated for -- preserving and conveying
hip-hop’s heritage and musical fundamentals. Their live show translated into an old-school
block party right in Houston’s own Warehouse Live. P.U.T.S. ended their set with a showcase
of all of the night’s acts. The crowd went BANANAS. The artists were totally down too. The
show ended at 1 am, and they danced and drank with The Bench Crew until 2. You just had
to be there.
people under the stairs
show
by val
M
emorial Day 2006.
Memorial Day weekend tra-
ditionally marks the unofficial beginning of summer.
Last night, I went to the
best summer jump off show
EVER: The Bench Presents
-- The Stepfather Tour @
Warehouse Live, featuring
Houston’s own Lower Life
Form, Psalm One, Gym Class
Heroes, Time Machine and
People Under the Stairs.
The show was fire from
beginning to end. I mean,
what screams summer more
than enjoying feel-good
live music with your crew
and a Lone Star in hand, and
knowing your ass doesn’t
have to be at work in the
morning?
That ends my recap. Now excuse me. I’m going to work on the Gym Class Heroes collage
that’s going above my bed.
11
Lower Life Form
Psalm One
Gym Class Heroes
Time Machine
12
lower life form
Who does Lower Life Form consist of?
by black mamba
PhD, Brew- on vocals
Ish- Phonographer
C.O.S. - Theme Music
T
ogether since 2001,
Lower Life Form has
been rocking the
streets of Houston for
5 years strong. They are
representing for all the
Hip-Hop Heads, LowLifes,
and the Party People.
LLF combines their
common tastes to
create music that is
not only appealing to
the soul, but easy on
the ears, all while delivering a clear message
with every track.
And a host of other players that make up the Lowlife Extended Fam.
Why the name Lower Life Form?
“Low” as in low income, and the lower half of the country, a.k.a. “The South”,
and Lower Life Form meaning we all done some downright low shit in our
life. Look it up.
I noticed that Lower Life Form has some sort of
skateboard influence. Where did that come from?
Really, there is no skateboard influence other than the fact that PhD and I
used to ride for the majority of our adolescent days, and through it, we met
and hung out with a lot of the same folks, although we never really kicked
it together. We both still love skating, and always will. We’ve also had some
music floating around on various skate videos through the years and have
managed to pick up a number of fans internationally through that. And probably the most obvious of all is our relationship with Adio, a skateboarding
powerhouse. Other than those things, we are only under the influence of
alcohol and various other toxins.
When did Lower Life Form start and was it always
the three of you?
Well, there are actually four of us at this point like I said, but yeah, originally
there were three of us. PhD and I met in 2000 sometime, and we first worked
together primarily on a “shoes for beats” kinda deal. I was making beats
at the time, and he ofcourse was rhymin’, and I had a love for shoes, and
he had a sponsorship through Adio for his skating. So we hooked up and
put together an EP, under his name of “PhD” entitled “Liphe”. We got along
so well that we eventually decided to create a group. Mr. Furley was doing
some production at the time too for Phil so we asked him into the group
as well. It didn’t work out with Furley for that long, so me and Phil rolled on
and did some things, toured and dropped an album. Then we linked up
with Brew and C.O.S. about a year and a half ago, and it was all gravy. They
are kinda like brothas from anotha you know? We are all clowns, and it just
worked. So there you have it. Lower Life Form is Brew, PhD, C.O.S., and
myself.
What is the biggest joy that you guys get when
you perform?
I think you ask most artists that question and you will get the same answer
more times than not. It’s without a doubt the crowd. When you see a bunch
of strangers singin’ along with the songs and havin’ a good time, there’s no
other feeling like it. The other fun part is getting to share new music too. I’m
big on that. I always push the guys real hard to try and introduce new songs
at every show, just ‘cause I like to give people a reason to come to the
show everytime we play. Of course, the other part is after the show, getting
to mingle with people and hearing what they have to say. More recently we
have been getting a lot of requests to sign stuff. That’s always a pretty cool
feeling. It really tells you that these folks believe in what you are doing and
think you are going somewhere. I mean, you hear it from your friends and
what not, but when common strangers approach you, it really puts things
into perspective. It’s all for the lowlifes.
13
14
“In the new millennium, the prime real estate will be your mind.” -Chuck D.
You recently opened up
for People Under The
Stairs at The Bench?
How was that?
We did? Nah, ha ha...that was a
dope show. We had a blast. P.U.T.S.
has always been a huge favorite of
mine. I really believe in their views
on hip-hop and what it is and should
be. I think they have a real good idea
of what they want to do with every
track, and you have to respect that.
To get to open for them was just
icing on the cake. Plus, we got to
meet Thes and vibe with him....he’s
good folks. You know a muhfuh is
cool when he don’t even know you,
or what you are about, but goes up
on stage rockin’ your shirt. That’s
respect. Love it, mayne.
Chuck D. Lecture at the
University of Houston
Do you guys have any
sponsors?
Not that I know of… Wait, oh yeah,
we get a few things from Adio Footwear....ha ha. VISIT WWW.ROCKADIO.COM!!
In the American cult of consumerism
and ‘celebreality’, you are all too often
being told that you don’t know who you
are, said Chuck D. No worries, though,
because you can easily purchase the
parts of yourself you’re not in touch with.
What are the future
plans for Lower Life
Form?
Do what we do, travel, make music,
and most of all have a good time.
What other artist do
you guys look up to?
Wow, this list could go on forever,
and each one of us would have
different answers. I think most of all
we look up to any artist out there
that has given us the time of day,
and worked with us. Every artist who
hasn’t acted like they have never
been where we are at. You know
who you are.
Who would you like to
thank?
First and foremost we would like to
thank all of our fans, all of the people
who dropped their hard-earned
duckets for our cd without tryin’ to
make us feel bad about it. All the
people who continue to support and
make it to all the shows they can.
All the freakin’ LOWLIFES out there.
You know who you are. ADIO for
sure. All of our out-of-town fam. Last
but not least, all of the good folks
that have ever worked with us on
this thing we love called music and
believed in us.
And of course thanks to yourself and
Boy-Cott.
15
By Val
----------------------------------------------------On April 24, 2006, Chuck D. lectured to
the University of Houston community
on “Race and Rap in America.” The UH
American Cultures Program hosted the
event. Here is what Boy-Cott Magazine
came away with.
----------------------------------------------------“In the new millennium, the prime real
estate will be your mind.” -Chuck D.
12% of the US has a passport, which
means that 88% of us go “nowhere,”
Chuck said. We as Americans don’t
even understand the geographical and
cultural nuances of our own country. Ask
a Northerner where the Mississippi River
is, and he’ll tell you it’s in Mississippi. No
wonder that when real stuff goes down
nationally or globally, the vast majority of
Americans are oblivious.
Chuck’s “idiot” theory only compounds
the problem. Americans are bombarded
on the daily with distractions from reality
– tabloids, reality TV, commercials. We
have become so desensitized, that intelligent people have begun to ask themselves – Why am I striving so hard to
educate and make something of myself
when “idiots” are on TV are making bank?
American consumers have come to
equate ‘more’ with ‘better’. Lil’ Wayne will
easily sell 1.4 million records; the Roots
444,000. Does that make Lil’ Wayne better? No, Chuck said, “One’s a fine meal
– caviar. Lil’ Wayne – Popeye’s. Popeye’s
is good for you…for a day.”
The powers that be have taken music’s
most controversial art form and turned it
into both a cash cow and a means of
mass control via BET, or “Booty En Thug”
Network. There is no manual on how to
live life in America, Chuck said, and there
sure as hell isn’t a manual on “how to
be black in America.” BET and the image
that it and commercial rap sells is the
only manual many black people get. As
a consequence, they too are left asking
themselves – Why am I working so hard
to better myself and break the cycle
when “idiots” on TV are making it?
Chuck’s final thoughts went out to the
University of Houston community. He
praised UH students for staying the
course of higher learning. He said that, in
his day, he came into Adelphi University
as a talented graphic artist but graduated
as a “skilled” man of his trade. The best
education comes from PEOPLE, he said.
Learn from your administrators, professors, and sometimes your peers. Most
importantly, learn from yourself. Learn to
use your own mind because common
sense these days is
“common nonsense.”
The same is true of hip-hop, which
Chuck called, “CNN for black people.”
What was birthed out of a culture of
struggle and oppression, and at the
same time, community and solidarity,
has been turned into “garbage” over time.
He used Lil’ Wayne vs. the Roots album
sales as an example.
16
Boy-Cott Magazine’s Conversation with
The highlight of this big, fat lamer’s night?
Breakestra
By Val
---------------------------------------------------------On June 10, 2006, Boy-Cott Magazine attended Starbucks’ Mixed Media Music
Series at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
(MFAH). The first installment of the series
featured Los Angeles’ Breakestra and resulted
in an impromptu meeting between the band
and Boy-Cott Magazine.
Val blogged about the experience
on her MySpace.
---------------------------------------------------------June 11, 2006
.
Yeah. I’m a big, fat lamer
It’s 2:34 in the morning, and I’m
typing up a blog on MySpace. Everyone else
& their grandpas are busy gettin’ down & dirty
at the Breakestra afterparty. I’d be there too if
I didn’t have to get up early tomorrow morning. It’s all good, though, because I had a
DAMN GOOD time tonight! If you didn’t make
it out... Well, you’re stupid.
As usual, the Starbucks & the MFAH
did it up big and threw one of the most offthe-hinges parties this town has ever seen.
If you thought Breakestra albums were live,
you should have seen these guys onstage!
Check out the action shots.
17
Hosts, BBC and Earth Princess Sarah
I was minding my own business (i.e. taking pictures & wilding out with the homies
near the stage as usual), when Breakestra’s photographer flagged me down. His name was
Charles. Charles slapped a green VIP bracelet on my wrist & said I could come and hang with
Breakestra after the show.
I didn’t think much of it until Charles caught me after the show just outside the
MFAH. He asked if I still wanted to hang out with the band. (Um, yeah..!) Unsuccessfully
trying to hide my star struck giddiness, I (with pals Raven, Crystal & Fat Tony of The Low Ends),
followed Charles to the Breakestra lounge. Guards at the elevator questioned Charles as to
who his guests were. Charles told them that I was his cousin, Cheryl. “Here’s the end of the
line,” I thought to myself, “Nothing this cool happens to big, fat lamers.” Lucky for me, the
gods smiled down upon big, fat lamers tonight, because the guards totally bought Charles’
lies. Val & the homies were in!
Let me just say how chill & down-to-earth the Breakestra cats were. My pals and I
chatted them up for a bit. What an honor:
________________________________________
On Houston: Breakestra gives Houston two thumbs up! They had a great time at their packed
out pre-show party Friday night at the Big Top Lounge. Miles (Breakestra guitarist/bassist/cellist, vocalist, producer & dj) dj’ed alongside DJ Ceeplus & the House of Bad Knives, DJ
Rob Mozell & On Hiatus. Breakestra’s only complaint? – Houston is hotter than a mug. Wolf
(Breakestra lead vocalist) said that, if he ever decides to move to Texas, he’s going to bring a
“portable air conditioner” around with him.
________________________________________
Their Beginnings: Miles describes Breakestra as an “amorphous” project. In Breakestra’s ten
year existence, only he and Wolf have remained constant members.
Charles (a.k.a. Chuckchilla – producer/promoter and longtime friend of Miles), the
band photographer from earlier in the story, expanded on Breakestra’s roots. Ten years ago,
what began as a weekly jam session at the L.A. club, The Breaks, took on a life of its own.
Hip-hop/funk parties of this nature were unheard of at the time. The weekly event quickly
garnered a large following, even attracting the likes of artists such as Jurassic 5, Cut Chemist,
the Beatnuts, and the Black Eyed Peas “before they were the Black Eyed Peas.”
Breakestra was born.
Originally the house band for The Breaks, Breakestra started getting booked for their
own shows and began touring. The rest is history.
Musicians have come and go throughout the band’s decade-long existence but,
according to Wolf, this latest lineup of musicians was “handpicked.” However, Breakestra
members continue to pursue their own side projects. Three of the members, for instance, have
a band of their own. And Devin (trumpet) is “involved in several projects,” says Wolf. Miles,
who is a dj in his own right, throws the hugely successful and Breakestra-hosted Root Down
parties in LA. According to Miles and Charles, recent Root Down parties have been dedicated
to the memory of the recent passing of their friend and Root Down resident dj, DJ Dusk.
________________________________________
In the End: I gave Miles my own staff copy of Boy-Cott Magazine for him to check out, and
we all agreed to keep in touch via MySpace. Charles had some pictures from the show to
send to me & Miles said to shoot him a message if we ever want to check out Root Down in
L.A. All roads lead to MySpace, don’t they? They tend to in big, fat lamerville.
Well, now that I’m in the privacy of my own home, the star struck giddiness can
unfurl: Even if she didn’t attend the afterparty, this big, fat lamer can still say that she got to
kick it with Breakestra tonight!
*Does a dance of joy*
*passes out*
18
SOUL POSITION
SHOW REVIEW
By: Val // May 15, 2006
Ok.
I’m going to write this. Even if it hurts. The Soul Position show last
night at Walter’s was just alright.
I had a bad feeling about it from jump. First off, I wasn’t a huge
fan of their latest album, “Things Go Better with RJ & AL.” Now. I’m a big
fangirl of Blueprint & RJD2 respectively. I think their solo work is great; I
thought “8 Million Stories” was great. Naturally, I tried very hard to like
their latest collabo. I jammed it several times in my car. I jammed it
while doing work on the computer. I even jammed it while running &
working out. I thought that, maybe seeing the album performed live
would change my mind. After sitting through the Soul Position show last
night, I still didn’t like the album.
Houston artists, Karina Nistal & Nosaprise open
Printmatic. Check the “Al” & “RJ” shirts :)
I met Blueprint back at his January
show @ Dean’s. I told him that “1988”
was the MOST underrated underground
hip-hop album of 2005. He thanked
and hugged me like I was the first
person to tell him that.
Man, now if only I could speak the
same kinda praises for “Things Go
Better”
I’ve come to the conclusion that…I don’t like it. It lacks the
vibrancy of the first album and winds up saying a lot more of, well, the
same thing Blueprint always says – only with less energy, weak punch
lines, and even weaker delivery. If “8 Million Stories” aced the exam,
“Things Go Better” crammed the night before.
It’s Mo’ Buttons of Hellabuttons
Industries.
Wow, that was mean. But it had to be said.
Enter Walter’s. The vibes in the spot, the crowd – just plain weird.
Too bad for people like myself who feed off that kind of stuff. I think I’m
a magnet for wack people at shows. I somehow always end up standing
next to the MOST irritating, obnoxious, drunkest, and/or whitest people in
the crowd. WHY IS THAT?! Here are some points from moi to toi for future
reference:
1. If you’re going to wave your hands from side-to-side, make
sure you’re not unknowingly throwing bows at people around you.
Thanks.
2. YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BOOTY DANCE AT UNDERGROUND
RAP SHOWS, IDIOTS. SORRY. It’s “EXTREMELY” disrespectful to the performers. You are a distraction to everyone trying to enjoy the music. And 9
times out of 10, you look like beached whales flopping around on the
shore. Nobody paid $15 to see groups of no-rhythm-having fools dry
humping. This ain’t Soul Train, this is Soul POSITION.


RJD2 *faints*
There I was, chit-chatting on my cell in front of Walter’s before the show. First, a guy who
looks a lot like Manifest (of Greenhouse Effect, i.e. Bluepring & Manifest) walks passed me.
“Naw,” I says to myself, “that can’t be him.” Then a guy who looks a lot like RJD2 walks
passed me. I do a double take. “Can it be?” I says to myself. A couple of fans scream, “RJ!!”
RJ turns arounds and chucks the deuce. I about passed out.
Manifest & RJ walked RIGHT passed me & my dumb self! I couldn’t believe nobody else in
the sea of people in front of Walter’s recognized them (save for those two fans). Tells you a
lot about the kind of cats in the crowd last night. *shakes angry fist*
*exasperated sigh*
19
Anyways. So... Bad music [PLUS] Me surrounded by a whole
bunch of motherf******s who would have done well to pay heed to the
above advice [EQUALS] Just an alright show.
The show’s saving grace? None other than’ F’n MO’ BUTTONS on
the MPC! Sh*t was nuts! If it wasn’t for Mo, I would have been even more
pissed about last night than I already am.
20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Promoting their latest album, “Bang for the Buck,” Ugly Duckling hit the road
with Aceyalone, The Procussions, Diverse, Wrekonize and Mayday! for the
Storm Tour earlier this year. Boy-Cott Magazine had the honor of interviewing
them after their Austin show in July.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D: That’s not a food.
E: Damn.
V: How did you guys meet?
V=Val
E = Young Einstein
D = Dizzy Dustin
D: We met a local Meatshake in Long Beach, California. Basically, we
worked at this kitchen that had late night food – like a Denny’s – like an
after hours place. After the football game, all the kids would come from high
school and eat. I worked there for like, two weeks, but he (Einstein) worked
there for like, six years.
V: What was your first experience with hip-hop and what made you fall in
love with it?
V: I thought you were kidding on your last album(?) I knew it was an actual
place, but…
E: Wow. My first experience…. Um. I never fell in love with it per se. But
my first introduction -- there was a guy named Malcolm McLaren. Prior to
this it was only black people in hip-hop. So this guy Malcolm McLaren, who
was also the producer for the Sex Pistols, had put out a record called “Duck
Rock.” It was mostly hip-hop music. So that kinda gave me the idea that I
could participate in hip-hop in some way.
D: No, forreal. We were kidding on the album, but to the extreme. But it’s a
real place. It’s a dump. It’s no longer around. But we all had the same common interest in music. And a lot of our favorite groups we grew up listening
to, were changing their sound to radio. We started messing around with the
mics, trying to mic check, do all types of weird stuff. You know, just try to
make an album and do a demo.
V: In your press bio, you explained the need for you “to get back to basics”
on your album, coming off of “Taste the Secret.” Why did you feel the need to
make this transition in your music?
V: So do I need to ask? What was the worst job you ever had?
E: Well, I think the last album – I think we confused a lot of our fans because
it was like, really high concept. And our records before that were really
straight, really simple. We had to get back to what our fans liked.
E: That one.
[Enter Dizzy Dustin] D: You have fans?
E: A couple
V: Hey, we’re fans. On “Bang for the Buck,” your lyrics emphasize making
music to entertain people and put on a good show versus the money and
fame. Could you expand on that?
D: I think the bottom line now is with all the mp3 stuff and how music is just
really readily available. You kind of have to gear towards the live show more.
You know what I mean? Like you have to go out to the show, put on a show,
you know, and get people to come out to the gigs and buy the album there.
It’s cheaper than getting it in the store. We definitely went into this new album
thinking, “What songs can we do live?” You know, we can do them slow style
or we can do every joint live. It’s good, you know, when you’re feeling it, but
at the same time, you’re pooling energy, and I’m a lazy dude.
Yeah, it’s [the new album] definitely built for a live show, live entertainment.
V: It seems appropriate ask you guys a food-related question. If, metaphorically speaking, you had to describe your music as a food, what would it be
and why? This is the deepest question we have.
E: Wow…
D: [without hesitation] A pomegranate. Something that you just open it up,
and it’s got several things involved that come together as one.
E: Maybe an all-you-can-eat salad. Something that you can keep going back
to. That’s even better, I think.
D: That one. That was it.
V: Well, we’re from the suburbs, so it’s easy for us to relate and connect to
your lyrics. You guys are definitely doing something different in the context of
mainstream and even underground hip-hop. Where do you think your brand
of hip-hop fits?
D: We’re the type of group that does music that can really cross genres anywhere you go. We get kids who are like, “Alright, I used to love hip-hop, but
I stopped listening to hip-hop. You guys reminded me of when hip-hop was
hip-hop. You get the heavy metal dudes, the rock and roll dudes…
E: You get a lot of fans who are like, “I didn’t know there could be good hiphop…”
D: I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but more or less that there’s fun hip-hop
still. If you look at it today, hip-hop came out of the box. It was like, “forget
about your problems.” You lived in the worst circumstances, the worst neighborhoods. They went to the park and threw a party. And nowadays it’s like,
“Yo, hip-hop, you’ve gotta be real.” It wasn’t about that. Hip-hop was about
forgetting about your problems, going to the park and rockin’ it. And that’s
what we want to do. If you got the energy in your show and you can translate
that to the people out there – that they’re just like, “Yo, I’m feelin’ it,” – you
can put a smile on the hardest gangster.
I grew up listening to Whodini, UTFO, Afrikaa Bambataa and the Soulsonic
Force – before the emcee was even introduced to the album. Our music is
made to make people move; when we’re not rapping on it, people will still
move to the tracks. Einstein – regardless if we’re [emcees, Dizzy & Andy] on
it or not – you’re still gonna feel it through the music. And nowadays, people
don’t do the music like that. It’s no longer an art form. It’s more like, “Let me
get this money.”
You know what I mean? – The conveyor belt theory, everything’s comin’ off a
YOUNG EINSTEIN
DIZZY DUSTIN
UGLY DUCKLING INTERVIEW
22
conveyor belt. Build the perfect specimen, the Frankenstein of hip-hop. You know,
like 50 Cent. Been shot six times – I mean, it’s the perfect prototype. We wanna do
music for the art. That’s the only reason we got into it. We try to do the music for the
art form and try to give respect to those who started it, who we’ve been fortunate to
meet and hang out with and become friends with at the same time. So it feels good.
V: If you had to choose three albums that have influenced you musically, what would
they be and why?
E: The first De La Soul record, “3 Feet High and Rising.” I really liked the Beastie
Boys’ “Paul’s Boutique,” because it’s 100% samples, and that’s one of the first records to do that. And Ultramagnetic MC’s “Critical Beatdown.”
D: I also like the “3 Feet High and Rising” album. And the Beatles’ “Magical Mystery
Tour.” And Bob Dylan’s – “Freewheelin.’” And “King of Rock” too.
E: It’s only three. It’s three picks, man.
D: The back and forth style, I really love that. You can see a lot of that in Ugly Duckling. It’s hard to narrow it down to three.
V: What do you guys listen to now?
E: I really like this one guy, Michael Bublé. That’s probably the last thing I bought.
He’s a young Frank Sinatra.
D: I’m still a throwback. Classic rock, classic hip-hop. I feel like my dad: “I don’t understand that hip-hop crap.” I don’t understand it now. I go back to the classics. I love
rock and roll, classic hip-hop, and jazz and reggae. Whatever puts a smile on my
face. I feel like, nowadays, music doesn’t have a lot of emotion in it. So if it has emotion, I’m into it – Bjork, Portishead, whatever.
V: C’mon, you’re RAPSTARS. In your music, you’re always talking about not being
able to get girls. Is it all a front?
D: Well, I’m married. Andy has a girlfriend. Einstein’s always on the prowl.
E: I am single but it’s 99% true. I get lucky every once in a while.
D: We have a lot of women fans, and that’s a great thing. It’s kinda weird,
and I don’t want to sound like the perfect male specimen.
To meet someone with what we do, runnin’ around touring.
To meet girls in that way, it’s just not… Basically, the group
that was here before you two nights before – it was the same
girls talking to them. It’s really hard to find a girl that you can
connect with. We’re not that type of group that’s after the
whole rock star image. I don’t know about groupies and
chicks going crazy. I think our music attracts pretty smart
women.
Einstein is the sexy Don Knotts.
But he’s single like a slice of cheese.
23
DJ IRON
CHIC
by black mamba
What’ is your full name and alias name?
Ray Farahani a.k.a. Iron Chic
What got you into spinning records?
Definitely the “Hey Day/Golden Era” of Hip Hop, which is now referred to as “Old School”.
YO MTV Raps was definitely a big influence on me as a dj and me as a person. I would run
home after junior high to check out all the new videos.
How long have you been a dj?
I have been dj’ing since 1996. Back then, I was doing the chill-out areas of the legendary
Matrix Crew parties. I would play ambient, IDM, chillout, and trip-hop.
Who are some of your favorite artists ?
My all time favorite artist is Morrissey of The Smiths. But as far as hip-hop, is concerned,
it’s Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, and Slick Rick. On the house tip, it’s DJ Gregory, DJ Pierre,
and Basement Boys.
What motivates you to try different things as a dj?
A good crowd is what most definitely motivates me to try different things. If the crowd is
vibing, then it inspires me to go through records a lot quicker. I am definitely not a studio dj. I
never practice a set, and everything I do is “freestyle”.
What do you think about the new trends and changes in the underground music culture?
Good question. It’s funny, because by no means am I strictly a “hip-hop” dj. It has been
the lack of good music coming out, that forced me to start digging, and playing the records
that gained my interest in dj’ing in the first place. I have always played good music throughout the years, whether it be ambient, electro, hip-hop, or house. You won’t catch me ever playing any B-More, or mash-up in my sets. I like to always be two steps ahead of the game!
This is a bit random, but do you have any materialistic obsessions?
It’s definitely all about the kicks! My collection has expanded to well over fifty pairs, and I
only break out the rare ones on special occasions.
Do you have any other hobbies besides spinning records?
I’m glad you refer to dj’ing as a hobby. It has always been strictly a hobby to me. I have
turned down countless residencies, so that dj’ing doesn’t turn into a job and loses its fun.
Other than that, I am into fashion, old wrestling nostalgia, old NBA nostalgia, love dogs, and am
a film buff.
Who are some upcoming dj’s on the scene to look for?
I don’t know any fly upcoming dj’s, but my Houston favorites are Joe B (he was doing the
mash-up thing many years before anyone in this country), Andrei Morant on the Techno side,
and of course my boys Vic Vegas & Mr. Bristle. They are international dj’s, that have several
releases out of New York, Paris, and Chicago. We have all been part of a crew for ten years.
We were the first dj’s to play Italo Disco, Chicago house, and Garage house music in this city.
In fact, Mr. Bristle started the first hip-hop weekly here in Houston—Reprogram!
Who would you like to give a shout out to?
Shouts to all the friends from the past, present, and especially to the ones that are here to
stay!!! Oh and Craig, when are you going to put me on the Bench?
24
CEEPLUS
The Diary of a Madman
CeePlus has to be one of the most inventive, educational and orginal dj’s I’ve seen on
the 1’s and 2’s. His mixes are brought in from soo many different genres of music. His
style can only be defined as unique and watching him spin will most definitely open
your ears and expand your mind:::
So, Cee, what’s the significance behind the name Ceeplus and the House of Bad Knives?
Years ago, people called me Eric C. because there were a lot of other people named Eric in
my circle of friends. When I first started dj’ing around the post-high school era, I simply used
Dj Eric C. as a joke. I had a lot of different dj names back then, Kool Dj Cee, Dj Cee, Kool
Cee.. etc. LOL! Things progressed, and I started doing different things in scene such as promoting, radio, booking shows, etc. So I figured since everyone already knows me as Cee ,and
since I do bunch of other stuff on top of me dj’ing, I might as well be Ceeplus (one word).
As far as adding the House of Bad Knives…
It was originally The House of Brown Ale, which was the name of my recording studio. I later
changed it to The House of Bad Knives partly due to my childhood collection of knives, and
because over the last few years, I have liked to cut things up (on records and in real life). The
name actually can be turned into anything: House of Lost Dogs, House of Firworks, House of
Whatever.
Get it?
What is Reprogram Music and some of its projects, and when did it start?
It is a multimedia umbrella organization for the arts and music. We book shows/events, we
curate music festivals. We promote what we feel is taste making good music and art.
Reprogram Music was officially started in 1999. I am the founder and a resident artist there.
As far as projects, RM currently is the music curator, talent booker, and I am resident dj for the
wildly popular Starbucks Mixed Media Music Series at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (also
known as The Beats of Basquiat). In February, I dj’ed to a crowd in excess of 7300 people
while opening for the legendary Grandmaster Flash at the sold out, closing exhibit of Jean-Michel Basquiat. In the past year, the MFAH music series has brought over 75,000 people to the
museum to experience a unique multi-sensory event for music fans and art lovers alike.
by black mamba
What inspires you to make your mixes and what are you playing these days?
What inspires me is music in general and the desire to share my taste in music with others. I
really love sharing an artist with someone that might not have heard them before. I really like
being eclectic and dropping track across the spectrum of music. I get really bored playing the
“expected” hit after hit.
Over the last few years I have been dropping more dance-oriented, (yet still experimental), dj
sets that involve live editing, remixing, scratching & blending eclectic sounds of underground
left field disco, fun hip-hop, electro, booty beats, indie rock, pop, old punk, rare groove funksoul, some Baltimore Club and baile funk, 80’s, underground dance classics, industrial dance
and lots more.
I am pretty much all over the place and play what I want.
What made you want to get into dj’ing?
Well for one, as a youth I was around record collectors a lot and that got me obsessed with
the wax and record culture.
Secondly, I went to this private school from first grade to eighth grade and we had a class
“sack lunch” day. On this sack lunch day you got to bring a record to class to play during the
“sack lunch”. I would tend to bring several. Then after a while the kids started to look forward
to what I would bring. This later transcended to high school parties. I would be at a party and
just like in elementary school people would be like, “Hey, ask Cee to play a record or a mix.
He has a lot of good stuff.” Basically, like I said before, sharing music with others has been
the spark that ignited it all.
Who have you shared the bill with over the years?
I have shared the bill with…
John Spencer Blues Explosion, Stereolab, Tommie Sunshine, Q-bert, Joey Beltram, Felix the
House Cat, Interpol, Meat Beat Manifesto, Breakestra, Sammy Hagar, Los Lonely Boys, The
Roots, Quintron and Miss Pussy Cat, Dj Spooky, Grandmaster Flash, Shepard Fairey a.k.a.
Obey Giant, Peanut Butter Wolf, Miss Kitten, Grand Wizard Theodore, Afrikaa Bambatta, Run
DMC, Mix Master Mike from the Beastie Boys, Cut Chemist, Dj Shadow, Anticon, RJD2, VHS
or Beta, I am the World Trade Center, Wolf Eyes, Dj Funk, Diplo, Tortoise, Josh Wink,
“...sharing music with others has been the spark that ignited it all.”
We also do a monthly party at GRAB bar called SHIMMY SHIMMY. It’s really fun and we all
drink a lot of booze. Everyone should check it out for a good time.
There’s a lot more stuff we are working on but I will save that for another time.
25
What was the first record you bought?
I come from a family of record collectors and have been buying and collecting records
literally all my life. That’s something I really can’t answer because I really can’t remember.
I do recall some records I bought in my teens such as: Really Red, Minor Threat, James
Chance, Flipper, DK’s, MDC, The Big Boys, Kraftwerk, JFA, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Flying
Lizards, Brian Eno, Joy Division and tons of other stuff.
Prefuse 73, Juan Atkins, Atmosphere, the Pharcyde, Spank Rock, David Allen of Gang of
4, She Wants Revenge, The Moving Units, Film School, Kool Keith, Jam Master Jay(R.I.P.),
Blackalicious, Carina Round, Tapes n Tapes, The Zutons, Dj Dave P. and DHP of Fixed NYC,
Living Legends, Nic Armstrong, Dj Craze, Mark Farina, Keoki, Chromeo, Los Lonely Boys and
lots more.
I have been invited to play at the SXSW music conference over the last few years. This year I
will be playing my first show at CMJ music conference in NYC.
26
Could you ever see yourself giving up Reprogram Music for a big label?
Umm, kind of, yes, because Reprogram Music is not a record label really. I don’t thing I would
be giving it up though, more just moving forward and expanding with a big label. Reprogram
Music is my company name and it will always be there.
Do you have any pet peeves about the music industry?
Yes, one is that most record industry executives base everything around a certain dollar
amount. They seem to cling on a certain style or music trend that sells. Then they’ll go sign
tons more artist that sound just like it. I wish they where more about supporting free- thinking
artists that take chances, independent artist, and artists that are willing to do what they want
to do.
Like how Top 40 commercial radio shadow amazing rock bands like The Flaming Lips or Wilco
because they’re not going to go double-platinum or sale products. They would rather market
acts such as The Killers or the Bravery, Ashley Simpson or Kid Rock. Oh well.
by black mamba
I would be more concerned about the art and music I produce and if a major label would want
to change it. I don’t think I would be down for that.
I do think things are changing for the better for indie artist, though, with the internet and
MySpace and all.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?
Of course there is, LOL!
Don’t for get to catch me on Reprogram Radio on 90.1 KPFT
bi-weekly Thursday night Friday mornings 12:30am-3:am
( www.kpft.org)
Want more info on my events? Check out www.ReprogramMusic.com
Be on the look out for my nationally distributed mix cd called
“Disco, Records Booze in TX”. It will be in stores worldwide very soon.
I also have a bunch of original music and remixes coming out next year on a couple really cool
national indie labels. So keep an ear out.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my beautiful wife Kim, all my good friends, and family, everyone who
supports what I do, all the clubs and promoters that let me rock and everyone who jams to the
sounds that I drop.
27
These young prodigies came on the scene at The Bench open mic and opened so many
people’s eyes to their young talent. Ranging from ages 16 to 18, The Low Ends consist of Anthony Obi (a.k.a. emcee, Fat Tony), Roman Perez (a.k.a. beatmaker, Tron) and Robert Foster
(a.k.a. Prophetik, a.k.a. The Prophecy), who is also an emcee.
Their name, “The Low Ends”, was chosen on a Sunday morning at Quiznos with
their mom (real talk), showing the group’s influence by A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Low End
Theory”. The Low Ends have been together since fall of 2005. Robert was then added to the
group in spring of 2006 because they loved the idea of a hip-hop trio. With the influence of
punk rock, indie rock, and indie rap, a love for independent music came forth.
Indie rap inspired The Low Ends look back deeper into the history of hip-hop. The
Native Tongues collective really struck them as interesting; they identified with their personalities, styles, and music. They loved how De La Soul broke out with colorful images and flowers
and how the scene was on the verge of hardcore rap. They felt it was creative, fun, conscious,
silly and, most importantly, very good music.
The Low Ends were also influenced by their Carnegie Vanguard High School
teacher, Mr. Garner. “He’s a big hip hop head, wonderful teacher, and all around good man”,
said The Low Ends. Garner turned The Low Ends on to a lot of hip-hop knowledge and even
put them on to some classics like the first Tribe album and Public Enemy’s “It Takes a Nation
of Millions...”.
The Low Ends also recently opened up for Boot Camp Clik at Walter’s on Washington, which was a show to remember!!! In the future, The Low Ends plan to drop a mixtape, an
EP, and ultimately their first album.
It’s all about a love and their hearts are fully into their music. So if you recognize
real folks, then you’ll be glad to ride with The Low Ends throughout their life. That’s exactly
what music is to them; it’s their life.
28
29
he la
by bl
ack m
amba
st or
ganic
rganic O
utpost w
a
u
r
b
a
n farme s started by
Garden
r
the inne Farm is located , Joe Icet. The
r
in 5th W
a
that The city of Houston,
Texas. Ic rd, in
Garden
et sa
was
land and
has been built on abando ys
n
there fo
solid. Th
r three y ed
e
G
e
a
arden is
organiza
a non-pr rs
years ag tion, put up for
ofit
au
o.
motivat It is now leased ction a few
io
to
waking n to keep the Ga Icet. Icet’s
up
rde
actually in life and know n going is
in
d
“The las oing something g that he’s
t
w
to 5 for t thing I want to d ith his life.
he rest
o is wo
would b of my life, beca rk a 9
e like
use th
knowing
anybody growing old an at
d no
”, Ic
Garden
Icet even et stated. With t
the
tually ho
houses o
p
e
u
s
t
t
o
o
create co
f
b
mmunit recycled materi uild
ies built
al and
around
the
of self-re idea
liance.
outpo
st
The Last
O
contributors
Publisher:
editor/photographer:
Art Director:
Contributers:
*B-Boy Moy
*Marlon Perla
*Charles/Organizer of Y.A.
*Joe Germ
*jesse germ
*Bruce Ham
blackm
amba
*V05 (aka Val)
*Mamba
*Maria B
*Roberto Castillo
*Skeez
Black Mamba
Val (aka V05)
(that’s so) raven Bell
(that’s
ravenso)
Advertise in boycott!!
val (ak
a
v05)

Wanna be drafted to the Boy-Cott Team?



Wanna contribute?





Check us out online:

30