THE KULTJAH BLOG

FROM THE MARTKET TO MERKATO....

2011-09-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

It's 2:30am local time and the jet-lag from my flight to Ethiopia is starting to kick in, however the previous months of Art exhibits at "The mARTket" have me in reflective zone. The summer is officially a wrap, and my world travels have brought me back to a country I've come to admire for a multitude of reasons. If for no other reason, I respect the air of constant "hustle" proliferated in the everyday Abyssinian society. Before leaving the states on my excursion, I was pleased to take part in an experimental "Pop up gallery" hustle of sorts. Made possible by T.R. SoNo Partners and Norwalk 2.0, The mARTket was perhaps the first fully functional Pop-Up space dedicated to the presentation and sale of Art in the heart of SoNo's design district.

The Pop-Up concept is not a new one, nor is the legacy of Ethiopian culture. Where as many people (unfortunately) only relate to Ethiopia based on the mid 80's "WE ARE THE WORLD" campaign to feed a famished portion of this vast country, or perhaps, others (may) recognize the red yellow and green national colors made popular by Bob Marley and the Rastafarian religion. Ethiopia's history spans thousands of years, while it's soil is scientifically recognized as the birthplace of humanity, spawning a lineage that dates back to the time of Solomon and Sheba. A key part of Ethiopia's existence as a nation, allowing it to escape the clutches of European colonization, is it's people's resilience and determination to survive. Independent commerce is the backbone of Ethiopia's economy, like Japan, Brazil, The Caribbean, Morocco or the US, It's the grass roots entrepreneur who is constantly developing ways to market, promote and be successful in their trade. So it's no surprise that a visit to Addis Ababa's Merkato, the largest open air market on the African continent, is so inspiring.

Navigating through the constant hustle and bustle of Merkato is like becoming one with a living organism consisting of infinite streets and pathways, where commodities are bought, sold and bargained for at a high speed pace. Everything from goats to gold are exchanged in a backdrop resembling Indiana Jones meets the Wall Street trading floor. Although well established store fronts line the never ending labyrinth, obvious "Pop-Up" entrepreneurs and artisans create an additional layer of chromatic wonderment that radiates through clouds of dust and car exhaust. Standing in the middle of it all, I envision the great potential pop-up shops and galleries could have on the U.S. economy. The effects of a crippled real estate market and the highest unemployment rate in years, combined with an overall sense of economic instability have created a platform, or rather…. a necessity for new ways of trade to be developed.

Very much like Merkato, our efforts with the mARTket were to create an "ACTIVE" space for art and commerce. We planned "shot gun" shows that were well organized and attended, but brief, allowing multiple receptions in a short period of time. Our "Artist in window", Duvian Montoya, sparked constant interest from passers by as he painted on sight throughout the summer. Events like dinner and a movie, sponsored by Coromandel: Cuisine of India, and a screen printing workshop with children from Carver Center, demonstrated the communities enthusiasm to participate in our eclectic happening. Perhaps one of the most experimental and assuring events was a "Flea Market" style exhibit that took place during the SoNo Arts Celebration. Not to slight historic contributions of the SoNo Arts organizers, but we managed to create an event within an event, made up of 20+ Artists who agreed to make the best of their 8x10 (or so) space, contribute for event supplies, cross-promote each others work and make room for roaming entrepreneurs to "Pop-Up"…...it was a hit!.

As the global economy seesaws, and weather patterns constantly remind us how vulnerable we really are, maybe we all need to start thinking outside the box…or get rid of the box all together. Instead of letting retail spaces sit endlessly vacant, create temporary or short term agreements that will benefit all parties involved, as well as stimulate communal participation and commerce. Where the housing market is concerned, allow artist to hold exhibits in vacant dwellings, or follow the lead of an Artists' movement in Detroit that's re-claiming entire dilapidated neighborhoods and transforming blight into open air museums. The possibilities are only as limited as the minds of the participants. On my way to Ethiopian International Airport, I hear a storm is brewing that could black out the east coast and cause catastrophic damage to the Tri-State area….great time to start thinking big.

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS...

2011-09-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

BEAUTY IS A CRIME......

2011-04-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

MY APPRENTICE....THE SUPER HERO...(forgotten post)

2011-04-01T23:21:00.000-07:00

....You never reeeaaalllyy know someone..until you find out who they are.

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS...

2011-03-01T06:07:00.000-08:00

ART BASEL AND/OR BUST........!

2010-12-10T05:20:00.000-08:00

.....So I'm fresh off the plane from ART BASEL 2010...and I'm happy to report that (STREET) ART is alive and well. The trip was an impromptu excursion to promote our next venture "NOOH CONCEPTS", of which the creative minds behind Gammah Graphix, ARTofJAHMANE, KULTJAH and numerous conceptual paradigms, will produce a line of home furnishings and decore inspired by contemporary interior design with an artsy, global...textural overtone. Not having been to AB (Art Basel) in the many years of it's existence...we felt like now would be a perfect time to see and participate in all the hub bub...

Naturally, as renegade ARTIST's should, we printed up a bunch of mock AB flyers and business cards...set up a website...scraped up some plane tickets...reserved a crash spot and a rental (2011 Cadillac STS...lol) and took to the sky....
Upon arrival, I noticed something unusually different in the Miami night air....and after navigating over to the bustling Design District/Wynwood Art District at around 12:30am...I could also smell it....the scent of aerosol (and barbecue ribs..lol) filled the air as Street Artist from around the globe (shout out to my west coast bredren) descended on Miami like an Art plague of many infectious styles...from large scale murals, paste ups and sculptural work...to sticker walls and straight graffiti burners...

...The first night pretty much set the tone for the rest of the trip...not that I was surprised to see such a strong influence of Street Art on the inner and outer walls of raw, make-shift industrial spaces....to even the foo fooiest...high end galleries...but the irony of it all accompanied us as we partied and politic-ed as much as possible. Unlike the exploits of NYC artists in the early 80's, this wave of Street Art appreciation appears to be firmly grounded...perhaps the influx of suburban "Art" students...or palatable misfits like Shepard Fairy...or even Banksy have somehow made this rebellious art-form that crept from the souls of Black and Latino urban youth more...um...acceptable (?)....or maybe its just time and evolution (?)... I just couldn't help but notice that those mostly benefiting from this evolution are other than that from which this art-form evolved....hmmmm (I'll build on that at a later date).

However, Several shows have sprung up around Art Basel (Pulse, NADA, Scope...etc) as well as multiple events, receptions and parties....and it would be impossible to take it "ALL" in...so our agenda was based on getting a grasp on where we could fit in for an "official" showing next year...oh...and of course...take some time out to hit up a few NOOH CONCEPTS glyphs....
...Definite highlights were...the Wynwood Walls...partying our asses off at the Haiti Art Expo (thanks for the tip Rachelle...La Belle Vie) ...the Mr. Brainwash installation on Collins...a piece by Charles Pfahl ....checkers late night...our Cadillac...dining at Park Central...our local connects (peace Nadia)...thrift store shopping...Walgreens (will)...making good contacts...BIG PIECES ...and inspiration.

Needless to say, I shot all photo-documentation with my phone camera (forgot camera charger) which actually worked...(see drive by shooting pics)...and we made it back to Gotham ready to hit the streets...
PICS 1: DRIVE BY SHOOTING - ART BASEL
PICS 2: DRIVE BY SHOOTING - ART BASEL

THROWBACK KULTJAH LAB COMMERCIAL...

2010-11-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS...

2010-10-19T23:05:00.001-07:00

SUMMER MADNESS...

2010-10-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

....So summer is officially a wrap, and I guess the best part about being an Independent designer/business owner is being able to decide what and when you want to produce. I know the proverbs "your only hot as your last hit" and "keep feedin' em..and feedin' em and feedin' em" are great mantras to create by, however...I can't front...for the first time in maybe...10 or so years I've been uninspired with "things"...yet so inspired by "thangs" (Artists are living contradictions...fuk it.) Maybe it was the recession, or the over saturation of an already crowded (Art/Fashion) market.... or the Wall Street Bailout mixed with that Balloon Boy fiasco (whenever that was) combined with a lil' pop culture "ignance" (you choose an event)...but I think subconsciously before the summer even kicked in...my creative engines were pre-programmed for cruise control.

Thus...I've been taking deep breaths, studying alot, laying crazy low...planing, plotting and perfecting...traveling, trying to chill wit fam, friends and foes...(know thy enemy)...only to emerge feeling swedish massaged, silk robed ready for the world. Several projects on the horizon...KULTJAH...ARTofJAHMANE...collabos...and much more...if we fell outta touch...get at me...if yah mad...it'll pass...stay tuned....(master teachers build and destroy!)

P.S....coming soon..."NOOH CONCEPTS" home furnishings and decor.

KULTJAH: LEGEND OF THE SUNPALM PT. 1

2010-10-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

.....It all began in a time, space and ghetto far....far away. The concept of KULTJAH and the Legend of the Sunpalm was born from the raw energy and creative survival skills refined by a small group of artistic individuals. A Hip-Hop renaissance was taking place, and the same street culture that made Gucci, Louis Vuitton, POLO, Versace, Levi's, Nike, Hilfiger and a host of foreign and domestic brands millions of dollars, as well as "Hood" household names, was turning it's focus & funds inward....creating a whole new genre of fashion. Regardless of what the average...conservative/tea bag(gin)... um...party member....or cultural "scientist" may think, Hip-Hop, Urban, Rap, Street, Ghetto...(yeah Ghetto!...stay tuned for "Stay out of the Ghetto" post) Culture is the most relevant, powerful Culture to emerge from the human psyche in centuries. We can debate for days, but the Music, Language, Art, Style and "Ways" of Hip-Hop have become more than just a global phenomenon, but a force that emanates from skid row to wall street...from the slave quarters to the white house...and beyond...

Out of this new era of Hip-Hop energy came the lifestyle (brand) of KULTJAH. The late eighty's / early ninety's was a creative incubator for street entrepreneurs... legal..not so legal ... commercial ...underground etc...whatever it took to express yourself and perhaps get paid...in full. Naturally, as "street" artists', we found ourselves expressing our talents all over the Tri-State area... walls, trains, planes, automobiles and anything that stood still long enough to get bombed... so when we started tagging t-shirts, jean jackets, hats and various garments as a means to make ends and friends...twas like the stars aligned....and KULTJAH - "Hand Crafted Rugged Dezigns" started to take shape.

TO BE CONTINUED....

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS...

2010-08-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

HAVE ART...WILL TRAVEL...

2010-02-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

....In my never ending quest to inject (my) Art into the hearts and minds of "Common Folk" (Elitist Art is a Lie, and the Old Masters are Dead!!)....I'm constantly thinking of ways to diversify my work, as well as price ranges of work I produce. Lets face it..."Ain't nothin' new under the Sun"...and the days of being some super deeeeep, Master Painter...Artist dude (in my personal opinion) is WACK!...I'd much rather mastermind the next Mickey (Mouse) than Mona Lisa. Just think of the millions, or perhaps billions of lives Mickey has brought the joy of laughter and wonder.....while Mona sits there with that smirk on her face waiting for some Art Historian to trick you into thinking she's the most beautifulest girl in the world...wit no eyebrows. Not to mention the marketing powerhouse Mickey and his Clan have built (shout out to Pluto and Daffy)...though I'm sure you may find Mona's grill on a mug in the gift shop at the MET...or on some ultra-cool refrigerator magnets...but c'mon...Mickey made the Magic Kingdom...lunch boxes, countless toys, books, the Disney Channel, Mouscateers and the list goes on......and on..

What I'm saying (to my fellow Artists) is TIMES dun changed...and if your ultimate goal is to sit on the throne of galvanized greats, then you will always be a slave to the "Masters" and the pollitricks of the ART world.....besides, why would you wait for fame in death, when you can have (Artistic) freedom in life? ART is for people, whoever and as many as you can reach...by whatever means...the concept of selling out is only a cop-out for those who ain't buyin' anyway....(*remember...never sell you soul though!)...If Target calls..I'll answer....tell Ronald (McDonald) to holla at me....Walmart want what???.....take it to the streets...get your work together, travel, do shows in other zones...states...countries...from my own personal experience....the return is much greater than the effort....just be sure to focus on the infinite possibilities of the stars, and not the white gloved mouse hand pointing at them.....

NEW YILLZ...NEW QUILLZ...

2010-01-02T20:27:00.001-08:00

....First of all...if your reading this blog, I'd like to extend peace and blessings to you and yours. Once again we find ourselves beginning a new year. I think it's safe to say that most of us are ready to shift into a new time frame....and let (especially the back end of...) 2009 drift off into our collective memory banks. In the famous words of Ghostface (Killa)..it does seem like "The glorious days are gone, and everybody's doin' bad.."...so many changes...socially, financially, spiritually, environmentally....uh...mentally and so on...that now is the perfect time to take stock in yourself and the people around you, tighten up your boot laces and go get it! For independent, Creative Individuals (Artists, Musicians, Writers etc...) now is the (best) time to do it!...the globe (Internet) is at your fingers and the people want what you have....after all...you've got nothing to lose (except your soul..never sell that!!)....so while most people are ready to file intellectual bankruptcy, or forfeit their creative freedoms...RISE I say....RISE like a Phoenix from the ashes of mediocrity, and make this a POWERFUL YEAR on your path to fulfillment.

Happy and Prosperous New Year from KULTJAH DEZIGNS.

JAHMANE
Artist, Designer...
Motivational Speaker.

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS...

2009-12-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

BACK ON THE BLOG....

2009-11-27T10:42:00.001-08:00

.....Yes...it's been a CRAZY month or so, and this recessions got all "those who hustle" in overdrive...new projects, family thangs, traveling, recouping, a new gig, re-structuring the re-structure, constant brainstorming, de-toxing, ducking swine-flu (no pork!), teaching the youth and the everyday (beautiful) struggle to do what you do makes me wonder...(as always)...where does one find time to blog?....we'll this one hasn't! Yet fear not, I'm back on it...thanks to the obvious necessity to inform our supporters (especially those dagger sharp e-mailing enthusiasts) and comrades of our current movements and future prospects....We'll be updating our blog/website (which is under re-construction) at least once a week, and not on some ol' current event ish, but actual info pertaining to the life/style/philosophies and opinions of KULTJAH DEZIGNS. With that (strangely mission like statement) said....stay tuned...

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS....

2009-10-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

COLOR CHAMELEON VS. TIGER STYLE...

2009-10-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

....Aight...so I'm not much of a Reality TV buff...but if my new partner in design, Samantha Knapp of Tiger Lily's Greenwich (CT), lands her concept for a show chronicling the daily grind of a well established Interior Design (family) Business on the "Gold Coast" of Connecticut...you might catch me bringing graffiti based color philosophy to HGTV....lol...stay tuned.

RESPECT THE ARCHITECTURE...

2009-10-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

....In one of my other lives I was a dope Architect, so I'm naturally drawn to that world.. and the conceptual brilliance of creating spaces for people to function...or even non-functioning spaces for people to just....admire. A few days back, I had the pleasure in helping install a very interesting show at the Westport Arts Center that explored an area of Architectural Design and "Art" thats well worth making a stop by the center to check out....oh, and peep the "Spaceship"...(shout out to Paulo)...

SHOW PICS...
SHOW INFO...

CTC&G September Issue x ARTofJAHMANE + Alberta Cifolelli & Friends.....

2009-09-08T09:42:00.001-07:00

....When The Westport Arts Center decided to do an experimental, contemporary art shin-dig at a multi-million dollar home on Bayberry Lane in Westport, CT....it was no surprise that Connectict Cottages & Gardens, Fairfield County's premiere source in knowing what's fly on the upper "eche" level of Architecture, Home Decore, Real Estate, Fine Living and living the LIFE...covered and supported the event.... defiantly not MTV CRIBS...more like Madoff cribs...without the scandal. However, it was a pleasant surprise to hear that CTC&G decided to do a feature pairing up Alberta Cifolelli, Myself and four other Artists (Larry Silver, Paul Kaiser, Richard Klein and Nathan Heiges) out of the thirty or so Artists, to juxtapoz our styles, ages & ideas. The interview process was fun, actually more like a conversation with a kindred spirit, and though Alberta and I had the greatest age difference, we seemed to "vibe" like art war veterans. The other two pairs are equally as interesting and I think the feature sheds some new light on the universal similarities and contrasts of Artists and our creative philosophies...
.....p.s, Shout out to Alberta for hooking me up with this (Andy) Warhol signed issue of Interview Magazine...you won't catch it on ebay....lol.

PRINT! SHOW....FO SHO!

2009-09-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

...Like a dummy...I forgot my camera...but I'll post shots from other people's lenses asap...the show was dope...lots of cool people passed through...some nibbled...a few may buy (bite) and a good time was had by all. Special thanks to Eileen and Paul at the Gallery at Black Rock, and my fam from Jersey (Linda and JG) who battled that I95 traffic maddness to show love....

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS....

2009-08-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

DEATH OF THE STREET MERCHANT

2009-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

.....If Wall Street, NYC is the financial heartbeat of the world, then Harlem 125th Street, NYC is the rhythmic pulse that vitalizes the status of world trade....(split screen...and rewind...) So my
comrade, Steal Will, and I (less the rest of our traveling party) hopped into the BM(W) for a slightly planned, yet spontaneous trip to Martha's Vineyard to check out the 7th Annual African American Film Festival, which sounds like a "Big to Do"....but the crazy low keyness, and lack of obvious promotion had me thinkin' the organizers were pseudo-elitely foo fooing themselves and the very talented film makers out of what could be......a nice event.

Anywho...between beach bummin...sight seeing...skating at the island's new skate park...sippin cold Guinness (from the blue cooler) and herbal scavenging...we found time for a few screenings. Most of the films on deck were dope, independent, crafty, funny (big up "SHEROES"), inspiring glimpses of new Black Cinema. However, (split screen...forward) while viewing "Harlem's Mart 125: The American Dream" (produced and directed by the "Magnetic" Rachelle Gardner)...I realized that...yes....I too have been gentrified!!! Not only did this story hit home with my kinship to the street merchant brother/sisterhood...but the peeling back of such complex political, financial, bureaucratic layers that led to the demise of (specifically) Mart 125, and the current gentrification of Harlem as a whole, will leave any viewer wishing for the days of pre-Giuliani, gestapo-type policing of street vending all together.

Without giving it all away, I say seek and support this film...and the many up and coming independent Film Makers, Artists, Writters, Musicians, Thinkers....Whateverers!......We are "The American Dream".
www.harlemmart125.com

KULTJAH: RUGGED LIFE STYLE THROWBACK

2009-08-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

KULTJAH X LEAD BELLY:REPRISE

2009-07-29T18:39:00.001-07:00

Before Elvis, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, the Stones, the Beatles, Rock and Roll, Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop and most forms of American Music....there was Lead Belly. To this day, the man and the myth still remain a mystery amongst the majority of global music lovers, to which he has provided the basis for their existence. About a year or so ago, KULTJAH was blessed with the opportunity (by way of a link up from my comrade Stick Man from DEAD PREZ) to do a collabo Limited Edition T-Shirt with the Lead Belly Foundation. Of course, I jumped at the chance...and the rest is OURSTORY. The project coincided with the release of "Lead Belly...A life in Pictures" which is a VERY well put together book that further explores the simple genius of this folk legend. Along with the historic guidance of Lead Belly's great nephew, Alvin Singh (sup brah...) we produced a nice run of limited edition tees that became collectors items, and an honorable piece of Lead Belly history. I could go on...but trust...research the MAN for yourself....and respect the architect.

KULTJAH X LEAD BELLY LIMITED EDITION PROMO.

THE LEAD BELLY FOUNDATION

KULTJAH PROJECT: BOMB THE BANK

2009-06-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

...Sometime in May..myself and a few of my art comrades were assigned by the Norwalk Arts Commission to "Bomb the Bank". Norwalk ( a small town outside of New York City...lol..) held its by-monthly "Artspot" in what was a premier....70's architecturally suave bank gone bust. Along with the art, Dj Groove 7 and the Norwalk Symphony provided a tranquil music bed for the Mayor of Norwalk and various Community Organizations to remind all in attendance why Norwalk is a great place for you, your family and renegade artists......enjoy the pre-show pics.

JAHMANE WILL CORPREW
AMMON ARCHIEMAURICIO HIGUERA

KULTJAH X WESTPORT ARTS CENTER + ARTofJAHMANE

2009-06-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

....So last month (wait, what month is it...crazy late blog...I know) the good people at Westport Arts Center, under the Visual Direction of Terri Smith, organized a DOPE installation show at a multi-million dollar crib in Westport, CT. The show consisted of around 30 National and Internationally recognized Artists who were called upon to express themselves in this (now occupied, but once beautifully vacant) home. Here's my contributions and personal highlights...enjoy...oh and check the "Additional Pics" link below....

Jahmane - Call Home Installation
Jahmane - Mason Jar Mythology
Interior Design Collaboration: Jahmane x Maisonette/Tiger Lilly's

Personal Highlights....
Additional Pics....
http://picasaweb.google.com/mauramfrana/HouseProject#

Check Out...
http://www.westportartscenter.org

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS

2009-05-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

KULTJAH.COM : RELOADED

2009-04-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

You know what time it is!!!!.....time to upgrade! So as we re-vamp KULTJAH.COM, hold tight and we'll be back with a much more efficient site to serve the people.

RUGGED LIFE STYLE PT.2 : ELEMENTS

2009-03-28T10:33:00.001-07:00

KULTJAH SPRING/SUMMER TEES...

2009-03-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S MATHEMATICS....

2009-03-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Just a lil food for thought....knowledge is power...what you decide to do with it determines your path....

KULTJAH: THE ESSENCE PT.2

2009-03-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

12 JEWELS....

2009-03-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

KNOWLEDGE
WISDOM
OVERSTANDING
FREEDOM
JUSTICE
EQUALITY
FOOD
CLOTHES
SHELTER
LOVE
PEACE
HAPPINESS....oh...and BLING.

From the times of Pharaohs, and perhaps hundreds of years before, humans have adorned themselves with (what Cash Money and Hip Hop Culture have galvanized as...) BLING.
The phrase itself is rather played out amongst "those that know",
but it still makes the average person, and the "yea I'm down" sector feel cool saying it...so let it ride. However, the acquisition, and "rocking" of BLING is a primordial passion that entices every
race, gender, nationality, lifestyle etc. The jewelry you wear, or don't wear, is usually a symbol of who you are....what you wish to reflect...and eventually leave in the material realm.

...So when it came time to create the "material presence" of our logo, the "SUNPALM" (*see LEGEND of the SUNPALM coming soon), I felt it was important to find a true Craftsman for the task. I'm not throwing salt on the Canal St. or Fordham Road clans, but....yooouuu know what I'm sayin!!?? (i.e. Canal St. and Fordham Rd. Notorious for "sub par" Jewelry). While chillin' wit a good comrade of mine, Shane aka "Captain Dreddy" one day, I peeped a DOPE Heru (Son of Osiris & Isis) ring on his hand...and BAM! He hit me wit the connect and it was on....
I was blessed to be pointed in the direction of Ba Ba Heru at Studio of Ptah. Not only is Ba Ba Heru a Master Craftsman, whose created jewelry for Erika Badu, Wesley Snipes, Ben Verine, KULTJAH and so many more...he's also a Khamitik Spiritual enlightener....and all around cool black man. He not only created the original the original KULTJAH medallions, but we've also copped an extensive collection of rings, bracelets, chains, pendants and such......with each piece crafted to Khamitik perfection.The second series of SUNPALM medallions was a lot less spiritual, and more spontaneous. I bumped in to Gabriel Urist at a trade show, when he was just gettin on with the mini "Dunk"
pendants. We both thought it would be a good idea to do a collabo project...and the results speak for themselves.We made a bunch of these for immediate fam and comrades...though a few have been traded for currency from dedicated KULTJAH collectors. So in all...you can't take it with you when you go, but while you got it...rock it wit respect.

HUSTLE DON'T STOP!!!!

2009-03-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

(*Last disclaimer...I swear I'ma Blog more)....So I'm fresh off a trip "abroad", Europe n Africa to be exact, and thanks to BBC & CNN World News, Al Jazeera and the many other satellite broadcasted international points of view...I was able to keep abreast with the downward spiral of the AMERICAN DREAM. Thanks to Obama.....a sobering spark of "HOPE" has been injected into the main vain of Lady Liberty...or at least a whole bunch of foreign backed legal tender...sounds like hope......but the majority of us residing in the "Land of the Free" find ourselves at pivotal crossroad.

Without gettin into allllll thaaaat...we know shitz bad...n prolly gettin worse...from financials to real estate to environmental to moral...it's hell in a Hermes Handbag...unless!...Now I'm not tryna sell emotional Amway, but "only we can save we"...and since when have the "PEOPLE" really looked for the GOVERN U MEN(t) to save our asses???...whenever there's a drought, that's when the HUSTLE comes out...get it how you live...but most of all...spread the LOVE.

One of the most important jewels I picked up from the Ethiopian portion of my trip (besides a piss yellow African gold link) was the genuine sense of mutual respect and struggle. Don't get me wrong, the same demons haunt their society as the U.S....and in many cases...a lot worse,
but the overall sense of....Yo...it is what it is...let's make it happen...if we ain't got shit...let's get it...eat off the same plate...I gotcha back...my home is yours and so on...that permeates their everyday lives....either never TRULY existed in AMERICA or must be manifest if this new "HOPE" is to save thangs.

Perhaps most of all was the sense of HUSTLE...erthang from clothes to cosmetics to water to tissue to goats to grain and whatever you need in between. In the U.S...when someone talks about HUSTLIN'...9 times outta 10 they're talkin bout sellin
drugs. Let's be clear...drugs sell themselves...people wanna get high....you just gotta "have" drugs and accept money for trade...oh and don't get caught. But I'm talkin bout that real live hand to hand...take it to the streets...HUSTLE...I seen a cat take a roll of toilet paper, make a carton of neatly packed bundles n get money from passers by...or a man with a scale stand there n get people to pay for weigh ins...besides countless other clean, legal HUSTLES...it don't and won't stop....the streets is watchin and waitin...make your stimulus plan......YES U CAN.

A VIEW TO A KILL...PT.2

2009-02-23T10:54:00.000-08:00

RUGGED LIFE STYLE PT.1

2009-01-13T17:27:00.000-08:00

.....So we find ourselves at the beginning of a fresh new year (I'm truly workin on keepin up wit this blog thang..). Though Time, Knowledge, Space etc...is Infinite...I always like to take this point in time to reflect on past, present and future movements. Lookin at this picture (above) I zoned out on how we got into the "Rag" business....being Artist...Style Generals...Social Scientist etc...and I couldn't help but long for "those days". I know every generation says "back in my day" or "when I was young..." you know the phrases...but (yo hold up I'm buildin GOD!!) those we're the days of "our" days. Late eighties, early to mid nineties was that shit! without giong into some MTV or VH1 like synopsis of "Hip-Hop" or "Black Culture"...I'm jus sayin...the energy harvested during those times...synthesized by years or slavery, oppression, struggle, re-education, music, traditions, hustle, style & fashion, business savvy n so on....are what gave birth to our concept of "RUGGED LIFE STYLE".....to be continued...

THE TRANSITION IS COMPLETE...

2008-12-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

the Lab Loft...Hubcap...
Sunsets...

the BAT.

....Ok so we're back...it took a sec but the transition is complete. You never know how much "stuff" you got til it's time to move it...thank de lawd foe the freight elevator.
I definitely slept on the "blog" potential of the move...cause I didn't take any pics...but it went something like...

November ? til November 15th we had a blowout sale...people came out the wood works to get cheap KULTJAH dead stock and erthing else...we packed up as people shopped...my man
Marko came thought wit the box truck...we recruited a rag tag bunch of semi-pro movers...moved the studio and lab in two and a half trips...I went to war with a BAT n won (god bless the dead)...unpacked, which seemed much more stressfull than packin...ran into a cat named hubcap (who I think pisses in the hallways)...realized the spot has dope sunsets...finally got the wireless connect...continued unpackin...cleaned over 4 thousand square feet of 100 year old wood floor...burned mad frankincense...stepped outside the lab, turned around n said (think Beat Street) "It's Sooo Clean, Ramo we gotta hit it (talkin bout the walls outside the lab), So I started the first in a series of "Lab Burners"...It's Like havin your own A train to bomb, whenever...So we're in, and it's back to work...perfect timing...

DESTROY and BUILD / THE KULTJAH LAB LOFT

2008-11-27T10:08:00.000-08:00

THE MASTER BUILDER...THE KULTJAH LAB LOFT....PT 1

KULTJAH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING...

2008-11-27T09:15:00.000-08:00

...Due to circumstances beyond our control (gentrification, property development, an ailing economy...etc) KULTJAH DEZIGNS, the KULTJAH LAB, BLDG 14 and all entities have decided to go ..........GLOBAL!!! (not postal). We are restructuring our enterprise to establish a greater World Wide Web and Wholesale presence. Yet fear not...with every curse comes a blessing...and we plan to capitalize on this blessing without the trials and tribulations of maintaining a retail outlet...of which we've done at four separate locations (3 in Norwalk CT and 1 in ATL) at different times since 1997. The transition has already begun with the build out of our DOPE new lab/loft...located in a secret "spot" (see next post). So hold tight...when the going gets ruff, or they knock down your building...the ruff get RUGGED...

FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS HIT NYC...

2008-11-24T19:32:00.000-08:00

I know it's crazy late...but bad brains...yes HR included..rocked out at Irving Plaza round the 7th of Nov. Sold out shows...we gamed our way in...this pic is wack, and though HR was in a rather...zoned out...zone...the rest of the band kept it raw..sounded crisp...and reminded us why bad brains will always be hard core/ras/punk gods!!!

ALLOW WE TO RE-INTRODUCE OURSELVES....

2008-11-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

...Ok, so we're officially "blogging". Pardon self, but I'm an Artist not an editor...I write like I speak...and talk what I feel. My peeps put me up on bloogin a while back...and I always wondered...how people have any time to do the things their bloggin about if their bloggin about everything their doin?...not tryin to be Mr. Riddle...but don't expect I/us to become blogaholics...though we will strive to give you a first hand glimpse into the philosophies, opinions, lifestyle and ways of..........KULTJAH.

With that said...Allow We to Re-Introduce Ourselves...the name is KULTJAH!!! As in culture...as in rugged life style...street knowledge...heal yo' self, heal yo' hood...each one teach one...12 jewels....88 hustle kings...ancient wisdom...independent as f*k...built from bricks and sunshine...universal worldwide...international strugglers...no sell out...knowledge is power...stay fresh, live fly...we built the pyramids...stop stealin our souls...the world is yours...everything outta nothin...one outta many...ghetto naturals...hood herbalists...mind power...survival of the flyest...hand crafted...the DYEnasty continues....