::Euro’s Get Daily News Props::
Subway graffiti is back – and Europeans are to blame.Most of the major graffiti attacks on trains are being carried out by twentysomething Europeans who want to leave their marks where the graffiti culture was born, experts said.
They come from Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway to spray-paint their murals and elaborate tags – called “pieces” – on trains, fully aware that the Transit Authority will scrub them clean within hours.
:::PICT BLAST:::
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::Spike ‘Sell Out’ Lee::
Continuing to sell the Brooklyn culture out with the rest of hip-hop, Marc Ecko and Spike Lee join forces to plaguerize the culture. I remember when Spike did an inerview for telivision years ago for his ‘She’s gotta Have it’ film. He basically kept repeating,”Please support black film”. I guess what he really meant was to keep supporting him.
Of all people to work with on a clothing line, look who he agrees with…… terrible.
::FLOW::
Flow: Volume 1 is a documentary and showcase for several talented underground hip hop artists struggling to gain recognition in the industry. Hailing from the streets of NY, NJ and Philly, these artists wax poetic about what is wrong with the music industry and the commercial hip hop of today. Each artist has beef with the recycled beats, lyric biting, ghostwriting, machine that the music industry has created which is devoid of the lyrical artistry and creativity that birthed hip hop in the 80’s and 90’s. It seems that the only way for artists to make it in the industry is to fit into a formula; sell their soul, but for those who won’t sell out, the lack of money and music industry resources can make the struggle extremely difficult. One of my favorite quotes in the film is from Pack FM when he says “It sucks to have fans and have a day job. I’m a broke MC.”
The film is interesting, but overall lacks momentum. It runs at a leisurely pace and there are too many artists for the viewer to make a connection with. The performances in the film are raw, tight and full of energy and the artists are possibly better lyrical rappers and performers than most that are on the radio today, yet the film doesn’t allow you a glimpse into who they are and how big their hip hop dreams really go. What I really wanted from this film was a better glimpse into these artists’ lives; see who they are and how they struggle on a daily basis to get their voices heard. However, the film does seem to have a message – that hip hop needs to be saved. It is clear that a revolution is starting as the streets strive to be heard, yet the film leaves you wondering what the next steps in the revolution are going to be. Maybe that will be in volume II?
- Tamara
Overall I thought that the artists were talented as well. I really am feeling the group “DEEP’. It’s good to see the younger generation moving in a new direction. Yasin gets nice on this as well!
I’m an old school cat, so I really get the whole FLOW, and loved the DVD for what it reps. Good to see, and worth getting. I am anxious to see the second one myself…..
-Stern
