Planet of The Apes

Influenced by my 100th (late night) viewing of the Bape book.

*NOTE: Pictures courtesy of Hypebeast.com

Apple Crispy

Nigel Sylvester. Professional BMX'er.

This dude is probably my favorite rider. I never seen a better mix of recklessness and grace.

Reminds me of myself.

By the way, I'm still good for curb/bench grind, bar spin or frame stand. All that other stuff? I'll leave that for you teeny-boppers.

Art-Hop Episode 5: Metal Face Villain

Artist: Madvillain (Madlib & MF Doom)

Song: "All Caps"

Album: Madvillainy (Stones Throw Records)

Director: James Reitano

I play a Doom record and it transports me to place where Hip-Hop is merged with ill double entendres, comic book references, mask-wearing emcees and loops from old Japanese cartoons.

That's a good place to be in.

This clip is from Doom's pairing with Madlib and their collaborative 'Madvillainy' album. The vid stands as a 1960's Kirby/Lee comic book (complete with ads) come to life.

Watch it twice. I think it's that good.

In Requiem

Gordon Johnson

1947-Forever

I love this dude. I hadn't seen him in awhile. Loved him, nonetheless. He was a good uncle. When I was a kid, he was beautiful to me. He had those funny colored eyes and this amazing head of white hair. I thought he looked like an R&B singer.

He was a good dude.

I love you, Uncle Gordy.

Be safe on your journey.

Amen.

Love, Zee.

Art-Hop Episode 4: Now That I Found You

Artist: Q-Tip feat. Norah Jones

Song: "Life Is Better"

Album: The Renaissance

Ha! I did it you non-believing bastards! I found an artsy Hip-Hop vid done in the last decade! Booyaakaa SHOT!

I'm joking...kinda. Trying to sort through recent Hip-Hop vids--to find that rare gem--can be a daunting task. You'd figure popular music would necessitate popular artists having a halfway decent clip. Not so. [NOTE: You almost had me post A Tribe Called Quest's "Electric Relaxation" video. I really like that one.] I'm making a serious effort to stay away from "golden era" vids. I'm trying to incorporate more recent vids into these Art-Hop eps. I don't want you to think that I'm some Hip-Hop elitist/Golden-ager who thinks that all contemporary Hip-Hop sucks. Nope. Not me. I only hate 75% of modern Hip-Hop. Ha!

Speaking of which, I like Tribe. I like Q-Tip. I like this vid. It proves you can do a lot (artistically) without having to do too much. It also features my ex-Thing Thing, Norah Jones.

Yeah. I'd rather not talk about our (me and NorNor's) relationship. Those wounds are still fresh.

Just watch the video.

Less Than Zero

Sometimes...you have to let go.

I've decided that since the ideas, in my head, are sprawling and are in a constant state of re-work, I've made a concentrated effort to live a simpler existence. Easy, right? Yeah. That's the idea.

Layman's terms: I don't have time for your shit. Seriously.

See, my grand idea is to streamline how I get to my "end game". Things aren't always easy but they definitely can be made simpler in execution.

Meaning?

I'm going to live THIS life once. I have to be where I'm supposed to be. We all have a place we're trying to get to. You're better off not bullshitting yourself on life's journey. I'm going with my true nature. I have to do things that re-new my blackened soul. I want Oprah to love me.

What I suggest for myself are the same things I suggest for you. I follow these rules. They're not just some clever little bulletpoints made to amuse myself. Nope. These words are part of the Ziti mantra. This is the GPS to my Ziti 7000 XL. I'm living it. I'm breathing it.

With that said, don't just take this sh*t for face value. Consider me a shaman. I have the medicine. It's up to you to partake.

1. Feeling sluggish? F*ck it. Drink more water.

2. Feeling like a grease receptacle after you eat? F*ck it. Eat more green vegetables.

3. Getting less accomplished because of social networking? F*ck it. Unplug these electronic bastards and go forth with your craft.

4. I would say that I'm abstaining from arguing with the opposite sex. F*ck it...I don't do that sh*t anyway.

5. Need more money? Go out with a PLAN and get yourself some more money. Sometimes, this is easy and simple. I mean, a NASA space monkey can get a job. [Lucky simian bastards.]

6. Listen to the music that you want to listen to.

7. Listen to music outside of your comfort zone. Listen to music that gets inside of your head. Indulge in tunes that speak to your soul.

8. Sometimes, imagined sex is better than the real thing. Trust me on this.

9. Before you can "receive", you need to learn how to be a "giver". That's truly how this world works. Stop walking around with your hand open.

10. Love someone (sincerely) who is not your parent or from your womb. I'm talking unconditional love.

10.1 By the way, while you're loving unconditionally, don't be an idiot. Temper that sh*t with some wisdom.

11. Learn something new. Meaning? Read a f*cking book if you have to.

12. Remember this: If it doesn't feel good to you, it probably isn't good for you. Think about that for a second.

13. Contribute the greatest part of you. Anything less is weak.

14. I know...I said "F*ck it" a lot. Guess what? Sometimes, you have to give less than a f*ck. They'll talk about you. They'll doubt you. They'll try and derail you at every turn. You won't succeed unless you don't care what they think about you.

15. Those people that don't want you to win? F*ck those non-believing bastards. F*ck em.

16. Be happy. Work towards that EVERY day. Regardless of what they tell you in school, that-- right there--is the true key to a beautiful life. It's not money or cars or fame. It's happiness. If you don't have that, then you don't have sh*t.

17. Be a better person.

That's the gospel. You didn't have to go to church and you didn't have to pass around a collection plate.

Don't say I never gave your ungrateful asses anything.

Ziti loves you.

Hallelujah. Hollaback.

p.s. Look beyond the curse words. There's something in here for YOU.

The Pot Calling The Kettle

NOTE: The following conversation took place at a neighborhood burrito spot.

[conversation in progress]

Ziti: F*ck no. She can't hang with me. Nope. That broad is on some NEXT level type sh*t. No sir.

Jose: Mannnn. What's her deal? I mean...she's kinda uppity. Now that I think about it, she's always been like that. Acting like she's "above".

Ziti: Yeah. She acts like she really doesn't like black people. I'm not just saying that. I'm serious.

Jose: What?!?!? THAT b*tch is black!!! Her mama is black. Her mama's mama is black. What the f*ck, man???

Ziti: Yeah. I know. She just says some wild sh*t sometimes. And never mind black people, her ass hates Obama. I mean HATES. She's on a personal crusade to tear that dude down. I mean...damn...you don't have to like the man. That's your right. But in her mind, she thinks she has blue eyes and blond hair...and lives in Maple Towne, somewhere. That chick is a living, breathing, Uncle Ruckus.

Jose: What?!?!? How you gonna hate Obama??? The muthaf*cker's nickname is "Barry". "Barry" like Barry White. I'm talking Barry "My First, My Last, My Everything" White. Shitttt. Makes him alright in my book.

Ziti: I don't know, sun. She says some very anti-black verbage. I mean, anti.

Jose: What. The. Fuck?!?!? Have you seen her Dad??? That muthaf*cker is BLACK! Black like the color in the crayon box!

Ziti: [laughs]

Jose: I'm serious. That muthaf*cker is black like a boot!

Ziti: [laughs] That dude is black like Shabba Ranks.....with a side order of Wesley Snipes. I mean...licorice black!!!

Jose: [laughs] That muthaf*cker is black like 12:00 a.m.!

Ziti: [laughs] He's black like a beeper!

Jose: [laughs] That muthaf*cker is black...like Space!

Ziti: [laughs] I'm done. [laughs]

For: John & Joe

This one, right here? This is for Coltrane...both of them.

Love, Zee.

Turnpike Daze

He Was Sent Here To Do Music

James Yancey

February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006

J. Dilla

a.k.a.

Jay Dee

a.k.a.

Pay Jay

One of the greatest to ever do it.

Amen.