Start the Day off RIGHT w/Eric B and Rakim

I maintain often that hip hop is in good health while my peers are tearfully lamenting its demise.  

It's understandable that they are so perpetually crestfallen about the state of hip hop.  

We were raised by Yo!MTV Raps and similar shows curating and delivering videos like Eric B & Rakim's Microphone Fiend on a daily basis...

That damn @DanLish1... ain't Nuthin' ta f*!k wit...

As an illustrator learning to better myself through positive thinking, I've learned not to compare my work to that of other artists.  For example, I NEVER EVER measure myself against the brilliance produced by dudes like Brighton-based drawing machine Dan Lish.  'Cause THAT mofo can draw his ASS off...

Brandon Graham + Rakim = HELLYES!

That one dude Brandon Graham posted this Rakim montage on his blog featuring scenes from the R's video When I B on the Mic.

Rakim + Black Thought + John Legend + JPeriod = DOWNLOAD THIS

Do I really need to pitch this to you? I mean... REALLY?

start the day off RIGHT ----->

good morning, fammo... here's a little youTube heat from Eric B and Rakim. In the Ghetto, from the classic record Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em.

Start The Day off RIGHT-------------------->

 
Microphone Fiend by Eric B and Rakim
As a kid, I was immediately captured by the original microphone god, Rakim. I can't tell you how many times I sat in front of my tv studying this video, so I could recite the rhymes while I was walking to school. In a time when dopeness was determined partially by how smart and slick you were, "the R" always remained in the conversation. anyways, have a great day!
holla!
-samax

gettin' ready for that new Rakim...

being a grown ass man and a hip hopper at the same time can be tough. thankfully, Rakim will assist you with his new record The Seventh Seal, which is soon to drop. here's a couple free cuts to keep you together while you wait:
Rakim ft. Maino - Walk These Streets (prod. Needlz)
and
Jadakiss & Rakim - Euphoria
word.
ghettoManga.com
comics.hipHop.news.art.culture

Week In Review

so this week has been pretty eventful... i had a photoshoot with Dallas free newspaper The Quick for an interview they will be running about me (next week, i think), and being the silly sonuvagun i am, i scheduled it to be at my local comic shop, so i could pick up the first issue of Brandon Graham's gonzo urban fantasy King City and indulge in the ego-stroking exercise of the photoshoot all in one shot! to get the full ghettoManga experience, you should buy the issue, then download Brandon's free Inkstuds Mixtape (featuring classic joints from Rakim, KRS ONE, and Jadakiss) for background listenin' while you read... sweet! i find it hard to see how anyone could pass up on a massive comic for 2.99 if you ALSO throw in a free mixtape with it!
i also grabbed my copy of Wet Moon Volume 5: Where All Stars Fail to Burn which included the additional boost of finding out that Ross included my drawing of his character Unknown in the Fan Art section! this was my first time having my art published by one of the major indy publishers (for the record, Oni Press), so for me it's kind of a big deal! plus, i'm not sure if i expected my piece to be chosen... anyways, the book is great. i'm still crunk from this week's take. i copped two books by comics do-it-alls i really like, and looked good doing it! there's more news that i will get to later, but that's all for right now...
holla!
-samax
ghettoManga.com
comics.hipHop.news.art.culture

that new Rakim

Holy Are You by Rakim. word is that dude Rakim is returning from the wilderness this fall, but nah wit no stone tablets, but with a long-awaited new album The Seventh Seal. Judging from this first single, he's coming with that heat that made him famous in hipHop's glory days, not trying to blend in with what passes for dope rhyming these days. listen to the YouTube joint or click the pick to download the leak.
enjoy!
-samax
ghettoManga.com
comics.hipHop.news.art.culture

Rakim Performance...

Rakim at the Knitting Factory, courtesy of DJ DelzTV.
ghettoManga.com
comics.hiphop.news.art.culture

deviant of the day

today's deviant is comicbook artist Brandon Graham aka Royal Boiler. in 2007 he dropped the one-shot Multiple Warhedz from Oni Press, which will be followed up soon by a miniseries. dude is crazy with the images son! peep the fresh Rom spaceknight piece on the left or KRS-Rakim-Soundwave joint below if you doubt the skills!

anyways, go check out more of his crazy scribbles on deviantArt.com...
uno.
-ghettoManga.com
comics.hiphop.news.art.culture

new Rakim interview/Videos

peep the most respected rapper alive (well, jay-z's up there...) in a rare in-depth interview on The Breakdown. Rakim sheds light on his past, present, and future..Plus, get at a collection of Rakim videos from each time period of his storied 20 year career. This interview is viewable only at www.TheBreakdown.tv

holla!
samax.