"That's My Joint!" -Spike Lee Has Art

Due to a hectic weekend, I was lucky enough to catch the kick off event for the organically produced Spike Lee honor/tribute that Sallomazing & one Ashley Mui (and the help of others) put together (this past week, starting last Thurs) down at LIU's Brooklyn campus. The turn-out was a nice collective of close friends, family, creative minds, and Spike fans alike coming out in support of both the artist and the event. I snapped a few flicks of the Spike Lee inspired art and caught a quick few mins of the speakers panel being held. Kudos to the team! Based on the success of this I KNOW bigger things are in the works for you guys!

"Flashing Lights" -Paparazzi Pics (Pt.111)

Seems like artist went from painting live at parties to hosting their own events over night huh?! However this one was powered by the almighty Coup D'etat Art Collective, last Friday at SlyArt vs Robot City (near Canal). I hit the spot about 9ish, and it was beyond packed up in that bitch, to be such a wide open space. Alot of the supporting art scene came out to show support which added to the rain forest type heat circulating in the spot (lol). The artist made great use of the wall space to display their various works of art in as many sizes as there were pieces. Judging from the amount of familiar faces I saw, I swore I was STILL in Brooklyn for a (very) hot minute. But honestly where CAN you go and Brooklyn to run the joint? Peep the cameo return appearance of Sallomazing in the pics below...word!

"Flashing Lights" -Paparazzi Pics (Pt. 80)

Well, it's not too much to even talk about this one here. Other then the fact that we (meaning Adam West, DJ Brina Payne, the ladies of We Love Ya Like Cooked Food, plus myself) managed to get past the city block long line to get in with ease. And the food handed out was better (much better) than expected. This one wasn't as I hoped it to be. Adam pointed out that there was no "coolness" in the room, and maybe that was just it. Maybe if Stoli Blakberi and the Blackberry Luxe folks teamed up, then...just maybe then will we get to attend a "berry" dope "Black" party! *FYI Adam DOES take pics with white girls, so take that Sallomazing! LMAO!

"Gone till November..."-But Never Forgotten

I'm sad to announce that a highly respected figure in the Bed-Stuy community is leaving us to move on to bigger things to fulfill her destiny. Sallomazing! is making an exodus from the confines of BK, to spread her passion and wisdom to all those within earshot willing to hear her sincere words. It would be selfish of us to wish her to stay, but when a "tree" roots grows too big, you must replant it in fresh soil for it to continue to live. All I ask is that you reach out and wish her well on her journey and that when she does return, she brings back souvenirs of knowledge that we can all share. Tell her you miss her ALREADY via call or email (@sallomazing@gmail.com).
And shame on you if you missed her going away dinner/party
(and no, it's NOT prison she's going away too).

"And I Wanna Thank You..."

Okay cue the music, cause there's a bunch of folks that I've been meaning to thank for helping with the success of the "Rock the Block BK" artist emergence event two Saturdays past. I finally got the time to sit down and write my acceptance speech list out. Start the drum roll please...

First and foremost, thanks goes out to YOU.
For supporting and believing in starting trends instead of following them. If Brooklyn is the "soil" then you guys are "the water & the sunlight" needed to help "the Movement" grow.

Thanks goes out to...Josh Hey. For being patience and seeing the vision I had for an iconic RTB BK logo. Too dope!

Thanks goes out to...All the blogs/sites for posting the event w/out me asking cause a movement without the people is no movement at all.

Thanks goes out to...All the venues (Frank White, Yume, NJV, and Bush Baby) for sharing your space and allowing us to plant the artistic seeds for the future to pick it's ripe fruit.

Thanks goes out to...Muhammida (Frank White). Hopefully you enjoyed your B'day as much as we ALL did! Next year even BIGGER! And warn the neighbors too (lol).

Thanks goes out to...Little House on Clinton /We Love Ya Like Cooked Food. For catering and saving me a plate. I'm STILL full off of that good grub.

Thanks goes out to...Stephanie Mei-Ling, & Rich Louissaint. For playing "paparazzi" for the event. Hold on to those pics, there's future stars in 'em.

Thanks goes out to...All the DJs. Especially Goldfinger, Spinna, and Scratch for treating the "regular folk" to what the industry has been knowing for years! "B.I.G. Pimpin' -a Notorious & Jigga tribute" HAS to become a tradition! Serious! Melo-X you next up.

Thanks goes out to...the Sound Boys, S.O.S. & Overload. For hearing the frustration in my voice, and setting up ASAP the day of. My faith has been renewed.

Thanks goes out to... Keistar Productions. You saw the vision from the start that this could be something BIG, and you "Rock'd" w/ us all the way through. Gotta LOVE you for that alone!

Thanks goes out to...Fresh Daily, Theophilus London, Vice Lounge, Ray 6, Print w/Good Day Good Night, Jesse Boykins III, and Honey LaRochelle. You were ALL were picked for a reason and proved why. Ernie Gaines you're next up brother!

Thanks goes out to...Shadow Plastic. For the on point t-shirts and the 11th hr. projector. exclusive licensing right next year.

Thanks goes out to...Sallomazing & Ahficionado Blackocaine. You guys make hosting look easy. You guys where the secret un-billed act.

Thanks goes out to...All the spoken word artist and live painters. RIP (Writer's Block) you can through in the clutch. Yaz, Pesu, Fly Lady Di, etc.... You gave me a "Art attack."

Thanks goes out to...Fokused Empire State, Coup D'etat BK, Kiser & the BKC. For styling the DJ's and artists with the freshest of wears. BK fashion to the fullest

All a SPECIAL Thanks goes out to...Ashley Mui. Co-event producer, Stylistic Agent no.#1! For giving 110% toward the project. From the Bay to BK baby! They not sleepin' on you NO more. Honorary African-American Asian. Lol.

See you guys next year "Rock the Block BK '09" Wait till folks see THAT one.

"Flashing Lights" -Paparazzi Pics (Pt.77)

Better late than NEVER huh? Rasu (of Coup D'etat fame) took his turn behind the lens and licked off some shots of his own during the Rock the Block BK event two Saturdays removed. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE, seemed to enjoy themselves based on the smiles received during the (B.I.G. Pimpin')tribute. DJ Spinna and Scratch outdid themselves on the music tip. I had forgotten HOW MANY songs each one had. DJ Goldfinger also reminded folks why his STILL one of the best that's out there doing it! Don't stay away from BK for two years ever again Goldie...okay? Join us Fri. Aug. 29th for "FREE LABOR" at Tamboril in Brooklyn for even MORE fun!