These 3 colour A2 prints are printed on Fabriano Accademia white 220gsm acid free stock, 4 guillotine cut edges.

They are available to browse from our on-the-rack store here, or direct from the PlayMoney Big Cartel site here. A steal at €40 (that’s around £35 in real money).

The people at PlayMoney are also doing a sterling job of establishing themselves as a tidy provider of some tasty casual clobber, again check them out at the BigCartel store here or follow them here on Twitter for regular updates/promos/releases etc.

Tupac Shakur already had his (excellent) big-screen film about his life, Tupac: Resurrection, nine years after his death in 2003; however, it’s taken nearly thirteen years for his greatest rival, The Notorious B.I.G. (AKA Biggie Smalls, AKA Christopher Wallace), to finally get his.

Read on:
http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/notorious2009

Boyz n the Hood (1991) (***** out of *****):

1991 seems like a long time ago now, but Boyz n the Hood is still one of the most thoughtful and realistic dramas about life in the ghetto that I’ve seen.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/boyznthehood

New Jack City (1991) (*** out of *****):

I really wish that I had seen this movie back when it was released in 1991 — I might have appreciated it a lot more. New Jack City, to me, just didn’t seem as “edgy” or as “ambitious” as it supposedly was back then; in fact, I thought it was characterized by hackneyed expressions and ideas. It did, however, have a very charismatic and respectable performance from Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown — an “Urban Tony Montana”, it would seem — and one of the most definitive Hip-Hop soundtracks ever to accompany a film.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/newjackcity

Juice (1992) (**** out of *****):

Ernest R. Dickerson makes his directorial debut with Juice, a story about four black youths living in a world of Hip-Hop and violence. For them, music and the dangers of gunplay are coincided.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/juice

White Men Can’t Jump (1992) (***1/2 out of *****):

White Men Can’t Jump was written and directed by Ron Shelton. It’s an enjoyable Comedy about two basketball hustlers (Snipes and Harrelson), who firstly compete with one another and then decide to join forces to con money from opponents on the courts of Venice Beach, California.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/whitemencantjump

Menace II Society (1993) (***1/2 out of *****):

The premise to Menace II Society is pretty much identical to that of Boyz n the Hood. One guy talks shit about some other guy’s mother, gets capped, then a bunch of bigger, badder American Americans serve justice via the bullets of their UZIs, and so on and so on.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/menaceiisociety

Friday (1995) (*** out of *****):

Ice Cube is not a good actor — in fact, he’s a pretty bad actor — and Friday doesn’t contain much of a storyline, either. But it’s a testament to the charisma of Chris Tucker as ‘Smokey’, the loud-mouth marijuana junkie, and John Witherspoon as the over-the-top father that Friday still manages to succeed with its audience. In most places, it’s quite a funny Hip-Hop ghetto comedy.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/friday

Higher Learning (1995) (***1/2 out of *****):

John Singleton’s Higher Learning deserves some respect for its exploration of a number of sensitive issues that many University students encounter at some point in their lifetime — some of which include institutional racism, rape, and the individual desire to be accepted. While some of the characters lack emotional complexity and the story at times may feel a little “preachy”, the film is still a pretty enjoyable and thought-provocative experience — one that’ll linger with you for quite some time afterwards.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/higherlearning

Gang Related (1997) (**** out of *****):

Tupac Shakur’s life (supposedly?) ended in September of 1996 and fans have been investigating the evidence ever since. The people are divided in debating whether or not the rapper/actor is still alive: Some are willing to accept the current facts that the star is no longer with us, while others are so intrigued by the references to today’s culture in his music that they have no definite answer as to where he is. The one thing that I’m sure they will all agree on, however, is that he was never really given the chance to develop his promising talents as an actor.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/gangrelated

Rhyme & Reason (1997) (**** out of *****):

There was a time when mainstream Hip-Hop music meant something. When DJs were considered to be the backbone; producers made beats that were experimental and innovative; and emcees fierily delivered lyrics that were politically, socially and party orientated all at the same time.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/rhyme-reason

In Too Deep (1999) (***1/2 out of *****):

In Too Deep uses the familiar premise of a cop going undercover in the gang world and then questioning his own morals. The obvious comparisons with Donnie Brasco didn’t really do it any favours at the time of its release, but that really doesn’t mean that it’s a bad film. A combination of intense atmosphere and sharp performances make this an intriguing slice of urban cinema.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/intoodeep

Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai (1999) (***** out of *****):

Let’s start by saying that Ghost Dog isn’t for everyone. Most will consider it a weird film, considering that it tracks a solitary African-American, Hip-Hop-listening assassin, who follows the ancient code of the Samurai. On top of that, he lives on the rooftops and has a fascination for pigeons; his best friend is also a Haitian ice-cream salesman named Raymond, who doesn’t even speak a word of English.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/ghostdogwayofthesamurai

Next Friday (2001) (*** out of *****):

Next Friday, the sequel to 1995′s weed-smoking buddy-comedy Friday, may not have Chris Tucker as part of the cast, but it still manages to be just as idiotic and un-PC.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/nextfriday

Training Day (2001) (****1/2 out of *****):

Training Day is easily the most entertaining and fascinating movie regarding police corruption that I’ve seen. Rappers have been screaming about dodgy law enforcement dealings for years in their songs, but none will tarnish the reputation of the LAPD as much as this entry within the mainstream movie world (if that is at all possible, of course).

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/trainingday

Scratch (2001) (**** out of ****):

You may yet be unappreciative of the art form of moving a vinyl record back and forth using various sophisticated techniques. Or you may already a great admirer and simply wish to know more about the historical development of scratching. Either way, Doug Pray’s documentary, Scratch, fascinatingly emphasizes the importance of the Hip-Hop DJ and the turntable as a musical instrument, charting the rise of the unique subculture since its creation in the 1970s.

Read on:
http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/scratch

How High (2001) (***1/2 out of *****):

Think The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on cannabis and you’ll have a basic idea about How High, a carefree stoner comedy starring rappers Redman and Method Man (founding member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan).

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/howhigh

8 Mile (2002) (**1/2 out of *****):

If hearing Eminem’s voice on numerous radio stations and music television channels wasn’t enough, director Curtis Hanson decided to create the rags-to-riches Hip-Hop musical 8 Mile to exhaust all mainstream possibilities and tell the world how great the white rapper is.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/8mile

Bomb the System (2002) (***1/2 out of *****):

Not since 1982′s Wild Style has there been a major film concerned with graffiti art. Why is that, you may ask? Well, creating such elaborate pieces of work on city property is often considered vandalism by many authorities, which is punishable by law. But “bombing”, as the artists call it, is about marking one’s territory and contesting others with an artist representation of the mind; it’s about communicating a social message in an attempt to gain respect on the streets. For them, it’s a lifestyle.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/bombthesystem

Biggie & Tupac (2002) (*** out of *****):

Perhaps the most unintentionally funny thing about Biggie & Tupac is British director Nick Broomfield cruising along the streets of New York to the sounds of Hip-hop act Gang Starr as if he’s some kind of pimp journalist out to save the day. The documentary, which attempts to uncover new information about the killings of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, plunges him into the heart of the Hip-Hop community, which he never seems quite so comfortable with, and results in him mostly making a prat of himself.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/biggie-tupac

Tupac: Resurrection (2003) (**** out of *****)

Narrated by Tupac Shakur, himself, Tupac: Resurrection is a very intriguing insight into the short life of the controversial, multi-platinum-selling rap artist who was brutally gunned down in 1996.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/tupacresurrection

The “N” Word (2004) (**** out of *****)

The “N” word is considered to be a touchy subject, particularly among black Americans, even today. Used in the derogatory sense to refer to black people, as well in eye dialect form as “nigga”, an informal slang term, there is cause for debate whether its common use in the modern day is right or wrong.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/thenword

Notorious (2009) (**1/2 out of *****):

Tupac Shakur already had his (excellent) big-screen film about his life, Tupac: Resurrection, nine years after his death in 2003; however, it’s taken nearly thirteen years for his greatest rival, The Notorious B.I.G. (AKA Biggie Smalls, AKA Christopher Wallace), to finally get his.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/notorious2009

The Notorious BIG – ” JUICY “

[Intro:]

(Fuck all you hoes) Get a grip motherfucker.

Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me
I’d never amount to nothin’, to all the people that lived above the
buildings that I was hustlin’ in front of that called the police on
me when I was just tryin’ to make some money to feed my daughters,
and all the niggaz in the struggle, you know what I’m sayin’?

Uh-ha, it’s all good baby bay-bee, uh

[Verse One:]

It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt’n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin’ pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock ’til my tape popped
Smokin’ weed and Bambú*, sippin’ on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember Rappin’ Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I’m in the limelight ’cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I’m blowin’ up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It’s all good

Uh, and if you don’t know, now you know, nigga, uh

[Chorus:]

You know very well who you are
Don’t let em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many
’cause you’re the only one I’ll give you good and plenty

[Verse Two:]

I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach
And I’m far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way
The Moet and Alize keep me pissy
Girls used to diss me
Now they write letters ’cause they miss me
I never thought it could happen, this rappin’ stuff
I was too used to packin’ gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like butter played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin’ life without fear
Puttin’ 5 karats in my baby girl’s ears
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool ’cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it’s still all good

Uh…and if you don’t know, now you know, nigga

[Verse Three:]

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this
50 inch screen, money green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
Phone bill about two G’s flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that
And my whole crew is loungin’
Celebratin’ every day, no more public housin’
Thinkin’ back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac’ with minks on her back
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay
Uh, damn right I like the life I live
‘Cause I went from negative to positive
And it’s all…

(It’s all good)

…and if you don’t know, now you know, nigga, uh
Uh, uh…and if you don’t know, now you know, nigga
Uh…and if you don’t know, now you know, nigga, uh

Representin’ B-Town in the house, Junior Mafia, mad flavor, uh
Uh, yeah, a-ight

If you know anything about the culture you know what happened on this tragic day back in 1997… R.I.P. The Notorious B.I.G.

Here are some non radio joints I picked out for ya….Enjoy!!!

If you know anything about the culture you know what happened on this tragic day back in 1997… R.I.P. The Notorious B.I.G.

Here are some non radio joints I picked out for ya….Enjoy!!!

Diddy has out done Diddy, WTF???

Have you heard about Diddy’s newest joint Last Train To Paris soundtrack. It’s the sh*t and we ain’t even frontin’. It’s been a while since Diddy has really put out some music you wanna claim Hip Hop and ride down the streets of your hood Blasting the tune. But this has Bigge sample up in it and Diddy, it’s dope!

Check the video directed by Hype Williams, one of the best video directors for this generation………

Check Diddy at his party at MGM Vegas a few days back, What Happen in Vegas goes on the Net!!!

Pics Courtesy of  WireImage/Getty

The Notorious B.I.G. still packs a big impact

It starts with the flow. Distinctive, effortless, raw, unmistakable, and not to be fucked with—a legendary combination. There was no missing Biggie on a track, until we were missing Biggie on the tracks. Then there were the raps: “Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant…” and it just goes from there. And then there were the albums. His debut, Ready To Die (Bad Boy, 1994)? Classic. His second album, Life After Death (Bad Boy, 1997)? Classic. His third and fourth posthumous “Let’s-make-Puff-some-cash” albums? Um, okay. Not quite classic, but damn! Did you hear B.I.G. and Eminem on “Dead Wrong”? How $^%#&* dope was that?!?

Still, if you’re too young to (legally) sip champagne when you’re thirsty, there’s a good chance that saying you love Biggie is a little like Michael Jordan fans saying they love Bill Russell. You’ve heard about how great he was—but do you really understand? Ånd basing everything you know about Biggie Smalls solely on his biopic Notorious (Fox Searchlight, 2009) doesn’t exactly cut it either. In order to say you love Christopher Wallace, you need to feel the power of his presence, see all that he contributed to the culture and understand what made other people love him so much. In other words…it’s 2009, folks, get your YouTube on! Or just keep reading. ’Cause if you don’t know, now… you can just press play.

Writer: Chris Yuscavage

Click here for the full story.

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• Movie Review | ‘Notorious’: A Rapper’s Tale, Larger Than Life (movies.nytimes.com)
• Notorious soundtrack jumps to #4 on the Billboard charts (idiomag.com)
• Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary life after death (thestar.com)
• Chris Ryan on the new biopic of Notorious BIG (guardian.co.uk)

HAD TO SNEEK A QUICK MONEY SHOT…!

Javier Nuniez & Steve from FRANK 151 chillin’.

Daniel C. & Nick T.

SUCKA FREE!

Came across this in the blogosphere and once I checked this out properly I think its a Dope project, Kenzo Digital  has produced an “Hip Hop Opera” with the narration coming from only vocal samples

“City of God’s Son” is an experimental hip-hop opera starring Nas, Jay Z, Ghostface, Biggie Smalls, Raekwon, Samuel Jackson, Delroy Lindo, and Laurence Fishburne. It is a crime drama/coming of age tale of three fictitious characters growing up in a crime ridden mythical city in a jungle. This project explores the icon of the gangster in modern media, and weaves musical history and gangster film history into an operatic music based story of brotherhood and survival. An homage to 90’s New York hip-hop, “City of God’s Son” is the redefinition of the remix. Featuring legendary soul singer Joe Bataan”

The project is free to download @ City of God’s Son

Check out the preview above,  interesting concept which I think could applied to load of different mediums. This year I wanna make a big effort to learn more about animation, imagine a cartoon sample from making up a story… might work, anyway peace! Code