• via audibletreats •

Souls Of Mischief’s Montezuma’s Revenge is out
today and the album is produced by Prince Paul.
You know what that means – Automatic Purchase!
The video for “Proper Aim” shows artist Steven Lopez
painting the album cover. Heat for your eyes and ears.
Enjoy.

∆

After almost a decade-long hiatus, Left Coast veteran crew Souls of Mischief returns today with Montezuma’s Revenge.

A-Plus, Tajai, Opio and Phesto recorded the album in the lab with none other than producer Prince Paul and long-time collaborator Domino. Apparently, they rented a house to isolate in order to focus on making the album.

[Paul] had concepts, and its good to have an outside perspective – it was a great process.

-Tajai

I checked it out briefly last night, and it sounds like their strategy paid off as this might be a late addition to my end-of-the-year list of best albums.

Head over to Amazon to pick up your copy, and be a part of the Souls resurrection. What, you thought I wasn’t gon’ make you work for good music? Ha!

Check out a video of illustrator Steven Lopez (he drew this picture of Erykah Badu) working on the sweet cover for Montezuma’s Revenge down below. I also provided a sneak peak with the lead single “Tour Stories” and a recent leak “Proper Aim.” Don’t say I never gave you nothin’!

Shouts to Hurricane for the MP3’s and Michelle for the video. Also, look for a HTT and HHIR collab coming to an e-hood near you soon. Enjoy!

Download: Souls of Mischief – Tour Stories prod. Domino

                      Souls of Michief – Proper Aim prod. Prince Paul

“How can such a big voice come from such a petite frame? Erykah Badu has had my ears since her first album. I remember in the summer of 1997 listening to her music. I had come off of long term relationship and it seemed like her music cradled my heart. I couldn’t tell if it was the summer heat or the melodies of her music that made me feel warm inside. Her album became the soundtrack to my life during that time. You know when that happens, you can’t help but reminisce about those days that once were. Surprisingly, her album releases have run parallel to all my break-ups except for this last one. With such an emotional charge from me through her music, it is only right that I pay homage to her. Thank you E Badu.”

                                                                                                                                                          Steven Lopez

Well, life is tough and Erykah likes charity, so she and Steven Lopez made 100 exclusive copies of “Amerikahn Promise”, signed them and put them out for sale. This print will appears in Lopez’ After Midnight art series which also include Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Tina Turner, India Arie, Sadie  and Aretha Franklin. Each signed print costs from $1000 to $3000 and you can get it only at: aftermidnightsoul.com. You even have to bid for the $3000 ones, so .. good luck and enjoy!

Check this out and find something familiar
myspace.com/erykahbadu

I got this news via Feministe from TowleRoad. It is not, repeat is NOT being covered by the cable/network news organizations at all. Why? Because (1) it’s a hate crime, reminiscent of the Black Dahlia sex murder in Los Angeles in the Forties (which by its nature WAS a hate crime against women); and (2) it occurred in Puerto Rico, a territory, a “commonwealth” if you will, that could also be called a colony of the United States. Christopher Pagan who is reporting on this case is updating the situation as it occurs at the link below.

From CNN’s iReport by Christopher Pagan (CHRISPAGANSJPR@GMAIL.COM):

[...]On November 14 the body of a gay 19 year old was found a few miles away from the town in which he was residing in called Caguas. He was a very well known person in the gay community of Puerto Rico, and very loved. He was found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso.

This is has caused a huge reaction from the gay community here, but it’s a difficult situation. Never in the history of Puerto Rico has a murder been classified as a hate crime. Even though we have to follow federal mandates and laws, many of the laws in which are passed in the USA such as Obama’s new bill, do not always directly get practiced in Puerto Rico. The police agent that is handling this case said on a public televised statement that “people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen”. As If the boy murdered Jorge Steven Lopez was asking to get killed. (Emphasis mine.)

We have a gay rights activist in Puerto Rico, Pedro Julio Serrano, who does his best to defend these hateful acts, but the international attention is needed for this local government to wake up and give us the needed rights and proper justice to such hateful crimes. You are the biggest beacon of hope in such horrific events to be made known.

The murder victim was Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, 19. The suspect, accompanied by his father, is 26-year-old Jose Bermudez. Here is what is said to have occurred to precipitate the murder.

Officials indicated how Jose Bermudez the accused explained that he went into the center of town in Caguas and then after making a few attempts to pick up a prostitute allegedly Jorge went to him dressed as a woman, and Jose invited him into his vehicle thinking he picked up a female prostitute.

He said that he did not know that it was really a man and they went to his apartment in Cidra, where Steven allegedly told him to have anal sex with him, which provoked anger in him and caused him to murder him. He also said that Steven tried to stab him, and that he armed himself with a kitchen knife and under a fit of rage he injured him, dismembered him, decapitated him and then later took his remains to Guavate where he was left.

Other allegations of the killer is that in 2003 he was arrested for domestic abuse and that in his youth he was molested and that is why he hates homosexuals. The authorities said that this case has been advanced and successful due to the cooperation of the local GLBT community. The agent Angel Rodriguez said that he is being interrogated and will be charged with first degree murder. He also indicated that he will submit another request to the federal judge to have this treated as a hate crime.

Later, Bermudez was arrested at around 11:30 p.m. last night, and accompanied to the police station by his father. He may be arraigned on a murder charge by the close of today. An investigation of the suspect’s home turned up a wig, a burned mattress, a burned PVC water pipe, and a knife in the backyard. Blood was splattered on the rear wall of the house. Two vehicles were also impounded. The FBI is also involved in the case.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the father is also involved as an accessory to dispose of the body parts, because it would take two people to do this kind of grisly work.

I’m going to say it: all murder is a hate crime, from that poor dear Shaniya Davis, to Derreon Albert, to Matthew Shepard, to this brave young man who had the nerve to be himself. In the U.S., the homosexual fear/self-defense angle Jose Bermudez is clinging to would be given short shrift. I would not be surprised if he is taller and heavier than Lopez. If Jose Bermudez was indeed raped as a boy by a child molester, then he was acculturated–erroneously–to hate gays. However, it’s still isn’t a viable reason to kill Steven Lopez. And Bermudez probably didn’t know or didn’t want to know who he was. The rage and confusion must have been as corrosive as Drano.

Bermudez doesn’t strike me as some kind of simpleton though. In most cities and towns all over the world, he must have known that there would be either women, transsexuals, or queens to be found at certain locations in town. That’s just street–and male–hearsay and knowledge. When Lopez offered him anal sex instead, Bermudez was furious. If he was genuinely tricked, he could have thrown the boy out. Instead, he probably started beating up the young man, because bringing Steven home, if not the act might make him “gay,” and that this information might get around and ruin his macho reputation. If Steven Lopez ever whipped out a knife, it was for self-defense and to get out of the house with his life. He had a lot of nerve for that, but not enough luck. That’s why I think Bermudez murdered this boy–because he had the nerve to defend himself and to be himself.

Liga mondiala de taekwondo WTF este numele structurii care organizeaza intalniri profesioniste intre sportivi de top din aceasta ramura a artelor martiale. Primul eveniment de acest gen tocmai s-a incheiat in Mexic. La eveniment au participat 16 sportivi castigatori de medalii mondiale si continentale, in patru categorii de greutate. Toti participantii au primit bani in functie de locul ocupat la sfarsitul competitiei, locul I fiind recompensat cu 20.000 de dolari. Competitia a inregistrat si o surpriza, favoritul Steven Lopez, care tocmai castigase pentru a cincea oara titlul mondial, a fost facut KO in finala categoriei -80 kg de tanarul Aaron Cooke (18 ani).

Today LOVE JUNKEE celebrates the birth of singer-songwriter Minnie Riperton. With a five-octave vocal range Minnie is best known for her ability to sing in the whistle register. She has influenced Mariah Carey, Deniece Williams, Shanice, and Chante’ Moore and has been sampled by Tupac, Tribe Called Quest, and Slum Village just to name a few. Sadly, we lost Minnie to breast cancer at the age of 31 in 1979. But with songs like “Lovin’ You,” “Inside My Love,” and  “Memory Lane” love will truly live forever. Check out this live performance of Minnie singing “Lovin’ You”…

How many of you have tried to hit these high notes?

The video below features the “After Midnight” Series, a collection of paintings by Steven Lopez. Combining his love for music and art he was inspired to create a series of paintings of his favorite female artists such as Sade, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and, of course, Minnie Riperton. All the paintings are dope, but this one is our favorite. Check it out…

Time lapse video of Minnie Riperton painting by Steven Lopez

As a graphic designer, I’m always looking for new ways to fuse typography with art. Here are some nicely executed pieces by Chris Wicks and Steven Lopez. I want to be dope like this when I grow up!

Speechless.

Dope.

]]> http://aftm.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/artwork-and-tracklisting-for-souls-montezumas-revenge/ Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:52:43 +0000 deadprezsociety http://aftm.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/artwork-and-tracklisting-for-souls-montezumas-revenge/

…the Oakland quartet, legendary Souls Of Mischief released their album artwork and tracklist today for their upcoming project Montezuma’s Revenge expected to drop December 2nd.  The artwork is done by artist Steven Lopez who   some may be familiar with from his work with Erykah Badu.  See more on Steven Lopez here.  This will be S.O.M.’s first album in almost ten years.  Here’s the tracklisting:

 Montezuma’s Revenge Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Won!
3. Postal
4. Tour Stories
5. Skit
6. Proper Aim
7. You Got It
8. Hiero HQ
9. Poets Skit
10. Poets
11. Mr. Freeman Skit
12. Fourmation
13. Dead Man Walkin
14. For Real Y’all
15. Lickity Split
16. Home Game
17.Outro
18. Lalala

Souls Of Mischief, the Oakland, CA quartet and members of the mighty Hieroglyphics Crew are very proud to announce the release of the artwork and track listing for their new album, Montezuma’s Revenge. The crew tapped artist Steven Lopez to paint a portrait of the group and album producer Prince Paul. Lopez is perhaps best known for his work with Erykah Badu. The album will be available December 2nd via Hiero Imperium Records.

Interview by:Tyrus Townsend

Steven Lopez’s background is similar to most American artists: love of art from an early age; family forbade him from pursuing his dreams; being bored in church and experiencing rejection early in life. But unlike most American artists he found his footing and now he’s well on his way to becoming a bonafide star. (interview after the jump)

I can not ignore the voice and sheer talent that Aretha Franklin has showcased. Let it be known that she is the quintessential Queen of Soul. Ive always enjoyed her popular songs such as, Respect, Think, and A Natural Woman. Such hits were created when she signed on to Atlantic. Her albums, Lady Soul and Soul 69 show how deep the woman can go.

When I got older I started looking back at her years when she was with Columbia Records. I was taken back to hear a different sound than what I was used to. I heard a strong jazz influence. I loved it! Songs like, Nobody Like You and Skylark are some of her best songs from Columbia. A deeper appreciation for her music came from my soul searching of Aretha. It was her Columbia years that I chose the song for this episode.

I was happy to have on board Dj Drez remixing her song, One Step Ahead. He gave it a little update that I find enjoyable and fitting to my style of painting. Drez has been a strong pillar in LAs Hip Hop culture and continues to push the sound to new levels. Having him on the After Midnight series is a blessing and a new direction.

to visit more of Steven Ater midnight series please visit the following link :

http://www.youtube.com/user/eyekeepmoving

Saw The Soloist tonight with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., I’m sure pretty much everyone has seen the trailer or heard the story but just in case. The Soloist tells the story of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr. (Foxx), a musical prodigy, Ayers developed schizophrenia during his second year at the exclusive Juilliard School for the Preforming Arts, dropped out, and became one of the 90,000 homeless living in the streets of Los Angeles. The film chronicles the friendship forged between Ayers and Steven Lopez, a writer for the Los Angeles Times. Lopez began writing about Ayers in the early 2000’s and his articles immediately  garnered enough attention to merit a book, The Soloist: A Lost Dream, An Unlikely Friendship, And The Redemptive Power of Music. I won’t give away the whole story, here is the trailer:

And here is a great 60 minutes interview from a few months back with the real Lopez and Ayers, pretty great to experience the real people in contrast to the film, also helps to appreciate the performances of Foxx and Downey:

The Soloist, was a great film, probably one of the first great films of 2009 (not including late 2008 Oscar Releases). Both Foxx and Downey gave incredible performances, very impressed. The film was quite dark in numerous places, but it would be nearly impossible to make a movie that delves into the troubles of homelessness and mental sickness without covering the darker side. Downey kept his sarcastic yet enjoyable personality, also quite prominent in Ironman and The Zodiac (where he also plays a struggling Newspaper columnist). The movie did three things really well, it clearly portrayed the difficulties of friendship, the hardships of homelessness, and the complexity of mental illness. From the beginning Lopez and Ayers have a strange relationship, at times you feel like Lopez is using Ayers simply to meet an editorial deadline, but their relationship progresses unimaginably by the end of the film. Their friendship is not privy to the hardships that all friends go through, they fight, they curse, frankly they piss each other off, but you can tell there is truly a bond. One scene that captures this, Lopez leaves his Saab in the street outside the homeless shelter (surrounded by prostitution and drugs), and lies down with Ayers in the hovel he calls home, yet he seems at peace. As Ayers drifts off to sleep resting on Lopez, a sense of calmness permeates the chaos around. The film also does a great job conveying the hardships of homelessness. As I previously stated, Los Angeles has over 60,000 homeless on the streets and some scenes really make you shudder. The area outside the homeless shelter is a barren wasteland of drugs, sex, crime, and of broken dreams. The casual “interviews” and interactions Lopez has with the poor, along with Ayers, really help you visualize how every person was once in a different situation, a better situation,  and how somehow they made a mistake which landed them in their present condition. Great, great images of the LA streets. The final aspect where I thought the Soloist greatly succeeded was with its portrayal of mental illness. Ayers was a happy lovable character one minute and plagued by fears the next. The scenes where the voices surrounded him (the beginnings of his disease) were so well done that sitting in the theater I felt myself growing agitated and nervous (along with Ayers), but in my case, these horrible voices were fortunately not permanent.

Overall this was a tremendous movie, not too long, it had an intricate plot, and Foxx and Downey gave  very special performances (I’m sorry but I cannot stress this enough).  I would  highly recommend it and even though it’s early, I would look for it to pick up some hardware in February.

Song of the Night: \’Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie and the Blowfish

Today Steven Lopez’s limited print of Erykah Badu drops exclusively to the public at aftermidnightsoul.com. The print is hand signed by Steven Lopez and Erykah Badu herself. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Badu’s non-profit, Beautiful Love Incorporated Non-Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D.), a charity organization she established to provide community-based programs for inner-city youth.

So, I tried contorting my face into this expression earlier today:

And it didn’t come out looking a quarter as powerful. Just kind of painful. And definitely stupid. Bit Sloth-y. And minutes later, it was enough to make me embarrassed while in my own solitude.

But Steven Lopez – artist I know not a single thing about – did it right the first time. So I’ll leave the act of depicting intonation, to he and his brush. 

“After Midnight” Series…

to a T…

Steven Lopez did prints of Erykah Badu and she signed 100 of them. These prints will be sold and part of the proceeds will go towards Erykah’s non profit Beautiful Love Incorporated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D.), established to create communityprograms for inner-city youth.

so sieht das fertige gemälde der künstlerin erykah badu aus, gemalt von steven lopez. das folgende video zeigt die entstehungsgeschichte des bildes.

neben erykah badu malt steven lopez weitere große ladys des souls wie z.b. tina turner, indie arie, aretha franklin, sade, chaka khan, jill scott, ….

I can’t tell you how cheesy my smile was when I first saw these prints. Steven Lopez is amazing!

Painter and former graffiti artist Steven Lopez

“After Midnight” series features: Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Tina Turner, India.Arie, Sade, Aretha Franklin and Minnie Riperton.

aftermidnightsoul.com