more of the shit i grew up on.

The Temptations: David, Otis, Melvin, Paul & Eddie were some fly mothers back in their prime and shit, i'd even go as far as to say they could still get it today. Growing up, for a good portion of my life in Detroit, you're almost required as a right of passage into adulthood to learn, know & love all Mo-Town artists. These men where no exception. No matter what your favorite genre of music is today, i'll put all the money in my bank that you sing at the top your lungs every time you hear My Girl.




Ella Fitzgerald: Nothing & no one has made a deeper impact on me when it comes to the appreication of what it is to sing like Ella. This woman was a staple in my musical diet & still is, will forever be. The talent she posessed was out of this world. Something has to be said about a woman who can sing about taking the A-train & make it sound like the most amazing trip ever and making a heart wrinching break up a goal for the romantic in all of us.









Bay City Rollers: You can laugh all you want to but I happen to love me some Bay City Rollers. S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT!! De La got their Saturday idea from somewhere folks, they got it from somewhere. Edinburgh, Scottland is who we have to thank for this rather eccentric, loud, energetic group. You don't have to agree but you can't help but respect their claim to fame.







De La Soul: Speaking of this trio making up a part of The Native Tongues, De La is for the soul/from the soul. It's never a surprise to me that when out & about around this city, you can always here a De La joint. They're timeless, regardless of what anyone says. Stakes Is High has to be, without a second thought, on my top 15 greatest albums of all time. Big Brotha Beat ft. the most high, Mos Def & the song matching the album name Stakes is High produced by the late, great J.Dilla are my 2 favorite tracks. To this day, Stakes Is High can & will get anybody hype.De La will forever be a part of my musical fuck feast.





Curtis Mayfield: Before I knew what the fuck a diamond in the back meant, I wanted it. Curtis makes you want to love & be loved. Aside from his smooth & sensual voice, he played the sax, the piano, the drums, guitar & bass. Multi-talented, a father to 10 & a loving husband, he will be forever missed & cherished.

add. comment. do your thing.

peace.

-fresh.

why i love miami.

you'll have to excuse my m.i.a status for the past

month or so. life can get hectic & what have you.

now, on to the reasons why i dig this city.

i've found, that contrary to popular beliefe, miami
is a city rooted deep in the arts. Miami isn't just a

city full of club going, fake bodied, bleached beach

goers who live off of trust funds & daddy's money.

There is an underground of artists that run this city;

be it dj's, singers, producers, song writers, graffiti artists,

painters, etc.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know some of these
local artists very personally over the 5 plus years i've
lived in miami. Their work is full of passion, energy &
appreication for the talent they pocess & the city they
call home.

----THE ARTISTS-----

Yvonne: www.myspace.com/elusiveyvonne.
Miami's dirty little secret has been making huge international waves. From the underground to the mainstream, Yvonne is sure to turn Miami's dance scene, as well as the world, on it's ears. Her new album Silent War: International features mixes by DJs from Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Columbia, France and plenty more. Mixing dance with pop and a little bit of funk & soul, Yvonne's music is a pulsating, energetic mind fuck. And who doesn't love a good mind fuck?

DJ Wasabi: www.myspace.com/djwasabi305

Spinning an open format, DJ Wasabi leaves the door open for new oppurtunities. Doing his thing for a decade in Miami, he has the ability as well as the energy to keep your mind vibing and your soul floating all night long. Mixing pounding afro beats with smooth jazz melodies is one of his many talents. The variety of music along with what seems like a neverending mental library of tracks & beats is almost unbelieveable. Never in a rush, never selling out for the money or the fame, DJ Wasabi's love for the music spreads through the audience like wildfire. Currently, he spins weekly: Thurs. - Jazid Lounge on Washington Ave. Sat. - Mama Juana's Cafe in Coral Gables. [updates & most current shows are always up on his myspace].

ABSTRK: http://www.abstrackclothing.com/

A graffiti artist first & foremost, ABSTRK has most defintely made a name for himself in the county of Dade and beyond. ABSTRK can be seen, or rather his art, can be seen from ATL to the Deep South of FL. Mixing classic elements of painting & drawing with the pure passion of the streets, you are never left unimpressed by his artwork. As VP of Abstrack Clothing, the future as well as the present, holds big things for ABSTRK.
[ http://www.miamigraffiti.com/writer.php?id=abstrk&p=1 to see more of his work ].

Lebo: http://www.lebostudios.com/

Known for his heavily Cuban inspired influences and vibrant colors, Lebo could be called the eyes of Miami. His work speaks volumes to the masses. Even the most uneducated of people understand the message in his work [not to insult or downplay him in any way]. We can see his work all over the city, from the parking garage on 2nd ave. downtown to various spots in the Design District & Wynwood to the walls of Jazid lounge and beyond.

Ganas: http://www.ganasart.com/
I met Ganas at an event for Vans in the Design District a few years back. He had a newport hanging out of his mouth, an almost completely bald head & I was curious as to why he was surrounded by 7 or 8 people when he wasn't saying a word. His work is deep, some of it expressing very painful times in his life yet, always beautiful. Ganas is a graff head as well but these days he focuses more on the canvas as well as murals for homes, business', etc. His OG California style has defintely made it's mark on Miami.

JIVE: http://www.myspace.com/31256046

My brother from another mother, JIVE has been decorating the streets of the MIA since he was a young one. Using anything that makes a mark, he'll never hesitate to leave his stamp on the city & eventually, the world. JIVE's work can be seen from WPB (West Palm Beach) to the Keys. I'm almost positive that if you've been a resident of Miami for longer then a few days & aren't blind, you've had the pleasure of being visual masturbated by JIVE.








Miami is a city that brings out the best in a person, if they know where
to look & how to open themselves to it. I love this city more then i let
on. While i'm a north eastern girl 'til death, the south, Miami in particular
has stolen a piece of soul forever.



-fresh.