Tyla- The Creator Interview

A few weeks back I was introduced to a new collective out of Los Angeles called Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All.  After a few minutes of watching their videos I had to pick my jaw up off the ground and hunt down whatever music of their's I could. Listening to them, it felt like a changing of the guard. It was the same feeling I had when I first heard Suicidal Tendencies self titled album all those years ago.  After listening to BASTARD by Tyler the Creator, and EARL by Earl Sweatshirt I knew I needed to track these guys down and find out more. Everywhere I went they seemed to be a bit of an enigma. Everyone loved their music but nobody knew anything about them other than that they were excessively skilled at their craft, offered an excitingly fresh perspective to the stale as zombie fart hip hop scene and they were young. After a few attempts to reach out via myspace and facebook, Tyler got back to us and we shot some emails back and forth to create the following interview. 

SYFFAL: Introduce yourself to the readers, tell them a bit about your history, how you came up, etc.

Tyler: I'm Tyler, I Sell Weed To Minors, And I Make Music In My Spare Time. I Came Up In A Very Big Family, Mother Was A Teacher, Father Was A Firefighter, Little Sister, And My Dog Steve. I Took Piano Lessons At The Young Age Of 7, And Started Writing Poems At 10.

I'm Lying, I Have No Father, My Mother Was Single Parent TIll I Was 15 When She Bounced Up North Without Me, I Taught Myself Piano At 14 And Started Rapping At 7 Because I Fucking Sucked At Sports.

SYFFAL: OFWGKTA is the collective give us a brief introduction to each of the members of the group.

Tyler: Tyler's The Head Drug Dealer. Wolf Haley is The Evil Voice In His Head.

Hodgy Beats Is His Right Hand Man, Along With His Brother Left Brain.

Earl Sweatshirt Is Tyler's Young Brother, Dealing Drugs To The Younger Crowd.

Domo Genesis Handles The Money. And Mike G Is The Look Out.

SYFFAL: How did you guys come together?

Tyler: Most Of Us Met In School And Just Skating Around. Selling Drugs And Doing Real Bad Hoodrat Shit

SYFFAL: Since we all are creations of our influences How would you describe your sound and how do you feel they come across in the music you create?

Tyler: My Sound Is Like: A Mosh Pit At A Jazz Concert. Or Like, Hitler Fucking Dr. Suess.

SYFFAL: I saw you listed Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti as one of your favorite groups, which is also one of my favorite albums this year. What other new artists are you checking for?

Tyler: Ariel's Pretty Old, But Overall. I'm Fucking With Toro Y Moi, The New Nite Jewel EP Is Swagged Out, And Those Odd Future Guys Are Fucking Legit. And I Love Justin Beiber

SYFFAL: As a larger group I’m sure the creative process is a bit rougher than a solo artist or a duo. How does it work for you guys?

Tyler: well for one, we're all solo artists. we just run together. and we just let shit flow, the first thing that comes to our heads goes down on paper or on a keyboard. we're lucky that people like the shit.

SYFFAL: You mention a few times on BASTARD that you dont get fucked up. Is there any reason behind that, have you gone straight edge like Ian MacKaye?

Tyler: I Dont Need Drugs. Except For Albuterol, Predinisone And Ritalin.

SYFFAL: One of the things I found most refreshing about you guys is that you tend to thumb your nose at the establishment, the 40 year old rappers talking about how much money they have, etc. How have you found the response to be from established artists?

Tyler: I Dont Know, Prolly When i Make Alot Of Fucking Money, Ill Buy Rims And Chains And All That Dumb Shit, So, If You Look At It, I'm A Hypocrite In Progress 

SYFFAL: Most of the people I talk hip hop with are old fucks like myself, who got really into the music during the late 80s and early 90s, they all seem to share the opinion that hip hop has gotten boring as shit, there are no real risk takers, everyone falls into one of like 5 sounds, its not even that dudes are technically bad, they are just boring. It would be intersting to get the opinion of a younger artist, especially one who is making the type of music we have all been craving (Those same old fucks that bitch non-stop are geeked on you guys and the energy and vibe you bring).

Tyler: Music Sucks Now. The Only Rap Shit Out Now Thats Fucking Swag Is Waka Flocka, Lil B And OFWGKTA. Seriously.

SYFFAL: Where do you see it all going, you guys are obviously a self contained unit, with tons of talent, the videos are fresh, the music is great, there is a lot of talk in the music and the videos of skating, even sponsorships. What does the future hold for Odd Future?

Tyler: Who The Fuck Knows. I Want A Grammy, And Nice House, Trampoline, Mini Ramp, A Cat named Wolf, A Lifetime Supply Of Bacon And Cinnamon Toast Crunch. And Motor Scooters For All My Friends. In Order To Do That I Have to Work Hard And Stop Jacking Off And Yelling At People I Dont Know.......And Work Hard...er.

Lightning Round:

SYFFAL: Who would win in a fight, circa 1985 Motley Crue or the new A-Team?

Tyler: Eh, Motley Was Gnarly, But These A-Team Niggas Have Guns

SYFFAL: Diary of a Madman by Ozzy or Diary of a Mad Black Woman by Tyler Perry?

Tyler: Ozzy. I Fucking Hate Tyler Perry. FUCK TYLER PERRY

SYFFAL: Have you ever had sex while listening to your own music like one Jamie Foxx?

Tyler: No, But Numerous Kids Have Told Me They Lost The Fucking V Card To VCR/BLOW. So Swag Me The Fuck Out. 

SYFFAL: Using the LeFevre scale what would it take for you to kill Justin Beiber - A Hot Pocket, World Peace or Something inbetween?

Tyler:  Nothing. I Love Justin Bieber. No Homo.

SYFFAL: Anything you want to promote?

Tyler: HATE. And GOLF WANG FREE EARL CULT SHIT. Fuck Steve Harvey.

Check out Tyler's album BASTARD HERE

Check out Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All HERE

With just 8 days till Tyler’s new album Goblin gets its release in the UK we now have snippets of what you can expect to hear from the much anticipated project.

Stream above, let me know which track you’re most looking forward to hearing in full. Pre Order on iTunes here.

1. Goblin
2. Yonkers
3. Radicals
4. She
5. Transylvania
6. Nightmare
7. Tron Cat
8. Her
9. Sandwitches
10. Fish
11. Analog
12. BSD
13. Window
14. AU79
15. Golden

Deluxe

1) Burger
2) Untitled 63
3) Steak Sauce

INTERVIEW: JACQUI MCGRATH TALKS TO HUSKY BROWN

Husky Brown was in London this weekend and we thought we would talk about his feelings about Street Art. Husky won the 2010 Belton Award for his amazing street art and exhibitions. His name his becoming a global mark at the moment for this up-rising artist and his graffiti Bohemian signature paintings have standing ovations from many artists and celebrities who purse to see Husky Brown's collections on show.   

Above: Work by Street Artist Husky Brown, UK
© Photography by Jason Keane 

Every time I travel or exhibiting it’s always good to have a strong team in the camp. I’m very fortunate as a Street Artist to spend a lot of time with talented individual musicians from around the world today. On location or passing through cities for escapism, enlightens how I feel about not conforming to normal living expectations as an Artist. Early mornings and late nights painting dirty cold walls, hoping the daylight will change the mood of the finished mural or gallery pieces for the people to recognise my signature. You have to be totally risky to survive and if you have aerosol skills, it's vital to use this gift in art too reach and get your message out there.

Sometimes one artist may follow the path to be controversial; doesn’t mean its good art!

I love the streets for the platform of recognition and life interpretation. The streets are like millions of Simon Cowell’s watching you waiting to see you slip-up. You have to choose your walls wisely and be totally channelled into that one piece of work before moving on. You can’t afford to do non-sense, I'm against this having ago attitude you get from some kid who just stole some paint and thinks the streets going making him become the next big thing.  It's a disease for the weak minded and disrespectful to true street artists who take this seriously. 

Above: Work by Street Artist Husky Brown, UK

© Photography by Mary Williams 

I was speaking to some children in a school last week and he mentioned he watched Exit Through The Gift Shop. Just many including myself he though it was cool’ to spray some illegal walls. His interpretation of the film didn’t teach him the rules, but instead, the child missed the most important message in the documentary and that employment in a career in street art may take up to over 10 years before the streets say you have graduated with honours.

As a Street artist from the UK, I lost and gained friendships for being into this mad world of Art and without doubt my twelve years resume on record clearly illustrates the hard work for me not too sit back and be safe. 24 hour career...however blame it on the love and addiction! - Husky Brown

Website: www.huskybrown.com

Find Husky Brown on Twitter

FASHION: Husky Brown

HUSKY BROWN SPY WEAR COLLECTION GOES ONTO THE  HIGH STREET 

Article by Charlotte O’Reilly  - Fashion Weekly

Posted: Jay 

Husky Brown Spy wear designer glasses hits the high streets today with fantastic reviews.  Husky has been in London this week and really becoming an iconic fashion figure for his style and eccentric image, as well has being a big name in the art world for his graffiti paintings on exhibition. To describe Husky with a few words would be difficult due to his loud party lifestyle and the company of his surrounding friends and fans. This week at the 2011 Brits Awards, Husky seen behind the stage drawing on a rock bands drum Kits with his thick black graffiti markers. Rumours have said that the drum kit belongs to drummer, but the truth as not yet been revelled.

When you look at many street artists from the UK, it’s amazing to see graffiti art become intertwine with music and fashion over the last 10 years with popularity. Husky Brown has taken his art skills onto a radical direction for a new range of eye wear to his heading. Fashion enthusiasts from around the world posted on the website www.loookbook.nu have been wearing seen taking photos wearing shoes and various limited edition merchandise designed by Husky. His new latest designer eye wear collection; Spy Wear reaches the top views on the high streets has a must have item for the summer. 

Article by Charlotte O’Reilly  - Fashion Weekly 

Ozwald Boateng interview

above: Sammy modelling Ozwald Boateng bespoke suit in London 

“I’ve known Sammy for a long time, thanks to my brother Spiritual who introduced me to him personally. My brother lives in London and he’s on the scene, Sam has some cool parties in London and his fashion work his stylish. Sam is a talented individual and sets trends for the right individual. Sammy started his own company, I believe somewhere overseas and came back to England to work with Ozwald and when I visit my London people I always try to see Sam on my visit. - Husky Brown 

Ozwald Boateng said...

It is our high notch lapel, available in store now! This particular jacket was a bespoke piece for Sam, but very similar cloths in the same style are always available.

find out more: http://ozwaldboateng.blogspot.com

INTERVIEW: Pharoahe Monch

Above: Work from  Artist Jeremy Geddes

Pharoahe Monch, This Means W.A.R. Interview




PHAROAHE MONCH INTERVIEW from DANTE ROSS NYC on Vimeo.


Line Em up:

PHAROAHE MONCH:LINE EM UP from DANTE ROSS NYC on Vimeo.



I put this together out of love for Pharoahe Monch’s talent. I’ve known Monch for more than 15 years and since the first time I heard him spit I knew how incredible he was. It’s interesting how we meet, it was due to a tragic occurrence the death of Paul C the talented producer who left the world way to soon. Monch and Prince Poetry were in a band called STP ( Simply To Positive) that Paul had produced. I liked they’re stuff and they went on to become theseminal group Organized Konfusion a few seasons later.
I always thought Monch and Organized Konfusion were outstanding. His level of rapping was always light years ahead of most and still is. Once upon a time I tried to sign Monch to my label Stimulated but he got away. I always wondered if the Loud the machine that was my distributor at the time would have gotten behind Simon Sez would he have gotten the recognition he deserved.
I saw him tear it down at this years SXSW I can’t wait to hear W.A.R the record he called unapologetically lyrical and the best cohesive lyrical record he’s ever done.


Pharoahe Monch doesn’t have a huge catalog, but his potency on the mic is immeasurable. As one-half of the ’90s underground duo Organized Konfusion, Monch and his partner Prince Po dropped three notable LPs beginning with their 1991 self-titled debut.
After the group’s last album, 1997’s The Equinox, Monch embarked on a solo mission two years later with the release of Internal Affairs on Rawkus Records. The album, led by its fiery lead single “Simon Says,” cemented Pharoahe as a top-notch lyricist and a force to be reckoned with. His next project Desire was released after a lengthy hiatus in 2007 on SRC/Universal Motown, but after he grew disappointed with the performance of the record, Monch refused to re-up with a major label.
This fall the Queens veteran will instead be dropping his upcoming solo LP, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), independently on his own company, W.A.R. Media, through Duck Down Records. It’s been three years since fans last heard from Monch, but the man is ready to speak so listen up or get the fuck out.
Husky Brown: It seems that over the past few years the term lyricist has taken on a negative connotation. As someone highly regarded for his lyricism, do you agree?
Pharoahe Monch: It has. We’re facing all of these different mind control issues where the powers that be are trying to shape what the up-and-coming artists think about the music sensibility of hip-hop so that they can have more control over it. But there is no bigger example of lyricists selling than Jay-Z and Eminem. But yet they try to push that, “if you’re a lyricist, then you can’t make viable music in the marketplace.” And that shit is a lie… And when that shit cuts through on the airwaves people are able to tell. Like Sean Price, or like Jay Electronica’s [“Exhibit C”] record cut through. When you hear them you got a whole city like, “What the fuck is this?”
Husky Brown: Yeah, it’s exciting to see lyric-driven hip-hop break through like that.
Pharoahe Monch: Now this is a beautiful time in music. I was doing it for a while, I remember a time when the major radio stations weren’t playing hip-hop at all and we were on WHBI and Mr. Magic and Supreme Team and listening to these stations for our hip-hop. I can hear the most commercial artists going harder right now at their skill set then they were five years ago because records are not selling and muthafuckas are like, “I need to put a better product out.” I give the credit to the fans that were like, “Yo, this shit has got to change.” Great commercial records and great pop records are great records. When they’re great, they’re great—I love them. When they are bad, then they’re bad and I hate ‘em. It’s the same thing with the underground.

New Opel Corsa Campagne 2011

DAIM & LOOMIT - interview (video) - painting for the new Opel Corsa Campagne 2011

DAIM ART PACK 1 ART PACK 2 ART PACK 3 ART PACK 4 ART PACK 5 ART PACK 6

INTERVIEW: 123 Klan

123 Klan interview

Probably all of you know 123klan and their work. With their significant letter and character style it`s easy to identify their pieces on the sites of the graff magazines. They never slow down and always keep themselves busy.
You can find them here http://www.123klan.com www.behance.net/123klanwww.flickr.com/photos/kingscien

What do you write and how did you start?
SCIEN & KLOR: Scien, i write since 1989 but i also like to change names to
practice other letters and styles,
like Rise or boom, Mrs Klor write since 1992. We both have started graffiti
end of eighties beginning of nineties, that time many places were blank,
especially in the north side of france (where we originally come from) of
course we had to paint illegal pieces and steal spraycans, it was too
expensive to buy paint and we didn’t get all those good sprays that
everybody use today, nor good caps as well. Time changed, thanks god for
Montana, alien, gold and molotow, it’s such a pleasure to paint with these
spraycans.

Where are you from/where do you currently live?
SCIEN & KLOR: We Originally both come from France Lille, we currently live
in Montréal.

Who were the first artists to inspire you the most? Do they still inspire
you?
SCIEN & KLOR: It was Skam, we discovered some B.BOys he did for a freind’s
fanzine back in 89, he was far away the best with Sanyo
that time. He became our friend quickly and he’s into 123klan as well. Today
he’s not painting that much, but he keeps it up and still create some
amazing artworks. Today with Internet it is very hard to tell you who
inspire us, there’s so much talented people… So we try to keep it up and
to do our own thing. If we have to name few people that we appreciate the
work, we would think of: Rime MSK, ROID, DEMS, Flying Fortress, Sune and
some classics, like Can2, Wane COD, Dondi.

What crews have you been part of?
SCIEN & KLOR: 3HC (3 HARD CORE) Paris, CNS (Checkin New Skillz) DDF Germany,
TAB (The Atomic Boys) and KD (KINGS DESTROY) NY

Up to this moment, what countries have you visited because of
graffiti/painting and which ones do you still want to visit?
SCIEN & KLOR: Well, we’ve been to Europe a lot, Mexico, U.S., Canada of course, Singapour,
Kuala Lampur, Australia. We never Been to Hong Kong and would love to go
there a day, to drop a piece of course but also for toys.

You’ve been painting for many years with Klor, how are you related to
her?
SCIEN & KLOR: We are married, for the best and the worst. That’s how it goes
right? We have 2 kids and we still rock some walls sometimes.

What is the feeling of having the opportunity to pay off the bills with
the things you actually love to do like graffiti and art?
Is it a sort of a dream job for you?
SCIEN & KLOR: Well we mostly make a living from Graphic design rather than
graffiti, but yeah we love our job, like graffiti it is very creative and
still interesting. So yeah it is a kind of “dream job” a certain way, even
if you have to work hard to keep it up.
Concerning Graffiti, it is where we learnt everything about “real” how to
get up with a name, how to front pb or beefs, but it also gave us the
opportunity to meet new people and to travel world wide, that’s the reason
why we want to keep graffiti as a hobbie and not a full time job. Graffiti
really balance our life, and we won’t let anybody to fuck this up.

What’s your opinion of street art?
SCIEN & KLOR: Do what you want to do, don’t mind about the rest.

Could you give any advices to the younger writers?
SCIEN & KLOR: Practice on paper first please, before to come over good
pieces on hall of fame…

At last, if you want to give some shout outs to somebody or simply say
something you can do it now.
SCIEN & KLOR: love is all! Style is the message!