MAKE NO!SE – DJ 2-Tone Jones x DC Life Collection (Photography)

Introducing MAKE NO!SE – a new lifestyle multimedia series where I highlight (via highly stylized photography and video) DC area creatives, such as artists, musicians, and DJs, that are making noise within their respective crafts/industries.  Combined, these candid shots and video will tell two stories:

1.) How this person is building their brand
2.) The steps they take to create a branded project

In this first edition of MAKE NO!SE (photography by Rosina Teri Memolo and video by Opiyo Okeyo) supported by DC Shoes’ Life Collection, I highlight a DJ by the name of DJ 2-Tone Jones.  Check out the shoot below and click here for 2-Tone’s branded project – a mixtape inspired by the DC Life Collection…

Click the link for the full shoot:

MAKE NO!SE – DJ 2-Tone Jones x DC Life Collection (Video)

MAKE NO!SE – DJ 2-Tone Jones x DC Life Collection – Video.

Video produced by Opiyo Okeyo (Stellar Creative) – opiyo@restinbeats.com

PUTS ME IN THE ZONE…

The Scifen Company

Glad to see the homie Barmak’s return to the apparel industry with the evolution of his Scifen brand to The Scifen Company.  I used to rep his line along with a few others back in the day and due to the “politics of the business” he took some time to handle said business.

Congrats on the so fresh and so clean range and congrats also on your beautiful family!

Be sure to follow Scifen here and check out more line shots here:

Temporium – Recap Pics

Despite the 104+ degree heat in DC, the launch of Temporium went off well. The customization work AM Radio did to the bathrooms received some good praise, the designers stayed busy and everyone had a good time.

Big shout to the AM Radio artists for the quick turnaround and Philippa (Pinkline Project) for reaching out to us for the project.

Check the link for more pics:

Black Milk at Gibson Guitar Showroom

The show Eric and his Undercult squad put on at the Gibson Guitar Showroom was official.  Me being a Black Milk fan – I was hoping he’d hold it down and the Detroit area native did not disappoint as did the opening act – DTMD (thanks Yvette!)…and yep, that’s Jerome spinning with a broken arm.

Click the link for more pics:

Temporium – Progress 2

Stopped by Temporium on Sunday to check out the AM Radio’s progress and snapped some of shots of some of the other build-out taking place.

Click the link for more pics:

The Classics – REGGAE – Recap Pics

The Classics – Series 4: REGGAE was so cool.  Cool album covers, cool peole, cool music, and of course some cool drinks.

Anyone that missed out please enjoy of the pics and the cultural projects that have been developed (mixtape, interviews, video, etc…) and be on the lookout for JAZZ, which will be the last event in the album cover series.

Big shout to everyone that came out and super big shouts to Karim, Nicole, Victoria (Smirnoff), Kat (Lil So So), Akil (Akil Waite Events), Cherisse (Bordem Is  Dirty Word), Jerome (Stussy DC), Jeremy, Maiya and Simon (Lounge of III), Samiya and Janelle (Hostesses), Jef Tate, DJ Cerebral, and DJ 2-Tone Jones.

Click the link for more pics:

REGGAE – Carolyn Cooper

In addition the to the music and design oriented interviews I wanted to also provide a deeper understanding of West Indian and or Jamaican culture.

My initial idea was to research for a language expert and interview them about patois but after Jef Tate (albums used for REGGAE) put me onto Dr. Carolyn Cooper I decided I needed to expand my base of questions.

Dr. Cooper is a Jamaican born  professor of literary and cultural studies in the Department of Literature in English (Dept. head 2000-2003) at the University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica.  Dr. Cooper, whose approach is grounded in critical theory, is also a very accomplished author who penned the notable book, Sound Clash: Jamaican Culture at Large (“Sound and Fury”, May 2005 CRB).

Check out the read below:

Growing up, what and or who were some of the situations and people that shaped your personality and worldview?

It sounds corny but my mother was the major person who shaped my character.  She was a primary school teacher and she would bring her strap home from school.  In those days (the 1950s), Jamaican teachers and parents believed that they shouldn’t spare the rod and spoil the child.  My mother taught me discipline and how to make sacrifices to achieve long-term goals.  But she never stifled my development.  I was an unruly child who always got into creative trouble. 

REGGAE – History

Dean Fraser

Scientist

Burning Spear