Not Drugs – Art, Graffiti, Music and Culture for the Almost Grown-Up

West Coast rapper Murs, of Living Legends decent, has given himself quite the task for 2010. He had a rough and bitter breakup with the Warner Brothers record label (which lasted all of one album) and believes he has something to prove this year. He’s already put out a couple of tracks, teasing us with this sophomore collab album with 9th Wonder, that’s supposedly coming out sometime this year. Here’s Murs to speak for himself about the year to come.

And here’s one of the tracks that Murs and 9th Wonder leaked called “The Problem Is”.

Ever wonder what would happen if the Statue of Liberty had been issued an eternally replenishing color-altering paint brush? Yea it’s been a while since my last trip too.

But here’s an idea from the globe trottin Mr. Brainwash.

(being released tomorrow at 3pm EST)

In 2001, when J Dilla was venturing away from Detroit Hip Hop trio Slum Village, up and coming spitster eLZhi was gaining some attention from the industry, specifically T3 (one third of Slum Village). He had a couple of tracks floating around with some other artists, but it was eLZhi that got invited to guest star with a couple of verses on some Slum Village hymns. Even though Slum Village never planned on introducing a new member to the group after Dilla left, eLZhi just, kinda, ended up taking the vacant spot, and soared from there.

In 2008, eLZhi came out with his debut album, The Preface, which was produced entirely by another Detroit native, Black Milk. That album, for me at least, easily placed into one of the top spots for album of the year. His wordplay was off the charts, and his pace was in constant attack-mode. Black Milk’s beats only influenced the dopeness of this set of tracks. This following track is off the album and it features another Motor City brethren, Royce Da 5′9″. It’s called “Motown 25″ (and yes, our audio DOES in fact work!).

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Now, I kinda lost track of him for a bit, but at the end of this past year, he dished out this unmixtape called The Leftovers. The same intensity, the same wordplay, and my man-crush developed all over again. If you haven’t caught wind of this dude, here’s The Leftovers UnMixtape, for free to download. Just get it at Elzhi’s website.

And to make the unmixtape that much more enticing, here’s a video from one of the songs called “Deep”. Watch this talent flow like it hasn’t been done before.

Detroit Rap City.

Dwb.

Each year The Roots put a picnic in Philly with a whole bunch of artists. Not Drugs’ loyal/#1 fan TShea went last year and said it was down right bananas. The Roots teamed up with Public Enemy to throw down some down right filthy renditions of tracks off of It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. So here’s ? himself tellin us who’s playin this year, and what bonkers collab The Roots have in the works.

I was watching ESPN the other morning, and I saw this.

Number 1, ESPN has no reason to be discussing this.

Number 2, Skip Bayless should never be allowed to even talk about this. Ever.

Number 3, Wale, what are you doing? Please go back to puttin out raw mixtapes and not overproduced/overamped albums.

Number 4, Lil Wayne? Really? Ugh.

But now I’m thinkin…who’s on my list? Well, I’m gonna tell you, but not before I issue an open response to everyone reading now, to also list a top 5 rappers of all-time. Now, some of you who read this aren’t long time fans of hip hop, or just recently got into the game. That’s okay. I still wanna see your list. State your status (your brief history or long time service with the hip hop game)  then your list. No judgement, just crtique.

Here’s mine, in somewhat of an order:

————1)Escobar————————-2)Makaveli———————3)The Abstract———–

—–4)The God EmCee————–5)Pretty Toney-———–

I could explain why I chose them, and why in that order, but I won’t, unless you give me yours. Then we’ll discuss.

Talk to you soon,

Dwb.

Part 2 of  the search for that spring style.  I’ve been looking at different fashion sites, blogs and showings all day.

I’ll throw up some of the stuff I found.  I encourage you to search for ya’ own style.  Everything you are about to see is just some shit I might enjoy rocking.

First check out this dope video from Triumvir Spring 2010 Collection, entitled “Divided We Fall“.

TRIUMVIR – 2010 SPRING “DIVIDED WE FALL” – ROUGH DRAFT from BRANDONUS on Vimeo.

There’s a feel to this line that makes me think of like mid-90s California.  Dre.  ‘Pac.  Snoop.  Ain’t nothing but a “G” thing.  The whole she-bang-a-bang.  Here’s two of my favorite pics from the line:

You can see much more of the stills HERE.

I’m also thinking of submitting…giving in…just saying, “Yeah, alright, I’ll cop those.”

Basically, I’m talking about finally surrendering, and grabbing a pair of Nike Dunks.

This is the new “Wallenberg” from low-top designer Bob Kronbauer, for the Nike SB series.  They were inspired by the Raoul Wallenberg Alternative School in San Francisco, CA, an institution that is famous for the role it played in the early ’90s skateboarding scene and, to an extent, today’s scene.

There’s something rather classic  and simple about the shoe that catches my eye.  A bright aesthetic that doesn’t try to say too much.  It just is what it is…and I dig that.

Keep it tuned for Part 3 tomorrow.  Sunglasses and skateboards promised.

One.

So if you know anything worth knowing about this here internet then you’re well aware of the very cool, very viral video that Ok Go made a ways back. You know the one where they’re all dancing on treadmills.  But you may not have seen there next crazy video aptly titled WTF?.  As someone who’s into graphics and shit I’m real down with that second one.  But no matter what your flavor is you’re gonna be dazzled by their latest music vid.  I won’t even spout shit about it, just check it:

It’s coming.  Spring time.  A Ring-a-ding time.  Spring-time. A ring-a doo.

Yeah… I sang that shit.

So, when spring time rolls around, it usually means it’s time for me to up my gear.  New clothes, new shoes, new hats(Red Sox), new everything.

So, today, tomorrow, and Sunday, I’m going to be presenting some items that I believe I’ll be purchasing.  Mostly stuff I could cop and wear just so I could say: “Whaaaaaat.  You ain’t up on these new (insert item here)?  Damn.“  And then I’ll walk away.  If you happen to grab something really dope, feel free to repeat said phrase to me.

As far as clothing, I’m going after some of this Adidas “Originals by Originals” Kazuki Spring/Summer 2010 line.  I ‘d say the clothing is pretty fresh to death, while also being fairly simplistic in it’s style, too.  I like that: edgy, but not to showy. Dig:

You can dig on more of this and few other heavier pieces from the line here: PART ONE. & PART TWO.

Now, I didn’t ever really think I’d be the cat to say: “Hey, check out my new Gucci shoes.”  I don’t think I ever could be that guy.  However, I think these are just too hot for me to pass up:

I caught these joints in GQ’s “This Spring’s Must-Have Accessories” article.  Hit that link to catch more of it.

Maybe some Sperry Top-Siders from Band of Outsiders?

It’s called District B-13.  Yeah, it’s French but don’t hold that against it because it’s sick as shit.  The big hook is that the main hero is played by this dude David Belle who apparently founded parkour. That and it was written by Luc Besson, the dude who gave the world Fifth Element and all three Transporter movies.  The sequel, District 13 Ultimatum, comes out on DVD next month.  So if you like action, or parkour or just sweet movies then peep this shit!

I don’t have much to say, but I don’t have nothing to say. Basically, this post is meant for one purpose and one purpose only…

…to get rid of that annoying music. Newberg gave us a challenge, to post as much as we could in order to rid us, and you, of the music that plagued Not Drugs. And with this post, victory has been taken. Thank you Newberg, with how annoying the song was, is how much we have succeeded.

So in triumph, I give you, well, “Triumph” (performed by the Wu Tang Clan).

Throw up them W’s.

Dwb.

**UPDATE** – Winn beat me to the post that got rid of the song. But still we declare Victory. ODB R.I.P.