Metal Leaves Studio

J Dilla Foundation Benefit in Brooklyn. [Donuts are Forever]

Yesterday the life and music of J Dilla was celebrated full force in Brooklyn. The tribute was orchestrated by DJ Metaphysic, Iverani. NobleStar, Drastic Measure, Jessica Estevez of iHEARTDilla.com, Fat Beats NY, The Bronx Museum, and Scratch Academy. 

Proceeds were given to the J Dilla Foundation. There will be an additional benefit tomorrow evening at The Bell House. 

Happy Holidays Detroit Style.

Obie Trice's album 'Special Reserve' drops today.  It is like you died and woke up in... Heaven.  Well, Detroit,  in the early 2000s-which could be viewed as Heaven or Hell, depending upon who you are talking to.

When I heard this album I felt like I had been thrown back to the days of driving around Fenkell and Woodmont- shouted at by lookouts, chased by prostitutes, dealers surrounding my car, cops  threatening me with the dogs. 

Why are all the fond memories surfacing? Because  Cheers was the soundtrack that accompanied me throughout these photographic journeys. And Special Reserve is a prequel to Cheers.

Although Special Reserve was released today, it is actually from a decade ago. It was a collab between Obie & MoSS that was created between 1997 and 2000.  Regardless as to when this was recorded, cop this album. [if you can find it] Music is manufactured for the masses, labels think they know what's up,  and musicians pussyfoot around what they are actually thinking. [in regard to lyrics]  

This album does not do that.  It combines vivid storytelling mixed with the stark realism of the streets.  The production is stellar, and adds a symphonic element in contrast with the raw nature of Obie's  grimy truth. 

MoSS used beats that some producers would shy away from. I heard a Beastie Boys sample break through On and On, and a cameo appearance on Roughnecks by  Deuce Wonder lends a haunting Peter Garbiel-esque sound to the song. 

And since this was created well before the newlyweds Mr.Rap and Ms. Rock got into bed with eachother on the Top 40, I have to give props to both MoSS and Obie for having the foresight to combine the two before it was deemed 'acceptable.' 

Reminiscent of Blow Up when Thomas states that the neighborhood is changing and that it has turned into '...nothing but...poodles,' if you haven't been within the Detroit City Limits during the past three weeks, take notice that you aren't in Kansas, anymore. 

Overnight the veils have been lifted. Construction has been completed, windows have been fitted, and permits granted. Florescent signs illuminate the night where burnt-out buildings stood in constant waiting, vacant yet stoic. The pawnbrokers are next on the agenda, to be replaced by garish Rent-A-Centers.

The process of removing these iconic treasures is killing me softly. Ten days ago it was the Lounge sign, a personal fave. The Star Motel- gone. Well, the only decent thing [you did when you worked as a postal clerk...] is MIA- the sign. Tiger Stadium? Demolition complete. I watched that disintegrate as they finished tearing that down this fall.

Yesterday a flock of geese in signature arrow formation flew over the vacant parcel. When they return from their swank vacation in South Beach, [hello Delano!] they will barely recognize the place.

Metal Leaves Studio is excited to announce that our Fine Art Photography was featured at the 555 Gallery in Detroit. The theme of this show was 'The Greening & Sustaining of Detroit.'

The exhibit featured pieces that exemplified Detroit, with emphasis on both urban and natural elements found within the city limits. This event was filled with an array of talent, including some unbelievable conceptual art.  The crowd was straightforward eclectic- which made for a seriously interesting evening.

Let's talk about: Jay-Z. From Marcy Houses to Madison Avenue, Jay-Z has established himself as a pioneer in the music industry, as well as in the business world. He has created an empire, adeptly shaping his future into what it is today. His rise from dealer to designer, and from emcee to executive seemed effortless. It wasn't. The price is probably higher than anyone could imagine.  

Growing up  [a few blocks away from me] in the war zone that was Bedford-Stuyvesant [The Livest One] helped Jay, at an early age, become desensitized to the pitfalls that would distract other contenders. From the age of four, he realized he liked the attention and the admiration of others. And he knew money could help make a hard life easier.

He probably never questioned whether he would attain what he set out to accomplish. It was simply a matter of when, not 'if.'  In the brief times I met him, he seemed very self-assured.  Not arrogant- just aware, knowledgeable, and certain.  When he makes moves, they are calculated, like a game of chess. 

He just keeps climbing. And climbing.  And climbing.  When its time for the takeover,  he will step aside and let someone else wear the crown. But it's difficult to kick the king off the throne. Checkmate

You had to give up the 'secret password' at the door.  The man catching your info looked straight outta The Adams Family and acted accordingly.  The password is...Coney Dog.  [it was not, but it probably should have been]

Escorts directed the attendees through a maze, into the private lounge.  Dimly lit, boss fifties decor, with locust branches whispering at the windows.  Magic.  The crowd was a mix of trendsetters and move-makers, the Suburbs meet the City, all under one roof.

Previously known as DJ Haircut around the Metro Detroit underground scene,  Hawthorne built a solid rep mixing hip-hop and whatever else fit.  This dj is more than a triple-threat;  stack his skills and you end up with a seemingly never-ending list of talent.  He raps, writes, croons, produces, and plays all his own instruments. Take that!

Mayer Hawthorne sauntered in, rocking a button-down sweater that most likely, only he- and maybe Bill Cosby- could pull off.  He came into town from LA to spin for a select crowd.  Positioning himself  behind the ones and twos,  Hawthorne spun lost greats and classic soul.  Ready, Steady, Go!  

Look for his album A Strange Arrangement to drop on September 9th, 2009.  Until then, familiarize yourself by ordering one of his fancy seven inch singles, pressed on red heart-shaped vinyl, and sealed with a kiss.  Just kidding about the last part...maybe.

The ghost faced, ebony coifed set gathered for the onslaught of Jack White's newest musical foray-            The Dead Weather.  This latest and greatest  was created by the former White Stripes front-man and includes Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Dean Fertita from Queens of the Stone Age, and Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs fame.

Nashville was the first to hear the announcement of the new band.  Word came through on seven inch vinyl and the invite-only crowd of one hundred fifty witnessed the big unveil.  It all went down at Jack's new business venture- Third Man Records. The album was recorded in less than three weeks, between jaunts to the gun range and the circus.  Horehound has a release date slated for July 14th.

The June 12th announcement of a 'surprise' show in Detroit  spread as quickly as a molotov on the East side and hipsters lined up to score tickets.  Some were seduced by the opening act, while others spoke incessantly about the current Phish reunion tour.  Everything stopped mid-sentence as they dismissed the lights.

Alison slid onstage under the cover of darkness, a panther stalking its prey.  She gazed at the crowd, circled around, then pounced! on the microphone.  Angry tirades competed with clashing reverberations; sounding like a vase hurling through the air, smashing into the wall- jagged shards everywhere.

Throughout the night, Jack and Alison played out like Bambi and The Hunter.  She took control of the stage- there is no question.  Jack seemed to disappear into the shadows, hiding behind his bass drum. But he provided the soundtrack which transformed her thrashing body into a wounded animal.

Despite the veil of hair that created a barrier  between her and the audience, Alison exhibited a treacherous stage presence. The delivery was restrained fury laced with sexy rage.  

Word on the street is that tension is transpiring among the heavy-hitters. The star-crossed pair shared the spotlight for a song. And although no thunderclouds loomed above, the wind; it was howling.