EYE2025*

A-Alikes performing live tonight at S.O.B. w/ The Jungle Brothers #NativeToungesReunion

2012-02-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

FTP T-Shirt $20

2012-01-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

(Huffington Post Article): Hip Hop and the (Near) Future

2011-12-28T17:04:00.000-08:00

by eric j henderson

On being futuristic and tangible at once: "Ness" and EYE2025*

The Scene

Some artists strain to look deeply into the future to escape the perceived orthodoxy of the present.
Others might enjoy the close-up view, one that Chesterton would love, finding nothing "so perilous or so exciting as orthodoxy." In this edition of Art, The Arts, and Policy, I consider a hip hop artist who, with that spirit, falls somewhere between the present and the future. But first...

What Is The Future?

The future as we live it is unassailable for its quality of entertainment. I love it, going back to "Danger, Will Robinson!" But it's cliché in its aesthetic -- detached demeanors, supra-human aliens (who still need space ships?), everything colored silver (even our hair), and the whole world easily comprehended on a touch screen.

However, on this 2011 earth the report card on the expected future is, in large part, gray. Take our biggest current metaphor: the digital world. 70% of the people in this world are unconnected and the remaining 30%, particularly in so-called developed countries deal with service that is spotty, expensive, and slow . As the acknowledged summary definition of "the future," digital is a solid statement on our silver fantasy. It is at once real and overestimated when it comes to intrinsic progress. We spend our digital time mostly ....playing games and waiting on Christmas-timed form factors, "iPad now in white" being rendered not as marketing but as news.

Overestimating our connected selves is the modern signature of mass culture. I think this is a consequence of the 30% of connected folks setting the public agenda for conversation. So what? Well, this is the mindset that creates our real futures and, by definition, informs our art if only by forcing it to respond to mass culture.

But, I wonder what would happen if we could resist that momentum and reorient our thought on the future. What if our future weren't so digital, connected, green, local, sustainable (and five other hep words)... but still managed to be futuristic, and even human?

Here is where I find the conversation of a young hip hop artist by the name of Ness to be worth considering. He's all about the future, but not as we know it. He has a futuristic take on the near future; call it a space of 15 years.

Introducing the Futurist

Ness is a veteran of hip hop, having done global rounds as a member of dead prez and the duo A-Alikes, the latter being part of the larger RBG family of which dead prez is also a member. So you won't be surprised to find that his future is politically charged, but he's extended the urgency by bringing the future much closer.

He speaks with a voice that moves quietly in and out of the ether, but the delivery comes straight out of a monotone gravel pit flying at you like a 4oz glove from the octagon.

His idea? EYE2025*. It's a concept that turns out to be an honest postmodern response to the fake silver future. (Man, I know you hate that word, postmodern, and I do, too; so let's talk about it.) I mean postmodern in an amped up temporal sense -- i.e. postmodernity with postmodern flair, but I don't want to keep walking toward that rabbit hole ... so postmodern it is, just not in the overused art/academic sense where anything off the path can catch that label.

Case in point: Hip hop itself. I challenge Professor Gates characterization of hip hop in The Anthology of Rap as a "a postmodern version of the African-American vernacular tradition."

Can it really be postmodern? Having growing up in hip hop (before the b-boy and graffiti were united with it to form a movement, before we acknowledged a difference between rap and hip hop because both were still forming, and before we fully respected the art of a true emcee), I never saw it outside of the realm of clear and rational opinion on objective truth. Despite real forays into meaninglessness, hip hop has always preserved its core of actually being about something, and never about stairs that lead nowhere.

Even in the abandon of pure party lyrics (try "old school" cut As The Rhyme Goes On), there is a focus on moving the crowd, but also a cultural comment on blackness that never leaves peripheral vision. From here we gain a full definition of modern Americana by an art form still sometimes excluded from it. The measure of hip hop is not only "is it true?" but also how it accesses truth found in a distinctly American context. Wack emcees find that out every day. A beatdown is not postmodern.

Ness' postmodernism simply "comes after" and "responds to" our modern concept of both the future and of hip hop.

ENTER: Ness ...on a bicycle.

"I don't need paper. The rhymes stay with me as I work them out where I spend most of my time: on a bicycle."

The bike as vehicle is very "now," but his work is what dispels it as fad, since the only way to be hip hop on a bike is to just be yourself, with no apology, and bring heat while you're riding. You'd sooner see a guy without tight pants in Williamsburg, Brooklyn than a hip hop artist with a bicycle as his life's centerpiece. The Bentley is still a favored mode. But this countercultural move isn't the navel-gazing type. It comes off as conviction. I take it as that.

Occasionally, we see conviction bubble up to a movement when somebody has one strong enough that it magnetically draws enemies and friends with irresistible angst and empathy. Others -- the giant middle -- are drawn, too, but stop short at the uniform ... those pants and an nyc faux-toking on American Spirit cigarettes while riding the evergreen wave of 'what's cool right now.' We need all of that -- a real root and the mimicry that validates it -- as the essential make-up of any movement.

But, of course, we're not at movement speed with hip hop and bicycles, the mohawked kids on bmx bikes notwithstanding. However, I see a few signs that make it a worthwhile thought experiment to scan the prairie. Ness touches a particular bundle of nerves that are base ingredients: futurism, hip hop, and the "occupy" spirit long before the tents went up.

I was introduced to him by actor and dj, DJ TAbu, who showed me his first EYE2025* salvo, "Pedalin." He sharpens his political angle to deliver part I of the vision:

"...set in Ratner Heights, (the area formerly known as Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Downtown Brooklyn, now owned entirely by construction mogul/re-gentrification king Bruce Ratner). EYE2025*Chapter1 is a dystopic vision of the future, a future that is rapidly approaching. Blurring the lines between genres, the music twists and turns through sounds [on a] mission to bring to light the world of the have-nots, and send out a call to arms to rise up, educate and build community."

That's old school hip hop -- basic political agitation -- but it's also near future for a new age, especially if you live near the Atlantic Yards he's talking about, flashpoint for the Battle of Brooklyn.

On the bike... he's not preaching green or any of the typical syncretic consciousness: He's just living.

"When I was a kid, we talked about cars. In hip hop you always hear talk of cars but you never hear people rapping about bikes ... not motorcycles but bike bikes." Ness uses the bike to think and to get around. It's incidental that the bike is also a symbol for our newfound interest in stewardship of the planet.

But hip hop, in its essence, can't fear any given dispensation, even if it's fear of being uncool. So, it's must stay true, i.e. without adjectives. It's hip hop or it's not. Theoretically, you should be able to pull it off in a button-down oxford and Dockers. [Well, no. Not in Dockers.]

Being gratuitously green or "conscious" would quickly be discovered and properly given a small shelf with the other misfit toys.

I remember the birth of conscious hip hop, but couldn't fully sign on because, even though I agreed with some of the regenerated themes, it always seemed that the beats and poignancy got left behind in the name of saying nice things. De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest and others proved that you could add dimension and still be hip hop. 50 Cent, at the other end of the spectrum gives the most telling indictment, ingeniously mocking nice music feigning hip hop with, "I know exactly what I'm saying -- so I am conscious."

Now, what is the hip hop of Ness' EYE20205* in this light? It's how he speaks to our time, as hip hop must do.

[Back to The Past]

I hold in my hands an eight-track tape of the O'Jays' "The Year 2000," recorded in 1980. The 20 years separating that title from its release date don't make just a numerically longer distance than the 15 years in which Ness sees upheaval, but also an exponentially longer cultural distance. Today, we can imagine 2025 much easier than 1980 could imagine 2000. 2000 was "far" all the way up to its eve as sound minds talked up a Y2K global crash and people stockpiled on food and water for yet another end of the world. Apart from the panic, our non-Doomsday scenario remained still not so tangible and consistently silver with Mars as a standby favorite subject. (Shoot, I'm still ticked not to be dressed in all the flashy gear Captain Kirk and Co. kept promising me.)

[Ness on The Future]

Ness pulls us closer by challenging our blind silver imagination. He calls out the 1985 film Back to the Future (which references 2012) for a grossly unfulfilled promise of flying cars and whatnot, noting that we're all still pretty much fixed to the ground.

So how about just thinking on the next 15 years, since we've been such crappy prognosticators on times farther out? Note that what differentiates Ness' 15 years from a common strategic time span is that we don't leave behind our futuristic minds. We just take the silver away.

Even Ness' daughter helps spark this intellectual curiosity. At home, he plays a game with her that channels a base element of hip hop: elementary school beats banged out on a lunchroom table. (Raise a fist if you did that!) They trade table beats and score each other after each set, starting with a number like 10,000, then 100,000, then on to some crazy large number, "a 100 million gazillion trillion." "By the fifth set she can't think of a bigger number," he says, "and, on one of these occasions she stopped to ask me, 'Daddy, do numbers ever stop?'" He then introduced her to infinity.

This is hip hop, and a view into the music that he calls "political education meets science fiction."

I'm obviously not talking as much about his music as his argument. I dig the music -- true to what for me are hip hop's signatures: beats, flow, and storytelling. But, it's the argument that calls my attention:

The future can be futuristic and tangible at once.

[Denouement]

This deliberate and canny leap to only a few days away is a funky data point. Contrast it to a couple of meaningful romps into the far future. I loved the moment Daft Punk landed hard on everybody's heads. I put Janelle Monae in this conversation, too. She has taken the far future and replaced the silver stuff with a throwback velvet flux capacitor. I see the near future as completing the proposition of the technical future, one that deals with any small or large unit of time ahead of us with purposeful imagination. Would love to hear Alvin Toffler's hip hop because, now that I think about it, Future Shock unified the futures like this, too.

With Ness, we have hip hop on a bicycle and a point of view that mines a classic theme: justice. It's just a data point, not a movement, but a point that could possibly drop us onto another plane as it forces an expanded view backward and forward by including the forsaken (and now pretty ugly) ground just in front of us. We should welcome that kind of thinking and test it. If it lasts, that's Policy as it changes the way we live, just like hip hop did when it first appeared.

P.S. No bike pic. As Lance said, It's Not About The Bike.

Photo Credits: ericjhenderson

Follow Eric J. Henderson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ericjhenderson

A-Alikes 'Bridges To Nowhere' feat Afayah, J.Ivy (Occupy Wall Street)

2011-11-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release – (New York, NY – November 22, 2011) – A-Alikes release single “Bridges to Nowhere” off forthcoming album Us Against Them.

Known for their politically-rooted lyrics, Occupy Wall Street was the appropriate backdrop for the “Bridges to Nowhere” video shoot capturing the sign of the times and radical change for which the revolutionary-spirited hip-hop group is known. “Bridges to Nowhere” was produced by the late DJ Metaphysic [June, 2011 passing], who also produced for such artists as Immortal Technique, Dead Prez and Action Bronson to name a few.

A-Alikes branched off into film after the release of their last album I Eat You Eat [2006] with “Ballot or the Bullet” documentary chronicling President Obama’s election [screened countrywide and abroad, 2008]. Ness, one half of the A-Alike duo, cites DJ Metaphysic as the catalyst for completing the album and further attests, “Us Against Them is about a world in transition… it’s about conflict, it’s about community, it’s about us and it’s about them.”

The video shot by Exile Ramirez, features Afaya (also featured on previous lp I Eat You Eat), as well as spoken word poet, J. IVY (featured on Kanye West’s first project) and cameo appearance by Russell Simmons.

A-Alikes’ involvement in Occupy Wall Street was reported in Huffington Post article http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/14/occupy-the-hood-occupy-wall-street_n_1009850.html.

From music to the big screen, A-Alikes remain steadfast in their advocacy for political freedom and progression. Stay tuned for more videos by A-Alikes in coming weeks.

Us Against Them will be available on iTunes and A-Alikes.net the first quarter of 2012.

###

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE80K3awXPI

Documentary Screening: THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET 10.22.2011

2011-10-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

Eye2025* @ S.O.B’s Tonight

2011-09-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

EYE2025* PERFORMING LIVE @ BOWERY POETRY CLUB SEPTEMBER 9th

2011-08-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

illumiNessence Interview - Union Square NYC

2011-08-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

illumiNessence Interview
by Ado Andrew http://son-ofagun.tumblr.com/ Video:Namisi

Quentin Fears: Fashion Blog: illumiNessence interview

2011-07-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

llumiNessence!

28JUL

IllumiNessence EYE2025*(aka Ness of the hip hop group A-Alikes) brings the soundtrack to our future with his first solo project, EYE2025*Chapter1. Check him out! I dig his Style & his Sound. Hip-Hop made cool again. Ness self-professed King of Militant!

Ok let’s start with your name. How did you get the name Eye2025? What does it mean? Do you also go by Ness?

The name EYE2025* is a character in this new film project I’m working on. The film takes place in the not too distant future (2017 – 2025). EYE2025* is his graffiti tag…he’s a guerilla artist or what they would now call a street artist. He not only does visual art, he also does music as an mc, vocalist, producer, etc… he’s known by his infamous EYE symbol/logo that is plastered all over Ratner Heights (Bed Stuy, fort greene, downtown bk, prospect heights) His music and visual art is critical of the system in a time where it is illegal to do so. The significance of 2025 is that is the year the people finally break free from the state. The name EYE2025* has a few meanings Insurrection2025 being one. There’s a lot more to it but we’re in the middle of finishing the script so can’t disclose too much more. I’ve been working on the score and soundtrack to the film for the past year. As for Ness, Ness is short for illumiNessence which is my attribute (the name a gave myself when I first got knowledge of self)… most people know me as Ness one 1/2 of the hip hop group A-Alikes part of the RBG family (dead prez, Divine of the Dey, Dedan, etc)

more on 2025*.. mathematically speaking the number 2025 adds up to 9. in the Supreme Mathematics the number 9 = Born which means to bring into existence or to create. As artist that’s what we do allday everyday…create.

How did you first get into making your own music? Is this something you have always done?

I’ve always been creative and into art for as long as I can rememeber, drawing my own comic books & shit like that but music came later in life as a teenager. I got into making music listening to music and being a fan of music. Artists like Nas, Wu tang, Tupac, DJ Priemier, portishead, etc. Where most people might be casual listeners, me and my homies growing up in philly would break songs down and lose our mind to shit we loved. I remember instances like my homie Malc borrowing his mom Dodge Acclaim without permission and the whole crew packed in the car riding out thru the city blasting Raekwon’s ‘Glaciers of Ice’ as loud as possible on some factory speakers going crazy then afterwards having some philosophical debate about who’s verse was the best. So the love of the music was the spark. I would freestyle here and there, then I started sitting down writing raps and a realized is was a great therapeutic release to get all these thoughts I had swirling around in my head out… it was a wrap after that.

You have a really interesting style going on. It seems to be Urban with an edge something kind of futuristic. How would you describe it?

Respect… I’d like to think I got many styles tho, as for the urban futuristic stuff you’re referring to thats that 2025* sound that’s inspired by the story…as an artist you’re conveying some idea or story…I’m just in that world so im painting that picture. Its a lot of synths & electronic sounds.. its melodic, but its hard tho..heavy bass, hard drums… its moving, its cinematic, emotive. Sounds like something that would accompany some Anime film. I’m still working on getting the sound I hear in my head out. I been working with a few producers who understand where I’m trying to go and we’re working on some ole next shit… taking pieces from things we loved from other eras but really pushing to make something new, fresh and unique…basically some 2025* shit.

A lot of your music like your single *Digital World *tend to talk about the future and technology? How does this interest you? What are you trying to say through your music?

Basically use technology don’t let technology use u…or better yet don’t let the powers that be control you thru this dependency on technolgy. Facebook, twitter, and all that is cool and useful in connecting people but don’t forget to live. Its all a numbers game. information is everywhere and those the run the world will use everything they can to control your life. That’s one of the main themes to this film I’m working. People are becoming robots, living virtual lives and I think we’ll truly see what’s happening in the coming years… most likely after its too late. Homework assignment: Research the Singularity movement and let me know what u think of that.

How would you describe your music?

smelling salts.. music that wakes u up. people music, soundtrack to revolution. music that makes you think…

Are you working on an Album? When do you think it will be out?

I am working on an album but I’m also working on a couple projects simotaneously as we speak. I have a few singles and visuals dropping from the EYE2025*CHAPTER1 project which is basically an introduction to 2025*. The next song I’m dropping is a single called “Pedalin’ which is being featured on the upcoming Bulldog Bike mixtape. The next official album I’m working on is Chapter2 to the EYE2025* saga. I’m already like 7 songs deep… I’ve had private in studio listening sessions and I’m real happy with what I got so far. I’m going even further into the whole concept of 2025*, sonically its more experimental and harder. I’m going to the UK in the fall to put the finishing touches. It should be out sometime this coming winter. While I’m out there I’m also working on a collabo EP with a producer I’ve worked with early in my career named Baby J. He’s worked with a bunch of artists out in UK including Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse, etc. We’ve been working via skype & email already so while I’m out there we’re going to wrap up the project, start promoting it and do some shows.

Since this is primarily a fashion blog and you have a fashion point of view are there any designers that you are interested in?

For me fashion is art as opposed to a status symbol so I don’t really focus on designer labels. I know alot of dope designers here in Brooklyn that make clothes for my lady (Raye 6) like Farai Simoyi, Butch Diva, House of Good Luck, etc. As for myself I actually get alot of my stuff from thrift stores, salvation army, vintage stores etc. I like getting fresh but my stuff is about functionality as much as its about aesthetics. Like today its hot and I’m riding my bike so I need something light with a bunch of pockets…you’ll probably see me in some cammy shorts, vans, and a tank top…simple.. I also like graphic T’s that say something powerful similar to how i like music that says something powerful. I also design my own EYE2025* Tshirts, which is an extension of the music. I got a bunch of new designs I’m dropping this summer & fall on www.EYE2025.com

How much is imagine important to your work as an artist?

I guess it plays a part but I’m focused on the work itself for the most part.

What are you listening to now on your ipod?

I actually dont have an ipod right now but on my Itunes Recently Added playlist I got a bunch of beats for projects I’m working on from producers DBoi, Baghdaddy, Jack Deezl, Roalnd Dice & Baby J, this Best of Metaphysic Revolution vol. #1 lp from my comrade & amazing producer/dj Metaphysic who recently passed away (Rest in Power), the new Raye 6 single Misstery, Meek Mills Imma Boss, InnerPartySystem, Janelle Monae, Hot Sugar, Penguin Prison, etc

Are there any other artists that you are interested in working with?

Justice, Portishead, The bomb squad (Public Enemy), RZA, Daft Punk, Empire of the Sun, Tupac

Do you have any musical icons?

That word Icon is funny but if I had to say icon i would say artist like Prince, Nas, Rakim, Jimi Hendrix, Tupac, Gil Scott Heron, Rza, Public Enemy, Gorgio Mororder…

What is the next step for you Ness?

Next step is to finish this EYE2025*CHAPTER2 LP, do shows on every continent, continue linking with like minded artist, get this film funded and shot, continue to inspire revolution

Finally, How would you like to impact the music world? What mark do you want to leave?

I’m focused more on the world in general as opposed to just the music world. I want to see radical change. I want to see a world where people are valued more than money. people over the dollar. All this focus on making money is whats taking some of the beauty out of life. It would be dope to see a world where instead of all these advertisements you see posted everywhere you have amazing works of ART everywhere… imagine that.

To Check More from Quentin Fears Click HERE

Domo Arigato Japan Appreciation Festival

2011-07-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

For more info click HERE

Metaphysic Day at Santos

2011-07-11T17:46:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday July 7th we celebrated our comrade Metaphysic's Bornday with music, art, and love. To everybody that came out thank you. The event was a success. It was great seeing everybody together... anybody who was there can tell you the energy was magical. I'll never forget that night.

Long Live Metaphysic.

All pictures posted here are by Crash Planet from

ART for Money

Press Release: Celebrating The Life and Legacy of Revolutionary Producer/DJ/Community Activist Jammall Metaphysic Gordon

2011-07-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

Celebrating The Life and Legacy of Revolutionary Producer/DJ/Community Activist Jammall Metaphysic Gordon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, New York – Thursday, July 7^th 2011
Today July 7th at Santos Party House in NYC we celebrate the birthday, life & legacy of Revolutionary Producer/DJ/Community Activist Jammall 'Metaphysic' Gordon who recently passed away from a car accident in early June. The show features performances from over 20 artists & DJ's who have worked and collaborated with Metaphysic over the years. The event also includes Live Painting and Interactive Art Workshop. Photos of Metaphysic will be projected of him throughout the years along with playback of recorded DJ sets from his weekly radio show on PNCradio.fm 'The Soundtrack Hour'. All proceeds from the event will go to his family and towards future endeavors to keep his musical legacy alive.
Metaphysic was a talented producer & DJ, crafting songs for a host of artists including AZ, dead prez, Jay Z, Immortal Technique, A-Alikes, and Chen Lo, just to name a few. He was highly respected and loved within the Hip Hop community as well as within many of the community & grassroots projects he supported and lead.One of his favorite sayings was “Music speaks when words fail… free the people with music”.
For more info & tickets goto:click HERE
facebook link
Santos Party House96 Lafayette Street NY, NY 10013Date: July 7th, 2011DOORS OPEN AT 8PM100% of proceeds will go to his familyTix: $20 advanced TIX/ more at the door

Pictures from My Day at 100 Centre Street for The Monumental 5

2011-07-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Monumental 5 were released on their own recognizance after the judge saw the video footage of the attack by police after the show. They still have felony charges pending (ranging from rioting, assault, obstruction etc). They go back to court in September. There will be alot going on from now til then dealing with this incident so stay linked. Travel Safe.

The 5 Deadly Venoms - Saturday July 2nd @ The Anthology Theatre in NYC

2011-07-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow in NYC

@ 3pm

The 5 Deadly Venoms

One Time Showing

@The Anthology Theatre

32 Second Ave

for tickets click HERE

Police Attack the People After Smif n Wessun/Pete Rock Monumental Release Party

2011-06-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last night was a great night of hip hop at Tamanny Hall for the Smif n Wessun/Pete Rock Monumental Album Release Party...& then NYPD showed up. Here's what happened...

Birds Eye View

and they wonder why we say FUCK the POLICE....
travel safe out here y'all....
lets get organized....
please share the link.

JULY 7th WE CELEBRATE METAPHYSIC BORNDAY @ SANTOS

2011-06-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

click HERE for tickets

Pedalin' #Summer2025*

2011-06-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Pedalin'

EYE2025* Performing Live Today at the 40th Annual Show & Prove in Mecca

2011-06-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

Venue: P.S. 154/Harriet Tubman

Address: 250 W. 127th St. (bet. 7th & 8th Ave.), New York, NY 10027
Admission: Adults = $10; Children Under 16 = FREE

see u there...

Show & Prove - Celebrating The 40th Anniversary

2011-06-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY: JUNE 12TH

Event: 40TH ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL & SCIENCE SHOW & PROVE
Time: 1PM-7PM

Venue: P.S. 154/Harriet Tubman

Address: 250 W. 127th St. (bet. 7th & 8th Ave.), New York, NY 10027
Admission: Adults = $10; Children Under 16 = FREE /// Buses will be $75; Under 5 adults on bus, it will be $50
Description: Every Year We SHOW & PROVE ALLAH STILL LIVES By Coming Together As One Strong Nation!! Conscious Cultural Knowledge, Educational Activities, Live Performances, Merchant Vending & Positive Energy. Fun Activities For The Entire Family!
THIS YEAR’S SPECIAL GUESTS TO BE ANNOUNCED!!!

Reflecting on our Comrade DJ Metaphysic... Rest in Uhuru

2011-06-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

I tried to go about my day and handle biz... today was hard. I came home and ran through these clips of our comrade Meta...please share this with as many people as possible. If you have any other video footage of Meta please send us a link. We're organizing a benefit concert and a bunch of other things in recognition of the comrade and his legacy. Thank You.

“FREE THE PEOPLE WITH MUSIC”

TONIGHT - FRIDAY NIGHT POW WOW @ Sapphire Lounge - Live DJ Set EYE2025*

2011-05-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

RAYE 6 Performing Live - Today May 23rd @ Irving Plaza - OutMusic Awards

2011-05-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

The 7th Annual OUTMUSIC Awards

sponsored by Live Nation
Monday May 23, 2011

Red Carpet – 5:30PM – 7:00PM
VIP Cocktail Reception 6:00PM to 7:00PM
Showtime 7:00PM
Live Nation’s Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place @ E. 15th Street
New York, NY 10003

Ticket Prices
Commemorative Toast & Award Presentation $20.00
General Admission $25.00

Group Rate Discount (Groups of 4 or more): $20 each
Click Here for Tickets

'ART comes from the heART' Courtyard Party - This Saturday May 21st

2011-05-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

'ART comes from the heART'

Courtyard Party:

Saturday May 21st

1pm - 6pm

@ Parlor

742 Myrtle Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205

Come enjoy the spring time sun & fun with

Loft Boys Media Group & friends

in the Backyard Courtyard of one of

Brooklyn's premier artist hang outs

Project Parlor

Live DJ Set by EYE2025* http://www.eye2025.tumblr.com

-Live Painting by Lexi Bella http://lexibellaart.com

-Cake Art by Eat My Treats EatMYtreats Facebook

-Vintage Clothes Sale

-Drink Specials...

-BBQ grill...etc

-for more info contact eye2025@gmail.com or loftboysmedia@gmail.com

LIVE DJSET by EYE2025* - MOPESHI BIRTHDAY PARTY @ THE EMERSON

2011-04-30T01:11:00.000-07:00

Art For Money is celebrating MoPeshi's BIRTHDAY on Wednesday May 4th
@ The Emerson
561 Myrtle Ave
Brooklyn
LIVE DJSET by EYE2025* (Ness of A-Alikes)
Also Special Guest Dj.

Click the Links...
www.artformoneyny.com
www.eye2025.com

EYE2025* SIGHTING - DUMBO - ART For MONEY 4.20 SHOW

2011-04-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

Photos by Aimee Rupp

Happy 420!!!

2011-04-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

something for you to light up to ....Go Green!

see u at the show tonight --> http://tumblr.com/x3f264w82f
A-Alikes Happy 420 Chronicology 101 by aalikes

EYE2025* ROCKING 4/20 in DUMBO -ART For MONEY Show - INVITE ONLY

2011-04-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday is 4/20... EYE2025*, along with other great artist, rocking the 'ART for Money' Show in DUMBO...
this is a RSVP Only event. For exact location/ address hit the email music@artformoneyny.com

2011-04-13T01:38:00.000-07:00

LIVE DJ SET by EYE2025*

(Ness of A-Alikes)

….u already know….

we’re taking a trip to 2025*…

…spread word…

see u Saturday.

EYE2025* SIGHTING - LOWER MANHATTAN - S.O.B.s NYC

2011-04-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

some footage surfaced from the last show... enjoy. see u at the next one.

New Justice Single - Civilization

2011-04-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

New Album coming soon...

check out the live version....
MINDdetectMIND

Marvin Gaye Live - Trouble Man

2011-04-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

This my favorite Marvin song... R.I.P. brother... thanx for the music. share.

The Century of the Self - Documentary

2011-03-31T23:08:00.000-07:00

A documentary about
MindControl for $$$
share with like minds...

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

SELF SCIENTIFIC FT FREDDIE GIBBS & KRONDON "PEACEFUL"

2011-03-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

Shout to the homies

www.BLOWHIPHOPTV.COM for this one...

official.

Hardbody Godbody.
Salute to Self Scientific...

this shit fire.

Real Rap.

share with like minds.

Repeat After Me....

2011-03-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Repeat after Me:
Life is good.
God is Great.
Fuck the system
& how it Operates....

SHA STIMULI - WAKE UP & GO - VIDEO

2011-03-31T04:31:00.000-07:00

Good vid, good song, good message, good beat, good raps. This my joint allday today. good job Victorious ,Sha Stimuli, R.H. Bless, & Miss Ksyn, etc... Go Brooklyn... spread love. share this one.

Japan Benefit - March 24th @ PANDA NYC

2011-03-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

The Positive Seeds In Pelan & SP Sounds Presents: Big Daddy Kane and Brand Nubian - Friday -March 25th

2011-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

Big Daddy Kane & Brand Nubian in Brooklyn @ SouthPaw - Benefit for Positive Seeds in Pelan

Click Here for More Info ---> The Positive Seeds In Pelan & SP Sounds Presents: Big Daddy Kane and Brand Nubians

A Week in Miami - WMC 2011 - Flix

2011-03-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

This past week EYE2025* aka Ness & Raye 6 of Loft Boys Media Group went down to Winter Music Conference 2011 in Miami, Florida for a few gigs... here are some flics from the week...

EYE2025* Live at the Clevelander ...Wednesday March 9th for the Back to Basics gig... it was a good night... shout out to Madsol for holdin' me down on the co-pilot... mo' flics coming soon as Semp sends them..btw shout out to Semp, Mark & WMC for putting together a good event...

mi mujer Raye 6 at the Clevelander

rocked the Adidas Store on Friday March 11th alongside the homie DJ Madsol Desar

ate some food....

random flic with fans...

some art...

more art...

Ms.6 on the rooftop of the Clevelander b4 my gig later that night...

Sun & Rain from the 22nd floor

sound check for the show at Bardot

the actual show at Bardot on Friday the 11th...more flics n footage on Ms.6's blog

and of course a bunch of time on the beach....

more flics later...

Winter Music Conference is Here! --> EYE2025* @ the Clevelander this Wednesday MARCH 9th!

2011-03-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

WMC is Here!!!!

EYE2025*

the Clevelander

this Wednesday

MARCH 9th!

Live DJ Set & Performance

feat. Raye 6

Spread the Word!

Miami2025*

BACK 2 Basics

C-Level

Rooftop Terrance

Eye2025 - Digital World Ft. Raye 6 (Jack Deezl Remix)

2011-03-06T20:39:00.000-08:00

Eye2025 - Digital World Ft. Raye 6 (Jack Deezl Remix) <---(click here to go to page)

EYE2025* (a.k.a. IllumiNessence)
(SoFlo Entertainment/Guerilla Art)

Fresh back from touring Tokyo, Japan,illuminNessence takes us on a dark, rhythmic exploration of our modern “Digital World.” The remix, cooked up by Jack Deezl out of Philadelphia, features the other-worldly vocals of Brooklyn based sensationRaye 6.
The dark minimalistic electro Deezl brings, perfectly captures illuminNessence’s ominous message of the future – a future around the corner where we are completely entrenched in the digital world we’ve created. We rapidly lose our ability to truly feel, truly love and truly live. Raye 6’s eerily beautiful hook compliments the apocalyptic feel of "Digital World".
Lyrics like “Spend hours on the internet/everything is at your fingertips/’Stead of telling her you love her you textin’ it/Living in a Digital World.”

Perfectly illuminates the age we’re living in and are quickly driving towards.

Once again, illuminNessence shows us the bleak yet beautiful world of 2025, a future just around the corner. “Digital World” is available now on iTunes.

EYE2025* - "Digital World" Ft. Raye 6
(Jack Deezl Remix)

Download: Download HERE

BPMs: 126 BPMs

(In order to download, simply click link and you will be taken to a private page on our website with the downloads. If you prefer an MP3 attachment, please reply doing so. )
Biography
Coming from the revolutionary hip-hop group A-Alikes, IllumiNessence is no stranger to the game. For years he and his partner A-Black, along with the rest of the RBG/People Army family (dead prez, Divine of the Dey, etc) have been on a mission to bring to light the world of the have-nots, and send out a call to arms to rise up, educate and build community.
Illuminessence is currently in the studio working on forthcoming chapters to the EYE2025* epic, co-writing the script with Director Paul Biedrzyck to an as yet untitiled futuristic poli sci-fi film that inspired the soundtrack, and putting the finishing touches on the A-Alikes next LP Us Against Them. As well, he is breaking out into graphic/visual side of things with multi media works of ART, videos, T Shirts, and more.
http://www.eye2025.com

More Info:

EYE2025* Performing Live @S.O.B.s Tues March 1st

2011-02-21T21:51:00.000-08:00

EYE2025* in Miami for WMC-- Live DJSet & Performance March 9th @ The Clevelander on South Beach

2011-02-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

...on March 9th Brooklyn2025* comes to South Beach for Winter Music Conference!!

EYE2025* will be at The Clevelander

for a Live DJ Set & Performance...

joining him for the set will be the incomparable Raye 6

Good Vibes Ent. & Public Wizard Inc. present to you

Back 2 Basics III

EYE2025* Performing Live @ S.O.B.s MARCH 1st

2011-02-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

I'll be rockin' live March 1st at S.O.B.s alongside Styles P., Martin Luther, Bazaar Royale and the rest of the Ghetto Metal line up

This Week in the Matrix: Theophilus London on Letterman & ODD FUTURE on Jimmy Fallon

2011-02-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

This week Late Night Tv got a taste of whats in store for the near future via Brooklyn's own Theophilus London on Letterman & L.A. rap crew Odd Future (aka Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, or OFWGKTA)on Jimmy Fallon. 2 very different styles, from opposite coasts invading the airwaves. As the homie Mos said over & over at the end of Odd Future's set "SWAG"... more coming soon. Let me know what u think.

Come See Cooley High in NYC -- FEB 27th

2011-02-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

What you know 'bout Cooley High?

Get your tickets Here!!

EYE2025* 'Digital World' (CHAPTER1Mix) Viral Video

2011-02-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

Off his first solo project IllumiNessence gives us EYE2025*CHAPTER1. He takes us on a dark, rhythmic exploration of our modern "Digital World." The viral piece was shot in Harajuku Tokyo and edited by Rob Lee. This version of "Digital World" can be downloaded at https://www.onerpm.com/eye2025

The remix, cooked up by Jack Deezl out of Philadelphia, and also features the other-worldly vocals of Brooklyn based sensation Raye 6.

The dark minimalistic electro Deezl brings, perfectly captures illuminNessence's ominous message of the future -- a future around the corner where we are completely entrenched in the digital world we've created. We rapidly lose our ability to truly feel, truly love and truly live. Raye 6's eerily beautiful hook compliments the apocalyptic feel of "Digital World".
Lyrics like "Spend hours on the internet/everything is at your fingertips/'Stead of telling her you love her you textin' it/Living in a Digital World."

Perfectly illuminates the age we're living in and are quickly driving towards.

Once again, illuminNessence shows us the bleak yet beautiful world of 2025, a future just around the corner. "Digital World" [Jack Deezl Remix] is available now on iTunes at http://bit.ly/dHea0V

What's Going on in Egypt?

2011-02-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

My little sister just asked whats going on in EGYPT...

A chronicle of the demonstrations

against the country's leadership.

January 2011: Activists in Egypt call for an uprising in their own country, to protest against poverty, unemployment, government corruption and the rule of president Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for three decades.
January 25: On a national holiday to commemorate the police forces, Egyptians take to the streets in large numbers, calling it a "day of rage".

Thousands march in downtown Cairo, heading towards the offices of the ruling National Democratic Party, as well as the foreign ministry and the state television. Similar protests are reported in other towns across the country.

After a few hours of relative calm, police and demonstrators clash; police fired tear gas and use water cannons against demonstrators crying out "Down with Mubarak'' in Cairo's main Tahrir Square.

Protests break out in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, the Nile Delta cities of Mansura and Tanta and in the southern cities of Aswan and Assiut, witnesses say.

Hours after the countrywide protests began, the interior ministry issues a statement blaming the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's technically banned but largest opposition party, for fomenting the unrest - a claim that the Muslim Brotherhood denies.

Egypt protest organisers heavily relied on social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.

Egypt's interior minister says three protesters and a police officer have been killed during the anti-government demonstrations.

January 26: A protester and a police officer are killed in central Cairo as anti-government demonstrators pelt security forces with rocks and firebombs for a second day, according to witnesses.

Police use tear gas, water cannons and batons to disperse protesters in Cairo. Witnesses say that live ammunition was also fired into the air.

In Suez, the scene of bloody clashes the previous day, police and protesters clash again.

Medical personnel in Suez say that 55 protesters and 15 police officers have been injured.

Robert Gibbs, a spokesman for Barack Obama, the US president, tell reporters that the government should "demonstrate its responsiveness to the people of Egypt" by recognising their "universal rights".

Amr Moussa, the secretary general of the Arab League, says he believes "the Arab citizen is angry, is frustrated".
January 27: Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the UN nuclear watchdog turned democracy advocate, arrives in Egypt to join the protests.

ElBaradei says he is ready to "lead the transition" in Egypt if asked.

Meanwhile, protests continue across several cities. Hundreds have been arrested, but the protesters say they will not give up until their demand is met.

Protesters clash with police in Cairo neighbourhoods. Violence also erupts in the city of Suez again, while in the northern Sinai area of Sheikh Zuweid, several hundred bedouins and police exchange live gunfire, killing a 17-year-old man.

In Ismailia, hundreds of protesters clash with police.

Lawyers stage protests in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and the Nile Delta town of Toukh, north of Cairo.

Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry Messenger services are disrupted.

January 28: Internet and mobile phone text message users in Egypt report major disruption to services as the country prepared for a new wave of protests after Friday prayers.

The Associated Press news agency says an elite special counterterrorism force has been deployed at strategic points around Cairo in the hours before the planned protests.

Egypt's interior ministry also warns of "decisive measures".

Meanwhile, a lawyer for the opposition Muslim Brotherhood says that 20 members of the officially banned group have been detained overnight.

Egypt remains on edge, as police and protesters clash throughout the country.

Eleven civilians get killed in Suez and 170 injured. No deaths were reported in Cairo. At least 1,030 people get injured countrywide.

The riots continue throughout the night, even as Mubarak announces that he dismisses his government. Mubarak himself refuses to step down. His whereabouts are unknown.

January 29: Egyptian soldiers secure Cairo's famed antiquities museum early on Saturday, protecting thousands of priceless artifacts, including the gold mask of King Tutankhamun, from looters.

The greatest threat to the Egyptian Museum, which draws millions of tourists a year, appeares to come from the fire engulfing the ruling party headquarters next door on Friday night, set ablaze by anti-government protesters.

Thousands of anti-government protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square stand their ground, despite troops firing into the air in a bid to disperse them.

Hosni Mubarak has for the first time during his three decades in power appointed a vice-president. The man now second-in-command is Omar Suleiman, the country's former spy chief, who has been working closely with Mubarak during most of his reign.

Al Jazeera's sources have indicated that the military has now also been deployed to the resort town of Sharm el Shaikh.

Al Jazeera's correspondent in the city of Suez, said the city had witnessed a "completely chaotic night", but that the streets were quiet as day broke.

In a statement released in Berlin on Saturday, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany said they were "deeply worried about the events in Egypt".

The Gulf Cooperation Council, a loose economic and political bloc of states in the Gulf, said on Sunday that it wanted a "stable Egypt".

The US embassy in Cairo has advised all Americans currently in Egypt to consider leaving as soon as possible, given the unrest. The UK authorities have advised against all but essential travel to the country for its citizens.

Turkey has also said that it is sending aircraft to evacuate its citizens.

January 30: Thousands of anti-government protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square stand their ground, despite troops firing into the air in a bid to disperse them.

Hosni Mubarak has for the first time during his three decades in power appointed a vice-president. The man now second-in-command is Omar Suleiman, the country's former spy chief, who has been working closely with Mubarak during most of his reign.

Al Jazeera's sources have indicated that the military has now also been deployed to the resort town of Sharm el Shaikh.

Al Jazeera's correspondent in the city of Suez, said the city had witnessed a "completely chaotic night", but that the streets were quiet as day broke.

In a statement released in Berlin on Saturday, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany said they were "deeply worried about the events in Egypt".

The Gulf Cooperation Council, a loose economic and political bloc of states in the Gulf, said on Sunday that it wanted a "stable Egypt".

The US embassy in Cairo has advised all Americans currently in Egypt to consider leaving as soon as possible, given the unrest. The UK authorities have advised against all but essential travel to the country for its citizens.

Turkey has also said that it is sending aircraft to evacuate its citizens.

January 31: President Hosni Mubarak still refuses to step down, amid growing calls for his resignation. Protesters continue to defy the military-imposed curfew. Thousands remain gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square and hundreds have marched through Alexandria.

Internet access across Egypt is still shoddy according to most reports.

Egypt's new vice president has promised dialogue in order to push through constitutional reforms.

Protesters remain camped out in Tahrir Square from a variety of political and demographic groups.

The White House says that the Egyptian government must engage with its people to resolve current unrest. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the crisis in Egypt "is not about appointments, it's about actions ... They have to address freedoms that the people of Egypt seek".

Opposition groups continue to call for a "million man march" and a general strike on Tuesday to commemorate one week since the protest movement began. Meanwhile, the military reiterates that it will not attempt to hurt protesters.

As 250,000 gather around Cairo's Tahrir Square on Monday, President Mubarak asks his new prime minister, Ahmad Shafiq, to start talks with the opposition.

The EU calls for free and fair elections in Egypt.

Worldwide investors continue withdrawing significant capital from Egypt amid rising unrest.

Mubarak names his new cabinet on state television, among them, Mahmoud Wagdi, sworn in as the new interior minister.

Egypt releases the six Al Jazeera journalists who were arrested in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Egyptian film star Omar Sharif, known for his role in Lawrence of Arabia, has added his voice to those calling for Hosni Mubarak to step down, Reuters reports.

Former US president Jimmy Carter calls the unrest in Egypt an "earth-shaking event", and says he guesses Hosni Mubarak "will have to leave", the US Ledger-Enquirer reports.

Israel urges the world to tone down Mubarak criticism amid Egypt unrest to preserve stability in the region, the Haaretz newspaper reports, citing senior Israeli officials.

President Mubarak tells his new prime minister, Ahmad Shafiq to keep government subsidies and cut prices.

Al Jazeera says its broadcast signal across the Arab region is facing interference on a scale it has not experienced before.

February 1: Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, announces in a televised address that he will not run for re-election but refused to step down from office - the central demand of millions of protesters who have demonstrated across Egypt over the past week.

Mubarak promised reforms to the constitution, particularly Article 76, which makes it virtually impossible for independent candidates to run for office. And he said his government would focus on improving the economy and providing jobs.

Mohamed ElBaradei, the Egyptian opposition figure who returned to Cairo to take part in the protests, said Mubarak's pledge not to stand again for the presidency was an act of deception.

Abdelhalim Kandil, leader of Egypt's Kifaya (Enough) opposition movement, says that President Mubarak's offer not to serve a sixth term as Head of State was not enough.

US President Barack Obama in a speech at the White House praised the Egyptian military for their patriotism and for allowing peaceful demonstrations. He said that only the Egyptian people can determine their leaders.

Shortly after his speech, clashes broke out between pro-Mubarak and anti-government protesters in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Al Jazeera's correspondent reported.

Khalid Abdel Nasser, son of the former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, too joined the protest in Tahrir Square.

Motaz Salah Al Deen, spokesman for Egypt's opposition Al Wafd Party, says a self-described "new national coalition for change" has been formed.

Number of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir square revised to more than a million people. Thousands more took to the streets throughout Egypt, including in Alexandria and Suez.

February 2: Preparations begin for another day of demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak's regime. The army with tanks are still deployed throughout different positions in and around the square.
Google improves its speak2tweet technology for the people in Egypt.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Boston entrepreneur Hadid Habbab has called for volunteers to help find his missing friend, Google executive Wael Ghonim, who went missing during the protests of the past week.
Clashes between anti-government and pro-Mubarak protesters in Alexandria.
Internet services were at least partially restored in Cairo after a five-day blackout aimed at stymieing protests against Hosni Mubarak's regime.
Egypt's newly appointed vice-president has said that anti-government protests must stop before dialogue can begin with opposition groups.
Violent clashes raged for much of Wednesday around Tahrir Square in central Cairo. Up to 1,500 people were injured, some of them seriously, and by the day's end at least three deaths were reported by the Reuters news agency quoting officials.
Pro-democracy protesters said the military allowed thousands of pro-Mubarak supporters, armed with sticks and knives, to enter the square on Wednesday.
February 3: Bursts of heavy gunfire early on Thursday aimed at anti-government demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir [Liberation] Square, left at least five people dead and several more wounded, according to reports from Cairo.
Sustained bursts of automatic weapons fire and powerful single shots began at around around 4am local time (0200GMT) and went on for more than an hour.
February 4: Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square for what they have termed the "Day of Departure".

Chants urging Hosni Mubarak, the president, to leave reverberate across the square, as the country enters its eleventh day of unrest and mass demonstrations.

Source:

Al Jazeera and agencies

RAYE 6 in this Weeks Issue of STAR MAGAZINE Yay or Nay?

2011-02-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Raye 6 is in the new Feb Issue of STAR MAGAZINE!
"Worst of the Week" ?? Are you a believer for Team 6? Then voice your opinion on todays #2 social network TWITTER!!!!

Go on your twitter pages and let STAR know how much you love or hate the look too! http://twitter.com/star_magazine start it with #InMyOpinion #RAYE6

Buy Universal Lover on ITUNES!!!

OFFICIAL VIDEO

Links to Video:

Raye 6 "Daddy" Performance

Universal Lover x 2 remix video

Raye 6 Media Kit

Raye 6 Japan Music Week Promo

Raye 6 "Money" live

Raye 6 Thompkins Sq Park NYC

Raye 6 BET Commercial

Raye 6 Japan "They Won't Give Us Cheese"

Links to Press: