South African music has a rich and diverse history, drawing from a range of cultural influences and musical traditions. One of the latest musical genres to emerge from this vibrant scene is Amapiano. This exciting new sound has quickly gained popularity both within South Africa and around the world, thanks to its infectious beats, catchy melodies, and unique blend of genres.
Narratives is a book written by the rapper Akala. Written in 2019, the book is partially a memoir and a statement/analysis of race and class, and the various historical eras and subsequent impact on contemporary British society. The book explores the Britains colonial past and how contemporary British society is inherently linked to the British Empire. This is reflected in British society, mainly through how perceptions of race, class and conflicts play out. He uses his personal experience to explain the impact of these societal constructs on the working-class and minority groups. In particular, he examines the impact of diaspora music.
Image via Estevan Oriol
“If you ain’t been tatted by Cartoon you ain’t got no tatt, if you ain’t been shot by Estevan then you got a weak ass photographer”. The recent Netflix documentary LA Originals, directed by Estevan Oriol, depicts the lives of famous photographer Estevan Oriol and tattooer Mister Cartoon. Often something that is overlooked when discussing the 90’s Hip Hop scene, is the major contribution from those working behind the scenes. Prior to this digital age dictated by social media likes, clout chasers and mumble rappers, Los Angeles was an extremely different landscape. While tattoos are widely accepted today, back then only those deemed outcast were brave enough to permanently brand their skin. The most reputable of these Tattooers Mister Cartoon, was known for his elaborate graffiti-inspired style brought to life in black and grey. He has tattooed every one from gangsters, to A-list celebrities. This dynamic downtown lifestyle was caught on film by photographer Estevan Oriol. LA Originals does a great job of showing how these artist documented this culture-shifting period, and helped visualise what it was like to live in Los Angeles during the 90s.
Oriol is an American of Italian and Mexican descent. He started his career as a hip-hop club bouncer turned tour manager for popular Los Angeles-based rap groups Cypress Hill and House of Pain, Estevan’s passion for photography developed while travelling the world. With an influential nudge and old camera from his father, renowned photographer Eriberto Oriol, Estevan began documenting life on the road and established a name for himself amid the emerging hip-hop scene. He soon became an internationally celebrated professional photographer, director and urban lifestyle entrepreneur.
Estevan Oriol
Image via Estevan Oriol
His counterpart Mister Cartoon began his career as a graffiti artist before branching into murals, album covers, logos, and now most famously known for his tattoos. Since the age of eight, Mister Cartoon realized he was an artist and went on his first paying art job at the age of twelve. Having grown up in the Harbor Area of Los Angeles County, young Cartoon began airbrushing T-shirts and lowrider cars before adopting the legendary"Fineline Style" tattoo art, which was developed in the California prison system. In an interview with No Jumper Cartoon explains how he had “two middle class parents that worked allot… with them gone I went into the streets … my dad was always a hustler and had vintage cars, you know we were a regular mexican middle class family growing up in southern california”. He also elaborated how “In the Harbour you have two choices, you can be a longshoreman or sell dope… in the 80’s gangbanging was at an all time high and your own people preyed on you, and i got fortunate that i love to draw and do graffiti, I started to learn how to use artwork to manipulate the situation”. This upbringing clearly rubbed of in his art. His richly detailed, hand-rendered designs pull much of their inspiration from the Los Angeles of Cartoon’s youth. At one time, the black and grey, fine line style was synonymous with LA street life. Cartoon’s work has helped bridge the gap between those hardscrabble beginnings and the style’s current popularity
Mister Cartoon
Image via thehundreds.uk
Image via mistercartoon.com
Image via mistercartoon.com
Together the two would go on to found SA(Soul Assassins) Studios Global, a lifestyle-marketing agency based in Los Angeles. SA has partnered with companies such as Microsoft, Nike, Vans, Stussy, Metro PCS, Rockstar Games, and Harley-Davidson and taken part in film marketing projects with Fox, Weinstein Company, and Universal. With both Estevan Oriol and Mister Cartoon being heavily entrenched in Hip Hop culture, they would go onto tattoo and photograph some of the biggest names in Hip Hop and most iconic celebrities. Oriol has photographed Al Pacino, Robert Dinero, Dennis Hopper, Ryan Gosling, Chloe Moretz, Marissa Miller, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Floyd Mayweather, and others. He has also produced shoots for internationally-acclaimed photographers such as Ellen von Unwerth for Sang Bleu and Luca Babini for GQ Italy. In addition to shooting campaigns for companies including Cadillac, Nike and Rockford Fosgate and directing new media projects for My Cadillac Stories, MetroPCS, MTV and Apple, Oriol has designed album covers and directed music videos for artists including Eminem, Cypress Hill, Blink 182, Snoop Dogg and Xzibit. Cartoon’s work has helped bridge the gap between those hardscrabble beginnings and the style’s current popularity. Stars such as Eminem, Travis Barker, Slash, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Beyoncé, along with athletes like CC Sabathia, Amarie Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer wear Cartoons art on their skin. Cartoon’s art has been featured in numerous publications including Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Complex, Juxtapoz, XXL, GQ, and others. Most notably the pairs influence can be heavily seen in Rockstars Iconic GTA San Andreas, with their artistic style being referenced heavily to bring the virtual world to life.
Image via Estevan Oriol
Image via Estavan Oriol
Image via Estavan Oriol
Image via Estevan Oriol
Image via Estevan Oriol
Image via Estevan Oriol
One of the elements that is heavily represented in their work is their heritage. Mexicans have had a long relationship in the US. Mexican Americans in 2018 made up 11.3% of the United States' and 61.9% of all Latinos in the United States. Over 60% of all Mexican Americans reside in the states of California and Texas (which used to be part of Mexico and today still shares a border). Mexican American families of indigenous heritage have been in the country for at least 15,000 years, and mestizo Mexican American history spans more than 400 years, since the 1598 founding of Spanish New Mexico. They would become U.S. citizens in 1848 via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which ended the Mexican–American War. In particular Los Angeles (spanish for ‘The Angles’) has a thriving Hispanic community. Cholo and Chicano became a chosen identity for Mexican Americans in the United States. Although Chicano had negative connotations as a term of denigration prior, it was reclaimed in the 1960s and 1970s by Mexican Americans to express self-determination and solidarity in a shared cultural, ethnic, and communal identity while openly rejecting assimilation. Both Estevan Oriol and Mister Cartoon played a huge role in bringing Chicano pride and the wider downtown culture to the mainstream. Estevan says in the LA Originals documentary that “one of the things that is there with Chicano art is violence, poverty, addiction, and alcoholism”. With both artist living through the 1992 Rodney King Riots, and the crack epidemic there is no doubt that their environment deeply impacted their art. Estevan explains “I was shooting a lot of women, gangsters and lowriders you know because that is what I was around”.
Images via Estevan Oriol
This unique LA culture is best encapsulated in Mister Cartoons collaborations with Nike. With Los Angeles being considered the home of cortez since day one, the ‘2005: MR. CARTOON CORTEZ’ was bound to be made. Highlights included the black colorway with an Aztec symbol instead of the Swoosh, as well as the white version with an integrated LA-logo. Mister Cartoon explains that “This was crazy because here I was doing an Aztech on a Cortez. You have the Spaniards coming to New Spain which was Mexico to bring disease, a great war between the Spaniards and the Aztecs to create the Mexican People”, also on the Aztec warrior he “put the brush mustache which is representative of the homies now”. Furthermore Oriol’s photo of the LA hand sign would go on to become one of the most famous, iconic and copied pieces of art in LA history.
Image via FlightClub
Image via Estevan Oriol
Ultimately LA originals does a great job showing how these two talents were being true to themselves and the culture they loved. Through embracing rap music before it went mainstream, tattoos before every spring breaker sported them, and gang signs before such iconography trickled down to Starbucks cups and H&M T-shirts. They imprinted directly onto the establishment and are also among the most visible contemporary Chicano artists in the city of Los Angeles. Estevan Oriol’s work has been showcased in select galleries and institutions such as Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives, Mesa Contemporary Art Center, Petersen Automotive Museum, and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles’ Art in the Streets exhibit—concluding with a best-selling books of his work: LA Woman, L.A. Portraits, And This Is Los Angeles. Oriol and Cartoons work has also been featured in Complex, FHM, Juxtapoz, GQ, Vibe, Rolling Stone and other publications, with appearances on popular television shows such as, CNN’s AnthonyBourdain-UnKnown Parts, CNN’s Street Food-Roy Choi, HBO’s Entourage and Last Call With Carson Daly. It is also important to note that service to the community has been an essential part of Cartoon’s career. He takes place in monthly outreach programs where he shares his knowledge with young people and devotes time to many other community-based initiatives. Through innovation, creativity and persistence the pair have permanently left their mark on Hip Hop and LA culture.
References:
LA Originals - https://www.netflix.com/watch/80995284?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2Cfc3942203cee637679a8e24899e808c6c3093cbc%3A87c16900c660967d37adb3bdd9cfd7ef0ece78be%2C%2C
Photography from - ESTEVAN ORIOL, estevanoriol.com, 05/04/2020, https://www.estevanoriol.com/
Photography from - MISTER CARTOON, mistercartoon.com, 05/04/2020, http://www.mistercartoon.com/
https://www.estevanoriol.com/about
http://www.mistercartoon.com/studio-info
No Jumper - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdkJIMZiQsQ&t=3014s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estevan_Oriol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Cartoon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Americans
https://www.sastudiosglobal.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sa-studios-global/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicano
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholo
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/apr/09/la-originals-hip-hop-netflix-film
https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/la-originals-review-estevan-oriol-mister-cartoon-1234576848/
https://sneakers-magazine.com/history-check-45-years-of-nike-cortez/
Norris, Michele (January 1, 2003). "Mister Cartoon's Growing Tattoo Empire". National Public Radio. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
"Mister Cartoon Draws Brand Interest". Brand Week. February 13, 2006. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
Kingston, Anne (January 24, 2008). "Gracious living and the tattoo". Maclean's. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
Estevan Oriol Drops First Photography Book—Titled ‘L.A. Woman’. BallerStatus.com (Sept. 16, 2009).
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcu_cMjHsx8
"Estevan Oriol Joins BallerStatus.com as Partner & Creative Director". BallerStatus.com. March 6, 2018.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1474553/
https://thehundreds.uk/blogs/bobby-hundreds/mister-cartoon-interview-2018?country=GB
Image via AXL Beats
AXL a UK based producer has recently made a name for himself in the Drill/ Hip Hop Scene. Through introducing the sonics of UK Drill to Brooklyn Rappers, the creation of a new hybrid subgenre has taken the world by storm, with even mainstream artist such as Drake and Travis Scott jumping on the new wave.
In the early 2010s, a new style of trap music emerged out of Chicago characterised by violent, dark, crime, nihilistic and gang-related lyrics over ominous trap-inspired beats. Producers such as DJ L and Young Chop helped pioneer and establish sound sonically, while rappers such as Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, SD and Lil Reese helped progress genre to the mainstream by mid-2012. New York Rappers would attempt to emulate the scene with little success, while in London a new regional subgenre emerged combining the lyrical gritty content of road rap and fast-paced grime beats with Drill, creating the UK Drill sound. In the last decade, this hybrid sound gained popularity internationally. In particularly UK producers such as AXL have become increasingly prominent in the New York street rap scene, which would eventually lead to foundations of NYC Drill movement, and launching the careers of rappers such as Sheff G, Fivio Foreign and 22Gz.
The 19-year-old producer arrived in the scene late 2016. Like, allot of UK Drill producers his sound utilised sliding and bending 808’s. Fast drum patterns of around 140pm(also seen in grime), he also incorporated grime vocal samples manipulating them to fit the drill sound and tempo. Through releasing visual instrumentals on youtube he slowly started to make a name for himself. Unlike allot of UK Drill producers rather than remaining local he quickly became the choice of Brooklyn rappers helping evolve the street rap scene into its own Drill subgenre. With genre developing unique lingo, attitude and content distinct to that region.
22Gz’s “suburban” is perhaps one of the first relevant Brooklyn drill songs in part to AXL’s production and use of church bells, a staple of his Chicago drill predecessor. Sheff G’s “No Suburban” also utilised AXL production. Here AXL’s rampant sound compliments Sheff G’s aggressive delivery while makes multiple subliminals. However his collaboration with Fivio Foreign on “Big Drip,” arguably launched his mainstream career. The track exploded to nearly 10 million views on YouTube within a few months.
Recently the producer has collaborated with mainstream acts such as Travis Scott & Pop Smoke on“Gatti” most notably Drake. AXL received a call from the Toronto rapper’s manager. “He told me Drake listened to some of Fivio Foreign’s songs produced by me.” AXL sent Drake a beat and soon after he released “War.” AXL says, “The beat sounds like mid-trap and mid-drill. It doesn’t sound like a regular aggressive drill beat. It’s more calm. It's a soft tempo drill beat. I think that’s Drake’s vibe, and it clicks with him.” Today the video has over 40million views.
In an interview with complex AXL said that “Grime is a whole different genre compared to drill. There’s some aspects of grime in UK drill, like the 808s, and you’ve got the slides and the fast-tempo snares. That’s kind of interacting with grime. But grime is different than Drill. And the drill you’re hearing now like the one Drake is on, is a mixture between grime and drill. DJ L, we created the sound. Shout out to him, he started off the sound. We took that sound and changed it to something else that’s way cleaner and neat. Something everyone could hop on. That’s the difference”
AXL along with other UK Producers such as 808 Melo, Ghosty and Hargo is completely redefining the sonics of American Hip Hop, through adding a bit of UK flavour. While Grime struggled to break through to America, due to its rugged underground sound, that can be abrasive in its purest form to unseasoned listeners, it’s successor UK Drill seems to break down every cultural barrier and has seen success from Australia to Ireland and New York.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_music
https://www.complex.com/music/2019/12/drake-war-drill-producer-axl-beats-interview
https://pitchfork.com/levels/axl-beats-drake-travis-scott/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3eAb4l38Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIlMtVGI5Pg
Image via Salim Adam for adidas London
20 year old rapper Unknown T from Hackney, also known also known as Daniel Lena was recently cleared of murder at Old Bailey in London.
Unknown T’s entry into the music scene was very promising. His hit Homerton B not only put Homerton on the map, but sonically stood out in the Drill scene. This single broke mainstream official charts and the video has over 20million views on youtube. He also had recently signed a contract with Universal Music Group, as well as appearance at major festival such as Wireless and performing at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena during a guest appearance at a Drake concert. With follow up tunes such as Throwback and features on songs such as Medusa the artist demonstrated how musically dynamic and diverse his art could be, and many believed that he could be one of the few Drill artist to break into mainstream Hip Hop and Pop culture.
However his career was brought to holt after being accused of murder Steve Narvaez -Jara. In Old street, Islington on 1st of January 2018 Steven Narvaez - Jara an engineering student at Hertfordshire University, was murdered at a house party. Subsequently Mohammed Musse along with Lena and Ramani Boreland were charged with murder.
The incident was allegedly initiated by a dispute over a girl. A snapchat video was played during the trial. It was captioned “beef got crackin", the video depicts attackers holding large wooden objects in a densely packed room. A witness said that there around 100 people in room when a fight broke out also involving a machete. Lena in defence of himself emphasized he was unaware of anyone being armed at party, and that he did not attack or punch anyone. Apparently the fight broke out between Mohammed Musse, who apparently was drunk and acting disorderly, and Steve. After chaos erupted at the party apparently Steve slipped and fell to floor and was hit by wooden sticks and stabbed with a Machete however the fatal wound was caused by a knife. He died of a stab wound to the heart however it is unconfirmed who his killer is.
While Musse and Boreland will be sentenced at a later date. Lena and Boreland was cleared of murder, however boreland was convicted of manslaughter by majority. Another man, Mohammed Musse, was convicted of violent disorder. Lena was also cleared of hiding a 4mm revolver and ammunition under his bed in 2017 at age 17, claiming the weapon was imposed on him by a stranger.
The question that this raises is what implications does this have the UK music scene. With rappers such as Loski on trial for carrying a hand gun, Headie one serving a sixth month sentence, and J Hus being sentenced to eight months in prison 2018 for carrying a knife. Many feel that UK Rappers are being unfairly targeted. The media and Metropolitan Police recently has had a clamp down on genres such as UK Drill and have been removing videos from platforms such as youtube
Speaking to the Guardian in 2018, Lena complained that the drill scene – long the subject of criticism in the media – was being unfairly attacked. “They don’t understand the reality,” he said. “It’s not about the music, it’s about what’s behind the music. You can’t blame the music, or say you’re giving a helping hand with no aid. They’re pointing the finger at us but forgetting there’s three fingers pointing back.”
This raises issues of public expression and freedom of speech, and who is really entitled to such liberties. Whether this is down to racial profiling or classism, as a large demographic involved in UK Rap scene are black or different ethnic minorities, it still important to note that on the other side speaking about one’s harsh reality in music can raise attention from police and media if it implicates you in crimes. Whether you were involved or not or simply a bystander or have changed your way of life, speaking your truth can get unwanted attention and this one of the risks many rappers UK Rappers facetoday. As for rapper Unknown T with him being cleared of charges and out on bail he has a promising career a head of him as he is talented artist that bring allot of originality to UK Drill genre, however he will need to put in work to regain his position in UK music scene, although the publicity this trial gained him could work in his favour and aid in his progress.
The 30 year old Rakim Mayers, has been found guilty of assault during a Stockholm fight and given a two-year suspended sentence.
ASAP Rocky has been held in custody for a month, two other members of ASAP Rocky's entourage, Bladimir Corniel and David Rispers, were found guilty of the same charge.
However due to the circumstances not being serious in nature If ASAP and fellow convicted entourage commit no crimes on probation they will face no Jail time. The artist and co defendants claim they acted in self defence.
ASAP Rocky’s case raised multiple issues and subsequently gained international attention . Firstly this has raised the issue of the treatment of blacks in Europe often when thinking of racial injustice most point US and African American experience however there has been a recent trend in Europe of racial injustice due to the influx of migrants. Institutional racism towards those of African Decent has been a growing issue in countries such as the UK, Italy, France and more, furthermore this not the first time an African American has been wrongfully convicted overseas in Europe. If we point to the Freddie Gibbs case in Austria rape accusations were made against and subsequently he served Jail Despite being completely Innocent. Several Hip Hop Artist have decided to boycott sweden on future tours.
Perhaps one of the biggest controversy was Presidents Trumps response to the situations, After make comments deemed racist to immigrants and blacks such as Ilhan Omar trump attempted to gain support of African Americans through giving support to the ASAP ROCKY situation however this largely failed, Trump simply put did not understand how sweden Justice system work, offering to pay bail even though sweden does not have a bail system in fact most countries do not as it favour the wealthy and affluent, allows them to escape Justice.
However in sweden there is no Maximum amount of time someone can be held before their trial. The EU committee for prevention of torture has long critisced Sweden for its long pre trial detentions, and legal experts in Sweden have been trying to reform this for time. This case could be the catalyst prison reform in Sweden
However perhaps the biggest and most recent controversy is that the people ASAP Rocky supposedly fought were also not convicted despite in most of the released video they were being aggressor and violent, furthermore ASAP ROCKY must pay a fine which will go towards supposed victim of attack. The court said the victim of the assault, a 19-year-old refugee, was awarded damages for what the court described as the violation of his integrity and for pain and suffering.
Unknown one of the most promising upcoming talents in Drill and UK Rap scene has been charged with murder.
Daniel Lena ( 19years old) along with two other men Mohammed Musse and Raman Boreland, both 20 were charged with murder and violent disorder.
On New Years Day 2018 at a flat in Islington Steven Narvaez, 20, of Belvedere Kent was found stabbed to death along with another man whom was recovered.
Narvaez Narvaez-Jara was a physics and aerospace student at the University of Hertfordshire. He was one of four young men stabbed to death within 15 hours of each other over the new year period. The Killing is extremely unfortunate and hopefully justice is brought for this man.
As for what this means for Unknown T career could also be unfortunate as well, The Drill star recently had another hit song ‘Leave that Trap’ and was planning on releasing more music soon, however this could put his career on hold, especially if he is found guilty. As for what this means for the entire UK Drill genre could mean more controversy, despite this crime haven taken place before Unknown T’s rise in music scene it seems that police often continually use UK Drill as scapegoat for UK violence especially in situations like this. While platforms like youtube decided not to censor Drill in defence of freedom of speech this still could mean a further clamp down on UK artist in general from the Police.
Skepta recently dropped cold new visuals for track Love me not. The track is definitely one of the highlights on his latest album ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ , bringing a bubbly UK Garage vibe to the hard hitting album while still packing a powerful message about love and self reflections. This is beautifully executed on the hook by Cheb rabi, while B Live and Skepta go back to back giving a mc rave vibe to the track while staying on topic about women, love and betrayal.
This visuals perfectly capture the essence of the song. It opens with a scene about a girl calling her man frustrated then quickly breaks into UK Garage inspired house party . In typical Garage style most of the people on screen are dressed smart, however the overall vibe of the video is not retro like many Garage visuals that come out today. Instead it is set in current day and feels very modern. A few people make cameos in the music video including Slowthai and Chipmunk as skepta has collaborated with both these artist in the part. You can listen to ‘Love Me Not’ and his latest album release ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ on all streaming services including Apple Music and Spotify,.
The duo are back again with another groundbreaking project. Bandanna marks the second full length collaboration between Freddie Gibbs and Madlib whom both over time have acquired a cult fanbase. Their last project, 2014’s Piñata, was praised for its mix of Madlib’s ominous and sample heavy soulful beats with Gibbs’ skillfully delivered stories of street life.
The follow up Bandanna only strengthens the duo’s performance as they are more cohesive on this project but still are able execute what they do best. Madlibs delivers smooth soulful beats with unique smoky samples and edgy but artfully executed mixes. While Freddie Gibbs talks about everything from crime, the streets, the drug game, black activism and freedom, transatlantic slave trade and even cheating. This album is especially emotional for Gibbs as many of the raps on the album, were written when he was wrongfully in imprisoned in Austria for a crime he did not commit. He claims this is the best project he has put out so far, this is definitely reflected in the music.
So far the album has received largely positive feedback from reviewers, blogs and radio stations, praised for its complete deviation from current trap heavy sound, making it definitely stand out. Despite its root in more orthodox hip hop sound it is still skillfully executed and feels current and refreshing to listen to. Many have even suggested that it could end up getting album of the year.
Recently upcoming UK talent has been making some noise abroad.Headie One, Dave, Octavian & Giggs were nominated for a BET Award.
Best International Acts include: AKA (South Africa); Aya Nakamura (France) Burna Boy (Nigeria); Dave(UK);Dosseh(France); Giggs(UK);MR EAZI(Nigeria).
Best new International Act include: Headie One(UK);Jok’Air(France); Octavian(UK);Sho Madjozi (South Africa);(Teni Nigeria)
