Today a friend of mine sent me an article about a seven year old art prodigy and I was pretty blown away.  Some of his works that are selling at £900 which is the equivalent of roughly $129 a piece. I don’t care what anyone says, at age 7 that is very impressive. What’s even more impressive is his skill. Looking at the pastel work below, I would have never guessed that was bred from a seven year old boy.

Click here to read the article.

by Kieron Williamson

These are really, how should I say, “Dreamy.” Literally.

These photos were taken on Polaroid by photographer Patrick De Warren of France.

Photographer fun fact: He was one of few photographers selected by Giorgio Armani to photograph for the Armani Art Exchange project.

….Beautiful aren’t they?

Being that I am from Florida, I only feel that it is necessary to represent the new hip hop artists emerging from Broward and Dade County which consists of Ft. Laduerdale and Miami.

Hip Hop even still in it’s infancy advances as a music genre faster than any other musical genre out there. I think the reason that may be is because of it’s recent drive as an industry based on trendiness. That can be a good or bad thing. Good for the record companies because they financially capitalize on their Products (Artists) and bad for the Artists because they can either, never fully reap the benefits of their success, if any, or they can really be: here today gone tomorrow.

Hip Hop is extremely competitive. Every Artist (and I use that term loosely) is fighting to outdo the other or surpass their competition’s ‘freshness’ or ‘swag’ as it’s more now commonly known. I think they are forgetting that their main job is to make music.  Listen to any rap song today or any song for that matter and I can almost bet you it sounds like a commercial or a bunch of talking over the instrumental. I’m being told that sasid champagne is the one to drink, said are the clothes to be worn, or even the women shown are the ones that I’m supposed to go after (RE: music videos). It’s all very odd to me sometimes.  I don’t even think I can call some of it music anymore. We have an industry full of life advertisers.

Over the horizon is our generation shift in the genre, which last took place cira 1993. It was that year that we were introduced to Hip Hop’s newest Artists, and back then I could actually call them that. I’m seeing a little better of a presence and it’s more or less coming back to making quality records and not so much about the promotion of the lifestyle that I and many others may never experience. It’s all circling back to relatable music. The most notable to take the reigns are (in no particualar order): Wale, Drake, J. Cole, Kid Cudi, Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth, Wiz Kihfa, and Curren$y. Oh, and Joel Ortiz. I probably missed a few. I just mentioned the ones that are really recognized the most as of now. On the come up, I’m listing ones from FL becuase that’s where I’m from, are: J Nic$, Vito, Phresh James, Sean Buck (my brother and producer to watch) and among some others. I could include myself but I reside in LA now…and I don’t even claim LA. I always feel like I’m in the middle.  So, as I should say Troy B, an up and comer in Music.

Check out www.the305.com to hear some Miami’s newest talent.

TroyB mixtape/album arriving soon. Produced by Sean Buck.

With all the many talents that I have I often wonder what it is I really should be doing (I’m sure we have been over this before). Many of times I feel as if I am closing in on the true answer to that question as I seemingly impress more people with my music. I am beginning to believe that is the one talent that I posess which may be my calling, but will also turn into the binder of all my other talents allowing me to use them in the ways that are most beneficial to me.

Until then, I will continue to show love to my artistic skills by viewing them as hobbies now. One of them being drawing. I really love to draw and for someone who started to draw for the first time in 2005 and to display the improvement as I did, it screams in a major way. Please see my Artwork section to get the complete explantion behind that statment. Much of those first pieces that you will see were done that very year. I am amazed myself everytime that I see them…I used to draw stick figueres before I took those fine art classes!

So now, I present a new little piece that I started a few weeks ago at R+H on my notepad which I used to carry around the studio serving as my library for new tasks or notes from 2K reviews. I actually started this out of pure boredom one day while waiting for the show’s VFX Supervisor to arrive and I just chipped away at it everyday after then, sitting in the screening room waiting patiently for the dailies to begin. I am very excited to see the end result of this. I don’t normally like to draw with pens but I recently got into the habit because I feels it pushes me to make the right choices on where I put my lines. The lack of having an eraser makes it much more challenging and forces my creative hand when I actually do make a mistake and have to figuure out how to make it seamless. I also noticed that it changes my drawing drastically into a more animated/comic book style.

I also try to focus on a central theme whenever I start anything like this. I like having structure to an idea. It makes me feel as if I’m heading somewhere and not just doing it in vain. The theme I chose to work with this time around is, heaven and hell and the fight between dreams and reality. Sounds like something you’ve heard before and it may not look like much now, but if I could show you what’s in my head at this point then it would make sense. You’ll just have to wait until it’s completed.

I am trying to escape making empty promises so, I cannot tell you when this will be finished. Since I have other projects that are of more importance at this point, all I can say is, “It’ll be finished, when it’s finished.”

I was talking to a friend, who like myself, is getting ready to venture off from his job to go after what makes his life feel complete. I can totally relate.

I feel so comfortable with my decision. I have been planning out my career for years and at this point in my life, I don’t really have anything to lose. I don’t have a large salary, I don’t have a house, I don’t have kids, nor a girlfriend, unfortunately… Thinking again, I’ve only see relationships cause my friends more stress than happiness, so maybe I’m better off being a bachelor. The only thing I am losing out on is time – that I will never get back. But, the time invested in trying is worth more than the time people sit around doing nothing with themselves.

Forward 3 weeks from now. We are on the horizon of a new decade. 2010 will be a good year. It will be the year that everything happens for me. Not my instant rise to stardom, but the dawn of my rise to stardom. I’ve done a lot for people in the past. I’ve helped, I’ve given, and I’ve supported. In the end, it made for many happy friends and family, but an unhappy me because I never obtained the time to invest in myself. I feel like next year will be that year. I am ready. There is no turning back. No matter how hard the road gets, I, along with my brother Sean will live out dreams much wilder than we originally imagined. We will be the greatest to ever grace entertainment. We have, and will continue to work for it. Let’s show them where art lives, little brother. You are probably the only person I will share my time unwillingly with no matter my situation. So let’s make use of it. Do you want it? Do you want it as bad as you say it? I know I do. Well, let’s show them then!

Well I always spit that, wonderama shit, me and my conglomerate
shall remain anonymous, caught up in the finest shit
Live out my dreams, until my heart give out
Involved with cream, you know exactly what this shit's about
Fuck y'all mean? Handlin' since a teen I dish out
like the point guard off your favorite team without doubt
My life ain't rosy but I roll with it
My mind was fine until the dough hit it and told me that the mo' did it
And now it's kosher shit is so Hasidic
I blow a digit on a diamond in a minute but, no bitches
Watch how I'm walkin cause even the thoroughest niggas be knockin
tryin to strike a bargain hoping that they might get pardoned
Shit I'm involved with got me pins and needles
And my cerebral be's the wickedess evil thoughts that this martyr feed you
Feedback, in the game so deep fiends could catch ya
Freeze off my knee cap, can y'all believe that?
Got the city drinkin' Cristals, re-up the fee
Rappers goin' broke, tryin to keep up with me
My rise to riches surprised the bitches - think harder
You know this nigga, Jay-Z; Shawn Carter
G.S. the fuck up, dree-ess the fuck up
Watch me shine like a Breitling, begets the fuck up
All rhymers forget it like Alzhiemers
Small timers, I said it, I'm addressin all dramas
Talk to me
-Jay-Z

I only felt it was right to post this. This is TroyB Arthouse isn’t it? Kanye, actually beat me to it. He posted some pictures on his blog today from the very famous (Somehow, I’ve never heard of it. I blame working so much) Art Exhibition held every year in Miami. I was held this past ending week from December 3-6th.

It was a good thing that I went to check his blog today. I would have never known that it was this weekend. It immediately made me say internally, I miss home. I’ll be back for 3 weeks starting Saturday but, I don’t think I’ll get the full effect of feeling like, I’m actually home. But, I suppose it’s better off that I don’t live there at least for a few more years. Too many distractions, not enough opportunities. Or so I think. That could all change if I can actually become a model. It’s possible. Think positive, Troy. Amongst LA, NY, Pairs, and Milan, fashion modeling is just as huge in Miami as well. That may be a reason to move back. I could get my break in music there too…Or am I just searching for a reason to go back?

Oh, yes, sorry. The Art Basel. The original subject of this post. Haha. Apologies. Now, I was intrigued because this was the first time that I have really heard of the Art Basel so I decided to do some more research. Some of this is quoting Wikipedia. “Art Basel Miami Beach has been held annually since 2002, has been held throughout the city each December. Along with adjoining fairs and associated events, Art Basel Miami Beach has eclipsed the original Art Basel in size, popularity, if not importance. Events for Art Basel Miami Beach are held in art galleries in the Miami neighborhoods of Wynwood and the Miami Design District. The Art Basel Miami Beach is sister to the exhibition held in Basel, Switzerland. It is known as the contemporary art olympics. That sounds like pressure. I stumbled upon an article in the NY Times that goes into detail about the social/business sides of the annual exhibiton which I find highly interesting. See the article to see what I mean. Also, click on the picture below to see the pictures that Mr. West has posted on his blog. It’s really unforunate that it was the weekend before I was supposed to fly back to Miami. Well, there is next year…

I remember once at a screening of a thesis short film a girl approached me an asked me, “Are you inspired (I was wearing my Gap Red, Inspi-Red shirt)?” Of course me being me, took that as an open invitation to flirt. So, I smiled back simply responded, “Always.” My response was highly earnest, and that led to an interesting end to my week.

Any artist will tell you that it can be a struggle to consistently find inspiration to invest into projects. Some are constantly inspired. That is a blessing. I am blessed, because I happen to be one of those artists. Inspirations – people, my life, the lives of others, the aftermath of artistry aside from my own. Often it can be something so minute that can strike a chord that will fuel and idea for something that will turn out to be so epic for me. The latter can be accredited to experiences with different women that become situations sprinkled throughout my second feature script, which is a romantic comedy.

I saw a romantic comedy last night. It was the premier of a thesis short film, Santa Ana Winds, written and directed by a good friend of mine, Kyle. He just graduated from AFI. I will say this much about him, great guy and talented individual. He’s going to be huge. It was last night that I became inspired once again. This happens every time I am around him and  classmates, also friends of mine. I have been to all of their screenings and I never knew my peers could ignite so much in me to continually push myself as an artist. That’s something special because so many times you can feel compelled to want to compete, and that happens to me more often than not as a hip hop artist. There are so many musicians trying to do what I am and hip hop is already so competitive (I’m sure the same holds true for film). There are a few hip hop artist that provide me with the same feeling that my AFI friends give and I love that feeling more than anything. The artist unity and wanting to collaborate rather than compete. Hip Hop is becoming more like this. It’s incredible. I hope these people  are the next to be running H0llywood. With them, the industry would be a much better place. The ones that I’m close with at least. Their intentions are very sincere.

So, now, it’s time to get back to work; making more great art for the world to emotionally invest in. I’ll be right back.

*I have extra DVD’s. Friends, contact me if you would like one.

It’s about time. Complex Magazine has graced it’s recent issue’s cover with one of the last of 3 remaining God MC’s. Yes, I said 3. Jay-Z, Nas, and Enimem. The latter is still, after 10 years in the game, highly underrated in skill and often overlooked. I think it’s unfair and it just goes to show you how one-sided the genre has become.

The reason I place those three gentlemen in the category of being “God MC’s” (the term was originally coined by Jay-Z himself) is based purely on them reaching a Legend status in their career. As you can see in the backdrop of the cover Eminem has finally decided to stand in front of  a statement which I’m sure he’s felt for some years now. He’s more than proved that by having the highest selling Rap album of the year and to his latest verse to the song “Forever” featuring Drake, Kanye West, and Lil’ Wayne. He’s the “old timer” on the track, and he effortlessly out raps all of the new guys. This is not to take anything away from them they are all incredible MC’s and I am anxiously awaiting to see what Drake has to offer on his first album, I really hope that he lives up to the hype that he’s been getting. He’s a talented rapper but I want to let him breath and release an album first before I can say he’s the next “king of hip hop” or “the next Will Smith” or “Jay-Z’s replacement” like so many people have been labeling him. You’re cutting his legs before he has a chance to walk, people. Let the man mature as an artist first. Let him take us on a journey before you try to state his destination.

You can read the Complex article with Eminem in full, here.

Oh, and just in case anyone was wondering, here is my top ten favorite MC’s list:

1. Jay-Z

2. The Notorious B.I.G

3. Nas

4. Ghostface Killah

5. Eminem

6. Kanye West

7. Lupe Fiasco

8. 50 Cent

9. Common

10. Cam’ron

I am convinced that I am Steve Urkel who became Stephan. Anyone who really knows me, and I’m talking way back to middle school days (maybe even before then), will know what I am talking about.

I love art (as you know by now), I love technology and anything that has to do with science. I think my major explains many of my interests. I have a B.A. in Digital Media. That means I am an artist but at the same time I understand the technicals aspects of new age media. Working for a visual effects studio has fulfilled my inner geekdum (this a blog and I reserve the right to make up words) more than I expected it to. My eye has become more trained by sitting in 2K reviews, I have learned so much more about pipeline on a professional level. Things are entirely different than school. Which lends me to say, they tell you they are teaching you to be able to easily adapt to the “real world” level of the work that you are doing but after graduating and experiencing a studio that works on tentpole Hollywood projects, the college experience doesn’t even come two lifetimes close.

What’s odd to me is that I have been trying to take myself in the completely opposite direction with my career but the beauty of that is I can still never let go of what made me who I am. I never lose sight of my integrity. What scares some people is, if you talk to me now about anything that I love or studied that is totally void of most people’s interest (on a general level), and I’m talking deep into the topic, science especially, they would suspect that they were talking to someone completely different. I love to analyze and dissect topics. Try me. You’ll be surprised.

People will more than likely ask me, “Why are you trying to be a model?” You’re interested in in Photography, you take photos, and you understand lighting, and all the technicalities associated with it. Or, “Why do you want to be a rapper? You write so well, you have two feature screenplays to prove it. You can easily pen a novel. Not to mention, you know music, you know marketing, you have a great business mind (that last part I added in myself). You should run a company.” The only one that sort of sounds normal is, “Oh, you want to be a Film Director…ok that’s cool.” Then I move to LA and damn near the entire city population wants to be that.

I wish I could say I have a simple answer for all of those questions. I just don’t. I cannot even understand why I’m attracted to the “being under the microscope by the world” type of jobs. I used to say I never wanted to be in front of the camera. A small part of the change is this insatiable desire to prove some people wrong. It’s pretty sad though, all this intelligence and I want to be an entertainer… If all goes according to plan, that will not be entirely true. Create opportunities to get new opportunities and do what it is that you really desire. If that makes any sense at all.

You ain't havin it?  Good, me either
Let's, get together and make this whole world believe us huh?
At my arraignment, screamin'
all us blacks got is sports and entertainment, until we even
Thievin, as long as I'm breathin'
Can't knock the way a nigga eatin - fuck you, even!

- Jay-Z