The 5th Element’s Mission Emcee, Bboy, DJ, and Graffiti Arts. These are the four elements that compose Hip Hop culture. Many would argue that fashion is not a significant element of Hip Hop, but when placed in comparison with any other culture, you will see the appearance of its people is what distinguishes them. Fashion IS the 5th Element. We, as a collective of Fashion Enthusiasts, are here to provide you with an online magazine that bridges the connection of Fashion in Hip Hop.
“Our Common Thread” Established 2010
THE CONTENTS MC // Flip Major // 1 DJ // Mick Boogie // 15 Graffiti // Kai // 33 B-Boy // B-Boy Natural // 45 Fashion // IMKING // 71
DOIN’ DIRT WITH FLIP MAJOR
call it The Dirt. With an unfiltered, unharness-able character and versatile style that is hard to define, the artist would describe his sound by first saying, “I do a lot of different things depending on the project that you listen to...I smoke a lot of weed, bruh...and I won’t say my shit is on some Wiz type shit, like on those real elevator music-like...” to further elaborate, “It’s nothing too smooth. I got some turn up shit, some party shit, but I got some real shit too. I mean, I got everything you need. You don’t need to go nowhere else. Stick with me.” The bright emcee has been rapping for about 4 years. Flip got introduced to the music scene toward the end of high school where a friend of his began to pursue rapping. Flip was doing club hosting, and took more of a role as his manager and hypeman. Flip was inspired to hone his own skills and talents as an emcee after that. Summer. It was a Red Cup Sunday at the Icon in DTLA where I spot a young man in the crowd. He stood tall and slender, long braids under a snap-back, spectacles, with a schoolboy type swag. I flashback to a few weeks before where I witnessed this same young gentleman at La Clique’s Style House fashion show. He was on stage and he gave one hell of a performance. To a crowd that appeared to be somewhat exhausted from the night’s event, he took to the stage and shook the room with his bouncy tunes and high energy, as if the night had just begun. The crew and I, reawakened, truly enjoyed and appreciated his showmanship. This charismatic rapper was no minor feature. His name is Flip Major, and we had to know more. Flip Major is an emcee that hails from Victorville, CA. Some would call it the booneys, Flip would 3
The young artist has since opened up for acts like Audio Push, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar and Dom Kennedy. During the interview, Flip recalls a few great performances he’s had so far, as well as a really bad one early in his career. The best performance he had was at the Troubadour in Hollywood. It was a sold out Audio Push event in January 2012. His worst experience was a show in Compton in 2010. Mind you, this was before his hit “My Name Flip” came out. With a laugh he explains, “They cut my show off...I only did one song--one and a half, if that! They booed the shit out of me, really. It was pretty funny to me, but that was the first and only time that has happened to me. I’ve never really had a bad review of any of my live performances, but that shit was pretty funny.” Not shaken at all by the experience, Flip Major beams with confidence
and it definitely comes out on stage. “My performance is tight tho...if y’all follow me on Twitter and I say that I’m performing somewhere, y’all better come the fuck out and watch, cuz I bet you it’d be way better than your favorite rap artist. The only thing that rap artist may have is special lights and his name in the back lit up or some shit. But fuck, man. My shit dope.” Having seen the rapper live myself, I can definitely testify the man is not lying. Donning a Young & Reckless tee and snap back, Flip Major is undoubtedly as stylish as he is talented. We ask the artist how he describes his sense of fashion. “I’m just a real chill, Dirt type nigga. I’m real laid back. I’m really not flashy. I’m not really a chain wearin’ ass nigga, I’m just chill, man. Just a regular t-shirt and cargos type of dude, you know...and some Vans. I don’t wear Jordans. I don’t camp for my kicks. I’ve never worn Jordans in my 23 years of life. I might, when I get some money though! Fashion to me is more of like a mental type of thing, you feel me..? As long as I feel like I’m fresh, then I’m straight.” Be sure to check out Flip Major’s latest album Halfway Average 1.5 which was released this past summer and is available for download on iTunes. Also, Flip has recently leaked “I Do This” and “Burn It Up” off of his upcoming mixtape Roll Up Two, which Flip describes as “It’s on some real-life shit. It’s gonna be real fun”. Roll Up Two is set to be released by year’s end. Stay connected to all of Flip Major’s social media outlets below, and we’ll see y’all at the next show! Website: www.MyNameFlip.com Twitter: @FlipMajor Instagram: @ChiefMajor Youtube: FlipTeeVee Soundcloud.com/FlipMajor
“I got some turn up shit, some party shit, but I got some real shit too. I mean, I got everything you need. You don’t need to go nowhere else. Stick with me.” 4
“My performance is tight tho...y’all better come the fuck out and watch, cuz I bet you it’d be way better than your favorite rap artist. My shit is dope.”
THE RHYME ALONG EVERYBODY IS A STAR We walked into Chinatown’s Mountain Bar one night in November of 2010 to celebrate a friend’s birthday. We have never gone on a Saturday, so we only hoped it would be as fun as the usual Friday nights we were privy to. We hear some hip-hop coming from the interior and followed the music upstairs to find a room full of people, a projector screen, and some cats on a mic. Did we walk into a concert? There are words on the screen...and the words were moving. Wow. This is karaoke. Hip-hop karaoke? Quite an unexpected surprise, but a welcomed one nonetheless. We didn’t know something like this existed, but we participated to the fullest extent and had a blast rapping alongside strangers and friends. What 7
did we stumble into? It would actually be a couple of years before a random Facebook event invite answered that question. This is The Rhyme Along. Finding a home at bar 72 North in Pasadena, The Rhyme Along is SoCal’s exclusive Hip-Hop karaoke event. Founded in 2009 and run by long-time friends, DJ Nice Nice, Kid W.I.K., DJ Hearsee, J-Villa, A-Classic, and Digital Ron, TRA had humble beginnings, throwing their first event in J-Villa’s backyard. After some time and lots of trial and error, the guys perfected their methods and eventually set up at their first official venue at Lost Souls Cafe in downtown Los Angeles in 2009.
The inspiration for The Rhyme Along primarily came from other non-conventional karaoke events, and also from a wellknown beer commercial. Do you remember the one Heineken commercial that everyone loved from a few years back? The one that featured a taxi cab full of random passengers that were singing “Just A Friend” by Biz Markie? DJ NiceNice reflects, “We thought, how many times do you get to do that with your friends on the way to wherever? And how do we create that kind of situation in an environment where everyone can kind of see you and your friends having this great time? And “Just A Friend” came on and everyone knew the lyrics, even the cab driver, and we were like, well, hip-hop has come that far...” With three of
the fellas being DJs, The Rhyme Along would be a platform to display all the Golden Era music that they loved. In combination with that and learning about things going on in other cities; the punk karaoke events in New York, and the hip-hop karaoke events in Vancouver, motivated the crew to push their event even more. The next step was to put their own stamp on it. The Rhyme Along is different. Steering clear of calling it “HipHop Karaoke LA”, the name itself was derived from those old “Sing Along” books from our childhood. What really sets The Rhyme Along apart though, is the experience. When you get to the spot and wait for the start of the night’s festivities, you have either DJ NiceNice, Kid W.I.K., or DJ Hearsee spinning some of the best Golden Era or underground jams. On the projector screen you watch the
music videos to those tunes synchronized. The emcee and hypeman of the operation, J-Villa, keeps the party moving and helps all of the night’s rappers stay on track. There is no dead time between performers, instead, DJs play head-bobbing instrumentals that occupy any possible void to keep the momentum going. While you’re on stage, a crowd forms around you, hands up, dancing and singing along. A-Classic flashes his camera, capturing your 15 minutes of fame, giving you that hip-hop star feel. You can’t help but feel like Jay-Z at Madison Square Garden while you’re there! “The thing with The Rhyme Along too, was to make it inclusive instead of exclusive” Hearsee explains. “When you go to a party or a club...for the most part, people feel the music, but then everybody is
with their own cliques. But then, with The Rhyme Along, people are in unison.” Most definitely. A sense of community and a welcoming vibe are undeniable at TRA. “They don’t know who that person [on stage] is, but they’re just like, ‘I like that song, you like that song too. We have this connection’. This isn’t just a party...this is a way of people bonding over the love of the music.” Over the years, The Rhyme Along has gained regulars and enthusiastic first-timers. The Halloween edition of The Rhyme Along is always a treat because you’re bound to see participants in a lot of hip-hop inspired costumes. If the guys had it their way, they’d like to see this all year round. During one random Rhyme Along, JVilla and DJ NiceNice actually got into character themselves.
“The thing with The Rhyme Along too, was to make it inclusive instead of exclusive. When you go to a party or a club...everybody is with their own cliques. But then, with The Rhyme Along, people are in unison.”
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For their rendition of ATCQ’s “Jazz/Buggin’ Out”, they threw on a couple of pairs of bug-eyed glasses for the second half of their performance! Definitely hyped the crowd up. What will you bring to the table when you go? The Rhyme Along goes down once a month at 72 North in Pasadena, where everybody is a star. You’re not required to sign up to watch, but, rehearse your favorite hip-hop song anyway, because you’ll want to sign up as soon as the first performer gets off! Check out TRA’s website, Youtube, Facebook, and Flickr below and we’ll see you on stage! www.therhymealong.com www.youtube.com/user/ TheRhymeAlong www.facebook.com/ TheRhymeAlong www.flickr.com/photos/ therhymealong
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SEASON’S CHANGE The Topic Of Homosexuality In The Hip-Hop Culture
Sometimes, when it comes to an emcees prowess, it’s about how much bigger and badder you are than all of your opponents. Sometimes its about skill, but other times its about intimidation. To belittle, humiliate, and exploit the competition. How would you convey this lyrically? Would you call someone a faggot to get this across? Hip-Hop music can be looked at as an extremely masculine genre, and brutally homophobic. This past summer, though, seemed to be a season of change in the social consciousness and tolerance in members of the Hip-Hop community. Could this be a start of revolution? Will the LGBT community finally be accepted and no longer shunned or considered taboo? Several breakthrough moments 11
in urban music and the world seemed to domino, one right after the other, to bring the idea of an equalization of both same-sex relationships as well as heterosexual relationships closer to reality. For one, Murs came out with “Animal Style”, a song and video about the tragic angst of a teenage couple involving an openly gay male and his closeted, conflicted boyfriend. The 5th Element Mag interviewed the emcee and got some of his thoughts one why the world seems to be ready for acceptance and change now. “My whole goal was just to make people talk about it. It wasn’t to get props or to get dissed. It was just to start a conversation; and Macklemore followed up with a great song called ‘Same Love’, and Brother Ali had a great song before that on his last EP. So, I’m just happy to be part of a movement in forcing people to think, and hopefully advancing the thinking of Hip-Hop culture, especially when it comes to same-sex relationships... “The saying is, ‘There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come,’ and the time has just come. I didn’t talk to Ali about it, Macklemore didn’t talk to me about it, none of us talked to Frank Ocean, none of us talked to the President. It’s just, you know, humanity is freeing itself of all its limitations and separations. And it’s a natural gradual thing, very organic, and I’m happy to be a part of it.” *Murs “Animal Style” (LEFT) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “Same Love” (RIGHT) 12
ROCK THE BELLS 2012 SAN BERNARDINO
The weekend of August 17th and 18th had to have been the warmest weekend in San Bernardino this summer, and the NOS Center was definitely the hot spot. The 9th annual Rock The Bells hip-hop festival kicked off its first leg of it’s 3 city tour that weekend and The 5th Element was there to experience every scorching minute of it. With a diverse line-up and the addition of a second day to the event, the attending fans definitely got their fill of hip-hop glory. With many highly anticipated performers, Bone Thugs-NHarmony stood out to be especially favored as their set marked their 20th anniversary as well as their official group reunion. All five members were present and put on a historical performance on Day 2. The 5th Element crew was lucky enough to speak with Bizzy Bone, one of the more evocative yet elusive members of Bone, after their show. When asked what the chemistry was like after such a long gap in performing together, Bizzy replied “Yeah, it’s basically the same. We’re rocking these octaves the best we can... doin’ what we supposed to do. Keep the energy up for the crowd, and enjoy ourselves, and just have some fun, make some money--word to child support, and um, keep shit rockin’, you know?” We asked Bizzy if this performance is an indication for a possible comeback for Bone Thugs. “I mean, well, I hope so. We’re all game for it. Theres no arguing, 13
there’s no beefing. We can all sit down, look at each other and speak with sense. So the only thing that would stop it is if no productivity on the table, if nobody’s pushing... If everything works according to plan; keep their legs fresh, keep my legs fresh, we’ll go on and get money, eat and shit, you know.” Freestyle king, and apparent sneaker enthusiast, Supernatural hosted and emceed most of the Rock The Bells weekend. As one of the founders of the festival, we asked the artist if it ever gets old for him. Supernat smiled and responded, “It never gets old, I mean, when you get to come and hang out with all of your friends, and all the hip-hop you grew up on, and get to see some of the new cats, it’s a beautiful thing. This is just like hip-hop summer camp 101, you know. Get to see everybody, get to politic and network, that’s really important. No, it never gets old.” After a successful 9th annual show, Rock The Bells is an undeniable staple in hip-hop culture today. We definitely cannot wait for what they’ll pull off for the 10 year anniversary next year. One thing is for sure; The 5th Element will be there to cover it all for you! But for now, take a look at a few of our favorite performances of the festival. 14
GET DOWN WITH THE BOOGIE
“Catch me if you can.” That quote alone should describe this international DJ who has been racking up air miles with his in demand talent behind the turntables. From Los Angeles to New York, to as far as Paris and Tokyo, Mick Boogie’s DJ career is what most DJ’s aspire to achieve. Spinning for adidas events and celebrity filled rooms, he’s reached a top tier list of DJ’s who’s names are spoken frequently in the music world. The 5th Element Magazine was lucky enough to get a minute from his hectic schedule to get a few questions in. Get behind the mind of this dude and learn a few things you probably didn’t know. Your music arsenal should have at least one Mick Boogie mixtape or remixed song. And if you don’t have one, we suggest you Google him after reading this interview. You can thank us later.
5th: When did you start on the turntables?
The 5th Element Magazine: Let’s tell the readers who you are and what you do.
Mick: It all varies. Sometimes it’s a brand approaching me... sometimes an artist. Sometimes vice versa. Sometimes I do shit just to do it... because I love music. From there, it’s creativity and logic... and overall, great branding.
Mick Boogie: My name is Mick. I play music to make people happy. And I’ve been blessed to create a worldwide career out of doing it. 17
Mick: I got my first pair when I was a senior in high school. I played drums before that, so it was a logical transition. I heard Jazzy Jeff and Funk Flex...and I knew I had to try it. 5th: You’ve spun at various parts of the world. Which has been the most memorable place that you’ve worked at? Mick: So many. I can’t choose. DJing on the beach in Tokyo for thousands of music-loving people was pretty awesome. That’s definitely a highlight. 5th: Everyone must have at least one Mick Boogie mixtape in their music selection…tell us your process in creating one?
5th: Speaking of mixtapes, how did you and DJ Jazzy Jeff get together on the now famous Summertime mixtapes? Mick: Jeff was, and is, my idol. We became friends and I pitched this idea to him... bring him into my world a little bit and bring me into his world a little bit... and ever since then, it’s been amazing. People love them anywhere we go in the whole world. We are really lucky. 5th: We are a hip-hop fashion magazine…so give us a description of your everyday style. Mick: My style is so varied. You might catch me on some Brooklyn chill stuff... camo shorts, adidas flip-flops, Dope Couture tee. Or dressed for a gig in some Rag and Bone or Acne. Tom Ford sunglasses are becoming an obsession. Same with vintage watches. Links: http://mickboogie.com http://mixstream.com/ https://twitter.com/MickBoogie
You can get with THIS or you can get with THAT with Mick Boogie
5th: Winter or Summer? Mick: Both... because even in the winter, it’s summertime somewhere, and someone is listening to our mix. 5th: Kicks or Sandals? Mick: Kicks. Current faves: adidas Campus 80s and retro Jordan 6’s. 5th: Paperback books or book-adapted movies? Mick: Books for sure. 5th: NYC or LA? Mick: NYC, preferably Brooklyn. 5th: Burgers or Hot Dogs? Mick: Burger (Turkey) 5th: Serato or Vinyls? Mick: Serato…but I DEFINITELY paid my vinyl dues! 19
GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL DJ
DJ INGWELL
You may have heard him spin at your favorite club or listened to his skills on Power 106 LA radio. Or maybe even caught him doing a special set at an event. Wherever it is, you’ll know for sure it is DJ Ingwell. The dude rose to local fame because of his talent and clearly paid his dues from the bottom. Now he has his eyes set on bigger things and a broader reach of audience. In time we’ll hear about him spinning overseas or maybe see his mixtapes passed around the world. The sky is the limit. So get to know the guy behind the turntables and the radio station. And next time you see him spinning live, tell your friend “He’s DJ Ingwell.” The 5th Element Magazine: What made you want to start DJing? DJ Ingwell: My older brother started DJing first. Scratching and doing house parties. I’ve been around it almost my whole life. In high school my parents bought me my first pair of turntables and a mixer. When I first started I just wanted to scratch and battle. Then I started doing house parties. After house parties I started doing clubs, then got into Power 106. 5th: Who are your DJ influences? 23
Ingwell: When I first started it was Invisbl Skratch Piklz and Beat Junkies. Now it ranges, anywhere from A-Trak, Afrojack, and Laidback Luke. Every genre you can get a little bit out of. So those are my influences now. 5th: How did you get your DJ name? Ingwell: I was doing a couple of house parties and then it just came up. DJ Ingwell. That was my sense of humor back then. “Deejayingwell.” Some will get it right away, some of you might get it in a couple of months. 5th: What’s it like being a DJ for Power 106? Ingwell: It’s my dream job, any DJ would love to be on there. I grew up listening to the radio. I started being on the street team beginning of 2010. One of my boys from high school, Mitchell, had already been working there and he put me on the street team in 2010. I worked that for a year doing all the grunt work and paid my dues. After that year I turned in my demo to DJ E-Man and DJ Felli Fel. They liked it and gave me my chance at the beginning of 2011. Been djing there for the past
year and a half and just living the dream every day. 5th: What is your everyday style? Ingwell: I wear chucks everyday. Chucks and black socks. Throw whatever on. Whoever gives me clothes. Big ups to Acrylick and Sick Star. And whatever my girlfriend dresses me up in; she’s my stylist. 5th: Favorite headphones? Ingwell:My favorite headphones right now would be the new Pioneer 1500 I just picked up. 5th: What can we expect from you in the future? Ingwell: You can expect a lot. Hopefully you’ll get to hear it all soon. Music, mixtapes, productions. Been doing a lot of new music so make sure to check the Soundcloud, Twitter, & Facebook. Soundcloud: http://soundcloud. com/djingwell Tweet: @djingwell FB: http://www.facebook.com/ Ingwell2.0
“It’s my dream job, any DJ would love to be on (Power 106). I grew up listening to the radio.”
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“I wear Chucks everyday. Chucks and black socks. Throw whatever on.”
The 5th Element Magazine is bringing you another installment from our Mixtape Series. We’re calling this one The Cool Down. You can download at http://soundcloud.com/the5thelementmag/the-cool-down Mixed by one of LA’s busiest DJs, we’re honored to have DJ A_Ron lend his skills in creating another dope mix that we know everyone is going to like. As the season changes we know it takes a while for SoCal to transition from the summer heatwave to the fall and winter breezes. When you see everyone rocking that beanie and hoodie, then you know the weather has already started to cool down. Tune in to RosewoodRadio.com every Tuesday 8pm to hear DJ A_Ron spinning live and Gabby V on the mic. She provided the voice drops on the mix so a special thanks and shout out to her! Follow them on Twitter: @RosewoodRadio , @iamDJA_RON , and @LoveGabbyV Follow The 5th on Twitter and Instagram : @The5thElmntMag 28
BACKSPIN: JAM MASTER JAY In this issue we wanted to spotlight on a legend among all DJs - Jam Master Jay. A member of one of the most successful hip-hop groups, RUN DMC, Jam Master Jay became an icon during his time and continues to be an inspiration to all generations of hip-hop fans today. Where his talent shines, so does his sense of style. Today, the look of sweat suits, black hats, gold chains and adidas kicks can all be accredited to RUN DMC. It’s now considered a classic hip-hop style. History books and encyclopedias will probably have a picture of RUN DMC next to “hip-hop fashion.” A lot of musical artists today have tried to accomplish what Jam Master Jay has done: create a signature look that distinguishes who they are, and is recognized in the streets and on paper. Today, that all black attire with the fresh white adidas continues to be one of the most imitated and admired styles of hip-hop.
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FADE IN: CAMP SPIN OFF
When I was just a youngin’, summer break consisted of two things: the sun and the pool. It was essentially all you needed. Flashbacks to summer camps when you and your friends were away from home and tasted a bit of freedom. Those were the golden days. In this issue we continue with our Fade-In series, which highlights organizations that focus on teaching the youth the fundamentals of hip-hop. An annual program that caught our eye was Camp Spin Off, based in Southern California. We got a chance to get to know Camp Spin Off from the wise words of DJ Tina T. Here she shares what the summer camp is all about, what the kids can expect, and some of the guest DJs that have helped them out. 1. Where did the idea of Camp Spin Off come from? I went to all types of summer camps growing up in the Pacific Northwest and wanted to bring the traditional camp idea back, but in 31
a way that I could give back to the DJ community and keep the art of DJing alive. I love working with youth and this was a great way to bring everything together for a really unique experience that people will never forget. 2. Who were the main people responsible for putting the program together? I wanted to reach out to the people who are best at what they do to make all the pieces of camp come together in the most credible way possible. I have worked with Scratch DJ Academy in LA for a long time and it was a no brainer to have them be the main teachers and use their curriculum at camp. For the beat production class, we have DJ Serafin and in the digital DJ class with Traktor, they send a Native Instruments specialist to teach the class. I also called in favors from companies that support all my projects: Skull Candy, Red Bull, Rane and more. As far as the planning process of
camp its basically just me and my camp coordinator Julie who handles registration and details. We spend the year planning and getting ready for it. 3. How did you pick your camp counselors / DJ instructors? (Plus, who were some past guests that visited the camp?) For camp counselors, I reached out to DJs who I have known for a long time and trust. I also look for people who I consider to be positive role models, experienced DJs and work well with youth. They need to be responsible and able to wake up early every morning. Most of all, I want people who are there for the right reasons and will be able to let loose and have fun with the group. For instructors, I leave that up to the Scratch Academy and Native Instruments to send teachers that are the best fit. DJ Serafin is a great teacher for the beat production class because he has kids of his own and is like a kid himself so everyone loves working and
learning from him. Guest DJs in the past have included: DJ Revolution, DJ Enrie, DJ Scene, DJ Spider, Mike B, Morse Code, Samantha Ronson, DJ Warrior, DJ Cheapshot, DJ Reflex and Blake Lewis. 4. What are some activities people can expect this year? We are having a pool party with The Captains Of Industry aka DJ Stonerokk and Graham Funke. We are also doing a special screening of the DJ/music documentary: Regeneration. There is going to be a break dancing class, music marketing and social media workshops. We have evening camp fires with smores. The Video DJ Crew: Screen Werks will be doing a Video DJ demo at night on the lawn. The camp also has zip lines, climbing walls, basketball, skate park and more. 5. What makes this camp unique from all the other summer camps out there? This is the only sleep away summer camp specifically designed for teens to learn how to DJ and create music. It’s different because instead of day camps, boot camps, etc., where they go to class and then go back home, we sleep in cabins for the week and create a culture of living, eating, breathing our passion for DJing. You are submerged in it and everyone around you shares the same interest. Camp Spin Off is also a mix of all the traditional camp activities with new technology. You get the best of both worlds. 6. Where do you see Camp Spin Off in the future? I would love to expand to doing a Camp Spin Off on the east coast soon! Eventually I would love to design and build a camp site from the ground up that will be the permanent home of Camp Spin Off.
Summer 2013 is officially announced for July 28th to August 1st, 2013. Registration will be available on www.campspinoff. com very soon, but you can email them now to reserve your spot! In the meantime, you can browse the videos and photos from their past programs. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to give yourself or someone you know a chance to learn the art of DJing while getting some fun under the sun. 32
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The affiliation between hip-hop and visual art has been around since the early 80’s. Despite the connection, its range in visual art is generally more prominent within graffiti and street art. Kai’s latest gallery fuses the two into an original creation with his latest gallery titled Royalty consisting of oil paintings of hip-hop legends. Kai’s work is known to encompass his art with some form of campaign. You might have seen his pieces around Los Angeles with the word “Morons” on cigarette boxes and actual pieces of oil paintings cemented on the walls of buildings around downtown. Back in May we got the chance to sit down with the Los Angeles-based artist to talk about the meanings behind his works around the city, and his latest exhibition. The 5th Element: What’s your take on putting up actual framed artwork on the streets and buildings? Kai Aspire: My idea for cementing framed paintings on walls around the streets was to open up peoples eyes and get the public to realize that street art can be a form of fine art and is a notable and respectable art form. Although it’s more acceptable now, the general public still does not embrace it. The idea to make these artworks into a gallery style is so people can see the connection between the two. 5th: How did you get started about on the Royalty concept, and do you have a favorite? Kai: As I was studying renaissance and medieval artwork through my father, I was also doing street art outside and usually when I paint I listen to hip-hop. From there the connection just clicked. Fusing
renaissance artwork with hip-hop legends. I started with 50 Cent. He was the first one I painted. I think it was very well done. The posture, the hat, the color, and the look reflect his persona. It was just done sort of to honor him and at the same time present him as royalty because he has his own entourage, like a king would have. So I presented him like one and it worked. That’s where I started the next big guy, Jay-Z, then Tupac, then Biggie, and it just kept on going form there. That’s where the series started.
faces Tupac, and on the other side Biggie, because at one point those two were kings as well. The two past kings are looking at the throne to see the upcoming king.
5th: How many are in the series?
Kai: A little bit about my fashion style…I always jeans because I’m always working on stuff. My shoes, I usually wear Clarks and Janoskies because they are comfortable. My tops are usually something simple, mostly black shirts. I wear glasses because I don’t want my identity to be given away when I do illegal stuff. Also I always wear this hat because of my father. He has taught me everything I know about art and I feel that he needs to be represented in the artist that I am today. The hat is in honor of him. He’s still alive by the way.
Kai: There are about 26 or 28 oil paintings in this series for the show. 5th: What’s up with the fallen armor and what made you think of the throne and other props? Kai: As the collection was getting finished, I started to think what else would a king have besides a throne. At the time I was listening to Watch The Throne and I realized that everyone is always talking about sitting on a throne but no one talks about having a crown. So you don’t really have a king. The idea was to create the perfect hip-hop crown. After throwing around the idea I made a couple sketches and the work on the vinyl crown started. I have Lil Wayne and Kanye posted next to the throne because at the moment I believe that Lil Wayne is the king of hip-hop. Nobody has the numbers and the love to prove it and that’s what the king has. I put Kanye next to it because he made it very clear on Watch The Throne that he wants to be the number one in hip-hop. That’s why I put the two next to the throne. It’s like the two are fighting for it. Also the chair
The armor holding the vinyl is in front of Biggie because it represents the death of a legend. When Biggie died, part of hip-hop also died. The armor also holds a vinyl because it represents the death of vinyl records at that time. 5th: Can you tell us a little bit about your fashion style?
5th: Anything you want to leave us with? Kai: If you want to do something and you believe in yourself, you can do it; it’s possible. If you really truly believe in yourself others start to believe in you. Secondly, I want to say thank you for everyone that has made everything come true up to now. My team, everyone that believes in me, and all my fans and people because without them I wouldn’t be anybody. Go check out his website at http://kaiaspire.com/
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“If you want to do something and you believe in yourself, you can do it. It’s possible, because if you really truly believe in yourself others start to believe in you.”
TABLETOP BOOKS No home is complete without at least one tabletop book to flip through. Graffiti was once thought of as a form of vandalism, but is now making its way into homes as a form of art. I couldn’t help but recommend a few books that provide an in depth look at the graffiti culture around the world. Graffiti New York By: Eric Felisbret aka DEAL CIA http://bit.ly/SbDbG6 This is more than your average art book. New York City is the birthplace and mecca of graffiti. DEAL CIA composed this book, which consists of over 1000 photos from a span of 30 years of documenting the art. This book is easily one of the best NY graffiti book.
Graffiti New York
Los Angeles Graffiti By: Roger Gastman & Sonja Teri http://amzn.to/QIAc4l Much like Graffiti NY, this book covers the legends of Los Angeles. Expect to find legendary landmarks and artist through the book.
Los Angeles Graffiti
Graffiti Japan By: Remo Camerota http://amzn.to/T5iF6k Filled with interviews with notable artist and an abundance of pictures, this book covers how Japan accepts the western graffiti culture and makes it into their own.
Graffiti Japan
Blank book By: You http://amzn.to/SaPeBw What could be more awesome than a blank book? Let this be the canvas to create your own history and a stepping-stone to make a mark in society. 41
Blank Book
HOW TO WHEAT PASTE Step 1 Gather water, flour, and sugar Step 2 Pour 1 cup of water in a pan and boil it Step 3 Add 3 tablespoons of flour and mix into water Step 4 Stir and add 4 or more tablespoons of sugar into the mix Step 5 Let it cool and print your poster Step 6 Find a wall, put the poster up, dip your brush of choice into the wheat paste mix and roll over your poster Step 7 Run 42
CONCRETE CANVAS - 2012 UK SUMMER OLYMPIC EDITION In this edition of Concrete Canvas we were lucky enough to have our friend, Alex Cho, contributing. While studying abroad in London during the Summer Olympic Games he was kind enough to snap a few pictures of street art around the area. The pictures in this set consist of pieces and artworks from the Brick Lane area and at a skate park on the South Bank of the Thames River. Spot the works of ROA, MSK, Space Invader, and the 2012 Olympic games mascot in the mix.
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B-BOY NATURAL
Coming off of the 101 freeway at Hill Street, heat, humidity, and the sounds of traffic filled Chinatown. I was excited to enter the plaza where so many movies were filmed. Richie Greenfield aka B-Boy Natural came ready for his photo shoot. Positive vibes and a confident aura emanated from him. He seemed like a classy fellow, well put together – a sense of fashion that was his own. In 2008, B-Boy Natural performed with the world renowned Sick Step Crew on season 3 of America’s Got Talent. It was an eye-opening experience to see how broadcast television worked behind the scenes. For B-Boy Natural, the show, came during a time of change when he was starting to get his life together. A desire to return to dance was what had ultimately drawn him into quitting his job and auditioning for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Growing up in Northridge, CA, his first encounter with b-boying was in middle school. Just like any other young man at that age, girls were on his mind. He was short 47
and in order to get the attention of girls, he began to dance. It wasn’t until high school where he really became acclimated to the b-boy culture when he met Soul Control crew. Through them, he adopted the b-boy ethic and mindset. B-boy culture isn’t limited to a way of thinking, but extends to a way of being. For B-Boy Natural, this includes his sense of fashion. He believes in a sense of style that is clean cut and simple. Frank Sinatra and taste-makers of that era are who influence his style. Dressed up or dressed down, B-Boy Natural always looks fresh. During his time on the Eminem music video, Crack a Bottle, he was definitely dressed down. The attention he gained from his barechested cameo opened doors and paved the way to his acting career. His most recent cinematic venture was his work with the movie, Battle B-boy. The premise of the movie is about a group of underprivileged L.A. youth struggling, dancing, and trying to make ends meet. The movie takes
place in L.A. and focuses on a group of underprivileged dancers who band together in an effort to raise money for a teammate’s father’s heart surgery. At the time B-boy Natural was pulled into this project, he hadn’t danced for two years and was attending school. He was initally called in for a costarring role, but was asked later on to cast roles of the dancers. As far as choreography, they had to go through fight and stunt boot camps to learn how to sell a punch. There was a strong balance between the fight and dance choreographies. In regards to being a b-boy, he stated, “It’s just a constant hustle, regarding any of the arts. It’s fine tuning your craft, putting yourself out there, trying to make it happen, taking chances and doing what you love.” In more recent news, B-boy Natural is about to graduate from film school and has recently finished his thesis. Currently, he is in the process of reaching a wider audience to see where it will take him.
“It’s just a constant hustle, regarding any of the arts. It’s fine tuning your craft, putting yourself out there, trying to make it happen, taking chances and doing what you love.”
THE BATTLE A battle is one of the most exciting and nerve wrecking events that can happen to a b-boy. It’s less relaxing than a jam session or practice, which is free of judgement. Rather, it is very competitive. Battles can be formatted to be round robin or knock out, but the deciding factor still stands - the best is the winner. Preparation for a battle comes way in advance. Strategies and practices are part of the norm when it comes to battle preparation. Long sessions and many days out of the week are placed into the struggle. While practice itself perfects the moves, commandos have to be taken into account as well. Commandos are small choreographed pieces aimed at introducing a new b-boy in your crew into battle. These are significant because the attitude and timing of their skills can sway judges’ opinions. They are created to establish the overall crew dynamic and presence but it is within each b-boy to
represent the skills of the crew. Part of that representation happens when the b-boys come out for their turn mixing in freestyles and sets. These sets are pre-meditated actions or combinations of movements that set a tone or character for the b-boy. The competition rounds for battles are usually knock-out with competing b-boy crews bracketed against others. Depending on the scale of the event, it can take anywhere from one to several days to run through all of the contenders. There is a usually a host or emcee directing the floor and hyping up the crowd, in addition to a panel of judges. During the course of the battle you may see cyphers breaking out around the venue. In the main area, contenders stand on either side of the judges eagerly awaiting their turn on the floor.
of style, footwork, power and freezes. Additional criteria that are important to judges are presence, accuracy, flow, number of mistakes, etc. Judges’ decisions are one of the most debatable aspects of b-boy battles, but the process is almost always the same. Judges are to present their vote by extending their arm out to the winning party and, if there is a stalemate, then their arms will be crossed in the form of an “X.” Battles are not just meant to be won, but enjoyed by those attending. These competitions serve as an avenue for b-boys to excel at their craft. These events catapult b-boys’ skill levels as the preparation and mental fortitude create competitive dancers. Even if you aren’t a b-boy, this is definitely an event to experience. The cheering, soul clap, and chanting are all part of an energy that get your body moving. (Photo Credit: Still 1)
Some of the main areas judges are looking for are a mixture 54
THE SPOT: CSULB BREAKERS
It’s always hard to get a good start on b-boying and it’s even harder to feel comfortable learning around others who have been honing their skills for quite sometime. But not to worry, there are places you can find that welcome “Young Padawans” and train them to get ready for the battles ahead. One community in particular that comes to mind is the CSULB Breakers. Located in Long Beach, CA at California State University Long Beach, this group provides guidance and training to novice individuals ready to break their way into the scene. Back in 2004, Perry Guerrero and Brian Wright, designed a plan to create a cultural club aimed at sharing the joys of b-boying. Although there were only a handful of members in the beginning they stood firm with their desire to share the positivity of the art of b-boying. Within a year the club began to grow and conduct their first class under the direction of Brian Wright. He taught the basic 55
and fundamental movements of b-boying. I was fortunate enough to have taken the class which is what sparked my interest to be a part of the culture. CSULB Breakers’ unique program was designed for new students to use their passion of b-boying to develop a structured goal for them. During the school term the students would learn the various foundations of b-boying and use them at each practice session. At the end of the semester they are paired with a veteran b-boy to battle against their peers, putting their skills to the test. As their popularity grew each semester, so did the number of members. The practice space had to be upgraded from a tiny dance studio to the basketball courts, giving the hundreds of students freedom to move. The club provides more than just beginners classes, they have taken the time to create intermediate
classes with local instructors to advance the skill of the club and university’s students. Apart from classes, they also hold an open session to which all club members are welcome. It’s easy to join the club and being a student at the University is not required. All that you would need to do is sign a liability waiver and pay a small fifteen dollar fee to the club for access. The CSULB Breakers also hold a small contest for designers and artists as well. Every semester they have a contest where the winning shirt design is used to represent the club for that period. Constantly changing and improving, the CSULB Breakers is a positive place for any beginner or veteran to spend their time b-boying. Come join, learn, and meet new friends. If you’d like to learn more about this organization or if you wish to participate, then we’ve included contact and general information about the club at the end of this article.
California State University, Long Beach 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA Mondays/Fridays: Room PE-93 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Beginner Class by Crissy B. 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Open Practice Wednesdays: Pyramid Dance Room 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Intermediate Class by Ervin Arana 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Open Practice Fridays : Room PE-93 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Open Practice All Night Beginner and Intermediate Classes: Started September 17th Club Dues: $15 csulbbreakers@gmail.com Facebook: CSULB Breakers
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Early registration ends 12.21.12
www.venuetradeshow.com
6.28.13
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PEEP THIS
A CUT WITH CLASS AT ROSEWOOD
Who: Rosewood What: Barbershop/Clothing/Radio Where: I. 14329 Woodruff Ave Bellflower, CA 90706 II.7855 La Palma Ave Buena Park, CA 90620 When: Hours vary on location Why: “It’s more than just a barbershop it’s more about the experience; it’s a community, a family” The Rundown: Classic barbershop feel with a new school twist. Located in Bellflower, California, Rosewood Barbershop has been in the game for an amazing 58 years. The barbershop has gone through three generations of Master Barbers. On November 1, 2006 the clippers were passed down to the current owner Francis Sampang and the Dizon family. The evolution of Rosewood over the past 6 years has been nothing but amazing. Even with a struggling economy Rosewood has been able to open up a second location in Buena Park, neighboring the historic Knotts Berry Farm. Earlier this year they celebrated their oneyear anniversary with a special collaboration with Orisue clothing brand. The accomplishments don’t stop there as Rosewood is steadily building an empire with Rosewood Radio every Tuesday night at 8pm, and their clothing line, Cutters. For more information on Rosewood take a peep at their site www.Rosewoodcutters.com.
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ROSEWOOD BELLFLOWER
ROSEWOOD BUENA PARK
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ROSEWOOD CUTTERS LINE
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ROSEWOOD RADIO WITH DJ A_RON AND GABBY V
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SWAGSENTIALS Spikes, staple pieces, native and tribal prints are looking like a hit during our cooling off transition to fall. Individualize yourself from the masses and rock some of the pieces with your next fit. You can find all these pieces on www.Karmaloop.com
Adeen “The Bone Necklace” $80
Harlett “The Spiked Headband” $25
Han Cholo “The Straight Razor Pendant” $60 WESC “The 5 Panel Cap” $34
Reebok “Alicia Keys Freestyle” $80 Playcloths “The Royal CVO Sneaker” $99
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TECHNOLOGIC
Chelco Portable Boombox $70
iHome Docking System $199
Old School versus New School! How do you listen to your music when you’re chillin at home? Check these products out and decide if you’re rocking with the New School or kickin back with the Old School. Crosley Ideco iPod Speaker Dock $130
Yamaha PDX-11 Portable Speaker $130
Sangean WR2 Speaker $149
Yamaha MCR-040 Micro System $290
STYLE PROFILE: SPRING 2013 PREVIEW
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BEYOND THE SEAMS WITH
IMKING
IMKING Imagine a kingdom where the creative ruled the world, and where raw talent was an essential to survive. That world is tangible and exists through the entity which is IMKING. Beyond the graphics, seams, and material, IMKING is not your ordinary streetwear brand. IMKING is a creative outlet and platform for co-founders Andy and Polo to tap into the fields of media, art, film, and fashion. Conceptualized in 2006 these two young entrepreneurs dropped everything on their plate and set out on a venture to success. We paid a visit to Andy and the team at their flagship store to dig deeper into the minds of IMKING. Located in what seemed to look like the design district of Downtown Santa Ana, the flagship store was designed with a very clean aesthetic of wood grain and metal piping. It was a perfect area to begin the editorial shoot and it’s where we were introduced to their mascot, Oscar. Oscar is not just a mascot or logo for the brand but more of a symbol of what they strive to be. Andy explains that there are two parts to the story of Oscar. One referring to Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street and the other referring to the Academy Award’s Oscar trophy. He uses these references as a symbol for 73
starting at the bottom (Oscar the Grouch) to working your way up to the top (Oscar trophy). Fun fact: as far as the actual logo of Oscar, if you turn it to the side it shows the letter I and K and when turned vertical you see a face. From there they just added on the horns and teeth and Oscar was born. So let’s take it back a bit and give you a brief history of Andy and Polo. These two have known each other since junior high school. Back in the day, Andy was all about the shell toes and his track suit and Polo was rocking Jordan’s and Polo shirts (hence the nickname Polo). They met at school balling it up at lunch not realizing they had class together. Once acquainted their friendship grew and the troublesome duo was created. As their early teen years flew by, they entered high school together but were separated after their freshman year. This didn’t faze them since they still lived down the street from each other. They continued to hangout and cause ruckus not only as rebel to authority but as taste-makers in the fashion and shoe game. Andy and Polo created a very strong friendship and work relationship and have infused their style and creative outlook
to help give IMKING the look and feel it has today. With an array of color pallets and different looks to IMKING we wanted to ask Andy about the creative process when designing their collections. He responded simply by saying “We use the world as our pallet.” They draw inspiration from everyday life situations to pop culture, and even film. With the success of their collaboration with Nickelodeon’s Sponge Bob to their recent hit with new comers Bespoke Cut and Sew, they have created a fan and consumer base that is one of a kind. With their use of social media and personal interactions through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook they broke down a wall between the consumers and the business. This helps create a unique customer service experience that keeps fans coming back. Drawing from their name IMKING, short for Imaginary Kingdom there is a lot to expect from them in the future. Andy mentioned a new project that isn’t ready to be leaked out to the world yet. So, if you want to find out what this game changer could be, keep it locked on IMKING.com and see what’s next for this group of “raw talent”ed individuals.
“We use the world as our pallet.”
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CREDIT MC // Lindsey Linayao DJ // Marc Mangapit B-Boy // Daniel De Alday Graffiti // Alvin Dharmawan Fashion // Nino Llanera Public Relations // Yewande Noah Graphic Design // Phillip Cendana SOURCES Obey.com Youtube.com Therhymealong.com Amazon.com Theblarg.wordpress.com CSULB Breakers Karmaloop.com Urbanoutfitters.com Imking.com SPECIAL THANKS MC // Flip Major, Murs, Rhyme Along, Guerilla Union, Bone Thugs and Steve Lobel, Supernatural DJ // DJ Mick Boogie, DJ Ingwell, DJ A-Ron, Rosewood Radio, Camp Spin-Off B-boy // B-boy Natural, CSULB Breakers Graffiti // Kai Aspire Fashion // Rosewood Cutters, IMKING / Andy & Alex Kuang , Karmaloop, Urban Outfitters Photos // Alex Cho, Alvin Dharmawan SOCIAL NETWORKS Website // the5thelementmag.com Facebook // facebook.com/The5thElementMagazine Instagram // @the5thelmntmag Twitter // @the5thelmntmag Tumblr // the5thelementmag.tumblr.com
MEET THE CREW With an aesthetic sense of direction for creative media and culture, Nino has worked with media groups such as Bakitwhy.com and Worldofdance. com. He has also worked for fashion companies H&M and Gap Inc. On an off day you can catch Nino at your local coffee shop perusing the web for up and coming trends surfacing from the underground. Style: Sophisticated, Clean, Street Marc is your everyday LA dude, always on his grind and has dreams of becoming successful. A connoisseur of good food, music, and threads, he looks for upcoming trends that will be on everyones twitter feed by tomorrow. Catch him at your local vintage shop or at the best burger joint in town. Style: Urban, Trendy, Layers Jack of all trades, master of none. Daniel was never really a child of hip hop, but more of a nephew. In a short few words, his mind was blown away by the freedom of hip hop. After a few years of breakdancing, he’s reserved himself to sharing his knowledge for music and fashion for any of those who will listen. Style: Fit, Function, Fundamental Alvin is a full time student majoring in Business with a concentration in marketing. He is a long time streetwear and sneaker enthusiast and has been in the scene long before the hype. When he’s not studying or editing pictures at the library or a local Starbucks, he’ll be working on his car, doing photoshoots, or seeking new fashion trends. Style: Contrast, Functional, Distinctive Lindsey is a California girl with a universal interest in the arts, Lindsey has been drawing, dancing and loving hip hop since elementary school. Over years of cultural influence, she has developed a discerning ear and a sharp eye for what’s good in music and fashion. Journalism is the medium she chooses to express her artistic observations. Style: Feminine, Casual, Fun Born and bred in the City of Angels, Yewande is a philanthropist at heart. She has worked with non-profits such as Freedom & Fashion and Movember. In the future she aims to lead a professional public relations and event management company for cause-related organizations. Style: Organic, Sophisticated, Conscious Phillip has been drawing and designing since he was a kid. In the near future he plans on opening his own business. When he’s not designing, he loves to travel, cook and learn photography. Phillip’s favorite brands right now include Nike, Crooks, 10 Deep, Creative Recreation, and Acrylick. He is a huge fan of basketball, arts and sneakers. Style: Bold, Graphic, Clean