My new live show series is called "The Iller-Strate show. The first edition is named "Spirit Animals".

Off the heels of the success of my Birthday, Graphic novel, illustration book preview show, at Left field Bar on March 4th. I decided to throw another show on May 25th 2017. Now I know, I know, It's a couple a months from now but ain't nuthin wrong with getting a head start! Now I've been thinking about what could I base this show around, and it dawned on me that all my shows moving forward should incorporate my artwork in the biggest capacity always! So I coined the name for the series of shows I will be throwing now and they will be called the "Iller-Strate shows". This being the first edition, I went with the theme of  "Spirit Animals". So when you show up wear anything that has your spirit animal on it. Whether it be a t-shirt, a hat, body paint, tattoo, a onsie, you name it! Bring it out! Plus I'm also taking requests, I'll draw a spirit animal for you, whatever you want! I also "took" the liberty since ain't nobody wanted to give it to me to create some hashtags for the event. #Illerstrateshow and #Spiritanimaledition use them to the maximum effect. Of course I will be posting the official set list as the date to the show draws nearer. I will have my band assembled for the event and live beat making. I always aim to make a memorable show and this night will be no different. Make sure you rsvp at the facebook event page for exclusive updates to the show: https://www.facebook.com/events/335773133487208/

Below is the flyer I developed

for the show. I used spirit animals in it. I also took a nod to author H.P. Lovecraft who the venue is named after. I even added one of his most famous creations in the  flyer, called Cthulu which is supposed to be some under water elder god that is malevolent and extremely evil and terrifying. I also added a hydra which is a multi-headed beast from Greek mythology. A crab for those with not so much of a nasty spirit animal, plus a werewolf and a unicorn.

And so it begins!!

What happened at the Birthday show at Leftfield on MArch 4th!?!

Success is the first word that comes to mind thinking about the show last week. *Sidenote, after most shows I have I'm usually out of it, exhausted once the adrenaline has worn off. Then there is the rare case of when I'm so excited from a show that I just can't sit my ass down and I don't know what to do with myself. The latter is what happened to me after this show. Also my conditioning has gotten better over the years so I'm not out for the count when a show is done. I say all that to say this. After a show whether up or down I want to just be away from any computers or people and be in my own head space. But we here now. 

Back to the show! Man my energy wasn't just at a high level. The house was packed which made it that much more charged. I'm still feeling a high from the show. It left me in a place mentally full of euphoria and seeking the next, but wanting to relive the moment. I got my artwork blown up on engineer prints from staples as you will see in the photos below. My team, yes I have a team with me now! They helped set up all my artwork. Which added to the energy already built around the event. There is video footage being edited, so film of my set is on the way. I played with my live band and live beat maker during my set.

I covered Outkast's "ROSES", with a story about a childhood crush of mines who didn't quite reciprocate. I opened my set with a cover of Mos Def & Massive Attacks "I against I" from the Blade 2 soundtrack.  P.Cruz did his own mix of "I Against I" which was ill!

I did an acapella of  my song "Freak Of Nature", which the crowd really dug. I also did a verse from the title "Gone is the illusion".

The band and I did a rendition of my song "I workout" with some crowd participation and we was vibing. Had the whole crowd moving from side to side and chanting "I Workout!". It was great!

I really enjoyed the mix that P.Cruz did of "Knights in Shining Darkness" It sounded real eerie! he even did his own remix of it which is totally different from the live mix he did during the show. Check it out! It's available for streaming and free download! 

https://pcruz.bandcamp.com/track/knights-in-shining-darkness-p-cruz-remix

I think one of the big highlights for me was the live version of my song "Henny On Ice". Which I started with an acapella of the songs first verse which the crowd really enjoyed. The line in the beginning always get's em! You'd think my name was Charles....The way I lay the Dickens. Haha, people love that line so we thought it best that it be delivered with the rest of the verse with no beat playing. 

I previewed the artwork, especially the art that went with the songs during the set. I only had a 45 minute play time so I had to keep it tight.

The bookers of the show were happy with the results, meaning the turn out. They've invited me back to do more shows! i couldn't be happier man! Like I said success. 

Check the pictures below for some visuals of the evening. Great times!! Even More to come!!

My friend Epiphany B, who is a dope artist herself, standing next to a picture of the main character who is a grim reaper in my graphic novel. 

In this pic, my keyboardist Simone Acosta left, far right my bassist Tariq Tucker. In the middle my good friend Tasty Keish with her TK: AM shirt on, rep'n her radio show hard. Then me, shirtless, face paint on, serenading her during my song called "I workout".

Neon light ambiance while rocking LeftfieldBar. This was a damn good show, shit it felt good!

This is art from my illustration book. This piece is called "Groundhog's Day". It was inspired by Bill Murray's movie by the same name and the image in the upper left corner is twilight zone inspired. The endless cyclical cold melancholy day plays out in this song. Stir crazy delirium.

This photo was taken by Annie McCray. All is a blur, the world is spinning. I like this one a lot.

This is a great shot showing my audience from my show. My man P.Cruz from the Hip Hop duo Punskription doing live beatmaking on Ableton. Behind him is artwork from my illustration book, that one is titled "Knights in Shining Darkness". Which he just did a remix of. I'll be posting it shortly. Beside him is the grim reaper who is the main character from my upcoming graphic novel.

This has been a popular picture. Everyone always asks me for it to buy. It's the image for my song "Henny On Ice". Books and individual images on sale soon.

This is the first page from my Graphic novel titled "4". It shows our cast of characters on the verge of sieging enemy territory.

Here is another character from my graphic novel, he is a scarred individual with a tortured mysterious past involving vampires.

As I mentioned before, this is my piece for my song "Knights in Shining Darkness". 

Ahhhh! Squad up, ya know? People in this picture I go way back with. My man's Warren S Britt MC, documentarian. on my right, behind me is my dude Magnit Handz, dope beatmaker. Left my dude Varyius Ways, Educator, promoter, and entertainer. Boss Level. Down front is my homegirl from H.S. Lima who surprised me with a visit! That made my day. Then the fly DJ KK47! beside me. Then Keish next to KK and behind my friend Shavon. Love my peoples man!

My good homie, my road dog Roberto DeJesus. The brilliant mastermind behind Supreme Bars. A monthly MC competition which just branched out to philly. Check them out in NY at the Lantern!

Today I will be on the radio for some "Beats, Treats,& Eats".

The two people in this photo are not only very dope people, dope DJ's, international performers touring the globe, but also awesome radio hosts.

They host a show which airs on www.LittleWaterRadio.org 4-6pm EST on Wednesdays called "Beats, Treats, &Eats". Which I will be interviewed on today! I'll be talking about my upcoming Birthday show at Leftfield Bar, on 87 Ludlow this Saturday at 7pm. Also my recently finished illustration book which is a companion to my album 'Gone Is The Illusion'. Plus my graphic novel which is in the works. Be sure to tune in by clicking on the little water link above!

And if you haven't rsvp'd to the show this Saturday, here is the fb link! https://www.facebook.com/events/332129380504294/

 This photo of M-tri and DJ Leecy T is of  there project they released which is very dope too! check the link! https://mtrianddjleecyt.bandcamp.com/album/monday-morning-music