I started a new weekly Hip Hop Cypher called 'Knock-Ternal Rhyme Sessions'.

Every Thursday night from 8pm-12am I host a Weekly Hip Hop cypher called 'Knock-Ternal Rhyme Sessions'. Here is the link to the facebook page, give us a like!

https://www.facebook.com/KnockTernalRhymeSessions/

Here, right below is the youtube channel with more videos of all the happenings from #KTRS
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC56MPDOS9-G7OV7Owcx2u2Q

Now we are currently taking a short break because one of our main speakers busted so now we need to get a new one. It shouldn't be long, but until we do the cypher is post poned!

Andre 3000, Rob Zombie, and I on indiegogo

For those of you not in the know, both Rob Zombie and Andre 3000 are both really good visual artists aside from making chart topping music that has captured the imaginations of millions of fans. For more of you not in the know. I myself have always been a visual artist since I was a kid!

You was holding out on us huh? So drawing was your Love Below?? Say whaaaaat!?!

Really Super King!?! I didn't know you knew how to draw! Tell me more!

 Sure Rob! For the very first time I am in the position to self publish my first illustration book! It's based off my album 'Gone Is The Illusion' the same album I did the front and back cover for, and which is linked to the right side of this page through Bandcamp. Completing this project has been very important and liberating for me to accomplish.

Maaaan lissen! It feels good to be free boi!!

The artwork in the book is based off each and every song from my album. With descriptions attached to each one, and bonus material from my upcoming graphic novel titled '4'.

Now that's some creative shit!

Ain't it!? So here's what I did for my next trick! I created an indiegogo  to publish the book. I'm offering all types of perks including original artwork from in and outside of the book. Below is the video from my indiegogo check it out!

In this next video from my campaign I do a thank you roll call for all the contributors to it, up to that point of the campaign! I've had an influx of new contributors since. Once you contribute you can be in my next thank you video!

This is the name and hashtag of the campaign #PRINTTHEILLUSION

click the link below or the hashtag to go to the campaign and contribute!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/print-the-illusion-books-comics/x/16247109#/

Prodigy(Mobb Deep)R.I.P

On Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 I heard the news that Queens bridge, legendary MC, and one half of rap group 'Mobb Deep' Prodigy had passed away as a result of complications from having Sickle Cell Anemia. Prior to that I believe he was doing shows in Las Vegas. R.I.P to one of the greats. Below are a few things that come to mind when I reflect on Prodigy.

RIP Albert Johnson! The HNIC!

I remember back in 1995 when Mobb Deep came out with 'The Infamous' I was in H.S. at the time and was listening to ATCQ's "Midnight Marauders" My mans comes up to me and says "yo bro, we not listening to that shit no more, it's about this Mobb Deep shit now". LOL, yes that was a serious conversation had verbatim. While I would never just drop ATCQ for anything. I would without a doubt become a big fan of Mobb Deep, and their unique hardcore sound.

One of the things that stands out to me the most about Prodigy is that he wasn't a rapping ass rapper.  What I mean by that is, he didn't hit you with a bunch of Multi's, heavy punchlines, and metaphors and crazy ass wordplay to get his point across. He was a storyteller who painted gritty street tales that made you feel like you were right next to him as it were happening. The phrase comes to mind "Less is more", and Prodigy magnified that. In essence he reminded me of Rakim in that approach. Not overtly hype just a down to earth matter of fact expression of words. Life as a man who has lived it, not talking down to you in the least bit.

 

There are more memories, reflections, that I can piece together. That would only happen after I revisit Prodigy's music. There are some albums and songs I haven't listened to in years to be honest. 

  

Sakinah Iman's music video 'Waiting Tables'.

My good friend Sakinah Iman just released her new video for her single "Waiting Tables" featuring rapper $mitty. The message of the song is. "Why are we, who chase our dreams, for as long as we have, not successful yet, still working these unfulfilling jobs?". Sakinah takes it from the perspective of a waitress, hence the name..Waiting Tables. Here's the video below, check it out!

Also, here is a link to her Soundcloud. You can check the rest of her music out!

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