Headliner : Join Forces / Japan Benefit Show

Day Of Show Ticket Price : $10.00

Venue : Red Owl

Address : 2155 E. University, Tempe AZ 85281 Click Here For Map

With Special Guests : Writers Guild * The Insects * Avenue Of The Arts Crew * Cut Throat Logic

Door Time : 8:00 PM

Age Restrictions : 21+

About : Benefit Show for the relief efforts going on in Japan after a 9.0 Magnitude Earthquake hit 81miles off the coast of Japan on March 11th.

The earthquake triggered fires and caused severe damage to buildings, leaving five million households without electricity and 1 million without water. Early assessments indicate that more than 2,500 houses have collapsed completely, with 2,500 more damaged.

In the first 24 hours, the Japanese Red Cross dispatched 62 response teams. These medical relief teams – made up of about 400 doctors, nurses and support staff – are already providing assistance in affected areas through mobile medical clinics, as well as assessing the damage and needs of the communities affected.

More than 300,000 people who were evacuated before the tsunami struck have been housed in temporary centers set up in schools and public buildings where the Red Cross has distributed upwards of 30,000 blankets.

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So you’re probably asking yourself “What is Eighty Grand?” Well, Eighty Grand is a creation from owner Pablo Sapien. A clothing company that stems out to various cultures and life styles. From Hip Hop to Rock A Billy and more. Spawned from Pablo’s early appreciation for companies such as Ecko, Tribal Gear and Phat Farm.

“I really liked how those companies worked with musicians and artists, I really wanted to do something like that” Said Pablo. “It wasn’t until two years ago that I actually started working on the brand, with the help of my wife and close friends. I teamed up with an amazing designer and started building our look, fast.”

Eighty Grand is built around family and friends, and what they see in their surroundings.

“We’re a bunch of kids from the 80′s trying to make a grand” Pablo said. “Our team comes from different backgrounds, graffiti, low-riding, punk rock, and most importantly, hip hop. We have influences of old school, but really we’re about bringing the new shit in street and urban wear”.

It seems as though clothing companies come and go these days, it’s a tough industry. Pretty much everyone has a screen printer they can access. However, with time comes quality, and Pablo has shown that Eighty Grand has the quality and the designs to keep printing up new lines.

The hardest challenge for Eighty Grand isn’t so much of a problem anymore. Prior to the turn of the year, Pablo was working a full time 9-5er like the rest of us coffee and nicotine fiends. But as soon as 2011 turned, he called it quits to focus full time on pushing the brand in the direction that he wants it to go.

“The first major challenge was finding the right printer, we went through a few companies and it wasn’t until I met Rob of Bobby Fresh that I got all that figured out. He really helped me out in that process.” Said Pablo on starting up the company. “Other than that, just not having the time to focus on the brand full time, but that changed as of January 1st, I retired from my 9-5 so I can dedicate my time to the brand.”

Although Eighty Grand has helped release a couple records for artist Numbers and Spit Suicide (who also has an album coming out with LazerBeak of Doom Tree), they aren’t a record label, more of a sponsorship or a collaboration with artists.

“In the future I would love to have a record label, but for now I just wanna focus on the clothing brand itself.” Says Pablo.

So who can you see repping Eighty Grand, artists Dan Smack , Numbers, Spit Suicide, Op. Ex, Les and Mayra E, Izzy Neutron, Pickster One and many more out here in the valley. On a national level, artists such as Joel Ortiz, Yelawolf, Curren$y and Cory Gunz from Young Money have all been spotted rocking the brand.

“I do choose who we sponsor, and as long as your dope, having a great attitude and you’re down for the cause.” Says Pablo about the way he picks out the artists he sponsors.

The name Eighty Grand actually came out of left field with help from Pablo’s wife Auna, but Pablo is sticking with the “We’re a bunch of kids from the 80′s trying to make a grand” approach.

Eighty Grand is all about repping Arizona to the fullest, but Pablo explains what he feels the scene out here is lacking.

“The biggest thing Arizona needs, well at least in the scenes  that I am involved in and apart of is unity. I started in the scene as a manager for an artist, that lasted barely a year, but it was enough time to see what Arizona lacked.” Said Pablo “A lot of you can say that Arizona is full of haters and I agree. But  there are a lot of people out here that are trying to do the scene good, and those people will outlast everyone.”

“Lastly, I just want to shout out to everyone that has supported me. Our crew, Team 80k, Universatile Music, Bobby Fresh, the homie White Shawn, the Beasteater fam, AOTA, FP, and TSOI crew. All my Facebook and Twitter fam, and most importantly my wife and family. I love you. Eighty Grand in the bitch and I’m out!!!!”

So if you’re at all interested in picking up any of the designs from Eighty Grand you can do so at www.eightygrand.com www.beasteater.com www.drjays.com and coming soon to www.closetsmash.com and www.pickyourshoes.com. Also, if you live locally here in the valley, check out the Beasteater store front located on 5th St. and Mill ave (NE corner) they also carry Eighty Grand threads. Pablo also delivers locally as well if you can ever get ahold of him, haha! (I’m still waiting on my sweatshirt, homie!)

Keep up to date with Eighty Grand follow them www.twitter.com/80Grand

At Noon PST on December 8th, MURS went online via Ustream to announce the line-up for Paid Dues 2011.

After a few minutes of technical difficulties, and a shout of doubt to David Hasslehoff, he was in business.

Murs started by announcing an expansion of the charitable arm of Paid Dues via a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity where himself, members of the Guerrilla Union and a handful of fans will be building a house in a deserving community in Los Angeles.

The show this year has three stages and all artists were not announced, but the headliners for each stage were. Murs will be headlining as a solo artist on the “Dues Paid Stage” repping the West Coast. Immortal Technique is on deck, as well as the one and only Black Star featuring Mos Def and Talib Kweli doing solo hits as well as the Blackstar hits!

It will be taking place April 2nd at the same location as the last 4 years in San Bernardino, CA.

During February 2010, Stussy launched a series of videos as a documentary on the legendary Dilla that are a testament to his work, how he interacted with his surroundings and the impact he had on all of us. I only wish it was 2 hours long because Dilla was so good and so rare, that even hearing people talking about him is the most captivating and raw shit I have heard in years. We really do miss you J D.

More From This Artist

Dillagence Dillagence

Donuts Donuts

The Shining The Shining

So. The big day is coming up (that’s Valentine’s Day for all you playboys not on your game). Maybe you noticed the really bad commercials on in between TV shows. The ones where they showcase cookie cutter heart shaped goodies (some of which even have the audacity to throw in free chocolate).

Well if you just want to get this holiday over with, then trendy little trinkets may get you out of hot water.

But for those of you that know better, and have a girl who deserves something unique and special, without looking like every other laced out pink silk box of crap these other herbs will be pawning off on their gals, you gotta take a step up to the plate.

That’s where Matt Rueling comes in.

Rueling has been designing and sculpting handmade jewelry since 2003. Having worked for companies that made jewelry for Kay and Jared, Rueling says “i have a different style then them and it speaks for itself.” That Style shines through in some of the guys rings he has made including the Universatile Music Rings and the 2 Finger Skull Rings.

That statement is further reinforced by some of his signature designs, including two finger rings for girls. A thuggish old school approach to sleek femininity. “My hottest piece right now is the 2 finger rose ring. Feels like sex when you put it on” proclaims Rueling.

Matt recently moved from Phoenix, and headed up to Tahoe. “Tahoe has been really inspiring. Leaving Phoenix made me more laid back about designing, and more interested in having fun!” The move also triggered some new designs available in Tahoe at select jewelry stores. For his welcoming back of the winter weather he launched the “Snowflake” Line. Massive almost pop art silver snowflakes that have become quite popular in the region.

Through a generous offer Rueling has agreed to offer 10% discount for Boombox Knocks Readers. Just Visit HIS ETSY STORE, message him using the “Contact Rueling” button on the right and say “Boombox Knocks”.

Play on playas.

The Restoration Project

In the early 1980s, Mayor Koch, enraged about graffiti, began buffing the city’s colorful, painted trains. In the end, he may have succeeded, but not before Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant captured the magnificent first wave of graffiti in their pioneering documentary, Style Wars. The film is seen around the world as an important footnote in hip hop culture and New York City history. Today, that history, too, is threatened. The original footage is damaged and fading. A new kind of buffing is taking place – a “celluloid buff” – that threatens to eradicate the record of the first brave and indomitable writers who took the world by storm.

You can help preserve that history!

Public Art Films is currently on a fund-raising mission to restore the original print, and to create a new high definition master which will preserve the record of the first painted trains to its original vivid colors. We’re inviting you to take part in this historic enterprise.

Twenty five years after its initial release there is still a strong, global demand for the film. In an effort to keep up with this demand we must be able to offer the film in the the most up-to-date formats. We are embarking on a project to restore STYLE WARS and bring it up to the highest technical standards available today in order to create a High Definition edition of the film. We will be transferring the original 16 mm negative into full HD 1080p while cleaning and restoring the film during the process. The HD master will be better, sharper and more brilliant than the original. From it we can strike new prints, author new DVDs and participate in the digital economy.

Do your part by donating at the Style Wars Website

Today is Jam Master J’s 45th birthday. Respect to the legend, may he rest in peace and continue to inspire DJ’s for years to come!

Hardcore by Montana Colors from Barcelona was the first spray can to be produced specifically for graffiti writers.
Created in 1994, it’s still the classic among the spray can brands, with a high covering capability and opacity. Hardcore is durable, long lasting and weather resistant, making it suitable for all purposes and surfaces.

DETAILS
- 400ml/13.5 fluid ounces
- high pressure valve
- synthetic resin based, semi-gloss finish
- thick and covers most surfaces quickly
- all Hardcore cans ship with one black/yellow or black/white Skinny Banana cap

Cop yours today @ Upper Playground

From The Vancouver Sun

The music world is in mourning after it was announced by hip hop artist Busta Rhymes that his personal DJ, Roc Raida, is dead aged 37.  Raida, an avid mixed martial arts devotee, had injured his back while training at a gym, and had received back surgery twice in the time since to correct the injury.  He was recovering from the surgery when complications saw his health take a turn for the worst, and he died Saturday Sept. 19. at 2:05 p.m.

Born Anthony Williams, Raid won the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship, earning a spot in the DMC Hall of Fame four years later. The turntable spinner worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Ghostface Killah, Jungle Brothers, Busta Rhymes, Big L and Linkin Park.

He had released six solo albums and seven more with his group, the X-Ecutioners.  Williams had trained in mixed martial arts for several years. He was recovering at an “inpatient physical therapy facility” at the time of his death, according to a statement from his family.  “Family and friends will miss him dearly. Please give the family their privacy,” the statement continued.

Busta Rhymes said on his Twitter stream, “I never met a more humble man in the industry…So unbelievably talented and most importantly such beautiful spirit…I LOVE U MY BROTHER…” before talking about how “We r loosing all of these great people this year as a result of God calling his army because something is about 2 go down!!”

“To me, he was the best DJ on the planet–nobody can tell me different,” his friend Lord Finesse told StreetHop.com. “Until they do what Roc Raida has done, from body tricks to beat juggling to speed scratching. I mean, everything … he made that shit look easy.”

A post on Williams’ MySpace page had previously warned fans that “rumors and chatter are not accurate.” His family called the death “unexpected.”  Williams is survived by his wife and three daughters.