The Rich Quick Memorial Show (Oct. 12, 2018)

The NJ scene is still reeling from the passing of Rich Quick, but one of the best ways to heal is to link up with your community and celebrate. That will be happening at the Voltage Lounge in Philly on Friday, October 12.

The bill features the likes of Reef the Lost Cauze, the CORFU crew, Skrewtape, and even Rich's student, HeemFuquan. There will also be a cypher with featured MCs like MiilkBone, Ren Thomas, and more. Even the homey Leon Rainbow will be doing some live painting.

Tickets are available now; $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door. There's also an Art History 101 exclusive Rich Quick shirt on sale only at the event, as well as raffles and a silent auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Rich Quick Scholarship Fund.

Rest in power, Rich.

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The Jersey Fresh Jam 2017 Needs Your Help

Trenton's Jersey Fresh Jam is coming up on its 12th year, and is in need of your help. The event is one of the only hip-hop festivals in the state of New Jersey, and is a hype way for multiple elements of hip-hop to converge. Hell, some of my favorite hip-hop relationships have been fostered at this event.

For 2017, the Jam needs $3,000 for paint supplies and sound equipment. They've opened up a Kickstarter to help them get it moving, and have some dope perks for people who pledge, ranging from exclusive t-shirts and a dope mix from DJ itsjusthahmad to getting your name tagged on the wall and even being able to rock a piece of your own at the event.

Check out the video below, which features JFJ organizer Leon Rainbow breaking down what the Jam needs this year, and if you are down to help keep this event going, please pledge. The sooner the better, as this Kickstarter ends on the 29th of July. For more details on the Jersey Fresh Jam, hit up jerseyfreshjam.com.

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Leon Rainbow and Will Kasso Talk the History of Jersey Fresh Jam

This week, Trenton365 had Leon Rainbow and Will Kasso on the program to talk about the Jersey Fresh Jam, which will be back again for its 11th annual event on August 6 at TerraCycle in Trenton. They not only break down the history of the Jam, but the importance of Graffiti in both the art world and the culture of hip-hop. Trenton's been doing this, but it's always good to sit down and look back at the journey. I personally make it a point to hit the Jam for a bit every summer, and I think you should as well.

For more details on this year's event, hit up jerseyfreshjam.com.

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Jersey Fresh Jam 2014: Official Flyers

If you've been in the Trenton area, we'll assume you've seen these. If not, check them out. And if you're simpin', you're slouchin'. Jersey Fresh Jam 2014 is THIS SATURDAY, 12 to 6. Food, music, and loads of live graf. Come out. I'll be there.

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Jersey Fresh Jam (8/09/2014)

Save the date on this one. There's no space for additional writers, nor are the musical acts announced, but this is ALWAYS a great open-air event in my city. Hit up the Facebook page for more details.

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Leon Rainbow: Politically Incorrect (May 2, 2014)

The one like Leon Rainbow's Politically Incorrect show kicks off tonight at Trenton Social (which is across the street from the Sun National Bank Center on South Broad). Here's a little insight on the show:

"The work in Politically Incorrect incorporates a style that had its genesis in a watercolor mixed media series Rainbow did in 2010 called Freestyle Fridays. In Freestyle Fridays he released a new freeform piece on his website each week for a year. These freeform pieces helped him to develop a style that incorporates complex patterns and designs with imagery and symbolism.

This style further evolved in murals Rainbow subsequently created, one in Trenton (on Clinton and Hudson Street), and another, sponsored by Miller Brewing, in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia (on Frankford Street). In Politically Incorrect, Rainbow is using the movement, style and color of his street work to influence his paintings on canvas, then working the canvases back into the street art. This back and forth cross-fertilization builds new styles and concepts with each piece. Politically Incorrect is an ongoing project."

There's an ill video shot at Miller Brewing that you can see after the jump, as well as a few pictures of what this will entail. Don't sleep, especially if you're into the Arts.

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Jersey Fresh Jam 2013: The Aftermath

I know, I know, yesterday I said I'd be doing my live-blogging dean. There was something about the Wifi out there, and just wanting to EXPERIENCE, that had me not sitting at my laptop for the duration of yesterday's Jersey Fresh Jam 2013. And I'm glad I didn't.

See, some experiences aren't experiences until they're experienced. Being able to be with my people, taking in the sights and sounds of another Jersey Fresh Jam? You can't put it into words. It's just an amazing time with a creative group of amazing New Jerseyans. From all of the talented graffiti artists (who did everything from painting Hunter S. Thompson to Game of Thrones characters) to the talented acts like Black Collar Biz and the Blackout Kings, Molly Rhythm, Skrewtape (who hit me with a copy of his Skumbag Millionaires album), DEMO, and many others getting on the stage and showing the enormous talent that's housed within the 609 area code. I didn't get to build with EVERYONE I wanted to, but that's for another time. There's just something in the air when NJ hip-hop family gets together.

I won't take too much of your time; I'll let these pictures do the talking. Here is my collection of shots from the Jam, as well as the awesome pics from V2Gphotography (whattup, Venomous?!?!). After the jump, I have (Blackberry) video from the Black Collar Biz and Biz Mighty performances. If I see more, I'll post more. UPDATE Here's the Trentonian's piece on the Jam.

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Jersey Fresh Jam 2013 (8/10/2013): Official Flyer

Everything you need to know about the 2013 Jersey Fresh Jam is right here. The official Pre-Party/Vicious Styles Crew art show goes down at Gallery 219 in Trenton on August 9th. The Jam take splace at Terracycle in Trenton on August 10th from 12PM-6PM, with over 50 artists painting live, as well as a number of live performances from Black Collar Biz (with the Blackout Kings), Tone Liv, Molly Rhythm, Rich Quick, and plenty of others, with the official Jersey Fresh Jam Afterparty going down at Artworks in Trenton that night. There will be a food drive to benefit Mercer Street Friends, and it will be a dope-ass event all around. Hit up the Facebook event page to get more info and let the folks know you're coming out. I'll be in the house live-blogging because that's how I do. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

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Windows Of Soul (Sept. 21st-23rd 2012)

Kasso and the crew previewing the dope "Windows Of Soul" project, which is going down on a block of East Hanover Street in Trenton, from the 21st-23rd of September. Love that S.A.G.E. is forming like Voltron to bring CULTURE like this to the city. All art is being submitted - worldwide - so hit the jump for the flyer and info on how to get things sent out. Good to see Black Collar Biz performing on the 23rd of September as well. Truth.

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Jersey Fresh Jam 2012 Itinerary

Hopefully if you're in the tri-state area, you're goign to be hitting up the Jersey Fresh Jam tomorrow, August 11th, sometime between 10AM and 8PM. I just wanted to break a couple of things down regarding the events that will be taking place...

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Jersey Fresh Jam 2012 Mixtape Submissions

In 2010 and 2011, I've helped put together the mixtape for the Jersey Fresh Jam - shouts to Leon Rainbow for allowing me to be a part of it. These tapes have helped highlight the Jersey Hip-Hop scene, bring funds back to the Jam for future projects and also help cultivate talent for other shows. Instead of dealing with cats submitting tracks via e-mail, they've got a submission form set up where you can enter your info AND submit a track. If you're from Jersey and make that Hip-Hop, you should be up on this. Trust me. Full details HERE - the Jam is on the 11th of August, so get your submissions in early!

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Black Collar Biz "Soul of the Message"

You saw the video for this earlier this week, and I figured I'd drop the track today, as the Soul of the Message event goes down TONIGHT at the 219 Gallery in Trenton. The boy Biz has been a big supporter of the local Trenton Arts scene, and will be performing at the event tonight. He flips Jay Electronica's "Dear Moleskine" instrumental into a nice theme for this event. Dude's wise beyond his years - enjoy this one.

DOWNLOAD Black Collar Biz "Soul of the Message"

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[preview] Soul Of The Message (4/20/2012)

Going down on the 20th of April. Support!

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Side-B TV, Episode 2

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Soul of the Message (4/20/2012)

Talk about a sick event. The S.A.G.E. Collective, alongside heads like the Trenton Downtown Association and this very website, will be presenting a night of proper Hip-Hop in it's many forms. Heads like Kasso, Luv1, LANK, Leon Rainbow, DELVE and many more will be having their opening reception for "Soul of the Message" on April 20th at the 219 Gallery in Trenton. Live performances will find Black Collar Biz and Roebus-One doing their thing, with the one and only DJ Ahmad on the wheels of steel. Even the mighty Polo Cortes will be doing some spoken word! Facebook Event page is HERE; should be a great night for you ninjas to get some culture in your life!

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[recap] #ForeverBlack Mixtape Release Party

After spending the majority of the day out with the family, and coming home to relax, I set out last night to hit up Black Collar Biz's #ForeverBlack mixtape release party, which went down last night at the Trenton Atelier, and wow. Great event. I got to meet some heads I'd never spoken with before (pease to Physical Graffiti, Luv1 and others), and got to talk to Kasso and Self about some things that they have planned. Should be an interesting 2012 for the NJ Hip-Hop scene. Anyways, this event was very versatile: cats like Scoop, Physical Graffiti and BCB himself really put on some great performances, and I dug Moe-Fit once he got comfortable. Beasts. Self got up and properly Grizzly Adams'd the stage over classic Wu beats, and when Black Collar and his TOTG fam got on stage, it was theirs. There was also some education going down - reps from From The Block To The Boardroom and @SAVESHIRLEY were in the building, speaking on perservering and health in our community. There was even a raffle! In the end, it was good to see all kinds of people coming together, from niggas poppin' bottles to artists getting up. Nice crowd, great performances, and a great release - Forever Black is on iTunes right now!

I've uploaded some photos via Facebook, and have some videos (from my phone - forgive the quality after the jump. Enjoy these, and if you're in Trenton on February 25th, make sure you check out BCB and more at the next #GardenVariety show!

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Black Collar Biz Forever Black Release Party (2/18/2012)

Another night of dope Hip-Hop coming up in Trenton on the 18th of February, to celebrate the release of Black Collar Biz's Forever Black. Live performances from TOTG, Pop D, Physical Graffiti and plenty more, with live painting and featured visual artists. Word is there will not only be food, but there will be a cypher - and a raffle! It's BYOB, and $10 to come in (which nets you a copy of Forever Black). No reason not to come, right? Full details via Facebook.

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[recap] Garden Variety (10/22/211)

I always enjoy myself at the Garden Variety shows. Shouts to Self and Kasso for continuing to shine the light on the Jersey Underground, and for heads who come out and experience these shows. In my side convos with guys like Mr. Fickle and Sol Infinite, as well as building briefly with Phace and Divine Drummah, there's not only a shitload of music that I need in my possession SOON, but there's still the ever-present Internet fame vs. Real World fame thing going on. Shows like this help me actually SEE people, and not just admire cover art, but there's a next level that our scene desperately needs. Hopefully 2012 can help us all achieve our wishes. In any case, as per usual, I've snapped a grip of pictures, which you can check out via Facebook. Hit the jump for video from the performances by Rap/Music, Joey Dynomite and Earl Grey. See you next month!

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Jersey Fresh Jam 2011 (8/20/2011)

On the 20th of August, the Jersey Fresh Graffiti Jam is going down at Terracycle. They are like seven years running, and each year the extravaganza gets larger. The Vicious Styles Crew has been putting in work in and around the Greater Trenton area, both with beautiful murals and such, as well as giving back to the youth and the community as a whole, so really, this is like a celebration of what Graf can do for a city. And the nation. ANYWAYS, I already told you guys about the Pre-Party on the 19th of August, but here's some info on the Jam...

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[pics] Garden Variety (6/25/2011)

I just uploaded a bunch of pics from last night's #GardenVariety show that went down in Trenton (check them out via Facebook). It was good to finally meet Tone Liv, as well as see brethren like Jermaine, Self, Kasso, Leon Rainbow, Mr. Fickle, Rhymageddon and more. Other Jersey fam there included DJ Absurd, Blackout, Steve Smiff, Spitatainment, Shawn Lov and The Cause & Knowledge. Feels like each of these GV shows in Trenton are better than the last. Some highlights: Spit and Divine passing an L - mid-performance, the one and only Paperface going in, Self's insane freestyle, host Popa Chief's "FIYAFIYAFIYAFIYA", DJ M.Fasis with the straight 45 set, Blackout's performance, Tone's commanding of the stage and just the cipher itself. Always great seeing NJ Hip-Hop properly represented. I have a few videos I'll be uploading as well. Big up to the heads who made it out there, and I hope more make it out next month!

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