Fine Art Friday: N.O. Bonzo - "Recent Work"

 The first time I visited Portland, I was glad to see a branch of Upper Playground and surprised to see that they have their own art gallery. As I checked it out, I saw the work of a local artist named N.O. Bonzo and was drawn to the work mainly because of the textures and elaborately cut paper figures and how it was combined with oxidized paint that organically changes over the course of the show and changes slightly so that the viewer could come in everyday and see something new. She describes her work as being "DrownTown drifters, misfits, and outlaws"and often posts them in the corners of the streets and deep in nature. I don't know much about N.O. but I enjoy the work and recommend looking closer at the streets when you walk them so you can catch one of the pieces hiding in plain sight. Check out here work on the links below and support the oddball artists in your own area.

ARTIST WEBSITE
http://instagram.com/nobonzo/

Listen: Gabriel Teodros X AirMe - "Children Of The Dragon"

For the album that just dropped in May, Gabriel Teodros linked up with producer AirMe for a full-length project that showcases Teodros more introspective and life celebrating lyrics with a soulful backdrop and overall feel good vibe. AirMe handled the artwork also, which compliments the vibe of the music well. Check it out and support a Seattle hip hop project that should help you pay attention to the NE corner of the US.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://gabrielteodros.bandcamp.com/album/children-of-the-dragon

Video: Mckinley Dixon - "We Lovin' That Jazz"

Always glad to a younger cat studying the history of the golden era in hip hop and exploring a more original approach to music rather than adopt the trends of the radio. Mckinley Dixon recently dropped the video and track for "We Lovin' That Jazz" over a feel good track from his 'Nappy Headed' project, a mixtape of sorts, with this particular instrumental track borrowed from Nicholas Chueng and his 'I Am' project. Check it out and support a new schooler who pays respect to the past.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://mckinleydixon.bandcamp.com

Video: Main Flow - "Boomtown"

One of my favorite emcee's from the late 90s but also one of the few true school cats from the Ohio region, Cincinnati and former MOOD member, Main Flow, recently dropped some new material showcasing his hometown Cincy. Linking with fellow Ohio artists and a mix of known and lesser known collaborators, Main Flow dropped 19 new tracks that discuss what he has been doing for long stretches of absence from the limelight. The project is pretty chill throughout and features Reks, King Mag, Donte Fleming of Mood, Copywrite, Black Silver, Justin Werner, Apaulo 8 (Pauli Kipling), Vokab Kompany, Stacey Murray, MC Complex, Esoteric, and J Sands of Lone Catalysts. Check it out and support one of the Midwest's most slept-on emcee's.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://www.accesshiphop.com/store/?itemid=24839