Some new work, The Morning After / The American Dream (Diptych) acrylic on canvas. This piece is part of a new phase where I aim to complete a chain of works in different media. I’ll try to explain in more detail shortly…

I’m no fan of these sort of lists, they seem to appear on a daily basis on the usual ‘urban’ blogs, usually well dubious in content. Most of us know what they really are, a traffic driving SEO scam designed to piss you off and get you commenting. This list is a reaction to them but no doubt it will fall prey to some of the upset they tend to ignite.

I fell for hip-hop in the mid eighties when it swept the globe, it was everything to me and probably the most exciting time of my life. What’s generally known as hip-hop today is an altogether different animal, a glitzy plastic turdball of nonsense, dripping from the lame pout of a self obsessed idiot who can barely string a sentence together let alone rap.

For the rest of us, who get it, the art of it, what it really is and can be – there are records that define it and keep the fire burning. Here’s 15 albums that tick all my boxes (all completely biased, all ranked number 1).

Company Flow – Funcrusher Plus
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing
ATCQ – The Low End Theory
Beastie Boys – Ill Communication
Latyrx – The Album
Divine Styler – Def Mask
DJ Krush – Meiso
Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein
Antipop & DJ Vadim – The Isolationist
Mike Ladd – Welcome to the Afterfuture
Edan – Beauty & The Beat
Dr Octagon – Octagonecologyst
Company Flow – Little Johnny from the Hospital
Beastie Boys – Check Your Head
Mark B Presents – Task Force

I’m sure most will know these, this isn’t about being weird, rare or obscure. It’s about 100% sincere expression with zero bullshit, pretence or hype. There’s obviously a lot more out there, for the purpose of this list i had to be brutal and only chose albums where pretty much every track is solid, albums that work as a whole, that stand the test of time (something truly ‘great’ records all do). This is hip-hop at it’s best, imagination, sincerity and depth, long may it continue… tickets for Glastonbury, no thanks.

For 60+ years art has adorned the sleeves of records, a visual expression of what’s inside.
We’re about to Rewire this relationship.

O.Two recently exhibited at GTD, the work was beyond outstanding. The show explored themes of delinquency, obsession, and exclusion. Using language and type as only he can…  Head over here to check out the event video and read more.

On the eve of the publication of his first book, Phil Ashcroft exhibits a selection of new work and landmark pieces, including two custom bike frames at Gamma Transport Division, Edinburgh. Many will know Phil’s work from his cover art for Birdhead and Gamma’s Futurism 2.0 book and exhibition.

The show opens this coming Friday, 13th December at 6.30pm. Drop by if you’re in Edinburgh!

More on the event here.

sheOne opened his [S1] show last night, launching Gamma Transport Division. Alongside two custom bike frames are a series of slick collages. Perfectly balanced, they epitomise his effortless touch and unique style. The show runs until 12th December, if you can, you should!

There’s a video on the event now up on vimeo, catalogues are available here.

Opening soon in Edinburgh, Gamma Transport Division is a new art space combined with bike workshop and coffee dispenser, under the management of bike guru and Gamma brother, Gav Brough. Looking forward to this new chapter in the Gamma story, i’ll be curating exhibitions on a bi-monthly basis.

I’m designing Phil Ashcroft’s forthcoming book for Gamma Proforma, quite an honour as i’ve long appreciated his work. Pre-orders are available now, these early orders will be signed by Phil. Definitely worth snapping up!

The good people over at Central Station asked me to recommend a few things, so i did…

Along with a few other Gamma artists, i’ve had a selection of my older artworks packed up into a post card set. Head over for a look…