Archive for January, 2013

Neighborhood in Transition (part 20)

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

Here’s a brief conversation with illustrator/photographer/painter Anthony Washington, who installed a new mural outside the Spark Art Gallery on East Fayette Street on Monday afternoon.

  

Temporary Winter Warm up

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Soul Food Unchained

Saturday, January 12th, 2013
Collard Greens (comfort food)

Collard Greens (comfort food)

Documentary filmmaker Byron Hurt’s newest effort ‘Soul Food Junkies’ will broadcast nationally on PBS Monday night. The film is a critical celebration of comfort food and its effects upon families (particularly his own).

Soul Food Junkies’ was screened this summer in conjunction with Imagenation in NYC.

Hurt visited Syracuse a few years ago to screen his film ‘Hip Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes.’

Return of the Titans

Saturday, January 12th, 2013
Central Tech alumni Freeman Finch (photographer) and Manny Breland (retired educator and SU legend)

Central Tech alumni Freeman Finch (photographer) and Manny Breland (retired educator and SU legend) prepare to enter the ceremony.

The Institute of Technology (ITC) High School (formerly Central Tech and Syracuse Central) welcomed back alumni in a homecoming event held between two basketball games last night.  Former students and members of the community took tours of the new building and got a look at the new gym.

DJ Rivers takes a freethrow during the first half of the junior varsity game (vs. Marcellus).

DJ Rivers takes a free-throw during the first half of the junior varsity game (vs. Marcellus).

Central Tech alum and basketball legend Roy Neal points out members of a historic champsionship team at Central Tech from a vintage photo.

Central Tech alum and basketball legend Roy Neal points out members of a historic championship team at Central Tech from a vintage photo.

Kevin Edge and Roy Mckinnon, members of the Central Tech class of 1972.

Kevin Edge and Richard McKinnon, members of the Central Tech class of 1972, said they were impressed with the new facilities.

High Hopes

Monday, January 7th, 2013
Caoch Doug Marrone, fresh off a win in the Pinstripe Bowl, became the coach of the Buffalo Bills this week.

Coach Doug Marrone, fresh off a win in the Pinstripe Bowl for SU, became the coach of the Buffalo Bills this week.

Investing in Public Education

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013
Dr. Weeks Elementary: Renovated

Dr. Weeks Elementary: Renovated and Ready

37-Minute Hip Hop Revival

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013

Michael Childs, aka Our Reality, is a Hip Hop Survivor.

During his tenure in the industry Childs has been a manager, promoter, an actor, as well as a record label executive. He makes his return to the artistic lane with a solo venture called TGDOM, which will drop later this month.

The debut single You Are Here (Y.A.H.), is littered with a head-bobbin’ West Coast funk-style made popular by Left Coast players Dre, Snoop and Too Short.  Similarly, Open Your Mind (and let your brain breathe) has an equally compelling bass-line, and features a guest verse by the silver-tongued MAG, aka Ken Hills, from Syracuse.

Say What quickens the pace behind breakneck beats provided by Syracuse’s Super producer Seth Marcel, aka Seth Bradford. This cut also features guest appearances by Mad Illz and Jus One. Along with Lyrical Phenomenon this section of the project mixes up a spicy, perfectly seasoned old school flavor that sets a standard.

Our Reality brilliantly blends two complimentary rhymes together in a Dr. Jeckyl vs. Mr. Hyde song called Double Frequency. It was a huge risk, but the flow is uninterrupted. They are separate yet equal, and at the same time the song is not too cluttered. A perfect sequel is I Am, which exudes a hardcore style very familiar to fans of Our Reality’s bold lyricism.

Rhythm of Life is a Dr. Seuss-type anthem featuring hypnotic lyrics and an enduring beatbox. Before you know it, you’ll be singing along. Rhythm’s familiar chorus has an infectious appeal that may blow up, but won’t go pop.

The final track is a freestyle collaboration with Seme Rock

TGDOM will take you on a journey to discover what’s next, new and necessary in the Hip Hop game.  Our Reality has evolved, but he’s still relevant.