Nonprofit arts collaborative Art For Progress (AFP) will hosttheir annual group arts show, "A New Spirit of Progress" from November 2 - November 16, 2007. Held at World Culture Open in Chelsea, the show will exhibit works from their talented stable of underexposed and emerging visual artists. The diverse exhibition encompasses works that speak of progress, whether it is political, cultural or emotional.
Art For Progress holds the philosophy of Victor Hugo in high regard. The artist and writer spoke of artists coming together for the greater good, and to form a community that speaks to the world at large. "A New Spirit of Progress" was curated with this message in mind.
The show will feature works from AFP's most gifted visual artists. Philip Simmons' solo show opens on Friday, October 26th at Williamsburg's Front Room Gallery, whileMelanie Prapopoulos will show at this year's Florence Biennale. Carol Caputo's show "Drawing Conclusions" recently ended on September 28th. Juan Pajares and Gabe Kirchheimer both had successful shows this past summer in France, and Lance Dehne had a solo show last year at NY Arts Gallery in Beijing, China.
Along with these recent newsmakers, we're also very excited to be featuring works from the following AFP artists: Sima Schloss, Jacquie Gouveia, Yuri Bobrykov, Wiktor Szostalo, Natalie Kates, Max Greis, Martin Deegan, Sara Conca, Michael Lorenzini, Diane Laraja, Kenneth Yee, Drew Maillard, Don Sipley, Aimee Hertog, Marina Reiter, Frieda Block, and Liza Lambertini.
The opening will be held on Friday, November 2, 2007 from 6-9pm. AFP artist Pete Nawara of Chicago will be creating live pieces for auction as part of the opening on November 2nd and also for the special performance of AFP's theatre production, Dossier: Ronald Akkerman on Saturday, November 3rd8pm. Opening night will also feature a musical performance from an AFP artist. In addition, there will be a second performance of the play on Saturday November 10th also at 8pm.
World Culture Open is located at 19 West 26th Street, 5th floor, showing by appointment November 3rd through November 16th. For a private viewing of the exhibition, contact Art For Progress via e-mail at groupshow@artforprogress.org.
For more information on the particpating artists click here.
SRC President Gaby Acevedo talks about what he's looking for in a new artist and how artists can use Loud.com to its fullest potential.
LOUD.COM INTRODUCES THREE NEW SEMI-FINALISTS IN THEIR $100,000 SEARCH FOR HIP HOP’S NEXT SUPERSTAR
New York, NY (October 18, 2007) – Loud.com announced the second group of semi-finalists in their $100,000 on-line rap competition today. With six of the nine semi-final spots now filled, the next ten weeks will be the final opportunity members have this year to earn a chance at the money and a deal from SRC Records.
Grabbing first place and $25,000 for his efforts, North Cak emcee Drop (http://www.loud.com/dRopHotteStnNorthCak) won over the judges with a smooth, charismatic flow and an impressive following on the site. Coming in second and earning $15,000 was South Carolina’s Dirty Rap (http://www.loud.com/DirtyRap). Hailing from the Boston-area and taking the $10,000 third place prize was The Franchise King (http://www.loud.com/TheFranchise_KingMC). All three noted that they maximized the interactive features on Loud.com and used other outside web sources to increase their exposure.
“I had mad people helping me out this time around,” Franchise said. “I won a round in the first ten weeks but didn’t get picked. This time, though, we pounded the site even harder and it worked out. To be here, you have to love the culture first, with the music as an extension of that. But you also need to realize it’s a job, too. If somebody asked you if you wanted to get paid to write raps, what would you say, you know? This is how it happens.”
The Loud.com and SRC Records A&R Department review all submissions, and music from the narrowed pool of weekly winners goes through SRC’s top brass before a decision is made. Coupled with the payout of $50,000 for each semi-final round (in addition to the grand-prize winner’s $100,000 purse), the entire process speaks to the level of commitment put forward from everyone involved with the site, be it the high-profile producers, the execs in the building, or the unsigned emcees that make the site function. Co-chairman of Loud.com and hip hop pioneer Steve Rifkind commended the contestants on their efforts. As head of SRC Records, he will be the man guiding the career of the ultimate winner.
“We had some incredible submissions this round, and these are the top three that emerged,” Rifkind said. “There was a lot of debate because the voting in-house was so close, and we’re happy about that. It is a great example of commitment on both ends and, more important, it shows the direction Loud.com is moving. This is a community-first site and we expect it to produce top-notch talent. This is an exciting time for everyone.”
All three winners were featured in exclusive interviews on their respective hometown urban radio stations this past week. The Franchise King was in-studio on WJMN JAM’N 94.5 in Boston at 3pm Monday, Dirty Rap visited KTTB Hot 103.9 in Columbia at 1pm Tuesday and Drop chopped it up on WQOK K97.5 in Raleigh at 12pm Wednesday. Loud.com is currently featuring print interviews with the latest semi-finalists.
ABOUT THE WINNERS
DROP
Hailing from North Carolina, Drop is almost a throwback to the rhymesayers that dominated the game during rap’s golden era – socially conscious, sick flow and in touch with the culture. Drop fronts the FIF GANG, with FIF standing for F.irst I.n F.light (“because North Cak niggas was the first to be fly,” he says. “My passion speaks more than my lyrics. I got a song for every occasion and I'm making enough music to live eternally. I’m socially conscious. I speak on poverty, police brutality, racism, single mothers, deadbeat fathers and lack of education (in our system). When I speak, the world listens.” Drop is associated with producers that have worked with Lil Wayne and Dipset, among others, and has a mixtape out right now, “Plead Da FIF Vol. 1,” available for sale. http://www.myspace.com/dropthugafella
DIRTY RAP
At 28, Dirty Rap is no hip hop spring chicken. Splitting time between Arizona and South Carolina, he’s been around, having opened shows for Clipse, Juelz Santana, Ying Yang Twins, Devon the Dude, Twista, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, Mack-10 and a host of others. He’s put out three solo albums and four albums with his crew, the Gnac Boys (Yak Boys). And he’s spoken to a lot of people. But what’s interesting is his unorthodox approach and perspective in making music. It’s a mature and calculated process, yet at the same time very much in the moment. Check out more of the “deep, aggressive voice and suitcase full of hope” at http://www.myspace.com/dirtyrap.
THE FRANCHISE KING
It’s pretty arrogant to call yourself The Franchise King. But like The Game and King Tip before him, Sunny Shines is more than just swagger and flow. Repping just outside Boston in Dover, NH, Franchise is quick to point out that to make the music he makes, you have to love hip hop first. First piece of evidence – instead of a biography, he lists a set of rules (see “Commandments”) about how to go about your business. He’s opened for KRS-1, has an upcoming show with Wordsmith and Rhymeswell and is getting set to drop on Boston stages this winter. His crew’s mixtape “Everybody’s Listening Vol. 1” moved over 1,000 units independently, and Vol. 2 is on its way. Get on-board at http://www.myspace.com/lovefranchise.
ABOUT LOUD.COM
LOUD.COM is an online competition, open to all registered users. Loud.com offers users the ability to download professional beats from Hip Hop’s hottest producers for just .99 cents, use a unique on-line recording tool to overlay raps over the tracks, have the songs judged by celebrity producers and compete for $100,000 and a record deal with SRC Records, home of multi Platinum, Grammy Awarding winning artist such as Akon and David Banner. LOUD producers have made hits for The Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, The Game, Jim Jones, Lil Jon, Rick Ross, Talib Kweli, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes and many more. Log on to LOUD.COM now!
Brand new exclusive from Royce Da 5'9" from his up coming mix tape "Bar Exam Volume 2" called "Promise Land" produced by super producer Nottz!
Royce Da 5'9" - Promise Land Download: [Click Here]
Coming Soon: Two Royce Da 5'9" studio albums "Street Hop" & "The Revival" featuring production from heavy hitter producers such as DJ Premier, Nottz, Carlos "6th July" Broady, Havoc, Bink Dogg, Hi-Tek, The Alchemist, Mario Winans & 9th Wonder.
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RZA discusses the making of "The Heart Gently Weeps," the Wu Tang Clan's cover of The Beatles' "My Guitar Gently Weeps," featuring Dhani Harrison (George Harrison's son), John Frusciante, and Erykah Badu on the Wu Tang Clan's new album, The Eight Diagrams, available in November 2007. For the full interview, hit up KOTORIMAG.COM in November.
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