UC Berkeley Students For Hip-Hop

Los Angeles Redscribed: Part I

Many young cats from Los Angeles love to bask in the summer sun and buy up lots and lots of new hip clothing in order to fill the emptiness of their bland, fucking stupid souls. We all know the cliche, and for this part of Hollywood, the fashion glorifiers attach to trends like a pig on its steaming trough of cow intestine. The unfortunate, yet admittedly attractive trendy mobsters of LA flood the streets walking nonchalantly, with their insides screaming and pulling for the next hot item. To outsiders who visit the city, they may think that nothing but these Paris Hilton wannabes exist in the streets of LA, frappuccino in one hand, dog leash in the other, while chatting in the high pitched squeaky tone to Agent X on their headset cellphones. While we're on the subject-- how the fuck did she get famous for fucking guys and being rich?

Anyway, while Los Angeles is filled with this phenomenon, the back alleys sometimes exhibit more of the progressive, sometimes cute sometimes threatening, and genuinely interesting culture in the area. Remember that this city hosts over 100,000 homeless citizens, more than any other city in the country, 17,000 of which sleep in Downtown, some behind the 100 million dollar Reagan Center business building. The blatant contrasts of this city are disgustingly obvious and it does not take a keen eye to see them. Behind the glamour and glitz, the gilded age of pop culture, and like all promised lands throughout history, Palestine or America in general, a more powerful and urgent story surfaces. So in these next couple weeks Im going to update a few editions of LA redefinition, hiphop style.

This first edition is a re-exploration of Melrose, the once essential punk and hiphop spot of the 80s. The Hiphop Shop used to flourish here, allowing a decent public space for the neighborhood b-boys and b-girls to flaunt their commandoes and film some shorts. Now, the hiphopshop is gone, probably replaced by the flourishing Starbucks citadel. The shit is infested with the noobs of the Midwest who hope to find a new wardrobe that will land them an extra part for the next War of the Worlds. Yes, there are thousands of people who cruise down the street every week, and you know what, I believe they are all going to make it!

Fucking dumbasses.

Alas the graffiti saves this shithold from complete mockery. Laced with the burners, murals, and tags of all-city artists, all-world dudes, and local young cats fresh outta recess, Melrose is an easy spot to catch some primetime LA graf -- not necessarily the sickest in town, but definitely a solid mix and always changing situation. Check out the alley-ways on predominately the southside of the street and just cruise between Fairfax and La Brea. When you see the faux graf of Obeygiant Shephard Fairey, just close your eyes or hold up a middle finger. Or if you're really daring, then fucking bust his shit open. Anyway, here's some pics of what you might find.

Oh, Melrose also is the home of the worst Fatbeats in the world, some overpriced record stores, and a borderline hated Workmen's hiphop spot, where you can buy Montana paint for 8 dollars a can. They have some decent videos and mixtapes, cop them, i guess. There's apparently community based gallery shows, but I've never been to one so don't take my word for it. Although if you need an overpriced rare record, definately check out The Record Collector right across Fairfax High School.

For more info on all this ish, they drop the knowledge at 50mm Los Angeles.

Yo capskii, give me your picture so I can eternalize you!

posted by mkrimper @ 5:34 PM