Alice Mizrachi isn’t just an artist–she’s a community organizer, too. A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, Mizrachi’s shown her work around the world, and yet her favorite canvas is New York’s walls. Mizrachi’s built a global network of women artists as co-director of the Younity Arts Collective, and now she’s working with young people. This piece was produced by Rebecca McDonald of B FRESH Photography and Media for GRITtv, and special thanks to Noisemaker Media for the music.

Copyright © 2011 B FRESH Photography and Media www.bfreshphotography.com

Noisemaker Media, Viper Records and Da Circle Present “Napalm”. Goodtime Slim and Fatz D’Assassin are more than just another brand of revolution rap. They are the revolution. On Napalm, Immortal Technique joins Da Circle to plot a coupe de tat on the industry and set the world stage ablaze with their fiery rhetoric and revolutionary chants. This Fyre Department-produced soundtrack sets the pace for Slim and Fatz to establish themselves as a formidable duo who spit no frills politically-insightful rap. Napalm takes us on a journey of a Young Man [Jordan Anthony James] who finds martyrdom as the only salvation to liberate himself from the slavery of freedom and the ignorance of war. Napalm holds no pretense of being a vehicle that carries a cryptic message or present itself as a puzzle with encoded political implications. Simply put, this is ART. A piece that acts as a mirror which reflects the fear-based agenda propagated by a politically-motivated media industry which pursues an initiative that discredits acts of social revolution and disguises it as an anti-American crusade. If the revolution will not be televised, then the revolution must start now.

Da Circle | Napalm Featuring Immortal Technique | A Noisemaker Media Production | Starring Jordan Anthony James | Mark Carranceja [Director, Editor and Cinematographer] | Luis Cordero [Assistant Director] | Justin Denmark [Key Grip] | Chris Cofer [Assistant Camera] | John Flowers, Dreadz and Rebecca B FRESH McDonald [Production Assistant] | Music Produced by Viper Records | A&R: Jonathan Masters

Download Da Circle’s “The 360 Deal” LP: bit.ly/​gMwf3K

For more info on Da Circle, please visit: dacircle360.com

Follow Da Circle:

Facebook: on.fb.me/​gUULvg

Twitter: twitter.com/​dacircle360

Myspace: myspace.com/​dacircle360

Follow Immortal Technique:

Facebook: on.fb.me/​fvA3xW

Twitter: twitter.com/​immortaltech

Myspace: myspace.com/​immortaltechnique

For more info on Viper Records, please visit: viperrecords.com

For more info on Noisemaker Media, please visit: noisemakermedia.com

www.vimeo.com/​noisemakermedia

www.youtube.com/​noisemakermediaone

Follow Noisemaker Media:

Facebook: bit.ly/​fUWk6o

Twitter: www.twitter.com/​noisemakermedia

MySpace: www.myspace.com/​noisemakermedia

Album Artwork by KupiArt | www.kupiart.com

Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang Clan talks to City Pages’ Web Editor Jen Boyles in an exclusive video interview backstage at the Wu’s sold-out show at Epic Sunday night.  B FRESH Photography and Media was there to film and catch photos of the show.

Born Jason Hunter, he and his large and long-loved clan of New York rap personalities delivered a late-night set of classics with Deck taking the reigns for the first several numbers that included tracks from the group’s best full-length to date, Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers — an album to which he largely contributed.

After the show, Inspectah Deck took a few minutes to talk to City Pages about Minneapolis fans, his upcoming album planned for 2011, and of course, our unique weather.

“This is one of the coldest cities I’ve ever been in, for real,” he says.

Check out the full 2-minute video below, and don’t miss his public service announcement at the end.

Here are some photos by B FRESH Photography and Media:

Check out a slideshow of the opening acts here:

Wu-Tang Clan + MPLS 4eva: Rappers and fans show off their gear

Behind the scenes of "No Boys Allowed"

Check out the video interview and behind the scenes photos of Keri Hilson’s photoshoot for her upcoming album “No Boys Allowed” to be released on December 21st. It was an amazing experience working on set to capture Miss Keri Baby doing what she does best. Here is an excerpt from an interview I did with the She’s So Fresh crew about the experience:

“The most exciting shoot I have ever done was behind the scenes documentation for Keri Hilson’s photoshoot for her new album “No Boys Allowed.” It was not exciting because she is a famous R&B singer, but was incredibly exciting to see the inner-workings of a large-scale production. Growing up, I would look at album covers and magazine spreads, and always wonder went on behind the scenes to make it happen. I got a chance to see first-hand the process- from the inspirational images Keri gave to the photographers before shooting, to the stylist selecting the wardrobe, to the hair designers working their magic. Keri was such a down-to-earth person, and I am honored to have interviewed her.”

Filmed by Mark Carranceja (Noisemaker Media) and Rebecca McDonald (B FRESH Photography and Media).

Photography by Rebecca McDonald of B FRESH Photography and Media

Photography by Gomillion and Leupold

(FREE MIX)

Originally published on City Pages

Written by Rebecca McDonald, photography by B FRESH Photography and Media

Immortal Technique isn’t your typical rapper.  He raps about colonialism and racism rather than about girls and booze. Instead of spending money on chains and rims, he has wisely invested his money and given to humanitarian causes such as opening an orphanage/hospital in Afghanistan with Omeid International.

After returning to the U.S. from his trip to Afghanistan, and hitting up the stage at Soundset ’09, Gimme Noise caught Technique, who was in rare form: on vacation — in Minnesota. We chopped it up about his favorite place to eat in the Twin Cities, how he spends his time off, managing his investments, his love for classical music, and of course, revolution.

B FRESH: So you are taking some time off in MN? Did you catch a case of MN Nice?

BF: What is your favorite place to eat in the Twin Cities?

IT: Pizza Luce.

Illustrator Chuck U talks Robozoology, inspiration and hippies

Originally published at City Pages

Written by Rebecca McDonald, artwork courtesy of the artist

​Chuck U is a Twin Cities-based freelance designer and illustrator, mostly known for his album covers and show posters around town. He doesn’t offer a complex examination of societal ills or provide introspective solutions to life’s problems. What he does offer is something cool to look at. When was the last time you thought about “monkeys as the new people” or an “old hotdog mill (see below)?” Chuck U likes when people to make up their own stories about his work, reminding grownups in a playful way that there isn’t anything wrong with using your imagination once in awhile.

After eight or so group exhibitions, Chuck finally decided to do a solo show at Nickademus Art and Framing called “Robozoology” featuring paintings and posters done over the past year (2009). We wanted to know more, so we hit him up.

BF: You have a new gallery show at Nickademus Art and Framing. Where does the title “Robozoology” come from?

CU: I was originally going to call it “Art is None of my Business” but my brother hated that name. So we sat down and thought about it. The word cryptozoology-ish, came up a few times, but that kinda sucked, then somehow we landed on “Robozoology”  since I like to add robot parts to alot of my animals. Not sure which one of us actually coined it, but I’m going to go ahead and take credit anyway.

BF: What inspired this project?

CU: I don’t look at the show as a project. Its more like a collection of little projects. To be honest, I have no idea where my inspiration comes from. I’d would say “everywhere and everything” but that sounds kinda douche-y.

BF: You are known in the Twin Cities music scene for your posters and album covers. What elements in the Robozoology collection are different/similar from that work?

CU: A lot of them are similar in style to some of my more recent album covers (ie: the MN Beatle Project: Vol 1, or Dance Band “Geekadelic”) as far as lots of line work and stuff. The difference is that for these I didn’t have to make anyone happy but myself. No client to please, so I was free to get a little more weird.

BF: What objects are currently on your drawing table?

CU: I actually just cleaned it off the other day. But on my computer desk is a gorilla riding a shark.

BF: Tell us about your most memorable time painting.

By far the live paintings I’ve done at the Bella Music festivals have been the most fun. Nothing like 3 days of camping, music, and hippies for an environment to paint in. All of these stoned hippies would come up to me, and go into these long, ten minute explanations about what they think is going on in a print. That is my favorite shit in the world.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A SLIDESHOW of Chuck U’s art

Chuck on artwork (in order of appearance above):

“Monkeys Are the New People”

I spent an insane amount of time on this one. I had it pretty much how it is after about 2 weeks, but then, like an idiot, I kept trying to add other stuff to it. I did that for over a week, before I realized it looked best how it was.

“The Old Hotdog Mill”

This one started with just the buildings on the top, but it didn’t feel done. I taped another piece of paper to the bottom and kept going in that fashion until it was 4 sketchbook pages taped together. From there I scanned it in, cleaned it up, and colored it.

“Aristo- Trash”

Not sure where the idea came from, but I thought it would be cool if there were some sophisticated gentlemen sipping tea and smoking cigars in their underwear. After that, I added the trailers and the other stuff. I originally wanted them to be wading there feet in a kiddie pool, but it didn’t look right so I added a grill instead.

Originally published in City Pages

Written by Rebecca McDonald, photography by B FRESH Photography and Media

Brother Ali’s forthcoming album is upon us. That’s right, Rhymesayers’ lyrical heavy-hitter is back again, but with a more introspective tone than ever. The album Us will “touch on the strengths and flaws of the human condition, exploring drug abuse, divorce, homophobia and many more topics that most people are scared to touch in their own lives, much less on an album for the world to see,” according to the release. We caught up with Ali at his recent video shoot in the Warehouse District to get personal, and get the scoop on his tour and new album.

B FRESH: The upcoming album is called “Us.” It was going to be called “Street Preacher,” so why the change?

Brother Ali: A fan gave me the title “Street Preacher,” the message being: connect with other people by embracing who we really are. I set out to make an album of stories from the people I love and give my listeners an intimate look at a side of life they may not be familiar with. “Street Preacher” was the working title until the album was done. Siddiq [of Rhymesayers Entertainment] and I were listening through the finished album and came to the conclusion that the title didn’t end up matching the content…I don’t “preach.” It’s just not who I am–I ended up telling stories about “Us.” The all-inclusive, greater “Us” that makes the world go ’round. So we decided to rename the album what it’s really about–Us.

BF: You will be rolling worldwide for your “Fresh Air Tour” with Toki and Evidence in less than a month. How will this tour give fans a breath of fresh air? Where does the name come from?

BA: The idea is to celebrate life and appreciate what we have. We’re not concerned with what the magazines and videos and rappers tell us we need to own to enjoy life. We’re blessed to be who we are and we appreciate life no matter what challenges it throws our way.

BF: On the new single “Fresh Air,” you talk about buying a house. How does it feel to be able to buy a home for you and your family with money you earned doing what you appear to love- rapping?

It’s a dream come true. There’s no other way to say it. There’s nothing lavish about my lifestyle– I’ll probably never be on MTV Cribs but I’m the luckiest son-of-a-bitch that ever lived.

BF: On Twitter you tweeted “You know you’re in love when you and your girl can make Wendy’s in car with the baby feel like a date. God is Good!” Where is your favorite place to take your wife out on a date?

BA: Steaks outside at Nye’s. A walk by the river at St. Anthony Main and a good movie. The rest is none of your business. *wink*

BF: Being away from your family while on tour must be challenging. What plans do you have in the works before you leave?

BA: Being away from them for long periods is literally torture for everyone involved. Just thinking about it makes my heart sink. It’s the evil downside of what we do. I’m really blessed to have a supportive wife and I try to make every minute count when we’re together. When we’re home, I’m able to create my own schedule so I can spend every minute with them. I’m an extremely hands-on dad. The goal for the next few weeks is to get Faheem off to a good start in the new school year.

Free MP3 of ”Us”: CLICK HERE

Interview and photos by Rebecca “B FRESH” McDonald of B FRESH Photography and Media

Last February, I took a journey to the Mall of America  in Bloomington, MN to meet up with a phenomenal crew of people I met during my travels in New York. The ReadNex Poetry Squad kept in contact with me, and before departing for the Twin Cities, they gave me a ring, asking about places they could book shows, perform etc. We decided to take the opportunity and shoot, so I recently pulled out these photos and sat down with them to catch up on life, touring, their new album and music video release and what is in the stars for 2011.

B FRESH: Can you describe to readers who the Readnex Poetry Squad are?
The ReadNex Poetry Squad: We are a group of 5 artists, emcees, poets, community leaders, activists, educators, a singer, a couple of break dancers, a comedian, and idealists that believe that positive change is possible through love, education and voice.

BF: How did you all meet and start working together?

RNPS: We all met by accident at Orange County Community College (now known as SUNY Orange). A few of us met at a college club we formed called REACH. The club’s mission was to reach out to our community. Be it in the form of food drives, educational events, cultural trips, open mics, etc. At some of the open mics we vibed with each other and appreciated each others talents. Four members of the group formed out of this collective exchange of words ands vibes. DJ H20 joined the group a few years later. He’d been attending open mics and the college with us as well.

BF: How would you describe your work, what you do, and your musical sound?

RNPS: Our music sounds like serenity mixed in with the revolutionary battle cries of a child that demands justice, love and mental stimulation. We use Hip Hop & Spoken Word Poetry to empower, to motivate, and to edu-tain as many ears that our beats and voices can reach. The music sounds like what it should sound like for each individual that listens. Poetry stems from the Greek word Poeses. Thus we create and our listeners decide the rest.

BF: You have your new album out in stores now, and a music video dropping. What does this all mean for you as poets, and the direction you are moving in? What make you all different than the rest out there?

RNPS: We are and will always be Poets. We are lovers of music, good music, and have been privileged to find artistic ways to incorporate our loves and make something tangible for the world to hear and see. The music video was definitely something we always wanted to do and we are so grateful to have done it. What makes us different… to sum it up we LOVE. We love each other, the art form, the people and everything else. We are driven by love and that’s just it.

BF: How do you balance all of the things you do as activists/artists?

RNPS: We both love and are passionate about the work we do. Somehow all gets figured out from that love.

BF: What inspires you to create together? What are some highlights of collaborating together? And how do you address creative differences and obstacles in your process of creating?

RNPS: Something one of us might have learned during our travels or research. The emotion on the face of a child or the laughter that child’s spirit emanates. The green of the trees, the anger caused by injustice or the joy and vibing out with each other. This all serves as inspiration.

For our single “Be’ Dif’Rent” we all built upon the concept in our own way. The beat was made, someone’s verse was written, that verse inspired someone else’s and so on. Then when the track was almost done one of us heard and thought “I wanna get on this” and wrote the final verse for it. It was a collaborative effort that kept being built upon again and again as we inspired each other.

We’ve worked with each other for almost 10 years. We trust each other. We believe in each other and genuinely care about each others thoughts, words and moves. When a “creative difference” arises we work with each other, find common ground and try to combine ideas as much as possible. A creative difference is merely an opportunity to create.

BF: You have been traveling extensively recently. Are there any places that are unforgettable, or that you would never want to return to? Tell us some tour stories!

RNPS: We each have our own individual favorites or least favorites. Latin’s favorite is San Antonio and hearing a ten year old explain (after a brief workshop we facilitated) why Hillary Rodham Clinton was an excellent Senator. For Decora it was the love we received from the people of Detroit during the US Social Forum. For DJ H20 it was the energy of the crowd at Trinity College during a performance of ours and Free loved the vibe of Chicago while walking in search of sneaker shops. Jarabe del Sol loved being in the desert of New Mexico during Dooda Desert Rock and enjoying both the land and the indigenous love. Least favorites there aren’t many really. We’ve become very skilled in adapting and finding the good in all of our experiences.

BF: What can’t you live without on tour?

RNPS: Latin needs high protein food on a regular basis (one of the 3 vegetarians on the road). He gets…unhappy to say the least, otherwise. DJ H2O needs his toiletry bag. That man needs to be clean. Jarabe needs a space to meditate. Free needs a brief retreat every few days from all the male energy. And Decora needs enough sleep.

BF: What are your plans for the rest of 2010? Any new projects? What should we expect from The ReadNex Poetry Squad?
RNPS: Ok so we usually like to keep suspense going….but here we go….more videos, more music and the sky is the limit as we prepare for 2011 and a European Tour for the summer.

BF: What piece of advice do you have for up-and-coming artists/activists/poets?
RNPS: Never give up! Regardless of what anyone tells you (at times that negative voice in your head) always keep reaching towards your dreams. “The day we stop running after our dreams is the day our dreams stop running after us”-Latin

BF: If you could change anything in this world, what would it be?
RNPS: Love. We need more love. We need to love our fellow human. Our neighboring creatures. Love the land that we’re eternally connected to no matter how much or how long we may fly through the clouds. Love each other and love all that is. “All we need is love”-The Beatles.

BF: Anything else you would like to say?
RNPS: We’d like to thank all that read our words. All that took the time to learn about something “Dif’Rent and all that have been by us over the years. Peace, Paz, Salaam and Learn, Educate, Repeat!

For more info on the ReadNex Poetry Squad, please visit:
http://debeforerecords.com/

Follow the ReadNex Poetry Squad on:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Readnex
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/readnex
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/ReadNex-Poetry-Squad/742880640

]]> http://bfreshphotography.com/2010/10/31/readnex-poetry-squad/feed/ 2 http://bfreshphotography.com/2010/10/30/isis_driveme_release/ http://bfreshphotography.com/2010/10/30/isis_driveme_release/#comments Sun, 31 Oct 2010 03:07:10 +0000 Rebecca McDonald http://bfreshphotography.com/?p=432 On October 26, 2010, (i am) isis, a Minneapolis/New York-based artist celebrated the release of her new music video “Drive Me.”

Her unique sound of “Spoken Soul” infuses spoken word, rock, and hip-hop elements. Her live band played a set for the crowd before the anticipated showing of ‘Drive me.”

Written by Rebecca McDonald
Photos Copyright © 2010 B FRESH Photography and Media
www.bfreshphotography.com