WESTSIDE CONNECTION
LA HIPHOP DRESSES DOWN
Photography by Michael Schreiber
Words by Pat Canale
Styling by Roman Alexander Diaz for Beauty
Photo Styling Assistant: Asha Mines
Grooming by Melanie Inglessis for Mercury Artists Group
Shot at Photofighter Studios, LA
Edited by Lindsay Lohden
Featuring:
Living Legends
Busdriver
Omid
Pigeon John
Kool Keith
Kutmasta Kurt
Dj Cheapshot
Takbir
RYO
Subtitle
Thavius Beck
Wildchild
Medaphoar
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BUSDRIVER
Current Projects: Busdriver has a single called "Avant/Core" coming out in January 2005, with the 'Fear of a Black Tangent' LP to follow in January 2005 on Mush. Also look out for the Project Blowed 10-Year Anniversary record dropping in early '05 on Project Blowed/Decon.
Most embarrassing item in your closet: A Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf shirt I had to throw out because it left a painful mark. I didn't enjoy working there.
Worst hip-hop fashion trend: Throwback jerseys with the caps that are too big, that fit down over your ears. It makes your head look like a little peanut.
Best hip-hop fashion trend: The best hip-hop trend is just showin' up.
Style Icon: Bobby McFerrin
Best thing about LA: The traffic jams. I look forward to those.
Worst thing about LA: All of the talented people. It's horrible. So much talent you can't deal with it.
Favorite song about LA: NWA's "Straight Outta Compton"
Biggest misconception about LA hip-hop: That it's all gangsta rap.
Road-rage confession: I was so mad from road rage that I wasn't paying attention and hit a dog. It scarred me.
OMID
Current Projects: Omid produced the 'Sach 5th Ave' full-length for Sach [of The Nonce], which drops in early fall of Afflatus Recordings. He produced half of Ellay Khule's 'Califormula' LP and he's working on a new solo album as well as an LP with Nobody and Chris Gunst of Beachwood Sparks for Mush.
Most embarrassing item in your closet: A Coolin' In Compton concert T-shirt with a black Bart Simpson in a Compton hat.
Worst hip-hop fashion trend: Jheri curl.
Best hip-hop fashion trend: Fat laces.
Style Icon: Dapper Dan
Best thing about LA: All the talented musicians
Worst thing about LA: Not enough people that live in LA know about music coming out of LA.
Favorite song about LA: "We're All In The Same Gang" by West Coast Rap All-Stars.
Biggest misconception about LA hip-hop: People don't know the history of the underground movement.
Road-rage confession: Shit, I get mad, but I don't kill anything.
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THAVIUS BECK
Current Project: Lab Waste [Subtitle and Thavius Beck] will release 'Zwarte Achtegrond' or 'Black Background' in Spring 2005 on Temporary Whatever Records.
Most embarrassing item in your closet: A mesh fatigue rasta wifebeater.
Worst hip-hop fashion trend: All the underground hip-hoppers and indie rockers are now like one and the same. Hip-hoppers wearing studded bracelets and stuff.
Best hip-hop fashion trend: Same thing - all the indie hip-hoppers and rockers getting together. If it can expose more people to music they wouldn't normally get into, that's cool.
Best thing about LA: All the people and opportunities.
Worst thing about LA: The fact that the fuckin' Lakers lost.
Biggest misconception about LA hip-hop: That the underground is a big, happy family. People don't get along that well, but we're not all gangsters, either.
Road-rage confession: This dude hit my Geo Metro and I spun around and ran into this bakery. He came out all drunk like, "Oh, I'm so sorry." I didn't actually do anything about it, but that was fucked up.