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Now Carrying: Ditmas NYC

Irrational Monster is proud to announce that you can now find Ditmas NYC in our store. They are a promising up-and-coming lifestyle brand out of Brooklyn, New York. They have released a sick line of headgear, wrist wear, and accessories. Check them out at www.DitmasNYC.BigCartel.com, and make sure to like them on facebook (www.facebook.com/DitmasNYC). Use promo-code:irrationalmonster to receive 20% off all summer orders, ends August, 31 2012 at 11:59 pm

GraffitiXPoliticsXChange

Graffiti has always been such an advantageous medium for artists to live and work outside the mainstream art community. Particular for those socially conscious and communally embedded artists. Censorship is like the Death Star for the majority of the world’s governments, it can silence whole groups and leave no trace of their existence. Graffiti though, can’t be contained because there is no way to regulate acouple of 120z cans of Tricolor in a back pack, slung over the shoulder of an artist with a lot on his mind. The internet was dubbed this new frontier of expression, providing a reawakening of freedom of speech. Then it discovered China is censoring its national internet and monitoring usage. Chinese citizens cannot search anything related to Arab Spring Movement of 2010 nor the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989, where pro-democracy protesters were killed. Our own government stopped acces to Wikileaks back in 2008, due to the sensitive classified information they were placing on the web.

Now you have Chinese artist like ROBBBB getting up in Beijing. You don’t really see a lot of street art coming out of China especially art that posseses so much realism and brings life to the rather opaque lanscape of Beijing.

Artist, Mico, in 1973 lit up the subways of New York in response to the plight of the Latino community against Richard Nixon and the oppression of Puerto Rico.

Even Mayor Ed Koch got a taste from artist, Spin, when he launched the war on graffiti in the late 70’s.

The new “Truther” movement out of Germany focuses exclusively on ideas and political statements. Being a “Truther” commonly means that the artist believes there are hidden truths and adjendas behind key historical events, systems of government, private groups as well as environmental conditions. They have been bombing trams all over Germany and leaving messages behind you can’t ignore.

Recently in Nairobi, Kenya, world renound photojournalist Boniface Mwangi has set his scopes on the nation’s oppressive and corrupt political leaders. He and his group of graffiti artist have put up images depicting these political figures as vultures. They have also put up murals that they hope will force the Kenyan people to think about change and a better future for their country. Mwangi and his artist have been harrased by police and have even been offered payment by government officials to stop their work.

Grafitti has made an impact on the world, as way to reach the masses, beyond print media, or the internet, or even television. A six foot mural has a dramatic effect on the individual looking at it. It will stay with you, and that is what these artist around the world hope to achieve. A lasting impression, that will lead to people having internal conversations about what’s right and wrong, what’s happening in their communities and ultimately around the world.

Video: Quicksand Covering The Smiths @ Recent Reunion via Revelation Records

Revelation Records has uploaded a video of Quicksand performing The Smiths song “How Soon Is Now?” at the recent Revelation Records 25th anniversary shows. Here you go:

The Chariot Footage From Sessions For New Album “One Wing”

Studio footage from The Chariot‘s sessions for their new album “One Wing” can be seen below. An August 28th release date is being reported for the effort with more info pending. Tracking for the album took place at Atlanta, GA’s Glow In The Dark Studio with producer Matt Goldman (Underoath, My Children My Bride).

Nas – “Accident Murderers” (Feat. Rick Ross)

Nas and Rick Ross collaborated on the newly released track “Accident Murderers”, produced by No I.D. and Nas’ longtime collaborator Salaam Remi. The track is yet another enthralling street tale by the veteran Queensbridge emcee, directed at young shooters with “virgin guns” taking credit for accidental homicides.

Ricky Rozay comes through with the major assist, providing a powerful vocal presences and sick rhymes over this powerful beat, riddled with heavy snare, organ and piano.

Nas’ tenth album, Life Is Good, is expected to drop July 17 via Def Jam

http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50433769&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=000000

New Yeasayer: “Longevity”

“Longevity” is the next song up for release from Yeasayer’s third album, Fragrant World (out August 21 via Secretly Canadian). It was directed by Yoshi Sodeoka. Check back for more Yeasayer news in the near future.

Video: South African Brand-Head Honcho

This latest installment in the Belief of the Hero series by Play Energy Drink (based in South Africa) features Nick Kaoma, founder of the South African streetwear brand, Head Honcho. This short documentary is part of the Belief of the Hero series by Play Energy Drink (based in South Africa) featuring “the success stories of the few who play outside the ordinary.” Kaoma describes his struggles and setbacks while creating his label, as well as his fear of not having a formal education to fall back on.

Nike SB Presents 5Boro NYC’s Go Skateboarding Day/Harold Hunter Run – TODAY

NYC’s Go Skateboarding day kicks off in just a few minutes and holy s**t is there a bunch to get into.

If your anvid wood pusher like us or just like to cruise on a slick deck then you should get your asses to Maloof park in Queens, NY. Paul Rodriguez, Eric Koston, Stefan Janoski, Brian Anderson and Clark Hassler are said to be making an appearance so bring your Sharpies! Eventually Steve Rodriguez will announce the route in which everyone will make their way to the unveiling of the newly redesigned LES x Coleman x Nike skate park.

The 6th annual Harold Hunter Run will meet up at the LES x Coleman x Nike skate park and end up at the new Homage skate shop at 64 Bergen Street, Brooklyn NY (skaters & runners welcome). A $25 donation will get you a Nike dri fit, food & refreshments after the run and most importantly help benefit the Harold Hunter Foundation.

Revelation Records 25th Anniversary Show Confirmed

10/11 – 10/14 have been previously discussed dates for the Revelation Records 25h Anniversary show that has been confirmed publicly by the label who has now released a second flyer. The first of which was one with an “X.” Which was posted on Revelation’s site 6/18 and now we have this second flyer which clearly points out the state of Texas. Rumor mill: Sources say we might be able to look forward to Chain of Strength with Texas is The Reason? Hopefully

There has been no word on who may play the event. But we can decipher the significance of the “X” with its obvious straight-edge implications. But rumors have names like Quicksand (who reunited for the extravaganza) Chain of Strength, and some of the other usual suspects from the recent Pomona shows. We have our fingers crossed.

Check out some recently surfaced video of full sets by Sick of it All, Youth of Today and Quicksand from the California shows below alongside an old Chain of Strength set from the 90s.

Quicksand [Entire Show] Rev Rec 25th Glass House 2012

Sick Of It All – Rev Rec 25th Glass House 2012

Youth Of Today – Rev Rec 25th Glass House 2012

Chain of Strength – DC ‘90 (Full Set)