Read This

My friend's are the illest. For my birthday this year, the Nut to my Raisin and a Fig by definition (inside reference, sorry) bought me Martha Cooper's The Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979-1984. As you may be aware if you are a regular reader of theblagg and/or share our interests, Martha Cooper is a force to be reckoned with.

Not only has she and her camera been at the forefront of documenting graffiti and other elements of the culture while they were in their infancy but she's also published quite a few books that are the result of her access to the New York scene and beyond. This lady's images have provided plenty a screensaver (back when people had those) for Dude and now she's in South Africa.

Following the I ART WOODSTOCK (in Cape Town) and I ART Soweto initiatives that hooked South African artists up with a platform to paint large scale murals comes I ART JOBURG. This go-around, six artists from various parts of the world - including our very own graff guru, Falko and fine artist, Cameron Platter - will get to paint on buildings in the Maboneng Precinct before the end of September.

Who better than Martha Cooper to document the whole process? These photographic finds will culminate in an exhibition of I ART JOBURG, by Cooper, that will be shown in Joburg in October before it travels to Cape Town. Those of you who are attending STR.CRD (which will be in the same vicinity) can enjoy the free I ART JOBURG Talks at the street culture event. In the meantime, definitely read this:

On Black Music...

Museum Africa, on Bree Street in Newtown, recently opened its doors for the International Exhibition Of Black Music. Here, everything from soul to afrobeat to funk, hip hop, jazz and everything in between is explored. As long as it came from a black mind and mouth, it's in here.

The travelling exhibition is an interactive one that asks you to trade in your smart phone at the reception for the exhibition's one. This is so that the exhibition gets all their equipment back but also because the pre-loaded smartphones from the exhibition allow you to unlock a world of gems about black music. Divided into six rooms, the touch screen technology allows you to engage with different aspects like videos, audiovisual poetry and even asks you to physically blow out a candle on the tiny device.

Armed with earphones and a smartphone, you can learn more about everyone from Miles Davis to Ali Farka Toure, Afrika Bambataa, Hugh Masekela, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, Stevie Wonder, Tumi And The Volume and loads more. In one room, the four sections of our continent are explored separately, while there is also a room full of Black Music Legends biographies. They are quite short and concise so its not as though you're going to spend aeons at the museum.

But to be honest, the information is overwhelming to the senses - there are over 13 hours of footage - and because it's so insightful, you may want to give it your full attention and make more than one trip to the museum. The entrance fee is R40 and the exhibition runs until 12 December. If you've already been, then let us know what you think.

Converse *>

All the cool things happen in Joburg. Sigh. The Converse Halloween Block Party will be shutting down Town Hall in Jozi on October 28 from 9pm. There will be four stages featuring the likes of Mr Sakitumi (do NOT miss this) as well as Sibot, DJ Kenzhero, Desmond and The Tutus as well as a French DJ duo called Stereo Heroes. And if the X-Factor bug has bit you too, what you’re thinking of is probably the Stereo Hogz. Or if MTV is getting on your last nerve with that Gym Class Heroes song, Stereo Hearts, we understand too. However, all that has nothing to do with the Stereo Heroes. These guys are completely different. Anyway, the adidas minibus is cute, the Puma one is fuctional but the 18-wheeler Converse Truck (which has been travelling around campuses) has all sorts of awesomery in it. Check it out:

YUUUUUUUP!

As Puleng of Leswapside would be delighted to know, it's official, Trey Songz is headed this way. He'll perform at The Wave House in Durban on 26 August and The Dome in Jozi on 27 August. Tremaine - please believe that is his real name. Sigh - is being brought out by events company, Me and My Girls, so get you and your girls a ticket why don't you?