I’ll let the listener decide.

…via.

The issue of Race can be complex, to say the least. Next week, NoMAA & Sound of Art explore that complexity, through art. Check out the details on their event below….

NEW YORK ARTIST M. TONY PERALTA DELVES INTO
CONTROVERSIAL TERRITORY FOR NEW ‘COMPLEJO’ EXHIBIT

Deeply Personal Works of Art Explore Issues of Skin Color, Hair Texture, Self-Esteem and What It Means to be ‘Latino’ and ‘Black’

For artist-designer Manuel Antonio Peralta, growing up as a dark-skinned Dominican in upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights/Inwood neighborhood, the child of Dominican immigrants, was an eye-opening experience.

It was these memories that fueled Peralta’s artistic process during the creation of COMPLEJO(‘COMPLEX’), a thought-provoking new exhibit of mixed-media silkscreens exploring complexes people of color have regarding hair texture, skin color, etc. The new work will be shown at the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) Gallery.

Find more info on the event here: The COMPLEJO art exhibit Opening Reception.

Recently the folks over at All The Way Live shone the spotlight on this new Homeboy Sandman track that he performed as part of his NPR Soundcheck at WNYC. We figured it’s only right to spread the word and add some fuel to the fire.

Check out the audio below…

Earlier this summer Homeboy Sandman performed as part of a Hip-Hop showcase that WNYC put together. Sand ripped his set as usual, but one of the highlights was this unreleased song, “Fuel”. His wordplay is rewind-worthy as usual.

Download it here: Homeboy Sandman performs Fuel Live in NYC.

The reality TV craze has officially hit Jamaica and Vybz Kartel looks to capitalize on it. The “Teacher’s Pet”
is Vybz’s upcoming dating show. Ladies casting is still open for this one….

Jaryd Niles-Morris is a young photographer out of Barbados. Check out a few images of his work below…

A young Jaryd Niles-Morris used to fiddle around with his mum’s camera and take pictures but that was just him being inquisitive. Many years later Jaryd is now an established photographer with his work featured in local magazines and ad campaigns, as well as internationally in the UK Sunday Times and People Magazine.

Jaryd always had a love for drawing and illustrations and dabbled a bit in art, graphic design before finally settling on photography when he discovered how talented he was while at the Barbados Community College: “I like creativity. I didn’t know I was creative until my late teens.

“My love really manifested because as an illustrator I liked to draw people and interesting characters and photography just was such an instant medium. I could think it and shoot it, so I began to get into it more and more.”…

Read an interview with Jaryd Niles-Morris here: Up close with photographer Jaryd Niles-Morris — NationNews Barbados.

For more of his work click through to his official site and his Flickr page.

….images via.

With Caribana coming up this weekend its only right that we get give you some Kardinal.

Nice little double feature video from the newcomer. Check it out below…

Newcomer singjay T’Nez shot the video for his song Destiny/Better Days recently. The video was directed by Michael ‘Biggz’ Burbridge who has shot videos for Chino. The video was made in Havendale, Mona and Half-Way Tree. Me She Love is featured on the ‘Compassion’ rhythm while Destiny is produced by Notice Productions and Better Days is on the ‘Lifeline’ riddim.

…via.

A Gizzada is a coconut filled shortbread pastry native to Jamaica. You may remember seeing it featured in the ‘Bizarre Foods’ clip from earlier this week.

Check out the details on the recipe below…

Gizzada

Ingredients:

For Filling

• 1 cup Water
• 1 ½ cups Grated Coconut
• 1 ½ cups Brown Sugar
• ¼ tsp. Grated Nutmeg
• 1 oz. Butter

For Pastry

• 2 cups Flour
• Ice water
• 1 tsp. Shortening
• 1 tbsp. Butter (must be sliced into small pieces)
• ½ tsp. Salt

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Interesting views on Hip-Hop from Nore. Check out the video below…

“I saw an interview with Fab where he was like ‘Yeah, my pops is Dominican,’ and I kind of thought that was strange because he’s supposed to say ‘I’m Dominican.’…I wish Fab would rep his shit a little bit more…I wish Juelz would rep it a little bit more.” – NORE, when asked about the 50 Most Influential Latino Rappers Of All Time list.

…via.

Related: VladTV’s 50 Most Influential Latino Rappers Of All Time
.

Set to release later this year, Ghett’a Life explores the harsh realities of urban Jamaican life.

Check out the film’s trailer below…

GHETT’A LIFE is an “against the odds” action drama set in a politically turbulent inner city community of Kingston. Derrick, a determined inner city teenager realizes his dream of becoming a champion boxer despite a country, community and family conflicted by divisive political system.

Derrick dreams of being Jamaica’s next world light weight boxing champion. He knew from an early age that he had the ability to out box even the bigger boys on his lane but it’s election year and politics divide the country and Derrick’s community. His father, a loyal party supporter, forbids Derrick from going to the boxing gym, as to do so he has to cross party lines.

Derrick defiantly follows his heart and is confronted with the serious repercussions of his decision. The don of Derrick’s community, Sin, is set on keeping him from crossing over to the “other side” even if it means destroying Derrick’s dream and Derrick’s father is so blinded by political tribalism that he sees Derrick’s actions as betrayal. On the “other side” , at the gym, is a coach who becomes Derrick’s mentor and someone who shows him that Jamaica is bigger than just one community and that Derrick’s dreams are worth fighting for.

Derrick’s journey of discovery takes the audience through his coming of age and the realisation that anything that divides cannot be good for anyone. The ignorance of divisiveness gives way to the triumph that comes with unity.

GHETT’A LIFE is a wholly Jamaican film with all investors, cast and crew being committed to an authentic depiction of what life is and what life can be in the inner city of Kingston. This film with it’s positive message of overcoming adversity and ignorance will inspire audiences at home and abroad.

More info on the film as it comes.

For more info on the film, check out their official site: GHETT’A LIFE : The Movie…

…or their feature in The Jamaica Gleaner: Jamaica Gleaner News – Ghett’A Life set for release next year.

After the jump, check out the video for Tanya Stephen’s “Get A Life”, from the movie’s soundtrack…

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