As some of you might have already noticed, I am currently residing in London and working on my diploma project for the MA Sound Arts course at LCC / University of the Arts London.

Aside from that, I am fortunate enough to have met a lot of influential people in the last months here, that's why I am actually writing this post. One of these persons and also a current colleague of mine is Karl Gibson a.k.a. DJ Fingers and he is one of europe's true originators in my opinion. That's why I'm sharing these videos: Just see for yourself and you'll know what I mean... (btw the footage is from 1987!) This one belongs, by all means, in the Respect section.

But that's not the whole story. Karl is, like me, working on his masters, which in his case is a book that's due to be released soon called The Misappropriation of Hip-Hop. It's basically about how the original spirituality of Hip-Hop has been replaced over the last two decades by a negative, media-supported stereotype image and about the multiple influences that caused this change. Having been confronted with some excerpts, this text has opened my eyes to some extent, made me think about hip-hop in a way I haven't before, and taught me some aspects about the movement I didn't know yet. I'm not trying to judge in any way here, it's just my personal view, but if you're interested, make up your own mind: Here's a promo video with a few passages read.

For more information and a very in-depth and precise explanation of his work and thought, I strongly advise you to visit DJ Finger's MySpace page.

Peace.

Yo! Some of you might have already noticed the little picture on the top right - Rotaug's very own CLRCDD and Gandl have just finished the first full-length video of Vertual Vertigo's Sparkies Bungalow LP called Wowzers and it's definitely worth watching. Check it out! Props go out to Mosch @ DuzzDown, Ben & 8Bit @ blncty, Thaiman, ...

If you want an HD version, head over to the project page or watch it at YouTube directly.

And here's another one for 'ya:
In March of 1980 two young rappers from los angeles appeared on the "Chikara Kurahashi Hit Station" variety show in Tokyo. It was the first time rap music had ever been performed in Asia and here is the lost tape of that performance. (text taken from youtube)

But I ain't stopping yet: Since I managed to experience two wicked audio-visual performances at Jazz Café London last night by Cheeba (Solid Steel) and Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw) right after, both doing their Serato-Video thing (although PBW played 2 1/2 h straight with only one turntable due to technical *cough*serato*cough* difficulties), I thought I'd share these with you as well, although most of you will know them already since back in the days - anyways, brings back some good memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBoLUVLZHtI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP56Tf5fpjM

Long time no project I thought and got to renewing stuff you might already know and adding things you most definitely don't....

As you can see in the column above, I posted a project from 2008 called "Mode X", which is a 50 minute video installation playing with the concept of ripping the meaning from retro video games. Check it out here...

Also, I've finally updated the documentation of my 2007 gem "Yeah, Yeah, The Birds", an audio installation dealing with feedback and reflection in architectural space. Check it out here...

Last but not least, I've completed part of my photo series "This Is Tunnel Vision!", which, as the name already suggests deals with tunnel architecture and its decontextualisation. Part 2 here and Part 3 here...

Enjoy!

And don't forget to head out to Florido Independent Beach Today and Tomorrow for some action featuring Mr. Wisdom, Sweet Susie, Cut-ex, Lens J. and so forth....