Nike and Notorious

Last night I got to see Notorious, the Biggie Smalls biopic, hosted by Nike (and Flux) at its Montalban theatre and concept store. Honestly, a pretty shallow effort, whose only real insight into the man was a scene in the studio when he laughed at the Mtume album cover when Puff asked him to rhyme over Juicy Fruit! Look how that ended....platinum. But that's exactly what this film was...a commercial serving of Biggie. Not the back story.

Montalban The space was interestingly low-key and slightly industrial. May be Nike saw the economic downturn coming and thought it would be distasteful to flaunt (sports) luxury and opulence, unlike the chi chi sushi spot Katsuya up the street.



Amateur night But the biggest memory was how shite the organization was at Montalban. All that staff and not a manager in sight! Montalban has no idea how to handle a 300-strong crowd! Where do I start? The box office didn't open on time (which doesn't help the hella long lines.) The crowd control was outta control. And don't even mention the phone and camera check station. OMG. Was it amateur night at the Montalban?!

Been there, done it Seriously, this party isn't worth the wait and effort. Once you've done it once, you've done it all! There's no point in repeating this waiting game: 1+ hours for tix, then 30+ mins to get in, then 30 mins+ for doors to open. And all to see a free film three days early and have some free booze?! Nope, not even MC Lyte djing was any real consellation.

A Very British Gangster

I missed out on a great film. Laemmle's sent me an invite to "A Very British Gangster" which is the new documentary from Donal Mac Intyre which showed at Sundance this year. The film follows the British gangster, Dominic Noonan, on a three-year journey in Manchester where he plys his trade.

As you'd expect, the commentary has bitter sweet messages about Noonan's role in society as he dishes out his own brand of justice and Neighborhood Watch that the police and authorities cannot. Some see him as a gangland enforcer and others as a neighborhood fixer.

I believe I've seen Donal Mac Intyre's work before when he was a BBC investigative journalist. One-time tried to track down a stolen mobile phone to show the trade of goods in inner cities. His candid camera footage showed him getting a knife pulled on him by an 'helpful citizen' and having his laptop stolen.





“A Very British Gangster is a dangerous film about dangerous people. It’s a raw world of hit men, gangland fixers and young innocents living lives foretold.”
— Filmmaker Magazine

“MacIntyre captures all the nuances without glorifying a despicable character. The film is beautifully shot and creates emotional connections to this violent but fascinating world apart.”
— The Hollywood Reporter

“Several of this year’s documentaries caused a stir … But most fascinating was “Gangster,” the astonishing tale of Manchester, England’s outrageously charismatic Public Enemy No. 1.”
— NY Daily News

LA's Top 10...most wanted gang members

I'm glad these names aren't familiar to me...Canoga Park Alabama, The Magician Club, Avenuse Street Gang, Crazy Riders, ,38th Street, Al Capones, Swan, Drek, Toonerville, Cuatro Flats. These are the LA street gangs where killers dwell.

I found them on the LAPD website...if you want to see how gang crime stats are looking check them out here. All, but one is on the decrease, but stats are like bikinis...they are suggestive, but hide the real interesting stuff!

New Yawk City, baby! (Part 1)

Ahhhh. This city is full on! I've gone a bit soft from the comfort and relaxed pace of Los Angeles methinks! ;-)

I spent a couple of hours this morning planning my time in NYC after Brittany left for UrbanWorld. She was late as we didn't sleep till 3am because of the opening festival party (with Biz Markie!). I was late into NYC and to sleep because I had a 3-hour delayed flight spent mostly sitting on the runway in both Chicago and NYC! Yuck! I know it's not Delta's fault, but it'll be the last time I go with them. Yesterday they kept me on the phone for over 1 hour to make a simple itinerary change!? Oh, and the mofos charged me $50 for the pleasure!

New York window-shopping
A quick Google search and I had my plan for the day. Lafayette and LES (Lower Eastside) to check out the latest boutiques and pop in of the established ones. Things change. What's 'appened to Prohit? Stackhouse? Over the course of this long weekend I wandered around picking off my list of stores and spotting new ones.

Urbanworld VIBE
I attended a couple of films, but the one I really wanted to see was Mr. Untouchable about Nicky Barnes, the infamous heroin dealer from Harlem and what he did to jail his ally come foe, Guy Fisher. It was pretty good, but not as strong as Cocaine Cowboys that Magnolia Films also released. Damon Dash is one of the producers and he was in the house, but he seemed to like the glamour of the druggling and frowned upon the fact that Barnes broke the 'no snitching' honor code.

Shepard 'OBEY' Fairey
On Saturday night I met Adam at my hotel and we headed to the opening of Shepard 'OBEY' Fairey's new show downtown. I was late, but the show went on till 10pm so it was all good. The art was a commentary on the war mongering going on around the world. His work seemed even more relevant now with its propoganda style.

After a bite to eat in Chelsea Adam and I parted ways and I went to the Urbanworld closing festival party at T-NY club which was pretty hum-drum. Come to think of it, I think the last club I went to in NYC was during the New Music Seminar days in 1989...wow, old man! ;-)

Chillin'
On Sunday, Britt and I moved to Bryant Park hotel which was wonderful compared to Amsterdam Court hotel...yuck. There I managed to catch up with Linden, Elita's sister, who now lives here with her hedge fund husband in the park over brunch. Later on that day after Britt caught a siesta we hit Florent diner (yes Tina, you introduced me to this spot ;-) ) and then went uptown to a bar/cafe at 110th/Amsterdam...home to Columbia Uni folk.

Do or Die Bed-Sty
On Monday came the big move out of Manhattan to Bed-Sty, Brooklyn as Britt had a sub-let arranged for July. That was an enlightening adventure. The Marcy Projects, the run down homes, the people on the stoops and stores with no fresh fruit or veg.

As Britt and I walked around the neighbourhood I spotted a Chinese take-out place...we entered.
Me: "Hi, is this area ok for my friend to come at night to get food?"
Shop-owner: "You know this is Bed-Sty, right?!"
Hahahah! SHIT!

New York's energy is enviable if you can keep the pace and hold your focus. There's so much to do and see that a few days is never enough. But now it's only $350 and 5 hours away it seems more attainable.