HVW8 crew on Walrus TV

This new video shows you the HVW8 collective from Canada and how they work together, but it doesn't show you the other fruits of their labor. The HVW8 store, off of Melrose Ave., is a small space, but hosts some of the best low-key and consistently dope hip hop-related art and music shows.



Where else can you go to see art from Dutch graphic superstar, Parra; well-respected Kevin Lyons, the man behind Natural Born clothing (and numerous projects for Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas, Stussy Beams Japan, HUF, and Stones Throw Records;) and undercover photographer Cognito with his never-seen-before Mos Def tour photos?

And since the HVW8 guys love music they're constantly pushing the boat out on getting in-store performances. Where else can you see and hear Computer Jay, Hawthorne Headhunters and other jammers put on a neighborhood show? HVW8 captures a bunch of these on their dope podcasts - here's a video on one of the joints I've been listening....the "Live At The BBQ" series.

Mos Def photography

Tyler and the crew at HVW8 brought an exclusive look at Frolab's (aka Cognito) photo exhibition “MOS DEF: ECSTATIC MOMENTS.” It's a one week one month extended exhibition showcasing rare performance and behind-the-scenes images taken over a two year journey following Mos Def's on his “The Ecstatic” tour.

From January 30, 2010 through February 6 February 30, 2010 the exhibition coincides with Mos Def's show at Los Angeles' The Key Club and the Grammys too! The Key Club Grammys aftershow party was dope from the looks of the okayplayer video below.

If you wanna go shopping there's a monchrome HVW8, Union and Frolab t-shirt to commemorate the show. $30 and all sizes.

See you at the Beat Swap Meet

Have you ever listened to Snoop, The Game or Sir Mixalot lyrics and wondered what a "swap meet" is?

I went to my first one in Pomona back in 1998 on my second visit to LA. It was a big sprawling flea market, a bit like Eastville Market in Bristol, but a lot sunnier and with more stuff!

So, recently in the Echo Park district of LA was the first Los Angeles BEAT-SWAP-MEET. Yep, like the record fairs held in Victoria or Gloucester Rd., London, this is a record swap meet with over 20 vendors and collectors sharing knowledge, playing records and hopefully doing finding some new beats! Wish I'd gone...I see the HVW8 lads were there.




As the organizers say...the aim of the event is to "reunify LA in a way that is long overdue..."

You may not know Kevin Lyons...

But you know his work. After all, he's been design don at Urban Outfitters, Spike Jonze's Girl Skateboard Company, TOKION Magazine Nike and a bunch of other hip brands like Adidas, Stussy and Stussy Japan, Beams Japan, HUF. And he's taught at RISD and CalArts and Yale!

Interesting stuff, but I wasn't sure I was gonna go to his show at HVW8 until I read about his clothing companies. He runs a line for 2K and his own Natural Born which I love!

His philosophy built up over many years is priceless. "Just sharing. Warning. But not apologizing...Just carry the art in a bag on a plane and put it up in less than 24 hours..."

Here are a few pics of the scrawlings and artwork.

Corporate life Right now Kevin works for ultra-cool branding company, Anomaly, in New York which he calls a "pseudo ad agency". He commutes nearly 4-hours a day and during the bumpy train ride he draws and doodles. Amazing and prolific! I think I'd sleep ;)