The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop @ MOHAI - 9/19/15—5/1/16

I've never been inside the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)'s new home on Lake Union, but I have a feeling this exhibit will definitely be the one that brings me in.

MOHAI Presents The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop, September 19, 2015—May 1, 2016. Curated by Seattle natives Jazmyn Scott (The Town Entertainment) and Aaron Walker-Loud (Big World Breaks), this interactive exhibit will immerse visitors in the sights and sounds of our region’s growing Hip-Hop culture through audio recordings, photography, artwork, artifacts, and more.

The exhibit will explore many facets of the Seattle HipHop scene including graffiti, deejaying, break dancing, production, and emceeing, linking our region to the continuously evolving global Hip-Hop movement. 

"The opportunity to curate this groundbreaking exhibit is a crescendo of our personal and collaborative journeys as members of the Northwest arts community,” said Scott and Walker-Loud of the process of bringing the exhibit to life.

View iconic clothing from the closets of some of Seattle’s most well-known Hip-Hop artists such as Macklemore, Raz Simone and Massive Monkees, and vintage production equipment from legendary producers Jake 1, NastyMix Records and Tribal Productions. Highlights from the careers of Seattle’s world famous breakdancing crews along with long forgotten or never before seen mix tapes from the vaults of Seattle deejays with an international following – DJ B Mello, DJ Topspin and Kun Luv will also be on display.

This exhibit will have an interactive production studio where visitors step behind the scene to mix their own tracks using unreleased beats from Grammy Award Nominee Jake 1 and the venerable Vitamin D of the Pharmacy and a dance floor on which to bust a move and breakdance.

In addition, local artist Specs Wizard has created a custom mural as an exhibit centerpiece that will hang alongside rare graffiti pieces by DVS, Keep One and King Khazm of 206 Zulu.

Check out The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop at:

• Opening Family Day, Saturday, September 19 from 10 am—5 pm;
• at the Hip-Hop History Café, September 17th, 6:30 pm with Dr. Daudi Abe, a professor, writer and historian who has taught classes on culture, race, gender, communication, education, hip-hop and sports; or
• Saturday Spin Second Saturday of the month, 1 – 4 pm with local Seattle DJ’s spinning records in The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop exhibit starting in October through May 2016.

Visit www.mohai.org/hiphop for additional information and programming.

This exhibit is made possible in part by generous support from the Office of Arts & Culture Seattle, ArtsFund, 4Culture, and in part by a grant from the Washington State Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. MOHAI thanks exhibit partners 50 Next: Seattle Hip-Hop Worldwide, The Town Entertainment, and Big World Breaks for their support. MOHAI also thanks media sponsor KUOW Public Radio. 

See you there!

Explicit music: Is There Substance or Should It Get the Axe?

Everyday I take lunch in my schools’ ASB room with a group of women who I am very fond of. Each of them have insightful opinions and are much kinder than myself. We always listen to music, chat and eat lunch. I’m usually the one that supplies the music for the too-short 35-minute span of time in-between classes, and more often than not I play hip-hop tracks that include, to some, offensive lyrics. Many authority figures in my daily life have a problem with the “offensively worded songs,” I play. If the music is explicit, is there substance or should it get the axe?

I don’t play or listen to music that has unnecessary cursing in it. I listen to a variety of music and if it happens to have curse words in it, I don’t cover my ears.

Most of my music has explicit content and gets the axe from the teacher in the ASB room. I understand the part of this zero tolerance for music with explicit content, say, if my principal were to walk in while we’re playing Kendrick Lamar’s “i,” where he uses the F-word multiple times or even more controversial N-word. I can see how that could look really bad, because the teacher is responsible for what happens in the classroom.

But let’s keep talking about the song “i.” This single by Lamar is an anthem about loving yourself; even when the world is looking down on you and proving you wrong, Lamar preaches to us that you have to love yourself to save yourself from the world. So far that’s worked for him and for many of us.

You can imagine my face when I get told to “Unplug the phone!” look from a teacher when I mean well and just want to play a song that I think the message will speak to someone going through difficult times.

I do believe that songs like Lamar’s are misunderstood because when someone first listens to a song such as this, they only hear the curse words and won’t be able to listen to the story that an artist such as Lamar is telling, and that’s really too bad; because these are usually the people who don’t think inequalities exist.

We can all learn a lot about a struggle that is different from our own through To Pimp a Butterfly; a highly explicit album, but an album that has a valuable message. People need exposure to different thinking, and listening to music like this opens new worlds to them. Music isn’t just an empty vehicle for you to tap your foot to, it’s supposed to challenge and shape thinking.

 -----

Hello, I’m Emma Eekhoff. I’m a 17-year-old that would rather be networking for business than at a party with my high school friends. I’m not afraid to share my stance on something, whether it is an art form like music or recent events in the world. I’ve been writing in a journalist setting for only a few years, through my high school’s online newspaper, The Growl Online or for a music blog. I love to connect and network with new people in the worlds of business and music, travel to new places and eat new interesting foods.

Follow & connect with me on Social Media: Instagram / Twitter / eekhoffemma@gmail.com

View all of Emma's posts here.

What's On My Playlist: Fall 2014

Seasonal changes are a great time to switch up the playlist. I've been feenin for darker, moodier, sexier, more soulful songs to go with the tone set by these very rainy Seattle days we've been having. Here's what's on repeat as of late:

Partynextdoor

Every woman needs those tracks that make her feel like a lady, and sometimes that doesn't mean power anthems from Beyonce. Recognize has been on full repeat since August, and when I listen to it I imagine I'm basically the human form of the 'lady flipping hair' emoji. #feelinmyself

Hozier

I thought dude was from the South. Ireland's even better. Listen to this album and if the Holy Ghost doesn't take your heart and soul to new places, I don't really know if we can be friends.

Sam Hunt

My girl Jammie got me into Sam Hunt. We swear it's not because of the looks. Promise. ;)

Chemical Brothers f/ Miguel

WHO'S EXCITED FOR SOME HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1!!!!????

I'm still listening to hella Gyptian too, don't get it twisted.

What's on your playlist? Leave me a comment, I'd love to know!

Photo Faves: Capitol Hill Block Party 2014

Decompressing from the last week or so and wanted to share my favorite photos from the official photogs of this year's Capitol Hill Block Party. There was a very indie vibe to this year's festival and we had a great time as always!

Friday:

Duke Evers. Photo by Ashley Genevieve

A$AP Ferg. Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Shaprece. Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Wild Ones. Photo by Jim Bennett

Saturday:

Beat Connection. Photo by Jim Bennett

Sol. Photo by Jim Bennett

Country Lips. Photo by cocofoto

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Chromeo. Photo by Jim Bennett

Sunday:

Angel Olsen. Photo by Jim Bennett

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

A$AP Rocky. Photo by cocofoto

Very special thanks to Jameson for hosting us as well! They took over Sole Repair for the weekend and gave it a classy rustic treatment, with wooden walls depicting the history of the iconic Irish whiskey providing the backdrop for some refreshing cocktails and a chill vibe. Such a nice refuge from the heat and crowds outside.

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

Photo by Ashley Genevieve

My Favorite (Free!) Things to Do In Seattle

The weather's warming up, people are out for the school year, others are visiting or have relatives coming to visit. Whatever the case, emails asking for suggestions on things to do always seem to pick up in the summer time. Everyone knows to head to the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront and maybe even the Fremont Troll - but what else do locals like to do? I thought it'd be fun to share some of my favorite free things to do around the city, for those who need fun, quick suggestions.

Live Aloha Hawaiian Festival

Getting ready for some musubi, kahlua pork, lau lau & shave ice at Live Aloha 2013.

Seattle Center Festál Cultural Festivals

The crowds flock to Seattle Center for the Bite of Seattle and Folklife - but did you know there's a year-round calendar of cultural festivals that are also free to attend? I love Festál events for some great food, dance, music and cultural wares in much less chaotic festival experiences than the Bite or Folklife. Peep the full Festál calendar here. I'll see you at the Center for Pagdiriwang, Live Aloha and probably more!

Olympic Sculpture Park

Can't complain when this is our morning workout view.

Olympic Sculpture Park

If I'm honored enough to have you as an Instagram follower, you've seen many 'grams of early morning workouts at the Olympic Sculpture Park. The park is always free to walk through, and full of really inspirational works of art set amidst a perfectly Northwest 'urban trail' with pristine views of Elliott Bay. If you're early enough, you might even get to see some fine ladies powering through some burpees! :)

Gates Foundation Visitor Center

Testing my muscles out at the Gates Visitor Center. Gained a new level of respect for the women in Africa who haul buckets of this size & weight for miles to bring clean water to their families!

Gates Visitor Center

First Thursdays and/or Saturdays will get you in free to almost every museum in Seattle, but for complimentary admission every day, the Gates Foundation Visitor Center awaits. Follow my Gates Visitor Center ongoing series for everything I love about the Gates VC. More than anything, it's a quiet gem hidden right next to the bustling EMP & Seattle Center, perfect for some solid reflection on giving back to the world!

Art Ache

Layered up at Art Ache monthly art market

Art Ache

I love a good flea market, but unfortunately we have very slim pickings here in the city. Art Ache is a monthly art, music & style market hosted in some of the most Capitol Hill bars on the Hill. Lately, Art Ache has called Chop Suey home, and has been housed in Vermillion and Comet Tavern in the past. Catch the next Art Ache market on June 8th.

Ballard Farmer's Market

Keeping cool with Spike baby at the Ballard Farmer's Market

Ballard Farmer's Market

We are so fortunate to have multiple farmer's markets year-round in Seattle, and one of my favorites is the Ballard farmer's market. 10:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. every Sunday, they've got such an awesome collective of organic farmers from around the state. Make sure to head to the Alvarez Organic Farms stand for the most delicious cherry tomatoes you've ever tasted.

Alki - Fresh Jess - Photo Credit Sarah Lovrien

They see me rollin... (Photo credit Sarah Lovrien)

Alki

Typical Seattleites might avoid Alki in the summer because of the crazy crowds, but it's one of my favorite places in the city all year round. Alki feels faraway from the city with it actually being just a short jaunt over the West Seattle bridge. You can run or walk along the water; hold a bonfire; people watch for longboarders, paddleboarders, kayakers, dog-walkers and other fun characters; or grab a meal or drink right along the water. I also love Coastal, the little surf boutique that's open March - December.

Who knows? Maybe this'll parlay itself into a series of its own :) For weekly recommendations on stuff to do in the city, peep my top Seattle events picks post every Thursday (except for yesterday, as I was at a wake for our dear friend Bernie.)

Feel free to chime in on some of your favorite free things to do in Seattle in the comments below!

-----

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center.

Strength, Gratitude & Kanye

Today's the 10th anniversary of Kanye West's breakout album, The College Dropout. I can't remember where along the line I became such a big Kanye fan. I knew Kanye was behind a lot of tracks I loved by Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and other artists, and I appreciated his hustle and determination right out the gate. I'm still impressed his first single, 'Through the Wire' was recorded after his fateful car accident that left him with a bloated face and wired jaw. I loved TCD (it's that album that reminds me of my college days. No dropout ;P) and every album he's put out after that, no matter how 'weird' or 'different' it is. 

Kanye's tweets on the 10th anniversary of The College Dropout. You have to read them backwards because Twitter.

His outspokenness and non-music-related ambitions have made him an easy target for backlash and negativity on the interwebz, and so somewhere along the line, this Kanye fan also became a Kanye defender. For the record, I know a lot of people automatically wrote him off after that whole Taylor Swift debacle. I also have zero interest in Taylor Swift and if I had the opportunity, I'd tell the world Beyonce deserved Best Video too.

Kanye wears his heart and mind on his sleeve. He also happens to be under that Hollywood microscope, whether he likes it or not. That's what happens when you fall in love with fashion and with a Kardashian. I hate that people judge him for what happens outside of the studio, not for what he creates inside of it. I hate that people judge him so freely for the things we're all looking to express ourselves. Passion. Love. Success. Family. Pride. Strength. Confidence. And yes, humility. 

What I see in Kanye is a dude from Chicago who has never wavered from his hustle and his passion for music. Who loves his mom and carries her like an illuminating torch everywhere he goes. Who's found love and is starting a family with the family he never got to have growing up - amidst all of his hard work and personal growth. He's like that one outspoken friend who gets mad riled when the topic of conversation turns to something he feels strongly about - and who'll let you know exactly how he feels. Sometimes you can't stand listening to his opinions, but you are supremely grateful there's someone in your life who's confident, strong and vulnerable enough to put himself and his craft out there. He remains an inspiration for me. It's not easy to put your face, name and everything into a blog and social media presence with grace, class and persistence despite the naysayers. It's not for everyone, and yet everyone will always have an opinion on those bold enough to pursue it. 

It's real easy for people to hide behind a computer and lay it out on a celebrity like Kanye - but you won't ever see them being anywhere near as real as Kanye's kept it all his life. People are too scared to put their true selves out there, and so it's easy to make fun or bash someone who is. Every time Kanye is in the media nowadays, I'm reminded of how quickly people can spew out negativity about someone they don't know - and how much I hate them for it. I always gotta step back and remember gratitude. 

Instead of focusing on people I'd never want to be in a car listening to the same song with - I'm thankful Kanye stays on his grind and produces music I want to hear. I'm grateful Kanye's setting an example to always speak your mind and put your heart out there, even if it seems the entire world can't stand it. Don't ever let the haters get to you. The more you find success, and love, and the things you make you happy - the more people will have an opinion about it. Misery loves company, but that doesn't mean you have to accept their invitation to join them. 

Kanye, keep doing your thing and I will keep being thankful someone like you is out there, and grateful you're in my life in some way.

"I've played the underdog my whole career."

Concert Recap: Jojo & Leah Labelle

Ever been on Cloud 9 after a concert? My inner 13 year old just about died and went to heaven after I got to see Jojo and Leah Labelle live in concert last week. It has literally been a dream of mine to see Jojo perform and 10 long years later, it has finally come true. Jojo came to the Crocodile along with another soulful singer and a Seattle native herself, Leah Labelle.

Photo credit: Leah Labelle's Instagram

Simply put, these ladies are crazy talented. Jojo is my girl. The one I grew up with, the one who sang songs that reflected how I felt in middle school and the one who sang about liking that boy, but not knowing what to do about that boy.

You know we all had that one artist who got "us" like that.

Quite frankly I could go on and on about how amazing the concert was. It was nothing but, good music and good vibes with good company. I can't wait till they come back to town again!

Mentionable Concert Moments:

- Jojo performed her infamous "Marvin's Room" remix to which she confessed, "I wrote this when I was hella hungover."

- Leah Labelle had a special and emotional moment on stage. She was finally performing in her hometown in front of family, friends and fans. I absolutely loved it.

------

Sarah Basto is a born and raised Seattleite. She’s a former merchandise marketing student of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and is currently working as a marketing manager at a local nanny agency and serves as the PR & marketing intern for local luxury swimwear company Adicora Swimwear. She’s obsessed with all things Seattle and is interested in just about everything – this explains why she considers herself an entreprenista in the making! Outside of work Sarah loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, exploring the city, and being a full-time happy hour guru.

Find Sarah on  Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

On Emilee's Playlist: 7/10/13

In light of my most spontaneous weeks this summer from scrambling to find tickets to Mrs. Carter's show in San Jose, CA to an unexpected getaway to visit family in Hawaii. I've collected a few of my recent favorite tunes that help me keep on keepin' on! Cheers! Enjoy these beautiful summer days.

J Boog - Lets Do It Again

The Steppas - Lost at Sea

Capital Cities - Safe and Sound

The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather

Bee Gees - Night Fever

alt-J - Breezeblocks

Beyonce - 1+1

Destiny's Child (Cyril Hahn Remix) - Say My Name

-------

Emilee Goo

 is an aspiring creator and adventurer living in Seattle, WA. She's currently a senior at the University of Washington double-majoring in communications and interdisciplinary visual arts. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but is Seattle-grown and Hawaiian at heart. She has had past experience working with Nectar Communications, State Farm Insurance, TEDxUofW, UW PRSSA and BSSP. She is a fashion enthusiast thriving on travel, food, culture, art and photography. She loves to blog ever since she discovered blogging with a friend during her high school years, and is now introduced to a whole new world filled with creative people. She loves sharing her interests over at her own blog, 

Life of Goobers

.

Find Emilee on 

Twitter

, and view all of her posts 

here

.

Kube 93 Summer Jam RECAP!

Have you ever found yourself just wanting to relive an amazing weekend? As I write this, that feeling has been running through my body since Saturday - the night of KUBE 93's Summer Jam. I couldn't have asked for a better venue, weather, line-up and group of friends to go with! (well, if Miguel was there it would've been perfect!) My friends and I decided to escape the city for a weekend in Eastern Washington and to enjoy the talents of Drop City Yacht Club, Wale, J.Cole, 2 Chainz, Trey Songz and the King, TI.

The whole day consisted of dancing, drinking a few cocktails and singing at the top of my lungs - my voice is shot by the way. This was by far one of the best outdoor concert experiences I've had! I want more!

A couple Summer Jam tidbits I'd like to share:

1. My left side of the body is darker than the other.

2. 2 Chainz has been in heavy rotation on my car playlist.

3. Crop tops and jean shorts were the "unofficial" outfit of Summer Jam.

4. Trey Songz is undoubtedly amazing live.

5. I wish I knew why 2 Chainz wore a long sleeve sweater in 85 degree weather.

I've posted a few pics below to recap the night!

-------

Sarah Basto is a born and raised Seattleite. She’s a former merchandise marketing student of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and is currently working as a marketing manager at a local nanny agency and serves as the PR & marketing intern for local luxury swimwear company Adicora Swimwear. She’s obsessed with all things Seattle and is interested in just about everything – this explains why she considers herself an entreprenista in the making! Outside of work Sarah loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, exploring the city, and being a full-time happy hour guru.

Find Sarah on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.