I found this out through Bob Davis’s emails and courtesy of Soul Patrol.

My boy Nadir was Tear Gassed.    So weird as I’d been emailing and chatting with him back and forth the last few weeks regarding a Beat Machine-  new electronics company that’s producing this amazing toy.   I was hoping the Beat Machine would be ready in time for our International Hip Hop showcase at CMJ so we could give a couple away but no such luck.

How did I hear about the Beat Machine?  Chesney Snow the beat boxer/poet/mc told me about it as he’s involved as the beat boxer behind it.   It’s his voice we hear programmed…

So fast forward back to Nadir– Nadir has a funky group called Distorted Soul.  New project out now.

He’s been out with MTV covering the RNC and here’s the turn of events.

Well yesterday our boy Nadir was tear gassed yesterday at the Republican
National Convention (RNC).
Scroll down to read more.
Click thru to his site and view his video coverage for MTV of the
demostartion he covered yesterday in Minnesota at the RNC!!
Distorted Soul

Day 1 - Anarchy at the RNC
Posted September 02, 2008 at 12:36 AM

Cue the instrumental to Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice”:

There’s so much drama in the GOP
I’m kinda glad that I’m coverin’ the RNC
http://www.distortedsoul.com

We didn’t know at first.  When John McCain made the decision to limit
activity at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul,
Minnesota because of the threat Hurricane Gustav posed to the Gulf
Coast, some of us in the MTV Street Team’s RNC contingent were worried
that there wouldn’t be much to cover.  But a few hours later, I was
coughing, hacking and wheezing because of the tear gas in my face…
http://www.distortedsoul.com

Yes, this gathering was already expect to lack the grandeur and majesty
of last week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver.  But, if
anything, there are many more compelling stories developing within the
void and uncertainty that was created by the GOP’s surprising move.
http://www.distortedsoul.com

Gustav is a heavy storm, no doubt, but it was not the malicious monster
maelstrom that many feared would devastate New Orleans on the
anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  The Republicans didn’t want to be
perceived as partying while New Orleans drowned (as happened during
Katrina).
http://www.distortedsoul.com

Cancelling the RNC’s first day of scheduled activities was perhaps
expected to net a positive result for the GOP.  Shining a spotlight on
the failures of the George Bush/Dick Cheney administration would NOT
have been the most prudent way for McCain to distance himself from his
Republican bedfellows in the White House.  Did Gustav offer a convenient
excuse?
http://www.distortedsoul.com

Well, no such luck. Bush is scheduled to speak at the convention after
all.  He will give his make up address on Tuesday.
http://www.distortedsoul.com

Another unfortunate development for the Republicans was that the lack of
stories coming out of the Xcel Center left more room in the news cycle
for the many scandals that are quickly emerging about McCain’s
vice-presidential pick, Sarah Palin.  The latest bomb-shell is that her
17 year-old daughter is five months pregnant.
http://www.distortedsoul.com

With hundreds of reporters from all over the world in town with nothing
to do, many of the back stories that normally would have received only
scant attention are gaining the prominent media coverage they probably
deserved in the first place.
http://www.distortedsoul.com

Ron Paul’s Rally for the Republic, a September 2, event that is billed
as “. a clear call to the Republican Party to return to its roots of
limited government, personal responsibility, and protection of our
natural rights,” sold out the Target Center.  According to the event’s
press contact, Jesse Benton, the RNC’s move has helped them gain more
attention from the press than they had anticipated.  (Check out my video
interview with Benton at Think.MTV.com/Nadir.)
http://www.distortedsoul.com

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) held it’s first annual
“Take Back Labor Day Festival” at Harriet Island in St. Paul.  According
to SEIU president and event organizer Andy Stern, the festival was
designed to make labor unions “more hip” for a young audience.  The
concert featured performances by Tom Morrello, Mos Def, Steve Earle, The
Pharcyde and others.  (A video interview with Stern can also be viewed
at Think.MTV.com/Nadir.)
http://www.distortedsoul.com

10,000 protestors (or more) marched from the Minnesota State Capitol in
Minneapolis to the Xcel Energy Center, site of the RNC, on Day 1 of the
Convention.  With nothing happening inside the convention, more
reporters followed the many activists who showed up to air their
grievances.  284 people were arrested, including Democracy Now host Amy
Goodman and two of her producers.  I didn’t get arrested, but I did get
my first taste of tear gas when I found myself upwind after the
canisters were fired at a group of anarchists.
http://www.distortedsoul.com

All in all, what could easily have been a stodgy, stuffed-shirted GOP
shindig morphed into one exciting adventure after another.  And that was
just Day 1.  I’m thrilled to see what the rest of the week has in
store…
http://www.distortedsoul.com

I can’t wait to hear the rest of the stories from the RNC and Nadir!  Stay tuned…..

My good friend over at VIMBY Zosimo Maximo has taken it upon himself to bring you a personal labour of love that needs to be conveyed and the message spread.

From Zosimo:

I reached out to many of you Friday about a personal video I put together called Obama+MKL Remix 08 where I found references from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” and mixed them into Barack’s DNC speech. Thank you for your great comments and for passing it around. I had more time to spend with it this weekend and found more parallels between the two speeches and came up with a tighter version.

I made the video as a reaction to being inspired by his speech.  The next day I realized that as a content creator I have a medium and access to an on-line community who’s targeted demo can make a difference in Obama’s campaign.  As we know, much of Obama’s’ success will heavily rely on “Generation Buzz”  and more specifically the urban youth market that most of us cater to.

I want to do more than cast my one vote, so I’m connecting with you today because you are all influential voices who are looked upon by your audiences to feed them information.  Collectively, we are a powerful community because we are the filter of relevance.   As VIMBY has displayed, the videos that my team and I have created for many of you on your events, artists, sneaker drops, trade shows, etc… can quickly spread when many of you get behind the promotion of it.

Several of you are posting Obama entries now, but I see a lack of content that hits home with our audience. I am personally committed to creating an original series of videos called “The Obama Remixes” to promote his campaign. I know when I was 18 I didn’t care much for politics because the way the messages where being delivered didn’t speak to me.  My plan is to do these in a style that connects to our target demo.

I am neither looking to create the next web phenomenon like Obama Girl whose creator has admitted that the video was never intended to promote Obama nor am I trying to monetize them.  They will have one goal and that is to help put Obama into the White House and to communicate his message at a street level access to guarded communities that McCain’s party can’t reach.  I feel our challenge is to actually get our audience to vote and I am open to your ideas and ready to collaborate with anyone willing on the series.

So, I call on you today to help me take the next step by giving me 10 minutes of your time by posting or mentioning the Obama+MLK Remix 08 to your blogs, facebooks, myspace pages, newsletters, personal email lists, etc…

This comes from  Trouble The Water producers.
Dear Friend,

With New Orleans and its vulnerable levee system in the path of another
hurricane, we have received hundreds of phone calls and emails expressing
concern about Kimberly and Scott Roberts, the couple featured in “Trouble
the Water.”

We are writing to let you know that the Roberts have safely evacuated from
New Orleans along with their family and their pets. They join hundreds of
thousands of others who are leaving the Gulf Coast in advance of Hurricane
Gustav’s landfall there.

Thanks to public pressure and organizing after Katrina, this time officials
appear to have provided some transportation for those they failed to
evacuate three years ago, including tens of thousands of New Orleans
residents without access to vehicles and thousands of others who are
hospitalized and incarcerated.

While the federal government bears primary responsibility for disaster
response and relief efforts, the response by the Bush Administration’s
Federal Emergency Management Agency to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was
grossly mismanaged and tragically inadequate. So we have compiled a list of
non-governmental relief agencies and community-based organizations — with
records of responsiveness and accountability — that are working on the
ground now.

Please go to our website, review the work of these organizations and
consider contributing to their efforts.

One of these groups engaged in long term rebuilding as well as disaster
relief is the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF ). LDRF has
implemented an expedited emergency relief disbursal system to enable
grassroots nonprofit organizations located throughout the state’s coastal
regions to aid hurricane survivors whose need is greatest.

Thank you for taking action today. And while supporting non-governmental
relief efforts, please also keep the pressure on FEMA and the Bush
Administration in the days and weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Tia Lessin & Carl Deal

My prayers go out to all the families - may they be safe and hope that the devastation is not nearly what they’re predicting.      These are indeed crazy times!

Ok- I must say-  I was a little reluctant to publish this one but it meant a lot to Elida that I do- in fact she said I promised to publish all her stories — so I can’t let her down and I won’t -  so here it is…….

FIONA-DID YOU KNOW?????
Dear Fiona,
Please publish this letter cuz it is my blog today. Well, I’ve been up working all night and didn’t have a drop to drink. It’s now 09 00am and am drinking a bottle of wine. I know, I know, it’s too early, but as I said, it is my night time theoretically cuz I’ve been up all night.
But I write this cuz I thought about you a lot yesterday and I can tell ya. There is none like you….
Too many people in your industry think they are good, hardworking etc, I have not met one like you.
You’ve got heart, you’ve got guts, and you’ve got a fire that only chosen people in their field have!!!!
There is more, you are a friend to everyone….at least you have been to me, without expecting anything most times.
You know this is not like me to go on like this, (am a hard bitch) but I felt I needed to say this…….and:

I want you to publish this blog!!!!

I remember when I met you at SXSW; it was like I had met you before….in an old friend kind of way.
I have talked to people in the media in Germany about you and you know what they said when they met you in New York? You are the best!!!!!!!!
I can’t wait to see ya in New York. Wishing you all the success in the world. Then again, you already are one big English success story and you inspire me hugely.
Can I clarify to you that I have only has a sip of my wine, so am not drunk yet. And I promise to try staying alcohol free till CMJ!!!!
Best,
Your fellow Londoner, Elida
Dirtyfuzz
PS: This photo was taken in Berlin, Germany ,where the Berlin wall used to be, by a famous German photographer!!!!(he is actually an American

On any given day in this Crazy City- - anything unusual, out of the ordinary or overall just super interesting and inspiring can happen on the daily. This is what keeps us here- despite the hardships, struggle, day to day living and getting by (most of us) just paying rent….. We stay because…..We have a love/hate relationship.

You know how many times I have told my family and friends I’m LEAVING NY! I can’t begin to tell you how many times….But where would I go? There’s really NO PLACE LIKE NY and it’s THE TRUTH!!!!!

So with that said— I had another NY moment!

I was standing on the corner of 8th Ave and 14th street waiting for my Italian friend Fabrizio and his friend Nicola who I know as well. Fabri is from Bologna and has been in NY a couple weeks. Actually, I plan on visiting him in Bologna early November.

So– getting back to the story….

They were 20 minutes late– got stuck in traffic– so I’m waiting….All of a sudden- this character comes walking down the street– his face and neck covered by a huge boogie box aka ghetto blaster. He and it was booming down the street with old school hip hop coming from its speakers– was pretty cool actually….At least I had some music to keep me entertained while waiting for my very late friends:-)

You couldn’t see his face– just his suit that looked vintage 20’s and his big boogie box…..He decided to stand directly in front of me. He stood there on the corner right next to me for several minutes— Um….I thought to myself - this would be a great photo opp!!! I’m always thinking…..

Thus- I proceeded to take the Canon out….I readied the shot I wanted– and continued with the action.

I took two shots— the 2nd shot- he gave me a thumbs up. After I finished with the camera- he walked across the street and carried on with his journey.

I thought to myself- this was a very surreal moment and why I love being here- that it’s dirty and magical and sleezy and grimy and exciting and energizing all in one!

Who was the man behind the boogie box- outlined by his attire and his thumbs up- I’ll never know but— he wanted his photo taken- that’s for sure! And I— was meant to take it.

This is probably one of the most exciting times in American History I would imagine.   Me- a British girl who’s lived in America for a very long time– I am proud to be here and excited about the possibilities- a Reality!

So why have I missed all the speeches.  I missed all of them and now the most historic significant-   Barack Obama tonight at 10PM…

Do I have a justified reason for missing this-  well yes– kind of!

Oh- Kudos to URB Magazine and IMEEM who are reporting daily through blogging–  live at the DNC. They have curated a  Manifest Hope Gallery.

John Legend performed last night-  heard it was phenomenal  -  check it out!

Ok- So why can’t I watch Obama tonight!

Oh because I’m taking D.C Soul/World artist WAYNA to Suite 903/Fader for a video interview.

Then we’re off to Highline Ballroom as Wayna is performing with Queen Godis and Les Nubians. That will be sick!

Then after that show the plan is to head downtown to NUBLU-  The Brownswood Sessions- my girl  MONI is on the decks—   I want to meet up with my other friend and great singer/songwriter incredibly gifted artist KUKU.   Kuku also from D.C is performing at SHRINE tonight.   This is produced by my peeps at ONUTSS.

So this my friends is why!!!!

Can someone give me the play by play— text me!!!!

Shouts to Result Productions--  produced the show tonight…

Some years ago I had this mayor interest for developing “lifestyles”. Let me explain it closer.This amazing skill would be called “lifestyle consultant”.I actually had a friend that sort of wanted to do it with me. Want to hear more?

——————-

——————-

Back in the 50/60/70ies the Swedish “department of domestic research” (I think that’s the right translation) was doing tons of different studies. They mapped up how much space you’ll use whiles cooking, the common “walking patterns” that occur, simply put = between which spaces you were most lightly to move on ; sink-table-sink-washingmachine-sink-stowe etc. After years of different studies they re-did the standard for kitchens. My idea was inspired by this BUT totally based on assumption.

——————-

——————-

Take this handsome man here.

I assume that this a healthy man in his hm…late 30ies.

(confirm) not a single wrinkle on his face!

I assume he’s sporty and totally digs Rugby!

(confirm) Same button-up shirt

I assume this man lives in Bali!

(confirm) The suntan and the flexing arm…thanks to all those morning swims.

I assume his favourite color is deep dark navy,

(confirm) he dated this girl once that lives by the lake. It didn’t work out, so he decided that from then on he would prefer the sea… and the national colour of the marina is navy.

I assume that he lives in a bungalow,

(confirm) in the picture he’s sitting in an aircraft on his way to New York, for some Italian granita. All that travelling across the globe just for the sweet granita has made him fed up with heights, he lives in a bungalow. A man can only take so much of height-non sense

I assume his favorit movie is; James Bond - Diamonds are forever.

(confirm) Who can’t resist a good spy movie with a hot babe as Tiffany Case!

I assume that he drives a scooter

(confirm) Because everyone in Italy does

I assume that he has a backwall of the Miami skyline nighttime in the office.

(confirm) it looks so darn good as backdrop in the web-cam, talking on random skype.

I assume that in the mornings he drinks a delicious morning-vanilla-protein-shake…

(confirm) Because today it seems like EVERYONE does

and I assume that he thinks: “When are they going to start making these TASTE GOOD!?”

(confirm) Because WE ALL DO!!!!

I assume that his kids don’t move out…

(confirm) my mother kicked me my siblings out today.

And I assume that they will come back later this evening

(confirm) she yelled …”do you have your keys with you ’cause I wont be home later and you have to do the grocery shopping “

I assume when he watches television, that would be from 7pm -9pm, he sits in the middle of his brown,leather, room for 3 bambams sofa.

(confirm) Makes it easier to cover all angles incase someone intrudes.

And I assume that he’s very social and goes out A LOT.

(confirm) Because he only looks at tele to 9 pm...duh!

——————-

——————-

The list goes on and on and on. And in the end you would have a copy-paste formula that you can use to become just as happy as this man. I would be able to boil it down right to the favourite spice-combo and how his dog looks like (lol it’s funny! the dog has a tie) without getting my money’s worth. What you say? good thing I didn’t persue this career as a “Lifestyle consultant”. I SURE think so!!!

Love

//Kissey

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——————-

read more on Kissey Asplund’s- SomeWhatStrangeLife ,listen to her music on myspace

Dirty Fuzz’s Elida is a cool ass Rock Chick–  what’s she going on about today!!!
I have an uncle, he drinks like a fish and ironically his name is Buza. He said to me once that he didn’t like to eat cuz it made him feel sick, but he sure likes a drink.
I wouldn’t call myself an alcoholic as my nephew says. I’m a girl of self -control…..well, I have gone a month without drinking before. But you know, you have to stop when booze starts to taste better than food I tell ya.
Artists should never be left idle, because they have a fire inside them and it has to be directed somewhere or else!……. My fire is getting quenched with a bottle of red wine at the minute.
Charles Bukowski, a famous poet said that a truly chosen artist has artistic juices burning inside like the sun. I understand that. Then again, should I be listening to this ‘on the edge’ poet? He was a drunk after all.
What I need right now is to be on stage……shows in Germany have been cancelled and somehow am out of control because of that.
More than ever now, I need to be at CMJ! My apartment is a little too dangerous for my liver.
What’s scary is even the best sex can’t solve this artistic need…..booze comes close, cuz at least it makes me write and think GREAT thoughts.
So CMJ.……
We have a show confirmed at The Annex on 22nd October in Manhattan. More news to come and in the meantime, it’s more booze for me!   Trust me its only a phase for now. Am a slave to nothing and no one.
I will put more songs on dirtyfuzz, from our album ‘Rocksploitation’ which you can get from ITunes and CD baby in October!
Cheers!!!!

Elida of Dirty Fuzz