HUSSLE CLUB “Good Morning Midnight” from Project Fathom on Vimeo.

Hussle Club is the New York based brainchild of drummer turned bandleader, Prince Terrance. The video is a great representation of the overall sound and aesthetic that has been created by previous tracks such as “Loose Tights” and “R.I.P. and Run”, a dark nod to a cross section of NY nightcrawlers. Its a bizarre mixture of voodoo and the occult with a great no-wave song as the soundtrack to it all.

What happens when Sneaker Freaker jumps on a plane to NYC? The folks gather up the troops for a massive party yo! Thanks to killer DJ cats Mick Boogie, Terry Urban, and Matt Heckman. Motivation Of A Sneaker Freaker is a one-off extra special event featuring SNKRFRKR’s own M.A.F.I.A. spinnin’ on the ones and twos. With a whirlwind tour of the States going down this May, M.A.F.I.A. plans to bombard each city with as much sneaker freakin’ as possible. And what better way than with a fierce party in the Big Apple. Brought to you by our good mates at Extra Butter, MTVTN, and Sneaker Freaker, it all goes down at Gallery Bar (120 Orchard St, NY) next Tues May 4th there will be plenty of sneaker goodness going down from giveaways, sneaker displays and of course a bag load of bangin’ tunes! If you’re in the NYC area make sure you mark your calenders and get down to say ‘G-Day’ to M.A.F.I.A. and the fellas yo!

Words by Alex “Dweezy” Dwyer

As his “Tomorrow Is Today” mixtape makes its rounds through Hip-Hop hole-in-the-walls, Fresh Daily eagerly awaits his August 18^th street date. Newly jobless, with his highly anticipated and big-name produced The Gorgeous Killer album in hand, Vapors caught up with the BK bread MC with the savvy flow, as he gets ready to drop his debut dime piece.

On the album, you have some pretty noteworthy production credits, how did those come about?
Illmind was probably the first big name producer that reached out. At the time there was this open mic in New York called ‘Guerilla Words.’ Illmind was the DJ at that and after a couple of times ripping his beats a new one, he’s just like, “Yo, we gotta do something.”  Illmind is like the best-kept secret. Other beat makers respect him so much and he has so much clout amongst his peers that once other people found out I worked with him it was a lot easier to secure other stuff.

You got some amazing beats on the new record but I wanted to ask you about a recent track you leaked online with Flying Lotus called “Hard Work.” How is the economy affecting your music?
I feel like there is a higher mandate if you’re an artist. Not to be esoteric or religious or anything but I feel like, God is the creator and he made millions of human beings but he made a select few that could also create. For example, “Break A Leg” the joint that Oh No did. That’s a lot of people’s favorite song, it was a pretty shitty experience for me however, you know having the bones snap out of my leg, but the situation was turned into something enjoyable for a lot of people. It’s the same thing with “Hard Work.” It was like I just got laid off, I’m just stressed out. Let me write about maybe it will make things a little better. 

On your MySpace you have a list of all of these different components that make up you as an MC. One of them was Larry David. With tracks like “Two In The Shirt,” where do you think humor fits into rap these days?
It’s a two-sided story because the majority of people are not thugs. I haven’t met anyone that doesn’t like to laugh yet. But, you don’t want to be a joke. I feel like sometimes Redman or Busta are underrated because they are so animated and humorous sometimes that they don’t get taken seriously. The Larry David side, that’s in my profile, I think that relates more to who I am day by day by day in life. I just find myself in those really awkward situations where I feel like I have to apologize and explain myself for. I end up with foot in mouth syndrome and sometimes that travels over to the music.

Of all the ways that you are as an MC, is there anything that you admire in other rappers that you don’t see in yourself?
I guess there are times when I feel like people can be really idealistic — like Immortal Technique for example. He’s just incredibly political. Hip-Hop has this long bench and on this bench Immortal Technique is sitting next to Lil’ Kim who’s sitting next to Soulja Boy whose sitting next to Talib Kweli who’s sitting next to David Banner. I feel like hip-hop needs that bench, that variety and although I can’t be Immortal Technique, I guess that’s what he’s there for, you know.

What else do you have coming up in the realm of future projects or tours?
I’m supposed to be touring with DJ Spinna fairly soon. Things are still being talked out. Also Tanya Morgan are pretty good friends of mine so I wouldn’t be surprised if you see us traveling.

The Wackness

(Sony Pictures Classics)

Rating: * * * *

By: Yo Mama

Summer, 1994: New York. Separately and collectively each is unforgettable, hot and dope. (pun intended) Hip hop was peaking, Giuliani began sterilizing New York’s streets, and the humidity of it all stuck to Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) an 18 year old weed dealer trying to get by. He finds consolation and a kindred spirit in his therapist, Dr. Jeffrey Squires (Ben Kingsley), who trades sessions for marijuana. Together they are confronted with the good, the bad, and the unusual of life. The film features guest appearances from Method Man and an unusual performance by Mary-Kate Olsen. The musical backdrop of this film takes you back to the time when music was flashy, fun and fly. The soundtrack is definitely a keeper. I’m still tripping off the fact that the kid from Drake and Josh (don’t ask me how I know that) pulled off playing a loner stoner & drug dealer. This movie has something for everyone, it’s a comedy, drama, love story and coming of age tale that any hip-hop lover can appreciate. Trust me when I say there’s nothing wack about The Wackness.

The Wackness, winner of the Audience Award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, is in stores and available for rental now.

Teaser after the jump

I’m not sure what a Mountain Dew open bar is. But I’m intrigued.

Massan is a photographer and member of the Mash SF crew. When he lived in SF, he was known as the fastest dude in the city. He’s known for tackling the gnarliest hills, too. Check out the Mash video for the documentation that backs up his rep.

When did you take the brakes off?
I started in the year 2000. I’ve always loved riding all types of bicycles, but I started riding track bikes because I liked the way the bike looked.

What was the hardest part about adjusting to a fixed gear?
Not being able to coast. I still like to coast once in a while.

What kind of bike are you riding right now with what parts?
White Giant Omnium with a Dura Ace crank, Zen chain ring, black Phils, that sort of stuff.

What is your favorite city to ride your bike in and why?
San Francisco because of the hills and the weather. I’m liking New York now, too. It’s a different style of riding. Instead of hills, there are six-lane one-way streets that’re like 100 blocks long. Catching all green lights is like catching a wave.

Do you or did you ever skateboard? If so, did that affect your biking in any way?
I skate, but these days I ride my bike more. Skating taught me how to slam. Once you learn that, you can push yourself to do more.

John Igei is pro skater for Western Edition that kills it just as hard on a bike.

When did you decide to take the brakes off?
Spring ’04. I never had a track bike with brakes.

What was the hardest part about adjusting to a fixed gear?
Finding good shoes to fit in the straps.

What kind of bike are you riding right now with what parts?
Samson, Keirin Frame with all Japanese stuff.

What is your favorite city to ride your bike in and why?
SF, NYC and Tokyo. I like riding in new cities and meeting new people.

Did skating affect the way you ride?
It did affect my riding. When I first started, I treated it like skating. I wanted to do tricks on it like wheelies and backwards circles. But now I prefer just riding.