Beth Ditto

Blurb from YAMS:

I have a love for photography with Beth Ditto in it — especially the photo work done for Pop — hence, the photograph taken by Steven Klein and overseen by Katie Grand on the GrungeCake homepage and all sister sites. In short, size matters… I wonder if Ditto and Gaga get along.

About Beth Ditto:

A resident of Portland, Oregon, she is a close friend of Scissor Sisters lead singer Ana Matronic, and considers her favorite song to be “Oh Bondage, Up Yours” by X-Ray Spex. She courted mild controversy in 2006 when, during an interview for NME magazine, she claimed to have eaten squirrels as a child, saying that “people in Arkansas just do – they’d think you were a freak if you ate squid there!”

Ditto is known for her noticeable stage dances and her unique and revealing image. She classes herself as a punk, and thus does not wear deodorant or shave under her armpits, having once remarked that “I think punks usually smell”. She has been lauded for her support of positive body image, despite comments from doctors that she may be causing harm to public health by normalising obesity. She also formerly contributed an advice column on body image to The Guardian newspaper.

In February 2009, she was featured in London as the cover model for the premiere of Love magazine with prominent public advertising. On July 9, 2009, Beth’s fashion collection for the UK retailer Evans was released for sale, both online, and in selected stores across the UK.

Ditto on the premiere cover of London’s Love Magazine. She has been an outspoken advocate for large women being body-positive and has been regularly photographed as an editorial model. Ditto, who is lesbian, is well known for her outspoken support of both LGBT and feminist causes.

Photos from http://www.roburky.co.uk/

Blurb from YAMS:

During one of my many online searches, I stumbled upon a video game called Alice and Kev: the Homeless Sims. I started to read the story line and became hooked. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but it is about a daughter and father duo who are homeless surviving on free meals from work and school. To begin reading the story, kindly click here and click here to download Alice and Kev for your Sims 3.

About Robin Burkinshaw:

My name is Robin Burkinshaw, and I am a student of games design/development at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK. I’m also known in some places as roBurky. You can find more about me, more about the things I do, and more stories like this at my website: http://www.roburky.co.uk

Photo: Richardine Bartee

Blurb from YAMS:

It was always something about his voice that made me listen. He reminds me of early-mid 1990s Hip-Hop. Prodigy. Queensbridge. Gritty. Goodness. For Suede Jury’s music, kindly click here.

Suede Jury’s Bio:

Just a brother with a vision and a voice. I have a love for true original boom bap Hip-Hop, Im just trying to keep it alive. My sound ranges from rugged to mellow, but always with an epic and/or cinematic sensibility to it. Every beat you hear me on is produced by me. PM all serious inquiries about production… No Internet rappers/netcees/e-b-boys. Thank you.

Photos: Courtesy of Boogie

Blurb from YAMS:

I see star quality.

Boogie’s Bio:

With a southern background and a universal sound, Boogie has captivated the ears of listeners with his witty wordplay and progressive style. This Mississippi native strays away from the stereotypical modern day mediocre sound by staying true to himself and experimenting with different genres of all sorts.

MP3: “Late Night Basement Sessions” by Boogie

“The black sheep could be washed repeatedly but never loose it’s color.”

Born and raised, in Meridian MS, Jarante “Boogie” Glenn grew up in a household full of art, the soundtrack to his days mainly consisted of great musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and Outkast just to name a few. “I remember when I was 13, I use to spend most of my time in back of the math class drawing instead of calculating.” Before hitting his teen years, he started taking those thoughts and images in his head and begun translating them into lyrics, and by the time he finished middle school he had already begun establishing his self as an artist. Although he rarely exchanged words with others, he gave peers a earful when they heard his music.

With the same mind state he came in the with, Boogie is beginning to leave his mark on the hearts of real Hip-Hop lovers.

Photos: Aakash Nihalani

Aakash Nihalani’s Bio:

My street work consists mostly of isometric rectangles and squares. I selectively place these graphics around New York to highlight the unexpected contours and elegant geometry of the city itself. All execution of a piece is done on site with little to no planning.

For however briefly, I am trying to offer people a chance to step into a different New York than they are used to seeing, and in turn, momentarily escape from routine schedules and lives. We all need the opportunity to see the city more playfully, as a world dominated by the interplay of very basic colour and shape. I try to create a new space within the existing space of our everyday world for people to enter freely, and unexpectedly ‘disconnect’ from their reality. For more, click here.

Blurb from YAMS:

I like tape and shapes.

Blurb from YAMS:

It feels like MySpace was twelve years ago. Like meeting Nando and a few others, it helped me get in touch with loads of current friends and fellow authentic artists. For someone who has bore witness to Nando’s progression as a man and an artist, I am elated to share his music and persona with you. Below you can find a ringtone/jingle he created for www.grungecake.com using Adult’s “Bad Idea” and two tracks from his latest release, The Sicktape.

MP3: “GrungeCake Ringtone” by Nike Nando

MP3: “Kickflip II” by Nike Nando

MP3: “Get It Right” by Nike Nando

‘Want to hear other songs by Nike Nando can be heard here.

Nike Nando’s Bio:

Peerless, simply put. In an industry constantly inundated by new rappers every day, Fernando Moore, known as Nando McFlyy, has carved out his own category, with no desire to conform and with the sole intention to perfect his craft. Influenced by a childhood full of loss yet with the support of his grandmother and uncles, “Super Nike” Nando penetrates his listeners with an unbridled honesty and incomparable sound. At the tender age of 6, he suffered through an unfortunate circumstance: the passing of his mother, as a result of cancer. Without a father in his life, Nando began to pursue new interests, not to mention an untapped skill waiting to come out. In elementary school, sketching and rapping were the hobbies, but only until he arrived in middle school did Nando finally realize his potential for excellence, although knowing full well the necessity to focus. He received constant positive feedback from his peers about his music, further fueling his desire for something bigger than his own self. It was precisely this idea of music — the journey to tap within himself a source of poetry and art — that encouraged Nando to dedicate hours and hours writing and learning. Nevertheless, with setbacks constantly plaguing his life, Nando eventually dropped out of high school, but from his grandmother came the necessary motivation for Nando to obtain his GED.

Counterbalancing these consistent struggles were the blessed opportunities Nando has had to work with established artists in the local DMV area. Judah (Strange Music/http://www.myspace.com/judahbeats), for one, became an unwritten mentor for Nando in 2006. As a teacher of the game, with over 10 years of experience as of now, Judah advised Nando regarding the nuances of the industry and what is necessary to survive in a game full of scrutiny. Extracting unmatched knowledge from Judah’s words, Nando further proceeded to define himself and to develop his unique craft. With two mixtapes under his belt (“TheCarryOut” and “S.N.E.S.: Sep Nando Everyone Sucks!”), and the humility to learn from established artists (for example, Studio 43/SRC/Universal’s Marky) and producers, Nando continues to impress those who are willing to listen. Also present is his squad, Delorean Music Group (DMG) — Lyriciss, Cayan, Deron, and Shawn Jay Layla — a powerhouse of like-minded rhyme slayers who represent the DMV wholeheartedly but whose talent extends beyond all geographical bounds. Nando’s cadence, breathing technique, wit, and lyricism are constant reminders to true fans of the progression of Nando and his willingness to lay himself out there, exposed for others to criticize. But his number one critic will forever remain himself. Thus comes his latest project, “Super Nike Nando”, the third installment of his life’s work and passion. It is the embodiment of his individuality (“I’m not a typical rapper. Difference between me and them, they play for cameras.”); of his influences (“My grandma ain’t raise no fool.”); of the struggles he relates to (“I write for the people who need help paying – their lights due.”), among many other topics. It is, simply put, music – the driving force behind his life and forever the very essence of his being.

Photo: Khavin Kry

MP3: “No More Hereos” by preHISTORIC

MP3: “Ladiez Lounge” by preHISTORIC

Producers Azizi Gibson and Taylor Tidwell have been creating music daily since I have met them a few years back. With work ethic like theirs, superstars like Gucci Mane, Lil’ Wayne and 50 Cent would be amazed that, then, young boys half their ages, can match their output. Residing in Maryland, the duo have created a rare, smooth and unique sound — eclectic on all counts channeling their forefathers; the late great J. Dilla, Flying Lotus, SAMIYAM, The Gorillaz, Madlib, MF DOOM and a few others.

preHISTORIC has played many GrungeCake events and venues in the DMV area. I’d say, if you are into films, sci-fi, retro-nostalgic, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin with a dangerous, experimental, international, galactic Dub-influenced twist; you should turn your volume up this very instance.

Vocally, the lyrics are explicit, genuine, and reminiscent of early-mid 90’s Hip-Hop (usually impromptu) with melodic singing, here and there. Azizi and sometimes, Nova perform the vocals.

preHISTORIC is set to release a spankin’ new mini tape on Christmas eve, but until then — taste this teaser, pleaser and look out for a quick Q&A from the fresh, new group, preHISTORIC.

For the melodic vocals, listen to these songs:

MP3: “New World Order” by preHISTORIC

For their production with other artists, listen to this song:

MP3: “Super Nike Nando” by Nike Nando

MP3: “Icon” by Nike Nando

To download previous preHISTORIC tape, kindly click here!

GrungeCake: Railster, we meet again! The thing that makes this meeting more special than the first one is that your music is in the “wonky” genre. What does Wonky mean?

Railster: It’s three years now since J Dilla’s departure, and most of this experimentation started from there. This is the Wonky you’re talking me about; they are developments of the same thing. Flying Lotus is one of the main artists for this style, with all its subgenres and facets. It’s something really incredible with its dub or ambient influences – some sort of hardcore hip-hop for 2010. Anybody listening to this says, “Wow, this shit is real!”

GrungeCake: What inspired the song selection of songs on this pod cast? Does it represent what GrungeCake stand for in anyway/s?

Railster: Strongly, I wanted to make this pod cast for several reasons. I can see the producers of this subgenre multiplying quickly, and the Internet is crammed with this material, often totally for free. I have seen this style as a great alternative to the usual boring DJ set with the usual boring dance music for the same boring dances. I make beats, and I feel very close to this style; with the pod cast, I wanted to say, “Hey guys, did you check this fresh new stuff out? Isn’t that mad cool?” and for sure it fits in the same line where GrungeCake lies. It’s international, coming up from the underground, and kicks ass big-time.

GrungeCake: What was the preparation and editing process like? How often do you create pod casts? Where can we check them out?

Railster: There’s plenty of material down in the net; like for Dubstep, Internet seems to be the stomping ground and the place where it is breeding, so the first step is to listen a lot – listening is so fundamental. I have like 30 blogs to keep me up on the style, labels and artists producing weird, amazing things. I tried to make my own synthesis on that, processing it so it wasn’t boring for the lovers of this style, trying to be different from every other one, trying to put out my own voice and style and to keep the quality as high as I could. The mechanical process to make it is pretty boring – every time I try to explain that to my girlfriend she runs away – to explain it in just two words I made it with Ableton Live.

Producer Railster, an Udine, Italy native and the designer behind many of GrungeCake’s sounds has been crowned our first artist of the month! See what all the fuss is about and download his new podcast here!

Railster – GrungeCake Magazine Podcast by Railster