34 Pages
Issue 3 Summer
Untapped Hip Hop History Of Hip Hop In the Inland Empire
Art By: Ayse Greferath, Panik, & Dajon Smith. Poems By: Selena Garcia & Myron Woods
July 2018
Letter From The Editor: By Justin “Vectore” Valdivia
Were hear for the third run, its hard to believe that its been two years since we first started this magazine. While there have been a few road bumps we still kept it pushing. There is always the saying don’t look back, to me its always to look back to see how far a person has come. Over these last few couple years I’ve witnessed some artist grow into their own. Along with meeting new artist that inspired me, and seeing their hustle has pushed me when I’m tired. We’ve been pushing our Youtube channel and pushing our video interviews and give the platform they deserve and a visual treat for their fans or followers. On that note we have been reaching out to artist that reside in the other side of the country for example our last two interviews have been from the UK. When DWill and I started the ground work for Untapped we often talked about documenting our progress on how we did things and events. Sometimes we spread ourselves too far that some projects get pushed back. With recent events, and looking at footage for the Street Glyphics documentary we wanted to do for quiet sometime. Long story short be on the lookout in our Youtube Channel for a whole lot of visual content, content we may not be able to fit in our magazine or feel it would not translate well on here. For the artist looking to find a voice to be herd my advice is trends are meant to be a vessel in my opion. There are good for blue prints, but can always be uprooted be a new flavor, be true to your heart if you believe what you stand for then everyone will roll with you.
Contents Pg. 6 Artist Ave. Feat. Ayse Greferath, Panik, Dajon SmithSmith
Pg. 20 Poets Corner. Feat. Selena Garcia & Myron WoodsSmith
Pg. 28 History Of Hip Hop: Inland EmpireSmith
Pg. 31 Lion Like MindStateS Pg. 28 Luke Cage: The Unoffical Sound TrackSmith
mith
Artist Ave. Feat. Ayse Greferath, Panik, Dajon SmithS
If you are interested in Submitting your art to be published in the next issue of Untapped Hip Hop Magazine email us @ untappedhiphop@gmail.com
Ayse Greferath @ayse_artworks Medium: Marker/Pencil Country: Germany
Bio (English): My name is Ayse Greferath. I was born March 1990 in Germany. My mother is German and my father is Turkish, so I grew up with two cultures. The musical taste of my mother is what influenced me the most. She listened to a lot of rock and hip hop, and Hip Hop is what influences my drawing style today the most. American hip-hop has always fascinated me. I have been drawing since I can remember and intensively since I was four years. My goal is to travel to the USA and further my art. Something
6 Art work on display is copywritten and ownd by the aritst mentioned above.
special happened during a Ty Dolla Sign concert, I
geprägt. Sie hörte viel Hip-Hop und Rock musik.
was able to get him autograph my drawing of him
Schon im Alter von 12 Jahren wollte ich das Hip
and I got a selfie along side him.
Hop Gefühlauf Konzerten miterleben. Meine ersten
Bio (German):
Hip-Hop Konzerte waren Eminem, Snoop Dogg
Mein Name ist Ayse Greferath ich bin am 01 März
und 50 cent. Ich bin immer bei Hip-Hop hängen
1990 in Deutschland geboren. Meine Mutter ist
geblieben, was meinen Kunststil sehr beeinflusst
deutsche und mein Vater kommt aus der Türkei.
hat. Neben meiner Kunst arbeiteich als Verkäuferin.
Deswegen bin ich mit zwei Kulturen aufgewachsen.
Speziell der Amerikanische Hip-Hop hat mich
wir lebten in mittleren Verhältnissen. Ich war
immer faszieniert. Ein Wuschtraum von mir, wäre es
schon immer ein kreativer Menschund der
in die USA zu reisen und eine Austellungzu planen
Musikgeschmack meiner Mutter hat mich sehr
und meine Kunst weiter zu optimieren.
8
LiHai • Photography • Art • Apperal • Los Angeles @lihaiart www.lihaiart.com
Panik @panik.kreations Medium: Multi Country: United States
12 Art work on display is copywritten and ownd by the aritst mentioned above.
Bio: The name’s Panik, an aspiring artist from the Coachella Valley . My mission is to be able to spread DOPE art to anyone and everyone. I think everyone deserves good art at a reasonable price. My creations derive from a trippy journey or a statement I believe our society needs to see. If you’re ever curious about the story behind a piece, please feel free to message me and ask. After all, I am releasing it for you to digest. Its therapeutic for a scatterbrain like myself, and although I do
competitions amongst professionals and people who have been doing this for years I feel is best to enter any project with a clear state of mind, so with that being said I freestyle basically everything. After all my work is based on my mood/emotions and I cannot plan the way I will be feeling at that exact moment. If you would like to contact me for booking or custom pieces please add @paniks. kreations on IG And add @ThriftedandTwisted for our upcycled goods!! And for all the herbalists add @HotBoxDiaries 13
Dajon Smith @ami_designs Medium: Multi Country: United States
16Art work on display is copywritten and ownd by the aritst mentioned above.
Bio: Dajon Smith is a Graphic Artist based in Carson, Ca. Starting from drawing at a young age, he progressed himself to strive in graphic design. His artwork shows that he  takes all of it to heart & uses his creativity to present a visual of his sentimentality on certain subjects. He relies on vivid colors & curved lines to present the human body in a beautiful composition. 18
Selena began writing to express herself at 13 while dealing with a life changing defining moment that would set the tone for her work. Her literary flight later emerged as a poet and literary emotionalist in 2015, when Selena launched her imprint , Poet U.B., an acronym for Poet Urban Butterflii - the apt description of her journey and work. The author / poet gives readers an intimate, honest account of her life and experiences shared with her through a rhythmic style known only to champions. Now in full butterfly mode, Poet U.B. is focused on producing and sharing her work. The urban poet was first featured in a collection of authors, “Sincerely Me”, a series of 52 retrospect letters to a younger self. The book was published by her
Selena Garcia
brother and fellow author, Matthew Garcia. Her first
Selena Garcia is an American poet, author, and
letting go of preconceived notions of right and
survivor of her past. Raised in Pomona, CA, a city
wrong, and sharing her story. A tall order for the
named for it’s fertile soil, Selena was introduced
bravest of artists that Poet U.B. meets head on like
early to the growing pains of life, which would
every other hurdle to come her way.
become her canvas to blossom as a literary artist.
The beauty of the flight of the Urban Butterflii
The mother of three declares “P-town raised me,
begins at the left side of right and will continue on
Inglewood is the city that made me,” an ode to
to her next project, Kolorblind Soul.
@poetub
her impassioned journey moving from her family’s home in Pomona to living on her own in the inner city of Inglewood. 20
Art work on display is copywritten and ownd by the aritst mentioned above.
solo project, “The Left Side Of Right,” a collection of poems, bringing awareness to domestic violence,
Crack On The Dash By: Poet U.B.
Stop speeding on the freeway You’re about to crash Calm down Kanye Before you crack your head on the Dash Kar-Dash Your GPS seems broken Seems like more than a distraction Maybe this is just a passing moment But we miss you Kanye Not the old or the new you The Kanye who made good music Now it seems as though you withdrew From life and can’t buy your way back Not supporting the people who made you rich Supporting the rich who don’t give two f**ks Walking around burning bridges Stop speeding You’re about to crash Dont inhale Kanye Crack on the Dash Slow down, slow down You’re moving too fast Letting down Chi-town On the newscast Screaming Keep Amerikkka Great Taking pictures with the president To some it seems like betrayal Has a lot of people on defense Mental health rumors You stay involved in drama Running for President is humor Cause you’re lacking a Michelle Obama Making it seem as if you’re distraught You’re turning people off Whether it’s independent thought Or marketing before you drop Stop speeding on the freeway You’re about to crash Calm down Kanye Before you crack your head on the Dash.
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Fingerprints By Poet U.B. 22
Dipping my quail pen While it so gently curves over my hand Into the bottle of powdered ink now wet Spilling the ink unplanned But as I clean up my mess Ink stains my fingertips I touch the paper leaving a print Nevertheless I study my mistake I wonder why There are so many lines This is used to identify Separates me from the next Excludes me from the rest Little lines so complex In awe so impressed I am one of one Phenomenally me I fingerprinted the rest of my fingers Just to see the beauty Of my individuality My own thoughts My own ideas Savvy, I’m a boss But I have more than spilled ink God gave me a vision Nowadays it seems extreme Since there’s so much division But whether my prints are in ink or scanned I’m still me and will continue to stand For everything I believe in I have everything planned I want to spark your brain To make a change Permanent like a bloodstain Energy interchange Convert negative with love Acceptance and understanding I want to see growth So this vision seed I am planting I want to touch you With my fingers full of ink Massaging my fingerprints On your brain, causing you think Leave fingerprints on others Different colors and shades So not one is identified
By just their race I want to touch you Stir up your emotions Wipe your tears When you’re feeling broken Rebuild you stronger With no preconceived notion Of color or society’s meaning Rid of racist remarks spoken I want to hear my fingerprints In the words you speak Influence others to prevent Anyone from feeling weak Walk beside them when they’re alone Hold their hand and be their guide Until they’re no longer scared of the unknown And able to face the world diversified I want to see my fingerprints While others try to wipe them clean See them on everything you touch While doing things others before you unseen I want to smell the ink from my fingerprints On the souls of those you interact with Teaching others to express without violence For society that’s a win I want the ink to soak in Overwhelm you with empathy Leave imprints on your heart To understand others with sincerity But I need more ink To touch all these souls I want to fingerprint All of the holes All of your voids So you can heal from the wounds from the cruelty Of society’s racist battlegrounds This is a war That I’m fighting with ink Leaving my fingerprints On the racism ship as it sinks. I want to touch you Dripping in ink Encourage you To always think 23
No More Epiphanies
When the charm is gone When the wit dries up When the jokes fall flat When the poetry is false When the heart lies The heart doesn’t lie; that’s the brain trying to trick you again When everything is crystal clear When language is a waste of time You’re stalling There will be no more revelations No more ideas No more creativity or side quests or distractions or otherwise There will be no more dreams No visions No one else to pull the trigger You are the man with the gun Everyone knows but you You’re in denial You’re insane You will have to shoot your way out One way or another Suicide was never in the plans There are no more words No more books No more blessings, prayers or gods Only humans Only you and them Who will you choose to worship?
24 Art work on display is copywritten and ownd by the aritst mentioned above.
#memento
Growing up, I wasn’t too athletic I have about one trophy And a few participation medals And ain’t that the worst? Being gifted a necklace: a token of accomplishment As if it were something proud to wear for merely showing up I came across an old picture of you It dangled between my fingers like a silver medallion And for the first time The keepsake just wasn’t enough I don’t want to remember being there I need something more tangible than memories I find myself saying things like, “You almost had her, right?” Or “Hey, there’s always next time.” As if conditioning one’s heart for the Olympics Was not preparing for anything but gold This time I will not lose I won’t find one more souvenir of what could have been Shining like a trophy I was too afraid to polish myself No, this time When I feel your arms wrapped around my neck like jewelry I’ll know I’ll have done my best And I won
Myron Woods 25
The History Of Hip Hop
Inland Empire. San Bernardino... The Inland Empire. It’s the largest county in the
coming out of my home town Fontana Ca. ( a.k.a
United States, a county that expands over 20,000
good ol’ Fontucky) for those in the know. When
miles squared with roughly 2.1 million citizens
it comes to Hip Hop Culture the Inland Empire is
living here this county is indeed deserving of the
as influential in the game as Los Angeles or the
title the Empire, but as large and as populated as
Bay Area, if not more so. With a mixing pot of
the Inland Empire is, if you’re not from here you
cultures and vastness of the I.E. there is more of
probably have never heard of it. We are an the
an expectance of experimentation when it comes
Empire that has bread top notch politicians, world
to creating. I can’t say there is a core sound to the
class athletes, Academy Award winning actors, and
Inland Empire, but there is a common theme of
some of the dopest emcees and producers to ever
growth, progression, and positivity that moves
hit the scene. From J.J. Fad best known for their
though out the sound waves.
hit song “Super Sonic” hailing from Rialto Ca. to
Grammy Award winning producer/artist Hit Boy
way hip hop is produced out here. From rapping
The I.E. Culture is diverse and it shows in the 28
about comic books, wrestling, and anime to some
the ground work for what it means to be proud of
real hood/gutter shit and life advice all in the same
where you come from as an I.E. artist. I believe that
song. The big homie Noa James and the lovely
with the work that Dirty Birdy put in on repping the
Lesa J are two of the many I.E. based artist that
city and killing shows all over the world the DINO
are helping to grow and cultivate through their
will get the recognition that it so deserves.
Common Grounds & DIY Fest shows throughout
the year that are held in the Riverside and Pomona,
Inland Empire is more than just a county situated
these shows provide a platform for young up and
a few miles outside of Los Angeles, more than a
coming artist emerging out of here. The Common
valley or mountain range, and bigger than just
Ground was a HUB for developing artist to go
some one horse towns. We are an empire of Artist,
When boiled down to its purest form the
perform and practice their skill amongst each other, Creators, Trend Setters, and hustlers. We have pride a kind steel sharpens steel type of scenario with
in everything that makes what we are and a drive
the intent to help one another grow as artist. The
that isn’t rivaled by many others. We are giving
Inland Empire has a very strong camaraderie within
and willing to help build up others, but don’t let
its borders that Noa & Lesa alongside others have
that be mistaken for weakness, because we are
built through the Common Ground.
sharp witted and will go for the neck if provoked
enough. The I.E. has gone through major changes
There is a certain type of pride that comes
from being an Inland Empire native a pride fills
since I was a kid, it’s awesome to see how far we’ve
in a chip on the shoulder of every artist that has
come in creating our own culture, and I’m excited
picked up a ball, brush, or mic. A chip created by
to see where we go in the future. So the next time
being over looked for so long, and one of the artist
you make your list of hip hop heavy hitter that are
that reps the I.E do or die is Dirty Birdy A.K.A (Dirt
upcoming or established check and see where they
Digler, Digital Cardiac, The Impractical Pterodactyl,
are from, because the Inland Empire is everywhere.
The Human Cold Tablet Capsule). He has traveled all over with the 909 on his back and shows love to where he comes from. To the point where when SWAY himself calls out Dirty Birdy when he mentions the Inland Empire, Birdy is an OG in the Inland Empire community who really laid down
29
thedopespotstudios.com
LionLike MindState recently had their 10 years anniversary in Pomona. There were many faces there that I didn’t know were part of the collective that had an impact on its development. We met Judah1 a few years ago, and I remember his presence as powerful, a strong aura where you trust him as a person, teacher, mentor, and leader to look up to one I haven’t felt since Malcolm X. The stories I had the privilege to listen to that night from the poets of LionLike MindState are bitter sweet. A brand that Judah 1 has literally built with his bare hands, blood, sweat, and tears, to create an outlet for artists and like minded individuals to express themselves creatively. For many of these talented individuals it was a haven for them, it gave them the courage to be vulnerable among others, build each other up, come out of their shell and become more than they are, and to get over the phobia of letting the world here them speak their hearts. To most it was their home during the anniversary I herd Judah 1 remember the days where he and fellow poets would converse on the on the moon lit roof until the sun came up. Many of these individuals had the opportunity to participate in slam or become coaches for the event. My take away is the impact LionLike MindState had on the community which I think is desperately needed more than ever. I have no doubt LionLike MindState will return, as I said earlier it’s bittersweet because 10 yrs ago I was longing for something like this, something local where I don’t have to drive to LA, I used to write poetry everyday had I known LionLike MindState existed I would have gotten over my silly phobia of driving on the freeway way. I can’t help but wonder the “what if ”, but I do know I would have enjoyed the environment as an individual, and nourished in it as an artist, but most importantly I would of known in my heart I have found a place I could call home. 31
LionLike MindState 31
LUKE
CAGE
THE UNOFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK
33
With the recent success of the
episode instead it was the name
forced to be in illegal fights run
Netflix series Daredevil, Jessica
of episode 1. At first I thought the
by corrupt cops and by the end
Jones, and The Punisher. Luke
studio was using the title for the
of the episode it was poetic in a
Cage comes into play. Now I
revealing of Luke Cage’s powers,
sense that he was stepping into
normally don’t do this, but how
but many things that had me
another arena. Even with episode
Luke Cage was marketed in
go yes was the studio really had
6 “Suckas Need Bodyguards” is
terms of music and Hiphop was
a thought process for picking
in short Luke protecting a dirty
a genius strategy. A fair warning
these song titles. If you watch
detective from getting killed so
I will talk some spoilers in this
it a few times and are Familiar
he can testify evidence against
article, so if you haven’t watched
with Gangstarr’s songs the
Cottonmouth. It’s as if Marvel
season 1 read at your own
episodes almost function a visual
and the producers of show were
discretion. I assume if your still
soundtrack and an unofficial
giving the fans an extra treat by
reading you either finish binge
soundtrack so to speak. What
challenging the audience to go
watching the series or don’t
I mean by that is towards the
back to our Gangstarr album
mind spoiler talk so let’s get into
end of episode 2 “Code of the
collection and make a custom
it. When it was first announced
Streets” when Pops dies the lyrics
playlist for the series, by doing
that the show episodes were
from the song “Moment of Truth”
this bring in new Gangstarr
going to named after Gangstarr
“why do bad things happen to
fans. To me this was one of the
songs I was intrigued more on
good people.” If you listen to the
most unique aspect of Luke
the concept and asked myself
song it practically foreshadowed
Cage marketing not to mention
questions. What songs title
the entire episode. Another
bringing in Adrian Younge and
were they going to pick and
thing to mention is the subtle
Ali Shaheed Muhammad to me
would it hint? what the episode
message of each episode Luke
this is the perfect modern day
is about? I knew somewhere
cage realized he can no longer
love letter to hip hop.
they had to name one of the
stand by and watch things
episodes Moment Of Truth and
unravel hence he faces the
to my amazement I was correct
“Moment of Truth.” “Step in the
I initially thought this title would
Arena” was a flash back episode
be incorporated into the origins
to Cages origins and being
I Was Just Thinking? The ocean scares the shit out of me... Sharks scare the shit out of me... I’ve always had this unsettling fear of the ocean and its inhabitants, the depth of the sea and not knowing what lurks beneath me shakes my spirit. What if this fear of depth has invaded other aspects of my life i.e. Depth Of Knowledge or Depth Of Emotion? And I subconsciously create these mental sharks and sea monsters that keeps me from reaching my absolute potential. Do you have fears that keep you from reaching your full potential? If so what are you doing or have done to conquer them? Let us know how you handle it by hitting us up on our Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube channel.
Don’t let your ATTITUDE comprimise your ALTITUDE