Months late with all the news but I only just realized Themselves were back with a new album earlier in the year. I’m rubbish at keeping the ol ear to the ground. Must pay more attention to stuff. Love this, no video of course but it features the James Joyce of hip hop Mr Aesop Rock with his standard blast of stream of consciousness delirium. Me loves. Booooooooooom.

He’s the same age as me, sold 2 million copies of his book and he’s been on the run ever since. There’s an excellent diary piece by Saviano in todays Times where he talks about the torture of living life in exile on the run from the Camorra who have vowed to kill him. Gomorrah, the film adaptation of his book is an excellent but dish-water grim view of Mafia life. Dispels all glamourous myths.

Received these images this morning, alas my Meatpacking piece didn’t last so long. Well actually I guess 10 months is a lifetime in graffiti, especially in New York. I expected this piece to be bombed long ago and as far as i know if remained relatively intact in its twilight weeks. But to be covered by a billboard… Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!  Thanks to Steve for the heads-up.

Popped in to Oto last night to see Dublin fiddler Caoimhin O Raghallaigh. Savage gig. Makes me want to be a musician.

I needed a lil aural boost in the studio this week. Cue Organized Konfusion’s seminal masterpiece ‘Prisoners of War’ from their 1991 debut. Highly cerebral yet absolutely rocking. Check Pharoah’s 2nd verse (3rd verse in total running order). The lyrics below are swiped from Triplesiccness. Fair play.

Pharoahe Monch] 
I stand here before the forces of evil with a style 
The poetically God gifted child 
Bringin forth the story of a lyrical soldier 
Blessed to manifest in the eyes of the beholder 
Words of wisdom never abuse the lines 
they increase as I release a phrase like a uzi 9 
from the larynx 
Shot in repitition words never heard before 
but still the rendition of rap will enable me to attack 
from dawn to dusk, for liberation 
Driven I will never give in to interrogation 
The rank, given to me, the Pharoahe 
Cause every bro flows like a crossbow 
Equipped to pierce your soul with a poison-tip arrow 
Any man wearing a blindfold can be misled 
but wise are the ones with the eyes in the backs of the head 
Here’s the key to unlock the door: 
Imagine a poet without poetical form 
Rhymes are for sure as an attack 
cause they adapt to combat for the prisoners of war 

[Prince Poetry]