Eyeris

For all my people

2008-12-28T16:27:00.000-08:00

...who are having a hard time

New chapter

2008-10-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

Forgive my absence. A lot has been happening and finally is slowing down a bit! If you haven't already, check out the photos from We B Girlz festival and Hip Hop Kemp on my myspace here: www.myspace.com/eyeris

Feelin Em's new freestyle!

It was a full moon last night..

2008-07-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

And I immediately began singing this track

Also, my NY people, if you see me tomorrow say whatuppp! This is gonna be a dope show

E

Well

2008-07-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

I abandoned my blog but I have a good reason! I've been extremely busy planning my trip to Europe. Shout out to:

We B Girlz (Berlin) - A month full of workshops, shows, etc put on by Subotage that features female emcees, djs, graff writers, b girls from all over the world. Can't wait :)
Hip Hop Kemp (Czech Republic) Dubbed "hip hop heaven" a huuuugeee festival in an open field in Czech Republic with acts from all over the world. This year it is headlined by The Roots, Pharoahe Monch, Zion I, Akrobatik + Mr Lif, Atmosphere, etc.. and has a U.N.I.T.Y all-female stage featuring Roxanne Shante, Yarah Bravo, Eternia, Stacy Epps, Apani B Fly, myself, and many more.

Saying I'm excited is an understatement.

For now czech out Bishop Lamont, who is currently signed to Aftermath (Dr. Dre's label). His track "Grow Up" has a lot of shit I can relate to and the beat is sick! I started thinking about how back when hip hop started it was all about youth and being young, and now I feel that artists are being more conscious about their decisions and the ways they present themselves. Thats not speaking for everyone of course lol.

www.mypsace.com/bishoplamont

Shit I'm Feelin right now..

2008-05-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

+Styles P- Music
+Lil Wayne f/ Cory Gunz- A Millie
+The whole Sia album
+Pharoahe Monch- Broken Heart
+Andre 3000 mixtape

"Seasons change, mad things rearrange.."

Another season, more changes.. This summer is going to be the one, I can feel it damnit!! Skating, rhyming, partying, swimming, lighting up, bein city bums... Make the best of summer, NY'ers.. because you know that shit will fly by fast.

woww

2008-05-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Nice

2008-05-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

Summer is around the corner

2008-05-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

Shorts, beaters, slip ons, sandals.. Whatever.. The point is its May 6th and it was 77 degrees today. Made me even more excited for summer.. Hot train stations and even hotter parties. Heres some shit I'd love to rock this summer..

Plain Gravy

Married to the MOB

Silas

Balenciaga

Umbro by Kim Jones

Common Projects

E

Zaki Ibrahim

2008-05-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Go listen. You will not be disapointed. Thats all I'm saying. Thanks E for putting me on.

Bembe!

2008-05-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends

Bembe. Brooklyn, NY. My new spot. Can't believe last night was my first night there, but I had an AMAZING night. Hop in a cab, tell em we goin to Brooklyn! And right after we got off the bridge I turned and saw a club that looked like it was hiding. And the cute little sign said Bembe. Yes, we at the spot..

Walk in and right away I was drawn to the music. African/Dominican/hip hop/ill drums mixed with someone sitting down playing a procussion set and two other people playing djembes. If anyone knows me musically, you know I have a soft spot for djembe drums. Everyone up dancing just having a good time.. drinking guava margaritas all night and a few glasses of vodka watermelon in between. Just zoning out watching the dj and watching people playing the drums, all problems- GONE!

Its very refreshing to find a lounge where you can feel comfortable in and not have any worries. Apart from this, the ideals that this spot were created on are amazing. Any spot that aims to bring all different walks of life together through the love of music, nice fruit drinks, and dancing is great with me. All my NYCers if you haven't already, please go!

Bembe
81 South 6th street and Berry
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

MOB Living

2008-04-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Blogs have popped up everywhere, and I'm a perfect example of that. I'm not a good blogger by any means.. I'm too busy. But one of my favorite blogs is Married to the Mob.. Ladies check it out! Dudes too, you might learn some things :)

http://www.mobliving.com

Eyeris

I wish my Spanish was better

2008-04-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

I've waited almost two years for Paulo Coelho's new book.. and finally! its here. In every language BUT English. When I have kids, I'm going to force them to learn as many languages as possible. I once heard if you speak three languages you're trilingual, if you speak two you're bilingual and if you speak one you're American. For the majority of the population.. Anyways , Brida:

'But how will i know who my Soulmate is?'
'By taking risks' she said to Brida. 'By risking failure,disappointment,disillusion, but never ceasing in your search for Love.As long you keep looking, you will triumph in the end'.

This is the story of Brida, a beautiful young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. On her journey she meets a wise man who teaches her about overcoming her fears, and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the hidden music of the world. They see in her a gift, but must let her make her own voyage of discovery.

As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to transform herself.

"On the real

2008-04-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

I didn't want a job wit a boss tellin me to push a mop shit I'd rather sell bud"

Jobs yo.. Seriously where can I even start? My reason for not having time to post or do half the things I'd like to do. Its crazy that its so hard to do what you love and live comfortably.

I don't believe in anything about my job.. And I do not gain anything from it besides money and more examples of how f*ked up the corporate world is (no I do not have a corporate job).

We have to pay bills and I live in new york city. The city where you'll walk around on a sunny day and spend over a hundred dollars and not even realize it. We have to survive, but how? Can't I just make music and share my stories and life with people? Shit... Society is fair frustrating.

Peace,
E

Diary of a wanderer

2008-04-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Well everyone I guess its fair to say that I'm officially a gypsy. Different places fascinate me. And it's a blessing to be able to venture. I'm sitting inside, looking outside at mountains, palm trees, and clear skies.

I have not been to every state or every country, but I am confident in saying that Cali is one of my favorite places, ever. I fell in love with LA two years ago when Yarah, DJ Vadim and Blu Rum took along 18 year old Eyeris on tour. We didn't get to go out really or experience the whole city but I fell in love with the people and the music. We went to Project Blowed and the mcs there are the illest. Yarah Vad and Blu had a show and I met some amazing people who are some of the best friends I've ever had.

So when I planned my trip for Palm Springs I knew I had to go to LA first. Am I being repetitive and overly excited? I won't apologize for that. You have to take what life gives you, and lately I haven't been thrown many things that cure numbness. I think the heat is getting to me.

Thank you LA, the tree man at Venice Beach, La Cita, the beatboxers, emcees, genuine people, b-girls, b-boys, styles, the girl who called me her fairy :)... oh and the sun.

E

BIG up!

2008-03-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

Well lets say my life has taken a couple more sharp turns so I decided to celebrate with a new tat. I've always loved this quote, and it's something that I seem to always forget. (Big up Paulo Coelho!) Many of us are consumed so much by the fear of something and don't realize that the fear is really the most harmful thing. Fear of our art not being appreciated, fear of love, fear of being hurt, fear of being alone, etc. If we are consumed by this fear we begin to stop living, and I'm glad I am at a point in my life where I can honestly say that I no longer live like that. As of maybe... a week ago? lol.

Anyway, a big thanks to Black Ink Gallery in Harlem. Check them out.. these dudes are the shit. 113th and Lenox ave.

I'm tired.

Oh shit.. for my NEW YORK people .. and Jersey too if you wanna make the trek... Me, Eternia, and Bambi will be doing a show/panel event at Columbia for women's history month this TUESDAY, the 25th. It is from 7 to 9 pm at the Barnard campus- 117th and Broadway off the 1 train. It is free admission.

PPS... I got a crackberry. I'm clueless with this shit but already love it. Anyone else with one hit me up- my pin is 243D50C

E

"Hard to be a spiritual being when shit is shaking what you believe in"

2008-03-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Many people might not want to hear about this, or aren't used to. But hey, I like making people feel uncomfortable. I like helping people out of their "boxes". It's a necessity.

Ever since I was a child, my father gave me books to read that I never fully understood. The Alchemist was my favorite, but I also read works by Rumi and Hafiz. He was always telling me about spiritual trips he went on, and as I grew older I started realizing how interested I was in doing the same.

In June and July, I was blessed enough to go on one of the most amazing trips. I spent over 2 weeks in Israel and Egypt. Long story short, I am a very spiritual person and I have never felt so ... "full" in my life. Especially while at the Baha'i gardens in Haifa and inside the mosque of Muhammed Ali at the Citadel in Egypt.

Returning to New York and reconnecting with people; paying more attention to my surroundings, I realized that you don't have to be in a significant place for it to be a spiritual power point. Although I don't think anything can compare to Israel, Egypt, Peru, etc.. I believe that if we paid a little more attention to everything around us we would see that there are miracles happening everyday and THAT is dope.

Watching my best friend perform and seeing how people are touched by her music.. seeing over 500 young adults coming together for something bigger than us.. smoking hookah and discussing religion, music.. attending Hush Harbor at the Baha'i center and seeing how quickly drum rhythms can take over everyones being.. seeing the art good friends create.. the train... the bus...

The bus.

As much as I hate the bus, I feel like I see the most simple, but amazing things and I can't help but smile. The 2 year old kid staring out the window in amazement.. The mother with her baby, 2 kids, AND the groceries.. the little girl smiling at the boy- literally looked like she fell in love at that moment..

Or maybe sometimes I smoke too much? You be the judge.. lol

E

Leanin

2008-03-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Damn, this shit is getting HUGE. Now let me start this off by being honest. I went through my phase of wanting to try this, but it was a blessing in disguise that its mad expensive in NY. I started doing more research on it, (because I do love my body) and realized how harmful it is.

Lean, drank, sizzurp.. whatever you want to call.. I've heard can give some DOPE effects. I'm not knocking anybody because we all need our ways of escaping sometimes. When day to day life seems too hard to deal with or we're tired of seeing the same things everyday we all need some form of escaping reality. But at what cost? I love people in general and it really sucks to see this happening. What frightens me even more is that the youth can get their hands on this as well, especially in the south.

Once again, I'm not knocking. I just hate to see people deteriorating from drug and alcohol abuse. And to see people who have made such an impact on hip hop die from it.

Peace,
E

RIP
Pimp C
Big Moe
DJ Screw

Video of the day

2008-03-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

This is one of the songs that got me through high school.. We need more hip hop with a feeling like this!

Shit, I miss it.

Truth

2008-03-13T21:43:00.001-07:00

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.”

Paulo Coelho

Fck btches, get money

2008-02-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

I KNOW everyone can feel me on this song. Back when hip hop gave you that chill feeling, and the shit in daily rotation was something that we could all relate to.

So here's my question, why is NY full of crazy women!?! You meet someone who you think is maybe a little crazy, but in a good way. The next thing you know they turn into America's next psycho and all your bills are up to date but you once again have to screen all your calls. You are afraid to go out to any clubs because the whole lot of them may be there, or even worse, you'll attract more. And as I post this, I'm probably going to get a flood of text messages asking why I'm so cruel.

I guess this is a question with no real answer. What defines crazy? What's good crazy and bad crazy? And is it all perspective? I guess I'm not really sure anymore. But for all of those who ask me why they rarely see me out, this is one response to the question. Apart from working on my own personal projects, why would I want to waste my precious time on people who will only drive my head crazy?

So hats off to you, Junior Mafia and mid/late 90's hip hop. F*ck bitches, get money and prosper!

E

"where do we go from here"

2008-02-16T14:05:00.000-08:00

Oh my god.. I'm officially in love with Alicia Keys. I loved her before, but this song completely did it for me. I've been listening to a few cuts on her album on repeat, which is what I always do when I get an album. I find a couple of songs I love and don't listen to the rest.. I'm guilty. So I listened to the rest of the album and the intro to the song caught my attention...

Then I realized it sounded familiar.. "After laughter" by Wendy Rene.. Also sampled by Wu Tang. The melody in this song is so dope.. Thank you miss Keys!

E

Artist Focus: Emmanuelle Tricoire

2008-02-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

I know, I know.. I've been slacking. But I know at least some of you can feel me on being too busy for myself. Or not having my own space, working too much, etc. Please check out Emma's work, if you haven't seen it already. This is a name that we will definitely be hearing more of.

How has 2008 treating you so far? Any upcoming projects you have been working on?

So far so good, Im working on editing my photos of nyc, Im going to a lot of exhibitions, galleries, looking at books, to see what's going on nowadays and to stay in a artistic state of mind. I don't take a lot of pictures tho.

Many of us believe that we can see one's full story in just a photograph of them; do you see this in people as your working with them?

That's true, photographs are taken to tell stories, some are made up, some are just the truth. But photographers are in control, they can say whatever they want to say. As for me, I just "feel" people, I don't know about their lives, I meet them and I capture what I feel, I don't "scan" them, I'm so bad at doing it, but I take what they want to give me and what I feel it is true. Their faces are talking for them.

What is it like photographing people in different cities around the world?

The more I meet all kind of people, the more I realize that they all have the same "issues". Even if they don't have the same way of life, they are like me and at the same time so much different, this is my food. I just love taking pictures of people from different cities.

A lot of your work seems to be inspired by street cultures like hip hop, fashion, skating, etc. Are these passions of yours besides photography?

Yes, when I arrived in Paris in 1992 I grew up in a skate neighborhood in Paris called Bastille. My friends were listening to hiphop, but I was grunge. I also loved graffiti (so much that when I was 10 my art teacher asked us to decorate a drawing of a subway car and I did tags on it and got suspended, I was wondering why I never did it in real life...) , skating and hanging out in the streets. I used to buy female magazines instead of candies as well, and when I was 9, I said to my parents that I wanted to be a fashion photographer. I took hip hop dance classes for 6 years after playing guitar bass...So yes, music, dance, hiphop, skating, graffiti are my real passions.

Who would you really like to work with and have not had the chance to yet?

Well, there are a lot of artists I would love to photograph, I would love to meet Mos Def since my nickname comes after his song, music artists as such Beth Gibson, Tori Amos , Bjork or Nas... But also fashion designers and models as such Jean-Paul Gaultier, Omahyra or Agyness Deyn. Directors and photographers like Tarantino, Larry Clark, Spike Lee...I have a never-ending list.

You definetely make networking look easy. Do you think linking with so many different people is crutial to the career of an artist?

really?! I don't really notice it if people don't make me think about it. Sometime they are like "are you sure you are 24?", or when somebody is telling me about someone else, I'm like "ah yes I know him, met him...blahblah" which could be annoying! I don't know, I guess it is natural and hopefully! As a photographer, you have to be permanently in contact with others. And you must know that in this kind of career, you have to meet the good person at the right moment...

Thanks again for taking the time to chat. Do you have any last words for aspiring photographers or artists?

Thank you! I would say...learn the bases, learn photography history and art history, look what's going on, watch movies and documentaries, and don't be narrow-minded. But this is my only advice I would give, the rest is up to you.

www.emmanuelletricoire.com
www.myspace.com/mfb4life
newyorkfuckincity.blogspot.com
mfb4life.blogspot.com

Forgotten hip hop

2008-02-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

Ahh.. The golden age of hip hop. All of us remember it and live through that time with our old vinyl, cds, and tapes. But just like today, there were artists that people slept on. Here's volume one of underground hip hop from the golden age. Real emceeing.. miss this shit.

The Nonce- "Mixtapes"

Sorry!!

2008-01-24T23:03:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. I promised everyone I would start blogging and stopped right away. There's a good excuse, but I won't even get into that. What I want to announce is that I've cut my hair, again. I went from my longggg hair that I've had most my life.. to right above my shoulders, to a little shorter.. now to a faux-hawk.. type.. Not sure how to explain. I have never felt so liberated in my life. I know many women will agree with me when I say I felt that my beauty was defined by my length of hair. I was afraid I would look "too gay" with short hair. My face is too fat, I wouldn't be pretty anymore, I would look too weird.. etc. But I went ahead and did it. I feel you Britney, I really do.

E

"I have many faces, that makes me human"

2007-12-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

What would happen if the worlds of reality and dreams collided? The idea is explored in this amazing anime film based on a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui and directed by Satoshi Kon called Paprika. A machine called a DC mini is invented to watch one’s dreams in order to help psychological healing processes. When one goes missing, the doctors involved realize that the two worlds are suddenly getting too close to each other and only one person can help stop it: a woman named Paprika.

One would think that in order to watch a pink elephant push an alligator in a wheelchair you’d have to be high. In my opinion, having any drug related substance in your body while watching this movie would take away from it. This movie is so witty, creative, and insightful that any drug might actually lead you to believe it’s any normal film.

Imagine an ongoing dream of a parade lead by a marching refrigerator with a bumpin’ stereo inside. Following it are trumpet-playing frogs, the statue of liberty, samurai warriors, half-limbed and skinned corpses, and just about anything else you can imagine. This is the most colorful, visually satisfying and stimulating movie I’ve seen in years.

Apart from being visually attractive, the film also explores ideas that we all have experienced but find difficult to explain. How dangerous can the world of dreams really be? For me, it put into light how extreme my dreaming patterns are. A dream of mine can either be very positive and happy, or very dark and disturbing.

“In a world of inhumane reality, it is the only humane sanctuary left. That is a dream.”

What would happen if a machine that read dreams actually existed, and had the capacity to break the psyche of everyone in the world? If people unwillingly joined this parade of marching toys and corpses to escape from our dark world into a world where there are no rules?

Thank you Madhouse Studios, Yasutaka Tsutsui, and Satoshi Kon

Some quotes that stood out to me:

“Science is nothing but a piece of trash before a profound dream”

“God and Buddha will change religion”

“If he was not home when I passed by around 7:30, then he probably disappeared into the instant noodle soup”

New York Fuckin City

2007-12-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

March 27th or 28th of this year, I can’t seem to pinpoint whether it was a Tuesday or Wednesday. I was downtown on my way to meet my boys who I hadn’t seen in months when I got a phone call from my cousin. It was news that my aunt had died. Most people would go home, make phone calls, and be alone. But for once I was emotionless; I couldn’t feel anything and I had no idea what to do besides continue on with my day and live for her.

So I met with Steve and Ricky who told me this photographer from France wanted to take photos of them. I was watching Emmanuelle take the photos and quickly realized how gifted she is. If you know me, you already know that I have this idea that there’s a group of chosen people in this world who have a way of portraying truths; truths through music, literature, fashion, art, poetry, etc. And Emmanuelle’s gift of truth is through photography.

A little while later, I saw one photograph she had taken of me. I haven’t said this to anyone until now, but I am pretty sure it is going to be my favorite portrait of myself. But don’t take that in the wrong sense. The reason I appreciate it so much is because she caught exactly what I was going through at the time and what I was about to be going through. Later on that day, I got a phone call that my friend had been in an apartment fire and was on life support in the hospital. Less than a week later she passed away. At that time in my life I had never been so lost but so found at the same time, and that’s exactly what I see in my photo.

If you look through her photography, you can see the real in everyone she photographs. Her work is a visual reminder of why I still have faith in the human race and also why I still live in New York. Stay tuned for an interview and check out her websites:

New York Photo Blog
EmmanuelleTricoire Photography

Go see this movie.

2007-11-21T16:54:00.001-08:00

I am pleased to say that I have finally seen the film that I have been waiting so long for, August Rush. The storyline, to many, may seem completely ridiculous and unbelievable. August Rush is a kind of film for people who want to believe in fate and passion. Right so back to the storyline. August Rush's (Freddie Highmore) parents Lyla (Keri Russell) and Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meet for one night in New York and end up losing eachother. Due to events that I won't mention, neither of them know that August is alive. In fact, Louis doesn't even know he exists. August ends up on the streets playing music for Wizard (Robin Williams) and lives in an abandoned theater with other gifted kids. He won't give up playing music, because he knows if he keeps playing, his parents will find him.

In my opinion, the entire cast did some of their best work yet, although I wish I could've seen more of Terrance Howard. His character fell a little flat, but then again it was a smaller role. It wasn't til I saw this movie until I realised how gifted of an actress Keri Russell is. Her way of portraying the emotion is on point and made me feel really connected to her character.

I won't even get into discussing the music scenes. I had to put my hood up finally because everytime a music or singing scene came on I started crying. The music in this film is AMAZING. Soul, classical, etc.. I am so pleased with this film because it did an amazing job portraying how music connects all of us and how it makes us feel. So if you love music, are intrigued connections between people, and have a heart, please go see this movie.

E

Burnside DVD now available!

2007-11-20T20:06:00.000-08:00

The Burnside DVD is now available on Amazon . Support and cop! You will not be disapointed. Especially my Portland/Oregon people.

From the Website:

In the city of roses lies the weight of the world...
Three vignettes about life on Portland's infamous avenue weave through each other in this intricate dramatization of the collapse of the American dream from directors Cameron Beyl and Matt Jay.

Dusty (Ben Anderson) is a military reject struggling to find a job. Jack (Tony Forsyth, BEHIND THE MASK:THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON) is not content with the job he's got. Asha (Siobhan Carter) is a reclusive high school student searching for something to relate to. Three separate stories under one shared human existence. This is Burnside

From the Portland Mercury:

"This locally grown film has a lot of good going for it. For starters, the director of photography and location scout deserve awards for beautifully capturing just about every recognizable nook and cranny of Portland without devolving into a tourist promo. The editing is smooth, and the story isn’t half bad (if a little trite): Three people--an office drone, a drug dealer, and a teen who dreams of being a musician--represent three archetypal Burnside personalities. They go about their often fucked-up lives, and those lives--surprise!--eventually intersect. Unfortunately, the film’s characters fall incredibly flat, especially in comparison to the impressive Portland backdrop. While characters’ voiceovers hit the mark, melodramatic and amateurish acting (with a few exceptions, like Siobhan Carter as the teen who throws down beats under the bridges) combine with awkward dialogue, tainting almost every narrative scene" By Amy J. Ruiz

Virgin Megastore Shopping

2007-11-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I absolutely hate walking by this store. Most of the time I try to avoid it but today I couldn't resist. I promised myself I wouldn't walk down to the DVD/movies section because my Netflix queue is ridiculous so I ventured for a while in the CDs. My goal was to get a couple new, a couple old. I came back with:

Alicia Keys- As I am

She was gone for a while, but she came back just in time to bring some tasteful r&b. I know almost all of you will agree with me that the first single off this album, "No One", is amazing. It makes even the hardest of us soft for those few minutes. Can't wait to listen to this album all the way through.

Sia- Colour the Small One

I heard Sia in the past, but was re-introduced to her when Matt Jay and Cam put "Breathe Me" in the montage scenes of Burnside. Since my character in the film is a lot like myself in real life, it hit me really hard emotionally. The song fit perfect with the characters and pretty much summed up the feelings at the end of filming. Her voice is very simple yet complex at the same time and I think this is why I'm so intrigued by her music.

Lil Wayne- Tha Carter

I'm not even embarressed that I bought this. Since Lil Wayne came out with Cash Money, I liked his shit. Back then, no head would admit they liked Lil Wayne. He wasn't exactly up to par yet either. But I liked his music for two reasons: it made me want to have fun and he made REAL tracks.. Emotional tracks, as well. I think this album was the big turn in his career. I used to think he was the guilty pleasure of hip hop, but now the same people who hated this dude, think he is one of the best emcees out. Good job.

Jedi Mind Tricks- Army of the Pharoahs

My original plan was to get a hip hop album from my high school years.. I was looking for Living Legends- Creative Differences, Hierglyphics-3rd Eye Vision or Jean Grae- Bootleg of the Bootleg EP.. But surprisingly they had none. I saw this album and remembered how hard I used to bump JMT so picked it up as well. Interested to see how it is.

Welcome

2007-11-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

Well guys, this is my new home from now on. Life has been kind of hectic, so pardon my absence. I'm back now though, and expect regular updates. For now, check out my myspace for some new tasters for y'all: www.myspace.com/eyeris

Peace,
E