Roots drummer and hip-hop philosopher extraordinaire, Ahmir ‘Questlove‘ Thompson, has finally decided to put his musical journey down on paper and release a memoir entitled Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According To Questlove. The book will explore the development of hip-hop music combined with the tales of Quest’s life story. And if you’re wondering if Quest can really string prose together? Well, no need to worry, he’s employed the help of journalist and New Yorker critic Ben Greenman to co-author the book.
Read the details below:
The collection is a punch-drunk memoir in which everyone’s favorite Questlove tells his own story while tackling some of the lates, the greats, the fakes and the true originals of the music world. He digs deep into the album cuts of his life, and unearths some pivotal moments in Black music and pop culture. But more than just a series of remembrances Mo’ Meta Blues is a book that also questions the nature of memory and the idea of a post modern Black man saddled with some post-modern Blues. It’s the side wind of a one-of-a-kind mind. It’s a rare gift that gives as well as takes.
In 1955, Peter Mangone was 14 years old–a skinny boy from the Bronx with a Marilyn Monroe fixation, like so many teenagers of his generation. What distinguished Mangone was that he got to meet his idol. For several months, he had played truant from school to stake out the Gladstone Hotel on Manhattan’s East 52nd Street, where the 29-year-old Monroe was staying after her unhappy divorce from Joe DiMaggio and her dismissal from the Twentieth-Century Fox studios.
One morning, Mangone borrowed an eight-millimeter Kodak camera from his brother, headed down to the Gladstone and met Monroe as she was on her way out shopping with her friend Milton Greene. Mangone’s dream came true: she waved, winked and invited him along. Over the course of the afternoon, he filmed her intermittently, without sound, later developing the film and viewing it at home. When Mangone left home, the footage went missing, and was thought to be lost–until 2002, when his brother found it among their father’s possessions, virtually in mint condition. “It was like refinding my high school sweetheart,” he said. “She was just the way I remembered her.”
This book of stills from Mangone’s five-minute movie shows the great screen siren in wonderful moments of unguardedness, against the Chevys and Checker cabs of 1950s midtown Manhattan. The great charm of Mangone’s images lies at the opposite end of familiar portraits by Cecil Beaton, Elliott Erwitt and co.: in his 14-year-old hands, through the grainy Kodak film, with its erratic lighting, Marilyn remains every inch the icon.
Clarks in Jamaica is the latest book by DJ and designer Al Fingers which provides a interesting take and history on Clarks’s celebrated status on the island – where for decades they have ruled as the “champion shoes.”
On the creation of the book Al Fingers says: “Being from England, I have always been intrigued by the Jamaican fascination with Clark’s shoes and the way they are referenced within Jamaican music. Whilst Vybz Kartel’s song ‘Clarks’ brought the phenomenon to many people’s attention in 2010, the relationship goes back way further, and in compiling this book I wanted to bring attention to that, highlighting the work of artists such as Dillinger and Little John who had sung about Clarks many years before.”
Featuring current and historic photographs, interviews and never-before-seen archival material, there is particular focus on the Jamaican singers, producers and musicians who have worn and sung about Clarks shoes throughout the years. Written and designed by Al Fingers and featuring new photographs by Mark Read, Clarks in Jamaica is available at select bookshops on November 19 for £30 GBP (approximately $47 USD).
Wyclef Jean has announced that he’ll be publishing a new book (Purpose: an Immigrant’s Story) and releasing a video for his new song “Amadeus.” The biggest headline-grabber however, may be revelations contained in the book about his relationship with Lauryn Hill and what really broke The Fugees, specifically stating that things began to unravel when Lauryn became pregnant by Rohan Marley even though still involved in an affair with ‘Clef, creating some confusion over the child’s paternity:
“I was married and Lauryn and I were having an affair, but she led me to believe that the baby [Zion] was mine, and I couldn’t forgive that… in that moment something died between us.”
With that bombshell out there, the Marley in question had some comments of his own on his relationship with Lauryn–who has borne him 5 children–telling the UK Voice:
“[Our relationship] is good as in… in terms of being a mother and father to our children, it’s good,” says Marley, who is now engaged to Brazilian supermodel Isabeli Fontana. “It’s not as perfect as one might want it to be. It’s just the way the road went.”
Speaking of their highly publicized break-up, the 40-year-old co-founder of gourmet coffee company Marley Coffee, added: “As a man, there are certain things I don’t accept, and it just so happened that I didn’t accept certain things [in the relationship].”
“It doesn’t mean she’s [Hill] a bad person or I’m a bad person. It just didn’t work out.”
Michael Jackson gave the world 50 years of his life and decades of record-breaking and heartfelt music. During Jackson’s career, he donned some pretty awesome jackets and outfits. In the 1980s, the formative era of music videos with MTV leading the way, Michael’s dazzling visual presentation changed the world unlike any performer, before or since.
This is the first art-driven book about the costumes, apparel, shoes, and accessories worn by Michael Jackson. With longtime costume designer Michael Bush as your guide, The King Of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson takes you behind the seams of cultivating the aesthetic of this international superstar trendsetter. This treasure features hundreds of lavish photographs of the striking fashions worn by Michael at the height of his career, and never before published pictures depicting wonderful private moments of creative collaboration. It also includes revelatory commentary about the carefully planned construction of Michael’s clothes to accommodate his unique dance moves by designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins. In the poignant forward, Michael’s former attorney, and current executor of the Michael Jackson Estate, John Branca, reflects about his time with Michael. Overall, it’s a stunning and fascinatingly comprehensive look at the intersection of music and fashion, as well as an homage to Michael Jackson’s epically enduring image.
Night Fever 3 presents 129 interiors – restaurants, bars and clubs, and hotels offering a detailed look at the cutting-edge approach of their creators. Today, designers distil a venue’s essence – be it the flavors of its menu or the ambiance of its party scene – and incorporate it in the interior, often working with aspects of its setting to create a certain atmosphere.
Presented on 600 pages is a varied selection of successful designs, from subtle to stunning, monochromatic to vibrant, and budget to exorbitant. The selected venues, all opened in the past three years, were created by young studios and world-renowned design firms, including Alfredo Häberli, Concrete Architectural Associates, Estudio Campana, Neri&Hu Design and Research Office and Wonderwall.
Since 1939, the Batmobile has been immortalized in nearly every imaginable entertainment medium. Tearing through the streets of Gotham City in pursuit of criminals for more than seven decades, it has remained an iconic crime-fighting vehicle for generations of Batman fans. In Christopher Nolan’s extraordinary film trilogy, it was given breathtaking new life-and incredible capabilities-as the “Tumbler”. Now, in anticipation of The Dark Knight Rises, the epic conclusion to The Dark Knight trilogy,the entire history of the Batman’s trademark ride is captured for the first time in BATMOBILE: The Complete History from Insight Editions.
BATMOBILE: The Complete History is the story of the distinct, sophisticated, incomparable car. From its evolution in the pages of Detective Comics, to its unforgettable appearances on the big screen, this book explores each incarnation of the Batmobile with the detail such an extraordinary automobile warrants.
Author Mark Cotta Vaz uncovers insights and stories from creators and conceptualists that reveal the nuts and bolts of putting these dream machines together and explains the philosophies behind each design. With stunning gatefolds-including a large-scale panorama of the Batmobiles featured in film and television-and detailed specs, blueprints, and historical comparisons, BATMOBILE: The Complete History is an informational and visual delight for automotive and Batman fans alike.
Internationally-known artist Derek Hess has spent the past twenty years creating fine art & rock poster art that has not only made him a household name, but has also caught the attention of both the Louvre and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where his work is featured in both institutions permanent collections. In addition to numerous CD covers he has been featured on TLC, MTV, Fuse, VH1, Alternative Press, Spin, Juxtapoz Magazine and many others. After years of creating posters and flyers for well-known bands such as Deftones, Thursday, Every Time I Die and Taking Back Sunday, as well as his very popular fine art Hess has finally compiled a book of his much in demand Black and White drawings.
Black Line White Lie features over 275 black and white images by artist Derek Hess. Derek dedicates this huge 300 page book to his fans which also includes a chapter of over 70 tattoos that people have done of his works.
323East Gallery
Friday April 27th 6-8p
323 E. Fourth Street
Royal Oak, MI. 48067
Diplo is without a doubt one of the most popular DJ’s and producers across numerous genres and just like you, we’ve come to respect his craft. Diplo collaborated with Urban Outfitters to release this travel book, 128 Beats Per Minute with photographer Shane McCauley.
Dear Everyone,
Over the last couple of years I have been traveling all over the world to play and make music. Along the way I brought my friend Shane McCauley to photograph it and these images have become the book 128 Beats Per Minute. We visited so many places and met so many people that have inspired, influenced, and informed myself and others. This book is a culmination of just some of the experiences I’ve had so far and I’m lucky to have had Shane there to photograph them for you. There are a lot of DJ’s in this book and I hope you investigate and learn more about all of them, the music they make, and the cities they’re from. Without you and them none of this is possible and I am grateful that I can share this with you.
An inspiring collection of poems, meditations, and lyrics by one of the world’s most revered musical legends.
Bob Marley’s music defined a movement and forever changed a nation. Known worldwide for their message of peace and unity, Marley’s songs—from “One Love” to “Redemption Song” to “Three Little Birds”—have touched millions of lives. This collection is the best of Bob Marley presented in three parts: “The Man,” giving an in-depth look into the life of Bob Marley; “The Music,” comprising his most memorable lyrics as well as links to many of his songs in iTunes; and “The Revolution,” containing his meditations on social equality and the Rastafari movement. Enriched with iconic photographs, Listen to Bob Marley provides insight into a reggae legend, the inspirational man behind the music.
This ebook features an introduction by daughter Cedella Marley and an illustrated biography of Cedella including rare photographs from her personal collection. Available here.
