Master Class Museum of Art History: JEAN MICHEL BASQUIAT

What can be said about an young innovator? A young artist DEFINITELY before his time. BASQUIAT (as he is commonly known) took his fusion of graffiti, poetry, pop culture and social activism from the streets of New York to the galleries of the world. Just as Zorro slashed his iconic "Z" through the latin world, BASQUIAT left his mark on the city of New York with his simple pivotal phrase of neo-expressionism, "SAMO" (Same Old Shit). He quickly became the toast of the art world and protege of art legend ANDY WARHOL. Also known as 'The Radiant Child' of the art world, no young artist captivated the art scene quite like BASQUIAT did in the 1980s. His death at the young age of 27 left the world wondering....what more could this talented young man have given us. Or.....were you only supposed to be in the presen

Basquiat

ce of this genius for the time we were given....

I have been a fan and a kindred spirit of this HIGHLY one of kind stand out artist for years and he is without a doubt #MasterClassCertified. 

Attached below is the 2010 documentary about the life and career of Jean Michel . Enjoy a MASTER CLASS SOCIETY look at "The Radiant Child". 

Master Class Passport: Studio 54 (1977-1981)

Disco. Fashion. Money. Art. Cocaine. Sex. All these words embody the 1970s club epicenter of the world that was STUDIO 54. Everyone from Michael Jackson, Andy Warhol, Halston, Diana Ross, Bianca Jagger, Truman Capote, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Grace Jones partied the night away in a drugged hazed abyss of music and mayhem. Never before had the world seen a club SO exclusive yet so bohemian. A place where dukes, designers, actors, and icons mixed and mingled with every day people. Imagine if twitter or facebook were around during this era. The scandal. The single MOST notorious nightclub in the world. Never before or since has there been a place where the sky was the limit and the champagne, cocaine and music never ended. With the rise AIDS, the end of disco, and the beginning of the Reagan years, STUDIO 54 lived the fast lane, in a short time. But the confetti in the cracks and the legends of the time STILL make STUDIO 54... MasterClassCertified.

Master Class INTERNATIONAL Spotlight: SALIF KEITA

With this being a forum for music lovers of all territories, I had to share this hidden treasure that many of you may not have heard of. I first heard of SALIF KEITA through a friend from Tanzania. I then became a fan of his sound upon watching the film ALI (starring Will Smith), in which his song "Tomorrow" struck an impact in me. Known as the Golden Voice of Africa, SALIF KEITA is one to be heard. You cannot listen to a song of his and not here the narrative sound of the people of Africa. 

So for his participation in the popularity of African based music... SALIF KEITA is certainly #MasterClassCertified.

Master Class UNSUNG artist: LABI SIFFRE

With his whimsical vocal tone and simplistic lyrics, Labi Siffre is a rare breed of artist. Sampled by music titans such as Kanye West (Wonder) and Eminem (My Name Is [Slim Shady]) SIFFRE is a one of those kind artists with a music catalog that has become profoundly heard through a new generation of music lovers. 

Although his name is not known by all...his sound is. And THAT is why he is

 #MasterClassCertified

Master Class Vault: Rare Moments in Music History

In 1972 after a show stopping number...the legendary STEVIE WONDER was on the equally legendary SOUL TRAIN and created a connecting musical moment with the youth that is as rare today as it was then.

Today we only see artists connect with youth thru promoting greed, material goods, and shit that matters not to the world. But this moment in music history should ring as a reminder for what was. 

That is why this moment...is #MasterClassCertified

Master Class OPEN FORUM

Someone asked me today...HOW DO YOU KNOW, YOU ARE MEANT TO BE AN ARTIST?

Some people are meant to be TEACHERS...to educate the new generation on the then, the now and the beyond. 
Some people are meant to be SCHOLAR...to learn of the greatness of the world; the internal and external of its nervous system.
Some people are meant to be ACTORS...to evoke the essence of a character...to display an ebb and flow of a scene in the body of another.
Some people are meant to be DOCTORS...to heal the world of ailment, sickness, and despair. To turn the negatives of the body and mind into positives.
And then....There are THE ARTISTS of the world. (This might be YOU)...
The artist is a TEACHER who uses their skill to educate and speak for those who have no voice thru lyrics of conscious effort and quality. The artist is a SCHOLAR who believes that one must STUDY THE GREATS...in order to become greater. The artist is an ACTOR...a true THESPIAN and CHAMELEON who can re-invent themselves and never miss a beat. The artist is a DOCTOR(not to be confused with Dr.Dre) who takes the tone of their music, and the consciousness of their lyrics to make people feel good. They take command of emotions...happiness...sadness...joy...and pain.

So you see...an artist must truly be a JACK of ALL TRADES...in order to be considered a true artist.

Are YOU an artist?

-Ryan O. Harris

#MasterClassCertified

Master Class Artist to watch: ALOE BLACC

I first saw this artist during NBA All Star Weekend 2013 at the Adidas Cross Over Day Party (which he was specially invited to Emcee). With his TRULY soulful tone, and smooth as cognac voice, ALOE BLACC is truly an artist to watch. When I met Blacc, I asked him what he thinks about the diverse crowd that came to enjoy numerous dj's spin, bottomless Sangria, Margaritas and flows....he answered "This is how it should be." 

I truly feel that with a much needed call to the era of Al Green and Donny Hathaway and Blacc brings a fresh dose to the sounds of today with his GROWING notoriety in the music industry since making his first dent in 2010...this California native is definitely a fresh artist to watch. Which is why ALOE BLACC is

 #MasterClassCertified

MASTER CLASS HOMAGE OF THE WEEK

MASTER CLASS SOCIETY HOMAGE OF THE WEEK

WHITNEY HOUSTON (THE VOICE)

With talent that is unrivaled even today, Whitney Houston shaped the way a singer should sing. The most awarded female singer of all time. The first female artist to have her debut album debut at #1. "Whitney", her second set, became the first album by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart "Whitney Houston" her debut album, was at the time the best selling album by a female artist (a record she would break again). "I Will Always Love You" became the best selling single by a female artist in the history of the RIAA. The Bodyguard Soundtrack became the best selling album by a female artists and remains the best selling soundtrack of all time. The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack is the best selling gospel album of all time (remained at number one for twenty-six weeks.). Her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is the only version of the song ever to be certified platinum and is considered the STANDARD to which all singers are held. "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" was the third single by a female singer ever to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Whitney Houston has won 22 American Music Awards including two special awardsㅡAward of Merit in 1994 and International Artist Award in 2009, more than any other female solo artist in AMA history. Whitney Houston garnered more American Music Awards than any other female artist at its 14th ceremony of 1987, pulling in five wins, the all-time record by a female artist at the time. Rivaling Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston set a bar that has not nor will ever be hit again. Whitney Houston passed away February 11, 2012. 

#MasterClassCertified

MASTER CLASS PASSPORT: ST. PATTYS DAY (HOUSTON, TX)

"St Patty's Day Weekend" with DJ Gonz

When: Fri, March 15, 6pm – 10pm

Where:Front Porch (217 Gray St Houston, TX 77002) (map)

Description

"St Patty's Day Weekend" with DJ Gonz

Front Porch (217 Gray St Houston, TX 77002)

6p - 10p

Get ready for "Green Beer & Crawfish!"

No Cover and Open to the public

#MasterClassCertified

Master Class Passport: SXSW

*FRESH SXSW ITINERARY *

"SXSW: Top Notch & Friends" w/ ElRoy Boogie & Dayta
When: Fri, March 15, 12pm – Sat, March 16, 2am
Where: Hudson on 5th (301 W. 5th, Austin, TX) (map)
Description
OKAYFUTURE.SPLASHTHAT.COM presents
"Top Notch & Friends"

Hudson on 5th (301 W. 5th, Austin, TX)

Doors open at noon
Free with RSVP

Catch DJs ElRoy Boogie & Dayta along with the rest of the long list of DJs in the mix at the special Austin, Tx showcase

21+

FOR MORE INFO:
http://krackernuttz.com/
(713) 522-8500


THE KRACKER NUTTZ SXSW 'MONSTER SHOWCASE'
When:Thu, March 14, 10pm – Fri, March 15, 2am
Where: Handle Bar (5th & Brazos) (map)
Description:
The Kracker Nuttz powered by Monster
"The SXSW Monster Showcase"

Handle Bar (21 E 5th St Austin, TX 78701)
10p - 2a

Check out the guys as they team up with Monster Products during SXSW:

DJs Cipher, Baby Jae, Protege, Kosuri, Gonz, Akshun Kid, Klinch, Dayta, and ElRoy Boogie

No Cover and Open to the public. #FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.99

#MasterClassCertified

-ROH

DJ Spotlight of the Month: DJ CHANEY

With his unique, fresh and simplistic take on spreading good music, Clayton Chaney (Alias: DJ CHANEY) has quickly become the premiere DJ on the campus of Rice University (Houston, TX) Instantly recognizable with his red hair, signature specs and caps, DJ Chaney is a young man on the rise and beyond, and I am proud to consider him #MasterClassCertified

-ROH

Click below: (YOU KNOW U WANNA!) 

The DJ CHANEY MIXTAPES!!! 

Master Class Passport: SouthXSoutwest (Austin,TX)

Artist(s) SPOTLIGHT of the Month: Twenty Eleven

Rarely do I cross pathes with YOUNG artists who make a mark upon me quite in the fashion that these young men have done. With sounds that hark to the classic fusions of Outkast, Nirvana, Gnarles Barkley and Run-DMC, Twenty Eleven is bringing a special something to this "lost generation" that is definitely needed....Originality. Not only is their sound a breathe of fresh air, but their band makeup is quite unique with their racially mixed lineup they truly grace their audiences with a melting pot for the eyes and ears. Keep a eye out for these young men because I have a feeling that they will continue to great heights and I am privileged to consider them 

#MasterClassCertified.

-ROH

About Twenty Eleven:

Twenty Eleven was formed in December 2006, 5 years later Twenty Eleven has started to become a major local force. With Brad James and Tre-Will coming up with the worlds sickest raps, D. Jones making people feel his soul singing to DJ Ave making the craziest beats, and DJ Motai dropping sick cuts on the records; Twenty Eleven and their new form of mixing rap, rock, and soul and with guitar led songs are going to venture in a new sound to the local Houston hip hop scene. Their debut album, 'Renewable Engergy' released in December of 2010.
Soon after the release of "Renewable Energy," Twenty Eleven was signed to Space City Records. They are currently working on their second album.