With excitement I introduce the premier of the first official episode of Butcher’s Block TV.

I have started and restarted this project multiple times with the goal of presenting a quality piece that wouldn’t be bound to current events but rather a focus on timeless topics. Something less reliant on what the artist I’m interviewing is working on and more about how they are inspired to work. A presentation of their thoughts and feelings delivered to you unfiltered with no chaser.

I set out to build a platform for inspiring personalities to speak on what they believe in, feel and most importantly try to give the viewer a better understanding of where they are and came from creatively.

I hope you enjoy my first episode.

TBB TV SEASON 1 / EPISODE 1
CURT@!N$: I am Dope Boy C

Curtains is an extremely talented artist who Kanye West dubbed a “fashion genius”. His choice of garb might lead you to believe that his music should sound a certain way but don’t be fooled by his penchant for being dapper. His compositions are as diverse as his taste for fashion. Curtains delivers aggressive and insightful lyrics with a message entangled in wordplay that will have your ear to the speaker trying to catch every curve ball thrown. In this piece Dope Boy discusses how his fashion sensibilities have landed him in a unnecessary rap category and why he doesn’t believe in being labeled.

Created & Directed by Frank The Butcher
Director of Photography: Nicholas Black
Audio Technician: Paul Mighty

Music: Bamboo Child by Ryo Kawasaki

COMING SOON!

Shout to: Paper Fortress Films

A couple months back I introduced you to my new favorite group when I posted The Wellington Paper’s “Berlin” video— well they are back.

Here is the video for TWP’s joint Jackie.

Enjoy.

Follow them on Twitter @HBWELLINGTON

New Era came through Concepts to do a piece on Boston for their online magazine “Your Lifestyle Fitted”. The article has a video component on page 9. They did a great job,

Shout to my boy Stebs who shot the video for the piece.

Check it out here: Your Lifestyle Fitted.

Signing my rights away

Stebs on the camera

Still from the video

Interview I did for Karmaloop TV during the Statik Selektah album listening party at Concepts.

Big shouts to Dennis Todisco and the KM team.

Big Pun. One of the greatest to ever do it.

November 10, 1971 – February 7, 2000

Rest in Peace.

Life is about meeting people, connecting and making things happen. Meet some friends.

All photos by: Harris Tobey

Name: Brek.One
Game: DJ /Designer
Where: BrekOne.com / Twitter @BrekOne

Name: Johnny Cupcakes
Game: Owner of the brand Johnny Cupcakes
Where: JohnnyCupcakes.com / Twitter @JohnnyCupcakes

Name: Levi Maestro
Game: Living life and documenting it
Where: MaestroKnows.com / Twitter @MaestroKnows

Name: Stebs
Game: Video
Where: iloveqp.com / Twitter @iloveqp

Sun don’t shine if Son don’t shine

Follow me on Twitter @FranktheButcher

It was 1988 and I was a 10 year old absolutely obsessed with hip-hop music and culture. I didn’t even refer to it as such because is was as normal to me to listen to rap music as it was to eat grandma’s Puerto Rican food. With out the internet to fuel ones need for discovery, I would walk from my neighborhood to Strawberry’s (the local record store – now closed) to cop cassettes and help a DJ friend at the time boost vinyl.

Its hard to explain how important 1988-1989 was for hip-hop music and how much of a contribution it made to my development as a person. Everything was so new: let me explain. When Slick Rick dropped his single “Children’s Story”, it was the first time I have ever heard a rapper recite a story in a rap that was so vivid, animated and complete. He invented that shit. When I heard KRS One’s voice for the first time on “My Philosophy” it was like I was at a self help seminar! Let’s not even start an Eric B and Rakim conversation— they were so serious, it made me serious! The things these artists were doing were literally the first time they were being done. Can you say that about any one artist today? Probably not. Absolutely not.

One song in particular that really made an impact on me was Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock’s “It takes 2″— for a few reasons.

1- It was amazing – first and foremost.

2- My DJ friend that I used to steal records with had the Lyn Collin record “Think (about it)” which is the original sample used for that song (and many other hip-hop classics). He used to cut up and sample the record before I actually heard “It Takes 2″. Shit, might have been his favorite record because we heard it a lot! To know the origins of the record made an impact on me.

3- It became incorporated into the theme song for YO! MTV Raps which was religion for me. Would not miss a show and when we finally could afford a VCR it was dubbed, re dubbed and re re dubbed.

Fast forward to present day and Snoop Dogg has resurrected the Rob Base song for a modern day hit (and tribute…) and I’m not mad at all. It was a reminder of what was but a confirmation that what happens today is with direct influence of yesterday.

From Lyn Collins to Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock, to Snoop Dogg, to the numerous rappers that ended 2009 freestyling over the Snoop Dogg instrumental – the seed Lyn planted in 1972 has provided the fruit we eat today.

Below are the videos for the Rob Base smash, Snoop’s joint and the foundation Lyn layed.

Enjoy.

And yes I am getting old….