I visited the opening reception of Sunny Bak's and Cey Adams's show titled Solid Gold Hits at Ivy Brown Gallery last night. The reception had a good turnout, which included a supermodel, a comedian, a hip-hop photographer, and a Pageant Tour cameraman, among others.

The show features Bak's photos of the Beastie Boys in the '80s and Adams's Beastie Boys design work. All the works are available to purchase. View a price list HERE [DEAD LINK].

Among the works are four of Bak's photographs dressed with Adams's graffiti. They are one of a kind. Adams told me it was Bak's idea to collaborate on a few works. In my opinion, they are the gems of the show.





Adams has posters, prints, and his Adidas wear in the show. The posters and prints are signed with the edition noted. This is true of Bak's photographs as well. (See Bak's photographs in an earlier post.)





In addition to her photographs, Bak has her Beastie Boys Converse sneakers in the show. They are custom-ordered.



The show continues at Ivy Brown Gallery (675 Hudson Street, 4FL) through June 21. If you are interested in purchasing any of the works, contact Ivy Brown Gallery.


Cey Adams and Sunny Bak

If you missed Sunny Bak's exhibit of Beastie Boys photos at Rush Arts Gallery a few weeks ago, you have another chance to see the photos at the Ivy Brown Gallery in New York. Bak and designer Cey Adams have teamed up for a new exhibit titled Solid Gold Hits, featuring Bak's photos and Adams's Beastie Boys design work.

The opening reception for Solid Gold Hits is tonight from 6-8:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through June 21.

Ivy Brown Gallery
675 Hudson Street, 4FL
New York, NY 10014

Cey Adams's handy work for Kings of Rock photo exhibition

I got a sneak peek of the Kings of Rock photo exhibition, featuring photos by Sunny Bak and Talib Haqq, at Rush Arts Gallery yesterday afternoon. If you are in the New York City area, you should make an effort to see this great collection. The photographs capture a special period in both the Beastie Boys's and Run-DMC's history.

Sunny kindly agreed to allow me to videotape her photos with her narrating the story behind them:



Sunny's photos in this exhibition are available to purchase as 16 x 20 limited edition prints. All of the photos, with the exception of the first photo seen in the video, are $1000. The first photo (Beastie Boys on 18th Street) is $1200. You know you want one on your walls.

Talib Haqq's photos are of Run-DMC and the Def Jam/Rush Mgmt family. Talib agreed to be videotaped too, but unfortunately his photos were not hung on the wall before I had to leave so the video didn't get shot. Talib entertained me with stories of the Beastie Boys and Russell Simmons back in the day. Talib is the person who introduced Cey Adams to Russell Simmons, so he says Cey owes him for his career. Oh, snap!



In addition to Sunny's and Talib's photos, the exhibition includes several hip hop photos by other photographers and two new art works by Cey Adams, one of which is shown below.



The opening reception for Kings of Rock is today (Thursday, April 12) from 7-9 pm. It will be preceded by a presentation and book signing related to the book Def Jam: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label with Bill Adler, Dan Charnas, and Cey Adams from 5-7 pm.


Bill Adler checks out Sunny Bak's photos at Rush Arts Gallery

When the Kings of Rock exhibition closes on Saturday, April 14, Sunny will be showing her photos at Ivy Brown Gallery in Manhattan in May. She also has plans to show the photos in Brooklyn, Boston, Europe, and Japan.

Rush Arts Gallery
526 W. 26th Street, Suite 311
New York, NY 10001

The details about Mike Diamond's appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival Family Day have been announced. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Church Street School for Music and Art, Mike will be hosting and leading a public guitar jam with Andrew W.K. on Family Day on May 1.

The jam session will take place outside the school, which is located at 74 Warren Street, from 3 to 4 pm. All players are welcomed to join the jam.

Mike Diamond will be making an appearance at the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair on May 1 in New York City. He will be participating in a "guitar play-in" (perhaps as Country Mike?) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Church Street School for Music and Art. The event is free and open to the public.

It was standing-room only at Rush Arts Gallery in New York City for Cey Adams's and Bill Adler's slideshow and discussion of their book DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop last night (Feb. 26). Hip-hop culture and art fans packed the Russell Simmons–owned gallery to hear Adler and Adams discuss the art featured in their book. [Read my review of the book HERE.]

Adler and Adams provided biographical information on the artists in their book, discussed the impact of street culture to the art world, and shared anecdotes of the artists and their subjects. The gallery audience was rewarded with stories about Mary J. Blige, Mohammed Ali, Chuck D, Spike Lee, Dave Chappelle, Sean Combs, and many other hip-hop luminaries.

Several of the artists whose work is featured in DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop attended, including photographer Janette Beckman, who shared a memory of a photo session with Slick Rick. "The gold and guns were his idea," she laughed. (Beckman has several photographs of the Beastie Boys in their early years at her website.)

Discussing his work with the Beastie Boys, Adams revealed that they are one of his favorite musical artists with whom to work because they have a clear vision of what they want design-wise or—as Adams corrected himself—what they do not want. Adams, who has not yet heard any of the new Beastie Boys album, said he looks forward to hearing what they've come up with.

As a postscript to the event, I'd like to give a shout-out to Derek from Manifest, who came to the talk wearing a custom-made "Listen to Paul's Boutique" T-shirt. Check out the T-shirt—available to purchase—at his website devoted to hip-hop culture.

Cey Adams and Bill Adler will be presenting a slideshow and discussion about their book DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop this Thursday (Feb. 26) from 6 to 8 pm at Rush Arts Gallery in New York City. Fans of hip-hop design and music will have the opportunity to hear stories and ask questions about the designs and photos that appear in the book.

DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop features a number of designs created for the Beastie Boys, including an unused Hello Nasty album cover that Adam Horovitz personally asked Ed Renfro to create.

At Adams's and Adler's book signing in Brooklyn last fall, which I attended, they shared stories about Sean Combs, Russell Simmons, Lil Kim, Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Mary J. Blige and others that would be difficult to hear anywhere else. The two are truly privileged in their associations in the hip-hop scene.

For more information about the event, read the press release below.

One Night Event
Rush Arts Gallery / Chelsea
Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 6-8pm

Join the Authors of Definition: The Art And Design of Hip Hop, Cey Adams with Bill Adler in an informal conversation, slideshow and book signing.

Compiled by legendary designer Cey Adams, DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop is the first serious survey of the visual work created under the banner of hiphop during the last 35 years. A boon to the eyes as well as the ears, hiphop -- according to DEFinition -- is a culture that has made its mark on everything from fine art to the label on a bottle of Hawaiian Punch, including fashion, automobiles, movies, television, advertising, and sneakers. DEFinition highlights the careers and artwork of such crucial hip-hop elders as Lady Pink, Haze, Run-DMC, Dapper Dan, Buddy Esquire, Spike Lee, and Snoop Dogg, as well as contemporary giants like Kehinde Wiley, Mr. Cartoon, Shepard Fairey, Dalek, Mike Thompson, Jor One, Claw Money, and dozens of others. Featuring more than 200 stunning photographs and illustrations as well as compelling essays by some of hip-hop's most seasoned voices, DEFinition illuminates the culture in a form that speaks to aficionados and newcomers alike.

Cey Adams is a hip-hop graphic artist whose career has taken him from bombing subway trains to designing album covers, stage backdrops, sportswear, and indelible logos. His clients include Def Jam Recordings, Bad Boy Records, Roca Wear, Adidas, Burton Snowboards, Coca-Cola, Moët & Chandon, Comedy Central, HBO, Warner Brothers, and many others. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Bill Adler was the original director of publicity for Def Jam Recordings and Rush Artist Management, where he promoted the careers of hip-hop legends Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, 3rd Bass, and Slick Rick, and many others. Between 2003 and 2007 he was the owner and curator of the Eyejammie Fine Arts Gallery, an exhibition space devoted to hip-hop's visual arts.

Footwear company Airwalk is crediting Adam Yauch with its decision to bring back a discontinued shoe, the Desert Boot.

Before the last Beastie Boys tour, Yauch contacted Airwalk and requested the shoe, which has not been produced for years. Airwalk apparently replied, "Your wish is our command," as the bass man wore the shoe often throughout the entire world tour.


Adam Yauch sports the Airwalk Desert Boot at a Beastie Boys concert.

Airwalk will give away 300 pairs of Yauch's beloved shoe at its "Breaking the Mold" event at Hotel on Rivington in New York on January 27, from 7-10 pm. (The shoe is not being produced for retail.) If you would like to attend the event and have a shot of getting a free pair of the Desert Boot, RSVP to RSVP@airwalk.com by January 23.

If you're planning to go to Adam Yauch's Virgin Megastore appearance on October 21 at Union Square, listen up! We've got the 411.

Yauch will be at the store to promote the release of his film Gunnin' for That #1 Spot on dvd. He will sign dvds for the first 400 people who purchase the dvd that day from Virgin. You must go to the store sometime before 6 p.m. (the store opens at 9 a.m.) and pre-purchase the dvd. When you pay for the dvd, you will be given a wristband to wear for the signing. Before 6:30 p.m., return to the store and queue at the Virgin Cafe, where the signing will take place, to get your signed dvd and meet Yauch.

Only one wristband per person is allowed.

Update (10/21): Virgin Megastore is not distributing wristbands. You simply have to purchase the dvd today from the store and have a receipt proving purchase when the signing takes place in the evening. Also, you may get more than one dvd signed as long as you have individual receipts for each dvd to be signed.

Cey drawing in DUMBO, Brooklyn, 2006. Photo by Vincent Skoglund.

Cey Adams and Bill Adler will be signing their book, DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop at Barnes & Noble, 106 Court Street, Brooklyn, today beginning at 7 pm. Come and say hi to them!

As we previously posted, you may also purchase a signed copy of DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop by sending an email to bill [at] eyejammie.com. Payment will be accepted via PayPal.

From Beastieboys.com:

Come meet Adam!!
On Tuesday, October 21 at 6:30pm, Yauch will be at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square (52 E. 14th St, NYC) to support the DVD release of "Gunnin' For That #1 Spot".

You can pre-order the 2-disc set at Amazon.

Clashmusic.com has a contest to win an all-access pass to the Raindance Film Festival in London, where Gunnin' for That #1 Spot will have its European debut. Adam Yauch will be attending the festival, which takes place October 1-12, as both a director and a jury member for the festival.

To win the all-access festival pass, you must email the answer to the following question to ben@clashmusic.com:

What is the name of Adam Yauch's new documentary?

The contest deadline is Wednesday, October 1, at 11 a.m. GMT.

Spot the Beastie Boys photo. (Photo: Theme Magazine)

New Yorkers looking for something to do this weekend--'cause there's nothing to do in the city--should check out Ricky Powell's exhibition at Milk Gallery (450 West 15th Street).

The exhibition, titled "Illy Funksters," is a collection of Powell's photos from the old school hip-hop scene and New York streets. Among the collection are several photos of the Beastie Boys from the last two decades.

The exhibition, which complements the publication of Powell's forthcoming book (also titled Illy Funksters), is showing at Milk Gallery through June 10.

In his column for The Citrus Report, Powell described the book and exhibition as "a collection of eccentric nuts." (Read Powell's most current column for The Citrus Report HERE. [DEAD LINK])

Powell also has a photo of Adam Horovitz (see right) currently on display in "The Hustle Exhibition" at powerHouse Arena (37 Main Street, Brooklyn). The exhibition showcases powerHouse's latest magazine, called The Hustle. The magazine with the photo of Horovitz may be purchased at powerHouse's web site.

"The Hustle Exhibition" is showing through July 13.

Adam Yauch will be participating in a Filmmaker Talks event at the Apple Store in SoHo on Friday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m., as part of the Tribeca Film Festival. Yauch will discuss his latest film project, Gunnin' for That #1 Spot, and take questions from the audience.

Very soon, Beastie geeks will be descending upon New York City with a special green and white ticket in hand. Folks are flying in from all corners of the universe to see the Beastie Boys perform at Terminal 5 on March 4.

Following the concert, Pootytang and I will be hosting a fan afterparty in the East Village. If you'd like to attend, please email me* for the location of the party. It is open to all Beastie Boys fans, regardless of whether you attend the show or not.

The party will be held in a licensed drinking establishment, so you must be 21 years old (or have ID that says you are 21 years old) to attend.

BYOW
Bring your own wallet

*I would like people to email me so I know how many people plan to attend. The place needs to know how big our party will be so they can staff appropriately.

From Beastieboys.com:

Two very special listening parties for The Mix-Up will occur on Monday, June 25th [TONIGHT!] from 6:00-8:00pm:

Union
110 S. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA 90036 map
Ice cream provided by Scoops

Undefeated (Silverlake)
3827 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90189 map
Ice cream provided by Pazzo Gelato

Limited Edition Beastie Boys t-shirts to be given out (Quantities are limited; first come, first served)

From Beastieboys.com:

"Go Skateboarding Day" lands on the summer solstice, this Thursday, June 21st, and encourages skaters both young and old to pick up their boards and take advantage of the longest day of the year to go skating. Check out one of the events below for a pre-release listening event for the new Beastie Boys album The Mix-Up. The Mix-Up hits stores the following Tuesday, June 26th on iTunes and in record stores nation-wide.

Visit Beastieboys.com to see a list of events where The Mix-Up will be previewed and giveaways held.

Adam Yauch will be making an appearance at the New York screening of Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! at AMC's Loews 34th Street Theatre on Tuesday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. According to the Museum of the Moving Image's web site, Yauch will discuss the film with the viewing audience after the screening.

Tickets are $24 to the public and $16 to members of the Museum of the Moving Image. Call 718-784-4520 for tickets and information.