Tevin Campbell…Can We Talk?
TEVIN CAMPBELL….CAN WE TALK? from WORK IT on Vimeo.
Ben Watts… the 411?
London born photographer Ben Watts shows love for people and their identity through his images. Regularly published in The Face, Rolling Stone, Vibe, XXL and Trace to name a few, shooting everyone from Aaliyah to KRS1. Ben became a proud New Yorker in 95 and head straight to the club with nothing but a camera and a backdrop… His first book BIG UP is a journal documenting his experiences of Hip Hop, the club scene and street culture in both New York and London throughout the 90s.
What was it about club culture that inspired you?
First up I worked in a night club in Australia, while studying photography at school, I worked the door choosing who would come in. I just took pictures of people I lied the look of. Then when I went to New York in 95 this guy I knew did a club night with DJ Red Alert in a place called the Powerhouse which is close to where I used to live, it was a hip hop night and I just took my backdrop along.
…People didn’t give a damn they were queuing up to have their picture taken, people just thought they were supposed to queue up, and actually the one of KRS1 went totally wrong, I didnt do my exposure right, so I went and got my mate to go and get him back. The only people I didnt get that night, was Eric B and Rakim. Would of been so good they looked they had just come of the album cover, they had all their signature jewlery on.
What was your soundtrack of the time?
Paid in Full, Eric B & Rakim.
Hip Hop artists just don’t release albums like that anymore. Back in the 90s there was a political message whether you listened to the rhymes or not. But people aren’t interested in that anymore. All the best rappers have definitely come from New York, unquestionably so, well all the legendary ones.
…I shot these of Aaliyah with her cousins and Missy, in a club in Chelsea, Club Cheetah. We just shot in there, played some music, they are all friends so we all had a lot of fun.
Which is your favourite sound system at Carnival?
I grew up in London and Carnival inspires me a lot, especially the sound systems. Personally I like Channel 1 and Aba Shanti, I love reggae, dancehall and dub. I was even more interested when these were taken because I had not been living in the UK for so long so it really inspired me to see it all again.
Do you still continue with your personal work and sketchbooks?
Absolutely. If I see someone interesting in the street I will just ask them if I can take their picture. Its really important to keep taking pictures of the stuff that inspires you, having a day off, go to a museum, walk around a lot keep your eyes open, every time I shoot I always continue with my personal work and then bring it into client work, I always have my camera on me.
Check out Ben’s latest book LICKSHOT out now…
Max Volume… time to play
Family member and resident DJ Max Volume talks me through his solid collection of recreational wonders, from Ghost Busters to WWF and Wimpy party badges he kept it all…
Boglins… “Fugly, monster toys hit trend sometime in the early 90s (see also My Pet Monster who’s been given the MOP makeover for Mishka’s fall tees 2010 shhhhhh it’s a secret)”
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles… “Four testudines that need no intro. If you were 8 yrs old in 1989 and didn’t watch the cartoon, own the figures, collect the cards or rinse all your pocket money on the arcade game – gut gut gutted.”
Rubbers…” My sister had a dried rubber collection. They came in every shape, size and flavour, but they’d wreck your drawings if you only let em.”
Time Boy Key Chain… “Easily my favourite thing to have kept from childhood. But it’s quite sickening imagining the horrific work conditions this plastic tut was probably produced under. Still, it’s badboy as it gets.”
The Real Ghostbusters… “Dun kno. Super Fright Features smash it up. Granny Ghost Gross and Mr. Stay Puft don’t play.”
Nintendo… “Legendary. Remember the film The Wizard? Wikipedia that shit now”
Wimpy Badges… “How tired did Wimpy parties get? Shattered is the answer. Only the cheapo kids would have em. At least McD’s had toadstool seats.”
WWF… “What you mean it’s not real?”
Wayne Tippetts… So Special
Documenting the dancehall scene in Jamaica through out the 90s, Wayne Tippetts photographs make you feel like you could of been there with him writhing around on the floor to Chaka Demus and Pliers.
How and why did you end up in Jamaica?
I was going out with a girl who came from Jamaica. her parents had a farm and a place on the North coast, so I was able to travel about the Island and take photos of Jamaican life in the raw…
…I was drawn to the emerging dancehall scene because of the energy and excitement that came from attending street, yard dances and sound systems. I initially hooked up with Sugar Minott and his Youth Man promotion sound system in the 1980s and photographed Tenor Saw on a memorable night on Robert crescent in down town kingston. But at the early part of the 1990s things started to change and women started to wear outrageous outfits and a regular system would play in southdale plaza on tuesday evenings in new Kingston attracting an uptown and down town crowd. It was great you could really feel the energy and everybody knew that something big was happening in reggae. At this time Stone Love would also play down town at the House of Leo on Thursday nights causing a road block on Cargil avenue every week!
What inspires you about dancehall and reggae?
For me reggae music has always been about word on the street, a dialogue exploring how people feel. So when reggae has a positive, serious or humorous look at society, is when it grabs my attention and gives me inspiration.
How do you think music photography has changed since the 90s?
As soon as the music started to be too much about guns and sex and pay lip service to American Hip-hop, it lost it’s edge for me. They are still some great reggae/dancehall artists out there like Luciano, who cross over with reggae on a dancehall tip, but they are few and far between. I feel that dancehall music has to evolve.
What is the best thing about 90s DIY “Ghetto Couture”?
When I first started to photograph ‘Ghetto Couture’ in the 90s I had no idea how influential it would become. I was constantly amazed at the different clothes women would wear each week and the inventiveness of them. I remember photographing a dancehall girl dress in a pack of cards chain-mailed together and another fuller figured woman wearing nothing but measure.
What is the most memorable performance you photographed?
I suppose the most memorabe performance was ‘Sting’ 98 at the national stadium in Kingston JA and it was the first photos I had taken in six months, due to an accident with my car that could have cost me my leg. At the end of the evening there was a clash between Bounty Killer and Merciless that got the crowd so whipped up that the 12 foot fence in front of the stage was pushed down – the crowd rushed the stage, and police dogs and gun shot were let loose. At this point I crawled under the stage and tried to escape to my car. As I poked my head out from under the stage I was approached by two swedish tourists who were staying near where I lived in the mountains – a neighbour had told them to look out for me, so they could get a ride home. They seemed totally oblivious of what was going on.
BIG UP WAYNE for this years Carnival Flyer!!!!…Come feel the dancehall vibes at the After party…
Chaka Demus and Pliers Session, Old Hope Road, Jamaica, 1993. Photography, Wayne Tippett.
Aaron Rose… Makes Something Out of Nothing
“BEAUTIFUL LOSERS celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural moments of a generation.
In the early 1990’s a loose-knit group of like-minded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the “establishment” art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture.
Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes “in” as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today’s youth.”
Beautiful Losers film trailer from beautifullosersfilm on Vimeo.
Aaron Rose founder of the Alleged gallery and director of the film was skyped into the London screening at the ICA after the film for a chat…
What was your motivation for making the film?
We wanted to make a film that came from the inside rather than someone from the outside sensationalise it or tell a slightly different story than what really happened. So the film ended up being a collaboration between myself and all the artists – who then had a say in the final product.
Alleged Gallery – Ludlow Street – Lower East Side NYC
Were all the artists up for it straight away?
There was a lot of trickery involved in getting those interviews. Some of the artists were totally cool and then other people just weren’t into it at all and we had to set up trick situations where next thing they knew they were sitting in front of a camera.
Chris Johanson mopping up before his “s.w.p.” exhibition, Prince st. 1998
How old is the oldest footage?
It is going back to 90-91, with some of the earlier gallery footage in 93-94. Alleged gallery actually kicked off in 1992 but we weren’t thinking about footage, I kick myself all the time about that. At the time people were shooting a lot of skate videos, we found at the end of those tapes full of skate tricks was party footage in the gallery, which we used in the movie for all the archival stuff.
Alleged Gallery – Washington Street NYC
Did you have in mind when you started what you wanted the audience to take from the film?
Yes, that was one thing from the beginning for me personally, and everyone that was involved in the movie. We wanted to make something that was inspiring and that was empowering to people that told a story that anybody could relate to, and the fact that it happened to be set in the world of street art was secondary. The important message was you can do anything you want to do as long as you have the motivation to do it and some friends that are willing to help you. That was what we kept going for and that was our checks and balances through out the whole editing process.
Stephen Powers
Do you feel happier working across the arts rather than just focusing on the gallery side of things?
I think so, its something that is very typical of the younger generation. The idea that you don’t need a stick to one thing, you make a magazine, a film, play in a band, have art shows… and its ok. You don’t have to choose a major in life. The access to materials for creating things is so readily available you don’t have to be one thing anymore, its easy to jump around and people just accept that.
Tell us about the workshops you are doing?
The workshops are going great, they are called “Make Something” they came about when we decided to take the small budget we had for promotion of the film and open an art school for high school kids, since the film opened in the US we have taught 2000 kids. We are actually in the process of opening a permanent school house in L.A. – partnering with the Kanye West foundation, he found out about it and is now helping us put it together. So its pretty exciting we are going to have an actual school called “Make Something”.
See video’s of each artists workshop HERE
Chillin With Derrick…
The exercise boom of the 90s was all about looking good and feeling fine. As well as the shell suit it gave us Derrick Evans fondly known as the iconic morning TV fitness instructor, Mr Motivator. Combining fashion, music, celebrity and most importantly having fun with fitness, viewers would tune in every morning not only for his funky fresh work outs but to listen to the beats and see what his leotards where saying! In the new millennium Derrick disappeared from our screens, exercise was out and technology was in. As the internet expanded so did our nations waistline, and now we need Mr Motivator more than ever before. Tina Turnover caught up with man himself to talk music, bumbags and obesity…
What or who inspired your fabulous choice of exercise wear?
This was all my own idea, I had no intention of looking like anyone else, bright colours I liked and Lycra seemed the best choice. I wanted to be different, if I had come on TV wearing black shorts and white top everyone would have forgotten me by now. But by dressing up the pill of fitness in a sugary colourful coating it got everyone swallowing it without realising that they were doing exercise.
What did you put in your bumbag when you were flexing on GMTV?
The bum bag was just an
idea that I had as a way of storing my mike but also as a complimentary fashion accessory.
Do you still have the ensembles and will you rock them in 2009?
All my Lycra still fits, and due to popular demand I will be wearing them again as well as some new bright coloured gear that will be showcased too.
What is your favourite track to work out to?
I prefer up tempo music quite fast with a strong base line the more funky the better. This would have to be “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” by McFadden and Whitehead.
You had many glamorous celebrity guests over the years, who was your favourite?
One of the most wonderful and sincere person that I had the pleasure of working with was Shirley Bassey, she and I definately hit it off and there will always be a special part of me that admires all that she represents and has achieved.
How do you feel about the rising rates of obesity in the UK and what can we do about it?
There are a number of reasons why obesity levels have come about we can narrow it down to lack of physical attention and facilities in schools and the computer and TV dominated fast food convenience lifestyle we now lead. A simple answer could be to put Incentives in place to reward children and the family’s whenever they do something physical.
How will you motivate our lazy nation to get fit?
That is the question, I do believe that Mr Motivator can go some way towards helping, as I am convinced that exercises that are fun to do will keep the participant going. Using music and continual motivational factors such as getting back into that favourite item of clothing or walking that distance that previously was a problem are all factors that should keep the nation moving. The slogan for 2009 should be “Let us Move it with Mote” It is only by working together that will lead to a solution. and that means that everyone needs to get involved from Government ministers looking the part and leading a healthier lifestyle to employers giving incentives to their employees who take on gym membership or who achieves a level of fitness
What keeps you motivated?
There is a level of joy that I get when I meet individuals who wanted to make a change, have set their goal and then went about making it reality. And they credit me for being the turning point, how motivational is that???