Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Yo! MTV Raps is back celebrating its 20th Anniversary
Ever since Yo! MTV Raps was cancelled in 1995, rap fans have been keeping their fingers crossed in hope of the return of the first real tv show to bring hip-hop to a mainstream audience.
This April, their wish is granted as MTV will re-air the classic episodes hosted by Dr. Dre and Ed Lover, featuring Fab 5 Freddy to commemorate the show’s anniversary. While the re-runs plan to satisfy old-school rap lovers, this should be a wake up call to the network’s execs that hip-hop (or their videos) isn’t dead, and that they could very-well resurrect the show showcasing the talented new generation.
Yo! MTV Raps - All month long (Tues, Weds, Thurs) at 4:30pm ET/PT
On-air on MTV’s “Sucker Free” officially becomes “Yo! MTV Raps” for the month featuring the current hip hop video countdown, as well as memorable moments from Yo!, classic videos, and well as segments from MTV News.
Yo! Countdown Shows - April 28th, 29th and 30th at 4:30pm ET/PT
For the month we will be counting down the best Yo! moments, music videos, episodes and Yo! artists Then & Now.
About the Yo! MTV Raps Countdown Specials
Yo! MTV Raps Top 20 Videos: The greatest hip-hop show of all time is back, with DJ Cipha Sounds counting down the best videos in Yo! MTV Raps history with exclusive commentary from original Yo! hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Doctor Dre. See classic videos from LL Cool J, Tupac, Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre and more.
Yo! MTV Raps Top Artists Then and Now: DJ Cipha Sounds and original Yo! host Fab 5 Freddy present the 20 hip-hop stars with the most longevity, from Jay-Z to Queen Latifah to Will Smith and exclusive commentary from favorite stars of today.
Yo! MTV Raps Top 10 Episodes: DJ Cipha Sounds counts down the top 10 Yo! episodes from Yo!’s international trips, to legendary appearances from Diddy, Notorious B.I.G., N.W.A. and more. Includes behind the scenes commentary from original Yo! hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover, Doctor Dre and T - Money.
Yo! MTV Raps Top 20 Moments: DJ Cipha Sounds and original Yo! host Fab 5 Freddy count down the top 20 moments in Yo! MTV Raps history, from the Ed Lover dance, to Run DMC’s greatest hits performance and more…
Castro Interview
When did you know you wanted to be an artist? Any fond memories or interesting stories?
For me, I never really knew that I wanted to be an artist. I just remember drawing for as long as I could remember. It was never something where someone told me or encouraged me to do it. I just did it. I remember when I was in kindergarten, I used to go to skim through all the books I had and tried to copy and draw what I seen. I remember starting to draw fishes and semi-trucks. Throughout elementary school I started to draw airplanes, cars, national geographic pictures, video game and comic book characters, then when I was 12 years old, in 1993, I was first exposed to graffiti. It was my first encounter with the hip hop culture. I remember going bombing illegally around 1998, but after a while I stopped for the sake of my family. Its not worth getting caught, paying fines or jail time. The truth is that there were so many haters- people hating you, “just because.” That’s just the way it is when you do graffiti. So I chose to focus my energy in learning about other styles and art movements and practicing other art forms. I didn’t want to limit myself.
If you had to describe your style of art to an average everyday person what would you say to them?
When someone asks me what style of art that I do, I usually say, “I don’t know. My work is a blending of different styles and movements, like contemporary art, graffiti, renaissance realism, abstract expressionism, surrealism and graphic design. My art is mixture of asyone of these movements, depending on the subject matter.”
As far as your training did you ever take art classes? Where does your basic knowledge (techniques) come from?
I took my first art class in 1994 and continued taking them all the way till 2007. In 1996, I started painting my freshmen year in high school. As for my foundation in art- I credit my intermediate schoolteacher Alvin Matsuura, in high school teacher Janis Uehara- for teaching me the basics, and in college- Alan Leitner- for teaching me to conceptualize and encourage a deeper meaning behind my work. I was not able to go to art school in the mainland, so I ended up going to school at Leeward Community College in 2001. The art teachers at Leeward are awesome. They genuinely care for the students and they love what they do, and it shows in their teaching.
You seem to be doing what most people would love to, working at what you are most passionate about. How does art fullfill your life's purpose?
For me, I find my life’s purpose through following Christ. Being able to work on art is a gift, but I would like to give praise to the Giver. For me, I feel that my purpose is much more than painting and art. As an artist I am given a platform to influence the masses, and I would like to use my expressions to speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. Through my art, I would like to challenge people in their faith and provoke people to make a difference in this fallen world.
What's your ideal setting?
My ideal setting for working on art is leaning a painting against the wall and sitting on the floor and painting, while listening to Christian worship or underground hip hop. I am simple.
How is art a release for you? How is it your perfect outlet of expression?
Art is a release for me because I have learned and experienced so much in this life and I would like to share my experiences and thoughts to others. I vividly remember in 2007, this guy coming up to me during the preparations for our Bachelor of Fine Arts Show- where all the graduating students do a large group show, and I did my proposal of doing an mixed media art installation consisting of my paintings, photography, a video project I filmed and edited that chronicled my 2 week missions trip to the Philippines in 2006. I remember weeks before setting up, one artist in the show goes up to me, and says, “You know Shaun, I was talking to some of the artists in the show, and we feel that you should tone down the whole Christian thing. Most of the artists here are agnostic and no one wants to here about Jesus being Lord…” In my mind, I was like, “Wow!” Then I explained to him kindly, “I’m not going to tone down anything. For me, my art is extension of who I am. For me, I don’t separate my life and faith, and my art. They are intertwined together. I experienced so much in the Philippines and I want to share my experience with others. God changed my life while I was there and I still feel that people need to here about the loving message of Christ.”
As a member of the so-called "underground" art community, what artists inspire you? Describe the local art scene through your eyes and the art aspect of street culture and the Lightsleepers.
There are so many artists who influence me, but the most important are Michelangelo and Salvador Dali. Renaissance and Surrealism are still my favorite art movements. Graffiti is cool, but I appreciate street art for what it is and nothing more. After studying critically about art, I feel that all present day styles are a mixture or recycled from past art movements.
The local art scene is small and growing. There are a lot of talented up and coming artists now. It’s awesome to see my friends, whom I had the pleasure of doing shows with, doing it BIG in the mainland. It’s great to see Hawaii artists representing in the mainland. It’s just the beginning!
I’ve been blessed to be part of Lightsleepers since 2003. It’s awesome to be surrounded by talented cats that have the same love and creative passion for all the elements of hip hop. If you personally get to know everyone from the Lightsleepers crew, they are all people of integrity, character, and downright talented in what they do. I have much respect to Kavet and all that he has done in the underground hip hop scene, or should I say, the scene in general! I remember Kavet doing quality events since 1998. People nowadays doing shows integrating some sort of street art and live music have to give credit and respect to Kavet for laying down the foundation of how to do these types of shows, and for it to be a quality event. For him as well as myself, it’s not about the money, its all about the love for the culture. His hard work has opened up so much doors for so much musicians and artists, including myself, to display their talents to the masses. If you look at the scene with a critical eye, a lot of the 2D painters who are making a name for themselves in the local underground art scene, has got their start with displaying their art at Kavet’s shows. So yeah, much love and respect to Kavet.
How does your love for hip hop culture relate directly to your love of art?
I remember being in high school, around ’98-2000, going to writer’s meetings at the Blaisdell, and hip hop events and bboy jams that Kavet and the Lightsleepers threw. And from there, I was fully exposed to all aspects of the culture. In comparison to the wack-top 40-mainstream crap on the radio, I admired the underground hip hop culture and loved the creativity and freedom of expression they had, and the ability to battle people whenever! I remember back in the day living the lifestyle of doing graffiti, breakdancing, and eventually producing my own beats. As I grew older, I eventually grew out of doing graffiti (illegally) and breakdancing, but the love for producing beats is a mainstay for me. The love of graffiti is evident in some of my pieces still (if it pertains to the message I want to convey in that particular piece).
What have your biggest projects or accomplishments been so far? What are your ultimate goals? (ex. sold a piece for mad cash, proud that your work is featured at so and so place etc.)
The biggest accomplishment so far will be graduating this year with my Bachelors of Fine Arts- in Painting, in May 2008. Praise God! Another awesome accomplishment is doing art shows with my fine friends from the Groundup Crew this past February 2008, in California. We definitely represented Hawaii hard! We did an art show in San Diego and hit up the walls in Venice Beach. It was the first time going to the mainland United States! Other accomplishments were putting together an independent double-cd instrumental album with my good friend Koak under the name Safewayselekt in 2005. And in 2007, I put together a solo independent instrumental album called “On ‘His Way.” Other desires I have are doing art shows all over the world… with God all things are possible.
I've never been to a live art show? What's it like?
Live art shows are a dynamic thing. Painters have the opportunity to flex their skills and influence other artists in their craft. It’s an open door for other people to see glimpses of how we paint, which is primarily a personal and private matter. It’s also a great opportunity for us artists to meet people and network. If you have not gone to a live art show, take the time out to go.
Many people that attend art shows have some kind of basic knowledge of art while other's don't, what are some pros and cons about those kinds of audiences? Do you have a personal preference?
A pro for those who have knowledge of art can see the hard work (or not so hard work) that is put into ones artwork. So if an artwork is well done, they appreciate it a lot more for the meaning behind it, the research that has gone into it, the technique that it is applied, and the composition of how its put together. If this person viewed artwork that was obviously thrown together at the last minute, they could critically “tear” the piece/artist apart. A con for those types of people is that they could possibly come off as obnoxious, snobby, or highbrow. A pro for those who do not have knowledge of art can view the work as something visually appealing and nothing else. A con for them is that they miss out on the hard work and possibly the message that is put in the art.
Is it difficult to make a living as an artist?
Most definitely! It’s difficult in making a living as an artist because we constantly have to balance our personal lives and work, and our art/expression. Expressing ourselves through painting/music takes its toll on our wallets and time.
For me, I never really knew that I wanted to be an artist. I just remember drawing for as long as I could remember. It was never something where someone told me or encouraged me to do it. I just did it. I remember when I was in kindergarten, I used to go to skim through all the books I had and tried to copy and draw what I seen. I remember starting to draw fishes and semi-trucks. Throughout elementary school I started to draw airplanes, cars, national geographic pictures, video game and comic book characters, then when I was 12 years old, in 1993, I was first exposed to graffiti. It was my first encounter with the hip hop culture. I remember going bombing illegally around 1998, but after a while I stopped for the sake of my family. Its not worth getting caught, paying fines or jail time. The truth is that there were so many haters- people hating you, “just because.” That’s just the way it is when you do graffiti. So I chose to focus my energy in learning about other styles and art movements and practicing other art forms. I didn’t want to limit myself.
If you had to describe your style of art to an average everyday person what would you say to them?
When someone asks me what style of art that I do, I usually say, “I don’t know. My work is a blending of different styles and movements, like contemporary art, graffiti, renaissance realism, abstract expressionism, surrealism and graphic design. My art is mixture of asyone of these movements, depending on the subject matter.”
As far as your training did you ever take art classes? Where does your basic knowledge (techniques) come from?
I took my first art class in 1994 and continued taking them all the way till 2007. In 1996, I started painting my freshmen year in high school. As for my foundation in art- I credit my intermediate schoolteacher Alvin Matsuura, in high school teacher Janis Uehara- for teaching me the basics, and in college- Alan Leitner- for teaching me to conceptualize and encourage a deeper meaning behind my work. I was not able to go to art school in the mainland, so I ended up going to school at Leeward Community College in 2001. The art teachers at Leeward are awesome. They genuinely care for the students and they love what they do, and it shows in their teaching.
You seem to be doing what most people would love to, working at what you are most passionate about. How does art fullfill your life's purpose?
For me, I find my life’s purpose through following Christ. Being able to work on art is a gift, but I would like to give praise to the Giver. For me, I feel that my purpose is much more than painting and art. As an artist I am given a platform to influence the masses, and I would like to use my expressions to speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. Through my art, I would like to challenge people in their faith and provoke people to make a difference in this fallen world.
What's your ideal setting?
My ideal setting for working on art is leaning a painting against the wall and sitting on the floor and painting, while listening to Christian worship or underground hip hop. I am simple.
How is art a release for you? How is it your perfect outlet of expression?
Art is a release for me because I have learned and experienced so much in this life and I would like to share my experiences and thoughts to others. I vividly remember in 2007, this guy coming up to me during the preparations for our Bachelor of Fine Arts Show- where all the graduating students do a large group show, and I did my proposal of doing an mixed media art installation consisting of my paintings, photography, a video project I filmed and edited that chronicled my 2 week missions trip to the Philippines in 2006. I remember weeks before setting up, one artist in the show goes up to me, and says, “You know Shaun, I was talking to some of the artists in the show, and we feel that you should tone down the whole Christian thing. Most of the artists here are agnostic and no one wants to here about Jesus being Lord…” In my mind, I was like, “Wow!” Then I explained to him kindly, “I’m not going to tone down anything. For me, my art is extension of who I am. For me, I don’t separate my life and faith, and my art. They are intertwined together. I experienced so much in the Philippines and I want to share my experience with others. God changed my life while I was there and I still feel that people need to here about the loving message of Christ.”
As a member of the so-called "underground" art community, what artists inspire you? Describe the local art scene through your eyes and the art aspect of street culture and the Lightsleepers.
There are so many artists who influence me, but the most important are Michelangelo and Salvador Dali. Renaissance and Surrealism are still my favorite art movements. Graffiti is cool, but I appreciate street art for what it is and nothing more. After studying critically about art, I feel that all present day styles are a mixture or recycled from past art movements.
The local art scene is small and growing. There are a lot of talented up and coming artists now. It’s awesome to see my friends, whom I had the pleasure of doing shows with, doing it BIG in the mainland. It’s great to see Hawaii artists representing in the mainland. It’s just the beginning!
I’ve been blessed to be part of Lightsleepers since 2003. It’s awesome to be surrounded by talented cats that have the same love and creative passion for all the elements of hip hop. If you personally get to know everyone from the Lightsleepers crew, they are all people of integrity, character, and downright talented in what they do. I have much respect to Kavet and all that he has done in the underground hip hop scene, or should I say, the scene in general! I remember Kavet doing quality events since 1998. People nowadays doing shows integrating some sort of street art and live music have to give credit and respect to Kavet for laying down the foundation of how to do these types of shows, and for it to be a quality event. For him as well as myself, it’s not about the money, its all about the love for the culture. His hard work has opened up so much doors for so much musicians and artists, including myself, to display their talents to the masses. If you look at the scene with a critical eye, a lot of the 2D painters who are making a name for themselves in the local underground art scene, has got their start with displaying their art at Kavet’s shows. So yeah, much love and respect to Kavet.
How does your love for hip hop culture relate directly to your love of art?
I remember being in high school, around ’98-2000, going to writer’s meetings at the Blaisdell, and hip hop events and bboy jams that Kavet and the Lightsleepers threw. And from there, I was fully exposed to all aspects of the culture. In comparison to the wack-top 40-mainstream crap on the radio, I admired the underground hip hop culture and loved the creativity and freedom of expression they had, and the ability to battle people whenever! I remember back in the day living the lifestyle of doing graffiti, breakdancing, and eventually producing my own beats. As I grew older, I eventually grew out of doing graffiti (illegally) and breakdancing, but the love for producing beats is a mainstay for me. The love of graffiti is evident in some of my pieces still (if it pertains to the message I want to convey in that particular piece).
What have your biggest projects or accomplishments been so far? What are your ultimate goals? (ex. sold a piece for mad cash, proud that your work is featured at so and so place etc.)
The biggest accomplishment so far will be graduating this year with my Bachelors of Fine Arts- in Painting, in May 2008. Praise God! Another awesome accomplishment is doing art shows with my fine friends from the Groundup Crew this past February 2008, in California. We definitely represented Hawaii hard! We did an art show in San Diego and hit up the walls in Venice Beach. It was the first time going to the mainland United States! Other accomplishments were putting together an independent double-cd instrumental album with my good friend Koak under the name Safewayselekt in 2005. And in 2007, I put together a solo independent instrumental album called “On ‘His Way.” Other desires I have are doing art shows all over the world… with God all things are possible.
I've never been to a live art show? What's it like?
Live art shows are a dynamic thing. Painters have the opportunity to flex their skills and influence other artists in their craft. It’s an open door for other people to see glimpses of how we paint, which is primarily a personal and private matter. It’s also a great opportunity for us artists to meet people and network. If you have not gone to a live art show, take the time out to go.
Many people that attend art shows have some kind of basic knowledge of art while other's don't, what are some pros and cons about those kinds of audiences? Do you have a personal preference?
A pro for those who have knowledge of art can see the hard work (or not so hard work) that is put into ones artwork. So if an artwork is well done, they appreciate it a lot more for the meaning behind it, the research that has gone into it, the technique that it is applied, and the composition of how its put together. If this person viewed artwork that was obviously thrown together at the last minute, they could critically “tear” the piece/artist apart. A con for those types of people is that they could possibly come off as obnoxious, snobby, or highbrow. A pro for those who do not have knowledge of art can view the work as something visually appealing and nothing else. A con for them is that they miss out on the hard work and possibly the message that is put in the art.
Is it difficult to make a living as an artist?
Most definitely! It’s difficult in making a living as an artist because we constantly have to balance our personal lives and work, and our art/expression. Expressing ourselves through painting/music takes its toll on our wallets and time.
Artist Shaun Castro
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Wii-Like!
MTV News earlier this month reported that Microsoft is developing a Wii-style remote that would allow Xbox 360 users to physically interact with their games by waving around the controller. That sort of interactivity has proven to be a highly popular feature of Nintendo's Wii system, currently the only platform that supports such virtual play.
If everything goes according to plan, Microsoft's response to Nintendo's Wii will appear before the end of the year, a developer who has been briefed on the project told MTV News. The Xbox 360 manufacturer has been working on its own version of the motion-controlled Wii remote since last summer, the developer said.
The controller itself isn't much different in functionality or design from Nintendo's Wii remote, but comes with four face buttons, an analog stick and microphone. There are also plans for the controller to interact with the Xbox Live Vision Camera, the source said.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Kaba Modern coming to Hawaii
from Yuri Tag's Myspace page:
June 22- 50th State Fair
June 25- Yuri Tag's Birthday
June 25- The Playground @ The W Hotel
June 28- High School Workshop (will post details)
June 29- High School Performance (will post where when I find out)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
DJ Jami's Top 5z
Top 5 Joints of the Moment
1. Say Hello - Jay Z
2. Creator(Bmore redo)- Santo Gold
3. Zock On!- Teriyaki Boyz feat. Busta & Pharrell
4. Foundations- Kate Nash
5. Beeper- Kid Sister
Top 5 Albums of All-Time
1. Wave Twisters- DJ Qbert
2. Dummy- Portishead
3. Kind of Blue- Miles Davis
4. College Dropout- Kanye
5. My Life- Mary J Blige
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Now reading..
I was introduced to this book watching Oprah a few days ago, strangely enough. If you delve into your own spirituality and inner self from time to time like me, this book might be a good one for you.
No, I do not consider myself an avid Oprah Show watcher by any means (lol) but I'm glad I tuned in that day. The webcast classes and worshops on oprah.com are a helpful tool in taking in the essence and experience of New Earth. If you're the least bit intrigued by the concept pick it up today or just google it to find out more about New Earth.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Legendary status kid!
It was an honor to interview Crazy Legs for the Honolulu Weekly. The fact that he remembered my name and wanted a few copies for himself was sweet too!
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