These Pearls Of Mine
Art by Rae Klein
This has been an interesting week to say the least. A lot of movement behind the scenes, but I’m still in high spirits. The ideas are still flowing and art is in various stages of production. Life as a whole has felt more expansive like an old part of my life has snapped back into place. It’s full steam ahead.
The love for Bullet Tooth continues to astound me. I was extremely pleased to see this review from Joshua Chaplinsky who is a high-caliber writer in his own right so…
I stumbled across this piece of found art in my building while taking the trash out. This was the day before I left for AWP and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Sadly, someone scooped it up before I could acquire it. Initially, I was concerned about the energy in it, but I figured I would sage it and it could add a nice touch of the weird and surreal to my apartment. At least I managed to snap a pic to share with y’all.
The Vince Staples Show
I feel like something new is being birthed in the realm of black cinema, something being pushed out of old stereotypes and preconceptions. I’ve seen it with Sorry to Bother You, Nope, Atlanta and I’m starting to see its knees come into view with The Vince Staples Show. It’s a surreal yet strangely grounded fictional show revolving around Vince Staples just trying to live his life in LA.
No one seems to know who he is, clout nestled in a hazy space, and he runs into these funny situations where he can’t order food at an amusement park, can’t get a loan at banking institution due to his skin color or gang connections. There’s a lot of love put into every episode and I respect the fact that he was literally in the writer’s room rewriting script after script.
Took ole boa three years to get this greenlit along with every acting audition rejected except for one. That’s tenacity, that’s drive, that’s commitment. Vince acts as if rapping and creating art is just a job, but you can tell how passionate he is with the results. Nods to classic films, cross-genre flourishes, and an undeniable vision. Sometimes the tone is uneven, but it gets better as any show does and I hope we get more than five episodes because this type of media feels impactful.
Writing Updates
Project Bunny Bloodbath is doing its thing and I finally made some leeway on a pearl-related body horror short story that has been percolating in my head since the start of 2024. This one expands the lore of Big Poliano who is mentioned in Bullet Tooth. We’ll see if this story finds a home…
Currently Watching: Love, Death & Robots Season 3 & True Detective Season 4: Night Country & Ballers Season 5
Currently Reading: Cosmic Horror Monthly #3 and Pedo Island Bloodbath by Duncan Ralston & Less Than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis and Bedlam by Charlene Elsby & Bad Foundations by Brian Allen Carr
Currently Smoking: 8-Bit Buds Pre-Roll
Listening: The Danny Brown Podcast, Back from the Borderline, The Higherside Chats, Agitator, Mutual Aberration Society, Victory Light, and Lost Xplorers
I didn’t realize how much I missed Schoolboy Q until now. Standing on the top floor of a mansion, Q looks down as a purge like beat pulsates. There’s an undeniable authenticity shimmering through the limelight and Q’s chaotic aura takes the wheel in every moment. I can’t wait for this album.
I love how Don Trip is always willing to spill his heart into his raps on every song even as he gets older. If you didn’t pay attention to ole boi last year, he dropped an album for every single month and they all go crazy. The consistency is astounding and this music video is brimming with pain and beauty.
KEY! has fathered so many rappers styles and has such a crazy influence on rap, it’s wild. Backed by a crazy soulful church choir sample, KEY! almost yells as he raps, but he should though. He knows the power he wields in his voice. How you finna change the world?!?
Until next time…
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