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Kingston Town

Mar 10, 2010   0   
On the road to Kingston Town

On the road to Kingston Town ... I want my tour bus to be this bashy

I finally decided to ditch my Negril co-horts that have promised to travel with me to Kingston, after 1 week of delay to the big city. Truthfully, I didn’t fight their procrastination nearly as hard as I could LOL. We got stopped at a police check point, searched, questioned for knives and a quick snoop around the car. Most of the time under such circumstances, I smile and pretend I don’t speak english. HAHAHA.

Good morning Ocean, I love you!

Good morning Ocean, I love you!

I met my driver at “the edge of Jamaica”. True story – this picture is the view from his crib. The water was truly beautiful today and reflected all shades of emerald and blue. I kicked back in some low slug nearby hammocks and awaited my driver while contemplating my list of To Dos for the day.  Shortly after I learned the driver’s name is “A Bigga Boss”.

Soundtrack: Xscape "Just Kick It"

Soundtrack: Xscape "Just Kick It"

Shourtly after hitting the road, we pulled over to this row of vendors all selling slow roasted yam and saltfish.  ”A Bigga Boss” was proud of me.  He assured me that this was the best food for the road & travel and that it would allow me to grow strong and proud.  This was pretty delicious, with unusual moments with the yam due to the texture of the skin.

Roasted Yam and Saltfish

Roasted Yam and Saltfish

Homecooked meal waiting for me in Kingston!

Homecooked meal waiting for me in Kingston!

It was a blessing to reach Kingston in one piece to a delicious homecooked meal.  I’m hitting the hay early and getting ready to head to Tuff Gong Studios in the morning for some discussions, this time not by the ocean.  One Love.

Tools for the hustle, tricks of the trade.

Tools for the hustle, tricks of the trade.

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Still coasting in Negril…

Mar 7, 2010   0   
Walking back to the ocean always puts a smile on my face

Walking back to the ocean always puts a smile on my face

1 week in and I have to admit I’m feeling pretty guilty that I haven’t done any work.  I was suppose to be in Kingston by 2 days ago – but Negril has me in her clutches and I don’t really want to ever leave LOL.  Nevertheless, life is good to say the least and the days, although lazy, have been overloading my brain with ideas, colors, images and sounds.

The world's biggest patti

The world's biggest patti

I ordered a patti on the beach and this is what they gave me!  This thing was HUGE!!!  Apparently it’s a loaf and not a patti, but whatever it was, it was ital delicious.  Speaking of food – Squeegie offered to cook yesterday and we chilled while he made some delux ackee, saltfish, pumpkin, green banana and yam.  I love it when you can tell where your food came from and see the textures of the root or watching the raw peeling away of hard surfaces in dish preparation.  I have taken waaay too many pictures of food on my travels.

Paul's House & the new bike

Paul's House & the new bike

Ninja with mad styles

Ninja with mad styles

Pretty little pepper

Pretty little pepper

Yam root to peel and boil up

Yam root to peel and boil up

Peeling the yam root

Peeling the yam root

Ackee, Yam, Pumpkin & Saltfish - breakfast of champions

Ackee, Yam, Pumpkin & Saltfish - breakfast of champions

I heard some squeaking while the boys cooked and Paul’s mom showed me the baby puppies sleeping in the shed. These dogs were way too cute – I hope they realize they were born Jamaican dogs (not LA pooches) so there will be no indoor, sofa sleeping, cute outfits for them. Strictly in the streets yaaard dogs. This is what they look like before they become gangster pooches.

After lunch we’re back on the move…a quick fix at the bike shop and a cruise to the beach.  On a side note, dudes out here stunting on bikes know no fear.  I can’t believe the flips, dances and stunts these guys pull mashing down really badly maintained roads.  That said, I’ve also met a lot of guys that have been badly injured.  Most of the boys pour out a little liquor for their dead homies from bike circles.

Masia Motorcycle Mirror

Waiting for the homies at the bike shop...

The propaganda still runs deep

The propaganda still runs deep

Chilling with the gangsta Squeegie Dog at Arthur's, Negril Beach

Chilling with the homie Squeegie Dog at Arthur's, Negril Beach

Dance battles on the sand are the best

Dance battles on the sand are the best

This piece of waterfront property is for sale...who's with me on this one?

This piece of waterfront property is for sale 1.5 mil USD...who's with me on this one? Let's build a beach school

Yesterday's sunset

Yesterday's sunset

After the sun goes down, I usually make a trip to the gangster corner in the village they like to call GAZA.  Movado and Vibes Kartel are pretty much running things here in Jamaica.  The best music is always blasting out of the systems here, and everyone stands around grilling until you talk to them and realize they are all just sensitive thugs.  On another side note I think I’m getting gut rot from drinking Magnums.

Hanging at "Gaza" where the real systems bump

Hanging at "Gaza" where the real systems bump

Of course the nightly jam down is the best!  I haven’t danced this much in a long time.  I love places in the world where people can express their style however they wish.  I’ve seen the best outfits at the parties out here, with no brand names or magazine consultations – strictly style.  Special shout out goes to Tre Paul in Toronto for tailoring this Tshirt for me.  I think I’m gaining a pretty extensive collection of Lion printed shirts over the past year.

That’s all for now Jungle friends – catch up with ya’ll when i make it out to Kingston!  One Love.

Night time bashy styles care of Tre Paul!

Night time bashy styles care of Tre Paul!

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Lost Angels to Jamrock

Feb 28, 2010   0   
Masia One before the party in Negril, Jamaica

Masia One before the party in Negril, Jamaica

What’s happening good people!  So I fell off the Bloggin’ wagon again.  Here’s the update…

My last days in L.A. was a pretty hectic mess to get my album complete and giving long hugs and kisses to the Cali family that I will miss so much.  On my way out the door I took a picture next to the platinum Lauryn Hill Plaque that hangs by the entrance to the Kops & Robbers Spacestation studio (Che Vicious produced many records on Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) just to remember this milestone that I’ve reached in my musical career.  Can you imagine?  I grew up bumping this album on heavy heavy HEAVY rotation, and now here I am working with the man that had much to do with it’s melodic beats and infectious rhythms.  Where MUCH of Canada’s industry has never believed in the music I have made, here is a Grammy winning producer, experienced in making hits for the likes of Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes…and he believes in my talent, and the music we have made together.  The album is finally done its recording process and will be mixed over the next month.  Can’t wait for y’all to hear it!  It’s a good one.

I also had a chance to catch up with Joe from Last Rights Clothing in Miami on my last night in LA.  The line is an upscale men’s clothing label, and has literally taken over the Miami scene.  I had to check out the merchandise at the back of the Lincoln Town car.  I love the Currency Tee Joe gave to me…especially because there are 3 different currencies of $$$ sitting in my bootleg LV wallet right now.  I may have to bumrush KARDINAL OFFISHALL for the title Miss International.  Check out LAST RIGHTS CLOTHING HERE

Masia One in front of Lauryn Hill Platinum Plaque

Masia One in front of Lauryn Hill Platinum Plaque

Masia One and the Last Rights mobile, LA

Masia One and the Last Rights mobile, LA

Last Rights Clothing: some fly tees for the road. Thanks Joe!Last Rights Clothing: some fly tees for the road. Thanks Joe!

Landing in Montego Bay Jamaica

Landing in Montego Bay Jamaica

After a night of goodbyes and one last stop at 7 GRAND, our favorite whiskey watering hole in LA, I caught the 6:30am flight to Montego Bay Jamaica.  Upon landing on the island, the humid air instantly hit me and memories flooded into my psyche.  Oh man I miss Jamrock.  The scent of the breeze picking up far away Jerk Chicken being BBQ’d, sweet night time blossoms and salt from the ocean.  I met up with my FAM here in Negril, Ninja, and went almost directly to the nightly bash at Alfreds.  I love the fashion style, the overdriven sound systems (Rayna, you’d hate how distorted and loud the bass is bumped up here…I LOVE it!)  and the infectious music that has me dancing since I landed.  I Love Jamaica!  I’m planning to cool out here in Negril for a couple days, get re acquainted with the ocean, before heading up to 9 Mile and see how I can help at the over populated school in the area.  Shortly after, I will be headed to Kingston to prepare the musicians, accommodations and studio for my crew from Toronto to head out here at the end of March and record MERDEKA RADIO: JAMAICA at the legendary TUFF GONG studios.

Without getting over cheesed I’d like to remind everyone that dreams really do come true.  I never imagined, as an 8 year old kid in Singapore falling in love with Hiphop music and listening to my brother play Peter Tosh that I would have been able to do with my life what I am doing.  Now, as I sit here blogging to the world from a crooked wooden bar stool at an internet cafe over looking the blue blue ocean, all I can do is pass the experience on and pray that everyone can live the joy in creativity I have in 1 lifetime.

I’ll do my best to update soon but that’s difficult when nature is so much more interesting than Facebook.

One Love.

Masia.

Where I am sitting blogging right now!

Where I am sitting blogging right now!

Rude Bwoay fam: Paul & Ninja

Rude Bwoay fam: Paul & Ninja @ Scrub A Dubs

Getting ready for the party, posing out!

Getting ready for the party, posing out!

Long wait for food...

Long wait for food...but it was worth it!

Ate the BEST oxtail with rice & peas before the fete

Ate the BEST oxtail with rice & peas before the fete

Feeling bashy tonight!

Feeling bashy tonight! Chillin' with Paul aka GQ69

For some reason this sign led us to a party...

For some reason this sign led us to the next party...seems fitting for LA club

Boys in North America should feel more liberated to wear color'd denim

Boys in North America should feel more liberated to wear color'd denim

My JA Boys Rep M1

My JA Boys Rep M1

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To be loved…

Feb 24, 2010   0   
Masia One chillin' in Santa Monica oceanside

Masia One chillin' in Santa Monica oceanside

This Prince Hakeem video clip is how I feel almost everyday! Thank you L.A. You have inspired my music, hustle and love vibes.

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