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THE BAY AREA ART COLLECTIVE : 1993-2000
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When – in 1993 twelve independent musical/artistic people had something
in common, they had all been to koool Kyle’s porch studio in Berkeley
California. Most of the twelve people had recorded music that in 1994 K.K.
compiled to make a tape titled "b side demonstrations". After that
tape was made, the loose affiliation became the "bay area art collective"
and later the "nameless and faceless". Two years later in 1996 we
released a second tape, more of a group effort, "keep your day job".
Another two years after that in 1998 we made our third attempt "we’re
BAAC (bay area art collective)". Then one year later in 1999 "hip
hop on the moon" was released. 2001 the single "mango chutney"
by dr.strienj and psyreal AKA pariah and kool kyle was released. And now 2002
the nameless and faceless are baac at it again with "next train I’m
out" the EP.
What – a multi cultural independent hip-hop group, not so much a band,
of individuals with similar ethics and morals. Children of the hip hop musical
movement, we we’re all born between the years of 1970 and 1976. We were
all impressed and influenced at an early age and stage in our lives by hip-hop
culture. Whether it was break dancing at the YMCA or spray painting the walls
of our schools, the impression was made and felt by all of us. For the most
part we are all true natives of the east bay area, raised within its inner
cites. The title nameless and faceless has different meanings for all of us.
Some would say it was to remain unlabeled. To be unclassified, something you
couldn’t put a finger on. This was to keep our freedom to go outside
of the box with the potential to expand and offer more to the people and ourselves.
Although in this industry that makes the machines job very difficult to sell
your product, thus that might not be the best approach to take to the market.
Another take on this title is the nameless and faceless represent the people,
the average Joes and Josephine’s who are not actors, heads of state and
music stars. A voice for the people without the power and juice to manufacture
public opinion. Our logo follows along the lines of our first name bay area
art collective, putting the many bodies together with the one headed like
mind. Not to be to cliché but our ability to be so diverse, in my opinion,
brings a richer artistic experience to the listener. Creative control, creative
people. Dj poizen said, "A brainstorm of musical ideas and hip
hop theories fused into three minute concepts. A kaleidoscope of storytellers.
A musical force promoting positive energy and creating a complete audio satisfaction
for the listener." In other words we tight.
Who –Riddm, Loki, Itego, Aply, Know one, Marversal, James
EK-SEL,.......
Dj
Poizen, Middle child, Man Child,and Inspector Double Negative. This
picture is not every one....
Loki – the hip hop rappers rapper. Skills on the freestyle,
notorious for open mics and clever rhyms. He has been rapping since 1986 in
high school. He worked with poizen in ’89. He was a part of the infamous
telegraph durrant Berkeley scene of ’93. Around the same time he worked
with mortals of thought and then koool kyle in the beginning stages of b side
demonstrations. Brought to the world the classic "Tuesday Thursday"
and "soul shakedown".
Ronnie Robinson – true Berkeley native with an honest no glam, no bullshit
voice. Goes way back (jr high) with two of the n&f’s producers dj
riddm and Koool kyle. Created "the view" from "keep your day
job".
Pariah – an old soul with insight to wisdom and experience. In ’89
he got serious. In ’92 he worked with a local group called "joints
of knowledge" with another n&f producer extraordinaire, c level.
In ’93 he made "circle cycle pt.1" a great composition with
the classic al green break that has made many a hip-hop songs a must hear.
He has also been a part of "in the place to be", "Circle cycle
pt.2" and "mango chutney" to name a few.
Aply – high spirited all around creative artist. Out of a passion for
graffiti grew rapping and computer graphic design. He started with graffiti
and found rap to be the verbal side of the culture. He liked that "the
tracks didn’t get buffed". Brought to you songs such as "refrain"
and "motivation".
Knowone – in grade school I couldn’t break well. In jr. high I was
a mediocre graffiti writer. I started collecting records but found I didn’t
like to dj. I had been writing poetry since grade school and found myself
producing and writing rhymes by my late teens. I have always had a deep passion
for all music genres but was magnetized by hip hops political content (melle
mel, chuck d, krs to name a few). I have enjoyed being apart of "height
streets", "change","three g’s" and our newest
release "on the m eye see". As well the most I have gotten from
the entire process is to work with some beautiful great people.
Sagana – a charismatic universally connected spirit that ain’t afraid
to party. Originally from San Jose, he won the YMCA breakdancing contest in
’85. His talents don’t only reside in rhyming. A graf writer, talented
dancer, painter and accomplished graphic artist/fashion director. In ’89
he moved to Oakland. He later met koool Kyle in the beginnings of b sides.
Was a part of "kick baac", "motivation" and many
more.
James ex cel – Prince meets Micheal Jackson (before the plastic surgery)
fused with KMD and add a hint of Blondie's rapture. As far as n&f
he did work on b sides, "the stand" on "keep your day job"
and "change" on "were baac". He is one of the best writers
I know not afraid to expand hip hops spectrum.
Dj Poizen – incredible skills, he brings the tables to the table. "Don’t
get to close, you might get cut up". His breaking turned to djing in
’85. In ’88 he got recognition for a high school battle. He stopped
in ’90 because he was uninspired with the direction the dj was going,
only to be re-inspired by Q- Bert and the scratch pickle movement. He worked
with Loki in ’91 as I wrote earlier. Met koool kyle in kk’s attic
studio in ’96. Did work on "we’re baac". At the n&f
4001 east Oakland studio K.K. and him made the mix tape dj poizen visits koool
kyle. They then made hip-hop on the moon on acid. He did all the cuts on the
latest release next train I’m out. Simply said the man has skills.
Middle child – AKA big idea. A wise voice, well-educated talented writer.
While many focus on what are the problems, this man concentrates on a far
more difficult task, what are the solutions. An east bay native entrenched
in hip-hop culture, a fan since 1979. He worked with various artists before
his debut with the n&f "serious", and later "Proverbs".
With a strategic mind every word is well thought and placed.
Koool Kyle - AKA inspector double negative. Responsible for n&f
(damn him, blame him) but if it works out (thank him). He compiled "b
side demonstrations" which eventually brought twelve people together.
The only member who formally went to engine "ear" school. A record
collector, x-breakdancer turned producer and rapper. Creative as hell with
a soul that has a message of love and peace, the world might get a chance
to hear, hopefully. Kk’s first tascam eight track gave a home to n&f
to exist. Although n&f can now exist without the eight track, I will always
endear and love kk for giving n&f his time and space. He brought us "the
world keeps changing" the original and the 2002 remix. "Attic minds",
"vita soy", Hip-hop on the moon, "mango chutney" and "nothing
really". He is currently working on chicken soup for the hip-hop soul
and hip-hop on the moon pt.2.
Why – this is the hard part for me. I got some input from other members
but it is different for everyone.
- Because the mountain is there. Because we have a diligent voice that is
persistent enough to be heard. Because to some of us this is therapy. Creating
our art, is a healing learning process. Because our voice of love is better.
Because most of the people doing it now, are not doing it right or for the
right reasons. We make music for and about the community verses for the cold
cash. To keep the hip-hop culture alive, at least for ourselves. From our
example we hope to show and prove to the world that the corporate co-opted
version of hip-hop or rap we see now has been twisted and all screwed up.
- Sagana said "for the music, and most importantly its message. Defacing
the canvas of institutionalized America with a spray can of solidarity, liberation
and freedom.
- Poizen said, "to make the girls wiggle. To feel connected to the beats."
- Koool Kyle said, "he makes music to make music, if he knew why, he
would probably stop." There is something lacking in the music he hears
and feels he can be the voice that other people are not. Nameless and faceless
has shared stages/venues with KRS-1, Joan Baez, Public Enemy, the Alcoholics,
Jurassic 5, Dialated Peoples and Master Ace. Just to name a few.
THE BAY AREA ART COLLECTIVE (BAAC), located in the Berkeley/Oakland, East
Bay Area is a multicultural arts
organization founded by artists for artists of all mediums. From music to
graffiti, graphic design to the fine arts,
Dance to D.J., Film to Television, radio and sound design, poets and artists
of the mind. It is a Collective of individuals united with one goal. The goal
being to provide outlets for the free expression of the human experience.
Founded in 1995, in response to the closure of several clubs, galleries and
cultural centers in the Bay Area. In response to the clampdown of freestyle
circles by the cops, aswell as the closure of psyco city and almost every
other free wall for art, Bay Area Art Collective collected under the strength
in numbers rule. It's Original members came from some of the
most heavy hitting underground rap, graffiti and dance crews in the Bay Area.
The BAAC has and continues to
sponsor musical and theatrical showcases for local artists and artists passing
through. It sponsors a non
profit street vending buisness to bring local artists work to the forefront
of it's urban environment, the streets. BAAC works with local galleries ensuring
space for it's multitude of unknown yet very talented artists, and is currently
working with the city officials to give more mural opportunities to its multicultural
youth so as to reflect the ever changing spirit of it's populace. The Bay
Area Art Collective was started in an attempt to ensure an econmic future
for it's members, without the sacrifice of integrity. By creating a network
of likeminded young people, with the same dedication and
passion of expression, BAAC has been a powerful force in allowing young artists
to persue their dreams in life,
while staying true to their heart and avoiding commercialization.
These people and crews/organizations are down;
The Nameless and Faceless, Public service Announcement, AS, KM, Telegraph
Tape Stand, Alphabetical Structure, NSP, Doctor Streinj, Peoples Graphics.
and psyreal, none of the above Productions, Recycled Circles Records, Street
Scholers,
Chapter 11 Music, Mortals Of Thought, All The Kings Horses, Coconica
Hip Hop On The Moon, hiphop-metwork.com, Master Peace and the No Gimmick
Soldiers, Inspector Double negative & the Equal positives, ProjectBlowed,
All Good Music, LLc, Golden Triangle, Platinum Bomb Productions, Mystic
Journeymen,
Run da Riddm Productions, OAKLANDISH, Joint of Knowledge, AOM,
Nobby Knees productions,
and CLV Entertainment Group.
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