PAPERMAG: WORD UP!

KRS One Joins powerHouse

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:59:40 -0500

The powerHouse publishing enterprise continues to expand its reach under the aegis of founder Daniel Power and his able team of Craig Cohen and Sarah Rosen. In addition to eyeing a West Coast outpost of their store/gallery/events space concept pioneered in DUMBO, Brooklyn, in the Los Angeles area (either at Bergamot Station or Culver City), they are also working with a well known pop star with interest in Malawi (wink, wink). Today powerHouse added another jewel to its crown by the name of hip hop legend KRS One who will now have his own imprint with the company. Here's the official announcement

powerHouse Books and KRS ONE announce the creation of I Am Hip Hop, a new imprint launching in Spring 2009. I Am Hip Hop shall serve as a home for cutting-edge, positive material related to the true culture and philosophies of Hip Hop. Dedicated to publishing high-quality books ranging from serious philosophical treatises to urban photography projects or engaging fictional novels, this imprint will release material personally chosen and overseen by Hip Hop legend, KRS ONE.

We Want Boy George!

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:17:27 -0500

The voices of outrage are reaching all the way to the U.S. State Department, which was forced to address the denial of an immigration visa to the openly gay pop star. In between discussion of Iran, Afghanistan and Albania, the conversation turned to Boy George. Watch (about 2:20 sec into the video) as spokesman Tom Casey chokes on his drink when asked about Boy George. If you can't bring yourself to watch, here's the transcript.

Transcript of June 24 press briefing: QUESTION: And what does the U.S. Government have against Boy George – (laughter) – You denied him a visa. MR. CASEY: Sorry, I should have swallowed before you said that. (Laughter.) Let’s see if I spit the water over any place else. (Laughter.) I’ve seen the report that’s out there. Obviously, visa records are confidential. But I’d simply note that there often are difficulties for individuals who either are currently subject to criminal charges or otherwise may have criminal records. So I think you might want to look toward some of those reasons as why he might be having some difficulties here. QUESTION: It’s tragic really. MR. CASEY: Do you really want to hurt him? (Laughter.) Yeah, Libby. QUESTION: Switch topics from Boy George? MR. CASEY: Yes, please.

Boy George Update

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:53:50 -0500

Earlier this morning, we wrote that Boy George was denied a visa to the U.S. Here's an update from Boy George's people at Girlie Action:

Boy George Denied Visa for US Tour Boy George is devastated that he will not be able to tour the US as planned this summer. The singer was looking forward to performing for his American fans for the first time in a decade and was especially eager to perform at The City of New York Department of Sanitation’s annual Family Day on August 17th. The concert was planned as a way to thank the DSNY and the workers’ families for the kindness shown to him during his community service with them in 2006. Below is an official statement from his management.

Exclusive: Boy George Is Denied Visa + Pens Obama Song

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:00:18 -0500

How excited we were when the New York Post reported that our good friend Boy George would be returning to New York and performing in a series of concerts over the summer. You may remember George's unceremonious exit from New York after having to perform five days of community service sweeping the park for the Department of Sanitation in 2006. In a gesture of appreciation to the Sanitation Dept., the now clean and sober George had agreed to stop at the DSNY's Family Day on Aug. 17 at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, where he would perform a full set of his songs in front of about 5,000 people. Shows at Terminal 5 and on Westbury, LI were also scheduled. Well, apparently not. U.S. Customs thinks it would be better if he didn't and they have denied him a visa. Here are George's comments about his disappointment as well as his views on Barack Obama, who he recently wrote a song about -- which you can listen to after the jump exclusively on PAPERMAG! On being denied a visa: "I'm pretty devastated because I am so excited about this forthcoming tour and having my visa application denied seems unfair after I swept the streets of New York spotless. There are a number of public figures who are openly using drugs and they have no problem with immigration and I have seriously turned my life around and I feel great right now and this is just another reminder of how bad things were. I committed a crime and I happily paid the consequences and I should be allowed to move on and get on with what I do best and that is performing and making people people dance and cry!"

"Soul Train" Sold But Will Never Be Old

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:14:06 -0500

Yo, it's time to get down! Watching this video I just had to say that! The news here is that Don Cornelius, for 35 years the driving force behind one of the best music shows ever produced for TV has sold the Soul Train franchise. God knows what they'll do with an updated version, but the old shows never wear on me. The music, the fly looks, def defying dance moves, the hottest honeys and homeboys! What more could you ask for? This montage of the Soul Train Dancers could go on forever. Look for Rosie Perez in the mix.

RIP Dominic Chianese, Jr.?

Thu, 22 May 2008 15:59:02 -0500

The latest update to the update is that Dominic is still among the living -- or so says the source of the false rumor to begin with. So anyway, we love you Dominic and stay out of trouble. See you when you get back to NYC and we'll drink a Diet Coke together. I wrote the following post earlier upon reading in a blog that Dominic Chianese, Jr, an old friend and downtown personality had died. Now reports are questioning the veracity of that story. Either way, we love you Dominic and hope that all is well. The name Dominic Chianese is familiar to most people as the actor who played Junior on The Sopranos. Those of us on the downtown nightlife scene knew another Dominic, a funny-faced doorman/actor/stand-up comedian who'd worked at all the major clubs over the years in one capacity or another. It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that Dominic Chianese, Jr. has died (according to a [now false] report on Good Night Mr. Lewis). Dominic was a friend and frequent MC at Paper events. He was in our first Beautiful People issue and I feel his loss very deeply. Things never came easy to Dominic. An immensely talented dude, he was handsome and charming in a New York character actor kind of way. He acted in numerous movies and TV shows (including with his dad in a couple of Sopranos episodes), but the big break he was waiting for never arrived. I remember him hosting a downtown standup show at Undochine (a club that once existed under the Indochine restaurant) where I first saw John Stewart perform. Larry Fishburne is another long-time Dominic supporter. Dominic also MC'd my bachelor's party and we spent many hours hobnobbing on the nightlife scene. God bless. May he rest in peace!

Flex and the City

Wed, 21 May 2008 13:38:56 -0500

"If men are dating supermodels, what chance do we women have?" Do you recognize that line. If you do, you not only need help but you should also watch Flex and the City, a new online serial made up of bits, quoted word for word from Sex and the City and performed by four women body builders who sort of look like the Carrie & Co. What with Sex and the City movie being all the rage, I kind of find this funny... Or am I rationalizing what is just another dumb video?

Pharrell Williams Loves Anna Wintour

Wed, 14 May 2008 17:28:43 -0500

Pharrell Williams goes his own way. Having established himself as one of the go-to producers of the decade, he extended his influence in the fashion world, most famously by teaming up with Nigo of Bathing Ape fame. Together, they launched the Billionaire's Boys' Club, which has been serving merch to hipster nerds ever since. His personal style and fashionophilia got the attention of Vogue editrix Anna Wintour who, it turns out, is one of his favorite people. In the cover story of PAPER's upcoming music issue he calls her a "genius" and defends the controversial LeBron James/Gisele Bundchen cover photo which many have descried as a "racist" depiction that potrays the basketball star as King Kong. Here's what Pharrell says: "I was happy to see that it happened. I'm black so I don't get King Kong outta that. I think that says something about the person who sees that. [LeBron] doesn't look like a monkey to me. It's an iconic picture for fashion. That's the most important thing. And I hate it when people drum up controversy over stupid shit like that. It's like, yo, look at it objectively. Remove your own personal baggage. Artistically, it's an iconic picture and it will go down in the books as striking, brave, risky, edgy -- and that's what fashion is." As for Wintour he says: "That's why I love her. Cause she doesn't give two fucks about what nobody thinks -- even when she does controversial shit, it always goes to her benefit. She's a genius chess player. And far from racist." There's more but you'll have to wait for the issue to come out to read it! Check out out-takes of Pharrell from his PAPER shoot after the jump. Photo of Pharrell and Anna from Style.com; Photos of Pharrell from PAPER's upcoming music issue by Dan Monick

RIP Dr. Albert Hoffman

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:07:20 -0500

Dr. Albert Hoffman, the man who gave us LSD, has died. His family sent out the following announcement:

Dear ones, A great soul has passed on. Dr. Albert Hofmann crossed over to the other side this morning. He was 102 years old. With great love for him and gratitude for his immeasurable gift to us all. He will be missed dearly. Martina Hoffmann

Mr. Mickey Puts Out... For NYC

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:13:51 -0500

Our very own Mr. Mickey is being featured in the "Just Ask the Locals" ad campaign launched by NYC & Co., the city's tourism arm. Recognizing tourism as the city's only growth industry -- thanks to those euro-toting travelers and the financial industry's precipitous decline -- Mr. Mayor is rolling out the red carpet. The ad campaign features real New Yawkers like Mickey Boardman -- shot at Indochine -- as well as PAPER faves like Simon Doonan, Tim Gunn, Debbie Harry and Cynthia Rowley. Building on the success of the first phase of Just Ask The Locals launched in 2007, the expanded campaign calls on visitors to ask New Yorkers to share their suggestions on what to see and do in New York City on the interactive web site.

Bob Gruen, Rock God

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:15:07 -0500

Bob Gruen has to be New York's preeminent rock photographer. If you don't believe me, you haven't seen his knockout installation Rockers currently on exhibit at Morrison Hotel Gallery (313 Bowery). Gruen was at CBGB's and Max's Kansas City back in the day and has the iconic images of everyone from the Ramones to Talking Heads to Blondie to you-name-it to prove it. He practically lived with John and Yoko! And he's a heck-of-a-nice-guy who deserves all his success. What makes him even more special is that he's still shooting many of the young bands today. Because he loves doing it! Really! For the most part, the work is not posed, studio rock god photography, but intimate photos captured on-the-spot. He was there!

Cindy Sherman Speaks

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:29:16 -0500

Cindy Sherman disavows any association with Guest of Cindy Sherman screening at the Tribeca Film Festival that was directed by her ex Paul H-O. Here's her statement: Regarding Guest of Cindy Sherman… "As my name is in the title and my work and self are so abundantly represented, I would like to counter any assumption that I am or wish to be personally associated with it. I am not a participant in any events related to the film's screenings in this festival or future presentations. I apologize to all those who participated, thinking they were doing me a favor in giving interviews and otherwise assisting in the fabrication of this film. Against my better judgment, it was clearly unwise to cooperate with the project at it's inception." Paul's movie covers his years documenting the art world for his cable TV show Gallery Beat. He eventually became Cindy Sherman's +1. Which he apparently didn't like very much. He made a movie about it. And now she doesn't want to be a part of it. Convoluted!

Obama Inspires Art, Again

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:44:59 -0500

Yesterday the New York Post ran an article suggesting that the spontaneous outpouring of art works inspired by the Barack Obama campaign were less than viral. Instead, the story by Maureen Callahan, suggested that the campaign was secretely commissioning the works by the likes of Shepard Fairey and the Date Farmers and pretending they didn't know anything about it. Well, as often happens, the truth is somewhat in the middle. In the story Callahan identified Yosi Sergant as the secret operative behind the plot to make it appear as though Obama is the favorite candidate of street artists everywhere. I caught up with Sergant last night and we had this im conversation. David: Want to comment on the NY Post story for my blog? Yosi: Sure. What would you like? The fact that she had over fifteen factual errors beginning with the spelling of my name? It's such bad reporting/ David: Yes, stuff like that. Did they get the essential story right. That these artists were working for the Obama campaign? The quote by Shepard makes it appear so.

De Niro and Pacino Smackdown

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:59:41 -0500

"I thought Francis Ford Coppola was being cranky last fall when he badmouthed Al Pacino and Robert De Niro -- the stars of Coppola's immortal Godfather films -- for taking parts for the money and losing their passion for doing great work. 'I met both Pacino and De Niro when they were really on the come,' Coppola told GQ magazine. 'Now Pacino is very rich, maybe because he never spends any money; he just puts it in his mattress.... They all live off the fat of the land.'" With all the hoopla surrounding the Tribeca Film Festival, I have to wonder at the timing of an LA Times article by Paul Goldstein eviscerating two of New York's iconic movie stars, one of whom, namely Robert De Niro, also happens to be the founder of the festival which appears to be growing in importance as Hollywood's movie industry continues to sink into the sunset. The other iconic New York movie star is Al Pacino. The article describes how the two are only in it for the money, no longer willing or able to deliver the kinds of electrifying performances -- Taxi Driver, Godfather to name two -- that made their reputations.

CBGB's Out of Business Again

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:21:42 -0500

You have to hand it to John Varvatos for having the nerve to open his new store on the old CBGB's site on the Bowery. Turning punk rock's hallowed ground into a retail store set him up for potential abuse by the many descrying the gentrification of the neighborhood, but he's pulled it off by maintaining a connection with the spirit of rock 'n' roll which identifies the brand. The store has a stage, sells collectible vinyl and vintage hi-fi, while sporting gold records by the likes of Alice Cooper (???) and original posters and graffiti from the glory days of CBs. This Thursday they're hosting an exclusive (sold out) benefit party for VH1's Save the Music Foundation featuring a live performance by The Losers Lounge. Next door, what was once CBGB's Gallery has been taken over by Morrison Hotel, an art gallery focusing on music-related photography, whose next show on April 24 will feature photos by the legendary Bob Gruen. On a related note, we were not so saddened to see a "for rent" sign on the window of the CBGB's store that opened on St. Mark's Place in the hope of selling CB's merch to the masses. Maybe they should give them a corner at the Varvatos store for their wares.