The mind is grossly underestimated with how it can physically push our abilities to perform at a top level. There are the majority that subconsciously set their own boundaries in what we can achieve and then there are the chosen few that know they can reach much more beyond that unreachable point where they find themselves almost completely alone. These people are known as the best of the best, the Michael Jordan of their craft and future legends that will be surely be written in our history books to come.

This man right here is none other than DJ Q-Bert. He is not only named after that intolerable 80’s video game character but quite frankly he is the best turntablist to grace our planet. To say Q-Bert is important to DJing is a total understatement. Quite frankly modern day scratching (I am not talking ass play) wouldn’t be where it is if it wasn’t for this Filipino-American man. He helped pioneer and cultivate something so simple as moving a record back and forth that it’s finally being recognized as a musical instrument among the naysayers and predecessors.

It has been a long 13 years since the release of his last album Wave Twister (the first turntablism based musical) and through the powers of Kickstarter, Q was able to reach his goal in helping create his newest album Extraterrestria/Galaxxxian featuring the likes of Kool Keith, Del The Funkyhomosapien, El-P and Bambu just to name a few. And fellow ISP (Invisibl Skratch Piklz) and Beat Junkie crew member DJ Shortkut prepping the crowd in celebration Q-Bert’s new record.

A name I haven’t heard in quite some time since the Wake Up Show era. P.E.A.C.E. from the left coast great Freestyle Fellowship.

I prided myself at one point in knowing hip-hop music but there is always that growth period where music stays at steady age and rustic minds get stubborn in not recognizing that cool sound. But sometimes good music is just too good to ignore and regardless of the age brackets, you can’t help but bounce to that beat of everlasting bass and good lyrics. After a 20 minute set with mellow chants of “I ain’t got no money. Say it”, I insistently became a fan of Bambu which was undoubtedly the highlight of my night.

There is a part where Bambu had that Twista moment. That “diggita-diggita-diggita-diggita-diggita-diggita” rapid word flow just blasting people in the face with lyrical content. It’s a healthy reminder that the soul of hip-hop still lives strong and there are people that still choose to fight that good fight in keeping the culture intact. Remember, hip-hop is four elements…and two of them were beautifully showcased that night.

Giants weapon of choice has always been an interesting one. People say the pen is mightier than the sword but if you used a Sharpie as your sole line of defense, you’ll realize how much of a difficult thing that can be. We’ve all used a Sharpie before. Set the tip down for an ample amount time and watch the ink bleed profusely. Quickly strike it in the direction you want and you get tack sharp lining as if it came out of a computer printer. With Mike you will never see a bleeding line…ever.

I actually didn’t even get to talk to Mike in regards to his latest works. It seems Bobby had more of an in depth discussion with him than I did. “Hey man” and “Thanks for the photo” hardly holds as conversations these days, but I’ll take a half ass stab in why I think he drew what he drew.

I believe this was all a reminder to his audience that he can literally draw anything in the god damn friggin’ world. Corporate logos…got it! Iron Maiden zombie axe killer…easy! Popeye The Sailor Man…what am I? An asshole?! Or it could be a conglomeration of all the cultural influences that he’s experienced in his lifetime. Or it could be a little bit of both.



Rumor has it that Mike has already set his sights on Colorado after only living in LA for a couple of months. As he continues his journey in seeking his own self virtue, it’s always nice that he blesses us with his work at his second home in San Francisco. To see it all in the flesh, make sure to hit up FFDG.

Fongstarr
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