Rockin the Bells X REVOLUTION

Jesse chops it up with Revolution to party-goers and artists backstage

Malucamala & Amaris prepare for a big jump

Miles Solay @ Santos RTB Afterparty

Forget those sappy posters of lions on the serengetti, or Heisman trophy winners with one word quips underneath--she needs to have her own poster with "Dedication" on it

Ms. Lauryn Hill

Bobby Digital and the Wu-Tang Cohort

M-e-t-h-o-d Man

You on point...? All the time..

The Abstract

"Wanna diss the Phifer but yall still don't know the half--"

Immortal Technique

Leo, Maluca & Amaris hijack a golf cart--en route to go smuggle more Grey Goose from the hospitality tent

The Ninth Wondruh

Waka-waka-waka-Pete-Rosenberg

MC Tingbudong Epilogue: The Two Jamels

Jamel Mims: Jamel Shabazz; no relation

Graffiti legend JAMESTOP, myself and Shabazz

E-Flat connections: Felton, Jerome, & Keith Selby

This is history right there, people!"

(Almost) Needless to say, the final night of the exhibit went well. Unlike the opening, it featured a rather intimate crowd of friends, writers, and fellow photographers--with a few standouts. Among the appearances were the legendary graff writer JamesTop-- and iconic street photographer of 1980's Brooklyn, Jamel Shabazz. Not only was it dope to chop it up about chinese graffiti orthography with a first generation writer, but my distinct honor to have Jamel's endorsement, memorialized through a photo of me & the crew.

Its a good thing I practiced my b-boy pose(s) in the mirror the night before.

Much respect to everyone coming out to support my endeavors--this is only the beginning!

MC TBD REDUX: BEIJING BARBECUE

Flip Flops, Baijiu and Kiddie Pools Not Included.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June, 2010:

Fulbright Scholar Jamel Mims Brings Chinese Hip Hop Culture to Harlem with Multimedia Exhibition

New York, New York (June, 2010) — Jamel Mims debutted his recent research on hip hop culture in Beijing, China, titled, The Misadventures of MC Tingbudong, on June 18^that Azucarera Gallery, located at 414 West 145^thStreet. Awarded the Fulbright U.S. Student Scholarship to China for Sociology in 2008, Mims now plans a three-week exhibition of the “multimedia ethnography” to run at Azucarera from June 18^th through July 8^th.

The exhibition, which is itself a collection of photography, film, and sociological anecdotes, is the result of a year long participant observation study as a social researcher living in Beijing’s hip hop community. Drawing methodological influences ranging from KRS-One to sociologist Elijah Anderson, the project is built on living and participating with practitioners of hip hop culture in Beijing who demonstrate its four pillars of cultural expression: emceeing, break dancing, DJing, and graffiti.

Gathered from a collection of concerts, dinners, and homestays, the exhibition takes the form of a “multimedia ethnography” in order to adequately display a subculture which, although relatively small, is both dynamic and multidimensional. Through multiple mediums, the research conveys hip hop’s critique on public space, ethnic identity, capitalism, and gentrification—and its transformation by the particular conditions in modern day Beijing.

Bringing this exhibition to New York is a crucial part of the ongoing process of mutual understanding advocated by the Fulbright—and to include Chinese hip hop in a global conversation.

“In Mandarin, 'Tingbudong' literally translates to: 'I don't understand,' but with this exhibition Jamel shows a clear understanding of this subculture and the elements that are helping to push it forward" --Justin Korkidis, Complex magazine

Mims was born in Washington DC, where he first began to learn mandarin at Sidwell Friends School. Since returning from China in 2009, he has continued to share his research with local galleries and schools, and profile independent hiphop music culture in New York City. For more information about the artist, please visit his website at: http://www.jamnopeanut.com.