Afro Of THE MOMENT: Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai has the coolest Afro to have ever hit the breeze. Voice by Samuel Jackson this cult classic can be a cool background icebreaker on an after date drink. Only the sexy know what I mean ;0)

BlackStory: The Prince of the Night: Jean Michel Basquiat

In 1960 Jean- Micheal Basquiat was born to Afro Puerto Rican mother and Haitian father. From a young age his parents encouraged him to express himself in art. Young Basquiat was a member of the Brooklyn Museum at the age of six. Guernica painted by Picasso inspired him to become an artist. JMB began drawing comics. At the age of seven he was hit by a car and had his spleen removed. During his recovery in the hospital his mother Maltida gave Jean- Michel the book Gray's Anatomy written by Henry Gray to read which gives us insight to the education he was receiving in his middle class home. JMB spoke four languages Spanish, French, Creole and English. By the time JMB was a teenager he felt repressed by his upbringing which probably was due to his fathers wishes of him being the perfect gentleman.

By the age of sixteen Jean-Michel was running away from home taking refuge in the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Al Diaz his partner in crime and Basquiat sprayed their SAMO grafitti all over New York City. Grafitti was a popular way for the urban youth to express their desires and frustrations. Diaz and Basquiat's grafitti was different being comprised of controversial social commentary and esoteric expressions. They became immediately popular for standing out among the tags with their philosophy. The SoHo news ran a wanted ad to identify the "SAMO" artist instead Basquiat and Diaz sold their story to the Village Voice for $100 bucks. Shortly after "Samo is Dead" begin to pop up after Al Diaz decided to fall back because he saw Jean- Michel as being an opportunist.

Young Basquiat with his signature crown beware of the rip offs

Jean- Michel stated that he always wanted to be famous and rode being discovered as SAMO throughout the village. He made his first television appearance on a popular public access program alone to discuss the work of SAMO. JMB made sure he was seen in night life. Hanging with Fab Five Freddy and many other starving artist. Lower manhattan was his playground and he was unashamed to be an opportunist.  JMB started a band named 'GRAY' along with Micheal Holman, Vince Gallo, Wayne Clifford, Nick Taylor named after the Henry Gray book given to him to read during his recovery.  They all were untrained in the instruments they chose to play however they pulled the girls and huge crowds. It was experimental electronica music.  In New York City during this epoch it was cool to be idiosyncratic and derelict. Everyone was a starving budding artist which many would change their "occupations" with their moods. This was an energetic and creative time for many NYC youths both native and foreign all meeting to influence a change and challenge the game. The Bohemian way of life was a must. Eccentricity was the ticket to the hottest clubs and parties. Most had no money, hopping the turnstyles living hand to mouth. It was a time of excitement and exploration that has not been seen in Lower Manhattan since. It was a renaissance of individuality and the freedom to express yourself as you were.

Jean- Michel's Band 'GRAY'   

The underground was coming up. Jean-Micheal Basquiat needed to eat. He began to create art on T-shirts, Sweatshirts and post cards which became popular. At the age of eighteen Jean- Michel approached Andy Warhol and Henry Geldzahler as they dined at a SoHo restaurant and peddled his post cards to them. Geldzahler bought a couple and declared them "young" art and dismissed Basquiat. Nevertheless he was excited and saw it as precursor to his success. The prince of the night continue to reign the subculture of the underground making his rounds to every note worthy event to rub shoulders with the art elite, the young and the restless. 1981 was the year he made the breakthrough he desired. JMB was invited by his friend artist and filmmaker Diego Cortez to participate in the P.S. 1 show along with twenty other contemporary artist including Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Robert Mapplethrope, and Kenny Sharf.  Jean- Michel had a warm reception and was immediately recognize as one of the rising stars. Rene Richard published an article in the " Art Forum" magazine titled "The Radiant Child" which brought Jean- Michel to the attention of the VIPs of the art world.  Annina Nosei was one of the art elite who took notice.

Jean- Michel and Keith Harring sharing the love 

Annina Nosei and Basquiat 

Basquiat became an overnight success with a one- man show at Annina Nosei's gallery.  He was catapulted to the top of the "Neo- expressionist movement". That was followed be another one artist exhibition at Larry Gagosion's gallery. JMB was setting a precedent with his entrance to this world of fame and greed. He was becoming famous for being famous. From Blondie videos to Madonna's bed he was enjoying the lavish lifestyle of a rock star.  Jean- Michel was God in his realm creating his own rules and manifesting his own destiny through  the strokes of his brush.  The notoriety continued with his contribution to the "1983 Biennial Exhibition" at the Whitney Museum Of American Art.  Andy Warhol was interested, he reached out to Basquiat becoming his close friend and mentor. The relationship was controversial and many thought Warhol of being a social vampire sucking on Basquiat's popularity to make himself relevant again.  The two icons decided to do a collaboration to no critical acclaim. Despite the whispers and hate they stayed close friends until Warhol's death in 87'.

Clip from the Blondie 'Rapture' video  

By the 1984 Jean- Michel was adored, loved and celebrated. Granting all this he was beginning to use drugs excessively. JMB appearance became unkempt and he was in a constant state of paranoia.  Truth be told that the paranoia was not all drugs it was due to the fact that "friends" were stealing his art from him home and art dealers were stealing unfinished works from his studio.  He was surrounded by a lot of smiling faces that he could not trust who were more then willing to take advantage of his generosity and his drug induced black outs.
Everyone wanted a piece, I dont think its possible to split your spirit in that many ways, it evidently took a toll on him in every way without the evidence of many "friends" stepping up for an intervention.  Early the following year Basquiat hit the pinnacle of his notoriety with appearing on the cover of "The New York Times Magazine". He was the center of writer Cathleen Mcguigan's titled essay "New Art, New Money: The Marketing Of An American Artist". Later that year he joined "The Queen of the art scene" with his exhibition at the Mary Boone gallery.

New York Times

Jean- Michel Basquiat had the opportunity to go to Africa to for an exhibition in Abidjan, Ivory Coast which was an honor being of African descent.  At twenty five Basquiat was the youngest artist ever given an exhibition at the prestigious Kestner Gesellschaft  gallery in Hannover, Germany. There were more than sixty paintings and drawings exhibited. Later on in the year Andy Warhol passed pushing Jean- Michel into depression and deeper into drug use. Who he mostly identified with was gone forever.

Andy Warhol and Jean-Micheal Basquiat
Dos Cabezas 1982

The funny story behind this painting is that Basquiat was so enamored with  Warhol that during lunch at a mutual friend's house Basquiat jumped up and declared he had to go immediately. He returned twenty minutes later with this painting. Warhol admitted that he was jealous because Basquiat was faster then him beginning a inseparable companionship. 

Basquiat wanted time and space to heal and kick his heroin habit, he escaped to his house in Hawaii.  After nearly a year JMB came back declaring sobriety. August 12th, 1988 a couple of his friends came by to make sure that their later engagement to attend a Run DMC concert was still on. Jean- Michel's girlfriend went upstairs to find him unresponsive with vomit pooled around his chin. He was rushed to the the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.  The world lost a genius, a free spirit that needed to fly away. This dimension was too dense and could never give him the freedom he was searching for.

Fallen Angel 1981 

I had the opportunity to see Jean- Michel Basquiat's paintings and drawings at the Brooklyn Museum a few years back.  I was inspired to be free and experience life more spiritually. In his work I see the breakdown of who he was, his inner demons and the beautiful spirit that yearned to break free of its physical existence. Through his work I saw that he was transparent if you took the time to notice him bearing his fragile heart to all. I saw the emotional turmoil and his triumphs. I saw the breakdown of his existence and the skeletons in his closet. This man was truly a genius. A king worth his signature crown. A star in every sense that burn out too soon. But somehow I feel he left complete as I also feel despite his shy demeanor he is an old soul. Beautiful, wild at heart and sincere. Jean- Michel Basquiat is an honorary UrbanHaute and we honor him today, tomorrow and forever.

Self Portrait as a Heel: Current Price tag 5,906,500
*Seriously*

Cabeza 1982

Untitled (known as Head) 1981
One of my personal favorites

Photographed at Club Mudd where he hung out with the likes of Grace Jones, Debra Harry, Madonna, etc.

Jean- Michel Basquiat Dec. 22, 1960- Aug. 12, 1988

You Probably think this blog is about you......

I love this video....
We all have or experienced Cyber hate...
Along with dusting those haters off you can Hater Block too.


For All The Haters & Stalkers please read my article OBSESSED:Haters & Stalkers


Enjoy Video: I blocked you... 
To enjoy sound scroll down to bottom of page and press pause.

Happy Valentine Day From UrbanHaute

Eye Candy For The Ladies:

I have a flavor for EVERYONE.....

African King Idris Elba

Rock God Lenny Kravits

British Hottie David Beckham

The one and the only DENZEL WASHINGTON

Sexy Boriqua Benicio Del Torro

Happy V Day to the all the grannies out there
HARRY BELAFONTE

Remembering what it use to be
D'angelo

Korean Beauty Daniel Henny    

He gets the duct tape and I bring the champagne
My favorite crazy
JAVIER BARDEM

ooh he so sensitive and eccentric
Johnny Depp

The one Keanu Reeves

The gorgeous Samurai Ken Wantanabe

He was the reason I watched 'TrueBlood" Mechad Brooks
YUMMY

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow & Forever
BILLY ZANE

Edible Chocolate- and always a gentleman
Tyson Beckford

Happy V Day Mommy-This one is for you
Yul Brynner

Fresh Face Victor Ross II

New Candy Marcus Patrick
How U Doing??

Let's not 4get the ORIGINAL BAD BOY  
MARLON BRANDO

4 THE BIG FINISH- Again- MARLON BRANDO

Afro Of THE MOMENT: Jordan Richardson

Who's that girl?

Jordan Richardson is a beautiful fresh face in fashion. JR is an upcoming model that is signed  to VNY agency. She is most notable in United Colors Of Benetton ads. UrbanHaute wants to see more of this beautiful face crowed with her halo of fabulous curls.

BlackStory Month: UrbanHaute CALVIN LOCKHART

Before Denzel Washington, Idris Elba and Blair Underwood. Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier could not compare aesthetically to Mr. Calvin Lockhart.

Calvin Lockhart was born in Nassau, Bahamas on October 18, 1934. At the age of 18 he moved to New York City to study engineering but was called to acting. In 1960 he made his acting debut on Broadway in the play 'The Cool World' which lasted two days. Lockhart was not disheartened he moved to Italy forming his own theater company, acting and directing. Over the years as he moved around Europe he eventually landed in England acting in various roles on British Television and was an actor in residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

CL returned to the states becoming an acclaimed actor for his roles in blaxploitation films.  One of his notable roles was as the gangster character 'Biggie Smalls' in "Let's Do It Again" directed by Sidney Poitier.  Ossie Davis gave the star role in "Cotton Comes To Harlem" to Lockhart. A New York Times article described him as having "Matinee-idol looks" with "chiseled out of marble features" and "skin the color of brown velvet".

By the 1980s CL was guest starred for some time on the prime time soap opera Dynasty as Diahann Carroll character's love interest. A few years later he moved back home to the caribbean taking his wife and two sons. He became a director on several productions of the Freeport Players Guild.

The last film he starred in was "Rain" which was released in the Bahamas in 2007. Calvin Lockhart passed along at the age 72 from stroke related complications. CL left a handsome imprint on our hearts forever.

Calvin Lockhart Oct 18,1934-March 27, 2007  

CountDown To Valentines Day

Who do you love? Are you for sure? Which brings to mind a special friend of mine who has been by my side despite my screw ups for years. He actually resembles Bernard Wright in the video with the similiar hair do and the same wonderful smile. He is creative, intelligent and honest.  Mr. X always asks me these two questions in many different ways. To answer your questions Mr. X, I dont know and I am never for sure. When I ask him these two questions his answers are quick and they seem definite. So, Why do I keep running? He is unashamed and unapologetic for the way he feels. When I felt I needed time to think which turned into years he let me go and never made me feel pressured or bad for wanting to be "free" of love.  With him I know the love is real. When I act out he looks at me and laughs. I use to storm out and drive home mad trying to figure out why I could not get a rise out of him.. Why does he not argue with me? When I was stressed and looking for a punching bag all I got was a hug. I convinced myself the relationship was boring because there was NO DRAMA. He was quiet except when we got into discussions of how beautiful life was.. He would go on and on about all the countries he visited and what herbs he brought back along with holistic secrets. It was all about the positivity. I was not mature enough to appreciate the beauty and honestly. It was a reflection he wanted me to see that I could not see because it was not a reflection of me which was Selfish, controlling and angry at the time. I needed bombs to drop and the ground to shake. He needed the heavens to shine and the flowers to bloom. Hopefully one day I would be able to be like him and answer Who do I love? and am I for sure?

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

I would rather u sit me down & tell me the truth about "anything" & "everything," than to continuously "lie" to me cause once I am turned off from u, there is no getting me to see u differently. Everything concealed eventually gets revealed. Lies & secrets hurt more than the truth & makes others mistrust u. So if u feel u have everyone fooled, remember u can hide from man but never ur conscience & God

                                                                             - My beautiful Cousin Lorraine Kerr

                                                    

This quote is powerful and comes from the heart. We all have experienced this which is why some of us are currently single and happy. People out there should know it is useless to lie. The truth will be revealed eventually, especially if you want to have a long term relationship with the one you lie to. It does not matter how small the lie is or how insignificant you deem it to be. A lie is a lie. I feel that it is worse when the lie is small, when a man tells me that the lie is insignificant and small... I then ask him.. Why? Why lie if it is of no significance. Why not just tell the truth? Pathological liars lie so much that they start to believe their own lies which makes them dangerous. Ladies stay clear of liars. Dont waste your time. A real man has no reason to lie. He is unashamed of who he is and comfortable with the fact that NO ONE is perfect. A man who tells you the truth no matter what, is a man who really loves and honors you. 

THE SEXIEST COACH IN THE NFL: Mike Tomlin

The million dollar smile....

Damn he is fine! oooh this is the reason why I am watching the SuperBowl this sunday. I am a New York fan but since they are on vacation right now its okay to cheat.   Pittsburg Steelers coach Mr. Mike Tomlin is gorgeous and was voted 'Sexiest Coach' in the NFL, according to Victoria's Secret. Tomlin made the list in 2008 coming out on top. A Victoria's Secret panel based their decision on factors such as general attractiveness and charisma. In 2011 nothing has changed for Tomlin, he is still fine and on top.

Determined Terminator

Hanging with the Commander In Chief 

OBSESSED: Haters & Stalkers...

I did not mention any intention to violate my privacy on the part of Google.  My concern is not about the fact that I write a public blog and there is no restriction on who may visit and read it.  My concern is that tools I have in place to learn about my visitors has been bypassed by the "follow privately" option and Google reader.

I learned about my stalker because she admitted to how she was reading my blog in such a way that I would not know she was able to read my blog.  I use Sitemeter and Stattracker both as tools to keep track of visitors to my blog.  If I have followers who are following publicly, I assume they are reading my blog as well.  I could "block" any of those who follow publicly if I so choose.  In this case, Google does not allow me any option to disallow anonymous followers.  Nor can I "block" an anonymous reader because I do not know about their existence.  As for "knowing" anyone else, I see some statistics through sitemeter and stattracker.

I have been blogging for four years now.  I have worked in or closely with IT fields for more than 10 years.  I understand the concept that my blog is posted publicly.  What I did not expect, was that tools I could use to track visitors so that I could work on my own to maintain my anonymity could be rendered useless.  What I did not expect, was a loophole that could allow someone to read my blog without me ever having any knowledge about it.  This means people who want to be a blog writer, but have someone in their life who would use anything against them to hurt them, do not have any tools with which to protect themselves unless they want to have a private blog, and going private means a blog owner forgoes opportunities to attract new readers.  Sometimes this is not an acceptable trade off.

So my question, and what I really want to know, and what I really want to get to Google, is why is it not possible to close this loophole through which people can read blogs without being tracked in any way at all by the blog owner?  There are great tools to track visitors to the blog itself.  The public followers are tracked because they have let the owner know they are "following".  Why is it possible for anyone to be able to follow a blog and the owner never knows about it?  This does not have to be an option provided by Google, and I think it has more potential for harm than help.


-Posted by Blogger Steel Horseman (I feel you brother)



OBSESSED
(To disable music to enjoy MC scrowl to the bottom of page and press pause)




" I was like, Why are you so obsessed with me?" -MC

Recently I have come across the topic of haters and stalkers.  One thing that I do not understand is when someone has moved on from a relationship with it being clear they do not want anything to do with the person. Why do some resort to harassing? What is wrong with these people. Why do they contact your family? Why do they interfere with your work? Why? I know it is a sign of being deeply sick and plain out psychotic. What is worse and sad is if the person is  much older with children that deserves all of their attention. Why keep trying to communicate with someone who does not want to communicate? I feel when a person has become this desperate they become dangerous. Haters and Stalkers need to realize that people have the right to move on with their lives. The person that you are stalking does not have to respond to you, engage you or even be nasty to you. That person has the right to be silent. Your persistence in terrorizing confirms that it was smart and necessary for the person to severe ALL ties. Especially if the person is walking away with no intentions of wanting to hurt, hate or cause the hater/stalker any type of pain. The person simple wants to be left alone and unharmed. For all those people out there being stalked.. My prayers go out to you.


To the haters/stalkers please leave your object of desire alone. It is not becoming of you. You do look like a fool and frankly crazy. You are scaring people. It will be embarrassing to end up in jail over stalking someone who does not want to have anything to do with you. According to the law the stalked need an X amount of proof or damage before the hater/stalker can be served. Sometimes the hater/stalker would want to call on God or the law themselves because when you contact family or friends of your object, you may find an undesirable reaction from the family or friends. Back to the law: The law is great in certain states because all you have to do is collect all the emails, they trace URLs(goody!), the proof of contact with family (particularly the young ones), emails to addresses that were never forwarded to them or given to them hence it being illegal to posses. I did my research and this handsome police officer gave me the rundown and swore protection for me or anyone who has hater/stalkers on their backs. I warn all you hater/stalkers out there to pray. Dont feel defeated or angry. Hater/stalkers you brought this on yourself. Stop before it gets to a place where you are the criminal publicly, losing everything. It is not worth it. Use the stalking time to work on yourselves improving your mental health and to contribute to the growth of your family.

Dont see it as a failure that you can't have the last word. Change your perspective, learning from the relationship and take full responsibility for why it may not have worked.. Maybe due to your psychotic behavior. I am sure the harassed have taken full responsibility of their transgressions thus making the decision to move on without contact. Take this as proof that you have issues that goes to the extent to make people feel scared and uncomfortable. This is not honorable and you would not want someone to do this to your mother, sisters or children. Have dignity and move on. Life is great and often short. Dont waste your time on wasting time.
<BLESSED>

C'Mon Man Stop Being Crazy Its Scary!!!!
Cartoon courtesy of great artist Chad Baldwin

HELP for the stalked: ADVICE FROM ANNY JACOBY. 
(*Which I have taken very  seriously*)

STALKING IS A CRIME!

Once you’ve been a victim, you know how life-destroying stalking can be.

What Can You Do If You Are Bein g Stalked?

There are no easy answers to this question. First and foremost, you should always think about yoursafety. Here are some other things to consider:

• Report the stalking to your local law enforcement agency. While officers may not have enough evidence to arrest the stalker, it is important to develop this “official” record of the stalking behavior. If a law enforcement report is made, the information may become public.
• Some stalkers believe there are hidden messages within conversations they have with their victims that encourage them to continue the stalking. Some experts suggest that if your stalker is a former intimate partner or someone who believes you want to be in a relationship, you must be clear and firm early on about wanting to end the relationship. The longer the relationship goes on, the harder it is for the stalker to get the message that you are not interested.
• If the stalking has continued for a long time, some believe it is best for the victim to cease all communication with the stalker. Instead, let the “system” communicate with him through a law enforcement officer, probation officer, or through a protection order.
• A protection from stalking order may or may not be effective in ending the stalking. These orders may be most effective if issued when the stalking behavior first begins. They also appear to be most effective in communities where violations of the order are taken very seriously by law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges. If these situations do not apply to you, you may want to consider whether a protection order will help or hurt your situation. Call your local domestic violence/sexual assault programs in your state/county for further information and for a brochure explaining how to get a protection from stalking order.
• In some situations, further contact between the victim and the stalker, tends to encourage the stalker. Therefore, if you can, try to avoid the following:
  - mediation
  - joint therapy
  - shared custody
  - face-to-face child exchanges
  - protection orders (which will require a face-to-face hearing)
• Keep a log of all stalking behaviors, including the following (see Incident Log below):
  - date of incident
  - times and places the incidents occurred
  - description of stalking behavior
  - witnesses to the incident
• If you believe you may be in imminent danger, develop a safety plan, taking into consideration the following:
  - critical phone numbers, such as law enforcement, friends, domestic violence or sexual assault programs
  - critical phone numbers and contact information for other important people or services you may need after reaching a safe location, such as neighbors, attorneys, prosecutors, medical care, child care, or pet care
  - keep a reserve of necessities in case you have to leave your home quickly, such as a suitcase in the trunk of your car or at a friend’s house; include money, medication, toys or items important to the children
  - consider having important documents such as passports, immigration documents, birth certificates, and social security numbers readily accessible
  - alert people who may be part of your safety plan, such as law enforcement, employers, family, friends, neighbors, or security personnel
• Consider whether any of the following measures would help decrease or prevent some of the dangers connected to stalking:
  - installing solid core doors with dead bolts
  - changing locks, securing all spare keys
  - installing outside lighting
  - trimming bushes and vegetation around your residence
  - identifying locations that may be safe for you, such as police stations, residences of family/friends, local churches, or other public places
  - getting an unlisted number or, if you have financial means, using a “dummy” answering machine connected to your published phone line. The private or unlisted number can be reserved for close friends or family and the stalker may not realize you have another line
  - varying travel routes and other routines
  - limiting time walking or jogging alone
  - informing a trusted neighbor about the situation and, if possible, giving them a description or a photo of the stalker, asking them to call law enforcement if they see anything unusual
• Sexual assault and domestic violence programs may be able to provide you with additional help and information. The Stalking Resource Center can also provide you with information on stalking.

If you are in danger, call 911.

Anny is a Survivor of Domestic Violence with many years as a Certified Advocate. She firmly believes that EVERY female has the absolute right to protect and defend herself mentality, emotionally, spiritually and ultimately physically.
Anny received her PDR (Personal Defense Readiness) Instructor Certification in 2008.
www.annyjacoby.com
www.realisticfemaleselfdefense.com
www.projectsafegirls.com
anny@annyjacoby.com