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Jimmy Castor is really one of the unsung heroes of a generation that defined the funky rhythms that is now heavily akin to sampling of hip hop. However, Jimmy Castor’s work is to be praised individualistically in its purest form without regard for who chose to pay tribute to it or not. It’s a true shame that this year and 2011 has been riddled with the passing away of so many great artists including Gil-Scott Heron, Heavy-D, as well as Guru.

Castor who passed away Monday in Henderson, Las Vegas, passed from cancer at the age of 64. Truly, it was Jimmy with his iconoclastic approach to music, one of a kind persona, swinging rhythm and hard to ignore voice that probably drew inspiration from groups such as Funkadelic. The Bboy community will always appreciate his incredible contributions to the music with “Its Just Begun”, and “When”, which to me are as important to original breaks as “Apache”.

Civil Salutes Jimmy as an artist who really chose to Celebrate The Difference, in fusing Latin, funk and many genres into his own unique mixture.

Rockin’ Civil Swoop…Celebrate the Difference.

QUADRON – “EX-FACTOR” from Coco + Robin = Quadron on Vimeo.

Sensational Quadron Covering Lauryn Hill’s Ex-Factor. Celebrate The Difference.

The cover is something done when one is brave, one has to add life to it and breathe in their own essence while still keeping the integrity of the music. Covers are sometimes criticized as the easy way out when they can heighten the burden, Quadron’s Take on one of Miss Hill’s classic is no small feat.

An exclusive look into the very well cultivated polite letter that Mick Jagger sent to Mr. Andy Warhol requesting for the services of the iconic artist. The collaboration between these two artists led to a prolific career of Warhol album art for a plethora of great artists spanning different genres. Listed are the Rolling Stone collaborations, plus other work that Warhol did.

Some important questions to ask are what made Warhol’s art so prominent in these years .. and how did these relationships between fellow artists come about, was it merely due to fame or was there a meaningful collaboration.

Celebrate The Difference.

Check out this interview with Tomorrrows Bad Seeds…our good friends and family. Always showing love and Celebrating the Difference. Moi rockin’ Strange Days-Stranger Nights…you can find here.

Ice Cube illustrates his esoteric knowledge and reveals that he used to study architecture before his career in hip hop. In his segment of interview with the NY Times, Cube takes us on a tour of a few architectural landmarks. An artist revealing his multifaceted nature is an example of Celebrating The Difference, Cube dropping his knowledge in architecture and paying tribute to Eames is nothing short of that.

“What was appealing was showing off Los Angeles to people who think they know what Los Angeles is all about… Everybody who comes here thinks they got the place figured out, but you can never get this place figured out.”

Driving down Inglewood Boulevard in South LA, the rapper also breaks down “the good, the bad and the ugly” about art and architecture in Los Angeles. Things that make his good list: the Forum, 5 Torches, Cockatoo Inn and Watts Towers.

For Ice Cube, the worst thing about LA is the worst thing on everyone’s list: traffic. The 405 is filled with “bougie traffic.” The 110 is “gangsta traffic.” “There’s a difference!” he insists. “You gotta know where you at.”

Moises rocking hard and soulful with Civil’s Regime Tour Tee. Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds is an immensely talented group that has been doing the thing for a while and touring. Rush hour illustrates how they truly Celebrate the Difference by living their dreams. “Vices” is a testament to the struggles of the human spirit.

You can catch the Regime Tour here on Karmaloop! 

Last night was definitely something to remember. I admit ; I am not the greatest Morrissey fan…and I surely realized this walking toward the entrance of the Shrine in Los Angeles. People were die hard as fu*k!…Crying, screaming, laughing, jumping…mainly just having a good time.

Once we got inside we hit the bars to get a good buzz before Moz got on stage. Soon the bars were packed and the bathroom line started looking insane. We got the rest of our drinks and headed for our seats. I didn’t realize how close we were  until I got inside the actual theater area. I’ve never seen a show at the shrine so I didn’t know how personnel the seating was. It was awesome knowing we were about to see Morrissey 15 feet away from us. I mean…we didn’t get seats as good as the Olsen twins who were sitting literally underneath his ball sack.

I’m not hating though; it was dope that they were in attendance too. Soon after we sat down the lights dimmed and the opening act came on. I was un-familiar with the singer (Kristeen Young) but she was pretty cool.You can listen to her stuff on you tube I think…(If you’re interested…)

Kristeen Young finished her set and walked off stage…now it was time for the main show. Morrissey walks out and the crowd cries, screams, dies, all at the same time. The show was bad ass and Morrisey is still the illest…even though he didn’t play ‘Ask’ or  ‘Please Please Please’. I know, I know…these are The Smiths songs, but it didn’t hurt to wish. He had an epic performance as the crowd scream when he walked off stage. They started chanting “More-ah-see” ,More-ah-see”. Two minutes later he walked back out and ceiling almost fell when he played an encore performance of ‘STILL ILL’!!!!!  Morrisey  represents everything our brand slogan stands for..he as an individual and a performer truly embodies the message to CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCE.

Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds on Tour Rocking Civil’s Final Tribe Tee and the LA!