Local artist and photographer Nijah Stevens had his first art show at The Bends last Friday, showcasing some of his newest pieces.
The Bends was the perfect venue for the show. Hopefully this is the first of many installations for Nijah.
Nijah is known for his more erotic photographs that often take a darker approach. For this installation Nijah stuck with to his erotic style but dripped in neon.
Big T2 vibes on this one.
My favorite piece of the whole show was “I’ll Be Back” an homage to the terminator. I could for sure see model Morgan Gabrielle as the terminator, especially with that red eye.
Saturns rings on full display on “Manifest”.
The intergalactic theme is present in all of the pieces. The opening separating the models legs from the rest of her body are similar to small black holes. In some of these pieces it feels like some of these models are truly in this planetary setting, will all sorts of cosmic energy surrounding them.
Definitely a full moon.
The turn out for the show was great, with fans of Nijah traveling from all around the Bay Area to see his work, one couple told me they drive from Lutz just to be at the show. Nijah is proving himself to be one of the dopest talents in all of St.Petersburg. I can’t wait to see what take he brings to his erotic & exotic work for the show.
My two favorite shirts from the Tampa Bay Raptors collection.
With the Toronto Raptors playing their home games in Tampa Bay this season, one would assume we would get official Tampa Bay Raptors merch, wrong!!! But it’s all good, the 1771 Designs has got you covered for all your Tampa Bay Raptors and Tampa Bay Sports gear.
The raptor slash on the ball in the form of a T is honor “The North”.
Instead of focusing on the actual raptor, 1771 Designs went with the teams current basketball and claw logo. I am a big fan of the red color way of this shirt. It would be dope to see a black and gold city edition of this shirt or even a purple throwback one.
“The South” is the official Tampa Bay supporters group for the Raptors.
The fans of the Toronto Raptors are called “The North”, so it’s only right that the official supporters group for the Tampa Bay base of fans would be known as “The South”. Right now a lot of “The North” won’t except us as fans but at the end of the day we both are here to support the Raptors. I feel that “The South” will play a crucial role in Tampa Bay finally getting our own NBA club, showing that our community will support NBA basketball despite not truly having a club of our own at the moment.
I am a sucker for anything throwback Buccaneers.
It’s important to make our newly adopted basketball club feel apart of the rest of the TB Sports community, so 1771 Designs to dress the raptor in some “Bucco Bruce” attire. 1771 Designs also offers a “Devil Rays” inspired raptors shirt that is next on my hit list. Fingers crossed for that Lightning/ Thunder Alley and Jurassic Park crossover the Bay Area has been waiting on.
1771 Designs always reps both sides of the Bay, showing love to 727 Hockey. I’m all for anyone that supports NBA2TAMPABAY.
Fans of all TB Sports teams will love these different takes on some of their favorite teams. I am all for exclusive merch but sometimes locals can add a different vibe than the big retail companies can. Support local and support NBA2TAMPABAY!
Laz Beats puts his own “Slug Rap” spin on some his favorite tracks off Playboi Carti’s “Whole Lotta Red”.
The “Slug Rap” blueprint from the Queen Of Slug Rap, Dj Don Rock.
For the most part “WLR” was pretty solid except for a few filler tracks. On Laz Beats “Whole Lotta Slug” he pretty much takes all my fav tracks off Carti’s project, and makes them his own by slugging them out, now a staple in the St.Pete Hip Hop scene.
The Slugged out reverb sound on “Whole Lotta Slug” allows Carti to beat you over the head slowly with his “Punk Rap” style.
My fav tracks off “Whole Lotta Slug” have to be Laz’s version of “Slayer”, “Punk Monk”, and “King Vamp”. The more PC Rap and Cloud Rap production on those tracks is more to my liking, making them sound even more wavy once Laz Beats gets his hands on them.
I would like to see more “Slugged Out” projects from Laz Beats, possibly an Uzi “Eternal Slug” project would go hard. With Dj Don Rock and Laz Beats at the forefront of the “Slug Rap” movement, it’s only a matter of time before the whole city is slugged.
With some standout verses on Palm Pact’s “Armada”, Bomber is starting off 2021 with a bang on his “Feed The County EP”.
“Armada” is a great starting point if you want to hear some more work from Bomber.
What I like most about Palm Pact is the diversity of everyone in the crew. Bomber is definitely more about flexing and putting on for the city, which allows him to ride over trap bangers with ease. Bomber reminds me of a Tampa Bay Skepta, it’s more about how he says stuff rather than what he’s saying.
The intro “Make It Cook” sets up the theme for the EP, with Bomber cooking up for the entire Pinellas County.
One of my fav tracks is the piano based “It’s Always Wartime” with one of my favorite lines being “I’ve been Tom Brady, even before he came to Tampa”. I am not sure of the sample but it has a “Kingdom Hearts” vibe to it.
Despite this being a Bomber solo project, some of the other Palm Pact members are spliced throughout the album. Ryan Rev adds some melody to “Come Correct” which is bound to get the crowd hype whenever it comes on at upcoming shows. “Let Me Know” is on some more chill vibes with an airy beat. Euphemistic’s fast tempo flow is a nice change of pace to change up the album, since Bomber usually has a slower flow. The album ends with a “Highway” featuring Kai Ken, who adds a more chopped up verse to the track, that fits with more of the chill vibe on the outro.
My second favorite track on the project is “Strange Days” produced by UAC’s Kmon Beats. The beat change after the chopped and screwed intro was a nice touch. Kmon blessed Bomber with more of a cloud rap style beat, but that’s not to say it still doesn’t have some knock to it.
Bomber is carving a lane for himself in the St.Pete Hip Hop scene. Not sure what he’s got primed for the rest of 2021, but I know once he finds all of the Chaos Emeralds he is poised to drop a classic.
Tombolo Books located on 2153 1st Ave S, is St.Pete’s premier indie bookstore and writers paradise.
Many favorites are showcased in the front of the store.
Despite the pandemic Tombolo has adapted to the changes by using resources like online orders and curbside pick up. They also recommend making a reservation if you plan on coming into the store however walk ins are welcome.
The staff picks wall are the go to for any blind buyer.
A friend of my Dominic one of the leaders of the Cat’s Meow dance group always raves about the great staff picks and is always keeping me up to date on the latest sales and specials Tombolo offers. Whether it’s fiction, non fiction, or some of the best local work, you more than likely can find it at Tombolo and if not they will be glad to order it for you. Some of the best book curation at Tombolo with new staff favorites added constantly.
Shelves and shelves for your reading pleasure.
Tombolo also partners up with various groups to host book clubs under their fleet, allowing anyone to join in any month just head to the rack and find this months selection from the various clubs on display.
The gift that keeps on giving.
My favorite part of Tombolo Books are the writers workshops they offer featuring local writing guru Roy Peter Clark. I believe the class is only like $10 and you get a gift card of equal value to use at Tombolo so it’s win win. The classes from Roy are very helpful in my writing journey, putting me on to skills I had not yet learned, allowing me to sharpen my sword.
Show your support for our indie book store by rocking some merch. This would be the first book as a part of the Jit Camp book club.
Tombolo Books is now a cornerstone for our St.Pete Art Community. I would like to see more of the writers workshops in the future as well as my own Jit Camp book of the month club under the Tombolo Books umbrella. With the year just beginning there is so much opportunity, so start your New Years reading goal now.
This weekend was Lida’s Jungle as well as Sans Market’s grand opening over on 1037 Central Ave. With my recent infatuation with bonsais and cactis, I had no choice but to check it out.
All types of greenery. Become a part of Lida’s membership club and get new plants each month.
I am not to big on these just straight up plants but if these are more your vibe stop into the shop. The vibe in the new location is very chill and welcoming for even a plant novice like myself.
One day I want a big cacti like this at my crib. For me the more spines the better.
The prices are pretty reasonable making it accessible for anyone to jump right in. The cacti I purchased was only $4, with the larger one pictured above going for around $125. I would like to see in the future what new cacti or even bonsais make it into the shop.
Your one stop shop for reusable products.
Now that Lida’s and Sans Market share a space it’s a one stop shop for earth lovers. Sans Market provides 100% reusable products from tooth brushes to shampoo they have it all.
I well for sure be checking back at Lida’s to see what other greenery might catch my fancy. They do offer delivery which is a plus on the larger items. Central Ave was missing this sort of spot but now everyone can feel the “Plantasia” vibes at Lida’s Jungle.
The Zhudaru1963 collective starts the year off strong with a project from one of the best artists in the city Alec Burnright.
I’m a huge fan of a solid 9-12 track project I don’t need a 22 track double disc album of all your shit. Burnright takes advantage of that by making sure all 9 tracks on “Mofongo+” make sense and fit in the context of the album, keeping the filler tracks off. The production is mainly handled by CLP Nation producing tracks 2-8 the meat of the project. Tysonious Monk & Nick Nash bookend the project with tracks 1 and 9 respectively.
The tone of the album is made up of all bangers with Burnright drifting into a more island persona at times. The intro is a perfect example of that island flavor, that fits the mofongo theme of the project.
CLP Nation is in his bag on the banger tracks like the Egyptian sampled “Comeback” and my standout “Tony Danza”, the latter is guaranteed to be the street anthem of 2021.
Burnright and CLP Nation add in the perfect mix of chill tracks like “Moon Shine” and “Captain Planet”. “Slice” featuring Ol’ Manolo & Jimbo Shrimp is a good change of pace to end out the album. The “WOW Freestyle” sample on the outro track “Old School” should be the set closer for all upcoming shows.
On “Mofongo+” Alec Burnright cemented himself as one of the premier artists out of Zhudaru as well as in the entire Burg. Imma need a video for that “Tony Danza” joint as well as a full project from Burnright and CLO Nation. Stay locked onto the city for all the latest projects out of the Zhudaru1963 collective.
Yet another one of my top 10 list dominated by Griselda and other “Boom Bap” rappers but “Punk Rap” founders Uzi and Carti keep me young. Hopefully next year we get a Kendrick project and Cloud Rap comes back cause I really do miss it. With that being said alto of dope
10. Conway The Machine- From King To A God
Despite the more commercial route Conway stayed true to his roots with one of my favorite tracks of the year featuring the legend Method Man. Some of the more NY club records like “Anza” went pretty hard. If it had a few more of those boom Bap records it probably would have been a little higher.
9. 38 Spesh- 1995
That was a good year! Griselda affiliate 38 Spesh dropped his best project to date with “1995”, an ode to classic tracks from that era. All the beats are classic, allowing 38 to rhyme some of the hardest NY bars. From AZ to Raekwon, 38 makes each track his own. The DJ Green Lantern drops make the tape feel even more like a classic mixtape.
8. Stove God Cooks- Reasonable Drought
Cooks is the rookie of the year. Roc Marciano blessed him with some of his best production to date. From the sample chops to the way cooks flips drake hooks into his own trap shit. Cooks just wants to be the hardest trapper in the game and that’s what I love about him. One of the coldest lines is when he says “Still smellin like a brick right now”. He really is the Stove God.
7. Playboi Carti- Whole Lotta Red
After a two year wait Carti had to deliver on “WLR”. For the most part he did. I would have liked to see more production from Pierre Bourne and Workin On Dying but the production went hard. The Kanye and Cudi tracks definitely felt forced so those can go but tracks like “Phonk Monk”, “Slayer”, and both the vamp songs are new favs. Carti and Uzi are the pioneers of “Punk Rap” and “PC Music” the name comes from the old computer sounding production. It’s not better than “Die Lit” but I’ll take it.
6. Westside- Who Made The Sunshine
I am not sure where this project lies in my Westside Gunn tier. So far I think it ranks second but this is for sure his best project of the year. It was so dope for him to get Slick Rick on two tracks which ended up being my favorites. “Butcher and the Blade” is another boom bap Griselda banger. Other than that one chick song the whole album slides.
5. Ka- Descendants Of Cain
Ka might not be for everyone but he gives me the same feeling DOOM does. He’s sort of like an enigma. His bars are always top notch but the production on this project makes it my favorite from him as well as for the year. The theme of brother killing brother really hit home on this project.
4. Lil Uzi Vert- Eternal Atake/ LUV vs. The World 2
Uzi for sure lived up to the hype on not just one but two projects this year. On “Eternal Atake” Uzi used Workin On Dying as the main production which gave the album its inter galactic feel. LUV vs. The World 2 focused on more of a trap centric production style but for me it might even be the better of the two albums.
3. Benny The Butcher- Burden Of Proof
From being number one to being number three isn’t that bad, Benny is my favorite rapper and his debut “Burden Of Proof” solidified it. This project showed Benny could still be street while still branching out into a more mainstream sound. Hit Boy really did his thing between this project and Nas’s, Hit showed he’s back with a vengeance. With that being said I hope Benny goes back to some more street shit on the next album so it can be number 1.
2. Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist- Alfredo
This is the gangster rap “MBDTF”. From the I untouchable Alchemist production to the features picked perfectly for each track. Gibbs and Alc nailed it. Their project with Curren$y “Fetti” was just a taste of what Alc and Gibbs really had in store for us. Now the debate between heads will be which is better “ Alfredo” or “Bandana”.
1. Roc Marciano- Mt.Marci
On first listen I knew this was going to be number one. I can play this joint straight through no skips. Roc elevated his production bringing you that pimp shit but also incorporating in some darkness. “Mt. Marci” feels like all the best songs from all of Roc’s albums got put on one project. All the tracks are next level but “Downtown 81” and “Steel Vagina” are my two favorites. Who knows how Roc is going to top himself next, let’s hope for Metal Clergy with Ka.
Despite COVID putting a lot of things on hold, it didn’t slow down the St. Hip Hop scene. With artists and collectives from around the burg delivering some of their best work I had no choice but to make a list.
Definitely the hardest project out of Tampa in years.
Honorable Mention: Big Baby Scumbag- www.flexedupshawty.com
Big baby would have been like number two on the list but this being a St.Pete list I didn’t feel it was right. With that being said it’s definitely the hardest project the 813 has produced in years. Scumbag delivers some of the best bangers of the year, especially on “Bobby Hill”. Big Baby is going to take over the entire Bay Area in 2021.
Palm Pact brought out the entire burg on “Armada”.
6. Palm Pact- “Armada”
2020 was definitely the year of the compilation albums, and “Armada” was no expectation. With tracks ranging across all genres of Hip-Hip, there’s practically a song and style for everyone. It was really dope to see the UAC homies on the album as well.
Big things coming out of the Clergy collective in 2021.
5. Andy Christ- “Juice EP”
The Juice EP from Andy Christ gave me faith in the underground scene, with his ability to make catchy songs but also make bangers. Andy Christ has been running the show scene for the past few years. Once the debut project is finally released Andy Christ and Clergy will be the underground kings.
“St.Creaturesburg” brought that Underground Florida Sound to the burg.
4. Young Mop- “St.Creaturesburg”
Young Mop had a big 2020, with three projects in total and numerous singles under his belt I had to put one of the projects on the list. I really dug how dark this project was, capturing a different side of St.Pete that not many other artists touch on. From the production to Mop’s bars, despite his dark days being over, “St.Creaturesburg” will have an impact in the scene for years to come.
Don Rock created the “Slug Rap” blueprint on “Welcome To The Players Club.”
3. Dj Don Rock- “Welcome To The Players Club”
It is important for a scene to take a distinct sound turning the genre of Hip-Hop into something a region can fully embrace as their own. On “Welcome To The Players Club”, Don Rock gives birth to the new “Slugged Out” St.Pete Hip Hop. From start to finish, just press play, light a blunt, and crawl down Central Ave phonking this tape. “This ain’t no chopped & screwed.”
The Zhudaru collective has vibes for everyone, across all genres.
2. Zhudaru1963- “Skyzhone”
For me this project is so special due to the different sound and style each member of the Zhudaru1963 collective brings. From Kayo Da Beast, Mackey Emmanuel, and Alec Burnright, Heyeyella giving you smash hits with “I Go Off”. Or Acoupstix providing your Sunday afternoon Bucs game chill vibes with “Arrogance”. The crew definitely achieved Skyzhone level. Kailxo Ratchet comes through with the trails and tribulations of street life in St.Pete. With all the members of Zhu slated to drop full length projects in 2021, the movement is only going to get bigger.
1. Onlyonetwo- 222
I haven’t felt this way about a St.Pete Hip Hop project since J Goodie’s “Reminisce & Muse” probably the best project ever to come out of the area. Onlyonetwo is able to capture the street life and just life in general, without coming off as forced. To me he’s like a mix between Roddy Ricch and Lil Baby but a way better lyricist than both while still crafting is own sound. From top to bottom this project is flawless with “Square One”, “Sacrifice”, and “Chosen Few” featuring Kevin Cossom. I feel like everyone can get behind Onlyonetwo sound and it’s only a matter of time before he blows up nationally.
Everyone on this list really went in this year, establishing their sound, as well as finally giving St.Pete Hip Hop heads a feeling that, St.Pete has its own vibe when it comes to this rap shit.
After fueling St.Pete’s hot chicken addiction for about a year over on Central Ave, Nash’s Hot Chicken finally has a brick and mortar location at 905 Central Ave.
The staff was very friendly and helpful. They made me feel like a regular on my first visit.
At first I was thinking about just keeping it simple, maybe get like 3 or 4 tenders, some fries and call it a day. But nope the guy had the register suggested one of the sandwiches all which come with fries.
The “Early Bird”.
I am a sucker for sweet and spicy so I went with the “Early Bird” two pieces of hot chicken with bacon, strawberry jam, and cream cheese, on a “Martian’s Potato Roll”. The chicken heat scale goes from 1 to 5 but I heard their are even spicer flavors if you ask. I went with 3, and even for a fan of some heat this one brought it to me. The sweetness from the strawberry jam was much needed.
I drank the Kool Aid in one sip it was that bomb.
They are also serving up Kool Aid and Sweet Tea to save your tongue from the hot chicken.Nash’s Hot Chicken is just what the 727 needed, a place that makes authentic hot chicken for the right price. I Can’t wait to go back and try one of the other sandwiches or get a bunch of tenders for game days.
