I must admit I’ve been so busy I slept on this one. Crazy I got a chance to kick it with Nito earlier this month and he didn’t even mention this. Lol. Classic Nito though, he doesn’t say much, just let the work and the accolades speak volumes.

Cognito was chosen as one of Complex Magazines 50 Greatest Music Photographers Right Now. Here’s what they had to say about the “Culture Capture Champ:”

28. Cognito
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Cognito goes by many names, as a result of his many artistic lanes, all of which are under the FROLAB umbrella. As Cognito, he’s Mos Def’s official concert photographer, but has also photographed artists like The Roots, Erykah Badu, and Talib Kweli. In 2010, Cognito had a groundbreaking show at HVW8 gallery in LA, showing the incredible moments he captured of Mos Def on and offstage during his Ecstatic tour. He’s a true hip-hop documentarian and continues to amaze us with his breadth of work.

SALUTE TO COGNITO…WISH THE BIG HOMIE NOTHING BUT MORE EXPOSURE, MORE SUCCESS, AND MORE FROTOS.

A few days ago I happened to stop by Hype Beast and caught the homie Greg Mike’s art featured on the front page. If your in ATL check out ABV gallery which Greg runs.

Click Here to see what’s up.

Labor Day Weekend and the month of September are looking GREAT for ATL right now. Before summer is officially over, there’s PLENTY of things to get into if you haven’t had any excitement in your life for the past 3 months.

Sneaker Pimps returns to ATL for it’s 10th Year Anniversary Tour!

Check out sneaker collections of limited, rare, exclusive and custom kicks.
Hang out with fellow enthusiasts, collectors and addicts of the sneaker game
- and BUY/SELL/TRADE the dopest sneakers and the illest of street wear brands.

Battle with others on the all new Forza Horizon game for bragging rights and a chance to win exclusive prizes!

Performing live:
CYHI THE PRYNCE
Honey Cocaine
The Vagabonds
Speakerfoxxx
Skyzoo
Blake Carrington.

With music by Greg Street, DJ Mars + more

VENUE:
The Loft (Center Stage)
1374 West Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309

Friday, August 31, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Advance tickets available now! http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/20365.aspx

This Thursday night, there will be a special screening in ATL for Tattoo documentary “Color Outside The Lines.” The film is directed by good friend Artemus Jenkins and produced by one of ATL’s finest tattooist Miya Bailey. I’ve been hearing about this film for the past few years as it’s come together and can’t wait to check it out.

The primary purpose here is education, basically if people knew better they would do better. There are dozens of black artists who are trained and highly skilled in any form of tattooing one could ask for. Once people watch this film we really want them to have a better understanding of their options and a deeper appreciation for the art form.
The film highlights the history of black tattoo culture and how it began in the south despite a heavily segregated climate for black artists seeking entry.

We cover signature styles and how those styles have developed and influenced newer artists over the years. Tattooing in the media is another important aspect, as it is the biggest factor of how the cultures influence has spread. It is no secret that entertainers and athletes dictate the trends younger generations pick up on and tattooing is no different. What is surprising is despite the money these cultural icons have, some of their work is no better than the kid who got his in a basement down the street from his house. This further deludes the public as to what great artwork looks like and what is available to everyday people.

Aside from the art, we delve into the personal struggles associated with being an artist; how it affects your social life, personal relationships and other dreams you may have. There isn’t a person in this film who strives to just be a tattoo artist. There are artists who strive to musicians, painters, photographers, stylists, filmmakers, great parents and role models to their children, but they have to balance a demanding career choice that is also their passion in life.

Check the website for more info on the film.

Just caught the news this evening that NYC Graffiti Legend “Stay High 149″ has passed away. Stay High is a graffiti Triple OG who always kept his tag simple but effective and got up over several decades. He is one of the few cats who could put a tag up on a wall, and no other dude would dare put a throwie or piece over it. Now that’s clout!

I was honored to meet Stay High back in 2004 when he used to hang around the Frank 151 office. I met him a few times after that as well. One time he laced me with a lil canvas of his “Voice Of The Ghetto” tag that I STILL have hanging in my office till this day! The last time I bumped into Stay High was probably 2008. I laced him with a “Swagger Is Nothing, Talent Is Everything” T-Shirt as well as a copy of the new CD. Didn’t realize till later that I caught a picture of him right in front of a portrait of Dondi, another legend who passed way too soon.

Stay High is a true NYC Graffiti Legend. Honored to have a chance to meet the man and shake his hand during my lifetime. The “Voice Of The Ghetto” will be missed. Rest In Peace.

And apparently a Stay High 149 movie was already in the works, I had no idea. Spotted this at Frolab.

Rest In Peace Stay High 149. Gone but never forgotten.

Last Thursday I got a chance to check out the Kaws “Down Time” exhibit at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. That same day there was a lecture earlier in the evening which sold out rather quickly. I think I would of rather attended that for sure. While the exhibit was cool, I felt like there would be more pieces of work displayed. Many of the pieces I had seen before (not to say their not great, cause they are), but I think I was expecting to see some things I’d never seen before, some exclusiveness for the ATL. Upstairs was art, downstairs was a party with DJ Hurricane (Beastie Boys) DJing. Only thing I really didn’t enjoy about this was the actual art and the party being like 4 floors away from each other. I understand it was due to logistics and the lay out of the venue.

When I arrived Kaws was hanging out chopping it up with folks. It wasn’t long though before security came and ushered him off to a side door I didn’t even know existed HA. I also bumped into Maseo from De La Soul, Steve Deniro, Jay Force, Rob (Eighty81), Missy, Key, Bem, as well as a few other Famalams. Overall I had a good time though and it was great to see Kaws’ work up close and personal for the first time in Atlanta. If you get a chance definitely stop by the High. The “Down Time” exhibit will be running through May 20th.

Earlier last week Red Bull announced that the 2011 Red Bull Music Academy will be taking place in Tokyo, Japan. The applications are now available online.

The RBMA is a world traveling workshop, and a platform for artists, musicians, producers, etc. of various genres around the world who shape our musical future. It’s a place to meet other artists from around the globe, learn, work on music, network, and hopefully become better at what you do. In a nutshell, it’s every motivated musicians wet dream!

If you are an musician, singer, emcee, DJ, producer, etc. I STRONGLY encourage you to apply for RBMA. It does not matter if your an artist who makes music from your bedroom for fun, or if you’re a Grammy nominated musician, anybody is eligible to apply.

So… how do you apply? Feel free to check out this video below to give so some more information on the application process. If your ready to go, head over to RedBullMusicAcademy.com where you can download and print the application.