Interview with ChinoBeige co-founder of the HipHopToyShop

Hip Hop gets its own toy shop, born from an MA project, the HIPHOPHEADS paper toys will be the shop’s first venture.  The first series is made up of 3  east coast rappers Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and Nas. We first saw these over on TDS and decided to delve a little deeper and got in touch with Chino Beige herself to understand a little more about the concept.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m currently in London. Chino Beige is a moniker for my creative work. I don’t give too much away about myself.

What was your MA in? How did that cause you to develop Hip Hop Heads paper toys?
The MA course “Applied Imagination”, was based on developing and testing an artefact, and interpreting that artefact into a business environment. I’ve always wanted to make collectible hip-hop vinyl toys, as there is no existing hip-hop influenced toy brand.

What inspired the idea?
My creative and business partner Alexander Hughes introduced me to paper-toys to help me with my project. I really took to the idea of “building your own” paper-toy. I ended up scrapping the whole concept of vinyl toys and instead made paper ones.

Alex and I began HipHopToyShop, focusing on our first product release HIPHOPHEADS. Our main aims are to keep the brand as authentically hip-hop as possible, do the culture justice and commemorate dope and classic hip-hop.

We decided to package HIPHOPHEADS in 12-inch vinyl record sleeves, to recreate the nostalgic relationship fans once had of collecting music.
Jay-Z was the first HIPHOPHEAD to be made, creating a collectible series of 3 of hip-hop’s most prolific artists Nas, The Notorious BIG and Jay-Z, an East Coast collection.

How did you decide on taking this to the next level and producing them to sell?
In all honesty, the product looked so dope, we received overwhelming good feedback and there’s nothing on the market like this.

When are you launching?
End of February, but everyone should follow @HipHopToyShop for all the latest info and updates.

Will you release any more rappers in the future?
Currently we’re working on a second series made up of West Coast rappers, Eazy-E, Snoop and Pac. We’re also in talks with MF DOOM’s people. That’s all we’re giving away for HIPHOPHEADS. (for now)

Will the Hip Hop Toy Shop just sell Hip Hop Heads or other product too?
We hope to release collectible vinyl toys / figurines inspired by Malcolm X, Tony Montana and young Michael Jackson, becoming a home for followers of hip-hop culture. Collecting is a big part of hip-hop (sneakers, caps) no one has introduced dope collectible toys, until we came along. We’re working on a customisable O.G Bear paper-toy (our mascot), set for release in April.

http://www.hiphoptoyshop.com/

Sampled: Sicker Than Your Average Sample Sale, 3rd Dec

The Doctor’s Orders knows what’s up! Sampled combines a sample sale with a record fair and club night featuring your favourite streetwear brands, some of the UK’s best record sellers and art stalls. If the girlfriend needs convincing let her know that there’ll also be a nail bar.

A strong hand picked selection of streetwear brands will be on offer at a fraction of their usual prices. Brands will include the likes of Stussy, Alife, Stones Throw, Gimme Five, DGK, Osiris and a lot more. For the crate diggers there’ll be classic vinyl, hip-hop box sets, rare soul and jazz LPs traded by Mr Thing, Crazy Beat, Rapandsoulmailorder, Jake BBE, JP and Nice Up will all ensure plenty of interest for any avid music collector. This will bound to be crate digging galore!

After the sale, Sampled holding a one off club night with an incredible line up of DJs including Mark Rae (Rae & Christian), Andy Smith (Portishead), Mr Thing, Spin Doctor, Mo Fingaz & BobaFatt.

Moniker Art Fair @ Village Underground

Breaking from the traditional format, Moniker highlights the work of a generation of artists often overlooked in British mainstream fairs, though widely acclaimed by museums and established art institutions throughout the world.

With such success last year, Moniker Art Fair will be expanding its 2011 programme to include galleries such as Scream London, who will showcase the iconic art of Andy Warhol alongside LA neo-pop artist, Greg Miller at the fair. Other artists exhibiting include the up and coming Russell Young, street art favourites Ben Eine and Herakut, as well as the introduction of a strong group of Pop Surrealist artists such as Luke Chueh from California and New York photographer and ‘beautiful loser’ Cheryl Dunn.

Moniker Art Fair – 13th – 16th October 2011 – Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, London, EC2A 3PQ
www.monikerartfair.com

Meeting Of Styles Photos

Even though the Indian Summer didn’t last out this weekend the masses still turned up for Meeting Of Styles, where graffiti artists from across Europe took over walls across the Studios, just off Holloway road.

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Meeting of Styles – Rescheduled for 8th October

Now in it’s fourth year, Meeting of Styles will feature over 60 of Europe’s best graffiti writers and street active artists painting live. There’ll be a cinema with a Reeps1 Beatbox installation, licensed bars, and cult carnivores Meateasy will be manning the BBQ. There’s music throughout the day but the after party vibes in the newly painted space inside will come courtesy of Lazy Habits, DJ Mylon, Rolls Royce, Trol23, DJ Format and Phi Life Cypher.

This event has been rescheduled for 8th October, check the Meeting of Styles Event on Facebook for the latest information.

Takashi Murakami at the Gagosian, London

Having just added to the Google Doodle series earlier this week for summer solstice, the Superflat artist, Takashi Murakami will be unveiling new work in London next week.

The subject being human sexuality and its expression in Japanese animation and comic books, his exhibition is supported by these words, ”I think the Japanese male sexual complex originated in the two-dimensional world –animation, games and so on – which then transferred to small three-dimensional sculptures. But before my sculptures Miss Ko(1997) and My Lonesome Cowboy (1998), it had never been represented life-size”.

The Gagosian promises a selection of paintings and sculptures from the artist which will be available for viewing from 27 June -5 August.

StreetFest 2011 Video

Over the bank holiday weekend StreetFest took over Hearne Street car park once again. The Next Men headlined along with performances by Ghostpoet, Wretch 32 and UK beatbox champion, Reeps 1. Outside crowds gathered around bSupreme breakers, with a backdrop of live murals from the likes of Inkfetish, Remi Rough, Blam, Best Ever, Candy Flo, Elfin and 45RPM. Back inside skaters took turns on a specially constructed half pipe next to stands selling UK designed clothing.

A great event, shouts to everyone involved and all those that attended!

StreetFest 2011, 29 May

Back around again, StreetFest presents 10 hours of innovative showcases starting at 1pm through ’til 11pm at Hearn St Car Park this Sunday. Merging creative talent from the worlds of; music, art, film, street sports and fashion.

Beats from The Nextmen along with the Urban Nerds, outside Remedy will host some Spoken Word and on the main stage teams will go head to head in a live Secret Wars art battle.

SheOne mural: Unit 44, Newcastle

London based artist, SheOne, took a trip up to Newcastle’s Unit 44 and painted this as part of the White Walls Project. Quite nice we think you’ll agree.

Photo by David Bilbrough for Breaks of 10 / Unit 44

The Wall Project at Rich Mix

Rich Mix and Havana Club are collaborating to present the Havana Club Wall Project. The Project is an art competition that will allow emerging talents to gain exposure in one of East London’s cultural hotspots. The twelve-month project includes three commissions launched by three live events, hosted in conjunction with the start of Rich Mix’s new seasons.

Tonight Remi/Rough is launching the Havana Club Wall Project with his interpretation and vision of the values that make Havana so unique. The Wall Project is then open as a competition to encourage amateur or professional artists to submit their interpretation of the true values of Havana.

Entries can be submitted by e-mail to visualarts@richmix.co.uk, a selection will be posted on the Havana Club UK and Rich Mix facebook page to invite public feedback and final judging will be made by a panel led by Remi/Rough.