There’s a holy trinity of the things that I’ve always been in to that definitely formed the man that I am today – rap music, graffiti and skateboarding. I never would have though that when I grew up at least one of them would be how I make my living and be what I’m kind of known for, this DJing thing. And I don’t write graffiti anymore but like I’ve said in the past, once a writer always a writer. And even though I still get the itch every once in a while, I curb myself. But I still like to be involved as much as I can, from checking fresh tags on the streets to staying abreast of other programs, such as Tatu X-Men’s Paint Straight program (shout out to Chino and to my little homie Christian.)
The only one out of the three that I don’t do is skate, a, Spend that’s not because I don’t want to (I recently tried during our Shotguns, Sixpacks & Serato tour much to chagrin of my wife.) It’s just that I’m a cripple – excuse me, disabled – after a terrible car accident about 12 years ago. So my legs just don’t work that way anymore. But the desire never left me. Like a graffiti writer who sees a wall and immediately in his or her mind comes the idea of how a tag or piece would look on it, like a DJ who when they hear a specific piece of music immediately thinks about what it would be like to rock doubles of it, when I see a smooth ledge or rail or sweet bank, immediately I think about how great it would be to ride it. But tough breaks and that’s just not in the cards for me, as much as I still feel the pull.
In 1985 my mom opened the first skateboard shop in Philly, Spikes Skates, which was located on the second floor of the original Mitchell & Ness shop. Immediately all the kids in the city had a haven, a chapel, a place of congregation. You’re probably thinking damn that must have been the best thing in the world, growing up with your mom who owned a skateboard shop and guess what – you’re absolutely right. Skating is what made me the dude I am today. I met so many lifelong friends during the time was open, as well as being exposed to some of the greatest skaters of that generation. And I have to thank my mom for that, so… thanks mom!
Original Spikes Team Rider shirt designed by Tony Vogdes
Spikes Riders at Love Park circa 1987.
Roger Brown catching air over a car at one of the Spikes contests / expos at Tunn Tavern, 1986 / 87.
Mike Vallely on a ramp at one of the Spikes contests / expos at Tunn Tavern, 1987 / 88.
My homeboy Ari has organized the Spikes Skates 25 Year Reunion that will be taking place in Philly this Saturday afternoon. If you’re in the area come though and share in the love and the memories. It’s going to be a great time.
Back in March when I spun at The Do Over in Miami I think the second or third record I played was one that a whole grip of people kind of flipped their wig about. It was an instrumental version of The Ambassador’s “Ain’t Got The Love (Of One Girl On My Mind)” which is probably best know to our generation as the basis of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s “I Got A Love.” Yeah, Ambassadors is a hot record, and definitely a heavy piece, but c’mon son… the INSTRUMENTAL?
So about 10 years ago my man D*** B**** whom I had known for a minute from around the collectors circuit and just from being “dude” in Philly hit me up and was like “Yo Cosmo, you have to hear these Ambassadors instrumental acetates.” Of course I was like yeah fuck you son with them wolf tickets. But he kept on at it about them until I had to figure it out if he was bullshitting. Well, my man was not lying…
The Ambassadors was a sweet soul singing group from North Philly – and Philly was known for its sweet soul vocalist stylings at the time with groups like The Delfonics and the Stylistics. The Ambassadors were discovered by WDAS program director Jimmy Bishop who quickly signed them to his imprint Arctic Records. The Ambassadors released one LP, 1969’s “Soul Summit” and they had a minor hit with “I Really Love You.”
Here’s a picture of Jimmy Bishop (left) with Joe “Butterball” Tamburro (far right,) the man who succeeded him as program director at WDAS and is still there to this day, and whom is one of my favorite DJs of all time.
It wasn’t until 23 years later that the song “Ain’t Got The Love” really became such a sought-after piece. It’s an incredible song, actually written by another one of Bishop’s discovery’s – the incredible Barbara Mason – and produced by Bishop himself. Bishop produced a bunch of music at the time, including the very strange and psychedelic soul tune “Jason Pew Mosso” by The Interpretations.
So my man, the homeboy with the acetates, had this acetate which as an instrumental version of The Ambassadors “Ain’t Got The Love” but it wasn’t by them – it was by The Sam Reed Band. So it turned out that Sam Reed was a South Phillly based sax player who would session around town as well as being part of the house band at the world famous and legendary Uptown Theater on North Broad Street. Bishop put together a band under his and Sam Reed’s direction to do all the music for the Arctic releases. Now I guess that they thought that the instrumental versions wouldn’t fly as well as the ones with vocals. To me that’s surprising considering who they have playing on these tracks – guys like Vince Montana, Ronnie Baker, Norman Harris, Earl Young. You know, the guys who became MFSB and pretty much CREATED disco and are the living embodiment of The Philly Sound (and the SalSoul sound as well hahah…) Well anyway, even though that acetate is dumb-rare, the song was released on the “Mutha Funkin Sonofa Bitch (The Truth Behind The Philly Legend)” compilation in 2006. This one is by special request, so enjoy!
BONUS BEATS: It’s been exactly 5 years since Katrina and seems like everyone forgot. I didn’t, nor will I ever. Hold your head, Nola. You’re stronger than you think, and more inspirational than you know. Here’s a nugget from there, just one of many that magical place has given the world. And just in case you forgot, George Bush doesn’t care about Black people.
So yeah, I used to be a graffiti writer. And when I say “used to” that actually means that I always will be, even if I don’t actually lend my talent to writing on walls anymore. But it’s just one of those things that, once you have been “there” it never really leaves you. You write your name in the steam on the wall while you shower, you break your neck checking out new work while you ride the train, you see a wall and there’s a little voice in you that might say “A can of Rusto with a Kitchen Magic cap would look SO GOOD on that…” It’s the little things really. Kind of like how an ex-skater can see a certain ledge and go “Damn that looks like it would be fun to ride” and then will continue walking by. I might start talking a little more about my graf history in the coming months. It’s always good for stories, and I’ve got plenty… But I digress!
Here’s a really sick photo gallery of old school California / Mexican / Cholo graffiti taken in what has to be the 70s. Now Cholo graff is it’s own entity – completely unique and in it’s own world. I grew up in Philly and it’s widely recognized that Philly is one of the birthplaces of graffiti – specifically called “the birthplace of style” by my man Espo. Philly writers been doing their thing for a while. I remember my mom telling me about “Bobby Beck In 59” being up all over the place. There were all the writers from the late 60s and early 70s that got into the action like Cornbread, Cool Earl, Top Cat, Tity, Dr. Kool among others. Of course there also were the guys from the late 70s and early 80s that were the ones that inspired me to get my name “out there” – names like Clyde, Estro, Pez, E-Z, Mr. Blint, Deadhead, Credit, Jay-Cee, Razz, Japan, Kozmo and my local neighborhood kings, Pap & Brez. But that Cali Cholo shit is on another level, and it goes back all the way to the 1920s. Real ill behavior. Peep the joints below…
This lady has got so much flavor… she kinda looks like and reminds me of my moms. Okay, you can peep all the rest at Kid Deuce’s “Golden Age Of Gang Graffiti” Flickr. So yeah, I’m gonna start going through my old flicks, sketches, all that hot shit, start posting it up. Until then I’m gonna leave you with couple jawns from some dudes that really fucked my head up (in a proper way) back in the day… Kadism and Zephyr – 2 dudes from different cities. Kings in their own right, and 2 of the biggest influences on me as a writer.
On a terrible note, our friend Rendell Miller AKA DJ Randy Flash, was shot in a senseless act of violence and succumbed to his injuries on Monday night. He leaves behind him a tremendous amount of family and friends that will miss him terribly. I said that he was too good for this world, and the world suffers for his absence. I’m trying not to think about the absolutely mind-boggling senselessness behind the act that took him away from those who loved him. It’s better to think about what he contributed to this world through his kinship with people, his energy, generosity, spirt, gentle nature and love for music.
I first moved to New York in 1994 and then moved back to Philly in 1996, proving well the old saying that “One doesn’t leave New York, they just fail.” I really didn’t know what I was doing with my life and was quite despondent about things. With no real prospects, I applied for a job at Sound Of Market on 11th and Market. Randy was the guy who “showed me the ropes” and got me situated in my new life. By the end of that first day on the job, I was truly able to say to myself “This guy is my friend.” And that is the kind of person he was. He will sincerely be missed by his family, friends and the entire community of Philadelphia. Also, peace to DJ Lee Jones who has really taken upon himself so many of the responsibilites of rallying the people to commemorate our friend. Lee is a true mentch. There will be a memorial benefit for Randy next Thursday so please try to come through and spread some love. A viewing will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, July 26, at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1008 N. 48th St., where a funeral service will follow at 10.
This one is for Randy… Be well my dude, and we will see you when we get there.
Thursday November 21 – MF DOOM Book Release – Philly, PA 
So about 10 years ago my man D*** B**** whom I had known for a minute from around the collectors circuit and just from being “dude” in Philly hit me up and was like “Yo Cosmo, you have to hear these Ambassadors instrumental acetates.” Of course I was like yeah fuck you son with them wolf tickets. But he kept on at it about them until I had to figure it out if he was bullshitting. Well, my man was not lying…
On a terrible note, our friend Rendell Miller AKA DJ Randy Flash, was shot in a senseless act of violence and succumbed to his injuries on Monday night. He leaves behind him a tremendous amount of family and friends that will miss him terribly. I said that he was too good for this world, and the world suffers for his absence. I’m trying not to think about the absolutely mind-boggling senselessness behind the act that took him away from those who loved him. It’s better to think about what he contributed to this world through his kinship with people, his energy, generosity, spirt, gentle nature and love for music.
