The 40 OZ Saga is the brain child of both Ron Hygh and Diceman Sean Jennings of the Legion. 

Both of them hailing from the Bronx NYC came together after a great opportunity came about whilst Ron had been recording some sessions at this Studio located in Seattle.  Mob Studios is this incredible unit, laid out to accommodate recording artists, filmmakers and events.  The team at the studio are highly skilled and carry a wealth of experience within the Media and music field.

Sean had spoken to me a few times regarding this idea that had been presented to him by Ron and that he would like to introduce me to him to listen to his idea and possibly add on. Brainstorming together to help create a plan in turning his idea into a reality. 

Ron had everyone at the studio on board.  What did we discuss?  I asked what is their vision? Who is your target audience? What resources are available?  How do we invision the interviews going?  Where can we take the show? How can we be different? 

What can I bring to the table?.  Firstly as an editor, I can put the show together and edit it.  Even though I live in the UK and the show is filmed in Seattle can we find a solution where I can work and complete and present a show in good time. 

Also we talked about the direction and having a clear plan.  After a few meetings with Ron and Sean the next meetings were with the team at Mob. 

Prior to the meeting, they made themselves very aware of my work and abilities and together we discussed how I could access the footage. Which proved to be simple as they gave me access to their server.  We discussed the shots, camera angles and the spaces to be used within their studio. 

This is a completely new venture for everyone involved. The skills and abilities the tools the talent are all there, but we are not under any illusion that this will take time. It is not easy to be in front of the camera. To conduct an interview and get the best out of somebody is not something simple.  

What is show – 40 0z Saga is a show aimed at black and wider audience dealing with grown men issues.  Ron himself is very invested in a healthy lifestyle.  As a chef, he has his own business and cares enough about men’s health that he wanted to put this programme together.  He has a history with Sean from their younger years in the golden era days of Hip Hop.  Ron was ne responsible for many of the designs of the well known Troop Brand in his youth.  Sean had a record deal with his group The Legion releasing a record considered a classic Jingle Jangle. 

Last year they filmed two episodes, which I edited.  Looking back we held these shows back, using them to reflect on how we can make the show better.   Since then we filmed two new episodes which will be released soon. 

I see lots of potential here.  What separates them from the many other black media outlets is the production values which makes the 40 OZ Saga stand out for me.  With the house band the studio, the team that originally was set out to be a zoom type platform podcast is what you see above.  This is more than a conversation or podcast, this is a Saturday night show. Performances by the very talented house band, Sean and guests. 

It is important to remember that there has been no outside investment from anywhere this is a production made by a few people that thought it was a good idea and that it was important to them to make it.

If you are in the UK and looking to produce an upscale show, and are looking for direction or editor feel free to contact me.  As the call me in the States ‘The Wizard’

Mickey has been a long time supporter and collaborator with me and the team at KOTB.  I was and still am a huge fan of the second Main Source LP, F What you think.  The Album featured the Legendary Queens M.C.  Former Sleeping Bag artist who recorded with the Engineering and Producer giant that was Paul C (RIP).  Along side their DJ Johnny Quest they released a line of hit singles including ‘My Telephone’ and ‘Comin in the House’.

Back in 2008 on a trip to NYC I met up with Mikey to film him for the project that I later released as ‘Memories of Paul C McKasty’.  A year later he was on a plane here to the UK after I was able to bring him over to the UK with the help of Kev De Kosta and the Brighton Hip Hop festival. 

Over the years regularly we communicate, as friends and fellow artists, we help each other obtain and achieve our goals. 

Mikey recently has ventured into building his brand Pass the Torch where his aim is to bridge the gap between generations of artists and creativity.  Slowly creating a community where together we can all learn from each other’s experiences and ideas. 

He has been putting the spotlight on artists that came before him that most of us may not of heard about.   People, who influenced, guided him throughout his career. 

If you are interested in hearing about the man and the conversations he has with the many guests Mikey features on his show Follow his Channel. 

I got to join Mikey for one of his live feeds as a guest. It was a good experience.

We would like to thank the Team at Minima based in the Hockley area of Birmingham City for supporting me as a Birmingham City Independent Artist, by stocking our latest works.

Minima is a very contemporary home furniture and lighting store selling some very stylish and unique pieces. I first went there after Mr Wynters invited me there for a pop-up store he was having at the location.

The Owner and Staff were very friendly and interested in some of the things I was involved in. I felt our book and Shaw Theatre Project would be a suitable product to fit into their line of products.

I can see some pop up events and Collaborations happing in the future. If you are in the City and would like to get a copy of the Lp or Book. Pop into Minima you won’t be disappointed.

‘For those of you that are unaware, the King of the Beats label has released a rare Hip-Hop jam from 1985 on vinyl. What’s special about ut is that it was the first time major Hip-Hop acts from the Bronx, New York shared a stage with some of the best Hip-Hop performers from the UK’s fledgling scene.

As more than a few people have pointed out recently, in my 35+ years doing what i do, I’ve pioneered a few things. Things which were considered ‘game-changers’. Such as;

1) I was the first writer to have a tag that was exclusively calligraphic.

2) I came up with the term ‘Calligraffiti’ in 1983.

3) I was the first writer on this side of the Atlantic to have an aerosol piece on billboards all over the country.

4) In 1994, I wrote, produced, & directed a feature-length documentary on Aerosol Culture called ‘Get The Message’. As far as i know, at that point, no writer had done that (Still I’ll not forget the work of writers like Kilo with his ‘Visual Graffix’ vids that were crucial in documenting the train scene).

5) As far as I know, I’m the first writer to literally spray-paint record covers for an album release. Not have paintings turned into printed covers like what Futura 2000 did for the Celluloid label in the 80’s but literally paint the covers so that each buyer has a piece of my art for themselves.

Swipe through the pics to Check it out.

Huge Thanks to Pritt & Marzena K – @magentadk who took the awesome pics! & Of course the guys at AM Screen Printing in Redditch for use of their space!

I couldn’t have done it without you all!‘

ADee

Saturday the 5th of February 2022 saw the launch of our new venture. Diggers is our quarterly art and creative book. An inside look at the world we created featuring works from photographers, illustrators, film-makers and Graff Artists. It is there to promote our clothing brand and record label.

We felt that it has been long overdue and that if no one was going to help us by giving us a feature or even a platform to showcase our world and work that we would create our own platform our own lane.

There is way too many gatekeepers in the industry and people who could help that choose not to. We have been dedicated and loyal to our work and colleagues. We stick to our beliefs and core values, our integrity means a great deal.

I will stand by my statement and say that we produce the finest quality works by far in the city. Where we fail is our marketing and promotions.

This weekend of the 5th Feb we launched our first issue alongside our Shaw Theatre project in conjunction with the legendary Artist the Artful Dodger. This project itself has taken 2 years of my life to turn into a real product. Together with the team at The Diskey Birmingham ( the oldest Record Store in the UK Est 1952) joined forces to present our new projects.

Saturday morning I was joined by the Artful Dodger also known as 2000 A.Dee setting up for the days event. Turntables Records and Books to go. I can not forget the staff at the Diskey Liam, Lee and Peter who went above and beyond to make people very welcome, offering Tea, Beer and Wine to the days visitors.

Slowly as the day progressed we started to get a lot of visitors, Some of the faces and some new ones. Stuart Myers one of the Photographers featured in the Magazine, was honoured with his presence. He was in the city taking pictures with a very good street photographer who goes by the name Ant Foster.

I really appreciate all those that visited and supported our day. We had people travelling from London, Nottingham, Derbyshire to name a few. Huge thanks to all of you. DJ Sparra and Damian joined us for the day too. Both of these guys play a big part in the labels becoming.

Marzena Klajbert the photographer who’s images of us working on the Shaw Theatre Project lead me to create the book joined us for the day too. For those that attended and purchased the books took full advantage of the time and place and quickly got books signed by many of the people who contributed or were featured in it. The day was about everyone coming together and acknowledging this talented pool of hidden gems, a small army of creatives that still dwell in the city of Birmingham.

Look forward to more events at the Diskery.

Alongside my childhood pal Jason Coombes we took part in our second appearance at Hockley Socials Monthly MKT.

A monthly market made up of a wide range of interesting local independent businesses. We are there selling our Diggers branded clothing and Records from the King of the Beats Label. This weekend was special as we made this day the first day that the public could get their hands on our new vinyl release. The Shaw Theatre Art Project.

Each and every cover is painted by the original Graffiti Artist The Artful Dodger. A true Legend in this artform. Somebody I have had a friendship almost 25 years.

Long before that as a child when I first got into Graffiti and Hip Hop I had seen his Tag and was totally blown away by it. Although we have done bits together over the 25 years this is probably our first official project presented to the public together.

The project we presented has been 2 years in the making. Saturday the 29th at Hockley Socials MKT seemed the perfect opportunity to present the piece to the public. In respect, we could of done it better. I did kind of hijack the projector in Cafe Artum to screen footage of A.Dee painting the LP Cover which to my disappointment people didn’t really connect to our stand. However, those that did catch on came over to find out more.

Catch me this weekend alongside the team at Hockley Social Club where on the 30th they are doing the Artists indi Market,. This will be the first opportunity to own a copy of our new lp. Its a very special piece, every cover individually painted by the UK Graff legend THE ARTFUL DODGER. taking it back the early days of UK Graffiti.

This is a limited edition piece once they are gone they are gone. This is a cultural piece and to this day there has been nothing like it presented like it in the UK. All the items we are selling is our own productions, the bigger aim is to help fund the movie I have been working on for the last 20 years. Remember Hockley Social Club the Sunday the 30th. 10 am – 2pm

Come Join us Saturday the 5th of Feb at Birminghams Diskery ( Record Store ). The Original Artful Dodger presents his project. THE SHAW THEATRE 1985. Each and every cover is individually painted by the legendary artist. Tha 40rce will be there, Look out for Setting Standards 3 coming soon. Pritt Kalsi will be there to launch the new artbook from him. The book features photography and art from the team who behind the scenes help the label on the projects. The Book is limited, with only 100 copies printed.

Huge Thanks to The Diskery for their support. Check out portraits of the Diskery team in the book.

Recently directed filmed and edited this add for a local business. I enjoy working together with Andrea on this project.

Visual promotion is very vital to help raise awareness of your services and products. This was shot in a day. Huge thanks to Natasha for being the model. If you would like some video production for your business or even pod cast please feel free to contact me.

As a child I remember going to sport shops collecting broachers of the latest sneakers and what lines were coming out.  Nike and Adidas used to print these pamphlets that I would from store to store looking for. 

I would take them home using them for inspiration drawing and designing my own Nike Shoes.  The very first pair of Sneakers I got that I considered a quality pair of sneakers was Nike Bongos costing a mighty £14.  That was a lot of money for us. 

Who would think that boys dream would become a reality one day.  I always liked footwear but personally, I would not consider myself a sneakerhead like the many of people out there that are real sneakerheads.  I know what I like and Im not really of fan of space shoes as mentioned in the Main Source Record Fakin the Funk.  Even my brother Chuck Chillout we are very vocal on the anti space shoes path the sneaker world has taken. 

Fast forward some 30 + years.  I found myself in a position where my personality today is very different to the person the kid I was back in 1984.  As an artist, I pride myself on my integrity and word.  I was let down by someone that fuelled a moment of anger that lead me to design and create a fake sneaker. 

Over the years I have earned the respect and time for a great many crews and artists I grew up admiring.  Very connected to some very serious artists who I have a special access too.  After presenting this fake advert I created to Marc Davis we discussed presenting it to the CEO of very large Brand that we found his details on Linked in.  Within 1 hour we was contacted the conversation really focused around we want to make these sneakers. 

A few meetings later It was agreed that I would design the sneaker and the box.  Alongside Marc Davis of Black Pegasus Records and the CEO we presented an idea to take the project one step further.  Suggesting the idea the Sneaker should come with a cassette album of some sort to mark this very special project. 

Alongside the group which we presented the idea too once we had agreed on everything has now supplied the audio content. 

I’m very proud about being part of this project and how this project came about.  Pure Hip Hop. Making something from nothing.  This sneaker first will probably slip by most people but for those that fans of the 80s golden era.  This is a must-have.

Thanks to all pre=ordering the artpiece.  Here is an update on the project.  We received the Test pressings yesterday.  Which I have approved.  So the pressing will go ahead.  All the components such as the book and Poster are here.  We are now looking still for a factory space location to paint the artwork.  We apologise for the delays but I can assure you the project is moving forward.

Please bear with us and look to the site for future updates.