Hip Hop Serendipity

Wikipedia describes Serendipity as ..

“happy accident or pleasant surprise; a fortunate mistake. Specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it.“

This is how I would describe how my connection with Pritt came to be, it was quite literally an unsought and unintended but very fortunate discovery that I made when I stumbled purely by chance upon Pritt’s WordPress web site.

I will admit unashamedly that I had not heard anything about the Looking for the Perfect Beat documentary project before, but I was immediately captivated by everything about the project and it’s maker(s).

Everything I looked at and read up on the site just felt so right and all done for the right reasons. I sensed a lot of honesty and integrity and ambition here and I just said to myself I really want to meet this guy Pritt to just at the very minimum shake the guys hand and tell him ho impressed with his work I am.

So I connected with Pritt via Facebook and checked out his profile which just echoed exactly the kind of vibe that I had gained from his WordPress site. Here was a guy who was definitely creative, well connected, hard working and ultimately a guy who just was so genuine and the real deal.

I decided I needed to show as much support for this project as I could, So I posted links to Pritt’s site on my Facebook page, I’d posted the amazing piece of art created by Chris Malbon, and links to the trailer to just try and help in any way I could. I then purchased a ltd edition copy of the art as all the funds from these sales would go towards the project, and I was showing as many people the art as I could to anonymously support the project to try and help.

But as the days went on I just kept thinking about the project, I kept going back to the site to check out the trailer, read Pritts words, look at the interview with Chris and look at the poster that I would get in the mail very soon. And one thing kept coming back to me, the thought that I needed to meet Pritt.

So I wrote Pritt an email via the Facebook site, and in some way tried to describe my admiration for all those things I mentioned earlier, and how in many ways I saw a parallel with his life and mine, mainly in his hard work and dedication, along with never having things easy. I told Pritt how I’m firm believer in trusting my intuition and this was really the main catalyst that gave me the courage to say hello and basically say look can we meet as I’d like to try and help you get to your goal in finishing the documentary. I had no idea what skill I could bring to the table but I just wanted to get involved and meet Pritt.

So we exchanged emails between us and arranged to meet yesterday and I drove down to Birmingham to have a meeting with Pritt at his house. As I got out of the car Pritt had come outside to greet me and we shook hands and said hello, and from those few moments I knew this guy really was the real deal and we would get along.

We talked and I was shown Pritt’s studio, his cameras and some of his immense archive of video footage. I can genuinely say I was blown away by his Hip Hop connections, I knew he was well connected but honestly I didn’t realize how well. Just seeing Jazzy Jay, Marley Marl and Ultramagnetic for starters was jaw dropping, but then to see other Hip Hop luminaries like Charlie Chase, Chuck Chillout and Grand Wizard Theodore on the screen just blew my mind..  and everyone who spoke about Pritt and how they saw him on these pieces of film just echoed all the sentiment that I had formulated prior to and during our meeting that here was a very well respected, honest, knowledgeable, hard working man full of integrity.

Pritt, it was an honor to meet you yesterday and I know we will be good pals for a long time to come. You truly are my spiritual Hip Hop brother.

Maybe things do happen for a reason!!

ChOCi

photographs by ChoCi

I’ve never been one to write articles, not having the time is the main reason, but after launching this site I chose to make an effort to do so. 

Cleverly titled ‘Talking Loud, and Saying Something’ a spin on the great James Brown Record. A event held in Italy by a true pioneer. Who encouraged to use my voice to inform and encourage others, telling my story of my love and passion for my art and culture.

Recently I received a few letters, and messages of support from people who have felt a real connection with my work.  One of those was from a Gentleman named Choci from Leeds.  It was a long letter, to be perfectly honest I was so tired when I read it I didn’t not fully digest what he was saying.  I saw that he was offering to help the team, carrying bags or taking pictures.  I wrote back thanking him for his offer and his letter just inquiring if he traveled to London much. We could meet up for a drink and talk about what he could do.  I checked out his photography and saw a lot of scope in taking some behind the scene shots.  I left it as that.

A few days had passed and things here back at home had taken a turn.  Financially I had hit a brick wall, ruined.  My father,  who many years ago got me into cameras, making me do all the filming at the family events.  10 years old walking round carrying a super size camera and video and battery pack over both shoulders, had become frustrated seeing me work so hard and putting so much time and effort into my art for really nothing back that we fell out over it.  My mother in her effort to keep the family together visited me, asking me if I was alright, eating ok, since loosing Giging last year.

She asked why do you do this, why do you work so hard on this for very little back, can you not stop?  I told her I can’t stop, I know and can see something will happen.  This new film can be the beginning of a new life. I always ask my family to come to my house see what I’m working.  I then said, just read some of these letters, look how my work has inspired people.  I then went on to read Choci’s letter.

As I read it out and got to the last paragraph, I took double take at the screen, I’m sure it didn’t read like this the first time I read it’. He was offering to contribute to the project.  The cost of me going back to NYC to finish the film.

My mother was like is he crazy?.  His letter ended with ‘Im not crazy’.  After my mother left I wrote to Choci explaining that It just never sank in what he wrote.  Ive never had a offer like that, so really I think we should meet, so I can find out who you are and you can see who I am.  I think within 20 mins he sent me a message back saying he is up for meeting the weekend.

Sunday came and he was at my house after 10 am.  He sat in my kitchen and told me a story of how 30 years ago we wrote Morgan Khan, a letter like the one he wrote to me, which lead to him working at Street Sounds and on the Electro’s. 

After going through some life changing experiences,  having his whole record collection stolen he lost a part of his soul.  Focusing more on his career and developing himself.  He went on to make a success of himself.  Passionate about things creative, he took up photography.

Somehow he came across my site and saw the trailer for the new film.  He felt a connection to my work ethic and life trials.  We sat and talked until 5pm.  I showed him the studio and a lot of the old, hidden movies I had worked on.

I remembered back to when I first met Marley Marl and how he gave me a lot of time, gave me a chance to show him what I was about leading to him allowing me to visit his home and shoot lots of film.  Although I’m not making any money. I have always tried to pass on knowledge or help others if I can.

Choci revealed his name was Paul and that he had supported my project and purchased the poster then made the offer again of financially helping towards the project.  After thinking long and hard about it, so many times I’ve turned down help as I wanted everything to be my work, I agreed to his offer as long as he joined me on the trip as photographer, capturing the behind the scenes.

I don’t know how this happened or if this is for real.  I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from a dream.  Maybe sometimes the message or the ideas you put out there really do have a effect on people 

Posters are due in this week, ready to ship out on the 30th.  Andy Higgs pictured above, Cameraman and part of the Team that went out to the states to make this movie.  He visited me last weekend to check out the poster art and discuss some of the ideas for the book and film.

I first met Andy at one of the King of the Beats shows held at Brick Lanes Vibe Bar.  He was there taking pictures, We had talked on facebook but never met.  It appeared he was quite active on the scene.  From South London, He had been involved in a number of crews, even put out a record back in the golden era.  Lover of Records and Graff, after speaking to him he sent me some of his work, it looked great and from then on he was down. At the time I was trying to build awareness for the event we was running and his pictures captured the goings on very well.

When I made the 2011 Film Chronicling the Birth of King of the Beats Andy helped out a lot. He shot the opening scene.  Traveling back and forth from London all the time proved to be quite expensive.  Andy stepped up and took my roll and shot some great interviews for that project.

By the time we left out to NYC for this project Andy has now really taken to shooting film apposed to when I first met him and he was just shooting stills.  Invested in more gear and improved on his skills a great deal.   He proved to be a great asset to the team on the shoot, capturing some beautiful shots.   As we are trying to raise the money to finish shooting the project.  If you have checked out the trailer, you can see how we are coming.  This is a true grass roots project with a great history.

For a good few years I have been looking for this photograph.  As in most cases it turned up unexpected this morning.  Its a solid and firm reminder to me that this is the reason I must work hard and never give up my dream. 

I can admit as a teenager I was not the ideal son.  Growing older I changed, and for the better I believe.  Those that know me very well can tell you about my attitude, personality and work ethic, striving to create and innovate.  At times I loose my way but today finding this has only re lifted my spirit.  Outsiders like Jazzy Jay and Mikey D who spent to time with me and my family soon discovered I was not born with a silver spoon.  So many people think and assume that I got it made, far from it.  I just come correct.

As a unfunded film maker and artist all I have done I have funded my self.  Working hard jobs to not only fund my work but to support my family struggling to make ends meet.  Living in Birmingham away from the capital cities distractions has always kept me rooted with the simple things in life, appreciating the little things that we take so much for granted.  I’m serious about my work, so please don’t be offended if I don’t take to your showboating and glitter and Silver sparkly outfits.  I like to surround my self by people who grind, people with a vision and a true passion for their craft.

The picture above is my Great Grandfather and my father to the right of him.  A childhood of poverty, life with no shoes, He worked every hour God sent him to give us a better life.  I’m grateful to my family that supported me with my art and dream. I know there are many of my friends who share my views and who are made from the same mold. I take my hat off to all those grinding and working hard.

Thank you for all the support, Breakbeat Lou, Marlon Williams, Eric Orr, Too Tuff and Ray West my dear friends who really went out and blogged the hell out of this.

I have received a lot of messages asking me when will this film will come out.  There is still a lot to do and shoot, I missed a lot of people out there due to my short time in NYC.  As many of you probably could see, there is real scope here to in creating a timeless piece.

Unlike most films, this film was not funded or made by a production company.  I am regular person living not in London but just outside Birmingham City.  I work in a factory and have a passion for this culture, to do this to this has cost me more than you will ever know.

Thank fully, if it was not for the support and respect for my work from the many greats that took part, this could never happen.  If it was not for Jazzy Jay that took me under his wing after seeing how I live for himself we would not be able to document the many true artists featured.

To complete this film will take another trip to NYC.  I’m selling limited edition poster art by Chris Malbon to raise the much needed funds.  If you would like to see this film completed please support the project and purchase a Poster. Shipping Day 30th August.

P.S  if you are finding any problems with the store, please let me know.

Get the Poster Here

This Friday.  August 9th Between 18:00 and 20:00 UK time.  There will be a exclusive preview of the new Trailer for the KING OF THE BEATS FILM – LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT BEAT.   A film by Pritt Kalsi, Jazzy Jay and JFK Aman. Filmed by Pritt Kalsi, Steven Ellington and Andy Higgs

Followed by Tha 4orces – Mind Tha Gap Radio Show on ITCH FM.  20:00-22:00.  Tune in.