WISHFUL THINKING VOL. 005 – EARTHDAY W/ EARTHGANG
This week’s mix is presented by DJ Dark Knight of Spillage Village and features EarthGang sharing some of their favorite food spots, cities to tour in and dream VERZUZ battles.
WISHFUL THINKING VOL. 004 – G.O.A.T Edition
In light of this week’s release of the Jordan 6 Retro “Defining Moments” & “The Last Dance” Documentary, this is a Jordan themed mix for you to jam to while you do what you do to be the GOAT in your field.
defining moments, g.o.a.t., goat, jordan 6 retro, soundcloud, wishful thinking
WISHFUL THINKING VOL. 3
This weeks edition of WISHFUL THINKING takes a dive into the Art world, as World Art Day is coming up on April 15. Detroit born & Morehouse grad, artist Horace Imhotep sat down with The Gallery at Wish ATL to talk about his background and his current body of work LIONS, TIGERS, BEARS AND A DRACO, slated to open in The Gallery in 2020! Bump this weeks mix featuring some soundbites from the interview, check out the transcript below & shop some of our art inspired pieces online here!
A Tasty Morsel (2016)
Transcript
Gallery : How did you get started in the arts?
Horace : My mother introduced me to the world of art. When she was a college student, she used to let me run and roam around the art buildings. That is where I saw my first naked women; later, I came to discover that it was a life drawing class and the model was referred to as a “ nude” or “life drawing” model. My mother would drag my brother and I to museums and galleries often and regularly.
Gallery: Can you tell us about your current body of work Lion, Tigers, Bears and A Draco)?
Horace: Lion, Tigers, Bears and A Draco is about a boy and his imagination. The artist statement for this collection is below, which is perfectly captured in words by Eden Araya:”In an alien nation where Ivorian rapacity breeds tricknology, what is left for a boy and his imagination? In a post-crack dystopia where childhood is robbed, the young black imagination redefines the hero’s journey as a framework to birth the conquering outlaw: where castles are traded for forty acres and swords for semi automatics. A dark, yet liberating hologram embedded in the psyche, this imagination lends itself as medicine for the disenfranchised youth. Much like the hero’s journey, however, the outlaw must return home to the simulated terror of reality. LTBAD illustrates a parable that explores the matrix of ancestral memory at the crossroads of Black subjugation.”
Gallery: Tell us a little bit about the painting Draco and Savage?
Horace: It’s based on a Dubois Ideology. But the piece is of a kid and he is having an out of body experience. What you see is a spectrum of anger. You see him going from red hot to yellow hot to white hot to black. So basically saying that whatever you’ve done to this kid, it’s about to go really bad for whoever this energy is directed to. There are a lot of ancestral ties to my work and it’s aggressive. All of my work is coming from a real place and this is a piece that I felt like I was starting to evolve because it speaks to where I am right now.
Gallery: What does your work aim to say? Does your work comment on current or political issues?
Horace: I don’t want to say much; I’m no wordsmith, but imagery is the future. Big words mean very little in certain rooms. I always try to be in “the now”, but make references to the past to give context to the present.
Gallery: How has practice changed over time? Have you always painted in such a graphic way?
Horace: My practice has become push for minimal. As I evolve, or hope to evolve, I look to need to use less to convey more.
Gallery: Who/what are your biggest influences?
Horace: My influences are myself, my mother and father, the ancestors, Charles White, Caravaggio, Lichtenstein, Young Dolph, Dali, Bearden, Nipsey (R.I.P. to the Prophet) and Parks. The list goes on and on, but currently, these are the names at the forefront of my mind.
Gallery: Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Horace: My work sometimes speaks to the beautiful uglies of the world.
Gallery: What do you like most about being an artist and why?
Horace: Being an artist is oftentimes a love-hate relationship. To be the best artist, one must tell the truth. It can be her or his personal truth, but at the core there must be genuine and sincere truth. The why of being an artist is something I have never had a luxury of contemplating; I was designed to be who and what I am. I’m some sort of creative operating system. I just perform functions and tasks.
Wishful Thinking – Vol. 002
Curated By Chris G.
The “Wishful Thinking” Playlist Is Now Live On Soundcloud
The “Wish List” is a new playlist that will be updated weekly with jams that reflect the mood of the store from a myriad of genres. The list includes some current hits, throwbacks, underground heat and some intros into genres you may not be familiar with. Check out episode 1 here!
apple music, soundcloud, spotify, wish playlist, wishful thinking
1-2-1 w/jeffstaple ft. B.O.B.
1-2-1 w/jeffstaple ft. B.O.B. from staplepigeon on Vimeo.
Earlier this summer, Jeff Staple traveled down here to Atlanta for a special talk at the High Museum of Art and an exclusive interview with hometown favorite B.O.B. hosted here at Wish. The rapper/musician has been at the top of various music charts since 2008 and continues to create cross-genre music, which can be seen in his new mixtape titled “No Genre Part 2.” Jeff and B.O.B. sit down to talk about his beginnings selling snacks to mainstream recognition and the importance of making mistakes.
Travis Scott In Store Pop Up Shop
It was a packed house as people from all around Atlanta piled into Wish for their chance to get to meet the one and only Travis Scott. Fans had a lot to take in as La Flame enthusiastically posed for pictures, signed sneakers, shirts, faces, and paused to dance to any song that he liked. Customers also had the chance to purchase exclusive Travis Scott merch from his store which made a stop in town last night at the Masquerade. Take a look at some images from the in-store that sums up the event.
Travi$ Scott Pop Up Shop at Wish
Join us at our Moreland Ave. location for a Pop Up Shop with Travis Scott today from 4-5:30 pm.
Track of the Day: Eminem – Berzerk
After recently releasing a teaser, Eminem is back with the full-length video for his single “Berzerk.” Featuring plenty of cameos from the likes of Rick Rubin, Kendrick Lamar, Slaughterhouse, and Kid Rock, Eminem also shows up in many scenes including one paying respect to the Beastie Boys ‘So What “Cha Want” video. This is the first cut we’ve heard from Eminem’s upcoming project The Marshall Mathers LP 2 releasing November 4, so give it a listen.
Trinidad James “10PC MILD” In-Store Event Recap
Finishing up his string of in-stores to support the latest mixtape, “10PC MILD,” Trinidad James stopped through the shop yesterday for the final stop of his meet and greet appearances. Bringing along a slew of Gold Gang affiliates and donning the latest Fall/Winter 2013 Supreme, Trinidad James held down the crowd for over three hours while taking pictures, shaking hands and signing autographs for those in attendance. In addition to handing out copies of the latest mixtape, James also invited his tour DJ, Genesis to get on the tables to chop and splice up a plethora of Atlanta tracks including many of James’ mixtape exclusives.
Download Trinidad James’ full mixtape here and scroll through the image set below.
Photography: Mae Elizabeth Gurene
Track of the Day: The Internet – Partners In Crime Two
Delivering a followup, Syd the Kyd and Matt Martians, better known as The Internet, are back with “Partners in Crime Two.” A laid back, smooth track, thi will likely serve as the first single of the duo’s newly announced project Feel Good. So take a quick listen to the track below and enjoy!
Track of the Day: Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake – Holy Grail (Official Music Video)
After much anticipation, Jay Z has officially unveiled the visuals to his hit single, “Holy Grail” featuring Justin Timberlake. Perhaps no better than timing than on the heels of Timberlake’s groundbreaking VMA performance, the video was directed by Anthony Mandler (who has also worked with Jay on past projects such as “D.O.A.,” “Young Forever” and “Lost One.” Featuring both Timberlake and Hov in a decidedly dreary and dark setting, the footage is also paired with twisted and slowed down samples of the song that plays into the caliginous side of the track. Hit play above and let us know what you think in the comment section.
Track of the Day: M.I.A. – UNBREAK my Mixtape
Gotta love it anytime M.I.A. graces us with a new track. After just receiving a release date for her fourth album Matangi, M.I.A. is back with another single off of the project, “UNBREAK my Mixtape.” A lot more laid back than previous offerings from this project, the track still maintains that unique M.I.A. sound with the incorporation of a mix of different samples. So check out the track below, and be on the lookout for Matangi hitting stores on November 5.
Track of the Day: Rapsody ft. Phonte & Jay Electronica – Jedi Code
With the release of her DJ Drama hosted mixtape She Got Game releasing later today, Rapsody drops off a sneak preview with the track “Jedi Code.” This is a gem for “real” hip-hop fans, combining with both Phonte and Jay Electronica over a classic 9th Wonder beat. So take a listen to the track below and let us know what you think:
Track of the Day: Kenna – Relations
Etheopian-born artist Kenna releases a funky new track titled “Relations.” The feel good and bass heavy tune comes from Neptunes producer Chad Hugo embodies elements of funk, classic hip hop, and even electronic sound. So start your day off right and check out the track below:
The Wish Moreland Marauders Mixtape
To coincide with the release of our “Midnight Marauders” collection, enjoy the Best Of Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders album along with the original samples used to make the classic tracks. Production by Atlanta DJs, DJ Mars, DJ Kerosene, and DJ Trauma
Track of the Day: Kavinsky – Odd Look
French DJ/producer Kavinsky is pretty much invincible in this new visual release coinciding with his heralded “Odd Look” track. The video comes out as a mix between Terminator and Drive as the bionic Super Kavinsky rips through a group of thugs to save his damsel in distress. So for a great track, and an incredible visual, check out the “Odd Look” video above
Curtis Williams – Philmore Slim (Official Music Video)
Hometown hero, Curtis Williams of Two-9 lets loose the latest visuals to his cut “Philmore Slim.” The track also sees an assist from the entire Two-9 crew. A longtime supporter of Wish, Curtis and the entire Two-9 conglomerate have been steady churning out bangers this summer and as we move into the latter half of the year, the crew shows no signs of slowing down. Peep the video above and let us know what you think in the comment section.
Track of the Day: Tribe Called Quest – Electric Relaxation
Today’s track of the day is one featured on our upcoming mixtape Moreland Marauders. Releasing in collaboration with our Moreland Marauders capsule, celebrating the 20th anniversay of A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, this tape will consist of the best of from Tribe’s timeless project. So enjoy this calssic gem below, and be on the lookout for the Moreland Marauders mixtape and capsule release this Friday.