TOOFLY NYC » Hip Hop Culture

ROOFTOP LGENDS 2011! 10.8.11

tooflynyc — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:57:32 +0000

Just finished rocking one of my favorite pieces I’ve done this year for the upcoming ROOFTOP LEGENDS event being held next Saturday in the lower east side. I’m really happy with the way it came out, especially since I totally freestyled it from beginning to end. With no sketch in hand, and a bunch of scrap paint left over from my gigs I dove right into this talllllllllll wall triple my size! Painting something so big takes a lot more time out of my crazy schedule, but luckily the practice over the years has helped improve my speed, and aerosol skills. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come with my work, my beauties, my messages. The transformation feels amazing. I have a huge year of change approaching and the love warrior spirit is on my side…

ROOFTOP LEGENDS
Saturday, October 8th, 2011// 2-7PM
New Design High School (Rooftop) 350 Grand Street. // F train to Delancey
HOT 97 DJ Enuff.
Fundraiser for NDHS $5-25 entry. No one will be turned away.

Shout out to Jesse Pais for curating Rooftop Legends and making this place a safe haven for urban art, youth programming, and community events.

ALICIA KEYS X SWIZZ BEATZ NYC

tooflynyc — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:02:00 +0000

SOooooo a few weeks ago I had the tremendous opportunity to rock a backdrop project for the infamous Swizz Beatz!!! He was celebrating his 33rd birthday, and his lovely wife, Alicia Keys wanted to make it extra special. Guess who they called to rock a backdrop!!!? Toofleezy Mgeezy!!! I almost passed out from the call. Let’s just say she is as beautiful as I imagined her to be, and super sweet like I knew she would be. OMG I LOVE ALICIA KEYS!!! Shout out to hommie Jen who put in the good word. Thanks girl! You and your team rocked a dope party. We had a blast roller skating, taking flicks, and enjoying a beautiful September night in the dopest city in the world….

So lovely to meet you Alicia!!! XOXO – Toofly

((( LOVE )))

Happy Birthday Swizz!!!

Shout out to Carmelo who took the time to chat with me. I was super stocked to hear he was familiar with my work!!!:) PS. I loved your sweater!

(( GOOD TIMES )))

High Line Park Rink. 30th St and 10th ave

If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“GIRLS GOT KICKS” BOOK RELEASE! 9.15.11

tooflynyc — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:10:46 +0000

YEAH! The GIRLS GOT KICKS book has officially dropped! Join the Female Sneaker Team in Harlem next week for the book release party!!! September 15th at Goliath 175 East 105 Street from 5-8pm. Shout out to our girls, Lori Lobenstein, and Amanda Lopez for teaming up to rock this fly book. I am very happy and honored to be part of it, and the FSF crew:) Check out more flicks and process shots here and here

Shout out to Lori Lobenstein for spearheading the book project, and giving light on the world of the sneaker ladies.

Love my layout thank you!

Photographer for Girls Got Kicks, Amanda Lopez

Big Tara!

Good job sneaker ladies;)

SISTERS WHO SHINE!

tooflynyc — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:31:49 +0000

A few months ago I was commissioned to create a wall installation at Michaela Angela Davis loft in Brooklyn entitled “Sisters Who Shine”. This lady is phenomenal, and super sweet. We’ve been building since 2003 when we rocked the “Let’s Dance” Honey Magazine shoot with Photographer Piper Carter, Bgirls; Rokafella, Big Tara, and Jez Skillz. Wow, time flies! Had to reminisce a little and pull out the shoot flick. I want to send mad love to Michaela for her support in my work over the years, and for her amazing work with young women today. It’s inspiring, and in sync with all the things we are pushing collectively. To learn more about her work with Salon Du Shine, Black Girlz Rock, and BET check out the interview with Amsterdam News New York. Dope…

This Black girl rocks: Image activist Michaela Angela Davis

Throwback>>>Let’s Dance Honey Magazine 2003

“UNDER THE INFLUENCE”

tooflynyc — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:13:05 +0000

This year the Brooklyn Bodega crew aka Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival rocked a visual arts exhibit with some of today’s leading artists in conjunction with Jamel Shabazz’s 10th anniversary of BACK IN THE DAYS held at Power House Books. The theme “Under the Influence” of Hip Hop, Graff, Street, NYC, Culture, Love, and anything that continues to move and inspire us. Sending a big shout out to everyone that came through to support and to Royce and Alex for the invitation to get down. Good job fellas! Exhibit looks dope…

“The idea is to pay tribute to the culture and bring together artists who have something special in common – an influence, a back-story, a motivation. Hip-Hop wouldn’t have become the same movement without the influence of the graffiti writers who created an aesthetic for a new generation. The artists in this show prove that the influence of the golden era keeps its roots and continues to inspire new creations. The influence is powerful and this show brings together both the pioneers and a new wave of artistic progression.”
- Corrie Zaccaria, Event Captain, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Under the Influence of Love. Toofly Interview by Navani Otero

WHAT WE LOVE WE GROW TO RESEMBLE…

Full House!

Peeps, Art, and Books!

A must have in your book collection! Shout out to Jamel Shabazz, a wonderful man, and an amazing photographer who captured our beautiful culture…

Net, Craig Anthony Miller, Toofly, and Fumero….

Antonio Kel 5MH.

Love, Love Love my hommie Dizmology’s work….((( AMAZING ))))

The fly ladies, Yvey, TF, Vik, and Sofia Maldonado….

OH SNAP! JEN ONE is not playing….stay tuned…

Not bad for a ((( HOT ))) Tuesday night in NYC! Woohooo!

BLESS ROXWELL LOGO DESIGN

tooflynyc — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:37:30 +0000

Just finished Bless Roxwell’s logo. Original hand style design by Toofly baby! Check it out…

Who can make folks sing a song they’re hearing for the first time at the top of their lungs? BLESS ROXWELL!! She IS Hip Hop revisited, renewed and refreshed, reminding listeners of b-boys and b-girls, turntables and mics, and most of all, love!

MHHK “LET’S GET ACTIVE”

tooflynyc — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:01:49 +0000

Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen Vol:4 was a sweet success! Shout out to the MHHK team, who put on a beautiful event. Turn out was amazing!!! it get’s better and better every year. I’m happy and proud to be part of the collective of folks who stay true to their community no matter what. Much luv to our lovely Momma herself; Lah Tere for the invitation to share my slide show of works on stage alongside some amazing female performers, musicians, and dancers. WOW!!! It was powerful altogether. Loved it! Thank you to all who came through to show your support, it means a lot to all of us who are there share our heart & soul…

Love my B-Girlz gals! Thanks ladies for supporting your biggest fan;) FULL CIRCLE SOUL!!!

New Toofly T-shirt debut! STAYING TRUE for all you ladies out there who live up, and rep what this is really all about…
exclusive and limited will be online soon! www.tooflynyc.com/shop

ahhh…The fave…slick black Love Heart Necklace. Last one, sold out! hot item, hot shot…

Booth buddies! Gotta rep the BAAD ASS WOMEN of 2011 baby!

11th annual Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance Festival! March 7-26 don’t miss it!>>> BAAD

Was happy JUNKPRINTS got down this year! Yeah guuuuuuuurl you know how “we” do….

Walked around the booths, and ran into some designs I had done back in the days for the Pro-Choice Education Project. Memories…

Mother and son, Love this picture! Hope you like your little Toofly and Mr Pickle’s drawings in your black book Jack;)

Shout out to Karen for helping me take flicks, it got hella busy but we squeezed in for a few shots of some beautiful folks out there who do amazing work!!! You guys ROCK.

Slide show backdrop by TOOFLY! Fly….

Thank you everybody!!! ((( COMMUNITY LOVE )))

MMHK 3.5.11

tooflynyc — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:40:05 +0000

It’s that time again! Join us for women’s history month as we collectively kick off Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen Vol4! Toofly booth with new goodies and fresh new slide show presentation will be on set marketa style. Don’t miss it, 1 day only!

MOMMA’S HIP HOP KITCHEN VOL.4
@Hostos Center for Arts and Culture
450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.) Bronx, NY
Time: 2-5pm
This event is FREE and open to all ages!
For more information about the event, please visit www.mhhk.org

EN EL PANECILLO, QUITO

tooflynyc — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 21:34:57 +0000

Back to the “land of the free”. Still trying to figure that one out. Until I’m actually living off the land, snacking on mandarins, and napping under the sun I will be happy with just “back to reality”. Which I have no problem with. As long as it runs smooth I’m cool with that. This trip to Ecuador sure was different, and I got to see what life looks like when it’s disorganized and in a state of chaos. Everything in between was gravy during my trip until the police decided to take over the country and protest! WTF? Can you believe they actually kidnapped the president! The police, and I’m sure power tripping goverment haters held him hostage over some decrease in wages and without any proper dialogue to discuss the issue they went ape shit and rebelled. Leaving citizens, and the country in a state of emergency. I had returned from some paseos to the country side to witness the streets in pure chaos, and live minute to minute video of gunshot battles between the military and the cops as they struggled to rescue the president to gain control of the madness. Banks were robbed, shops were vandalized, the airports shut down. It was a sad day for the motherland on September 30th, 2010. I didn’t know whether to laugh at one point, or actually worry about what was happening. Straight up action war movie status for 12hrs. I was unhappy watching the country fall apart. It’s not a good look. Luckily once the president Rafael Correa was safe, and back at the palace to deliver his speech people finally regained consciousness. With the help of powerful words, emotional choke ups, and patria songs the people of Ecuador got busy fixing their mess. I’m just glad it lasted ONE DAY. Whew…as my grandma would say “benidito sea dios”

LA LIBERTAD ESTA EN PELIGRO…

EL PANECILLO, QUITO

Anyway…before all the madness I was able to get some painting done, hang with my fam, and enjoy the beauty and peace I so desperately seek each time I dip out of the rotten apple…

On my way to the location I got a chance to see a bunch of productions with artists from Italy that had visited and a local artist named INFAME…There’s def way more graff /murals this time around…

en camino a la Avenida 6 de Diciembre. I was digging the new color they painted all the streets in…it was giving me cravings for some elado de mango.

As soon as I arrived I linked up with my Ecua hommies from La Communidad Hip Hop Ecuador and Barrio 593 and locked in to paint at the HIP HOP SIN VIOLENCIA event held en el sur de Quito. On top of the little mountain called el Panecillo where I grew up as a little pasposita girl. At 7am the DJ crew was already getting geared up for the street art/hip hop jam. The fellas were carrying over a heavy ass wooden table…I thought to myself…man they need them lightweight folding tables, but then I thought…this is dope. Bring out your momz biuro! Gotta work with what you got…

It was a beautiful morning, quiet, and sunny…fresh day to get started and paint in peace…in a few hours these streets would be full of bikers, artists, kids, and families who come to learn about what the youth with baggy jeans are up to…

Materials are so important. I forgot my mask! Luckily my grandpa had his little rags in the car and I was able to protect myself from the toxic paint fumes of their paint. Seriously I can’t hang with this paint, it makes it extremely hard for me to get shit done properly. Male caps vs Female caps. Argh…luckily one of the fellas had a connector. Saved! I need me a few for the next trip…

I was loving the location of the wall….it was a fly spot to paint. Great for photos…

Once the music got set up it was on!!!

Especially when this song came on what! Loved the beat…{ LA NiÑA by Mala Rodriguez }

The rest of the artists began to arrive, each holding a box of paint donated by the Ministerio de Cultura, and UNIFEM the united nations development fund for women.

Got a chance to meet them all and make plans for future trips here with an endless amount of walls and paint as soon as I return. YES!!! That made my day:) Muchas gracias! Estare en contacto con todos ustedes:)

Got a chance to get my photo doc moves on…I’m falling in love with photography more and more these days…

Folks conserve their materials here big time. I assume in all third world countries because of the limited quality in materials and income to purchase the right stuff. They use latex and spray to create most of their pieces…

Love shots with our pueblo people and the youth of today…

Can Ecuador please link up with the Europeans and get some of their paint pleaseeeeeeeeeee….I can’t stress it enough…

Props. They do work it though…I’m spoiled, lol!

The street art/hip hop jam block party, was a success! I’m always happy to see friends, momz, and neighbors come together to develop community events in their own hood with little to no money but full corazon! It’s inspiring…

Why is there always 1% of women repping tho? There’s plenty of space, room, and opportunity for you to shine mis lindas. Step up, rise up. Big ups to the 2 local women who were holding it down for the ladies…

I must say since my last trip the imagery, teqnique and walls have sure improved…

Their stencil artists too…

Semi-finito. Wall was hella big and the street that had shut down from 7am-3pm for bikers, runners, and people who wanted to enjoy their neighborhood strollz was gonna open up again and let hundreds of cars and buses roam through. Sigh…hopefully one day we will have less cars so we can all stop and smell the roses of life!

YO SOY EL SOL…

YO SOY LIBERTAD…

Ecua homegirlz steelo…

Shout out to my hommie Andres “Sapin” for linking me up with Disfraz MC del grupo Mugre Sur y Diego Palacios aka Psicosis who helped to organize this event. I am thankful for the invitation, and was hella lucky I made the trip during these dates. I always have a great time hanging with my ecua peeps, learning from each other, building, and painting under the sun of our beautiful land. Shout out to the women of UNIFEM for the interview and the opportunity to build with you on future events. Also to Jorge Cinesos from the Ministerio de Cultura who is recovering from the gunshot wounds from the riots;( Un abrazo grande a ustedes y a todos los grafiteros/artistas que pude conocer en el tiempo pequeño que tuve esta vez. Con mucho cariño a todos. Asta el 2011!!!

MY MIC SOUNDS NICE

tooflynyc — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:00:30 +0000

What! This video is DOPE!!! Best BET joint they’ve done in a LOOOooooong time. Finally! THANK YOU. So proud to have been part of the generation that set it off for women MC’s. Skillz baby skillz! TALENT. Bottom line. Great to see they gave shine to the women in the underground who are keeping the voice alive even if you don’t see them in the commercial world. F@#! that! “Create and embrace the underground” – Questlove

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