Imani Uzuri, Vocalist + Composer + Nomad :: 120 Seconds
Imani Uzuri reminds us to explore ourselves so that we discover all aspects of who we uniquely are, to express ourselves but most importantly to love and accept ourselves.
Imani Uzuri reminds us to explore ourselves so that we discover all aspects of who we uniquely are, to express ourselves but most importantly to love and accept ourselves.
Imani Uzuri, Vocalist, Composer, Nomad :: 120 Seconds from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.
About Imani Uzuri: Recently featured as TRACE Magazine's 'Beautiful', eclectic, bohemian IMANI UZURI is one who defies category. She has performed at numerous international venues/festivals including LINCOLN CENTER, CENTRAL PARK SUMMER STAGE, PERFORMA07, London's BARBICAN CENTER, THE BLUE NOTE, JOE'S PUB, Japan's WORLD FESTIVAL OF SACRED MUSIC, SOBs, THE UNITED NATIONS, BLACK LILY FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, LE LIEU UNIQUE, BAM, NYC CULTUREFEST, THE APOLLO THEATER, THE WHITNEY MUSEUM, Atlanta's NATIONAL BLACK ART'S FESTIVAL, BOWERY BALLROOM, and Morocco's FESTIVAL D'ESSAOUIRA.
UZURI's recordings/collaborations include HERBIE HANCOCK, JOHN LEGEND, 4-HERO, TALIB KWELI, SLY and ROBBIE, BILL LASWELL and KING BRITT. Television appeareances include DAVID LETTERMAN performing with PETER GABRIEL and the AFRO-CELT SOUND SYSTEM. UZURI’s stunning debut album ‘HER HOLY WATER: A BLACK GIRL’S ROCK OPERA’ (available on ITUNES) features 18 sweeping and captivating songs. She is currently developing a provocative musical theater piece of the same title based on its music, while incorporating coming-of-age memories from her youth in rural North Carolina, multi-media video montage and anecdotes from her nomadic travels around the world of which she has just completed 2 SOLD OUT performances at the LEGENDARY APOLLO THEATRE! It has also been successfully showcased at Joe's Pub, THE HIP HOP THEATER FESTIVIAL, THE KITCHEN, NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (NJPAC) and Philadelphia's PAINTED BRIDE.
Imani Uzuri's Links: imaniuzuri.com myspace.com/herholywater twitter.com/gypsygirlbliss
Toofly, Artist :: 120 Seconds
In 2007, Toofly realized that her passion is not just painting but bringing people together which inspired her to form the female collaborative arts movement, Younity.
In 2007, Toofly realized that her passion is not just painting but bringing people together which inspired her to form the female collaborative arts movement, Younity.
Toofly, Artist :: 120 Seconds from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.
About Toofly: Toofly’s journey into the world of art began with her commute to public school from her Corona, Queens neighborhood. Her trips were filled with adventurous sketches as she immersed herself in the myriad of graffiti tags, fill-ins, and outlines viewed on almost every deconstructive surface along the way. It was precisely the rebellious artistic spirit of the 90's street graffiti movement that drove Toofly to join its subculture ranks. Highly influenced by the calligraphy and illustration skills of some exceptional writers at the time, a teenage Toofly aspired to become the female version of what she most admired. She began to develop her own knack for “hand styles” and her unique Toofly characters. Her work soon blossomed on various graffiti black books, allowing her skills to be recognized by writers across the five boroughs.
By the time Toofly entered the School of Visual Arts (SVA), she had introduced her character to the walls of New York. At SVA, she applied her artistic skills to illustration and graphic design coursework. Finding inspiration in the New York urban landscape, this artist in the making began to juxtapose her "around the way girl" character against multi layered street imagery for various print and public art projects. Toofly's constant and active role in the hip hop community allowed her to remain true to her roots, as she continued to draw raw feelings from the ever-changing and spontaneous public art world around her.
Toofly's art and design work have appeared in various books, video, and magazines such as Graffiti Women, Burning New York, Current TV, MTV Tr3, Trace, Mass Appeal, Juxtapoz, URB, and Honey. You can find Toofly's public streets works on various walls throughout Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.
Toofly's Links: tooflynyc.com theyounity.com myspace.com/tooflynyc
Joy Jones, Artist + Scientist :: 120 Seconds
Joy Jones discerns the power of music from an artistic and scientific perspective reminding us of not only its healing and therapeutic qualities but its universal accessibility.
Joy Jones discerns the power of music from an artistic and scientific perspective reminding us of not only its healing and therapeutic qualities but its universal accessibility.
Joy Jones, Artist + Scientist :: 120 Seconds from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.
About Joy Jones:
Afro-beat lullabies, future jazz protest songs and electronic hymns is how I would best describe the collection of ditties that is my debut full-length album, Godchild. I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I want to say and the messages that I want to put out. This has been a complete labor of love and I hope that it translates and transforms into a tool for change. Thank to some fabulous folk, incredible blessings, good ole fashioned elbow grease and divine unction, we are finally here. For starters, you can check the new 12" out on Love Jones Recordings/Recordbreakin. You can get yo vinyl on or check for it on itunes! Godchild, the album, will be dropping early 2009 so stayed tuned for details. I look forward to sharing it with you. Until then, this is your girl Joy...always on the grind, in the shine, trying to pay my rent on time!
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