A Soundtrack For Street Artists

Graffiti as an artform dates back to our prehistoric existence, when early man would scrawl images on the walls of caves as an instinctual urge of self expression. In more recent years the practice has presented a range of credibility from vandalism to high art, but even with the former it represents a necessary rebellion against a modern landscape dominated by billboards, corporate logos, and overtly functional architecture.

Having just completed the celebration of street art embodied by the Vancouver Mural Festival, this selection is comprised of highlights from a set I played in support of Shepard Fairey’s headlining exhibition of the festival for Burrard Arts Foundation, which represents my attempt to distill the influences of an artist whose musical influences are as integral to his process as paint. In that spirit, the resulting mix of political and youth-angst tinged hip hop and punk is dedicated to anyone who has ever had to run from the cops for the supposed crime of being an artist.

Track List

Steinski – It’s Up To You (Television Mix)

DJ Q-Bert – One

Malcolm McLaren – Hobo Scratch

Wild Style – B Boy Beat

Beastie Boys – Lighten Up

Basement 5 – Riot

Mudhoney – Touch Me I-m Sick

The Stooges – No Fun

Bad Brains – Regulator

The Chats – Bus Money

Wire – I Am the Fly

Gramme – Rehab

Folk Implosion – Nothing’s Gonna Stop the Flow

N.W.A. – Parental Discretion Is Advised

Public Enemy – Louder Than a Bomb

Mos Def – Revelations

DJ Woody Dee feat Billy Bragg – Tighten Up Your Wig

Clash – Justice Tonight (UK 12” Version)

DJ Shadow – Organ Donor

Tom Tom Club – Genius Of Love (The Electric Adolescence Suite)