“Got a little anecdote for you: on Wednesday night I was DJing at a Halloween party in Madrid (my city), real good vibes and everything and after I finish an Italian girl comes up to me and asks me where she could get my t-shirt (the FKOF one): she was freaking out that I even knew about FKOF!
Well, we both did obviously and I just found the international aspect of the situation real interesting man! You are reaching people all over!”
I keep hearing these kind of stories - and each and every time they blow me away. Thanks to Paco for sending me this one.
FatKidOnFire is still just my little blog that I run in my spare time, and there are now people discussing it across the world. It’s mad!
Amazing, but utterly mental
Back when our FKOF JPN contributor was first introduced , we alluded to his occupation. Today’s post (the first in a series to come) explains Brandon’s job as a US Marine Photojournalist and what he’s currently up to.
Unless you’ve been under a rock since the 11th March, you’ll be aware that at 5:46am a 8.9magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Japan. The earthquake unleashed a 30ft tsunami which laid waste to pretty much everything in its path (as the photos below show). Brandon is part of the international relief effort and is documenting the story as it happens (we do have a two week delay on his posts but should be up to speed by the middle of next week) - and has been kind enough to fire some pictures (his pictures follow in the later posts) along with what he’s written…
[Iwanuma in northern Japan. (Kyodo News/Associated Press)]
Weathering the Storm 12/03/11
Tomorrow, at the crack of dawn, I will be on a bird headed to Sendai in order to provide media support and disaster relief aid. I’m no stranger to this sort of thing as I’ve been part of a few humanitarian missions since I joined the Marine Corps. Unlike other missions and operations, this is the first one that hit close to home. Although Okinawa felt next to nothing and was just on a tsunami warning for the past day, many of my friends had family members or friends of their own who were directly affected.
Now, this is my chance to do actually do something. I’ve never been a fan of donating money to anything and I don’t think that will change unless I can afford to be a financial philanthropist. I’ve always wanted to be there, at ground zero, where I can physically do something. I don’t care if it’s giving a kid a bottle of water, or helping to rebuild a building. Just like my support of the typhoon in the Philippines in October, I’ll be doing the same and taking photos every step of the way.
Wish me luck.
[Before and after satellite shot of Yuriage in Natori. (Google/ Digital Eye/ GeoEye)]
The Road to Sendai 01 14/03/11
I haven’t arrived in Sendai yet. I’m at an airfield a few hours south of Tokyo awaiting further equipment, assets and a functioning CH-46 for transportation. Too often, in the wake of natural disaster, people forget what’s going on when the mass media finds another hot topic to discuss. No one wants to beat a dead horse, right? Wrong. Although the globe can easily fall into international turmoil with what’s going on in the U.S. (failing economy, public unrest), Egypt (fuck yeah, nationalism), Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea (war) and Charlie Sheen’s mind (who knows), we can’t forget that people still need to be helped and can be helped.
“In response to Japanese government requests for assistance, U.S. forces in Japan are ready to conduct humanitarian relief efforts throughout Japan,” Japan proposed U.S. public affairs guidance.
What this really means is that Japan is going to spearhead their own relief effort. The U.S. and anyone else willing to get involved will take a backseat. This isn’t to say that Japan doesn’t want outside help, but it’s a matter of pride and obligation to its people. I agree with this theory of doing business whole-heartedly. After all, despite the numerous humanitarian efforts that the U.S. has been involved in over the past century, the U.S. doesn’t exactly have the best reputation for going in and fixing things. Much of this image problem is a matter of perspective, but major media outlets have been biased.
As the public affairs representative on a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team, my primary goal is to tell the story of what the team is doing in Sendai, show the rest of the world what is happening in Sendai and to politely remind people why U.S. involvement, in this current socio-political international climate is necessary. For example, strategically placed airfields and ports in the countries of U.S. allies. That’s my job. The politics that go deeper than that is not my concern whether anyone following my articles or viewing my pictures agrees with this is of no consequence to me or anyone else. There’s a bigger picture.
“The Japan Self Defense Forces are among the most prepared and capable in the world in dealing with a disaster response situation. [The U.S.] is prepared to augment their efforts with all available assets and equipment upon request,” per the PPAG.
The problem is, we don’t have a whole lot to contribute with so many assets and so much equipment elsewhere in the world. There are bilateral training exercises in Thailand, the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea happening as we speak. The major command in charge of this sector of the world, U.S. Pacific Command, Marine Forces Pacific, III Marine Expeditionary Force doesn’t have a whole lot of shit. Hence, being stuck at this airfield. Factor that in with publicly known wars like Afghanistan and lesser known conflicts like [CENSORED], and I am left wondering when I can finally get my chance to help, or if it will happen at all.
Here’s where the III Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD), Marine Logistics Humanitarian Assistance Survey Teams come into play. The primary goal of these teams is to go to the affected areas, assess the damage, and report back to higher headquarters what is exactly needed to assist the government of Japan in their relief efforts. Again, the goal is not to ‘fix’ anything for anyone per the request of the affected country. It is simply to give them what they need so they can fix it themselves. All we need is a ride, right?
[Natori City in northeastern Japan. (Reuters)]
If you’re able to do your bit and donate for Japan find a place to donate here. More content from Brandon as he journeys to and from Sendai over the next few days as we get them from him.
If you haven’t seen some of the photos taken so far of the disaster caused by the earthquake and resulting tsunami find ‘Before and After’ photos on ABC News here or a selection of AP/ Reuters photos on Boston.com here. Follow Brandon on Tumblr (where you can read all the Road to Sendai posts) and Twitter.
Pray for Japan.
Peace, love and respect.
FKOF
It’s been a fair while since we last had a proper brand feature here at FatKidOnFire. Our makeitgood x FKOF series has started to properly take off, but today we get to go back to basics and get the lowdown on another brand. The next brand to feature here at FKOF are probably one of the biggest we’ve had the chance to talk to. They started in the ’60s in Northern Italy and have now got offices in LA and Tokyo, producing both apparel and protective clothing for most types of engine-driven disciplines you can think of. We are also truly honoured to have the President of the company answering our questions…
[Alpinestars bmx rider Ryan Guettler]
FatKidOnFire has always been about supporting the underground. With the FKOF movement (if you can call it that) forever growing and extending across the world, I come across countless likeminded people who see the world in the same sort of way. An example of such a person would be my boy Brandon who goes by the fameONE moniker.
fameONE is soul invested in the pulsing heart of the city. Growing up in various places in the U.S. from the east coast to the south, a stint of military servitude landed him in the wonderful world of Japan. His hip-hop influenced life is stylishly lived out amidst the urban diversity of Okinawa where he stays current with fashion, hip-hop and the street racing scene. The former DJ, graffiti artist and bboy encompasses his life, travels and nightly excursions with photography. All it took was crossing paths with another mind on the same wavelength and he now proudly reps FKOF.
Brandon is a photojournalist in the American Armed Forces, based in Japan and who lives and breathes fast cars (the AE86 is his all-time favourite whip), good looking girls and generally having a dope time. Brandon will be covering life in Okinawa every week or so here at FKOF; providing photo updates, written reviews of things that have caught his eye and general banter. If you want a better look at his skills behind the lense hit him up on Flickr or talk to the man himself on Twitter. Welcome to the family fameONE! Peep his first post below and a special minimix from one of our friends…
[Artwork by Riccardo Tisci, the Italian creative director of Givenchy]
With the recent release of his fifth studio LP, KanYe West both pleased and puzzled fans with ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’. The production certainly didn’t disappoint, which isn’t much of a surprise from the famed producer who has a track record of blessing records and tracks with the impressive ingenuity of his unique sound. However, Ye’s bravado and arrogance has seemingly reached new heights in his rhymes. It’s as if he truly believes that he’s lyrically in the same arena as his mentor and close friend Jay-Z. With time and new material, he’s beginning to prove himself on the mic. This is especially noticeable in the newly released track ‘H.A.M.’ produced by southern beatmaker Lex Luger. Ye teams up with Hova himself to deliver more action packed lyrics over Luger’s flashy but gritty beat. The track is scheduled to be released on a collaborative effort between the two juggernaut emcees on an album due in March entitled ‘Watch the Throne’. This spring should prove interesting in hip-hop. Click the link to hear the track and let us know what you think! KanYe West ft. Jay Z - H.A.M.
Whilst we’re on the subject of new music (well, music in general) we peeped this 10 minute minimix from our boy Dj Yaz who runs the dope blog Such A Tune. It’s a fairly decent introduction to ‘commercial’ dubstep and we’ve had it on play for a few days now! Give it a go.
10minute commercial dubstep mix by DJ Yaz
Click to DOWNLOAD
Track list:
- Skrillex ft. Foreign Beggars and Bare Noise - Scatta
- Tempa T - Next Hype
- Beatnick Dubstep - Drop The World
- Far East Movement - Like A G6 (Eyes remix)
- Professor Green - Monster (Camo & Crooked remix)
- Skream ft. Example - Shot Yourself In The Foot Again
If you have any thoughts on Ye’s new materal or Dj Yaz’s mix, or thoughts on anything else you’ve read let us know either via the comments section below or through one of the other forms of contact (email, Twitter and Facebook).
Peace, love and respect.
FKOF
After our second re-interview with F2D Clothing at the start of December, we figured we’d start 2011 off with a catch up with another of the brands to feature on the original FatKidOnFire site six months ago.
Chicago’s One Forty Five South was the sixteenth brand to feature here at the first FKOF. Chaz’s brand has continued to grow with their latest collections (due January and March) marking the next step in the brand’s evolution. We sat down with Chaz to have a quick catch up, to discuss what’s gone on over the past six months and what’ll be happening with the brand in the future…
Remember Jay Read’s Jilted Royalty? We spotted this short vid a few days ago - it goes to show if you look after your family they’ll look after you. It always strikes me that having someone getting your brand inked is the ultimate form of support (and also an amazing piece of viral branding); and I think Danny Rowland’s piece is a prime example of this. Peep the vid of Danny being inked by Brum’s Iain Stanfield (based at Mother of All Sins) and a detailed shot of the finished tattoo.
In other news, Ohio’s Dj Scooter returns to FatKidOnFire with his entry to the FKOF DUB10 competition - 13 of the biggest (all vinyl) dubstep releases from 2010. Keep your entries coming in (click here for the details you need if you missed them first time round) and good luck!
Scooter’s Best of 2010 Dubstep by dj_scooter
Click to DOWNLOAD
Track list:
- Plan B - She Said (16 Bit remix)
- Ed Solo & JFB - Atlantis I Need You
- Phaeleh - Afterglow ( Akira Kiteshi remix)
- AK Kids - Shree Bang Special
- Physical & XZIST - Giant
- Datsik - 3 Fist Style
- Rob Sparx & John Maveric - Widscreen Sniper (Propatingz remix)
- Shadow Conspiracy - We Like Damage
- Akira Kiteshi - ION BRU
- Funtcase & Southbound Bangers ft. Raff - Dubsteppa
- Funtcase - Takin the Piss
- Black Sun Empire & SPL - Wasteland
- The Neptune Project - Aztec (Marlow remix)
Hit up Scooter on Twitter if you’re feeling his take on the biggest of the 2010 dutty dubsteps releases. If you have any thoughts on Scott’s latest mix let us know either via the comments section below or through one of the other forms of contact (email, Twitter and Facebook).
Peace, love and respect.
FKOF
We’ve not had an international brand feature here at FatKidOnFire since Ambush Apparel way back at #40 - we thought it was high time that situation got rectified and so we got scouting for another international brand to interview. Luckily, our new friend Tom (who models in one of the shots included in the feature) knew of such a brand and after a few email exchanges an interview was arranged….
[Scooter rocking the latest must-have Dj accessory; the FKOF face!]
In the second instalment of FatKidOnFire mixes from Columbus tonight, Dj Scooter brings his delectable mix of teh dutty dubsteps to FKOF HQ’s Dj decks. This mix is a personal favourite of mine - superbly mixing another banger of a track list together into a seamless 43 minute beaut. We’ve been spoilt for choice with sick mixtapes today!
Get it turned up, get the lights off and lets get ravey…
“Influenced Agenda” FatKidOnFire MIX 5 by dj_scooter
Click to DOWNLOAD
Track list:
- Deepchild- Shameless in Seattle (Westernsynthetics remix)
- Boot- Boy
- Phaeleh- Low
- Rob Sparx & John Maverick- Widescreen Sniper (VIP mix)
- Shandy- Foghorn
- Black Sun Empire & SPL- Wasteland
- Black Sun Empire- Dirty Friday
- Dubtek- Grief
- Black Sun Empire- The 405
- Vista & Presence Known- Their Prey
- Vent- Flava
- Koan Sound- Coast to Coast
- Sukh Knight- Tricks of the Trade
- Itchy Robot- Fatal Machine (DZ remix)
- Skism- The Blank (16Bit remix)
- Phaeleh- Afterglow (Akira Kiteshi remix)
Hit up Scooter on Twitter if you’re feeling his latest blend of dutty dubsteps.
If you have any thoughts on Scott’s latest mix let us know either via the comments section below or through one of the other forms of contact (email, Twitter and Facebook).
Peace, love and respect.
FKOF
[Super sick artwork by FatKidOnFire fam longboy]
Jah-Killin returns to FKOF HQ’s wheels of steel after a two month absence - perhaps due to the fact that she’s more than heavily pregnant with baby Zehn (who is due practically any day now)! Her latest mix is more of a jungle flavour than the usual dutty dubsteps but trust us when we say it’s an absolute audio treat. As you should know the deal by know, we’ll just say get this plugged into some solid speaker stack and turn it up to 11…
Some **Jungle/ DnB** : Old School meets a New Age.
Jungle zehn twenty ten by JAH-KILLIN
Click to DOWNLOAD
Track list:
- Klute - Chicks
- Future Bound - I Want You
- Creative Wax: Tango - Spellbound
- Deep Rooted - Illuminati
- Serum - Ultra Magnetic
- Dark Angel - See Through You
- Deep Kut - Cougar
- Serum - Selekta
- Back 2 Basics - For She
- Dark Angel - Bom Track
- Back 2 Basics - Think
- Speedonics - What We Die For
- Void Audio Experiements - Alien Abandon
- Deep Rooted - Unidentified
- Creative DNB - Mutant Jazz 1
- Dancing Drums - Lament
Hit up Jah-Killin on Twitter if you’ve got love for her latest mix. She and baby Zehn would love to hear from you!
Peace, love and respect. “Dedicated to Scott and baby Zehn - soon to be joining Planet Earth!”
If you have any thoughts on Jah-Killin’s newest mix let us know either via the comments section below or through one of the other forms of contact (email, Twitter and Facebook).
FKOF
