Kenzo Digital's CITY OF GOD'S SON is one of the most interesting and forward projects we've seen this year. CITY OF GOD'S SON is an experimental hip-hop opera starring Nas, Jay Z, Ghostface, Biggie Smalls, Raekwon, Samuel Jackson, Delroy Lindo, and Laurence Fishburne. It is a crime drama/coming of age tale of three fictitious characters growing up in a crime ridden city in a jungle. This project explores the icon of the gangster in modern media, and weaves musical history and gangster film history into an operatic music based story of brotherhood and survival. An homage to 90's New York hip-hop, "City of God's Son" is the redefinition of the remix. Featuring legendary soul singer Joe Bataan. To those that missed out on the installation during the summer, we have some CDs to give away! Check out what the buzz about this project is by checking out the CD. Check here to receive your copy!

DJ NORI has been an exceptional DJ for 30 years and has had great influences in the club music scene both in Tokyo and NY. He started his DJ career in Tokyo in 1979. When he moved to NY in 1986, he met Larry Levan playing at the legendary club, Paradise Garage. He has been DJing since with Larry Levan at famous clubs. Along the way he has made close friendships with David Mancuso, Walter Gibbons, Danny Krivit, Timmy Resisford, Little Louis Vega, Nick Jones, Francois K, and other notable names. He has experienced real moments of the birth of the avant-garde period of music and culture at the Paradise Garage. This moment in time created a big scene in lower Manhattan. In the film "Maestro" (by Josell Ramos, 2004), DJ NORI appears as "one of the most important DJs who built a basic of NY club culture". In 1989, DJ NORI went back to Tokyo to be a resident DJ of the legendary club Gold. He also continued his DJ activities abroad including Sound Factory Bar - Under Ground Network, Cafe Con Letche, and others.

Currently in Japan, DJ NORI has been throwing several parties such as the Smoker at Loop (ongoing for 11 years), Gallery at Cay, and a new party Voyage at Yellow. His guest DJs include Lord G, DJ Harvey, Kim Lightfoot and others. Celebrating his 30 year career as a DJ, the "DJ NORI thirty year anniversary" party was held at AgeHa in Tokyo with many of his friends in attendance including Jocelyn Brown from UK. Last month, DJ NORI came back to NY to throw a 718 Sessions party with his old friend Danny Krivit and AK.

Congratulations on your thirty year anniversary as a DJ. Please tell us about your NY era and move to Tokyo.

I lived in NY from the end of 1986 to Feb. 1990. After my DJ residency at Gold in Tokyo for over one year, I came back to NY. From there, I started splitting my DJ life between NY and Tokyo.

Around 1996, I settled in NY because we had plans to make a new club on Hudson street where we'd bring DJs from Tokyo. Eventually that plan didn't come to be which brought me down. But, I was cheered by Fransois K which led me to start over. I decided to go back to Japan. My current parties, Smoker and Gallery were started then.

Though you had your 718 party in NYC, your anniversary party series was held in Japan. Is there anything you felt different this time?

They made me realize again the greatness of cheers and the power given off from the audience. I felt an appreciation for that. Not only at the party in NY but also from the 30 hour party at AgeHa and Loop. I received positive energy from the people supporting and celebrating me. I'd thought about doing other things besides DJing during my career, but I realized I should keep doing it.

How was the 718 Sessions in NY?

NY is the city that gave me the opportunity to be a DJ for 30 years. I have realized again how great NY is. The energy I felt from the floor was fantastic.  I could play in a good pace. It was so much fun.

What are you expecting in your future ?

Things are over-saturated nowadays. It's very difficult for veteran DJs like myself to be involved with both the old and the new. But I hope we can let the younger generation of DJs and party goers handle the future.

DJs can be technically skilled with the use of computers, but each DJ has their individual style to express. I try to make parties that have good communication with the crowd without an ego. Getting inspiration from the audience is one of the best experiences. That's what makes me happy and is the most valuable things to me.

Interview by Go Kiryu

Last Thursday was the NEW YORK - TOKYO MUSIC NIGHT 2 event featuring special guests DJ MURO from Tokyo and DJ NEIL ARMSTRONG, Jay-Z's tour DJ! We couldn't have asked more for a better DJ line up. The night was filled with great music ranging from rare vintage 45 records that Muro has been collecting for over 20 years around the globe and of course DJ Neil Armstrong's signature style of mixing classic Hip Hop with good old jumping vintage sounds. These two are complimentary in styles and made the night complete. These two definitely proved their status in the DJ circuit. The event had a great turn out with plenty of familiar faces from the trendsetters, music industry heads to creatives. Asahi Beer provided with the flow of brew for the party people. We're just as excited as you are for what's going to happen for NYTMN3! Stay tuned.

More photos and report at:
http://www.newyork-tokyo.com/wp/2009/08/07/nytmn2-event-report/

So summer is finally setting in. This beautiful weekend is packed with skate events and people from all over are in NY participating in these events. Our first events, NYTS1: Snowboarding and NYTS2: Skateboarding were the definition of getting active and having fun with the diverse sport cultures that spread across the world. It is now time to present our BIKE event through NYTS3. New York - Tokyo has collaborated with Bicycle Film Festival to bring you the world premiere screening of Keirin Queen on June 21st at the Anthology Film Archives. Purchase tickets now as they will sell out! More information to come.

My good friend DJ Reason has combined with Three/21 Media and clothing brand Mighty Healthy to bring you "The Hand Me Down Puma Mix," a mixtape dedicated to The Beastie Boys. Orchestrating the tape is DJ Reason who also serves as an A&R for Nature Sounds, most recently having done work for Mobb Deep and the new J Dilla album for the independent Brooklyn based label.

Download it here!

More info after the jump.

New York, NY--- DJ Reason has combined with Three 21 Media and clothing brand Mighty Healthy to bring you "The Hand Me Down Puma Mix," a mix dedicated to The Beastie Boys. Orchestrating the tape is Reason who also serves as an A&R for Nature Sounds, most recently having done work for Mobb Deep and the new J Dilla album for the independent Brooklyn based label.

"Many people complain about A&R's not knowing the music, the history, the reputation, ETC.." Reason explains on the creation of this project. "I've been an avid Beastie Boy fan since I was 12 and haven't been the same since. What they brought to the game helped define my ear for music and my style as an individual."

Like the hand me down clothing, skateboards, snowboards, & krylons he used to get as a kid, he felt like this mix was a gift to the younger generation not as well versed on his favorite group. From this concept arose the title of this mix, which serves the same principle of handing down quality material and educating listeners in the process.

Also part of the project is video director Rik Cordero of Three 21 Media. Known for working with artists such as Nas, Q-Tip and The Roots, he attests that his influence coincidentally came from the Beasties and also director Spike Jonez and easily gave his support:

Spike Jonze's work on the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage"--"He is a great, incredible artist and a great inspiration to me. Guys like him, Robert Rodriguez, Stephen Soderbergh. These are the guys who aren't afraid to operate the camera, and frequently do just about everything when they make a film. I think the videos that seem to stand out [in my catalogue] are the ones where the artist has met me halfway and were open to narrative work. I think I'm naturally drawn to narrative and story telling."

In addition clothing brand Mighty Healthy, known for their witty designs and Hip-Hop influence sponsors the mix. It's a no brainer that the company would support the project as co-founder Ray Mate had this to say about the Beasties Boys influence:

"The Beasties were young and raged hard...basically Hip-Hop, Punk Rock and bitches were there thing.
Plus they were always raging at the shows and had that I don give a fuck attitude."

The concept of the hand me down is like student to teacher. As The Beastie Boys' influence affected the three parties responsible for this mix, their own individual success will affect people in their respective industries. Everyone owes a little something to those who came before and this mix is a testament to paying homage.

For more information please contact
Dennis Baquiran @ 201.660.2000
E-Mail: djreason@gmail.com

Tracklist:
1.    the biz vs. the nudge
2.    shame in your game
3.    dope lil song
4.    rootdown (free zone remix)
5.    get it together (buckwild remix)
6.    skills to pay the bills
7.    hold it now hit it
8.    ricky's theme
9.    scratch your rump (irt medley) / shake your rump
10.     the vibes
11.     car thief
12.     mullet head
13.     sure shot (european b-boy mix) / sure shot (large professor remix)
14.     something's got to give
15.     slow and low
16.     dub the mic
17.     pass the mic (pt.2 skills to pay the bills)
18.     electric worm
19.     cooky puss

Hello readers! We're excited to start blogging with some of our favorite musicians and creatives. Muro is definitely the best to ever do it. This means a lot to us! Respect to those in Tokyo! Please check out our site to see what we have going on. http://newyork-tokyo.com