Cavem Moetavation. I dunno what to call this guy. I know him as an MC, a DJ, a conga player, a reggae singer, food activist, teacher…just all around talent. The video below is of this cat performing.

This is what you get when you drop righteous hip hop rhymes about environmental sustainability and green jobs. Cavem is using his rhymes to compete in a contest to promote environmental and food consciousness. Vote for him by clicking here!

DUDE! INDIE RAWK!!!

IN A GARAGE!!!

From Philadelphia: Hermit Thrushes!!! I hate to admit it cuz indie rock shows remind me of many an awkward/insecure college night out but…these guys were pretty good.

I thought the drummer was particularly good and i wanted to talk to him but…

…there was just something about how that orange jump suit fit him that made him slightly unapproachable. …like i wouldn’t be able to maintain eye contact.

But for real, check out The Giragge when you’re in Grand Junction. it looks like the guy who owns (the garage) is gettin’ all types of undiscovered acts cutting through there. i heard Denver’s Pirate Signal had recently been there as well.

Sooo…last night was Super Bowl Sunday.

and…i found myself in a situation where i met a couple of the Denver Broncos cheerleaders.

they kept begging me and begging me to take a picture with them.

…but i was like “look, really, i can’t. i’m Behind the Lens…and i’m on the job right now.”

…and so we worked something out. …where both they and i could be happy.

they signed this poster for me. correctly. like: ric with no k cuz it’s short for ricardo. how sweet?

cat caught in a clear plastic death box.

the art work of Jolt, a local graffiti muralist and artist. you can see more of his work by clicking here.  you could also see more of his work by just walking/driving through Denver.  Jolt’s a big fan of Debajo and we’re a big fan of him.  We performed at the opening of his art gallery.  you can check the first song of the night by clicking here.

i heard this was supposed to be good luck. my dad did this to my mom’s shoes when i was a kid and we were walking through Elizabeth, NJ. i wonder if they’re still hanging there.

Rebelle is a hot little shop.

Some of my favorite people in the world work there.  They take care of you.  They take care of me. 

They tell me stuff like: “Time to get a hair cut, Ric.”  or “Whoa Ric, your hair looks hot.”  One time they even got me to sit and get a mini mani (after insisting I drink a glowing blue cocktail)…keep me looking presentable!  hell yeah!  …don’t wanna go out there looking like i’m falling apart knawmsayin’?

This weekend they had a men’s fashion show.

Roar!

clothes came off.

…just a little bit, right? enough to keep things interesting.

…and then a burlesque show!

…and i really like this shot.

a local celebrity.

More pics from the fashion show available at: http://gallery.behindthelens.net/fashion/rebelle

Click here for the Rebelle website.

DJ Icewater, performing with…

Aju Soulaju and…

…Molina Soleil, who together make up the hip hop group: Soulaju.

Okay, let’s start with this: THESE CATS SPIT IN FIVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES!!!

Equally important: they drop hip hop with consciousness

…and on top of all that: they’re hot ass eye candy.

Oh, and DJ Icewater: spins ol’ school hip hop and classic beats/bass lines.

phew! damn. : )

They’re playing in Denver again this Friday. My advice: GO! Here’s their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/soulaju

Soulaju is creative, conscious, energetic, sexy, intellectual, and overall: bad ass. i left with the tremendous hope that hip hop, as in conscious, intellectual, and soulful hip hop is making a comeback.

…as if that wasn’t enough, they were joined by these cats:

Mike Wird

DJ Cavem

…and of course, Pablo Kee of Debajo del Agua. I really appreciated this, actually. I rarely have a chance to photograph my band mates performing. I’ve taken the camera on stage during performances before but it’s a little too nuts to deal with and I can mostly only get pics of the sides/backs of everyone’s head.

I’m really happy with the way the pics turned out. You can check more of them here: http://gallery.behindthelens.net/Music/

Soulaju, can I drop a bass line for you guys some time?  please?  pretty please?  : )

Please consider sharing this blog on Facebook (click below).  I’d like Soulaju and socially conscious groups like Soulaju to get more recognition.