“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery–isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.”

—

Charles Bukowski

Just some snippets of our excursion to Art Dubai - some cool cool stuff kidz. It’s going on for till the 22nd. You should trip down there - take the friends, sip that champagne like you’re a rockstar.
No faking, just appreciating - haha it’s all about the mindset you have about these kinds of things.
So much to see, we’re probably going again!

@Terra Incognita

The Raizuli was at The Mojo Gallery at Alserkal Avenue yesterday and enjoyed meeting the artists behind Terra Incognita themselves, Binu Bhaskar and Alex da Silva.
Engaging and vivacious, the pieces scream creativity and go past the bourgeois stereotype of art existing for the sake of art.

In the little details do we find this purpose and learn how to appreciate art. For example, Alex da Silva, a native Cape Verdian now settled in the Netherlands, explained his reasons for planning on a transition back to Cape Verde, “his little island”. Cape Verde being an ex-slave port between Africa and the Americas inadvertently became a melting pot of all these cultures that were being transported through there. Alex feels that the purpose for his art and himself as an artist is to give back to where he came from and show the art world that even a small voice such as that of Cape Verde has a compelling message to share.
Art always has purpose past decoration, you see.

The pieces themselves, a mix-media compilation, are stunning in terms of colours, vibrancy and composition.

We are excited for the screening of Binu Bhaskar’s (the photographer) short film screening called, “Road Song” at House 20 at the Art Sikka Fair, Al Bastakiya at 7:00 pm.
You should come down and have a word with these cool guys - it’s not a foufou art thing, believe us.

Société Perrier presents DROP DREAD ft. Deep Crates Cartel & MC Alpha of Fat Freddy's Drop

HOLD UP. wait a minute - did you see what Deep Crates bringin?
Société Perrier presents DEAD DROP featuring MC Alpha of Fat Freddy’s Drop.
Basically, we’re going to be getting a heady dose of Reggae and Dub, complete with sexy drink deals (we imagine) and a bangin crowd (we know).

Nice one Deep Crates Cartel, nice one.
https://www.facebook.com/events/112556992208810/

Terra Incognita: Unmapped Identities @ The Mojo Gallery

We had the golden opportunity to see a fascinating project in the works thanks to Mr. Kurt Blackenberg of Mojo Gallery. Seeing a brief glimpse of the work in progress was reason enough to schedule it in our calendar - exciting stuff.
A mix-media project by photographer, Binu Bhaskar and painter, Alex Da Silva to come up with 12 pieces in 12 days effectively shattering the zen, au naturel process of the art world. Take it from us, no artist likes to be hustled including yours truly - but as third party spectators we get terribly excited at clever exhibit names and the fact that this was a pressure test makes it all the more reason to go.

Join us at Mojo Gallery located at the Al Serkal Avenue Compound on 8th St., Al Quoz from 6pm-10pm fellow Dubaiins.
If you recognize us, come say hi!

The Dancer - Young Magic

Hipster chorus, wounded rapper.
It’s something that isn’t quite so novel - but we’re willing to give it a pass because it reminds us of the existentialists that we are.
If you don’t know what that means, in a phrase, it’s life in a larger perspective - disconnected and enlightened.

If a song makes you feel something in your shoulders; it’s a good thing.
Remember that and you’ll start self-teaching yourself how to discern what good music is.

Black Tin Box - Miike Snow ft. Lykke Li

You have good reason to be excited about the upcoming Miike Snow album, “Happy to You” to be released on March 19th.
A dark and moody electro-fied Miike Snow sends chills up our spine. It’s like a madness that is sinking into our skin. It’s a bitersweet Black Swan-esque moment. We have a feeling that you’re going to find this as disturbingly addictive as we did.

Mysterious lyrics that hypnotize us into repeating them in an effort to understand what’s going on in this track. Very, very profound.
How could you survive in a Black Tin Box?

Excited for “Happy to You”!

A New Name to Go by - The Deportees ft. Lykke Li

Heavy vocals that seem to pull your shoulders up into the air making you feel a certain comfort in where and who you are.
A suitable cliched phrase to sum up this new track by the Swedish band, “The Deportees”. Of course, we love this track in a big way for Lykke Li’s vocals which transcend bad vibes.

We’re big Lykke Li fans so look out for a post on her pretty soon!
In the mean time,

“be it peace or happiness
let it enfold you”
Charles Bukowski

Shoutout to Urban Speakers! http://urbanspeakers.org

Everything is Opinon friends.

WSWCM - Amazeballs

Probably the funniest GIF blog we’ve seen in a while

Six Things to do on a Thursday in Dubai

We know that Thursday is a tough day to plan for: you don’t want to to get too crazy because then the rest of the weekend will be spent in recovery but you don’t really want to mellow out too much because that’s just not how we do.
Here are some Raizuli Recommendations for the day:

Music:

1) Listen to some James Brown: remind yourself of the power of FUNK

2) Go through the Raizuli Blog and give the tracks a listen - reblog/retweet something new that you’ve never heard before but you think you could like. A good education is important.

Food:

1) Visit Kino Cafe in Kinokuniya, Dubai Mall and take in the blue view with a cup of green tea and coconut milk over shaved ice.

2) Grab a bite at Jones the Grocer, Al Manara, Sheik Zayed Road (next to Reem al Bawadi)
GET the fries with parmesan and truffle oil. Don’t ask, just do.

Nightlife:

1) For the classic hip hop/ funk/ afrobeat lovers there is Deep Crates@ Casa Latina, Al Barsha complete with awesome drink deals and Bboys!
Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/379616122063732

2)For the 80s, 90s and rock fans, check out Republique @ The Address a less stereotypical club experience that promises a raucous time!
Details: http://clubrepublique.tumblr.com

The Raizuli Business cards are here!

Shady Love - Scissor Sisters vs. Krystal Pepsy

A track from the upcoming, ‘Magic Hour’ album, Shady Love sounds like a cross between Ladytron and the Black Eyed Peas (not that the previous two make the Raizuli List). The Scissor Sisters, on the other hand, definitely does

Shady Love is the only single to be released so far from their upcoming album Magic Hour (May 28th) The album also features the track Only the Horses produced by Calvin Harris. The track featured here sounds like the Scissor Sisters have left the discotheque and took the Express Train to Virgin Radio (hah).

NEVERTHELESS, they know not to take themselves too seriously. In any case, as a commercial pop song, it’s not half bad.
As much as we would love to bitch about the hackneyed hooks of pop music - we’re just gonna say…….we like it, just because the Scissor Sisters know how to do it right.
(so many innuendos in here)

An older more macho version of The Raizuli

Ready to Party: Deep Crates @ Casa Latina

It’s been all over our everything: please humour us.
We love our music: the beats, the synths, the riddims.
Finding a group of people that love the same thing is…a feeling we don’t need to describe to you expats. You all know how it goes here - hustling day in and out and then MORE hustling on the weekend. Yeah that’s right, you know what we’re on about.
In transient Dubai, where there are guest lists and facecards, we find Deep Crates more to be like catching up with friends on a Thursday night after a long week but at the same time an earflux of GREAT beats. (Disclaimer: Hiphop, Funk, Breaks, Reggae)

And that’s why we love Deep Crates.
Come find us and say hi!

Join the event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/379616122063732/

Guerrilla Street Art: ICY and SOT

Stencil Artists from Tabriz, Iran: ICY and SOT are brothers that are guerrilla artists and above all, men who understand the fundamental meaning of communication with the subconscious. They go past repression, fear and judgement by society to share little truths about who we are.
Represent.

Check out their other photos as well as well as their website and FB page.
http://www.icyandsot.com/
http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=6874

Big Day -Torgny
It’s like watching Discovery Channel….

The Norwegians say:
“Love this song, love the video. It’s the second video in a trilogy which follows three different phenomenons in Norway. This one is about how we celebrate the end of high school. We drink for a month and wear red and blue trousers… The last day we celebrate national day.”

Some street art from Germany by Mode 2

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.
Mark Twain

The Raizuli is on FB

Graphic Design and Guerrilla Marketing is what we’re offering.
Get in touch by writing us a message on the Wall or following us on @theraizuli

AMOR FATI - Washed Out

Been listening to Washed Out since the Summer of ‘11 but today seemed like a good day to share with you their video for “Amor Fati”.

If you’re feeling hipsterish today - check out their “Flower Anthem” video as well.
http://stereogum.com/972651/washed-out-flower-anthem-video/video/