People Under The Stairs: Montego Slay

Double K (aka Michael Turner) from seminal LA hip-hop duo People Under The Stairs passed away this week, at 43 years old. Double K and Thes One (aka Christopher Portugal) founded the group in 1997 while they were both attending high school and became admired for their laidback style, eclectic and obscure samples, back-and-forth rhyme dynamic and DIY approach—undertaking almost all sampling, DJing, MCing and …

Farewell to Iconic Photographer Ricky Powell

Ricky Powell—often referred to as “the fourth Beastie Boy”—passed away in NYC yesterday, aged 59. Best known for capturing images of the city’s downtown music and arts scenes (and for his quick wit), Powell had an instinctual approach that resulted in artistic, sharp and adept images. Born and raised in NYC, Powell began shooting in the mid-’80s and since photographed the likes of Basquiat, Madonna, …

Cheech Marin’s Collection of Chicano Art Finds a New Home in Riverside, California

Best known as one half of comedy duo Cheech & Chong, 74-year-old Cheech Marin is also a writer, activist and avid art enthusiast—specifically Chicano art, which he began collecting in the ’80s. A third-generation Mexican American, Marin has shared his impressive 700-piece collection through touring exhibitions in the past, but will be donating almost all of it to the city of Riverside, California for The …