Powerful new video for Run the Jewels “Close Your Eyes” feat. Zack de la Rocha.  Directed by AG Rojas, it tackles the culture of violence between police and civilians.  The director writes:

When Run The Jewels sent me this track, I knew we had the opportunity to create a film that means something. I felt a sense of responsibility to do just that. We had to exploit the lyrics and aggression and emotion of the track, and translate that into a film that would ignite a valuable and productive conversation about racially motivated violence in this country. It’s provocative, and we all knew this, so we were tasked with making something that expressed the intensity of senseless violence without eclipsing our humanity. For me, it was important to write a story that didn’t paint a simplistic portrait of the characters of the Cop and Kid. They’re not stereotypes. They’re people – complex, real people and, as such, the power had to shift between them at certain points throughout the story. The film begins and it feels like they have been fighting for days, they’re exhausted, not a single punch is thrown, their violence is communicated through clumsy, raw emotion. They’ve already fought their ways past their judgements and learned hatred toward one another. Our goal was to highlight the futility of the violence, not celebrate it.

I am really proud of where we ended up, and I am very thankful that our actors Shea Whigham and Keith Stanfield committed to these characters 100%. They breathed complex life into two people who are usually portrayed in simplistic ways – as archetypes. I can tell you it was an emotional shoot day. It is tough to re-create moments that are so fresh and prevalent in our world today. It affected all of us in deep ways. But I believe that it is important that the way we feel when we see these events in real life has an effect on us. That we resonate with what we know to be right and we don’t numb ourselves out so those feelings can simply be swept away, we must confront them and take some action, however small, or we’ll be stuck in the same cycle of violence and hate.

Stones Throw & Leaving Records are hosting an event at SXSW tonight, Friday, March 20, 8P-2A at Empire Garage & Control Room. This is a 21+ event, free with badge or wristband. Tickets available at the door for those without badge or wristband. This venue has two rooms.

Empire Garage:

STONES THROW ’56’ DJs 8:00P
MILD HIGH CLUB 9:00
SILK RHODES 9:30
NXWORRIES Anderson Paak & Knxwledge 10:00
TUXEDO Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One, live with band 11:00
Funkmosphere Party from midnight-2AM:
DAM-FUNK
PEANUT BUTTER WOLF
J.ROCC

Control Room with Leaving Records:

MATTHEWDAVID 8:00P
BROGAN BENTLEY 9:00
TRANCE FARMERS 9:40
BENEDEK 10:20
MNDSGN 11:00
SAMIYAM 11:40
RAS G 12:20A

In case you can’t make it, they’ve put together a playlist so you can still feel the vibe.

The Quiet Life spring lookbook shot by Dan Monick in Highland Park at 56th & Figueroa.   You can check out the new arrivals right over here.

Akomplice, passionately made from the woods (or in this case, the mountains).  These photos by Blake Peterson capture some Colorado natives in their element.  The clothing is from 12 separate capsule collections…you can find a smattering of them here.

This Thurs, Peanut Butter Wolf will be VJing alongside NX Worries (Anderson Paak & Knxwledge), Mild High Club, Vex Ruffin & Prophet on Boiler Room.  Check out one of his previous appearances on Boiler Room, the epic 12 hour dj session from his living room on 12/12/12:

Peanut Butter Wolf’s 12hr 12/12/12/ Set Part 1… by brtvofficial

Peanut Butter Wolf’s 12hr 12/12/12/ Set Part 2… by brtvofficial

Peanut Butter Wolf’s 12hr 12/12/12/ Set Part 3… by brtvofficial

Prince Paul just uploaded part II of his series, ‘It’s Not the Size of Your Mix,  It’s How You Use It”.   He says, “If you like hip hop that has been neglected and thrown in the gutter, then you will love this.  If you are into Summer Jam and Selfie Hip Hop, you will probably despise this”.

Afternoon listening…

Prince Paul’s ” Its Not the size of your Mix Its how you use it ” Mix Tape Vol 1 (Obscure Series) by Prince Paul on Mixcloud

Prince Paul’s ” Its Not the size of your Mix Its how you use it ” Mix Tape Vol 2 (Obscure Series) by Prince Paul on Mixcloud

via Ego Trip.

Rhymesayers just announced the line up for Soundset this year, and of course, it’s massive.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 11 AM (CST) online through TicketWeb and in-store at Fifth Element (2411 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405). General Admission tickets are $62 (The $4 facility fee and parking are included in this ticket price). VIP options for $140 ($4 facility fee and parking are both included in ticket price) are also available! Please note that additional processing fees may apply.

This year, Soundset boasts a full day of two Main Stages and the Fifth Element stage delivering 40 artists performing over nine hours of diverse music, plus the Essential Elements tent featuring Freestyle Session Minnesota B-Boy/B-Girl competition. In addition, Ironlak & The Seventh Letter presents live painting by Ewok, Sever, Vizie, Much, NMPH, Hop4, and River. Also returning will be the 5th annual Skateboard Showdown presented by Familia, the 8th annual Soundset Custom Car Show, and a special Last of the Record Buyers production showcase.

Cannibal Ox’s long awaited, Blade of the Ronin.  Please support by picking up on iTunes.  (it’s officially out tomorrow).  They’re having a record release party tonight at The Studio at Webster Hall with special guests GZA, Freeway, and G-Jet.  Tickets are available here.