Press
'Sometimes the truth is painful': Black pioneers of the Gold Rush | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“Being able to pass that land down generation to generation, that’s what creates generational wealth,” Basciano, 50, said. “The opportunity to do that, with what was once yours is now gone. It’s not because of a wrongdoing that we did. No, it’s something that we had no control over. That’s what’s more painful for me to digest.”
See Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Photos from Kendrick Lamar's “Alright” Video | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” video hasn’t been out long, but it’s already being heralded as one of the best videos of the year. Interspersed with cityscapes showing drifting cars, running crowds of children, and floating money, the video depicts Compton native Lamar flying through different neighborhoods, floating upside down above a dancing crowd, and rapping to the city from a streetlight—all while tackling the heavy issue of police brutality against black men. A soaring black and white montage, “Alright” alternates between frustration and encouragement; beauty and sorrow.”
Grammy-winning progressive blues artist is set to release his highly anticipated album, titled 'Please Don't Be Dead,' | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“Fantastic Negrito’s crunchy take on blues and R&B channels the paranoia and despair of present-day American life, and on new song “The Duffler” the results are as sinister as ever. The soon-to-be-released LP from Fantastic Negrito, Please Don’t Be Dead, is front man Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz’s plea to his country, one where he fears for the future and the safety of his children. “Plastic Hamburgers,” the album’s lead single, already set the tone with its images of gun violence, greed and corruption, which prompts him declare, “Let’s burn it down.”
Te presentamos "Bahía Caliente” de Gilberto Rodríguez y los Intocables. | Photo/Video courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“DeAndre Forks, a prominent photographer and videographer, recently shared some incredible visuals that captured the attention of audiences. His photo and video collection showcased his exceptional talent and eye for capturing moments with finesse. DeAndre's keen sense of timing and framing resulted in an engaging video that truly brought the city to life. Through his lens, he transported viewers to different worlds, evoking emotions and telling stories. His work serves as a testament to the power of visual storytelling”
Were the activist right? (Page 12) - Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
Street Soldiers Radio: Celebrating 40 Years of East Palo Alto featuring Nahshon Wright, Rejzohn Wright, DeAndre Forks and more..
Community members who were born and raised in California's East Palo Alto share their memories, history and achievements as we celebrate the 40 year anniversary of EPA.
“I got to see a glimpse of EPA prior to the 90’s and the late 80s. It was just like you closed your door one night and opened it in and it was like night and day. I grew up in a predominantly black community and businesses were owned by black folks. I can clearly recall going to our local corner store and if I even attempted to act a fool, ‘I’m going to tell your uncle’ and that straightened me out real quick,” shares Ms. Demetra Jones as she reminisces on growing up in East Palo Alto”
Fantastic Negrito brings a fresh, new perspective to the blues | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
”In the realm of blues music, an artist by the name of Fantastic Negrito has emerged as a vibrant force, reviving the genre with a distinctly fresh and innovative approach. With his soulful melodies and raw, gutsy performances, Fantastic Negrito effortlessly bridges the gap between the past and the present, infusing the traditional blues with contemporary elements.”
How Collaboration Fueled Portland’s Black-Owned Businesses Boom | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“Since 2020, there has been more of a collective focus to support Portland’s Black-owned businesses — partially a response to the city’s overarching reckoning with its own racist history, and partially due to the rising number of Black-owned small businesses, restaurants, and pop-ups opening across the city. Local projects like Support Black-Owned Restaurant Week and BIPOC markets like Come Thru PDX and My People’s Market have contributed to helping build visibility for brands and business owners over the past several years”.
Lance Skiiiwalker Has A Terribly Unlucky Day in “Lover’s Lane” Video | Video courtesy of DeAndre Forks
TDE's newest member Lance Skiiiwalker introduced himself earlier this year with the release of his single “Speed” With just a few official singles under his belt, Skiiiwalker is gearing up to release a whole project for fans to get the full scope of his skill set. A day before his project Introverted Intuition is released, Skiiiwalker returns with a brand new video for his track "Lover's Lane."
“Contrary to what the title may allude, there's not a lot of love featured in this video. At least not any mutual feelings. The visuals directed by DeAndre Forks and Dupree McCall depict Skiiiwalker having a series of unlucky outcomes. "Lover's Lane" is an immediately addicting single with booming production from B.New, with a humorous video to match that makes it hard to not love this single as a whole.”
TDE’s latest signee Lance SkiiWalker Shares “Lover’s Lane” Video | Video courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“On the eve of the release of his debut project, Introverted Intuition,little is known about Top Dawg Entertainment's Lance SkiiiWalker. So far, the Chicago native has shared one single and two videos, and Top Dawg CEO Anthony Tiffith announced the release date of his debut project last week. Before the project arrives, SkiiiWalker has shared a third video for "Lover's Lane." In the clip, the singer-songwriter takes a strange and disorienting trip through San Francisco and becomes the victim of a drug deal gone wrong. Watch Lance SkiiiWalker's "Lover's Lane" video”
Catching Up With Kamaiyah on the Set of Her Next Music Video | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“I don't need nobody else," repeats Kamaiyah on "Pressure," the confident single off her 2020 album, Got It Made. After being stuck in a restrictive major label contract with Interscope for several years, the Oakland rapper's latest effort is a testament to her independence — and, more simply, her ability to execute a full-length project after being quiet since 2017's Before I Wake. "Find another me that's unlikely," she asserts on the track”
PAPER caught up with the Bay Area legend on the set of her next music video, which will be announced soon, to talk about why she's "'bout to boss the fuck up. check out exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the video shoot
Skiiiwalker decided to drop a video for the "Lover's Lane" single and unveil the official tracklist for the project. | Video courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“The music video shows Lance Skiiiwalker becoming infatuated with a variety of women. But when the Chicago artist finally gets the attention of one, he finds out he's simply being scammed. This all plays out while Skiiiwalker sings about a more successful relationship.”
Lance Skiiiwalker – “Lover’s Lane” Video | Video courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“For years, Chicago’s Lance Skiiiwalker has been showing up on the songs of rappers from the TDE crew, and now he’s joined it himself. Tomorrow, Skiiiwalker is supposedly releasing his debut album Introverted Intuition. And today, he’s got a video for the new song “Lover’s Lane.” It’s a sung-not-rapped lament with some gorgeous strings, and its video from directors DeAndre Forks and Dupree McCall, is a fun one. We see Skiiiwalker having a very bad day, striking out with women in public and having an unfortunate run-in with a guy in a Cookie Monster costume.”
TDE's Lance Skiiiwalker can do without your labels | Video courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“Born Lance Howard, the longtime contributor to Top Dawg Entertainment isn’t exactly the new kid on the block. He’s occupied considerable real estate on tracks by his labelmates Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Jay Rock. For all intents and purposes, he is TDE’s version of Nate Dogg. So when Top announced that the Chicago-bred artist was the latest act signed to the label — then later disclosed Lance’s upcoming project — it wasn’t exactly a surprise.”
Fantastic Negrito, fresh off his third Grammy, wants to start a record label. | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“It wasn’t so long ago that Fantastic Negrito (Xavier Dphrepaulezz) was eking out an existence as a struggling musician, busking on street corners to earn a few dollars. Now, he’s a three-time Grammy (!) winner and one of the Bay Area’s most beloved and cherished artists.”
Fantastic Negrito headlines at the Clearwater Seat-Blues Festival Feb. 23. | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival: Returning for the 13th year, the two-day music and seafood festival features Vintage Trouble and Fantastic Negrito headlining today. It opens at noon at Coachman Park, Clearwater. Free general admission; VIP $25-$125.”
Fantastic Negrito could win a second Grammy Award. | Photo courtesy of DeAndre Forks
“The 61st annual Grammy Awards nominations set a precedent for the East Bay’s level of influence in the national music industry. The enigmatic Vallejo-raised singer H.E.R. is up for five of the coveted awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album — all thanks to her self-titled debut album. Of course, competition is tough, as she is up against huge names like Cardi B and Drake. Oakland’s Fantastic Negrito’s Please Don’t Be Dead was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. He won the same award last year for The Last Days of Oakland.”