Shang Chengxiang

@dday521 took over @Tmoms Instagram and explained how he got into street/sticker art culture. I love hearing these kinda of stories. Go follow him and check out all the rad pics he takes. - Leaves me wondering - When was your first time you noticed street/sticker art? #eltoro #bwr #stickybandits #tmoms #streetart #stickers

Our introduction was through eltoro215, Bob Will Reign & Underwater Pirates ... Upstairs here at Mom's

Friend of a Friend Mixer

Saturday nights Friend of a Friend Mixer hosted by mediocremonster kicked off rather seamlessly. With music from mediocremonster​’s 15 year old brother known as the TheCoolUncool (@thecooluncool).

Tattooed Mom (@Tmoms) on South Street in Philadelphia welcomed all kinds of artists to flood the uniquely graffiti plastered walls of the upstairs venue. Street Taggers, Graphic Designers, Street-Wear Brands, Rappers, Musicians, Painters, Skaters, photographers, and much much more all came together in one place for giveaways,drinks, good times, live painting and drawing, networking, artistic bonding, and creative thinking. 

As people and artists gradually made their way up the stairs they became ensued in the tagged walls and energy of Hip-Hops latest hits and long time classics courtesy of DJ/Producer, TheCoolUncool. His sensational mix included the latest from artists like Big Sean, Chris Brown, Childish Gambino, Drake, and PartyNextDoor, while intertwined with classics from Fabolous, Kanye West, and many more. Four hours of previously mixed music certainly impressed everyone in the room, especially after hearing  @mediocremonster’s little brother single handed-ly put together the collection of music. “He figured that since he couldn’t go to Friend Of A Friend due to age limits he would contribute by making a mix featuring music of all flavors to stick to the diverse tone of the event” said mediocremonster about his brother. 

TheCoolUncool started his pursuit in music at the age of 11 when he began teaching himself how to play the drums, piano, and guitar. He then began to buy all of his own mixing and DJ equipment, laptop, and production programs. TheCoolUncool is now 15 years old, and a freshman in high school. He has recently acquired the DJ job for his high schools prom this spring, making him the youngest DJ to ever spin in his schools history. 

The layout of TMoms is elaborate to say the least decorated from floor ceiling with elaborate colors and designs, everything from the raunchy to most delicate of images flourish throughout the 3 sections of the upper level. Oddly furnished with seats consisting of bumper cars,derailed roller coaster carts, and vintage styled living room chairs. This made it not so much comfortable, but cool to watch the projected film on the back wall about street artist tagging trains and subway cars.

The atmosphere was contagious and vibrant, as over a hundred people moved tightly throughout the sections, in such close quarters it was virtually impossible to not encounter an acquaintance or spark and interesting conversation with a friendly face or artist. mediocremonster successfully pulled off an inspiring event with a large group of talented and kind individuals. 

"I feel blessed to have connected so many people" said mediocremonster  when referring to the success of FOAF.

As attendees moved from one section to the next they stopped frequently at the bar or to admire an artists works that were place in pleasantly random places. Particularly interesting were two piece done by J.Taylor from her up and coming brand, BlackNoizeInc. To the left she embodies old school Hip-Hop, but collaborates it with new school. The young girls vintage style clothes and large headphones, perhaps, depict a older time in Hip-Hop, while her iPhone placed on the floor substitutes for a Walkman.

@mediocremonster is a young visionary known in the artistic world, particularly the Tri-State area. His views may seem to be idealistic to some, but extremely tangible to others. He goes on to speak on his personal mission for his growing community, “My goal is to connect the urban and suburban crowd because at times we forget to realize that we are still not integrated. We are now separated by class and I feel like creative expression is the one level we can all relate to whether you’re a musician, artist, writer, etc. you have a place in the community I’m trying to build” he says. 

Look out for mediocremonster's street art, (tagged with the image below) and be sure to follow him on Twitter to be up to date with all of his latest events.

Check out and Interact with all of these artist via Twitter.

Listen to four hours of the FOAF Street Mix by TheCoolUncool here: 

Friend of a Friend Street Mix

Alone, Together. Qcknd, 2012. JR.P.

Sideshow, 2012