Taji Ameen
Catching up with Krussia, New York's Best Russian Rapper
For this week's Mahal, I hit up Russian rapper Krussia's 2 AM performance at CMJ's international show. Over the last few years, I've ran into Krussia from time to time as shredded the streets of New York on his bike. Here's a live video from his CMJ...
Jill Di Donato Talks About Her Book About Sex in the Lower East Side
For this week's Mahal, I met with author and sex columnist Jill Di Donato at a garden to discuss her new novel and video project, Beautiful Garbage, about the commercialization of sex and the art scene in the Lower East Side.
Don't Sleep on Sunday Nights, Party at Joel Meinholz's Chocolate Sundays
For this week's Mahal, I left my house on a Sunday night to meet up with Joel Meinholz at his raging party, Chocolate Sundays, a weekly event that happens simultaneously in Miami and Brooklyn.
HiriiTheHuman Is a Suburban Rap Prodigy
For this week's Mahal, I met up HiriiTheHuman, a 15-year-old member of Rochester's suburban rap scene. While hanging out with Hirii, I asked him about growing up in the suburbs, his new song, and why there are no spaces in his name.
'TV Killed the Lower East Side'
How television and movies convinced millions of people to move to New York City.
TV Killed the Lower East Side
This week, I'm presenting my friend Jade Katz's new video, TV Killed the Lower East Side. With the help of Jade's pet rat, Petunia, the video shows how television and movies convinced millions of people to move to New York City, ruining the...
David Bailey and Bruce Weber's Great Cell Phone Photography Experiment
For this week's Mahal, I caught up with photography legend David Bailey about his recent excursion to New York. With his buddy Bruce Weber, he shot classic Harlem in the most unconventional way. Instead of using their go to Zeiss lens's on traditional...
These Art Kids Are Hosting an Ancient Greek Sacrifice in Bushwick
Instead of charging admission for their production of "Electra," these artists are requiring audiences members to offer a sacrifice of some kind. This includes—but is not limited to—fruit, meat, wine, a lock of hair, cigarettes, art, and socks. I spoke...
Journey Through Clayton Patterson's Front Door Portal
For this week's Mahal, I headed to the Lower East Side to check out Clayton Patterson's newly painted front door. After decades of taking portraits outside the door and decorating it with graffiti, Clayton has transformed it into a portal. To find out...
This Skateboard School Is Keeping Kids Out of Trouble in Brownsville
For this week's Mahal, I checked out the Summer Skateboarding Program at Mt. Ollie Baptists Church in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The program is a result of a collaboration between the Harold Hunter Foundation and Airwalk. Through the program, skateboarders...
George Gage's Cult Classic 'Skateboard' Is Coming to BAMcinématek
For this week's Mahal, I talked to director George Gage about his film 'Skateboard.' Released in 1978, the film tells the tale of a semi-bald loser who decides to manage a team of skateboarding teens in hopes of covering some unsettled debts with his...
Marco Hernandez: The Skate Life Photography King of Staten Island
For this week's Mahal, I caught up with skate-life photographer, Marco Hernandez. A native of Staten Island, home to one of the world's largest landfills, Marco snaps pics of skateboarders, bums, dead animals, girls, and anything else that catches his...