B+ & Coleman (Mochilla)

A Beat Happening

We close season 2 with two very special guests, a pair of photographers and documentarians without whom our path in this music thing wouldn't be the same. Brian "B+" Cross and Eric Coleman met in the early 1990s. One was an immigrant from Ireland recently arrived on the US west coast to study, the other was an Angeleno, and they both had a deep love for and interest in the then burgeoning hip-hop culture and the artform of photography. In 1997 they setup Mochilla, a production company through which they've documented beat culture in motion via a series of crucial documentary films, events, as well as ongoing work for artists like Kamasi Washington, Damian Marley, and Quantic. Individually they've shot some of the most loved and memorable hip-hop covers, including DJ Shadow and Madvillain, and have been involved in a wide variety of projects both officially and behind the scenes. But what really makes Mochilla important is that they are elders with a genuine passion and interest in the history that has been unfolding for the past 40 years and the understanding that it deserves to be shared and treasured. We couldn't be happier to wrap up season 2 with them, especially as we've spent so much time in LA this season.

This episode was edited and produced by Laurent Fintoni. Intro and outro music by Duke Westlake. Artwork by Kutmah. Design assistance by Paper Resistance and Brandy Flower. This show is a labor of love and if you enjoy what you hear and would like to support us in being able to continue, you can donate via PayPal at https://paypal.me/abeathappening.

In this episode we discuss...

• Cairo trip with Jay Electronica
• First meetings and learning to DJ
• B's shoot with Eazy E
• will.i.am vs Thes One at Dusk's soundclash
• Firecracker and Aron's
• Hanging out with Doom in LA
• Getting to know and hang with Madlib and Jay Dee
• Finding that Cortex record
• Shooting the cover for Company Flow's Lil Johnny

Tracklist:

• Coleman - Earthquake
• will.i.am vs Thes One at the Rootdown
• Cortex - Huit Octobre 1971
• Jrocc - Go!

Links:

• Keepintime at Internet Archive
• Mochilla portfolio