Photojournalist Robert Gumperton builds exquisitely constructed black and white windows into worlds most Americans are never going to see. Maybe because they’d never dare to go to the dark places he does or because when people do enter the worlds he walks through they keep their head low and eyes to themselves. Robert on the other had keeps his camera up and eyes open to the story he’s trying to tell. His multi-media piece on American Prison Tattoos in Foto 8 is recognizable as being shot from with in the Northern California Prison System which has a rich history of tattooing and as an incubator of some of the United States’ largest and notorious gangs. Here are a few pieces. Check out the full photo essay at FOTO8.COM.

via: InkButter

I’m going to be in LA for this and if you say you’re trilly into ink and you have a spare day even you should be too.

Can’t afford an actual Mike Giant tattoo ?(If he’s even inking people up still) Well he just released some new tattoo flash posters, and even if you don’t plan on using these joints for actual tattoos they’re ILL for your home’s walls or creative workspace. You can cop them for $100 a piece from REBEL8.COM

Roach Gigz has a one track mind, and that track leads to laying and making the dopest rhymes in the mic booth. Every aspect of his life and inspiration is governed by music and his tattoo’s reflect that in the boldest way. From dedications to fallen homies to acronyms ment to inspire to Pablo Picasso, his ink is a reflection of his journey so far. Step inside for a look at what makes his tattoo gun bang and GET UP ON MAGIC!

OMG! THIS IS SO DOPE. It’s been a fruitful day of extreamley inspiring videos on the net.
“Yves Saint Laurent and director Ari Marcopoulos present “No Way Back”, a short film representing the vision of Yves Saint Laurent Creative Director Stefano Pilati’s 2011 Spring/Summer collection. The short film focuses on influential tattoo artist Mark Mahoney and his Hollywood institution, the Shamrock Social Club. As a talented creative spanning photography and filmmaking, Ari Marcopoulos’ resume spans exhibitions, published books and collaborative projects with Supreme, Nike, Vans and Stussy among others.”
Via:Hypebeast

A blassted promo vid from designer Neil Barrett.

Via: Highsnobiety

There’s an amazing piece in this month’s L.A Weekly documenting the tattoo culture prevelent among chefs. You already know how we feel about getting inked up @ 24KMilkCrate. We stay getting BLASSTED! Love it. Check out the LA Weekly article here.
Via: Ink Butter

Here’s a 1975 film created about tattooing.  ”It seems to me to share a kinship with Masonry” Dope shit.
via: InkButter

24KMilkCrate jetted to L.A for this Yung & BlaSsted feature. Stunnaman is a hard cat to keep up with especially after the release of his mixtape Legendary (Click link to download his mixtape). So when we had the chance to turn the camera on him and hear what this blassted emcee had to say about the meaning of his ink we jumped at it. He definitely exemplifies the philosophy of the BlaSst. Every piece had a story and a meaning that helps propel and remind him of his ambitions in life and as usual he’s always entertaining. Watch it now!

Words & Photos: ChasenPaper

Director and photographer Aris Jerome has an old soul with a personal demeanor somewhere

between smooth and shy. He focuses on subjects with the pitch perfect precision of a trained eye and he’s never taken a class or had the aid of academic training or mentor. Even more remarkable is he’s no where near as old as most ball player’s S.U.V rims. In fact he’s not old enough to drink. At a raw 19, Aris Jerome has become one of the most sought after video directors in the Bay Area hip hop music scene. Clawing his way hand over fist in a competitive market and speeding by those with less hustle and grind.

Only 1 year ago Aris Jerome traded his beat making set up for a Nikon that shot  720p, and switched

his set up from Fruity Loops to Final Cut.  Through a few friends he lined up his first music video for the Oakland rap group “Stick Up Kids”. (Shown below)

Pictured Below: Aris Jerome reps his Pinoy heritage on his sleeve. Officially he’s half Guamanian, a quarter Filipino and quarter black. Or as Dave Chapelle would say. “He’s all mixed up.”

His reputation for getting a high quality job done quick spread like velvet and before he knew it he

was waking up to new offers in his Gmail every day. It’s hard to imagine how much work ethic he has with the efficiency that he slaps out videos. In the time between this Yung & BlasSted piece was shot and posted which was less than a month ago he’s done at least two music videos and released another two. His pace is hobbling for those trying to keep up.

(Videos shown below: Hopie Spitshard’s “Trunk” Feat: Don Will and Roach Gigz’s “Magic Gas”

Aris Jerome’s aspirations of becoming an independent film maker have racing slick wheels. While most people his age are busy chasing broads, catting off seeing who can roll the tightest blunt he’s sitting in front of his Mac making his brand of magic happen. Gearing up for his next job. Which is why Aris Jerome deserves and gets a top slot in the Yung & BlasSted.

GET UP ON MAGIC!

Get @ Aris Jerome on Twitter: ArisJerome