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

Here’s the homie Brandon who runs San Mateo Zoo showing some true island pride. If you’re in the San Mateo area stop by. They have got 6 barber chairs, throwback hip hop vinyl, spray tips, streakers, mixtapes, krink, consignment  and FITTED CAPS. Not your average one stop hip hop shop. Get on MAGIC!

Yesterday I got a chance to catch up with my barber/brother Cream, aka Cream The Barber. He has the ILLEST skill specific ink I’ve ever seen in my life. From the verse on his right forearm to the liners on his left everything is designed to explain to the viewer what exactly he does the best, being a self taught head lining heavy HITTER!

Although, beneath the dope art and eagle eye for cutting hair he’s also one of the deepest and most solid people I’ve ever met in my life. We’ve worked together and I’ve spent hours in his kitchens to his cushy leather salon chair and everything he’s ever said he would do with his life he’s done on the solo. Every adversity and obstacle that spontaneously reared it’s head (and there’s been big ones) he’s parlayed it into something personally beneficial without blinking or sweating. Sometimes he never even talked about them until way later because he’s so low key. And if he had to stand up and face the music he’s done it with dignity. He possesses an emotional equilibrium that is so even, it’s un shakable along with a steady mind and disposition that is contagious. A pious hustler, I’ve seen him grow into following his dreams with a focus that is paying dividends everyday. Needless to say he still wouldn’t be in the YUNG & BLASSTED  if he did have DUMB ASS BARS WITH THE LINER! If you’re from out of town and you need a barber in SF hit him, and if you’re in SF and you have a barber you probably should fuck with the kid @ least once. GET ON MAGIC!

FIND HIM AT THE BARBER LOUNGE IN SAN FRANCISCO

Or

Hit @CREAMTHEBARBER on TWITTER

Tatts

Ink By: Jun Cha <–The kid is amazing!

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Shots: ChasenPaper

It’s Josh The Goon! First of all his name is Josh The Mutha Fuckin’ Goon, if that name ain’t enough to get you asking, “Who the hell is this guy?”  Then I can’t do much else for you. Most people don’t have the balls to do anything significant that is close to their heart with their life let alone NAME THEMSELVES JOSH THE GOON and get “GOON LIFE” inked on their knuckles and live the goon life.

All hype aside Josh is a dope ass producer/engineer who was born and raised in mean Venice Beach, California. As a representative of hip hop and chaser of his dreams, which is what we look for in the Yung & BlaSsted it doesn’t get much more ideal that the dude. He’s got beats for days and has worked projects with artists like  Sick Jacken, DJ Muggs, Planet Asia, and Tri-State but you may know him best from the work he’s done with Gangsta Gibbs. The emcee from Gary Indiana that surprised the shit out of everyone with his unique breed of Mid West aggression has been messing with Goon’s beats for years now. So don’t worry if you didn’t know before because now you do. If you want to know more holler @ Josh the Goon on his TWITTER and Download his tracks from his Band Camp. BUT BEFORE YOU GO ON YOU NEED TO PRESS PLAY BELOW AND GET UP ON MAGIC!

01 ‘Nice As I Am’ by 24KMilkCrate

Pearly Gates by 24KMilkCrate Trouble by 24KMilkCrate