For most of us, the stencil/graffiti phenomenon is synonymous with just one name: Banksy. But true aficionados of the Street Art scene know that before there was Banksy, there was Ego. Nowadays the Bristol-born graff artist no longer uses his former tag, but his hugely influential technique remains much the same. Nick Walker the Apish Angel, (as he now prefers to be known) was one of the first to integrate intricate stencil images with conventional freehand methods, and it seems to have been a winning combination: Walker’s work has been shown across the globe in locations from London to Taiwan.

This February will see the opening of the Apish Angel’s brand new exhibition, ‘Pretty Decorating’, at West Hollywood’s Carmichael Gallery. The 30-piece narrative follows the antics of the ‘Vandal’; a quintessential Englishman who sets out to brighten up the world’s largest cities armed only with a spray can. The resulting collection is an ironic yet highly accomplished take on the urban art world that viewers are bound to find amusing and inspiring in equal measures. Not to be missed.

On View: February 2 - 24, 2008
http://www.carmichaelgallery.com/

Are you a London-based Hip Hop head? Feeling disillusioned by the bland, commercialised excuse for music that seems to rule the airwaves in the capital’s clubs and bars? Well, then it’s time to rejoice: There is hope on the horizon, and it goes by the name of ‘Livin’ Proof’. The brainchild of some of the UK Hip Hop scene’s most major players, this new monthly club night will provide you with a Saturday soundtrack of soul, funk and of course, the truest in old school Hip Hop. With a roster of renowned resident DJs (including Mr Thing, Khalil and Snips) and a super-convenient Soho location, Livin’ Proof looks set to give the kiss of life to the London scene. Who says Hip Hop is dead?

Livin’ Proof
Next party: 12th January, 2008
Marketplace Bar, W1
8pm-1am (Free before 11pm)
http://www.myspace.com/livinprooflondon

From spraying walls in her home borough of Queens, to becoming the focus of a new exhibition held at London’s Blink Gallery, there’s no doubt that the infamous Claw Money has come a long way, baby. Once the queen of the New York graffiti game, she has wasted no time since officially hanging up her spray can a few years back. Now a fashion director, brand consultant, designer and wardrobe supervisor, Claw Money has somehow found the time to bring out an exclusive women’s sneaker range in collaboration with Nike. This week sees the UK drop of the second release from the collection, a Vandal hi-top shoe, embellished with peacock feather illustrations and Claw’s signature three-nailed tag. The Claw Money Vandal will be sold exclusively at Tier 0 sneaker store Footpatrol on Friday 9th November. Eager fans can also pick up tees, CDs and customised shoe boxes at the ‘Bouncing on Top of the World’ exhibit, which will be honouring the great lady’s work until November 22nd.

Footpatrol 16 St Anne’s Court, London, W1.
Blink Gallery 11 Poland St, London, W1.

Got plans to pass through London’s NikeTown store in the next couple of weeks? Then be sure to make a pit stop at the Slam City Skates pop-up shop on the ground floor.

Nike SB has collaborated with British indie skate store Slam to celebrate the release of the uber-brand’s first ever skateboarding movie, “Nothing But The Truth”. As well as an extensive range of boards and a selection of new and vintage sneakers, there’ll be an exclusive drop of Nike SB’s latest creation, dubbed ‘What the Dunk’. The much-hyped hybrid shoe is unleashed on the waiting public (and I mean that in the literal sense: fans have been camping outside NikeTown since Friday) on Tuesday 16th October.

Later in the day Nike’s Global SB team will be in the store for a signing, before heading down en masse to London’s Royal Festival Hall for the European premier of “Nothing But The Truth”. Can’t make it down on the day? Fear not- Slam will be holding it down at NikeTown till the end of the month.