IN MY TRAVELS…
(Run-DMC’s 25th Anniversary Party at the Marc Ecko Showroom)
By Khalid Strickland a.k.a. Dirty Angel
Photos by Sundiata Acree & Black Pacino
The iconic Grandmaster Caz at The Ecko Showroom.
I just got back from Hangover City and it was not a good trip. I’ll be confined to detox for a while, but that’s the price I have to pay for consecutive nights of non-stop partying. Why do I put myself through such grueling missions? Why do I attend open-bar events knowing that, despite my vows, I won’t stop after one drink? Why do I go to venues full of potential mistresses, knowing that wifey will assassinate me in my sleep for cheatin’? The answer is simple: I do it for you, dear Insomniac readers. It’s my job to report what’s poppin’ in the streets and the clubs of NYC, and no amount of media-list shenanigans, loud-mouthed bouncers or stupid dress codes will stop me from delivering. If I have to remove my du-rag and stash the shank under a garbage can, then dang it, I’ll make that sacrifice for the readers. That’s just the type of guy I am.
My binge began at the Mark Ecko Showroom in Chelsea where Run Athletics, Toy Tokyo, Marco Art and Ecko himself sponsored Run DMC’s 25th Anniversary Party. I’ve been to a lot of shindigs this year and this one ranked with the best. Shout-out to the homie Yellow Rebel for keeping me in tune with the matrix. The Ecko Showroom is a cavernous loft with a big, well-stocked bar planted squarely in the middle (every crib should have one). Marco, a famous artist whose paintings were featured on MTV’s reality-show Run’s House, was in attendance and his vibrant artwork adorned the Showroom.
Toy Tokyo also had their unique and crazy products on display; they even had dolls in the likeness of Obama, Biggie, Michael Jackson, Chuck D. and Flavor Flav. They also had the voluptuous “Bode Broad” doll created by cartoonist Mark Bode, who I interviewed in this very magazine.
The Showroom’s bar was open that night and there were plastic barrels full of ice-cold beer scattered throughout. So although the house was packed, there was more than enough booze for every freeloadin’ bum (*ahem* I mean, socialite) in attendance. Marco took a moment to autograph his limited edition Run-DMC 25th Anniversary t-shirts; only 1,000 were made and they were on sale at the party.
Of course, celebs were in the house. I met the legendary DMC a.k.a. Daryl Mack for the very first time. Normally I don’t get star-struck, but I grew up listening to Run-DMC and quadruple shots of tequila act like truth serum. “Sir, it’s an honor to shake your hand,” I drunkenly gushed to the amicable, down-to-earth King of Rock. My man Sundi snapped a flick of the emotional moment…
Also in the house was comedian, actor and radio personality Donnell Rawlings a.k.a. Ashy Larry (Chappelle’s Show, The Wire).
The Retro Kidz, who got busy on the dancefloor with some slick, old-school moves….
Kangol Kid of UTFO, who rolled through looking the same as he did from the “Roxxanne Roxxanne” days (time has been much kinder to him than it has to me)…
and Hip-Hop legend Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers…
Caz, who showed up with a fine, top-heavy M.I.L.F., got on the turntables and played some classics. I don’t think any song made before ‘87 was played throughout the entire party and that’s whassup. He even incorporated a laptop into his routine, showing that a seasoned dog can learn some new tricks.
The following night, I donned a blazer and a pair of hard-bottoms for a wedding reception wifey dragged me to. It turned out to be a nice event but once again, they had…oh no… free liquor. I‘d just dried out from the Ecko party and swore to wifey that I’d only have one cocktail at the most. Yeah right. Multiply that by ten instead. So like a Quentin Tarantino flick, my story ends where it began: with me lying in bed, fresh from a trip to Hangover City.
But keep in mind… I did it all for you.
See more pics of the party at THE FLICKR PHOTO SET.
For more stories and work by Dirty Angel visit www.supremearsenal.com and www.myspace.com/blackpacino.
