All these stars burn so bright during their lifetime it’s like the universe can’t contain their light. I’ll miss you brother and I promise you’ll shine forever. RIP Dallas Penn
We begin telling the story of The Blog Era this Wednesday. In the universe of bloggers, artists, commenters and executives, the sun is eskay, the founder of @nahright
This project’s work - the reporting, researching and recording - took place 24/7 throughout the pandemic. And right by our side the entire time has been our best friend and collaborator since we were kids, @gregmayomusic . We didn’t approach this story like a traditional podcast, but rather an epic film. So in soundtracking it, we’ve spent countless hours in the studio with Greg, bringing this lost time to life. This is the first of a series of videos we’ll be sharing, to give an idea of the thought and care and fun behind the scenes.
People often refer to The Blog Era as the Wild Wild West. Get ready for the ride.
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Gutted.
One of my earliest memories of my brother Amaury is outside of SHHS in Yonkers sometime circa 91-92. Getty Square was the epicenter of bootleg Karl Kani but you had the official crewneck with the two-tone lettering and striped cuffs and you were letting everybody know it by flexing with the tag intentionally sticking out of the back of your collar. That’s when I knew, ok, this dude is different.
We had so many friends and acquaintances in common that your reputation preceded you. Before we ever met, I knew of KEM FBK from the tags and your association with one of the most respected and influential graff crews in our world of South Yonkers and the North Bronx.
In my 40 plus years I’ve never known anybody like you my guy. You were loud, brash, funny and proud to be yourself. You were always full of energy and loved to entertain. We shared similar traits but you were on another level.
Your influence on my life in this culture is immeasurable. You were both my friend and my OG. We had a special connection because we were both from Yonkers and repped the city hard, but that little 20 square mile town could have never contained us.
The desire to write on everything we saw, rock the flyest gear and dance in the hottest clubs drew us to the city. 242nd train station was the gateway where we could hop that 1 train and explore the boroughs and everything they had to offer.
I had my crew uptown but you were all over the place. I’d run into you literally everywhere, and then somehow you would already know half the niggas I was with! You were connected everywhere we went and everybody either knew or knew of you.
I know a lot of people are crushed by this loss today. I’m so grateful that we reconnected over the past 10-12 years and ended up being closer than ever. With the perspective of age and parenthood we were able to look back on everything we experienced and appreciate our contributions to the culture.
I started a blog that ended up having a nice run, but without you there’s no “Slipping” by DMX or “My Life” with SP and Monch, and in turn there’s no Nahright.
Contd
DMX, Yonkers, NY, 1997. Probably my favorite image of X, or any rapper, of all time. A raw and beautiful document of a Y-O legend in his essence surrounded by the people that he loved and who loved him. Mary set it off but nothing was the same for the city after X took the world by storm. He boosted our self esteem and showed us what was possible and we’ll always love him and hold his memory dear for that.
