Life in Motion is TONIGHT @ City of Ink 7pm-12am

I'm just now waking up. It's been a LONGGGGG work week at City of Ink. I been getting home around 4am. But I have dreams to reach so the hard work will pay off, I just miss my wife and children being at work allday and night. On a postive note, TONIGHT is the "Life in Motion" Photography Exhibit from 7pm-12am. We will have free food, drinks, and music by DJ Wildlife. I hope to see yall all out there tonight.



Bring you friends and family and spread the word!....blessings, Miya Bailey

From Ashy to Classy

I really hope they do Biggie's story justice. I have faith, I think it's a good idea to do a movie about the raise and fall of the legend. Maybe some of these so-called rappers will learn something. B.I.G. was one of the dopeness to do it and his life was very inspiring to me when I was coming up. I LOVE to see a brother go from ashy to classy, from the hood to Hollywood, from the projects to flying on jets. RIP BIGGIE!

The Lastest VIDEO Interview with PBA 30

Check out the video of segment that aired lastnight on PBA 30 in ATL.

Shout outs to: Jack, Phil, and Dirk

http://www.pba.org/programming/programs/thisisatlanta/2584/

Dirk Hays, owner of East Atlanta Tattoo, Miya Bailey, a partner in City of Ink, and Phil Colvin, owner of Memorial Tattoo, are long-time tattooers. But don’t pigeonhole them. They’re all accomplished painters as well, and Dirk and Miya have even incorporated art galleries with regular exhibits into their shops.

On This is Atlanta, we talked to these three to get a sense of how an interest in art turns into a career in tattoos, what skills are required to move back and forth between skin and canvas, and what it’s like where the Atlanta tattoo scene meets the art world.

http://www.pba.org/programming/programs/thisisatlanta/2584/

PS......hit me back and let me know what you think.

Southern Hip-Hop CLASSIC: Big Mike: Somthin' Serious 1994

These young kids don't know shit about REAL southern hip-hop. They think the south is all about snappin' & trappin' so here is a flashback to 1994 with Big Mike. One of the first (if not the first) southern rapper to step out of the N.O. before No Limit and Cash Money. After moving to Houston and hooking up with Rap-A-Lot's Prince and joining groups like the Convicts & Geto Boys, Big Mike dropped a southern hip-hop classic album "Somthin' Serious". I remember being in PVA and Erskin Street projects in Asheville NC when this cd dropped and man was everyone playing this in every hood. Enjoy this throwback, I will be back with more southern classics.

R.I.P. Pimp C

Ok here is the PBS Flyer....hope you tune in

I will be on PBS (or Atlanta Public Broadcasting) TONIGHT @ 7pm

PBS or Atlanta Public Broadcasting I will have to look for the email again to find the channel. So tune in and check me out. I haven't seen it yet but a few people have and sent me some love.

Saturday, September 20, at 8 pm
Sunday, September 21, at 7 pm
Tuesday, October 7, at 10 pm
Saturday, October 11, at 8 pm
Monday, October 27, at 10:30 pm

PS....someone record it for me :)

To: Travis Barker & DJ AM....Many Prayers

Prayers go out to Travis Barker & DJ AM. RIP to those who lose their lives. May you recover and cont' to bless the world with your talent.

Friday SEPT. 26 @ City of Ink 7pm-12am

I have been waiting for a good photography show. Some of the best photographers I have seen will be featuring their work at City of Ink next friday. I'm a big fan of photography so I know I will be buying a few pieces for my art studio. Can't wait!

Today is Tuki Carter's 33rd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Tuki!!!

Today is Tuki's bday. So if your in ATL drop by City of Ink tonight. After everyones last tattoo for the night, we will be having some drinks at the shop. After that we will be heading over to the club, MJQ (on Ponce). Everyone 21 and over are welcomed to drop by for a few drinks, chill out with Tuki, me, and City of Ink and follow us over to Ponce. If you like good music and tired of hearing all that radio bullshit, then MJQ on friday nights is the place to be. I will see yall at the shop tonight, call 404-525-4465 for info about Tuki's Bday.

Goodtimes....The first year of City of Ink

I just wanted to share the first year of City of Ink. We hustled hard, touring in different cities to raised the money to remodel an OLD building we found in Castleberry Hill (downtown ATL). It was alot of work....but those months of building COI were priceless...Thank you, Joe, Samba, Prophet Family, the COI Staff, ATL, DC, Baltimore, Philly, Asheville, Brooklyn NY, and all the cities in between that have supported me and this movement I'm apart of.





City of Ink "INSPIRE YOUR CITY!"

Looking for Photographers "Life in Motion"

Rolling Out TV: 1/2 of Hollyweerd (Tuki & Dreamer)

My homies, Tuki & Dreamer, Rolling Out interview with Hollyweerd. They explain the birth of their group...just check it out, I'm typin' too much..lol blessings

Craig "FLUX" Singleton....one of my favorite artist

If your in ATL and read the "Rolling Out" weekly paper then I know you have seen Flux's artwork. I met Flux in 1994 when were we both going to AIA. He has always been an amazing artist and everytime I see new work from him he inspires me to work even harder on my paintings. I was on youtube and hit up one of my favorite channels, Jungle45 TV. Goldi Gold filmed Flux finishing up his, Mary J painting for the Arts, Beats, Lyrics art show. I had to share this video clip with yall..and I hope it inspires you the same way it inspired me. Art lives in ATL!

The City of Ink: REALITY TV Show?

Is America ready for a black tattoo reality show? We are black, even if we do tattoo ALL races of people at City of Ink would this help other tattoo artist of color? If we do sign the contracts, we promise to showcase our REAL lives. Alot of people and production companies have came to us with the TV idea, but its really hard to work with producers if they have no clue what that tattoo culture and lifestyle is about. And how can we sign to your netwerk if you have no idea what the City of Ink Movement is? We don't want a tattoo show based off the celebs we tattoo, we want to see and stories of everyday working class people. They get BETTER tattoos and have wayyyyy better tattoo ideas than rappers do....not dissing rappers, but just look at the type of ink they are getting these days...and look at the work the NBA player are getting, same ole shit from the 90's time to upgrade to fine art. Tattoos suppose to be timless not fads or trendy. If the money and FREEDOM is right, City of Ink will sign the deal.

Until then, all my City of Ink supporters WRITE & EMAIL: TBS, BET, MTV, VH-1, TLC, A&E, etc... and tell them it's time for more artist of color on TV...Props to Twig (Inked), Chris N. (Miami Ink),and Kat Von D (LA Ink) for opening the TV doors of tattoo artist of color.

Best-Tattoo-Sites.com

I would like to thank "Best-Tattoo-Sites.com" for including me in their list of tattoo artist. I'm honored to be even on the same list with artist like, Guy Aitchison, Mario Barth, and Paul Booth

Thank you, and I will work even harder to grow as a tattoo artist.....MB

http://www.best-tattoo-sites.com/

My Ink brother, Juan Carlos....PROPS!

I'm very proud of tattoo artist, Juan Carlos (of Marked Tattoos). Over 7 years ago I met him though my close friend, DJ Wildlife. I ended up doing a tattoo in honor of his mother on his back. Since Juan was an artist I tried to talk him into letting me train him in tattooing but he was strong into the graffiti scene at that time. A few years later Tuki talked him into joining us over at our private Prophet Art Studio on Peachtree St. Tuki hired Juan, and we both started training him in both of our styles in our own way. Later Corey Davis joined us and we opened, Mitchell Street Customs. On Mitchell St. I seen Juan's tattoo style grown into it's own. When Juan left the nest to tattoo on his own I knew it would be good for him. He would learn more about the business side of tattooing. He would meet all the snakes and liars in this business and come out on top as one of the most popular tattoo artist in the urban tattoo scene. Now Juan is touring with Lil' Wayne and has been featured in Urban Ink & Blender magazine. I love you bruh...reach for the top and NEVER stop. You are a tattoo artist and there is no life like it in the world. Me and Tuki VERY proud of you and we are happy that you have now started your own tattoo family with Marked (Juan, Trevor, & Joe) Many blessings!

Lil Wayne and The Game Mark Up with Urban Ink

Latest issue of tattoo magazine features cover stories on Hip Hop’s biggest stars.

Paramus, NJ, August 15, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Urban Ink Magazine, The Only Tatttoo Magazine For People Of Color, has released their fifth issue and it’s the ink publication’s biggest yet. This issue of the 200,000-circulation magazine offers two collector’s edition covers that feature Hip Hop mega-stars, Lil Wayne and The Game. Each of the two collector’s edition covers show these rap artists in full color action shots that prominently display their body art front and center for the world to see. Each copy of this latest issue of Urban Ink Magazine includes a feature story on both The Game and Lil Wayne, as well as a full color poster of both collector’s edition covers.

Since Urban Ink Magazine first hit the streets in July of 2007, the publication has emerged as the country’s leading magazine reporting on the fastest growing trend in urban culture– tattooing. Every issue of Urban Ink Magazine offers the reader in-depth bios on the cutting-edge tattoo artists on the urban inking scene such as Zulu and Miya Bailey. Interviews and essays on these artists are accompanied by pages of photographs of the work being done by these very important artists in the urban community.

Urban Ink Magazine also goes around the world to bring readers a close up look at artists of color from many different nations, who offer insight into the state of skin art in their country as well as the history of body art as it pertains to specific cultures across the globe.

The sexier side of urban culture is never ignore in an issue of Urban Ink, as every issue also offers many pages devoted to beautiful women of color who show off their skin and ink proudly in “Hot Chicks, Cool Ink” pictorials.

Of course no issue of Urban Ink Magazine would be complete without celebrity profiles and photo features such as the current issue’s stories on Lil Wayne and The Game. Each issue of the magazine brings fans a unique look at their favorite inked celebrities and personalities of color from the worlds of entertainment and sports.

Urban Ink Magazine is available wherever magazines are sold, and in major distribution chains across the country including Barnes & Noble, Walmart and Virgin Megastores.

For media and business inquiries, contact Paul Gambino (201) 843-4004 Ext. 128.

Contact Information
Urban Ink Magazine
Dan Brown
201-843-4004 Ext. 153
dbrown@urbanink.com
myspace.com/urbanink

Edible Phat.... CHAPTER TWO

Hollyweerd is back with another MASTERPIECE...this video is a perfect visual to the music their create. The funny thing about their video is they are always filmed in the AM after the club (MJQ) so they are drunk and high ass hell in the videos..real artist. Justin directed and edited this video and their will be alot more....I love this one!

The Plush 357 Cartoon....by my lil homie, Corey Davis

Corey Davis has been with me for almost 3 years now and I'm VERY proud of this young man. I have seen him grow from just an artist, to a tattoo artist, to a fashion designer to a businessman. Corey reminds of a younger version of myself. He's only 22 years old and has his own clothing line and store in downtown ATL. Once me and Tuki got Corey we tried out best to be postive role models for him. Sometimes I can be a lil' over protective of the young man, and it is well known in the streets of ATL if anyone fucks with him, I will knock the mouth off their face...lol just joking but I'm dead serious :) This is Corey's FIRST cartoon, please enjoy I will post more later. Also support him and order some of his t-shirts on www.PLUSH357.com

The Edible Phat Mixtape : CHAPTER ONE

Some of yall might know there are many sides of the "City of Ink Movement" and this also includes music. From Hollyweerd to Corey and Aware's group, Mach 5. Alot of hip-hop and music group leak on the visual side of the music industry. Remember when tapes and cd covers had DOPE art and amazing music videos. Now all you see are video hoes and "rappers" who really think they street niggaz on BET. I want to introduce yall to 4 of my family members and their video to the first song of their mixtape "Edible Phat". The genuis behind creating these music videos is my homeboy, Justin. I met Justin when we was trying to get City of Ink together. He came over to my house to get a tattoo done by me before COI opened up. When I first met him I thougt he was just a photographer but later on I found out he was also a graphic artist, fashion designer, and into video making (and he also has an amazing collection of RARE music by Prince). Check out this video this is CHAPTER ONE...there will be a video for each song on the mixtape. If you want to download the Edible Phat Mixtape, just go to: www.myspace.com/hollyweerd (and its FREE)

City of Ink....in Beijing'08

The City of Ink Movement is growing in MANY ways. Last year I got an email from a writer over in Germany by the name, Dooler. He wrote me about coming to the states and getting a tattoo done in all brown inks. I was really excited about it because I didn't even know they knew about me over in Germany. I always had a London UK following and even a few from Paris...but never Germany. He called, Samba (the shop manager) booked his appointment and a few months later he was in the states for his tattoo. He was really cool and down to earth. The tattoo only took 3 hours to do because it was all brown ink so it was very a easy tattoo for me. Later that night me and Tuki wanted to show him what ATL was about so we met him over at "MJQ" on Ponce. It was friday night and DJ Rasta Root was doing his thang on the turntables. The music was dope that night so we all got drunk and partied the night away. Dooler invited us to Germany and asked if Tuki's group "Hollyweerd" would come and perform in his country...I hope Tuki do it! Dooler inspired me in many way. To be his age and travel the world like he do is beautiful to me. I hope my children will oneday have that same desire to see the world and be inspired by other postive souls...2 weeks ago Dooler emailed me a photo of himself in Beijing for the summer games. Many blessings to you my brother, and cont' to travel the world...people like you follow dreams and desires and that inspire those who only dream about it...keep making it reality.

My brothers.....

We have been through alot together. I remember moving to ATL at the age of 19 a year later I met my future business partner Tuki Carter, and Samba Sillah (the shop manager of City of Ink). Tuki was this hyper LA hip-hop break dancer playa type and Samba was the 18 year old kid fresh from out his mother's nest. Now in 2008 we run one of the most popular tattoo shops in the South and hands down the trendsetters of urban tattooing in ATL. Like all families we bump heads, fight, and fuss with each other but at the end of the day our goal is to stay #1 in our form of tattooing.
Alot of the time the media and magazines want to single me out from the others but I want to let the world know I'm NOT solo, I'm just one of the many members of City of Ink. Samba make sures the shop is ran right and we stay booked up with appointments while me and Tuki focus on tattooing and creating art without the stress of setting our own appointments or answering the phone. I wouldn't be where I am now without my crew (The Prophet Family) or without my new family at City of Ink so I THANK YOU ALL....I'm not going to name every single person in the Prophet Family or City of Ink but they all know who they are and they all know I love them all the same way...

Ghost in the Hall???

When I was going to Asheville High School in the 90's there were always talk about kids seeing ghost.I'm not a believer of folk stories, ghost, or goblins...but I do know a few goons (with goldteeth). But what the fuck is this "shadow" thing that was caught on tape in AHS???