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The Paradox in the News

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Most  refer to it as graffiti, but its creators call it "aerosol" or "spray-can" art or simply writing. It's called 'writing,' and that's what the artists like to be called- 'writers,'' explains Jenice Reddick, a.k.a. Chyna.  The publisher uses the pseudonym when she writes for Paradox, her Fort Lauderdale-based urban culture and music magazine.  When she started the mag in February 1997, her mission was to obliterate the bad rap that hip-hop culture was getting because of its associations with gangs and graffiti artists.  The magazine covers rap, breakdancing, and spray-can art, which Reddick says is legitimate. "They create beautiful throw-ups, as opposed to graffiti or tagging just to get noticed,' she explains. Writers, she says, create
lete any/all ribbons if they are not applicable. e this textbox or  replace this text with words about your tribute.)

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works of art for the community.
"A lot of these artists work in the dark," she adds. "And when the morning light comes, [the artist] see it for the first time, along with anyone who might be walking by.' In an effort to highlight positive examples of the urban experience, the magazine is hosting its "1st Annual Paradox Spring BreakFest '99. Along with spray-can art exhibitions, the event will showcase local rappers, break dancers, DJs, poets, and health education displays. BreakFest takes place from noon to 6pm at Mall 441 Flea Market, 2928 N. State Rd. 7, Lauderdale Lakes. Admission is free.
Pink ribbon = fight against Breast Cancer
Red ribbon = fight against AIDS
Blue ribbon = online free speech

To find the appropriate ribbon campaign:
sea

Article courtesy of New Times, from March 25-31, 1999, pg. 22. The article below is a follow up to this article.

EAR INFECTION
  Last Saturday, Broward's hip-hop community stepped up both its cohesion and its visibility at Paradox magazine's Spring BreakFest '99, held at Lauderdale Lakes' Mall 441 Flea Market. Organized by 17-year-old Paradox publisher, Jenice Reddick, the event was intended to bring together hip-hop's five elements-MCing, DJing, break dancing, graffiti art, and "knowledge of self"- in a show of unity and positivity, concepts that aren't always synonymous with hip-hop culture. "Sometimes the cultures clash, certain elements get more attention and don't respect the other elements," Reddick explains. "Without each element hip-hop culture would have no substance.' But the fragmentation wasn't evident at the BreakFest, which consited of showcases and competitions in each of the four tangible elements.u
  The event 's highlight was the break dancing battle, held on a linoleum dance floor just outside the mall's front door. Several Broward area crews were representied, most notably the Deerfield-Pompano crew Floor Elements, which had six entrants in the battle and swept many of therounds. The final award was split between Floor Elements' J-Bot and Lethal from Fort Lauderdale's Supernatural crew. Lethal blew away his competitors one by one with ate here if you like. Blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blhbeddy blah blah lah.

combination of speed, agility, balance, and technical knowledge, busting out one-hand handstands, wicked floor moves, and freeze-frame stops that had the crowd's mouths dropping open. J-Bot pulled off his co-title with fancy footwork, popping, and in-your-face stylistics.  The battle element was in full effect, with b-boys pantomiming their disses against their competitors.
   Except for recurring sound-system problems the event was a resounding success, and the message of positivity and respect were evident throughout. "I thought it was cool. It had a really good outcome. There were no incidents of violence, no tags in the bathroom, 'Reddick says, sounding understandably relieved. The event drew a multiethnic crowd of about 100 people throughout the day, demonstrating the increasing infiltration of hip -hop into the diverse cultures. Look for further Paradox events in the near future as Broward's hip-hop scenes continues to assert itself as a powerful and influential element of its own.
                                              -Brendan Kelley
 

Follow-up rticle courtesy of New Times, from April 1-7, 1999, pg. 56. Click on a link to view other articles.

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