Looking back at 2011 and all the things I’ve done, experienced and accomplished what stands out the most are the the great people I’ve met and built with along the way. You just never know when you will bond with someone, whether it’s at a CMJ show or while running amok in the streets of NYC looking for an afterparty - which was the case when I met the homie Chief Justice.

Nothing builds a relationship like trying to hail cabs in NYC together and standing outside the Red Bull Space not getting in. These are moments you just never forget. So when it came time for Chief Justice to film his latest video “Starr-Gazin’” I was honored to be a part of the action. Taking off work was a no-brainer.

This video is off the EP Genesis: The New Beginning, a project he worked with DJ Evil Dee on. You’ll see us all donning couture DMV shirts, paying homage to where Chief is from. The dude is really talented and I respect his grind. You can DL the EP on itunes. Peep the official video below:

This whole year I focused on making moves towards another passion of mine: radio. I’ve been interning at various shows and helping out where ever I can (Shout out to Brooklyn Bodega Radio, Rap is Outta Control, The Halftime Show). I ‘ve had the honor to work with some of the greatest people in the NY Radio scene who have graciously taken me under their wing. In some odd turn of events, my year ends with an offer to have my own online radio show via Urban Latino Radio.

I am completely speechless and excited. So, Navani Knows Radio is born, a weekly show that will focus on music and culture. Specifically Hip-Hop music and how it influences art, food, dance, literature and film. Me and my co-host Suley will be probing guests with inciteful questions in an effort to give exposure to great artists outside the mainstream.

This week we set off our first “trial” show dedicated to the Holidays with graffiti queen TOOFLY. The Queens resident has been in the game for 20 years and had many great stories to share about making her way in the male dominated art form. She also dished on holiday traditions in her native Ecuadaor as well as show us her awesome merchandise featured in the NY Daily News Gift Guide. You can catch her today at the Ladies Love Holiday Pop Up Shop.

Suley and I also dished on our fave picks for gift ideas this Christmas that cover everyone from music lovers to the do-gooders. Take a look at our own gift guide after the jump….

I am so excited to be embarking on this new journey in the New Year. Thanks to all of you that have supported me along the way. Tune in for the Navani Knows Show 2012 Launch on January 6th (Three Kings Day) on Urban Latino Radio from 6-8pm.

Navani Knows Gift Guide:

Top Pick #1 For those who love Hip-Hop: Concert tickets are always the best. It’s interactive and allows you, the gift giver to share in the fun. They range in price. (ticketmaster.com)

Top Pick #2: For Latinos by Latinos: Give blank notecards from hopeforwomen.com. They feature stylish chicas with hats and hair made of real pressed flowers from a cloud forest in El Salvador. Best of all, these are handmade by displaced women who support their families through their work. ($5.50, www.hopeforwomen.com)

Top pick #3 – The best Budget gift under $25: Logitech LS21 2.1 Stereo Speaker System – which works for music lovers also, $25. (www.Amazon.com)

Top Pick #4 – Best Gifts made in NY: Hand painted wooden Good Wood rings by TOOFLY. (www.tooflynyc.com)

Top pick #5 – Best gift for the social conscious: Take time this year to donate to a charity in someone’s name. Why not give the gift of clean water to those in need this season? Donate and dedicate to a friend and 100% goes directly to clean water project costs. (www.charitywater.org)

I am all about girl power, especially when it comes to male dominated fields – like Hip-Hop, graf arts, and countless others. So,  I was thrilled to get an update on the homie TOOFLY’s experience at @ Art Basel, where she participated on the first female only wall there. Check out what she had to say about being part of Few & Far and see some pics below…

I made it back this year to rock a collabo wall with the Few & far graff/street art ladies. It was such a blast to get together again, and rep the ONLY ALL WOMEN WALL at ART BASEL. Super proud of that. It’s been a long time coming since 2003 when the NYC graff ladies got together to rock an all women wall at the Graffiti Hall of Fame. Thanks to Lady Pink “herstory” was made. As I think back to those days, and check out the flicks today, I can say I am proud of how far it’s come. Women everywhere are getting together and creating the environment they want. A cipher that’s at peace with one another, creative, and fun. It’s all I ever wanted, and I’m happy to keep the tradition alive for those loving hearts I meet along the way…

FEW & FAR™ @Primary Flight in Miami Art Basel
Artists: Meme , Ksra , Glow, Hops, Reds, Tatiana Suarez, Amandalynn, Lady Mags, Gloria Muriel, Erin Yoshi, TooFly, Dime, Agana, and 179.
DEC 1st – 4th
554 NW 24th Street, Miami, FL 33127
sponsored by: Ironlak  and Nomads

Primary Flight is Miami’s original open air museum and street level mural installation that takes place annually throughout the Wynwood Arts District and the Miami Design District. Primary Flight is arguably the world’s largest event of its kind, having featured over 250 world class artists from around the globe since its inception, the majority of whom travel to Miami during Art Basel. Artists from all walks of contemporary art headline our annual event, collaborating on high profile walls throughout Miami’s urban landscape. Maps outlining the installation are circulated, providing patrons with an opportunity to view the works in progress.

Check out more flicks from the event after the jump…

December 17th, the LADIES LOVE PROJECT presents its third POP-UP SHOP at the West Village Brecht Forum, 451 West Street from 12pm – 8pm. The PROJECT, a brainchild of renowned street artist TOOFLY and sound sensation PattyDukes of the Circa95 duo, highlights some of NYC’s most creative underground artists and designers.  The one-day-only holiday event boasts an intimate, yet extraordinarily colorful market experience designed to familiarize consumers, media and tastemakers with established artists.

The group of paricipating artists and designers will be showcasing one of a kind, limited edition, handcrafted goods just in time for the holidays! Featured market designers and artists include: Toofly, Good Wood NYC, Junkprints, Vanilla Medallions, Marka27, Antonio Kel 5MH, while several other brands will be in attendance. Music across all genres will be provided by iPod DJ’s Rephstar (of Circa95), Ben Ferrari, Jacina Love, and Slik Nik The Ruler. A live broadcasting of the event will be streamed at www.Circa95.com, while complimentary holiday treats by Jenny Kinns Cupcakes and Mi Isla Coquito by Millie will help promote the holiday cheer! Exclusive event photography will be taken by Samantha Morales with video by Barrio Media.

Why not do some last minute Holiday shopping while supporting local artists this season?

So investigate I did. I sat with the Dominicao/African-American rapper to hear what we can expect from his debut album “The Kaos Effect”, who he looked up to growing up in Atlanta, and the ever growing boom bap scene in ATL (yes,  I was surprised by this too).

Check out what Senor Kaos had to say in my interview on Brooklyn Bodega. Then check out his album, The Kaos Effect. It  might make a good stocking stuffer for your boom-bap loving friends.

Photo via Diwang Valdez

I have been a fan of the duo that is Idle Warship for a few years now, since learning about them in the myspace days. I am glad to see them still making waves and garnering much more attention these days. They are having a show in BK that you don’t want to miss! Hosted by the big homie The Company Man, this is sure to be a good time – and not just because it includes open bar (tho that def doesn’t hurt). Check the info below:

IDLE WARSHIP (Talib Kweli & Res) LIVE FROM SOUTHPAW

Featuring Performances by:
Jah-C & Jaison Spain (Final Hip Hop Performance)
Kyle Rapps
Illustrate
Special Guest: The Band Called Fuse
Hosted by: The Company Man
Music & Afterparty provided by: Dj Meka (2DopeBoyz)
Doors at 8pm/ Show at 9pm
Get Tickets here

The night started off with a bang as controversial duo Calle 13 opened the ceremony performing their hit ‘Latinoamerica’, alongside the great Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Venezuela. The song celebrates the values of Latinos across the Western Hemisphere, who can’t be bought or sold. The powerful performance led to the first standing ovation of the night and it turned out to be a harbinger of things to come as Calle 13 dominated the evening, winning 9 awards, including a clean sweep of the 3 most important ones, Album of the Year, and for ‘Latinoamerica’, Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

9 is huge! It should’ve just been called the Calle 13 awards because they were on stage the whole show. Which was fine with me. If you follow my blog I don’t need to express my sentiments for the group and what they stand for. You can see it even in the shirt Rene wore which read  “Por la educacion publica (for public education)” emblazoned in big letters. Can you see why I heart him?

Another person I was happy to see honored last night was Colombiana Shakira, who was named person of the year. Shakira gave a live performance of “Devoción” from her 2010 album Sale El Sol. I actually like this sound better than her usual pop tart stuff. Later she performed “Antes De La Seis” . Shakira was also awarded Female Pop Vocal Album, for the Spanish-language ‘Sale El Sol’. The person of the year award was presented by fellow Colombiana Sofia Vergara, who fun fact: was also Shaki’s neighbor in Baranquilla. The  heartfelt acceptance speech that followed turned out to be the most emotional part of the evening where she said:

“This is without a doubt one of the most important moments of my life, and perhaps the nicest recognition that I have ever received. I’m honored to share it with you. Last night I had a beautiful night to remember, sharing with my friends and colleagues who I respect and admire. My dad even sang. It was a night I will never forget, seeing artists and colleagues singing my songs is an honor I don’t deserve. I dedicate this award to my colleagues, who with music cure all ills and give meaning to everything,”

I love to see awesome people that stand for something and use their power and art for empowerment/ social awareness get recognized. That is what this year’s awards did for once. Gold Star to them! For the full list of winners and more highlights (yes, I’m sure you heard about the Romeo and Usher performance, Marc Anthony and Pitbull etc.) check out the Latin Grammy official website.

TOOFLY celebrated the Day of the Dead in style this year by painting her latest street installation. For those not familiar with the history, The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth have created an array of imagery especially the image of a skull found in various art works, illustrations, graphic designs, and handmade crafts.

I am def feeling the theme of death and rebirth right now in my own life. Lots of endings happening all at once so I find myself surrendering and looking forward to the new beginnings (AKA rebirth) they make room for. Therefore, I am personally inspired by this piece.

Check out TOOFLY’s newest piece which is located on the corner of Metropolitian and Union in BK. Also, she will be featured in the Sound of Art Exhibit on November 3rd.

More pics after the jump…

Photos via Hank O’Neal and Hector Cruz

You never know what special person you will meet when you attend a wedding. While most people go with hopes of meeting a romantic interest, at my friend Semira’s wedding last year I met someone that would be a wonderful friend and spiritual comrade. Within minutes of meeting Shaghayegh I was in awe of her story – from being a censored journalist in Iran, to traveling the world (Paris, Italy) to being an entrepreneur. I also realized we had so much in common – i.e our talks about ego and love for writing. So when she sent a note saying she had published her debut book of poetry, Lacking Lips Time and would be stopping in NYC on her book tour, I was thrilled.

It is a beautiful book with important messages about speaking you truth regardless of the obstacles and consequences. She has faced so many being a woman journalist in Iran and not conforming to the rules she didn’t agree with. I urge everyone who can to come check out her poetry reading and book signing tomorrow in NYC.  Help support independent books and the emerging voices that need to be heard. Info is below:

Saturday, Oct. 29th. 2pm-5pm:
MILUX CAFE (in SoHo)
60 Wooster Str.
New York, NY 10012

Books are available for purchase on Amazon.com. There will be a limited supply available at the event also. For more information on Lacking Lips of Time add Shaghayegh on Facebook.

But finally, I learned to accept and love my hair just the way it is (gotta love adulthood). And now it has become my best accessory. But who knew I’d actually see the day when I’d be rewarded for my curly hair! My friend Sugey sent me a link to a contest Latina Magazine was throwing for a “Curly Girl Makeover” sponsored by Mizani hair products. I read it over and figured I was def qualified. I never win anything EVER so I didn’t put too much thought into it, but I figured what the heck.

Funny thing is I was a winner! Three girls in total with three different types of curly hair were picked to get a Mizani Makeover to be filmed and made into a promotional video for Mizani True Textures products. I am always game for free hair products so I was in. Plus, I was told breakfast and lunch would be provided, score.

I never realized how much work goes into making something that is only 4 minutes long. The day started at 7 am and didn’t wrap until 5 pm. During that time we had before make up done (I never knew there was such a thing) and before shots taken. Then there were lines to learn and say – sometimes taking 7 or 8 takes for each girl. Then there was the lighting to consider – the sun kept coming in and out and making the videographers lives hell. Each time the lighting changed, adjustments inside had to be made and items rearranged. Then there was the actual process of washing and styling my hair which included twisting all my hair into tiny double twists and then sitting under the dryer for an hour. Finally, the “after” takes and more reading of lines. It was fun to get dolled up and great meeting and chatting with the other curly girls – Mariela and Karla. All in all it was a really great day! And as I stated in the video below – it was so nice to be in an environment that not only understood curly hair but welcomed it.

Check out my hair modeling debut on Latina.com.