Interview: She YAMS What She YAMS

[MuthaWit]

Hola, Loved Ones



I try my best to keep up with artists, thinkers and media that express a very eclectic worldview. The internet age has enabled so many people to get into the information dissemination game that it’s impossible to get a handle on all the data sites that exist. One of the new media folks that caught my attention on myspace a couple years ago is Yams. She is a 22 year old uber-energetic blogger, promoter of underground music and publisher of the quarterly arts lifetyle journal, Grungecake Crisis Magazine. I thought y’all might be interested in reading a conversation that we had recently. Yams has a good hustle and I dig that.

Boston: So are you ready for me to get my Charlie Barbara Winfrey Rivera on, Darlin?

Yams: (laughing)Okay.

B: There is a strong painterly quality to a lot of your work in Grungecake Crisis and on your various webpages. Give me a little of your background.

Yams: Originally, I am a fine artist. A Painter. I was not accepted to attend Cooper Union College for the Fine Arts program so I enrolled myself into The Art Institute of New York City where I started my education in Graphic Design.

B: That’s interesting. How'd you get from wrecking things over at Art Institute to publishing Grungecake Crisis Magazine?



Yams: I've wanted to own and create a magazine since I was a younger girl. I had the idea from reading Vibe and Bazaar. At the time, I wasn’t too sure what it would be called but I knew I wanted it to be about art. I came up with the name Grungecake Crisis a few years back while brainstorming in my bedroom.

B: That name is unforgettable. What does it represent?

Yams: Grunge being anything that is dark, impoverished, unfortunate, belligerent, underground, filthy. Plus cake; being the bliss, lime-light, good life, white picket fence, aboveboard, wealth. I took the Pythagorean theorem method and created the Crisis. Grunge + Cake = Crisis.

B: That’s an interesting contrast for sure. What's the editorial focus of Grungecake Crisis and is the magazine the primary vehicle for your art right now?

Yams: The focus of the magazine is to exhibit expression (art) on a global level by blending cultures and ideas to create a new outlook. It is for everyone. It is for all artists. I call each issue an episode. There are 21+ categories to the magazine including actors, architects, chefs, cosmetologists, dancers, designers, film makers, gamers, gardeners, graf, illustrators, locomoart, models, painters, photographers, poets, producers, recording artists, sex and writers. Music is just one angle I have been able to approach so far.



B: You have a good ear for cool musical artists. I heard about Jameiz Dean through the ads for the Grungecake sponsored live music parties on your Myspace page.

Yams: I have live music events to showcase the art of recording. Jaimz Deen is special. I always wondered why he was not getting the plays and reviews that he deserved so I decided to make a case of it by writing about him in my blog. I learned about Jaimz via one of my friends and former co-workers, Bryan Edwards.

B: Kaos Blac. That fella is at almost every show I go to in NYC and knocking the hell out of people in the moshpit(laughing)

Yams: (laughing) Yes, one woman is responsible for both of us being in the business. Her name is Ayden Abdul-Azim a.k.a. dj:ayden. She was a Project Manager when she hired me over at Cornerstone / FADER Magazine. That job opened a whole new door for me. Ayden is my big sister and always looks out for me.

B: Is she involved with Grungecake Crisis?

Yams: She did the second digi mix for the GrungeCake compilation. It’s an all-female mix called “Arie Sporche Vaginali” or by it’s rough Italian translation “Filthy Female Sounds.” Keeping it Grunge(laughing).

B: How large is your staff at Grungecake?



Yams: I pretty much have done everything for the first episode. Staff would be moreso for the parties I have. It gets miserable when you try to hand responsibilities to someone else and they leave you dry. So, I will go ahead and continue as I have on the magazine until I am in the position to have an actual paid professional staff.

B: I hear you. Magazine publishing is very similar to film in that it's like working with a jigsaw puzzle where each piece has to fall in place when it's time for it to fit or you spend a lot of time and money sorting through the pieces to correct things on the back end. Only to find that the puzzle pieces needed were missing anyway. The deadline pressures are intense.

Yams: Yes, I REALLY REALLY love the way you said that. It is very true and funny, because I plan to go to film school when I am 30.

B: Very cool. Who are some of your favorite artists on the scene now?

Yams: I’ve always been a large fan for anything raw and cutting edge. I am a larger-than-life fan of Mindless Self Indulgence, MF DOOM, Ol' Dirty Bastard + Wu Tang and their offspring. I love the photography of my peers: MARS, Keondric Williams, Charlene Lipkins and George Lee. As for films, it has to be Melvin Van Peebles hands down.

B: I love the fact that you are naming some people I have never heard of. Gotta do some more research to keep up with, Miss Yams(laughing). Any musical artists?

Yams: I am REALLY loving the whole underground field right now. If it is uptempto and sends a message with an articulate delivery I’m pretty much all over it. However, refraining from modesty, I love the work of Shania D, Crunc Tesla, the Five One, El Malito and preHISTORIC. I have recently watched Muthawit's videos on your page and I loved them(laughing)! You also have to check this girl named Dana La Rock. Its Vanity 6 x Total x 90's Lil Kim. The over-raunchy(laughing).

B: That is a scary combination of artists(laughing). 3 quick questions . If you were not an artist what would you be doing?

Yams: I would be a mother or R.I.P..

B: Heavy. Give me one word that sums you up at your happiest and/or most frustrated.

Yams: Extreme. For both. I am a Scorpio. I have learned I cannot have gray moments.

B: Now the question that is probably on everyone’s mind: how in the world did you get a name like Yams?

Yams: (laughing) I knew it was coming.

B: I totally dig your name but it begs to question.

Yams: Of course. My brother, C-Rayz Walz gave me the ohh so awesome name.
He is known for giving monikers. He says, I have a sweet character and my hair is the marshmallows.

B: Thanks for the time, Yams. Any final thing you’d like to say?

Yams: Yes, that everyone should look out for the coming episode of Grungecake Crisis in January because I have learned my lessons well. You will see progressions in visual quality and editorial content. Things only get better from here.

[e-mail]
www.thegrungecakecrisismag.blogspot.com
Cover price: 20 USD or 10 USD If directly purchased on the street or at a function.

[AuntKeke]

Congrats! I need a copy.

[PurpleZoe]

Very cool.
Looking forward to purchasing a copy.

[YAMS]

Thanks Sammie and Purple Zoe.

There is a printed zine out now called,
The Virgin Episode available online at http://grungecake.bigcartel.com

I will resume working on http://thegrungecakecrisismag.com, where there will be regular weekly updates, when I am settled into my new home.

You will be alarmed for sure!
(:

[PurpleZoe]

Shine on YAMS.
I'll definitely spread word at UU and Purple.
Where do we download episodes?
~~~~~~~~~~~~*

[samantha]

Excellente!!!!

I love it.

He said the name "grungecakecrisis" is unforgettable....I think the same goes for you as well.

congrats.

[YAMS]

Thanks
(:

[KoNtAcHiGh]

Sista YAMS is the coolest! GCC RAWKS!!!

[YAMS]

And thank you Saudade
(:

Your comment means alot to me
<3

[YAMS]

Ahh!
Its here.
Should I cry now or later?

Thanks Boston!