Philly 360, The Book

P H I L L Y 3 6 0°

2 0 0 9

New Stories for a New Generation

philly360.com 12

03 intro

04 rich medina

08 king britt

10 khari mateen

12 stacey “flygirrl” wilson

14 syreeta scott

18 rah crawford

22 ethel cee & maori karmael holmes

26 the roots

30 spot checks

32 credits

contents

philly360.com 12

03 intro

04 rich medina

08 king britt

10 khari mateen

12 stacey “flygirrl” wilson

14 syreeta scott

18 rah crawford

22 ethel cee & maori karmael holmes

26 the roots

30 spot checks

32 credits

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corpora-

tion (GPTMC) is launching an incredible new initiative

that promotes new Philadelphia stories to new audiences

in new ways.

We’re focusing on expanding Philly’s current visitor

base by attracting a new core group of travelers who are

younger, technologically savvy and driven to an urban

destination based on its mainstream attractions as well as

its distinct creative scene and nightlife.

This limited-edition book, produced in partnership with

Little Giant Media, LLC, the publishers of two.one.five™

magazine, is an outgrowth of the Philly 360° Coalition, a

group of 50 of Philadelphia’s African-American thought

leaders, cultural entrepreneurs, marketers and other stake-

holders committed to promoting a 360° view of the city’s

abundant cultural offerings.

We love this place and the people who make it special.

People like our creative ambassadors King Britt, Ethel

Cee, Rah Crawford, Maori Karmael Holmes, Khari Ma-

teen, Rich Medina, Syreeta Scott, Stacey “Flygirrl” Wilson

and our lead ambassadors, The Roots, who are drawing

critical acclaim as the house band on NBC’s “Late Night

with Jimmy Fallon.” These are the folks who invigorate

the city and take Philly with them when they travel around

the globe. Inside this book, you’ll discover where these

“creators-of-cool” shop, chill, party, eat, drink, socialize

and philosophize.

Philly’s got it all—soul-stirring music, off-the-wall art,

renowned museums, delicious eats and fine dining, tax-

free shopping, plenty of green space, hip hotels and rich

multicultural heritage.

Get on your (or someone else’s) laptop, desktop or PDA

and go to gophila.com/philly360 to watch the behind-

the-scenes “making of” the book, find out how you can

live the Philly 360° experience and plan your stay.

We’ll see you soon,

Meryl Levitz

President & CEO

GPTMC

Patricia Washington

Vice President of Cultural Tourism

GPTMC

intro

gophila.com/philly360 03

As a DJ, I travel the world through my music, but I’m also a journalist, songwriter and performance poet. Philly has a rich musical heritage, both storied and present, which is extremely inspirational to me, both in the studio and in the club.

medinaWhy do you choose to live/work in Philly?It’s very di!cult to impress the average Philadelphian, so when a Philadelphia artist of any sort takes their craft outside the city, they have a leg up on any competition. It is here that I feel I will be tested the most before my product goes out to the world.

How would you compare the city to others you’ve lived in?You cannot compare. It’s a truly unique city in the sense that downtown is densely active with an extremely diverse population. Valley Forge is 40 minutes outside the city; elec-tricity was discovered here. The Declaration of Independence was signed here.

What inspires you about Philly?The blue-collar work ethic of not only the city, but also the artists in the city, across all disciplines. Also, the illustrious musical history of Philly plays a huge role for me. That and the fact that when I need to get away from the city, Fairmount Park is Central Park on steroids. I can totally forget that I’m even in a city once I go there. Grass and birds and fresh water streams aren’t regular within most city limits along the East Coast, and we have that in abundance here. There is also some of the oldest, best-maintained classic architecture in the country here, so the sense of what things were once like is still pres-ent in the sconces and structural styling of the buildings.


How would you describe the city to someone who has never been here?A beautiful, musical, creative, slow-paced, dusty, sad/happy, dark/light, pretty/ugly, hard-working, fantastic-place-to-raise-a-kid type of city.

What is something a person wouldn’t know about Philly unless they live here?I think the majority of the city, aside from main thoroughfares, are one-way streets built for horses and carriages, not cars.

What do you think is the city’s greatest asset?The fact that it’s the birthplace of the idea of independence in this young country of ours.

PICKS

Dining:Latest Dish (613 S. 4th Street) Buddakan (325 Chestnut Street)There are a lot of di"erent places, so many great restaurants in Philadelphia.

Under-the-Radar Restaurant/Bar:Fez (620 S. 2nd Street)It’s dope.

Sound of Market St.

Silk City

Fairmount Park is Central Park on steroids. I can totally forget that I’m even in a city once I go there.

06 gophila.com/philly360

philly360.com 12

-Khari Mateen

Silk City is REALLY RED, really chill.

philly360.com 12

britt

I wear many hats, but my main mission is to spread great music worldwide through my productions, DJing and Internet store and company. I am constantly reminding the world of Philadelphia’s contribution to our rich music history.

britt

How important is the sense of place to your work?Your environment always seeps into your work, no matter what you do. For me, creating the soundtrack to the city, it is of the utmost importance that my surroundings are positive and free.

How would you compare other places to Philly?New Zealand, I have to say, is very similar in vibe as far as the togetherness of creative minds. But all in all, I love coming home.

What about Philly inspires you?Everything that surrounds me: smells, tastes, visuals. All the [sights] and sounds go into my work. This is best displayed by my album When the Funk Hits the Fan, which is a mini-audio movie of growing up in Philly.

How would you describe Philly to someone whohas never been here?I always say Philly is the sh*t, because it is. The history of America to the history of popular music is all here.

What is one of Philly’s best-kept secrets?Back2Basics on Mondays at Silk City is the longest-run-ning dance/live party. We don’t really advertise a lot, but the word-of-mouth has been amazing.

How would you describe Philly’s parks?Fairmount Park is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful. Serenity now! But Rittenhouse Square feels like you’re in a movie.

What is something a person wouldn’t know about Philly unless they live here?That Astrud Gilberto lives in Society Hill.

Breakfast:Honey’s Sit ‘n Eat(800 N. 4th Street) Sabrina’s Café(910 Christian Street) Just get there early.

PICKS

Silk City


I always say Philly is the sh*t, because it is. The history of America to the history of popular music is all here.

Burgers:Rouge (205 S. 18th Street) It has the best burgers in the U.S.

philly360.com 12

I’m a music producer,

composer and musician.

I choose to live in Philly because

it’s an integration of a lot of

mateen

different cultures.


mateen

Bluebond Guitars

Ritz at The Bourse

If you craft something here and take it somewhere else, you have already been though a high level of competition.

How would you compare other places to Philly?I like a lot of places I’ve been, but Philly has a piece of everywhere in it. Philly has some NYC speed, the taste of L.A., a homey vibe like Atlanta, the chill of Toronto and the food of Texas. When I land, I know where I am. I never feel bad coming back from a long trip.

What inspires you about Philly?I get inspiration from the people. That’s where I feel it the most. There are people with some great taste here. I like to always try and challenge the person checking out what I do. I make music for me and for people to enjoy. It is a great feeling to see someone dancing to something that came out of my brain. I think about that all the time.

How would you describe Philly to someone who has never been here?It’s a big city—but not like New York. It’s like a small town, but more open-minded and mixed up. Great art and artists, tons of food. A nightlife that includes everything from high-class clubs to crazy house parties, and so much history it could keep you occupied for days.

What do you think is the city’s greatest asset?I think Philly is the breeding ground for a lot of talent. If you craft something here and take it somewhere else, you have already been through a high level of competition.

PICKS

Annual Festival:Philadelphia Film Festival (phillycinefest.com) They play them at the Ritz at The Bourse (400 Ranstead Street), among others. I love movies, and there are a lot of good films and underground stu!.

Music Store:Bluebond Guitars (511 S. 4th Street) All the people there are musicians. They know how to play; they know what you need.

wilson“FLYGIRRL”

I’m a jane of all trades, a visual

artist/event producer/promoter/

graphic designer. I’ve been here

all my life. Our community is like a

huge, slightly dysfunctional family.

What inspires you about Philly?All the creative and artistic people that live here. Our artistic and musical his-tory is amazing. I also find inspiration in neighbor-hoods, seeing di!erent people. Each section of the city is so distinct and special.

How would you describe Philly to someone who has never been here?Laid back; hidden gems; creative haven; tough love.

Where would you take out-of-town friends?I really like Warmdaddy’s (1400 Columbus Blvd): a great atmosphere. You

get some live music, and there’s the rooftop so you can sit up top outside under the stars. And if they’re female, I like to take them to a jewelry store called Halloween (1329 Pine Street). It’s actually a place that you need to call ahead to let them know you’re coming, but it’s the most amazing little hidden gem in Philly.

What is something a person wouldn’t know about Philly unless they live here?The infamous Philly word “jawn.” You may have heard of it, but you only know its meaning if you live here! It can pretty much describe anything.

Tell us about Tastytreats.We’ve had every DJ come spin with us—Q-Tip and Pete Rock and, of course, Jazzy Je! and Cash Money and the Beat Minors and Biz Markie. Everybody’s been really happy being booked there because they can spin what they want.

Lunch Spot:Soy Cafe (630 N. 2nd Street) There’s a consignment shop in the back and free Internet. I start my days here sometimes.

Dancing:Fluid Nightclub (613 S. 4th Street) It’s the place I’ve had my weekly Tastytreats parties for eight years. It’s kind of special to me.

PICKS

What do you think is the city’s greatest asset?Its creative people.

Soy Cafe

The F.U.E.L. Collection

Fluid Nightclub


philly360.com 12

scottWhat should people outside the city know about Philly?That it’s not just cheesesteaks and french fries. There’s a wealth of food and culture. If you want that mixed bag of Caribbean, African, Irish, where you’re meeting and find-ing little nooks of really phenomenal places: University City. If you want to throw on your stilettos—I’m a little biased, I love stilettos—and go out, there’s Old City. You can’t just come to Philly and see the surface and think that you’re seeing what the city has to o!er. You have to scratch under the surface.

What’s your favorite Philly escape? Parks. It’s very important for me to stay close to nature. I have such a stressful life at times, and that really comes from taking yourself way too seriously. When you get to that point, you have to put yourself in a situation that’s bigger than you, and for me, that’s nature. Longwood Gardens (longwoodgardens.org), The Horticultural Center in Fairmount Park (North Horticultural Drive and Montgomery Avenue), something as easy as just walking on Kelly Drive.

I’m the proprietor of Duafe Holistic Hair Care (2947 W. Girard Avenue), a natural hair care shop. The thing about Philly is you can make a left turn somewhere and fInd a whole different place that you never knew anything about.

Duafe Holistic Hair Care


What is one of Philly’s best-kept secrets?Joan Shepp (1616 Walnut Street). It’s a phenomenal boutique. You can find a little bit of everything. They have those little pieces that will enhance your closet.

Where do you take friends when you want to show them the city?If they’re nature bu!s, I’ll take them to Longwood Gardens or the Valley Green Inn (valleygreeninn.com). I love Wissahickon Valley Park (fairmountpark.org) because it gives you a chance to get away from the city, and the inn is a phenomenal restaurant. You can walk, you can see the ducks by the pond and then you can eat.

Material Culture

You can’t just come to Philly and see the surface and expect that you’re seeing what the city has to offer. You have to scratch under the surface.

The Horticultural Center

PICKS

Furniture:Material Culture (4700 Wissahickon Avenue) I love it because it has Indonesian, African—all the little things that you can’t find anywhere else.

Annual Festival:Odunde African-American Festival Weekend (odundeinc.org)It’s like an anniversary to see everybody.


philly360.com 17

philly360.com 12

crawford

I am a creative pioneer. A visual artist. A social observer. A painter. A thinker. I was born in Philadelphia. I have traveled around the country a bitas well as abroad, and Philadelphia has a realness to it that equals my own.

crawfordThe Coffee Room Cafe

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Why do you choose to live/work in Philly?It’s not a city of hype—it’s a city based on real people doing real things. Those accomplishments ring out and shine into the world, but at home you can still be you. Philly isn’t a star- struck city, so you can just be normal here—just like at home on the sofa.

How important is the sense of place to your work/art?I emotionally absorb my surroundings, so it’s im-portant that I am inspired by what I see and hear: the people, the locations, the art, the culture. I spend a lot of time creating so it’s also important for me to have an environment that is productive to my work style and not a distraction. To be

seen when I want to—and to disappear when it’s time to work.

What are some of your favorite neighborhoods in the city?I love Old City because of its history. The cobble-stone streets remind me of Amsterdam (my second home). Pockets of North Philadelphia have been

growing on me too. It’s got a soul that is just pure and rich with flavor. I’m really digging the new sections sprouting up, such as Northern Liberties and Brewerytown.There are lots of new people—like fresh buds of growth on the city’s branches.


It’s not a city of hype—it’s a city based on real people doing real things.

Reading Terminal Market

How would you describe Philly to someone who has never been here?It’s a city full of artists of varied disciplines; a city of good people who are passionate about their interests and very open to visitors; a down-to-earth place that looks for substance over flash—results versus talk.

What is something a person wouldn’t know about Philly unless they live here?One would have to live in the city to know that it functions more like a small town, meaning everyone knows each other, or there is just one degree of separation.

What do you think is the city’s greatest asset?The city can take its lumps and keep going, all while pro-ducing thick-skinned creative citizens that do the same.

PICKS

Dining:Parc Brasserie(227 S. 18th Street)If you want to dress up, have a meal, take a nice young lady and see some people, this is the place.

Bar:Alfa (1709 Walnut Street) Their scene is really cool. You get all di!erent types, a nice range of age, professions and style. I like variety.


philly360.com 12

ethel

karmael holmes

karmael holmes

What neighborhood do you call home?I live in Northern Liberties. It’s a cool neighborhood full of artists and bohemians, and I love it. On my block alone, over half of the residents are musicians, graphic design-ers and glassblowers. I feel so at home.

What about the city inspires you?The people in the city inspire me. Their style, authentic-ity, take-no-prisoners attitudes and hard-working ethic. I am inspired by my friends and colleagues and their work. Philly can be a tough crowd, and it makes you push your work to perfection. I just recently realized that the abundance of DJs and cool, unpretentious parties is a rarity. There is also (thankfully) a strong proliferation of

independent co!ee shops, which seems counterintuitive in the Starbucks age, but is nice. Indie co!ee shops are the absolute best!

How would you describe Philly to someone who has never been here?Philly is full of surprises. New neighborhoods, new res-taurant finds, new musicians and new history can pop up at any time when and where you least expect it. It’s an old city, rich in the American experience, diverse in its politics and bursting at the seams with art to share.

What is something a person wouldn’t know about the city unless they live here?I am still learning a lot about Philly myself. But I guess

I am a fIlmmaker by training. I write sometimes, produce events, teach and manage a couple of artists. I fell in love with a tight-knit community of artists who are now like family.

Lost + Found

World Cafe Live


ethelWhere do you live in Philly?Where I live is called University City, in West Philadelphia. It’s an extremely diverse area. How important is the sense of place to your work/art?Philly tests how serious you are about your art. Hip-hop crowds in this city

tend not to give props very easily, so someone with thin skin may want to give up instantly. But I’ve grown to love that. It toughens you up.

Do you take inspiration from the city? If so, what, exactly, inspires you?Absolutely. There are so

many people here from all unique walks of life. It’s hard not to be inspired.

How would you describe Philly to someone who has never been here?I have to steal a line from my friend Barry Eichner who said, “Philly is just like New York, but on sale.”

What do you think is the city’s greatest asset?Our passion. Whether it’s a suspect call that a ref made at a game or a City Hall de-cision to shut down certain libraries and pools, you are going to hear about it. We are a loud town that makes sure we are heard.

one thing you couldn’t know unless you live here would be how incredibly diverse it is—in class, ethnicity, race and landscape. There is a neighborhood for any kind of personality.

What do you think is Philly’s greatest asset?The arts and culture scene. Music is a major one, but the independent film, visual art, folk art and design scenes are all really fresh and innovative.

PICKS

Dining:Mercato (1216 Spruce Street)It’s my most recent favorite. I’ve only been there once, but everything was great there.

Dancing:Fluid Nightclub(613 S. 4th Street) Silk City (435 Spring Garden Street) Fluid for Rich Medina’s party; Silk for King Britt’s.

I am an emcee. I also host lots of parties and events in Philly. Y’know,

keep the crowd interested and pumped up while they party. I also do

work in the community around HIV awareness and testing. I was born

here in the Mt. Airy/Oak Lane/Germantown area.

Brown Betty Dessert Boutique


What’s a favorite in-city getaway?I like Rittenhouse Square mainly because it’s near where I usually hang out in Center City and also a very good place to people watch. You’ve got your starving artists strum-ming on banjos; you’ve got your kids and dogs running around; you’ve got your people who are richer than rich, you know what I mean?

What’s Philly’s best-kept secret? We’re tough, but we’re not mean. You can meet a perfect stranger and play six degrees of separation, and you’ll probably have somebody in common. It’s a very cute characteristic about the city.

PICKS

Live Music:Johnny Brenda’s (1201 Frankford Avenue)I played there a couple times now, and the sound and lighting are incredible. I like the way it’s built and structured. You’re still very close to the crowd, but it has a big-stage feel.

Museum:Mutter Museum (19 S. 22nd Street)I’m a weirdo. I’m inter-ested in anatomy and the body and things like that.If you’re in the sciences or are just a little creepy, the Mutter is definitely the place for you.

UBIQ

Rittenhouse Square


¨

¨

30 philly360.com

philly360.com 31

What does it mean to be creative ambassadors to the city? It makes sense. I think we’ve done a lot for the city cultur-ally in the last 17 years. The Roots’ rise has been more like the tortoise and the hare, but we will make the finish line eventually. We are in a rare position—still together as a band after 17 years, with a record deal.

Why do you choose to live in Philly?People have yet to discover that Philly is the last cosmo-politan city that’s as a!ordable as an industrial city. It’s priced like an industrial city, but it’s still hip like a cosmo-politan city. Philly’s potential has yet to be realized. A lot of New Yorkers are still under the impression that Philly is four to five hours away, but I tell them if they don’t use the West Side Highway to get to Queens, we can definitely beat them going home. I just think Philly is a still-undis-covered palette of gems. There’s a huge amount of culture and things to be discovered here.

How does the city inspire you?The Philadelphia I knew of was caught somewhere between the post-doo-wop generation and Gamble and Hu!’s contribution, their invention of modern disco as we know it. That’s the environment we grew up with on Broad Street. Philadelphia International Records was near the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, so you soak all that in.

What is something a person wouldn’t know about Philly unless they were from here?They definitely don’t know the musical history behind it. From a jazz standpoint—between Philly Joe Jones, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie—a lot of cats lived in Philadel-phia. They don’t know about the musical heritage. The Roots have always claimed Philadelphia with great pride and alacrity and shouted it from the highest mountains.

The Roots, Grammy ® Award winners, became the iconic hip-hop band of this decade on the strength of their genre-bending live instrumentation and forward-reaching lyrical brilliance. Alongside founders ?uestlove and Black Thought, the lineup includes Damon Bryson, Frank Knuckles, Captain Kirk, Kamal, Owen Biddle and James Poyser. Embodying the very spirit and creative spark of the city, they have long been Philly’s favorite sons.


?uestlove answers on behalf of The Roots

What Philly icon do you admire? Miss Patti LaBelle, for one, but she has been lying through her teeth. For years, she’s been promising me potato salad. Ever since 1989, I’ve been waiting to taste this damn potato salad, and I have yet to get any part of this woman’s cooking.

Live Music:Wachovia Center (3601 S. Broad Street)I plan to headline that spot before I die.

Cheesesteak:Tony Luke’s (39 E. Oregon Avenue)My number one spot, with-out a doubt. The perfect bread, the meat is perfect. Great after-taste. Just an awesome spot.

PICKS

Annual Festival:Odunde African-American Festival Weekend(odundeinc.org)My last house was chosen specifically for its proximity to that festival.


I have been

dreaming of the day

my city would

embrace me to

head a cultural

campaign,

and here it is.

SPOT CHECKS

Bluebond Guitars 511 S. 4th Streetbluebondguitars.com

Ritz at The Bourse 400 Ranstead Street landmarktheatres.com

khari mateen

Duafe Holistic Hair Care 2947 W. Girard Avenuedua-fe.com

The Horticultural CenterN. Horticultural Driveand Montgomery Avenuefairmountpark.org

Material Culture 4700 Wissahickon Avenue materialculture.com

syreeta scott

Sound of Market St.15 S. 11th Streetjazsound.com

Silk City 435 Spring Garden Streetsilkcityphilly.com

rich medina

Fluid Nightclub 613 S. 4th Streetfluidnightclub.com

Soy Cafe 630 N. 2nd Street

The F.U.E.L. Collection249 Arch Streetfuelcollection.com

stacey “flygirrl” wilson

KING BRITT

Bar:Eulogy Belgian Tavern136 Chestnut Streeteulogybar.com

Festival:The Roots Picnic myspace.com/theroots

Live Music:Johnny Brenda’s 1201 Frankford Avenuejohnnybrendas.com

ETHEL CEE

Dining: House of Jin 234 W. Chelten Avenue

Honorable Mentions30 gophila.com/philly360

The Co!ee Room Cafe2601 Pennsylvania Avenue

Philadelphia Museum of Art26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkwayphilamuseum.org

Reading Terminal Market 12th & Arch Streets readingterminalmarket.org

rah crawford

The Horticultural CenterN. Horticultural Driveand Montgomery Avenuefairmountpark.org

Material Culture 4700 Wissahickon Avenue materialculture.com

World Cafe Live3025 Walnut Streetworldcafelive.com

Lost + Found133 N. 3rd Street

maori karmael holmes

Rittenhouse Square18th & Walnut Streetsfairmountpark.org

Brown Betty Dessert Boutique1030 N. 2nd Streetbrownbettydesserts.com

UBIQ1509 Walnut Streetubiqlife.com

ethel cee

Books:The Last Word220 S. 40th Street

KHARI MATEEN

Dessert:The Franklin Fountain 116 Market Streetfranklinfountain.com

Live Music:The Fire 412 W. Girard Avenueiourecords.com/thefire

MAORI KARMAEL HOLMES

Under-the-Radar Restaurant:Taco Riendo 1301 N. 5th Street

RAH CRAWFORD

Dessert:Tartes Fine Cakes & Pastries212 Arch Street

RICH MEDINA

Art Gallery:October Gallery 7o1 Market Streetoctobergallery.com

STACEY “FLYGIRRL” WILSON

Under-the-Radar Spot:Xochitl 408 S. 2nd Streetxochitlphilly.com

Dessert:Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant (Mango sweet coconut rice)3630 Lancaster Avenue

SYREETA SCOTT

Casual Food:N. 3rd801 N. 3rd Streetnorththird.com


Rah Crawford: writer – Rob Stillwagonphotographer – Marco Roldanphotographer – Dan King

Ethel Cee & Maori Karmael Holmes:writer – Piers Marchantphotographer – Ethel – Saleem Tosih Ahmedphotographer – Maori – Lenyon Whitaker

The Roots: writer – Piers Marchantphotographer – Dom Saviniphotographer – Tayyib Smith

Design: Little Giant Media, LLC

Rich Medina: writer – Rob Stillwagonphotographer – Marco Roldan

King Britt: writer – Rob Stillwagonphotographer – Marco Roldan

Khari Mateen: writer – Janday Wilsonphotographer – Lenyon Whitaker

Stacey “Flygirrl” Wilson:writer – Janday Wilsonphotographer – Saleem Tosih Ahmedphotographer – Jesse Johnstonmakeup – Andrea Gilletti

Syreeta Scott: writer – Rob Stillwagonphotographer – Lenyon Whitakermakeup – Meredith Marshall

Thank you to our creative ambassadors: The Roots, King Britt, Ethel Cee, Rah Crawford, Maori Karmael Holmes, Khari Mateen, Rich Medina, Syreeta Scott and Stacey “Flygirrl” Wilson.

Thanks also to: Roz McPherson/The ROZ Group, Marc Byers/Rockstar Entertainment, Shawn Gee and Brandon Pankey/Sports & Entertainment Financial Group, Almaz Kinder Crowe and the entire GPTMC sta! and Philadelphia, our inspiration!

And special thanks to: Tayyib Smith, Meegan Denenberg, Irving Evelio Navarro, Piers Marchant, Matt Bacine and the rest of the Little Giant Media, LLC team who worked so tirelessly to make this happen.

credits


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Philly 360, The Book

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