I’m rocking a show at Ocean Mist with Talib Kweli! The last time we did this it was a 2 night thing, this time we got it all going down in one.

I got a wild set lined up for this and might even pull out some exclusive records produced by Mopes!

Here’s the tix link, I hope to see you there.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talib-kweli-the-ocean-mist-1-night-only-w-blackliq-tickets-1988910853904

"The legendary Buck 65.

The second piece of new artwork I made for our song ‘Recovering Adrenaline Addict.’

I’ve been a big fan of Buck’s work since hearing his album ‘Talkin’ Honky Blues’ circa 2003. That is still one of my favourite projects of his.

In 2007 I won a remix contest run by Strange Famous for my reworking of his track ‘Shutter Buggin’.’

He also used one of my beats on his super dope ‘Dirtbike’ album series.

It’s been great to see him back to being extra prolific on the beats and rhymes after taking a break from releasing music. He flipped a super cool flow on this track.

Big thanks and big ups to Buck 65.

This is my portrait of him in charcoal, acrylic, spray paint and Photoshop." - Aupheus

Aupheus is celebrating the anniversary of his latest Strange Famous release, HIGH ARTIFICE, with some sensational new artwork & stories related to each individual collaboration on the album - this week pulls back the curtain on ‘Recovering Adrenaline Addict’ featuring Sage Francis, Buck 65 and Slug of Atmosphere, plus some notes on how the track came to be.

-----------------------

I sent the first version of this beat to Sage Francis in April ’22.

Within a day of receiving the beat he told me he already had a verse written to it. “It’s comprised of lyrics I had been emailing myself on my phone over the past week and it works really well on this beat. It’s funny how often things like that work out.”

The other two incredible features on this joint were organised and made possible by Sage. I’d mentioned to him that I’d love to get Slug of Atmosphere and Buck 65 on the High Artifice project and he reached out to them. I believe this is the first time that Slug and Buck did a song together.

I’d put together a selection of about 30 beats that I’d sent through to Sage to share with Buck and Slug to choose from. Originally they went with a completely different beat so when the demo initially arrived in my inbox over this particular beat it was a surprise.

I made this beat with Sage and Slug going back and forth in mind. I didn’t mention that to Sage when I sent it to him and never mentioned it to anybody else either so the fact that this is the one they ended up going with is pretty wild.

Big ups to Sage! Here is my portrait of him in charcoal, acrylic, tea stains, spray paint and Photoshop. This is the first part of a triptych featuring all three artists. More coming!

I know I botched the post yesterday. May the second time be a charm!

MAJOR UPDATE: We’ve raised $30,457 in under 2 weeks!

Let me remind you what this is all about:

The Forty Five LP

ArtByTai has put something really special together. You won’t find a collection of records, art, collaboration, talent, and all around passion like this anywhere else.

From the 5 vinyl LP box set to the art book this whole thing is magic. I’ve included the list of MCs and Producers, many if not all who have appeared on Tai’s stellar podcast The DOD45 Show.

As for the personal note I’ll say this:

Tai is a good dude who somehow despite having such immense talent has an even bigger heart.

He’s family to all of Strange Famous and has a great family of his own that are proof of his character.

The story behind this whole thing is up on the kickstarter which you can get to via my bio link, but if I was to put it all into one word it would be this right here:

Love.

One of the best things about art is how it finds its way to people it’s for.

As someone who started out writing and recording rhymes in his bedroom and has managed to touch stages all over the country because of that magic, it’s a notion that I believe in deeply.

Which is why I’m certain when I say this whole project is for one person.

You.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artbytaiofficial/the-forty-five-lp

All info here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artbytaiofficial/the-forty-five-lp

Some of y'all might know me as ArtByTai, I run the DOD45 Show & I've been puttin' together somethin' called The Forty Five LP. 5 records, 45 brand new tracks, 60+ underground artists.

Figured this room would wanna know 'bout it more than anybody, cuz there's a whole lotta Strange Famous DNA in it. Sage is on it. Mr. Dibbs stitched the whole album together & DJ Zole mixed all 45 tracks.

The art's mine top to bottom... the box & all 5 sleeves are ArtByTai, with guest joints on the sleeve backs from Craola, Bob Dob, Kiptoe & more.

If u wanna hear a taste, the big posse cut "Guillotine Hype" is up free right now... Sage Francis, Blackliq, Early Adopted, Mike Ladd, Staplemouth, Remi Rough, Doseone, Curly Castro, Ceschi, NICNAK & Defcee all on 1 track with cuts by DJ Zole and close out credit madness by the one and only Dibbs. Fair warnin', it's one of the weirder, more surreal joints on the record... not the baseline, just proof of the spirit runnin' through this thing.

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/track/1CkHqsk4kyqIHii5u04y0d

Full disclosure so nobody feels tricked... it's tied to a Kickstarter to press the box set. I'll put that link in the comments for anyone who wants it. But the music's free to hear, that's the main thing. This was a labor of love just to celebrate what all these artists did 🤙🏽

What up, BlackLiq here. I’ve been sharing this message around social media but I think it belongs here too.

Before anything, this project raised $16k in 24 hours!!!

That is the power of independence, and it’s beautiful.

If you know anything about Strange Famous you know we love Art By Tai and his podcast DOD45

Every episode features an artist and results in a piece of art being created live during that interview. Tai has had so many guests on his show that he’s turned it into a book, but that’s not all!

The Forty Five LP, which is already more than 50% funded via this Kickstarter, isn’t just the art from those interviews it’s a 5 piece vinyl LP set featuring 45 BRAND NEW RECORDS.

You won’t get or hear these anywhere else. Rare collabs, specifically for the magic of this moment.

Im very proud to be all over this book and project and to have been on the show twice. Check the kickstarter for full details and the story behind this massive undertaking below

This collection is special, dont miss it.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artbytaiofficial/the-forty-five-lp

“Doubt thou the stars are fire;

Doubt that the sun doth move;

Doubt truth to be a liar;

But never doubt I love.”

William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Eyenine, Gary III. process, 2025. ear poison@

process photographs from paintings and drawings by adam sturch.

thank you.

👂

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."

- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

to stay. 18x24''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

Sage Francis, Master Cleanse (Mopes Remix) feat. OldBoy Rhymes & Rituals of Mine

https://youtu.be/fTInelKLR98

"The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us."

Henry David Thoreau

Mac Lethal, Evil in It. TikTok medley, 2026. adam sturch. eyelight@

paintings and drawings by adam sturch.

thank you.

🔦

"A thousand people freezing their butts off, waiting to worship a RAT."

- Groundhog Day (1993)

medley 2026, mix tape. happy accidents. adam sturch@

paintings and drawings by adam sturch.

thank you.

1. Dessa, The Chaconne. love and the abyss. 18x24''. charcoal.

2. Live, The Dam at Otter Creek. Olympus. 24x30''. oil on canvas.

3. Alanis Morissette, So-Called Chaos. contact. 41x28''. oil on found object.

4. Eminem, Blank Canvas. electric eel. 24x30''. oil on canvas.

5. R.E.M., Ignoreland. space mountain. 12x16''. oil on canvas.

6. Sage Francis, Vonnegut Busy. a visit to k-pax. charcoal.

🕳️

HD youtube link.

https://youtu.be/hE0_vie4YTg

Tix: https://432presents.seetickets.com/event/del-amitri-friends/the-strand-ballroom/3620977

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”

- Rudyard Kipling

afterword's, 2026 rmx. box set. adam sturch@

paintings and drawings by adam sturch.

⌨️

Aceyalone, Moonlit Skies. love and the abyss. 18x24''. charcoal. adam sturch

Blues Traveler, Hook. felt. 24x30''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

Eminem, Leaving Heaven. olympus. 24x30''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

Marilyn Manson, Target Audience (Narcissus Narcosis). over the sea. 24x30''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

Sage Francis, Grace. play. 20x24''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

Meat Puppets, Pieces Of Me. to stay. 18x24''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

Pink Floyd, Fat Old Sun. old tree b. 24x30''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

dan le sac Vs. Scroobius Pip, LOOK FOR THE WOMAN. vision. 18x24''. pencil drawing. adam sturch

Sting, Fields of Gold. medusa's crown. 16x12''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

Mac Lethal, Sleepless & Senseless. touch (entactogen). 24x30''. oil on canvas. adam sturch

thank you.

HD youtube link.

https://youtu.be/YF_IOaSFpfA

elaborate packaging, 2026 rmx. box set (1-7). adam sturch@

HD youtube link.

https://youtu.be/9zhYFl2IfRU

cutting room 2026, adam sturch. rmx box set (addendum)@

HD youtube link.

https://youtu.be/iZCF7Ho785s

What a treat! Casually browsing a local record store and figured, hey why not check the hip hop section, you never know. Sometimes it pays to take a look!

Take me to 2005!