A Long List of Thank-Yous and Shout-Outs

I just got home from seeing Lupe Fiasco perform at Webster Hall in New York and my heart is still racing. His new album, “Lasers,” is officially available in stores today. Please do yourself a favor and check it out.

Well, I guess a little update is in order. Recently I’ve been plunging myself back into sorting through all of the “Shake the Dust” footage that I brought back recently from Uganda, Egypt and Yemen. And as I get closer (and closer) to finishing the brief teaser from Yemen, I thought I’d take the time to share a little about (and give some mad props) to the people that have been rallying around me through the course of this project. I feel a paradox of pride and humility to be able to add these people to the growing list of credits that will roll at the end of the film.

I first need to mention all the b-boys and b-girls. To all of the Breakdance Project Uganda crew– including the “star” of the recent Red Bull film “Bouncing Cats,” Abramz, along with all of the beautiful family of people he’s surrounded by. If I started listing all their names I would inevitably leave people out and misspell names, but I’m picturing all your faces as I write this and, seriously, thank you so much. And thanks to James Pearson of Ember Arts for lending his talents towards shooting the big jam in Acholi Quarter (many of his shots were in the Uganda teaser).

To all of the Yemeni bboys– Rockn City and Blast Boyz, Yemen’s very first two bboy crews. To Mohammed Almana, my man, Yemen’s very first bboy (from Iraq of all places). Also to AJ – Yemen’s first and biggest hip-hop artist.

A big thank you to Laura Kasinof, New York Times reporter, sole American journalist residing in Yemen, and regional producer of “Shake the Dust”– and more importantly, friend. Laura kept me sane when I was burning my creative wick down to the bottom at the end of my trip. To Faris Sanabani, President Saleh’s press secretary and owner of the Yemen Observer who backed me from my first full day in Yemen and whose support I’m incredibly grateful for, as well as his two sons. Also a quick shout-out to Tom Finn, who made the story of “Shake the Dust” and break-dancing in Yemen national news.

To Ruyonga, formerly knows as Krukid, the amazingly talented up-and-coming MC from Uganda whose has already generously donated his music towards the final feature film, big ups to ya.

To the talented Shay Grabowski from Alegria who is working on motion graphics, as well as Jonathan Newberry and the Love in Stereo crew who are helping me out with web design. Also, a shout-out to Harlem’s very own KR3Ts who believed in this project one and a half years ago when we shot at the Grafitti Hall of Fame as well as the Scott boys and their crew with whom I shot in LA.

And the list of friends and family that have been cheerleaders for this project from day one– THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I’m so excited for what is to come with this film this year. Please keep coming back to Loose Luggage for more updates and enjoy a couple of random photos and clips below and above.

KR3Ts: