LATEST NEWS

Back in November I talked about a painting I did for Dj Drez. As I have learned time and time again… it takes time for things to incubate. After months of hard work the album is wrapped up and ready for the people. I designed the entire Album package… so if you see any secret Jahta Beat paraphernalia; that stuff came from me.

Tonight is the official album release party at Zanzibar in Santa Monica. The music group, Afro Funke´will perform along with a few musicians from Jahta Beat Album. I’ll be painting live as the evening starts and ends and you’ll be able to see the original artwork in person.

Events by Steven Lopez | 25 June, 2009
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Senior Editor Ben Basby interviewed me a month back and it’s been released online. It will be on newstands by the end of the week. In the mean time the After Midnight series has a new singer that just came on stage and a solo show has been scheduled for September this year. Peace!

By the minute by Steven Lopez | 11 June, 2009
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Lovers Redux from Steven Lopez on Vimeo.

You couldn’t get me to leave this joint for any reason. I’m seeing history in the making. Seeing Minnie on stage was a beautiful treat and it looks like Helen is getting back up. Are you kidding me?!? She did a couple songs earlier. It looks like she changed her outfit. That silver dress looks beautiful under the stage lights.

What’s it going to be Helen? What song do you have for us? Can we be blessed with a song we haven’t heard yet? What about a B-side?
I wouldn’t mind hearing, “Maureen”. I love that song! Let me pull out the camera and snap a picture of her. Did you see that? Did you see how she looked into the audience? I wonder what she’s thinking about. Let me get another glass of wine and listen to this woman sing. There’s no doubt that it’s after midnight now.

After Midnight video series by Steven Lopez | 4 June, 2009
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Thank you to everyone that has inquired about the sale. I’m pleased to announce that the Erykah Badu prints will go on sale at midnight. Only 100 of these prints exist in the world so make sure you grab one, fast. www.aftermidnightsoul.com

By the minute by Steven Lopez | 14 April, 2009
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Aftermidnightsoul.com is getting tons of traffic. This will be better than I expected. I appreciate all the e-mails you guys are sending. I wish I could make deals with everyone in regards to the prints. But I have to keep it a level playing field for all you Erykah Badu fans.

Erykah Badu and Artist Steven Lopez collaborate for social change from Steven Lopez on Vimeo.

By the minute by Steven Lopez | 3 April, 2009
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Erykah Badu and Artist Steven Lopez collaborate for social change from Steven Lopez on Vimeo.

Last week I paid her a visit at her home in Dallas. What a beautiful place. When I walked in I could tell I was in the home of an old spirit. There were so many things to look at. I hung out with her and her left and right hand people. We talked about all kinds of things, energy, water, love and art. She is an analogue girl in a digital world. It makes perfect sense to me. I will be working with her and her team in the near future.

Be on the look out for the prints. They will be available on the eve of April 15th. Think of it like Christmas eve and you should know what day I’m talking about.

After Midnight video series by Steven Lopez | 30 March, 2009
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There’s a domain shift from Frustr8.com to ikeepmoving.com. Hopefully it will go smoothly

I returned home from Dallas last night. I met with Erykah Badu and sat down at her house and worked on signing the 100 prints. They look like the real thing! More on that later. I will be doing an interview with hostess Tania-Marie of Coloredpeople.net, 8 PM PST. Check out her passed guests at blogspot radio. If you’d like to talk to me, call in.

By the minute by Steven Lopez | 26 March, 2009
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Erykah Badu Featured in Limited Edition Print by Artist Steven Lopez
Artists Collaborate for Social Change

ARTICLE LINK - PDF

Respected Los Angeles visual artist Steven Lopez features soul goddess Erykah Badu in his latest addition to the “After Midnight” series, a collection of portraits celebrating notable musicians. One hundred copies of the limited edition Giclée prints, signed by Badu and Lopez, will be available for sale beginning April 15 at midnight, exclusively at www.aftermidnightsoul.com.

Lopez, who uses the music of artists as his inspiration for his portraits, describes Badu as one of his favorite performers whose music he has wanted to artistically interpret since first hearing her in concert in 2005. “She understands the healing power of sound and she delivers strength which is often lost in today’s music,” said Lopez.

Through his art, Lopez was able to capture that “strength” and Badu took note. Once he completed the artwork, he posted it to the comment section of Badu’s website and she reportedly loved it. “When I saw the image on Erykah’s MySpace page I was really surprised and extremely honored,” said Lopez. “It was a great feeling to know that she appreciated my work and wanted to share it with her fans.“

Badu was so pleased that she reached out to Lopez and they decided to offer a signed, limited-edition of the painting, donating a portion of the proceeds to Beautiful Love Incorporated Non-Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D.), a charity organization she established to provide community-based programs for inner-city youth.

For more information check out www.aftermidnightsoul.com.

About the “After Midnight” Series

Steven Lopez combines his two passions — music and art, to create the “After Midnight” series, a collection of portraits featuring notable musician. He starts by researching each artist’s photo history, discography and live performances. Once versed visually and aurally, Lopez selects a favorite song from the artist as inspirational for the painting process. His manner of painting, synergized with music, is heavily influenced and constantly nurtured at the world famous Mint Club in Los Angeles where he regularly performs his craft in front of a live jazz audience. Lopez ’s artistic style, which reflects influences of jazz, soul, funk, and hip hop, draw from his early days as a respected graffiti artist. That perspective gives this now, self-described contemporary artist a unique vision. It is this fusion that inspired the “After Midnight” series and, in the process, brought Lopez together with many musical greats including Chaka Kahn, Sade, Aretha Franklin, India.Arie, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu.

About Erykah Badu, best known for her eccentric style and cerebral music, is an award winning American soul singer and songwriter, whose sound — a concoction of soul, hip hop and jazz — can not be contained to a single genre. The Texas native, who prides herself on being a “mother first”, is a touring artist, teacher, community activist, holistic healer, vegan, and conscious spirit. Committed to children, Badu gives back to her hometown through Beautiful Love Incorporated Non-Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D.), a charity organization she created to provide community-based programs for inner-city youth.

Publicity: Lucy Beer

lucy@elemental-consulting.com

323. 449. 1194

Press Release by Steven Lopez | 18 March, 2009
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Minnie Riperton- Inside My Love from ikeepmoving.com on Vimeo.

She is the queen of hearts. There is a certain caliber of singing that is held by few and wanted by many. Minne Riperton belongs in the top echelon. Her voice is a window sent from heaven. Her singing is an auditory spectacle into the world of unconditional love. I ask myself what is it about her that attracts me to her music? It’s easy for me to say that her vocal range was second to none. But I challenge others to look beyond that and hear the spaces between her words. Her poetry is the effort of love pouring out of her soul. Songs like hers don’t come around that often, if at all. I hope that other singers see her as a standard of what a love song should talk about. It’s an era that she crowned with her voice. I know that this world was meant to catch a glimpse of her. She was put here to show the possibility of a life of love.

I’m glad I was able to make it down tonight. The night club is packed and I hear she might sing a song or two.. I have front table seating, I brought my camera and it’s After Midnight.

After Midnight video series by Steven Lopez | 5 March, 2009
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TIna Turner- Bold Soul Sister (Dr.EZ Remix) from ikeepmoving.com on Vimeo. 

To the Queen of Rock n’ Roll goes the spoils of Rhythm and funk. I have never seen her perform on stage but I can only imagine it being out of sight. It’s not just her music career that intrigues me but her personal strength off the stage that captivates me. Her story is a testament of committing one-self to their goals and beliefs.

I was hesitant in using this song because of the time period from which it came. I struggled with choosing other songs but my reasons for choosing this record were based out of complete respect. As a diehard b-boy this joint has gotten me to the floor on numerous occasions. It is one of those songs that supports the foundation of Hip Hop. 

But this song to me is more about her strength. The portrait is about her fire. The lyrics are a declaration of will. With all that she went through this song becomes more than a dance hit. It is a shout out to the world that know one is going to tell her what to do. Do your thing soul sister!

After Midnight video series by Steven Lopez | 12 February, 2009
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