Cornell Madness: On The Road With Rich Medina (June 7-9)

Image via Complex Original

WHERE: Lyon War Memorial Hall, Cornell University
WHEN: September, 1992

So blessed to be able to say that all these cats still make up the bulk of my oldest and best friends on the planet to this day. This was shot prior to one of our last parties before the first pre-season basketball game at Lyon Hall, West Campus, Cornell University.

WHERE: Ujamaa Residential Hall, North Campus, Cornell University
WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 2012

My hotel for the weekend…ain't slept in one of these joints in a good minute.

WHERE: Cornell Black Alumni Association Reception
WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 2012

At the Cornell Black Alumni Association Reunion reception for the meliorated graduates, complete with more brochures and "go do this program and that program" paraphernalia than I've seen since graduation. Very well done, and very well attended by a wide range of returning CU graduates of color.

WHERE: CBAA Reception
WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 2012

Two of my longest standing and dearest friends, Angela Sykes-Celestin and Chimene Liburd-Brown. Class of 1992 CBAA Reunion Organizers, and the owners of the patent on the finest non-aging potion on the planet.

WHERE: CBAA Reception Afterparty
WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 2012

For all my Philly folks who know the Roots and Rich Nichols, the man on the left is Reginald Nichols, Rich's older brother, and Cornell Class of 1973. Salute, OG. We are praying for Rich to have a fast and definitive recovery soon.

WHERE: Engineering Quad, Cornell University
WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2012

Recession? What recession? We are building it anyway, son. Bill & Melinda Gates Hall, due for completion sometime in the next four years. The hole in the ground is deep as an ocean abyss, with cranes and machines on blast 16 hours a day.

WHERE: Kroch Library, Arts Quad, Cornell University
WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2012

This place holds more rare books and materials from around the world and across the centuries than you could even remotely imagine. I could go on, but you'll see in due time…trust me on this one. I am NOT exaggerating one iota.

WHERE: The Cornell University Rare Books & Manuscript Archive, Kroch Library, Arts Quad, Cornell University
WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2012

The Joe Conzo photography catalog at the Cornell University Hip Hop Collection, the largest collection of rare books and materials on hip-hop culture in the United States of America. You're gonna be hearing from me on this one in a whole new way soon…your man is the newest member of the advisory board, and the only alumni on the board, alongside Joe Conzo, Joan Morgan, Pop Master Fabel, and Afrika Bambaata. SO much more to get into, but for now peep game.

WHERE: The Cornell University Rare Books & Manuscript Archive, Kroch Library, Arts Quad, Cornell University
WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2012

Breakbeat Lenny's widow provided these to the archive, and Breakbeat Lou is the guy who passed them forward to Breakbeat Lenny, and wow.

WHERE: The Cornell University Rare Books & Manuscript Archive, Kroch Library, Arts Quad, Cornell University
WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2012

Cold Crush, 1982—you know the one when you hear it. But what you don't know is that this is Breakbeat Lou's handwriting. You're welcome. 

WHERE: Kroch Library, Arts Quad, Cornell University
WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 2012

Two of the sharpest people I've ever met, and my personal entry into becoming the first Cornell Alumnus to be selected to the Advisory Board for the Cornell Hip Hop Collection. Mind blown, heart rate increased, future more open than ever. Here's to our new connection, and here's to making some incredible things happen together guys. To be continued next week.

WHERE: Cornell University Reunion 2012
WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 2012

There are a few men who had profound impacts on me as a child and as a young man. This gentleman, Professor James Turner, Dean of the Africana Studies Department and founder of the Africana Library at Cornell University, is one of them. I've told the story many times to my friends about the Africana Studies professor who told me, "Son, I know everyone is sweating you because you're an athlete and I know that fundamentally you're a good kid, but I don't give a damn what your coaches say. I don't care if you score 1,000 points every single night. My job is to expand your mind. I want YOUR paper yesterday…even if everyone else's is due at the end of the week. I promise I will hold you to that standard, for as long as you are in my classroom." Thank you, Professor Turner, and congratulations on the launch of your Scholarship Fund this past weekend with your wife, the incredible former Dean of Arts & Sciences at Cornell, Dr. Janice Turner. Send Shaka my love as well, sir.

June 16, 2012 (8 p.m. — 2:30 a.m.)
BLOCK PARTY w/Cesar Ckamu
Antik
955 Barrio Amon
San Jose, Costa Rica
18+
¢5000 for guys; ¢3000 for girls

First trip ever to Costa Rica. Super excited. Thank you, Dustin, for making it happen.

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June 20, 2012 (10 p.m. — 4 a.m.)
PROPS w/DJ AKALEPSE
(Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker St.
New York
21+
Free before 10 p.m.; $10 after 10 p.m.

Me & Lepse continue fighting the good fight on Wednesday nights in NYC! Each and every week for going on 10 years now! no filler, no radio fluff...strictly bangers, and strictly para tu. Free before 11pm every week kids. LPR.

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June 28, 2012 (10 p.m. — 2 a.m.)
LIL RICKY’S RIB SHACK
Walnut Room
1709 Walnut St.
Philadelphia
21+
FREE before 11 p.m.; $5 after

Happy to be back at the Walnut Room for the third time, and even happier to be starting a monthly in my hometown through the end of 2012. Here’s to a great future!

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June 29, 2012 (9 p.m. — 2 a.m.)
The Shrine Presents RICH MEDINA w/DJ Castle
Coup D’Etat at The Shrine
2109 South Wabash Ave.
Chicago
21+ $5 with RSVP

Good to be back at The Shrine and happy to be rocking along DJ Castle for the first time.