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Taul “Toy Crusher” Waters is a Jacksonville, Florida–based artist whose practice evolved the way street knowledge usually does: illegally, obsessively, and with a sense of humor sharp enough to draw blood. He cut his teeth in graffiti and illustration, learning early how to communicate fast, loud, and without permission. That foundation expanded into graphic design, painting, digital illustration, and blogging—each medium treated as another surface to disrupt, remix, or interrogate. His work balances discipline with defiance, blending professional execution with the residue of alley walls, sketchbooks, and long nights spent refining ideas that refused to behave. Taul draws inspiration from hip hop culture, drum and bass rhythms, science fiction, horror, skateboard graphics, and the kind of absurd life experiences you only understand after surviving them. More recently, his exploration of synthography has pushed his visual language into stranger territory, where machines collaborate in the chaos rather than clean it up. Darkly comical and deliberately confrontational, his work invites viewers to laugh first, think second, and then realize they’ve been implicated the entire time.

Monday, May 25, 2026

Episode 21: HEL_


We can probably stop using the word "quagmire" at this point...

The story behind this seemingly subtle photo goes like this: 5 young creatives who happened to somehow end up enlisted in the armed forces wind up in a hole in the wall bar in Sicily that happened to be playing Digable Planets as we walked by. We met some young ladies (one of which took this photo) who'd happened to have studied at some school in Massachusetts that I will never remember the name of, so they spoke great English. Long story short, by the end of the night I'd drank a slew of different types of alcohol which ended up in everything I'd eaten that day on the floor on the ship right next to my bed. Alcohol poisoning works the same in every hemisphere, y'all...

...From the Archives!...

FREESTYLES FROM 2000

I might start rocking that gradient effect more often; I actually completely forgot about it. Then was a period of experimentation and taking subject matter beyond the usual threshold. There are quite a few characters on these same pages that I can't post here or this whole operation would turn into an adult situation. You don't really realize how weird you are until your skill catches up enough to where you can illustrate it.

I, for some reason, thought I was an amateur philosopher. Then I read this...

5 SCHOOLS OF PHILOSOPHY THAT DIED OUT
Dive into five philosophical schools that have faded into obscurity but still whisper through the ages.

From Big Think:
"Some of the world’s oldest surviving texts are dedicated to philosophy. In many ways, no school of philosophy ever fully dies, as a good idea can endure over millennia. On the other hand, there are plenty of schools of thought in which nobody seems to claim membership anymore. Here, we look at five schools of thought that died out, and whether we can see any trace of their intellectual legacy today."
>>> READ THE REST HERE <<<

Once you read some of the reasons these philosophies became less popular, you gain a better understanding of just how backwards the world has become. It's one thing to joke about "being born in the wrong era", but to know...


CREATURES, CREATURES, CREATURES!...

RESIDENT EVIL TRAILER

From Bloody Disgusting:

"Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is infecting theaters this coming September, and the marketing campaign is about to get underway. While we wait for the first official trailer, Sony Pictures has launched the official website for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie this week.

There’s nothing much on the website at this time, but it does reveal the official logo for the film (above) while also confirming that September 18, 2026 remains the release date.

Check out the website here and expect Cregger’s Resident Evil trailer soon."
>>> READ THE REST HERE <<<

Your boy Cregger is on a roll, not gonna lie. Barbarian cut through because of grotesque claustrophobia. WEAPONS hit a nerve because of oddity and unnervingness; this new Resident Evil, though...those creatures are what I anticipate will make the film. There's rumors that the gaming community isn't happy as the representation of the game isn't as accurate as they'd like. To that I'd say: it's a movie. Definitely looking forward to this, though, as I love a good zombie flick - and I'll probably watch it multiple times once it's released.

On top of that, another legendary franchise is cracking heads this year...

EVIL DEAD BURN TRAILER

Frome Warner Brothers Horror:
"Evil Dead Burn unleashes the franchise’s most savage and terrifying ride to date, blazing onto big screens with an all-new chapter of carnage and demonic mayhem. After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws in their secluded family home. As one by one they are transformed into Deadites—turning the gathering into a family reunion from hell—she comes to discover that the vows she took in life... live on even in death."
>>> READ THE REST HERE <<<

If I have to mention that they should have never canceled Ash vs Evil Dead...you know what, nevermind. I'm actually happy with the direction they're taking this one; that og gore absurdity is back on the menu. There's also that Evil Dead Rise easter egg that I'm sure you keen lot spotted immediately. I got excited when I heard about this last year and actually didn't believe it would even be fully green-lighted, but here we are. Prepare yourselves.


It's simultaneously crazy and joyous to be alive during such unprecedented times for the horror genre...

A24 PODCAST FEATURING KANE PARSONS & JAMES WAN
From A24:
"Topics covered include:​ Kane's parents keeping him off the internet until age eight, pirating way too much software, the origin of the Backrooms, the purgatories we build for ourselves, meeting your heroes after early virality, building 30,000 sq. ft. of sets on a soundstage, Kane accidentally calling his film a "product" and immediately wanting to flee to the woods, shotlisting an entire feature in Blender, renting out a Vancouver theater to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey during prep, James Wan's hopeful advice for young filmmakers, Renate's spiritual curiosity, control variables, and bringing the family together for the theatrical premiere of Backrooms."
I've said so much about this already - just like millions of others. However I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge - again - how legendary this is for the game. I can already see this becoming a comfort film.

It took me my entire life to learn this...

WHY YOU SHOULD PRETEND TO BE LESS INTELLIGENT THAN YOU ARE

From Academy of Ideas:

"Access 130+ membership videos! ► http://academyofideas.com/members/

Access the transcript and a gallery of the art used - https://academyofideas.com/2026/05/wh...

Substack - https://theacademyofideas.substack.com/
Twitter - / academyofideas
Instagram - / academyofideas
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2dio7KU...
iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...
Visit academyofideas.com for all our content."
>>> VIEW CHANNEL HERE <<<

The fact that I even posted this more than likely catalyzed in most peoples minds this question: "Who does this guy think he is?"...and fair enough. Yet the author of this video didn't intend to insinuate that "most people are stupid, so therefore pretend to be one". Rather I believe the intention is - as it pertains to dealing with particular social dynamics - to refer to one of the 48 Laws of Power: Never Outshine the Master. I'll let them explain it more eloquently in the video, but it definitely makes for an interesting watch.

I learned how to do the Charlseton - at that point in time known as the "Kid & Play" - to It Takes Two...

RIP ROB BASE
From Rolling Stone:
" Rob Base, the rapper who was best known for the hit “It Takes Two,” died on Friday, May 22, after a battle with cancer. He was 59.

News of his death was shared via his official Instagram account. “Rob’s music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions around the world. Beyond the stage, he was a loving father, family man, friend, and creative force whose impact will never be forgotten,” the statement reads. “Thank you for the music, the memories, and the moments that became the soundtrack to our lives.”"
>>> READ THE REST HERE <<<

It Takes Two is hands down one of the most legendary uses of the Think break, the soundtrack to literally every middle school house party - regardless of what side of Jax you grew up on, an instant b-boy classic, and an indicator that something wild is about to happen if you heard it in a movie soundtrack. Don't get it wrong, he had other bangers like Joy & Pain, but it's been said all throughout history - Good Music Unifies People. Salute to Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock, and condolences to his family and friends.
Once again, you may leave my metaphorical presence, but before you do, listen to just how hard this mix by KhanFu goes.

Stay up!

DJ KHANFU - BOOM BAP AND BREAKS 2020 MIX

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