A Gift from the Culture
"A Gift from the Culture", published in 1987, is a short work of space opera, by the Scottish science fiction author Iain M. Banks. The story is an early venture into the "complex and unusual and very distant" setting of the Culture, which Banks would further develop through various of full length novels, stories, and his essay "A Few Notes on the Culture".
Ilacoin
Due to differences with the label, he then parted, starting Triple Bars Inc. He released his own independent single with Fat Beats Distribution called Fighting Clocks Remix featuring Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian. All singles met modest sales but critical acclaim in the Hip Hop community, as well as The Source Magazine. As well as having the honor of hitting #1 on the charts in war stricken parts of the world with "By A Stranger" (i.e. Croatia), "Keep It Street" remained one of Hip Hop Legend, Chuck D's top 5 songs for 2000-2001. Having consistently recorded songs throughout, Ilacoin released his first ever mixtape compiling many of his unreleased and released works (ILACOIN: EPISODE 0) in 2010 to please his loyal fans through Complex.com & KevinNottingham.com. Working from his own studio, he is destined to become one of Hip Hop's newest classic beatsmiths. His childhood friend, Ron Browz lent his vocals to Ilacoin's single, Family Business (unreleased). Ilacoin is an artist who has stayed true to Hip Hop's independent spirit. Having problems with his publishing since the beginning of his career, he refuses to let his best work out until he establishes himself on all fronts of the music industry. The Wu-Tang Clan interpolated his music from a record he wrote with Easy Mo Bee (This, That & The 3rd; B-side to Keep It Street) on their last hit single (Take It Back) in 2008. The issue is still in litigation. Most of Ilacoin's songs are about growing up amid violence and hardship in ghettos, racism, problems in the society and conflicts with the industry and authority. Finding his voice in his community, he serves as an activist standing up for many causes including child abuse and missing children. It should also be noted that Ilacoin is the originator of the pop cultural phenomenon, The "Pause" Game.