Polished jasper pebble, one inch (2.5 cm) long

Jasper, a form of chalcedony,^[1] is an opaque,^[2] impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for snuff boxes. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded jasper. Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper. Jasper is basically chert which owes its red color to iron(III) inclusions. The specific gravity of jasper is typically 2.5 to 2.9.^[3] The jasper is, along with Heliotrope (bloodstone), one of the traditional birthstones for March. It is also a stone in the Jewish High Priest's breastplate, described in Exodus 28.

Etymology and history[link]

The name means "spotted or speckled stone", and is derived via Old French jaspre (variant of Anglo-Norman jaspe) and Latin iaspidem (nom. iaspis)) from Greek ἴασπις iaspis, (feminine noun)^[4] from a Semitic language (cf. Hebrew יושפה yushphah, Akkadian yashupu).^[5]

Green jasper was used to make bow drills in Mehrgarh between 4th and 5th millennium BC.^[6] Jasper is known to have been a favorite gem in the ancient world; its name can be traced back in Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Assyrian, Greek and Latin.^[7] On Minoan Crete, jasper was carved to produce seals circa 1800 BC, as evidenced by archaeological recoveries at the palace of Knossos.^[8]

Although the term jasper is now restricted to opaque quartz, the ancient iaspis was a stone of considerable translucency. The jasper of antiquity was in many cases distinctly green, for it is often compared with the emerald and other green objects. Jasper is referred to in the Niebelungenlied as being clear and green. Probably the jasper of the ancients included stones which would now be classed as chalcedony, and the emerald-like jasper may have been akin to the modern chrysoprase. The Hebrew word yushphah may have designated a green jasper.^[9] Flinders Petrie suggested that the odem, the first stone on the High Priest's breastplate, was a red jasper, whilst tarshish, the tenth stone, may have been a yellow jasper.^[10]

Types[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Jasper is an opaque rock of virtually any color stemming from the mineral content of the original sediments or ash. Patterns arise during the consolidation process forming flow and depositional patterns in the original silica rich sediment or volcanic ash. Hydrothermal circulation is generally thought to be required in the formation of jasper.^{[citation needed]}

Jasper can be modified by the diffusion of minerals along discontinuities providing the appearance of vegetative growth, i.e., dendritic. The original materials are often fractured and/or distorted, after deposition, into myriad beautiful patterns which are to be later filled with other colorful minerals. Weathering, with time, will create intensely colored superficial rinds.

The classification and naming of jasper presents a challenge.^[11] Terms attributed to various well-defined materials includes the geographic locality where it is found, sometimes quite restricted such as "Bruneau" (a canyon) and "Lahontan" (a lake), rivers and even individual mountains, many are fanciful such as "Forest Fire" or "Rainbow", while others are descriptive such as "Autumn", "Porcelain" or "Dalmatian". A few are designated by the country of origin such as a Brown Egyptian or Red African leaving tremendous latitude as to what is called what.

Picture jaspers exhibit combinations of patterns (such as banding from flow or depositional patterns (from water or wind), dendritic or color variations) resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, on a cut section.^{[12][dead link]} Diffusion from a center produces a distinctive orbicular appearance, i.e., Leopard Skin Jasper, or linear banding from a fracture as seen in Leisegang Jasper. Healed, fragmented rock produces brecciated (broken) jasper. Examples of this can be seen at Llanddwyn Island in Wales.

The term basanite has occasionally been used to refer to a variety of jasper, for example a black flinty or cherty jasper found in several New England states of the USA. Such varieties of jasper are also informally known as Lydian stone or lydite and have been used as touchstones in testing the purity of precious metal alloys.^[13]

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jasper

• Carnelian
• Jasperware

References[link]

Tyler, The Creator
Background information
Birth name	Tyler Gregory Okonma
Also known as	Wolf Haley, Ace, Tron Cat, Young Nigga, Thurnis, Tyler Haley, DJ Stank Daddy
Born	(1991-03-06) March 6, 1991 (age 21)
Origin	Ladera Heights, Los Angeles County, California, United States[1]
Genres	Alternative hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, record producer, director, actor, graphic artist,[1] fashion designer[2]
Instruments	Vocals, piano, keyboards, drums
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Odd Future Records, XL Recordings, RED Distribution
Associated acts	Odd Future
Website	oddfuture.com

Tyler Gregory^[3] Okonma (born March 6, 1991), better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, actor and fashion designer^[2] from Los Angeles. He is best known as the leader and co-founder of the alternative hip hop collective Odd Future,^[4] and has rapped on and produced songs for nearly every Odd Future release. Okonma also creates all the artwork for the group's releases^[1] and said in an interview with DJ Semtex that he designs all the group's clothing and other merchandise as well.^[2] He is currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings, and his own record label, Odd Future Records.

Early life[link]

Tyler Okonma was born in Los Angeles, California to a Nigerian father and a mother of African-American and white Canadian descent.^[5][6][7] He claims that he had never met his father,^[8] and spent his early life living in the communities of Ladera Heights and Hawthorne in southwest Los Angeles County.^[1][9] At the age of seven, he would take the cover out of an album's case and create covers for his own imaginary albums including a tracklist with song times before he could even make music.^[10][11] At the age of 14, Okonma taught himself how to play piano.^[12] In his twelve years of schooling, he had attended twelve different schools, in Los Angeles and Sacramento areas.^[13]

Music career[link]

[edit] Bastard and Goblin (2009–2012)

On December 25, 2009, Tyler self-released his first album, Bastard. The album was eventually ranked 32nd on Pitchfork Media's list of the Top Albums of 2010. On February 11, 2011, Tyler released the music video for "Yonkers", the first single from his second album, Goblin, which was released May 10, 2011.^[14] The video has received attention from several online media outlets.^{[15][16][17][18]} An extended version with a third verse can be purchased on iTunes.^[19] After the release of "Yonkers," Tyler announced that he had signed a one-album deal with XL Recordings.^[20] Tyler and fellow OF member Hodgy Beats made their television debut on February 16, 2011 when they performed "Sandwitches" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.^[21] On March 16, Tyler and Hodgy performed "Yonkers" and "Sandwitches" on the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards, being joined by other members of Odd Future during "Sandwitches". Goblin was released on May 10, 2011.

During an interview with Tyler for Interview, Waka Flocka Flame expressed his interest in collaborating with the Odd Future frontman to direct a music video for him.^[22]

Tyler's third album Wolf is scheduled for release in 2012. It will contain the instrumentals that Tyler has been making since the age of 15.^[23]

Tyler won Best New Artist for "Yonkers" at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.^[24]

[edit] Wolf and Loiter Squad (2012-present)

Tyler first mentioned the album in early 2010 saying that he would have an album titled Wolf. In early 2011 he told fans through his Formspring account that his third album would be called Wolf and it is scheduled to be released in May 2012. The album will continue Tyler's sessions with his fictional therapist, Dr. TC, as hinted by the title track on his first album, Bastard, in which Dr. TC says "this is the first of three sessions...".

In August 2011, Tyler said that the album will be more focused on beats and have less rapping.[4] He has said that on the album he will try to make music similar to his current interests, which he has said do not contain rapping.

In an interview with DJ Semtex, he confirmed that he will handle all the production on the album, except one song produced by Left Brain.[5] This was how the production on Goblin was dealt with.

Tyler initially announced in early 2011, after Los Angeles hip hop collective Odd Future annoced that will get their own TV show called Loiter Squad. It wasn't until September 8, 2011 that the show was finally confirmed as a 15-minute live action show composed of various sketches, man on the street segments, pranks and music made by OF. Dickhouse Productions, the production partnership that created Jackass, is scheduled to produce the show. The show premiered on March 25, 2012.

Other enterprises[link]

Tyler has also directed music videos, acted in two roles, and also done work as a graphic artist^[1].

Criticism[link]

Homophobia[link]

Tyler has been criticized for his use of homophobic slurs, in particular, his frequent use of the epithet faggot in his lyrics and on Twitter.^[25][26] He has denied accusations of homophobia, stating, "I'm not homophobic. I just say faggot and use gay as an adjective to describe stupid shit,"^[27][28] and, "I'm not homophobic. I just think faggot hits and hurts people."^[29] However, he later said in an interview with MTV about the slurs, "Well, I have gay fans and they don't really take it offensive, so I don't know. If it offends you, it offends you. If you call me a nigga, I really don't care, but that's just me, personally. Some people might take it the other way; I personally don't give a shit."^[30][31]

Misogyny[link]

Tyler has also been criticized for his graphic depictions of violence against women and his misogynistic lyrics.^[32][33] Brent DiCrescenzo of Time Out Chicago writes that rape is a "predominant theme" of Goblin^[34] and Hermione Hoby of The Guardian writes that Tyler's "rape and murder fantasies (are) graphic enough to send the vomit rising along with the bile."^[35] The Fader tallied 68 uses of the term "bitch" over Goblin's 73 minutes.^[36] Responding to Canadian indie pop duo Tegan and Sara's criticism of his lyrics,^[37] Tyler tweeted: "If Tegan and Sara need some hard dick, hit me up!"^[38]

Legal issues[link]

On December 22, 2011, Tyler was arrested during a show at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, and charged with "suspicion of vandalism" for alleged destroying of sound equipment belonging to the venue. He was released on $20,000 bail.^[39][3]

Feuds[link]

In the song "Yonkers," Tyler disses numerous artists, such as rappers/singers B.o.B and Bruno Mars, and Hayley Williams, frontwoman of band Paramore. Tyler, the Creator also disses Bruno Mars in The Game's song "Martians vs. Goblins," in which he and Lil Wayne are featured artists. In response, B.o.B released a similar diss track, entitled "No Future" that also references Tyler's group, Odd Future. Ironically, Tyler praised the song, and initially did not think it was a diss track. Bruno Mars, in response to the verse "stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus," said, "[Tyler] has to wait in line if he wants to stab me...[Tyler's] definitely not the first guy that's said something like that to me and he's not going to be the last."^[40] Los Angeles rapper Hopsin also dissed him in his "Ill Mind of Hopsin 4" music video, released in July 2011. Tyler did not respond to it.

Discography[link]

• Bastard (2009)
• Goblin (2011)
• Wolf (2012)

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

O Music Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

MTV2 Sucker Free Awards

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tyler, the Creator

Dan Mangan
Background information
Birth name	Daniel Mangan
Born	(1983-04-28) April 28, 1983 (age 29) Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Origin	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genres	Indie rock, folk, singer-songwriter[1]
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Arts & Crafts, FUM, ABC/Warner
Website	www.danmanganmusic.com

Daniel Mangan (born April 28, 1983) is a Canadian indie folk-rock singer-songwriter.

Early life[link]

Mangan was born in Smithers, British Columbia. His family moved often, residing in both the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, but primarily in his current home town of Vancouver. Raised in a household where instruments were always available, music became an obvious pastime for Mangan and his two siblings. He was influenced by his parents' record collection, especially the music of Nick Drake and The Beatles.^[1] At sixteen, Mangan started a band called Basement Suite with some fellow classmates and played gigs at local community centres.

Recording career[link]

Dan Mangan performing at the 2009 Vancouver Folk Festival.

In 2003, at 20 years old, Mangan completed his first set of recordings: an EP of simply recorded acoustic songs called All at Once. Five hundred copies were pressed and sold or given away throughout the Vancouver area while Mangan was attending the University of British Columbia, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta.^[2] With a bank loan and a small community of musicians who would offer cheap or free sessions, Mangan recorded Postcards & Daydreaming in the summer of 2005 with local British ex-pat Daniel Elmes and good friend Simon Kelly. Mangan released the album independently at first, selling the album online and at live shows. In July 2007, Vancouver-based independent record label File Under: Music picked up the LP and re-released the album with new artwork and an extra track, "Ash Babe". The following March, the record was released in Australia by ABC/Warner.

In March 2009, File Under: Music released another short-play recording called Roboteering EP, containing songs from Mangan's forthcoming album Nice, Nice, Very Nice.^[3] The album was recorded in Toronto at Green Door Studios with producer John Critchley, and featured an assortment of other Canadian artists such as Veda Hille, Justin Rutledge, Mark Berube, Hannah Georgas and members of Said The Whale, Major Maker, and Elliott Brood. Five months later, Nice, Nice, Very Nice was released in Canada. After years of steady touring, and with his second full-length release, Mangan was starting to get noticed across his home country. The first two singles from his second full-length, "Robots" and "Road Regrets" earned airplay on local Vancouver radio stations, as well as on satellite radio stations such as The Verge and CBC Radio 3. The album name was inspired by a line from American novelist Kurt Vonnegut's book Cat's Cradle, while musically Nice, Nice, Very Nice has been compared to Chad VanGaalen and Bon Iver.

Mangan performing in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in October 2009.

In September 2009, Mangan was awarded "Artist of the Year" at the Verge Music Awards.^[4] In 2010, Nice, Nice, Very Nice was licensed and released by Toronto based independent record label Arts & Crafts in Europe and the United States, garnering a larger international presence for Mangan's music. In September 2010, the album was shortlisted by a jury of 200 Canadian journalists, music critics and media personnel for the Polaris Music Prize, which seeks to award the "best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label". Other shortlisted nominees included Karkwa (winner of the prize), Broken Social Scene, Caribou, Owen Pallett, The Besnard Lakes, Tegan and Sara, Shad, The Sadies and Radio Radio.

Mangan and his band have been recording with Vancouver based producer/engineer Colin Stewart, working toward a third full-length album.^[5] On May 28, 2011, Mangan officially announced the title of the new album as being Oh Fortune to his audience at the Sasquatch! Music Festival. He has been playing several songs from the forthcoming album live, including the title track, "Post-War Blues" and "Rows of Houses", which was inspired by the film Stand By Me.^[6] The album was released on September 27 in North America.

At the 2012 Juno Awards, Mangan was awarded New Artist of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year for Oh Fortune, and was also nominated for Songwriter of the Year for "About as Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Any Help at All", "Post-War Blues" and "Oh Fortune" and Video of the Year for the music video for "Rows of Houses", directed by Jon Busby.^[7]

Touring[link]

After years of touring solo internationally, Mangan now generally tours with a band composed of a collection of musicians from Vancouver and Toronto, including guitarist Gord Grdina (Gord Grdina Trio), drummer Kenton Loewen (The Crackling), bassists John Walsh (Brasstronaut) and Colin Cowan (Analog Bell Service), and brass players Shaun Brodie (The Hidden Cameras), Bryden Baird (Feist), and JP Carter (Fond of Tigers). Mangan has also toured with Australian musicians Cameron Potts and Lee Carey, playing lead guitar and drums respectively, both from the Sydney band Dead Letter Chorus. Aidan Knight also has appeared as Mangan's guitarist in the past.

The band often plays in Canada, USA, Europe and Australia, and has shared stages with a wide array of artists such as The Walkmen, Japandroids, Broken Social Scene, Holy Fuck, Julian Casablancas, Timber Timbre, Sarah Harmer, The Broken Family Band, Elliott Brood, The Acorn, Patrick Watson, Jenn Grant, Brett Dennen, Mother Mother, Geoff Berner, Great Lake Swimmers, Basia Bulat, Veda Hille, Hannah Georgas, Charlie Parr and Hey Rosetta!.^[8]

Mangan has been invited to perform at many international music festivals including:

• UK: Glastonbury (2010 "John Peel Stage", 2011 "Other Stage"), End of the Road Festival (2011)
• Australia: Woodford Folk Festival (2010), East Coast Blues and Roots (2008), and Peats Ridge (2009, 2010)
• Canada: Halifax Pop Explosion (2009), Vancouver Folk Music Festival (2009), Dawson City Music Festival (2010), Calgary Folk Festival (2010), Mariposa Folk Festival (2010), Winnipeg Folk Festival (2011), Regina Folk Festival (2011), Home County Folk Festival (2011), Hillside Festival (2011), Halifax Pop Explosion (2011)
• USA: Sasquatch! Festival (2011), Rocky Mt. Folks Festival (2011)
• Germany: Reeperbahnfestival (2010), Orange Blossom Special (2011), Haldern Pop (2011)

Discography[link]

EPs[link]

LPs[link]

See also[link]

• Music of Canada
• Canadian rock
• List of Canadian musicians

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dan Mangan

• Official website
• Dan Mangan on Myspace