The Toltec culture is an archaeological Mesoamerican culture that dominated a state centered in Tula, Hidalgo, in the early post-classic period of Mesoamerican chronology (ca 800-1000 CE). The later Aztec culture saw the Toltecs as their intellectual and cultural predecessors and described Toltec culture emanating from Tollan (Nahuatl for Tula) as the epitome of civilization, indeed in the Nahuatl language the word "Toltec" came to take on the meaning "artisan". The Aztec oral and pictographic tradition also described the history of the Toltec empire giving lists of rulers and their exploits. Among modern scholars it is a matter of debate whether the Aztec narratives of Toltec history should be given credence as descriptions of actual historical events. While all scholars acknowledge that there is a large mythological part of the narrative some maintain that by using a critical comparative method some level of historicity can be salvaged from the sources, whereas others maintain that continued analysis of the narratives as sources of actual history is futile and hinders access to actual knowledge of the culture of Tula, Hidalgo. Other controversy relating to the Toltecs include how best to understand reasons behind the perceived similarities in architecture and iconography between the archaeological site of Tula and the Maya site of Chichén Itzá - as of yet no consensus has emerged about the degree or direction of influence between the two sites.

Ben Long (born 1945) is an American painter and the grandson of noted artist McKendree Robbins Long.

Reared in a family of artists, writers, professors, and university presidents, Long was as precocious in his artistic ability as he was eager to apply it. At 18, Long followed his father's footsteps to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in Creative Writing under the guidance of his friend and advisor Reynolds Price. Upon completing his University coursework at the insistence of his advisor Long moved to New York to immerse himself in the study of fine art.

In NYC, Long became a member of the Art Students League of New York, studying under the guidance of such notable artists as Robert Beverly Hale and Frank Mason. Then, in 1969, Long preempted the draft by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served just over two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Marine Corps Combat Officer; during his last tour he served as Commander of the Combat Art Team, and much of his work from that period is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, D.C.

The Detroit Grand Pubahs are an American musical group from Detroit, Michigan, comprising Paris the Black Fu (real name Mack Goudy, Jr.) and The Mysterious Mr O. (real name Oliver Way). One of the founding members, Dr. Toefinger (real name Andy Toth), left in 2004. They are best known for their 2000 single "Sandwiches", which reached number 29 in the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

The group were nominated for "Outstanding Funk Artist / Group" at the Detroit Music Awards in 2002.Rolling Stone called them "a group to watch..... this dynamic duo never ceases to amaze with creative use of found sound, foreboding vocals, and bizarre costumes". The group run their own record label, Detelefunk, on which they release their own music and that of other artists.

Both of the Pubahs started in music at an early age, with Toth starting to play drums in various local bands at age 16. Vocalist Goudy began DJing at a similar age, having been influenced by Jeff Mills' radio mix shows. After leaving school, Toth took a job as an sound engineer at a local recording studio, while Goudy continued to DJ and sing as one half of Heckle and Jeckle, with Jon Billebob Williams.