In December 2013, New York City lost a legend.  But he’s still here in the form of his art, and he don’t get high no more–he levitates.

I’ve been anxious about writing something about Ease DaMan for a while now, because I’m afraid that I would never be able to do him justice.  I’ve put the lives of many people into words–from platinum selling, Grammy winning artists to Emmy winning actors–yet nothing I can put to paper (or to pixel) sounds brilliant enough to describe Ease.

If you knew Ease, you’d know he that he’s not easily put into words, because he’s not someone who’s easily defined by anything other than his free spirit.  He was a unique personality; a timeless innovator…so much so that KarmaloopTV has their interview with him labeled as a “classic.”  He did a lot of things in his short time here on Earth, from working with some of the hottest street wear brands in the game, like Мишка (“Miskha”) to rapping in an Elmo suit.  If it was spontaneous, ridiculous, wild, off the wall, and extravagant, Ease had a hand in it.

He was a self-proclaimed genius, but those of us who knew him–myself included–saw it in him as well.  In fact, one of the last things I ever said to him, just a few weeks before he passed, was that I acknowledged his genius, even when he didn’t.

Since it was his birthday just a few days ago, and everyone knows that legends never die, I wanted to take a moment and share some of his art–his music–with the world.  He was an artist in every sense of the word, and both he and his entire life were works of art, from what he chose to wear, to how he chose to express himself, and everything in between.  It got more than a little messy at times, but that’s art.  Sometimes it makes a mess, but sometimes that’s where the beauty is.  In the pieces.  In the whole.  All over the damn place, just like Ease.

Check out his video for one of my personal favorites from his archives:  ”Levitate.”

Rest in peace, Dito “Ease DaMan” Castillo.