This week we’re back in the Confessional featuring 21-year-old photographer, Texas Toussaint-Baptise, aka That Kid Texas!
As part of The New Pop, Texas has most likely been to more parties that any of us in the last year, documenting the New York party scene as well as some miscellaneous special occasions. Equipped with her 5D camera and often cruising around on her bike, this chick stays busy. Thankfully, she took some time last week to answer some questions for us.
Name and Age, please:
Texas Malika Toussaint-Baptise / 22 years old
Marital status:
Healthy ongoing marriage with my 5D/Photography
Where are you originally from?
East New York, Brooklyn
How long have you lived in New York?
22 years and counting
What neighborhood in NY do you live in?
The maroon societies of NYC.
What are your favorite memories of New York since living here?
Stealing hot cheese popcorn from the bodegas, riding my bike around for hours without any destination (I still do this), opening up the fire hydrants, double dutch, lunchables at lunch time, spiderman lunch boxes, giving this girl (when I was younger) I had a crush on ring pops so she could spend the rest of the afternoon with me in the park, getting into fights and not winning. Haha
How long have you been taking photos and how did you get started?
I started out with film in 2004. Went to college a little bit for Black and White Film and dropped out. I’ve been shooting digital for a year and eight months, though.
What was your first camera?
Film Camera: Nikon FM 10
Digital: Canon Rebel XT
You’re part of downtown New York’s most visible party photo crew, The New Pop, how did you link with Tone, Trevz, and the rest of the crew?
I knew Tone off of myspace and liked his work. I later met him and TrevZ at an FPC party (which was basically the first party I shot within this scene) and from then on – we clicked. Started bumping into each other a lot, and then I hopped on board. It was pretty much destiny.
What kind of assignments do you get as part of The New Pop?
Well, every time I shoot I’m doing something for the New Pop. Even if I don’t receive the gig through TNP, I still feel as if the content I put out independently unites with TNP. We all have a common purpose when it comes to the art we put out into NYC/The World. As far as assignments, if someone contacts us about covering anything – sometimes we all come through and just do the job together. If one of us is unavailable, then the other takes that person’s place.
What’s been your most outrageous photo shoot or event?
I’d have to say DANGER Parties. The first one we (The New Pop) covered was New Years Eve and it was the most interesting wildest party I ever experienced. Then, they teamed up with Mean Red Productions and Good Peoples (Shout out to Jen Lyon & Katie Longmyer!) and had another one this past Saturday (Dubai) . One thing, I do enjoy about danger parties is people actually dance at them.. They run from 10pm to 10am, and the party is usually still going on at 8am.. The DJ’s are amazing, and its overall a very beautiful and fun vibe. It’s pretty wack that people do not dance at parties anymore. They just stand around, with their drink in their hand, and stare at each other. That’s some shit you can do at home!
One event that was hella outrageous I must say (although, I did not shoot it) was this past Wednesday thrown by La-Mae (First Lady of TASTE NYC) — LICK. Joi killed it!
What’s the best part about your job?
The people I’ve met so far. Trevz, Tone, Katie Longmyer, The Agytators, iO (overspray magazine), Melo-X, and some others. I’ve definitely met some solid people in this cold industry. I’m sure I’ll meet a couple more.
I also love connecting with people and documenting an exciting moment within their life. I also began to notice how much I do affect people, and how my energy bounces off of them.
More Importantly, though. I’ve met some dope young hardworking women. It’s really hard being a female and young in this game. People tend to underestimate you a lot. I also find myself connecting with them on a different level as far as our careers go. It’s hard talking to someone who is twice your age about how broke you are, and how much you are struggling. I’m not any way implying that people who are much older than me aren’t struggling financially, etc. it’s just a totally different experience - A lot of frustrations and a lot of hurdles. So, it’s nice to sit down and let loose your annoyances and having someone know where you are coming from a hundred percent. And, a lot of people lately have been saying “blah blah blah all these women are coming together blah blah blah they are excluding dudes blah blah blah” no. shut the fuck up! We are supporting each other, and I see nothing wrong with that.
Name one person you’d love to photograph, dead or alive.
One is hard.. Can we say five? Haha.
Thom Yorke (Radiohead)
Prince
Bad Brains
Paulo Coelho
Broken Social Scene
Can you tell us about any other things you’ve got on your horizon?
I’m going to travel at the end of the year / beginning of next year – and reside for a little bit in Guyana and Venezuela (hopefully with my homeboy, Yego, from 21MC), in order to gain cultural influence and a peace of mind. I also want to go back to New Orleans. I will also be documenting out there as well. For those who do not know, that is my passion. Photojournalism/Documentary Photography.
NYC gets a little bit too claustrophobic at times, and we tend to forget that there is a different world outside of this wonderful city. I look forward to experiencing the outside world.
Also looking forward to expanding on my “I am King/Women are the new Kings” series.
As far as life, I’m looking to find romance/love =) Not the fake shit, though.
Got any favorite clothing brands? Stores?
21MC (Twenty First Century Maroon Colony), first and foremost, they are my family and what they are accomplishing with their clothing line goes way over some people’s heads. A.L.I.E.N, Sikenomics, By Hand Clothing, ALIFE, IHMDJ, Peg Leg, etc.
Got a long term plan?
My long term plan is to continue to do my thing, grow, be myself, work hard, love hard, dislike hard, be inspired, and be content with the person that I am.
Do you have much free time, and what do you do when you’re not working?
I don’t have much free time, however, when I shockingly have nothing to do – I read a lot. I’m currently reading The Black Jacobins (Toussaint L’ Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution) by C.L.R. James, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Dreams From My Father by Barack “The Man” Obama, and a truck load of others. I hang out with my good friends, the ones who don’t see me as often as everyone else does because I’m always working. Bike riding. Digging for new and weird music. And, I currently got back into reading comic books! For those of you who don’t feel inspired as much, go back to the things you loved doing when you were younger, you’ll feel rejuvenated and creative all over again.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is King.
What’s your prized possession?
5D and my life.
Where do you like to shop?
I usually shop online (digital gravel), or I wear the same thing that I use to wear when I was 18 since I can still fit into them. When I do have money and time to shop though, I usually go to ALIFE or thrift shops. American Apparel for skinny jeans. I like to keep it simple.
Do you go out much? Got any favorite bars, lounges, and clubs?
Jesus, all the time! To be honest, I’m bored of clubs. However, for looks.. it would have to be 205, since I like their whole Andy Warhol theme and the lighting set up is pretty dope. Other than that, I’m a huge fan of lofts. Huge Lofts. The best club of all time was CBGB. R.I.P.
Please name your top 3 fave restaurants in NY and what your favorite dish(es) is/are there.
Veganism, here we go:
Red Bamboo (Buffalo BBQ Wings, BBQ Steak Hero, Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake)
En Japanese Brasserie (Tofu + Avocado Rolls)
Dante Fried Chicken (Everything)
What music have you been listening to lately?
Astrobrite, Abcents, Mikey Factz, Theophilus London, Jesse Boykins III, Eternia, El Guincho, A Silver Mount Zion, Slum Village, Turning Point, Under Byen, Volcano, xLooking Forwardx, Bad Brains, Gorilla Biscuits, The Mae Shi, Radiohead (always), xKingdomx, The Paper Chase, Peanut Butter Wolf, J Dilla, Dizzee Rascal, J*Davey, The Four Tops
Ok, I’ll stop there. Too much!
What’s your most recent discovery/exploration in New York?
Negative Space. Things seem so claustrophobic in NYC sometimes that I forget that negative space exists. Also, abandoned buildings. That’s my recent discovery.
Do you plan on living in NY forever?
Not forever, I plan on moving around a little bit. I may end up dying here, though. It’s possible. No matter how much this city is changing, I still call it home. Put up as many lofts as you like, the real new Yorkers will always stand out. We got that PMA.
If you smoke, tell us your favorite rolling paper. If you drink, tell us your cocktail/drink of choice.
Dutchmasters / Red Bull and Vodka
Name one New York woman that you would nominate to our Hail Mary! list.
Jen Lyon from Mean Red Productions and iO from Overspray Magazine
Visit www.thatkidtexas.com and www.thenewpop.com for more.

