New Kids On The Block Back Together??????!

This is the first thing I saw this morning after waking up and finding my TV on VH1! These guys are way too old for this, sorry. Hopefully NSYNC will get it together before they all turn 40.

Thanx for Nothing!

Thanx BET for yet another wack, low budget remake of an MTV series! Better yet, thanx for promoting the DVD before the series has even premired! I guess I'll be doing some more boycotting this summer.....

2001: Space Odyssey

Ok, so today I started my Intro to Cinema class. We were discussing various film and script terminology, and my professor made us watch a some scenes from 2001: Space Odyssey [originally released October 1968]. At first i thought it was super boring, I even dosed off for a minute, but when I awoke I realized that the film looked so familiar. First thing that pops in my mind, Kanye West [watch the first video and compare it to the second].

Kanye West! A true visionary! This man can have his 15 points back. I might even start listening to Soulja Boy [lie].

Kanye Sides with Soulja Boy??? Minus 15 points......

Kanye West recently voiced his opinion on the matters between old school rapper Ice-T and new school rapper Soulja Boy. For those who have been trapped in a cave over the past week, Ice-T through a few shots at Soulja Boy claiming that he single handedly “killed hip hop.”

Check out what Kanye West thinks about it:

"Soulja boy is fresh ass hell and is actually the true meaning of what hip hop is sposed to be. He came from the hood, made his own beats, made up a new saying, new sound and a new dance with one song. He had all of America rapping this summer. If that ain’t Hip Hop then what is? A bunch of wannabe keep it real rappers that ain’t even relevant, recycling samples trying to act like it’s 96 again and all they do is hate on new shit? Niggas always talk about the golden age but for a 13 year old kid, this is the golden age!!! That song was so dope cause everything he said had a hidden meaning… that’s Nas level shit… he just put it over some steel drums which is also some Nas shit if you had the 2nd album cassette with the bonus track “Silent Murder” on it. In closing… new niggas get ya money$$$$$$$$$$ Keep this shit fresh and original…. ain’t no fuckin’ rules to this shit and that’s what real hip hop is to me."

Damn 'Ye, I guess you about 87.2% cool after all [you was 100 before I read your statement].

Supra Fuel Collection

Most of the time I only report about the Supra footwear, but today I'm showing you some of their accessories out of the Fall '08 collection. The Fuel Series consists of a backpack, wallet and belt. It comes in both black and red and is made with a wrinkled patent leather.

Expect it to be in stores some time this summer.

Paper Magazine June/July Issue | Whose House? Pharrell's House

With their June/July issue, Paper Magazine once again presents a solid issue. The cover is this time decorated with Pharrell Williams. In the cover story they interview the producer/hip hop artist and they mainly talk about style, fashion, art and his interests. They also talk in detail about his new purple Hermès travel bag, which already appeared in the new Madonna video where he also took part.

Pick up the new issue. If you are only interested in the Pharrell article, then you can also read that online.

Lil Wayne is Officially a Super Star!

In case you missed it, Lil Wayne killed it this past Friday on MTV's FNMTV!. This man has definitely gained so much respect and notoriety over the past two years. I'm not even a major fan, but this set had me hype!

Ice-T's Response to Soulja Boy

Finally! Somebody said exactly what I was thinking! Ice-T was wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that Soulja Boy is straight up garbage!

Justice Remixed Nas??????

Ok, so who knew that Justice remixed God's Son and didn't bother to tell me???! Check my boy Xavier de Rosnay on the right! If I could get just half of this man's fashion sense!

Nas - Be a Ni**a Too

I must admit that some of this is a little uncomfortable to watch and hear, but Nas is a genius nonetheless. I guess sometimes you have to get knocked out of you comfort zone in order to see the truth through someone else's eyes. His "Untitled" album will be in stores July 15, 2008.

How the Lion King can Symbolize Slavery and it's Effects

Ok, so a couple of my friends and I were watching the Lion King last night, and about half way through the movie I realized how it can be applied to slavery and how it affected the black community. Follow me on this [assuming that you all saw the movie].....

Mufasa represents Africans and Simba represents African Americans. All was good in the beginning when Simba was set to take over the pride lands. It all started when Mufasa was murdered. Scar took the throne, the hiennahs invaded the land [the same way Africa was invaded], and Simba ran away and forgot his roots. Timone and Pumba represent the streets. Simba was now fatherless and got caught up in the streets and that made him lazy. Nala represents strong Black women. When she found Simba, she tried to talk some sense into him [as Black women often do to Black men].  After they started to fall in love Simba began to realize who he was. During the conversation with Rafiki [the bamboon who represents the older generation of African Americans], Simba was saying how his past was behind him, but Rafiki taught him that the past can still hurt. After Mufasa came to him through the clouds Simba went home [Africa] to take his place as king.

That's crazy, I know.....

Crooks 'n Castles Illuminati Collection

First pieces of the Crooks & Castles Illuminati Summer '08 collection have landed at Haven. The retailer got in t-shirts from the C&C high end collection, which targets a more mature consumer than their regular line.

Soulja Boy Responds to Ice-T

Damn! I agree with Ice-T, but he still shouldn't have came at Soulja Boy that way. Soulja Boy did make a good point when he said that Ice-T should be giving him pointers instead of dissing a 17 year old. But still, I HATE SOULJA BOY... He killed hip-hop, point blank!

Michelle Obama on The View

Can I please be the first to say that I might me a real Obama groupie!

Meagan is Lookin Good!

Meagan Good, the actress turned video vixen turned actress again, graces this month's cover of Complex magazine [my favorite].

In The Love Guru you play the wife of a hockey player. Were you able to relate?

I can relate in the sense that he left her. He left because of his feelings of inadequacy. He felt he wasn’t going to win the World Cup—

You mean the Stanley Cup?

Yes, the Stanley Cup. [Laughs.] That’s the one.

I take it you’re not a huge hockey fan.

Ehhh...I follow boxing a little bit.

Do you get frustrated when people forget about your previous acting and just peg you as a video vixen?

A lot of people ask me “How do you make the transition from video girl to actress?” It’s a little frustrating because I was acting before I did videos. But if somebody knows me as a video vixen, I’m not mad at that at all.

Is Hollywood taking you more seriously now?

Yeah. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s good. I feel like I paid my dues.

As far as movies go, what’s your take on nudity in films?

If it’s done artistically, and it’s necessary for the scene, that’s one thing. But when people show full on breasts and A-S-S, it’s just shock value.

Of course, some people really like A-S-S. But I guess that means you’re not looking to get back into videos.

As of right now, I don’t see myself doing a music video for a long time. I have offers but at this point in my life I don’t want people to only look at me as a sex kitten.

Well, you’ll be missed.

I don’t know, I’d consider being a back-up dancer in a Britney Spears video.

Really?! Britney now?

I hope and pray she gets it together. I love her. I would do anything. I’d be like “Gimme, gimme more!”

New Joint from the PussyCat Dolls

"When I Grow Up"

This exactly why Nicole's solo career flopped horribly; proof that five girls are sexier than one.....

Already Platinum

Congartulations Lil Wayne. 1,005,545 copises sold the first week! So much for those artist that claim their music is downloaded too much for them to sell anything. Besides Wayne, Eminem and 50 are the only hip hop artist to have sold a million in a week.

Nooka GID Watch For Kanye West

Only 15 of these were made for the Glow in the Dark tour. Most of which went to Kanye himself. I'll keep you all posted should they become available to the general public.....

Who Taught You to Hate Yourself?

Pump It? Or Dump It?

John Legend & Andre 3000 - "Green Light"

Ok, so here it is! A while back I gave you all a snippet, but here it is in full. Of course Andre killed it, but I really like the direction John is taking his music.

Another artist claims that Chris Stokes “bump bump bumped” him!

We all remember the Chris Stokes and B2K craziness earlier this year where the members of B2K claimed that Chris controlled their lives and finances, child molestation with Raz B and how he and his brother were probably paid off to retract their statements against Chris Stokes.
With that horrible memory now in place, another former artist under Chris Stokes has finally came out! His name is Quindon and this is what he told Vibe Magazine:

Looking back, he says he was “manipulated,” “cheated,” and “sabotaged” by Stokes. But according to Tarver, the damage to his career was just the beginning. “I have had some things that haunted me for quite some time,” he says, his voice in a whisper. “He is a very dirty, rotten guy.”
“For a certain amount of years, I was molested. I wouldn’t say exactly by Chris, but he would organize it.” Tarver stops speaking. It sounds like he’s hyperventilating. “He’d organize activities to be done as he sat and watched … Watching or coaching, if you will.
He would make another member of [Immature] like come and do things … Oh my God. Four years. It was rough.”
Tarver says Stokes made him take showers with the other boys. He says Stokes would ask him, “Who do you think of at night when you masturbate?” He says Stokes made him and Marques Houston kiss each other. “[I can take] a lie detector test, anything,” he says. “This is just a little bit of the things I went through.”
Quindon says his “crying days are over”. He has forgiven Stokes and Immature. “I’ve given it to God. He can take care of it better than anyone can. I think [Stokes] felt like he killed my name, killed my career, everything. But see, what God has for me is for me, and it ain’t nothing he can do about it. [Stokes] is not going to stay on top forever….God isn’t going to allow that”.

Jeez lueez! I don't even know what to say about this one......

Finally on DVD: The Boondocks Season ii

Chromeo Might be Cool.... I haven't Decided Yet.

So I've Been Reading Lately.....

“Goodbye Christ” by Langston Hughes

Listen, Christ,
You did alright in your day, I reckon—
But that day's gone now.
They ghosted you up a swell story, too,
Called it Bible—
But it's dead now,
The popes and the preachers've
Made too much money from it.
They've sold you to too many

Kings, generals, robbers, and killers—
Even to the Tzar and the Cossacks,
Even to Rockefeller's Church,
Even to THE SATURDAY EVENING POST.
You ain't no good no more.
They've pawned you
Till you've done wore out.

Goodbye,
Christ Jesus Lord God Jehova,
Beat it on away from here now.
Make way for a new guy with no religion at all—
A real guy named
Marx Communist Lenin Peasant Stalin Worker ME—

I said, ME!

Go ahead on now,
You're getting in the way of things, Lord.
And please take Saint Ghandi with you when you go,
And Saint Pope Pius,
And Saint Aimee McPherson,
And big black Saint Becton
Of the Consecrated Dime.
And step on the gas, Christ!
Move!

Don't be so slow about movin!
The world is mine from now on—
And nobody's gonna sell ME
To a king, or a general,
Or a millionaire.

Thought of the Day

Black = Beautiful
Thierry Le Goues

Air Yeezy

Lots of images continue to circulate the Internet about the mysterious Nike x Kanye West Air Yeezy. Now I came across the new tan colorway, which is definitely one of the nicest that I have seen so far. Via CtotheJL/The Shoe Game.

There is still no concrete details on a release, but be sure that I will keep you posted!

Fox News Calls Michelle Obama "Obama's Baby Mama"...

...and here is an e-mail I sent to Fox News:

In a recent news cast that aired on June 11, 2008, Fox News referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama's baby momma." I have such an issue with that. Not only does that title demote Michelle from wife to some "round the way girl", but that inadvertently creates an image of the Obama children as being illegitimate bastards. As a legitimate news service, I expect more from Fox News. Whoever conjured up that childish title needs to grow up. Over the past several months it has been clear that you people over at Fox have some unhappy and irrational disposition towards Barak Obama. Thats all fine, but Fox News to stop trying to discredit Obama with any means necessary and focus on the politics of his campaign.

We'll just have to wait and see what Fox News has to say about this one. In the meantime I'm choosing to boycott Fox News and the various Fox programs.

Rockers NYC

During their most recent Poster Art Exhibition in Japan, Rockers NYC participated in a Samurai Magazine photoshoot together with Swagger.

Don Cannon & Decatur Dan Present: Grill Out Mix

Download Here
Featuring the likes of Lloyd, Weezy, Jay-Z, B.o.B and Shwayze.

Second Son Summer '08 Collection

London-based brand Second Son (formerly Loki) was born in 2005 with the aim of bringing tight, original graphics and an English sense of humour to the bastions of streetwear in the UK and abroad. The label is sold in stores around the UK and Europe and they’ve now started to sell in the US too. The new collection is available now in stores such as Fresh Cotton, Glorias, FlatSpot, Division East and others.

Supra Skytop | Silver/Turquoise

A nice new Supra Skytop has arrived at Overkill. They got in a new silver/turquoise colorway. Almost the entire upper is covered in silver, otherwise they used turquoise nubuck and white perforated leather for the details. The lining features a white pattern.

W-T-F?!

This is no joke!

Wonderful

Its one thing to grow up with everyone claiming Stevie to be a genius, but its another to actually discover it for yourself. I just discovered it......

Coldplay Viva la Vida Album Review

Well, I must say, this is a pretty exciting album. I've had this on and off thing going with Coldplay since my early high school years. I remember my first time hearing "Yellow" off their debut and critically acclaimed Parachutes. It was one of the most lyrically amazing songs I had ever heard. Their follow up album A Rush of Blood to the Head was alright, and I kinda fell off the bandwagon around the third album X & Y. But, I believe again!
Their latest release is entitled Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, commonly shortened to just Viva la Vida, which means "Live the Life". The band began to work on their fourth studio album as early as December 2006, with Brian Eno as their producer. In addition, music producer Timberland was rumored to be collaborating. Coldplay took a break from recording and toured South American in early 2007 including shows in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. The band has revealed that the album seemed to be shaping up with Hispanic influences, after having recorded in churches and other areas in Latin America and Spain during their tour; after which they spent the rest of the year recording the new album, mainly with producer Brian Eno.

1. "Life in Technicolor" - Just an intro. No singing...

2. "Cemeteries of London" - The first song on the album starts us off with sort of a medieval folksong melody. I really like the piano ending.

3. "Lost!" - This is a very interesting song. This is one of the tracks that I can actually envision the band recording in a church. The pipe organs add a really nice melody. It reminds me of David Hasselhoff in is prime [in a good way lol]. This is not a typical Coldplay song.

4. "42" - "Those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head." 42 starts off with a slow melodic tune, then gracefully speeds up, then slows down.

5. "Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love" - Dare I say that "Lovers in Japan" is too happy; too bluegrass. Its too upbeat, and I have trouble listening to it. Sorry. "Reign of Love" is too soft. They could have cut this track all together.

6. "Yes" - Whoa.... Is Chris Martin singing in baritone?

7. "Viva la Vida" - Jeez! This is my shit! The music is so original, the lyrics are thought provoking, and the iTunes commercial is sick! It doesn't get better than this.

8. "Violet Hill" - More medieval melodies mix with the likes of The Rolling Stones.

9. "Strawberry Swing" - This one is a little country, but I'm still tapping my feet.

10. "Death and All His Friends" - Quite possible the darkest title of any previous Coldplay song [and album].

Overall this is a stellar album. Even the album cover [La Liberté guidant le peuple by French painter Eugène Delacroix, 1830] reeks of style and energy. I predict that this album will practically fly off the shelf when it is released June 17, 2008.

Converse x N.E.R.D. x Santogold x Julian Casablancas | "My Drive Thru"

Converse announced today that it had brought together the talents of Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D., Santogold and Julian Casablancas as part of the brand’s Century celebration. The artists recently joined forces to create a brand new, all original music track, “My Drive Thru,” that will be distributed digitally free of charge to a global audience exclusively on converse.com and authorized Converse web sites around the world. The track will be released on Tuesday, June 10.

In addition to collaborating on the track, the artists also participated in the creation of a music video that will be released during the summer. The song will be promoted, in part through Converse print, outdoor and online advertising tagged Three Artists, One Song. The advertising features the three artists as well as a range of emerging musical talent from across the globe, including MGMT, Bradford Cox of Deerhunter and Atlas Sound, YACHT, Kid Sister, Eleanor Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces, Frank Carter of Gallows; Does It Offend You, Yeah?, and Sophie of Care Bears on Fire.

Who's the Master????! lol

Lmao! I'm about to watch this in a minute....

Nat Van Dyke Artist Toy

Nate Van Dyke is the first of the new artists to debut in the next range of the Upper
Playground / Fifty24SF / Doublepunch / Ningyoushi toy collection. Nate's Bank Robbing Chimp is a little deviant (and Criminal), and had its coming out party via InkedMagazine. (via Darkside Initiative).

N.E.R.D. "Seeing Sounds" T-Shirt By Colette

For the release of the new "Seeing Sounds" album by NERD, Colette will be releasing this t-shirt. The first 50 people to purchase the album from Colette will get the t-shirt for free. Via LaMJC.

Flashback Video

Dirty Vegas - "Days Go By"

Coldplay

Go straight to the media player.
I'm sooo gonna do an album review tomorrow!

Onitsuka Tiger S/S '08 Limited Editions

Onitsuka Tiger released a series of limited edition sneakers soon. The line-upincludes the Sinotore, Saiko Runner MT and the Fabre 74. All three come in vibrant colors with lots of details.

Solebox has them in stock now.

N*E*R*D Seeing Sounds Album Review

Man, I've been a fan of N*E*R*D for a while now. The first album, In Search of...., got me through high school. I really connected with that one. The last album, Fly or Die, was an introduction to a different genre of rock that I never listened to before. I would like to think that it sparked an interest that made me want divulge myself into every type of music I could get my hands on. I've been waiting for this new album to drop for four years now. No matter how much I like these guys, I'm still going to give an objective review.

1. "Time for Some Action" - This song starts off with an interlude with Pharrell describing his first time seeing sounds when he was seven. Cool beans.... This is a mellow song with a crazy hook.

2. "Everyone Nose"

3. "Windows" - First off it sounds like a song from the Rolling Stones era. In fact, this song could have been on the last album. The percussions in the hook are so catchy.

4. "Anti Matter" - I really don't know what to say about this one. Its alright.....

5. "Spaz" - In one of my previous posts I said that this was better performed live, and that it lacks a certain energy. Well, its growing on me, but they still could have used live instruments to record this track. By this point in the album I'm still looking for the "amazingness" that I've been waiting for.

6. "Yea You" - THE AMAZINGNESS!!! This is a nice jazzy track.

7. "Sooner or Later" - Starts off slow, but picks up eventually. It gets very classic rock towards the end. I like it. This is a solid track.

8. "Happy" - Sounds like something Avril Lavigne would do.

9. "Kill Joy" - Sounds like some dance rock from the 70s.

10. "Love Bomb" - More amazingness.

11. "You Know What" - More dance rock. This one kinda reminds me of the music on Kenna's album Make Sure They See My Face.

12. "Laugh About It" - This is somewhat of a cliche way to end an album. Its like "Ha ha ha ha. Lets reminisce on all the crazy things we've been through."

It hurts to say this [especially since I have the N*E*R*D logo tattooed on my wrist], but I'm mildly disappointed with this album. I remember in a article a while back Pharrell was saying how he wanted to get back to the chaotic sound from the first album, I don't think they succeeded. Seeing Sounds is more or less a continuation of N*E*R*D's last album, Fly or Die. This album doesn't even have any hidden tracks on it. I'm still gonna buy this on Tuesday when it drops only because I feel obligated [especially since I have the N*E*R*D logo tattooed on my wrist!!!!]. Seeing Sounds in stores this Tuesday June 10, 2008.

Pump It? Or Dump It?

Ciara - "Supernatural"

A snippet of this track leaked back in April. But now you can check out Ciara’s soon to be released first official single called “Supernatural” off her upcoming album Fantasy Ride.

N*E*R*D on Jay Leno

This One Actually Dropped Yesterday....

Mickey Factz - "The 6 Letter World"
Download Here

Another great hump day.....

This is How I Feel Right Now......

New Joint from Lloyd

"Girls Around the World" is the new single from Lessons in Love, the third studio album by Lloyd. It is scheduled for release on July 22, 2008. Lloyd stated that he would be writing and producing on this album. Ludacris, Fabolous, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Danah Lewis, Rocko, and Lil Wayne are stated to be confirmed guests on the album. Is it safe to say that Hype Williams out-did himself???!

New Solange

Solange Knowles’s music video for “I Decided”,has finally debuted. The track is the first single from the singer’s upcoming ‘Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams’ album. The Cd is schedule for an August 26 release. I really don't think this is a bad song, I just hate the fact that her voice sounds so coarse. I don't remember it being like that before.

Parisian Gunflower

Spotted on the streets of Paris, is a vivid graffiti piece appropriately titled “Nature’s Revenge”. The artist, who is unknown, has designed a fully bloomed flower with guns as the petals. Maybe this is what the world is coming to. Maybe all these heat waves, earthquakes, and hurricanes are nature's way of fighting back.

N*E*R*D Seeing Sounds Tee

This Saturday, June 7, the BBC Ice Cream New York flagship store is the place to be if you are a fan of N.E.R.D. To celebrate their new album, The Billionaire Boys is releasing a tee that shows the members of N.E.R.D flying in space. Limited quantities will be available, so you best be there early.

Flashback Video

Kanye West - "Heard 'em Say" Ft. John Legend

Nike Vandal High Supreme EX. "Metal Pack"

A lot of hype has already built up on the Metal Pack by Nike on the internet in the past months. The Vandal High Supreme EX. out of the pack will be released at Atmos on June 14th. Good thing the pack is actually not limited and part of the regular Nike Fall '08 collection, cause I'm drooling over here lol.