Today was an especially beautiful day at work and I had my camera handy so I figured I'd take some pictures. For those of you who don't know, I'm a porter at West Broad Honda. I drive the cars wherever they need to go. Usually, that's just back into the lot or a mechanic's lift bay, but I've had to drive across town to get some customer home or to work on occasion. Anyway, today was the most beautiful weather so we had the service lane doors and shop door open.
This is Ian on the phone with a customer, Chris behind him, and some customer at the Parts window.
This girl was a customer today. She had two dogs with her. A really big one and a really small one. She was pretty friendly.
This is the garage and some techs walking out back. I think someone was wrecking something or setting something on fire. You know. The usual.
My friend Daylon helped me work on my car a bit. Some routine maintenance. I don't know why I bother. She's a piece of shit. Haha.
This is the video from the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards Freestyle Cypher. The feature begins with the newer emcees of the group, like Nicki Minaj, and then gradually works it's way up into the Gods of freestyling, Mos Def and Eminem, all over live Premier beats. Even Wale and KRS-One make cameos. By the time you finish the video, you can't help but stand there open-mouthed for a minute trying to get your mind around some of the later verses. Of all the shit coming out of BET these days, it's features like these that redeem them.
Graffiti supplier KRINK teams up with the Japanese Levi's branch to put out a collab collection for the season. The line includes the KRINK x Levi’s KRINK 505, the KRINK x Levi’s KRINK JKT, the “Drip” KRINK Sweat Parka, the KRINK Raglan Tee “K-60″ and the KRINK Tee “K-60″. Honestly, I love that a graf company can work with an apparel designer like this. Those hoodies look bomb.
One who imerses themselves in the world of hip-hop has definetely more than once or twice passed over tracks with artists who preach about "slangin' this and that" or "using the Pyrex" or "praying over the stove", etc. On said tracks, artists recount tales of their earlier days before they put pen to paper and were instead putting razor blade through something whiter than printer paper. Cut it up real nice, bag it, sell it, profit. So the process goes. Crack music.
In no aspect am I dissing this profession. To me, it's a legit job just like being a dentist, teacher, CEO, or postman. What's the difference? They aren't recognized for it because that's "bad for business", although they still provide a service to the community. Right? Right. Do I glorify the lifestyle? Sure. Do what you have to do to survive.
Where am I going with this? A few years back, a local duo out of the Virginia Beach area dropped an album that was endorsed by major names such as Pharrell and Timbaland. What were they rapping about? Selling crack. Malice and Pusha-T bring an aspect to the game that most other artists only write about. They've been on the other side of the pen. Pushing weight, standing out on corners, long nights strapped with the chrome and looking through peepholes to make sure the 5-0 isn't going to "kick in the door, wavin' the .44." Let's be honest, most rappers only dream of living what they write. Clipse, they live it. And despite the millions of dollars coming in, the fast cars, the lovely ladies, and appearances in the fanciest of venues, they stick to what they know. That's the golden rule of writing rhymes, ladies and gentlemen.
What can the average rapper learn from this duo?Lord Willin', Hell Hath No Fury, and 'Till The Casket Drops (slated for a December 8th release) are pretty good starting places to learn from. Not just because their lyricism is on point, or because either one of the brothers could massacre you on the mic. . .but because their music . . . is, for lack of a better word. Crack.
Of all the great things that have come out of the 2009-2010 school year of the senior class at Maggie L. Walker Governors School for Government and International Studies, the Grill Club has to be the most memorable so far. For those of you who don't know what the Grill Club is, or even that it existed... good. While it lasted, it was a secret society. A secret society of lovers of fine dining. Connoisseurs of taste and palette, unsatisfied with the meager daily provisions of the school cafeteria, or even bagged lunch. Brave students willing to sacrifice their own time, money and efforts to provide for a more wholesome, filling meal. THIS was the Grill Club.
The entire premise of the Grill Club was to use the school's gas grill, which is only used two or three times a year at pep rallies, to cook fine meats for the members (who will go unnamed) of the club to enjoy. Knowing full and well that this operation would be unsustainable for more than 8 or so people, the founders decided to keep its existence a secret and to limit membership to a hand-picked few. So, with their ranks filled and stomachs empty, the Grill Club set their sights on their first mission: steak. And after the necessary administrative permissions had been granted and the raw meats attained, on the 22nd of October, 2009, in the school courtyard, they grilled.
1-inch thick slabs of fine beef sprinkled with homemade seasoning and flavored with just a dab of soy sauce cooked for four minutes at about 650°F. Lunch was served, and they feasted. It seemed as though the entire operation had been a success, but the celebration had begun too soon. Almost as quickly as the last steak had hit the iron grate, a single, disgruntled member of the administration was on the scene. It seemed as though he were the only representative of the faculty against the club, but his imposed say on the matter was enough. On charges of illegal vending and improper methods of approval, the Grill Club was officially disbanded. On both its first and last grill day, it came to its end. With a look of defiant submission in his eyes, the president and grillmaster of the club dragged the gas grill back to its storage room to be left undeservedly idle for countless months until its inevitable calling to be used to cook such low plates as burgers or hot dogs at the next pep rally. A demoralizingly quick end to a beautiful thing.
Or was it? As we know, the club had been officially disbanded, but if it had never actually been officially approved to assemble in the first place, yet achieved so much, could clerical closure truly bring about its end? We may never find an answer, but some believers say that its members were too dedicated, too rebellious, too hungry for it to be over. Some say that somehow, someway, out of the sight of administrative eyes, the Grill Club lives on, and that G-Day was only the first of many meals to come. Some believe that in secret, those valiant few dine on.
For being such a goofy looking guy, this kid's got a surprisingly nice flow. He knows his way around words and rhyme, and he's got more similes to drop than Shakespeare, but it seems like not a lot of people outside of the Brooklyn area have heard of him. Well here he is: Emilio Rojas, emcee. He's worked with IllMind and MPhazes, he's got an album produced by DJ Green Lantern just around the block, and if you ask me, he's gonna hit pretty soon. Keep an eye out.
By the way, this single off the new album, Bold and Arrogant (you might remember it from the 10.DEEP Fall Collection vid), is pretty bomb ish.
This week marks the delivery of The Hundreds Footware Holiday ‘09 collection, which includes three sneaker styles, freshly produced in winter-appropriate fabrication. The Johnson Mid-Top is re-imagined in nubuck leather, the Johnson Low-Top makes a comeback with a suede leather upper, and the Valenzuela Low-Top features buckskin rawhide leather construction. Each model is available in three new color combinations this season. Available this Thursday at the THLA and THSF stores.
For those of you who've been living under a rock for the past two or three years, DC rapper Wale Folarin's been putting his city on the map. He's been in the game for quite some time, but ever since the enormous success of the 10 Deep collaboration mixtape, "The Mixtape About Nothing", he's been in the limelight. So.....are there other guys like him, or is DC's well dry?
Well, that bitch's bout as wet as a white girl at a Jonas Brother's concert.
The 1000 Grand Music Group, DC based, brings us this mixtape, "Wale Vs Prime City: Unconscious". It highlights the pauper-turned-prince Wale and the underground street legend, Prime City. While the Wale tracks highlight some of his best songs and featuring big hip-hop names, PC's are made the grimey mixtape way: put on a beat, spit, invite some people from the block.
So who won?
Wale, in my opinion, won the title of the Ambassador of the Capital, but Prime City isn't far behind in any way, shape, or form. Definitely not to be joked with, Prime City speaks with intellect, street-smart, spittin fire over heavy beats full of hi-top. If Young Jeezy or Cassidy was mixed with Wale, you'd get Prime City. Definitely check this out.
PC Favorites: Mr. Ringtone Rapper, 1000 Grand Shootas, Rockin Wit The Best Wale: you should already know this cat by now, but, lol, 5 Minutes, Tito Santana, The Kramer
While (fruitlessly) looking through the internets for a piano tab for Yesterday by Atmosphere (I'm no expert pianist, but that song makes me want to get my 88-keys on.), I stumbled on a release by Atmosphere that I had apparently missed, titled Leak At Well. Having Leak in the title, I assumed it was tantamount to last year's superb 'Strictly Leakage', which was followed by 'When Life Gives You Lemons', my album of the year for 2008. I can only hope that Atmosphere follow this one up with an equally great album.
So I have never ridden BMX nor do I really follow the sport at all. But, I am never one to hate on an extreme sport that is done properly, I mean hell I've seen kids tear it up on razor scooters and have been impressed. Anyways, while reading one of my fixed gear blogs today I stumbled upon this preview for a new BMX video, figured I would share it because the riding is pretty impressive. Not to mention there are some gnarly falls. Enjoy.
...not! Check out these hideous new ACG Blazer Mids from Nike:
I kind of like the skeleton graphic; however, the shoe in general is just ugly in my opinion. Personally, I am not really a fan of ACGs or Blazers in general, so I guess I may be prejudiced to dislike this combination. But really, does anyone like these,? They look like those ugly rain boots all the girls wear, just with laces.
This album is over a year old, but after listening to it again I've realized that it MUST be re-upped on my blog for anyone who slept on it. The gist of the entire project is to throw classic golden-age hip hop vocals over Al Green-sampled beats.
Rickey Kim and Levi Maestro have joined forces to produce a new video profiling project called The Process. This first episode is on Eddie Cruz, co-owner of Undefeated, Stüssy LA, and Supreme LA. It's not an interview so much as a video with a somewhat related narrative, an odd idea that seems to have turned out very well.
I think I'm going to write something about what I think about the state of today's sneaker game sometime soon. I've been doing a lot of reading on it. I think I want to say something about it.
Next Thursday, I'll be taking an Amtrak to New Haven, Connecticut with my seminar class for the weekend to study the architecture of the area. To document this, my father lent me his Canon EOS 300D.
I always love it when a talented DJ finds his place in the music world, and that place for DJ A-Trak is disco. Though most people only know him as Kanye West's tour DJ, A-Trak his so much more than just another sound guy for an emcee.
Lupe goes in over a sped-up sample of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" with a lo-fi voice filter on this new track. It's completely unlike anything of Lupe's I've heard before. His lyricism and rhymes are on point, as always, but the entire feel of the song is a complete departure from the usual. It's very uptempo and sample heavy for a Lupe track. In fact, almost every aspect of the production of the song seems to have come from the original Jimi Hendrix sample, albeit with minor drum hits thrown in (though no where near the typical amount). If it weren't for Lupe's rapping, the instrumental would be a full-fledged rock song, though this new feel is in no way a bad thing and actually gives it a very unique feel. If this is what he's leaking that he DOESN'T plan on putting in Lasers (his upcoming third album), it kind of makes you wonder what other experiments he's got going on behind those studio walls. Download after the jump. From TheSmokingSection.
For anyone who paid attention to this year's MTV's Hottest MCs of 2009 list, you probably already realize how trivial, uninformed, and frankly self-deluded the judges and their arguments were. You may also have realized that Eminem was left completely off the list this year. Jay-Z was pissed too. In fact, he wrote this email to MTV to call them out on it himself. I'll let Hov get you up on the details. MTV, Thanx for this nod of appreciation. Although I don’t strive to be ‘hot’ for any particular year, I thank you for the acknowledgment. My whole goal is to be recognized as the best ever. I created the term ‘best rapper alive’ as a sign of respect to my fallen comrades (Biggie and Tupac). I believe I’ve allowed a significant grace period, and I believe I would not be respecting myself if being the absolute best was not my goal, and that’s why I continue to push myself until exhaustion … salute.
Sidebar: Kanye moment if I may … Eminem?!?! I think you do the credibility of this list a disservice if you don’t thoroughly explain his omission. As of this second he has the highest selling rap album of the year and a scene stealing verse on the best ‘posse’ cut of the year . (*Hands mic back to Taylor Swift … and nobody was harmed, I apologize in advance.)
Em is killing sales this year even with the economy his back AND doing incredible work through features and collabs to boot (you remember how he ran shit on Drake's Forever). Sometimes I wonder why I even bother staying up on whatever mess MTV's making of themselves these days.
A recent article in the New York Times outlined new legislation passed that will require all bloggers who review commercial products to disclose any material relationships with the companies whose products they review. This means that they would have to publicly release any information regarding any money, free products, or discounts given to them by these companies, which may influence their criticisms of said products.
For the first time in, well, ever, DC Shoes has grabbed my attention. Up until now, I had them pegged as just another (if not THE) fat-ass, ugly skate shoe camp along with Element, Osiris, and the like.
A somewhat liberal take on the great Russian classical writer Gogol's story, The Nose. Or at least begins like it. Pharrell loses his ear and mind-numbing trippyness ensues. What's interesting is that The EarBridge is actually part of a public project proposal for Baku, Azerbaijan that includes a number of important international contemporary artists. Not really sure how that's going to work out, but if it's possible, all power to them. The Ear features Pharrell Williams, music by Ennio Morricone, and costumes by Rick Owens and BBC/Ice Cream. From Hypebeast.
These are the new Vaider Holiday 2009 editions by Supra. The new colorways include canvas black/black, perforated leather/suede black/grey/blue, perforated leather/suede black/red/white, and perforated leather/suede black/white. Available through Factory 413. I'm actually very happy with these new colorways, especially the black/grey/blue, which is reminiscent of the blue mesh Vaiders (probably my favorite Supra release to date). These colorways are bold and contrasting in comparison to most other seasonal releases, yet still grounded enough in base tones that they won't clash with your other winter/fall wardrobe materiel. In fact, they'll probably become the subtle highlight of whatever outfit you choose to wear with them, as they very well should be. From Hypebeast.
This is the new video to the track "Life is Better" off of Q-Tip's latest album, The Renaissance. It can't be said enough, The Renaissance was one of the best albums of 2008, and definitely up there in Q-Tip's own works. This track also happens to be one of my favorites of the record. I started crying when I got through Q-Tip's verse. No joke.
[Let me begin by congratulating Erik on his 100th post, and let me set off the next 100 with my first real post for this blog.]
Today, while listening to The Pharcyde, one of my personal favorite groups, I began to wonder, 'What makes the Pharcyde so unique from so many other hip-hop acts?' Question heavy on my mind, I began intently studying their music in the style of a true music student. However, the Pharcyde's recipe for success is actually deceptively simple, and I've come up with 5 main lessons that all rappers can take from those 4 Cali boys.
#1: Why so serious?
Pick up just about any independent rapper's latest effort, and chances are you'll hear a number of songs complaining about the state of hip-hop, painting themselves as hip-hop's saviors, talking about how much better they are than their peers, painting bleak narratives, and rhyming so many syllables that the message becomes muddled. And when putting this together in a general formula, I noticed a major absence of one thing: Fun. The Pharcyde weren't afraid to have fun on a record. Whether it ridiculous narratives, demonstrated on 4 Better or 4 Worse (Fatlip's phone stalking is priceless), or straight up telling momma jokes on Ya Mama, the Pharcyde were never afraid to show out and clown around a little. The Pharcyde even managed to put a humorous spin on police encounters in Officer. If today's rappers would just lighten up a little, put aside pretentiousness and pompousness every so often, and just have some fun, then 90% of underground rap would be more listenable.
#2: The love song doesn't always have to suck.
I don't always hate the love song. However, the majority of the time, the love song tends to be one of the...lesser played songs on the album for me. Yet Passin' Me By is one of my favorite, if not my favorite song of all time. Why is that? Because The Pharcyde take a different approach to the unrequitted love song. The song doesn't feel like complaining, but rather it paints a narrative that anyone can relate to, weaves in bits of wit, and has one of the most catchy choruses of all time. Therefore, when I listen to the song, I don't wind up feeling sorry for the rapper in an awkward manner, but instead I can actually relate and enjoy the upbeat sarcasm as an answer to the general downbeat connotations of the subject. Similarly, on She Said, it doesn't feel like hollow crooning towards the ladies, but rather a portrait of the interaction between men and women. So many rappers are guilty of creating the hollow love song just because they feel obligated to have one on their album, but The Pharcyde have proven that it can be one of the highlights of the album.
#3: Work with J-Swift
Seriously, if anybody happens to do their grocery shopping on the west coast and happens to run into this guy, give him my e-mail and tell him I'd be willing to buy his beats. Also, tell him that crack is wack. Seriously, why didn't more rappers work with this guy? Everything he touched on 'Bizzare Ride...' was like platinum-coated gold. And this is coming from an east coast boom-bap purist. He's that good. Too bad he got into crack. Maybe I'll do him the favor of watching his new documentary.
#4: Have a distinctive personality.
Rappers are becoming like RnB singers in that I can't tell them apart anymore. At all. Underground rapper x sounds no different from underground rapper y to me anymore. I may just be jaded, but listening to the Pharcyde, every one of them has a distinctive personality. Whether it be Tre's singsong flow, Fatlip's baritone wit, Imani's astute observation, or Bootie Brown's comical, high pitched voices, every member of the Pharcyde is different, and yet they all complement each other so well. They're not afraid to be themselves, individuals. I never listen to a Pharcyde song and wonder who it was that was rapping just now, and I have that problem with all too many modern groups, and even too many groups of the time.
"Like my man Benny Rat showed me the rap game Told me never to act sane on a record or rap plain" -Pharoahe Monch
#5: Never let an RnB singer do a rapper's job.
All too often, rappers take the cop-out option of letting an RnB singer handle the hook, when this really does not add anything to the album. I remember listening to Food and Liquor and liking the tracks that Lupe sung the hook on better than any of the tracks that had generic RnB singer after generic RnB singer doing them. One of my favorite things about The Pharcyde's music is the hooks. None of them were exceptional singers, but the off-key hilarity of the choruses in songs like Passin' Me By, or the the catchy, low key hooks in songs like Y? are the type that I love. Creative, catchy, and don't need an RnB chick or autotune. Brilliant simplicity.
And I finish with two of my favorite Pharcyde songs. Till next time.
Yes, those are real dollar bills. In his first ever London showing, New York tattoo artist Scott Campbell debuted his "Always Almost There" exhibition. This collection features stacks of single dollar bills laser-etched in his signature tattooing style to create three-dimensional art. I personally find some of the things this guy can do with an etcher incredible and breathtaking, and the symbolism of his medium greatly emphasizes some of the messages his art sends. Or he just thought cutting up money would be cool. Either way, I think you'll enjoy these. More pics at the jump. From Hypebeast.
The new Terry Kennedy Supra Society for the Holiday 2009 lineup. Features grain leather upper and black x faded blue colorway. $136 through Factory 413. From Hypebeast.
As an amateur rapper/sneakerhead/hypebeast, I'm really, REALLY losing respect for many of my so-called peers.
But Jim Jones is one in a million. I invite you all to not like him. At all.
Asides from his attempts at rapping, he also bragged on Twitter last summer about the 46 pairs of Nikes and Jordans that he bought.
Coming from the man who made "BALLIN" one of hip-hop's most coined phrases, this is despicable.
Let's give him a LITTLE credit though, his stash pros include: Nike Air Structure Triax '91 (turquoise, white, pink, he wears them badly however) Black/University Blue Jordan 12s Miami Edition Air Max 95s Two pairs of Griffins and Pippens
But honestly. As rich as he is, he's buying kid's shoes (air force ones, not even the good kind), running shoes (with the springs in the back), and CLEATS?
Maybe it's just me, but he's starting to step his kick game to that of a 45 year old white guy at a country club.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel that, as a huge fan of sneakers, that this nigga (it's ryan, not erik) is the worst sneaker collector alive.
(Erik here, I'ma supplement Ryan's post with the vid of the actual Complex mag interview)
Haha. Adidas "shell tops"? "I understand sneakers" my ass.
Okay, so let's be honest: it is cool to hate the police. I mean hell, I'm white as paper, but once I heard N.W.A.'s mega-hit I got behind it. But did I really hate the police? Not really. I mean what did I know about gang-banging and police brutality, I was just angry that my boys were getting busted for skating in the suburbs.
However, growing up it seems most people learn that a lot of cops really do suck. I would imagine for some it's only natural to abuse the power they come into once they earn that badge, but some of it is complete bullshit. I am sure I'm not the only one who's seen the blue lights and siren blow up and then conveniently turn off once the red lights been passed. Not to mention the countless stories I have heard about NYPD harassing/ticketing cyclists for rolling over like 1 foot of sidewalk.
Anyways, for the most part any encounter with a cop is based on the personality of the cop you encounter. They sometimes even use there head to understand other people instead of mindlessly writing tickets. But then you have the real egotistical pricks: the cops that think the only way crime is solved is from them flexing their own muscle and screwing you over.
Well after not having a real problem with the police, even after reading about how they have wronged so many people, I have had an encounter that has pissed me off enough to stereotype them into general assholes. A little less than a month ago I was ticketed for going the wrong way down a one way on a bike. I knew the law, but I was on a college campus and had seen countless people do the same thing directly infront of cops and not even get a bad look. I just figured I'd cut through the 100 feet of one way road to get to my dorm quicker. Wrong. So here I am getting a ticket from the cop and all he has to say to me is "Hey don't worry about it, your not the first person I've ticketed today."
Question, what the hell does that matter? All your telling me is that you've ticketed other people who probably did not even know the law instead of letting them know the law. Just being a pain instead of helping the community.
Another thing that just doesn't make sense: because how the law is written this ticket for me on my bike counts the exact same as if I was actually endangering people by doing this in my car. So, if I decide to pay the ticket and not worry about it, not only does it go on my record, but my car insurance sky rockets(especially since I am 18). So when the lovely cop recommends that I fight it in court, he also informs me that if I get it off of my record the judge will probably make me go to driving school, and I will have to pay for driving school as well as all the court crap. All of this the cop knew.
I just don't understand how you can sit and give a ticket to someone, not to mention a broke college kid, knowing that 1)what they did is not really a big deal 2)they probably wouldn't do it again even if you just threatened a ticket 3)your making them miss classes to go to court 4)even though they did it on a bike you may be causing their driving record and insurance to be screwed up for several years.
Anyways, I know people have had worse happen with the cops and I am no Rodney King, but I just wanted people to see just how ridiculous the police can be sometimes.
Check back for the update once I'm done with court.
Now I may be new to these Debilorithmicos cats (I'm sorry I'm not as up on Spanish production duos as I should be), but I've been on CYNE for years. The beat is catchy and surprisingly CYNE-esque, making for a delicious collab. Akin and Cise are still on point with the drops and the video isn't bad either. Also, a full EP from Debilorithmicos, Dimarts i Dijous, is apparently due sometime soon. I think I'll check it out when it hits.
Acronym, probably better than any clothing line I've followed, melds sleek aesthetic with industrial functionality to the point of superhuman efficiency (and price). Their Fall/Winter 2009 collection is divided into _HARDSHELL, _LIGHTSHELL, _SOFTSHELL, _INSULATOR, _NEXT TO SKIN and _3RD ARM components to aid in finding your perfect fit (because chances are you can only afford one of these products). Each piece of their new line is laced with state-of-the-art technology and materials, from the _HARDSHELL GT-J17's magnetic earphone holds and ultrasonically cut storm visor to the _LIGHTSHELL P7TS-S's 10 channels of TEC SYS modular webbing. The sheer utility of the apparel is staggering and the look, more attractive yet. Still, the price is a slight put off. Let's just say if I cashed my car in Acronym wear, I'd have about one and a half jackets. From Acronym.
