Lykke Li @ The Granada Theatre on Feb. 18th

Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, better known as Lykke Li, is a Swedish indie pop/alternative singer.
She released her first album, Youth Novels on LL Recordings in the U.S. in May. The album was produced by Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, and Lasse Marten.
You can tell she has a different aura about herself. Feels as though it comes from deep within. It could stem from her artsy background; mother's a photographer & her father is a musician, who was kind of a big deal in Sweden. Don't sleep on the Swedish artists! They're doing something right.

"And for you I keep my legs apart...
And forget about my tainted heart."

Lykke Li MTV Music

This video is sick!

Hip-Hop's Jack Kerouac

AKA: (What the F••• is a) JAY ELECTRONICA!

My critique of what makes a good or bad movie is habitually based on the music in the movie. I feel as though it can make it or break it, because great music conveys and increases a certain emotion. Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind is a favorite movie of mine mostly because of the mood of the music and the emotion from the actors is Spot ON. And again, in THIS, Jay did a perfect job of matching his attitude with the mood rendered from Jon Brion's soundtrack to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
This was a free release made available on a his Myspace page back in 2007. It is 15 continuous minutes of music, without drums, and there are five segments, marked by changes in music and mood. The occasional snippets of sampled dialogue are from the movie “Turtles Can Fly” (the children arguing in Farsi), and Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. The first segment is comprised of spoken word by Just Blaze and Erykah Badu describing the first time she met Jay.

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Nas "Queens Get The Money" = Monumental

If you have the time, take it to peep the video. You can really get a feel for the emotions of an entire era. There was a movement happening there that have revolutionized Today.
I wish I could be apart of something that powerful.

My Music Posts

I believe in expanding your horizons, because if you have a narrow view on the horizon, you’ll miss the majority of beautiful things on the come up (Mmm… Let it marinate. Might’ve gone over ya head ;) But the point of me saying that is… I will continue to listen to new genres of music in hopes of finding other great new songs, and artists; because honestly, I get bored of rap/hip-hop.

A few things:
•If you click the song, it will send you to a link so you can preview it, and then download it.
•This grading system. Don’t take it personally. Just because I gave Your favorite song a (C+) doesn’t mean I thought it was wack. If I put it on the list, I ALREADY like it. How much do I like it…? Maybe not as much as you… sry. And I'm trying to make the grading harder, to make it easier to tell which songs are Really better (simply my own opinion).
•I spend quite a bit of time looking for the NEWEST music. And because I grade it, I Listen to it ALOT before I upload it to the blog. So if you’re like me, and you see a couple songs the day they leak, and I don’t post it few a days, and you say to yourself, “Q, you’re late!” More than likely, I hadn’t had the chance to REALLy listen to it yet.
•If you click on a song to download, and the link doesn’t match the title, please leave a comment, and I will fix it that day(.)

what is a: new new??

"Bitch called me curiosity
I killed the cat!"


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Colin Munroe - Last Cause • B+

Jadakiss Ft. Faithless - Letter To BIG • C

DJ Khaled Ft. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Go Hard RMX • B-

Chris Brown - What It Do • C

Jim Jones - J.I.M.M.Y. Jones 2008 • C+

Swizz Beats - Represent 2K9 • C+

Jim Jones - Scarz • B-

Jadakiss Ft. Fabolous - Rockin It Out • B

Kanye West Ft. Sly Polaroid & Timmy G - Payback • B-

Ron Browz Ft. Red Cafe, Nicki Minaj, & Ricky Blaze - FREE • B+

Beyonce Ft. Termanology & Ciara - Diva RMX • B-

Freeway - NP Finest • C

Young Dro - Don't Know Y'all • C+

Jagged Edge - Take Care Of You • B

Dignan - They're Outnumbered • B-

Flying Lotus - Camel (Nosal Thing RMX) • C

Amp Fiddler & Sly -n- Robbie - Drama Inside • B

UnKommon Munny

Munny: primarily a "Do-it-Yourself" type action figure from the American* designer toy company Kidrobot. [So many people think these are Japanese collectors items. Not sure why...] The figure is meant to be decorated using anything... even ketchup supposedly.

*This award winning Munny was designed by
the talented "J-Bigg" aka: Jeremy Biggers

Check out the story behind the creation of this Munny. Kinda cool.
Also a part of Unkommon Kolor, these creatively pre-painted Munny's can be found at their Store Website.

I gotta get this Barak Obama Munny! NA-MEAN!!

Number (N)ine x New Era

Hi-end Japanese brand Number (N)ine look towards New Era for a special collaboration project alongside the fitted cap purveyors. Number (N)ine’s attention to detail and design is present throughout the collection comprised of five different colorways. Featuring a checkered flag print pattern, the caps will run you about a BILL FIDDY! ... $150s. Available at the Number (N)ine Tokyo locations, buuut i would suggest calling to order one.

Nike Dunks for the LADIES.... but i'd rock'em

Nike has some nice new additions for the women’s Premium Dunk line. Focusing on sharp, spring-toned colors, the focus is in the use of light-green. Features a fiber-optical illumination and Nike’s Zoom Air cushioning. Now available over-seas, but can be copped HERE.

"I'm Ron Burgondy, and i got dat new new...?"

"My Money Mixed With Her Credit... We Ballin The Same!"


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Red Cafe Ft. Fabolous & Paul Cain - There He Go • B-

Bow Wow - Show Off • C

Exile Ft. Muhsinah - Stay Tuned Stay Stay • B-

Freeway - Doin Anything • B+

Gata - Like It's Magic • C+

2 Pistols - Ain't Gotta Talk Ruff • B-

Jagged Edge - Gravity • C

Josh-Z-Antus Ft. Busta, Red Cafe, & Jada - Let's Ride RMX • B-

Jazmine Sullivan Ft. Fabolous - Lions, Tigers, & Bears RMX • A-

Gucci Mane Ft. Lil Wayne - College Girls RMX • C+

Mims Ft. BIG - Bread-n-Butta • B

Estelle Ft. Jay-Z & Kanye - American Boy RMX/N*E*R*D - You Know What (BLEND) • A

Slim - More • B-

MH - Sunset • B+

Wale - UK Freestyle • C+

Juney Boomdata Ft. Project Pat - Wassup With That Pussy • B

Raheem Devaughn - Bring It Back • B+

Surf Club Ft. Lil Wayne - I Can't Miss • B+

Fabolous - Brookly (We Go Hard) Freestyle • B

Wale - Chillin • B+

Are those... AIR YEEEEEZZZZZYs!?

The Zoom Kobe IV iD is becoming available in a couple days. Promo: Nike has a funny lil commercial with Mike Epps and DJ AM. The commercial also feat. some dope sneakers on the sly.
A pair of the Entourage Air Force 1s, aaand even a pair of Air Yeezys (Their SECOND cameo in Nikes line of commercials this year.) Of course the Zoom Kobe IV iD makes an appearance as well.

*Honestly, I'm not even a fan, but the hype of these has gotten pretty nuts... so I've become kinda siked.

Novel - "HARD 2 STAY AFLOAT!!"

Novel - Hard 2 Stay Afloat • A+

(He took the breakdown from Kanye's Coldest Winter and looped it. PERFECTLY SOULFUL!)

CHARLIE BROWN'S CHRISTMAS x SCRUBS

SGRCRFT 2008 Holiday Line

With their holiday season of clothing, Cake has changed their name to Sugarcraft to differentiate themselves from the pack. Sugarcraft: meaning the art of making cake. So, I introduce to you the holiday lineup from Sugarcraft and what is their flyest shit yea. Their popular "Models Love Cake" design returns and this time it gets the foil treatment in a variety of colors [Limited Green one for the holidays! DOPE.] Other strong designs include the Keith one, an ode to artist Keith Haring, and the Party Dangerously design featuring a notorious picture of Lindsey Lohan ;0)

N*E*R*D "Sooner Or Later"

"A Nightmare just ate up your dreams!"

"WAMU WHO!?"

Such a satirical video, but so OnPoint!! Its relavancy is something like a revalation! To appear on Wall Street, causing chaos and emphasizing their verse that "sooner or later... it all comes crashing down." Something we are all very familiar with; whether thru heartbreak, or now witnessing the stock markets value PLUMMIT and watching people literally living out the lines of this song. A revalation, turned anomoly thru song...

www.BOONDOCKSBOOTLEG.com

Combine the wit of The Boondocks with a raw aesthetic that’s been missing since the demise of The Chappelle Show. Characters like Black Jesus and Tubesteak are already destined to be favorites amongst the long list of clowns, and the web video allows Aaron McGruder (creator of The Boondocks)and his team a creative freedom unavailable in print or television.

"What we’ve got up now is a piece of us trying to summarize what we’d do with sketch comedy. I think that we’re looking forward to a place where I can house all of these other ideas I have that don’t fit with the animated show. In terms of its platform on the Internet, it’s always really exciting to try and keep up with how things are changing." - McGruder

"I can't throw a rock without hitten a nigga!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS "I come bearing dat new new!"

Let me show you the light!

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Keyshia Cole Feat. Nas "Oh-oh, Yeah-yea" • B+

Lykke Li "My Love" • B+

Lykke Li "Everybody But Me" • B

N.A.S.A. Feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li "Gifted" • B

Santogold "Shove It" (Switch RMX) • B-

Dwele "Open Your Eyes" • A

M.I.A. "What I Got" • B+
^Oldie, but a goodie... for those sleepin^

FYI: Why are they necessitating an update to digital cable??

To convert analog versions of channels to digital. Each analog channel takes up 38mbs of bandwidth. [Grasp This: CSPAN takes up more bandwidth than you have available to you for internet services.]
For Basic Cable subscribers that get about 40 analog channels. Those households are consuming 40 x 38.6mbs or 1.54 Gbs. I was blown away when I found out that's more bandwidth than most neighborhoods consume online, by a lot.
Thats also the equivalent of 500 standard def digital channels. If you convert that to revenue per bit for cable companies, the basic cable customers are getting the best deal! The standard def digital version of the same channel takes up less than 3mbs. The typical HD version takes up about 8mbs or less. So, every time a channel is converted from analog to digital a MINIMUM of 28mbs is freed up. The bandwidth that is freed up can be used for: more internet bandwidth, to more HD channels, more video on demand... More bandwidth means more digital everything. The cable companies have been hesitant to convert them only because of the potential FCC backlash. The FCC made this an issue because it does reduce the number of channels available to those who connect their cable to older televisions sets, or directly to their analog TVs.
[Side Note: Some people don’t realize that analog could send a better-looking picture to your television set, but with an analog signal, you adopt noise. Not the type of noise that you can hear. This noise is simply a term used to describe a disturbance that interferes with the normal operation of a device or system. So the more you crank up this analog signal, the more noise you will get.]

So which is more important, protecting analog TV connectivity, or having more bandwidth available?

Obviously I’m pro-digital! Lets free up this bandwidth, because I think broadband should be a priority in this country. It not only equates to faster internet service, but it will open up many new applications that can significantly impact our society. All of which are far more important than making sure that an old analog TV can receive a few more basic cable tv channels. Otherwise, what is next, stopping Youtube and other video sites from increasing the bit rate of videos because those with dialup will be forced to upgrade?

*If you don't know about the FCC, I suggest you take a second to read about them. (CLICK HERE)

Musiq: OnMyRadio

Four albums deep into a career with no Top Ten pop singles to his name, Musiq put alot on the line with his latest single released, “Radio”. Which sounded suspiciously like some of that snap music that was goin down some years ago. Hmmm… not a good first sign. I believe we are now in a progressive state of music, since that is the only thing that survives. But this “Radio” single was a wee-bit out of character. Even though it’s the last song on the cd (But the first single tho?? That’ll hurt record sales FAsure.), everything before it sounds like the usual line-up for this dude. A couple of GREAT Love Ballads, and then some mediocre bluesy shit (NO DIS. I’mma Beat Head!!! and Musiq has a way with words… we just don’t see eye 2 eye.) But overall the cd has some ear-caressing tracks that blends old-school soul fervor with new-school hip-hop tempos.
The gist of Onmyradio: something that would get played a couple times the first week I owned it, and after said week, it would only get played upon request. But it Really isn't THAT Bad. There just isn't any evolution with his music. You will get bored of it quickly, because it all sounds too similar to his other cd's.

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Until • C+
SomeOne • B-

SoBeautiful • C+

DeserveUMore • A-

"RESPECT YASELF"

IMAGINE YOU JUST FOUND OUT THAT YOU’RE GOING TO DIE SOON…
And then you find out that you could’ve prevented this. Not by working out, or eating better. Or even by going to the doctor sooner, but if you would’ve done what you heard that guy say That One Time in that commercial, Or listened to the speeches you’ve heard, or paid attention to December the First… or would you not believe what all these people tried to tell you, and continue to put yourself at risk simply for self indulgence…?

I was inclined to re-up my knowledge on HIV/AIDS a few days ago when I found out that the rate for African American women 18 – 25 INCREASED FORTY PERCENT in Dallas and surrounding areas. So for those of you who believe that, because you may not hear about it as much as you once did, or “technology is evolving everyday, so I’m sure they’ve made advancements in the prevention of HIV and AIDS!” mmmm… Nah. Not so much.
Although the research is being done, and advancements are being made, our carelessness is invalidating any progression that has been made on the technical side. To think this is a contained problem within AFRICA, homosexuals, or particular regions of the U.S., your idea of HIV/AIDS is thoroughly misconstrued.

Of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, HIV/AIDS has hit African Americans the hardest. The reasons are a little distorted, but rather to some of the barriers faced by alot of African Americans. These obstacles include being financially disabled, and negative attitudes, beliefs, and actions directed at people living with HIV/AIDS or directed at people who do things that might put them at risk for HIV.

We have the shortest survival times amongst AIDS patients, and it is Our leading cause of death. If anything else, this is nothing but fuel to My Fire for my campaign: KEEPING YA NUMBERS DOWN! “Respect Yaself!” (Limit your number of partners.) Sex is a beautiful thing that should be had… multiple times a day if you got it like that :) But the more partners you have, the more you increase your risk of catching an STD(.)

Avoiding HIV/AIDS is simple, and the info has been instilled in us for YEARS. But if you have forgotten, or would like to re-up your knowledge, go HERE and read slow. Let this shit marinate.

“Respect is an action, not an act…” – CommonSense

2009 ANTHEM: “RESPECT YASELF!!”

SABIT NYC Winter 2008

"This is Japanese influenced street couture!”
•Shoichi Amemiya•

Inspired by the philosophy of Tanoshinde, the Japanese term for enjoy. The New York based label: Sabit, designed by Shoichi Amemiya, has created a line of apparel infused with a unique spirit of optimism and subtle flare. The Japanese-born Shoichi finds inspiration from his experience as director of outerwear for Marc Ecko, where he acted as director of the outerwear division. He launched Sabit in 2006 as a premium fashion denim and sportswear line. It's Japanese super cool style in reworked vintage pieces with great details. Their newest seasonal collection offers a unique take on varsity jackets with interesting textiles choice; for example: a buffalo plaid flannel jacket with a powerful purple lining and crazy leather trimmed jeans are definite standout pieces for the contemporary faux-hunter look.

Theo Jansen's: STRANDBEEST

Large kinetic sculptures that resemble skeletons are able to walk using the wind on the beaches of the Netherlands.
Theo Jansen, who was born in the Netherlands; and is an artist & an inventor, creates the artificial life.
His “New Nature” is created with the use of algorithms (method of precise instructions made to produce a task) that imitate evolution within these codes. These codes don’t always produce a definite result, so the reaction could be random. But the algorithms are used to solve a range of problems that can come up, including malfunctions with the artwork.

The skeletons, which are able to walk on the wind, are all put together by plastic electrical conduit. The main focus for the algorithms is to help the creations survive on the beach against nature. They are “programmed” to survive on the beach while moving around within two lines: the wet sand near the ocean and the dry sand at the edge of the beach. And over time, these skeletons have become better-n-better at surviving the elements (storms and waves), and eventually Jansen’s goal is to have HERDS of these creations on the beaches.

"HEARTBREAK DRAKE" MIXTAPE

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Intro

Say What's Real • B

A Little Bit (Feat. Lykke Li) • A-

Can't Stop Missing You (Feat. Trey Songz) • B

Ranson (Feat. Lll Wayne) • B-

Man Of The Year (Feat. Lil Wayne) • B

Pop Rose (Feat. Trey Songz) • B-

Sooner Than Later • A-

Money 2 Blow • A-

Replacement Girl (Feat. Trey Songz) • A-

Brand New RMX (Feat. Lil Wayne) • B+

Come Real (Feat. Kyoko) • B

Take Your Girl (Feat. Lil Wayne) • C+

Closer 2 My Dreams (Feat. Andree) • A-

The City Is Mine RMX • B+

Forever (Feat. Lil Wayne & Nutt Da Kid) • B-

I'm Still Fly • B

Swagga Like Us • B+

This B@#$* Is CRAZY • A-

Stunt Hard (Feat. Lil Wayne & Nutt Da Kid) • B

Goin In 4 Life • B+

Teach You A Lesson (Feat. Robin Thicke) • B

Cannonball (Feat Colin Munroe) • B+

Still Got It 4 Cheap...

CLICK THE ^ABOVE^ TO DOWNLOAD

New music off of CLINTON SPARKS new "GET FAMILIAR" mixtape droppin in the first quarter of '09. Get familiar with "Still Got It 4 Cheap": Clipse & Pharrell produced by That Dude: Clinton Sparks.

MOVIE: KarmaLoop TV x JUSTICE

Seems like some Truelife: "I'm A Rockstar," type shit.

GET BRAND NEW!

"ME NO LIKE TO EYE FIGHT!!"

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HOVA Feat. Santogold - Brooklyn (Go Hard) • A-

Mack Maine Feat. Lil Wayne - Throw Back • B

T-Pain Feat. Polow Da Don - My Own Stepts • B-

Jadakiss Feat. Lil Wayne - Death Wish • B+

Nas - Something Foul • A-

GLC Feat. Kanye West - Big Screens • B+

T.I. Feat. Mack Maine - I'm Dat Nigga • B-

Young Jeezy Feat. Pharrell - Rumor Has It • B+

Kevin Rudolf Feat. Birdman - Tennessee • B

Common Feat. Kanye West - Punch Drunk Love • A-

The Dream - Rockin That Thang • B

Basic Vocab - Come Get With It • A-
This is Actually from 2003, but I heard it for the first time a month ago, so I thought I would share.

*My apologies for the delay. Some of this is from two weeks ago, but I've been a little apprehensive to upload songs. I guess I was waitin on Hova :)

Whitney Gallery Presents: THE VAULT

Roadsworth • "Graffiti" • Road Artist

^Intriguing Vandalism^

Roadsworth began painting the streets of Montreal in the fall of 2001. Initially motivated by a desire for more bike paths in the city and being a cyclist himself, he wanted to shine a light on the positive effects of alternate transportation. Politicians have been encouraging us for years to adopt unconventional modes of transportation as a palliative to the problems associated with smog and green house gasses, because he had something like an anti-car obsession. He continued to build a buzz around town with his street markings and other elements of the urban landscape using a primarily stencil based technique.

Around 4AM on NOVEMBER 29TH 2004 [FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY], Roadsworth was arrested by the Montreal Police after being caught spray painting a Christmas ribbon at a popular intersection. With all of his nocturnal projects, he was charged with 53 counts of mischief. Despite the threat of heavy fines and a criminal record he received a relatively lenient sentence which he attributes in part to the public support he received subsequent to his arrest.

The news of his arrest acquired a certain amount of public support, and what some might describe as “free publicity”. Chris Hand of Zeke‘s Gallery launched the first, and perhaps most significant "Save Roadsworth" campaign on his blog. [Thank God for the Bloggers! HAha]
Since that time, Roadsworth has received various commissions for his work and continues to be active in both visual art and music.

“To express oneself outside of the "accepted" context however is to risk a certain amount of criticism. After all, who am I to impose my opinions on others? I don‘t pretend to have answers for anything and the complexity of the world is beyond the scope of my understanding but I still believe that I have the right to ask "Who are you to push hamburgers on me?" or "Who are you to pollute my air?" or “Who are you to tell me to go to war?" Despite my cynicism, I feel that whether motivated through a sense of self-preservation or that of future generations, there is nevertheless a growing recognition that an industrial-age mentality is no longer adequate to the challenges that humanity is faced with. Though maybe not purely altruistic, there is an awareness that the interest of others could also be in ones own interest. Big words for a vandal.”

*After looking at this, I feel like these little clips that I've pieced together, so I could show alot in a little space, takes away from his work. I would highly suggest clicking on the ROADSWORTH at the beginning of the Post, so you can get a better example of his work.

Jimmy is home & causing controversy...

“He’s only beating him with terrible swag. Like over there, their swag is terrible. They having a terrible swag contest. It’s really bad over there.” – Jimmy [Interview with Complex]

Mmm… I take that back. His right hand man Dame Dash is talkin reckless, and Mr. Jones is just riding along with it for now. “Controversy sells”? Naah. Embroilment and petty (fake ass) quarrels are a diminishing trend amongst REAL artists.

HOW ARE YOU GONNA TELL ME THAT KANYE HATES JAY-Z?!

Any kid with the Graduation knows that’s a Damn Lie DAME. But I think we all have a special place in our hearts for Mister Dash, so we’ll let it slide… just this once. Because Dame is a smart cat, and when it comes to the music biz, building a brand, and tapping into different demographics this is That Dude you need on your team. And Dame's role this time around is to turn Jim Jones into a brand. They’ve begun by the marketing of Jim’s latest album “Pray IV Reign”. And they’ve expanded this album into a play: The “Hip-Hop Monologues”. Infused with a live band, rap and rhymes highlighting Jones's chaotic life coming up in Harlem, the play puts a new spin and breaks the monotony of typical album release parties.
Along with a hand full of acting gigs and even a spot on the Starz show, “Crash”, in 2009 Jonesy is dropping his cd on January 20th (Previously dated for December 9th, but Jay-Z & 50 are both dropping there new shit that day, sooooo… YEAH.). His collaboration single “Pop Champagne” with Ron Browz, who helped with the production of the album, and his partner in crime JUELZ SANTANA. The single is gettin bumped in jeeps n clubs all over America!
Pray IV Reign is Jim’s 4th solo joint, but 1st after signing to Columbia Records. It was originally called Back 2 Back, but no news on why the change of heart. Some guests on the cd include, 50 (WHYYY!?!), Tony Yayo (Lame!), Wayne, Luda, & N.O.E. Yes, Of Course Byrd Gang will be All Over It.
The joint with N.O.E., “The Good Shit” (its aiiiight), has been out since JULY. I guess they threw that one out there a wee-bit too early.

I only hope that with these appealing freestyles that have been coming out lately, that Jimmy is prepping our pallets for a different flavor this time around.

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Ron Browz & Jim Jones Feat. Juelz Santa - Pop Champagne (RMX) • B+

Jim Jones Feat. Lil Wayne, N.O.E., & Twista - Jackin' Swagga From Us • B+

Jim Jones Feat. MGMT - Electric Feel (RMX) • A

Big Chief Feat. Jim Jones - My Swag • B-

Kid Cudi Feat. Jim Jones - Day N Nite RMX • A-

MUSIC: Music Machine Mixtape

Sometimes I'll be listening to different "mix"tapes, and they actually do a lil scratchin or some nice blends, and I THINK to myself.. "I could do that!" But after listening to THIS mixtape done by the FINGERBANGERZ clique I said to myself, "I WANT TO DO THAT!"

When they aren’t touring around with the Jabbawockeez, tag teaming with a guy named Z-Trip, or yukin’ it up with Carlos Mencia the FINGERBANGERZ are holding down San Jose and the Bay all-day and they make the most noise at their signature bi-monthly party MUSIC MACHINE!

With 10+ years in the DJ/production game, these dudes are as versatile as they come. From rocking house parties and high school dances in their teens, to battling in ITF, DMC, and rockin parties all around the continent in their 20s, they have been tested in the arena and they are taking names!

Fingerbangerz is a team of two DJs, and each DJ has his own style and approach to the crowd. If you're ever in San Jose on a 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, it sounds like a nice lil attraction.

Better Off Dead 2008 Holiday Collection

Better Off Dead: sub label of False, has released their Holiday 2008 collection. The more accessible line comes with a number of graphics this season, twisting large fashion brand logos. The line offers t-shirts in several colorways as well as crewneck sweaters.

Check out the complete Better Off Dead Holiday 2008 Collection after the jump: tees and crewnecks are available now in the FALSE E-Store and at various retailers internationally.

Married To The Mob

This “street” inspired brand, founded by Leah McSweeney, was one of the first brands out there that catered solely to females. No longer just a t-shirt brand, MTTM has expanded into cut and sew, denim, accessories AAAAND some dope collaborations. These included two bikinis with KAWS, a bag with German accessory house MCM, a cashmere beanie with Kangol, a tee shirt designed by French female- graffiti artist Fafi and most recently, a tri-collaboration sneaker with Reebok and Colette in Paris which sold out in 23 minutes online. 2009 looks good for MTTM. Peep the the Holiday Collection.

MUSIC: Kanye West - Sky High

The Sky High Mixtape is a Kanye Remix Project. It mostly consist of Electronic beat blends and DJ mixes... but its dissonance is appealing. But most definitely something for the club.

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Sky High Intro

Good Morning (The Kickdrums RMX) (Feat. Big Sean) • C+

Champion (Nick Catchdubs RMX) • B
^the sickest transitions^

Barry Bonds (Eli Escobar RMX) (Feat. Lil Wayne) • B

Crack Musik (Cookin Soul RMX) • C

We Major (The Kickdrums RMX) (Feat. Nas) (SNIPPET)

Get Em High (A*Track RMX) (Feat. Common) • C-

Throw Some (Cousin Cole RMX) • C+

Electric Touch (Mighty Mi & Steve1der RMX)
(Feat. Lupe Fiasco) • B+

Love Lockdown (Tom Wrecks RMX) • B+

Flashing Lights (Diplo RMX) • C+

Addiction (Kenny Dope & Terry Hunter RMX) • C

Stronger (A*Trak RMX) • B

Impatient Boy (Benze Refix) (Feat. Will.I.Am.) • B+

Homecoming (Discotech RMX) (Feat Chris Martin) • D

I Wonder (Scottie B RMX) • B-

Good Life (Stretch Armstrong RMX) (Feat. T-Pain) • B

Can't Tell Me Nothing (DJ Godfather RMX) • D+

VIDEO: MGMT - (The Making of: "Electric Feel")

“Electric Feel” is the second single from MGMT’s first joint, “Oracular Spectacular”. It was released on June 23rd, 2008. This song is about a woman who comes from the Amazon rain forest who has the power to shock people with the electricity that runs through her veins. The song has also been remixed by the French electronic duo, Justice.
The song’s video is BA-NA-NAS! The music video features an appearance by the Rock-afire Explosion (Created by a fellow named CHUCK E. CHEESE). The RAE was an animatronic animal band that played in Showbiz Pizza Place in the 80s n 90s. The music video was also nominated for Best Art Direction in a Video at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. I think it’s the Dopest video I’ve Ever seen. Most definitely in a time where it is heavily publicized that “videos are dead”, I do believe this joint the “messiah” for music videos, and this was the “second coming”.
There's also an interactive version of the video, in which you can choose your own backgrounds, over at the band's website. Download HERE.

^Making of the "Electric Feel" video^

ARCHITECTURE: Sky Village

Dutch architects MVRDV & Danish co-architects ADEPT won a competition to design the "Rødovre Skyscraper" in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The 116 metre tall tower will include apartments, a hotel, retail, offices, and a public park and plaza.
The stacked building consists of “PIXELS”, each 60 metre square, which are arranged around the central core of the building.
“The constellation of the pixels allows flexibility in function; the building can be transformed by market forces,” say the architects. “Flexibility for adaptation is one of the best sustainable characteristics of a building.”

The new skyscraper with a total surface of 21,688 square meters will be located at Roskildevej, a major artery East of the center of Copenhagen. It is after the Frøsilos MVRDV’s second project in Copenhagen.

The skyscraper’s shape reflects Copenhagen’s historical spire and present day high-rise blending in the skyline of the city, it further combines the two distinctive typologies of Rødovre, the single family home and the skyscraper in a vertical village. Consideration of these local characteristics leads to Copenhagen’s first contemporary high-rise.

Responding to unstable markets, the design is based on a flexible grid, allowing alteration of the program by re-designating units. These ‘pixels’ are each 60 square meters and arranged around the central core of the building, which for flexibility consists of three bundled cores allowing separate access to the different program segments.

On the lower floors the volume is slim to create space for the surrounding public plaza with retail and restaurants; the lower part of the high rise consists of offices, the middle part leans north in order to create a variety of sky gardens that are terraced along the south side. This creates a stacked neighborhood, a Sky Village.

From this south orientation the apartments are benefiting. The top of the building will be occupied by a hotel enjoying the view towards Copenhagen city center.

Furthermore the plans include a greywater circuit, the use of 40% recycled concrete in the foundation and a variety of energy producing devices on the façade. A public park adjacent to the Sky Village is part of the project and will be refurbished with additional vegetation and the construction of a ‘superbench’, a meandering public path and bench. A playground, picnic area and exercise areas for elderly citizens are also part of the plan.

ART: Kehinde Wiley

"Painting is about the world that we live in. Black men live in the world. My choice is to include them. This is my way of saying yes to us."

“Down”, Kehinde Wiley’s solo show at Deitch Gallery in New York City, opened this weekend, unveiling eight massive new paintings, and seals Wiley’s role as a master of figurative painting.
These pieces seem to be more feminine, alluring poses that challenge the idea of what is a “Hood Nigga”, or the ideology that is portrayed through mass media’s hysteria.

The paintings do have some focus on style, and brands. The choices of brightly patterned hoodies compliment the elaborate floral backgrounds, which all blends perfectly with the fashion. In “Sleep” and “The Veiled Christ”, the pieces reveal these perfect bodies in sort-of a super-human form. Which allows the figures to seem more saintly and heroic than the rediculously ghetto stereotypes widespread in our culture. Its like Wiley himself is a prophet, gifted with a paintbrush and foretelling the dramatic shift America will undergo with the first election of an African-American man into presidential office only several days after his show opened.

Kehinde Wiley is a New York based painter who is known for his paintings of contemporary urban African American men in poses taken from the annals of art history.

Wiley’s paintings often blur the boundaries between traditional and contemporary modes of representation. The paintings build a bizarre pressure between background and content; revolutions happen the same way, pulling a society apart and putting it back together again. He creates a fusion of period styles, ranging from French rococo, Islamic architecture and West African textile design to urban hip–hop and the "Sea Foam Green" of a Martha Stewart Interiors color swatch. Wiley’s slightly larger than life size figures are shown in a heroic way, as their poses signify power and spiritual development.

The portraits are based on photographs of young men who Wiley sees on the street, that begun last year with men mostly from Harlem’s 125th Street. The series now includes models from the South Central neighborhood where he was born. They are asked to assume poses from the paintings of Renaissance masters, such as Titian and Tiepolo; his references to this style compliment his embrace of hip–hop. Similarly, the poses of his figures appear to derive as much from contemporary hip–hop culture as from Renaissance paintings. The paintings are in turn tools for unpacking the clichés that constitute reality, reminding us that propaganda sends mixed messages to the public. Wiley’s paintings, as posters, quote pre-existing visual sources, calling out the discontinuity of subjects from their contexts while creating a realm where the two co-exist. As propaganda, perhaps they question America’s own need for a cultural revolution.

Until now the ideas behind Mr. Wiley’s paintings has often overpowered their visual presence, which took away from the illustrations. Like Norman Rockwell’s paintings they looked better in reproduction than in reality. So are these just a passing art-market fancy, with enough witty mockery, a bit of political correctness, plus some decorations to look good for a while above the couches of fake ass liberals with little taste and a lot of money? I hope his art is a classic brand that will renew with the upcoming seasons. This 31 year old man’s 15 minutes of fame is nearing a 10 second countdown, and that 10 second countdown will launch him into becoming a common name known world wide, or a Platinum Fubu magic trick (“Now you see it everywhere, aaand Now you DoN’t!")