Esoteria

Every cool guy worth his Nike SB's knows about Supreme. I have a feeling that if this tee is part of their Spring line (my Ubiq peeps told me about the Kermit/Supreme steez a few weeks ago), it will be one of their most popular ever. Why? Because the brand's hype bubble has yet to burst, thanks to its exclusivity and seemingly sporadic releases. Add to that their cryptic brand of branding and you have every street snob's wet dream.

Still, why would a tee of kermit wearing a Supreme tee be a big sell? For starters, it's Supreme. Secondly, it's part of a line of tees that have featured the likes of Jimmy Jones & Juelz, Mike Tyson, and Tera Patrick--which is to say, there's a history (and tradition) behind it. Lastly, not everyone wants to wear a shirt with a pic of people like the ones named above. I definitely couldn't get away with wearing the Tera Patrick tee around fam or to school, and the Mike Tyson one would definitely bear explaining to my grandfather (as would the DipSet one, for that matter). Kermit's harmless though. And therein lies the geniu$. With a figure so innocuous, all the hypebeasts who have craved Supreme gear forever, those who have followed their stuff for years, and all those in between will want to have a shirt that is immediately esoteric in a way that is chock full of meaninglessness. When asked, "What's the deal with your shirt?" you either say "Iunno," "Nothing," or begin to explain Supreme to someone who prolly doesn't care and is regretting they asked you in the first place. Either that, or you just say, "You wouldn't get it."

I know what you're thinking. My point exactly.

Buried Treasure

So, I'm surfing the nigganet after work and checking various '07 heat rocks from Chicago's "Movement" Crew (responsible for bringing you Kid Sister, blogger-happy Cool Kids drops & vicious Million Dollar Mano house remixes), reminiscing on all the hot shit that popped back home AFTER i left, and what do I find but none other than hood classic "Porno Movies" by Chicago's Mic Terror.

(peep the homie chris posted behind mic terror in the street shots wearing the southshoresocialclub "heart of the city" tee)

We Know What You Like

My favorite jawn from the conceptual masterpiece that is American Gangster...

All I Need

The boys behind the greatest hip-hop song of all time (in my opinion) are back with new heat. You're Welcome!

Camp Lo - Lumdi

Can you keep a secret?

Figured I'd wait til the dust settled to drop this one. This track was leaked yesterday and promptly pulled from most sites on 6 of the 7 internets by Wale's management team cuz it was "unfinished." Well, I told yall how we do here. I'm not posting the title of the track to prevent anyone from Googling us. Let's just say it features all 3 of the rappers pictured above. The rapper wearing a suit is sampled while the other two provide us with the verses. Clear enough? Good.

For the track click here.

Summer Love

I have to give props where there due... BBC has been coming with it this year and earning the privelege of not getting slapped for them high-ass prices with each fresh release. The $300 ice creams and $100 waffle tees weren't cutting it for me, but each season gives me faith. Peep.

Who Killin Em In The UK!?

Just in time for the warm weather [re-upped]... EARLY!!!

The Cool

Thanks to Comcast OnDemand, I've been sitting on these thoughts since last Monday but I figured I'd take the high road for the regular Sunday Night Wire-Watchers.



I didn't see it coming, but it couldn't have happened any other way. If the haunting murders in Scorcese's "Departed", set to mere diegetic sound are brilliant, was Omar's death any different? I would be admittedly less heart broken had Mr. Little survived to the finale, but that would be too-Hollywood, a penchant The Wire has gracefully avoided.

Omar became the Shakespearean tragic hero (Grease, correct me if my reference is wrong) and Ed Burns & Co. are genius for writing it that way. According to the seven interents however, the streets feel every which way about the way Omar checked out and I'm curious to know what our faithful think.

RIP Omar, and thank you for blessing us with this verse before falling victim to the streets...

No Homo. Pause.

Props to hiphop-elements.com, cuz I dont know how I missed this lol...

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 - Jim Jones, the rap superstar and co-CEO of Diplomat Records, has quietly returned to the studio to record an album of new songs inspired by the forthcoming movie "Alvin and The Chipmunks," his first "concept" album and second CD in less than a year.
The album, which his label plans to release in early December, came together over the past few weeks after Jim Jones was shown the film, directed by Tim Hill, in which Jason Lee portrays David Seville, the man who looks after the mischievous chipmunks.

Following the underwhelming critical and commercial reception for his Harlem's American Gangsta CD earlier this year - and as Jim Jones grapples with whether to stay on in his post at Diplomat Records - the tie-in to a major motion picture gives him a chance to rebound strong and extend his reach to a wider audience.

At the same time, it could help 20th Century Fox excite younger moviegoers, whom it will need to make money on a costly film with a contemporary comic sensibility. Though it's not uncommon for films to be released alongside "inspired by" albums, it is rare for them to be recorded by a single artist, let alone by an average rapper who had no role in the movie.

In an hourlong telephone interview, Jim Jones, 31, who has spoken of spending his early years in Harlem as Cam'ron's hype man, said that the movie had tremendous resonance for him and had sparked a burst of creative activity that even he found surprising. He has already recorded nine tracks, almost every one prompted by a specific scene.

"It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a back story to the story," he said.

The movie, set for a Dec. 14 release, is based on the 1980s series about a music group of chipmunks comprised of mischievous group leader Alvin; tall and quiet Simon; and chubby, impressionable Theodore.

Jim Jones said he thought his fans would be struck by the image of a chipmunk reaching such heights of success, even while alone in the world with only a kufi by his side.

"It immediately clicked with me," said Jim Jones, who has made passing references to animated musical groups in previous recordings but has never delved so deeply into the topic. "Like Nutty Squirrels or any one of those groups, you take the good out of it, and you can see it as an inspiring act."

... as if the cameo on Episode 7 of The Wire Season 5 wasn't enough.

Don't Smell Like A Turtle Cage

Don't give the crown to Seth Rogan just yet... he's still got it (circa Eddie Kane)

Is that a twin size bed?

Soulja Boy announces his new sneakers... from his bedroom... in his momma house. I thought he'd spend that "Crank Dat" dough and at least get himself a crib. Niggas will be niggas I guess.

Wake up! (c) Larry Fishburne

Snow Days

Thanks to the good people of Commonwealth of Virginia where I proudly call home, I was able to play hooky all day due to the inclimate weather. Apparently 38 degrees, with no snow, rain, sleet or hail is grounds for work and school closings. Either way, upon returning to the crib the production bug bit me and I spent the day grinding with my partner-in-audiophilia, Cee. Simultaneously I came across pics from the latest studio sessions for the upcoming N*E*R*D release, titled N3RD, on the BBC blog (dope site by the way). Needless to say the inspiration was in full effect.




Here's a few unreleased '07 gems from the boys at Star Trak to start your weekend off right.

NERD - Locked Away
Pharrell - Swagger International

Like We Always Do At This Time

If you dont know about 08's biggest tour, you're a dummy. But God blesses the deaf, dumb and blind so...

• Seattle, Washington
  Key Arena
  April 16, 2008 (more info)
• Sacramento, California
  ARCO Arena
  April 18, 2008 (more info)
• San Jose, California
  HP Pavillion
  April 19, 2008 (more info)
• San Diego, California
  Sports Arena
  April 20, 2008 (more info)
• Los Angeles, California
  Nokia Theatre
  April 21, 2008 (more info)
• Los Angeles, California
  Nokia Theatre
  April 22, 2008 (more info)
• Las Vegas, Nevada
  Red Rocks Casino Resort
  April 25, 2008 (more info)
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
  Journal Pavillion
  April 26, 2008 (more info)
• Denver, Colorado
  Pepsi Center
  April 27, 2008 (more info)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  Ford Center
  April 29, 2008 (more info)
• Austin, Texas
  Frank Irwin Center
  April 30, 2008 (more info)
• Dallas, Texas
  Superpages.com Center
  May 1, 2008 (more info)
• Houston, Texas
  Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion
  May 2, 2008 (more info)
• Atlanta, Georgia
  Gwinette Arena
  May 4, 2008 (more info)
• Tampa, Florida
  Ford Amphitheater
  May 5, 2008 (more info)
• Miami, Florida
  American Airlines Theater
  May 6, 2008 (more info)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
  Verizon Amphitheater
  May 8, 2008 (more info)
• Raleigh, North Carolina
  Walnut Creak
  May 9, 2008 (more info)
• Washington D.C.
  Nissan Pavillion
  May 10, 2008 (more info)
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
  Verizon Wireless
  May 11, 2008 (more info)
• New York, New York
  Madison Square Garden
  May 13, 2008 (more info)
• Boston, Massachusetts
  Tweeter
  May 15, 2008 (more info)
• Hartford, Connecticut
  New England Dodge Music Center
  May 16, 2008 (more info)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  Susquehanna Bank Center
  May 17, 2008 (more info)
• Scranton, Pennsylvania
  Toyota Pavillion
  May 18, 2008 (more info)
• Montreal (Canada)
  Bell Center
  May 20, 2008 (more info)
• Toronto (Canada)
  Molson Center
  May 21, 2008 (more info)
• Detroit, Michigan
  Palace
  May 22, 2008 (more info)
• Chicago, Illinois
  United Center
  May 23, 2008 (more info)
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
  Target Center
  May 24, 2008 (more info)
• Saskatoon, SK (Canada)
  Credit Union Centre
  May 27, 2008 (more info)
• Edmonton, AB (Canada)
  Rexall Place
  May 29, 2008 (more info)
• Calgary, AB (Canada)
  Pengrowth Saddledome
  May 30, 2008 (more info)

Grease, we might have to collab on either that Philly date or the DC joint.

And because I love ya...

Enjoy

You want this

Trust me. Click the album cover. I don't know what they're feeding these British women, but London Town is definitely not burning down. Word to Ray Ray. They're definitely bringing the heat tho.

In West Philadelphia...

Look Out Below...

previews of "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E."

If Its Magic

Were it possible, I'd attempt to sell my mother for these...

Welcome To DC

Today your favorite skater's favorite shoe teamed up with your favorite blogger's favorite store (in DC) to drop the limited edition Gatsby's. VA/DC's Commonwealth X DC Shoes collab is dope, and the good ppl in Adam's Morgan were even good enough to film the freshness. Peep the documentary!

Where are my [crochet pants]?

click the album cover

Everybody's Doing It...

You had me on the Tatyana Ali cameo...

Scarves are the new hoodies

Strictly for the Gear Guide. Though I'm not exactly saying that you should follow anything Jimmy does (or says)...

Dogs & Yoga

I might have possibly found the greatest blog you've never heard of besides ours. It's called "Stuff White People Like..." and its brilliant. Here's an excerpt:

#69 Mos Def
February 17, 2008 by clander
In the olden days of white culture, people used to look up to Kings and Princes. These were the people that they adored, and every night they wished and hoped that somehow they could wake up and be just like them. But with Royal Families crumbling, that role has been filled by one man: Mos Def.
He is everything that white people dream about: authentic (”he’s from Brooklyn!”), funny (”he was on Chapelle show!”), artistic (have you heard “Black on Both Sides?”), an actor (”he’s in the new Gondry film!”) and not white (”I don’t see race”).
He has done an amazing job of being in big budget movies (The Italian Job) and having one of his songs become a white person wedding staple (Ms. Fat Booty) but still retaining authenticity and credibility.
If you find yourself in a social situation where you are asked to list your favorite actor or artist, you should always say Mos Def. This way you can name someone that everyone has heard of and you don’t look like you are trying to one up anybody. The only possible negative consequence is some white people might think “I wish I had said that first.”

I'm only at #62, but please check them out and read on with and open heart and an ignorant mind...

Living a Movie

As a self-proffessed comic book fan in my youth, and an adult comic nostalgiac (i can make words up too...) I've been thoroughly impressed by the ability of the comic book world to finally translate their stories to the big screen while keeping the cheese and corn at a minimum. Throw in my obsession with rhymes of Ghostface Killah and his early "Iron Man" ethos and I'll be the first in line for Robert Downey's turn as Tony Starks on May 2nd. Either way, New Era 5950 has released some very dope packs in a collab with Marvel Comics to commemorate the May release of Iron Man and the next Hulk flick dropping in June. Admitedly, these are lot flyer in theory than practice but the stunt factor is undeniable. Check the Hypebeast previews below!

B-B-B-B-Bad Daddy-O!

Note to Jigga and every other rapper knocking 40's door down:

How do you revisit a classic with classic results?

ENJOY

We Dont Love Them Hoes

Don't lie... Sensual Seduction (Sexual Eruption) is your jawn. And ya girl's jawn too. Who loves you?

ENJOY

You Know I Like To Show Off...

Not sure if this is a preview, trailer (a la Blue Magic), or a too cool for school Kanye Omari original. Either way, the model Rita G is bbbbbbb-bad daddyo!

Yuggghhhh!!!

Dwight Howard has renewed my faith in the league I love. Superman that ho.

The Ski Mask Way

Don't fight it... If you like it.

It's my diner

Okay So, Make Another Hov!

From DC to Orlando on a business class red-eye and the streets are 'puting. According to all the internets, Hov is coming back... again... to reclaim the throne. AG was undoubtedly dope and the concept album du jour of '07, but the streets still insist that despite its proximity to the vibe of the seminal Reasonable Doubt... it wasnt Reasonable Doubt. Well as attempted by every other rapper with a critically-acclaimed debut, the logical follow-up will reportedly arrive in the form of Reasonable Doubt 2. The streets are always the first to know so lets hope it sounds as good as it looks on paper!

Reasonable Doubt 2: Return Of The Hustle
1- Intro ft. pain in da azz(Prod. by Kanye West)
2- Still Can't Knock The Hustle ft. Beyonce (Prod. by Kanye West)
3- Dead Presidents 3 ft. Nas(Prod. by The Neptunes)
4- For The Love Of Money (Prod. by. Kanye West)
5- Hard Roc Life ft. Memphis Bleek, Freeway & Beanie Sigel (prod. by Just Blaze)
6- Ghetto Affairs (Prod. by DJ Premier)
7- Brooklyn Streets ft. Uncle Murder & Tru-Life (Prod. by The Hitmen)
8- Blastphemy (Prod by. Just Blaze)
9- Pray On My Downfall (Prod. by Dr.Dre)
10- Angels & Demons (Prod. by The Hitmen)
11- Feel It In ft. Mary J Blige (Prod. by Ski)
12- Face Off Pt. 2 ft. Sauce Money (Prdod by Just Blaze)
13- Ain't No Bitch ft. Kanye West (prod. by Kanye West)
14- 44 Fours (Prod. by Ski)
15- No Regrets (Prod, by. Pete Rock)
16- This Is Me (The Hustler Remains) (Prod. by Dr.Dre)

Love's In Need Of Love Today

Pardon my lack of intellectual descriptives at the time... but this is some bullshit!

DeKALB, Ill. — With minutes left in a class in ocean sciences at Northern Illinois University on Thursday afternoon, a tall skinny man dressed all in black stepped out from behind a curtain on the stage of the lecture hall, said nothing, and opened fire with a shotgun, the authorities and witnesses said.

The man shot again and again, witnesses said, perhaps 20 times or more. Students in the large lecture hall, stunned and screaming, dropped to the floor. They crouched behind anything they could find, even an overhead projector. They scattered, the blood of victims spattering, some said, on those who escaped injury.

Five people, all of them students, were killed, John G. Peters, the president of Northern Illinois University, said at a news conference late Thursday evening. Sixteen others were wounded, two of them critically, Mr. Peters said. Hospital officials said several of the students had been shot in the head.

The gunman, whom the authorities did not identify, also died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Mr. Peters said. The gunman, he said, had been a graduate student in sociology at the university in 2007, but was no longer enrolled here. Records suggested that the man, who had more recently attended a different state school, had no previous police contact, the authorities said.

Police officers from the campus, which sits in a snow-covered community 65 miles due west of Chicago, said three weapons had been found with the man’s body: two handguns, including a Glock, and the shotgun. The man’s body was found on the lecture hall stage, the police said. He had ammunition left over.

Between the war, the weather, and this school shooting bullshit, we're all checking out by 2010. I'll admit that I'm even more so disturbed by this tragedy because of its proximity to my hometown, and the fact that a childhood friend from the old block was in the building when it all went down. Nonetheless, its ridiculous.

The following not only happens to be one of (if not THE) greatest albums of all time, but it speaks to the issues of today with the same levity it carried 30 years ago.

Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life

The Emancipation of Mi-Ri

Forgive the title, but I tried my best... I really did.

Much to the dismay of our children, my baby mama Amerie Rodgers has been released by her long-time home, Columbia Records. With the US shelving of her latest album, Because I Love It, for almost two years, this probably comes at a good time. According to the streets, she's close to a new deal with an undisclosed major. Hopefully '08 will see a stateside release.

In honor of her independence, enjoy her aptly-titled '07 single "Gotta Work".



And for being so good about sitting thru this post while I further obsess, you get a treat. Enjoy the UK release of Because I Love It. Click the cover to download.

Music, Models & Bottles

So... we usually dont do this, but what the hell. If you're in the DMV by chance next weekend, make sure you check out Music, Models & Bottles at The Calvert House in PG County, MD. Its kinda like this blog, except heavy on the bottles. Case in point, sneakers are encouraged (along the lines of Meestah Garr & Mr. Kenneth... leave the Starburys at the crib) so feel free to do u. Reggae Sound Systems, apperances by the dopest ethiopian, $75 Moet & local artist showcases... and I designed the flyer. You cant go wrong.

T.R.O.Y.

So I know this is like blipster blasphemy in '08, but let me be the first to say that I wasn't in the least bit affected by the passing of Detroit-based super producer, J. Dilla. In fact, for the life of me, I couldnt help but feel that many 80's babies who claimed to owe their entire being to Mr. Yancey Sr.'s nuts, were simply bandwagoning or as we say after a few shots of E & J... "dickwatching, cuz" (shouts to J-Rob). Its easy to be touched by someone posthumously, but it just aint seem right.

Yes, I was quite familiar with Dilla's place in the game, his founding membership in Slum Village (who I honestly felt were pretty overrated... i know, bad blogger bad), and his involvement with the Soulquarians collective, 90s backpacker wet dream, yada yada. Maybe I just missed the boat. Somewhere in my dreadlocked, corner-cypher crushing, poetry slam-hosting, rawkus records lusting, back-room djing, fruity loops producing, freight-hopping for graffiti teenage years of lore, I failed to understand Dilla's true merit to the game.

Upon recently (admittedly two years after his 2/10/06 passing) discovering his production discography, I realized that some of my favorite under-the-radar jawns of all time were banged out by Mr. Yancey himself.

So here's to tardiness...

Slum Village - Climax


Q-Tip - Lets Ride


Pharcyde - Runnin


and inadvertantly, Mya - Fallen


De La Soul - Stakes Is High


Common (Feat. Pharrell, Q-Tip & Erykah Badu) - Come Close Remix


Janet Jackson (Feat. Q-Tip) - Got Til Its Gone


Q-Tip - Vivrant Thing


Forgive me for my ignorance.
R.I.P. Dilla
2/7/74-2/10/06

Daydreamin...

To avoid being repetitive... I would like to preface this list with the assertion that this is not my top 10, however as my nigga DDM (DC's own Dan Da Man best put it over Potbelly's tonight, the personal poster team. The ten young ladies who, for whatever reason, make you feel delightfully uncomfortable whenever they grace your screen (i.e. post-puberty Topanga to every niglet in junior high '96-'98), ya dig?

To the dismay of the homie Jeff... in no particular order... Like to hear it? Here it go!

Amerie Mi Marie Rodgers


Ever since spring of '02 (senior year y'all) when I first saw those long-ass legs walking through dupont circle in the video for "Why Dont We Fall In Love", I realized I had a thing for Blasians. When Nelly rapped about a girl "half black & ay-shon" I didn't know she had a degree from Georgetown and fresh post-My Life production from Rich Harrison. All I Have would become theme music for my college career and the rest is history.

The New Alicia Keys


Either she lost her virginity during the creation of As I Am
or she caught the holy spirit while visiting the pyramids in Egypt. I've never been a real fan of her music or her style, but the new album is a classic and Adult Alicia might be the sexiest woman alive

Cassie


What can I say about Cassie that hasn't been said? She's a talentless automaton created and nearly abandoned by Diddy. Did I mention she's bad as sh*t!? There's something disturbing about the fact that Diddy discovered her while Myspace perving but I cant blame him.

Rachel McAdams


My favorite white girl. Something about her turn in Mean Girls did it for me (though admittedly she was playing a high schooler) but it wasn't until Wedding Crashers that I knew I was sprung. I really cant call it but I was seriously pulling for Owen Wilson to get the girl in that jawn!

Faith Evans


I confess. I've loved Faith since she had dark makeup, bleach blonde hair, tats, nameplate chains, and chinchillas courtesy of the greatest rapper to die on March 9th, 1997. Hood Faith, Fat Faith, Dope Fiend Faith, Married w/ Children Faith, all of em.

Zoe Saldana


I'm not lying when I say the only thing I remember about Drumline was Zoe Saldana. She was killing the line jacket game... and when my man pulled her during the "Butterflyz"/slow motion step sequence, I was all but made up about pledging A Phi (sorry, keepin it real!)

Vanessa Hudgens


Eff the nude photos my dood (and to prove it I'm not linking to 'em), Vanessa Hudgens is sexy in that, white/spanish-girl-you-never-wanted-to-admit-you-was-feelin-and-really-aint-know-how-to-approach-her-if-you-wanted-to kinda way. I'll admit, the first time I saw that HSMusical jawn, I just sat thru it quietly cuz I aint know how old she was. I couldn't help but feel like the uncertainty about her juvie status, made me a terrible person but these things happen. HSM2 is all the craze and she's definitely of age now so I can let sleeping dogs lie.

New-New/Lauren London



Undoubtedly, LL has the seven internets going nuts in a way that Paul Wall never could have fathomed. We don't even have to go there. I would like to confess to a more complex addiction. I'm in love with New-New. The fictional film character from the surprisingly entertaining, ATL. Just like TIP, I was a little heartbroken by the revelation of Erin however, placing myself in the protagonist's shoes as we do so often, I was more than willing to forgive her indiscretion... so long as she kept the "Jam" baby hair, fishnet tops, doorknocker earrings, and nameplate chain "pumpin" as we expressed in the 90s. Every time I watch ATL, a lil piece of me is a Kenwood Bronco again, checking the fly honeys with butterfly clips in their hair, knee-high boots and aaliyah-inspired dark lipliner. phew.

Sofia Vergara


Youngin is definitely Eva Mendes on steroids... and Hitch is one of my favorite movies. Every time I see her doing whatever it is she does on 42" plasma, I get quiet. Sometimes its just that simple.

Paula Patton


Pause. Can I just say that when I saw the video for "Lost Without You", my heart actually stopped. Literally. Never in the existence of God and his seven brothers, have I hated on another nigga for his acquisitions, but I along with a host of others have willfully hated on Robin Thicke for having the baddest chick in the game wearing his chain. This woman is the prototype, no Andre.

Honorable Mention - Kate Beckinsale


What can I say, I like my white girls pure as the driven snow, except not. If you've seen Underworld or Underworld: Evolution or google images while you're supposed to be working and you don't feel me, you're gay... or down with the Nation.

In the midst of ogling I'd like to give a shout out to my boo... who is there in spite of my niggerish blogging.

Heads and Tails

Nouveau Riche is a band outta Philly--one of the few that hasn't moved to Brooklyn (yet). The lead singer, Nikki Jean, was featured on Lupe's The Cool. Aside from being eclectic eye candy, she and the rest of her band are Krispy Kreme fresh. Download their Longtail EP here.

Who Needs Laces?

Ubiq's El is probably my most favoritest sneaker in my closet right now. They're so comfy, cozy, and equally fly. (For those who don't know, Ubiq is a Japanese sneaker brand and a US sneaker boutique based in Philly. Sadly, most of their sneakers are sold in Japan.) I wear them more than any other single pair and even bought my sister a pair for her birthday in December.

But since most El colorways are Japan-only releases, it was bittersweet when I happened upon these new jawns online.




Hopefully the Walnut St. shop will get some of these (hint hint, Andy. Tell corporate we need these stateside!) If not, I might have to resort to coppin the new Supra slip-ons.


I could do without the detachable perforated leather thingy tho. :-x