Thursday, July 31, 2008

Best Rapper President Alive


Reading this article from the New York Times, I must admit that Barack Obama may be the only person that I'm not related to who I truly admire. Aside from that, it made me think about all the hoopla over whether Obama's swagger is too splasherific (read: presumptive).

The media, trying to reel itself in after their lovefest this month, is now trying to make the case that the nominee-in-waiting is behaving a little bit too much like the President-in-waiting. Even I will agree with this. I thought the Obama-branding has gone too far, what with the plane's fresh paint job, and that rip-off of the Presidential seal? Bad taste.

Still, in spite of the ballyhooing over an arrogant Commander-in-Chief, I think it's really moot. Arrogance and power go hand in hand. No leader of any movement can escape the aura of his position over others. Abraham couldn't escape it, neither could Moses, David didn't, Solomon definitely didn't, and Jesus? That's the reason they killed Him. Even modern martyrs like Ghandi and Dr. King can't help but lord their humility over others. So it comes as no surprise to see "The One," as McCain aides are known to call Obama, letting his swagger splash all over our TV screens.

Think about it: this guy really wants to be President of the United States of America. You have to be a cocky son of a you-know-what to still want to be President past 12 years old. Add to that the fact that homey is young and black, and your confidence level has to rival that of Kobe Bryant and Lil Wayne combined. Shoot, remember Jay-Z's level of swagger when he dropped The Blueprint or Weezy on Da Drought 3?

I remember reading a book (I think it was Chris Matthews' Hardball) where a politician remarked frankly that it takes an extra bit of self-importance--even for a politician--to aspire to the presidency. Reminded of this, I don't lose sight that at the end of the day, Obama is a man, as susceptible to the trappings of circumstance and power as George Dubya, Bill Clinton, and any other of our leaders, revered or ridiculed. He thought the seal and a platitudinous speech abroad were good ideas, and though I can fault him, I won't.

We all have our moments when we allow a string of good fortune to blind our better judgment. 'Member that Complex Magazine issue where Weezy took explicit aim at Jay? Or better yet, remember the latter part of '07, when, drunk off euphoria and whatever was in that styrofoam cup, Wayne put out a string of lackluster verses? Remember Kingdom Come?

As the proverb goes, "Pride cometh before the fall." I'm happy that all of us--Obama, the media, and the public--were able to get this reality check now, because there's still a general election ahead, and in case you didn't know, no poll is handing Obama an easy victory (even though it should be one).

I'm glad that the media has decided to pare back its adoration, as strained an effort as it must be for them, because it detracts from what's really important: the issues. And, while Obama may have developed into a true political rock star, such acclaim could undermine the very grass roots demographic from which he rose. Catching the tail end of his world tour on the news networks, he sometimes felt like that indie band that suddenly sold out and went commercial, inflated by mass appeal.

Criticism notwithstanding, my admiration of him and his steps on this path to greatness remains steady. Ideologically, he embodies the essence of Plato's idea of the philosopher king. (I'll end my compliments there before I become a hypocrite and wax rhapsodic about Obama myself.) There's still much to learn during the upcoming campaign. Just as Hillary before, McCain is a much better candidate than he seems to be on TV. I doubt he'll figure that out before November though.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Philophobia


Another ok rip from my boo's debut album Fearless. It's not mixed well, but it's good enough to enjoy. (That bridge is vicious!)

I can guarantee that this link won't last long, so this post is more for swagger points than anything. It's been on the internet all week tho so get ur google game up.

Best Bowlers Alive



Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana went bowling together. They were nice enough to video it and post it on youtube. Santana even challenged Nelly and Polow da Don to a bowling match.

Real talk tho, I'd actually watch a rapper bowling tournament. It's better than them stupid poker shows. Hood trash talk during a bowling match = pure entertainment.

Cleveland Is The City

Kid Cudi & Chip tha Ripper can pump the brakes. Clarence Gaines aka Lou Draws is carrying the torch for Cleveland and his latest joint "Sweatpants & Birkenstocks" is no exception. Featuring a cameo appearance by none other than Triple OG Roommate Boo Cara aka The Youngest MILF, this joint is not to be slept on.

Practice What You Preach...

It seems like Good Music artist and former ATCQ-er Consequence was living a personal episode of When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong when he dropped 07's Dont Quit Your Day Job. Yeah Grammy Family banged... when Jay bodied it on Hot 97 and people only seemed to retain Ye's quotables. Dont get me wrong, I feel like sans lisp Cons would be a beast in this game however when your grill looks like you swallowed a rake backwards its hard to make those fly ass lyrics memorable. Either way, they must've blown this niggas budget on Connect 4 footage cuz Good, Bad & Ugly was soooo pre-College Dropout (see Get Well Soon mixtape) and this joint (my favorite on his cd) was getting daily love in the Galant last summer.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

You're Excused



Allow me to pull back the shades for you guys. The Paxtons are here pretty much forever, so make plenty of room on your hard drives. Blog regulars might remember this instrumental from Audiophilia. You prolly recall that there was no info about it huh? When I say I'm an artist with this, I more or less mean it. Just to whet the appetites of the numbers of you who remember the instrumental, I'll also remind you of this post. Wait? Is that the sample of a sample? Yeah, we do that here. As Jay once said, "Soon you'll understand," and that day is today.

Why the hoopla? Well, I'm going to say that, were this a track from an established artist, the internets would be in a tizzy right now. "Bless You" is worse than cooked crack (or better, depending on your personal proclivities). It's a track that stands comfortably on its own as an instrumental, except after hearing these guys rap over it, you're happy it's not just an instrumental. I'm not gonna say it's the next "A Milli," but it's close and not nearly as annoying after repeated listening.

All that to say, the Paxtons bandwagon is picking up speed. The homies at Goadome Talk shouted them (and us) a holler yesterday. Don't get left. Naysayers, get a job. And the rest of you wonderful people, download, disfruta, and distribute to your friends. You too can be a music snob. Get on that fresh "You ain't up on this!" music.

The Paxtons mixtape, Members Only, will be released next month here at youhypesikenah.blogspot.com. More on that in coming days and weeks. If you're in the DMV and wanna hear what the fuss is about, they'll be back at Almaz this Thursday performing after shutting down the show last week along with the Best Brothas. And did I say it was a free show? Oh, the show is free! (With a complimentary buffet and drink specials.)

It's summertime, ¡disfrĂștate!

On the loose


Download

Your favorite bloggers' favorite cyborg is releasing this Special Edition next month. If you can't tell from the lower right corner of the cover, it's Suite I with a taste of Suite II. This is one of the few times that I'm gonna actually tell you to go out and buy an artist's album. It's worth your money.

Original Digital Gangsters


Bar for bar, this is the hardest crew in hip-hop (and they have been for some time.) Re-Up Gang, OnDaSpot.

Muppet Babies


T-Pain and Weezy are the closest thing to "brothers from another" since Outkast. Hate if you will, but T-Pain be spittin. (He did have the hardest hook ever with "I'm So Hood".) I even thought that Teddy Penderazzdown deserved a spot on MTV's Hottest MC's in the game. Now this video may not prove my point, but at least it's funny. "Of course we got caught," HILARIOUS!



"Can't Believe It" with him and Lil Wayne is fire tho.

This song rocks


I'm dead serious too. I'd kill this at karaoke. Air guitar like a mug joe.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Fried Rice

I'm never going to China. Ever. Unless Candace Parker gives the WNBA the middle finger and gets that overseas guap.

Curious locals flocked to the home of owner Feng Changlin after news of the piglet spread in Fengzhang village, Xiping township.

"It's hideous. No one will be willing to buy it, and it scares the family to even look at it!" Feng told Oriental Today.

He says the piglet looks just like a monkey, with two thin lips, a small nose and two big eyes. Its rear legs are also much longer than its forelegs, causing it to jump instead of walk.

Feng's wife said the monkey-faced piglet was one of five newborns of a sow which the family had raised for nine years.

"My God, it was so scary. I didn't known what it was. I was really frightened," she said.

"But our son likes to play with it, and he stopped us from getting rid of it. He even feeds it milk."

Neighbours have suggested the couple keep the piglet to see how it looks as it matures.


Betta Not Bring Yo Kids!!!

The seven internets are officially a terrible place. In a google search for rick ross, this thread appeared on digitalgangster.com...

wu10-01-2006, 05:49 AM
The Boobie Boys gang killed to establish its turf and to retaliate against rivals as it built a drug empire that smuggled nearly 5 tons of cocaine from Panama and the Bahamas and delivered to 25 Florida cities and 12 states.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rmk10-01-2006, 07:11 AM
shit thats only 4535 kilos get your weight up
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PiMpY10-01-2006, 11:12 AM
i bet they only sold grams too

id never fuck with that shit but i think my boy was telling me you profit like fifteen hundo selling grams off an ounce, nuts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
qbert10-01-2006, 11:16 AM
Get a zip @ $600
$50 g's

50x28=1,400
1,400-600=800

$800-Your nose=$500

+$500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hairetsu10-01-2006, 12:36 PM
or you get pure for 800/oz
cut it in half =2oz
$50 g's

50x28=1400
1400x2= 2800
2800-800=2000

800 = 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PiMpY10-01-2006, 12:40 PM
i dont think its easy to get pure anywhere but socal and s fl

pure you mean like 90? 95?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hairetsu10-01-2006, 01:55 PM
just know the right people. I used to cop quarter keys of that shit back in the day.then again I'm in S FL =P I hate that shit I would never touch it again.

yea pure as in 90/95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
qbert10-01-2006, 03:08 PM
Meh, I could get scale up here @ $900/zip, burned around 380..

Wasn't quite worth it, I hate having to fuck with the cut. The $600/zip shit was the scale thirded, so it wasn't a big deal to me. Maybe a $200 increase. And a 50/50 off of 90/95 makes some borderline bunk blow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PiMpY10-01-2006, 03:19 PM
Youd think in a gambling city good yola would be easy to come by. Its all really pretty mediocre but its all sooo talked up.

Plus our other drug markets are flourishing with excellent product. DONT MAKE SENSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rmk10-01-2006, 06:52 PM
i dunno i'm sure i could handle it. i'm one of those doofuses that just does whatever i have in the house. normally just booze but if someone left cigs over here i'd smoke them all. same w/ pot or painkillers, but i won't go out of my way to get any of them (except cigs if i'm drinking)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
qbert10-01-2006, 06:53 PM
I'm going to wait until you're asleep at some huge DG bash sometime and I'm going to stick a li'l tooterfull up in your nostril, plug the other one, and cover your mouth.

I'm pretty sure I'll probably be in my boxers, sweating profusely, with a bottle of Andre tucked inbetween my legs, laughing maniacally, too.

Just lettin' ya know.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
rmk10-01-2006, 06:58 PM
that sounds fair. just don't teabag me please that shit ain't right.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
qbert10-01-2006, 07:07 PM
Oh I don't teabag.

I coffeefilter.

Gone til...


Charles Hamilton - November 10.

Video for one of the hottest songs on the internets. Young rappers, this is somebody to study. Charles Hamilton defines hustle. Dude was homeless and hustled his way to where he is now. And if you didn't know, I dropped the bomb on this and a couple other joints of his 6 months ago. Check out the comment section of that post for Mr. Hamilton's co-sign.

Before you late-comers write dude off as another Soulja Boy, I need you to know that this dude is an Emcee. Holler below at his nonstop freestyle off DJ Green Lantern's show. (Green Lantern's been holding it down for some time.) Homey loses his mind.



Catch up niggas.

Wake up in Tokyo...

In the event you werent aware... Rocksmith is one of the most vicious streetwear labels out. Maybe I was sleep, but utilizing video to present your seasonal lookbook might be the illest concept I've seen. I'm cool on the fashion police/Yakuza-looking ass niggas, but overall this is a dope look.


And speaking of Rocksmith... who knew?

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Stop writing for other writers.

If you're anything like me, you just finished watching the season 2 opener of Mad Men. If you're really like me, you paid special attention to that book Don was reading, Meditations in an Emergency. I'm not even gonna stunt like I knew who Frank O'Hara was (I do know John Ashbery though), but suffice it to say, a quick google search revealed an author that reminded me why I majored in English Lit.

The Critic

I cannot possibly think of you
other than you are: the assassin

of my orchards. You lurk there
in the shadows, meting out

conversation like Eve's first
confusion between penises and

snakes. Oh be droll, be jolly
and be temperate! Do not

frighten me more than you
have to! I must live forever.

That's good shit right there. R-E-A-D-A-B-O-O-K!

*sometimes I feel like I'm a artist with this blog ish.

Fu-Gee-La


Download

K'naan is a Somali-Canadian artist. This album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, was released back in 2006, but good albums defy time. Think Tabi Bonney, K-Os, and M.I.A. had a love child.

Girls Creep Me In They Teepee

Its official, this nigga is a beast. After his homey Million $ Mano fled the states with Ms. Arulpragasam, this was a logical progression. Dont sleep.



MIA & Mic Terror - Come Around Remix

EDIT: Link has been re-upped

Saturday, July 26, 2008

That's why I don't drive



It's a decent rip. Disfruta.

Parting The Sea




It's been too long. R&B's Tantalus is blessing us with another single. Is it from her still unreleased The Young Lioness? Is it from the third iteration of her seemingly scrapped Young Hustla mixtapes? After enduring 5 years of relative anonymity but a die-hard cult following, the dissolution of her label, and countless other drama, iunno. I'm sure it's a task Google could handle, as one of the internets prolly has the answer. Regardless, I'm just happy to hear something new from Teedra. Download and disfruta.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Got a [_____] skinned friend, look like Michael Jackson



So the moral of the story is, on the same day I questioned whether Kirk Franklin and Plies were brothers, I find out about this couple in Germany who had a set of twins with one dark and the other one yellow (or white if you think about it that way).

Brothers From Another

=



It can't be just me. Not only are they both 4 feet tall, but these niggas look exactly alike.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Romance, sheer delight, how sweet



Footage from The Paxtons' last show at Bloom in DC. They're in the midst of preparing the release of their latest mixtape Members Only which, as one of the few persons to have heard the mixtape in its entirety, is hot fiya. This track is one of my personal faves.

More on that later, but as homey said, their next show is this Thursday at Almaz. I'll be there (yup, 5:00 Chinatown, my nigs), so you might as well jump on the bandwagon while there's still room to sit. I don't wanna be the one to say "I told you so."

If you're lucky, you might even catch another one of Cee's crooning sessions, word to Phontigga.

Back To The Docks

After linking up with C-City fam two weekends ago, I'll admit I've been a bit nostalgic. We might never see this onstage again...

Schools Out For Summer

Word to the ghost of Lauryn Hill (Miseducation was definitely a decade ago... let her go), Jean Grae might be the most vicious female emcee in the game. If the Ego Trip show was any indicator, thats definitely not the most farfetched thing we've said on this blog over the last two calendars. Its also not saying much. Either way upon signing with Talib's Blacksmyth imprint like 4 years ago, Jeanius, her collab album with okayplayer's favorite producer not named Ahmir, 9th Wonder, was supposed to drop during the height of 2004-05 Little Brother fever. Needless to say it got shelved like frozen food. Four years later and showing, Talib manages to get this joint in every store too little, too late. 246 ruples to the first person that can name the four classic albums referenced on the variant covers.

Click any cover to download.





Jean Grae & 9th Wonder - Jeanius

"Let them hoes fight"








Word to Antwan Patton via young Taylor. Odd how Giles just mentioned the UT beauty queen earlier today.

Coincidence?

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Bushisms by Clinton



The original gangster.

I Love the 90's



I think this video captures quintessentially why the 90's were so friggin great.

Philosophical Economics


If you can hang, this is a really interesting piece. It's an op-ed from the New York Times about the current economic state of America. It screams to the inner nerd, so I understand if it just ain't your cup of tea.

Call me... "Dolla dolla bills, yall."

Can I Talk My Sh*t Again? Pt. 3

I'm convinced that the world went mad in like 1995 and we're just now suffering from the post-partum effects. First on my hitlist is iBeer... I understand that if there wasn't a market for this stuff that they wouldnt sell it, but this might prove that there is nothing that doesn't have a market!!! For 3 dollars per download, you can turn your iphone into a virtual pilsner (a la screen saver aquariums) and this joint is somehow selling.


I cant hate though. If I could convince a venture capitalist to invest in bottling, manufacturing, and selling pre-orders of my spit, I would [pause]. Despite the strange nature of that statement, this might actually be the most homolarious (as invented by tripleOGCara) product on the market.


The only thing that has recently restored my faith in the genius of man is the Dark Knight Returns. Despite the fact that I loved comics as a youth, and again as a young adult, I would be very surprised if this joint doesn't end up in the next generation of film studies curriculae, next to The Wire. I haven't seen a movie do a more masterful job of combining superheroics, senseless violence, tragedy, romance, comedy, special effects and social commentary. It was definitely worth Cee's $10.50.

Upon finally listening to Nikki Jean's The Project (I can be as much of a audiosnob as Mr. Garr), I discovered that I'm addicted to a little joint called Sunshine on there and if you put it on repeat, I promise you will too.

Thanks to NBATV's coverage of Summer League ball in Orlando and Las Vegas, I've been able to completely ignore the more pressing matters in my daily grind. Its like 2 beasts and 8 malnourished niggas with dumpster juice for skills on each team playing their hearts out like the final four is 2 wins away. The gym is so empty that you can succintly hear the insults of the individual hecklers that dropped 20 bucks for 8 hours of wnba caliber ball. Speaking of the WNBA, I realized recently that I might really have an Amerie-level addiction to Candace Parker.



I also came to the realization that WNBA players make less than public school educators. The hall-of-fame caliber vets (Leslie, Swoopes, Thompson) arent even clearing six figures. I'm currently contemplating developing a documentary in the vein of Borat in which I travel to LA to find her and stunt this non-profit dough on young'n. I'm kidding. Sort of.

Last but not least, if any of you know me personally you know I have a competely heterosexual obsession with Rick Ross. When the news of him taking the definition of fraud to a HNL, broke on the seven internets I shouldnt have cared, because all rappers are liars and cartoon characters to some degree and the ones that aren't are too busy gooning to remain relevant. Yet, Ross' persona and adlibs were too fantastic and entertaining to ignore. Did I believe Ross was a young Carlito that escaped the vengeance of Benny Blanco? No. But I figured the streets of Dade County couldnt be completely amiss if it was ALL bs.


Damn William. I may never shave my head, grow a castaway beard, rock aviators and sell coke on collins ave again.

Economic Stimulus

I like this video. Partially due to the fact that since the inception of youtonsmavimbystarhiphop.com niggas dont try anymore. But the recession theme is very real, and I dont know exactly what alternative Kan-Jeezy is offering but that $5.29 gas price was scary as hell.

One Verse Could Start Jihad


The Thornton Brothers are back like they left something and as Pusha so prophetically uttered on Volume 3, "live nigga rap is back". The Scott Storch beat on Fast Life is annggghhh, but given his recent drama, they prolly got the ill discount and since their no longer on that seemingly infinite star trak budget, sacrifices must be made. Supposedly there's an 8/5 release date on their Columbia debut. Fingers crossed.

Fast Life


Set It Off

Thank you for being a friend



Two obits in two days? Not cool son. Estelle Getty, known affectionately as "Sophia" from Golden Girls passed today. I don't care what you say, Golden Girls was one of the funniest sitcoms ever. Not to mention the theme song is a friggin classic. RIP.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Past Due



Eminem needs to make a serious comeback post haste. One of the greatest.

White Man Wins. End of story.



I'm speechless for so many reasons at this song + video.

Ben's Chili Bowl On Me


If you're in the DMV on Thursday, looka here boy! (trademark Rich Boy, registrata 2007) If you're in Philly, but have nothing to do on Fridays (ahem) this means you as well. The Paxtons will be performing at Almaz on 12th & U for no more than a sawbuck. Thats Chicago for $10.


After jamming to The Paxtons on U Street, make sure you slide over to the C'monwealth x Shop Gentei party at Geisha Lounge


I love this game.

We Aint Goin Nowhere

We put you on this like elevently-million months ago (no hyperlinks joe!) but wither way, DC's current BDS champs Mambo Sauce linked up with fellow District hero Tabi Bonney to direct this jawn.

Life is but a vapor


DJ K-Swift, the famous Baltimore Club DJ, passed this weekend. Whether you call it club music, party music, or house music, K-Swift was one of the swinging appendages of the game. She'll be missed.
Come now, ye that say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain"; whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Instead ye ought to say, "If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that."
-James 4:13-15

East 1999

I'm not sure how I feel about the blogosphere buzz on Kid Cudi (I refuse to play the Caps Lock game on his spelling...) but I cant knock his adventurous choice in beats, confidence, and willingness to rep Cleveland. The Fools Gold hype machine (Kid Sister & A-Trak) is crazy so Cudi cant miss, but this is an undeniably solid showing from a new artist. Enjoy.


Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi

PS. what we gotta do to snag a 10deep sponsorship on the mixtape!?

Like Jeff Fort The Way I Get Behind Bars...

If you have no idea who/what Common was referring to on Finding Forever's Southside, just ask wiki. Anywho, Major just dropped a dope fitted release with New Era x Flying Coffin.


Problem is, the Chicagoan in me cant seem to grasp it as fashion for fashion's sake. If you followed that lil wiki hyperlink above, it probably told you all about these lil guys know as the Black P. Stone Nation (el rukn, bpsn, all well, stones, moes, etc). If you know anything about the ridiculously extensive gang culture of Chicago, you know that a fitted with this logo


is gonna be a problem in America's current murder cappy. Hopefully this hot-ass summer in the windy city doesn't get any worse. Sigh... niggas.

Shouts to Cee for the heads up...

Sunday, July 20, 2008

The kindsa things I be thinking

The new LL Cool J song with The Dream sucks. Terribly.

Yung Berg is just an updated version of Lil Zane.

That's it.

Guilty Pleasures

I could listen to this all day. In fact, I did.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Reaganomics


Download

Maybe yall remember when I posted Phonte's bangin version of 80's classic "Take On Me" a while back. He had a couple other 80's remakes floating around 2 or 3 of the 7 internets at the time, but at some point decided to go all in and make an entire album of '80s covers. If you download nothing else, get this. Cover art alone is reason enough.

Knapsack Rapping


Download.

Mad Skillz latest. 2 up. 2 down. I grew up listening to dude and the other Supafriends back on Power 92 outta Richmond (yeah, my radio had a sick antenna game). I remember when he flipped Biggie's 10 Crack Commandments to the theme for the Top 9 at 9. "Sittin in your kitchen, naming all of Richmond." Ha! Classic material! Well, enough of the reminiscing, get that new-new.

My wife's theme song



I gotta say, I caught this video when it premiered on 106&Park after days of watching Mad Men OnDemand, so the costumes and set design were weirdly stupefying. I have no interest in Ashanti, but this song and video pretty much spell out the type of woman that would make me settle down. Ladies, take notes.

BTDubbs, shoutout to the Debbie Allen of the music video world, Melina Matsoukas.

LMT PRK



I'm not cosigning this by any means, but I did think it was cool to see Dom Kennedy got a nod from Nahright. I remember when dude was catching internet beefs over at Niketalk WDYWT posts.

Perhaps at some point, I'll make mention of how I think this represents much of where hip-hop is, but it's Saturday, and I don't feel like working my brain like that.

The medium is the message


Download.

Remember the '60s? Me neither, but I can't say it was a bad time, so long as you were a White man. For those of you still mourning the loss of The Wire, there are still shows on television that are entertaining and intelligent.

Enter AMC's drama, Mad Men. They were recently annointed with 16 Emmy nominations after their first season, and aside from the fact that The Wire was completely snubbed, these guys really deserved it. With plots thick in symbolism and metaphor, it's like reading Nathaniel Hawthorne, except not as boring. The show is also responsible for my latest white-girl crush, Christina Hendricks.

Mad Men takes place in the early 1960's and follows the lives of men who work at an advertising agency along Madison Avenue. It's a great perspective from which to analyze American culture, a case study of the psychology behind Americans' addiction to conspicuous consumption and materialism.

It also catches the nation in flux, at a time where things are changing rapidly. If you were offended by the "Obama the Terrorist" cover of The New Yorker, you might find the show's liberal strokes of anti-Semitism, sexism, and racism to be an impediment to your enjoyment, but if you understand art, you'll understand it's meant to critique those prejudices and not condone, encourage, or exploit them. (Same goes for that New Yorker cover. It was satire, and it was very intelligent--maybe too intelligent for some of you people, black and white, who just didn't get it.)

But if you're not of the faint of heart and enjoy a good drama, you might wanna jump on the Mad Men bandwagon before it gets full steam. For those still riding the fence, the show's creator last worked on a show you might have heard of that I hear was half-way decent: The Sopranos? If you've got OnDemand, you can still catch the complete first season. The second season premieres July 27.

In the meantime, in between time, download the album above. It features period songs from Ella Fitzgerald and others, along with the full version of the song used as the show's theme.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

I Love The Dough

Pardon me in advance for this cornball title, but dammit its so fitting!!!

So the story is as follows:
Robber attempts to rob pizzeria
Worker fights back
Robber flashes weapon
Manager empties cash drawer
Worker fights back
Robber is unconscious
Manager pulls Worker off unconscious Robber
Robber still unconscious


http://view.break.com/537121 - Watch more free videos

Let fox news tell it, ol girl stopped the worker from further beating the sleeves off this dude, because he was her pops. Apparently her mom put him up to the robbery, but the manager was none the wiser until the pizzaman turned his face into a v-neck shirt. Upon seeing homie sans wig and all-black locs (stunna shades for the slang impaired), she realized it was her pops, dropped the money and got her ref on. My man Rudy Sandoval (worker) needs to seriously consider beating ass in the pizzeria parking lot for a living as a lead-in to a mma career like Kimbo Slice. It's gotta be better than slinging pizzas.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Cross C.O.L.O.U.R.S.

It's been a long time since one of these, and some of yall might feel as tho you've caught up to me in the "flyest nigga on the block" department, so allow me this moment to rhapsodize.

Today was a simple day. I decided to skip class and enjoy the day doing other things. At some point, the decision was made to head downtown to run some errands. I found myself in the neighborhood of the Ralph Lauren store and decided to go ahead and throw in some window shopping at one of my favorite high-priced haunts.

Greeting me as I walked down Broad toward Walnut were the words "SALE" in simple white along each of the windows of the store. "Hmm," I thought, "maybe I'll pick up a pair of socks." I walked in, gave the obligatory head nod and hello to the employees and started my rummaging through the sale items. After passing on an obnoxiously-colored mustard linen shirt (yes, mustard), I did a round of the rest of the store to satiate my cashmere dreams.

Before I left, I decided to go ahead and run back to the sale section to see if, perhaps, I'd missed something. It turned out, I had.

I've been in the market for a suit for about the past 6 months. Problem is, I got caviar taste and a cheap beer budget. I couldn't afford the look that I wanted.

The look: slim cut, narrow lapels--possibly peak, conservatively colored, double vented, single breasted, 2 or 3 button, wool or wool and something classy blend that I could wear for the rest of my life, or at least the next 10-20 years. Bonus points if it's Italian made.

The price for a well-made suit fitting that description: $1500+

Now, although I'm fly, I'm by no means a baller. But I'm too much of a snob to even set foot into a Men's Warehouse. Even though I'm broke, I balk at the notion of a pressed-lapel suit whose retail price is $200. I have sneakers worth more than that. Still, it's what I can afford. I'm not even gonna mention Zara, H&M, Express, and some of the other places you people buy suits from.

As a kid, ma dukes always held me down in the suit department. She worked a department store floor like a natural born hustler. Nothing is as good as I want it to be and all prices are negotiable. She'd bring home thousand dollar suits that she paid Men's Warehouse prices for. She's a G. She found the joints on sale and then found stuff that was wrong with them so she could argue the price down. She's a G.

But I'm grown now; a brother's gotta handle his own B.I., and after talking to mother dearest about suitable pricepoints for what I was looking for and what I could afford, I had come to grips with the fact that the best I could do was get a suit for $500-$700, which basically meant something I'd have but not really like, unless I got lucky.

I'm at the Ralph Lauren store and before me is a pretty standard suit: navy blue with fine pinstripes, peak lapel, the tag lets me know it's Black Label. I pick it up, check it out, it's nice. It's even my size, which is always hard to find because they're the first to go.

I pick up the tag and look at it. It's a $[insert unnecessary sum of money] suit, but it's on sale for significantly less. Like "You're on candid camera" less. Well, maybe not that much less, but still, it was a very nice lil price cut nonetheless.

Today was my lucky day. The suit fit perfect off the rack--Ralph's ish tends to do that (pause)--but since it was a major suit purchase, your boy had to complete it properly with proper tailoring to make sure it nipped and tucked at the appropriate places. I guess that's the proper intro into the Gear Guide.

There's not much I can add to the plethora of Suit Buying Guides on the internet and in Men's Magazine. Every other issue of GQ has a "How to Buy a Suit" feature that essentially says the same thing over and over again:
1. A suit should fit the shoulders
2. Blah
3. Blah
4. Blah
5. Don't look like a NBA/NFL player.

Really, that's the only thing that matters to me as far as suit buying goes. Sorry if you guys expected more out this one, but that's really all I've got. Honestly, it's also the most help I can provide. The biggest problem with suits is that most of the time, the problem is that the suit just isn't the right size. Suits were never meant to fall past the shoulders. And then it's the ppl who take "extra medium" literally and buy young suits because they think it's the style. I shake my head at you freaks. These are the ppl most likely to be seen sockless while wearing the aforementioned, ill-fitting suit. That's a lotta bacteria incubating in a lotta different places. Yuck.

Outside of those people, it's the other ones that still think box toe shoes are fly. These individuals buy synthetic suits in such colors as: kool-aid red, FUBU green, Purple (yeah just "Purple), and other assorted colors found in the rainbows of our planet and others heretofore unknown. These suits usually come in pairs, as in "2 for 119.99," and feature unprecedented sartorial accoutrement the likes of which haver never been seen: special back vents, super long jackets, wide and heavily-cuffed pants, and of course, completely pinstriped. (Windowpanes for the more conservative tho.)

Those same people, upon entering the business world, buy those same exact suits, except in brown, gray, or black. If you are of this ilk, our tastes are different. You tend to take the term "pimp" literally, as in you probably have a ho or two running a track not to far from where you're reading this right now. Our two different trajectories necessitate two equally different perspectives on wtf a clown suit looks like.

Don't know; can't help you. But for the rest of you, it's really just a matter of style. 1-button, 2-button, 3? It's your call, get what you like. I don't know why half yall give a flying fig newton what I say anyway. Be brave youngbols. But I will say, a 1-button suit has a much shorter shelf life than that 2 or 3. The 1-button is an "Event" kinda suit. Get a wool suit or something of a natural wool blend. If it doesn't hang off your shoulders, it shouldn't hang down your wrists either. You don't need to be showing half your sleeve either tho. Just look normal. My personal thought about a suit is that it should make people want to look at me and not at my suit. I don't need my suit to be the spectacle. I got sneakers for that.

_________________
Writer's Note: the irony of this post succeeding the post of Bentley, Kanye, and 3000 does not elude me. In fact, I find it hilarious. (See title)

Men on Film

Despite all the questions and rumors abound regarding the sexual orientation of all parties in this clip, these niggas is jammin! I'm not exactly sure why these year old bentley jawns are just now seeing the light of day (you heard it here first), but that C.O.L.O.U.R.S. just might bang.



Who are the two non-Kanye/Andre/Bentley/SaRa looking ass niggas?

I need a sparring partner, Keri


A few love taps won't hurt.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Extra, Extra!


Remember about 6 months ago when Wale showed up on URB's cover? Yeah, well it's Cindi's turn.

On newsstands now. Cop and drop. It's worth every penny.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

It's been a long time coming


Download

Remember these guys? Yeah, so I been too busy to upload this off the macbook, but a promise is a promise. To be truthful, the album is ok, but "True Affection" is still official. Click the album cover.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Whats Beef?

If only this happened in real life

Girls Around The World

This being the jumpoff to the AKA's centennial convention week, myself being phrat, and this being DC... I'm a bit torn about my friday night itenerary. See there's all the overpriced parties and clubs to showcase what could be a ton of overrated K's (though the bad ones will more than make up for the ducks), but then there's the 18+ factor and probably equally-overpriced jawn over on Okie.


Am I hard-pressed to see Mr. Folarin and Mr. Bonney kill it onstage... sure. Will there be young'ns at Love... sure. But I cant call it like phone sex. Hopefully Mr. Garr can be of some assistance.

The Originator

So we all know Mario Bros is possibly the illest game of all time and an eternal reminder of our 80's baby status. Uncool NES-inspired graphic tees and urban outfitters track jackets may come and go, but truly fly ish always stands the test of time. Antoinette Citizen's art installation is a shining example of this. 80's babies stand up.



Is it asking to much to want to live in this room for the rest of my life and hire the vertically-challenged to play goombas in a level 1-1 reinactment every tuesday and sunday? Apparently, but one can dream.

Wipe Me Down

You ever post up a hip little eatery with the family or the boo and spy some bama wearing that cloth napkin like a f***in ascot around his neck? No? Me neither, my nigga Josh is the only person I knew that did that in real life... regardless, thanks to the Spoon Sisters, you'll never laugh at that bama again. For like 6 bucks you can cop a pack of these fly jawns


I know I'd do it... but then again I like to imagine my Jesus in a tuxedo tee.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Paper Dolls


This video makes the song more palatable.

From my boo to you


My boo's album sampler. Click the album cover. It's a single mp3 featuring annoying drops by Angie Martinez, but outside of that, it's like the R&B equivalent of a random Andre 3000 verse--almost too good to be true and leaves you wanting more.
Tracklisting:
Bust Your Window (Snippet)
One Night Stand (Snippet)
Lions, Tigers, and Bears (Snippet)
Guilty (Snippet)

I've also got a version that's individually tracked. If there's something yall really want, I might drop it. Oh yeah, her album's due out in September and is called Fearless.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

I need you too, baby


Jazmine Sullivan - Need U Bad

Jazmine Sullivan recently premiered the video for her first single "Need U Bad." If you're the bamma that still hasn't heard the song yet, get it here. For the rest of you, take a moment to appreciate the woman I hope to run into here in Philly and propose to one day.

OK, it's not quite that serious, but I'll be honest, she's gonna make it hard for Janelle Monae to keep her spot as the future Mrs. Garr. Philly chicks got a mean swag to 'em. And I'll admit, I always did have a thing for thick, brown-skinned women. Word to Toccara.

FYI: The imeem video may take a minute to load. It's not the fastest, but it's the highest quality video. You can always catch the video here on youtube tho.

I guess that makes me a...


This is my ish.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Get Like Me

Download

Today's a busy day. Click the album cover to download. It's sposed to be the retail version. Link is stolen so it might not last long.

Nigger

Download

As far as I'm concerned, that's still the album's name. I'm a lil disappointed "Fear of the Black Man's Dick" didn't make it on the album, (pause), but the track "Fried Chicken" is a friggin CLASSIC! Click the cover to download.

Live nigga rap is back.

I Feel Good

Download

Album cover tells you what you need to know. Click it and get it.

Don't Tread On Me


If ever a video matched a song, this is it.

But then again, this version was hot too...


And I can't even hate, Ne-yo went in too!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

What does this have to do with sneakers?

So Converse has some new marketing campaign that includes an amalgamation of random minisites. They, in total, are very entertaining, some disturbing, others coquettish, and still some inspiring--and they're all connected. Start here at www.thisistheindexpage.com and enjoy the unlimited minutes of sloth.

Kinda feel like buying some Jack Purcell's now. Who'da thunkit?

Cropping's for slaves



Since Jay decided to drop a few bars on Estelle's banger at Glastonbury, I figured I'd remind yall who hit it first. I posted a version of this a while back, but the quality wasn't as good as this one.

After hearing the Jay verse, a friend called me and said, "I think Dave got Jay on this one." That's big talk, what with Jay punning his cajones off. But upon close listen, Dave held his own much better than, say, Weezy did on "Mr. Carter".

Download, disfruta, and decide for yourselves.

*Dave's verse was (2nd by the way)