The Other Night In NYC....

... We went to the Chester French show at Highline Ballroom. The opening act was Hollywood Holt-- from Chicago (pictured above)...

And his dee-jay Million Dollar Maino (LOL, I couldn't make this up folks!). We had a good time though. The music was different. It was like a fusion of electro-beats with a hardcore rock edge and loud chant-like lyrics. It was different-- and I liked it! Holt was very involved with the crowd which was awesome. He had so much energy-- notice how his clothes become progressively less and less on stage! LOL...

I like his style. He says he likes to make fun of himself before anyone else can, so he called his music weird and he said his pants were too tight. I loved it! He really got the crowd involved-- good showmanship makes great stars!


Towards the end of the set, the dee-jay joined the stage for the last song, and they rocked it out! It was a great time!


Next up was Chester French. For those of you that don't know, they are signed to Pharrell's "Star Trak" imprint. They're his latest protege, and they are blowing up! I really like this band! They are young, fresh, full of energy and their songs are cute, thoughtful and fun. Sometimes heir lyrics can be dark and though provoking, but for the most part it was a lot of fun...







Ya boy actually broke that tambourine he's playing in that pic above. He was going IN! And as soon as he broke it, he shrugged and tossed it to the crowd, and girls were going crazy over it! This is how I knew that these guys were here to stay. Once you got the teeny-boppers? It's over! Haha.

New Lil' Kim!

You know we always got that new-new for you-you! If it's hot-- it's here and that's that. NOW, let's get into it. Lil' Kim has a new joint out featuring T-Pain (of course-- how predicatable) and Charlie Wilson (which kinda threw me for a loop). The song is called, "Download" and is set to be featured on Kim's next LP titled, "Vintage". Love her and the album title....



The concept of the video is simple. Kim is talking to a man she's met on myspace but never in person and they discuss all the freaky things they will potentially do. It's surprisingly tame and tasteful compared to Kim's normally super-raunched out lyrics. I thought the concept was modern, realistic and cute! I know it's been said a billion and one times, but I love Kim, and I'd love her more minus all the nip-tuck swag she got going on. She looks HORRIBLE in this video unfortunately. It was prolly taped before Dancing With the Stars because she looked cute and almost human there... WATCH:




VIA Concreteloop.

Reflection Eternal Is : BACK AGAIN

Well, we've patiently waited damn-near a decade, holding our breath and sweatin in our seats but it's finally here-- the new record by BK & Chi-town's finest: Reflection Eternal You remember how "The Blast" used to have us going crazy? I still remember how me and my homegirls used to trade places saying, "Kweli!" and "Natti!" respectively. Haha. "Love Language" was so cool and laid back. Kweli put such complicated relationship issues in such a concise and edible way-- that's real mastery, "Love... It ain't nothin' but a word. A chicken ain't nothin' but a bird..." Yup!



If you have not heard the single yet, you're sleeping! CLICK HERE to listen...The team that came hard back then is coming hard once again.. Have you seen the video yet? Don't be late:




Well the future is now, and the time is here. Reflection Eternal is hitting hard with this new joint: "Back Again". Isn't that title fitting?



Yup... It sure is.

Where We Went Wrong...

I never really understood why it was so cool to be "from the hood". When I was little, we lived rather humbly. Me and my two other sisters to a room, kinda cramped. My mom and dad did their best and kept our little house neat and tidy-- but there were always those occasional unwelcomed roaches and mice every once in a while. I would never want to brag about that. Shoot, once I turned 11, my dad got promoted and we moved to Jamaica Estates-- THAT's when I felt like bragging. A nice home, lawn, backyard and mild-mannered neighbors. I always thought that people from the hood knew better than to glorify it. After all, what's so great about pissy hallways, hyperdermic needles, death and destruction, drugs and violence? For the most part it's the most un-hood people to glorify it. It's those that know least about the horrors of low-income areas that brag about it. And this is often because they don't REALLY know about it. Well I'm confused. Either Jacki-O isn't really as hood as she claims, or she's just plain ol' ignorant. I'd venture to go with option 2. WATCH (if you dare):

Kanye feat. Young Jeezy: So Amazing

Of course Kanye went hard on this track. It's my favorite song on his album-- though it is full of ego, bravado and brag-swag that 'Ye is most commonly known for... This record, (despite all that) goes HARD. Kanye threw Hype Williams on this-- and what a great choice. It reminds me of the Mary J. Blige "Everything" video he did back in the day....Full of beautiful tropical imagery. Throwing Jeezy in the mix most definitely brought an element of edge that worked well with the scenes.



I was JUST telling someone the other day how after I saw the new DAY 26 video with the predictable beach-scene-in-front-of-expensive-rented-car-with-pretty-light-skinned-girls-dancing-around-them made me shake my head. Why have music videos in hip-hop and r n' b become so boring, predictable and mundane? It's not everyone-- there are a few that are still innovative with it. And Kanye is definitely one. Keep challenging your audience, and they come back for more! It IS pretty amazing 'Ye-- isn't it. WATCH:



VIA worldstar hip-hop

We STILL Got Dat New-New For You-You...

Man, Souljaboy is annoying, but I can't lie. That "turn my swag on" song is genius! You just can't hate it-- it's utterly addictive! And though it was released damn-near a year ago, it's #1 in NYC right NOW!!! Insanity. Who knew this lil skninny kid had reach? Well he does. And he's done a crazy remix featuring: Jim Jones, Young Jeezy, Lil' Wayne & Fabulous. Check it if you haven't yet:

AHHHH! New Clipse & Kanye!

Ugh! I am salivating and gettin all hot-and-bothered just thinking about this collabo! Yes people, music does that to me... What can I say? But I digress... The Clipse are clearly one of the most sought-after hip-hop duo's in the game. Their follow-up to "Lord Willing" was one of the most anticipated albums of that year. They definitely made their mark on that classic album with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo lacing the production. Their gritty yet witty lyrics always captivated me...



Now the duo is coming hard with their third LP: "Til the Casket Drops". They performed at Coachella in CA over the weekend, and hit the crowd with their latest single: "Kind of a Big Deal" feat. none other than Kanye West. How can you get these three together? It's like crack! Deadly, dangerous and addicting! I'm sold. To check out the latest from the Clipse & 'Ye CLICK HERE

Your Daily Freshness...

Mr. Wood is at it again, and this time he brought a friend! The world-famous "Vinnie's Styles" and Brian Wood have collaborated on this "90's Alumn" tee (not to mention with the purchase of said tee you can own the fresh mixtape above featuring local NYC talent):



Ahhh, smell that? It's freshness people. And a drumroll please for the official press release:

NYC based artist/designer Brian Wood and Brooklyn boutique Vinnie’s Styles have collaborated on a limited edition t-shirt paying homage to what some say is the greatest decade in hip hop. The shirt entitled the 90’s Alumni features iconic emcees of the era.

The back of the shirt features a printed pager with the screen revealing B WOOD x Vinnie’s. Each shirt is sold with a sticker hang tag and CD. The CD single B WOOD features a talented ensemble of NYC based artists; Mickey Factz, Fresh Daily, Homeboy Sandman, P Casso, Soul Purpose, A-butta, Christina K and Peter Hadar.

The 90’s Alumni will be sold exclusively in the United States at Vinnie’s Styles and Stadium in Tokyo. To purchase please visit www.vinniesstyles.com

For more information please visit www.brianwoodonline.com

I like the design. It reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest's, "Midnight Marauders" Album-- one of my personal favorites on my greatest-of-all-time list...





Fresh!

New Eminem: "We Made You"

He's back from his HIGH-atus with his new LP, "Relapse" and his new single, "We Made You". Check it out!

Fresh To Death Like Clothes On A Corpse...

Wassup faithful flock? Tonight was a great night. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting fashion-maverick Brian Wood-- who in my mind can easily be the next Marc Jacobs. His unique line of urban-wear (including some fierce tee's and varsity jackets) have been resonating with all the fly and flavor kids of NYC and beyond. Wood has definitely stepped his game up with his latest line:




He had an exclusive and intimate showing of his latest line today in Chelsea, NYC. There were some fashion elite, as well as some industry movers & shakers in the house. All were eager to see the man of the hour and his innovative style. Despite all the buzz around him, Mr. Woods remains humble, approachable, funny and endearing. His line of menswear is edgy, fresh, provocative, and high-fashion with a twist of urban edge that makes you do a double-take...Literally.








With models standing on milk crates, holding props like broken wine glasses and aluminum bats, this show was definitely unique and inspiring. Surely, BW and I will link up in the near future to do a feature on him so you can be up on one of the hottest young talents to hit the NYC fashion scene. Since 2004 he's made great strides in the game. I can't wait to be front row at his fashion week show! All in due time... BRIAN WOOD is a name you'll be hearing for years to come. He's CCW-CERTIFIED BITCHES!!!!







Now that you got a little taste of what BW has to offer, please feel free to check out his website: www.brianwoodonline.com-- you will not regret it... And just so you could put a face with that name-- check him out:


Swagged-out! And I'm gone.

We STILL Got That New-New For You-You...

I dunno how he manages to do it, but Justin Timberlake always ends up having hot and steamy songs with some of the most desired Black women in the game... Beyonce, Rihanna and now Ciara can be added to the list of Black vixens he's romped with (on-camera, that is). Check out the latest from Ci-Ci and JT below: "Love, Sex & Magic":

So THIS Was What All the Fuss Was About...

Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo: "Knock You Down"

New Video's!

The Dream feat. Mariah: "My Love"



The Dream feat. Ludacris, Rick Ross, Juelz Santana, Fabolous: "Rockin' That Thang (Remix)"



Jazmine Sullivan: "In Love With Another Man"



Y'all know I always got dat new-new for you-you... Hope you enjoyed!

We STILL Got That New-New For You-You...

New Videos! Check Them Out:

Rick Ross feat. John Legend "Magnificent":



Jazmine Sullivan: "Dream Big":



Katy Perry "Thinking Of You":

New Weezy: "Prom Queen"

Y'all know I always got that new-new for you-you.. That's why you keep comin' back.. Like bad crack! LOL... Check it:

SPANKIN' NEW VIDEOS!

Beacuse I love y'all... Check it:


Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain: "Blame It"



Young Jeezy: "Circulate"



Jadakiss: "Can't Stop Me"

New Ga-Ga!

Check out the new video: "Love Game" by Lady Gaga. I remember telling you folks about her a minute ago, and I been bumpin' this particular track since July. I love Gaga. She's not just a singer, but a true performer with elaborate costumes, drama, dance sequences and her own swag. How can you not love it? True, she rarely wears clothes, but hey-- you're only young once, right? Might as well flaunt it since you've got it-- as long as she's not hurting anyone it's all good. Check out the dramtic video for "Love Game" that reminds me of Rihanna's "Disturbia" mixed with Michale Jackson's "Bad", and Gaga's own spin... HAWT. WATCH:

"Welcome To Heartbreak" Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi

New Vibe

Keyshia Cole is looking totally super-mod-vintage-retro-throw-back-fresh on the cover of the latest issue of VIBE. You know you gotta go out and COP DAT!

New Ginuwine???

Yup. And it's called: "My Last Chance". And baby, it just might be, LOL! CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS