MIA Kala

I am hipster enough to notice that M.I.A has been killing it this summer, however. Everyone's favorite British rapper of Sri-Lankan descent is set to drop her new album, Kala, next week. Luckily for us, M.I.A has put her entire album up, a week early, on MySpace. While most of it may sound like inaudible drivel, it is at least inaudible drivel you can nod your head to. But once you get past her accent, your in order for some of the hottest, most unique, and hell ,weirdest shit ever.

Beastie Boys perform in Central Park

Photo: Jefferson Gaddis

The Beastie Boys performed two shows in NYC this past week. Apparently I wasn't hipster enough, because I had no clue. The first performance was Thursday at McCarren Pool in Brooklyn, while the second was Friday at the Summer Stage in Central Park. The show looked crazy. Too bad I missed it. For more check out BrooklynVegan.

Soulja Boy "Crank Dat"

Listen. I have been trying to avoid posting about the whole Soulja Boy craze. The dance has taken over Youtube, been performed by Beyonce - OMG @ the catsuit - on stage and is soon to be shown every 15 minutes, that they show videos, on MTV. I was hoping it would remain an internet thing, but alas, I was wrong.

It was featured at the beginning of last night's Entourage. Not even finding out that Mrs. Ari had a bad body for a middle-aged women could stop the bad taste in my mouth. I was tight...until I read what completely changed my idea about Soulja Boy's message.

"The mis-spelled name might seem silly to some, but it is his way of depicting himself as a soulful person. Growing up on the streets of the inner-city, Soulja Boy found it difficult to not develop the hardened shell of many of his peers. He saw death and destruction and ever juncture, but still maintaind his soul. He is also a rastafarian, thus explaining the "ja" at the end of his name. He removed the "h" from "jah" in order to preserve the subtlety of his name.

His song Crank dat soulja boy is an ode to his hostile environment. In the inner city, "crank" means to emulate, to follow in the foot steps of. Soulja Boy is trying to inspire the youth that are not walking in the footprints he left behind in that concrete jungle he once called home. He is telling them to be like Soulja Boy. He is also telling them to "superman that hoe." Essentially telling them that the miscreant females of the street or "hoes" will cause him harm. Likening them to kryptonite, and the ghetto youth are Superman.

Soulja Boy is the epitome of lyrical aptitude, the likes of which have not been seen since the untimely death of the Notorious B.I.G."

Thank you fabionthegreat. You've openned my mind and heart.

Fam-Lay "Da Beeper Record"

This is the video for Fam-Lay's "Da Beeper Record." The video is directed by the legendary Hype Williams - who actually deserves that title. The black and white video is shot Williams' signature wide screen ratio and seems like a mix between Pharrell's HP commercial and a montage of Ricky Powell photos.

This song is about a year old in Virginia, but hopefully it'll caught on across the country. Hopefully it will lead to the release of his album, and not end up like Rock'nRoll. I've been a big fan of Fam-Lay since his freestyle on the Clipse's Lord Willin,' so I'm pulling for him.

"It ain't nuthin ya'll can teach me/I been lock up mo' times than sweet pea"

Graduation Album Cover

This is the official album cover for Kanye West's third album "Graduation." The cover art was designed by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. It features Kanye's bear mascot being shot through the air, signifying his commencement.


This is the other picture circulating the internet as Graduation's official cover. It featured West's mascot sporting a pair of Jeremy Scott stripe sunglasses - similar to the one's West has in his video for Stronger.

Also, Here's the alleged tracklist for Graduation...

1. Good Morning
2. Homecoming (Featuring Chris Martin)
3. Stronger
4. Champion
5. Good Life (Featuring T-Pain)
6. I Wonder
7. Even More Broke Phi Broke (Skit)
8. Can’t Tell Me Nothing
9. Drunk and Hot Girls (Featuring Mos Def)
10. Evrything I Am (Scratches By DJ Priemier)
11.Good Night (Featuring Mos Def & Al Be)
12. Big Brother
13. Graduation (Skit)
14. The Glory
15. CRS (Featuring Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell) [Pre-Order Only]

Time will tell if it's true.

Styling On You Bitches!

So I come home from the mall this afternoon, and I'm greeted by an IM from a YoungFreshnGood. After some inquiry, I find out it's my old chum Saida from Brooklyn Tech. She randomly stumbled across my blog (it's the catchy-ass name!). Long story short, she happened to have a blog herself called Styling On You.

It's very informative for those lacking any fashion sense or for those fashionistas in the know. Her blog also covers music and entertainment, so it's worth checking out. Saida was always the freshest girl in Tech - a David Beckham kick game and the style of Posh - so she knows what she's talking about.

Transformers Pack

Photo:Freshness

Here's a look at the Optimus Prime Air Trainer III. After about a few months of speculation, these are suppose to hit store today, as a part of the Transformers Pack. Freshness unveiled the other two shoes in the pack yesterday. They are a Megatron Air Trainer Huarache and Starscream Air Max 90 boot.

Nike should have released the pack before the movie - a la Simpsons Vans - as the hype has died down. Although I'm sure the die-hard transformers fan or sneakers head will pick them up.

MEGATRONNNNNNNNNNN...it looks nothing like him.



I'm tight Starscream got this!

Cement Spiz'ikes

Photo: Nice Kicks

Jordan Spiz'ikes are sort of a love hate/thing. The shoe, which amalgamates the Jordan III, IV, V and VIs, has sported a variety of color ways and received mixed reviews amongst sneaker heads. Things seem to be beginning to look up, however. Thanks to Air-Randy, the good folks at Nice Kicks have provided a picture of the Cement Spiz'ikes. These are set to release December 15 just in time for the Christmas rush. Stay tune for more info.

Rolling Stone Internship

I had an interview with Rolling Stone magazine yesterday - yeah, I don't believe it either. It went pretty good. I would probably rank my interview at MTV above it, but it's fucking Rolling Stone! It's like comparing diamonds and pearls. Hopefully, I'll hear something soon. But then I have to choose between the two. But that's a great problem to have.

And since I made a Prince reference....