Master work, I can't front. Art world videos > rap videos. The piece reminds me of the kind of street fair I like to inject into my personal canvas work. Really dope.
These numbers sound about right with whatever Ye was talking about earlier this week. I'm still kind of disappointed Taylor Swift sold almost double but that's just the world we live in. I don't think there's anyone out there that thinks the girl makes better music by any stretch of the imagination. You just can't fuck with the strength of those huge Pop/Country artists. Their fans go to record stores instead of blogs, simple. Still a great look for Kanye and the music is most definitely the best of the year.
*Nicki's highly-anticipated debut did about 370k, while the overlooked Banks moved 45k units in his first week. Hov's first "Greatest Hits" album did 26k but has a really great website at www.jayzhitscollection.com
Pretty much posting this on the strength of the sick Polo sweatshirt Wiz has on about mid-way through. Besides that it's just a little behind-the-scenes look into the cover shoot for him and Rozay. The cover's ugly in my opinion but you can see it here.
Probably the best and most introspective record in the last five years from the troubled rapper. It's sad he has to promote the new album inside a cell but as he explains in the music, that's nothing compared to letting his kids down. Most of the other blogs are afraid to post unsanctioned music right now but I needed to let you hear this. King's No Mercy album drops Tuesday, December 7th.
Penned and produced by newcomers, Skylar Grey and Alex Da Kid, who are responsible for a wave of hits including Rihanna & Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie", Diddy & Dirty Money's "I'm Coming Home" and B.o.B & Hayley Williams "Airplanes". The duo's Top 40 sound is pretty remarkable, being described as "Coldplay meets Hip-Hop" and quickly becoming a mainstay on the charts.
The hoopla is real. There's shit Ralph Lauren makes, and then there's shit made by everyone else. The exclusive new timepiece draws inspiration from Lauren's 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic coupe and it's interior is made of elm burl, the same type of wood found on the dashboard. It's a manually wound movement with 156 components and has a power reserve of 45 hours. The matte black galvanic dial features Arabic numerals and on the rear is a sapphire exhibition caseback allowing a full view of the RL Caliber RL98295. Don't know what the hell any of it means except that it sounds cool? The damn thing tells you the time and it costs $13,200. Fuck is it gorgeous.
This is really dope. At first I thought the kid was playing the piano and rapping at the same time which would have been even iller but it's all good. I'm still sort of confused about the route his team is going and why half of his "debut" had tracks previously released but besides any of that, I like Yelawolf and will be checking for him to deliver.
Sad to see the beloved funny man go. I'm pretty sure my Pop considers Airplane! one of the funniest movies ever but I remember the series of Naked Gun series more than anything. Classic shit.
"I'm afraid if I don't keep moving, they're going to catch me ... I am 81 years old and I want to see what's around the corner, and I don't see any reason in the world not to keep working. But I am starting to value my down time a great deal because I am realizing there might be other things to do that I am overlooking."
—Nielsen reflecting on his career in 2007
I've been thinking about bags recently and these are great. I love the vintage leather against the quilted canvas like that. You can pre-order them from AC here.
Tom Ford makes his cover return to Womenswear with the 15-year old Daphne Groeneveld. I'm just into the colors and layout and could care less till I see the new line.
Interesting look into the awesome art of a couple of our good friends, 2esae and Ski, working out of Brooklyn. The kid Dred captures the boys working on their collaboration with the NBA for Art Basel in Miami this coming week. Currently on a road trip down to the Sunshine State for the yearly art convention, expect more behind-the-scenes and cool footage from the guys coming our way soon.
This is everything it's cracked up to be and I like how fast it moves. It isn't pretentious in a way, I don't know. Just one of those ridiculous looks into the life of a superstar touring the world. MJ shit, don't get it twisted.
*All the Jay references throughout are pretty cute by the way.
Whoa, haven't put Jeezy up on the board in a minute. This is the best shit I've heard outta your man in a minute. Interesting. In my opinion homeboy sounds best over these clean beats. Can't explain it better than that.
From left to right: Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, Ye, Jeff Basker, Justin Vernon
Love these little looks into the studio sessions with these guys. One thing Vernon says toward the end really hit home with me and how I've been approaching recording music again.
"What was it like in there?
Very spontaneous. Kanye slept like three hours a night, at the studio. He was the only one who didn’t sleep at his own house. He’d work every day all day long and fall asleep in the middle of a sentence at four in the morning. All the other stuff it was just packaging. It’s just about whatever sounds good to him. In the sense of raw talent, people were just rolling in. I’d never heard Nicki, then I got to watch her destroy that verse in the studio [“Monster”] before I even knew who she was. And it was encouraging. We were listening back to “Lost in the World” and Kanye said, “That’s Justin singing that thing.” Nicki just looked at me, like, "Him? Right on … " It was a really rad thing."
Whoa. This could happen? Earlier today on Twitter, word spread that everybody's favorite video hosting site Onsmash.com was "seized by the Feds." I've heard a few different people speak on it and it still isn't confirmed whether or not this is true or just a hackjob from one of their competitors. Either way it's pretty crazy. Seems way unjustified to be singled out and it's wak for the young entrepreneurs who run the site if they face any jail-time or significant fines. I guess we'll see what happens.
*Update* This thing is bigger than I thought, could be the start of a different kind of internet. Or not. Read this if you care.
Not entirely sure of what the fuck this kid is saying but I'm not with it. I'm gonna post it cause I care for you to know what/when something like this bothers me. You can tell a smart dude like Shaheem doesn't even know how to respond. Or Ski for that matter. I understand it could be out of context and he might of explained himself better later on but whatever.
These is haaarrrrrdd. Yikes. They drop today, Black Friday, at the Nike Sportswear store on 21 Mercer St in NYC along with a limited leather & cashmere Destroyer jacket. Smh.
Wishing everybody a wonderful day. Whether you're turkeying it up or not, wherever you are in the world, hope you've got family, friends and loved ones around you. Have a great one.
Photos courtesy of Marie-Joelle Parent
*Bonus* Kanye performed about a minute of "Lost In The World", you can watch it here.
Feeling a bunch of the suits on the dude and her outfits as well, along with a few of the images in the Bonnie & Clyde themed fashion story shot by the upcoming photographer. Could of been executed better for sure but it's a cool idea.
Happy the homie Shaheem is sticking around and trying his hand on building his own brand to represent. If you're not familiar with big boy from MTV, you should be. He's not with them 1515 boys anymore and together with Coodie and Chike of Creative Control, has embarked on his own web series type thing talking to various rappers. I'll be checking in. As far as the new Jets music, I tried, man. I tried.
Promo shots of the blowjob queen surface. I'm not talking about Lohan actually. A few days ago it was announced officially the troubled star was dropped from starring in the anticipated biopic due to not being able to insure her properly because of all her legal drama. There's a few other shots here if you care but this is all mostly just a shitty post I'm not proud of.
It's hard to tell how some of the stuff he says actually comes off but, yeah, reading it? Shit is, fuckin' ridiculous. Asking Rihanna if she knows she can "turn straight women gay?", I mean, classic. And the mag people knew this.
The only way I figured out how to read the full interview is by clicking here and jumping through hoops or supporting print and getting something new for the coffee table. I suggest the latter. NY Mag has a couple excerpts to chew on here.
Actually really feeling this record. It's sad but I think everyone knows at this point Tip might really have done himself in. I guess only time will tell.
Basically posting the video on the strength of the bonus freestyle over Ye's "Dark Fantasy" beat I'm adding below. His bars are just real good and not corny at all on either of these. Plus Dred's been saying good things about this kid for awhile now.
Crazy interesting overview of the artist' "8-10 meetings with Kanye" over the course of the summer. Whether playing the new music or checking out vintage work with Condo and his wife in their Upper Eastside studio, the two were able to capture a great mood of imagery for an already broad stroke of music. When asked about the intitial banned cover, he had this to say, “The superimposition of people’s perceptions on a cartoon is shocking,” Condo scoffs. “What’s happening in their minds should be banned. Not the painting.”
This gets me mothafuckin' amped, man. Great job. Now if only Ayes will get back to me about New Years.
“The Sherpas (sherpascinema.com) are proud to present All.I.Can: a two-year feature film project that fuses our passions for riding and exploring the mountains with our potential to help the environment. The film strives to unite global mountain culture and bind us together as the leaders of a green revolution. We must be inspired to do all we can for the environment, and we must learn how to take that first tiny step in the right direction.
Multi-award winning Directors Dave Mossop and Eric Crosland journey to Chile, Morocco, Alaska, BC and beyond with riders Kye Petersen, Mark Abma, Eric Hjorleifson, JP Auclair, James Heim, Chris Rubens, Mike Douglas, Dana Flahr, Rory Bushfield, Ian McIntosh, Lynsey Dyer, Alexi Godbout, Matty Richard, Chad Sayers and more. Full feature drops in fall 2011.”
That's a good looking pair of boots right there. The coolaboration will release on Black Friday, November 26th here at Concepts. They always have a version of the boot for Women I'm kinda feeling. Happy trails.
Talk about some historic shit right here. On the day Kanye drops what I consider his best work yet, hands-down the best album of the year and maybe one of my favorite albums ever, I meet the guy, humbly, in Best Buy buying about 50 deluxe edition copies of his album to give away. Coming up the escalator I found myself facing homie, walked up right to him and gave him a pound. W spoke for about 30 seconds in which I was able to tell him I rapped, he inspires the shit out of me daily and he needed to check me out. Then I handed him a linen illrapper.com card. Fuckin' amazing.
This is it. I've seen so many brands take a try at covers for everybody's favorite electronic devises it's nice to see something different. They have a denim one that kills after the jump. “The Liberty London for Apple collection offers the perfect combination of form and function. Each product in the range has been designed with ease of functionality at the forefront of its conception.” The collection covers all Apple products from iPad/iPhone/iPod and Macbooks as well as messenger bags. Above, we preview the Ianthe Macbook case but you’ll find some canvas Gekko and Wicker prints in our gallery. They are available December 1st."
Great piece. Johan Soderlund and Mats Andersson, the duo behind Indigofera, bring you their take on the classic “Type 3 Denim jacket." “Indigofera is a name that pays tribute to the plant and the origin of the luxuriant and vibrant blue quintessential to the classic blue denim.” I just love the quality it looks of.
Chopped it up with the kid Mills earlier tonight. It's a good movement they got going in Greenpoint. If you remember back, the Hot Mop Film guys did a profile on Mills a couple months ago. You could tell the brother puts time into his craft and is building a nice little buzz for himself so shout to him!
Do check out www.runandeatnyc.com - You can listen/download the interview we had earlier tonight down below:
Looks like Winter is here with this shit haha. You know these days right? Good knit, man.
In addition to the shawl collar, a leather pulltab is another added detail. The A BATHING APE COWICHAN KNIT JACKET is available now at BAPE STORE NEW YORK and online at US.BAPE.com
Interesting read about the hole Kanye has dug himself yet again. It's sad such incredible music can have such a dark shadow cast over it. I feel the guy's plight but it really does seem to be doing more bad for him than good. Well, depends on how you look at it.
NY Times', Jon Caramanica has his own opinion: On Monday Mr. West, who is 33, will release his fifth album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam), and it’s terrific — of course it’s terrific — a startlingly maximalist take on East Coast rap traditionalism. And yet that doesn’t matter nearly as much as it should, at least partly because of Mr. West’s insistence on his own greatness. By not allowing for responses to his work other than awe, the value of the work itself is diminished; it becomes an object of admiration, not of study. Instead the focus is on the whole of Mr. West’s persona and character, which is more fractured, and subject to a far wider range of responses. The result is that Mr. West becomes a polarizing public figure who happens to be the most artful pop musician of the day, not the other way around.
Interesting new record surfaces from one of the most anticipated albums quite possibly ever, Dr. Dre's, "Detox". What was first just an unsure leak is now the real thing but it comes with an explanation from the good doctor that it's the "only weed song on the album and he doesn't want people to get the wrong idea". It's still pretty good and live with a standout verse from long time collaborator Snoop Dogg.
Things like this have great shopping potential if you're looking to pick up ill Fall shit. The Pop Up Flea shop is back in NY this weekend with deep discounts on brands such as Levi’s Vintage Clothing, L.L. Bean Signature, Smith + Butler, Gant, Oliver Spencer, Grown & Sewn, J.Crew, Gitman Brothers Vintage, Schott NYC, Alexander West and many more. The dates and address are down below:
Friday November 19th (3-9pm), Saturday the 20th (11am-7pm) and Sunday the 21st (11am-6pm) Openhouse Gallery at 201 Mulberry Street (btw Spring and Kenmare) NYC
Deserves every bit of the whole I'm back feeling. The guy was damn near completely removed from the game for a long time and in 2010 had a fuckin' monster come back year in more ways than one. Support print and go and get this in stores and on newsstands everywhere. Rolling Stone only put a mini feature up online for you here.
Forgot to post this for some reason. Sue me. All the way official right here. Newly signed to Roc Nation along with a brand-new Hov collabo. Really looking forward to this music on the way. Gonna have to sit with this one in particular a little more. Maybe you'll feel differently.
Wasn't the Jay vs. Dave shit I remember. I wonder if Hov knew by opening up these kinds of stories and tying them into his neighborhood, the time period and the drugs, there's a much larger conversation at hand. I don't think it was easy for Dave to just sit up there and make light of it. Anyway, this is the type of shit that sells books no doubt. It's sort of incredible what this rap guy is doing. Remarkable even.
Mothafuckin' Rick Rubin. The man just lost 130 pounds at 47 years old and goes in to the studio to deliver one of Kid Rock's greatest work' yet. It's a great read and the excerpt below should give you a little insight into the dynamic between the two and why, in my opinion, Rubin is such a stand-out talent when behind the boards.
Rubin even cured Rock of his addiction to yelling his own name on his records. "Not just that," Rubin elaborates. "I was trying to get him to stop singing about himself. He comes from a hip-hop background, where bragging is really common. I felt like he could sing about his vulnerability rather than his omnipotence. And he's singing his ass off on this album. I think this album will surprise people. I think this is the album people want him to make."
Drop-dead gorgeous collaborative jackets and vests by Norse Projects and Lavenham. Certain things like the corduroy details just take it to another level for me. I've got a couple pieces that are similar but nothing like the green quilt. Feeling it.
There's a few other pieces to check out here along with some buying info.
Both great talks with dope little insight if you care about this sort of thing. Over two hours of audio putting them both together so I'm guessing this is only for the enthusiast but yeah, no gem is too small. Plus there really is a bunch of stuff that never ever gets asked which makes this pretty cool.
Bonus* Jay is also having a conversation with Cornel West and Paul Holdengräber tonight and they're broadcasting the thing live from the New York Public Library starting at 7pm here.
A few great questions for a man internationally known for his incredible style. Some gems to be recognized in here.
The internet is pretty fantastic if you consider how a person can be recognized from NYC to South Africa by his style alone. You’re getting quite the buzz on your fashion sense, what do you think about that? I am quite flattered that anyone is paying attention. I just put my trousers on one leg at a time. How did you come to be the Men’s Fashion Director for Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus and what does that title entail? I work with the merchant teams to find and develop new talent and to further enhance our existing portfolio of brands to bring our customers the latest and most desirable merchandise. I also work closely with the advertising, press and marketing teams to communicate our vision across the company and to our customers. Your style is certainly classic with a twist without looking contrived, what do you attribute to this? I grew up in Salina Kansas and worked in the nicest clothing store in town. My first mentor was an inherently classic guy who instilled the basics of how a gentleman should dress. He had really great taste. I also had the opportunity to work as a buyer for Fred Pressman and Peter Rizzo at Barneys New York… they taught me the fundamentals—I have always marched to a slightly different beat. As a menswear Director you oversee a large selection of fashion and trends, what would you say are your top sellers, both in brand and item? Our main call out for the season are: MILITARY, GREEN, BOOTS [particularly UTILITY BOOTS], PLAIDS and CHECKS, VELVET, CORDUROY, QUILTED, OUTERWEAR, the SOLID TIE. We sell trends—our customers want to know what we think is the latest and most covetable… my job is to help them discover that. What are you thoughts on the Fashion blogging market and it’s connection to retail? I am amazed at how impactful social media and blogging have impacted our connection to the customer. We are able to speak to them directly and immediately. I also think we are only in the infacy stage of understanding how revolutionary this change is. It’s completely exciting. I can’t tell you how many people stop me and know exactly who I am…it’s extraordinarily flattering—and a little bit scary. For your work you must get your information/knowledge from somewhere, is this instinctive or is there a specific place you get your trends? I just keep my eyes open. I love people watching. Everywhere I go, I take photos, make a note, tear out swipe from a magazine…and I love to shop. Any designers we should be watching out for? Aside from anyone we carry at BG and NM…I think Patrik Ervell, Richard Chai, Geroge Esquivel [shoes], Adam Kimmel are ones to watch. My favorite brand is VISVIM. What trends are you currently enjoying on the streets of New York? I just think guys are freer than ever. I love the mix of high/low…expensive and cheap, dressed up and super casual…all at the same time. I love a jacket and shorts. What do you think it is that men all over the world are suddenly realizing about fashion and grooming?They look better when they look in the mirror. It pays to take care of yourself. Finish the sentence: I got into the fashion world… because I am obsessed with clothing. When you’re not shopping high-fashion rails where do you go? I love to hide away at the beach in the summer on Fire Island. During the winter, I love a cozy apartment. Always with my best friends. Any great/secret finds in NY? If I told you my secret finds, they wouldn’t be my secret [lol]. I just discovered the coolest shop behind my apartment—Gramme Fowler on W. 10th Street. They carry a wide assortment of vintage boots, Belstaf Jackets, watches and they carry my secret vice—Trickers shoes.
Cool finale and overall dope season. What can I say, I like this arty-farty shit haha. We were just talking about how happy we are Ted Danson got a role like this. What a damn fine suit towards the end. They were green-lit for another season and should be back towards the end of the next summer.
Let me make it clear, I wouldn't wear these. Um, I couldn't wear these. That's what I mean to say. I think they ooze style though and for that I salute. They were good before and now in denim they just kill. My opinion bitch.
Huge congratulations in order. We've been saying good things about this guy for a while now super proud he's assumably gonna be in a good space now. There's a "secret" Jay-Z show/party going on right now somewhere in the city where the announcement is taking place. Oh yeah, free Ace of Spade flowing.
*Update* First single is called "Shiny Suit Theory" with Jay-Z. WHOA.
Tried to put a couple of my people on to Barbour coats a few weeks ago and got nowhere haha. Celebrating 75 years of their International jacket the iconic brand is producing 75 special limited-edition jackets taken from the original design.
"Created specifically for the 1936 International Six Day Trials that supplied its name, the Barbour International – in original green and later classic black – was the jacket for competitive motorcyclists through the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. It was worn by Steve McQueen and legendary stunt rider Bud Edkins.” The jackets will be available, in 2 finishes box-fresh and distressed – from December 1, 2010 at Barbour’s Heritage stores, Liberty and key independents across the UK."