Archive for November, 2010

Stones Throw vs. Dim Mak vs. Low End Theory vs. Dub Club – Four Collectives Reppin’ The L.A. Music Scene: Four Different Sounds, One Winner!

Friday, November 12th, 2010

After much success across the pond in London, Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash will make its U.S. debut in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 2nd at Exchange LA. Four L.A. based, but internationally known and well-respected music collectives will participate and battle to be named winner by the crowd. The collectives will be Dim Mak, Dub Club, Low End Theory and Stones Throw.

Celebrating traditional Jamaican sound clash culture, some of the city’s best musical purveyors will enter the ring under the watchful eye of the mighty MC Commander. Dim Mak, Dub Club, Low End Theory and Stones Throw represent four of the hottest genres in the L.A. music scene- electro, roots reggae, future beats, and vintage funk, soul and hip hop. True to a traditional sound clash, each collective will bring in their own sound system and will set-up shop on one of four individual stages.

The format of the show will be broken into four rounds, the crowd will be voting after each round based on a series of criteria and their applause and cheers will be measured by a decibel meter. The evening will kick-off with each stage warming-up with a 15 minute set. The first round will be the “selection round,” where each collective will be voted upon based on their selection of music. The second will be the “entertainment round” and each collective will bring a special guest to their stage. The third will challenge each collective to stray from their norm and play a different genre of music on their sound system. The fourth and final round is the “banger round,” and each stage will pull out their biggest and baddest tunes to win over the crowd once and for all.

With the four collectives performing under one roof, the Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash promises to deliver not only a night you’ll never forget, but also the very best in cross-genre exploration.

The line-up will be:

• Dim Mak featuring Them Jeans, Thee Mike B, DJ Fashen, DJ Funk and surprise guests
• Dub Club featuring Echodelic Soundsystem with Tom Chasteen, Boss Harmony, Dungeonmaster , Roy Corduroy, and Jah Faith , plus reggae legend Brigadier Jerry and surprise guests
• Low End Theory featuring Daddy Kev, Nobody, D-Styles, Nocando and special guests
• Stones Throw featuring Peanut Butter Wolf, Mayer Hawthorne, J Rocc and Dam Funk

A full recording of the night will be streamed on Red Bull Music Academy Radio shortly after the event– tune in at RBMAradio.com.

Event Information:

• Where: Exchange LA: 618 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
• Ages 21+
• Tickets are available for purchase at RedBullUSA.com/RBMAclash
• Twitter Tag: #RBMAclash

There’s no place like home…

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Brabus Mercedes-Benz has redefined the idea of luxury by featuring the Viano Lounge Concept. The Brabus Mercedes-Benz Viano Lounge Concept features a 32-inc LCD, two Sony VAIO laptops, a PlayStation 3, Nespresso machine, and even a Vertu Constellation Phone, along with speakers all throughout the vehicle, to play your favorite tunes.

The housing is made from an elaborate combination of stainless steel, scratch-proff sapphire glass and leather interior covers. The concept also provides on-board refreshments, a dimensioned refrigerator, and reclinable seats.

Watch movies, play games, surf the net, maybe some coffee? It’s all a hand-reach away! Welcome to the future. Make this your home away from home!

Twista’s The Perfect Storm – In Stores Now!

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Twista’s new album The Perfect Storm hit retail yesterday and it’s already gaining plenty of momentum.  The album has already hit #6 on iTunes and sold out at four separate Best Buys in Chicago.  The album has notable guest features from the likes of Chris Brown, Waka Flocka Flame, Ray J and more.  And of course, production from The Legendary Traxster and No I.D.

Tracklisting:

1. Darkness (feat. DaWreck)
2. Up to Speed
3. Make A Movie (feat. Chris Brown)
4. I Do
5. 2012 (feat. Tia London)
6. Sweating (feat.Scotty)
7. Back to the Basics
8. Hand Up, Lay Down (feat. Waka Flocka Flame)
9. Call the Police (feat. Ray J)
10. Cocaine (feat. Yo Gotti)
11. 3 Minute Murder
12. Give It to Me (feat. Teala Chenae)
13. Go (feat. Zamica)

Purchase the album here on iTunes, complete with exclusive bonus material. And check out the video for “Make a Movie” featuring Chris Brown, below!

Find more videos like this on Twista.com

The Boondocks: The Complete Third Season Available Now!

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

The third season of the controversial Peabody Award-winning comedy, The Boondocks: The Complete Third Season, debuted on DVD today.

Based on Aaron McGruder’s hard hitting comic strip, the first two seasons of the animated series have become an instant television classic. Fans of Huey, Riley, Granddad, Uncle Ruckus, Tom, Sarah, and Jasmine can complete their collection and own The Boondocks: The Complete Third Season.

Not only are fans getting get all 15 episodes of the explicit third season, but Aaron and crew have laced the three-disc set with some extra goodies.

DVD Special Features Include:

• Every Episode hosted by Cedric Yarbrough (“Tom”, “Stinkmeaner”) and Gary Anthony Williams (“Uncle Ruckus”)
• Four Audio Commentaries with John Witherspoon (“Granddad”), Cedric Yarbrough and Gary Anthony Williams
• Slink on the Street: Who is Your Favorite Character?
• Animatic to Screen Comparisons
• Seung Eun Kim Sketch Photo Gallery

Check out the two videos below of Snoop Dogg and David Banner getting on their (Boondocks‘) Soapbox talking about one of the illest animated comedies o all-time, The Boondocks!

Head over to iTunes or Amazon to purchase The Boondocks: The Complete Third Season now!

Kik Messenger Explodes in Popularity Overnight!

Monday, November 8th, 2010

In just 15 days after its re-launch, Kik Messeger has garnered over 1 million users and has become the new favorite chat application in the smartphone scene. The company managed to register over 250,000 users within the first 24 hours of re-launch and has continued such unprecedented growth to this day. So, what’s the secret to a new application like Kik Messenger’s growing success? Users are attracted to its simplicity and speed.

Kik works on all three major mobile platforms: Blackberry, iPhone and Android. All the user has to do is download the app onto their smartphone and it will automatically dip through their contact list and recommend ‘kik’ contacts. Once put to use, Kik lets you see messages in real time. It labels each message as either “sent,” “delivered” or “read,” letting you know when the user gets it on the other end and when they are typing back. Blackberry messenger has a similar ability; however, Kik messenger claims to work even faster and can be used for free across all smartphones. BBM may still offers more features including group chat and the ability to send files but, Kik’s continued popularity shows that it is not far behind developing similar features.

With such overnight success, many are predicting that Kik Messenger could kill the standard SMS. We’ll let you decide if Kik has the ability to become a mainstay in the mobile world or is just a fad. Do you Kik it?

Fashion Fridays: Fragment Design x Nike Dunk Hi Preview

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Hiroshi Fujiwara, working with his creative firm, fragment design, is looking to inject some new life into the Dunk Hi with some hot new colorways.

In this sneak peek, we only have a look at four of the new colorways, each sporting the HF lightning bolt logo at the back of the shoe and they’re definitely looking good. Fujiwara has previously designed
products for BAPE and Converse so expect something fresh from this fragment design and Nike collaboration.

Be on the lookout for more news.

Snoop Dogg Connects with Fans…

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Snoop Dogg and Landy teamed up with Abduzeedo to host a contest giving fans the opportunity to create their own video using a pre-recorded Snoop Dogg green screen video. Snoop made his decision, and crowned Nicolas Doretti as the top dog in winning the commercial and proudly presents the first official Landy commercial.

Check out the first official Landy Cognac commercial:

Make sure to also peep the BONUS interview with contest winner, Nicolas Doretti talking about his inspiration and first memory of Snoop Dogg:

Blast That Sample Pt. 2

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Blast That Sample is the weekly series where Cashmere resident hip-hop genius’ aims to one-up your musical expertise and drop jewels on the under appreciated art of hip-hop sampling.

In our second installment of “Blast That Sample”, Cashmere is blowing youring mind on just how far back today’s producer’s are digging in the crates to reto-fit old classics into today bangin’ joints.

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This week’s sample is none other the 2007 hit  “Throw Some D’s” from Rich Boy.

Now check out some them old school cats, Switch, with their classic song, “I Call Your Name”, from their 1979 album, Switch II .

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS NOVEMBER, 2 2010 – EAST LA CIVIC CENTER!

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

REVOLUTION WITHOUT BORDERS/REVOLUCION SIN FRONTERAS!

Self Help Graphics & Art began celebrating Day of the Dead on November 2, 1972. Two artists met in the Evergreen Cemetery, located twelve blocks from the art center in East Los Angeles on Cesar Chavez Avenue (formerly Brooklyn Ave) to celebrate and honor the dead, as their ancestors in Mexico had centuries before.

In the following years, more artists were incorporated in the celebration. The artists made masks, costumes, posters and altars. Youth workshops were developed in order to educate young artists of the centuries old tradition. From the cemetery on the corner of 1st and Evergreen in East Los Angeles, a procession was held. Self Help Graphics & Art founder, Sister Karen Boccalero lead the charge of community residents, artists, patrons, and youth, launching a tradition that created a lasting impact on Los Angeles culture for more than 35 years.

Purchase an official DOTD shirt, and get a FREE complimentary screenprint by HIT+RUN with exclusive designs by NACO, ENIK ONE, ZANA, ACEDO, AZUL213 and H+R CREW (http://thehitandrun.com/). Bring your own shirt, hoodie or bag and get each print for only $2, with all proceeds going to Self Help Graphics & Art.

This year is Self Help Graphics & Art’s 37th annual Dia de los muertos celebration! The Nov. 2nd event is from 5:00 p.m – 11:00 p.m. and FREE to the community!

The League of Young Voters Encourages You to Hit the Polls Today!

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Today is the day to take a stand and make your voice heard at the polls. As Election Day commences, The League of Young Voters is working hard to empower the youth and provide them with the tools, training and support to become serious catalysts for change in their communities. This past weekend, The League did just that by holding their signature “Trick or Vote” event with hosts Rocsi and Free of 106 & Park fame!

The event rocked the Shops of Grand Avenue Mall in Milwaukee, WI and featured live entertainment and a college step show. All proceeds and donations went toward The League of Young Voters and their initiatives. Events such as this one showcase the importance of getting involved in the democratic process for today’s youth. The League of Young Voters has been working hard to empower the youth to fight for progressive change and has even had the support from Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Mike Epps and David Banner. Check out the latest drop from the latest femcee that’s holding down the West Coast, Marz Lovejoy. And, make sure to head out to the polls and make your voice heard!