Shoulder Tap: Mr. Magoo?

I normally stay away from fashion post, but Jay-Z always makes me do a Shoulder Tap. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Please tell him to stop wearing those damn glasses. Yeah I know they are "in", the nerd look is "in" (whatever that means). But usually people don't wear things to make them look as unattractive as possible, its usually just by accident or ignorance of what looks good on them. But this ish is deliberate and it makes him look corny. Is corny "in"? Is that the next big trend?

Hilariousity at its best, Mr. West

I won't be calling him Martin Louis the King, Jr. But I will call him Mr. West, or how about Chicago Vice, dude is looking like 2009 Ricardo Tubbs. I just can't believe he grew a tail, a damn tail!!! You make me laugh Mr. West. You really make me laugh, in a good way. Just curious as to what's next. I don't know how far dude can go with this look before he's Kanye Leon Talley. Absolute hilariousity!


A message from kwest on Vimeo.

Presidential Fresh: President Barack Hussein Obama

I haven't had a full blown cry yet...but the tears were streaming. Just hearing his name, an arabic name, being sworn in as President of the United States was absolutely amazing. I've had my share of discrimination with my name, so that was my own personal parade of change.
Just everything was picture perfect. Perfect speech. Perfect Suit. Michelle looked perfect. The girls looked perfect. The Bidens (Reppin the Delaware Valley). The Clintons. Everything was amazing. Even Aretha Franklin. I loved that big ass bow on her hat. The journey begins....

Of course some idiot wants to hold up Hillary as Sec of State today, but I'm not going to go there. Those who know, know that's my girl. Its always some ish. Its still perfect.

Circuit City Bites the Dust

All 567 U.S stores will be closed, 30,000 workers will be laid off, and shareholders will be wiped out. The second largest electronics retailer will be liquidated, which good news for those of looking for a bargain, but just a bad sign of the times. Read More

The Great Obamatini got some ish on his hands....

44

This is the official presidential photo that will go up in all government buildings and next to white Jesus and Dr. King in some of our homes. I need to get a nice flick to go next to my Malcolm X and Tupac Shakur pics. (Yeah, that's how I do, I said Tupac)

And how can you not love this...iconic. Wonder if Hillary Clinton could have had Wonder Woman?

Why Would Anyone Want To Drive on a Frozen Lake?

Via RobbReport.com

Bentley’s Power on Ice
The sight of a Bentley wafting down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills or Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is hardly an uncommon one, but the venerable British marque is keen to remind buyers that its grand automobiles are hardly just fair-weather friends. To
illustrate the point, Bentley Motors is again offering its annual Power on Ice program, perhaps the world’s most uncommon (and frigid) driving school. Set in the tiny town of Ruka, Finland, about 500 miles north of Helsinki (and only 35 miles south of the Arctic Circle), the three-day academy has participants wielding the 552-horsepower Continental GT coupe and Flying Spur sedan—as well as the new, 602-horsepower Speed variants of each model—across a vast frozen lake, learning car control in the worst possible conditions by practicing acceleration and braking, high-speed cornering, and emergency-avoidance maneuvers, all under the watchful eye of four-time World Rally Champion and Finnish national hero Juha Kankkunen. Far more than mere slipping and sliding, however, the program also includes guided snowmobile tours and dog-sled outings, and meals prepared by Finnish chef Jarmi Pitkänen. Bentley’s three-day Power on Ice sessions kick off on February 16, 2009, and continue through March 10. All-inclusive packages, which cover airfare from
Helsinki to the town of Kuusamo, which is 15 miles from Ruka, range from about
$9,800 to $32,200. www.bentleydriving.com/poweronice/

—Matthew Phenix

Ok, I can't even imagine what life must be like for the people that participate in this event. I don't see the thrill. Its cold as hell here in Philly and its 30 degrees, but the Artic Circle to drive a Bentley across some ice? Come on, who drives a Bentley on black ice anyway? That's stupid. You might have control of your car, but that damn pickup truck or the Kia Sephia will fly into the back of you and then what? Must be nice.

Run DMC inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Run-DMC will join the heavy metal band Metallica, guitarist Jeff Beck, soul singer Bobby Womack and doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials as this year's inductee class.

The rapping duo of Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels — plus
their DJ, the late Jam Master Jay — were rap's first rock stars. They had hits
with songs like "My Adiddas" and "It's Tricky," but had their greatest success
when they remade Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" with the rock act for a
groundbreaking collaboration.

In an interview Wednesday, McDaniels called their induction "inconceivable."
"I'm a rap dude, I'm an MC from Hollis (a neighborhood in New York's borough of Queens), just rockin' the mic, and to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Beatles, and (Bob) Dylan, and the rock 'n' roll gods? It's ridiculous! Ridiculous in a good way," he said.

He also gave a nod to the predecessors who paved the way for the group's success:
"I share this nomination and the induction and the whole award with those cats,
everyone from the Bronx and Harlem who started this."

{Source: AP}

This year's ceremony will be held, April 4th at Cleveland’s historic Public Hall. Pre-sale tickets will be available to the public for $35 and $75 during a one-day walk-up sale on Saturday, January 24 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Box Office. Ticketmaster will have them available on Monday, January 26th at 10am. Because of demand there is a two(2) limit.

Visit http://www.rockhall.com/ for more information. If you can check out their free admission on MLK day event as well as this exhibit, Sepia Magazine Photo Archive: 35 Years of the African-American Experience in Music, which runs until April 12th, 2009.

Inauguration to be shown in selected theatres

MSNBC and Screenvision, who is responsible for the ads you see prior to movie screenings will be airing the inauguration and the parade in 27 theatres in 21 markets. Tickets will be free and distributed via MSNBC.com. The programming will be presented from 11:am-3:30pm EST.

The arrangement gives MSNBC an opportunity to reach an audience in movie theaters, and it gives theater operators a chance to bring people into theaters -- and perhaps sell some popcorn and beverages -- at a time of day when movie attendance typically doesn't amount to much, the report said.

{Source}

Versace Mansion in South Beach Begins Tours

1116 Ocean Drive is now open to the public---for $65.

"It was just kind of a domino effect," said Elisa Brinkworth, a spokeswoman
for Casa Casuarina, as the 26,000-square-foot estate is called. "The more people
you let in, the more that wanted to come in."

The possibility of touring the villa and enjoying a meal there afterward — or if you're lucky enough, to stay in one of its 10 suites — doesn't come cheap. But it offers
visitors a glimpse of a truly special place long kept from the public.

{Read more}

In honor of NOTORIOUS opening up this Friday, just thought I'd share one of my favorite Biggie Versace references.

My Moschino hoe, my Versace hottie

Come to find out, you was fuckin everybody

You knew about me, the fake ID

Cases in Virginia, body in D.C.

This has black mail written all over it...WTH???

In my Curtis Payne voice..."What the hell?"

Knicks center Eddy Curry was slapped with a sex-harrassment by his former driver who claims Curry "allegedly" solicited him for gay sex on numerous occassions even dropping his pants at one point and exposing himself.

The driver, David Kuchinsky, stayed on the job for 3 years.....October 2005 to October 2008. This is why I say this is black mail. There is not a straight man on earth who would endure a man coming at him for sex over and over again. I don't care if he did have a record. But being as though Kuchinsky was locked up for three years prior to getting the job with Curry only makes me believe the he may have been down for whatever, thus the 3 year employment stint.

The suit goes on to alledge that Curry called Kuchinsky a "white slave", "grandmaster of the KKK", "craker", "f**king Jew" and made him perform "humiliating tasks outside the scope of his employment, such as cleaning up and removing dirty towels [Curry had ejaculated into] so that his wife would not see them."

Kuchinsky also claims that Curry pointed a loaded gun at him on a least two separate occasions to keep him from talking. Of course, dude wants money, but not Anusha Browne Sanders v. Isaiah Thomas money (Sanders was awarded $11.6 million in her harrassment suit). Kuchinsky is only asking for $98,000 in unpaid wages and expenses.

Two years ago, Curry was robbed at his Burr Ridge, Ill. home, I wonder if his former driver had something to do with that. He did serve time for burgularly. Just having a Law & Order moment!

Via: FoxSports.com

Puffy Talks About NOTORIOUS and Life after Biggie's Death

I'll be checking the movie out this weekend and I usually wait for DVD. I really want to see this movie with a big ass crowd, just for the experience like I used to growing up. This feels so strange, a movie about Biggie, WOW! Where's Craig Mack? I actually still have the promo cassette Bad Boy put out to promote Craig Mack's and Biggie's albums. It was called B.I.G Mack and it was a hamburger box on the cover. I'm going to go dig it out and scan it. But I remember I had that and a bunch of promo cards that said "Beside every Bad Boy there is a Bad Girl" which I hung up in my locker freshman year of high school and didn't take down until I graduated. Those were the days!!!! Puffy was a really an inspiration. He's been getting on my nerves for the last several years with all this Diddy ish, but he's a brand so I can understand that. But Puffy posted a video blog today and it almost made me cry. Sidebar: I wish there were camera phones back in 1997 when I went to the No Way Out Tour, that show was craazy. That needs to be on DVD.

Skepticism

1: an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object
2 a: the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain
b: the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of

I was just discussing with someone about how I've become a skeptic when it comes to conducting business at times and even in dealing with relationships. Admitting that I'm skeptical keeps me from saying I don't trust people because I never want to lose that because I wouldn't want people to do that to me. It just so happens...forget that...this video just served as confirmation of what I was talking about today and I came upon it browsing on the EbonyJet YouTube Channel. Who knew Phyllis Hyman would hit the nail right on the head? She has so many great interviews and performances, please do a search. Make sure to also check out the one with her and Angela Bofill cutting up on stage.

HHM Extra: 30 years of Menudo::Can You Believe It!

When I was like 4 years old, all I cared about was Michael Jackson and Menudo and I couldn't believe it when I heard that Menudo was still going strong. Its been 30 years+!!!! I found this report from 20/20 on YouTube with Barbara Walters and Geraldo Rivera. Talk about history. This is a must see because its marketing at its best.

Part I


Part II

Weekend Fresh: Keeping Up With The Moguls

Preview of the K. West x L. Vuitton Collab sampled in white. This is one of six according to Kanye's Blog. I'm not a label whore, but I'm mad excited. A nicca from the Chi designing for Louis Vuitton? Let's not forget Pharrell Williams (repping VA) with the sunglasses and the jewelry. Just in case you missed the deal with Bionic Yarn, craazzy! You need to read up on that.

Jim Jones Accepts VP Of Urban A&R Job At Koch Records

Friday, Koch Records announced the addition of Jim Jones to its executive team. Earning the position of Vice President of Urban A&R, Jones will oversee the signing and development of new talent on the label’s urban roster. Boasting the title of largest independent record label in the United States, Koch Records hopes to gain even more clout with the appointment of the Dipset rapper. {Via Hip Hop DX}

In other news:

Lil Wayne's next project is a rock album....

Jay-Z, Diddy, T.I., Young Jeezy CONFIRMED for DC Inauguration Parties

Tracklist for "NOTORIOUS" Soundtrack (In Stores Tuesday, 1/13)

Actor Michael Rapaport interviews Pharrell for ATCQ Doc

Inauguration Bus Tour to Hip Hop Legends Ball

See I told ya'll this ish was turning into All Star Weekend!!! I got this in my inbox yesterday.

Harlem Hip-Hop Tours (H3 Tours) and The Source Magazine have teamed up to offer several presidential inauguration tour packages in honor of the United States’ first Black president, Barack Obama. Each inauguration package is a one-day trip chock full of hip-hop entertainment, promising to leave guests with an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Guests will travel from NYC to Washington, D.C. on an exclusive luxury motor coach that has been specially wrapped to commemorate President Obama’s inauguration. The luxury motor coach will feature a DJ and MC performing live on the bus at various intervals throughout the trip. In addition to the musical entertainment, guests will also be provided with a selection of movies for their viewing pleasure.

The Hip-Hop Legends Ball features performances by old school legends Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh and Biz Markie. Guests participating in this package receive the following:

• Roundtrip transportation to D.C. via the H3 Tours/The Source motor coach


• VIP access to the concert

For more information click here.

My 2 cent: Is a bus trip to DC to go party really necessary? What is the significance of seeing Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh the night before the inauguration? Is this money going to charity? This is ridiculous, its like a ski trip or something. Barack will be the last Black president at this rate. Shoot they may have to do like the NFL and start sanctioning events if Barack gets re-elected in 2012.