2009 Year End Mix

You Are Wrong I'm Bone Thugs In Harmon 2009 Mix
VA - 2009 Mix (Side A) / VA - 2009 Mix (Side B)
Tiger Tiger Woods Y'all.
I compiled some of my favorite tunes of 2009.
Click images for track list. Enjoy & Happy New Years!!!
(Artwork by yours truly)

Related Links:
Chromeo - "Night by Night" (Video)
Jump Jump Dance Dance - "Do It For Love" (mp3)

MVPuppets: Dunking On Reindeer f. KRS-One & Lupe

Lil Penny seriously needs to make a guest appearance in one of these ads. Chris make it happen! Shouts to old Tyra though. She was so much more appealing back in the day before she thought her two cents were worth than... well, two cents.

Related links:
Ridiculous Philips Carousel Commercial
Stussy DC Chocolate City T-Shirt
Reign Man (Shawn Kemp)

Stussy DC “Chocolate City” T-Shirt

Available at Stussy DC (via Hypebeast)
"Almost two years after opening their doors the Stussy DC Chapter is set to begin the monthly release of tees exclusive to the nations capital. This new program will drop new styles monthly and will feature artwork from different artists and designers such as Eric Elms, Omar Quiambao, Jason Rodman and more. Expect to see graphics that reflect the cities aesthetics and culture, as well as original artwork by visiting artists and designers."

Dame Dash's Under 100 DIY Shows

"and what he's trying to foster is just a progressive, non-contractual thing--artists collaborating with each other in a very open environment, where there is very little pressure."
- Greg Finch

A great idea that came and went before it could build steam. No worries though, I'm pretty sure the powers to be will make this happen. With that said, the creative atmosphere at these shows must be ridiculous. (articles via TSS)

Related links:

The DIY Show Space in Dame Dash's Basement

How We Probably Got Dame Dash's Venue Shut Down

Andre Kikoski Designs The Wright

Andre Kikoski Architect recently designed a new restaurant, The Wright, for the Guggenheim Museum in NY. The grand opening took place last week and after a quick google search for their menu, it looks like folks will be stopping by for more than just the atmosphere. The Wright's American themed menu created by David Bouley protégé Rodolfo Contreras features "local seasonal dishes like seared diver scallops in sea urchin sauce and slow roasted suckling pig with quince and violet mustard." (via Arch Daily and Interior Design)

Low Budget Crew - Low Budget Christmas EP

Kev Brown - "Christmas Wish" f. Tanzania

RoddyRod - "Cold Outside (Christmas Time)"

Dope Christmas project courtesy of DC/MD's Low Budget Crew.
Click the album cover above to download. (via Kev Brown)

Related links:
UCB f. Wale - "Pat Your Weave" Video
Clean! Presents No Rules Sound Manipulation Vol. 2
Dante Lewis - Skatewell Beat Tape

Ced Hughes - Jackers of the Swag (Claire Hux remix)

Ced Hughes - "Jackers of the Swag" (Claire Hux Remix)
(via Discobelle)

Baltimore Club emcees/DJ Claire Hux, also known as the 2010 Bel Biv Devoe, recently put their remix touches on Ced Hughes' "Jackers of the Swag" infusing it with a shot of adrenaline in the form of new raps and an aggressive drumline.

Related links:
Ced Hughes - What Up Tho!? Mixtape
Shoot The Moon (Ced Hughes, KiD A, Gabe Niles) - "Graduation"
Missy Elliot f. Teyana - "Put It On Ya" Prod. by The Neptunes
Klaxons - "Golden Skans" (SebastiAn remix)
Rebel-E.com

Skillz Presents Hip-Hop Confessions

The Richmond, VA Chronicles - For this episode, Skillz sits down with Danja Mowf, Big Nat, and Nickeulus F to discuss their own confessions. I won't spoil it for you but Danja's story alone is worth the watch. (via TSS)

Related links:
Skillz - The Rap Up 2002-2009
The Silverust (Nickelus F & Kid Icarus) - "You Too" Video
N*E*R*D - "Soldier" f. Santigold
Nicole Wray Sighting!

Chromeo - "Night by Night" Video

Chromeo is back with some new electrofunk chunes. If anyone has info on when their next project drops, let me know. Head to Green Label Sound for the free "Night by Night" download.

Related links:
You Are Wrong I'm Bone Thugs and Harmon 2009 Year End Mix
Shoot The Moon - "Graduation"
Klaxons - "Golden Skans" (SebastiAn remix)
The Dark Esquire - "Situations" (Video)

Shoot The Moon - "The Graduation"

Ced Hughes + KiD A + Gabe Niles = Shoot The Moon

When these three get down on the get down, they never fail to impress with that futuristic funk. Unfortunately, this collective hasn't done too much together but based on this cut and their last, let's hope they change that quick. More music please.

Related Links:
Ced Hughes - "Jackers of the Swag" (Claire Hux remix)
Ced Hughes - What Up Tho!? Mixtape
KiD A x Dan Le Sac - In A Dream House, We All Ride Carousels EP
KiD A - "Whatwasnot" Video
Klaxons - "Golden Skans" (SebastiAn remix)
Lupe Fiasco - "And He Gets The Girl" (Spec Video)

Timbaland f. SoShy - “Morning After Dark” Video

Timbaland f. SoShy - "Morning After Dark"

Tim's vocals on this joint are a tad obnoxious but I can dig it. However, I'm still split on SoShy (terrible name by the way). Her voice fits within the context of this track but I feel Missy Elliot or Nelly Furtado would've been a better choice. On another note, Wesley Snipes needs to come back, get his taxes squared away, and capitalize on this vampire craze.

Related links:
Missy Elliot - "Put It On Ya" f. Teyana"

Craig Bass - "Blue Sky Grey Clouds" The Prelude EP

Craig Bass - "Blue Sky" f. Future

Craig Bass - "Inspirational" f. Saint

Virginia Beach's own Craig Bass has been pumping out a stready stream of quality music this year and this EP is no different.
(Click the image above to download.)

15 Deadly Improvised Prison Weapons and Tools

IMMERSION HEATER - made from razor blades; found in a cell in ‘Santa Fu’ jail in Hamburg, Germany. Jailbirds use these tools to distil alcoholic beverages forbidden in prisons. Your typical inmate’s moonshine still includes a plastic can containing fermented fruit mash or juice, an immersion coil of some sort, a rubber hose, and a plastic receptacle for the booze.

WHIP - with razor blades. The grisly weapon was found around 1996 in ‘Santa Fu’ jail in Hamburg, Germany, in the cell of a drug addicted inmate after his failed attempt to extort a higher Methadone ration by threatening a female prison officer with a knife.

SHOTGUN - made from iron bedposts; charge made of pieces of lead from curtain tape and match-heads, to be ignited by AA batteries and a broken light bulb. On May 21, 1984 two inmates of a prison in Celle, Germany, took a jailer as a hostage, showed off their fire power by letting go at a pane of bullet-proof glass, and escaped by car.

About that jail thing? I think I'll pass, especially in Germany.
Click pics to see the other 12.

Related links:
Most Controversial Magazine Covers of All-Time
Go With The Flo Transgenerational Toilet

"Coke like a caterpillar, I make the butter fly"

This shit right here? This shit right here (© Katt Williams) would've sounded right at home on either of their last two records and that's a good thing. Between the hook and the beat, Chad and Skateboard P crafted something nasty for Killa Cam and the Brothers Thorton to go off on. Three weeks and counting, Til The Casket Drops in stores December 8, 2009.

Related links:
In The Lab With DJ Khalil

Clipse/Killa Cam Video Debuts Tomorrow

Clipse - "Popular Demand" f. Cam'ron

The flyers's kind of iffy but then again, expecting two rappers, who are brilliant at penning double entendres and metaphors about pitching that powder, to be politically correct is a bit much I think. Pip pip.

Related links: Clipse f. Cam - "Back by Popular Demand" Video

UCB f. Wale - "Pat Your Weave" Video

This track finally got the video treatment. Good stuff and directed by Rik Cordero at that. Wale's debut drops today so don't forget to head to stores to show support.

Related links:
XO - "All I Had" Video
Wale -"My Sweetie" (Video)

J Scrilla - "No Love" Video

Off of J Scrilla's Culture of Honor album, "No Love" features DMV native's K-Beta, XO, Oddisee, Ra the MC, T.E.F.L.O.N., Judah, and Wordsmith. Keeping it homegrown, the video was also directed by Seanie Cameras at One Viisiion Productions.

Related links:
XO and K-Beta - "Guns & Butter" Video
XO - "All I Had" Video

In The Lab With DJ Khalil

DJ Khalil breaks down the production process for The Clipse' first single, "Kinda Like a Big Deal." It's pretty slick how they got the "vocal sample." As you can see, Khalil is a monster. Keep an eye out for his beat tape and his group project with Chace Infinite.

Missy Elliot - "Put It On Ya" (Audio)

Missy Elliot - "Put It On Ya" f. Teyana Taylor & Pharrell

Track is ridiculous and that breakdown? Sheeiiit (© Clay Davis)

Related links:
N*E*R*D - "Soldier" f. Santigold
Nicole Wray Sighting!
Ced Hughes - "Jackers of the Swag" (Claire Hux Remix)

BET Awards Show Cypher (Audio)

Mos Def, Black Thought, & Eminem

Nicki Minaj, Buckshot, Crown Royyal, & Joe Budden

UPDATE - Wale, Nipsey Hussle, Gsan, & KRS-One

All the chatter leading up to the award show centered around Eminem. Marhall did his thing but I thought Joey's verse stole the show. Other notables included Nikki Minaj, Black Thought and Mos Def. I missed the session with Wale but I'm sure they'll air it again, again and then again for good measure. All in all, props to BET for throwing something together worth watching.

Update - Ickey Woods reference aside, Wale's verse was terrible. That whole I don't really care rhyme style is not a good look.

Nicole Wray Sighting!

I'm watching Week 5 of the Blakroc sessions and who do I see? None other than Portsmouth's own Nikki Wray and on top of that, she actually sounds better than I remember. If you aren't familiar, Blakroc is a collaboration project between Dame Dash and blues rockers The Black Keys.

Related links: Missy Elliot - "Put It On Ya" f. Teyana Taylor

XO - "All I Had (LaLa)" Video

AB the Pro on the beat. DC emcee, XO, on the mic. Not sure if this is an official video or if it's just a spec. Regardless, the visuals are great. Props to Nabeeh Bilal and Andrea Bowman for the illustration/animation work.

Related links:
J $crilla - "No Love" Video
XO and K-Beta - "Guns & Butter" Video
UCB f. Wale - "Pat Your Weave" Video

Clipse f. Cam'ron - "Back By Popular Demand" Snippet

Till the Casket Drops drops December 8th. Click here for the tracklist along with the production credits. In addition to the Neptunes, DJ Khalil and the Hitmen are all over this. On paper, this looks great. Let's hope it translates.

Timbaland - "Morning After Dark" f. SoShy

According to Nahright.com, this track is off of Shock Value 2 and it features new Mosley Group signee SoShy. I'm not going to lie. After being spoiled by "Give It To Me" and "The Way I Are," this is a pretty disappointing first single.

Related links: Timbaland - "Morning After Dark" Video

"VIDEOGIOCO" by Donato Sansone

This clip left me speechless. Then again, I'm easily amused by things of this nature. Seriously, Donato and Enrico take the flip book concept to another level.

Related links:
Kseniya Simonova's Amazing Sand Drawing
Amazing Philips Carousel Commercial
Notte Sento: Short film made with 4500+ still photos
T-Shirt War: Stop Motion Music Video

Jump Jump Dance Dance - "Do It For Love"

Fresh electro rock tunes from up and coming Los Angeles based duo Jump Jump Dance Dance. Tune reminds me of roller rinks.

Related links:
You Are Wrong I'm Bone Thugs & Harmon 2009 Year End Mix
Klaxons - "Golden Skans" (SebastiAn remix)
Chromeo - "Night by Night" (Video)

Go With the Flo Toilet Design Concept

"The Flo™ toilet is an ergonomic, sustainable design concept for baby boomers that functions like a squat toilet. Designers maintain that using the Flo™ toilet is akin to yoga – by building and strengthening abdominal and back muscles. Only one-half to one gallon of water is used for flushing and The Flo™ reuses water from hand washing. To flush water from the tanks to the toilet, the Flo™ employs an electromagnetic ball valve that uses electromagnets. Go With the Flo™ also is free of mechanical parts. The toilet is fully self-sustaining and independent of electric power." - ASU News / Click image for more info.

Related links: Recycled Bike Wheel Clock

N.E.R.D. - "Soldier" f. Santigold

track courtesy of DCtoBC.com / pic courtesy of bbcicream.com

Related links:
N*E*R*D's Newest Member Rhea
Clipse - "Back by Popular Demand" Vid (prod. by The Neptunes)

N.E.R.D.'s Newest Member Rhea

By now, I'm sure you've already heard about N.E.R.D.'s new addition. I didn't want to post anything up until I had more info. After some research, according to HipHopCanada.com, Rhea is Guyana born and Ontario raised. She received a full ride from Berklee College of Music for singing. We now know this girl has some pipes. She's currently working on an album that will be put out by DJ Clue's imprint. I don't really know what to expect except that it should be great since Skateboard P and co. haven't steered me wrong yet... at least with the N.E.R.D. projects.

Related links: N*E*R*D - "Sooner or Later" Video

Pathfinders Teen Homeless Shelter

Advertising Agency: Serve Marketing, Milwaukee, WI, USA
It's a shame that we even need an organization like this.
Click image to enlarge.

Related links:
Michael Stich - Aids Prevention Campaign
Lace Up Save Lives - (NIKE)RED Campaign

The Silverust - "You Too" Video

The Silverust is a new project from Richmond emcee Nickelus F and Virginia Beach producer Kid Icarus. I'm definitely feeling the new direction and word is the Neptunes might be contributing to their album.

Related links:
Skillz - The Rap Up 2002-2009
Skillz Presents Hip Hip Confessions

Recycled Bike Wheel Clock

Pretty clean design, figuratively and literally.
Click image for more info.

Related links:
Vintage Lighter Cufflinks
PaypeRoute Handmade Cigarette Necklace

Vintage Survivor Series Posters

That last poster is the best thing ever.

Related links:
Gideon Boomer Likes to Draw Wolverine
The Most Controversial Magazine Covers of All-Time
15 Deadly Improvised Prison Weapons

The Ear (Short Film featuring Pharrell)

Short film by Yi Zhou featuring Pharrell Williams
Music by Ennio Morricone (Cheaa! Ennio is that dude.)
Costumes by Rick Owens and BBC Icecream

Upcoming Shows in the 757

October 9-10 / October 11-16
Click dates for a list of shows in the area.
Dates courtesy of last.fm

Scotch Brite Ad

Advertising Agency: Y&R Bangkok, Thailand
Probably stunk after a day or two of usage but I dig it nonetheless. Click image for more info.

Related links:
Michael Stich - Aids Prevention Campaign
Pathfinder Teen Homeless Shelter Ad

Curren$y - "Dossier" (Produced by Ced Hughes)

Spitta talks about the Ced Hughes produced track "Dossier," the intro track to his latest album, The Jet Files. To support, go here to cop.

KiD A - "Wasnotwas" Video

Video for KiD A's latest single. Available at iTunes.

Related links:
Shoot The Moon (KiD A, Ced Hughes, Gabe Niles) - "Graduation"
KiD A - In A Dream House, We All Ride Carousels EP

The 10 Most Disturbing Books Of All Time

The storylines for most of these books are pretty ridiculous. It's easy to imagine how reading literature this intense can affect the reader. Now imagine what it's like to actually write it. Click images for descriptions and to see the rest of the list.

Gideon Boomer Likes to Draw Wolverine

Wolverine's new costume in that third one is brilliant on some yeah I can still whoop your ass whilst rocking camo penis.
Click here to see more.

Related links:
Vintage Survivor Series Posters
The Most Controversial Magazine Covers of All-Time
15 Deadly Improvised Prison Weapons
Merkley's Photoshop Goodness (NSFW)

DZK - The Intertainer

The only thing more impressive than Vienna, Virginia emcee DZK's internet hustle is his pen game. As a personal preference, I'm not the biggest fan of his beat selection (not including the ones I've posted) but there is no denying his talent. Click image to download album.

Tim Be Told - "System"

The band started in spring of 2006 when Tim and Andrew were on opposite sides of the country talking about potentially working together. Andrew ended up moving from California to Charlottesville, Virginia while Tim was finishing up school at UVA. By then, Luan and Tim were already playing music together and Tim had written and recorded a few solo tracks. So the trio began as “Tim Be Told.” - last.fm / Click here to purchase. Click image for tour dates.

Related links:
Tokyo - "ILoveYouAndItScaresMe" (Virginia Beach band)
Weezer - "Kids" & "Poker Face" (Cover)

Tokyo - "ILoveYouAndItScaresMe"

"Tokyo is a band from Virginia Beach, VA consisting of Robert Smith (keys, vocals), Josiah Schlater (guitar, vocals), Felix Jason Schlater (drums), and Aaron Lachman (bass). They released an EP called “Swan King” on March 14, 2008 independently." - last.fm / Click here to purchase.
Click image for their myspace.

Related links:
Tim Be Told - "System" (Charlottesville, VA band)
Weezer - "Kids" & "Poker Face" (Cover)

Werner Herzog's Film School

"The Rogue Film School is not for the faint-hearted; it is for those who have traveled on foot, who have worked as bouncers in sex clubs or as wardens in a lunatic asylum, for those who are willing to learn about lock-picking or forging shooting permits in countries not favoring their projects. In short: it is for those who have a sense for poetry. For those who are pilgrims. For those who can tell a story to four-year-old children and hold their attention. For those who have a fire burning within. For those who have a dream." - http://www.roguefilmschool.com/

Upcoming Shows in the 757

Monday, September 28, 2009 @ The Norva
Shwayze and Cisco Adler, Beardo, Tabi Bonney,
B.O.B., Cold Flamez, DJ Jason Smith

Thursday, November 12, 2009 @ The Norva
Tech N9ne, Slaughterhouse, Stevie Stone,
Glasses Malone

If you know of any other shows in the area, let me know.
They don't have to be hip hop related either. Thanks.

Paul Wall Video Shot Entirely With Apple iPhone

The future is here. Click here to see iPhone camera mount.

N*E*R*D - "Sooner or Later" Video

Related links: N*E*R*D - "Soldier" f. Santigold

Aids Prevention Campaign from 2007

Baby: "The chin is from granddad. The eyes are from dad. The HIV is from mom."

Blow job: "Only 0.003 mm latex lie between life and death."

Coffin: "Just like its mother. HIV positive."

Sex toys: "The only perversion is not to use a condom."
Ads by the Michael Stich Foundation.

I'm a huge fan of creative social awareness ads, which the U.S. media unfortunately severely lacks. I believe a lot of issues can be solved if we had better, for a lack of a better word, marketing. I suppose the problem is inadequate funding since we definitely have the artists. / Click images to enlarge. Click here to read more.

Related links:
Lace Up Save Lives - (NIKE)RED Campaign
Pathfinder Teen Homeless Shelter Ad

S.K. - "ODU Anthem"

Newport News emcee S.K. reps Old Dominion with a track off his current mixtape, The Flood. Click image to download album.

Notte Sento: Short Film Using 4500+ Still Photographs

I don't think I've ever described a flick as simply gorgeous. At the moment, I can't think of a better adjective. Beautifully crafted, Daniele Napolitano created this short film using over 4,500 still photos.

Related links:
Kseniya Simonova's Amazing Sand Drawing
Amazing Philips Carousel Commercial
T-Shirt War: Stop Motion Music Video
"Videogioco" by Donato Sansone

Vintage Lighter Cufflinks

I love the concept and I'm curious to see what they actually look like on the cuff. I'm a sucker for novelty items done right.
Click here for more info.

Related links:
Recycled Bike Wheel Clock
PaypeRoute Handmade Cigarette Necklace

XO and K-Beta - "Guns & Butter" Video

Gutter music from the 703 produced by J-$crilla.
Guns + Butter + Scantily clad women = Win

Related links:
XO - "All I Had" Video
J $crilla - "No Love" Video

The Most Controversial Magazine Covers of All Time

Click images to enlarge. I think they were reaching with the Lebron one but what do I know. The Dick Cheney Texas Monthly cover is extra tough though. I need that one in poster form. To read the explanations along with the rest of the article, click here.

Related links:
Merkley's Photoshop Goodness (NSFW)
15 Deadly Improvised Prison Weapons