Day 49: Stones Throw All Stars @ Puma Social Club in LA (Pics)

10/26: Me and some of my friends went to go check out this chill event @ the Puma Social Club in Los Angeles, which was set up by Stones Throw Records.

It definitely got my mind off work for the time being as it had such a relaxing vibe and was located at a really cool venue. The people were chill, music was nice, free tacos & alcohol, there were games (DJ Hero, Ping Pong, Foosball), and the Lakers vs Houston game on TV. It was like I was in my living room but better. Free tacos & alcohol was definitely a plus =)

Here are a few pictures I took of the place. I'm just starting to mess around with photoshop so bare with me as I learn new tricks:


- Everybody taggin on the chalk wall


- Cool neon lighting @ the Foosball table


- Ciroc. Yeaa boyyy!


- Funny drawings


- Word.


- Agreed.


- All of the lights!

Props to Rex4000 for letting me know about this one.

Day 48: Daft Punk - Derezzed Music Video/New "Tron" Trailer (Video)

I love sci-fi & futuristic-type movies, and as soon as I saw this new music video/trailer for the upcoming movie Tron: Legacy I was like "man, that's awwwwesome!!" This movie is going to be pretty cool, and I'm excited to go watch it now. =)

TRON: Legacy - Derezzed Video

- Music by Daft Punk

The movie will be coming out in the U.S. on December 17th. Mark your calendar folks!

Saw it here first: 2dopeboyz

Day 47: Dwyane Wade aka Agent D3 - New Commercial (Video)

It looks like Dwyane Wade came out with his own new commercial to help hype up the Miami Heat and their path to another ring, but in light of their first game of the season yesterday they didn't look like a championship team at all as they were no match against the Boston Celtics. Lebron James was mostly holding it down for the team while Wade & Bosh struggled to make shots. Although I had a feeling Boston would win this game anyways, I'm sure Wade & the Heat will easily bounce back from this loss. The season's only just begun...

Anyways, here's the cool commercial featuring Dwyane Wade as Agent D3 (mix of Iron Man & 007 theme):



And next, I suppose Chris Bosh will be coming out with his own commercial soon too, right?

Props to my boy Beaves for hookin me up with this one. Btw, I still liked the Miami Heat before Lebron & Bosh came into the picture. D-WAAAAADE! =P

Day 46: What "should" Lebron do? - New Nike Commercial (Video)

Ever since Lebron James decided to join the Miami Heat during this offseason, he's been negatively criticized by his fans, the media, and just about everybody & their mamas talking about what he "should" have done.

With that said, this new Nike commercial with Lebron puts a stop to all the offseason thoughts & madness he's been going through as he just wants to stay focused on the upcoming season of NBA basketball. Nice timing right before the season starts, right?


- This isn't about what LeBron James has done, or hasn't done. This is about the difference between the expectations others may have of him versus the expectations he has of himself. What should he do? The answer is a question. 

We'll have to see if Lebron can stay focused for his first game tonight as a Miami Heat as he goes up against the top team to beat in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics. I like both teams so I don't know who to root for, but if I were to bet then I'd put my $ on BOSTON! Go C's!!!

MIA @ BOS - 7:30PM EST on TNT

Day 45: Let Kanye "Runaway" with your mind (Video)

- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album cover (Banned album cover story here)

As you may have heard, Kanye West has recently released his short film called "Runaway," which I believe is to help promote his upcoming album called My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy scheduled to be released on November 22nd.

Those with an open mind will understand what Kanye is trying to convey, or else you will be like "wtf is this?" This short film doesn't have much dialog, but rather it uses a lot of cool imagery incorporated with some awesome music throughout the entire film by none other than Kanye West himself. I liked how he moved the film with just his music & lyrics, but some parts I just didn't know what to make of it.

Just watch it and I'll let you be the critic:

Runaway - A short film by Kanye West


Saw it here first: Proper Since 1985

Day 44.5: Let's roll to Smack Nightclub tonight! (Video)

Wouldn't it be freakin awesome to have a party up in here? Holy cow, this might actually be too good to be true!! I'm just amazed about how this room is set up so nicely with all the flashing LED lights everywhere. Too bad it's located in the UK, but for you folks living out there I'd definitely go check this out. You can find this @ Smack Nightclub.

Props to Mr. Kotch for showing me this. Let me know when you wanna roll out. I'm dizzown!!

Day 44: Fast Don't Lie by Adidas (Videos)

Ken Jeong is one of the funniest d00ds of this new generation of comedians, and has been blowing up ever since he premiered in the movie, The Hangover. I just saw these funny Adidas commercial featuring him as "Slim Chin" alongside two top NBA all-stars, Dwight Howard & Derrick Rose. Check it out; he's really funny:

Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, & Slim Chin - Fast Don't Lie


Derrick Rose & Slim Chin - adiZero Rose

- Shoes look pretty dope

Props to my homie C-Murdaaaah for showing me this.

TGIF!!

Day 43: Who the heck is Sam Adams? (Audio)

So, I was listening to this internet radio station today and heard a pretty cool song from this guy named Sam Adams called "Living the Dream." I didn't know who this d00d is or where he came from, but it looks like he became an "itunes internet sensation" earlier this year with the song "I Hate College (Remix)," which is a byte off of Asher Roth's song "I Love College." Anyways, here's the track that caught my attention for you to listen to:

Sam Adams - Living The Dream:

- Alt Audio Link

I've listened to a few other tracks he's made, and it sounds like he's going after the mainstream/party audience as he mostly raps to house/techno sounds & uptempo beats. If you're a fan of house & techno then you might like his other music.

Personally, I need to hear more substance in his songs other than just party music before I can give him props. For now, I'll say this song is aiite but that's it. Don't get me wrong though, I do like to party =P

Day 42: Freestylin with Skillz (Video)

I got to meet Skillz at an event this past Summer called Heineken Inspire as he was there MC'ing alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff. I chatted with him real briefly, and he seemed like a very humble & chill d00d. On that note, he told me he was coming out with an album this Fall and it's called The World Needs More Skillz, which is set to be released on October 26th.

Skillz is well known to be very crafty with his lyrics. Check out this freestyle "cypher" segment of him, which aired last week during the BET Hip-Hop Awards:



FYI, Skillz is also known to come up with an end of the year freestyle wrapping up the top headlines in the hip-hop world, so I'm sure he'll do the same for this year too. To give you another glimpse of how dope he is lyrically, here's the freestyle he came up with "wrapping up" 2009:

Skillz - 2009 Rap Up:

- Props to: 2dopeboyz

Too sick.

Day 41: Can't Erase KiD CuDi! (Music Video)

KiD CuDi has definitely been growing on me ever since the hit song "Day N Nite" (classic!), and I see him becoming one of those multi-talented artists who makes really awesome music (whether it's to party or chill to) and has some acting skills as he's on the HBO show "How to make it in America." While he's very well known in the hip-hop/mainstream music world and now getting his feet wet in the hollywood scene, things are only just beginning for KiD CuDi as he hasn't even reached his peak yet.

Anyways, here's the official music video of the lead single called "Erase Me" featuring Kanye West, which is off KiD CuDi's upcoming album, Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager, set to be released on November 9th. This song uses natural instruments such as guitars & drums, which has a contemporary rock vibe to it. Even though I'm a hip-hop fanatic, I can still dig this. Cmon it's KiD CuDi & Kanyeeezy!

Kid CuDi - Erase Me featuring Kanye West

- Alt Audio Link

Look, McLovin's in there too! ;)

Day 40: Rick Ross - Aston Martin Music ft. Drake (Music Video)

As you may know by now, I'm becoming a big Drake (left) fan and starting to dig more n more music from Rick Ross (right) as well.

Ever since I heard this song called "Aston Martin Music", I've been hoping to see a music video as it's such a sweet song. This was one of the top songs I kept repeating in my playlist when I first heard it on Rick Ross's album, Teflon Don, which is already out in stores now. This song also features Chrisette Michele on the vocals who helps make the chorus so catchy. Of course, once you throw Drake in the mix then it's a sign that everybody can enjoy this song.

Rick Ross - Aston Martin Music featuring Chrisette Michele & Drake


Saw it here first: http://concreteloop.com/

** FYI, if you've been noticing that some of my posts are gone well it's because I'm being forced to remove them. I guess other people can share/stream music, but it can't be posted on this type of blog site for some reason. I'm being regulated on, which is hella lame...

Regardless, I'll still continue to share my music interests and provide you with streams so you can listen/view what I'm listening to, but just know that it might disappear at anytime. On that note, check daily! ;)

Day 39: Vegas baby Vegas! (Pics)

This past weekend I went to Las Vegas, NV aka "Sin City" aka "free trip if you play your cards right", and man I had an awesome time over there!

I did have some downs and lost $300 the first night from drunk gambling (never again, lesson learned!), but overall I came up! My game of choice is Baccarat, so the next day I focused my good-will & strategy and was able to work the baccarat table I was playing at, eventually turning $100 into $700!! My goal next time is to turn it into $1,000 in one sitting, and I know I can do it. =D

I love to party and socialize, so my friends and I decided to check out Club XS @ Encore the last night, which is visually one of the sickest clubs there. This club is the most popular place to party at these days and always gets super packed. If you don't get bottle/table service then you're going to have to wait forever in line just to get in. If you want to skip the line then you can always pay off the bouncer since money makes the world go round in Vegas.

Here are a few good pictures I took during my trip (I wish I could of taken more, but I was either too drunk, occupied, or forgot my camera):


- The new City Center area


- A really cool chocolate "waterfall" at Jean Philippe Chcolates & Pastries @ the Bellagio


- A Huge stingray in a small aquarium @ Caesar's Palace


- A cool quote from Michael Jordan in the Niketown @ Caesar's Palace


- Hennessy & Rose champagne is how we dooo!


- Club XS @ Encore. See how packed it gets? Crazy..


- What to do next?


Vegas, until next time.

Day 38: "Still Waiting" for the 1982 album (Video)

- 1982 Album Cover (Terminology - left, Statik Selektah - right)

Here's another dope song called "Still Waiting" from the duo 1982 (Statik Selektah & Terminology), which will also be on their new album dropping on October 26th. When these two guys get together, I swear they make the most chillest & illest tracks from the beats right down to the rhymes.

I really like the slow tempo & beat on this song, and Terminology comes out with some smooth raps that you can just relate to as he understands we're all going through the same thoughts. Check out the music video:

1982 (Statik Selektah & Terminology) - Still Waiting:


I can't wait to cop the album coming out on October 26th.

If you liked that then check this out too: Day 11: Some Real Hip-Hop by 1982

Day 37: Eminem interview with Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes (Video)

I saw a very interesting segment last night on the show "60 Minutes" where Anderson Cooper interviews Eminem, and talks about various parts of Em's life from his experiences as a teen in Detroit to his sober comeback to the top of the hip-hop world again. I love the part about how Em breaks down his own science about creating rhymes by bending and annunciating words in a way to make "un-rhymable" words rhyme (ex. orange).

I am a huge Eminem fan and if you are too then you gotta check out this clip:



Go cop Em's recent album, Recovery, if you haven't already. The album is dope.

Day 36: Ice Cube keepin it OG in da West (Audio)

Born & raised in the streets of LA, Ice Cube has been reppin the West since he was a lil boy and is still holding it down to this very day. Although he's been MIA from the music industry for a long time now (last album in 2008), he recently just came out with an album called "I Am The West" which was released on Sept. 28th.

In this album, he continues to keep his music "hood" with his flows and spits over some raw & funky beats. I've listened to a few songs from the album and let's just say that I haven't heard anything that can be played on the radio because of the "explicit-ness." I still like a few tracks on there though and here are some that caught my ear:

Ice Cube - Man vs. Machine
*Audio removed (Sorry everyone but I had to take this down)
(Diggin the piano & violin incorporated in the beat)
- Alt Audio Link (iTunes bonus track)* <<< added to my favorites *Link removed =(

Ice Cube - Pros vs. Joes
*Audio removed (Sorry everyone but I had to take this down)
- Alt Audio Link (iTunes bonus track)*    *Link removed =(

Ice Cube - Drink The Kool-Aid
*Audio removed (Sorry everyone but I had to take this down)
- Alt Audio Link*    *Link removed =(


I'm off to Vegas so "today's gonna be a good day." Have a good weekend! Deuces.

* 1/11/11 Update: I had to remove all the audio links but I'm sure you can listen to those songs elsewhere..

Day 34: It's Gucci Time! Plus Estelle & more (Audio)

I've been noticing Gucci Mane poppin up on a lot of featured songs lately, which makes sense because he just came out with an album on Sept 28th called "The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted." Although he's been through a lot of hardships and much trouble with the law, he's been doing some good with the music he's been putting out. I'm not a big fan of Gucci Mane yet, but he's got a few dope tracks for all types of hip-hop goers.

Here are some recent tracks that have caught my attention:

Gucci Mane - Grown Man featuring Estelle (Produced by Wyclef Jean)

(Type: For the mainstream listeners & the ladies too. Everyone can enjoy this one)
- Alt Audio Link

Gucci Mane - Gucci Time (Produced by Swizz Beatz)

(Type: For the club-heads & party-goers. It's Gucci Tiiime!)
- Alt Audio Link

Sean Garrett - She Geeked featuring Tyga & Gucci Mane

(Type: For the badasses. Might be too explicit for some and has such a raw beat)
- Alt Audio Link

Day 33: Get Cocky & Arrogant with Off-Rip (Audio & Video)

This is a pretty cool song called "Cocky & Arrogant" by a Detroit native named Off-Rip featuring two other dope ass rappers from the group Slaughterhouse, Joe Buddens & Royce Da 5' 9". I don't know much about this d00d Off-Rip, but anytime you can get Royce on the track makes it worth listening to. Here's an audio link if you don't feel like loading the video:

Off-Rip - Cocky & Arrogant featuring Joe Buddens, Royce Da 5' 9" & FranChize:

- Alt Audio Link


Heard it here first: 2dopeboyz

Day 32: Kanye West looking Epic with "Power" (Live on SNL)

- Kanye West performing "Power" on SNL (10/02)

I usually don't pay much attention to live performance on Saturday Night Live, but when Kanye West is in the building you know something epic is about to happen. With Kanye being so high & mighty with "Power," of course he has to make everything set up perfectly to the T, and create even a small performance like this look & sound spectacular.

I must say I'm impressed with this performance from beginning to end, but seriously he needs to get over himself. He thinks he's a greek god while he looks down at the peons cheering for him. smh...

Love to Hate him.

Day 30: The Real Reason Jay-Z & Fat Joe Never Talk (Video)

In case you didn't know about this, Jay-Z & Fat Joe have never said "hello" to each other because of a heated rivalry that brewed up during the early 2000's.

So this all started when Fat Joe and other top rappers (at the time) organized a streetball league/tournament, which was held at Rucker Park (the mecca of streetball). For the longest time, Fat Joe was the champ and had the most dominant team on the court. One year, Jay-Z stepped into the game and made his way to the championship game to face-off against Fat Joe's team. Leading up to that, tensions and egos built up so much that both Fat Joe & Jay-Z started recruiting top NBA players such as Shaq, Lebron, Carmello, Jamal Crawford, and many others to be rumored (Yao Ming?!).

It got so crazy that.... well just watch the whole video and check it out:



- S. Carter!! What do you think?

Man, I gotta go visit Rucker Park if I ever go to New York.