Wes' Hip Hop Posts Save My Life (And Possibly Yours)

I won't try to hide my love for the urban genres. Rap grew me, so to speak, so It's only right that I love it back. Apparently. Wes- the dude from Brooklyn Vegan, who I've ganked content from before, is sitting on the same beat brazened stoop. On that day I drank fancy, $ 40 water with Masta Killa, Wes was there. When I was wedged between 50 billion hot, sweaty Wu-Tang fans at Rock the Bells...Wes was back stage. He clearly has the upper hand on me, but I'm not mad, cuz I just downloaded a new Styles P mix tape thanks to that dude, and I couldn't be happier. So yes- I'm essentially telling you to check out Wes, if you don't already- because he may have more street cred than any other person from the Netherlands that know.

Rembrandt Is So Much More Than Just A Toothpaste

It's true, there was actually an artist from the 1600's who is pretty popular for his work. He's having a showing of some of his work at the MET, so he must have some clout! I've been meaning to get to the met for a while, but apparently, the music industry is uber busy during these fall months which means I'll be lucky to get a decent 4 hours squared of sleep during the week. I wish that was an exaggeration. To any of you blokes with spare time, and a little spare change, hit up the Met and culture yourselves enough to compensate for us chumps who's social life isn't as lasting as Rembrandt's popularity.

Back to the Block

So Jay's back to the block, posted up like a Dough Boy, and he's all about the Roc, and the rock, and those C's, boys. And we all have American Gangster (the movie) to thank for American Gangster (the album) from the foremost authority on American Gangsters (J-Hov).

After coming in from almost getting jumped by my very own Crown Heights gangster, and FINALLY setting up internet access in my place, I sat down and read the AllHipHop.com article on the listening party for the album. It blew my mind. The movie, which is to be released November third, inspired Mr. Carter, and reminded him of the good old days of slangin weight. How sentimental! The album will drop three days later (the 6th for those keeping track) and if AHH's ability to convey excitement is worth anything, and the rumours are true, and that mythical creek don't rise, then this could very well (deep breath) be Jay'z best album. Of course it's best to reserve judgement, but I'm just keepin my fingers crossed. Here is a trailer for the "Blue Magic" release, which I posted on last week. And just as a friendly reminder- get the new Radiohead album today! Laters.

K-Fed's The New Bill Cosby

Since, much like Matt, I don't really feel the need to watch TV. I catch up on the weekend's "highlights" by checking out the internets the next day or whenever I actually have internet access. SNL used to be pretty crappy for a while, but now they seem to be back in rare form. This weekend's K-fed monologue was pretty on point, so while you all work on the Windsor Knot, or starch blouses...or check blogs in your pajamas, gander at this:

First I'm Gonna Getcha, Once I Gotcha, I Gat-Cha

Sometimes, I get bored. Hardcore. And need some form of adventure in my life. For this weekend, I've been plotting some funtivities to help uproot me from my funk. Tomorrow in Dumbo, I'm going to go checkout the Hip-Hop Honors panels at the Powerhouse Arena. If you're as big of a Hip-hop nerd as I, then this is surely something you'll be interested in. It's a two dayer and the talks cover the transition of Hip-Hop from the 80's to now, as well as a special talk on A Tribe Called Quest.

Later Saturday, Hello Tokyo will be playing a show at Crash Mansion. If you click on this you will be able to rsvp and go for free! Power Pop to the rescue of an otherwise, potentially boring Saturday evening. Hizzahs abound!

There are some other plots I'm...err...plotting, but until I'm sure I'll keep them under wraps. See you kids on the other side of the weekend!


Powerhouse Hip-Hop Honors line up
Hello Tokyo Myspace
Hello Tokyo Homepage

Flux

I heart bloc party. Matt Tong is sick on the drums, and Kele Okereke has some pretty mind blowing vocals. I listen to Silent Alarm on a regular basis, and even though A Weekend In The City was not at all what I wanted, it was still a pretty decent release. These blokes have just released a new single "Flux" and played it on Conan. Pretty sweet, I say. Pretty sweet.

The RIAA Is NOT Your Friend....

So, peep game. Brooklyn Vegan and the AP broke the story that the first court case in relation to downloading music resulted in Jammie Thomas, 30, being ordered to pay RIAA $220,000! DAMNS. Everyone is pushing the single mother bit, that its unfair that a single income-single mom is now going to have to pay off the RIAA for the rest of her life. I think its just ridiculous that anyone would have to pay this period, let alone a single mommy.

Thomas turned down a several thousand dollar settlement, because she wasn't gonna let the man keep her down...which, in hindsight, looks like a bad career decision. Keep your head up Jammie!

Im A Gigolo?

I'm not going to try and hide my dislike for Nick Cannon. You can say I'm a hater, or whatever, but I don't think he's funny (neither does Dave Chappelle), and his TV show's make daytime television respectable. His rapping career is laughable, and his acting career...oh, -what? Huh? You didn't know he was an actor?

Exactly.

The one thing that did win my respect, was that his wife, Selita Ebanks is one of the most beautiful women on earth, and grounded, and any man that could have her love, can't be all bad. And now that they just got divorced, and Alica Keys doesn't seem to be interested in me- I'm back in the game! WOOOOO!

So, Nick, thanks for being equally horrid at everything. [source]

"Phillies" Where I'm From

I was born in Philadelphia.
I love that town.
I was raised, much to the chagrin of my chums, on Atlanta Braves baseball. None of that front running nonsense. The first time I was hit with a baseball, it was in the ATL. When I got my first batter's helmet to protect my still soft skull, there was an white A on the front, with navy blue backing and a red bill. When the Braves were awesome, and Philly was stinktown, I never flaunted it, because that just wrong. And now, when the Philles make it further than my beloved Braves, I ain't bitter. I just hope that all the violence and anger of the city of brotherly love is bottled up, then beat against the brow of phillies opponents. Much like in this clip:



Good Luck today v Colorado.

You're The One For Me, Fatty

So Moz, Morrissey, the Don-Dadda of of the pompadour, is releasing another album in 2008. But hold that swoon, lest we forget when he canceled on us north easterners because he was "sick". I love Morrisseey a much as the next insecure, emotional young adult, but I'm not going to let some shinny suited jerk win back my adoration just by releasing an album! No, sir! We shall wait til September 2008 to see what's what. Waited with baited breath, and a slight forlorn sigh.

Rainbows!

Yesterday, news broke about Radioheads new album being relased on the 10th [of October]. I'm a big Radiohead fan- but for some reason, the excitement didn't hit me at all yesterday. I talked about it some when I got home, with my roommate, but I still wasn't excited. Then Bayyyah!, all of a sudden, its christmas eve in my head, and all i want is for me to wake up so I can get my hands on this album. A little part of me is all "what if it sucks, what if it sucks?!!" but upon refrencing the Radiohead catalogue- that just isn't possible. So let me provide you with the spec for our potential orders, and trust that my christmast list got $80 more expensive.

Da Breakdown-

"THIS CONSISTS OF THE NEW ALBUM, IN RAINBOWS, ON CD AND ON 2 X 12 INCH HEAVYWEIGHT VINYL RECORDS.A SECOND, ENHANCED CD CONTAINS MORE NEW SONGS, ALONG WITH DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND ARTWORK.THE DISCBOX ALSO INCLUDES ARTWORK AND LYRIC BOOKLETS.ALL ARE ENCASED IN A HARDBACK BOOK AND SLIPCASE.THE ALBUM DOWNLOAD AUTOMATICALLY COMES WITH THIS PACK."

for the more furgal, non-christmas celebrating consumer:

Download only copies can be purchased for a suggested price. So its like the Brooklyn Museum on a Sunday!

Here's the tracklist:

CD one and vinyl:

01 15 STEP

02 BODYSNATCHERS

03 NUDE

04 WEIRD FISHES/Arprggi

05 All I Need

06 FAUST ARP

07 RECKONER

08 HOUSE OF CARDS

09 JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE

10 VIDEOTAPE

CD two and vinyl:

01 MK 1

02 DOWN IS THE NEW UP

03 GO SLOWLY

04 MK 2

05 LAST FLOWERS

06 UP ON THE LADDER

07 BANGERS AND MASH

08 4 MINUTE WARNING

Heat Is On -Good Morning, Saigon

Back when I had cable- or when Uptown and I would watch TVD's, we were big fans of Entourage. If you're at all familiar with the show, then you'd probably be D' to the character/ real-life rapper, Saigon. He was introduced forever ago, and just now has set an album release date. From what I've heard, I'm not expecting a smash, but I do hope there is a resulting component on the show from when da bombs of Saigon are reveled to be duds. And he's releasing it on Jay-Z's birthday (December 4), of all days!!

I Stay G'd Up, Like the First Day Of School

It's a little brisk in my multi-boroughed city. And I'm without a coat. When I moved up here in the summer, I figured I would have a full time job, mininal salary, and significant closet space. Well, none of those dreams came true, but I wont let it get me blue-because the wind chill will undoubtedly take care of any bluing of both my temperament and body temp. But to my coatless brethren of the 215/718, don't fear! Robert Graham is having a sample sale. Let a chorus of "Heey, hey, heyyys" raise to the heavens, because those still dressed for summer (or a global warming induced fall) can be clothed in fine linens and kerchiefs.

From today until the 4th of October, at 264 West 40th St., 14th fl. (btw. 7th and 8th Ave we can all shuffle in, and move right out without too much guilt, but tons of instant gratification, or in the very least, a coat. Prices will be dropped 70%- mens shirts are rumored to be taken from $200 to $40 (Diz-Damn!) and even the ladies can cop coats for 70 woolongs.

It is a very good day.

Books Ahoy! (Libraries-the New Book Store)

Joey Coombe, my West Coast correspondent, has just informed me that libraries are now lending books free of charge. Libraries "have turned the literary world upside down. For no monthly fee you can have up to 10 books out a time and as you return them you will be allowed to check out more. choose from new releases, bestsellers even classics." The amount of books allowed per check out, varies from library to library, but it is relatively consistent that these places do in fact exist, and have done so with little public attention.

Upon further investigation, Joey has uncovered, what many had believed to be urban legends, and the rules that bind such institutions. Albeit an ingenious concept, there are still slight kinks in this fence of learning. "We know that libraries have limited shelf space and must be sure that the books they carry are going to get borrowed, so rare or older titles may not be included in their collections. In addition, everyone knows how difficult it can be to borrow a bestseller or new release from the library based on limited availability and long waiting lists. Why put your patrons through that?"

These discouraging inconveniences still may prove better than the alternatives presented by internet-schemesters attempting to make us pay for our beloved bound ladles, which we use to drink from the fountains of knowledge. Book Swim.com offers a netflix like program where patrons who could be wasting time at libraries, can instead waste money renting books online. These hamburgerler-esk thieves claim to provide a haven for the book worm, but are undoubtedly capitalizing on the irony which plagues casual readers. The inability to read the fine print.

We will be monitoring the rapid pace at which these libraries continue to eat up real estate faster than McDonalds and the Catholic Church combined, to bring knowledge to any and all who wish to expand their vocabularies and imaginations, but refuse to pay for it.

Like We Always Do At This Time

Clearly I'm tryin to get in, as I proverbially, fit in. And that means I'm posting like I'm not sure when the next time I'll see consent bandwidth will be. Mostly, because I don't. So, I wanted to update yalls disconnected with the awesomely absurd, and wildly wack world of Kanye-0. Apparently, after reading Whatever the Fuck for a consistent amount of time, Mr. West mused, "why is Jamie's blog more popular than the blog I haven't started yet?" So he started a blog. Check it out, it's pretty decent journalism (giggle).

Also check out Kanye on SNL below:

Blue Magic

I'm not really a big fan of magic. I do, however, like blue things. And I most certainly like Jay-Z. So that trumps the whole magic deal. I also like gangsters. "As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster... "

America is cool.

What I'm trying to say is that the new track "Blue Magic" from Jay-z's concept album, which will also act as the soundtrack to the move American Gangsters, is the most awesome song ever. The singles from Kingdom Come were ok, but this track is re-donkulious! It's better than cupcake cones, or so I've heard. Fo Shizzle.

I'd embed the track but the "man" (read: Jay-z) doesn't want us kind folks getting free music, so here is a link to prefix who have it streaming. Enjoy.

Moving Pictures

Last night, I was invited to MOMAR's (The Museum of Modern Arthur) opening, in Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), at 25 Jay St. I haven't actually been "out" in Dumbo, and it was a nice change from my usual haunts. There was free booze, itunes dj'd, and also, there was art. I'm not going to pretend that I can rattle of different periods of structuralism, or pinpoint influences, and ascertain certain elements of form, but there was some interesting attachment between artist and expression, and it was well received. I'll just try to stick to music.

The event was sponsored by CMJ (the College Music Journal) and when I talked to Matt, CMJ's VP of Artists & Events he said they would def be throwing more events such as this, throughout the year. The tie in, is that Arthur is also a musician, and has been playing around NYC and dropping crazy videos. Its, dare I say, a big scene round these parts. Thanks for tryin to class us music snobs up a bit, I suppose. The next time I know of such events, ahead of time, I'll try to shout it out a little earlier. You crazy kids, and your art...and also ice cream.

Remember to Feel Real

I've always wanted to live in London. Not for any real reason- It's regularly cloudy, damp, and I hear that I would magically get bad teeth- but I feel like it may be a neat place to live, despite the hearsay. So I've started reading (and now writing for) this website called Gigwise.com. This isn't so much a shameless plug, because that's obvious, but more of a call to check out how our [only] mates in the war against terror look at music. Just as a heads up, their really gassed off of the Canadian band, Holy F*ck. So check it out and see how you fancy what I consider American music from Her majesty's point of view.

Do You Remember, the 21st Night of September?

Happy Earth, Wind, & Fire Day! No- its not Captain Planet Day, its for the band-silly. I know it’s been almost a month since I've posted, and this post isn’t to get your hopes up (its just that no one's at work so I have free reign of both my time, and the internets!). This is just to say I miss you all, and that I'm currently in the process of working on a hood internet solution. So sit tight, blast your EWF in remembrance, poor out a little from your 40oz., and I'll try to get at you with the quickness.



kisses n shit,

Von (I work with French people now)

Do You Remember The Time?

Hello all. Its been ages, years...well, weeks since I last posted, and its mostly the internets fault. Or more specifically, my lack of access to the internets while in my apartment. More specifically still, its my computers old age and inability to stay connected to the internet for more that 5 minutes. So- I'm sorry! Even as i write this, im getting kicked off and on and off, only to return long enough for me to post a tearfully goodbye till i can get either my interweb or computer fixed. later homies n hometts.