Author’s Disclaimer: For those who read my columns weekly for its, as I’ve been told, “intellectual value,” this might not be for you: “Never read the Qu’ran or Islamic scriptures/ Only Psalms I read was on the arms of my Ni**as/” —Jay-Z, “Intro,” The Dynasty Roc La Familia, 2000. Listening to Beanie Sigel excoriate his […]

This season we are seeing the return of the baggier jean for men, bootcut and wide legs for women, and 80s looks continuing to go strong.     Here’s just some of the hottest denim trends this season from DJPremium.com and DrJays.com:    

16 Producers.   Atlanta.   Beats GALORE!   A magnificent event is about to descend on Atlanta, one of the new Meccas of Hip-Hop. The event will line up 16 talented producers for a battle for the next “big tune” that will move the Hip-Hop crowd.   On November 3rd, Atlanta’s Opera will host the […]

Jay Z is probably the only “rap” dude that can get grown men excited.  Now, for what may appear to be obvious reasons, after that statement, I feel the need to interject “no h###.”  Do people even say that anymore?  And not to digress, but I ask, was it ever cool to say anyway?  Last […]

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and Val Kilmer star in the new direct-to-DVD flick Hardwired, a new physiological thriller.   After losing his wife in a horrific car accident, Luke Gibson (Academy Award ® Winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jerry Maguire, 1996) wakes up in the hospital to find his […]

Here is the second installment in the series of “Bad Ideas In Hip-Hop.”   Last week, we examined an obscure, but not forgotten act, The White Boys. This week, we dive deeper into another bad idea in the world of Hip-Hop. This time, the topic is P#### Rap.   What we deem P#### Rap has […]

Many have argued on who is the better rapper between hip hop stars Jay-Z and Nas, but we are here to compare the two gentlemen in a different light – their fashion sense.   Although they have adopted newer skate/streetwear brands like Play Cloths and BAPE, both rappers have managed to maintain that old school […]

After seeing “Law Abiding Citizen,” I have the urge to avenge my family and exact unbridled, demented rage upon those that choose to do them wrong.The only problem is nobody has done my family wrong in the horrible ways that Gerald Butler’s lead character suffered. The other problem is I am just not built to […]

Brace yourself for some “Tough Love” from MadeMe.     Erin Magee, the brand’s creator, is now presenting fall 2009 – a “handsome” collection featuring “traditional masculine silhouettes with feminine fits and New York street sensibility”.  

“Come test me: I never cower/ For the love of money, son, I’m giving lead showers/” —Jay-Z, “D’Evils,” Reasonable Doubt, 1996. On August 11, 2004, Jay-Z became minority-owner of the New Jersey Nets. With a measly 1.47% to his name, it made no sense why more successful, majority-owners like real estate developer Bruce Ratner included […]

Although Radii (pronounced “ray-dee-eye”) was only launched in 2008, the footwear brand has already received much notable love.     Jay-Z in Radii   Jay-Z has been spotted all over the U.S. rocking his 420 Tops by Radii. The brand didn’t even hook him up, apparently he copped them himself!    A great way for […]

  Developer/Publisher: BungiePlatform: XBOX 360   Players: 1 – 16 (Online)Release Date: 9/22/09   Rating: B   It seems any form of enjoyment can run its course and face the dreaded fact of overexposure. Social networking is out of control, music isn’t what is used to be, and the list goes on and on. With […]

In 1971, Gil Scott Heron recorded, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” Although the song was written during the time of the Vietnam War, Heron could have just as easily been talking about the war against gangsta-ism being waged on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s), today.Across the country , students are […]

The debacle of one having “good hair” vs. “bad hair” has been a constant topic in the homes of African-Americans since before the days of the Afro. What exactly is “good hair”? According to Chris Rock, “good hair” is whatever hair-do being worn at a particular time that makes a woman happy. Rock’s documentary Good Hair chronicles […]

Beyoncé   Get the run down on some of the hottest trends in ladies boots this fall/winter:   The ankle b#####:   Caterinia Zip B##### by Apple Bottoms   Ankle boots look great worn over leggings or skinny jeans, as well as over a pair of tights and a dress/skirt. You can bet you’ll see […]

  Lil Wayne is already the hottest thing in Hip-Hop and for the past few years he has only gotten more and more popular. Now the rapper has plead guilty to gun charges associated with a 2007 arrest.   While he has yet to be sentenced, insiders speculate he will serve about eight to 12 […]

“Kill the track, annihilate the sequel”   – Dilated Peoples   People, people, people.   Something needs to change.   Quickly.   This year, we have seen a dangerous trend overtake our genre and upend it into near oblivion. A trend that seems to grow with each passing month. A trend that may cause the […]

GUCCI MANE’S PRODUCER IS DOING BEATS FOR JEEZY TOO   Peep this:   Zaytoven Beats just landed Jeezy’s new single “Trap or Die 2.” You probably already know that Zaytoven is Gucci’s producer, and along with “Bricks,” Zay is also responsible for the song that started the Gucci/Jeezy beef – “So Icey.” Anyway, everyone on […]

It could be easily forgotten that the tracksuit was once used for function, not fashion. It was meant to be a "warm-up suit", worn over athletic apparel, until Adidas re-introduced it as lounge wear during the 60s. The tracksuit didn’t quite become a fashion trend until the 80s. It was taken to another level by the booming […]

“All comedy comes from a dark place.”   -Katt Williams   In his new DVD, Pimpadelic, Katt Williams often refers to his once illustrious career as a stand up comic, a legacy that still resonates with fans. However, the video now may be one of the last documents to chronicle his stand up life now […]