In many regards your clothing choices are a reflection of your personal style. My question is where does good style come from?

I don’t have an answer for where yours comes from but mine highly is influenced by the images I see in my daily online excursions.

I would not consider myself a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination. But every once in a while something I see catches my eye and I have to save it for later. Did you notice that the long sleeve wrapped around the waist look is coming back?

I have a folder on my desktop labeled “fashion inspiration” and it is chalk full screenshots of cool fashion trends. I thought it would be neat-0 if I shared them with you.

And if you want to check out a fashion site that is really killing it check out my friends Vanessa’s 24Blogazine.com.

Sources include: street etiquette, Ryan Lewis youtube channel, Complex

I have been away, but the blog is still in effect. In fact I just put down cash money with my hosting company so that I can keep bringing you pieces of my mind.

Today I am posting about the Flatbush Zombies and their song Thug Waffle. The Flatbush Zombies have a family connection to the Madbury Club. These folks are weird in the best way!

I love the sounds, the look, and the concept. If you want to get the featured track Thug Waffle go to the Flatbush Zombie’s Bandcamp page. It is a $1. I know! Who sells music anymore, especially if you are an unknown group.

Enjoy the song and visuals below, and if you like the Flatbush Zombies (or not) let us know below!

I am reading Steve Stoute’s new book “The Tanning of America.” The jist of his book is that we are in a new era in this country where the cultural boundaries, especially seen between races, are eroding. Black kids in Harlem skateboard, white kids in Vermont who have “urban” sensibilities don’t necessary need to get the label of a wigger. You understand?

While reading the book I came across a really great example of how hip hop  shaped a Sprite’s brand identity boosting it’s cool facto. If your like me and you were born anytime in the 80′s most likely you remember the ads.

In the mid 90′s Sprite went after the urban demo hard with the Obey Your Thirst campaign. If you remember they had Grant Hill commercials, footage of rappers free-styling in the studio and they even sponsored hip hop concerts and street ball festivals

Continue to watch the video and leave a comment with your reaction.

Grand Puba and Sadat X in Sprite commercial

 Nas and AZ in Sprite Commercial

Im just getting on to it now. I have no more info about it.

Months back I recieved an email from a rapper I had never heard of named J Nolan. I approached casually and with low expectations as i’m sure you would as well.

Surely fine MC’s are only found on hip hop blogs. Or they are carefully crafted by record label A&Rs. The are surely not sent out to from an unknown sender in an email right?

The morning I open J’s email I asked myself who was this clown J Nolan? Oh and he’s from Atlanta? Thats strike 2.

I read the email a little smug not expecting much. Before pressing play I braced my ears for sloppy flows, unoriginal lyrics, and brain dead production.

Damn I was wrong. Dead wrong.

I was stunned by the maturity and confidence he displayed in the first song I heard.

Made It Out Alive (Produced by oriJanus)

Flash forward about 4 months. Now my dude is on another level. Supported by a flock of equally talented producers like Yung B Da Producer, Frontier, Tuelv, OriJanus, and others.

Recognize if you are listening to J Nolans music now it’s the equivilant of watching Jordan play his Rookie season. He is getting better with every track and he is becoming great.

Nolan is also smart. Unlike many rappers without a following he is not getting mistakingly charging for his work. His bandcamp is set up not to make a profit, but to disperse his music. Please support this guy and give him a listen.

On a side not, I am also glad to rappers are starting to use real names.

Below are a few standout tracks.

 Get Out the Game (Produced by Frontier)

Preparation (Produced by BDilla)

Cracked Cement (Produced byAlex Goose)

This video shows that Big Sean is a different type of creature when it comes to the style game. No one has these accessories. Rappers are not up on this fresh stuff. He is about 2 years ahead.

The comfort he exudes wearing the luxury exclusive shit he does sets him apart. 15 years ago it was Coogi sweaters, gators, and pinky rings. Things are coming full circle.  Best way to describe Big Sean is new millennium Jiggy.

Download Gucci Gucci HERE

This song is super dope to me. This girl is another breath of fresh air coming out of the West Coast. 

Backed by the video, this record feels like a movement more than just a song. Just like Wolf Gang and Lil B have established a cult following by making their own rules Kraeyshawn is raw and unapologetic.

Rapping “bitch you aint no barbie, i see you work at Arbys, #2 super-size, hurry up i’m starving!”

A little backstory on Kreayshawn. Although her name is new to most she is a talented producer and director. Most of the Kreayshawn youtube account features music videos of her friends and West Coast piers. She has material going back about year.

Here is another cool videos that shares a little more visual insight into her world:

Follow her twitter @Kreayshawn

This is why in the studio footage is so fun to watch. Their is a real thrill that comes when you are actively crafting a project into the vision in your head.

In this video XV hooks up with with Just Blaze to make an anthem. What you are hearing in the song comes from a sample derived sample derived from the theme song of the video game Kingdom Hearts II.

Just Blaze is not as active as he was in the late and mid 2000′s but it is surely quality over quantity.

If you are not familiar with XV check out his work.

via lifeandtimes.com

via http://seriouswapanese.com/page/3

READ THE FULL DAYMOND JOHN INTERVIEW HERE

I am linking to an excellent interview with FUBU’s founder, and a featured shark on ABC’s the Shark Tank, Daymond John. The interview is conducted by Tim Ferris of 4 hour workweek/body fame. This man has a very compelling story. His rise as business maven is an inspiration to anyone who has ever defied the odds and fought to make their way in the world.

After reading his interview you can download Daymond John’s eBooks entitled “Display of Power.” I learned from reading his eBooks that Fubu, although largely irrelevant in the US, still generates massive sales internationally.

After visiting the link fill out your name then use the following info to download:

- Referrer: Daymond John
- Password: theshark

READ THE FULL DAYMOND JOHN INTERVIEW HERE