Emperial Nation Fall 2008 Launch Party

Our good friends over at Emperial Nation are dropping their fall 2008 line, with inspiration from the great Harlem Renaissance Era. Take a trip uptown with these original pieces that include images of Jack "Galveston Giant" Johnson, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, and other strong images from that time in history.

To celebrate this release, Emperial Nation will be having it’s very own release party, in collaboration with The Tastemakers Society, on October 16, 2008 at New York City’s Gallery Bar located in the Lower East Side. From the hours of 7PM-10PM, Emperial Nation will be playing host to one of NYC’s most exciting and happening spots. Two Hungry Brothers will be in the house spinning everything from old school R&B, electro-pop to underground hip hop. Those that come celebrate will be treated to gift bags, complimentary Sonu beverages and celebrity style photography sessions. Did we forget to mention the 7:30pm to 8:30pm open bar?! This is The Back to School event you don’t want to miss!

For more information on the release party or the Emperial Nation line, check below and visit www.emperialnation.com.

See ya there!

To Trick...or not Trick...

photo by: happyeric

In my experiences with the dating scene, I have learned to attract the opposite sex using the gift of gab, to always stay sharp and say the right things to entice the opposite sex. Nothing could drive a woman's imagination more than a man's ability to spit some good game. That's why it bothers me a bit when I see my brothers in the club spending and wasting money on women who they have only known for so long. Whether you are buying drinks or making it rain to get a woman to talk to you, such acts are classic examples of trickin'.

What is trickin', you may ask?
Well, UrbanDictionary.com gives the following definition:

trickin' (v): To splurge on large gifts for a girl or boy that you like but don't know very well.
To me, using money to get what you want out from women is bad enough. It is even worse that now many influential music artists are now perpetuating to this phenomenon. The following are excerpts from some of the more recent hit songs rap and R&B songs:

“Like yeahhh, and everyone say it/
Mr. Rain Man can we have a rainy day/
Bring an umbrella, please bring an umbrella/
Ella, Ella, Ella, EH /
Bitch ain't shit but a hoe and a trick/
But you know it ain't trickin' if you got it”
Lil' Wayne – “Got Money”

“Shawty, you the hottest/
Love the way you drop it/
Brain so good, coulda swore you went to college/
100K deposits, vacations in the tropics/
Everybody know it ain't trickin' if you got it”
T.I. – “Whatever You Like”

“I can put you in the log cabin/
somewhere in Aspen/
Girl ain't nothing to the Pain/
it aint trickin if you got it/
what you askin'....for”
T-Pain – “Can't Believe It”

“I like to trick trick trick/
I like to trick (trick) trick/
I wanna spend some money, spend some money/
I like to trick, I like to trick”
Ray-J – “I Like to Trick”

Music has been so influential in promoting many of society's vices, with this “It ain't trickin' if you got it” movement coming on the rise. It is funny that these artists have the means to “trick” of their money, while a vast majority of their fans and listeners don't. I can ramble on about my thoughts on the topic, but the purpose of this post is to get your opinion about the topic. Please feel free to post your opinion, for it is humbly appreciated.

To trick or not to trick – that is the question.
- From SatisJackson305

STREET ART STREET LIFE

photo:Fatimah Tuggar, Coverfield, 2008

On view through January 25, 2009
Organized by guest curator Lydia Yee, Street Art, Street Life examines the street as subject matter, venue, and source of inspiration for artists and photographers from the late 1950s to the present.

This far ranging exhibition, one of the largest to consider the subject, includes street photography; documentation of performance, events, and artworks presented in the street; works using material from the street; and examples of street culture by more than thirty artists including William Klein, Lee Fried­lander, Raymond Hains, Vito Acconci, Martha Rosler, Sophie Calle, David Ham­mons, Jamel Shabazz, and Francis Alÿs, among others.

Museum hrs are: Thursday - Monday, 11am - 6pm, Friday: 11am - 8pm, Tuesdays and Wednesday are closed.Cost is $5 for students, $3 Seniors, children under 12 FREE.

The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse (at 165th Street)
Bronx, New York 10456
718.681.6000
www.bronxmuseum.org

-Krazy Cam

Anonymous Twist = Encore Status

Anonymous Twist, a Toronto based MC, DJ, and producer, blessed us with a couple of tracks for our mixtape back in february(Melange mixtape featured on the right panel of this blog). One of the tracks and a personal favorite of mine was entitled 'Brainwash.' His camp put a video up for the track featuring clips from the movie City of God. Enjoy the track, and cop his album available on Itunes.

David Sides = Encore Status

We're probably late bringing this to you, but a friend of a friend of a friend of Encore Status sent this to me today and I was blown away. Known as the "Mozart of hip hop" D-Sides has done brilliant piano renditions of the music from top artists in the music industry. "Buy You a Drink"(T-Pain), "Bed"(J Holiday), and "Closer" (Ne-Yo), are tracks I have listened to personally. Please peep the rendition of Lollipop, originally performed by Lil Wayne.

Oh yea...and don't be late like us...friend him on the myspace.

-PM

STOP...now do the french Fry

Hello,
After posting the Smiley Jonez video "Chicken Wing," we set out to find content that was more tasteful. We think we have found what we were looking for. This Sweet and Sour clip forced me to STOP...and do the French fry. Please view yet another uncategorizable gem -- The McDonalds rap.

Enjoy,
StatisJackson

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Rex Milano = Encore Status

While digging through Youtube the other day, we found this 21 year old hip hop dance phenom from Italy. His name is Rex Milano and seems like he would step to ANYONE on the dance floor. If you've seen anyone that will or can test him, please contact us at Talent@encorestatus.com. (We wont expect that many emails...just watch his video below).
Enjoy,
Pure Madness



Please check out more of his stuff in our Youtube widget on the right.