Q-Tip x Busta x Rae x Weezy (?!) - Renaissance Rap Remix mp3

A remix of the 'hidden' track from Kamaal's recent-decent LP, 'The Renaissance'.

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Busta and Tip go waaay back, and nobody could be mad at Rae guesting on a track. But... Lil' Wayne?! Nah right... (c) eskay

UPDATE: Damn. I just listened to the track for the 11th time, and although it pains me to say it, I have to give credit where it is due... Wayne wasn't completely shitty on this track. And yes, that's as close to a compliment that dude will get from me.

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Renaissance Rap Remix mp3

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Divshare link courtesy of 2Dope. Visit and say 'ta very much'.

Unrivaled - Premium leather gloves

I think these are tremendous. I'm coming to terms with the idea that I may have a problem...

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From cult Japanese brand Unrivaled. No word on price yet, but SlamJam will have them available online soon.

Lanvin Trainers - Sell your car, buy a pair

Spring/Summer 09 trainers from Lanvin.

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Usually, fashion house trainers are poor... either too dainty or too bulky, and more often than not, patent. However, I picked the bottom pair up in Selfridges a few weeks back and they were excellent. I've had dirty dreams about them. But, at 325 quid a pair, like a mistress, they are expensive and if your wife finds out about them, she'll kill you.

G.I. Joe - Posters

^ That's Sienna Miller. I know... nothing like her.

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G.I. Joe is coming out sometime this year.

The poster below is the one the fan-boys want to see.

Joaquin Phoenix - NOT a rapper. I hope.

^ Love the barnet Joey.

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So... there is a chance that the "Joaquin Phoenix wants to be a rap star" story is bollocks. I thought it sounded like a comedy flick when I first heard the details. The proposed involvement of Hip Hop jester Puffy was a big clue I suppose. Hollywood Insider think this is some kind of hoax, and will eventually be a 'funny' film.

I'll be the judge.

Raekwon & Ghostface - Criminology Part II mp3

This will excite fans of classic, mid-90's, East Coast Hip Hop.

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Criminology Part 2 mp3

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This is pretty much a remake. The beat flips the original sample to an extent, but it is immediately recognisable. Plus, the structure of the song is exactly the same... it even features some Al Pacino/Scarface dialogue on the intro, as per the 95 version.

Far from original, concept-wise, but still 649% better than all mainstream Hip Hop in 2009.

Louis Vuitton - Football Bag

High end fashion once again seeks inspiration from the world of football.

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My guess is they're aiming for the Beckham/Kaka end of the scale, rather than your Julian's or your Wayne's who play on Hackney Marshes every sunday for the Dog & Duck pub, pausing every so often to throw up last nights Blue WKD or to have a cheeky fag while the ball is up the other end of the pitch. Turn up at training with your kit in this at your peril...

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Via FerrariMurakami

Barack Obama - 'Run-DC' t-shirt

Black Klown Clothier are releasing their originally-limited run t-shirt featuring Barack dressed as DMC (Cazals and hat, of course) and the bearing the words 'Run DC' in the classic style of the legendary groups red lined logo.

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Click the image for a close up, and pick it up on the web HERE.

Spotted at hypebeast.

The Horsemen - Trailer

Looks like this year's 'Se7en', but with the 'pretty' provided by Zhang Ziyi rather than Bradley Pitts.

Kanye West - Imbecile

Kanye... you're excited and feeling good about yourself and your career. I get it.

But there's a recession on, and it's not wise to rub the worlds noses in it.

The War on Humour continues - "Ross threatens to shag a Spanish granny"

^ Ross with a granny he probably raped or touched up or something

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Fuckery timeline:

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Saturday, 10:00 - Ross returns to Radio 2.

10:01 - Old farts and Tories grumble about the BBC, longing for days when women knew their place and Harry Secombe was the definition of 'edgy'

10:02 - 13:00 - Ross is entertaining, and often humourous. Doesn't call any actors from 'Fawlty Towers'.

13:01 - Arseholes and Tories countrywide hit 'listen again' on Radio 2's website and make notes of all humourous content, looking for ammunition, no matter how weak, to create a 'shocking' exclusive for Sunday's papers.

13:30 - Arseholes and Tories countrywide hear Ross say something about an 80 year old Spanish lady having "one more night before the grave". Tories get so excited they have to have a quick asphixiwank.

23:59 - BBC get wind of the non-story and confirm that nobody has complained. Not one solitary soul.

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Sunday, 09:30 - I pick up the News Of The World 'paper'.

09:31 - Front fucking page: "Ross New Radio Sex Slur"

09:31 and 6 seconds - Notice that Tory fuckstick David Davies has supplied a quote calling for Ross to be sacked. I puke into my mouth with rage, and spit it into the 'paper'.

09:35 - I buy some big knives, some parafin and 'homemade bomb'-making materials in preparation for the 'war between them and us', which is clearly only days away. The pragmatic versus the right-wing lunatics. The light-hearted versus the mean. The asphixiwankers versus the normal wankers.

11:55 - I cry, wondering how the world became a neo-conservative hellhole.

Obama - The Toy

The Obama Action Figure... brought to us by those crazy Japanese cats at DID. Click the image for a close-up and see the wrongness in all its glory.

Oscar Nominations - Completely devalued

Best actor:

Richard Jenkins - The Visitor

Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon

Sean Penn - Milk

Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Best supporting actor:

Josh Brolin - Milk

Robert Downey Jr - Tropic Thunder

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road

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Hold on... there's clearly been some mistake.

I'm a little concerned that Josh Brolin didn't get a nod for his spooky portrayal of George W. Bush in 'W.', but he did get recognised for 'Milk', and there are larger things at play when it comes to that film (it was distinctly average, it was about an unpopular dickhead, and nobody wants to give 'Dubya' an award, even indirectly).

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But what I can't forgive is there is no Michael Sheen in this list. His performance in 'Frost/Nixon', as David Frost, glued the film together. Yes, Langella was good, but it was essentially an impersonation. Sheen was totally believable as a young interviewer out of his comfort zone... tension etched across his face. I'm gutted for him, and they'll probably ignore him next year too, for his upcoming role as Brian Clough in 'The Damned United'.

When They Reminisce - Blog

When They Reminisce is one of the best Hip Hop blogs on the net, if not the best. Dedicated to the best of the culture's golden era (mainly the 90's though) as well as the best new beats & rhymes, it acts as a one-stop shop to educate young 'uns who think Hip Hop is 50 Cent, Soulja Boy and T-Pain.

I've been inspired to write a post in praise of this website today (rather than just visit it, as I do daily) because the dude who runs it, Eric, just posted two CLASSIC albums to download in their entirity: Gang Starr's "Step In The Arena" and A Tribe Called Quest's "People's Instinctive Travels...". Everybody should have these albums, but if you don't, Eric is giving you megabytes of GENIUS for nothing.

Click on the banner above and go and visit. And then visit again and again.

The Great Buck Howard - Poster and Trailer

Starring Malkovich-Malkovich and Tom's boy.

I wonder if Colin Hanks was cast because his dad produced the film? No, of course not.

Lykke Li - Little Bit (Loving Hand Remix) mp3

A strange little remix of Lykke's strange little pop song from The Loving Hand (Hercules & Love Affiar producer and Mo Wax records co-founder Tim Goldsworthy).

This has been around for months now, but I thought it was worthy of a post of it's own.

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Little Bit (Loving Hand Remix) mp3

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Louis Vuitton x Kanye West - Part 2

The second design by Mr West for Marc and his crew.

There are two more to come, including this one, apparently.

I can't see this colourway becoming a pub-shoe staple around South London any time soon.

These hit the shelves in June. I can't wait *looks for sarcasm button*

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The online version of Dazed & Confused caught up with Ye to talk about these things ^

Nom De Guerre X Red Wing

I know the original Red Wing boot is a workwear classic, but the usual reddy-brown colour always put me off. This collaborative effort with the military-inspired (and very 'now') Nom De Guerre team, I can live with.

Unfortunately, they would still look like big breezeblocks on my fat caveman feet though...

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If you are quick, you can pick these up at Oki-Ni now, for a princely sum somewhere in the region of 300 sovs.

Seinfeld - The Contest (Video)

"We have to do it... it's part of our lifestyle!"

Best Seinfeld episode of them all (although the one with George's answer machine runs it close).

On an unrelated matter, I'm littering my posts with typo's at the moment and I'm too lazy to correct them.

What can I say, I'm busy at work and I've got fat fingers...

Moe Pope & Headnodic - Grift mp3

One of the best 10 Hip Hop albums of 2008 from two dudes I'd never heard of before. The unique thing about this album is that there are no skippable tracks.

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Okay, so there aren't too many tracks that will grab you by the throat or appear on your G.O.A.T. list, but if you like real rap music*, there are NO BAD SONGS on this album. I mean it.
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Grift mp3
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*If you like Lil' Wayne, you'll hate this.
And if you like Lil' Wayne, take 253 paracetamol and drink some whiskey. 2 bottles.

Why I'm Happy, Why I'm Not Satisfied (Video)

illdoctrine.com's Jay Smooth talks about how the US still has more work to do before MLK's vision is truly realised...

If yoy don't know Jay SMooth, check out his website. WIthout doubt the best rap-related vlogger (ugh) out there.

Can't believe I typed the word 'vlogger'...

"It's been a long time coming..."

"... but a change is gonna come" (c) Otis

Antony & The Johnsons - Her Eyes... mp3

The new album by Antony & The Johnsons is out tomorrow.

Ever since I heard 'Another World', which had a profound impact on me during a difficult month, I've been looking forward to this more than any other incoming long-player.

It's been on repeat on my iTunes all weekend, and it's a beautiful, gentle and at times unsettling album. Below is an mp3 of a stand out track, although the standard is just as high throughout. And yes, I have tagged this post 'Soul'. If Antony's music is not that, then what is it?

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Her Eyes Are Underneath The Ground mp3

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Q-Tip - Manwomanboogie (Video) feat. Amanda Diva

Directed by Rik Cordero.

Rik says that the driving beat inspired him to think of movies where relationships between men and women are played out during train journeys (like the wonderful 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and the pretty shitty 'The Darjeeling Limited'...)

The Notwist - Boneless (Panda Bear Remix)

Visuals for Panda Bear's excellent remix for the Notwists 'Boneless' single, which I had on repeat in the car on the way to work for about a week when it came out.

Needless to say, the Animal Collective member improves the original no end.

The Informers - Poster & Red Band Trailer

A strong cast and Bret Easton Ellis adapting his own novel for the big screen bodes well.

Confession: I still haven't read American Psycho.

Are you a prick? Yes? Then buy this now!

Now I like shiny things, but this is just a guitar for c*nts from Chanel.

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Apparently it's not even remotely a decent guitar soundwise, but it IS by Chanel. So it's an ornament for rich people who want to look cool. Fucking hell...

According to highsnobiety.com, who have more pics, "the guitar comes in all black, with white accents, and is wrapped in a signature quilted white Chanel leather guitar bag".

No word yet on what it costs, but I'm sure it would make me physically sick.

Durex 'Baloon Animals' Ad (Video)

I like this, and not for pervy reasons.

It's an ingenius way of selling their product in a non-preachy or cheesy way, which I imagine is pretty hard (no pun intended) in their business.

Joaquin Pheonix - Rapper?

^ River's brother and my other wife.

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So... reports yesterday suggest that Casey Affleck's (the talented one) new film is all set to be a documentary, based around his friend Joaquin's efforts to become a rap star. Sounds like the pitch for Will Ferrell comedy to me, but who am I to judge?

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Most upsetting of all is that media outlets carrying the story are saying that Joaquin thinks Puffy, oh I'm sorry... DIDDY, is the man to make him the new Biggie Smalls, and has enlisted his help as a mentor. (Are you shaking your head yet? I am...)

Go HERE to read the NME's story if you don't believe me.

Daft Punk vs. Adam Freeland - "AeroObama"

A videode (see what I did there?) created for the inauguration of B.O. Barackus, featuring a remix of 'Aerodynamic' from Daft Punk's CLASSIC album 'Discovery'(disagreement is your prompt to commit suicide).

The video treatment, from the creatives at GOLD, features a variety of vinyl toys dancing to a DJ Set from the Daft Punk Bearbricks, and of course, a cameo or two from the party's guest of honour.

Blu - The Classy Man mp3

LA's hoarse-voiced, everyman emcee Blu drops yet another gem on us in the form of this track about his popularity with the fairer sex, entitled 'The Classy Man'.

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If you don't know of Blu, or the work he has done with producers Mainframe and Exile, let me assure you it's a must for any fans of the Native Tongues collective of the early 90's:

No synths, no raps about money, no Cristal or half-naked women in the videos, no rampant consumerism... just good rhymes, inventive samples... just real Hip Hop.

Maybe that's why Blu isn't signed to a major label deal...

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The Classy Man mp3

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Shit!

Far from ideal.

Kanye West for Louis Vuitton

It's like a deck shoe meets a pair of Vans.

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I'm not having it. I've got a white pair of Sebago Docksiders, and a white pair of Vans Classics, both of which are better than these.

Exile - Chopping Q-Tip/Dilla's "Let's Ride"

Exile is a hugely talented beatsmith, as this video of him performing an impressive chopping session on his mpc proves. I had an MPC once, and anyone who can completely recreat music from one track deserves respect...

...and if you don't know about Exile by now, take your own life. Twice.

MF DOOM - Ballskin mp3

New DOOM!!! Odd title though...

(I love that pic... the mask and the Rod Lavers...)

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Ballskin mp3

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Sharebee links courtesy of 2dopeboyz. Go and see them for more new stuff.

Palm-Pre - The REAL iPhone Killer?

Many have come before it and failed to dent the all-conquering iPhone. Those in the know, however, say this may be the one to eat into Apple's smartphone market share. Click the image for more info and pics courtesy of the chaps at hypebeast.

Killshot - Trailer (Video)

Based on a novel by ultra dark crime-writer Elmore Leonard.

Theo - Dillagence (Video)

A new video, over a classic Dilla beat, by a young emcee who is supported by ?uestlove's okayplayer family.

Go there (by clicking HERE) to get his free mixtape 'The Birth'.

Common Market - Tobacco and Snow Covered Roads (Video)

Movie Spoiler Graffiti - Marley & Me

Slashfilm are reporting a humourous spate of Spoiler-based graf on the posters of the latest Jennifer Aniston rom-com 'Marley & Me', blowing the ending for anyone who walks by.

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The film = "a heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life".

The poster = funny.

"Kill at the whim of a hat"

The BBC have kindly compiled a short list of classic Bushisms as a 'thank-you' for 8 years of side-splitting-yet-frightening idiocy from the most powerful man in the universe.

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BBC's Bushisms

Floating House - Ontario, Canada

I like this...

Though it's possibly not the best of living arrangements if you are prone to seasickness.

Spotted at archdaily.

A.P.C. x Nike All Court

Simple silhouette, simple colours. A classic shoe refined by the stylish French chaps at A.P.C., my current shirtmaker of choice. This should be available online at apc.fr in time for the spring.

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Spotted at hypebeast

KAWS' Halloween lion/dog

I thought this was comedic.

Dion? Log? Spotted over at Street Artist KAWS' blog.

This is how his dog went to the NYC Halloween parade.

New Peter, Bjorn & John single (Stream)

The new single from Sweden's Peter, Bjorn & John (the guys who brought us various ludicrously catchy tunes over the past two years, and an instrumental album of ethearel oddness) was sent to Kanye West first, for promotion on his blog. Go HERE to stream the mp3.

The album is called 'Living Thing'... not even 'Ye knows what the song is called yet...

Incoming: adidas zx9000

These are available at most good fashion and sneaker stores from early Feb 2008 (apologies for the Yankee-doodle-dandy-isms). Click HERE for a side-on profile.

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I had to post these for two reasons:

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(1) I like them. The colours are class for the spring (although not as good as this classic), and I'm sure they'll be comfortable.

(2) These take me straight back to 1989, when the little yellow adidas Torsion bar replaced the Nike Air bubble as the must-have feature on your running shoes (that you stood around youth club looking cool in). Well, for about 3 months it did.

Beckham makes Milan debut

Milan beat Hamburg on Pens in Dubai.

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I know the boy Becks looks good in everything, but that is one of THE most iconic football strips of all time. To be fair, after Madrid and Man Utd The Scum, he only has to play in the red of Liverpool and the 'purples' of Barca and he's got a complete set.

New KAWS toy - "Warm Regards"

Based on a mural of the same name, KAWS presents the Warm Regards vinyl toy. Yes, the original brown colourway is meant to be poo, but the pink and white lend it an ice cream-like look.

Go to KAWS's honeyee blog to see more photos... many of which include his dog eating the poo-coloured toy.

Animal Collective's Weird Cover Art

Animal Collective's (the group that includes Panda Bear) eagerly anticipated new album, Merriweather Post Pavillion, out on 12th January on Domino Records, has this weird, headache inducing optical illusion as a cover.

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I've heard the album, and first impressions are that it is strange. I hope it's a grower.

Best Albums of 2008 - Part 2

5. Kings of Leon - Only By The Night

Everybody loves the Kings. Their sold-out Arena tours twice a year proves it. Yes, 'Sex On Fire' was played to death, but I've not let that ruin it for me. KoL have changed massively since Youth & Young Manhood (which is still my favourite of theirs), and their sound has become bigger, more accessible... it is now far closer to the 'stadium rock' of a Coldplay than the dusty garage rock of their debut, but the bluesy influence of their southern roots remains intact. Despite the larger sound, the quality has not suffered and the boys are probably writing the catchiest 'big' rock & roll tunes this side of Arcade Fire.

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4. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

At the turn of the year, Vampire Weekend were the latest New York band being tipped as "the ones to watch" by those in the know. Here, they've delivered an album full of bouncy, somewhat quirky pop songs with bags of melody, 'smarter-than-you' lyrics and New England references that makes the bands 'preppyness' pretty obvious. Because of their well-to-do social background, The Strokes have become an easy comparison to make for music journos, but Vampire Weekends sound is less retro, less guitary and less spikey. The emphasis here is on light, melodic pop tunes with a bit of Afro-beat thrown in (hence the other easy comparison, Paul Simon). It's a record that doesn't sound like much else out there, and the band seems to be having a good time themselves, which transmits to the listener.

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3. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It

The former leader of r&b group Tony! Toni! Tone! (back when he was plain old Raphael Wiggins) has been threatening this album since his days in supergroup Lucy Pearl. This album should really have carried the name of his 2002 debut solo LP 'Instant Vintage'... all the tracks on here sound like genuine 60's soul staples. In his own words: "When I was making the album, I watched videos by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Al Green, The Four Tops... and fused them all together".

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2. Elzhi - The Preface

The ex-Slum Village member emerged from the shadow of his former colleague J Dilla by dropping 2008's best Hip Hop album by a mile. Blessed with the sample-driven aural landscape of Detroit's hottest beatsmith/emcee Black Milk, Elzhi raised his game accordingly and delivered a lyrical masterclass that steered well clear of the tiresome, ignorant thug/money cliches. Proof that real Hip Hop lives.

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1. Glasvegas - Glasvegas

Much-hyped at the end of 2007, but still the best album of the year, in my humble opinion. Thick Scottish accents, a Spectorish 'Wall Of Sound', bags of emotion, songs about having no dad, the murder of a child, alcoholic husbands and of course genuinely catchy indie/pop tunes that sound like old classics. I'm sure this album will stand the test of time. If you haven't got it, get it.

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Honourable mentions for those artists who didn't quite make my (pretty arbitrary) Top 10:

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Q-Tip - The Renaissance

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 1

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Neon Neon - Stainless Style

Santogold - Santogold

Lykke Li - Youth Novels

Black Milk - Tronic

Antony & The Johnsons - Another World EP

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Let's hope for an equally excellent 2009.