FASHION

The Greg Lutzka Frog Skins by Oakley. From the Greg Lutzka x Oakley Pack. Straight old school goods. Frog skins are like vans...been holding it down. Can I get an amen! -Mr.-

FASHION

The "Parker" by 7Union. The embroidered crest - old english at its finest, the color - regal, the brim underside - distinguished...this hat was made for a king. 7Union - never disappointing, always pleasing. Say word! -Mr.-

FASHION

The "Madchester Mop Tee" by Mishka. The beauty of a shirt like this is it can go with almost anything, the color palette extends the horizon as far as the eye can see. I'm also feeling the abstract illustrations that make up the logo...a little creepy, but dang, what art isn't these days? -Mr.-

FASHION

"J-Lay Mid's" by Vans. The J-Lay Mid Fades are straight butter...spreadable even. I'm feeling the airbrushed look. Purple is one of my favorite colors, but for kicks...may not match with much. Then again, matching is kind of played in this Napoleon Dynamite/hipster era...no? Like Shock G said "do what u like". Vans - you know the steez. -Mr.-

CINEMATIC DOPE

"The Watchmen" directed by Zack Snyder, based on the 1986-1987 comic book limited series Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. I finally had a chance to peep this highly anticipated film and was blown away by the visuals but disappointed with the overall plot and screenplay adaptation. The beauty of this film is it deals with subject matter in three dimensions rather than most comics that are two dimensional with regular superheros (some with mutated powers and abilities), but regular REAL world dramas nonetheless. The Watchmen touches on dimensional travel and supernatural powers, and I was expecting to here some next level dialogue, considering Dr. Manhattan (the glowing blue giant) has god like powers and abilities. There was way too much back story and not enough action/violence, especially since the action sequences were top shelf, at par, and at times BEYOND movies like Sin City...major disappointment. The soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a long time and perfectly sequenced...Tyler Bates you are a genius. The opening montage with Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin" was one of the most powerful sequences I've had the pleasure of viewing in a long time. A must see, but this film could have been better. Truthfully...I'm tired of comic book adaptations, here's an idea - someone write an original sci-fi screenplay and break the limited confines of adapting someone else's creation. -Mr.-

MUSIC - NEXT

"He Doesn't Know Why" and "Blue Ridge Mountains" by Fleet Foxes. In a nut shell...there IS hope. This five-piece band out of Seattle have single-handedly breathed new hope into an industry overgrown with talentless puppets. Reminiscent of Neil Young, CSNY and Moody Blues to name a few, Fleet Foxes are talent at its finest...just peep the second video clip "Blue Ridge Mountains" shot in an abandoned wing of the Grand Palais in Paris - brilliant! Signed to indie labels Sub Pop and Bella Union, they are an example of where the industry is headed...talented artists, independent, and distributed by the power of the Internet rather than obsolete network structures. Change is coming, I can feel it. Shout out to Leilani, thanks for the heads up. -Mr.-

CULTURE EXCHANGE

CUBA pt.2 All we have in life are our memories and the moments that create them. I encourage all, rich and poor alike - by any means necessary - EXPLORE your planet. Earth is a beautiful place. May the fallen angels unite and find the beauty in eachother. I dedicate this post to the people, not the governments that divide them. -Mr.-

CULTURAL HERO

Majora Carter: Greening The Ghetto. It is up to us "The People" to bring about REAL change...do not rely on your politicians, rely on yourself. Get up, get out and DO something. Fu$k, we are all gears in a doomsday clock - do your part and stop the clock from ticking. Kudos to Majora Carter...a true hero. -Mr.-

MUSIC - NEXT

"Lions, Tigers and Bears" by Jazmine Sullivan. NEXT LEVEL! Can I get an AMEN! No drums, I repeat - NO drums! Orchestrated perfection people. Not since Lauryn Hill has a voice captivated me like this. Top fu$kin shelf! All you producers out there - take note...don't be afraid to think outside the box. Like I said - NEXT! -Mr.-

FASHION

"Pinstripe New Era" by Carhartt. Old school CLASS-to-the-E. Feel me? What more can I say? Carhartt, not just jackets. OG's yall, look em up! -Mr.-

FASHION

"The Monogram Leather Belt" by Freshjive. Clean and oh so fresh. The embossed logo throughout the leather adds just enough texture to lift this bad boy above the rest. -Mr.-

FASHION

"The Cashmere Cardigan" by Spindle and Canister. Cardigan...cashmere...black...a staple piece people, a staple piece. Every man should own at least one black cardigan. Spindle and Canister representing lovely I might add, the cut is bang on. Brilliant! -Mr.-

FASHION

"The Hoopla Tee" by Rocksmith. Can't go wrong with gold leaf...bling for those of you smart enough to avoid Ed Hardy, yet still wanna get noticed on the dance floor. Strobe light ready - haha. Rocksmith holding it down. -Mr.-

FASHION

"Syndicate Era S/Suicidal Tendencies" by Vans. Straight goods...some claim straight goods but curve like arches, this right here...STRAIGHT GOODS! Subtle, clean, yet a closer inspection reveals embroidered detailing and an insole that pays homage to skatepunk Venice OG's Suicidal Tendencies. Beautiful. My style to a tee...it's all about the detailing, fly under the radar - feel me! -Mr.-

SCHOOLS IN SESSSION

"Buggin Out '09" by Consequence feat. Kid Cudi. YeZZir! Why wasn't this done sooner? A little reminder of how things used to be, how things still could be, and straight up and down - SHOULD be. So...thank you Consequence and Kid Cudi...tight flows, but the main reason why this track is so ill (fast forward to 3:37)...
"Jazz(We've Got) and Buggin Out" by A Tribe Called Quest. If you don't know...please ACT like you know. -Mr.-

MUSIC - VIDEO

"No Me Da Mi Gana Americana" by Cola Loca. Cuba stand up! This is dedicated to all you dancehall backballers, baile funk ass shakers, and cubano floor sweepers...lets show Patrick Swayze what dirty dancing is all about! Haha "No Me Da Mi Gana Americana" -Mr.-

CULTURE EXCHANGE

CUBA. Culture Exchange destination number 1. I recently ventured out of my box to get a dose of culture at its finest and traveled from the cultural giant of Havana to the tourist trap of Varadero, Cuba. The people are proud and there is a strong sense of community that sadly lacks in North America. Crime is low, the recent upgrade of the bus system makes it easy to get from point A to B, and the overall vibe is as Caribbean as it gets - laid back, my sort of town. Cuba is culturally rich in music and the arts, however the food is extremely limited compared to the rest of the Caribbean and there seems to be no agricultural infrastructure what so ever...nutrition was obviously not on Castro's priority list. You have to apply for a car, house, apartment through the government, education is free, and jobs are delegated for the most part. The people are proud, but I disagree with Castro's infrastructure. In many ways the people are enslaved by the government directly and lack personal freedom, where as our enslavement in North America is structured through credit and corporate interests and is psychological in nature rather than physical. Both systems are corrupt and in desperate need of reform. I believe compromise is key, and doing away with ideological extremes and finding a middle ground will be our savior. Socialist, democratic, he say, she say…let me sum it up for you – DIVIDE AND CONQUER. There is good and bad, truth and lies, justice and injustice in ALL political structures. NO ONE has the answer and no ONE society is free from corruption. The people of Cuba are its saviors and the strong sense of community is genuine as apposed to the patriotic arrogance of other nations. I highly recommend visiting this unique destination before U.S. relations are mended and capitalism corrupts one of the last cultural strongholds free from corporate tainting. Two thumbs way up Brasil style. –Mr.-