MUSIC - VIDEO

"Empire State Of Mind" by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys. In my opinion, Jay's flow has fallen off, but Ms. Keys...blows this track out the water. Baddest chick in the game, hands down. -Mr.-

LIFE IS COMPLICATED

"Helicopter downed as 12 killed in Rio violence". I learned about this story earlier this week and overheard someone on the subway say "Rio is full of criminals". She was right, however I was thinking more along the lines of blue collar rather than oppressed poor. Since last weekend 33 people have been killed in Rio due to a rival gang turf war and several police crack downs. A helicopter was shot down over the "Hill of Monkeys" near the Morro dos Macacos favela, and three of six police officers were killed, three severely wounded. Apparently this is the first time a helicopter has been taken down in Rio. The violence errupted two weeks after it was decided that Rio would host the 2016 Olympics, and what makes this so incredibly disturbing is that the president has now offered $60 million in federal money to help Rio de Janeiro police combat drug gangs. Translation...there will be a slaughter. For every gang member killed there is easily another three innocent residents that get caught in the crossfire. Brasils socio-economic reality is twisted and complicated and often oppressive and elitist. Rio getting the Olympics is probably the worst thing that could ever happen to the residents of Rio's roughly 1000 favelas. The situation is far more complex than most care to imagine, and the police are far more brutal and savage than most outside of the favela reality care to accept. Straight up and down - I pray for all those caught in the crossfire, and all of the poor born into circumstances beyond their control who are at the mercy of desperate gang members and corrupt police. Shout out to Villa Curzeiro, I heard you guys have been affected as well. Power to the poor, and a middle finger to the corrupt. Life is complicated. -Mr.-

MUSIC - VIDEO

"Pon De Floor" by Major Lazer. I tried throwing this up when it first dropped, had some problems with my server and forgot about it. This one's for you boo. The REAL dirty dancing - feel me? No disrespect Patrick Swayze (RIP) but your moves were tame. -Mr.-

MUSIC - NEXT

"Strange Love" by Fashawn feat. Rob The Voice, from "Grizzly City Vol.2" (2007). Two years old, but new to me. This is what the west is capable of...feel me? Reminds me of some Cody Chesnutt type ish. Crazy track. Atl has held the spotlight for a minute now, I think the west is long overdue. This track was recently thrown on a mixtape put together by The Beehive, which in essence is a compilation of Fashawn's seven previous mixtapes. Definitely worth a listen. -Mr.-

Download: The Beehive Presents Fashawn: 21 to Grow On (Mixtape)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Whether you believe or not is irrelevant. I'm posting this video because it is more interesting then TMZ, Perez Hilton, Kanye West or anything MTV has to offer. All I ask is that you open your mind and shift your focus occasionally. -Mr.-

MUSIC - VIDEO

"I'mma Fool Wit It" Killer Mike feat. Big Kuntry King. Now this is how I like my south. Lil Wayne has single handedly stolen the limelight from the south's rightful rulers. Killer Mike...holding it down for those that remember a little click by the name of The Dungeon Family and cats like MJG, Three Six Mafia, Scarface...the list goes on. Keeping it crunk, all day every day. -Mr.-

FASHION

"Solid Knit Fedora" by Stussy. Black, ribbed knit, fedora...need I say more? Sometimes a fitted just won't do. -Mr.-

FASHION

"M-65 Jacket" by Head Porter Plus. Japan's HPP has knocked it out the park with this one, I'm talking parking lot windshield...feel me!? An M-65 is an M-65, what separates the leader from the pack is the detailing. The paisley lining and HPP crest separate and elevate this piece to the front lines. -Mr.-

FASHION

"Pink Diamond Tee" by BBC. I'm a big fan of keeping it simple. This graphic is just that. Pink on black...come on now, it gets no better. Hell, you can fu$k with color combination's all day, but seldom does anything compare to pink on black. The only thing questionable about this tee is the price tag - $114 @ Colette, can I get an OUCH! -Mr.-

FASHION

"Air Zoom Talache 1 Mids" Royale Collection by Nike. Yeah that's right...NIKE. Royale Collection, is there any other way to label such a kick? Premium leather, beautiful cut, sleek and oh so pretty. I meant to throw these up awhile back, for those in the know...nothing new, for those in the dark...now you know. -Mr.-

MUSIC - VIDEO

"Mercedes-Benz" by Sway, a.k.a. Derek Safo. London mixtape king holding it down. Shout out to Biz Markie...timeless. -Mr.-

ART FORMS

"Women Are Heroes" a project and an exhibition by JR. Nuit Blanche, Paris 2009. Now this is what Nuit Blanche SHOULD BE (I'm talking to you Scotia Bank/Toronto...WAACK!) Cutting edge french photographer JR holding it down world wide, taking a medium, and a concept to new heights. Everyone claims to be a photographer nowadays, and photography has always been applied to billboards and large format printing, but taking these two artistic staples and displaying them in abnormal locations and abstract ways is what separates the leader from the pack. Straight up...I'm labeling homeboy a cultural hero. Without street artists like JR and Banksy the urban landscape would be a waste of space. That being said, I would like to thank all those who have chosen to step beyond the confines of convention and redefine the meaning of canvas - I tip my hat to you all.

This clip is from BKRW Magazine and documents the last hours of JR and his team as they finish the "Women Are Heroes" exhibition in Paris. Brilliant! Shout out to Safari for the heads up. -Mr.-

MUSIC - VIDEO

"Do You Believe" by The Beatnuts. Dedicated to those that know, those that experienced the times, and those that remember when. Let me take you down memory lane...-Mr.-

FASHION

"Homerun" by Elm Company. Low key, quality detailing, front and back script - come on now, say it with me...plan...tains! Elm Company, always pleasing, never cheesing.

FASHION

"Firefly Jacket" by Nike x HUF. Where my K-Way heads at? So practical. It's cool, it's warm...living in Toronto you need to be prepared. Pack it up, or bust it out. The firefly...ready when you are. -Mr.-

FASHION

"Strength Through Unity" by Ideall Clothing. Referring to a poster used as propaganda by the corrupt governing body in the film "V For Vendetta", Ideall replaced the 'V' with 'LL' and has produced another brilliant graphic. Rated - proper. -Mr.-

FASHION

"Uno Canvas" by Gourmet. Slick, and oh so pretty. Just make sure you got yourself some clean pretty socks as well, that little ankle window can make or break your fashion status...NO WHITE SOCKS. -Mr.-

CINEMATIC DOPE!?

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" from director Wes Anderson, based on the book by Roald Dahl...SAY WORD!!! Nah, nah...say Genius! Wes Anderson is one of Hollywood's most treasured assets in my opinion, and the cast he rolls with is nothing less than grade A. In an age of computer animation and Pixar dominance it's good to see old fashioned formats are still an option, and who better to prove this fact than Wes. Classic story, brilliant director, and a concept so left field it's gotta work. Cinematic dope? I hope so. Set for release November 25, 2009. -Mr.-

WILLIAM KAMKWAMBA = THE ANSWER

The extraordinary true story of a Malawian teenager who transformed his village by building electric windmills out of junk. If William Kamkwamba can do it...why can't we? 1st world citizens are some of the most apathetic, lazy people I know. We possess all the tools necessary to manifest change and yet we fall victim to the same, and why... because it's comfortable. Shout out to Nate Dog, thanks for the heads up homeZ. -Mr.-

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

MUSIC - VIDEO

"Little Booty Girl" by Thunderheist. Isis has come a long way. I remember when she took off to Montreal to start this little endeavor. I guess all you really need is a backpack and a dream. -Mr.-