Dante Ross x WESC Headphones

All around cultural activist and long time musical maniac, Dante Ross is no stranger to audio technology. Thus, his recent collaboration with street fashion brand WESC (We Are the Superlative Conspiracy) should certainly come as no shock. Featured, we have the visuals accompanying the audio technical goods and a great, poetic piece from Dante himself. Music is undoubtedly the centerpiece of our culture, so no matter age or gender or race or whatever, we can all come together and connect thru it in some aspect. Beautiful set from Ross and WESC, which actually entails a great deal of what my premiere book will detail. No promo.

-J.Sawyer

KORG IELECTRIBE IPad Application

Amidst all the controversy surrounding apple's latest hit gadget, this app. looks dope! A little beat making on the go makes everything alright. -JSawyer

Photos from Jay-Z's Interview with Interview Magazine

Recently, that boy Hov chatted it up with the folks over at Interview Magazine. The topics of which included his favorite movie characters, his presidential amigos, collabos, and his consistent seat at the throne of hip hop. Be sure to check it out over at Interview Magazine. These are most of the pics that were taken for the article, all of which are fairly dope in my opinion. Long live the king! -JSawyer

Metrofarm - DJ Desk

Despite the optimistic and righteous say, most human beings are visual and frivolous creatures. Most of the time, one’s motivation to pick up a skill or a piece of clothing or a gadget doesn’t wander too far from “cool”. With that in mind, METROFARM, has probably created the coolest DJ Desk we have seen and would absolutely drive many to pick up DJing. Based in Berlin, METROFARM is a design studio run by Julia and Nunu. The studio has a roster of clients such as Nike, 55DSL, ABSOLUT Vodka, Idee, Pioneer and BEAMS. The high end DJ Desks created by METROFARM are crafted specifically to the DJ’s equipment, and some of the models built here come in a variety of style and installation methods. There is minimalist yet party-worthy stainless steel number with mixers and turntables embedded into them; a bright orange legless number that is bubbling 60s; a nature-inspired woody number….and sorts. Rather than the usual boring black boxy platform of a DJ stand, these will make the most important equipment of a bar/club as swanky as the place itself, and definitely be the enviable fixture in any home. (via Freshnessmag.com)

So I guess I might just need to scoop my turntables first, before I snag me one of these bad boys, but this is definitely now on my list. So illy... -JSawyer

Chris Brown Debuts "Crawl"

Since R&B prince, Chris Brown's assault on famed, pop mistress Rihanna, his music has taken a back seat to his personal life, making sure he gets himself back together. Amidst doing interview after interview, Brown has been logging some serious time, completing his court ordered community service hours.

As of today, his music, at least in video form, is back for all the world to see. Other than his collaborative efforts with Young Money on their track "Transformers,"  the singer/dancer has not debuted a video in quite sometime. Brown's single "Crawl" isn't just any release, however. The track is his first attempt at a ballad, and there really is no denying that the singing sensation's relationship with Rihanna played no part in the lyrical tone of the arrangement.

"So we'll crawl, until we can walk again," Brown sings on the hook. "Then we'll run, until we're strong enough to jump. Then we'll fly, until there is no wind. So let's crawl, crawl, crawl, back to love."

Of course, the heartbroken swooner denies all allegations that "Crawl" is referring to his ex, Rihanna. He says it is more a reference to moving beyond heartache in general.

"When I heard the whole concept and everything I was like, 'Yo, this is crazy,' " Brown said about the track. "So being able to express the feelings, it was like, probably one of the best [records I've done.] But it was more than me trying to do a record that meant crawl to love, crawl back to love. Meaning whether it's from your negative situations, whether it's from any problems you've dealt with, like anybody's situation. Mine being my personal situation with shorty, but for anybody, for being inspired as far it being the war or a death in the family, whether it's anything, anybody just crawl back to love. 'Cause love conquers everything. Love, at the end of the day, makes everybody happy."

I guess the lyrics could just be chalked up to coincidence or a bad timing of events, but nonetheless, Chris Brown is back, and I do predict the single will jump up the charts.

Check out the video, as it was debuted today on the Wendy Williams Show. -JS

"Hard" - Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy

Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy "Hard"

As far as Rihanna's music goes, I'm not the biggest fan, but I think she's scored a hit from this collabo with Jeezy. Be on the lookout for her latest album "Russian Roulette" to drop later this month. -JS

"Letter" - Lyrics by Wale

So I posted Wale's new single "Letter" last week, and as I began to listen closely to the lyrics, I fell in love with the message of the song. Do yourself a favor and read! -JS

"Letter" - Wale

To whom it may concern
I refuse to never being on this earth
I am breathing for a purpose
I want to be the centerpiece of my entire culture
And I,ve been thinking about you

Cause you,ve done such, by doing such
I get a pen a paper, write you a letter
Cause you are appriciated, I,m dreamin to be great
While working on my mistakes, You promised that,s changed
I,m doing the same thing

Dear Mr. Obama I,m hoping this letter reaches you in good spirits
Lord knows you,ve been busy, but I just wanna know
I I speak could you listen, we live in the same city
I was hoping I could to visit ya
If not, Im hoping this letter could convey how I,m feeling
An you could find interest

First off congratulations on your win
It,s time for some change to commence
I got a question for you mayor
From an african american stance,

Are we expecting too much from your four year plan

And what about the rappers that happen to act
Like a black president gives us the right to be assholes
You know they say your name for attention
But little to no interest after election

Or the too cheap t-shirt sellers
Are making revenue off a name we cherish
As I end this letter, one more thing
I hope you understand your impact on our race
Sincerely Wale, PSA,
I ain,t trying to nit pick but you can stick the rest of the way

Cause you,ve done such, by doing such
I get a pen a paper, write you a letter
Cause you are appriciated, Like Dear Mama
The reason I work hard, like even my favorite rapper, he was bigger than a artist

Dear Pac I was 12 when they gunned you
Wish you was around now to see what I,ve become
You,ve never had a son in the physical or literal
But years later there are still a bunch of little yous

Never seen you was lyrical, But more or less the voice that the whole culture listens too
Speaking the truth like only you can do
It,s only right we lose greatness at it,s pinacle
I got a question for ya, Are still mad at biggie, are you still mad dre
And are you happy with the way your legacy portrayed
I,m trying to do for D.C. what you did for L.A.

But music today is getting lame for us
They chasing fame rather than making a change for us
They stop being honest, they stop being honest,
They want their club shit, aint no more dear mamas
And you don,t know me, but knowing you through music
Is going to change the world in the future, truly
Yours Wale, PSA, how long will they mourn you forever in a day

"Letter" - Wale ft. John Mayer

Wale is gradually growing on me. I think he finally snatched my attention with his new track "Contemplate" featuring Rihanna. Now he's teamed up with John Mayer for the musical piece that is "Letter." The hook is taken from John Mayer's "3 X 5" piece on the Room For Squares album. Mayer, being my favorite artist, you know I'm feelin this track at least a wee bit. -JS

Battle Studies x John Mayer

So the other day I gave you guys John's debut track from his latest Battle Studies album that will be dropping in November. Here is a first glimpse at the ablum cover art.

Stylophone Beatbox

The trade of beatboxing requires both hard work and let’s face it, talent. While not everyone is about to drop beats like MC Zani, UK’s beatbox champion, a new interesting little gadget will help you achieve his level of proficiency with easy tapping. At just $25 a pop, the Stylophone Beathbox features 13 metal pads that will generate sounds of MC Zani when tapped with a stylus. Other than insane tapping, the toy also has a loop mode which enables one to build and layer different sounds ranging from percussion to human beatbox and bass samples. Check out some demo videos and have the guys who already got their hands on the gadget to show you how it’s done! Also, the beatbox is now available via: 100 Milligrams. via: Gizmodo




As comical as this video may be, the Stylophone Beatbox is a pretty dope little gadget. Me, being interested in music production and beat making, I wouldn't mind have one of these bad boys to toat around with me. -JS

Track of the Day -- "Governmentalist" - Joss Stone ft. Nas

Track of the Day -- "In Your Atmosphere" - John Mayer

Rough day today, so since I've been home, I've been reflecting and writing down some thoughts. My music of choice for the evening has been John Mayer. Like him or not, my man is one of the most talented singer, song writer, guitarist of his day! His lyrics alone are more captivating than most. This track, "In Your Atmosphere" is my second favorite Mayer song of all time.... Enjoy!

Track of the Day - "Empire State of Mind" Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys

Song of the Day - "15 Steps" - Radiohead

Ok so I'm not really a big fan of the Anime, but this is Radiohead's dopest song. -"15 Steps"

The New Beginning x BJ the Chicago Kid

Be sure to check out up and coming singer, songwriter BJ the Chicago Kid and his mixtape, The New Beginning. Download Here

Track of the Day - "Thinking About You" Mario ft. Ace Hood

MPK49 Performance Controller

I'll take fourrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Lil Wayne - "Go Getta"

No matter what your opinion of Weezy, he's a lyrical genius.

Asher Roth "His Dream"

My dad's pretty cool.

"Heaven" - John Legend

I've been KILLIN some John Legend lately. He's pretty much taking over my ipod.. What can I say? His music inspires me.