Almost Here......

Mixtape tape drops May 7th!

Staple Spring 09' Collection Lookbook

Staple is putting out some really great tees for the Spring. Overall, their Spring 09' collection is impressive. Take a look at their lookbook..... http://www.stapledesign.com/staple_sp09/

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Playcloths' Accessories

Clipse's clothing label, Pay Cloths, will be adding this nice weekender to their accessories line. I've definitely been impressed by their clothing label. I will admit that I wasn't expecting such a solid line, including cardigans, nice denim, and cut and sewn pieces. Definitely a nice surprise. Hit up Playcloths.com for more info.

10.Deep Spring 2009: Delivery 2 Lookbook!

NY streetwear label, 10.Deep, just dropped their lookbook for their 2nd delivery of their Spring 09' collection. The "Keep It Moving" collection featuring oxfords, shorts, and tees, should be hitting stores this week.

http://10deep.com/SPRING09PREVIEW/DEL2/index.html

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Air Yeezy Part 2!

The second colorway of the Nike Air Yeezy releases this Saturday. Commonwealth DC will be holding a raffle for the chance to purchase a pair, much like the first release. Expect a huge turnout again.

Cmonwealth

DAME DASH ON FIYAH!!!

Dame is always outspoken. Sometimes he's right..........and sometimes he's totally wrong. On this point, he is 100% correct. And hilarious as well.

FYI - Don't send Dame emails. Only call.

Drake feat. Trey Songz - Replacement Girl

This is Drizzy's first single from 2007. I swear if Drake wasn't a BEAST on the mic, I would swear he was a lame Fabolous rip-off. But, I have a feeling the video for "Best I Ever Had" is going to be crazy ill. Unless it's anything like the "Every Girl" video.....BORING!!!!


Drake - Replacement Girl feat. Trey Songz from STIRLING™ on Vimeo.

New Episode of IT'S THE REAL

Splurging on Snuggies!!!!!


Mouse Budden Trap from jeff on Vimeo.

Moncler M-65 Jacket

Always impressive with it's jackets, French fashion label, Moncler, comes correct with this fleece M-65 jacket. Best known for their goose down winter coats, Moncler adds an equally impressive lightweight jacket. I'm feeling the style on this.

iPhone Cases....

Stussy and Undefeated plan on releasing iPhone 3G cases this week. Another way to rep your favorite brands!

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Umm......Go Get It!!!!

Clipse X Kanye X Kaws

Kinda Like A Big Deal (feat. Kanye West) - Clipse

Classic verses from everybody, Artwork by Kaws! Welcome Back! For more info, hit up Playcloths.com

Batman Arkham Asylum

"The Dark Knight" was not only one of the great movies of 2008, it really is one of the greats of all time. Usually when you have a big time movie, a half-assed video game is rushed out into the market to capitalize on the success. With "Batman: Arkham Asylum" it looks like there may be a game that took its time and does the movie justice. It's not a direct spin-off of the movie. Instead, it has its own story that uses some of the principles and ideas of the movie and furthers the story. Batman has taken Joker to Arkham to be held, Joker frees himself, and lets the inmates run the asylum literally. Check out the gameplay, looks really nice.

More Batman: Arkham Asylum News & Previews

Fresh Twist On A Classic!

Nike recently released these Huarache x Nike Air Force 1 Supreme's. Premium leather and clear, icy sole. Fresh! I've been waiting on these.

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Madden '10

Any guy that's ever picked up a Playstation, Genesis, or Xbox controller has spent countless hours playing Madden. It's the cause of many late homework assignments and failed tests because someone was up at 2 in the morning running games with they boys. Here are some of the first screenshots of the 2010 edition. Graphics look on point, if the gameplay matches should be another must have for any gamer.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Sagat - "Funk Dat"

Question. Why is it that I remember damn near all the lyrics to this song? This was a catchy tune back in '94 with a funky beat. I don't know what to call Sagat since he doesn't sing or rap. He just talks. I guess we'll call him The Artist Formerly Known as Sagat, or TAFKAS. He was definetly a one-hit wonder. The sad part about this whole song is that a lot of it is true. This joint dropped in 1994 and I still think to myself......"Why is it that every time I turn the radio, I hear the same 5 songs, 15 times a day for 3 months?" MAN, FUNK DAT!!!! Get a new DJ! I know I hear "Beep Beep Beep","Stanky Legg", "Swag Surfin", "Turn My Swag On", and "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" whenever I hop in my car and the radio is on. Lord help us all. I wanna shout out Sagat for making a funny video and for giving me a reason to rant!

Diddy Gives His Girl a Really Nice Gift..........

I knew I wasn't trippin'. We posted the song "Must Be Love" by Cassie (which has since been removed) a little while back. I liked the song, but I thought I heard it somewhere before. That's because I heard it somewhere before! Day26 recorded that same song, but it didn't make their album. Cassie does her thing on this song so I'm not mad at her at all. There are lots of instances when songs are recorded by one artist and end up being recorded by a different artist for their album, but I've never seen it on the same label. I don't think it matters too much because from what I've heard Forever in a Day is really good too. BAD BOY 4 LIFE!!

must be love - day26

Artist Spotlight - Chester French

DJ Clinton Sparks says that these guys are what you get when you cross Outkast and The Beatles. I don't know if I'd go that far, but Chester French is pretty damn good. Apparently there was a bidding war between a few music moguls for the chance to sign the group and Pharrell was the highest bidder. Smart move by them. The group consists of Harvard graduates Maxwell Drummey and D.A. Wallach. They have definitely paid their dues and are now being rewarded for all the hard work. They just released a mixtape entitled Jacques Jams, Vol. 1: Endurance which is really dope. Features on the mixtape include Talib Kweli, Bun B, Solange, Wale, Pusha T, Jadakiss, N.O.R.E, my mama, your aunt Ruth, and everybody else! Classifying their music is really hard, which I consider a good thing. They don't rap, but they make music that rappers seem to gravitate towards. Their first underground single "Jimmy Choos" was an Internet hit and was sampled by another underground star, Mickey Factz. Chester French will be releasing their debut album this Tuesday April 21st, entitled Love the Future. From what I've heard it should be really hot. Make sure you check them out and if you like what you hear, please show them love on iTunes or in your local music retailer.

My Personal Chester French Soundtrack:

She Loves Everybody (Video Below)
Jimmy Choos
Campus Kingpin
I'm So Tall feat. Talib Kweli, Bun B, and Mickey Factz (Playing on our MySpace Page http://www.myspace.com/thechopup)
What a World - Common feat. Chester French

http://www.myspace.com/chesterfrench
http://www.chesterfrench.com/
http://www.facebook.com/chesterfrench


http://vimeo.com/2866743 from Nick Crescendo on Vimeo.

Joe Budden - Exxxes

So far the best song of 2009. Hands down.


Joe Budden "Exxxes" from john colombo on Vimeo.

Drake on the Angie Show

Is this the future of interviews with rappers in the years to come? You know, rappers that can complete setences without saying "Knowwhatimsayin" and "Nahmean". The Chop Up favorite, Drake gives a really good interview here and I'm pretty sure you will hear a single from the kid soon.

MUSIC DRAFT PICKS!

"Maybe Chris Brown says, 'Quit Your Job Tomorrow!'"

Just for the record, if I was starting a label today, my #1 picks are as follows:

Male R&B Artist - Ne-Yo
Female R&B Artist - Alicia Keys
Rap Artist - T.I (after his time is served)

I think overall these artists have the best chance to keep their careers going the longest. Ne-Yo and Alicia Keys write great music and always come out with hits. T.I. is the most talented (and consistent) rap star under 30. I think he has about 10 good rap years left in him. Thoughts?

G.O.A.T

Attention Please! The Notorious B.I.G. is the nicest rapper to have ever touched a microphone. I don't care if he only had two songs, let alone two albums. There is nothing in hip hop music that he could not do. Mack I am deeply hurt you would question my allegiance. I love Nas, and I got love for Jigga, but Biggie Smalls is the illest.

Speaking of Nas......

I'm not saying this is his best verse, I'm just saying I can remember rewinding his verse over and over until I memorized it. He murdered this track.

G.O.A.T

So, a few hours ago, I had a conversation with Trouble T-roy, aka T-Smitty, and he elaborated on his not agreeing with my opinion of Biggie being the greatest of all time. He says that because Biggie only had two albums(3 if you count the Life After Death double disc as two), he's not the greatest. I know this issue has been discussed millions of times before and will be a million times more, but in my opinion, Biggie is and will always be the greatest. King B might agree with me, but I'm still waiting for him to throw that curve ball and say Nas. Trouble T says it Jay-Z. A lot of people will say Pac, some say Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Eminem, and the list goes on and on. What do you think Rock P? Biggie's delivery, charisma, and lyrics did it for me. His story telling was amazing and ever since I first heard him, I was hooked. By the way, thanks Trouble T aka T-Smitty and Cheryl for buying me the Ready to Die cd for Christmas circa 1994.

Nike Air Max Luxe!

For their 20th Anniversary of the Air Max sneaker, Nike decided to make this Air Max 90 in faux crocodile skin. The shoe is not being sold to the public and is rumored to be only 3 pairs made. Osneaker.com has a size 9(which happens to be my size) for $500.

Filipinos Stand Up!

Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao, together with FRSH and Pound 4 Pound International, released this limited edition tee, commemorating his May 2nd fight against Ricky Hatton. The tee is limited to 502 shirts worldwide. 80spurple.com released the shirt today and FRSH(francoshade.com) will release it this Friday, April 17th. The great thing about this t-shirt is that ALL proceeds go to the Manny Pacquiao Foundation that helps those who are in need in the Philippines by offering medical assistance, food, and education.

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MUJI Online Store

Japanese lifestyle brand, MUJI, has finally launched it's US online store. MUJI's products include office supplies, luggage, furniture, electronics, and many more. I've bought a few MUJI products online from the Modern Museum of Art (MoMA) website and look forward to being forward to having a greater selection of there minimalistic designs. Check the website out when you get a chance. MUJI

Just Because......

Kick In The Door(Album Version) - The Notorious B.I.G.

Just in case there was ever a question of who the greatest is.......

Classic!

New York brand, Supreme, got together with Nike SB to produce another classic collabo. These items are set to release in the states April 16th, and online April 20th.

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Fly Union....

Fly Union - "Gold Chain" (On Credit) from Eighty81 on Vimeo.

Fly Union is a hip hop group out of Columbus, Ohio. Keep an ear out for them, hopefully we will hear a lot more from them.

http://www.myspace.com/flyunion

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Musical Youth - "Pass the Dutchie"

Musical Youth will forever have a place in music history for this cut. "Pass the Dutchie" was nominated for a Grammy and has since been sampled by artists such as Busta Rhymes, Rah Digga, and Missy Elliott. For some reason I was thinking that this came out in the 70's but it actually dropped in 1982 accompanied with this video. The video makes absolutely no sense and looks really cheesy. Especially the courtroom scenes. But, the lame video does not take away from the appeal of the song. It is a great bridge between reggae and pop and these kids really had a lot of talent. It's my understanding that "dutchie" means a type of pot or cookware in the context of this song. The "other" meaning kinda spawned after this was released. Either way, these kids telling someone to pass the dutchie just sounds like they're doing something they shouldn't be doing!

Dope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This isn't a new video, but the dancing in it crazy! The dancers are Japanese group, U-Min and you may recognize them from the Missy Elliot's "Ching-A-Ling" video.

The Lonely Island feat. Seth Rogen - LIKE A BOSS

"Nah, that ain't me."

Cassie um...

Happy Birthday to The Chop Up's Own Rock P!!!!!!!