the 215mag blog: August 2009

Mos Def Preview

RIP DJ AM

Well-know Philadelphia born celebrity DJ AM (born Adam Goldstein) was found dead tonight in his NYC apartment. Several sites, including Perez Hilton are claiming his death was cause by an alleged accidental drug overdose due to drug paraphernalia being found at the scene.

AM was involved in a plane crash on September 19, 2008 and was one of only two survivors. He also co-owned the club LAX in Los Angeles, and just recently opened Dusk in Atlantic City. He was also a member of the group Crazy Town (best known for their hit "Butterfly"), and was engaged to socialite Nicole Richie.

In honor of his death, here's some links of him spinning on June 6th, and his all-time favorite DJ routine (and the DJ he most admired) - DJ Craze's DMC winning showing in 1999.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyykVQcN57c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nbJfSLxy1U

Mass-Merchant + High End Designer = FABULOUS

One thing that always gets me excited are designer for less lines, and I haven't been this excited since Roberto Cavalli for H&M. The newest designer to jump on the masses bandwagon? Boho-Queen Anna Sui. Excuse me while I jump up and down with excitement!

The line will be available September 13 - October 17 (both in stores and online), and is based on characters for Gossip Girl. Each character has a different aesthetic: Blair's dresses incorporate high collars & bows, Jenny's dresses are bohemian crossed with party girl, and Vanessa's all feature brown & orange.

Here are the looks:

Blair:

Serena:

Jenny:

Vanessa:

While I must confess, Vanessa's collection is my favorite, I'll definitely be picking up items from every character. Unlike H&M whose Cavalli collection was only available in NYC, the Anna Sui for Target line will be available in 41 states and hundreds of Targets nationwide.

Friends don't let friends drive drunk (or text)

Recently, the UK released what many/anyone would call extremely graphic:

Disturbing? Yes. Graphic? Yes. But it is a completely valid PSA. That's right, it was a Public Service Announcement. And it seems quite clear that they are announcing you increase your chance of killing yourself and those around you when you use your phone (texting, tweeting, facebooking, watching porn, using an app to look up cooking directions). I KNOW you've done it, holding the phone awkwardly high so you can maintain field vision while still achieving what is most important: sending that text.

But I always do feel a little dirty doing it because I know how dangerous it is seeing as I have had a few near death experiences... this week. Since NOT texting is clearly not an answer I have sought other options. A lot of companies have chosen voice recognition software to solve the problem. Progams like Vlingo allow you to command your phone to 'text' and will do a vaguely OK job transmitting your words to phone. Another response has been to eliminate the need to text. A man named Matt Howard, a software developer, was scarred after nearly killing a small boy while texting and driving. In response Matt developed something called ZoomSafer. This program can be downloaded to your phone and turned on while driving. When someone calls/texts you while driving they will get an immediate response informing them that you are incapacitated driving.

It is clear that answering this problem is becoming a necessity. Mayor Nutter has made it official that come November 1st, it will be officialy illegal to use your cell phone while driving. You will still be able to use bluetooth, however, because you don't need your auditory abilities while driving apparently. As much as I can't fathom any time in my day when I SHOULDN'T be allowed to use my phone, I love being alive, so I'm open to any answer that finds common ground.

Theme music:
Rollin w My Homies by Coolio & 2pac

Picture Me Rollin by 2pac

Lessons In Love

Blast From The Past

Jump N Funk 8 Year Anniversary at The Arts Garage

Come celebrate 8 years in the making and dance your ass off to the BEST in Afrobeat, Afrohouse, and Afrosoul music in the damn country. DJ Rich Medina, Philly based, is called by some the best Afro song and dance DJ in the country (aka no one does it better). Tonight, DJ Rich Medina is culminating his 8 year anniversary, multi-city tour to celebrate the infamous Jump N Funk party. Hosted at The Arts Garage, forget about the muggy weather because.... its a flippin pool party folks! So start coordinating your dancing shoes with your bikinis ladies and make your way to The Arts Garage at 1516 Parrish St tonight.

Just a tease:

More DJ Rich Medina for your ears:

http://www.RichMedina.com

http://www.myspace.com/richmedina

Real People Putting Models Out of Business?

This is not only awesome, but we hope it's the wave of the future - designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac is currently casting male & female models (aged 16-25) for the launch of his new line JC/DC in Paris & London - but there's a catch... he only wants real-life hipsters. JC/DC is focusing on a younger audience, and will feature tees, shirts, jackets, and (my favorite) Jeans made out of Newspaper print. If you're going to be in London on September 18th (or know someone who will), all you have to do is send your picture to rsvpcasting@jc-de-castelbajac.com before Monday September 7th.

Sound Familiar?

Homegrown

Processed

The Saturdays - If This Is Love [Official Music Video]
Uploaded by TheSaturdays. - Explore more music videos.

Stolen and over-processed with a touch of Spencer Pratt. Rapping?

Still Remembering The Time

Michael Jackson, Black Or White
Uploaded by memmoria. - Explore more music videos.

Oh Snap!

A judge sentenced the R&B singer Chris Brown on Tuesday to five years of probation and six months of community labor for his assault on the pop star Rihanna, The Associated Press reported. Mr. Brown will be allowed to serve his sentence in his home state of Virginia but will have to make return trips to Los Angeles to update a judge on his progress.

Mr. Brown pleaded guilty in June to one count of felonious assault on Rihanna, a charge that stemmed from an incident on the morning of Feb. 8 when the two performers fought in Mr. Brown’s car. He had also been charged with making criminal threats, and could have faced up to five years in prison if found guilty all charges.

In June, a judge also imposed a stay-away order on Mr. Brown and Rihanna, requiring that they stay at least 50 yards from each other, except at industry events when the distance was reduced to 10 yards.

LeToya: Lady Love NOW IN STORES

Interview with LeToya

LeToya's Website

No Impact Man at The Ritz East

Announcing the second film to fall under the Filmadelphia INDEPENDENT screening series—No Impact Man, on Wednesday, August 26, 7:30 at the Ritz East. No Impact Man is a documentary chronicling a year in the life of one man who decides to live with no impact on the Earth -->

Realistic Music Video Of The Day

Mystikal feat Nivea Danger (been so long)
Uploaded by radjaeh - Explore more music videos.

United We Serve: because Pro athletes do it so should you!

We've seen better times as Americans. A major theme for the regeneration process that America is going through is investing in our future. The most basic, simple, and salient way to do so doesn't involve health care, the economy, energy, or education, however, it involves.... you. This summer the government has set up a program that makes it EXTREMELY easy for each one of us to invest in our future. The program, United We Serve, asks each of us to take a little bit of time to partake in ANY sort of service in or around your community that help make your community a better place.

Top 5 Responses you just had:

I'm old/not a convict; I don't want to pick up trash
I work my ass off as it is someone else can step in
I don't support the Führer, Obama; why should I support the country?
Beer and Chronic consume too much of my free time as it is
I don't like/feel safe in my community, why should I help it?

SHUT UP.

This program wasn't designed by idiots. Community service doesn't just involve orange jumpsuits or construction jackets. United We Serve has designed a system that finds any kind of activity or job that will benefit your community in a positive way.

For example, the top 5 hits when I typed in my zip code on the United We Serve website surprised me:

Program that pairs lonely elderly people with locals in the community just for brief weekly meetings
A JOB offering as the PR/Marketing agent for my local Center for Positive Aging
Bloodmobile Volunteer Assistant (hand out cookies/juice to blood donors at local blood drives)
A Film Production Assistant for a non-profit film production
Board Member of the local adult school

I hope that exemplifies the diversity of this program.

Help your community. Help yourself.
Living in the worst part of Philly isn't anymore of a qualification to participate than living in the nicest part of the Main Line. If 'being real don't appeal to the brother in you,' you need to reevaluate.

UNITED WE SERVE
www.serve.gov

The #1 reason yall should give rap up

Truck North & Dice Raw @ Sneaker Pimps Philly 2009 from Bee Jay on Vimeo.

Y-3 in Philly at Joan Shepp

Yōji Yamamoto and Adidas made history this past Thursday when they debuted their infamous Y-3 brand's first American store ever (IN PHILADELPHIA) at Joan Shepp on Walnut St.

Their current stock features their Summer line up:

but the fall drop will be coming soon. The fashion forward Joan Shepp store, which up until now only provided for women, can now provide Philly guys with some very respectful options. When you get a chance (and the bank roll) stop by Joan Shepp at 1616 Walnut Street

Photographer: Molly Morlock

Will Blueprint 3 "Run This Town?"

Holla Mr. Hovito

With "Run This Town," Jay has now rounded out the Blueprint 3's headliners. Over the past year we have had the pleasure of "Jockin Jay Z," "Brooklyn Go Hard," and "D.O.A (Death of Autotune). Believe it or not, some of us weren't born with the Jigga-gene, however, these recent tracks have impressed and sold me. As the release day for B3 approaches the big question is what is in store for the rest of the album? Jay's Blueprint, his 6th studio album, is arguably his most dynamic and celebrated work with the only contest being his debut, Reasonable Doubt. Blueprint was followed up by B2 which provided 2 loads of very questionable material I'm proud to say I have wasted little time listening to. So with the 3rd installment of...

(The Blueprint of Hip Hop)

... will it make the statement Jay wants, the singles predict, and hip hop needs??

Get It!

great choreography, but the technique just wasn't there

SpoonFed The Show Friday at Gallerie Isada

Be there...

The Tomboy Report

OK, so my secret is out: I'm a huge Philadelphia sports fan (no, this is not about Michael Vick, so put down your pitchforks). So, in honor of the Eagles' second preseason game against Indianapolis, and the Phillies' home game versus Arizona, I've decided to show my fellow female sports fans some amazing Phillies and Eagles gear - that doesn't include shopping in the little boys section. Looking cute for the game doesn't mean wearing an over sized men's jersey anymore, its just gonna take a lil work. Stores have limited supplies of stylish team gear, so you'll have to order them online (www.fansedge.com; www.mlbshop.com; www.nflshop.com; www.modells.com). Make sure to look for brands such as Touch by Alyssa Milano, LogoArt, Cutter & Buck, and Reebok. Here are a few of my faves:

Trunk Show tonight at Silk City's Beer Garden courtesy Common Wealth Proper

Why Aren't We Focused On The Real Issues?

What's all the fuss with Michelle O's stems?

Run DMC Has Some Words for Hip-Hop and its Elders!!!

baby mamas in the news

too, too old.

too fucking many.

prime mommy material.

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