Who knew Pharrell Williams [of The Neptunes] designed high-end chairs? In collaboration with Domeau & Peres, the mega-producer has created two versions: last year’s “Perspective” and this year’s “Tank.” We all knew Skateboard P could cook up a mean space-&B beat, but, who knew the cat had a Starck side? “Tank” is on display at this December’s Art Basel in Miami, FL.
photos courtesy of billionaire boys club blog
Posted in ish
My sophomore year of high school, I arrived to my place of work at the time (I only worked retail once – go figure) with cornrows. I was told to cover them up with a Von Dutch hat, that I was “scaring customers” or to leave work early. Sounds like discrimination now, but, at the time I was just afraid of getting my ‘rows ruffled. I had them done for homecoming so I wasn’t about to destroy them with a trucker hat. I concluded that my boss was a tool, didn’t take his advice, and was “relieved” of the position a week later. Reflecting back, it was one of the most defining moments of my teens.
The tanks are out. Vengeance is in motion. The little white boy that could is in control now. I’d like to go back today and see how things run now that Obama’s in charge. Have things changed? The Blog Made Me Do It, Vol. 1 is dedicated to all those who have doubted difference. Those who think one couldn’t live beyond his/her stereotypes. Those who halt potential with their tunnel visions. This one’s for you…and you…and you…
I’ve compiled a collection of the hardest-hitting tracks never before featured on the blog straight from hip-hop’s underground. Spanning the globe, from Prague to New Orleans, New York to Alabama, the mixtape boasts 24 cuts above the rest. A hood mentality fluxed by rock, pop, soul, techno, and punk: the set is bonafied bonkers. Call it that bullet through your chest music. Featuring artists you’ve heard of and unknowns soon to break, the mix is concocted to blow all the non-believers to the street. Get ready to detonate your subwoofers. Remember where you heard it first & njoi. (Click the link below to download the .zip file)
Smoke & Mirrors presents…
The Blog Made Me Do It, Vol. 1
An MH Mixtape
View the tracklist after the jump. Continue reading
Posted in musicology, song of the day
These Eddie Borgo‘s S/S 2010 cuffs remind me a great
deal of the latest Givenchy couture collection…
Coincidence?
Posted in fashion
The Blog Made Me Do It, Vol. 1 – an MH mixtape
–stream (below) & download here–
A collection of tracks selected from across the globe never before featured on Smoke & Mirrors. There’s something from Prague (DJ Wich), Philly (Freeway), New York (B.I.G., Big Pun), N’Orleans (Juvenile), Alabama (G-Side, Rich Boy) and one from the Arkansas’ Forrest City Federal Prison (T.I.). If you have an imeem account you can sample some tracks (by clicking here) before the mix drops tomorrow.
Guaranteed the funkiest shit out.
Real rap. No filler.
Posted in musicology
Remember K’Nex? Photographer Ignacio Lozano sure does. He used the 90′s toy to outfit his model for “Connected,” an eye-catching series he did for Hop On The Spiral Bitch. Human scaffolding? Snip, snap. Click, clack.
Posted in fashion
The Row S/S 2010 lookbook
photographed by Swedie (represent), Hanna Liden
reminds me of…
Parsons Senior Thesis, Spring 2009
Glad the twins know what they’re doing.
Posted in fashion
Has the R been reading S&M?
Dean dun-did-it! A week or so after featuring Dean Quinn‘s magic on the blog, he gets his long-awaited break. Dressing Ri-Ri in one of his signature bugle beaded creations for Good Morning America yesterday morning further cements him as the “designer to watch.” Congratulations.
photos courtesy of (top) just jared & (bottom) another magPosted in fashion
Can’t believe this was made in the ’70s. Looks like it could be Binns.
But, it’s Monet.
Posted in fashion
Before Vicky B[eckham] realized she couldn’t sing and subsequently gained tabloid fame in the states, she got together with then Roc-A-Fella CEO, Damon Dash, to record this devastation. Butchering The System’s original, Beckham must’ve realized she couldn’t actually be serious. It’s most likely the reason she hung up the girl group lipsynching to develop her fashion persona. [She chose not to release the single stateside and instead did their Roc-A-Wear ad campaign] At least Posh can dress.
“This Groove” – G-Side & Burn OneDon’t sleep on G-Side. Mad love for ‘Bama.
Posted in track anatomy
Croc Wallets x Comme des Garcons
Comme des Garcons knows what’s what. How do you make a profit during the holiday season? Retail as much mid-range crap as you can. Get them dollars.
Stephen Jones Millinery Fragrance x Comme des Garcons
Posted in fashion
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Song of the Day: “Walking On Broken Glass” – Annie Lennox
The first music video I had ever seen was Annie Lennox’s “Walking On Broken Glass.” My dad let me watch it since he liked her Diva album so much. It was 1992 and for some reason, I still hold the memory dear. Perhaps the video’s Mozart theme inspired my love for the eccentric Amadeus? I wasn’t old enough to understand I was watching a young John Malkovich or a former Eurythmics member, yet the costumes still stuck with me. The song has one of the most addictive, symphonic beats ever crafted. It’s still confusing to me why the beat hasn’t been sampled one hundred-plus times by hip-hop producers. This my jam. Lennox is like Phil Collins: they both receive little credit for shaping the current pop soundscape.
Posted in song of the day
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World Premiere: “Microphone” – Slaughterhouse
The hottest posse in the game is back with the hottest cut of the year. “Microphone” is a lyrical gutting: Michael Myers, Freddie Krueger-type-shit.
Say hello to the hearses!
Posted in musicology
Topshop x Louise Goldin. Be sure not to cross your legs, ladies.
photos courtesy of nitrolicious
Posted in fashion
Berlin eyeglass maker, Mykita, teams up with Marios Schwab to create my favorite shades of the S/S 2010 season. Named “Jane” and “Hamilton,” the classic frames once made famous by Lennon get an industrialized remixing.
Posted in fashion
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World Premiere: “I’mma Do It” – Fabolous (featuring Kobe)
One of the best rap songs of the year gets the video treatment. Fab’s “I’mma Do It” has a beat that sounds like an epileptic organ and a hook sung by a crazy person. The rapper‘s laissez faire flow has never sounded so ferocious. Even the feds are after him. Be sure to check out F-A-B-O at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza on December 12th. Remember when…
Posted in musicology
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World Premiere: “Make Me” – Janet Jackson
Janet is back, this time breaking it down in the hottest of 2010 fashions for her latest video “Make Me.” The dancing is flawless, the set is futuristic (the sister ship to Scream perhaps?), and the song’s one of her freshest yet. Todd Lynn must be a very happy man. I’m sure smiling.
Posted in fashion, musicology
With Candy Pratts Price’s contract at style.com ending soon, Jackson and I thought we’d take a jab at her job. We’ve widdled down her S/S 2010 accessory report (the reason you won’t find McQueen‘s wild platforms anywhere is she rarely sways from the retail-ready) into three separate lists: Jackson’s favorites (shoes, bags, and jewelry), my footwear picks, and a list delegated to my favorite jewelry and handbags. Don’t call them it lists – they da shit lists. Our choices prove once and for all that opposites do, in fact, attract.
Jackson’s Shit List
Marcus’s Shit List, pt. I (Footwear)
Posted in fashion
This is too cool. I’ve seen this done in the U.K. for Beyonce, but…Janet? It seems in honor of this week’s Number Ones album release, Flash Mob America took over The Grove in Los Angeles for an unexpected afternoon shopping dance break to induce some shock. P.S. The results for all-time favorite Janet song are in. You chose the 2001 smash “All For You.”
Posted in musicology
Does this mean I won’t look like a total fool walking ’round the city in my duvet?
Vilsbol de Arche‘s down comforter suit must’ve been made with hibernation in mind. I like. G’nite.
Posted in fashion
Edit. In honor of this month’s Smoke & Mirrors feature in ELLE magazine (p. 340, December ’09), “MH.edits” dissects the outfit I styled exclusively for the shoot as done in the “fashion focus” posts. So glad I had the opportunity to style myself – as myself! Having access to the unlimited racks of designer duds was a total dream come true. You’ll usually find me with a scarf somewhere on my person, so, when I was asked to assemble a look that included at least one Hermes scarf, I was set. Inspired by years of watching my favorite musicians incorporate scarves into their personal styles, my look was prompted by memories of Steven Tyler’s scarved mic stand, Janet Jackson’s handkerchief (from the “Alright” video), Mozart, Keith Richards, Prince, and Axl Rose’s headband. It was all about celebrating my love for music and fashion – which is what S&M‘s all about. The result’s a combination of hard and soft, masculine and feminine, today and yesterday. An homage to rock & roll. Thanks again to everyone at ELLE for coining me a “tastemaker” and making the whole experience so enjoyable. Such an honor. (Cheers to my fellow featured bloggy baby, Krystal, at whatisrealityanyway)
1 Hermes polka dot silk scarf (worn as headband)
2 Corpus velvet motorcycle jacket
3 Ralph Lauren Collection silk organza blouse
4 Hermes silver collier ring
5 The Row french grey leather leggings
6 Hermes metallic brocade scarf (worn as handkerchief)
7 Chloe suede lace-up booties
Posted in fashion, fashion focus
World Premiere: “Ten Strikes” – O’Spada
Got to support my people! Cheers to primo pop music! The Swedes have been popping off real hard lately – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and now O’Spada. The only condonable hipster music around comes from the homeland. No pun intended. Skål!
Posted in musicology
Georgo Phillip Pecenikov‘s bear trap cuff wins hands down for hunting season’s grizzliest accessory. Use it as a grill to achieve a piranha effect or wear it on your wrist raw.
(top) photo courtesy of a+r
Posted in fashion
World Premiere: “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” – Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys is unarguably one of the few hitmakers of our generation. Even my mommy knows that. She hasn’t sounded her best since her debut album and hasn’t found her peak since (in my opinion) “You Don’t Know My Name.” But, that could all change. Her latest single release, “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart,” finds Keys giving in to the years of inevitable Stevie Wonder comparisons with melodic 80′s sounding synths and love-letter lyrics. Glad she lost the braids, or…
Posted in musicology
Placement in art is as important as placement is in music. Ask Christian Marclay: the artist-slash-musician who’s also the proclaimed “inventor of turntablism.” The guy compiles classic LP covers to make compelling exquisite corpses as he does scratching up symphonies on the 1′s and 2′s. The New York artist examines gender and race in his works, clashing iconic faces with unknown bodies.
Posted in ish
Miss Janet in Todd Lynn
Miss Janet in Todd Lynn
Miss Janet in Todd Lynn
Miss Janet in Todd Lynn
Posted in fashion, musicology
Ana Locking‘s S/S 2010 menswear collection is awe-worthy.
This jacket especially.
Posted in fashion
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Song of the Day: “Scandalous” – Mis-Teeq
European R&B trio Mis-Teeq never quite saw the fame they had overseas when crossing over stateside with singles “Scandalous” and “One Night Stand.” They’re responsible for some of production duo Stargate’s (Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Rihanna) earliest material. Now separated, Mis-Teeq is just another group forgotten at the bottom of the dollar bin.
Posted in song of the day
AJ Fosik‘s paint, wood, and nail sculptures look like Nicktoon versions of Chinese New Year masks (specifically Aaahh!!! Real Monsters). The Philly artist’s three-dimensional creations hang everywhere from Paris to San Fran. There’s always been the perception that art with eyes will follow you. With Fosik’s, I sure hope not.
Posted in ish
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