World Premiere: “I Go Off” – Beanie Sigel (Featuring 50 Cent)
The wack rap ringtone killa, Beanie Sigel, is currently in a between-label limbo involving two of rap’s heaviest hitters: 50 Cent and Jay-Z. On the new street single, “I Go Off,” 50 does hook duty while Beanie shows Jay what he’s missing by dropping the Roc alum from his new venture. 50 takes on Hova at the track’s close claiming he’s forgotten his Marcy upbringing to become a pass the Grey Poupon elitist. The battle begins…
Posted in musicology
STILL trying to find me a pair of Alena Akhmadullina‘s F/W ’09
goat hair bell bottoms.
Posted in fashion
Kids make the best subjects. They’re androgynous, full of expression, and perfect for sample size. Ryan McGinley shot a set of energetic children in full-fledged F/W ’09 ready-to-wear for the latest issue of Purple magazine. It’s by far one of the best editorials of this year. Where they chaperones at? [Top: Rodarte / Middle: Chanel / Bottom: Givenchy]
Posted in fashion
Song of the Day: “Faded” – Soul Decision
Face it. Boy bands were just one of the many predicaments that came with the 1990′s [...the Lawrence brothers included]. Today’s song is from the only boy band I’ve ever seen live. They opened for Christina Aguilera at a Six Flags in seventh grade. Considered it to be some of the best cheese life had to offer. Still sort of do. [I swear... if the blonde frontman winks at me one more time I'm gonna have to buy the CD single.]
Posted in song of the day
Mariko Mitanovski‘s heavily referenced neo-gothic looks rocked the independent loop of this past London Fashion Week. I’m a die-hard fan of ruff collars (see below) and regal design, so, it’s no surprise he’s garnered my attention. He is currently at work on his second collection to premiere February 2010.
Posted in fashion
I’ve been obsessed with Antonio Palladino‘s precious metal creations since I saw them on the main floor of Barney’s New York my freshman year of college. His sea creature cuffs, earrings, and rings are sublime. Have a look, have a drool, but not so fast: they’re all worth more than Fort Knox.
Posted in fashion
The dying craft of couture has found its new emperor. Search for Stephane Rolland on style.com and you’re bound to come back with ‘no results’. That’s why I’m glad to see someone’s (other than my own) eye was caught by his spring Haute Couture show. That someone being Mariel Haenn, Rihanna’s super-stylist, who dressed her client in one of his most stunning creations to accept the “Woman of the Year” award at this year’s Glamour honors at Carnegie Hall. Looking like a crumbled pile of paper planes, the gown exhibits there’s still relevance within the few houses of couture in existence today. Hopefully the man whose experience boasts being both creative director for Balenciaga’s menswear division and ten years designing for coutourier Jean-Louis Scherrer, sees his dues. Bring couture back. [To Ri-Ri: I could've waited longer had "Wait Your Turn (Wait Is Ova)" been good.]
photos courtesy of tfsPosted in fashion
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World Premiere: “Pat Your Weave” – UCB
(Featuring Wale)
You’d think I just got back from (visiting the O’s in) the capitol, the way I’ve been on a D.C. roll lately. With all the representation on the blog recently you’d think I knew the mayor. Having posted Amerie and U.S. Royalty, today premiering Wale and UCB’s video for go-go anthem, “Pat Your Weave” – I can’t say it’s political. Wale‘s debut drops tomorrow.
Posted in musicology
Song of the Day: “Every Summer” – U.S. Royalty
I saw D.C. rockers, U.S. Royalty, live this past spring at Pianos and couldn’t get this one song outta my head. (Big ups to Chris) It’s got the power to transport any listener back to 75 degree summer evenings with mini Colt 45′s and bonfires even in 30 degree weather. Their EP is out now.
Posted in song of the day
Bubble Machine ‘Do by Stephanie Moye, photo x David Yellen.
I hope that shit’s battery operated.
Posted in ish
Catching the attention of Dazed stylist, Nicola Formichetti, St. Martin’s designer Ara Jo, looks to have been inspired by one of my favorite mockumentary characters of all time: Mr. G [Summer Heights High]. Can’t wait for Lilley’s next venture Angry Boys!
Posted in fashion
World Premiere: “Shakin’ It For Daddy” – Robin Thicke
(Featuring Nicki Minaj & Ester Dean)
There’s been a bit of a blue-eyed soul shortage on the airwaves as of late. Justin Bieber just ain’t cuttin’ it! Thank god Thicke’s back with the Polow-produced whisper-popper, “Shakin’ It For Daddy,” featuring rapper of the moment Nicki Minaj. Cowabunga!
The cat looks like Ellen.
Posted in musicology
I just recently came across designer Dean Quinn‘s Central St. Martin’s ’09 BA collection and fell head over heels in love. Inspired by Blade Runner and window blinds, the collection resembles a toned-down version of Nicholas Ghesquiere’s S/S 2007 space odyssey. Using rows of intricately placed bugle beads to achieve three-dimensional shadows, Quinn approaches fashion as it were a science project. The toughly tailored results are like something out of the future.
Posted in fashion
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Song of the Day: “Real Big” – Mannie Fresh
Bad rap isn’t hard to come by, so, one must really evaluate the type of badness they’re into before flooding their ears with mounts of the horrendous. Are you one for the flagrantly offensive? Is excessive material name-drops your thing? Clap on. Most would have a hard time placing Mannie Fresh of the Big Tymers anywhere near Zack Morris of Saved by the Bell and his monstrous cell phone, but, Fresh makes it real easy in his ’07 video for the hilarious “Real Big.” Clap off. Bad rap at its finest.
Posted in song of the day
I haven’t been secretive about my undying love for Haider Ackermann. This insane silk scarf with long red tassels further cements his genius as the best money can buy.
Posted in fashion
World Premiere, Pt. I: “Dangerous” – Amerie
Amerie‘s never had the best voice. But, she’s got the production to help you forget. The fact that she’s a softy vocally can make her either sound organic or pitchy. Rich Harrison took her strained soprano and placed it above big band D.C. drumkicks to make “1 Thing” her biggest hit to date. On her latest effort [In Love and War], the underrated songstress scraps the ballads to build bulk with what put her on the map in the first place – that big bang. Fueled in part by live guitar backgrounds and heavy percussion, “Dangerous” and “Higher” are unquestionably two of the best R&B tracks of the year. Amerie’s lacking vocals just make them feel that much more real.
World Premiere, Pt. II: “Higher” – Amerie
Posted in musicology
Who knew Bally made something worth buying?
Really feeling the pebbles.
Posted in fashion
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In anticipation of Janet‘s follow-up to greatest hits compilation, Design of a Decade, entitled Number Ones (featuring the new single “Make Me”, hitting stores and the web November 17th); Smoke & Mirrors wants to know your favorite Janet hit. Take the poll below. Results will be posted the day of the album release.
Posted in musicology
Big news for Smoke & Mirrors! Things just got SERIOUS.
The blog’s blend of hip-hop and high fashion caught someone’s attention…
Look for your boy in this month’s issue (December) of Elle.
Pics will be up soon. You won’t be disappointed…
More big things to come. Spread the word
Posted in fashion
Killer.
Diamond-encrusted Freddie Kruger-looking handpiece by Delfina Delettrez.
Posted in fashion
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Song of the Day: “Escape (I Need A Break)” – Whodini
Formed in 1981, rap group Whodini revolutionized street sounds with their humorous narratives and high-tech instrumentals. Their singy grooves took hip-hop by storm in the mid-to-late 80s with hits “Freaks Come Out At Night“, “Friends“, and “Funky Beat.” My favorite track of theirs, “Escape”, is the perfect song for a bad day and is an early breed of the vox-y synths heard today on productions by Tricky Stewart and Polow Da Don.
Posted in song of the day
Officially my favorite shoe of the season.
Cloggy, wedgey, fantastic. With the best shape in the game -
let me introduce you to Osman Yousefzada.
Posted in fashion
Born in Manila and living in New York, Skye Nicolas is as much a fashion star as he is a fine artist. His most recent collection, “Disintegration” or “The White Paintings”, appropriates his strong eye for fashion, sexuality and symbolism with a 21st century approach to portraiture; as he calls it: a total “reclamation of negative space.”
Join Smoke & Mirrors in celebrating 25 years of Def Jam
…get your history lesson here…or here
Q: What was the first single released by the landmark label back in 1984?
Continue reading
Posted in musicology
My mother’s dental work is primo.
Ask T-Pain
I have so much respect for the guy now! Who can sing anything (let alone carry a tune) with tin foil in their mouth?
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