Welcome to the third installment in the ‘Blog Made Me Do It’ series: Bling Dynasty – a sprawling, 30-track collection of the sharpest in hip-hop and R&B (not yet featured on the blog). Following in the tradition of the last two mixes, there’s plenty to please both hood-ees and hipsters. Including fresh sounds from hip-hop heavyweights: Game, Fabolous, Juicy J (of Three Six Mafia), Busta Rhymes, and Jim Jones, paired with unreleased material from under-the-radar acts: Ricky Blaze, Young AK, Kristmas, Verse Simmonds, Mac Miller, Crishan, Bei Maejor, and Ester Dean – the set is concocted to rattle streets and part seas. Expect air horns and bonafide block beataz! Through and through, third time is a fucking charm. Fall 2010… Bling Dynasty reigns. 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. 3: Bling Dynasty
An MH Mixtape

View the tracklist after the jump.

1 S&M (Intro) / Anutha Night – Chris Brown & PRGz
2 Under The Sheets (Remix) – Ellie Goulding & Chiddy Bang
3 <3 – Ricky Blaze
4 Jump On It – Veze Skante (Feat. David Banner)
5 Tip Down – PRGz
6 You Be Killin’ Me – Fabolous (Feat. Ryan Leslie)
7 Run Up, Get Dun Up – Da Banggaz (Feat. Diamond)
8 Buzzin’ – Mann
9 Attention – Ricky Blaze
10 Taking His Girl – Ester Dean
11 Air Swell (Pass Out Mix) – Chiddy Bang
12 Cold Blood – Game (Feat. Busta Rhymes & Dre)
13 O.M.G. – Jim Jones & Webstar (Feat. Ricky Blaze)
14 Sky Is The Limit – Young AK (Feat. Ricky Blaze)
15 Skeletons – Crishan
16 Bad Habits (Remix) – Maxwell
17 Automatic – Teairra Mari (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
18 In The Cut – Wiz Khalifa
19 Keyshia Cole (Kash Remix) – PRGz (Feat. Keyshia Cole)
20 Wine – Young AK, Ricky Blaze, & Keri
21 International – Kristmas
22 Styrofoam Cup – Juicy J (Feat. Billy Wes & Mac Pooh)
23 Bang Bang – Verse Simmonds
24 Because – Chiddy Bang (Feat. Radiohead)
25 Follow Me On Twitter – Jim Jones & Webstar (feat. Young B, Young Deion,
Rex & Ricky Blaze)
26 Good Evening – Mac Miller
27 Fuck You (Remix) – Cee-Lo (Feat. 50 Cent)
28 Home Wrecker – Shareefa
29 Feelin’ Good – Crishan
30 She Was (A Broken Love Story) / Outro – Bei Maejor

I do not work for any artist featured. These tracks were not recorded for this compilation. I do not claim ownership for any track, only the collection. For promotional use only, support the artists. Cover design courtesy of Jackson Moad. Image courtesy of Elisa Goodkind.

photo (bottom) courtesy of style.com

Filed under: rappers in rtw ]]> http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/08/10/haider-graham/feed/ 1 marcusah drake_in_haider haider_menswear http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/07/05/the-dream-dream-mcqueen/ http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/07/05/the-dream-dream-mcqueen/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:05:42 +0000 marcusah http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/?p=5414 ]]> What better way to christen the blog’s first year than a new post series?
Introducing “Rappers In Ready-to-Wear”
by Jackson Moad

The-Dream in
Alexander McQueen S/S 2011

(bottom) photo courtesy of style.com

Filed under: rappers in rtw ]]> http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/07/05/the-dream-dream-mcqueen/feed/ 1 marcusah TheDreamMcQueen 14m-2 http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/07/02/the-dream-trilogy/ http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/07/02/the-dream-trilogy/#comments Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:02:26 +0000 marcusah http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/?p=5385 ]]>
World Premiere: “Trilogy (Yamaha, Nikki Pt. 2, Abyss)” -
The-Dream

Dream.. enough with the low-budget supervids -
Call me and lets get this
Broadway musical deal
inked and poppin’.
I’m dead serious.

playbill mock-up by jackson moad

Continuing the mixtape tradition, I’ve set out to top my last effort with newer artists, bigger sounds, and genre-defying ear candy. For the second installment of the heavy-hitting Blog Made Me Do It series, I’ve scoured my current favorites (not yet featured on the blog) and paired them with rehashed R&B crowd pleasers, hard-to-find DJ revamps, electro-mashups, and springtime dancehall. Like the first backyard barbecue of the season, the 26 track set provides for satisfying even the toughest of tastes. Too hip for Puff and the fam? Fine. I’ve got them mashed with The XX for your listening pleasure. Too white for Ghostface? No biggie. I’ve got him mixed atop Spoon, so, you won’t get too uncomfortable. The mixtape is meant for anyone and everyone under the sun. So stop being stupid, crack a 40, and SET IT OFF already! Consider it the soundtrack to your Spring. 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. 2: Set It Off
An MH Mixtape

View the tracklist after the jump.

1 Internet Bitch (Intro) / Introduce Myself – Betta Half
2 The Ghostface of You Lingers – Spoon vs. Ghostface Killah*
3 Hold Yuh – Gyptian
4 Feel It On the South Side – Birdman vs. Washed Out*
5 We Are Mikey! We Are Rock! – The Cool Kids vs. Le Loup*
6 Battle Field – Freeway
7 Turnt Up – Chris Brown
8 Tipsy (Remix) – DJ Webstar, Serani & Jadakiss
9 Crazy Hold Out – Nicki Minaj vs. Washed Out*
10 Call Me 4 Dat Good – Just Brittany
11 We Get Around – Rock City
12 Velvet Replay – Iyaz vs. The Big Pink*
13 I Believe You Should Looka Here – Rich Boy vs. Simian Mobile Disco*
14 Cheerleader – Kristmas
15 Hit A Hata – Young Buck (Feat. Rich Boy)
16 Switch – Ciara
17 FeedToop – Janet Jackson vs. Cassius
18 Way I Feel / Buster (Interlude) – DJ Siik
19 Glock Busta – Papoose
20 What Have You Done For Me Last Night – DJ Nix (Feat. Janet Jackson)
21 What I Like – Stat Quo
22 Pianist Envy (Interlude) – Chilly Gonzales
23 It’s All About the Cystalibeths – Puff Daddy & The Family vs. The XX
24 Dance ‘Til Day (Dream Mix) – Jemex (Feat. Dean Gray)
25 Gangsta Luv (G-Mix) – Snoop Dogg (Feat. Mayer Hawthorne)
26 Make Love U Down – DJ Siik (Feat. INOJ)

I do not work for any artist featured. These tracks were not recorded for this compilation. I do not claim ownership for any track, only the collection. For promotional use only, support the artists. Cover image courtesy of Jackson Moad. *produced by The Hood Internet.

JACKSON is a line of accessories designed by recent Parsons School of Design graduate, Jackson T. Moad, who studied fashion and product design with an emphasis on leather goods and conceptual accessories. Having trained at Ralph Lauren Collection footwear, Jackson has spent the past two years developing the line of minimal, unisex leather clutches.

“I could never find a bag that was as gender neutral as it was utilitarian. It was always either it bags or briefcases. I started from scratch. The result is JACKSON.”

Produced in Manhattan in very small quantities, JACKSON clutches are casual, unstructured, and expertly crafted. Using unexpected, individually selected skins sourced through local distributors, the clutches are designed to age beautifully. With a focus on leather’s natural beauty, quality and versatility, the JACKSON clutch is a blank canvas, understated enough for both sexes. Available in various leathers, colors, and sizes (small (Oz. – 11.5″ x 8″ – $225, Kg. – 16″ x 11″ – $310), JACKSON clutches epitomize the everyday essential.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LOOKBOOK

photos courtesy of michelle viau

Filed under: fashion ]]> http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/03/27/jackson-nyc/feed/ 10 marcusah JACKSON_logo Jackson_clutches Jackson1 IMG_4950 Picture 710 http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/02/21/nyfw-coverage-2010/ http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2010/02/21/nyfw-coverage-2010/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:00:05 +0000 marcusah http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/?p=3760 Continue reading →]]> New York Fashion Week / Fall 2010 Collections

Since Marc Jacobs’ prime (approx. ten or twelve years back), there’s been a dwindling sense of excitement and intrigue at New York’s portion of fashion month. I’m happy to say that for the first time in a decade or so (even with a confused state of mourning McQueen), the excitement is back with new designers’ spirit to breathe fresh life into an otherwise creatively-lagging commercial-centric market. (Anna spotted at a newcomer’s show? Pretty much unheard of… until now.) It may feel this way because it’s the first fashion week I’ve been officially invited to cover – but, hell, it’s not as though I hadn’t spent the last ten years of my existence anticipating 12:01 am when style.com posts the day before’s collections. It was truly remarkable to see the actual fashions on living-breathing (barely) models instead of 2D jpegs for the first time. What a camera lens and a few flash bulbs can do to manipulate the appearance of a piece is rather astounding. Since Thursday, I’ve been lucky enough to attend and support a roster of young New York talents worthy of turning the stigma toward the American scene on its head… to view the collections I hit up and their subsequent reviews click on their titles below. Njoi.

—–
Day One: Frank Tell, Julian Louie, Tim Hamilton Redux Menswear
Day Two: ADAM, Ohne Titel, Prabal Gurung
Day Three: Altuzarra, VPL

photo courtesy of stylelikeu

Wardrobe: Zara velvet power shoulder blazer, Helmut Lang leather leggings, Rick Owens tee, Alexander McQueen skull print scarf, Estate rings (miscellaneous), Jackson spring ring, Ann Klein vintage lion necklace, Jackson goat hair and leather clutch
—–

Fashion Week Snaps:
Julian Louie fall presentation at Milk.

My girl Lucy and I at Prabal. Congrats Stephen!

Beau and Lucy before Prabal Gurung show.

Backstage at ADAM

With designers, Harold and Stacey, at their Odilon presentation.

Acne leg bangles!

Cushnie et Ochs wedges are shaping up to be the best of the season.

Model line-up at Rad Hourani.

My girl Whoopi front row at Calvin Klein.

photos (bottom) courtesy of catwalking, tfs, & models.com
(McQueen gone is still too surreal for words.)

photo courtesy of style.com

Posted in fashion ]]> http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2009/12/01/isabel-michelle/feed/ 1 marcusah Picture 372 00200m-7 http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2009/11/29/the-blog-made-me-do-it-vol1/ http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2009/11/29/the-blog-made-me-do-it-vol1/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:22:07 +0000 marcusah http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/?p=2931 Continue reading →]]>
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.

1 Africa (Intro) – Double A & Kid SL (feat. Fatman Scoop)
2 Get Fresh (Zombie Nation Remix) – Kid Sister
3 The Opposite of Adults (KIDS) – Chiddy Bang (feat. MGMT)
4 Do My Thing – DJ Wich (feat. Nironic)
5 Poor Boy – Shaun Boothe (feat. Queen)
6 I’m Expecting – Juvenile (feat. Three 6 Mafia)
7 Speed of Sound – G-Side
8 Bussdown – Freddie Gibbs
9 Lov It – KD & H.@.M
10 All Things Go – Chiddy Bang (feat. Sufjan Stevens)
11 We Like It – Rich Boy (feat. Rico Love)
12 Little Things – Yung Nate (feat. Mada)
13 Best To Do It – Big L / Big Pun / The Notorious B.I.G.
14 Blinded By The Light – Jackie Chain
15 If I – Freeway
16 Paradise – G-Side
17 Give It Up – DJ Wich (feat. Little Brother)
18 Give Up Your Guns – DJ Wich (feat. Royce da 5’9, Talib Kweli & Raekwon)
19 Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – Kickdrums (feat. Freeway & Young Chris)
20 They Don’t Know How – DJ Wich (feat. Havoc, Kurupt & Roscoe)
21 Weather Man (Interlude) – Freeway
22 It’s All Up To You (Take My Hand) – DJ Wich
23 Let ‘Em Talk – T.I. (feat. Brandon & Big Kuntry)
24 Criminal – The Roots (feat. Saigon & Truck North)

I do not work for any artist featured. These tracks were not recorded for this compilation. I do not claim ownership for any track, only the collection. For promotional use only, support the artists. Photo courtesy of Richard Burbridge. Image courtesy of Jackson Moad. Special thanks to Sneaker Advantage.

Posted in musicology, song of the day ]]> http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2009/11/29/the-blog-made-me-do-it-vol1/feed/ 11 marcusah theblogmademedoit back http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2009/11/21/shit-list/ http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/2009/11/21/shit-list/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:01:39 +0000 marcusah http://smokeandmirrorsblog.com/?p=2784 Continue reading →]]> da shit lists, s/s 2010

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

1 Alexander Wang / 2 Gucci / 3 Pierre Hardy / 4 Alexander McQueen / 5 Bruno Frisoni / 6 Camilla Skovgaard / 7 Givenchy / 8 Eddie Borgo / 9 Jil Sander / 10 Celine / 11 Alejandro Ingelmo / 12 Gucci / 13 VBH

Marcus’s Shit List, pt. I (Footwear)

1 Dolce & Gabbana / 2 Cole Haan / 3 Dolce & Gabbana / 4 Trussardi 1911 / 5 Bruno Frisoni / 6 Dries Van Noten / 7 Maria Francesca Pepe / 8 Loeffler Randall / 9 Aperlai / 10 Santoni / 11 Hermes / 12 Devi Kroell / 13 Salvatore Ferragamo / 14 Givenchy / 15 Ralph Lauren Collection / 16 Manolo Blahnik / 17 Pierre Hardy / 18 Viktor & Rolf

Marcus’s Shit List, pt. II (Handbags & Jewelry)

1 Fendi / 2 Jackson (not featured in Pratt’s report) / 3 Fendi / 4 Nancy Gonzalez / 5 Mawi / 6 Louis Vuitton / 7 Maria Francesca Pepe / 8 Taher Chemirik / 9 Philippe Ferrandis / 10 Viktor & Rolf / 11 Alexander McQueen / 12 Dries Van Noten / 13 Polly Van Der Glas (not featured in Pratt’s report) / 14 Tom Binns

photos courtesy of style.com

doodle portrait by Jackson Moad

photo courtesy of style.com

photo courtesy of style.com