Tuesday, May 31, 2011
David Beckham Crashes His SUV With His Kid In the Car
His oldest son, Brooklyn, was also in the customized Escalade. Neither were wearing their seat belts on the 405 Freeway, where “a gold Mitsubishi stalled in the fast lane due to mechanical problems” [stated by California Highway Patrol spokesperson].
In the midst of his madness, Beckham slammed into the stalled car. The other driver was taken to the hospital for pains. However, no one was arrested or cited for any violations.
You have to wonder—is this standard police procedure or does this only apply to privileged ones who can kick a soccer ball and model in his underwear?
10 Reasons to Root for the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals
10. The Lockout Will Be Dallas's Fault
When LeBron James announced he was teaming up with Dwyane Wade, everyone bemoaned the end of an era: when superstars stayed with the teams that drafted them and won titles (Michael Jordan) or didn’t (Patrick Ewing) on their own. Meanwhile, it’s the Mavs who’ve been spending like mad, treating the salary cap like a 55-miles-per-hour speed limit sign. The end may indeed be nigh—but not because of the Heat.
9. LeBron With a Ring Will Be Insufferable
Yes, this sounds like a reason to root AGAINST the Heat. After all, LeBron without a ring is insufferable enough — with one, he’ll be the, um, Michael Jordan of insufferability. That said, there’s one thing worse than LeBron James with a ring, and that’s Mark Cuban with a ring. Go Heat
8. Do It for Big Z
If there’s anyone in this whole matchup who deserves a ring, it’s aging Heat center (and future James Bond villain) Zydrunas Ilgauskas. An All-Star in Cleveland before LeBron ever arrived, he suffered through Waltonesque foot problems before becoming a durable and dependable option. Win one for the, uh, Zipper
7. Miami = Parties
Yeah, fine, Dallas can do celebrations — after all, they’ve seen plenty of Super Bowl champs. But when it comes to mass drunkenness, celebrity arrests and TMZ-worthy disasterpieces, no one does it quite like Miami. In fact, the afterparties would probably draw better ratings (and more Kardashians) than the Finals themselves.
6. It's Fun When the Bad Guys Win
Why is is that we always have to see the bad guy lose? Redemption and revenge are wonderful storylines and all, but sometimes you just want the alleged good guys to go down instead. What would be more fun—Dirk Nowitzki celebrating his first title, or Dirk Nowitzki heading back out to the outback with only his guitar, a tent, and Holger Geschwinder, to grow a beard and ponder yet another soul-crushing loss? Maybe it’s just us.
5. Let's Get It Started
If LeBron truly is ever going to challenge Michael Jordan for the title of “Greatest Ever,” he needs to start winning titles, like, yesterday. Sure he’s still only 26, but he’s logged nearly 30,000 NBA minutes played already and has been fortunate to remain nearly injury-free. He might need to win titles every year from now until he retires to catch Mike. Let's make things interesting.
4. Everybody Hates Chris
Few All-Stars in their prime have endured the ridicule that Chris Bosh has. The “soft!” whisperers were out during his time in Toronto, but it all came to a crescendo when he signed on with the Heat as a max-money third wheel. Beating the Bulls as arguably the Heat’s best player was nice—but slipping a championship ring onto his middle finger and flipping off the haters would be the best vindication of all.
3. Save Eric Spoelstra
One would imagine that Erik Spoelstra has built up some impressive job security by now. Fans who were screaming for his head when the Heat came out of the box slowly back in November now giddily listen to his clichéd coachspeak on TNT and ESPN as visions of championships dance through their heads. But with Pat Riley still holding the strings, he’d better close this thing out with four more wins—or update his résumé.
2. Support Chaos!
Dallas—besides their insane payroll—represents the old way of doing things. Acquire a star as a draft pick (good going, Milwaukee), and try different combinations of unproven youngsters and discarded vets until something clicks. The Heat are the new way—get your superstars ready-made, use the regular season to gel, then wreck shop in the playoffs. If the Heat win, expect more of the same. Who doesn’t like player movement? Aside from fans of the New Orleans Hornets and the Orlando Magic
1. The Victory Parade Will Be Ridiculous
The Heat pretty much already celebrated their first championship back in the summer when they introduced LeBron and Bosh (and re-introduced Dwyane Wade—some of their fans don’t pay that close attention) to an adoring public. There was smoke, there was pomp, there was posturing that even Muhammad Ali would have shaken his head at. So what will they do to top that? What the hell, let’s find out.
Nike Toki ND Nylon "Green/White"
The Toki is the quintessential casual sneaker, boasting simple lines and all-around comfort. The Toki has been produced in an array of materials, most recently nylon which we have already seen in an obsidian colorway and now today we see it in a green. The all-nylon upper is draped in green and placed on an all white outsole just in time for those warm summer days. You can get these now at all Nike retailers including Finishline.
Vans OTW Alomar Fall 2011
Gearing up for their fall 2011 lineup, Vans' OTW branch will be dropping a gang of its mid-cut offering, the Alomar. Whether comprised of full-grain leather, wool, or oiled pig suede, the bunch carries the solid theme of versatility as they can easily be skated in as well as rocked to more upscale events. Look for the bunch to hit OTW accounts, starting June 1.
Jordan Melo M7 Advance "Black/Metallic Silver/White"
For all of you who forgot to mark their calendars, tomorrow (June 1st) is the release date of the Jordan Melo M7 Advance, which Melo wore in his first Knicks playoff appearance. The Flywire-reinforced upper sits on an all white midsole and transluscent outsole. "Melo" is stitched on the tongue in the same silver color as the Jumpman logo on the side. This colorway is set to release in Carmelo Anthony's new home — New York
Visvim Lauda Stripe Folk
visvim Foley-Folk F.I.L. Exclusive
Tokyo-based label Visvim keeps it simple with their latest sneaker — a mainly white leather tennis shoe with added green accents on the heel and tongue. Think ultra-lux Stan Smiths. This basic sneaker will only be available at F.I.L. flagship stores. Look for other colorways to be released within the next few summer months.
Nike Toki Premium Leather
Interview: T-Minus On Producing DJ Khaled's "I'm On One"
A few weeks back, DJ Khaled did it again. His latest single "I'm On One," which features Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Drizzy Drake, is a certified banger that is going to keep clubs rocking all summer. Although Khaled dropped a video showing the making of the song, it didn't tell the whole story. That's why we got on the horn with the song's main producer, T-Minus.
The Toronto-based beatsmith is looking to have a big year after producing Nicki Minaj's "Moment For Life" and contributing to Drake's Take Care as well as Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV. T-Minus tells us about producing the song alongside his buddies Noah "40" Shebib and Kromatik and how "I'm On One" started off as a song for Drake's upcoming album, but ended up in Khaled's hands.
On producing "I'm On One"
“The song was recorded about a month and a half ago. It’s complex because so many people worked on the record. I made the beat with a co-producer that I work really closely named Kromatik. He helped me do some of the music on there. After I got the beat, I gave it to Drake, and submitted it for Take Care.
“Drake was doing a record on it and 40 came in and did a little bit of writing on it. He played some chords over top of the melodies and the bass that were already in place. I had gotten a phone call from Drake and 40 like, ‘Oh man, we got this big record that we’re doing right now. Drake is recording as we speak.’
“40 was the co-writer and the co-producer, he did the mixing and the filtering. The melody on the beat was mostly him and pretty much the [rest of the] record was me. 40 does the filtering really well and he recorded Drake—because they go really well as far as working and producing. That’s one thing about 40, he knows how to put the record together, especially with Drake. He really arranged the record and put it together real nice.
“I was in the studio with Drake and he played it for me. I thought what Drake did was outstanding. He put a different spin on it. Even the beat is something different than what Khaled has done in the past.
“From there, Drake recorded it and he gave it to Khaled. That’s really how we do records a lot of times. Producers might submit a track or a beat to an artist and it might not work out for the album, but it could still work out to be a record for anybody else. In this music industry, everything is so viral that it goes from person to person.
“It’s not even a thing that [Drake] gave to [DJ Khaled], it’s more of a thing that we were all working on it. I don’t want you to get it confused that he just gave him a record out of nowhere, it was more of a thing we were all working on records. It started from Drake doing a hook.
“I spoke to Khaled and he said he was getting Ross and Wayne on it. Khaled was really excited about the record. I knew it was going to be something big because I know when Khaled says it’s big, it’s big.
“I’ve never met Khaled, but I spoke to him on the phone a few times about the record and getting records done in the future. There are some possibilities [that I may have other songs on We the Best Forever], we’re still in creation right now. And [I’ve submitted] tons of stuff for Take Care. So far, it's been pretty much me, 40, and Boi-1da. That’s the Toronto connection right there. I can’t give you too much information about what’s going on with the album, all I can tell you is it’s still in the making.”
In His Own Words: Who Is Frank Ocean?
The New Orleans-born, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter has become one of music's hottest commodities in a matter of weeks—but overnight success never occurs as quickly as it appears. Before his stellar self-released debut, nostalgia,ULTRA.Was clocking downloads at an unprecedented pace, the 23-year-old’s career was held up by obstacles ranging from Hurricane Katrina to industry politics, but those days are over.
This week, WRAP caught up(well not met him) with Christopher Francis Ocean and got the scoop on how he got down with Odd Future, his writing process, and what he thinks of the Drake
He’s Related To Billy Ocean?
Frank Ocean: "Billy Ocean is my uncle. I'm just fucking with you. The name Frank Ocean was born [Ed.—His government name is Christopher "Lonny" Breaux]. Allow me to tell that story another time, but I will say this: I changed my name on my birthday last year. It was the most empowering shit I did in 2010, for sure. I went on LegalZoom and changed my fucking name.
It just felt cool. None of us are our names. If you don’t like your name then change your name. I’m only a few steps into the process, so I probably shouldn’t even be talking about this, but by the beginning of summer I’ll be straight. I’ll be boarding planes as Christopher Francis Ocean."comparisons.
In Her Own Words: Who Is Kreayshawn?
In a matter of mere weeks, Natassia "Kreayshawn" Zolot has become a viral sensation who went from Internet oddity to possible million dollar signee. Her infectious anti-consumer anthem "Gucci Gucci" was posted on Youtube two weeks ago and already it's racked up nearly 1.5 million page views and counting. Thanks to its success, Kreayshawn (pronounced Kre-ay-shawn or Kray-shawn, a play on the word creation) has been courted by every major label and is rumored to have signed to Sony. But who is Kreayshawn?
We got on the horn with the 21-year-old California native to find out (though, you can always hit her Twitter, Tumblr, and Youtube page to get to know her better). We looked her up about everything from how she got into making music and directing videos, to why she doesn't agree with what Nicki Minaj represents, to her sexual orientation. She also broke down the message behind "Gucci Gucci," her White Girl Mob comrades Lil Debbie and V-Nasty, and her relationship with Lil B and Odd Future. And of course there's the time she tried to rob Yung Berg...
Growing Up In Oakland
Kreayshawn: “I was born in San Francisco and raised out in Oakland. I moved to Oakland when I was like 10 years old. I moved out to L.A. recently. I grew up in East Oakland, in this area called the Murder Dubs [San Antonio district in Oakland, California]. I was growing up in places like Tenderloin, Fillmore, Mission. Oakland is ghetto. I’ve lost friends, done shit that probably would have never happened if I lived anywhere else.
My mom was like, ‘I love listening to your mixtape every day when I drive to work.’
“Before that I was moving a lot because my mom was young. Can you imagine a 20-year-old woman with a three year old? I don’t want to say, “Yo I was a mistake” or nothing like that, but it was definitely hard for a single mom to raise a kid.”
“My mom was in a punk rock band called The Trash Women and they toured and all of that. She had me when she was 17. Growing up, I was staying at home getting babysat [while she was on tour]. There was definitely times where I missed my mommy, but that’s kind of sad to talk about right? [Laughs.] She had her life and I learned to be independent.
“She always put music around me. She inspired me to do this. She loves [what’s happening with me now.] She was like, ‘I love listening to your mixtape every day when I drive to work.’ She’s always texting me with updates of new articles that are out about me. She’s definitely been living this life with me the past couple days. [Laughs.]”
Style On Stage: The Most Interesting Looks at Coachella 2011
We kept a keen eye on who was getting shouted out, from Sleigh Bells to Kanye West
Kanye West
Mr. West is no stranger to the women's section, and at this year's festival he spent most of his time on stage rocking a blouse from Celine's Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Pretty sick.
Cage the Elephant
In other cross-dressing news from the Coachella stage, here is a photo of a man in a dress. It's still not topping Lil B's most recent news, but still craze.
Wiz Khalifa
You can cop Wiz's Wasted Youth tank at Prep Jerks for $25(DO THE MATH). Also, note the bling on his right hand. Looks like someone's been playing in Amber's jewelry box.
Cee-Lo Green
The Joker tee is dope on Cee. We just wish he would've kept it on the whole time instead of flashing thousands of innocent people.
Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells
Lauryn Hill
Damn, the game is missing this chick. She kept her eclectic style in tact, with the layered clothing and obnoxious gold chain.Coachella 2012 Scheduled for Two Consecutive Weekends
Tthe Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival will be held on two separate weekends next year. Seriously. April 13-15 and April 20-22, 2012. Apparently organizers want to accomodate more people (and make more money). The festivities will go down at the same venue as this year's, Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA.
Advance sale passes are available this Friday, June 3 at 10 a.m. until Friday, June 10 at 10 p.m
Tracklist: The Cool Kids "When Fish Ride Bicycles"
Three years since the release of their first EP The Bake Sale, The Cool Kids will finally be releasing their album When Fish Ride Bicycles through iTunes July 12 on Green Label Sound. The 11-track project will feature heavyweight names like Travis Barker, Bun B, Ghostface Killah and additional production from Pharrell Williams.
Their current single "Bundle Up" is out now.
Check out the tracklist below.
1. Rush Hour Traffic
2. GMC
3. Boomin' f/ Tennille
4. Sour Apples f/ Travis Barker
5. Penny Hardaway f/ Ghostface Killah
6. Bundle Up
7. Gas Station f/ Bun B
8. Get Right
9. Swimsuits f/ Mayer Hawthorne
10. Roll Call f/ Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper, Boldy James
11. Summer Jam f/ Maxine Ashley (Produced by Pharrell Williams)
Mavericks vs. Heat
Mr Kane
British designer Christopher Kane is launching his first-ever menswear line in 2011. Regarding his inspiration, Kane explained, “I became obsessed with the explosions and landscapes from space pictures.”
Overthrown Junta by Trilly and Truly a small capsule collection from Lupe Fiasco’s Trilly & Truly consists of the classic leather motorcycle jacket in both the long-sleeve and sleeveless form. Made in New York by Coyote Leathers, a manufacturer tapped by some of fashion’s biggest names, the jackets are classic design with a camo twist. The jackets retail for $4,000 and $3,000, respectively, which ain’t bad considering the best leather jackets can last a lifetime. .
Trilly & Truly
Just in, Trilly & Truly’s Overthrown Junta capsule collection. Consisting of the Motorcycle “perfecto” styled Malcolm jacket, Martin vest , and leather pouch; the entire collection is made of camouflage leather made by Coyote Leathers in NYC.
Jr!
This year, along with Bill Clinton and Bono, artist JR was awarded the prestigious TED prize – and now is the focus of the new issue of Arkitip. Arkitip Issue No. 0056 weighs in at 128 pages and comes hand packaged and numbered (ltd. edition of 1000) in a glassine translucent acid free archival envelope, with two 5 x 7 In. original JR photographs from past installations
INTERVIEW: Rollings Stones x Mac Miller
One of the best parts about making music is rocking a crowd. But my absolute favorite part, and this has always been a dream of mine, is to hold out the mic and let the crowd sing. It’s one thing to hear people sing, but to look into their faces and actually see them having fun, that makes all the travel, the whole road experience, all worth it. Now that I’m off the road, I’m taking some time to just stop for a minute and think about what’s been going on in my life. I like to sit back, reflect on what’s going on in my life, and try to bring that all together and put it into the music.
We actually just finished upgrading ID Labs, which has been my home studio for as long as I’ve been recording. We added a drum set and some vintage keyboards that I’m using on this record, which is something that I’ve wanted to experiment with for a long time, but never had the money to go full force with it. I’ve only been back in Pittsburgh for one day, but I’ve already recorded a track or two that I think will be on the album.
Actually, I was just in the lab with DJ Premier and Just Blaze, two dream-come-true producers for me to work with. Whether I’m writing the hook or just putting my vision into play with the producers, I’m always involved in the production. We don’t have a huge budget to hire a bunch of big-name producers, so we’re just going to make-work with what we can. But no matter who is producing, my music always sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard before. For better or worse, it’s one of a kind.
Whether I’m discussing important topics in the world or not, people tell me that my music is something they use to cheer themselves up if they’re having a bad day, and that’s something positive I can bring to the world. If I can keep helping people like that, then I’m going to continue doing that.
My plan right now is to have the album ready by the end of the summer, before my first international tour kicks off in early September. There’s no pressure to meet a date, so I’m going to put it out when it's time. I would love to lay down some tracks in London, because that has always been a dream of mine. I’m not going to force extra songs on the album if I’m done by then, but whether it’s for this album or the next, I’m definitely going to record in Europe.