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Luxe for Less Pt. II

With yet another expectedly fabulous fashion collaboration hitting stores soon, I thought it best to give notice of the union of London based accessory designer Jimmy Choo and H&M this season. The collection slated to be available Nov. 14th will bring apart from accessories and shoes, a line of garments for men and women. From what has been seen (courtesy of images leaked before the launch), the women's lines is sprinkled with plenty embellishment, studs, and animal print. Men get an array of denim in solid washes, accented belts, boots, bags and even a few smart suits. A great number of the pieces exude the 80's punk feel that Choo (and many others) have been re-embracing as of late. As a whole, alot of the items I've seen thus far do a divine justice when it comes to maintaining the high-end image while being set at a lower price. If stiletto Gods are to begin a trend within with these collaborations, I vote Blahnik and Louboutin next.

I love these, charcoal can be infused with almost any other color to set a fierce palette for any ensemble. My toes have high hopes that the construction of these won't be subpar.

This blue is gorgeous, the suede...fills me with many emotions.

Jimmy even graces us with a thigh boot. [refer to my last post for synopsis of this style and how to wear. not suggested for the prude at heart.]

That bag. Made for a man, coveted by moi!

Accessories bring closure to a look, these belts don't look too disappointing.

One of my favorite washes for the colder season, these men's denim Choo's are sophisticated and fresh. To retain the darkness of the wash, jeans should be cleaned inside out in cold water with a mild cleaner like Woolite Dark.

With the 14th around the corner, you won't have to anticipate too long much longer my lovies...

xoxo,

B. Zarr

Revenge of the Retro Kids

This is going to be a weekly column opening up the world of vintage and thrift clothing to regular ladies and gents because we all know somebody who can rock anything from the thrift store and make it look great. I plan to touch on everything from alterations/tailoring, thrift stores in the area, clothing styles during certain decades, street fashion and the idea of not following trends.

Personally, I love thrifting because when I come across an item from the 50's that I know no one else has for $5, I am giddy and I start thinking how I can make it mix into the fashion of today. I want this column to help people be more daring in their clothing and accessories in this conservative town. You can still rock a vintage piece and be very classy. Plus, it's always better to be overdressed. Vintage and thrift clothing also is a great way to express your own individuality (take note "hipsters") with out conforming to the American Apparel and Urban Outfitters mannequins. AND you didn't get ripped off on the price.

It's very easy to wear a top from the Gap but then wear a vintage skirt from the 70's and look great. You would benefit from tucking in the skirt, but the right shoes and accessories will pull it together. Color is a great way to add personality, don't be afraid of it, or crazy prints for that matter (think 60's and 70's).

I will be trying to capture some great streetwear too, it doesn't have to be vintage but it does have to show that this person isn't afraid to use their body as art and let their style speak louder than their words.

Send in any suggestions to me about great vintage/thrift stores or any comments!

Saturday 10/24: Deep in the District @ Indulj

If you're from the DC area and didn't attend Howard University (there's only five of us who do each year), then the HBCU and its homecoming have probably never been on your radar. I won't expound upon the reason why that is in this post but it looks like things are a little different this year. Several HU Homecoming events, whether official or unofficial, are featuring some of the best rappers rhyming in and out of the DMV. This Saturday, Suite Nation and Studio 43 will be hosting what looks to be a noteworthy event as a lifestyle contribution to the country's largest college homecoming. Deep in the District will feature the lyrical skill of Studio 43 verbal phenom, XO, and still life in art form by Barbie Bibiana. Deep in the District will also serve as the host for Everyday Pple's 2nd Anniversary. Although the event is called Deep in the District, this will only offer the unfamiliar just a touch of the many emerging talents brewing in and around the Capital Beltway. It's a daytime event so you're still good on time to get pretty for the Saturday night parties. I wanna see plenty of faces, new and old, so show yourself!

In preparation for the event, I want to share this artistic gem Studio 43 dropped on us this morning that further emphasizes the shift in the dynamic of the arts & entertainment scene in DC.

XO "All I Had" (LaLa) from KENNY BURNS on Vimeo.

Album Review: Noisettes Wild Young Hearts

In the pantheon of black girl rock, Noisettes frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa stands out with a style all her own. She’s got the avant-funkiness of predecessors Grace Jones and Betty Davis, the badass gospel growl of originator Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and the electro-dub weirdness of contemporaries Janelle Monae and Santigold. But what sets Shoniwa apart is her ability to effortlessly meld all these influences while carving out a distinctive rock and roll sound that defies categorization.

The Zimbabwe-born, London-bred singer/bassist is something of a rarity in the indie world. She’s a sista who shreds, shakes, and shimmies with equal parts punk abandon and soulful bravada. It makes for an interesting juxtaposition, but one that Shoniwa deftly navigates with an explosive voice that is at once raw, theatrical, and oozing with charisma.

She’s already been dubbed an it-girl in the UK, which makes sense considering she has all the makings of a star. Right down to the exotic-sounding name, striking looks, and colorful back story complete with childhood circus arts classes, a single mother who was a social worker/music promoter, and a brief stint as a burlesque dancer.

But she’s more than just a quirky Brit with a bouffant-fro. She’s the very heart of the Noisettes, bolding leading the band into next-big-thing territory alongside guitarist Dan Smith and drummer Jamie Morrison. The three came together after meeting in art school and cut their teeth playing warehouses and punk squats throughout London.

In 2007 they released What’s the Time Mr. Wolf, a promising, if uneven, debut featuring a frenzy of stripped-down garage-rock. Now after years spent toiling in the underground, Shoniwa has declared “Indie is boring, dead and over.” Ready for a musical makeover, the band signed with Island Def Jam and hooked up with producer Jim Abbiss (Adele, Arctic Monkeys).

The result is Wild Young Hearts, a pitch-perfect collection of buzzing guitars, retro soul, and electro-disco beats. The band playfully experiments with just about everything on here and while the DIY grit of their early days may be gone, in its place is a fuller, more expansive sound. It may not win over indie-punk purists, it’s pretty much my dream album with everything I love all rolled into one.

The album kicks off with the stellar title track “Wild Young Hearts.” It’s a jaunty slice of 60’s girl-group pop anchored by Shoniwa’s powerful vocals and punctuated with handclaps, sing-along harmonies, and wall of sound reverb. “Never Forget You” treads a similar path, with Shoniwa sweetly cooing to an old flame Ronnie Spector-style over sweeping strings and vintage melodies.

The group completely switches gears on “Don’t Upset the Rhythm”. The track thumps with a steady dance-rock tempo as Shoniwa commands listeners “Go baby, go baby, go.” The party continues on “Saturday Night,” which builds slowly before erupting into throbbing drums and new wave synths. Elsewhere, they get downright folky on acoustic numbers like the To Kill a Mockingbird-inspired”Atticus”.

The album may admittedly frustrate some listeners with its constant genre-hopping and newly-minted britpop sheen. But for the rest of us, the album feels less like opportunistic cherry-picking and more like a band continuing to evolve and explore new sounds. Wild Young Things proves the Noisettes are more than just another indie band. And my new hero Shingai Shoniwa once again proves that black girls rock.

Video: Pato Pooh - Follow Me feat. Adam Tensta (Nintendo Lives!)

Sweden got flows...period. With Adam Tensta being the biggest name in Swedish hip hop and the most well-known out of Scandinavia this side of the Atlantic, the country's fusion of electrons into the organics of Hip Hop is real. Adam teams with Pato Pooh, another Stockholm native by way of Chile, on the Super Mario energized "Follow Me" to take it back to the 80s but keep it futuristic at the same time. I've been on a old school video game kick thanks to the Durkl store in DC and "Follow Me" does everything to keep my nostalgic high going. Speaking of Adam Tensta and Durkl, you can hear him on "Dopeboy" feat. Eboi (another good dude) on the Judah x Durkl produced Survivor Series Vol. 1.



Also watch Eboi give listeners a piece of his mind on this freestyle over "Follow Me" as a part of the My Best Friend Is My Grind Freestyle Challenge. There's mad talent on either side of the Atlantic so let's push to get the visibility up so all worthy talents can be heard.

Wale Gets Personal & Tabi Goes Pop in WaPo

If you missed it, the Washington Post goes inside DMV hip-hop in this Sunday's Style section. The article mostly gets it right as it describes Wale's ascent to stardom and the age-old struggle for local music to break free of go-go's hold. It also features up-and-comers set to blow up in Wale's wake like Glass House regulars Phil Ade, Kingpen Slim, XO, and production team Best Kept Secret.

If you've been following the latest wave of DMV hip-hop, then most of the article will be old news. And if you've been a fan of area MC's for a while now, you'll wonder why longtime faves like Kev Brown, Kokayi, Oddisee, and Head-Roc are missing (not to mention countless others who've been on their grind for years). The article gives credit to old-schoolers Nonchalant, DC Scorpio, and Stinky Dink but makes it seem like nothing else existed between then and Wale.

The rest of us know the city has always had a vibrant hip-hop scene and thankfully it's now coming to light for all to see. How much of that is due solely to Wale is up for debate. The article makes it clear that there's already been some backlash by crabs-in-a-barrel types (including a local radio station that previously bumped Wale joints but now pokes fun at his success).

But perhaps the most WTF-worthy part of the article was Tabi Bonney revealing that he's just joined forces with Will.i.Am to create a pop supergroup called CryBabies. It's a long way from "One Track Mind" but DC hip-hop is finally blowing up. With or without go-go's help. Check out the article here.

Cool stuff....

I decided to do something rarely done on The Glass House (in DC and Beyond)...a blog post of stuff I think is cool. No captions, no real information, no insight. Just images, still and moving. Ok, let me shut up cuz clearly I've already typed too much.

RANSOM by adidas Originals from Ransom Holding Co on Vimeo.

ArtDontSleep: Skid Row Sessions w/ Pharoahe Monch, Shafiq Husayn, Om'Mas Keith, and more.... from Plug Research on Vimeo.

Dove Evolution Ad
by pezhammer

The Process (trailer) from Evil Monito Magazine on Vimeo.

Halloween DMV Music Mash Mix

Two Questions for you - What are you wearing for Halloween? What DMV Hip-Hop music are you diggin’ on? To assist you with ideas, here is a list of front runner Halloween costumes and DMV music artists. While reading, be sure to unwrap DMV Hip-Hop's music assortment, download and put the Halloween DMV Music Mash on your iPod!!!



Carty-Yeah

Tryk-or-Treet: *Worst Nightmare*

Twitter: @Carty_Yeah

Costume: HBO’s Crypt Keeper was a confident, wisecracking character. This stroke of confidence and humor go hand-in-hand with Carty-Yeah known for his expression “you you you already know”. Carty-Yeah’s younger brother,

P-Ezy, crafted a track for “boils and ghouls” using samples from Tales from the Crypt. To achieve the look of the Crypt Keeper get a black tuxedo, bowtie, and a character mask from a party store.


XO and AB the Producer

Tryk-or-Treet: *Do It*

Twitter: @UptownXO @AbThePro

Costume: As suggested by the face of Studio 43 Promotions and Marketing, Ricky Parker, *Do It* embodies the energy of the ’96 Jordan and Pippen. When discussing his relationship with Jordan, Pippen stated “You continue to compete against the very best every day, and you will get better, or you’ll be embarrassed.” To achieve the look of Jordan and Pippen is simple, squad up with one of your team players and decide which one of you will rock Chicago Bulls uniform #23 or #33.


Black Cobain

Tryk-or-Treet: *Think It Over* and *Lavish Life*

Twitter: @Blackcobain

Costume: As suggested by Byrd of I Got It For Free, Black Cobain’s songs share the thoughts of a Mafia Boss. As Black Cobain expresses on the intro of *Think It Over, *“This is now or never/I’m in total control/and I love it.” To achieve the look of a Mafia Boss get a pinstripe suit, necktie, a classy hat and throw in a toy gun (warning: make sure the toy gun has a red tip, to avoid the drama).


King Baker

Tryk-or-Treet: *I’m From DC* and *I’m So Fresh*

Twitter: @KNGSwagg

Costume: Just as Eazy-E repped his city on *Straight Outta Compton, *King Baker does the same on *I’m From DC. *King Baker shares “I’m from DC/where them youngins cook in the glass/girls talk with their hands/and clap with they asses.” To achieve the look of Eazy-E get a pair of Dickies, Chucks, a black and white plaid shirt, black hat with white logo, and black shades.


Kingpen Slim

Tryk-or-Treet: *Fly Shit*

Twitter: @Kingpenslim

Costume: Talking about night’s to remember like Shalamar, judges waving bonds, and rugby shirts are a pimp’s topics of conversation. Manager, P-Stew, suggested that Kingpen Slim that exhibits the wit of a 70’s Fly Era pimp. To achieve this look get a feathered hat, bell bottoms, gators, a cane and some Jeromey Rome (Martin) teeth.


PHZ-Sicks

Tryk-or-Treet: *All That* and *Holy Ghost *

Twitter: @PHZ_Sicks

Costume: PHZ-Sicks explained that with *All That* he used random references to movies, idioms, and world history in an abstract way to get a point across, so he suggested a costume idolizing painters Jackson Pollock and Salvador Dalì. PHZ-Sicks also explained that *Holy Ghost* is a* *song that takes place during a sermon with a preacher egging him on to speak his mind, not hold back, and be free with who he is, so he suggested a preacher inspired costume.


Redhead

Tryk-or-Treet: *Beastie*

Twitter: @redheadpg

Costume: With the boom boom clack, boom boom boom clack beat and Redhead’s vocalization, it was only right to gear up in a Beastie Boys' inspired look. Just as Wale sported the fitted Mickey Mouse sweatshirt during his Beastie Boys performance and Kid Rock sported his red Kangol bucket during his LL Cool J performance on VH1’s Hip-Honors, to achieve the look of a beastie/b-boy, look to legendary emcees and mimic their style of dress.


Frayz and Whitefolkz

Tryk-or-Treet: *Turn Me Up*

Twitter: @Frayzmidieast and @Whitefolkz

Costume: Vampires have a strong ability to lure in their prey. Rappers, Frayz and Whitefolkz, attract their listeners with their addictive lyrics and high-energy. To achieve the look of a character from HBO’s True Blood you’ll need white paint over the entire face, red paint for blood drippings around the mouth, fangs, and if you haven’t had a hair-cut, then maybe you can throw in a widow’s peak just for kicks.


Prop & Nyty

Tryk-or-Treet: *Manic State*

Twitter: @McNytyMusic

Costume: A list of alcohol and drug vices are listed in the beginning of *Manic State *then* *Prop & Nyty’s lyrics express reasons they use these vices and the effect their uses have. In the last verse of the song, excessive use of hallucinogens puts the character in a manic state of mind. To achieve the look of a maniac get a Hannibal Lecter, straight jacket costume and spend your night saying Clarice Starrrrling!


Emperess

Tryk-or-Treet: *Getcha Back Up (Off the Wall)*

Twitter: @Emperess

Costume: Of course *Getcha Back Up (Off the Wall) *samples Michael Jackson’s *Off the Wall. *In this song, Emperess demands that you do just that, stop standing on the wall and party. To achieve this look mimic the styles of Pat Benatar, Cyndi Lauper and of course Madonna, then hit a Backyard Band show and rock out to Weensey of The Backyard Band vocalizing “Girls just want to have fun!!!".


Wordsmith

Tryk-or-Treet: *Halloween Bully*

Twitter: @Wordsmithmusic

Costume: This song starts off with the howl of a werewolf and then other goblins & ghouls are laid behind the beat of *Halloween Bully. *A wolf mask, varsity jacket, and fitted jeans, then you are costumed as Teen Wolf.

Video: B.U.R.N.S. Documentary Trailer

B.U.R.N.S. Documentary Trailer from KENNY BURNS on Vimeo.

The man also known rightfully as the "Lifestyle Specialist", Kenny Burns may be well-known to many in the music industry, but knowledge of his game-changing efforts are not known amongst most. Outside of starting the boutique label, Studio 43, with Wale as the first artist back in '05 to being one of the most influential minds behind the scenes at Rocafella Records, Kenny Burns has truly paid his dues and earned his stripes. The B.U.R.N.S. documentary, scheduled for release in January 2010, will provide a more in-depth look into Kenny's life growing as a native Washingtonian, his beginnings in music to his present status as "Lifestyle Specialist" and record label owner. As the guy who is responsible for the button-up craze of the mid 2000s, the man definitely knows a thing or two about brand image and being influential. Being a fellow DMV native with continued aspirations to leave a mark in entertainment, Kenny Burns has always been a living inspiration to me since I learned of him four years ago.

Music Video - Kev Brown "Another Random Joint"

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a couple of folks about DC having lost its "soul". When I say "soul", I mean lost its sense of pride. One of the people involved in the conversation is a native Washingtonian, the other is from Georgia. Then there's me having grown up in Prince George's County, MD just a few miles east of the Nation's Capital. We all agreed that with DC being highly transient, the growing absence of the working class, having a mayor who sees cleaning up DC as stripping it of all its character (whoever heard of a Chinatown that was barely Chinese) and much of DC's indigenous Black population having moved to the surrounding suburbs, one has to wonder "How many people are still rooting for DC?". On a consistent basis, not many.

Then there's folks like Kev Brown whose video "Another Random Joint" (Check the album Random Joints) shows that there really are a few folks left from the area who rep the area...in a good light, too. This was the best display of Adams Morgan on the weekend I've ever seen. If you were unfamiliar with Kev Brown or any other member of the Low Budget Crew prior to now, starting HERE would be good.

Review: The Gossip at 9:30 Club Washington, DC

No one likes to admit that they like gossip. And prior to October 7, 2009 I would vehemently support that statement. That was the night that I was introduced to the mélange of a band that is Gossip. Fronted by Beth Ditto, the indie rock band is quickly gaining notoriety for combining Ditto’s distinctly southern and soulful voice with rock instrumentals. A pretty interesting combination that left me feeling like I had attended a Baptist church revival and rock concert all at the same time; the show proved well worth the late night.

Gossip is steadily making loud bleeps on the mainstream radar thanks to front woman Ditto who has inadvertently become an advocate of sorts for fat women in high fashion; to put it bluntly. She was an ever-present face in the front rows of shows like Jean Paul-Gaultier and Chanel at Paris Fall 09 Fashion Week, and has been known to publicly lambast designers for their lack of larger sizes. The latter has made her the recipient of specially made plus-sized versions of runway pieces from various designers.

Ditto actually prefers to use the word fat as opposed to any other politically correct terms fed to her by PR folks! This is precisely the reason why you can’t scoff at Ditto when she sways jovially on to the stage in skin tight frocks that most women of the more ample persuasion would never consider wearing. For the 9:30 club appearance she donned fire engine red hair and a body conscious large floral print dress with spaghetti straps and minimal support. With the occasional assistance of fellow Gossip member Brace Pain to pull up her bra, she took ownership of the crowd with her amazing voice and unwavering confidence.

It only makes sense that Gossip’s crowd would be an interesting mix just like their music. I actually think I spotted a reincarnated Joan of Arc playing the bass in the opening band, Men! I’m not sure how I felt about the metallic blue cat suit, but it would be unfair to deny the appeal of the martyr headgear.

Before the show even started I spotted a fellow concert attendee sporting a pair of suede mustard-colored knee-high fringe boots that made me swoon. Admittedly, I’m not the hugest fan of fringe, but I loved this combination of punk and very literal interpretations of Native American fashion; face paint and all!

Then I spotted someone who took the idea of brand loyalty to a whole new level. Generally speaking, he looked great, but a quick and hopefully inconspicuous inspection revealed his love for Yohji Yamamoto’s and Adidas’ collaborative brand Y-3 might have been a bit overboard. Shoes, hat, sweatpants and probably his heart all from the same brand; always overkill. Thankfully, he mixed it up with a Versace tee, the ever-popular Arabic keffiyeh scarf, and white personality specs a-la Kanye West.

Strange mix of characters right? But it seems that’s exactly the appeal of Gossip; unapologetically be yourself! That idea is reflected in their music, crowd and fashion. I’m officially converted. I love Gossip!

I'm R$ch B$tch!

Small businesses are the bread and butter of America’s economy. We literally live on America’s small businesses. Recently, I’ve been reading about young entrepreneurs making their marks in the country and the world. It’s so thrilling for me to read about twentysomethings making millions off of their vision. After getting the funding and surrounding themselves with the right people, they are making it happen.

I read about Anne Pawsat-Dressler, who at 24 years old, saw a need for upscale travel accommodations on an island she moved to in Hawaii. She approached those with multimillion dollar estates to let her use, and after building up her rental inventory, now has a high-end villa rental and concierge company called Hawaii Hideaways that grossed $5 million in sales last year.

We all are capable of greatness. We all have imaginations and desires and as long as we can turn our talents into a service that can be profitable, we will be set. Investor and educator Robert Kiyosaki said, “Just to make money is not a strong enough mission. The mission of a business should be to fill the customer’s need.” And so it is and filling a need whether it is through a product or service, is what makes others happy and keeps the flow of money going around.

And according to a recent article on Nielsen.com, the Washington DC area has the highest concentration of young and wealthy adults. Out of 50 counties surveyed around the U.S., Loudoun County ranked number one while Arlington County came in second. Findings were based on a targeted demographic of 25-34 year olds who earn over $100,000 annually.

This information should serve as even more motivation to get out there and use our unique talents to jumpstart our own businesses or if it suits you better, to work for a company that pays a healthy six figure salary. Whichever it is, having a lifestyle that allows us the freedom to engage in activities that we are passionate about is what’s key for most of us.

I’m working on increasing my own flow of money and know that it’s right there for me to grasp. Forget getting a piece of the proverbial American pie; I think what we have today is more like a buffet. With so many opportunities and ways to launch a successful business, I’m going to go right on up to that buffet, make my selections, and fill my plate. Oh, and you better believe I’m going back for seconds!

An Insider's Guide to Howard University's Homecoming 2009

The wonderful ladies of The Fab Empire have put together a guide to another one of DC's most anticipated events, Howard Homecoming. As the largest homecoming in the U.S. (not even joking), on top of the current students and residents of the DMV who come out for the events for the almost two week long affair, the city is flooded with HU alumni, celebrities and people just coming for the experience. The An Insider's Guide to Howard University's Homecoming 2009 is chock full of every campus event, party (check for HiRes on page 14) plus where to go for grooming and gear for your day and night excursions.

FALL, Feet First

Ladies have so many options this season when it comes to "stepping out". Styles included range from an array of architectural sculptured booties, angled ankle boots, stilt-high stilettos (okay maybe not that high but it appears we'll be there much sooner than later) and lastly a tendency I myself will be diving into this season: the thigh boot.

The thigh boot will be key in footwear for the season. Accented with straps, chains, studs, I even expect to see some of last year's fringe. Now this can be done horribly well, or horribly wrong. If you leave out undecided on just how well you paired these, the attention you receive will surely be indicative *wink*.

These boots will serve their purpose best paired with a pair of dark fitted jeans, tee and a cropped leather jacket, a long slouched cardigan with the season's mini dress, or a knit dress with a thigh high wedge or chunky heel. Another option would be to purchase a pair of leatherette leggings, and pair them with an ankle boot close in color.

Now don't prance to the register in these to purchase before you assure that the fit is anything less than perfect. The top of the boot should lay flat, fit snugly but not tightly, and there should be no ruching. Of course the foot should feel comfort and no pressure with the arch it will be molded in, in the boot. I almost want to purchase a pair to wear, and a separate pair to place standing upright on their own as apart of my living room decor. Spicy!

Timberland $375

And for the gentleman looking to adopt a more modern or masculine look, these boots by Timberland can certainly add the hardened flair wanted to your ensembles this season. This boot would work with a variety of lengths and can easily be transitioned through different looks.

Bacco Bucci - Marchant $335

These Bacco Bucci boots give off a very chivalrous feel and I am especially in love with the detail near the back soles. Either boot can be worn with a dark slim fit jean and a button down shirt or layers under the season's Deep-V neck cardigan. These mens styles to me, are timeless and will be staples in your footwear collection for colder seasons to come.

Step in S T Y L E dears!

xoxo,

B. Zarr

Saturday 10/24: HiRes @ RFD

HiRES w/ DJ Brian Senyo - Saturday Oct. 24 - The Backroom at RFD from Brian Akpa on Vimeo.

DJ/VJ Brian Senyo will be rocking the RFD Backroom with dope videos, hip-hop classics, and all your favorite joints and jams. HiRes is cutting out the BS, the bottle service, and the dress codes. Just good beats, good beer, and good times! 21+, no cover. Drink Specials: $ 5 Stoli Drinks, $3 Miller Lite Drafts. The Glass House (in DC and Beyond) and The Couch Sessions are stamping this one so you know it's gonna be official for sure. Two weeks people so get ready!

Why Are We So Angry?

While we in the nation’s capital are fairly insulated from the ire going on around us, it is hard not to notice that things have gotten a little tense in this country. Like the scene that ensues when the drunk girl vomits on the floor at a party, things have changed from the jovial post-election pride and excitement to a standoff that’s leaving everyone trying to decide just what to think. Just like at that party, though, no one is making any serious attempts to clean up this mess.

Most of the anger seems to be centered on the healthcare reform debate, which is certainly surprising to me. You would think that with two wars, a recession, and the biggest corporate bailout in history having just recently left the realm of the present, that these would be the divisive issues. And in a way they are, but healthcare reform has become symbolic of where we draw lines in this country at the moment.

Throughout all the recent turmoil, we’ve gotten through it as a nation because we “had to”. We rubberstamped one war and program after another. Why? Because we were told that if we didn’t, there would be untold repercussions both at home and abroad. It appears that we are, at the moment, experiencing a backlash both towards those policies and any new ones.

There is a huge population that those of us who live here in the center of it all, are not really aware of. It would be easy to brand those people who are against Obama’s healthcare policy as simply greedy and unwilling to do something altruistic, but is it true? While there may be a modicum of truth to that, there is a lot more nuance to this story than many would like to give. It is not just that some people are opposed to anything that’s good and pure. What they appear to be against, is a perceived lack of voice in government. No one is hoping that the “good ol’ days” of the Bush administration will come back. These same disenfranchised people were dissatisfied under Bush as well. The difference is that they see in Obama, a vision that is so different from the status quo that it is much more frightening than Bush. The natural fear of change is burgeoned by conservative pundits like Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck. It’s not like me to attack someone, but let’s call a spade a spade; they are using their exalted positions and access to spread lies. This is a bigger problem than we realize.

If a whole group of people don’t trust mainstream media, and only get their information from people who have repeatedly been exposed as lying, we are going to continue to be a nation divided. One question that we need to ask ourselves, as a nation is this: Do we want to be on the winning side of history or the right side of it? There will certainly be times that both are possible, but the uncertainty of the present makes decisions hazy.

I suppose that the situation could be boiled down to this: We live in frightening times. We live in a time of great uncertainty and confusion. I don’t think that we should blindly follow anything that the Obama administration suggests, but I do know this. We, as a people, wanted a change. We wanted things to be better than they were before and we didn’t want to be content with admiring our past as our future falls apart around us. Maybe we’ve been lulled into complacency for too long, but change is hard. Change means we’ll have to sacrifice something. If we can all agree to sacrifice a bit, regardless of our specific political orientation. If we can all agree to be a little more selfless, we might just be a little less angry.

The Glass House (in DC and Beyond) x Who Is Ricky Parker?

The Glass House (in DC and Beyond) x Ricky Parker from The Glass House (in DC for now) on Vimeo.

Studio 43 marketing director and brand scientologist, Ricky Parker of Who Is Ricky Parker? linked up with us on H St. in Northeast DC to let us in on how he's making his mark in the DMV.

Just in case you were wondering - Electro Wars Documentary (Trailer)

My infatuation with electronic music began at age 8. It was when I first heard 2 Hyped Brothers & A Dog's "Doo Doo Brown" in '91 on WPGC.



Although, I had no idea that track was categorized under "Baltimore Club" let alone knowing it was a subgenre of Electronic music, I did know I liked the bassline and the breaks on the song. Four years and several Baltimore Club radio singles later, here comes The Prodigy with their video for "Firestarter". My best friend at the time and I were mesmerized by the intensity of drums and the massive confusion of the synths. It somehow all worked in our minds and that moment served as my crash course in Electronic Music 102: Hardcore.



Now here we are in 2009, I've been present at countless dance parties up to this point with DJs known locally to globally, heard everything from Baltimore Club, Progressive House, Dubstep and everything in between. We have big names like Kanye and Diddy throwing more electro into their mixes to spoon feed their Black fans, and yet I never once thought when and why this genre bending and crossing over really got cranking - until now. Well, it appears as if the Electro Wars Documentary will answer those questions for me. (via Crate Kings)

The Electro Wars Teaser 2 from Stephen Alex Vasquez on Vimeo.

This is the unofficial teaser trailer to the documentary film 'The Electro Wars'.

The Passing of an Icon: Ben's Chili Bowl founder passes at 82

Thanks to the net, word travels fast. Ben Ali, the 82 year-old founder of Ben's Chili Bowl, passed last night in his home in DC of congestive heart failure. For the last two years, I have frequented Ben's Chili Bowl, and more recently their full-service establshment named Next Door, unprivileged to have ever met the man behind this famed landmark. Although I was a latecomer as a DC area native patron of The Bowl, I still immediately saw how the family business made everyone, from tourists to regulars, feel like they were one of the Alis as well - That's what keeps me going back (plus the jumbo dogs)!

As a business woman of partial Trinidadian descent, learning of the progress Ben's Chili Bowl has made from its opening in 1958, surviving the U Street riots in 1968 and still holding down the same block 50 years later is very inspiring. This is a feat not achieved by many Black businesses so I have made an effort to always support the Ali family whenever possible. RIP Mr. Ali - your memory and spirit will forever remain at 1213 U St. NW.

Lady Glock

For the last couple of months through my DC travels the name " Lady Glock " has been emerging in a happenstance sort of way. She was every bit of cool I imagined her to be. She has a warm personality with a DC demeanor. Her pieces reflect the nuances of the city.

Dance Music Weekend Extravaganza: Nadastrom "SAVED" EP Release Party x Feedback x Big Bang!

I would just do "eenie meenie miney moe" if you can't make it to all three parties this weekend. This is one of the best lineups of Dance music DJs I've seen in a while and will definitely serve for a funky good time

Tomorrow: Local Wednesdays on U St. @ Local 16

The Glass House and One Hundred Percent Events have paired two of DC's more soul driven DJs for Local Wednesdays this week. The Vibe Conductor, DJ Stylus, also of The Soul Controllers, will open up the party with a gradual incline of all of the best (which are your favorites) from back in the day and keep you groovin' into 2009. Passing the decks over to our resident, Chris Burns, who will continue the groove to close the night. As always, $4 Peroni and $5 Martinis for happy hour plus the heat lamps on the roof to ease the chill.

One Hundred Percent Events x The Glass House x Peroni Present Local Wednesdays on U St. ~ A Necessary Recess From The Week
Sounds by DJs Stylus and Chris Burns
6PM-1AM
21+
No Cover

$4 Peroni and $5 Martinis from 6PM-9PM

Food menu available

Video - SHATiFF X District Fresh X FTDMVO Exclusive "GLENARDEN"

SHATiFF-GLENARDEN *DMV Exclusive* from Arubrics on Vimeo.

Any video with people eating food from the Chinese carry-out (more affectionately known in the DMV as "the carry-out") is alright with me! As someone who will probably eat chinese carry-out food, regardless of how healthy or unhealthy my diet is, I'm glad to see this element of Black urban culture in a music video. Class and education aside, if you come from any black neighborhood, middle class on down, you've eaten from the Chinese carry-out at least once in your life. Now with that said, Glenarden native (that's north-central PG County for those unfamiliar) Shatiff prefaces his upcoming album ALL IN: The Vow, due out this winter, with the video to his "this is how it is where I'm from" style track "Glenarden".

VIDEO - ALL KILLER! NO FILLER! Recap x RAtheMC interview

This was a great time and I had a BLAST. The performance by RAtheMC was just nasty --- I mean her whole aura was just DOPE. You just have to be happy for anybody trying to put on Washington, DC that's actually really good. All the DJs were on point and I honestly don't think I heard one bad mix, but that's my opinion. If you hear otherwise, I'm trying to tell you now, they were not there. The crowd was really diverse and it felt like there was a little bit of everybody there. I am sure that the next ALL KILLER! NO FILLER! will be just as good if not better.





I had the great privilege of interviewing Washington, DC's next upcoming artist, RAtheMC. I can't say enough good things about the vibe she brought to the stage and how honest and real she was with me during our interview. I really see a bright future for RAtheMC and her skills as an emcee should not be slept on by any means.



Before you leave...




Peep the latest #RAtheMC Trending Topics

H Street Day/Below the Waist Photos

Welcome to DC!!!!!
So all of you Washingtonians know that every year we have a host of different festivals/events to honor certain days, streets, and people. This year, me and friends walked through H Street Day off the humble and saw that it was definitely not the same. Not a lot of musical performances as I expected but we made the best of it anyway because we are Good Folk. While I was there, of course, I took photos. All from the waist below lol. I thought I captured some really cool photos for me rarely letting the camera touch my face. So check them out and tell me what you think???? I love feedback :-)

H Street Day Look-out


I still say that these are some of the girls from the upcoming Real World.....
I mean, why else would they have camera guys around them???


We were for sure this runway had reached maximum capacity :-)
they were partying though

vehicles and the people that admire them

this van was dope

...love their legs in this shot

look at meeeeeee!

people

headless stroll






People....and the dogs that love 'em

see my shadow???





cute pup indeed....from the front :-)


Double dutch time...

I want to ride my my bicycle, bicycle....(I love Queen)

H Street Art Admiration

"I absolutely LOVED seeing this as we strolled on by" ....and you can quote me on that
People helping people...it's powerful stuff (Wedding Crashers)


and of course food was involved....

curbside cupcakes was there....i didnt get one but my homies said they were good



and of course a festival is not a festival if you don't at least close out with a funnel cake.

Hope you enjoyed my experience of DC's H Street Day 2009.....And again, let me know what you think.

I love feedback :-)