Swizz Beatz Unveils The Brand New Special Edition Red Chrome Lotus In NYC.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Surely, much to the chagrin of more than a few of his "boom bap" production peers, Swizz Beatz - a man who, thanks to his early calling card of ridiculously simple yet irresistibly catchy preprogrammed-sounding CASIO® keyboard beats, once enjoyed a dizzying streak of platinum hits that garnered him commercial and financial success while simultaneously invoking the enmity of many of his contemporaries - has recently engineered a gradual though complete image overhaul recasting himself as a true artist (NOTE: For demonstrative purposes integral to the effectiveness of this post to be pronounced in the pompously pretentious European count/countess manner of "arteest").

Yup, gone are the Ruff Ryders logo laden bandannas and oversized t-shirts - now it's sharply tailored Maison Martin Margiela suits and Christian Louboutin boots. Baby mommas have been replaced and upgraded too - son got Mashonda the fuck up outta here and went and snatched up the beautiful and incredibly talented "1-bad-day-fried-Oreos®-binge-away-from-my-White-sides-genes-kicking-into-full-cankle-mode" Alicia Keys. Clearly, this man has a plan! Next up is cosmopolitan social positioning ... or, in this case, pole positioning!

Taking his matured metropolitan aesthetic to the racetrack, the newly minted VP of creative design and global marketing for the legendary British luxury sports and racing car manufacturer Lotus, just unveiled this special edition Red Chrome Lotus (NOTE: Personally designed by Swizzy!) a few nights back @ a star studded gala in NYC. *Cue "Coming To America" Voice* "That boy good!" LOL. "Vroom! Vroom! Start it up!"

NEW MUSIC: Kanye West Ft. Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi Da Prince And The Rza - So Appalled (Dirty)(NO DJ)

Streaming Audio/Download Link: Kanye West Ft. Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi Da Prince And The Rza - So Appalled (Dirty)(NO DJ)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Already enamored by the obviously incomplete reference version of "So Appalled" that surfaced almost a year ago featuring a solitary Kanye West verse, Mr. West, Mr. West has gone ahead and done the only thing possible to make this track better - enlisting a powerful all-star lineup. The fact that this lineup looks better on paper is another story though.

It's not that the combined efforts of Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi Da Prince and The RZA (NOTE: Yes, the "Abbot" himself ... lol) aren't a G.O.O.D. thing per se, it's just that the new and improved incarnation of "So Appalled" includes 2 artists who definitely do NOT belong on the track and 1 artist whose talents are completely underused.

Let's start from the top of the record, shall we? Look, I get it that Kanye West and Señor Swizzy have fast become super producer BFF's, but Alicia Keys's hubby aint got NO business on this song. His adlib intro to this record is annoying and unnecessary @ best.

Next, there's some kid named Cyhi Da Prince on here. "Da Prince" of what Y.O.U. ask? Possible of trying too hard to go in on this track surrounded by some of today's giants of the music game and being a little too punchliney for my exquisite tastes. Hey, following a reinvigorated Jigga Man and the standard dope boy decadence of Kingpin P is never an easy task ... especially for a no name MC, no matter how nice with his he may be. Nobody needs a verse from this guy on this track. Trim the fat.

Oh yeah, did I mention that this Cyhi Da Prince guy ALSO has hook duty, well up until the very end of the song when, out of nowhere, The Rza jumps in to clean up the chorus for 1 go a round. Yup, that's The RZA's feature ... all 30 seconds of it ... lol. In this era of Digidesign®/M-Audio® Pro-Tools and flying hooks, there's NO earthly reason for not making G.O.O.D. use of The Rza's unmistakable energy and voice for the entirety of the song. What a waste!

I know, I know, I'm talking a lot of shit, but, trust me homie, I really do fux with this record. Overall, Kanye West continues his "G.O.O.D. Friday" win streak. Press play and hear the big homie Jay-Z murder this shit and watch Pusha T bury it! Let the G.O.O.D. times roll!

NEW MUSIC: Alicia Keys Ft. Drake - Unthinkable (Remix)(CDQ)(NO DJ)

Streaming Audio/Download Link: Alicia Keys Ft. Drake - Unthinkable (Remix)(CDQ)(NO DJ)

Signing Off...

Aisha

Behind The Scenes: Alicia Keys: The Making Of "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" Video Shoot.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Never let it be said that I do NOT give credit where it is so clearly deservedly due. Case In Point: I just found out that Drizzy "Wheelchair Jimmy" Drake penned this heartfelt hymn for the beautiful Alicia Keys and I must say, "Bravo!". Nice work homie ... way to rep for "America's Hat" (READ: Canada). I L.O.V.E. this song! Good shit!

NEW MUSIC: Jay-Z x Bono x The Edge (Of U2) x Rihanna Perform "Stranded" x More Hope For Haiti Now Highlights.

iTunes Purchase Link For This Song: iTunes.Com/Haiti

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CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: GOD help Y.O.U. if Y.O.U. did not have Digital or Satellite Cable last night as seemingly every channel aired the commercial free Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief concert/telethon! Now, in no way was that a b-a-d thing as this star studded event was for the most noble of causes.

Daily readers of Livestyle have no doubt noticed my omission of the recent events in Haiti. This was deliberate on my part. The fact is that Haiti has long been an extremely troubled nation and, thanks to a number of great friends and people whom I consider family who are Haitian, I have come to know that country's plight pretty well.

Understandably, one might view that as added incentive for me to provide critical and comprehensive cover of this tragedy with a depth of understanding that only Livestyle can provide, however, in light of the barrage of horrific images splashed all over our HD television screens, I have decided to give yall a break on the Haiti action. News of this magnitude deserves all of the attention that it is getting, but, sometimes, it can all be a bit much. How many times anybody need to hear that the death toll is climbing well over 100,000 people and that it may possibly even reach 200,000? Feel me? I want this to be your oasis of choice. That having been said, I do feel a responsibility to address this disaster and the Hope for Haiti just gave me the perfect segue into such a difficult topic.

From day 1 the outpouring of L.O.V.E. and concern for the people of Haiti has been staggering. Very few of us could ever imagine what Richter Scale topping 7.0 earthquake feels like, let alone the kind of devastation that it could bring to a region in a matter of seconds. Add to that the fact that Haiti has long been 1 of the most impoverished nations in the whole entire world and you've got a recipe for destruction like no other.

Thanks to the efforts of uber stars like the always social consicious and, more importantly, politically active (NOTE: Because waaaaaaaaaay to many celebrities merely talk a good 1) George Clooney along with Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, Steven Speilberg and heartfelt performances from such top tier entertainers as Stevie Wonder, Bono and The Edge of U2, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Justin Timberlake, Matt Morris and more, the Hope For Haiti Fund was broadcast on most major television channels and raked in $57 million bucks in 1 night alone with 100% of the proceeds going to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Oxfam America, Partners In Health, Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, and Wyclef's Yéle Haiti Foundation. Not too shabby for a days take ... lol.

I encourage everyone to donate to this cause in any way possible - be it money, clothing, utensils or time. Remember, once the camera crews pack up and the Hollywood stars go back to movie making, Haiti will still need the world's help. Stay focused.

Alicia Keys x Swizz Beatz Boo Lovin' @ Her Album Release Party @ M2 Ultra Lounge In NYC 12/18/09 AKA New Wifey, Mashonda No Likey.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: In related news, it has been reported that Swizz Beatz's ex-wife, Mashonda, was spotted that same night with friends drinking piña coladas @ BBQ's on 23rd Street and 8th Avenue in New York City. Life goes on. Swizzy!

NEW MUSIC: Alicia Keys Ft. Maino - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart (Remix)(CDQ)

Streaming Audio/Download Link: Alicia Keys Ft. Maino - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart (Remix)(CDQ)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Well, well, well. Apparently this Maino assisted remix to the amazing Alicia Keys hit single "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" has been out for about a month - making it approximately a year old in accelerated internet time. Hey, I don't listen to the radio like that! Anyway, good music is good music and quality of this magnitude knows no expiration date. Brooklyn's very own Black Flag waving Commander In Chief bares his scarred soul and checks into "Heartbreak Hotel" for a 16 bar short stay on this joint. Real recognize real.

NEW MUSIC: Alicia Keys Ft. Drake - Un-thinkable (I'm Ready) x Hitting Newsstands Next Week: Drake Covers The Relaunch Issue Of Vibe Magazine.

Streaming Audio/Download Link: Alicia Keys Ft. Drake - Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)(Dirty)(NO DJ)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Yes, that is the talented Maple Leaf MC Drake's seemingly fetal alcohol syndrome damaged face gracing the cover of the new and possibly improved Vibe Magazine's relaunch issue. I mean, with all of the hype surrounding the homie he kinda had to get top billing, right? Oh how I hope that his still fledgling career does not get caught in the gears of this vicious hype machine. Oh yeah, check out the Alicia Keys joint "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" featuring "Wheelchair Jimmy" off of her forthcoming LP too! Good shit.

Alicia Keys - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

Alicia Keys Talks "Empire State Of Mind" x The Yankees @ Billboard.Com.

Jay-Z Ft. Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind (Official Music Video)

Them Boys In Pin Stripes Get Right For Game 2!

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Yes! Last night my Yankees won Game 2 of the 2009 World Series and tied the "Fall Classic" @ 1 game a piece. The trio of A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui each shrugged off the respective slumps that had been plauging them throughout the playoffs and banded together to shoulder The Bronx Bombers past the surging Philadelphia Phillies. Now, that's what the fuck I'm talking about!

Did a certain performance by a certain Brooklyn born rapper and a certain Midtown Manhattan raised R&B songstress make the difference? The video evidence is provided below ... Y.O.U. be the judge.

Jay-Z Ft. Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind (Official Video)(30 Second Teaser Preview)

Jay-Z x Alicia Keys' "Empire State Of Mind" Perfomance @ Game 1 Of The 2009 World Series Is All Wet.

"Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' Performance at World Series Pushed Back


Due to 'the forecast for inclement weather,' Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' collaborative performance has been moved to Thursday, October 29.



Originally staged for October 28 before game 1 of the World Series, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" duet performance has been delayed. They are now slated to take the stage of Yankee Stadium on October 29.

"The performance was changed due to the forecast for inclement weather for Wednesday, October 28," a joint statement from Jay-Z and Major League Baseball unveiled. "Staging for the performance could adversely impact the field if it is wet, creating damaged and unsafe playing conditions."

Jay-Z previously has shared his excitement regarding the upcoming event mostly because he is a die-hard fan of Yankee. "I'm honored to perform a song that celebrates the greatness of New York in one of our city's most important landmarks, Yankee Stadium," Jay-Z gushed. "I'm beyond excited about it, and on top of that, it's a New York record. It's a record that pays homage to New York. The timing of that couldn't be better."

Information Courtesy Of: Aceshowbiz.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Originally slated to serenade the sure-to-be electric crowd attending Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of 2009 World Series, due to heavy rain, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys have been forced to literally take a "raincheck" on performing everybody's new favorite New York City anthem, "Empire State Of Mind". Shiiiiiiiiiiiit, fuck a performance, I don't even know if the field @ Yankee Stadium will even be in playing shape by the time the 7:57PM start time rolls around. Either way, whether they take the stage for Game 1 or Game 2, this is a HUGE look for both the artists and Hip Hop as a culture.

I thought that the Yankees mere adoption of this record as their unofficial theme song and Derek Jeter knockin" this everytime that he hits homeplate was big deal - and it was - but, this is so much more my nigga. Playball ... almost ... lol. Good shit!

Behind The Scenes: Jay-Z Ft. Alicia Keys "Empire State Of Mind" Video Shoot (On Location In Times Square/Forty-Deuce)

Behind The Scenes: Jay-Z - "Empire State Of Mind" Video Shoot (On Location In Harlem) 10/01/09

NEW MUSIC: Jadakiss - Take Me To New York (Dirty)(NO DJ)

Streaming Audio/Download Link: Jadakiss - Take Me To New York (Dirty)(NO DJ)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Whilst I L.O.V.E. Jay-Z and Alicia Key's current ode to my icomperable home of New York City sometimes we ALL could use something slightly more rugged. To that end, please consider Jadakiss's Estelle "American Boy" sample flipping "Take Me To New York" "Empire State Of Mind"'s well meaning, but, short tempered cousin. This 1 verse teaser/snippet is only home on a work furlough though ... so, the stay is waaaaaaaay too brief and kind of bitter sweet. LOL. It is what it is.

The Official Livestyle MTV 2009 VMA's Recap AKA This Is The G-Cap/This Is The G-Mix!

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Kanye West Vs Taylor Swift from Joycelynn Okezie on Vimeo.

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CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Sooooooooo, who would have guessed that asshole South Carolina Congressman (R) Joe Wilson would become such a trendsetter! Yes, lack of decorum is the new "black", behaviorally speaking of course, as both Kanye West and Lil Bow Wow in drag AKA Lil Mama inappropriately bumrushed the stage of last night's MTV V.ideo M.usic A.wards show.

Kanye West's spontaneous combustion occurred when Taylor Swift beat out Beyonce for "Best Female Video Of The Year" or something like that (NOTE: Kanye West was right!) and he bogarded the mic from shorty in an effort to defend Beyonce's honor - Hey! Aint nothing like sucking up to the boss's wife! LOL. Going heavy on the Hennessey will do that to a nigga. It is what it is.

Now, Lil Mama's story is a tad more sad. There are conflicting reports that either A) A drunk Randy Jackson prank called her before the show and put her up to this OR B) Lil Mama got confused and thought that it was "America's Best Dance Crew" time. Did I mention that Lil Bow Ma (I just made that up!) rushed the stage when Jay-Z and Alicia Keys were performing "Empire State Of Mind" off of that BP3? Not that Lil Bow Ma had much of a career to speak of, but, please believe that nobody steals Young Vito's shine and that the industry "blackball" is well in motion.

Oh yeah, Madonna gave an eloquent and, in my esteemed opinion, sincere tribute speech to the late, great Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson lip synched her way through her and her late, great brother's song "Scream". Amber Rose bodied the red carpet. Lady Gaga killed a vulture and wore it to the show and then, during her set, bled all over the stage ... true story. Wale proved that he is a boring media creation with no chance of poppin' in the real world and Beyonce, well Beyonce just did her beautiful thing! Holla @ ya boy in BK!


UPDATE:

Kanye West's ALL CAPS LOCK Apology To Taylor Swift (From His Blog):

"I’M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM. I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD’VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED! I LIKE THE LYRICS ABOUT BEING A CHEERLEADER AND SHE’S IN THE BLEACHERS! …………………… I’M IN THE WRONG FOR GOING ON STAGE AND TAKING AWAY FROM HER MOMENT!…………….. BEYONCE’S VIDEO WAS THE BEST OF THIS DECADE!!!! I’M SORRY TO MY FANS IF I LET YOU GUYS DOWN!!!! I’M SORRY TO MY FRIENDS AT MTV. I WILL APOLOGIZE TO TAYLOR 2MRW. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!! EVERYBODY WANNA BOOOOO ME BUT I’M A FAN OF REAL POP CULTURE!!! NO DISRESPECT BUT WE WATCHIN’ THE SHOW AT THE CRIB RIGHT NOW CAUSE … WELL YOU KNOW!!!! I’M STILL HAPPY FOR TAYLOR!!!! BOOOYAAAWWWW!!!! YOU ARE VERY VERY TALENTED!!! I GAVE MY AWARDS TO OUTKAST WHEN THEY DESERVED IT OVER ME… THAT’S WHAT IT IS!!!!!!! I’M NOT CRAZY YALL, I’M JUST REAL. SORRY FOR THAT!!! I REALLY FEEL BAD FOR TAYLOR AND I’M SINCERELY SORRY!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!!"