Go B.I.G. Or Go Home.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: As I stand Raf Simons booted on the precipice of yet another glorious birthday I still find it hard to believe that it has indeed been 15 years since the world was robbed of the late, great Notorious B.I.G. Equally staggering is the landscape of Hip Hop 2012 - a musical map dotted with constant reminders that we may never fully recover from the combined loss of both Christopher Wallace and his complicated contemporary Tupac Shakur.

For fly individuals such as myself, an aerial view of today's Hip Hop field quickly reveals a cold-to-the-touch cultural climate bearing all the hypothetical effects of a Nuclear Winter scenario where our collective subjective theories of truth are severely clouded by mediocrity, promising talents are covered in cynical soot and ambitions wilt away in remote corporate created pigeon holes deprived of sunlight.

Yes, to quote Biggie, "Things Done Changed". However, bleak descriptions aside, I remain an eternal optimist, so amongst the wreckage of lonely non-wrecked microphones, I still see hope! When people insist that we "Think B.I.G." today, I agree ... we must ALL truly think big. Better it that we take the bitter lemons that we were given when the original "true player for real" passed and enjoy Hennessy® spiked lemonade in his Coogi-laced memory than to stubbornly succumb to sour-pussed artistic dehydration. Biggie's catalogue has survived the true death and is a living, breathing testament to his conceptual genius all these many years later. Appreciate it.

On this, the 15th the anniversary of his assassination, I invite Y.O.U. to do all that Y.O.U. can to keep this man's legacy alive and well. Never stop dreaming of new "Lear jets and coupes" the mesmerizing way that "Salt "Shoops" and how to sell records like Snoop" ... lol. Continue to look to his awesome body of work for inspiration and motivation ... I know that I still do. #RIPBIG Think B.I.G.

The Limited Edition Amongst Friends x Highsnobiety Field Boot = A Change For The Better.

Spotted Online Here: Highsnobiety.Com


Available Online Here: Sotostore.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Today I realized that I have been in somewhat of a fashion funk lately. As I scour the pages of magazines - online and off - I now find myself in a barren land virtually bereft of any refreshing inspiration. The sad winds of aesthetic lethargy born of a special kind of deluded arrogance howl throughout the night as my frigid hands ache to pop tags on some sincerely dope new gear. All is not lost, however, as there are still brief glimmers of hope that encourage me on my mission à la mode this particularly difficult fashion season. Case In Point: The Amongst Friends X Highsnobiety Field Boot.

Now, I fully understand that to the Timberland faithful (NOTE: As a Brooklynite a religious sect that I am a member of by birthright) to recognize another field boot borders on heresy, but I am here to tell Y.O.U. that such narrow mindedness is wrong AND completely out of step (NOTE: Yup! That's a pun there ... lol) with what it truly means to be "Heroin Chic".

The brain trust behind the online oracle of elevated street style @ Highsnobiety got down and dirty on the cross-branding collabo with Amongst Friends to gives us these premium suede and nylon upper sharp as shit shit kickers. Aaaaaand these bad boys are limited to a global run of only 70 pairs to boot (NOTE: Puns on puns on puns ... lol)! Who could front on that? I might have to snatch me up a pair of these for the holidays. Good shit!

The NYC Premier Of Young Jeezy's "A Hustlaz Ambition" Docu-Movie @ Sunshine Theater x After Party @ Beauty & Essex @ USDA2DAYTV.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Yup, "Young Jizzle With The Stamp In The Middle" knows how to bring the hood out in full force every muthafuckin' trip!

Now, of course your standard issue music industry movers and shakers paid loyal homage to Young Jeezy on the eve of the release of his oft pushed back "T.hug M.otivation 103" L.ong P.layer (NOTE: And now Y.O.U. know what L.P. stands for ... lol) and made the proper pilgrimage to NYC's Sunshine Theater for the premier of his Samuel L. Jackson narrated docu-movie, "A Hustlaz Ambition", followed by an after party @ the swanky lounge-as-gastropub Beauty & Essex, but seeing my brother-from-another-beautiful-mother PUSH! Montana and Wink Loc in attendance just took this event to another level! SMH. Is there anywhere on GOD's green earth that Brooklyn DON'T go? That's a rhetorical question my G. Yes, I am unabashedly partial to my niggas ... and there is absolutely nothing that Y.O.U. can do about it CHUMP! LOL. C.T.E. Wooooooooooooorld!

The New LACOSTE® L!VE Collection = This Is Livestyle ... Literally!

Visit LACOSTE® L!VE USA Online Here: Lacoste.Com/Live/USA

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: To be sure, in these economic times of peril, even well insulated legacy brands have seen their typically solid financials take a brutal beating in the current market. Indeed, only the highest of the highend makers of luxury goods have managed to ascend the turbulent crosswinds that rattle lesser labels. And they solely have the detestable arrogantly affluent 1% to thank (NOTE: Y.O.U. know, the stuffed shirt guys that everybody gathered down @ #OccupyX_____________________ (Insert name of any number of international well meaning, yet quickly unravelling amorphous Neuvo-Hippie makeshift protest tent cities here), because those guy's pockets are unfadable! LOL. The rest of us - companies and common man alike - are not so lucky.

In the world of contemporary fashion this truth has seen many storied brands - in an attempt to siphon sales off of the ever resilient youth market - pair their good names with some of today's leading cutting edge outfitters; the results running the gamut from awesome offerings showcasing the contrasting brilliance of old and new to contrived clusterfucks that reek of the stinky perfume that is desperation. Thankfully, the new LACOSTE® L!VE line represents the former. Officially launched just a couple of months back in September of this year, LACOSTE® L!VE is much more than a convenient collaboration. Nope! LACOSTE® has created a younger, more vibrant brand and, as such, has positioned it independently from the original flagship label - La Chemise Lacoste - which was founded by René Lacoste and André Gillier in France waaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1933.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I've gotta keep it a buck with yall: Up until today I had been kinda heavy handed on the "SNOOZE" button with this offshoot. Lacoste has had a curious history in the hood. Starting sometime during the mid 1980's, as young felonious fashionistas used aluminum foil lined shopping bags to foil clothing sensors in department stores on their way to cutting out a nice slice of the "American Pie" for themselves, pricey purveyors of the preppy aesthetic such as Ralph Lauren Polo, Fila, Benetton and LACOSTE® set the streets on fuckin' fire! Coming up in Flatbush, Brooklyn I even remember the Izod Posse. SMH. Yall don't feel me.

In any event, LACOSTE®'s star faded for a time, but made a strong resurgence around 2004 and has pretty much held steady ever since. That having been said, however, I can be an unapologetic fashion snob, so when I saw 1-too-many fake Nike ACG boots wearing derelicts getting crazy with the green "Crocodile" logo ... I had to chill. Nothing personal my nigga ... I just don't do the obvious.

Now though, with the introduction of this new highly imaginative collection of colorblock hoodies, bold long sleeve plaid shirts, large "Croc" graphic jackets (NOTE: Perfect for "flamming"), uniquely printed polos and more I have A LOT to look forward to! Y.O.U. already know the colorblock hoody with the large "L" and signature "Croc" is ALL mine hombre! LOL. Y.O.U. see it. This is Livestyle.

The Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Classic Chambray Workshirt = G-ssential.

Available Online Here: Ralphlauren.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: According to the official company press release, Ralph Lauren's newest line, Denim & Supply (NOTE: Launched 8/11/11), is inspired by "vintage" and "heritage" sensibilities. I dunno, to me this premier collection just looks like some real extra #OccupyWallStreet-during-the-week-and-#OccupySomeNondescriptHipsterDiveBarInWilliamsburgBrooklyn-on-the-weekend type shit ... lol. Whatever.

Over the years, I have made absolutely no attempt to ever disguise my partiality towards Ralph Lauren Polo and the brand as it has evolved from it's humble signature blue label "horsey" beginnings and, in fact, have gone out of my way to trumpet my pricey prejudice publicly on many occasions; this post shall be no different.

So, yeah, overall this line screams "pseudo-hippie", however, every dark cloud DOES have a silver lining ... or in this case a lining of the finest chambray. Yup, the Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Classic Chambray Workshirt is str8 up good bread and is right on time for Fall. Y.O.U. simply cannot lose with an essential piece like this in your casual constant go-to rotation my G. Ralph Lo and classic Americana for the win! K.eep I.t S.imple S.tupid.

Mike Tyson Provides Some Thoughtful Commentary On Sarah Palin x Her Interracial Sexcapades With Glen Rice.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: LOL!!!! Son said, "She met the womb shifter ..." Ha haaaaaaaaa! I'm out yo! Leave it to the man who in 1986 @ the age of 20 became the youngest boxer in history to unify ALL 3 heavyweight title belts - WBC, WBA and IBF - to now in 2011 revolutionize the slang game and unify the hood with the instant classic "womb shifter" ... lol. Hey, that's just #MIKEBEINGMIKE. Let's go Brooklyn!

The Junya Watanabe Jacquard Varsity Jacket For The Comme des Garcons MAN Fall/Winter 2011 Collection = Str8 Jacket Cray Cray!

"We could simply not resist posting up another great outerwear piece from the Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons MAN Fall/Winter 2011 Collection, next to the Duvetica collaboration, that we just presented.

Earlier this season the brand already released two varsity jackets in a more classic wool/leather combo. Now they combined the jacquard knit that they have been using heavily for their knitwear pieces and blazers Fall/Winter 2011, with the classic varsity jacket. The outcome is once again impressive and simply beautiful. These of course come in very limited numbers and are now available from END."

Information Courtesy Of: Highsnobiety.Com


Available Online Here: Endclothing.Co.UK

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: As I now walk these virtually snot-nose-child-free-until-3PM Brooklyn streets, Summer has clearly exited stage right post haste and given way to a crisp preemptive September chill in the air. Not that I'm complaining in the least bit though, this seasonal temperature dip only means that it's time for some fresh new fits - particularly of the outerwear extraction.

For men whom share my sartorial slant - a possibly unlikely yet, for me, completely logical marriage of conservative taste and liberal innovation - the Summer season doesn't give a real nigga much room to move with regard to clothing. Kicks and fitteds (NOTE: Or now, for many, snapbacks ... Ooooooooooo! LOL.) are the stars of the show. One can only wear but so many screenprinted t-shirts and cargo shorts - much of which will be forgotten come May of next year and replaced with more disposable shit. The same cannot be said for the colder months. No, the lionshare of the jackets and coats and jeans and knits that we purchase for these months will stand the test of time. Y.O.U. keep a dope Supreme "Supreme Team" Varsity Jacket (NOTE: Shameless "I actually own this" plug!) and Y.O.U. throw them Sunwear® v-neck white tees str8 in the trash with no remorse! Get it? Got it? Good. Now, onto more high flying matters.

Following in the brilliantly bold footsteps of his mentor Rei Kawakubo, Junya Watanabe continues his hot streak @ Comme des Garçons with this Jacquard Varsity Jacket for the Comme des Garcons MAN Fall/Winter 2011 Collection. Here the granny-gettin'-gully snowflake motif that C.D.G. has been flippin' for a few Winters now comes together in the form of a jacquard knit body - as opposed to the wool-blend body typical of most traditional varsity jackets - and butter soft Johnson's of San Francisco leather sleeves.

With more than a few unscrupulous Trendoids out there right now attempting to quench their blood lust for fads with Comme des Garcons, I L.O.V.E. the fact that this piece doesn't scream, "Hey! Look @ me in C.D.G.!" ... lol. It DOES scream, "Hey! Look @ me! I'm Heroin Chic!" though. And there aint nothing wrong with that Jack! This is Livestyle.

The Stussy x MAGIC STICK For SHOCK The VALUE – 5 Boroughs "The Choice Is Yours" T-Shirt Collection = 5 On The Black Top Side!

"SHOCK the VALUE is an online site that doubles as an online magazine and a web store from Tokyo and New York. It aims to bridge the gap between two cities and their recent addition to the web store is non other than Stussy. To commemorate the brand, both brands worked together alongside MAGIC STICK on special t-shirts dubbed the 5 Boroughs. The New York inspired graphics on the back of the t-shirt displays the five boroughs with a large Stussy logo in cursive writing on top and SHOCK the VALUE written in Shawn Stussy’s handwriting style. Three colorways will be available representing the three brands involved, White/Silver and Black/Silver for Stussy, White/Olive and Black/Olive for MAGIC STICK and White/Black and Black/White for SHOCK the VALUE. All of the items will be dropping this Saturday, July 23rd."

Information Courtesy Of: Freshnessmag.Com

Available Online (NOTE: Starting This Saturday) Here: Shockthevalue.Com


CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: I for one am incredibly proud to have come of age in a time when being a skateboarder in the inner-city was *GASP!* groundbreaking and, indeed, potentially an invitation for ridicule and perhaps even worse from certain unsavory and narrow minded fellow members of our urban citizenry.

Who was the "Splack" (NOTE: Yup, that's the super creative pejorative portmanteau that my childhood friends came up with for people like myself and my cousin Sydney (R.I.P.) whom shared both Black (In our case West Indian) and Latino parentage. Brilliant!) kid kick-pushing his way through "The Borough" down Bedford Avenue atop a Vision® brand Mark Gonzales deck in 1989!? Me, that's who! LOL. See, me and my niggas was doing this before the era of the homogenized homeboy made it acceptable to the masses. Nigga, we signed our own permission slips to take this trip. But, I digress.

Before I rail slide into yet another rant that only another Old New York alumnus could L.O.V.E., I'm going to bring my Independent™ trucks to a spark inciting grinding halt and get on with today's business: The surely über limited edition Stussy x MAGIC STICK for SHOCK the VALUE – 5 Boroughs "The Choice Is Yours" T-Shirt Collection for Summer 2011.

Admittedly, I have NEVER heard of either the MAGIC STICK (NOTE: A company name that I take no joy in typing, let alone actually saying in pleasant conversation) or Shock The Value labels. However, their smart collaboration with the legendary Shawn Stussy, the creator of the eponymous Stussy brand as well as the chief architect and author of the true and living streetwear bible, scores them some valuable points in my book.

The t-shirts are simple ... and I like that. The cursive "Stussy" prominently emblazoned across the back of the "5-Borough" t-shirt stands in eloquent contrast to Shawn Stussy's signature graffiti-meets-raggamuffin handstyle - used to write each of New York City's 5 boroughs by name and put up "Shock The Value" across the back as well - gives this piece perfect aesthetic balance. Clearly nobody reinvented the wheel with this release (NOTE: Dropping online this Saturday, July 23, 2011), but that's simply because they didn't have to. Nope, all they did was grease the bearings. Job well fuckin' done. Let's ride!


BONUS:

Vision® Brand Mark Gonzales Deck Circa 1988.


A Special Livestyle Message To The Uninitiated: Please accept the above picture as a little visual aid intended to eliminate any ambiguity regarding my reference to street skating pioneer Mark Gonzales as it appeared in the main body of this post. Feast your eyes on this masterpiece boys and girls. Now, THIS is a skateboard! Know the ledge.

Kamaal "Don't Call Me Q-Tip" The Abstract Brings Out Kanye West @ The 2011 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival!

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Woooooooooow! Will wonders never cease? On Saturday underneath a scorching hot New York City Summer sky Kamaal "Don't Call Me Q-Tip" The Abstract was joined on stage by the 1 and only Kanye West for a frenzied run through of a healthy handful of some of A. T.ribe C.alled Q.uests greatest hits (NOTE: And reportedly Yeezy got in some solo work as well) live @ The 2011 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival! Shock, awe and good tunes ensued. Big S/O to the homies Wes Jackson and Pamelina for successfully organizing and pulling off this massive event - even if there were few if any signs of any real indigenous Brooklyn up-and-comers there. Whatevs. Shit was still a good look for the culture. It is what it is.

Vevo GO Shows Presents: Fabolous - Yall Don't Hear Me Tho (Surprise Performance Live On The Brooklyn Bridge x In-Store @ Vinnie's Styles)(Fab's Cut)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Early last month Fabolous dropped a dope VEVO GO sponsored live performance on the Brooklyn Bridge video for his "S.O.U.L." mixtape hit "Yall Don't Hear Me Tho" sans everybody's favorite rappin' tax write off, Red Cafe.

Apparently feeling like a pure yellow pit stain for NOT previously granting the homie some invaluable camera time, "Sport-Lo" hit the editing room and this afternoon released this extended version of the original visual featuring Mr. "Shake-di-di-di-down" himself - with additional stock footage coming from a Vinnie's Styles in-store performance. Friends 'til the end. Good shit!

Helloooooo Ladies: The Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Tourbillon Haute Joaillerie Watch = That Park Avenue Ice Grill Chill.

"For half a million dollars you can get a lot of watches or this lovely new high jewelry watch from Swiss Girard-Perregaux. The Cat's Eye Tourbillon Haute Joaillerie timepiece has an 18k white gold case and is 32mm wide by 38mm tall in the typical Cat's Eye oval shape. It has a stunning amount of large diamonds all over it. According to Girard-Perregaux the watch required over 700 hours of work to create, containing over 20 carats of diamonds. The precious stones come in various cuts and are placed all over the case, crown, and dial.

Inside the watch is a Girard-Perregaux in-house made caliber GP09700-0006 manually wound tourbillon movement. The Tourbillon escapement is visible on the dial using a traditional GP style bridge. The movement has a power reserve of about three days. Attached to the strap is a gray satin strap with a white gold buckle... and more diamonds. Price for this very impressive haute joaillerie watch is $490,000."

Information Courtesy Of: Luxist.Com x Worldtempus.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Where I would typically bemoan such an over the top appropriation of diamonds as merely yet another vulgar display of nouveau riche naivete, I've had a change of heart today. Hey, what can I say? It's wild hot outside and people need their ice b ... lol. I can't front though, in the interest of full disclosure, it certainly doesn't hurt matters that the decadent piece in question is this Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Tourbillon Haute Joaillerie Watch. Yup, I'm partial to nice things and I don't care who knows it!

Anyway, this fancy feline represents the height of Haute Horlogerie sporting the signature oval shape silhouette characteristic of the "Cat's Eye" series set entirely in 287 dazzling baguette-cut diamonds. So deluged in diamonds is this watch in fact that - aside from the grey satin watch strap (NOTE: Which itself proudly bears a nimble white gold pin buckle closure set with 13 dancing baguette-cut diamonds totalling 0.56 ct) - the overflowing crowd of carats only parts ever so briefly to reveal the Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon movement with gold bridge, itself a symbol of the brand's storied watchmaking expertise.

Message To The Livestyle Ladies: Listen, anybody whose pockets are chunky enough to drop $490,000 on this ticker has EVERY right to spit shit like, *Cue Biggie Smalls Voice* "Niggas 'round the way call me "Igloo" ... stick who!?" early! I see Y.O.U. shorty. Stop playing.

In full accordance with the protocols of Livestyle it is my sworn province to indicate, clarify and ultimately elaborate upon any fuzzy references that might have escaped the casual observer. Honestly though, @ this point of the game I feel like I really shouldn't have to school ANYBODY reading this blog on Biggie lyrics, but one never knows, right? LOL.

So yeah, in any event, that "Igloo" line cited in the main body of this post was a direct quote from the late, great "N-O-T-O-R-I-O-U-S, you just lay down slow ..." as featured on the DJ Clark Kent Produced classic "Brooklyn's Finest" off of Jay-Z's brilliant debut album, "Reasonable Doubt". Holla @ ya boy in BK!

Pusha T x CyHi Da Prynce Talk G.O.O.D. Music Joining Def Jam On The Red Carpet Of Last Night's Heineken Red Star Access Event @ Thesource.Com.

My Little Wu-Tang Clan - Shame On A Nigga = HILARIOUS!

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: I'm not gonna lie to yall, I had a strong as Serena William's thighs suspicion that this video would reek of abandoned trash bag juice rising off the streets of Brownsville, Brooklyn on a hot Summer's day, but, alas, I was ALL the way wrong. Come on, this "Wu-Banger" features "Methodsky, Applekwon and Ol' Pinkie Bastard" ... lol. Stop playing. The audio/visual synch up on this clip is perfect! Shit is too funny my nigga. Good shit!

PREVIEW: The mastermind JAPAN x Timberland 6 Inch Construction Boots Collabo For Spring/Summer 2012 = Velveeta® Cheese For The Win!

"For Spring/Summer 2012 Timberland has collaborated with mastermind JAPAN on their iconic and classic 6 Inch boot. The brand keeps the wheat colored classic upper, yet adds other nice details, including a metal logo on the heel, as well as a special zip closure system. The boots will release Spring/Summer 2012 in very limited quantities."

Information Courtesy Of: Highsnobiety.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Long live "Cheese" Timbs! Yes, the mastermind JAPAN x Timberland 6 Inch Construction Boots collabo for Spring/Summer 2012 proves to be a brilliant blend of rugged American classicism meets Tokyo, Japan nouveau riche pricey Punk cool that has resulted in a surprisingly dope pair of boots that only furthers celebrated Timberland's hood legacy for the ages.

I mention "surprisingly" for the mere fact that although I welcome the creative combination of contrasting aesthetic principles, I can be rather restrained with regard to ALL matters of good taste (NOTE: Especially when it comes to revamping a beloved Brooklyn corner boy staple such as the Timberland boot). Indeed, my consistently demanding standards dangle ever so perilously like the Sword of Damocles (NOTE: Google it!) above my crisp Mitchell & Ness snapback cap as a constant reminder of my responsibility to ALWAYS keep it fly. Fuck it! I've gotta do me.

In any event, the O.G. Timberland 6 Inch "Constructs" have been enjoying a late innings comeback in recent years that has seen this legendary symbol of American workwear reworked by some of contemporary streetwear's finest labels.

This latest surely über limited edition incarnation sees the standard wheat colored nubuck Timbs get the luxe laceup treatment courtesy of front zipper closures, twisted "medium brown" laces, "mastermind JAPAN" logos across the heel, "mastermind JAPAN" and "Timberland" each stamped on 1 of the pairs tongues and, the pièce de résistance, a silver pin relief of the signature mastermind "Jolly Roger" emblem affixed to the lower side portion of each boot replacing Timberland's iconic "Tree" logo. Me likey.

See, in 2011 every homebound newbie with a Niketalk log-in goes all kind of Hypebeast whenever some not-so-special-anymore-thanks-to-greedy-shortsighted-oversaturation pair of "special" edition Air Jordans and Foamposites drops but, on the real, niggas don't know about exclusive Timbs like that my nigga ... and it is precisely THAT lack of expert understanding that makes copping a pair of these ALL the more worthwhile! LOL. Spend that bank and walk the plank!

Movie Trailer: The Killer Elite (Starring: Robert DeNiro, Clive Owens x Jason Statham)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Truuuuue, my man Bobby D is looking type elderly to be believable in the role of a rough-n-tumble assassin in 2011, but ... I still might go see this shit in the theaters. Oh, who am I kidding!? "The Killer Elite" looks like yet another fun if uninspired film destined for that straight-to-DVD good "$5 holla" from my favorite Blackbuster Video (NOTE: Patent pending) bootleg movie spot ... lol. S/O to my muthafuckin' man Omar on Fulton Street and Dekalb Avenue in the Borough for holding me down all these years! Good shit!

A History Of Violence: The Unauthorized Story Of Haitian Jack (2009) x A Special Livestyle Commentary On The "G-Code" As Religion.

(L to R: Tupac Shakur and Jacques "Haitian Jack" Agnant.)

(L to R: Jacques "Haitian Jack" Agnant, Tupac Shakur and friend.)

"INTRO BY BLACK PACINO

TREATMENT WRITTEN BY DETECTIVE WILLIAM COURTNEY

A can of worms was opened last week when prison inmate Dexter Issac, an associate of hip-hop mogul/gangster James “Jimmy Henchmen” Rosemon, claimed he was paid by Henchmen to rob Tupac at Quad Studios in 1994.

There is currently a nationwide manhunt for Jimmy Henchmen, who is wanted by the Feds for everything from cocaine distribution to murder. Of course, Mr. Henchmen denies these charges.

With the skeletons of the 90′s resurfacing, now is an ideal time to revisit the story of another shadowy figure and Henchmen associate involved in the Tupac case: Haitian Jack. For the uninformed, Brooklyn’s own Haitian Jack (pictured above with Tupac) is one of the most feared gangsters ever to walk the streets. He basically strong-armed his way into the inner circles of both Biggie and Pac.

A detective by the name of William Courtney, who had intimate knowledge of Haitian Jack through his investigation, wrote a movie treatment about the infamous urban legend. This treatment has been online for a while now but last night I read it for the first time and it totally blew my mind. Not only is it a gripping story that held my interest from start to finish, it also intertwines many famous names and groundbreaking incidents.

Seems it was only available via PDF file with excerpts scattered throughout the internet. But below the jump, you will find this document posted in its entirety.

Shit is deep, yo…


Treatment for HAITIAN JACK

A story based on the real life exploits of the music industry’s most notorious gangster and the members of law enforcement who controlled him.

William Courtney Title and Concept Registered WGAW and Library of Congress Copyright Office May 23, 2009

“Listen while I take you back (NIGGA SAY HIS NAME!) and lace this rap A real live tale about a snitch named Haitian Jack Knew he was working for the feds, same crime, different trials Nigga, picture what he said, and did I mention Promised a payback, Jimmy Henchman, in due time I know you bitch niggas is listenin, The World Is Mine…”

‘Against All Odds’ -Tupac Shakur

Haitian Jack was the most feared man in the music industry. Jack, AKA Jacques Agnant, was born in Haiti to a family of privileged politicians. They were highly educated professionals. His older siblings attended medical schools and universities in the United States. His family attended parties at ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier’s mansion. After the coup, his family fled to Brooklyn, New York with limited funds and connections. Jack, speaking only French, was placed in a tough, local public school and forced to fight on a daily basis. He became one of the toughest street thugs in the history of Brooklyn, New York.

Jack began committing burglaries during his teen years. He specialized in drug dealers’ apartments. Jack formed a gang known as the Black Mafia. He recruited the toughest street robbers in the borough. His posse consisted of thugs such as, Tut, Nubs, Stretch, and other sociopaths, all looking to cash in on the drug economy. His crew was so feared; they could walk down the lines of New York’s hottest night clubs and take every drug dealer’s Rolex and wallet without as much as a peep. Jack began befriending such people as Mike Tyson and some local professional ball players. He used his charm to get into their pockets and when that failed, he produced a firearm. He invented the ‘friendly’ extortion game in the Black community. He is said to be the only man Mike Tyson ever feared.

In the early 1990′s, rap music could be heard on every comer of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn -a neighborhood so bad, the local residents coined the saying ‘Bed-Stuy Do or Die.’ Jack went out of his way to get to know Biggie Smalls, a young, local rap artist with a lot of promise. Tupac Shakur heard about Biggie, travelled to Brooklyn, and the two began to perform together. Tupac put Biggie on the map. Biggie introduced Jack to Tupac, a day that would forever seal Mr. Shakur’s fate. Jack felt that rap artists should pay homage to him; after all, he lived the life they exploited through song.

Jack and Tupac hit it off. Tupac loved Jack’s street creds and the feeling of power this mobster exuded through his swagger and earned reputation. He wanted what Jack had almost more than fame and fortune. Jack provided protection, women, and marijuana. Tupac picked up the tab at all the hot clubs. Jack was unofficially managing Tupac; the two were inseparable. The duo found themselves partying at clubs such as Nell’s with the likes of Madonna and other hot stars. Jack felt that his ride with Tupac would never end.

Jack whispered in a girl’s ear one evening at Nell’s. She smiled and walked over to Tupac. The two danced and later returned to his hotel suite. The following day she returned. Tupac took her to his room; they began having sex when Jack’s crew entered the room. The young woman became the victim of date rape. She left in tears. The police later arrived and arrested Jack and Tupac. The two hired the best attorneys and planned strategy for their defense. Jack’s attorney, Paul Brenner, decided to sever Jack’s case from Shakur’s. He got Jack a six-month plea deal. The Manhattan D.A.’s office wasn’t so kind to Tupac. He went to trial, was found guilty, and was due back in court for sentencing at a later date.

Tupac felt betrayed by Jack. He thought they should have gone to trial together. He knew Jack could handle prison; he wasn’t so sure about himself. Tupac stopped taking calls from Jack and his crew. Tupac began clubbing again. He returned to Nell’s and made a fatal mistake: he commented on Jack’s criminal dealings to New York Post reporter AJ. Benza. After making Page Six the following day, Jack plotted his revenge.

Puff Daddy feared Jack so much, he once handed him ten grand and his Rolex. Jacks’ crew coaxed Shakur to Quad Studios in Manhattan to lay down some tracks with Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy roster. Tupac entered the lobby with one of Jack’s crew, a kid named Stretch Walker. Jack’s boys confronted Tupac in the lobby. He resisted a beat down and was shot several times, suffering gunshot wounds to the head and groin. Stretch was shot in the melee as well. Shakur felt that Puffy and Biggie had set him up. He was sentenced to prison a few weeks later. Jack’s muscle within the prison system relentlessly sought Shakur out. One day, Tupac received a visit from Los Angeles gangster and owner of Death Row Records, Marion ‘Suge’ Knight. Suge convinced Tupac to sign with his label. The east coast-west coast wars were set in motion.

Years of violence between Bad Boy and Death Row left Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur dead. Knight’s organization had been crippled by numerous police investigations. Jack reinvented himself through The Fugees; Wyclef Jeans’ pockets were deep and Jack had both hands in them. Wyclef didn’t mind so much. Jack was a fellow Haitian and he kept all the extortion crews far away. After touring with the Fugees, Jack fell in love with Beverly Hills. He started his own management company and attached himself to artists’ publishing rights by way of fear and the gun. He broke ranks and had amassed a small fortune. Jack wasn’t happy though; he wanted more.

In 1997, Tupac was killed in Vegas and Biggie was later murdered in Los Angeles. Haitian Jack broke ranks from his crew. Nubs was murdered, and Tut went away on a Rico. The rest were bottom feeders unable to drive through the Hills without attracting attention. Jack was solo. Haitian knew he could have problems with L.A. gang members, so he established a geographical zone to stay in. He never ventured farther north of Sunset, south of Pico, east of Fairfax, orwestofthe405. It kept him away from gang bangers and the police. Jack was getting rich, but he was also getting bored.

Detective Bill Courtney was an undercover detective in the NYPD’s elite Intelligence Division. He was given his own unit and tasked with an impossible mission: taking the mob out of the music industry. Bill knew Jack’s rep from back in his Robbery Squad days. He had heard about Jack again while assigned to the DEA. Jack had robbed half the drug dealers in New York. Wire taps were abuzz about being done by the ‘Haitian One’, but no one knew where he had gone. His name was legendary, as the killer of Tupac. A little homework revealed that Jack had never earned his citizenship. As a predicate felon, Jack was deportable. Bill felt that if he found Jack, he could make him an offer he couldn’t refuse: join Team America or go back to Haiti.

One of the last times Bill heard about Jack was on the ‘Kendu’ case. Bill’s wiretap took down East New York’s biggest drug dealer, Darryl “Kendu’ Riley. A cooperator told an interesting story about Jack back when Tut was still on the streets. Jack and Tut once kicked in the door of Kendu’s top lieutenant, a gunslinger named T.T. They stole hi8 stash and threatened to kill his girlfriend if she called the police. His girlfriend Crystal foolishly called 911 as T.T. was rushing home to her aid. He beat the cops to the apartment. When the police entered, they found one of his AK-47′s under a bed. He was the victim of a robbery and now he was going to prison. Jacks’ crew later raped Crystal to keep her from testifying. T.T. wouldn’t cooperate, but a source of information on the case promised to deliver Jack."


(L to R: Darryl "Kendu" Riley, Domencio "Montana" Benson (R.I.P.) and Ra'son @ The Omni Hotel, NYC Circa 1990.)

Read The Entire Treatment Here: Spizzyblog.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Religion is a curious apparatus. Performing purely as a social construct religion can be easy to criticize. For centuries man has deliberately used the name and power of GOD to assign divine command to human - and by that definition imperfect - judgement in the most harmful of ways. So, yeah, I get your beef ... lol. However, removing the infinite wisdom and authority of GOD from the equation, we are then simply left with a cultural system of beliefs, codes and symbols that are shared by any particular community ... yup, that's all we have.

Now, given that understanding, applied to today's generally accepted corner boy ethos, the exalted "G-Code" dogma acts as a serious and greatly revered religion of sorts on its own for millions of people whom embrace "The Life". Indeed, urban mythology is no different from mainstream religion in that street lore has also taken on measures of idolatry where historical hood figures over the years have transmorphed into super human (NOTE: In this case) anti-hereos as their individual stories are filtered through the grapevine of time. It is within the halls of this gangster cathedral and beneath sky-high vaulted ceilings that these laudably lawless names exist. With special regard to the unauthorized story of one Haitian Jack as featured in the main body of this post, the nom de plumes of goons from years past now ring bells from broken doored N.ew Y.ork C.ity H.ousing A.uthority project building corridors to the packed general population prison yards of Upstate New York's most feared penitentiaries.

For myself - and I would imagine many whom share this mighty metropolis with me; especially those hailing from Brooklyn - the subjects mentioned here are NOT merely some vague inaccessible names. No, for many of us they are real live human beings whom we either have heard numerous stories about or, perhaps, have even personally encountered. I represent the latter. Don't compare me to these other bloggers. Church!

Growing up with 1 foot on the block and 1 foot in the music industry, I have come to know a lot of the people intimately tethered to these tawdry street tales. Some I even consider family. So, it is with that great respect that I publish this post sans any extra commentary. I'll let the snitches hang themselves. As my nigga Little Shawn said to me via Twitter some 3 weeks ago, "Once old stories get told, new niggas fold". Say no more. Shit is too real. This is Livestyle.

Vevo GO Shows Presents: Fabolous - Yall Don't Hear Me Tho (Surprise Performance Live On The Brooklyn Bridge)

The Nike Air Max 90's (Wolf Grey/Blue) For Summer 2011 = A Good Look For All My 90's Crimeys!

"Take a look at the latest Air Max 90 set to release. No, this pair doesn’t feature Hyperfuse as some of the previous editions that we’ve reviewed had. Instead, these have a rather normal construction of mesh and leather. White, blue, and grey take the realms of the colorway, providing a nice blend for the overall look of the shoe. Nike Sportswear locations are expected to stock up on these in July so check for them there or Crooked Tongues."

Information Courtesy Of: Sneakerwatch.Com


Available Online (Starting In July) Here: Crookedtongues.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: As high minded and far reaching as my many interests are, deep down I'm really just a Brooklyn boy @ heart whom truly does appreciate the simple pleasures that life has to offer. The finer things don't necessarily have to be astronomically priced designer things. Case In Point: These Nike Air Max 90's (Wolf Grey/Blue) for Summer 2011.

Honestly, there's nothing new here (NOTE: Besides the colorway which is a dead ringer for the O.G. Brooklyn Dodgers jersey flag), however, as with many retros, it is precisely that understated nostalgiac familiarity which makes a Fulton Street/Albee Square Mall (R.I.P.) veteran such as myself reveal a brilliant Colgate® brushed slum gold FRONTS (NOTE: "Grills" baby? Word? I thought we cleared this up years ago. SMH. Y.O.U. must be fresh off the farm ma.) smile whenever I see kicks like these. Yup, I like walks in the park, quiet dinners, great conversation AND classic sneakers ... lol. This is Livestyle.

Rick Ross x Pill Perform Live @ The 2011 BMI Music Awards x Behind The Scenes: Wale Ft. Rick Ross x Jadakiss "600 Benz" On Location In Brooklyn, NY.

Uno.



Dos.

Respect The Architects: Random Acts Of Flyness: What Y.O.U. Know About A Very Young Hov, Truck Gold Jewelry x A Pair Of Air Jordan 4's? Nothing.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Say what Y.O.U. will about this man's rise to prominence in the rap game and his entirely questionable business relationships with former friends - partners and employees alike. It is your inalienable birthright to apply subjective reasoning wherever Y.O.U. see fit. However, what is NOT up for debate is whether or not one Shawn Corey Carter went from "corner boy" to corner office. Indeed he did. To that end, I would like to invite Y.O.U. to direct your attention to this vintage Polaroid© of a young Young Hov.

While on the set of Jaz-O's "Hawaiian Sophie", in 1-of-3 requisite "hood" snapshot poses (NOTE: The other 2 acceptable choices being standing with both arms folded and/or arms open pointing @ the camera. The curling of one's index finger towards the palm to fashion a gun came some time later ... lol.) Jay-Z shows off an impressive array of "slum gold" jewelry, what appears to be an O.G. O.cean P.acific® signature Hawaiian shirt (NOTE: Don't let Tupac's scathing remarks @ the end of "Hit 'Em Up" fool Y.O.U. ... Hawaiian shirts were the shit! Chill.) and the pièce de résistance, a crispy pair of original Air Jordan 4's.

Hey, I aint saying that Jay-Z was on the level of a Darryl "Kendu" Riley (E.ast N.ew Y.ork, Brooklyn) or a Puerto Rican Supreme (Fort Greene, Brooklyn), but If that aint a certified dope boy get up from the late 1980's I don't know what is ... lol. Respect the architects!