Steve Stoute Interviews Lady Gaga x Talk Kanye West, Jay-Z x How Hip Hop Culture Has Influenced Her Career @ AOL.Com ("The Tanning Effect")(Pts. 1 x 2)

The Official Livestyle MTV 2011 VMA's Recap AKA This Is The 3rd Annual This Is The G-Cap/This Is The G-Mix!

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, JAY Z and Kanye West

Uno.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Chris Brown

Dos.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Nicki Minaj

Tres.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All

Quatro.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Lil Wayne

Cinco.



BONUS: Beyonce's Womb = The REAL Watch The Throne.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: I will be the 1st to admit that my once prodigious publishing output has slowed to a crawl for much of this Summer. I could easily point to the fact that where other bloggers often post some greasy talking-from-the-comfort-of-an-internet-cafe misinformed barbs, I actually do extensive research in my continued effort to provide the loyal Livestyle community with the unique brand of intelligent commentary that Y.O.U. have come to cherish over the years. To be sure, my "quality over quantity" approach to blogging is beyond repute, however, to reflexively rely on such an excuse without acknowledging my own shortcomings would be tantamount to "copping a plea", and I'm just not comfortable with doing shit like that homie. Y.O.U. and I both deserve better.

To that end, whilst the 2011 MTV V.ideo M.usic A.wards did take place nearly 2 long days ago, it would be most negligent of me to not weigh in on the annual collective celebrity self aggrandizing party that is this show with some of my signature editorialization. My general animus towards ALL award shows aside, it is my sworn duty to provide Y.O.U. with a brief rundown of all the pop-culture news that is fit to type ... lol.

Anyway, broadcasting live from the West Coast for the 3rd consecutive year (NOTE: An incredibly fortuitous feat of scheduling as this weekend was ALL about Hurricane-turned-limping-tropical-storm-Irene for those of us along the East Coast), the 2011 VMA's was as star-studded an event as any. Now, honestly, I did NOT watch the entire show. No, instead this entry has been cobbled together from a handful of Google searches in preparation for this post and the few performances that I did see when flipping back-and-forth from NFL Sunday Night Football. Don't hate.

Soooooooooooo, what did I learn this year boys and girls? Well, 1) Beyonce is pregnant by Jay-Z. This factoid came to my attention courtesy of my stompingly excited Facebook status newly informed girlfriend. Big whoops! I mean, I'm happy for them, but I don't care like that my nigga. 2) Lady Gaga might be well on her outrageous way to becoming as great a thespian as she is a singer. Her spirited rendition of stereotypical working class New York City every-man "Jo Calderone" made me laugh ... a little. 3) Britney Spears is back. Justin Beiber can't be stopped. And Nicki Minaj is styled by the drug LSD. Oh yeah, proud poppa to be Jay-Z and Kanye West performed "Otis" like 2 kids in a candy store and Lil Wayne closed out the show with "How To Love" and "John".

At the end of the day, as always, some people lost and some people won. A good time was had by all. Holla @ ya boy in BK!

The Golden Rule: 2 Guys, 1 Chick x "Helicopter Dick" = Not Gay! (An SNL Digital Short)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Sooooooooooooo, yeah, it actually IS still pretty gay even if it does occur within the cloudy context of a M.ale M.ale F.emale 3-way, but, funny is funny. Andy Sandberg, Justin Timberlake AND Lady Gaga in 1 awesome SNL Digital Short!? Yup! Good shit!

Lady Gaga - Born This Way (Official Music Video)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: The visual for Lady Gaga's chart topper of pandemic proportions, "Born This Way", is a mini-movie ... a very weird mini-movie. Ummmmmmm, I don't quite know what to make of this, but I think it's good ... lol.

Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson For Supreme = Worn This Way!

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Last Summer, under the art direction of Matthew "Dada" Williams, the undisputed pasha of the Polaroid©, photographer Terry Richardson captured these flicks of Lady Gaga for streetwear magnate Supreme for Vogue Homme Japan. The photos just leaked. Really? Who knew? Go Fame Monster go!

The Official Livestyle MTV 2010 VMA's Recap AKA This Is The 2nd Annual This Is The G-Cap/This Is The G-Mix!

Uno.



Dos.



Tres.



Quatro.



Cinco.



Seis.

Streaming Audio/Download Link: Kanye West Ft. Pusha T - Runaway (MTV VMA's 2010 Live Performance)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: As a man famously unconcerned with celebrity circle-jerk award shows, it is 1 of life's great ironies that I would delve into a profession such as blogging that relies so heavily on covering all the pop culture shenanigans that are fit to type. I mean, it's not that I hate award ceremonies per se, it's just that I can watch them on loop again-and-again for like the next month.

Alas, the internet waits for no man when it comes to the consumption of fresh news though, so my ambivalence must take a back seat to my duties as the beloved creator and chief curator of Livestyle. Yes, in this rare instance, your needs come well before my own ... lol. See how much I L.O.V.E. Y.O.U.?

Anyway, bouncing back to the Left Coast for 2010, this years MTV V.ideo M.usic A.wards was held live @ L.A.'s Nokia Theater and hosted by tired slut turned tired comedian (?) the E-Channel's painfully NOT funny Chelsea Handler.

Poor hosting choice aside, I did learn a few things from this year's award show: 1) Lil Bow Ma was apparently issued a "cease and desist" order by entertainment and banished to H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks and 2) Without her or Kanye West's Hennessey and Amber Rose fueled outbursts, this show was kind of boring. More on Mr. West, Mr. West later.

Last night belonged to Lady Gaga - a woman whom I admittedly once thought was all media hype but, whose talents I can no longer deny. Underneath her butcher shop cold cut draped ball gown lies a woman that can blow! Akon's meal ticket did the damn thing and took home 8 ... count 'em 8 awards! Nice. Young "Leaver It To Beiber" won "Best New Artist" and Beyonce won "Best Collaboration" for her "Telephone" (NOTE: Not to be confused with "Videophone") joint with Queen Gaga.

Some White people that I don't care about also performed and Taylor Swift continued to milk her "I'm-a-helpless-little-White-girl-that-was-accosted-by-some-evil-Black-rapper-man" victim hood bullshit from last year's run-in with Kanye West and sang a brand new off-key song all about it. Whatevs.

Drake, alongside a fake piano playing Swizz Beatz and Mary J. Blige, hit the stage and did his mildly retarded face meets crazy "My right hand has a mind of it's own" typical show set too. Oh yeah, Sofia Vergara is a true M.I.L.F. vision of beauty to behold with a voice to put on mute.

Ummmmmm, what else? Fuck it! A lot of other shit happened but, the highlight of the night for me was Kanye West's show stopping performance, (NOTE: I mean literally ... he was the last act ... lol) a world premiere of his "toast for the douche bags" national anthem "Runaway".

Dressed in a red suit ala Richard Pryor Live On The Sunset Strip and drenched in wild old man Puerto Rican chains on, the homie from the Chi went for his with an MPC 2000 live on stage and launched into 1 of the best songs that I've heard thus far off his upcoming album. Son even spread some of that G.O.O.D. Music L.O.V.E. and shared the spotlight with his newest and most yapped about signee, Pusha "Check out my pink pussy blazer" T of The Clipse! Now, THAT'S how Y.O.U. set your artist up my nigga.

At the end of the day, as always, some people lost and some people won. A good time was had by all. Holla @ ya boy in BK!

Respect The Architects: R.I.P. Alexander McQueen.

"The British fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been found dead at the age of 40 in his London home.

His body was discovered at the property in Green Street, central London, shortly after 10am today. Paramedics were called but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A postmortem has been scheduled but police said his death was not being treated as suspicious. They would not comment on reports he had killed himself.

A spokeswoman for McQueen said: "Mr McQueen was found dead this morning at his home. We're devastated and I hope you understand that out of respect to his family and his colleagues we're not going to be making any further statement."

The death comes days before the start of London fashion week and a month before the designer was to unveil his new collection at Paris fashion week.

His family asked for privacy to come to terms with the death of McQueen, whose first name was Lee.

His company, Alexander McQueen, issued a statement saying: "On behalf of Lee McQueen's family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand, has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee's family."

"Lee's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this."

Tributes quickly poured in after news of McQueen's sudden death.

Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue, said McQueen had influenced a whole generation of designers. "His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs," she said. "At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern-day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."

The designer Katherine Hamnett said: "He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste."

Dame Vivienne Westwood said she was "incredibly sorry" to hear the news.

Matthew Williamson said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by McQueen's death. He was a genius and his talent was second to none. Like many others I always cited him as a hugely inspirational leader of world fashion. He will be greatly missed."

A spokesman for the model Kate Moss said: "Kate is shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen. Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Read The Full Article Here: GuardianUK.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: As the preferred online destination of both urban and urbane tastemakers in the "know", @ it's best, I endeavor to make Livestyle a force of culture that is a worthwhile information hub for all whom visit this site. As my brother Niketown would say, I like to mix the "medicine" in with the "food" and along with your standard music video fair, regularly provide Y.O.U. with a comprehensive world view not found on any other Hip Hop blog - sure, other bloggers regurgitate fashion trends, but none are as dope boy fresh "Heroin Chic" and street as me. That being the case, when my Twitter timeline lit up this morning with news of the death of the "master of the fantastic", the genius Alexander McQueen, although I rarely, if ever, lead with death notices, I knew that I had to open with this story.

Reports abound that his untimely death @ the young age of 40 was indeed a suicide, however, I can neither confirm nor deny such assumptions, nor would I care to. No, I would much rather focus on his accomplishments and his great importance to the world of high end fashion as a champion of fearless innovation. Aside from the homie Curt@!n$ (and possibly a handful of other aesthetically astute rappers), the name "Alexander McQueen" never did receive the nouveau riche name droppery necessary for most casual fans to notice him (NOTE: I mean, he DID recently do a crazy collabo with Puma for an über exclusive sneaker collection, but ... how many people really know that? LOL.). Nevertheless, for those of us that pride ourselves on our MENSA-like high Fly.Q's, the name "Alexander McQueen" rings more bells than a blind pizza delivery man stuck in an apartment complex lobby.

Born March 16, 1969 in the town of Lewisham, London, this fellow Piscean left school @ the tender age of 16 to work apprenticeships @ prestigious Savile Row tailors Anderson and Shephard, and then @ the neighboring firm of Gieves and Hawkes. As his star rose, he came into his own and, in 10 short years, became chief designer @ the celebrated French fashion house Givenchy in 1996 where he stayed, reinvigorating the label until 2001. Not to be outdone, Mr. McQueen pulled double duty also running his own flourishing eponymous empire. Chances are that Y.O.U. are more familiar with this man's contributions to fashion than even Y.O.U. might ever imagine. He introduced the rebellious "skull" motif AND "plumber butt" low-rise jeans looks to the world of ready-to-wear that, no thanks to "biters" have become painfully ubiquitous, but where originally cutting edge offerings from this brilliant artist who won British Fashion Designer Of The Year award a staggering 4 times. Additionally, his seasonal haute-couture shows were dramatic theatrical displays of extreme silhouettes and meticulous tailoring all vividly brought to life on celebrity and socialite lined catwalks across the globe. Yup, Madonna, Bjork, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and fashion editors all agree: Alexander McQueen was crazy nice with his son!

Sadly, Alexander McQueen's mother died only weeks ago and, so, my sincerest thoughts and prayers especially go out to the entire McQueen family as they now must face double the loss. Recognize and realize this man's incomparable talent (NOTE: And watch prices for his collections skyrocket on eBay). R.I.P. Lee Alexander McQueen.

The Official LiveStyle Recap Of The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards (The "Where Is The 'Chase' x How Do I Cut To It?" Edition)

Uno.



Dos.



Tres.

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

Quatro.



Cinco.


A List Of Grammy Awards Results That Might Concern Y.O.U.:

"Best Rap Solo: Jay-Z – D.O.A.
Best Rap Performance By Duo: Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent – Crack A Bottle
Best Rap Song: Jay-Z ft. Rihanna & Kanye West – Run This Town
Best Rap Album: Eminem – Relapse (beat Common, Flo-Rida, Mos Def & Q-Tip)

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: Beyonce- Single Ladies
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: Maxwell – Pretty Wings
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: Jamie Foxx & T-Pain – Blame It
Best R&B Song: Beyonce – Single Ladies
Best R&B Album: Maxwell – Blacksummer’s Night
Album Of The Year: Taylor Swift - Fearless"

Information Courtesy Of: Realtalkny.Net

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: FACT: I am not a huge fan of awards shows. I simply don't care about them. Admittedly, though, the more ghetto the worse (Yes! I'm talking to Y.O.U. BET and OZONE Magazine ... lol). Nevertheless, I am bound by Blogger pop-culture social contract to provide my prized readers a standard, if not completely comprehensive, recap (READ: G-cap) of last nights 52nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.

I'll leave the red carpet breakdown to the 'E' Channel and the rest of the self-absorbed celebrity coverage to some other website. Y.O.U. know the drill: A galaxy of stars converged on The Staples Center in LA. People won. People lost. A good time was had by all. Holla @ ya boy in BK!

Beyonce Ft. Lady Gaga - Video Phone (Extended Remix)(Official Video)

The "Yoko Ono" P'8479 Sunglasses By Porsche Design = Wrapper's Delight!

"Back in her heyday, Yoko Ono was almost never seen without her shades on. And these were them: The original sunglasses from Porsche Design. She wore them on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, she wore them at press conferences, she wore them during recording sessions and when she was on vacation. She's still wearing them, even though they haven't been made in years. But now the German automaker's product design studio is bringing them back as the P'8479, complete with visible gold-tone screws and Beta-Titanium frame. Make no mistake about it, the 80s are back."

Information Courtesy Of: Luxist.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Loyal long time Livestyle readers are quite familiar with the complete and utter disdain that I have for retrosexuals and their shallow and unimaginative co-option of 1980's pop-culture. To be sure, I have never issued a formal demurral to 80's culture - that decade was fucking awesome - no, my righteous indignation is reserved for the gimmicky consumption and Day-Glo® colored regurgitation of bygone trends. I mean, from looking @ these Trendoids an outsider might be lead to believe that these acid washed "me-and-my-girlfriend-share-the-same-clothes" Sisterhood of the Traveling Skin Tight Pants types are cool, when, clearly, they are actually sad soulless voids bereft of any meaningful creativity. Ehhhhhhh, I could ride on these lames for days, but, alas, I have more important business to attend to.

If forced to say 1 good thing about Hipsters I would concede that their limited knowledge of the past means that they pillage so liberally often leaves some great old school gems relatively unscathed ... they simply don't know enough to ruin everything. This holds true for luxury brands such as MCM and vintage Iceberg (NOTE: Pre the whole watered down "History" label. My collection is already heavy homie. What Y.O.U. know about the immaculately detailed 1992 The Lady & The Tramp Drive-In-Movie knit? Yeah, nothing ... lol.) and, now, I believe this will ultimately be the case with the iconic "Yoko Ono" P'8479 Sunglasses By Porsche Design.

Founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche - designer of the legendary Porsche 911 model and grandson of Porsche Motors founder Dr. Ing Ferdinand Porsche - the Porsche Design Studios and their racing inspired, technologically advanced creations quickly became synonymous with top tier style. Sure, they released a string of collections encompassing everything from pens to watches, but, their most popular pieces were their "Lady-Gaga-Before-Lady-Gaga" meets Magnum P.I. sunnies (NOTE: Original models regularly go off on eBay for hundreds of dollars). Yes, the L.O.V.E. of the late, great John Lennon's life was never seen without her signature shades! Hey, did I mention that Kool Moe Dee rocked a pair too? Wild Wild West!

Anyway, the reintroduction of the "Yoko Ono" P'8479 Porsche Design Sunglasses are a rare welcome addition to the already flooded vintage market. I'ma say this though, the minute that I see more than 3 people in 1 work week wearing these sunnies it will be a wrap for these wrap around shades homie! True story.

Kanye West x Lady Gaga "Fame Kills" Tour Promo.

Fame Kills from kwest on Vimeo.

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

Uno.

Kanye West Vs Taylor Swift from Joycelynn Okezie on Vimeo.

Dos.



Tres.



Quatro.



Cinco.



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!!!!!"

Wale Ft. Lady Gaga - Chillin' (Official Full Length Video)

Wale featuring Lady Gaga - Chillin from UniversalMusicGroup on Vimeo.

Wale Ft. Lady Gaga - Chillin' (Video Preview Teaser)