Respect The Architects: #NP: Public Enemy - Can't Truss It (Official Music Video)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: "One love who said it? I know Whodini sang it, but the hater taught hate, that's why we gang bangin'. Beware of the hand when it's comin' from the left ... I ain't trippin' just watch your step ..." Indeed, what Chuck D lacked in elaborate, nimble-tongued lyricism he MORE than made up for in sheer substantive impact. Never get caught sleeping on the job brothers and sisters. Happy Black History Month ... over and out.

Live From Australia: Tony Hawk Interviews Odd Future During The "Big Day Out" Tour @ Tony Hawk's Dissent TV.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER: Hey, everybody knows that Odd Future et. al. is all "Kool And The Gang" with me, but they should be the 2nd reason that ANYBODY watches this video. No, please be crystal fucking clear that the REAL story here is that Tony Hawk spared precious minutes of his life to even interview these amateur anarchists/hobby sk8rs at all.

If Y.O.U. only know Tony Hawk from his numerous endorsements and his hugely successful video game franchise, but know nothing of his historic tenure with Powell-Peralta® as general of the Bones Brigade and why he is unequivocally the Michael Jordan of skateboarding, Y.O.U. are truly, truly a highly pitiable lost young soul.  SMH. In the profound words of one Rick Ross: "It's deeper than rap". Respect the architects.

Respect The Architects: #NP: Ghostface Killah Ft. Cappadonna x Shallah Raekwon The Chef - Fish

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: What can I say? I've been on my seafood omega-3 fatty acid wave real heavy lately my nig. Louisiana Seafood Salad for the win! "We eat fish ..." Good shit!

Respect The Architects: Random Acts Of Flyness: JA ONE XTC x DUEL RIS: MTA Subway Tunnel "Throwies" (18th Street Station NYC) Circa 1997.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Niiiiiiice!

Respect The Architects: "'Cause That's What Summertime's All About!"

Doug e fresh & the get fresh crew - summertime by dougpark17

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Ohhh, I bet Y.O.U. read the title of the song in this thread and immediately thought of the other "Summertime" song. I respect your assumption youngin', but that choice would simply be too obvious for the likes of Livestyle ... lol. Summer officially started on the 21st of this month so Y.O.U. know that I had to give it up for the season with a real O.G. video circa 1989 from the inventor and namesake of the "Dougie" dance himself, Mr. Doug E. Fresh! Oh yeah, approximately 10 seconds into this video that most definitely IS a young Diddy fetching Douglas's belongings from the trunk out of that Benz. Know the ledge.

"We're Not Candy, Even Though We Look So Fine And Dandy ..."

BONUS:

In the continued and sincere interest of futhering your cultural betterment, it is my view that Livestyle standards and policies must remain sharply consistent with regard to pointing out current (NOTE: Or, in this case, relatively recent when compared to it's antecedent) pop-culture happenings that are totally inspired by often long forgotten acts.

The "act" in question here today is the classic "We're Not Candy" anti-prescription pill popping PSA (NOTE: Which is eerily apropos now in 2011) which aired in Long Island and much of the 5 boroughs of NYC beginning some time in the mid to late 1980's. "This is serious (serious) ... we could make you delirious (delirious)" Yup! And Y.O.U. thought Busta Rhymes had all the answers, huh? LOL. Chill. This is a beautiful part of my childhood right here b! Respect the architects!

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!

"They See Me Lampin' Up In 850's, With 360's, Blowin' Like 160 Sellin' 50's ..."

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Niggas need a fresh haircut with a pocket full of fetti on a Spring day to appreciate this shit homie. This is an I-95 power move classic b. Respect the architects!

Respect The Architects: Yami Bolo - When A Man's In Love

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Boooooombaclot! Ah dis a big, big Biltmore Ballroom/East Flatbush, Brooklyn sweaty basement "hooky" party chune my yute! Respect!

Respect The Architects: Beats, Rhymes And Fights: The History Of A Tribe Called Quest (Official Movie Trailer)(Directed By Michael Rappaport)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Rather than give Y.O.U. the misty eyed musings of a child blessed enough to have been fortified on golden era Hip Hop and all that it encompassed, I will simply state that no matter how many times Lupe Fiasco attempts to smudge the direct lineage between himself and A. T.ribe C.alled Q.uest, there would be NO him without them. The same goes for Drake, Kid Cudi or any of the current crop of emo Twinkies®-filled rappers whom trade on angst and, while certainly easy for someone like me to poke fun @, do mostly expand the emotional vocabulary of Hip Hop for the better.

See, before there was "Gangster Rap" or "Backpack Rap" there was only Hip Hop. The thugs from back then know the seminal A.T.C.Q. album "Midnight Marauders" back-to-front AND can wax equally nostalgic about how Rakim Allah was able to finesse "Mahogany". This is all OUR street culture. Universal. Real recognize real. I can't wait for this documentary to drop! Respect the architects.




BONUS:

Today's assignment: Brush up on some classic Tribe! You're welcome. You're ALL welcome!

Respect The Architects: "Can We Get Much Higher?"

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: In accordance with Livestyle Refinement Memorandum Order No. 1992 and by mandate of good GOD almighty, under the penalty of perjury, it is my sworn responsibility to shine the light of knowledge upon any darkened corners of pop culture history. Today's flashlight moment comes to us courtesy of English multi-instrumentalist musician and electro pioneer Mike Oldfield by way of Kanye West. Press play and take this New Age pro-rock record that The RZA sampled for Mr. West, Mr. West's "Dark Fantasy" joint for a whirl my nigga! Expand your palette homie. Who knows, Y.O.U. just might like it! Cheers mate!

"I'm Your Hero, Not No Zero ... Just Call Me 'Stezo The Fly Negro'"

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: I am willing to go out on a limb on this one and assume that Y.O.U. know absolutely NOTHING of EPMD's former dancer turned rapper Steve "Stezo" Williams and his limited body of Hip Hop musical work ... lol. If, however, I am wrong and a handful of Y.O.U. actually do remember this semi-obscure Jeep® Wrangler certified knocker circa 1989, I stand corrected and indeed owe Y.O.U. your very own "Grape Job!" scratch-n-sniff stickers! LOL. Holla @ ya boy in BK!

NEW MUSIC: Kanye West Ft. Jay-Z x Swizz Beatz - Power (Remix)(Dirty)(NO DJ) x A Special Livestyle "Respect The Architects" Commentary.

Streaming Audio/Download Link: Kanye West Ft. Jay-Z And Swizz Beatz - Power (Remix)(Dirty)(NO DJ)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Whereas words alone cannot begin to describe the sheer joy that I feel now knowing that Kobe Bryant's attendance @ the studio session for this "Power (Remix)" did not result in what would have undoubtedly been an awkward and stupid feature from #24, I was kind of looking forward to a verse from Mos Def and more than just a signature "It's SHOWTIME!" adlib or 2 from Swizz Beatz. Jay-Z is actually on this joint ... I didn't see that coming a mile away. No, really, I didn't ... lol.

Anyway, while Mr. West Mr. West's flipping of the Chill Rob G Hip Hop/House classic "I've Got The Power" is completely apropos given this song's title AND is yet another superlative example of Kanye's expansive musical vocabulary, I think that this record is just OK. Nothing torturously terrible here and nothing mind blowing special here either. Apparently though, I am in the minority ... lol.

Some have already hopped the hyperbole train and crowned this achievement the "best song of the year". Really? So, we're just gonna act like "B.M.F." didn't happen? No "Popular Demand"? I mean, I don't even fuck with Jay "Diarrhea Of The Mouth" Electronica like that, but we're not gonna talk about "The Ghost Of Christopher Wallace" yall? Word? Today's Hip Hop fans sure have a short attention span. Whatever. This remix is cool ... and I'ma leave it @ that. Holla @ ya boy in BK!


(EDITOR'S NOTE: Aight, upon further review, Amber Rose's former meal ticket DID go in crazy on the last verse ... lol. Real recognize real.)




BONUS:

(QUESTION: Is that the beautiful N'Bushe Wright "singing" the hook in this video? I want answers and I want them NOW ... or @ least as soon as 1 of Y.O.U. figures this out ... lol.)
Uno.




(NOTE: In the interest of maintaining some modicum of brevity and not going on for another 5 paragraphs, I couldn't possibly get into the subject of the group Mantronix and their importance to modern music. I could however include their "King Of Beats" record that Snap! sampled in order to create their copy-and-paste crapsterpiece ... lol. Enjoy!)
Dos.

In accordance with the dictates of the Livestyle School Of Continuing Education with specific attention paid to Livestyle Executive Order 1988-92, it is my unique moral obligation to cite, explain and, when technologically capable, produce images, audio and/or visuals that relevantly correlate to any aspect of the main post. Today's great revelation comes to us via Jersey City, NJ's very own Chill Rob G ... let us press play ... lol.

The history regarding this song can be a little bit confusing: Basically, Chill Rob G's vocals from his song "Let The Words Flow" were sampled (NOTE: More like copy and pasted almost the ENTIRE SONG under the unsolicited and illegal guise of a "remix") by some German Euro-trash producers for their Pop-Dance crew Snap! and "The Power" was born. Score 1 for the Krauts! LOL.

Realizing that they had an international hit on their hands that they were not seeing a penny on, Chill Rob G's label sued and put a cease and desist motherfucker order on Snap! Attempting to capitalize off this momentum Chill Rob G recorded a different version for his debut "Ride the Rhythm", but his core fan base wasn't checking for it - it was a lose, lose situation for the homie. I remember clearly being like 9 or 10 years old and hating this record after approximately 2.5 listens - I wanted to hear shit like "Court Is Now In Session", not this reheated "Hammer Pants" dance party crap.

In an era of Milli-Vanilli, where a slim Zelma Davis could serve as the face to the amazing Martha Wash's voice simply because she was deemed too fat for MTV, Chill Rob G stands as Hip Hop's forgotten victim of late 1980's/very early 1990's lip-synching music piracy. Son doesn't get anywhere near the amount of props that he deserves. Salute this man!

Random Acts Of Flyness: Slick Rick The Ruler "Gold x Guns".

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Bow down peasants! This is Slick Rick The Ruler! Yes, MC Ricky D was heavy with jewels while most of us were still rocking Underoos®. LOL. Respect the architects.

Q: Who's Got 2 Thumbs x Doesn't Know Anything About Surfing? A: This Guy (Me!) AKA The Surf Education Of Chris Live AKA Shaker By Joey "Clams".

"Hello. My name is Chris Live and as a Brooklyn born and bred native New Yorker, I have a severely limited understanding of what constitutes a “board”. I know that the New York City Board of Education is on the mend after having been in shambles for decades. I know that every so often the Board of Elections tells me where the polls are located when it’s time to get my civic duty on. I’ve had a few unfortunate run-ins with the Board of Corrections. Ask me anything about surfboards though and you are bound to hear crickets, well, that is, until today.


Apparently, there are two amazing surf beaches at Rockaway Beach, (between 67-69 Streets and between 87-92 Streets respectively) that have given birth to a vibrant surf culture and community in NYC. Who knew? This had better not be some newfangled outpost for vacuous hipsters to call summer home though! If so, I would have no parts of such shenanigans. A man of my resolve could only be persuaded by a reputable fellow New York City OG to embrace this other universe just beyond the grasp of the A-train. Enter: Joe “Grey Ghost” Falcone. Joe Falcone is that rare breed of individual capable of being both a staunch defender of tradition, as well as being a wonderfully humble Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island-like welcomer of all who share his boundless enthusiasms.


Born on Coney Island, Brooklyn, and raised somewhere between The Wonder Wheel and Rockaway Taco, Joe Falcone gained his sea legs only a few years after learning how to walk on land – he has been surfing avidly since he was 8 years old. In his late teens, when his boards needed repair, rather than continue to entrust his treasured boards to another, he decided to tend to them himself. In the process, that self-edifying hands on experience served as the fateful catalyst that transformed a mere mortal into an artisan of the finest hand crafted breaking wave braving vessels this side of Hawaii … or so I’ve been told. “I felt a weird pull towards shaping”, says a reflective Grey Ghost, tapping memories from surf sessions past. “I was intrigued. I spent all of my money on the best tools”. Please salute this man with a glass axe to grind. His blood, sweat, tears and full-on bank account clearing investment into his calling is the cavalier stuff that entrepreneurial legends are made of."

Read The Full Article Here: Readconvention.Com


CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS:  Much as BP's handling of the recent eco-system destroying Gulf Coast oil spill has been shamefully inept and, indeed, negligent, it would be highly irresponsible of me to have created an esteemed platform such as Livestyle and not use it as a place to toot my own horn like "Satchmo" from time-to-time.  No bullshit, this is my bully pulpit ... lol.  As the chief curator of this revolutionary brand I ultimately see myself as a sculptor of minds; centering your clay lumps of interest on the spinning wheel of enlightenment and fashioning a more sophisticated version of yourself.  And, believe me, it's not as easy as it looks.

This unparalleled labor of L.O.V.E. is not completely unselfish though.  I never present anything to Y.O.U. that I have not 1st researched myself so, many times, my discoveries are linked super chronologically close to your own.  Take for instance my brand new article @ Convention Magazine.  After flatteringly being asked by the homie Joe Hayes to contribute to the ArtIsLife special edition of this online magazine, I was dispatched to interview a sharp NYC surfer and board shaper by the name of Joey "Clams" AKA the "Grey Ghost" - Christian name Joseph Falcone.

Admittedly, I was brought on board (NOTE:  Pun intended ... if Y.O.U. want it to be) precisely because I didn't know *Cue Surly British Guy Voice* "shite" about surfing or surfboards.  Before this, all that I had manage to glean from my mid-to-late 1990’s MTA turnstile hopping travels was that the man in the rainbow colored subway advertisements with the too-close-for-comfort “before-and-after” shots of his patients is named Dr. Jonathan Zizmor and that he is, assuredly, a board certified dermatological acne assassin. On the hood side, sadly, I was all too familar with an unsympathetic New York State Parole Board that had too often turned a deaf ear to my loved one's cries for freedom.  This interview expanded that defintion for me.

Joe Hayes hoped that I might be able to skillfully detail my own introduction to this breathtaking world of breaking waves and bring Y.O.U. along for the ride too.  How did I do? Read the article and please feel free to lavish praise on me for continuing to be a brilliant in-fresh-tigator par excellence ... lol.  Cheers!   

BONUS:

Uno.



Dos.

By official order of Livestyle decree, I really, really need Y.O.U. to know who the late, great Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was. My casual references regularly escape the casual observer. I, however, refuse to allow Y.O.U. to suffer the same ignorant fate. Y.O.U. can thank Drake later, but thank me now ... lol. Respect the architects.

Diddy Crowns Rick Ross The "Biggie Of The South" x A Special Livestyle Commentary On Why Diddy's "Supreme Team" Is So Wrong For America.

(DISCLAIMER: This entry was indeed written last night, however, as game time drew ever near, I had some serious life decisions to make. Complete this post OR watch the Los Angeles Lakers beat up on the bitch made Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the 2010 NBA Finals. I watched the contest. The Lakers lost the game ... the Celtics did not win the game. Fast forward and, now, some hours later, this item is now ready for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!)

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: In light of the fact that the "Lake Show" starts in approximately 45 minutes, I have precious little time to waste. Let's keep this rant brief, shall we? As of late, Sean "Puffy" Combs (The O.G. name) AKA Diddy (The newfangled alias that rarely sticks with anyone whom remembers him as an ambitious young promoter who twice oversold tickets to an AIDS benefit celebrity basketball game that killed 9 people @ the City College of New York in 1991) has taken to committing not 1, but 2 unpardonable acts of unmitigated blasphemy against both the streets and Hip Hop.

I gave Puff a pass for his heretofore seemingly innocuous hyperbolic outbursts comparing Rick Ross to the late, great Biggie Smalls because A) Puff is the consummate promoter. Talking shit and advertising EVERYTHING and/or EVERYONE that he is involved with is simply what he does and B) because I fux with Rick Ross. In spite of his cocaine credibility having been exposed and proven to be more Gold Medal Flour® than the raw fishscale flounder that he imagines it to be, this former C.O. can rap. As an adult whom makes his living in the "real world", it is not necessary for me to believe your lyrical content in order for me to enjoy it. Sure, it's nice be able to relate to an artist whose work reflects some of the grim aspects of my life, thereby giving voice to a struggle that we both may share, however, it is not that serious ... I live vicariously through myself homie. Anyway, back to the muthafuggin' program.

I have been uncharacteristically forgiving of Diddy's recent shenanigans, that is, until he started to proclaim Rick Ross as the new "Biggie of the South"! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!? Not only should NOBODY make such asinine claims attempting to equate a new jack, talented though he may be, to the greatest rapper ever, but such declarations take on an added layer of ri-damn-diculousness when the words come from the mouth of the friend and manager of the deceased greatest rapper EVER! Message To Puff: I know that Y.O.U. are on a relentless pursuit to revitalize your career @ any and all costs, but please do not desecrate the legacy of your so-called friend and partner in the process. The crown stays in Brooklyn!

The 2nd act of heresy perpetrated by Mr. Combs goes against historic New York City street legend. While this infraction may hold less weight to those unfamiliar with the giants of New York City's crack-era his 2nd recent promotional folly is similarly egregious.

This nigga has the audacity to name his latest rag-tag assemblage of unsuspecting rape victims - I mean artists - the arrogantly designated Supreme Team. Dammit Diddy! Y.O.U. should know better. Be this new collective named after Hip Hop pioneers the "World's Famous Supreme Team" (NOTE: Probably not), the Puerto Rican Supreme Magnetic sponsored "Supreme Team" criminal enterprise from Brooklyn's Fort Greene section (NOTE: Warmer) or the Southside Jamaica, Queens based drug empire headed by Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff and his murderous nephew Gerald "Prince" Miller the "Supreme Team" (NOTE: BINGO!), the "Supreme Team" name should not be invoked and made a mockery of merely as a means to achieve some cheap ass, quick media attention. Half the niggas that Diddy's rocking with aint even from New York.

Now, my displeasure with Diddy's insistence with christening his new squad the "Supreme Team" has nothing to do with petty territorialism as I, in fact, regardless of region, actually respect most of the artists involved in this project. Hear me out though. Imagine for a millisecond the less than appreciative reaction I, a dude from Brooklyn, NY, might receive if say I took it upon myself to name my newest rap click B.lack M.afia F.amily or, better still, maybe the "Boobie Boys" that Rick Ross is soooooooooooooooo fond of trumpeting as his dope game colleagues. That shit wouldn't fly, right? Right. Shit like that would and should be completely unacceptable to the real niggas that went to jail and died for the right to rep those names.

Alas, I am just 1 lonely voice that echos in the empty halls of a once magnificent, now long abandoned social structure called "Standards". I don't know any of the parties involved. I just had to vent to my loyal Livestyle contingency ... I always drop jewels like a clumsy thief ... lol. Know the ledge.


BONUS: The Original "Supreme Team"'s x Corresponding Links To Online Information About Each Crew:

The World's Famous Supreme Team (Hip Hop Crew)



The Supreme Team (Brooklyn, NY)



The Supreme Team (Southside Jamaica, Queens, NY)

Respect The Architects: R.I.P. Guru (Of Gangstarr).

"Guru of Gangstarr Dies, Writes Letter To Supporters


Legendary Gangstarr artist Guru has succumbed to cancer after a lengthy bout with the disease.

The artist, born Keith Elam, died on Monday April 19. He was 43 years old.

Solar, Guru's partner, expressed sadness over the loss.

"The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all-time -- my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," Solar said in a statement. "Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius.

Guru, a Boston native, rose to fame in the 80's as one half of Gangstarr, the iconic rap group with DJ Premier.

The group released six highly regarded albums in their tenure until 2003 when they broke up. After his successful run with Premier, Guru founded 7 Grand Records with producer Solar.

Solar went on to tend to the rapper as he fell ill, seemingly controlling the flow of information and access to Guru. Many of his family members complained that they were denied their right to see him."

Read The Full Story Here: Allhiphop.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Since it's formative years, Hip Hop, as a culture, has had to deal with mortality and the specific complexities of untimely death. B.oogie D.own P.roduction co-founder DJ Scott La Rock was murdered in a hail of bullets in August of 1987 setting in motion a sad pattern of violence that culminated with the assassinations of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls and, sadly, still continues until this day.

Now, as Hip Hop grows older, we inevitably must face the loss of luminaries due to a host of new complications. Yes, Trouble T. Roy died in an accident and Eazy-E lost his battle with AIDS - so, it hasn't been all gun smoke - but, moving forward, we will increasingly see many of our pioneers pass from prolonged illnesses, diseases and, eventually, even age.

Whilst Livestyle is dedicated to the delicacy of refinement and the exploration and discovery of the joys of life, as a blogger, I am also obligated to acknowledge it's inherent duality ... particularly when it hits so close to our Hip Hop home. Yesterday the music world bid a premature farewell to G.ifted U.niversal R.hymes U.nlimited of the legendary group Gangstarr.

Mr. "It's Mostly The Voice" and his partner in crhyme, DJ Premier, expanded Hip Hop's musical vocabulary and crafted some of the most beloved and memorable compositions that we have ever heard. Arcane Jazz records were lifted from cobweb covered crates, sampled, looped and cut to precision by DJ Premier, setting an enviable stage for Guru to lay his unmistakable monotone soliloquies of excellence. Lyrically simple, but mentally nimble, Guru represented substance and could always be counted on to deliver compelling music to an intelligent audience. Guru was never a favorite MC of mine independently, however, as the voice of Gangstarr, he is responsible for some of my favorite songs of all time ... songs that have become a cherished part of the soundtrack to my turnstyle hopping, orange box cutter toting Brooklyn childhood. How real is that?

Speculation abounds with regard to the circumstances surrounding Guru's death - not so much about why or how he died, but, rather, with regard to the role that French artist MC Solar played in Guru's personal life during his final years and whether or not his responsible for some of the seemingly petty rhetoric found within Guru's goodbye letter to his fans - but, I refuse to indulge the rumors. I had the pleasure of meeting this man a few times, so, instead, I choose to eulogize and honor an incredibly influential pioneer and remember some of his best work. My sincerest prayers go out Guru's family during this most trying of times. GOD Bless. R.I.P. Keith "Guru" Elam. Respect the architects!

BONUS:

Uno.



Gang Starr - Mass Appeal
Uploaded by EMI_Music. - See the latest featured music videos.
Dos.

Respect The Architects: DJ Premier Talks The Making Of Biggie's "Kick In The Door" With Sean C x LV @ Bestofbothoffices.Com.

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Yes, it was the mid-1990's and dissing B.I.G. was more en vogue than DKNY (NOTE: Pronounced "DINKY" by "Lizzy" lifting boosters and chic Brooklynites alike) reflector vests and "beef and broccoli" Timberland field boots. It was all fun and games until somebody got hurt.

In Related News: For some odd reason, a fact that almost always escapes meaningful discussion, is that Biggie's "Ten Crack Commandments" (Also produced by the expert ear of DJ Premier) was originally a beat that Jeru Da Damaja had laced for a HOT 97 promo that was later rightfully appropriated by the "Livest one from Bedford-Stuyvesant" ... and an indisputable classic record was born. Good shit!

www.KanyeWest.com Launch x A Special LiveStyle "Respect The Architects" Commentary.

The First Lady Of LiveStyle Says: Well well well, looks like 'Ye has officially left his Graduation themed KanyeUniverseCity behind and moved forward to the more modern www.KanyeWest.com. Lo and behold, his cybertron girfriend, Amber Rose, is featured front and center welcoming Y.O.U. to "The Wonderful World Of Kanye West V2.0". She's sporting a knee brace similar to mine! Except I can't hold a yoga position to save my life..LOL! Oh yeah, be forewarned that this is NOT the most user friendly website ever ... lol. You'll figure it out though.

Anyway, besides that frame of Amber and the frustrating set up, Mr. West also put out a video for "Coldest Winter." The concept isn't what Y.O.U. would expect to see, but then again, what else, but the "unexpected" can Y.O.U. expect from 'Ye? Thought I'd share.

Signing Off... After much too long..

Aisha

P.S.

I just found some hidden links in the white space. Explore! ;c )

Respect The Architects:
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Ahhhhhhhhhhh, to be young and fascinated by creative efforts that, while NOT advertised as completely new, rarely, if ever, give proper credit to the awesome feats of imagination that have inspired them.

Now, the previous statement is in no way meant to belittle the youth for their inexperience (NOTE: Which is totally relative because I know enough now to know that I don't know nearly enough @ all ... lol), rather it is an acknowledgement of the great possibilities presented to us when today's artists reference the past. Much like the often long forgotten records that Kanye West and other superproducers sample and chop into reanimated pop music versions of their fomer selves, each time that any of today's artists extract from the past said artist's fans become encouraged to explore exciting new worlds and connect-the-dots of brilliance that surround us everyday. As chief curator of the Livestyle brand I relish the opportunity to help Y.O.U. connect such dots every chance that I get. The pleasure is all mine.

Kanye West regularly steps out of Hip Hop's narrow "box" to embrace different ideologies and allow his artistic side to be aroused by a limitless range of beauty and for that we should ALL be grateful. *Cue Jay-Z "A Star Is Born" Voice* "Clap for him".

Soooooooooooooo, today, Kanye and his sexxy redbone Strangé took a cue from the REAL Strangé - the incomperable Grace Jones. Know the ledge.



“Good artists copy, great artists steal” - Picasso

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.