CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS:"Word is bond, 'cause I been doing this too long to let you newborn thugs try to come on strong ..." - Tragedy Khadafi AKA "The Foul Mahdi"
Y.O.U. see the title of this 1996 bootleg banger ... I had to post it! Biz Markie's "Spring Again" is most certainly a certified classic, however, such a predictable and uninspired musical pairing for this post in recognition of this much welcomed season would reek of willful negligence on my part. Nope, I can't and I won't do it. Yall already know I aint with the sucker shit ... quality reigns supreme. Now, where my Livestyle Ladies with the pretty pedicured toes @ my nigga? Spring is here!
P.ost S.cript:
Oh yeah, and whereas longtime Livestyle readers are somewhat familiar with my rich New York City pulp NONfiction street lineage, I also additionally have a great many stories surrounding my personal relationship to this Hip Hop thing of ours as well ... and Tragedy Khadafi played a relatively small, but very significant part in the evolution of Livestyle. But, we'll get into all of those exciting early music industry internship tales some other time ... lol.
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Now, yall know I give less than 0 fux about the glorified strippers that shamelessly clutter Twitter, Tumblr and now Instagram with their vainglorious cameraphone enabled attention whoring screams for public validation. I just keep it pushing each and every Sunday with the often imitated yet never duplicated institution that is the "Brunch Bunch" and go about my business. Basically, I rarely if ever highlight any single random itchbay no matter how b-a-d she is. That having been said, there is always an exception to the rule. And clearly this fly vintage MCM monogram rockin', stiletto heels sportin', 10-speed peddling dirty blonde vision of cutting edge beauty fit the motherfucking bill! Stop playing. "One of these kids is doing their own thing". This is Livestyle.
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.
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!
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Although I have never completely forgiven Kanye West for his appearance on Rhymefest's "Brand New" song wherein he waxed less than poetically that, "Ralph Lauren was boring" before he wore him, my temper has cooled considerably in years since that ridiculous claim was made. What was once barely visible through my fog of anger thanks to a fit of blind rage brought on by such egregious lyrics has now morphed into a sort of "there, there" attitude towards Mr. West, Mr. West with regards to this matter. Yes, today I view his faux paux in a much more understanding light. Simply put, I pretty much now just pity his arrogant ignorance.
That having been said, I nevertheless have to give it up for the homie when he does right. And this vintage Ralph Lauren Polo "Tiger Head" Varsity Jacket is definitely RIGHT! Y.O.U. stay classy Chicago ... lol. Good shit!
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: In spite of the freezing snow that falls today that threatens to rub deicing salt in the wounds of Winter weary New Yorkers, please believe that Spring IS indeed upon us. How do I know? A little thing called my trusty calendar and the Vernal Equinox! LOL.
In any event, I raise this seasonal issue because I realize that this post may seem a bit out of place given where our weather is currently heading. However, in my defense, allow me to dutifully point out that A) off-season shopping is often the best time to score clothing that would otherwise be in super high demand and B) there is NEVER a wrong time to acquire some truly vintage Ralph Lauren Polo to add to your collection. I know that I normally don't do this, but I like Y.O.U. guys ... plus, I could not and would not dare try to squeeze my lanky ass into this I.T. ... no matter how much I want it for myself ... lol.
Anyway, while gearing up for today's round of fly individual entries into the trusted pages of the Livestyle Almanac, I spotted this O.G. 1992 Ralph Lauren Polo "Sit Down" Bear on everybody's favorite online flea market, eBay. It looks to be in pretty good condition and, being that it is a size small adult, it shouldn't be too hard for a tiny LO enthusiast to snatch this up on the cheap ... lol.
Now, be clear, the iconic Ralph Lauren "Sit Down" Bear has been reproduced a gazillion times, but this is an original 1st edition circa 1992. Basically, if your "Sit Down" Bear doesn't have the red wool threaded "RL 92" (NOTE: Or blue threaded monogram on both the red and ultra rare cream versions) on the bottom front left hand side of the sweater, then Y.O.U. my friend are dealing with a lesser bear ... a mere cub of questionable repute ... lol.
Long story short, if Y.O.U. rock an adult size small OR a medium (NOTE: The linen/cotton blend employed for many of Ralphie's early Teddy knits is quite forgiving, but please be reasonable my nigga ... lol), then Y.O.U. need to keep an eye on this auction b. Happy hunting!
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Blame it on a fit of 1990's era prepubescent nostalgia or simply my now legendary Herculean powers of compartmentalization and selective denial, but, whatever the case, I still find Pamela Andersonsexxxy.
Yes, thanks to the tons of tabloid coverage and the E channel, I am fully aware that, in the decades (!) since her 1st Playboy Magazine spread waaaaaaaaay back in 1990, this once naive and innocent little girl from Ladysmith, British Columbia has become a Hepatitis C carrying aging Rock Star cum receptacle. But, of course, I think we ALL know that. However, I still can't shake the erection inspiring image of her bouncing up-and-down the beach in that barely-there red lifeguard bikini on Baywatch. Plus, as far as the "celebrity" sex tape game goes, Paris HiltonANDKim KardashianBOTH owe this big boobs on a tongue depressor-like body MILF an immeasurable debt of gratitude! Shorty is a G.
Yup, Canada been producing some cold hoes for a minute now and, make no mistake *Cue Weird And Simultaneously Hilarious Canadian Accent*aboot it, this proud PETA activist is the living and breathing definition of a "hooker with a heart of gold" ... lol. So, yeah, I might just have to cop this Topman "Pamela Anderson" T-Shirt for Summer2-Oh-11. Fuck what Y.O.U. heard homie! Aint no shame in my game.
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!
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Apparently today is the day for both Thornton brothers to get some much deserved Livestyle shine! Lest we forget that the oft neglected half of The Clipse got something to say too, here are the 2nd and 3rd installments of Malice's powerful "Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind And Naked" webisode series. I mean, judging from the impassioned excerpts alone, this book could be a "Rowdy" Roddy Piper "sleeper hold" hit when it drops. Good shit!
BONUS:
Of course, I had to include a classic 1980's Golden Era clip of aforementioned wrestling great "Rowdy" Roddy Piper applying said "sleeper hold" signature finisher to a victim (Some guy named Hulk Hogan? Never heard of him ... lol) as a visual aide for our younger readers and to serve as a sweet slice of nostalgia for the O.G.'s in the house! Like, what the fuck is a W.W.E. anyway? It's W.W.F. baby!
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: While I most certainly can and do appreciate the resurgence that Ralph Lauren Polo is experiencing with today's youth market, I really don't care how much new Rugby line shit Y.O.U. have youngin'. Address me with some supreme I.T.'s such as the Indian Head, the "Circle" Ski Goose With The "POLO USA" spell out sleeve and/or the burgundy 1992 "Athletic" AKA "Grandfather" Bear though and NOW we're talking my nigga! LOL. I aint no Lo-Life, but I live a life of Lo ... and Benetton, Fila, Iceberg, vintage Christian Dior, Hilfiger and Coca Colatoo. I'm so Brooklyn. This is Livestyle.
The last of Bo Jackson’s signature cross-trainers, the Air Trainer 91 is back in town. A mean and muscular model from what was a golden era for the Swoosh, the 91 features a unique cross-strap across the forefoot plus neoprene lining for when the heat is on. Available in this original stone, gold and black make-up, you can pick up a pair right now fromPremier."
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Just when Y.O.U. thought that Nike had completely plundered their archives and exhausted their entire back catalogue of classic kicks, they dust off yet another rare gem and remind us ALL why they are the past, present and future king of sneakers. Yes, the Bo Jackson Nike Air Trainer 91 is now ready for an encore.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, 1991 was quite a turning point for me. The child who crushed hastily discarded empty crack vials under his feet playing freeze tag on the playground was beginning to evolve. My innocence conspired with my natural born curiosity and gave way to a world of new experiences - some good, some bad, but all unforgettable. In any event, as life outside of my parents cozy home beckoned, so too did all the trappings that fast money brings.
I was far too young to drive OR afford a Mercedes Benz 190E/Volkswagon Jetta/Nissan Maxima (NOTE: Preferably with a rag top, chrome detailing and "A Touch Of Class" elegantly scripted on the side ... lol), so that was a wrap. Guess what? Dookie gold rope chains weren't in the budget either (NOTE: Although, in a somewhat sad yet uniquely childlike imaginative way, my friends and I would fashion crude fake fronts - NOT "Grillz" - from gold candy foil ... lol. Fuck it! We had fun), so that was out the window. Sooooooooooooo, that left a young aspiring fly guy the clothes game - a field that I came to dominate @ an early age and have remained @ the head of for a decade and some change.
The Bo Jackson Nike Air Trainer 91 were an advanced acquisition for a young Chris Live AKA Shaker and I cherished them dearly. Heavy toothbrush action for the soles trying hard as fuck to keep the delicate nubuck leather uppers from getting wet. So, yeah, basically, I need a pair of these 2010 retros in my life.
Although these joints were previously retroed back in 2004 in the black/white colorway, this just released stone/gold/black colorway is my absolute favorite of the 2 O.G. versions. Y.O.U. gotta L.O.V.E. it! Holla @ ya boy in BK!
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.
"Each year luxury Swiss watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre releases a few so called "jewelry watches." These rare creations for both men and woman are experiments in (often) excess, and design. This is where to look if you prefer your watches diamond covered, but also where you'll find some beautiful artistic creations. For 2010 one of the haute jewelry watch from Jaeger-LeCoutlre is the Master Tourbillon Wild. In an 18k rose (also in white) gold case, the piece is really quite stunning. Decorated with diamonds on the bezel and the lower edges of the case and bezel, it fees like a building outlined with lights. The art deco style motif on the dial feels like an abstract cityscape to me. The buildings emanating from the tourbillon in the center. More diamonds decorate the ring around the tourbillon aperture, in addition to other places on the dial. Inside the piece is a in-house made Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 978 automatic tourbillon movement. Likely sized for ladies, this is a rare and beautiful creation."
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: The much heralded tourbillon movement may indeed be the most terrific exemplar of both true artistry and mechanical ingenuity in the watch world today. Originally introduced in 1795 by the French-Swiss master watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet as a very practical means to deftly combat the adverse effects of gravity when a timepiece is rotated, the tourbillon complication has now become the ultimate symbol of watchmaking virtuosity and very few luxury firms do it better than Jaeger-LeCoultre.
No stranger to precedent setting innovations themselves, this storied house of horological majesty, founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre, has continued to excel in the arena of high end complicated achievement. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Tourbillon Wild (Art Deco) Watch is yet another beautiful addition to their brilliant "Master" series.
Where other cloudy after-market diamond studded watches fail, such pieces as the Master Tourbillon Wild watch succeed because this is far from your typical "iced out" rapper's nouveau riche simulated stones wet dream. No, Jaeger-LeCoultre has taken 1 step back to take 2 enormous design steps forward, producing a visually and technically complex 18k rose (NOTE: Also available in white gold) encased work of art that tells a whirlwind of a tale (NOTE: "Tourbillon" is French for "whirlwind" ... suckaaaaaaaaaas!) through a miniature metropolis cityscape set ablaze in diamonds. The unmistakable look of this watch combines all of the decadently decorative elements of the Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism, and Futurism movements that together have made Art Deco design an enduring symbol of romantic 20th Century elegance.
Although I have found no conclusive reports, this watch seems to be *Cue Lord Finesse "Funky Technician" Voice*"Strictly for the ladies" ... lol. Yeah, Fred Astaire would most definitely have blessed Ginger Rogers with 1 of these dandies ... lol. Good shit!
BONUS:
Uno.
Dos.
In Livestyle I have endeavored to create a destination that acts as both a trusted cultural touchstone and an aggregator of all things "fly". To that end, today it is my great pleasure to introduce Y.O.U. to HBO®'s next surefire hit series: Boardwalk Empire. I've got more than a few homies in the New York City based movie industry and I had the privilege to be on set a number of times during the filming of this epic saga. Boardwalk Empire represents trueProhibition Eraganxta @ it's finest as envisioned by Emmy® Award winning writer of The Sopranos, Terence Winter, and as exquisitely captured by the unparalleled legendary lens of Academy Award® winning director Martin Scorsese. A new era of mafioso chic is upon us. Message To The Loyal Livestyle Reader: Say hello to your newest "idiot box" addiction! See Y.O.U. in September. Soon you'll understand.
The First Lady Of LiveStyle Says: Despite tradition here @ LiveStyle, I know us ladies can't always be stuck in 4 inch stilettos so I'm breaking the rules and remaking them in my own glorious image! #aishashrugs. lol. I've been looking for a good pair of saddle shoes for the longest time ever and I finally came across this Limited Edition Vans x Stussy Girls collaboration pack.
Traditionally called the "Sophie" model, Vans and Stussy have joined forces to inpart their own unique twist on this classic silhouette along with some really cool product packaging that includes a vintage style trunk shoe box and a commerative tote to match. Y.O.U. couldn't possibly ask for more. Now which one of my good friends over at @StussyDC can send me some goodies EARLY!? Or do I have to call @JankySlamsworth?
(L to R:Me, your esteemed Livestyle personal refinement lifestyle coach and my longest-running-friend-and-brother-from-another-mother the incomparable Mr. 401K @ my vintage clothing photoshoot circa sometime last Summer. NOTE: A picture is worth 1,000 words. The memories, however, are priceless antiquities that serve as religious monuments to a life that only real niggas could have ever known. Shout out to O.G. Shillz ... I know Y.O.U. can appreciate this. *Cue drunken and belligerent Tony Montana restaurant rant voice* "Is this what it's all about?" Yes. Holla @ ya boy in BK!)
BONUS:
Per Livestyle Executive Order 1988-92, it is incumbent upon me to recognize and make clear any recondite references made within any given post.
Whereas I quoted the great American actor Al Pacino in his legendary role as the original "thug motivator" (NOTE:Sorry Jeezy), Tony Montana, from the 1983 cinematic triumph that is "Scarface", I am now bound by duty to include this video presentation of the aforementioned scene.
I personally regard this to be quite simply 1 of the greatest monologues ever committed to film. "Say goodnight to the bad guy". Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!? Y.O.U. know what time it is homeboy. Stop playing.
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: As previously mentioned here in the information rich pages of Livestyle, the shortcomings of Lil Dap and Malachi The Nutcracker as lyricists is the stuff of Hip Hop lore. In fact, as Group Home, they are rivaled only by U-God in sheer lack of MC ability (NOTE: The power rankings that govern the accepted unflattering public opinions of Group Home and U-God were accounted for and compiled during the B.efore G.ucci Mane era and would, obviously, become eligible for an immediate re-forecasting of brackets if reviewed according to today's waning musical standards). Interestingly enough, both Group Home and U-God were brought onto the scene by legendary producers (NOTE:DJ Premier and The RZA respectively) whom subsidized these painfully inept artists's careers by regularly overcompensating for them in the beat department and inexplicably including them on projects that they clearly had NO business being a part of. I guess that's what talented friends are for. LOL.
In any event, for this entry, with specific regard to Group Home, as harsh as my assessment of their individual "skills" may be, I would be a liar of epic proportions to front like they, shouldered by a Primo in his creative prime, were not responsible for some of my all time favorite *Cue Dancehall Reggae DJ Voice* "chunes" from the mid 1990's.
These guys were all heart. This gritty slice of minimalist Brooklyn realism is entitled "So Called Friends" and was produced by the late, great Guru of Gangstarr. If my encyclopedic Hip Hop memory serves me right - and it does - this joint was actually Group Home's demo which later appeared on the "Guru Presents: Ill Kid Records" compilation from 1993. Nobody makes music like this anymore! Know the ledge.
CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: In the interest of full disclosure and in an effort to explain my recently less than prolific post count and hopefully get some good home remedy advice, I am encouraged to inform Y.O.U. that I am currently fighting a steel cage match with seasonal allergies AND a cold. Yup, the pollen has got me by the short and curlies and the cold aint helping matters.
I type this missive with my now constant companion, a piping hot cup of Theraflu®, by my side, remote control to my left, MSNBC on my screen and a dream in my heart of hearts that this early Spring spoiler of a flu will soon pull a Pharcyde and start "passin' me by" ... lol. don't trip though, the grind don't stop. Holla @ ya boy in BK!
BONUS:
Alas, even in times when I find myself flying slightly under the weather, I remain committed to the noble daily errand of continued cultural refinement. As such, I could NOT simply make this post all about me, sans any relevant reference to the rich social terra firma that surrounds us. Today's hint was practically hidden in plain sight though and should NOT come as a revelation to my loyal Livestyle readers, but, rather,be viewed more as a welcome return to the classics.
The 1993 release of Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By" has evolved into a record that has ridden the train to "Timeless Town" and now defines a bygone era of emotional complexity and straight up fun in Hip Hop music. If Y.O.U. do NOT know the the lyrics to this tune word for word, now is your chance to learn them ... it's either that OR I highly suggest that Y.O.U. shoot yourself squarely in the face! LOL. Know the ledge.
I'm the last money in and I'm the 1st money out in any situation. I am a Brooklyn born and bred MC with a keen sense of self and I appreciate forward thinking with regard to any endeavor. I am NOT your average rapper. I'm a hood socialite. The following will give you true insight to me as a man, my music and my unique LIVESTYLE. I does this for real homie!
The world is filled with blogs AND hoes, I'll just talk about those I know.
Posts
