The open-air, bougainvillea-covered Sky Bar still looms over the pool and twinkling LA skyline but with a new, softer cream and olive lounge decor conceived by Tim Andreas of BanjoRelaxing..:)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Mondrian revamp, Los Angeles
The open-air, bougainvillea-covered Sky Bar still looms over the pool and twinkling LA skyline but with a new, softer cream and olive lounge decor conceived by Tim Andreas of BanjoRelaxing..:)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Dj Khaled
Since the early 1990’s, the Miami scene has steadily grown into a personal playground for the entire entertainment industry. Events like How Can I Be Down, The Mix Power Summit, and the MTV Music Awards have attracted thousands of stars to the illusion of the Magic City nightlife. But once all the smoke clears, we get to finally focus on the true essence of Miami, which means attending the annual Fall Classic that is DJ Khaled’s Birthday Bash. The "mark your calendar event" started off as a simple get together for South Florida’s hottest DJ has since grown into a Dade County ritual, and that’s all due to one man, two turntables, and a squad of terror. Born Khaled Khaled (he’s so nice his mom named him twice Khaled ), 30, in New Orleans to Arabic parents, Khaled was the second of three children. At age fourteen his love for music and influence from his parents led him down a path that would birth one of the greatest Deejays Miami has ever seen. Fans quickly took notice of DJ Khaled’s powerful style and energetic personality as he began throwing parties while a deejay on college radio. "God gave me a gift, so it’s only right that I lead the way with this new style." Great energy and an undeniable voice have helped Khaled land radio gigs with Mixx 96 and 99 Jamz, but for Khaled that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Success happens when preparation meets opportunity, which is why Mixx 96 quickly became Miami’s premiere underground radio station with Khaled as the deejay. For two years, DJ Khaled bigged up, dropped bombs, and rewound enough tracks to be crowned the official voice of South Florida. Never one to just sit comfortably on the throne, Khaled decided to "takeover" mainstream radio as the deejay for one of Miami’s most notable radio stations, 99 Jamz. Paired up with K-Foxx, DJ Khaled currently has the ..1 rated radio show in South Florida, adding another notch to his belt.
Over a decade on the radio has inspired Khaled to develop his own sound of music as he prepares to release his debut album. "Hip-Hop is everything and everywhere, so I have to be everything and everywhere." Khaled’s album filled with new energy and different ideas is exactly what the game needs right now. The LP, yet to be titled, will feature artist such as Fat Joe, Terror Squad, Lil Wayne, Game, and Juelz Santana just to name a few. The album will also include "crazy" production from the infamous DJ Khaled.
Although many Khaled fans may think that this is his first crack at production, it is not. The versatile deejay has produced tracks for artist like Trick Daddy, Pitbull, Young Jeezy, and his Terror Squad brother Fat Joe. As part of the Terror Squad family, Khaled has built a foundation strong enough to hold weight with his debut album. An album packed with loyalty, respect, and Miami love that can be described in one word, Incredible ! "I can see the headlines now, DJ Khaled’s new album reigns terror on the Hip-Hop world."
hiphopgalaxy
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Johnny Depp
Actor, director, musician. Born John Christopher Depp II in Owensboro, Kentucky, on June 9, 1963. Raised in Florida, Depp dropped out of school at age 17 in hopes of becoming a rock musician. He fronted a series of garage bands, including The Kids, which was once opened for Iggy Pop. Depp got into acting after a visit to LA with his former wife, who introduced him to actor Nicolas Cage. He made his film debut in 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street. In 1987, he leapt into stardom when he replaced Jeff Yagher in the role of undercover cop Tommy Hanson in the popular Canadian-filmed TV series 21 Jump Street. In 1990, after numerous roles in teen films, Depp received an opportunity to exhibit his exhausting versatility in the title role of Tim Burton's fantasy Edward Scissorhands.
Following the film's success, Depp carved a niche for himself as a serious, somewhat dark, idiosyncratic performer, consistently selecting roles that surprise critics and audiences alike. He continued to gain critical acclaim and increasing popularity for his work, most notably in 1993's Benny & Joon and in the title role of What's Eating Gilbert Grape in 1993, which cast him as a young man dissatisfied with the confines of his small-town life. In 1994, he re-teamed with Burton in the lead role of Ed Wood.
In 1997, he played the undercover FBI agent in Mike Newell's Donnie Brasco. After a starring turn as Hunter S. Thompson's alter ego in Terry Gilliam's adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in 1998, Depp tried his hand at sci-fi horror with The Astronaut's Wife in 1999. The same year, he teamed up with Burton once again on Sleepy Hollow, starring as a prim, driven Ichabod Crane. He appeared the following year in the small but popular romantic drama Chocolat, followed by a big-budget role as real-life cocaine kingpin George Jung in Blow in 2001. He starred in the terror drama From Hell in 2001 and Robert Rodriguez's Once Upon a Time in Mexico in 2002. In 2004, the actor earned an Academy Award nomination for his starring role in the family adventure Pirates of the Caribbean. At the end of that year, he turned in a critically acclaimed performance in Finding Neverland, in which he starred as Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie. In 2006, he returned as Captain Jack Sparrow for the sequel Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, which broke a box office record in reaching the highest weekend tally ever.
The third installment fared well too. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) was released on Memorial Day weekend, bringing in $138.8 million. Saying goodbye to Captain Jack, Depp took on one of theater's most notorious characters in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street that same year. Directed by Tim Burton and co-starring Helena Bonham Carter, the dark and gory musical tells the tale of a barber kills some of his customers who then turned into pies made by his downstairs neighbor. Depp netted a Golden Globe Award for his work on the film. Off-screen, Depp has gained notoriety for his romantic involvements with several female celebrities, including broken engagements to Jennifer Gray, Winona Ryder and Kate Moss. He was married to Lori Anderson from 1983-1985. Depp has fathered two children with French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis; Lily-Rose Melody born in 1999 and Jack born in 2002. biography
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Zaha Hadid
A Leading Woman Architect In 21st century
In 1977, Rem Koolhaas has reported that Zaha Hadid fifth year at the Architecture Association included that she was a rocket that took off slowly to describe a constantly accelerating trajectory ( Koolhas in Fawcett, 1991 ). Zaha Hadid was born in Baghdad in 1950 from a rich family.
In 1968 – 1971, she was taking maths at the American University of Beirut and continued her study at Architectural Association School ( AA School ) in London, United Kingdom in year 1972 – 1977. After completing her architectural studies, Zaha Hadid join the OMA - Koolhas ( the Office of Metropolitan Architecture ) and collaborating with her senior, Rem Koolhaas, Zaha began her own career. Became a London - based architectural designer whose work encompasses all fields of design, ranging from urban scale through the micro-space design, such as products, furniture, and interiors. Her concern was a simultaneous work of teaching, researching, and practicing, without any compromising to the modernising. From the beginning of her career, Hadid has reworked the concept of how to organize the public space. Hadid has a deep concern through art. It is probably because she likes to paint. Hadid’s work has attracted Philip Johnson who made it as the focal point of “Deconstructionist” exhibition that took place in Museum of Modern Art in New York. Now, her suprematist theme has been realised in myriad excisting projects, such as her first built schemes in Japan, called Folly 3 ( 1990 ) in Osaka for the Garden Festival and MoonSoon, a spectacular restaurant interior in Sapporo, North Island. Since winning the prestigeous Pritzker Prize for Architecture in 2004, work has been pouring for this Iraq born-London based architect.
Through her recent architectural and installation art project in Singapore, Hadid has shown her deep concern about how art and space should make collaboration in order to speak up about good metaphor.We can see that along the decades, she the leading woman architect who has innovation and creativity in her work.
transmaterialasia
In the past decade, there has been a turbulent for architecture and design in Britain. With supported by the crown Prince of United Kingdom, Prince Charles, architecture has been in the front line of public debate. There are a lot af school of architecture that being developed and also a lot of creative and talented young architects that being born in United Kingdom. Among a lot of young architects that bring avant-garde way of thinking through their work, Zaha Hadid appear as one of those avant-garde thinker in doing design,especially architecture and some other design fields. Among male domination, there are not so many female architect has become so intens in doing their works and projects like what has being done by Zaha Hadid.
In 1977, Rem Koolhaas has reported that Zaha Hadid fifth year at the Architecture Association included that she was a rocket that took off slowly to describe a constantly accelerating trajectory ( Koolhas in Fawcett, 1991 ). Zaha Hadid was born in Baghdad in 1950 from a rich family.
In 1968 – 1971, she was taking maths at the American University of Beirut and continued her study at Architectural Association School ( AA School ) in London, United Kingdom in year 1972 – 1977. After completing her architectural studies, Zaha Hadid join the OMA - Koolhas ( the Office of Metropolitan Architecture ) and collaborating with her senior, Rem Koolhaas, Zaha began her own career. Became a London - based architectural designer whose work encompasses all fields of design, ranging from urban scale through the micro-space design, such as products, furniture, and interiors. Her concern was a simultaneous work of teaching, researching, and practicing, without any compromising to the modernising. From the beginning of her career, Hadid has reworked the concept of how to organize the public space. Hadid has a deep concern through art. It is probably because she likes to paint. Hadid’s work has attracted Philip Johnson who made it as the focal point of “Deconstructionist” exhibition that took place in Museum of Modern Art in New York. Now, her suprematist theme has been realised in myriad excisting projects, such as her first built schemes in Japan, called Folly 3 ( 1990 ) in Osaka for the Garden Festival and MoonSoon, a spectacular restaurant interior in Sapporo, North Island. Since winning the prestigeous Pritzker Prize for Architecture in 2004, work has been pouring for this Iraq born-London based architect.
Through her recent architectural and installation art project in Singapore, Hadid has shown her deep concern about how art and space should make collaboration in order to speak up about good metaphor.We can see that along the decades, she the leading woman architect who has innovation and creativity in her work.
transmaterialasia
Monday, November 10, 2008
Colin Powell
Colin Powell was born in New York City on April 5, 1937. The son of Jamaican immigrants, Luther and Maud Powell, he was raised in the South Bronx. Powell was educated in the New York City public schools, and at City College of New York (CCNY). He participated in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation. He subsequently received a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.Powell served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and as a battalion commander in Korea. He later commanded the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and V Corps, United States Army in Europe, and was Commander in Chief of Forces Command, headquartered at Fort McPherson, Georgia. General Powell was the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 1989 until September 30, 1993, serving under both President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton.
General Powell has been the recipient of numerous U.S. military decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. His civilian awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and an honorary knighthood (Knight Commander of the Bath) from the Queen of England. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1993.
Between 1997 and 2001, retired General Powell served as founding chairman of America's Promise, an organization challenging Americans to make children and youth a national priority.
In January, 2001, General Powell was selected by President George W. Bush to serve as his Secretary of State. He was the first African-American to hold this high office in the United States Government. Powell stepped down from the position after President Bush's reelection to a second term. His four year tenure as Secretary of State was marked by disagreements with other Administration officials over policy. Regardless of these disagreements, Secretary Powell remained a loyal servant of the Bush Administration and an eloquent spokesman for the Administration in international affairs.
Powell left his position as Secretary of State with the admiration and respect of people around the world. The following quotation from a February 20, 2004 address at Princeton University provides an excellent example of Colin Powell's statesmanship:
“We must build a better future even as we deal with the security challenges before us. That is how we'll overcome those challenges, because it's not enough to fight against a negative, like terrorism. We must focus on what inspires us, on what brings the good people of the world together. We've got to fight for the positive — for liberty, for freedom, for democracy.”
Since leaving governmenrt service, Secretary Powell has assumed a number of private-sector positions. In July, 2005, he became a strategic limited partner with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a silicon valley venture capital firm. He has become a more active participant at The Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies, established in his honor by his alma mater, the City College of New York in 1997. In May, 2006, Powell will succeed Henry Kissinger to become the 8th Chairman of the Eisenhower Fellowship Program.
Secretary Powell is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Howard University, and of the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund. He serves on the Board of Governors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Children's Health Fund.
Powell is married to the former Alma Vivian Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael and daughters Linda and Annemarie; daughter-in-law Jane, and grandsons Jeffrey and Bryan.
Friday, November 7, 2008
B60 Sloop
Architect John Pawson has designed the B60 sloop in collaboration with naval architect Luca Brenta.Beau-T-ful !
Mondrian South Beach by Marcel Wanders
Mondrian South Beach, a hotel and apartment complex with interiors by Marcel Wanders, opens in Miami Beach on 1 December 2008.
4 clips click:» VIDEO INTERVIEW OF MARCEL WANDERS
Raf Simons, Tokyo and Osaka
Raf Simons’ two new flagship stores in Japan – his first ever – are bold statements in art as much as fashion. The Belgian menswear designer, known for his young, tailored aesthetic, turned to acclaimed international artists Sterling Ruby and Roger Hiorns to create two thoroughly unique retail experiences.
Architecture
Zaha Hadid have designed cultural buildings for Saadiyat Island, which lies just off the shore of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Ando’s Maritime Museum concept takes its inspiration from Abu Dhabi’s natural surroundings, landscape and maritime traditions. It has a reflective surface visually merging sea and land. Its ship-like interior has floating decks which guide visitors through the exhibition space.
Chucks
Chuck come in assorted colors & designs. Mainly everyone in my family owns a pair of Chucks or Ugg boots. :)converse.com
Hookah Pipe
Egyptian style
Syrian style
A hookah (Hindi: हुक़्क़ा, Urdu: حقّہ, hukkah) is a single or multi-stemmed (often glass-based) water pipe for smoking. Originating in India, it has gained popularity, especially in the Arab World. A hookah operates by water filtration and indirect heat. It can be used for smoking herbal fruits, tobacco, or cannabis. Hokkah pipes come in assorted colors,deco & sizes.
I don't smoke, but I do like the designs of the hookah pipes. They are nice art pieces !
Syrian style
A hookah (Hindi: हुक़्क़ा, Urdu: حقّہ, hukkah) is a single or multi-stemmed (often glass-based) water pipe for smoking. Originating in India, it has gained popularity, especially in the Arab World. A hookah operates by water filtration and indirect heat. It can be used for smoking herbal fruits, tobacco, or cannabis. Hokkah pipes come in assorted colors,deco & sizes.I don't smoke, but I do like the designs of the hookah pipes. They are nice art pieces !
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Bob Marley
Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945. Brilliant and evocative music Bob Marley gave the world; music that stretches back over nearly two decades and still remains timeless and universal. Marley has been called "the first Third World superstar," "Rasta Prophet," "visionary," and" "revolutionary artist." These accolades were not mere hyperbole. Marley was one of the most charismatic and challenging performers of our time.
Bob Marley's career stretched back over twenty years. During that time Marley's growing style encompassed every aspect in the rise of Jamaican music, from ska to contemporary reggae. That growth was well reflected in the maturity of the Wailers' music.
Bob Marley was a hero figure, in the classic mythological sense. His departure from this planet came at a point when his vision of One World, One Love -- inspired by his belief in Rastafari -- was beginning to be heard and felt. The last Bob Marley and the Wailers tour in 1980 attracted the largest audiences at that time for any musical act in Europe.
Bob's story is that of an archetype, which is why it continues to have such a powerful and ever-growing resonance: it embodies political repression, metaphysical and artistic insights, gangland warfare and various periods of mystical wilderness. And his audience continues to widen: to westerners Bob's apocalyptic truths prove inspirational and life-changing; in the Third World his impact goes much further. Not just among Jamaicans, but also the Hopi Indians of New Mexico and the Maoris of New Zealand, in Indonesia and India, and especially in those parts of West Africa from which slaves were plucked and taken to the New World, Bob is seen as a redeemer figure returning to lead this.Bob Marley never wrote a bad song. He left behind the most remarkable body of recorded work. The tiny Third World country of Jamaica has produced an artist who has transcended all categories, classes, and creeds through a combination of innate modesty and profound wisdom. Bob Marley, the Natural Mystic, may yet prove to be the most significant musical artist of the twentieth century.
bobmarley
niceup
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Barack's High School graduation 1979
Go Vote!
Nas Black President Lyrics
[Intro: Obama]
They said this day would never come.
They said our sights were set too high.
They said this country was too divided;
too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose.
They Said, They Said . . .
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
[Verse 1: Nas]
They forgot us on the block
Got us in the box
Solitary confinement
How violent are these cops?
They need an early retirement
How many rallies will I watch?
I ain't got it in me to march
I got a semi to spark
The game's in a drought
Public housing, projects
Cooking up in the Pyrex
My set, my click
Either getting money
Or running from homicide trial
That's if they ain't died yet
Trying to be rich
Still I'm pledging allegiance
A predicate felon, a ghetto leader
Lending my poetical genius
To whoever may need it
I bleed this from Queensbridge
Now living with my feet up
Never defeated
So a president's needed
Y'know these colored folks and Negroes
Hate to see one of their own succeeding
America, surprised us
And let a black man guide us
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
What’s the black pres. thinkin’ on election night
Is it how can I protect my life?
Protect my wife?
Protect my rights?
Every other president was nothin' less than white
Except Thomas Jefferson and mixed Indian blood
and Calvin coolers
KKK is like 'WTF, loadin' they guns up
loadin' mine too, Ready to ride
Cause im ridin with my crew
He dies - we die too
But on a positive side,
I think Obama provides Hope - and challenges minds
Of all races and colors to erase the hate
And try and love one another, so many political snakes
We in need of a break
Im thinkin' I can trust this brotha
But will he keep it way real?
Every innocent n!gga in jail - gets out on appeal
When he wins - will he really care still?
I feel . . .
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
Say a prayer for "do we have to?"
You ain't right, Jeremiah Wrong pastor
In love with a slave master
Sincerely yours:
USA most brave rapper
Jesse car-jacker
Uncle Tom-kidnapper
Ask around
Bentley Coupe off the Richter
B!tch-called-life, I pimped her
What?
Politics, politricks
Klan-shooter
Deacon for defense
Progress-producer
Nothing on the stove
A survival-booster
Gotta do what we gotta do
We ain't got no governors coming through - to help
anything we need done, we gotta do for self
New-improved JFK on the way
It ain't the 60's again
N!ggas ain't hippies again
We ain't falling for the same traps
Standing on the balconies
Where they shot the King at
McCain got apologies
Ain't nobody hearing that
People need honesty
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
[Outro]
It is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce the next President of the United States:
Barack Obama.
(Applause)
[Intro: Obama]
They said this day would never come.
They said our sights were set too high.
They said this country was too divided;
too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose.
They Said, They Said . . .
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
[Verse 1: Nas]
They forgot us on the block
Got us in the box
Solitary confinement
How violent are these cops?
They need an early retirement
How many rallies will I watch?
I ain't got it in me to march
I got a semi to spark
The game's in a drought
Public housing, projects
Cooking up in the Pyrex
My set, my click
Either getting money
Or running from homicide trial
That's if they ain't died yet
Trying to be rich
Still I'm pledging allegiance
A predicate felon, a ghetto leader
Lending my poetical genius
To whoever may need it
I bleed this from Queensbridge
Now living with my feet up
Never defeated
So a president's needed
Y'know these colored folks and Negroes
Hate to see one of their own succeeding
America, surprised us
And let a black man guide us
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
What’s the black pres. thinkin’ on election night
Is it how can I protect my life?
Protect my wife?
Protect my rights?
Every other president was nothin' less than white
Except Thomas Jefferson and mixed Indian blood
and Calvin coolers
KKK is like 'WTF, loadin' they guns up
loadin' mine too, Ready to ride
Cause im ridin with my crew
He dies - we die too
But on a positive side,
I think Obama provides Hope - and challenges minds
Of all races and colors to erase the hate
And try and love one another, so many political snakes
We in need of a break
Im thinkin' I can trust this brotha
But will he keep it way real?
Every innocent n!gga in jail - gets out on appeal
When he wins - will he really care still?
I feel . . .
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
Say a prayer for "do we have to?"
You ain't right, Jeremiah Wrong pastor
In love with a slave master
Sincerely yours:
USA most brave rapper
Jesse car-jacker
Uncle Tom-kidnapper
Ask around
Bentley Coupe off the Richter
B!tch-called-life, I pimped her
What?
Politics, politricks
Klan-shooter
Deacon for defense
Progress-producer
Nothing on the stove
A survival-booster
Gotta do what we gotta do
We ain't got no governors coming through - to help
anything we need done, we gotta do for self
New-improved JFK on the way
It ain't the 60's again
N!ggas ain't hippies again
We ain't falling for the same traps
Standing on the balconies
Where they shot the King at
McCain got apologies
Ain't nobody hearing that
People need honesty
[Hook (2x): Tupac]
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
And though it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President
Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World )
(They Said!)
[Outro]
It is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce the next President of the United States:
Barack Obama.
(Applause)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Nas
Nasir Bin Olu Dara born September 14, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York. His family later moved to the Queensbridge projects. As a kid, Nas wanted to be an instrumentalist. He often played his dad's (jazz/blues musician Olu Dara) trumpet. Nas was also into comics. But, he immersed himself into the hip-hop culture shortly after his parents Olu Dara and Ann Jones separated. That was when young Nasir Jones began to write short stories and poetry.Nas made his hip-hop debut on "Halftime," which was featured on MC Serch's soundtrack to "Zebrahead." In mid 1992, MC Serch helped secure Nas a deal with Columbia Records. The initial concern was that Columbia, a major label, would dilute Nas' raw rap style. In 1994, Illmatic was released. The album, which featured production by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip, and a relatively unknown emcee named AZ, was lauded as a masterpiec.
Following the competitive nature of east coast rap, one of Brooklyn's most prolific rhymeslingers, Jay-Z, found himself in a war-on-wax with Nas -- Queensbridge #1 draft. Although, many later claimed that Nas won the battle with "Ether," his esoteric, yet wittily ferocious response to Jay-Z's "Takeover," both rappers claimed victory in their most recent BET interview.
In 2008, Nas released his 2nd Def Jam album, Untitled. After drawing fire for the confrontational title, Nas bowed to pressure and decided to release the album without a title. Well, not exactly. You see, at the back of Nas' mind this is still his N*gger album, intact with the same songs and concepts. It's a testament to the MC's bravery that he lives to tell about every provocative moment of this album's journey.
On one of the decade's most anticipated hip-hop albums, Nas bares his soul like he's never done before. From the moving intro, "Queens Get The Money" to the dashing closer, "Black President," this is Nas at his most honest, radical, and glaringly optimistic.
Get past the bragfest and Untitled switches into full-blown political commentary mode. It's like Nas is saying, "That's the n*gger. Now here's the n*gga."
Supporting that point, an assault of staccato blasts leaps out of "America," as Nas transforms into a Rocky-like figure ready to tackle any obstacles. At its political core, Untitled is Nas' celebration of what he deems his life mission: hip-hop hero. The MC who declares the culture dead so he can resurrect it on an album called Hip-Hop Is Dead. "People are afraid of criticism, but I always put myself in sacrificial positions," he rhymes on "N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)"
rap.about
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