:: Sample Sale ::

:: Rockefeller XMas Tree Facts ::

The search:
People from all around the country send photos of their trees offering them to Rockefeller Center. The manager of Rockefeller Center Gardens drives the back roads of the Northeast and elsewhere looking for trees. He then flies in a helicopter in an aerial survey during winter months, when most trees are leafless and evergreens stand out.

The tree:
Typically a Norway Spruce.
Norway Spruces are native to Northern Europe. They have been planted in the United States ornamentally and grow to large sizes.
They normally have a life span typical to humans, 80 to 110 years. They grow approximately one foot a year. In the US, they are not forest trees. In a forest, the trees grow together and are not full enough for our use. Our trees are usually planted as single specimen trees in front or back yards.
Desired dimensions are a minimum of 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide. They are dense and have "character." Trees 75 to 90 feet tall are preferred.
After months of careful preparation and weeks of trussing the tree for travel, the actual cutting takes less than two minutes. Most people watching have to look carefully to see when it actually happens because the tree is suspended from the tip of a giant crane that bears the tree's full weight when the cut is complete.
Once the tree is cut and moved carefully off its stump, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center counts the rings to get a more accurate measure of its age.
The tree travels on a custom-made, telescoping trailer, which can stretch to 100 feet and can accommodate a tree up to 125 feet tall. It takes 15-20 people and a 280-ton, all-terrain hydraulic crane to handle the tree. The same crane is used to erect and remove the tree from its place of honor at Rockefeller Center.
The tree is transported from its home to New York City and then travels in the middle of the night with a police escort on a carefully planned route so traffic is disrupted as little as possible.

Farthest distance traveled:
The farthest distance a tree has ever traveled to Rockefeller Center was approximately 518 miles in 1966. That tree was from Ottawa, Canada.
First time aired on television:
The first nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was in 1951 on the Kate Smith Show. It was again lit in 1954 on the Howdy Doody Show.

:: Happy Thanksgiving ::

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What we drinking tonight?

:: Jay-Z ::

FYI........
MSN Music will be showing the November 11 Jay-Z concert from the Hammerstein Ballroom on its website on November 20 at 2 pm.

:: Miami ::

So... this past weekend I went to Miami.. wow, the number of Europeans and Stupid Canadians there blew my mind. I mean theres always been the Euro-Trash, but its exploded since the US Dollars demise.. Ughh horrible.

Friday night at Opium Garden..

Nimesh actually sold his spot on the bed to us for 80bucks.. Alcohol makes you do stupid things..

Our hotel.. (Shore Club)



Only stupid fucking dumbass people wear hats with a tshirt and sunglasses in a pool at one of the sexiest hotels in Florida, not to mention playing with a Nerf football... by himself...



Ocean Drive

What happened to Miami Beach?... this is a clear sign! Too bad.. Damn US Dollar!

Sunday brunch/party at Nikki Beach. Always dope.

:: On my way ::

Talk to you guys on Monday.... Gone for the weekend.

:: Late 90s Hip Hop Videos - Queens ::

So last week I posted all the dope videos I could remember from the golden era of hip-hop. I focused on Brooklyn first, now its time for Q-Boro... Check the previous post for a reminder.

This is my top 3 all time favorite album from this era.. just my opinion so if you dont agree, kiss my ass.
Mobb Deep - Give up the goods

...and this is my favorite album from this era... dont think many would disagree.. arguably one of the top 5 best hip-hop albums ever made. "To my peoples throughout Queens, God bless ya life.."
Nasty Nas - The World is Yours Remix (also my favorite video from him..whoo!! the pearl bubble Lex son! If you remember, this is the remix that Jay-Z sampled for Dead Presidents.. pay homage!)

Many people forget Kool G Rap was from Corona.. G Rap was just as good as painting stories, plots etc as Slick Rick and Biggie.

...speaking of Corona.. this is probably the hardest video in Hip-Hop ever to get airplay..too bad it was pulled a few days after...
Beatnuts - Reign of the Tec... what more can you ask for? Nines, Tecs, triple beams, bodega robbery, car crash and someones mom tied up in the corner.. awesome. Peep the Sadat-X cameo too.

This was probably one of the most slept on albums but almost every song was a banger.. think he's an ANR for DefJam now.
Mic Geronimo - Shits Real... Flushing stand up! (oh peep Irv Gotti in this video, about 50lbs lighter)

Keeping with Flushing... The Legendary Main Source.. Looking at the Front Door. Love this high hat sample...

WHOOOOOO!! im hyped I found this.. God Bless YouTube.... love this song...
Royal Flush - Iced Down Medallions.. ft CNN.. ("..laying on 45th and Colden, selling drugs till the morning...Queens Stallion")

This was the response to Dogg Pounds "NY NY" song...
Tradegy, Mobb Deep, Capone N Noreaga - LA,LA

That song made me think of this song..
Capone and Noreaga - T.O.N.Y.

DOOOOPE album.. makes me act ignorant fo sho... LeFrak lick two shots!!!
N.O.R.E. - Super Thug (first time i heard of Neptunes as a collaboration, Rump Shaker was Pharrell only i think)

LeFrak also spit out Akinyele.. most of you girls know him for "Put it in my mouth" but this is his real shit..
The Bomb

This next group almost brings a tear to my eye... we spent soooo many nights driving around, smoking, and drinking to this tape.. i think i had to buy it 3 times because it kept popping on me... RIP Freaky Tah..............

This is for Henry... how many of you know ja-rule before he went solo? CMC.... Another Irv Gotta cameo..
Cash Money Click - Get tha Fortune and 4 My Click... Gotta post both..


Another top 5 album.. I dont need to say what I think of this group.. legendary..
A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario

For the party people... talk about longevity.. 22yrs and still crushin... Radio was actually my first tape my mom ever bought me.
LL Cool J - Loungin ("Its a Queens thang...")

Just because I want to... (lets keep the rope chains to the 80s.. you idiots bringing them back is just corny) LL Cool J - Old school styleeee

Everyone knows these guys... Hollis!! RIP JMJ

Before he was Khadafi he was the Intelligent Hoodlum.. this might be earlier in this era.. but worth posting..
Grand Groove Remix


There are obviously more that im forgetting but I will update this post tomorrow or during the week. If you can think of any let me know.. I also didnt lump Long Island in there but maybe I will later... Peace... let me know what you think..

:: Happy Birthday Mom ::

November 14th

:: R2D2 ::

Someone in Japan must love little trash can robots as much as nerds in the US do, because they've made an R2D2 soy sauce bottle. Just load up the can with soy sauce (the liquid kind, not the semi-liquid kind) and pour it out through R2's opening into your food for maximum Star Wars flavor. They've even got a black R2-Q2 model in case you enjoy evil soy sauce. Why Evil? Because it's black and has an evil goatee.

:: Best Story Ever ::

MIAs so fresh..

:: Rock the Bells ::

FUCK! Rage Against the Machine actually got back together for a performance at this years Rock the Bells concert. How did I miss this? Lets pray to the higher above that they get back together permanently! Seeing the 30secs of their performance brings chills back... Sorry for the late post on this.

Check out some footage shot by "The New Pop" (my new favorite video blog).

:: 5:10 am ::

OK its 5:10am and I cant sleep. Maybe its due to the 2 cigars, 5 cups of coffee and 2 beers from earlier but mostly likely its because House Party 1 is on cable and i cant stop watching it! ahh, 1990.. i wonder why the kick step went out of style.. ive seen a few flat tops come back but not the kick step just yet..

:: Hi-Tek ::

Woooooo this is my jam right now!
Hi-Tek ft. Ghostface, Raekwon & Dion - My Piano.. Off Hi-Tek's new album on Dec 11th.

Download it HERE

:: Kanye/Alicia Keys Remix ::

I just came across this remix for "No One" recently.. so I thought id post it.
Curious what people think...

Download/Listen to it HERE

I think the original couldnt be fucked with.

:: Jim Jones ::

I guess, Jim Jones was trying to take Jay-Z's shine last week by releasing his own free mixtape called Harlem's American Gangsta. Cant front, I like Jimmy.



Download it HERE

1 - Intro
2 - The King
3 - LA
4 - Dame Dash Interlude 1
5 - Byrd Gang Money
6 - American Gangster Movie Clip
7 - Don P
8 - Dame Dash Interlude 2
9 - 2 Blocks
10 - Money Comes and Goes
11 - Dame Dash Interlude 3
12 - Up in Harlem
13 - American Gangster
14 - Lifestyle
15 - Dame Dash Interlude 4
16 - Bonus Track

:: Not Safe for Work!! ::

Warning, do not open this at your job. I "randomly" found this on some sneaker site (Seriously).. However, HERE are Kim K's recent pics for the mens magazine P.B. And yes, shes Armenian.



Guys, you can buy me a beer next time.

:: DJ Mike ::

Soundtrack to the Streets Pt 7. If youre interested.




01. Jay-Z - Don’tcha Baby (Not On Album) 01:19
02. Jim Jones Ft. Max B- Harlem’s American Gangster (Jay-Z Diss) 04:43
03. Cam’ron- Hot Mess 02:55
04. Cam’ron - Calm Down 03:30
05. Cassidy Ft. Drag-On - Feelings (Not On Album) 04:08
06. Cassidy, Drag-On, & Larceny - Say Something (Not On Album) 04:22
07. Cassidy, Drag-On, & Larceny - How I Spit (Not On Album) 04:30
08. Lil’ Wayne - Some Say 01:56
09. Lil’ Wayne - Can’t Phase Me 01:09
10. Jay-Z Ft. Beanie Sigel - Ignorant Shit (Remix) 03:32
11. Cassidy Ft. Kanye West & Ne-Yo - Drink N 2 Step (Remix) 03:56
12. Cassidy & Freeway - In My Shoes 02:57
13. Styles P - Sidesteppin’ 01:00
14. Sheek Louch - 6 In The Morning 00:57
15. Cam’ron - Just Us 03:18
16. Jim Jones - Up In Harlem 02:42
17. Hell Rell & J.R. Writer - Up In Smoke 03:56
18. 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo & Young Buck - Feel Good 04:56
19. Papoose - Charades Pt. 2 03:26
20. Moxberg & Mysonne - Black Cloud, Wanna Blow 03:11
21. Ransom & Nikki Minaj - Freak Shit 02:46
22. Remo Da Rapstar - Top Eight 02:24
23. Rawdoggz - Over A Bitch 03:01
24. Styles P, Beanie Sigel, Freeway & Uncle Murda - The Cipher 09:12


This is the new mixtape from DJ Mike. Lot of exclusive Cassidy joints that didn’t make the album.

Download it HERE

:: Roc Boys ::

Heard the movie was good, heres Jay-Z's performance on Letterman and the new video...

:: The Walls Belong To Us Pics ::

So I ended up going to the "Walls Belong To Us" fundraiser last night. It seemed like a good turn out.
Here are some pics of it:

:: Thursday Night ::

November 8th, 2007
55DSL
will be hosting our second art benefit to support
Alan Ket in his effort to pay legal expenses and raisemoney for his case's fines.
Please join us for an evening of music, drinks, and art. We will have
great new art for sale from artists
SENTO, Barry McGee, JA ONE, Joe
Buck, BATES, Mario Pena, PERSUE,
and many more.

A silent auction will
include items from DOC TC5, Super Blast, MIN, and a fantastic Chinatown
food tour by Harley Spiller.

November 8th, 2007
Sound of Art and SupportKet.org
presents
The Walls Belong to Us 2
55DSL store
281 Lafayette St., Soho, NYC
7-9pm
music by DJ Soul
open bar

Suggested donation $20

Please rsvp at: rsvp@soundofart.net

Generous support provided by: 55DSL, Complex magazine, Hip-Hop Theatre
Festival, From Here to Fame, Actual Creative, Sound of Art and MassAppeal

:: The Backroom ::

OK I stole this from another Blog but thought it was cool to post it. Whos down to not get in? ::The Backroom::



Strengths
The Back Room is serious about foiling the police: bottles are served in paper bags, mixed drinks come in tea cups, and mason jars hold beer from the tap.
Gilded copper ceilings, paisley velvet wallpaper, and two levels of spacious rooms lend this speakeasy a legitimately classy atmosphere. And with Tim Robbins as owner, the bar has instant celebrity cache.
The “DJ” tends to insert a CD and leave the booth. Where else can your hear an entire Morphine album?
Shortcomings
A bouncer outside the door’s entrance (an iron gate) alerts lost passerby to the bar’s presence. Doubt this happened in the ’20s.
The Back Room is a popular spot for private parties, so that very same bouncer may very well turn you away. Either make friends with him or try one of the gajillion bars nearby.
Insider tips
The real back room (where a tougher bouncer stands guard) hides behind a swinging bookshelf, keeping celebs, staff, and other select patrons out of sight..
If you want to host a party here, email thebackrooom@verizon.net.
The bar is only open Tuesday through Saturday, and some Sundays over long weekends.
Fridays and Saturdays are 25+.
Anecdotes
I walked into the bar and my olfactorily-superior (and chemically experienced) friend Dan said the place reeked of absinthe. Could it be? Yep, thanks to a guest who had escorted us past the bouncer, we’d wriggled our way into a private absinthe party. So, even though there’s no cocktail menu, you now know what to order…
Once when my friend Ari visited the bar, the bookshelf was doorman-free. He entered the back back room, but a bouncer quickly scrambled from his seat to nudge him out (though not before Ari caught a glimpse of two New York Rangers).

The Back Room
102 Norfolk St.
212.228.5098

:: Late 90s Hip Hop Videos - Brooklyn ::

So my boy Henry sent me the link to the oldschool video "BackPack" from Rough House Survivors, which gave me the idea to post a few videos from the golden era of hiphop. The shocking part is that im actually able to find these so easily on YouTube.. The memories are priceless. I think im going to do this on a weekly basis on Tuesdays. Lets be real, only Brooklyn and Queens were running hip-hop in this era. "I didnt hear a peep from a place called the bronx"... Lets start with BK.

This was my jam, corny but maybe because "I thought I was all that"

I cant post that video without posting "Can I Get Open" one of Jay-Zs first appearances.

Think this song was a NY Thing only, not sure if they were BRKLN but fuk it.
Double XX Posse

WHAAAT! I cant believe youtube had this video.. By far one of my favorite songs from this era... BK Lo-Lives stand up!! "Rakin in the Dough".. Look at that crisp Red Sitdown Bear knit.. Actually, now that I think of it, they might have been from Harlem. But fuck it. I think one of them was from BK.

Summer time classic while playing ball.
Da Bush Babees

Legendary MC and Legendary Producer.. Gangstarr

A lot of people mistook him for a Queens bred but nope..AZ

This song made me want to punch someone in the nose. hard..
Mash Out Posse (M.O.P.)

Supa classic video.. even better album! Group Home.. You know they were truly ghetto. I mean, youre first video ever and that "New York" sweatshirt Lil Dap wears is the best he could find? Melachi didnt even have a shirt to wear!

Another classic album..what happened to Dred Locks? Jeru...D Original

The peak of hip-hop in the last decade... Black Moon, so many videos to post so I picked my favorite.. BCC!

Love this video.. BCC!

Didnt get as much shine as the rest of the Boot Camp Click but dope song. typical BCC production.

Oh my god we smoked so much weed to this song.. Sound Bwoy Bureill.. Smif n Wessun

The self proclaimed king of hip-hop.. 1995.. Jay-Z

A different sound but still fresh. Digable.

The flow is so sick... Camp Lo.

This video made me get rims, hook up my whip and wanna go to Virginia Beach.. Masta Ase... or you know him as Masta Ace.

Thinking of Masta Ace, I had to post this.. my favorite song by him probably.

Sorry last one.. theres just so many jams..

I almost forgot this one.. Blackstar

One of the best compilations..

This entire album was a classic.

Super Doodey Tough Work... Company Flow.. not sure they were from Brooklyn but I think so... oh check out my boy Vaz dancing & making his video debut about 1:40 deep into it.

Blahzay Blahzay

What happened to Lauren? Anyway, heres the Fugees...



This has nothing to do with Late 90s or BK or anything. But its fuking hilarious..
Cam'rons "HP Commercial"

:: Halloween 2 ::

Here are the pictures from Halloween last Weds..

A thing, A teabag and A Baller

Queens Bees



Parade...






Baby Skunk!

Predator! Dope!


Then the party begins at Room Service...

Caught looking at our waitress...





Perv!

Ahhh. the Gloves...

Superman that hoe!!!!

Our waitresses...


Teabagged

Faded..

Cos and Pabs...no costume... Booooooo!

OMG! Dr Seuss is Filipino!!!


"Joi, I got this great idea, we can dance on the couches!" "Word!"



Lip syncing?


Dude stole my drink again!

Grab the teabag.


Kat Von D (LA Ink).




Looks like he's touching her with his left hand..weird.


Fine, Im on the couch!

Me Too!

They got on stage though..


Battling!

Challaaange!





Word? Thats who?

DJ and a Reverend at the same time.. Rev Run.. Queens lick two shots!



Bent







I can see him dancing now!

Or maybe he was doing something else with his hands?

WTF?

Who is she supposed to be?



Grubbing bitches..Smile!