Killa came through with a new track that's surprisingly hot. Whether many will admit it or not, the Diplomats have been going through it. Lackluster music has lead to lackluster sales and a switch to the commercial. I remember the Dipset before anyone really knew who Jim Jones was, when Cam'Ron different have to rely on the same flow every song. Everyone once in a while we get a flash of hope that Killa still cares about his craft, i.e. the "Yo Get Rich" freestyle ft. Tom Gist, and hopefully this is one.
If you don't have the Blue Carpet treatment yet thats a problem. To those that don't have it It's A Lifestyle is gonna bless you with the download. Church
I found a nice little interview on EW.com documenting a studio session T.I. and Timbaland had in T.I.'s atlanta studio. Its said that the young King of the south already has 60 completed tracks for his critically acclaimed "KING" follow up, amongst those tracks T.I.P talks about a collabo between everybody's favorite trapstar(young jeezy) and the self titled best rapper alive(lil wanye). Those 3 on one track? has to be worth a listen, or 10.
The New York Post is reporting that Suge Knight is contemplating the end of Death Row/That Row Records, which launched the West Coast hip-hop sound of Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
Marion "Suge" Knight said he's ready to pull the plug on the label he founded in 1991. His change of direction occurred after he made two visits to the City of Refuge Church, near his hometown of Compton, near L.A., where Bishops Noel Jones and T.D. Jakes eerily gave him the same message.
"You've got to be able to let the past go, and move forward to the future," he quoted Jones as saying. Two weeks later, Knight heard Jakes, who was visiting from Texas, say, "You can't keep living in the past. God gives you a chance to move on."
Knight says, "They talked about the same thing, and it felt like they were talking straight to me. I don't want to be tied up with this for years. I want to move on with my life in a more positive direction."
Knight, has been battling in bankruptcy court since Lydia Harris won a $106 million judgment against Death Row by claiming that her husband Michael, now doing 28 years in prison on drug related charges, co-founded the label and was entitled to a 50 percent stake in it.
The bankruptcy court wants Knight to keep operating Death Row under Chapter 11 reorganization, but he now wants to liquidate his publishing rights, pay off the creditors, and end his Death Row misery.
"I want to take care of the creditors. I'm saying I don't want to keep living in the past, with the negativity," Knight said. "My approach to music now is different. I'm not Delores Tucker, but you do have to be careful what you say," observed Knight, who no longer uses the N-word.
"We shouldn't be constantly feeding negative energy to these kids," he said. "You can get rich with the devil's money, but you can only be happy with God's money."
Personally, I'll believe it when I see it. Word to Pastor Mason.
Beanie Sigel Speaks On Roc-A -Fella Situation, Beef, and More
There's been alot of confusion after the Roc-A-Fella breakup, and no one has been such an example of that confusion as Beanie Sigel. It's A Lifestyle recently came across a new interview the Broad St. Bully did with DJ Absolut, and it should clear up alot of the he-say-she-say that we've been left with regarding his situation.
Its been a minute since their's been a real style portion to It's a Lifestyle and we apologize, As we get more support and more help to cater to the growing demand so will the frequency and regularity of updates in all lifestyle areas.
Ok so onto the style, Now the example that i thru together above is one of several looks for the spring/summer, I always recommend a diverse wardrobe. Meaning you have sweaters, cardigans, to compliment the mandatory hoodies and assorted tee's.
Nice denim is a must, everybody has their fav's weather it be LVC's APC's or whatever, But you have to go out and find what fits you and your style.
Here are pics of the Atmos x Nike Elephant pack. Recently probably one of the most popular patterns (as of late most over used) bought to you by nike. As of now the pack only consists of the Court force and AM 1, unfortunately the release date info is not available.
hmmm I wonder who runs this supposed "impartial" media
quotables: “They will get up everyday, go kill somebody and then go have some chicken at KFC..”
“They turned the Superdome into a ghetto in just 3 days.”
What kills me is that they have the token black guy who is a reverend that comes on every so often and makes random hateful statements about his own people.
This is why we will never grow as a people, were constantly divided.
Apparently this song and video by Oakland based rapper "Mistah F.A.B." has been banned by most media outlets in the COUNTRY. Check out the video below, I think its dope and original for once, thank God for Youtube, until they take that away too:
Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B.'s "Ghost Ride It" video has been banned from all media outlets because of the video's use of the Ghostbusters car and logo in the video for the controversial single. Mistah F.A.B.'s "Ghost Ride It" singles touches upon the phenomenon of "ghost riding," which is when the driver stands on the hood of a moving vehicle. According to reps for Mistah F.A.B., who appeared on Fox's Hanity & Colmes show over the subject, the video for the single had already been edited 52 times to meet MTV and BET's guidelines. The video was being aired on MTV2's Unleashed MTV Jams, MTVU and MTV's Sucker Free Countdown when Columbia Pictures threatened legal action over the usage of the Ghostbuster's logo and likeness in the video. In Dec. 2006, the song came under scrutiny when an 18-year-old man and a 36-year-old man died in separate "ghost riding" incidents.
36 Years old though? Way too old b.
Stay Black,
The Black Hey Zeus
posted by Boney Starks The Black Hey Zeus @ 11:55 PM
Christopher George Latore Wallace May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997 Rest In Peace
I was going to put up a bunch of material, but I found this over at the Smoking Section and just had to put it up. This collection of rarities, remixes, and freestyles really embodies the Biggie Smalls that we came to know and love. This isn't some commercial, Diddy-produced compilation, but rather a mixtape of Biggie's most raw and lyrical cuts.
The word "nigga" and its variations have passed through my mouth more than I can care to remember. I even thought at one time that it was a term of endearment, but it wasn't. I was blinded by the fact that I had accepted the word, let it come into my vocabulary, and used it on a day to day basis. But no more, and you shouldn't either. As pro-black as I claimed to be, I was only shooting myself in the foot when I would talk about how "black people don't have their shit together" then come right back with the word "nigga please".
Give it some thought. I mean, whats the worst that could happen? Sure, you'd sound a little different saying something other than "my nigga", but could it be all that bad?
I was watching "Bastards of the Party" on OnDemand the other night and a gentleman made the comment that "Its easy to call another man a 'nigga', by saying 'that nigga aint shit' or 'imma kill that nigga', but suppose you replaced that word nigga...with brother, its hard to say...'i'm going to kill that brother'...because you don't kill your brother...you love your brother."
That hit home with me more than anything that I had seen in a long time. And the fact that it carries so much truth to it has urged me not to say "nigga", "nigger', or "niggas" in almost two weeks.
Anyways. Whats Up to the "Its A Lifestyle" family, just making myself acquainted, hope this site blows up so I can get my royalties (No Five Heartbeats)
Until Next Time,
Stay Black.
-The Black Hey Zeus
posted by Boney Starks The Black Hey Zeus @ 11:34 PM
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
"Makin' Sure I Get My Wax On, Like Daniel-son..."
Redman straight obliterated the mic last night on DJ Green Lantern's Sirius show.
Our dudes gave you the Vegas wrap-up, and now it's time for you to get to know Sincerely Hogwash. We sat down with Brian W. to talk about the meaning behind their name, what motivates them, and what they've got coming on the horizon. These cats have alot of talent and a real vision, not to mention one of the best endorsements you can get in ?uestlove of The Roots. To put it short, they're making moves, and it's time you get a chance to check them out.
It's A Lifestyle: When did you guys start Sincerely Hogwash? What were the circumstances surrounding that?
Sincerely Hogwash: Oh man. This one is a doozy. S.H. was born in Honolulu, HI in 2004. This was around the time I met Eric. I was customizing my kicks at the time, and a mutual friend liked what I was doing and introduced me to E. After some talks we made our first concious decision to start HOGWASH. We put together a couple of really rough designs and printed our joints by hand on my ex girlfriend's lanai (balcony in Hawaii). Anyway, tons of shitty shirts made later we got into our first shop called SRS in Honolulu (RIP). At the time they carried SSUR, Nike, Swagger, vinyl figures, etc. A really nice shop. Big ups to the SRS fam. Jon, Yuki, Steve,and Young Justin of KICKS/HI fame for putting us on. After that its been a bumpy road of ups and downs. We love it.
IAL: What is the significance of the name?
SH: I don't know if you remember, but do you remember that Wu tang interview on MTV in the early 90's when they asked what the 36 chambers meant and each member had their own little philosophy? Sometimes I feel like that[laughs]. If you asked Eric what it meant, he might tell you some other shit. Its always cohesive though. Sincerely Hogwash is a name that reflects the shit that we are fed on a day to day basis. Not even just clothes, but everything. A lot of the time it's trash. To me, Sincerely Hogwash is the release. We wanted to do quality stuff, well thought out, with some weight behind it. No all over prints for the hell of it. And no 50 dollar logo shirts.
IAL: Are there any values or attitudes you are trying to express through your line?
SH: Yeah. Each design is focused around one of the three principles "MONEY. POWER. REFLECT." You gotta stop and think about whats going on sometimes.
IAL: I personally love the Flightman-inspired "Get Fly With Me" tee. What is the process like, from getting a great idea to putting it into production? How many ideas make it to the production phase, as compared to those that don't?
SH: Thanks man. That idea did come out very nice. Actually, that design is inspired from one of my favorite joints I picked up a few years back at Fruition-LV. Big ups Chris. We flipped it, because as much as I love the dopeness of some crisp J's on my feet, I gotta realize that shit ain't cheap [laughs]. His Airness is getting PAID! We actually come up with a lot of ideas that never make it. That's great though. It means the creative process is healthy. Selection usually depends on the feeling of line. What is the main focus. This new line we are working on is completely focused on an era. So we had to put some ideas on freeze because they just weren't meshing wit the concept.
-Ryan of Sincerely Hogwash
IAL: What do you guys do to stay creative and original in a market such as streetwear, where over-saturation is becoming an issue?
SH: You ever see the movie "Lucky # Slevin"? Its all about the Kansas City Shuffle. "Everyone looks left. You go right"
IAL: Where does alot of your inspiration come from?
SH: Everywhere really. I fucked around with skating. Eric skated and surfs. We party. We laugh. We definitely love this industry, so that is always a motivating and inspiring factor.
IAL: How do you think being from the Left Coast has had an impact on Sincerely Hogwash?
SH: Well me being from the Left allows me to see things first hand. A lot of brands are born over here. I'm able to get shit done a lot quicker too.
-Eric of Sincerely Hogwash
IAL: What do you guys have coming up on the horizon? SH: Really man, we're just pushing along; doing what we love. Project wise, our new 2007 line entitled "SPICOLI'S REVENGE" is being finished up. We have a mixtape situation that is also being worked out. Expect cut n' sew and hats in the near near future, and we're building upon our site so please be on the lookout for that.
IAL: Describe yourself in five words.
SH: IT'S A LIFESTYLE SINCERELY RYAN. I don't know if that makes since, but it sounded good [laughs].
IAL: Musical rotation?
SH: Lately I've been banging a mix. Bay Area bangers. Keak Da Sneak. Prince. Little Brother. Best of Tribe [Called Quest]. A little old with some new.
-?uestlove getting his Money, Power, Reflect on.
IAL: What kicks are you rocking right now?
SH: I've got a small collection of Vans Sk8 Hi's and Eras. I've been rotating those joints out. Supreme Chukka's, W)Taps Sk8 Hi's, Loomstate Sk8 Hi's.
IAL: Any shoutouts?
SH: In the famous words of Wyclef-Jean, "To all the girls I cheated on before, ayo its a new year!"
Everyone wants to think of themselves as a hustler. Everyone wants to be the guy with dough, but how many people actually become that? We at It's A Lifestyle want to help you go from being a paper chaser to a paper stacker, and since our circle of people includes quite a few paper stackers, we figured we would give you guys weekly tips on making your money work for you.
Here's the first installment:
Do Not Chase The Spotlight
Being in the spotlight is absolutely not necessary, no matter how inviting it can be. If you are about your business, then you are about your goals. Building on your money and creating opportunities is all about using what others want to achieve what you want. In this sense your focus should be appeasing both parties, instead of simply giving into your own whims. A lot of people get too into being "out there", and often get lost chasing that feeling. At the end of the day, it's all about the relationships you have built and the opportunities you have made for yourself, and achieving your goals. Working toward future and long term business moves is smart entrepreneurship.
Take parties, for example.
Your name on a flier only lasts until that party is over. It's about conducting business at your party instead of being on the dancefloor, taking pictures with bottles in your hand. The end result should be the money made. Your prime objective is to be handling business and making sure the event is a financial success, as opposed to being in the spotlight. During the party, your concerns should be damage control, using the atmosphere to build relationships to make future moves, and counting your dough.
When Diddy throws a party, one would say he is in the spotlight. What he is actually doing is usingthe spotlight to create long-term value and build his brand. To the average partygoer, he is partying with them, but in reality he is making moves by creating an atmosphere that makes the consumer come back for more. This makes it so that he can charge more the next party, and the next, etc.. It's like an investment. He's buying everyone drinks, but he already paid for the liquor and is not drinking himself. The energy he is putting into the party brings a fiscal return.
This is an example of mastering the spotlight and instant gratification, as Diddy is not giving into either. He is in fact giving the illusion of instant gratification as the consumers participate in the real act. He is using the spotlight to bring people in, instead of chasing the spotlight and simply wanting to be "out there". A Diddy party sells you the dream of getting to party with him, and he makes it so that he makes money from your own instant gratification and joy of the spotlight, as his parties are often a "who's who" of the business and entertainment industry.
This is basically another facet of getting high on your own supply. At the end of the day, whether it be the drug game, throwing parties, or running a company, business is business, and all business have certain guidelines that should be followed. They are most clearly articulated in Biggie Smalls' "10 Crack Commandments", but that is for another day.
