President Obama’s First Interview To Arab TV

President Obama isn’t wasting any time in his efforts to change the American image in the Middle East:

Barack Obama gave his first formal television interview as US President to an Arabic cable TV network, telling Al-Arabiya that when it comes to Middle East matters “all too often the United States starts by dictating”.

Mr Obama taped the interview with the Dubai-based network as his envoy to the Middle East, former Senator George Mitchell, set out for an eight-day trip to the region and elsewhere.

The interview complemented the new administration’s first efforts to reach out to Arab leaders in the region, who have been wary at best of US efforts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mr Obama said he felt it important to “get engaged right away” in the Mideast and had directed Mr Mitchell to talk to “all the major parties involved”. His administration would craft an approach after that, he said in the interview.

PARTI
PART II

For $150 You Can Get Head From a Porn Star

…Virtually, anyway.

Some dude over at NASA got tired of looking at glowing balls up in the sky all day and decided to something with his life. The result: RealTouch — a virtual-sex device whereby men can stick their penis inside a machine while they watch porn on their computer. But that’s not all!

RealTouch promises to “stroke and massage your cock to an explosive orgasm.” Sounds pretty intense. Then again so does making love to your kitchen’s trash disposal.

From their site:

“Simply connect the USB cable to your computer and in just moments you’re synched up to the hot sex on the screen. Feel every flick of her tongue, every clinched muscle, and every tremble of her body as she comes.”

“No other product captures the delicate nuances of the female body quite like RealTouch. Whether you prefer amazing blowjobs, fucking a tight ass, or a wet pussy, the revolutionary design of RealTouch lets you break all the rules without breaking any promises.”

“The life-like orifice, flexes and squeezes to create a comfortable seal around you cock. It automatically adjusts the level of resistance for incredible blowjobs, and intense anal or vaginal sex.”

“Behind the orifice are the unique dual belt drives. Made from a supple, skin-like material called Versaflex, the belts move at variable speeds to stroke the entire length of your cock.”

“We’ll also satsify your desires with a walk on the wild side: try trannies, midgets, or well-hung shemales!”

Five bucks says the NASA engineer who developed this puts peanut butter on his balls for his dog to lick.

For more information, click here (site NSFW).

prayers for Bobby(KAnye watch lifetime)

GQ Names Andre 3000 a “Best New Designer in America”

Although his Benjamin Bixby clothing line sales are in the dump, Andre 3000 still has something to smile about:

Outkast’s Andre 3000 continues to receive accolades in his endeavors
outside of the Hip-Hop realm. The rapper-turned-actor and much more has
been heralded by GQ Magazine as one of the Best New Designers in America
for his prep-inspired men’s line Benjamin Bixby.

As part of GQ’s third annual search, Dre, born Andre Benjamin, was
selected alongside five other designers as “a class of designers whose
vision is as broad and diverse as the country itself.” Joining
Benjamin Bixby are Save Khaki, Robert Geller, Yigal Azrouel, Shipley &
Halmos, and Rogues Gallery.

Of the six designers selected, Andre is the only one who does not come
from a strictly fashion background.

He first introduced Benjamin Bixby in February 2008, as a self-funded
venture. At the time, the line consisted of about 70 pieces inspired
equally by Hip-Hop’s love of prep styles in the 90s and college
football circa 1935.

While the line is a departure from the funky styles that became
synonymous with Andre 3000 during his promotion of Outkast’s last two
albums, he explains it was drawn from the same creative place, but
crafted to be more accessible to consumers.

“During OutKast’s Stankonia period, I looked like I was from
Mars,” Andre tells GQ. “The music was otherworldly, and my character
reflected that. I wanted to put that spirit into classic clothes, but
ones that people could actually wear.”

In September, Benjamin entered into an agreement with upscale retailer
Barney’s to offer Benjamin Bixby clothing in the U.S. exclusively
through Barneys.com.

The pieces offered online run from $95.00 polo shirts to $395 sweaters,
to outerwear in the $1500 price range.

Don’t get us wrong, we dig Andre, but we just wonder at what point in time they started dishing out accolades to designers who make sh*t no one buys. Congrats anyway, for what it’s worth.

More pics below.

Republicans Against President Obama’s Stimulus Plan

Repubes’ are giving our President a hard time about his Stimulus Package:

Republicans plan to test President Barack Obama’s commitment to bipartisanship as his $825 billion stimulus package heads to the floor of the House of Representatives this week, with the House Republican leader saying Sunday morning that many in his party will vote no unless there are significant changes to the plan.“Right now, given the concerns that we have over the size of this package and all of the spending in this package, we don’t think it’s going to work,” the House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “And so if it’s the plan that I see today, put me down in the no column.” While the plan can potentially pass the Democratic-dominated House without Republican support, it will continue to face opposition when it comes before the Senate, said Senator John McCain of Arizona, speaking on “Fox News Sunday.” At least two Republicans will need to approve the bill for a filibuster-proof majority vote of 60. Senator McCain, who lost the presidential election to Mr. Obama in November, said that he planned to vote no unless the bill were changed. “We need to make tax cuts permanent, and we need to make a commitment that there’ll be no new taxes,” Mr. McCain said. “We need to cut payroll taxes. We need to cut business taxes.” “We need to have a commitment that after a couple of quarters of G.D.P. growth that we will embark on a path,” he said about the gross domestic product, “to reduce spending to get our budget in balance.” The Republican objections came as President Obama dispatched his top economic adviser, Lawrence H. Summers, to the talk shows to defend aspects of the plan that have come under attack. More details about the stimulus package, the largest of its kind in the nation’s history, have become clear this weekend, as Democrats released a more detailed list of the spending. Speaking on “Meet the Press,” Mr. Summers, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, said that the president was attempting to strike a balance between tax cuts and longer-term initiatives in the bill, like spending on renewable energy and college tuition assistance.

Like the article says, in a mostly Democratic House the Repubes’ are not needed to pass the plan, but they f*ck up the flow when it comes before the Senate and they resist or go against it.

Discuss…

Source

Suge Knight Sued for 6 Milli for Hiding Death Row Auction Items

Your boy, Suge Knight, is being sued by the collectors of his auctioned items for doing them dirty and hiding memorabilia all over the U.S.:

The firm, Kaye Scholer, is claiming that they had to his Suge with the hefty bill because they had to go use extraordinary means to track down his assets for the auction. “The representation of the Trustee in this case has been particularly complex due to the individuals involved in the company’s operations and intentionally illicit, ‘gangster-style’……business operations of the debtor,” stated a Kaye Scholer bankruptcy case fee application.Kaye Scholer is citing a expenses related to uncovering some assets Suge tried to hide including, “a Malibu home, that Knight transferred to friends in an effort to shield those assets from creditors, a secret storage locker in Michigan that contained a ‘treasure trove’ of unreleased songs by famous Death Row artists [and] other secret tracks–and records of hidden bank accounts–stashed in a southern California warehouse,” says the Wall Street Journal. The firm also had to reportedly negotiate with three women who all claimed the former head honcho owned them $500,000 in child support. The law firm that handled last week’s auction of Death Row Records is using Suge Knight’s “gangster-style” reputation as a the reasoning behind a $6.8 million case handling fee.

This guy has to be one of the most unflattering millionaires ever. No integrity and no intelligence. Suge just can’t get it together, and never will with his “gangsta mentality”. Pathetic. SMH

OriginalFake x Levi’s KAWS Denim Jacket & Jeans

Shaping up to be another good year for New York-based pop artist KAWS, we catch a glimpse of the latest project involving his label OriginalFake and legendary denim specialist Levi’s. Utilizing his signature teeth graphic, KAWS implements it within the jacket’s pocket flaps and once again on the back pocket of the denim jeans. The set will be available soon at both OriginalFake and Levi’s flagship locations in Japan. Retail for the denim jeans and denim jacket will be ¥34,650 (Approx. $389 USD) a piece.
Source: Cool Trans

Karl Lagerfeld Chanel 2009 Spring/Summer Photoshoot

is it me or does Karl lagerfeld look like an evil villian

Karl Lagerfeld was recently spotted in his Vermont cabin shooting some photography for Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2009 campaign. The famous fashion designer is seen spending some camera time with supermodel Heidi Mount.
Source: Chanel, fashionindie

Kanye West x Louis Vuitton Sneakers - More Colorways

A further look in the Kanye West designed Louis Vuitton lineup reveals clearer images of two other colorways within the collection. Both black and white tonal variations compliment the much talked about red version featuring an assortment of materials and back tab feature.
Source: Selectism

Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash

yay areas own raphael

Leica M8.2 Safari Edition

Knowing full well the almost cult-following of its highly sought after range of cameras, Leica follow up on their recent D-Lux 4 Titanium special edition with another limited release of their flagship, the M8.2. The 10.2 MP digital range-finder camera is seen in an iconic safari colorway, a style originally seen on the 1970s Leica R3 and marked by a symbolic vulcanite finish, something Leica has largely moved away from for some time. The Safari edition and its low 500-set run includes a Summicron 28mm f/2.8 lens, UV/IR filter, a matching Billingham camera bag and leather strap. The whole collector package will set you back a hefty € 7500 EUR (approximately $9,900 USD) and can be bought over at foto-konijenberg.nl.

Pharrell Williams x A Bathing Ape Croc SpongeBob Bapesta

The Bapesta from last year’s SpongeBob x Bape capsule is seen here in an all new light. The shoe features the replacing the previously seen patent leather upper with croc leather. No word (most likely not) yet on a release date, but we assume these were custom joints for Pharrell.
Source: BBC | Ice Cream

Mavado - I'm So Special

i liked this song when it first came out but now this shit is just kind of annoying

Teriyaki Boyz feat. Kanye West - Teriya-King

The Teriyaki Boyz drop another high tempo, club banger alongside favorite collaborator Kanye West. Entitled Teriya-King, the track features the Japanese group’s trademark hip-hop style laced with some clever raps from Mr. West.
Teriyaki Boyz feat. Kanye West - Teriya-King

Ron Browz - Jumpin' (Out the Window)

i didnt know Ron Browz did Nas' Ether i kinda like him now

The Cool Kids - Pennies

i think this is the song on NBA 2k or madden or some shit idk

BBC / Ice Cream Season 8 Releases

BBC / Ice Cream welcomes in some Spring/Summer releases for the month of January. The drop consists of various items ranging from vibrant icicle denim to several outerwear pieces. Highlighting the collection is the use of asymmetrical zippers and designs throughout their colder climate pieces alongside the usual button-downs, t-shirts and a finely crafted knit sweater.

Lady GaGa - Poker Face

i always like lady gaga videos. whoever does her shit is off the hook

Visvim 2009 Fall/Winter Showroom in Paris

With many menswear brands showing at the fashion week in Paris this past week, Japanese label Visvim also took the opportunity to showcase their 2009 Fall/Winter collection at a warehouse space in Belleville. Both buyers and press from all around the world flocked to the showroom in anticipation to discover what’s new from their upcoming collection. Unfortunately we don’t see much from these images but judging from these images, we expect the same sort of aesthetics that you’d expect from Visvim. At night, Visvim also held a cocktail party at a Polo Club in the heart of Bois de Boulogne. Both buyers, press and Visvim designer’s Hiroki Nakamura attended for a night of delicious food, drinks and music.
Visvim’s 2009 Fall/Winter collection won’t be released for quite some time so look for their Spring/Summer collection to drop soon. Also be sure to check out their upcoming website as it is said to be launched soon very soon.
Photo: SK

N.A.S.A. - Hip-Hop (feat. Slim Kid Tre, Fatlip & KRS-One)

ATO SPRING/SUMMER 2009 COW HIDE BOOTS

Via: highsnobiety

Hellz Bellz

Hellz Bellz ladies. If you are into fashion, then you know what is up, if not let us introduce you to a line that is crazy. Beyonce, Cassie, and Teyana Taylor are customers/lovers of the line. It has caught on crazy with underground heads, and hipsters into serious urban fashion.

Personamagazine.net caught up with one of the founders.

Persona Magazine: Where did you grow up?

Laurie Alabaza: I grew up in south east San Diego.

PM: What are some of your early influences that you feel affected your design style?

LA: umm….well coming from San Diego I was definitely effected by the skate culture we have here but most of my inspiration came when I was in New York. I really took in a lot of the culture there and it really had an impact on me.

PM: Prior to Hellz Bellz where did you get your start designing?

LA: I started as a graphic designer for the ladies department of Triple 5 Soul, from there I moved on to become the art director at Rockawear……which I worked at for about 3 years prior to starting Bellz.

PM: What do you feel Hellz Bellz brings to the fashion market?

LA: Well what we did with Hellz is to design it very differently from what was in the street wear market at the time. A lot of the designs that were out there were designed by men. So many times you would get shirts that had flowers and overly cute designs that they felt women wanted. Really what women want is cool progressive designs so I feel that Bellz fits that void.

PM:What are some of your company’s goals for 2009?

LA: My goal for this year really isn’t different then last year which is to grow the brand slowly. Maybe we will add more accessories to the line and possibly a men’s line.


The girl came up through the ranks the right way, gotta respect that. Like she says, this line is not for church, this is to make a statement ladies. Some of the garments feature ladies flipping the bird, as well as cuss words.

Check out some of the line below, and the rest of the interview at personamagazine.net

Down For the Count: Sugar Shane Mosley Knocks Antonio Margarito Out

Hang another championship belt on the wall for the brothers because Sugar Shane Mosley dismantled Margarito last night:

Besieged by outside-the-ring problems, “Sugar” Shane Mosley never let them bother him, at least publicly.

Instead, he carried himself with a quiet confidence throughout the buildup to his fight with Antonio Margarito.

And when they finally got into the ring Saturday at the Staples Center, with a record crowd of 20,820 going crazy — and mostly cheering for Margarito — it seemed as though Mosley let whatever frustration that may have built up inside of him out on Margarito.

It was a thrashing.

A destruction.

There was a knockdown in the eighth round.

And a knockout 43 seconds into the ninth round, a round in which the Sugarman closed the show by outlanding Margarito a staggering 21-0.

We sure hope none of y’all bet against the brotha. When you back a black man against the wall (or ropes) you’re liable to get that ass kicked. Of course we know that, but we thought we’d share that valuable info with our extremely “light skinned-ed” friends.

KAWS | The Long Way Home Exhibition Los Angeles

KAWS gets set for a trip across the country with his first solo show in Los Angeles, opening up February 21st, 2009. Entitled “The Long Way Home”, the Brooklyn-based artist showcases his trademark pop culture style in the form of new paintings and sculptural work referencing iconic influences with his brand of clever reinterpretations. A large life-size Chum figure will also be making an appearance during the shows opening at the Honor Fraser Gallery in Los Angeles.
Honor Fraser Gallery
2622 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Source: Vapors

Kanye West’s Louis Vuitton High Top Sneaker Preview

Once again Kanye West teases us with what looks to be his third design of six from his highly anticipated sneaker line with Louis Vuitton. We have given you a glimpse of his first sneaker preview back in early January, and just yesterday unveiled an official picture of his second design. Now we take a look at his newest high top design that’s sure to make more of a buzz, with notable features like the two large Velcro straps and the pink midsole. As stated on his blog, once he gets back from the club he will post more clear pics of these sneakers, so stay tuned and let’s all hope Kanye gets back from the club early (and not too drunk that he forgets) to post more pictures.
Source: Kanye West, Revolve

Interview with Kanye West on his Louis Vuitton Collaboration

Aside from the wide array of talented designers Paris Fashion Week showcased this week, the top story remains Kanye West’s collaboration with prestigious fashion house Louis Vuitton. Never shy to boast of his accomplishments and aspirations, Mr. West gets down with Dazed Digital on a brief interview talking about various subjects including his outlook as a designer, obsession with fashion, and favorite blogs among other subjects. As always, thanks for the love Kanye.
Kanye West on his inspiration for the sneakers
“They’ve got a sci-fi influence with this flap up at the back. It came from a scene in ‘Dune’ where there was this jacket with a huge collar. Also Japanese pop art.”
…on his obsession with fashion
“I don’t know. I just love clothes. I picked out my own clothes when I first went to kindergarten and there’s no turning back since. And I’ve always been into clothes and I’ve always been into myself. And none of that’s changed since I’ve become a celebrity. It’s just allowed me to be more into myself and more into clothes!”
…on his aspirations as a designer
“I wanna be the type of designer that inspires people, not follow other ideas. I wanna be as innovative as Marc Jacobs has been. I wanna go from being a fashion plate to being an innovator. This collaboration is a dream come true. Everybody comes to these shows has a love of fashion, but then it’s just figuring out what’s your place in it. I’m a walking billboard but to be able to now create something from scratch is amazing.”
…on his blog
“It gives me the opportunity to do a lot of things. Blogs are great for everybody to express, “This is what I’m into. This is what my taste level is. This is the stuff that inspires me.” And then now instead of stuff I send through my email, I’ll send through my blog. Sometimes if I’m looking for an appartment, I’ll send stuff out and look through my own blog. It’s stuff I’m into. Like when I put the girl’s section up (“Where are you Yeezy?” section which features scantily clad girls all saying the aforementioned) It’s all different girls I’m into. I like model girls, edgy girls, fashion girls and outright porn girls too!:
…on his favorite blogs
“What’s really cool about my blog is I give credit to the blogs so you can click and go to the blog. So like Selectism, High Snobiety, Hypebeast, Bossip, Perez.”
The complete interview can be read here

A Bathing Ape Gold Members 15th Anniversary Baby Milo Plush Toy

Available exclusively to Bape Gold Members and for the commemoration of the brand’s 15th anniversary, Bape unveils a massive Baby Milo plush toy. The toy measures in at 90 cm and 57 cm wide (approximately 35 in tall and 22 in wide) and is sure to become a highly sought after piece for the die-hard Bape fans. It was previously available at Cliffedge but is currently sold-out.

OriginalFake “Warm Regards” Ice Cream Bar T-shirt and Vinyl

OriginalFake release a couple of new items from their January batch of goods. Along with an Ice Cream Bar chocolate brown t-shirt, the KAWS designed Ice Cream Bar vinyl toy sees a launch as well, in three different flavors. While the t-shirt retails for ¥7,000 (Approx. $79 USD), the vinyl holds a ¥8,190 (Approx. $92 USD) price tag. Both are now available via L’intrus as well as the OriginalFake flagship store.

James Toback’s “Tyson” Documentary

In the news this week over surprise engagement to a Big Brother star in the UK, Mike Tyson has found himself to be focal point again, this time at the Sundance Film Festival. The gripping “Tyson” documentary by director and miraculous Tyson wrangler James Toback (who has known the boxer since ’85) enjoyed much adoration and even a standing ovation at its screening at the festival this week.
The film is told entirely in the lisping voice of the former champ in footage culled from countless hours of interviews, the father of six recounts his rise and fall, from early days being bullied as a fat kid (“It was kill or be killed”), and being forced to defend himself in juvenile detention at age 12, to his training with legendary Cus D’Amato, to his days as world heavyweight champ and ultimately, his grisly public fall from grace - including a prison term and the infamous ear biting incident. Along the way, it’s revealed, Tyson squandered almost $400 million and lost nearly everything he’d ever earned, physically and emotionally.
The film is slated for commercial release on April 24.
Source: Supertouchblog

13thWitness Website Update featuring Jay-Z

Photographer/videographer extraordinaire Timothy McGurr, better known as 13thWitness, has recently updated his website with vibrant photos and a collection of eye-catching videos. Included in the re-up and re-skinning is an ultra-exclusive photo shoot with Jay-Z, DJ Neil Armstrong, and The Roc Boys at their Barack Obama Presidential Inauguration performance rehearsal as well as a new music video for Japanese Hip-Hop powerhouse Nitro Microphone Underground. 13thWitness’ lens prove to be sharp and piercing as always with his editing skills visceral and second-to-none.

Animal Collective - My Girls

Kat DeLuna - Unstoppable (feat. Lil Wayne)

Ya Boy - I Got The Power

Mike Dash E!!!! Finna Bust!!!

this cat go!!!! a bay area filipino cat !!! this dude's msic really go and his song grieving proccess is a masterpiece and a testiment to his lost friend/ chick. it made me want to look up the chick the song is about and i really felt the song. real personal. he gott another song called hold me down i heard on his myspace and its just as good if not better. check for this cat in '09
check the bio
Kicking and screaming as he met his mother’s voice for the first time, Mike Enriquez (dubbed Mike-Dash-E to the industry) was born with an undeniable fight. His music cranking out of the Smallzville hit camp illustrates his fight to prove that sixteenth day of September 1982 would not be written without purpose. In order to give her children better opportunities, Mike’s mother left the drug and poverty-infested streets of Cavite Rosario, Philippines for the land of big dreams in the U.S. With the blood of such a strong self-empowered woman running through his veins, there’s no doubt Mike-Dash-E has what it takes to redefine the music game.

Hip-Hop’s years of knowledge shed light on a young B-Boy in his early stages. Perfecting his freezes and flares with Tribal Force and Pete Rock to free-stylin’ over eight tracks after the school bell – young Dash was laying down his Hip-Hop foundation in all forms. He was an avid fan of timeless music, spreading his musical tastes across the charts. Marvin Gaye and Luther helped with the sweet talk. Nas, ‘Pac and Biggie amped up hooptime and Bob Marley made those first spark up sessions what they should be. He took his musical influences into the rap game, shaping that unique swag audiences have and will come to love.

Step one of the takeover came in 2005. Dash linked up with Unorthaknoxx Producers Rommel Fernando and Louie Nubla and formed the group Duece One. He learned the basics of rap survival and branched out to work with the Smallzville Ent. camp in the summer of 2007. With hot, young artists under the belt like Tas, Yun Doe, Rich Lawson, Beazy McFly, Chedda Mackin’, Rube, and Circus TK, Smallzville added the missing pieces to the Dash music puzzle. He was handed blazin’ beats and working with some of the best producers in the Bay (Traxx, Young L, Bolo, Jay Ant of the Diligentz, and P. Lo of the Go Gettaz to drop a few). His first single “Bounce” featuring Rube set off a trail of hitters such as “Off Top”, “Don’t Turn Your Back”, and “Hate Me Now”. The latest crowd pleaser “Hold You Down” (featuring My Deverteuil, written by Mike-Dash-E, and produced by Traxx) hit MySpace soundwaves and has generated over 14,000 listens-to-date. The smooth female accompaniment sets the realest Bonnie and Clyde lyrics on fire. Mike-Dash-E, once a hidden talent, is now unveiled and ready for his pages in history.

Praised by My Deverteuil for his “diligent approach to music”, this Filipino lyricist truly understands the grind behind the music. Traxx recognizes his “playa swag” and the three qualities that will ride him to the top: “delivery, lyrics, and the passion.” They witness first-hand his dedication and hard work in showing the world what he came for. He uses his driving forces to make those late night studio grinds that much easier. His recently released debut video “The Grieving Process” exposes the world to the loss of his fiancé and biggest inspiration, Melissa “Meassa” Vitug. Best friends turned lovers as the story began, he found true beauty in the realest girl he ever met. She battled with cancer for years until God’s plan took her to the clouds on September 3rd, 2007. The lessons learned and Life shared will live on in him until they are reunited again in the skies.

Another major inspiration is his mother and family’s struggle in and out of the Philippines. Abandoned by his father for another woman, Mike-Dash-E watched his mother live paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. As painful as it was, he learned how to be humble and the importance of being a backbone for his family. He never asked for the latest Jordans or clothes she couldn’t afford; he knew better than that. He played the game smart. Hustlin’ became his motivation and every dollar slangin’ or slaving at the nine to five had its purpose. The bills were paid on time and he sent whatever clothes, shoes, and cash he could to the fam in the P.I. who had none. Always a man of his word and uplifting those in need, Mike-Dash-E is the real deal.

He lets the world prepare for his arrival in saying, “I work hard and am ready for the limelight, just gotta be patient and soak in this industry because it's a shady business. I keep my family close, think about those back home struggling, my baby in the sky, and ride with Smallzville/UX, 'cause that's the family." His mixtape “Neva Be a Victim” and album “Keep it P.I” are to be released in the upcoming months as the anticipation builds. He is one of a kind; a class act with style and substance to rise to the ranks of Hip-Hop’s finest. With his mind-blowing lyrics and relentless determination to hear the crowds chanting his name, prepare yourself for the rap game’s new poster child, Mike-Dash-E
Greiving Proccess


Keep it P.I. promo

Z-Ro - I Hate U

H- town throwback for my kinfolk in lake charles

James Brown...the fuckin man

CONDIMENT GUN

Via: woohome

prt.2 of the kanye interview

In Part two of Bossip’s exclusive interview with Kanye, he explains his thoughts on 50’s beef with him:

Bossip: You mentioned beef earlier and it seems like every time 50 comes out with a new album, you’re one of his targets. How do you feel about his ongoing beef with you?
Yeezy: Just as a real human being, I can’t say that it doesn’t affect me. I was such a fan of 50. As much as people think that I look at myself, I think that me and Lil Wayne are very similar. Even though we believe in ourselves, we’re very much fans of other rappers too. Like how Game is, we really like other rappers. 50 is one of those rappers that I said was the end all be all of what rap what supposed to be. Like a true iconic rapper.

He was my favorite rapper since Mase when he dropped, and when I used to be around him, he was one of the few people that I was like really fan of. I was nervous in the studio working on beats and hoping that I could do a good beat for him. This is even when I had College Dropout and Jesus Walks. Jay Z and 50 are just two of those type of guys you really want to make some good music for. So, for me as a fan of him I felt like if he said something negative and tried to make it like I’m negative it’s almost like if a little kid walks up to you at the airport and is like, ‘Man, I love you so much,” and then you spit on him it’s like (in a joking voice) “I don’t know if I love you as much as I used to,” as you wipe the spit off your face, but you still play their music. I could never have beef with anybody. I’m not here to beef with anybody. I’m trying to bring people together. I realize that my success and my mouth and everything rub people the wrong way every now and then, but I’m not finna have beef with anybody. I really walk around by myself. Like, I don’t wear jewelry. Like all these people are like he’s so arrogant, blah, blah, blah. I’m not arrogant, I’m just truthful. When I talk about myself, there are millions of people that love me, and I just agree with them…..but on a sidebar, it’s good to see a fashion post on thisis50. Look at my influence.

Kanyes interview w/ bossip

In Part one of Bossip’s exclusive interview with Kanye, he discusses his recently questioned “religion,” his thoughts on what makes a man sexy and why America, and, well, maybe the world, thinks he’s off his pastelle rocker:

People think I’m crazy just because they don’t understand where I’m coming from. The one thing about Barack is that, of course he words things very well, very politically correct, his main medium is that of speeches, so it requires you to listen to his complete thought. Whereas with me, it’s just sound bites. People never realize that I’m a bit of a comedian so I talk very sharply. If you take a sound bite from a stand up it’s gonna sound completely crazy. They’ll say this person is a cultural icon, blah, blah, blah, but he said this thing that’s kind of funny, but it’s true… but if I put it right here it’ll make him sound crazy.

Bossip: We got the latest issue of Vibe and there was a little controversy stirring that they photo-shopped a grey beard on you?
Yeezy: I think it’s just the way the lighting looked. I look back at a lot of my photos and the way photographers go in with me is that they think of me as this music guy, this crazy guy, this cultural guy or like musical genius and all this stuff. When you go in with Britney, you’re thinking ‘Oh, she’s a sex symbol’. So, you’re gonna pick a certain photographer for that. You’re gonna shoot them in a particular way. My thing is to not focus on the whole crazy, genius music dude. ..to light me properly. That’s the reason I shoot videos with Hype Williams in the first place. I don’t think it was photo-shopped, I think it was just the way it was lit. I didn’t think that they had a choice of really amazing photos to choose from anyway. I think they went for the way my eyes looked on it and just the way the lighting turned out, we kind of came out grey.

Bossip: Do you want to be photographed as a sexy, suave, debonair rapper?
Yeezy: I think that I have a lot of fun with clothes. I don’t have a lot of limitations. Even when you saw the black party, it was one of those things where imma let people know that I get busy. Every now and then Marc Jacobs, he’ll do all these crazy collaborations and he’ll do all these crazy shows. Every now and then he’ll do a show that shows that he’s a serious fashion guy. Regardless of how big he is, he can still get serious. People just limit themselves. They try to do a certain type of suit every time and I get bored with that. Most of the things I do, I do out of boredom. I look at life like a video game and I just kind of like to play with it.

Bossip: Yeezy, what makes a man sexy to a woman?
Yeezy: In my situation as a single mogul and as a grown man, what should make a guy sexy to a woman is the idea of security. Security and time are the sexiest things that you can give to a woman. The idea that you can spend time with them, and the idea that they’re not gonna have to worry about anything; worry about you cheating. They’re not gonna have to worry about the light bill or the car bill. I think you can exude some of that in the way you dress. If you dress too silly, you look like you’re just playing around and you might not pay the bills.

Bossip: So what happened with you and Alexis? Can you explain why you broke up?
Yeezy: No, I wouldn’t explain to anybody particularly why we broke up on the blog. Alexis is a very private, sweet person and she never wanted to have this amount of limelight in the first place.

Bossip: We recently saw your quote “I don’t believe in religion, and I don’t believe in giving it all up to Jesus.” Does this mean that you’re no longer a Christian?
Yeezy: I believe in God. Christianity wasn’t an option when I was growing up, it was the only thing. It wasn’t like I was given the decision at the time. You know how you decide that you want to be a Doctor or a Lawyer or a painter or a basketball player or whatever? You’re not given a decision of what religion you want. Your parents just give it to you. Like, you’re a Jew or you’re a Muslim or you’re a Christian. I feel like religion is more about separation and judgment than bringing people together and understanding. That’s all I’m about. I’m about accepting people for who they are. Live and let live. I fully embrace every culture there is. I love when people are who they are to the fullest. Like, I think that Cam’ron is just as much a fashion icon as Stefano Pilati, who is basically the best dressed person on Earth. That’s the head designer of YSL. (Yves Saint Laurent)
Bossip: If you had to give yourself a specific religious title, like are you studying anything new now?
Yeezy: I would never go into a religion. I guess my religion is just what I do religiously when I wake up in the morning. I had a conversation with my Dad when I was twenty years old and I don’t believe in this everybody’s going to hell thing; everyone who isn’t a Christian is in the wrong. His response at that time was, ‘Well I’d hate to see you not spend eternity with me and burn in the depths of hell.’ I was like well hell, I don’t want that to happen, so let me set up this insurance plan and just do this. (he laughs) . My father is much more open-minded about that now, though.

Bossip: So do you believe in Jesus at all?
Yeezy: I believe in Jesus as an icon, but I don’t feel the responsibility to put my life on Jesus. I feel I need to take responsibility for my own successes and failures. Why I say, ‘I don’t give it all up to Jesus’ is because there are a lot of people who don’t take responsibility for their lives, and always think Jesus is gonna handle it. And, that’s what I refuse to do. Christianity is embedded in who I am, so I will still say things like this is a blessing, amen, and still say prayers; things that your Grandmother embedded in you. I’m always gonna have a little Chicago in me, a little hood in me, and a little Christianity in me. Just because it’s what I know. But, I do not believe that other religions are going to hell, I do not believe in a lot of elements of it. I want to express to people that I do believe in God, but I also have friends whom are atheists. I have friends that are super duper Christians. If I come to a person that’s a super Christian and I tell them what I believe in and they tell me what they believe, I super respect that. I like when people are into what they’re into. If that’s your thing, and you break it down and you’re really into the bible and you believe everything about it, and you believe in immaculate conception and stuff like that. Like, you believe in the “rib” and all that, I’m just like, man, that’s dope for you. People will say ‘Aw, man he wasn’t saying that Jesus thing when he made the song!’ But, when I made the song, that’s how I felt, but this is six years later. This is how I feel now. The whole thing about religion, other people’s religion and other things that they shell out, I have my own opinion on everything. Anything that I take, I’m going to do it my way. Like, if I take a car, I’m going to paint it the way I want to paint it. My thing was, after my mom passed, it wasn’t a thing where I lost my mind or anything. I was less scared to speak my mind. Cause there’s nothing I could lose. There’s nothing that could be taken away from me. Soon as you’re not willing to change and go off of what you feel that morning, your life starts moving in reverse like Benjamin Button or something. Now, you’re moving backwards, you’re not growing anymore. Life is about change and if you’re not willing to change you’re not really willing to live your life, and soak in the amount of new information that’s given to you. Since day one, I knew the difference between right and wrong. I could predict what was happening. I had karma and anyone who’s ever had beef with me, something happened to them, like it’s really just been in God’s hands.

Religion is like clothing. People want comfort. People don’t want to have to take that off. People don’t want to accept the concept of there not being a heaven possibly, or the concept of losing someone and not seeing them again. The only thing that keeps you going is the idea that you will see them again.

It’s [religion] also like branding. Some people go Bapes head to toe, some people do Polo head to toe. Some people go Rocawear head to toe. Me, I kind of just go into the store and take the piece that I like the most. I’m no poster child for any particular brand. What I have to realize and what shocks people, or polarizes people is that I’m actually a brand. I’m something that people build up and believe in. They name their kids because they believe Kanye believes this. But I’m also a real person; a growing person and an artist. I don’t want the responsibility of waiting to move because this many people believe this. Like, if you believe in Kanye, if you believe in me, then just believe that I’m going to be honest with you and express to you what I believe that day. I’m not gonna be holding a congregation and fucking prostitutes and it come out to them years later. I’m gonna come to the congregation like man, last Friday I got some head from a prostitute, I’m just gon’ go head and let y’all know.

Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 is Coming and It’s “Phenomenal”

Bossip folk, you know the saying, “good things come to those who wait.” Well, we know a lot of you have been waiting on Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 and lucky for you, it is supposed to be well worth the wait and more:

“For me, the process of making an album is difficult with so many things going on,” Jay told MTV News backstage at his “Eve of Change” show. “And me, I wanna make it beyond and above. I’m gonna take my time with it. I don’t have any quotas, and that’s a good thing. It may be too freeing. It’s a good thing and a bad thing. You know, I think I need some restrictions. ‘Cause if I had restrictions, I would have done it in three weeks. I would have made what I believe to be a great piece of art.”

According to Kanye West, the album’s rumored sole producer, the music recorded so far for BP3 is “phenomenal.” West spoke with MTV Base in November and reiterated Jay’s claim that the album could have been released. But after the positive feedback for “Jockin’ Jay-Z” and T.I.’s “Swagger Like Us,” Hov decided to keep cooking up tracks.

“We went in, and we [did] the whole album,” West explained. “He wanted to do a few more joints, so he kinda pushed it back. Now we’re gonna go in and just work on some more records. So I got some more stuff to kill it with! I think [Jay pushed the album back because] ‘Swagger’ just did so incredible. We wanted to go up [and make sure] everything was on that level.”

In addition to “Jockin’ Jay-Z” and “Swagger Like Us,” the Jigga Man said his “Notorious” track, “Brooklyn Go Hard,” is also slated for the album.

“I actually recorded a lot of records already,” Jay said. “You know, all those records that leaked [online] were on The Blueprint 3.”

The Blueprint 3 is believed to be Jay-Z’s last contractual album due to Def Jam, his current recording home. The rapper, who served a three-year term as the label’s president, signed a new $150 million contract with Live Nation over 10 years. It remains unclear, though, which company will distribute albums for Jay-Z under the Live Nation deal.

No doubt, Bossip is, but who else out there is checking for Hov’s album when it drops?

More pics of Jigga Man below.

President Obama gettin the establishment heated

President Obama is expected to sign executive orders Thursday directing the Central Intelligence Agency to shut what remains of its network of secret prisons and ordering the closing of the Guantanamo detention camp within a year, government officials said.

The orders, which would be the first steps in undoing detention policies of former President George W. Bush, would rewrite American rules for the detention of terrorism suspects. They would require an immediate review of the 245 detainees still held at the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to determine if they should be transferred, released or prosecuted.

He’s not playin’ around folks. Hopefully, ending this costly war in Iraq is up next on the list.

Virginia tech II

lieve it or not, but another Asian student has been charged with murdering someone at Virginia Tech:

A graduate student from China has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of a female student on Virginia Tech’s campus, the first killing there since a deadly mass shooting in 2007. An electronic alert system revamped after the massacre warned students to stay in place while police investigated the incident around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday — about half an hour after the suspect was taken into custody. They were cleared to resume normal activity about an hour later.

The woman, who was also a graduate student but was not identified, was stabbed to death at a cafe in the Graduate Life Center. Police believe she knew the man accused of attacking her, 25-year-old Haiyang Zhu, the school said in a news release. He was charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bond. It was unclear early Thursday morning where he was being held or whether he had an attorney.

Campus police were called to the scene around 7:06 p.m., and Zhu was taken into custody minutes later, the school said. Responding officers found him and a knife they believe was used at the scene. Students who live in the building were allowed to come and go, but others were asked to stay away from the area. The hall would re-open later Thursday morning, the school said.

Virginia Tech added text messages and other ways of warning students of possible danger to its system of e-mail alerts after Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people before turning the gun on himself in April 2007.

The revamped alert system was first used last November when an exploded cartridge from a nail gun produced sounds similar to gunfire near a dormitory. During that scare, police searched a residence hall before determining the sounds came from the tool.

Either this arrest is a case of some serious profiling, or Virginia Tech needs to start heavily screening their male Asian students. Tragic.

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Kanye Live From the Inaugural Ball