Japanese Vintage With A Twist: Pass The Baton (a new concept by Nigo of BAPE)

Nigo of Bape has redefined the way we shop for clothes once again, opening Pass the Baton in the urban district of Marunouchi in Tokyo to customers looking to purchase vintage, with a twist. Not only is the architectural concept impeccable, but the concept that clothes have a history, makes shopping at Pass The Baton all the more meaningful. The stores receives donations of vintage clothing regularly, requesting their customers to write about the pieces' history, where they purchased it, how they wore it and for how long they owned it. It's an intriguing idea, one that's left me stupefied and obliged to travel to Japan. Someday.

LA Street Artists: El Mac and Retna

El Mac and Retna are distinct street artists in their style and ability to turn a forgotten wall into a work of art. Turning a wall into a canvass in no easy task, although these two exceptional artists make their work look carefree. Not only do they work with spray cans, but they also use paint to create large murals, which is different from most quick-tag and run graffiti artists. I've got to peep their art when I get back to LA!

Album Drop: Big Sean Drops His Latest Album "Finally Famous"!

The long awaited debut album by Big Sean finally drops today. After listening to it a couple times I've decided that Big Sean is raw and on point with his metaphorical verses. Download the deluxe version on iTunes.

Video: Eminem- Space Bound Starring Porn Star Sasha Grey

The old Eminem has resurrected in his latest smash hit video, Space Bound, starring the hot porn star Sasha Grey, whose been transcending porn to mainstream from her role in Entourage to Stephen Soderbergh's film The Girlfriend Experience. In his latest video, Eminem graphically shoots himself in the head, which seems like Eminem is after a shock effect. All in all, the video is decent, but Eminem's lyrics are superior. Check it out.

Video: JAY-Z- Big Pimpin'

Damn, I just re-listened to this track and it's still as hot as the first time I peeped it. Rags to riches rapper, Jay-Z, discusses his career and the girls he's pimped. It's the ultimate summer song. Relive it here.

Yohji Yamamoto 2012 Spring/Summer Collection

Japanese Samurai inspired Designer Yoji Yamamota reveals his Spring/Summer Collection for 2012. To no surprise, his designs parallels the signature expectation you'd excpect from this avant-garde designer. Some of his newest designs include Kimono Silk Tops and Cotton Henelys, along with wide-Fedoras and Military hats; not to mention his seriously strange taste in models. But all together, his shown was innovative, inspirational and EARLY for fashion's standards.

Movie: Inflencers- How Trends & Creativity Become Contagious

"INFLUENCERS is a short documentary that explores what it means to be an influencer and how trends and creativity become contagious today in music, fashion and entertainment. The film attempts to understand the essence of influence, what makes a person influential without taking a statistical or metric approach. Written and Directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, the film is a Polaroid snapshot of New York influential creatives (advertising, design, fashion and entertainment) who are shaping today's pop culture. "Influencers" belongs to the new generation of short films, webdocs, which combine the documentary style and the online experience."

Fundraiser: Floating Pool in NYC River

+ Pool is our initiative to build a floating pool for everyone in the rivers of New York City, and we need your help. With your support, we can make it possible to swim in clean, natural river water here in the city."
- @PlusPoolNY

When I see a good idea I jump on it. That's the case with + Pool, an innovative pool concept that filter's NYC's rivers, while also providing four different pools in one, on hot summer days. + Pool's kickstarter is blowing up, so help them by donating money to their cause!

Video: Bad Meets Evil- Fast Lane Ft. Eminem & Royce da 5'9"

Detroit locals, Eminem and Royce da 5'9", started Bad Meets Evil back in 1998, although their sting only lasted until 2002, when Royce backed out because of personal issues with Dr. Dre. "Bad" being Royce and "Evil" being Eminem, came back together this year after Eminem signed Slaughterhouse to Shady Records, releasing the EP Hell: The Sequel, in stores now. Fast Lane directed by James Larese, is shot in a warehouse with kinetic typography that's become a standard for hip-hop videos. The song itself is wonderful because it including all the things we love about Eminem. Check it out.

Kicks: Jeremy Scott x Adidas

Since his collaborations began with winged-kicks, Jeremy Scott has successfully collaborated with Adidas on an assortment of different projects, from custom apparel to innovative shoe designs. His latest collab with Adidas ObyO, Panda Bears, has to be some of the coolest and hysterically funny shoes that I've come across. The lip of the shoes are actual plush pandas with little hands and animated smiles. The shoes sell for about $200 a pop and release in the Fall of 2011.

Men's 2012 Spring Fashion Week From Milan

Milan showcased Spring 2012 Fashion Week exhibiting a multitude of vibrant colors and sleek designs. Canary yellow was a big hit in Milan, especially for Los Angeles based clothing label, Band of Outsiders. Fashion week's shows displayed clothes that were lustrous, baggy, bright and geared towards a hipster-esque medium. In a sense, I rally feel that the 70's is tending once again, from profoundly bright colors to multi-designed outfits. Get ready for Spring 2012, hitting the racks next season!

Band of Outsiders & MissoniJohn Varvatos & Corneliani

Dolce Gabbana & Zegna

Video: Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci

My boy Mike introduced me to Kreayshawn, an Oakland based girl-rapper with more swag than most rappers have in their little finger. The song itself is heavily influenced by dubstep and therefore, using the phrase I've coined, the only label that can describe this type of music clearly is hipster-hop. Check out Kreayshawn's video that touches on gucci and adderall alike, staying relavent and real to her city.

Video: Keith Haring Interview

Minimalist and street-graffiti artist, Keith Haring, influenced a new generation of graffiti artist and post-modernists. His ability to create simple, yet, meaningful images such as his barking dog and the radiant baby made his work iconic, as he projected ideas of birth, love, death and sex in a new and innovative medium. The documentary footage is grimy and scratchy, which contributes to the vibe of the 90's and the grittiness of Haring's work. In it, he explains his desire for commercial fame, while balancing his underground reputation as a street artist.

Ralph Lauren's Car Collection

Ralph Lauren is a mogul in the fashion world. His clothing has not only inspired fashion, but a whole culture of living, from a preppy polo lifestyle to fresh urban street-wear. His car collection is a reflection of his success, owning some of the most exquisite and rare car collections in the world. He opens his garage to the public for a sneak peak. Check it out.

Lil Demon For American Apparel

Breakdancing superstar, Lil Demon, stars in American Apparel's latest commercial, directed by renowned director, Tony Kelly. I wish I had half the skills this little eight year old possesses! #Swag And what could be more official then playing Debussy's Clair De Lune? It doesn't get fresher than this.

Video: Big Sean- I Do It

Not to overload our blog with Big Sean, but I had to release his newest video, I Do It, off his first album Finally Famous dropping June 28th. Along with Big Sean's notoriously fresh hats, the cinematography used makes this video fresh to death. Make sure that you peep the video.

Cool Cinematography

MTV LOGO by vjsuave

THE CHOSEN PREMIERE by Nike 6.0

run by vjsuave

Video: Talib Kweli- Cold Rain

Talib Kweli drops the new music video for Cold Rain, a track off his new album Gutter Rainbows. The music video reminds me of reminds me of The Book of Eli, but the song itself is incredibly well engineered and current. Check it out.

Honestly, I'd have to say that Talib Kweli is one of my favorite rappers of all time. His ability to transcend Hip-Pop and make conscious rap instead of selling out, makes Talib a superior rapper.

Mixtape: XV- Zero Heroes

XV drops Zero Heroes, an intricate mixtape produced by Just Blaze, Kendrick Lamar, Patrick Stump, Seven, Donnis and many more. Upload the mixtape below:

DOWNLOAD

Unwritten Prophecy Clothing: "The Future Is Unwritten." - Joe Strummer

Photography By Dennis McInally
Edited By Lizbeth MacQuarrie

Model
Allen Feldman

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Video: Rapsody ft. Mac Miller- Extra Extra

Mac Miller, the internet rap sensation, teams up with Rapsody in Extra Extra. The two rappers show the world that Philadelphia's caliber stays strong in the rap world. Check out their video.

New Song: Big Sean- So Much More

DOWNLOAD

So Much More drops off Big Sean's first studio album, Finally Famous. This song has countless punch lines over a killer sample composed by the legendary NO I.D. The album drops June 28th! So exciting!

News Update: I'm Back at Yellow Fever's Incubator

YFC by Yellow Fever

I've made it back to New York, interning for Yellow Fever's Incubator, a fashion house promoting both YFC and Love Universe, in addition to a plethora of projects created by the brain-child of all operations, Bensonhurst's own, Jamison Ernest.

Being back is a truly humbling experience. It's a chance for me to learn the in's and out's, the business side and the creative elements needed to start a fashion house. I'm ecstatic right now, sitting in my chair, waiting for new projects to come my way, knowing that my UPC, will only grow and flourish from these experiences.

LOVE UNIVERSE

Stay Tuned!

I Love New York

I've only recently began to appreciate Manhattan, even though I've lived here all of my life. I acknowledge it's diversity, spontaneity and architecture, as well as it's roughness and the competitive attitude you acquire here. Hey, If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. It's up to you. Check out this wonderful video that captures New York City's everyday life.

HDR Photography

HDR or high dynamic range imaging, is a computer rendering process for photographers that gives photographs a greater range of luminance. It basically creates space with light, making images look more three-dimensional. I'm so in love with the image quality. I have to learn to edit photos like this!

VIDEO: PUSHA T - ALONE IN VEGAS

My infatuation with Pusha-T stems further than his music. The charisma he gives off and his swagger make him the full hip-hop package and although he may not seem like the most likable person, Pusha's ability to write from the heart gives him more credibility than most rappers deserve. "Alone in Vegas" is another ground-breaking video discussing the struggle, rise and endeavor to stay on top, through ramped adversity. With wonderful cinematography that truly captures Vegas' essence, Pusha convey's the message: no matter how wealthy you are, money can't buy happiness. Listen up folks.

Vanity

Inspirational Paintings

Basquiat

Pablo Picasso


Francis Bacon

Kandinsky

Video: Marques Toliver- Deep in My Heart

My good friend, Marques Tolliver, a singing and violin playing virtuoso, has climbed the airwaves in the United Kingdom, from his performance on Jules Holland to the countless shows that he's endeavored these last couple of months. His new single, "Deep in My Heart", is a heartfelt track discussing the pain in our constant struggle for achievement and acceptance. The video, set in the woods, reminds me of A Midsummer Night's Dream By William Shakespeare with a hipster-esque twist. Get ready to feel the fervor and passion of Marques words, because "deep in my heart, I know it's right."