STR8NYC.COM » Hip Hop

STR8 VIDEOS: FRANK OCEAN- “SWIM GOOD”

LexAve — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:59:04 +0000

Woman Down! Frank Ocean commits murder in his latest video “Swim Good.” Ever since he premiered “Novacane,” fans have yearned for more and it seems like Ocean is ready to give. Earlier last week, he delivered “Thinking About You” and now “Swim Good.” Great visuals consist of a panda bear mask, popcorn, monk-like ensemble, a beach, waves, samurai sword, an orange and black Lincoln town car and images of a beauty superimposed through out the video. What does it all mean? Press play…trust you’ll enjoy.

frank ocean [swim good] from christopher francis ocean on Vimeo.

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STR8 GLOSSY: MARY J. BLIGE COVERS EBONY MAG

LexAve — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:33:47 +0000

Check out the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, gracing the cover of Ebony magazine’s October issue…on stands now! In the cover issue MJB sets the record straight those rumors, her demons and her soulmate. Below find a few magazine scans of the issue.
Sidenote: I’m not going to even address that horrible and non-flattering photo of MJB on the cover. I mean…look at her face…she just looks pissed and annoyed. Lol.

After skimming through the piece, MJB brought up a topic that’s been the conversation of my friends and I. Didn’t MJB put out better material and heart felt songs when she was “not” happy? Don’t you miss you the old Mary? It’s no question that depression, heart ache and just being in a negative space at times brings the most creative and chart topping songs. And Mary has come a long from those “Be Happy” and “Going Down” days. She’s now happy, both spiritually and emotionally. Do we really want to see MJB back in chaos and pain?

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STR8 VIDEOS: KENDRICK LAMAR- “A.D.H.D.”

Noel — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:07:01 +0000

RockSmith presents the video to “A.D.H.D.” by Kendrick Lamar, directed by NYC’s own Va$htie in NYC. This song is one of my favorites from Section80. If you haven’t downloaded it yet…you’re seriously sleeping. Before checking out the video, check out what Vashtie said regarding the video concept:

“I wanted the video to illustrate the emotion he paints with words, while avoiding gratuitous shots of any substance. Despite the song’s title and content, the focus isn’t the drugs, but rather, that basic human experience of apathetic youth. That simple mood of emptiness which we choose to either address or self-medicate.”

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STR8 TALK: “WATCH THE THRONE” KING ON THE CHARTS BUT HIP HOP’S BLUEPRINT?!

LexAve — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:01:46 +0000

Words by LaVisionary
Edited by LexAve

It’s easy to sit and judge the craftsmanship of an artist, and thanks to Twitter just about anybody can stand on their soapbox and do so these days. On August 8th, 2011 at the stroke of midnight Kanye West and Jay-Z dropped an album with more hype than the ‘08 elections x Raven Symone’s weight loss combined. The amount of hype and anticipation prior to its release, made critics wonder- will it live up to the hype or fail? With 436,000 copies sold so far, “Watch the Throne” has out beat the hype, to say the least.

The joy of “Watch the Throne” is grounded hip hop but also crosses over other genres. Given the influence that Jay-Z and Ye’ possess respectively, they have branched out and given hardcore hip hop fans a glimpse at life beyond the invisible hip hop barbed wire. On the 16 track (deluxe version) album, the duo dabbles in classical, dubstep and samples from some artists and songs neither you nor I have likely heard of. The mystery is what makes this entire album worth it, you never know what to expect when the next track comes on. That especially goes for the three minutes of silence before the Illest Motherf**ker Alive song. Yeah, we couldn’t figure that one out either. Illuminati? Probably not.

To critique each and every song would be unfair and almost impossible, so let’s just comment on the album in its entirety. “Watch The Throne” has nestled itself upon a pedestal that mere mortals won’t be able to reach. If anything, this album should be classified as motivation (sans Kelly Rowland) to other rappers on the come up and already in the game. A Blueprint of sorts for all those College Dropouts that haven’t quite found their niche. Yup, this is the album that can school them all.
Best part of this album, is the production…hands down-second to none. The lyrics are on par as well. Ye’s production style is splashed all over the album, but Jay-Z’s popular 90s swag is interlaced throughout most of the tracks. Some may say Kanye out shines Jigga on this album, but if you think about it, at this point in Jay-Z’s career he has little to prove. He’s had his shine and built an empire. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the riches and galore. Ye’ recovered from a few celebrity scandals and still lives up to the bar he set for himself with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. These two have created “grown folks” hip hop music; countless metaphors, double entendres and enough hidden punch lines to confuse any battle rapper.

Needless to say, these two gentlemen have crafted an album that will be recognized as a classic for years to come. “Watch the Throne” folks, and pay close attention to these kings! Oh yeah, not to mention “Watch The Throne” was the first hip hop album to release before it even leaked…if that doesn’t major, don’t know what does!
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STR8 VIDEOS: JAY-Z x KANYE WEST- “OTIS” (FULL)

LexAve — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:26:10 +0000

After much anticipation, Watch The Throne’s “Otis” is here…in full swag indeed. Check out Jay-Z and Kanye posing as “besties” in their new Spike Jonze directed music vid. Don’t expect to see anything of grand scheme, except of course Hov and ‘Ye straight saw & burn a brand new Maybach and turn it into a tricked-out “Thunderdome” cruiser. Followed by the duo doing doughnuts in a parking lot with a gaggle of models packed in the back. Just a lil’ glimpse into their mogulin’ carefree life.

Get More: JAY Z and Kanye West, Music, More Music Videos

Love seeing these two bro-loving hard…but is that the real deal off screen? Hmm…
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STR8 EXCLUSIVE: JUICYMAG LAUNCH PARTY IN NYC…

LexAve — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:56:50 +0000

On Tuesday August 9, 2011 in a swanky Manhattan loft Juicy Magazine celebrated the launch of JuicyMagOnline.com with countless supporters, readers and friends. The event was filled with notable attendees including WBLS radio personality Egypt Sherrod, R&B singer Mashonda, multi-faceted artist Amanda Diva, Billboard editor-in-chief Danyel Smith and many other popular NY celebrities and tastemakers.

The evenings tunes were provided by DJ Rashida and cups were filled by event sponsor Alize. With the help of Carol’s Daughter, Harris Publication and Alize, this event was able to come alive and allow Juicy Magazine to enjoy the hard work they put into launching their online publication.

Editor-in-chief Paula Renfroe and web editor Shirea Carroll shared a moment together at the launch party to thank guests for attending and showing their continuous support as this magazine continues to reach new heights. Committed to providing readers with hair care and beauty tips along with a plethora of juicy celebrity news, Juicy Magazine and it’s online counterpart are a strong force in the magazine publication industry and is a perfect match for the fly, confident and sexy urban woman. Are you a Juicy girl?

Peep ya gurl LexAve and galpal Gangstargirl…definitely Juicy girls!

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Words & Photos by LaVisionary
Special S/O to Syreta J. Oglesby of SJO PR

STR8 VIDEOS: JAY-Z x KANYE WEST- “OTIS” (TRAILER)

LexAve — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:25:28 +0000

The official “Otis” video drops tomorrow via MTV, MTV2, BET, at 8:56pm. But here’s a real short (SHORT!) teaser to the Jay-Z x Kanye joint “Otis” off their “Watch The Throne.” Peep the King Bey cameo jamming to the joint.

Stay tuned we’ll post the full clip manana…keep it locked!
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STR8 TRIPPIN’: KANYE WEST= THE NEW HITLER…WTF?!

LexAve — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:29:43 +0000

Right on time…in true Kanye fashion, the diarrhea of the mouth continues. Ever thought you’d ever meet a black white supremacist?!…Let me re-introduce Kanye West!
I knew it was all smoke and mirrors when Ye made a toast to all the douchebags aka himself, trying to convince the public he’d tone it down. Controversy is Kanye’s middle name. The rapper was performing at the Big Chill Festival in Eastnor Castle Deer Park in England on Saturday night when he went into a monologue, offending nearly EVERYONE. Mid-way through his set, Kanye went off on a rant about his misunderstood artistry.
According to the Associated Press:

“I walk through the hotel and I walk down the street, and people look at me like I’m (expletive) insane, like I’m Hitler,” he said. “One day the light will shine through and one day people will understand everything I ever did.”

Hear it live below…fast forward to 6:40 mark.

This is some serious sophisticated ignorance at its finest!
With his collaboration album “Watch The Throne” with Jay-Z out today, you better believe we’ll be hearing more Kanye rants…CAPS LOCK AND ALL!
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STR8 VIDEOS: FABOLOUS ft. RED CAFE- “YA’LL DON’T HEAR ME THO”

LexAve — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:46:22 +0000

Check out Fabolous’ newest video featuring Red Cafe “Ya’ll Don’t Hear Me Tho”. New track off Loso’s latest mixtape, S.O.U.L. project. Loving the Brooklyn Bridge visuals.

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STR8 WILDIN’: DMX BUSTED WITH DRUGS IN JAIL!

LexAve — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:46:03 +0000

Another fail whale moment for DMX! The troubled rapper was recently busted for drugs while in jail. And now his jail stay has been extended. So much for hope for DMX. Real talk, enough with the fuckery…this is just getting ridiculous! (RZA’s voice)

AHH reports, DMX has been cited for drug possession, failing and refusing a drug test and smoking, all during his incarceration.

The rapper, who was supposed to be released from jail on Wednesday (July 13th), will be locked up for at least another week and possibly longer.

DMX, born Earl Simmons, was sentenced to a year in prison in December of 2010, for failing to report to his probation officer and refusing to undergo drug treatment.

The rapper has been arrested six times in Maricopa County, Arizona, alone and at least once every year, since 1999.

I’m really starting to doubt there’s any hope for a better DMX. He’s just too caught up. SMH.
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