Watch The Throne Tour: Behind The Scenes
Have you guys already bought you Watch The Throne Tour tickets yet? Because from what we hear they are going real fast, If they’re not all gone already. To kind of tease the public and get everybody excited, the Hip-Hop duo released some short footage of the behind the scenes of the show. A real teaser, nothing groundbreaking but appealing enough to make you look forward to the event. Enjoy:
– LetsKillAndre
Beyonce: Party “Video”
I’m not a die hard fan of Beyonce, I think she’s extremely talented, great voice, and all of that, but still, I didn’t cry or anything when “4” came out. However, from the first moment I heard it I fell in love with party. It’s pretty much perfect for those summer Sunday afternoons, kicking back, BBQing with frends, with our swag sausages dripping…. ah whatever… The video premiered today, and features J Cole, which replaced Andre 3000 from the original version, which of course, was way better. We also have some star appearances, like Theophilus London and for the rest it’s just some other semi-famous people not worth mentioning. Enjoy:
– LetsKillAndre
Nas Presents: “Nasty”
Nasty, nasty, nasty, nasty Nas is back with footage for his new single titled, in fact, “Nasty”. Video is tight, flow is crazy as usual. No more words. Enjoy:
– LetsKillAndre
The 2012 Pirelli Calendar (ft. Kate Moss and Other Girls That Don’t Really Matter)
I am pretty sure that most of the guys on here are familiar with the notorious Pirelli Calendar. Not because of their high performance tires, but because of the naked ladies that get featured in each of the months’ pages. Anyways, the 2012 edition is very special to us because it features someone who is very, very dear to us… yeah, you know it, we’re talking about none other that Kate Moss (well, honestly, she’s just very dear to me, but you know what? I’m going to talk on behalf of everybody else on the NVRMND and not give a fuck about it). Moving on, Pirelli recently released some pictures to kind of tease us and give us a preview of what their 2012 calendar is going to be like. The pictures are NSFW, even though I’m sure none of you reading this actually has a job… bastards. Enjoy:
– LetsKillAndre
Jay Z & Kanye West: “Otis” Video
Unless you live under a rock, you know that the Jay Z and Kanye West duo released their album “Watch The Throne” earlier this week. To celebrate their sales, estimated to be between 400,000 and 500,000 copies sold in the first week (still counting), The Throne released today the official video for their single titled “Otis”. Simple video, but still very straighforward and… cool. Diricted by Spike Jonze. Enjoy:
– LetsKillAndre
Kanye West & Jay Z: “Watch The Throne” Preview Documentary
With the release of their upcoming album “Watch The Throne”, set to be this next August 1st, Kanye West and Jay Z are giving us a peek of what happened during the behind the scenes of their project. With footage of recording sessions at mansions and castles (?) around the globe, the video emphasizes on the relationship between Ye and Jay, and of course a few sneak peaks of the tracks that will be featured on the album (a possible rip of Cassius’ “I Love You So”? Maybe, we’ll see). Also, Russel Crowe is on the album?? Yeah, you heard right. Anyways, here it is, “Watch The Throne” documentary, enjoy:
If you like what you see, or of course, if you’re a fan, the album is available for pre-order at watchthetrhone.com
– LetsKillAndre
Justice: “Civilization” Music Video
Here at NVRMND we’ve had plenty of coverage bout the extreme hype over the return of Justice with they’re new hit single “Civilization”. The video features pretty outstanding visuals and a narrative that, i think, perfectly fits the song. Enjoy:
– letskillandre
Beastie Boys – Make Some Noise
Finally, the full video for the infamous Beastie Boys’s new single “Make Some Noise”, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more star studded cast. I can’t stop replaying this video (click any of the pictures to watch it):
Yet again they have made a terrific video for us to enjoy, blending quality music and humor seamlessly. I was pretty surprised by how many celebrities they got to appear in a music video; big names like Steve Buscemi, Will Farrel, Seth Rogen, and Elijah Wood to name a few.
I have to admit, I hated on the Beastie Boys quite a bit when I was younger. I simply didn’t understand their style. They’re basically an older, jewish version of Das Racist, combining the elements of comedy and rap to make superb music.
Their next album, “Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2” is scheduled to be released on the 3rd of May, and as I’m giddy as a prepubescent school girl.
-AK9/11
MOCA Presents: “Art In The Streets”
The Los Angeles Museum Of Contemporary Art is currently hosting an exposition dedicated to the great phenomenon that Street Art is. It really was about time that urban artist from all over the world actually got together to show everybody what they are all about. And what better city to do that if not Los Angeles? Come on, this city is pretty much the favorite canvas for all these street creative minds.
Many props to the MOCA for hosting the event as it shows the appreciation that we have for graffiti art and how influential it really is in modern culture. Artist include Fab 5 Freddy, Lee Quiñones, KAWS, Futura, Margaret Kilgallen, Swoon, RISK, Shepard Fairey, John-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, JR, Banksy, Mister Cartoon, Spike Jonze, Terry Richardson, Martha Cooper and Ed Templeton (+more): pretty good list uh? The expo will be at the MOCA until August 8th, so if you live in LA or are going to be visiting before then, make sure you go and check it out because it is definitely worth it, even life-changing for some (but maybe that’s just my opinion). To get you warmed up here some pictures from the past few days at the show; enjoy:
Hit the jump for more:
– LetsKillAndre
COMPLEX Magazine Found Earl Sweatshirt!
So apparently we (well actually Complex Magazine did, but we’ll just take part of the credit) found the whereabouts of notorious teen rapper Earl Sweatshirt. Based on some lyrics off the track “TANGGOLF” by Domo Genesis and Hodgy Beats (“Ask Syd Where We At/ She Tells You Where We Going/ From Free Earl To The Fucking Samoans) , the Complex detectives leaked a picture from a reformation camp based in Samoa where, right in the middle of a group of youngens you can spot the face of Sweatshirt himself eating what appears to be a banana?
Speaking of bananas, every single Odd Future fan is literally going bananas. Still, for the sake of OFWGKTA I would like to say that as fans we should still be make a huge deal out of this and respect the secrecy of Earl’s stay in Samoa and support the kid by screaming “FREE EARL” at every single OF show.
FREE EARL
– LetsKillAndre
Video of the Week: Blank City
Directed by Celine Danhier, Blank City focuses on the scene in New York City during the late 70’s/early 80’s. The film showcases almost every aspect of the art life in New York during that era.
Taken straight from the film’s website, some of the featured players include “acclaimed directors Jim Jarmusch and John Waters, actor-writer-director Steve Buscemi, Blondie’s Debbie Harry, Hip Hop legend Fab 5 Freddy, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, photographer Richard Kern as well as Amos Poe, James Nares, Eric Mitchell, Susan Seidelman, Beth B, Scott B, Charlie Ahearn and Nick Zedd. Fittingly, the soundtrack includes: Patti Smith, Television, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, The Contortions, The Bush Tetras, Sonic Youth and many more.”
The film is out now, with upcoming screening listed after the jump.
-therapist
MADE x Visions of Visionaries x David La Chapelle
I am sure this guy needs no type of introduction. I mean, we are talking about one of the most controversial pop culture photographers of the past twenty years or so. But for those who don’t “know” him here is a little somthing for you to connect the dots: remember that photo of Lil’ Kim looking like a Luis Vuitton bag? That was L Chapelle; what about that photo where Eminem is holding dynamite right where his crotch is? That was La Chapelle; Kanye/Jesus? La Chapelle. TuPac taking a bubble bath?… You already know. David. Motherf**king. La Chapelle.
Now that everything is clear, let’s get to the point. MADE recently conducted a an exclusive interview with the photographer for their “Vision of Visionaries” series. Here La Chapelle touches different subjects, some of them more intimate, such as why he decided to leave the mainstream part of photography, and some more broad, such as his opinion on creativity and the impact art has on modern society and viceversa. The interview, I say, is rather lengthy, but it is definitely worth watching as La Chapelle brings a lot of valuable insight especially for young artists. Enjoy:
For more of his portfolio, visit his website here.
– LetsKillAndre
Steve McQueen’s 1970 Porsche 911S up for Auction
Let me preface this by saying Steve McQueen was a fucking badass. He was a talented actor, a good driver, and a man of impeccable taste. Simply put, he was deserving of his title “The King of Cool”. Example: he was arrested for drunk driving in 1972, and failed the sobriety test by somersaulting down the line the cops asked him to walk. Awesome, no?
Anyways, McQueen is still known today in automotive circles for his awesome assortment of cars and motorcycles he owned. He was an enthusiast that avidly raced cars and motorcycles throughout his life, and many of his cars have attained a legendary following even today. The Porsche 911S that he drove in the first scene of the movie Le Mans is one such car:
More pics after the jump.
Donald Glover x Childish Gambino: Renaissance Man
If you already know who Donald Glover is, its because you’re probably a fan of his original YouTube comedy sketches (Derrick Comedy) he created while attending NYU. If you are, you must have been surprised to see him on his own network television show just two years later. Well I’m here to tell you that there have been no days off for the young comedian, who landed a job writing for the award winning NBC show 30 Rock right out of College.
Two years, and two primetime Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series later, Glover left the show to pursue his personal stand up career, and acting career, and was soon picked up by NBC to star in the primetime hit Community. Glover has since gone on to host his own Comedy Central stand up, and has recently released a string of music under the alias Childish Gambino.
He’s taken Hype Machine by storm, remixing Adele’s Rolling in the Deep (with the help of Jaime xx) and has dropped his own single Freaks & Geeks, both topping the popular charts for a few days. The writer/Rapper/comedian has even admitted to producing his own tracks, and is on a mission to break any classifications you try to throw at him, claiming no affiliation besides his oath to cleaver bars, and beats that could pass as electro had he released them without lyrics.
Glover will be staring in his own nation wide tour titled I Am Donald starting April 16th. The show hits Los Angles on April 27th and San Francisco the next night, and will consist of stand up comedy from Donald Glover, and a musical performance from the Chilidish Gambino. Be sure to download his EP Childish Gambino here, and make sure you check out his Website
Tour Dates after the jump
-GodBlessCalifornia aka Gregory Hill
Curren$y – Underground Hip-Hop Takes A Stand
Lady Gaga: “Born This Way” Video
Now, I have never been a fan of negative press. I have never been a fan of blogs full of overly-negative people, that feed off someone’s failures because that’s the only thing that makes them feel better about themselves. So I’m going to try to be as unbiased as possible on this one, and, most importantly try not to offend any of you… “little monsters”.
Yesterday, Lady Gaga released the video of her latest single “Born This Way” off her upcoming, same-titled album under Interscope Records. The video starts off with a vintage feel, typical of the disco-pop era, with a pink neon triangle and, for some reason, a unicorn that, later on proves to have nothing at all to do with the video itself. I mean, I know she might like unicorns, we all love unicorns, but i don’t think that means you can just slap unicorns here and there in your productions. The actual intro, which includes narration by Gaga itself, pictures a world similar to a beehive in open space, where she is the queen and is constantly giving birth to gooey over sized eggs that will later on hatch into clones of the (drag) queen herself. Now, don’t get me wrong, the photography and effects in the intro are outstanding, great cuts and image play. However, seeing someone shove their hand into Gaga’s vagina and extract some miscellaneous egg the size of five fucking pineapples out of it is not really my forte, even when put in a beautifully artistic way. The video then cuts to the song itself where the singer does the usual pop group dance thing that, for some reason, turns out to be an awful sight. Even Britney Spears, pregnant with her child, could not have executed in such an uncoordinated, amateurish way. From that point on the video forms a pattern of incompetence. The whole video is pretty much a combination of things such as the movies “Alien”, “Sin City” , Christina Aguilera’s “Dirty” video, too bad these things have very, very little to do with each other, if not, nothing. Oh, and in regards to the song, I really hope Madonna doesn’t sue her. Well enough with the talk, here is the video, see for yourself:
– LetsKillAndre
Lil B “Free Music” Mixtape
Recently, California rapper Lil B “the Based God” released a 676 song mixtape titled “Free Music”. As the name states this mixtape is completely free which is pretty fucking legit. 47 albums worth of free music is an insane amount and this dude is the truth for doin it. Wether or not you like lil B, you have to respect him doing this for his fans. with so many artists nowadays bitching and moaning over illegally downloading their music, its a fresh change to have one of them trying to give you mass amounts of theirs.
The mixtape can be downloaded in three parts (fucking 2.5 GB) here, here, and here (gotta download all three links and they open all together). I guess all thats left to be said is : SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG
BASED
– Hard Denim Jeans
Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson x SUPREME
I know, these pictures have been leaked a while ago. But, cm’on, the copies were awful. Whoever leaked those pictures definitely did do a good job. So here you go, here is the real deal: Lady Gaga was protagonist of the presentation of the new SUPREME handbag. As you already know, pictures were taken by Terry Richardson. Enjoy.
– LetsKillAndre
Karl Lagerfeld x Kanye West x VMAN Magazine
Just as everything he is involved in, the latest issue of VMAN Magazine featuring Kanye West (and Karl Lagerfeld) will be subject of major controversy. Now, before I even start talking about the magazine, I want to get a few points across to those who always have to complain about Yeezt. You can hate on Kanye West all you want, I don’t care, as long as you do it based on something worth hating him for; and no, making Taylor Swift cry does not count. West is a musician, he knows how to play musical instruments, and he does it well because took him all the way to where he is now (and and when i say instruments I’m not referring to the mouse pad on your Mac Book, because that, is not an instrument). He’s been a fashion icon for nearly a decade now, his taste is being recognized globally, think of LV without YE, or Marc Jacobs, there is pretty high chance they would be bankrupt, at least in the States, without him. And now he’s getting shot by Karl Lagerfeld, one of the biggest names in the fashion industry. And, not pull stereotypes, but those big fashion-heads won’t even look at you if you’re worth it. So please, unless you can do better musically and have the fashion industry in the palm of your hand, shut your mouth and stop diminishing people for no valid reason.
Now going back on the magazine, the concept is pretty interesting as it is equipped with a real dollar bill that was carefully placed in Yeezy’s mouth on the cover. Pictures and design are by Karl Lagerfeld, creative director of Chanel, with inspiration coming from the typical G.O.O.D. music design with juxtaposition of black and white and coral red. A few days ago, VMAN hosted an actual assembly line where models would get each mag ready and sealed. If you want to grab a copy of the issue go to the closest relailer or buy online HERE.
– LetsKillAndre
Sasquatch Music Festival: The Coachella Alternative
Well, now that the dust has settled after the release of the Coachella line-up and the tickets selling out, we can look at other music festivals happening this Spring.
An event that really grabbed my attention was the Sasquatch Music Festival located in George, Washington. It’s a four day festival, starting on the 27th of May, with a good variety of artists preforming every day. Here’s the line-up:
As I’m sure you noticed, there is an emphasis on indie music, so if that genre isn’t your cup of tea then this might not be the event for you. However, there are plenty of acts that aren’t indie to keep the variety of the festival in check.
The roster is looking pretty good, and with four day passes going for 285$ who can really complain if they don’t like every single artist? I was on the fence about going to Coachella, but once the tickets sold out this became the best alternative. For those of you who are still contemplating going to Coachella but don’t want to waste thousands of dollars on craigslist tickets you might want to consider this festival instead. Sasquatch even has some of the same big names that Coachella has, such as Ratatat, Bright Eyes, Death From Above 1979, plenty that aren’t, such as Das Racist, Flaming Lips, Major Lazer, etc. Here’s a great trailer provided by the organizers:
Really the one down side to this event would be it’s lack of rap/hip-hop. However, this is outweighed by the price of tickets, the camping availability, and best of all, the venue: The Gorge Amphitheater, which is widely considered one of the most premier and scenic concert locations in not just the United States, but in the world. Here’s a great photo displaying the excellence of this spot:
I can’t imagine anyone going to this event and having a bad time. Tons of friendly people coming together to enjoy some quality music at one of the best venues in the world. I strongly urge any west coasters (or event enthusiasts from across the country) to mission out to Washington this May for a great time.
-TheJudge
The Fashion Anthropologist: Bill Cunningham x “New York”
Extremely respected and loved in both the fashion industry and the city of New York, 82 year old Bill Cunningham is a fashion and urban wear photographer. His favorite subject are usually young, trendy people and some big names of the fashion industry. With decades of work for the NY Times fashion section, Cunningham is considered the number one collector and contemporary-fashion expert of the western world. Always armed with his camera, big smile and down to earth personality, he can be found anywhere from the darkest allies of the “hip” districts of Brooklyn, to the most exclusive parties in Manhattan.
Following is the trailer of a documentary dedicated to his persona. The film features fashion designers of the caliber of Wintour, Tom Wolfe, Brooke Astor and David Rockefeller. I know I definitely won’t miss this film, and neither should you. Enjoy:
– LetsKillAndre
NVRMND Old Time Reminiscing: Johnny Cash
I’d like to think that I am pretty open to all genres of music. All genres expect for country. I don’t know what it is about country music, but it just doesn’t hit my ear right. The one exception to my aversion for the genre would have to be Johnny Cash. He is the fucking man. Period. It’s a shame that he’s dead, but at least he had quite a thrill filled life. He’s done everything from being a drug addict to starting a forest fire. In fact, after his truck caught on fire due to an “overheated wheel bearing” the resulting fire ended up burning about 508 acres of the Los Padres National Forest. It also burned and killed 49 out of the refuge’s 53 endangered condors. Cash was pretty cavalier about the whole “killing an endangered species” situation, and is quoted as saying “I don’t care about your damn yellow buzzards.”
He had quite an extensive career. I mean, he started in 1954 and kept playing until he died in 2003. Not as many people can stay in the lime light that long and still produce great music. I mean, look at one of his early songs, like “Cocaine Blues” from his album ‘Love, God, Murder’:
Now compare it to “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” from one of his last albums, ‘America V: A Hundred Highways’:
They are so vastly different, and they showcase Cash’s ability to grow and alter his style while still staying true to his country roots.
Aside from making tons of classics of his own he is also responsible for some excellent covers, such as Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt”.
“Hurt” has a pretty solid music video accompanying it, displaying Cash’s feelings of regret and dissatisfaction with events from his past. He worked on it for quite a while with record producer and Columbia Records co-president Rick Ruben. Ruben has worked with such names as The Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. Without him this song would not have happened, and seriously, it’s a great video and a great song. Check it out:
While we’re on the topic of great covers and Johnny Cash, Wyclef Jean from the legendary rap group ‘The Fugees’ does a great cover Cash’s song “Delia’s Gone”. Real talk, Johnny Cash has been covered many, many, times by multiple people, and this is hands down the best cover out of any Johnny Cash song. If you’re only going to watch only one of the videos I post, let it be this one:
RIP Johnny Cash.
-AK9/11
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