
To raise fund for his own charitable organization, Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, and the New York chapter of United Way, Jay-Z will be hosting an intimate concert at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall on February 7th. First as a resident in Brookly’s Marcy public housing project, then as a upcoming hip-hop artist, entrepreneur, mogul, and more recently, a husband and father, the concert is a reflection of Jay-Z’s life and time as a New Yorker. It is also a testament to the age old saying “if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere”. Tickets for the concert are on sale now at Carnegie Hall’s online box office. As expected, the demands have already overwhelmed the event space’s website. However, you can also enter to win 2 free tickets by simply “like” Carnegie Hall’s Facebook page.
Photography: Tommy Ton/Jak & Jill

Clothed in luxurious python skin with a layer of lambskin as under brim for good measure, the customized New Era snapback by STRAPBACKS have garnered much acclaims. And that was even before Jay-Z fashioned it throughout his “Watch The Throne” tour with Kanye West. Now, the same premium construct can be your as STRAPBACKS releases 10 of these special edition. Hand crafted and all genuine down to the gold buckle leather strap, each retails for $300 US and available for a limited time only via STRAPBACKS online store.

With yesterday’s Federal indictment against online file sharing giant MEGAUPLOAD came with an odd bit of news, that the hip-hop mogul Swizz Beatz was the company’s CEO. Though not one of the accused and certainly not labeled as a member of what the Feds called “criminal enterprise” in the indictment, Beatz’ own publicist mentioned he was the CEO of MEGAUPLOAD. The confusing revelation certainly drew more interest in what was already a controversial case against an equally controversial organization. Clarification came today as MEGAUPLOAD’s attorney stated that Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, was never part of MEGAUPLOAD. In his statement regarding his client, attorney Ira Rothken told news site VentureBeat “To my knowledge, Swizz Beatz was never involved in any meaningful way.” He also added “He was negotiating to become the CEO, but it was never official.” Meanwhile, the hacker collective known as Anonymous launched a Denial of Service attack on U.S. Department of Justice’s website as a protest against the indictment. via: VentureBeat

Box logo devotees that they are, the gang from OFWGKTA certainly understand the value of the collabo tee and the limited overseas drop. Their pop-up shop out in LA for instance has some in-store only items, but perhaps the pinnacle of hard to get goods from Odd Future is this set of recently released Tyler, the Creator designed t-shirts. An apparent result of their recent jaunt through Oceania, the quartet is available exclusively at Qubic in New Zealand. The front features two cats umm….embracing, with the words “Two Dudes” underneath in the signature cooper black font that we’ve seen permeate through Odd Future’s visual presence. Stick with us for a look at all four colorways that are available and hit up Qubic’s online spot to get one for yourself.

As Consumer Electronics Show drew to a close over the weekend, the biggest news wasn’t just about Microsoft departure from the annual tech forum. One other notable update was Beats by Dr. Dre‘s decision not to renew its exclusive contract with Monster Cable. From its very first headphones, the Studio, in 2008, to a full range of audio products it offers today, Beats By Dr. Dre made an astonishing transition from a mere accessories manufacturer to a lifestyle label. Some of the credit goes to Monster Cable, founder Noel Lee, its occasional controversial marketing tactics. Speculations about the end of the 5-year partnership grew when Taiwanese cellphone maker HTC acquired 51% of Beats at $300 million. Around the same time, Noel Lee’s son Kevin, an integral part of partnership, left to create SOL Republic, an audio accessories label with uncanny similarities to Beats except at half the price. Meanwhile, Monster already established its next partnership, this time with denim label Diesel.

In anticipation of Chinese New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Dragon, Nike China played host last evening to “The Power of Dragon”, a special launch party for its Year of the Dragon Collection. With the YOTD collection – Air Force 1 Low Supreme, Air Jordan 2012, Nike Kobe VII System Supreme and Nike Zoom KD IV, as centerpieces, Nike converted event space at Shanghai 800 Creative Park into a fully fledged dragon’s lair, featuring associated graphics, lighting, even temporary flooring in the forms of dragon scales. Ushered through the lair’s gate, an evening filled with entertainment awaited guests. In a battle of might and supremacy, top streetballers from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and elsewhere compete head to head. Elsewhere along the sprawling space, there were battles among b-boy crews from across China. The evening never let up as some of the best MC and DJ from the four corners of Asia, including DJ Uppercut, Shortkut, and Tashi, performed on a singular musical theme of “The Story of the Monster”.

Not only does CONVERSE provide musicians with free recording time through its Rubber Tracks studio, the company is launching an online series of original short films featuring a select group of artists in the studio. Each film will document a different facet of the recording experience, ultimately giving the amateur musicians an unprecedented level of exposure through the Rubber Tracks website. Those films include: “Oh Hello,” which introduces individual artists and profiles their sound; “Track of the Week,” offering a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of the track of the week (this week’s selection is from the Beijing indie-rock band Hedgehog); “Rubber Meets the Road,” a multi-episode series that chronicles the life of a touring band as they make their way to Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn (featuring Chicago experimental rock band YAWN); and more. Check out all the films at the Rubber Tracks site.

It was with a good reason why so many dubbed her as “the Princess of Hip-Hop”. Barely a week old, Blue Ivy Carter, the new born daughter of Jay-Z and Beyonce, becomes the youngest person to be on a BILLBOARD chart. Largely thanks to her well-connected father and advancement in technology, Blue Ivy was able to record a “duet” with Jay-Z at a very tender age of a few hours old. The outcome was “Glory – Featuring B.I.C.”, or Blue Ivy Carter, which launched within 48 hours of Blue Ivy’s birth. The song now sit on the No. 74 spot of BILLBOARD R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. Congratulation to Blue Ivy and her proud parents!

Who wants a silver spoon when you can have a suped-up Merecedes as your personal vehicle? While the outrage over Lenox Hill Hospital‘s over-the-top preferential treatment of Blue Ivy Carter continues, the 7-pound bundle of joy headed home with parents Jay-Z and Beyoncé on Tuesday. The newly crowned Princess of Hip-Hop also received her first taste of ultra-luxury in this customized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Quipped with fully adjustable leather seats, satellite TV, mini-bar, and other must-have accessories for the rich and famous, Mercedes Sprinter Van Grand Edition whisked the famous couple and their newborn through the hospital’s loading dock yesterday. Security details in a fleet of blacked-out SUVs then escorted the vehicle to its destination to prevent any paparazzo from trailing behind. via: NYDailyNews

There’s still sometime before she can grasp the idea of fame and fortune, but Blue Ivy Carter, the new born daughter of Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles, became the most famous baby in the world over the weekend. To serenade this new bundle of joy in their lives, Jay-Z, with help from The Neptunes, penned “GLORY”, a modern day lullaby, to his little one’s first cries.
Life just got REALLY good.
Hello Hello Baby Blue!
We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012.
Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven.
She was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives.
We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support.
Jay-Z – Glory (Feat. Blue Ivy Carter)

It was more than a mere sneaker release this past Saturday when Supra unleashed the all reflective Just Blaze x Supra Skytop II. Instead, the mega-producer joined friend and families for for a birthday bash at Supra’s New York City flagship also. Among the party goers were well-wisher like Hawaii Mike, Set Free, the beautiful Joy Claire, Brittany Rose and dozens of Supra customers who received VIP passes to the event. And thanks to non-stop spins from Young Guru and DJ Soul, documentation by the one and only Mel D. Cole, and ginormous sneaker-cake in the likeness of the Just Blaze x Supra Skytop II, the party continued on to the late evening hours.

With just days away from the start of North American International Auto Show, press relations have started the routine peppering of previews and leaks to car enthusiasts worldwide. However, this 2012 Dodge Charger Blacktop isn’t in that category. While it is a show car, its going to a completely different trade show, the International Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, in Las Vegas. A demonstration vehicle on steroid, the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 powered Dodge Charger Blacktop has 370 ponies on tap at anytime. And now thanks to Beats by Dr. Dre, with its nine speakers and one subwoofer in the trunk, the car will have concert-like acoustic on tap too. Quipped with the Uconnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen LCD and a 12-channel amplifier that will act as the control unit for the car’s integrated audio components, the special offering will be an option starting this year when purchasing a new 2012 Dodge Charger.


