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Chan.Lo.

New Music - Aaron Camper: Welcome to My World vol. 1

I absolutely adore good music.  There is nothing better than listening to something that not only evokes emotion but, something that makes you press rewind with the sole intent of hearing every lyric, every instrument, and every harmony.  Maybe my love for music is one only shared by few but, I like to think that everyone has in them a passion for songs that seem to be hand picked just for you. 

Nonetheless, I stumbled upon Aaron Camper's mixtape entitled Welcome To My World: The Mixtape, vol. I in my search for something new and I was introduced to just what I needed.  Aaron Camper isn't new to music.  He's a Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and, since his introduction in 2004, has worked with everyone from Jill Scott to Stevie Wonder (...yes...STEVIE WONDER).  He received his first RIAA certified gold album in 2008 (at the age of 22) with Marvin Sapp’s Grammy nominated album Thirsty.

Welcome To My World is a wonderful blend of musical artistry.  Down to the background vocals, each piece is arranged and mixed to perfection.  The twelve song tape has only four tracks with artist features (including: Brandy, Kanye West and Swizz Beats) which, I feel, gives Camper the ability to showcase himself apart from the voices of more established performers.  His voice isn't the best I've ever heard, nor is it the most powerful but, its honest.  I can appreciate that fact more than hearing someone belt a high E above middle C.

Take a look and a listen to the business worthy tracks.  To download Welcome To My World, head to http://www.aaroncampermusic.com/ and follow him on Twitter @AARONCamper.

BUSINESS WORTHY:

"No More"

Reminiscent of a Kanye joint (sans 80% of the auto-tune), "No More" touches on unrequited love and gold digging women.  Sounds like something straight off of 808's and Heartbreak.  The guitar solo and drum break at the 2:50 mark add some extra oomph.

"Water Runs Dry"

This is the only remake I've heard of this song which was originally penned by Babyface and performed by Boyz II Men.  The combination of a revamped arrangement and Camper's original bridge bring this classic song into 2011.  Great remake.  If you listen closely you'll hear that the background instrumental accompaniment is straight out of Jay-Z's "Run This Town".  :).  Just an observation.

"Moment of Silence" feat. Eric Roberson and DJ Active

This ballad is one on my latest playlist.  The lyrical content is an open letter of apology from a man to a scorned woman.  Another sample from Hov's "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune)" completes the chorus.

"Second Thought" feat. Brandy

Aaron sure does apologize quite a bit. :).  Yet another ballad.  Brandy makes this track balance well.  Ladies will love the message.

Honorable Mention:

"How Does It Feel?"

Fellas will identify with this message whole heartily.   Lyrically, Aaron hits the nail on the head with this one. 

Nicki Minaj Lands Spring 2011 Edition of V Magazine.

I've had my reservations about Nicki. I have. She's growing on me though.  Looking forward to seeing the video she shot for the single "Fly" this weekend with Rihanna. 

The issue of V Magazine hits newsstands later this month.

Get Fresh - Baby, It's Cold Outside.

For Her: Cardigans and Color.

More recently, I've received a few requests for advice on my favorite winter wear pieces.  Apparently my cold weather roots are coming in handy. :).  I'm big on comfy cardigans and cropped sweaters.  The weight of the extra material is guaranteed to keep you warm while, the cut of the cloth doesn't automatically make you think of your Granny's favorite sweater.  

Hint: dress up cardigans by adding a ruffled or bow tie top and a pair of slacks.  Dress it down with a men's v-neck or your favorite graphic tee. 

Urban Outfitters - BDG Striped Shawl Collar Cardigan

(available in: Tan and Grey)

$68.00 USD

Click HERE to view.

These options from UO are also appealing:

Cooperative Sailboat Sweater

BDG Colorblock Cardigan

PJ By Peter Jensen Dog Sweater 

(Would pair nicely with a white blazer and skinny jeans)

BDG Varsity Cardigan

Forever 21 - Adeline Sweater Cardigan

(note the multicolor trim on the pockets)

$24.80 USD

Click HERE to purchase.

  

Forever 21 - Long Multi Knit Cardigan

$24.80 USD

Click HERE to view.

 

Unbalanced Crop Knit - Beige

(features an asymmetric neck line and hem)

$68.00 USD

To view this knit top, click HERE.

In addition to winter wear, I've recently decided to fore-go my typical nude lip for brighter shades paired with all black pieces or light hued sweaters and jackets. The contrast has added another dimension to the look without overpowering. I'm all about versatility and receiving the most for your buck so, naturally, I took immediately to the pigments offered by M.A.C.  The purchase provides powder that can be used as lip, eye and cheek color.  To utilize it as a lip-stick I blend a bit of the powder with my favorite gloss or balm.  Check out my favorite shades below and visit:

 M.A.C. Cosmetics to purchase.

Fuschia Frost

$19.50 USD

(.15oz)

Magenta Madness

$19.50 USD

(.15 oz)

For Him: The Bomb Like...Tick, Tick.

I've been really into fitted sweatshirts as of late.  I think the pair well with winter staples such as bubble and fleece vests as well as scarves and hanging ear hats for gentlemen who find themselves in casual situations and more often than not, on the go.  I also have a slight obsession with watches so, needless to say the featured piece caught my eye.  The fact that I can buy it for my man and wear it myself, added a bit of twinkle to my eye. 

Browse. Buy. Wear. :).

The Hundreds - Johnny Crew Sweatshirt

$84.48 USD

Available at ASOS.

 

Vestal - Unisex SLA004 Grenade Green Stainless Steel Watch

(Available in: Army Green and Black)

$140.00 USD

Click HERE to purchase.

*UPDATE* Browsing www.amazon.com and found this watch for $49.90 (savings of 64%!)

View for the the Amazon price HERE.



Sore Losers - Get A Life Documentary - Snippet Released

Texas bred hip-hop and beyond group, Sore Losers, hit us with a heads up clip of their soon to be released documentary entitled Get A Life. 

The doc chronicles the journey of Blue and Brown as they hit the highs and lows of their ever rising popularity. 

Check out the preview below and head to http://www.wearesorelosers.com/ for more info.

SORE LOSERS - GET A LIFE (TRAILER) from Xclusive Society on Vimeo.

Is This The Last We've Heard From Jazmine?

I don't blog about the personal lives of artists. It just isn't my cup o' tea.  However, when Jazmine Sullivan took to Twitter (otherwise known as the portal to the underworld) last night to publicly announce her pseudo-retirement I gasped...and wondered, "WTH!?! Is it that bad Jazzy!?!".  The tweets (which have since been removed) can be seen in their entirety below:

"I’m making an official announcement that i am taking a break from music. i’m trying to figure out who i am… w/out a mike, paper or pen.  i promised myself when it wasn’t fun anymore i wouldn’t do it. and here i am. i’m not saying i wont ever sing again in my life becuz i dont believe that. but in this moment… rt now… i got some things to figure out. i love u all and appreciate u soooooo much. u have no idea.  how much u’ve inspired me and fed my ego. but the truth is that i have to believe in me whether you all do or not. and thats what i’m lookin for. that belief in myself. me. I. i love us. thanks for being here for me and riding with me on this journey. let us continue."

Well, I can't say that I won't miss her gorgeous voice but, I can't put myself in her shoes.  I commend her for having the strength to walk away from all of this if she truly is not happy.  I just hope this isn't a publicity stunt.  That would hurt my soul.

Peep the video below of Jazmine singing "In Love With Another Man" in the Seventeen offices 2 years ago.  Chills.

New Music: "Look At Me Now" - Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes

"I can't see how you can hate from the outside of the club.  You can't even get in."

I chuckled at the first line of the latest leak from Chris Brown.  "Look At Me Now" featuring lyrical fools Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes is obviously a playground for the elder musicians.  Busta and Wayne both go in...which was expected.  CB tries his hand and the whole rapping/singing thing made popular by Drake.  Granted, he sings better than Drizzy but, he really sounds like he's trying to pull a #LemmeHolDatBeat a la Trey Songz.  

However, I won't hate on the song.  It'll bang in any whip.  The beat is crazy and the addition of Wayne and Busta give the song mixtape credibility. 

Take a listen below and click the link to download.



To download "Look At Me Now" click HERE.

Kanye West's New Video...WTF...mannnnnn.

Remember when I posted the photo clips of this video and said it looked serial killer-ish at best? (Check out the post Monster Creativity?).  Well, let's just say one view was enough.  Peep it below.  The Illuminati theorists will be screaming about this one.

Speechless - Alicia Keys featuring Eve

A. Keys is back to work with a new joint featuring Eve. The track, the second collab from these two (the first was 2007's "Gangsta Lovin"), entitled "Speechless" is an ode to her baby boy, Egypt, hence, the Egyptian inspired photography. ;).

The track is classic A. Keys.  Nothing that she hasn't done before but, it is sweet. :)

Listen to song below or download "Speechless" via Hulkshare by clicking HERE.

Tis The Season To Be...Fresh, Part Deux.

For Her: Utilitarian Chic and Heavy Metals.

William Rasts' Fall/Winter 2010 runway show forecasts an ode to utilitarian style all the way down to the feet.  The shoes displayed above and below are huge staples of this winter.  Lace ups with military-esqe flair (i.e. tassels, buckles, perforated patterns, etc.) are combined with platform soles and 4-5 inch heels to embrace the officer look.  Pairing these boots with leggings, long tees and military style jackets or even a pair of your favorite boyfriend jeans would make for a rugged girl look.  Of course, these functional boots are not strictly relegated to pants; they look just as awesome when paired with skirts. 

I personally LOVE the William Rast perforated lace up booties but, at $398.00 they could be a bit of a price stretch for some.  Take a peek at the other boots I've pulled. Your feet will be pleased. :).

William Rast - Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

Perforated Lace Up Booties

$398.00 USD

Available at: Shop Bop.

Aldo - Videtto Peep toe

Colors: Black, Brown

$110.00 USD

50% off - New Price: $54.98

Available on www.aldoshoes.com or by clicking HERE.

Aldo - Winebrenner

Canvas Lace Up Heeled Ankle Boots

$137.92 USD

NOW - $82.75

Available at: ASOS

If there is one thing that plenty of women spend money on without a second guess, it's manicures and pedicures.  What better gift to give this holiday season than a trip to the nail shop and a pretty color to call your own?  Metallic polishes are my favorite shade right now and Chanel's newest polish - which is from their Spring 2011 La Vernis collection, Steel, is dark enough to give a hint of attitude and at $23.00 its a perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite girl on the go.

To purchase Chanel's La Vernis "Steel" Polish, head on over to the CHANEL  cosmetics site.

If you desire warmer hues or something a bit more metal-like, check out OPI's Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous or Dior's Vernis Nail Enamel in Czarina Gold.   

Dior - Vernis Nail Enamel in Czarina Gold

$21.00 USD

www.shop.nordstrom.com

OPI - Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous

$8.50 USD

(for a .5 oz bottle)

www.OPI.com

HAPPY SHOPPING & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Peace. Love. Fresh.

XoXo

Chan.Lo.

 

Live Shows Shawty: Dom Kennedy, Sore Losers & Angela Carter.

Hive Society, Scrubs University, and the folks at  Unkommon Kolor have come together to support Toys for Tots and to showcase some hot acts for the Cali-2-Texas Toys For Tots Tour headlined by Cali-based artist, Dom Kennedy.  Folks in Houston and in D-town, Texas will be pleased with additional appearances by Le$ Carter, Mookie Jones and the Sore Losers.  

Tickets are $15 for General Admission and $10.00 with a Toy donation.

For presale tickets in Houston (12/16/2010) visit: Cali-2-Texas Tour - Houston

For presale tickets in Dallas (12/17/2010) visit:  Cali-2-Texas Tour - Dallas

Recording artist, Angela Carter along with promo companies Clout World and 9Eleven Studios present the Local Expressions concert with various artists including: EyeSee3, Miss Keke, Broadway and Micah Seth to name a few.

The concert is open to the public and people of all ages.

For more information and to view videos of some of the slated artists visit: www.acartermusic.com

Deck The Halls with Boughs of GIVING.

The Ladies at Edge Magazine are hoping to team up with YOU to give one family a very Merry Christmas. 

Edge is asking for donations to acquire basic household needs and wants for the Ramirez family. 

Every little bit helps and your generosity is most appreciated.

To donate via credit card or Paypal, click on the link below:

Edge Magazine - Give Back Christmas 

Peace. Love. Joy.

XoXo

Chan.Lo.

Mainstream Releases...The Good, Bad, and the Awesome.

Tank releases his 4th studio LP, Now or Never, on December 14th.  The R&B crooner (responsible for "Maybe I Deserve", "Slowly", "One Man" and the hit "Please Don't Go") shows tremendous artistic ability and of course, sex appeal, in the latest release.  As a Tank fan, I know I'll be purchasing a copy however, I don't see this as his break-out album.  Help from big names Chris Brown ("Foreplay") and Drake ("Celebration") are appealing but, not Top 20 records. 

Bottom line: Awesome disc. On point production. Beautiful lyrics. But, it still isn't what Tank needs compete with the artists he writes for.  However, I truly hope I'm wrong.

For the record, he didn't include A FEW tracks that leaked late last year and early this year.  One such leak entitled, "Lost In You", that he dropped in 2009 would have been an awesome addition.  Tell me if you agree by clicking HERE to listen.

Business Worthy Tracks:

"Sex Music"

"Celebration" feat. Drake 

"Emergency"

"Keep It 100"

"I Can't Make You Love Me" 

Ciara's release of Basic Instinct as a follow-up to the 2009's Fantasy Ride comes on the heels of critic's and artists alike questioning her love for the music that made her a star.  I've listened to a few of the tracks from Basic Instinct and while the usual superstar producers (Tricky Stewart and The Dream) work their usual magic, the end results are exactly what you'd expect.  Nod inducing but, not repeat worthy. 

Ciara has yet to find the hit that propels her into studio sessions with the producers that create anthems for breakfast and with songs like "Girls Get Your Money," an ode to girls, and how they, you know, get money, doesn't do anything to bring her out of the cookie cutter mold she's been stuck in.

"Ride" and "Gimme Dat" are reminiscent of her first album yet, they pack a punch that, I wish, could have been reproduced throughout Basic Instinct.

I truly hope Ciara can hit the nail on the head one of these days.  Never say never.

Business Worthy Tracks:

"Ride"

"Gimme Dat"

"Yea I Know"

I'll have to admit that I did chuckle when Diddy announced this project as "...ushering a new movement" oh...almost two years ago.  February of 2009 to be exact. As of Saturday, I was no longer chuckling.  While it isn't the deepest reflection of musical talent (Diddy's attempts at singing are...interesting) I'd have to go on a limb and say this is Diddy's best production piece in years.  The underlying theme of a conflicted playboy and his relationship woes are brought to life with the addition of Kalenna and ex-Danity Kane member, Dawn Richard.

My only qualm lies in the fact that eleven of the sixteen track LP are with features from other artists.  It makes me wonder how a Dirty Money concert could even occur.  Nonetheless, Diddy capitalizes on the trend of highly danceable hip-hop fused with bass heavy beats.  The melodic voices of Kalenna and Dawn blend well and additional song birds Chris Brown, Usher, and Trey Songz add additional harmonies along with their male points of view.

Diddy made Last Train To Paris a digital story and despite the slew of features and a few questionable lyrical choices, I for one, am on board.

Business Worthy Tracks:

"Looking For Love" (Feat. Usher)

"Hate You Now"

"Your Love" feat. Trey Songz (this one is a bit explicit...you are forewarned)

"Hello, Good Morning" feat. T.I.

"I Know" feat. Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa

"Loving You No More" feat. Drake

ADDITIONAL RELEASES TODAY:

Michael - Michael Jackson

Kandi Koated - Kandi

Love Letter - R. Kelly

White Blood Cells - The White Stripes

'Tis The Season To Be...Fresh, Part I.

For Him: Shoe High...or Hi.

Now, there is good news (yay!) and bad news (boooo!).  Good news: I spotted these Fragment designed Nike Dunk Hi's and I loved them. Not only because Dunk's are one of MY favorite sneaks to rock but, because of the ode to my favorite color.  The purple and black/blue contrast make for an interesting combo that pops but, doesn't have too much flash.  My favorite part of this design may be something you've yet to notice:  The left shoe utilizes purple as its majority color with black serving as the secondary color. The right shoe bears the same...in reverse.  Both shoes are etched with the fragment logo on the heel.  Fragment has also designed the Air Zoom All Court Low's , which weren't my favorite but, to each their own.

Now, for the bad news:  These kicks will be releasing in extremely limited numbers as an overseas exclusive on December 18th, in Beijing and Tokyo with only limited number of pairs coming to the U.S. So, if you want them, now may be a time to create that ebay account, call in a favor, or book a flight to Beijing.  Shi?

(Above and Below: Fragment Nike Dunk Hi (Fragment Design)

Colors: Black/Purple

Also available in: Pink/Yellow and Navy/Red

Images courtesy of: www.nicekicks.com and www.kidulty.com

For Him: Cartier - The Gentleman's Sunglasses.

I love a man who can wear some shades.  That being said, I spotted the Vintage Cartier Sunglasses below and above (rocked by none other than Kanye West) and I did some investigating.  Turns out these puppies will run you about $1,100 USD so, if you have an extra stack, go ahead and try to find these limited specs.  However, there is still plenty of Cartier for those of us with smaller budgets.  Check out the pieces I've pulled below and get some for that special guy. :).

Vintage Cartier Sunglasses

$1,100 + USD

Limited Availability

(ABOVE AND BELOW)

Santos De Cartier Rimmed Sunglasses

Available in Platinum and Gold finish. Grey or purple polorized lenses.

$850.00 USD

Santos De Cartier Rimmed Sunglasses (Sport Collection)

Steel finish, composite grey lenses.

$490.00 USD

images courtesy of www.upscalehype.com and www.cartier.com



Diggy Simmons Freestyle Steez.

Diggy Simmons recently held an impromptu freestyle performance at the Sneaker Pimps tour stop in NYC.  If you didn't know, Sneaker Pimps is a traveling exhibition  which features over 1,500 pairs of rare, limited edition, vintage sneakers.  In addition to the shoes, the stops also feature sneaker inspired artwork and photography.

Nonetheless, Diggy hit the mic fierce.  I still can't believe his voice is changing...or that he said the N word.

Peep the freestyle below
(especially the line about 1st grade and tax forms...POW)
and visit

Sneaker Pimps for more information about the tour and the sneakers they feature.

Video Credit: http://www.realtalkny.net/



Monster...Creativity?

K-Weezy (aka Kanye West) released snaps from the set of his video for the heavy-weight "Monster" track featuring Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Rick Ross.

I'm all for creativity but, this kind of looks...well, serial killer-ish.

Take a look at the pics below courtesy of the folks at www.hiphopconnection.com

To view more images and hear more from Rick Ross, check out the article at AllHipHop.com