Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Kareems 1 off FOX gloves......

you might see him smashing around town on his "ninJAH" cycle....

New Manik & Craig Wetherby photo series restock......

New Manik will be available tomorrow 6/26 along with a restock of the Craig Wetherby photo series for those of you that missed out.....





























Connoisseur533
533 S. Market St
San Jose, Ca 95113
408-293-2633

Monday, June 23, 2008

"Zo! & Tigallo Love The 80's" Album Cover


Written by Kevin Robinson, Jr.
Zo! and Tigallo Love the 80's is a project that Phonte (of Little brother) is putting out. There's only 2,500 copies being pressed out, so you better be one of the few to cop this album. You know if Phonte is on it; it's gonna be hot. This shit is gonna hot.

Mickey Factz Interview

*Also featured on HipHopRemix.com*


Written by Kevin Robinson, Jr.
From the Bronx, New York emerges an extremely talented emcee with the cadence and presence to take the music world by storm. He dropped a free for download LP/mixtape entitled “Heaven’s Fallout,” on his Myspace page with opening songs such as “Vietnam” and heart-wrenching songs such as “There’s Nothing Left.” This cat proves that a hip-hop emcee is eclectic in the music they listen to and also the music they make. Freestyling over electronic bands such as Royksopp and the Prodigy and even Fueled by Ramen’s Fall Out Boy, this Bronx-raised emcee shines on his song choice. Who else could I be talking about? Who else rocks Supras and spit a clean freestyle for the mainstream masses on BET’s “Rap City” a month ago? Mickey Factz, people; if you don’t know who he is, you will by the end of this interview. I sat down with Mickey Factz to get more incite on who he is, and what drives him to make music.

First and foremost, man I would like to thank you for thanking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with me. I wanted to ask you man, why did you pick the name “Mickey Factz?” Is there any significance behind the name?

Mickey-
The name Mickey comes from Natural Born Killers. He was a ruthless killer who loved Mallory Knox to death. Mallory is Hip Hop to me. Facts are all I talk about in my music, but since I have an edge to me, the 'z' is added.



Do you feel any stress on your shoulders being an emcee from the birthplace of hip-hop, Bronx, New York? Who were and are some of the emcee’s from New York that you grew up on and look up today?


Mickey-
No stress at all. I feel honored to be from this borough. I grew up on Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Biggie, KRS-One, Big Pun, Big L etc. Any lyricists who could tear you apart in a cipher [as well].


Is “Heaven’s Fallout” an album or a mixtape?

Mickey-
It’s a conceptualized album. It’s my 3rd actually. The first one was “In Search of the N.E.R.D.” The second was “Flashback”


How would you define your music?

Mickey-
My music is the fork in the road to greatness. Everybody usually makes the right when you get to the fork. But if you want to be daring and feel like you’re REALLY getting somewhere, make that left and experience something life changing.



The internet is a powerful tool man for independent artists, and I can say that I would not even know who you were if it wasn’t for the ‘net. How do you feel about using the internet to promote and market yourself?

Mickey-
It’s a blessing for me. I have access to tons of people who surf the net and go on to blogs to find some of the hottest talent out. I use it to my advantage because I'm thinking outside the box when it comes to marketing and promotion.



When you were featured on BET’s “Rap City,” how did that feel to know that you were gaining more exposure to a grander and more mainstream audience?

Mickey-
It was amazing because the goal is to be seen by everyone's eyes. I can't wait for the next installment.


Brah, I can hella relate to “There’s Nothing Left” on the “Heaven’s Fallout” release; I wanted to ask you if that was all truthful accounts of what happened to you?

Mickey-
Yes. That was one of the realest songs I ever wrote. Every word is the truth. It’s one of my more favorite songs on “Heaven’s Fallout.” Really touching....


I had no idea what Supras were until I heard your song, “I Love Your Supra’s.” I had to go cop a pair after I seen them. Are you sponsored by Supra and how would you define your style of dress?

Mickey-
Supra and GFCnewyork have a continuous growing relationship. They understand the direction I'm going towards, and they support it 100%. My style of dress is definitely one to admire. Quite frankly, I'd call it breath taking.

I know that the Bronx is your hometown, but do you have any other place or city that you can call your second home?

Mickey-

The studio. [Laughs]. Homesweet home.

You are the only emcee that I have heard to use rock and electronic bands instrumentals to freestyle over. A lot of cats do not realize that hip-hop is a gumbo pot and is mixed of different types of music to make hip-hop. What bands do you listen to?

Mickey-
Currently it’s diverse. Vampire Weekend, Janelle Monae, Chester French, Aerosmith, Daft Punk, Telepopmusik etc. I try to broaden the sound that I listen to on a daily basis.


If you could work with any artist, band or composer (dead or alive), who would you want to do a project with?

Mickey-

I'd work with Jimi Hendrix. [He’s an] absolute monster when it comes to letting music embody him.


Are you touring this summer? How do you feel about the line-up for Rock the Bells? Man…I know you’re going, right?


Mickey-
Yeah, I’ll be doing a couple shows here and there. Keep your eyes open. I'll make a surprise appearance at Rock the Bells as well.



Are there any last words that you would like to leave with the HipHopRemix.com heads?

Mickey-

”The Leak” is available every week for free on my Myspace page at www.myspace.com/itzmickey.

”The Achievement” LP will be due out at the end of the year as well.

Mickey Factz has all of the charisma and talent to push him into the high-level plateau that he is destined for. Thanks, Mickey for taking the time out of your schedule to do this interview with me; “Heaven’s Fallout” is a free download on Mickey Factz’ Myspace page. Make sure you go download it and support this cat.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Fast Track amphibious vehicle has been tearing up the land and water in its proof-of-concept form for a few years now, but it looks like the team behind it has finally worked all the kinks out, with Gizmag reporting that the vehicle is now headed towards production, albeit on an extremely small scale. In its current state, the vehicle can hit 39 mph on water and decent 55 mph on land, with the propulsion in each case handled by the vehicle's snowmobile-like tracks. The first vehicles custom made for customers, however, will up the potential danger level considerably, with a 300 horsepower engine delivering speeds of 60 mph on water and 80 mph on land, not to mention "aggressive" new styling that's sure to make it seem even faster. While it's apparently yet to take its first order, the upstart company is certainly not lacking in grand ambitions, with a range of additional amphibious vehicles already on the drawing board, including a 7000 pound hurricane rescue vehicle that will seat ten and a smaller personal-sized craft that'll be half the weight of the original Fast Track. If that's not enough, the team's also going to have a go at the world water speed record for amphibious vehicles later this year, hoping that a 350 horsepower Corvette engine will give 'em the necessary edge. Until then, you can check out the vehicle's current capabilities in the video after the break.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Where I'm From...(DC/Maryland)



I'm from PG County, where all the black people in Maryland who aren't from Baltimore live*. Wale's Mixtape About Nothing, was pretty nice especially the Seinfeld tracks I thought those were the highlights of the mixtape. When dropped it reminded me of something I've been meaning to do but only getting around to now. I figure I'd shine some spotlight on some area artists for the 4 people that read this.

pg county/MD


Kev Brown



Kev Brown's a pretty accomplished producer/emcee known for his signature boom bap sound. The Largo, MD native has been around for a minute, working with DJ Jazzy Jeff and coming to prominence after The Brown Album(the 1st to remix Jay-Z's Black Album). A friend of mine actually tried to put me onto him back in 06 I think, but I slept on him at the time. It wasnt until I heard I Do What I Do a few months later that I became a fan and started checkin for Kev. I related a lot to his struggles of being broke, single, love and life in general.

This is probably my favorite joint. Kev Brown - Alone Again

Versatility Joint



Hip Hop


Oddisee



Along with Kev Brown, Oddisee is one of my favorite members of the Low Budget crew. Oddisee is an insightful rapper who does his thing when it comes to observations about the area and everything else going on around him. In my eyes he really captures the essence of the area in a way others havent. A beast behind the boards and the mic, his debut album A Foot In the Door really showcased his skills. Tracks like "Gentrification", which sheds light on the problem affecting DC. And "Propa" which is like a lyrical tour through PG, DC, MoCo.

0ddisee 101

Oddisee 101

Oh and check his blog gives you a nice look at what goes into doin what he does.

http://www.oddiseemusic.blogspot.com/

?/MD


OOGenesis



I stumbled across OOGenesis after some hardcore music scavenging. An artist(i love his drawings) and a beatmaker from somewhere in Maryland, OO is on the experimental tip like Flying Lotus. OOGenesis is a part of the new wave of music I've started listening to and I'm looking forward to seeing what else he can do.



OOEpisode-Re-Runs


DC

Muhsinah



Muhsinah is the future. Or rather she's now. Not only is she a talented vocalist but she's dope on the keys and MPC as well. I had heard of her for awhile, but it wasn't until I saw her live, opening for J*Davey that I felt the need to check out her music and compelled to cop her album. I cant begin to describe how talented she is so I'll let "Construction" do it for me.



Check her website, Musinah.com lots of music treats.

---TO BE COMPLETED---

-Les

Thursday, June 19, 2008

SF Anthem




Big Rich, Boo Banga & San Quinn "SF Anthem"

This shit right here is for the Bay!!!

You can see Traxamillion rockin an Absolute Power shirt that can be purchased only here at Connoisseur555.com.

Summer mens In4mation pt. 2 .......

The second shipment for summer in mens In4mation just arrived. Don't sleep the quantity is limited.


(front)


(back)






Connoisseur533
533 S. Market St
San Jose, Ca 95123
408-293-2633

Damn, Erykah droppin' science!



Erykah Badu speaks on how to "make it" in the music business

This is some real ass shit right here though; even through all the sarcasm that she is speaking through this montage you can tell that she is serious about how female R&B singers have become more like whores than singers. In the recent ten years, R&B, hip-hop, rock, pop, etc have all had this "commerce over art" makeover where you now get models that cannot sing singing and dancing on your television screens instead of truly talented artists. It has become truly disheartening nowadays when you finally do find an album that has songs greater on it than the singles you've been brainwashed into loving from the radio and TV, you feel like you've had a breathe of fresh air from a truly talented LP.

I'm sick of going to buy an 18 track long album for $15 dollars and finding out that only 3 of the tracks (usually the singles) are the only good songs on the album. The music industry is not about talent anymore; it's about commerce. It's about having models that cannot hold a note singing off key with the Roger & Zapp robotic voice over 80's enthused house beats and making up a stupid dance to get kids to download your ring tone rather than buy your album. Everything has it's time, and the music industry is due for a huge makeover when these house niggas on TV are tap dancing in iced-out nooses and shackles to ignorant songs. Everything is due its time; real music will takeover the fake hella soon.
-Kevin Robinson, Jr.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

U-N-I Interview



Los Angeles was been slated with the stereotype of “gangsta rap” since the early 90’s and there was recently been a resurgence of the region’s hip-hop that is looking to change this. I remember seeing the “K.R.E.A.M. (Kicks Rules Everything Around Me)” video on YouTube back in December and saying to myself that these two dudes right here (Y.O. and Thurzday of U-N-I) could definitely help bring back the true essence of hip-hop’s music that has been lost in the bling era. The true essence of hip-hop of having fun and living life can be seen and heard in their “Beautiful Day” video on YouTube as well. Together, Y.O. and Thurzday make up the hip-hop duo of U-N-I and are gearing to drop their second installment very soon. With over 4 million plays on their Myspace page, their music is being heard all over the internet. I was able to sit and have a good conversation with these two dudes out of Inglewood, and ask them a few questions regarding their music, their next album, and other shit about them as individuals.

What’s up with you cats, man? Introduce yourselves to the HipHopRemix.com world. How did you two meet and why did you pick the name “U-N-I?”

Y-O:

We met at St Bernard High School in 1999 in the courtyard [during] freestyle battles. We recognized each other’s talents and decided to move as a unit. We both played [basketball] ball too.

Thurz:

We came up with the name U-N-I after being inspired by The Roots “Illadelph Halflife.” They had a song with Common titled “U.N.I.verse at War.” It fit us as a first person statement where myself and Y-O go against all contenders while maintaining an “universal” goal in our music to not be “boxed-in” to 1 sound.

There’s been a huge resurrection of hip-hop going on in the Los Angeles area as far as with acts coming out such as Custom Made, Pacific Division, J*Davey, Blu, and as well as you guys. How do you guys feel about the recent wave of hip-hop music that is coming out of your hometown area?

Y-O:

Cali is where it’s at. There’s so much talent out here and we’re proud to be recognized in this new movement.

I seen in the “K.R.E.A.M.” video that you cats had a good deal of about 100 pairs of shoes in the main scene. For all of the sneaker heads out there, how many pairs of sneakers do you both have? What’s your favorite pair of sneakers?

Thurz:

I kind of lost count. My favorite kicks at the moment are my Lobster SBs. Them joints are fresh…I’m kind of upset I couldn’t get the special package from the Concept store in Boston, but it’s all good.

Y-O:

I’m probably approaching 200. My favorite kicks right now are probably….hmmm….I’m going with my Jordan IV’s

When I seen the “Beautiful Day” video on YouTube for the first time months ago, it definitely reminded me of Pharcyde. It was a feel-good joint, and I felt that I could relate to you cats. A lot of the hip-hop now that is coming out is about material things that most people won’t ever able to afford; it’s a breath of fresh air to hear some hip-hop that I can actually relate to. How do you guys feel about the hip-hop scene right now (both mainstream and independent)?

Thurzday:

I feel that a lot of independent artists are receiving more love than mainstream artists. Folks are tired of being force-fed the bullshit music on the radio, so the independent scene serves as a refuge for folks who want some authentic shit, and that’s what we provide. With “Beautiful Day,” we wanted to showcase a nice day in our city over a laid-back track with our own flavor.

Y-O:

A lot of mainstream artist are on their way out, and you definitely know that when you see cats like Nelly biting scenes and concepts from our music video. I think the independent scene is more creative.

Now, man…I gotta ask this! When you made the song, “Fat Girl,” did you guys have anybody in mind when writing it, or were you just making the song just because?

Thurz:

That song was inspired by our good lady friend. We won’t say her name, but the skit before the song is a true story. We started freestyling over the beat about our big ladies and we made it into a song. Lol!

Are you guys currently in the process of signing to a label, or are you going to stay independent?

Y-O:

If somebody comes with a correct offer, we’d definitely take that into consideration.

Thurz:

…Until then, we’re going to keep producing quality music and pumpin’ it out to the internet and streets.

I know that a lot of cats will look at the album title of your first installment and say, “What the hell?!” What made you cats come up with using the title, “Fried Chicken and Watermelon?”

Thurz:

Basicly, black folks are stereotyped as loving fried chicken and watermelon. The West Coast is seen in a similar light of being stereotyped as 1-dimensional and stuck on that gangster tip. The title is used to catch your attention and break the stereotype.

Y-O:

We represent a new movement and we showcase that with our street album.

My favorite song by you cats right now would have to be “Supreme Song.” Will it be on the next album that you guys put out, and when is the next album coming out? What producers and emcee’s will show up on the LP?

Y-O:

“Supreme” is going to be on our 2nd installment titled “A Love Supreme.” It’s being totally produced by Ro Blvd. We’ll hopefully be dropping it in the 3rd quarter of this year

Define your music in one word.

Thurz: Innovative

Y-O: Fuckin sick! LOL

Who are your top five all-time emcee’s and producers?

Thurz:

  1. Emcees
    1. Redman
    2. Black Thought
    3. Common
    4. Jay-Z
    5. B.I.G.

Y-O:

  1. Producers
    1. J Dilla
    2. Premiere
    3. The Neptunes
    4. DJ Khalil
    5. Just Blaze

Are here one of you working on any side projects? Are you guys sponsored by any clothing brands? How would you describe your clothing style?

Thurz:

No side projects. We’re down with Lemar & Dauley and Orisue.

Y-O:

The best way to describe our style is “comfortably fresh.”

Will you guys be going on tour with anyone this summer?

Thurz:

We might be doing something with Aloe Blacc real soon. Stay tuned in

If you guys could work with any artists, bands, composers, etc, (dead or alive), who would you both want to work with?

Thurz:

I think our ideal collab would be J Dilla on the production with a feature from OutKast

I would like to thank U-N-I for taking the time out of their busy schedule to conduct this interview with me; make sure to add them as a friend on Myspace and check out their first installment, “Fried Chicken And Watermelon” (which can be purchased on their Myspace page).

-Kevin Robinson, Jr.

unCovered 3rd Management


The public relations business is going extremely well for me right now; I am doing quite well for someone that has only been in business for only 6 months. When you do get a chance, go and check out my latest project, Connoisseur533.com. We are gearing to make it an online experience that would carry the parallels of a magazine on your computer screen. I am being published on HipHopRemix.com, Connoisseur533,com, SF Weekly, etc quite frequently.

Any of your business matters when it comes to needing some public relations or marketing work done, I can do.
-Press Releases
-Articles
-Interviews
-Media Work

Any artists, businesses, venues, etc that may need some writing, PR, or marketing done, unCovered 3rd Management can take carry of it.

Kevin Robinson, Jr.
Director of Operations/Owner
Uncovered 3rd Marketing
Marketing/Public Relations
Freelance Writer
[e-mail]-uncovered3rd@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Pacific Division "Paper"

"Taste" by Pacific Division

I feel these cats on gettin' their money, man. Girl I don't know what to tell you; there's a lot of shit I wanna do and if you're not helping to get some money, then you can do it movin'. The Pac Div Interview will be up within a few days.

Friday, June 13, 2008

The Carps "Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames"


The Carps "Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames"

I've been listening to this Toronto-bred duo, the Carps for almost a year now, and every time they put something out I'm truly impressed. Go get their "Waves and Shambles" EP on iTunes or any music site for the most part. Check out my interview with them on my blog:
http://dramaking510.blogspot.com/2008/01/carps-interview.html

Check out their Myspace:
www.myspace.com/thecarps
-Kevin Robinson, Jr.

A Thousand Dollars A Gallon & No Ketchup...




Provided by GasBuddy.com


Why must they rape my state of California more than any other state? The average gas price in my county is $4.55 right now while I look at the average gas cost in Houston, Texas is only $3.88. I know, I know...the cost of living here in California is higher than every other place in the U.S., but even still man, this is complete bullshit! I cannot see myself paying over $100 to full up my car every 6 days. It's crazy how out of hand shit is getting; I cannot believe that companies such as Exxon are guaging all of us at the gas pump. Making record capital the first quarter of this year of nearly $10 billion dollars a year is ridiculous. Pretty soon when the riots begin because the cost of living has gotten utterly ridiculous, the government cannot complain why. People are losing their jobs at an alarming rate; gas and grocery prices are both at a record-high rate. A salmonella outbreak in the tomatoes; damn! Just when you wanted to make a salad at the end of your long day from paying a 200 dollars to drive to and fro work, you have to worry about being poisoned from your favorite vegetable. We cannot win either way huh?


This is California prices! No seriously!
-Kevin Robinson,Jr.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Homeroom womens Summer.....







Connoisseur533
533 S. Market St
San Jose, Ca 95123
408-293-2633

Lil Wayne Review & New Artist: Scanz


What’s good, Connoisseurs?

Let me get myself in the mood.

[I’m poppin’ in the Carter 3 now as background music, Give me a second, please]

Okay, basically today is a brief post and an introduction to new artist y’all should be hip to.


I went out and got Wayne’s newest and, let me tell you now, it’s worth it… especially when at sale for $9.98 at Target [I should be getting commission for that. I’ll make a call to Mr. Target after I wake up]. Musically it’s pretty fresh and you know how Wayne’s from another planet already [shout out to E.T. and track 7, “phone home”]. With features from the other Mr. Carter [you know the one…and no, it’s not Jimmy], T-Pain, Robin Thicke, Bobby Valentino, Busta Rhymes, and the illustrious Babyface, to name a few. The 300+ tracks recorded for this were narrowed down to some winners.

New Artist segment! I present to y’all "A Dimepiece", the second video from Scanz off of his Rawkus debut "Prelude to a Legacy". Scanz was chosen as one of the “Rawkus 50,” a collective of artists that Rawkus has signed and dubbed the future of hip hop (right on, Scanz).



Later this summer Scanz and Four Hour Future Inc. will be releasing the free mixtape, Basement Chronicle featuring Krs-One, Channel Live, Sha-Stimuli, Reef the Lost Cause and more.



http://www.myspace.com/scanz
http://www.myspace.com/fourhourfuture

Get out and enjoy the day.

I’ll be out there in a minute.

Xoxo,

Your girlfriend’s favorite rapper,

Essince

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Summer In4mation now in!!!

Finally after a short hiatus In4mation is glad to be back @ Connoisseur533. Thats right folks we just recieved the new summer shipment in literally 20 minutes ago. We are also proud to inform you that we are the ONLY authorized dealer in the south bay. Some may think they got it but we beg to differ. But enough about that lets get on to the clothes. Ladies, the summer heat is damn well in full effect right now and we got you covered. We recieved a cute, yeah I said cute summer dress, shorts and tank tops to keep you fresh through the summer. Fellas we got you too.

Ladies











Guys







This is only the beginning.....

Connoisseur533
533 S. Market St
San Jose, Ca 95113
408-293-2633

Hella Tight fitteds available......

Fresh new fitteds straight from the bay.....









Connoisseur533
533 S. Market St
San Jose, Ca 95113
408-293-2633
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