Theophilus London Presents: Rarities & Exclusives Part 1

If you've had the pleasure of seeing Theophilus perform live in the recent past (which I have,) then you may be familiar with some of these tracks. If not, get familiar! Although his mixtape is slated to drop soon, this teaser of sorts should definitely whet your appetite enough to keep you fiending for the release...

Track List:
01 The Vault
02 StarScream 08
03 Blindfolded
04 Thelonious
05 Rest of 'Em (IE Merge's Viscera Mix)

Click on the image above to download.

TONIGHT!!! Check Your Hearbeat

Video: Jay-Z ft. Pharrell Williams - I Know

Genevieve Jones: "The Little Social Climber that Could"

Michelle Obama: The "Black, Jackie O."? Methinks not. However, the fly-est woman on the planet is black. Her name? Why Genevieve Jones, of bien sûr! She's magnificent; from her petite, wispy frame, to her flawless brown skin, and (perpetually well coiffed) shoulder-length mane, she possesses that je ne sais quoi that has captured the hearts of all the fashionistas on the New York social scene. No, wait-- I think I mistook her charm for her wardrobe. I mean, yes, she is a rather darling little gadfly, and that's why we love her so, she has a wardrobe that would make Naomi Campbell flush (which, given her gorgeous, chocolate complexion, would be presumably difficult to manage.) Perhaps what tickles me most is seeing her at events and shows with that filthy, little Cory Kennedy (with her perpetually greasy locks, and the smudged eyeliner that screams out "please, take me home and bathe me!"), in all likelihood I delight in that whole "princess and the pauper" dynamic that it creates. And while she neither attended college, nor is she a "trust fund baby," she has used her aforementioned charm to make her the "it" girl du jour. Alright, so I know what I said before about making sure not to get swept up in the hype, but to be quite honest, if she ran for President, I'd back her 100%; any woman this fabulous, who was able to climb the social ladder without fair skin and deep pockets must know something the rest of us don't. Oh, and Victoria Beckham, darling, please take notes; we don't want to see you top the Worst Dressed List two years in a row-- that certainly would not be "posh." -Virginia Jackson-Reed

I Think Someone Has A New Stylist

Well, at least I certainly hope so. That is to say, Lil Mama is looking pretty fab in her new video. Although I absolutely loathe her, and that horrid song, I must give credit where credit is due; I mean, this is inarguably an upgrade from some of her previous outfits (more notably, the "baby" garb she sported to the VMAs which was accompanied by a pacifier.) Black is always sleek, and patent leather is so hot right now. Most importantly, it doesn't look like she's trying too hard; every time I see her in a dress (she murdered that Chanel number-- and not in a good way,) I feel faint (or is that my diet, again?) Well, in any case, my only gripe would have to be her white, half-gloves. Don't get me wrong-- they're gorgeous, but gloves are my thing! And trust me, I hate to be treaded on. -Virginia Jackson-Reed

Diane von Fürstenberg Studio - NYC

Diane von Fürstenberg Studio’s new headquarters fits perfectly in New York City’s fashionable Meatpacking District, also known as the Gansevoort Market Historic District. The new, six-story building is wedged between two historical, landmarked facades that resemble the wall props in Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba. One corner of the structure is topped by a Olot, Spain-made faceted glass sphere that is part of the penthouse suite and seems like a gigantic diamond fallen from the sky.

In the design, New York-based WORK Architecture managed to combine old and new, light and dark, openness and enclosure, artistry and practicality. The building houses DVF’s flagship store, a 5,000-square-foot showroom and event space, offices and studios for a 120 people, an executive suite, and a penthouse apartment.

READ MORE

via The Cool Hunter

Mickey Factz EPK

Check it out, let us know what you think. It's also featured in issue #3 of DAP Magazine. Go cop it now.

GFCnewyorkTV

Here's some clips of Mick acting like a fool. You have to know how to laugh at yourself at times. You can't be walking around all the time taking yourself too seriously. Life's too short for that.



Also here's some behind the scenes footage from the Rocksmith Spring '08 lookbook photoshoot we conducted at the end of '07. The energy was crazy, the personalities eclectic, and the women beautiful...of course we can't forget the collection, which will be available at a store near you soon. While you're at it, pick up a copy of Dap Magazine Issue #3, to catch this shoot as well interviews with Mickey Factz, The Cool Kids, Kareem Black, Colette and more.

Diddy On Letterman

Mr. Sean Combs, never ceases to amaze. He's an ultimate character. Love it or hate it, he's great at it.

Be sure to check out A Raisin In The Sun on ABC, this coming Monday, February 25th.

Drive Bys Volume One with Mos Def

I'm sorry, but...

This is just ridiculous! I mean, I know it's a fragrance for men, but sheesh. And if the fragrance is smells anything like the ad campaign (and the strategic positioning of the cologne bottles) suggest, then I'm not sure that it's going to be such a "hot-ticket item." Yeah, I'm going to have to pass on this one... Shame on you, Tom Ford! -Virginia Jackson-Reed

The Leak - Week 8: Up High

So about a month and a half ago Mickey Factz started a weekly series titled The Leak on his myspace page. Every Tuesday night he uploads a new song to his page's playlist that would be available for free download to his avid listeners, supporters, haters, and so forth for ONE WEEK ONLY. After that week is up a new track goes up, leaving you to be left scouring the web for that exclusive that you may never be able to attain again. Anyhow recently I've been reprimanded for my slacking on not notifying our following on the GFCnewyork blog of this here Leak. And for that I greatly apologize. So to kick things off for this week is the song "Up High." Download and enjoy. Don't forget feedback is always greatly appreciated, so leave him a comment.

I'll be sure to upload the previous tracks here soon, for those of you that missed out on them due to my negligence. So stay tuned.

Trace: True Beauty

Indeed it is. This new issue of Trace Magazine I am definitely feeling. I felt the need to share it with our patrons if you haven't seen it yet. Beautiful women of all color, beautiful photography, and good editorials, you can't go wrong. Download your pdf version of the issue HERE.

Get Up & Jam

Come check out Mickey Factz perform at the following this week:

Wednesday, February 20th
@ Sputnik
262 Taafe Place
Brooklyn, NY
Doors Open @ 7:30PM
Open Bar from 8-9PM
For more information visit Yatta Mayjour

Thursday, February 21st
@ Room Service
35 E21ST Street
New York, NY
Doors Open @ 11PM

Open Air

This is a short documentary on street art that was done in 2006, by Knox (Good looks on the edit of the Rockin N Rollin video, which will be coming soon). A very informative and entertaining piece. If you haven't checked it out yet, here's your chance.

Glow In The Dark Mixtape

Tracklist

Intro 1:17 Mahito Yokota
Locked Away 3:30 Mickey Factz, N.E.R.D.
Gold Watch 4:13 Lupe Fiasco
Good Girl Gone Bad 3:30 Rihanna
Hey Mama (2008 Studio Version) 2:38 Kanye West
Dumb It Down (Live) 3:32 Lupe Fiasco
Sell Me Candy 2:46 Rihanna
International Swagger 4:14 Pharrell
Flashing Lights(Remix)exclusive 3:58 Kanye West, Dwele, Colin Munroe
Tape You/Nasty Naughty 7:41 N.E.R.D.
Push Up On Me 3:15 Rihanna
What It Do 3:57 Lupe Fiasco
Hater Family 3:36 PM
I was Waiting For You 2:49 N.E.R.D.
I Wonder Freestyle Live 3:26 Kanye West
Streets On Fire 4:40 Lupe Fiasco
Umbrella (Unplugged) 4:39 Rihanna
Good Night 3:07 Kanye West, Mos Def
Finer Things (Bonus Track) 4:15 Felli Fel, Neyo, Fabolous, Kanye, JD

DOWNLOAD HERE NOW

Another Major Blow to Organized Crime

"NEW YORK - The Gambinos were once a ruthless crime family whose empire stretched across the city and whose boss was a bona fide local celebrity, strutting around town in $2,000 suits and beating case after case.

Although their mystique faded over the years amid a series of convictions and damaging testimony from turncoat mobsters, they still maintained an intimidating presence in the underworld.

But the remnants of the once-fabled Gambinos had their knees taken out from under them Thursday."

Read the rest of the story HERE

For NY Times coverage read HERE

Just Me and My Bitch

So yesterday night was the Grammy's and everyone came decked out in their finest. But the most provocative attire of the evening was the most casual. Kelis and beau, Nasir Jones came adorned in their "Nigger" treatments:

Best Rap Album nominee Nas ruffled a few feathers at the 50th annual Grammy Awards when he came backstage with wife Kelis to promote his album N*gger, due in April.

The word was emblazoned in silver across his black T-shirt. “This album is for all the so-called n*ggerss in the world (who are) being mistreated,” the rapper said.

Why bother courting the n-word controversy in the first place? “We felt like shaking it up with something real,” he said. “To open up some awareness. Of course, people are going to be getting a little crazy about it. Hip-hop has been catching a lot of flak. We use the word in our music. For the last year, it’s just been really crazy with the word. As rappers are getting all the blame, I thought I’d talke about it and express myself.”

Kelis, also sporting the word on her top, said, “The word is not important. Whether we say it or not, we still get treated like one.

Your thoughts.”

courtesy of FadedYouth

Bonus: Check out this Cunninlynguists "Dirty Acres" trailer.

Do Your Homework, Kiddies...

The upcoming election is a historical one: for the first time, there is a chance that either a woman, or a black man could become the next "Leader of the Free World." And while this should be very exciting to me, I'm finding it to be more bittersweet than anything else.

Senator Hillary Clinton is a strong, eloquent, and inarguably intelligent woman. It has even been said that she was the driving force behind many of husband, Bill's policies. However, she has painted her self out to be unreliable when it comes to the issue of holding steadfast to her principles; although being a major proponent in the movement for socialized medicine, and against health care providers, she was silenced by a substantial bribe.

Obama, on the other hand, is far too left, even from a Democratic standpoint. His voting records show over 100 "present" votes-- some on issues that should take little to no thought. For instance, allowing sex shops to be located in propinquity to schools and places of worship (as if that's not easily a "no"!) Additionally, he voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and the Induced Infant Liability Act. These acts would have given care to babies who survived late term abortions. The odd part is that in the case of the latter of the two, not even NARAL Pro-Choice America was opposed to the Act. But then again, most people aren't opposed to letting babies literally sit in a hospital and die of neglect (but then again, this is coming from the man who said on NATIONAL TV that his preacher uses "f***" in his sermons.)

I'm sorry, but I believe that no matter what your stance on abortion is, no person with any sort of conscious or morality can advocate that a CHILD can be left to die once born into this world. He even voted against a bill defining "born alive" infants as infants born at "any stage of development." So does that mean that now premature babies are not alive? Should we leave them to die, too?

Frankly, I don't care what ethnicity the President is, as long as he (or she) is qualified. Sorry, but we don't need another Clarence Thomas. I'd suggest you read what The Washington Post's Fact Checker has to say on him, and all the other candidates as well. Websites like Project Vote Smart will give you some of the voting history for each candidate, but I'd suggest we be mercenary in making sure we research what stance each candidate takes on specific issues well before we cast in our ballots. In the past, the greatest boundary we as minorities have had is a lack of knowledge. Let's not get caught up in the hype. Educate yourselves. I'm not telling you how to vote, but what I am trying to do is get you to think about the real faces behind the candidates-- because those campaign speeches have been filled with a whole lot of fluff! -Virginia Jackson-Reed

Posso the Spat: Sometimes Cool Things Come In Small Packages

Hello ladies and gents. Yes, I know its been a while, but like 50 Cent said, " Yeah, I've been gone for a minute, but I'm BACK!" Of course, I'm back with another of my notoriously insane fashion rants... And this time, we're talking shoes (because shoes are perhaps every woman's kryptonite.) But then again, how could they not be when they can make or break your outfit. I think Sex and the City fans can all recall sympathizing with Carrie when she uttered the words "I've spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!" But her tragically-humorous dilemma actually made a pretty accurate statement on women and how we will drive ourselves into massive, paralyzing debt just to look posh in the newest pair of sky-high, YSL pumps.

But the question I have to ask is "why should we have to?" I know that fashion is art, and people must suffer for their art-- but isn't that a burden that the artiste is obligated to bare? Well, L.A. duo Marylouise Pels and Vanessa Giovacchini have taken a classic accessory (the spat), and made it into an instant wardrobe booster.

Posso the Spat is a collaborative effort, spawned out of necessity; "When you look at the runway (you look at Givenchy, Balenciaga), and they're all doing gladiator, high-style shoes," Marylouise tells me. "And this is a way to get that look for a fraction of the price. " Because let's face it, most of us aren't rolling in enough bank to be able to go out and buy a new pair of Manolos as we so please.

I'll be the first to testify that they can transform your typical, run-of-the-mill, shoe, into something pretty bad-ass! Although they may seem too editorial for the typical person, they're aimed towards the adventurous fashionista, so that's a non-sequitur. But what is relevant is how not only can they effortlessly revamp your shoe collection, but how they're functional even in the brisk, New York City Weather; "Coming from California, this is just sort of a superfluous, fun, accessory (like a bracelet, or a necklace is,) but here, it actually keeps you warm," says Pels. Which I found to be true in wearing them on a freezing January afternoon (and those were just the leather ones!) Their Fall 08 collection, however features wool spats (think legwarmers-- if they weren't played out.)

In the months to come, these lovely ladies will even be releasing a clothing line. And if the collection's point of view is anything like Marylouise's funky style, and the girls' too cool accessories line, you can put me down for one of everything! And don't worry if you can't make it to L.A., the label is stocked by notorious hipster outposts like Seven and Oak in Soho (and yes, of course, they have some old school, Michael Jackson in "Smooth Criminal," style spats, too.)-Virginia Jackson-Reed

Yes We Can

Super Tuesday 2008

Go out and let your voices be heard. Time for Change. Go Vote Today.

Mickey Factz in Scheme Magazine

Go check out the new Mickey Factz feature story in the new online issue of Scheme Magazine.

Go Giants

GFCnewyork would like to congratulate the New York Giants for reinforcing one of our mottos, "Make It Happen" in their victory towards becoming NFL Champions. The underdogs going into SuperBowl XLII against the undefeated New England Patriots, showed us what strong will and determination coupled with a blessed destiny will manifest. Final stats were 17 - 14, Giants over the Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Arizona.

Hint

I'm sure this isn't nothing purposely done, because who isn't on a Mac these days. But with the rumors circulating about a digital label in the midst between Apple & Mr. Shawn Carter, could this be subliminal humor.

"Nights on, daytime, lights on, hell yeah I'm frontin' but you love it, though" - Show You How, Jay-Z

Adidas Original Denim by Diesel

Adidas Original and Diesel come together to collaborate on a denim collection. The collection will be released this Spring season. Check out the pics.

"The denim comes both washed and raw in black and indigo colors, some washed pieces also with further customization. The Adidas logo appears on the back tag, the side, the bottom of the denim and also some rivets have been replaced with the Adidas logo. All in all a pretty complete denim line with rather subtle branding. The Diesel logo appears on the front pocket as usual. On one side we prefer this collaboration over what Puma did with Evisu, simply because the collection is more subtle and concentrates on the denim and the washes rather than the branding. On the other side, the question is, if people want denim with Adidas branding? It's not exactly a sign of quality for denim. We will see, once they land in store. "

via HighSnobiety