12.22.2007

This Ain't a Scene...



Another Friday night at Lotus, another party at APT, one in LES another in Brooklyn, who cares? When it all comes down to it, these parties are just satellites for the same rotation of trendies on any particular night. So who cares about those parties and those people? Right?


You, whoever you are, reading this, should care! The fact that you're eyes are on this page probably means you've been at to one of these night-time get-togethers yourself, or only have one degree of separation from them. The fact that you can club hop during any particlar week and see the same set of grills is the most important detail to said question- because it proves that this ain't a scene, it's a goddamn culture.



Granted, it's a small culture, a culture within a culture- born from two unbearably cool parent cultures (hip-hop and hipster) but it still makes the mark. This culture, hipster in its own right, is replicating the process hip-hop endured while it was in its infant stages. Then, iconic rappers and hip-hop contributors (everyone from photographers to dancers) were revolving in the same circles when it was just "a scene". They were competing over the dopest gear, trying to bag the flyest shorties, fronting with the largest door knockers but all dancing to the same beat- the same way it is at a 1992 Party or a Yo Yo Party.



At some point Va$htie's video gems will be the latest hyped DVD box set, Kesh will fix trends that will leak to top tier fashion and Thelonious Kapps (Theophilous London?) will further usher hip-hop away from its current state of dumb. Other folks-double edged marketers- have already recognized the real- The Cool Kids did a commercial for Rhapsody, Chromeo got biz from XM and MTV both and Perez Hilton is diggin' on Kid Sister. Robin Williams rocks Bape!!!


Whatever the event is, there is a creativity we all understand and appreciate, that's what attracts us there. After all, just because you partied at The Pussy Party doesn't mean you'd necessarily show up to Kareem Black's photo exhibit. But this isn't just a random smattering of people. We're a nameless culture, diferent enough from our mother culture, hip-hop, to retain our own identity (and how fly we are!) but similar enough to be relatively accessible to curious mainstreamers.



So when you see us in the street, holler at us, because as corny as it sounds, we really are building a culture here. One day I'll script a book throwing down the history of today's youth cultures (as interpreted by yours truly), but for now, rest assured that ours is one based on a few things: creativity, in all shapes and sizes, staying fly,in thrift shop threads to 5th Ave purchases and partying like a...you know how we do.



The hardest thing is not recognizing that there is something legitimate going on here. The hardest part is trying to find a term to call it? Whatever it is, you can definitely call it dope.




'prece.

12.21.2007

Get hip to 'prece...


Style.com never fails to impress and inform. Though we have no idea where it came from, their fashion blog, "style file," has declared a new trend in abbreviated lingo...and we wish to take part in its expansion. Ladies and gents, queens and dragqueens, hipster kings and fashion aces, we present to you...'prece. Take it to their website for details.

'prece.

12.20.2007

"Us Placers" by Lupe, Kanye & Pharrell (CRS)

Va$htie threw it down with this one...



The reigning queen of LES and Director of Creative Services at Def Jam...check the girl out on myspace.

'prece.

12.16.2007

10 Deep in Fool's Gold



10 Deep and Fool's Gold records brought their latest jam to Element for a mid-week smackdown. Obviously, we were there...

Even though we missed the open bar,anchored the block-long line like suckers and got frisked like we were partying at China Club, Pase Rock warmed up our frost-bitten pride with digs from Kid Sister, the 90s, Miami, Chromeo...and on and on, till the break of dawn.

Style was NOT out of sight- heads represented 10 Deep with their all-over-print everythings, the Voguers did their thing in white fur and designer specs, Kid Sister threw it back to 95 with her new blonde, MJB-style coif and nerd-hip was at it's highest with non-prescription eyewear that clearly showed that this crowd was sharp on the corner of Essex and Houston.

'prece.

12.09.2007

Shmack x Karmaloop x Coltrane

Like Eddie and Urkel, Shmack and Karmaloop team up to throw down at Manor. Not the usual stomping grounds for skate brands, the two got up with Coltrane to conquer the Meat Packing district.

Has LES moved north or is it business as usual? You judge, Judy...

'prece.


12.01.2007